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 Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 8:25 pm
Well, this was definitely the start of some type of bonding experience. Inali glanced around the small spa that she was staying in with her mother. They had won tickets through a local raffle, the pair deciding to spend a mother and daughter day out while things were quiet in between fashion season and the bakery, but the weather was not quite on their side for it. "At least it's indoor hot springs?" Inali offered, giving her a mother a warm smile even as the sky darkened more behind them. She had to stay optimistic, right? It could have been worse because at least they were already here now and not still on the road with the rain pounding down behind them.
[Inali 1]
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Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2024 7:29 am
Harika nodded, her lips pressed tightly together as she surveyed the horizon. "It is indoors and should be safe enough. At least the building is up here and not in a valley." It did look really nasty out now that they had arrived, their carriage dropping them off at the gates that marked the little establishment nestled in the Belrean mountains. The wooden building had multiple floors and was surrounded by gardens and little meditation areas for earthlings looking for solace from the stresses of city life. As much as Harika hated being away from her family it would be a lie to say that she wasn't curious to see how a night away would go, especially at a place with praised hotsprings. Plus, if everything went well then she was determined to save up so that the whole family could visit next time. It would be a fun trip, if so.
They just had to make it through tonight first. "Let's get inside before that rain catches us." Harika reached for her daughter's hand, tugging her along as they walked through the gate and went inside to avoid the rain that was starting behind them.
[Harika 1]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“Might be too late for that.” Inali commented as the first fat drop of rain splattered right on top of her head. Still, she didn’t protest any further as she allowed her mother to tug her along. If anything she pressed her feet harder against the ground as she tried to rush forward so that she didn’t slow her mother down. Eventually though they made their way through the curving stone path and up the stairs that led into the large wooden lodge style building. “It looks cozy enough, I guess?”
[Inali 2]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“I think so.” Harika moved her daughter closer to her, the hybrid tugging the younger girl back as a pair of Geians rushed past. “At least we’ll have to hope it’s cozy enough for the next few hours.” It looked like they wouldn’t have much of a choice with how those clouds were looking. The skies had gone from bright to nearly pitch black with how quickly the storm was moving around them. Now there was the howling wind even, the intensity of it nearly knocking Harika off balance as she held open the door so that both she and Inali could slip inside.
[Harika 2]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“Just a few hours?” Asked Inali as she looked behind her at the darkness gathering outside, the skies only showing whenever lightning decided to flash across the horizon. “Might be the whole evening with this storm.” Still, at least she could appreciate some of the decor as they walked through the lobby with all of its flickering lamps and candles. Lots of crystals were set up alongside of little statues and what not with the smell of incense lingering in the air too. “The counter is there…do we just walk up to it?” It looked busy enough already though with earthlings scurrying here and there to seek shelter in their rooms while the storm picked up outside.
[Inali 3]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“Well, at least we won a full night. We should enjoy it the best that we can.” Harika acknowledged, a small smile crossing her lips as she fought to stay optimistic. At least it wasn’t an outdoor spring only and they had options inside while it stormed. “Oh hello!” She waved towards the petite Geian who was standing behind the counter with a small notebook spread across the counter to record guests. “We had a reservation under Harika?”
[Harika 3]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
Inali fought the urge to wander about as she stayed behind her mother. At least it looked like they would be safe inside of here and someone had already started a fire in the one fireplace in the center of the lobby. The warmth reached them all the way over here even and Inali was thankful for it as she tried to wipe the rain from her arms. If they had been a few minutes later then they surely would have looked like drowned durufs or something, that much was for sure. She looked towards the clerk curiously. If they couldn’t go to the springs then what did they do first?
[Inali 4]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“Is that so?” The clerk nodded as she looked over the ledgers. “Ah, I see your name.” She moved and plucked a brass key from the wall. “Normally this is where I would direct you to the outdoor springs, but for now maybe you would want to unpack first?” She looked over the mother and daughter before nodding. “Did you bring spare clothing? If not then we have robes in the rooms, if you would rather try a massage first since we have those rooms available while the storm rolls over.”
“A massage might be nice.” Harika blinked as she thought about their options. Her dress was pretty damp from the rain and it would be nice to hang it somewhere to dry while they relaxed a bit. “That sound okay, Inali?”
