*NOTE: If you end up on this page when you click a new chapter link, go to Chapter Twelve, Part Six first.*
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.
Fiery Bathtime
Participants
Bright (seated middle center)
Azul (seated middle left)
Kuro (seated middle right)
Suna (seated middle center)
Zǐsè (seated middle left)
Lāla (seated middle right)
—
The six dragons sat placid in their respective baths in silence for a long while. Then…
"Keeeeeeuu!" Suna called, flapping her wings.
"Kuuuuuuuu!" Zǐsè responded.
"Keeuuuuuu?" Azul said. He sounded like he was asking a question.
"Keeeeeeee!" Kuro roared.
"Kiiiiii!" Lāla roared. She flapped her wings, and accidentally splashed water onto Suna.
"KEEEEEEUU!" Suna roared. She splashed a lot of water onto Lāla.
"KIIIIII!" Lāla shrieked, splashing more water onto Suna. The three dragons then began splashing water all over each other violently.
"Kuueeeeee!" Bright roared. "Kuueeeeee!"
"Kuueeeeee!" Bright roared again, startling a few people. "Kuueeeeee!"
"Keeeeeeee!" Kuro roared.
"Kuuuuuuuu!" Zǐsè replied
"Keeeeeeee!" Kuro roared again.
"Kuueeeeee!" Bright roared as the stage lights came down. "Kuueeeeee!"
Name of Authority
Participants
Sloan (seated far right)
Keiran (seated far left)
Tamara (seated middle center)
—
"This is very nice," Keiran mused. "I almost wish I thought to put a bathhouse at my Garrison. I can feel the stress melting away."
"I do feel less tense in here," Sloan agreed. "Though given the state of mind I was in, I don't think an onsen would have been strong enough to overcome the Black Rune..."
Tamara glanced towards the wall. "Can I ask you both something?"
"Of course," Keiran said.
"You both worked with my father, right?"
"Yes," Keiran responded. "He was good to the people of your province, as you are aware."
"He was a fine man," Sloan said. "I had heard that he was assassinated. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," Tamara said. "I—I tried to emulate him so much when I was a Sheikh. I wanted to be as great as him. Unfortunately...I was not."
"You were simply thrusted into a position of power before you were ready," Keiran said. "Fifteen is awfully young to be leader."
"Keiran, you were younger than me when you were promoted to a leadership position in the Army," Tamara pointed out. "And Lord Daunte is only a couple of years older than me now! And both of you are still better than I was!"
"Did you want to become a Sheikh?" Sloan asked her. "Do you feel that you were ready for the position when you appointed to it?"
Tamara hesitated for a moment. Then she shook her head. "No," she confessed. "I-I...I wasn't ready. I only took the position because the High Clerics wanted me to. And they were the ones who..." she gritted her teeth and ducked her head.
"The High Clerics have done many terrible things," Keiran said. "And as Sheikhs we enabled that behavior. Not that we all stand against them, we must work hard to remove them from power and to make sure history doesn't repeat itself."
"Right," Sloan said grimly. "There is much I need to atone for."
"I think we all do," Tamara said quietly.
Bath-time for Everyone
Participants
Oboro (seated middle right)
Masaru (seated far left)
Shou (seated front middle)
Umeko (seated middle center)
—
"Ahhh, this hits the spot!" Oboro announced loudly. "Hey, Shou! Did your parents ever tell you I took a group bath like this with them?"
"..." was Shou's response.
"This place is fine," Umeko mused, staring towards the ceiling. "But I like the onsen in Rokkaku Village better. Remember, Masaru? The onsen located north of the—"
"Umeko!" Masaru snapped, sitting. "What have I told you about announcing locations near our hidden village?!"
Umeko winced. "Oops. Sorry."
"Your village was generous to only banish her and not kill her," Shou said, glancing towards Masaru.
"HEY!" Umeko cried out.
"We are blood-related to our village leader," Masaru said bluntly.
"Oh, but killing such a charming young woman would be quite rude," Oboro said.
"I know, right?!" Umeko called out.
"But you detectives have a very unique style," Masaru said. "Not quite on the level of ninja, but your work is comparable. And you have been doing this for two decades?"
"Well, I've been doing this sort of work for longer," Oboro said. "But yes, my detective agency has been around since before Shou was alive. His parents were my first employees. It was very heartwarming watching them fall in love—"
"Can we not talk about my parents falling in love?!" Shou said sharply.
"Oh, but it was so cute the way they would sneak off!" Oboro said. "Sagiri was surprisingly very forward with Shigure, but the times I caught them kissing he didn't seem to min—"
Shou gagged and slammed his hands over his ears. "Augh, what a pain!"
"Aww!" Umeko cooked sincerely. "That reminds me of all the times I caught Masaru sneaking off with Asu—"
"UMEKO!" Masaru hollered.
"What?!" Umeko said indignantly. "I'm only talking about your wife, you know!"
"Oh, wife?" Oboro asked, smiling. "You are married, Masaru? You've never talked about her!"
"Because my private life doesn't mix with my personals life," Masaru said sharply.
"Smart man," Shou muttered.
"She's an okay ninja," Umeko huffed. "I mean I like her as a person, but she was kidnapped on a job! Masaru was the one who saved her, and she didn't get into trouble! Can you believe that?! I used to get in trouble all the time for my mistakes!"
"She didn't get in trouble because she was kidnapped due to YOUR negligence!" Masaru hollered, his echoing in the bath.
"Stop blaming me for that!" Umeko yelled back. "WHY was it my fault she was discovered?!"
"Because YOU were the one who got drunk at a pub and loudly announced her location to two dozens pub patrons!"
Bother Oboro and Shou gaped at the wall in shock. Umeko also looked at the divider in confusion. "...Wait. I did?"
Masaru cursed under his breath and scrubbed both hands over his face. There was another stretch of silence before Oboro suddenly laughed. "This is why I love bath times! They're always so much fun!"
By the Right Hand
Participants
Adalgiso (seated far right)
Mihr (seated far left)
Nigel (seated front middle)
—
"I don't like complaining, but I never thought I would be able to relax again," Adalgiso mused.
"Hmm," Mihr said.
"I've noticed that too," Nigel said, turning to look at them. "I would think joining the Liberation Army would have increased my stress and weariness, but I feel more at peace here than I have for a long time."
"Our work is never done," Adalgiso said. "What's funny though is that...even though the Sheikh is no longer a Sheikh, and I am no longer his second-in-command, I still feel bound to him. I still want to help and serve him. Have you both experienced the same thing?"
"..." Mihr said.
"I was never Lady Tamara's second-in-command," Nigel said. "But in a way, I still want to serve her and work hard for her sake. I guess when we've had that mindset for so long, it's hard to break out of it."
