This Sonya woman didn't answer immediately, though her smile remained in place. For a few quiet moments, it did not occur to me that my enthusiasm may have seemed improper.
My back straightened and my chin rose higher at the realization of that.
"You'll lie face down on the table first."
She gestured to the surface before I could say anything. I'm sure that is a better result than letting my tongue get me in trouble.
As it is known to do.
"Alright. Shall I assume that I will need to fully disrobe?"
"I can provide a towel for modesty. The full body scrub I will need access to all the areas in which dead skin can accumulate. Starting from the back of the neck and working lower, up to your level of comfort with the process."
Her calm, careful, but sure movements so far have expressed to me that she was someone who had been doing this job for years. I'm sure she can tell the difference between a client treating her with respect for the service she provides.
And one who would see it as more intimate than intended.
I ask some more questions and clarify what areas will be covered in this process. When told the places typically avoided, I fully understand as a woman.
"So that means some areas of my skin will lack the treatment…"
But part of me can't help but push!
"If you consider yourself informed after our discussion and still explicitly wish for the process to cover as much as possible, I am comfortable providing this service after talking with you. With your verbal consent now and throughout the process."
"Oh? If my permission is required, you have it."
Modesty is a word for those who are not vain. Without those ugly clothes and knowing better than ever exactly what I look like in Helene's form?
After a moment of further consideration, I slipped out of the robe entirely and began to arrange myself on the table. My fingers lift hair away from my neck and off of my back.
The room's particularly cool temperature after my bath made goosebumps rise on my exposed skin.
"I'll warm the mixture slightly before applying it, so it will not feel so shocking."
The woman swiftly assured me when noticing my reaction. Resting my face in the cushioned cradle at one end proves to be more comfortable than expected.
I hear little sounds of her working on something near where she stood. An interesting snap in particular comes before soft footfalls draw closer.
"I'm going to begin now. The scrub might feel a bit rough at first, if you've never experienced one. However, please let me know if anything is particularly uncomfortable to you."
The very first touch of her hands, coated in the warm mixture, was extremely gentle against the space between my shoulder blades. I note that there is a thin layer of what is certainly glove material that makes this all the more clinical.
Probably the sound I heard? The thought of a 'latex' substance human doctors use comes to mind.
She worked the very coffee smelling paste in small motions at the base of my neck. Gradually the pressure and the size of the circular swipes increased as she moved across the larger surface of my back.
The rough granules felt oddly satisfying as they sloughed away excess skin clinging to this body. Almost like shedding another layer of her past.
"Your skin is remarkably resilient. Most clients with your complexion show more damage from sun exposure in certain areas."
If only she knew that this body had regenerative abilities beyond normal humans.
> She could probably scrub the skin completely raw and I'd look fresh within the hour. Right? <
The bark and growl suggested my wolf did not think kindly to my curiosity to experiment. I smirked, knowing the person 'exfoliating' me couldn't see it.
Sonya worked down to my lower back over the course of minutes, and my thoughts drifted to Kyrie Voss. Specifically… I began to wonder if the receptionist actually sent that 'email' message.
Was the Alpha CEO even now sitting in her high tower of glass and steel, looking at a notification that her investment had safely arrived exactly where she wanted me to?
My wolf stirred at the thought, projecting feelings of comfort and safety toward the werewolf I didn't entirely share.
> Stop that. The last thing I need is you making me drowsy with your fantasies of being nuzzled by your dream Alpha. <
My spiritual companion wagged its tail when I joined it in my mindscape, completely unrepentant. Maybe even glad that I could understand the intent of its thoughts so well.
I plod over on my fox form to sit down on my haunches next to it. I feel tired and awake all at once thanks to the combination of a cold room, warm hands, and relaxed muscles.
Taking advantage of the proximity, the silly wolf starts to groom and nibble at the fur around my neck. Something I didn't enjoy as a kit, but sort of missed once I gained my transformation.
But I can't let on that I'm enjoying it.
> You're really shameless, aren't you. <
The fact that it didn't stop or bite harder tells me it wasn't buying my 'displeasure'. Thanks to the pampering, even my cynicism couldn't maintain its edge.
At this moment, my worries about surviving, pack politics, and impending doom felt... manageable. I raised my head up as the spirit licked under my jawline.
> Vrika. That's what I'll call you. It means… wolf in my language. <
It finally stopped and I hopped away while it was thinking. Left my mental space at the perfect timing, it seems.
"You've made no complaints so far, which is a little surprising for a first time client. I warn everyone I work with that some people will find the next part to be a bit over their comfort zone. Please, do not endure it if you feel any sort of distress at all."
Since I've had my world's version of this scrub performed once, I have a feeling I know what she means. Certainly, Helene may have freaked out a little at her posterior being touched.
Then again, she would have probably never come to a place like this at all.
"I understand. My consent stands. You may continue."
The attendant's hands first applied more of the coffee scrub carefully over my glutes, as if making sure I was not about to voice a complaint for where she was touching. Then she worked with firm pressure over the quite tense muscles.
Taut not from what she was doing, but from the days of almost non-stop travel… and probably the time scaling up a tree to wait and leap down onto a deer. Waiting there in that position so long was probably unwise.
"Do you hike often?"
"Well. Something like that."
Helene spent a lot of time climbing up and down a certain forest hill in her human form. Her family lived at the bottom of one while Jace lived at the top of another.
"I apologize for the small talk, it is just very rare to have someone quite so silent on my table."
"I don't mind. In fact, I can even be considered at fault for not complimenting your work sooner."
"What do you mean, if I may ask?"
A chuckle rumbles in my chest.
"People have told me that I am not good at holding my complaints, but my praise sometimes needs to be pulled out like a stubborn splinter."
"Well, thank you for sharing one for me… excuse me, please."
Applying the scrub to my upper thighs and hips left a pleasant tingle over my skin. Caffeine seemed to stimulate blood flow in a way that made me feel quite aware of this body's full contours.
Made everything feel undeniably mine. Every nerve firing and connecting straight to my spirit… and my wolf's.
> I really think Helene would have enjoyed an experience like this, once she let her guard down. Don't you? <
Within the space crafted amid my soul, my newly named companion sprawled languidly instead of responding.
As far as I'm concerned, that's as good a confirmation as any.