A Brief Visit Back to the Bathhouse

“This place looks nice enough, Ah suppose...”

“How may I help you?”

Beryl’s wandering gaze is quickly pulled across the spacious lobby, over towards a desk manned by two attractive women. “We’d like ta rent a private bath, please.” She speaks before the barbarian can, shooting her Draconic lover a victorious smirk.

One of the receptionists raises an eyebrow, critically looking the two scantily clad customers over, before the other one speaks up. “That will be two hawks.”

The tanned Elf simply nudges Krvavy in the side with her elbow.

“Here.” Krvavy takes the requested coins from her purse, stepping towards the desk to hand them over.

The slightly judgmental receptionist accepts the payment, briefly glancing at the coins before dropping them into a drawer.

“I will show you two to your room.” The other receptionist politely states, rising to her feet.

A mischievous twinkle enters Beryl’s blue-green eyes as the attractive attendant walks past her, leading them out of the lobby. Her eyebrows wiggle playfully as she not so subtly gestures towards this random woman’s shapely ass, which is highlighted by the thin white dress clinging onto it in such an enticing way.

Krvavy just shakes her head and quietly sighs at her Elf’s antics.

“Here we are.” The attendant’s words are rather cheerful, at least in a practiced customer service kind of way. “If you need anything, just ring this bell.” She points at a bell hanging just through the open doorway in front of them.

“Will do, thank ya~!” Beryl brightly responds, her lithe body brimming with energy. She hardly waits for the attendant to turn around before dragging the Drakling into the room.

The curtain swishes as it slides into place, completely covering the doorway and giving the two lovers some privacy.

“Oh my, ‘ave we been racially profiled~?” The Wood Elf woman struggles not to laugh as she looks around the room, blue-green eyes trailing over the leafy forest depicted on the tiled walls and ceiling.

“Nah, I got a slightly cloudy sky last time. So it looks like it’s just you that got profiled.” Krvavy replies with a slight smile, shrugging off her backpack and already working to remove her skimpy pelt top, and then her loincloth.

“Well then, Ah’m a bit insulted. This is ‘ardly even a proper forest!” The tanned tomboy exaggeratedly complains, stepping towards the wall so that she can poke the offending tiles. “Ah can see blue sky between the trunks! And the canopy is far too thin!”

“Are you having fun acting like Thea?” The barbarian asks in a mock serious tone, hardly able to hide her amusement as she turns the faucet and begins the process of filling this large tub. The stress from earlier in the day might not be easily forgotten, but it isn’t able to linger at the front of Krvavy’s mind either.

“Oho~! Yer brat’d give ya a good whack if she ‘eard ya say tha’~!”

“Good thing that she’s not here then, huh~?”

“Aye, but not because o’ tha’~.” The soft thump of Beryl’s backpack being placed onto the floor is just barely audible over the sound of water flowing from the tap. “Seein’ this place’d give ‘er ideas~. She’d want ya ta spruce up the ‘ot springs, or at least the pond we usually bathe in~.”

“That’s not a bad idea, but...”

“Ya’ve already got a lot on yer plate, aye~?”

“Hah, Inanna has given me so much work that I can’t even see the plate anymore...” Krvavy sighs and turns to look at her Elf. The slight bit of exhaustion brought on by simply being reminded of all of that unfinished work is pushed aside in an instant.

The tomboyish Elf’s skimpy leather shorts lie on the nicely tiled floor, accompanied by the matching strap of a top and some basic undergarments.

But that isn’t what catches Krvavy’s attention. No, the Drakling’s emerald eyes are locked firmly on Beryl’s sculpted ass, hypnotized by those firm cheeks as they rhythmically sway back and forth. Taut muscles ripple beneath tanned, caramel skin as the Elf moves her weight from one foot to the other.

The sound of a sandal dropping to the floor snaps the barbarian out of her reverie. Her gaze moves down from Beryl’s perfect butt, meeting the mischievous blue-green eyes and teasing smirk that fills the Elf’s upside down head.

“Enjoyin’ the view~?”

“Do you need to bend over like that?” Krvavy sighs in exaggerated exasperation.

“O’ course not~!” Beryl playfully laughs out, giving her lithe hips an alluring wiggle as she straightens back up. “But Ah could, so Ah did~! Are ya really goin’ ta complain about tha’~?”

“Yes.” Krvavy plainly returns. “Because I don’t want to get kicked out of here. Or banned from coming back.”

