#SL: Kuzcarnival Time!

[boombambaby]

Kuzcarnival time!

[Starter for @smartylina] "Wait, wait, wait-- go back." Matching blank looks meeting him, council members and village leaders alike chancing a glance at each other across the table at the surprise interruption. After a moment, one finally speaks up once more. "Uh, the funding--" "No! Not that, relax Motto you'll get your money-- the other thing. About the carnival?" Kuzco stands so abruptly his chair almost tips backwards on him and plants his hands on the table top, leaning forward in interest. "Oh, it's the time of year again for fundraising to begin, so the Kuzcarnival is coming back to--" That's it! The Carnival! The empty straw he's been chewing on out of boredom during the meeting falls from his mouth, and Kuzco beams as he slaps a hand down against the table and slides out from behind the table. "Meeting adjourned, or -- whatever. I've got some very important business to attend to elsewhere." He spins back around to shoot finger guns at everyone in attendance, all the while backing out of the door. "Thanks for coming, don't forget to visit the gift shop on the way out!" Then, he's gone-- completely missing the exasperated facepalms of his council members, and the confused stares of the village leaders he leaves in his wake. / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Knock knock knock knock knock. "Come on, come on-- " He's panting, hands falling to press against his knees where he's bent over trying to catch his breath in front of the modest wooden door of Malina's hut. Ordinarily his robes are lightweight and cool-- breezy even, where it cuts off at the knees-- but today they stick to his sweaty skin, sweltering and oppressive regardless of his much he pulls at the neck of his tunic. His crown teeters dangerously atop his head the further he bends over, and Kuzco straightens just enough to keep it from falling off while he waits for an answer.

[boombambaby]

"Of course; Like I said, EVERYBODY. Even your dad. Maybe. Who, by the way? NOPE. Not invited." If he was shocked at her offer, he doesn't show it-- carefully schooling his features into one way less concerned about the idea of doing. . . anything, really. . . with her dad. Noo thank you.

Kuzco just barely resists the urge to pose when she approaches him to straighten his poncho, his gaze focusing instead on her hands with a small grin on his lips as she works. "Wouldn't you know it, that's exactly what I was going for!" He teases, chuckling. Plumeria perfume? Nice touch! Even as he's being dragged away he pulls the fabric away from his chest to give it a sniff. Smells just like her, and he likes that. "Wow, that smells nice."

"Aww, but the bear is the best part!" With so much to do, he doesn't even know where to start! Kuzco is just glad he didn't somehow miss his chance to take Malina AGAIN, but that particularly memory triggers another one, and now he's the one dragging her in a VERY specific direction. "The Tunnel of Love, obviously!" He announces, more excited than he can put into words. This time, it'll even be sans CLOWNS.

As they walk, he revisits their past conversation, still amused at how hard she denies how much she SWOONED over that stupid crushed flower, and a wink from that jerk musician. Cue a quick nudge in her side, with a chuckle. "So you WERE going to bid on me for the charity auction; Yatta was right! Even though you did decide, UNPLANNED supposedly to make me jealous by bidding on Kronk instead. I'm surprised you didn't offer to make up for the date being ruined by going on another one with the big lug."

Like he may have, sort of, kind of promised Yatta he would do as some other undisclosed time . . .

"Even Bucky Boy likes you?! Shocking. I have competition." She rolls her eyes. In fact, she doesn't have an argument. She's speechless. However, she feels like it will be fun, having him teach her how to be more optimistic. Haha, you're being ridiculous! You were even going to give me a discount, weren't you?! You don't need the money." That reminds her. At least he didn't remember to ask again for the 29.95 back at the Academy. "Yay, I seriously CAN'T WAIT. You should invite my father too, though. He needs a little fun in his life too." She suddenly grins, waiting to see his reaction. Malina is not surprised in the slightest when Kuzco chooses to only listen to the things he wants to hear. "I didn't plan to do start all that mess and make you insanely jealous. You just gave me no choice, Kuzco! There was no way I was going to admit I had feelings for you, though. You were about to become an arrogant monster if I did. And yes you do, then again, I think you are crazy too." She gives him an unamused look at his attempt to flirt. If she spends more time with him, she'll become a Kuzco 2.0! It'll be the end of the world! "WELL, yes! or bribed him to tell you." SHE DID NOT START IT! HE ALWAYS START ROASTING HER FOR NO REASON. " I DIDN'T ADMIT THAT! Because that didn't happen! You now love to judge me for the crushed flower. I see you." She blushes more in embarrassment. "What fan wouldn't pass out after their favorite celebrity winked at them?! You would have done the same! with... yourself!" He doesn't need to worry, she won't kill him. YET. Okay, look, Ramon wasn't her old boyfriend! BUT, if Kuzco dares to go out with HIM, she'll make the both of them suffer. In any case, she'll make sure to stay in the relationship at all costs. She smiles warmly at him, feeling all tingly and happy as she sees his adorable smile. "Right? i know he is. But I also consider myself lucky too. But don't tell him I said that." After he had taken the bag from her, her eyes widen at what he says. AH HAH! SO HE WAS PARANOID! "Y-Yeah but I rejected them all, you should at least be proud of me!" Malina folds her arms over her chest, listens to him saying he'll be back and she nods.

