This was not the welcome home that he had been expecting after a great, long trip, to come back here to visit, just as he had promised to the weather, of all things, ruined his plans of loafing around their giant house. No with this ungodly weather, he checked right into the public baths. It was far too cold not to stay close to reasonably hot water.

These people used wood burning fires to power their boiler tubs, making for excellent high temperatures and a system that could easily survive such a cold snap. It was time for a little vacation. He missed Matori already, but it would be very good to see his mum, brother and sister again, one Prentice age for three days, please. He passed over the necessary coinage. He took a deep breath, feeling that this would be fun and a nice way to relax. There was a hotel attached that also handled the meals. Overall, it was a really good package, if sometimes a bit crowded. He was given a room, key number 111 a towel, two meal vouchers more would be given later, he was assured he couldn't wait for the food. That was probably what he missed the most while away were the luscious, open, local restaurants. The best ingredients, fresh, cooked with home style flair. He couldn't wait for the spices to roll over his tongue and say you were home in haute cuisine.

First he show showered the road dust off quickly in his room, feeling refreshed, he ordered a fruity drink from the bar. It and a breeze coming from the outside made him feel a bit more replenished, despite how truly frigid the air was still that was just wrong for Oba, this was a desert, a hot desert. It would get cool ish at night time, but it never reached this, especially not during the day with the sun out. A note had been carried by pigeon for him, Welcome home, son was scrawled upon it. He smiled. His dad knew everything I it was gratifying to know that such a man had his back, that such a man was his dad, but Reillan had continued to gain ranks steadily, while also spending more time where he could with his family. He was truly someone to look up to.

Gajeel was aware of how much he truly looked like father, besides the bit where the celebrating Asian trees had changed his hair to a bright red once they had come of age and reached maturity. Now he didn't match his son so exactly, but that was okay, too. Dad was all the cooler for it. Gajeel left his room, bought an apple and peanut butter snack and ate it before heading to main public bathhouse. The waters were well heated, and he was excited. He wanted to completely banish the sensation of cold nibbling at him, though it was overall warm. He realized now that he had caught a chill, this was not to be suffered, not for someone like he a noble heart of fire. He could eat well, unwind from the trip and enjoy himself, as well as get some proper relaxation in.

He would take a dip in the warm main bath and thaw out that chill. He went through all the pre bath protocol, and then he eagerly moved on to the main event. The hot water stung any dry skin areas he had, but despite the burn, it instantly started to melt his tight back muscles. He sighed. He had missed this. It was one of his favorite places in the city. It was used more at night and summer, but today, the fire raged hot and the water flowed freely there. Now that cold didn't seem nearly so scary. It probably wouldn't last all that long in a place like this, the lab of fire, for the people of fire and those that chose to brave the fire and live there anyway, he felt very sorry for the northern folks with their skin when their skin crisps, they were always so miserable the day after the burn crispy and then the itching and the peeling, he was so grateful for his lovely sun proof skin, and he thought it brought out his eyes. He smirked. His mother's freckles made him look interesting. He knew he was good looking.

He cracked an eye and took a lady's peek at who else was escaping the cold. Oh, the Chancellor's daughter. She had been his first kiddish crush. Well, look at her. How could he not but what he didn't want was to be under the Chancellor's thumb. Befriending her daughter because he thought she was cool, then having to listen to even more political drivel. Besides, he just wanted to be friends, plus actually being too close to her made him want to vomit, when he got too close as to have talked to her. Oh, well, he slithered to the other end of the bath best to just stay away, much less drama. That way, he was more of a subtle, stealthy creature. He kept an eye out, but the rest of him. First bath went really well. Then it was time for lunch. He changed back in the room and took his ticket to the kitchen.

Today was lobster bisque and cheese bread. How lovely. He tucked into the savory, salty, cheesy goodness. Purred with pleasure. The food here was always made to please its discerning clientele. They were not the only bathhouse, but they were the bathhouse. You heard the lobster was flown in via kiinfa. er, to preserve its fish freshness.
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