Scenarios

Tidbit #15

I'm walking home from a visit to Ealandor's cave. I have a box of alchemical supplies with me. Such a kind soul, he is. We were talking over tea, and Serena came up in the conversation. I mentioned how she was looking for some rare supplies to make powerful potions, and he asked if she had any dragon's ingredients to work with. I told him she didn't, and he graciously offered me the option to collect some samples off of him. He didn't seem uncomfortable by any of it. I knew Serena would kill me if I passed up an offer like that, so I took a few samples. A few vials of blood, some more of saliva, a small stack of scales, and skin flakes off of his wings and horns. I asked if he wanted anything in return, but he simply smiled and told me he was just happy to help out a friend. After tea I decided to walk home instead of teleport. It's a lovely day outside. Summer is in full swing now, and the sun is warm, broken up by frequent, cool breezes. I'm passing a schoolyard, full of children in the middle of recess, when I hear something that disturbs me greatly. "Look at you. Your hairy legs and your little horns. You're so ugly!" Says a boy's voice. "No one has a crush on you, you're just a hairy goat girl!" Says another. They both laugh, and it's followed by a bout of crying. I set the box down and quickly rush into the yard, around the wall that is blocking the interaction. "Hey!" I call. The boys practically jump out of their skins. They can't be older than 15, and the poor satyr girl they're bullying doesn't look 12 yet. No other kids seem to be paying attention to what's going on, and no one notices me. "P-P-P-Protector Joey!" One of them stutters as they both turn around. The one who said my name is the tallest of the three, with black hair and chubby cheeks. The other is blond, and very skinny. The satyr is on the ground, hugging her knees, with her back against the wall, next to a water fountain. She looks up when I approach, her cheeks glistening with tears. She's just started growing into her horns, just the tiniest tips poking out, and her fur and hair is ginger. "What do you think you're doing?" I ask sternly. I stand over them, my hands on my hips. "N-nothing, sir," Says the second boy. "Why are you terrorizing this poor girl?" I ask. They say nothing. "I asked you a question." "She's- she's different. She has goat's legs, and horns. She's not like us, she doesn't belong here," Says the black haired one. I sigh and shake my head. "What are your names?" I ask. "Tyler," Says the black haired one. "Jacob," Says the other. The girl says nothing. "What about you, love?" I say softly. She tries to say something, but only a squeak comes out. She clears her throat and tries again. "Carrol," She says. I nod. "You're being mean to her because she's different, you say?" I ask. "How would you like it if a couple of centaur kids came up to you and started pushing you around, and saying mean things just because you were different?" The look at their feet, shuffling uncomfortably. "Cause you were shorter than them, weaker. Two legs, instead of four. It would make you feel quite bad, huh? You would feel sad, and self conscious about your body. Your species. Who you are. That's what you're doing to Carrol here. You think she likes being called ugly? No! When you call her that, all you're doing is making her hate what she looks like. This place that you live in, this town, is supposed to be a place where everyone is free to be who they are, and who they want to be," I say. "This girl, don't look at her and see a satyr. That goes for you too, Carrol. Don't look at these boys and see humans. You're all children, and you've got some playing to do before you get back to class." I reach my hand down and Carrol takes it, a small smile breaking out on her face. I pull a napkin from my pocket and wipe her tears with it. I smile at her, and she smiles back. "I'm sorry, Carrol," Tyler says. "Yeah, me too. Those things we said weren't nice. They weren't right," Seconds Jacob. She sniffs and wipes her cheeks again. "It's... it's ok," She says. I smile at her forgiveness. "Go on, now," I say. "Go play." They run off. I walk around the wall and pick my box back up. I continue on my way home, a smile on my face.
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The next day I sit on the roof of a building across the street from the schoolyard, watching and waiting. Recess starts and I finally spot what I'm looking for. I see Jacob, Tyler, and Carrol walk out of the school. I watch as they play together, chasing each other around and laughing. I smile at that, and teleport back home.