[ . . . Man, he's... how does he get off his pants?
...
He needs to go to ground level for that. Okay, so he'll just do that, and hen at ground level strip as normal on one of the benches in the changing room. With that done, he nod to himself and then confidently strides to the shower! Because what barbarian gets into the bath before washing off first ]
[The changing room and showers are far away enough that Sakura can't yet make out the telltale signs of another presence, but that hardly matters when she's tensing at every noise she thinks she hears. It's getting to the point where her anxiety won't lessen until she's in own her room, and that's precisely why she takes the stubborn route.
No, she won't run away, not after she's been doing so well, actually being a help to her sister and pulling her weight around the castle. Senpai would-- obviously he'd agree with her, too!
Yes. Think positive. She claps her hands against her cheeks and sets her brows in determination.]
[ . . . Man, he wonders to himself, is that what he imagines Dove's body looks like or is this what it actually looks like? It'd have to be the former, right? With all of the cloths off and in the shower, he hums a little as he goes through the surreal sensation of being aware that he is himself. Doing this technique perfectly, he should look, sound, smell, and even feel like Dove. However, doing that puts a great deal of strain on his limited chakra reserves, and as such it's really much more sound and sight.
He's pretty sure the touch is off.
Right?
He'll not dwell on it too much. But okay, rinsed! Time to look around the shower area to see if someone is already here and god he hopes not! ]
[Turns out there's a problem with Sakura's determination - she can light a fire under her skirt for a few minutes, but feeding the momentum remains a skill beyond her pay grade. By the time Masaomi finally sticks his head into the bath area proper, Sakura has retreated back into her anxieties and is halfway to pulling herself out of the water, the towel wrapped loosely around the front and still in the process of being tucked more tightly behind her.
She hears the approach of someone and nervously snaps her head up]
Does he dare try to impersonate the person he's in the guise of? Dove's been in the hospital, but could he pull it off? He's actually so caught up in all this he can't... really... make out whose voice that is other than it was definitely a woman. And that more than anything sees him making the choice.
So...
Let's start... walking out there... He can totally pull off this while at the same time keeping up his chakra, right? He has a towel on too, ]
It's just me.
[ Okay, sounds like her! Mostly! So far so good. ]
[So it's a woman that isn't Rin (Sakura would know her sister's voice in a heartbeat.) The disappointment does nothing to decrease her nervousness, either, but it's not exactly the World's End scenario that had plagued her thoughts. At bare minimum, Sakura isn't rude enough to go streaking across the damp tiles without introducing herself first.]
Hello...
[Still half-covered by her towel and close to the water's edge, Sakura tries to relax her shoulders, offering the approaching woman a nod of acknowledgement, if not a smile]
He assumed that they would have met at least in passing! They live on the same floor, how could they not have run into each other at least long enough to exchange names?! What was wrong with Dove and Sakura?! ... Thought the overly social idiot.
That said.
Masaomi is going to fake it for now, confidently getting up to water's edge and dip his (well, Dove's) legs into the water. The towel remains over her front, but he (she) starts to have it slip a little because once he gets in he should be naked, right...
Right? But it's a little weird to be naked as Dove now he's in this moment-
Wait, no, he should answer. ]
It's Dove. [ ... At least he still sounds like her. ] I'm Dove, I'm sorry I never introduced myself.
[Seen Dove? Yes, Sakura has technically seen many people throughout the castle. She's only introduced herself to a fraction, however, and it's probably obvious by the way she doesn't really seem to fully relax despite the pleasant, neutral expression she wears.]
It's good to meet you officially, Dove-san.
[...]
My name's Sakura.
[...
Sigh. She can't think of a good way to excuse herself without making it painfully obvious she wants to be alone, and after a pause, Sakura finds herself slipping back into the water.
Which means the towel will have to be placed on top of the tile, not in the water. She knows the rules of an onsen despite having rarely set foot in one. Her nudity makes her nervous, but as they're both women, it... should be okay.
