Friday, July 10th - Afternoon- Eighth hour (14:20)

Eighth hour (14:20)

When they stood up, Tita saw Zine and Zina’s long hair was slick and wet with oil and their hair was plastered everywhere on their oiled skin. She found their messy look exciting and was tempted to kiss and caress their oily hair. But she did not want to delay further. Zine and Zina laughed at each other as they wiped their wet hair from their faces. They were not used to seeing their hair like that.

All three of them stepped out of the tent and walked naked to the river. Tita looked back towards the big tent, but she did not see Elena and was relieved. They had time left. At the river’s edge, the grass became mucky and their feet squelched in the cool mud. There were some stones, but not many, which made Tita happy since river stones were always tricky and uncomfortable. Tita noticed the ground was the same black brown mud and sand that characterized all the land near the volcano.

The cool water felt exceptionally wonderful. All three of them squealed with delight as they waded in and played with the water, splashing each other and laughing. For a moment Tita felt like she was a little girl, playing with other children. She liked how the sand of the river bed felt below her feet.

They started washing each other of the olive oil on their skin and hair. Tita looked at Zina and Zine’s slender figures again, admiring their smaller breasts that Tita loved to squeeze. Their dark, firm bodies were in sharp contrast to Tita’s taller body with bigger hips, fleshier thighs and butt, a softer belly and larger breasts. Tita felt fat in comparison to them. Your body is your asset, she recalled. Tita also remembered Zina and Zine were both seventeen, so their bodies were naturally thinner than hers. Still, she wished yet again, as she had often done during their journey together, to have their bodies.

Tita wondered if Zina and Zine enjoyed her more for her fleshy body, which was not as muscular and fit as their bodies or the other dancers. Zina had told Tita a few times Zina and Zine loved different parts of her body- her spots, how white and supple her skin was, how her skin felt with olive oil, how it tasted and smelled though Tita did not use anything exotic to clean it. They loved how soft and squishy her belly was, they loved to squeeze and caress her soft breasts, fleshy thighs and butt. They loved her large aureoles and pink nipples versus their own smaller aureoles and dark brown nipples. They also loved her reddish public hair, which Zine in particular liked to play with in her usual delicate way. Tita realized they liked each other’s bodies more than their own.

Zina had also mentioned that she and Zine loved how Tita got excited with their stimulations, but took time to get to orgasm. Her longer timing allowed them to enjoy playing with her more. Zine also liked to play with Tita’s body and hair and let her orgasm. Tita thought about this and blushed a bit, as Zina unexpectedly splashed water in her face. Tita replied by splashing more water at Zina and Zine, all of them laughing and squealing. Then the girls stopped and Tita saw they were looking past her.

Tita turned to see a boat floating down the river towards them. The three men aboard were staring at the three of them, especially at her. But for once their stares of astonishment and fear did not bother her as she was in the company of two women who loved her for what she was. This realization gave her strength and confidence. Their assumptions were only so much dust, as Elena had said. Tita turned her back on them and smiled. She splashed more water at Zina and Zine, laughing and feeling carefree.

They continued splashing and playing in the water for a bit, then resumed trying to clean off the olive oil from their hair. Tita kept tipping her head back in the water and squeezing her hair out. But her long red hair remained a bit slippery with oil. Tita dipped her face in the river water and wiped her eyes when she heard Zine shout. Tita looked where Zine was pointing. Elena was approaching them. Zina made a mock sad face to Tita, but Tita saw Zina’s dark brown eyes were sad, despite her attempt to make fun. Zine’s slender amber eyes were also saddened. Tita saw Elena wave at them and motion with her hands to stay where they were. Elena walked fluidly down the grassy gentle slope towards them, grinning all the while.

When she got to Zina and Zine’s tent, much to Tita’s surprise, Elena took off her pouch and light blue silk dress, then unlaced her sandals. Tita realized Elena was going to join them in the river. Tita saw the small daggers Elena had strapped to each thigh. Elena removed those straps as well, took off her sandals, then took off her leather underwear which was tinted a dull red orange that looked well on Elena’s dark tan skin. Elena collected her things and placed them in their tent, then came out with the pouch draped over her as she walked naked towards the river to join them, smiling grandly. Tita noted how Elena looked very different now. She was no longer the trainer or manager, but a naked friend who had come to join them. Tita was amazed at Elena’s transformation.

