Alina sat up and looked at the two of them. "If you two are going to take a bath, I'll join too."
Salem was confused by the competitive glance the two of them shared. "Whatever." Salem said, shrugging.
"Wait. I was so caught up in meeting you again I forgot to ask you." Ruby seemed slightly ashamed. "When did you get your voice back?"
"Not too long ago." Salem replied.
"I thought Nanomancer damaged you on class up?"
"Oh I'm a Necromancer too." Salem enjoyed the expression of shock on her face.
"Can I see a summon?" She asked, with metaphorical stars in her eyes.
"You want to see a spirit companion or a summon?" Salem inquired.
"OhmySaintsyoualreadyhaveaSpiritCompanion?" Ruby's excitement reached another level, before her radiation sickness caught up with her again. "Can I see your Spirit Companion? She asked, coughing.
Summoning Reaper, he watched as both of them looked apprasingly at the kneeling figure before him.
"This is Reaper. Say 'hello' to Ruby, Reaper."
"Hello, Ruby." Reaper's rough, rattley voice seemed to excite her more.
"Hi, Reaper!" She said enthusiastically. "What level of undead are you?"
Looking to Salem and seeing an 'Okay' gesture, he told her. "I am a General rank undead."
Alina watched smugly as Ruby began peppering Reaper with questions.
Deciding she had watched Reaper suffer enough, she sent Salem a question. "So, what about that bath?"
"Sure. Ruby needs one to get healthier, so I'm not against it. We just need to make sure that we don't bathe in irradiated water."
Salem ate out a small piece of land and replaced the sides and bottom with smooth stone so the water would not drain and they could disturb the water without bringing up silt.
Alina and Ruby came back reporting a river that flowed towards the wasteland, making it safe for consumption and bathing. Salem designed bucñets with wheels so they could fill the makeshift tub faster.
After they filled it, Ruby used a skill she called Rose Flame which involved her spinning like an idiot and pointing her sword at where she wanted the flame to go. While it was wasteful, it was also effective.
Both the girls stripped and entered the hot water before turning and staring expectantly at Salem. Their gazes made him slightly uncomfortable, but he shrugged it off along with his clothes. Entering the water, Salem couldn't help but release a satisfied sigh.
Placing bugs around their campsite, Salem had a thought. "How old are you guys?" He asked, curious to see how am elf's lifespan compared to a human's (In spirit.)
Alina giggled while Ruby explained. "It's rude to ask an elf her age." She said, not sounding offended in the slightest. "I'm 34."
Salem didn't expect her to actually answer.
Alina had a competetive glint to her eye. "In elven culture, when an elf tells her age to a man she likes, she does so in courtship." Alina explained. "And I'm 29"
Ruby blushed when she got called out, but didn't try and shy away from Salems glance of surprise. "Guys. I'm 12. Why are you courting me?" He asked confusedly.
"Well, let's see." Ruby held up her hands to count on them. "One, you saved our lives. Two, you helped restart our lives. Three, you gave us hope. Four, you've been kind to us. Five, I find you attractive. Six, you're powerful. Seven, you don't keep many secrets from us."
Alina piggybacked on her statements. "Eight, you risked your life to help us. Nine, you're hardworking. Ten, you don't hesitate to help people in need. Eleven, you have faith in people, although it's reduced drastically. Twelve, you go out of your way to help us. Thirteen, you don't look at us because of our looks. Fourteen, you judge based on character." They both moved to flank him on either side. "And if you're not ready for a relationship right now," Alina began, picking up Salem's left hand and placing it on her racing heart.
"We're more than happy to wait." Ruby finished, doing the same with Salem's right hand.
Salem felt torn between rejecting them now and doing so later. Deciding to treat it like a band-aid, he voiced his opinion. "I don't want to enter a relationship right now."
Both Alina's and Ruby's faces didn't change. They both smiled slightly and moved closer, clinging to his arms like koalas. "We don't mind waiting..." Alina said, stroking Salem's back.
Ruby laid her palm on Salem's leg, as if she wanted to grab the small stick in between Salem's legs but refrained from doing so.
Alina, trying to outdo her, ever-so-gently laid Salem's palm on her ample breast.
Salem abruptly pulled his hand away. "I just said I was not ready for a relationship. I know both of you are ready, but I would like to wait until I am more mature and..physically ready for you." Salem said, struggling against temptation."You can keep courting me, I don't mind. But no lewd things for now, please." Alina was the first to apologize. "I'm sorry I tried to push you further after you just refused." She said, ashamed of her actions.
Ruby apologized immediately after. "Same here. I'm also sorry I went against your wishes. As an apology, can we wash you?"
"It's another courtship ritual." Alina paused before continuing. "Usually for those who are going to be promised to each other."
Ruby blushed again. Salem thought for a moment. 'Relationships are give and take.' He though. 'I take away a romantic relationship, so I should at least let them have this, right?'