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

[serenesinker]

Nah, you're not imposin' on anyone I think!

[As long as he isn't actually being a perv. Not entirely out of the question yet, but it's leaning towards no at least.

Yodarha nods approvingly at the decorations.]

Although some of them feel like practical jokes, it's pretty impressive how far they've gotten! Especially takin' into account that most of us are starting from scratch.

[impacter]

[He's not having much trouble maintaining eye contact, so Yodarha can take that as he likes.]

Well, having fun is a great way to learn. I think that shows some promise. And we all get to enjoy ourselves a little in the meantime.

[His hands fold neatly against his abdomen as he chuckles.]

I don't think the two of us have met yet, have we?

[serenesinker]

[Yodarha's brows furrow a bit at the question.]

Don't think so, no! Name's Yodarha, pleasure to meetcha!

[A small hand is held as high as possible to shake.]

[impacter]

[He easily extends his own hand to take Yodarha's, a firm handshake despite the size difference.]

Solomon. Likewise.

You're an interesting sort, Yodarha. How are you liking our surroundings? Any plans to participate in this contained chaos we have going here?

[serenesinker]

It's a lot to take in, and I still wanna get home sooner rather than later... but this world needs our help, so help out I shall!

[Thankfully Yodarha's grip is tight enough to keep him rooted on the ground despite his size. All that sword training has some use at least.]

The academy is way snazzier than I'm used to, but it's nice too! It's sometimes a bit tough to get to sleep at night though - there's a lot of nocturnal folk prowlin' around, hyuk-hyuk!

[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.

[serenesinker]

Well shucks! That's mighty kind of ya to say!

[If it wasn't for the ambient heat from the hot bath already reddening his skin, Yodarha would be blushing!]

How about you? What do you think of all of this?

[impacter]

Inconvenienced, but at least this isn't an entirely foreign situation. I think I might be a little lucky for that.

[It doesn't FEEL lucky, but he's got to take his blessings where he can at this point.]

If our little pranksters were my own students, I would be happy to see the creativity in their problem solving. [And problem creation, but yknow. Details.] Though I am a little surprised to see that they didn't extend their mischief further.

[serenesinker]

Somethin' tells me it's a mix of still-novice casting and not wantin' to actively hurt us. Injuries wouldn't bode well for what we're tryin' to accomplish here.

[impacter]

Agreed. We're bound to make some mistakes here and there, but vile intent this early wouldn't be a great sign.

Are you used to casting, then, or is this your first time?

[serenesinker]

I'm not much of a magic person, but I've picked up a trick or two while travelin' with my crew. There's a lot of powerful magicians, witches, and even angels with mastery over that sorta stuff among our ranks. Goin' whole hog on the magic thing is an... interesting experience for me, I'll tell you what, hyuk-hyuk!

[impacter]

So you've had at least some experience with it, then! That's a good start, especially if you're willing to stay openminded.

Ranks, though... that makes it sound like you're in a battlefield environment.

[serenesinker]

'Spose we've ended up on a traditional battlefield or two in my tenure, but we mostly travel from island to island completin' odd jobs and helping out where people need us. Sometimes that involves... far more dangerous stuff than that though! Our captain has stopped world endin' threats more than once for example!

[impacter]

Ah, so you're more an adventuring party! That's a novel sort of trade... perhaps a little old fashioned where I'm from, but it leads to a colorful life.

Will you be alright, stuck here in one place for a little while? I'm sure our Sage wouldn't want you to be restless.

[serenesinker]

The crew here is lively enough to not make things boring! And we've still got the ability to go to the other cities should we get a bit antsy, so I'm fine~

Anywho, you were askin' about my knowledge of magic, what about you? How good are you at this stuff usually?

[impacter]

It's a specialty of mine back home.

Unfortunately, it seems I'm still at the same skill level as everyone else for right now, so all I gain is comfort in our setting.

[serenesinker]

Well I'm sure you'll pick stuff up quickly over time, considerin' how good you are at it at home! And if ya end up speedin' past us, at least you can teach us if we get stuck!