[Day 4, Late afternoon, Embassy fem. baths, open] A hot dip

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

With the commotion from earlier behind me finally, I had intended to ask a servant where the baths were. The steady stream of curious Rokugani meant that I did not have to. I would find some pleasure at last. To give me time to assess and consider what I had learnt so that I could best compile it for my superiors later of course.

The building was foreign in design but upon entering it was clear that the inside was mostly familiar. The lady's bath and changing area was easy enough to find - it was very clearly marked. I started to disrobe. I had spotted a few servants in the vicinity. Perhaps I would be fortunate enough that they would clean my clothes too? Still, that could be problematic if the material stayed wet. I paused in thought, wishing I had brought my spare kimono and clothes while mentally cursing the hindsight. In the end the lure of the path was still too strong. They would have a guest yukata I could use if it was really necessary. The clothes left in the changing area probably just remain here. Finishing undressing and taking one of the guest towels I entered the o-furo. My darting eyes spotted the cleaning area almost immediately, though I noted nobody else was obviously present, and I headed there. Taking some soap and filling a bucket with warm water before sitting down on one of the stools. I began the laborious process of methodically cleaning every inch of my body from the feet up and then working on my hair. With this complete I used the bucket's water to wash away the soapy residue. Refilling the bucket I repeated this once more and then content I once again picked up my towel and headed to the bath water. Was it warm or hot? Hot I hope.

I dipped my foot in. Hot. Wonderful. The rest of me followed. Emitting an audible sigh of bliss I let myself submerge into the bath, my towel balancing neatly while folded on my head. 100, 99, 98...