Tita noticed how Zina and Zine watched Elena without ever taking their eyes off her. Tita also found herself excited to see Elena’s body- her shapely legs, wide hips, narrow, flat waist and firm breasts that were smaller than Tita’s breasts but larger than Zina or Zine’s breasts. Tita saw Elena’s body was more firm, with a little more muscle tone than Zina and Zine. She really had been a dancer, Tita thought.

Tita also noticed Elena’s tan skin color was a bit lighter than Zina and Zine’s. But Elena’s smooth skin shined much more. Tita wondered if the shine was what attracted Zina and Zine’s attention. Elena’s skin seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, looking as if she was covered in drying olive oil. But Tita knew the shine was likely from Elena’s special skin treatment. The Elena effect.

Tita noticed other decorative marks on Elena’s body- a thin blue line starting between her breasts and running down to her belly button and vagina, faint blue lines that accented her ribs, lines on Elena’s back that Tita had not seen clearly. The most curious thing was Elena’s pubic hair. It was trimmed into an almond shape and colored bright ochre with a red border. It looked like a cute two-toned flame. Tita giggled at the symbolism and saw it finely contrasted with Elena’s dark tan skin, adding an erotic touch that Tita found humorous and exciting. Tita noted that Elena’s decorative marks were few, but gave Elena’s body an elegance and erotic quality that made her seem even more beautiful.

Elena waded in the river while greeting them and letting out a long sigh of relief as she splashed her face, then dipped her head back in the water. She sighed deeply as she floated on her back towards them, relishing the cool water and the peaceful moment. Tita realized Elena could swim and asked Elena if Elena could give her lessons, to which Elena replied with her characteristic ‘Certainly!’

Elena stood in the water to face them and opened her leather pouch to fill it with cool river water. As she did so, Tita noticed Elena’s hair was falling in disarray. Elena realized it also and laughed, saying that the beauty of the river and the beauty of their joyful playing together made her forget about the comb in her hair.

Elena started to unravel her hair and Zina went over to help Elena untangle her hair from the comb buried within. After some moments, Elena laid her head back in the water, wiggling her head in different directions. Zina slowly and gently pulled the comb free, carefully avoiding to pull Elena’s hair. Tita saw the comb had a crown like shape and was made of copper. Elena thanked Zina, took the comb and threaded it on the strap of the leather pouch, shaking her head and laughing all the while.

Elena apologized for the mishap, the first time she had done so since Tita had been with her. Elena greeted Zina and Zine with a grand smile, delicately taking both their right hands, placing their palms together and gently kissing both outer sides. She repeated the gesture with both their left hands.

Tita thought it was a curious and moving way to show friendship and affection. Elena looked even more friendly with her wet dark brown hair messily stuck to her back and shoulders like everyone else. It made Tita excited to see her that way. Then Tita rebuked herself for being so lustful with Zina and Zine present, though she was amazed that she still had excitement. Then she realized this was the first time the three of them had enjoyed each other in the afternoon. During their journey from Rome the only times they had to enjoy each other were late at night, and once very early in the morning.

Tita snapped out of her thoughts and saw Elena was speaking to Zina and Zine in their language. Tita waded closer to Zina so Zina could translate in spurts. Elena was thanking Zina and Zine especially for taking excellent care of Tita during their journey from Rome. Elena very much appreciated all the love and kindness they had shown to Tita and she hoped that even after they went in separate directions, whether in a few days or later on, that they stay in touch with each other. Elena strongly recommended that they write letters to each other. Communication from loved ones was the most precious gift one could have because the written word kept memories alive and vibrant. She insisted they write.

Elena asked if Zina and Zine could read and write Latin and Greek. Zina confirmed they could read and write Greek, but Zine did not know Latin and Zina could only read a little bit of Latin. Elena insisted they learn Latin, because that was the language of the Roman empire and it was important to know it for their futures. But in the meantime, Elena could teach Tita to write in Greek, so that Zine could also understand any messages Tita sent them.

