****NOTE: If you end up on this page when you click a new chapter link, just go to the chapter before Plays Template to find the new chapter.
New Bath Scenes will have a (*) next to the title of the event.
Married to the Job
Participants
Daunte (seated far left)
Gunther (seated far center)
Varnaz (seated far right)
Allise (seated middle center)
—
"Aww, would it really kill you to listen to me for once?" Gunther complained to Varnaz. He turned to look at Daunte. "Hey, back me up here Lord Daunte!"
"Eh?" Daunte asked groggily. He was lounging against the side of the tub with a wet cloth over his eyes.
"I'll listen to you when you're not spouting nonsense," Varnaz said sternly.
"Tell Varnaz that he needs a social life!" Gunther explained to Daunte. "I've never seen him off work or with a lover!" he looked at Varnaz. "I mean, you have had lovers before, right?"
"Gunther, do not make me angry when I'm trying to relax," Varnaz snapped.
"Oh Nagar, really?!" Gunther exclaimed, his eyes going wide. "But you're already 30! You mean you really haven't—"
"Lord Daunte, I ask permission to engage this idiot," Varnaz said.
"Eh?" Daunte asked again. It was unclear if he was even paying attention to the conversation.
"Just cool down," Gunther said defensively. "You need to loosen up and unwind! I can get you hooked up! I know plenty of nice, beautiful ladies—"
"Any woman who is your taste is NOT my taste," Varnaz shot back.
Gunther 'tsked' at him. "That's a terrible shame, my friend. Don't you know that every woman is to my taste?"
Varnaz made a noise of disgust but Gunther raised his hands defensively. "Hey you're talking to the master here! I'll be your wingman! Plenty of women here at HQ have been giving you longing looks! And I've heard the gossip about you and it's good! It makes me jealous when I see these curvaceous babes drooling all over you!"
"You're a crass pig," Varnaz snapped at him. "If and when I consider marriage, it will NOT be with one of your exes!"
"Huh," Gunther said sympathetically. "Then there really is a short supply for you then."
There was a violent splash on the other side of the wall as Allise stood up in the bath. "So," she toned loudly. "You admit that you have been in relationships with multiple women at this headquarters too!"
"Allise?!" Gunther shouted, looking at the wall in horror. "W-What—You're over there?! When did you get in?!"
"At the same time we did," Varnaz said incredulously. "Did you not see her just outside before coming in?"
"Allise, I can explain—" Gunther said.
"There's nothing to explain," Allise said. "I already heard everything." there was further splashing as she hurried to get out of the bath.
"Allise, WAIT!" Gunther shouted, also quickly exiting the bath.
Varnaz sighed in exasperation and looked at Daunte. "If I were to offer any advice my Lord, do not be as careless with a woman's heart as Gunther is. I have not sought any relationships because my life is devoted to this Army. Now if I happen to survive this war…that may change. Just not right now. But Gunther is obviously not good role model in this regard."
"…Eh?" Daunte asked again.
A Sword By Any Other Name
Participants
Caesar (seated far right)
Mihr (seated far left)
Baldemar (seated middle center)
Futch (seated middle right)
—
"Hey, you guys are all from the Toran Republic right?" Baldemar asked, turning to face the other three.
"I am," Caesar said.
"That's correct," Futch said.
"Yes," Mihr said bluntly.
"Perhaps you can't answer this Lord Caesar, but the Toran Republic seems to have great respect and fondness for weapons," Baldemar said thoughtfully. "After all, you Torans give your weapons meaningful names. The weapons must mean the world to you."
"Well I don't know about that," Futch said. "My spear changes names when I level it up. So long as it doesn't break it suits me."
"Oh, but your dragon," Baldemar said. "You gave him—"
"Bright is not a weapon!" Futch said sharply. "He is an autonomous living creature! We coexist! As a Dragon Knight I am nothing without my dragon!"
