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

[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.

[onlyhonournow]

[i guess he can't very well rub the back of his head sheepishly while he's still holding her, so his fingers curl in a little and he flashes her a lopsided grin]

Me too.

[ice_and_steel]

[smiles a little awkwardly, and then slides from his hand back into the pool with a splash]

What's the saying? For every door closed a window opens?

[onlyhonournow]

[sporting a rather cheeky grin on his face as he settles back against the cave wall]

And sometimes the walls break more easily than you might think.

[ice_and_steel]

They do if I hit them hard enough, I suppose.

[realizing that sounded...awkward, at best, bites her tongue and splashes around enthusiastically]