Zine was moved by this gesture of kindness. She hugged Elena, who embraced her in a gentle, almost motherly way. Zina explained that Zine was not used to kindness from strangers. Elena replied that any friends of Tita’s were friends of hers as well, and that she felt honored to know both of them. Elena noted it was very rare that young lovers would let an older young women become part of their intimate relationship. But they had offered their tent to Tita and to care for her and feed her. By opening their joint love to Tita, they had helped Tita in immeasurable ways. Elena knew Tita would remember their selfless young love and passion forever. Elena concluded that it was always a welcome joy to see such love and passion and she hoped to see more of it in the coming days.

Zina and Zine started to ask many things to Elena and Tita watched them with a smile, as they were caught up in the Elena effect. Tita realized she could still smell Elena, even though the river water dampened Elena’s scent. Tita imagined they might be asking about her and Tita or about Aurelia’s girls. The conversation continued for a few minutes, then Elena said something that seemed to satisfy or suspend their curiosity.

Elena looked at Tita and switched to Latin, explaining to Tita that they had asked about Elena, about Tita, about how often they could see Tita and if Elena could join them. Elena explained that they should expect to see Tita only after training sessions were complete, and that Elena still had to develop a training schedule. But tonight they could spend time together and probably tomorrow night as well, depending on how tired Tita was.

Then Elena asked Zina to translate so she could speak to Zine also. Zina whispered her translation to Tita, saying that Elena was explaining that the training for prostitution was a difficult one, not just for the sexual activity, but mostly for the psychological preparation. Elena noted Tita would be asked to do many things, with men and women, and with Elena, and neither Zina or Zine should get jealous of what Tita did, or even of what Tita might temporarily feel. Elena was confident that Tita would always have a special place in her heart for Zina and Zine. Tita smiled and nodded, looking at the pair as they smiled warmly, looking at Tita and back at Elena.

Then Zine, who was usually quiet, started speaking in her lower, deeper, slightly raspier voice. Tita noted how Zina’s tone changed a bit to a less excited, more neutral tone. Tita had seen this change in Zina before, whenever Zine spoke seriously about something she and Zina were in complete agreement about.

Zine explained they understood Tita’s work would be difficult, and that Tita might develop passions for others. They knew Tita would always love them because she understood them as they understood her. They knew Tita was a survivor, as they were. Zine explained that she and Zina had known each other since as long as they could remember. And at an early age, they were left alone, with only each other, when invaders came to their village and destroyed it, raping, brutalizing and burning their mothers and dismembering their fathers and siblings for sport. They had hidden in the bushes and had to suffer silently to protect themselves, each silencing the sobs of the other.

Out of that tragedy they arose as one phoenix out of the fire, as one life, one love, forever united. Zina and Zine both knew that surviving that tragedy together, learning how to find food and protection for themselves with no one to help them, surviving their many months of sorrow and loss, that struggle made them into two halves of the same being. They had pledged so many times that if one of them died, the other would kill herself. Neither of them wanted to live without other, ever. They knew that alone, they would be dead, that life would be pointless. They lived for each other. They loved each other wholly and completely. Their love was strong like iron. Nothing could break it. Their love was strong enough that they could also love others without petty jealousy.

But they both loved Tita because she was a survivor, like them. She had survived the tragedy of thousands of cutting remarks each day over many, many years because of her spots. They knew she had tried to take her life a couple of times. They saw the marks on her wrists. So they understood her. They knew she was like them, that despite her suffering she was good, honest, tender and sweet and wanted to live and love.

Zine and Zina loved Tita’s spots. They wanted to have her spots. They felt empowered to be in her presence. Tita’s strength and tenderness reflected their own. They loved how she caressed delicately, like they did. They loved her skin, as she loved theirs. They loved her body, as she loved theirs. They loved how she hummed like they did. They loved how she was tender and sweet and gentle like them. She was their kindred spirit, that Jupiter had seen fit to let them share life and love together, however long Fortuna decided. Zina turned to Tita and spoke in Latin as Zine spoke in Greek that they both would always welcome her with open arms and hearts, whenever she wanted, whenever she was ready.

