abraxaslogs | [ OPEN ] you got a shock to your system

[ Frankly she'd love to hear less of Claude talking particularly because it had nothing to do with what the topics he had been avoiding. She loves to play the short term memory card, but she's unlikely to forget the words they had exchanged any time soon. She's granted her moment of reprieve as they're swept towards the changing rooms.

She makes a beeline towards the awaiting robes, focusing her attention once again on the pampering that awaited them. Without much of another word to the pair of them that she claims is encouraged by the gentle, soothing atmosphere, Hilda dips into the changing room.

When they all emerge later her hair is up in an artful bun, slipper on her feet and already looking miles more relaxed than she had moments before. Attendants are there waiting with cups of chamomile tea as they're lead to the waiting area to choose their treatments. With a moment to themselves Hilda shoots Sylvain a cheeky look from over the rim of her cup. ]

So we're doing the mud baths, right? We even get a little discount if we all decide to do it.

[ The robes are a welcome sight, a promise of something better like that relaxation they'd originally planned to be built in to this day. It's easy enough to strip off his clothes to exchange them for whatever plush material the robe's made of and Claude swaps his boots for slippers next. Maybe there's some kind of calming enchantment in everything, since by the time he inhales and exhales slowly before pushing open the door to return to the main area he feels better.

The tea's something he accepts with a smile of thanks to the attendant offering it to him, though it mostly stays in his hand while he surveys their surroundings as they make it back to where to go next, depending on what they choose. There's a book resting open on a counter he peers over to read curiously; on the pages displayed are more treatments than he could've guessed possible - including some ones involving magic which have him raising an eyebrow.

They can wait for a moment since he glances up supposedly in Hilda's direction though it's more like his gaze roams over her in passing on the way to somewhere else. ]

Should we go mud baths, scrub, then massages? Then we get something everyone wants to do on the list. [ He might be still be vaguely annoyed with a capital A somewhere beneath it all but that's not a good enough reason to not make sure everything's still included, and so he gestures to the book. ] Looks like beyond the upgrades we can add to everything as we go, there's even a sauna we'll have to fit in somewhere.

[ Sylvain's the last one out of the dressing room. If only because he needs an extra moment to take a few deep breaths and try to let go of some of his own mounting stress. It's more difficult than normal, especially when he gets waves of unexpected animosity from the pair of them. Logically, he knows it's not aimed at him. They've been sniping at each other for days now and none of it has held the familiar playfulness he's used to from both of them. No, this has had an edge to it, honed and vicious and aimed directly at one another.

But that doesn't quite stop the instinctive flinch anytime their words slice deep and despite his efforts to try and stay out of this, he still feels firmly rooted in the middle of it somehow.

He huffs out one more soft exhale before bringing his typical smile back to his face, sauntering out to join the other two once more. Even if he makes a face at Claude for bringing up the sauna. Gross. ]

If you insist. We can start with the mud baths and then the other things and see what we're still up for after that? [ He glances over at Hilda, as if to make sure she was okay with that, too. ]

[ When Claude is the first to emerge, she notes that he's opting to use the her own, "looking at someone without actually looking at them" technique. Refusing to engage or even acknowledge it however, she decides to channel her calmness into enjoying her tea until Sylvain breezes into the waiting area to join them.

The time it takes Sylvain to join them feels longer than it should take someone to disrobe, and her gaze skips towards him only to find nothing amiss for the time being. To be honest, she had been expecting more of a fight from Sylvain when it came to the mud baths and the saunas. Instead of the convincing she thought she'd have to do, she gives Sylvain an encouraging pat on the arm which might seem a little too enthusiastic for someone who is about to submerged up her neck in fancy mud. ]

I'm proud of you, Sylvain! Mud baths and a sauna in one day? Talk about preparing for a new year the right way.

[ All that is to say, she's definitely ready to get this relaxation journey on the road. ]

We can end with the saunas. That's probably best, right?

Probably.

[ In reference to the plan since it makes enough sense to him, what little he knows of what's the best way to go through a full spa schedule, so why go against what Hilda's suggested? Disagreeing can always be saved for later. Maybe.

