The tidal wave of nervousness and shame hit him like a hurricane of nausea. The smiling girl looked perfectly happy, almost serene on the outside, but she couldn't fool a true empath. They'd found another The Wagging Tail just a street over and gone into the massive inn without complaint. This sharp feeling could have butchered a cow, and it had only taken effect when the hostess, a thin, stripped cat girl, greeted them by asking, “Bunny?”

  Much to her credit, despite the stabbing wave of strong emotion, the girl tossed her hair and replied simply, “Bunny is a knight.”

  The confused cat glanced uneasily at the two and a half humans surrounding the wererabbit. She clearly wanted to ask questions, but a manager from the back barked at her to hurry up. Like a cat, the girl calmly fixed her hair and took her time with introductory hugs as she vapidly chatted away.

  She hugged the men first, in an order that seemed almost calculated. Teddy stood there like a statue, enduring the ritual. Then, a hug with Ed as if they were long-lost friends. Stone tried to wiggle his way free, but he had no way to stop the weregirl aside from violence. His red cheeks grew three shades darker at the hug; his mouth twisted into a horrified, embarrassed grimace as she grabbed his rear. Not that he'd be able to feel much under his thick armor.

  Finally, it was the wererabbit's turn, whom Ed realized was short for one of the werefolk. In her heeled booties, she was just taller than Ed, but a few hairs shorter than Teddy if one didn't count her ears. The average were-women was half a head taller, and the males another head above that. The much taller hostess hugged the wererabbit like a cat catching a mouse – not to eat but to play with until the mouse died.

  The cat had forgotten that cornered prey was dangerous. This prey became the hunter, holding the other in place as if in a trap. Closing his eyes, Ed couldn't watch the counterfeit knight bring shame to the entire order. Knights were supposed to be the safety and security of The Thirteen.

  “Does this friend truly believe low caste prey-were is group omega?” came the dangerously edged question in a whisper so sharp it cut to the soul. All at once, the simple words were accusatory, condescending, rage-filled, all-knowing, and innocently ignorant.

  The hostess swallowed and tried to pull away, but found herself trapped in the shorter woman's strong grip. Her answer was barely more than an angry, defiant whisper, “Prey-were cannot be omega. Cathie hoped prey would realize the mistake and leave before Cathie had to touch prey.”

  “So, a lower-predator-were hostess dared to ignore a proper order of greeting? Forgot? Never knew? How embarrassing! Unbefitting of a predator. Does Cathie seek further humiliation? Bunny will provide if desired.”

  Her pink lips curling devilishly, the rabbit pulled the cat's head down to her shoulder, holding it in place. The taller woman was now awkwardly hunched, but couldn't escape. While all werefolk had the physique of bodybuilders, the cat girl had presumably skipped a few arm days wereas the rabbit hadn't skipped one since she was born. It was no contest.

  “This inn is for the upper castes. Lower castes don't belong,” came the quivering reply.

  A threatening whisper slithered sweetly from the rabbit's tongue, “Smile, dear. Werefolk are cutest when smiling. People are watching. So, many little etiquette errors. Is it not the duty and privilege of the upper castes to ensure the proper treatment of the lower? Do all werefolk here forgo all manners of society except caste?”

  “Everyone here is well-mannered and amiable. All well socialized. Cathie made a small mistake,” Cathie replied. Then, as if using the last of her courage, she added, “Like prey walking in here instead of a properly outfitted inn.”

  “Oh? Bunny is a knight. Knights are granted upper-caste status regardless of whether they channel. Should Bunny discuss proper training with inn-alpha? No, Bunny will not abuse power as Cathie did. Cathie learned manners, Bunny is sure. Bunny graciously forgives friend Cathie this time,” Bunny intoned with an air of sanctimonious grace. “Don't forget manners. Smile for Bunny,” with that, the sweetly smiling woman released her hostage.

  Jumping back hurriedly, the werecat gasped for air, her long hair having acquired twice the volume as if she'd been charged with static electricity. It seemed as though the entire bar had turned to watch the scene.

  As full of surprises as she was confused anger, Bunny proclaimed, “How wise Cathie is to identify Bunny as the group omega! Inn-Alpha was right to name Cathie hostess. Many forget that knights are the upper caste! Many more fail to notice Bunny is one who has a secondary channeling!”

  The crowd almost collectively made a sound of understanding. A rabbit didn't belong. A knight belonged simply because it was the law. A secondary channeling? That was a true upper caste. The other occupants nodded along, grateful they hadn't been in the hostess's position. Many doubted they would have noticed. While the crowd lost interest in the specific, many tables began discussing less-obvious secondary channelings.

  Visibly shaken, but manically grinning, Cathie showed them to their seats in a prominent alcove with a deference Ed had yet to see since entering Callie. She went as far as to perform a version of the “Callian bow” (not so much a bow as it was a one-legged balancing act to seem cute and harmless). The wererabbit dismissed her with a practiced gesture; all her embarrassment had dissipated, replaced with muddled, strong emotions Ed had neither the time nor the patience to work out. He didn't even understand his own feelings about the affair.

