A relaxing reward

[srwu_mods]

"Well look at this. Looks like we have a big bunch of heroes on our hands, hmm?" Out of nowhere, Commander Huffman has a thing to say to each and every member of Unity Group.

"The media can't get enough of your success, and for good reason. Little things such as saving the world - twice, are not easily forgotten. I'm sure there are people out there just waiting for a chance to interview each and every one of you."

"But that's not what I want to tell you. Non-stop action is tiring and we need our pilots well-rested. So... there you go. You certainly earned it!"

=============

It's a hot springs visit! For the next few days, Unity Group has a luxurious hot springs resort booked all for itself. Situated in a mountainous region, it has all the classics - there's table tennis, all kinds of gaming and sports facilities, plenty of snacks and booze, not to mention: the springs themselves of course. Segregated with the mens' baths on one side and the womens' on the other, they are perfect for all kinds of shenanigans.


"I wonder what's the future and the council up to. The fate of a rat catcher once all the rats are gone..."


"You worry too much, Dirchs. Secure the future when you can, but when you can't - enjoy the present!"

The commanders are having a yelled-above-the-rocks conversation, Samuel Dirchs resting in deep water on one side while Imogen Howe drinks heavily on the other. Huffman himself sits atop the rock in a meditating pose, his skinny (and apparently heavily tattooed) body in full display.

(It's a mingle post - feel free to either address the commanders or do something on your own. Either in this post as a thread, or write a new post all by yourself, as you wish!)

Comments

[herodrawing]

Alright! It's a hot spring, a real hot spring!

[Izuru is all fired up, standing in the middle of the resort.]

Time to make true all those hot spring related things you see in manga. I can't wait!

[stupidhonor]

[Sielje is in the middle of the womens' springs, only her head sticking out of the water. She's looking confused and slowly overheating.]

What is the purpose of this? Endurance exercise?

[The towel wrapped tightly around her body is completely soaked.]

[a_monetized_mind]

No, it's just for relaxation. Take it easy, silly! If stay in there all night, you'll just get heatstroke.

[Jen sits on the edge, with just her legs in the water. A tiny hand towel rests on her forehead.]

[stupidhonor]

Is it? I hardly feel relaxed...

[Sielje gives quick glances in Jen's direction, her gaze moving away as quickly as it falls.]

[mc_of_mcs]

I can feel the cliches already.

Well, I know them a bit too well. But for the sake of the audience, mind explaining these hot-spring-related-things?

[herodrawing]

I'm glad you asked! Sitting together in a hot spring is an act of bonding - you can see your friends at their most vulnerable but also relaxed! And of course there's ping pong, we split into teams and it always turns out someone is surprisingly good at it. There's also peeking, which, umm...


I don't want to die so let's skip peeking. It's probably illegal anyway.

[a_monetized_mind]

That's because you've been in that hot tub up to your neck this whole time.

[Jen kicks out a leg, splashing Sielje with water.]

If you're uncomfortable, go try to cold pool, or just sit out in the open air for a while.

[stupidhonor]

Ah.

[With the water engaging in her direction, Sielje's head sinks a little deeper. But then it starts moving towards the edge of the spring.]

There is no harm in doing that, I suppose...

[Water splashing mightily around herself, the wet knight catapults herself to a sitting position on the open air. And sighs.]

That was close...

[cloningblues]

Try not to do anything that'll get you in trouble, okay? We just arrived.

[A wandering Asagi passes by.]

[lostamigo]

...

[Daniel sits in the middle of the men's spring, sticking out like a sore thumb and projecting an aura of someone who's well aware of that fact.]

...I'm getting rusty.

[herodrawing]

I just said I won't. Man...

Make sure to participate in the massage chair tournament later, okay Asagi?

[sang_av_helten]

...

[And sticking out like a sore pinky next to the sore thumb is Skald. Rather than letting him into the spring itself though he was given a wooden bucket with warm water and sat next to the spring. The cat had a tiny towel balanced on his head in front of his ears.]

Its warm.

[mc_of_mcs]

Why do I get the feeling that was meant for me?

You know, I could use a break like this as much as anyone else.

[booty_chaser]

Aw, but it's fun to get into a little trouble. Maybe a couple pranks. Live a little, Asagi!

[And for the Bad Idea Bear camp, we have Ashe]

[herodrawing]

Are you two going to peek on the men's bath, then?

We'll be prepared.

[booty_chaser]

Nah, not interested. Besides, Kei would kill me.
Not if you brought photos she wouldn't. [It's probably a good thing nobody else can hear Model A as he says this, but Ashe can't contain a tiny giggle for a moment.]

