Chapter 28: Into The Deep End

Hot water. An unnecessary luxury in my opinion. Back home, you had to boil your bath water over a fire before pouring it into the tub. I could never be bothered doing that, so I just washed myself in cold water (even during winter!) Mother used to fuss over it. She thought I would one day catch my death of cold. And yet, I'm still kicking. And I read somewhere in a book bathing in cold water was good for my vitality (whatever the fuck that is.)

Anyways. I was once again, rather shocked at how fancy and exotic the décor looked. It still had a dark, gloomy feel about it. But it didn't hide the fact that the room had been refurbished quite recently. The ceiling, walls, and floors were covered with dark, marble tiles. They were not only squeaky clean, but gave off a warm, soothing glow beneath my cold feet.

A gentle breeze blew in from some vents in the ceiling. But it wasn't a cold draft coming from outside. It was warm and smelled of smoke. On each wall was a red candle. They gave the room enough light for me to see everything around me. But they also produced a very pungent smell (Roses, maybe?)

In the centre of the room, the floor suddenly drops more than a metre down. Producing a large, rectangular space with enough room to allow three grown men to sit in. At the bottom was a small hole with a similarly sized plug sitting right next to it. Above me, there were two pipes that poked out from the ceiling. They extended down to a height where I could comfortably reach the them whilst standing .

The only thing stopping water from gushing out of said pipes were these strange, metal caps, that were twisted onto the ends of them. One of them was red. And the other was blue. There was also a door on the other side of the room. I just assumed it was where the toilet was, so I ignored it, focusing instead on how to operate the very sophisticated looking bath tub (it aint rocket science!)

Before long, I had the tub filled with cold water. With my wet clothes removed, and a dry set waiting for me in the corner, I slowly lowered myself into the cold water. The small burst of adrenaline gradually faded away, and I was able to close my eye, and relax. I always love a good soak. And having a few sores and blisters only made the experience all the more enjoyable. But best of all. I was able to have some time away from my noisy compatriots (wait for it….)

I leaned back. Giving every muscle in my body a good, long stretch. Before settling back down again with a blissful sigh. "This is paradise." I whispered to myself. "Your telling me." (Thankyou, and good night!) I didn't freak out. I didn't even open my eye. I knew who's voice it was. And it didn't surprise me that she had somehow escaped Amina's watchful gaze.

"Enjoying the view….Ren?" I muttered calmly. The troublesome Fairy flew onto my shoulder and giggled. "Gee, I dunno." She answered teasingly, "I'm not seeing much." (oh, she's asking for it!) I opened my eye and looked at her with a smirk on my face. She was completely naked. And didn't seem to mind my gaze either. This was a perfect opportunity to see if she could take a little teasing (unlike Amina….) "That makes two of us." I replied smugly.

The little Fairy quickly burst into laughter. Pounding a small fist against my cheek as she twisted herself around until all I could see was her back. "You're so funny, big guy!" She shouted merrily as she continued to chuckle at my remark. I instantly regretted what I had said. That was not the response I was expecting from her.

She laughed. But it didn't sound right. From where I was looking, I could tell she had her arms wrapped around her chest and her legs folded up. And she was no longer looking my way. She was doing everything she could to hide her body and face from me. And I knew exactly why. Just Like Amina, she was self-conscious about her appearance. I didn't really care what people thought about the way I looked. It was my body and no one else's (for now, that is.) I thought Ren and I were on the same boat. But I was wrong. Ren was clearly hurt. And I had to own up to it. "Ren….I'm…."

"REEEEEN!" Amina burst through the door. She had a towel wrapped around her waist, and a furious scowl on her face as she advanced on us. But in her fury, she failed to see my wet clothes, which were lying on the floor in front of her. There was a skid. A squeal. And a great splash. Ren flew into the air and squealed "COOOOLD!" as the water sprayed all over the room (my dry clothes!)

Amina quickly resurfaced and pulled herself out of the tub. If the shivering and petrified look on her face was any indication, she did not like the waters temperature at all! "W-w-what is w-w-wrong with you? She stuttered weakly. "I have a naked Goblin in my bathroom. That's what's wrong." I responded. My tone was serious. But the grin on my face made it very clear to the shivering Goblin that I was just messing around (still got it!) Amina pointed a shaky finger my way as she began to scold me. "Y-y-y-you think this is a j-j-j-joke!? You t-t-t-told us to use….the….l-l-ladies….room."