She's going to make sure she's dipped as far into the water as possible, however, letting the ripples cover everything below her collarbone. She pulls her knees to her chest]
But at least this is a good time to test if he can maintain both his poise and his transformation despite pressure and water. He exhales, not even able to enjoy that he gets to see "Dove" (that is to say, himself) or Sakura naked, such is the stress as Dove's body slips more completely in the water.
The sigh might be a little long-suffering as a result, oops.
That said, more to not look at himself (well, Dove) more, the towel slips off himself and he (she) too submerges in much t he same way. ... Though with out the knees to chin thing. ]
It's nice to meet you too, Sakura. I've been out of sorts for a while.
[Sakura assumes she means in regards to the castle's recent events and so she nods, ever the polite audience. She cups water into the palm of her hand and massages it against her shoulders]
Do you usually come to the onsen then?
[What is small talk? What is not being an awkward bundle? Normally she can manage fairly well, except this isn't school.]
[Okay, Dove is smiling (kinda? Sorta? That's a very unique and stilted one), but it's her words that Sakura puzzles over. Eventually, however, she decides it's only fair to volunteer some personal information so it's not so weird.]
The truth is, this is one of my first times using an onsen, too.
[ Masaomi feels really, really uncomfortable all of a sudden. Okay no, it's not sudden, it's been creeping, but what does doesn't realize is that it's fucking up his transformation a little. Fortunately Sakura probably doesn't know Dove well know to notice that her blueish eyes have shifted to Masaomi's hazel color.
... Right? Maybe? ]
Really? I thought it was a more common thing for Japanese people.
[ He laughs, trying to play up the stupid foreigner stereotype.
........ That probably wasn't fair for Dove, but. ]
And he's not even staring at her or her nakedness! Or "his" own! Man, he's really doing great here!
(the hazel eyes remain. Similarly, the hair (though it was up in a bun, which makes it less obvious) is shortening and darkening to more of Masaomi's color as he loses focus for over-thinking this) ]
Oh. [ What does one say to that shit uh - ] Aaah, I hope your grandfather's not going to be too worried about you, here. It's easy to forget how many of us have families waiting back home.
[ More to give himself something to do, he shifts his hands through the water to pour some of the heat over his collarbone. ]
[Dove's movements capture Sakura' attention, but it's more than that. The girl is now shooting discreet glances at the other woman because something seems...
Mmm, but Sakura doesn't even know what she thinks she's seeing. Perhaps the steam from the onsen is dulling her senses.]
Nii-san is back home, so... I'm sure he'll keep grandfather company in the meantime.
[ Yeah, Dove is definitely slowly turning into Masaomi now - facial features and other sort of more nuanced features going first, before other things like Dove's wider figure or breasts or the like. She frowns though, considering a response but decides.. nah. ]
Dove-san... [There's an added note of bemusement to her otherwise neutral tone, and before long, Sakura keep her smile in place, either. Throwaway details are growing and shrinking into sharp relief, and it finally culminates with Sakura - demure, polite, perpetually neutral Sakura - gaping and leaning forward to get a better look at what she assumes are
shrinking breasts
I-is this a thing that women can do in Dove's universe?]
And then in a puff of smoke, the transformation gives up entirely - the whole rest of the body is now, well, a naked Masaomi. In all his muscled, scarred, man-like glory.
[There's a mad scramble of water, arms, and towels as the truth finally hits her and Sakura dives into the water like a deep sea creature. Only her head remains, and that's so Masaomi can hear every startled word out of her mouth.]
What are you doing?! I thought Dove-san was-- How did you even--
[The fuck kind of magecraft was that? And with a hiss, she spouts out her final verdict while trying to smack him in the face with her towel, STOP LOOKING:] You really are a pervert, aren't you?!
[AND AFTER SHE'S DECIDED TO LET YOU LIVE EVEN THOUGH YOU SHARE A ROOM WITH RIN] Did you see anything?!
The blush? Ignored with all the pettiness of a furious teenager, and even her Crest sits back in awe, prepared to let her take a free shot, no mana required]
C-close your eyes then! [Instead, she barks out an order, her embarrassment starting to funnel towards anger now] Think properly about what you've done! This is not how decent people live, Masaomi-san!
