“Bathhouse Politics”
Eros Bathhouse
Innsmouth, Ganosia
Lilith
"Some heterosexual males privately confided that they were enthralled with the idea of the immediate, available, even anonymous, sex a bathhouse offered, if they could only find women who would agree.” – Randy Shilts (And the Band Played On)
Eros was one of the finest bathhouses in all of Innsmouth, catering to all sorts of clients both foreign and domestic no matter their gender or sexual orientation. Other than the age limit, it was open to everyone. As a result, it was pretty much one of the greasiest places in town in that just about anything could happen within its walls. This was all by design, thought Selene, who walked through the dimly lit corridors in nothing but a towel around her body. Her hair was sopping wet, her skin crawling, her mind racing, and she was hastily following Lilith, her boss, who had just exited one of the cubicles, having spent what felt to Selene like a long-as-fuck time inside with her latest fling. They had exchanged contact information, and Selene had to stand there getting leered at by nearby customers while Lilith took her sweet fucking time with the woman.
As she walked, she held the towel tightly to her body, as if worried that someone would either see her without or try to remove it from her. Lilith, up ahead, had covered herself up with one too, but that was only after she came out of one of the cubicles, talking about how great Netorarian women were in the sack and all that fucking greasy shit again, remembered Selene, who had only bothered coming to this damn place because Lilith insisted. Lilith, giggling and laughing the whole damn way, as commotion spewed out of the cubicles they walked past. Music pulsated through the speakers, and Selene could smell certain scents that made her want to wretch. Despite the outdoor appearance of the joint, which was rather posh and well kept, inside it was the complete opposite.
Lilith insisted they discuss business in between her romps, but at least she was there to keep the horny men and women away. Selene had not entertained any offers, solely because she was only here to do business with Lilith, not to cavort around like she was in between their discussions.
"Selene," Lilith had said, "It will help you loosen up if anything. There's nothing wrong with a refreshing trip to the baths to get you all loosened up, right?"
But as soon as they arrived, business was repeatedly impeded by Lilith going in and out of cubicles, leaving Selene to be all alone in the showers, scrubbing her skin raw to remove the impurity of this wretched locale. Eros was nestled right in the Innsmouth Strip, the street of debauchery and libertinism. De Sade would be right at home on the Strip, thought Selene bitterly. Eros was where men and women, and those who had "unique gender situations," would go to party the night away. By partying, Selene thought, remembering the several times she had been offered to join some such person in their cubicle, they meant a lot of drugs, sex, booze, and as she stepped back into the halls later, the chance of getting what the posters advertised in big capital letters, at times red, dripping what was meant to be blood.
"VODAIS: Get Tested!" cried the posters. "Get tested! This establishment offers free tests! Do not take this lightly! Doing so will mean certain death!"
The posters were all over the place. Selene had insisted, this time around, on this. "We cannot in good conscience allow VODAIS to wreak havoc upon the population of Innsmouth," Selene had said at the time, in between rolling her eyes as Lilith spoke in response from behind the trophy girls on her lap. "Or else we will kill the tourism industry, and tarnish our names. Your name's already as mucky and greasy as it can be, but I won't let mine be."
So the bathhouses were told to ensure everyone knew the risks. It was illegal not to have these posters and other resources around. VODAIS was still a dangerous thing to get infected with, and Selene knew that even today there were still those who, refusing to take it seriously, rotted to death in their hospital beds. Some were so fucked up they didn't even know what was what anymore - that's your brain on VODAIS, it saps the life straight outta ya, Selene remembered someone saying. Selene remembered she had seen pictures of patients being tended to at the hospital. VODAIS patients were the worst off of the bunch in medical publications, and Innsmouth's universal healthcare system tended to them with compassion and understanding. Some, before the virus cut off their mental faculties, appreciated the community that was built around their suffering.
A project of sympathetic nurses and volunteers coming to each patient to check up on them, to give them hope even in the face of certain death. This was something that every Ganosian city had for its patients, and not just for VODAIS patients either.
An article in the newspaper, Selene remembered reading, provided the chilling story of a young girl whose uncle had succumbed to VODAIS-related complications and who was immortalized in her report; she had been tasked with writing a report on who was most inspiring to her amongst adults and she had chosen her uncle, who did a lot of volunteer work, especially as a volunteer fire fighter.
Not all, however, had treated VODAIS with the seriousness it deserved. There were others who thought it was a fucking joke, Selene bitterly remembered, like when someone said something about playing connect the gorram dots with the purple-black lesions that popped up on VODAIS patients. It sickened Selene to think such people existed. It made her even wake up one night imagining that Lilith had them. But Lilith, despite her legendary whoremongering, had always been careful with her body.
"People die because they're fucking dumb." said Lilith. "I'm not, though. The key's to think before you sleep around, you know?"
She followed Lilith into a sauna, and as she sat down alongside her boss, Lilith spoke at length about the Netorarians. She insisted that more and more of them settle down in Innsmouth, which made Selene think was admittedly a good idea; even if Lilith was just wanting more and more of them to sleep with, the truth was was that they were pretty hard working and determined immigrants. What was wrong with having more of those?
