Post by New Isra on Mar 26, 2024 17:07:36 GMT -5
Near the centre of New Isra, on the east side of the Forum sits one of the larger buildings in town, one freshly erected under the careful design and guidance of one Fiona Blythe at Lady Naoki’s request during one of the bigger construction booms of early New Isra. It is the first privately owned business in the city, with the right of ownership well earned through toil in the old world and the new.
The Celestial stands, arguably, four floors high, which is noticeably tall considering those around it. Along the sides of the ground floor are long, thin windows, set up high on the wall so as to avoid peeping toms, yet still let the daylight in through their frosted panes. These windows remain only on the first floor however, as above them on the second and third floors sit larger windows, ones that allow light in during the off hours, but are quickly shuttered from the outside world when the rooms are otherwise occupied.
The top floor is perhaps only half a floor, its walls only spanning about a third of the way across the building, with the rest bordered by a long railing. The terrace is still mostly covered by a wooden structure, decorated with a few vine starters and hanging lamps, and occupied with a handful of creature comforts, such as tables and lounging chairs for those nice coastal days that shone down on New Isra during the spring and summer, and offered a place for only those considered most important to congregate in the open air, but away from private eyes, high above the rabble.
Finally, the front of the establishment boasts balconies, and a pair of quite nicely fashioned double doors on the ground floor. Though they are always closed, the lavishly painted advertisements that line the outer street-side wall indicate that they are, indeed, open.
The inside of the establishment is well decorated and exceptionally comfortable, but one has to get through reception first. Inside the doors to the lobby, a visitor would find themselves before a reception desk with a three-quarter wall, the top of which is carved into all sorts of curves and dips designed to catch the eye. Purposeful, of course, as below them are several commissioned portraits of the establishment’s current workforce, beautiful men and women of various ethnicities and races. Most are humans, but also included on the roster are a handful of orcs, an elf or two, and even a sultry half-goblin. Fiona has always said, variety is the spice of life (and often good for profits.)
The rules of the establishment are painted below them in bold strokes.
One must be bathed before entrance, standards thereafter are at the discretion of the host in question.
Violence will not be tolerated.
Weapons must be checked and remain with the concierge in the lobby.
No pay, no play. Prices are available with the concierge.
Sessions are by appointment only, until further notice.
The prices set out by the establishment are set out beneath the rules, including quick, fifteen minute and half hour sessions, to an hour long, and finally to whole night packages, which are of course the most expensive of the standard packages, then the list goes into the VIP sections, marked by a red and gold border. These are the most expensive evenings on offer, but for good reason, as they offer the best in service, the most exclusive hosts, and the best experience anyone could ever need.
Group bookings and their associated prices also appear available, but they seem to come with their own set of rules.
Behind the rules wall is a wide set of stairs, bordered on either side by doors marked ‘employees only’, that leads to a walkway that loops around the second floor of the lobby area, but most importantly the double doors into the Celestial itself.
The second floor of the establishment is where the clientele would often find themselves before their rendezvous and after they make it through the concierge and the standards of entry enforced by them. The Celestial’s lounge is large, and once again decorated as lavishly as the fledgling city’s artisans would allow. Hand-built couches and seats are dotted around the room, some built for flirtatious cuddling, and some built more for waiting, but each is flanked with a small table for one to place their drink on, ordered from the bar that lines most of the side wall, of course.
Once one has enjoyed a drink of their choice, and come to an agreement with their chosen host, the pairing would make their way through a second pair of doors, located about halfway through the building. Beyond is a hallway, flanked by four small rooms, each with only a small bed, a bedside table, and a handful of coat hooks. These rooms are only for the shorter rendezvous, often chosen by those low on funds, or in quite a hurry. At the end of the hall, however, is a staircase that splits in the middle and loops back and up towards the third floor.
The third floor is a floor of such magical, wonderful things. If one is to take a stroll down this long hallway, flanked by many doors on either side, one may hear the muffled sounds of joy, elation, and bliss that drift through the walls, despite the efforts to insulate them. Each of these rooms are made for longer sessions, with the centerpiece being a double bed, flanked by bedside tables, on one side of the room, and a dresser and a small couch on the other, allowing for those staying for longer to make themselves comfortable with their host. To share stories, enjoy each other’s company, and perhaps discuss what lies ahead before they descend to more carnal activities.
The stairs leading to the third continue upwards from the third-floor landing but are cordoned off by a red rope that stretches across its banisters. The sign above them reads ‘employees and VIPs only beyond this point’.
