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

[crabeye]

[Chidori sighs like he's the most exasperating person on the planet. And yet? She gets up to help him. After returning the dog tag to her neck, and bringing the bottle of sake with her, she hurries by Masamune's side to be there should he need help.]

Don't go fainting on me. We're not actually married so it's not like they'd let me into the hospital with you.

[She pushes the door open before nudging him out into the hall.]

What spring were you in? We'll go together.

[powerhittou]

[Whoa. She sighs just like Kojuro. Freaky.]

...the hell're you doing wearing that if you're not married? [Maybe she's an incredibly close servant. He waves his hand, dismissive and impatient, since it doesn't affect his real life either way.] Whatever. I do know someone who'd just take a nap in the springs isn't my first choice for backup. Or second. Or tenth.

[Which is why he's going to keep on going at his own pace. Good thing HE's indestructible.]

[crabeye]

Too bad, you've given the dog tag back. You can't get rid of me now. [She's gonna be like a fucking leech.]

Besides, we have sort of an agreement. If neither of us finds a better solution to our problems we'll just fix it by marrying each other. For now we're just, ah... really close friends. And as such I'm not going to let you fuck that body up until the right Masamune is back in it to ruin it himself.

[powerhittou]

[What's with the attitude all of the sudden? She wanted nothing to do with him back when she punched him! He almost wants to dash away and leave her out of pure spite, but... she'd catch up anyway. There's no point.]

Alright, if you say so. Just don't get mad if it doesn't work the same for you.

[He folds his arms and tucks his hands into his sleeves, wrinkling his nose a little. How could such cheap sake hit him so hard, so fast...? It's not really that important, as long as he doesn't stumble and fall into the water and drown or something. Wouldn't that just complete today.]

...Can't think of a whole lot of problems marriage would fix.

[crabeye]

Like I said before this Masamune is worried his mother will try and exclude him from the inheritance. And me? Well I guess I'm just worried I can't find a job that will let me live comfortably without having to ask my ass of a father for help. Besides... marrying each other would probably have the added bonus of pissing them off.

Besides I'd rather spend my whole life running around picking up after y— [ah. She stops herself to correct this, and becomes a little sheepish.]

Picking up after Masamune than marrying some dimwit my father would try to pawn me off on.

[powerhittou]

She could do a lot worse than that...

[Muttered to himself as a sick, private little joke, but it isn't really all that funny. He stares off to the side while letting the rest sink in, trying to remind his sake-foggy brain not to think about this plan in the context of what his life is like. He does understand it, deep down, but he can't pinpoint just what makes it click for him.

He stops among a cluster of small rocky pools. Something about the scent of natural minerals and the bubbling of water compels him to turn and really look at Kaname for a long moment.

Ah...

He's dizzy after all.]

--Okay, let's get this show on the road already. [He unties his yukata and shrugs it loose, and then... holds his arm out to the side. What, you think a lord dresses and undresses himself?]

[crabeye]

[Kaname is undressing as well. Her obi is loose and she's about to shed her own yukata when she realizes he's waiting for her. There's admittedly a long pause before...

She just starts laughing. Doubled over and holding her mouth as she tries not to giggle.]

D-do [ahahahaha] do you want me to strip you?

[powerhittou]

[Oh. Oh god he did it without even thinking, having Kojuro there to handle these things for him is just as natural as breathing to him. He bites the inside of his cheek and stubbornly keeps his arm out.]

What? You don't want the practice for your "good friend?" Suit yourself.

[Okay, NOW he can strip. Nice save.]

[crabeye]

[Before Masamune gets a chance to wiggle out of his clothes himself Kaname steps in. Obi fallen aside and yukata hanging loosely over her shoulders. Her hands grab his and make sure his arms stay out so that she may undress him like he originally expected.

However she leans in just enough that her breath will puff against his ear as she speaks.]

I'm not some handmaid, but if you ask I might not say no.

[The amusement hasn't left her voice, but she's more confident now. Smooth and low she speaks with this new voice of hers. His flustered behavior was enough of a price to pay for now, and she relieves him of the yukata.]

Just keep that in mind if this doesn't happen to be your magic spring.

[powerhittou]

[Her breath might as well be steam from the springs themselves for how quickly heat flushes from ear to ear. Masamune's not sure what does it most - the surprise at being so boldly manhandled (!!!), the fact that what he's seeing is essentially a pretty, half-naked boy leaning in so close, or just a flood of subconscious affection over the simple fact that it's Kaname touching him so intimately... But his heart's beating double-time while his brain grinds to a halt.

Without even thinking about it he turns his hands over to take hold of hers.]

And if I ask to kiss you?

[He's supposed to, with her. He knows that.]

[crabeye]

[Ah. He'll feel that hand he holds twitch as Kaname leans away. Her confidence gone as her cheeks flush (IT'S THE SAKE, SHE SWEARS) and her eyes dart away from his face.]

I— I would wonder why you'd want to. If you're not my Masamune then you barely know me.

[But it's not a no. And her heart beats wildly just thinking about it. Excitement blooming in her chest.]

[powerhittou]

I feel like I do.

[His voice is barely above a whisper, expression soft. Vulnerable. He peers at her with the familiar eye of a boy desperate to feel love from someone he cares about so much. A boy afraid to lose it ]

[crabeye]

A-all you ever need to do is ask.