Tita knew their story since they had told her about it a few times during their journey. But the pain of their story, and their mutual and professed love left her sobbing profusely. She waded in to hug Zina and Zine together tightly, squeezing them into her, wanting to comfort them and thanking them over and over again. She exclaimed she would always love them, for the courage and strength they had given her. But Zine stepped away shaking her head, and Zina did the same, tearing up, explaining that they merely showed her the courage and strength and love she already had in her. She was good, like they were. Tita did not know what to say, and continued crying as Zina and Zine started crying, kissing Tita on her hands and cheeks, hugging her gently.

Tita smelled Elena’s scent and felt her close, her hand on Tita’s back as she joined the hugging. Through her tears, Tita could see Elena had been moved to tears as well, which shocked Tita since she thought Elena had seen everything. But Tita realized that even old women cried and were sentimental, sometimes even over small things. Tita remembered her maternal grandmother crying over a small bracelet that reminded her of a love she had had long ago, before she had met Tita’s grandfather. Tita then found it odd and funny that she was comparing Elena to her grandmother, even though Elena was only a little older than she was. At least that was how she appeared... The Elena effect.

Suddenly there were three horn blasts, the signal that they had to break up the camp. They stepped apart to stifle their sobbing, wiping their eyes and sighing. Tita splashed river water on her face to clean and freshen up, and she saw Elena do the same. Zine and Zina wiped each other’s faces, giggling. Elena made a joke in Greek and then in Latin, that they could be called the crying gang. They all laughed.

Once they had regained their composure, Elena motioned to Zina to translate to Tita. Elena explained she had given directions to Zarina, Mene, Dukht and the two male slaves, Biton and Orges, so they all knew the route for guiding their group and animals to get to Aurelia’s villa. Elena would leave with Tita now, since she had to alert Aurelia and send the courier to intercept the husbands. And Tita needed to unpack her belongings at the villa and get settled in and also get some rest. But Zina and Zine would see her and Tita later that evening when they ate together with all the others, around the second hour of night during vigilia prima.

Elena said that Zarina anticipated they might arrive at the villa around the eleventh hour. Zarina had told her it usually took an hour to set up camp and get the animals situated. Elena estimated it might take longer because they might need to split their camp between the north and south yards. Elena explained they would be staying inside the perimeter walls of the villa, just for convenience and efficiency.

Elena further explained that Aurelia would not have meals ready for them so they should prepare their own food. But, she added they would all eat in the villa’s north yard, as a way to meet and get to know everyone. Elena noted that after dinner, she wanted to spend time with the three of them to talk about their journey together, about their own individual histories and Tita’s history. And Elena would share some of her background as well. Then she joked to be prepared for more crying. They all laughed. Tita noticed Elena smile in a particularly tender way, adding she looked forward to becoming Zina and Zine’s friend as well. Zina replied that she already was their friend, and Elena thanked them, kissing their hands in the same way she did when she first waded into the river.

Elena then motioned Tita to join her. Zina and Zine hugged Tita together, and they motioned Elena to join the hug. Elena gave a final squeeze and then they separated and Tita followed Elena out of the river, while Zina and Zine stayed in the water, preferring to wash their hair a little more. Tita saw the sun was in the mid-afternoon position, which was already the ninth hour. She and Elena went into Zina and Zine’s tent to dress. Tita realized her hair was still thick with olive oil, but Elena said not to worry about it. Elena added Tita did not have to be perfect to see Aurelia now. Tita would have time later in the next days to show Aurelia how she intended to present herself to others.

Tita nodded, thanking Elena for the tip. She dried herself with her linen dress. As Elena knotted the small daggers to her thighs, she recommended that they could stay cooler by not putting on their leather underwear. Elena showed Tita a pouch Elena had on the inside of her silk dress where she could keep their leather underwear. Tita happily agreed, feeling relieved to be free of her sweaty and hot underwear for awhile, especially after the cool river water. She knew her linen dress would cover her features well enough.

When they came out fully dressed, they found Roxana was waiting outside the tent. She stepped forward in her characteristically brusque way and gave Elena a bundle of flowers that Tita imagined Roxana had picked nearby. Elena was touched by Roxana’s gift and she hugged Roxana, thanking her. Roxana hugged Tita as well. Tita wondered why Roxana had done this.

