An eternal darkness encumbered my existence.  There was no noise, no feeling, nothing.  All this left my body with was just a gentle peace.  Any worries I had were completely gone.  Any fear that I had were void.  All I had now was just myself.

Suddenly from the inky black that blanketed my vision, my ear flicked at the sound of someone wrapping their knuckles on my door.  My eyes gradually opened as the world hazily entered my vision, while also I could hear Mira outside mentioning it's morning now.  With a groan, I eventually dragged my head out of my pillow to where I could feel the new day's sunlight bathing my naked fur.  My body creaked as I stretched around while the claws on my paws lightly tapped the wooden floor with each step.  Once in front of the mirror, for probably a full minute, I just stared at the reflection that gazed back.  I sighed.

“Another day."  I said to myself.

It's been what, a week now?  A week since coming to this world?  A week of being Telaraya?  My time here has been short so far, but it seems so long now.  It just feels so odd since I've slipped into a routine since I've started living here.  While yes I did have a routine back in my original world, which consisted a lot of schooling, hanging with my friends and family, and doing hobbies or just playing video games, but now…now, this is a life I'm forced to get used too.  I wonder, do my parents know that I'm gone?  Are my friends aware that I'm missing?  Did my classmates even see what happened to me?  Are they all okay, or did something happen to them too?

I decided to store my worries away for now as I finally mustered up the energy to get dressed.  Even though I'm picking out my current attire for the day, my clothes are still something I'm going to have to get used to very quickly if I don't want to feel awkward walking around.  Even though I used to be the opposite sex, thanks to Mira, I now essentially have a set of dark panties and some wrappings I can use for my breasts as underwear.  As for what I have on today, it was a long maroon skirt with a matching top and a white apron.  I wished I could at least have some normal pants, but I didn't have the heart to go against what the young girl gave me since she went through the effort of making my outfit herself.  There is one thing I am lacking now, and that's shoes, which I learned apparently for beast races, shoes are something that have to be custom ordered.  My assumption on that is because of the possibilities of different feet, but also right now for me, it kind of feels better to walk around barefooted.  With nothing left to do, I left my room while using my tail to close the door behind in order to continue to get used to having it.

Okay, let's treat this like a normal day so I don't go insane.

“Morning, Mira."  I greeted as I yawned down the stairs.

“Mornin', want me to help you with your hair, Tela?"

“That'll be nice."  I plopped down on a nearby chair.  “So what's on today's menu for breakfast?"

“Darter's cooking up some sausage.  By the way, looks like you've gotten another set of admirers."  Mira happily announced as she brushed my hair.

I was going to sigh, but another yawn over took me.  “The good or bad kind?"

“Why don't you be the judge?"  The young girl teased.

With a passing glance, I found who she was talking about at one of the few occupied tables.  It was a small group consisting of two beastmen and one human, all three smiling over at me with one of them evening winking.

“Those kind, huh?"

“Oh, I'm sure they're fine.  You just got to lighten up a bit, and I'm sure you'll like one of them."  Mira responded as I could feel her wrapping a ribbon around my hair after straightening it.

“When it's a bunch of random strangers always staring at you, it tends to get annoying."

It doesn't help that there is a rumor now going around saying “there's a new cute girl working at Darter's inn."  I also didn't help my case sadly.  One reason was because that while I was still nervous about my whole situation, people assumed I was just shy and found that adorable.  The other reason was that when I finally calmed down completely, I ended up studying the animal people out of curiosity since such things don't exist in my original world, so they assumed I was interested in them.  So with a seemingly shy foreigner that'll still greet you with a smile has probably brought more business for Darter, and honestly good for him, but with so much attention being focused on me, it's getting irksome to the point I feel like snapping at them.  I'll take a compliment or two, I'm okay with making friends, I'm not interested in hooking up with men.  I just wish the other gossip surrounding me would hit these people first before they embarrass themselves.  Regardless, I'll try to act my best.

“Just waiting for the right one to walk through those doors, huh?"  Mira grinned.

I turned around and stuck my tongue at her, to which she giggled at me.  The little barmaid then finished tying a bow in my hair and giving me ponytail as a result.  After that, Darter eventually arrived with breakfast where he and I also discussed possible jobs.  Sadly, there wasn't much to choose from that was much different from being a store clerk or from what I was doing now.

“You can always work full time with me and Uncle, Tela."  Mira cheerily declared.

“While I would appreciate the extra help, I don't want you to feel forced to work here."  The tiger added.

Since I still don't know anything about this world, I may not have a choice.  “I'll think about it."

