A Place for the Unwanted

"Boris. Don't bring that rabbit-eared one in here. He's gonna ruin the inn's reputation. A kid with fur like that should be out with the horses—having a roof and straw is already more than he deserves. And that other one? That weird patchwork-looking one? What is he, huh? I've never seen anything like it. Is he even a beastman? Or is he a monster? Don't bring something that creepy inside. You'll scare off the paying guests."

Bao Bei shrank back behind Judy, his strange, multi-colored fur making him stand out even more. Judy's long ears drooped as he lowered his head, ashamed and quiet.

Boris looked down at both boys—Bao Bei cowering behind the older one, Judy still and sad—and without a word, he gently picked Bao Bei up with one hand and patted Judy's head with the other.

"We've been coming to your place for years," he said coldly. "But this is the last time. Sorry to bother you."

Leaving the inn behind, Boris didn't look back—not even once at the innkeeper, who stood there with her mouth hanging open in stunned silence.

And he knew: he would never step across that threshold again.

It wasn't until the fifth place they tried, after much searching, that they finally managed to rent a room. It was at a small, tucked-away inn located near the edge of town, hidden behind a quieter street.

This modest establishment seemed to cater to those whom the townspeople typically looked down upon for the color of their fur.

There were many staying there with dull shades of brown, gray, muddy blues or yellows—tones either murky or strangely in-between.

Adventurers, travelers with no fixed home, and skilled artisans seeking temporary lodging all seemed to gather here. Inside, the inn was clean and modest, and surprisingly cozy. It had a peaceful, lived-in warmth.

"Alright, a twin room for you two. Dinner? Okay. Take your time—enjoy your stay!"

The innkeeper is a pink fox-eared man with a cheerful voice, he handed them the key with a smile.

"Dinner's at six, alright? I'll save your seats, so no rush getting there."

A friendly gray dog-eared woman, wiping down the tables in the tavern and dining hall on the same floor, gave them a casual, welcoming smile.

This place is good, Boris thought. The innkeeper clearly treasured his wife, and the atmosphere was filled with a quiet kind of happiness.

He could feel the tight tension slowly leaving Judy's body, who had been clinging to Boris's side the entire time. Boris smiled warmly at the sight.

...

It was early morning when they left that final inn. Now, Boris stood in front of a shared carriage bound for Gustglen Town.

All they needed to do was pay the fare, and Bao Bei and Judy could board. But Boris didn't move. His expression was deeply troubled. Bao Bei and Judy looked up at him, puzzled by the hesitation on his face.

Boris was wrestling with his thoughts. As they passed through increasingly larger towns, discrimination based on fur color had grown sharper and more merciless. The more people there were, the crueler things seemed to become.

He couldn't help but worry about leaving Bao Bei and Judy on a public carriage. From the very beginning, they might be denied entry. Even if they were allowed to ride, there was no telling what kind of unfair treatment they'd be subjected to during the journey.

And even if they did manage to reach Gustglen Town safely, there was no guarantee they'd be allowed to enter the city.

Even if they got in, who would guide them to their destination? Would they actually make it to the old woman's house they were trying to reach? Worse yet, what if they were bullied or attacked by heartless strangers and then thrown away like garbage?

No—he couldn't leave them here. Not like this. Boris clenched his jaw. He had made up his mind.

But he had a deadline to meet for a critical trade deal. He had already spent extra time traveling with Bao Bei and Judy. He couldn't afford to make a detour to Gustglen Town right now.

For a merchant, failing to meet a promised delivery date was one of the worst things that could happen. Reliability was everything in his line of work.

—Alright then! I'll bring Bao Bei and Judy with me and take care of the urgent business first. Then I'll come back and personally escort them to their destination. It'll cost more. It'll take longer. But that way, he could be sure they'd be safe. He couldn't risk exposing these kids to danger.

Just as Boris turned to tell Bao Bei and Judy about his decision, a voice called out from behind him.

"Oh? Boris—are you heading to Gustglen Town?"

He turned to see a man with blue-green fox ears standing there, smiling in a familiar, friendly way.

"Oh, Wilde! It's been a while, hasn't it?" Boris replied, returning the smile.

The man was a fellow merchant whom Boris had met several times at a shop in this town, one he had a friendly relationship with.

Like Boris, he was a regular who had a standing contract with the shop, though unlike Boris, who owned a permanent store in a village, this man was a traveling merchant—moving between towns and villages selling his goods.

"Looks like you've got some adorable company with you today," the man said.

Wilde who is now in his mid-thirties, was probably reaching the age where he was thinking about settling down and having children of his own. He glanced over at Bao Bei and Judy, his fluffy, blue-green fox tail swaying with soft rustling movements.

"So, which direction are you heading from here?" Boris asked, testing the waters.

"I'm heading to Gustglen Town," Wilde answered casually.

Seeing the troubled expression on Boris's face, Wilde tilted his head and continued, "What's up? You got business in Gustglen Town or something?"

"Actually, yeah," Boris admitted. "I've been asked to deliver these children to a certain estate in Gustglen Town."