[Compliments will get you everywhere, Lina. Vera swells, a giggle escaping as she flicks her hair over her shoulder.]
Thank you! One of the perks of spending time at home is that you have a lot of time to work on your outfits.
I love your sense of color, by the way? It really makes your hair pop, and that scarf is just adorable. We have to go shopping some time. I'd love to get your input.
Heehee, thank you! [nope, she's not going to preen about it. well, not too much.] The hair color isn't mine, if you know what I mean, but I'm just trying to work with it. I don't do a lot with fashion, but I know what works, I'd love to go shopping with you sometime. It would really help me to get advice from an obvious expert.
[the flattery will definitely not stop anytime soon. even if they're obviously here for a purpose, well, they are both early, right? they can talk like this for a bit.]
Trust me, I know exactly what you mean. [She flicks her eyes towards her own silver hair.]
Oh stop, I'm far from an expert. I only know as much as I do because I've talked with so many experts. Spending a year in Paris certainly helped as well, I swear they're so ahead of the curve.
Oh my gosh, you've lived in Paris? [she puts her hands to her mouth and smiles widely from behind them.]
I'm a little jealous. I've never been able to go anywhere outside the city. I think there was supposed to be a, um, residency as part of my program at school? But then everything happened and they might have decided to change that. [and she shakes her head.] Sorry. I'm rambling. It sounds like it was a really wonderful time, though.
I really fell in love with the culture there, I'd really like a chance to live there again. If you ever get the chance to go I definitely recommend it.
I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to go, but it sounds lovely. [she's smiling as she thinks about it; she's pretty intrigued by the entire idea, really, but doubts she'll ever be that fortunate. not that her life hasn't been pretty fortunate to begin with or anything, all told.]
It sounds like you've been able to go to a lot of places and see some really cool things. [given where it all came from, it must be an enormous amount of pressure, she doesn't say.] Is Paris your favorite place you've been, or is there anywhere else? I'm sorry, I just... I've never left the city, so anybody who can just go places is really interesting to me.
[wow, Vera is... she's something special, isn't she? Lina keeps smiling as she talks, and the question almost catches her off guard.]
Oh! Um. I haven't really gotten bored here. There's always so much to do and see and learn, from school and from everyone new I meet. And... the idea of going places has never really been on the table for me. So I'm happy with what I have here in this city. It raised me as much as my sisters did.
[though lately it's been treating her much better.]
[She likes to think she's special, at the very least. The jet-setting way of life has always been a lot of fun for her, even if it's been years since she left the city.]
Not on the table? Well as soon as we're able, I want you to pick a city and we'll go together. I'm dying to stretch my wings again.
[that's an incredibly kind offer, and she'll definitely take Vera up on it once she gets comfortable with the idea, but the follow-up question is what she decides to tackle. though she's not really... talking about her sisters with the same level of pride as she usually would. not that Vera would have any way to know that.]
I'm an orphan. [she's got no worries about starting off like that, at least.] And so are all my sisters. We're not a family by blood, but we all kind of found each other in the orphanage here. Rose brought us together years and years ago, then there's Clover, Jasmine, Violet... as far as Geteilts that are on the app, I mean. And only one left who isn't.
[the only part of it that comes out with any sort of... dismay? sadness? is the list of her sisters. actually being an orphan isn't a big deal to her, and once she sees Vera's reaction she puts a smile on her face that's meant to assuage any fears of having misstepped.]
It's okay. It's been a fact of my life for as long as I can remember. I don't know who my birth parents are, but it doesn't really matter, and it doesn't bother me. [she's genuine, which is getting rarer for her, but there's always time to be sincere when it comes to things like this.] You don't have to worry about it. Really.
[Coming from a family where lineage is everything, it seems crazy for Lina to not care who her parents are. How different her life would be, had she been somehow separated from her family...]
