[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

adrasteius | open

[hymnals]

[ So here's the thing: he's exhausted, he's irritable, he's a little bit miserable, and a significant part of him just wants to go home. Straight back to his cozy little cottage, his soft bed, his comfortable kitchen, his welcoming hearth ... but instead, he's here. Dragged cheerfully along in the wake of Gil's seemingly impenetrable enthusiasm, as always.

Adra spent quite some time walking around the area, trying to find a relatively secluded spot. Because, truly, here was the other thing: it was near impossible to get him to do what he didn't actually want to do. Adra is creature of fire, and this place was made for him. He's only ever visited one natural hot spring in his life, and that was surrounded by vicious prehistoric lizards. This scenery (now largely cleared of lizards) is infinitely more preferable, aside from all the people around, of course.

Hence, he makes an effort to find a relatively isolated pool--or so he thinks.

He stops worrying about it once he's in the water, anyway: it's just as searingly hot as he'd hoped for. Adra stands upright in the spring, submerged to his waist. His long, blond hair spills into the water, floating artfully. His tattoos, scrawled over every inch of him from the throat down, glow faintly red and seem to shift as he moves through the water, their patterns breaking and connecting in time with the strain of his muscles.

Adra is still as slender as ever, but there's fresh substance to him now, after a few hard months of training. His arms and back have new tone to them, a firmness and weight that wasn't there on his arrival. He feels gratified, a little, to see it.

Adra runs his fingers through his hair, sighing. He's begun to relax, just a bit. It's quiet. No one can see him. But he does wish that he brought a comb. ]

[hoasen]

[It's not what he looks like that catches Vietnam's eye. It's what marks him. Those tattoos that extend further than she imagined, seeing as she had only noticed them around his neck.

She wonders exactly what they mean.]

Hello, Adrasteius. [Don't worry. She has a comb. Vietnam's still dressed as she stands by the edge of the hot spring.] Am I interrupting?

[hymnals]

[ He jumps a little, nervous as a rabbit (and with ears to match). He wraps his arms around his waist, sinking a little into the water -- V has never seen him like this, he's sure, and he's already turning red. ]

N ... no. You're not, but --

[ Are you sure this is something you want to see? He looks away, embarrassed.

(Still glowing.) ]

[hoasen]

[The tattoos are beautiful, of course, but it was Adra's reaction that had her jumping back and looking towards...well that bush over there looks nice. SO THORNY.]

A-ah! Please excuse my rude behaviour! [She had assumed that he wore something, since...well she thought he would. So she's not sure if he is if his body is half submerged!

IT'S NOT A BAD THING THOUGH, ADRA.]

[sediments]

[ For someone that's enjoying a relaxing time at the hot spring, Bolin heaves a tired sigh as he wanders the land of wonder and relaxation. Somehow, whenever he encounters a certain band of characters, it's impossible for things to proceed calmly, and one nosebleed later he's ready to actually relax.

He's peering over the springs, trying to pinpoint the one that'll cause him the least amount of harm when he spots Adra, brows shooting up at the sight of his friend. ]

Yo, Adra!

[ And that's a rare and unusual sight indeed. Bolin had become familiar with the elf's tattoos during their conversation following the naval battle, but he still knows very well how much Adra hates displays of his own body, and how much he values his privacy.

He pads over anyway, regardless of whether or not he thinks the other man wants to be left alone, sweeping his gaze down in case Adra doesn't want anyone to look. (Though he really shouldn't be hanging out in a public spring then!!) ]

[hymnals]

[ He got dragged here, okay! Hop off him!

Adra has his back to Bolin when he hears the other man call out to him. He sweeps his long hair over one shoulder as he turns, smiling. It's all right with this one: he's already seen Adra without a shirt, for one, and for two, Adra trusts him. He'd realized that after their little picnic together. So he's not flustered, really, and certainly not upset. ]

Ah, you found me.

[ He glances beyond Bolin, towards the other pools, most of which now boast a rapidly increasing population. ]

Though I guess I didn't hide as well as I thought I did.

[sediments]

[ Not hearing any shouts of embarrassment or frantic movements through the water, Bolin lifts his gaze, eyes alight with the enthusiasm and contentment that he usually has when he sees his friend. His gaze snags on the tattoos again, despite having seen them before, noticing how they shift in the mist. It makes Bolin think of fire and warmth, which he'd always associated with his home.

He relaxes. ]

Were you hiding from me? [ He raises an eyebrow, walking to the edge of the water to sit down. ] Are we playing a game?

[ And while he admires Adra's tattoos, he notices something else as well, continuing to talk without letting the other man get a word in. As per the usual. ]

Hey, have you beefed up? Training's paying off, huh!

[showsnopiety]

[It's one of her favourite times to find him: when he's irritated? Why? Because if he isn't when she finds him, he's about to be. At least this time she comes along with food.