Baldemar winced raised his hands defensively. "Ah, I apologize. I did not mean to offend you. B-But you did give him a nam with meaning, right?"
"Of course I did. I named him after Lord Riou's Bright Shield Rune. I wouldn't have found Bright without Lord Riou. But he is NOT a weapon!"
"Ah, Mihr," Baldemar said, quickly turning to face the man in question. "You personally named your sword. You engraved the sword's name onto the blade. I saw it the last time I sharpened it."
"Correct," Mihr said.
"Then you must treasure the sword to give it its own personal name."
"I do not name the sword for the sake of the sword," Mihr said. "I am from the Warrior's Village. Warriors from this village must go through many trials to achieve manhood. Once they achieve manhood they earn the right to their weapon. Because of the significance of this achievement, warriors from the Warrior Village traditionally name their weapons after their most beloved person."
"Most…beloved?" Baldemar asked.
"Oh sure," Caesar chimed him. "Flik named his sword after my cousin. The current Chief of the Warrior Village, Tengaar, is married to Hix who named his sword after her. Heck, I even heard of a warrior from the Warrior's Village who joined the Maximillian Knights—"
"Mathias," Mihr confirmed. "He named his pike after Isabel, who he faithfully served."
"That's fascinating," Baldemar said. "You show your love by naming your prized weapon after your most prized person."
"…Yes," Mihr said in a reluctant tone.
"But I remember the name on your sword. Is your most beloved person back home in Toran?"
"…They are not." Mihr was starting to look uncomfortable.
"It's quite a unique name though," Baldemar said thoughtfully. "Nariek. I don't think I know anyone by that name."
"Neither do I," Futch said. "But that's Mihr's business."
Caesar said nothing.
"It is my business," Mihr confirmed.
"But do we know this person?" Baldemar asked.
"Yes," Mihr said, but then his eyes widened and his face went pale. It was clear he immediately regretted his answer.
"We do?" Baldemar pressed. "But I would think I would remember meeting the person who has such esteem that you named your sword after them!"
"Maybe we shouldn't press—" Futch began.
"But I don't remember this person! N—A—R—I—E—K, I've never met anyone with this name!" Baldemar insisted obliviously. "Lord Caesar, do you know who he means?"
"I haven't the faintest idea," Caesar said dully.
"I have important work to do," Mihr burst out, abruptly standing up. "I cannot keep Lord Keiran waiting. Please excuse me."
"Have a good day!" Caesar called after him as he hurried from the bath.
"Oh this is going to bother me all day!" Baldemar complained, hugging his head. "Who is this mysterious Nariek who was honored to be named on Mihr's sword?!"
"I'm sure we'll find out eventually," Caesar said, his tone still dull as he pressed a wet cloth over his eyes.
Futch was mouthing to himself silently and counting on his fingers. After a moment his eyes widened, but then he shook his head. "No. It couldn't be."
Hate All Humans?
Participants
Jantu (seated far right)
Silvano (seated far center)
Rafe (seated far left)
River (seated middle left)
Oisin (seated middle left)
—
"Humans," Oisin grumbled. "Why do they have to be such trouble?"
"They are foul," River agreed. "Just looking at humans makes my blood boil."
"You both seem to have a lot of anger," Jantu said. "You should be more positive. It will be healthier for you."
"Excuse me?!" Oisin snapped, turning to face him. "Humans have caused NOTHING but trouble! Do humans not cause you trouble?!"
"Well sure," Jantu said. "But at Two River I lived alongside both humans and Wingers and both gave me trouble."
"You are neighbors with Wingers?" Rafe asked. "That sounds cool!"
"Not really," Jantu sighed. "The Wingers at Two River tend to be judgmental. And there was this one who kept stealing my wallet. It was a real pain."
"So you generalize all Wingers because of that?!" Oisin exclaimed. "How closed-minded of you!"
"So says the Winger who judges all humans the same," Silvano sighed.
