Naomi sighed and half-closed her eyes, relaxing in the bath as the other women, one by one, left.<br/><br/>She watched them climb out, she watched them move, quietly appreciative, comparing her own self-image to their bodies.<br/><br/>Not that she was envious of Lydia's large boobs, or Aisha's curves. Not really.<br/><br/>Still, she stayed in the hot spring, letting herself relax. A wave of sadness swept over her, and she reached out to 'Tai to pull him close. He sniffed at her face, his body curling and wrapping around her, squeezing gently as her tears started to fall.<br/><br/><span style="color: #6495ED">"S-sorry..."</span>she said, though it was hardly connected to anything other than the relief from the ache in her muscles, bruises and scrapes less painful. 'Tai licked her tears away, an intimately affectionate gesture.<br/><br/>She slowly became aware of the other sounds around the onsen, with the other girls gone. The sounds of birds and insects off in the distance, the breeze rustling over the roof, the quiet as 'Tai stayed wrapped around her, hugging her in his way. As her breathing evened out, she could feel the calmness welling up within, displacing her moody sadness.<br/><br/>The tip of 'Tai's tail sliding between her legs completed her transformation, and she yelped softly in protest, blushing.<span style="color: #6495ED">"Hey! Not here!"</span>At his wounded look, she kissed his forehead and then untangled herself from him.<br/><br/>Scrambling from the hot spring, she plucked the towel from the peephole and dried herself off, then slipped into the yukata, tabi, and sandals that had been left for her. She stuffed her old clothes into her 'dirty clothes' item ball, and set the pack around her hips. It was only a little out of place, matching the simple colors of the sash and robe.<br/><br/><span style="color: #6495ED">"Come on, 'Tai! We need to go see if we can help any."</span><br/><br/>It was a short walk to the festival grounds, and she saw everyone busy with preparations. She looked around to see if there was anyone who obviously needed help with something.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>