[Open] It's getting hot in here

[showsnopiety]

Who: Caren and anyone visiting the hot springs!
When: Post dungeon, could be right after fail/success, could be days after
Where: Hot Springs of course
What: There's a hot springs, so now there's a hot springs episode.
Rating: Could be a p-13 and beyond because some people are only wearing towels in this place.





[Win or fail, everyone needed a reason and a way to relax. With the fall of the towers, there was all sorts of good things to come from it. Some would say it was the birds; and others would say it was the hot springs.

The large, large pools of heated water. Sure, they could be used as a way to get all steamed up (or even steam punk) but after all that hard work, everyone deserves a break!

Bring your swimsuits, your towels, your drinks and snacks-who knows, you should be able to find them in the bazaars, or even on Airy. It's time to soak in the heat!]

Comments

[interchained]

Let me have a look around then.

[But even before he comes closer to check whether it's here or not, Gilbert notices her sitting down. Is she waiting for him to find it or...

Instead of asking her what's wrong, he just continues his search until he opens the portable refrigerator.]

There's some—are you alright?

[showsnopiety]

[She would have looked for it herself but...yeah, she needed a second. Being a pawn who pretty much drained herself to help her dungeon mates and needed her other dungeon mate to carry her around for more spell casting was awful. Really bad.

But her head came up at his question, rubbing her temples.]

Just a little dizzy. It will pass. Do not concern yourself over it.

[She'll slowly stand up so she can get one of those drinks. No need for fussing.]

[interchained]

Do not concern yourself over it...

[Gilbert murmurs, trying to copy her tone to sound as similar as possible. It goes without saying that it makes him sound rather hilarious. The next thing he does is handing down the iced coffee, but instead of pulling his hand away immediately, he wraps his fingers around her wrist.]

It will pass faster this way.

[showsnopiety]

[It's pretty hilarious. Gilbert doesn't do the dead pan softness that Caren does, not very well at any rate. Maybe he can play a stoic, but he isn't doing it here.

She glances up at him when she feels his fingers over her skin. Her pulse might have picked up for a few moments, but it steadied. Becoming almost sluggish. Even with the mana exchange, she's tired. But she has to rise her eyebrows though.]

Very well.

But I will note that you are fussy.

[interchained]

Think whatever you like.

[He's looking away, but his hand is still resting where he put it a little while ago. Not even denying he's fussy because, well...he's just that.]

I'm pretty sure you could withstand it, but there's no point.

[Especially since they have already exchanged.]

[showsnopiety]

[He is a fuss pot. But it is kind of cute too so...well.

She sighs at him, and closes her eyes.]

You're half way ready to pick me up and carry me away from the hot springs and into a bed, aren't you?

[He really is a servant. Right down to his core.]

[interchained]

[That's a one hit KO...her bluntness is more than enough to make him feel weak on the knees. Putting his act together is a difficult task, but he can't just fall down and make things even worse for himself.]

Wha—No! Of course not! Don't get weird ideas...

[showsnopiety]

Oh? Is it weird now?

[She doesn't move, but she watches him. She's clearly enjoying herself.]

I thought you might like the thought of protecting a helpless girl like me. My mistake.

[interchained]

It is!

[Surprisingly, he doesn't move away from her despite being agitated by the sole idea.]

Please. Since when you are helpless...

[Gilbert knows that much, at least.]

[showsnopiety]

[She laughed quietly. It wasn't a happy one; it was something more like a prelude to something awful.]

You'd be surprised.

[The mirth fades away and she glances aside.]

But sometimes, I'm easily incapacitated. That's what I need a Servant for.

[Not...entirely true, but not entirely a lie either.]

[interchained]

Would I really...

[Her laugh is still ringing in his ears for a while, making his lips quirk up in a smile. It's hardly believable, even despite current...circumstances. But instead of pushing it, Gilbert stays quiet for a while.]

Well, you just have to be careful until you find someone suitable for the role.

[showsnopiety]

That won't do.

[She's amused, gently so but...well.]

I wouldn't get anything done. It'll take a long, long time to find my perfect Servant again.

[interchained]

[His answer is a single sigh. He should have known better, really. Caren didn't strike him as the type to sit back and do nothing, after all. That's why the answer he got doesn't exactly surprise him.]

Maybe it won't take as long as you think.

[showsnopiety]

You think I've already found one?

[Just to see if he caught on. Or not. Ah well.]