<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">Please note that this post was made primarily with voice to text then edited.  Because of this I may have mistakes or misspellings that I missed.</div></div><div class="floatright"><em>Kirin's Cat House</em><br/>(http://i.imgur.com/Q5vf4IZ.jpg)<br/><br/><em>The bouncer</em><br/>(http://i.imgur.com/N568P2G.jpg)</div><br/><br/>As the sisters left the academy, the full heat of Laelith's day struck them.  Inside the academy it had been cool, probably because of a combination of engineering, old stone, and magic.  But they were in the early afternoon now, the sweltering jungle heat and tropical climate was in full force.  The wealthier district that the academy was located in also sat higher up on the sloped rise that made up Laelith's natural landscape.  When there was a strong breeze blowing, it could be nice, but there wasn't one now.  Also it must have rained for a short while, maybe five or ten minutes, when the sisters were inside because the streets were dark with water.  Even that bit was quickly baking away however in the bright afternoon sun.  Those who were moving through Laelith's streets, and there were always people moving about from one place to another, seemed to be trying to dart from shady spot to fountain, to shady spot as they could.  In fact the fountains were quite popular in the heat, with some resting against the cool stone, others splashing the cold water from the elemental plane on sweaty brows, and many stopping to drink.  More often though people sat or lounged in the shade of open air porticos and just inside buildings with great openings to let in fresh air.  Even when Laelith was busy, there was a sluggish, relaxed aura to the populace during this time of day.  If the sisters spent much time in the sunlight, it wouldn't be many days before their skin roasted to a golden tan.<br/><br/>Thankfully once out of the open air squares, like the one that sat in front of the magical academy, the high buildings provided more than enough shade to keep the sun off fair skin.  Although such streets and alleys had the disadvantage of often blocking the refreshing ocean breeze from the east when it kicked up.  But now, with the air still and muggy, thick with the evaporating rain, those alleyways, side streets, and even covered main roads felt somewhat sweltering.  The sisters couldn't help but notice that those in the shade wore little to nothing, and there seemed to be a popular style of robe that hung loose about the shoulders and looked very thin.  Especially noticeable on the men and women as they sweat, and the very thin material clung to their bodies, exposing almost as much as if they had been nude.<br/><br/>After the first time they found themselves back in the square in front of the academy, they realized that even though Kirin's Cat House was supposed to be close by, they should probably ask directions.  The travelers curse that seemed to lie on this land had struck again.  They received useful instructions, with plenty of landmark references from a kindly woman of middle years who sat in a folding chair out front of a building that appeared to be some sort of store catering to 'specialized garment repair.'  The directions were very helpful, yet at the same time annoying, for the sisters should have been able to find the way easily, and a rather short distance on their own.  But with the directions and with eyes open for the various stores, streets, and fountains, they quickly came to another large open area square ringed by some apartment homes and shops.  A bell tolled twice in the distance just as they reached it, announcing that it was second bell after noon.  They looked around the square, certain this was the right place based on the large rectangular fountain in the center of the square, in which splashed several naked children as adults kept an eye on them from nearby shade.  Even then, knowing they were in the right place, they almost missed the simple sign that hung on the wall above a non-descript door.  A simple black iron sign in the shape of a cat.  It was, they had to concede, possible that they had walked right past it on their first trip about the city.<br/><br/>Dawn, as they approached the door, being more attuned to primal magic could almost feel vast amounts of raw primal forces from the location.  Any sense of annoyance that she might have felt from the heat and the sweat that now covered her body was gone, replaced by an almost palpable tingle.  It was just below the edge of her notice, not quite there, yet she could sense it due to her sensitivity to the primal magic.  If Stephanie felt it at all, it would be on a completely subconscious level.  Not quite arousal, more the anticipation of arousal, it hung about the building like a fine invisible mist.<br/><br/>A short flight of three stairs brought the women to the door, which opened silently on well oiled and expertly crafted hinges.  They stepped inside to near blackness compared to the blinding sunlight in the square outside.  The heavy door closed behind them on it's own, magic or well engineered hinges, it mattered not.  What was most important as they stood blinking their eyes trying to adjust to the darkness inside was how blessedly cool it was in the entry way of Kirin's Cat House.  Compared to the forest home they had grown up in, this room would still be considered hot and somewhat stifling, but after entering from the heat of outdoors, it was quite refreshing.  The room they stood in was no more than five feet on each side square with another heavy door across from them.  A single mage light globe hung above it casting a honeyed glow into the small room.  But before the sisters could reach for the door, a small window no more than a foot square, set into the wall next to the door, slid open.  The metal grate covering the window slid into the wall, revealing the face of a warforged bouncer on the other side.  Its face was wide, broader than Viis face was, looking somehow rougher and more unfinished, but the gemstones that were it's eyes shone with an arcane intelligence that seemed to appraise the sisters.  When it spoke, it was in voice that was metallic and hollow, like Viis had been, but even deeper.<strong>"Kirin's Cat House opens for buisness at sixth bell in the evening, and stays open until sixth bell in the morning.  If you are simply looking to take advantage of our magically cooled lounge, you may, but it costs ten gold an hour, per person."</strong>It paused for a moment and then added,<strong>"Unless you are looking for work, in which case Madam Kirin is always interviewing new talent."</strong><br/><br/>Should they try the door, they would find it bolted from the other side.  But both women would notice the cool air flowing through the window, promising even more comfortable atmosphere once inside.