[o] [SE] Floral Soaps

Elizabeth

The ringing in her ears persisted, but the cold seemed to recede slightly as Elizabeth stepped into the steamy cavern. A few other people occupied the space, but the hotter season made the area less frequented than usual. However, Talyson hadn't been exaggerating the relaxing atmosphere. After weeks of tight muscles trying to fight the chill, she could feel each fiber begin to release, a dull ache already starting to take hold. 

Shaking off the heavy cloak and other exteriors, she exposed her simple bathing suit, slipping into the nearest pool. Her eyes fluttered involuntarily as the hot springs sang to her soul, a groan slipping from her lips. Dipping her head back, she let her hair immerse into the water, running her hands through the brown tresses as she stepped farther into its depths.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

Even Kings needed breaks from their crowns sometimes, and Hadama was carrying a great deal of weight on his broad shoulders in recent seasons. It was nearly impossible for him to take anything resembling a vacation within Torchline, but their neighbor to the north had a renowned hot springs and none of the locals - Ancients, mostly - would have any particular expectations or duties for a Safrin demigod or foreign leader.

He moved through the steaming cavern with a wistful memory of his last visit there in Seren's company, then shook his head to focus himself back on the moment and his purpose in coming.

To relax. To think of neither gods nor responsibilities for one full hour, and to focus on his own well-being.

He chose a pool at random, slipping into it from its far end and letting his legs merge and shift into the comfort of his mertail. He swam lazily across it, passing through a curtain of steam only to find that it was already occupied--

And by someone unexpectedly familiar.

"Elizabeth?" he rumbled in quiet but pleasant surprise at running into the Halovian in the Climb.

Elizabeth

As she continued to run the hot water through her hair, Elizabeth hummed a light tune, letting the comfortable heat and combing of her tresses remind her of her mother's loving care. She'd often sung a similar tune as she ran the brush through her hair at night, its lull dragging her eyes closed. More often than not, she would awaken in her bed, warm and safe. The only difference now was the persistent chill wracking through her body. 

Deep in her thoughts, Elizabeth almost didn't hear the soft voice filter through the ringing, but when she did, she noticed a kind face that was a welcome sight. She smiled immediately, ceasing her humming to greet him. "Ah! Hadama! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you out here?!" Her voice was slightly elevated, attempting to overpower the ringing in her ears. It was getting easier, but she still have a tendency to shout at people. Hopefully the condition wouldn't last too much longer.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

It felt almost rude to interrupt the humming that mingled with the rising steam to create a pleasant ambiance amid the enclosed hot springs, but Hadama had truly not expected to see the therapist here. Still, the genuine warmth of her greeting was reassuring, and he floated closer in case that was why she had raised her voice.

"Indeed," he murmured in agreement to the pleasure of the surprise. He settled against a nearby lip of stone, settling his shoulders against it as his tail flexed in lazy undulation in front of him as he gave her question only a moment of consideration. "A small vacation. I have needed a day for myself," he admitted candidly. He breathed deeply of the mineral-scented steam, bare chest expanding before he let the breath out long and slow so that the mist around his head swirled in new and lazy patterns. "And you?"

Elizabeth

Sadly, distance was not the reason for her raised voice, and Elizabeth proceeded to speak loudly in response. "Similarly! I needed to get away from Halo's cold and someone recommended Frey's Breath for my ailment!" Realizing that her problem wasn't obvious, she gave him a sheepish smile. "I had a run in with a few unhappy spirits! I haven't been able to get rid of this insesent ringing in my ears or the chilling grip on my bones!" Luckily, there weren't any people nearby to cast annoyed glances her way, but her voice still echoed slightly about the cavern. 

Swimming to the edge, she placed her own arms along the side, letting it support her in the deeper water. Her smile was slightly pained as she laughed. "I guess that'll teach me not to visit shrines!"

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.