"That's a good point," Adalgiso said. "Though in all honesties, I don't necessarily want to break out of it. I owe so much to Lord Sloan that I—I can't imagine doing anything else but fighting for him. For his sake. No matter the Army we're in."
"I feel the same," Nigel said. "I want to continue to fight for Lady Tamara's sake."
"So do I," Mihr said suddenly. Both Adalgiso and Nigel looked at him in shock. "I...want to continue serving my Sheikh. His dreams are my dreams, and I want to work hard to make them come true."
"That is...admirable of you Mihr," Adalgiso said. "And you have certainly been an asset to Keiran Umed. No one will deny that."
"Do you define yourself though based on his dreams?" Nigel said. "This is none of my business, but I have noticed that you don't really have a personal life outside of your military duties."
"I define myself as a warrior," Mihr said. "I live for the battle, and I live for the sake of the person whose name is carved into my sword. By the will of Nariek, I am defined as a warrior and as a person. As you both seek to continue your services to your Sheikhs, as do I. I do not need anything else."
Both Adalgiso and Nigel looked at him for a long moment of silence. Then Nigel turned away. "Well, if we win this war, that will definitely help the Sheikhs we serve," he said.
"Indeed," Adalgiso said.
"Hmm," Mihr said.
Tragic Commonality
Participants
Leknaat (seated front right)
Parvati (seated front left)
—
"How very unusual to find you here," Leknaat said. "Number 101, the Chiin Star. The Shadowy Star."
"Ah, I have been told that I am one of the 108 Stars of Destiny," Parvati said. "Lord Daunte was nice enough to take me down to show me the Tablet of Stars, though I couldn't see it."
"Lord Daunte guided your hand so that you could trace your name on the tablet," Leknaat said. "I am pleased to have you here, though I am sorry for what you have suffered."
"You are blind as well, yes Lady Leknaat?"
"I am."
"I don't mean to be intrusive, but were you born without sight or was it lost to you?"
"That is not an intrusive question," Leknaat reassured her. "And to answer your question, I was born with sight. My sight however was lost to me during an ambush of my clan's village by the Army of the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia. They burned all of our homes to the ground, and only my sister Windy and myself survived the massacre."
"That is terrible," Parvati said sadly. "And a tragedy to you. I however do not deserve sympathy for my blindness. My blindness was my own doing, and the loss of my family was even more devastating to me. I do not mind my loss of sight; I would be blind forever if it meant I could have my family back. But I..."
"I too do not grieve my loss of sight," Leknaat said. "And I would trade my sight to have the people I love back. But there is no use dwelling on the past. We can only focus on the future. I see a future of brightness and darkness. In all forms."
Parvati reached up an stroked her own cheek. "I hope then that you only see darkness in front of me."
"On the contrary," Leknaat said. "I sense that you have good things coming your way."
Parvati sighed sadly. "I sense that the heart of the Chiin Star star is wounded," Leknaat continued. "You have been so focused on healing your physical wounds that you have neglected the wounds on your mind and heart. There is no shame in turning forward towards the horizon. It is all right for you to be happy."
Parvati shook her head. "I do not know how I will ever be happy again."
"Do you fret. And do not feel guilty when your life becomes good. You are alive for a reason, Parvati. You did not join your husband and son for a reason. You are meant to be on this plane for a longer period of time. See this not as a curse but as a blessing. You are alive, so you must live."
Parvati ducked her head forward. "I...must live."
"Yes," Leknaat said. "It is all right for you to believe that."
"Do you believe that for yourself, Lady Leknaat?"
Leknaat hesitated, and tilted her head towards the direction of Parvati's voice. "I do," she responded finally. But her pregnant pause lingered in the air.
Better Times Now
Participants
Daunte (seated far center)
Roen (seated far left)
Lysander (seated far right)
Felicity(seated far left)
Xi An (seated far center)
Allise (seated far right)
—
"I n-n-n-never thought I would cherish baths," Lysander said in a sad tone.
"Well, given everything that happened to us it's not surprising," Felicity said. "Sorry to eavesdrop."
"Can it be called eavesdropping if we're all in the same general area?" Allise said amusedly.
"It's better now at least," Roen said.
"Oh definitely," Xi An said. "I'll gladly go into battle if it means I never have to go back to the Dark Chasm."
"I-I have to a-a-agree," Lysander said.
"I was only in the Dark Chasm for a short while but it was terrible for me," Allise said. "You lot spent years there. I don't know how you lot stayed sane."
"I kept cheerful," Felicity said. "And wouldn't let them see me down. I wasn't successful at time though..."
"I would pray," Roen said.
"I escaped," Xi An said.
"Ah, t-they did b-b-b-break me," Lysander said quietly. "But I'm b-better now."
"I would think about my family," Daunte said suddenly . "And...food."
There was a long moment of silence after Daunte's remark. Then Roen spoke. "I used to fantasize about food."
"Me too," Felicity said. "I used to try and trick myself into thinking the porridge and hard bread were tasty soups and soft bread."
"M-Me too," Lysander said eagerly.
"I'm so sad for all of you," Allise said sadly. "None of you should have had to experience any of that."
"But that's why we're here," Daunte said. "We have this commonality of a terrible experience, but we must work hard to ensure that this doesn't happen again."
"And we'll succeed with you leading us Daunte," Felicity said.
"I-I would rather say that we will succeed if we work hard," Daunte said.
"Yep," Xi An said. "Because of you, Lord Daunte."
"T-That's r-r-r-r-right," Lysander said.
"Yeah, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for you Daunte," Roen said.
"You guys are giving me too much credit—"
"Awww, still so modest!" Allise laughed. "You're so humble for your age, Lord Daunte!"
Daunte ducked his head and rubbed at his nape. "I...don't know what to say."
"Just accept compliments for once," Roen laughed.
For the Sake of Powerful Men
Participants
Priscilla (seated far left)
Tidur (seated far center)
Allise (seated far right)
—
"How are you doing, Tidur?" Allise said.
"Oh, I'm doing fine," Tidur said. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, it must not be easy seeing your estranged husband here after so long."
Tidur flinched and looked away. "I am...relieved," she said slowly. "That his mind was restored. Truthfully though, I am still reconciling the fact that he was under the possession of a rune when he was..." she let her voice trail off.
"I'd say you're lucky in that regard," Priscilla said.
"Eh?!" Tidur gaped at her in shock.
"You were hurt by a powerful man because he was possessed," Priscilla said. "He would not have hurt you without that rune. My ex, however..." she shook her head. "He was under no such influence when he hurt me."
"You were the mistress of the mayor of Baltas," Allise pointed out.
"Thank you for the reminder. I knew the risks, but I loved him and wanted to be with him. And I also believed him when he said he was divorcing his wife. But he never left her, and when we were exposed he let me take the fall." She scoffed sharply. "A man who told me he loved me was ready to let me burn alive to save himself. All without the influence of a rune. That is...something that I have had to deal with."
