VL) Chapter 2 Part 1 (Patreon)

I was currently standing in the living room of a large mansion. If I were to compare it to my old home in the slums it could be considered a one million times upgrade. I mean, there was a couch. A Holo TV. Hell, there was even a bathroom with running water. There were no buckets to catch the drips from the leaky pipes above. There was no cold cement roof to welcome me. There was no small metal box that was half rusted to shelter me. This place was like heaven on Earth. It was a true utopia. And to think I of all people would get to live in such a place… I think anyway. I could be getting ahead of myself and I might just be here to be teased and then thrown to the roof where I belong.

“This is your new home now," Nina declared, her voice firm yet kind. "I've arranged a room for you next to my daughters’. But before we settle in, there's something we need to address.” Her gaze shifted to me, her brow slightly furrowed.

It was a look that said you really need a bath. I lifted my left arm took a sniff and smelled my pits but I was sure I did not stink too badly. I did wipe myself clean the day before. But it seemed to Nina, that I truly did smell. “I will help you get a bath ready. We need to get you cleaned up.”

I pursed my lips, blushing slightly. I had always thought I kept myself decently clean but I guess I was only considered clean in the slums. Nina dragged me into the bath which I was kind of excited about. I mean it was my first bath. I had always used a semi-clean towel and a bucket of cold water to bathe with.

But now watching the clear water flowing from the facet of the bathtub and the steam rising from it, telling me that it was indeed hot, made a smile form on my lips. I really couldn’t wait to jump in… although with my tail I might have to sit in a strange position. Luckily it was a rather big bath.

“Shampoo and conditioner are there. Soap and body scrub are there. I even prepared a brush for your tail and horns. Once you are done. You can brush your teeth using the toothbrush in the green cup. The toothpaste is on the counter. I will leave the rest to you. I set the bath to keep cycling the water so you can wash without worry.” I feel she took a stab at me at the end there. I mean I couldn’t be that dirty right… Ah… As soon as I sunk into the hot water, dirt came pouring off my body. I lowered my head and blushed not daring to look at Nina.

“It’s fine. You have had a rough life until now. Your days will only be getting better so take this chance to wash away the old you and so that the new you can take over.” Seeing Nina smile at me before she turned to leave without a single hint of disgust made me feel maybe this new home of mine would not be so bad.

I spent a good hour washing. I never knew my body was so disgusting. As the dirt and grime were removed, I could finally smell something clean for the first time. The feeling was very relaxing. I took special care to clean my tail so it was nice and shiny as well as making sure my horns were just as clean. My hair. Which normally was a bit matted and hard to take care of was now soft and completely silky smooth. The oils and build-up that I could not get rid of over the years were now fully flushed out. There was even a tint of green in my hair but hard to see unless the light reflected off of it.

I looked at myself in the mirror to really get a good look at myself. The blurry image I was used to was now clear as day and I have to admit I was quite cute. My eyes were slightly glowing green with black-slitted pupils. It was a crazy sight to see. While the rest of my body did not change, the once dark skin I once had was now white as can be. This was the result of removing dirt I had no idea had built up on me. I felt slightly ashamed but also at the same time felt like a new person.

“Alicia, we will take this new chance to begin anew. Fight for everything we can get no matter what it takes.” I slapped my cheeks and pumped my fists. I was going to work hard and become someone no one could look down on.

I put on the clean set of clothes at the side which was slightly loose in the chest and stretched my arms. There were no socks or shoes which I would normally wear day and night so having my bare feet out freely like this was a new experience for me. As I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way down the hall, I could fell the soft feeling underfoot from the carpet that allowed my toes to sink into it as if I were walking on clouds. It was truly a unique experience. It made me realize just how much I was missing living in the slums. To have such a heavenly place like this where even walking around made you feel as if you were floating. Living in the upper tiers, was indeed paradise, like the people of the slums used to say.