Let's celebrate by boiling ourselves alive.

[dressofheaven]

Who: Ilyasviel von Einzbern (dressofheaven), Kairi (paopuprincess), and any of the other members of the keyderp brigade who want to join them.
Where: Blackthorn City Hot Springs.
When: April 2nd.
Summary: Ilya just won her last badge. Time to celebrate, and what better way than with a nice, refreshing trip to Blackthorn's hot springs?
Rating: G. They all have towels.
Log:

The battle had been pretty easy, really, but Ilya was still in the mood to celebrate. After all, this was the last badge she needed before Johto could be just a memory for her, and she was very eager to see what the elite battles in Kanto were like.

The usual way to celebrate in Blackthorn was to take a dip in the hot springs, and Ilya had decided to fall in with tradition, mostly because it sounded like a great way to relax. She was humming to herself as she stepped inside, waving the other members of her party in after her.

"Come on you Slowpokes! Quit lagging behind!"

Comments

[shatterings]

She was beginning to get used to that--the compliments, the reminders, even if they did fluster her still. If it were a constant, though, Naminé thought maybe she could stop getting so darn flustered. Might take a while, but no one seems to be complaining, at least.

"Shops? Um... well, art stores." She knew those the best, and having a sketchbook and pencils in her hands made her feel more at ease than anything. Though, there were some shops that caught her eye, but she'd been too hesitant to pipe up about it. "And I'm curious about the different sweet shops I've seen around."

[dressofheaven]

"Art stores?" Now Ilya's intrigued. A slow smile spreads across her face as she finds herself interested in Namine's hobbies for quite different reasons than just wanting to make her happy.

"You never told me you were an artist, Namine." Her voice is silky smooth, and there's definitely a gleam of mischief in her eye. Namine's probably used to that by now though.

[shatterings]

Yes, she definitely knows that tone. Naminé nods, looking down, a little embarrassed. Through her drawings, she'd caused a lot of damage--and fixed the same, at least. Naminé knows now, though, that she draws for herself, not anyone else. Though, if her friends ask, she'll be more than willing to draw for them.

"I-I am. I can show you some time, if you'd like."

[dressofheaven]

"I'd ask now if we weren't in the water. You do know I'm going to wind up insisting you draw me at some point in the near future."

Ilya's eyes sparkle as she looks at Namine, unaware and uncaring of the damage these same drawings have caused in the past. All she cares about is that her friend is an artist, and she wants her portrait drawn.

[shatterings]

"I don't mind."

And despite her knowing exactly the power her drawings have, Naminé means it. Here, she's figured out that she doesn't have to do bad things. Instead of doing damage, her art can do something good--like making her friends happy.

[dressofheaven]

"Good, because I'd be very sad if you tried to deny me such a treasure."

She doesn't even care if Namine's good at it or not, the drawing would be by a friend and that makes it valuable.

Of course, she hopes it's good. She is a vain creature after all.

[shatterings]

"I'm not sure I would call it a... treasure."

Her drawings can't be something so important, can they? Regardless, Naminé's happy to be able to make something she can give her friends. Making is certainly much better than breaking.

[dressofheaven]

"Ah, but I would. In fact I just did!"

She giggles a little at her own joke, but sobers up quickly, fondly smiling at Namine.

"It would be something new, at the very least. I've never been painted by a friend before."

[shatterings]

"Well... I'll do my best. I usually use just crayons or colored pencils, but if you want it painted, I can try that."

... Maybe it was an expression, or maybe not. Regardless, Naminé is always willing to try new things.

[dressofheaven]

"Oh. No, that's not it, it's just that every time I've seen a picture before, it's always been painted, so I didn't really think about anything else."

She laughs, shrugging a little.

[shatterings]

Definitely an expression, then. Naminé's cheeks flush mostly out of embarrassment.

"Well... I hope I can measure up to the ones you've seen."

[dressofheaven]

She waves that statement aside casually.

"Don't worry yourself about that. I have the utmost confidence in you, Namine."

[shatterings]

It's good Ilya does--someone's got to have some confidence in her, and no doubt her other friends do, too. It's still something new, having someone be confident in you. It brings a smile to her lips.

"I can also draw your Pokémon, if you'd like."

[dressofheaven]

"Oh be careful what you offer. If they find out what you just said they'll be demanding portraits all at once."

This is only really true of a few of them, like Aphrodite, but Ilya's Pokemon all have such vibrant personalities that it would still be rather overwhelming.

[shatterings]

"I wouldn't mind that. They're all so wonderful."

The ones she's met, anyway. Ask Naminé which one is her favorite and she'd say all of them. Ilya's Pokémon just have that kind of charm.

[dressofheaven]

"You'll give them swelled heads, you know."

Not that Ilya disagrees. She takes nothing but the best for her Pokemon, and she expects nothing but the best from them. And in more than battling, too.

"Have you drawn the others yet? Kairi, Xion?"

[shatterings]

"I hope not too much, if it's a bad thing."

She knows not everyone takes compliments the same as she--they at least probably know how to take them better. Ilya's question makes her go quiet. Technically, she's drawn Kairi. Here, though...

"No... I haven't yet. But I'd really like to."

[dressofheaven]

"I have no doubt they'll be lining up to get themselves drawn once they hear you're offering. But don't forget! I asked first, so you have to draw me first."

Ilya doesn't actually care that much, but she can't resist the little chance to gloat subtly about finding out Namine's talents first.

[shatterings]

"Oh! Yes, of course, Ilya. You don't have to worry about that."

It's actually a wonderful feeling, having someone look forward to her drawings. With all the drawing she'll probably be doing, she knows she'll improve even more. And that's an amazing feeling.

[dressofheaven]

"I'm glad that's clear then."

She wonders for a moment if Namine gets that she's only teasing her, but after a moment or two she decides that if she were taking her seriously, she'd probably be a lot more nervous than she is.

"Anyway, how is it that I've never seen you drawing before?"