Valen felt relaxed, joined with his two comrades, and as close as they would ever get. Vaqlen enjoyed the feeling of the union, and though his breaths were a little harsh from his coughing earlier, they calmed greatly as he closed his eyes, moving in closer with Brand and Altima. The moment of togetherness with his friend was what Valen really needed, Brand's chin rested on his shoulder and Altima was drawn in closer. Valen allowed his eyes to close and remained that way until brand moved again. A sound caught Valen's attention.<br/><br/>Brand Tensed and then jolted out of the bath, leaving Valen and Altima behind, he seemed excited somehow.<br/><br/>As the excited young man scrambled out of the water, he managed to kick Valen's pipe square out of his hand. Valen grabbed for his precious pipe as it sailed out of his hand into the water, landing with a wet -kerplunk- in the water. "No!" Valen grunted in dismay as he leaned forward. 'damnit' Valen mentally growled, it would take days to dry off the pipe. Valen glanced up as Brand scrambled off naked, into the inn or tavern, for a boy who was unwilling to take off his towel as he fell into the bath it was an awfully bold move. Valen payed little attention to Brand's doing as he fished the pipe from the water, murmuring under his breath about the time it would take to resume his habit. Chances were both Brand and Altima were more than pleased with the coincidence, though Valen wasn't. Valen fished his pipe out of the water and examined it, it was soaked, as was the only tobbacco he had with him, which now floated around in the water, it would be impossible to light again, and Valen would have to clean it out as well.<br/><br/>Valen turned when he heard Brand shout, his eyes falling upon Tsu'ro, he hadn't seen that man in a while, not since Brand was younger. When Brand returned, Valen looked up from the water, eying over Brand's naked body, the boy still nude, in public. Valen wasn't disgusted, though he was thoroughly amused by the sight of the young man standing without clothing. Valen was slightly less amused by the man standing behind him. Valen recognized the male as one of their allies however, a man named Tsu'ro. The face was certainly familiar. Valen glanced up at the male. a slight suspicion in his eyes, Valen hadn't seen the man in a good long time, there was no telling what could have happened in that time span, the man could easily have signed on with the forces of the Dark King. Ari was with them, and she looked far less pleased than Brand did, most likely with several factors that were abound. .<br/><br/>"Tsu'ro, hail, good to see you again"<br/><br/>Valen offered a friendly greeting to the man, turning around in the bath, eyes scanning over the two men as well as Ari, before going back to look at his dripping wet pipe. Arioch looked pissed, likely with Brand's state of undress, and the fact that he was likely dripping water everywhere. The oldest male sighed and set his pipe down by the water's edge "Brand, I would suggest you get back in the bath... If you wish to join us, Tsu'ro, Arioch, you are welcome to do so" Valen was actually getting anxious, there was so many rumors floating around, and he had no idea if the man had changed from the time Valen last saw him, he did not know the loyalty of the man, though he could at least guess Ari's.<br/><br/>Valen moved a bit, sliding away from Altima and straightening, a fierce wind blowing by his form, straightening his hair for him, though it was still wet from diving in after his pipe.