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bakerstreet2023-03-21 08:05 pm
hotlink) wrote in bakerstreet2023-03-21 08:05 pm
Hotsprings time
Ah the outdoor hotspring/spa resort. Truly one of life's greatest pleasures and just the best damn way to relax. But this is no ordinary hotspring resort. The staff are all scantily clad, the rooms are stocked with condoms and lube, the bath robes supplied have VERY short hemlines, and the bathing areas are mixed gender. The owner of this resort is strongly of the opinion that there's nothing more relaxing than a good, hard, fucking. So come on in, enjoy our facilities, and enjoy each other.
AND NOW, LADIES, GENTLEMEN, AND THE REST OF YOU, THE PROMPTS:
1: Bathing - This resort has mixed bathing, and no one even told you to bring a swimsuit. But hey, the water is JUST right, and there are worse things than being naked together with a sexy friend. Or maybe even a sexy stranger.
2: Massage - Life can be stressful. If you aren't careful, the tension can build up until suddenly you can't even stand up straight anymore. Fortunately, there are people here who know how to fix that and who have absolutely magical hands. Pick out some nicely scented oils, undress to your comfort level, lie down, and let the master work their miracles. Maybe you can get your happy ending too.
3: Hygiene - Maybe you just want to get clean. Stranger things have happened. Pass the soap. Scrub each others' backs, Wash each others' hair. Let's get hygienic in here.
4: Night owls - You couldn't sleep either, eh? Good thing it's a lovely night. No one else is up right now, so let's watch the stars and talk about life. Or did you have something else in mind?
5: Sauna - Sweat all the poisons out. It's good for you. It might be a bit too hot for most sexy activities, but on the other hand you ARE surrounded by glistening, sweaty, undressed bodies.
6: Strip Games - Poker is the classic, but you could also do ping pong, Street Fighter, Pictionary, Chess, or anything else you can think of! Every time you lose a point, take something off. Out of things to take off? You lose, and the winner gets to do with you what they want. Don't worry, it's all in good fun.
7: Clothed sex - Maybe you don't have time to get undressed. Maybe you don't want to. Whether it's because you want to be discrete about it or because they just look so damn cute in that outfit that you don't want them to take it off, it's time to do the do without achieving the full naked.
8: Stealth sex - A handjob under the table in the middle of dinner, a quickie while hiding in the closet, fooling around under the sheets while a chaperone suspects nothing.
9: Food - It goes without saying that a resort like this would have excellent food available, but if you want to go for the truly decadent experience, have them serve the food as a side dish to THIS delicious hunk of meat: Your thread partner! It's foodplay. Eat sushi off someone's body. Pour chocolate sauce on them. It fine, there are baths here to wash it all off afterwards.
10: Toys - Dildos, vibrators, fuzzy handcuffs, and more! All available for rent for a modest fee, if you want to get up to something that needs some props.
11: Wildcard - You can do anything! I believe in you!
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Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief. She had suspected that they'd be dropping money for the food regardless, but it was always good to confirm. ]
Perfect. As hungry as I am, I'd feel guilty to eat their food and not leave them anything. [ As much as she teased Van about not seeing himself as a hero - she could see where he was coming from in other ways too. She didn't think of what they did as particularly heroic, so much as just doing the right thing and helping people in need. That's the entire reason she joined the guild an- and Van just said the magic words, as her face lit up almost literally. ]
That sounds amazing..! [ Chocolate cake!! She's.. going to have to triple her exercise routine after tonight ... but it will be worth it! ]
I didn't even think about it - I haven't had chocolate cake in months. [ She took a sip of the water that had been left for them, debating adding a glass of milk to her order. Childish? Nuts to that, who doesn't have milk with chocolate cake..? Well.. except the lactose intolerant... ]
Eh..? [ Ah. Sexy... *koff* Y-yes, well she.. certainly understood that part. Still she blushed sheepishly, clearing her throat. ]
Well, I guess I was born with it, actually. I didn't realize it until much later that I even had that power, though. Sometimes Ether Gear develops late in life - like in my case - and slowly at that. I thought it was just speed at first, since whenever I used it I could increase my speed on foot or when I was using my cruiser, but it turned out to be something else entirely.
[ She's going to skip out on the whole part with Master Noah's involvement, though. She'd forgiven him. ]
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[A world without sweets?! Van would end up becoming a recluse if that happened. If there was only darkness in the world, then how could he balancing things out with something sweet? Plus there were plenty of other reasons why the world shouldn't go on without cake! But he'd save that lecture for another time...