That said... you guys better keep your eyes open. It's open prank season.

[a_monetized_mind]

Watch it!

[Jen shields herself from the splashing.]

...You know, you can get out of the bath slowly...

[pulledplug]

[Look who's trying to be Big Man at a pool's diving board.]

Righty then. CANNON-

[He leaps!]


BAAAAA-

[And crashed into the pool flat on his back, spinning just a bit too much for it. Cue yelps of pain.]

[stupidhonor]

My apologies! Did I disturb... ah!

[Sielje moves forward, her arms stretching out to Jen - but they pause mid-way as she's hesitant to begin physical contact. Also because her own towel is unwrapping.]

[yassaimossai]

What the hell?

[A curious Zenbu glances over to the other pool.]

Who installed a springboard in here? Huh...

[And with that passing comment she wanders away again.]

[pulledplug]

[A hand weakly rises from the pool.]

H-help... please...

[yassaimossai]

What?!

[Chris does a double take. Okay, this actually is serious - she comes in running!]

Hey! You okay? What happened?

[pulledplug]

My back...

[Weakly Roy tries to tread water, but he's also preoccupied with rubbing his back too.]

... That really hurt bad...

[yassaimossai]

Hey! Don't move! Back injuries are no joke!

[Chris looks around. She doesn't want to call for help but...]

Dammit! Just stay still, got it?

[a_monetized_mind]

Don't worry, it'll be fine....

[Jen trails off as the towel slips-more from how Sielje starts to clam up than anything else. Though, at this distance and under this local gravity, it's inevitable that some of the less-displayed parts of Sielje's figure end up in Jen's view.]

[stupidhonor]

Will it? This custom is not known on Ankaia... humans are people of the land, we are not meant to swim or live in water.

[Sielje adjusts her towel, trying not to be consumed by awkwardness. Despite her efforts, a keen eye can easily discern several scars marring her athletic body.]

[lostamigo]

I thought cats don't like water.

[sang_av_helten]

Its an annoyance if its too deep and there are birds.

[Like say being out at sea or at a part. Skald simply lazes in the bucket, closing his eyes for a moment as he purrs contentedly.]

This is... agreeable.

[a_monetized_mind]

If I got angry at you for splashing water on me when I'm already in the bath? I'd be the asshole. It was an accident, anyways.

[Jen slips into the warm pool in front of her, glancing backwards towards Sielje.]

...That is an awful lot of scars.

[stupidhonor]

Once again, maybe there was a custom...

[Sielje falls silent. She makes a slight move as if she tried to hide under water again, but decides against it.]

Give... it no attention. My apologies for you having to see that.

[More awkward shuffling.]

[lostamigo]

I doubt there are any birds here.

Except hot spring penguins. Maybe.

[cloningblues]

I thought this is supposed to be a relaxing vacation, to rest from all the stuff we have on an everyday basis. That means the shenanigans, too.

[a_monetized_mind]

There isn't, so you're fine.

[Jen slips into the water up to her neck, and turns back to face Sielje. Maybe that'll make the knight less uncomfortable.]

...Actually...If you don't mind me asking, how did you get those?

Don't bother if the story's too painful.

[stupidhonor]

No, nothing of this sort. It is all old.

Fighting Beasts is a challenge for one who is not even a knight. And... fighting the one who controls them, even more so.

[a_monetized_mind]

You know...I know you're gonna try to deny this and all, but...



That's actually pretty cool.

[stupidhonor]

E...hh?

[She looks ready to sink down into the depths - except that Sielje's sitting on the edge.]

What do you mean?

[a_monetized_mind]

Well...Not a lot of people can say they fought an evil madman bent on world domination. Even with all the stuff that's happening now, most of the people on earth just go about their daily lives and hope things work out.

But you actually went out and fought that guy, even though it was going to be extremely dangerous. That's really brave, you know?

[stupidhonor]

That did happen later than my first battles with beasts. I was already a knight... and I was not alone.

[Sielje's gaze drifts to the side.]

I was not able to do much...

[a_monetized_mind]

Yeah, but you got to the fight, and were able to do *something*. That's worth being proud of! You can't just focus on what you haven't been able to do all the time, that's too negative.

I mean, do you think I would have stood a chance at doing that sort of stuff?

[stupidhonor]

Maybe. I do not know. It is all too different...

Do you... really think so? There is no need to try to make me feel better.

[a_monetized_mind]

I do think you're too hard on yourself. You keep focusing on where other people are better than you, not where you're better than other people.


That's the truth.

[stupidhonor]

Maybe... because I know myself best. Regardless.

Jen...

Thank you for your words. They are important to me.