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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Too nervous to pay attention to the little things, he immediately looks away when their eyes meet.

However, his expression brightens briefly; sure, he did know that mana exchange would help and he can even see that Caren's hands aren't as shaky as they were, but for some reason he wanted to hear that she's feeling better, too.]

H-How I am supposed to feel? F-Fine.

[This may not be what she meant, but that's Gilbert's answer anyway.]

I'm not sure. A little more energetic perhaps?

[Her hands were much better, more that she kept them close. When he turned his face away, they dropped to his shoulders. She could pull away, but she couldn't resist one small tease.]

But if you're feeling depleted, you could use me for one kiss.

I...I've got plenty of energy.

[As long as he'd like to demonstrate, he can't do that when they're so close.

Also, if he knew that his poor word choice would bite him back in the ass that fast, maybe he would have thought that over for a little while longer.

It's too late, though.]

I-I don't think that's necessary. Besides, I would never use you like that.

[Or in any way, really.]

[She could back off, but well. That was a funny word choice, and she was going to use it against him. It was going to be fun. Ah, poor Gilbert.

It's always been too late.]

Who said I wouldn't want you to? Kiss me, that is.

[She offers him a small smile.]

You're not using me if I want you...vigorous.

[Nobody did say that. But how much he would like someone to say it right here, right now. Preferably Caren, but anyone would do, really...]

You...?

[Look, he can't even mutter a full sentence.]

Vigorous? W-Well, I wanted the same, so...

[What he has in mind is her replenished mana, of course.]

[If only someone would save this precious child...]

I know you do. You don't like me shivery and weak. So let me offer the same.

[She doesn't close in for another kiss, but she does run her thumb against his chin.]

If you ever need it, so you can protect yourself, your friends...me...you have my full permission for a kiss. Here or later.

[Gil may or may not be about to say that he sure doesn't like seeing her like that, especially since it doesn't suit her at all, but her thumb under his chin makes him forget what he wanted to say.]

...

[What is he even supposed to say to that...!?]

I-I'm grateful...

[Shouldn't he offer the same...it's a frightening thought, but that's the right thing to do.]

T-The same goes for you, I suppose...

Oh?

[She leans in slightly, as if she's about to kiss him again. Closer, closer still until...

She lets him go and draws away with a small sigh.]

I'm grateful. I will remember this come the future.

[Poor soul.]

[If she wants to give him a heart attack...well, she almost succeeded. Feeling weak on the knees, Gilbert almost slips on a rock on the bottom of the spring but regains balance shortly, heaving a sigh.]

So...so will I.

[It goes without saying, but he's probably never going to forget this.]

I suppose we can now relax...

[He needs to calm down his nerves right away, this have been too much.]

[She might have nearly, just nearly, driven his soul straight out of his body. Whoops. At least she's no longer using him as a seat either. He can breathe nice and easy now.

Or...as much as he can around her. Stealer of kisses.]

We can. I think I have some liquor still, if you want a drink.

[While some alcohol would definitely help with soothing his nerves, he had it too many times to not know how this could end (drowning would be the least embarrassing option, seriously).]

I'll pass. I'm... [Is being honest a good choice here? He doesn't know, but continues nonetheless.] I can't really hold my liquor well.

[If she's going to insist, he'll probably give in, though.]

[Don't be so certain. She'd do mouth to mouth if she had to Gilbert.]

If not liquor, than something else. Something to cool you and I down.

[She makes to pull herself up, and out of the water to the side of the hot spring.]

You don't have to drink liquor, but you should have something. You're quite red faced.

[It's not like he can't feel his cheeks burning, but actually admitting that he's flustered? He's going to keep his mouth shut just to avoid picking up that subject.]

...

[It goes without saying that the awkward silence doesn't make things any better for him and his flushed face. On the other hand, that moment of silence gives him an idea.]

I'm not used to such hot water, that's...all...

