[scene] Apollo and Pearl with Iris in "Don't go Chasing Waterfalls"
Apollo: *it's a beautiful, blazing Sunday morning when Apollo Justice and his parents pull up their car to park it by the temple ahead of them. The drive up the mountain had been fairly uneventful, and Apollo looks slightly sleepy as he stumbles out of the vehicle*
JusticeMom: *stretches slightly* What a beautiful day!
JusticeDad: *grins, looking a bit antsy* This is going to be one incredible day!
JusticeMom: Yes... It's been so long since I went and relaxed. It's a pretty non-traditional spa.
Apollo: *mumbling* I don't think it's really a spa, Mom... *he looks up at the temple and gives a sigh, opening the back door to get out his backpack. Might as well get some work done today while he waits*
JusticeDad: *examining a brochure and a map at the same time, one in each hand* Oh, boy, I'm confusing myself. Where are the bathrooms? *grins as though it's a joke- Mrs. Justice laughs as though she understands it*
Apollo: *rolls his eyes* Give me that. *he takes the map from his father and examines it* Let's check in first, okay? Don't get ahead of yourself.
JusticeDad: Yeah, sure. C'mon, sport. Let's head up to the temple.
JusticeMom: It's so nice up here. *sighs happily*
JusticeDad: I'm going to take a ton of pictures! Maybe inspire a new piece. Hazakura in Clay and Cereal.
Apollo: *slightly mortified* Please don't.
Apollo: *the Justice family heads up to the temple doors, Apollo leading and checking over his shoulder to ensure that his parents don't wander off, distracted by one thing or another*
Iris: *The door to the temple is open to let the breeze in. Iris, who'd been expecting the family, comes into view and sees the family approaching. She stands by, waiting politely*
JusticeDad: Hi, there! *comes up with an excited smile* You're the temple maiden, right?
Apollo: *mumbles something or other*
Iris: Good day. *smiles and gives a small bow* Yes... my name is Sister Iris. Mr. Justice, I presume?
JusticeDad: Yeah! Good to meet you, Sister Iris. My wife and I couldn't be more excited. *he is unabashed about his eagerness even as Apollo shrinks back*
JusticeMom: Yes- what is this, exactly? Seasonal refreshment, or some such thing?
Iris: I'll be your aid as you clear your own path towards inner peace. My job is to guide you. I'm certain it will provide you with long term ease in today's hectic world. *there's a sweet sincerity to her lines*
JusticeMom: *with a sigh* That is so lovely. Just what I need... Would you show us the way, Sister Iris?
Apollo: Hey, uh... Can I just sit over there and wait for my parents to be back? *lowering his eyes from Iris intentionally, Apollo motions to a bench by the wall*
Iris: *looks towards Apollo, taking no offense* Of course. Please roam the area as you wish -- if you'd like some fresh air, by all means, have a look around. *gestures towards the door* It's a lovely day...
Iris: and the scenery here is to be enjoyed by all.
Apollo: *he flushes, not at her words, but mostly at her manner, with his eyes still averted* Thank you, Sister.
JusticeDad: *claps his hands together* Well, let's get a-goin', then! Good luck with your boring books, sport!
JusticeMom: Behave yourself, sweetheart.
Apollo: When have I ever been a problem...
Iris: You're welcome. *turns her attention back towards the parents* Please come in. You may leave your shoes at the door...
Apollo: *watches Iris and his parents go off for a few moments and then turns his attention back around. He lowers his bag and heads towards the bench*
Apollo: *Apollo settles down on the bench, trying his best to tune out the interesting decor around him. He opens his History textbook and quickly becomes absorbed in it*
Pearl: *having been given an ice cream bar by Bikini, Pearl wanders outside, wondering if she can be of any help to her sister with the customers. Her eyes scan over Apollo at first, but then she looks back and blinks* Oh! *she shouts, and loses her grip on the ice cream bar, fumbling and catching it with her arm*
Pearl: *she sucks on her sleeve for a minute and then wipes the ice cream off her arm, then looks up* Mister Apollo! *she greets him happily*
Apollo: *he looks up with a start, halfway through turning a page* Mister Apo...? *but when he realizes who it is, he smiles slightly* Hi there!
Pearl: Hello! Um! *she blinks at him* Um! What are you reading?
Apollo: *he looks up and lifts the book slightly* It's a history book. *semi apologetically* It's not all that interesting.
