The sign for [Crystalline Spa] alone dominates the block. But underneath…
A gleaming structure of blue-tinted glass that rises three stories high. True to Melissa's description, there is an artificial waterfall that cascades down one outer wall.
Droplets of mist in the air around it allows rainbows to form across the sidewalk. It looks expensive… even for the level of architecture I've witnessed along my walk.
The kind of place that would turn away someone who looked like me without a second thought. Like a beggar trying to enter the palace after washing up in the moat.
But I have an appointment.
So I square my shoulders and approach the entrance, where uniformed staff stand at attention behind flawless glass doors. One of them even opens it for me.
The receptionist behind a large, floor mounted desk with a white marble countertop greeted me with a polite smile. Her eyes barely twitched as she took in my appearance.
"Welcome to Crystalline Spa. How may I assist you today?"
"I... have an appointment."
For a moment, my voice sounded small and unsure. I'd heard only one side of the conversation on her phone.
And Kyrie had told her to place it under her name, not mine.
The receptionist tapped at her computer while clearing her throat. Like something had just been hard to swallow.
"Of course. May I see the booking card, please?"
I wasn't sure if it was truly the right one, but I fumbled in my pocket for the sleek white card Kyrie had given me. With the same sort of reluctance as at the diner… my fingers trembled as I handed it over.
The receptionist swiped it through a slimmer, more refined looking card reader than I'd seen before. After a couple of tense seconds of waiting…
Her eyes scanned the screen for confirmation. She smiled while handing the card back to me.
"Everything seems to be in order. We have you booked for our deluxe package today."
She gestured to a plush looking waiting area, where a tray of fresh fruits and what smelled like herbal tea awaited on a low table.
"Please, make yourself comfortable while we prepare your treatments. I'll have an attendant come and escort you back shortly."
> How often do you think they remake that for their guests? Or did they prepare it only because an appointment was incoming? <
Without expecting an answer, I nodded to the brunette and stepped away. When I lowered myself to the seating, I sunk into one of the overstuffed chairs.
A sigh of relief flows from my lips. I'd felt it before when I'd stopped to sit at the diner booth, but this is a level higher!
Choosing not to hold back, I sipped at the fragrant tea. In just a minute, some of the tension begin to drain from my muscles.
I'd really gotten so taut thinking I might be turned away. That they'd know I wasn't the person it was officially booked for.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to me… and though it made a lot of my tension return, I called out to the receptionist.
"Excuse me. Could you... could you send a message to Ms. Voss? Just to let her know that I arrived here safely?"
The woman tilted her head then smiled… with a weirdly knowing gleam in her eye. I have no idea what she is thinking, but I'm sure it is wrong.
"Of course. I'll send the check-in email to the account on file right away. Or would you prefer something more personal?"
I heard fingers pressing on keys frantically, which somewhat matched my inner thoughts. Fast and 'staccato'.
"N-no. Just as long as there is a record. That I'm here. If that is sent, that is fine. Thank you."
My head is held in my hands after I turn away. How could I speak so many words just to hastily refuse?
Was I so desperate to keep from considering a more personalized message?
Apologies, threats, flirts… I truly did not want to do any of that to her yet!
…Yet?
My wolf makes a sound that is suspiciously like my own fox-like titter. So I fill my mindscape with giant, coiling snakes.
> Repent. <
It's not blasphemous in this world to do something like that, surely. Though to be fair, having a whole other spiritual entity of a different animal nature attached to mine in the first place is already closing in on heresy.
While I was stewing in my thoughts, an attendant of the spa appeared. Walking up to me with a fluffy white robe and matching slippers in her hands.
That color never bothered me so much, but every time I see it now…
"Hello, my name is Tess. If you'll follow me, miss. We'll start with a shower, to help you relax and better prepare for your treatments."
I nod and follow her down a softly lit hallway and into a private room. The plush carpet underneath cushions my footsteps, but I feel bad with how filthy these socks must be.
On one side is a small mattress that seems meant for resting up. I guess customers sometimes stay quite a long while or may have extended waits in between each service.
She places the clothing items down and gestures to the only other thing I see in the room.
A single other door into a much bigger space. I've seen more ostentatious bathhouses, but this is still impressive.
Gleaming tile with two different shower heads to choose from. One overhead and one that seems attached at stomach height to a flexible metallic hose.
The attendant showed me how to adjust the water temperature with a simple twist of shining metal knobs. It was something I could have figured out on my own, with Helene's memories, but I must have looked like I needed the help.
An array of fragrant soaps and shampoos in their small plastic bottles line the stainless shelving. She explained each of the choices with gentle gestures while I tried harder not to look as overwhelmed as I felt.
"I'll leave you to enjoy your shower. There's no rush. When you're finished, just put on the robe and slippers. I'll be waiting outside to guide you to your next treatment."
She turned to leave, and I found myself looking down at the clothes I'd been wearing today.
The hunter's pants with mud stains still clinging to the cuffs. The too large shirt with its little moth eaten holes.
And these black socks whose bottoms were almost worn through from stepping on coarse sidewalk all day.
"Wait. These..."
I gestured to the clothes I wore with distaste when she turned back around.
"Is there somewhere they can be... disposed of?"
The woman's professional smile never faltered as she looked back at me. The dark, bobbed cut hair shifts a little as she nods.
A style that I've been trying not to compare to that of a certain Alpha.
"Of course. We can take care of that for you."
"Preferably by fire."
I added… only half joking despite her sudden laugh. A large part of me wants to never see them again, even if they were helpful for entering the city.
I've just been looked at too many times with apathetic or unkind expressions. The charitable woman, the blind man… and Kyrie Voss, were an exception.
Something was clearly wrong with all of their eyes, in some form or another.
"I understand completely. We'll make sure they're properly dealt with. Just put them in there."
When she exited, I tugged off each of the offensive items and couldn't help but feel like I was shedding more than just clothing. My first days in this strange other world could go with them, for all I cared.
A glance toward the wall sized mirror showed me looking much better already, with those items removed.
Still a bit dirty and scruffy. Especially the hair.
I turned the knobs and stepped under the stream of quickly hot water. Closed my eyes, and for a few blissful moments just let go of everything.