First~

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[There is a very beautiful young man in long elaborate blue robes with a large white firebird on his shoulder examining the wall between the men and women's section of the outdoor baths with a Most Displeased expression on his face] No matter what the intentions behind this, it is still an inconvenience. What is the point of creating two perfectly hot springs just to put a wall between them? This place has proved troublesome enough as it is, so I believe I will not put up with this. Now then...[He cocks his head to the side, giving the wall a critical look before closing his eyes briefly. Then he opens them again and stares rather fixedly at the wall. At first nothing seems to happen but then slowly the top of the wall starts to change growing rather transparent and liquidy. After a few moments, water starts to pour down the sides wall as it shrinks. Firesong keeps staring at the wall until, after a few minutes, it has been entirely turned to water.] There, much better.

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

[Have an impressed stare]

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[Senses someone watching and glaces over] Do you agree?

[lamb_of_gold]

I believe women should be allowed their modesty should they desire it.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

There are other areas here that can provide that if they truly desire it. I've seen them.

[lamb_of_gold]

Oh I know. Simply so long as you don't alter those, as well.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

I have no intention of doing so. It would be far to much work to do something like that. These simply seemed to be the most comfortable of the hot springs I've seen.

[lamb_of_gold]

They are quite nice, I agree. Unfortunately, I've yet to figure out how to leave them.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

So you are prisoner here as well? Do you have any idea why we were brought here or where we are?

[lamb_of_gold]

I've no idea as to why were are stuck in this building and it's grounds, but I know we are on the Astral Plane, at the very least.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

...Astral Plane? [He has heard of that before, but he wasn't aware it was a physical place] How exactly did we get here? I didn't sense a Gate opening or felt any magic used before I was dragged to this place.

[lamb_of_gold]

Yes. I don't suppose you walked into a small shop just prior to arriving?

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

Yes. I had wondered why it was in the palace. I suppose the two inside had something to do with this?

[lamb_of_gold]

As far as we know, it's their fault. Normally a thought would be enough to take you home, but with the appearance of this hotspring, we've been unable to go home.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

So, we are trapped here. That is unacceptable. I have people I must get back to. Where are those responsible? I would like a word with them. [An'desha is still very fragile. Firesong doesn't want to imagine what would happen if he just disappeared on him.]

[lamb_of_gold]

For the time being. You don't have to worry, though. Time will not pass at home while you're here.

Someone in charge will come when you call for them.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

None at all? How is that possible?

I see. I shall have to keep that in mind.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya blinks at the display]

The dividers are there to give men and women private bathing area.

[when in doubt, fall back on information!]

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[Dryly] Yes, thank you for that information. The rather obvious signs would never have informed me of that.

The areas were not really what I would call private. Even separated by sexes you are still sharing space with many others. What is the harm in making it even more open?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[has not risen to sarcasm in years]

By the country's traditional cultural values, women and men own separate spaces. While the separation between sexes has been slowly crumbling over the years [see: Haruhi], most still don't feel comfortable being undressed in front of those from the opposite sex. For individuals without those hesitations or who do not wish to place themselves in the binary categories, this onsen has provided areas for mixed bathing.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

Would you mind telling me what country I happen to be in at the moment? I was dragged here without permission or knowledge of where I was going.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

This is not a country. The Astral Plane is a space between multiple universes. The country I referred to was Japan, where onsen are from.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[That gets a momentary frown] Like the Void..? No, this is different..[Muttered mostly to himself before he glances back up]

Since we are not in any country, I think that negates having to conform to cultural standards a country that I have never heard of.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

I think an explanation of the Astral Plane might be beneficial?

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

It would be useful to know why am I here at least. I did not sense a Gate opening nor do I remember traveling through one to get here.

[lamb_of_gold]

I'm afraid I don't know.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

The people here are apparently part of an experiment. I should mention that the methods involved likely don't obey the laws of your world.

[virginaesthetic.livejournal.com]

[Haruhi sort of stares for a long moment.]

T...There are mixed baths, too, if that's what you want...

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

I am aware of that, but I found these hot springs to be the most comfortable to me. I think I am owed a bit of comfort after being dragged here.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

Experiment? What sort of experiment?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

That much hasn't been been revealed to us in detail. I've been told that they're often physical or psychological in nature.

[virginaesthetic.livejournal.com]

[A pervert...? I hope not.]

Ah, I see. You're probably right. At least it is comfortable here right now, though I haven't been here long either.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

It does seem that our captors put every effort into making our cage a pretty one. Did you have any say in coming here?

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[This doesn't make good news] So, we are little more than playthings to those that created this place?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

That seems to essentially be it.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

Marvelous. I get to be entertainment. Not a role that I am usual adverse to, but I prefer some choice in the matter. They will not find me an agreeable subject.