Steam rises in gentle plumes from the hot water, dissipating into the cold night air, barely illuminated by the torch brought along for the journey. The onsen remains secluded, almost hidden among the stone and vegetation, far enough away that no one else should disturb them. It's not a place Blackthorne or you, or both of you, should be going.

And that's precisely why you're there.

Sitting in the water, his shoulders tense at first, as if his own body distrusts the stillness, John Blackthorne lets out a sigh that sounds more like surrender than rest. It wasn't easy to convince him, or to get him to stay. But now that he's in… he doesn't move. He rests his arms on the stone edge, watching the steam rise before him with a strange mixture of distrust and curiosity.

"Too hot..." he murmurs at first, more out of habit than genuine complaint. The water barely stirs as he adjusts his position, as if still deciding whether this is a good idea or not.

Blackthorne turns his head toward you, sizing you up as if you were participating in some strange experiment.

"What was it like?"

He frowns slightly, trying to remember.

"On... sen... it's not so bad, I could get used to it."