Chương 75: Showering For the First Time

Maximus and the two cats descended the stairs and turned left, moving into the living room, where Silex and Vesper were currently relaxing before the fireplace, where Embi had nestled within, enjoying the flames. The chill of the late summer night was broken by the crackling fire. As they sensed Maximus's approach, the two turned.

"Found out anything?" Vesper asked.

"What about the feisty one? Did you eat him? It would be a shame. Seemed like an interesting fellow!" Silex chuckled.

"Who would eat His Majesty Mochi the Butcher? Only a fool would attempt to commit such an atrocity!" Mochi suddenly spoke before Maximus could even say a word.

"Hahahaha. Here he is at it again." Silex roared with laughter, a low guttural sound. Hearing this, Mochi hissed, his coat spiking up, a defensive reflex that doubled his fluffy size.

"Calm down, you fool. He is just laughing..." Bambi sighed.

"Evening, gentlemen. I am Bambi, the boss of this place. This fool shaking behind me is Mochi, the mascot." A soft chuckle escaped her.

"Oho! Another one. Well, hello. I must say your color is quite beautiful. Reminds me of someone!" Silex laughed.

"An albino friend, I see. Yes, I agree, white truly is the best coat of them all!" Bambi twirled her tail, clearly enjoying the compliments. Hearing this, Silex started waving his tail, moving the sofa left and right as he did.

"Calm down, you gecko. You will break the boss's lair!" Vesper growled, making Mochi shake even more.

"I am Vesper, and this one is Silex. Behind me is Embi, who is our cheerful fire spirit." Vesper stepped forward like a true leader. Behind him, Embi flew from the flames, a small crimson burning snake, and buzzed happily around the room.

"Aaaaaaaaah! Burning monsters are invading!" Mochi screamed and ran up the stairs back into his room.

"I apologize for my friend. He doesn't handle new things well..." Bambi exhaled.

"It is understandable. Seeing such beings must have been quite a shock!" Vesper nodded.

"Haha, that orange one is a hoot!" Silex laughed even louder. Maximus exhaled as Jade and Sprout walked in.

"Bambi, these are Jade and Sprout. Sprout here has been with me ever since I arrived, and Jade is our newest addition. She just hatched, so bear with her, please." Maximus smiled as Jade lowered herself and rubbed her head against Maximus's shoulder.

"She seems to appreciate a good cuddle. My type of lady!" Bambi nodded.

"Boss, what is the current plan? We have a little less than twenty-nine days, correct?" Vesper asked.

"The plan is to investigate this world and learn as much as possible, alongside investigating who could have attacked this body before I arrived." Maximus paused, lost in thought.

"I will also need to prepare more potions, research my new Arcane Path, and, well, this world is full of monsters, right? We should hunt some as well, increase our levels, and gain an advantage for the second trial!" Maximus announced his plans.

"Sounds good to me, boss!" Vesper nodded.

"You had me at 'hunt some monsters.'" Silex added.

"We should also try the food in this new world you dragged me into. Hey, white sister, how is the food here?" Silex turned to Bambi.

"Oh, it is delicious. Especially tuna steak, just grilled to perfection on both sides. Though my personal favorite is roasted chicken breast. That is just to die for!" She explained, already salivating.

"Oh yes. The chicken Tereza gifted me was delicious!" Vesper nodded.

"Agreed. If the other food is like that, we are going to have a pleasant time here!" Silex nodded, already imagining all the dishes.

"How about we all go rest for now? It has been quite a long day." Maximus announced.

"Agreed, let us rest and prepare for tomorrow!" Vesper nodded.

"You can take this floor. I will go up to bed," Maximus said.

"Won't you shower and change into some clean clothes? Don't be a savage, Max!" Bambi complained.

"Shower?" Maximus questioned.

"Oh, you really are uneducated." She shook her small head.

"There are two bathrooms. One is through the hall next to the kitchen, to the right; there is a large bath and a shower in there, and another one upstairs with just a shower. It's a place to wash the filth off yourself." She explained.

"Oooh, I could go for a swim!" Silex cut in.

"You cannot swim in a bath, silly. But you could soak, I guess..." Bambi spoke, amused.

"Alright, lead us to this 'shower' and let us see what that is!" Maximus nodded. Bambi shook her head and led them first into the larger bathroom through the kitchen and into another hallway where, alongside the bathroom, were two more bedrooms and a spare room where the washing machine, dryer, and some miscellaneous things were kept. The lights turned on as they walked, making Maximus admire the ingenuity once again.

Within the bathroom, in the center of the room, stood a large round bathtub that could easily fit a few people. To the left of it was a large walk-in shower, and to the right a toilet and a sink with a mirror stretching across the entire back wall.

"A bit too extravagant if you ask me, but Max inherited it from his late mother's family. So, he never really wanted to do any redecorating." Bambi explained. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"So, you can wash yourself in here and there as well?" Maximus pointed at the shower.

"Yes, a bath is for relaxing; a shower is for quick cleaning. You can also wash your clothing in the room next door." She added.

"What an interesting approach to cleanliness. It would seem that people of this world enjoy being clean. That is something I can respect!" Maximus nodded.

"Do you think I can fit inside?" Silex asked as he approached the bathtub.

