RP: YSS Kaiyō Pre-Mission Sixteen: Hatsuyume

YSS Kaiyō II
Onsen

Alastair was enjoying the much needed relaxation. Hoshi had got him good by making him think he would get the worst beating for being late. Once he found out the truth he planned to get her back somehow. Right now in this moment he was going to enjoy spending time with his ideal. The one and only Eden, shipper of the ship. He smiled bright as crew started to come into the onsen. He was so proud as he looked at each of them and thought back on the battles. They had overcome so much in such a short time.

"Here, here. Well put Eden, was always one to share such passion with your words." Alastair said as Eden finished her speech and started to get playful. His eyes scanned once more to take in the crew he was so proud of. There was Gravity showing off her fine form. And there is Klaus who, "oh for the love of..." He yelled out as Klaus fell right into Hoshi and Eden. This reminded him of how Wyatt first met Saya and how that turned out. Things were off to a good start.

Alastair relaxed and slipped back into water and started to blow bubbles. Thanks to Klaus unblocking his view he could make out yet another crew. This one being the resident daur. His eyes widened for a moment and choked on the water as his brain processed what his eyes were seeing. He jerked his head up and gasped for air for a moment. The hell was that feeling. He thought to himself. For a man who was always composed, this feeling of something was unsettling. After a moment more he just shrugged it off as just the heat getting to him.

While his composure had returned. His gaze was fully fixed on the moments of the daur. It was no mystery he was very much interested in learning more about her culture. Yet seeing her in this revealing outfit sparked unexpected desires. As she slipped into the water so did he. His boyish side having taken full control as he moved under the water like a submarine running in silent mode.

As she lay across the seat he moved to strike. Alastair quickly slid his arms under her legs and behind her back. In one push he was standing upright holding the daur in his arms. "Ha, I caught myself a Nora." He said with the biggest grin on his face.

Onsen

One moment, the daur had been relaxing and enjoying the heat of the water, and in the next, she was being pulled out of the water by a pair of massive arms. The girl shrieked in surprised upon being lifted from the ledge, her figure scrambling instinctively to get down and back to safety. Her arm connected with something in her flail, and she used it to try and push off to freedom. Just then, she felt the grip tighten on her, one half of her body being pressed up against something solid and warm, another body. Finally beginning to calm down, she blinked a few times before staring wide-eyed at her captor, who was none other than Alastair Belmont, her superior officer and the same man that picked her up from the Yamatai capital to bring her back to the Kaiyo. Not a moment later, she would realize the thing her arm had been pushing on was his face!

"C-Chui B-B-Belmont?!" She stuttered in a high pitched voice as she quickly lowered her arm from his face, her arms drawing in close to her chest as she looked up at him with an expression akin to a deer staring down the headlights of a car.

Onsen

Sacre floated beside Gravity, more the happy to let her girlfriend do the talking. She felt more relaxed now, more relaxed then she could ever remember being. She watched the interaction between Alastair and Nora. Nora didn't look comfortable, Sacre felt like she might want to say something, but she just felt so relaxed. She really did not want to ruin the relaxation. So instead she floated on over to them gently and said, "I see you've met our resident..." Sacre had a genuinely cutting remark but decided halfway through that she didn't feel like it anymore. "Overeager Junior Officer."

Cabin

Masami could hardly contain her sense of playful embarrassment when it finally dawned upon that her cuddle partner was as naked as the day she emerged from the tube. Although the crimson from a sudden flush of bashful teasing could hardly be seen against the golden-brown complexion of her cheeks, she continued to giggle like a schoolgirl before suddenly grasping Hildr's shoulders and pushing herself on top of the olive-skinned Nekovalkyra's voluptuous lap in a deceptively athletic manner. Then, with a flirtatious grin across her features, she placed her hand over her mouth and looked around the room just to be sure that she was not making too much of a scene with her suggestive antics.

"Not anymore babe...." She spoke with a low whisper in Hildr's furred ears, before gently stroking and rubbing her plump lips up against the crimson strands of fur in a manner that hinted at something far more salacious...

YSS Kaiyō II
Onsen

Once the crew was safely in the air-conditioned interior of the Kaiyō II and away from the freezing elements that had forced Masami to actually wear clothes for once, the violet-haired Nekovalkyrja stripped out of her clothes in the changing room before heading into the onsen. Given the circumstances of the occasion, she did not bother to project a volumetric over her form. The warm scent of the flowers in the steamy onsen room filled her nostrils as she floated over the hot water and lowered herself into the area of pool that was closest to the red maple shrubs. With a deep breath, Masami closed and opened her eyes in the relaxed manner of a cat as she let the soothing warmth of the water coalesce around her body.

"Oh, I'll gladly take the first one!" Masami responded to Gravity's playful suggestion, before quickly dunking her head under the water and breaching the surface while a series of giggles escaped from her lips. "So...what's the dare, y'all?" She added in a cheerful tone, before leaning her back against the side wall of the pool and grinning with ravenous anticipation.

