CHAPTER 52: RIPPLES OF AFFECTION

The hot spring hisses with soft steam, surrounded by wildflowers and glowing moss. Cherry blossom trees sway lazily in the dusk breeze, their leaves whispering secrets to the water below.

And in that bath of serenity, Pip gawks.

His bright eyes glow like lanterns under the moonlight, locked in reverent awe as Veena’s outer garments fall from her frame with elegant ease.

She bears a body that could only be born of regal blood and touched by divine means, as if carved of the essence of beauty itself. Curves that could never be conjured, skin as supple as a dew drop draped in velvet, and breasts that breakdown the ability to form logical thought in their presence.

She moves with the effortless confidence of someone who’d grown up cloaked in power and pride, and knew very well... she was hot.

But still... there was vulnerability there. Something tender beneath the strong front.

Pip’s chassis gives a low, excited hum.

The water around him ripples. Soft bubbles bloom beside his pelvis, and a little puff of steam poofs above his head. His servos vibrate with giddy delight, causing subtle tremors through the pool.

Veena slips down to a towel-wrapped step just above the water, raising an eyebrow at him. "You better settle down those servos, Mister. You’re gonna boil the spring at this rate."

He beeps, whirrs and fizzles to a low hum.

She chuckles, her hand sweeping a few strands of damp hair from her face. "That’s cute. But just so we’re clear..." Her lips curled in a smirk. "I’m not ready for the full divine experience. Not yet."

Pip pauses, then gives a solemn, almost exaggerated nod. He stays in place, body humming softly, but then takes a step forward and gently extends a hand, inviting her in.

"Hmm?" Veena looks at him.

He doesn’t speak, of course

. But he doesn’t need to.

His eyes shimmer, and as she meets his gaze. Suddenly, a warmth washed over her, slowly pulsing like a heartbeat... his heartbeat.

She gasps, eyes wide. "What the...?"

A golden thread of emotion runs from him to her, subtle but undeniable. It wraps around her like silk. Gentle, strong, tender. She feels... safety. Admiration. Worry. Support.

And beneath it all, unashamed and radiant, the clear and glowing certainty that he thought she was incredibly hot.

She covers her mouth, her cheeks erupting into deep crimson. "P-Pip!"

Beep?

Her fingers fan at her burning face. "When did you get that power?!"

Pip gives a sheepish shrug, then lifts his hand over the water. With a quiet chime, a ripple moves from his palm, gliding across the surface like a dancer’s silk.

Then he raises his hand, twirling a lazy spiral of water into the air. It slithers in midair like a silver ribbon before he flicks it toward her, and...

SPLOOSH!

"Eeeek!" Veena yelps as it splashes down over her head, soaking her anew.

She blinks through dripping bangs, then giggles. "Water manipulation too, huh? I guess the you really left a good impression on those water nymphs."

Pip gives a bashful wiggle and nods proudly.

Veena wades into the spring, her toes brushing against his legs beneath the water. She moves slowly, letting the warmth melt away her stiffness. Once close enough, she wraps her arms around him in a sudden, fierce hug.

"Thank you," she whispers, her voice trembling. "Thank you for showing me there’s still beauty and hope... and love in this stupid, cursed world."

Pip beeps quietly, surprised, then returns the embrace in kind.

For a moment, it was just the two of them, floating in warmth and compassion.

Veena exhales into the joints of Pip’s neck, then whispers softly.

"Maybe I am ready for the full—"

SPLASH-BOOM!

A full-bodied cannonball bursts from the sky and sends waves flying in every direction. Pip whirls. Veena yelps. The trees sway.

"Ahhh, that’s the stuff," Vuvi sighs, bobbing up naked and smug in the middle of the spring.

Veena glares. "Blackthorn!"

Vuvi grins. "What? This hot spring looks way too inviting. Don’t stop on my account!"

Pip blinks, then chirps cheerfully. Veena slinks back with a huff. Vuvi floats on her back like a sun-drunk frog, trailing her fingers across the surface. "Mmm. This is the life..."

A little snore interrupts the moment.

From the edge of the spring, Penelo’s sleepy head pops up, half-lidded and drooling.

She blinks through her daze, then swiftly perks up as her gaze catches two naked figures and a metal one gleaming under the sun. "Everyone’s in the spring?" She leaps to her feet. "Everyone’s in the spring!"

Her ears flop excitedly as she grabs a satchel and bounds toward them with gleaming eyes.

"Penelo Oil-Rub Service is now OPEN!" she announces. "Everyone’s getting the full package! Ears and tail!" she giggles, shaking her hips and wiggling the tuft of fur above sweat-glistened buttcheeks.

BEEP! BEEP! Pip agrees enthusiastically.

Then it hits her.

A wave of warmth, like a summer breeze rolling through her chest. Penelo stumbles slightly, then gasps. "W-What was that?!"

Vuvi blinks, sitting up straighter. "Yeah! I felt that too!"

Veena smirks. "That would be Pip’s new power. I think he got it from the water nymphs. Some kind of telepathy?"

"Spiritual communication!" Vuvi gasps. "I knew it! You’re evolving! Growing! You’re getting stronger, Pip!"

Penelo swoons. "It’s like... he spoke to my soul... with kindness and sparkles. And... I think he told me I’m hot..."

"Yep, got that too." Veena smirks smugly.

Vuvi glares at Pip. "You were hiding cool powers from me?"

BEEP-BOOP.

She pounces. "You little beepbox! What else are you hiding in there?!"

Veena snorts as Vuvi tackles Pip into the water, dunking him. He flails in mild protest, bubbles fizzing up as Penelo joins them with a big, fluffy sponge and an ear-to-ear grin.

"Everyone’s getting cleaned whether they like it or not!"

Chaos erupts. Soap bubbles sparkle in the air. Pip activates his water control, creating little whirlpools, spraying arcs at the women and slapping breasts and butts with tendrils of spiralling water. Vuvi responds with her own floating bombs of aromatic oil. Penelo flanks him from behind, wrapping him in her paws while she covers his eyes with his ears. Veena lazes on a stony step, arms curled behind her head, watching the anarchy unfold as she grins with glee.

She tries to flee when Penelo suddenly pops out of the water in front of her, but is dragged back in by Penelo with cries of "Bath time is cuddle time!"

The four of them splash and shout in a tangle of limbs, laughter, and shimmering water.

And for a cursed world, the forest echoes with something pure and rare.

Joy.