Inside, there was what appeared to be a running track that went around the perimeter of the building. In the center, surrounded by marble columns, was a pool stirred by a rippling fountain that spat water from a cluster of rocks at the far end. Steam rose from the water, which was illuminated by a hanging brazier and the natural light through the small windows set high into the walls.

"Hello? Is any-pony in here?" called Goldie, but the only response was a faint echo.

She looked over her shoulder at Selene and shrugged, then lead the way across the track to the water's edge. She could feel the heat rising from the water, breathing deep of the vapor, and when she did it was as though a pulse shook her brain and she felt her body relax.

This is no ordinary water.

Eager to submerge herself in the unusual bath Goldie removed her sandals and tested the water with her toes, pleased by the temperature. She hastily lifted her dress over her head and started to remove her underwear, only remembering she had company as she was pulling her panties off her leg, after which she was completely naked.

Goldie stood there frozen for a moment, then slowly looked over at Selene who's gaze was politely averted, though she was clearly uncomfortable. "Sorry." said Goldie, then sat down on the edge of the water, dangling her legs over the side. The pool was shallow and when she found the bottom she let herself slip in.

The water felt so good she almost forgot she was naked, for a moment anyway. The warmth wrapped around her calves and thighs, the heat soothing the muscles and tickling her skin. There was something else as well, an almost electric sensation that was so faint as to be almost imperceptible, yet for that very reason it was difficult to ignore.

After wading out to the center of the pool, where the water reached up to her chest, Goldie turned to see the warlock standing at the water's edge, uncertain whether to follow her in.

"It's ok! Come in, the water feels great!" said Goldie, and by the time the echo had faded Selene had begun to unravel her bandages, revealing to Goldie the eerie scars that wrapped around her body like glossy tattoos.

Whatever flame had touched her left its mark on her left thigh, upper arms and the left side of her torso, the scars branching and twisting. There were no large patches of damaged flesh, but rather a pattern like tongues of flame, coiling around her limbs and climbing her left breast from beneath her arm, reaching for her nipple but not quite making it.

There was a strange beauty to her, born of a contrast between her soft, dark-blue flesh and the savage wounds the would not heal.

She was quieter than Goldie would have expected, but standing there at the edge of the bath she had the same severity that Luna did. Her blue hair tumbled down her back and her eyes were ringed with voluminous lashes. Her perky breasts sported dark nipples and when she had finished removing her bandages she looked like a statue of some warrior goddess.

When she saw Goldie looking she couldn't decide whether to try and hide her privates or her scars. Goldie realized she was being rude and decided to offer Selene the same curtesy that she had shown her and averted her eyes, though it was difficult. She wanted to look at Selene, to see every inch of her interesting body.

More than that, she wanted to touch it; to slide her hands over it and feel the differing textures. She wanted to press her nipples like buttons, and plunge her fingers between her thighs...

Woah, slow down.

Just a day before the two of them were adversaries. They weren't even really friends... yet.

Goldie made her way to the other side and settled down, resting her elbows on the edge and catching a glimpse of Selene as she slipped into the water.

The warlock waded in toward the center, sighing loudly. The scars on her body reacted somehow to the water. Though they didn't usually hurt, a sensation rivaling relief coursed through the patterns of flame-touched flesh, like the feeling one gets when a tear finds its way into a dry eye: Almost pain, but somehow... good.

Selene enjoyed herself a little, floating on her back and letting out a long, low moan, her wet blue breasts floating above the water's surface like the backs of a pair of aquatic mammals come up for air.

She spread her arms and legs, then pulled them close to propel herself backward through the water. She came up next to Goldie, and Goldie put out her hand to prevent her from bumping into the side of the pool with her head.

Gratefully, Selene righted herself and sat down beside Goldie, thanking her for her gentle intervention.

"How is it that you remember your name?" asked Goldie suddenly, not really expecting an answer.

"I don't... or I didn't. The small princess—Twilight something—she found the name engraved on an item I had with me, though I don't recall exactly what it was.

"Apparently, I had a lot of trinkets with me, if only I could recall their significance."

Selene drew her wet hair behind her ear and blushed, and Goldie felt her heart beat a little faster.

There was a certain barrier between them before. Goldie still remembered the warlock as she had been, even though she herself had forgotten.

For Selene, Goldie was a stranger showing her around a strange place where her oldest memory is that of a prisoner.

Now they had seen each other naked, spoken to one another and have been able to relax in each other's company.

There were still other places to show her, though, and before long the two of them would have to leave the bath behind.

Author's Note

The second stop on the tour is someplace unfamiliar to both of them, and a place where they can become more familiar with one another. Not sure how many more stops they will make, and how much more time I will spend on this part of the story. Hopefully it proves entertaining enough.