I really needed to relax.
I still cannot understand for the life of me what I had given myself in too, but even though I may be vulnerable I will be able to get through this. I have to.

Antonius left me by the baths and as I made my way in I felt people’s eyes on me and their whispers behind my back, wondering who I was.

I made my way to the changing room, where I was helped by one of the girls of the establishment to undress and then how to make my way around the place.

I told her I needed a bath and a massage, but also my hair washed and styled. The girl then wrapped my in a large towel of Egyptian linen, before showing me the way to the tepidarium.
Where she left me until it was time for my bath.

The room was full of steam as I walked in. While the girl held the towel up for me I slid into the water that had been mixed with flower petals, at my request.
It was a rather small bath, no more than two people could fit into it at ones, but it was more than enough for me. Never the less I could hear as other stirred around me, there must surely be other baths like this one in the room.
Ah well, as long as I was not seen I didn’t mind. The steam was keeping me safe from surrounding eyes.

After what seemed like an hour the girl came back for me and helped me out of the bath, ones again wrapping me in the large towel, which covered almost all of my body as I walked, while leaving room for my curves to show of a bit as I moved.

As the girl lead me to the massage room, I was stopped by a man that wanted to introduce himself.
“Lady Desdemona” He called out. “One second please”
“If you allow me to introduce myself…I am Dinkaye MacRoth., your servant.” He reached for my free hand and kissed it.

“My servant?” I asked him.

“Why yes, I run this establishment and am here to serve you in any way I can.” He told me, never letting go of my hand nor gaze.

“Well, what I truly wish for now is to be able to enjoy my massage. Before…” I was interrupted by a man calling my name.

“Desdemona? It is you! Fancy meeting you here.” It was Sextus, accompanied by Arrius.

“Sextus, Arrius…I, well, this is Dinkaye, and I…well, I have to head off to get my massage now.” I felt very exposed in the company of this three men. In fact I could feel myself blushing form head to toe.
“I…have to go…it was wonderful to meet you Dinkaye. Thank you for the offer. Sextus, Arrius…” I nodded at them and made my way to the massage room as fast as I could.
The girl by my side had to practically run to keep up with me.

Ones in the room, first thing I did was sit down.

“May I get you anything lady Desdemona? You seem pale.” She told me.

“It must be the heat, I feel a bit flushed.” I told her, but the truth was that I had been startled by Sextus and Arrius. After finding out about Arrius’ attraction for me I was not quite sure of how to deal with it, it had surprised me very much that such a man would be attracted to me, he seemed so rugged.

“I’m sorry but I think that I will skip my massage, will you just help me get dressed? I will leave as soon as my servant arrives.”
The girl took me back to the dressing room, where she helped me dress and style my hair.

As I was leaving I was again approached by Dinkaye, this time I found him near the entrance. He asked me if I felt alright, it had seemed to him that I had not been entirely comfortable the first time we met.
I explained to him that it must have been the heat from the baths and that I had felt a bit light headed, he therefore asked me if he could keep me company until I felt better. I agreed since I still didn’t know what to do when I met Arrius again, which I know I’m bound to do.

After a few moments Antonius arrived at the baths and walked in, he found Dinkaye and I sitting close to the entrance.
I decided that it was time to leave. After all I was hungry and the day have been an exiting one, at least so far.