“They didn’t say tha’ we couldn’t get a bit frisky~!” The teasing tomboy adds, unnecessarily stretching her arms straight up to put her pert breasts on display.

“Because that’s typically a given. Now get over here and pick what soap you want us to use.”

“Oh~?” An impish smile spreads across the Wood Elf’s face as she walks over to her Draconic lover. “Lettin’ me–” she suddenly cuts herself off, wincing slightly as she steps a bit too close to the soap covered shelf. “Tha’ is... quite an intense mix of scents...”

“Yup.” Krvavy can’t help but grin as her sweet berry’s teasing comes to such an abrupt end. “And all of the bottles are closed right now.”

“Ach... Humans.” Beryl’s accent fades just enough for her to properly pronounce that single word, voice dripping with contempt. “Drownin’ their filth in such excessive perfumes... It’s like subtlety is a foreign concept fer them.” The unhappy tomboy puts some distance between her and the pungent shelf, standing on the other side of Krvavy. “Wha’ did ya use last time, my dearest love?”

“Uh...” Krvavy’s eyes scan the shelf, once again feeling annoyance at the fact that none of the bottles have labels. Hopefully the colours are kept consistent between the different rooms in this place... “This one, I think...?” She grimaces as she brings a bottle up to her nose. “Oof... stronger than I remember... But yeah, it was this one.”

The nude Elf reluctantly takes the offered bottle of soap, staring skeptically at it. “Not too... distasteful, Ah suppose. Good choice, considerin’ the options.”

“It’ll take some time for the tub to fill,” the Drakling idly comments, stepping away from the nauseating shelf. “But do you want to get in there anyway?”

“Aye, why not? Beats standin’ around and waitin’.” Beryl cautiously steps into the pleasantly hot water, placing the soap within arms reach of the edge. “Ah take it tha’ this is where ya got the white marble?”

“That’s right.” Krvavy lowers herself into the large tub, settling down across from her Elf. “You’ll probably get to see some of the other places I’ve taken samples from. There is a fair bit of variety in this city, at least when it comes to types of stone.” A faint frown makes its way onto her face. “I am still kind of annoyed that my magic doesn’t work on glass though...”

“Sculpt Stone doesn’t work on glass~?” Beryl’s teasing tone makes a return, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Who would ‘ave ever guessed tha’~?”

“I can be disappointed even if it is expected.”

“Aye. Just as Ah’m disappointed tha’ ya aren’t sittin’ right beside me~.” The tomboyish Elf returns, tapping a hand atop the gradually rising water. “Are ya goin’ ta leave me feelin’ let down~?”

“I’m considering it.”

“Oy!”

An arrogant grin spreads across Krvavy’s face as she sits back and watches her athletic Elf move across the tub to sit by her side. “You forgot the soap.” She kindly points that out before Beryl can settle in and get comfortable.

“Ach...”

“So...” Krvavy casually accepts the returning Elf into her embrace. “Are you looking forwards to finally getting to meet Rina?”

“Do ya need ta ask tha’, my dearest love?” Beryl raises an eyebrow and lets a little bit of sass into her voice. “Tha’ is the main reason Ah came on this trip. Ah’ve got ta make sure tha’ ya ‘aven’t just fallen fer a nice pair o’ tits~.”

“Now come on,” the barbarian returns her Elf’s gaze and tone. “Do you, of all people, really think that’s all it takes to catch my attention~?” She deliberately taps her finger onto one of Beryl’s pert breasts, causing the small handful of firm flesh to jiggle just a bit.

“Ah didn’t say they ‘ad ta be big, just nice.” The lithe Elf replies in an exaggeratedly haughty tone, crossing her arms over her beautifully toned belly. “And wouldn’t ya say tha’ Ah ‘ave a nice pair~?”

“Hmm...” Krvavy leans her head down as both her hands grab onto those perky mounds. “They’re alright, I sup–” her appraisal is interrupted by a splash of water. “-pose.”

“Just alright?” There is no real anger in Beryl’s voice, but that doesn’t stop the Elf from trying to act offended.

“Yup.” Krvavy grabs onto the tanned tomboy’s wrists before she can be splashed again. “They’re nice, but not your main appeal. No, no. That is a bit further down~. Past your tight tummy, but above those lovely long legs and terrifically toned thighs~. Can you guess which amazing part I’m talking about~?”

