"I'm going to have you sit up now so I can work on your arms and hands."
Sonya instructed while stepping back. I pushed myself up carefully, my rear feeling especially warm and sensitive to sit on at the edge of the table.
My mind swims a little during the change of position. All the blood flowing is a heady feeling.
"Take your time."
"Alright. Now what?"
"Your hands first."
She worked methodically up each arm over the next few minutes. It reminded me a bit of being posed by maidservants to get dressed.
Though with them, it was usually just my wrist and elbow worn raw as they twisted them this way and that instead of letting me do something as 'plebeian' as clothe myself.
Hm. Helene really knew a lot about this Rome place, for some reason.
"Now, if you'll lie back down on your stomach, I'll continue with your legs and feet."
I complied with Sonya's order of things. It seemed silly to sit up and then lay back down… but on second thought, it made perfect sense.
A patron to this place would probably fall asleep, even with the temperature differences, if they remained laying down for twenty minutes or more in a row.
Her touch on my calves was firm. When she reached my feet, however, she paused.
"These have seen some rough terrain recently. On your hike?"
"I... lost my shoes for a while."
I replied vaguely. Bare paws through the forest and nearly bare feet through the city after ditching Helene's shoes to shift into the hybrid form.
There is no good way to describe recent events that doesn't invite more questions.
"There appears to be no wounds, but they are certainly a little rough. I'll be sure to give them extra attention."
The scrub against my soles was almost painful at first. Tender spots I learn exist make themselves known.
But as she worked, the discomfort gave way to relief. The kind that almost reminded me of the hot stones our servants would place beneath our feet after long ceremonial processions.
As Sonya worked the skin between each toe individually, I found myself drifting again. No connected memories or worries this time.
Simply bits of thoughts and images, mostly from the other thirty-one years of life I'd lived before this last week. Until that indistinct daydream was interrupted by the next repositioning.
"Now I'll have you turn over. We'll finish with the front."
I turned with as much grace as I could manage as she changed into another set of gloves. The scrub on these sections of my skin was applied with lighter pressure.
She made sure to verify that I still wanted her to apply the exfoliation along my breasts after first avoiding them.
"I believe I can handle it without any issue, as I am neither especially sensitive nor have I felt any arousal so far. Please continue."
Despite what I said, there were certain thoughts that were unavoidable as she worked. Specifically, something that I thought but did not 'voice' while taking that bath.
Feeling a little closer to the wolf now that it has a name-
> This may be weird to hear, Vrika. But if your former spirit twin had been in my world, born a daughter to a rich merchant, and had a partiality for the kind of encounters I partook in… <
It whined and ducked. Even attempted to cover its ears with paws.
But it's useless, because my voice here is not really 'sound'.
> Then she may well have ended up my favorite. I'm seriously complimenting this form of hers, why are you being such a prude? This after wanting me to throw myself at your Alpha without restraint. <
When her hands passed over my abdomen… I had a reflex that surprised me. My mind leaps from its inner realm and, for the first time in the session, I tensed up on the table.
"Are you alright? Should I stop?"
The woman's voice was fairly calm, but the edge of concern was clear.
"Yes, sorry… I… guess that it turns out I was a touch ticklish in that spot. I'm fine now."
I lie through my smiling teeth. Traditionally it may be more polite to trust and explain myself to such a worker.
"Please keep in mind that we can avoid this area completely."
"I do understand. Truly, I am fine now that I have prepared for it."
However, I am not the type to trust so easily. If I can tell no one that I am pregnant for as long as possible, then it is all the better.
"If you are sure… then I will continue. If it bothers you again, let me know immediately. Okay?"
"Of course. I promise."
It bothers me immediately, but I watch her with a face that shows none of it. As a royal and a princess… I became quite adept at that.
Showing nothing.
"Almost done."
She eventually said while moving to my shins and the tops of my feet. The feeling of anxiousness passed quickly.
> You can stop joining me in being prepared to shift and maul her now, thank you. <
As she finished the final circular strokes, Sonya stepped away briefly before returning with several steaming towels.
"I'm going to remove most of the scrub now. The warmth will help open your pores and loosens the grounds that have stuck."
The hot, damp towels felt heavenly against my skin as she gently wiped away the coffee mixture. Despite her thoroughness there was still fine grit clinging to places.
It was almost like getting cleaned up earlier was a fever dream. Almost.
"The shower is through that door. You can use it to wash away the last of it."
Helping me sit up and steadying my walk to where she pointed, the spa attendant gestured toward a fresh robe waiting and ready for my use.
"Should I hurry?"
"Take your time. There's no rush. When you're finished, I'll apply a light moisturizer before your next treatment."
The shower stall was nowhere as elaborate as the bathing room or private room's shower from earlier. This one is clearly designed for simple function rather than longer relaxation.
Still, watching the last of the coffee grounds swirl down the drain in here felt strangely satisfying.
When I emerged, the table looked as fresh as when I first entered. Sonya was waiting with a bottle in hand.
"Is that some sort of lotion?"
"This is a light vanilla moisturizer with aloe. Nothing too heavy, since you are slated to have an oil massage next."
Her hands moved to apply the substance with gentle strokes. It absorbed very quickly into my exfoliated skin, leaving it feeling softer than it had in…
Well, ever? At least in this body's case. Maybe even in mine?
> I feel like a warm puddle of fine silk. So much so… that the admiration once voiced by a prior lover now seems like a cold lie! <
Vrika's blue eyes look at me deeply. Wondering why, oh why, I keep bugging it with direct comments about my past experience with women.
Obviously, I want it to stop thinking I will act like an innocent vixen to please anyone.
Itself, myself, or… herself.
"Now, before your massage, we recommend taking a short break to rehydrate."
She said while helping me back into my robe. I face her and lower my head in a show of gratitude.
"Thank you. Truly. This experience has been fantastic."
"I'm glad. Tess will be back soon to escort you to the lounge."
As if summoned, the very individual that seemed assigned to my whole visit knocked at the door. A friendly smile present on her face as she was let inside.
"Heard my name, I was already here. Ready for more relaxation?"
The woman asked while gesturing for us to leave. I nodded again at the person who I'd just spent the hour with.
Her behavior has been so professional and accommodating that I may even try and remember her name if I ever have the chance to return.
I plodded through the corridor slower than earlier and Tess matched my pace. Adapting to the needs of the client, within reason, seems rather important to their job.
"How was your exfoliation treatment?"
"Thorough and wonderful."
"That's good. I think you'll like where we are headed just as much."
Very little doubt existed in me over the truth of her assertion. It would take a rather remarkable disruption to diminish my newfound calm.