29- Into the dragon's lair

“{I Welcome thee, to my lair, oh brave adventurer.}”

I found myself gasping at the visage in front of me. The sudden realization left me speechless as well as having trouble taking my mind of the apparently dire situation I found myself in.

In front of me, laid a fine example of a dragon’s lair, the dragon sitting on top his golden hoard, a princess held captive, a plethora of kobolds excited to serve their master. In front of the dragon, laid a defeated knight, unable to muster the strength to move stand up and fight again.

Which might be my fault, but alas. Upon coming to a new world I have decided I shall be a better version of myself, for which I shall evade a negative thoughts, such as one in which I focus on pointing fingers about problems. Yes, better to be a problem solver than a problem accuser. A proactive mentality is known to be very important for an adventurer.

But it was indeed your fault, Master. Shush you, no finger pointing!

Behind the fallen hero, intruding my very thoughts and gazing intently at me stands a fearsome, magnificent, gallant, brilliant, handsom- Ok that’s enough, this is not even my own train of thought.

Since I had realized this is a different world than the one I was once born in, I had come to realize that my link with Feugan was very much real. Often finding my thoughts shared with Feugan, getting feedback and even comments on matters regarding opinions or ideas. Very much like how it was suposed to be in the original settings for a dragon companion with an spiritual link, something for which I had put in a lot of work into. Somehow it came very naturally, which was both disconcerting and soothing at the same time. With me being… well, me. I had developed certain bad habits with my trains of thought, more than once I had come to realize that certain self-doubts and negative ideas would be immediately shoved aside, I could feel Feugans presence in such moments, maybe it was his dragon pride, but in his eyes there was no doubt or buts regarding his self-worth and therefore mine.

Focusing again at the situation at hand, inside of my dragon’s companion room, as he remains sitting on top of his golden hoard with the captive princess at his side… Well... She is a little more closer to comfort to just say she is at his side, isn’t she?

The princess… Kara, was it? Wasn’t she supposed to be a barmaid?

Taking a look around, I came to realize that almost everyone else in the room seems overly intent on ignoring the fact that Kara is cuddling with Feugan. It is a weird visage to say the least. While Feugan is laying on the most cliché position for a dragon to await within his “lair” as to far to be sitting on top of a pile of gold. The “captive” princess Kara is, quite obviously a prisoner of the dragon known as Feugan, in the same manner someone is prisioner of a very warm embrace. And for all manner and purposes, it does seems like an embrace of sorts. Sitting almost on top of him, accommodated as if she was a model sitting sideways on a fancy psychiatrist's -chaise longue- sofa, leaning on Feugan’s forelegs as a resting point, with her head nestled against his neck, his tail coiling around her as if not only pull her closer but rather claim her too, just as she remains caressing him under his chin.

Now. Coming to the decision that I have seen enough of what is happening there. It somehow feels like I am witnessing a moment that is much more private than what the obviously flirting couple should be exposing to friends and family.

Oh goodness I think I saw some ruffling under her skirt. Nope! Not looking at them anymore!

Panicking a little, I found myself looking around trying to make sure my daughter isn’t looking at such a mature display of affection, at least not without the mention on how it shouldn’t be so openly shown in public. Bewildering now, frantically wondering just where did Feugan get such an aspect of personality. My mind quickly filled with tidbits of all the lore I had written for him.

Goodness, is this because is is suposed to like "human companionship"?! Because, this is most certainly not what i meant.

Now also trying to remember all the adventures we had gone along before and even the people we had gone with, It was a most worrisome concern that my daughter might develop such a licentious personality just because I had been too lax on which friends she had interacted with or what she might have overheard me say.

I felt a great amount of relief when I realized that my daughter was sitting at the table, eating snacks and merrily talking with Mimiru and... a kobold? Now, paying more attention to my surroundings, at least the less embarrassing surroundings within the huge stone walled room. I came to notice that in fact there were a few kobolds in the room. As a matter of fact, there was one right in front of me. Maybe? I am not entirely sure because all I can see from my point of view is a big round platter with some dried fruits and cuts of cured meat on it. Upon peering under it, I find indeed a kobold, a small kobold struggling to stand on his tiptoes, trying his best for the platter to reach even higher, most likely. The small creature is wearing some sort of loose tunic and a cloth satchel. A vastly different look from what I had come to expect from a kobold due to my D&D knowledge, but aside from the more civilized look the garments gave to it, it was most definitely a kobold.

Snout, claws, scales, tail, little horns and a platter with snacks. Ok, it is a kobold, but they are certainly different to a degree.

Upon noticing how I was looking at him, the now startled scaled humanoid yipped in surprise, almost loosing balance and dropping the platter. For a moment it seemed like he wanted to bring it down to offer the snacks to her, now that he had my attention, but upon realizing that bringing such a big platter in front of him,  without dropping all the food in the process, was but a futile endeavor, he looked intently at me and made a soft chirping sound.

