[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

Caren Ortensia OTA

[showsnopiety]

[It took a bit of time for her to discover this place. It started off with rumors, and the like; she hadn't known until word had spread. Though the very idea that the dragon and the phoenix were getting together again, and the hot springs were the way...

It made her scoff.

But she was curious. After testing it with one toe dip, she went back to the bazaar and to the Airy. And shortly thereafter, she managed to come back, with her arms full of things. Strange, when she was clearly going down dressed in a towel.

But with her, she brought liquor, tea, and snacks, not just for herself, and had ribbons to have her hair pulled up and away from her neck. For some of the time, she sank down, right down to her chin or shoulders, her eyes closed.

Others, she would be a little more active, offering a towel-pointedly at times-or food or drink. She brought plenty. And during others, she simply poured water on herself with her hands while sitting on a rock.

...siren allure anyone?]

[sakeplz]

[She's sitting there. Naked and luring people in by pouring water over herself. Her skin glistens in the hazy light. It's such a tempting image, quite the way to beckon people closer.

And she has beckoned someone. Someone with a bucket.

Someone with a bucket of cool water for making sure one can cool a small area down for a time.

Someone who uses a scoop of that cool, cool water and dumps it on her head.

Siren, meet Troll.]

[showsnopiety]

[And....3....2...1

SCREECH!

That's cold that's cold and now she's flushed with cold and she's flailing and about to fall off the rock.

Good job, sword troll.]

[sakeplz]

[He crouches down completely naked and gives her a waggle of his fingers as a hello.]

Hello! Nice to see you again!

[showsnopiety]

You.

[She heaves a sigh, and wipes her hair out of her eyes. Oh, it's a sword.]

I'm not giving you any of my alcohol.

[interchained]

[After stripping down, wrapping a towel around his hips tightly (honestly, he'd take three towels to cover himself, but apparently that's not allowed) and paying a visit to the washing area, Gilbert finally arrives, shyly taking a few steps towards the hot spring. It's so steamy in here, he can barely see a thing, but he sure can hear the sound of splashing water.

It seems no one's here, so Gil dips into the water and sighs softly. It's so peaceful here—is that a ribbon? It sure is.]

Forgive me! I'm heading out right away!!

[He's already standing and about to do what he has just said.]

[showsnopiety]

[Three towels aren't allowed because that, dear sir, is called being a towel hog.

Not that it seems to be a problem here. Nope, Caren has herself covered with one long towel, which...by this point is soaked through. How does one know this? Because Caren just stood up.]

Sit.

[She sighs at him. Loudly. Does she need to wrap her shawl around his neck? Lets hope not.]

I have nothing to hide, and neither should you. Besides, I could use the company.

[Which she may or may not torment? Who knows.]

[interchained]

[From the bystander's point of view it must look hilarious how quick Gil is to listen to her and sits down, splashing some water around. And maybe, just maybe, making Caren's towel even more soaked, if that's possible.]

I had no idea the baths are mixed, if I knew I—

[He would be still forced to come, that's for sure.]

Why are you here alone in the first place?

[This is somehow surprising to him.]

[oneirism]

[Lapis sees that offering of food, and happily takes it, while presenting her own offering in return - even if hers mostly consists of pastries she's made. It's only fair, after all.

Though the other girl really reminds her of someone else she's met here... It's enough to get Lapis to stare at Caren for a few moments, before she actually decides to speak.]

... You look a lot like Sion. Are you related to him? [At least she's straight to the point...]

[showsnopiety]

[Ah, she got a pastry. For a moment, Caren looks it over, as if surprised to have it; then she bites in, and starts to nibble, in little rabbit nibbles and swallows.

The staring is pretty normal, and she's getting used to the misunderstanding. So not to disappoint (and make him sulky; it's annoying) she answers after a swallow, bringing up a hand to check for crumbs on her cheeks.]

Sion would say that, older brother that he is.

[The truth, but not. She shakes her head slightly.]

And we share a dorm room as well. I'm uncertain if all siblings are brought together in such a way. Perhaps it is sheer luck?

[long_live_the_queen]

[At the tray of food tapping her elbow, Kaede stirred from her half-doze in the water, blinking sleepily at the other girl.]

Hm?

[The towel between her horns slipped off as she sat up, making her grumble slightly.]

[showsnopiety]

It's tradition to have snacks or drinks while enjoying the heat.

[There was the soft voice of Caren, wrapped in a single towel and her hair up in a ribbon. The horns are met with a raised eyebrow and a lingering glance, but she doesn't say anything to their appearance.

Not yet anyway.]

Of course, you're free to decline.

