“Oh yes,” Rio purred enthusiastically. He was enjoying this.
“I clutched onto my things as I followed the quick strides of the half-blood through the narrow streets. The alleys we walked through steadily became darker and shadier. When a sheet-covered man sitting against a wall growled at me, I began walking a little closer the half-blood. I had no idea what sort of inn I was being led to, nor if it actually existed.”
Rio turned, his eye narrow. He leaned in close.
“Are you… narrating?” He said.
I blinked. My hand clamped to my mouth. The half-blood exploded in laughter.
“That is too good,” he said, wiping the tears from his eye. “But to answer your concerns, we’re here.”
Rio stepped out of my way, revealing the building with a showy gesture.
“Its windows were well lit, warm, and inviting – the only light in a sea of dark, lonely buildings,” I muttered before I realized I was speaking. I pinched my lips shut as Rio’s smile grew so big it threatened to split his face in half.
The half-blood opened the door and I scurried inside as fast as I was able. The inside of the inn continued to impress me: all warm colors and smooth, glowing wood. That was when I realized it.
This was a faun dwelling! I shuddered. I wondered how quickly I could bolt out the door if I were recognized. As much as I loved the thought of being able to sleep inside this building, I did not want to see one of my own kind. Not yet, possibly not ever.
Thankfully not seeing the apparent discomfort on my face, Rio stepped forward and rang the bell for service. As I heard someone stir on the floor above us, my heart started racing.
It was not that I hated my race, no, just that I was afraid of running into someone from the homeland. The rational part of my mind knew that someone who owned an inn in the middle of Lahnfabon would not be one of my judgmental, traditionalist relatives, but that rational part was muddled and quiet from the alcohol.
Only when I recognized the sound of boots on the stairs did I relax. The human man that walked down the stairs was definitely not from Trefaelor Forest. I smiled a little at my own foolishness, and the fact I was a little disappointed.