“Ah! Mom- er! Mistress! He is asking if you would like some snacks while we wait for the guildmaster to arrive!” Zoey merrily informed me. Waving at me, from the table, gesturing for me to join them.

“Oh! Ok, yeah that seems like a good idea”

Walking to the one side of the room, where my daughter, Mimiru and a kobold were looking at me, with plenty of snacks available, merry faces and a fierce intent to ignore what was happening on the other side of the room.

“Aanh!~ No!~ Master Feugan, there are-”

“SOO!! Zoey! Mimiru! What’s with the kobolds here?! Are they part of the guild? How come you can understand them?!”

My goodness, Feugan! Your little sister is in the same room!

“Ah yes! The kobolds!! Yes very good distra- er, question, Miss Ayi!!” Mimiru was swift to take onto the much-needed conversational distraction, and quite happy to be able to have an engaging conversation that could provide her guest with meaningful information. And a maintain a modicum of mental health for everyone.

“You see, within the nearby Dungeon forest south of the kingdom, we found a friendly tribe of Kobolds, some researchers were already there and had managed to translate their language and had started some sort of trade with them. So, they sometimes come back along with the researchers and visit Feugan. With him being a dragon, they would naturally worship him, I think? But he was also present for the -hallowing- of their new settlement.

As for being able to understand them, I am a beastmaster, my skill ‘Monster Talk’ allows me to talk with living creatures, such as the kobolds and even Feugan.”

“And Im also a beastmaster!!” Zoey jumped brimming with joy, as she made her statement. Being able to show some of her good sides was most definitely the reason that made her so happy on delivering that statement. The comment didn’t escape me though. Putting aside all the queries that had popped into my mind due to Mimiru's continuous deliverance of information bombs. 

Because, really, "Dungeon forest"? Kobold trade? Hallowing a settlement? Kobolds worshipping Feugan? Mimiru, you just shoved aside enough plot devices to make a novel writter feel blessed with inspiration.

I focused on Zoey, thought. About that little detail she mentioned. Her class. I had prepared a lot of groundwork to assist onto Zoey’s growth, as part of a roleplay in which she could have assisted me in battle, with a lower risk than most other classes. Such was the purpose of her being a beastmaster. The idea now made me a little anxious, but within a realm filled with monsters and magic, it was better to have means of protection available.

Mimiru had mentioned something along the lines of the guild being able to provide protection and housing for Zoey for now. Right now, that idea seems very reasonable and I find myself being quite grateful for such insight.

My cute little daughter.

Reaching out to Zoey, I gently stroke her head, she giggles softly as she smiles at me. Ah… there is really no turning back is it? I want to protect this smile of hers.

28- Training grinds

“Did you see that?!”, “The beautiful lady with Feugan!” “The lady Mimiru brought! She is strong!”, “That beautiful lady just knocked out Bannon!”

“She just killed Bannon!”, “Mimiru finally brought someone to off Bannon for her!”, “She first brought a dragon to deal with the guildmaster and now somneone to deal with Bannon”

“Better not get on Mimiru’s bad side!”, “I-I-I think I owe Mimiru some money what should I do?!”, “Ill lend you some money, man! better than to show up dead on a alley!”

“OII!!! I Brought no one here to do nothin’ to Bannon!! Ya hear me ya nosy lot?!!” Mimiru hotly exclaimed as she stood up and slammed the table with her arms, while protesting to the other adventurers that had been whispering, rather loudly at that, in the tavern side of the building they found themselves currently in.

“Look here he is alive n’ well! See?!” Mimiru continued while lifting Bannon and showing him forth with such an ease that made the poor passed-out adventurer seem like little more than a ragdoll on her hands.

“He is breathing! So he is alive! If anything this is what happens to him for his philanderous ways! He just came here and hugged a total stranger to him! It is divine punishment to playboys!!” As Mimiru now passionately explained, somehow shifting the events that took place, it somehow seemed to calm down the group of adventurers.

“She is right, it was bound to happen some day”, “You had it commin man, why'd ya have to be such a horndog?”, “We will miss you Bannon”, “Hope we can drink again in the afterlife”, “Cheers to Bannon!!”

That and many more comments went thru the tavern, most of them killing the still living Bannon, all over again.

“Well I think its about time we move to a more private setting. Besides, the guildmaster should be ready to receive you properly, Miss ‘Naa” and with that said, Kara smiled warmly at Ayi, she then nodded to both Feugan and Zoey, standing from her seat with delicate movements more fitting to her maid attire than to her obviously muscular body. After signaling to Mimiru, she took care of Bannon, lifting him with ease and carring the unconscious man over her shoulder, with even much more of an ease than Mimiru showed.

“Ah… ok, yeah! that makes sense” Ayi stood up form her seat just like the rest of her group, following them now to what seemed to be the back of the building.