"...Me, too," Allise admitted quietly. "My ex-husband...he was also not under the influence of a rune when he killed my family. When he forced me to marry him. When he—" Allise snapped her teeth and punched the surface of the water. "I'm not downplaying what you went though, Tidur. It's a tragedy what we all suffered at the hands of the men in our lives."
"I know that it was still difficult for you though," Tidur said. "Priscilla and I...we love the men who hurt us. You did not love Keha Hale."
"No, I did not," Allise said.
"Oh, but Gunther is certainly sweet with you," Priscilla cooed.
Allise scoffed. "Gunther is an idiot who goes through women quickly. He has flirted with the both of you as well!"
"Yes, he has," Tidur said. "But even I can see that he treats you differently."
"It's not different," Allise said. "I just won't give him the time of day is all. He doesn't like giving up."
"He gave up when I told him no."
"Well, your husband—" Priscilla said.
"Estranged husband," Tidur corrected her.
"But you are still married. And you haven't sought an annulment from Farzin, have you?"
Tidur remained silent. "You will see," Allise said. "If I were to give in to him, then he would discard me. I am better than just another notch in his belt."
Priscilla shook her head at Allise. "I hope you find your happiness. I hope that we all do, after what we all suffered at the hands of powerful men."
"I am happy," Allise said. "I don't need a man to make me happy. Neither should either of you."
"I am happy with just my daughters," Tidur said blithely.
Priscilla however sighed and leaned against the side of the tub. "But playing with me can be so much fun..."
Commerce During War
Participants
Cairoh (seated middle right)
Kin (seated middle center)
Gusoku (seated middle right)
Baldemar (seated front left)
Gizli (seated far center)
—
"It's quite amazing how a war can bring about so much commerce," Gosuku mused.
"No kidding," Baldemar said. "I have weekly orders in the hundreds! I'm making enough money that I could retire if I wanted when the war is over!"
"Would you retire?" Kin asked.
"Of course not! I enjoy my job too much!"
Gizli sighed loudly. "Just give it a few years, kid. You're going to hate it."
"Don't you make as much money as me?" Baldemar called over to her.
"Of course not! Do you think Lord Daunte find crap for me to appraise daily?!"
"I just hope that our new government doesn't have a Merchant's Pledge," Cairoh complained. "That was too much for me."
"Was it, though?" Gusoku asked him in confusion. "It was easy for me to memorize it!"
"Yeah well, I'm not you!" Cairoh said sharply.
"Wait, what's the Merchant's Pledge?" Baldemar asked.
"It's a pledge that all business owners in Nagarea have to memorize in order to keep our licenses," Kin said. "Yearly business owners from all over Nagarea had to assemble in the capital and recite the Merchant's Pledge from memory in front of the High Clerics in the presence of Nagar. If we were unable to do so, we would lose our licenses."
"That sounds like a hassle," Baldemar said. "I didn't have to recite a pledge when I became a blacksmith."
"Lucky you," Cairoh fumed. "But reciting 78 lines of a damn pledge is too much to ask for!"
"I could do it," Gusoku said.
"As could I," Kin said.
"I didn't bother," Gizli announced. "It was a total waste of time."
"Well, hopefully Lord Daunte will do away with this Merchant's Pledge when we win," Baldemar said.
"He had BETTER!" Cairoh snapped. "I wouldn't have joined this Army otherwise!"
"Really?" Kin asked dully. "The high taxes and murder of children is tolerable to you, but a stupid pledge is where you draw the line?"
"I didn't mean it like that!"
"You humans are so strange," Baldemar said.
"That's an understatement," Gizli grumbled.
Money is the Root
Participants
Yaman (seated middle right)
Eliasen (seated middle center)
Vien (seated middle right)
—
"Are you sure?" Yaman asked.
"I'm very sure," Eliasen responded.
"Are you really sure?" Yaman insisted.
"Yes, I'm sure. I gave you everything that you won from the most recent Lottery game. You won 30,000 bits, which is the equivalent of 3,000 Potch."
"That's impressive for you Yaman," Vien said mockingly. "Why are you complaining?"
"I-I just feel like I didn't get the full amount!" Yaman whined. "If I won 30,000 bits, then why is it all gone?"
"Because you bet 30,000 bits on that duel between Keiran Umed and Gunther!" Vien said sharply. He stiffened. "Wait. THAT'S where you got that money?!"
"There's no way I lost 30,000 bits in an instant!" Yaman whined. "Eliasen, you couldn't have given me the full converted amount!"
"But I did!" Eliasen said indignantly. "Lord Daunte stood at the counter with you when I counted out your bits! Do you think Lord Daunte would have stood for me shorting you money, Yaman?!"
"Well...no," Yaman conceded. "But how could I have lost 30,000 bits after winning it?!"
"Because you bet against Keiran Umed with a duel!" Vien shouted. "Because you're a moron!"
"I'm not a moron!" Yaman shouted.
"Well, who else other than a moron loses 30,000 bits betting AGAINST one of the greatest swordsmen in Nagarea?! AND a former Sheikh?!"
"Vien, please show some compassion," Eliasen pleaded with him. "Yaman clearly has a problem, and we should—"
"I'm going to KILL YOU!" Yaman shouted, lunging for Vien. Poor Eliasen sat between them and was knocked over violently as the two gamblers grabbed in the water.
"HEY!" Pamukkale shouted, bursting into the bath. "No fighting! Everyone, OUT!"
First Installment
Participants
Futch (seated far right)
Templeton (seated middle center)
Ruggiero (seated far right)
Pesmerga (seated front left)
Silvano (seated front right)
Viki (seated front right)
Leknaat (seated far center)
—
"Well if I'm to be honest, I wan't enthused about being in a castle in the middle of a lake," Ruggiero said. "I preferred to have land surrounding me."
"But Toran Castle is a fine place!" Templeton said indignantly. "It was perfect for what we needed!"
"My father said he had to swim there and it nearly killed him," Silvano said. "But otherwise he had nothing but good things to say about the place."
"Heh," Pesmerga muttered.
"I didn't take the time to appreciate the castle when I was there," Futch said solemnly. "I was too distracted."
"You had lost your first dragon though," Ruggiero said. "I didn't fully understand what you went through until I lost Arisoto. And I lost him as an adult. You were just a kid. I can't imagine how difficult it was for you."
"It was difficult," Futch agreed. "But I have Bright now."
"You guys should really go back there," Templeton said. "It's still very homey. I always make a point to stay there whenever I visit Toran!"
"Ah...the Gate Rune War," Leknaat mused. The baths fell silent when she spoke. "It was...not the first war I experienced, but the first where I exerted much power. Too much power."
