Somewhere

"Pass?" The guard in front of me asks. I blink at him, wondering where he came from. Then I look around. In front of me is a six foot tall guard, who is guarding a gate. The gate is set into a giant wall easily forty feet tall. Behind me is a long line of people and carts waiting for entry to the city. Unfortunately for them, it seems like they're going to be delayed a bit longer.

"What pass?" I ask.

The guard sighs. "The pass to enter the city? You know, the one that has your information on it so we know you don't have an active bounty in the kingdom?"

"Oh," I tap my palm with a fist, "that pass."

The guard nods and speaks slowly. "Yes. That pass."

I look the guard in the eye. "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. How can I get a pass?"

A vein pops out on the guardsman's forehead. "The hell you acting like you know what I'm talking about if you don't have a clue!? Are you messing with me!?"

I shake my head rapidly. "No! No. Sorry. I've just never been to a town before, so I wasn't aware of what kind of pass you were talking about. Um, where can I get one? Would you mind helping me?"

I try to bat my eyelashes while giving some puppy eyes at him. 'Ugh, is this how you do it? It just feels like I can't blink, and my eyes are uncomfortable. Hope this is worth the effort.'

The guard calms down at my honest tone and takes in my appearance. And lack of shoes. He sighs. "Ok, I'll take you somewhere you can get a pass." He waves over another guard and explains the situation. Then he pauses to think for a moment. "Are there any organizations you were planning to join? Potters' guild, Tailor's guild, adventuring guild..."

I interrupt. "Ah, the adventurers guild please. I know magic!"

He gives me an indulgent smile. The kind of smile you would give to a child who thinks they told you something impressive, but it's not, but you want them, to feel like they accomplished something an... y... way.

... Hey!

"Follow me, and you can show the adventurer's guild everything you can do." He speaks to me in a calm tone and we begin to walk down the main street of the city. Too bad I'm too indignant to properly take in the details.

'Hmph. I'll show you. I'll make sure to get a rank in the adventurer's guild that will knock your socks off! Though I shouldn't show them everything I can do. I'll limit myself to two elements. No way to hide my general information, especially if it gets put on my pass anyways. Though it is a bit strange that nobody has commented on me being a demihuman considering Kyle's reaction...'

"Hey," I ask the guard, "can I ask you something?"

"You just did, but you can ask something else." I can hear the amusement in the guard's voice as I roll my eyes.

"Do the people in the city have a problem with demihumans?"

The guard stumbles. He takes a few stumbling steps before he manages to regain his balance and gives me a strange look. "No, why would they?" His voice holds genuine confusion.

Huh. "W-well, I met some old man on the road, and he had some very... specific views on demihumans."

The guard slaps his forehead and slowly runs his hand down as he lets out a groan. "Damn it Kyle. Please tell me he didn't try anything with you. I swear, one of these days he's gonna end up pissing off the wrong woman and end up dead."

I feel an intense urge to whistle innocently but manage to stamp it down. "Uh, no he didn't try anything. He just went on a rant about demihumans when I asked him for directions to the nearest town. Then he asked for certain... favors." I twist my expression into one of disgust at the memory.

The guard sighs in relief and exasperation. "Sorry about him miss, I'll make sure someone talks to him the next time he comes to town. Don't worry though, people like that are in the minority. Just ignorant people raised on the values of the world's dark past." He shakes his head in disappointment. "If anyone tries to pull any 'human superiority' bullshit, ignore them and make sure to report whoever it is to the city guards."

I nod my head. "Thank you. I was really worried when I met that guy that the whole kingdom would be like that. I'm glad to see that I was wrong."

He smiles. "Yeah, don't worry about it." We take a turn down a side-street, and from what I can smell it's full of food stalls! My stomach growls as I stare at a man selling kebabs.

'Kebabs, a staple of fantasy world food stalls! Based on my years of research, there are even odds on it tasting like basic salted meat, or being better than average. Should I roll the dice on this game of chance, with my stomach's well-being as the prize!?'

The guard coughs to get my attention. I was so focused on the kebab seller and my inner monologue that I didn't notice that I stopped moving. "Don't worry, after you take the test at the adventurer's guild you can grab some food. But I have to get back to my post sooner rather than later, so let's hurry along."

I give a sigh and shoot a longing look at the kebabs before continuing to follow the guard. I should probably get his name. I could just *Identify* him, but I feel like that would be rude.

We reach our destination before I can ask him though. "Here we are, the adventurer's guild!" He spins around to face me and proclaim, his arms akimbo while he does a little bow.

I can't help but giggle at his antics. He grins, happy to have made me happy. "I'll wait out here while you get signed up. The guild doesn't really like the guards showing up in the building. Usually means an adventurer got caught causing trouble around town, and it reflects badly on the guild."

I nod while he continues. "Just remember that I'm out here waiting for you, so don't dilly dally. Oh," he snaps his fingers, "and welcome to the city of Somewhere."