Board Thread:What Would You Do?/@comment-28718853-20190227173119/@comment-36855838-20190411135601

I bring the hammer down with regularity and precision.

The surprisingly loud bang of the nail being driven into wood produces a steady rhythm.

As I continue to aid in the building of the fence, we all fall in step to my personal drumbeat.

Soon, the fence is complete, and I gather my tools as I shake my neighbor's hand.

"Thanks for the help, Harold."

He deposits five coins into my outstretched hand, and I stoop low.

"It was nothing! I'll come back later with a rattlesnake. Pie!"

I can see his mouth begin to water at the prospect.

I wave as I leave, heading towards the market.

My hood pulled low to conceal my face, passerby gawk at the peculiar wraith who walks in broad daylight.

Of course, native townsfolk know me to be kind and helpful, stopping to chat or waving as they pass.

I reach the market with a spring in my step, and make my way over to the vegetable stand.

"Hello harold," the tall, thin woman who runs the stand bears a big goofy grin, "what'll it be today?"

I lean over the counter, pretending to eye the vegetables on display.

"You know what I want, Margaret, I'll take a bag of the good stuff."

She sweeps her eyes over the market, then reaches under the counter and hands me a paper bag.

"Anything else today, Harold?"

I give the vegetables a proper look.

"Two large carrots, two potatoes, and a head of cauliflower if you please."

She nods, bagging the vegetables as I open my bag to inspect my beets.

Suddenly, an eerie quiet begins to spread throughout the market.

I lick a finger, and hold it up.

There's no wind, the air lays stagnant.

Others begin to be startled by something, their shocked gasps reaching my ears, I turm towards the disturbance, checking first for stone statues or paralyzed victims.

Certain it's safe to look, I lift my head a bit higher, only to see hooves driving into the soft earth.

Looking I walk towards the hooves, certain in the identity of the newcomer.

I arrive at last before the figure who so terrified my neighbors.

Casting back my hood, I reveal my face, covered in black ink in dizzying patterns, all to say, property of her.

Looking tge minotaur up and down, I see the deep black fur, the horns which stretch two feet in either direction, the battle scarred muscular arms and chest, the unmistakable golden nose ring.

I also see the unusually wide hips, the newly sprouted breasts, the very distinct lack and presence of certain equipment, which is currently on display.

But woman ir no, this is somebody familiar.

"Agares, my old chum!"

I drop my toolbox, running forward to embrace her tightly.

"How good it is to see you again, how have you been old friend?"

She pats my head gently, then picks me up to return the embrace.

Seeing as she's twice my height, I can look over thre tops of several stalls, and an equally massive figure comes into view.

"You brought spot?"

I see the grin build on her face.

"Hell yeah, you think I'd come to see you and not bring her? She was crazy about you even when you were shit!"

I rub the back of my neck, embarassed.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right."

Agares raised her voice, "Hey, spot, c'mere old girl, I found Harold!"

The thunder of pawpads stomping towards us was almost deafening, and then she had arrived.

Her fur was black, soft, and smooth, with bright white spots, the reason for her name.

Her three heads were yammering about fetch and snuggles, but mostly snuggles.

She leaped the remaining distance and seated herself before me, her tail sweeping across the ground in a frenzy.

I began to pet, and she smooshed her heads and body into me, seeking affection.

Of course, she always got what she wanted.

Then, I saw, out of the corner of my eye, pure white fur, with faint gray stripes.

The tall tigress strode up, all levity draining away as she approached.

"We need to take him to mistress, you can play with him later, Kerberos."

Spot whined, "b-but-"

"Zip it."

The Jinko hoisted me over her shoulder.

"Can't she just come here? I'm sure she'd get along swimmingly if she just-"

She laughed.

"Not this time, Harold. This time there will be no negotiating."

She opened a portal and strode through, the others close behind.

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Edit: if you're wondering. ..