Kim is saved by a fairy

A fairy dropped a bucket of aromatic water onto the creature and the tentacles receded. “What are you doing? Octopi aren’t for amateurs. Their tentacles have a mind of their own, literally, and they are quite the curious buggers. Go to the supervisor and tell her to send more competent backup.”

“I’m sorry ma’am. Right away.” Kim hastily grabbed her bucket and retreated. As she glanced back, she noticed that a tentacle had latched onto the fairy’s leg and was pulling her towards the octopus. Its companions were already tickling the sides of the pixie. Well, sucks to be her, but Kim really shouldn’t draw more attention to herself. Surely someone else would alert the supervisor. Surely.

Kim powerwalked towards the exit. It was finally within reach. “Hey you!” a gnome shouted at Kim. “Come help us out!” He and his team were trying to comb the tangled mane of a grouchy werewolf.

“Eek!”

“Are you deaf or something? Come on! All hands on deck.”

“S-sorry, but I’m needed… here!” Kim entered a private bathhouse. It was an empty square save for a giant bath in the middle. The place was quite dirty. Dirt and mud stained the room like it had been the center of a landslide. Guess they forgot to clean it up. There was another door on the other side. “I can go around the back, and that gnome will never see me. Great plan, Kimmy. Thank you, Kimmy! …Should probably stop talking to myself.”

Kim walked to the other side of the room. She was careful to not step on the slime with her bare feet. When she was about to reach the door, the dirt suddenly moved and assembled in front of the exit. The pile of muck towered above her. Three small holes formed at its top; a mouth and two eyes.

“I’ve been expecting you,” the goo said with a deep voice.

“Ahh!” Kim jumped back. She dropped the bucket and hugged her chest. “You’ve been ...expecting me?”

“Yes. How long are you going to keep me waiting? I paid for the whole package.” The sentient ball of mud moved towards the center of the bath. “Come now. This dirt isn’t going to clean itself.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t work here. I’ll call one of the other servants.” Kim took one step towards the door. The ball of mud got angry and blocked her exit. The walls rumbled. “What I meant was: Sure, I work here! No need to call the other servants!”

The naked woman approached the monster. Was she about to touch that …thing? She got goosebumps. The night kept getting worse and worse. “Relax, Kim. If the night shift trained you for anything, is this. Now let’s grab some gloves and…” Kim looked at her bucket; there were no gloves. The only tools at her disposal were a bar of soap and a sponge. Oh, and that hand thingy that was coming out of the bucket. “Huh? AAHH!”

A pale hand rose out of the bucket, then another, they grabbed the rim of the container. From within its waters emerged a pale woman. “… You!… It’s your fault Lady Kerhs punished me. ...You’ll pay for-”

“Think fast!”

“Huh?”

Kim tossed the bucket to Harako, who instinctually caught it. “As I was saying, mister slimeball sir. I’m not cleaning you, because this servant is the one assigned to do it. Have a good bath.” Kim jumped towards the door.

“…Wait. Hold on!” Harako tried to follow her.

“Good luck!”

The ball of mud blocked the exit of the bath. Kim could hear Harako crashing against it and whimpering. That ought to buy her some time. Kim thought about having to touch that …thing. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Talk about dodging a bullet.

Kim was in front of the stairs, she promptly climbed up. They only went up one floor.