Dania was already gone, so it was just Isola and myself in the hut while I ate. It was a little uncomfortable without Dania's constant chatter. Not to mention a certain someone staring at me like I was some kind of alien.
I was eating the fruit as quickly as I could, wanting desperately to get through this awkwardness. Isola, who was perched on the chair opposite me (crouched rather than sitting) decided it was time to ask some questions.
"Is this how you always eat?" She asked.
"Um.. No. I usually take my time, but I don't want to keep you waiting."
"No I mean the fruit. Is this all you eat?" She asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
"Lately, yes."
"Do you eat meat?"
"Yeah."
"But you aren't eating meat." she observed.
"No I haven't been eating meat since my friend Dania is a herbivore." I said back.
"I see." She said, as she eyed my physique.
I finished my fruit and followed her out of the house. She moved without making a sound, being observant of her surroundings.
She took me the long way around, but we made it to her house. She ushered me in before closing the door and shutting the windows. She looked like one of those people who are paranoid about the government watching them.
Isola is actually very pretty. She isn't as tall as her sister, but she is still taller than me. She has long golden blonde hair that she keeps tied back. She is tall and slender with some muscle definition, but not as much as her sisters. She wore a crop top and baggy pants that were cuffed around the ankles and had slits from the ankle cuffs up to waist on the outside of both legs. She has the same thin, dark blue eyes as her sister, but hers were filled with curiosity rather than disdain.
She guided to me a seat on the floor and started with the rapid fire of questions again.
"When did you first notice your ears and tail?"
"The tail was about a week or so ago, and the ears were two weeks ago."
"Did you undergo any sort of transformation, complete or partial, before they appeared?"
"No. I don't know how or if I can transform."
"What about your senses? Any changes to those?"
"I did notice hypersensitivity before my ears grew." I said, remembering what I thought felt like a hangover.
"Explain." She prompted, while taking notes.
I told her about How light and sounds were overwhelming, and how my clothes felt like they were sandpaper against my skin.
"So it all happened at once. That must have been overwhelming. Did you seek treatment?"
"Not exactly…" I said, feeling foolish for my reaction back then.
She looked up at me from her papers, "Go on."
"I kind of freaked out and took off running."
"Is that all?" She asked, as if she didn't believe me.
"Well, I mean.. It sounds silly but I felt an urge to run. Like I just needed to."
"Ahhh." She seemed to accept this answer. She then put down her papers and addressed me again. "After your first visit, I looked through all documents I have that have anything to do with emerging beasts and nothing like this has been recorded. "
"So what does that mean?" I asked back
"That means that I will need to do some research, But you will also have some work to do."
"Okay. what do I need to do?" I asked.
"You will need to take better care of yourself and train diligently. Your body is still too weak to handle a transformation. Even if I can find a way to force your transformation, your body wont be able to handle it."
"I see.." I said sullenly. I thought that I was taking good care of myself. My strength and stamina have greatly improved since I first came here.
"You are an omnivore. You need to eat meat to help improve your strength. You will also need to train your body, you are too uncoordinated. Ishi can help with your training."
I recalled the disgusted, disdainful looks she gives me; I can't imagine her being happy to train me. "Are you sure she's not too busy? Maybe there is someone else?" I asked, hoping she would agree.
"Unfortunately there is not. Why? You got a problem with me?" Ishi appeared in the doorway behind me, scaring the everloving crap out of me.
I turned around to meet her gaze, she looked like the devil incarnate.
"No, no, no! Not at all!" I put my hands up in surrender, "It's just that you must be very busy, and I wouldn't want to be a burden on you."
She stepped closer, looking down at me. "So you would rather be a burden to someone else?" The aura she was giving off was dangerous.
I swallowed hard. I don't think I'm getting out of this one, she's already irritated and if I push any more it might backfire.
"Hahaha of course not!" I laughed nervously. "If you don't mind training me then I would be honored to be your student!" I said, trying my best to soften her up.
There was a long silence where she just stared at me. then she merely grunted and walked towards the door. When she was halfway out the door she looked over her shoulder and shot back at me, "Tomorrow at dawn. I'll escort you to the training grounds." And with that she left.
I looked back at Isola and she didn't seem bothered in the least. In fact, she seemed to be so absorbed in her work that she didn't even notice the exchange.
"I guess I'll be going then?" I asked her, since she seemed to have nothing further to say.
She didn't even lift her head from her books. I guess that means I'm free to go.
I left Isola's tree house and went to find Dania. I want to introduce her to Marshall.
As I walked around Lashwood I was amazed at the size and architecture. A lot of the houses were built on the large branches of the trees and the stairs seemed to spiral upwards forever. On the wooden platforms which made up the "streets" and ran between the trees were small stalls for essential items (so the resident's wouldn't have to go down to the merchant stalls on the forest floor). They somehow even built in running water and had a fountain in the middle of their plaza. According to one of the merchants at a stall I stopped at, they utilized the power of a nearby waterfall along with aqueducts to create running water in the city.
On some of the trees were carved murals depicting various warriors and battles. Some even showed the creation of the city. A lot of the stalls I passed were selling gorgeous clothing, fabrics, accessories, and tapestries. I need to find a way to make some money so I can get some of these clothes, they felt so comfortable to the touch!
Eventually I ran into Dania, who was standing at a stall trying some roasted tree nuts. I should have known that if I followed the smell of food I would find her. She saw me coming and finished her purchase.
"Hey, I was looking for you." I said to her
"Oh sorry about that. I expected to be back before you woke up, but you must have gotten up and left early. Where did you go?" Dania asked.
"Isola came to get me. I've been with her all morning."
"Oh? What did she say?" Dania asked eagerly.
"She said that she has to do more research. She also said that I'm too weak to handle a transformation and is making me train with Ishi."
"She's the other leopard girl right? the one that showed us in the other day?"
"Yeah that's her." I said back.
"Hmmmm. that's going to be rough. I get the feeling she is not going to go easy on you." Dania said, sympathetically.
"Yeah I have the same feeling."
"So are you going to do it?" Dania asked
"I have to." I said. "I already agreed."
"Ohhh" She said she stuffed tree nuts in her face, looking like she was about to watch a show in the theater.
"Anyways," I said, changing subject. "There is someone I want you to meet! Follow me!" I grabbed her hand and lead her towards the exit that takes you down to the merchant area.
We dropped down to the ground level and I immediately saw Marshall. He was sitting at a table outside a building with another guy. they seemed to be having a good time, drinks in hand. However as soon as we landed, Marshall's eyes shot over to me, as if he could sense that I was nearby.
I led Dania over to where he was and smiled at him. He smiled back at me, he purple eyes sparkling in the sunlight. The other man at the table was a beefy guy with a deep voice. He stopped talking as we approached, looking us over.
"Marshall, this is my friend Dania. Dania, this is Marshall." I said happily, making introductions.
Marshall's expression remained the same as he looked over at Dania and greeted her. "Hello."
"Nice to meet you." Dania said, looking at me like 'who is this guy and what's going on?'
"Dania, Marshall is.. He's my mate."
Dania looked between us with an expression of horror. The man who was sitting with Marshall stopped smiling and had a similar expression. Without even excusing himself he took his mug, stumbling over his chair as he backed away and left.
"What?" I asked, completely baffled at these reactions.