Magma owned this town, it was a vacation spot for many couples, and love birds, a natural wonder thanks to the healing effect of the hot springs caused by the volcanic activity which was a wonder of heated volcanic activity and naturally forming aquatic pools to create something truly relaxing and restful.
Currently Kyui was sitting in those waters, it was late, the softer shades of night were out and at rest. The world was at peace, which was exactly the reason that Kyui had picked this time, most people had gone home by now and so it was a good chance for him to reflect on the passage of time.
Today was his 19th birthday. He set a glass of whiskey to the side of him, and another that he was currently holding and taking a soft sip from it. He was resting because tomorrow was the battle, and he had the second glass for another.
He didn't really remember how long ago it was that his family divided, he could kind of remember the faces of his younger sister, he supposed it wouldn't have been too different from his own. As he rested against the bamboo that separated the male and female sections of the hot springs he knew this wasn't exactly a place where he could have a drink with her, but it didn't matter.
Team Aqua had made sure that his family had broken apart, and stayed shattered. He had been raised mostly by Maxie after the death of his father at the hand of an aqua grunt who had taken the battle a little too far. His sister and mother had never come for him after that day, and instead of being raised by strangers in an orphanage team Magma had looked after their own.
So the second glass was too his twin, Maxie had only ever said that Aqua had gotten to her just like his father, which meant he must have been the last surviving member of his family. She was a twin so had she grown up the same as him, she would have been the same age.
He sighed and sipped on his glass feeling the burn, raising his glass to the empty spot."Don't even have a name for you, but that ones for you sis."
Tomorrow he could focus on revenge, today though... today he just wanted to relax.<|im_end|>
Lavaridge Town, 2200 hours
Akira leaned back against the cool stone above the soothing waters of the hot springs. She closed her amber eyes and breathed in the healing vapors. Her breath was visible, like smoke, when she exhaled. What a day.
With all the build up for the upcoming fight, she'd barely had a chance to think. She was certain she only got away this evening because it was her birthday and everyone knew it was a touchy subject. Akira still had vague memories of what her birthday had once been like. Flashes of color and smiles, figments of laughter, a happy family all together. But that was a long time ago.
She had a brother, somewhere. And a father too. They could both burn in hell, assuming they weren't dead already. Where were they when her mom was injured in the battle? Why didn't her dad do his job and protect their family? Her mom had tried, so where was he? Instead, Akira watched as the best doctors that Archie could afford tried to save her, but the woman's fate was sealed. Her mom died just days after a vicious attack by Team Magma and her father and brother never bothered coming to find her. Archie had taken pity on the little girl and instead of pawning her off on some doorstep, he'd made sure to raise her within the organization.
But today was her nineteenth birthday. The one day that she made herself remember just how much she missed her family. It had been hard, being alone and different. Sometimes she wished that Archie had given her away to an orphanage so she could have been adopted by a nice family. But then she wouldn't be the Akira she was today.
She sighed. It was no use being angry, at least not right now. In battle she could use her fury, but in the hot springs on her birthday it just made her more depressed. She glanced at the teapot beside her. She hated tea but the pot had been her mother's. She always drank a glass on her birthday in remembrance. So, Akira sat upright and poured herself a small cup of tea.
"I miss you mom. I wish you were still here. I wi-"
Another voice drifted through the night. A man, close by, probably on the other side of the rickety divider wall. It was late, too late for most people to be in the hot springs. Akira had thought she was alone. Curious, she waded over to the divider and peeked through a large hole in the wood. He looked sad, but there were two glasses of something sitting next to him so he wasn't alone. But she didn't see anyone else.
Akira watched him sigh and sip his drink while listening to him talk. He seemed as alone as she was. After several long minutes, she pushed away from the divider wall. She was tired of being alone on her birthday, tired of having no one to celebrate with. And this man was honestly attractive. So what if he was at a low point and she was just swooping in for some 'nice to meet you' booty? It was her birthday and she was entitled to something nice for once.
Akira wrapped the towel snug around her F-cup breasts and pulled herself out of the water. She tiptoed to the far end of the divider, where the wood met with a rocky outcropping and carefully climbed onto their slippery surfaces. A few well-placed hands and feet later, Akira was climbing down the other side. She hopped to the ground on the men's side and stepped into the torchlight.
"Hi. I'm Akira. Sorry to pop over so suddenly, but I think we're the only two people here and I'm certain the owner already went to bed. I just thought it might be nice to share this beautiful evening with someone. I hope you don't mind."She sank into the water and closed the distance between them as she introduced herself. Even if he didn't want to talk, at least she would have company.<|im_end|>