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Post by opius on Mar 27, 2022 21:26:46 GMT -5
The Red Coat: With a decent meal, a good glass of wine, and some time to just sit, Sae found herself in a much improved mood. It still wasn't good- Tali was avoiding her as best as he could, which was frankly getting annoying. It seemed the only place he wanted to talk... to fight... was in public surrounded by strangers. Grabbing her new body linens and a towel, she made her way down the various passages and to the common baths. They were easy enough to find. Going through the door marked with a moon, she entered the women's side of the baths.
Sae wasn't shy, nor did she waste much time. The road had been rough after Kaladin's misfortune, with little comfort coming from her only friend. A hot bath was the end of the string of things she hoped would ease the sting a little.
She stripped off her coat, the small bits of leather armor she hadn't removed upon arriving, her under tunic, her boots, wool hose that had seen better days, the body linens that wouldn't even make good rags, and finally she was left in just her decorated skin.
Rare for a Mareki, Sae sported two tattoos of significant size and complexity. One over her left breast, the size of her gunslinger badge and sporting the same symbol, and one on her back in a vibrant red, the symbol of Talos was inked proudly, the size of a handspan.
With a deep sigh of relief Sae stepped into pool of water and closed her eyes, leaning against the edge.
CautionCat: Before she made her way to the baths, she was grabbing the bag of small clothes from the shop. Konane figured that small clothes under her cloak would be a lot better than tattered bindings that normally would just be bottom underwear for an Otonin. She really wished they didn't have to rush so badly from home... it must have been over a month, now.
Her feet were bare, covered in dirt. There was a mention of shoes... she never liked shoes. Even sandals. The world felt so much better when you had nothing between you and the ground.
Pausing a moment at the front of her door, she glanced up and down the halls. She wondered who else would be joining? If anyone was left up there, or had already made their way down. Konane would puff her cheeks slightly in thought, before moving to knock on Alastair's door as a start.
Uberwulf X: Alistair wasn't going to go to the baths... well enough. The little guy probably had things to do like... count some reagents or practice public speaking in a mirror, so he'd stutter a little less. Jaeger, on the other hand, wished to be free of the journey's grit. Having new clothes tailored pushed him in this decision; there was no use putting new linen on a dirty body. Even if he leaned hard towards practicality in the clothes he chose, and they were likely to get a little torn on the road, he could at least show his appreciation for the tailor's work by giving it clean skin to drape upon.
It didn't take long before the goliath's garments were in a neat pile, their owner submerged as far as he could be. It would have been nice to slip completely under the water, but the bath, while accommodating to his size, was certainly not deep enough for someone Alistair's size to casually drown. He also considered the practicality of asking if there was a woman servant able to bathe him, but he knew better. Firstly, there didn't seem to be those types around; this wasn't that kind of land. Secondly, this wasn't the type of place where people who the guards didn't know where to place on the social hierarchy were offered. They would have to be formal lords and ladies for such amenities!
Jaeger smirked to himself. He'd not be a noble, so that was out of the question. Maybe there was a red light district here where he could simply get a massage? Nothing more than that was on his mind, but it would have been nice to have the gentle touch of a woman on his back, scrubbing the road from his skin. For the now, he'd begin doing it himself.
Opiii: Alastair left the dinner with mixed feelings. A touch of trepidation for the days to come, a slight hopefulness that this might be the right move, a definite excitement at the idea of actually entering the white tower, and a bit of confusion. He was certain he was on to something when he approached Alane with that miniature painting.. he'd learned the 'neat trick some wizards do,' but what he'd really wanted was answers. Who were the people in the painting? Who had Fenderberrin formed a fellowship with?
He was almost certain that's what that image was. A fellowship. Not a group or merchants, or a couple of dice rollers the old man gambled with. But Fenderberrin had come out of his wild days with a reputation and clout.. that none of these people were recognized was.. befuddling. Especially the red haired gentleman in the picture.
This he thought of and reflected upon some time after dinner. He'd unpacked a number of kits and supplies, seeing as they'd be here a few days, and had begun some preliminary setting up of a small workshop. A makeshift desk for sketching here, a few alchemists tools there, some springs and gears and puly tools scattered about a table there and there. He'd taken a quick break from organizing, sketching, and planning to look upon that tiny painting, searching for something he thought might bring answers, or at the very least some kind of inspiration.
They were going out on another long hike. He was going to need inspiration. Or tools. An edge over these primitive yet brutal tusked monsters.
A knock on the door tore him from his stupor. Moments later he was at the door, opening it. He looked disheveled in his common clothes- the pistachio creme colored tunic, the loose and stitched light brown slacks. His hair was pressed up and matted with a bit of errant gear grease and the tell tale smudges of graphite from sketching. It took him a second to recognize Konane there. He was.. surprised. One hand slipped up through his hair, patting it back. "Oh, hello, uh... Hi. what brings you here? I thought all the girls were going to the uh, the baths..?"
CautionCat: Her brows were high when he opened the door, then they fell. He looked like he was busy. She pursed her lips some, and furrowed her brows slightly, before raising them again, her face seeming quite animated when she spoke.
"I was just... seeing if you were... going down as well? You... seem like a hot bath could... help ease your mind. It is... a very social thing for Otori. The... public baths. But... of course the genders are divided. Unless... you were to take a private bath?" She paused, and felt her cheeks grow red, out of embarrassment. "Oh- ah- I'm rambling. Soru... You just seem really off put with... the... fellowship thing." One brow slightly arched, she smiled, showing her teeth, her canines seeming a little longer than the average person, teeth straight but there was a small overbite.
Opiii: For a second he found himself staring at her teeth. They were straighter, despite the overbite, and the sharp canines coupled with her Amber eyes did give her a kind of... Spooky, whimsical appearance. For this reason he had a tendency to avert eye contact every few moments. He scratched behind his head before looking himself over.