Claude's about to add more to that, like maybe that they don't really have to do the sauna if the birthday celebrant is truly that opposed to it, but before he can speak one of the attendants comes to whisk them away to where the mud baths are. The room has a few individual tubs - though it's a row of them and not just two, he notes with some petty satisfaction - but then: even better is that there's one giant tub they can fit in together with plenty of room to spare. They're told of all kinds of benefits from the treatment he's only partially listening to though there being some powdered herbs added in catches his attention again.

Just in time for crawling right into their vat of mud waiting for them, though before anyone else can move - ]

Wait, you get in first. [ As he elbows Sylvain he's grinning, and for once that's not an act. ] I want to see your reaction to this since I think we should both get to appreciate whatever it is. Happy birthday, right?

Who thought this would be a good idea again?

[ There's a playful note of trepidation in Sylvain's tone as he side eyes the giant tub of... mud. It's still just mud. He doesn't care what else is in that, this feels like the antithesis of what a bath should be.

He spares a moment for a pang of sadness that Felix isn't still here, because his opinion on this entire thing would be hilarious. But since it's just him, he'll have to be ridiculous on behalf of his missing Faerghans.

And himself too, he guesses. Which is why he casts a smirk over his shoulder at the pair of them... and promptly drops his robe in a puddle on the floor to step into the giant vat of mud completely naked. At least they get the full affect before he buries himself in mud? ]

[ The tentative peace that had been silently brokered between she and Claude feels more fragile than tentative. Barbs and thorns outlined every word passed between them and even though he hadn't said anything when they were shown into the room, Hilda could feel the smarm oozing off of him. She refused to let him get to her.

At least Claude's next suggestion is one that she actually agrees with. She'd urge Sylvain along if he needs it but ever the good sport, begins to move towards the tub without prompting from them. There isn't any real reason for her to be shocked that Sylvain is naked underneath his robe. Technically they all are due to the nature of their treatments and the spa encouraging 'being one with nature'. Nakedness isn't something that she's particularly uncomfortable with as long as it's people she's knows well and trusts. By definition, Sylvain fit that bill, and as for Claude, well it wouldn't be anything new to Claude.

But none of those things stop the pink from blooming on her cheeks at the sight of Sylvain's incredibly chiseled ass or having it dawn on her – very belatedly – that they'd all be naked, together, in the fancy mud. In any other circumstance she would have been thrilled. But as it stands, she finds herself suddenly torn about which way to go. Before she allows Claude an opportunity to be snarky (and before she loses her own nerve) she lets out a breath, quickly following suit. Her robe is discarded, laid a little more neatly on a nearby high table before slipping into the mud. Her arms barely manage to cover anything but remain crossed over her chest until she's submerged anyway. ]

See? The mud isn't that bad, is it?

[ Just some pals (her and Sylvain) and one guy (Claude) in a tub full of mud together. This was fine. ]

[ There's a playful eye roll from Claude over Sylvain's anticipated complaint even as said complainer steps forward. The smirk's a nice little warning of what's to come before the robe slips off, and, well. It's a nice view. A very good one, rather, maybe something closer to excellent, and look: if he's going to be afforded the opportunity to appreciate it, Claude's not going to squander it by doing anything but.

That's almost distracting enough that even as Sylvain sinks into the mud it takes him a second to register Hilda stepping forward and the flutter of her own robe. This wouldn't be an unfamiliar sight to him either, but hesitation he reads as discomfort certainly is. Not a second later he averts his gaze if it's somehow because of him; this falls under something he doesn't want to tease over when there's no guarantee it'd even land as anything to lighten the mood. Despite his own mood, he's not oblivious to that. ]

I'd better catch up before Sylvain decides to pry himself back out of the mud before we get to enjoy any of it as much as the view.

[ Nothing to be shy about here on his side of things as far as he's concerned, so that means starting with shedding his robe without any fanfare. It also includes shamelessly taking his time with setting it onto a chair and confidently striding the short distance to climb in himself. There's some intentional distance in mind as he takes a spot on the other side of Sylvain. ]

Don't appraise it until you've been in here for a while, or 'not that bad' will be all we'll ever get you to admit. You gotta give it a chance first!

