Hugo walked into the bustling street, canvas bag in hand. He knew that if he was going to survive here, he would need to find work sooner rather than later. He could camp outside the city for now, and the town was sure to have public wells, but food was going to be the greatest issue. As he walked he noticed a crowd gathering at on of the pedestrian intersections. Their were no non beast people that he could see, but no one told him to turn around as he approached the crowd, curious as to what was going on. On a pedestal, covered in dark green and white robes, was what looked to Hugo to be some sort of lizard man priest. He had a large ornate hat that to him looked vaguely oriental. Embroidered on his sleeves and the belt sash flashed a sort of gold trim. His hat held a symbol that looked to Hugo to be an upside down moon or crescent shape with the arc pointing upwards. Around the moon shape were four symmetrical white stars which contrasted with the green of the Hat. It was the fanciest clothing he had thus far seen in this world.
“...and thos-se who s-stand faithful to the mother of renewal shall find themselves-s bles-sed and favored by her. For she loves-s each of her children, though they be born of scale or fur, high born or of a les-ser tribe it matters not. She s-speaks to us-s in s-sweet dreams-s and gives-s us-s visions-s of what is to come! Her visit to our city is a s-sign that we shall soon receive her bles-sing and that we are favored by..
Hugo backed away and began to turn around, but before he could walk away the priest suddenly called out and the crowd turned to him. “...wait good Elf. Surely you must know of the faithfulness of the mother, who even now protects the forest glades your kind most often calls home.” oh no shit shit. They are all looking at me. This is like being called out by the teacher only worse. So much worse.
Hugo stood and looked at the crowd who was even now staring at him, waiting for him to say something. Hugo looked back at them, and improvised.
...uhh. Ya, of course. Praise the mother of renewal.” Hugo said, trying his best to sound confident after his moments hesitation. He really hoped that wouldn’t back fire. The priest looked pleased and smiled at him.
“and there you see, proof of the mothers love to all peoples, drakonid, beastkin, and fairskin alike. She offers all her blessings if you will just follow her commands and..”
Hugo backed away faster and jogged in the other direction ducking out of sight behind a corner. That was awkward. So more proof of religion in this world. Hugo wondered if the gods were real in this world. If they did, then they must be gods, as in gods. Gods with the little g. Powerful entities? He’d seen what must have been magic already so why not. He wondered if some up on high despot was responsible for his premature exit from the grocery store barely more than a day prior. It was a working theory, not that he had any power to do any thing about it even if he DID know who was responsible.
Now out of the sight of the crowd, he continued down the street being careful to stay close to the main roads so he wouldn’t get lost. The city didn’t seem as massive as a major Earth city. More like a very minor city, of what he guessed might be fourty or fifty thousand. Still very much large enough to get lost in if you weren’t careful, especially in the dark.
As Hugo continued walking he noticed what looked like a tavern. It’s sign had some writing and a picture of what looked like an old fashioned beer stein. Hugo didn’t particularly want to drink, and he doubted whatever was on tap at this place would taste good, but a bar could be a good place to get information. Intel was still what he needed the most. He noticed a couple of the bear beast kin walking through the large wood door, not even sparing a glance in his direction. Working up a little nerve, he pushed the door open. Inside it looked like an old fashion tavern right out of any renfair, with large round tables and benches. The tavern seemed to serve mostly bear beast men, but he saw at least three of the lizard men at one table laughing and talking amongst themselves. Several pairs of eyes glanced his way, but his entrance didn’t seem enough of a disturbance to disrupt anyone drinking. A few of the bear beast men were sitting on thick bar stools at the front drinking together, and a few were at tables eating meals on wooden plates. In the corner, keeping to themselves he noticed two that were clearly not beast men, and based on their reaction they noticed him too. They were both wearing green hoods. Based on that alone, he was guessing they were elves.
Hugo steadily walked to the front, to where the counter was. He had to be careful not to bump into any of the slightly intoxicated and potentially unfriendly patrons who may just want to squash him flat if he so much as bumped into one. He made his way through the maze of potential land mines. He then reached the front where a burly bear beast man wearing a tan cloth tunic with rolled up sleeves and an apron was serving customers. After refilling another of his bear man customers, he turned around and looked Hugo up and down.
“How can I help you today?” He said, in a surprisingly polite way from what he had been expecting.
Now that he was here Hugo wasn’t positive what he should do.