Woods

Ragnar spent the trek through the woods making notes of who was not in proper winter attire; forgetting himself somehow, and marked them as potential problem patients who would become intimately familiar with his brand of battlefield bedside manner. Yes, they would learn the SOPs and they would rue the day Ragnar was transferred to the vessel. He also began preparing a lengthy letter to the captain requesting sponsorship to a shipboard/online training program for a doctorship. The highlights were really that three to four medics were fine in a pinch but a lengthy voyage and extended time away from ports of support and proper treatment might require at least one person trained beyond “let’s stick some gum in it and hope that works.”

Sending the message had sunken a massive weight into his gut. Nerves, he always got nerves when making requests or needing help.

Onsen

Ragnar had stayed behind as much as possible and dragged his feet a good bit about undressing. He was a bit shy about the act of stripping off clothes in front of others rather than nudity. He found some of the bashful glances being passed back and forth rather amusing. He felt there was little more beautiful than the natural form, however the act of undressing in front of someone...well that seemed oddly intimate; especially without imminent need attached. Besides, he thought as a few faces seemed brighter red than others, those medical scans leave little to the imagination. Do they think there’s a “no no” filter?

After taking the prerequisite amount of time to look over his own bulking form; making sure nothing needed more work than anything else and being quiet pleased by the clean cut musculature earned from years of work Ragnar walked into what he found baffling professionally but a potential way to show there was more to his personality than grim looks and eternal annoyance. People were splashing, touching, potentially kidnapping, and he was willing to bet a few had “accidentally” broken some no touchy rules.

If it’s levity you want, levity we shall have! He pumped himself up at the height of giggles, splashes, and coy looks. Taking a bolting start and as naked as the day he was born; Ragnar leapt into the air and boldly cried out “Surprise!” While trying to land in the middle of the pool. Only before impacting the water realizing he was doing so in the middle of a crowd he demanded respect from and about to splash water over the woman he asked a sponsorship for further training from.

Maybe this is why I don’t ever get promoted...

Cabin, through the Forest onto the ship then the Onsen.

As she thought of what to do next, it seemed that her decision was already made due to Hoshi’s next set of words, so she joined the large group as they left the cabin, and she was one of those immediately attacked by the coldness as she followed. She shoved her hands into her pockets as she tried to tuck her tail into her cold weather outfit that she wore.

It seemed to be taking a while, but she persevered until she caught sight of the ship that she knew she was stationed on. She stood there staring at it in awe before she remembered she was freezing, and she was lagging, so she hurried up to join the others onto the ship, where it seemed that they would be going to the Onsen. She couldn’t help but feel surprised that they actually had one since she was certain that was not something that was placed on a ship before, but she could be wrong. So she entered the change rooms and she chose to join the number that went naked.

She made her way in, and then after entering the Onsen, she found herself sitting beside Masami. “Dare hat?’ she asked no one in particular. She remembered hearing the Dare word before during training, but not the Hat addition, other than that Hats were the things to be worn. Masami ducked her head under water, but she could hear her giggling.

She heard Hoshi speak, so she chose to pay attention to her, listening as she spoke of things that made her feel good, she thought she would be cared for on this ship they were now on. Yuletide, that was also a word she had heard before, but unfortunately, she didn’t get any experienced in participating in that either, she thought this would be her chance to do so. Gently she placed her hand onto the water, and slowly she pushed it down, feeling how it felt to have the water come up slowly around her hand. It was an interesting feeling to be sure.

She leaned forward a little so that her tail, which was coming up, could be used to scratch an itch. She thought carefully about Masami, and she wondered what she should say to her. “I’ll take second,” she said not realizing what she’s getting into. She suddenly gasped when she was splashed by someone jumping in.

Cabin

Hildr hardly had recovered from her initial embarrassment from Masami's teasing when she felt hands on her shoulders and then the rest of the Neko followed, landing directly in her lap. So very close. Hildr's breath caught as she sat, stunned by her cuddle partner's acts. Thoughts raced through Hildr's mind, chastising herself for losing the initiative, for being so embarrassed, but the main thought that overshadowed the others was the fact that a cute and very naked girl was sitting in her lap. And even that thought melted away as swiftly as it had formed as she felt those plush lips glide along her furred ears and whisper three honey-sweet words to her. A tremor ran from the tip of her tail all the way up her spine and to the tips of her ears, the fur on her tail and ears standing on end as if electrified, puffed-up and fluffy.

As the shock slowly faded from Hildr, she curled shaky arms around the smaller Neko, fingers sliding over the bare skin of Masami's belly under the projected clothes she wore. With Masami on her lap, so very close to her, she felt a profound warmth that seemed to melt away even the memory of the chill air outside the cabin. The blush coloring her face deepened, and a sheepish grin gave her a look of bashful innocence on her normally determined and confident features.

"Glad to help...~" Hildr thought-spoke to Masami in the same soft whisper that she had received, either too embarrassed or simply unable to speak.

