Bird Bath

Log Info

• Title: Bird Bath
• Emitter: Slixvah
• Characters: Slixvah, Irshya
• Place: TarRaCe Bathhouse
• Time: March 16, 2022
• Summary: Slixvah checks out a new place that she's heard about to loosen up her tense wings from all the gliding around she's been doing. Getting acquainted with Irshya, the proprietor, they have a lovely conversation about Egalrin culture, how to relax, and things to do in the future.

TarRaCe, Bathhouse, Evening.

A common yet popular place to relax and soak, the bathhouse is privy to a wide range of folks coming and going. Such folk does walk through the threshold of the door, an Egalrin woman of white and rusty red feathers. Bereft of her usual getup: no ribbons, shawls, and robes save for a pair of white trunks, she strides to the center pool with purpose.

She spreads her wings out wide to their large spawn, opens her arms.

And flops straight into the pool with a splash.

The splash does what splashes do, sending water flinging upwards and outwards, as well as ripples throughout the pool itself.

Near the bottom, a small shadow suddenly zips about, and then begins to circle the red and white feathered one at a close distance. The Gobbo peers curiously at Slixvah, and reaches out a cautious hand to tug lightly at one of the white feathers.

Slix's wings slosh some water around as it gets her upright, her gasping lightly for breath as her feathers stick and clump together. She shakes herself off, then-

Pluck.

"Ack!"

She looks down under the waters, then points a finger at the shadowy figure. "That's quite rude of you, honey! If you wanted one, you coulda just asked!"

The Gobbo peers at the feather curiously, seemingly sniffing at it underwater. She surfaces a moment later, offering the feather to Slixvah. "Irshya sorry! She just wanted to touch one, she didn't know it would come off." Irshya reaches a hand up to her mouth, tugging at her teeth. "Irshya can trade a tooth!"

Slix holds up a hand. "It's all good, sugar," she coos. "Keep it. It's like hair: it'll fall off eventually. You've seen bird feathers 'round, ri-"

Blink blink. "W-Wait, honey, you don't need to do that--!" she hurriedly declines.

Irshya pauses in her check for loose teeth. "Irshya has more, not to worry." She cants her head sideways, peering at the red feathers. "Irshya has not seen bird people before. But also, did not want to assume you were a bird person, so... Irshya just wanted to see if they were really feathers. Irshya is sorry." She tries to give the feather back again.

The Egalrin woman shifts her shoulders a bit, rustling her wings in the water as she does so. "My folk don't like coming down from their mountains too often, no. Only other bird I've seen was in Blar; not even here!"

The woman chuckles, her tacking the feather back, only to turn around and tuck it behind a gobbo ear. "Keep it shug, it'll grow back. Not like I can stick it back on me."

She blinks and watches as the feather is tucked behind her ear. "Irshya is happy and will give you a tooth when one falls out as trade." The Gobbo leans back a little, and begins to float about the pool.

"Irshya is happy to welcome you to Alexandria, the city. And to the Tarrace!"

It's hard to tell Egalrin expressions, but Slix clacks her beak once and shakes her head. "That's mighty kind of you, hon, but I got not place to keep it. I travel light, and wander 'round."

The bird settles in, submerging her feathers and spreading her wings underwater. "Ah! Thanks hon! Been here a couple of weeks now, it's been a right grand treat thus far! I only heard about this place, decided to drop on by to see what the dealio was all about."

"Irshya could keep things for you, if you wished? She has a few rooms for sleeping, which she only lends out to friends or employees. And there are lockers and such which you could leave things in safely."

The Gobbo dives under the water, and with a flick of her tail, zooms around the pool. Surfacing, the pool shark draws near once more. "Irshya is the proprietor of the Tarrace!" She seems to puff up a little, proud of such.

The Eglarin chuckles, a low trill of a sound in her throat. "Honey, seriously, it's fine. I appreciate your offer, but I'm going to decline it," she says outright, rather than dancing around the topic.

Now that gets her head to tilt to the side, one crown feather unsticking from the others to raise up above her head. "Oh really? Now that's rich and well. Pleasure to meet ya Proprietor Irshya. Name's Slixvah Unmesi, but just call me Slix," she chirps, holding out a hand to the gobbo once she resurfaces.