I'm giving it a chance! I just don't see the benefits of taking a bath that just makes you dirtier. I still say it just defeats the point.

[ And he will continue arguing that point because a) a bath that makes you dirtier is inherently broken anyway and b) they both get so ruffled over it and their reactions are hilarious. He'd do it just for that, honestly.

But he's relaxing against the side of the tub now, giving both of them a teasing smirk as he stretches his legs out - as much as the tub will accommodate, anyway. He might nudge Hilda's ankle in there somewhere. ]

I can't believe I'm finally getting you both naked and I can't even fully enjoy it because we're all covered in mud. Travesty.

[ Hilda's momentary tenseness and uncertainty seems to sink into the mud along with her body. She, much like Claude, had pointedly not looked at him as he made his way into the tub but by the time he's settled in, she finally decides to look up sending Sylvain a pointed look his way at the nudge of his leg.

The lightness to her voice that seems more natural than it did before is evident. ]

Like how you gave the hat I gave you a chance? Because that one had a clear purpose if you ask me.

[ Several clear purposes is more like it, but no, she isn't going to ever let him live it down that the hat has been lost to the desert sands somewhere. Easier to focus on that than Sylvain's comment anyhow.

It's met with a good natured roll of her eyes as she gives her toes a little wiggle against his legs. Her knees are still curled up mostly to her chest, subconsciously not wanting to take up more space than she feels she's allowed. ]

Well maybe if you came to the spa more often that wouldn't be the case. Where do you think I am most of the time we're allowed to come and visit Nocwich?

[ For his part, he's just going to lightly flick some mud Sylvain's direction both for the latter comment and the all important disparaging of the mud bath. ]

I believe in your very active imagination to help you fill in the blanks there, but that's not what you should be focusing on anyway. The whole point is getting to feel cleaner than ever after this. Think about how great that scrub is gonna feel after soaking in here.

[ And the soaking part he does mean genuinely since it's a pleasant enough temperature that'll help them relax. Well - not so much as a group, considering none of his comments are directed to include Hilda as much as hers aren't particularly overlapping either, but: details. This is still nice. He's going to lean back against the tub in faux thought while stretching his legs out before him and settling a bit further into the mud, unbothered.

(Mostly.) ]

Plus, I'm sure there's something around here that'll work for your upcoming sunburns when summer hits. Better to find out what it is now so you can be ready for next time.

[ Sylvain waves a mud covered finger in Hilda's direction. ]

You can't hold me responsible for the unfortunate demise of said hat at the hands of insane cultists. I was an innocent bystander.

[ That's his story and he's sticking to it.

He doesn't miss the fact that while Hilda and Claude both seem to be relaxing... they're still completely ignoring the other one as if neither of them are here. It makes the conversation a little disjointed, and he's not sure how he's supposed to bridge the gap here.

His gaze flitting back and forth between them, he sinks a little lower in the mud with a slight frown. ]

Something for sunburns that's a little less hat-like would be good, though. Maybe the vampires have an anti-sun potion or something.

[ In response, Sylvain receives a flick of some mud that harmlessly lands just short of him. Fine, she'll let the hat thing rest for now. ]

They've been selling enchanted sunscreen in the markets, you know. I thought I left some on both of your beds a while ago.

[ There? See? She's including Claude and attempting to play nice. She's even going to go one step further and try to actually speak to Claude without any kind of barbs attached which is saying something because it's been nothing but barbs since that night in the Horizon. Not that Hilda is going to actually say his name or anything because Goddess forbid she actually do that. ]

And weren't you growing some aloe on the rooftop garden? That can be harvested for burns, right?

Oh, probably.

[ It's said with the same aloof disinterest often afforded to someone in passing, and a glance Hilda's direction in the further bare minimum of politeness. Again he feels what's become an all too familiar tug of war inside of him of not wanting to talk to her versus the hollowness of not talking to her for the first time in ever. The months apart in Abraxas don't count; this is something else entirely. A choice. Or no choice at all, he thinks bitterly, because it's not a choice when it's the only thing that's left.

