Eshalu luxuriated in the sensation of the sponge running down her back. It was feeling unlike any she had ever felt before. She had seen the dessicated sea-creatures before on sale at a human market, but never imagined that when soaked with water they could produce such a languid sensation, half-way between massaging and scratching. She spread her arms out and held the rims of the tub to support herself while Aeryn worked. There was a subtle magic in those stroke and it quickened her blood. She could feel her heartbeat begin to drum at a higher tempo. The pressure of Aeryn's thighs pressed against hers and then that coy motion that stopped just short of her bottom - those hands promised so much and the wait was maddening.<br/><br/>But Eshalu was patient. Or so she thought until Aeryn ran her tongue over the sensitive edge of the elf's ear. Eshalu gasped - a ragged release of breath. The pulse of desire stirred, all angry and molten, in her belly. She could smell the lye in the water, Aeryn's distinctive aroma surrounding her. All enveloping and all-consuming. Aeryn's breath, warm and moist, was maddening against her ear. It felt like so long since she had last coupled. To give herself to a human was unexpected, but Aeryn must have been taught by the Moon Huntress herself, because no elven woman could resist what she was doing. At least not for long.<br/><br/>"Where," Eshalu inhaled sharply again when she felt Aeryn's fingers slide over her small breasts and find her nipples, hard like arrowheads. Copper fingers on dark rose nipples, the colour of conifer-berries. It was sublime. "Where," Eshalu repeated, "did you learn the Way of the Lifegiver - have you coupled with many of the People?" If she was honest with herself, she did not want Aeryn to answer. That would interrupt the irresistible dance of the human woman's tongue on her ear.<br/><br/>So it was completely unexpected when Aeryn finally let go of her studied detachment and brought days, perhaps seasons, of carefully suppressed emotions to the surface. Eshalu turned, sending waves of agitated water crashing against the sides of the tub, and took Aeryn into her arms, pressing the human woman's face to her throat and breast. She hoped it was enough. For the People that was the comfort that could still any rancour or ill-feeling, because it brought the soothing sound and sensation of a sympathetic heartbeat and the flow of a  Lodge-Sister's lifeblood.<br/><br/>She was disappointed with herself for not noticing Aeryn's trauma earlier. Humans were so good at hiding emotions away and she could never understand that. Her elders in the Lodge of Rangers had always told her to live by her emotions and instincts, for a ranger could not have a divided mind. If there was something distressing her, not one of her Lodge-Sisters would have even thought of denying her comfort and attention. Aeryn would be no different.<br/><br/>"Enough, feel the heart that will keep you safe," Eshalu whispered and smoothed Aeryn's dark, wet hair. She drew the naturalist's body against her, pressed close, feathering soothing kisses on Aeryn's forehead. "I know your ways are different, but we cannot bear to see one of our own suffer. You and I have banded together for many moons far from my home, so you must feel safe in the bond we have shared. I will defend you again and again until there is no strength left in my limbs and I have trust you will do the same."<br/><br/>Eshalu took a moment to allow Aeryn to settle in and reconcile herself with her emotions. She never loosened her embrace, seeking always to lend Aeryn her strength. It was the paramount lesson she had been taught when she first came into the Lodge of Rangers, still a novitiate: no battle can be fought alone.