spohkh | Appointments

[The warmth and the steam of the natural springs in the mountains was a shocking change from the wind and the chill that had blown in with the front in the middle of the week. The subtle change in pressure had gotten to Lupin then, though he had managed to keep the worst of the spins at bay with just taking his time, and he wondered when the change in altitude would get him over this trip. He hadn't tested this factor at all over the last few months, and was starting to question the wisdom of that decision.

Regardless, they were there in the changing room.

Lupin sat on a bench with his eyes closed and willed his focus to clear after that trip through the teleporter. The jump had thrown him off, like prior experiences with teleporting had before. His efforts were only partly effective, but he was in a closed environment with a person who knew the details.

...had been in his head.

He still wasn't sure how comfortable he was with his level of bonding with Spock, but it was there. He could deal.

Just like he could deal with a little dizziness.]

Hey, Spock. You ready?

[Not that there was much to get ready for. All that they needed to do was strip and rinse off, but 'being ready' was more than just physical. After the last few weeks, Lupin wasn't going to push Spock for a while.]

[Spock's voice drifts from behind a wall panel...]

I..am not sure. I cannot seem to find the proper aquatic gear required for this type of activity.

[Spock is still amazed that Lupin suggested they come here together... he was honoured and gratified. It gave him...illogical feelings of what he might do to repay such kindness...]

[No repayment was necessary; Lupin just wanted to make sure that Spock was all right. His stress was noticeable even without the empathic link--though it did make Lupin wonder if his ability to read the man was because of that bond. He leaned up against the panel that divided them and huffed in amusement.]

This is an onsen, Spock. The only 'gear' is a towel...and yourself.

[Embarrassment flowed through the link before it was abruptly cut off...
It would seem that he has spent too much time with judgmental humans. He usually avoided activities such as these for this very reason.

Ka'adith. Spock located a towel, stripped and meticulously folded his clothes and stepped out from behind the panel. Only, he was not aware that he had to wear the towel. What you see is what you get...lean, green, and hairy.]

Where shall I store my clothes?

[Lupin buried his face in his hand and shook his head when Spock reappeared. Oh, he had so much to teach...]

Spock. The towel. [He pointed at his own--neatly secured around his waist.] You cover yourself with it and then you take it off once you're ready to get in the water.

[He was only half Japanese and he knew this.

Patience, he reminded himself. Lupin took a deep breath.] There's some cubbies over there. [he pointed to the storage shelves on the other side of the room.] You can store your belongings in there.

[Spock's entire face and neck turned green as he rushed to put the clothes in the storage space and put the towel around his waist. Securing it he turned to Lupin.]

My apologies. I am unaccustomed to this setting.
I shall follow your lead.

[Spock has his hands behind his back looking as bashful as a Vulcan can...]

[...

...

He always did like the color green.

Lupin shook his head again, this time amused, and gestured for Spock to follow. The threatening vertigo was refusing to fully abate, as he expected with the change in air pressure. He trailed his hand along the wooden slats that made up the walls and used it as a stable anchor with which to guide himself.]

Japanese culture...is weird. They really should make a written guide for this place, so that people don't embarrass themselves. I mean, there are plenty of people here who have never even heard of Japan...

[He was rambling. It was his shield, like always.]

[Spock quirks an eyebrow in fond amusement. Sa-Kai... He can see clearly now that Arsene is not one to say anything if he is not well. Spock will simply need to take matters into his own hands... Brothers should help each other after all.]

You are rambling Sa-Kai....
[With a half-smile on his face, Spock draws up close to Lupin and puts a steadying arm around his waist and moving so that Arsene's arm is around Spock's shoulders.

It is contradictory behaviour to encourage me to speak of my well-being while remaining quiet about your own ailments. Admitting that you need help is considered a great strength in many cultures across the Universe.

...

Where are we going?

[Lupin frowned.]

..I've been dealing with this for months, Spock, and I'm made of some pretty sturdy stuff. [He pulled away, not because he didn't appreciate the hand. It was his pride that was on the line.

The reason was petty. He knew it was petty.]

I'll let you know if I need a hand, okay? [Because the last time he let his friends intervene had resulted in consequences that he didn't want to think about at the moment.]

...

We're on our way to the springs themselves, Spock. Why else did we come?

[Spock's own pride had been mutilated considering recent events.... However, he needed to get Arsene to talk. The hostility was unnatural though not unwarranted.

Spock should practice precaution. He was never someone who used touch often, hardly at all even. But he had been taking liberties with Lupin ... the link was at fault once more.]

[Spock quirked an eyebrow and once more returned to his usual stance...]

I realize why we are here Arsene... Though I will simply follow you to our destination.

[Yes Spock decided, they were definitely going to have a talk later on.]

It's not far...

[Lupin took a breath, grasping at his thoughts to get them back under control. The weather was bothering him, he knew. The weather and the trip to the mountains. Rationally, he knew that he should have tried this with his coach and friend months ago, but asking a man who is effectively paralyzed when put in physical contact with water to go to on a trip to the springs wasn't wise. Even for leisure, it wasn't worth it.