Well, I won't dwell on it, if it doesn't bother you. Still, I... [sigh.] If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
[She reaches forward, giving her new friend's arm a gentle squeeze.]
But right now, I need a face mask and a shoulder rub. What do you say?
[she's going to put the stuff about needing anything into her back pocket for now, because she might actually end up needing it depending on how bad the Geteilt Thanksgiving (that she might not even end up having) goes. but for now she's trying to focus on herself, and on spending time with her new friend.]
The last time I was here, with Jen, they said I had one of the tensest backs they'd ever seen. [she's trying very hard not to be embarrassed about it, even though she fully expects Vera to do the hard part of interacting with people who are way out of Lina's social league.] So, um, maybe I really do need this.
You know what? They said the same thing about me. [She chuckles.] So either they say that to everybody, or you and I have a lot in common.
[Vera has no problem taking the lead, in fact she prefers it. It doesn't take long for her to check them both in and have them escorted to the changing room, where big fluffy bathrobes await them.
Vera steps up to one of the lockers, putting her purse inside before shimmying out of her sweater.]
Take your time getting ready, we have all day. Oh, and there's bathing suits by the door if you're uncomfortable being nude.
[oh, it's getting increasingly obvious that the two of them have a lot in common, and honestly Lina loves it. there aren't a lot of people like her in the city, or at least not that she knows about. once they're inside and in the changing room, she tilts her head back and forth while putting her stuff away in the locker.]
I don't know. I'm comfortable with it, don't get me wrong...
[well. what's the big deal if she does go nude? it's freeing, right? plus she knows she's attractive, and she knows Vera's attractive, and she can make some guesses about the way Vera swings. deciding that she might as well do what she wants to do, she pulls off her own sweater and takes the undershirt with it, then stuffs both in the locker and steps out of her shoes.]
How often do people go nude in there? Because I definitely didn't do it last time.
[Vera settles down on the bench to unlace her boots. What was she thinking, dressing so intricately only to take it all off? Last time she pretty much showed up here in sweatpants. The things she puts herself through to make a good first impression.]
If you're taking the private baths? Just about always, as far as I know. Pretty much the only people seeing us will be the staff, so it makes it a little easier.
[And standing up to put her boots in the locker before working on undoing her skirt.]
Besides, if you go to places like these back in Europe, it's practically expected. I still don't understand why Americans are so adverse to nudity.
[well, it's because girls are hot and Lina's trying to maintain the tiniest bit of decorum, but she's not going to say that out loud. Vera's response puts her mind at ease and Lina's skirt soon joins her boots in the locker. with her feet flat on the ground, she's still several inches taller than Vera, which is kind of adorable.]
[the last step before she's completely down to her underwear is pulling off her leggings, and that's easy enough, and she doesn't really need to talk about it. but her heart picks up a little bit when she realizes what's coming next as her matching set of blue-green underwear is all she has left. she lets a weak laugh slip out.]
Sorry. I haven't done this in a while.
[and with her back turned to Vera, she strips down entirely, hands blindly but expertly working at her bra clasp and body bending over to take off the underwear, and she feels like her whole body is going red as she quarter-turns to put them in the locker.]
[She tries her best to ignore Lina's disrobing, but there's something about her embarrassment that's kind of endearing? Look, if Vera can be comfortable with being seen without her heels, Lina can let a nipple out. It's fine.]
Don't do anything you're not comfortable with. [Even as her eyes linger a moment, down the slope of her back and onto her rear. Ugh, what are you doing, Vera? She turns away, focusing on working out of her own lacy white underwear.
With her clothes neatly folded in her locker, the shorter girl slips on her fuzzy robe.]
[yeah. okay. yes. it doesn't take long for Lina to get into her own robe so she's not just presenting herself there for Vera and G-d and everyone to see, but it takes her long enough to do it that Vera may notice how Lina definitely does not have to dye her hair.]