Mostly she had been venturing around, looking for a quiet spot for herself. But no opportunity is to be wasted.]

Good day, Adrasteius.

[She's only wearing a towel, herself-unless one counted the way she had twisted her hair up into an almost becoming style, with help of a few ribbons and a comb.

She's distracted from saying anything else, as her gaze is openly curious and...almost...sad? as she looks to his glowing tattoos. It seems like today is a day for reminders, armful of food or no.]

[hymnals]

[ As soon as he sees her approach, his expression sours. He's about to bite off a greeting, but he's stopped by the strangely wistful look in her eye. Hmm. He frowns, though he doesn't make any moves to close the distance between them. ]

Something the matter, Caren?

[showsnopiety]

Hm?

[Distracted, she lifts her head, and blinks. She doesn't make a move toward him either. Looks as if she wasn't play acting after all.]

Not exactly. I keep being reminded of something.

[A slight head shake.]

Not your fault.

[topkong]

[ He wears a towel around his waist for modesty's sake, though the rest of him is quite stacked. Wukong, having maintaining some sort of training himself does a pretty good job of hiding it underneath brown fur. A strong knight, one whose antics won't be limited by his stature.

So, naturally, he HAS to come across Adra. Still a little fresh off of the brief but stern talk, the monkey is trying to figure out the best way to evade any further verbal lashings...

... then again, maybe he can hide in the water. Wu carefully tests the water and it's quite hot. Very hot. Definitely a hot spring, not a warm spring. He can't help but let out the smallest of 'erk's, pulling his foot back.

And then, he smiles shakily. No way he's undetected now. ]

[hymnals]

[ Adra's not terribly happy with Wukong right now, it's true. He can forgive just about any slight against his own person, but slights against Belthazar--a boy he's already accepted as his own--those were less forgivable.

But, in the scheme of things, Adra's mood with regard to Wukong is less 'irrevocably enraged' and more 'agitated with subtle flavors of disappointment'; they've spent enough time together that Adra already loves him, and so he felt a bit of actual hurt at the needless haranguing of his son.

Thus, when he hears that erk, his expression immediately sours. ]

Ah. So you survived the dungeon, then. Congratulations.

[ Said dully, with his ears pressed back. ]

[topkong]

[ Ouch. Part of him wants to flee, the shame stinging more than the spring. A sharp blow that makes his skin redden and he inhales sharply--- it does hurt, after all, to be viewed with such displeasure and agitation. Especially, when it's by someone he respects. ]

True. I survived, but so did the rest of my friends. We all played our part, just as it should be.

[ Or did Adra want Wukong to fail? The thought crosses his mind but is quickly removed. No healer would want to see another person struggle or hurt, would they?

At least, not physically. ]

I'm glad to see you made it out safely, too. [ And Wukong means it. He couldn't possibly sound any more earnest, as he sits down and lets his feet dangle into the water. He lets some time pass, mostly to gather the courage to speak. ]

... he's lucky to have you.

[arcanepower]

[It's honestly easy to miss him. Of course Belthazar finds the most secluded pool and stays there. He's short and very shy, so the only thing above water is his head. And since he's back by the edge... he doesn't notice Adra come in.

He's never had the opportunity to be in a hot spring before, having lacked the adventures his adoptive father has, and it appears he's cuddled up against a rock and fallen asleep. One might mistake him for awake until they get closer.

Totally, completely conked out.]

[hymnals]

[ Adra doesn't notice him right away. He's too busy looking everywhere else, paranoid that someone significantly more awake will come along and see him in this state of undress. But when all is quiet for a while, Adra eventually swims around a bit, exploring the perimeter of the spring. And then he spots it--the thick, black hair, floating gently in the water. The face, familiar not because he's seen it many times before, but because it is of his people. The boy who would be his son.

Adra moves carefully, unsure of what to do. ]

Belthazar ...?

[arcanepower]

[Not realizing he was still in the bath, he windmills his arms in a panic, sending water everywhere, as well as smacking himself in the face.

Well, now he's awake, since he's soaked head to toe and also his nose hurts.]

Huh? What? [Still not entirely awake.] A-An'da! Where are we? What's--

[Wait. They're in a bath... hot springs... he's in Caissa. Right. His nervous joy settles and sours along with his expression.]

F-forgive me, I forgot...

[oneirism]

[While Lapis herself is social by nature, even she sometimes wants to find somewhere quiet to just... relax, really. Especially since she aches in places she didn't think was possible, but that's what happens when you keep getting thrown about by an angry dragon.

Though her quest to find somewhere quiet causes her to stumble across Adra, and while his marks get a curious glance, she doesn't dwell much on them. It would be hypocritical in way, since her own skin is just as marked, but with old scars rather than tattoos. At least his are more pleasant to look at.