With a full belly now, work hours started.  The day begins with checking on customers who have rented rooms and informing them that breakfast was being served.  That then transitions into Mira and I being waitresses while Darter cooks in the back.  Once the morning meals are done, we then spend the time cleaning up the place so it'll be ready for the next rush.  In the meantime, what I had initially assumed to be a different establishment, behind the inn is a bathhouse they we also tend too.  Darter spends his time examining certain gems in the baths, which I was told they were for ensuring constant fresh and heated water for our patrons.  Mira and I would check both the men's and women's sections to be sure no one left anything there, and that they were still stocked with towels after cleaning the area.  Following that, a cart would stop by to drop off a refill order that consisted of various foods and drinks.  After that, lunch came around.

From what I've seen at this point typically is that the lunch hour isn't too crazy, but it definitely has more people than the breakfast rush.  My assumption for that is because of outsiders also coming in for a meal, and normally that isn't a big of deal with two of us working.  That was until Mira suddenly got an idea and asked me to cover her side as well for a bit before disappearing.  She then returned with a lute and stood in a more opened spot where the guests could easily see her.  After a few strums on her instrument, Mira started harmonizing which gradually shifted into quite the range of vocals.  Despite the extra work load that was given to me, I will admit hearing the young girl sing was a pleasant tradeoff.  Eventually, Mira's upbeat sounding song came to an end, to which she was met with some applauds, but this wasn't the end of her plan as she then soon turned to me.

“You give it a try, Tela."

“Wait…me?"

“Yeah!  You and I can keep switching off."  She smiled warmly.

“Oh no no no, I can't."

“Come on, it'll be fun."  Mira then turned to the guests.  “Hey, who wants to hear Tela sing?"

To my shock, in our crowd there were people that sided with Mira, making me feel defenseless even though some gave reassurance towards me.

Actually thinking about it now that I have a woman's voice, there is one song I could try.  I guess I could loosen up and fool around for a bit.

I could feel my heart starting to race as I stood in view of everyone in the anticipated silence.  It felt like I had to give a speech to a class, but before I could become completely consumed by stage fright, I shook myself for a bit and took a few deep breaths.

"Fly me to the moon, and let me play among the stars…"

The world disappeared for me as I sang, leaving me in an oddly peaceful solace with every note I produced, only to returned a few seconds after I finished the song.  I felt a bit anxious as the room was silent, but that soon turned to rosy cheeks as my crowd started clapping for me.  Mira wore a smug face as she mentioned it not being that hard despite me begging to differ in my head.  With that all said and done, I let the young girl take over providing entertainment again as I resumed bussing tables.  Not much longer though, my whole body jumped up to a sudden sensation.

“Hey, you have an amazing voice.  You did great up there."  It was a beastman that had the features of a coyote that said that.

“Um, Sir?  Could you not touch me there?"  I could feel his hand rubbing my ass.

“Why don't you take a load off and sit with us for a bit?  Would love to chat with a cutie like you?"  He still hadn't removed his hand despite one of his friends telling him he should.

“You think I'm cute?"  I said with a bit of blush as I slowly and carefully snaked my tail to the guy's chair.

“Yeah, you're the cutest thing in here!"  He toothily grinned.

The moment I coiled the tip of my appendage around the leg of his seat, I yanked it back with all my might and watched as he crashed to the ground.  Before the coyote could react afterwards, I quickly kicked him in his face and then brought my foot down so that the claws on my paw were pressed right against his throat.  All I did now was look down at the guy with a scowl.

“She's the one that killed Xander, so don't fight her!"  One of the coyote's buddies immediately warned as all eyes were on us.

While there is gossip going around about the new girl that works at Darter's inn, those who have caught wind know of the two stories that follow that “new girl."  The first one being that the pink dragonkin is the one that ended Xander.  The second is that she will retaliate if you harass her.  Even though this has only been the third instance so far, I guess the first two incidents left that much of an impact.  They were both drunkards, but the first guy that after grabbing one of my tits, I instinctively whipped him with my tail so hard, he's probably still feeling the pain today, while the other guy tried to kiss me and I reacted by punching him with enough force he toppled over a table.  So with that knowledge surrounding me, I know that I can at least fight back with intimidation.  In all honesty though, even though I could fight dirty, but if a situation were to turn into an actual brawl, I don't know if that's one I can actually handle with just a sucker punch.

“Are we going to have a problem here?"  Darter spoke with threatening authority as he cracked his knuckles.

