An alluring fragrance that evokes a sense of seductive danger. The daring scent of gardenia and saffron is blended with exotic spices, a tantalizingly sweet incense that beckons guests deeper into the soft ambience of the solarium. Female attendants stand poised at the entrance, garbed in soft white linens with delicate gold trimmings, ornate trays of champagne in crystal flutes, as well as Lenosian wines and Nightgold whiskey proferred alongside an array of freshly sliced fruits.

Donella has donned her black linen bathing costume and is running wild as she hunts for Nadia amidst the gathering, picking the seeds from a fruit rind, to pop the juice from between her teeth. "Must moisturize more. Feel all silky," she says.

Surely she's lost. The tall woman in all black leather isn't really the sort of woman to be expected at this lovely gathering. Her fitted coat is left open, revealing a opaque blouse of manly cut, and her black pants and boots look scuffed with wear. Her hand itches for a sword absent from her belt. Announced as the Lady Eirene Malvici; black and silver streaked hair, family blue eyes, and a scowl of 'what am I doing here' confusion. She's admitted and hands off the coat but otherwise looks uncertain what is next.


When there is a retreat and something about beauty and relaxation, it's a surpise that Princess Natalia Grayson didn't run here. Sadly, it is not very ladylike to run. However, she sweeps into the area as she does to every place she enters; with that 'something' that just says that she owns the place and those within it. Her Grayson confidence is like an expensive perfume of its own. The princess is wearing her black silks for now as she comes into the decadent place.

Deep blue eyes slide over the area thoughtfully as she looks for Nadia, but she sees Donella first. So it is to the woman that she sweeps over to. "Donella..." A warm sort of smile on her face as she will attempt to tuck an arm through the woman's and kiss her cheek. "I feel like it's been ages and we must catchup." Although her eyes slide over the area for the hostess and a glass of wine is plucked up from a server.

Juliet has also managed to slip out of whatever she wore here and into a silken, cream-coloured robe, adorned with shining roses in pink and red crawling along ornately creeping vines along the entirety of her back. It is ankle-length, and tied together loosely, and her hair is worn in a waterfall of dark curls cascading down her shoulders. Offering little waves of greeting to people known and unknown.

Juliana is wearing a blue outfit. It's not as fancy as what she usually wears, but it suits the occasion. She seems as confident as ever as her eyes take in the room. She gives a friendly wave to those who look her way.

Donella allows herself to be intercepted and woven into Nadia's friendly strangle-hold, with return kisses-- both cheeks in fact. "Only a few days, in fact. But they have been eventful days for you, perhaps. I am anxious to hear, of course." She stays where she is as the women arrive, and begin to cluster. "What decadence do you have in store?" She inclines her head toward Juliet, and Natalia, who she knows... but with reserve toward the Malvici, that she does not. "Darling, in the blue, over there... is that...?"

    Nadia emerges through one of several side entries, gossamer swaths of lily pink silk twisted artfully around her lithe frame into a baths chic ensemble beneath the drape of a white robe of many provided generously by the attendants that linger on the periphery of the rather warm solarium. She looks around, taking brief note of familiar faces as guests trickle in.

"Good evening, ladies," she acknowledges in the warmest of reception. "I hope no one had any issues finding the estates from the main gate? Sometimes the layout of our district can be a little confusing to guests, the first time they visit." She allows herself to be tangled up with Donella, her laughter bright as she returns her cheek kisses gracefully. "Your Highness, I'm so glad you could make it."

She turns to address the room as a whole once more, arm comfortably linked through the Thrax princess'. "Might I have everyone's attention for a moment?"

Eirene is handed a simple white silk robe by one of the attendants. She arches her eyebrows and looks around for a changing screen but pauses as Nadia enters and calls the ladies to attention. She falls into a parade rest out of habit but straightens out, hands wrapped around the silk.

Juliet has just gotten herself a glass of wine, taken a sip, and begun moving towards the women she already knows, but she pauses and focuses her full attention on Nadia, with a big smile on her lips and her dark eyes glinting as the Duchess begins talking.

Samantha sees herself in with no fanfare, and almost immediately sees to helping herself to one of the modesty robes and the changing area. She joins the other ladies promptly, gently cradling a dark bottle in her hands. Smiles are granted all around, and she turns her attention to Nadia.

