A pleasant and relaxing spa, offering segregated pools and baths for cleaning and socializing. It is a popular meeting place for the city's elite and nobles, requiring expensive membership for the exclusive, opulent sections and services. There is also a garden and a gymnasium area for exercise and physical contests. There is a large pool for the common folk only requiring a silver coin for entry to soak in their loincloths. Every once in a while, some noble or the city rulers will pay to open the entire bath for the public to partake for a day, hoping to curry favor from the masses.
Avarim let the warm water soak into his bones as he relaxed after another grueling day of staying awake in class. Not even a solid hour of exercise in the gymnasium had erased the soul killing ennui of Professor Vadim's endless droning. Lifting an eyelid, the elf could tell by the slant of the sunlight streaming through the window it wouldn't be much longer before the coliseum would be deserted enough for him to partake of his favorite pass time. The roof of the coliseum was the highest publicly accessible place in the city, and offered a bit over sixty feet of freefall for the thrill seeking elf, as well as a short walk to a tavern afterward. Closing his eyes, he smiled as he remembered his last jump. His reverie was interrupted by a flapping at the window. His suspicion was confirmed when a familiar voice croaked, "Avi, your mother wants to know if you're coming to dinner tonight."
Splashing water at the raven on the sill, Avarim said, "Roac, I've told you a hundred times not to call me that in public."
The raven hopped aside to avoid the water and replied, "Hah. And I've told you, you're not my Master, Avi. What's it going to be?"
"Not tonight. I've got other plans. Tell her I'll see her tomorrow night."
Bobbing his head, Roac said, "Right. See you tomorrow, Avi." The raven flapped away before another handful of water landed on the sill.
Avarim briefly submerged himself to clear his head. His father's familiar had been a thorn in his side for as long as he could remember. A nice long trip away from Parthacia after graduation would be a welcome relief from that particular annoyance. Even though his father had been clear about cutting him off, Avarim was sure he had learned sufficient woodcraft from his uncle to make his way in the wild indefinitely. That thought put him in a better mood, and his natural almost-smile returned as he let out a long sigh.
Avarim dozed in the bath for an hour or so, slowly letting the weariness of the day's study seep out of every pore. When the light from the high windows indicated the sun had sunk below the building next door, the elf heaved out of the water and dried himself with a
Prestidigitation
minor charm as he strode to the changing rooms. There, he donned the simple robe of a student he had worn to the bath. Fortunately, his apartment was only a short walk from the baths. The robe was simply unfit for jumping or socializing. Similarly, the clothes he'd wear to his parent's house for dinner tomorrow were expensive enough to be unwise to risk wearing in the common taverns around the coliseum, or even the slightly higher quality establishments two blocks over. So when he arrived at his lodgings, Avarim changed into the comfortable leathers he usually wore when hunting with his uncle. In an inner pocket, he secreted a small gambling stake and sufficient funds to cover an enjoyable evening of drinking no matter how the cards or dice fell. It would never do to scatter coins all over the street as he tumbled through the air.
Knowing very little of this city or what it has to offer, Fjoris found himself wandering for several hours before entering the public baths on a whim. Seeing the relaxation of the people in the water, he is overwhelmed with exhaustion. It's been too long since I simply enjoy a bath.
Not ready to settle in just yet he walks through the garden area, enjoying the vegetation and reminiscing to his days in the wild. He seems to zone out for a few minutes before opting to dip in. He pays the public pool fee and strips down to the loin cloth. His foot steps are heavy as he wades into the water. Having never been largely concerned with hygiene before he doesn't bother washing up, instead enjoying the feeling of weightlessness in the water.
Eager to make some contacts in the city, he spots an elven woman who reminds him of an old acquaintance. He wades over to Ikari, sitting a few feet to the side of her. "You have a familiar face" he says, with the inflection of a compliment. "Would you share in a conversation with a man out of his element?"
Fjoris raises an eyebrow to the protests of the woman, and a casual but slight smile comes over him. He looks down at his floating trail of sediment and chuckles quietly. Life must be easier here if the people have time to worry about a little dirt in the water. He shoots a quick look at some of the other pool goers, seeing that most of them haven't noticed his mess. He does note a few foul looks from the people. He also notes a small frog like creature bubbling about in the pool, Seems even some animals are more fit for civilized life than I. He chuckles again.
He starts to climb out of the pool in a lumbering manner, "Didn't mean to ruin your bath lady." His deep voice, seems regretful, but just barely. He walks over to his gear, and fumbles with it for a moment, I think 5 silver should be enough. He walks over with a small, weathered pursue that jingles slightly as he walks and holds it out. "Let me make it up to ya, your next bath is on me." He motions with his head, encouraging her to take it. He has an arbitrarily courteous look on his face, but a large scar seems to mar the gesture.
Maybe a tavern would be a better fit for me. He raises an uneasy eyebrow as he notices there aren't other piles of belongings around the pool. With his hand still out, he keeps a slight eye on his gear, ready to sprint at a moments notice should somebodies fingers start to feel a little light.
