Novalunian Frontier: The DovePort Journals

Chapter 2: Doveport

Keeping good pace with Vasya, Romina followed her mother into town where all the shops rested. The town was quiet for the moment as it was lunchtime and everyone was probably at home, at work, or in the shops.

Vasya was a pure ravalian, seen as a perfect being in the Avian Empire. Despite this perfection, they were banished due to being "corrupted" by humanity. Their sharp rounded features and dark coloration were a delight to look at. Their bangs were a slightly reddish color compared to the bluish-black tones in the rest of their hair. They tended to wear plenty of suits capable of containing their wings. The Avian Empire had learned how to cover them after the species first came to be.

Once in a while, Vasya would check behind to make sure Romina was following. It was hard to not follow the large shell and long tail in front of her. Romina's eyes traced the familiar markings on her mother's carapace before the pair stopped in front of a shop. "You remember Salem right?" Vasya asked looking directly at Romina.

"Yeah, I remember uncle Salem. Why?" Romina stared at her mother who simply stared forwards for a moment.

"No reason, just making sure," Vasya said shaking their head as they opened the shop door. The shop was called The Second Scepter, Salem's shop. No one ever said Salem was good at naming things. The full name was the Scepter's second time around but most people knew it by the shorter name considering it was what was on the sign he had painted.

The musk of fur and fabric wafted through the air as the pair entered the shop. After a few moments, Salem emerged from the back room. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of housing you, your highness?" Salem awkwardly attempted to bow teasing Vasya. For as long as Romina could remember Vasya and Salem were always at each other's throats, whether they pretended to be nice or not. Romina didn't get why Vasya did not much like him, perhaps their personalities clashed?

"Stop that," they said sternly, "I am just here to collect the taxes, as usual, you know mayoral business" Vasya explained placing their hands on their hips.

"And you brought the little starling! Hello Romina, you've gotten so tall lately. It's not fair" he said looking at his deer legs, "I got these cool legs and no height," he said pouting. He acts as if their genetics are even similar. Onni and Salem were not related by blood in any way whatsoever, he and Onni were related simply by declaration. Not that that was a problem.

"Ahem," Vasya said glaring at him. Their lips pressed together and their brow furrowed as they stared at him. Once more showing Romina how much they did not like Salem.

"I'm on it, don't rush me," he said waving his hand in the air at the impatient ravalian. He wore a huge grin as he turned away, he found a lot of fun out of teasing his brother's partner. Salem opened the small door attached to the countertop and gestured Romina over and she followed him into the back of his store. Her father's brother was always an odd individual but he was very trustworthy. He dug through the safe he had opened already getting out the money he owes. He sorted through the hundreds of Korunas stored in the safe. Korunas are the money most if not all, the towns on the surface take. if not they take their own currency or are willing to make exchanges.

Salem was a deer kinurian, trader, and hunter, he kept his horns short and his hair colored black. Currently, his naturally silver hair was peeking through from his terrible dye job. His soft green eyes and stern face made him appear to be a very unwelcoming person, the exact opposite of what most of the townspeople saw in him. Despite his looks and the assumptions of most who don't know him, he is friendly and always willing to help.

"Hey, uncle Salem I have a question," Romina asked staring at the floor. He hummed in response and Romina continued, "do you know what kind of alien my dad is?" She asked. Salem's head came up from how he was sitting and he turned slightly.