I want to go back inside… When I first took a step outside my heart began to race. An itch started to irritate the skin on my neck. The urge to go back inside tried to overtake my legs.
I need fresh air… My head was going to swarm if I stayed inside. Even Shen's letter couldn't calm it.
…The sky is beautiful. When I raised my head, the gorgeous orange sky from the sun entered my eye. The birds chirped in my ears, it hummed, but the fog still remained.
Although… I wish it was warmer. Or at least I brought a jacket. The hair on my arms was sticking up.
Scooting away from the complaining, where was I going? Simple, exploring. It's better if I explored the kingdom a little bit. Plus I have money… Heh…
James handed me my own coin bag last week. In his own words, I needed to be responsible for my own money.
Furthermore, it means I could buy my own clothes. Not some hand-me-downs, or clothes bought by Melinda— I can buy my own shirts, pants— probably no shorts.
Shorts are less suffocating, but I need to be mindful of the marks on my legs. Front and back, people'd stare— and I don't want to freak out.
Doesn't damn matter… People already began to stare when I walked out. The manors around us had gardeners, maids and butlers cleaning the porches. The majority of them were animalkin, mainly the gardeners and maids. As for butlers… elves.
I shook my head and began to stomp off. My skin felt prickly with the stares I didn't earn. I just hope no one tries to talk to me, ugh-
Seriously though, has no one been taught manners? Do people in this world just love to stare?
Everywhere I go, people just stare at me. Not even when I was Mathew did they stare this much. If… they stare because of my body, that's disgusting.
Ookay… it's only going to get worse if I think about it. First, let's meander randomly. Second, I might as well check some shops.
From what I heard from da- James, there's a shopping district. It's across the main city and closest to the dwarf tower.
Keep quiet, try to avoid people.
Repeatedly this played. It helped ease the social anxiety that plagued my heart. The stares started to lessen.
So fantasyish… It's a sight I grew so used to. I can't believe I've been here…
Two years… ? Thr- One year… Nearly… Um, two years of Yukina's memories.
Anyways, back… to the road— almost ran into a few people. Mainly on my left side- my eye was irritated, itchy and felt swollen. It started off three days ago.
Ever since then, it has been nearly daily. However, before that my eye started to not respond. Blinking I had to forcefully do on that eye.
It's… rather concerning— I haven't had the chance to bother James. He worked so hard to heal it before.
Is that… is that- why people are staring at me? My ears were closed off to the people speaking. Nevermind…
These streets were so unlike Untergrant. There was no one staring in… weird ways.
The homes were uniform and advanced.
No one begged on the streets; hell people were actively talking and joking. So, it— it did feel like an actively different world even in the same world.
Even… the memories of the old Yukina were different. Less chaotic in her home village, her friends and family had a calmer relationship.
…
"So-Sorry about that…" I pushed with my legs to not hit the ground. I tightened my hands when I apologized.
In front of me now was a lanky man with brown hair— his body was encompassed by a layer of leather armor.
"..."
"I'm- sorry…"
My vision started to darken; my body started to tense—
"Keep your head up."
I only heard, then a few steps went behind me. My feet stayed planted, my body stayed tensed— am I going to-
There… was nothing. The guy left me by myself. Even the people who let out a gasp went on their way again.
Stay out. I shook my head and continued down these roads. Like the roads back on earth I stayed on the right. People passed me, so many faces and body shapes.
Lizardfolk had me turn my head. Were they a unique race…? Or are animalkin that expansive to even reptiles. Even the types of lizardfolk are different.
Some have light scales, a pale underbelly and a snakelike head. Or a spikey beard under their chins with a flat head and hunched posture. Just like their looks, the snakelike ones spoke with a hiss when talking. The ones with spikes were quiet, and their voices were grotesque sounding and deep.
Furthermore, their genders were slightly difficult to tell. The female ones didn't have a bust. Conversely, they usually wore more masculine or feminine clothes. That's how one could tell.
Faster than I thought. I thought when I stopped in my tracks. There was an obvious difference between the main city and shopping area. Pitter patter of individuals tickled my ears; voices of bartering bombarded my ear drums.
My budget is around three silver— to be exact three silver and ten copper. From the voices the prices weren't bad, they were good.
It was not just one shop with good prices— my ears perked when I walked in front of each. There was a clothes shop, a shirt cost ten copper. Pair of shorts and pants fifteen copper. A sword would run fifty copper coins, meaning I could buy five of them.
One particular shop— a food one caused my mouth to water. There was a hearty smell, similar to steak. On the contrary, there was an earthy smell in it… similar to bear meat. Might bother mom and da- James…
Sure, mom- Melinda's cooking was getting better… But a family outing sounded good. It sounded relaxing, and we can invite everyone. Heck… Vershun, Steph and Zephy can join.
I'll talk with them later; furthering the shops, there were accessory shops. There was this one that had a man outside cleaning the already pristine walk way. He looked James's age. Mannequins lined the windows in various poses— each one wore different outfits with wildly differing accessories.
From the right leftwards: leather armor that covered every inch. Pearly earrings and a silver necklace. It had a hand on its right hip. Platemail, there were gloves on its hands with its hand wearing a ring. The third one was casual clothes, the mannequin was a catkin with earrings looping through its ears.
Alas, was a dwarf wearing blacksmithing cl-
"Interested?" The man who swept the walkway inquired.
"O-Oh, no."
"Eye issues?" The man again asked, he pointed at his left eye. "It's possible we have something for you."
"...My eye is fine." I replied whilst backing up a step. My heart was beginning to thump against my chest. "I-I'll be on my way."
The man raised his broom and shrugged. A gentle smile that made my heart race more entered his mouth.
"The price is five copper. Can cover your eye, which means you won't need to keep your eye closed."
"..."
Randomly my heart stopped racing, and I couldn't help but tilt my head.
"Come in, my wife and I will show you."
"O-Oh…"
Sounds too good to be true… I pursed my lips. Way too good….
Could it be some sort of eyepatch? Monocle? Another pair of glasses?
"N-No thanks…" I replied a second later. My head ached from the last time I had something to help.
"Suit yourself."
…
The man kept his eyes on me. Was he gauging my reaction? I can't help with my interest, okay??
Do you know how irritating is trying to wake up and half your vision is gone? Or the constant itching feeling like there was a bug crawling inside?
Ugh… fine, fine…Clothes after this— then food.