‘I need to find shops and an inn. Any idea where I should go?’
I am about to give a snarky response to it when I see a screen pop up in front of me. I trip over my feet, barely managing to catch myself. I have been so busy fleeing that I never figured out how to open my System screen. I didn’t bother looking over my status or anything. I suppose I should. But this isn’t the correct place to do it, so why did it pop up now?
I sigh and look it over. Oh! I guess that is why it came up like that. I plan to look over everything in a safe place, but this is something to look at.
Quest: Find a place to trade for clothes and a lute.
Exp: 20
Quest: Find a tavern/inn to sleep in for the night
Exp: 20
Alongside the quest was a rough drawing of a map. It almost feels like a child’s drawing, but I feel that I am able to read it. What a helpful System I have.
‘Thanks System!’ I say to it. I get the sensation in my head that the System is blushing. How cute. I’m beginning to think that I am not crazy. I mean, I am seeing the System display. I doubt I am having visual hallucinations.
I scan over the cute map before thinking to it ‘System Close’. The map closes and I look around at the new scenery. Dirt roads, streetlights providing some dim lighting. Well, I suppose to Commoners this is bright. What different worlds.
As it is late evening, I believe that there are no shops open. With that understanding in mind I decide to go to the inn that the map displayed. It is challenging to make my way there. I am hit with a multitude of new smells. Body odor, the smell of cooking food, the smell and sounds of dogs and horses. I hear people shouting out to one another. How is it so busy at this time of night? At least I don’t have to worry about sewage. The Lord of this area used magic to create indoor plumbing. I would expect more washed bodies, but maybe people can’t afford soap?
“Please excuse me”. I say to a group of people blocking the way to the inn. Do they know that they are clogging up the road?
“Sure honey, but what are you going to give me?” he asks.
“I will slam my bag over your head if you do move out of my way.” I snarl, feeling completely exhausted.
There must be something in my eyes, or in the tone of my voice as they move out of my way.
“The view from the front and behind is enough payment for me honey!” he shouts, then lets out a loud whistle.
I choose to ignore him and walk the rest of the way to the inn with little obstruction. I get some strange looks for sure, but when I return their glances, they quickly look away.
I assume that the people of this town know what happened to me. It is a rare occurrence, but there are times that people are given a Commoner Class, and they decide to leave the Noble’s District. I don’t think that the people here will look at me with as much disgust, but I can’t be certain of that.
My feet hurt, and I feel something hot running down my leg, coming from my knee. Oh dear, did I scrape it that badly? I hope that the inn’s running water is clean as I need to clean and dress my wound. Somehow. I don’t want to use fabric from any of the dresses I brought with me. I need to keep those in order to sell them for some coins. Cha-ching.
I nearly stumble into the inn as I open the door and walk into the inn. I smell food and see some people milling about. Is it mealtime or are they able to sell food at any time?
“Hi Hun, you look a bit lost.” She says, looking me over. “Do you need directions back to the Noble’s District?” she asks me.
“I don’t belong there anymore. I am looking for a room that I can rent out for an extended period. Do you have any?”
The woman in front of me has fairy wings but was only slightly smaller than a human. Part fairy, part elf maybe? I shake my head, not wanting to think about how in the world that would be possible. Shrinking spell? No, no. Don’t think about it.
“Alright Hun, want to give me something to hold onto and you can pay your bill when you are ready to leave?” she asks kindly.
“Oh. Of course.” I say, pulling one of the flowers out of my hair and handing it to her. It is a beautiful hair pin of exceedingly good quality. If that doesn’t work, I don’t know what will. My shoes maybe?
“That will do nicely.” She says, accepting the pin that I hand over to her. “What’s your name Hun?” the woman asks me.
“My name is Lyra.” I tell her. I don’t even bother to say my last name. A disowned person does not give a last name, as it has been taken away. I will now have to earn myself a last name, earn a moniker.
“Oh, that’s a pretty name!” she tells me. “My name is Laney. It seems we will have plenty of time to get to know one another. I want to know everything about you! And vice versa. I need someone new to commiserate with.” She says. I don’t know if she is joking or being serious.
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“Thanks. It’s nice to meet you, Laney. I really hate to be rude, but can I get my room key? Also, do you have any bandages or gauze?”
“Of course! This inn is mostly for adventurers. It’s very rare that we get anyone who isn’t an adventurer. Not that I am complaining. They are nice to look at.” She says, and sighs a dreamy sigh. “Not the best to date though.” She says and makes a face. “Yet I just can’t help myself.”
“I’ll keep that in mind?” I ask. I haven’t dated. Dating is not really something we did in my culture. You get engaged, court for a short time then are married. The thought of dating multiple people... Well, it wasn’t even a thought to be honest. I have so much I need to adjust to.
“Oh, you look a little too tired to keep talking. Here is your key. Your room is on the 4th floor, room 405. I’ll be up shortly with water and bandages.” She tells me, then flits off to go get my bandages or talk to others. I’m honestly not certain.
“Thanks” I say and make my way up the stairs. So many stairs. Why does this inn have to be so large? Is it for all those who have no home? I suppose that would make sense. Adventurers must strike out on their own after all. However, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a large building. This must be the largest building in the town.
Once I get into my room I flop down on the floor. I don’t want to dirty my bed after all. If I can help it. Maybe I won’t be able to. I don’t know.
