week three, sunday

[moraled]

[FUCK

Everything is awful, and Barnham is pissed. Eventually, he ends up storming into the bathhouse, brow furrowed, expression flat--

And freezes when he gets to the water and notices someone who should definitely not...be there...if he was on the right side.

(Alarmingly, he can't even be sure if he went on the wrong or right side or not. He's tired and exasperated and frustrated and angry.)]

... Lady Instructor.

[A pause...and then he sighs. Whatever. Fuck it. They already stripped in the trial (fat load of good that did) and now... here they are.

He steps into the water.]

Comments

[alcobrawlic]

[ There's a pause, before she snorts quietly. ]

Are you embarrassed, Inquisitor?

[moraled]

I--certainly am not!

[yes, yes he is[

[alcobrawlic]

You're blushing. [ Heh. ]

[moraled]

I am not.

[he is]

Lady Instructor, if you please--

[spare him]

[alcobrawlic]

You're pretty much naked in a bath with a beautiful lady and me complimenting you is the most embarrassing thing?

[ Really? ]

[moraled]

[...why you gotta bring it up, sara....

He's quiet for a moment at that.

Uh...]

...Admittedly, this is entirely improper... [Cough.] I am afraid I cannot recall if I did or did not enter the wrong bath, though I suppose this makes it quite clear...

[He's so tired after the past three weeks....]

[alcobrawlic]

... Honestly, I wasn't paying attention either. There wasn't really a point in worrying about it.

[ She'd just wanted a soak. ]

[moraled]

[he kind of fucked up but--]

Even so, if it is making you uncomfortable, I will not hesitate to leave you be.

[alcobrawlic]

No, no, it's fine. Even if you weren't good company, you're not so bad on the eyes.

[moraled]

[..... .Ah.

Just.

Ah.

Now he's embarrassed but he can't really do?? Much?? But cross his arms over his chest awkwardly. A-ahem.]

...Y-yes, well. I...suppose the same may...

[... be said of sara no he can't say that he'll die of embarrassment he's shutting up]

[alcobrawlic]

Hmmm? The same what?

[ She's really doing her best not to laugh. ]

[moraled]

[aaaa]

Nothing. It is unimportant.

[alcobrawlic]

Really? Because I could've sworn you were about to say that yes, you were totally okay with spending bath time with a beautiful lady.

[moraled]

[SARA......]

It is... improper...

[Not that he's denying it but]

[alcobrawlic]

Oh, please. We're both adults here.

[ What's so improper about it? ]

[moraled]

[...true but... but!!!]

As a true knight, I should not be...ogling ladies in the bath!

[pls, barnham, you're hardly ogling]

[alcobrawlic]

...

[ pffft. ]

You're not ogling! I know you're not a pervert.

[moraled]

W-well that is--certainly I am not, though I--

[Agh!!!!

Calm down Barnham.

Ahem.]

...You were correct. I am hardly opposed to sharing this bath with you. [THERE. Progress.]

[alcobrawlic]

There! [ with a hum that's half-satisfied, half-triumphant. ]

That wasn't so hard to say, was it? I'm actually glad you came in.

[moraled]

[Sara....]

... Is that so?

[He shouldn't ask but, despite himself, he's curious.]

[alcobrawlic]

... Do I look like the type of person who'd stay if someone I didn't like came in? In the end, I was just thinking in circles anyway, so having you knock me out of that helped.

[moraled]

You look, Lady Instructor, like someone who would very simply kick me out if I was in any way bothering you.

[Sara pls]

Which I suppose proves your point even so.

[alcobrawlic]

Exactly. And here you still are, broad-chested and blushing.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a night.

[moraled]

[Sara, stop admiring his manly chest!!!]

Ah...yes, well.

[Sheesh.]

I suppose if it has brought you some manner of comfort, there are worse ways to spend time.

[No, he's fine with this too.]

[alcobrawlic]

[ NO, it's a lovely chest. Fight her. ]

Speaking of which, if anything's bugging you, I'll return the favor.