Pearl: *leans over to read it, turning her head sideways* Oh! Well, that's no good. Aren't you here for training?
Apollo: Oh, no. It's my parents. I'm just waiting for them. *shakes his head slightly*
Pearl: Oh... oh! Your parents are here? *looks around* What kind of training are they doing? Do they have spiritual powers?
Apollo: No, they just like to try weir-- *he quickly corrects himself* new things. They've been planning this for a while. *a pause* I didn't know you lived all the way up here.
Pearl: Oh, I don't! I live in Kurain, but my sister lives here, and I'm visiting. *she takes a bite out of the ice cream bar, before it melts on her hand* She is the one who is training today's clients, so you may have met her.
Apollo: Oh, yeah I did. She's so pretty... *he looks vaguely dazed for a moment and stares off into space for a bit*
Apollo: ...B-but anyway.
Pearl: *A momentary hardness in her features* She's Mister Nick's special someone. *her voice is admonitory and flat*
Apollo: *looks at her strangely* Of course. That doesn't make her any less pretty.
Pearl: *blinks at that and looks out thoughtfully* I guess so. She is really pretty. I'm going to have long hair like that someday. *she tugs at the ends of her chin-length bangs and then looks at him*
Pearl: Um! So you don't want to do any training?
Apollo: Nah, I don't have the money. I'm just going to hang out here for a couple of hours. I haven't got any magical abilities to bring out, anyway.
Pearl: Oh, well, I don't have any magical abilities either, just spiritual powers. *smiles* Trucy's the one with magic! And anyway, this kind of training is good for lots of different things! It can clear your mind and rejuvenate your body and it’s good for... *she furrows her brow, trying to remember the pitch she's heard Iris give* ...restoring your spirit!
Apollo: Yeah, but... *the smile quirks his lips again* That's all great, but it costs money. My, uh, my boss- *he tries not to stumble over the word, knowing that it's a half-truth* says I'm pretty spirited anyways.
Pearl: Well, you don't have to pay, I can just show you the kind of stuff that I do! *she finishes her by now very melty ice cream bar and puts the stick in her sleeve, wiping her hands off* Besides, you can be spirited on the outside but bereft of depth on the inside. Not that I think you are!!
Apollo: *blinks at her* Ah... You're sure? I guess that sounds a little better than just sitting around. Maybe you can fill my empty soul with interesting things.
Pearl: *gasps, blushing* I-I didn't mean to say that at all! Your soul is probably already full of interesting things! I mean, you saved Trucy and Mister Nick likes you so- *trails off, flushed, and is silent for a moment* ...Okay but you should probably change clothes before we go.
Apollo: *seems surprised by her reaction* I wasn't trying to say that, either- just making a joke. *he rubs at his hair spikes and moves to the next subject* Change my clothes? Huh?
Pearl: I- I thought so. I should have known. My apologies. *a bow* As far as your clothes, to discipline and train the inside, you must first break down the outside. I don't think you want to mess up your clothes, so you should change into one of the visitor's robes.
Apollo: *warily* Visitor's robes, huh...? *he stands up straight and puts his book on the bench* Well... Alright. Show me the way... Mystic Pearl. *he remembers, belatedly, what he'd read up in the pamphlets* Is that right?
Pearl: *blinks* Oh! Y-yes! But you don't have to call me that if you don't want to. *still, she draws herself up to her full height and gestures for him to follow. She goes into the building, fishing out a set of robes and holding it up, tilting her head* Do you think these will fit?
Apollo: *stares at the thing and tries desperately not to think of the word dress* Er... *awkwardly* Do you have any in red? Any shade of red? *he offers a smile*
Pearl: *shakes her head* We only have grey here. The nun's habits are purple and red, but I don't think there would be one that would fit you.
Apollo: *mumbles something indecipherable underneath his breath* *louder* No, no purple. Grey will do. *he picks up the robe and begins to put it on over top of his clothes*
Pearl: *laughs a little into her hand* Um, Mister Apollo, that's... well... Your clothes will get WET if you wear it like that! I'll leave the room so you can change, all right? Oh and um! *looks as if she's thinking back* Feel free to keep your underwear on, if you feel uncomfortable. *a bow, and she leaves the room briefly, sliding the door closed*
Apollo: Why would I take them off? *but he changes quickly, storing his clothes away, and exits the room, looking around for her and awkwardly adjusting the robe, feeling very bare*
Pearl: *glances at the door as it opens, and then glances into the room to be sure everything is clean and neat. She smiles as she sees there's no mess* All right, let's go down to the river.
