A strange Inn where even Fate itself couldn't interfere. The place was simply called "Respite Rest". A place where fate-bound heroes, adventurers, and individuals like Wraithvine and Bibrid could take a nice, quiet, vacation, shop in the small stores attached for clothing or supplies, bathe in hot springs, and not worry about some major catastrophe. At least until they checked out of the Inn and returned to their travels. -- Anon Guest
The Inn had not been there moments before. It may not be there moments after. It appeared, apparently, wherever it was needed. Now? It was needed here.
Wraithvine boggled at it. The image of the knotted cords of Sai were above the lintel, rather than the chariot wheel of Freja. Just as ze was about to back away in due caution, the host appeared in the doorway.
They looked exactly like hir mother. Right down to the one wisp of hair that always escaped over her left ear. "Be not afraid," she cooed. "Come in, and take a needed rest." Her face dropped a little at the sight of Wraithvine's trepidation, and her face and physicality changed. "My apologies. I try to appear as the most welcoming sight to those new to us. Welcome, please. We are the Respite Rest. Shai sent us to be your ease." She had the knotted cords as a necklace, which was what gave the aura of trust.
Shai and Mistress Dark were heavily involved. Some faithful even said they were married.
"Who, or what are you?" said Wraithvine.
"We are the Respite Rest. Though my host avatar goes by Rezzie to those familiar with us. I am both single and plural. And we are aware that we are disturbing. I apologise. We are a multiplanar, intermittently corporeal, dimensionally transcendant entity. Enter and be welcome. Share and enjoy. Take all the rest you need. No time passes beyond the front door."
It was Bibrid who said, "So that's why you looked like the Grand Silver Dragon for a moment."
"A reflex," said Rezzie as they ushered the travelers inside. "We appear to newcomers as the most welcoming entity they know. In most cases, that is their mother."
"I bet that gives you trouble from time to time," said Wraithvine, taking in the Inn's interior. It was warm and comforting. Flame-lit and made for beings of all sizes. A few of those beings were occupying tables, and cheered Wraithvine and Bibrid as they entered.
The chorus of cheery, "Be Welcome!" put them at ease.
Many inside were sworn enemies of others. Some were even sharing a table. If there was any animosity, it was never beyond the level of friendly rivalry or best frenemies. Weapons instantly teleported to a hatrack by the doorway, where there was always enough room for them. Considering how armed some Adventurers were, it was quite a large hatrack.
There were also several Rezzies tending to other guests.
"Take what you need and pay what you can," said Rezzie. "We see to every need. Physical and mental. You may be your true self if you wish. None are allowed to cause harm here."
Of course. Shai tangled all the threads of life, and could see what was coming.
"Baths and hot springs are through the hide door," said one of the Rezzies. "The buffet is through the oaken door. Beds and resting nooks are beyond the floral arch, up the stairs. And if you are truly tired, the stairs will rise for you."
"She really does think of everything," muttered Bibrid, making a beeline for the hide door.
"I would like to hear a story," said Wraithvine, settling hirself in the comfiest chair by the fireplace. "Tell me of the most trouble you had with a needing guest."
"Oh that would be Kormwind Arachis Felbourne Whitekeep, ninth of his name. Poor paranoid soul. Justifiably so. He'd been poisoned in a place he believed himself safe and did not handle the betrayal very well..." Rezzie furnished Wraithvine with a tankard of light cider and settled one of herselves nearby to relay the story of taking in a storm-bedraggled Hellkin with the disposition of a feral cat that had lost all their trust in the existence of kindness.
[Photo by Peter Herrmann on Unsplash]
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