“Magic sounds good but some nice warm water sounds even better. We can make some time for the baths, can’t we?” Michelle pleaded.
“I see we are of one mind.” Aramella purred with approval. “Let me just switch the gate then…” She trailed off as she made a motion toward the door of mist and Michelle watched as it changed color from silver to a soft blue. Aramella rifled through her wardrobe and produced a couple of towels patterned with elegant knotwork.
Michelle smiled gratefully and wrapped hers over her shoulders as they walk through the portal. Once they emerged, she felt the pleasant embrace of steam curling around her bare skin. Her large green eyes widened in awe as she saw just how impressive the bathhouse truly was. High ceilings capped with skylights lorded over a wide open forum of pools, saunas, faucets, and tubs. A perplexing warren of channels funneled water up from natural springs deep in the bowels of the earth throughout the complex. All totaled, the large central bath alone could probably comfortably fit two dozen or more people.
They were not alone, Michelle’s perceptive sight identified six other elves, one washed off quickly by herself in a shower area, three lounged luxuriously in the center pool, and two more reclined together rather amorously in a large tub. She quickly realized, they were all women.
“Aramella, sorry if this is a stupid question, are there any male elves?”
“Hardly a stupid question. It came as a surprise to me as well, when I first changed from a human. No, well, sort of no. We Arcadian elves all present femininely, but ours is but one realm among many, and there are other places where there are elves that come in many appearances.”
Michelle processed that information and went quiet a pause. “Wow. So everyone here’s a lesbian then?”
“Some are, some have no inclinations, some have traveled to other planes and enjoyed mens’ touch.” She shrugs. “Most were born here, and have only known women in their lives.”
The two began walking down the steps toward the barge. “People are born here? How’s that work if there’s no one to make kids with?”
“We are not humans.” Aramella answered simply. “We are not beholden to such restrictions. If an elf wishes to conceive, she simply chooses to during the act of love, provided her partner also does and chooses to impart her traits upon the child.”
“Well that’s a lot to get used to.” Michelle trailed off, considering the implications.
“Many who used to be humans feel similarly.” Aramella remarked. “But I have taken far too much of your attention. It is long past time you met your kindred. Go on, make yourself at home, I will be along.” Aramella parted ways from her, and left Michelle to her own devices. Feeling very much alone and in over her head for the first time, she took stock of her surroundings and chose to approach…