∞ 90: Snowy springs [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Takes place on the 28th.

Part of him is still surprised he made the suggestion a few days ago. If he tried to look for excuses, he could think of many -- the season, the new arrival of an ocean, the constant talk about holidays and good cheer. But whatever the reason, he had suggested to his housemates that they take their gift exchanging to an admittedly strange location: the mountain hot springs. And they had all agreed to it.

So in the early morning, he can be found in the clothing store looking for ... a pair of slippers. By noon, he will be on the way to the rec center to try out the teleporter and scope out the mountain hot springs for the first time.

And by mid-afternoon, he will be up in the mountains with his brother and Raine. Belatedly celebrating a holiday they don't know. Perhaps even celebrating the plaza fountain returning to normal after being shifted to resemble Bil for four days.]

Comments

[ action ]

[herotypical]

[ when she comes across the strategist, it will be in the clothing store. buffy is on a mission to find the perfect jacket to match her new boots -- but she will allow herself to be distracted to greet albert. ]

Hey, stranger.

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[chikaidestroyer]

[It's definitely been awhile. December had seemed to be a busy month, working a little harder through the weather every day, even without considering the draft and those two missing days. So he offers Buffy a polite nod back.]

How are you, Buffy?

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[herotypical]

Which answer do you want? The real one, or the sugary one?

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[chikaidestroyer]

[He might snort faintly.] The honest one tends to work best with me.

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[herotypical]

Giles is gone. [ the latest tip of the iceberg. ] It's a little like losing the most important block in a game of Jenga. Everything else'll just topple over.

[falenandawn]

[Oh hey Albert. Frey's in the clothing shop, looking through some jackets. Nearby on the ground is a large bag, filled with groceries. He's still working on getting the cupboards full at the apartment.] Good morning.

[chikaidestroyer]

[The prince. He nods, looking at Frey's bag before speaking.] Good morning. You look busy today, Prince.

[falenandawn]

[A sheepish smile as he rubs the back of his head.] A little. I'm just restocking the cupboards at the apartment. My roommates seem to not shop often.

[chikaidestroyer]

[The answer seems to amuse him.] All of the cupboards?

[action --> hot springs]

[wise_maiden]

[These have been bizarre holiday plans indeed, especially with how cold the weather had gotten. But it would be a nice change of atmosphere -- besides, the house probably could use a little break to air out from the cookies.

Raine would have brought her robe, swimsuit, and of course a change of clothes and some fresh from the dryer fluffy towels. Not to mention the gifts of course, and a small basket of snack-type foods for the trip itself.

The springs themselves do look rather inviting for the time of year, and it's nice just to look at the area while there's still some light left in the day. Though using that teleporter was an odd experience.]

It's so quiet up here.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert had entered beforehand to show that the teleporter was stable, so he has already made his way closer to the bathhouse. Despite the obvious cold, the trails of steam from the hot springs and the smell of sulfur are quite ... refreshing.]

It seems we chose a good time to avoid other potential bathers.

[action]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar follows after Raine, mostly to hide the sour expression on his face once they arrive. He'd immediately decided he hated teleporting the first time he had to do it, and while this experience was a little different, it didn't mean that he enjoyed it any more. Of course, because it was so rare that his brother suggested to do things, Caesar would try not to complain too much about... anything. He would try.

He needs a moment to shake off that feeling. Time to focus on something else.]

I guess trips to the hot springs aren't part of the tradition.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

It's a nice opportunity to try something new, while everyone's still busy in the village. [She follows Albert's lead toward the direction of the bathhouse, still studying the scenery.] It's been a while since I've been to a natural hot spring.

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

[And that... that is the man she talked to and the one named Albert Silverberg. Nina grins a little to herself, because she spots him from a distance as she's in town, a little bone (from a bird, probably) hanging out of her mouth. She ejects the thing and advances on into the shop, being covert and quiet like.

He intention - one which she will probably succeed in unless she slips up somewhere or Albert is much more attentive than she is giving him credit for, is to get behind the Silverberg and put a finger into his back, simulating a simple stabbing. Yes, she just decided to faux-assassinate you, Albert]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Though he is not hyper-attentive by any means, he's attentive enough to hear the door open shortly after he enters the store. He tilts his head to one side, stopping in his tracks as he feels the finger at the back of his neck.

If Nina allows him to, he will take a minute step forward so he can turn around look at his "attacker." His expression is neutral.]

Good morning, Miss Parker.

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

[Yeah, he's allowed. She retracts the hand and smirks a little] I give myself Four out of five. The door made too much noise, right?

[chikaidestroyer]

[He nods slightly, looking Nina over and taking in her form -- not that recognizing it will help in possible encounters with another of her forms.] No one sees any reason to oil the hinges of store doors.

[action]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[The hot springs had been neat, but Caesar couldn't wait to get back to the house. A nap after a nice, long bath sounded like a wonderful idea. Of course, there was still business that needed to be taken care of before they could leave. He still had to give his brother his present.

But Caesar had never properly given Albert a gift before, so he was nervous and had no idea how to go about doing this. Unlike when he'd given him his gloves, Albert could complain if he didn't like Caesar's gift, and knowing that did nothing for his confidence.

...maybe he'll just dig around in his bag and look busy until he can convince himself that he needs to stop being an idiot.]

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[By now, Albert has relaxed fairly well from their bath. He stops to one side of the room as he sees Caesar digging around in his bag, raising a brow.] Looking for something?

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[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Uh... [I believe I left my confidence at home.] You could say that. Must be in here somewhere!

[Needless to say, he doesn't sound very convincing.]

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Not very convincing indeed.]

Considering what few things you would have needed to bring along, I presume it's a gift.

[action --> later]

[wise_maiden]

[Sometime after watching the snow for a while, and allowing the brothers considerable time to themselves to talk, Raine still has gifts of her own to give for the occasion.

Watching the weather and the ease of the baths had given her the opportunity to reflect on a few things, but there's always been time for reflecting, and figuring out a proper time for certain matters never really did seem to work in her favor.

In any case, she returns to the larger room, glancing around for either of the pair. It has gotten much chillier, but it's not as if much could be done about that.]

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[The later it gets, the darker it gets. Albert has retrieved another lantern from his pack, lighting it and setting it as high as he can so there is more light in the room. Although there are other lights around the bathhouse, a few more can't hurt.

He's considering going back to sit closer to the hot springs to take in some residual heat when he sees Raine enter the room.]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[She walks over in his direction after she sees him, and besides, it's brighter over there.] It's a shame this building doesn't seem too maintained, even if it's main use is just for changing clothes. [And a slight jest, on her part-] Perhaps I should leave a note for the suggestion box.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

A suggestion that I hope would be carefully considered. [He carries on the joke, smirking slightly.] This was pleasant.