[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.
[maybe Lina wasn't the worst girl in the world if she could switch to complimenting brand new people like this so easily. she was really... really kind of getting excited to treat herself like this. maybe Vera was just infectious like that, or maybe Lina really needed the time to relax.]
You look gorgeous and it looks absolutely effortless, oh my gosh. [her hands stay at their sides as they walk, but she almost wants to run the back of her hand across Vera's cheek just to see if her skin is as smooth as it looks. but that's rude, and she'd never.] How often do you treat yourself to these spa days?
[Compliments will get you everywhere, Lina, and those comments draw a giggle like nothing else.]
That's so sweet of you! It's good to know my hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
[The two reach the end of the hall, Vera leading her new friend past the receptionist, who chirps "good to see you again, Miss Weisz" as she waves them past.]
I'm here about once a month, maybe? I could probably live here, though.
[Through the double doors, they reach the main baths, but this isn't their true destination. Another quick tug of Lina's arm will lead her to a side door where the private rooms await. The smaller roman-style tub inside looks like it could comfortably sit four, more than enough room for the two of them to relax.]
[oh! oh, this is delightful already. she feels like she's being ushered through something absolutely exquisite, and there's this air of "do i really belong here?" that's less oppressive and more mystical, if any of that makes sense. she's so, so thrilled that they have a private room together, and once they step inside her hand works at the belt of her robe.]
If they treat you this well all the time, I think you could definitely live here.
[she lets her robe hang a little open, though she has the decorum to hold it closed at the waist until Vera's ready to disrobe entirely, too. the effect is mostly just a little extra strip of skin, but nothing illicit yet. it does remind her, though, that she should. say something.]
Oh, um. I should probably let you know that I'm a lesbian. [and she's absolutely tripping over herself to get everything out at once.] But it's totally fine, I'm not going to do anything, I just... it felt weird not to bring it up? And if that means you're not comfortable doing this anymore then that's okay.
But it's probably good to clear the air, even if it's a little awkward.]
It's... okay, Lina. [She turns and looks over her shoulder, making sure the door is closed behind them.] The truth is that I'm... also gay.
[She reaches up to play with her ponytail, now draped over her shoulder. Her eyes get caught on the wall, never quite making it back to Lina's.] But... you should know I didn't do this with the intent to get you naked or anything crass like that.
[oh! Lina smiles, even though Vera's not looking at her directly. she kind of knows the feeling, or at least she thinks she does—maybe it's not something she's open about, or maybe she just not as proud of it as Lina herself is. either way, her look is gentle.]
I didn't think that for a second. And don't worry, I won't tell anybody. [she means it. she's very, very good at keeping secrets, or at least she hopes she is. she tries to put a little more sweetness into her voice to make Vera laugh or something like that, just to bring the mood back to where she'd like it to be.]
And now you know I know what I'm talking about when I say you look gorgeous.
[Lina nods quietly and reaches out for Vera's shoulder with her free hand.]
I won't judge you. You aren't the first person I know who has to keep that secret. [and it's miserable, really, or at least she assumes it is. she won't out her roommate explicitly, but if Vera and Jen know each other then they probably already know, right?]
If you ever wanted to talk about it with anyone, we can do it today. And I'll give you my number when we're done relaxing, too. Okay?
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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.]
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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?
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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.
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Lina, I'm so sorry, I had no idea.
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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.
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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?
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[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.
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[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.
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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.
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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.
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[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.]
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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.]
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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.
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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.
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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.]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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[maybe Lina wasn't the worst girl in the world if she could switch to complimenting brand new people like this so easily. she was really... really kind of getting excited to treat herself like this. maybe Vera was just infectious like that, or maybe Lina really needed the time to relax.]
You look gorgeous and it looks absolutely effortless, oh my gosh. [her hands stay at their sides as they walk, but she almost wants to run the back of her hand across Vera's cheek just to see if her skin is as smooth as it looks. but that's rude, and she'd never.] How often do you treat yourself to these spa days?
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That's so sweet of you! It's good to know my hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
[The two reach the end of the hall, Vera leading her new friend past the receptionist, who chirps "good to see you again, Miss Weisz" as she waves them past.]
I'm here about once a month, maybe? I could probably live here, though.
[Through the double doors, they reach the main baths, but this isn't their true destination. Another quick tug of Lina's arm will lead her to a side door where the private rooms await. The smaller roman-style tub inside looks like it could comfortably sit four, more than enough room for the two of them to relax.]
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If they treat you this well all the time, I think you could definitely live here.
[she lets her robe hang a little open, though she has the decorum to hold it closed at the waist until Vera's ready to disrobe entirely, too. the effect is mostly just a little extra strip of skin, but nothing illicit yet. it does remind her, though, that she should. say something.]
Oh, um. I should probably let you know that I'm a lesbian. [and she's absolutely tripping over herself to get everything out at once.] But it's totally fine, I'm not going to do anything, I just... it felt weird not to bring it up? And if that means you're not comfortable doing this anymore then that's okay.
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But it's probably good to clear the air, even if it's a little awkward.]
It's... okay, Lina. [She turns and looks over her shoulder, making sure the door is closed behind them.] The truth is that I'm... also gay.
[She reaches up to play with her ponytail, now draped over her shoulder. Her eyes get caught on the wall, never quite making it back to Lina's.] But... you should know I didn't do this with the intent to get you naked or anything crass like that.
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I didn't think that for a second. And don't worry, I won't tell anybody. [she means it. she's very, very good at keeping secrets, or at least she hopes she is. she tries to put a little more sweetness into her voice to make Vera laugh or something like that, just to bring the mood back to where she'd like it to be.]
And now you know I know what I'm talking about when I say you look gorgeous.
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Thank you. My family-- [she pauses, glancing down at the ground for the briefest of moments.] People wouldn't understand.
[Wouldn't understand how she went from filthy rich to homeless after her father disowns her.]
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I won't judge you. You aren't the first person I know who has to keep that secret. [and it's miserable, really, or at least she assumes it is. she won't out her roommate explicitly, but if Vera and Jen know each other then they probably already know, right?]
If you ever wanted to talk about it with anyone, we can do it today. And I'll give you my number when we're done relaxing, too. Okay?
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