Irshya reaches out to take Slix's hand, sniffing at it first before shaking quickly before letting go. "Irshya is pleased to meet you, Slix. And you do not have to call me proprietor. Irshya will do, nicely." She grins toothily, and nods. "Irshya will leave the offer open, should you ever need it. So what do you do, Slix, that keeps you wandering? Druid? Merchant? Wandering bard?"

The Gobbo's little tail wiggles back and forth.

Slix is unfazed by the greeting, her just smiling politely, shown in the crinkle of her blue eyes. "Of course, sugar, Irshya it is."

She scratches the underside of her beak with a finger. "Sight seein', learning, meeting people. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. This bird's a bit of a free one. Say some words here, do a little magic there, make folks happy everywhere."

The Gobbo-shark grins and giggles lightly. "It sounds like you are enjoying yourself. Irshya finds this pleasing. Do you sing, by any chance? And what sort of magic can you do?" Curiosity is practically plastered across her face. "Irshya is an adherent of Rada, and does blessings in his name."

Slix bobs her head once, not unlike that of a chicken. "Oh absolutely, hon. I enjoy myself to the fullest. Life's full of fun!"

She tilts her head to the side, tapping the edge of her beak. "I got some birdsongs from home, but nothing like a proper muse or whatnot." Then a chuckle. "Just some arcane mumbo jumbo that I picked up along the way in my years. Nothing absurd, just some tricks."

A feathered brow rises. "Oh are you now? Can you tell him to make sure it doesn't rain in the 'morrow? I need some clear skies for a bit," she teases.

The pool shark laughs, "Oh, Irshya doesn't know if she can do that. Not without a few coins, hmm?"

She coyly holds out a hand, but only momentarily, giggling and letting her hand fall to her side.

"Irshya can bless your journey, though, if you'd like. She can't ask Rada for specific weather except in dire circumstances."

Slix glances down to the hand, only to guffaw and slap it in a low-five. "Cute."

Getting over that, she shrugs lightly with both shoulder and wing. "Sure thing, if you'd like. That'd be swell. Just flying while it's raining is /such/ a drag!"

Laughing all the more, she nods. "Irshya regularly goes down to the river to offer blessings to the passing ships. Sailors throw offerings as they pass, and sometimes share news and food with Irshya. Irshya enjoys her job!"

The wee sharky nods again, "Yes, the rain is such a bummer. It's always irritating getting wet while one is swimming."

"Now that does sound like quite the enjoyable little thing," Slix coos, closing her eyes to imagine it. "Not to mention free food...!"

She glances to the pool shark, then breaks into a snickering mess. One wing folds then unfurls quickly, lightly splashing Irshya with it. "That's a good one, shug."

"There is serious work in tending to the shrines, though. Paying them proper respect is... boring. But, Irshya admits, it is not difficult." She blinks at the splash, her eyes narrowing.

Turning sideways, her wee tail begins launching little splashes of water the Egalrin's way.

"Irshya is experienced splasher!"

Slix chirps, "Of course, making sure the shrines are good and up to snuff is quite an important duty!"

The first couple of splashes get the bird woman, but a large wing unfurls and covers Slixvah like a winged shield. "Course you are, hon!" she giggles from within her protective limb.

As the shield comes up, the Gobbo huffs.

There's a slight bloop noise as Irshya submerges, and moments later, the Goblin-torpedo slips under the edge of the wing, bouncing off of Slixvah's leg.

The pool shark's face pops up, "Raaaaah!"

Slix peers out from her shield as the assault stops, her cocking her head to the side-

"Oh--!"

She blinks, snorts, and uses a hand within the winged shield to simply splash the gobbo. "Dah!" she counters, sticking her tongue out.

Irshya laughs as she has her way for mere moments, and squeaks as she's splashed more.

A hand reaches up for the tongue, the Gobbo attempting to catch it between finger and thumb.

"Irshya think you shouldn't stick it out unless you plan on using it.", she says with a snort. Her tail begins splashing back.

Slix chuckles, but then blinks stupidly as she's caught. "Eh--?"

