12: Interlude with Elena
Ninth hour (15:38)
Suddenly Tita smelled Elena’s scent and she felt Elena close behind her. Elena whispered not to move, and Tita felt Elena’s breathing on her neck. Elena whispered that Tita’s skin smelled very good and unique. Tita realized her skin might still have the smell of the mugwort leaves she had rubbed on herself that morning. It was one of the few leaves she had brought with her from Gaul. She had not used them during the trip, intending to use them when she first met Elena and Aurelia.
Tita started to turn around but Elena gently held her still. Tita felt Elena’s breath on her back descending slowly down her spine. It gave her chills. Then Elena caressed Tita’s back with the lightest touch Tita had ever experienced, which made Tita’s body shudder. Elena’s fingers slowly rose up Tita’s spine, almost tickling it, sending more shudders up Tita’s spine. Then she felt Elena’s other hand delicately touch her back and slowly descend to her butt, tickling her butt cheeks. Tita went into spasms and moaned from the chills and tingling in her body.
Elena told Tita to keep her eyes closed. Tita obeyed and she felt a cloth over her eyes, realizing Elena was covering her eyes with her own shawl. Tita laughed nervously, feeling even more excited. Elena’s fingers continued their magic caressing on Tita’s back for a little bit, generating more and more shivers in Tita’s spine.
Then Tita felt Elena hold her wrists gently, then firmly and she felt Elena’s lips on her butt cheeks, and then Elena’s tongue ever so lightly slide up her spine. The effect caused Tita to strongly spasm while Elena held Tita’s arms down, keeping her in the same position. Tita realized she was loudly groaning, and Elena whispered to her they were alone and she could moan as loudly as she wanted.
Elena had Tita spread her legs apart. Tita felt another breeze on her back and also on her butt and vagina. Then she felt Elena’s body behind her, replacing the breeze with Elena’s warm breathing. Elena held up the knot of the shawl that covered Tita’s eyes, exposing Tita’s neck. Then Elena gently kissed and licked the back of Tita’s neck. Elena glided all her fingernails on Tita’s back, down and up. Tita spasmed uncontrollably. She could not believe how exciting this was making her feel. Who was this woman? she thought.
Tita felt Elena’s fingers gently ride up the front of her thighs, over the sides of her hips, gliding over her belly and lightly gliding up her chest and breasts. She felt Elena lightly flick one nipple with the tips of her fingers, then the other. Tita continued to shudder at each touch. She did not realize how sensitive she was and how incredible light touching could feel. She realized Elena’s touch was even more delicate and light than Zina and Zine. She had clearly practiced a lot to master this technique.
Suddenly Tita felt Elena had moved away, since Tita felt nothing for a moment and heard only the rustling of the tree leaves. Then Elena had her turn around and stay with her legs apart. Then Tita felt Elena’s warm hands on her sandaled feet. Tita heard Elena ask her to gently drool saliva out of her mouth. Tita followed Elena’s request, accumulating saliva in her mouth and she tried to let the saliva slowly flow out of her lips. She felt the saliva land on her chest, and the slippery liquid made her shudder as it flowed between her breasts while the breeze chilled it. Elena continued caressing her feet and lower legs, and told Tita to repeat the saliva. Tita did so, and she found it incredibly sensual to do so. How did Elena know about this?
Tita then felt Elena’s fingers lightly smear the saliva trails on her skin in very slow movements. She could sense Elena was having fun tracing the saliva on her breasts and nipples. Tita drooled more saliva to let Elena play with the falling saliva trails on her breasts and belly. Then she felt Elena’s lips gently gliding across her belly. Then Elena’s tongue flicked her belly button, causing Tita to yelp and giggle. Elena wetly kissed Tita’s soft belly and ran her tongue around her belly, then licked her belly button again, making Tita yelp again. Tita giggled, realizing she was yelping like Zina.
