Submission (#5390) Approved

Caelus had always been a kittom who found himself rather sensitive to extreme heat - but the warmth of the natural underground Zevijan hot springs seemed to hit that sweet spot where he didn't quite feel too uncomfortable and could actually relax his muscles somewhat. The young nin broke the water’s surface with a loud exhale, shaking his head to stop the water from clinging to his headfluff. He felt somewhat relieved that he’d come here at such an early hour; the pools were practically empty, leaving nobody there to bother him – that is, nobody but his trusty Pomu. Well, if you asked him? Trusty was a bit of an exaggeration.

“Honestly, are you just gonna keep lazing around like that? You’re getting’ in my way, stupid.”Caelus huffed, shooting a glare to his rotund little companion. The relaxed little creature let out a contented, smug chirp in response as it floated languidly atop the crystalline waters. Caelus simply rolled his eyes with a huff.

He’d never been the type to stop and smell the flowers – he was far too fast-paced for that. There was always things to do, workouts to complete; wasting time on stupid stuff like that was just plain weird. However, in this situation, even he couldn’t help but marvel at the way the bubbles rose and the patterns rippled in the clear, tepid waters, and especially the way the crystals in the cavern glistened, their shimmering reflections warping and waving in the calm waters around him. Although the lack of sunlight on his fur did bother him considerably, the gentle glowing of the natural formations surrounding him couldn't help but soothe any misgivings he'd had when first entering.

Caelus inhaled, closing his eyes to focus. While these springs were usually used for people to laze about in, he just wanted to swim. Sitting still was totally not his style, after all. Not only that, but he’d heard how the water works wonders for soothing muscles and helping them develop. Something about chemicals, or whatever? More nerd crap he’d most definitely shove someone down a hole for trying to explain to him.

He waded through the pool, the feeling of the warm water against his fur giving him a certain freedom that he couldn’t quite describe aside from the fact that it felt... good. He’d always envied the nins who could take flight and soar in the sky, bursting through the clouds with the air beneath their paws and wind rushing against their ears... even if he wasn’t capable of that himself, he’d wager that swimming was the closest thing he could achieve. Complete freedom, with nothing to chain him down to the depths below as he floated above. Nobody but himself, with nobody to bring him down or get in his way...

“...GWAH?!”

Or so he thought, as while he was lost in his reverie, he’d found himself with a mouthful of Pomu fluff. Caelus choked and spluttered, throwing his head back once more as he unceremonious dropped his Pomu into the water with a blunt plop. Caelus grit his teeth, eyes narrowing, a slight growl passing his lips as he glared at the laughing little familiar, who most certainly found its companion’s distress to be amusing.

“You find it funny, huh? Damnit, what the hell did I tell you...” Caelus lifted his paw, before slamming it down on the Pomu, forcing it face-down into the water with a loud squawk that muffled into panicked gurgles and thrashing.

“ABOUT GETTING IN MY WAY?!”

...Needless to say, neither Pomu nor Kittom found what they were seeking from their little expedition to Zevija’s hot springs.