Hot Spring Fun
The harsh winter of the Northern Frontier was kept out by a heavy wooden door.
Inside the door, the rising steam, like a tangible veil, carried a faint scent of sulfur and the fragrance of herbs, flowing slowly through the room.
The enormous natural hot spring pool is carved into the mountainside, its water displaying a dreamy milky white hue. Steam rises from the pool, blurring the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling.
Several magical flames embedded in the stone wall emitted a soft glow, blending with the shimmering water to create a warm and tranquil haven, secluded from the world.
"Thump."
A soft splash broke the silence.
Frieren, like a cat shivering in the cold, silently slipped into the pool, revealing only half of her silver head and a pair of half-closed eyes that appeared even more emerald green in the mist.
She sighed contentedly, the warm water enveloping her entire body.
She slowly sank until the water reached her chin, then found a smooth rock by the pool and leaned against it, as quiet as a cat Melt into this warm bath (=ㅇㅇ=).
The water splashes were slightly larger not far away.
Lupa quickly removed her tight-fitting clothes, revealing her strong and well-proportioned body, honed by years of training. Her wheat-colored skin glowed with a healthy sheen in the misty water. With a splash, she sank into the water, creating ripples.
Linié stood by the pool, watching the rising mist, tilting her head as if analyzing something.
Then, she began to fold her clothes one by one with utmost care, folding them with sharp edges and placing them neatly on the dry stones before stepping into the water, her movements so steady that she didn't even stir up a ripple.
Warm water washed over her delicate collarbone, and her deep blue eyes blinked as she quietly felt it.
Lupa's pink twin tails, now wet, had deepened in color and clung to her neck. After adjusting to the water temperature, she playfully swam a few strokes, her heterochromatic eyes sparkling in the steam.
Linié remained quiet, imitating Lupa by immersing her body in the water.
She lowered her head and gently poked the skin of her arm, which was slightly red from being soaked in hot water, with her fingertips. Her pink hair spread out on the water's surface, like some kind of strange aquatic plant.
"Ah~ Soaking in a hot spring after training is definitely the most comfortable thing!" Lupa a long sigh, her voice sounding a little muffled in the steam.
"Linié, how are you feeling?" Lupa asked as she moved closer.
Linié raised her head, her deep blue eyes reflecting the firelight. "Linié feels very comfortable." She stated her feelings and tried to Imitation Lupa's earlier expression of contentment as she relaxed her brow, though the effect was somewhat stiff.
Lupa was amused by her appearance and couldn't help but scoop up a handful of water and gently splash it on her. "Just saying it feels good isn't enough, it has to be like this—that's even more comfortable!"
Water droplets splashed on Linié's face. She blinked, as if analyzing something, and then, mimicking Lupa's movements, she scooped up water with her palm and returned the gesture with slightly stiff but precise movements.
"Hey!"
~(=^･ω･^)ﾉ
~(´∀`~)
ヽ(￣ω￣(...)ゝ
○( ^Van^)っ... ∋
Two girls gently splashed each other in a corner of the hot spring, their laughter and the sound of water echoing softly in the cave.
Soon after, Ruby arrived, cheering as she jumped into the water, splashing up a large spray. "Wow! That feels so good!" She swam around in the pool like a fish, her fiery red curly hair clinging wetly to her cheeks.
Solitär was already submerged in the water, with only her head above water, a contented smile on her face, yet she was still quietly recording everyone's reactions.
"The hot spring must be very comfortable, Lady Frieren," Lupa swam up to Frieren.
"Hmm..." Frieren mumbled in response, too lazy to even nod.
The moonlight gently spills down, its soft glow mingling with the steam from the hot spring, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The rocks and snow reflect the moonlight, and all is quiet except for the gentle ripples of the water and the occasional whisper.
After soaking for an unknown amount of time, Frieren felt warm all over and was getting drowsy. She subconsciously leaned to the side, looking for a source of warmth, and tilted her head to rest gently on Ruby's arm.
Frieren seemed oblivious, or rather, unconcerned about the unexpected pillow. She settled into a comfortable position, her breathing becoming increasingly even and deep, and she actually fell asleep. Her long silver hair floated on the water's surface, like scattered moonlight.
Ruby stiffened slightly, looked down at the fluffy head on her shoulder, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks, but she didn't move, letting her lean against her.
"Linié, don't touch me like that..."
"Lupa, this is how humans express intimacy..."
"No..."
"Solitär, want to join in some 'splashing'?" Linié invited, remembering she couldn't be "isolated."
"Hmm? Sure." The girl responded with a light laugh.
"Hello..."
Lupa's protests were drowned out by the increasingly cheerful sound of the water.
As the moon set, the group gradually rose to their feet.
Frieren was gently woken up by Ruby. Still half-asleep, she followed Ruby ashore, wrapped herself tightly in a warm blanket, and let Ruby dry her hair while she groggily remained awake.
"Honestly, Frieren is so spoiled..." Ruby complained, but the way she wrapped Frieren's silver hair in a towel was incredibly gentle.
"I can do it myself... I should..." Frieren mumbled indistinctly, her body simply leaning forward slightly in response.
On the other side, Linié stood quietly in front of Lupa, arms outstretched, her deep blue eyes gazing at her silently.
"Linié, what are you doing..." Lupa looked at Linié, unsure of what to say.
"I soaked for too long, I don't have the strength to walk," Linié stated expressionlessly.
"Impossible! How could someone as strong as you be unable to walk after soaking in a hot spring for a while!" Lupa exposed her flimsy excuse.
"I've been soaking for too long, I don't have the strength to walk," Linié repeated, her tone completely flat.
"Impossible..."
"I soaked in the water for too long, I don't have the strength to walk."
Looking into Linié's eyes, which seemed to scream "persistence," Lupa finally gave in, turning away helplessly and crouching down slightly. "Alright, alright... come on up."
Linié quietly nestled against Lupa's back, wrapping her arms around her neck and resting her chin gently on Lupa's shoulder. Her pink hair intertwined with her peach-pink ponytail.
"Lupa smells very nice."
"It smells like hot springs..."
No, that's not it...