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It had been quite a few days since Norton had bathed. The griminess of adventuring made him miss the cleansing feeling of water washing over his skin. He squirmed in the small wooden tub, and continued to miss the comfort of larger outdoor baths. Though, he was surprised to see an inn have such a bathing room. It was akin to a large basement with a bumpy stone floor, but it also had more of those odd metal candle sticks and spouts that gave fresh, clear water.

Norton splashed more of the cool water on his skin and sank further into the bath. It would be wonderful to have a traveling bath, he thought to himself. It would also be wonderful not to have to flee a murderous gang. He peered at a nearby tub. Ava's head and legs poked out of it. She was practically lounging in the water. The wolfess quickly returned his gaze. “Want me to wash your back, dear?" she asked with a smile. It was almost baffling to see her act so casually.

“I'm good, thank you."

“Oh, come now." Ava emerged from her tub. Her fur had become a wet mess that dripped water all over the ground as she walked. More of her intimate portions were visible now that her fur had clung to her body closely. Norton was so preoccupied with staring that he didn't notice Ava dragging her tub over to his, and then stepping back inside. More water splashed onto the floor as she sunk back down into her bath. “See, now we can wash one another. Easy." She crossed her arms and settled on the rim of the wooden tub.

Norton eyed her injured arm. “Are you feeling better?" he asked simply. A dull red was visible on the wrapping. “Your arm isn't hurting?" He worried it would unwind itself in the water.

“Care for a feel?" She stretched it out over to him.

“No, I'm good." He held up a hand to stop her.

“Yes, it's feeling better." Ava crossed her arms again. “I didn't think she could pack that much of a bite." A brief, worrying image of the battle flashed through Norton's mind. He slightly winced upon re-imagining Ava collide with the ground. “You think I can take this off now? It's getting a little itchy."

“Wait a day or two more. It needs to fully heal."

“Couldn't you have given me some of that moss?" She pushed his shoulder playfully. “Saving the good stuff for yourself, huh?"

“I didn't have nearly enough for that."

“If you say so," she replied with a roll of her eyes. “Maybe you do prefer Lydia after all." That sentence hung awkwardly in the air. It was absurd that she continued the charade.

“Are you sure about that?" Norton unwittingly said out of annoyance. He sank further down into the tub, vainly trying to escape the conversation. It was apparent that Ava quickly picked up on what he was referring to, as her face grew more solemn. Her ears uneasily shifted between being at attention and sulking down. She eased back into her tub, slipping from the side of it.

“It was good, wasn't it? Just for that moment?" Ava asked quietly. Her voice echoed around the room. Norton gave no response — he couldn't. She was right, it was. Just for that moment it was perfect. “It's been a long time since..." she trailed off. “That's no excuse, I know," she said solemnly.

They lapsed into silence. The only sound echoing through the room was the gentle drip of water from the faucets. Norton secretly loathed that her soft voice and tone was enough to guilt him. It probably wasn't her intent, but it worked all the same on him. He sighed and sat back up in the tub, sending water sloshing all about. “We can't keep doing this," he said. He wanted to continue, 'not without knowing one another', but he held his tongue. “I'm sorry." Now he was the one apologizing. He stopped himself from shaking his head.

Norton cautiously looked towards Ava. Her gaze was focused down into her tub, unmoving. “You don't hate me, do you?" she asked.

“No," Norton quickly replied. He didn't want her to think otherwise. Norton couldn't formulate a proper answer. Not at the moment. That's all he could think in regards to disliking her. While yes, she had gotten him into a fair bit of trouble, he couldn't exactly blame her for it. Lydia would also have to share the blame if that were the case. He supposed the real question was if he could blame her for her unwanted advances. That could be standard affair for her and other beast-men, but even still, she should have been aware of his own culture.

“I don't think I could hate you," Norton said with a frown. He looked to the stone wall in front of him. “I'm not comfortable giving myself up so easily. That's not how relationships work." He was well aware how ridiculous that sentence was on its own. The man was in no state to lecture Ava on relationships considering his past experiences.

