Hot Springs and Ryokan

[battymynameis]

Guess what, y'all. It's time for a field trip. We're heading to a Hot Springs and an Inn for the weekend, and everyone is invited. This place is huge, and has multiple springs both indoor and out. There's separate bathing, mixed, and even a spot for foreigners and prudes who like to keep their swimsuits on. Table tennis? Got it. Room service? You bet. Massages? Possibly. Ghosts? Maybe.

1. Hot springs: after you rinse off come take a relaxing bath. There are multiple options as to what kind of bathing environment you can have, so please choose wisely. Also, please read the signs. None of the springs will kill you, but if you choose the wrong one you might end up with some... adverse effects. Cursed springs might just be a Thing.

2. The Inn: you'll be here for a few nights so find your rooming buddy and get friendly. Whether bonding over food, games, or even just exploring the place there's certainly something you can find to occupy yourself. Just don't be too curious after curfew. The staff are pretty insistent, but they aren't cops so responsibility for your actions are your own.

Comments

[traceon]

[ By the time that Kaname would come across the redhead, he'd just finished a rather basic workout of push-ups and planks back in his room before thinking of doling away an hour with some table tennis. There were a couple of faces he'd come across here before, but being here by himself felt a little odd to start. A part of him was even beginning to miss Taiga's eccentric jabs. But the company that he did find here? It made the stay all worth it. ]

Yeah, I saw you last night, but I was too busy to say anything. When I got the invite, I wasn't so sure at first, but...

[ Here's your backdrop tune for a smashing meeting. ]

[pivotpoint]

That's all right. Despite this being a relaxation trip I feel like I had more packed into yesterday than I do on a normal day. I guess you could say we were both busy.

[Chidori exhales. Her shoulders drooping and her whole body seeming to sigh with her.]

[traceon]

A-Ah... I think I get what you mean...

[ When her shoulders droop, the smile on his face ebbs away. This certainly was unlike her, usually so full of energy. He can't help himself, so, ]

Hey, Chidori. You okay?

[pivotpoint]

Huh? Yeah, I'm fine! Just a little tired from all that went on yesterday. It's fine!

[traceon]

[ For a place that's all about relaxing, there seemed to be all sorts of shenanigans that got thrown their way. Shift of gears, then! Besides, Shirou has a sudden compulsion to ask. ]

I see. Then, if you're not doing anything, wanna check out the foreigner bath with me? It's never too early to take a load off.

[ Swimming trunks and bathing suits? It ain't a trip to the water park, but taking a dip for a little could do them some good. ]

[pivotpoint]

Pff, yeah. Okay.

[Foreigner bath? yeah, fine. Better than getting awkward and heated in the mixed bath.]

[traceon]

[ The foreigner bath was so simple by comparison to Exciting Splash, but, this was a start! Let's face it. The standard mixed bath would be just Shirou dying while denying the horny within. Oh if only he knew what awaited him regardless. ]

Alright. Let's go!

[ By the time they were done checking things out, it wouldn't be a bad time for a small snack/lunch either! ]

⚔ ⚔ ⚔

[ At first, he nearly strips down to nothing while in the changing room before remembering this wasn't like your traditional spring. Especially when it came to sharing. Still, the thought of a relaxing late morning with a friend to unwind from last night's busy dinner rush was all the motivation he needed to put on a pair of shorts. When he stops out to check out the spring, his gaze widens a little. He would have thought the standard separate and mixed baths would be the most elaborate, but, ]

Whoa... It's bigger then I thought...

[ Shirou stands just at the pool's edge while he waits for Kaname. ]

[pivotpoint]

[Chidori happens to be wearing a white string bikini, but it's not like Shirou will get much of a chance to see it before something 'unfortunate' happens. Like Kaname planting her foot square between Shirou's shoulder blades and kicking him into the pool.]

[traceon]

UWOH——!!

[ Bello flop. Ooo you can just hear that slap as he hits the water and causes quite the splash. It takes him a second or two, gurgling underwater as bubbles rise to the surface before he finally breaches the surface. ]

Fwah...!!! [ Cough. Hack. He shakes his head, ridding himself of the cobwebs as he looks around for the culprit. ] I got water up my nose...