"So humans have never given YOU trouble?!" Oisin snapped at him.
"Humans almost killed off my people," Silvano said plainly. "But humans have also done so much to help my people. I do not judge them all the same."
"Typical," River scoffed.
"Excuse me?" Silvano asked him.
"It's no wonder you pander to humans when you married one!" River snapped, turning to face him. "Your people are dying out and you chose a human woman to marry?! You chose a human woman to have your children?!" he shook his head in disgust.
"I married for love," Silvano said defensively. "I imagine you married your own wife for love, did you not?"
"I don't owe you any explanations," River hissed. "You're selfish and think only of your own desires, like ALL humans do!"
"And yet a human saved your life and your life," Jantu said, pointing to River and Oisin with each enunciation. "And you both serve this same human. You clearly see Lord Daunte in a positive way if you're here!"
"Lord Daunte is different," Oisin snapped.
"Right," River added.
Rafe whistled softly. "It's so sad seeing how specist you both are…"
"Specist?!" River snapped. "I am NOT a specist!"
"You have almost complete and total intolerance towards humans," Silvano pointed out. "How is that not being a specist?"
"I'm not a specist because only humans can be specist!" Oisin interjected. "It's impossible for Wingers to be specist!"
"That's right," River agreed. "Humans are natural oppressors and so only humans can be specists! Elves cannot be specist because they don't oppress anyone!"
Silvano burst into hysterical laughter. "W-What?! What kind of argument is that?! Every species is an oppressor one way or another!"
"STOP LAUGHING!" River shouted, standing up.
"U-Um, excuse me?" Pamukkale pushed aside the curtain and came inside the bath. "C-Could you all possibly keep your voices down? People can hear you from outside."
"HA!" Oisin shouted, jabbing his finger at Pamukkale as he stood up. "You see?! A human trying to oppress us nonhumans! Specist!"
Jantu stood up and put Oisin in a headlock. "That's enough out of you."
"Ow, let me go!" Oisin struggled but couldn't break free.
"I'm done," Silvano said, standing up as Rafe burst into laughter, pointing obnoxiously at Oisin.
Pamukkale looked the onsen, clearly at a loss at what to do.
* Sworn to His Side
Participants
Mokuren (seated far left)
Gertrude (seated far center)
Tala (seated far right)
Rico (seated front center)
—
"Haa, this is the life!" Gertrude sighed, leaning her elbows on the side of the tub. "This is exactly what I need after a hard day's work!"
"Hm," Tala said.
"This makes me homesick for the hot springs in Falena," Mokuren said, wiping her forehead with a wet cloth.
"U-Um, excuse me!" Rico exclaimed, turning around to face them.
"What is it?" Gertrude asked.
"Y-You all serve to protect a man, correct?" Rico asked. "We share that commonality."
"Well, that is true," Mokuren said. "I would sacrifice anything to keep Prince Surya safe."
"I wouldn't say I serve to protect a man," Gertrude said. "I just travel with Sanji. Well—yeah, I protect him in battle because he's not a good fighter. Bax and I owe him our lives so we keep an out for him."
"…Lord Lorik saved my life," Tala said quietly. "So my life belongs to him."
"O-Okay," Rico said. "Um…c-can I ask how you all…deal with these men?"
"Eh?" Gertrude asked.
"I do not deal with Lord Lorik," Tala responded.
"W-What I mean is—when he gets impulsive and makes crazy decisions that you have no other choice but to follow—h-how do you handle it?"
"…Lord Lorik never makes crazy decisions," Tala said.
"I'm happy no matter where I am so long as I'm by the Prince's side," Mokuren said cheerfully.
"Well honestly, Sanji deals with my crazy actions all of the time so I'm not one to talk," Gertrude laughed.
Rico deflated a little, ducking her head. "I…I see."