“...a hrmm, hrmm.” Hugo cleared his throat and patted his chest. “Yes, what is your cheapest drink sir?” he said, mirroring the bar keeps politeness.
“We have small beer for a copper. Good stuff starts at three coppers a drink. Water is available free to paying customers.”
“Then I’ll have one small beer.” Hugo said as a fished one of his precious remaining pennies from his wallet zipper pouch and set it on the counter.
The bar keep nodded and reached for one of the larger pitchers on a shelf behind the counter. He pored his drink into what Hugo assumed was a sort of ceramic cup with no handle, grey in color. The barkeep picked up the coin and gave it a quizzical glance before placing it into his pocket. Hugo sat alone between two empty seats on either side, trying to keep some distance from the bear beastmen also drinking and talking at the large counter. He took a sip of the drink and found it was just as bad as he was expecting. The taste of watered down, sour beer filled his mouth. It was all he could do to keep down the noxious brew. He did not want to offend the proprietor though, so he kept going by taking only small sips.
He watched the bar keep waiting for a free moment when he was not busy with customers. After his drink was about half gone, there was a free moment when no one was ordering and he waved to him.
“Excuse me bar keep. Sorry to trouble you, but I’m new to the area and just trying figure out my way around. Do you know where a person might look for work in the city?”
The barkeep shrugged. “That depends on what kind of work your good at, any particular sort of work your looking for?”
“Honestly, no. Any thing will do at the moment. My options are sort of limited, and if I don’t work soon I’m going to run out of money.”
“An elf hard on his luck. I’m sorry to hear that. My name is Barnosus, may I ask your name?” He said. Hugo decided once again not to correct his perception of his non elf status. If people wanted to call him an elf, whatever.
“It’s Hugo. And thanks..”
“Well Hugo, to be honest there isn’t much work for elves in the city unless your offering specialized magical services or are an expert enchanter. There’s always demand for those of course. Fairskins can’t really compete with beastkin in terms of raw strength, unless there level is particularly high. Even then, level per level beastkin are just naturally stronger so even then you would have a hard time getting hired on as a laborer. Of course, and if I’m any judge, if your level were very high you wouldn’t be asking about work. It’s of course rude to ask for particulars, but your not high level are you?
Hugo shook his head. He noted this was the first time any one had spoken about levels or a character sheet. He had figured that was what the guards at the gate had been checking but this was more or less confirmation.
“hmm. Then mercenary work is probably out for you, if you want to make money and not end up a corpse. Any special skills?
Hugo thought about that, giving his head a little scratch as his other hand fidgeted with his cup.
“I can do math, and I am able to write in, eh..a different language but I can’t write..common I think. That is..i mean. The language were speaking now. This language is called common isn’t it?”
Barnosus gave him a puzzled look. “..yess..were you drinking before you got here? I know it doesn’t always show on you elves but..”
“No, sorry. It's kind of a complicated but..”
Hugo was cut off by the feeling of a small hand on his shoulder. “excuse my interruption but my associate and I would like to have a word with you. Would you join us at our table?”
Hugo looked at the face of the women, now unhooded, who had placed a hand on him. The face of a beautiful elven maiden, with long flaxen blond hair and sharp blue eyes met his. He then turned and looked at the bar keep and shrugged. “..barkeep.” and the Barnosus politely nodded letting Hugo be dismissed. Hugo got up and pushed his chair in, and let him self be lead to where the other member of her table was sitting with his back against a wall and his eyes focused on the woman and himself.
The mans face was every bit and clean and crisp as the woman's, but with sharper and harsher features. Along the side of his nose running past his eyes and into his forehead, Hugo noticed traces of where a scar that had faded on the mans face. He had absolutely no facial hair. His face was smooth and sharp, with a chin only slightly broader than his female counter part. To Hugo’s perception, the pair were both phenomenal looking, in their stylish matching green cloaks, brown pants, and black boots. Hugo stood at the edge of the table and looked at the man.
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“..please sit down. Your name is Hugo?” the elf sitting at the table said.
“How do you..” but Hugo was cut off with a wave of the mans hand before he could finish.”
“We are very good listeners when we want to be. Will you sit please”
Hugo did so, taking opposite of the male elf. The female elf sat down nearer to her partner and still opposite of Hugo making there tables seating look unbalanced.
“We just want to ask you a few questions. We had heard that there was another elf from an unknown enclave here, but now that we see this mysterious person for myself It only raises further questions. The first of which is..are you truly an elf? You share some of our features, but now that I look at you closely you are even more a mystery.”