"I am kind of a mess, aren't I? I guess I didn't really consider a scrub, what with Talesin casting his cleanliness spell.."
His brows knitted as he folded his arms. He looked to her and leaned to one side, braced against the door frame. "No, no, I'm not uh upset or anything, I just thought that uh...a name, a contract and a c... ca... oh, what's the word." He paused. "Charter! A charter, that and those would make it seem official and professional, yeah?"
A mental sigh of relief. He'd been stuck on that word all night. He turned his focus to her "And you're, uh, gonna destress with a bath. With Sae? Or uh... Klinkle? And others, I mean, except with gender separation for decency." He shifted, slightly uncomfortable as he held himself. The beginnings of redness was touching his ears. "That's like a custom of yours. In Otori, I mean. A social, group building, totally normal naked custom."
CautionCat: Konane snickered at the naked custom part. She shook her head some. "Klinkle is actually quite self... Conscious about her bathing habits. Birds get quite into their baths... Feathers and water everywhere."
She chuckled, and tilted her head some, watching him. "Although magic can do a basic clense, it does not compare to a good, hot soak. It is very important for your soul, I think."
She smiled, eyes squinting some. "It is a form of bonding, public baths. I think a term is "skinship" translated." Konane shrugged. "But alone, or with others, I recommend having a hot soak. You will feel better. Maybe words will come to you during relaxation? For a name."
Ancelas: The Common Baths beneath the castle were generally as much of a social place as they were a bathing one. They were essentially two large pools, separated by a divided of treated wood that rose eight feet up from the floor, with two feet of space between the top and the stone ceiling. From the outer hall, two doors - one marked with a sun for men, one with a moon for women - led to a small changing room where guest clothing could be folded and set aside, replaced with towels to be taken into the baths. When they had time to prepare, a servant would be placed in both rooms, but tonight the visitors had the baths to themselves.
The pools themselves were large and had Heatstones set into the walls, linked by copper lines to an aetherstone dial that could control how hot the waters grew.
Opiii: "oh, that makes sense for a bird I guess. Thankfully we've got private baths.. "He was nodding, listening- or at least giving the impression that he was. As Konane moved her lips, the boy fidgeted. His mind was full of fluff... So much information over the course of the weeks, so many plans, loose threads. And despite the multitude of other things on his mind, he kept coming back to something.
He wasn't sure about that Alaine guy.
He'd been brief, dismissive, and went on to jovially point out that the guy in the painting, the guy who had Alaine's hair and Alaine's eyes just looked like a handsome stranger. It didn't seem.. right
(Perception : 20)
... He was too dismissive! Something was definitely up- Alaine was way too smart not to notice the similarities.
"Skinship!" Alastair responded, voice cracking. His ears were red now. "Skinship? That's uh, that does sound like serious friendship building. And uh.. maybe Jennar's right. About uh. Taking chances and getting out of my shell. And if a bath soothes the body and mind, then maybe I can count on that for the inspiration I need. I'll uh..." He nodded. "I'll come along. I mean, I'll go to the men's side, of course, cause uh men go on one side, ladies on the other." He pursed his lips. Tight.
CautionCat: Konane laughed, right hand covering her mouth as the other held her bag of small clothes to her chest. "Of course, baka..."
She stuck her tongue out some, grinning. "If you are so awkward around clothed women, I can't think to see you around naked ones." She snickered again, and shook her head.
"I will head down now. I am glad you want to come out of your shell. And also wash up." She reached over to the smudge of grease on his face, her thumb smearing it a little, before she rubbed her thumb and pointer finger together. "I'll head down now, unless you would like me to wait and walk with you?"
Opiii: Well that was a distracting exchange. Alastair had nothing to say to a full thirty seconds, cheeks red as his ears. She leaned in, smudged his face, and his only response was to go cross eyed as he tried to focus on her hand in front of his face. Eventually he came out of the stupor. Stuttering returned first.
"I uh. I'll c-come down after. In a little bit, I mean n. I need a moment to uh, get out the uh, ideas that were, uh, on my mind." He scratched behind his head, up and over to above his brow, then behind his ear while leaning on the door frame.
"Before I lose track and forget, you know? Inspiration is fickle. I'm sure there's an, uh, Otonin saying for that, yeah?"
CautionCat: Alastair had to be the most awkward person she had ever met. An endearing friend. She smiled in his silence, before he finally broke it
"Asu ari to iu koto nakare." She nodded. "Never say tomorrow."
She then took a step back from him, head tilted some, as she dropped her arms to her sides. "I would say I will see you down there, but I will not." She snickered, and gave a short bow to him, before heading down the hall. Konane did not have her cloak on, her figure very noticeable as she walked away with only the cloth wrap covering her.
She might as well already be naked.
With her departure from talking with Alastair, she would go directly to the baths. She found the symbols for the men's and women's sides very quaint, running her hand over the moon symbol, before entering.
She didn't have much. Unwrapping herself, and setting her new small clothes atop her old wrappings, and making her way around to fine Sae was already there. Konane's tanned skin was littered with large patches of freckles, and she too was not shy in the slightest. She would run nude normally if it weren't inappropriate.
"Oh, nice to see you are here." She smiled, walking to the edge of the pool, and sitting a moment as she started to unbraid her hair.
The Red Coat: +Sae looked up at Konane as she entered, giving the other woman a small, tired smile. Frankly, she was a bit too tired to keep the grin she'd been wearing in public for what felt like weeks now.
"Nice to see you as well, Konane." Hopping lightly out of the pool, she looked over the small selection of scented soaps that were provided for guests of the baths- it seemed like it'd been forever since she'd smelled like anything but gunpowder and the rough lye soap she carried with her. It was functional, but not... pretty. Picking one that smelled like the gardens at home, she carried them with her and set back into the water.
