The three (point five) soldiers of the outer solar system have arrived!

[incousinswithyou]

[ audio ]

[ sup, everybody? Have an abortive (?) attempt at gathering news and information because somebody can’t speak candidly if her life depended on it. ]

We have been gone for a while, hm? Seeing how the place is still standing, I suppose nothing of consequence has happened.

Who are you talking to…?

[ this voice doesn’t appear to have heard that former one. ] Anyway, we’re a little behind. If someone could fill us in, we’d appreciate it.

[ another voice chimes in, though it’s not directed at the band, instead she appears to be addressing the question. ] The rest of Union, as a matter of fact. [ she pauses and then adds. ] You should say hello, Hotaru.

[ there’s a short pause. The entire city? How? ] Ah, hello? [ these people are crazy. ]

Good grief.

[ action, around Union ]

[ so, here’s a mildly bedraggled group winding their way through the streets of Union. It’s obvious from their clothing that they’ve been away for a while. Michiru and Haruka had actually managed to be away for at least a month, and while natural fabulousness can cover up almost anything, Michiru, at the very least, is counting down the minutes till she gets to soak away the (figurative) dirt of the road and take over the bathroom for at least three hours. The other two, Hotaru and Setsuna, had joined along the way... so to speak. But they still looked weary from the trip.

Alas, duty calls. Before they can get back home, they’ll need to outfit Hotaru with various necessities. Oh, and make sure she doesn’t go crazy and eat people.

...Make that a four hour soak, when Michiru finally gets back. Either way, the group’s going to be out and about the entire city for quite a bit. ]

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

Meioh's a big girl. [ Haruka shrugs and grabs a showerhead to blast the weariness off her face; splashing herself with water had helped earlier in the day, so why not now?

Besides... "Hotaru", huh. She lowers the showerhead. Now that they're alone, she can say what she's wanted to say the whole trip back but couldn't because of the audience. She still can't look Michiru in the face, or even put a fine point on what she means here, but it needs to be said. ] Sorry.

[incousinswithyou]

[oh Haruka. They'll get through this. What is it, guilt? Kinda sorta guilt? Accompanied by the bitterness of justification for their actions, even though they ended up not doing it?]

Haruka. [have a quiet smile] Will you scrub my back for me?

[actsmagnificent]

[ "Kinda sorta guilt" is a good fit, yeah. Haruka hates not knowing for sure they made the right choice, but that's her issue. She shouldn't be a pill for everyone else because of that. And the answer will come - with time.

Besides, she's being confronted with a considerably more pressing matter. Taking a nice, long look at it - appreciating it, even - Haruka sighs and heads on over. ] You're so demanding.

[ Where's the soap? She should lather this brush up well... ]

[incousinswithyou]

Am I? [glancing over her shoulder as she pulls her hair out of the way] Should I ask somebody else?

[actsmagnificent]

[ Chuckling, Haruka begins to scrub. You wouldn't! ] I'd rather have you all to myself for a while.

[incousinswithyou]

[mmmm. That's better. No more apologies.]

Oh? Now who's being demanding? [just gonna close her eyes for a moment and enjoy the sensation of cleanliness. And the presence of Haruka right there, but hey. One thing at a time.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Wow, Haruka didn't just walk into that one: she held the door open to better breeze right in. She laughs. ] You're unbeatable.

[ And she'll treat you with reverence for that (and a few other things). Haruka massages with the brush rather than simply sudsing up Michiru's back. It's been rough on everyone....Michiru needs to relax and feel good, too. Haruka wants to do that for her.

She shifts how she's crouching to lean in further. Do you like it, Michiru? ]

[incousinswithyou]

[there's a contented sigh as she leans back against that pressure. Whatever did she do to deserve her own personal masseuse you?]

Mmm. Higher, please.

[she really should stop indulging in this since they're both tired, but. Well. Maybe another minute.]

[actsmagnificent]

With the brush, or my hands? [ Those shoulders look awfully stiff. And Haruka is awfully good with said hands. In fact, let's do that.

She lathers up her palms and applies them directly to Michiru's shoulders, thumbs digging towards the center of Michiru's spine in case yes, it was the middle of her back that she wanted to have scrubbed. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[a hissing intake of breath. She didn't even realize how tense she was.

But. Ah.] Right there. Harder.

[she wasn't kidding when she said she liked your hands]

[actsmagnificent]

That's what you always say. [ The pressure increases in proportion with Haruka's smirk. She'll take care of that tension for you. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[geez, Haruka] You're lucky you're cute.

[otherwise she'd have some words for you. If she wasn't distracted right now - and pleased with the subsequent increase in pressure.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka laughs and rotates her hands deeper into Michiru's shoulders. She can feel them both recovering already. ] Just the shoulders?

[incousinswithyou]

For the moment. [she is never going to get into that hot water at this rate, especially if there's something (somebody) else more alluring outside of it.] Did you want to take a bath with me?

[actsmagnificent]

[ It takes Haruka longer to answer than it does to consider. The pressure eases. ] Well, we shouldn't waste water.

[incousinswithyou]

[she gently rolls her head from side to side. Oh, that feels so much better.] How conscientious.

[yup. Just gonna rinse off that soap and...take a moment to surreptitiously admire that form. Need any help?]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Thanks, but she's got this....maybe. Haruka has picked the brush back up to scrub herself quickly while Michiru rinses. The soak is the pleasant part for her anyway.

When she catches Michiru's eye, she grins. Say it, she dares you. ] What?

[incousinswithyou]

Hm? [staring at you is totally her prerogative] Did I say something?

[being as contrary as a cat is her prerogative too, apparently]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka is well acquainted with Michiru's many prerogatives. She grins right back, jerking a head towards the bath. ] Don't let me keep you.

[ Or, y'know, keep staring. She doesn't mind. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[oh you won't. Don't worry about that.

The hairflip doesn't work quite as well when wet, but as if she'll let that stop her from seeming casual, flippant, and dismissive all at the same time. Still, she gets the rest of the soap off and finally steps into that hot water.

There's an uninhibited groan of pleasure as she slides all the way into it. Oh dear (missing) god(s), she's never leaving again.





And the view from here is quite splendid, actually. A++]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka breaks into chuckles when she hears Michiru react to the bath, but keeps on scrubbing. Rinsing off the soapsuds, she upends a bucket over her head and tousles her hair. Now that she has an audience, this is becoming a bit of a show.

Besides, Michiru is making a very lovely face in her direction. She grins back, shameless for the moment. ] How is it?

[incousinswithyou]

[mmm. A bath and a show.]

I think you missed a spot.

[she smirks right back, watching those rivulets of water run down. And she's definitely enjoying the view, if her undeviating focus is any indication.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Oh, you. Haruka scoffs, tossing her bangs (which scatter bathwater everywhere and then fall perfectly into place. Life. It is not fair). ] I never miss.

[incousinswithyou]

[pedestrians included]

Oh? Shall I show you, or will you find it yourself?

[actsmagnificent]

[ I can't breathe. Haruka gives herself a once-over with the brush again and starts heading for the bath proper. ] Missing one spot won't hurt anything.

[ She's going to step into your bath without having washed everything, Michiru!! Oh no! ]