Next Tita smelled Elena’s scent and she felt her close. Elena told Tita to spit as much as she could. Tita tried to accumulate a lot of saliva and she spit and drooled it, realizing Elena was catching the saliva in her own hands. Then Tita felt Elena’s wet hands smear the underside of her breasts with her saliva and it felt delicious, as good as when Zina and Zine caressed her breasts with olive oil.
Elena continued caressing Tita’s wet breasts, and told Tita to drool and spit more saliva. Tita drooled and spat for a while, loving how Elena caressed, tickled, massaged, squeezed, and kneaded her wet and slippery breasts. While Zina and Zine caressed her breasts in a very delicate way, Tita loved how Elena varied her touch and caressing style and how each change brought about new sensations. Elena was truly a master artist of the skin.
Then Tita felt Elena kissing and licking her breasts while lightly caressing her arms, shoulders, neck and belly. Tita felt many waves of chills and shudders. She breathed strongly, gasping. Then Elena started sucking Tita’s hard nipples very lightly, first one breast than the other. Then Elena squeezed Tita’s breasts together and she pressed both of Tita’s nipples with her lips. Tita felt her legs shudder, and a strong wave of chills spasmed through her body, making her grunt loudly. She thought she was going to die, and wondered if that had been an orgasm.
Elena said Tita’s saliva tasted good, and Tita sensed Elena was stepping away. She felt Elena untie her shawl and she opened her eyes, feeling a bit unsteady at first. She saw Elena putting the shawl on top of the clothing. Tita looked at Elena as she turned around with a sultry smile. Tita felt her heart racing. She had a burning desire in her vagina and butterflies in her stomach.
Hesitating, she asked if she could kiss Elena. Elena smiled in an erotic way, saying she had been waiting for Tita to ask. Then Elena added if Tita was sure she wanted to kiss her. Tita laughed nervously as she paused for a moment. Then she decided to follow her body’s wishes. She stepped towards Elena and kissed her gently, delicately.
Tita loved Elena’s smell and taste. The citrus and earthy scent of Elena’s skin invaded Tita’s nose, making her feel giddy. And Elena’s lips had an odd minty taste that Tita relished. She embraced Elena gently, then more closely, wanting to taste her more. Elena replied by hugging Tita gently, then more tightly. Tita kissed her more deeply, tasting the garlic from the bread, mashing her lips against Elena’s. Tita flicked her tongue in Elena’s mouth as she had learned from Zina and Zine, enjoying the feeling.
Elena paused for a moment, asking if Tita was sure. But Tita was overwhelmed by Elena the goddess who loved her spots, who desired her, who made her feel delicious. Tita kissed and hugged Elena more tightly, wanting to absorb Elena into her body. Tita felt Elena’s muscles squeeze her, a sensation she loved and craved. Her own explosive passion continued to surprise her.
Tita found herself pushing away thoughts of why she was doing this, of whether Zina and Zine would be jealous, if it was right to love a teacher. She had become insatiable. She wanted to enjoy all the time, with Elena, with Zina, with Zine, with Roxana, with Hariti, with Caecilia, with any woman who wanted her. She was a lustful beast.
Tita continued to hug Elena tightly as they kissed strongly. She loved Elena’s touch and skin. She was hooked. She was burning up in Elena’s fire. She felt her legs wrap around Elena’s legs on their own, Tita letting her body take over and guide her to an apex of pleasure.
Elena spun them around and lifted Tita by her butt as Tita wrapped her legs around Elena’s waist, feeling her vulva against Elena’s. Tita next felt her back against a cool tree trunk, the hard bark pressing against her skin and spine. The trunk felt uncomfortable, exciting, cool and welcome. Tita felt well supported as the trunk leaned back a bit, which let Tita relax her body. She felt Elena bend over her and Tita raised her legs higher so she could feel more of Elena’s vagina against hers. She imagined that tuft of Elena’s orange flame colored hair on hers. The idea drove her crazy, exciting her ten-fold.
