Daire was regretting how busy this day is going. Meeting so many people, trying to remember their names, keeping track of items on his to-do list, shopping, cooking, keeping up with his conversations, and putting up a pleasant facade.

Nearly getting mauled. Twice.

Almost dying by playing with fire...

The lingering pain. Both phantom and throbbing reality creeping back in.

It took a toll on him.

Trying to actively think while serving customers was extremely taxing. Daire winged most of it.

"Guardsman! Glad to see you again. Are you off duty? Where's your partner?"

His exuberance was forced but not fake.

The unarmored guardsman was one of the two he met at the gate. It was difficult to pick him out, but Daire could recognize his posture and the crooked nose. His partner (at least Daire assumes it was his partner and not just a random assignment) was not present.

"Lauren is clocking us out while I came to see all the commotion. We usually get something to eat after work, so I hope I'm not a bother."

"Please, you're are guardsman! It's no trouble at all. We'll serve anyone who is hungry."

Great, another name to remember. Well, she wasn't here at the moment, so he had an excuse to forget it. Did this guardsman ever mention his name?

No... Maybe? I don't see a nameplate.

Daire couldn't remember. Listening was easy; remembering was increasingly more difficult. He was only concerned with a certain plan at the moment. Two actually. After the guard mentioned his surprise at how Daire remembered him, explained his duty, and Violet took his order, Daire asked the important question.

"Hey, I was wondering, did you end up pawning off that little trinket I gave you? Was it worth anything?"

"The penny? Not I. Lauren is planning to after we eat since she has another mouth to feed. I'm not desperate for money at the moment, and a little luck will do me some good. You were right, by the way. On the way here, I ran into this traveling merchant, and he was looking to get rid of some scrap steel. I can't use it, but I can sell it for quite a lot at-.

Daire was listening again while glazing a rabbit haunch. Lauren was mentioned again. Kids are understandable, and her selling the penny fits with the plan. Daire was actually hoping for this. If the penny could make its way to-

"See this? A kid ran up to me at the gate and just handed it to me! Thought it was a pretty flower at first, but it's even rarer than purple mandrake!"

The guard held up a bright yellow flower with blue and orange thorns. He wasn't yelling, but his voice attracted some attention from others in the line. Most recognized him as a guard and turned away. Except for this one lanky figure that-

"It wasn't a huge landfall, but this never happens. I have trash luck, even during the occasional game of horseshoes at the barracks. I am definitely keeping it. I was trying to convince Lauren to keep hers, but she seemed adamant about selling it. Where did you get this thing anyway? You said it was from your home, didn't you?"

Three times the charm. He could never forget Lauren now.

His thoughts felt disjointed each time they were interrupted. Catching their racing silhouettes proved impossible.

Daire sighed through his nose so that it wasn't too visible.

"Pennies are known to bring the occasional luck. Good or bad. It is more superstition than fact. The copper is worthless back home, but the fine engravings make them practically unique here."

"And where is home? If we could import these, they could be a hot commodity."

It took an effort for Daire not to sigh again. He took a moment to look around and center himself.

The streets were cobble, not asphalt, and they were littered with horse droppings. Braziers replaced lamp posts as the sun was no longer visible. The people on the street wore plain clothes and were covered in dirty grime, their hair matted. He just served a female beastkin and her child some sweetened rabbit legs. Daire was instructed to keep it bloody, which wasn't a problem because it was all bloody.

Daire was no butcher. A large part of him still blanched at what he was doing. Killing a rabbit just before eating it? It was unthinkable to Daire a few weeks prior. His hands mechanically butchered the rabbit. The rabbit never squealed or ran. It just accepted its fate.

The organs reeked of foul. The blood got everywhere. The running crimson was heavy. He washed and scraped his hands in a water barrel, but it was already a murky copper. The bandages on his left arm were stained red all the way up to his forearms. He thought he could see the same red tint infusing his good arm. It felt like it was sinking into his bones. Lifeblood, taken by his hands, from a creature that didn't know enough to scream or flee. It was... too much. Too much.