----

YSS Kaiyō II
Onsen

Hildr hoped that she could pass off the blush on her face as coming from the cold trek to the ship, the warmth in her cheeks not even subsiding once they reached the ship. She was almost thankful to get a brief moment of respite as she found a place to stow her gear temporarily before she found an open bunk, and subsequently was one of the last ones in the changing room. She wasn't sure if she would be able to look at Masami without blushing herself into oblivion, but decided to take a leaf out of the Neko's book and projected a simple black bikini over herself before she went into the onsen, saluting to Hoshi before going in.

Hildr slid into the water next to a blue-skinned Neko and green-haired Separa'shan - Kara Sifdottir and Sacre Sanssinia, her mind helpfully told her - before she submerged herself to her chin. A sigh escaped her lips as she sank into the water, closing her eyes briefly to center herself before sitting up for the announcement from Eden. Though she was new to the ship, and still quite young, the words moved her in a way that she didn't yet know how to explain. She looked around at the assembled crew, lingering on each of them a moment, wondering what the next few months would bring.

At Gravity's joke she looked over at the blue-skinned Neko, sitting on the other side of Sacre from her. Hildr arched an eyebrow, ventured a question to either of them. "Dare hat?"

Onsen

Gravity sighed and shook her head. She'd really only meant that as a joke, but Nekos, apparently, really loved dare games.

"It was a joke, guys," she sighed, gently pulling on Sacre's tail from beneath the water, trying to get the snake girl to come back to her side and save the shenanigans for later. Rule number one of pulling pranks: wait for lights out. "If you don't know what a dare hat is... just look it up. And make sure to delete your history after."

How had these girls never learned about the infamous dare parties of the Sakura II?! What were they teaching them in boot camp these days?!

YSS Kaiyō II
Onsen

Without too much time to settle in, relax after his hike and take in the charming atmosphere of the cabin, they were off again, because of course they were. Hefting the large bag over his shoulder he quietly trailed behind the rest of the group, his inner thoughts drifting here and there as he mindlessly followed the pack to their next destination. As he had thought the more things change, the more they stay the same; the destination in question was of course an Onsen. Standing beside the door he let his bag slip down his side carefully onto the ground before folding his arms behind his head as he leaned against the wall. Royce's attention fell to Eden, already within the ebb and flow the warm waters as she explained more or less just where they were all going next. His head tilted slightly to the side as he listened, but for the most part his expression remained unfettered and casually smiling.

It was a heart warming speech, though he had a feeling it was more for those that had spent a long time on the ship with one another. and as it stood now he was just a stranger to the entire lot aside for a few precious individuals. With his back to the wall he groaned gently as he slid his form down into a sitting position, his legs folding under him as he watched the others, maybe a good chance to get to know these people through watching them creepily? Sure seemed like it he thought to himself as he rested his chin into the palm of his hand, gaze meeting person after person as they dipped into the Onsen to enjoy themselves. If he knew one thing as fact, truly fact, it was the sexual tension in many of the Yamatai ships was so incredibly thick he often wondered how they functioned at all, it was something of a far cry from the other powers he had encountered in his time, and yet they remained to be one of the true super powers in the universe. Royce frowned slightly, tapping an idle finger against his lip as he thought on the idea for a short while.

Though as more and more people piled into the Onsen he couldn't help but to smile. They were having fun, and that was the whole point of it! The calm before the storm, and watching Eden, he could tell there was something playing at the back of her mind, the same with Hoshi as well. They knew what this was as well, and as he considered it, Royce's smile faded somewhat. His gaze quietly drifted down as he shifted his legs, and finally stood. With a small delayed yawn he stretched his arms and legs, and made his way to a quieter side of the Onsen. Scratching at his nose as he neared the edge he began stripping his own clothing, a tattered jacket tossed casually to the side before he arched forward, pulling his shit off over his head and dropping it next to him. Nearing the water he worked upon his pants, dropping those around his ankles before shimmying out of his checkered undergarments.

His body carried a heavy tan, toned in his muscle mass and would of been rather appealing for prying eyes if it hadn't been for the absolute wreck his form seemed to be in. Deep gashes trailed up and down his arms, scarred over, his legs the same and all healed by time but seemingly happened close to one another. While many of these seemed to be covered up somewhat by various tattoo designs, his torso held the same volume of marks though a few seemed more recent and like puncture wounds than laceration. Royce knelt down beside the side of the Onsen, groaning quietly as he lowered his body into the steaming water. Hefting a single long breath as his body slid into the comfortable embrace of the water. Those that were shy or cautious be damned; he was going to enjoy this. Inhaling a deep breath of the steam he leaned his head back against the side of the Onsen and slid his eyes closed.

YSS Kaiyo II
Onsen

Odo was so confused as to what they were doing. One minute they were in the cabin, and everyone was happy and jumping around. And then they were treking through the forest, and now they were at the onsen. People were in various states of undress and Eden had given a rousing address. He joined in the undress, figuring if he was part of the crew, he would do what the rest of the crew did.

He saw many people were jumping and splashing in the water and having fun, and he decided he would join in. He walked up to the edge and jumped in, yelling geronimo, using his ability to manipulate gravity to slow him down enough so he wouldnt hurt himself when he hit the shallow bottom but keeping the splash to a size that would still splash those near him. After he fully submerged, he came back up and looked around.