Natalia turns her attantion towards Nadia when she asks for it and drinks her glass of wine for now.

Juliana also takes a glass of wine. She waits to take a sip as she gives her attention to Nadia.

    "Let your cloak of woes be unclasped, the heavy weight of responsibility be lifted from your shoulders, and the bindings of insecurities that gird you be forever released," Nadia speaks passionately in her address to the room, her words accentuated with exuberant gestures of a feminine hand. The servants slip forward, discreetly offering a glass of a lady's preferred beverage as the duchess raises her flute of champagne. "Cast aside all thoughts except for one: you are beautiful in nothing but the skin you're in. This place is to be our sanctuary, to come into convenant with one another freely, without fear of condemnation, of judgement, or shame."

"And if you are willing to embark this adventure with me, lift your drinks and drink! We're beautiful!"

Juliet doesn't have to be asked twice; her glass is raised in the air, and her voice rings clear and true. "We are beautiful," She echoes, and takes a sip of her drink. Offering, perhaps a tone more conversationally. "And sharing our beauty is a gift that brightens the world."

"Beautiful," the Malvici woman says with a chuckle. "May we blind idiot men with our beauty so we can kill them faster," she jokes. She motions for the girl to hold off on the liquor until she's slipped behind the screen and into the white robe. Her long hair falls to her mid back, silver and white strands glistening against glossy back. "Now I'll take a glass of that black velvet."

Plucking up a glass of moscato, the Marquessa Deepwood lifts it up and intones quite solemnly, "We are beautiful." She takes a healthy sip, gaze level as she considers the women around her, like the varied flowers of a bouquet.

Juliana lifts up her glass and speaks in a clear, confident voice. "We're beautiful! Of course we are." She takes a sip.

Donella stays cuddled deep inside her dark wraps, giving a nod to Natalia. She raises her piece of fruit, because she is conspicuously NOT drinking. Not to insult the hostess, but because she simply does not. She mumbles something that may be agreement, and with a careless sway, she pads across to Juliana, and says, "Excuse me," with a soft tap upon the woman's arm. "I think we are related. Are you one of the ladies Pravus?"

Enigma, a prodigous snow white wolf have been dismissed.

Juliana looks with piqued curiosity as she's tapped on the arm. "I am yes. I'm Lady Juliana Pravus." She smiles politely as she speaks with Donella. "Have we met before?"

Nadia drinks deeply from her own flute of sweet bubbly. "Now, that's a good idea to keep in mind when they become far too insufferable," she quips back to Eirene, eyes bright with laughter. "Now, I hope everyone's had a chance to change into something far more comfortable to be pampered in tonight? If you didn't bring anything, we've a variety of bathing garments, robes, and towels to suit a manner of tastes."
    Attendants file in from a side entry of both male and female variety, lining up behind a dozen of plush lounges set up within the room. "Everyone will be matched with one attendant for the duration of the evening, each one well-trained to tend to a lady's beauty needs efficiently," Nadia points them out with a delicate wave of a hand. :I for one cannot -wait- to have my cuticles buffed. The winter has been rather taxing on my nails, and the sea kelp facial? To -die- for, or so Princess Donella tells me." She moves to fall in a lazy drape in the nearest one, her hand offered to the expectant attendant stationed there.

Natalia raises her glass high in a toast of agreement and then moves to don a white robe. Her golden hair secured by hairpins. She watches as people move around and then steps up to the leathered Eirene. "Have you met everytone?" She indicates the people. "Our hostess is the naughty but sometimes nice, Dcuchess Nadia. There is the the joyous Lady Juliet. The scandalously sweet Marquessa Samantha." She tips her head towards Juliana. "I'm not sure that I have met the moonlit beauty over there, but she is with the dangerously desirable Princess Voice Donella." She speaks where everyone can hear her, but not too loud. "And you are the ethereal Lady Eirene."

Samantha lets out a little laugh of delight. "Scandalously sweet. Alliterative." Upon meeting her attendant, there's a quick conversation and she offers the bottle over to the woman, it being set aside for later. "And here I thought one had to suffer for beauty."

