Pentagram

City

Everything started one day as I walked home after hunting. As usual, I had simply been the spotter while those skilled with the bow targeted the prey. We entered the village, carrying the animals we had slain.  Our village was surrounded by wooden walls. Half of it was built into a cliff face, and the rest was built on the ground, consisting mostly of wooden shacks and small stone buildings. Notable buildings consist of the large stone forge, and the grand hall where our village chief lived.

                Directly outside of our village, the swamps began. On the top of the cliff were flat grasslands, and the city was twenty miles away in that direction. It was impossible to miss. We scaled the cliffs via ladders or vines, and there was a small path for carriages pulled by jagaisek (small carnivorous lizard-like monsters colored green.)

                I carried my portable screen in my sling, so I could pull it out whenever I wanted it. My stone sword was strapped to my waist. I had actually never used it, it was more for show then anything. I carried a small one-handed crossbow on my back, but again this was more for show.

                "Akaya!" Came a shout as I entered the village.

                I looked in the direction of the voice. The orphan mother, a youthful Rinju wearing bright robes, was calling for me. She was pretty by Rinju standards, I suppose. Her fur was a brilliant golden like that of a cheetahs, with brown and red markings. Her yellow feline eyes stared at me as I walked towards her. She was in her late forties, but acted like a child. She was standing in front of the orphanage, a large cube-like building made of dark wood. It had no windows, nor was there very many occupants. However, it did have a large porch, and a balcony on the second floor.

                "You did great! There's so much food!" She said happily, "I'm glad you made it home safely."

                "Thanks mother." I said, then took out my portable screen, "I'm going inside for now..."

                "Don't spend too much time on that thing." She huffed, "You know what the others think of that...technology."

                "There's a live stream for Minori Mika." I glanced at her, "I'm not missing it."

                "That song writer you love so much?" She sighed, "If you want music, go listen to the elders play their lutes."

                "This is better." I said simply, then walked inside.

                She just sighed and closed the door, "I tidied up your room, lunch will be ready in about an hour. After that, it's off to the border for you. You had a trader personally request your presence."

                "Really? Awesome." I grinned. Finally some good news! The traders were coming, and one of them wanted me specifically! I wondered which one it was? I knew nearly all of them by name, and spent time talking to them about what it was like in the city. I asked questions, and they answered the best they could.

                It was through them that I learned about Minori Mika. A famous singer in the city, she was absolutely stunning. Especially onstage, when the lights were flashing and she was singing her songs. She could dance too, better than anyone I knew. Watching her made me happy. Her music was lively, and she was always teasing the crowd with her movements.

                Her hair was long, at least to the square of her back. The top half of her hair was colored a deep red-pink. It was either styled in large twin pigtails, or it was down. Her eyes were glittering purple, with hints of blue and red in them. Her performers outfit was a button-up collared shirt, striped blue and white. The sleeves were oversized. She wore a short skirt, colored black and grey, and wore black knee-high stockings and high heel boots of the same color.