[Why didn't he think of it sooner, it was so obvious...well, maybe him panicking just a while ago has something to do with that.]

If I may have something to drink, it would be great.

[That said, Gilbert pulls himself up as well, although definitely less gracefully. The towel remains where it belongs, at least.]

I had absolutely no idea it is allowed to bring snacks or drinks here.

[Smart move, especially since she already suspects. But then again, he's going to get teased, either way. Just, as an aside, more or less. Gilbert never wins.]

Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if you were used to being in hot water at all.

[Him, in trouble? Naturally. It wouldn't help with being in the company of people like her either.]

There no rule against bringing some, and I see no reason not to. Stay, if you like. I will bring refreshment to you.

Eh?

[Didn't he just say that it's his first time at hot springs—OH. It sure takes him a while, but Gil gets it now. And it doesn't help with his blushing at all.]

Maybe I am...a little...

[This lie sounds a bit too obvious, though.]

Umm, you could show me where you're keeping refreshments so I could bring them to us.

[Servant is too strong in this one.]

[She didn't think it would. She's still enjoying it, from the look on her face. (Caren really is the worst, and she knows it).]

Only a little? I doubt it.

[Anyway.]

You can join me if you wish? But I should be fine, in case you're wondering.

[Because she's not shaking or anything.]

[How he's even supposed to answer that...even if there's a good response, Gilbert doesn't know it (not to mention that he doesn't know that Caren is the worst and is nowhere near realizing that, too).]

I insist.

[What if it happens again, though? He's not ready for another mana exchange (and will never be), but at the same time, he doesn't want to see her in pain.]

[Well...it is possible? That she could fall again. She's rather delicate, but she likes to pretend otherwise.

So for him, she'll sigh and think of how she's rewarded with him acting like her servant.]

Very well. This way.

[She'll move away, and expect him to follow to the cache of food and liquor. Worse comes to worse, she might need his help after all.]

[He does exactly what she expects him to do like a thoughtful servant would. The stash is quite impressive, too.]

What would you like?

[Gilbert's not sure what he'd like to have himself because of the variety of snacks and refreshments.]

[When you know people like Minato and Saber, its a kind of self preservation.]

Is there any if the iced coffee left? I'll take that.

[Maybe she'll sit here with it for awhile. She feels a little dizzy.]

Let me have a look around then.

[But even before he comes closer to check whether it's here or not, Gilbert notices her sitting down. Is she waiting for him to find it or...

Instead of asking her what's wrong, he just continues his search until he opens the portable refrigerator.]

There's some—are you alright?

[She would have looked for it herself but...yeah, she needed a second. Being a pawn who pretty much drained herself to help her dungeon mates and needed her other dungeon mate to carry her around for more spell casting was awful. Really bad.

But her head came up at his question, rubbing her temples.]

Just a little dizzy. It will pass. Do not concern yourself over it.

[She'll slowly stand up so she can get one of those drinks. No need for fussing.]

Do not concern yourself over it...

[Gilbert murmurs, trying to copy her tone to sound as similar as possible. It goes without saying that it makes him sound rather hilarious. The next thing he does is handing down the iced coffee, but instead of pulling his hand away immediately, he wraps his fingers around her wrist.]

It will pass faster this way.

[It's pretty hilarious. Gilbert doesn't do the dead pan softness that Caren does, not very well at any rate. Maybe he can play a stoic, but he isn't doing it here.

She glances up at him when she feels his fingers over her skin. Her pulse might have picked up for a few moments, but it steadied. Becoming almost sluggish. Even with the mana exchange, she's tired. But she has to rise her eyebrows though.]

Very well.

But I will note that you are fussy.

Think whatever you like.

[He's looking away, but his hand is still resting where he put it a little while ago. Not even denying he's fussy because, well...he's just that.]

I'm pretty sure you could withstand it, but there's no point.

[Especially since they have already exchanged.]

[Open] It's getting hot in here

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