Hugo listened to him and his heart beat a little faster. He wasn’t sure if whatever he said was going to set this intense and unfriendly elf off at any time. Could he even get away from these two if he needed to? He really doubted it, if any of the fantasy tropes about elves lived up to their hype in this crazy world he had just found himself in. It little like he was being interviewed for a crime he didn’t even know he had committed. Elves were apparently touchy about their own people wandering about, if they were so interested in one stranger who only sorta looked like an elf.
“Well..” and Hugo paused to calm his fidgeting. “..am I an Elf? To answer that question, no I’m actually not.”
The two elves looked at each other, and then the male elf spoke again.
“You claim your not an elf, and now that I get a look at you and those round ears of yours I believe you. That does leave us with another question though. If you truly are not an elf then what are you and why to you bear sky touched hair and eyes that are the mark of the sky goddess’s people.”
Hugo gave them a confused look and asked. “what do you mean sky tou..oh! oh wait do you mean my blond hair and blue eyes?”
The two elves gave him a look as if to suggest that he was some sort of crazy person. Then the female elf, who had remained silent for her partners questions, spoke.
“..and the mother of the sky blessed her children and gave them gifts. They prospered long under the sun until their hair became like sunlight, and their eyes drank in the color of the sky that she had shared with those whom she loved.”
“Lorrella!..” said the other elf In an angry hushed tone.
“Look at him, Kwanim. He’s as much touched by the sky mother as we are, even if he claims not to have any elven blood in him.”
“We don’t know him yet, you can’t just..”
“hrmmphh..fine” she said, before he gave him a chance to finish.
“So you claim you are not an elf. I ask again. Then what are you?”
“I’m..ehh well my character sheet said I’m a human (variant) but I’m not really sure what that actually means.”
“What do you mean character sheet?”
“You know, character sheet. When you make the little window pop up and its like having another field of vision and it has all the stats and numbers on it.”
The both renewed their question looks at him?
“Do you mean your soul window? Do they call it a..character sheet..where ever you come from?” the male elf said.
“..uh. Sorta I guess? I call it that.”
“You say your human?..really..and by your height your slightly taller than I am. Your ears are the right shape though. Perhaps that claim is true. Hmmm.” he said in a way that indicated to Hugo that he did not really believe him, and then continued.
“You say your some sort of varient. I’ve never heard of any elf, or dwarf for that matter, who can claim to be of a variant clan as some beastkin tribes claim. Yet you do say your human, and those are rare on Yen’Gar after the blackening of Yis’Kerinum, or Dorma as those few remaining humans that are descended from those shores call it. Tell me though, all the humans I’ve ever seen have had brown hair and eyes, and none ever approached your stature. How can you explain this?” He gave Hugo a steely and suspicious gaze.
Now Hugo was all for a friendly round of questions, but he didn’t like being interrogated so rudely. If he hadn’t been so afraid that who ever this wild eyed elf was would probably kill him in an ally way if he wasn’t cooperative, he would probably have been angry. Instead Hugo put on a brave face and tried not to wet himself in front of the sexy elf and her intimidating male counter part.
“Why are you asking me all these questions? I only just got to this city today and I have barely been here an afternoon. Now your interrogating me. Look, I know I don’t know how any thing in this crazy city works but I’m pretty sure your not a guard and I don’t actually have to answer your questions. To my knowledge I’ve done nothing wrong. Are I being accused of something?”
This time the female elf, Lorrella, spoke up again. “Your not being accused of anything. By all appearances you are a strange elf, and our enclave makes it our business to know every elf in city. You say your not an elf, but we didn’t know that. Even still, based on your appearance, all the beastkin here would assume your connected with us. Even despite having round your round ears, you look enough like an elf that these beastkin likely couldn’t tell the difference.”
“What she is saying is.” the male Elf interupted again. “that what effects one elf affects our whole enclave. Our treaties in Bru’gatha assure that elves found within the city acting on behalf of our enclave are held accountable by our laws. That means they are punished in accordance with our laws if they act out. I am one of the wardens responsible for our people staying in the city.”
Suddenly his way of speaking to Hugo made a lot more sense. This guy is bascially a cop...uh elf cop. A cop for elves. Huh. Holy shit.
“I...think I understand now. But wait, how did you know I’d come here?”