"It's...strange," Viki said. "Isn't it? How the Gate Rune War feels like the beginning of everything, even when time did not start with it?"
"I was thinking the same thing," Futch said. "There were wars before it, and wars since then, but...yeah. The Gate Rune War felt like a "beginning" of sorts, didn't it?"
"It was my beginning," Templeton said. "I had never thought in a war before then."
"It was the beginning of the end of the Scarlet Moon Empire," Ruggiero said sadly.
"Since the Scarlet Moon Empire committed genocide against the Toran Elves, I'm not shedding any tears on its ruin," Silvano said.
"It's funny though," Viki said. "How I remember very little from before the Gate Rune War. So it does feel like the beginning of the known world to me."
"It may be the beginning of the known world not to us," Leknaat said. "But to eyes unseen by us in the Otherworld beyond."
"Heh," Pesmerga said again.
Second is the Best
Participants
Futch (seated far right)
Bright (seated far middle)
Jantu (seated middle right)
Templeton (seated middle center)
Pesmerga (seated front left)
Georg (seated front right)
Viola (seated front left)
Viki (seated front right)
Sierra (seated far middle)
—
"Wow, we have a full house today!" Jantu observed with a laugh. "But we have a lot in common, don't we?"
"Based on all of you, you all fought in the Dunan Unification War," Viola said. "I was still a child then in South Window, but I saw many...terrible things."
"An unimaginable evil drove that war," Jantu agreed, shuddering. "I have great admiration for everyone who had leadership positions in the Dunan Army."
"I'm afraid that I...didn't like Dunan Castle as much as Toran Castle," Templeton said shakily. "The place disturbed me greatly."
"That's because the Castle was on top of hundreds of corpses," Sierra said matter-of-factly.
"Heh," Pesmerga responded. A long silence followed.
"Kuueeeeee!" Bright roared, startling several people.
"I agree, Bright," Futch said cheerfully. "The towers of the castle were perfect to practice flying from!"
"The Dunan Unification War is a hot topic worldwide," Georg said. "It's quite popular."
"Popular?" Viki asked. "Why?"
"I can't say for sure," Georg said. "But Mooney said that our figurines from that War are the most popular. And everywhere I've traveled people have talked about it enthusiastically. Even all the way in the Nameless Lands."
"It's been rare, that's why," Sierra said.
"'Rare'?" Viola asked warily. "How is a war 'rare'?"
"Well it was a unique circumstance," Templeton said. "A homicidal prince committing genocide against an entire country? Political intrigue and personal and professional betrayals? Vampires, zombies, and a giant octopus? A unicorn? These things—don't happen very often, do they?"
"That's a fair point," Futch said. "It WAS a wild war, to anyone who experienced it and people who hear of it second-hand."
"It felt strange to be there," Viki said. "Like...Like I was pulled forward."
"'Pulled forward'?" Georg asked. "How do you mean, Viki?"
"L-Like I was about to eat a large meal," Viki said. "I-I had this big chicken leg in my right hand, and then all of a sudden—AH-CHOO!" She sneezed, and was suddenly gone.
"S-She teleported away!" Viola said. "But she left her clothes here!"
"Oh God," Futch groaned, slapping his hand over his eyes.
"Kuueeeeee!" Bright roared.
"I agree, Bright."
"That girl seems to have the worst luck," Georg mused.
"Heh," Persmerga said again.
Three's A Crowd
Participants
Futch (seated far right)
Bright (seated far middle)
Fred (seated middle right)
Kakyoku (seated middle center)
Yuber (seated front left)
Nash (seated front right)
Sharon (seated far right)
Viki (seated front right)
Zuzanna (seated middle center)
Rico (seated middle right)
—
"Kuueeeeee!" Bright roared.
"Well, true," Futch said. "The bath on the ship was more charming than this. But this is still nice."
"At Budehuc Castle?" Nash asked. "I thought Goro wouldn't let you take Bright in with you. The same with Franz and Ruby."
"I snuck him in anyway," Futch said defiantly.
"Such a rule-breaker," Sharon laughed.
"Wow," Zuzanna said with awe. "I am truly in the presence of the heroes of the Second Fire Bringer War."
"I am not a hero," Yuber said sharply.
"Yes, you're quite far from a hero," Fred retorted.
"Sir Fred, please don't antagonize the monster!" Rico exclaimed.
"I r-r-r-r-r-r-remember you," Kakyoku said. His voice was trembling. "Chisha Village. You attacked my people."
"...And?" Yuber asked.
"Oh, but Lady Chris saved you," Nash said.
"Yes, she did," Kakyoku said, forcing a smile.
"Lady Chris is amazing!" Zuzanna gushed. "But I wish she would recognize my greatness!"
"But Lady Chris is always busy," Fred said. "It's inspiring."
"She is brave," Futch agreed. "But the Flame Champion exuded bravery too. Hugo was very brave to lead the Army so young."
"So many Army leaders are teenagers," Nash said thoughtfully. "But that was a unique war, given that our goal wasn't to liberate a country. But to save the world."
Silence lingered for a moment. "If you have something to say, say it," Yuber snapped.
"Wasn't it weird?" Viki announced. "How the war seemed so—nonlinear?"
"Nonlinear?" Zuzanna asked.
"Now that you mention it," Kakyoku said. "The machinations of the world seemed...fragmented. Like how at times I was not even aware who the leader was. I even saw Koroku running around one day acting out of character!"
"I remember that," Nash said grimly. "It was...unpleasant."
"You idiots spent more time acting out plays than on the battlefield!" Yuber snapped. "You're very lucky that time seems to always freeze for you lot when you decide to forget that you're an Army fighting in a war!"
"I guess you were disappointed that the world wasn't destroyed, weren't you?" Sharon called out snidely.
"I followed the orders of the person who summoned me," Yuber retorted. "I kill who they want me to kill. It is no different than that idiot boy I'm currently bound to!"
"You do NOT talk to Lord Daunte like that!" Fred shouted. Indeed, the rest of the people in the bath were similarly on edge.
Yuber glared at them before swiftly teleporting away. "Ah, um!" Nash called out. "Uh—I don't think he took his armor with him."
"He left naked?!" Zuzanna exclaimed.
Viki laughed feebly. "I-I have done that before..."
"Kuueeeeee!" Bright roared.
"...You're right," Futch agreed. "No matter which Army we serve in, there's drama."
Forgotten Four
Participants
Bax (seated far right)
Ruggiero (seated middle center)
Arisoto (seated middle right)
Priscilla (seated middle left)
Viki (seated front right)
Jeane (seated far left)
—
"Do you like the water, Arisoto?" Ruggiero asked. The hippogriff called out in response. "Good, good! It's nice that we can relax after the fiasco in the Island Nations Federation!"