As she was following them, Ayi noticed how the towering maid was carrying Bannon like his weight was of no real concern or burden at all, which in her eyes was an impressive feat. She had lifted Bannon from the ground, but it was mostly due to the close position she took, and years of training and practical experience lifting friends in such a manner with bear hugs they would not soon forget. It hadn’t been easy to lift a fully grown male in full plate, but she had developed a proper technique by now.

She intended to ask about such strength, but as seeing how Kara was making small talk with Feugan, Zoey and Mimiru, she shied away from the idea. Preferring to just watch them and enjoy the warm sight in front of her.

As they finally reached the end of a long hallway, they exited the main building and Ayi found herself in what could only be described as some sort of training grounds walled within the grounds of what must be part of the adventuring guild. With groups of people obviously performing different kinds of weapon training, others running laps around the field and some even doing classic pushups and jumping jacks. Bringing forth many memories from her physical training as part of the Armed forces.

As they went through the training yard, something out of place caught her attention, she notices some of the obvious newbies in training are clustered in groups doing vastly different tasks than the rest.

The sight vastly confuses her. She had divised among the many groups performing physical training, groups of the most unfit people she had ever witnessed, running laps or doing some variant of jumping jacks, burpies and other kinds of cardio excersices. Being performed by either the scrawniest looking people in the whole place or by the most -rotund-. She could make a guess as to why. it’s not hard to guess that being an adventurer requires you to be in at least a decent enough physical shape. Which in fact brought the real concern as to why were they within the adventurer guild while being in such bad shape. She had the passing idea that it was some sort of fitness program for locals, but the people on the streets looked far more healthy than the poor fellows “running”. They somehow made a slow jog look like the most grueling activity, sweating bullets and some even falling to the ground completely exhausted. She had even witnessed the full sprint, exhaustion and fall of such a fellow, all within perhaps a lapse of just 10 seconds.

But what really threw her for a loop were the groups composed of most physical fit people she had seen since arriving to this new world. Overly muscular men and women, with bodies obviously more apt to be in a bodybuilding magazine than to go into a forest to pick herbs and kill slimes. They were… halfnaked and… meditating? It was very hard to tell and utterly confusing, a few were sitting in a lotus pose around a small campfire, which was by all means less weird than the others sitting on the lotus position inside of a small pool of water which covered their lower bodies with an overly pristine fluid she could only guess it was water. She really didn’t want to entertain any other possibility than water.

Those were the easiest to take seriously, as there was group that was either on the same lotus position (or at least she assumed they were!) while being covered by soil all the way to their necks, making them look like the silliest mounts of dirt she had ever seen. With all of them showing faces full of determination and keen concentration for a purpose that pretty much eluded her, and she was certainly sure that even if someone tried to explain it to her she would ask for them to repeat themselves, if anything, to make sure she wasn’t deluding herself into some more feasible reason.

And now that she was paying more attention to this meditating group of individuals, she realized there were a few of them on the rooftops, half naked too, and doing some sort of slow movements that made her think of tai chi videos she had seen in the internet. But with muscular men and women in their underclothes, on rooftops...

“Oh those are the advanced groups they… uh… I think it would be better if the guildmaster explained that, it would be easier to understand.” Kara interjected as she realized that Ayi had lagged behind, having come to a complete halt and looking intently at the group of half naked musclebound adventurers.

Ayi was definitely looking for some sort of explanation for such a behavior, then again, she had very valid doubts it was even possible to explain without having to rely on “oh it is because of magic”.

Now that she thought about it, that seemed about right. yes. Must be magic.

27- Adventurers life is for me

Now with the situation of her daughter’s maid job properly explained, Ayi was left with an uncomfortable mixture of emotions. First and foremost, she was glad the explanation had been satisfactory and that her daughter hadn’t been working as a maid, as cheap labor, just for someone else’s sake. Mimiru had even explained how thanks to Zoey working as part of the guild staff, aside from the rooming and protection, she had been able to start some degree of education done by the guildmaster himself, with him being a registered priest of the goddess of knowledge.

Those were great points that made Ayi feel even worse about her previous outburst, she was almost sure her emotions were able to be seen by more than one person as she now started noticing how there were more whispers which she could tell were aimed at her.

“I-I am sorry for my previous outburst. I was jumping to wrong conclusions of my own.”

“Its ok! I can understand. I mean it is great that you care so much, or that’s what I think.”

“{Perhaps some food is in order. It seems like a good moment as any to change the mood. Besides I don’t think Master has had food as of yet.}”

“I am here Lord Feugan, did you have need of me?”

“{Why, yes. You have quite an opportune timing, Kara.}” Without anyone noticing, the happy chime of one of the barmaids came into the conversation on an almost too natural way, the maid had arrived at almost the exact moment Feugan had merely suggested for more refreshments, besides the tea that Zoey had procured. “I introduce you to my master, Ayi’Naa. Just like me, she is a hero from a different world”

“I understand, it’s a pleasure meeting a hero such as thee.” And with a short bow and a simple delicate and somehow elegant curtsy, that came from a giant of a woman.