Apollo: The river? *he pauses in his tracks, looking hesitant* What is it that we're going to do in the river?
Pearl: Oh, don't worry, we won't be going in the river. *she pauses* Well, unless you fall in.
Apollo: *stares down at her intensely* Is something going to happen to me that'll make me fall in?
Pearl: *returns his gaze just as intensely. Simply* If you slip, you'll fall in.
Apollo: *leans in, not breaking eye contact* Slip from what?
Pearl: *she flushes* The rocks. Sometimes people do, but it's pretty safe. The current isn't very strong at the bottom of the waterfall.
Apollo: Waterfall? Waterfall? *he swallows and reminds himself that if this little girl can do it- well, so can he* ...Okay. I've got a good sense of balance. I can do that.
Pearl: Good! Let's go then! Follow me. *runs off at a pretty quick pace, expecting him to be able to follow*
Apollo: *a moment passes before he takes off after her, resisting the urge to hold his robe up out of the way so he doesn't fall flat on his face*
Pearl: *she waits for him at the stairs above the Heavenly Hall, then gestures for him to follow her down them* Be careful.
Apollo: *glances around slightly apprehensively, but nods and follows close behind her* Got it, Mystic Pearl.
Pearl: *She leads him along the riverbank, looking out at the rushing water restively* This is the Eagle River. *she says over her shoulder* It's very dangerous at parts, but some parts are okay to swim in.
Apollo: We're at the part that's okay to swim in, right? *he presses his mouth together in a tense line*
Pearl: *nods* Near there. It's most dangerous right underneath the bridge. *she turns around, pointing up at it* We're almost there.
Apollo: *he keeps up pace to walk next to her* ...Dangerous or not, it's pretty beautiful out here. *he admits*
Pearl: *smiles serenely up at him* Yes. The best way to purify the soul is to communicate with nature, I think. That's why places like this are good for training.
Apollo: So you don't think one could purify themselves out in the city? *jokingly* Is it the smog?
Pearl: *tilts her head* Oh well, I guess you could, except that it's very loud there. It would take a lot more effort!
Apollo: You're right. *Apollo thinks to some of his classmates* You become really used to it after a while, though. I mean... people say I'm pretty loud. I'm surprised my mentor can even concentrate in the office sometimes with me wrong. *he frowns at himself*
Pearl: *giggles* You don't seem like you'd be all that loud, Mr. Apollo.
Apollo: *smiles at her laugh* When I fall into the river and start yelling like a little kid, I guess you'll see. Er, hear.
Pearl: You won't fall! Even if you do, I'm sure you'll be fine. It's not very deep by the waterfall. It's very safe.
Apollo: So what is it that I have to do? I still don't quite get it. *looks down at her*
Pearl: Well... *purses her lips* You stand under the waterfall! And meditate. *she looks up at him* "The rushing water numbs the body and senses, until all that you can feel is the power of the spirit within you." It's nice when it's hot like this.
Apollo: *he yelps* Stand under it?! Is that even safe? Can a human body even handle that kind of pressure? *he babbles on nonsensically*
Pearl: *she gives him a dumbfounded look* I do it all the time! It's not nearly as bad in the summer as it is in the winter. Sometimes bits of ice hit me on the nose.
Apollo: Not nearly as bad, huh? *tries not to look as scared as he feels* And... one question, Mystic Pearl.
Pearl: Yes?
Apollo: How do you breathe? *looks completely serious*
Pearl: *laughs* Oh, Mister Apollo! You don't stand all the way under it, the front of your face is outside the waterfall. But if you accidentally lean back too far, the water runs over your nose and you can still breathe.
Apollo: *mumbles as though committing this all to memory, and then smiles lopsidedly* I look like an idiot, huh? You know, you ought to have an information booklet on the finer details.
Pearl: *looks up at him with a dubious face* This is all pretty elementary stuff, Mister Apollo.
Apollo: *frowns at her* Well, then.
Pearl: *frowns back* It's all right if you didn't know, though. There was a lot of stuff I didn't know til I started to read a lot. *gives him a slightly indulgent smile* Don't feel bad
Apollo: That's right. *he presses on that topic to avoid the waterfall* You do read a lot. That's good. I know kids my age who don't read for fun.
Pearl: Really? I wonder why... Maybe they learn things from the TV. That's how Mystic Maya likes to learn things.