"Feel like we should enjoy this luxury while we can get our hands on it- in three days it'll be rough travel and roadside inns again."+
Opiii: "
"Asu ari to iu koto nakare..." Alastair quietly echoed as the Otonin woman made her way down the hall. He found himself staring, mind caught in a quagmire that turned his normally speeding train of thought sluggish.
He'd never seen her without her cloak. Those wrappings she wore... They left little for the imagination.
"Focus." He said aloud, closing the door. The next few minutes were a whirlwind of events. He closed his books, neatened his alchemists tools and bagged up the volatile components he intended to brew. "Alane beat around the bush. He wasn't honest, which is as good as saying he lied."
His graphite and papers were tucked away into a leather binder and placed upon a desk after that. "If he's lying, it means he's got something to hide. Something that relates to fenderberrin, something I need to know."
His armor and gear were stashed in his backpack, and the bag of holding he neatly tucked into bed as if it were a tiny person. He even went as far as pulling the blanket over it. "... Jaeger will know how to extract the truth out of someone. He's wise as the damned mountain."
He turned to leave, but paused at the door, looking back. He took a step back and looked to his wrist, eying his new focus. He slowed, fuzzy brows narrowing. "...If he's hiding something, then now he knows I know something too. "
That sudden realization made him uneasy. His brain told him to stay put, keep good ear out, be careful. His heart... It was speaking up a little more these days. He couldn't get help and guidance without actually leaving the room. He looked to the door, noting the conundrum. An impasse, it seemed. Until he again looked upon the focus on his wrist.
The rules were different now, weren't they? The close calls, first blood on the road, exposure to the elves and Otonins all had lead to the green buds of magical growth. He would cast his first spell.
A piece of graphite to mark the door way, names written in runic. He prepared the spell for one minute before he stood again at the door. He squinted before he approached, hesitant at first... And then the yellow aetherstone began to glow. It was hard to keep his excitement subdued. He clapped both hands an the gem glowed brighter, accepting the somatic command. And finally he spoke, mustering confidence as he touched the door frame.
"Alarm." He spoke, cool, collected. A brief, crackling flash escaped the focus as the graphite marks turned gold with the color of the magic. They then faded from view, melding into the world where he imposed his will. "... That's how it's done, isn't it, Lysander?" He muttered, half smirking.
Once assured of his work, Alastair left and closed the door behind him. Next stop: the bath. It was time to seek the guidance of a friend, and figure out what Alane was hiding.
CautionCat: Konane nodded, her thick braid slowly unwound as she worked. Pulling at the strands with splayed fingers, she brushed out her thick hair with her hands, ruffled the black mass and flipped it behind her.
It was like she had more hair than body, now that the braid was undone. The volume from the waves of the braid made it look wild and difficult to manage.
"If we have a bath, it will be cold springs. I prefer hot... It relaxes the bones, and soothes your soul."
She smiled, squinting her eyes slightly, before slipping into the bath and submerging for a moment. Her hair floated gracefully, splaying out like a spilt inkwell, before it clung to her back when she rose back up.
"Ah... This is much better than the private baths. So much more freedom." She sighed, and leaned against the edge of the pool, eyes on the soaps, but she would soak for a time first.
Kyt: "I don't know, there's something to be said for a brisk, cold soak." Jennar spoke up from the changing area, seemingly out of nowhere. "But yes, a nice, large, hot bath is probably the best." They grinned as they joined the two in the main pool area, taking a moment to grab one of the soaps preemptively before entering the water. The half-elf's figure was slim but toned, with no specific markings other than the occasional small faded scar.
The Red Coat: +Sae grinned, raising a hand in greeting to Jennar as she joined them. "True. When I was in training there was nothing better for bruises and sore muscles. One of the girls I trained with walked a more... natural path, and had some talent with nature magic. She was a bit shy about it, but she'd help me get an ice bath after a duel if I asked her nicely." Enna had been a nice girl- a year younger than Sae, and the sort of quiet that kept her out of trouble. A trait Sae admired and had no skill in herself.
"Which soap did you pick? The girls in my barracks used to say you could tell a lot about a person by the scent they chose." Not that Sae knew how to interpret anyone's choices, but this was what small talk was, right?+
CautionCat: "Mmn...cold water is good for after battle. Warm water is good for after long walks." Konane yawned, and sunk into the water with just her eyes above it for a moment, watching Jennar, then looking to Sae as she spoke of soaps and scents. She raised a brow at that.
Kyt: "Hm?" Jennar looked at the soap next to them, then shrugged while laughing. "I don't actually know. I just grabbed one. Can't be that bad if it's for castle guests." Another look back at the soap, and their brows twitched slightly, one corner of their mouth smirking. The half elf picked the soap up, holding it up in front of them, while continuing to look at the spot where it had been, shaking their head for a moment before turning back to the others.
The Red Coat: +Sae smiled softly, unsure of what to say now. "I think at this point, anything is better than gunpowder and road dust." Shrugging her shoulders, Sae ran the bar of soap over her hair a few times, before beginning the arduous task of washing it properly- though probably not as much work as Konane, who's hair was both longer and wilder than Sae's.
"I'm thinking of checking with the Demakos before we leave Astor- they are well traveled, and probably know if there's anything in particular we should be wary of on the road to Ilia. Short of more of Ruin's troops, of course." Sae dipped her head back, rinsing the soap out of her hair. She'd never really been good at talking to people- but when had it gotten this bad?+
CautionCat: "Mmn. Whoever knows best." Konane nodded, and climbed out of the water, her hair clinging to her body like swamp slime. It was a little creepy, really. She made her way to the soaps, looking them over.
"It would be good to ask of the area. Do you think this... Alaine knows anything, too? What do you think of him?" She glanced to Jennar and Sae, as she picked up a soap to smell it.
