[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]

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?

[sediments]

[ 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?

[armorial]

[ 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.

[sediments]

[ 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?

[armorial]

[ 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.

[sediments]

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. ]

[armorial]

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.

[sediments]

[ 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.

[armorial]

[ 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.

[sediments]

[ 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.

[armorial]

[ 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?

[sediments]

[ 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.

[armorial]

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. ]

[sediments]

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.

[armorial]

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. ]

[sediments]

[ That earns her a puzzled tilt of his head. ]

Crafts? Like making homemade cards or something?

[ It's not something that he's... opposed to? Though it seems a little juvenile for the two of them, but not in the sense that he wouldn't enjoy it. Probably.

And maybe it would be nice, to make some cute cards. Not that Bolin knows who he'd send them too. ]

[armorial]

... Homemade cards? [ Saber is not someone that understands that "crafts" possibly means measly hobbies like scrapbooking and stationary. She actually lacks a childhood (every single -hood except for king, knight, and man), so she only looks at Bolin with a confused expression. Maybe... Maybe Bolin likes making homemade cards?

But that is completely strange for adults (Saber is an adult in mind at least), so she doesn't want to accept so easily if it would hurt his pride. She is conflicted whether to ask for clarity or perhaps suggest something on the side, maybe an add-on. ]

I would not be opposed. [ That's the first part. It is a neutral answer, not accusing nor ecstatic over the activity. ] I can't say that I am familiar with all kinds of crafts, but I am open to suggestions.

... However, if I have to say, I am interested in origami. [ It sounds uncertain because she isn't too interested, but it's something to do? She's just throwing things out there now. ]

[sediments]

... Sure, we can do origami.

[ Bolin is rapidly realising that he doesn't actually have a plan for this proposed sleep over. It's not like they can just Netflix and chill. He doesn't even have any cool momentos from his home to have a little show and tell.

What exactly can they do in their room other than just talk? ]

You know what, don't worry about it. [ Suddenly, he's quite determined. ] I'll figure something out, you just look forward to it!

[armorial]

Yes... I look forward to it. [ There's a small chuckle before she smiles. She had thought there would be some intricate plan, a schedule for the whole sleepover. That's what she's used to. It's been a while since she only spent time with someone out of leisure, just talking.

It reminds her of her times with her brother. It's then she realizes she has been here for quite some time. It goes by quick when you're talking with others. ]

I must take my leave now. I have some training to do. [ She'll rise to her feet, taking the towel she laid on the stone edge. ]

I'll see you soon, Bolin.