do you believe in magic in a shared bath's heart?

[dadsandals]

The bath at the mansion really is extensive -- probably more extensive than a lot of them have seen, considering there are literally multiple pools of varying temperatures, probably statues and indoor plants or something for atmosphere, steam rooms, complimentary bath things (everything in the manor is kind of complimentary but shshhh) and whatnot.

On this particularly fine and nondescript day, though -- there's a bit of a commotion whenever you wander in butt-naked for your soak or whatever you like to do in here (you can hang from the ceiling like a bat or something we ain't the judge of you); there's two enterprising wizards flitting about poking at things.

The thing with 🪄 Cid Kagenou 🪄 is that he is Very Into Baths, and Very Into Magic, and thus the Bath Magic is one of the few areas where even his li'l old self can shine. Or not shine, given that they've all been here for 2.5 days (extremely rough estimate) and the miracle is nobody has blown up the mansion trying magic yet. But there is definitely magic happening! Since there's already steam and everything.

And then there's 👓 Yamato 👓. Yamato is Here and enabling himself by watching Cid experiment with various things in the area. Initially he probably would've tried to stop him, but seeing what Cid's been doing has made him want to try some magic experimentation of his own. Pairing a teenager who kind of knows what he's doing with a man who has no idea what's going on makes it even more of a miracle that the mansion has not been blown up yet.

But if you look even closer, you'll spot various small differences:

🛁 all of the water has bubbles in it; the hot bath in fact looks like it has small duck-shaped bubbles just sort of trundling along, occasionally a duck pops and releases a puff of scented air (scents may vary at your discretion)

🛁 the cold water bath keeps turning different colors, maybe they should stop experimenting with it before somebody ends up blue for the week

🛁 some of the statues and potted plants have been slightly altered; nothing too outrageous, but at least one or two statues have been turned into roomba replicas and there's a potted plant with leaves that look like people in the manor's faces in miniature

🛁 the steam room is letting out an intermittent screaming noise that sounds very human, but there's no one in it

🛁 some of the bath soaps are extremely bright and keep on changing colors, as if they were colored like a disco ball (rave! in the bathhouse!)

............. Enjoy your bath!

(OOC: This is backdated to before the South mission so South Wizards get in on the fun too!)

Comments

[positivize]

[Wow Kurapika's such a wet blanket. How are they supposed to have their party with blackjack and hookers if he can't play along huh!!!

Teasing aside, she'll take a moment to ponder this.]

I think he'll be able to do it. The magic here is supposed to be fueled by our emotions, after all. It might just be a matter of channeling his appreciation for Musashi-kun into the battery.

[Either that or he'll overcharge it and roomba will become boomba...]

[leewards]

Are you sure about that? [Ithaqua tilts his head the other way, then takes his time to move away from the bath before setting the wriggly little cat-like man down. At least he's sure of his balance and strength to do that despite being wet.

Then he puts his hands on his hips once they're free.]

If one boils, they burst. Are you so sure you won't die?

[revengier]

[ Easy, he'll just look the other way and chaperone otherwise!! ]

His love for his vacuum...

[ Heh. That's kind of funny. ]

You know, I'd like to see him try it myself.

[impacter]

Our wizards do have a lot of energy for the evening air, don't they? [Said like he isn't one of them, but shhh.]

You're taking this in good stride, though. I think a lot of us could benefit for your attitude.

[shortleash]

( Fortunately, he doesn't betray expectation - he's light on his feet and balanced, even though it's wet. He huffs, very much like an indignant cat. )

I wouldn't burst. It wasn't hot enough. ( He isn't sure when the bursting point of a person is, but probably hotter than that. ) That... shouldn't kill me normally.

( He says that, but sounds unsure - it wouldn't kill him generally, but he's not so sure about here. Distracting as his hunger is, this conundrum preoccupies his attention for a moment. )

... Maybe I should test it.

( That sounds worse than he actually intends, )

[leewards]

Mm~ [Ithaqua sounds as if he's considering it... but of course not.] No.

Not on my watch. Heheh. [His fingers drum on his hip. He's considering picking up this wet little cat again, because he can practically see ill-advised plans write themselves in that brain.] And certainly in the bath.

[foresightis2020]

...I've never met someone who would think something like that about screams.

[ help ]

But, that might be another aspect to your peace and quiet. Many people wouldn't want to get up at extreme hours of the morning or arrive late in the night.

[ Usually that'd be inconvenient for most people! ]

[foresightis2020]

Ah, that's reasonable.

I wish I could know the answer myself all the same.