The room was dead quiet as everyone noticed his sudden appearance.  I kept my position acting like a predator ready to use my talons to finish my prey.  Despite the circumstance, the coyote was still pressed up against my foot like he wanted to push me off.  With all eyes on the guy, one of his friends finally broke the tension.

“N-No.  We're not going to cause any trouble."

Seeing as how his companions weren't going to aid him, the beastman finally resigned himself and relaxed his body to show he wasn't going to continue.  With that, I released the jerk as Darter ordered them to leave.

“You gonna be okay?"  The tiger turned to me.

I took a deep breath as I could feel my heart running a marathon in my chest.  “I guess."

“Why don't you go ahead and take a break."

“Thanks, man."  I then proceeded to plop myself down at a table away from everyone else.

I'm not going to lie, I actually had a bit of fun until that jackass soured my mood.  I also have to say, even though I know no one likes being harassed, since getting this body it feels like my reactions are a bit more primal now.  Yeah I could say if a situation happened to me in my original self, I would get verbal and act tough, but…I don't know what to make of myself right now.  It feels bad to have my body touched like that.  If I resign myself to this fate, would I feel normal again?  Is this life a curse?  Is it a blessing?  Am I on a path to heaven?  Or am I falling to hell?

My gaze eventually turned upwards to a small human girl standing next to me who couldn't have been more than seven.  Her posture made it seemed like she was nervous, but her bright eyes staring back hinted at being captivated.  Standing behind the little girl stood a mature woman with a gentle expression.

“Um…I'm really sorry that man did something mean to you, but you have a really pretty voice."  The kid chirped.

It caught me off guard, but I couldn't help myself as I felt a small smile form for her.  “Thanks, that's sweet of you to say."

With a giggle, the girl then hurried back over to her mother as I watched to two of them wander off.  That moment made me think it's probably going to be the little things that will help keep me sane here.

As the blue sky was eventually overtaken by the orange of twilight, the routine of the day resumed as it had finally entered the dinner rush.  A mix of outsiders and inn patrons flooded the tavern portion as the air was filled the scent of hot food and spirits.  With Darter cooking in the back, Mira and I hurried around with people's orders until someone wanted to make an ass of themselves.  Due to it being twice in one day now, my frustration grew as an intoxicated prick forcefully pulled me back by yanking my tail and tried to embrace me.  This time however, before I could retaliate, I found myself falling to the ground as I saw the idiot being flipped over someone's shoulder.  All I could do now was stare as a human with the figure of a male stood between me and my harasser.  His posture said he was firm and ready to fight if need be, and though he was probably close to my original height, from down here he seemed much taller.  The guy's peach toned skin was donned in sandy colored pants and a brown long sleeved shirt that had bits of what looked like leather armor strapped on.  Even though he didn't draw it, sheathed on his left side was a short sword.  The moment he turned to look at someone trying to flank him on his right, his youthful face wore a stern expression with glaring emerald eyes that sat under his short bronze hair.

“Celt, your left!"  A girl shouted, causing the guy to react by ducking down under punch that did come from his left.  He then followed it up by greeting his attacker with an uppercut.

In my peripherals, I noticed the person that was on the right grab a table knife, and then lunge at the other guy.  He didn't get far as almost instantly someone bashed the fool in his face with what appeared to be a metal heater shield.  This new guy stood closer to my current height from what I could tell.  He wore pants dark as a raven's feathers with a snow white shirt that had what looked to be a thin iron chest plate over it.  Tightly gripped in his iron gloves, his shield had a crimson red outline as a large golden star sat alone on the black painted face.  From the bits exposed that wasn't covered by the guy's clothes, his face, and his bushy tail, silver fur glistened in the tavern light with each movement.  Two canine ears pointed straight up through the dark hair that sat on his head, while he bared his fangs from his wolf like face.  Once he picked an opponent with his amber eyes, the beastman went on to repel any strikes made for him or the first guy that stepped up for me.  With the two of them working together now, a party of seven tried to surround them.

I then had a profane verbal reaction as I dropped myself further to the ground as for a very brief moment, I saw the pale legs of a human in a short brown skirt and dark spandex fly over my head and land two feet in front of me.  Whoever this girl was, she also wore a white under shirt that was covered with an dark orange vest.  Her fiery red ponytail bounced behind her as she charged into the fray and decked another drunkard with a wooden bow gripped in her hand.  From there, she fought along side with the other two, to which revealed she was probably a foot shorter than the others.

