Complete Mega Summerfest 2032: Ice Cream Recovery Service

[Yugam]

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For some reason, despite nearly choking on her burrito laughing, Valeria shot Ari a beaming smile that made his heart skip a beat. For just single, insignificantly small, breathless moment, his eyes had locked onto hers, magenta eyes meeting his deep brown ones.

And then they were back to the food, scarfing the burrito down like hungry hyenas, laughing and enjoying each others company. And the food. Which one of those two brought them greater joy?

"Alright what's left now…? Tacos and the chips, right?" Valeria asked as she offered Ari the last bite of the burrito, which he gratefully accepted. "Mmph, yeah," the raven-haired man nodded as he swallowed. "Uh, how 'bout we try the shortrib one first. Save the best for last?" 'Cause who in the hell didn't like spicy tuna anything?

With Valeria's agreement, Ari picked up the taco and took a bite, leaving a good deal more for Valeria to devour. Marinated in an almost terriyaki-like sauce, the meat burst with sweet juices, mixing with the salty, spicy flavors of kimchi and jalapenos. "Mm, okay, you've heard me gush about all this food since we got it, just try this thing," Ari laughed, covering his mouth once more as he held the taco out to Valeria.

@Luthien

 

[Luthien]

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There was a faint feeling that had been building up, that slight protest of the muscles when someone continued to smile and laugh too much. It had been a while since Valeria had experienced that sensation, but she just couldn't stop smiling even if she had wanted to—that's how much she was enjoying Ari's company. A sideway glance was stolen in Ari's direction, sneaking a glance as he enjoyed the last bit of the burrito, before the blonde pretended to look in the direction of the concert as she took another sip of her soda.

Sure, the food they were sharing today was great, but Valeria wasn't stupid... just food alone wouldn't have her spirits soaring as high as they were this afternoon.

"Yeah, let's do that~"

After there was no way anyone could fuck up spicy tuna—or at least Valeria hoped that still held true today—not to mention it would be a lighter option to finish off their meal. "Pffft, you say that as if I'm not gushing about this food too." She took the offered half of the short rib taco, the napkin underneath helping to keep any of the juices from dripping over her clothes.

There was a split second hesitation as her mind highlighted the fact that this was an indirect kiss of sort—the thought causing her cheeks to flush for a moment in response—before Valeria quickly pushed that thought away as she carefully devoured her share of the taco. Besides they'd just eaten a whole burrito between the two of them, little bit late to be worrying about indirect kisses of any kind now.

"Oh...!" Once more she was surprised about the combination, even though by now it was almost expected from the food truck, and she took a moment to properly chew and swallow her food before commenting on it. "The kimchi and jalapeños really balance out the sweetness of that sauce~"

A hand reached out to pick one of the chips, dipping it on the salsa provided, before she enjoyed the refreshing taste and crunch—becoming a good palate cleanser in preparation of the last taco remaining.

@Yugam

 

[Yugam]

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"The kimchi and jalapeños really balance out the sweetness of that sauce~"

"Dude, I know!" Ari exclaimed setting the taco back down in the box and taking a drink as Valeria tried the chips and salsa. "How're the chips?" the man asked, propping a knee up and draping an arm lazily across it.

Off in the distance, the pair could see the Luis Fonsi show slowly starting to wrap up, the last few songs of the setlist stirring the crowd into a frenzy. Even from back here, they could hear the crowd belting out the lyrics to the songs as they jumped up in down to the beat. "I think they're gonna switch artists soon," the man commented as he watched the crowd. "We might be able to get up to the front if we finish up soon. That could be fun," he offered, glancing over to Valeria to see what she wanted to do.

@Luthien

 

[Luthien]

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"The salsa's pretty nice and refreshing," Really good, just like the rest of the food had been so far. "and you can tell they make the chips in house too, which is nice~"

That said, delicious as everything was, Valeria was already getting kind of full... perhaps they had ordered a little too much, though she wasn't about to entirely miss out on trying it. "Yeah, sounds like they're probably wrapping up soon... so DAYEONSONG should be up shortly, once they finish preppin'." A hand reached for the final taco, taking a smaller bite of it compared to everything else, before she handed the rest over to Ari.

"Not gonna lie, kinda sad that this food truck isn't available back home... their food is too good."

The thought of getting good spots in the crowd was hard to pass up, causing Valeria to nod in agreement as she gave Ari an excited grin in response.