Opiii: The sounds of splashes and lapping water, quiet conversation and scrubbing was joined by another creak of the door. On the men's side a little plap plap pattering noise- feet on tile- let Jaeger know he wasn't alone. Some moments of trepidation later and the ginger boy found the gusto to get in the water. In his mind, being submerged concealed more than standing around with his hands in his lap.
He was thin in most places, but had a little flab on the belly. No no real battle scars to speak of, save for the recent one on his right leg. Alastair's skin was mostly pale, but it wasn't like he never saw the sun. A slightly darker upper body hinted that he might have enjoyed a swim or two in a previous summer. He was freckled all over, especially on the shoulders and forearms. Likewise, that's where the thin and just barely pinky blonde peach fuzz grew thickest.
With soap in hand he slinked and sank into the bath. It... Was soothing, actually. Soon enough he got his bearings, and finally politely silent to address the Goliath in the room. "Hullo doctor."
The Red Coat: +Sae thought for a moment, scrubbing the soap over her hands. They were rough and calloused from wielding sword and gun- rougher than even her mother's, though Ilrene had to have served at least her conscription before she went to study with her parents, before she married Hastos.
"Mm? Alain? He seems alright, I guess. Like Alistair- very curious about very dangerous things... but that's a bit common around wizards, isn't it?" To be honest, she hadn't paid much attention during dinner beyond agreeing to the mission after hearing the King was moving slower than she'd anticipated. "The Mareki don't fiddle much with magic, so I'm not super used to it."
No, she had been too distracted to notice anything about Alain beyond what they'd seen in the main chamber. Her mind had been on the Alurani sulking next to her. Ignoring her. On purpose. And then leaving. Without saying anything. Not noticing she was gripping the soap too tight, she let out a short curse as it shot out of her hand, catching it again before it could hit the water.
"Why? Do you feel off about him?"+
CautionCat: Konane went through and smelled each soap, holding them up to her nose for a long moment. Sae spoke, and she turned her head to look at her, smelling another soap.
"I don't think much of him. Kind of a heads in the clouds man." She shrugged.
After putting the soaps back, she settled on lavender. Soothing smells for a soothing bath. That should help her relax more.
"What does... Rabendā say?" She asked, looking to the lable next to the soaps. "La...vender. Lavender." She nodded, before making her way back to the pool, stepping back into the warmth.
Uberwulf X: Jaegar was silent as the newest bather entered the room. His eyes had closed, speaking to the comfort and security he felt in the castle's walls and bath's waters, so he didn't actually see Alistair enter. He did, however, hear the shuffling feet and what was likely a full or two breaking shallow and nervous breathing. A single eye opened in Alistair's direction.
"Hello to you. You've decided to wash yourself for the ladies in our group? Saw would praise your decision."
Opiii: Alastair squinted slightly as Jaeger spoke. Having moved quickly to hide as much of himself as possible, the half Goliath had found him submerged roughly chin deep in the water. His ears were red, flush with embarrassment. "What, no, I don't-" He then reigned in his voice, growing quiet and shuffling closer.
"Why would I wash for them? I'm not that gross. I mean, I wouldn't want to go another day, but they couldn't be that offended by..."
He then paused, squinting again. "Did Someone say something? I didn't actually offend someone did I?"
Uberwulf X: "There's absolutely nothing about you that's offensive," assured the half-Goliath. "One may say you're completely inoffensive, safe in the presence of children, the elderly, and baby puppies and kittens." He gave a chuckle.
"Up, up. Don't be nervous in your on skin in a bath where youre supposed to show and clean it. That is, unless you have a good reason to hide? A lot of shame to hide that you dont want to flaunt? A large sack of self reflection and internalization to deal with?"
Opiii: The squint turned to a crooked scowl of embarrassment, both ears and cheeks red like hot iron. For a few good moments the artificer didn't know what to say. But when he did, the reaction was much like what Jaeger would expect.
Alastair spoke up, hands planted on his hips as he stood sightly- enough to expose his not so defined pectorals, navel, and belly. Further down a trail of orangey brown fall colors lead steadily downward to vague and sudsy water below. Upon feeling the breeze on said not-so-peach fuzz, Alastair quickly covered said treasure trail, immediately losing any high ground or confidence in the exchange. "I BEG your pardon!" His voice cracked, face still red.
"I'm not familiar with Nekohlian customs, but around here we typically don't talk about eachothers... Neurosis filled coin purses." He huffed, glancing away as he settled into the water, cupping himself.
And several moments later, quietly followed up, averting his eyes. His lips were pursed as he followed up, looking... Almost modest, cool and collected. "Or our bags of holding, for that matter."
Jaeger was a professional at getting under his skin. But Alastair was, if nothing else, a quick learner. Times like this could remind the good doctor that the human did have some wit. He may not have liked the game, but he was still a good sport.
The Red Coat: +"Ah true- but aren't a lot of wizards a bit... out there? I figure it takes a sort of head in the clouds brain to really understand magic?" Sae shrugged her shoulders, truly unsure.
"We'll keep an eye on him on the road. Worse comes to worse I'll tie him up and we'll deliver him to Ilia bound and gagged to keep him out of trouble." She joked lightly, looking up as Konane slipped from the tub to pick up the lavender scented soap.
"Lavender? Oh, it means you're a calm, peaceful-" The half remembered information was cut short as a less than calm and peaceful voice echoed over the wall of the less than coed bath. Alistair angry about coin purses? Had he been robbed? In the castle?
Unable to clearly make out the full sentiment, Sae slipped from the pool and to the shorter interior wall, meant to let both sides speak. Meant to, but Sae was having trouble picking up a good portion of the conversation. So, with a little hop she pulled herself up the wall, resting heavily on her forearms as she looked over at Jaeger and Alistair.