She doesn't remember either when he left those clothes at her hut (or does she? wink wink). Anyway, of course she didn't wear the poncho once she discovered it. Malina almost jumps startled when he returns and asks her his question but seeing him all refreshed makes her grin relieved. She didn't want him to be uncomfortable for their date. She studies him quickly and chuckles, approaching him to straighten his poncho a little. "Very handsome and so Kuzcarnival-ready, my lovely sir!" Malina announces, extremely thrilled. She has a feeling this day will be so fun with him around. Oh she almost forgot. She took a small bottle of plumeria perfume and sprays it on him.

"There! you're all set! Shall we go, now? Where do you want to go, first? But no, we're not going to see the bear." She says rather quickly as she grabs his arm and drags him towards the Carnival. Don't tell him but she's 98% sure he'll pick the tunnel of love first, which she wouldn't mind.

[boombambaby]

"Uh, yeah. Duh! Everybody likes me." He defends, scoffing. "Why wouldn't Bucky Boy?" It's obvious she doesn't have an argument against his quip, and Kuzco grins-- only a little bit smug. She isn't boring! She just needs to be more open minded. As she's told him before; they can work on that. "What? Ask you to pay for it, ah hah-- don't be ridiculous!" He was going to give her the family and friends discount! "I can hear the excitement in your voice. Don't worry; this is going to be GREAT."

Kuzco attempts to follow the rest of what she says, but to be entirely honest; he zoned out right after the 'You are worth more than my life savings' part. "Ha! I knew you thought I was worth that much! See? Just like I said, that whole 'non date, you trying to make me insanely jealous' thing could have all been avoided if you were just honest about your feelings about me Malina!" He beams, batting his eyelashes at her. "You're VERY welcome. And I don't call you crazy! . . . all the time."

What?! Absolutely not! If anything, she should spend MORE time with him! "Yes! What are you trying to say Malina, that I begged him to know where you were taking him?" Kuzco teases. She's right; it's one of their many inside jokes and something they still laugh about, to this day.

SHE STARTED IT THIS TIME!!!

Despite how adorable she is when she blushes, Kuzco can't help but laugh at her response. "Oh, don't they? You just admitted it!" He points out, snickering. "Ooh, or the time you actually fell out of your chair when that JERK who shall not be named, winked at you! But the flower thing, yikes." He's just teasing her! Don't kill him!

Ha! HAH. Nope, no need to do that-- he doesn't want her to know how easy it would be to steal her old boyfr-- uh, he means. He's not interested. No thank you. "Oh, is that so? Well; this 'boyfriend' of yours is a VERY lucky man." He smiles at her, pleased at his ability to make her giggle like that, and decides to play along. "That definitely doesn't sound like a bad thing to me."

Kuzco gasps, snatching up the magical bag of clothing offered to him with a grin and clutching it against his sweaty chest. "One, I have no idea what you're talking about and two-- I was perfectly JUSTIFIED in my paranoia not that I was paranoid, pff since everyone including Ramon made it there to ask you before I got there!" She's the best thing that ever happened to him, seriously. "Be right back!"

