‘Alright, got a plan forming now, just need to-‘

“Hi Jack!”

“Hey Veronica! Don’t trip over your own hooves now!”

‘-deal with some errands. I think we need a bit more water-‘

“Jack! My man!”

“Helgon! Keep the fire alive my man!”

‘-and a bit more gold coins. More money is never a bad thing, though I’m not sure if-‘

“So, Marcus,” I gaze up at my naked friend as he smiles down at me. His blonde lockes shine gold with the sunlight beaming down on him. Coupled with his almost bronze, muscular skin and he’d be the spitting image of a “perfect man”.

Then you look at me. A regular, pasty skin dude in the most basic shirt and pants combo you can get at a discount. While I wasn’t as sculpted as Jack, I did have some muscle on my body. It built up after all the time we’ve spent working and surviving here with our own two hands. Even so, I still tend to get overlooked by my taller friend. Though it’s not all bad. At least it means everyone’s attention goes straight to Jack rather than me.

“Uh, dude?” he waves his hand in front of my face, “You alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just trying to avoid looking at everyone’s junk while we walk,” I say while trying to avoid glancing at a minotaur that walks by. Didn’t help that I only came up to his waist. Thank god everyone knew what bathing was around here.

“I figured someone would get used to that after four months living here,” Jack shrugged, looking up and smiling at the streets around us. Any uncomfortable feelings he might’ve had at how everyone around him was completely nude were gone. He just smiled and waved at anyone who called to him.

I wasn’t sure whether to praise him for adapting to it, or be worried about what this place was doing to him, “Unless you’re actively trying to not get used to it. Unlike you, I want to keep my sensibilities intact while I’m here.”

He rolled his eyes at my answer but didn’t reply and I didn’t press him for one. We already had this argument back at the house and neither of us wanted a repeat. Especially not in public where we would probably draw attention. Silence hung around us until we turned a corner into the main square of the town, Mythfalls.

The sight of hundreds of humanoid creatures straight outta myths and legends milling about buying various items on sale from stalls met our eyes. When we first got to this town four months back we could hardly believe our eyes. Finding civilization after surviving in the wilderness for so long was one thing. Another was to see that the primary intelligent species consisted of bipedal versions of animals from our world.

I’m certain that there are plenty of people back home that would call me and Jack extremely lucky. Get taken away from our old, boring lives and get to come to a place that was essentially medieval times but with magic and none of the downsides. The stuff that dreams are made of.

Well, it would a dream for some. It’s nightmare for me.

“So, Mr. King,” Jack pats me on the back while waving a hand out in front of him, “What’s on the agenda for today?”

Smiling I feign coughing into my hand, “Well, Mr. Smith, I do believe our finances are looking a might grim.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the three gold coins I had left after purchasing food from Nelly, “We had two hundred gold split between us yesterday. I spent seventeen at the market today. Meaning we are down to one hundred eighty-three coins to our name.”

Jack leans to the side, crossing his arms while nodding along with my assessment, “Hmm, yes, yes. That is a troubling circumstance. Having poor finances is a surefire way to a poor existence.”

“Indeed it is, my dear companion.” I nod and cross my arms as well.

“What do you suggest we do to remedy this?”

“I recommend a day of entrepreneurship, coupled with back breaking hard work, and smart monetary policy.”

The two of us stare each other down with determined glares. Then we slowly break out into laughs and drop our facades. I shake my head before saying, “Wanna head to the Notice Board and see who needs a hand?”

“Sounds good,” Jack stretches his arms into the air, “We could both use the exercise.”

“You sure you won’t be late for a date or something?”

“Nah. The Princess hasn’t contacted me today, and none of the girls sent any letters to our house. I should be completely free today.”

I silently sigh in relief. Don’t mind working on my own, but it’s always better to have help, “Then what are we waiting for? Time is money after all.”

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“Race you there!” he took off before I had a chance to get ready. I roll my eyes before rushing after him with a smile on my face. I’ll admit the wind felt great as it rushed by me. The clean air entered my nostrils, the scent of cut wood and fur carried with it. The clouds over head were white and puffy, with the clear blue sky waiting beyond them. The sun was shining down upon the various inhabitants of Mythfalls as they went about their daily lives with smiling faces. The idea of real conflict was a foreign concept to this place. There weren’t any guards posted around the town, though there was a standing military kept in “dangerous places”. But they hardly ever had to come into the town proper. You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking they didn’t have exist.

It was a welcoming place. Somewhere you could feel like you belonged. A place where you could work your ass off, get a little shop going, start a family, and live a normal life.

Completely idyllic.

Too idyllic.

It didn’t feel real. It felt like someone’s dream world come to life. A perfect place that represented every utopian fantasy ever conceived. And that’s another reason why I can’t stay here. Because this was a dream.

And no matter how nice a dream is, you’ve got to wake up sometime.

----------------------------------------

“Thank you boys for helping me with this,” the literal cowgirl said as the two of us carried the bales of hay into the barn, “It really brightens my day.”

