[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HDwS9l5.png[/img]
[h2][color=9e0039]Zeldria Miphras[/color][/h2]
(Titles and Relations TBD)[/center]
The morning hike was far from a pleasant trip. The winds whipped and snapped while the cold air bit and chewed at any exposed piece of Zel's skin, and with the meager shielding she'd been provided covering up completely was impossible. The staircase was far from forgiving as well, being hewn from rough stone and tended to only as needed by the equally rough soles of a Drakken. All of this, combined with her ever-growing fears from the previous day, did little for her peace of mind. [color=9e0039][b]"There isn't a spring at all, is there?"[/b][/color] she muttered to herself, her voice inaudible in the wind as she shivered, [color=9e0039][b]"They're just bringing us down here on a march to break us more, and they promised the spring so we'd get our hopes up..."[/b][/color]

Having been ordered to leave everything but their towels behind only deepened her worries. Naked exposure to the elements, was it? More humiliation, on top of everything else? But again, she did as she was told; better to bear the ice and snow than whatever parallel to the scorches soles they had prepared for any Gems who refused. Or so she hoped. As they walked further down and came upon the large, imposing stone wall the fears were all but confirmed in Zel's heart. Any second now one of the Drakken would order them to gaze on the wall and its designs, point out how they signified the Gem subservience and worthlessness, and then they'd be ordered back up the stairs while the guards smugly looked on all of the crestfallen little girls who'd let themselves believe they'd get something nice in this frozen hell-

A sudden wave of heat and steam tore Zel's thoughts from her head as the stone slab swung open. The warm humidity she'd spent the entire climb down convincing herself wasn't there all but smothered her senses, and her mouth fell open in shock. She stood there staring, wide eyed and stunned, until another Gem bumped into her from behind walking forward. Zel shook her head and joined the procession again, looking around her with marvel... and with caution. This couldn't be real, she thought to herself. What was the catch? Where was the trick? But for all her looking, she couldn't find any sign that anything was amiss. For all intents, purposes, and appearances, this was a natural hot spring for them to enjoy, exactly as promised. 

But even as the other Gems practically jumped into the water to begin bathing, Zeldria remained standing and wrapped in her towel, staring at different spots in the cavern. It didn't make sense. Why make such a showing of brutality, send the message that their well being meant almost nothing, and then present them with this? There had to be something, she just knew it. At the same time the warmth of the springs pervaded her, and the temptations to let the warm water wash over her and take her dirt and stress away for a time was every bit as great as her concerns that this was some sort of cruel joke. Paralyzed by indecision, she stood by the side of a pool, unsure of what to do...

[hider=Summary]
Zel is standing near a pool, not sure whether she wants to get in or not. [i]Somebody splash her.[/i]
[/hider]