Among Colourful Shadows

Her fingers were covered with blood. Even her translucent, icy claws had been dampened, reddening them to the core. Making no move, she could only gaze blankly at the corpse she was still straddling.

    The eyes devoid of life of the wolfwoman before her eyes, her distorted neck, Mira’s own fingers dripping with blood… This was too much for her. Too much to bear.

    Even the death of that woman wasn’t enough. Deep down, she knew it the moment she pounced on her. But, nevertheless, she couldn’t help the impulse. Would it have been after a day, a year, or a decade. Mira would never have forgiven.

    Her lips quivering, tears filled her eyes as she let out an enraged cry. They should all pay…

    More blood.

   Her eyes filled with black sclera. Her skin lost its tanned complexion as it turned grey.

    More blood.

    As she stood up, the aura emanating from her weighed the atmosphere down. She got out of the room, piercing whatever came into her way, splattering crimson on the tapestries hooked to the walls.

***

    The pace of the music is slower, more intimate than outside. In this large room, some Beastwomen are seated at tables, each one paired with a man. Sharing meals, sharing a discussion or playing local board games. Others are dancing exotic steps under the gaze of enraptured customers in the background.

“Here, we welcome customers who want to share our company. The women working here are very smart.” Mira pauses, giving her words a second thought. “Oh! Maybe not me, though! Some are skilled at things like playing popular games, singing, painting…”

    As she explains the rules of this place to me, I glance around, in search of a place to leave Awa.

“She’s just an owl, right?” Mira leans closer to me.

“Just an owl?” I raise an eyebrow.

    She blinks.

“Oh. I mean, in our kingdom, some of us are named after the animal we’re close to, so that we can turn fully into them. Usually, they rather work in another kind of places.”

    Another kind of places disturbingly close to cat cafes.

“Oh, really?” I feign innocence. “Interesting, but no, Awa is indeed just an owl.”

“She has a name?!” She exclaims, and I realise I might have done better not telling her. I forgot Tyffeon warned me about giving names to animals.

   I chuckle nervously, rubbing the back of my head.

“Mira!” A feminine voice calls. “Hurry up, we have customers waiting.”

“Ahh, yes!” She replies. “Okay, let’s keep it brief. Just take the dishes and refreshments to the tables. The kitchens are over there. Good luck!”

    And before I have the time to ask any question, she rushes back to her occupations, her violet cat tail swaying behind her, adorned with a golden ring.

***

    Fortunately, the place is mostly designed to allow face to face moments with customers, some tables scattered here and there, far enough from one another to allow some intimacy. The remaining men being entertained by the dancers until a customer runs of the time he paid for, and a table is freed.

    The whole time, I navigate from the kitchen to the tables – or to the standing men – and deliver the orders. As I listen to their chatter, I hope to overhear any useful information.

    After placing cocktails on the table shared by a stunning mousewoman and a Knocker absorbed by the game they share, holding one of his beast-headed pawns, I turn a glance at the scene at the back of the room.

    The delicate fabric of her cream-coloured slit skirt brushes against her leg, the hanging edge of her belt agitated by her enticing moves as it would have been by the wind. Her top made out of pearls ends just beneath her chest, letting appreciate her silhouette as Mira dances.

    Her hands raised above her head, as she lowers them, the translucent fabric of the golden, oversized sleeves fixed to her arms floats gracefully with her moves. She plays with it, the sleeves veiling at times her mid-closed eyes, her unsealed lips.

    It’s surprising to see how Mira is able to be seductive. As long as she doesn’t speak, the illusion is perfect, I guess. A smile stretches upon my features before fading into a concerned expression.

    Mira…

    At this hour, the customers are now reduced to a small amount.

“It may be a good opportunity to sneak out in search of my bag and bow.”

    Somnuma has taken them from me the moment we entered this building.

    Enclosing the door after retrieving Awa, I take a last glance at the room before discreetly taking my leave.

    Where could she have put my belongings?..

    As I step through the corridor, my shadow dances along the black stone walls. The flames of the torches make it tremble. Mind you, it’s the only part of me that would dance willingly.

“This place is far too big. How do they even manage to find their way?”

    As much as I roughly have in mind the places located in my game, the shape of the buildings, it’s not like I have any breathtaking architectural mind or something.

    Here and there, I take a look inside the numerous rooms along the way. Some seem similar to the one I was assigned to.

    Kneeling before a door, I can’t help but observe with curiosity the pretty fur balls inside. Some perched on elevated pillars. Beastwomen such as Mira told me about. The ones named so that they can change into animals.

    But my belongings are not over there.

    About to continue my inspection, I realise that Awa is not by my side any more.

“Where did she go?!”

    Not inside this room. I would have noticed her…

    Searching on either side, I walk along the wall when I catch sight of a door ajar.

    As I kneel close to it, I lean in closer to take a look inside. Nobody in sight, despite the light. Nobody… save for a small owl hopping on the floor.

    Oh no…

    Of course, I have no other choice than to go inside. Glancing on either side, I sneak in.

    On my tiptoes, I remain silent until reaching Awa’s position. Reaching out my hands and… caught!!

“You bad owl!” I murmur, almost merely forming the letters on my lips.

“Hoo, hoo.” Awa hoots innocently.

    How can I even scold her… Sighing, I am about to return to the corridor when a move catches my eye.

    I freeze.

    Inside of the room, a woman leant over the silhouette of a man. The latter doesn’t seem conscious, though, as she holds onto him, as if biting his shoulder.

    My heart skips a beat. I shouldn’t be here…

    I can’t clearly distinguish her face since the lighting is subdued, the only thing I clearly see being her long black hair, but…

“Hoo, hoo!”

    Oh my-

    The woman straightens up, blood dripping from her mouth. She glances in my directi-

    I can feel a hand against my shoulder, drawing me back.

“!!!”

    As I widen my eyes, the hand now covers my mouth, preventing any unfortunate sound from crossing my lips.

    Mira.

    She slowly shakes her head, prompting me to follow her as she takes my hand in hers. Not making any sound, we leave the room and cross hastily the corridor. Pausing only metres away.

“What were you doing there?!” Mira exclaims. “You shouldn’t leave like this. I was worried about you.”

“I… Uhh… Awa got lost.” I argue, putting my little owl in evidence.

    Awa innocently hoots, as if on cue.

“Mmm…” Mira stares at her. “Oh, I see. But you should have told me, I would have gone with you.”

“I’m sorry.” I sheepishly smile at her.

    I guess it’s better not to admit that at this point I was lost as well, so I’m glad that she came for me.

“I forgive you!” She grins.

“Should we go back?”

“Oh, no. Our establishment just closed. Work is over for tonight!”

    A bit of respite! Dang, I’m not against it!

“Yayy!” I exclaim, pulling up my fist in the air.

    Mira chuckles.

“It was your first night with us. What about we celebrate it together? I’ll take you to the mist bath!”