define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":77,"date":"2009-03-10T18:39:22","date_gmt":"2009-03-11T02:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=77"},"modified":"2014-02-02T17:28:26","modified_gmt":"2014-02-03T01:28:26","slug":"chapter-6-the-hot-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/77","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 6: The Hot Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 6: The Hot Spring<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/strong>In Which the Companions Find a Hot Spring In Their Travels.<\/em><\/p>\n

———————————————————————————————<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrin says: He walks beside her, hefting his pack slightly.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The air\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s getting wetter, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to snow\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret nods.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like clouds building up near the summit, too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll probably just be a foot or so. How\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re those clothes holding up for you? Are you warm enough? I doubt that your fur is as thick as ours up here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Holding up great! And don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry; it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s plenty warm right now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 How close are we?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, the ridge you told me about is not too far now.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe another half an hour of walking and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods yet again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay. If I recall, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a hot spring somewhere near, we can camp out on the heated flat rocks, if you want.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret gazes ahead, looking for telltale steam.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll keep my eye out for it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0He stumbles a bit over a rock, grabbing his companion briefly for support.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret grabs the otter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arm and steadies him before continuing.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He flashes her a broad smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thanks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: She grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No problem.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: They walk for a bit longer before he turns to her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153See anything yet? I think I feel the heat of it in the air.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yep.\u00c2\u00a0We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re almost there. I was just about to mention it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wait to take a dip.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra smiles.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here we are.\u00c2\u00a0Careful, it looks a bit slippery.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods and strips off his backpack and tunic, leaping into the water.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Woo-hoo!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret laughs and follows suit, though a little more slowly.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He chuckles and swims towards her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you swim alright?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: She nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yep. Just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to get my new clothes all wet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He grins devilishly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh sure, make up excuses, strip down if you feel like it, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not like I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see anything right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He laughs.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra laughs.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all fur anyway, right?\u00c2\u00a0 I just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to worry about my new clothes that fit so perfectly shrinking.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right then, what are you waiting for? The water\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret grins and sloshes into the pool. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah, feels good on the old walking legs!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He floats on his back.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra splashes some water in the otter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s general direction.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He splutters. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret grins broadly before completely submerging and then popping back up.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He launches himself out of the water towards where her heard her come up. He dunks her with a laugh.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ack!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She splutters and then swims to the other side of the pool, splashing the otter again.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He submerges himself, swimming towards her again. He grabs her legs and pulls her under.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret splashes to the top and laughs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whoo! You otters tire us poor non-otters out when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in the water!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He grins broadly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What else would you expect?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret splashes the water about her a little and grins at the otter.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Perhaps you cutting us non-water beasts a little slack?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He thinks for a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hmmm\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 nah!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He splashes at her.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra chuckles.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He goes to dunk her again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll teach you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Erp. She hastily dives and retreats to the other end of the pool. Wiping the water out of her eyes, she settles herself mostly submerged in the warm water. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve tired me out for swimming, Soq.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153C\u00e2\u20ac\u2122mon, I promise I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll play nice\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret chuckles.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mind, I can swim, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not exactly a strong swimmer. \u00c2\u00a0It tires me easily.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you get too tired, I can always swim you to shore.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: She chuckles and leans back against the rocks. Casually she views the scenery. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hrm. Those clouds around the summit are bigger than they were before.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should look for shelter then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0He slips out of the water and drops onto all fours, shaking the water from his fur.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret follows suit, sleeking the water from her fur now and then with her paws.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 6: The Hot Spring In Which the Companions Find a Hot Spring In Their Travels. ——————————————————————————————— Arrin says: He walks beside her, hefting his pack slightly.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The air\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s getting wetter, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to snow\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Catamount says: The ferret nods.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like clouds building up near the summit, too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Arrin says: He shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll probably just … <\/p>\n