"Maybe you should talk to Fred," Mokuren offered. "If you feel he's being overly reckless. I mean granted, if you're sworn to him there's not much you can do about it other than quitting your position. You might as well get used to it and enjoy it."
"E-Enjoy it?!" Rico exclaimed.
"Well, look at you," Gertrude pointed out. "You traveled all the way here because of your lord. Not many people have the opportunities that you have. Isn't adventuring a lot of fun?"
"It is fun," Rico admitted. "But my Lord, he—"
"He is reckless," Tala agreed. "And his recklessness and thirst for justice will end with him dead if he is not careful. As his retainer it is your duty to both follow him and keep him in line. You don't want him to die, do you?"
"No," Rico whimpered, but she began to sink beneath the water. "But…I—"
"Rico!" Fred called from outside. "Where are you? There are ruffians to the east attacking travelers! We MUST investigate this!"
"…Now?" Rico called, peeking her head back out of the water.
"Yes, now!" Fred answered from outside. "Every moment we remain here they get away with their deplorable actions! We as members of the Maximillian Knights must dispense JUSTICE wherever we are! I'm meet you at the gates!"
"…" Gertrude said.
"…" Mokuren said.
"…" Tala said.
"…I'm coming," Rico said with resignation, climbing out of the bath.
The trio remained silent until after she left. Then Gertrude said, "…Maybe she has a point."
"Hmm," Tala said.
"I'm still happy," Mokuren said cheerfully.
* Strength in Silence
Participants
La'Ahad (seated middle left)
Barō (seated middle center)
Soturi (seated middle right)
—
The three men sat in a prolonged period of silence. Only the sound of sizzling heat and dripping water filled the air.
"…" La'Ahad said.
"…" Barō said.
"…" Soturi said.
The silence lasted for several minutes. It was finally broken by Barō. "…It's hot."
"Yes," La'Ahad said.
"Hmm," Soturi said.
Then the silence returned once more.
* As Determined by Fate
Participants
Yuber (seated far left)
Pesmerga (seated far right)
Viki (seated middle center)
—
"…" Yuber said.
"…" Pesmerga said.
"Um…hey!" Viki called out. She looked awkward sitting alone in the women's bath.
"…" Yuber said.
"…" Pesmerga said.
"D-Do you guys ever have—like—weird dreams?" Viki prompted, even though neither had responded to her. "Like, um, seeing the same events over and over again?"
"…" Yuber said.
"…" Pesmerga said.
"I-I kind of feel like that," Viki said thoughtfully. "Like the wars and the food and the gambling games and the onsens! I-I feel like I've experienced these things five times already!"
"…" Yuber said.
"…" Pesmerga said.
"A-And now? Now the three of us have been working together a lot and—and it feels like the same events over and over again!" Viki said.
"You are an idiot," Yuber said finally.
"W-What?!" Viki exclaimed.
"It's not the same events over and over again," Yuber said coldly. "For whatever reason the boy who bound me to him through his blood has forced us to work together more than once. I do not know why, but it is not a repeat of the same events! These are new events that are occurring! And this is most certainly not a dream, no matter how much I wish for it to be!"
Viki stared at the wall that divided the baths for a long moment before she spoke again. "A…Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure!" Yuber snapped, leaping to his feet in the tub. "I cannot conceive of how stupid you are! How have you managed to survive this long?!"
"You don't have to yell at me!" Viki said sourly. "I was just—AH-CHOO!"
There was a burst of light from the women's side of the bathhouse, followed by silence. "…She teleported away," Pesmerga said amusedly.
Yuber scoffed and glared at him. "Why does that boy keep pairing us together?! He must be planning something!"
"…Maybe it's fate," Pesmerga responded with a cold smile.
"I don't believe in fate," Yuber snapped, and quickly teleported away.
Pesmerga sat there for a moment of silence before speaking again. "…They both teleported away without their clothes. One involuntarily and the other voluntarily. How very…alike of them."
After another moment, he chuckled.