"Daire?"

Daire opened his eyes. When had he closed them? Violet was floating in his view, appearing concerned. Her dress shimmered in an electric glow, surrounded by seemingly mundane paper wings.

He loosened his curled fists. Had he done that too?

"Oh, sorry, I must have wandered off for a moment. Where was I?"

Violet held her forearm before answering.

"Crale's food. You were talking when you zoned out. His food is about to burn."

Daire looked down, noticing the slightly smoking meat. He quickly flipped it, noticing the charred edges. It sparked old memories, but Daire pushed them aside at looked up at... Crale?

The talkative guard was looking at the meat entirely unperturbed at the burnt edges. No one seemed to care his hands were dyed in blood.

Daire tried to ground himself. Violet? The light in his darkness. Emmi? Staring at him, but otherwise present. Trinket? Playing with his toes. Rila? She's been gone for a while. The conversation was pleasant but not overly helpful.

Names... Another one. Crale.

"Sorry about that. I can feed this one to Trinket and cook a fresh one if you want?"

Trinket took his nose out of his ass and licked his lips. Crale just waved a hand.

"No, no, it's fine. It looks good! Won't it be spicier this way? I need to meet up with Lauren, so I'll take that one."

Trinket looked pleading, but Daire respected his customer's wish. Trinket had already gotten two rabbits for dinner.

Gluttonous muppet.

"Sure, here you are."

"Thanks."

Daire handed the meal over as he remembered.

"Oh, before you go, could I ask a favor?"

=

"Accept the last customers, Violet. We'll call it here. I am tired."

Violet craned her head up and nodded. Her voice soft and understanding.

"It has been a long day. A long couple of days. I'll fly over and let them know."

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"Thanks."

Daire gave her a tired smile. Today just wasn't good for his mental health. Exhaustion was getting to him.

"I will leave you to it since you are closing shop. Will you need a guide tomorrow?"

The voice sprouted from Emmi. She'd squeezed the full effect out of her deal, consuming enough meat to make a normal person burst. Daire checked the cage for a second, noticing how few were left. Maybe no more than twenty.

"No, I think Violet and I will take tomorrow off. Will you be free the day after?"

Emmi put a finger to her chin and thought about it.

"I can do that. Today was fun. And the food was amazing!"

"Great, we'll request you the day after tomorrow. We won't be cooking tomorrow either; we can save you a meal for next time."

Emmi pumped a fist.

"Sweet! Alright, see you later. Bye, Violet!"

"Goodnight, Emmi!"

The girl waved as she started slithering down the street. Daire smiled and waved with Violet. He liked Emmi now that she shed that uncertainty from this morning.

Daire returned to cooking as Violet flew back over. Some customers were excited that they got here in time, while a few latecomers were more upset. Trinket was waving a paw at an angry one. Said potential customer immediately ceased their grumbling.

"We are taking tomorrow off?"

"Yeah. We had too much excitement recently. I wasn't planning on cooking for six hours a day when we came to town. We have few rabbits left too... So I thought we could stay in tomorrow? Maybe try to learn some magic, or you can tell me all about that detective novel you've been reading."

Daire wasn't prepared for the bright beaming smile he got from Violet. She was so full of joy that Daire wouldn't be surprised to see the sun peek back over the horizon.

"Oooh! That would be great! He was just about to go into this dark patch of trees searching for the last clue to the puzzle when I stopped last night. I will have to catch you up on what happened, but I'll stop talking now and save it for later."

Daire felt his heart twitch. It was one of those moments when someone wanted to talk about their true passion and their entire being lit up. You didn't have to share that passion to understand what it meant to them. Books were one of Daire's favorite things as well. He just never talked about them since no one ever read what he read.

Daire didn't realize Violet was talking in the same way he did when talking about magic.

"I look forward to it. For now, let's finish up."

"Mhm!"

Violet nodded with force.

=

The last batch of customers was easy to get rid of. All except the last. He arrived late.