"I heard," Selene said, "that the Netorarians were sending emissaries to Olyan."
"Ha! I'd love to see the look on Quinn's face." laughed Lilith. "I bet she doesn't know what we know about them."
Selene shrugged. "I suppose so. But I'm sure she'll get around it. The Netorarians are pretty nice people once you get to know them - no, Lilith, I don't mean it like that either."
Lilith laughed. "One of these days, you'll get a man, or woman, who can provide you the company you need. You're way too uptight for your own good."
"I'm fine, thanks." said Selene. "I have Anna to keep me company on lonely nights."
"Those ducks are selling like wildfire." Lilith chortled. "You've done well by me on that one, Selene."
Selene leaned against the wall, stretching her legs out along the seat. She wriggled her toes for a moment, as if intrigued greatly by them. "I'm glad to have helped. You're my friend, Lilith. It's the least I could do for you. I just wish you wouldn't drag me to places like this, though. Getting fucking tired of the perverts around here not getting the hint."
"I'll make sure they learn not to proposition you."
"You mean you'll just claim them for yourself."
"Well, the women anyway. I can get staff to rough up any of the men."
"Not necessary. It's not like they're trying to attack me. They just keep staring at me. They're undressing me with their eyes. It's uncomfortable. Greasy as fucking greasy can be."
"That's the whole point of this place. It's where we can all unwind."
"Enough about this shit. What about the Netorarians?"
"They've sent emissaries to handle the opening of diplomatic relations. It's more like a renewal at this point, though." said Lilith. "I heard the Ambassador's a real looker too."
"Well, that's great. I'm sure you'll be able to get in her pants in no time."
"Ah, but what if I'm talking about a man?"
"Don't even try to suggest it, Lilith. I told you - I'm fine being single."
Lilith shrugged. "Suit yourself, but you're really missing out."
After they finished up in the sauna, and after some more diversions with Lilith in other cubicles, the two women finally got dressed and left for the night. As Lilith exited the bathhouse and entered the limosuine awaiting them outside its doors, Selene looked around, feeling the strength of the greasiness of the Innsmouth Strip. Strip clubs, sleazy motels, brothels, massage parlors and more all lined the Strip alongside its usual casinos and family friendly stores. Just hours earlier, entire families would walk up and down the Strip, past even places like Eros, as if this wasn't the raunchiest part of town.
Selene, who lived not that from the Sappho, the world's biggest LGBT neighbourhood, had always wondered if any of them knew the truth about the Strip, if they knew what it was really like. Selene noticed some men up ahead, wielding truncheons and pummeling what looked like a man while a woman looked on in disbelief.
"They're keeping the peace." smirked Lilith. "They're making sure people are there to gamble, not mess around. The woman must've been harassed by the lout. Oh well, serves him right. No need for morons in my casinos."
"Gamble." Selene muttered, sliding into the limosuine. "And whatever else they do in those casinos."
"We provide people with all sorts of entertainment. Blackjack and hookers is a potent combination, and to get the latter it's as easy as calling room service."
As Selene listened to Lilith prattle on about the call girls who went in and out of the casinos, some of them being Netorarians, she wondered about the Netorarians in Olyan, the ones who would be meeting Empress Quinn's foreign minister, Abishag Korey, and discussing diplomatic relations. All the while, the limosuine would be taking her first to her apartment, and then to Lilith's desired locale - a burlesque house. She wanted to do some "evaluation" of the talent, and Selene had merely wished her the best of luck. As the limosuine sped through the streets of Innsmouth, Selene thought about Anna.
She had set food aside for Anna to munch on while she was away, and had hoped to see Anna waddle up to her as she got inside like always. Anna had become such a lovely creature to have around, Selene thought.
"We're here. I'll see you later." smiled Lilith warmly. Unlike Lilith's luxurious palace complex, Selene preferred more simpler accomodations. "I want to let you know that next time, you can choose where we meet next."
"Sure." said Selene. "In fact, I know just the place."
As Selene got out of the vehicle, Lilith rolled down her window while Selene stood there on the curb. "The Netorarians will become close allies of ours, Sel. We have to make sure they are treated as such. Can you do me a solid and make sure the casinos know that? It's important for the economic wellbeing of the city."
"And for your sexual wellbeing also?"
"Very funny, Selene. Someone's got to tend to their representatives after they're done with Korey. All work and no play make Abishag Korey a dull woman."
"Yet she's one you've never pursued." winked Selene.
"She's into men." smiled Lilith. "She acts like one too."
Liltih than bade Selene adieu and the limosuine sped off, leaving Selene to retreat into the apartment building. She had grown tired of bathhouse politics and relished being home again. The place was well kept, especially with the elderly custodian always tending to sweeping up dust and debris. The elderly woman spoke in what some would call a British accent, being that she was a local of the city. She didn't mind Selene one bit, likening her to her grandchildren. She even pinched Selene's cheeks and smiled thoughtfully at her.
"Ah," the old woman said, "You've returned. Your hair's all wet, but it wasn't raining."
