pawnstorm | [Open] It's getting hot in here

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[Open] It's getting hot in here

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!]

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That's good to hear. [ She is mighty concerned about this wound, but if Bolin is shrugging it off, he must know how to tend to it later. While she wants to nag, she holds herself back in the meantime... Though it's indefinite. She listens to Bolin's story with undivided attention, but does dip her foot into the water eventually to gauge the heat.

That story seems... strange. She has many questions--why would the exit manifest after a kiss? Is it a play by the gods? Perhaps it's enforced by magecraft, casting an illusion or maybe a reality marble. ]

Such a story only calls for trouble. [ She's already thinking about the awkward aftermath rather than the romanctic aspects. ] The cave would be a great ploy for those interested in affairs.

[ Please don't mind her nonesense. She is merely thinking of an old friend... and ruining the mood plus whatever integrity of this conversation. She'll move down into the spring now, waiting for Bolin to join her. ]

[ Well, he can’t resist now that she looks so comfortable in the water, and slides down into the spring after her, letting out a content sigh and shuddering a little at how it soothes the aches in this body.

Her commentary gets him to laugh, not at all fazed by her negative outlook on what Bolin thinks of as a rather remarkable story. Instead, he hums a little and agrees with her. ]

You’re kind of right! The tunnels in the cave were built by a couple that was having an affair. But they weren’t extramarital affairs though, at least I don’t think so. [ That would definitely put a damper on the story. ] They were just two people from warring cities, and they would meet in the tunnels of the cave because they couldn’t be open about their relationship.

[ He gives her a cautionary look, though this story can’t possibly affect her. ]

I wouldn’t recommend taking a go at those tunnels thinking you can just kiss your way out though. It’s just a story and most people would probably just die.

You are also right. [ THIS TOPIC JUST TURNED GRIM SO FAST, but they're talking hypothetically. She looks indignant, mentally berating these people that even believe in such a tale let alone follow it. It's all dangerous, too dangerous for love.

But love itself is dangerous, isn't it? She remembers her friend speaking about the thrill of affairs, the battlefield of love. It's something she doesn't understand completely, perhaps never will, thinking it as something she does not deserve. Her expression falls under sullen, gaze wandering over the water's surface. ]

... It makes me wonder if that time in the cave was worth it. [ She looks over to Bolin, wondering if her friend, too, had someone special. ]

Would you bring anyone to that cave?

[ like not to die but to have a once in a lifetime kiss ]

[ thanks for the clarification??? ]

Well, I don't know. It's a nice story, but... [ Bolin crosses his arms, contemplating this. ] It's a nice story, but it's still a story, and the tunnels in the mountain [ because the "cave" is actually a series of tunnels through a mountain ] are real.

Oh wait.

[ He sits up to look at her again. ]

You mean, assuming that it really is a place for lovers? Then I guess I'd take my girlfriend.

[ He doesn't sound particularly passionate about this however, for as romantic as the story is. ]

... But wouldn't you be able to kiss your girlfriend under normal circumstances?

[ She looks at Bolin like she doesn't understand why would you bring your girlfriend to a series of tunnels. She may not know too much about dates aside from the time she accompanied Shirou and Rin, but she's... sure that no on would want to go to a cave?

You know what, forget what she asked. She'll try to change the topic. ]

While it's not fully explained how these hot springs are formed, I welcome it. [ She leans against the rock edge. ] There has also been signs of new wildlife.

[ Some silence, but she continues with a voice of awe and wonder. ]

I saw this beautiful bird I know not the name of soar into the sky earlier.

[ Nahh Saber, nahhh. You're not going to be changing the topic that easily, because Bolin can ignore conversational cues without even try, and right now he's not even interested in talking about birds.

Mostly, he's baffled by her response. ]

Who else am I supposed to want to kiss? Are you saying I should have an affair?

[ Saber?? He's too bothered by this to let it go. ]

[ No, Bolin. You're going to make her cry let her talk about this beautiful bird that she's envy of for being magnificent and having wings to explore the world. True freedom--Okay, since she seems to have caused some strange misunderstanding, she'll... Patch it up? How, she does not know. Small talk has never been her strong suit. ]

... No, do not have an affair. [ STERN ABOUT THIS. She won't judge you if you do though cause it really isn't her business. ] However, do not bring your girlfriend to the tunnels.

[ Well, yeah... Bolin already mentioned how unrealistic it is to do that, Saber. God, she's so bad at this and she can tell her inadequacy for once. ]

I apologize if that's what it seemed like I was insinuating. You would be a faithful man. [ Not that she knows him for long, but she can't imagine Bolin in an affair.