The fourth floor is far smaller than the others, but that is for a very easy reason. This is Fiona’s floor. At the top of the stairs is a fairly wide landing with three interior doors, two on the south side and one on the north, and a double door made of glass that opens out onto the terrace facing east.
The doors on the south side open into two more lavishly decorated, more comfortable rooms, designed specifically for VIP guests, those of prestige and importance, or with exceptionally deep pockets. Very comfortable beds, handmade furniture slightly more sought after, yet fairly reclusive, artisan, and even a pair of rugs that Fiona was able to procure. Each of them were designed with the client’s comfort in mind, as well as draining them of their gold. Miss Blythe does not expect for these rooms to be used often, if at all, as the city grows, but if a rich class emerges she would be ready for them. For now, Fiona uses them mostly for training her workers.
The single set of double doors on the north side leads into Fiona’s office. Any business owner should have an office, a place that can have its ledgers, it’s safe, and its valuables all locked away. It features a comfortable chair in front of a window, beyond which is a lovely view of the town and coast, and in front of the chair is a large desk, the perfect place for paperwork, organisation, and spontaneous visits with friends and clients alike. Along the back wall sits a safe, in which the day’s takings are kept before they can be distributed amongst the staff - and given Fiona’s hidden talents, meets her security satisfaction.
Two seats sit opposite the desk, the perfect place to hold meetings with those who seek an audience with the Celestial's madam, who are often plied with offerings of wine and whiskey from Fiona’s wet bar that sits under the window that leads onto the terrace beyond.
While the guest-facing facilities are as lavish as the colony would allow, there is more than what meets the eye. Comfort for the guests is made obvious, but Fiona has taken several special measures to ensure the comfort of her valued hosts as well, which is done by providing the best furniture, clothing, and above all else sanitation.
Comfortable lounges, a private bathing chamber, and access to private stairways, all of which are hidden from the prying eyes of their clientele behind locked doors, allowing the hosts their privacy and decency in an otherwise indecent profession. .
The building truly is a new standard in New Isra, one that would likely set a high bar for other establishments now that private businesses are viable once again, and it’s a standard that Fiona remains proud of, one that has left her and her business’s name in any potential history book that may look back on New Isra’s first few years, “Fiona Blythe, madam of the House of the Celestial Body. First cat house of New Isra.”
After all, the oldest profession would always have its place both in the lavish, wealthy cities old, down to the very newest of established colonies. Its new home might as well be the House of the Celestial Body.
The Celestial stands, arguably, four floors high, which is noticeably tall considering those around it. Along the sides of the ground floor are long, thin windows, set up high on the wall so as to avoid peeping toms, yet still let the daylight in through their frosted panes. These windows remain only on the first floor however, as above them on the second and third floors sit larger windows, ones that allow light in during the off hours, but are quickly shuttered from the outside world when the rooms are otherwise occupied.
The top floor is perhaps only half a floor, its walls only spanning about a third of the way across the building, with the rest bordered by a long railing. The terrace is still mostly covered by a wooden structure, decorated with a few vine starters and hanging lamps, and occupied with a handful of creature comforts, such as tables and lounging chairs for those nice coastal days that shone down on New Isra during the spring and summer, and offered a place for only those considered most important to congregate in the open air, but away from private eyes, high above the rabble.
Finally, the front of the establishment boasts balconies, and a pair of quite nicely fashioned double doors on the ground floor. Though they are always closed, the lavishly painted advertisements that line the outer street-side wall indicate that they are, indeed, open.
The inside of the establishment is well decorated and exceptionally comfortable, but one has to get through reception first. Inside the doors to the lobby, a visitor would find themselves before a reception desk with a three-quarter wall, the top of which is carved into all sorts of curves and dips designed to catch the eye. Purposeful, of course, as below them are several commissioned portraits of the establishment’s current workforce, beautiful men and women of various ethnicities and races. Most are humans, but also included on the roster are a handful of orcs, an elf or two, and even a sultry half-goblin. Fiona has always said, variety is the spice of life (and often good for profits.)
The rules of the establishment are painted below them in bold strokes.
One must be bathed before entrance, standards thereafter are at the discretion of the host in question.
Violence will not be tolerated.
Weapons must be checked and remain with the concierge in the lobby.
No pay, no play. Prices are available with the concierge.
Sessions are by appointment only, until further notice.