Tita felt Elena squeeze her left breast with one hand and her right butt cheek with the other hand. Tita felt Elena’s knee against Tita’s right thigh, their lips locked, Elena’s tongue invading her mouth as they tangled each other’s tongues and caressed the insides of each other’s mouth and teeth. Tita felt herself grinding her vulva against Elena’s. The sensation of feeling Elena’s flesh against hers made her want more. She was enjoying a goddess, Tita thought. Truly a goddess. The Elena effect.
Tita grabbed Elena’s breasts, feeling her hard nipples. Elena reciprocated, squeezing Tita’s nipples and Tita moaned. Tita squeezed more and she heard Elena moan. The sound of Elena moaning sent more chills up Tita’s spine. She could not believe she was exciting to this goddess.
Elena pressed Tita tightly against the trunk, shifting her body weight on Tita. Tita breathed heavily while Elena kept her mouth pressed against her, Tita moaning in Elena’s mouth. She felt Elena caressing her breasts, pinching her nipples, caressing and slapping her thighs, caressing her sensitive spot just above her vagina. Tita felt like she was melting in Elena’s arms as Elena continued to stimulate her in different ways.
Elena invaded Tita’s mouth with her tongue in a way that Tita found strange and exhilarating. She felt Elena grab her ankles and raise her legs even further. The shift in position made Tita writhe as she felt more soft wetness from Elena’s vagina. Tita hammered her vagina against Elena’s, her body taking over completely and wanting to consume Elena’s body.
Tita grabbed Elena’s butt and squeezed both cheeks. Elena moaned again, and Tita loved to hear it. Tita squeezed again and to her own surprise, she started slapping Elena’s butt out of instinct. Elena moaned and said yes, and Tita continued slapping as Elena told her to slap harder.
They kissed more strongly, Elena squeezing Tita’s nipples until they hurt, a sharp pain Tita had not felt before, but that she also found very pleasant. Tita continued slapping and squirming, while Elena seemed to be crushing Tita’s body with her weight, the tree trunk harshly pressing against her spine.
Then Elena started sucking Tita’s tongue and Tita went into ecstasy. She felt the coming explosion building up inside her. She slapped Elena’s butt again and again and Elena’s deep rich moans only excited her more. Then Elena slapped Tita’s butt and thighs hard, and Tita felt explosions in her head. She felt Elena’s finger between her butt cheeks pressing a point between her tailbone and anus that sent shocks up her spine. Who was this woman? Tita thought again.
It seemed Elena was like an octopus. She was everywhere, doing everything. Tita writhed, squirmed and shuddered, but she was no longer sure if she felt pleasure or panic. Tita’s lips were numb. She felt out of breath. Her heart was beating so fast she thought she might die.
A wave of pleasure rose up in her, a tidal wave more powerful than she had ever felt, and she exploded with ecstasy. Tita moaned heavily and shouted into Elena’s mouth as she crushed Elena against herself. Her body spasmed for what seemed like an eternity, with such violence that it scared Tita. After her last spasm, Tita let go of Elena and lay still, delirious. Did she die?
Out of her delirium Tita felt Elena was hammering her own vagina against Tita’s. Tita felt numb generally, but the body movements were pleasant. The idea that Elena was enjoying Tita’s vagina awoke Tita from her semi consciousness.
Elena let out a deep, strong, guttural sigh into Tita’s shoulder as her body tensed and spasmed against Tita’s body. Tita embraced Elena’s explosion with emotion, tearing up at having let her maestra feel such pleasure. Elena had loved her body in every conceivable way. And Tita had totally enjoyed it.
Tita was now awake and she found herself gasping for breath while Elena’s body relaxed. Tita felt dizzy and disoriented as she tried to breath, coughing on Elena’s shoulder. She was in awe and fearful of Elena’s power, strength and knowledge. Here was a woman to be feared, a woman who knew far too much, she thought. Tita wondered what kind of magic Elena possessed. She wondered if Elena devoured women at night. She wondered if Elena was a female devil that would light women on fire, burning them in waves of sensuality, converting their psyches into smoke. Would Elena make her into a sex demon?