Ayi found herself in an impressive state of bewilderment. With a lot of questions regarding what was taking place. Perhaps the very first among those should have been why so many people were able to talk normally with Feugan, but since she had somehow managed to find herself surrounded by such people, this very intriguing thought didn’t even reach the top of her concerns. Her mind immediately ranked her doubts in order to stablish them into semi coherent mumblings that had by all means been intended as some sort of communication.

First and foremost in her mind, was the question on just how had such an impressive looking woman sneaked on them. In her mind this was a very valid question. It is not your everyday a woman of approximately 5’11” (maybe? or at least that was the measurement Ayi made in her mind if her sense of size was even right in this different world) could actually sneak up on anyone. Right now she wanted to put Kara and Mimiru back to back with her having a measuring tape on hand. But not only was this lady tall, she seemed build like a brickhouse. An outstanding showcase of impressive muscles developed and trained for battle, most likely. Dut somehow not in a bad way at all, regardless the impressive build the barmaid showed, Kara was quite comely, she seemed like a beautiful fantasy female warrior.

Not so much as an amazonian though. Rather, she feels like a barbarian {princess}.

Disregarding the weird, almost alien thought that somehow felt not quite her own, Ayi continued observing Kara. She could imagine Kara being a very popular female athlete, in her previous world.

In fact, for the current fantasy world she found herself in, if Kara hadn’t been wearing a barmaid tyrolean dress, like all the other barmaids, Ayi could have only imagined her dressed in a combination or fierce-looking armor and furs along with a fantasy twohanded battle axe in hand. This particular image in her mind would have been just perfect with wild red hair, which Kara didn’t have at all. Which, brings forth the next point, this particular barbarian-esque lady in front of Ayi, had a short  and dazzling jade green hair that shone in a way that made her blink more than once and ponder on the possibility of Kara being photoshopped in real time. And the final blow to break all of Ayi’s mental images about female barbarians, images she had built onto this point with the endless help of biased internet imagery, was the refined and delicate manner in which Kara moved. All her movements were done with a certain elegance and flair as she was deftly serving them drinks, dried fruits and delicate pastries. Which now made Ayi realize, she had been left to her inner thoughts for far too long. She was pretty darn sure the table only had but some cups of tea before Kara arrived, now they had a small little feast of fruits, pastries, snacks as well as a couple jars with drinks.

She had been far too entranced with the sight of Kara, to a disturbing degree even. She was aware that she had never been blind to the beauty of other females, but she had definitely never stopped all her actions and just gawked at another woman before.

“Ah… er. Nice meeting you, Kara. And thank you for the refreshments.”

“Mm-mmm! Definitely! Kara you always know what to bring to cheer a girl up!” Replied Mimiru in a kind and earnest voice, an earnest voice full of breadcrumbs and jam.

“My my, Mimiru! You should some restrain, Lord Feugan and his master are here you know! First impressions are important!” The towering maid chided Mimiru as she somehow had not only managed to fill her own mouth with pastries and some tea, but she also refused to allow such a trivial issue from deterring her of voicing her gratitude.

Ayi couldn’t help but to chuckle at such a common everyday exchange taking place in what for couldn’t be described as a different world, maybe even a different realm or plane? She wasn’t quite sure about it. But it would surely take some time to get used to it, so she definitely thought it was nice to see such mundane interactions would still happen.

Looking at her own daughter serving her some more tea, arranging a plate with varied dried fruits and slices of meat, she noticed that Zoey was looking intently to Kara as the big barmaid was also preparing a plate for Feugan.

Uh? she has been almost glued to the right side of Feugan this entire time…

“Feugan, Mimiru. Its good to see you in good health!” Came a jovial and masculine voice that almost forced everyone to turn and look at young man that had arrived.

***

Bannon had seen Mimiru enter the building along with Feugan and Zoey. Zoey had not only quickly become part of the guild’s staff in order to provide her with protection and the benefits of life within the kingdom’s walls. She had turned into an staple of the guild’s mess hall. Oh just how many doting idiots were now present if only to watch over her. Some of them even retired adventurers and guards! Ugh don’t you look at me and lift your cup to cheer now that she is back! I am stuck here today because of you!

As one of the many bothersome inside jobs that the old man kept creating to ‘dissuade him of the adventurer’s life’, Bannon found himself watching over Zoey “in secret”.

This task bothered him for several reasons. First, he was forced to remain within the guild, unable to go out and take actual jobs. And second, the job was incredibly redundant in itself. Some of the people he was supposed to keep his eyes on were part of “Zoey’s Fanclub”. He had been tasked to spy on one of their “secret” gatherings, due to the concern of the maids hearing rumors of a gathering of unlikely attendees.

You old goats! You have your own children! Some of you have your own grandchildren!

