The following day, after school, Sadde waits for Alistair.
They arrive at the planned spot soon enough.
It's the start of a well-trafficked trail.
"Ready?"
Hiking! Alistair leads the way, offering tips. He's assuming Sadde hasn't done much of this.
Well, this is the most efficient way to climb, this is how he should regulate his breathing, this is what he should do with his arms- most of the demonstration involved requires Alistair to emphasize various parts of his body.
He might need Alistair to demonstrate more than once. Just to be sure he's getting it right.
Such demonstrating!
They eventually make it to a cliff, overlooking their town.
"I didn't really bring anything to do, but I thought you'd like the view."
He laughs. "No, of course not, some of it is magic nerding. But I can stop."
"It's fun, just a little much. I think I'm more coquettish and gallant than flirty."
The view is pretty.
Alistair finds a comfortable place to sit and look out over the town and the woods.
"You can decide what we do on the next one."
"If I get anything good when I go hunting, how would you feel about me cooking dinner for us?"
"I always feel bad coming out here right after a hunting trip, like they know what I did."
"The animals. I don't actually think that," he hastens to add.
"I just feel guilty."
"I don't know. I feel bad about it sometimes but I don't think it's wrong."