Under Pressure

[Fredal Rabeak]

I'm not sure you really know what can hurt someone, Freddie's mind rattled off, but the words did not escape his lips.

Before he knew it, Gantuhar was, well, quite naked, and the young Nehantite heard a soft throat-clearing from the Cizerack gentleman before him, holding his own basket. Hesitation, and another glance up at Gantuhar, before at last Freddie bit his lower lip and pulled up on the hem of his long-sleeved tee shirt. It came up to reveal a slender frame and more gray fur, but also a large expanse of exposed skin. The boy's back, and the backs of his upper arms were nearly devoid of fur, instead a twisted mess of burn-scarred skin, broken in some places by other, older scars. Immediately his head dipped, shoulders caving as he attempted to make himself smaller, less visible once his back was on display. Dropping his shirt in the basket, he went to work on his heavy trousers. They, too, came off to reveal a few more old injuries, and a pair of white briefs, which he seemed not to want to remove.

But everyone was naked. Heart pounding in his narrow chest, and... something else worming into his brain from the scents in the air, Freddie finally shucked them off, standing as naked as his new friend, though his paws moved to cover his loin in an attempt for modesty, as well as being self-conscious about his size, compared to others he could see.

"So... now what?" he asked, trying very hard to keep his eyes on Gantuhar's face.

[Gantuhar]

Burly shoulders rolled, and his arms went out to either side in a large stretch before switching forward so that he could arch his back further. A ripple of fur started at the base of his rump - just above his tail - and traveled upward over his spine to the back of his neck.

"Now to enjoy tea, and the perfumed essences of the waters."

Meaty paws reached out to give a strong pat to one of the male attendant's shoulders, and Gantuhar led the way from the changing room. It was a short walk, and in little time the two were in the main room that held a large communal pool. A few smaller pools could be seen, along with alcoves for the small massage parlors tucked neatly behind beaded curtains, each with an array of shimmering stones woven along each strand to give the effect of entering through a portal made of magic and wonder.

There was gold trimming nearly everywhere, with an array of greenery all throughout. Etchings in polished wood, inlays of glittering gems, and even marble statuary could be seen beside deep-toned kingwood colonnades. The ceiling was a work of pure art as well, with beautiful carvings of Sanjarra and Nomaani, as well as the rest of the Cizerack pantheon so lovingly depicted.

"This One has waited for far too long to enjoy tea," Gantuhar breathed in rapt joy.

Approaching the edge of the main pool, he relished that first toe-dip. The water was perfectly warm, and smelled of waterlilies and silkpetal flowers. A delighted swish of his tail, and the large Trianii sank first one foot, then the other down into the water and onto the first step below the waterline.

Then the second step, then the third, and finally he let his entire bulk dip low so that he could send himself into the warm embrace of the bath and its scents.

"Mmmmmm, the water," his purr was unmistakable, that deep, thrumming rumble that seemed to fully rock the inside of his chest cavity, "... it is diviiinnnee... "

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie followed, a meek shadow of a huge male who led him into the main area of the tea house, and once there he was awestruck.

Freezing in place, the Nehantite stood, paws covering himself, as he stared, slack-jawed, at his surroundings. It was like something out of a holofilm; a fantastic setting reserved only for nobility, or to exist only in the dreams of commoners, yet there it was. Gold, so much gold, his eyes followed each line of the glittering metal, until it reached the warm, dark woodwork. That, too, was sheer opulence for a Nehantite, as decorative woodwork was rare among the desert kingdom. Yet here it was everywhere, paired with marble, alabaster, and other decorative stonework and statues. Everything screamed opulence, wealth, and excess, and he began to question Gantuhar's priorities if he could afford himself such luxury while living in apparent squalor otherwise.

The smells of the tea house registered once its magnificence was taken in, and Freddie began to feel a little loose, as well as a little excited, as if he'd had too many sodas. But it was different somehow, and he looked about for the source of the smell. He found it in the waters of the pool, a murky, milky white color, with botanicals he could not identify floating in it, as well as people. Naked people.

Naked people getting it on with other naked people.

It wasn't an excitement from too much caffeine he was feeling, Freddie quickly determined. Oh no, it was the kind of excitement best kept behind closed doors, and it was coming on strong. Awe turned to worry as he glanced about, hoping no one had noticed, but his paws couldn't hide things for long. There was little choice but to step into the waters of the pool, to at least obscure himself up to his waist, and so he hurriedly did so, joining Gantuhar.

"So... where's the tea?" he asked, attempting to draw attention away from the reaction his body had decided to have to the atmosphere.

