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 Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:36 pm
The next day Azzo had pestered Aurora until she actually took him sightseeing, lined up with a picnic at sunset somewhere she thought would have the best view.
He made sure to pack heavy blankets because he wasn't sure how cold it got at night here in Alaska for the picnic. Plus there were extras in case they got chilly watching the sunset.
He was standing at the truck after dinner waiting for her. "Okay, now were are we headed first?" He asked with a smile when she finally appeared. "I think I got everything we need for the picnic a bit later, you have the basket with food right?" He added with a curious glance.
"Oh, what time does the sunset anyways? I know it's 6pm now and the sun doesn't even seem to be thinking about setting." It was so hard for Azzo to tell because the time zone was different from Destiny and the fact the earth's tilt was more dramatic up here.
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:41 pm
Aurora had known that Azzo was excited to do a little sight seeing and she'd carefully planned out a few different places for them to visit. But she also knew something that he perhaps did not. So while he pestered and pestered her throughout the day she held firm, only finally relenting after they finished washing the dinner dishes.
Gathering the basket full of their late night snacks Aurora made her way out to the truck and when his asked about the sunset she laughed a little bit. "About 11:30 tonight. It's a good thing we're so use to staying up all night patrolling." She teased.
As they finished packing their blankets and food into the big storage box in the bed of the truck Aurora too was beginning to get excited too. "Do you want to know where we're headed or would you like to be surprised?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:52 pm
Azzo smiled as Aurora was speaking, "Dang. I don't know how to act if it's going to be daylight that long. I mean I realized it was a loong day yesterday but. Good night pearl, that's a long time from now." Okay he was being a little silly.
He grinned, "However, yes it's a good thing we are use to patrolling all night. Or I'd be sorely disappointed if I feel asleep before getting to see the sunset."
He seemed to think about this offer, "How about, you tell me every other place?" He said as he leaned on the truck bed for a moment, "This way I can be half surprised and half look forward to things?" He smiled at her as he chuckled.
"They're not going to kill me for keeping you out so late tonight are they?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:09 pm
Despite growing up in Alaska it'd actually taken Aurora a few weeks to become reaccustomed to the strange hours of sunlight and darkness when she first came back. It wasn't surprising that Azzo would find it weird, in fact, like more tourist he'd probably find that he got very little sleep while he was visiting, and the two could simply sleep in once they returned to DC.
"You shouldn't have to worry about any shotguns." She teased. "They already know we plan to watch the sunset."
Once they were all packed up Aurora hoisted herself up into the truck, putting the keys in the ignition as she waited for him to settle in. She'd chosen four places other than the ranch to show him, and the first two were a little more time sensitive.
"Alright then... our first stop is the musuem." It was the one place she was least sure about. Though she had always enjoyed it she wasn't sure if Azzo would find it boring. "And our third stop is the glaciers." Really she was most excited about the second stop. She thought that one would really be up his alley. And the last one of course, but they had a lot of energy and time to burn before that final stop.
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:19 pm
Azzo laughed, "Well good, I don't want to come back and we have to drive off again to keep from being shot." He gave a silly grin as he settled into the truck. Azzo was actually, use to very little sleep and managed cat naps during the day to keep himself going. Lucky thing about being able to work and make puppets at the house. He had finished up a few commissions before he left and had blacked out the next two weeks so he didn't have to take any work.
"Oh a museum sounds interesting!" He nodded, while they weren't always up his alley he did enjoy history and the finer details of things. He hummed a little as she drove. "The glaciers sound nice too."
He gave a nod as he relaxed letting her worry about the driveing.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 8:13 am
"They're blowing smoke." She laughed as he mentioned getting shot at. "I hear they sometimes have to shoot at wolves or bears to scare them off the property and away from the buffalo but other than that I don't think they really use them."
In Destiny City everything was pretty much on top of each other, easily stretched within a couple mile distance everything else. You could grab a quick bus ride or even walk if you had the drive and inclination. Out here though things were a little more spread out, leading to a good amount of driving. Not that Aurora minded. It was the perfect time to simply talk and catch up. On important things. On stupid things. Just chatter and enjoy each other's company with the worry of anyone else overhearing.
After about 20 minutes of driving however they finally pulled up to a large and sprawling building, making their way through the busy parking lot.
The Anchorage Musuem was big, hosting traveling and permanent exhibits for children and adults. There were hands on science exhibits, art displays, history exhibits. Aurora had been there many times as a child, but with all the traveling exhibits there was always something new to see.