Apollo: You don't really learn much from television. Just ask my parents... *sighs and shakes his head* They could go on all day about it. Educational programs, sure, but I'd rather stay in and read...
Pearl: It's very loud, the television. I like to watch with Mystic Maya, but otherwise I mostly watch only educational programs. What kind of books do you like to read? Mostly books like that one you were reading earlier?
Apollo: I don't know if I'd say like, but I do it because I need to for school, and it's sort of interesting. My real passion is in law. *he folds his hands together behind his back* I have a lot of University-level law textbooks. *the way he says this is not in a bragging way* I started reading ahead of my years a long while ago. Like you, huh?
Pearl: *humbly but honestly* Oh, no, not at all! I wasn't very good at reading at all until just now. It still takes me a very long time to read books, but I like to do it a lot, so I spend lots of time doing it.
Apollo: It's one of those things you get better at the more you do it. *he nods slightly* Like, ah... This, I hope. *he stares at the waterfall*
Pearl: *looks up at the waterfall without trepidation* It's not hard at all! I fell into the water the first few times I did it, but I was very small then.
Apollo: Well, alright. Do I have to do it by myself, or are you going to show me? *presses a hand to his suddenly empty stomach*
Pearl: I'll do it with you! Here, first let's just stand on the rocks for a little while. *She hops onto the rocks that line the bottom of the waterfall, leaning her hand on the wall behind the water. It's up to her shoulder and she sputters a little of the water out of her mouth. She turns over her shoulder* Come on up!
Apollo: *he glances about before he steps onto one of the rocks there- the step is easier for him to do*
Apollo: *balancing carefully, he steps to the other, coming close to her. The water is right next to him and is splashing the bottom of his robes*
Apollo: *he looks down at her* You're going to mess up your hair. *a slightly apologetic smile*
Pearl: *touches her loops and then smooths them down to her head* It's all right! I can fix it if it falls out. Put your arms in and try it!
Apollo: *looks at the waterfall, and then pushes his sleeves up slightly. It does seem as bad up close. He puts his forearms into it, causing the spray to come up at him, but the water is warmer than expected* *he grins* Hey, it's not that bad.
Pearl: Just like I said! *smiles. She raises her voice over the splashing* Now, put your hands like this! *folds them together with the forefingers lifted* And turn around and lean back into the waterfall! Then, just let your mind drift! It's very simple!
Pearl: *by way of demonstration, she turns slowly on the slick rocks, and leans slightly back, closing her eyes as the water washes over her head and neck*
Apollo: *studies her movements, and then nods, mimicking her- he jolts a little when the water hits his head* There goes my hair style. *his hair quickly dissolves- it's actually quite longish and layered around his ears and the nape of his neck. The look changes his appearance quite a bit* This is nice. *he tries not to sound too self-conscious*
Pearl: *beyond the din of the waterfall around her ears, she can't really hear much except that he's speaking. She glances over at him, a bit surprised to see the change in his hair* Oh... Um... *the water feels cooler on her face as she blushes. She shouts* Now close your eyes and just don't think about anything!!
Apollo: About- anything?! *this seems an impossible task- Apollo's mind is always racing past one thing or another. He shuts his eyes and leans back a little more, growing drenched quickly*
Apollo: *he tries to think of nothing at all- but trying to think of nothing at all makes him think about nothing at all, which makes him wonder why he's trying to think about nothing* Ugh... How in the heck do you do that...
Pearl: Just listen to the sounds and feel the way the water feels!! *she closes her eyes again and leans a bit further back, water washing over her face as she does. She frowns very slightly and then her face relaxes easily - her mind falling into a practiced pattern of meditation*
Apollo: *he squirms slightly, knowing that copying her this time won't work. Feeling slightly guilty, he just lets his mind wander over a variety of topics- and that, in itself, isn't all that bad. Almost relaxing, really...*
Pearl: *it's some time later before Pearl finally starts to notice the small aches in her feet and leans a bit out of the waterfall. She looks up at the sky and then over at Apollo*
Apollo: *has been daydreaming for the last long while- he hears the flow of water shift and opens his eyes* Huh? *he looks detached for a few moments*
Pearl: *she moves her wet bangs away from her face and nods at the shore* We've been here for a while! It's time to go!
Apollo: What time is it? *he looks up as well. The sun seems to have moved a bit* Aaah, jeez. *he reaches up for his hair spikes and remembers that they're long gone* Time to head back?