[long_live_the_queen]

Is that so.

[Kaede considered this, along with her distinct lack of knowledge about these sorts of things, and found this reasonable.

Also, food.]

What did you bring?

[acknowledges]

[There's probably some childhood lesson about strangers and candy, but Naruto had never gotten that lecture, and for this reason he accepts the first thing she offers him without even thinking about it. Honestly, he's just a little mesmerized but this is largely because his brain is going: girl??? hot springs??? same water??? girl in towel???

Oh right, there's a snack in his hand.
Actually it looks like there are a lot of them. What's with all these treats?]

Do you... always bring this much?

[showsnopiety]

[She's totally a stranger to trust and all, right? It's not like her food is poison, she's not a bishop. And she didn't make this food anyway.

Tiny white haired, golden eyed thing offering food in the bath, what's weird about that? Nothing at all. Nothing at all~]

No, not always. But I thought that there would be one or two hungry people here.

[A slight shrug.]

And after the dungeons, we need all the energy we can get.

[acknowledges]

[As the poster child for What Could Possibly Go Wrong, Naruto seems to accept this answer at face value. One hand remains on the towel at his waist, but he crouches down soon afterwards. Settled on the edge of the springs, the water is nearly up to his knees- and restless though he may be in a place that's meant to calm, it actually feels pretty nice.]

Ano- but I thought we got energy back from touching. You know, all that mana stuff.

[umberly]

[ Siren allure indeed, even if Kavi doesn't intend to fall into the trap. He knows what happens to sailors who allow themselves to be ensnared by the sweet songs, by the innocent maiden sitting on a rock and offering temptation.

Hell, he's played the part of siren plenty of times himself. It's probably why he's sipping something alocoholic from a cup as he watches Caren wash herself.

Shame? Kavi has none. ]

Maybe stretch a little, if you want to draw more people in?

[showsnopiety]

[Oh hey, look. A helper. She's in a good enough mood (if one could call it that) from being called out that she stops her washing to simply...stretch her arms over her head a little.

And then she peers at Kavi. What should have been some sort of sweet doe eyed look was just...cold. Siren indeed.]

Like so?

[Shame, what shame. This is how they have fun. Sort of.]

[umberly]

[ Thoughtfully, Kavi leans back and presses a thumb against his bottom lip. That is a nice pose and undoubtedly, others would be tripping all over themselves in the haste to either get up close and personal or their need to get some distance between them out of sheer embarrassment.

Cute, flustered souls those are. ]

Maybe arc your back a little more? And tip your head back to expose more throat? [ It will make her look more vulnerable and too many people dig the vulnerable woman look. ]

[armorial]

[ Saber doesn't dare only adorn a towel when there are tricksters amidst their ranks, so she has a one piece swimsuit. It's strategic move!! Still, she finds Caren with all her strange habits once more...

When she approaches closer, unfazed by her strange coaxing methods, she does initiate a conversation. ]

I see that you are enjoying yourself. [ Of course, she doesn't know to what extent a hot spring offers for Caren.




Also, she has goodies in forms of food. ]

[showsnopiety]

How could I not, after all that wind?

[It's a rather simple statement. Really, there could be some physical pleasure to take from the warmth, after all of the wind chapping, climbing to great heights and all. But...she's also wondering who'd be foolish enough to come close.

And, she seemed she lured in a Saber with food.]

Help yourself to the food. They are not mana infused, but they are good.

[Idly, as she stretches once (her arms are sore from all of the tight gripping she had to do for hours on end)]

I did not make them. But I did not forget my promise either.

[armorial]

It's all right. [ She doesn't hold Caren to that promise nor expect it any time soon. Even if it's something to look forward to, she doesn't want to pressure the other woman.

She comes closer to look over the food, unsure which she should taken. A little bolder than before, she relaxed due to the steam and that they left on a rather good note last time. She takes a couple of snacks before settling next to Caren, nibbling like a hamster. ]

I see that you explored the dungeon. Did your venture go well, Caren?

[ These are good, so she munches faster, but her attention is still on her. ]

slides in, very slowly.... i am so late gomen

[accordance]

[ It's a surprise when he's offered something to eat by a woman who has about the same hair colour as he is. ]

Thank you for your offer. However, I cannot consume food.

[ It's kind of a problem having to explain this to people... ]

it's all good

[showsnopiety]

You cannot?

[This is interesting, so she puts it away. Another white haired man...this was starting to feel oddly common.]

Do you gain energy through another means then?

[accordance]

That is correct.

[ He doesn't need to gain energy at all, but her statement is true. He can gain energy through mana exchange, so it's not false. ]

I apologize if this is inconvenient.