"Nadia, I'm loving this already. The scent, the sounds, the people... " Juliet offers, moving over to the hostess. Hearing her name, she turns and offers a wiggle of her hand to Natalia and Eirene, beaming brightly. Donella's words catching her ear, and she considers Juliana. "Ooh, another Pravus. How delightful." Sketching a curtsey to Samantha. "Marquessa. It's good to see you again, and may I say you look far better tonight."

"She has quite the way with words, doesn't she," Nadia calls out to Samantha, an amused look cast over to Natalia when she hears her cousin give such a descriptive introduction of the guests present. "I'm rather familiar with nearly everyone here, but I don't believe I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance personally, m'lady," she notes to Juliana, setting aside her glass on a table. "I'm Nadia, though I don't believe I'm nearly as exciting as my cousin, Natalia claims me to be."

Eirene laughs at the description. "Earthy, Duchess. Earthy is the word you want." Her blue eyes sparkle as she takes a sip, finding a blond haired gentleman to settle alongside. She's not quite mastered lounging. She sits with her posture straight and her shoulders stiffly settled back. "An honor to meet your ladyships, highnesses". Her whiskey is raised in toast again before she takes a long drink.

"Lady Juliet, thank you. I feel better. The Lady Dawn has a way of making one caught in the bleakest moment see that there's hope. And I do apologize for interrupting you. I was overcome with urgency." Samantha's tone is quiet but earnest, even as she takes a seat and allows the attendent to unpin her hair.

Donella holds her hands laced in front of her. This has the effect of hiding any part of her that might try to show behind the volume of her spa-gear. "Personally, I like a good roll in the mud, followed by an oil and sea-salt scrubbing, and THEN the wrap. But then we get swatted all over with young hazel boughs until we are wrung out and exhausted. In makes the time in the steam rooms pass faster." To Juliana she applies, "Not since we were very young, if then. Our parents were brother and sister-- I'm Donella Thrax. I was hoping we'd cross paths."

"It's a shame my sister, Lydia, wasn't able to make the event," Nadia mentions then to Donella when she details her favored pampering, her laughter wry. "She's quite the way with sapling branches for a gentle beating. When we had a spa event back in the summer, I think she secretly had fun demonstrating that technique on me." Her gaze turns to Samantha when she takes the seat on her right, lips curled immediately into a sunny smile. "Now, isn't that a wonderful sight," she admires the sepia hue of the marquessa's newly unfettered locks. "I'm pleased you could make it. I was hoping you'd come, Sam -- Might I call you that, here, in our little hideaway? I'm not being too forward, I hope?"

"Nonsense. I was merely currying the Lady Regent's favour by talking idly, and quite frankly I think I was boring her," Juliet offers to Samantha, the last in an exaggerated whisper. "She has been kind enough to invite me to see her again, so I can only hope to make a good second impression." Wiggling her fingers at Donella. "Your highness," She offers with a curtsey. "So good to see you again."

Natalia beams towards the people as she seems rather in home in a robe. She will move over towards where Nadia is. A lowering to kiss the woman's cheek before she too will drop her hands in a man's larger hands. This is to allow for a massage and hand treatment. "I am not sure that I have been slapped with branches." There is a wicked cast to her eyes as she relaxes back. "I am sure that I will have to tempt someone to do it for me." Her eyes follow Donella for a moment before she looks back towards Nadia. "We really must see each other far more than we have been."

Juliana nods as she looks to Donella. She seems comfortable in her robe. "It's wonderful to meet you again. It's always nice to run into family." She smiles as gives a glance Nadia's way. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well. I'm so far having a very good time."

"Rolling in the mud has totally different meaning for me, Princess Donella," retorts Eirene with a smirk. "But if it's good for the skin, no wonder I look so young." Says the woman going prematurely grey. She looks up at her slender attendant and asks, "Umm nails? Mine are shitty. But clean? Or ah foot scrub? Fuck all if I..." She laughs apologetically. "Sorry ladies. What d'yall suggest?"

"Please do." says Samantha easily enough to Nadia. "It's a common enough name amongst my friends." The attendant plucks up the dark bottle and a bit of the oil in her palm, beginning to lather the slick stuff into Samantha's hair, which has a notably different texture from the other women's. "I should like to get to know more of Thrax and learn more of their culture." Looking over at Juliet, "Well, I hope you did not come away upset; Dawn's generally quite careful when it comes to well, everything. But nevermind that; is it true you've written a book?" This seems to fascinate Samantha, before she quickly introduces herself to the others. "Marquessa Samantha Deepwood. Call me Sam."

