Miya has made great progress with walking, speech, and fine motor skills. Though ve is not super sturdy on ver feet just yet, ve could work a basic job at this point. That's why we've been keeping ver progress a secret from the family.
The moment they know Miya is work-ready, they will put us to work. While that's great because Shibi and Mebi will be able to go to school instead of having to work in the mines, it will prevent Miya and me from starting our search. It's been about three deposits, and they should be able to handle a few more labors while we search for their vedira.
As soon as the pups have left for work, we wait for a bit to be sure they don't come back having forgotten anything. Then Miya eases verself onto ver feet, fetches a blue robe of Hinuso's to put on, and hoists me up onto ver back.
Finally, it's my turn to be the back rider, though I admit, with how much Miya has had to fly me around, we were probably close to even in terms of taking turns carrying each other. Also, I have little to offer in terms of aiding Miya, whereas ve could sense things I couldn't when ve was the back rider. Still, I find my new role amusing.
While Miya is not the sturdiest walker as of the present, and carrying me only makes that worse, ve is managing the task remarkably well. I think only a dozen or so onlookers have assumed Miya is a drunkard carrying another who is too drunk to walk.
After much tripping and rest stops, the smell of raw coal serves as an indicator that the mines, and by extension, the tavern, is near. There are actually a few familiar scents in the air. Two are clearly Shibi and Mebi, but the third is harder to place. I know I've smelled it before, but I cannot recall where.
We walk around the tavern to see if the roof may be accessible from the outside. However, of course, outside access to a roof hatch would be a bit of a security risk for the tavern. So they have been careful to ensure no such access exists unless you have wings.
So, we enter the tavern through the front door, and that unfamiliar scent suddenly has a face. There, where Sho had once sat, is Fami sitting alone. However, ve is not engaged in the tafose challenge Sho had suffered. Ve is about as short as I was in my atu body. Ve is also in uniform, though without the mask. Glasses are perched on ver uncommonly dark-red furred snout as ve is leaning back, drinking mead, and staring into the distance, deep in thought. At this time of labor, the tavern is practically empty, so when we enter, Fami is quick to notice and almost seems startled at first. Then ve sees our faces, and ver eyes light up.
"Oh, hey. I remember you two. Come. Come. Have a drink with me!" Fami calls out.
The sudden invitation from the officer is unsettling and slightly bothersome. We were hoping to be in and out, though we do still need to work out a way to access the roof hatch and the barkeep is not likely to let us just start climbing around.
"You are going to need to set me down to climb up there. Might as well set me down with Fami," I whisper to Miya.
"Alright," Miya says, "If you say so."
"I'll join you," I call out, "but Hinuso has some business to tend to."
"Very well." Fami says.
The barkeeper pauses ver progress polishing a glass and walks over to me.
"Welcome to my tavern. My name is Geni. What can I get for you?"
"I'm sorry," I start. "I don't have the coin to-"
"Not another word." Geni cuts in, "If you are a friend of Fami's, it's on the house."
"Oh, thank you. Isn't it a bit early to be drinking?" I ask.
YOU ARE READING
Disarm Evil
Science Fiction**New Chapter Every Wednesday!** Dima is a little person with a habit of starting, and occasionally finishing, craft projects, though when on duty Dima is fierce, cold, and calculated agent of justice who's quick thinking and sharp aim makes them a...
