That walk up to the onsen was worse than the rest of the hike. Without the constant exercise of walking, of moving, of carrying, Naomi's body had started to relax and all those aches and pains were making themselves known.<br/><br/>Following Eleyna up the path, she'd noticed the shrine, and noted that it wasn't the pristine sort of 'tourist' shrine she'd often seen before. It was well tended, but also in use. Often, from the little signs of incense. She paused with a light groan, and read the inscription.<br/><br/>Pokemon were a far older part of the world; she knew her history. And she knew that once on a time, little shrines like this served a much greater purpose for the communities and paths. So she dug for a little box in her pack. Drawing out one small stick of incense, she placed it in a free holder and lit it, before she moved on.<br/><br/>The bath house itself was separated, traditional. She set her shoes aside, then entered on the women's side, stripping without care for who might be watching, or if the door was even closed. 'Tai snuck in on her heels, quite the feat for the five foot long serpentine pokemon. Once she was naked, she stuffed her clothes carelessly into her pack, pulled down a stool, and sat heavily with a long drawn out groan next to Eleyna.<br/><br/>She rested there a little while, just drooping as the others, Eleyna and Aisha, moved about with their own preparations.<span style="color: #6495ED">"Nnh?"</span>was her first reply as she looked up and focused on Eleyna.<span style="color: #6495ED">"Oh, yeah. I guess we're all a little ripe. I had that field shower kit but it's not like we could use it back... there."</span><br/><br/>She repeated Eleyna's actions, dousing herself with a bucket over the wooden grated floor, soaking herself, and then scooted her stool closer to Eleyna's.<span style="color: #6495ED">"Sure. Just, uh, let me know if I'm rubbing a spot that hurts too much."</span>She smiled, finally paying attention to Eleyna's nude body before she picked up a spare bar of soap.<span style="color: #6495ED">"I think this festival's going to be interesting and, mmm. really important. These people live with wild pokemon all around them. Learning how they get along would be good."</span><br/><br/>She sighed softly as she soaped up, and then turned to wash and clean Eleyna's back.<span style="color: #6495ED">"Pokeballs, badges, the whole thing, they're all.. hrm. How to put it. Mass-created technological versions that.. encapsulate a whole bunch of mystical traditions, prayers, stuff like that. Using energy to help you become significant to wild pokemon. Worthy of respect and obedience. But that's just. It's not the only way. I mean, 'Tai there, I've lived with him for, what, half my life? And the main reason he hasn't crushed his pokeball when I offered it to him was because he likes the comfort in there."</span><br/><br/>'Tai sniggered at her, and Naomi gave him a look.<span style="color: #6495ED">"You just hush. Or I'll talk about your infatuation with catnip."</span>The Dratini ducked his head and then slithered into the water, pretending a cool indifference.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>