Gowan watched the others stand around the room in silence.

“I should probably get the ball rolling.” He thinks.

“So how are we gonna do this? Are we all going in nude? Or is everyone going in swimsuits?” He states.

“I don’t care either way,” Maira says in a low pitch tone. “I feel so tired~.” 

“That's because you used a spell way stronger than you should have,” Rielle states.

“I was just trying to win!~” Maira mutters.

“We might as well just go in like this,” Erica states. “These clothes are soaking wet, we’d have to go out and get swimsuits, it’s already quite late.”

Erica begins disrobing leaving her clothing in a basket on the table. While still in her underwear, she steps into the misty bath, removing her underwear while concealed by the mist. The silhouette of her naked body appeared through the steam before she walked in. Seconds later they hear a sigh of relief.

“Yeah, uh… I’ll see you guys in there,” Gowan states following suit.

Artorius follows, leaving Rielle and Maira behind.

“Come on Mai, you can’t sleep in those clothes, they’re soaking wet.

“I’m fine. Just let me lay here.” Maira says.

“I can’t blame her for feeling like that. The amount of mental fatigue that accompanies low ether is incredibly high. The physical fatigue is just as bad, so she probably doesn’t have the will to do anything right now.” Rielle thinks.

“Come on, I’ll help you get undressed,” Rielle says.

“Okay,” Maira says.

Rielle grabs the bottom of her dress and pulls it over her head. She reaches behind Maira and unhooks her bra, then removes her panties, and finally gets undressed herself.

“This feels a bit familiar,” Maira says with a smile.

“...Come to think of it, you’re right.” Rielle realizes.

“I had to do the same for you one night when you came back late after drinking,” Maira mutters.

“That did happen…” Rielle sighs. “Come on.”

She helps Maira to her feet and the two walk together into the bathing area. The area is filled with steam as Rielle and Maira walk down the steps and hop into the water.

“Pheeeew!” Rielle lets out as she submerges her body in water.
“Ohhhh yeeeeah.” Maira says. “It’s so warm.”

Erica was resting in the water with her head back against one of the boulders surrounding the water. Gowan sat across from her at the opposite edge of the pool and scooped water onto his head. Artorius sat a few feet away from him and wiped his face.

“This… was a good decision, Arty,” Gowan states.

“I’m inclined to agree.” He replies.

“I agree… It’s so serene in here.” Erica says.

“This is paradise,” Rielle states.

“Seconded,” Maira says while almost drifting away.

Suddenly Gowan remembers a question he wanted to ask.

“How did you use ice magic earlier? You told us there was only fire, water, wind, earth, light, and dark.” He counts on his hands.

“I wanted to save that lesson for later, but… Those are the basic types. There are style two other types. Complex and Conceptual.” Rielle states. “Complex magic is essentially combining magic types to create new types. It has a bit more nuance than you might think though.”

“Whaddaya mean?” He asks.

“Like wind and water magic creates ice, by controlling the temperature of the wind. But that same combination can also create storm. Storm is essentially weather control so things like lightning and such can be found within it. There’s also molten, corona, mist, plant, mire, and twilight.”

“There’s quite a few,” Artorius says.

“Which is why it could get confusing when you’re starting,” Rielle says.

“True, it's hard enough worrying about the basic types and now I know there’s a level above that?” Gowan questions. “What about Conceptual magic?”

“Conceptual magics are the rarest and most powerful types of magics. They consist of spacial, time, gravity, and life magics.” Rielle states. “Life is a bit special as it’s the only magic that’s both complex and conceptual magic.”

“It is? What types do you need for it?” Erica asks.

“Light and earth… Right?” Artorius says.

“That’s right,”  Rielle says.

“It's because of that that I was able to save Rielle. It’s also why I became a medic when I was alive.” He states.

“Wow, I never knew my brother was so important as a medic,” Gowan says.

“I typically try not to tell anyone, but I trust all of you.” He says.

Maira stares into the darkened sky and sighs. 

“I trust you guys too,” Maira says.

Erica chuckles.

“I suppose I trust you all as well,” Erica says.

“So what’s the story with you all?” Gowan asks. “Could it be that you all were partners at some point?”

“More or less,” Rielle says with a grin. “After each of them passed away I ended up coming across someone else and fell in love.”

“Now we’re trying to figure out who she loves the most,” Maira states calmly.

“Why don’t you all attend the Connections Festival?” He suggests.

“What’s that?” Rielle asks.

“Your case isn’t that uncommon down here. There are quite a few people who outlive their lovers and find new love eventually. The connections festival seeks to reunite those who were once and love and guides one to the person they’re in love with the most.” He explains. “I don’t understand the mechanics behind it, but if you go there, the person you leave with is guaranteed to be the love of your life.”

“Honestly, this is quite the revelation. I’ve never really heard any word of it.” Erica says.

“Not too many people know about it. I only found out from someone I befriended here, who had a similar circumstance.” He begins. “Plus it’s only available to people with multiple ex-lovers, or so I’ve heard.”

“If that is the case.” Artorius begins while stroking his chin. “Then I think we should go.”

“Yeah, it feels like a place where we can finally settle this matter,” Erica states.

“Sounds good to me,” Maira says.

The three of them turn their attention to Rielle who seems genuinely surprised by this information. She peers into the water for a bit, and sighs.

“I can’t say that I’m not worried about this. My biggest fear is not fully understanding or recognizing my feelings, and then making a mistake in the process, plus there’s the certainty that by choosing someone, the other two will be hurt. And yet, this indecisiveness is delaying all this.” Rielle thinks.

She feels a tug on her hand, that pulls her hand above the water, and it was Artorius that sandwiched her hand between his own.

“I could spot the look on your face from a mile away. I understand that the choice you have to make is difficult, but it’s okay. We knew what we were signing up for when we started this.” Artorius says.

Erica too, grabs her other hand.

“He’s right. We chose this path for ourselves, let us live with the consequences.” Erica states.

“Believe in your choice and don’t look back,” Maira says.

Rielle’s expression shifts into a smile.

“Alright, then we’ll settle everything at the festival,” Rielle states. “When is it?”

“It's at the end of the month,” Gowan states.

“Thanks, Gowan,” Rielle says.

“No problem.” He states.

After everyone finishes their bath for the evening, they change into garments provided by the inn. A long robe-like outfit tied at the waste by a blue band. They lay out the mats provided by the establishment and lay themselves to rest. Rielle lay in the darkness pondering the future before falling asleep. The next day she awoke a pair of legs were covering her body. She looks over and sees Maira lying across her and Artorius. She slips out of bed and walks over to the bath where she takes a seat. Then she dips her feet into the warm water and stares into the blue sky.

“At the end of the month is when this all comes to an end,” Rielle says.

“Isn’t it just a new beginning?” Maira questions. “Once you can settle down with who you love, isn’t that just the start of a new life together?”

“But, even so, I like having us all be friendly like this, I’d hate for me making my choice to drive a wedge between everyone,” Rielle states.

“I can’t say that it won’t happen and I won’t lie to you about that. But, you can’t live in fear of what ‘may’ be.” Maira says.

She kneels before Rielle and grabs her cheeks and gently turns her face toward her.

“Hold your head up high and be proud of the choice you make.” Maira states, she gives Rielle a wide and warm smile. 

“Thanks, Mai,” Rielle says.

Rielle places a hand on Maira’s and smiles.

“Don’t mention it!” Maira smiles.

The two of them continue their chat together while waiting for the others to awaken for the day.