The tips of Beryl’s pointed ears turn red as a faint blush fills her cheeks. “No, my dearest love, Ah can’t. Would ya mind explainin’ wha’ ya’re tryin’ ta talk about~?”

“Your beautiful butt,” the barbarian bluntly blurts out, “your oh so alluring ass~. It’s perfect, haven’t I told you that before~? Not too big, not too small~. Delightfully toned with just the right amount of firmness, like a living sculpture~. A pleasant, perfect, amount of squish~. It doesn’t look out of place, but still naturally draws attention~. It is perfectly paired with your slim waist, your elegant hips, and of course those legs of yours~. I could go on and on about the way it sways when you walk and the way it jiggles when I bend you over~... It’s just perfect~. There is really no other word to describe your ass~...!”

The Wood Elf’s pert breasts rise and fall with each ragged breath that she takes. “M-my dearest love,” she gasps out, “wha’ ‘appened ta not wantin’ ta do anythin’ tha’d get us kicked out o’ ‘ere~...?”

“What about that~?” Krvavy wraps an arm around Beryl’s slightly trembling shoulders, pulling the tomboyish woman up against her side. “We’re just talking, aren’t we~?”

“Ach, ya...!” Beryl can’t seem to work up the will to scold the degenerate Drakling. “Ach... The wa’er is ‘igh enough now, right...?”

“I suppose so.” Krvavy lets her sweet berry get away with changing the subject like that, reaching her free hand out to turn off the tap. “Ready to add the soap?”

Beryl simply sighs and nods her head.

“Ah’m startin’ ta feel a little underdressed, my dearest love.”

“You’re wearing more now than you were earlier.” Krvavy plainly points out, gently squeezing her Elf’s hand.

“Aye, but we’re walkin’ inta ‘igh society now. And rich folk are always excessive.” Beryl scowls slightly as she looks down at herself, her free hand brushing along the blue-green fabric of her sundress. “Ah love this dress tha’ ya’ve given me, but Ah can’t ‘elp but feel tha’ Ah’ll be a bit underwhelmin’ in comparison. It doesn’t ‘ave any frills, lace, or poofy parts.”

“Do you want a dress like that? We could sto–”

“Ach, no, no.” The tanned tomboy quickly interrupts. “Tha’d just make me feel even more out o’ my depth. Ah’d stand out even more than Ah do now. Plus, Thea’d kill me if Ah came back wit’ a ‘fancy’ dress like tha’...” She idly shakes her head, before leaning up against the barbarian as they both walk along the spacious street. “So, my dearest love, Ah’m more than ‘appy wit’ wha’ Ah ‘ave. It’s just a naggin’ feelin’. Nerves, ya know? Nothin’ like earlier though, don’t ya worry about tha’.”

“Are you sure that you don’t want an over designed dress with layers of frilly skirts and a corset so tight that you have trouble breathing~?” Krvavy teasingly asks, a playful smile spreading across her face. “Or do you want to risk making a bad first impression~?”

“My dearest love,” Beryl meets the Drakling’s gaze as her tone becomes exaggeratedly serious. “Ah would rather ya bend me over and fuck me so thoroughly tha’ the only impression anyone could ever ‘ave o’ me is tha’ o’ yer cum-addicted slut.”

“Ahh... the honest approach~.”

Beryl rolls her eyes and lightly slaps her Draconic lover in the side. “Ah won’t be ‘earin’ tha’ kind o’ teasin’ from a woman who’d more than ‘appily oblige tha’ level o’ degeneracy.”

“Hey, I never said that it was just honest on your part~!” Krvavy’s grin widens as she leans her head down, letting the tip of her inhumanly long tongue flick the Elf’s pointy ear. “That would make it quite clear just what sort of relationship we have and what sort of people we are~!”

“Ach, save yer lust fer the Countess, my dearest love...!” The Wood Elf’s gentle scolding is a bit hard to take serious considering her teasing tone. “Ah’m sure tha’ she’ll appreciate the extra energy~.”

“Expecting the night to go a certain way, are we~?”

“Wha’ever do ya mean~?” Beryl innocently bats her eyelashes, before giving the barbarian’s hand a soft squeeze. “Now, Ah don’t want ta sound impatient, but... are we there yet?”

“Judging by how fancy everything around us has gotten...” Krvavy gestures past the manicured trees lining the road, vaguely pointing to the various walled off private properties lining the street. “We’re pretty close.”

