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]

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.

[foresightis2020]

[ Meanwhile, Jing Yuan hums to consider Ithaqua's response, and while he thinks he can understand that point of view, he also believes that it isn't exactly always correct.

He only sees it as possible simple difference in ideology, even if it can certainly go beyond that. But that is for him to discover, pleasantly or unpleasantly. ]

Keeping good cheer in those around you is something that can extend to places outside of a battlefield. So is understanding the preferences of others.

Work also doesn't necessarily mean simply activities contributing to a battle, either.

[leewards]

And if what a person wants is strictly work?

[He raises his head, resting his chin on his palm.]

Will you continue to pry?

[foresightis2020]

It depends.

They could change their mind. If they don't, however, I'd simply try my best to get along without ruffling any feathers, and not ask too many prying questions.

[ But he smiles with an amused look anyway, because he is still aware he can in fact ruffle feathers. He's lived far too many centuries to be too bothered if he does, though. ]

[leewards]

[Ithaqua points a spindly finger right at him. It's rude, but he's making a point.]

I daresay you've already done so.

[foresightis2020]

[ Wow, so rude...this poor grandpa will shed all of his tears...he can only smile helplessly in the face of such words, regardless. ]

Haha, have I?

Well, first impressions can be quite rocky. But, there is still time to amend things, no?

[leewards]

That depends on what you're planning as part of your amends.

[He starts to tap a finger against the tub, now.]

[foresightis2020]

[ A thoughtful, considering hum escapes him at that. ]

Hmm...

I suppose the only thing I can come up is simply offer my assistance to you in a future task.

[leewards]

Mm... investment in the future, is it?

[Ithaqua decides to relax again, because that is reasonable, and no intelligent being would ever turn down a favour.]

I suppose you're forgiven then.

[foresightis2020]

...Haha, excellent.

[ And with that, he'll be willing to relax in silence for the rest of the time until he feels like getting up to leave.

(We can wrap the thread here!) ]