Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter Seventy Six: She's Out Of Her Milieu II

Credits to Ice_Sun_92 for helping me with Qean name. Thank you bestie 😚 love you! 💞

Bai, ever kind and welcoming, greeted Qean with a warm smile. "We're glad you decided to join us, Qean. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself," she said, her voice light and friendly.

Qean's eyes roamed over the backyard, taking in the carefully arranged details. The lounge chairs near the back door, the cozy shed under the tree, the inviting fire pit surrounded by potted plants, the low kotatsu coffee table on its large rug, and the fur-pillow-filled lounge chairs all came together to create a relaxed and luxurious setting. The running pond in the background added a peaceful touch.

Noticing her curiosity, I gestured toward the table. "Why don't you take a seat here?" I said, guiding her to the inviting spot. Harvey, ever attentive, quickly set out an assortment of fruits, nuts, and water within her reach.

As Qean settled into one of the chairs, she suddenly called out, "What animal hide is this I'm sitting on?!"

I answered calmly, "Wolf. It's stuffed with cotton to make it softer. Comfortable, isn't it?"

She folded her arms, her suspicion giving way to reluctant acceptance. "Your place is full of strange things," she muttered, though her body language hinted she was already starting to enjoy the chair's comfort.

I smiled to myself, thinking, She's going to be a lot of work. Her strong personality and skepticism were bound to make things challenging, but it was also what made her intriguing. It was the variety of personalities in our group that kept life interesting and our community dynamic.

As Qean started to relax, it became clear that her interest in our way of life was growing. Her commanding presence was softening, adding something new to our gathering.

I turned to Shugh and said, "Answer her questions if she has any." I knew Qean's curiosity would lead to many inquiries, and Shugh was well-suited to handle them. With that, I shifted my focus back to the volleyball game.

I clapped my hands to gather everyone's attention. "Let me explain again! This game is called volleyball. Each team works to keep the ball in the air. If it touches the ground on one side, the other team gets a point. First team to 10 points wins."

The game began with laughter and energy. It was competitive but lighthearted, especially as the guys hesitated to hit the ball hard toward us, worried they might hurt us. We quickly showed them we could handle ourselves, diving and hitting the ball with determination.

Meanwhile, Qean moved through the yard, her curiosity on full display. Shugh stayed close, patiently explaining everything she asked about. She seemed to think no one was paying attention to her, but between volleys and bursts of laughter, we all noticed her every move.

The mix of our lively game and Qean's exploration created a vibrant scene. Her initial aloofness was giving way to intrigue, and with every new thing she learned, she seemed to warm up more. Watching her adjust, even in small ways, was a reminder that change often begins with curiosity.

Qean's POV

While the others played their noisy game, I wandered around the yard with Shugh following close, talking nonstop about things I didn't ask about.

"This is where they keep extra wood," he said, pointing to a stack by the shed. "Imara says it's for the rainy season."

I barely glanced at it, more focused on taking in the place. Who sets up a yard like this? Everything was so organized—the fire pit, the low table with soft chairs, the shed under the tree. It all seemed too perfect, too planned.