“Tha’ is good.” A relieved sigh escapes past Beryl’s lips. “Seein’ buildin’ after buildin’ after buildin’ is startin’ ta wear on me.”

“If you’re getting tired, then I’d be more than happy to carry you the rest of the way.” Krvavy definitely has no ulterior motive as she makes that offer.

“Ach, it’s not wearin’ on me in tha’ way.” The tomboyish Elf replies, tapping her elbow into the barbarian’s side. “Ah’m just not a city girl. Ah’ve no love fer all o’... this.”

The Drakling raises an eyebrow as Beryl gestures to nothing in particular. “So... you don’t want me to carry you~?”

“My dearest love,” Beryl exaggeratedly sighs back, “Ah do not. Got ta make a good first impression, remember? And Ah don’t want ta come across as nothin’ more than an ‘elpless maiden. Ah’m not Thea~.”

“Tsk, what a shame.”

“Tha’ ya can’t carry me, or tha’ Ah’m not Thea~?”

Krvavy glances down at the Elf, staring out of the corner of her eyes. “Do you really need to ask?”

“Aye, if Ah want ta tease ya.” Beryl cheekily replies, before something up ahead catches her attention. “Oh, is tha’ our destination?”

The barbarian reluctantly pulls her gaze away from the tomboyish Elf. Further along the road stands a large stone arch, stretching across the nicely cobbled pavement. “More or less,” Krvavy answers with a shrug.

“Lots o’ open space and greenery through there...” The Wood Elf unconsciously leans forward as she walks, trying to get a better view of what is beyond that arch.

“Yeah.” Krvavy idly nods her head. “There are enough trees and flowers in there that you might forget that we’re in the middle of a pretty big city.”

“Tha’ is a bold claim.” The tanned Elf skeptically narrows her eyes, critically scanning the park-like expanse of grass, trees, and flowerbeds. “One tha’ Ah’m not quite convinced by, my dearest love.”

“This is just the outside of Rina’s property. It’s pretty plain compared to the gardens that are on the inside.”

Beryl doesn’t look all that convinced, but she also doesn’t look like she actually cares all that much either. After all, they aren’t here to look at flowers and manicured lawns.

A comfortable quiet surrounds the two lovers as they follow the gently curving road, holding hands all the while.

Unlike the last time that Krvavy was here, there are actually a few other people in this park. Scattered around in the distance, barely visible past all of the trees and flowerbeds, are what appears to be a few separate families hanging around as well as some couples having picnic dates. From what Krvavy can see, all of those people appear to be rather well dressed, including the children, but not quite to the same degree that the rich partygoers were. Guess those kinds of people would have their own properties to enjoy...

“Hahh...” Beryl breaks the silence with a relaxed sigh. “Our long journey is nearin’ its end, my dearest love.”

The well-maintained road ends some distance ahead, passing over an arched bridge leading into the beautiful whitewashed castle that is the Countess’ home.

“Long journey? It has hardly even been a week.” The barbarian returns with a smile.

“We’ve spent most o’ tha’ time walkin’. Let me enjoy the brief break before we ‘ave ta do it all over again.”

Two knights in polished armour stand in the gatehouse’s shade. Their elegant halberds lower, blocking off the path as the decorated weapons cross into an x.

“State your business.” One of the knights calls out, the plume of long black feathers atop his helmet gently swaying in the calm breeze.

“We’re here to visit the Countess.” Krvavy calmly responds.

Both knights shift ever so slightly, their helmets turning just enough to barely glance at each other. After a moment, one of them speaks up. “State your name, Drakling.”

“Krvavy.”

The crossed halberds rise in unison. “You may enter. Head straight to the main hall.”

The barbarian politely nods her head, before leading Beryl through the gatehouse. A smile plays at her lips as she feels the Elf’s grip on her hand tighten. “Excited, are you~?” Krvavy playfully asks, stepping out into the light.

“It’s beautiful in ‘ere...” Beryl breathes out in awe, her blue-green eyes trailing over the opulent gardens that surround them. “A bit... a bit too orderly, but...”

“See, I knew you’d like it~.” Krvavy takes advantage of her sweet berry’s distraction to stop holding hands, instead wrapping that arm around her lithe Elf’s shoulders.

