'The night was rather uncomfortable.'
My back hurts since I slept against the wall. Myrna, however, still sleeps in the only bed which is in this room. Thanks to Miss Liana's sister we at least had a quiet, warm night instead of laying somewhere on the ground outside the city.
'I guess it's time to wake up Myrna and talk with the owner about the pricing.'
The last night she sent us into our room without a need for a proper talk. Maybe because we were dead tired, anyway. That doesn't mean though that I want to take advantage of her.
"Good morning, Ryuu." Myrna yawns. "Ehh... Ryuu? Wh.. what are you doing here?"
"We only got one room last night, you silly. Already forgot it?"
"Oh... sorry. I'm not quite awake.."
"No worries. Time to get ready and talk to the owner. I will go ahead, just come down when you're ready."
Myrna still has to prepare herself for the day, while I am already done with that.
'Sleeping long in such a situation isn't possible, anyways.'
"Good morning," the young woman greets.
"Good morning."
"Seems like your little girlfriend is still asleep, huh?"
I shake my head. "She's preparing herself right now."
"Oh, so you're more the early type?"
"Kinda." I shrug it off.
No need in telling her I didn't sleep much since I spent the night on the ground.
"However, regarding the money... as said I don't have much with me right now, but if you are okay with it, I would pay you after taking jobs from the adventurer guild."
"Oh? So you really are adventurers?" she asks while cleaning some jars behind the counter.
"Well to-be adventurers fits it more." I say and sit down and the counter.
"Haa... rookies again. My sister is too kindhearted..."
"You think so? I think Miss Liana is a respectable person."
"Pffft!" the owner can't hold back heir laughing. "Miss Liana... ahaha! That's funny! Need to tell her that later on! Whatever, I haven't introduced myself, have I? I am Ritsu, Liana's little sister."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Ritsu. I am Ryuu."
"Oh cut it. You are really serious about the 'Miss' thing, huh?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No...no. I'm just not used to it." Ritsu says with a blush on her face.
"Regarding the money," she continues. "A night in this Inn costs two silver coins. Ten copper coins are a silver coin. You can pay something now and the rest later, as you promised."
"Ah, seems like the conversion rates are simple and forward."
From my pocket I grab some copper coins, eigth in numbers.
"Sorry, that's all I have right now."
"Yeah, just make sure you don't forget your promise."
"Promise?" Myrna asks, still yawning.
"Finally awake, little fox girl?" Ritsu asks.
Her words struck me like lightning. How does she know about Myrna's origin?
Both Myrna and I watch Ritsu with great concern, not knowing what will happen.
"Huh? Was that supposed to be a secret? Well, better hide your fangs next time." she explains and uses her fingers as fang imitations.
"You guys don't need to worry. Well at least it's half true. While demi-humans are allowed in Tovol, they still risk their life since kidnappers could go for them to sell them to slave traders."
"I see. Thanks for warning us." I smile.
After the initial shock Myrna also comes to my side.
"So, you two want to be adventurers?" Ritsu asks while still preparing the bar.
We both nod in agreement.
"For.. several reasons we need money and since we just came to Tovol, going for the adventurer guild seems the best route, no?"
With my runes and skills I believe we can easy fulfill some of the lower ranked quests. Right now the only downside to my power is the limited rate of my MP. With the help of MP potions, however, I could escape that problem.
"Well, under normal circumstances you would be right." Ritsu replies. "Unfortunately Tovol is terrorised by bandits these day. Or to be more clear: Almost nothing leaves or enters the town without getting ambushed and many quests focus on that."
"Yeah, we also made acquaintance with three bandits last night, but luckily we got away without problems."
"I still think we should have killed them," Myrna pouts. "Attacking us when we try to sleep."
"And try to sleep is a synonym here for having fun, I guess? Based on how angered you are..." Ritsu says with a grin on her face.
Within a second Myrna's entire face blushes like a tomato and she covers her eyes.
"No! I didn't meant... I..."
"Relax, foxy. It was just a joke. But you are right. This trash deserves death."
"Who knows," I reply. "They got their warning. What they do is up to them now."
"Ha! Warning. I bet they will just continue and hunt you down next time."
I simply shrug it off. It's not up to me what other people do, at least not entirely. They got their second chance and it's up to them whether they use it or not.
"Anyway, I guess it's best to go to the adventurer guild. The guards at the entry asked us to report the ambush to the guild."
"Right. The guild will increase the reward again for capturing those trashs. Don't forget to come by and pay off your debts once you get money, right?"
"No worries. I stick to my promises."
It doesn't look like Ritsu is going to escort us to the door, so I stand up and take Myrna with me.
Leaving the Inn, the lively town of To ol' stretches out before us. Other than in the middle of the night, the streets are now filled with many people and carriages. There are more stores and taverns that I can count on both my hands in this street alone.
"Ryuu," Myrna whispers.
"Is something wrong?"
"Is it really okay to have me as your companion? Now that you know what I am?"
"To be honest... I know your race since the bandits tried to ambush us. You probably heard of they joyed of finding a "fox breed" Demi-Human. I heard that as well..."
Myrna looked surprised and confused at the same time.
"You know since then? And you helped hiding it from the guards? But why?"
This world's thinking really is a past of my own, original world. I can't help but sigh about that thinking.
"Listen, Myrna. I don't care who or what someone is. It's nothing more than a projection of our thoughts. You are a Demi-Human but you act more like a human and that's the point." I explain and stroke her hair. "What someone does is more important than what someone is said to be. So if you don't mind being with me, I would like you to accompany more."
"Yes!" she shouts in joy just to cover her mouth the next second as several surprised people look at us.