The little wolfkin not only had a big and mean looking dragon brother. He didn’t pry too much into it, families were weird and diverse, he knew this firsthand. She was also being watched over by an unlikely assortment of retired guards, magicians and adventurers. The maids were ever vigilant of her safety too! Some of the guild’s staffers were not even retired, more than a few of them were actually fierce adventurers still in their prime, taking advantage of the guild job’s perks as a learning experience. A solid learning experience, given how zealous the guildmaster was on sharing all his knowledge “for whenever he retires”

Tsk. As if he seriously plans to retire!

It was then that he realized that Mimiru’s group had an extra person, a very lovely looking person!

As he continued watching over them, once Zoey had left for some drinks, he noticed they seemed to be having some sort of argument.

Oh? I don’t sense this as a friendly conversation with Mimiru.

Bannon focused his senses on the group, he was confident he could get some information this way. Bannon was after all, quite proud of his skill in sensing people’s motives and feelings, he was very capable of sensing if someone was lying even if he was eavesdropping on a conversation. He had been giddy with excitement when he realized he could sense some of Feugan’s intentions, while it was hard and cumbersome, he liked to think he was exercising his skill even more.

Feugan is elated and he… he fully respects her?!! He -RESPECTS- her?!

This was beyond rare for the dragon. Even amicable feelings were uncommon, Mimiru could be counted as a rarity on the dragon’s feelings, even for Kara it took some time for the dragon to open up to. Bannon tried his best to remain calm and thought of his options and possible implications. He was certain this beautiful lady was no other than Feugan’s master. Feugan had only shown respect which almost bordered on a sense of veneration when the conversations were related to his master.

He knew Mimiru wouldn’t appreciate him dropping in, she had never been too fond of the persona he had built in order to become an adventurer, and he would have let them be and maybe be informed later on. But Mimiru was so darn carefree! They had gone straight for the food, she should have send word to the old man. If she was intent on getting snacks they should have gone to Feugan’s room! It was deeper into the grounds of the guild, further away from a plethora of possible prying eyes, the guild’s clients, food providers, other adventurers, gossip mongers and so on. Since it was also a room created for larger species of enlightened beings, it was spacious enough to hold a meeting between all the involved people.

Bannon stood up from his table and headed to their table mentally preparing himself for Mimiru’s disdainful remarks.

"I would have brought some of my sister's bread had I known I was going to tell her to stop eating". He grumbled to himself.

“Feugan, Mimiru. Its good to see you in good health and good compa-” 

Everyone’s attention was diverted to the sudden noise of a clattering chair that had fallen, as Feugan’s master almost jumped to her feet the moment Bannon started talking to their group

“BRANNON?!!! My Goodness, it is you!!”

 “UGH!!” Bannon couldn’t help himself when he felt the vice grip of an unexpected hug, tightening to such degree in which not only he felt like it was painful, but he was certain he needed to do something to stop it before it turned into an actual life-threatening concern.

“Ma’am please listen I don’t think-” Unable to continue, interrupted as suddenly Bannon found himself lifted off the ground while being crushed in the fierce hug.

“This is great!! HAHAH!! Now we can go on real adventures together!! Slay monsters! Save Princes and Princesses alike! Fight for Justice and save kingdoms!”

“T-that doesn’t sound bad but- UgH!!” Bannon found that It was hard to concentrate. Partly because he found himself in the arms of a very beautiful beastkin female, partly because he found himself lifted off the ground, by a seemingly innocuous person. And mostly because he felt how he was running out of air from her current show of affection.

Congratulations!

By your interactions you are eligible to a “System/Fate upgrade”

Do you wish to undertake the changes?
< Accept / Refuse >

Warning.

By accepting this, you will be granted access to previously blocked classes. New classes can be accessed through further interactions, feats and achievements. All training performed and skills that should have been acquired before the update will not automatically unlock previously inaccessible classes or skills. Any progress towards said classes/skills will be taken into consideration, decreasing the previous requirements depending on each situation and current standing. Affected classes will still be shown and the updated requirements listed as well.

Bannon was now speechless. On one part because of the menu right in front of him. But mostly, because he was rapidly running out of air.

This was the solution he had been looking for so many years! The menu of the chosen heroes was right in front of him! Giving him messages straight from the will of the realm and the gods. With no doubt in his mind he willed his thoughts towards the word “Accept”, until finally the word itself seemed to glow followed by a soft bell chime just as the magical menu disappeared and a new one appeared.

Congratulations!

You have accepted a System/Fate upgrade!

The changes will begin as soon as your next resting sleep.

At last!! A definitive solution to his father’s “curse”! Bannon was elated. Already imagining himself giving his sister a wide smug look, she had always shared an equally conservative mentality with their father. But now!! Now he would now take his birthright and raise as one of the greatest adventurers in the realm. Bards would sing songs of his adventures. He would travel the land and correct the wrongs! Save princes and princess! Fight for justice!

And with many more optimistic and chivalrous ideas in his mind, Bannon passed out.