She squints a bit, then ducks her head some, and the sharp, raptor beak lightly nips fingers while the tail is throwing water at her.

The pool shark squeaks and lets go, laughing. "You should have seen the look on your face."

She pushes lightly against Slixvah, before attempting to occupy the woman's lap.

Slix laughs as well. "I'm sure it was quite a sight to see!"

She makes no fuss as the gobbo takes a seat, though it's like sitting on a pile of wet rags underwater. "Normally I'd say I'm rather comfy, but not sure how I am at the present, shug. Now you just gettin' comfy? Or you tryin' to get on Slix's good side?"

"Irshya is pleased that you have a good sense of humor. Irshya did not really think she was fast enough to catch your tongue." She looks at the feathery seat and she nods. "It's soft, and slightly ticklish. Er, Irshya is bold and likes to lounge or lie in people's laps. She is small and people are usually big."

The Gobbo rubs at her cheek. "Er, sitting here is getting on your good side? Irshya can do that."

Slixvah blinks, chuckles, then pats the gobbo on the head. "Bless your heart. Well, you can sit there all you like, hon."

"'course I got a good sense of humor. Have to, lotta folk get hung up on little things that don't matter. Lil' ol' Slix ain't got time to care 'bout that," she hums, leaning back to rest against the side of the pool as her wings splay out to drift aimlessly.

Irshya seems quite pleased for the path on the head and the vague feeling that she did something good without realizing.

"Well, you also seem quite tolerant of Irshya. Irshya is rather touchy-feely. She gets into people's personal space, but she really enjoys being close." The pool shark side-eyes Slixvah's wings.

"They are very pretty, your wings."

Slix just shrugs. "Some people like to stay a wing's away, some like to be right on ya. I don't care for either, just whatever floats their boat. Just want folks to be comfortable."

The compliment makes her eyes close in a smile. Her wings unfurl to their full span behind her, dripping water in their near twelve foot span. "Oh thank you, sugar. I usually put a bunch of pretty ribbons in them so they'll flutter and twirl when I go flying."

The wings curl in, wrapping around Irshya like a wet blanket under the water. "People like this. Though I dunno how nice it feels when they're wet; usually its like a warm blanket."

"Aw, well, Irshya doesn't want to be a bother. And you should be comfortable too, shouldn't you?", the pool shark says softly. Her eyes go wide as the wings stretch out wide. "They're like angel wings!", she exclaims, eyeing them both in awe. "Or maybe, just maybe, they make angel wings to be like Egalrin wings. Irshya could understand the jealousy."

The Gobbo laughs at being wrapped in wing, even though they're wet. "Hmm, like a wet, warm blanket. Which Irshya doesn't mind. Irshya likes hugs."

Slix laughs. "Hon, if angels and Egalrin were comparing wings, there'd be no end in complimenting each other. But that's real sweet of you to say."

Now properly wrapped, there was just a gobbo head poking out the top of a feathered white and rusty red blanket. "Hugs are wonderful. You'd be surprised how many folk go from grumpy to melting with just a lil' quick one from one of these bad boys," she pats her wings. "Can fit a lotta hug in there."

Irshya giggles. "Irshya will still vote for bird-people feathers." She nods lightly. "Hard to argue with a hug from a lady, Irshya thinks. And your wings are huge, you can fit a whole bunch of anything in them. At least five or six Irshyas."

"I'll keep that vote in mind, shug," Slixvah hums. Her head tilts to the side. "Exactly. And a strong lady? Mmmph. To die for."

She perks up. "Gotta have a lotta wing to lift somethin' this big! I think I could fit maybe eight of ya's in here. Though, might get a -bit- crowded."

"Irshya may be a little chubby, but she is not heavy at all. Well, not much. She'd be easy to fly around." The Gobbo's voice sounds a little hopeful.

"But as far as hugging goes, yes, you could hug many Irshyas in one go. Luckily, there is only one. Irshya would not want to share your hugs."

The pool shark giggles.

Slix hums. "I could prolly get you in some harness or somethin' and strap ya to my chest. Wouldn't be too bad. Just like carrying a heavy bag. Just depends on how scared of heights ya are. I jumped off the Mountain Road last night and phew! That was a loooooooooong glide!"

