[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

[interchained]

They do?

[He's genuinely surprised and blinks back at Jirou.]

If this is some kind of a custom...I guess that's fine, then. But only then! I can scrub your back too, if you want.

[sakeplz]

I'd like that! Thank you!

[He's so pleased that Gilbert will scrub his back too! Until then though...]

Want something to drink?

[interchained]

[He's getting too soft and he can see that, but let's blame it on the water today...

Also, he knows that it's an idiotic question, but tries asking nonetheless:]

Do you have something non-alcoholic to drink?

[sakeplz]

Nope! I never have anything non-alcoholic to drink!

[Aaaaat least he's honest?]

[interchained]

In that case, I have to pass.

[Jirou is handling alcohol way better than he is...and one of them should stay sober, just in case something happens. At least that's what Gilbert is thinking.]

Feel free to drink to my health, though.

[sakeplz]

I will!

[He even finishes his cup to do that before filling it up again. No one can ever say Jirou hates alcohol. That's for damn sure.]

Mmmm. This is yummy.

[interchained]

[Sky is blue and Jirou loves his alcohol, that's a fact.]

Your alcohol tolerance is truly outstanding...how did you do it?

[Gil considers it weird that this comes up only now, especially since Jirou is drunk most of the time. But there surely were times when Jirou wasn't drunk, right? Right?]

[sakeplz]

I guess buy always drinking. So the trick is just to always be drunk.

[He wonders if being a sword has something to do with it too. He can't be sure really because he doesn't know much about that stuff and hasn't cared to learn about it either. Still, no reason not to voice it.]

I'm not human though so maybe that helps.

[interchained]

Be always drunk? I would die...

[And he doesn't necessarily mean that the cause would be an intoxication. Dying of embarrassment in his case is more likely.]

I have to be sober in case Oz would show up...

[That he just mutters to himself.]

You think so? Wouldn't that mean you have high tolerance to basically everything?

[sakeplz]

Hmmm. I suppose so.

[He looks over at him, curious now.]

Tell me about Oz.

[interchained]

[Hil's a bit reluctant to begin, but he finally speaks up softly:]

He's my master...and a friend. [The smile forming at his lips may suggest that he's a dear friend, even.] We need to get this war stuff wrapped up quickly, so I can go back. If he comes back and I won't be there...I won't forgive myself, ever.

[sakeplz]

[So much more than a friend. He can see it in his eyes and he knows what that's like. He treasures his own friend, Taroutachi, after all.]

I think you'll get back before he does. Then you'll be able to greet him with open arms.

[interchained]

That's my only wish.

[That's why he needs to get out of here safe and sound. And fast. Shouldn't it be the same for everyone else here, too? This isn't his war, but if taking part in it is the condition he has to meet, Gilbert will do it. He has done worse things.]

While we're at it... [Gilbert sure would like to talk about Oz more, but there's one thing he needs to ask.] Didn't you say you had a master?

[sakeplz]

I do. The saniwa. The one chosen to lead the battle against the evil that threatens all of history.

[You know. Nothing big.]

[interchained]

Shouldn't you be...I don't know...more worried?

[Not only about the state of the world he came from, but also said Saniwa.]

[sakeplz]

About what?

[He sips at his drink, not looking at him but still genuinely curious as to what he's talking about.]

[interchained]

About what?!

[Oops, he might be a bit too loud.]

About what... [Wheeze.] About your master, obviously!

[sakeplz]

Hm? No. Aniki and many other swords are there to watch over the saniwa until I get back. I have nothing at all to worry about.

[interchained]

Even if your master has many servants, you should be concerned about their well-being! I'm sure they're worried about you!

[Who wouldn't be worried, though...]

[sakeplz]

[He looks at him then away as he smiles gently.]

Do you know what swords are created for?

[interchained]

To fight and protect.

[Shouldn't that be clear...he's not sure what Jirou is getting at.]

[sakeplz]

And what happens to a sword when it's not needed anymore?

[interchained]

Oh.

[Gilbert inhales some air and sighs, finally realizing the point of those questions. Although it's not easy to do this to someone as big as Jirou, he gives him a poke on the forehead.]

Who told you that you're not needed anymore, you idiot...

[sakeplz]

[He actually blinks in surprise. Lifting a hand, he touches his head.]

...Well no one but I'm not really easy to use. I've really spent so many years on display in a shrine.

[interchained]

Those times are over, though. For now, at least...

[One way or another, Gilbert understands the sentiment a little.]

You sure are a handful, that's right. Your master must have had a hard time with you...

[At the end of that sentence, he just bursts out laughing.]

I'm sure they miss you.