To dance along the light of day (Closed)

[oneirism]

Who: Lapis Fathalla (oneirism), featuring Setsuna F. Seiei (quaria), Kavi Misra (umberly), Lord Light (accordance), Sion Astal (sunderings), Tieria Erde (buildyourworld) and Regene Regetta (remotecontrols)
When: From Narcissa (March) 15th to the 17th!
Where: The Baths
What: Bath time shenanigans! Aka Lapis is a vain idiot who likes to mess with peoples hair.
Rating: Mentions of nudity and Lapis being way too casual about it and probably terrifying people with that...

SETSUNA

[Lapis doesn't tend to bathe in the morning, but she had tired herself training way to late last night and so one in the morning was sorely needed. It helps that she wakes up stupid early as well, so when she gets there, it's practically empty. Except there is one other Hero there.

And while Lapis tends to be in the habit of covering herself at least a little bit, since she knows people are more fussy about nudity than she is, she only just holds the towel in her arms as she waves over at Setsuna.]

... Morning, Setsuna. [A-at least... she has a nice figure?? Even if she is badly scarred. Sorry for the trauma Setsuna]

LORD LIGHT

[Lord Light's hair is one of the many things about him that Lapis has always been curious about. There's never a strand out of place, and even during the expo his hair was as perfect as ever, despite all the chaos going on. Meanwhile, she's certain her head was resembling a birds nest by the end, though she was more focused on other things at the time.

Even now it looks like his hair is as perfect is ever, and Lapis squints her eyes from her corner of the bath, before shifting closer. She really wants to style it, but will he let her, what if it's something considered offensive where he's from or it's some kind of blasphemy... ]

... Hey, Lord Light, can I braid your hair? [Might as well just go ahead and ask!!]

KAVI

[Judging peoples hair care routines are things she never really tried to do, but sometimes, she just can't help it. Especially when they could have such nice hair, and instead only just do the bare minimum.

Which is why she is rather unimpressed when she notices how Kavi is just... using soap in his hair. It's almost painful to watch, and eventually she moves over to him, her expression unimpressed as she puts her hands on her hips.]

... Let me do your hair. [It's sound more like an order than a request...]

SION

[Now, Lapis is stupidly vain proud about her hair, but she could never imagine growing it out any longer as it is now. Or as long as, for examples, Sion's. She has no shame in admitting that his hair is amazing, but all that hair must take forever to take care of. And probably requires least a small army, something like that.

And while she doesn't really know Sion that well yet, she does want to try and remedy that. So what better way to do that than to offer to help with his miles and miles of hair!]

... Do you need any help? [Said with a finger pointing at his majestic mane of hair, her other hand cradling her chin as she sits on the edge of the bath.]

TIERIA

[It's one thing to judge peoples hair care and see them do something like put their hair in a bun afterwards, but it's another thing when the hair care is awful but their hair is still nice. That is something Lapis finds more mystifying than annoying.

Like with Tieria. Considering Tieria's general attitude, things like fussing over his hair is something she can't imagine him doing, but his hair is still always nice somehow! Maybe he's just born with it or something...]

... You're only using soap, how're you able to still make your hair look nice? [She wants to know your secrets Tieria!]

REGENE

[Lapis has only see Regene and Tieria together a few times, but it's enough to make it clear that there is a very big resemblance between the two. She's pretty certain that the two are identical twins or something like that. Beyond their attitudes and hairstyles, they are pretty much the same.

Which is when she spots Regene in the baths, an idea comes to mind. One that will probably piss off Tieria, but when Lapis has an idea, she tends to roll with it not matter the consequences.]

... Hey, Regene, can I try something?

Comments

/koalas!!

[sunderings]

Then by your good graces, let me be spared the many hours of labor which would have surely been sacrificed at the great altar of a King's head of hair. [ Lapis is ever the delight, and her humor plays to his own, her pokerfaced delivery complemented in full by his frivolous banter, his voice every bit as silvered as his hair. ] But before you would do unto me such a kindness...

[ —on the bridge of this theatrical pause, Sion seamlessly moves to take his place beside her, maintaining a comfortable distance as he settles atop the ledge of the bath, legs lowered into the pleasantly warm water. In such close proximity, it is impossible for him, to not take notice of the scars which adorn her skin, and though he does not comment, he does take note, just as he takes in the gentle fall of the Lady's dark tresses over the slender line of her shoulder. ]

I would offer you the very same. [ For in his hands is the jar of shampoo, and he is sure that if she'd not spied him, Lapis would have enjoyed the leisure of a bath gone uninterrupted. ] By the time we've finished with my hair, I am certain that you will have had your fill of the bath altogether, so allow me first to assist you.

