Inaya let out a long sigh. It was getting late, they'd had a long day, and she still smelled like shit. Nevermind the state of her long hair. She just... wanted to go back to sleep. But he was right, they just needed a place where they wouldn't draw too much attention to themselves. Inaya wasn't familiar with this part of the city. She was from a nicer district that had gated estates, fountains, and manicured courtyards.
It was Eimee that spoke up. "I... might know of a place." Her voice was soft, but she seemed pleased that she might actually be of help. It certainly surprised Inaya, but she nodded once.
"If you know of a place, by all means. We can't really be picky."
With that, Eimee turned away from the busy street and instead led them into the darker, twisting alley. There were occasional bouts of light from windows, where interesting smells – mostly food – wafted out. Sometimes snippet of conversation. Most of the walls were rough stucco or mortared sandstone, though a few flimsy wooden buildings were propped up between. Inaya got a little lost in the maze, but before she knew it, Eimee tapped on a wide wooden door on the back of a several storied building.
There was a brief shout, some metal banging around, and the door swung open. A brutish man filled the doorway. Bald and cleanshaven, he wielded a butcher knife like a weapon. Right up until Eimee waved her hands to draw attention to herself.
Turns out they were related in some form or fashion. The man, Prem, didn't seem too happy about letting them in but he hovered around Eimee protectively. Eyeing Amaya suspiciously.
Inaya didn't complain, because the man did complain about the smell and ushered them all to the bathhouse attached to his hostel. There was a small tiled room for patrons to undress and store their things before entering a slightly larger room, where steaming water and coarse soap could be used to scrub up. Bath house was being generous. It was just a public washroom.
Inaya would take anything now, though, and thanked Prem before she wandered into the first room so she could undress. Eimee was hot on her heels.