The way the three of them fought was more so to try and deter or even restrain the group of fools who now were trying to make things into an all out brawl.  Also despite the number disadvantage, the three of them fought coordinated with each other and managed to hold their own.  The vast majority of the room backed away, but kept the fighters entrapped in a circle as some would cheer on the battle like it was some school yard rumble.  Punches and kicks were thrown left and right.  The girl would occasionally use her bow like it was a staff, the wolf expertly blocked and parried multiple blows, and the third guy managed to continue to fight without ever drawing his weapon.  People were tripping on toppled over chairs or being slammed down on tables.  I on the other hand tried my best to crawl back until I finally noticed Albert and two other knights rush into the building and shove their way in, while Darter simply split himself a path through the crowd.  The three knights helped the other three in stopping the idiots from making it worse while Darter grabbed two of the brawling drunks by the back of their necks, lifted them up, and then throw them down into the ground so hard that I thought he just killed them from the sheer force.

“That is enough!"  The tiger roared.

In that blink of a moment, that was it.  The fight was over as fast as it started.  Albert stayed around taking statements from the crowd as his friends were escorting the inebriated jerks outside.  Darter glared around the room at the mess that was made while my heart was trying to burst out of my chest.  The wolf approached Darter as it looked like he was apologizing for what happened until suddenly my view was filled with the human that stepped up for me.

“Are you all right?"  With a look that put him around my age and a calming voice, the guy held out his hand to me.

My gaze would jump between the guy and his hand until I finally took it.  “Y-Yeah…thanks."

After being helped back up to my feet, the girl that joined in the fight sauntered on by with a quick pat on my shoulder and a smirk arched up under her bright blue eyes.

“Sorry about all that, and sorry about knocking you down to the floor.  I didn't mean for that to happen."  The guy continued.

“It's okay, and uh…thanks for what you did…Um…you can let my hand go now."

The guy apologized again with slightly rosy cheeks after realizing he was still holding me, and after he let me go, the wolf approached him.

His voice was somewhat deep, but certainly reveal that he was also young as he said; “Well I talked it over with Darter, Celt.  We'll help pay for the damages for what we did, but it won't be much since a lot of the blame went to the other party."  The beastman then turned to me.  “You didn't get hurt, did you?"

“N-No."

He then had a sigh of relief.  “That's good.  I'm sorry that this had to happen.  You're the new girl right?  I can assure you that this typically doesn't happen here."

After apologizing to me again, the wolf then led the human to their other friend.  I couldn't help but let my eyes follow them as they returned to their table.  I just silently stood there.

What the hell just happened?

After talking with Albert, Mira quickly rushed over by my side also asking if I was okay.

“Yeah, I'm fine."  I responded.  “Who are they?"

Mira then turned towards the group.  “Who?  Those three?  They're adventurers.  They must have returned today from a job since they sometimes eat here for dinner.  If I remember correctly, the wolf's name is Garrus, the other guy is Celt, and the girl is Ame."

Adventurers huh?

Maybe…

Darter soon approached, breaking my chain of thought and was very gentle with his words since he too wanted to be sure I was fine.  When I reassured him, he then said that Mira and I can take the rest of the night off as he cleans up and deals with the remaining guests.  I was about to head to my room, but then decided against that since the want to remove today's stink lingered in my head.  So with that in mind, I stepped outside to the somewhat busy town.  For a minute, I looked up past the soft orange glow of the street lights and to the star coated sky where a bright full moon hung.  Once I filled my lungs with fresh air, I then made my way to the bathhouse.

I don't know how I would have faired having to constantly use the women's section or having the fight myself from wandering into the men's, but I have found myself glad that since I've started my temporary job here with the tiger, he has granted me access to the private bath that's meant for employees' use only.  With the first room being just a door to close behind and a wall of shelves, I stored my clothes in an empty slot and made my way into the next area to finally relax.  My paws tapped against the walnut brown marble flooring as I walked past two shower stalls, and made my way to a large jacuzzi like pit.  From the center, the thing was probably five feet deep, but thanks to its design, the seating portions would allow an average sized person to sit in it with the water going up to their collar bone, and from the bath's size, about six people could probably comfortable fit in it.  Also on one of the corners of this massive tub was a two inch tall stone box with some levers on it.  From what I was told, one lever closes the drain so the bath can be filled, while the others apparently trigger two crystals inside with a magic seal in order to materialize heated water that will dispense out a lower slot.  After fiddling with the thing for a bit, I got the results I wanted and dipped myself in.

