SPA TIME [closed]

[faderifting]

WHO: Beleth Ashara, Cassandra Pentaghast, Isabela, Rachette Dakal, Thranduil, Vivienne
WHAT: SPA TIME
WHEN: Kingsway 15
WHERE: Orlais (near Lydes)
NOTES: OOC plotting post

The famously exclusive spa at which the Grand Duchess Florianne is relaxing in luxurious treachery is Bains-les-chers, located on the coast near Lydes, across from Val Royeaux. Perched high on a rocky cliff, it is ideal for taking in the warm, salty breeze off the Waking Sea, considered to be good for one's health and complexion. Originally the summer escape of a royal cousin, the place is built almost entirely of white stone, with high walls on three sides and the sea on the fourth.

The palace itself is a large square around a huge central courtyard where the main spa facilities are located, and the ground level of the building is all open, made up more of pillars and curtains and pools than conventional rooms. Pristine fabric billows, bright sun filters through canopies, and the finest and most attractive masseuses in Thedas pad about the grounds in soft, silent sandals.

About a dozen nobles and their retainers occupy the various areas, alone or in small groups, lounging in warm pools, soaking in deep tubs, reclining on padded benches. Wine flows as freely as the springs that drew them here originally. It's a quiet place; guests are typically encouraged not to speak unless necessary, providing a respite from the constant babbling gossip of The Grand Game that fills the rest of the empire. Each visitor receives a suite of rooms in the upper level. Because of the large windows looking out over the courtyard and the surrounding landscape, they are less private than they sound, and noise carries far, as some have learned the hard way in the past.

Comments

[sistertohermen]

Rachette has been cleaned from top to bottom, scrubbed to the point where she was sure her skin was going to fall off, lathered in scents so foreign to her nose they made her want to sneeze, her hair brushed and styled (and even tousled by the sea winds, it still looks better than it had), a dab of appropriate makeup smeared on her face--her eyes, her lips, over her brand.

And as if that wasn't enough, they had to travel on a boat. Out on the water! She wasn't afraid, so much, but a boat wasn't as solid as land, it seemed. It went up and down like a bridge over a ravine, and some of the old fears of falling into the sky came rushing back. And she had never seen so much water in one place before. A lot more than the rivers that wind through the valley and the Hinterlands, or the small lakes that can be walked around.

It's definitely exciting, but also decidedly unnerving. Her face feels weird, but she doesn't care even itch at anything for fear of dislodging some of the work put in to her appearance. And when she's out on the deck, she makes sure to be holding on to something the whole time. Maybe she won't fall into the sky, but she could still fall into the sea.

[easternseaqueen]

"First time sailing, Kitten?"

Isabela stood nearby, watching, a little smile playing around her lips.

[sistertohermen]

"...Who, me?" That's kind of a weird nickname. Rachette whirled around, still clutching, and cocked her eyebrows at the woman. "Oh no, I go sailing all the time in Orzammar. Great sailors, dwarves. It's a little known fact."

[easternseaqueen]

"I'll have you know, one of the first mates in my fleet is a dwarf. And she's a damned good sailor, all told. I'm thinking of giving the next ship I acquire to her."

The pirate gives the dwarf another look.
"...you want some tips on how to ride the waves?"

[sistertohermen]

Rachette assumes that said dwarf is a surfacer. Or spent enough time on the surface to gain the skills needed. She doesn't necessarily dislike surface dwarves, of course, but one does hear things. "I wouldn't turn down any advice."