@oathofpromises
The Viera was not well.
Actually, that was an exaggeration -- she was fine. But 'beauty day' under Mistress Nashmeira was never as enjoyable as it initially sounded. Sure, the massages, skincare, and hot baths were a wonder on Meiko's otherwise-untaken-care-of body, but there was a price that had to be paid.
The price of having hot wax rip at every patch of hair that wasn't on her head, modesty be damned. She had been doing this for years now and still felt like apologizing when that dead-eyed Au Ri woman they always went to disinterestedly told her to open for business, so to speak. And of course, every time, Meiko would be awkward and apologetic and crack jokes before shuffling off to the baths after tipping very well. She wasn't even sure if she was allowed to give tips! She just did.
At least she hadn't cried in awhile, though. That meant... growth? Something. Although growth was the last thing she wanted right now as she settled into a cold-water bath in the main room. Ranaa, bless her soul, would be following her. Meiko could not imagine how a Miqo'te didn't die from it.
With a tiny whimper, she leaned back against the edge of the tub and let her head fall against it with a heavy, hollow thump. There was a dull pain to it, but she couldn't bother to pay any attention to anything but the relief of cool water on freshly-decimated fields. Although, it would have probably been more relieving if she didn't have this towel on.
She peeked one eye open. There were a few other people in the main room, but they weren't anywhere near the cool baths in the corner and seemed preoccupied. Would anyone notice if...?
Ah, fuck. Someone else was coming over. Meiko sank down deeper under the water as if to dismiss her own plan. Maybe the newcomer would notice these baths weren't the pleasant warm ones and avoid.