I'm comfortable with it, it's just... something I have to get used to again, you know? [she should probably finish the thought, and it's good that she does have the robe on.] Usually I don't undress around others unless I'm about to, um.
Well, either way, I think I'll get used to this pretty quickly.
[Don't stare don't stare don't stare don't you fucking stare, Vera.]
As long as you're sure. [Maybe this wasn't the best idea for a first meeting. "Hey, nice to meet you, lets get naked together." What were you thinking, Vera?]
[stare away! Lina really, really doesn't mind. it might help her self-esteem right now, honestly. but it's also not something she notices as she instead looks around the changing room idly, then hears Vera suggest the baths and smiles.]
That sounds like a great place to start. And really, you're the one who knows everything here, so I trust you to do everything in the right order, you know?
[that's a lot of power, but, well. what's Lina gonna do? Vera is clearly the one in her element. and what an element it is, she thinks as she follows her out to the baths.]
[didn't stop Lina, just ask Jen. but okay, yes, she lets herself get tugged along and giggles a little on the way there.]
Is that how this works? Oh, and then once they're open we get the, um, weird face mud, right? And the cucumber slices. [part of this is half-remembered from her last trip, but a lot of it is just playing around. she wants to help Vera laugh very, very much.]
Oh my gosh, I'm such a bad girl. I guess I just got lucky with my skin. I've never really had to worry about it that much.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Thank you! One of the perks of spending time at home is that you have a lot of time to work on your outfits.
I love your sense of color, by the way? It really makes your hair pop, and that scarf is just adorable. We have to go shopping some time. I'd love to get your input.
no subject
[the flattery will definitely not stop anytime soon. even if they're obviously here for a purpose, well, they are both early, right? they can talk like this for a bit.]
no subject
Oh stop, I'm far from an expert. I only know as much as I do because I've talked with so many experts. Spending a year in Paris certainly helped as well, I swear they're so ahead of the curve.
no subject
I'm a little jealous. I've never been able to go anywhere outside the city. I think there was supposed to be a, um, residency as part of my program at school? But then everything happened and they might have decided to change that. [and she shakes her head.] Sorry. I'm rambling. It sounds like it was a really wonderful time, though.
no subject
I really fell in love with the culture there, I'd really like a chance to live there again. If you ever get the chance to go I definitely recommend it.
no subject
It sounds like you've been able to go to a lot of places and see some really cool things. [given where it all came from, it must be an enormous amount of pressure, she doesn't say.] Is Paris your favorite place you've been, or is there anywhere else? I'm sorry, I just... I've never left the city, so anybody who can just go places is really interesting to me.
no subject
But you've never left this city at all? Don't you get bored?
no subject
Oh! Um. I haven't really gotten bored here. There's always so much to do and see and learn, from school and from everyone new I meet. And... the idea of going places has never really been on the table for me. So I'm happy with what I have here in this city. It raised me as much as my sisters did.
[though lately it's been treating her much better.]
no subject
Not on the table? Well as soon as we're able, I want you to pick a city and we'll go together. I'm dying to stretch my wings again.
[But that last line catches her a bit off-guard.]
You were raised by your sisters?
no subject
I'm an orphan. [she's got no worries about starting off like that, at least.] And so are all my sisters. We're not a family by blood, but we all kind of found each other in the orphanage here. Rose brought us together years and years ago, then there's Clover, Jasmine, Violet... as far as Geteilts that are on the app, I mean. And only one left who isn't.
no subject
Lina, I'm so sorry, I had no idea.
no subject
It's okay. It's been a fact of my life for as long as I can remember. I don't know who my birth parents are, but it doesn't really matter, and it doesn't bother me. [she's genuine, which is getting rarer for her, but there's always time to be sincere when it comes to things like this.] You don't have to worry about it. Really.
no subject
Well, I won't dwell on it, if it doesn't bother you. Still, I... [sigh.] If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
[She reaches forward, giving her new friend's arm a gentle squeeze.]