He listens out to Rebecca's explanation with a soft hum... So she was born with that power and not given it? Interesting. He assumed that it was something that was created and given to her for use, but if it came from her... Then that raised a few questions about Rebecca herself. Everyone had mysterious sides to them... But for now, he keeps those potential questions to himself.]
But hah... I guess it makes sense to discover skills like that in times of crisis or whenever you least expect it. Grendel was kinda like that for me too... Originally, I never could turn into that thing. [A beat.] It was Mare who granted me access to that transformation. It's not just my appearance that changes, but I gain crazy destructive power on top of that.
[It does put strain on his body, but he's gotten the hang of it! One would think Van would lose his sanity becoming that monster, but he felt mostly like himself. He does have to ask a curious question... It comes with some awkward gentleness as he ponders on how to word it.]
Does, it, uh... scare you to see me become like that?
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Well I was on a no chocolate diet at the time, but I think this is a perfect opportunity to break that. Although you know there could be places out there, that outlaw chocolate. Or sweets in general!
[ Rebecca it's not Halloween, stop telling horror stories. ]
So Grendal wasn't originally part of you? [ She put a hand to her chin, thoughtfully. ]
Yeah, you definitely showed that kind of strength you have when you turn into that form. [ She hesitates a moment, thinking about how to answer his question. Honestly was always the best, she felt. ]
..somewhat... but not because of your appearance. [ She wanted to make THAT clear. She wasn't afraid of him in the least. ]
What happened to you back then? It was like you were going out of control...and I knew Mare would be able to help you but seeing you like that and not being able to help you is... [ She shook her head. How could she put that worry in words? ]
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[There's some genuine worry in his tone whenever she says this! Van's overexaggerating the truth of course, but he had to the ambassador for all sweets lovers out there. Though whenever the topic goes to Grendel, he becomes more serious about that... This would be a little complicated to explain he felt, but he'd do his best.]
Hm... I guess to put it in layman's terms, Grendel comes from 'something' within me. But it doesn't originate from normal common sense that you'd see in this world. You could say that it's like how water pours out from a faucet. If we didn't have faucets, then we'd have too much water spraying into a sink, right? Grendel is like the faucet that controls the power within me from pouring out of control.
[Van pauses to take a drink of water from his cup. Mare could've explained more of the details, but she was restricted like a radio message that couldn't get proper reception. He notes Rebecca's pause of worry and ponders on where to start...]
I guess I should bring this up now... You mentioned cults before, right? Are there any particular cults out there that you've heard about?
[She did mention the organizations that she knew of before, but now... He decides to narrow things down to something more specific. He's being a bit like a detective here, but it was important before he brings this next topic up.]
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Okay Okay, I won't tease you about that. I can't help it when you react like that.
[ More seriously, she considered the explanation. It made sense.. that would also indicate he had a scary amoung of energy to need something like Grendel to maintain it. ]
So then does that mean something went wrong with your Grendel form? You definitely seemed like something was going out of control when you got hit into the wall back there.
[ Ugh, cults. Not a fan. ]
Well.. yeah, although the ones I know of - I don't know if they're even still active anymore. There's ... well Drakken's organization was more of a criminal syndicate than a cult, so I suppose I should leave that out. The other one I know of I only really know by name...the Church of Saintfire. ..I only know that my mother was part of it, and so was her mother.
[ And it ruined their lives, so Rebecca was hoping very much they weren't active still. And better yet, they never found out about Rebecca considering they murdered her wee self in a different timeline/universe. ]
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[Judging from Van's tone, he's speaking with a high degree of respect himself. He owed a lot to Bergard considering what he's done for him in the past. Even now, Van considers himself an absolute failure of a student compared to his other disciples.
Considering who, no, what he is... It's amazing that the old man didn't write him off as a complete heretic. His existence in a way was a crime from some people's perspectives... But if it wasn't for his master, then Van wasn't sure what he'd be today.]
Still, this is the first time I've heard about your family. To be honest with you, I don't have a direct family myself. You could say that I was 'born' an orphan.
[From the way that he says 'born', Van makes it sound like the circumstances behind his birth was rather unnatural. He trusts Rebecca enough to share more about his origins. It'd be better if he talked about it, then Mare herself... No disrespect to her, but she was quite the scatterbrained girl at times! It's not too soon that the waiter arrives with their ordered platter of food and places it on the table...
And for sure, it's a big enough plate for two people! Van knew that the cake would eventually come later, so he could be patient. Dessert always tasted best after a big meal, after all.]
So are you really interested in learning more about where I came from? It's not a pretty story... But I think you of all people deserve to know. And it will also answer a few questions about what happened to me earlier regarding Grendel.
