[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

[armorial]

... Hello, Minato. [ That was a fish? That was a fish. He almost died and he gives that kind of greeting.

Not even an explanation or anything, just a hey. There's a sigh as she unhands him, at least relieved that he's alive and the fish is not making his stomach its home for now. ]

As I said if you must sleep, I would not recommend the hot springs be the place. [ She tries again. ]

[burnmydread]

[ Almost, but he didn't. That's what matters, right? (No it isn't.)

When she releases him, he's a little wobbly, but he manages to right himself. ]

...It's nice and warm in here, though.

[ He says as if she hadn't just saved him from drowning? ]

[armorial]

[ Another exasperated sigh... She never knew the man to be so drowsy. He seemed fine before, if not maybe laidback, but she's starting to realize this is an extreme. ]

At least rest your head on the stone edge, then. [ Can you do that for her? ]

[burnmydread]

[ Good, sage advice. Although... ]

That's how I started.

[ He looks over to the edge of the spring. ]

I must've gotten really relaxed.

[ CLEARLY. ]

Hot springs are great.

[ Don't you think so? ]

[armorial]

... Yes, they are great. [ He hasn't done anything, but she can already not handle this. What is happening right now? Not much, but she's either appalled or impressed by his lack of... concern. ]

It would be best if you try to keep yourself awake. Are you able to do that? [ She guesses she'll just have to stay here to make sure he doesn't drown again. ]

[burnmydread]

[ Apathy is a powerful weapon, only to be wielded with care. Somewhat ironically, that also completely negates the purpose of apathy, which in turns routes to the fact that he doesn't care to worry about his own safety most of the time. Hot springs are worth it, right?

See? She understands.

Except for the being awake part. ]

...

[ Or he can just use this to his advantage. ]

Maybe if you stay with me.

[armorial]

[ She has to consider this carefully... Well, it's not like she's doing anything, but he also has to learn how to take care of himself. How can a Hero just allow themselves to fall prey to the springs?!

This would be a good exercise in practicing focus. To keep awake. ]

Perhaps. [ She can at least help, she guesses. ] If we have a conversation, you'll stay awake.

[ But she doesn't look confident because... she doesn't talk a lot. ]

[burnmydread]

[ Why take care of yourself when all your Social Links can help do it for you? (Let's be real, it's hard not having Sugar Mama Kirijo around sometimes.)

A conversation?

Mmrrrt. He doesn't talk a lot either. This could be the true test of endurance. ]

Okay.

[ His lengthy agreement is reassuring, right? He decides to sit back down because it's nice. She should do the same. ]

How'd the dungeon go?

[armorial]

It went well... I imagine it would be overwhelming for those not used to the work it asks for. [ She doesn't admit that it was hard on her as a pawn--and that one of her teammates is a giant manchild. Instead, she only expresses her difficulties. She does lean against the stone edge next to him. While she's here, she should relax, too. ]

I had some trouble especially getting close since most of the enemies took flight. What about yourself, Minato?

[burnmydread]

[ Giant manchild? Sounds like Gilgamesh. He doesn't say as much, though. Instead, he simply nods. Obviously she made it out, which is good, but the fact that she seems to be in decent spirits about it means the most. ]

What kind of weapon do you use?

[ Just curious, if she had trouble with aerial enemies.

But, to her question... ]

...

[ Mmm. ]

We turned into cats.

[armorial]

This world has gifted me a Grail that casts barriers, but I am a swordsman. [ Even if she does divulge that she was given a normal sword, it doesn't change how difficult it is already... Being support or offensive. ]

... Your team as well? [ She's not sure if she's comforted or giving pity by the fact her group isn't the only one affected by that. ]

[burnmydread]

...You mean a cup? [ Hm. He wonders if that's supposed to be symbolic or something. Then again, it could just be weird. One of his teammates had badly written porn to use as a weapon. ]

Yeah.

[ Thankfully his ears and whatnot are gone now, but...that sure was a thing. That Souji was way too excited about. Beyond that, he didn't feel any different. The urge to nap is pretty much omnipresent. ]

It was kind of pointless.

[armorial]

... Yes. [ A Grail sounds more refined and worth of power? But she won't deny that it is still merely a cup. At least she didn't get porn as a weapon... ]

Did you not feel any urges that are generally tied to felines? [ She remembers clearly Gilgamesh just instantly pounced on anything that moved. There was also a moment where she felt the same desire, but had enough willpower to stop herself. ]

[burnmydread]

[ That depends on if she's ever scoured the recesses of the internet. Cups have made an appearance in at least one lecherous viral video... ]

...Mm. I wanted to nap. [ He pauses, looking upward. ] And eat. But that's not out of the ordinary.

[ He does have to wonder, though... ]

What are side effects like that supposed to accomplish?

[armorial]

[ ... That's a good question. In a way, those side effects are easily brushed aside. If a person has enough will, they are able to overcome hunger and weariness quite easily. ]

I imagine for most, those effects would weigh a lot heavier? I can't say that I would be able to move on if I were famished.

[ It's true.

She eats a lot.

She has to be full to do battle. ]

[burnmydread]

Hmm...

[ He thinks about it. And, as if on cue, his stomach rumbles.

Loudly. ]

...Maybe I can't move either.

[armorial]

[ She's quiet at first, unsure of how to approach this. The rumbling and grumbling did startle her, so that's why her eyes were wide for a second.

... She's kind of hungry, too, but-- ]

Shall I fetch you something?

[burnmydread]

[ Oh, she's even going to bring it to him? This is an A+ situation. A good nap, not dying, and dinner? What a great day! ]

Yes. [ A beat, as if he suddenly remembers people like manners. ] If you're offering.

[armorial]

Yes, of course. [ She stands up to take her leave, but-- ] Please wait here and keep yourself awake till I return.

[ Then she will finally bounce off and return within ten minutes with quite the armful or stuff. Luckily, it's easy to stack them onto the stone edge behind them. ]

Is this enough?

[burnmydread]

[ Oh hell yes.

He does wait, because if there's something he will be patient for, it's food. (To be fair he's patient for most things, but that has to do with not caring enough to bother being upset about it in the first place.) But when she comes back, her bounty is clearly already appreciated.

He's practically sparkling. ]

...Yes.

[ And holds his hands out expectantly. ]

[armorial]

[ She gives him half of a sandwich. That should be enough, she thinks? Then over time he can slowly eat all of it. She's eating the other half now. It's a cold sandwich so it's relatively refreshing compared to their warm environment. ]

... We are allowed to eat in here, correct?

[ Is this rude of her?? ]

[burnmydread]

[ Half a sandwich...

Oh Saber, no. No that's now here near enough. But she gets an A for effort since he didn't actually have to go get it himself. ]

I don't see why not.

[ And--is the sandwich gone? When did he actually eat it? Did he absorb it through osmosis somehow?

What's next? ]