Looking at the sheer size of the woman standing behind the desk, Jin shrinks back momentarily while gathering her composure. No one is going to eat me...I'm fine. Taking a deep breath she approaches the counter albeit a bit hesitantly. Looking up at the fearsome woman she asks, "Excuse me Ma'am...but we were wondering if there were any more rooms available for the night? My friend and I needed a place to rest tonight while more permanent arrangements are being made and were told that we should check here?" Her voice is timid and soft as she takes in the area around them.
The woman nods. "I think we still have a couple of rooms available. Will you need two?"
Elena opens the door. "Sure, I was just getting off my feet for a minute. They're really hurting today."
She thinks for a moment, "Well...we either need one room with two beds, or two separate rooms. Depending on what you have available."
She gives her sister a sympathetic look, "Okay, we're sort of waiting on auntie Priya anyways so just come down when you're ready okay? If you want to prop your feet up downstairs I can rub them for you while we wait on auntie." She offers as she sees the pained and tired expression on her sister's face.
"Oh, it's okay," Elena says. "I don't want to be a bother."
The woman hands Jin a key. "I'll give you the one with two beds. It's upstairs fourth door on your right. My name's Atlana. If anyone gives you any trouble, let me know. I'm sure you can handle yourselves, but I prefer to deal with any problems firsthand."
Giving Elena a strange look she wraps her arms around her sister, "Don't you ever think you're being a bother. You're my sister and I love you. I would do anything to help make you feel better. Now you and Kama get ready and meet us downstairs. Okay?" Pulling back a bit she gives her sister a kiss on the cheek before turning and heading back down the stairs.
Taking the key she nods, "Yes ma'am, we understand. We'll let you know if there's any sort of problem....though yes, we are capable of staying out of trouble. Thank you for the room. We'll just go get settled a bit before going back out to explore some more since we only arrived here this morning and are still getting used to where everything is. We've been trying to decide on where we'd like to eat next. Oh...before I forget, how much do I owe you for the room?"
"It's free for the first three days," Atlana answers.
Getting a surprised look on her face for a moment she wipes it off before giving the other woman a shy smile, "Oh wow...that's very kind. So...I was just wondering, what other kind of eating places do you have here. I noticed when we came in there seemed to be an eating establishment right here in the common area, we've just seen very little of the town yet and weren't sure where to go. We've been to The Old Fish, the mines, the magic school, and the temple...now we're here. Is there anything you would suggest?" She asks while taking in their surroundings.
"There's Jericho's cafe through that door," Atlana says, pointing to the left. "It's good if you want something light. There's also Hadrinn's, which is the most popular place in Valwick. It's toward the north of town, near the tailor's shop."
She thinks for a moment, "I thought I smelled something when we went to the tailor shop earlier, but I was still full from breakfast at the Old Fish at that point. This place is just so big and there's so much....I think we want to wonder around a little bit more and see what else is here before we make any final decisions. The only shops we've been to so far is the Tailor Shop where we got these really nice clothes and the furrier, who had these amazing boots.....oh...I'm sorry, I don't mean to go on so. It's just...it's been a lot to take in after coming from somewhere so small. Thank you for all of your help though, I guess we'll go up to our room first and then decide where else to go." Looking at Hitome she asks, "Would you like to go see the room first and put some of this stuff up before we see the rest of the town?" She was becoming so excited at all the new things to see she almost couldn't focus on any one thing from one moment to the next.
Getting back downstairs she says, "Elena says they were just resting. Her feet seem to be bothering her slightly today, so she was resting them...but they'll be down in a little bit. How are you feeling mama?"
Hitome stifles a grin at Atlana's statement about dealing with anyone causing trouble. There was no doubt that the woman knew her way around physical combat. "Would you also happen to know if there is a bathhouse or something similar." she asks.
"I'm fine, Rajni," Asha says, sitting up on the couch. "A little anxious is all."
Elena walks down the stairs, supported by Kama. "Auntie Priya is sure taking her time with her bath."
Atlana shakes her head. "There aren't any public baths just yet. We have only a couple of bathrooms here, but they're kept clean."
---
Priya comes down the stairs a few moments later, looking refreshed. Juhi hops off the couch and gives her a blanket. "I got this for you, Auntie."
"Thank you so much, Juhi," Priya says with a smile. "I'll treasure it."
Juhi nods. "Now Rajni wants to take us all out for a treat."
Priya chuckles. "A fine idea. Are we all going?"
She looks pointedly at Elena and Kama.
"Yes, Auntie, we'd like to go too," Elena says, knowing what her aunt was thinking.
Kama smiles, "Yess We would love to.
Before Rajni has a chance to ask her mother why she felt anxious her aunt comes in after Elena and Kama. Looking at her sister for a moment she says, "I was thinking of taking us all to Yulia's for some of her delicious hot beverages and something sweet for myself and whatever everyone else wanted. Is that okay with everyone?" She looks at Kama as she supports Elena and wonders if Elena would be okay walking that far.
Listening to Hitome and Atlanta she gets a curious look on her face as she glances up at Hitome, "Soooo....were you wanting a bath to wash off the sea grit then before we continue looking around town? It doesn't sound like a bad idea if that's what you were wanting to do, and I'm not absolutely starving....yet." She says with a kind of a grin.
