The other ship reached the port first and started unloading. From where Alexandra stood she could see where they were heading in the big mess that was the market. Alexandra reached the docks and made way for Vulpias, but before she did, she yelled back at her crew. "Make sure you tie her down! I don't want my ship gone." The crew set to work without hesitation.

Alexandra had lost sight of the other captain and Vulpias. She walked slowly past each shop, looking in them briefly for the two. She noticed most of the people here were like Vulpias. Some had antlers with little bob tails, some with fox tails, some with lizard-like tails, and some who had beaks and wings. Alexandra thought they looked odd all mixed together like that, but she also thought them interesting.

"Miss! Miss!", Alexandra turned to see a little boy run up to her with a letter. "A man told me to give this to you."

He gave her the letter and was about to run off again when she stopped him. "Hey, did he already pay you?"

The little kid tilted his head, "Pay me? I'm not a courier, ma'am. Just kind."

Alexandra blinked and thought to herself, "Why would a kid.. Eh, whatever. I'm still give him something." She shook her head and dug out 20 bucks. "Here, kid. I wouldn't trust the guy who gave you this letter."

"Why not, miss?" His head tilted to the side. "Is he a bad man?"

"Yes, he is. Now, if you ever get in trouble, I will help you out. Kay, kid? Just send a message to Alexandra J. Ranta." Alexandra smiled and ruffled up his hair. Her eyes widened feeling something like knobs on his head. "What are those?"

"Huh? Oh! Those are my knubs.. They grow into antlers or so papa says.. He says that they should start showing around next spring." He smiled up at Alexandra. "Have yours came in?"

She laughed, "I will never antlers. I'm a human, I'm just this. No tail or horns or anything."

The little boy gasped, "That's horrible! I couldn't imagine having no antlers!"

"Oscar! Who're you talking to?!" A woman called from inside the bakery nearby. "What'd I tell you about talking to strangers!"

"Uh-oh. Mama's wondering where I'm at. I have to go." He ran away.

Alexandra sighed and was about to walk off before she noticed that he hadn't taken the 20 from her. She walked into the bakery, the smell of hot bread wafting out of the ovens. She stood by the register, waiting. A chubby, cute little woman came up to the register shortly after. "Sorry for the wait, honey. What can I get you?"

"I'll take a couple rolls if you have some, but do you have a youngster around? Little boy with brown hair and green eyes?" The woman's eyes got wide, then glanced towards the back of the bakery.

"What'd he do?" She turned and yelled, "Oscar! C'mere!" While she went over to the oven rack to get bread, he came in. She placed a small basket in front of Alexandra with 5 rolls in it.

"Oh, he's not in trouble. He just forgot something." Alexandra picked up a roll and tore it in half. She ate half while the two looked at her.

The woman gave her a look of confusion, "What'd he forget?"

"His money. He delivered something to me because a friend of mine asked him to. I was going to pay him since my friend didn't." Alexandra ate the other half. "That's the best bread I've had in a while. Thank you."

"Uhm, thanks, miss.. But, what was he delivering?" She asked, concern now replacing confusion.

"Just a letter. You may see it if you wish, just so you know I'm not lying.", Alexandra took it out and showed the woman, "There's really no rotten business involved if that's what's worrying you."

"Alright." She let out a sigh of relief. "Oscar, get your money from the nice lady."

Oscar stepped up to the counter, Alexandra leaned down to him and whispered, "You can have a roll to if you want. Here." Alexandra took a roll out of the little basket and gave him the 20 dollars along with it.

Oscar whispered back to Alexandra after accepting the small gift. "Ma'am, may I ask you question?" Alexandra nodded, "Why are you so nice when most people like you are so rude?"

Alexandra sighed, "Kid, people who are rude.. they just aren't right up here..", she poked her forehead,".. They were hurt very badly by someone or by themselves. And, usually they're really just angry at that person, not you. But, they make mistakes."

"Oh. Well, okay. I hope they get better...", he smiled at her,".. Bye, Alexandra!" He ran off to the back of the bakery.

Alexandra stood back up to get a sad look from the mother. "Deary, are you alright?"

"Yes, uhm.. what's your name?"

"Roe. I take it yours is Alexandra?" Her arms were crossed.

"Yes, ma'am, it is. Thank you for the bread. It is wonderful. How much for it?" Alexandra picked up the basket and the letter.

"Only 10 dollars, hun." There was a crash from the back, she looked to the sound. "Oscar D. Lockhart! You better not be making a mess!" She turned back to me. "I'm going to see what that was.. Just leave the money on the register." Roe walked away. Alexandra put the money on the register and strolled away with bread and letter in hand.

She followed the directions on the letter and it led her to the tavern. She walked in and didn't see them. She went over to the bartender, "You got any downstairs?"

"A fellow and a woman went down there. You sure you want to go down there?" He looked as if he could honestly care less, but she answered anyway.

"Yes, because she's my woman." He perked up at that.

"You like the animals? I thought all humans thought they were dirty."

I growled at him, "Where's the downstairs?"

"Over there, sweetheart." He pointed to the floor, near the door. There was a little hatch leading down.

"Thanks, babe." Alexandra went down.


Please R&R!