She gives the gobbo a proper hug this time, and pats her on the head. "Now now, Slix /shares/ her hugs. Some folks need 'em too."

"If Irshya were strapped such that her back was to you, it would be almost like flying. Irshya thinks that would be amazing. Though... Irshya does not know if she is scared of heights. She's not been very high at all."

Her hands run along the insides of the wings. "Irshya would share, but she would insist on having a hug to herself."

Slix bobs her head. "Would be quite a thrill if its a first time," she chirps.

As the hand passes over the inside wing, some of the feathers gently curl to brush against the arm on their own accord. "Of course, hon. But let's not get too greedy now."

Irshya giggles once more. "You cannot blame Irshya for wanting to keep such hugs to herself. Irshya shares lots of things, but is it really bad for her to keep some things for herself?" She smiles beatifically.

"Irshya would really love to fly, some day. It seems like it would be so much nicer than an airship."

"'Course not. My hugs are in high demand, high quality, and low supply, it makes perfect sense."

Slix hums. "It is fun to fly, but it is very, very tiring to do so for a long time unless you catch some wind that does all the work for ya."

"Oh, like ocean currents, yes? Hard to swim against them, but if they are going where you want, makes life easy."

Irshya gets a mischievous look in her eyes. "Oh, high demand, you say? Have you thought about charging for them?"

Slix chirps, "Just like ocean currents. Hence why boats make the hard work easy; airships too!"

The Eglarin raises a feathered brow, and sweetly yet coyly jokes, "Thought about it once or twice, but I don't know the laws well enough here."

"Oh, Irshya knows just how to make it work. The Tarrace offers massages as a service. Laundry too, while people enjoy the baths. Perhaps we could set you up, so that you offer feathery hugs, or perhaps you could lightly run feathers over the back and shoulders? Don't see how that would be a problem."

Slix laughs. "Sweet summer child. 'tis alright, shug, rather do that without money being a part of it."

Though, she tilts her head to side. "Though, massages you say? I didn't know that was a service here. I could use a wing or two bent out of place."

"Bent... out of shape?", the Gobbo wonders. "Irshya is not sure if she could do that. Perhaps one of the Sith could." She rubs at her chin, peering at the Eglarin's wings anew.

Slix snorts. "Hyperbole, sugar. Muscles back there are tough. Just gonna take a lotta work to massage that out. Wouldn't want a wing dislocated, already broke it once recently, and that was no fun."

Irshya nods slowly, and then holds up her hands, her thumbs wiggling. "These will work out the kinks." She cants her head to one side. "How did you break a wing? That must have hurt a lot."

"I'll take you up on that once I'm done up in here with this bird bath." Slix's right wing twitches some, as she grimaces. "Ah, some unruly highwaymen wanted my coin. Didn't have it, told 'em to have a nice day. They jumped me and broke a wing, but the nice Alexandrian soldiers were on patrol and saved me. It's all good now."

The Goblin frowns at the story, "It is not nice to do such things. Irshya would let them taste lightning if she caught them doing that."

She gently inspects the wing in question, nodding slowly. "Irshya is glad it turned out well, and also that it did not scare you off."

She leans back against Slix's stomach, letting out a little sigh. "It makes Irshya sad sometimes, to hear of such things in the world."

Slix giggles, and taps the side of her beak. "Don't worry, sugar, I gave 'em a little taste of their own medicine too. Might've been part of the reason why I got hurt."

The Eglarin, in turn, leans back against the pool as she closes her eyes. She intones, "There's bad in the world, true. But you can't have all the good without the bad. And sometimes it's alright to have a little bad, makes the good all the better."

She winks. "And sometimes its good to be a little bad."

The Gobbo grins toothily. "Oh yes, Irshya understands. Sometimes it is fun to be a little bad. Or a lot bad, if you're doing it for a good reason." She curls up and yawns lightly. "You are the softest person Irshya knows."

Slix chuckles warmly. "Trust me hon, I know how fun that can be."

She pats the gobbo atop the head. "And believe me, lotta people have said that. Have a nice nap, sweetie, lil' Slix is gonna be restin' in here for a hot while."

-End Scene-