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Ah.. well, that's probably because I don't really know my family. I never did. Happy and I grew up on the streets until Master Noah brought me into the guild, so .. to be honest, I don't really consider them my parents. Its because of the Church she was a part of that we could never have been a family.. so I don't blame her. [ Well she does a little. She pauses, then mentally breezes past before dwelling on THAT. ]
Anyway ... as far as I'm concerned, Happy is my only family.
[ Heck, she barely had any time with her mother before she had to up and leave all cryptic like. She went through life without them, and grew up a pretty well adjusted person all told. She wasn't entirely certain she wanted to form a bond with them after all this time. Assuming she ever sees them again. She's not bitter though!
Well maybe a tiny bit, but more to the circumstances than to the people. Before she could think about that though, she considers asking about why he said 'born' the way he did - but before she could, the waiter arrived. Food always makes unpleasant topics better, right? She already brightens at the sight of the arrangement, glancing towards Van again. ]Of course I do! I want to know everything you're willing to tell me.. but like I said before, if you're not comfortable, you don't have to tell me.
[ She's been friends with many people who have traumas in their background, not just herself. She didn't want to press anything too personal. ... she'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious - she'd just have to deal if he left anything out. ]
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But from there, he feels sympathy... They already had a connection, but now he feels like it's deepened even more. Someone who didn't know their family and left on the streets and were bought in by a 'Master' before making a living of their own. That feels crazy familiar. Looking at the food, Van picks up a fork and he idly grabs a small shrimp first before dipping it into some sauce... After taking a moment to eat it, he ponders on where to begin.]
... Once upon of a time, there was a boy who appeared in this world. He didn't have any biological parents to speak of... You could say that he was a 'glitch' in the system. Even if he carried a heavy burden, no, a heavy fate on his shoulders... He still formed relationships and tried to live normally.
[Van pauses as he reflects on the past... Perhaps the happiest moments of his life before he encountered the darkness. Things that some people weren't meant to know or see...]
He went to an orphanage, then he went to a school, made friends, had hobbies... He lived his life like a normal boy. Happy and aimless days that were small, but unforgettable. But one day, he was taken in by someone... You would think that the story ends where he finally got foster parents, but... [There's a notable pause.] Turns out his new 'family' weren't really a family. They turned out to be a cult.
[Was it malice or sorrow in his tone? It was hard to say from Van's end. Every other word he said was dripping with sentimentality and even nostalgia.]
Hey, Becca... You ever hear about the D∴G cult?
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Watching his face carefully, she couldn't help but also mark the similarities in their backgrounds - was that why they got on so well? They unconsciously recognized a similarity in each other..? The half smile that played on her lips at the first half of his story faded when he mentioned that he was taken in by a cult. Oh.. she can just imagine the horrible things he might have had to endure - and it probably wasn't even the worst of it. ]
Oh... Van.. [ She could hear that mix of almost..bitterness? Sorrow, for sure - it must have hurt to find out something like that, especially if they mistreated him. She did pause at the name of the cult, however, thinking a moment. ]
... no, I've never heard of it... [ Probably for the better, but it seemed like he intended to say more about it - so she fell into a supportive, encouraging silence as she reacher for a bit of shrimp herself. ]
..what happened?
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It might make you not wanna eat dinner, but let's test your gut. [After all, Van felt that those who became involved with him were bound to see some unpleasant sights or hear some unpleasant stories. That's just the kind of trail that he walked. He feels bad as it was almost like he was testing Rebecca's endurance for the darkness that he was exposed to. But if she was able to get through what they had just experienced with that unyielding optimism, then...] If you feel uncomfortable, then you can tell me to stop at any time.
[His voice carried some gentle reassurance as this wasn't going to be a pleasant story. He had to give her that olive branch before he continued. First things first, he had to explain what that cult was and how they operated...]
The D∴G cult were an organization that basically worshiped devils and were a group of people that wanted to "break free from the shackles of this world". Whatever the hell that their real objective was has been lost to time beyond a few theories here or there... But essentially, they were a bunch of nutjobs willing to do whatever to do to accomplish their objective.
... Even if that meant performing human experiments on children. And that boy that I was talking about happened to be one of their many victims. But you could say that they hit the jackpot in a way... Because that boy had possessed something special within him.
[Van pauses as he lifts up a hand to his chest and he presses down against it. Even now, he could feel that dark essence bubbling within him. He knows what it was and what it was linked to...]
The kid held something inside of him called a "Diabolic Core". A crystallization of demonic energy that doesn't belong in this world... [A beat before he lets out a bitter laugh.] Hah, you could say that he was just a human shell all along. Because his true nature and his other self happens to be one of those devils that they worshipped.