"I hope that this doesn't color your view of the Federation too much," Priscilla called out. "We're good people overall. All of the Islands united together over 150 years ago as an independent state free from the influence of the Galen Dukedom and the Kooluk Empire."
"Oh, yes," Ruggiero called out. "Lord Laszlo was the leader of that Army. He didn't like talking about that time when Arisoto and I traveled with him. But I knew he's revered as a hero."
"We Nay-Kobolds think highly of Lord Laszlo as well," Bax said. "We are honored that one of his best, closest friends during that time was Chiepoo, one of the most famous Nay-Kobolds of Nay Island!"
"It's a shame," Jeane sighed.
"It's truly a shame that Lord Laszlo has lost his longtime, dearest friends over time," Ruggiero said sadly. "Wielding a True Rune carries a hefty price."
"No, I mean that's it's a shame that this is the first discussion I've been invited to about past wars!" Jeane said.
"Eh?" Priscilla asked.
"Oh, I've loved the tropical weather of the Island Nations, but that war was unbearable," Jeane huffed. "For whatever reason, Lord Laszlo only had parties of four! Four! Who in their right mind would have a party of four when a party of six is more practical and—and in more adherence to continuity?!
"And the boat travel between locations! I never knew how tedious traveling on a boat was! The scenery around us looked virtually no different all across the Kuknasi Sea! The boat traveling wouldn't be so bad if the ocean didn't look like a blue, barren wasteland! Which it wasn't mind you, because of the fact that we kept getting attacked by ocean monsters! And—"
"Jeane!" Ruggiero called out, his voice full of shock. "A-Are you saying that YOU participated in the Island Nations War?"
"Of course I did," Jeane said. "Viki here did as well!"
"A-Ah, yes!" Viki exclaimed. "I-It was so strange, the drastic changes in time!"
"B-But HOW did you both participate in the Island Nations War?!" Priscilla exclaimed. "I just told you both that the war was over 150 years ago!"
Viki let out a loud, broken laugh. "O-Oh, wow! I didn't realize how late it was! Please excuse me!" She took off running.
"That was a weird reaction," Bax said. "Why didn't she teleport?"
"That would have been bad," Ruggiero said.
"What about you, Jeane?" Priscilla asked. "How did you fight in a war well over 100 years ago?"
Jeane laughed and shook her head. "I've aged quite well, haven't I?"
Priscilla made a face, but before she could say anything Bax said. "Is that why you look so gross, Jeane?"
"W-What?!" Jeane exclaimed, gaping at the wall.
"That was rude," Ruggiero reprimanded him.
"I can't help it!" Bax whined. "I-I do not mean to sound prejudice, but you humans look so—so—so unappealing! You're so hairless and your skin is exposed! Some of it all the time! And most of your hair just jumps out of your head while the rest of your body is—" he shuddered and gagged a little.
"Well...I guess it would make sense that a Nay-Kobold wouldn't find Jeane beautiful," Ruggiero mused. Arisoto croaked in agreement.
Priscilla shook her head. "Just when I thought I knew weirdos..."
High Five
Participants
Surya (seated far left)
Freyr (seated middle center)
Oboro (seated middle right)
Israfil (seated middle left)
Nakula (seated front left)
Georg (seated front right)
Viki (seated front right)
Jeane (seated far left)
Mokuren (seated front left)
Reis (seat front right)
—
"Really?!" Freyr exclaimed.
"Yes," Georg said. "Ferid is one of the most honorable and greatest swordsmen I ever met. I was glad to know him."
"Yeah, but you killed his wife," Reis announced bluntly.
"Ah, yes I did," Georg said.
"But Dad told me everything," Surya said. "We know that it wasn't entirely your fault, Sir Georg."
"That's correct," Oboro said. "Circumstances during that time were hardly ideal for anyone."
"I remember that war," Nakula said, shaking his head. "But my memories were only bad memories."
"My father said you were captured trying to buy your lord time to retreat," Israfil said. "The people of Sable were moved by your bravery."
Nakula scoffed. "I didn't act with bravery, but to infiltrate Falena."
"But it's better for you now, right?" Georg said.
"...Yes," Nakula admitted. "I wish that it could be better, but my sons do not resent me so I am relieved by that."
"..." Oboro said.
"The Falenan Civil War," Mokuren mused quietly. "That was the war my father committed treason during..."
"I remember Euram Barows," Jeane said. "He was...eccentric."
"He still is," Freyr announced.
"He's gone above and beyond to redeem himself," Surya said sharply. "Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot."
"My father believes though that the acts of good will he has demonstrated since then are not enough," Mokuren sighed. "Oh, to be caught in a tragic cycle of redemption!"
"I don't know how anyone can say he's not done enough when he literally gave his firstborn child to my family," Surya grumbled.
"It was strange," Viki said suddenly. "The Falenan Civil War."
"How so?" Israfil asked.
"W-Well...the Gate Rune War felt like a beginning," Viki explained. "B-But the Falenan Civil War...it felt like an end, you know? Like an end of an era."
"That's a strange way to think of it," Reis said. "Time has passed since then. Most of the people here were born after the Civil War! So how was it an ending?"
"Viki has a good point," Jeane said. "After the war ended there seems to have been a shift in the universe. Like many unseen eyes departing. Very strange, but I feel the same way."
Silence followed her statement. Then Nakula spoke up. "I did have a question for you, Jeane."
"Yes?"
"You had pink hair during the Falenan Civil War but it's silver now. How come?"
I noticed that too," Georg said. "It was silver during the Dunan Unification War as well. Is pink your natural hair color, or—"
"No, I have natural silver hair," Jeane said plainly. "But when I set up shop in Falena, people thought I was a distant relative to Queen Arshtat. We had the same hair color after all. So I followed Lady Sialeeds's lead and dyed my hair so people would stop questioning me about it."
"Aunt Sialeeds," Freyr said, looking at Surya. "She was a traitor too. That's why she couldn't be buried with the rest of the family."
"And my dad said it wasn't that bad," Surya said harshly. "Ugh, this whole business of "traitors" and other nonsense is like beating a dead horse! The past should be left in the past!"
"But if we do that, then history will be doomed to repeat itself," Georg said.
"That's certainly true of Falena," Viki mumbled.
"EH?!" The Falenans shouted.
"Oh, nothing!" Viki cried out.
Effective Communication
Participants
Lanny (seated far right)
Freyr (seated middle center)
Áthas (seated middle right)
Brennus (seated front right)
Desiree (seated middle center)
—
"But you make it sound so easy!" Lanny complained.
"Because it is easy!" Freyr insisted. "Talking to a girl is no different than talking to a guy! Just treat a girl no differently than you do a guy!"
"But there's some things you can't talk about with a girl," Áthas pointed out. "Like, if I talk to Sásta about some of the stuff I talk about with you guys, she gets bored real quick."