[Nervously she swallows. Her free hand shaking as she folds his yukata over her arm leaving him bare. Her heart is soft. Softer than she'd like to admit. Soft enough that when she sees that vulnerability and desperation she cannot deny him.

He could probably ask of her anything, and if he were to look at her that way while she said it? She'd cave, and be obedient.]

[powerhittou]

[It's not in his nature to ask. The One-Eyed Dragon takes what he pleases because he knows he's more than earned his right to. Why should he be so skittish now, like he's already messed up time and time again? Get it together, Masamune. Jeez.

He takes a half-step forward and takes hold of her chin, his features sharpening into the smug look that feels most natural on him.]

...I'll take that into consideration.

[Aaand... release!]

[pivotpoint]

[She wants it. Lord, does she want it. For him to take her lips so she can show him how much she cares without having to put it into words. But withdraws. Leaving her crushed by the unrealized anticipation, and mocked by how he grins when he knows he has the upper hand.

Chidori's twitterpated expression turns flat. Her (now) large hands grip under his arms so she can lift him into the air. Like this, if he doesn't kick her in the balls or anything, she'll drop him into the spring unceremoniously. The resulting splash changes her back into a girl. The yukata hanging open and slipping off her shoulders to reveal it all.]

[powerhittou]

What-

[Oh god what is this. What is happenung, how DARE she move him around as she pleases! Even Kojuro stopped doing this kind of shit forever ago!

He resurfaces noisily, sputtering and coughing,
whipping water every which way with a shake of his head. His eyepatch floats listlessly somewhere beneath the surface.]

Damn it...! You know, I'm starting to get the idea you want a real fight... huh.

[He looks Kaname up and down for maybe a second longer than he needs to, then puts his hands to his chest. Hm. Nope. Still a dude. And still not where he belongs.]

[pivotpoint]

[Look she's Ranma 1/2ing it here. Water means she changes even if it's not the spring that fixes her. Chidori tosses both their yukatas aside on nearby decorative rocks before slipping into the water with him.]

You nudge me, I'll shove back. Besides, I thought you liked someone with a bit of fight in them?

[Wading over to him she reaches out. Her fingers combing through his wet hair to push it back.]

[powerhittou]

[does he look like he knows what a ranma.jpeg is]

Shove too hard and a Dragon'll bite.

[His hand shoots out of the water, fingers clamping around her wrist like the jaws of a demonstrative serpent. His grin shows too many teeth to be friendly. As disoriented as he is at the moment he is still very clear about not wanting anyone to look at his missing eye.]

You're awfully bold, Chidori Kaname... I can see why that other Masamune would be interested. Is that because you think you know so much about me or because you just don't know any better?

[pivotpoint]

[She doesn't even flinch when he grabs her. Almost as if she was expecting it because she knows how sensitive he is about his eye. Even so her thumb rubs gently back and forth over him even if she can't run her fingers through his shaggy hair.]

Maybe it's a bit of both? Either way, I'm here to look after you. Even if you bite me.

[powerhittou]

[Looking after him. He's not sure how he feels about that. Not quite as upset with it as he thought. It's weird to have someone else be the one watching his back... who's watching hers?

His grip tightens for a second before he lets go and turns away to fish his eyepatch out of the water. He doesn't put it back on yet, but he does keep his back to her as he wades to the edge of the pool. Just to rest his head a little. That dizziness comes in the most excruciating waves.]

Hope you're ready to be watching for a while, then. I have no idea which spring I need.

[pivotpoint]

[For all he knows? No one. But the other Masamune has been... initiated with some of Sousuke's traps. The poor guy.

Chidori follows him after grabbing the sake bottle. She takes a swig right from it (she didn't bring cups) before setting it next to him on the edge. After that her hands press to the exposed flesh of his back. Thumbs rolling over knots in his muscles. She knows where a baseball ace would have tension, so she'll start there.]

Mm, well... I owe my life to this guy. So an afternoon of tailing you will be a cakewalk.

[powerhittou]

[Again. A good thing he's indestructible.

He cracks his eye open to glance at the bottle, but closes it again at the thumbs pressing into his flesh. She sure is forward and touchy-feely with a guy she knows isn't actually her husband good friend... and Masamune won't complain. It's a surprisingly comforting kind of pain she's drawing out.

And a surprisingly familiar anger.]

...That Silver guy.

[pivotpoint]

[Chidori is like a cat. Standoffish and prickly with those who like her. Annoyingly pushy and in-your-face with those who don't. And Masamune's sour attitude the first time she met him has her acting like the latter. Besides, when her Masamune returns he'll reap the benefits of having those knots worked out.

But his reply causes her to halt.]

Huh? You remember Leonard?

[powerhittou]

I... think so.

[Effeminate, haughty, pale-haired- how could Masamune ever forget how much he loathes Takenaka H-- Leo--

He lifts head and presses his palm against his eyelid. Shit, it aches! Is he thinking of Kaname or Kojuro who was taken from him?]

Fuck, my head... Why do I know this? Kaname...

[pivotpoint]

[Kaname scrambles out if the spring to hurry over to a small little stand with cool water ready for patrons who get dizzy. She does her best to make it back, kneel by the edge, and present him the little recyclable cup with the water in it.]

H-hey, drink some water if you're not feeling good.