[He'll be pulling out a pen and grabbing a napkin before he starts writing down a name: Vagrants-Zion. Then he makes three lines directing to three letters: "V-A-N" and holds the napkin out to Rebecca. What he says next makes him sound as distant as the wind.]
... What's inside the human shell before you is the Demon Lord of Time who is destined to devour this world. That's what "Van Arkride" really is.
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But that Van experienced all of that when all he'd wanted was a family and friends - her stomach twisted at the ... the wrongness of it all. Her attention shifted to what he was writing next, and it was definitely a good thing she wasn't eating or holding anything, because she would have dropped it in surprise. She glanced from the name, then to him, then to the name again, shaking her head slowly. No way. No wonder he thought so poorly of himself to have gone through all of that.. but more importantly...
That last part...
She fell silent for a moment, brow knitting in a frown, unsettled. ]
..that's not true.
[ She finally spoke up after a long moment, where she had been chewing on everything he told her -- and there was probably still more. ]
That might be what those people think you are. Or what they want you to be. Or even what you think you are. But they're wrong...and if you think that's all you are, you're wrong too.
[ Maybe if he had given in to the despair or anger or suffering he had gone through, he'd be that kind of being, but she didn't believe he was something like that deep down. He probably wouldn't believe her - she suspected he didn't believe her when she told him he was a better person than he thought himself to be. But she'd just have to keep telling him until he saw it himself. ]
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Honestly, Van is left speechless with the look on his face was mixed with surprise and admiration. All he could say that was that she was far stronger himself... It's hard for him to find words because they were lost from his chest. Though once he finally speaks, it takes a moment.]
Rebecca, you... ["You" What, Van? Use your words in front of this incredible woman who's given you the time of day!] I mean... I'd thought that most people would wanna cut ties with me or see me differently by now. Your boyfriend's the equivalent of a time bomb here, so I don't blame you if you're feeling a little shook.
[He's trying to scan her face to see if there was a hint of fear on it. And yet, he just sees sympathy and understanding. She wasn't like those people who treated him like a tool or saw him as a means to an end... He has to take a second to reach out for his glass and drinks before placing the cup on the table. His expression was melancholic as if he was lost in his own memories again.]
... Why do you believe in me so much? It's not like I'm trying to invalidate your feelings or anything, but... I really could hurt you one day. That thought...
["Scares me." that's what he wants to say, but it doesn't come out. Rebecca could easily finish that comment with that line if she chooses to read into it, though.]
The feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeels!
I'm.. I'm not saying that everything you've gone through, everything that's a part of you... I'm not invalidating that. It happened, and it shouldn't have..but it made you who you are today, and you didn't let it corrupt you to the point where you had hate in your heart for everything. That.. you would have had every right to be angry and hateful.. but you still turned out to be the kind, intelligent, caring and far too humble man that I fell for. [ Blushing a bit more at that. ]
It's shocking to hear, yeah..and I'll probably need to process everything more later, but ..but I would never turn my back on you .. if nothing else i want to support you more, do more for you. As a guildmate, a friend, and your girlfriend. If only... [ Now it's her turn to glance down, toying with a napkin awkwardly. ]
If I could erase those things that made you suffer in the past, I would..but I don't have that kind of control over my power. [ Maybe one day, but not anytime soon. She wished the napkin was paper, but it's probably good it wasn't, because she'd be shredding it into tiny pieces right now. Instead she kept twisting it just to have something to do with her hands - she needed to tell him about the rest of her power. At least the part she knew about. ]
And.. as much as I had to admit it.. what happened to you could be a fixed point in time, and no matter how many alternate universes I find, you might still go through what you have. Or worse... there might be a universe where you became your worst nightmare, or.. one where you were someone completely different.
[ Someone who wouldn't like her, or someone she wouldn't like. ]
It's the same with my mother. I never told you about her circumstances, right...? What little I know about.. when she had me, the cult she was with.. they killed me, and my father. So my mother jumped to an alternate universe, to try to find one where we didn't die. But she never found one. The best she could do was leave me somewhere and hope I survived on my own.
[ Although Rebecca felt she could have at LEAST left her at an orphanage - she supposed the cult could have tracked her down. ]
I'm not that great a girlfriend.. I'm selfish too. I'm not even willing to try to find a universe where you grew up happy on the offchance, that maybe, we wouldn't find each other. Or that you would have found someone else. [ Because if he lacked the self depreciation and had full confidence - boy would he have a harem of ladies to pick from. He wouldn't need her. A shake of her head, and a faint smile. ]
I don't know why I believe in you so much. I just do. [ It's not rooted in logic in the LEAST, but love wasn't logical. Usually. Though she could understand his fear, and if that happens.. ]
Don't think about that. I won't believe you would ever.. and nothing will stop me from loving you even if you did.