Tita and Elena turned to wave goodbye to Zina and Zine who were still in the river. Roxana stayed with Elena and Tita as they walked up the slope towards the meeting tent and the trail beyond. Roxana asked questions to Elena and Elena replied in her normal tone. Then at one point Roxana asked a question that made Elena stop and think for a moment. She looked at Roxana, then kissed her gently on the lips. Elena spoke a little more to Roxana and then Roxana clasped Elena’s hand and thanked her in Latin, smiling grandly. Roxana left them to go back down to her tent which was closer to the river.

Tita was very curious, but decided it was better to ask Elena later about what had just happened. She guessed Roxana might have asked Elena to be her girlfriend or to have sex with her. Roxana was that way- impulsive and bold, often following her feelings more than her mind. She sometimes joined Zina and Zine in their nightly passions. Zina had explained to Tita that Roxana loved women also, but she was meteoric in her temperament. She would appear and disappear at will. Still, Zina said, they liked Roxana for her spice and passion. Zina and Zine felt Roxana was the most beautiful girl in the group, especially when she danced sensually. So they normally accepted her when she wanted to join them.

Tita and Elena approached the meeting tent and Zarina stood there to bid them goodbye. Elena shook hands with Zarina, who smiled grandly and looked far more relaxed than previously. She thanked Elena in Latin and made hand gestures that they would see each other later. Elena took Zarina’s hands again, gently squeezing them and kissing Zarina on both cheeks, thanking her and her troupe. Then she said more words in Greek-Bactrian that made Zarina smile warmly.

Adza ran up to them and hugged Tita, then took Elena’s hand and bowed to her. Then he gave Elena two loaves of flatbread, noting they would get hungry going to Aurelia’s villa. Elena giggled at Adza’s sweet gesture and thanked him, adding they would see each other soon. Then Elena took Tita’s arm in her arm and they proceeded to walk back to the trail, Elena gracefully walking, smiling in a way that Tita found rather curious, as if Elena had enjoyed a secret pleasure, or was about to. Tita also noticed Elena’s earthy citrus scent was stronger than before, which left Tita completely perplexed.

As they walked across the field and reached the trail, Tita looked back and saw the Bactrians were starting to collapse some of their tents. The scene reminded her of all the times they had decamped over the past two weeks. She remembered the times she had helped set up the meeting tent, or take it down and bundle it for transport. She smiled that she might get to do that again. Looking forward, Tita saw the trail entered into a forest of trees, and she was happy for the shade it provided. She heard the occasional bird call and relaxed.

Elena gave one loaf bread to Tita. Tita thanked her, noting that the Bactrian bread tasted very good, since it was sprinkled with olive oil and rosemary. Tita added that the olive oil they used on their bread had pepper and another spice she had forgotten the name of. Elena took a bite and said there was pepper, a little garlic and a touch of black cumin in the olive oil, adding that the bread tasted excellent. Tita agreed that their bread tasted very good. She realized she was hungry and started eating. Later she would have to thank Adza for his wise gift. Tita saw Elena chewed slowly and she slowed down her chewing as well to relish the taste. She did not know why she felt compelled to follow Elena. But it seemed like a good idea to eat slowly.

Pausing between bites, Elena quietly asked Tita if she had enjoyed her time with Zina and Zine. Tita blushed heavily, but she felt less embarrassed than earlier. She replied that yes, they had enjoyed themselves very well and they had all orgasmed. Tita added that she had orgasmed much more quickly than previous times. She asked if that was due to the build up of excitement. Elena complimented Tita for her intuition and her ability to notice these things. Details like these would be very important for the sexual part of her work. Elena confirmed that excitement was always a key factor, and the more tension one accumulated, the easier and faster one was able to release it.

Tita also noted Zina and Zine had wanted to touch her vagina, but she decided against it since Elena had mentioned they would practice the vagina later. Elena complimented Tita again with a grand smile, kissing Tita on the cheek and squeezing her hand. She congratulated Tita on her ability to stay in control and make evaluations even in moments of intense sensuality. Elena added by saying that after Tita met Aurelia, and Aurelia checked her vagina, then anyone could touch and caress her vagina, so long as they did not insert any fingers. Elena explained that after they reviewed and practiced the vagina and spoke about virginity in a few days, then Tita would understand better what was allowed or not allowed.

