Cariel-

"That depends," I said with mock-seriousness. "Do you mind getting soaking wet again?"

~Terin~

I looked down at myself. 'I haven't exactly dried off yet,' I pointed out.

Cariel-

"Good point," I said. "Come along, then." We headed for my rooms.

~Terin~

Cariel unlocked her door, and I held it open for her as she went inside. I followed, and put our packs down by the couch.

Cariel-

I set Nate on the floor by his toys, where he hopefully wouldn't get into trouble, and then filled the washbasin with water.

~Terin~

While Cariel filled the basin, I crouched down by Nate and tickled his tummy, making him squeal.

Cariel-

I looked over my shoulder at Terin and Nate, and smiled. I carefully set the basin on the floor, heating the water with a Charter mark, and checking that it wasn't too hot. "All right, Nate," I said, reaching over and trying to tug his tunic over his head. "Try not to be as difficult as you usually are."

~Terin~

I grinned as Nate evidently was as difficult as he usually was. He didn't seem to want to lose his tunic, and so was refusing to let Cariel take it off.

Cariel-

I made a face, and Nate laughed. "Can you tickle him again?" I asked Terin.

~Terin~

'Sure,' I said with a laugh. I started tickling Nate's tummy again.

Cariel-

I managed to wrench the tunic over Nate's head. "Ha!" I said triumphantly, waving it in Nate's face. He laughed and tried to grab it.

~Terin~

'Oh no you don't,' I said, poking Nate's belly button. 'You're getting clean, young man. You can't go putting on dirty clothes.'

Cariel-

Terin held Nate while I undid his booties and pulled them off. I removed the tiny trousers and Nate's diaper, managing not to stab myself with the pin for once.

"There," I said, tossing the wet clothes into the corner. "Into the bath with you."

~Terin~

'Ba!' said Nate happily, kicking his legs. 'Ba-da!'

Cariel-

"Oh, right," I said, reaching over and grabbing Nate's wooden duck. I handed it to him, and he clubbed Terin over the head with it. I winced. "Sorry - I should've warned you."

~Terin~

'It's all right,' I said, grinning as I rubbed my head.

Cariel-

I picked up Nate and lowered him into the tub. He promptly started splashing. I had headed over to grab the soap and washcloth, so I didn't get as wet as Terin.

~Terin~

Since I was already wet, I let Nate play with my fingers as he sat in the bath. He kept splashing me, but it didn't matter.

Cariel-

I lathered up the washcloth and started to scrub Nate's back. He usually squirmed around during his baths, but he was distracted by playing with Terin, so it was much easier.

~Terin~

Nate pushed the wooden duck into my hand, and I started amusing him by holding the duck underwater, then letting it pop back up to the surface. Nate shrieked with laughter every time.

Cariel-

Nate didn't even get upset as I washed his arms and legs one by one. But he did squawk a bit as I gently soaped and rinsed his face. He liked it when I washed his hair, though.

"There," I said. "Now you can play for a little while."

~Terin~

'And by 'play', she means you can splash her,' I said to Nate. I gave Cariel a wicked grin.

Cariel-

"Oh, no," I said, stepping out of splashing range. "I've got to put these away." I held up the soap and washcloth.

~Terin~

'I could do that for you,' I offered innocently.

Cariel-

"That's fine," I said quickly, and went over to the side table. I put away the soap, threw the washcloth in the corner with the damp clothes - the maids would get them - and fetched a large fluffy towel.

~Terin~

Nate kept giggling and splashing around in the basin. There was a growing puddle of water on the floor, and I was now wet - rather than just damp.

Cariel-

"You done, Nate?" I asked, sitting by the washbasin and promptly getting splashed. Apparently he wasn't.

~Terin~

'I don't think he'll be done until there's no water left in the tub,' I remarked dryly.

Cariel-

"At least he won't be able to splash us, then," I said, blinking water out of my eyes.

~Terin~

I eyed the puddle on the floor. 'I think he will, somehow.'

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