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

[pivotpoint]

It's not my area of expertise, so we might be more evenly matched than you think.

[She's just used to also spinning her baseball bat in her hands, so there's a little crossover there. Kaname collects the small plastic ball, and holds it up for Mash to see.]

Did you want to serve first?

[shieldher]

Hmm . . . all right. I'll do my best! Really, as long as I don't hit either of us in the head with the ball, I'll call that a success.

[She holds her hand out for the ball with a sheepish smile. Sports are a whole new kind of athleticism unlike what she's used to. However well she knows the rules thanks to the infodump in her head, and however much she works her body on the battlefield, putting all of it together into a whole new game in practice is nerve-wracking. But it's exciting, too, so why not?]

My name is Mash Kyrielight. Here I go!

[pivotpoint]

Kaname Chidori with the counter strike!

[Dramatically Kaname hits back Mash's serve, but she makes sure to be gentle enough that the volley keeps. She's more interested in actually playing and seeing how long they can go than actually trying to score on the other girl.

Or at least that will be the case until she feels confident that Mash is comfortable enough with the game to actually play properly.]

[shieldher]

[The first serve is clumsy, but serviceable (ha). It does not hit anyone in the head! As she warms up, Mash plays with all the obviousness of what she is: a person skilled athletically and in the basic requirements of this game, like good aim, but not one who knows any technique or has a working sense of how to win. That can come in time. For now, she does just fine volleying the ball back, returning it without any danger that she might score. But it stays in play easily, and neither does she make any incredibly easy openings. Shielder, a defensive player? Say it ain't so!

Either way, it is exactly as fun as it looked, and it doesn't take long for Mash to start getting hype about it.]

[pivotpoint]

[Kaname is all smiles as she plays. Her athleticism has always been a happy outlet for frustration and to let off steam. So even if she's not able to score this is still a Good Time. As they go on and it proves Mash can handle herself she'll start trying to get a point. A little more pep in her step and a bit of flair in the flick of her wrist when she hits the ball with her paddle.]

Not bad, not bad! Think you can still keep up?

[shieldher]

[It happens: Kaname scores her first point, because Mash wasn't prepared for the spin on that ball. She watches it go by with a little gasp of surprise. No!! Well, it's only one point . . . and a learning experience at that. Now she knows what to look out for, kind of! She goes to grab the ball and then to serve it again, in accordance with the rules, determined:]

Absolutely! Don't get too cocky because you have the lead!

[Now that she has the hang of it, this serve is a lot more firm.]

[pivotpoint]

What if I'm just the right amount of cocky?

[She teases. Chidori goes back to allowing a friendly volley again. Scoring so soon after her first point wouldn't be in good sport! Besides, now Mash expects her to be on the offensive. Two in a row is probably expected.]

[shieldher]

[That is absolutely what she expects, and is a little surprised when it doesn't come. At the same time, it's a good chance for her to begin getting the feel of playing more offensively herself: she's seen it in action now, and has a breather. After a little back and forth, she goes for it, swinging harder and aiming at a point that she's hoping is closer to Kaname's body than she's expecting to have to hit. It's not coming to her naturally yet, but she's warming up!]

Then . . . then enjoy it while it lasts! Hyah!

[Also, she's really, really not good at trash talk.]