[Gantuhar]

"The tea comes when it is ready," Gantuhar answered with a low murr, letting the wondrous waters overtake him. He allowed his body to lower further into the pool, feeling as his muscles relaxed and his mind drift even farther away from the here and now than ever before.

"This One relishes the pace, and Fred-dee would be wise to do the same. Let the warm waters and pure feelings overtake you."

Finding himself a spot along one side of the main pool, Gantuhar reclined in the soothing feelings of warmth and incense, giving himself over to the calming sensations brought on by both. He let his broad shoulderblades rest agaisnt the richly-tiled pool walls, and let his entire body soak in the all of everything around him.

"Give yourself to the moment, Young One."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Give yourself to the moment. Freddie looked around again, at the sight of a few couple giving themselves to the moment, and he immediately knew he wasn't going to be able to get out of the water anytime soon, as something throbbed in his loins.

That was fast! he thought to himself. His heart beat faster, and he nearly trembled, everything in his past telling him that he needed to get out, needed to run. Sure, they were enjoying each other, but next they would come for him, he just knew it, somehow!

But, Gantuhar didn't appear to be eyeing him in that way, and instead seemed to be enjoying the warm, fragrant waters for their own sake. Perhaps he could do that, too. Closing his eyes, the boy took a deep breath to calm himself, only to feel the sensations of need and desire suddenly course through his system. Nope, time to sit down! With the water so opaque, it was difficult to tell where a submerged bench might be, and so he had little choice but to follow Gantuhar's lead. His toes found the base of the bench, and he eased down onto it, feeling the water seep deep into his fur, up to his shoulders as he sat down, sweeping his tail aside as not to sit directly on it. By accident it swished too far in the water, brushing the Triani's thigh. "Sorry!" he apologized immediately, then leaned back until the pressure of the wall told him his back had reached it.

It was pleasing, he had to admit, being submerged in warm water. Such an experience could be a luxury on Nehantish, especially for one who lived in a trailer park. After a few moments, he sighed and leaned his head back against the rim of the pool. "This is... this is nice," he said. "Not what I was expecting, but it's nice."

The pleasured moans of a couple enjoying each other not far away made him grimace a touch, and he was grateful for the water's opacity so that Gantuhar would not have to witness the spike between his legs.

[Gantuhar]

The pair of lovers, not far away, were in the throes of climax as Gantuhar let himself angle his head slightly to listen to Fred-dee's hurried apology.

"Your tail does not bother This One," he spoke absently, and it wasn't long before his attentions returned to the blissful state of pure sedateness.

"Tea is for everyone to enjoy in their own way, This One has learned. For instance... " one arm lifted up from the waters, to gesture at the grand mural above them. "... look at the Cizerack deities. They revel in their existence, as should we all. They are not ashamed to show those around them how they treasure each other."

The Trianii spent a few moments longer, lingering on the glorious depiction above before returning his half-lidded attentions to his young charge.

"That is why This One brought you here. We must be willing to enjoy a moment in time that gives to us all the needs that satisfy our souls."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie turned his eyes upward, to truly appreciate the artwork overhead, in all its opulent glory. He had seen murals and carvings before, but never any so blatantly pornographic as what lived aloft, covering the whole of the ceiling, within gilded frame. Nothing appeared sacred or off-limits, and he smiled as the thought of how such artwork would go over if it were on, say, the ceiling of the Royal Council Building, or the Grand Library. There would be protests, for sure! Yet here, with the fragrant smell of the herbs and waters, and the lovers reaching their peak near him, it all seemed so very... right. It was like something out of a dream; the sort of dream which required a new pair of undershorts after waking up. And to a teenager, it was exhilarating.

So, he gave himself over to the sensation, and after several peaceful minutes, the Nehantite began to get it. The tea wasn't something to drink, it was something to experience, to be part of. It seeped into his skin, making him tingly and excited, stimulating his desires in a way he'd not felt before, while at the same time bringing peace. Apprehension began to melt away, as did fear, replaced by warmth and desire, and his eyes turned over to Gantuhar, or as much as he could see of the big cat as he was also sunk deep in the water. If he had brought Freddie there to satisfy the needs in their souls, did that mean Gantuhar wanted to be with him? The night before, the thought would have been revolting, but here, in the water, Freddie began to wonder if it would truly be so bad. It might even be good.

Under the guise of stretching and adjusting his position, Freddie scooted a bit closer - not directly beside Gantuhar, but close. "Thank you," he said quietly. Leaning his head back, he stared up at the lewd murals and sculpturework above, while a paw gently slid over to rest on the Triani's thigh, beneath the water. That felt right, too, in ways Freddie couldn't explain.