"Is everything alright, Alistair? All I heard was something about coin purses. You weren't pick pocketed, were you?" It'd be a pain if he was, but she could probably spare some of her own ample coin to support his... wizarding if he needed it. Or perhaps trade him so he could enchant Retort- now there was an idea.
"Oh, I was thinking about Company names. Sorry I was distracted over dinner. What about something like Valor's Company? Or is that too religious?" Sae, well conditioned from years of obstacle courses and physical training, was having no problem hanging off the eight foot wall that divided the sides of the room. +
Opiii: Alastair flinched, froze, and rigidly- like a clockwork automaton moving on gears- turned his head and shoulders toward the Ceiling Sae who watched from on high.
"MycoinpurseissafethankyouveryuchmissSae."
Wow were his ears red. And his nose, and his cheeks.
He hugged his chest like he had something to hide. And he was very much ready to call the elf out on her behavior! But it felt...
Backwards. Weren't elves supposed to call humans out on their lack of social Grace? Why did Alastair feel in the wrong? The dissonance practically made steam shoot out from his ears.
He cleared his voice and pried his eyes away from her. Not that she was showing anything, it just felt rude to maintain eye contact when very visibly naked.
"I, uh, that's a good name, uh... I mean it's not necessarily that religious is it? Not many people associate with the Chained god- Valor's more like an ideal than an invocation, yeah?"
Sae could see that he had freckles everywhere.
Ancelas: ((Should anyone else want to climb the wall - Atheletics check. If your around 5' tall, your DC is 12. Around 6', DC 10. 7', DC 8.))
The Red Coat: ((right- forgot to note that 17- sorry!))
Opiii: ((WHY WOULD ANYONE ELSE WANT TO CLIMB THE WALL? WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO CLIMB THE WALL AT ALL.))
CautionCat: Konane blinked a few times, watching Sae jump the wall like it was nothing. She moved to the side of the wall, and leaned onto it, ear pressed up against it.
"I'm glad to came down, Alastair! Doesn't the hot bath feel good?"
She would have lept herself, but... Heights were kind of not her thing.
"And I like that name. What meaning would it hold for us?"
Opiii: The grimace intensified. He shivered despite the heat. Quietly and stiffly he replied to Konane "..yep... Good to be here. Very... Soothed... Right now..."
Uberwulf X: It was very likely that the young ladies in their own area could hear Jaeger's bout of laughter. It wouldn't last long as he didn't want any guards to think they were goofing off.
"Relax, relax," Jaeger encouraged. "I'll leave you alone, but it's good to feel confident about yourself, at least comfortable. I can't have you trying to straighten your hair while goblins are bearing down on us."
His eyes closed once more, broad back resting against the bath's wall.
"So then my little former client, you have somethijg on your mind, or are you content to sit and spak?
Opiii: Alastair's face was a scrunched tomato... But Jaeger seemed to get the conversation back onto it's rails. He glanced back at Sae, unsure..
But they were a team now, weren't they? He cleared his throat, glancing around the room. There weren't eavesdroppers, were there?
He turned to the target of his visit, but spoke just loud enough to be heard. As he spoke, he began to scrub himself with a soap he'd selected earlier. "That Alain guy... What's your read on him?"
Uberwulf X: He wasn't worried about the name of the group, as long as it was fair and uplifting and not something crass like "The Crusade of the Dragon's Loins." Neither was he concerned about Sae looking over the wall to check on him; she didn't seem the type to use her sexuality as a weapon, at least in her own group. Would she use it to embarrass Alistair? Either way, he didn't weigh in on that conversation and rather focused on Alistair's question.
"A curios fellow, maybe he has ulterior motives besides but I don't sense hostility or ill will towards us. You feel otherwise?"
Opiii: He pursed his lips, brows arching as he looked down. After a few moments thought he brought the soap bar to his head and began massaging the lye and fat into a froth. "No, no I wouldn't say I detected hostility..."
As he spoke, he thought. As he thought, he disassociated. Gears turned as he looked inside, replaying the events in his mind. This was reflected in his posture- it was as if he'd forgotten all about the curious sae looking over the barrier, or that Konane was listening nearby. He stood, scrubbed, freckles, dimples, peach fuzz and all.
"It's more like... What he didn't do. If I saw my double in a picture, I'd.. I dunno, react. Emote. He just kind of brushed it off like everyday someone comes up all like 'Hey! Look at this magical piece of paper that's got your face on it. That guy could be you or your brother or father, yeah? Small world, but hey don't all us Gingers look alike!"
He then dipped his head.
CautionCat: "He looks like the man in your picture?" Konane furrowed her brows slightly, leaning back from the wall, looking up to Sae. What body strength...
She started to lather herself in soap, starting with her long hair. "Maybe he did not think much of it. You did not bring it to his attention, did you?"
Kyt: Jennar had followed the conversations with some attention, outright grinning when Alistair's voice was heard. "No, no, he definitely mentioned that Alain looked like one of the people in his painting." They eyed the fence idly, before giving a shrug. The half elf left the bath, strolling over and hopping up besides Sae as the conversation took a different turn. "At least, I'm pretty sure you did, right? I'd agree with you about his reaction being odd. I'd have more curiosity if I saw my double somewhere." Jennar grinned down at the males, wavy hair plastered against their shoulders.
((21 athletics, and why do y'all have to do this while I'm at work XD))
Opiii: "Oh, Jennar, glad to see you were paying attention, because honestly I was a little flustered. I didn't quite catch everything, but.." He glanced around to Jaeger.. then to the left, the right, blinking. When did Jennar join them in the bath anyway? he wasn't there before he came in, unless.. elven magic? Kind of silly, being invisible. He then glanced back to Sae, about to ask and confirm if the half elf was using some kind of magic.
