Author's Note

Have fun with this one it took a little while to write! Remember to leave a comment with constructive critisism, suggestions, and concerns about misunderstandings and such of that nature if you don't understand something, just comment and let me know so I can clear it up!

Farmers Market

First I needed paper, and second I needed something to write with. All the paper was out of my reach because of Wench and Talon keeping me out of the kitchen. So how would I communicate-

BANG!

The sound of glass shattering dragged me from my thoughts and planning.

Annoyance. Pure annoyance for Wench was the only thing I could feel right now. I felt my heart sink as I looked at the old bar keep chasing around her youngest child, who was a giggling ball of fluff and feathers. I'd hoped she'd get a break from the little one, but there was none. So I stepped in.

I gave a mocking squawk to the little shit in question and she looked at me, her crest fluffed in surprise. Everything fell silent as she and I made eye contact. I charged and she gave a loud squawk of surprise as her wings flared open and she flew a little above my head. I turned around and hunched down playfully.

She took the bate and swooped at me and I dove to the side, nearly tripping Wench as she tended to the guests of the inn. She screeched some word like "PLUCK" and I jumped up, scratched her head and ran out the door, the little airborne fluff ball following quickly behind me dashing passed the residents currently making camp in the bar on the stools.

It's strange to see such massive majestic creatures doing human things, and I was surprised at first. But being stuck here for a few days had me quickly adjusted to the new way of living. For the most part it was me sitting in the corner, waiting to be acknowledged by anyone who came in and them asking questions. A few times- get this -a traveling pony passed through and asked what breed I was. They always focused on my ability to run, and I became uncomfortable every time. They'd just sit and analyze my body with a gaze that I couldn't place. I eventually would have enough and tug on Claw's tail until I would be locked in a vacant room with a bed, food, and water. As humiliating as that was, that was then and this is now.

Now I sat wrestling a gryphon chick less than half my size but twice my strength to the ground, getting dirt all over my hair and in her feathers. A smile and little battle screech was heard every few minutes, causing passerby's to place bets on who would win.

I won. Let's make that clear. I won the fight, because being pinned by a mythological creature the size of a small dog mixed breed is not something anyone could say they've done whatsoever. I sat with my face in the dirt, little talons digging into the skin on my arms as Talon cheered her on from the background. Claw was not as supportive cooing out for my to fight back.

"I'll be damned if that human gets back up after this..." Talon laughed and shook his head.

Ohhhhhhh you've got yourself a challenge Mr. Murderous Feather Brain.

I squirmed violently and tried grabbed at the little griffons wings. I caught one and she began to flap to get free, and I rolled free, stumbling up to my feet. I picked up the little bird cat and held her under my arm, pinning her wings to her sides and her talons became useless as she didn't want to actually hurt me. She wriggled and squirmed, and I triumphantly carried the little one back inside to get her ready for school.

Talon trotted back inside with a defeated look, and Claw pranced in like a reindeer on Christmas. Claw purred and brushed her body against me as she trotted past, and Talon handed her a bag of coins. This interested me, because I had a brief chance to analyze the face of one of the coins. A sun, moon, Griffons talon and a weird hoof on it along with about 12 more symbols.

"Mama, can I bring Mikros to school? Pleaaase??" Slashers voice was the sweetest, cutest little mew you could ever expect from her. However, Wench was somehow immune to the ancient technique and responded with the harshest steely ice cold voice she could. She destroyed the little Griffon in only one word.
"No."

The simple response was enough to make her pout and trot out, climbing up onto her sisters back to have her fly her to school. Which was weird, but I did kinda grab the base of her wing so I could understand how it would be sore.

Wench closed down the bar and inn so she could go shopping, packing her bags full of food and hitching a wagon to her barrel. My eyes widened and I felt the sudden urge to jump into the wagon and ride it to our destination. However, the second I had the thought she glared back at me with an exhausted look.

"I really should have you checked... The cheapest deal would be 15 bits, but I'd never be able to afford the branding or the temperature check," OH FUCK NO "Oh well... A collar should suffice just as well I suppose. And maybe some proper food instead of bar scraps," Aw no I like the food you make even if the kids... And 90% of the residents don't! "20 bits all in all on the human a month? That's less than my kids eat per week." Thank you universe. "But... Maybe having you spaded wouldn't be a bad idea so maybe..." An audible whimper came from my form and I was crouched in the corner, holding my hands over my nether regions. "You're right... That'd be just mean. Waste of a perfectly good breed!" She seemed overly enthusiastic as she said it. "So, hop in and we'll head out alright girl? Come on, get in!" She motioned adamantly to the cart and I obliged.

We started on our way, Wench pulling me along in the wagon, a smile on her beak as we made our way to a strange city. It took hours seemingly, but we finally reached the bustling marketplace alit with adult activity from all around, from human sales to chicken sellers, barrel makers to jewelry crowners. I looked around, my jaw agape at the massive buildings around us, giving off a major Victorian era vibe. I glanced at the human venders and my jaw dropped when I saw the pure disgusting looking faces upon them, and I just... Suddenly felt a lot better to be myself.

