Suprisingly Calm.

As Elena and Penelope enter the baths, the path clears for the old merchant’s wife. Helena finds it strange that much respect would be shown to a merchant's wife. People usually regard merchants as being greedy materialists, leeches that were willing to do anything for riches. Penelope being shown such respect is odd, to say the least. Oh well, Helena figured she could ask her when they got in the baths. Speaking of the baths…

Helena looked around, the hall led to several large rooms, each with a pool of their own. She saw people of all sizes and backgrounds resting in the water. They were… relaxing casually. Some sat by the waters edge, others were fully immersed in the waters, soaking in the heated baths. Others talked with each other, regardless of their place in life. It was strange to Helena since she figured a place that people of all sizes could hang out while naked would be a den of hedonism and debauchery. Penelope noticed the girl’s confusion and asked her if everything was alright.

“I’m… fine,” Helena answered, looking around the baths. “I just thought the baths would have a lot more, sex.” She stutters as she elaborates. “My brother told me if I ever came to baths on my own I would-“

“-get worn out like a used towel?” Penelope giggles at Helena’s surprised face. “Yes, my parents would often keep me from the baths too. They told me all sorts of scary, debauched, and steamy stories of encrazed men and women having massive orgies in the water. They said the waters would turn white with semen! Imagine my disappointment when I managed to sneak into the baths and saw just how relaxed it is here.”

Penelope sighs, thinking about these old stories. “Yes, they’ll even kick out anyone who gets a little too frisky in the water!”

“Really!” Helena felt more relieved than disappointed about the stories of baths being true. She wouldn’t want any man or woman taking her in the state she’s in now.

“So, the baths are no different from the agora?” Helena asks.

“Well, in the public baths, the waters are still. But there is a kernel of truth in all stories.

Before Helena could ask what she meant, Penelope undresses right in front of Helena. She passes her dress to a worker, along with a pouch of coins. Helena is once again stunned by Penelope’s body. Seeing her unclothed so casually is something else for Helena.

Penelope once again has to snap her out of it. “My dear, we’re in the baths! Do you expect to go in the water with your clothes on?”

Before Helena can take her muddy clothes off, Penelope gets close and takes it off herself. She carefully removes the tattered, muddy mess and gets in close to the stunned girl. “As I was saying earlier, we’re not allowed to do anything fun in the public baths, but we can hide away in the private baths, and have all sorts of wonderful fun! What do you say to that?