Only to see the half elf staring back. At first it seemed totally normal! Then it settled in and an expression of horror touched the ginger's freckled face. "Jennar! What in the nine hells-!" He lowered his voice, "what in the nine hells are you doing over there? You're going to get escorted out by one of those dragons if you're not careful- And Sae, you're okay with- with this? What, did Jennar leap over the barrier, all nimbly bimbly?"
The Red Coat: +Sae blinked at Alistair's oddness as she peaked over the wall the humans had put in the middle of what would have been quite a luxurious bath.
As the conversation turned back to Alain, she shrugged her shoulders, unsure of what to say. "Perhaps the memory is painful- or something he doesn't feel comfortable talking about?" Of course, Sae would know all about memories she might not want to share with strangers... or even new friends. Thankfully, Jaeger was not bringing up their conversation at the Wayward Mariner. She adjusted herself on her forearms, stretching out the muscles supporting her hanging from the wall. Sae could hang there quite a while, thanks to way too many similar competitions in training.
"Konane, can you hear alright? I can give you a hand up, if you want? Or we can just all go over to the other side. I know you aren't fond of heights." She looked to Jennar, then back to Alistair, then to Jennar.
"What wouldn't I be okay with?" Sae did look genuinely confused, looking to Jennar for hopes of some sort of guidance in this particular matter.
((Insight check to figure out why Alistair was flustered. Natural 1.))+
Opiii: Alastair squinted and wrung his hands, brows furrowed in a mix of shock, befuddlement, and exasperation. He looked to Jennar, then to Sae. Then to Jennar, then to Sae.
"They're Gender Segregated baths. And he's over there- Jennar you're Over there!. And now you want to come over here? It's not norm- It's not a polite thing to do in a castle I don't think!"
Kyt: Jennar blinked, looking around in momentary confusion between everyone, before laughing. "Oh, oh, dear, young, Alistair." The half elf tilted their head and pitched their voice just slightly higher as they addressed Sae while keeping an eye on Alistair. "I'm afraid that he took my intended impressions a little too well."
CautionCat: Konane puffed her cheeks, and held her bar of soap, cocking her arm before lobbing it at Sae's behind.
"Anata wa baka! Get down from there and stop being rude! I can hear fine down here, you don't have to be making it awkward."
Alastair was all blushing and stuttering earlier just talking about public baths. Now Sae, who seemed to be very careless of nudity and well, comfortable with it even, with Jennar now peaking, was not nice!
Konane didn't mind being in the nude, and if others didn't mind it was fine. But she would have at least asked if it was okay to pop her head over the top to talk.
That was, if she didn't like the idea of hanging off the side and getting dizzy from looking down.
(( 10 on strength to toss soap at elf buttocks.))
Opiii: "Whuh- that you're a Bard and a ladies man? Yes, I think I got that impression pretty clearly!" He nodded affirmatively toward Jennar.
"Just because you can charm the lips off a duck doesn't mean you should!"
Uberwulf X: "There's literally no reason to have a wall between these baths," Jaeger said as he twisted his body to get at a particular spot between his shoulder blades. He then grumbled, thinking of previous conversation snippets.
"Any of you women willing to come over to scrub my back? I have a lot of muscle in the way of scrubbing my muscles..."
*Shuffled Glassware*: The soft sound of the door opening and closing followed by the click of nails on tile before,
"And here I was thought I was going to be the most energenic bather... What even are you all up to?
The kenku padded over to the water's edge after snatching up an almost pine smelling soap. She scanned the edge of the bath before splashing into the shallower side.
The Red Coat: +Sae blinked, for once looking genuinely surprised. Anata wa baka indeed. "Gender segregated?" She seemed confused by the term, hopping down from the wall as the soap pinged uselessly off of her butt. "Rude?"
Sae blushed bright red, the first time since she'd met this group that she'd done so out of embarrassment and not anger. It seemed that she'd managed to offend both Konane and Alistair. Sae rubbed the back of her neck, blushing deeply.
"I'm... I'm sorry. I... we... Mareki don't segregate based on gender. For anything. Bathing, fighting, socializing, work. Everyone is judged by your strengths. If you are strong you man the shield wall, if you are precise you are the spear, if you are fast, you harry the lines." Sae did seem genuinely sorry, and genuinely clueless.
"I'm.... um... gonna go. Sorry. Again." Blushing bright pink, the little elf suddenly looked a lot younger than the carefully crafted facade she maintained behind her badge. With the speed and grace of someone who was indeed likely sorted as a harrier, she ducked from the room, into her clothes, and disappearing down a hallway as quick as she could manage.+
CautionCat: "Bwaah! Sae don't go!" Konane wasn't offended, just reminding those who aren't can offend others, unintentionally...
Though, she was a bit rough about getting the point across.
"Otori we have public baths. We have options of shared pools and private. But Alastair was very shy! I did not think he would go." She then saw Klinkle, eyes going wide.
"OUWAH?! Klinkle! What are you doing here! You making a liar out of me!"
Opiii: Alastair blinked. And frowned. And frowned some more. Another misunderstanding? Another misstep. He was red to begin with, but it wasn't fading.
Was that just an elf thing? Communal baths, male and female? Or just Mareki? He didn't know.
He didn't know a lot of things these days, but he was starting to feel that maybe his attitude and quickness to try and set things into correct order was the incorrect line of action.
He glanced back up at Jennar, frowning slightly. He was looking over his shoulder as not to give the half elf a good view of himself. There was... Silence for a time, on his end.
Uberwulf X: Jaeger sighed when Saw disappeared from the wall.
"Aww... but my back... "
With a grunt, Jaeger resumed scraping at his back as best he could.
