☠

[ ;; ☂ ;; ] —

                      “Ah— that is also okay if it means                        Esther-san is comfortable with it.”

It’s not like Juvia would have a problem with being called by her first and last name or just her last name. Besides, if this woman was used to addressing people by their last name then what reason would give the bluenette to come crashing in and changing that? That would be rude on her part. Plus, it could somehow be a thing they have in common since Juvia has always spoke in third person. No one has ever told her to cease it. However, if that were to happen she would have to decline since she was most comfortable with it and has been speaking in that form all her life.

With the atmosphere now lingering towards that of an awkward one, the time was saved by the other as she spoke, however, causing Juvia’s cheeks to heat up once again as she shook her head to decline to the others question.

     The response was odd to the woman, confusion plastered clear as day on her face,      wanting it to be known.  Sure, people have their limits, Esther understood and       respected that wholeheartedly.  However, this was a public bath - the purpose being      to soak in the steamy, hot waters and relax, and bathing with a towel wrapped around      was almost nonsensical.  No, the bluenette surely had intended on bathing here,       however it was herself, Esther, who was hindering the teenager from doing so.  She       recognized her timidness stemming from the presence of another person.  No one       goes to a bath and doesn't bathe.  For a modest person, this bath was the right place      to go, as very few people ever came at this time and day.  Even Esther hardly made      appearances here, however stress was overwhelming her and she thought this was a       nice change of pace.  Only to disrupt another's quiet time.

     The dark woman sunk her body into the water, only her neck and above in the air.      Hopefully this would alleviate any apprehension that might come after she made her      next suggestion.

      ❝ normal? pretty much.                everyone’s used to me stripping.                         —— or they eventually get used to it. ❞

      he faintly recognized her as the reserved bone mage that was barely at the guild       & when she  was, she barely reached  out to  anyone. ether? was that her name?       he ran a hand through his dark hair, messing up his locks even further.

                             ah. it was better to come clean and ask for her name.

     Her surprise by his recognition was visible, with gold hues widened at his attempts.      Knowledge on the boy was so limited, not even extending to his name, yet he had      a guess at hers?  Perhaps this goes to show who the better guild member was.  Her      gawking expression was subtly changed with a twitch of her lips curling upwards, as      emotions that ranged from delight to self-pity mixed within her.  

                    ❝It's Esther. You were close.  As for me, I don't have a                        guess to your name.❞

With a quick bow towards the woman, the rain woman mentally shook the bothered thought away, tints of pink now fading from her visage. 

[ ☂ ] —

                “J—Juvia Lockser. However, she would

      Lips curved into a faint smile in an attempt to produce a more comfortable atmosphere for the flustered teenager.  She could not agree with her request of referring to her by first name, so her smile also served to make her apology seem more sincere.

            "You have a pretty name.  However I prefer addressing others by their surname."

      It was odd to address her habit frankly, as how she spoke never needed explanation.  Silence resumed, and Esther looked around, unsure of how to confront the situation.

[ ☂ ] —

            "I promise you you're not bothering me."

      Esther aimed for this to become less awkward, though she was unsure if that could happen.  Perhaps an introduction would put her at ease.

            "Esther Greim.  You're Juvia.........?"

            "It's fine - this is a public bathhouse anyways.  Even if no one's here, you're not intruding.  Plus, we're both women so it's not a big deal."

to feel n o t h i n g

and { e v e r y t h i n g }

                  i dont know whos awake and whos on this blog and whos both, 

Your [ h a p p i n e s s ]

      ❝ no point. i’d just lose it again, besides like i said, it’s just a shirt. ❞

            "-- Is that a normal occurrence for you?"

        Warmth now lay atop her bare foot. It wasn’t heavy by any means, but it had caught her off guard causing a gasp and eyes to open with haste as her few shifted downwards. Below her lying on her foot was a woman who didn’t look too much older than her. Brows slowly knitting themselves together she was concerned and slightly frightened if maybe she’d passed out from heat exhaustion.

        Mouth opening to ask if she might be harmed she began moving, lifting herself off her foot and muttering to herself. A questioning what had been whispered past her lips as the other rose to her full height. Averting her gaze she bowed, offering an apology for falling atop her foot and halting her.

        Azure hues blinked rapidly a few times as her gaze shifted about her, noting some people had stopped to stare at what was going on. With so much attention Kaja felt her cheeks growing hot as she looked back to the woman, shaking her head rapidly.

         — [❀] “Y-you didn’t!” Her head had stopped shaking and she offered the woman a kind smile. “R-really, it’s fine. I-it’s partly my fault for c-closing my eyes and not paying attention.”

             She fell on her foot.                  That meant she probably fell on the ground, right?

       It surprised the woman to hear the girl try to take some of the blame for the mishap.  Surely it was Esther's fault entirely, for she was the one being clumsy and tripped over her own feet.  Even if the girl had closed her eyes, she should not have to worry about someone falling in front of her.  Especially an adult like herself.  

            "It's not your fault at all, why would you think that?"

      Voicing her thoughts and opinions was not rare for Esther to do, however it was rare for her to speak to a stranger in the normal manner she was currently speaking.  Maybe that too was because of her hangover, however 'mild' she may claim it is.

           "I'm fine - your foot broke the fall, see?  I mean there is still some dirt on my face I'm sure, but it's nothing to fret over."

            While the dirt may have not been an issue, the woman could feel liquid on her cheek, most likely blood from a possible scratch.  It's not like the girl's foot could save all of her face, now could it?  A small, forced chuckle passed her lips, despite them not smiling or grinning or showing any sort of happiness.  The sound must have seemed odd when put together with her frown, but she hoped that it would distract the other from her 'injury.'  However, another thought came to mind that she deemed worthy of sharing.    

            "Furthermore, please don't try take the responsibility of an adult's mistakes.