The prices set out by the establishment are set out beneath the rules, including quick, fifteen minute and half hour sessions, to an hour long, and finally to whole night packages, which are of course the most expensive of the standard packages, then the list goes into the VIP sections, marked by a red and gold border. These are the most expensive evenings on offer, but for good reason, as they offer the best in service, the most exclusive hosts, and the best experience anyone could ever need.
Group bookings and their associated prices also appear available, but they seem to come with their own set of rules.
Behind the rules wall is a wide set of stairs, bordered on either side by doors marked ‘employees only’, that leads to a walkway that loops around the second floor of the lobby area, but most importantly the double doors into the Celestial itself.
The second floor of the establishment is where the clientele would often find themselves before their rendezvous and after they make it through the concierge and the standards of entry enforced by them. The Celestial’s lounge is large, and once again decorated as lavishly as the fledgling city’s artisans would allow. Hand-built couches and seats are dotted around the room, some built for flirtatious cuddling, and some built more for waiting, but each is flanked with a small table for one to place their drink on, ordered from the bar that lines most of the side wall, of course.
Once one has enjoyed a drink of their choice, and come to an agreement with their chosen host, the pairing would make their way through a second pair of doors, located about halfway through the building. Beyond is a hallway, flanked by four small rooms, each with only a small bed, a bedside table, and a handful of coat hooks. These rooms are only for the shorter rendezvous, often chosen by those low on funds, or in quite a hurry. At the end of the hall, however, is a staircase that splits in the middle and loops back and up towards the third floor.
The third floor is a floor of such magical, wonderful things. If one is to take a stroll down this long hallway, flanked by many doors on either side, one may hear the muffled sounds of joy, elation, and bliss that drift through the walls, despite the efforts to insulate them. Each of these rooms are made for longer sessions, with the centerpiece being a double bed, flanked by bedside tables, on one side of the room, and a dresser and a small couch on the other, allowing for those staying for longer to make themselves comfortable with their host. To share stories, enjoy each other’s company, and perhaps discuss what lies ahead before they descend to more carnal activities.
The stairs leading to the third continue upwards from the third-floor landing but are cordoned off by a red rope that stretches across its banisters. The sign above them reads ‘employees and VIPs only beyond this point’.
The fourth floor is far smaller than the others, but that is for a very easy reason. This is Fiona’s floor. At the top of the stairs is a fairly wide landing with three interior doors, two on the south side and one on the north, and a double door made of glass that opens out onto the terrace facing east.
The doors on the south side open into two more lavishly decorated, more comfortable rooms, designed specifically for VIP guests, those of prestige and importance, or with exceptionally deep pockets. Very comfortable beds, handmade furniture slightly more sought after, yet fairly reclusive, artisan, and even a pair of rugs that Fiona was able to procure. Each of them were designed with the client’s comfort in mind, as well as draining them of their gold. Miss Blythe does not expect for these rooms to be used often, if at all, as the city grows, but if a rich class emerges she would be ready for them. For now, Fiona uses them mostly for training her workers.
The single set of double doors on the north side leads into Fiona’s office. Any business owner should have an office, a place that can have its ledgers, it’s safe, and its valuables all locked away. It features a comfortable chair in front of a window, beyond which is a lovely view of the town and coast, and in front of the chair is a large desk, the perfect place for paperwork, organisation, and spontaneous visits with friends and clients alike. Along the back wall sits a safe, in which the day’s takings are kept before they can be distributed amongst the staff - and given Fiona’s hidden talents, meets her security satisfaction.
Two seats sit opposite the desk, the perfect place to hold meetings with those who seek an audience with the Celestial's madam, who are often plied with offerings of wine and whiskey from Fiona’s wet bar that sits under the window that leads onto the terrace beyond.
While the guest-facing facilities are as lavish as the colony would allow, there is more than what meets the eye. Comfort for the guests is made obvious, but Fiona has taken several special measures to ensure the comfort of her valued hosts as well, which is done by providing the best furniture, clothing, and above all else sanitation.
Comfortable lounges, a private bathing chamber, and access to private stairways, all of which are hidden from the prying eyes of their clientele behind locked doors, allowing the hosts their privacy and decency in an otherwise indecent profession. .
The building truly is a new standard in New Isra, one that would likely set a high bar for other establishments now that private businesses are viable once again, and it’s a standard that Fiona remains proud of, one that has left her and her business’s name in any potential history book that may look back on New Isra’s first few years, “Fiona Blythe, madam of the House of the Celestial Body. First cat house of New Isra.”
After all, the oldest profession would always have its place both in the lavish, wealthy cities old, down to the very newest of established colonies. Its new home might as well be the House of the Celestial Body.
