The Laughing Fox Inn.
It was a small Tavern located within the Steam-powered city of Canis. Despite its size, it was fairly popular among the canines that lived there. Every day, many wolves, coyotes, foxes or dogs came and went through the inn, ordering ale, staying the night, or simply having fun dancing and singing to the many songs that played there.
The Inn was often visited by many famous inventors as well: creators that helped revolutionize the world with Steam-powered inventions. These inventors had come from all the way across the various lands of Wyldra. They often came to visit this Tavern, or to see the city itself.
Today was no different.
Much like many other days, the Tavern had become quite crowded. It was filled with Beastmen from almost all over the world: Canines, Felines, Serpents, and Fish. Most of them sat down to get drunk or talk, while the younger kits played. The kits listened to the music being played by the small band on the stage, and they sang along or danced to it.
Everyone was happy.
Everyone except for Sid.
Sid waited in the back of the Tavern for his time to come out. He despised working at this Tavern.
He hated the strong stench of alcohol. He hated the customers who would mock him endlessly.
But most of all, he hated the Beastmen, the creatures that enslaved him. He hated the way they treated him, the disgusting slurs they would call them.
Today would be no different than any other day.
Sure enough, the door to his cell opened, and his master, Elise the Grey Wolf, stormed inside. She gave him a nasty snarl and yanked him by the chains around his neck.
"On your feet, slave boy," she barked, "It's time to make yourself useful!"
Sid grunted, so Elise kicked him. He coughed up a bit of blood.
"Do not give me that foul attitude, brat! You will do as you are told!"
Sid got to his feet. He knew that if he didn't listen, she would beat him. The scars on his back was more than enough proof.a
"Now then," she growled, "The Noble Family of Lupus is said to arrive today. They are no doubt bringing their kits with them."
Sid grimaced. "You want me to entertain them?"
"Entertain?!" Elise just snorted. "You couldn't make the hogs laugh! You're to serve them their ale like a good slave!"
Sid sighed. Elise yanked him to his feet and unlocked the chains around his neck. She grabbed his arm and yanked him to the center of the tavern. Everyone in the tavern turned their heads his way.
"Ugh! It's that slave boy!"
The kits laughed and threw their trash at Sid. "Rubbish Beast," they sang, "He's a Rubbish Beast!"
Sid glared at the kits as they stuck out their tongues and taunted him.
The other Beastmen simply gave Sid sour looks as the door to the tavern opened. A beautiful white wolf stepped inside with a few playful young puppies around Sid's age bouncing about, yipping playfully. In her hand, she held a long cigarette holder. She looked Sid's way, and seemed to smile slightly. It was faint, but Sid seemed to notice it.
The other Beastmen stood up in shock, and bowed in honor.
It was the Noblewomen of the House of Lupus.
Her name was Lady Eliza Canis.
She approached Elise. "Is that the slave you spoke of?"
Elise snorted. "It is. Ugly thing, isn't it?"
Sid growled at that remark, so Elise kicked him. Most of the kits laughed harshly at that, except for Eliza's puppies, who winced at this sight.
"Miss," one of the puppies said, "You should treat your slaves better."
Elise grunted. "Why should I? He's replaceable. If he dies, I'll simply buy another."
Eliza looked at Sid. "How much?"
"What?"
"How much do you wish for him?"
Elise burst into laughter. "Him? But he's only a slave!"
"Yes, and perhaps we wish to purchase him from you."
Elise thought about it for a moment. "500 Gold."
Sid jumped at that. "What? I can't be worth that much!"
"Why shouldn't you be?" Elise snorted in his face. "After all, a Noblewoman deserves the best."
"But you just said that you can replace him," said one of the puppies.
"Perhaps, but the price is as it is."
"Very well." Eliza pulled out a small, round purse and took out five pieces of gold. She handed them to Elise, who snickered. She and the other Beastmen in the tavern smiled at this.
"Now the slave will be forced to hide. We don't have to see it again!"
Sid sighed.
"We will pick him up tomorrow."
"Fine." Elise turned back to Sid. "Now then, until they come for you, you still follow my word! Understand?"
Sid wanted to scream at her, but he simply hung his head low. "I understand."
For the rest of the day, Sid served the Noblewoman and her kits. The other Beastmen continued to throw trash at him, mock him, or yell slurs at him. One of the other kits threw an empty bottle at him. It broke over his head with a loud crash, making him bleed.
By the end of the day, the Noble family waved goodbye to Sid. Elise grabbed Sid by his chains and dragged him back to the backrooms. She threw him into his room harshly.
"Tomorrow," she growled, "You will be out of my life." She gave a twisted smile as she turned around. "By then, I'll be rich off a worthless pile of meat!" She closed the door.
Sid sat down. Tears welled up in his eyes. He hated her. She didn't care about him.
Nobody cared about him.
Sid cried himself to sleep that night.