Maybe an affair of hugs, but that's about it. ]

[ Saber can put on a pretty impressive impassive face when she wants, but even someone as clueless as Bolin can sense the slight awkwardness to her as she tries to rectify the situation. He thinks it's pretty cute, but he has no idea what she was trying to ask.

Anyway, he hardly thinks daydreaming about taking someone to a tunnel for a kiss readily equates to having an affair. ]

Thanks. [ sweats a little ] But yeah, I think I'm pretty faithful. I always had my big brother to give me a good example of how not to treat women.

[ Casually throwing Mako under the bus. ]

[ Bolin, stop. She is trying her best to do this?! And there it is. Opportunity. She perks up a bit, hearing that Bolin has a brother, but her look is incredulous. Bolin seems like such a fine man, friendly, reliable, and generally good company.

Yet his brother is an abuser of women? She guesses she shouldn't be surprised. Her own sister was quite a sight--but that may be her own fault, she wonders. ]

Your brother... [ How does she address this without being offensive? ] Did he play with women?

[ Playing with women can be harmless!! She was contemplating using the term "playboy", but refrains. ]

[ And look, the thing is that Bolin isn't about to make excuses for his brother. They both have the same character flaw: they actively seek to avoid conflict. While Mako can put his foot down when it really wants to (he is a cop, after all), in his personal life, when he really wants something to work, he just tries to avoid confrontation and it tends to blow up in his face.

But he's never thought that Mako was ever malicious in his intent, he loved both Korra and Asami, and never wanted to hurt them. ]

Not exactly. [ Bolin rubs the back of his head. ] When he was younger, my brother had a hard time picking between two girls, he didn't want to hurt either of them, and ended up hurting them both. I mean, they're both totally great girls, so I guess I can sort of see his struggle...

Oh, I see. [ She nods several times, processing the situation. That is a lot more admirable than she would have expected. Still, it sounds like a tragic tale. She doesn't have much experience in relationships, but she can see the problems here. ]

I hope he has learned his lesson. [ Not sounding judgmental or arrogant, just genuine expectations. She looks over to Bolin with determined eyes, believing in his words that he won't make the same mistakes as his brother. ] In life, one must always make a decision.

You two were close?

[ He definitely did. Bolin's actually surprised that Mako kept away from relationships for as long as he did after the mess with Asami and Korra. It must've really made an impact on him, and he'd certainly resolved to sort himself out before bringing another person into his life like that.

Under Saber's gaze, Bolin just smiles softly, sinking into the water. ]

Of course we were! Aren't families usually?

[ She'll stop staring at him now, instead thinking on those words. As a king, she hasn't thought much about her family--even her own father and sister... Her life was devoted to her country, every single fiber. Is that similar to family? That and her time with Shirou.

Every family is different, but she understands what it means to grow up with someone, to rely on them, and to trust them. That kind of betrayal is always the worst. Her hands are clasped while resting on her lap with a faint smile on her lips. ]

I suppose you're right. [ Ah, is she asking too much? ] I'm sorry for barraging you with these personal questions. If you ever feel uncomfortable, do tell me.

[ He shakes his head, waving off her concern. ]

No, it doesn't bother me. I can tell you about my brother's escapes anytime you want to hear a good story. [ Cue winning smile, the sign of being a bratty younger sibling.

Reminiscing about Mako aside, Saber's got his curiosity now. The questions have been mostly one-sided thus far, and he's wondering if this perhaps a lead in to asking about Saber's own family. Despite the fact that they're roommates, Bolin knowns shockingly little about the woman. ]

What about you though? What kind of family do you have back home?

[ She takes some time to ponder on how to describe her family--well, her actual family. The conversation was originally about the dungeon, then to family. Not exactly the course she would take, but she should answer his question. It's good to get to know comrades and Bolin is a good person.

No reason not to tell him, really!! ]

My father was a busy man, so I was raised by his vassal. From him, I learned the ways of the knight, prepared to be king, and eventually I took up the sword that brought me the crown. He was a noble man and an admirable guardian. [ Hopefully this doesn't overwhelm him yet. All of it is spoken with a voice that doesn't find it all that grand. ] I was close to his son, my foster brother. However, I wish I could say the same for my sister by blood. I felt we grew distant as time passed.

[ More like Morgan never liked her, but... maybe that was also her fault, she wonders. Leaning against the stone edge, she sinks a little into the water. ]

That is all in the past.

