Duda opened the bathroom door carefully, still holding onto the railing, her eyes wide at what she saw. She had expected a simple, functional bathroom—something suitable for quick use by someone living in that neighborhood. But this… this was another story.
The bathroom looked like it had been pulled straight out of a soap opera or a luxury commercial. The marble floor reflected the natural light streaming through the wide, spotless windows. The sink was spacious, with polished metal faucets that gleamed like silver. Huge mirrors covered the walls, giving a sense of infinity without losing elegance.
Duda walked slowly through the space, taking in every detail. The soaps and toiletries were arranged on crystal trays, with luxurious glass bottles that must have cost more than a month of her salary. She picked up a bar of soap, spun it between her fingers, and almost laughed to herself—she had never imagined something so expensive just for washing hands.
The shower was enormous, with multiple jet options and even a small embedded digital screen showing the exact water temperature. Soft, fluffy towels hung on perfectly aligned racks, every detail thought out for comfort and aesthetics.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. This bathroom wasn't just luxurious—it was a quiet reminder of the unequal world they lived in. At work, she dealt with thieves with powers, plant monsters, and absurd situations, but this… this was another kind of power: wealth, order, privilege.
Duda approached the shower and turned on the water. The sound of water falling filled the space, echoing softly off the high walls. She couldn't help but wonder how much time and effort this bathroom represented, how much care had gone into it. Every detail was a silent statement of status and control.
She ran her fingers along the white marble toilet, feeling the cold smoothness of the material. The faucet was solid gold, with small diamonds encrusted at the ends—she blinked several times, trying to believe what she saw. Even the simple act of turning on the water transformed ordinary liquid into something almost celestial: pure, spring-like water, crystal clear, fresh, without odor or impurities.
She took a deep breath and let out a soft, low laugh, half incredulous, half bitter. "This… is real?" she murmured to herself. Every detail—from the plush towels to the delicately scented soaps in luxurious glass bottles—shouted wealth and care, confirming that this wasn't just decoration to impress—it was power, status, and privilege concentrated in every corner.
Duda felt small, but at the same time curiously fascinated. The world outside this house was full of chaos, thieves with powers, plant monsters, and constant injustices. But here, under the pure water cascading over her shoulders, every problem seemed distant, almost irrelevant.
She picked up one of the expensive soaps, holding it in her hands, thinking about how much it contrasted with her own life, her daily battles, the robberies she faced. And yet… she couldn't deny the simple pleasure of experiencing something clean, orderly, and flawless.
Duda closed her eyes, letting the water touch her face, and for a few minutes forgot the world outside. Every breath, every drop running over her, reminded her that chaos isn't absolute. Sometimes, even in the world of Shipsh, there are small refuges of perfection—real, tangible, and unbelievably luxurious.
She picked up the toothpaste. She could hardly believe her eyes: it was the best line she had ever seen, with elegant packaging and a gentle fragrance, something that screamed pure luxury. Toothbrushes neatly aligned, soft and perfect, each bristle designed for impeccable cleaning. It was absurd, almost ridiculous to her—but irresistible.
The bathroom wasn't just functional—it was a full experience. A built-in television showed nature scenes with relaxing sounds, while a carefully placed tray offered fresh fruits and a small elegant meal. Duda chuckled softly: she never imagined that taking a shower could be so… therapeutic.
Sitting in the small support chair, she felt the skilled hands of a built-in massage system in the seat, easing every point of tension, every muscle ache. It was as strange as it was wonderful: in that moment, the world outside—thieves, monsters, chaos—seemed very far away, almost nonexistent.
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, feeling that this simple luxury shower was transforming her. It wasn't just physical cleanliness—it was a mental and emotional rebirth. Every scent, every touch of water, every detail seemed designed to remind her that not all power comes from strength; sometimes it comes from experience and self-care.
Trofalls crossed his arms, looking at Harick, Sinto, Chigui, and Mensar as they guarded the improvised bathroom door.
"You guys are very dedicated to protecting the door from intruders," he commented, with that air of authority mixed with slight irony.
Harick rolled his eyes, impatient:
"You guys shouldn't work so hard on this… she's taking way too long."
Trofalls gave a crooked smile, tilting his head:
"Yes… but wait. She's probably just… pooping. Like women poop, you know?"
Sinto's eyes widened, surprised:
"I thought she didn't…"
Chigui made a confirming gesture:
"I knew she did."
"No, like men, it's more gentle," Harick muttered, trying to explain.
Harick huffed:
"We all poop, simple as that."
Mensar, serious and thoughtful, shook his head:
"Everyone has their own time… but also… I don't know… she's taking too long."
The four stood there in silence for a few seconds, hearing only the wind and distant city sounds, each reacting in their own way to the absurd situation.
"You guys really take door security way too seriously," Trofalls remarked, crossing his arms and smiling with his almost infinite patience.
"It's because if she comes out too early… we never know what might happen," Harick said, scratching his head, clearly uncomfortable with the wait.
Mensar sighed, looking at the closed door:
"Seriously… if she takes much longer, I'll start imagining way too much."
Sinto laughed, trying to break the tension:
"Better not think too much, Mensar."
Chigui just leaned against the wall, observing and shaking his head:
"You're all overreacting."
Trofalls, in his methodical observer style, just replied:
"And that's why we're the best at keeping any door… and any situation under control."