Strickles stood in front of the counter. Unkept and ruffled, smelling of smoke and blood.

The scent of the street was already horrific. It took a great effort to overpower that scent. Daire managed to do it with his cooking, yet Strickles managed to top it all just by his presence. Violet fluttered away while holding her nose, and Daire was summoning every ounce of his willpower not to do the same.

"Good god Strickles, what did you do to that rabbit."

Daire was breathing hard, trying not to taste the smell rolling off him. He heard a subdued bang and looked back to see Trinket backing up against the cage. Inside, the rabbits were freaking out. Running into each other, banging against the wooden cage, and huddling in the corners.

Strickles cackled.

Daire couldn't tell if it was genuine or part of the act he uses.

"Nothing, nothing. Just the usual. You still selling?"

Strickles gestured with one boot; the other was missing. Daire was closing up, there was no more prepared meat left, and Daire really didn't want to butcher another rabbit. It was probably impossible with how they were acting now.

"No, unfortunately... We are all closed up.."

"I see, I see. Well, I already ate, so it's fine."

Strickles gave a toothy smile. A few were missing, actually. Were they missing earlier?

"DAIRE, my boy!"

Daire subdued his jump to a mild twitch while Violet nearly backflipped in the air. Strickles was just that loud.

"I came to drop this off."

Noticeably more subdued, Strickles handed a small bag to Daire. It was light for its size.

"What is it?"

"Pain leaves!"

"What?"

Daire nearly shouted this time. Pain leaves? Why would he take such a thing?

"They relieve pain. "

"Oh. That makes more sense."

"Uh-huh."

Daire thought it over. It truly could be one way or the other!

"But my arm doesn't hurt anymore-"

Strickles slapped Daire's arm. Hard.

Violet gasped as she saw Daire crumple. He was on his knees, shivering as he tried to control the pain.

Strickles' voice came more resolute and clear. Completely sane.

"Don't lie. I know it has been hurting all day. I am frankly surprised you were still on your feet."

Daire was breathing hard, ignoring the stench of the street, just trying to circulate air into his lungs.

"Why didn't you give it to him earlier? I thought you fixed his arm!"

Strickles pinned Violet with a stare.

"Fixed, yes. Painless? Of course not. He scorched his arm with magical fire. Did either of you really think everything would be hunky-dory after one visit?"

Daire gritted his teeth as he got to his feet.

"I'm okay, Violet. The pain is a lot less than yesterday."

"Is that why you closed up the stall early? Why didn't you say anything?"

Her noticeably distress hurt him.

"It really isn't bad. Unless someone attacks me!"

Daire glared hard at Strickles, who was unfazed.

"I closed the stall because of the reasons I told you; I am exhausted."

"Really? You think? Your body is trying to heal itself, and here you are working non-stop all day."

"Seriously, no. It's not that. I am not trying to be tough. The pain in my arm really isn't that bad. Yes, it could be better, but I am mentally exhausted."

Strickles gave Daire a serious look. An analyzing look. His voice was that of a doctor trying to get his patient to understand.

"Have you considered your mental exhaustion is because of the physical stress you've endured?"

Daire's fingers twitched. Violet was trying to understand.

"Just... Give me a day. Let me rest."

He sighed and spoke under his breath.

"I wasn't made for this."

The street was silent for a moment. Then Trinket farted.

"Fine. Take the leaves. It should lessen the pain. Take a day off. Don't know why you're so busy anyways."

He started grumbling towards the end.

"Thanks for these. Do we owe you anything."

Daire held up the bag while Strickles shook his head.

"No, they were fairly inexpensive. I just had to go out and buy more."

"Alright... Have you given more thought to my offer?"

"Some. I will let you know some other time. Since you are taking the day off tomorrow, I can do some inquiring. You should explain it to your partner, by the way."

"Explain what?"

Daire looked around. No one else was near. The few remaining pedestrians paid them no mind except to glance at the giant bear and hurry along.

