Rirī woke to the evening sun shining through her window, not even remembering falling asleep. She sat up and stretched and sighed as her muscles woke from a long rest. She threw the covers off and swung her legs over the side, slowly so she wouldn't give herself a headache. She noticed she wore a white 'night gown' that was mostly worn by Western Women. She rolled her eyes and slid down until her feet touched the hardwood floor. It was cold and made her shiver for a moment then she gingerly stood. Suddenly the door opened, starling Rirī. Two maids entered the room, carrying clothing and- towels?
"Hello Miss Kasai, Milady asked we bring you some cloths and draw you a bath. Said it would calm your nerves, that she did." The first one said, a plump blonde with a cheery face that was a little too happy for the situation.
Rirī gave a confused look.
"A bath?" She said, looking around.
She didn't see a bath house anywhere near here.
Then again, western people did almost everything differently.
The smaller, shyer maid nodded.
"Yes ma'am, we can take you there if you like." She whispered.
She didn't meet Rirī's eyes when she spoke, her eyes showing mortal fear and Rirī decided something was amiss here.
Yet, she smiled politely.
"Yes, that would be nice." She said kindly.
The two maids nodded, one more happily than the other, and turned from the room, leading Rirī down the hall to a bathroom of marble and gold. A big bath tub was at the other end of the room, a crystal chandler hanging elegantly over it. The room was filled with the scent of roses and fresh hot water.
The cheery maid smiled a huge smile and set the towels down on a towel rack.
"Here are you're towels miss Kasai." She said.
She gave a stern glare to the smaller girl, who quickly ran forward and put the cloths down on some sort of counter and bowed quickly.
The other maid rolled her eyes at the girl and smiled to Rirī.
"Everything should be where you can reach it Miss. We'll be leaving you now." She said, pushing the other girl roughly out the door.
Rirī glared at the closed door for a moment then undressed and slipped into the hot water of the tub.
'Something isn't right here. That woman is scared for her life. No, not for her life. She's scared of me.' She thought.
She settled comfortably into the tub and closed her eyes in thought.
'But why?'