448. Bathhouse!

448. Bathhouse!

Men in Elysia very rarely fell into doctor roles. Many believed that it went against the grain of nature, because it was only women who could become healers. A male doctor was seen as a stigma; a thorn on a perfect rose.

Hearing this made Frost reminisce of the time when she began as a male nurse. She wasn’t spared from the discrimination there because that stigma also did exist on Earth. As always, the bad apples tended to make the whole batch seem rotten because there wasn’t a really a time when it bothered her at all.

Lots of people were more surprised and enthusiastic than there were those who spat at her.

Though sometimes, it felt like she was an imposter.

A hand suddenly tugged on her fingers. She looked down to see the welcoming faces of the healers who bombarded her with gestures of warmth.

“I hope you’re all enjoying your time in Hora Therapeutics. Has Time Reverberation been treating you well?” Frost asked, seeing Jury in a small, private bath tucked away in the corner of the bathhouse.

“Amazingly!”

“It’s different to Inflow Direct. In a nice way I mean!”

“We get to choose our rooms. They’re like mini houses.”

“No one shouts at us in here, so I like it. Moons don’t blame me for doing a bad job even though I’m trying my best.”

Positive responses appeared everywhere. Hearing that something as simple as being thanked for their job made Frost want to hug them all. None of them said anything bad about Inflow Direct. They weren’t that bad to begin with. They were just mismanaged and grossly overestimated the security they had over the healers.

Those up here were the Greater Healers, with a small minority of regular healers that learned from them. A good hundred were inducted into the Hora Therapeutic Arm, with another five hundred more to go. She wanted these healers to know the ropes before they could teach the new mass influx of healers later.

In any case, she excused herself and wandered over to Jury. Movement resumed as the adorable voices of the healers filled their small slice of paradise.

Frost felt like the odd one out with her black hair as the healers smiled at her, waving as they passed by carrying towels, rubber duckies, and bottles of non-alcoholic beverages.

Bottles of milk were the most common ones, next to juice and then hot chocolate. They had the palate of a child. Few preferred a more mature taste. Greater Healers enjoyed iced versions of coffee and tea.

Moons began to trickle in as she stood at the edge of Jury’s bath, smiling down at her lover who looked up with a beet-red face.

“Frost~ Come. Jump in.” Jury beckoned with her tail, splashing the water at Frost’s ankles. “I have a CognitO Filter to keep the healers from hearing anything.”

She pulled out a small, needle-like device that she planted on the edge of the bath.

“Moons will be able to hear us, huh. Seems like you’ve finished as well.” Frost smiled, plunging herself into the shallow bath. “Wheeeew~ That’s… unbelievable… Haaaaah.”

She melted until only her eyes were above the water, bubbles furiously floating to the top.

“It’s been seven weeks already. Just a few more and we’ll be ready.” Jury swam over to Frost, circling her like a shark before she sat behind her.

Then, she drew her into her arms and pulled her into her chest.

“Pwaaaah. It’s no secret to the Moons that we’re this close.” Frost commented, seeing the Moons wander their eyes over to their side curiously.

“Let them know that we’re closer than they think. That way they can trust me more.”

“The lover of the Amalgam.” Frost said. “There’s no way they can’t trust someone like that.”

“Not like that. Like me.” Jury’s voice was tantalizing. She could feel her breath on the back of her neck, her lips pressing against her nape. “Showing them a bit of your soft side humanizes you. You know that better than me.”

“Yeah. That’s kind of half of it though. It gets tiring putting up this…” Frost looked up at Jury, whispering. “… act every time I walk onto the stage. I’d hate to get into the habit of talking like an empress all the time.”

She melted in Jury’s embrace, speaking her mind freely for her lover was here to catch her fall and listen to her complaints.

“That’s what you are, though~” Jury giggled, combing her fingers through Frost’s floating strands of hair. “But I get what you mean. Moons can’t relax around me as well. Healers get cold feet when they first meet me…”

Her voice faded away, her eyes entangling with Frost’s as she asked:

“Am I still scary?”

It broke Frost’s heart hearing her ask this. Her hands reached up to cup her cheeks, squishing them as she tenderly whispered:

“You never were. You’re just misunderstood. You always were in that forest. First impressions might hurt but so long as they learn the real you then that’s all that matters. Besides, I’m always going to be your number one.”

She brought Jury’s head down to meet with hers, her hand moving to cup Jury’s clawed one.

“People are so used to leaders ruling with violence, so they hold us to those expectations. Let’s break them… I say that, but I doubt I’m going to look different to outsiders. I guess what I’m trying to say is that what matters the most are the people beside you.”

“Mm. I think so too.”

They kissed in front of an audience of healers and Moons. It was the first time they openly displayed their love for one another to such prestigious members. No one judged them as they indulged in each other’s presence. Nothing in the world could separate them here underneath the stars and the moon in the sky.

It seemed like an eternity had passed since they were interlocked with each other. They came for business, but as lovers it was impossible to let it get between their love. Frost laid there in Jury’s safe arms under the gaze of many approving eyes.

Not like they could say anything else to them. She wondered if same-sex relationships were normal to Moons. Considering their reactions, it was likely the case. Or again, it probably had a lot to do with their position as a Beholder and an Archetype.

Eventually, a shadow blocked out the moon above. Frost didn’t need to open her eyes to see that the three Moons were standing on the side of the bath, right beside a tentacle-haired Eclipse.

“Sorry to break it to you, but we wanna join in this business meeting too.” Ber clutched at her chest, ripping her dress off with one clean swipe.

“Heh. Miss us?” Cer smugly grinned.

“Shh. Ahem. Frost. Jury. Can we please join in?” Res asked with a slightly flushed face. It was obvious that she wanted to be spoiled by them.

“Sure. Come right in~” Frost happily obliged, as did Jury.

“Not you. You can go now. Thanks for the tour.” Cer dismissed the Eclipse, who nodded and left without a word.

“An anemone?” Jury wondered out loud.

“An enemy!?” Cer barked, jolting in place just as she was about to take off her suit. “Heh!?”

“No. Like a sea anemone.” Jury clarified, only causing Cer and Ber to look at one another with excitement.

“So you see an enemy!” Ber shouted, gathering a few concerned looks.

“No. She means a sea of enemies!” Cer corrected, right before both of them had their tails tugged by Res as she hopped into the bath still clothed. “A-Are you trying to kill me!?”

“Res… I haven’t changed out of my underwear.” Ber pouted.

“Idiots… Can’t you two be civilized just for once!?” Res’ eyes lit up, threatening to electrocute the bath.

With Frost and Jury’s stats, it was safe to say that only the triplets were treated with electric therapy.

And yes, Res herself included to erase the embarrassment of her sisters.