Tita was overjoyed that she could let Zina and Zine enjoy her body even more. But the idea of Aurelia seeing her naked and checking her vagina made her blush with embarrassment. Tita took another bite of her loaf and asked if Aurelia checked all the women, but then she realized she knew the answer.

Elena replied that yes, Aurelia checked everyone on a regular basis. Aurelia checked primarily for health reasons, adding that Aurelia was very correct and good to do so. Because too often, women neglected their own health to their own detriment. Elena noted that Aurelia’s policy was that her women and men had to stay as clean as possible and keep their genitals in good health, since there were diseases that could be transmitted through sexual activity. This meant that sometimes they should refuse a session if they saw the client had a rash or lesion or something else that suggested an ailment. Elena took another bite of her bread, chewing slowly.

This was not the answer Tita was anticipating, as she had expected that Aurelia also checked for virgin status. Tita remembered that Claudia had mentioned health concerns a few times during their talks together. Claudia had told Tita that Aurelia insisted on staying clean and using oils and creams to protect the genitals and avoid rashes or reactions or worse problems.

Tita asked if such diseases were always visible, and Elena finished chewing and swallowed. She noted that was an excellent question. Elena said that it was best to avoid sex with anyone having rashes or blisters or similar ailments, but she did not know if diseases were always visible. Sometimes a disease could only reflect as fever and nothing else. So it was important to always ask questions before any sexual activity. Tita always had the right to refuse, since she was a freedwoman, no matter what the client said about her work. Tita nodded, remembering that Claudia had said the same thing while they travelled to Massalia. Tita said Claudia had told her she had refused a few times already, maybe once or twice a month, if she suspected the man or woman had an ailment.

Elena agreed, adding that Aurelia wanted to make sure that all her workers protected their health and that they be vigilant for disease. If anyone in the group got a disease, news of the girl’s infection could quickly spread through town and suddenly clients could cancel appointments with other girls out of fear that they may also be infected. Elena added they had significant competition in Pompeii, so it was important to stay healthy just to avoid loss of clients.

Elena said that in her long experience, if someone had gonorrhea, a disease that made rashes on the genitals or eyes, and that person had sex, then the other person could get the same disease. She did not know how this was possible, but she imagined that, just as certain features were given from mother or father to their children, the same thing could happen with two strangers.

Elena conjectured that Marcus Varro was right, that there must be tiny things not visible to them that could carry disease from one person or animal to another. It was really the only way to explain how contagious diseases spread, like plagues or herpes. So she and Aurelia inspected everyone once a month to check their health. Elena emphasized this was not something to fear or to be ashamed of. It was important only to be attentive and take proper precautions. Tita should always exercise her right to refuse sex if she felt her health could be affected. Aurelia and she would always defend her decision if clients made complaints.

Tita asked who Marcus Varro was and Elena replied he had lived roughly one hundred years earlier and had written many, many works on a wide variety of subjects, including an encyclopedia on the liberal arts and a chronology of Roman history. He was a great scholar and polymath. Tita assumed he was a doctor of some sort, but Elena explained he knew and wrote about many different topics.

Tita thought about what Elena said for a while as they continued eastward along the trail. She saw the trail leading out of the forest and going straight through an open field while the river curved away and back towards the trail in the distance. Now they would have the sun on their backs again. Tita took another bite of her loaf, chewing slowly. The bread did taste better when she ate slowly.

Tita felt relaxed to be alone with Elena on the trail as they walked and ate bread, with nothing but a grassy field, and some farm land to their left. There was a gentle breeze coming from the direction of the volcano, and occasionally birds flew over head. Tita realized the sun was not as strong, but the heat was still oppressive and the air was thicker and more humid than earlier, which made her skin feel a bit sticky. She could feel the sun on her back and head and she felt her linen dress cling to her skin as she started sweating on her back again. She hoped she would have time to wash and change clothing at least before meeting Aurelia.