"Sorry, I couldnt help myself." The engineer said to those around him. And he moved to the edge of the pool, and leaned against the side.

YSS Kaiyo II
Onsen

Sacre floated back to Gravity's side like a balloon being pulled along after an eager child. Sacre pulled herself closer with her tail. Wrapping it along Gravity's leg and brushing up against her inner thigh 'innocently'. Sacre kissed Gravity on the cheek as she bobbed next to her. There was very little that mattered to Sacre outside of Gravity and her life on the Kaiyo. It didn't matter where they went, she would follow them to hell and back. "Mmmh?" Sacre murmured, wondering what Gravity wanted.

YSS Kaiyō II
Onsen

Elenor sighed, leaning against the wall. She was probably the only crew member still wearing her uniform, mostly because she was uncomfortable with undressing for something like this. Were it a shower, prepping for a mission, or just general work-related tasks, she'd have been fine. but undressing in front of everyone, and splashing around in minimal to no clothing? No thanks. Not for her.

Of course, she was mildly surprised when she and Alastair had arrived to the Cabin, and learned that both she and Alastair had arrived far earlier than expected, and then told to help get the ship ready for the rest of the crew. She didn't have a problem with that persay, since in a fashion their leave wasn't completely canceled. They were just on stand-by near as she could tell, waiting to finish loading up the last few supplies they'd need for their mission.

Onsen

Gravity initially stiffened at the contact, her cheeks turning a slightly darker shade of blue as her mind raced to other, less PG places. None the less, the Neko placed an arm around Sacre's waist and pulled her close, laying her head contentedly on her shoulder.

"Nora looks like she's gotten in a few good hits. Let's just relax for a moment. Yui knows we probably won't be able to for a while." Gravity whispered into Sacre's ear, making sure her lips brushed against the outer curve.

Two could play at that game.

YSS Kaiyo II
Onsen

Alastair knew as soon as he picked up Nora that he was asking to get pegged in the face. He braced himself just in time to take the elbow to the face from her. His grip held firm till she calmed down and removed her body part from his face. Despite the hard hit, her soft skin made it hurt that one percent less at least.

He moved his jaw side to side for a moment to get some feeling back into it. Then he looked to Nora with a smile. "Damn, good hit I must say." He said with a chuckle. He then dropped a knee and placed her back down on the ledge. "Sorry I startled you, I am not sure what came over me." He then took a step back to put some space between them. His ears also picked up the comment coming from Sacre who he turned his attention too. "I have you know that I am not a Junior..." He stopped mid thought as he noticed Gravity making a move. Instead of trying to finish his thought he decided to put his attention back on Nora. He quickly moved just down from her and took a seat on the ledge. "Seems everyone is enjoying the free time in the onsen." He commented as his head turned and looked over towards the daur.

Woods

It was... strange, very strange, the most queer of sensations. Fareed had left his home to see the big outside in the first place, seeking not only adventure and new experiences, but that which lie beyond the horizon and held more than he could find in just his one planet, or his one system. But the coldness of this place now at the year's end, the snow underfoot and the stinging, frozen wind drove deep nostalgia into his heart as violently as a dagger stabbed there, but it was a warm and comforting feeling at once. Most queer, most odd indeed...

So lost was he in his personal feelings, he had nearly fully forgotten about the appointed meeting on the cabin while exploring the nearby zone surrounding the village's area. He hadn't even brought his winter equipment, the chilled peaks of Mazeriin's mountains... the much smaller ones, of course. He had the spirit of discovery and exploration, not a death wish. Lost in thought at whether the mounds he scaled could be called mountains at all, he remembered suddenly like a slap to his face.

"The meeting...!!!" Turning tail and running back to the small village with the Cabin, he admonished his lack of restraint just because of some homesickness. Alas he was too late, the area barren and everyone already moving to the ship. He followed right after, fresh marks of numerous feet still left in the snow all the way to the ship of the Kaiyo II, and he allowed himself seconds to admire in awe the place where he would serve. But with the lateness of his arrival, he somehow dreaded that may not be the case anymore.

----

Kaiyo II
Onsen

A little short of breath, he had barely reached the door into the changing rooms and the Onsen beyond, the sounds of splashing water and other activity he could somewhat catch from outside guiding him there... this had to be the place, gulping down loudly as he opened the door and stepped inside the changing room, moving further forwards to the next door that lead to the Onsen proper and peeking in. Everyone was there! But an Onsen in a military ship like this...? He felt his decision to seek a change of pace was justified upon such a bizarre sight, but he allowed himself to be dumbfounded for just a few seconds. Some people had swimsuits, others went nude, there was even one woman standing by the wall with her full clothes and seemingly no intent to join in. His best deduction was that participation and clothing left to individual choice, and he didn't waste forth more time to strip himself - enough cold for one day, a warm bath was a welcome next step. So then and there did he step into the Onsen's room proper, a mere white cloth that reached to the middle of his tight and wrapped around his hips, the fullness of his musculature standing out in his fairly pale skin, a joyous little smile spread on his lips... "I am likely still dead after getting here so late, aren't I?"