Pearl: *nods and starts towards the shore, putting her finger gently into her ear to get the water out*
Apollo: *he steps out from under the waterfall and catches up to her- he's soaking wet and the robes are heavy* *he huffs a little* Wow, that was something. I mean, it wasn't bad at all, and I didn't even fall. That's pretty cool. How often do you do that? I feel all... I dunno. Feels kind of cool. *he rolls his shoulders*
Pearl: I'm glad you liked it!! *she gives a little bit of a bounce* I feel strange if I don't do it about once every week. It's very relaxing, isn't it!
Apollo: *he grins, nodding* I'd totally do that once a week, too. Er, except I live out in the city, where there are no waterfalls. But the point is that I would.
Apollo: Anyways... *he looks up at the sky briefly, running a hand through his wet hair* That was pretty cool. You're pretty cool, Mystic Pearl.
Pearl: *her eyes widen and she smiles shyly, pressing her hands to her cheeks* Oh, well... um... um... *she turns away* Thank you...
Apollo: *he looks at her reaction and then realizes with some awkwardness what the blush is for* ... *he reaches up and hits himself in the forehead while her head is turned*
Apollo: You're welcome. *but he smiles*
Pearl: *when she turns back, she's fussing with her wet bangs, smoothing her fingers through them awkwardly, eyes averted* Um, we should go back so you can change before your parents are finished with their course.
Apollo: *they near the temple, and Apollo nods* Yeah, alright. They're kind of comfortable, though. It's not so bad wearing a dre- robes. Robes.
Apollo: *he mumbles something to himself and then holds the doors open for her*
Pearl: It's called a yukata. *she smiles at his chivalry* They're very traditional and cool for the summertime.
Apollo: *he shows her in and then closes the door carefully behind them both* Somehow, I don't think it falls under my school's dress code.
Pearl: What's a 'dress code'? *she seems interested*
Apollo: It's, um... A set of rules dictating what you can and can't wear at school. I follow it pretty closely. Well, some of the girls don't really but yeah.
Pearl: Oh! That's kind of like the rules for training. We have to wear this! *she gestures to her own clothes* All the time. I don't really have many other kinds of clothes.
Apollo: No normal clothes? What do you wear out in the city? *he looks interested- really, her life here is pretty fascinating*
Pearl: *tilts her head* This? I just wear the same clothes. Although my daddy bought me shoes that are different, and I have some work clothes for the garden. Is that odd?
Apollo: No, not at all. It's really cool. *he smiles* Not a lot of kids lead a life like yours. I could probably stand to learn some more about this place so I don't look so silly next time I head up...
Pearl: You're going to come back? *her eyes sparkle*
Apollo: Huh? *seems to just now realize what he said* Oh. Well, yeah. I'd totally want to. Maybe I'll actually take a course or two. Would you be up here, though?
Pearl: Oh, um, um... *stamps her feet nervously, spinning around halfway* Well, I could be if... um... if Iris says it's all right.
Apollo: *smiles gently* Up to you, really. I don't take it they do programs at Kurain?
Pearl: Not really. My mother always said we were... 'seriously devoted to the craft.' And that we mustn't cheapen our ideals by doing things like this. *frowns* But I think it's all right. Iris and Sister Bikini are better at these kinds of things than Mystic Maya or I would be anyway.
Apollo: So I'd have to come back up here, then. But I don't think it'd be nearly as fun without you as a guide. *looks thoughtful*
Pearl: *modestly, with a blush* Y-you don't have to say such things...
Apollo: You're right. *presses his fist to his palm, smirking* I should go with Miss Iris instead. Man, she's beautiful. I'm sure we'd have a great time.
Pearl: *turns toward him, anger sparking in her eyes* Mister Apollo... *she warns, and then her anger seems to fade away* Her training courses are much more difficult than this.
Apollo: But that's okay, because she's so pretty. I'm sure Mr. Wright won't mind. And if I fall over, she'll... help me back up. *grins, looking away*
Pearl: *her fist balls up* That's... Mister Apollo!! Iris is very kind, you shouldn't... you... *frustrated, she slugs him one in the arm, not quite as hard as she hits Phoenix, given that Apollo is smaller than him, but still pretty hard*
Apollo: *looks down at her, stunned- he had expected to rile her, though not quite to the point where she'd hit him. He clutches his arm, frowning* I was kidding.