It was why a few of them contemplated setting up a sauna back in the spring. That way everyone could enjoy soaking in some heat.

He led them through the door to the steaming pond that they would be relaxing in. To one side was the wooden barricade that separated the men from the women. It was a place that was private, and quiet.

...something that they both needed.]

So. What do you think?

[Spock hummed in agreement and pleasure. The heat that hit him when Lupin lead him through the doors was very inviting indeed.

He stepped forward and observed the water.]

This looks rather promising I must say.

Oh, it is.

[Lupin winked, as if the springs were one of Luceti's most well-kept secrets. It was just a game for him, but he did love his games.

He joined Spock, feeling a little steadier as his system slowly adjusted to the new conditions. It was good to get away from the chill for just a short while.]

Hey, Spock. [His tone was light, teasing when he glanced up with a lazy smile.] We can take the towels off out here.

[The green blush decided to return and darker this time around. Spock put a hand on the fastening of his towel...]

Right here? We do not enter the water with them on?

Nope. They're meant to dry ourselves after we're done.

[He's French, and has spent many, many weeks and months in Japan. He has no qualms about being nude, even after he takes his scattered bullet scars into account.

Some women liked scars.]

[Thankfully, due to his Vulcan heritage and the ability to heal himself, he had no physical scars. But he never made a habit of walking around naked either.

Spock sighed a bit and removed the towel, folded it, and set it aside. He did all of this without looking at Lupin and walked into the water.

Oh Ap-Lau Natara this was most pleasing! The heat! It was soaking into his very being.

[Lupin idly glanced at Spock when he uttered the untranslated phrase as he took off his glasses and set them aside.]

Quick question. [Lupin turned and leaned back against wa wall, eyebrows lifted in inquiry.] This. [He tapped at the little device that Spock had given him. Is it waterproof? I've been assuming that it's not.

[Spock was already neck deep in the water with his eyes closed... he did open them to answer Lupin..]

It is indeed waterproof. I allowed for the synthetic casing to secure the inner mechanisms... with the adhesive backing it makes for a rather resilient device. However, I would not go more than forty feet underwater with it.

[Spock closes his eyes again and the half-smile adorns his face...]

...Huh.

[perhaps he had been too careful...

His towel was unfastened and set aside with his glasses, and he took a moment to orient himself before slipping in adjacent to Spock. The last time he had visited the springs was when his brother in arms, Jigen, was still in the village. They had a mini splash fight that day, and the memory brought a fond smile to his face.

He settled back and closed his eyes, simply enjoying a moment of being lost in the heat. After a long, mellow moment he voiced another question.]

You said something else that was untranslated. What did that mean?

hmmm?

[Spock was very comfortable, and it was making him a little distracted... He has not felt this relaxed since coming to Luceti...

On second thought, he has not felt like this since...ever.]

The water is most pleasing.. I was merely 'swearing and oath' to the Pre-Surakian goddess of water, Natara.

[Spock opened his eyes briefly and observed Lupin...]

Are you comfortable as well?

Interesting~

[It truly was. So little attention was given in the 1970s series to Vulcan mythology. He wondered if there was an anthology available in the library, now that there were two (confirmed for him) people from that universe now residing in the village.

He glanced over at Spock's question and replied with a lazy smile.]

I am now. The weather messes me up...and this is my first time coming to the Springs since June. The...air pressure. [he waved his hand listlessly.] It affects things.

I see.

[Spock kept all concern out of his voice...which was not hard. But it was getting exceedingly difficult to keep anything from Arsene... though the opposite was also in effect: Arsene could not keep anything from him either.]

May I ask a personal question?

[It was the consequence of being inside the other's head, Lupin knew. He was himself an intensely private man, but his skills lie in high grade deception. Outwardly he could portray anything...but he couldn't lie to himself.

He wondered if he was too aware of Spock's motives at times in recent days. They were still relative strangers, but he could read the other man so well.

Lupin shifted in the water, sat up straighter and rested his arms on the bank. He frowned in curiosity, quickly tried to stifle the jolt of discomfort, and slowly nodded in affirmation.

Information would come out regardless. It was better to have it be quick.]

What kind of personal question do you want to ask?

It is regarding the hostilities that you show towards any form of assistance. I am curious as to why you react this way. You have hinted that the overbearing 'protection' is one of the reasons you moved to your new location.

[Spock was very curious as to what results this inquiry will bring forward.]

[Of course.

Lupin sighed and ran his wet hands through his hair, disheveling his current suave style into a shaggy mess. If Spock was going for that information, there was no reason to maintain his front.

Spock would likely know he was lying if he tried.

He idly made small waves in the water, needing to do something with his hands, before he replied.]

It's a consequence of my career and my world. I'm a criminal, and any show of weakness is a possible danger to life and freedom.

[It was a superficial answer, like always.]

Edited 2012-10-17 01:17 (UTC)

10/12 late evening

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