"You tell your sister what we talk about?!" Lanny exclaimed.
"Not entirely, no," Áthas said.
"Being a twin makes you closer to your sibling," Freyr said. "I wouldn't tell everything to Farrin, but I do share with her a lot. But I've grown up surrounded by mostly girls anyway. Surya is the only male in my family close to my age, but he's still older than me."
"Brennus, you're close to Lord Daunte's age," Lanny said. "How do you talk to girls?"
"Honestly, I haven't had the time," Brennus said. "If I'm not working I'm at home asleep. I don't have a girlfriend, and I've lost most of my friends."
"That's terrible," Freyr said.
Brennus shrugged. "Well, it's necessary to support my family. I'm the only one who can work right now. But if you want advice on talking to Desiree, maybe you should actually talk to her instead of clamming up."
Lanny sputtered loudly. "Just treat her like you did before!" Freyr added. "You had no problems talking to her when you first met her, right?"
"B-But—I—ah—"
"It's harder though talking to a girl once you realize that you like her," Áthas said solemnly.
"C-Can you guys PLEASE stop talking about me like I'm not here?!" Lanny snapped.
"How were we doing that?" Brennus asked him.
On the women's side of the bath, Desiree began humming loudly. The boys jumped when they heard her voice, and the color drained from Lanny's face. "W-Wait, DESIREE?!" He shrieked. "You're over there?!"
"Of course she is," Freyr pointed out. "Lord Daunte put her in the party with us."
"S-She there, and you guys chose NOW to give me communication advice?!" Lanny shrieked. He scrambled for the side of the tub and hurriedly climbed out of it.
"Oh jeez," Áthas sighed. "We'd better go comfort him."
"I suppose," Freyr said.
"I was hoping to relax more," Brennus mused. But all three left the bath.
Alone in the bath, Desiree looked towards the ceiling. "This water is nice."
A Treat for the Eyes
Participants
Jeane (seated far left)
Allise (seated far center)
Priscilla (seated middle right)
—
"Oh, it can be tiresome, can't it?" Allise sighed.
"Not at all," Jeane said smugly. "I rather enjoy it."
"Enjoy what?" Priscilla asked.
"The attention we get from men," Jeane said. "Us three are apparently considered amongst the most beautiful women here at HQ. At least that's according to the poll they broadcasted earlier."
"I thought they were joking," Allise groaned. "But then I got approached by so many men afterwards! All of them fawning praises upon me for my beauty! It was disgusting!"
"Oh, is it really that bad?" Priscilla cooed at her. "If men enjoy looking upon us, why deny the attention? So long as it's safe looking, then it's no big deal."
"I don't like the attention, though. I didn't join this Army to be oogled at."
"You could ask Lord Daunte to have them leave you alone," Jeane pointed out.
"I'm not burdening our Commander with this nonsense," Allise said. "Besides, I'm perfectly capable of handling it alone."
"You have nothing to worry about," Jeane reassured her. "In my experience of these wartimes, admirers will keep a respectful distance. They will simply lump us all together as the "Lovely Ladies"."
"We could use that to our advantage," Priscilla spoke up. "Like, use our natural allure to strike out against enemies?"
"Yes, that would be beneficial for us," Jeane said. "I have done it before, and it's great."
"Well...why not?" Allise conceded. "If we can handle this as a group, then it would be safer for us anyway."
"Although we should still be careful," Priscilla said.
"How so?" Jeane said.
"If the Army sees the three of us mingling together, soldiers are bound to faint from such a beautiful sight!"
"You're quite right!"
Both Jeane and Priscilla started laughing. Allise looked mildly annoyed.
Devilishly Handsome
Participants
Fred (seated far left)
Keiran (seated far center)
Gunther (seated middle right)
—
"How does it feel, lads?" Gunther announced with a laugh.
"How does what feel?" Fred asked.
"That foolish announcement earlier," Keiran said. "The three of us are considered the most handsome men here at HQ."
"Oh." Fred shrugged. "I think I got that classification during the Second Fire Bringer War too."
"We should take advantage of this!" Gunther said. "Go out together as a Handsome Men trio! The ladies will come at us like a tidal wave!"
"I have no interest in such things," Keiran said bluntly.
"I plan on getting married someday, but my pursuit in stopping evil must come first for now," Fred said. "As the leader of the Maximillian Knights, I cannot stop for a second! Evil must be destroyed!"
"Oh come on!" Gunther huffed. "You both work too much! You need personal lives! I mean yeah, we're in the middle of a war and winning this war is important! But you need to stop for a moment to appreciate the finer things! Like the lovely ladies here!"
"I'm spoken for already," Keiran said.
"Really?!"
"I'm not ready for such a commitment," Fred said. "Evil must be vanquished first."
Gunther shook his head. "Then you're never getting married because will never be vanquished! It's practically part of the fabric of this world!"
Fred shrugged.
"And who is the lucky lady for you, oh former Sheikh?" Gunther said cheekily to Keiran. "She must be quite the partner if you're devoted to both your work and her!"
Keiran looked at him but didn't answer. The awkward silence that followed seemed deliberate.
"My Lord?" Mihr suddenly called from the door to the onsen. "I'm sorry to disturb your break, but your lunch is ready."
"I'm coming," Keiran said quickly, heading for the side of the tub.
"And Sir Fred, your retainer was outside looking for you," Mihr added.
"Ah, right!" Fred said, also moving to leave.
Gunther was left alone in the bath. "Huh," he said quietly. "Everyone is so uptight to duty here."
The World of Academia
Participants
Chinmaya (seated middle left)
Tamara (seated middle right)
Peader (seated middle center)
—
"I feel that I owe you both an apology," Peader called out.
"Eh?" Chinmaya asked.
"How so, Professor Peader?" Tamara asked him.
"You two were students deserving of gradation and having diplomas, but were unable to do so. Chinmaya—yours was because you were held back as you were the only student who qualified for graduation. And Tamara—yours was because you were pulled from school to be promoted to a Sheikh. I should have fought harder to ensure that you both rightfully graduated and I didn't. I'm sorry."
"It wasn't your fault, Professor Peader," Chinmaya said. "You did what you could. You were the best teacher at the University. Everyone thought so."
"I was not so great," Peader said solemnly. "I only appeared to be great because who are greater than I are dead."
"I...did want to ask you," Tamara said. "About Phoebe Amirmoez."
"Yes, Lord Daunte's mother," Chinmaya said eagerly. "What she like as a student? I greatly admired her growing up, even after she was labeled a traitor."
"She was one of the greatest minds of our generation," Peader said. "Which should be obvious given that she became a High Cleric so young. She was truly gifted and a natural leader. I feel that she would have led this country to many great things. Alas..."
