Eventually the staring audience grew to be annoying so after an appropriate amount of head patting went on did Corvo continue on his way. With his new guest in tow.
“Take a left up ahead.”
Still riding on his shoulders the young beastkin pointed to a dark, shady looking alley that was barely wide enough to drive a cart through, he also noticed how the shoppers gave the entrance a wide berth. Despite this Corvo followed the young girls instructions and entered the alley. Frankly he was just glad to get away from all the annoying staring.
Filth sat at the bottom of the alley but it looked like someone had taken the time to clean up the worst of it. The rest of the trash was just shoved against the far wall so that it was off the walkway. After walking for a few feet Corvo caught sight of something he never expected to see. Sitting behind a rundown looking stall filing its sharp claws with a knife was an old goblin.
Corvo found himself staring at the non hostile goblin so long the creature looked up to meet his red eyes with its brown ones. The goblin blinked once, looked him over from head to toe and dismissed him with a grunt. Corvo continued to stare at the goblin for a moment but eventually just shrugged and continued on his way.
As they made their way deeper into the alley Corvo saw more monsters selling things from behind stalls. He saw a harpy selling jewelry, a Gnoll fortune teller, he even saw what he thought was a sprite racing over the rooftops with a bag full of tightly bound scrolls.
”This is the monster district, it’s where the intelligent monsters make their living and where they sleep.”
Without noticing it Corvo had come to a stop next to a grizzled old orc sitting under a tent. Spread out around the orc were various weapons and armors of noticeably superior quality. Internally Corvo couldn’t help but admire the craftsmanship the orc had on display, noticing the Variants appreciative gaze the battle scarred ore puffed his muscular chest out with pride.
”These are all my own creations, any smith worth their weight in salt knows that you put time and care into your weapons”
Nodding silently Corvo continues to study a pair of steel greaves seemingly disinterested in the orcs words. Surprisingly the old orc doesn’t react at all in response to the subtle slight. Instead he turns his attention to Corvo’s passenger with a fond look in his eye.
”Ya brought me a pretty strange one this time around little Muiri he even stuck around longer than ten seconds!”
Boisterous laughter filled the enclosed alley and seemed to spread to the other monster shopkeepers making one or two smile as they went about their business, although the Gnoll version of a smile looked more like it wanted to bite your face off. Seemingly unaffected by the orcs good mood Corvo finally met the friendly monsters green-brown eyes with his red ones.
”I apologize if my conduct has been unkind I simply wished to see if you have your brethren’s temper.”
Performing a small bow as he spoke Corvo almost didn’t see the giant green hand reaching for him. Imperceptibly Corvo’s hands twitched, it was only a small hand pulling on his hair that stopped him. A strong but firm hand patted him on the shoulder with enough force to break most normal humans bones. Somehow Corvo doubted the grizzled orc even noticed.
“It’s fine, frankly I can’t blame ya, my kin ain’t exactly know for their patience.”
Grinning with a mouth full of very sharp teeth the orc sits back down on his chair in he center of his stall and picks up a dagger from a table nearby and begins cleaning it with a rag tucked into his shirt.
“It’s not often a monster gives up their more bestial selves and accepts the light, although I gotta say this Leveling thing you guys do isn’t half bad.”
Indeed, all monsters possess the ability to Level just like the intelligent races. However, in doing so they sacrifice a great deal of their former monstrous power. Not to mention the ever present risk that they could revert back to their old selves. Which is most likely the reason why all the monsters were segregated away from the main market place.
“So what can a tired old orc do for you today?”
Suddenly remembering why they came here in the first place Corvo held up his sword silently and pointed to his belt.
“Ah I gotcha just gimme a sec I think I have a belt that’ll work for ya.”
So saying the orc rose to his impressive full height, almost as tall as the seven foot Corvo, and began rummaging through his supplies in the back of the tent.
”Here we are, I actually made this sword belt with a fellow orc in mind but you’re close enough that I can adjust it a little to fit comfortably.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Keeping to his word the orc fitted Corvo for his new belt in only a few minutes. However when Corvo heard the price his hand that was reaching for his pouch froze. Noticing the reaction the old orc frowned slightly, this wasn’t the first time someone had “forgotten” their money at home. Holding the Variants eye the old orc waited patiently, the knife somehow found its way back into his hands as he idly cleaned the pristine blade.
Not acknowledging the knife at all Corvo reached into the pouch in his shirt and pulled out six coppers. Handing them to the orc with a closed fist he set them into the scarred, green palm held out. The orcs eyes widened when he opened his hand and saw the money. One or two shopkeepers noticed the exchange and began edging into the path of the already leaving Variant.
Instead of outrage however, all the monsters saw was orcs surprised face. Without turning back Corvo stopped, Muiri still silently sitting on his shoulders.
”You’re charging too little for excellent service, this belt is worth a lot more than three measly coppers.”
