It takes us four days to reach what the old man says is the closest "town". I've been asking what things are called and what certain words mean. Towns are places where a large groups of bipedals live. The old man told me that this one is big for a town, but that it can't even compare to a city. Cities are, apparently, huge towns. We walked down the mountain, through the jungle, and across a field. We stop outside the town's gate. There is a lot of people with boxes pulled by horses. They are all entering through the gate. It's kind of noisy and smelly.

"Get ready."

  Get ready for what? We stand in line to enter the town. It's our turn to enter the town now. The guard just waves us through. Is it because we don't have any boxes? All the people with boxes got stopped and had their boxes checked. Ugh, this place smells bad and is noisy. We start moving farther into the town and it just gets worse. The sound is giving me a terrible headache. I can't take it. I shift to using my oval ears. As soon as I do my headache begins to fade away. There's nothing I can do about the smell though... The old man is giving me a stupid look.

"What did you just do, where did your ears go?"

"They're right here, can't you see, old man."

  I shift my hair out of the way so that he can better see my oval ears.

"But you had cat ears before. How did you change from cat ears to human ears?"

"Because I can, why else?"

"So you really aren't a beastman? I had guessed as much, but then what are you... I wonder, is he really a half-beast? He might just a have special abilities. Hmm..."

"Even if these ears are less sensitive, I can still hear you old man. What are beastmen and half-beasts?"

"Beastmen are one of the six humanoid races. They either look like humanoid animals, or look like humans with animal ears and tails. A half-beast is the offspring of one of the humanoid races and a magic beast, but only high ranked beasts on level with a dragon can be the parent of one, they need to have a humanoid form to...mate."

"In that case I am a-hmff?"

"Shh!! Don't say anything else about this until we are alone, okay?"

  I nod to let him know I'll be silent, and to get his smelly hand off my face. The old man was making a shocked face and was acting nervous. Why? He was the one who asked. Oh well. The old man leads me through the town. There are so many people here! I've watched bipedals before, but I've never seen so many in one place! The old man leads me to a building called an inn. It seems we're going to live here for a day, weird. They built their house for other to live in it, isn't that silly? We go up the stairs and into a room. The old man spreads his mana, I still dislike that word, in a dome around us.

"Okay, back to the previous conversation: you are a half-beast? Do you even know what that means for you?"

"Yes, by your explanation, I am a half-beast. Mother is a magic beast. She would often switch between her humanoid form and her normal form. It means my mother is super stong."

  Ah, I bit my tongue, I still do that sometimes when using spoken language.

"You clearly don't understand. Half-beasts are often treated like magic beasts. With their lineage they will always be very strong. People will try to catch and sell them like high ranked magic beasts. Especially if they are young, because it is easier to train them when they aren't strong yet. Half-beasts are rare so most people don't even know about them. They will just think you are a beastman. You have to be careful not to tell people you are a half-beast unless you are absolutely sure they will not tell anyone. Okay?"

"Yeah, okay. I understand, but then why are you helping me?"

"I don't approve of slavery. Especially not of children. Besides I'm much more interested on the traits of half-beasts. I want to know how well you can use magic, and what special abilities you have. I'm a scholar at heart you know. Plus, when you've grown up it's better for me if you view me positively. You might even help me out one day."

  So he's like the normal animals huh? They know I'm not interested in hurting them unless I'm absolutely desperate, and they help me I because I will probably return the favor.

"That makes sense. I don't like the idea of being in your debt old man, but since you have been helping me if you ever need help I will return the favor."

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"Ho ho, it's nice to have some conformation."

"Yeah yeah, anyway, what are we going to do next old man? We're not staying in this town, right?"

"Yep, tomorrow we'll take a carriage to the city my school is in. It will be a three day trip. That aside, don't you want to explore the town a bit? This is your first time in one."

"No way old man! It's loud, smelly, and crowded out their."

"You'll have to get use to it eventually."

" I will, but that doesn't mean I have to do it right now!"

"Okay, but if you're not going then use your time to take a bath. We're staying in a nicer inn so they do have one."

"Really? Yay, I love baths. Where is it old man? I'll Wash these pups with me."

"Wait, your mother is a cat right? So should you hate baths like cats do? Building on that point, cats also hate dogs so why would you even want to stay with wolves?"

"Mother loves baths, why would she hate them? They make you clean. And although dogs aren't always so great, they make wonderful, loyal subordinates. Now show me to the baths old man! Come on let's go."

  I stand bouncing in the doorway, with the two puppies in my arms. The old man is still thinking about what I said. I can hear him murmuring to himself.

"Well most big cats do like water, and they love to be clean. Asfore dogs, that makes sense for a prideful cat to..."

"Old man hurry up let's go!"

"Okay okay, I'm coming."

.....

Sitting in the carriage, I remember the bath yesterday. Warm water feels so good, and that soap stuff made me so clean. I decide that that was the best bath ever. I hope all baths are like that. The carriage rocks and wakes the two puppies in my arms.

"You should name those two. People will want to know what to call them, and it would be more convenient for identifying them. It's a common practice."

"That makes sense. It is important for children to be given names, but I don't really know any names in the spoken language. Could you tell me some strong ones."

  The old man nods and starts listing off names. I take a closer look at the puppies as he does. They look like their parents, the only differences are the colorings. The puppies fur is full silver, with the girl's being a little whiter. She has a blaze like her mother that fades from pink at the edges to a lighter shade. He shares his father's markings in a dark blue, his fur is and will be noticeably darker than his sister's. The old man has stopped listing names and is waiting for me to chose. I look the puppies in the eyes and tell them their new names.

"The girl will be Shiva and the boy will be Asura. When I visit the other wolves I'll name their brother Wind. Thanks for helping me old man."

  The puppy that stayed with the other wolves had the markings of both parents in green. I think the name will suit him.

"I'm glad I could help. Do you mind letting I hold Shiva and Asura for a minute or two, as thanks? None of the wolves would ever let me touch them, and their fur looks really soft."

  I look at the puppies and they stare back. I motion for them to go over to the old man. The little girl gets up first and walks over with her brother tottering after her.

"Wow, they're as soft as they look."

  The old man starts petting them and brushing their fur. I watch as they enjoy it. Suddenly the old man reaches over and starts petting me too! I swat his hand away and glare at him. I'm neither a puppy nor a kitten, why would I want him to pet me. The old man just starts laughing at my expression. The little boy bobs his head, shoulders going up and down. Where have I seen that before. Never mind. The old guy is still laugh, so I stalk away waving my tail, and climb out the window to sit on top of the carriage. I can still hear him from out here.