"You could squeeze in somehow," Bambi said, amused.

"Anything else we should know?" Maximus asked.

"For now, I think this should be enough for you, simple folk. Though you could feed my foolish brother and me once you are done." She blinked innocently.

"Haha, alright. Now then, Silex, you go in here. Vesper and Jade, you go with me there. Time to clean the First Plane off us!" Maximus announced. First, he helped Silex into the bathtub and opened the faucet, just as Bambi had instructed, before adding the shampoo, which made the water extremely foamy.

"You overdid it!" Bambi laughed.

"Not even this might remove all the dirt from this gecko!" Vesper mocked.

"Hah! Look who is talking. You smell worse than a corpse!" Silex growled, completely covered with foam and bubbles. Maximus took a nearby sponge and started scrubbing him, spilling water all over the floor, which luckily drained into the drain next to the tub. Once Silex was clean enough, he insisted on staying in the tub while Maximus, alongside Jade and Vesper, entered the large walk-in shower.

He scrubbed and cleaned them thoroughly for almost an hour, then finally took off his clothing and gear, stored them away, and started showering. The sensation of warm water falling directly over him, mixed with the smell of shampoo and shower gel, made him fully relax. How wonderful! The hot streams are massaging my body and cleansing me at the same time! I could get used to this! It sure beats lying in a bath in your own filth… He smiled, relaxed.

He listened to Bambi, whose hobby had been observing old Max as he showered, and she guided him on which bottles to use and in which order. Oh, so there is a sort of ritual in cleaning yourself. These humans have elevated cleanliness into an art form! In the end, he left the shower fully clean, wrapped a towel around his lower half, and even applied moisturizer to his face as instructed. Hmm… I've never seen anything like it. What is this even made of? He tasted it and spat into the sink.

"Not edible!" he announced to Bambi's shock.

"Now dry yourself and the wolf with this." She pointed at the hairdryer. Maximus plugged it in as instructed and turned it on, marveling at the hot air suddenly blowing. Like a Breeze spell, but it costs no mana at all! Wonderful! But what is powering it then? Hmm, I should take it apart later and inspect this marvelous little thing! He smiled as he dried his long flowing hair, and then attempted to dry Vesper, who protested, but uselessly. He then dried Jade's wings, the rest of her body already dry.

"That should be it. Now come, we shall pick you a sleeping outfit!" Bambi ordered, clearly enjoying her position as guide.

"Silex, we are going to go. Do you want to stay here?" Maximus asked.

"Aye. It's nice and warm and smells like heaven. This old one could become even prettier if I absorb these waters!" Silex shouted.

"Haha, alright, buddy. If you need anything, just shout. I will be upstairs!" Maximus said. Afterward, Bambi taught him how to use the washer to clean his clothing, somehow barely stopping him from taking it apart right there. Later, Vesper retired into the living room onto one sofa, alongside Jade, who sprawled across another.

Bambi led Maximus to give her some of her favorite wet food, which he struggled to open, and after she was done moaning and smacking her lips, they, along with Sprout, moved upstairs, while Embi retreated into Maximus's crimson leaf to rest.

Maximus returned to the main bedroom, where he found Mochi sleeping on the floor.

"Poor fellow, fell asleep from the excitement." Maximus chuckled and moved him to a nearby cat bed.

"You love me, Max, don't you?" He muttered half-asleep and tucked himself in nicely before continuing to sleep. Maximus removed the towel wrapped around his lower half and put on some underwear, white shorts, and a plain blue T-shirt.

"How do I look?" He asked. Bambi paused for a moment before speaking.

"Like my Max." She spoke softly, making Maximus's heart clench as the words carried deep sadness within. My humblest apologies, little one. He thought, his gaze softening as he reached out to stroke her fur. Let time attempt to fix your pain. Even though it never did mine. He picked her up gently and placed her on the bed before he and Sprout both stretched and moved under the sheets. Moments later, he sank into the anatomical bedding and relaxed. This is incredibly soft. And this pillow is amazing.

I could spend days just sleeping here! He gasped, amazed. Sprout moved next to his head and closed its eyes while Bambi climbed onto his chest and curled up into a small loaf, closing her tired eyes. He activated Spirit Sense, which sent a ripple of spirit energy scanning the whole house and the surrounding area. He saw his companions resting, Silex still bathing, and then outside he saw some odd-looking horseless carriages.

He saw people watching something on large screens just like the one he had on the wall next to him, and he saw humans resting peacefully. What a world… They are all living in peace despite the Trials, planes, and gods. Even though any one of them could disappear at any moment. Truly a special kind of humans. He couldn't help but admire such a way of living.

Then, as the thoughts swirled within his mind, he lay there for a while staring at the poster of some RPG game on the ceiling, depicting orcs and elves fighting on an open field. This culture is odd; they actually celebrate other races? But wait, are there even other races here? Then how would they know what elves and orcs look like? And it's realistic at that! Is it related to the trials? But why would it be?

Maximus thought, staring into the face of an especially fierce elven warrior before sleep finally took him.

The peace of the whole house was interrupted by a scream early the next morning just as the songbirds started their summer melodies.

"Oh shit, Christina!" Bambi jumped off the bed and ran, making Maximus rise violently.

"Curses!"