The Drowsy Feline

The backpack is quite spacious, I can't stretch my left wing out, but it isn't bringing any discomfort to my bound right, this is all just a precaution after all, after all ever since I crossed beyond the door... I, I've never seen anyone else like me. It is like James said, bad people could take an interest in me because of my wings and looks, and that won't just harm me, it'll also bring trouble to them even after everything they've done for me, I got no reason to complain about this one little thing, nor do I want to, after all, if they hadn't found me I'd be dead by now. Oh, these thumps from below, looking forth James has already re-entered, grinning as he puts something back in the folds of his beige jacket.

"How does it feel? No problems or discomfort right? Feel free to tell me if it is." Mary... Ah, I put the pen and paper block down in my lap, just a few moments.

("It feels light and spacious, it fits well") A sigh, relief is it? But there's one thing I just got to ask, it's been poking at me for a while since we arrived at the gate.

("Do you know where we'll stay tonight?") Her eyebrows are pinching closer to each other, painting a small thoughtful frown on her forehead, I've seen it a few times so far, but every time I can't help but think of it as cute.

"There's a few it can be since we had to cancel a reservation on the way back, so it will probably be one of the cheaper more inconspicuous places." They had to... because of me.

("Sorry") Her face puzzled with that same adorable frown, suddenly evening out, turning soft with the realization. Ouch! Her left hand just pinched my cheek.

"Don't be, it is honestly all the same since it's only for one night. But hey, I know one surefire way of figuring it out, Hey James! Where are we spending the night?" Sudden, loud, a bloom of excitement growing within, spreading all the way to my fingertips, James's blonde head turning to face us halfway, waiting... Is he drawing the moment out? Mean...

"It will be the Drowsy Feline." Feline? Like a cat? Abel's twitching slightly, is something wrong?

"That wasn't what, argh forget it." Wasn't what? Did James perhaps change inns?

"It's close to the market, since the two of you will spend the morning exploring a bit I thought it to be the best." Market? Those places with stalls of food and merchandise? Filled with laughter and haggle from the morning's first rays to the beginning of dusk's solemn shadows? Oh... I need to calm down, the feathers of my left are grinding against the insides of the bag, It's really going to happen, I'll be able to truly walk amongst those people taking in both sights, sounds, smells, and maybe I'll finally get to taste the sweetness of candy, how will it compare to peaches, oh I don't know.

"I'm sure you were." Chuckling? Is Mary laughing? Her eyes fixed at me, small drops of tears bulging from the sides of her bright eyes as she's trying to hold back a grin. Is there something funny on my face? Or did I perhaps... without even knowing, I must have smiled a most ridiculous smile.

It has been some time now, the faint burning shades of dusk drawing over these cobbled streets, people looking to head home with smiles on their faces whilst others still persist locked within their own activities, showing different paths of communities and life within this small walled of world beyond sleep, always moving, turning its own masterful clockwork for every grand passing second. Booths emptying out, shadows growing wider as light fades into the starry shape of night, in front a bright red three-story building, rays of flowing light piercing through the white curtains of its innumerable windows, I don't think I can count them all, for the first time since I woke I feel it, that creeping tiredness resting at the edge of my eyelids, ready to usher me away to the realms of dreams, as I lay my body to rest. Wait... the car is stopping? Could this be the Drowsy Feline? The two doors in the front row opening bringing with it a mild scent blended with stone, wood, and some sort of sweet smoky aroma, like something grilled over a raging fire, anything from meats to fruits? Or maybe it's something else entirely?

"Khatryn?" Mary, your hands resting on the door's handle, I ought to respond.

("I'm ready") My heart is beating, filling my ear with thumps as I step out on the cobbled pavement outside, Mary's hand feels so warm against my own, it's ensuring, it is proof that I'm here and not trapped within some strangely long dream... heh I think I see it now, the name must come from that wooden cat, curled in a sleeping position besides those tall double doors.

The room, the soft plush of bed, pillow, and sheet against my skin, making any and all tension from the entryway drain from my body, all those strange gazes from people, sizing me up and down whispering amongst themselves, my wings were well hidden at all times but I could hear a few of the lines spoken within hushed exchanges.

"She's pale as snow."

"What's with her eyes? They're the color of blood."

"Do you think she's ill or something?"

The attention, no matter their intentions was just suffocating, do I really stand out that much? Maryon's gotten into her nightgown slumping down on the bed beside's mine, her chestnut hair trailing down her back like a thick scarf... Did she perhaps think the same things as them the first time she saw me?

"Hey, what is it? Did the people in the reception bother you?" Seeing right through me with that warm gaze.

("Mary, do you think I look weird?") Her hand is reaching out to my cheek, is she going to pinch me again? No... it's gentle, stroking, transmitting its warmth.

"Not weird, you look unusual, but you're all the cuter for it, so don't let it bother you." Me, cute? This heat, am I blushing, or is her hand just that warm? Ah, I'm getting dizzy, eyelids... my eyelids have grown... heavier than before, I, I should lay down.

"Get some rest, we got lots to do in the morning." That smile, comforting, making me think that things will be... alright, just like him... just like Harry used to, even if he lied, even if he... killed, I miss him.

Floating through the void, cobbled roads and constructs materialize around me as I find myself standing at the middle of three docks, stretching out on a moonlit ocean drawn with specs of silver blinking above, and to the side just beyond a distant stone wall, a range of livid mountains rising from the sea appearing almost glowing. Something just moved past the shadows, stepping out into the main path leading down into the city's heart, someone swathed in cloth as dark as the alleys beyond light, head black as charcoal over eyes of a nostalgic deep blue sending my heart into a confusing flurry of emotions... Harry.