Thoughts of the evening’s events run through my head, playing on loop. The people’s faces become distorted and look like they are melting. It’s horrifying. My parents turn me away, becoming more monstrous with each loop.
I curl my knees to my chest and lay in the fetal position sobbing. I can’t catch my breath and feel like I am dying. I cry harder and keep gasping for air, panting, choking, everything spinning. I want it to end. Is this a bad dream? Am I dying from a broken heart? It hurts. It hurts. It hurts!
I feel like I am laying here for hours when there is a knock at the door. “Lyra, I have the bandages for you!” says a sing song voice from outside the door.
I try to respond but only make a squeaking noise.
“I’m going to take that strange noise as consent to come in.” she says, gently opening my door and walking in.
I look up at her, my face a mess. I don’t have a handkerchief, so I don’t even want to know how I look. I haven’t wiped it appropriately, though my face was on my knees, which took some of the weight of my tears.
“What are you doing down there?” she says, helping me up.
“I want to bathe before getting into bed.” I tell her.
Oh! That makes sense.”
“Do you have any towels and soap?” I ask, very hopeful.
“Surprisingly we do! There are new bottles of soap already in the bathroom. Let me go get you some towels!” she says cheerfully. “I am going to leave the bandages over here.” She says, walking to a small table that I didn’t notice. I haven’t looked around the room yet. I am too tired to take anything in anyways.
I look around and see a second room attached to the main room. Curiously, I walk over and look into the room. There is a bathroom with a toilet, sink, mirror, and tub. This is a bit higher quality than I was expecting to be sure. Alongside the tub are bottles of soap for one’s body and hair. I open them and take a sniff. They smell pleasant enough.
“Hellloooo.” Says the same singsong voice outside of the door that I connect with Laney. She appears to be able to move rather quickly. “I have those towels you requested!”
I open the door and take the towels from her.
“Thanks.” I say politely, but also in a way that expresses that I am not up for being social at the moment.
“Well you look like you need a bath and sleep. I do recommend that you get some food after you clean yourself. I also recommend changing out of those clothes though. You don’t want to seem too snooty to people that you will be spending time with. A lot of people live here for a while. A lot of diverse people, but not many that dress like…” she says, waving her hand over my body, indicating my clothing.
“Well, thank you for the help.” I say genuinely.
“You’re welcome!” she says and seems to bounce and float out of the room. “Later I can tell you what men to not get involved with. Adventurers. So messy.” She says, sighing as she closes the door.
As soon as she leaves, I make my way into the bathroom. I strip off my dress, which ends up being a bit painful due to the dried blood sticking to the cuts.
I sit in the tub as the water fills up around me. I let the water fill part way, scrub the blood and dirt away, quickly rubbing some soap all over it. After that quick rinse and scrub I let that water flow down the drain. These magic tubs are wonderful, and work well with plumbing. Modern marvels. I didn’t know that magic items were cheap and prevalent enough to make it out of the Noble District, to the Commoners.
Once the dirty water drains I refill the tub, putting a small amount of soap into the water. It is nothing like the oils and petals that I am used to, but it makes the water bubbly. I scoop up some bubbles and blow them into the air, watching them float around, drifting in the air before settling back down on the water, or popping. My lizard hops around in the tub, trying to catch the bubbles and appears disappointed when they pop.
I slide down into the tub. “System” I say out loud.
I see my status screen pop up and look it over.
Quest: Find a place to trade for clothes and a lute.
Exp: 20
Quest: Find a tavern/inn to sleep in for the night
Exp: 20
COMPLETE
Strength: 8
Cunning: 16
Wisdom: 9
Dexterity: 15
Charisma: 17
Health:100/100
Mana: 40/40
Constitution: Healthy
Level: 1
Exp: 20/100
I look at my status and wonder what it means. Are those high or low for beginning stats? If they are high is that because of my bloodline or natural talent? I just don’t know, and that irks me. Or does it? I don’t know anymore, my emotions are so numb. I was looking forward to my lass so much, and for what? To be kicked out, disowned, unloved. To see that I wasn’t meant for love? I hope that isn’t true. I hope that I am meant for love.
I stay in the water and allow myself to cry until the water is cold and I am all out of tears. I drain the water and wrap myself up in a towel. I see that they also brought smaller towels, so I use one of those to dry my hair.
Now that I am dry, I sit on the edge of the bed and start to bandage myself up. I wish that I had ointment, but I am more interested in going to bed then going out to find any.
Thinking about Laney’s recommendation I almost go socialize and eat with others, but the sadness in my chest does not allow for this. Instead I pull on my one pair of pajamas that I packed, and eat some of the food that had been given to me. It tastes good, something that it appears I am still able to enjoy.
I pop open the sparkling cider that they gave to me and cheers to myself.
“Cheers to my new life!”
At that moment my little lizard hops out from behind my hair and makes a happy sounding noise. I rip off bits of food and feed it to him. I really need to give him a name.
“Do you have a name little guy?” I ask, scooping him up and looking him over. He chirps and coos. “Those are not a name.”
He looks up at me and stares me in the eyes. I don’t know what he is trying to communicate so I rub him small head.
“I know the name is feminine, but for now at least I am going to call you Glimmer, and together we will look for a glimmer of hope to our situation.”
Glimmer nuzzles against me and makes a tired sound. “I’m right there with you Glimmer.” I say, and curl up in the blankets on the slightly too hard bed.
“Goodnight Glimmer, goodnight System.” I say.