Warm light gathers in the washroom’s stone basin, and the water around Kael settles into a soft, luminous hush. Steam curls up the polished walls while the ship’s deep magic hums through the floor.
The door creaks open. Sophie steps in, shoulders tight with the strain of the helm, then pauses at the glow as if it welcomes her by name.
Sophie
The helm still sings behind my eyes.
She slips toward the magical shower, letting the warm light wash over her hands before she reaches for the falling water.
Outside the door, a faint scrape of floorboards betrays Miles lingering in the corridor, then the narrow keyhole catches one bright, curious eye.
Miles
Just a peek.
The washroom stays peaceful, steam beading on stone, the ship’s glow steady and kind. Sophie closes her eyes under the shower, and the room seems to breathe with her.
“The captain remains in the tub as Sophie showers and Miles peeks through the keyhole of the washroom door. The room steams up and Miles can't see well enough. She enters the washroom and says "Oh, Captain I didn't know you were in here." but she doesn't leave. She just looks at the captain in the tub”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
The steam thickens, and Miles finally pushes the door wider, blinking into the washroom glow. She stops dead at the sight of Kael still in the tub, then folds one arm across her chest with an awkward little bow of the head.
Miles
Oh, Captain, I didn't know you were in here.
She does not flee. Instead, she stays in the doorway, cheeks warming, gaze dropping and then lifting again as if deciding whether to bolt or behave.
Kael Umal
The steam gives him cover, but not much.
Sophie turns under the falling water, one hand braced on the stone, and gives Miles a flat, knowing look that softens at the edges.
Sophie
If you are going to stare, at least learn to knock first.
Miles presses her lips together, then huffs a quiet laugh and glances toward Kael with a mixture of embarrassment and stubborn curiosity.
Miles
I can leave, if you want. Or I can hand you a towel and pretend this is very normal.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hand the captain a towel
“"Yes." the Captain says playing along with Miles facade of being a young man. "Hand me a towel." Miles gives the captain a towel. Sophie continues her shower. Julia, the cook walks up and tells Miles that she needs her help in the ships galley. Miles leaves with Julia, but only after she stares at the captain in the tub a bit longer.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Kael Umal
Yes. Hand me a towel.
Miles snatches up a folded towel from the nearby bench and steps in with exaggerated care, as if the stone floor might gossip. Steam beads on her lashes while Sophie keeps to the washwater, the shower hissing steadily beside her.
Miles
Here, Captain. And I am not looking. Much.
Kael takes the towel and keeps his composure as Miles holds her place a heartbeat longer than necessary, watching with open, embarrassed curiosity.
Sophie
If this ship can survive a toll board and a structural rattle, it can survive a little impropriety.
Miles gives a snort of laughter, then finally turns away from the tub. At the doorway, she pauses again, towel forgotten in Kael's hands now, her posture loosening.
Julia
Miles. There you are. I need you in the galley, unless you mean to spend the day haunting the captain's bath.
Miles flushes, then grins despite herself. She backs out with one last sideways glance at Kael, and follows Julia, the washroom settling into warmer, easier quiet.
Quest Complete
Hand the captain a towel