Tita sighed heavily as she returned to the thought of invisible things transporting disease. She trusted Elena’s knowledge, but the idea of invisible things carrying an ailment from one person to another frightened her. What about leprosy? she asked, a disease she was often accused of having. She took her last bite of bread, chewing more slowly to savor it longer.

Elena did not know. If such invisible things existed, be they tiny animals or something else, they could not study them except by their effects. So far as Elena knew, leprosy was not as contagious as it seemed. She believed many people who were accused of having leprosy actually had skin lesions or ailments from other afflictions. Elena stopped talking to finish her last piece of bread. After she finished eating, she continued talking.

Elena noted that biological characteristics were very detailed and specific. She stopped to take Tita’s hand and hold it next to her own. Elena pointed out the subtle differences in skin, skin color, texture, patterns, shape of the fingers, fingernails, wrinkle lines, sensitive areas of the hands and so on. She noted how small and fine the skin texture was, how there were tiny crevices in the skin that made those patterns. And that in those crevices there were yet smaller and smaller things. Elena pointed to the tiny lines, veins and skin variations one could see if they looked closely. There were a lot of characteristics, many more than what one saw when looking from further away. So Elena felt that the closer one looked at biological or natural things, the more one could see.

There were obvious common characteristics between their hands. But there was a myriad of tiny differences. Elena felt that tiny invisible things probably had very specific effects on biology. Only that they did not have the ability to study it and understand it. Elena let go Tita’s hand, drank water from her leather pouch and handed it to Tita. Tita drank the orange tasting cool river water with relief and smiled broadly, thanking Elena and giving the pouch back. Elena smiled and took Tita’s arm in her arm again and they continued walking.

In any case, Elena said, the important thing was that Tita was healthy. Elena explained that she had asked Zarina about Tita’s health and Zarina had not heard Tita make any complaints about ailments or discomfort, except for their spicy food. Tita giggled at this but she remarked she got used to their spicy food and liked it now. She also noted that when she smelled the food odors in the meeting tent, she realized how much she liked it. Elena nodded, replying that smell was the most powerful sense.

Tita wanted to change subjects, since the idea of disease and death was depressing. She asked Elena about her idea for the dance spectacle at the amphitheater. Did she think it was possible, and would Tita have to attend? Elena remarked that years ago she had participated in such spectacles. They required hard work and a lot of training. But they were also extremely enjoyable and very satisfying. They were definitely worth the effort. Elena believed that dancing was the best activity the human body could do, and she encouraged Tita to join the effort. It would be good practice for her.

Tita frowned at this, wondering if she could ever be good at dancing. Elena replied that Tita loved music. Elena knew this because Zarina had seen how Tita was influenced and moved by the music the Bactrians made for dancing. Zarina had heard Tita humming the tunes that Zina and Zine hummed and memorized for their dances. So it was only a matter of practice Elena added. Tita had nothing to fear except loss of faith in herself.

Tita felt annoyed that Elena was asking Zarina about her and she bristled a bit. But she remembered it was Elena’s job to train her. And Elena had mentioned she wanted to find out how the Bactrians had experienced her. Prepare to be annoyed.

Elena lightly caressed Tita’s arm, smiling in a tender way, and Tita was surprised at how Elena sensed that Tita was being obtuse. Tita smiled back, giggling as she leaned into Elena, and apologized.

Elena continued, saying that Tita should have faith in her abilities and above all in her body. Her body had been the Bactrian’s center of attention for two weeks and Zina and Zine obviously loved her body as well. They loved her spots in a very strong way. If other women loved her body, she should too.

Tita stopped walking, dumbstruck. She had realized this before, but to hear it from Elena gave it obvious, powerful clarity. She felt as if Elena had opened up her psyche. A wave of emotion built up inside Tita and then her eyes teared as she realized Elena was right. She should love her body. Her body was her best asset. She could not live without her body. Zina and Zine, who were more beautiful than her, loved her body. They loved to play with and enjoy her body. She had been the object of love and affection from more than a dozen Bactrian dancers. They had all admired her body. She deserved her body. She should love it too. It was a gift from the gods, from her parents. Claudia loved it too.