This was the kind of place you could waste a whole day at easily, but they didn't have that time. "Look at the map and figure out which things you want to look at. We've got an appointment at the next place so we've only got a little over an hour to play around here." She hoped he'd at least take a quick stroll through the Native American history section, that had always been one of her favorites.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:35 am
He smiled, "I know but it'd still be pretty amusing if they did come out with a shot gun and we took off again." He was watching the scenery as it changed, "Yeah I bet wolves and bears are big around here, despite how majestic they can be."
"It's actually nice to be out of the city into a small place like this. So much quieter. I mean I love our night job and stuff but there's something to this." Azzo was musing as they pulled into the museum's parking lot.
He nodded as he grabbed a map and was looking as it. "What sort of things did you like here?" He asked curiously as he was looking as the map of things to do. He'd already mentally picked out the photo gallery and the Alaska gallery at the least. However he wasn't sure how long they'd take.
"Ohhh an appointment, sounds fancy~" He playfully prodded at her with a grin.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:05 am
Aurora shook her head mildly. Boys and girls really had very different versions of amusing. "The moose are pretty bad too actually. They don't look nearly as scary as the bears or wolves but they're just as mean." She added matter of factly. Tour guide was not a job that Aurora minded. She would rattle facts alllll day long if he wanted.
"The quiet is really nice.." She sighed contentedly. "Actually.. during winter it looked a lot like Polaris up here. I actually had to convince myself not to pull out my phone and go for a visit because I was getting homesick."
"I wouldn't mind moving someplace nice and quiet once everything is done and over." Yep.. Aurora was an opptimist. She still seemed to believe that they could crush the Negaverse. That there was a future out there where noone had to power up anymore.
As they made their way around the museum Aurora pointed lightly to the Native American history exhibit on his map. In all their time together had they ever really chatted about her heritage? She doubted it and suddenly felt guilty. It was probably more the fault of her many boarding schools, white washing her education pretty throughly.
"Nope, not fancy. Try again." She teased, seeming to reveal in her little secret.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:34 am
Azzo stopped and looked at her, "Ohh Moose. I've always wanted to see one. Granted I guess probably not up close and personal if they're mean boogers." He said as he seemed thoughtful.
He nodded as she said the quite was really nice, "Yeah... you can't visit without figuring a way to take me with you." He started laughing, "Though I guess we prolly could've attempted to find someone to help me up to Polaris. Would've saved on airfare."
There was a nod in agreement, "Yeah, hopefully." He stretched a little and walked around as she pointed to the Native American History exhibit. "Well, we should go see that too then. Aren't Alaskans a little different though from the Cherokee and the other types of Natives though?"
He seemed to be trying to figure that particular aspect out, "Though I suppose that's like Europeans and Asians... Broad spectrum down to more definitive ones." While he never seemed to pay attention in his classes he actually did pretty well.
There was a pause as she told him to try again, "Ohh I know~ you're taking me on a class field trip to the local petting zoo~!" He was playfully teasing, "The others'll be jealous to know I'm teacher's pet." He couldn't help himself, while it wasn't the usual for the pair to go to museums he enjoyed Aurora showing him things and telling him stuff. "At least we know you'll be a good teacher." He said pausing to give her cheek a soft kiss.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:58 am
"They are not very nice." She had agreed.
"And you can't use my knights for galavanting around Polaris." Aurora feigned a stern look, before shaking her head a little.
As they wandered through the exhibits Aurora thought about his question, before answering it the best she could. "Well I mean.. I imagine most of the Natives in North America are related to us.. just groups that further south years and years ago. But if you mean lifestyle then we're quite different. No riding around in loinclothes and growing maize." She teased.
"Different food, different languages, and a lot of different stories and legends. But I suppose all of that is just related to the environment. Where ever you live shapes you into what you are." That was an interesting thought.. especially applied to Destiny City. Aurora would have been so much different had she never live in DC.
Pleased with his kiss, she took his hand, holding it as they walked through the museum. Except of course when he wanted to touch or mess with something.
"That's actually not a terrible guess..." She laughed, obviously surprised he'd gotten even that close. "Not exact, but on the right track. I guess you know me too well."
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 12:46 pm
Azzo nodded, and looked at her when she gave him a stern look, "Not even if I needed to save you?" He said looking shocked and aghast and a little pouty faced. He knew she was a princess but still, sometimes you need a way to save your damsel in distress. "I haven't a valiant steed that'll just whisk me away to find you when you're in trouble you know." He smiled softly, "Always need a back up plan."
He nodded as he listened while she spoke, "Well I don't think Maize would grow too well up here. At least not year round." He said while stopping to occasionally look at pieces of history or pictures. Of course he seemed to think, "So.... what do you think would've happened if we hadn't met?" He asked curiously out of the blue.
After the question Azzo, actually bugged Aurora to make an - Aurora in a box before they left. Just because he wanted the fun of doing that. "Ohhhh, so the next place does have animals~." He seemed interested and a little bit excited.