Wyatt's brilliantly amber eyes melted a little as he saw Saya enter the room, it was the first time he'd seen the pink-haired medic in person since earning the black panel and due to the isolation they'd put on him to keep the Minkan from being distracted by the outside world this would be the first time she'd see his mustache in all its fully-grown glory.

He remained silent and allowed her to exchange a few words with the Chusa before someone else stole their pink-skinned Captain's attention away and he decided to slowly approach the medic from the side, offering her a warm and genuine, even if small, smile before speaking. "Saya~ greetings... I forgot what I had planned to say but it is lovely to see you again nonetheless," he admitted before moving to gently rest a hand on the shorter woman's waist, he'd almost forgotten how much more beautiful and breath taking she was in person.

Saya jumped a fair bit as she wheeled on Wyatt, eyes wide at the sudden touch. She hadn't expected him back so soon and to that effect, her braid whipped around to smack Wyatt in the face. As it passed, it took Saya a moment longer to realize who it was before a instinct kicked in and caused her to jump a little and wrap her arms around the Operative's neck.

"Wyatt! You're back!"

After her moment of exuberance, she seemed to remember where she was and who all she was with as she quickly untangled herself from the man before she gave him a bow as well.

"He-hello Wyatt-Heisho. I am glad to see you are doing well!" She said in a restrained voice before she stood. The gold in her eyes seemed to sparkle with joy to see the man again as she played with her braid absently.

"Please Saya, you need not be so formal around me," Wyatt spoke after returning that bow with one of his own, he wanted to return that hug she had started earlier but agreed maybe this wasn't the best time nor place so instead opted to stand upright once more and continue speaking - saying nothing of the pink whip that had gently collided with his face.

"I do hope things have been well with you though, apologies for not reaching out... they locked down all outside communications for the duration and had I known earlier then I would have told you... though that is quite enough about me~ how have you fared? anything new with you?" the Minkan asked with that same warm look towards the shorter medic as he placed a, hopefully reassuring, hand on her shoulder.

"I just got nervous cause everyone else is around..." Saya said as she looked around at the others as covertly as she could before she nodded in understanding.

"I kinda figured. SAINT is very hush hush on anything concerning them, so I kinda expected it. But it is so nice to see you again." Saya said as she rested a hand on Wyatt's with a smile. After thinking it over for a moment she seemed to cuddle into his chest and let out a small sigh, arms snaking their way around his waist.

"It is nice to see you too," Wyatt reciprocated with a small breath as Saya no doubt felt the bulletproof bodysuit and plate-bearing vest hidden beneath his facade of a mostly standard uniform, though she hadn't said anything yet so the Minkan simply gave her smaller frame a loving squeeze as everyone began to move outside and back to the ship.

"We should get moving~ though I would love to talk more," he spoke, chin resting atop Saya's pink head gently as he held the woman lovingly, he didn't want to let go though no doubt there would be more questions if they didn't move.

"So would I. Hopefully after the mission." Saya detangled herself from the man but snuck in a quick kiss on the cheek of Wyatt before she turned to the others and began to fiddle with her braid. She pulled it out of the braid, making it much longer and rather wavy. It was only a second that she shook her hair out and tried her best to untangle it all before nimble fingers began to rebraid her hair.

Wyatt tensed up a little at the kiss initially before his smile widened ever so slightly and he moved to quickly finish up his mug of hot chocolate before quickly grabbing his large, winter jacket. "Considering what the Chusa has planned we won't be able to do anything planetside, unfortunately, but I would not be against maybe swinging by your quarters later?" the Minkan asked before he paused with a hand on the small of the Neko's back, "Did you bring your own jacket? I didn't see one when you walked in."

"I... Did not..." Saya admitted a little dejected, though the idea of Wyatt in her room alone with her made her blush a bit as she continued to fiddle with her hair.

"Then please, I implore you to take mine instead~" he added just before they crossed the threshold to exit the building, offering Saya his navy blue jacket with a fur-lined hood before speaking some more, "Cold never much bothered me anyway, so I can live without it for a bit and would happily give it up for you."

"Ar-Are you sure?" Saya asked as she took the jacket and held it close for a second. A blush spread across her cheeks for a moment as she hesitated for a moment and slipped into it with a giggle.

"Thank you Wyatt."

"Always," the coppery man spoke as everyone trudged out into the white snow that crunched softly under boots as footprints were left behind, the jacket had retained a small bit of warmth from when Wyatt had worn it previously and smelled faintly of him though it was nothing unpleasant and would keep her more than warm for the small trip - the Minkan stayed alongside his medical companion and opted for some more light conversation along the way.

"You haven't been overworking yourself lately I hope?" Wyatt asked as he put an arm around Saya's shoulders to hold the woman close, he really did miss her and the woman's presence was borderline intoxicating despite his outward appearance of maintained normality.

Saya pulled the jacket tighter to herself and took a deep breath as she tried to bury herself into the jacket. She nodded a little and sighed.