"I'll explain it tomorrow, Violet. We have time. I am planning on leaving in about three days, Doc. I will explain it to Violet, but you should decide by then. You won't have another chance for at least a month, and I need your skills."

"Yeah, yeah, so you said. I'll get out of your fur."

With that, Strickles strode away.

Violet was looking between the Daire and the retreating doctor.

Her tiny voice warbled.

"Explain what!"

=

Daire got Violet to go back to the inn with Trinket after some assurance that they would talk about Strickles. He didn't want to start right now and was exhausted. But today wasn't over. Not yet.

Daire walked alone down the streets, chewing on a silver-colored leaf.

He had one task left. Now that he had some time to himself and the throbbing in his arm was lessening, he could think straight. Today went well for the most part, except towards the end.

He wanted to be alone. Yet, not alone. Alone with someone? But not Violet. Not right now, at least. He liked Violet, but Daire didn't want to worry her.

As Daire walked, he counted several locales he needed to visit. He'd go by himself, but Emmi would accompany them to save them time. It was a shame the jeweler wouldn't let them in. Stupid bodyguard and not being wealthy enough. He just wanted to talk!

In due time. There were probably magic items in that shop, so it wasn't surprising they catered towards the richer clientele.

Daire really should have visited a general store first. There were so many supplies he needed. He'd thought he came prepared with all his items from home. They were important. The phone and laptop were the top priority. But Daire didn't back a razor; he needed to get a shave from Strickles. That was a harrowing experience.

Daire rounded a corner, nearly bumping into a minotaur. The giant blew hot air out his nostrils and continued on his way.

There weren't many non-humans present. Sure, he had seen Lamia, Beastkin, Minotaurs, and even an Arachne. Oh, and those Lizardkin. And the dwarf!

But there were so many more humans here.

It felt... wrong? For all that the setting was familiar, he half-expected to show up outside a city filled with only Drakes or Gnolls. Although that wouldn't happen. Daire's story was a different one.

He was even able to prepare for his transmigration, unlike so many others.

Yet, of all the things Daire could have packed, he packed shampoo and conditioner. It exemplified his vanity.

Hair was important to Daire. It was what made him... him.

He reached up and undid his bun. His hair fell along his shoulders, barely going any further. Oh, how Daire wished he could keep it down, but it wasn't ever the same after he tied it up. Reluctantly, he tied it back up and eliminated any loose strands.

Again though, Daire hadn't even packed a blanket. That first night he was shivering. And crying. Those two were unrelated. There wasn't a blanket in the inn he was staying at either—just an itchy mattress.

Ah. I forgot q-tips.

Daire rounded a final corner and came to a large building. He walked past the courtyard and the large phallic monument.

Inside the building, it was actually more busy than this morning. People were turning in requests that they took earlier. There were a few more aides that all looked fresh. Daire was looking around and noticed the person he was looking for packing up.

"Excuse me."

The woman replied out of hand.

"Sorry, I just worked a double shift, and I am off for the night. You can direct your request to one of the receptionists in the front."

"Ah, no, I was looking for you actually. Tabitha, right?"

The woman looked up from what she was doing.

"Do I know you- wait. I do. You're Daire, right? Where is your friend?"

"That's me. Violet escorted our bear and merchandise back to our inn. I was hoping I could buy you a drink. I was pleasantly surprised to find you still working. You worked a double shift?

Tabitha ran a hand through her dark hair.

"Ah, yeah. We were understaffed until this evening, and I had to pick up the slack."

Then what Daire said registered.

"A drink? Well. I could relax a bit. But I'm not looking to get hit on if that is what you are planning."

Daire waved a hand.

"Just an offer. I've had a long day and could go for something to drink. There is also some minor business I was hoping you could help with, but I don't want to keep you."

Tabitha seemed to relax at Daire's words.

"Mixing business and pleasure? I suppose. If you're buying, there is a place down the street."

"Of course. Just don't make me pay in gold, please?"

"Hah. I wouldn't do that. Silver at most."

"Fair enough. Lead the way."

Daire smiled.

Tabitha returned it.