Disclaimer: I do not own Star Ocean. I make no money from the writing of this piece.
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Fayt had never been in a hot spring before. He had taken long hot baths in the past, but the temperature of those baths paled in comparison to the steamy water in front of him. Carefully, he stepped into the boiling reservoir and lowered himself into a sitting position, hissing until his body temperature adjusted to the shimmering liquid surrounding him. He did not stop until the clear depths covered his shoulders, tension slowly oozing out of him. Then he let out a weary sigh and turned his gaze upwards.
He had heard the hot springs of the particular planet he was on were great for soothing the of aches and pains. The waters themselves were rumoured to possess some healing qualities no one had yet been able to identify. Many people from across the universe traveled to this location just to take a dip in the healing hot springs and be cured for whatever ailed them. The facility's staff, to accommodate such people, often placed aromatherapy candles around the hot springs. As the waters and the soothing scent of lavender washed over him, Fayt knew the rumours to be true, and he understood why so many sought the location out. Everything but his broken heart felt better just by being in the hot spring.
His broken heart . . . nothing would ever be able to heal that, in Fayt's mind. He had been deceived, betrayed by two people he had trusted the most in his world, and he did not know how to handle the overflow of emotions assaulting his heart. Fayt wanted the pain to end someway, somehow, but he could not think of any good alternatives. Alcohol did not agree with him, he hated the numbing sensations of painkillers, and the game simulators had long since lost their appeal.
'Guess it doesn't really matter, anymore,' he thought, bringing a hand to his eyes. 'All I can do is move forward . . . somehow.'
Fayt let out another weary sigh and allowed his eyes to drift close for a few moments. The scent of the waters and of the lavender lulled his senses, and he slid a little further into the blue crystal depths. For some reason, he half-imagined the scent of roses filling the air . . .
* * *
Luther smirked as he washed the rose oil from his fingertips. A small portion of the substance had spilled onto his hands when he had entered then set up Fayt's hotel room, but it was a mere small price to pay. His plans were in action now, and that was all Luther cared. In the end, Fayt would be his.