Kyt: Jennar's mouth opened and closed a few times as they stared at Alistair. He was really clueless, it seemed. But Sae's embarrassed hurrying off distracted them, and the half elf looked back and forth between the male and female sides before shrugging. "Sorry Jaeger, seems you'll have to take care of yourself today." Jennar lowered themselves back down, looking between Konane and Klinkle as they entered back into the bath. "I feel like some people take things far too seriously..."
Opiii: And so the ceiling elves returned from whence they came. Alastair let out a long sigh as he finished scrubbing his hair and turned to tend to his pits, chest, neck and face. Sae would be... Fine, right? She'd be okay. He could talk to her later, when their mutual embarrassment was done with.
It made sense for her to be okay with Jennar to be over there, after all. And the Otonins. It seemed like only north Samarins segregated bathrooms. Perhaps they were backwards, not the foreigners. Had his outburst been rude? Insensitive?
"I heard a bird, I think. Hullo Klinkle." He greeted the but from beyond the barrier before dunking his head. A change in subject, a change in pace.
CautionCat: Konane frowned at Jennar. "Privacy is serious! It is one thing that Sae jumped. She was concerned. But you, too? He thinks you're male!" She did not attempt to hide that, voice not loud but would be heard easily.
She shook her head, and abruptly sat in the pool with a loud splash. "I respect space, and respect those comfortable around me. Public bathing with others is a sign of trust for Otonin. It is a way to build trust, friendship. Business agreements are common if they are serious."
She looked to find her soap, but sighed and got back up to grab another bar. "I am not used to... This. Those who invade privacy. I am open, but I would never push that. I do not know of elves and their like, and Sae is now upset because I was harsh." Konane let out a long, loud sigh, before coming back to the pool to finish washing herself.
"Any other case I'd find amusement. But no, not now..."
*Shuffled Glassware*: Hullo Alistair, Konane, Jenar. Normally I wouldn't be down here but the prospect of explaining thewater on the walls and ceiling to whichever castle staff finds it motivated me. Picking a few feathers out of the water seems so much easier in comparison.
Kyt: Jennar tilted their head at Konane. "I'm....sorry? I know he's uncomfortable, but he's uncomfortable about many things, and I wasn't doing anything wrong. I just didn't want to talk through a wall." The half elf shrugged, before turning unconcernedly towards Klinkle, giving the Kenku a small chuckle. "Yeah, that does sound as though this'd be easier. Although I would love to see the staff's faces should you have done that."
Opiii: Alastair, brows furrowed and lips scowled in utter confusion, looked at the wall and to the gap above. He then turned to Jaeger, blinking with hands presented palm up. And then again he turned to the wall.
"Now hold on just a second. Konane did you just say Jennar was a girl? As in not a boy?"
CautionCat: "The wall is there for a reason, aho..." Konane puffed her cheeks, and shook her head, then dipped her soapy top into the pool, shaking it a bit. She didn't really have enough room in the personal tubs to do this, to get everything much cleaner.
"Fuku sui bon ni kaerazu..." She muttered after lifting her head, eyeing Jennar for a moment, before standing. She didn't feel like finishing her wash, so she would get out of the pool. "Hai, Jennar is female. They find your confused state amusing." She huffed, and looked for the towels.
Uberwulf X: All of this was amusing in its own crooked way, but there had to be an end to it at some point. Jaeger made a mental note to speak with Sae; this would be the first time he saw her less-than-fieryand it was an odd look. One supposed that everyone was free to be "weak" once in a while, especially in the company of what seemed like a group that was edging on the status of 'friends', but she could still benefit from some words. Maybe she'd agree to wash his back for it someday!
He grunted loudly and shifted position in the water, sending waves through the pool as he decided as his back was clean enough.
"You didn't come to embarass the women or be embarrassed by me," he said to Alistair, "and you were hesitant to come here at all. Did you simply change your mind, or was there something on it?"
Opiii: The boy huffed, confused.. Bewildered, even. This whole adventure to the realm of group hygiene seemed more like a mistake- he wanted to believe Konane hadn't lead him astray, but now Sae was upset, Konane was... Cursing in Otonin, probably, and Jennar was suddenly a woman. Clearly he'd upset the universe by acting out of his typical behavior patterns. To weild such powers of chaos was hard to fathom, he agreed it may be best to use them only for good.
Jaeger spoke as Alastair finished rinsing. Back on target. "I did, ah, want to speak with some of our party while things were fresh in my mind. You especially, or specifically, Doctor. You seem to get when people are lying, or beating around the bush. I was hoping you could offer insight as to how to make someone not do just that." He scooted to the rim of the bath and sat, back against warmed stone.
"... I feel like Alain knows more about that painting in my book, and the adventuring party in it. I don't think it wise to call him out on it outright, though. I get it that people need privacy, Gods yes... But if he knows something about O'Fenderberrin in his heyday, then I need to find out what. It's the whole reason I started South, you know?"
Uberwulf X: "Ah, yes, the picture."
Jaeger's bottom lip flexed upward in thought. "So, let's assume he does knkwore about the picture. What exactly are you trying to get out of it? You just want to k ow who your late teacher traveled with, right? To understand his adventurous spirit? Perhaps something happened on the road that he'd much rather forget- remember, we have only been together days and have slain more foes than any unenlisted person typically deals with. Who knows how deep that bugbear cave goes?"
He leaned back, eyes closing. "That aside, simply ask him in private, telling him you understand if he doesn't want to go into detail, but you need to know. There are some who could think up a compelling lie for that; I am not one of those people. Your truth and earnestness may help him open up to you-- if he's the man you think he is."
Opiii: Alastair's head bowed as he listened, thinking. "You suggest I should call him out on it in private. Ask him again."
He shifted slightly before scratching behind his head. What did he want out of this? Well, he wasn't entirely sure. "I... Want to know how he's connected in this. He looks just like the man in the painting. The details aren't as sharp as they could be, no, but.." he shook his head.