26- heros first impressions

Ayi couldn’t help but to chuckle and loose some of her reservations about the young lady in front of her after such a weird introduction. The handshake gesture was nice and all. Very solid in fact if not a little stiff. But the most important thing to her was how both Feugan and Zoey seemed to be at ease with her. That was the best introductory she could ask for.

“It’s ok don’t worry about that, you have a good handshake. It’s just a normal brief greet. But don’t you slack off, people can judge you by it!”

“T-they can?!”

“{I distinctly remember telling you that…}”

“Here” Still holding Mimiru’s hand, Ayi started moving her hand up and down with an accelerated rhythm that annoyed her internally, but she was trying to make a point.

“If you were to describe the handshake as a conversation, what would you say this feels like?”

Taken aback a little by the unexpected turn of events, but focusing on the question at hand (almost too literaly at hand), made her evaluation right on spot “I-I think its kind of forceful, patronizing. As if I have no say on how the conversation goes”.

Ayi smiled at the young girl. “Exactly, I take it that you don’t do handshakes here, but you did well. I learned it just as some sort of good manners” With a smile still on her face, Ayi gently let go of the young girls hand and smiled at her. Now that the silly icebreaker moment was past them. Ayi paid more attention to the girl in front of her.

She looks very… athletic?

Mimiru looked like a blonde girl from south California, perhaps in her early twenties, if this wasn’t a whole different world, she would have easily said she was a surfer girl. Maybe. It had always been hard enough for Ayi to try and guess people’s age. But on top of that, Mimiru looked to be very solidly built. For starters, the young girl was very tall, 5’7” by her own sense of height. Which she recognized it could be wrong, but at the same time she felt like she was right about it. She also looked like she the total envy of an Instagram “fitness model”. Appart from a solid body with a nice face, the young girl in front of her looked as if she could be a very promising Olympic athlete. On all the competitions.

Does everyone in this world look so darn well-built?!

Ayi found herself wondering again just who this girl was. She knew her name, alright, she also mentioned that she had been under Feugan’s care. Which was a very disconcerting phrase if she thought about it.

She was under the care of a rideable Dragon Lord? How? Why?

“{Mimiru was kind enough to assist me. She also seemed to have the right amount of… good heart, in her.}”

Uh?!!!

“F-Feugan!! W-what are you spouting off so suddenly! Lady Ayi will misunderstand you!”

I think I am misunderstanding a lot of things already!!

***

As Ayi entered the building, following Mimiru, as she had insisted on taking them to a nice spot inside the building, Ayi was again paying more attention to the little details once inside.

All the sights made her remember the few renaissance fairs she had gone to. Or the attempts of one, there was no lack (or want) for medieval fanatics, constantly clamoring how even the most diminute details were wrong.

She had no fine eye for such critical comparison of something that happened hundreds of years before she was alive. So she shrugged those thoughts and decided to mentally her new experiences in a “New folder”. That made some modicum of sense to her, and that was good enough for her right now.

She was immediately taken back from her inner thoughts as upon going thru the sizeable gate threshold she was assaulted by a cacophony of laughter, chatter and the bustling sounds of what she thought would most likely be a bar from any given movie. As she looked around at the tables she saw what she could only describe as adventurers. VERY gaudy adventurers. Leaving aside the disturbingly high amount of leather-bound yet somehow shirtless men, along with all the suspicious looking people with big robes, cloaks and other manner of loose tunics covering their heads, here was a very distinctive clash of colors going on with the attires. Bright yellow capes, fierce red leather vests and breastplates, a shield with a bright yellow clashing with a sickish green on a checkered pattern that forced her to look at it and wonder if daltonic clowns were dressing this people. Which made her think that perhaps that was the intent of the colors, at least on the shield, to grab someone’s attention, most certainly not to ponder on genetically disadvantaged jesters. For the life of her she couldn’t figure out why anyone would willingly dress in pants that were somehow both green and red topped with a yellow gambeson.

Deciding to put aside the headache-inducing attires, she tried to focus on something else, she was quickly brought to attention by the sounds of wooden mugs against each other as well as on the tables just like the clattering of the wooden tableware which made Ayi wonder just exactly to which level of technological development were they at.

A sudden crackle of fire made her realize there seemed to be a firepit on the far end of the dinning area, she could see the flames dancing and licking on what she could only guess, from the distance she found herself from it, were huge skewers with meat onto them.

The moment she put her attention to the food she started perceiving the smells of the meat roasting by the fire, most likely covered in spices she couldn’t recognize but she was already getting faint traces of. She also picked up other unsavory smells that made her scrunch her nose as she focused fiercely to disregard the smells of maybe a dozen leatherbound shirtless men and women.

I am being so very easily distracted by my senses today.

“Here we are! We will take this table while we wait!. Oooii! Yes! Thank you!” Now Ayi’s whimsical attention was brought to Mimiru which had brought them to a table by one end of the dinning area of the building. The young lady was signaling to another young woman. Which Ayi could only guess was some sort fo maid, barmaid or wench, depending on who you ask and other people’s sensibilities, she definitely would have to ask about that.