"Well it was a rather long trip." Hitome answers, "I definitely would favor one at some point"
She thinks for a moment before looking at Atlana, "In these...bathrooms, you have a place to bathe right? So...would we need to provide our own wash clothes and towels? I'm just asking because different places offer different things, and while I have soap and stuff, if I know that we need towels and such we can find a place to purchase some while we're out and come back to bathe later, or take one before we go back out." Looking from Atlana to Hitome she asks, "Does that make sense? Am...am I making sense?"
"I provide some towels and washcloths," Atlana says. "They are in a cupboard in the room. Set them outside each night in the basket provided, I'll make sure they're washed by the morning."
Looking back at Hitome she says, "You can get one now if you want to. I guess I was just so....well distracted I guess I wasn't thinking about it...but I could probably use one too. I'd feel better meeting people I don't know if I'm not all stinky and stuff." She says making a face as she takes the time to actually smell herself. She had forgotten how sick she had been on that boat. Blushing darkly she shakes her head, "Sorry...I just realized...so yeah, a bath sounds like a good idea. At least I remembered to bring soap." Taking a moment to calm herself she takes a breath and lets it out slowly, "Okay, so our room is the fourth door on the right?" She says as more of a way of reminding herself than asking a question before looking at Hitome, "Let's go put our stuff in the room and then we can get cleaned up and finish looking around town. Then we can get something to eat. Is that okay?" Almost as an afterthought she says, "Then maybe while we're out we can find a place that sells those things and get some for ourselves. I didn't think about things like that when I was packing everything I owned into a bag to come here." She says a bit matter of factly.
Elena nods. "Sounds good to me."
Giving Elena a smile she looks at her mama and auntie, "Is that okay with you both as well?" She asks, wanting to make sure that everyone is okay with it before they go.
Asha smiles at Rajni. "You're the one treating us, but, yes, we're fine with that. Aren't we, Priya?"
"Of course," Priya says. "I am not one to turn down sweets when offered."
With a smile that goes from ear to ear she says, "I'm so happy to hear that because I love sharing things that I love with my family and Yulia's hot chocolate...is to die for." She says with a giggle as she holds the door open for her family.
"I hope that's not literal," Priya says.
"She does love sweets," Elena comments.
Getting a confused look on her face as she walks out of the house after her family she closes the door behind them, "Huh? Did I say something wrong again?"
Seeing Hitome distracted by something she tugs lightly on her shirt, "Come on, let's get this stuff put up and get a bath, and then we can see about finding something to eat. I think I'm starting to get hungry again." She says as her stomach growls for emphasis. Blushing slightly she looks at Atlana, "Thank you for all your help." Almost as an afterthought she asks, "Where would your bathrooms be located Ms. Atlana?"
"It was nothing, Rajni. Just a joke," Elena says as they walk toward Yulia's cafe.
"They are just to your right," Atlana answers, pointing out two doors with small signs indicating them as bathrooms.
She nods, "Thank you again." She says before looking back up at Hitome again. She wondered what she might be thinking about with everything they had seen of Valwick so far.
She shrugs, "Oh...okay. I really do have a bad sweet tooth though." She admits as they head towards Yulia's Cafe.
Yulia busies herself wiping down the tables for the tenth time. Business had been slow today and Drago had gone off on one of his tangents again, this time about baby furniture and making it himself. Probably talked to Alethiro or something...
Opening the door to Yulia's for her family she steps inside and smiles as she sees Yulia cleaning the tables, "Hey Yulia, decided to come by and see what yummy things you have today and brought some folks with me. Think we can use like two of your tables?" She asks, giving the dhampir a grin as she thinks about all the delicious sweet treats she might have.
"Blueberry scones, chocolate cookies with chocolate chips and an apple pie," Yulia says. "And you can use however many tables you need. I've had no business today. I might also need to ask you for a favor."
Looking around she pushes two tables together. As she's dragging over chairs to the tables she looks over at Yulia, "Sure Yulia, whatcha need?"
"I have a usual customer. You might have seen him. The elderly aasimar gentleman," Yulia answers. "He hasn't been by today, so I'm just a little worried. I'd like you to pay him a visit and give him a little care package. Then come back and let me know how he's doing."
She nods, "Sure, I can do that right now if you like. You know, while everyone is figuring out what they want and such."
"Okay," Yulia says, putting together a small box of cookies. "Here. He just lives right down the road on the left. There's a rocking chair on his porch."
Taking the box of cookies from her she gives her a smile, "Don't worry. I'll make sure he's alright. Mama...everyone, just go ahead and see what you want. I'll be back in just a few minutes." Giving her mama a kiss on the cheek she hurries out of the Cafe and to the house that Yulia indicated.
Asha nods as Rajni heads off. Rajni finds the house with no difficulty. The rocking chair moves slightly with the cold breeze.
Going to the door she knocks.
"Sorry, I guess the trip was a bit more wearing than I thought. A bath would definitely help." Hitome says with a smile as they head to their room.
Jin shrugs as they get to the room. Unlocking the door so they can go in she says as they enter, "It's okay, I understand. It was a really long trip and you had to spend most of it cooped up in the cabin taking care of me while I was sick....I....I really appreciated everything you did for me Hitome. That would have been a miserable trip if you hadn't been there to help me. I'm sorry I got so sick. Anyways, at least we made it and we're here now, so....ready to get a bath? I have extra soap if you need it. Later we can buy some towels and wash clothes of our own." She chatters as they put their things away and she starts taking things out of her grooming kit.