obligatory hot springs episode

[cavedwellers]

[what the hell, the brochures said nothing about a hot spring! but WHO CARES it'll be fun and there's pretty much enough light to see by in this part of the caves. Also there is still no lifeguard on duty, but there are little bat-eared monkey things hopping around the rocks so probably there's nothing too predatory in the water. And it's all steaming and warm -- if you're a lifeform that enjoys warm water, anyway, you're in for a treat! Almost certainly nothing could go wrong here. Just keep an eye on your valuables; those little buggers have clever paws.]

((Mingle post go! Tag each other, have fun.))

Comments

[ice_and_steel]

[tips her head back so the water droplets fall on her face]

[makes a small splash in Drift's general direction]

It's too bad you can't join in the water fun more directly. Though I guess hot water is not as beneficial for you.

[onlyhonournow]

[chuckling and cupping water in his palm again with a small grin]

Not quite, no. But I'm enjoying myself well enough like this.

[ice_and_steel]

That's good.

[freezes some of the falling droplets so that they are cool on her face]

This is the first time I've ever been on leave. Well, I suppose technically I would be considered AWOL, but I am pretty sure my army is no longer in existence.

[onlyhonournow]

[pouring the now somewhat cooled water carefully over her, grinning]

Were you born with that skill?

[ice_and_steel]

Not exactly, but I do not remember a time when I did not have it. The infusion was given to me when I was very young; perhaps two or three.

[onlyhonournow]

[leaning back against the cave wall and studying the ceiling again]

... What makes us who we are, do you think?

[ice_and_steel]

[tips her head] What do you mean? In terms of our skills and talents, or our personalities? I was bred to be predisposed to certain qualities, and the MagiTek infusion likely instilled further ones.

[onlyhonournow]

[pulling his knees up again, still staring at the ceiling]

Is what's given to us all that we are, then?

[ice_and_steel]

I don't know. I don't suppose I've ever thought of it before.

It is hard to think of things beyond the bounds of one's own experience.

[onlyhonournow]

I--

[as if on cue, water condensed on a stalactite drips down on his face, causing him to splutter]

. . .

[looking quite like a wet robot dog at the moment. :(]

[ice_and_steel]

[does an admirable job of keeping a straight face, thank you military training]

That looked uncomfortable.

[a pause]

[then, haltingly] Until about a year and a half ago, I had no idea there was any way of thinking other than my Emperor's, nor any concept of a life not lived in the military. I still don't understand life outside the military; there is no one to give me orders and I do not know what to do without that framework.

[another long pause, as though that statement has drained most of her Conversation Points]

But I have seen new things since I-- [gritting her teeth, making herself say it] since I turned traitor, and I think I would like to explore them, and see which appeal.

[onlyhonournow]

[wiping his face off with his hand with a sort of childish pout, before leaning over the pool and lowering both hands into the water near her, unsure of what to say except "I understand."]

... I'm glad. That you haven't yet betrayed yourself.

[ice_and_steel]

[drags her hands through the water to make little waves that wash over his hands]

Thank you, but I'm not sure that I haven't. If I don't know who I am, since I'm not a general anymore, how do I know I haven't betrayed myself?

[onlyhonournow]

Who would you like to be?

[ice_and_steel]

I don't know. I'm...not normal, so I don't know which avenues are closed to me yet.

[onlyhonournow]

[dragging his hands up slowly and pouring the water he's gathered gently over her]

Only the ones you don't wish to pursue.

[ice_and_steel]

Yet I do not know if I am even capable of doing some things. I am moderately certain that the infusion...broke things in me.

[onlyhonournow]

... What do you mean by that?

[ice_and_steel]

I don't feel things--emotions--the way some people seem to.

[onlyhonournow]

That's because they're not you.

[ice_and_steel]

[blinks confusedly]

....but....surely there exist commonalities between emotional experiences? From my conversations with my former, er, traveling companions, I seem to be lacking...

[onlyhonournow]

Celes...

[scooping her gently out of the water now]

Even so, you don't need to act like anyone else. The way you are is fine.

[ice_and_steel]

[dripping and slightly forlorn, sitting on his hand]

You really think so?

[onlyhonournow]

[tilting his head closer, and smiling]

Yes. I do.

[ice_and_steel]

That is...reassuring. Thank you.

I am glad we have met.