Level 8 Sectonia (holding 2 level up) - (77/80)
Location: Gerudo Village
Word Count: 1202
In a lucky turn for Sectonia, her search for somewhere to freshen up didn't take her long. Crammed into one corner of Gerudo Town was an unusually large building in a rough cross shape, and though its distinctive domed glass roof the insect queen could see pools of crystal clear water lit from below. A speedy descent revealed that the bathhouse wasn't only unguarded, but unlocked and completely open to the public for free, so long as the guests minded the brief list of rules and did their part to keep the illustrious, beautiful Bath of Tefnut spick and span. With only women allowed in the city, it made sense (after a fashion) that no security or timing regulations would be necessary, but that any lady who needed a soak could come in and rest her weary head freely.
Within Sectonia found a beautiful, wide-open interior, full of vivid painting and lush plants. Purple pillows dotted with golden stars lay about the decorated columns, and a dozen or two town-clad, deific statues kept a solemn, regal watch over the pools. Aromatic wisps of smoke drifted upward from incense braziers, and obelisks stood tall above reclining chairs. Everything was calm, peaceful, and still. It would take a concerted effort in the low light to spot the half-dozen guests who lingered here currently, all scattered around the bathhouse in a zen-like state of total relaxation.
Sectonia was a bit surprised, but after thinking about it, it made sense, that they would hide everything from the harsh sands inside the buildings. Now this was what she expected. A bit of beauty that wasn't to her taste sure, but she couldn't deny that they tried, and did a pretty good job The fluffy looking pillows looked fairly inviting all things considered.
Finding a spot near the deeper end of the bath house, Sectonia got herself ready and cleaned herself up. While the waters weren't as good as the spa, it was still relaxing and she could get herself to look proper. Sectonia wondered if the few Gerudo here were a bit taken aback like the guards were at no longer being the biggest lady in the room.
Unfortunately for the giant bug's ego, nobody seemed to be paying her any mind. In the Bath of Tefnut's tranquil waters, everyone could sink into their own little worlds. After just a few moments of exposure the insect queen found the pleasantly warm water just as soothing. As she relaxed and let the balmy, almost soporific heat seep in, the soreness and fatigue of a day spent pushed to the limit began to subside, time started slipping away, and she could begin to feel a lot better.
For a good long while, the agreeable stillness endured, the whole place totally quiet except for the lap of the water against the pool's edge, and the occasional light splish-splash of another patron on the move. Some bathers came and went, their gazes lingering on Sectonia for a moment on account of her inhuman appearance, but with it more or less clear that she was here for the same purpose as they, everyone just minded their own business. Nobody made a scene, but after some time, one thing did happen. Nothing out of the ordinary really, but in this place any break in the silence tended to get one's attention. A loud snap rang out, clear and authoritative, and the moment it did a half-hidden shape moved in the shadows. One of the large, animal-headed figures that Sectonia took for just another statue emerged to reveal himself as a well-dressed hawk fellow, white-feathered and formidable of build, carrying a couple of neatly-folded towels like a butler as he hustled around the pool. While not too strange by himself, his appearance did beg the question: in a city exclusive to women, what was a man doing in the public bathhouse?
As he made haste, a beautiful woman pulled herself up from the water not too far away, almost regal in appearance despite her simple black swimsuit. Finished with her soak, she waited in silence for her manservant to arrive and drape a towel across her shoulder, before she accepted the second one to wrap around her waist. She then span around in a flurry of cloth, and when she finished her outfit had changed completely, the towels nowhere to be seen. After a final smirking glance around, as if despairing the quality of her bathhouse's clientele these days, she stalked toward the exit with her burly butler in tow.
"Hmph, another noble with their own servant, She knows to keep her beauty well maintained, although that butler isn't as elegant as my antillions." Sectonia thought to herself upon seeing this woman, nodding in approval but questioning how that butler was a lady. Still, leaving soon seemed like a good idea once she had her beauty soak, and after a few other bit of maintenance of herself, Sectonia eventually left the bathhouse looking almost as good as when she came out of the shangri spa. Seeing as it was nighttime, she doubted any of the stores or anything would be open for her to take a look at magic items or the sort, so she decided to look around for the other girls. They probably had taken this time to find a place to rest, and she'd need to affirm it was a good place.
A short, low-attitude flight eastward from the Bath of Tefnut brought Sectonia to what appeared to be an inn. It seemed nice, and made with the average stature of the Gerudo in mind, managed to be rather spacious. That said, its builders lacked the foresight to take either giant wasps or visiting royalty into consideration, so while clean, tastefully decorated, and plenty comfortable, the inn lacked the luxury and aplomb that Sectonia might be expecting. At the very least, it ought to be suitable for her lower-class minions (that being every Seeker other than herself), but when she briefly looked around the place and inquired at the front desk, she realized that Primrose, Panther, Asbestos, and Alice had yet to check in. Only Peacock was there, already snug in her pajamas so that she could be up bright and early the next day for the morning cartoons, although in this place it was just force of habit. Other than that though, Sectonia's allies seemed to be scattered throughout the walled city still, with no indication as to where they might be.
Sectonia just stood there, trying not to show her confusion, before deciding that, since no one else was here, she'd go and see what this town looked like at night, maybe even swing by the markets to see if they are even open. Under the moonlight this place had a good charm to it, so if everyone else was on the town, she'd just continue to explore herself. Being out at night isn't really a strange thing for her, considering her palace was under eternal moonlight.