Elena lifted herself off Tita so that Tita could breathe better. Tita realized she had had her eyes closed all this time, and when she opened them, bleary-eyed, she saw Elena’s face close up, and what seemed like a fire in her olive-hazel eyes. Elena breathed heavily and she held Tita’s face in her hands and mouthed a ‘shh’. Then she helped Tita stand up and bend over to let Tita catch her breath.
Tita remained confounded. She felt like she was going to faint and reached for Elena’s leather pouch. Elena picked it up, uncapped it and lightly splashed a little water in Tita’s face. She whispered to Tita to breathe slowly, and she made slow breathing noises. Tita followed her advice, breathing in slowly and deeply. After a few moments, she had regained her breath, and the dizziness was gone.
Tita shook her head, exclaiming she did not know pleasure could be so powerful. She heard her voice tremble as she spoke, realizing she was still shaking a bit. She also felt fear. Elena shook her head and put a finger to Tita’s lips, merely saying, ‘tomorrow’. Elena then added sometimes it was best to let the body digest an experience and to think about it later. Elena insisted Tita not think about it. Tomorrow, Elena would give Tita a series of questions to consider and they would talk about it. But for now, Tita should just let her body absorb what had just happened without interference, without thought.
Elena looked intently at Tita, adding that she had to absorb the experience as well. Tita was amazed and realized Elena could also be surprised.
Elena asked if Tita was okay. Tita nodded silently, then realized she had to urinate. She scampered into the bushes between the trees while Elena laughed, telling her that she could urinate anywhere since they were alone. Tita squatted down in the bushes and relieved her bladder, sighing heavily in relief.
When Tita was done, she stepped out onto the trail and saw Elena urinating near a tree. Tita felt embarrassed but Elena told her she could look, that urinating was not shameful. Tita was surprised how Elena stood with her legs far apart to urinate. Elena smiled, saying Tita should try it that way some time. When Elena was finished, she motioned to the river, suggesting they wash off before dressing. Tita welcomed the idea as she had sweated a lot and she felt dirt on her back.
Elena stepped down the steep embankment first, then helped Tita step down to the river’s edge. They both waded into the cool Sarnus river with their sandals on. Elena helped wash Tita’s back, noting there were marks on her skin but no cuts.
The cool river water felt very good and Tita found herself feeling sleepy as Elena washed her. She relaxed for a moment in Elena’s arms, leaning against her warm body. Elena whispered they had to get to the villa, which was still over a quarter hour away. Elena splashed water on Tita’s face and gently slapped her cheeks, smiling. Tita nodded and sighed, trying to push the sleepiness out of her mind.
They each washed themselves a little more, Tita washing her genitals as best she could for Aurelia’s inspection, realizing her soap was in her satchel. Then they waded out of the river and climbed back up to the trail. Elena picked up the clothing and put Tita’s shawl on her shoulder, then unwrapped her silk dress to give Tita her linen dress. Tita put on her dress and dried her skin with it. Then she wondered if they should put on their underwear. Elena shook her head, saying that it was not necessary. At the villa, they were not so formal for dress since it was mostly women.
Elena handed Tita’s shawl to her, but recommended she not wear it. Tita nodded, and realized she no longer felt the need to hide her face. She draped the shawl on her shoulder and thanked Elena many times. Elena just smiled as she put on her silk dress and dried herself.
Elena sipped some water from the pouch and let Tita drink, telling her to drink well. Tita found she was very thirsty and drank a bit. Then she realized she was hungry also as she gave the pouch back to Elena, who draped it over her neck and shoulder. Elena noted they would be able to pick some pears soon when they reached the orchards owned by Aurelia. Tita nodded, remembering that Claudia had told her Aurelia grew her own fruits, barley and other grains and vegetables.
