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The Bathtub-Story 16 of 31

By Ta’kom Ironhoof

There’s nothing better at the end of a long a laborious day than taking a nice, hot bath. Light some candles, turn out the lights, put on some soft music, and slip into the loving embrace. Today was especially difficult, some I’m taking an extra special bath tonight.

As an Ox, those around me expect that I’ll be the one to move things around the warehouse. Seems the owners can’t be bothered with buying anything mechanical. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind working hard, but when I’m getting paid just enough to buy food and that’s it, makes me feel like I’m just being used. Besides, we could get so much more done if they’d buy at least one of those mechanical beasts.

For being such a larger creature, it sure was nice when I found this house and discovered that the bathtub was extra-large; more than enough room to fit someone of my stature. Before getting in, I take the top of a bottle that I acquired for such an occasion. A special night requires special circumstances. With Prohibition in full swing, coming across any kind of drinking spirits has been incredibly difficult. But, it helps to know people; I suppose.

I pour myself a glass and drink it all down in one gulp. The mild burn runs down my throat as the tang of it makes me shiver involuntarily. Rarely do I get a chance to drink, so it hits me harder than I was expecting.

As a warmth courses through me, I step into the bathtub, one hoof after the other. It’s hot and tingles the flesh beneath my fur. It’s a…pleasant feeling. Certainly better than the muscles that are almost always sore. As I sit down to allow my body to be covered, the warmth embraces my whole body, up to my neck. To get more comfortable, I shift back and forth, stretching this way and that, trying to get my body used to this source of pleasure filled pain.

I know that soon, not a single muscle in my body will be sour ever again.

But, I must endure a rather uncomfortable period. That’s exactly what the lady had told me. One day, as I was doing my weekly grocery shopping, and noticed her standing in the alleyway between the shops. It almost seemed like fate. Our eyes met at the exact same time, and she beckoned me over. I still remember exactly what her first words had been.

“You…seem tired. I can fix that, you know.”

We talked for a little while. She was even the one that recommended that I look into renting this place. Times are so uncertain right now. There’s trouble across the ocean in Europe. The Emu War is in full swing. Prohibition. It’s all so…stressing. But she assured me that those green glass bottles would be able to cure all of my worries. Make it all…go away.

She never told me exactly what it was, but she assured me all I had to do was mix it into a large bath. And now that I’ve been laying here for a bit, I must say, she was exactly right. All of my muscles have completely relaxed. Though my eyes are closed, I move my legs and can feel my muscles moving gently through the liquid around me.

I admit, I’m made worried because my skin is still tingling, almost burning, but it’s certainly better than the pain I was experiencing.

Now that I think about it, my whole body was burning. More of an itching feeling. I ignore it, though. Probably just my fur being swished around, tickling against my skin. I certainly feel like I weigh less. I guess I’m floating a bit more now that my muscles aren’t all in knots.

Maybe tomorrow morning, I’ll see if I can find that lady and get some more of this stuff. It was wonderful. That whiskey she gave me was good as well. She’s been an angel in my time of need, that’s for sure. Might check to see what else she’s got for sale. Not like I can just walk into a store and buy alcohol. I’ve been laying here long enough though. Probably time I got out and went to bed. The sun comes up early but I wake up earlier. The walk to the dock isn’t a short one.

But as I try to move my leg to push myself up, I realize it doesn’t seem like I’m pressing against anything at all. I can’t feel my hooves touching anything. And the burning. The burning is beyond intense!

I try to open my eyes to see what’s going on, but all I can manage is to move my eyebrows around and when I try to bring my hands up to my face, I feel no movement, no pressure. Nothing responds.

In a panic, I try to twist my body around, trying to make my body do anything, anything at all, but the most I manage to do is hunch my shoulders, causing me to slip further into the tub. It was like I had shrunk. There shouldn’t have been room for me to sink this much, but now the water was at my muzzle and I can’t describe the feeling, but the taste was extremely acrid.

Just before my head was fully engulfed beneath the top of my bath, I heard the distinct noise of the drain being pulled. Someone else was in here with me! Someone pulled the chain attached to the plug. They’re saving me!

Maybe the whiskey was too much.

Maybe I had passed out but was still conscious of my surroundings somehow.

But then, if my body could have shivered, it would have, as I heard the voice of the lady who had provided me with everything I had used tonight. Her words chilled me and it was the last things I heard.

“Now that you’ve been liquified, you’ll go down the drain much easier. The mistress will be happy.”