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The worst that could happen is nothing...

It was the mantra she murmured to herself again and again as she got on planes and went to new locations. Drifting around the world as if there was an answer somewhere out there that she couldn't get within herself. So far, she had seen beautiful beaches, and daunting forests. Cityscapes with food that kept her guessing, and fascinating markets that held trinkets that she was sure were going to pile up in her house while she was gone. She kept herself busy, not thinking about the circumstances she was leaving behind.

After all, if you didn't think about it, it didn't exist, right?

When her steps took her from the hotel she had been staying at and into the bright light of the day, she took in a deep breath and released it. Her hazel eyes drifted over the small cafes that she had been eating at the last few days, and the places she had called home while she recovered from the long flight, and just acclimated to the new country she was in.

The air was clear. The day was beautiful.

And she had a meeting to get to.

Letting loose a small hum noise, she adjusts the pack on her back, the straps snug against her shoulders. Today, she had opted to wear one of her more comfortable outfits. Black shorts with straps for hanging things off, a soft green tank top, and a white shirt tied over the top to keep her skin cooler. Her well worn boots made soft tamps on the ground as she walked, small tinkling sounds coming from the chains and bells that she had draped around them. Her brown waves were loose around her, but she had multiple small hair scrunchies around her right wrist in soft colored silks, there just in case she needed it up off her neck. Which would probably happen later in the day.

She wore quite a bit of jewelry, but most of it was made up of things she had gotten from her travels. A strand of seashells here. Some bracelets of glass beads there. Silver rings with blue and green gemstones, and a stack of necklaces that seemed to go together even though none of them matched. And at the very bottom, an old and worn silver locket hung on a simple faded chain.

Valencia's meandering steps took her to the fountain that had been referred to in the texts she had read earlier, and she hums lightly as she walks. Every so often, she would pause somewhere to look at something or the other, or to chatter to someone along the way. Her smile was bright, and she had that sort of infectious energy that lifted people up as she laughed with them, acting as if each interaction was the most important one to her at that moment.

She tried to keep track of the time, but as always, she was on a sort of schedule that left her unhurried. Finding the fountain in the distance, she heads towards it. Orange shirt... green pants... Pulling out her phone one more time, she verifies again, and then frowns gently. She got here with a singular minute to spare. Perhaps her best time yet.

Looking around when she arrived, she takes in the people around. And then, her gaze finally locks on someone with an orange shirt and green pants. A man. A few blinks were her first reaction, followed by a soft chuckle. "Ah me, Valencia. You've done it now..." However, someone boasting a knowledge of the local area was rather necessary in her mind. And with his rates, it was a perfect situation.

She hadn't been looking for someone to take her to the popular tourist spots. They were nice, but she could figure them out herself, given enough time and audacity. No. She wanted a true adventure. To see the world through the eyes of someone who had a love for the place that was clear to see. And this particular guide had stuck out to her for that reason.

It wasn't his fault that she was bad at paying attention.

Stuffing her phone back into her side pocket, she secures it easily with the singular snap, and wanders over. "Marcelo..?" she called out to him, her head tilting to the side. He didn't seem like he was prepared for more than a day jaunt. Perhaps there were some miscommunications along the way.

But he responded to her, and her bright smile spreads easily right afterward, relief running through her system. She took his hand easily as he introduced himself, and she shook his hand firmly, giving a rather professional handshake for someone who looked like they had stepped out of a magazine article about 'finding yourself.'

"Ah. Well. I was hoping to take advantage of your time for a few days, Marcelo. I completely understand if that is an unreasonable request." Her musical voice was soft, and she smiles easily as she speaks, tucking a bit of hair behind one ear.

"And I was going to leave myself in your hands. I want to experience the culture of the area, and see some of the sights that not many would think of going to. I have seen a great many beautiful pictures of the area, and I have far too many ideas for a single trip, unfortunately. You would be doing me such a kindness." Then, delight crosses her face. "There was one place, however, that struck me as quite incredible..."

Her hand goes to her pocket and she pulls out a folded page that seemed to be torn from a magazine. The creases in it were deep, as if she had folded and unfolded it hundreds of times, carrying it with her for a long time. It was a waterfall that had been uncredited in the image, but somehow, her mind had been drawn to it instantly. Passing it over, she laughs softly. "Just tell me if it's impossible, and I will be disappointed, but I imagine not for very long."

