The situation in Sedona City was nothing short of extraordinary, a marvel that stood out to anyone who witnessed it. For the oppressed beastkin, it was a beacon of hope, a place so remarkable it could rightly be called a City of Miracles.
Mira, still reeling from the surreal sight of humans and beastkin coexisting, felt as though she'd stepped into a dream. The vibrant streets, the laughter echoing through the air, the absence of fear in the beastkin's eyes—it was all so unreal. She needed to understand this city, to unravel the mystery behind its harmony, if she was to make sense of her mission.
"Excuse me… sorry to interrupt," Mira said, stepping forward to block the path of the two bear-beastkin sisters, Gaba and Emma. Her voice was muffled slightly by the black burlap that cloaked her, but her green eyes shone with a mix of curiosity and caution.
Gaba's brow furrowed, her brown eyes narrowing with suspicion as she sized up the stranger. One hand released Emma's thigh, curling into a fist, ready to defend her sister if needed. "Who are you?" She asked, her tone laced with wariness.
"No, no, I mean no harm!" Mira said quickly, raising her hands and taking a deliberate step back to signal her peaceful intentions. The burlap rustled faintly, and she adjusted her stance to appear non-threatening, though her assassin's instincts kept her alert.
"What do you want?" Gaba asked, her voice cold, her posture still tense. Years of fleeing from danger had taught her to trust no one but her sister. Enemies were cunning, and caution was her only defense, no matter who stood before her.
Mira swallowed, surprised by the nervous flutter in her chest. Why was she so on edge? "I'm… I'm new to Sedona City," She said, her voice softer than intended. "I don't know much about this place. Could I ask you a few questions?"
Gaba's eyes flicked to the burlap covering Mira's head, her suspicion lingering. "Are you a beastkin?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. The way Mira hid herself suggested she might be one of their kind, wary of revealing her true nature.
Mira hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, I'm a beastkin." She didn't remove the burlap, though. Asking a few questions didn't require exposing her identity—not yet.
Gaba studied her for a moment, her expression softening slightly. The stranger's guarded demeanor was familiar; beastkin often hid themselves in less welcoming places. "Fine," She said, her tone still cautious. "What do you want to know?"
Emma, perched on her sister's back, spoke up first, her voice curious. "What's your question?" She could sense Gaba's hesitation but was more open to helping this mysterious newcomer.
Mira's green eyes widened in surprise. She'd expected to be brushed off—after all, she would've done the same if a stranger approached her. "You're really willing to answer?" She asked, almost disbelieving.
"Ask away," Gaba said with a curt nod. If it was just about Sedona City, she saw no harm in sharing what she knew.
Mira took a deep breath, her biggest question burning in her mind. "In Sedona City, do humans and beastkin really live together peacefully? No one's forcing you to act this way?"
"Of course!" Emma chirped before Gaba could respond, her voice brimming with pride. "Sedona City is a miracle for beastkin!" Gaba nodded in agreement, her stern expression softening at the mention of their home.
"A miracle city?" Mira echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. She fell silent, her gaze dropping to the cobblestone street as she processed the words. Then, she looked up sharply, her eyes intense. "But how? How is this possible? Humans despise beastkin everywhere else."
Gaba and Emma exchanged a glance, both at a loss. "Uh…" Gaba started, then trailed off. The truth was, they didn't know. It was a question that lingered in the minds of many in Sedona City, a mystery no one had fully unraveled.
"You don't know either?" Mira asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. She'd assumed the residents would have some insight into the magic behind this harmony.
Gaba shook her head, her brown eyes drifting toward the distant silhouette of the city's castle. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Maybe one person knows," She said softly.
"Who?" Mira asked, leaning forward eagerly, her heart racing with curiosity.
"The city lord," Emma said, her voice sweet and earnest. "He'd know why."
"The city lord?" Mira's brow arched. It made sense—someone had to be behind this unprecedented coexistence. Her thoughts flickered to her mission, and a spark of excitement ignited. If she could learn more about the lord, it might give her the edge she needed. If her mentor, Big Sis, heard about this, she'd be thrilled.
"Yes, the city lord is amazing!" Emma said, waving her small hands enthusiastically. "He's a noble, but he's so kind to us beastkin."
"A noble who's good to beastkin…" Mira muttered, her lips pursing. That was a first. In her world, nobles saw beastkin as little more than vermin.
Gaba noticed Mira's skeptical expression and spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "The city lord isn't like other nobles. Spend a few days here, and you'll see for yourself."
"Thank you," Mira said politely, though her mind was already racing. Spending days here wasn't an option—not with her mission looming. Still, the sisters' words had given her plenty to think about.
"We're heading off now," Gaba said, nodding as she adjusted her grip on Emma. She took a few steps toward Drunken Night, then paused, pointing toward a lively crowd gathered in the distance. "If you want answers, check over there. You might find what you're looking for."
Mira turned, her green eyes following Gaba's gesture. A group of people—mostly beastkin—clustered around a building, their excited chatter filling the air. Curiosity piqued, she wanted to ask more, but when she turned back, the sisters were already disappearing into the crowd.
"Too bad," Mira muttered, shrugging. She made her way toward the gathering, her silent steps blending seamlessly with the bustling street. As she drew closer, snippets of conversation reached her ears, buzzing with enthusiasm.
"It's incredible! I heard the cheapest tattoos cost just one copper coin. The city lord is so generous!" One beastkin exclaimed.
"Yeah, they say it's a perk for free citizens. Regular folks have to pay three coins for a tattoo," Another replied.
"I'm getting the freedom wings. They're a symbol of liberty!" A young woman said, her voice brimming with excitement.
"Even some merchants want tattoos now, just for the pretty designs," A man chuckled.
Mira stood at the edge of the crowd, her brow furrowed. "Tattoos? What's all this about?" The word was unfamiliar in this context, but the crowd's fervor was infectious. The tattoo shop's opening had clearly sparked a sensation, fueled by those proudly showing off their new ink.
"Make way! The city lord is coming!" Someone shouted.
"Quick, clear a path! The lord hasn't eaten all day because he's been helping us!" Another voice called.
Mira's ears perked up at the mention of the city lord. Her target. She craned her neck, trying to catch a glimpse, but the crowd was too dense.
Inside the tattoo shop, Lucas had spent the entire day training Bruce and a few new apprentices, emphasizing the importance of hygiene and technique. The work was exhausting, and he hadn't even stopped for lunch. One particularly bizarre request—a beastkin asking for freedom wings on their forehead—had left him dumbfounded. The people here sure had a flair for the dramatic.
"Lord Lucas," Amelia said, her small, cold voice cutting through his thoughts. She tilted her head up at him, her expression as stoic as ever. "I'm hungry."
Lucas chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Alright, let's head back for dinner." He led the way to the carriage, with Mina, Ayesha, and Amelia trailing behind, all of whom had stayed by his side despite their own hunger.
"Huh?" Mira's head snapped toward the group, her heart skipping a beat. That voice—it sounded so much like the little runt from her crew. She pushed through the crowd, ignoring their grumbles, desperate to get a better look. By the time she reached the front, the carriage was already rolling away.
"Where are they?" Mira muttered, scanning the area for any sign of the familiar figure. Could the little runt be in that carriage? No, that didn't make sense. The kid would never call anyone "lord" except Big Sis. Still, the resemblance was uncanny.
Her green eyes narrowed as she watched the carriage disappear into the distance. A plan began to form in her mind. "Maybe I should sneak into the castle tonight," She whispered to herself. If there was even a chance the little runt was there—or if she could get closer to the city lord—it might be worth the risk.
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