With that, he's darting off to clean himself up the best he can and change into the far more comfortable and less sweaty peasant-y clothes he's become so fond of. Kuzco doesn't remember leaving these at Malina's hut, but he's glad all the same to have such a smart hottie who thinks so far ahead as his girlfriend. Once he's finished, he calls over one of the Royal Guard members standing watch at the carnival entrance and hands him his robes-- confident that they'll make it back to the palace to be laundered, and makes his way back over to Malina. "Well, how do I look? Less sweat-y, incredibly handsome and Kuzcarnival ready, right?"

Maybe it was her fault too, she should have taught him how to ride a llama properly. Oh well.

"Hah, what? he likes you enough to let himself being seen by you?" She folds her arms across her chest, listening to his next words which make her open her mouth to start an argument but no logical response comes to her mind, probably he's right. Maybe she's just being boring. "Ok, I'll give you the benefit of doubt." She then pouts. "Wow, so am I scheduling comedy lessons with you now? yay, I can't wait... you better not ask me to pay for them."

Yeah he respects them a TON that he wants to date every single one. "Ok, for one! You are more worth than just my life savings but there was no way I was going to tell you that! second, I'm not Empress yet! so I need my money. 3! No other girl was about to fight me to bid for you so I figured I wasn't going to need that much money anyways." Malina gives him an unamused look as she hears him sniffling, there he goes... acting like a total drama queen. "Hm, fair point. Good! and I thank you for respecting ME, at times... when you don't call me crazy."

She swoons internally at his chuckle, how couldn't she notice before how cute he is when he's happy like this? shame. It's his fault tho, one part of her thinks she needs to stop spending too much time with him. "Ow and casually he mentioned the name of the restaurant too, right? so you could move your royal butt over there too?!" She snickers, this is one of his many teases that she finds fun.

NOT HIM EXPOSING HER AGAIN!

"KUZCO! I-STOP! no one needs to know that I swoon at crushed flowers OR cling to people's legs! what kind of crazy woman does that?! not me, for sure!" She laughs nervously and blushes in embarrassment.

--------------------------------------------

And he judges her for swooning over Ramon while he says his face is handsome? at this point maybe she'll organize a date for the three of them. Anyway, Malina nods at his question and giggles sweetly. "Your majesty, I don't know if you know this but, I have a boyfriend now, and I want to go out with him only. Is it bad?" Upon their arrival to the carnival, Malina eyes him and releases his arm as she watches him all sweaty. "I guess, but then again, we wouldn't have suffered from the heat if only a certain someone wasn't that paranoid about other people inviting me here before him.~" She teases but takes out a plastic bag out of nowhere which contains Kuzco's peasant clothes that might be more comfortable than his Emperor tunic with all that heavy gold in his body.

"Lucky for you, I came prepared! so be nice and change clothes. It wouldn't be pretty if my favorite Emperor stays sweaty all day." She says with a playful smile and holds the bag in front of him so he could take it and go change to some bathroom in there.

[boombambaby]

Backwards? Noooo way, he learned his lesson from the last time! Besides; riding it backwards did make him pretty sick.

"Maybe Bucky Boy doesn't WANT Kronk to see him, but he's REAL! Maybe you just need to be a liiiiittle more open minded, Malina. Like with the space people!" Grins, amused by her reaction to the nose boop. "Now lets not get carried away; I'm not sure you'll ever be as hilarious as I am-- I'm a true MASTER of comedy, after all-- but I will do my best to teach you my ways."

Respect women?! He respects women! He respects them VERY much. "You say that like I'm not obviously WORTH your entire life savings; It's not like it would have mattered anyways, you would've become RICH when you finally did become my Empress sooo honestly? You might as well have." Deciding to play it up a little once she begins to rub his arm, his free hand clutches his obviously injured limb and he pouts, sniffling for emphasis. "I respected and respect women a LOT. Especially you." Her own boop catches him off guard, and Kuzco chuckles a little-- amused at how many cues of his she's taking. "Of course not, you know how the Kronkster is-- he bounded over to the hut like a puppy, all excited to tell me ALL about his sure to be magical and food filled evening with Kuzco's hottie hot hottie.~" He teases. "A little? You were worse than I was! Remember the crushed flower Ramon THREW at you that you outright swooned at? Ooh! Or that time you were literally hanging off of Ozker's leg!" Let's be real; Kuzco never even went THAT far. At least, not with anyone who wasn't Malina. Okay, point taken. "Gee, thanks."