Hilda's right it can be used for burns since it was one of the first things he'd learned from Nadine, both in the medicines made to help in Libertas and then going out to the desert to gather a plant for himself. Saying so feels like opening a door to conversation he doesn't want, so Claude's not going to volunteer any of that. Or rather, he's not going to volunteer it now. ]

An anti-sun potion sounds fascinating, though. Maybe we can ask around about it in the markets. That or just any potion to keep you from overheating, because you're in for it once summer starts.

[ ....Nope. It's still awkward as fuck. And the mud bath is starting to feel more than a little chilly.

His gaze darts between them, because he's really not sure what he's supposed to do here. Neither one of them have wanted to talk about this, especially not to him. And they don't seem all that inclined to talk to each other, either. Maybe today was a bad idea after all, because whatever's wrong between them is clearly still too fresh.

He sighs, scrambling to think of what else he can try, sinking a little lower in the mud. ]

Have you guys heard about the beach trip they're planning for this week? I'll probably need some there. It'll be nice to get to go back to Aquila for a vacation for a while, though.

[ She's going to kill Claude. Or dunk his face first into the mud. That would probably make her feel better about the fact that he's being a complete ass about this right now.

The smile on her face doesn't reach her eyes by any means but it remains affixed there at the thought of the man's reaction. In any other situation but this one, it probably would have been perceived as a funny joke. If she did it now it would just be mildly vindictive. Fortunately as it stands, she doesn't feel like wasting much effort in physically dragging herself through the mud to reach him on the other side of the tub. He isn't worth that. ]

What if that makes him reflective though? Obviously he's blindingly handsome but I don't think we want that to literally happen.

[ The mention of the beach trip does perk her up considerably though. ]

It'll be really nice to go with everyone and just spend some time there. We've never had the chance to do that back in Fodlan.

Maybe if one of the spa treatments here is secretly coating him in glitter. It could be that's what we'll all be walking into when it comes to the scrub.

[ If it was any other time, Claude would've laughed at that. There would've been no hesitation: the image of Sylvain being so anti-sun he manages to reflect it somehow is objectively funny. The most he manages now is still feigned pleasantry on the dry side along with an admittedly lame suggestion compared to what might've come out of his mouth - there's a good chance the omission says as much as anything else.

This is his best attempt beyond continuing to ignore or breeze past what was said. It's also not one he really cares to expand upon but with an internal sigh he puts recalcitrance aside. Sort of, and only for Sylvain's sake since he hadn't missed that sinking down, though he keeps talking while glancing back wistfully over his shoulder and wishing he'd brought his tea to the edge of the bath rather than leaving it on a table. ]

Hopefully this time we'll get to go without having to move anything that can electrocute us in the process. At least if it's already warmer in Aquila compared to Cadens we'll have the sea to go along with it.

I could use a vacation with a lot less tentacles involved, that's true enough.

[ He manages to deliver that line with a straight face, even if it's a bit of a struggle.

Beneath the mud, one hand slips to the side a little and manages to find Claude's hand beneath the mud. He hasn't missed the lack of laughter, the absence of easy teasing. It feels weird to have the banter without it. That has him worrying even more than their edged tones and casual-but-not-really disinterest in each other, and he threads their fingers together for a moment, giving a squeeze.

His other hand gets a finger playfully waving in Hilda's direction as he smirks at her. ]

Did you just admit you find me blindingly handsome? Why, Hilda, I'm so flattered. And here I thought you were so worried about my ego growing too big to handle. [ He winks at her, because that had definitely almost been a completely different tangent, but he's behaving himself. Mostly. ]

[ Hilda recognizes the absence all too well. Not that she cares. She tells herself that she's taught herself to steel herself against the Claude-shaped absence in her life in a very short time. So long as she keeps reminding herself of that, the pang in her heart will become less noticeable and as time passes, it will mean it'll never bother her again.

Even the mention of their harrowing time on the beach trying to save the giant jellyfish doesn't tug at her heartstrings. She'll be the dumb, petty creature that he made her out to be.

The reference to the night of the gala prompts Hilda to swat harmlessly at the finger being waved at her along with sticking her tongue out for good measure. Her voice is nothing but a teasing lilt, coaxing it back to a level of Normal despite what she says. ]

Just figuratively because you don't have any glitter on you. If there's anything else growing, just say the word and I'll show myself out.

