Well, yes, of course I was going to talk about the other races, don’t interrupt me! And no, slimes are not the only thing I discuss! They are simply a very intriguing topic!

Ahem. Humanity has not been the only sapient species to crawl on Asterias’ lands and swim in her seas since time immemorial. Regrettably, humanity also chooses to segregate any species that are not its own, and so stereotypes and biases run rampant.

Firstly are the Nakfolo, the reptilian nomads of the Cyrilian deserts. They live in their harsh environment by a small amount of choice and a good bit of necessity, due to their cold-blooded nature. Curiously, snake-adjacent specimens exist as well, despite their relatives’ lack of limbs. Nakfolo often possess powerful venoms, and a detailed knowledge of how to treat them.

The avian Madarai opt to live in a number of mountain ranges, which few dare to try and traverse. While atrociously fond of battle, they nevertheless are avid to any and all incoming information, and welcome scholars and researchers with open wings. Of course, they try to use that information to empower themselves in all kinds of new ways, but the chance to learn or teach is always an appreciated one.

As for the Koliph, the felines can be found in nearly any city or major town in the world, but are most frequently found in Barabar, the Traveling Tavern. They share a startling similarity to cats of any kind, often housecats. They do not often form packs or families of any kind, staying to themselves.

Finally, the waterfolk of the seas, the Nyrmadi.

They don’t talk to us.

-Daro D’Vari, acclaimed playwright

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Miro bobbed in Olivai’s arms, eagerly waiting in line for Bordi as the shopkeeper finished up a sale to one of the lizardly people Miro had noticed. Avynne and Otto were quietly talking to each other behind them, exchanging better introductions.

Donnel, thankfully, was nowhere to be seen. Miro had been more than a little worried that he would be waiting for them at Bordi’s shop, but the only thing to indicate his presence was a dirt stain on the chair he’d occupied the last time Miro had visited.

With a friendly nod, the lizard-person took the wrapped package from Danbur and walked out of line, giving Miro a curious look. Miro burbled pleasantly at her, and an expression of confusion crossed her face before hastily walking out the door.

Bordi raised an eyebrow at the motley group. “I see you brought me more customers. D’you want the same as last time?” He eyed Miro with no small amount of suspicion. “That thing ain’t eaten anyone yet, right?”

“No, of course not,” Olivai hastily told him. “Miro has a sizable appetite, though. I’m sure you can help with that.”

Bordi’s expression lightened somewhat. “Now that’s something I can do. Anything you have in mind?”

Olivai scanned the menu lying on the counter. Miro peered at it, wondering how the letters worked with each other and whether or not it could figure out how to read them. It knew they were words, somehow, but it had no idea how to decipher them into comprehensible text.

“I think we’ll have a dozen of the chippers,” She mused, glancing back at Avynne and Otto. They were discussing weapons, to Miro’s surprise. Avynne didn’t seem like the sort of person to use weapons, especially when she had such dangerous claws and talons.

...Could her beak be used as a weapon?

Bordi grinned. “Good pick,” He said approvingly. “They’ve got a good taste and they’re plenty filling, for a snack.”

Turning around, he bellowed, “Danbur! Get some-” He paused as he realized the orc was standing right next to him, plugging his ears with a wince. Bordi promptly lowered his volume, having the decency to look a little abashed. “Didn’t know you were right there. Head into the back and wrap up a dozen chippers.”

Unplugging his ears, Danbur wordlessly nodded and headed into the back. Olivai watched him with a quizzical gaze. “He doesn’t talk much, does he.”

Bordi shook his head. “Sure doesn’t. Wasn’t the chattiest of people when I hired him, but nowadays he’s quieter than ever. Still works hard, though, so I won’t complain.”

Miro kept an eye on the door, curious about him. It’d never met an orc before, so Danbur was a bit of a mystery to it.

What sort of things did he do? Miro was beginning to suspect Avynne was immune to fire, or at least very resistant to it. Olivai could heal people and purify, along with whatever the eyes-glowing-gold thing she’d done when Miro had first met her. Otto was big and strong, with his armor and halberd.

Well, Miro could be useful too!

It suddenly came to a decision. It had no idea when or even if it could provide much help to Olivai or Avynne, but perhaps it didn’t need to! It certainly wanted to repay them, somehow, but had little to no idea how. There was no point in trying to instantly change itself into something it wasn’t, so it would try to change itself in small ways. And the best way to start

Dropping out of Olivai’s arms, Miro rolled across the clean tile floor of the counter. Olivai watched it, bemused.

With a sudden, forceful movement, Miro bounced up to the top, wobbling precariously, and then settled. It gave Bordi the friendliest look it was capable of. Bordi glared at it, briefly removing his attention from Otto and Avynne’s conversation, which was getting more animated the longer it went. “Miss, y’know I got nothin’ but respect for you. But keep that durrn slime away from my storeroom, or you won’t have one!”

