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

[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]

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. ]

[leewards]

Perhaps for you. But I prefer not having to sweat in my bathwater. [Ithaqua finally straightens up properly, shaking excess water out of his messy hair.

Then he holds out the colourful soap as if to return it to its owner.Or, given the man's words, previous handler.]

[foresightis2020]

Now, now, don't sweat the small stuff.

[ Get it?

D'oh ho ho ho. Anyway, he takes the soap carefully, regardless. ]

Jokes aside, I believe this is the first time we've met. I am Jing Yuan.

[leewards]

[If Ithaqua understood such jokes, he would have laughed-- or groaned. But he doesn't.]

Call me Ithaqua.

Even if this was our first time speaking to each other, we would have passed each other by in the manor, hmm?

[foresightis2020]

[ Alas. If only...well, there's still time to gain understanding!! ]

That is true, though...

Can you truly call a fleeting passing of individuals in one space without acknowledgment a real meeting?

[leewards]

It could be, if we deem it to be.

[Which is a noncommittal response, but the only one Ithaqua will give. After all, people have a different idea of what a meeting is.]

[foresightis2020]

I'd prefer this be considered our true meeting. After all, something like an encounter I may not remember hardly sounds like it qualifies.

[ Jing Yuan states as is, smile on his face still like they're talking about the breeze. ]

But, now that we've gotten our introductions out of the way, what do you think of this world so far?

[leewards]

Mmm. [Ithaqua leans himself against the lip of the bath, resting his cheek on an open palm.]

'Tis interesting. Magic and those who use it are so commonplace, and yet are... magnanimous enough as to allow humans onto their land. [And leech on it, really. Using them like workhorses.]

[foresightis2020]

Maganimous is certainly one way to put it.

[ The mysteriousness of their arrival might have garnered suspicion instead, though he hasn't seen too much of that.

Yet. ]

I suppose we're fortunate in a sense, even if this isn't exactly the best situation to be in, hm?

[leewards]

Mmm~ It's not good, but it could have been worse. We could have been in a world far more hostile to us than this.

[At least they have food and shelter, and magic to kill if necessary. Humans? What are they going to do?]

[foresightis2020]

What a coincidence. I was thinking the very same.

[ Nothing is ever a guarantee. Jing Yuan has learned that lesson fairly early on; though it's something that took awhile to truly accept. ]

It will be interesting to see how well we can all get along with one another. But, I have faith we'll be able to manage that, even if there'll inevitably be bumps in the road.

[leewards]

Heheheheh! In a house full of eccentric personalities?

[As he settles into the tub properly and sits down, he crosses his legs.]

I shan't be surprised if tension has already begun to brew. We just have not seen it yet.

[foresightis2020]

[ A chuckle escapes Jing Yuan, even if it is simply mild. ]

I doubt you're wrong.

It is only natural for people to clash with one another, given respective differences. And in some ways, it can bring people closer.

[leewards]

If they care to. [As for Ithaqua? He's quite certain he doesn't give a damn. He will work with them when the time comes, but he certainly will not care to be friends, or some similar drivel.]

I believe it's better to be able to work together rather than make nice.

[foresightis2020]

If they do.

[ Time to make some friends, Ithaqua.

Jing Yuan does consider the response and tilts his head at the other's comment, before asking breezily: ]

Hmm...because you believe simply making nice has no guarantee of others being able to function well in working together towards a mutual goal?

[leewards]

Because I believe that making nice and working together are not one and the same.

[He gets himself comfortable, resting his neck against the lip of the bath, and closing his eyes. With the mask on, he only looks like he's looking up at the ceiling.]

You needn't get along with others emotionally in order to work together for a common goal. Those who are being objective would also understand that.

[foresightis2020]

[ So that's the reasoning...

Logical; understandable, even. For a moment, Jing Yuan simply watches the other curiously with a smile lingering on his lips, unable to see through the veil. ]

Certainly. Teamwork can be managed without people growing closer.

Though...it is a little different when working successfully alongside a close ally to whom you have managed to know better, rather than an associate or complete stranger. What do you think of that? Can you imagine such a scenario for yourself?

[ Or has he already experienced such a thing? ]

[leewards]

No. [Now Ithaqua has to wonder: what is he getting at? His answer is short merely in order to head off all other questions with one of his own, and not because there's much conviction in it.]

Is there a point to all these questions? I have a distaste for beating around the bush.

[foresightis2020]

Oh, quite.

I'm asking you these questions to get to know you better. Though, if you'd like to stop there for now and simply relax in silence, I won't object.

[ Jing Yuan says with a little smile, moving so he's tilted to lie back a bit, and just chill. ]

[leewards]

Strange questions to be asking someone you're having a conversation with for the first time. [Colour Ithaqua suspicious.]

In fact... I would say that was more an interrogation.

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan doesn't seem all that bothered at the accusation thrown his way. If the other felt as much, then there is nothing he can do about it. ]

My apologies that it came off that way, as that was certainly not my intention. Unfortunately, for better or worse, I am simply an inquisitive person.

If you have anything else you would like to ask me in turn...it's only fair that I allow you the opportunity, hm?

[leewards]

[Ohhh how generous. Ithaqua has to mentally mock him-- though he reminds himself to keep those thoughts to himself. His mother taught him manners, after all.]

I've never had any interest in the lives of others... [He drums his fingertips on the chin of his mask.] But this is not about the lives of others.

I should ask you the same thing-- do you actually believe that making nice and becoming close are ideal for working with others?

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan chuckles at the stress Ithaqua places inevitably upon the words; for better or worse, naturally.

He only seems to find it amusing. As for his answer...? ]

I believe that can be ideal. While it can be, naturally, a double-edged sword, it is also true that it can enhance synergy in mutual cooperation. If you know how one prefers to go about their work, you can easily adapt to compliment them. If you know how one battles or fights based upon training with them or fighting alongside as an ally, you can watch their back far more easily than if you knew nothing.

So on and so forth, such as when it comes to raising one's spirits, so that they can have the energy to move forward.

[leewards]

[A long-winded response where yes could have simply sufficed... Now Ithaqua is starting to get a measure of this man-- used to speaking quite a lot, filling dead air. A lot of people who do that tend to be in high positions, or just like listening to the sound of their own voice. Not unlike that ugly bastard Ithaqua murdered for his mother.]

Those habits are only seen in battle, not in small talk.