“Good! Today there are lots of meat and food ready!!”

Mimiru set herself at a table, plopping herself onto a chair, Feugan followed suit in his own manner, he sat on his hindlegs while facing the table. Ayi grabben one of the chairs, a bulky wooden piece of furniture, crudely made yet it looked VERY sturdy, perhaps by design. It then came to her attention that Zoey was not with them.

“ZOEY?!!” Ayi looked frantically around, drawing stares from nearby people due to her outburst.

“E-everything is in order! Sorry! Zoey went to the kitchen to go help with the food and refreshments, she works as a maid here at the guild...”

This comment did help with soothing Ayi’s sense of urgency, but it was soon replaced by a different feeling. She glared intently at Mimiru, her intense gaze startling the young girl.

“And why is my precious daughter working in a bar serving drinks to- ” She stopped there, her fist was on the table, at some point she had slammed it, her knuckles white due to the pressure she was excerting. But, she wasn’t here trying to pick a fight or start putting names and labels on the professions of others. “Why is my daughter working, she should be enjoying herself, playing with other kids” Ayi somehow exerted much more control than she even thought it was possible, even more so now that her rightful daughter was involved. If she ever had a doubt about such a thing, it was long gone. the feeling of indignancy and raw irritation was making her feel almost sick, there was no doubt about the sincerity of her feelings.

“I-It was the only option p-possible!!” Mimiru was very startled by the sudden change of attitude on her guest. Although it seemed like she was ready to explain, she couldn’t help but to inch back on her own seat as if dealing within a dangerous subject.

“Explain…” Ayi let the words come out slowly and as controlled as she could, biting off some of the bile that had somehow built in her mouth, ready to be spewed off.

“We talked about this when Feugan found Zoey… She… She is too young to be without a guardian. Registering her to a guardian would allow her to go to any of the temples to receive some sort of education, but binding her to a guardian put her completely under their care ‘by law’.” Mimiru stopped here seemingly to to let her words sink in.

“If… If we registered her to anyone, you would be unable to make a claim unless you were subjected to some heavy magical analisys to prove your claim as a blood related guardian. Feugan insisted we should wait for you to-"

“That does not explain how come she is a minor working at a bar with such a… 'rowdy looking clientele'” Ayi was almost biting her own lips trying to contain herself by now.

“B-by the same laws, a minor without a guardian cannot be hosted anywhere. This is to prevent random people claiming rights over orphans. And since we didn’t want to put her into an orphanage, the best available option was to hire her as a young barmaid in training under the protection of the guild, the regulations are very lax when it comes to such a trade”

At this point, Mimiru stood up and locking her eyes with Ayi’s with a fierce look on them she proclaimed.

“While her situation might be that, she is not being mistreated! The guild’s staff, the other barmaids, the old man and me! We are all looking up for her wellbeing!”

Eh?… I thought she seemed too {timid and indescicive} to make such an statement of her own.

Uh?!!

While being assaulted by a thought that didn’t feel quite her own, her attention was caught by the comment of her trusted companion.

“{She speaks true, master. This was the best arrangement we had available. Now that you are present, Zoey can undertake proper education in any temple or organization if you so desire so.}”

With Feugan's statement, she calmed down visibly enough to let Mimiru relax too. As she was rumiaging the possibilities and implications of everthing that was taking place, she was surprised when a diminutive bairmaid brought her a cup of a steaming beverage.

the cutest barmaid!

“Here, Misstress. this infusion is great for relaxing and destressing” Zoey said while carefully putting the tea and plate on the table in front of her. Ayi’s mood was also vastly calmed by the warm and soft visage in front of her.

“Oh! Why, thank you, sweetie!” Ayi said while pulling her cute little wofkin in for a big hug, which made the little wolfkin flail for half a second before joining in on the warm moment.

Ayi stroke the cute wolfkins head softly and looked at her “Have they been treating you well sweetie? You can stop serving tables any time, now that I am here”.

“Thank you Mistress!, I really appreciate it but… They have been really good to me and Feugan! I want to return some of their generosity by working hard.”

“Oh sweetie im sure there are other ways-”

“And Kara and the other maids are teaching me manners and proper etiquette to be a pro-maid!”

“Eh?! P-pro-maid?! Why would you nee-”

“I need to be ready since I am to be the head maid of ‘The great tomb of Naa’!!”

“Eeeeh?! The… wait!! Not because our house is lacking furniture, makes it a tomb!!!”

While his master and his little sister were having a familial moment, full of warmth and laughs, Feugan couldn’t help but to chuckle softly, feeling that things were going to be alright now that his master was finally with them.