He chuckled, "Well lets go see what else you have planned~ It's getting close to time to be at the next place?" He asked.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:30 pm
"Well.. I guess there may be some extenuating circumstances were it's alright..." She relented finally, kissing her finger before pressing it against his pouty lips.
His what it question silenced her for a long moment them, before she shrugged, almost looking sad. She didn't really want to think about life without him. "I guess it depends really. If I was going to boarding schools still I'd probably already be settled down in a job by now. But if I stayed here..."
"Mato probably wouldn't have been wrong about the married with 3 kids thing..." She frowned mildly.
"But anyway!" Trying to turn the topic back to more pleasant subjects, she followed after Azzo as he lead the way to his choice of exhibits. Particularly amused by his desire to stop at what some could have considered a more childish activity. She didn't think it was, or if she did, she didn't care. Watching him have fun and sharing the experience with him was the best part of her trip.
As the time quickly ticked away, they soon found their hour had come and gone and Aurora quickly led him back to the truck. The trip this time was a little shorter, and the place they arrived at was quite different.
There was a large building, sure, but it was hard to notice with all the dogs everywhere. And the sleds. Despite it being almost a year until the next event banners already hung proudly and brightly announcing the starting line of the 2016 Iditarod. The parking lot here was much more bare, being off season, and due to the need for appointments.
Getting out of the car, she shoo'd Azzo along quickly. "We have to hurry if we're going to make our private tour." A guided tour through some of the history of the Iditarod, a view of the starting lines and equipment. Even a short dog sled ride and of course a visit with some of the famous dogs and their puppies in training.
Aurora was pretty darn sure Azzo was going to like this one, and she was grinning like she was pretty pleased with herself.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:47 pm
He smiled when she finally relented with a pleased, see I was right face. There were times when he needed to be able to get to her and like damn if he wasn't using one of her knights to do it. "I can't leave my princess trapped in a castle tower." He added, "Not in good conscious at least."
His head tilted as she looked sad while thinking about the answer, "You sure we wouldn't've some how found each other anyways?" He asked as if that were a question that might've seemed at the very least important to him. Why though, would be another answer.
He didn't care how childish it was the fact he could make an Aurora in a box was horribly appealing.
When they were back in the truck he hummed a little "Good thing it's not that far away then huh?" He asked as he slid out of the truck looking around. There were dogs!? He stopped and looked at Aurora as she shoo'd him on. "You realize you're going to make me want a Husky. There's no way we can train Merlin to do this... unless Snow does it." There was a thought. He wasn't sure how the hell the cat got the dog trained so well.
"Do you know he has that dog trained so well that Merlin listens more to him than me?"
He let her shoo him along as they headed for their tour. "I wonder how much a Husky costs...." As long as both dogs didn't eat a bag of dog food a day he'd be okay.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:04 pm
Azzo was a romantic. Aurora was too, but her romanticism was often pushed to the side as more of an ideal, a daydream even. She was practical after all. So when he asked if they would have found each other, she was surprised, but couldn't help but smile in return. "You make it sound like a fairytale." He had just been talking about princesses and castles though.
"I hope we would have found each other some way." She agreed. It was a nice thought. Destiny. Her thoughts turned for a moment to the past, the distant distant past and the clipped images of them together in their past life. Maybe it wasn't so unrealistic a thought. And that was comforting.
There was plenty to look at as they made their way towards the building and Aurora giggled some as Azzo chattered on excitedly. "They're probably cheaper back in Destiny City than they are here. Considering they're more of a working dog here then a pet."
She couldn't help but laugh a little when he mentioned Snowball being a better trainer, thinking back to her Skype session with the cat and dog.
Their tour started with the more boring and informative stuff, a guide walking them through a short exhibit. But the guide knew well enough the real reason everyone came and made quick work of that before leading them back out to the equipment sheds.
Aurora was pretty excited for the sled ride. Once, when she was tiny, she'd got to ride on one as part of a celebration but it'd been over a decade ago.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:20 pm
Azzo started laughing when she said he made it sound like a fairytale, "Well... when you think about it. Don't we live in a fairytale as it is?" He grinned as they walked, and she seemed to think about this. "I probably would've had to fight someone for your hand but, I'd do that too."
He nodded as she said they're probably cheaper, "It'd still be nice to have them trained in case we need some way to get around and it snows so much we can't." He was also looking at options, granted he knew it was much more common here there were still the occasional situation where they'd need it.
He grinned, "At least Merlin listens to someone I guess."
He followed the tour guide with Aurora and hummed as they were guided through and then they got to go out to the equipment sheds. "Ohh this is neat!"
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