Avynne hurriedly swept Miro off the counter, muffling its startled chirp in her wings. Olivai began apologizing as the Maradai walked away, gently chiding Miro, “Bordi does not like you as much as I do, Miro! Be careful.”

Miro burbled disconsolately, deflating somewhat in Avynne’s arms. It had been worth a shot, but failing with Bordi didn’t mean its efforts were completely useless! It just had to pick the right people to try and befriend.

The door opened with a cheerful jingle. Miro and Avynne both looked up at it, and saw Donnel stumble into Bordi’s shop, head hanging low. “Ey, shopkeep, grab me a few…”

His small yellow eyes widened as he took the scene in, and then wordlessly turned around. Avynne dropped Miro and lunged forward, hurling the door open as she charged after him. Otto jumped, startled, and ran after her. Miro and Olivai were quick to follow suit.

Just outside, Avynne had thrown herself into a leg-lock around Donnel’s head. He didn’t have much of a neck, unfortunately, and her claws screeched off his scales. Brushing her off, Donnel leapt into the air, pivoted, and shot toward the ground claws-first.

Otto tackled him just before he hit the dirt, and they both crashed to the earth a moment later.

Miro and Olivai rushed to help him, the paladin struggling to keep a grip on the wriggling dwarf. “Sit still!”

“Why?” Donnel shouted. “So ye can pick mah pieces out of mah shell and use ‘em as toothpicks?! I don’t think so!”

Bending in an unnatural way, he slipped out of Otto’s hands and tried to dive for the dirt again. Before he could make contact, Olivai whacked him with the end of her staff, and he tumbled across the ground. Coming to his feet, he spun around to run-

-and a leathery gray fist crashed into his face.

Miro heard a loud crack as the shell on Donnel’s forehead fractured, and the dwarf sailed backward. Looking up at the source of the punch, Miro saw Danbur. The orc was holding a white paper bag in one hand. He looked like he hadn’t expected himself to hit Donnel, but didn’t seem to mind having done so all that much.

Olivai frowned at him. “Danubry, right?”

He wordlessly shook his head, eyes wide. Otto picked Donnel up, tucking the unconscious dwarf under his arm. “Well,” The paladin began bluntly, “Thanks for the help.”

Miro nearly grabbed the bag out of Danbur’s hands before remembering that it wasn’t supposed to use its abilities in public. Instead, it nudged Avynne’s foot and indicated the bagged treats. The Madarai hurried forward and took it, giving Danbur an awkward bow. “Thank you for the food.”

Danbur swallowed hard. “Uh.”

Miro waited for him to continue talking.

He didn’t. Instead, he turned around and hastily walked back into Bordi's shop.

Examining Donnel, Olivai said aloud, “He might need some healing, but it’s nothing too complex. We should probably make sure we find all the pieces that broke off - if the shell doesn’t mend fully, it could prove bad for him in the long run.”

Miro was utterly unconcerned with the ‘long run’ when it came to Donnel. He’d hurt Avynne! She’d been healed, yes, but he’d hurt her!

And he tried to pop Miro, but that felt less important.

Olivai turned to Miro and Avynne. “Avynne, I’ll have to ask you to take care of Miro for a bit. I need to deliver Donnel to the jail. After that, Otto and I are heading to Carodai Melas to… check up on a few things. Keep it safe, alright?”

Miro stared at Olivai in blank confusion. Why was she leaving? Why didn’t she want to take Miro? What had it done wrong?!

Hefting Donnel over his shoulder, Otto began walking away. Olivai leaned down and gave Miro a quick pat, and then followed him.

Avynne took a step forward. “Olivai!”

Miro looked up to her with equal shock. She’d used Olivai’s name?!

Olivai turned around, her expression radiating strained patience. “Yes, Avynne?”

“You… you can’t leave Miro behind!” Avynne stammered. “Aren’t you going to help it? Weren’t you going to raise it?”

Olivai shifted uncomfortably. “Well, yes, that was my intention. But…” She considered her words for a moment, and Miro nearly felt its gel freeze.

“It is fascinating, and adorable for sure. I want to know more about it! But…” She hesitated. “Not right now.”

Miro suddenly recalled the moment Avynne had dropped it midair with startling clarity. It was a similar feeling to now.

Olivai crouched, looking awkward. “Miro, it’s not that I think you’re useless, or bad, or anything like that. Not at all! It’s just that I don’t have the time right now. I can’t give you the attention you deserve.”

Standing, she went to follow Otto. “It’s not personal, I promise. Besides, you seem to be getting along with Avynne so well.”

Miro wasn’t sure the world was working properly. It felt much slower, and full of needles.

Waving, she called, “I’ll see you in a few weeks, alright?”

It was wrong.

Olivai was Miro’s first caretaker, the first person to pick it up and give it food, the person who gave it a cushion, a place to stay, conversation. She couldn’t be telling the truth.

Just to check, Miro opened its mouth and tasted the air. It smelled of broken shell, the faint scent of charred feathers, and humid worry.

It didn’t taste regret.

Miro broke a little.