“To the city? You were seen. How could you not be seen. An elf wearing exotic clothing, carrying nothing but a blanket and traveling alone. You were reported the instant you were in the city square.”
“..uh, no I meant this tavern. How did you know I’d come here? Were you following me?” I didn’t even know I’d come here. How could this guy know?
“no..we were just having a drink and you walked in.”
“oh.”
They slowly nodded at him.
“oh..is right. Now can you please answer me. How is it possible for a human to look...like you do.” He said as he waved is arm up and down in front of Hugo.
“Ruggedly hansome you mean?” Hugo couldn’t resist the joke. Sadly it was only met with glares. Tough crowd. “I guess my answer to this is that a lot of people..human people, look like this where I come from.”
“And where is that?”
Now that was a tricky question for Hugo. Should I tell the whole story? Then again, not much to tell. Sorry, I went shopping for grocerys and now I’m lost in a furry’s dream world and everyone assumes I’m an elf. Oh ya, I’m from a whole other world. Nope, not happenin. Time for a lie of ommission.
“The USA. I’m a Minnesotan born and bread.”
“Uuessae?” The male elf looked confused, trying to pronounce it like one word. “..and Minnesotan. Is that the name of a clan?”
“Correct, and uh, I guess correct on that second one too.” Hugo didn’t feel like explaining how states worked to an elf who would likely have no context for it anyway.
“..and just where is Uuessae?”
“that is an excellent question? My answer is, well that depends.”
“On what, pray tell, does it depend?”
“on where I am, and where home is relative to that. That is to say if I had any idea where I’ve ended up I might have a better idea of describing where I came from. Sadly I don’t know where I am so I can’t really tell you from, uh, whence I came.”
“..why are you speaking in riddles. Are you not going to give me a straight answer?” the male elf said, now obviously annoyed.
“That’s just the thing I’m trying to tell you. I don’t really know where I am and how I ended up here. One minute I’m out purchasing some food from the grocery market, and the next I find myself in as strange place right out side the woods all alone. I walked all day until I found the rode, and a nice farmer was willing to sell me one of his blankets. I slept out side the city, and now I’m talking to you.”
“What do you mean you just ‘ended up’ outside the woods?”
“Just what I said, I have no idea how it happened. My head started hurting, and I felt sick and then..” and Hugo snapped for dramatic effect. “Just like that I was some place else.”
“I’ve seen mages that can teleport themselves a distance of miles. I’ve heard of magics that could potentially transport a person across cities. Hmm. What your describing could only be done with extremely potent magic. Do you know why some one would have wanted this thing done to you? All assuming your story is true of, course.”
It was quite clear to Hugo from the elf's tone that Hugo’s believably was still highly in doubt. The elf continued. “We are currently in Bru’gatha city. The territory is controlled by a joint coalition of drakonid and berear beastkin who rule as a city state. We are roughly fifty five leagues north of the Vorkathean mountains. The coast of the desolate sea lies still another one hundred and twenty leagues north. One hundred leagues west are the baren slopes, controlled by which ever blood thirsty tribe of Jackeloon is currently dominant. To the East are elven lands, my people. Huge tracks of forrest land, as far as the eye can see and as wild as any place. Does that give you any idea of where you are?”
“so before today, lets say I had never heard of Yen’gar. This continent, that is.”
The elf let out a breath, and weaved his and through his hair in an obvious sign of frustration.
“I’m sorry, I’m telling you the truth. Before today I hadn’t heard of Yen’gar, or Bru’gatha or any of it! I’m just some guy. I wasn’t even important. I was just a first year law student. I didn’t even have any enemies that I know of, unless you count my mom’s stupid pet parrot that always bit me whenever I tried to pet it.
“What’s a..never mind. So you are stating that you some how just..appeared out of no where, and that your home is not on the continent of Yen’gar?”
Hugo said nothing, only looking helpless at the two elves and shrugged. Putting his and over his face to stifle tears at the sudden re dredging of his situation he simply said. “I just don’t know.”
Even Hugo was surprised at the emotions they were evoking in him. He had broken down a little the night before, but the stars had been a nice distraction. Now the full weight of his distress became apparent, even to himself. It was all he could do to hold back the flood gate and not ball openly at the table.
The female elf suddenly took over the conversation, giving him a sad look. “Your distress seems genuine, but your tale. It’s rather fantastic. Can you prove what your telling us is true?”
Hugo nodded. In a slightly raspy voice “I can, but not here. Their are to many eyes.”