NOVEL NEXT 059: Primo Dierum 3
<17 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER , A+>
[Theo and Julia]
"It's a bathhouse?" Theo asked, confused.
Julia nodded excitedly. "Yes! Here! Identify it." So Theo did.
| Identification of Target | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subject: Mirror Deep Retreat Access Crystal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level: N/A | Mana Density: S- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class: N/A | Special: System Space Access Item | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Species: N/A | Other: Uses: 5 per day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This Crystal grants access to the Mirror Deep Retreat.
The Mirror Deep Retreat is a bathhouse hosted by an unknown entity and accessible from any layer of reality. This is a System Space Access Item. This designation indicates that the Mirror Deep Retreat is permitted to operate in System-controlled Space. Allows five individuals or couples per day to access the Mirror Deep Retreat. Other Costs may be due in the retreat. |
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| Value: ???? | Status: N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
"The Mirror Deep Retreat," Theo said thoughtfully.
"Can we? Can we please!" Julia exclaimed. "Please, Theo!"
Theo chuckled, "You know you can go without me. I figured you would want to. But who am I to say no when a beautiful woman wants to get me in the bath with her."
Julia's face lit up bright red, "I... But you... I..."
She finally harumphed cutely, "I just don't want to go alone the first time, just in case... you know."
Theo smiled, "Oh, fine, it's not like I don't want to have a bath. We can't take forever."
Julia smiled and jumped around happily. "Okay. Let's go!"
Theo was about to protest when Julia activated the Crystal, and with a pop, they vanished.
<17 August 2024, MIRROR DEEP RETREAT, ????>
[Theo and Julia]
>Local Message: Universal Translation in effect
"Greetings and welcome to the Deep Mirror Retreat," a female voice said, startling Theo and Julia, who now stood in a warm, humid lobby covered in marble, with deep, plush carpets leading away through various hallways.
Theo and Julia turned to look at the woman behind the desk and found a wooden doll with maybe a hundred arms sprouting from its back. The doll spoke, "My name is Laurel, and I am what you might call the host of the Deep Mirror Retreat. Now, let's look at you both, shall we?"
With a wave of one of her many hands, a blue screen appeared in front of Julia and Theo. Laurel looked at Julia's first. "Now then, dear, let's take a look..."
| Julia Brahmin, Hearthwarden - 012 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stat | Full | Base | Level: | 12 | |||||||||||||||
| STR | 20 | 8 | Class: | Hearthwarden | |||||||||||||||
| DEX | 20 | 11 | Race: | Human | |||||||||||||||
| CON | 55 | 40 | Age: | 23 | |||||||||||||||
| INT | 40 | 31 | Bound To: | Theo Sorrenson | |||||||||||||||
| CHA | 38 | 26 | Titles Earned: | 15 | |||||||||||||||
| META | 59 | 42 | Personal Mana Rank: | B | |||||||||||||||
"Julia Brahmin. B rank mana, a good number of titles for level twelve..." Laurel continued, her eyes continuing past what Julia thought was the bottom of her status. "...Oh, newly inducted and granted Rectification, all while surviving with your new bond! How romantic."
The doll then looked at Theo. "And you must be the Bonded Pair. Let's see..."
| Theo Sorrenson, Son of the Soil - 012 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stat | Full | Base | Level: | 12 | |||||||||||||||
| STR | 46 | 29 | Class: | Son of the Soil | |||||||||||||||
| DEX | 33 | 24 | Race: | Human | |||||||||||||||
| CON | 71 | 56 | Age: | 25 | |||||||||||||||
| INT | 34 | 25 | Bound To: | Julia Brahmin | |||||||||||||||
| CHA | 19 | 9 | Titles Earned: | 15 | |||||||||||||||
| META | 28 | 13 | Personal Mana Rank: | B | |||||||||||||||
"A little lacking in charm, but making up for it with brawn. Level twelve, as well. Oh, young man, you are quite interesting." Her eyes continued past the bottom of the status. Then she looked up and smiled. "Next time you see the Patriarch, tell him that Laurel says hello. Now then, enough snooping on my part, here are the rules."
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Laurel waved another of her many arms, and a blue box appeared in front of them both.
| Deep Mirror Retreat Rules and Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rules | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rule 1: | Combat of any kind is forbidden. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rule 2: | Theft is not tolerated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rule 3: | Men are not permitted in Women's areas (Purple Carpet). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rule 4: | Women are not permitted in Men's areas (Blue Carpet). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rule 5: | General areas (Grey Carpet) are considered open to all. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rule 6: | Payment is required before bathing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System Note: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time is set relative to the System. One hour here is only a minute anywhere else in the Standard Time Flow. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service: | gold | silver | copper | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed Bathing Area | FREE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gender Specific Bathing Area | 00 | 00 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private Bathing Area (5 person max) | 00 | 25 | 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Couples Bathing Package | 01 | 00 | 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full Cleanse Package | 02 | 50 | 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deep Mirror Retreat Cleanse Package | 25 | 50 | 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family Bathing Package | 50 | 50 | 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nobility Bathing Package | 100 | 00 | 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| S+ Bathing Package | 250 | 50 | 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Divine Bathing Package | 999 | 00 | 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Complete Deep Mirror Retreat Experience | ???? | ???? | ???? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ask the Host about long-stay packages. Thank you for choosing the Deep Mirror Retreat. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
"At this time, we have over one thousand guests, three hundred of which are using the mixed bathing area, and another four hundred are using the gender-specific bathing areas. The rest are utilizing one of our other bathing facilities." Laurel said quickly. "Please indicate what service you would like."
Theo and Julia looked at each other, and Theo gestured for Julia to make the choice. With a shrug, she pulled two gold from her Hand of Gold. "Two for the Couples Bathing Package."
Laurel nodded, "Of course, please follow the black carpet line."
Beneath their feet, a line started at the desk and shot out through the lobby and down one of the many grey, carpeted hallways. "Enjoy your stay."
Nearly three hours, a bath, a massage, and a deep scrub later, Theo and Julia were back in the lobby. Laurel looked up, "Ah, and how was it? Was everything to your satisfaction?"
"Yes, it was," Julia said, sounding blissful. "Thank you so much, Laurel."
"I have to say, I am not much of a bath guy, but that was rather nice," Theo agreed. "Now then, Laurel, could you tell us how to return to where we came here from?"
Laurel nodded and gestured to a small alcove to the left of the massive desk she stood behind. "there is a brown access crystal in the alcove; just use it, and you will be returned to where you entered from at roughly four minutes after you left. We thank you for choosing the Deep Mirror Retreat; please come again."
Theo and Julia thanked her once more and departed.
<17 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER , A+>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo and Julia stood on the Overlook once more; this time, they were clean, with someone having even cleaned their clothes while they were bathing.
"I think I could kiss Aflara," Julia said, reveling in the clean feeling for the first time in nearly three weeks.
"I could be into that," Theo said playfully. Julia shoved her hip into his. Then, she turned and looked up at Theo, who leaned down to kiss her.
"Oh, much better than last time," Julia said when they broke apart. "I much prefer kissing you when we are clean."
"I agree with that," Theo said. "Now then, let me come up with a question for the ring, and then we can sleep."
Julia nodded and headed over to where they had been bedding down as the Cabin was still in a sorry state.
Theo thought for a moment and then shrugged, looking at the ring. "What would you recommend we do?"
>Private Message: Query - "What would you recommend we do?"
>Private Message: Processing...
>Private Message: Failed Roll
>Private Message: As the Ancestors will not always answer, the System will not always answer.
Theo shrugged and went over to Julia, lying down to sleep.