Amina's voice trailed away as we both shifted our gaze down to where her towel used to be. Then to said towel, which was now floating in the water right in front of me. And then back to each other. She didn't look cold anymore. She actually looked like a giant tomato with horns! Yes, she was naked when we swam in that spring a few weeks ago. But no, I've never actually seen her lower parts until now. This was a first for both of us. And we were not ready for it!

I looked away and pulled the soaking towel out of the water. Amina quickly walked over to me and took it from my hands. She then gave it a quick rinse out, before wrapping it around her waist again. An awkward silence followed. Neither of us knew what to say or do. Amina just stood there, with her arms wrapped around her chest. Refusing to even look at me (déjà vu!)

"Umm….I'll just….go." Amina murmured as she made her way to the door. "I'll go with you." Ren said nervously. Flying onto Amina's shoulder as she was just about to grab the handle. A part of me wanted to be alone. To be away from those two. But in the back of my head, I could hear a voice. And it was telling me I had screwed up (you screwed up!) That I needed to say something now (you need to say something now!) Because if I didn't, the days ahead were going to be gloomy, awkward, and downright unpleasant (….what he said!)

"No! Wait!" I called out frantically. The urgency in my voice took all three of us by surprise (make that four!) Amina squealed as she spun herself around. Poor, little Ren wasn't ready for this, and fell off her shoulder. Falling to the ground with a tiny "Ouch!" It took a moment for the three of us to notice something else. For some reason, I was standing up. The water was still high enough to hide my nether regions. But only just. I quickly sat myself back down and took a deep breath. I then closed my eye. Trying to think of what to say next.

I was now in dangerous, and unfamiliar territory. But with Amina and Ren staring at me. Their eyes glistening with longing and expectancy. I had no choice but to continue (you reap what you sow.) This is what I began with: "In all honesty. I really don't know what to say." (….were doomed.) "I don't know what I can say, to justify all the mistakes I've made. The things I've said and done to you both. Things that have made you feel angry and hurt." Amina held her hands over her chest as she listened to me speak. Already, I could see tears beginning to form in her eyes. Ren, meanwhile, was still sitting down. She looked very uncomfortable. Despite this, she continued to listen.

"The truth is….I don't know the first thing about girls. I have a sister. But I have no idea how to talk or behave around either of you." It was then that Amina decided to step forward and speak. "I-it's not your fault Bain." She whimpered. "I overreact sometimes." Ren flew into the air and hovered in front of my face. "You haven't done anything to hurt me big guy! She said frantically. "But I have." I argue gently. "What I said to you earlier made you uncomfortable. And I'm sorry."

Ren was the first to break. Which actually surprised me (same here!) The little Fairy burst into tears as she flew in and clung to the side of my face. "It's ok! It's ok! I'm not angry! I'm not angry Bain!" I wasn't sure what made me more uncomfortable. The fact she had her naked body pressed against my face. Or the tears and snot that was running down it.

Amina slowly approached us. Seemingly unsure if she wanted to interrupt the moment we were having. Forcing my own tears back, I turned my gaze to her and smiled. "You guys are the closest thing I've ever had to friends. And I don't want any bad blood between us." Very careful not to fall into the water again. Amina closed the distance between us and pulled me in for a surprisingly gentle hug. Her head pressed intimately against my own. "There wont be." She whispered. "I promise."

There was a lot more touching and sweet talking going on than I was used to. But I was glad we were able to put everything behind us. It made me feel liberated. Refreshed. Even a little motivated! I really felt like we could make this work. We could actually work together as a team. And save my brother. Amina eventually released me and flashed me a seizure inducing smile. "Is it ok if we stay here for a little longer?" She asked tenderly.

Ren, who was still sniffling on my face, fell onto my shoulder and began to fiddle with my ear. "Yeah….can we?" " Umm, Y-yeah, that's fine!" I answered in a very high-pitched voice (smooth.) "But Bain….can we please pour in some hot water first?"