[ It didn't actually hurt. Or nothing serious, anyway. He turns around in the water to discover the culprit as he looks up at her. Although he's scowling, it comes off as more of a pout with his wet, drooping hair and narrowed eyes. Not that he'll stay mad. Just internally warring with whatever method he can use to get her back eventually. ]

[pivotpoint]

[Triumphantly she stands half an arm's length from the pool. Her hands at her hips and a devious smile displayed on her face.]

You're pretty easy to sneak up on, Shirou.

[traceon]

[ Look at you. All smug and devilish and...and...hot and I'M STILL MAD— ]

Why do I get the feeling that you'd just flip me in the pool if the roles were reversed?

[pivotpoint]

Because I would? The only thing stopping you from doing it now is just who you are.

[She knows like three dudes who wouldn't hesitate at grabbing her and dragging her in. Kaname would still have the nerve to push them in anyway. But before he has the chance to try it she hops in with him.]

[traceon]

You don't think I will? [ It's true, though. Shirou could have just jumped up and grabbed her by the leg (or an arm if he was lucky enough), but his brain was also telling him, (No, don't. What if she slips, falls backwards and cracks her head?) Still, she seemed close enough that it could be worth the risk. He only manages to wade a couple of steps closer before Kaname suddenly hops in.

Right in front of him. Like, just a few inches in front of him close. ]

... [ But instead of clam up like an idiot, despite the faint tint in his cheeks, ] I'm glad you came with me, Chidori.

You looked like you could use the R&R.

[pivotpoint]

I guess you can take a girl out of the school, but you can't take the student council out of the girl. I feel like I've had to run around babysitting half the people here.

[With a sigh she sinks into the pool. Allowing the water to reach her shoulders.]

[traceon]

I see. [ For the time being, Shirou sinks down into the pool beside her. For once, this seemed like a nice chance to catch up, even over the simple and little things. The mention of a student council has his hears perk up a little. He wasn't a part of the council at his school, but he may as well have been with all the help he provided. ]

Guess that's just in your nature. If Issei were here, I get the feeling he'd be doing the exact same thing.

Or, at least trying to, anyway.

[ It's said with a hint of fondness in his voice. He really was a workaholic, after all. ]

[pivotpoint]

Hey sounds like he's a stick in the mud.

[She says despite being the same to some people. She's got a duality to her, and adjusts her behavior depending on who she's with. To other people she might be the wild child.

As it is she sinks until the water reaches her chin. At least her hair is all pulled up off her shoulders so it's not soaked. Though pulling the hair away from her face makes her look a little older. Almost like a fresh young college student. Which may explain why some people of inappropriate ages come on to her.]

[traceon]

Ahah... [ If he were being honest? Ridiculously honest (thanks springs)? ] He always means well, even if he can be a bit too 'by the books' about things. Always stressing over the school budget.

[ Shirou doesn't sink into the water any deeper than he already has for the time being, adding onto the end of that, ]

You'd probably make him lose his cool. You and Tohsaka seem like the type that know how to push the right buttons. [ The way Shirou says it doesn't really seem like any kind of jab whatsoever, just sincerity. He should probably stop talking but he can't stop talking why can't he stop talking and saying what was on his mind that he would normally keep rooted very deep down? It's starting to occur to him that he just said something he normally wouldn't. ]

[pivotpoint]

I mean... if you say so, but I'd have nothing to gain by making someone I don't know uncomfortable.

[Also is he comparing her to another girl? Hmph! If she was being used as a stand-in he should have said so earlier.]

[traceon]

Yeah, you're right.

[ Never! Their tsundere power levels were both off the charts sometimes, but,

Tohsaka was Tohsaka. And Chidori was Chidori. There was nobody quite like either one of them, individually. About half a minute passes by before he feels the compulsion to sink in a bit deeper, enough so that his arms are stretched out along the edge of the spring for support and his upper body is half-submerged, halfway up his chest.

A relieved sigh slips past his lips then. ]

[pivotpoint]

[Kaname settles against the edge of the pool too. Just so she can relax against the wall and rest her eyes without anyone surprising her from behind. She doesn't feel like she has anything else to add to the conversation, but mostly because she's avoiding having one. Oddly enough she's been unable to refuse requests today, so she's not sure if she could handle hearing anymore.]