Hah! She turned down Ramon for him! YES! If only he could have been there to see his stupidly handsome, disappointed face. "Good! It's about time! Eh heh-- I mean. Wow, you rejected them all because you were waiting for me? Even Ramon?" To be honest, he's touched; and he smiles at her as they continue down the path. The Kuzcarnival is all the way back in the city, and by the time they make it there-- even at the unhurried pace they've been strolling at-- Kuzco is sweating, with his tunic sticking to his skin once more. "Sheesh, we had to pick the hottest day of the year for this, huh?" He comments, tugging at the neck of his tunic.

Kuzco on a horse... now that might look promising, if he doesn't ride it backwards as he did with a llama. "Kuzco, not even Kronk has seen Bucky Boy! I'm starting to think you're getting most of those stories from your dreams!" She rolls her eyes in return and jumps a little startled at his booping, he always catches off guard when he does that, but is cute. She frowns. "Oh gee, thank you ever so much, sir master of frog jokes, I can't wait to be as hilarious as you."

Malina squints, a little irritated at his comment. "See?! that was the problem. I wasn't DESPERATE! you assumed I was spending my whole life savings just FOR YOU. That was rude, that's why I wanted to teach you a lesson to respect women!" She suddenly feels bad for punching him in the arm, sighs in defeat, calms herself down and reaches to rub the spot where she had hit gently, but still arches and eyebrow at him.

"No way, you somehow forced Kronk to tell you where I was taking him, didn't you? My little manipulative, Kuzco.~" She boops him back and can't help herself but chuckle. "Oh, alright. I admit I was a bit of a 'mananizer' back then, but that was because I didn't want you to get a bigger ego if I told you I liked you. Although you are the same mananizer AND womanizer! But I forgive you."

She walks beside him and shakes her head quickly as she listens to his question, he totally sounds curious and not jealous nor whiney at all. "Hm, maybe a few. And yeah, that included Ramon, BUT I rejected all of them to wait only for you.~" She softly states, now linking arms with him.

[boombambaby]

It wasn't selfish! It would have been romantic and heroic and-- -- okay, yeah. Pretty selfish. Heh. Fiiiine, no fancy shaved llamas. Ooh, but in the future he'll definitely try to get his hands on a horse! Good call. "Okay, first off-- my stories aren't invented, they're true! Especially Bucky Boy. So it should be nice and easy for you and for Pacha to believe them." He tells her, rolling his eyes. His tall tales aren't THAT tall, thank you. "Second off? Aha, I'm MUCH funnier than you." Boops her on the nose for emphasis just because he CAN. "Hate to break it to you, sweetheart-- but hey, maybe if you're really nice I'll offer you a lesson sometime!"

Her mention of him offending her backstage gives him pause, and he casts his mind back to that night in an effort to remember what she's talking about. "All I was trying to do was give YOU some advice so you wouldn't look desperate in front of the whole school! How was I supposed to know you would get mad?" He pouts, ready to fold his arms and throw a full on tantrum-- until he's so rudely punched! "Ow! Hey! That was pure coincidence, I had no idea you were taking Kronk there!" He lies. "You tried to make me jealous with Kronk! And Ramon! So who's really the womanizer here, hmm?" Pause. "Or, mananizer. Yep! That one." Kuzco's beaming at her by the time she's back at his side, happy to entwine their fingers and start off down the path and away from her father, who he can just feel glaring daggers at him from the window even before she finishes speaking. "I think I can handle leading the way, my hottie hot hottie date.~ Sooo. . . no one else asked you? Really?"

Not that he's complaining! He's just curious, is all. Yep.

If she has ever seen him doing that to Misty, she would have told him to not paint nor shave llamas for his own selfish reasons. She likes awesome things, but she's not a fan of opulent and exaggerated stuff.

"SURE. Hah, you are not, you usually like to invent incredible stories, but I remember now that Pacha and I said we would TRY to believe you so I'll do that."

And she'll just tell him to quit the big and strong emperor image and trust her if he ever wants to talk about those insecurities. Of course he would like a hug, and a kiss if he begs for it enough. Winks. Someday, he'll just have to tell her she looks cute if he wants to see her blush sweetly and make her stop laughing. She rolls her eyes. "Oh shut up! as if you're funnier than me!"

