#thread: svala + river

[gvldntrbl]

River + Svala @ocean-eyeslnrp

Location: A Bonfire at the Camping Grounds, Post Potluck Dinner, the Divine Forest

-🏝️-

"Svala, hey." River greeted the nymph as she rest, sitting on a comfortable log bench near a bonfire close to her cabin. "Isn't it past your bedtime?" She asked with a partial smile. "Or at least your girls' bed time? What are you doing out here?" The Princess paused, a thought coming to her. "Pardon, but I didn't interrupt you communing with Mother Nature, did I?" River hoped not, she didn't want to insult or disregard any nymph practices. Especially not while in their home-realm.

[gvldntrbl]

Svala + River @ocean-eyeslnrp

Location: Beach Volleyball @ Shimmering Shore Beach, Divine Forest

-🏝️-

The Divine Forest was not Southland. However, the realm seemed to hold a sort of magic to it. As if it was woven into the very fabric of the physics of realm, it felt different. For River, the Forest didn't feel quite like home. But the sensation, for the faerie Princess, wasn't too far from the mark. If such internal ideas made any sense. Thus anytime societal events were held in the Divine Forest, River Hartwell knew that she would enjoy herself. If only with the sole understanding that the realm was welcoming. In many ways than one.

While it wasn't exactly summer, the weather was warm enough that donning a bikini didn't bother her. Nor did competing in a friendly, open game of beach volleyball. The game at the net closest to her had just wrapped when she noticed Svala Hansen. The Forest's formidable Lieutenant General of the Valkyrie. "Are you open to a game?" River asked her, pointing between the two of them and the recently open space for a new game. "I don't know how friendly it'll get. But are you okay with the loser buying lunch at the nearby bar? Drinks will be included." She wagered.

[gvldntrbl]

-🏝️-

River led the pair over towards the nearest tower of jenga set up in a tower, clearly gleaming in the evening with its luminescent paint. "Since you lost last time, it's only fair that you go first." The Princess offered honorably with a flourishing wave of her hand in the direction of the tower. She waited as Svala began her turn. "Well that's good, that Mother Nature would be proud." River replied with a bit of a smile. "At least you have that," She mused in good humor. At Svala's statement of not creating an entirely new sport to redeem her ego and pride, River laughed heartily. "Hmm, why does a part of me wouldn't be surprised if you actually considered doing so before deciding not to?" She wondered aloud before continuing. "It's fine," River murmured, shoulders lifting in a shrug as she took her first turn. "I could be absolutely wrong about you." Suns favored her as no other pieces caused the tower to fall. Losing on her first round would've been embarrassing.

"How have things been for you, lately?" River paused, a thought coming to her. "Congratulations, by the way. I heard that Torben returned. I'm sure you and Rik were more than relieved. How's that been for you, having him home?" Or, at least, officially amongst the living, once more.

Svala laughed, "yes, I did. However, it is hard to concentrate when Southland's beauty is staring you in the face. Even if it is in the middle of a game." She shook her head and smirked, "definitely not. She would be proud." Svala shook her head definitely not stubborn enough to create a new sport, "definitely not. The win isn't worth all that." She looked in the direction the princess suggested and gave a nod, "Sure, why not. More of a brain game than physicality. I think we will both give ourselves and each other a fair game."

[gvldntrbl]

-🏝️-

"Look at you, learning a vital lesson." River replied, mouth curving to wear another slight smile. "Is it sacrilegious to say that Mother Nature would be proud of you for realizing that truth about me?" She wondered with a curious tilt of her head. At the mention of Rik, the Princess laughed. "Neither is he, last I knew." Moments later, she nodded upon hearing Svala's response. "Are you stubborn enough to invent an entirely new sport?" River asked her around a light laugh. She hummed at the clear invitation for another game. Hell, not that it sounded like whatever the pair played would be important. Simply that the competitive nymph aimed to redeem herself in her own eyes, it seemed. River jutted her chin out, using it to point towards a nearby game. "Glow in the Dark Jenga?" She offered.

