<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/p7GXzGV.jpg?1)</div><br/>The laughter and talking from the other women was unintelligible to Miriel as she stayed caressing herself in her own tub. It came and went, the women seemingly having a rapport with one another that extended beyond this bath. Miriel floated on for a long time, teasing and relaxing until she heard the splashing of water as the six other women rose out of their tubs, their wet feet smacking on the stone floor as they left the room. The steam from the baths lingered thickly in the air like a fog, Miriel barely able to see their naked forms retreating from the room with ease and grace in their postures.<br/><br/>The sound of bellows pumping steam somewhere into the building fell into a rhythm. In the absence of anyone else, Miriel was alone with only her thoughts and, every few moments, the harsh sudden sound of the bellows pumping. As Miriel soaked, she realized the water was not dirtying, but remained clean, somehow constantly being purified of all dirt and grime and oil. The temperature remained consistent too, always pleasantly warm, bringing a redness to her body as she soaked.<br/><br/>The door to the room opened. Miriel could hear bare feet slapping on stone, followed by the sound of the hostess’s footwear.<br/><br/>“May I bathe with her?” asked a deep and feminine voice.<br/><br/>“Of course,” came the gentle reply of the hostess.<br/><br/>Over the lip of her tub a woman came into view before Miriel. She had long, dark, curly hair that went past her breasts, and a small smile that perked up when she made eye contact with Miriel. The woman’s eyes were big and vibrant blue as she looked at Miriel, a gentleness evident in her demeanour.<br/><br/>“Do you mind if I join you?” She was smiling as she asked, dragging her fingers playfully through the water. “I just hate bathing alone.”<br/><br/>There was no shortage of room in Miriel’s bath for another person, or even a few other persons, but the young woman looked down at Miriel without a hint of expectation or necessity, content to be invited in or turned away.