SO MANY FEELINGS HERE
Yet Rebecca had given him a more enlightening perspective from her point of view. It's definitely a lot to take in, but she was still willing to bear her heart to him. Her reveal about her powers and the fact that it sounded like she could hop through time - If not - alternative universes was definitely something that he needed to process too. There was a saying about "Strange powers attracting strange powers" that he's heard before, but Van firmly believed that it wasn't their powers that attracted them to each other.]
You know... You really don't have to go that far for my sake. What happened might've been an inevitable thing... But I think we all have to go through some hardship to become who we are. Sure, there's definitely days that I wish things went differently, but...
[Noticing Rebecca's hands fidgeting with the napkin, Van reaches out to put his warm supportive hands against them. If she was feeling uncomfortable or scared, he wanted to show her that it was okay to feel that way... Because he'd be right there to support her through it. There's a warm and sincere smile on his face... Far different from his usual crooked ones whenever he's trying to put on his hardboiled front.]
... I also wouldn't be able to reach out to people who've been hurt by the darkness of the world if I never understood what it was like myself. [To feel lost and not have a place to belong... Van has felt that way until he met her and the guild members.] Still, I never knew that you had a power like that. It sounds like you've definitely went through hell... And I'm sure there's some shady folks out there who might wanna take advantage of it.
[It sounded like her mother had to make the best out of a bad situation... He couldn't say much about that since it sounded like Rebecca had complex feelings about her. But at least he could be assured that Rebecca was alive and safe in this universe that they were in. Gently, his fingers grip against hers... He wasn't just reaffirming his feelings through touch, but also through his words.]
But don't worry... I'm not gonna let anyone touch my girl. I'm a shady guy myself, but at least I've got some standards. [There's a bit of self-deprecating humor in his tone. For sure, Van might've been a different person if he was much more confident in himself... Even more so whenever it came to handling the ladies too. But all he needed was Rebecca as his Number #1 in his life. He could absolutely live with that!] So I won't let anyone hurt you or abuse your power for selfish reasons.
[But he did appreciate the thought of her wanting to use it to make his life better. If things were different, Van wishes that he could've prevented her being killed in the past. But it wasn't like he could use his demonic powers to travel through time himself. Then he pauses for a moment...]
Uh, I might not say it often or even enough... But I really do love you, Rebecca. [Ah, he said it! Van feels his cheeks redden as he awkwardly clears his throat.] I ain't the best boyfriend either... But, y'know, you're like my ray of sunshine whenever I see cloudy days ahead of me. [A beat.] Yeah, it's probably cheesy to hear... But it's the truth and I want you to know that.
ALL THE FEELINGS
That aside, she would agree with his guess. It wasn't their unusual powers that drew them to each other. That wasn't even in question. It was definitely who he was. Feeling his hands against hers pulled her attention back to him in turn, and the tension in her hands eased immediately, especially when she saw that reassuring smile. She gave him a hesitant smile, before brushing her fingers along his palms in silent appreciation. ]
I ..may not have had a great childhood, but, I think you suffered more even so. Not that this is a competition. [ She gave him a small smile, sheepish.
Complex feelings about her mother..ahaha... boy did she. Part of it.. she didn't consider Rachel as her 'mother', really. It'd been too long, and Rebecca had established her life without parents for long enough that they didn't have that much of an impact. Although she probably wouldn't be as bitter towards her parents if they hadn't summarized her being abandoned so dismissively as "family drama" and "try to understand". ]
Heehee. You might be a shady guy, but you're "my" shady guy. [ She couldn't help but tease him in response to that self depreciating humor. ]
And I know I can trust you more than anyone else. [ He's always looking out for her, protecting her and he made her feel safe in a way that no one else could. Hearing him say the "l" word though, caught her by surprise, and she felt her cheeks get just as red as his, heartbeat feeling like it skipped a beat once or twice. He said it! .. Of course she always knew, and she wasn't the kind of girl who would demand he say it all the time - she relied more on actions than words, and he's more than shown that he loved her.
...but it was nice to hear once in a while. It put a brilliantly warm smile on her face, at least, casting away that nervous fear that had shadowed her expression oh so briefly. Cheesy or not, she couldn't stop smiling, her hands sliding out to grasp his tightly. ]
Van... you really.. [ Hey Mare, you vomiting from the cuteness in that device yet? ]
You really are the greatest. [ She tugged his hands up and pressed her forehead lightly against them, in lieu of just making a scene - because she'd jump up and throw her arms around him if she weren't worried about embarrassing him too much. ]