"It's just sweat. Been busy." sighed Selene. She hated having to sugarcoat things, but this woman felt so much like her own mother. What could she have told her? That she was chaperoning a horny princess at a bathhouse?
"Long day at work? Well, at least you're home now and you can relax, dear. I've just been tidying things up in the halls today."
As the two walked together, Selene listened to the old woman prattle on about what she heard in the news. "I heard that there were visitors in the capital. A place called Netoraria. I haven't heard of it, nor have I heard about that place called Gloria Regis either."
Selene shrugged. "Diplomatic relations are being opened with Netoraria, and those people from Gloria Regis are refugees. They're citizens now, though."
"Oh!" said the old woman. "My mind has a tendency to go blank on me a lot of times, dear. It's hard for me to keep up at times with what's going on."
When they reached the door to Selene's residence, the old woman said that she hoped Selene would enjoy the rest of the night before wandering off, most likely to her own place.
As soon as Selene opened the door, Anna waddled out of her nest to welcome her home with a lot of quacking.
"I'm home, sweetie." Selene said, bending down to pet Anna. "I'm sorry it was a bit longer than expected, today's outing. You know how Lilith can be though, don't you?"
Selene watched Anna follow her to the kitchen, observing Selene preparing herself a light snack - some chicken salad and fruit juice - before sitting down on the couch to see what was going on the television. Of course, there was the news that the Netorarians had arrived in Olyan and were meeting with the Foreign Minister of Ganosia, but she had too much politics over the past while. She decided to channel flip until she found some late night comedy that got her laughing while Anna cuddled up beside her. Anna was quite happy to see Selene was home again, and Selene relished yet another night spent with Anna's company. If anything, thought Selene, what use was there for a lover when she had Anna?
Eventually, it was time for bed. Selene shed her clothes, folded them nicely, and put them aside before throwing on her babydoll, a lovely piece of lingerie that she had recieved during one of those shopping sprees with Lilith. Lilith recommended something less innocent and more risque but Selene insisted on this number. Lilith would frown, say something about loosening up, but Selene would shake her head and say she didn't need to wear anything seductive when she had no desire to seduce anyone. One may have thought Lilith wanted to bed Selene, but the two never desired each other like that. Selene doubted she ever would, and Lilith had never seemed to think of it when "the whole of Netoraria is ripe for the picking," or when she could indulge in New Edomite liberal emigres. Rumor had it she wanted to pursue Lady Kiron, but Selene figured Lilith wouldn't have a chance even getting into the Allied States.
Selene thought to herself about how the Netorarian ambassador would react to Ganosians who were not Lilith. She figured that Lilith would swoop in if it turned out that even around Abishag and the Empress that they were just that damn well liberal. Selene had to think it was quite the amusing thought, funny even, but she was sure they'd be able to get by. Abishag wasn't unfamiliar with such risque things herself - but, unlike Lilith, she only reserved her tastes for her husband to indulge in.
Anna waddled to the side of the bed, and Selene plucked her off the ground to put her upon the bed with her. Once Anna assumed her position beside Selene, she picked up the book she left on her bedside table and did her nightly reading. Once she finished, she wondered what the next day would bring her as her eyes slowly closed and she fell asleep.
Abishag
The Foreign Minister of Ganosia did the best she could to remember all she could about Netoraria, which had become known to the Ganosian people through the country's tabloids. The Netorarians were a strange and peculiar nation, one who were renowned for their intense libertinism. They had no taboos, no standards, nothing but pure and unadulterated freedom. One may have fashioned them the utter opposite of a SACTO member nation, the epitome of everything that was wrong in their ideology. Others, like Lilith, found them so appealing that they had ventured to their country numerous times. Lilith had flooded Innsmouth with plenty of them, and it was not long before the government found out about it. No one in the government cared too much about Lilith - they were allowing her presence in their country, and she wasn't up to no good either. But they figured Netoraria would be willing to become a new friend of Ganosia, the latest in a long litany of allies and otherwise close friends. It would only benefit everyone, joked Abishag, whether the politicians or the perverts.
Abishag stood at the airport with the traditional honor guard that had been deployed to recieve the impending visitors. She had been waiting for quite a while, but it was only a matter of time before they arrived. And then what? Well, thought Abishag, they'd be shown around the city, but only after the diplomacy was done with. The goal was to instill in them a desire to work further with Ganosia to make their countries close friends, perhaps even allies. Abishag expected an alliance would be easy to get with them, no doubt thanks to Lilith and friends. Her whoremongering will be useful in this specific instance.
Abishag did not intend to indulge in anything other than her work. Besides, she was happily married anyways. She would focus simply on her work and keep her mind focused on ensuring the country made yet another friend. Leave the Netorarians to find a bedroom romp with some other Ganosian. She looked down at her feet, under which was the red carpet; standard issue feature of any diplomatic reception. The flags of Ganosia and Netoraria fluttered proudly in the wind, and everyone looked as professional as they possibly could have been.
"Soon," Abishag said to herself under her breath, "our visitors will arrive."
She soon heard what sounded like the all too familiar commotion that comes about when the visitors are nigh on the horizon. She hastily assumed her position and awaited the arrival of the visitors.
