chikaidestroyer | ∞ 90: Snowy springs [action]

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∞ 90: Snowy springs [action]

[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.]

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[Raine takes a little more time to get undressed and organized, but not very long. It's just that her swimwear wasn't exactly the kind that would fit comfortably under her clothes. In any case, she heads back out to join the pair when she's ready.]

[By the time Raine is finished, Albert has joined Caesar in the pool. He leans against the smooth rock with one arm out to prop himself up, looking both amused and relaxed. Had he really waited this long to take advantage of these springs?]

[Caesar sinks low into the water. He would be lying if he said it wasn't nice here, even if it made him a little nostalgic.]

I think I could fall asleep in here.

[She sets the towels not too far from the edge, before she looks for a good place to enter, gradually, before settling in the spring, herself.]

Maybe we should try to visit here more often.

You could fall asleep anywhere. [It could have been a light joke or something more critical depending on the tone, and Albert sounds relaxed enough for the comment to have been made in jest.]

Perhaps we should come here again when the snow has melted. Survey the area better, climb to a better vantage point to see the ocean.

You should try it sometime. [Caesar doesn't sound too annoyed by it, so he must have taken it well.]

Anyway, I'm coming, too, you know. [Even though he'd much rather stay at the house. He's not even interested in 'surveying the area', he just misses traveling.] I want to see something different.

It's been a while since we've had our last real outing. [Considering the way the year had gone... had the last time really been when Genis was here, not counting weekend barrier surveillance trips after? Hm. She's not too keen on the ocean, but relaxing right now is more important, so she settles in a little more.] But it's certainly something to keep in mind, when a quiet weekend comes up. [And a look back to Caesar.] You haven't ventured too far from the village at all, have you?

Edited 2010-12-31 14:52 (UTC)

You are welcome to go on outings with your friends, Raine. Or perhaps with your school classes -- a field trip of sorts. [He watches the long trails of steam lazily. He isn't fond of climbing the mountains, even if it has been quite awhile since he last had to.] Noishe would make solo travel easier, too.

[Caesar tilts his head at Raine's question.]

No, I haven't. Not much of a reason to since there wasn't anything new to see until now. [He shrugs a little.] But I'd like to see the ocean.

[She shrugs in the water.] I was only commenting that it had been a while, though the suggestions are appreciated. [Not that she's really had much of a reason to go on outings with friends, and she's considered field trips many times.] Noishe probably wouldn't mind getting to see more once the weather's warmed up. I'm not certain how much Kratos traveled around here with him.

[And back to Caesar.] I suppose I can understand that, but sometimes it can be nicer to verify things for yourself.

I had not heard much of Kratos before his disappearance. It's a shame; he was one of the few who remembered the first few months here. [That old vanguard was dwindling. How long would it be before there was no one who remembered the year before the barrier cracked?]

To verify what everyone else has already verified? [He shakes his head.] I may have a lot of time on my hands, but that would be a complete waste of it. No thanks.

[But this conversation about someone he didn't know and a time he didn't remember is uninteresting to him, so he takes a breath and dunks his head into the water. His hair is wet and dripping but that feels much better.]

Some people don't think that would be a waste of time, but I suppose the circumstances are different for you. [Being lazy and knowing that he can trust the verified information. When he sinks into the water, she turns back to Albert.]

He had been keeping to himself even more, especially these last few months. That number of those who remember seems to be dwindling even more lately. It makes having solid records from that time even more important. [Not that they're here to talk about that; they're here to relax, such as it is.]

Lately. [He muses over that, shaking his head to himself. Instead of saying anything else, he slips his other arm into the water and slides lower so his shoulders are submerged.]

[Caesar gazes absently into the water for a moment when he remembers something. He reaches over his shoulder to pick up an item that he'd left on a rock near him just before he got into the water earlier.

In his hand, he holds a yellow toy duck. Yes, this would be a fine distraction from all that boring conversation. He examines the duck before setting it in the water. He doesn't say anything while he does this, either—it's as if he was completely minding his own business.]

[Don't pick over her words, Albert. In any case, it seems a good opportunity to fall quiet and appreciate the warm waters for what they are, with eyes closed.]

[Albert silently looks at Caesar's toy duck, raising a brow as Caesar lets the toy float on the water. He makes no comment, tilting his head back to look at the darkening sky. It wasn't unusual for the communal baths to go completely silent after a few minutes of talking.]

[Caesar knows when he's being looked at, but he doesn't look up from the duck just yet. In fact, he stares at it intently for a moment.]

...huh. Nothing's happening.

[He tilts his head, making little waves in the water with his hand and watching the duck go. ...despite being completely ridiculous, this is vaguely entertaining.]

[She opens her eyes again at that, looking over at Caesar and watching him play with the toy.]

Hm? Was something supposed to?

[Since Raine asked the question, Albert sees no reason to echo. Soooo he just shuts his eyes and listens for Caesar's response.]

I'm not sure. They said that if you soaked certain items in the bath, something would happen. The water would seem to change color, for example.

[There had definitely been a logical reason for bringing the duck. But that doesn't matter, because suddenly, Caesar has an awesome idea. And even if his plan fails, that's okay, because he's sure the attempt will be worth it. So in that brief pause after he finishes that sentence, he picks up the duck and... throws it in his brother's direction, of course.]

Is that so? I can't say that's something I've -- [And she watches the duck sail in Albert's direction at Caesar's throw.] heard.

[You better hope that toy duck is made of rubber and not wood, Caesar, or your brother is going down faster than the Titanic.

Assuming the toy duck is made of rubber, it will make a loud squeak as it strikes Albert in the head, and he will open his eyes just in time for the duck to make a little splash next to him.

...

He silently levels an unreadable look at Caesar, lifting his hand to rub his face.]

[Oh, would you look at that. His aim has gotten better! Caesar is not terrible enough to try and throw a wooden anything at Albert, though, so he hears that squeak and tries his hardest not to laugh.

...but it's pretty difficult.]

Hey! Something happened! S-sorry about that, brother. This thing isn't safe!

[She's... trying not to laugh. So childish, Caesar. And yet...] A flying duck. Who would have expected that?