Elena took Tita’s arm in her arm again and they continued walking eastward along the empty shaded trail. The walking felt good and it helped Tita get her bearings and feel normal again.
After some moments of silence, Elena asked Tita to talk again about her first day in Rome with the dancers. Elena wanted to know the details of what Tita had felt emotionally and how the women introduced themselves. Tita smiled. This was a topic she enjoyed, much more than diseases. Tita asked if she could start from Pisae, realizing the history of their encounters might be important.
Elena replied with her characteristic ‘Certainly!’, noting they had time before they arrived at Aurelia’s villa. Tita repeated what she had said earlier during their walk in Pompeii. The first night in Pisae she had bleeding cramps and was in pain and felt tired. So she did not want to see what Quintus was talking about. She just wanted to go to sleep. But because Sextus wanted to see the dancers also, she relented and went with them. At the forum, she heard their music first.
Tita decided to explain who did what, so that Elena could understand better. Tita said the music was played by the slaves. Biton and Orges played drums, while Leia and Kostantina sang and Marina and Uran played lyres, lutes or cithara, depending on the music. Zarina also sang, but only sometimes, mostly laments. Dukht, Mene and Kushana played cymbalas while dancing.
Ziais and Ralik, who were the oldest women, also sang but generally in low tones or in Bactrian Greek words. They danced separately as a pair, and the group’s dance arrangements often contrasted Ziais and Ralik with Zina and Zine. Tita explained that sometimes Ziais and Ralik were at the front and Zine and Zine were at the back. Most times it was Zina and Zine at front and Ziais and Ralik danced at the back. But sometimes, Ziais and Ralik danced as a single pair, especially if the music was slow or had laments.
Tita added that Dukht, Mene, Kushana, Asia, Ardoksho, Hariti, Roxana, Nana and Bana provided the main choreography, and Ardoksho and Hariti often did acrobatic maneuvers, like standing on each other, jumping, somersaults, holding each other up in the air and spinning around, and other maneuvers Tita found amazing and delightful. Asia did fire tricks, which they used sometimes. Asia had a special oil that she used to blow fire.
Tita returned to her first night in Pisae, repeating that she heard the music first, then saw them perform as she entered the forum. She did not know their names. That night Zina and Zine performed, with some acrobatics by Hariti and Ardoksho. Tita noted that they arrived towards the end of their performance. They only danced for another half hour or so before stopping.
Even so, Tita was able to see enough. She was surprised by how excited she felt watching Zina and Zine slowly dance and move in unison or in opposition, always perfectly timed. She loved their sensuality, their grace, their lightness, their erotic looks and erotic positions. She loved how the olive oil on their bodies made their dark skin and faces shine in the surrounding torch light. She loved their nakedness, how they thrust their hips or used their feet or stood on their hands and made sensuous poses.
Hariti and Ardoksho were also exciting to watch. Their naked acrobatics took advantage of the fact that Hariti was tall and Ardoksho was short. Ardoksho would frequently stand on top of Hariti and they would adopt the most dynamic, angular body positions. Ardoksho also had slanted eyes, though not as much as Hariti. But their slanted eyes gave them very exotic expressions.
Tita also loved the sound of their music. It had a texture of sound that seemed much richer and more melodic than what she had heard in Gergovia or elsewhere, especially because of their singing and chanting.
Zarina sat aside to watch the team, as she usually did. When they finished, she and Adza went around with the collection baskets, then picked them up and dumped the coins into their leather sack that Zarina carried to collect all the offerings they received.
Then Tita, Sextus and Quintus left to go back to their campsite. Tita remembered that Sextus had said the dancers were likely heading for Rome also and they might see them again. Tita remembered wishing they would. She also remembered she had difficulty sleeping that night. Seeing Zina and Zine’s beautiful naked bodies shine with olive oil in the torch light really excited her. She had a terrible urge to want to touch their skin. That was the night she realized she really loved women.