All these thoughts raced through Tita’s mind as she sobbed heavily. Elena hugged her and Tita hugged Elena back, first gently, then tightly. She wanted to absorb Elena’s wise power into her. Tita felt Elena tense up in her tight embrace and she loved feeling Elena’s strength and muscles. Tita thanked her repeatedly, she could not stop thanking her. She sobbed a bit more, then saw she was getting Elena’s precious silk dress wet with her tears. Tita stepped away, apologizing, and used her shawl to dry her eyes. Elena gave her the pouch again and Tita took a sip of water to help calm her down.

After a while the emotional explosion had receded and Tita felt relieved of a huge burden, as if Elena had miraculously erased years of negativity and mental self-harm. She felt happy. She apologized again, then laughed, apologizing for apologizing so much. Tita said she had never cried so much in one day before. But she had to say she had never felt better. She felt immensely relieved each time.

Elena nodded, saying it was good to cry easily, it was good to cry well. Crying was like laughing. They expressed what the body wanted to say and it was very important to let the body express itself. Always let your happy or sad feelings express themselves, Elena said, no matter the context. There is no shame in showing those feelings, so long as you do not harm others. Today you are learning to love your body, and to realize how much you are loved. Love is good. Life is good. You are good. Your body is good. Be proud of yourself and be proud of your splendid body.

Love your body, Tita thought. Love it for all it is worth.

Elena took Tita’s arm and they continued walking in silence. After a few minutes, Elena continued talking in a very quiet tone, almost a whisper. Since Tita loved music, she could easily learn to dance. The key was finding a dance style that her body liked. And finding that style required a lot of daily practice. The more Tita practiced and experimented with dance, the more she would learn about her body and what her body wanted to do, what it felt it had to do, what it loved to do.

Elena emphasized that Tita had to trust and listen to her body, since it was her best asset, as she had just fully understood. So it was important for Tita to feel and sense and listen while dancing and let her body speak to her. In many ways, dance was the meeting of sensuality and sport. One had to be receptive, more than active.

Elena concluded by saying that Tita needed to remember that accidents happened when one wanted to do one thing, and the body did another. Clumsiness was a result of not listening to your body. Just as Tita trusted Claudia, Zina and Zine and listened to them, she needed to do the same with her body. Tita nodded. Now it all made sense.

The trail went under the shade trees again as it flanked the river course. The trees blocked out the hot sun and Tita felt relieved to be back under the shade. They continued walking for a bit and Tita noticed the trees thickened and the trail got considerably cooler. She saw the riverbank on the other side was also thick with trees, and realized they were going through another small forest. The river was empty except for some ducks wading in the water. A breeze blew along the river, rustling the trees.

Elena stopped to cool herself with the riverside breeze and took a sip of water from her pouch. Tita noticed the breeze made Elena’s light silk dress cling to her body, revealing her body’s curves. Elena handed the pouch again to Tita, who also drank a little bit. Tita thanked Elena again for the water, then took another gulp and gave the pouch back.

Elena took another sip and licked her lips, then sprinkled some cool water on her chest. The water made the light blue silk dress more transparent and cling to Elena’s dark skin, revealing Elena’s breasts, aureoles and nipples underneath.

The effect excited Tita, and she found herself quickly aroused. She paused for a moment, then surprising herself, Tita asked to take the pouch. Elena gave it to her and Tita splashed a little water on her own chest, so that her linen dress clung to her breasts and nipples. Tita laughed, shaking her head at why she did that, since the effect was not nearly as erotic as it was with silk. Enjoying the coolness of the water, she splashed a little on her face and on the top of her head to get her long red hair wet. She looked at Elena, who seemed to enjoy her wet appearance.

Elena took back the water pouch and let a small trail of water run down her neck, between her breasts and down her dress, creating a wet line that stuck to her chest, belly, abdomen and genital area. She smiled alluringly and walked over to lean with her back against a tree, arching her chest out. She used one foot to slowly raise the hem of her dress up her leg, then eventually took the hem up with her hand so that Tita could see briefly Elena’s red public hair again. Elena quickly raised and lowered her dress a few times as she made cooing bird noises every time her hair was visible. Tita laughed at Elena’s play, but she found herself getting very excited. She was surprised since she thought that her episode with Zina and Zine would have satisfied her for the rest of the day. The Elena effect.