The change that went over his face as he looked at the picture was rather fascinating. Like he recognized it, but couldn't quite believe that someone would hand him the picture so openly. Valencia leans forward slightly, curiosity drifting over her expression as she looks to his face, wondering if it would be terribly impolite to ask about it. However, his question distracted her from such a thing, and she chuckles, straightening.

"Ah. Well. You see. I was looking into places to visit in Brazil before I decided to come here. And this was being used as a bookmark in a book that I had been reading at the library." She smiles lightly, tucking that stray curl behind her ear again before finishing. "On the back, it just had the name of this town. City." Which she supposed was a rather crazy reason for deciding on a place to go, but that was sort of what she had been doing for the last few months.

And it was only a little better than finding Port Tidaven in a travel magazine at an airport kiosk and starting her adventure there.

If only just a little better.

Minorly better.

His answer to her request, however, led to her bright smile returning to her features, and she quickly agrees before following him into the streets.

His question caught her off guard, and she looks at him, her hazel eyes widening in surprise for a mere moment before she smiles. "Ah. Originally Manhattan." A brief pause and she continues. "New York." It was a rather short answer, but really, she wasn't sure what else to say about it.

Which was fine, because he spoke, telling her about some of the things they were passing. She would follow his steps carefully, and took his hand when he offered it. His skin was warm against the cool metal of her rings, and she focused on it for a moment before letting her attention drift to the world around her. It was definitely a lot easier to keep her gaze on the scenery around them while she was tethered to him by their clasped fingers. The people. The buildings. And all of the little things they passed by.

Delight crosses her face as he points out the performer, and she grins easily. But she continues following his guidance, her eyes traveling over everything as if she wanted to commit it to memory. Like it would all disappear if she didn't look at it hard enough, or long enough.

The crowd lessened as they came into the neighborhood, and Valencia lets her shoulders relax, her eyes drifting to the guide. Marcelo. She would have to remember to use his name in her mind as well, so that she could get rid of the assumption she had before.

They reach the apartment and she pauses for a moment, considering his question. Was it strange to go inside a stranger's home? Perhaps. Though she had done crazier things, she should probably exercise a minor bit of caution, she supposed.

A soft chuckle escapes and she slides her hands into her pockets before leaning forward towards him slightly. "I think it would be best for me to wait out here." Valencia straightens, then lets her smile spread over her features once more. "And don't worry. I shant go anywhere without my guide." It was said in a teasing voice, and she grins.

She had taken the time he was in his home getting things to relax, leaning against the building and tilting her face up to catch the sunlight. Valencia closes her eyes, letting the warmth drift into her skin, her hand coming up to run through her curls. So far, things were going well. He knew where the waterfall was. And that was something far more interesting than anything else she had found along her journey.

The mystery of it was fascinating. The way he had reacted to the picture. It was something deeper than the thudding of her heart as she had seen the picture. Like pieces on a map she hadn't figured out yet, aligning to give her the send-off she was hoping for.

He comes back out and her smile spreads instantly, her eyes opening. She follows his lead, taking off her backpack as they get on the bus so she could hold it by her legs instead of on her back. It made it a bit easier to get through the crowd. His explanation caused her to grin, and she was delighted that he kept explaining things to her.

"Beija Flor." She repeats the name out loud, chuckling softly. "Sounds perfect," she was sure that later she would have dozens of more questions, but for now, her attention was everywhere else. The people. The places they passed. A sort of breathless awe seemed to linger around her at all times, her hazel gaze drifting around her as if she wanted to sear it all into her mind.

The mention of the book made her grin. Really, it had just been a travel guide that had too many earmarked pages. None of it had really jumped out at her until that picture used as a bookmark. As if someone had forgotten it.

Following him to the bar, she listens idly to them as they talk with each other, slipping her backpack to a holding position once more, since she would be stowing it under the table when they stopped. She knew a few languages, but this was not one of them, unfortunately. However, she did recognize the cadence of an introduction when she heard one, and she lifts one hand, giving a rather jaunty wave along with a wide smile.

It seemed rather polite, after all.

Especially since this was a place that Marcelo knew well.