[Harika 4]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“I mean it’s your win so why not?” Inali replied, the booming sound of thunder reminding them about why their options were limited to inside activities. “If you want to relax with that then I can try to stay still.” She didn’t know how she felt about the whole spa day thing, but she was willing to endure since her mother had wanted to spend some time together. The plan had sounded nice for the hotsprings, but now she wasn’t so certain what she wanted to do. Could she manage to stay still for such a thing? The very thought of a stranger rubbing her shoulders made her tense, but others apparently enjoyed the option so…maybe it wouldn’t be quite so awful.
[Inali 5]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“Then we’ll do it.” Harika grinned as she accepted her room key and passed their travel bags to another worker to carry to the room. “Some hot stones and some scented oils sound lovely after being out in that rain. Trust me, it’ll be a good experience.” She reassured her daughter with a grin. Nothing wrong with them enjoying a basic massage, especially when her shoulders were sore from working on so many projects as of late.
[Harika 5]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“Alright.” Inali braced herself as she started following her mother and another worker down the hallway away from the main lobby. The few windows to the outside only showed darkness despite it being early morning, the storm having completely taken over now. The very sight made her nervous and at this point Inali was willing to try whatever as long as they were safe from the mixture of hail and wind. What she hadn’t expected though was a frantic lightning woman nearly barrelling into them. “Are you alright?” She managed as she took a step backwards, catching the woman before she fell.
[Inali 6]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:07 am
“Ah, my apologies!” The woman tried to regain her balance as she shifted a bundle in her arms. “I was in a hurry and nearly knocked you out, I’m so sorry.” Her bright green gaze was frantic as she looked about, her strawberry blonde hair even frizzled from where it had been in a bun before. “Ashery, you’re the only one who can sew well right? There was an incident with this dress…” She started as she looked towards the Geian who had been guiding them towards the masseuse.
Harika chewed her bottom lip as she listened, the hybrid just thankful that her daughter and the stranger hadn’t completely knocked each other over. When sewing was brought up she couldn’t help looking over at the bundle with interest. “Do you mind if I look at it?” She managed as Ashery seemed hesitant to take the dress herself, the Geian not quite confident she could fix something as elaborate as that outfit. “I might be able to help.”
“Oh?” The woman looked between everyone before slowly handing over the dress. “One of our spa workers accidentally got it caught on a corner so it ripped…”
“Hmm.” Harika twisted the material in her fingers, the seamstress looking over the pattern and noticing the finer details of the design and stitching. “I can fix this if I had a table and some better lighting.”
“Can you?” The woman grinned. “Then follow me if so! If that’s alright, I feel bad asking a guest…”
“Don’t worry about it. I enjoy fixing things like this.” Harika reassured her as she waved her along. “Inali, do you want to go ahead without me while I handle this?”
[Harika 6]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:08 am
Of course. Leave it to her mother to find work even here. “Just don’t take too long. I’ll go ahead then.” She nodded towards her mother, trying to be encouraging even though she felt frustrated about the surprise twist. “If anything then I’ll just steal all the snacks and take a nap.” Inali teased as she looked towards Ashery. “There are snacks, right?”
“Sure.” Ashery chuckled. “Then I’ll guide you and leave the others to it.” She nodded her head respectfully towards the lightning woman.”I’ll be back to assist you shortly, Miss Myria.” Inali looked at her mother one last time before waving and quietly starting down the hallway away from the pair, the girl trying to find it in herself to relax somehow even as the storm raged outside and she was left alone for a bit to figure out this whole spa thing.
[Inali 7]
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:08 am
“Ah, yes. My name is Myria and I appreciate your help.” The lightning woman introduced herself as Inali and the Geian disappeared down the hallway. “You, miss?”
“Harika.” Harika introduced herself in turn and held onto the dress as she followed the lightning woman down the hallway. “It should be a simple stitch, I design clothing so I’m pretty familiar with the patterns.”
“Oh? That’s super convenient! If anything I might have a couple more things if you don’t mind…I can pay a commission and of course you still need time to enjoy the spa that is…” Myria continued walking forwarded even as she carried the conversation and kept Harika company in the room that she worked in to fix the dress, the storm raging on as the spa owner and seamstress exchanged stories and got to know each other before Harika went back to join her daughter to enjoy what was left of the day at the actual spa.
[Harika 7]
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