Dec. 1st/2nd
Ian
The view from my hotel balcony. This place is like a neon carnival of excess.
Kiara
I think you're going to get a tan just from the lights. Miss you already.
--
Ian
Mel is fucking two guys in the room next to me. She sounds very happy.
Wish you were here.
Kiara
Lucky Mel. ;) I do too.
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Dec. 2nd
Kiara
Samir and Elijah got into another situation. Starting 2 think they're trying 2 set record. Samir in Quiet again. Couldn't leave him out on own. Staying in apt.
Ian
Do those two just have some kind of mystic target on their backs or what? Don't wear yourself out taking care of them.
--
Kiara
Escaped to Chantry. Grace with Samir. Met Henry and Kalen there. Henry is sending Kalen and I to Hawaii to retrieve something important in abt a week. No dragons or Umbra this time. Promise.
Ian
At this point I have zero faith in the inherent safety of any situation involving the words "Henry" and "retrieve something."
I'd ask you what you're getting but I'm guessing this isn't the safest way for us to discuss it.
Be careful. Both of you.
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Dec. 6th
Ian
In LA. I just did a photo shoot for http://haikuswithhotties.com/
Figured that might amuse you.
Kiara
I'm unrepentedly proud that I just had cause to bookmark that page for my own entertainment. You realize now you have no choice but to recite poetry to me naked. ;)
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Dec. 7th
Ian
https://open.spotify.com/track/6cr7CDzWPPeIBdTkLYwBE1
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Dec. 8th
Ian
I fucking love San Francisco.
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Dec. 10th
Kiara
My neighbor across the hall is either having really great sex or being murdered.
I can't believe he had the audacity to report me for noise.
Definitely sex. I feel like sending a commiseration basket.
Ian
Next time I come over we'll have to try and one-up him.
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Dec. 13th
Kiara
Aloha. Off to Hawaii with K. Wish us luck!!
Ian
Good luck. Stay safe.
--
Kiara
K gave me a xmas present on the plane.
[There's an attached shot of a beautiful dark stone in Kiara's palm.]
Ian
He does that.
It's pretty.
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Dec. 14th/15th
Kiara
[An image comes through. Kiara in the corner of the frame, her dark hair being wildly swept around by a waterfall in the background.]
Ian
I wish I was there right now. That waterfall is gorgeous.
We're performing in Atlanta tonight.
Yesterday I got us into an underground hip hop club. Still not as nice as Hawai'i, but it wasn't bad.
--
Kiara
Guess who says hello?
[An attached image of someone leaning over; there's a glimpse of a bare upper torso and a balcony in the background.]
Ian
I know that ass. Should I be concerned you have a picture of it?
Kiara
Should I be concerned you still recognize it? ;)
--
Wish you were here right now. x
[Attached is another shot, the beach at sunset, Kiara on horseback riding along it.]
Ian
I miss you.
By the way, tell Kalen I said hi.
[Following this text is a picture of Ian on a hotel balcony in nothing but a towel. The edge of it hangs down precariously low on his right hip, cutting a line across the short-trimmed hair on his pubic bone. His hands are on the railing behind him, balancing his weight as he lifts himself off the ground. The pose makes the muscles stand out on his arms and torso. There's an artful glow of ambient city lights cast over him.]
Kiara
I will.
Exhibitionist.
You're so beautiful, you know that?
Ian
So are you.
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Dec. 15th
Kiara
Kalen and I went diving today. We found what we were searching for. Sort of. We have to track down the son of a sea witch. Long story. We're both okay.
Ian
Very curious to hear the rest of this. Good luck.
We're driving to NYC. Will be there a few days.
Anywhere you want me to check out?
--
[A video message shows up on Kiara's phone. When she plays it, she'll be greeted by a close-up of Ian's face looking decidedly deadpan while the voices of about five or six people ring out in the background to the tune of Journey's Don't Stop Believin'. After a moment, he raises an eyebrow and pans the camera away from his face to capture the majority of his dance troupe (and a couple of people Kiara has not met before) standing up in the middle of their tour bus singing at the top of their lungs. Most of them are not especially strong singers, but they seem pretty unconcerned with this fact. Emma isn't with them. About midway through, Ian pans up to the front of the bus where she's taking her turn driving. Briefly, she glances back and gives a little snort of laughter.
"Come on Ian, we know you can sing!" Comes a female voice.
Ian pans back to his face and shakes his head slowly. As though in rebellion, the other singers get louder. Ian flinches a little and whispers, so that only Kiara can hear, "This is actually my life right now."
Then the video ends.]
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Dec. 17th/18th
Kiara
We have what we came for. I'm almost sorry we have no reason to stay longer. It's beautiful here.
[Attached is another scenic shot, this one of a sunset taken over a balcony, the tops of palm trees and the sun banking gold and orange before it crests the horizon.]
Ian
It is beautiful. Next time maybe I can come with.
--
At the bar I used to work at.
Kind of surreal being here now. A couple of the regulars recognized me.
Earlier today I went and saw my old agent. She invited me to a party. Can't decide if I actually want to go.
That whole part of my life seems like it belongs to another person.
Kiara
It's always a little strange stepping back into places you remember as a different version of yourself. I think of New York like that a lot. Like it belonged to another woman called Kiara. Like if I went back to those places I'd see shells of myself there. Like snake skins, you know?
Maybe you should go to the party though. It might be a nice way to say goodbye to that part of your life if nothing else.
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Dec. 20th
Ian
Was nice to hear your voice yesterday.
Let me know when your flight gets into Chicago. And which airport.
Kiara
It was nice to hear you too. ;)
3PM @ O'Hare. Flying United. See you soon. k.