If that's so, then ok. Malina will show him she can also handle his dirty tricks and try not to burst in anger and jealousy.

"I did not, Kuzco! I bid for Kronk because you offended me backstage. I didn't have the desire to go out on a date with a man who made me mad! Also, haha, no way, I didn't ruin YOUR date! you ruined mine! Why did you go to the same restaurant as me and with my best friend?!" She smacks him on his arm roughly. "That's for being a womanizer and making me jealous. SOME FRIEND YOU ARE!" She copies his last statement and frowns, still tapping her foot until she hears him laughing. Malina turns her head quickly at his direction and shot him an angrier look.

As much as she wants to kick him for laughing in her face, she has to admit he also looks cute while doing so, his laugh gives her butterflies which helps to calm her bad temper down and her cheeks turn slightly red. Her lips also twitched, threatening to smile so to avoid that, she covers her mouth until she's sure she can mantain a serious look on her face and she removes her hand.

"I see how it is! Come on, who would be desperate to go out with you? Not me, of course so, later." She crosses her arms, and starts to walk away from him until she feels his hands grabbing one of hers and her blush intensifies, Malina stops, glancing back at him while he gives her a genuine grin.

Upon listening to his question and clear invitation, FINALLY, Malina's previous slight anger finally disappears and she smiles brightly again. Her excitement evident in her eyes as she lunges at him to peck him on the cheek.

"About time you asked, Mr. I like to tease poor innocent Malina! Lucky for you, no one has beat you to it. So I say. YES!" She announces and practically runs to the inside of her hut once again, tell her parents she's going outside, listens to her father's not happy remarks about Kuzco, returns to Kuzco's side as she closes the door and grabs his hand happily, intertwining their fingers.

"Will you lead the way or should I do it?" She says enthusiastically, ready to go.

BAD KUZCO! Don't put Ramon in a dungeon! No need to worry though, he won't be near them. At least not for quite some time, hehe.~

[boombambaby]

. . . Ooh, well. Good thing he didn't shave Misty the llama and paint her white to ride her in to school that time he was going to ask Malina to the Kuzcoween dance. Heh. 'Note to self, Malina doesn't like AWESOME over the top gestures.' Ah hah. Oops. He's doing it again-- talking to himself when he should be talking to the person in front of him. 'Not right now, me. Talk to ME later!' "Uh duh, of course it's true! I always tell the truth. I'm a truth MASTER." He forgot about it too, actually. But if it works in his favor, who's he to admit that? That's right that jerk isn't better for her! But no need to worry, little worrier-- she'll never hear that insecurity. When it comes to Kuzco, insecurities do NOT exist. They just do not get along. It's like, no insecurity parking! Not that he wouldn't like the hug that would come with it. Despite his annoyance, he can't help but note how cute she looks when she laughs-- and he's momentarily amused himself, without really meaning to be. "Yeah yeah, laugh it up. Ha ha. This 'new talent' of yours needs some work." Both because he values his life, and because he's waiting for it, Kuzco notices the little eye twitch and it takes everything in him not to bust out laughing. Yes, we're playing dirty-- and two can play at this game! "Me trying to make YOU jealous? You were the one who wasted your bid on Kronk to make ME jealous. Yatta was only interested in going on a dream date with yours truly-- which you totally ruined, by the way." Scoffs, rolling his eyes-- all for effect, mind you! He has a feeling he'll regret this later. "Some friend you are." The foot tapping is the final straw, and Kuzco finally busts out laughing when he notices it. "Aha! You should've seen your face!" He calms down enough to stand up after a moment, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye. "Why Malina, are you inviting yourself as the Emperor's date for the Kuzcarnival?" He teases, grinning. "Very bold of you. BUT I suppose if you're that desperate to go . . . " Okay, he's pushing his luck. He knows he is! Sooo he steps forward, taking one of her hands in both of his and offers her a sincere smile. "For the record, YES. I came all this way to ask you to be my date for the carnival. Before anyone else asked. So. . . ?" If Ramon shows up, he still has those dungeon cells ready and waiting for him!

She blinks at him as he's thinking for a second there. Bet he's thinking about how in the world that idea never crossed his mind. Still, good thing he didn't come on his llama as if he was a charming prince on his steed, she's not a fan of flashy things.