“No problem, Inez,” Jack grunts as he walks out of the large red barn and starts heading towards another bale, “We don’t mind helping out someone who needs it.”

“Especially if they’re paying,” I say under my breath. Sure it was rude, but it was true. Volunteer work didn’t pay for food. If we were in a better position I’d be more willing to do people’s errands for free. But until then, we’ve gotta charge.

I move from the blazing sun outside into the cool shadows of the barn. The place smelled of hay, sweat, and other things that I refused to identify. Instead I focused on climbing the old yet sturdy ladder up the to the loft. The beige wood felt smooth against the soles of my feet, reminding me of my own nudity. I had to give my clothes and shoes to Inez to put on a nearby clothesline before starting to work. It was either that or get hay all over my only pair of clothes. Downside of living where no one wears any type of clothing, there’s no demand for anyone to make any clothes. I’ve been meaning to look into that but have been kind of busy trying to find a way out of here.

I shake my head to clear it and toss the bale into the loft. I’m back down and out just as Jack is making his way in with his own bale. I glance over at Inez, the owner of the farm. She’s as tall as Jack, but certainly more “top heavy”. As expected of a female cow, her breasts are as large as a fully inflated balloon, likely filled with milk for her children. Her chocolatey brown skin shines in the morning sun, while her surprisingly snout-less face follows me as I work. Her amber eyes keep shifting from my face, to my chest, to some place lower.

Hmm, I think I know where this is gonna go...

Inez disappears into a small, wooden house while we keep up the work. We’re done by the time the sun has reach its zenith in the sky. The two of us reconvene in the middle of the fenced off farm, the soft grass pressing into our feet. We both wipe the sweat from our brows, panting to catch our breath.

“Urraahh,” I stretch until my bones crack and pop, “Man, this work is tough.”

“Not really,” Jack replies while stretching as well, “It’s actually pretty easy. Just that it’s so hot our energy gets sapped the longer we work.”

“Yeah,” I admit, “Maybe we shouldn’t have taken a job like this this early in the morning.”

“I suggested the fourth posting but you were completely against it.”

“That’s because it asked for ‘companionship for the night’. We’ve both been here long enough to know what that entails. Besides, we still managed to grab two other notices for jobs.”

The door to the house opened before the two of us could continue, Inez walking out with two tall glasses of what I believe is milk. She stops in front of us and holds out the glasses, “I figured you two could use some refreshments after all your hard work.”

Jack takes his with gusto, audibly chugging down the white liquid. I take mine but scrutinize it a bit. A quick sniff confirms that it is milk but that’s not what I’m worried about...

“Not to be rude or ungrateful Inez, but where did you get this?” An eyebrow raises as I point at the cool glass in my hand.

The bovine woman gets bashful, tail swishing behind her while one of her hooves starts tapping against the earth, “W-w-well, it um....you know...”

She waves a hand at her chest, and I swiftly understand. Then I shrug and drink the milk down. I had a hunch, but wanted to be sure cause it tells me to not drink too much.

I stop when a fourth of my glass is gone, while Jack only moves his away from his mouth when he needs to breath. Then he puts it right back until the entire thing is empty. He wipes the excess liquid from his lips with a happy sigh, “That hit the spot! Thanks Inez, I really needed that.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. I’m happy you enjoyed it,” she giggles at Jack with a shine to her eyes that I recognize.

I tap the cowgirl on her shoulder and say, “Apologies for being rude, again, but we’re finished Inez. About our payment of fifty gold coins?”

She nods her head then moves back to point towards her house, “Of course. They’re in my house in the living room. Though, if you boys don’t mind, I have something else I could use your help with.” Then she steps forward to press her body against mine. I feel her start to wrap her arms around me in a hug-

And I reach up, gently grip one arm then the other, and lower them back to her side. Then I softly push her away before smiling at her confused face, “I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. But, I’m sure Jack would take you up on it. Right, Jack?”

The two of us turn to look at my friend who, as I expected, has gotten very “excited” after drinking that entire glass of milk. He smiles while nodding his head and winking at Inez, “Of course. Lead the way, Mrs. Inez.”

He says the last part in a sultry way that gets the bovine woman to grab him by the shoulder and just about drag him towards the house, her eyes filled with lust and need. I shout after him, “Make sure you get our payment when you’re done! The next job’s at the Western Guard Tower! Come meet me there!”

“You got it! Stay safe, Marc-,” he’s cut off as the door closes behind him. I shake my head and start moving towards my clothes. The milk’s effects should keep Jack going for a good seven minutes. Coupled with Inez’s no doubt spiking libido and the two will be at it for a good while. Plenty of time for me to get the details on the next job. Maybe we’ll see some action today, which would give me a chance to test my Style. Wonder if Olden and Nemor are there catching up on old times?

I smile at the thought as I put on my boxer shorts, having placed the glass of milk down on a nearby stool. Once I’m fully dressed, I finish the glass in short sips before heading out to the Western Guard Post.