I looked around, seeing the human traders eyeing me with longing and curiosity. Several times within 4 minutes a traders representative trotted up with an offer, one was 2,000 bits, one was 30,000 bits and the absolute highest offer was over 700,000 fucking bits. She didn't take the offer out of respect for the promise she made to her daughter, which I had to admit, was extremely admirable. When she finally left him behind, looking completely bewildered, I stuck my tounge out at him and he fluffed his crest in exasperation. I chuckled quietly and looked around the passing markets, she bought a couple boxes of food, some barrels of hard cider, and a bag of fabric to make me some proper clothes, for which I was grateful. wench decided that if she was going to suffer, I had to too. She bought me a human pulled wagon and had it hooked to my shoulders. The metal on the inside was cushioned padding so my skin wouldn't turn purple from the metals. I walked forwards and was surprised when it was so easy to drag the new weight.

The griffoness smiled and had me unhooked from the harness and gingerly placed back inside the wagon she had me pulled from. This felt a tad ridiculous because of the look on her face. She had the wagon attached to the back of her own and she trotted forwards with the extra storage space. Wench smiled happily as she trotted toward the evaluation stall, making me increasingly worried.

"Hello! I've got a human here and I was wondering what the age is on her?" She looked me directly in the eye as she spoke. "She's for my daughter and I'd be crushed if she'd only be around for a few years." Her voice trailed off and I rolled my eyes.

"Sure thing miss, just have your human step right here into this bubble plea- OH MY BLOOD FEATHER!" His reaction was hilarious to say the least. His crest fluffed, as well as the feathers all the way down his body.

"SHE'S THE RAREST BREED AROUND! HOW ON EQUSS-" What?? "-DID YOU GET AHOLD OF HER?!" His squawking cries silenced the surrounding areas and made me cover my ears.

"My son was going to eat her, I rescued her, and now she belongs to my daughter." She explained blandly, making me smile slightly to myself. I need to communicate, but not right now. This was the most hilarious thing ever. There was a smirk in her voice, which was weird because she had an innocent look on her face. "Now, what's the age of Mikros here?"

The poor Griffon was left to think for a moment.

"She appears to be in good health, in good shape, and high in energy. I assume... She's about 2- maybe 3 if we're stretching this."

I let out an audible sound of contempt.

I AM 15 .79 YEARS OLD THANK YOU!!! WHAT IN THE HELL MAKES YOU THINK I'M 2?! 3 AT THE OLDEST?!

However my mind drifted to the treatment of the humans of this world... Collars... Leashes... Ropes and talk of spading?? The humans here must be like... Animals...

My eyes widened as she continued on, thanking him for the brief physical and he offered her a free collar, bed, and bag of food if he could look at me a tad longer. She allowed it in exchange for the supplies. He gave me an oral and dental exam, along with a... Gynecologistic exam. Much to my resistance. This only rose concern from the griffon and he looked puzzled.

"She's a virgin? She should have been bred at least once by this stage..." His voice trailed off as I clamped myself closed and hid in the back of the cart like wagon. I landed face first into the new pillow bed thing and I was immediately dozing off, even in the afternoon sun.

This was pure bliss.

However, I was quickly pulled out of my stupor by a jerk and a stop. She quickly stopped and I sat up and climbed out of the wagon to help with the new boxes. Indeed, there were boxes, and LOTS... of boxes of veggies. And a bag of paper and charcoal pencils labled: SLASHERS HOMEWORK PAPER.

Ohhhhhh don't mind if I doooooooooo!
I snatched a piece of paper and a charcoal pencil and hid them in my poncho. Wench thought she caught me looking for treats and I was quickly smacked over the back of my head with a wing.

"No! Bad! You'll get to eat soon, but that is NOT yours!"

I hated that moment.

That moment where you remember your place in the world.

Doesn't matter what world, you're still treated like an animal.

At least people here WANTED me, unlike back home.

Depressing thoughts aside, I had my way of communication!

Next is just telling Slasher, and hoping they don't rip my brain out of my head!

There was a whistling sound as Wench walked by a strangely quieter part of the market. She stopped by a jewelry vendor and I looked on in astonished envy of which kid got this present. There was a moment of silence before she found it.

A golden griffon pendant...

With the name MIKROS in all caps, and fancy writing under it. She clipped it to the collar she had gotten my and hung it loosely around my neck and I obeyed the unspoken order to leave it be. She bought a leash, and left it be from then on. I voiced my protest in groans and embarrassed whines. There was no way this was coming off without her removing it.

"Shhhhh. We're heading home now, just settle down and be quiet, you'll see Slasher soon enough." She smiled and I settled down, my arms crossed. Soon, they'd know I'm not stupid!

I relaxed quickly with the lulling of the wagon and the monotonous rumbling vibration of the cart. I dozed.

When I awoke, I was back in the inn. Back in my vacant room... And back with the silence of my own thoughts. I heard a crinkling sound, and my smile returned. I reached into my shirt and removed the paper and charcoal pencil like stick. Ohhh happy day!
By the light of the moon, I wrote out one message, one only Slasher would see.

My name is NOT... Mikros.... And yes I'm the one who wrote this.