“I thought maybe if you liked it too, then... that would make it better. That was stupid. I just get so caught up in the moment." Ava let out a low, animalistic whine. “It feels like if I don't grasp it, I'll never have another chance."

Norton looked down into his tub and relished the water for a few more seconds before frowning and standing up. “I understand." That was all he could give her - his understanding. Trickles of emotion wanted more, but it just wasn't there. He looked to Ava, who was blankly staring at the wall. Droplets of water ran down her hide. Norton stood up and stepped out of the tub. “Come on. Let's go back." He offered his hand. She looked up at him with a moment of hesitation before grabbing hold and pulling herself up.

The two stared at each other. For the first time it felt like Norton was truly looking into her eyes, unmasked. Her blue eye glinted in the orange glow of the room, a mixture of emotions exuded from a single glance. Ava stepped out of her own tub and stood next to Norton. She practically fell into a limp hug, barely hanging onto the man's frame. Norton returned it with a firm squeeze. Her toned form was laid bare but he didn't pay it much mind. All he wanted was to ease her nerves.

It took Norton some effort to get himself to pull away from the wolfess. Ava made no attempt to hold onto him, her hands slipped away, dragging them across his body and returning to her sides. They gave each other one last look.

_

The cool sea air was made all the better by the bath. The lingering dew of water cooled Norton's skin, making him feel as clean as he had ever been. He sat on his bed and watched the twinkling stars sparkle over the horizon. It had been the first time he could see them clearly dance on the edge of the horizon, unobscured by a forest or a building.

Ava and Lydia sat on the nearby bed in their raggedy dresses, illuminated by a set of candles on a nearby nightstand. “Quit fidgeting," Lydia said. She ran an aged brush across Ava's fur, which had become slightly fluffier after drying off. Her silvery mane had been brushed into precise straightness that looked quite cute on her. Norton might have admitted that with some prodding, but certainly wouldn't say it outright.

“Now, Lydia is good, but don't get any funny ideas, I'm still better at it," Ava said with a nod.

“I said stop moving." Lydia sighed. “It's no wonder your fur is always a mess."

“You're the one who does my hair, Lydia."

“I'm the one who fixes it." Lydia pulled the brush through a knot of hair. Ava visibly grimaced as it pulled loose.

While Norton had been attempting to act as casually as possible, he still found himself glancing away as Ava looked at him. She did much of the same. He was happy, at least, to have Lydia back in the room. She was a hard comfort that seemed to dispel or at least discourage Ava's more 'direct' behavior.

“How did you get good at brushing hair?" Norton asked. Ava opened her mouth to reply. “I understand Lydia, since she has sisters, but what about you, Ava?" The wolfess rolled her eyes.

“You don't need a sister to teach you everything. Did you ever consider I'm good at it just because I am?"

“No," Norton replied instantly. Ava huffed.

“Regardless, I did not know any of my sisters," Lydia said as she continued to go over Ava's hair. “My mother taught me about proper grooming. Ava should be very happy she isn't here, otherwise she would have a fresh welt across her wolfish face."

“How rude," Ava said jokingly. “I didn't have the siblings for it anyways." She winced again as another bundle of hair broke loose. “Do you mind, Lydia?"

“I do mind."

“As I was saying before being so rudely interrupted, I learned when I was younger. I had lovely friends to teach me." She beamed proudly. Norton considered asking how long ago that was, but figured that was rude for several reasons. For one, he realized he didn't actually know how old Ava was. Nothing about her suggested advanced age, nothing that he could pick up on, anyways. Lydia was similarly an enigma, perhaps even moreso with how little she emoted.

Even if Norton were to know their exact age, he didn't exactly know what their lifespans were like. For all he knew, they could live far longer than he could even imagine, or shorter than he expected. Both were terrifying thoughts. “His eyes could bore through the hardest of armor. Would you not agree?" Lydia said, pushing Norton out of his thoughts and causing him to focus his attention elsewhere.