[ It sure is so spontaneous that even Jing Yuan can't pinpoint few likely possibilities just yet. ]

Perhaps if we're fortunate we'll find more hints sooner than later, yes?

[foresightis2020]

[ Some people just relax by being energetic and wild. Or, actually, that truly isn't relaxed at all. It's fine, though.

Jing Yuan doesn't mind the company, at any rate. ]

It helps relax the body and soul.

How can I not see the benefit?

[ Especially without an irritating sound to distract from the relaxation. Now that makes it easier. ]

[foresightis2020]

Sense?

Well, this place doesn't belong to us, does it? And neither do the items.

[ So Jing Yuan doesn't easily claim ownership. His smile is at ease, though, as he wades on over to the other. ]

Though, who says that we can't do both?

[foresightis2020]

Isn't that the truth?

[ Nothing wrong with that either. ]

Ah, but you're right. In fact...I believe introductions are in order; proper ones.

My name is Jing Yuan. Well met, my new companion in relaxation.

[lighthaus]

[ he laughs, the action causing some shift in the bubbles. ]

The worst thing you could do is underestimate me. And there's different approaches to different types, I just haven't bothered with him yet.

[lighthaus]

Khun Aguero Agnis, but just call me Khun.

[ he gives a friendly wave in lieu of a handshake considering their current environment. ]

Companion and countryman. Do you have any thoughts on the West so far?

[leewards]

[Ithaqua gives that comment a moment's thought, tapping his chin over the mask and all. Then he shakes his head.]

Perhaps if this was a cold bath. I'm afraid it's hot enough to sweat just by doing nothing, playing in the water would be even more strenuous. It beats the purpose of a bath, I feel.

[It might not make sense to others, but it makes sense to Ithaqua, who is colder than most.]

[foresightis2020]

Khun, then.

[ Very fair, so he gives an acknowledging nod with a lazy smile of his own (which hasn't gone away, but.) Though Jing Yuan is bold enough for sweaty hand shakes (nah he'd just find it amusing.) ]

Hmm...the location in general, you mean? Or the type of magic from it? Or...?

[foresightis2020]

Maybe so, if it was too much playing around. Though, lightly doing so wouldn't hurt too much.

[ Jing Yuan says, even though he certainly has no intention of hopping around in the bath or anything like causing as big as a splash as Ithaqua gave a moment ago, heh. ]

[lighthaus]

Those would be interesting too, but I was more thinking on those of us in it.

[ they're grouped together for a reason after all. ]

[foresightis2020]

Hmm, your inquiry does make sense. Very well, then. I do have an answer.

...I believe we're all amazing. Do you disagree?

[ Jing Yuan is messing around given his answer that he has spoken into being is provided with very little thought. But also, is he wrong. ]

[lighthaus]

And refuse a compliment? Never.

[ he knows he is amazing but hearing it ain't bad either. ]

Does that mean the other countries are less amazing? Or maybe timid would be a more fitting description, depending.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

They sure made the steam room sound like something not simple and harmless is happening in there.

[Those rascals! Kiryu is ping-pong-in between that having been an accident and having been done on purpose]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Exactly. Feeding and talking to it like it was a pet.

[Says Kiryu as if he was above such things. Like two decades and half ago this man gained a chicken and instead of having it for food he took it as a pet and assigned it as a manager in his real estate company]

Exactly. They want to get along with each other, and they want to get along with what's around them. Animals included.

[........]

...and...roombas...

[Okay, no, he's thinking to himself perhaps his pack mentality comment is falling apart because not many want to get along with roombas just because]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Alright, what's the issue?

[He's not experienced, but he's willing to help if he can. How much guidance can he give? Who knows, but Kiryu's instinct when he hears trouble is to try to help]

[shortleash]

I wouldn't do it in the bath, obviously. The courtyard would be better.

( Mika folds his arms as the bubbling fades quietly in the background. He probably wouldn't do it any time soon, anyway - not while he's hungry. Going Mr. Potato Head on himself when that'd just make him hungrier is definitely a terrible idea. )

Who are you, anyway? The Health and Wellness committee?

( can't a guy implode himself in peace smh )

[foresightis2020]

[ Help.

Jing Yuan is surely helping this guy's ego, but he simply just continues to chill in his spot. He thought as much. As for the other words, he decides to raise an eyebrow. ]

Oh? Is that you assume of the others based upon what I've said?

That's an interesting line of thought.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Think there's something shady about all this?

[Fortunately for us all, Kiryu, odds are that no, there isn't. This isn't a murdergame, nothing shady going on...

...probably]