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...
He needs to go to ground level for that. Okay, so he'll just do that, and hen at ground level strip as normal on one of the benches in the changing room. With that done, he nod to himself and then confidently strides to the shower! Because what barbarian gets into the bath before washing off first ]
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No, she won't run away, not after she's been doing so well, actually being a help to her sister and pulling her weight around the castle. Senpai would-- obviously he'd agree with her, too!
Yes. Think positive. She claps her hands against her cheeks and sets her brows in determination.]
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He's pretty sure the touch is off.
Right?
He'll not dwell on it too much. But okay, rinsed! Time to look around the shower area to see if someone is already here and god he hopes not! ]
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She hears the approach of someone and nervously snaps her head up]
Is someone there?
[If there is, please, please let it be Nee-san]
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[ Um.
Um...
Does he dare try to impersonate the person he's in the guise of? Dove's been in the hospital, but could he pull it off? He's actually so caught up in all this he can't... really... make out whose voice that is other than it was definitely a woman. And that more than anything sees him making the choice.
So...
Let's start... walking out there... He can totally pull off this while at the same time keeping up his chakra, right? He has a towel on too, ]
It's just me.
[ Okay, sounds like her! Mostly! So far so good. ]
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Hello...
[Still half-covered by her towel and close to the water's edge, Sakura tries to relax her shoulders, offering the approaching woman a nod of acknowledgement, if not a smile]
I'm sorry... I don't think I caught your name.
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[ FUCK.
He assumed that they would have met at least in passing! They live on the same floor, how could they not have run into each other at least long enough to exchange names?! What was wrong with Dove and Sakura?! ... Thought the overly social idiot.
That said.
Masaomi is going to fake it for now, confidently getting up to water's edge and dip his (well, Dove's) legs into the water. The towel remains over her front, but he (she) starts to have it slip a little because once he gets in he should be naked, right...
Right? But it's a little weird to be naked as Dove now he's in this moment-
Wait, no, he should answer. ]
It's Dove. [ ... At least he still sounds like her. ] I'm Dove, I'm sorry I never introduced myself.
[ FUCK HIM. ]
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It's good to meet you officially, Dove-san.
[...]
My name's Sakura.
[...
Sigh. She can't think of a good way to excuse herself without making it painfully obvious she wants to be alone, and after a pause, Sakura finds herself slipping back into the water.
Which means the towel will have to be placed on top of the tile, not in the water. She knows the rules of an onsen despite having rarely set foot in one. Her nudity makes her nervous, but as they're both women, it... should be okay.
She's going to make sure she's dipped as far into the water as possible, however, letting the ripples cover everything below her collarbone. She pulls her knees to her chest]
It feels good, hm?
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[ Kill him.
But at least this is a good time to test if he can maintain both his poise and his transformation despite pressure and water. He exhales, not even able to enjoy that he gets to see "Dove" (that is to say, himself) or Sakura naked, such is the stress as Dove's body slips more completely in the water.
The sigh might be a little long-suffering as a result, oops.
That said, more to not look at himself (well, Dove) more, the towel slips off himself and he (she) too submerges in much t he same way. ... Though with out the knees to chin thing. ]
It's nice to meet you too, Sakura. I've been out of sorts for a while.
[ KILL HIM. ]
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[Sakura assumes she means in regards to the castle's recent events and so she nods, ever the polite audience. She cups water into the palm of her hand and massages it against her shoulders]
Do you usually come to the onsen then?
[What is small talk? What is not being an awkward bundle? Normally she can manage fairly well, except this isn't school.]
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[ KILL HIM.
.... ]
Somewhat often, [ That sounds not a god damn thing like Dove fuck him. His cheeks are flushing ] it's nice to be able to relax in a place like this.
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[Riveting information Sakura must have, yes. This is so awkward, she can only hope Dove hasn't noticed. A little timidly, she peeks over]
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[ SMILE SMILE.
MUST.
SMILE?
Is smiling right here?