"I've tried a bit here and there. I was up way too late last night with my campaign work and stuff, but I've tried to relax. How about you? had a chance to relax after your training?"

Wyatt gave a similarly small nod before he spoke back, "Thankfully yes, I was given a period of grace afterards to let my mind and body re-adjust to what kind society would throw at it after the intense ordeals they put me through but I am fine," he answered with that faint smile still present as the man's amber eyes drifted across to her, positively burning against the white backdrop.

"I... would love to catch up on some of your A and N work with you if you'd be willing, you've gotten me hooked on it, Saya."

"Maybe tonight when you come over I can show you." She said with a smile as nod as she heard the snow crunch underfoot as they walked out into the snow and leaned against him as they walked.

"Or maybe I can show you something else I've been working on." She offered with a small blush across her face.

"Of course, either would be an appropriate excuse to spend more time with you," he happily responded as the crew approached their titular ship, it was funny - the Kaiyo-ii almost seemed smaller than he remembered but regardless the lot was soon ordered to get changed into something more appropriate for the Onsen - Wyatt was a Yamataian citizen of course but he did not share the need to publicly strip naked in front of the others that a lot of his fellow countrymen did and instead turned to face Saya once more.

"I know we are both rather conservative when compared to a lot of the others on the ship, though I will still ask how you personally wish to go about this ~ you have my support whatever the answer may be," the Minkan spoke via a more private, mental message with the Medic, fully aware of some aspects of Saya's more reserved nature and how she may feel given the current situation - it was part of the reason why she appealed to him more so than some of the more sultry crew members he supposed.

"You mean telling them about us? I don't want to wave a flag about and shout it every time we walk into a room, but if asked I don't mind saying something." Saya replied in kind through the mental messaging. She was much alike Wyatt in that she had waited until she was in the changing room itself before she stripped down and went so far as to take a towel to cover herself. The thought of the others knowing they were official gave her stomach a case of the butterflies, but it was a enjoyable sensation.

"I... was initially referring to the Onsen situation but you bring up something important I planned to slowly steer the conversation towards," Wyatt's mental message read back in a somewhat apologetic tone as he moved into a nearby stall to change, it was less to do with modesty and more to do with the fact that it might cause some unneeded paranoia to find out the ship's latest Saint Operative was wearing body armour - soon re-emerging with a towel around his waist to stow the volumetrically-disguised bundle in a secure locker with enough charge for a few hours as the silent conversation continued.

"I agree with you there, there is no need to make sure it is everybody's business though I also feel there is no need to go hiding it - so we'll let them slowly figure it all out and approach us if they feel like it I suppose," Wyatt's mental messaging finished as he turned around to offer Saya that warm smile that melted as he saw her. Saya had seen the copper-haired, knife-eared Minkan in a scarily similar position before though this time it was less of an awkward accident with his athletically lean, tanned body of tightly-knitted muscles on display - this was the first time Wyatt had seen her in less than a uniform and to be honest, he found the current visage of Saya to be mesmerising and the usually stoic Minkan couldn't help but quietly voice it.

"...you're beautiful~"

Saya's blush rose to a new hue as she watched him look her over. She turned her face down and to the side coyly, but smiled all the less.

"Th-Thank you..." She whispered in return and hugged the towel that covered her body a little closer. Her ears twitched a little as she spared a glance to Wyatt, and this time took in his body with her own gaze. He was strong, muscled and that much was easy to see. Subconsciously she bit her lower lip just a little as she felt a warmth spread through her body but turned to try and banish the thoughts for the moment.

"I-is it a sh-shared onsen here?" She asked him, unsure and unaware. It was the only thing she could spit out just then as she tried to keep her composure and fight words past the lump in her throat.

Wyatt diverted his amber oculars to the side slightly upon seeing Saya hug her towel closer, not wanting to make it look like he was rudely ogling as the Minkan spoke with a faint pinkness gracing his own cheeks, "Unless the ship was refitted in my absence then yes... but I won't abandon you in there, if that helps set your mind at ease~" the olive-skinned man finished as his own elven ears twitched faintly, brushing a thought from his mind.

"Thank you." Saya said before she turned to walk inside. She was quick to move to the water and for a moment she disappeared as the towel unwound itself from around her and the water was disturbed, all before the bubblegum haired medic reappeared in the water. She looked over her shoulder to see if Wyatt followed.

Sure enough Wyatt followed her in once everyone had been addressed, moving over to the water's edge as he, in one smooth motion, discarded the towel and then entered the heated pool before the towel had even touched the ground - successfully managing to keep himself modest until that lower half was safely under the water and he was sat next to the Medic.

People falling in, others being lifted out and most notably Belmont Chui taking an elbow to the face, everything seemed more or less the same as when the copper-haired Minkan had left and he was glad for it, moving to rest one reassuring hand on the top of Saya's bare leg beneath the water - it was good to see faces both old and new though he wondered whether there would be greetings this time or whether it would be a repeat of the cabin, either way he was happy to be back even if the man's olive features remained mostly impartial besides the faint smile the Medic next to him seemed to coax out.

