Isher Notra

Stella:

"In hindsight, we should've gone straight to Pantsti."

Namadi's light, this place was PACKED with Monoke! A restless, chaotic sea of bodies shifted endlessly around the group. Stella could barely see her feet and the white rectangular paving stones. A red streak of rogue tiles formed curves and straight lines on the blank, rocky canvas, creating some pattern the girl's eyes couldn't grasp from this perspective. The crowded nature of this plaza made it impossible to visualize it even when she had a full view from the hill, anyway.

From what Padda spoke of the capital, the girl thought there wasn't another place with such an impressive array of products sold and traded in those stands.

Fruits, herbs, spices, shoes, bags, tools, and toys beautifully carved from wood. These were just what Stella could peek through the agitated crowd.

Speaking of, a plethora of new species of Monoke caught her eye, be they stallholders or buyers. Ranging from the Basan (giant chicken-like beings with magnificent red crests and wattles), some fluffy creatures that resemble a fusion between a dog and a raccoon, Cats (much smaller than Jólakötturinn and having the decency of wearing clothes), and anthropomorphic versions of crows, oxen, bears, and monochromatic cranes.

However, what had really stolen her attention was an ape-like creature wearing a concealing forest green cloak, sitting on a wooden crate and playing an end-blown flute that appeared to be made out of bamboo with their... toes? The fur on their forearms and legs was reddish, and a wild, lengthy black mane covered most of their face.

Their music was the only thing Stella's ears would bother hearing. It resounded deep in her soul, alluring her to come closer. The ape didn't mind her, seemingly in the same trance.

The ethereal notes guided the Human's steps. Her eyes were glued to this mysterious bard, even though she had no idea what to say when approaching him. In fact, she couldn't think of anything else. Her head felt so light her feet could barely touch the ground.

The girl was a few inches away from the bard, something she only became aware of when the Monoke stopped playing the flute. They slowly lifted their head, analyzing her with his black sclera and green irises that broke through the dark void they resided in.

With her senses back to reality, Stella's anxiety upon seeing the great ape Monoke, who should have been about 6' 5'' when standing upright, overwhelmed her addled mind.

"I-I'm so-"

"Gotcha!"

Out of absolutely nowhere, Lien forcefully tugged her arm and carried her through the masses. Wasn't the Knight right next to Stella? Wait, where was the Squad!?

It was disorientating! The girls bumped into so many Monoke that it became a bigger-scale pinball game. The angry merchants were the flipper bats, pushing them in all directions. After minutes of this nauseating dance with the locals, Lien spun not one, not two, but three times like a drunk ballerina before her legs gave out. Stella's mind visualized the circling birds around her friend's head to complement the scene.

Stella patted the pup on the head. "You tried your best, girl."

That reignited Lien's resolve! Her tail wagged back and forth like a metronome on five pounds of caffeine. "Do it again, please!"

The Human's cheeks flushed. "H-Here?!"

The pup nodded- No, she practically headbanged like a metalhead. "Please!?"

Stella's heartbeat bolted, her hands quivered, and her breathing became uneven. The captain couldn't see them, could she? No, of course not! Even if she did, it was only petting.

Innocent... Harmless... Petting... Gently caressing the Wolf's grey, smooth fur with her calloused hands... Make her eyes flutter with the ecstasy of being touched by another person- EW! EW! EWWW! MAKE IT STOP! PLEASE!

The Human gulped, then extended her hand. It hovered closer to her friend's scalp by the second. Her battering heart overwhelmed her hearing, closing her from the outside world. There was only her and the mission...

The spaceship was landing on a barren planet... Damn it, she had just patted her a few seconds ago! Why was she getting cold feet now?! Why Stella needed to be so self-aware!?

The tips of the pup's fur were tingling in her palm...

"Okay, on the count of three..."

Her hands were sweaty.

"Three..."

Her vision started to blur.

"Two..."

She was feeling dizzy. Wait, did she forget to breathe?

"One..."

Her hand touched the top of Lien's head, petting her at a slug's pace.

"G-Good g-"

The Wolf's grey eyes widened, and her entire body vibrated to a concerning extent before a white aura coated her head to toe.

"Lien-"

"GET ON MY BACK!"

Stella quickly complied, holding her tight as if her life depended on it. The pup lowered herself on four legs and RUSHED PAST THE CROWD LIKE A ROCKET, KNOCKING ANY BYSTANDERS THAT WERE UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO STAND IN THE WAY OF THE FURRY DEVIL! THIS PINBALL GAME HAD TURNED INTO FUCKING GTA, BABY!

"OUT OF MY WAY, PLEASE!"

"STOP!!!" Stella begged, almost slipping away. She couldn't dare to look back to assess the destruction, but she knew it was DEVASTATING regardless!

She could barely hear a familiar voice calling out to them.

"What are you d-"

The Human was almost a victim of inertia when an unknown force stopped the untamed canine in her tracks, but not before she could crash into the stranger. Stella opened her eyes, miraculously unscathed, and saw the pup and The Silver Knight down for the count.

The girl was left in an awkward position. Everyone's attention was turned to the furry menace and, by extension, her.

"What even is that Monoke?"

"I don't know... Are they sick?"

"I don't want to get close and find out..."

Only a few whispers Stella could pick up amongst the horde of voices. She instinctively stepped back, but it was a fruitless tactic. The prying eyes were everywhere...