Donella makes her cousin a curtsy and says, "I hope that we may come to know you better, my brother Dagon, Sister Denica and I. Call on me sometime," she invites Juliana, and then takes her leave to greet others, giving her relation her space. "Lady Fidante, I hope I may ask after your family! And your highness, I am surprised we have not already. I do see your brother about. I reckon on your seeing mine." She comments to Samantha, "To be so careful must be exhausting. A pity she could not have a nice roll in the mud, too." A wink, here, toward Eirene.

"I was going to suggest the Lycene tradition of gathering a man's seed and using it for a mask, but you did say to -bring- the thing." Juliet muses. And offering a shake of her head to Samantha. "The Lady Regent was perfectly gracious." Nodding her head to Donella. "What would you like to know? I believe most of them are doing quite well, and I can get more detailed if you'd like."

Nadia tilts her head to receive Natalia's kiss with grace. "I'm pleased you could make it, Cousin. Though, I believe the magic words of 'beauty', 'ladies' only', 'trade of beauty secrets between guests', were selling points you couldn't resist, hm?" There is a familial affection to her warm teasing, green eyes lifted to Juliana afterward. "That is good to hear. Now, what are you going to do first? It seems everyone is doing nails or the massages. I don't think there's been anyone brave enough to try something called the wrap?" Her brow knits, leaning over her seat to lower her voice in a gentle murmur for her and Samantha's ears alone, "It's a beauty treatment from Chevalle, I believe. The massuese will prep long swaths of silks soaked in ointments and oils - like bandages, I think - and wrap the lady from the neck down for a brief while, no more than a half hour. It hardens, then they cut it away to reveal skin so soft and smooth from the moisturizing. It's rejuvenating, and dead skin comes right off in the peeling to show the fresh, beautiful layers beneath."

Natalia chuckles lightly at Donella's comment. "I am actually to see your brother as soon as his time frees up." She allows her lips to lift in a teasing manner. "Unless he leaves me for a boat. You never know with Thraxian men when water lust hits." She laughs towards Nadia's words. "You had me at secrets. I am surprised I did not just sleep on your step last night waiting for such an event. It has been a long week I think."

Eirene blinks in dull shock at Juliet. "You know that's just a lie men tell you so they can go on your face, my lady. Same as swallowing being 'good for your hair and eyes.'" The older woman shakes her head slowly. "Rosemary in white wine is far more effective." She looks to the young man again and suggests, "Do whatever you think is good. Water Lilly paste or the oats and milk." She shrugs and has her whiskey refilled. At least drinking she knows.

Juliet laughs in delight at Eirene's reaction. "Oh, my dear lady Malvici. A jest, sweetness. A jest. And yes, my mother is fond of the rosemary and white wine." Taking another sip of wine, in-between stifled giggles. "I do like you, my lady."

"I am chiefly aquainted with Lady Calista and her brother, Duke Leo. I would appreciate it, if you would remember me to them." But Donella has begun to form this odd, blank, questioning look at the words that Pass between Juliet and Eirene. Worried, she looks toward Natalia again, and says, "If he abandons me here to the shore, there will be civil war, because I will kill him. What does she mean, though... go on your face?" She allows herself to be chivvied off toward a depilatory treatment.

Juliana lifts her hand up to get a good look at her nails. "I think a massage sounds wonderful." She takes another sip of wine as she silently looks around.

"It sounds marvelous." Samantha says to Nadia. "But also rather restrictive." The end result is intriguing, but the idea of being stuck in the wrap? It clearly bothers her.

Natalia comes up beside Donella to drop her voice to the woman's ear. She will move with her to her treatment because Natalia lacks the shame gene. She offers a smile. "I meant only a cruise on the water, not shipping off without you. I would kill him too for a totally different reason."

Shortly, Donella emits a noise of outrage, that may or may not have anything to do with hair removal.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Donella before departing.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Donella before departing.

