A single sweat slid down from the corner of my nose, and I squinted my eyes under the shimmering sun. Masked bards, playing their tunes and eyeing us down with unreadable expressions. Passing by animal-eared jongleurs scoffing and twisting their tongues at us while the festival carried on - steeped with quite discriminations.
To think that Kyoko had endured this for so many years - so suffocating.
A mid-range circle formed around the town square, heavy with the scent of mushrooms, mossy carpets, and lush greenery. Tails, ears, and horns crowded the space, packed shoulder to shoulder. Thick vines from giant oak trees intertwined and lashed around prickly ivory pillars, forming a vast ring that resembled a portal standing at the heart of the square.
Merchants carried heavy bundles of goods for sale, while muscular minotaurs stood tall, weapons in hand, keeping the restless crowd in check.
It was quite a sight to see. My long eared friend's ears tilted and folded back. She gripped the stripes of her duffel bag and spoke with her usual mellow voice.
"According to father's instructions, that portal is the one we need to take."
She completed while pointing at the distinguished portal infused with heavy magic.
My breaths became lighter as the air thickened with the large sum of magic in the air. However, it was even worse for Ororon.
Dermis picked him up in his arms and tried alternative ways to help him out while the others tried to minimise their magic output.
"Demoiselle...do you find it difficult to breathe?"
He slightly bowed to meet my eyes and held his cane tightly while caressing slightly on my face with his right hand.
I moved away from his touch and shook my head with a concerned smile, leaving him staring into a space for a moment.
"Registration...oh, the usagiko clan. Walk right through."
With the registration stamped, we walked past the podium and stepped on the portal's entrance.
'Beeeeep'
The surrounding vines and mushrooms shuddered in place, and I lost my balance.
"Oh, madam. Are you alright?"
Soo-Hyuk gripped on my waist gently and let go after I regained my balance.
He didn't speak further and just stood next to me, fixing his black tie.
"What seems to be the trouble?" The red dragon asked in a cold tone.
"Too many people, get off."
The lizard creature scoffed mockingly and waved to us, signalling that we get off.
"Your hometown sure is rude, Kyoko..."
She nodded awkwardly with a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Seperate into groups,I will take Aniel and Ororon, the other two follow Dermis. I cast the spell, so you all will have human features after a while."
He commanded and started walking inside the portal while grabbing my and Ororon's hands.
I quickly looked back and attempted to bid my goodbyes as fast as I could.
"Ah-Uh. See you later, guys!"
***
The three of them were left to go next. A foolish jester, an outspoken man, and the half rabbit chomping on a carrot. A mixture that didn't sit right with the situation. Two men that absolutely despise each other for a reason and the one chomping on carrots, as a third wheeler between their quarrel.
"Vile dragon! Why must you take her away as well?"
The jester sulked with frustration while the outspoken man let out a sigh on his comment.
He then rolled his eyes and just spoke with usual firmness.
"Let's go..."
Kyoko munched on her carrots, her droopy eyes betraying her annoyance as the two men jabbed needles into her skin. She teetered on the edge of voicing her curses instead of keeping them to herself.
"Don't order me around."
His raspy voice defended, and Dermis looked at him with a disgusted expression.
"Stay here then, your loss."
Soo-Hyuk ridiculed next and pointed his cane at Dermis's face.
"I stay where I wish, I'm a wanderer, after all. But I do know that my place should be with the madam, not with you fools."
The blue nerves on Dermis's neck twitched and pooped out as he glared Soo-Hyuk down.
'Cough, cough'
"If you both are done, I'm heading in, and also you dare call the person who fed you a fool?!"
Her mellow voice shattered and icing, while Dermis only witnessed the scene unfolding with a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
Soo-Hyuk stared at her for a long moment, the golden stripes of his mask glinting, yet his expression hinted at nothing. His gaze drifted elsewhere as he set his cane down, gripping it tightly with a flicker of rage. The white gloves on his hands hinted at both his cleanliness and his gentle nature. Combined with his dark magician suit, neatly tied tie, and the sharp tips of his ears, he cut the figure of a perfect gentleman-a gentleman for the one his heart desired most.
"That's how you should be."
Kyoko let out for the final time, resting her feet on the portal with Dermis following behind after a simple proud look on his face.