[Gantuhar]

He was lost in the beauty above, wide eyes taking in the murals and artwork that he'd seen so many times before. It was peaceful and heady all at once, with the scents of the j'eeta mixed into the water, as well as other botanicals and herbal mixtures. His head was a swirl of happiness, and his long, exhaled sigh of contented ease was a further sign that he had reached a point of pure relaxation.

And then there was a hand that rested upon his thigh, beneath the waters.

His upward stare seemed to pause, as his eyes slowly blinked in the same sort of manner that one would expect to see from a Corellian Moon Owl.

A moment passed, and the Trianii slowly let his gaze lower. He was reclined enough along the edge of the pool so that the surface of the water reached to the upper portion of his barrel chest, both arms propped along the edges of the pool and stretched wide on either side of him.

He looked to Fred-dee.

"Greyfur," there was a strange tone to his rumbling voice now, as if his mind had found itself for the time being. It was always a strange thing, when he returned to a state of awareness that was not so airy and rambling.

"... This One is... not the sort you wish for."

[Fredal Rabeak]

The paw froze as Gantuhar's tone changed, and Freddie wilted under his gaze. Had Freddie misread the situation so badly? Was it conditioning? Was it something about his surroundings, and those funny smells which made him all excited and tingly? Or worse, was he hitting mating season a few months early? The young male's mind tumbled over itself, struggling to find its feet as it wove through a maze of tripping hazards thrown up by his instinctual needs.

Biting his lower lip, he looked over the big Triani, unsure why he was doing what he was doing with Gantuhar, yet his paw remained. In fact, it seemed to rub, of its own accord, as the words came out of his mouth before he could truly think them true.

"But... what if you are the sort I am wishing for, right now?" his voice asked quietly. "It wouldn't be my first time, if that's what you're worried about."

[Aine Akari]

A pair of slender, bare arms snaked into view from behind, as a familiar face appeared. The body that followed was a languid thing, and while slender, there was the obvious signs of malnutrition that was only fully staved off by the communal meals that had been partaken of each day. Aine, the Arkanian 'witch', had also saved her credits to allow herself a trip to the Teahouse. She often enough found solace in the ambiance here, strange as though it was. Passions ran unchecked, and pleasure and joy were what filled the air all around. It was enticing, alluring, and rejuvenating.

And as she slithered her lanky frame into the pool, Aine felt the soothing waters reach her neck as she gently pushed away from the edge.

"Greyfur is a pure soul," she hawmed, her voice a purr almost as her body twisted beneath the water to face both Freddie and Gantuhar.

"The years, they take their toll... "

Her head dipped, and she submerged herself completely into the water for a few seconds before coming back up, and when she did, both hands lifted to scoop her long, raven hair back.

"Greyfur wants love... "

Unseen beneath the water, she sent her own hand out, and slid it along Gantuhar's thigh until it rested over Freddie's own hand.

"... He wishes for something in life that he has been so deprived of... "

[Gantuhar]

For the first time in a long while, Gantuhar was lucid. Was it the young Nehantite's touch that rocked him back into the sort of existence that was considered the normal way of going about life? Who knew. Whatever the reason, he was as he had always been before his time at Star's End.

"Wishes are to not to be taken lightly, Young One."

There was a measure of compassion in his voice, and one arm moved, shifting from its spot along the pool's edge to dip below the water, and his hand gently rested atop Aine's, which was also over Freddie's.

"But they are also the most beautiful thing that one can hold dear."

[Fredal Rabeak]

At the sudden appearance of Aine, Freddie jumped, sending ripples through the water. And, while startled, Freddie couldn't help but look at her naked body, feeling the primal sensations which coursed through his veins.

Yet his paw remained on Gantuhar's thigh, which he could not explain. Looking from one new friend, to the other, he blushed deeply, the insides of his thin ears going pink, and even some of his lighter facial fur betraying the coloration.

"I've... I've never actually wished to be with a male, before," he admitted. His gaze turning up to Gantuhar, he pulled himself closer, leaning against the large male's side, finding comfort in the solid frame of his bulk. "But, I do now."

Are... are you gay? His mind began to ask itself. Confused by the attraction. His libido could answer it in no clear way, either, yet both acknowledged that they did not object. Finally on his own, Freddie was free to find himself, and he found himself in a pool of naked people, surrounded by sex, longing to know the embrace of a Triani, of all things. Even his head leaned in to rest against that broad chest.

"If... if you'll have me, I mean," he added.

There it was. His cowardice rearing its ugly head. A beast he could never seem to free himself of.

[Aine Akari]

With white eyes on Freddie, Aine gave him a gentle smile as she shifted, moving to slide her body up and into Gantuhar's lap, using his empty thigh as a perch to sit on.