Saya flinched a little as she felt the hand on her leg, still not used to the affection, but quickly relaxed as she realized just who's it was. She smiled and cuddled up closer to Wyatt and moved his hand from her leg to wrap it over her shoulder as she leaned her head against his chest. She listened closely to Eden speak, blue and gold eyes locked on the woman as she took in the words and mulled them over in her mind before she closed her eyes to speak.

"I'm so glad you're back Wyatt."

Wyatt let out a content little sigh as Saya got into a comfier position against his body, half hugging the pink haired medic as one of his elven ears twitched slightly at the sound of an elbow impacting Belmont-Chui's jaw amongst all the other commotion but he just sat there - arm pulling in slightly to better embrace Saya a little more as he spoke softly enough for her similarly knife-tipped ears to hear.

"...and~ I'm so glad I met you~ it feels good to be back," the Minkan spoke, slightly less stoic than his usual self as the hints of pink slowly faded from his cheeks - though even in this moment of relaxation Wyatt was still sizing up crew members both familiar to him and not.

Onsen

In horror, Nora watched as her superior officer moved his jaw about after she had oh so elegantly decided to impact it with her bony elbow. She could bearly think straight as he dropped down onto a knee and replaced her figure onto the bench again, her body now submerged in the soothing water up to her shoulders again. The daur opened her mouth to speak as Alastair took a seat, but her sentence was cut off before it had even started by not one, but two splashes from various crew members deciding it was a good idea to cannonball into a small bit of water filled to the brim with people.

Her lips pulled into a tight smile, and even though her eyes were now hidden by the sodden white bangs now plastered to her skin, the loud huff that left her nose, making her body shake for a moment signaled she was pissed. Given how long it took to wash the mass of beyond waist length hair that the fox sported, she had specifically been trying to avoid getting the white locks wet. The daur would hold her breath for a few seconds before exhaling again, however, this time her posture seemed to deflate as one of her hands reached up and out of the water to remove the chopstick from her hair, somehow having managed to keep the loose bun in place the whole time. She tossed it over the side of the bath as the hair unraveled and plopped into the water, slowly spreading out over the surface behind her. "Hah..yes, I would say so." She said with a dry chuckle as her hand slicked her bangs back and out of her face; its final task before it sunk back into the warm water again. Finally, she'd look to Alastair again, her ears flopping forward as she bowed her head. "Please forgive me for hitting you, Chui Belmont."

YSS Kaiyo II
Onsen
Kiki was in the Onsen now, she was just about to pour a cup of coffee when she left the cabin. She had taken a few moments to get prepared before going into the water, but now she was there with practically everyone else in the ship. She never realized it was possible to fit this many crew members in an Onsen, but apparently she was seeing it now. The "crest" in her hair went flat and collapsed after exiting the changing room and entering the heated water, the yellow hair from it spreading out over the top of her head. Her hair looked a bit messy on top now that her crest had disappeared. Kikios just ignored it, since she already anticipated that it wouldn't withstand changing and getting into the water. The crestless cockatoo ducked under the water a few times to get the water to even her hair out so it would be less messy.

Chlorate clanked loudly out of the changing room, wearing nothing but the white plastic that was attached to her robotic body. By now, just about all the snow that had been all over the Snow Chlone had either melted or fallen off, but her black metal was still freezing cold to the touch. The gynoid clanked into the Onsen, and her clanks got somewhat quieter and more muffled as she stepped into the water, but even then they were still audible above the surface of the heated pool when her metal-soled feet stepped on the Onsen floor as she walked through the water.

Onsen

Klaus' accelerated fall into the squishy mass of Eden's chest with his face and Hoshi's face being hit by his toned and sharp appendage, there were still smiles to be had from the pair. Hoshi gave her head a shake, which sent a lot of water flying from the hair that framed her face. This didn't matter too much, though, and much more splashing was to be had.

"I hope that wasn't your first time, birthday boy!" Hoshi said giddily as she looked at Klaus removing himself from cleavage.

When Ragnar made his grand entrance into the water, the black haired Chusa looked as if she had nothing kind to say, but within a moment, she lifted her hands above her head as a volumetric white score card appeared in her hand and she lifted it fully above her head, elbows bent marginally, to reveal a "10" written in red on the scorecard. Hoshi looked from the card to Ragnar and held a hand up while splaying all fingers but her index finger and thumb, which were touching at the tips as she smiled widely.

The expression on Hoshi's face slackened, though, after her head had turned and her dark indigo eyes had swept over Chlorate's form. Surprisingly, the multi-partnered Nekovalkyrja seemed stunned by her own girlfriend's unclothed appearance as her jaw fell. Once her open mouth opened, her expression seemed to no longer change momentarily, before her eyes widened.

"HEY, wait!" Hoshi turned from Chlorate to face her crew as she jumped from the water and began racing towards the robot, "Don't look at her like that! C'mon! Hey, you, I see you looking! Ahh!" She was speedily waving her hands and had planted herself between Chlorate and the crew as her hands waved frantically, "Everyone, avert your gazes!!! Avert them!"

