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

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!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...I think just about anyone would be concerned for a baby that's been forced into a throne succession death match.

[ Although... judging by some of the people in this manor, maybe not. Maybe Kurapika is just soft. ]

There's one person I trust to take care of her, but he has a support ability rather than one that can have any real effect on combat. [ ... ] All of her other bodyguards died shortly after the job began.

Putting it like that, I'd be inclined to agree.

[ A child is worth being concerned over; to say nothing of a mere babe who has just been unleashed into the world.

Jing Yuan finds nothing wrong with such softness, regardless. ]

I see, that's unfortunate. Even if as expected, guarding a member of royalty can be perilous.

Is there some sort of succession crisis going on? Or, perhaps, the usual hazards associated with someone so young who could grow to be quite influential in a country?

[ Hmm... where does he even begin? The situation is so interconnected with a lot of other things going on that it takes Kurapika a moment to detangle it. ]

The king has a lot of children. Only one can succeed the throne, and tradition dictates that this be done through death—the last prince surviving will take the throne. They aren't fighting traditionally, either. They're using magical beasts invisible to their own eyes to slowly pick off one another.

[ Sometimes even simplifying is the real battle. He listens keenly regardless, and after a moment, has a response. ]

Hmm...quite the difficult situation indeed.

For one who is so young, I can only imagine how it would be impossible to protect oneself without intervention. It must have been someone on behalf of this little one that had called for your assistance, then?

Her mother.

[ He sighs, leaning his head back against the edge of the bath. ]

She's a kind woman who just wants what is best for her child.

[ And... Kurapika is weak to that sort of thing. ]

[ A kind parent in the face of all this wretchedness.

It's a wonder she still persisted despite it. But strength of will isn't to be mocked; something he thinks as he looks forward, watching the steam rise from the water. No wonder Kurapika is sensitive to their plight, amongst the obvious reason. ]

I see.

I will hope the best for the both of them. They have persevered so far, I know she will give it her all so they can continue to do so, even in your absence.

[ He closes his eyes, nodding. ]

She had told me that the king had saved her from destitution, that he had given her a better life. [ ... ] Or at least, that's what she thought, until the reality of marrying him became clear. Children were a means to an end, a competition to see who was the strongest. I think it pained her, knowing her child was born into a family like that.

I believe that it'd be only natural it would.

[ ... ]

And while I doubt the king could have necessarily guaranteed anyone would not try to kill someone from the shadows, it does not mean he couldn't have made an attempt.

[ Jing Yuan believes that there has been no such things, just from vibes here, even if he doesn't exactly have like every single detail. But sometimes that isn't necessary to paint an accurate picture. ]

Right.

[ Those are his thoughts as well. ]

It's clear the king doesn't care much about his wives, though. I think he leaves them to themselves for the most part, and it's created complications amongst them.

[ You know, talking about this is making him realize something... ]

This job has too many moving parts.

[ Ah, the complexities of political intrigue. ]

I assume this is the first time you had ever undertaken a job on such a level?

[ Something related to royalty, that is.

That can't be all that common; usually those who are higher up tend to go for the very same people they have been all along. And Kurapika is quite young...heads of state would usually be spooked at the idea. Even 'wives' who aren't necessarily considered in a position of real power. ]

On this scale, yes. But it was convenient for me to take it, given the fact that I was going to be on the very ship they're on anyway.

[ For... lots and lots of reasons, which is evident in the almost halting way Kurapika explains it. ]

[ He is picking up that there seems to be possible other opportune circumstances Kurapika might have also kept in mind. ]

That does sound rather convenient. Same destination, same place.

A job would also allow you to stay where you were going for quite some time.

Mm, it would. My destination is where my other job will begin, but for now... I have to wait on this ship.

[ Where he might die. Who knows! ]

[ Don't die, Kurapika!! ]

I had no idea you were conducting your job on a ship. Hopefully the accommodations are not too uncomfortable, despite the rigorous nature of your task.

...Is your other job more low-key?

I'll be doing recon work on an unknown continent as part of the board of the Hunter's Association.

[ So......... no.

It's a little more than a board, too, but he doesn't want to get into the intricacies of government assigned fursonas. ]

I see. That does sound like it'd be quite challenging, given you haven't been there before. I should also hope this board isn't too difficult to deal with.

[ Politics...they suck really bad. Jing Yuan himself is not a fan of them. ]

Though, I will also extend wishes to cover your success for that other mission as well.

[ The continent brings curses back with it, too, apparently, but Kurapika decides not to divulge that right now. There's no reason to go in depth into the geography and history of his world in the middle of a bath.

The well wishes make him briefly glance away. ]

...Thanks. I appreciate it.

[ With that, he closes his eyes. It's time for the two of them to relax in silence. ]

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

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