Shadow Over Trolberg
A Hilda/Persona 4 AU
By Daring D.D. Danger
18: An Evening At The Bath House
"Randall?" Margaret's voice shook Randall from his daze. "You seem tired, but maybe it's from all the bonds you've made. I can truly sense a light inside of you. You are one exceptional guest." Margaret took a sip of what appeared to be champagne. The entire time she spoke, Randall had been staring at Igor, who did not say a word the entire trip to the Velvet Room. It filled Randall with a sense of unease.
"The school festival has now concluded. All school festival staff please meet in the student council room." The announcement woke Randall up. He'd fallen asleep against the wall, next to Hilda, who was sketching. By the time the pair arrived at their homeroom the group date cafe was almost cleaned up.
"You two skipped all the fun parts, I guess, huh?" David jabbed.
"Sorry." Hilda put her hand behind her head and smiled.
"Well, now that we're done with the cleaning, it'd be a shame to end the day early," Trevor noted.
"Let's go have food at Junes!" Alfur cheered from Frida's shoulder.
"Big bro!" Lil' Hilda rounded a corner and entered the room.
"Hey, Hilda. What are you doing at the school festival?" Randall asked.
"It's little me!" Hilda ran up and hugged the small girl.
"We had a hard time finding you." Randall's uncle entered the room.
"We had food, and I got to go dancing!" Lil' Hilda cheered.
"Anyway, I have to go into work early tomorrow, and I was wondering if you wanted to take Hilda off my hands for a bit?" Randall's uncle looked in his direction.
"Let's go to Junes!" Lil' Hilda cheered.
"Actually, I have a different idea," Frida inserted. "Let's go to the bathhouse!"
"You guys have a bathhouse in Trolberg?" Randall asked, dubious.
"Don't get too excited. It's not really fancy," David pointed out.
"Also, it's gendered," Trevor added.
"Not surprising," Randall noted.
David was right. The bathhouse was not remarkable. It sat on a street corner, and didn't really stand out from other buildings. The group entered and Randall left his cousin with Hilda. Once he entered the men's side of the water, David and Trevor were already comfortable. He tossed his towel aside and took a step into the water, which was a little cold for his taste.
"Randall," Alfur was floating in the water. Randall had almost run into him.
"Sorry, Alfur." Randall took a spot across from David. The bath could maybe fit two or three more people, it wasn't very large. Alfur floated carelessly to the other side. Randall realized he'd never seen Alfur without his hat. Maybe the girls were feeling the same thing over Hilda's beret right now?
"Do you guys care if I run the water hotter?" Randall asked.
"I couldn't care less," Trevor responded.
"Go for it, dude." David gestured to the faucet, which was on the side between him and Randall. Randall lifted his right leg and attempted to adjust the knob with his foot.
"Just use your hands," Trevor said, annoyed.
"I've almost got it." Randall made a determined face.
"You're a menace to society," Trevor added.
"You're also a terrible one. Move over." David raised his leg and effortlessly changed the temperature. The four finally settled into the steam quietly.
"Randall," Alfur snickered. Randall opened one of his eyes in an attempt to look as annoyed as possible. "Your hair looks funny," Alfur said.
"He's right," Trevor laughed. Randall's hair was frizzing from the steam. He sank slowly into the water and remained there for a few seconds before resurfacing, and having his hair fall in his face like a wet mop.
"Randall. You can see what Hilda is doing, right?" Trevor asked.
"Yes, for the rest of my life," Randall said.
"What's she doing?" Trevor asked.
"Sitting on the other side of that wall." Randall pointed to his left.
"And?" Trevor pressed.
"It's not like I can actually 'see' her. It's more like I'm aware of what she is aware of. So be quiet and be horny on your own." Randall closed his eyes again.
"Yeah!" All four boys shot up and noted one of the Marra had crept into the room. She was toweled and leaning on a wall.
"Kelly, this is the boys' side," David said.
"I know. I was hoping you'd make an exception," she said.
"Why?" David was bewildered.
"Some of the girls followed me and they all crowded into the girls' bath," Kelly said.
"Sure, I don't care," Randall said.
"Dude!" David said.
"Just don't step on Alfur," Randall added. The elf waved at Kelly as he floated by David. David and Randall covered their eyes as Kelly entered the bath.
"Calm down, Trevor." David noted his friend was a bit out of it. Kelly slapped some water at his face.
"That's for looking," she said. Everyone was quiet for a few minutes before Kelly spoke again.
"Hey, David, are you still afraid of everything?" she asked.
"No, I'm not a kid anymore." David puffed out his chest a little.
"So, no fear of Marra, then, huh?" She smiled a little.
"Nope," David said. Kelly leaned towards him a bit.
"Not even if I were to say..." Kelly suddenly growled and let her eyes change color as she made a reaching motion at David. David let out a tiny scream and went underwater. Randall, Trevor, Alfur, and Kelly were buckled over laughing as he resurfaced.
"Not cool." He crossed his arms and splashed Kelly in the process. She immediately splashed him back.
"What are you, kids?" Randall joked.
"Another question." Kelly suddenly looked serious. "How can you swim with no hands?" She pointed at Alfur.
"Oh, I'm not the best at the swimming part. Floating is fine, though." Alfur began paddling furiously but moved very little. Randall chuckled at his efforts. The five settled once again, until their time ended.
The five returned to the changing room. Randall sat on the bench, fumbling through the locker, trying to hit his glasses. He found them and put them on. He noted David and strangely Alfur flexing into the mirror to his left.
"It's been fun, guys, thanks for being chill." Kelly waved to the boys before entering wisp form and exiting through a vent.
Darkness had fallen as the group left the bathhouse for their respective homes. Randall felt a tap on his shoulder as he walked, and looked to see Kelly floating behind him.
"What's up?" He asked.
"I wanted to actually thank you again. It was nice to do something like that with anyone besides the Marra," she said.
"Do you not like them?"
"No, they're fine, but I feel like before you all, I only ever got to talk to those same 12 girls."
"I suppose that makes sense," Randall nodded.
"I haven't been a Marra very long. At first, I just stayed with my mom, but as it became more obvious I wasn't aging, I had to disappear like all the other Marra," Kelly sighed.
"I mean, I'm not a huge fan of giving people nightmares, but you seem like you can think and feel as much as anyone else."
"Thanks, Randall." Kelly smiled and she walked the whole way home with Randall.
"What are you two talking about?" Little Hilda finally spoke up.
"Might be a little bit out of your maturity level, little one," Kelly said to her. Lil' Hilda stuck her tongue out at Kelly.
"Did you have fun with Hilda and Frida?" Randall asked.
"Yeah! We talked and we splashed around!" Lil' Hilda cheered. "Bet it was more fun than you had." Randall and Kelly looked at each other and smiled.
To Be Continued