  The Wagging Dog was not only the largest building in town, but a bustling hive of activity for all ages. Upstairs, children and families are in a secluded section, with families climbing the stairs immediately upon entry. All the tables were low with cushions and legless chairs serving as seats. Alcoves filled with cozy booths lined two walls. This being one of the largest Callian buildings, there was a second stack of booths above the first, with only a small platform for the talented waitstaff to stand upon. Guests for the higher booths had to leap or fly to their seats.

  This was a place where exercise met drinking. Gym equipment was not hidden away; it had ample space for the large crowds it attracted. There was a good amount of space between popular equipment as crowds gathered to cheer and hype each other up. Not that they needed much, as almost everyone seemed to have brought their own pair of free weights and lifted as they socialized, floating from table to table. Cario took place on the massive dance floor to high-tempo live music played from a stage in the corner of the roughly ampitheatre shapped building. The center of the cavernous inn was a two-story square bar that also surrounded the kitchen. Bartenders, cooks, and waitstaff buzzed about like bees in a hive. The smell of piping-hot, sweet, and spicy food filled the air as the great woks tossed rice dishes in a delightful show, almost in time with the music.

  Drinks arrived before Ed realized he'd been too distracted watching the stagely ordered cacaphony to order. Despite the gym, the food smelled incredible, and his mouth began to water expectantly even as his eyes moved to watch the fruits tossed and sliced mid-air. Everyone from the bartenders to the waitstaff seemed to do everything with a flourish, much to the delight of their audience. There was nothing that the Callians wouldn't make a grand show out of.

  “Could we please see a menu?” Eddy asked, his eyes darting back and forth from the open-air kitchen with the hand-made food. Food printers could make anything, of course, but there was something special about food made by living beings. Even the best food printers couldn't put the unique magic in the dishes the way a person could. It was what some cultures called cooking with love. Nothing was quite as satisfying.

  “Me-n-ewe?” the waiter asked, looking at Bunny expectantly.

  “What are the food options today?” the girl asked with a regal smile, ignoring the question. She was in her element and grateful for a chance to be of service. How quickly her mood had changed.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  There was a brief conversation in which many words Ed didn't know were used before Bunny turned to the group. “In Callie, groups share a platter of food. The best option that pleases everyone requires a choice. Meal is best with chicken, pork, or fish. Which shall … we... eat?” She brightened considerably, proud of herself for remembering to use pronouns like she envisioned a knight would.

  “Fish,” Teddy answered just before Ed replied, “Chicken.”

  Half a moment later, Stone grumbled, “Castile 143:19,” and turned red.

  “Beef wasn't even one of the choices, mate,” Teddy countered before turning to Bunny, “Though, those beef tenderloin kabobs do look like something one should try.”

  The big man shook his head violently and glared at the blue knight.

  The blue knight turned to Bunny, saying, "Oh, yes. He also wants the lamb. Specifically, those lamb shanks that the table across the way has." Then he turned back to his friend, "Don't be angry with me. It still isn't one of the choices. I know from seeing those juicy skewers that ye'd truly enjoy the steak. Stop giving me that look. Ye know I am correct. Just look at them."

  His look softening and his eyes moving to the beef kabobs, Stone thought for a moment before nodding in convinced agreement, "Isabella 39-120."

  "He's in agreement about the steak kabobs. Medium rare for me, rare for him if ye don't mind. Don't forget the lamb."

  “Well, it should work out since Stone is part lordragon,” Bunny told the group after ordering. She was still struggling not to speak in third person and to use pronouns. She was catching herself more often than not now. “Frah'n...We ordered a lot of food.”

  Ed casually took a draft of his bright orange drink, almost choking on an unexpected piece of fruit. Lifting the glass, he examined the floating chunks and commented accusingly.

  Without acknowledging his coughing and sputtering friend, Teddy added his own comment, “Are we meant to consume these or are they for decoration?”

  Gingerly sniffing at his brightly colored concoction, Stone declared dejectedly, “Grosver 201:49.”

  “He is complaining that we shouldn't be consuming mind-altering substances such as alcohol whilst working,” Teddy smoothly translated as he sipped his own drink with one hand and used the other to gesture for Stone to hand over his. He tried it before setting it down and gesturing for Ed's, “Order him something non-alcoholic. This concoction could take down a moose. It may even make a seasoned alcoholic like Ed a bit tipsy.”

  Ed found himself trading drinks with Teddy across the table. The berry-flavored slush was much better in his opinion, despite also having floating chunks. The fruit bits were actually quite good, so long as one slowed down and chewed. He took his original drink back from Teddy, who made no motion to stop him.

  By the time the food arrived, Ed couldn't help but feel jealous of his blue knight. Their newest companion casually leaned against him like she'd known him all her life. They half-argued and half-chatted about Callian tables and manners. When the food arrived, they switched to bickering about cutlery and cooking. She asked a question, and he answered the one she asked, not the one she meant to ask.

  “These vegetables are raw. That is unacceptable. Do they want food-borne illness, or do they just not care because of their impressive healing capabilities? This is how one dies of disintary or poison,” Teddy complained as he finished a second steak kabbob cooked rare.