"There is cruelty in life, that sullies many things... "

Leaning against the large Trianii so that she could lock her gaze with the young Nehantite's. Both and now seemed to become a part of their large companion, huddled up on either side of him as if seeking shelter from a storm.

"And sadly it is no different here for many beings... "

[Gantuhar]

Out of pure instinct, Gantuhar pulled his meaty hand free from Freddie's tentative hold, but instead of drawing away, he reached his arm around to place it over the boy's shoulders and draw him close to his side. His other arm shifted from the pool's edge to do the same to Aine, And he held both in a deceptively tender embrace, keeping them close to his body in such a way that was intimate, yet in no way overwhelming.

"If Freddie is sure of his wish, then it would be best to show patience."

His voice lowered then, to a soothing, almost-whispered bass as he dipped his head low, muzzle angling closer to Freddie's ear.

"This One will share his bed this night, with you."

[Aine Akari]

Held close, just as Freddie was, Aine gave him a slow, reassuring nod.

"There is a need now though, a fire... "

She wound a pinky finger around his own.

"And until your wish is met, let a witch sate your desire... "

[Fredal Rabeak]

It all happened before Freddie could say anything, yet his mind spun up with a flurry of wants and objections. The Nehantite's ears wilted a tad as Aine claimed Gantuhar's lap - the lap he wanted to be on - and Gantuhar wanted to... wait for that night? Then came the pinky hold, seemingly out of nowhere, along with a drain on the urges he felt.

He was tempted to let them go, but there was something different about the tea house, about his surroundings, that he couldn't let them subside, and they coursed through him with so great an intensity that he feared he was hitting mating season early. Swallowing, he found his focus, though it was not the focus of his mind, but his body.

"What if... what if I want him to sate it, instead?" he found himself asking.

[Aine Akari]

The Arkanian smiled sweetly, letting his pinky go as she withdrew. It was understandable, that Freddie's desires seemed to rest with only one body in this pool, but it was also unfortunate. With a sigh, Aine eased herself out from Gantuhar's arm to slip back fully into the perfumed waters, her body moving languidly.

"Enjoy the time you have now."

She gave the boy a slow nod, even as she set her sights upon another, across the pool who seemed to be letting himself relax; a lanky Muun who was lost in the fragrances, sensations, and sounds around him.

"But keep in mind what the Madame here will allow."

[Gantuhar]

With lazy eyes he watched the Arkanian witch slither her way to the Muun, and it wasn't long until his eyes went to Fred-dee.

"This One has been here enough time, Fred-dee Greyfur, to know that we are all driven by the passions- "

A slender body approached, moving easily through the sparse crowd that surrounded the pool. A Twi'Lek, his chest and narrow waist exposed, with only the barest of covering retaining whatever modesty he may have had. His lekku was adorned with artful tattoos and press-on gemstones that glittered with each movement.

"Can I get you gentlemen a drink?"

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie could feel the disappointment his response had given to Aine, though he wasn't sure how that was possible, as their fingers slipped apart. His ears wilted slightly, face apologetic as she departed, then his brow crimped with concern. What the Madame will allow? A few glances about found at least three couples going at it, so it was difficult to imagine what wouldn't be allowed in such a place!

The Nehantite's attention was brought back to the large male he leaned against, and he began to let his paw slip further down the inside of Gantuhar's thugh, before a voice pulled him out of his bliss.

Blinking, Freddie sat up a bit straighter, feeling like he'd just been caught doing something wrong, but it didn't feel wrong. Not here, at least. "A drink?" he asked, processing the thought. There he was, already too young to likely be allowed into such an establishment, and now he was being offered alcohol by a tall, handsome, fit Twi'Lek who he couldn't take his eyes off of? Eyes which caught the shimmer and shine of gems which would be tacky in most cases, the snaking designs of his tattoos, and a body Freddie found himself wishing he could press against, hold, touch, and caress. Something was wrong, he told himself. Those weren't his thoughts, it was his libido not just taking over, but locking his conscious in a broom cupboard, and all Freddie could do was stare.

"Y-yeah," he finally said. "That'd be great. Whatever you recommend." It took no small amount of self-control to not add "Handsome" to the end of the sentence, and he reminded himself he was there with Gantuhar by rubbing that inner thigh again beneath the milky waters.

[Gantuhar]

With a discerning eye, the Twi'Lek pursed his lips, his head tikking to one side before he spoke again.

"Well, I know what the big guy wants... "

Gantuhar gave a deep chuckle at that.

"This One is predictable."

"That you are, Chonk. I think for you, Nehantite, you would enjoy a Corusca Gem; Sparkling fizz, gin, and some namanadine with a little bit of periberry mash in the bottom and topped with an Ithorian mint leaf." He gave an easy smile, "... that sound ok?"