Of course, their group was rescued after many heard their pitiful cries for help, but it was by Nox's own mother, Sarah. Of whom swooped in like a hurricane, and scooped them all up into her arms. Yes. This also included the sleeping Arachne, and yes, they were soon scolded afterwards. Especially for getting into the cake which was going to be eaten over a period of a few days, not in one sitting.
However, although she was quite upset, the Wolfwoman could not be angry with them. Especially when she noticed her son's adorable, yet somewhat distressed, features. Therein she did sigh heavily, and nuzzled his small body until he calmed down enough to snuggle against her neck fur. This led to her repeating the same action with Maya and Mia until, they too, snuggled against her body. Whereas the fourth, Anasi, continued to sleep off the large amount of chocolate cake that resided within his body.
"You three need a bath, whereas Anasi will be needing a slight wash," sighed the Goddess as she strode towards the baths whilst the children mewed pitifully at the thought of being bathed. For although they weren't completely against such a thing, they still did not enjoy the soap.
As to the reason? Well, Nox said it best when asked why he disliked such a thing, "The berry soap doesn't taste like berries."
For the time being, the trio continued to struggle in order to escape their fates, but were unsuccessful as she entered the large bathhouse centred next to the Playroom. Of which was necessary, as the children often came out of the room covered in sweat, or with some other sort of liquid that coated their furs. Which caused them to be scooped up and deposited into a random tub full of warmed water. Whereupon they were scrubbed by the attendants within, of whom were always happy to torment the young hybrid and his friends with the wonderfully scented soaps that always tasted so horrible, and burnt their eyes when a few suds entered them.
"Nyo, Mama," struggled Nox as he saw the direction they were headed, "I can clean myself," and proceeded to do as other animals did, and began to lick his paws and fur. However, such things were already too late, as the Wolfwoman had opened the door and entered that which he dreaded.
Inside was a large room of approximately twenty metres cubed, and was covered from floor, to walls, to the ceiling in polished tiles the colour of a maiden's blush upon seeing the one she loves. However, upon the ground, the tiles only stretched forwards about half way, until they gave way into tiled steps which led into three pools. From left to right, they were used as cleaning pool, one for soaking, and the last was for rinsing.
This first one generally had a few towels of white cotton lying folded about the edge which had walls that stretch only a metre from the ground. Whereas its basin had a mechanism which could stretch it to five metres down. This was due to the fact that many of those who came to the Midnight castle had a tendency of being large creatures when they deigned to reveal their true forms. However, if the Ageless were to do thusly, then they would be needing to remodel the entire wing, as his size could easily destroy such a thing.
The soaking pool was exactly as it was called, which was used to soak your person after scrubbing the body within the first. Again, the basin had a mechanism to cause the bottom to stretch downwards, but for everyone else, the area was used to sit and relax comfortably against the rim. Of which kept the waters at a comfortable temperature as the beings within simply relaxed and let their worries drift away for a time.
However, the third and final pool wasn't exactly as it sounds. For the area designated for rinsing was used to shock the body in order awaken their persons before returning to their duties. This is done so by way of cold water coming from a spout above even individual's heads. Whereupon they would gasp and shiver just enough to awaken from the drowsiness that would have easily sent them to their beds.
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For now, though, Sarah took them over to the cleaning pool, where they were met by three Elven women. Each of them were of the Bright Elven race, and wore only a white breast strap around their bosoms, and a loincloth of the same colour. These were here simply to assist those of whom could not help themselves. Such as the children the Goddess brought over.
"Mistress," called out one of the women, of whom bowed low as the other walked over, "We are grateful for your visit. How may we serve you this turn?"
"The children have become dirty after getting into a cake that was not for their stomachs." These words caused Nox's ears to hug his small head, whilst his eyes grew larger and held a watery tint to them. Of course, the twins noted his expression, and soon copied his actions. Of which caused the Elves to ooh and awe at their expressions, but shook themselves in order to not be distracted.
"Are we to bathe the younglings, then?" asked another as the trio grew closer. Of which caused the young hybrid to struggle more fiercely, and wiggled about within the arms of his mother. The reason for this was simply due to him acting on his instincts as an animal. For he did not wish to be within such a place, whilst others wash his body. Even though the soaking pool allowed him to rest and simply paddle around in a child-like glee, it was still an undesirable place to be for one such as he.
"Yes, but be sure not to allow the soaps to enter in or around his head," spoke the Goddess as she smiled sweetly whilst handing off the shivering twins to the first pair. Of whom received them with great care, scratching and petting their backs as they took them into the pool.
Of course, Mia and Maya were stripped of their stained dresses, which would be placed off to the sides. There, they were gently placed into the cleaning pool, whereupon the small kits yipped and whined for a time whilst clinging to the arms of those that held them. Soon after they had calmed down, their bodies were massaged which caused them to shiver and mew happily. Which led to their bodies being raised out of the water, and into large bowls.
Whereupon they sat within some warm water as their bodies were gently scrubbed by the hands of the Elves. Yes. They did enjoy the simple pleasures of being massaged whilst the soap suds covered their small, colourful bodies. Of which went on for a time until a large jug of water was poured over their persons, and were transferred into a small section of the soaking pool. One that was created with small children in mind, and was only a dozen centimetres deep whilst half a metre in length and width. It was enough to allow them to either paddle around whilst keeping their paws near the basin, or simply float around near the edge upon their backs as they relaxed.
However, once the pair of females finished their tasks, and made sure that the twins were in the small pool, did they return to the chore of bathing Nox. For although the girls, Maya and Mia, were quite cooperative when it came to bathing, Nox was very much the opposite. That is, until he was placed in the soaking pool. Whereupon he would relax and stick his small, pink tongue out at those of whom were chosen to bathe his person, then paddle around happily in the warm water whilst his girl friends floated about near the edge with a lazy expression.
As to Anasi? Well, a Devourer Maid was summoned by Sarah, and was tasked with cleaning the young Arachne. For they were of the same race, and had to be carefully cleaned by way of special wipes. Their reason was simply due to the fact that many would lose their natural defenses if soapy water were to be placed upon their persons. Hence the need for more specialised help.