  Tiredly, Bunny replied, “That's salad. It's supposed to be like that. Those are carrots, and they are cooked. Carrots aren't naturally soft.”

  “It's disgusting, and those under-cooked carrots have snap left. This broccoli too. Is that man there eating a raw apple? It's raw for Gosh's sake. At least roast it or bake it into a pie. I shall need another drink to get through this. Something less sweet if ye wouldn't mind. Humans can't handle so much sugar in a single sitting.”

  “Do you have to use those things? You should use the bread to grasp food like this,” Bunny retorted as she waved down the waiter. After ordering, she demonstrated the Callian way of eating for a fifth or sixth time. It was clear she was moderately insulted by Teddy's insistence on using the chopsticks he'd brought with him, as were most of the Callians who bore witness. A cultural norm: Mechmians brought their own chopsticks indiscriminately, but most Callians wouldn't know or care.

  “Just let me eat, my dear. This food is adequate, and I am nearly drunk enough to not despise the idea of whatever this monstrosity you call a drink is.”

  "Do you know how rude it is not to eat with your hands?"

  "Yes."

  With her inhumanely long fingers wiggling in the air, the rabbit asked accusingly, "Then why aren't you using your fingers?"

  "Ye shall find I am using me fingers," came the nonchalant reply.

  "I'm watching ye-ou use sticks!" the girl snapped indignately, "No lying!"

  "I have not told a falsehood. What, pray tell, am I using to manipulate me chopsticks?" the Mechmian asked, snapping his chopsticks and moving them closer to her nose with each click. Though his friend didn't betray emotion in his face or tone, Ed was relieved to see even a hint of the blue knight's younger, more mischievous and playful self.

  Wiggling herself under the blue knight's arm to escape the wooden crocodile snapping at her nose, Bunny used the opportunity to arrange herself and the blue knight in a more Callian way. His left arm was over his shoulder as she snidely pointed out, "Stone is using his hands properly."

  Hearing his name gave the big man pause. He shut his glowing blue eyes, determined not to look, and shook his head before picking up a lamb shank. His eyes closed this time in a look of bliss; he grinned, contentedly chewing the bite of flesh and bone. Other diners looked toward the rather loud sound of crunching bone, but quickly averted their gaze. There was something inherently spine chilling about seeing a human man take bites straight through a lamb shank the way other people may crunch through a crispy dinner roll.

  "Stone has skin that will break werefolk teeth. I'm a human in a MAS. Do ye realize how vulnerable I would be? I may not even die, but get turned. That's a risk I am unwilling to take. The gloves stay on."

  Mouth dropping open with indignant shock, Bunny's close clipped words communicated her revulsion at the thought of werefolk biting, "No one would bite. Werefolk aren't savages. It's speciest to assume someone would."

  "Specism keeps humans, human," intoned Teddy knowingly, "Ye may feel differently if ye species was the primary dietary need for at least five primary species. Each witch is legally entitled to a human child every five years and is trying to renegotiate the treaty so they each get one a year. If humans don't protect ourselves, who will? I know it is difficult for a transhuman species to understand, but imagine being a human for a moment."

  "Oh, look. I don't have to work because I can sell my blood to the Karthalan vampires and take pre-orders for my body parts from the undead in Greenmeadow," Bunny mocked, "Life is so great being able to travel wherever I want and not have people suspect me of trying to eat humans or tempting vampires into digesting our poisonous blood! Also, I get to enjoy math and books about geometry whenever if I want. Being a human is so hard. Boo hoo hoo."

  Their lighthearted bickering was distracting, leaving Ed to wonder when exactly the target had entered the establishment. He could feel the bait in the tavern. Sha'dew were likely building and would give the bezerkers a great deal of work. If only the place weren't so lively. It overloaded his senses, so he couldn't pinpoint the source.

  Mentally, he reached out to Teddy and apprised him of the situation, “Any ideas?”

  It was strange to hear Teddy saying one thing to Bunny aloud and a completely different thing to him in his head, “Is this better?”

  The squelch sound that normally emanated from Teddy's find became quieter, “Yeah. How did you do that?”

  “Simply put, because I don't think ye would understand the intricacies, I'm compartmentalizing part of me thoughts to counterbalance the other thoughts. It's not perfect yet, but if ye remember to use this form of communication more often, I shall continue to improve. It's about time ye noticed the issue to be resolved arrived. Me money is on the werebear at the bar. We should investigate. By we, I mean ye. Go over to her and use ye abilities in the manner Gosh intended.”

  “Hey, I'm the leader! I say who goes. And you know I don't like to use my ability like that. It's wrong.”

  “Then tell yeself to go and complete the work as ye see fit. Hurry up about it. We don't have all night, and I'm far too inebriated to be particularly useful. It appears Stone was correct about the strong drink. Unless ye feel as though ye drinking affects our work. Which, if that is the case, we should send Stone and ye should stop habitually drinking.”

  “My drinking is under control, lightweight,” Ed shot back as he headed toward the bar area.