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Coming from somewhere hot like the slums of the Sunset Savannah you learn to appreciate water. The slums aren’t close enough to the main roads to receive the same water and no one cares enough to take care of their pipes so their water is scarce.
Rain is a blessing in the Savannah, it’s not as rare as it used to be but it’s without a doubt rare for it to reach the slums. The slums is almost in a constant drought so people use whatever they can to contain as much water as possible when it does rain.
Ruggie grew up appreciating any and all water he could get his sneaky hands on. It’s only natural, he’s seen the things water can cause people to do.
It’s not as though Riddle wasn’t aware of how rain felt.
He’d been in the rain a few times in his childhood but he was always dragged off by his mother. She couldn’t risk her prodigy child getting sick so she avoided it when she could. Make no mistake, Riddle’s been sick before. That can’t be avoided.
His mother simply refused to allow him to get sick from something like rain, something she could prevent from polluting him. So Riddle has barely any experience in the rain and mostly keeps himself as dry as possible in it.
Growing up in somewhere as hot as the Scalding Sands, water can hold just as much value as actual money. Luckily, unlike the Savannah, most parts of the Scalding Sands have easy access to water.
You can only imagine the praise that came when the Asim Family’s heir obtained a unique magic that allowed him to create rain and an oasis with ease. People would cough up loads just for the rain aspect of his power.
The Asims are smart, they wouldn’t just sell their son off to whoever asked. They do, of course, hold love for him in their hearts. They simply allow Kalim to decide for himself and Kalim being Kalim will often agree.
“Come on Riddle!” Kalim called out to Riddle who stood by on sidelines, dry underneath his umbrella. Ruggie was busy flying around on a broom, letting the rain water trickle down his fingers with a smile on his face.
“Oh no, I’m fine over here Kalim.” Riddle said, taking a small step back as the wet Kalim approached him with a bright smile on his face. “I’d rather not risk getting sick.” He said before catching sight of Ruggie flying down above Kalim.
“ Come on Riddle, you can’t keep yourself from everything that’ll make you sick.” He joked as he rested his body on the broom, smirking down at Riddle below him. “water is a source of life you know.”
“I’m well aware that I can’t keep myself from ever getting sick but-“ Riddle gripped the umbrella tighter as he attempted to defend his position before being cut off by Kalim, “So then it’s fine, plus there isn’t a hundred percent chance that you’re going to get sick!”
Riddle paused for a moment, taking in Kalim’s words before answering, “Well.. no, there isn’t a hundred percent chance but there is still a-“ Once more Riddle was cut off by Kalim who took hold of his hands, the cold of his hands a contrast between the warmth of Riddle’s. “Okay great! Come on then!”
Kalim eagerly pulled Riddle, who ended up dropping his umbrella on the ground. “Oh hey, Riddle’s in the rain!” Ruggie called out as he looked at Riddle who looked almost uncomfortable with the way the rain was hitting his body, “Yes, you win. I’m in the rain.”
“Hahaha!” Kalim let out a loud laugh as he twirled Riddle around before holding him close, “Why don’t you come down Ruggie?” Kalim asked as he watched Ruggie leisurely float around on his broom. “We can all dance together.”
He suggested eagerly as he began to gently twirl and moving Riddle around in a simple and relaxed dance, “Careful, the ground is wet. We might fall.”
Riddle said although he was making no attempt to stop his little dance with Kalim as he watched Ruggie’s broom float leisurely in the air. “I’m not much of a dancer.” Ruggie muttered as his broom began to slowly float higher.
“That’s fine, I can teach the both of you!” Kalim exclaimed happily before taking a firm hold of Ruggie’s broom before it could lift out of his grasp. “Oh.. uh… Ah-!” Before he could react Kalim was pulling him off his broom and onto his feet.
“Careful Kalim.” Riddle reminded him as he watched Ruggie attempt to maintain his balance. “Yeah, careful Kalim.” Ruggie echoed as he regained his balance before being pulled closer by Kalim.
”Sorry, I just got so excited!”