The Onsen, Saturday

[unusual_sith]

After speaking with Sidon, Lana had elected for a walk, but that had left her a bit chilled, so when she'd remembered there was this place, she'd decided to try it.

She was now quite happily soaking in hot water and enjoying the humidity of the main room. Definitely a good way of spending the day.


[Open post!]

Comments

[justice_undone]

The colder season did make soaking in hot water very tempting. It was a strange thing for Breq, feeling the need for that kind of comfort. Ancillaries didn't get to enjoy bathing in that way, so despite having had thousands of bodies, it was, in a way, a new experience.

She didn't know how to feel about that, but here she was, stepping down into the pool, making sure to smile at Lana.

[unusual_sith]

Lana smiled back and nodded. "Hello."

[justice_undone]

"Hello," Breq said. "So I'm not the only one who thought this was a good idea today."

She leaned her head against the pool edge.

"I'm not used to this. I think I could get used to this."

[unusual_sith]

"Same," Lana said, sinking a little lower. "This is my first time here, but it's awfully nice." She started to say something else, then paused. "Were you here to just relax, or would you welcome conversation? I'm not sure what the custom is."

[justice_undone]

"I don't think the custom is the same for people here," Breq said. "Or the preference. But I don't mind conversation."

Her last one with Lana had been interesting.

"This holiday is a bit sweet, I find, even if it tries to be the opposite."

[unusual_sith]

"Sweet?" Lana said. "How so?"

[justice_undone]

"I mean approaching death and horror playfully," Breq said. "Most people aren't really frightened by it all. Many places have celebrations like that, taking the edge of fear and pain."

She rinsed her face with water.

[unusual_sith]

Lana nodded. "It's interesting. Different than back home, though." Sith were more likely to just celebrate the death and horror as-is. "What about you? Do your people have anything like this?"

[justice_undone]

"Not quite like this. I'm sure they would call it uncivilised."

Because Radchaai.

"Of course there are holidays and festivals though, usually connected to some god. I've traveled a lot though, so I've seen many different kinds of celebrations."

[unusual_sith]

"Really?" Lana looked at her curiously. "What were some of the most interesting ones?"

[justice_undone]

Breq thought for a moment.

"There's the one celebrating the day when the gods had made all land-living creatures able to fly. For one day, everyone wears wings and make paper models of animals and throw them off the roofs of buildings. There is food too, of course."

[unusual_sith]

Lana laughed. "That sounds delightful."

[justice_undone]

"So how would you celebrate holidays where you are from?" Breq said, aiming to get to asking about songs eventually.

[unusual_sith]

"Depends on the holiday, I suppose," Lana said. "Mostly fancy meals, entertainment, maybe presents."

[justice_undone]

"No music?"

A question asked for no particular reason, of course.

[unusual_sith]

"Music, too," Lana agreed. "There are traditional songs for a few of them, and there's always drunk people in cantinas, too."