Fangs, claws, beaks... So many ways these people could tear her apart if they knew her identity... The phantom pain of that dagger made her clutch the previously wounded area. Her heart was led to its maximum capacity while those fresh memories flashed before her terrified eyes.

"Please..." Her voice was only but a dry leaf fighting a hurricane. "Stay away from me..." Her eyes were clouded by the forming tears.

But the voices only got louder.

She clutched her head. "SHUT UP! STO-"

"ALL OF YOU! STAY! BACK!"

Stella's eyes immediately shifted to Capt. Tash's voice, who was using her authority to make sure everyone would back away from the distressed Human.

The civilians stared at the Wolf guard with genuine fear, frantically returning to whatever they were doing before that mess came into play.

The Lycan Squad were right behind their captain. Locci quickly carried the Knight and Lien, one on each shoulder. Stella's shivered when something cold touched her back.

"Sorry! Can you stay still for a little while? It's quick, I promise!" Hufen's voice was soothing, in contrast to her golden brother.

"Hey, kid! Try to keep close to the adults next time, okay?!" Euraidd's smile was radiant, complemented by the color of his fur.

Tarb was... brooding next to a stand full of sausages. What got into him?

As if Hufen had read her mind, she explained. "Don't worry about him. He just saw a squirrel."

That reminded the girl that Lien was not fond of the nut-craving rodents. Wasn't that the opposite of what dogs do? Maybe it was best to back away from stereotypes.

The whiteish Wolf stopped doing whatever that was. "You're unharmed! I'm impressed!" The crystals on top of his staff ceased glowing.

Capt. Tash walked towards the Human with steady and commanding steps, never breaking eye contact. This was arguably a worse situation than standing before those Monoke.

The squad leader stopped. Their eyes locked in an imaginary duel. Would Tash blame her for her daughter's state? Would she kill Stella since the Knight was unconscious? Would-

"Stay close to me." She turned and walked further into the fair. Stella was left dumbfounded, her mind racing with even more questions and worries. However, she had no better idea than to comply.

The Human followed Tash at a safe distance, far enough so she could react to any possibly deadly movement. Her eyes were glued to the captain's paws and her jaw.

"There." She pointed at a stand where a group of Monoke sat on stalls, seemingly eating something in a bowl. The noodles!

Her stomach growled upon the alluring smell. She had the urge to rush to the place with no regard for anything else, but she stopped herself. That was her first, if not only, chance to give a favorable impression to the captain.

Stella tried her best to walk alongside Tash with a confident swagger. She was either nailing it or looking like a complete fool. There was no in-between with her.

The girl sat in a reserved manner, trying to not look like a troublesome girl. Heh, that was too easy!

"Oh, ho! I wasn't expecting the Lycan Squad to crave my cooking so soon!" An Amikiri with pinkish scales and a black chef hat eagerly hovered close. "And who is this one?!"

Tash shook her paw. "No one that concerns you. That's all you should know."

"Ominous!" The chef snapped his claws rapidly. "Uh... I don't have enough seats for your entire team..."

Right, the squad was behind them. Euraidd licked his lips. A thin stream of saliva formed on his tongue and tainted the white tiles. Locci and Hufen maintained their posture and discipline while Tarb scowled at nothing.

"Three togarashi noodles, please." The captain ordered.

Wait, who were these-

"For you, for me, and for Lien." She answered before any question could be made. "You're welcome." She didn't even bother looking at the girl anymore.

Stella took a deep breath, then gathered all her courage. This lady couldn't be that scary, right? She just needed to talk to her, for starters.

"What if Lien takes too long to wake up?"

The captain snorts. "Trust me, she will wake up the moment she sniffs the damn thing."

Yeah, that tracked.

Surprisingly, Tash started talking unprompted. "Let me guess, you petted Lien, then she created that catastrophe?"

Fuck. Stella was doomed, wasn't she?

"Yep." Her voice deflated with each passing moment.

The captain smiled. "That pup... She always finds a way to make her mark, no matter where she goes! I assume even you noticed that."

The Human nodded.

"Tell me, when she figured out what you truly are, how did you convince her to stay?" Again, no glance at all.

Stella's gaze was focused on her hectic fingers, tapping into the wooden table. "It wasn't me. I was about to leave her alone. She was so scared..."

That memory saddened the girl. That bright pup, curling into a ball, frightened of her... It was like a dagger in the Human's heart.

"What happened, then?"

"She pulled the 'pack' thing we have going on. Something about me saving her and vice versa. An unbreakable bond, or whatever."

Tash scoffed. "Wow. You have no care for our ancient traditions, do you?"

Shit! Now, she fucked up!

"I-I'm sorry, ma'am! I care about your daughter a lot! I may not be the strongest! Or the smartest..." Holy crap, she sucked at this. "But I'll do my best to make her happy! I promise!"

What the fuck was that?! Stella had practically asked for her marriage blessing! Was her brain found on a bargain sale?!

It was so bad that the captain finally looked her in the eye again. "I-I..." She sighed, then resumed her distant demeanor. "Look, whether you care or not, you two are a pack. My feelings towards you are inconsequential, useless even."

Stella sighed with relief until-

A claw had buried deep on the table, dangerously close to Stella, making her eyes almost pop out of her sockets.

"If I see you bringing harm to my daughter..."

A sickening sound of wood being slashed by Tash's nail rang on the girl's core. It created a deep gash on the table, ending on the captain's side. She really could kill her right there and then.

She sheathed her natural weapon back. "I think we have reached an understanding."

That they did. That they did...