sleepover; forward-dated to the 12th

[heloise]

Stephanie Brown

Are you sweaty and dirty enough for a bath yet?

[ What is innuendo? Lucrezia has a large wooden tub filled with wine and warm water in her room, with sweets and cakes aplenty on a spread nearby, and Ace all fed and content. Now for the long-awaited guest! ]

Comments

[secondchances]

I don't think I'm ever going to be not-sweaty and not-dirty ever again. I'm glad you don't know about bleach.

[The fact that this is an invitation to a bath is beyond Steph.]

[heloise]

[ She laughs. ]

We would have to see! And Ace misses you.

[secondchances]

Ah, Ace. I thought I was missing something massive and furry. I'll come get him off your hands, if now's a good time.

[heloise]

[ She checks the tub and asks for more hot water from the castle! ]

Now would be the perfect time.

[secondchances]

[Was that the sound of water? Was she serious about a--nah.]

There in a few.

[The unsuspecting Stephanie gathers a few things into her bag and heads over to Lucrezia's, totally unprepared for what is about to take place...

She knocks!]

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia regards it her personal mission to introduce Steph to a life more sumptuous, rushing to the door to open it.

She only has an embroidered robe over nightgown as there's no reason to dress for the occasion. And sweaty or not, she tries to gather Steph in a hug and a flurry of laughter! ]

[secondchances]

[Steph's cleaned up since returning, but that was a just a hasty (but thorough!) rinse in the shower before having an intimate reunion with her bed. She's in jeans and a tank top. Definitely no reason to dress for the occasion!]

Was Ace that bad?

[She laughs, hugging Lucrezia back.]

[heloise]

[ She chuckles, pulling back enough to check that all is well with Steph, hands resting on her arms still. ] No, but I did worry, at times. [ She steps back to let her in! ]

[secondchances]

Oh, yeah... I'm sure a few people mentioned the, uh, pheasants. [She steps in. Things could have been worse, really.]

[heloise]

I believe pheasants are tamer.

[ Lucrezia giggles, crossing the room to walk behind the steaming tub to present it to Steph. ]

Is it to your liking?

[secondchances]

Just a bit, I'd imagine.

[She decides it's probably best she not go into detail about how she killed a dinosaur. Hey, that bath is a good distraction! Steph looks confused. Very, very confused.]

That's for me?

[She looks around as if there should be someone else in the room.]

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia follows her gaze around the room, then laughs. ]

Should I have invited Ezio? My brother?

[ She circles the tub and reaches out a hand for Steph, for her to come closer. ]

We did say a wine bath.

[secondchances]

[Aaaand there goes the blush machine. She takes Lucrezia's hand, but sticks her face over the bath. It's totally the steam turning her cheeks pink.]

Haaaaa, no, I think we're just fine.

[She touches the water with her free hand.]

I can't remember the last time I had an actual bath. I usually just shower. In and out in five to fifteen minutes.

Maybe I should have come here when I was smelly.

[heloise]

[ Whatever, Steph, you're still blushing. She leans against the tub and absently plays with the water too. ]

I thought to ask you sooner, before I decided I would not share it with you if you were still sweaty, and dirty. [ She wrinkles her nose, teasing! ]

[secondchances]

[Steph laughs, a little nervously! Pretty sure she's living one of Ezio's fantasies right now...]

Well, maybe you always smell.

[Second grade insults.]

[heloise]

[ She giggles and tips her head to the side. ]

Are we to trade insults in addition to compliments now?

[secondchances]

That's about as far as my insults with you can go. It's not even true.

[heloise]

[ She grins. Back to compliments, then. She saunters back to her bed to fetch a white cotton gown for Steph. ]

I thought you might prefer it.

[secondchances]

Oh? Am I going to be here a while?

[heloise]

Fifteen minutes is not a bath.

[secondchances]

How long is a bath, then? I seem to have an expert here.

[heloise]

Long enough for you tell me all about the far-off lands you discovered.

[secondchances]

I knew you had a motive.

That makes me wonder, though... do I give you your surprise now, or later? Hmm. I don't know...

[heloise]

[ She bites back her smile. ]

Patience is not my best virtue.

[secondchances]

So you need someone to teach you! I see. Maybe next week, then.