Inhale. ]
Yeah, something like that. Ah, rather- [ THIS STILL DOESN'T SOUND LIKE DOVE UGH ] I've also just gotten used to this here.
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[Okay, Dove is smiling (kinda? Sorta? That's a very unique and stilted one), but it's her words that Sakura puzzles over. Eventually, however, she decides it's only fair to volunteer some personal information so it's not so weird.]
The truth is, this is one of my first times using an onsen, too.
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[ Masaomi feels really, really uncomfortable all of a sudden. Okay no, it's not sudden, it's been creeping, but what does doesn't realize is that it's fucking up his transformation a little. Fortunately Sakura probably doesn't know Dove well know to notice that her blueish eyes have shifted to Masaomi's hazel color.
... Right? Maybe? ]
Really? I thought it was a more common thing for Japanese people.
[ He laughs, trying to play up the stupid foreigner stereotype.
........ That probably wasn't fair for Dove, but. ]
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[Mostly a lie. Regardless, she sounds very serene, and at least for now, Sakura doesn't notice any significant changes in Dove's appearance.
Besides the fact she seems to be a stupid foreigner
well okay to be fair, they're all foreigners in the castle.]I don't want to upset him, so I avoid them.
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[ Okay he saved it.
And he's not even staring at her or her nakedness! Or "his" own! Man, he's really doing great here!
(the hazel eyes remain. Similarly, the hair (though it was up in a bun, which makes it less obvious) is shortening and darkening to more of Masaomi's color as he loses focus for over-thinking this) ]
Oh. [ What does one say to that shit uh - ] Aaah, I hope your grandfather's not going to be too worried about you, here. It's easy to forget how many of us have families waiting back home.
[ More to give himself something to do, he shifts his hands through the water to pour some of the heat over his collarbone. ]
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Mmm, but Sakura doesn't even know what she thinks she's seeing. Perhaps the steam from the onsen is dulling her senses.]
Nii-san is back home, so... I'm sure he'll keep grandfather company in the meantime.
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[ Yeah, Dove is definitely slowly turning into Masaomi now - facial features and other sort of more nuanced features going first, before other things like Dove's wider figure or breasts or the like. She frowns though, considering a response but decides.. nah. ]
I'm glad to hear that, at least.
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Dove-san... [There's an added note of bemusement to her otherwise neutral tone, and before long, Sakura keep her smile in place, either. Throwaway details are growing and shrinking into sharp relief, and it finally culminates with Sakura - demure, polite, perpetually neutral Sakura - gaping and leaning forward to get a better look at what she assumes are
shrinking breasts
I-is this a thing that women can do in Dove's universe?]
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She... is... on... to him...?
...
And then in a puff of smoke, the transformation gives up entirely - the whole rest of the body is now, well, a naked Masaomi. In all his muscled, scarred, man-like glory.
Oh no... ]
1/2
It's Masaomi-san...
What an interesting abili--]
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[There's a mad scramble of water, arms, and towels as the truth finally hits her and Sakura dives into the water like a deep sea creature. Only her head remains, and that's so Masaomi can hear every startled word out of her mouth.]
What are you doing?! I thought Dove-san was-- How did you even--
[The fuck kind of magecraft was that? And with a hiss, she spouts out her final verdict while trying to smack him in the face with her towel, STOP LOOKING:] You really are a pervert, aren't you?!
[AND AFTER SHE'S DECIDED TO LET YOU LIVE EVEN THOUGH YOU SHARE A ROOM WITH RIN] Did you see anything?!
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Blushing.
Well, that's obvious, but he also goes pale and then runs over how he should even be replying to this.
So he needs to- ]
I didn't see overly much and what's been seen is impressive I'd say!
[ Foot in mouth. ]
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The blush? Ignored with all the pettiness of a furious teenager, and even her Crest sits back in awe, prepared to let her take a free shot, no mana required]
C-close your eyes then! [Instead, she barks out an order, her embarrassment starting to funnel towards anger now] Think properly about what you've done! This is not how decent people live, Masaomi-san!
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