Pearl: *puts her hand over her mouth* I-I'm sorry... I just... I'm sorry!! *she looks down, and tears come to her eyes, but before they can fall, she runs off so quickly that but for the drips of water where she stood, it's as if she was never there*
Apollo: *looks after her, stunned, before realizing what just happened* What the heck?! *steeling himself, he dashes off in the direction she went in* What did I do oh man what did I even do
Pearl: *she's not far, leaning on the outside wall of the house, trying not to cry*
Apollo: *he comes to a stop a few feet away from her* Was it something I said? *he tries to adopt a light tone of voice* H-hey. I can be pretty tactless. You know, it was probably for the best that you hit me. My dad says it should be done more often, but mom won't let him. *he trails off* And it's just paintbrushes anyway...
Pearl: No, no... It was my fault, please accept my sincerest apologies for my rude actions.... *she sniffles and bows but her brain catches up to his last statement, which confuses her* P-paintbrushes?
Apollo: *after a moment, he bows as well* No, I'm sorry.
Apollo: *a pause*
Apollo: Yeah, paintbrushes. My dad's an artist. You know, some of them are pretty big. Wooden handles. *he says this seriously* Or maybe the hard bristled end.
Pearl: He really hits you with them? *wide-eyed*
Apollo: Not really. Sometimes he'll give me one, or a broom, and we'll sword-fight...
Apollo: ...My dad is kind of weird.
Pearl: *giggles* He sounds fun.
Apollo: You okay? *looks down at her worriedly*
Pearl: Um... Yes! *rubs her eyes with a fist, childishly* Don't worry about me! *gives him a smile* I'll just wait out here while you change, all right?
Apollo: Your hair's still kind of wet. And the loops are gone... *he has a funny look on his face* And mine as well. *he reaches up and winces* You don't happen to use any hair gel for your hair, do you?
Pearl: *shakes her head with a sort of curious look on her face* That's the kind of stuff Mister Nick uses to make his hair all sticky, right? I don't use that. The braids are very tight, they stand up on their own. *she lifts her hand to finger her wilted and mussed braids.*
Apollo: *he frowns* Well, I've got some hairspray in my bag. Did you want some help putting yourself back together a bit? *he wonders if girls their age care as much about their hair as the girls in his school do*
Pearl: I can do it on my own, but not while it's wet... *she deftly undoes the braid and combs fingers through her hair, fluffing it out to dry it. The portion that was in the braids comes out curly, and it's flattering if a bit odd-looking*
Apollo: Want me to help you? I'm pretty good at hair. I promise I'm not going to give you a mohawk or anything. *he crosses his arms*
*she's not quite sure what a mohawk is, though she's heard the word before. She looks at him through her hair* O-okay... *her voice is soft*
Apollo: C'mon. Let's go back inside. And you have permission to hit me if I say something wrong again. *he moves a bit and holds his arm in a beckoning motion, though he doesn't touch her*
Pearl: *she gives a small smile and follows, but says nothing*
Apollo: *when they get back inside, Apollo hunts around in his back until he comes up with a can of Hold It! hairspray* Know how to use it? This stuff can be dangerous. *it's not clear in his tone of voice whether or not he's joking*
Pearl: *shakes her head, her hair flopping from side to side* Very dangerous? If it is, perhaps it would be best not to use any...
Apollo: Here, just shake your hair out and then close your eyes...
Pearl: *though still looking a bit dubious and worried, she lowers her head and shakes it, staring for a moment at how long it's become and then closing her eyes as he said* All right, ready!
Apollo: *he holds a hand above her eyes just in case and begins spraying the longer, wavier pieces, gently pulling through them as he does light enough that she might not feel it* *he stops spraying for a moment* Do you start your braids up high or low?
Pearl: You have to braid them up or they don't stay right. *she says, indistinctly from behind her hair* It's like two ponytails at the top of my head and then they're braided. Do you know how to braid hair?
Apollo: Yeah, I do. Please don't ask why *looking more intensely concentrated, he leans in and begins to pull her hair up towards the crown of her head* Do you always wear it up like this?
Pearl: *nearly nods, but stops before her head makes too much motion* Since I was a baby. My mom always did it for me but then I had to learn how myself.
Apollo: Ah. *he doesn't press the question, though the curiosity does poke at him* *he begins braiding them into two long pieces* You know, you should wear your hair down once in a while. Like Sister Iris.
Pearl: It was never long enough before... But I guess it is now. My mother liked me to keep it short. *a pause* You... you think it would be pretty?
