[ CLOSED ] Grief will have to wait.

[blackscales]

WHO: Wrathion & fellow travellers
WHEN: Travel Arc!
WHERE: Mistress Isakanami's inn.
WHAT: A multi-prompt travel arc extravaganza! Check here for planning something custom, or he has an end of Serthica network post here or an open inbox!
WARNINGS: None at opening




Wrathion is exhausted.

So much as he is pleased to leave Serthica, so much as he is relieved to have had results there the whole experience has left him drained. The concept, then, of having some reprieve before they launch into more lengthy travel is... appealing, to a point.

It does, he assumes, mean staying somewhere else -- and based on their previous accommodation this may not necessarily be... pleasant.

Although it would be nice if it was.

The journey is long, but being flown there is at least pleasant initially. Far better than hiking, a wagon, or having to ride another creature. Then the weather begins to cool further, and Wrathion senses that they will not be relaxing in a tropical climate.

Snow. Of course.

The Merchant, at least, appear to have selected somewhere with pleasant-seeming facilities. They are, naturally, housed with the staff and expected to perform some minor tasks...

Still. If this place is devoid of any major problems, it does have potential. A hot springs in the mountains brings back fond memories, of a far flung place long ago. Of a time when he was young, before he felt the bitter sting of consequence.

It is also, so far, blessedly free of hozen.

Comments

[blackscales]

That is, in fact, a cheering thought. Wrathion lofts an eyebrow, glancing over at the group thoughtfully.

"It is, isn't it?"

A comment on both water being dangerous, and the drink being pleasant. He drifts his gaze back to illumination, thoughtful.

"Illumination, you said?" A shorter version of her full given title, but he assumes she will correct him if that's the form of address. "You may call me Wrathion."

[noonlight]

"I did, most people tend to shorten it to Lu, and I can live with that." Other diminutives are pretty much forbidden. "And it's good to meet you, Wrathion. It's better to meet you and have a drink, so you have my thanks for that."

[blackscales]

I can live with that implies it is not a preference, and Wrathion isn't one to shorten a person's name unless they enjoy being addressed that way. He wouldn't want it done with his own.

"It dulls the irritation," he agrees, "even if it cannot quite remove it entirely."

So long as said irritation keeps its distance, perhaps there can be peace.

"There was a place not dissimilar to this I visited in my youth. High up in the mountains, a tavern with a small hot springs out the back. Much quieter."

Well, aside from when he had scores of visitors all vying for his attention and for rewards. Those clients tended not to stay, however, only to pass through.

[noonlight]

"What are the local mores around harmless, but annoying short term cursing? A little hex?" As a treat. She probably wouldn't do anything too mean, but a gal can dream.

"Will you tell me more about it? My home is far from anything resembling a hot spring. There are a few steam powered baths and the like, but that's not really the same thing, is it?"

[blackscales]

"Have you visited the springs outside? The concept is the same in my home -- naturally heated water, mountainous region, advertised health benefits. I haven't the expertise to comment on the latter part, but I've been told the heat is often good for aching limbs at least."

Anything else, he wouldn't be able to really confirm or deny.

"The attached tavern allowed guests to stay overnight in the area, enjoy food and drink between using the springs, although I wonder how regularly busy they were. The Veiled Stair was somewhat off the beaten track, not terribly accessible from other population hubs. Perhaps that was the appeal."