18 Whistling and Desisting (1/2)
With the utmost discretion the gryphon showed them through a garden, another garden, and yet another garden, and then into a mansion that was Roman pavilion on the outside and steampunk dreamscape on the inside—culminating in a large copper-covered room featured what was unmistakably a bath tub. [Message received.]He then withdrew with a bow.
The large lion-clawed [gryphon-clawed?] tub was already filled with steaming water. [How did he manage that?]
Gazing at it, Nelda said: ”Oh, I definitely love him.”
”You're easy,” HoneyBeard commented,
”Does everyone around here have heated running water and a bathtub?Is that easy to arrange in these parts?”
”I concede the point, but question your priorities,” HoneyBeard grumped. ”Bathing in hot water is emasculating. It ruins the balance of your humors.”
[I've never noticed him to have much in the way of humor.] ,”Great.So, go and find some cold water.You probably need that more.Go, shoo!”
She pushed them out and barred the door. [So what is the highest level of technology in this land?]Looking around she could see metalwork of all kinds: rivets, pipes, taps… it would be every helpful if she knew anything about that kind of technology.But it was definitely another level from anything she's seen so far and not attributed to magic. [Do I actually believe in magic?]
She kicked of her shoes and lowered herself into the water and emitted a sound like an ecstatic digeridoo.The steaming water embraced her and melted away all her trivial discomforts.For about two seconds she was blissful content.Until all her more existential problems forged in through the gap to occupy her consciousness.
[I went back to Earth despite being away from my 'landing site'.So maybe they can retrieve me again?]
[The satyrs un-rescued me and I'm honestly not very annoyed about that.]
[I'm pretty sure I twisted my ankle.]
[I may have a crush on a furry.]
Each little conundrum fluttered into her pre-frontal cortex and landed like an autumn leaf and they all just sort of lay there in a pile.No conclusions or corollaries were drawn.Honestly, the executive parts of her brain had been fully engaged dealing with the influx of bizarre situations over the last few days, so they felt like they were owed a rest too.
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