And for once she hesitates, wondering if she should approach, since it seems like he had the same idea as her. Then she glances at the tray of pastries she had baked and brought with her, an idea coming to mind. Which is why Adra will soon have one tray of homemade sweets gently floating its way over to him across the water, the culprit sitting a bit further away as she rests her feet in the water.]

[hymnals]

[ Although Adra subsists primarily on spinach leaves and pears, he has a definite sweet tooth. But he rarely partakes, considering rich food to be an indulgence; a frivolity to be enjoyed by others, not for him.

But then here's this tray, wandering over to him like a lost and delicious traveler, and what is he supposed to do? As dreadful as it is to overindulge, it's similarly wicked to let food of any kind go to waste. So he picks up a pastry--it's soft and flaky in his fingers, and he's already wretchedly excited--and opens his mouth.

Pauses. ]

Ah! ...Lapis!

[ He shakes the pastry. ]

Is this your work?

[ Yes, we'll focus on that. Anything but the bodies on display. ]

[oneirism]

[Lapis is the same, in a sense - she rarely actually partakes, instead preferring to bake for others. Despite having a massive sweet tooth herself but she feels any baking efforts are put to better use by baking for others.

Which is why Adra now has one floating tray of pastries besides him - holding things such as choux pastries and sweet pies, along with a couple of pastries from her home country.

And once he notices her, she gives a small wave, nodding at his question. Focusing on the food is a much better option.]

... That's right. I made a lot, so I wanted to share.

helloooooOOOOOO

[accordance]

[ It's a very human thing to visit these springs. Lord Light had not bathed even once before coming to Caissa - being a deity in his homeworld, there was no real need to - so there is something to be learned every step of the way. He's traveling amongst the pools clothed in a full-body cloak, as is to preserve decency, his long white hair trailing behind him yet not with a single strand out of place.

Adra was difficult to find, but it was not an intentional seeking. He had merely wished for quiet, as well. ]

May I join you?

[hymnals]

[ Adra startles when LL all but floats into view before him; the other man is as quiet and unobtrusive as air itself. He wraps his arms around his waist, an instinctively protective gesture, and feels color rising to his cheeks and ears. ]

If you want to.

[ He's not going to send LL away, anxious as he is. He likes to see his friend--quite a bit, really. ]

[ateaist]

[In the interest of protecting her newly found modesty, Nobunaga also considered the idea of finding a more secluded spring. Not very many people seemed to be venturing this way nor did they see her and decide to follow, so she's already celebrating her short lived victory internally.

Emphasis on short lived.

He's very attractive, there's no doubt about that - if she were her usual self, she might have even commented on it, or slipped into the spring unnoticed and joined him.

But as she is now-]

--GAHH!!

[-wait, shit, he totally knows she's here now. He might even think she was watching him!! As if to try and preemptively address what she expects him to say, she bursts into a rush of apologies.]

I-I'm sorry! I didn't know anyone was here, I...I was looking for somewhere secluded and I thought maybe noone thought to come this way yet here you are and...!

[This bundle of nerves is certainly a far cry from how she was when they first met.]

[hymnals]

[ Light preserve him. The shriek erupts in his ears, and he jumps--fully--out of the water. Fortunately for everyone, probably, he's not completely nude; he's still wearing his (black with a gold phoenix pattern) boxers, at least. Though they are clinging rather tightly to his thighs ... but he's too shocked to worry about that just now.

He's about to shriek right back, but Nobu's nervous stuttering cuts him off at the pass. It's his instinct to comfort the upset, and so all the indignation drains right out of him, leaving only concern behind. ]

It's--no, you're fine. It's fine.

[ He holds up his hands, speaks in soft, soothing tones. ]

Don't worry about it. I mean, this is technically a public area.

hello...

[mitotic]

[ In his defense, she was easy to miss. Sakura had tucked herself into a more secluded corner and actually fallen asleep, she was so relaxed. Not the best idea, but she didn't plan it, as sore and exhausted as she was from that dungeon that was far more grueling for her than it had any right to be (she's still disgruntled that some things, like healing and her monstrous strength, that were second nature to her are gone now; it makes everything that much harder). So they end up sharing the bath for a while before she becomes aware of it.

That is, she wakes up eventually, starting as one does when they've nodded off without meaning to, and the first noise she's made so far is the dripping of water as her hand breaks the surface to rub her eyes. ]

:*

[hymnals]

[ Adra's been paddling around the spring in relative serenity, nagged only occasionally by the worry that someone's here, someone's watching him. He stops from time to time, looking 'round, hugging himself, frowning, but so far he's heard nothing and seen no one.

And then he swans over to one particular corner of the spring, and he runs right up on the exact situation he'd feared--someone's here. He recognizes her, but she's still largely a stranger to him, and that alone makes him gasp in dismay. ]

Damn--I--I didn't realize anyone else was here.

[ He sinks down into the water, his hair floating up around his shoulders, his cheeks and ears red. ]