Chapter 26 - The Bathhouse

As they took Martin's advice and did nothing in particular for a couple of days, he noticed something off about the Elf.

Despite her eagerness to show off her knowledge of Elkinare, she seemed dour whenever she wasn't conversing with them. The only times her expression lightened up was when she ate nostalgic food with them; otherwise, she stared at the ground, an angry expression on her face. He didn't ask about it. After all, she'd always been a stoic person, so he could've been reading a bit too much into her actions. But he couldn't shake the feeling that she was struggling with something. Maybe she felt uncomfortable sitting around for so long? He couldn't tell.

On the third day, Peter noticed a bathhouse on the way back to the hotel. It was a single story building, shorter than the ones around it, but it looked much wider and deeper than the others. Steam rose from the rooftop and behind the building, wafting through the air. As they were on the edge of the city, no buildings stood behind it either. He stood in front of it, admiring the bathhouse's large wooden sign that read "Elkinare Bathhouse" in large, bold letters. 

"Something catch your attention?" Maya asked.

"Yeah. I didn't know they had bathhouses here."

The Elf nodded. "This bathhouse is quite popular with visitors. There's private rooms, so each party can bathe without seeing other people. I've never been inside, but I heard it's very relaxing. Want to try it out?"

"I've always seen them around, but I never went into one. I might not come back here, so why not?"

The Elf turned to Maya. "How about you?"

She looked around nervously. "I think I'll just go to the hotel. I would like to, but my bandages..."

"Ah, right. Are you afraid of other people seeing?"

She nodded.

"Then I suppose Peter and I will go in ourselves. Although, it's more value if we get three people per room instead of two..."

Peter shot the Elf a confused look. "Two people per room? Don't we need to get two rooms?"

"No, that's not necessary. This bathhouse is mixed gender bathing."

"...What?"

. . .

He still couldn't believe the situation he was in.

He sat inside one of the bathhouse's private rooms, his body submerged in hot water. The wooden walls of the room were wiped clean, providing a nice, cozy environment to bathe in. Cool buckets of water sat a little away from the hot water bath, for both the pre-bath cleaning and for cooling off. Complimentary towels were provided in changing stalls connected to the bathroom, offering a way to cover up. Of course, the towels were taken off during the bath itself. The water soothed his body and mind, wrapping him in a warm blanket of comfort; he could've sworn the water itself was enhanced with magical properties. There was just one problem.

The Elf was sitting in the other side of the bath.

Unlike him, who couldn't hold eye contact with her, she seemed unconcerned about sharing a bath with a man. Her arms rested on the edges of the bath, her hands slightly dipping into the water. She looked at him, a confused look on her face.

"Why are you so nervous?" She asked.

"Why wouldn't I be? We're naked!"

"How else do you take them? You take baths with clothes on?"

"No, that's not what I meant! I'm just not used to it. Back where I'm from, men and women don't bathe together unless they're a couple. It's improper otherwise."

"Ah, is that so? Where I'm from, it's perfectly fine to do so. Men and women bathe together - and each other - quite often."

"Is that so?"

She nodded. "Cleaning each other is a form of bonding with each other. Of course, certain actions are forbidden, but you're not the type to be a degenerate, right?"

He held his arms in an X-shape. "Nope. No forbidden actions from me."

"Then relax. There is no judgement from me."

Great. Now he knew two women in Deusterra who didn't mind being naked in front of him.

"Speaking of which, come here."

"Why?"

"I want to see your hair. Is that okay with you?"

"Uh, sure! No problem." He waded over to her, turning his back to her. "Is that good?"

"Yes. Thank you." She picked up strands of his hair, sifting through them with her fingers. She frowned. "Ah, there's some matting here. Mind if I get them out?"

He gulped sheepishly at the thought of a woman going through his hair.  "I don't mind."

She lapped water onto his hair and combed through his hair with his fingers, humming as she did so. Careful not to pull too hard, she used the lightest amount of pressure possible on the mats. Despite his initial nervousness, he found it comforting, soothing even. The mats disappeared one by one, falling apart at the slightest touch. He wondered if the water had something to do with it. If only he could take care of mats like this back home! "Your hair is very nice," she said. "I used to have long hair myself."

"Really?"

"Mhm. Back then, my mother used to brush it, just like this. Said it was a way to show affection for those close to you."

"Huh. Elves are a lot more intimate than humans are, huh?"

She stopped. "Elf? You know I'm an elf?"

"Oh... yeah."

"Since when? I don't recall telling you or Maya that."

"Ever since I first saw you. I don't know how, but I had a hunch about it."

"Hmm. I suppose I should've expected as much from Hemofemina's patron." She continued combing his hair. "But yes, I suppose they are."

He closed his eyes, trying to imagine what her family life must've been like. "It must've been nice."

"It was. Everyday, I wish I could go back." She finished combing. "There, it should be done now."

He ran his hand over his hair, shocked at the smoothness of it. "Wow, it's silky smooth!"

"Almost like elven hair."

He turned around, a grin spread across his face. "Do you want me to do your hair?"

She shook her head gently. "No, it's fine. My hair lost its qualities a long time ago."

"You sure? It'd be no problem for me. This is the best my hair's felt in my entire life! Least I can do is repay the favor - or try to."

She thought about it for a second, then conceded. "Fine." 

She turned around, using the edge of the bath to steady herself. His eyes widened as he saw her back; scars filled her back, almost completely obscuring her skin. Without thinking, he ran his finger down her back, feeling the bumps of the scars.

"Hey. That's not my hair."

"Oh! Sorry. I got carried away." He started working with her hair, wetting his hands before combing through it. Her hair felt dry and rough; he gently massaged water into her hair with his fingers, hoping it'd work. "I really didn't mean to do that, I promise."

"It's fine." She closed her eyes, feeling the water wash over her scalp as he worked through it. "Better your finger than their whip."

"Whip?"

She nodded. "Taykaw sold me to a rich man in Phegolan named Barford Porterson along with my friend, Alanis. He lived in Applecot Mansion, and I was put to work as a bodyguard. Before I arrived there, his men sliced open my body, stole my appendix from me. I ceased to be an elf that day. I couldn't even keep my real name; he assigned us different ones when we arrived. I resisted that bastard every chance I got. Thus, I became his only target, and I was whipped constantly. Especially for things I didn't do. These scars are a reminder of those times, and it's a reminder for me to save Alanis."

"Jesus. You've been through quite a lot. Sorry for bringing it up."

"Don't apologize. I'm the one who brought it up."

He continued working on her hair, making sure to get the front as well, before finally finishing five minutes later. "How's that feel?" He asked.

She faced him, running her hands over her hair. "Huh, it's gotten a lot better."

"Just like mine! No wonder people go here."

"No wonder indeed." She looked down at her reflection in the water. "Peter... thanks. I really needed that."

"No problem."

They spent the next thirty minutes relaxing, soaking in the water and chatting here and there about the little things they had back home. As their time limit came up, the Elf emerged from the bath, wrapping her towel around her body. Before he could grab his towel, she turned to him.

"Claire," she said.

"What?"

"My name is Claire. Just so you know."

He nodded slightly, smiling. "Well... I'm glad to have known you, Claire."

"I'm glad to have known you too, Peter."