@Yugam

 

[Yugam]

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"Ooh, let me try these then," Ari said at the mention of house-made chips. Store bought were always just so bland. He almost never had nachos unless he was at a restaurant that made them themselves. The difference between store brand and house made was like water and wine, there was simply no contest between the two.

Picking up a chip, Ari scooped some salsa into the curled end and fenagled the whole thing in his mouth in manner intended to keep any salsa from falling out, but only made the whole ordeal a bit harder than it needed to be.

The chips crunched in his mouth, the saltiness off set by the refreshing taste of the salsa. "Mm, this is gonna be a problem," Ari said, eyes now locked on the chips. "I will eat these chips all day if they let me." The man had a terrible habit of not eating actual meals and just snacking all day while he worked. He'd devoured quite a few giant bags of tortilla chips or chicharrons while he'd been neck deep in a project for university.

"Alright cool then," Ari said, dusting his fingers of the chip salt, before reaching for the last taco. "Let's wander on over, we can snack on the chips on the way," he said before popping the remains of the taco in his mouth in one go. Like he was some kind of heathen.

@Luthien

 

[Luthien]

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"Hahahah, right? Might need to get more chips and salsa throughout the rest of the fest days... if the line isn't too absurd of course."

Part of her hoped the long lines they'd been seeing in various trucks were mostly due to the time, Valeria assumed most of the food trucks would probably come later in the evening and nighttime when the audience would be at its peak. "So far food has been ten outta ten, here's hoping they can keep that up for the rest of the week~" Another chip was picked before the blonde carefully dunk it int he salsa to avoid breaking it, choosing to simply coat the chip before eating it versus Ari's attempt to scoop a decent amount of the salsa into his own mouth.

A simpler, and less messy, method.

She used her napkin to clean her fingers, beginning to stack the takeaway boxes and trash together while the chips and salsa were left untouched for Ari to grab. "Yeah, that should tide us over until DAYEOSONG is ready to get on stage." The last of her soda was drank before the bottle was also added to the neat and tidy stack that Valeria had managed before the blonde got back on her feet, her free hand dusting away any grass blades that might have tried to cling onto her shorts.

@Yugam

 

[Yugam]

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"We can't let anyone else know about that food truck, or there will be a line for days," Ari replied jokingly, giving the girl a conspiratorial look. It must remain secret, or they'd have to fight thirty minute long lines in the heat. And that sounded like the exact opposite of fun.

"Ah, I'm sure they will," the man replied with a small nod as he started tossing the burrito foil and boat into the empty box that the burrito had come in before Valeria stacked the boxes together. "Like you said earlier, it'd be the death of this festival if they didn't make sure the food was up to snuff," he said as he likewise picked up another chip, but skipped the salsa. He actually wasn't the biggest fan of the stuff in general. No particular reason, and he didn't dislike it, he just didn't care for it usually.

Standing up alongside Valeria, Ari also took another drink from his soda, finishing it off and picking up the trash, throwing it out in a nearby trash can before walking back to the girl as he dusted off his pants. "Alrighty, ready to go?"

@Luthien

 

[Luthien]

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"My lips are eternally sealed about the place~" A hand reached for her face, her fingers making a zipping motion across her lips, before reaching down to do a cross motion over her heart. "That said I think it'll be hard to keep them hidden for long, not when everything they cook smells so fucking good."

Her plan had been to pick up the stacked trash and toss it away, however in the time it took Valeria to dust off her shorts and make a silent promise Ari had already gotten up and picked the neatly stacked boxes before walking to the nearest trash can. "Mhmm, I'm good to go if you are~" Another chip was picked from the box Ari held as he returned, lightly dipped in the salsa before the blonde munched on it.

She might have been full... but there was always space for a chip or two.

@Yugam

 

[Yugam]

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"Well, then we better pray that everyone here doesn't have intact olfactory senses," Ari said with a chuckle.

With Valeria's confirmation, the two started to move back towards the larger crowd, snacking on the remaining chips as they went. What had started as a typical SNAFU turned into a rather fun time for the man. And a new friend. The only down side of all this? It'd only last the week. And after that, there wasn't even Terrasphere to hang out with each other in. That wasn't exactly a subject you broached to a stranger you just met.

But for now, Ari pushed the subject into the back of his mind, intent on enjoying whatever in-person time he had with Valeria. And who knew? Maybe as they got to know each other over time, they'd actually go through with their promises to road trip, or visit Puerto Rico together. So long as he didn't get UI-locked...

@Luthien