You look down at the significant plot of flowers. “This area has been tenderly cared for since as far back as I can remember. Maybe it isn't actually impossible for humans to maintain the flow of mana in the land?”

Kara scratches her chin lightly as she looks up in thought. “I don't think most humans would be able to keep a space like this.”

You look down at the various flowers and herbs. You always thought they just looked haphazardly planted. To a keen eye the plot is inefficient for commerce, but your father insisted that there was an order to it. You are grateful that you can now kind of grasp what he was getting at.

“I don't think most would, either.” You look up at the window facing the large garden. It is the one belonging to your parents room. Thinking about leaving your mother, sister and the whole town with Sam boils your blood.

“Let's stick around. We'll stay in town and come out here to train.”

“Suit yourself.” Kara's ears twitch and whatever sound caused this diverts her attention up to the window. She stares.

“What is it?”

“I doubt you wanna know.” You understand the implications. She heard something from down on the ground and she is looking up at that window. Your face flushes red.

“Dammit...”

She returns her attention to you. “I could just kill him.”

“Things have consequences in human society. Not to mention, he's apparently pretty powerful. More power, more consequences.”

Kara scoffs. “Powerful... This is where humans went wrong. It's what I've been talking about. How could you live in a world where you let humans that weak get that much 'power?'”

“We value different things. Besides, aren't I weak?”

“Heroes aren't weak. Those types of humans have always been accepted in my tribe.” She steps forward and pokes your arms. Your body is lithe at the moment, but fairly toned from training and helping to manage the farm.

“You're going to get really strong and big, I think.” The beastwoman smiles as she looks at you with her wide, golden eyes, almost salivating.

“Big and strong.”

“O-okay? So what you're saying is we start training soon?”

You leave the property and find Chesharidge's Inn. It is a large two-story building off of the main exit road. You know the owner as well as you do anyone else in this town. You walk up to the bar in the main hall. As it is the middle of the day, the tables are mostly empty. The owner stops what she was doing to greet you. She notices Kara and winks.

“Room for the night?”

“F-for many nights. Two rooms, please.”

Galia sighs. She is a middle aged woman that had been running the inn for most of her life. Before she ran it, she worked under her father as a barmaid and always was quite object of affection, according to your father. The woman she is now is not much different. Age has treated her well. Her most obvious feature, her sizable breasts, are shamelessly displayed in the low-cut dress she is wearing. The woman learned long ago that men spend more when they have something they want to stay and look at. As such, she carried through the tradition of hiring beautiful girls to work the floor. Those workers, you see, are sitting around the hall taking their break. There are two other girls that you are not as familiar with. You only know them as Fiona's friends.

“Sorry, we only have one room available. Single bed.”

“Seriously? That-”

“That's fine.” Kara shrugs.

Galia, the Innkeeper, smirks. “There, see? You'll thank me later.” She gives you a knowing look and crouches down behind the bar, rifling through some cabinets. She lifts back up and tosses you a key.

“Aren't you going to ask me why I'm not staying at my house?” You ask curiously.

“Why? I know why.” Galia sighs. “That Sam guy's there, right?”

You lean in. “You know about him?”

“Whole town knows about him. I think he's angling to get a bit of influence here, but that's just talk. What I know for sure is that he still comes in once a week or so to ogle some of my girls and have a few drinks.”

“That must be unpleasant.” You comment.

Galia laughs. “I mean... He tips well and he pays for everything he takes. Can't complain too much.” She glances between you and Kara.

“Unless you two wanna buy something to loosen up, I've got to get back to it.”

“Right, right. Let's go...” You lead Kara up the stairs towards the room number that is on the key. The Inn is fairly prestigious in the region and it is believable that all but one of the nice rooms in the building are taken, but you have a feeling that Galia was lying in order to 'do you a favor.' You pull Kara into the room you find and close the door behind you. As you are looking around for an additional place to sleep once night roles around, Kara walks up to the bed and plops down. You spy a small love seat that you could probably make your home.

“So, I might take that seat to sleep on.”

“Hey.” Kara calls out from the bed.

You are still planning. “Alternately, I could just 'camp' in doors on the floor. Never minded the sleeping bag or the ground.”

“Hey!” Kara raises her voice to grab your attention. You look over to see that she is sitting with her long legs spread. It is hard not to see most of her in the skimpy travelers attire she is wearing. You wonder who advised her to put that on, as you can't imagine it is tribal.

“What?” You gulp, watching her lean back onto her hands.

“You don't have to be so unfamiliar. We can sleep in the same bed.” She offers casually, as if it is no big deal. Your face goes red. She notices and makes an annoyed sound. 'Psh.'

“I don't get you humans... You're so weird about sex. Though, I do kinda appreciate you letting me know about the thing about your human..” She smiles and points down.

“Thing. That coulda put me in some rough spots.”

“I feel like you are probably a bit too free about it all, to the extent that you were going to suck on my... You know.” You exhale deeply, shaking your head.

“I think this is a cultural divide where you're just going to have to accept that I'm right on this one.”

“Really?” She lifts one of her crimson-red brows and stares at you.

“Humans don't seem well. All this avoidance of it seems like it just makes you obsessed. Like... Why do you care at all that the man is mating with your mother? Her old mate left.” She comments, adding thoughtfully.

“I know why I would not want to mate with him. His lineage seems weak, but for humans that 'value things different', isn't he actually pretty perfect for your family?”

“That's ridiculous.” You barely humor the thought. You are unable to.

“I'm serious. You humans like the invisible. All the monies and the organizations and the influence. You join families to make all those things bigger and better for yourselves, so what's different here?”

“God dammit, Kara...” You groan, planting your face in your hands. Deep down you know she is at least partially right.

“The problem is that he is... Using his influence and power to coerce my mom into doing all this.”

“Part of her likes it.” She says bluntly.

“W-what did you just say?”

“It's hard to ignore. If my longtime mate left, I'd probably wanna find someone else. Is your mother getting a pretty bad deal?”

“She... Seems to think it is a fine deal for us. But she has to endure that pig.”

Kara mulls over that thought. “So the part she's gotta 'endure' isn't even that bad if it sounds like she actually enjoys it a lot on some level.”

“F-fuck!” You punch the solid wall next to you. “What the hell are you saying!?”

She looks at you calmly. “I'm saying that maybe this isn't a fight. Maybe it's something where you need to step back.”

You roll your eyes at her, stepping towards the bed. “Is that your opinion, oh wise master?” She nods.

“Thank you! That's such good advice! Just let the asshole abuse my mother and family and town!” You are right in front of her now. She is looking up at you unflinchingly.

“I thought there were consequences in human society. Is abuse of all these things something that doesn't?” She questions pointedly.

Your eyes widen. You are frustrated because, somehow, she struck at the point of the issue. Sam has not done anything that is outwardly wrong. His relationship with your mother is one that is largely contractual, but that is no different from any average, unhealthy relationship. Many people in the town may also have parents that are in such agreements on a smaller scale. They may be in those types of arrangements themselves. Sam is doing to your mother what you call abuse, but she will not speak out against him for it and you also can not shake the sound of her pleasured moans from your mind.

“I'm just mad.” You admit.

“Your father?”

“Yeah...” You look down and away, furrowing your brow tightly.

Kara stands up and embraces you tightly. “I think you should focus on what you have, not what you don't.”

“What do I have?” You ask bitterly. In response, Kara releases you from the hug and plops back down onto the bed, bouncing lightly. She slides back and looks at you with parted lips and eyes of intent.