[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

[hoasen]

If we have the freedom to do that, then I will...

[But only if the others are comfortable with it too. If he's comfortable with the idea, then that is fine. And it's a good point, really.]

I do apologise for making you answer something like this, though.

[penitents]

[ Sasuke arches an eyebrow at her. The question didn't seem that unsual, given the circumstances, and in the end it forced Sasuke to reflect on something he hadn't considered to begin with. In the end, they both benefited from the conversation. ]

Why?

[hoasen]

[It might have been fine for Sasuke, but there are others who could find this question a little too confronting. She's otherwise grateful that he took it so well, and presented options as well.]

We've only just met, and I ask you whether or not you would wear something while going to the hot springs.

[It's tactless!]

[penitents]

[ Alright, Sasuke can concede that point. Maybe it's just the way he'd grown up that meant the question wasn't as awkward as it probably would be for other people— namely those that seem to think wearing clothing into the hotspring makes more sense. ]

That's not the worst thing I've ever heard.

[ His best friend is Naruto, after all... ]

[hoasen]

[See how understanding he is. How can anyone say Sasuke is an emo brooding prince. Geez.]

...Not the worst? [Her eyes widen and wonder what could be the worst?

Then she remembered that France is one of her old guardians so yes. She gets it now.]

[penitents]

[ Sasuke tips his head, the gesture noncommittal but somehow managing to both acknowledge her confusion and assure her she probably doesn't really want to know what the worst thing he's heard is. ]

I haven't encountered many shared spaces.

[ He offers, instead, glancing back out to the mix of people. Oddly, and with a sudden pang of nostalgia, he recalls traveling with Taka, and smiles wanly to himself. ]

The heat will help, if you're injured.

[ He adds, as an afterthought, which makes Sasuke's own visit that much more obvious: though he boasts a number of old scars, it's the fresh scrapes and ugly looking bruises on his good arm and on his shins that are almost more eye-catching than his missing arm. ]

[hoasen]

[It probably would be one hell of a story, if he ever shared it. Not entirely sure if he's allowed, but it would be something.]

So this is rare for you as well?

[The shared spaces. She had thought so, considering that even back home, after all this time, they still kept things well divided.

It was when he comments again, that she realised she was holding him back. She was sore after the battle, muscles still strained from controlling so much mana at once, which again makes her miss her old body. However, he's still injured. New wounds on top of old ones. And his missing arm. That she is not worried about, but rather if it hurts. Waking up old pains in new battles.]

A little bit. My muscles are tired. I must be holding you up, no? I have some mana left too, if you'd like me to try to heal some of your wounds.

[penitents]

[ The offer isn't a surprise, but Sasuke pauses to consider it. Once, he would have immediately used her for her gift without thought; the people around him were tools for his use in achieving his ends. He knows himself and the world better, now. There is a time and a place, and were they on the field there would be no hesitation in his need. Now there's no rush, there are probably salves he can use to heal his wounds that would do the same her mana would do.

But as Sakura is not a healer in this place, not the way she is used to, Sasuke finds himself curious. He hasn't witnessed this first hand, yet. ]

Are you sure?

[hoasen]

[Vietnam nods, very sure. She's no master healer, but her heals aren't something to disregard either. She has a pretty decent one because she uses it herself to replicate her lost regeneration. And it's fine. Mana can be replenished, even with just sleep. So she'll heal him willingly.

She holds her hand out, ready to heal.]

I am very sure. [Should he let her heal him, she'll hover her hands over his skin, ready to heal him over.]

[penitents]

[ With her agreement, Sasuke turns to face her fully. He leaves his arm at his side, making no move to guide or direct her. In his experience, healers generally knew what they were doing, and badgering them did nothing but put you in a sticky situation. He watches her closely, though, chin dipped to follow the movement of her hands. ]