"I would've had the servants take you right up to the guest wing," Nadia widens her eyes at Natalia, a bubbly laugh leaving her. "I know just the suite to have placed you in, lest I have to suffer through the humiliation of you writing about how I made you withstand the vile cold all night before the events." Her eyes drift to Donella and Eirene, nearly choking up with laughter at their words.

Did someone just call her sweetness? Eirene gives another what the hell look to Juliet before her features are obscured by slices of oranges and a oats-in-milk bath.

Natalia coughs a bit to something Donella says a bit, or perhaps the noise that she makes. Her voice low to the woman.

Samantha's brow furrows a moment as she listens to the other, and then with a quick, slightly jerky nod to Nadia, she turns her attention then to the resident Grayson princess. "Your Highness," she says to Natalia, "Though I'm uneasy, my curiosity about this wrap makes me want to try it. I'd feel better if you could assist in my wrap. Would you do me the honor and kindness?"

"You don't think she hid a dagger in all those layers, do you," Nadia suddenly wonders aloud in hushed aside to Juliet and Juliana, almost worried as she looks after where the Thrax Voice disappeared to. She gives a tinkling laugh, rising from her seat, "I'm going to go and check on her. Be right back."

"SONUVAyoupieceofstinkingoffalthatwasattachedtome," Donella yelps from behind the screen, very distressed. But beautifying! Suffer for beauty, they say!

Juliana lets out a short laugh and goes to get that massage started. Once settled she lets herself relax entirely.

Natalia must be pretty in the 'friend' area with Donella as there is whispering and naked hair pulling going on. So she would be happy to respond to Samantha, but there is a screaming voice happening. Then a choked back laugh before she's trying to soothe. "It's okay.. it only hurts for a moment."

Juliet checks her hand, and gives a quick nod to Nadia. Waving off the Malvici and looking to the hostess. "What's this about a wrap?" she asks. Tapping her lips. Considering. "The aloe plant is too well known to count as a beauty tip, isn't it?"

Nadia hesitantly moves behind the screen to witness what has Donella causing such a ruckus. "Come on, Donella. You're a Thraxian princess, for Sentinel's sake!" she teases, rounding closer to the princess to offer moral support more privately.

    Nadia emerges from behind the screens, leaving her cousin to care for her best friend with a tinkling laugh smothered behind her palm, though cringes when another shriek splits the air. "My lovely Fidante and Pravus," she glides across the solarium, brushing back a crystal panel to reveal the steam-ensconced grotto within, its waters gently burbling within. "While they finish, ah, that grueling trial for sake of beauty, why don't the rest of us take a dip in the grotto? The waters should be quite nice!"

With Natalia distracted, Samantha waits patiently - she's not sure if Natalia heard her, but she's content enough to wait. The attendant has finished with her hair, which has now taken on a glossy quality as a resuult of the servant's ministrations.

Donella's hand and foot can be beheld briefly flailing behind the screen. "You're right," she is heard to say. "I shall try to behave in a more Thrax-like fashion." This is followed by an explosive aquatic-themed oath, followed by violent, ranting threats that she has no intention of following through on.

"I'm honestly glad I get that done. If it's what I think they're doing. Anyway, you get used to it, over time." Taking Nadia's arm, and looking over at Juliana. "I don't think I've had the pleasure of an introduction. Lady Juliet Fidante," She offers. "And honestly, all my beauty regimen is done with alchemical solutions, and lotions and so on. I could offer a few selections, but beyond a few outrageous rumours, I'm sadly not too acquainted with the recipes."

Juliana takes a look at the water once she finishes with her massage. "I would love to, but I have something I must attend to. Thank you for the lovely evening. I'm glad I got to meet all of you."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Donella before departing.

"That is not what I meant when I said act like it. What would Prince Donrai say if he heard your sassy little mouth, young lady," Nadia calls back through half-smothered laughter, her hand outstretching to gently beckon for Samantha, "You were going to do the silk wrap, I heard? That is rather admirably brave of you, Sam. Why don't we all do it together?" She looks up to Juliet with a hopeful curl of her mouth. "Matter of fact, let's see if we can tweak it to be our own thing?" When Juliana gives her intent to depart, she turns to look upon the lady with a gracious smile, "It's a shame you couldn't stay longer, my lady, but I'm greatly pleased you enjoyed it all."