For a moment the battle scarred, old orc just stares at the back of the Variant, just as he’s about to respond however, the Variant speaks up again.
”I never did catch your name, it has kinda gotten really annoying just referring to you as ‘the orc’ in my mind.”
Blinking stupidly it takes a moment for the Variants words to register, when they do however the old orc smiles with all his sharp, pointy teeth on display.
”My name is Atulg of clan nightclaw young Variant.”
Nodding his head Corvo commits the name to memory as he begins walking away again, his path noticeably less obstructed than a few moments ago.
”The name is Corvo the clanless, I’ll be sure to stop by here again.”
Without another word Corvo kept walking as his companion waved goodbye to Atulg.
They only made it a short distance before a growl that could rival a dragon filled the ears of every shopkeeper present.
All eyes were suddenly trained on the Variant who ws doing an excellent job of pretending not to notice. Feeling his guide shift until she was standing on his shoulders Corvo suddenly found his sight obstructed by a pair of beautiful golden eyes set into an adorable dusky skinned face.
”If you’re hungry then I know exactly where to go next, take that first left right there.”
Sitting back down on his shoulders Corvo found himself following his taciturn guides directions, internally he remarked how that was probably the longest sentence he’d ever heard her say.
Before long Corvo found himself staring at another beautiful woman with the traits of a fox. Slowly the bored looking woman raised her head to lock eyes with Corvo. After a moment of not saying anything the woman moved her gaze higher to Corvo’s passenger.
”Oh Muiri, did you bring me a new customer?”
Suddenly the woman’s demeanor does a complete 360. She suddenly exudes seductive charm. Not even noticing Corvo takes a seat at one of the stools set up in front of her stall and places a few coppers onto the counter he waits patiently for his food to be served.
Apparently the seductive woman hadn’t expected she’d be ignored completely. Almost unwillingly she handed Corvo a skewer with meat on it, in doing so she leaned forward to give him a pleasant view but the Variant didn’t even flinch. At some point Muiri had moved behind the counter and was staring at her sister with amusement plain on her normally placid expression.
Now she was getting annoyed! Men were always trying to chat her up so she eventually started using her charms to help pay the bills but here she met some annoying human-thing that pretended not to be interested. Well two can play at that game, pouting the woman idly counted out the coppers Corvo had placed on the counter and realized he’d actually given her a little extra.
Pocketing all but one coin she turned around and rummaged in her stall for a second, unintentionally she gave Corvo quite the view but doubted he’d react. Which was why she almost hit her head when her sensitive hearing picked up on his next words.
”Meh it’s not the best, I’ve seen better.”
”WHAT?!”
THUMP
After rubbing the new bump she got on the back of her head the woman rounded on her customer with all the fury of a pissed off tigress.
”Uh that sounded like it hurt are you okay?”
Completely ignoring the Variants question she began to lean forward with more menace than seduction, although she somehow still managed to exude both.
”What did you just say about my ass, I’ll have you know men are always trying to cop a feel, you human men are all the same so don’t pretend otherwise!”
For a long time Corvo just blinked stupidly at her, then without taking eye contact he lifted his hand and pointed at the amateurish sign of a fox eating a skewer of meat she’d carved for her stall. Blinking owlishly the woman suddenly lost all hope of looking menacing as she blinked owlishly at her sign
”Oh”
Suddenly the ground became very interesting to look at. Muiri off in the corner was laughing her head off behind her hands and Corvo was giving the young woman a considering look, finally he nodded his hands and put his fist in his palm like he just solved a mystery.
“You’re an idiot aren’t you?”
”WHO’RE YOU CALLING AN IDIOT?!”
The young woman didn’t look menacing so much as pitiful now that she had little tears in the corners of her eyes and red tinging her cheeks.
”In what way do I look like a human?”
Once again blinking owlishly the woman meekly turned her gaze to the ground again.
”You’re not?”
”Nope I’m a Variant, the big, bad boogeyman.”
“Never heard of you.”
”Seriously Celene even I knew he wasn’t human and you’ve been among the humans longer.”
Bowing her head in the face of her own embarrassment Celene had nothing to say.
Corvo, however, suddenly realized something.
”You’re not beastkin, you’re kitsune.”
Both Muiri and Celene craze a little at his words. Slowly Muiri met his gaze, a vulnerable expression on her face. It didn’t escape his notice how Celene subtly put herself between the Variant and Muiri.
”Is that going to be a problem for you?”
Celene’s tone and body language were neutral but Corvo could see the monster hiding just behind those beautiful golden eyes of hers. Slowly Corvo stood up, as he did Muiri’s expression turned downcast.
”Not really, just didn’t know that some monsters could become more human looking if they accepted Leveling over their monster halves.”
Muiri’s head dipped so her bangs covered her eyes, Corvo pretended not to hear the quiet sniffles. After a moment Corvo began walking away, before he made it a few feet he felt something light settle on his shoulders and touch his hair.
”Now let’s go find an inn.”