“Something wrong?" Ava asked.

“It's nothing."

“It is always nothing," Lydia replied. “I am beginning to think you sleep with your eyes open."

“Can humans do that?" Ava asked with a tilt of her head. Lydia quickly pushed her back into place and returned to brushing. “I've seen rabbit beast-men do that, very unnerving!"

“I don't think humans can do that, no," Norton said. “I certainly can't."

“Good. So what is it then?" Norton began to respond before being cut off by Ava. “And don't say nothing because I'll bother you all night about it." She smiled. “Just a warning."

“For both of our sakes I suggest you simply come out with it," Lydia replied. She had finished her brushing and defaulted to running her hands through Ava's hair.

“Well. I was thinking about uhm, how long a beast-man lives?" He shook his head at awkward question. “It's just a random thought that struck me."

“Again he thinks of us like simple animals. Tch, tch, tch," Ava chided lightheartedly. “I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to wait for us to fall dead. Can't get rid of us that easy. No, we take after the generics in more ways than one. Oh, pardon my language." She tittered.

“I believe it is poor manners to ask a woman her age," Lydia added, as if she were seeing right through to Norton's actual thoughts.

“Very," Ava said in agreement.

“Right," Norton replied. He nodded and pursed his lips. The man fell back onto his bed. “A shame it's not the same for men."

“Oh don't worry, dear, we already know how old you are. We can smell it," Ava said. Norton perked up worriedly. “I tease, I tease." Ava batted her hand at the air. “But you seem very spry!"

“If only we could," Lydia said as she retreated to her own bed. “That is not to say we cannot smell some certain... things." Norton rested his head back on his pillow, more intruding thoughts worming their way into his mind. His original fear was being replaced by others. It was impossible to tell if Lydia was making a jest to test his nerves or not.

“Time for bed, then?" Ava asked quietly.

“I suppose so," Lydia said from somewhere on the other side of the room.

Norton merely nodded, unwilling to verbally agree. After a few silent and uncomfortable seconds, the candles went out in a single breath. Trickles of starlight and the last sparks of a sleepy port shone through the window.

There was a certain uneasiness that plagued Norton, and it took him some time to figure it out. As he buried himself under the sheets, a revelation crept upon him. He actually missed having a warm, soft body by his side. Only one night was enough to have him addicted to the experience. He clutched his eyes shut and tried not to dwell on the pathetic neediness.

An empty aching gently pushed at Norton's skin, much to his disappointment and disgust. Not an hour ago he was explaining to a woman the improperness of their contact and here he was, desiring her presence. His eyes snapped open and he stared at the familiar ceiling once more.

Norton considered peeking over at Ava. Maybe simply confirming her presence in the room would ease his nerves. Regardless of what he thought, he didn't want to risk goading on Ava. Even a casual look would confirm his inner-desire to her, he worried. He was very aware this level of light was more than enough for the wolfess to see — to stare.

Out of the corner of his eye, Norton could only just barely make out the shape of the woman in the bed next to him. The white sheets traced out her body, vaguely illuminated by starlight. He dared not venture further. A sense of fear and contempt for himself reined in his gaze. The thought itched at his mind, even as he tossed about in his bed.

Eventually Norton relaxed and reprimanded himself silently. A ridiculous display for a grown man, he thought. Wrapped up in the desire for even the slightest bit of physical contact. It was made all the worse by the thought that Ava would gladly indulge his pathetic desires. The only string pulling him back was his own will, which he had to give himself some credit for.

The man gave Ava a wayward glance, confirming she wasn't far away. Fortunately she had faced the other way, showing only the back of her head and pointed ears. Norton followed her example and turned around to face a blank wall. He closed his eyes once more and tried to will himself to sleep with little success. The uneasiness of not having something to hold still lingered, but Norton smothered it with shame.

Norton clenched his eyes. And prayed for the best.