"I refuse to believe that the man just happens to look like the guy. Fire spreads, but not that fast. There just aren't that many redheads like that in Samara. He must be related. Maybe... I don't know, A son or a nephew? Judging by how old Fenderberrin is in that picture..." He then rubbed his chin, squinting as he recalled the image, pondering it over.
(Perception: 18+1, 19 total)
Uberwulf X: "I do suggest it, because you won't let it go. Like I said, ask him in private so he doesn't feel as if he's on the spot. Maybe there's something he doesn't want to talk much about, but is willing to with you because of your connection to his friend, and only under promise of secrecy."
Jaeger thought for a second more, then nodded. "And if he denies it then, there's no point in pursuing it further. Either he needs his boudoir-skeleton hidden, or you're mistaking two skeletons. That's easy to do, skeletons look roughly the same among the species, and one would have to take a look at bone density, dental,size of the shoulders, hips, and ribs to really understand the flavor of skeleton in the closet."
Beat.
"The flavor is usually Bonemeal Delight."
Opiii: (contradictory information came to light, sorry. I had to delete the last post. Adjusted and reposted now)
Alastair squinted a little more. "That picture may only be maybe twenty or thirty years old, based on the old man's whiskers. If Alain's a graduate from the white tower, that means he'd have to be enrolled for at least eight years, maybe ten, or or more. Most of his life would have been spent there- Enough time to be familiar with the staff and other important people."
He lifted a finger, following through with that line of thought after a beat or so. "It's possible he was in the school when the painting was first made, or if not that, then at least he was familiar with the person who made it. He knows the technique- How it's done, and why. Commemorating something worth celebrating, milestones- That's not something I imagine stays private."
He paused again, shifting his posture. "... And the way he responded when I pointed out the red headed man in the picture- that the man was incredibly good looking? He's either aware of how familiar he looks, or knows the man- or both! "
His lips contorted to a scowl. "Alane's can't be much older than me, Maybe twenty five at best? Playing it off that casually- what does he think I am? A freshman? A wash out? Oh- d-ooooh this really boils my beats! You know that Jaeger?"
Alastair fumed, "Maybe I will talk to him in private. Maybe I'll find him and talk to him somewhere and let him know he can't deflect and play dumb."
Opiii: Alastair squinted at Jaeger. Huffed. Sighed. And slowly nodded.
"...I'll need to be tactful to avoid leaving here with a bitter taste in my mouth. I get it." Another long sigh and alastair stood, feet pattering atop the tile as he crawled up and out of the bath. "Thanks for the advice, Doctor. This night doesn't feel like a total wash, now."
With that he procured a towel and began drying.
CautionCat: (well let's put this back into order then.)
Boils his beets? That was a curious saying. Konane was drying off her hair the best she could, still fuming herself.
As she ruffled her hair, and squeezed it into the towel, she paused to think.
None of this would have happened if she never talked to Alastair.
After thinking for a moment longer, she frowned, and bowed to Klinkle.
"Enjoy your bath. Don't make too much of a mess." Her normal enthusiasm was lost in her voice. She had gone from curious, agitated, to guilty. Quite the rollercoaster.
While Alastair thought of the man Alaine- mature steps to figure things out, Konane started to sulk, and think badly of herself.
She would leave to put her small clothes on, and head back to the room she was given to sleep in.
Kyt: Jennar mostly stared as everything just became....awkward. First Alistair got upset, which was honestly part for the course by now when he encountered something unexpected...but then Sae, and now Konane had run off. The half elf's eyebrows furrowed, trying to follow exactly what had gone wrong. They'd all spent over a week together, fighting alongside each other, and were planning on continuing the arrangement. But a conversation in a calming bath space had set half their party on edge.
Jennar looked to the side, shaking their head with a shrug as they stared into the air. "And they call us "weird."
*Shuffled Glassware*: Klinkle looked about. 'Well, it's now or water logged' she mused. She then ducked under the water for a quick rinse, got back up to the pool's edge fartest from Jenar, and shook. One veritable explosion of water later, with feathers looking a tad bit prickly still she said, "Well all, have a pleasant evening and rest."With that she headed back to the changing room.
Uberwulf X: [yeah it felt like the order got messed up with edits, which is why I waited to post-- phone-as-web only works half the time and I was getting confused, but it's whate'er]
Jaeger said nothing as Alistair searched his own mind for answers and solutions. It was only when the human showed a readiness to leave that Jaeger spoke again.
"You've a good head on your shoulders, I don't doubt that you will figure this out. Be confident and firm, but let it be for now, if he pushes back too much. There's no point in riling up our hosts; the money we have will only last so long and Sae's the only one with authority so we need to be careful not to offend. But like I said, I know you'll figure it out."
There was another shift in position for the sake of comfort, the half-goliath leaning back to cover more of his body in the waters. "I'll stay and soak for a while longer; the water is a good change from dry roads. I'll be out shortly if you want anything else. Until then, be well."
Opiii: Alastair stopped long enough to listen to Jaeger, lips tightening at the suggestion to key sleeping dogs lay. He wasn't wrong. Offending the guy meant losing gold and potential favor with the local nobles- they could use that kind of clout on the future. He sighed and nodded, finishing drying his hair. He then wrapped the towel around his midsection.
As a sound not unlike rain pattered against the ladies side barrier, and a fine mist sprinkled through the gap, he turned his head to Jaeger.
"I won't cause any waves. Not til I've figured out more, don't you worry. Enjoy your bath." He turned toward the ladies side. "...An you enjoy yours, you two!"
*Plap*
Alastair grimaced as he learned first hand what Konane had meant about her companion. A palm sized, soggy feather plopped down upon his shoulder, likely expelled from the birds rapid shakedown. At first he was slightly grossed out. Then, he just started to chuckle. He plucked the thing, rolled his eyes, and made his way out of the bathing hall.
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