in which hiro goes on a field trip to kouka

[dawnblushed]

Comments

[dawnblushed]

I understand.

[...and she actually seems to. What they went through in the castle and what she's gone through since coming back has made it easier for her to see other points of view. If it was right after their return, she might have been more upset by it, but...

Instead, she just squeezes his hand lightly.]

And if there's anything I can do to help you with your goals, I want you to tell me. The others and I will do everything we can, I promise.

[zerotohiro]

All we can do is keep our eyes open and follow any leads we find. That's what I've been doing and that'll apply to what you guys are doing, too. [A beat.] Are you sure the others aren't going to mind that I'm sticking around for now?

[dawnblushed]

Mm. It will work out.

[They've... got this. Probably. They'll deal with the Nadai and find Hiro's brother; it will be fine.]

Well, Hak might make a fuss, but he's kind of a brat and I know how to handle him. [No one wants to hear "he's kind of a brat" from you, Yona.] The others won't mind. They're very kind people... even if they can be a little weird sometimes. But it's a good kind of weird.

[zerotohiro]

He seems kinda dumb anyway. [Hiro????] I can handle a little weird though. My friends are kind of the same.

[Fred is a little more than a little weird, but whatever.] I think it's better to be around a good kind of weird anyway.

1/2

[dawnblushed]

He acts dumber than he is, which is still pretty dumb, Hak!

[There's a rustling from the bushes behind them. Apparently, Yona's instincts are spot-on, but he's just keeping watch... for now.]

[dawnblushed]

...but, anyway. I think you'll like the others a lot.

[She smiles.]

I'd like to meet your friends someday, too. Would you mind telling me about them? ...um, maybe once we're out of the rain, though.

[zerotohiro]

[He turns to face the bushes, raising an eyebrow even higher before he just...ignores it...

...kind of. Hak, why.]

If they're your friends, I probably will. [Not guarantees, but he'll try.] I'll tell you anything you want. After we get out of here. [A grin follows.] Where are we staying tonight?

[dawnblushed]

[Hak, why. Yona will teach him a lesson later.]

There's an inn we stayed at last night. I think we still have enough money for another night there.

[little does he know they're going to get hauled off to a nice resort by Lili as thanks for getting her the heck out of there]

After that, we might end up camping again. Don't worry! It's nicer than it sounds.

[zerotohiro]

...camping. Like outside. Even if it's still raining? Are you sure?

[dawnblushed]

It's not so bad. Camping in the mountains was worse - it was freezing up there!

[and this is why most people she meets no longer assume she's a princess]

[zerotohiro]

Okay, nature and I aren't exactly best friends so...the only reason I'm agreeing is because I trust you. But that's it.

[dawnblushed]

It'll be fine! If it gets cold, we can cuddle up together to keep warm.

[she's the worst and i'm so sorry.]

[zerotohiro]

[INTERNAL RAPTOR SHRIEKING.]

Uh! Yeah! Absolutely! If you think that the others will...be...fine with that?

[dawnblushed]

Why wouldn't they be?

[sorry hiro, she's less princessy but she's still stupid.]

[zerotohiro]

[Please kill him.]

Be...cause? [Maybe not.] Never mind. If you think they'll be fine then they'll be fine. Let's just get going and find a place out of the rain.

[dawnblushed]

[They are indeed fine with it, and "a place out of the rain" turns out to be a tent that night, since they have less money than Yona thought they did. Luckily (?), the girl they'd saved the day before finds them and insists upon putting them up with better accommodations as thanks.

"Better accommodations" still means shared rooms (Lili thinks Hiro is harmless, so he's allowed to stay; the dragons and Hak are booted off to their own room, though), but their inn does have a nice hot spring, and so Yona goes to find Hiro, wherever he is on the inn's grounds. She's clutching some towels and robes and looks excited.]

Hiro! Lili and I are going to the springs. You should come join us!

[zerotohiro]

[Hiro's less worried about shared rooms since it's what they'd done in the castle. They'd stayed together and he thinks Lili is a little funny and bossy but he's used to that. He follows along dutifully, grateful to get out of the tent because hell no. He's not cut out for camping and he thinks maybe this will be a harder mission than anticipated.

On the other hand, while he's exploring the grounds Yona approaches him and he's...startled, to say the least.]

Springs? [He knows exactly what she means. Of course he does, but he's hoping if he plays dumb maybe...it'll be something else. He can dream, right?]

[dawnblushed]

Yes! Lili says they're some of the best in the Water Tribe, so we have to try them.

[Lili is, perhaps, having a bit too much fun introducing these country bumpkins to high culture, but Yona's content to go along with it. It's been a long time since she could really kick back and relax, honestly.]

I don't think she'll take no for an answer, but I didn't really want to say no anyway so it's probably fine.

[zerotohiro]

Springs are just like hot tubs, right? [And he suddenly snaps his fingers.] You know, I totally forgot to pack my swim trunks. Maybe next time?

[He's trying So Hard.]

[dawnblushed]

It's more like a bath. You don't need anything for it, and we've got plenty of towels. It'll be fine!

[sorry hiro.]

[zerotohiro]

And you and Lili are just...okay with this. Even though I'm me. [aka "even though I'm a boy."]

[dawnblushed]

We're okay with it because you're you. I know you won't do anything strange, and Lili believes me.

[she's very aware that you're a boy, hiro!! ...she's also aware that you're also not a huge pervert. so it's fine.]

[zerotohiro]

[He's too disney to be a pervert so there's that. He seems to be weighing his options, huffing to himself and throwing up his hands.]

Fine. Fine...how far away are we going?

[dawnblushed]

Great!

[She shoves a robe and a towel at him, then reaches for his hand to pull him along because what is personal space.]

It's here on the inn's property, around the back.

[zerotohiro]

[INTERNAL RAPTOR SHRIEKING. He lets Yona drag him along though, fumbling to hold the towel and the robe anyway.]

Where're Hak and the other guys?