One of the phrases they used, however, stuck out in her mind. Cachoeira El Dorado... She turned that over and over in her thoughts, following Marcelo's lead to a table. Tucking her bag beneath it, she scoots her legs up against it, leaning forward against the table comfortably.

He asks if she speaks Portuguese, and she shakes her head, smiling ruefully. "Unfortunately I don't. I relied very heavily on my travel book and pointing at things to make it to my hotel when I left the airport, to be honest. It's part of the reason I needed a local guide who also knew English. You'll be taking the part of translator as well as guide on this trip, I'm afraid. But, I learn fast. So if there's something you feel I should know, I will remember." Her brighter smile spreads one more time, and she laces her fingers together beneath her chin, just watching him now.

Now that there was less to catch her attention, she could focus on getting to know the person she was going to wander into the wilds with. "Cachoeira do El Dorado," she repeats the words after she says it, tilting her head to the side. It seemed to fit the place that she saw.

Though, if no one knew where it was, that posed the question on if she was even allowed to go there herself. "Is it a restricted area? Or just not very well known?" She poses the question, her eyes lingering on his face.

At the thought of drinks, however, she softens, and considering a moment, she chuckles throatily. "And I am a sucker for fruity drinks, so surprise me." Every place had some specialty that she ended up falling in love with, after all. It wouldn't do to order something she knew well when something undiscovered would make it's mark on her so easily.

However, a small pause, and she speaks lightly. "I have an allergy to sesame seeds, but no other restrictions." Valencia couldn't help the sheepish smile that spread afterward. Though she had done her research. Most places would use palm oils and vegetable oils rather than sesame oils, and as long as she avoided the bakery goods that had the obvious seeds, she would be fine.

Her smile only spreads as he laughs. Her favorite sound from people she met. Tilting her head to the side as she listens to him order, she mulls the words through in her mind. Some were easy to compare to her ledger of familiar words, and use some guesswork to figure some of it out.

The more she listened, the easier it would be. Especially if she compared it to what came.

His eyes meet hers again and he tells her about the waterfall. Tourists aren't liked... The thought made her frown ever so slightly, but soon it was replaced by another smile as he reassured her. The worst that can happen is nothing.. her mind supplies. The more time she spent around people, the more open they got with her.

She had learned that in her last adventure. The locals had warmed to her eventually. She just had to be patient. Though, with this trip, they would be moving a lot, so perhaps it would be quite different. Depended on how long they stayed there once they arrived.

When he pulled out the map, however, she was pulled from her thoughts. Scooting her chair a little closer, she leans over the map, watching his fingers as they trace the path they would take. She memorized the pathway, tracing it with her own fingertips when he looked up to order with the waitress. Her smile softens as she traces the path one more time, her fingers lingering on the map.

It was happening.

He speaks again and points to another place on the map and she chuckles softly, pulling her loose curls over one shoulder so they were out of the way while she was looking down at the map. "Manaus." She repeats the location, her habit to keep track of things, and lock them into her mind.

Lifting her glass, she clinks it against his, her smile bright as she does. Taking a sip of the drink, she lets the flavor roll over her tongue. Delight spreads across her features and she makes a satisfied noise in the back of her throat. "Thank you, Marcelo. This is delicious. Absolute perfection." It was easy to compliment it. The flavor was sweet, and she licks the corner of her lips afterward, enjoying the sugary aftertaste.

He explains their first steps, and she tilts her head to the side, looking over the map. A soft mm was made in response at first, and she smiles softly. "Your plan is phenomenal. No plane. I want to see everything." Her voice was gentle, and her fingertips traced the pathway that he had been showing her, fascination drifting through her.

She considers the journey, and how long it would take. All the things she would be able to see and experience would be well worth the time. Not to mention the ending. Valencia was beginning to feel very good about her decision to go with Marcelo as her tour guide. So far, it was paying off in spades.

"So from here... to Manaus... to Barcelos. Then to Cachoeira do El Dorado..." She repeats the order to herself, her hazel eyes finally flickering from the map and to him. Her fingers tap gently on her glass as she holds it aloft, resting it carefully against her cheek.

Taking another sip of her drink, she tilts her head to the side, curious. "Is there anything... you think I should be made aware of before we go?" She could feel the eyes on them, but she let it roll off of her. It was to be expected, after all. She was an unknown in their space.