Ah well... here we go again. "I'm not human," Dauphin said softly. "Well, not fully human...."
"You look human enough to me." The bartender's smirk was mocking.
"I am... what is called a Sharle, or a Creanth. I don't know what it would be in your languages," she added apologetically in the general direction of the other customers.
They all understood. An empty space formed around Dauphin. Some of the creatures looked scared, others uncomfortable or sullen. Quiet whispers passed between them and none would meet her eye. It always happened this way. She always tried to hide who she was as long as possible. At least there was no weapon in sight now.
"Are you trying to scare all my customers away?" the bartender demanded angrily. Indeed, the bar had become noticeably emptier. Dauphin mentally grinned: it was as if the man's position gave him the courage to face her that was lacking in trolls almost twice his size.
"I don't want to cause trouble," said Dauphin pleadingly. "I just want a meal and a place for the night. I won't bother anyone."
Just then, someone remarked audibly, "Some humans have no taste! To cross..." Dauphin shot a cold stare in the direction of the remark.
"If humans have no taste, how come no human has ever crossbred with a troll OR a goblin?"
"That's just because they have no taste," piped up a shortish, skinny goblin to some nervous laughter. Mostly, the bar's patrons just wanted to escape her attention.
Just then, the barman addressed her again. "What will the creanth have for dinner?"
"Human food, of course," Dauphin said firmly.
"Well, we don't have much demand for that, but I think we could find you some... beef. And perhaps I could fix you some potatoes..."
"That would be just fine, thank you."
The man disappeared in the kitchen.
As she was waiting for the food, Dauphin thought that there was something unusual about this bar. Despite the bar's refusal to admit human customers, the barman was obviously human. And, as she observed, the relationship that existed between him and the bar's non-human customers was friendly, if on the gruff side. As the girl watched, a large troll ordered a drink, threatening to eat the barman if he didn't like it. The man just laughed, saying, "If you do, where will you get your next one? No-one else will serve you in this town." The drink finally arrived, and the troll quaffed it on the spot, apparently satisfied.... Then there was the way the man had called her a creanth. That would make him Fahrian, or possibly Seraelite. A long way from home, either way.... A most curious place.
It was obvious that the cook wasn't very familiar with human food, but it was edible. It filled the stomach, too. After the last two weeks, that was more than satisfactory.
Dauphin scanned the crowd again. They were still avoiding her eyes. Some of them were probably discussing her, judging by the furtive looks thrown in her direction, but they made sure to keep their voices too low for her to hear. It always happened this way. Dauphin knew she was safe here: no-one would be stupid enough to challenge her now that they knew who she was. Still, sometimes she just wished not to be such a freak, despite all the powers she had.
Dauphin felt a sudden desire to go to one of the little groups of drinkers and just talk, or even join in the horrible song trilled badly by a drunken goblin and his rowdy friends in a corner. No, they would all run away if she approached. She felt very alone. Always alone.
Dauphin decided to...
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