[ If she would have him, of course. And if the style of his own hair is any indication (always, it is perfectly plaited, and always, it is lustrous with shine), he very much knows what he's doing. ]

/clings too!!

[oneirism]

[His words get a quiet chuckle, a smile appearing for a brief moment as she sits up a bit straighter.]

... It's a task I'm willing to undertake.

[It's nice, being able to joke around like this, especially after what happened at the Expo. Despite how flat she tended to be, Lapis vastly preferred casual, laidback situations than anything remotely serious. So being around Sion, who just goes with her jokes, is something she greatly appreciates, even if she may suck at showing it.

Though as he smoothly moves next to her, her expression turns faintly curious - not looking at all bothered about how they're both naked. If anything, she's more surprised at his offer, her eyes widening as she blinks up at him.

There's a few moments of silence, and while she trusts him not to totally ruin her hair since it seems like he knows what he's doing, she's still a bit stunned - she's not used to people offering to do things for her. But it doesn't sound unappealing, frankly it's the opposite, so she soon nods. Even though the surprise still lingers on her expression.]

Ah, alright. As long as you don't try to find a way to get out of me doing your hair next. [And she's quick to cover the surprise with another deadpan joke.]

[sunderings]

[ Astute as he is, he cannot help but take notice of it, the traces of surprise lighting her golden eyes; her bemused stare as she looks up to him, wondering at his offer so openly that he thinks for certain she will reject it. But she does no such thing, assenting with a simple nod of her head, and Sion answers it with a smile—she does unto him an honor, allowing him to care for her as she means to tend to him, though...!

He cannot help but be startled, in turn, by the joke which follows suit. As long as you don't try to find a way to get out of me doing your hair next, she's said, and for an instant Sion well and truly fears that she might have discovered his too-nefarious plan! The fact of the matter is that Sion Astal has always been rather poor at receiving the well-intentions of others, for he is no one so deserving of them. But while he would readily call Lapis friend, they are not well enough acquainted for her to know of his terrible inclination, and so Sion decides to return: ]

Far be it from me, to ever dream of doing such a thing. Even if I were to run, I am certain a Lady of your caliber would be sure to catch me.

[ Smiling, laughing, foolishly trading jokes with friends—this is normalcy, and it is something which the Hero King values more than anything else. ]

Into the bath with you, then. [ Gesturing openly to the water, Sion urges her on, and if she should so wish to discard her towel, she should feel free. By and large, Sion's presence is calming: when he looks to Lapis, she is all that he sees. ] I think I'll keep my perch.

[ And as she dampens her hair, he'll take a portion of shampoo into his hands, emulsifying the product as he works it into a lather—]

Here.

[ —and reaches for her. ]

[oneirism]

[Really, Lapis only made that joke because it's something she would do. Just like him, she's not exactly the greatest at accepting any sort of good intentions or kindness from others, instead always trying to move the focus away from her. It's why she can't help but feel a little embarrassed right now, but she forces that away, instead focusing on his words and giving another faint smile in return.]

... Of course. I'm faster than I look.

[It's equal parts a joke and truth - even without the unnatural speed she possessed before back home, she's still quick on her feet. But at his gesture, she shrugs off her towel and hops into the water - the thought of even being embarrassed not even dawning on her.

Instead she just simply lets him dampen her hair, leaning back a bit so that it's easier for him to reach. Though since it's been... years since she's let anyone actually do something with her hair, besides ruffle it, she can't stop herself from tensing slightly when he reaches for her.]

I'll do my best to stay still, but it's been a while since I've let anyone do this.

[sunderings]

Ah? You do not seem the type to so readily fidget.

[ And yet there it is, tension visible in the gentle slope of her back, and as though he were attuned to it (and to her), Sion forestalls his touch, waiting for the moment when (as she exhales, relaxing in part) she seems at ease enough for him to begin. Notably, his attentions are delicate—he massages the rich lather, the shampoo smelling thoroughly of roses, into her hair, the very tips of his fingers working in concentric circles against her scalp, the back of her neck, before gingerly pulling the product through the length of her dark tresses.