While this was happening, a small Neko was murmuring to herself all the while she distributed unwrapped presents to each cabin room. She placed them on the bed of the crew member the presents belonged to, which was made easy for the muttering Neko by the small name tags that were attached to the objects in question. The name tags were attached with swirling red and gold twine that was either tied or taped neatly onto the presents. Next to the gifts that bore name tags were less unique to the individual gifts and were the pre-established grouping of gifts given last year. If a crew member had already received the grouping of gifts the year before, they were only given the items that needed replacing, mostly more of the sweaters as nobody really broke a datapad case they never used.

Along with the personal gifts, each crew member that had not been on the ship for the festivities before this year had on their bed a series of Kaiyō-themed gifts that were given to the the crew the last year. The zip-up hoodie with the YSS Kaiyō II amidst an iconic ocean scene was there, along with the warm and pretty patterned pull-over, a brilliantly made but sure to annoy other crew members Adante keyboard, a dinky datapad case with the Kaiyo ship patch on it, and a holiday kit, type 36.

The personal gifts were laid out with a certain care so that the sparkling twine dropped to allow the name tag to face the door of the cabin as best it could. Every member got a gift thoughtfully chosen for them ((OOC: If your character's gifts are not mentioned, choose your character's gifts yourself or discuss with me what might work. Please add it all to characters' inventories. Merry Yule!))

In Wyatt and Saya's cabin, the Neko had put a not-to-scale-model of a Finagle's Revenge on the bed furthest from the door that she had trouble making look apparent amongst the clutter of the other gifts. It didn't even have a name tag. Below the bed below Wyatt's bed was where she had put a much larger and working Finagle's Revenge. The name tag itself laying on the ground of the cabin was the only indication of the present.

Saya's own bed looked crazy! It had on it three “Skinner Gills” air and water scrubber collar sections of a "Moondyne's Graft" Hackable Voidwalker suit, not that that was easy to distinguish when looking at the oddities on her bed. It was also hard to tell that they were currently turned off, but they were not on, yet. On the back of her name tag, it said: "Medlab use only⚠"

Elenor had on her bed the group of gifts as well as something ore personal. A few sets of various Kagayaki cosmetics, complete with three colors of pinkish and reddish lip glosses that were accompanied by two day to night eye shadow kits. Behind them was a Eternal Beauty Nekovalkyrja Application with a one YE subscription. On the back of her nametag was written: "VR program: #251"

Hildr's bed held a small stack of books, an odd site in a society where reading was done on an innate HUD or screen of some sort. The books, some of which had white paper wrapped around the covers in such a way so that they may still be bent and opened to read so that the covers inherent to the books went unseen. One of the books with no white paper cover was "Legend of Tsukihime and Sol". Another one given to her had a cover with a scene of embrace between two dark haired Neko and was titled, "海千山千", which was an old Yamataigo phrase about many oceans and many mountains. It had an author named Teien Tōtoi. Inside the cover was a handwritten note: "Please enjoy this. It came from my heart. My mind was not involved, sadly. -T"

Nora's bed had a ripe, red fruit and a folded kimono, which was made for Nora's body shape and type - it even had a tail slit large enough for the fluffy, white, and grandiose extension of her body. A trio of tinkling kanzashi meant for hair and two ear clips of the same style adorned the top of the kimono. The ear clips themselves had cushioned silk lining the inside of the clips, to not put undue pressure on them. Beside the folded clothing and, yet, separated from them by a foot or so of space were four clean and empty terra-cotta pots of varying sizes with a larger nametag than the other ones, as there was a long note on the back of it that read:

"This is a present and an undertaking for a gifted gardener. You will find what you need to accomplish this task that is not here in the science dome, such as many more pots, plants, seeds, appropriate nutrients, and soil. The task: fill this ship with greenery. The ship's second officer should oversee parts of this project, at your discretion, so ask him for help when you need it. Securing artificial gravity around any planters is likely a two person task. The red fruiting plant in the dome is of particular importance to the Ketsurui Clan and Yamatai Star Empire and getting her seeds for her further propagation is essential. Take care of her. And yourself."

Onsen

Alastair had just enough time to put his arm up to block most of the slashed water from having the last laugh. As his arm dropped he could see that the daur had not been as lucky. He blinked a few times then let out a laugh. She looked like a wet puppy, a very angry wet puppy. After a moment he regained his composure and relaxed against the back wall of the onsen. His strong arms stretched out to either side leaving him completely exposed. His large chest and impressive abs were on full display. It was clear this guy worked out and did so often. The pleasure trail terminated just below his waist at the towel he had wrapped around himself.

He looked to Nora who was busy messing with her hair. "Think nothing of it, I should have expected such a reaction." He said with a smile thinking back at his foolish action. Whatever came over him to do something so out of character. "Will have to forgive the crew being this excited. Its been a long time since we could relax like this. Though if you need a hand I can help tend to your hair." He reached behind himself and flicked his long hair out behind and over the onsen. He then pulled it back in tight and laid it over the front of himself.