"Professor, you sound like you were in love with her!" Chinmaya laughed.
"Lady Chinmaya!" Tamara exclaimed. "Pardon me, but that's a terrible thing to say!"
Chinmaya winced. "Ah, I'm sorry."
"I held no such feelings for her," Peader said. "The closest feeling I could come to describe it was an intellectual attraction. But I held no romantic feelings for Phoebe Amirmoez. I would have not been good enough for her, anyways."
"Professor, please don't speak about yourself like that?!" Chinmaya pleaded with him. "You're a great man! This self-deprivation hurts my heart!"
"Lady Chinmaya is right," Tamara said. "When you speak badly about yourself, it causes us pain. We admire you greatly, Professor. All of your former students do. Please...be kinder to yourself, okay? You helped to mold me into the person I am now."
"Me, too," Chinmaya said. "I wouldn't have had the courage to come here and fight for this country had you not taught me about integrity."
Peader was silent for a long time. "You are both good young women," he said. "And when the time comes I know that Nagarea will thrive with your help. But I have...felt this way for a long time. It cannot easily be changed. I can only encourage others the way I cannot encourage myself."
"Then let us encourage you," Tamara said. "When we compliment you, accept the compliments."
"And when we tell you that you're a good person, believe it," Chinmaya said. "Because we believe it, and when you don't believe us you are calling us liars."
Peader nodded, though the girls could not see him, and he managed a sad smile. "I will try. That is all I can do, I believe."
Diversity of Thought
Participants
Dahlia (seated middle left)
Nāṭaka (seated middle center)
Clover (seated middle right)
—
"All I'm saying," Dahlia said. "Is that humans do not seem as bad as we think."
"Humans killed my people," Clover said. "But...humans also saved me. It's so strange to see a race do so many terrible things but also do so many good things. Sometimes I don't know how to feel about humans."
"I have no prejudices for humans," Nāṭaka said. She was still wearing her mask. "I've traveled with humans, and humans are amongst the best actors I've had in my plays. In my experience, my fellow dwarves have been far more prejudiced than humans."
"But humans kill and commit genocide!" Clover snapped. "Against us and against themselves!"
"So do our people," Dahlia pointed out. "And if we're not doing it, then we respond to such atrocities with indifference."
"I can confirm that," Nāṭaka said. "Dwarves don't care what happens to others. Only what happens to themselves."
"I...but..." Clover stammered.
"It's okay to dislike some humans for the bad they do," Dahlia said. "But to lump an entire race together and label them as evil because of the evil actions of a select few is specist."
"Though the way your beaus speak, they believe only humans can be specist," Nāṭaka said.
Dahlia and Clover looked at her in silence for a moment. "I...yes," Dahlia conceded. "Oisin does have negative views of humans..."
"River, too," Clover said. "It's sad, though. I can tell how much he admires Lord Daunte and wants to be his friend, but I see him struggle over this. I don't know how to encourage him."
"Tell him that there's nothing wrong with liking humans," Nāṭaka said. "I like humans and I'm just fine!"
"I like humans too," Dahlia said happily. "We just have to encourage our men to like them, too. It will be easier."
"Well...okay," Clover said. "But only the ones that haven't committed genocide!"
"I can agree with that," Nāṭaka said.
Breaking News
Participants
Sanji (seated middle left)
Bax (seated far right)
Quasim (seated middle center)
Gertrude (seated far center)
—
"Wow!" Bax exclaimed. "I didn't realize the baths were this exciting!"
"Ugh," Gertrude groaned.
"Are you okay, Gertrude?" Quasim called over to her.
"She's fine," Sanji answered for her. "She's just hungover." He turned to face Bax. "I'm surprised that you settled into this bath so well, Bax. Nay-Kobolds don't seem like the types who would enjoy being submerged fully in water."
"Well that's true," Bax said. "Which is why it's inconvenient that our homeland is an island. But I do like a bath from time to time. Otherwise I do my own self-grooming."
"So you lick yourself like a cat?" Quasim asked quizzically.
"I'm a Nay-Kobold, not a cat!" Bax said indignantly. "There's a big difference!"
"Well, yes," Sanji said. "You wear clothes and can speak the common tongue."
"Exactly!"
"Hmm. Interesting." Quasim started writing notes down on a pad.
"Hey, can you guys keep it down?!" Gertrude complained loudly. "My head can't handle loud noises!"
"Gertrude, you're speaking louder than all of us!" Bax pointed out.
"He's right," Sanji said. "But I'm glad to leave the rotunda, even for a little while. I was thinking of inviting Umeko to the next broadcast, as she's a fountain of information."
"That's quite true," Quasim said. "She supplied all my gossip for my recent column."
"Yeah but your recent gossip column said that there's a continent floating in the sky!" Bax said. "I've never seen that!"
"Just because we haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist," Quasim said.
"You also wrote in a previous column that the most legendary warrior uses stealth and hides in—oh—a cardboard box?" Sanji made a slight face. "What is 'cardboard'?"
"My favorite is the story about the talking animals who play sports games!" Bax said. "It sounded so wholesome!"
"What about the story about the two teenagers who fight supernatural creatures with household items?" Gertrude added groggily. "You also wrote that they wielded guns that squirt water. Not much of a weapon though, is it?"
"Hey, I just report what I hear," Quasim said. "Same as the rest of you."
"And what are you writing right now?" Sanji asked.
"Oh, this?" Quasim held up his notepad. "It's about you three. Thanks for the info!" He quickly hurried out of the bath.
"HEY!" Bax and Gertrude screamed simultaneously. They hurried out of the bath after him.
Sanji sat alone in the bath. After a few moments he chuckled. "There is no way he knows anything about me."
Beasts of a Feather, Flock Together
Participants
Nash (seated middle left)
Trofim (seated middle right)
Sierra (seated middle left)
Indigo (seated middle right)
—
"I do not like this," Sierra complained. Her complexion was still milky white even while in the hot tub. "This water makes me feel uncomfortable."
"I find it relaxing," Indigo sighed, pressing a wet cloth to the top of her head. "I've been under so much stress lately, I'm glad for the opportunity to relax."
"You married a werewolf knowingly," Sierra pointed out, turning to face her.
"Ah...yes I did," Indigo said warily. "Did you spouse not marry you knowing that you are a vampire?"
"Oh, I did!" Nash called from the men's side of the tub. "That Old Girl couldn't resist me!"
Sierra snapped her teeth in anger. "You're saying stupid things again, Nash!"
"Aw, you wound my heart!" Nash clutched at his chest dramatically before glancing at Trofim. "You have a lovely missus."
"Thanks," Trofim said curtly.
Nash frowned in confusion at him. "Are you angry at me for some reason?"
"I am...ill at ease around vampires," Trofim confessed. "They say that the Red Moon Rune and the Blue Moon Rune represent the two sides of the Moon that orbits this world."