[ There's a roll of his eyes as he turns back around conveniently timed for both tentacles and things growing, and a squeeze of the hand that finds his. ]

I think we're both out of here then. That means you really get to enjoy the mud all to yourself at that point, just like you wanted.

[ An empty threat considering that'd mean missing out on the pampering happening all around - even if Claude can admit (to himself) there's not much relaxation taking place yet. Not anything past an illusion, anyway, but one he's determined to stick to since navigating a deeply uncomfortable situation is nothing new to him even if who it is involves is.

But it's getting easier, or so he wants to believe though the evidence of that has yet to present itself, and he sits up enough to shrug one shoulder visibly rather than it looking like a random shifting of mud. ]

Unless you mean you're just that happy to have the mud growing on you, in which case we could probably arrange taking you out of here to let it all dry on you like some kind of mask. Just think of it as a bonus treatment before all the others.

[ Sigh. ]

Just how long are we supposed to soak in the mud anyway? You two are supposed to be the experts at this whole spa thing, after all.

[ Dear Goddess, if they keep this up, he's going to be tempted to just bury himself in it for real. ]

[ Barbs peppered with pettiness litter Claude's words and it takes all of Hilda's twenty-five years of practiced decorum to bite back the sneer that would probably look more like bared teeth than anything else. Instead, it's just a sweet smile with a lot of bite. ]

It was a joke, Claude. [ Saccharine sweetness gilds her icy tone. Her tone practically dares him to leave because she'd be happy to see him go even if Sylvain would be in tow. ] You should know that. Time somewhere really changes, a person huh?

[ Aside from the tone, only Claude would know what she's referring to, something that is so blatantly done with intent that Hilda wouldn't even bother to deny it. But she's quick to move on and act like she had said nothing awful at all. ]

We should be done soon. They'll come in and let us know so we can shower off the mud and move to the next treatment.

[ He'd moved on, as far as he was concerned, but when that tone's directed his way Claude sends Hilda a very bored look like her reaction is too predictable. ]

I know it was, Hilda, which is why I was talking about us being the ones to leave Sylvain in the mud. Maybe if you weren't in such a rush to uninvite yourself yet again you would've thought of that.

[ That's what he's assuming is the reason behind her taking offense this time when it comes to the topic of anyone leaving as he's not forgotten that from earlier. Said joke wasn't clear, probably, but Claude can't bring himself to care.

Instead he cocks his head to one side, still studying her as she moves on like that's really going to happen. This would be the time to leave things alone and continue on for Sylvain's sake - that thing he'd been reminding himself to do all along - but what she's said grates on his nerves too much to let it go and pretend. ]

I'm well aware you don't want me here, but if you suddenly have something to say to me then just say it. Unless you'd rather make some other assumptions first?

Why wouldn't I make assumptions? You left out details and details are kind of important when it comes to communicating.

[ Hilda to her credit, doesn't miss a beat despite the bored look striking a nerve. Several years of verbal sparring with nobles that had particularly catty dispositions had prepared her for this. That, and she'd be lying if she said that she didn't enjoy some of this. Her eyelashes flutter innocently in response while letting out a blithe little laugh. ]

But I forgot who I'm talking to. You are Mr. Leader Man for a reason. [ Her muddy hand splays dramatically across her chest as her brow furrows in faux concern. ] Are you sure you don't have any assumptions you want to keep making though? Because that one about me not wanting you here definitely sounds like one.

Are they? And here I thought you preferred not having all the details so you could twist them to be whatever you want.

[ There's the tiniest bit of sharpness creeping into his tone there considering that while what Hilda's said is correct - and that her pointing this out is as well - Claude can't help but feel like that's pinning everything on him alone. There were two of them in that argument, and he wasn't the one who wasn't listening. Or so he tells himself.

He leans back against the edge of the mud bath again, but his gaze remains focused on her even while maintaining the picture of repose as he waves a hand in an unconcerned gesture. ]

That's in your own words just now, so I don't see why you're asking for my input. You're the one who said you have all the answers.

[ OPEN ] you got a shock to your system

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)