[color=9BD9E3][center][h2]Arden Gaothaire[/h2][/center][/color]
[center][sub]Interacting with: [color=e9967a]Bree[/color][@Ellion][/sub][/center]

The announcement of the hot springs came as a surprise to Arden. She was shocked that the Drakken would extend such a gesture, she was cautious in regards to what it cost to have a gesture such as this extended to them, and most of all she was nervous about what it meant to bathe in a hot spring with every other Gem being present. Arden walked alongside Bree in some way shape or form on the small journey to the hot spring; the journey there was much easier than the journey to Shadow Worth. Although they were travelling to yet another unknown place, she felt eased by the presence of her new ‘friend’, and was able to relax into a charming smile as they shared stories.

The Gems were lead into a strange place, descended stairs into a room that appeared to be nothing short of disappointing. It was cold and damp in the room; goosebumps painted themselves across the entirety of Arden’s skin as she fought the urge to clutch herself and shiver. The cold didn’t last long as the Drakken moved a stone and allowed a rush of hot air to blow over the them. The warming breeze was welcomed by everyone and soon all of the Gems followed single file into the hot springs. Arden followed behind Bree and marveled in the allure of the hot springs; she thought it odd to find such a spectacle of beauty in a land shrouded in darkness. She found it even more odd that only a few Drakkan were left behind to guard the doorways, her curious eyes observing them as they gawked at her sisters. Arden scoffed at their perverted faces and turned her attention to Bree, who had not wasted any time and was now standing naked at the edge of the pool.

A warm flush filled Arden’s face; she could feel it becoming hot as the beating heart in her chest raced slightly. Her expression showed more marvel for Bree’s bare body than it had for the hot springs themselves. She truly was stunning. Arden’s hand had found a new home at the top of her towel where it was tucked in just off center from her breasts. Her hand took hold of the knot in the towel, clenching it as she silently reprimanded herself for being no better than the perverted guards. Arden forced her awe-struck gaze away from Bree and awkwardly looked toward the ground at her own feet.

[color=9BD9E3][i]What in the hell am I doing?[/i][/color] She thought shamefully to herself, unknowing of what to make of the feelings she was having.

Arden gave her head a slight shake and realized if she didn’t react soon, all of the other Gems would be in the pools and she would be the only one left standing there in her towel. The last thing she needed was to have all of the prying eyes stare at her as she unveiled herself uncomfortably. Ever since she was discovered when bathing in a lake, undressing to bathe when people were present, or had the chance of being present, overwhelmed her with anxiety. It was a painful memory of how she failed her family, herself… her people. 

Not only was she troubled by the reminder of how it all [i]went[/i] wrong, there was a part of her that was self conscious. As she noticed the women slowly unsheathing themselves and dipping into the water, as she noticed Bree… she came to realize that although her body was slender, tall, and had curves in all the right places, her breasts were smaller than all of the other Gems; more than likely a result of wrapping her chest since puberty. Confidence in her appearance was a trait that she lacked, despite being told otherwise over and over again. She often overhead the older Gemmenite women who [i]helped[/i] her blossom into a woman comment on [i]”how it was a shame she hid all of those years”[/i] because of how beautiful she had become. They often remarked that she would one day make a man very happy, clear undertones of sexual promiscuity. Despite everything, Arden’s picture of herself was not that of a striking young lady, but rather a confident young man ready to lead a rebellion.

[color=9BD9E3][i]That’s right. If I can stand up against all that is wrong in this world, I can get over this lame feeling of embarrassment. Just get in there, own it, and do what I do best; be confident.[/i][/color]

Arden drew in a deep breath, filling her chest with courage. As she exhaled, she loosened the grip on her towel and let it fall to the ground, where it piled up against her ankles. She made sure to keep her head held high, careful not to glance down at her nakedness in fear of showing signs of discomfort. Her charade wouldn’t last long. As she began to walk toward the pool, a low sleazy chuckle came from the entrance way. She turned to look at the Drakkan who was now ogling her; it was clear he had observed her hesitation and was now pleasantly surprised. He let out a whistle and Arden’s face turned completely red. She quickly turned to the pool and hastily skipped over, attempting to cover her breasts and swiftly lowering herself into the hot water, not allowing herself any time to adjust to the extreme temperature change. It was now more than ever that she appeared the most feminine. 

As the embarrassment left the Gem’s face, it was replaced with a wince of pain. She had almost forgotten yesterday's [i]beating[/i], but the purple knee sized bruising on her midsection promptly reminded her when it met with the hot water. Arden reached for it with her hand, placing it lightly where the bruise was as an act to comfort the pain, though it did nothing. She sighed, accepting that she would have to live with the result of her apparent defiance for at least a few days. Arden moved to sit next to Bree and looked over at her new friend with an awkward face for the scene she had to have witnessed.

[color=9BD9E3]”I’m not used to this…”[/color] She admitted, feeling somewhat deflated. It wasn’t like her to show any sign of weakness, even if it was something as trivial as self-consciousness or embarrassment. There was something about Bree that made Arden feel comfortable enough to be more herself. The Gem had only shared such open feelings with her closest friends, and even then, she had never shown them [i]this[/i] side of her; a vulnerable side. 

Arden smiled and drew another breath of confidence. She lifted her hand out of the warm water and let it hover above it, her fingers dancing in a circular and waving motion. The air above the water begin to shift into a small vortex the size of Arden’s hand. Her smile grew softer as small water molecules were picked up by the air current and formed a funnel in her hand. Arden moved her hand slowly to face Bree; she drew her face closer to her hand, puckered her lips and blew lightly on the miniature twister. She watched as it blew toward Bree and danced against her skin, softly lining it with the water as it touched her. 

[color=9BD9E3]”Now if only I could make a life size one, then we could really have some fun!”[/color] She remarked playfully, allowing herself to lightly chuckle following her comment. 

[color=9BD9E3]”Auram rules my element, as you can tell. Makani had a number of Air Gemmenites living in it but when I got to Prisel Aldentine, there were Gemmenites of all natures. Of course there were a number of different natured Gemmenites in Makani as well, but the city was much smaller so it wasn’t as overwhelmingly obvious.”[/color] She shared, now resting her back firmly against the rock wall in the pool. The warm water felt wonderful against her body.

[color=9BD9E3]”And you, Bree?”[/color] She asked curiously as she turned, her front now facing the rock wall as she lifted the upper half of her body out of the water reaching for a soap on the ledge. With the top half of her body now hovering out of the water, the multi-purpled bruising would be evident to anyone in her vicinity. 

Her body sank back into the water after retrieving the soap and she turned to place her back against the rock wall again. She began rubbing the soap on the upper portions of her arm, her shoulders, and her neck. She sighed in relief that having a hot bath brought her. Arden looked at Bree out of the corner of her eye and smiled once more.

[color=9BD9E3]”This is more than I could ask for right now.”[/color] She commented, making light of their situation but knowing all too well each and every Gem in that spring wished for something else; home.

[hider=summary]Arden lusts over Bree's naked body. She feels awkward getting naked herself as it reminds her of when she was discovered as a women; after talking herself into it she drops her towel only to make a fool of herself. It's evident the beating she took the day before has left some lasting wounds, but she tries not to let it get to her. Air magic stuff happens too.[/hider]