A k—

[ Bolin's eyebrows shoot up. It's not like he's never met royalty or heads of state before. He has, and his reaction varied from embarrassing fanboying to incredible dubiousness. Saber however, certainly looks the way a king should, and suddenly he feels like he understands her so much better.

Out of respect to her story however, he doesn't burst out with enthusiastic questions about her rule and kingdom, but instead just cocks his head to the side. ]

Have you not seen them in a while? [ He brings his lips together. ] It's too bad you didn't get along that well with your sister.

[ Though to be fair, who knows how close Bolin and Mako would've been if not for the loss of their parents. Maybe they would've ended up like Lin and Suyin. ]

Yes. Quite a while. [ She doesn't disclose that she won't ever be able to see them again, probably. There are chances that she will, if fate allowed, but she has already set herself to have little expectations. ]

I would have liked it if we did get along, but there's nothing I can change. [ She doesn't sound bitter or anything, just thoughtful musing. ] Maybe if we meet again, I can say what I couldn't before.

[ But whatever, she shrugs it off. There are many things she wishes she could say if she had the opportunities again. ]

I apologize... My life, in general, isn't interesting.

[ Taking her words the wrong way, Bolin offers an empathetic: ] I'm sure you'll see them again! [ Followed by a reassuring smile. ] We're all going to get back home and see our families again.

[ He leans back, sighing dramatically. ]

If nothing else, this field trip has definitely taught me how to properly appreciate my brother.

[ But then, not to take the burdens set on Saber's shoulders too lightly, his expression softens into something more genuine. With limited option given their dress and location, he reaches out to pat her shoulder, just once, before letting his hand slip away. ]

I'm sure you'll be able to work things out.

[ At first, she's lost in words. All of it is hard to believe for her predicament, so she's not sure what she should say... It's the kind of optimism she wishes she had yet she knows very well reality waits for her. She has already accepted she'll possibly never see them again.

But she ends up smiling a bit, eyes downcast and moving elsewhere. ]

Thank you, Bolin. I greatly appreciate your words. [ She thinks maybe it's fine to think they'll be another chance. ]

You are good company.

[ Saber does an impeccable job of rolling with Bolin's complete misunderstanding of the situation. Though he's matured somewhat, he's still tragically bad at reading people, so he doesn't get any sense that there's something missing or hidden behind Saber's words. He does notice how she doesn't seem to believe what he's saying however, but he doesn't know what to ask to understand better.

So he just takes her compliment with a soft smile, cheeks a little pink from happiness. ]

Thanks Saber! So are you. [ His shoulders square. ] I guess we're just going to get to know each other better from here on out since it's just the two of us in our room now.

[ Then, he thinks about it a little. ]

We should do something, just the two of us. For bonding.

[ It's okay, Bolin. Maybe in due time, she'll open up. It's actually nothing she would call a secret or personally wants to hide, but she doesn't want to ruin the overall victorious mood that the hot springs serve. She merely smiles, but this one is a lot brighter than the previous solemn one.

She tilts her head slightly, a bit curious. ]

I would not be opposed to that... [ If she had to choose, Bolin is possibly one of the best candidates to get to know better and make friends with. ]

Did you have anything specific in mind?

[ Saber, you're capturing his heart. He's always been someone that could care very easily, but the young woman has very much endeared herself to him. Even as someone that isn't good at reading people, he can see there's so much good in Saber, a sense of justice and loyalty. It makes sense that she's a king, standing for the people, protecting the land.

But still cute when she tries to navigate small talk or stuff her face with pastries. ]

Hmm. [ He tugs at a non-existent moustache as he thinks. ] Maybe we should have a date night? To talk.

A date...? [ She only recently learned that a date is not always a form of courtship, so she lets it sink that it must be spending time together. She nods a couple of times as she puts that into context. ]

I don't exactly have the gift of gab, but I don't see why not. I only hope that I don't bore you. [ She finds herself not... interesting. ]

I think you can be pretty funny. [ He offers cheerfully, and not even saying that just as a nicety.

Though, he thinks that Saber is one that will get bored if all they do is talk, he wonders what sort of things he should come up with for them to do. ]

But it'll be good! Since we might be fighting together, it's good to get to know one another.

You think so? I've never found myself to be humorous--nor those I knew would ever give me that kind of compliment. [ Well, maybe they find her expressions and reactions funny, but she doesn't know if that's something to take pride in. She scratches as she looks over to Bolin, wondering if maybe some things she says come off the wrong way. Aka funny. ]

That's true... We should also do something--perhaps maybe dabble in crafts of some kind? [ That's a very vague thing to say, actually. ]

[Open] It's getting hot in here

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