The transition from the chaotic swirl of rebirth to the simple act of cleansing was jarring, yet profoundly restorative for Ekaterina. The shower wasn't merely about physical hygiene; it was a symbolic shedding of her past life, a washing away of the pain and trauma that had clung to her like a shroud.
The water cascaded over her, warm and soothing, as she stood beneath the showerhead. Her long, raven hair, a cascade of midnight silk that reached down her hips, flowed freely down her slender, slim back. It moved like liquid darkness, catching the light filtering through the frosted glass window of the opulent bathroom. Each strand seemed to shimmer with an inner luminescence, reflecting the newfound energy coursing through her veins.
As the hot water worked its magic, it began to dissolve the layers of heavy makeup she's had painstakingly applied in her previous life – a desperate attempt to mask her inherent beauty and project an image of strength she didn't always feel. Now, as the last traces of foundation, eyeshadow, and lipstick swirled down the drain, her naturally flawless skin emerged. It was a porcelain canvas, smooth and unblemished, with a subtle rosy undertone that hinted at the vitality returning to her.
The water ran clear, revealing the full extent of her features. Her cheekbones were high and sculpted, framing a delicate jawline. Her lips were full and naturally rosy, curving into a subtle pout that hinted at both vulnerability and determination. But it was her eyes that truly captivated – dark ice ocean eyes, as Taotao would soon exclaim. They were a mesmerizing shade of deep grey-blue, reminiscent of a stormy sea reflecting a twilight sky.
They weren't the vacant, haunted eyes of someone burdened by past trauma. Instead, they were slowly opening up again, regaining their clarity and depth. A spark of intelligence and resilience flickered within them, a silent promise of the woman she was becoming. They held a hint of melancholy, a lingering echo of her previous life's sorrows, but it was tempered by a newfound strength and an unwavering resolve. It was as if the ocean depths themselves were gazing out, calm yet powerful, capable of both immense beauty and devastating force.
As Ekaterina stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a plush white towel, Taotao gasped. The little fox girl had been flitting around the bathroom, observing with wide-eyed fascination as Ekaterina transformed. She hovered in mid-air, her pink hair practically vibrating with excitement.
"Darling! You're a natural beauty!"
Taotao zipped around Ekaterina in a dizzying circle, her fox tail leaving a shimmering trail of pink sparkles.
"Well done, well done!" she exclaimed, clapping her tiny hands together with unrestrained glee.
"Absolutely stunning! I mean, honestly, the makeup was doing you a disservice!It was like trying to cover up the sunrise with a blanket!"
She paused, hovering directly in front of Ekaterina's face, scrutinizing her features with an almost professional intensity.
"The symmetry is impeccable! The bone structure is divine! And those eyes… darling, those eyes could launch a thousand ships! Or at least, cause a significant disruption to several timelines." She winked playfully.
Taotao then began to conjure holographic displays showcasing different beauty standards across various realms and timelines.
The displays shimmered into existence around them, a kaleidoscope of faces and aesthetics. One moment, Ekaterina was seeing images of ethereal, porcelain-skinned beings with elongated limbs and silver hair from a realm obsessed with otherworldly beauty.
The next, she was confronted with rugged, sun-kissed faces with strong jawlines and vibrant tattoos from a warrior culture where strength and resilience were paramount. Then came the shimmering, iridescent forms of beings who existed beyond the comprehension of human perception, their beauty defying any conventional definition.
"See?" Taotao chirped, gesturing towards the displays.
"Beauty is subjective, darling! What's considered stunning in one realm might be considered repulsive in another. But you… you possess a timeless elegance that transcends all boundaries."
She zoomed in on Ekaterina's face on one of the displays, highlighting her features with glowing lines and annotations.
"Your features are a perfect blend of classic and exotic, darling. It's a combination that will turn heads and spark intrigue wherever you go," Taotao continued, her voice brimming with genuine admiration. "It's practically begging for chaos!" She added with a mischievous grin.
She snapped her fingers, and the holographic displays vanished, leaving Ekaterina standing in the luxurious bathroom, feeling strangely exposed yet undeniably empowered. The simple act of removing the makeup had stripped away not just layers of pigment but also a carefully constructed facade. What remained was something raw, authentic, and undeniably captivating.
Ekaterina ran a hand through her damp hair, feeling the weight of it cascade down her back. She caught her reflection in the expansive mirror – a woman reborn, radiating an inner strength that belied the turmoil she'd endured.
She is seventeen again.