Apollo: *pauses* Well, yeah. Long hair looks really pretty on girls. But I like this, too. *he moves onto the other braid* You look nice with both.
Pearl: *flushes* I'm... happy that you do. I like it too! Ei-either way, both ways... Maybe I'll ask Iris to teach me how... um.
Apollo: *he brings up one of the braids between his fingers* Did you want me to clip this in place somehow? *considers her comment* I think it'd make you look a bit older, if that's what you want.
Pearl: I can do that part! *pulls the bead out of her sleeve and fiddles with it* You think so? Um... Hm... I think I'll try it then.
Apollo: *lifts his hands away for her* If you do, I'd like to see it the next time I come up.
Pearl: *fixes the bead into her hair* Okay! I will then!! *she feels the braids. They're slightly different from the ones she does herself. She lowers her eyes with a flush* I will.
Apollo: *his expression softens somewhat at her manner, and there's a pause before he finally says* ...Alright, I should go get into some dry clothes, huh?
Pearl: *looks up* Oh, right! Yes, please feel free to go do that. And thank you for the help with my hair...!
Apollo: Haha. Of course. *nods at her and then looks up* Let's head back inside, though. *frowns* Unless that's how you generally do that sort of thing up here in the mountains.
Pearl: O-oh! Well, I was going to wait outside, but I should probably change too... *she suddenly looks uncomfortable*
Apollo: You get dressed before me. You might get sick or someth-- *he realizes that it's hot out* ...Just get changed before me. *presses a self-annoyed finger to his forehead*
Pearl: Um... *looks doubtfully up at him but ascends the stairs into the building* All right, I'll be right back. *disappears into the room, sliding the door closed*
Pearl: *moments later, she comes out wearing a matching yukata, the sleeves of which are a bit too long. She grips onto them as she walks carefully down the stairs* I've finished. Please be my guest.
Apollo: *he nods, leaving for a couple of minutes and re emerging in his former attire. He picks his backback up and slings it over his shoulder* They should be back right about now, actually. We had some pretty good timing.
Pearl: Oh, that's good. Is it all right that you didn't get any time to read?
Apollo: That's fine. My mom says I'm always overprepared. *smiles*
Apollo: *as he says this, his parents come through the doors, without Iris*
JusticeDad: Amazing! Fantastic! *he's soaked and somewhat bruised but absolutely ecstatic*
JusticeMom: *wringing water out of her hair* We'll have to come again. How are you doing, Apollo? *she notices Pearl* Ah, who's this?
Pearl: *bows deeply* My name is Pearl Fey, ma'am. You must be Mister Apollo's mother.
JusticeMom: *looking mildly taken aback by her manner* That I am. You're one of the Feys, then... And so cute! Please tell Sister Iris that we'll be sure to return in the future.
Pearl: Of course I will. Thank you very much. *she cocks her head as she rises* You know about my family?
JusticeMom: Why, yes. I did my research before I came up. Got to make sure...
Apollo: *in a low mutter to Pearl* See where I get it from? *of course, she doesn't know that he's adopted, but the joke still stands*
Pearl: Oh! *blinks at Apollo and then smiles at his mother* Thank you! I hope you come back very soon!
JusticeDad: Sure will! *cheerfully* I'm going to be hurting for weeks!
Apollo: *turns back to Pearl* Thanks for all of that. I had an awesome time. *smiles and then turns back to his parents, but not before saying* I'll write a whole journal entry on it.
Pearl: *she jumps a bit and flushes* O-oh! All right! I'll be sure to reply. *presses her hands to her face* Come back anytime!
Apollo: I will. *nods to her* Thanks a lot, Pearl. *claps his father on the shoulder and then leads his parents out*
Pearl: *waves for quite a long time, even after they've gotten out of sight. When she stops, she puts her hand on her mouth to cover her small smile, and seems to be very cheerful as she wanders off to the main building to see what Sister Bikini and Iris would like to make for dinner*
Bonus OOC
Apollo: [[it's me, the petofile from the inner nets!]]
Pearl: [[XD]]
Pearl: [[Hi mister petofile from the innernets, I am a lolita :D]]
Apollo: [[AUGH]]
Apollo: [[*kills and stuffs body in a trunk*]]
Apollo: [[*sends body down waterfall*]]
Apollo: [[don't worry, it's just what us petofiles do]]
Pearl: [[Oh okey]]