"Really... Oh wait, you're right, I forgot that you had a 'Kuzco runs faster than Pumas' talent so then it must be true." She chuckles.

If she ever hears that insecurity of his, she'd immediately hug and tell him there was no way she'll leave him for anyone better, because there's no one better for her. NOT EVEN DIRK BROCK. And fear not, she'd have her knees so weak for ages to come.

Malina's snort turns into small laughter, he should have seen his own face. He looks so funny and loveable when he's pouting or angry- NO, DON'T BAN HER! Who will cuddle him at night in the weekends? or... who will bake Kuzcakes for him with so much love? Rude.

She gives him a triumphant smile as she's done laughing. "I know, right? neither did I. It must be a new talent of mine."

Her smile fades as she listens to him, mentioning how she was the top three of his stupid list, she swears her eye twitches slightly, her insides warming up with an angry heat as he never shuts his pretty mouth. 'Hmm, playing dirty, are we?' she thinks as she slowly nods at him, pretending he's not bothering her at all nor making her jealous.

"If you weren't trying to make me jealous back then, you wouldn't have to owe her a date." She frowns and pouts, crossing her arms over her chest and she stays quiet as he pretends to be deep in thought.

"BUT! IT'S NOT an excuse for you to not invite me to the Carnival, so she and the rest of the women on your list will have to wait today!" She huffs and taps her foot on the ground rapidly, totally not jealous nor angry at him for being a womanizer. AGAIN. WOW.

The tunnel of love will improve her mood yes.~ Ew no, no clowns this time. Nor Ramon. Nor YATTA.

[boombambaby]

Llamasines! Why didn't I think of that?! Or even better, I could have rode in on a llama all heroic, and demanded Malina be presented to me! Man. What a wasted opportunity. ". . . Yes, but-- this was faster. Clearly." He huffs.

Kuzco would be THRILLED to hear that! There's still a part of him, however small, that's afraid she's going to realize she could do better and leave him. Not that he would ever voice that insecurity-- or, any of his insecurities for that matter. But he's more than happy to make her weak in the knees ANY time she'd like.

. . . Unless that JERK, DIRK BROCK steals her from him first!

Dirk Brock?! "Dirk Brock?!" Kuzco exclaims, already plotting the many, MANY ways he plans on ruining the handsome rock stars life (yes, including having him banned!) when he registers Malina's snort, and his gaze narrows at her.

Applause!? Maybe he should have her banned instead. Hm. "Ah hah hah! Phew. Funny. Yeah. Didn't realize you were such a comedian." No threat of any applause here, that's for sure. But-- "Well I was coming to tell you that because I have my pick of women from the Kingdom, you have a pretty good chance-- seeing as you're in the top three and all." A LITTLE payback shouldn't kill him . . . right? "Though I do still owe Yatta a make up date after that charity auction thing. . . " He trails off, pressing a finger against his chin as if deep in thought. While that's true, he wouldn't dream of not taking Malina this time! Especially to experience the tunnel of love sans clowns. Eugh.

"Still Kuzco, you could have died from exhaustion! And true about your guards. Hey, don't you have llamasines?"

He would always be the one who makes her this happy and warm inside from now on, if she knew what was he thinking, he'd make her blush and unable to tease him like she did. His wide smile,however, is giving her butterflies and she hopes her knees are not shaking at this point.

Malina, however, tries to contain her laughter upon seeing him all shocked but clears her throat and tries to maybe calm him down.

"But Kuzco, I-" She starts and is interrupted by his demand, she's 99% sure he's whining I'm his head about running a literal marathon to meet her.

Malina decides to pull his leg a little bit more.

"Oh you wouldn't believe it. But it was Dirk Brock." She pauses for a minute for a reaction before she snorts, she feels guilty and sad seeing him pout.

"I'M JUST kidding, Kuzco! Don't make that face, and don't think about banning Dirk! You have to admit it was so funny, right?" Ahem. She's hilarious, no. No applauses. She'll blush.

"Anyway.. you were saying? Who is the one lucky enough to accompany his majesty?" She leans again, waiting for his next words.

If he pulls her leg back, she'll choke him. Em.

[boombambaby]

“I can handle it! I have handled it for years while I was at school— it’s just. . . been a while. And the guards aren’t fast enough, anyways.”