They are, perhaps, more alike than either one could possibly know: though his palace is surely abundant with servants, all of which would be too-eager to take the matter of the King's hair into their own two hands, ever since the day when his closest companion had passed...

Sion had allowed for no one to assist him, not like this, and perhaps the King's actions are a mirror of that man's as he tends to Lapis' hair with no small amount of care, mana bonds blooming between them. ]

Might I ask why you've refrained from spoiling yourself? Everyone deserves to be so indulged, every now and again.

[ There it is, hypocrisy, but as such a thing so often goes, the truth of the matter is far from evident. ]

[oneirism]

... I do fidget a little in situations I'm not used to.

[Again, another attempt at a joke. But she forces herself to relax as she exhales, only twitching slightly when he starts to massage the shampoo into her hair. Luckily the tension soon fades as he works his fingers around her scalp, finding the touch soothing despite how initial apprehension.

There's a soft, content hum from her as his fingers work through her hair, the mana starting to flow between them helping her to relax even more. It's almost tempting to close her eyes and maybe lightly doze for a bit, but she soon snaps to attention again when he speaks.]

Just never thought about it. I was too busy working back home, and I like to be busy here too.

[Plus the fact that she could never accept it. Whenever her sister or ghost friends tried to do something for her, Lapis would be quick to turn the attention back onto them. For how self-assured she tends to be, being the central focus for anyone is... well, embarrassing. At least when it's not while she's singing or dancing.]

[sunderings]

Then I will endeavor to see that you grow used to this— [ The lapping of bath water, warm against the skin, the lull to be found in the gentle card of his hands through her hair, and all the serenity of mana exchange. As surely as it is soothing to her, the gentle consonance of all three elements is calming to him, for Sion is most at ease when another is. ] —I promise you, your work ethic will be strengthened all the more for it.

[ In the wake of a reprieve, is not one all the more focused, their body and spirit rejuvenated, their mind honed? But ah, with Lapis' hair well-cleansed and rose petals clinging to its dark strands, it would be about time to rinse, lest the botanical shampoo turn to simple residue, and the Hero King will allow for no such fate to come to pass...! ]

...in the interest of not betraying your confidence, I will ask before I splash: may I rinse your hair?

[ Though, of course, there will be no splashing to be had—beside him there is a spouted bowl perfect for dipping into the bath and collecting water with which to wash. ]

[oneirism]

... Hmm, but now I might try to avoid this, in that case.

[At least her tone is light as she says that, and really, she doubt she could avoid Sion anyway even if she tried. Luckily she has absolutely no intentions to avoid him, even if she was still embarrassed about this.

But maybe it wouldn't hurt to do this more often... It does feel nice, and being able to relax with someone like this is always nice. Especially after all the things that have happened. But the less she thinks about that, the better, so she turns her focus to Sion at his question.]

Go ahead. And don't worry about splashing me, I would've just splashed back if I was surprised.

[sunderings]

Mm? You would so brazenly confess your intention to avoid me, the one who holds your hair hostage even now, as we speak?

[ Ah! He's laughing, he cannot help it, the sound light (as always, Sion is not given to being boisterous unless he must act the part—rather, he is quite mild-mannered at heart!) as he draws water from the bath to rinse the lather from her hair, his free hand touching gently to her forehead in an effort to see that her eyes remain free of both water and soap as he cascades the warm water of the bath down, over her head.

Bits of rose petals and soap suds both come to float atop the surface of the water, and Sion finds himself at ease, humming, as he combs his fingers through the length of Lapis' hair, murmuring an idle—like silk—as he makes to ensure that the locks are free of shampoo. ]

How is it? [ Asking is, perhaps, the only way to determine if Lapis deems his work to be fit...! ]

[oneirism]

... So my hair is being held hostage now? That isn't very fair.

[That's said with a laugh of her own, the sound both soft but it carries as well - showing that her voice isn't as quiet as she usually sounds. And the smile lingers as he rinses the shampoo out of her hair, noting the rose petals and soap suds that soon float along the surface of the water.

And given how prideful she is of her hair, his comment is enough to get her to smile with pride, even if he can't see it. Despite her earlier joke, she really has no issues with letting him do this again. Of course, only if she could do his hair in return.]

... It feels amazing. Thank you, Sion. [The gratitude is clear in her tone, and she turns her head to look up at him with a soft smile.]

Now I believe it's your turn.