"Oh yes," Sierra said. "The Red Moon Rune is the side that always faces our world, which is why you werewolves are so sensitive to the Moon. And the Blue Moon Rune is the side that always faces away from our world, which is why vampires thrive in darkness."
"That...makes a considerable amount of sense," Indigo said in awe.
"But you haven't turned your spouse, werewolf," Sierra pointed out coldly.
"Trofim," Trofim retorted.
"Yeah Old Girl, that's rude!" Nash added obnoxiously.
"Do you want to be a werewolf?" Sierra asked Indigo bluntly.
"I-I—don't know," Indigo admitted quietly. She looked uncomfortable. "Regardless though, Trofim said it would not be safe for me to become a werewolf at this time."
"We're nowhere near my Alpha and the Red Moon Rune," Trofim said. "Without the Red Moon Rune there is no Rabid Fang Rune to give to my love. If she were to become a werewolf now, she would be a monster."
"That's...sad," Nash said. He puffed out his chest. "Generally vampires can't be far from the Blue Moon Rune or else they'll go mad, but I—"
"Are a mouthy blowhard," Sierra sighed. "I'm done."
"Wait, Sierra!"
The husband and wife pair hurried off, leaving Trofim and Indigo behind. "For what it's worth," Indigo said. "I would gladly become a werewolf for your sake Trofim."
"I will not ask that of you," Trofim said. "When we find my Alpha...we'll worry about it then."
Indigo nodded. "Of course, my love."
Women of Ethereal Power
Participants
Leknaat (seated far center)
Jeane (seated middle right)
Eresh (seated far left)
Viki (seated middle left)
Nian (seated front middle)
—
"I'm glad to experience these baths," Leknaat said. "They're always so popular in previous wars. Lots of conversations happen here."
"They were not so chatty during the Gate Rune War or Dunan Unification War," Jeane mused. "But these waters always do wonders for my skin."
"Eresh feels that the heat of the bath is hot,"Eresh said. Her head was barely poking above the water. "Eresh does not like that her body is so small."
"I-I honestly feel like I'm reliving past moments," Viki said. "So many times I've been in a bath like this..."
"Yes, and I have been there with you," Jeane said. "Isn't it wonderful that because of our power we can experience these things together so many times over?"
"I-I don't know,"
"This feels like a waste of time," Nian said. "I do not feel temperature changes. My body does not feel the heat of the bath. The water feels slimy on me."
"S-Slimy?!" Viki asked warily.
"Well, you are a Djinn and experience things very different from us," Leknaat said. "But still, this is nice. I feel relaxed and I enjoy the company."
"Eresh observes that persons of great power are in this bath," Eresh said. "Eresh believes that it's not a coincidence that the five persons in this bath gathered here."
"Well, we're here because Lord Daunte put us all in a party and then came into the bath," Jeane said.
"But the human boy did not join us," Nian said.
"Of course he didn't join us!" Viki exclaimed, looking scandalized. "This is the women's bath!"
The other four looked at her blankly for a long moment. "But I do like the way the bath rejuvenates my skin," Jeane said. "My form benefits from this greatly."
"Eresh's body benefits from this bath too," Eresh added.
"...Perhaps I am relaxing," Nian conceded. "But I do not know."
Natural Entertainers
Participants
Nāṭaka (seated far left)
Liron (seated far right)
Kakyoku (seated front center)
—
"Liron, can I ask what you did with your voice the other day?" Kakyoku called out.
"Oh, this?" Liron asked. She pressed her hand over her throat and her Sound Rune glowed. "I changed my voice," she said with a male tenor voice. "I sound quite different, don't I?"
"Is there a man in the women's bath?!" Pamukkale shouted from outside.
"Liron changed her voice with her Sound Rune!" Nāṭaka called towards the door. She was still wearing her mask.
"...Oh. Okay!"
"That is quite amazing," Nāṭaka said as Liron used her Sound Rune again. "You've done those voices for my theater productions, too."
"It's fun," Liron said. Now she had a deeper woman's voice. "I had this rune but no means to use it without a Sound Set. Lord Daunte was kind to get me one."
"You're a good singer, Liron," Kakyoku said. "You've entertained quite a few people switching voices mid-song!"
"Have you consider going into theater full-time?" Nāṭaka said. "Productions would benefit greatly from your range!"
"Well...that's one way to make a living after we win," Liron mused, switching her voice again. "There isn't a lot of uses for Sound Runes, is there?"
"I guess they've been traditionally used to...change sound?" Kakyoku floundered.
"Change sound?" Nāṭaka asked. "Change sound for what?"
"Oh, I don't know..."
"Here!" Liron reached out and pressed her hand against Nāṭaka's throat. Her Sound Rune glowed.
"Hey!" Nāṭaka exclaimed. Now she sounded like the male tenor. "Huh." She rubbed at her throat. "I think I like this better."
"So there IS a man in there!" Pamukkale shouted from outside again. "Everyone, out!"
"B-But I haven't done anything!" Kakyoku complained. "I wanted to test the octaves in here with my singing!"
Relics of the Past
Participants
Hero (seated middle left)
Leto (seated middle right)
Reis (seated middle center)
—
"You know, I always wondered why you invented the skyship," Hero announced loudly. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you! It's help me greatly! But what gave you the idea?!"
"Wait, Lord Leto are you over there?!" Reis shouted, turning towards the divider that separated the men's and women's baths. "I've been trying to talk to you, but you keep avoiding me!"
"...To answer your question Hero," Leto said, glancing towards him. "The skyship made travel for my people easier. The Rune of Change requires me to be in constant movement. I will never be at rest. Being able to fly long distances quickly made travel a little easier for me."
"B-But then you shared the technology!" Reis exclaimed. "There are drawings of MANY skyships that flew in the skies! Can you imagine the sky full of those ships?!"
"It sounds dangerous," Hero mused.
"Yes, they collided frequently and many people died," Leto scoffed, shaking his head.
"Don't tell me that's the reason skyships because a lost technology!" Reis said. "My Lord, your civilization had so many innovations that have been lost to time! I-It's like we entered a Dark Age when the Sindar empire collapsed!"
"Miss," Leto said, glaring at the divider. "Did it ever occur to you to wonder why my empire fell? Why these technologies were lost? Have any of you researchers stopped to think that it's a good thing that they are gone?"
Reis gaped at the wall in shock. "No!"
"This is pointless," Leto sighed. He moved towards the side of the tub. "I'm going to bed."
"I'm not done with you!" Reis snapped. She moved towards the side of the tub as well.
Hero was left alone in the tub when they left. After a moment he shrugged. "Well, it makes no difference to me. The skyship is my masterpiece. And I know the sea-carriage will be James's masterpiece."