"Be well, Lady Fidante." Samantha looks over at Nadia. "I would feel better for it, if others were included. It's a very vulnerable position to put one's self in."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Natalia before departing.

Princess Sabella arrives wearing a yellow gown with matching yellow slippers, it has the theme of a sunflower. She smiles warmly toward everyone, and greets her cousin Natalia with a kiss to her cheek. She does likewise to Nadia and Julia, "It is so well to see you all beautiful women again. I suppose I need to change..?" She looks at the screen, and then the grotto.

Nadia has joined the a gorgeous grotto paved in a caliginous slate, its heated waters burbling softly.

Juliet has joined the a gorgeous grotto paved in a caliginous slate, its heated waters burbling softly.

"The wrap - what little I heard - does sound rather interesting." Juliet agrees. Pouting only a little at Juliana's declaration. "It was good meeting you, my lady. And I hope to soon have the pleasure again." Her dismay, though, is easily soothed, and seeing Sabella certainly helps - an arm raised to wave happily at the Princess, and to pull her into an embrace as she comes close enough. "We are going for swims and wraps. Come join us."

Nadia raises her head to receive Sabella's kiss to her cheek. "Fashionably late as ever, I see," she poses in teasing, but infectiously warm reception of her cousin. "But yes, you should go and change! There's everything you might need there behind the screens, and plenty of drink to ply yourself with. Hurry back, we were just about to try our hand and making our own version of this beauty mummification we dared Samantha to try."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Natalia before departing.

Samantha smiles faintly. "But if others are wrapped right along with me, it might be a touch more easy to bear. I've been lead to believe the results are quite intriguing. I wonder if I'll be able to stop touching my own skin."

Samantha has joined the a gorgeous grotto paved in a caliginous slate, its heated waters burbling softly.

They may need to tie Donella up, just to calm her down.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Natalia before departing.

Natalia gets a messenger and grins a bit. Then she leans over to kiss Donella's head. "You will be alright most beautiful." She moves from behind the curtain and exchanges humored looks with Nadia. Then she moves to kiss the other women on their cheeks. "I must be off for a bit. I will see each of you soon."

Nadia calls out toward the princesses taking their sweet time behind the screens. "Natalia, Donella, it's gotten awfully quiet bac--" Nope. There's another scream. All is well. "What is she getting, a full body hair removal," she wonders to Juliet and Samantha uncertainly as attendants begin preparing tightly furled strips of silk. They're dunked into sweetly-scented solutions, then laid out on tables nearby. When Natalia has to leave, she presses a kiss to her cheek, "Don't forget the fete is coming up within a few days, Natalia. I hope to see you there?"

No, that one was the attendant, who Donella appears, chasing after, armed with the sugar-spatula.

Natalia nods to that and gives a chuckle. "I do hope we are not getting naked it. It is still rather cold. I will attempt to see if I can get Dagon to come." She offers warmly to her cousin (aka Nadia). "As well as come up with something celestial to wear." She looks over at Donella and the poor attendant. "You may ... want to deal with that before there is bloodshed." A wink and she's moving for the door.

"You know, I prefer a honey-wax mixture to the sugar." Juliet muses, as she watches the Thraxian chase the attendant. Waggling her fingers at Natalia. "Take care, my darling. I'm sure I'll get to catch up with you soon. I need to hear how the whole thing with you and Dagon is going." Grinning. "Calista called Valerius by his name the other night. She was rather drunk."

    When a servant gently requests the ladies shed their robes so the might begin application process, Nadia starts to loosen her towel only to stop when she sees the horrified attendant dart past with Donella in hot pursuit. "Is that so," she wonders of Natalia, a brow lifted in mild silent askance. Like, bish. You better be ready to give me the hot gossip-look. "As eager as you might be to see me naked, cousin, I'm afraid you've mixed cultures again. That's more of an Island-dwelling shav thing, darling," she jests, before rushing off to disarm and calm Donella.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Nadia before departing.

Donella is fortunately all kinds of meh about running, and so chucks the wooden thing, and shortly thereafter gives up, and so is easy to catch. She fooooooooos out a hiss of air and takes a couple unclaimed flutes of alcohol in quick succession, grotto-side. "Nadia, that is barbarous. It's assault! They said it would make my legs pretty. Look, they are all splotchy and swollen and bruised!" Her relatives names float everywhere tonight.

