Welcome to Gaia! ::

Marissa gave a thoughtful hum. “Aside from food… Honestly, the only thing I need to get is replacement heads for my Dremel tool. But that’s not something that has to be done today.”

“So, if there’s something you need, or like, to do today feel free to lead the way.” Seeing him as Winter was definitely odd at first since the last time was under very different circumstances. Thankfully this time there was no tumbling around on the floor involved but it was still something to get used to.

Unfortunately, the time for going to the beach was drawing towards a slow end as summer weather faded into cooler temperatures. Otherwise, she would have liked to suggest at a place over near the docks but with the weather as it has been there wouldn’t be much of a view to see. Someday later perhaps but not today.

But for now, she wore a thin, light green sweater with an almost patchwork shawl-like scarf wrapped around her shoulders. She had never really cared much for doing anything fancy with her hair but before she was turned into a half youma it was naturally curly at the ends as it was now.

“Mmm, as long as it isn’t super spicy I’ll eat about anything really. Although,” She winced knowing it would sound a bit cliche. “Seafood is kind of my go-to dish.” Shrimp was easy enough to cook with, the same with baked or grilled salmon. Kalamari took a bit more work but there was a recipe that was worth the added effort.

“One of these days I’d like to go hunting for lionfish off the coast. Maybe grab a few lobsters while I’m at it.” The overly excited look in her eyes seemed to suggest that while the idea had been her own, the choice of words was that of the youma instead. Fishing or catching would have been a more ‘normal’ thing to say but ‘hunting’ suggested that they would be more than just food but rather her prey.

“I’ll cook some for you too if you’d like!” Marissa laced her fingers behind her back and rocked back on her heels almost playfully. He could be her guinea pig, that is, assuming he didn’t mind the smell, or taste, of fish. Perhaps it was the fresh air or diffused sun warming her skin that seemed to brighten her mood; but for the first time since meeting Marissa both looked, and felt, truly happy.

There was a definite bounce in her step from the joy she felt with this temporary freedom, especially since she was able to escape the Dark Kingdom with her neighbor and friend. “What about you?” She asked casually. Leaning forward just slightly she looked up at him with an intrigued expression “What else do you like other than meat that is still mooing?”

There was rare… and then there was rare; her shoulder was proof of that. And while it was covered at the moment there was a definite scar left from that incident, though while glamoured it looked more like an oddly shaped birthmark instead.

Learning that he had a bit of a sweet tooth came as a bit of a surprise considering the only other time they had shared a meal together he had completely passed by the fruit. Granted the options they had were limited and they were more of a snack thing than dinner but, then again, he didn't really grab anything extra to bring back for dessert either.

Righting herself once more, with an amused kind of smile, she waved her hand dismissively. “You don’t need to cook anything, it’s fine. That is unless it is something you would like to learn then maybe we can swing by a bookstore, find some recipes you’d like to try making?” Anything other than premade sandwiches would be a great change of pace.

Perhaps, next time she met up with Lopezite she could ask if she could borrow his kitchen for a day. Make some fresh baked cookies to bring back to the dorms for Wolframite to enjoy. Either that or keep them hidden until their next sparring match and maybe… just maybe it would placate him enough to think twice before biting her again.

During the time it took Winter to pawn off his belongs, Marissa had been wandering around the shop idly, glancing inside various glass cases as she roved around the narrow isles only stopping a few times when some small trinket caught her eye.

At the time she had thought nothing of the transaction. However, once Winter had escorted her back outside and he mentioned something about not telling the cops, she gave him a bit of a concerned look “My rocks won't earn me anything from him.” she shrugged uncaring since they weren’t for sale anyway.

“Just don’t put me in a position where I’ll have to bail you out of jail.” She poked him somewhat playfully in the arm and left it at that. What he chose to do with his time and things were on him; she was not his mother and it was not her place to reprimand him either.

“Anyway, as for hobbies, probably doesn’t come as a surprise but I enjoy pretty much anything watercraft related. Kayaking, canoeing, water skiing just to name a few.” Drifting lazily down a river in an intertube was also very relaxing and something she longed to do. Perhaps thats why she felt so agitated and antsy as of late, the Dark Kingdom had no place for her to partake in any of these sports so she could simply let out this pent up energy.

“Used to do dragon boat racing during my first two years of college.” But her final years simply got too busy with all the required credits she had to take. The hours just honestly didn’t align to allow her to practice with the team. “I’m a certified scuba diver, or rather I use to be… No point in holding onto most of my gear, but I’m not quite ready to let it go yet.” The wetsuits were worth keeping but the air tank and breathing apparatuses not so much when she can breathe underwater without it.

Grateful for the change of topic, Marissa snorted at his sudden realization. “Surf and Turf…” she smiled and rolled her eyes. That name just made her more hungry than anything.

“You know, I actually haven’t been in a pool since this whole thing happened so I really don’t know if the chlorine would affect me or not. What I can tell you is that there doesn’t seem to be a difference between saltwater versus fresh.” Thinking about it, the reservoir water didn’t seem to phase her either when she visited it with Samir last month.

“But if you’re worried about drowning I’m sure instincts would kick in and you could doggy paddle back to shore.” She made an imitating motion with her hands. Though dormant, Marissa could have sworn she felt her youma side chuckle.

“I’m just teasing,” Pressing her palms together she looked up at him with an almost ashamed or regretful expression. “Please don’t kill me” she pleaded.

Caught mid step Marissa stumbled a few steps to the side “Fair enough,” she grinned up at him while rubbing her arm as if he had actually hurt her. Although, had they been back at the Dark Kingdom she would have considered taking him up on the challenge. See if she could antagonize him enough to try hitting her again because what she had in mind would make it worth getting bit again.

Her amused grin soon shifted to a bit of a perplexed expression though it was unclear which comment prompted the reaction.

“Halloween?” The tone in her voice seemed to suggest that she hadn’t realized how late in the year it had already gotten. But when you live your life in a place where seasons don’t really present themselves in the same way as they do in Destiny City, perhaps she could be forgiven for losing track of time. “I’ll be honest, I haven’t really given it much thought.” I suppose this will be the first year I won’t be able to spend it with my family.

“I’ll probably just stick to staying in my room and watch movies like Hocus Pocus.” Something lighthearted and fun.

When they arrived at the bookstore, Marissa opened the door and stepped aside, “What about you? Any plans to go out with the other-” She paused realizing they were in an area where sound carried really well. “Co-workers…” she added hesitantly.

“You’re right.” Marissa picked up one of the new arrival cookbooks for the InstaPot and fanned through the pages. “It would be kind of silly to not take advantage of the holiday, hmm?” She held the book against her chest as she walked around the table to one of the bookshelf stands. There she picked up one on grilling seafood dishes. The pictures looked amazing and instructions were simple enough to follow.

“If you don’t mind the company, I’d be happy to join you.” Who knows, maybe she might ditch the lieutenant wetsuit uniform for something more fun or fantasy instead, assuming it wouldn’t make him uncomfortable; it’s been so long since she wore a costume, kind of sounded like fun a bit.

“As for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I don’t think I have much of a choice.” Her glamour wouldn’t even last the flight to go see her parents. Not that she could see them anyway. “If it’s allowed I’d like to at least get a small tree-topper Christmas tree for my room.”

Although, in all honesty, if given the chance Marissa would rather find a place far from Destiny City where nobody could sense her aura and just simply sit outside and watch the snowfall. Either by herself or in the company of another, but sitting next on the floor by a warm fire seemed far more appealing than on top of her bed with an image of a fireplace on her TV.

“What about you? Any thoughts of getting out and going somewhere?”