Kuzco chuckles as she lights up at the news, believing her act whole heartedly and inwardly pleased that he was the one make her smile like that. ‘Wow. She is SO cute when she gets all excited like this.’ He thinks, matching her smile with a wide one of his own.

“Well,” He begins. “I just so happen to—“ aaaand, he stops dead, his jaw actually DROPING at her news, and he blinks owlishly at her as she pulls away from him. “. . . WHAT?! 30 MINUTES AGO?!”

NOOOOOOOO!!! HE RAN ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE VILLAGE FOR NOTHING?!

“How did— who asked you?!” Kuzco demands, pouting despite his ‘no pouting’ rule.

"Well, it's all your fault, darling. You could have just had your guards carry you over here. You know you can't handle this much exercise."

IF he likes the nickname coming from her, she'll consider saying it more often, then.

Malina smirks. "Oh yeah? what news-?" She abruptly stops herself to look at him straight in the eye, her eyes widen at his announcement. Her face lit up and her smirk turns into a cute big smile.

"Is it?!" She says, playing dumb. "That's real awesome! I love the Kuzcarnival! I wonder who's the lucky adoring fan who will go with you." She then sighs, her smile faded as she feigns sadness. "Too bad one important fan of yours is indisposed... she got asked by someone else 30 minutes ago." Malina lies, gesturing to herself. She then frees herself from his previous holding, hoping Kuzco won't have a cardiac arrest because of her little joke.

[boombambaby]

As the tell tale sound of the door opening reaches him, Kuzco straightens up completely to affect as nonchalant and impressive an appearance as possible. Hands smooth the wrinkles from his robes in quick succession, and a wry grin slides across his lips— only for his expression to fall completely when he realizes that it’s Malina’s father at the door, and not her.

“Eh heh. You’re not Malina. . .” Surprisingly to absolutely no one this is the wrong thing to say, and only seems to further set him off. “Hey! Look, I can explain! But by the way, is that a new tunic? It’s very sharp looking—“

When Malina appears mid dress down, Kuzco manages to hold his posture and forced smile until she coerces her father to leave, waiting until he’s retreated safely back inside the hut before all but collapsing in her arms when she finally hugs him. “Not great. Me still NO like-y exercise. Like at all.”

His eyes roll at the nickname, but— and don’t tell anyone this— he doesn’t mind it as much when it’s coming from Malina.

“BUT! I had to come pay my favorite humble peasant girlfriend a visit when I heard the good news!”

Kuzco pulls away from their hug to hold her at arms length, a bright grin back on his lips as he announces; “The Kuzcarnival is back in town! I just heard about it this morning— and AS Emperor, I get my pick of my beautiful, adoring fans to accompany me!”

The former peasant lifts her sister's feet with one hand to sweep the floor underneath the younger girl after she decides to ignore her older sister's orders to move from the couch. Malina huffs as she releases the other's limbs and gives her a quick ugly stare. She doesn't have time to deal with this wild little monster, not when the Kuzcarnival is in town again. Ever since Kronk reminded her earlier about it, she's been doing her chores for the day so her parents would let her go.

And don't tell anyone but she's secretly hoping a certain someone will be able to invite her.~

Her father's patience, however, ended thanks to each random guy from the village appearing one after the other for the last couple of hours at their front door asking Malina out. And now, these new frantic knocks are the last straw for him. Malina's father gets up from his chair, muttering under his breath as he opens the door to reveal a tired and sweaty familiar young man in his royal robes. He looks like he's about to pass out and the peasant man pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out an aggravated sigh.

"Oh... NOT YOU TOO, KUZCO!" he yells and Malina, who had just finished her cleaning, practically flies toward her father's side where he is dressing Kuzco down, telling him to leave the hut and his daughter alone and that she doesn't have the time to go out with a jerk of an Emperor like him.

"DAD! Stop, give Kuzco a break! he..." Malina interrupts herself and takes a look at her messy boyfriend all sweaty and trying not to die right there and then. "He... literally ran over here to meet me. I'll be fine, I'll take care of this." She says and her father reluctantly goes away and squints at Kuzco as he goes inside the hut.

"Why, hello my little sweaty llama! I'm really honored you came to visit a humble peasant. How was the exercise?" She smiles and chuckles at her own silly, dumb joke and hugs him lovingly despite he's still drenched in sweat.