Chapter 5: Gussied Up
"Hold it right there boy!" One of the guardsmen called out as she approached me with a strong air of authority about her, I should be allowed inside as long as I act in a polite and friendly manor (hopefully there won't be an entry fee). "Err right, hello …ma'am." I responded nervously as she stood over me, her sword hanging menacingly on her belt. Looking closely at her I realized I was talking to a golem, servants made by demons and mages using clay and magic to do their bidding. Her arms and legs were covered in a thick layer of what was no doubt clay that looked more like dry soil than armour. Her skin was a dark shade of tan that looked surprisingly soft and the only thing covering her bountiful features was a thong bikini made from leather. The one thing I didn't like about her was the unnaturally cold expression on her face as she looked me over with eyes that glowed a bright shade of pink. Looking past her I realized that the other guardsmen on duty were also golem with almost identical features (maybe this town is run by a powerful sorcerer). "Is something wrong?" the golem asked calmly as she noticed my gazing. "Huh? Oh err no sorry, just looking around" I replied with a forced smile, this woman was making me very uncomfortable. With a final look over the golem turned and walked back to the gate, gesturing to me to follow, "You may enter Timber Town if you wish, but you will be punished should you cause any unnecessary trouble for the townsfolk." (Unnecessary?) "Oh, well thank you, I'll do my best."
No sooner did I pass through the gates I found myself surrounded by what had to have been hundreds of humans and monster girls as they made their way along the main roads, talking and laughing loudly as they went about their daily lives. The noise and crowding was overwhelming and I soon found myself standing in a secluded corner, taking a few deep breaths as I adjusted to my new surroundings. "I can see why Gaia didn't want to come here." I muttered to myself as I started looking around; with so many people walking around following her paw prints was now virtually impossible, if I was going to find her I would have to search the area and ask some of the locals for information.I moved from one street to another, asking any passing humans if they'd seen a ginger nekomana with a little boy in their arms. Unfortunately no one could recall encountering any recently, and with so many people oddly staring at me as I walked along the main road I was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. There were many side streets that parted from the main road, but they looked empty and dangerous, not the kind of place a young man like me should be sniffing around in. All around me were stalls and shops being run by people who were dressed in strange cloths and spoke in exotic accents, selling weapons made from unknown materials, clothing that came in beautiful colours, and artefacts that had a mystical look about them. A bow carved from dragon bone caught my attention the most, the string was made from unicorn hair and diamond tipped arrows were stored in a quiver made from Hardhorner leather dyed a deep shade of red. Sadly I didn't have a single coin to my name and I was beginning to get very hungry and thirsty, fortunately an old woman agreed to give me some water and apples for helping her carry some wheat to the upper district and with my hunger and thirst taken care of, I continued my search.
The upper district was very different to the rest of Timber Town, the dusty roads were replaced with white marbled stones that were free of beggars and merchants, and instead bards were singing and playing strange yet beautiful songs, amusing the crowds with interesting stories and dazzling magic tricks as I walked along the path ahead of me, marvelling at the spectacular sights before me. Many of it's buildings seemed to be dedicated to selling a wide variety and merchandise of exquisite quality, and I couldn't help but stop and gaze at what was on offer. I was looking at an interesting scroll through a shop window when I suddenly noticed my reflection and jumped back in disgust. My dark brown hair was like a birds nest, twisting and curling in all directions with a few twigs sicking out here and there, the pimples on my face had multiplied as I have been unable to wash myself since leaving home, and opening my mouth I almost fainted when I saw the plaque covering my beautiful teeth! Ever since my adult teeth came along I took great pride in keeping them clean and fresh, brushing them twice a day with a datum and then rinsing with whisky (never actually drank the stuff though.) My teeth were perfectly straight when I was little, sadly I took a rather painful kick to the face by an angry ram a few years ago and my front teeth are now crooked and uneven, I find it so embarrassing I don't smile in front of people anymore, not that I'm a gloomy person or anything! I just don't want people seeing them! The patch of leather covering my eye was now beginning to smell bad and I was becoming painfully aware of the itching coming from my wound underneath (no wonder people were staring at me…..) I would have to have my eye looked at by a doctor if I can find one, but first I should make myself a little more presentable, especially in such a prestigious area. After picking the twigs out of my hair I used my hands to neaten it up as best I could, with that taken care of I popped some of the more noticeable pimples that dotted my face and wiped off some dirt that was on my right cheek, the swelling on my lips had thankfully gone down yesterday and after picking my teeth roughly with my fingers I was ready to go! But no sooner did I turn around I found my path blocked by a little girl as she excitedly cried out a big, hearty "Hello!"
"For the love of Asger!" I cried out as I jumped back in surprize, hitting my head hard on the glass window as I fell to my knees rubbing the back of my head. "Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow!" "Oh my gosh! Are you ok!?" The little girl pulled me towards her with amazing strength, hugging me tightly as she repeatedly apologized for startling me. After awkwardly patting her head she let go of me and took a step back, I held back a yelp when I realized I was kneeling in front of a fracking goblin! You can't blame me for mistaking her for a child, she was only about four foot tall and her frame more closely resembled a little girl that was beginning to flower. But I read from the encyclopaedia that they were a particularly strong and savage breed of monsters, hunting in packs in search of men, gang raping them and then dragging them to their homes to keep as 'husbands.' I looked around to see if there were any more nearby…..nope. Turning my attention back to her I noticed she was wearing a tight pink dress with a ribbon made from fine silks tied around her waist, her frilly hemline hung just over her knees and her neckline was decorated with a pleat that shone like snow in the sunlight, She looked more like a princess than a barbarian.
"C-Can I help you young lady?" I asked, trying to stay calm, she might not be dangerous, maybe she just wants to talk, yeah! Just wants to talk! "My names Amina the goblin!" she declared, giving me a small curtsy and an adorable smile that threatened to melt my heart. Overall she was quite cute; her skin was slightly more pale than my own and was completely unblemished. Straight, strawberry red hair with streaks of pink came down past her long, pointed ears with a fringe covered most of her forehead. She had a small, pointed nose with her two lower canines poked cutely out of her mouth, her eyes were a bright shade of blue, gentle and warm, with a sparkle that showed her seemingly boundless energy and youth. Her cheeks turned bright red and her smile widened as it took me a moment to realize I was staring at her for far too long! "N-N-Nice to meet you A-Amina." I looked away to hide my face which was now turning a similar shade of red. "Aren't you going to tell me your name?" "What? Oh right! Sorry, my names Bain Kolf-Skot." "Oooh that's a nice name! Are you a hunter?" "Well, no actually I'm just a farm boy." I felt strangely embarrassed telling her about myself, "there's not really anything interesting about me I'm afraid." "Really?" she asked, holding a hand under her chin as she looked me over. "You look pretty interesting to me! But that's ok!" She cried out excitedly. "I can learn more about you when we go on our first date!"