Samantha watches the process with the strips in fascination, letting herself be laid out in preparation for the wrap. "I learned to take wax from candles, make it hot again, and then roll a ball of it against my skin." she offers for her part in the depilitory discussion.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Nadia before departing.

"Soothing lotions, to keep the hairs from growing in." Juliet notes, idly. "And something to soothe the rawness for now. Bruises and swellings will both recede, your highness. Did they..." She gestures at Donella's crotch, with another quirk of her lips and a gleam of impish delight in her eye.

Then she sheds her robes, in preparation for the process, so as to show an example of what she's asking Donella about.

Donella looks exceptionally surly.

Sabella nods to Nadia's instructions, and she moves behind the screen. She speaks in a soft tone to the attendants who help her undress. She pouts when she hears that Natalia is leaving, "I suppose we will talk of my romance later." She wiggles her fingers toward Natalia. When she exits the screen, she is wearing a towel about her. She looks at the other women curiously to see who is getting what.

Nadia gazes down at Donella's legs with a sympathetic noise. "It sounds as though you'd want to take part in this too," she proposes, delicately gesturing a servant to tend to those irritated and blotchy legs and prepare to mummify the princess as they are. "You probably shouldn't have tried it all at once, Don'. Did Natalia just tell you to do it all, and you'd feel amazing? Did you do your underarm area as well?" Her brows lift marginally high. When Sabella comes grotto-side, it's easy to see that they're all being covered from the neck down in oil-soaked silk. "You're rather brave, Donny. Braver than I."

Nadia is overheard praising Samantha for: For being courageous and confronting her fears.

Juliet is overheard praising Donella for: It's always wonderful to see a woman embrace her inner Lycene.

Nadia is overheard praising Donella for: Teaching me at least seventeen new swear words, all while getting her ... lady... let's not mention that. She got waxed.

"Perhaps some ice." Samantha tries to be helpful to poor Donella. "But it certainly looks splendid."

Juliet is overheard praising Nadia for: Never a boring moment around the Duchess Nightgold.

"What, exactly, are we complimenting here," Nadia wonders hesitantly about the poor freshly-waxed Donella, looking toward Juliet and Samantha. "Overall?" She holds perfectly still, squirming only a little when the attendant's fingers brush over her sensitive sides and feet. "You know, this is rather strangely relaxing. Maybe we should make a thing of this? Once a month, coming together to be pampered? Maybe skip the waxing, of course."

Donella says, "Thats why I was going to stab the clod-- she said it wasn't nearly as painful. That was a LIE. Oh, ladies, forgive me. It has been... most educational. But I am going to go sit in the snow and pray non of the Northerners ask too many questions."

Sabella makes her way over to the grotto, and takes her time getting in. She let's out a soft sound as the waters surround her, "Oh, this is lovely!" She looks to Juliet, "Is this as pleasant as skinny dipping? I suppose the water is much cooler than..." She smiles at Donella's words, "Prayers are important."

Sabella has joined the a gorgeous grotto paved in a caliginous slate, its heated waters burbling softly.

Donella swirls her finger piously in the triple-spiral sign of the Faith. "Lagoma be merciful," she murmurs, and scuttles off to dress and limp her way out.

Nadia glances after Donella, barely quelling a hushed hum of amusement. "You'll be fine in a day or so, I'm sure of it," she calls after her in way of parting, letting her gaze shift back to the remaining ladies. "How are you feeling so far, Sam? Not too terrible, is it?"

"Honestly, the waxing gets easier. As long as you do it frequently enough, there's only occasional discomfort. And there's always the option of taking something that'll take your mind of things." Juliet offers cheerfully, offering a wave to Donella as well. "A monthly retreat sounds just wonderful," She agrees, with another small smile. And, at Nadia's question, looks to the Marquessa. "Personally, I like the feeling of being... Restricted... Now and again."

"I do not." Samantha's reply to Juliet is quiet, and while there's no judgement of Juliet's taste, Sam's boundaries seem quite firm. "I'm alright, Nadia. It's not quite as constricted as I expect, and seeing others doing it as well is helpful." She is perhaps, a bit tense, but the scent of the cloths are helping.