I find it funny.  In my experience now, with all this fur I have it acts as a good insulator, but only when it's dry.  When I've gotten it wet and been hit with a breeze, this current spring weather felt like fall instead.  It actually makes me dread what winter would be like for me.  However, washing through my coating and blanketing the scales that hid beneath my fur, my body is wrapped in pure euphoria.  Yeah I liked a good hot shower as my original self, but with this new body, the heat from this water feels far superior to what I'm used to.  Be it because of magic or me assuming I've become cold blooded, I don't give a damn.  This bath is just wonderful.

With a knock on the door waking me out of the pleasant sensation, I called back waiting for a response.  Once I noticed Mira enter bare as the day she was born, I turned away to essentially give her some privacy.  As weird as this sounds, I'm not finding it as odd now considering that this is what, the fourth time Mira's gonna bathe with me.  Maybe I'm just getting used to her casually walking in since she doesn't know the truth about me.  Though with Darter, the one incident where he walked in not realizing I was there.  His confusion to my nonchalant attitude was funny at first, until I started to pretend to be embarrassed that we saw each other naked…which then led to me actually feeling awkward and embarrassed to the incident later.

“Boy, some day huh?"  She started.

“I just hope this doesn't become the norm working here."  I replied.

“I think it's because you're new around here, so no one really knows what to expect from you…Though I will admit, I wasn't expecting you to be able to sing like that earlier today."

“Yeah, that's probably because of the vocal training I've done."

“Vocal training?"

“Yeah, because of my music classes."

I feel like it's okay admitting this to her since I believe Darter and Mira haven't been informed that I'm an “amnesiac."  It's not really the whole truth of my existence, but at least some small talk on some stuff I used to do.

“Music classes?  So did you study to become a bard?"

“A bard?  No.  It was just one of the classes I had to take when I went to school."

Mira gasped as there was shock and confusion in her voice.  “So wait, are you a scholar then?  Did you used to be a noble?"

“No?"  Now I was starting to get confused.  “It was required for me."

Did I just say something I shouldn't have?  Is it that weird?

“What do you mean?"

“Where I came from, it was required for kids to get an education."  Is that not normal here?

With a surprised whistle, Mira then said; “Boy, you dragonkin certainly must have an interesting life.  I bet you're pretty smart."

I was a B student.

“So then, what else where you taught?"  She continued.

“Well, I had to learn math, language arts, history, and it was required to learn a different language as well."  Though I'm not sure how much that's going to be useful to me now.

“Were they fun?"

“They had their moments, but it was a lot more fun hanging out with my friends."

“So if it's okay to ask, did you end up dating anyone back then?"

I've been practically single my entire high school life aside from when one of my friends and I fooled around because we wanted to see what sex was like.  Still remained like that for the little bit of college I experienced too.

“Not really.  Why do you want to know?"

“Just curious since you found it better to be with your friends instead…Plus the thought crossed me due to a look you were giving earlier."

I glanced at Mira with a crooked eyebrow.  “What are you talking about?"

“I saw you being awestruck for those two boys."  Mire smirked.

“Awestruck for those two-…What are you-Woah!  That is not what you think happened!"

“Oh really?  Because it certainly seemed like you were interested in them."

“Why do you want to know about my love life?"

“Because you've become my friend, and I want to know more about you.  Is that too much to ask right now?"

Yes!

I sighed.  “Look, my interest towards those guys wasn't admiration…I'm wondering if I should become an adventurer."

I know it'll be a longshot, but if the title of adventurer does imply traveling and adventures, then maybe, just maybe, I'll find out the truth of what's happened to me.  It could be a small trail of breadcrumbs or the whole damn loaf, I don't care as long as it's something.  It could be the way back home, the way to be human again, or simply the reason why I'm here now.  Even if I can't find anything, I can at least say I tried.

“Oh…"

“What?"

“It's just…I was kind of hoping you'd stay longer with us, Tela."  Mira's tone sounded a bit dejected.

I could feel my ears droop a bit, but then perk back up when I thought of something to say to cheer Mira back up.  “Well, I don't have my own house, so I'd still be living with you.  Also, think of the tales I could bring back for you.  We'd have a lot to talk about when I come back.  You're not kicking me out if I leave, are you?"

“What!?  No!"

“So will you be okay if I become an adventurer?"

“…Only if you promise to not forget about me.  You're the first female friend I've had in a long time, and there's still stuff I want to talk about."  Mira scooted closer to me.

“Deal."  I smiled.

I know nothing about this world.  I don't know what I'll find.  Whatever fate awaits me will be mine to take.  Will it be salvation?  Glory?  Despair?  Whatever it is, I can't be afraid to move forward.  I will take back control of my life.