25- hand to hand ettiquete

With her trip to the local healer behind them, and after downing a small flask of what the healer described as a “solid minor healing potion” (a concoction that had a somewhat sour 'lemon with honey' and mint taste) explaining to some detail how it would be enough to help deter any possible bruising and help with “muscular stress on the affected area”.

Ayi found herself anew in a complete daze. With the realization that all the surreal events that had transpired during the morning, had been in fact, very real.

While her mind was going in circles about her own actions that she now knew were not only rather violent and perhaps unfair to others. While she was pretty sure that any sort of pacifist solution would have been very unlikely. She was certain that she could have ended the scuffle with only bruised thugs and way less exposed fractures.

With Zoey dragging her by her hand, she took the empty flask and pondered on that that little boney detail.

Well perhaps with magic and potions existing, he will be alright. Or so she briefly thought about. In all honestly, she didn’t care much about the fate of a thieving scoundrel. Or a whole band of them. In her mind he had it coming. Her only real concern was how it could have affected Zoey to see such a gruesome scene.

She then came to the realization that they have yet again reached a different part of the kingdom. One that she was no familiar with which she found disconcerting. Now that she was paying more attention to the structures around, it came to her that the architecture was actually quite different to what she remembered from her gaming days. It was still a mostly medieval European look on the buildings. Mortared stone on the walls, wooden supports here and there assisting with the ceilings and windows, she even saw a few houses with eroded walls, showing worn adobe bricks. “Easy to work and easy to damage” she thought.

Her inner thoughts filled her with doubts and a lot of questions about her current situation. Ironically the massive amount of thoughts on every single detail that affronted her on her new situation, made her unable to properly focus.

Luckily for her, her guides knew where to take her, taking along through less crowded streets until she found herself in front of a tall and imponent building. 

Tall mortared rock walls with simple wooden framed windows at the first 2 levels, leading her to guess those were either living quarters and/or offices of some sort. As archer slits on the third level and a crenellated parapet at the top of the building would immediately make it seem like this building was supposed to work as defensable position within the inner walls of the kingdom.

But why are there windows on the first floor then? Wooden-framed windows are not adequate for defensible structures.

“Ta-Da!! Here we are Mo- er! Mistress!” Zoey merrily extended her arms as she showcased the entrance, she had done with a cutesy hop that had made her frilly dress bob along with her white short hair and fluffy tail which didn’t stop it's merrily wag.

“Uh? W-where are we? What is this small fortress?”

“{This is the adventurer’s guild, they are expecting us inside, Master}”

“Oh? 'Adventurer's guild' uh?! Who is this ‘they’ you-”

“kyah!” A sharp surprised squeal from Zoey, immediately distracted Ayi, her body had already taken onto a defensive stance as she was now expecting another attack.

“Zoey!! What took you guys so long?!”

Well... it seems we are certainly under "attack"…

In front of the outstanding fortification, Ayi was observing how her cute adoptive daughter was now under a fierce siege… of cuddles.

A young human girl was on her knees, hugging the cute wolfkin girl, without any inhibition or apparent concern about where they stood. Ayi found herself without words at the sigh taking place. Zoey herself seemed to be unable to free herself from the youngster embracing her, facing a barrage of head pats and seemingly endless snuggles.

“mmh! AH! Mi-Mimiru stop! My mom-! I-I mean my mistress is here!” Zoey exclaimed after she was somehow able to free her head from the barrage of affections aimed at her.

“EH?! WHAT?! Where is she?” The blonde girl quickly stood and started looking around, a quick glance at Ayi and then her eyes darted around looking for someone else.

“She here, just besides Feugan, we brought here to meet with the guildmaster”

“Oh?! Her?!!”

Ayi couldn’t find it in herself to interrup the cute comedy exchange taking place in front of her, when the spotlight was finally brought to her, she did the only possible thing that came to mind to her.

“er… Hi?” giving her best timid/confused/apologetic smile, Ayi waved back shyly.

The human girl immediately darted forward with long stiff strides until she was in front of Ayi. She stood tall in front making Ayi making her look slightly up to meet her eyes, guessing the girl was somewhere around 5’11” of height.

And with a continuous showcase of a stiff nervousness, the blonde girl extended her right arm in one single swift overly mechanical motion.

“My name is Mimiru! I have been under Feugan’s care for the last couple months. Nice to meet you”

With the overly serious tone, the stiff and nervous body language. Ayi had to stifle a chuckle. Surely there would be time to asks the girl all the questions that came up in her mind, all in due time. With a wry smile she reached forth and welcomed the attempt at a handshake. At this very moment it would be rude to not respond to such an enthusiastic greeting.

“I am Ayi’Naa, just ‘Ayi’ please. Nice to meet you, Mimiru”

They remained shaking hards firmly in one of the most textbook handshakes the realm had ever seen (not that the realm was a place for many of those). For an uncomfortable amount of seconds. Until Mimiru broke the eye to eye contact to look at Feugan with consternation in her face.

“W-when do we stop, Feugan?! Was this enough time or is still too little?!”