Completed Hot Tub Break [Makutsi Springs]

[Sliver]

41st of Fall The more time Sliver spent in Avanthal the more she learned of the myriad of deities that people worshipped. While she swiftly learned of Oriana, an entity extremely important to the Icewatch and more than a few Kelvic and Vantha marked with her enhanced scenting capabilities, there were others that Sliver had never even heard of before her time in the Everwinter City. For instance: Makutsi. While not avidly worshipped, due to Coolwater’s close ties with Laviku, there was an unmistakable presence of those who looked up to his daughter. Just because her rainfall had a tendency to freeze and become sleet or come down as fluffy snowflakes, did not mean Avanthal was free from her influences, and just like Morwen, the more she learned of the Rain Goddess, the more pleasant she seemed, fun loving. So Sliver was quite pleased to discover the springs named after the Goddess on a walk to the edge of the city. When she arrived there was no one about. She was unsure if the location was monitored or permission was required to approach, but since neither of these signs became apparent, the Kelvic walked up to the pools, slipping one hand into the warm water. The feeling of the bubbling and roiling heat of the springs sank into her flesh immediately and Sliver sighed at the wonderful feeling. Her initial trepidation was almost immediately eliminated after running her hand through the waters, and quicker than a frost hawk can grab a baby woolly, Sliver was undressed and had slipped into one of the pools. It was pure ecstasy. Any soreness or pain from her beating in the Stadium vanished in the extreme heat of the pools, and the moss that seemed to coat the entirety of the basins provided a comfortable seat against the hard stone beneath. Sliver moved into a position so that the overflow from an upper pool ran over her head, and closed her eyes, basking in the warmth. It was about a bell before the Kelvic noticed a sort of thrumming about the pools, a noise that hung a few levels above the rhythmic sound of the water cascading from one pool to the next. Blinking she shifted from beneath the miniature waterfall and glanced around trying to discern the source of the noise. She couldn’t see anything, though the soft texture of the moss, and the comforting smell it gave off, almost reminiscent of a tea she was familiar with, surely added the relaxing and enjoyable quality of the pools. Then she saw it, a tiny ripple that fell outside of the ones caused by the flowing water. The water, though exceptionally clear, was constantly being disturbed, and thus she couldn’t see through it clearly. She ducked under the water and opened her eyes, but this helped even less. Sliver surfaced coughing and spluttering, eyes trying to catch more movement. Then she saw it. One small figure, so small that even though it was a light blue color, she still hadn’t caught sight of it nestled in the darker moss: A tiny frog. As soon as she leaned closer to investigate it leapt off of her pool and dove into the one below. She smirked and leaned back, now that she had identified her present company in the pool, she was content once more. The noise she was hearing was the constant thrumming of frogs. While they had abandoned her pool, deciding not to take their chances with the large creatures, her eyes could not pick them out, either floating aimlessly in the various pool currents or sitting just o the edges of the pool, able to retain the heat of the place while remaining out of the currents. While jumping down pools seemed an easy prospect, Sliver wondered how the little things moved around to their different positions. This was revealed a little later when the wolverine began frolicking in the pool, alarming a few frogs which had returned to her spot, she threw the water out of the pool, watching the snow melt when faced with the heat, and dove under, rising up again splashing and growling. This continued for several chimes until the wolverine realized how silly she was being, and even if there was no one to witness her follies, felt rather embarrassed of herself, how silly these frogs must think she was. She laughed at that thought and reclined against the edge again, pulling at a bit of moss and inhaling deeply, trying to absorb the smell. It was then that one toe found an indent in the pool. She crept forward and found that it was deeper than first anticipated. Diving down again Sliver felt around with her hands, putting two fingers into the hole she found there. Whatever it was she couldn’t find the bottom, and several chimes later when she saw a small form literally shoot out of the hole up into the air like it had been shot out of a slingshot, she had her answer about how the frogs found their way around. For a time she rested, there was nothing the Kelvic enjoyed so much as letting her mind drift away and to put her worries aside for a time. There was plenty to worry about, but worry could consume, and there were times to relax as well. She kept the invasive thoughts at bay, and for most of the day she slept on and off, usually waking up to find her body slipping into the pool and getting water up her nose. After a time Sliver realized it was probably time to bid her new frog friends and the wonderful spring’s farewell. The prospect of facing the cold after the serenely warm waters was not a happy proposition, but she had found them once, they could surely be utilized again in the future, and certainly would be if Sliver had anything to say about it. Stretching she eased herself out of the comforting pool by standing up and forcing her upper half to dry off in the chill air, then leapt out in one fluid motion and grabbed her clothes, sponging her bottom half off and slipping them on as quickly as her damp body would allow, already missing the water. When she was fully clothed she gave a farewell salute to the little frogs that stood as musical sentinels of the spring, and turned to go when she heard a burble and a wet popping sound. Sliver turned to see a small object floating in the pool, slowly being carried to the edge. She dashed back and snatched it out of the water. Whatever it was happened to be wrapped tightly in leather to keep the contents dry, and as she left the spring she unwrapped the package curiously, wondering at it’s contents….

[Capricious]

"Watch Where You Swim, I Swim Too!" Sliver XP Swimming: 1 Lore(s) Lore of Using Makutsi Springs to Relieve Soreness Lore of Makutsi Moss Spring Divers Thrum Makutsi Springs: Give Gifts Spoils +1 Jar of Unknown Spices Additional Notes: I enjoyed this short thread. I did give you one point in swimming for Sliver's antics in the pool. Sliver managed to learn the Makutsi moss's texture/smell/use. Sliver also managed to learn that the Spring Divers make noise. As always, if you have any questions concerning your grade please contact me. I would be more than willing to explain why I graded as I did and to discuss your grade.