hotsprings tiiiiiime

[occulthymns]

[Now Euri had very specific opinions on Folkvang. Namely, even though it sounded like a fun place to spend an evening, so avoided it like the plague. It was due to her albinism, of course; she was too self-conscious to visit a place that focused on beauty and the body. But she's been curious ever since she heard about it, and since that was when she first arrived that curiosity has had months to gnaw at her.

Eventually it got to be too much and she had to check the place out. But there was no way she was going alone, which is why she's dragging Vanitas along! He isn't exactly the same as a female friend, but she's more comfortable getting nervous around him.

Fortunately, she doesn't feel too nervous right now. They're in the hotsprings area, the coed section because it would be a pain to have to yell back and forth. And lucky for her, aside from them the place is completely empty. She still has a towel wrapped tightly around herself and every so often she eyes the water suspiciously (even if this is manmade there could be mermaids), but aside from that she's actually enjoying the warm water. She might even start relaxing at this rate.]

This is pretty nice, huh?

Comments

[occulthymns]

What does that mean?? So scandalous...!

[showmeanguish]

[alkjflj] Not like that. I mean fighting.

[occulthymns]

......

... Oh.

[Said in the tone that still suspects he had perverted reasons.]

[showmeanguish]

[...........gdi Euri.]

It was important that he got stronger, okay? Just drop it.

[occulthymns]

.... [She's holding his arm a bit closer, frowning. She clearly wants to ask why that was important.]

... Fine.

[showmeanguish]

[Good. He's willing to tolerate her clingyness in response, though he does sit up a little straighter.]

So why're you so afraid of mermaids?

[occulthymns]

[His arm might be close enough to press a little against her chest, though she doesn't seem to care at all.]

I told you, I'm not afraid. It's just better to be wary of them.

[showmeanguish]

[.....well, he definitely notices, even if he doesn't comment on it. She might not have a bountiful chest, but he can still feel what she does have through the towel, and it makes him purse his lips a little before he responds.]

And that's because...?

[occulthymns]

Because!

[She shifts a little, looking away. The last person she explained this to (Roxas) made it sound ridiculous.]

... Because a mermaid is the reason there aren't a lot of Warlocks.

[showmeanguish]

...why's that? [yeah, sorry. it's not making much sense to him, either.]

[occulthymns]

.... If I tell you the whole story you have to promise not to laugh.

[showmeanguish]

Alright. [how bad can it be?]

[occulthymns]

[She takes a deep breath. She's going to hold him to his word.]

A long time ago, when the old gods first created Witches, Minoa was filled with monsters. To help them survive the old gods gave Witches the power to use black magic, but... since they were so young they didn't know how to cast it. So they were defenseless against those monsters, and it wasn't long before they started being hunted down and eaten.

[showmeanguish]

...By mermaids?

[occulthymns]

No, by things on land. Witches couldn't even fly at that point, let alone swim.

Anyway, they tried moving around to find a safe place to settle, but wherever they went they were hunted. They even went outside of Fuggum, but it was no use. Eventually their numbers were reduced to the point where they were in serious danger of dying out, and they were forced up against Fuggum's coast.

[showmeanguish]

[He's still listening, closely, but not interrupting until she pauses.]

And what happened then?

[occulthymns]

A mermaid happened.

Just when they thought there was hope left, she arrived and offered to help. But she wasn't going to do it for free, so she suggested an exchange: she'd show them how to use their magic, and she would get their Warlocks.

[showmeanguish]

...Warlocks? I don't get it.

[occulthymns]

Warlocks are male Witches. She wanted all their males, in other words.

[showmeanguish]

But I thought you said you had Warlocks.

[occulthymns]

Let me finish the story...!

The Witches decided that surviving was most important, so they agreed. In a flash the Warlocks were gone, but the mermaid remained. She lived up to her side of the deal, and showed the Witches how to cast black magic by singing.

- That's why Witch singing is a lot better than human singing, by the way. Mermaids are renowned for their singing, it's practically godlike.

Anyway, the Witches weren't left without any Warlocks. One of them was pregnant, and a little later when she gave birth she had a son. But Warlock numbers have never really recovered - Witches still outnumber them by a lot.

[showmeanguish]

[It takes him a minute to absorb this, and rationalize through it. It makes sense, then, why Euri's so focused on finding suitable partners for... well, that.]

I see.

[occulthymns]

[This is a much better reaction than Roxas'. Euri glances at him awkwardly.]

Does that explain things?

[showmeanguish]

Yeah. [He glances at her, and offers a smirk that's his best attempt at a smile.]

I get it. But the water here's clear. Even if there were mermaids, you'd be able to see them, so just relax.

[occulthymns]

I guess....

[She'll loosen her grip on his arm, but she still isn't letting go.]