A faintly pink flush fills the tanned tomboy’s caramel coloured cheeks as she pulls her gaze away from the beautiful bushes. “Ach, ya don’t need ta sound so smug.” She grumbles halfheartedly, leaning into the barbarian’s body.

“No, I don’t.” Krvavy agrees, giving her Elf a soft squeeze. “But~...!”

“It is fun...” Beryl completes her Draconic lover’s thought with an exaggeratedly sigh. Her exasperated act doesn’t last long though, not with the Countess’ beautiful mansion just up ahead. “Ah take it tha’ we just need ta walk up ta the front door and knock?”

“Yup.” The Drakling nods, glancing at the fancy pond of a moat as they walk across the decorated bridge that stretches across that lily pad filled water. “Just don’t expect her to be standing around waiting for us to arrive.”

“Ah would never.” Beryl’s serious tone is spoiled by the smile playing at her lips. “The Countess is a busy woman, no doubt. Ah just ‘ope tha’ we won’t ‘ave ta wait until sunset ta see ‘er.”

Krvavy can’t help but glance up at the sky. She can’t quite tell what time it is right now, as the sun is hidden by the looming mansion, but she knows that it is somewhere around mid to late afternoon. And since it is the middle of summer, it’ll be quite some time until night falls... “If she’s that busy, then we don’t need to stick around. We do have a whole shopping list of things to buy.”

“Aye.” The Wood Elf woman simply shrugs as they come to a stop in front of the large front door. “Now, fer the moment o’ truth...”

On her Elf’s prompting, Krvavy reaches out and grabs onto the ornate metal door knocker, using the fancy thing as intended. Three loud and surprisingly echoey booming sounds ring out before the barbarian lowers her hand back down.

The two of them barely have time to step back before the door begins to smoothly open.

“Oh?” An older man with short greying hair stands in the partially opened doorway. “Hello again. Krvavy, was it?” The tuxedo clad butler smiles professionally as his question is answered with a quick nod. “And your companion?”

“Beryl Woodswalker.” The tanned Elf introduces herself, nimble fingers grabbing at the hem of her sundress as she gives a quick curtsy.

“It would not be presumptuous of me to assume that the both of you would like to stay the night?”

“If that isn’t a problem.” The barbarian responds, trying to act as polite and courteous as she can, hoping that it isn’t actually a problem.

“I don’t imagine it will be.” A faintly knowing expression fills the butlers face, though he is professional enough to keep it rather subdued. “Will you require two separate rooms, or just the one?”

“Just the one, thank ya.” Beryl quickly answers, speaking up before Krvavy gets the chance to. An ever so slightly smug smile graces her lips as she glances at her Draconic lover, a playful glint in her blue-green eyes.

“I can have your belongings brought to the room, if you would like?” The butler offers, glancing at the rough backpacks that both are wearing.

“Aye, tha’d be lovely.” The almost entirely empty backpack slips off the Wood Elf woman’s shoulders, and quickly gets handed over. “Is the Countess ‘ome and available?”

“Not at the moment, no.” The older man gently shakes his head. “Would you like to tour the gardens while you wait for her return?"

Beryl immediately perks up. “Oh, tha’ sounds wonderful! Wha’ do ya think, my dearest love?” She latches onto Krvavy’s arm, hugging it against her athletic body as an expectant expression fills her face.

The Drakling takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. “Alright.”

“Just a moment.” The butler snaps his fingers twice in quick succession. After a few seconds, a young maid hurriedly steps into view. “Lynda,” a firm undertone fills his voice as he sees the girl’s eyes widen in surprise. “Show these guests around the gardens.”

“Y-yes sir!” The maid hastily nods her head, before grabbing her stereotypical dress and doing a slightly clumsy curtsy. “Please, follow me.” She politely requests, doing her best to act composed and professional. But that attempt doesn’t last very long at all, as she loses her footing while stepping through the doorway.

“Careful!” Beryl quickly reaches out and steadies the young maid, keeping Lynda from falling.

“Th-thank you...” An embarrassed blush colours the maid’s cheeks as she turns her gaze to the ground. After just a moment, she clears her throat. “The gardens are this way.”

Krvavy raises an eyebrow as she watches the young maid take a very deliberate step forwards. The girl is clearly worried about stumbling again.

“Come on, my dearest love,” Beryl’s fingers cling onto Krvavy’s hand, “let’s go see the flowers. And wha’ever else they’re growin’ ‘ere.”