Svala laughed, "I figured it wasn't." She teased the princess before her jaw dropped in innocent and playful jest. "Maybe it was the fact that I underestimated you a bit, that day. I'm not a fan of losing, just ask Adrik." She laughed knowing just how competitive the couple could be. It was more innocent fun with River, Svala enjoyed the competition and wit of the Princess of Southland. "I've been good as well. Clearly thinking up a way to beat you at a game here." She laughed, "So whenever you're ready to play I'm ready to start."

[gvldntrbl]

-🏝️-

"Oh," River let out a light laugh. "I never said we weren't beautiful. I said we're not as warm as others think." The Princess specified before returning the volleyball over the net. "Trash talk?" She quirked an eyebrow, focus on ball and her form ready to pounce with her next move. "That's just me being polite. There's no need for you to be put out after losing. That'd be in poor taste."

Svala raised a brow, "really? I thought Southland had some gorgeous residents." She said easing the ball back over the net. "You're welcome." Her jaw dropped playfully and she smirked, "oh, I see a little trash talk from the princess." She laughed ready for the next play from her.

[gvldntrbl]

-🏝️-

River shook her head and chuckled in response. "That is not what I meant, at all." She finished, her tone amused. One of the Princess's hands raised from behind the light blanket wrapped about her, warm drink in the other hand. "It's evening. And it's been dark for a while." She concluded. "But it appears that losing to me once has yet to leave your mind. Obsessive much?" River asked, sending Svala a teasing smile. "I've been well. And you? Aside from you clearly thinking about me. And well, my victory over you."

Svala laughed at River, "Bedtime? Am I that old now? You beat me in one game of volley ball and I deserve a bedtime." She teased shaking her head at the mention of the girls. "They're close by. I'm kind of giving them free range a bit to just be out here." She shook her head at River, "no, you're not interrupting at all. What's up? How have you been?"

[gvldntrbl]

-🏝️-

"The weather is warm." River began, her face wearing a focused expression as Svala rebounded the ball. "The inhabitants are not." She followed the volleyball in her movements and tapped it, returning it to Svala's side of the net. There was no need to be ruthless in the sport right out the gate. "Thanks," River exhaled, fingertips twitching and her eyes on blonde. "Have your drink order ready for when you lose?"

Svala laughed at River, "I know and that realm is primarily beaches and warm weather all the time. I know I may have met my match but whats one more game and some drinks, right?" Svala moved in preparation to pass the ball back over the net upon River's serve. Her feet staying busy and moving so she would be able to at least get to the ball no matter where it may have been aimed. "I got to sometimes but with this, it's all for fun, right?" Svala pushed to get to the ball rebounding it back over the net to River after her serve. "Nice serve."

[gvldntrbl]

-🏝️-

River was surprised that the blonde accepted the offer to play a game with her. Considering that Svala just finished one. And especially since beach volleyball was played in two person teams or more. Not that one versus one games weren't common. But not every competitor could successfully finish the nine standard rounds while also playing barefoot on the sands. Something that River was adept in, playing many competitive sports on the beach. The Princess wasn't certain if it was hubris or something else that caused Svala to accept but the Valkyrie decided to play a new game of volleyball with River, all the same.

River was unable to not grin at Svala's words. As she didn't expect the woman to be easy pickings. "The only thing peaceful about me - is my realm." River commented with a light chuckle before she went to retrieve a new volleyball. "You got it," She moved to the position to serve. Only for Svala's words to make her laugh again. "At least you have good instincts?" River offered back, not at all disagreeing with Svala. Before moments later, amusement escaped her face and her form readied to begin the game. After a quick assessment of the beach and inhale, glad that her voluminous curls were bound in a ponytail, River served the ball.

Svala had just finished a game when River walked up and she gave a nod, "of course." She laughed, "I'll take that bet, you might have me though after that game but don't hold back." She smiled, drinking some water and ruffling one of her young daughter's hair before turning back to River, "you serve first?" Her brows raised, "I have a feeling you're going to kick my ass."