Harick scratched his head, looking at the closed improvised bathroom door:
"Why don't we take a peek?" he said, hesitant but too curious not to ask.
Trofalls turned to him, raising an eyebrow with that smile of someone who had already anticipated the question:
"Kid… want help?" he asked, crossing his arms. "I can help."
Sinto and Chigui looked at each other, both confused and amused. Mensar sighed, serious, clearly disapproving:
"Harick… it's not a good idea. Everyone has their own time, remember?"
Harick insisted, with that youthful determination:
"But… just a quick peek! Just to see if she's taking too long!"
Trofalls shook his head, laughing softly:
"Okay, but listen… if we do this, we do it right. I'll teach you how to observe without being noticed."
Sinto murmured, slightly suspicious:
"Is this… right?"
Chigui shrugged, entertained by the situation:
"You guys are crazy."
Mensar just sighed, crossing his arms:
"Seriously… you're impossible."
Harick, excited, looked at Trofalls:
"Then let's go! Show me how!"
Trofalls smiled mischievously, grabbing the police hat he wore and adjusting it:
"Okay, kid. But remember: observation is an art. No messing up, no exposing yourself… and no exaggeration."
The group prepared, each taking their strategic position, with Trofalls leading the "covert observation" mission, while Mensar shook his head in disapproval, Sinto laughed quietly, and Chigui readied himself for any unexpected situation.
Mensar crossed his arms, looking at Harick with a serious, disapproving expression:
"He's her colleague… you think he's going to help you see her naked?"
Harick, wide-eyed, didn't know how to respond, while Sinto and Chigui exchanged amused glances at the confusion.
Trofalls, with a mischievous smile, responded calmly:
"I'm not helping, insolent kid." — he paused, tilting his head — "I'm just a cog in his naughty destiny."
Harick blinked, confused:
"A… cog in destiny?"
Trofalls continued, firm and somewhat philosophical:
"If he sees a woman naked now, he'll know a lot for the future. It's strategic learning."
Mensar let out an exasperated sigh:
"Okay, that's absurd…"
At that moment, the door opened, and Duda stepped out of the bathroom. The group froze for a second. The sound of dripping water and the subtle scent of her shower filled the air.
Trofalls quickly composed himself, raising his voice in a mock reproach:
"Hey! What are you doing? Trying to spy on someone? That's totally wrong!" — he said, lightly tapping Harick on the shoulder, trying to hide his laughter.
Harick blushed, looking away, trying to appear innocent:
"No… of course not!"
Duda raised an eyebrow, suspicious but amused:
"Hmm… funny… I heard that last sentence, you know?" — she said with a teasing smile.
Mensar just rolled his eyes, but a small curve of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth:
"Whenever they think they're smart, they end up getting caught."
Sinto and Chigui exchanged glances, laughing quietly, while Harick tried to regain composure, and Trofalls pretended to be indignant, though he was internally laughing.
Mensar crossed his arms, looking at Trofalls and Harick with a serious, slightly irritated expression:
"Damn… hypocrisy in person."
Trofalls crouched in front of them, with that mischievous smile that was impossible to take seriously:
"I saw you at the bar last night… what were you doing there?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Harick scratched his head, trying to look casual, but his face slightly flushed:
"Well… he lives there, but also… sleeps here."
Mensar huffed, rolling his eyes:
"Harick… sometimes you don't need to share your whole life."
Sinto and Chigui, standing nearby, exchanged amused glances. Sinto murmured quietly:
"He never learns…"
Chigui laughed, almost choking:
"Always getting into trouble…"
Harick, trying to defend himself, spoke with a half-smile:
"Hey, I didn't say too much… just… explaining the situation."
Trofalls crossed his arms, still crouched, with that "I know everything" look:
"Hm… explaining the situation, huh? I see curiosity and naivety know no limits…"
Mensar sighed deeply, shaking his head:
"You two are impossible… but that's why I stay close to you, isn't it?"
Harick smiled, half proud, half mischievous:
"Yeah… someone needs to watch over me."
The atmosphere between them was strange, a mixture of jealousy, humor, and protective friendship, while Trofalls just observed, laughing inside, pleased with the quiet chaos forming around them.
Harick looked at his wristwatch and exclaimed:
"It's 9 o'clock!"
Duda, still in her robe, widened her eyes and huffed:
"We're late… damn it!" — she said, letting out a nervous laugh.
"Thanks for the help!"
She ran quickly toward the street to catch a taxi, her robe fluttering behind her.
Trofalls, standing nearby, grabbed his phone and quickly wrote something, handing it to Duda:
"Here… call me if you need anything," he said firmly, but with that mischievous smile only he could manage.
He then turned to Mensar, who had been watching from afar, and spoke firmly:
"And you, little angel… I don't want to see you at the bar. Don't even think about it."
Mensar raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised, but eventually nodded. Harick, next to him, looked at Trofalls with a mix of admiration and irritation:
"This man is impossible… but he never lets anyone get into trouble."
Trofalls just shrugged, adjusting his police hat:
"Yeah… that's my job. And your destiny still needs a good dose of discipline."
As Duda disappeared down the street, the group remained there, each absorbing the mixture of urgency, humor, and protection that marked that strange day.
(Harick)
She took my mom's robe.