[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?
[Lina's voice is oddly reassuring. The heiress has always had difficulty trusting people but for some reason she feels like she can let her guard down right now. Her smile returns, albeit more reserved, and she finds herself leaning into the other girl's touch.]
[that's what she wanted to see. her touch lingers for a moment longer before her hand returns to her side.]
I know we're not very close yet, but you can share as much or as little as you want. I'm pretty good at listening. But maybe we should get in the water first?
[and both her hands move to her waist. she's nearly ready to disrobe, but it's Vera's prerogative. she'll only follow her in.]
[Oh. Right. The water. That was a thing they were doing, weren't they?
Well, lets not delay this any longer. Vera reaches down to undo her belt and shrugging her shoulders to let the robe fall free, exposing her pale frame to the warm air.]
[Lina doffs her robe in a smooth motion, not practiced but at least careful, and folds it neatly before carefully climbing into the water. she's going to do Vera the courtesy of not staring, though what she does see is of course beautiful. it shouldn't be a surprise; she doesn't know a girl who isn't beautiful.]
[it takes her a moment to get used to the temperature, but once she does her whole body settles in comfortably. and there's just... immediate relief on her face as her head tilts back and her eyes close.]
[Seriously, it's like there's something in the water in this city. So many beautiful women.
Well, she was just going to leave the robe on the floor and let the employees take care of it. But if Lina is going to clean up she guesses she'll do it too. Lina will have a moment to get used to the water before the heiress settles down beside her with a long sigh.]
[yeah, it's the beautiful women. they're what's in the water. Lina feels her entire body relax as a sigh escapes her lips, and she wants to get closer than five feet apart, 'cause she is gay, but this isn't the right time and she'll just. be content actually letting this stuff take away some of her tension.]
Jen and I try to do these at the apartment, but the tub isn't anything like this. [she stretches her arms above her head, lets her bones crack a little, and sinks into the water up to her neck.]
So what do girls like you normally talk about? [she tries to give Vera a sly look, but mostly she's too relaxed.] Do you want to know more about the woman who's catering Thanksgiving?
[Any time there's two beautiful women naked in a tub together there's going to be some tension. But right now, the hot water just feels too good to care about much of anything else.]
Not sure, I've never met another girl like me. [Which sounds kind of sly, but also... kind of true? Part of that whole living atop the pedestal thing, you don't really meet many people.]
But I'd love to hear more about you. Anything you want to start with, or should we play questions?
Oh, I'm terrible at talking about myself. Maybe we should do questions.
[and she holds a finger out as though she's asking Vera to hold off, then puts it to her chin.]
Okay. [she knows a little about what Vera does and what she's expected to do, but that's not what Lina's interested in right now.] Let's start easy. If you could do anything at all for a living, what would it be?
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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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That would be nice.
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I know we're not very close yet, but you can share as much or as little as you want. I'm pretty good at listening. But maybe we should get in the water first?
[and both her hands move to her waist. she's nearly ready to disrobe, but it's Vera's prerogative. she'll only follow her in.]
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Well, lets not delay this any longer. Vera reaches down to undo her belt and shrugging her shoulders to let the robe fall free, exposing her pale frame to the warm air.]
Ready when you are.
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[it takes her a moment to get used to the temperature, but once she does her whole body settles in comfortably. and there's just... immediate relief on her face as her head tilts back and her eyes close.]
Ohhh my gosh.
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Well, she was just going to leave the robe on the floor and let the employees take care of it. But if Lina is going to clean up she guesses she'll do it too. Lina will have a moment to get used to the water before the heiress settles down beside her with a long sigh.]
This... is exactly what I needed.
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Jen and I try to do these at the apartment, but the tub isn't anything like this. [she stretches her arms above her head, lets her bones crack a little, and sinks into the water up to her neck.]
So what do girls like you normally talk about? [she tries to give Vera a sly look, but mostly she's too relaxed.] Do you want to know more about the woman who's catering Thanksgiving?
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Not sure, I've never met another girl like me. [Which sounds kind of sly, but also... kind of true? Part of that whole living atop the pedestal thing, you don't really meet many people.]
But I'd love to hear more about you. Anything you want to start with, or should we play questions?
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[and she holds a finger out as though she's asking Vera to hold off, then puts it to her chin.]
Okay. [she knows a little about what Vera does and what she's expected to do, but that's not what Lina's interested in right now.] Let's start easy. If you could do anything at all for a living, what would it be?
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