But right now, I need a face mask and a shoulder rub. What do you say?
no subject
[she's going to put the stuff about needing anything into her back pocket for now, because she might actually end up needing it depending on how bad the Geteilt Thanksgiving (that she might not even end up having) goes. but for now she's trying to focus on herself, and on spending time with her new friend.]
The last time I was here, with Jen, they said I had one of the tensest backs they'd ever seen. [she's trying very hard not to be embarrassed about it, even though she fully expects Vera to do the hard part of interacting with people who are way out of Lina's social league.] So, um, maybe I really do need this.
no subject
[Vera has no problem taking the lead, in fact she prefers it. It doesn't take long for her to check them both in and have them escorted to the changing room, where big fluffy bathrobes await them.
Vera steps up to one of the lockers, putting her purse inside before shimmying out of her sweater.]
Take your time getting ready, we have all day. Oh, and there's bathing suits by the door if you're uncomfortable being nude.
no subject
I don't know. I'm comfortable with it, don't get me wrong...
[well. what's the big deal if she does go nude? it's freeing, right? plus she knows she's attractive, and she knows Vera's attractive, and she can make some guesses about the way Vera swings. deciding that she might as well do what she wants to do, she pulls off her own sweater and takes the undershirt with it, then stuffs both in the locker and steps out of her shoes.]
How often do people go nude in there? Because I definitely didn't do it last time.
no subject
If you're taking the private baths? Just about always, as far as I know. Pretty much the only people seeing us will be the staff, so it makes it a little easier.
[And standing up to put her boots in the locker before working on undoing her skirt.]
Besides, if you go to places like these back in Europe, it's practically expected. I still don't understand why Americans are so adverse to nudity.
no subject
[the last step before she's completely down to her underwear is pulling off her leggings, and that's easy enough, and she doesn't really need to talk about it. but her heart picks up a little bit when she realizes what's coming next as her matching set of blue-green underwear is all she has left. she lets a weak laugh slip out.]
Sorry. I haven't done this in a while.
[and with her back turned to Vera, she strips down entirely, hands blindly but expertly working at her bra clasp and body bending over to take off the underwear, and she feels like her whole body is going red as she quarter-turns to put them in the locker.]
no subject
Don't do anything you're not comfortable with. [Even as her eyes linger a moment, down the slope of her back and onto her rear. Ugh, what are you doing, Vera? She turns away, focusing on working out of her own lacy white underwear.
With her clothes neatly folded in her locker, the shorter girl slips on her fuzzy robe.]
no subject
I'm comfortable with it, it's just... something I have to get used to again, you know? [she should probably finish the thought, and it's good that she does have the robe on.] Usually I don't undress around others unless I'm about to, um.
Well, either way, I think I'll get used to this pretty quickly.
no subject
As long as you're sure. [Maybe this wasn't the best idea for a first meeting. "Hey, nice to meet you, lets get naked together." What were you thinking, Vera?]
So. Want to hit the baths first? Your call.
no subject
That sounds like a great place to start. And really, you're the one who knows everything here, so I trust you to do everything in the right order, you know?
[that's a lot of power, but, well. what's Lina gonna do? Vera is clearly the one in her element. and what an element it is, she thinks as she follows her out to the baths.]
no subject
Oh, I'm sure there's a science to all this, but really I'm just looking to feel relaxed.
[So she'll lightly grab Lina's arm and tug her in the direction of the private baths.]
But sure, let's go de-stress and let our pores open up.
no subject
Is that how this works? Oh, and then once they're open we get the, um, weird face mud, right? And the cucumber slices. [part of this is half-remembered from her last trip, but a lot of it is just playing around. she wants to help Vera laugh very, very much.]
Oh my gosh, I'm such a bad girl. I guess I just got lucky with my skin. I've never really had to worry about it that much.
no subject
My skin's not super fussy either but it's still a constant battle to keep it pristine. The sun's just the worst on me.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)