Later, we step outside into the cool evening air. It's my first night in this fantasy world, and I have to admit...
I like it here.
The blinding city lights, the endless traffic, and the constant pressure of modern life are all gone. In their place is the gentle rhythm of Mistvale, a town that feels peaceful without ever being quiet. Instead of car horns and the distant wail of sirens, the evening is filled with laughter, conversation, the creak of wagon wheels, and the cheerful chatter of people enjoying the night.
As we walk side by side, Eris eagerly introduces me to Mistvale. Every few steps, she points toward another shop or building, happily explaining what makes each place special. Her tail swishes behind her the entire time.
According to her, Mistvale is small but lively, nestled within the Löwenberg Duchy of the Kingdom of Eldenwald.
It may not be the kingdom's largest town, but it's famous for its beautiful scenery, rich natural resources, and beginner-friendly dungeons. Adventurers and tourists travel here from all over the kingdom. Some come to explore, others to trade, while many simply want to test their luck inside the nearby dungeons, hoping to strike it rich with monster materials or hidden treasures.
With so many visitors passing through every day, the Gilded Horn is almost never empty. Sitting in the heart of the market and adventurer district, the inn is always bustling with customers from sunrise until late into the night.
As we make our way down the street, the vibrant energy of Mistvale washes over me. Humans and Furrens weave through the busy crowd while carts rumble across the cobblestones. Not all of them are pulled by horses, though. Some are led by enormous feathered birds, their heavy talons clicking rhythmically against the stone as they patiently haul wagons loaded with goods.
I stare at them in fascination.
"Eris, what are those big birds?" I ask, pointing my finger curiously.
They're round and fluffy, with tiny wings tucked against their plump bodies. There's no way they could fly, yet their powerful legs carry them through the crowded streets with surprising speed and agility. Every now and then, one lets out a cheerful chirp that sounds oddly adorable for such a large creature.
Eris grins, her tail swishing behind her.
"Oh, those are Filoan birds. Cute, aren't they? I'd love to have one someday. I'm actually saving up to buy one."
"Yeah! Very cute!" I reply with a smile.
But then, as I realize something else, the smile dissapears.
Huh? Filoan birds?
My stomach sinks instantly.
"WAIT!?"
My ears shoot upright.
"Didn't we just eat them?!"
Eris blinks for a second before bursting into laughter.
"Pfft—yeah! We totally did!"
OH MY GOD!
The memory is still fresh. I can practically taste it again.
The crispy golden skin.
The tender, juicy meat.
The sweet, smoky glaze...
But now that I'm looking at them... Their legs are WAY bigger than the drumsticks we had at the Gilded Horn!
"B-but... how?!"
I clutch my head in disbelief. A wave of guilt suddenly crashes over me.
I mean... just look at them!
They're so round, so fluffy, and so unbelievably adorable.
One of them even tilts its head at me with wide, curious eyes before happily pecking at a handful of grain offered by a nearby child.
Aaaaaah! They're too cute!
But at the same time... They were so delicious!
I'm having a full-blown moral crisis right now!
Thankfully, Eris quickly shakes her head, still chuckling.
"Haha, I'm kidding. They're both called Filoan birds, but they're different breeds!"
"Different... breeds?"
"Yeah!" Eris nods. "The ones we ate were wild Filoans. These are domesticated. Most people use them to pull carts, though some keep them as pets. They're surprisingly smart, too. You can even train them to guard your house or deliver messages."
"Oooooh!"
I let out a long sigh of relief, patting my chest.
"That's a huge relief. Phew!"
I was not prepared to find out I'd just eaten someone's adorable pet!
Eris chuckles.
And then we continue walking, and Eris continue gesturing at the lively streets around us.
"So, as you can see, this district never really sleeps."
I glance around before nodding.
"Yeah, I can see that."
The streets are narrow but overflowing with life. Taverns, inns, and food stalls line both sides of the road, serving adventurers and travelers well into the night. Musicians perform lively tunes on street corners while merchants enthusiastically call out their latest bargains.
I also take in the town's architecture.
Most are stone buildings reinforced with timber beams, standing shoulder to shoulder beneath steep, sloping roofs, while thin trails of smoke curl from their chimneys into the night sky. The uneven cobblestones beneath our feet glimmer softly beneath the warm glow of iron street lamps, giving the entire street a cozy golden hue.
There's a bit of litter here and there, mostly scraps of food left behind by the crowds, but it's far cleaner than I expected. A drainage channel runs along the side of the road, and I even spot workers clearing away debris to keep the water flowing.
Not far away, a patrol of knights marches through the streets. Their polished armor gleams beneath the lamplight, each breastplate engraved with the crest of a roaring lion.
Eris tells me that's the emblem of the Löwenberg Knights Order.
They're responsible for keeping the peace in Mistvale, protecting both the townsfolk and the countless adventurers who pass through each day.
I watch them pass, impressed by their disciplined formation and confident strides. Every one of them looks well-trained and battle-ready. After everything that happened earlier today, it's comforting to know someone is keeping watch.
A cool breeze sweeps through the street. I instinctively pull my cloak tighter around myself. My simple white dress does little to keep out the evening chill, but the cloak is pleasantly warm.
As I adjust it, Eris glances over.
"Felicia, stay close to me."
I nod and move a little nearer.
The crowd never stops flowing. People brush past from every direction, carts creak over the cobblestones, boots scrape against stone, and countless conversations blend into a constant hum. It would be easy to lose sight of each other in all this activity.
After a moment, Eris tilts her head.
"Actually... hold my hand."
I hesitate for a heartbeat before reaching out.
Our fingers intertwine, and a strange ache stirs somewhere deep inside my chest.
It's faint.
Almost impossible to describe.
Foreign... yet oddly familiar.
Her hand is warm. Much warmer than mine. The calluses on her fingers speak of years spent wielding a sword, fighting monsters, and living the life of an adventurer. Yet her grip is gentle, firm enough to guide me through the crowd without making me feel restrained.
Somehow...
That simple touch makes me feel safe.
Hand in hand, we continue through the lively streets of Mistvale, surrounded by the warmth, laughter, and endless bustle of a town that never truly sleeps.
****
Catgirls Fun Fact #8:
Very few catgirls have whiskers. Instead of real whiskers, they usually have faint, adorable markings on their cheeks.
Because of that, catgirls somehow manage to get stuck in places even more often than actual cats.