Ashen woke up to birds singing and smelled the scent of something wet and oddly delicious.

  He opened his eyes, dazed for a moment by the sun rays landed o n his face through the gaps in the roof. Then remembered: odd animal village, weird old lady yep . Right.

  Yup. Still here. Still in this shit hole of a furry fantasy land.

  //System Notification//

  //Vitals stable. No immediate peril. Breakfast found in the vicinity.//

  Thanks, Marco. Always reassuring to know that I have not been assassinated or poisoned in my sleep.

  Ashen stepped out into the day with a dainty brief stretch—his best "Twink grace"—and immediately locked eyes with a tiny fox-eared boy staring at him as if he were an extraterrestrial.

  "Are you the outsider?" the kid bluntly asked, unimpressed.

  Ashen smiled politely, tilting his head just a little. "Oh! Yeah, I am. My name's Ashen. What's yours?"

  The kid blinked.

  "You don't look dangerous."

  That's the goal, kid. That's the whole damn goal.

  The kid ran off when his friends called him to play.

  Thank fucking god.

  Maddie called him to her garden, a steaming bowl of something off-white looking in front of her. "Eat up, deary. You've got a big day of watching ahead of you."

  Ashen grasped the bowl in both his hands and his best innocent grin. "Thanks ever so much, Maddie. This smells amazing."

  What the crap even is this? Root soup? Dirt stew? Whatever. Grin through the gruel.

  Asher took a bite, and the stew was quite tasty. Maddie described life in the village, the holiday that was part of the community, something about moon blessings,

  And how all of them would be out today. Perfect for "community bonding."

  Translation: Welcome to your trial, sugarplum. Time to twink your way into survival.

  He strolled through the village, smiling at beastfolk with friendly nods and amiable words. Someone even gave him a flute as a welcome gift, He helped a rabbit woman carry baskets. Complimented a child's flower crown. Blushed at having someone call him "pretty" with laughter.

  And then the interrogation started.

  "What did happen to your tribe?" the blacksmith badger asked, standing with his arms folded in a manner that said he already knew Ashen was lying.

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  Ashen's eyes glazed over on cue. He folded his hands in his lap, voice trembling and low. "They're gone. Humans… they came out of nowhere. Burned everything. I was out gathering herbs for my mother, When I came back, there was nothing left."

  A pause. Just long enough.

  "I miss my little sister the most. She was Emily. She was six. Shining golden coat. She thought that if she flapped her arms just hard enough, she could fly. Heh, she was the nicest girl u would ever meet."

  That sweet-bitter laugh had better sold my acting convincingly, I swear to god

  Silence.

  "Gods," the blacksmith groaned, retreating. "I'm sorry, lad."

  Ashen smiled to him a tiny, brave smile. "All right. She's in a much better place now."

  I could get an award for this. Sad childhood: check. Dead girl I made up two minutes ago and already more beloved than me? Check. Rest in peace, Emily, the entirely fictional girl that I just constructed.

  //System Notification//

  //Believability rating: 96%. Emotional manipulation: superbly done.//

  Shortly, with the sun beginning to fall and the village square filling up with a carnival of light and sound, Ashen settled onto a stump and drew out his flute. His fingers moved with practiced ease.

  He played sorrowful melody, full of hurt and pain, the kind of melody that made people cease conversation in their steps and look over at him as if he were weaving magic, the amount of sadness made even the grumpiest boar man grow misty-eyed.

  Cypher stood beside him, as silent as always. He said not a word until Ashen reached the last note.

  That was… lovely," Cypher whispered. "Did u make that nsong for.."

  Ashen gazed down. "Yeah."

  Cypher nodded once. "She must've been something."

  "She was my everything," Ashen breathed, eyes shining just so.

  They sat in silence. The fire crackled. Music filled. Ashen was called over to sing with the elders.

  Maddie gave him a kind smile . Reya the panther, looked at him cautiously. Sister Nell drank tea blindfolded. Burok, ox-man, just looked bored and awake.

  Cypher stood back, arms folded, eyes locked on Ashen the entire time.

  They quizzed him on his journey, his skill, and his flute. He made modest, twinkish, bashful responses. Played coy when asked about his skills.

  "Do you sing anything happy?" Maddie teased.

  Ashen blushed (faked, of course). "I used to. Hmm, let me see what i can do!"

  Then he Played a bright, quick melody. Laughed at the children dancing. Joined them when they drew him into a circle.

  Even Reya smiled. Sister Nell tapped her talon in rhythm.

  Later, Cypher returned to him, offering a drink.

  "You're more of a people person than I thought."

  Ashen smiled, batting his eyes wide with innocence. "Thank you?"

  Cypher just stared at him, then turned away

  Oh no. He suspects. Twink sugar deploy.

  Ashen bent his head.

  "I'm just… searching for a place I won't be alone."

  Cypher hesitated. Then nodded. "Perhaps you found it."

  Ashen almost broke out of character then.

  //System Notification//

  //Trial Progress: 95%. Council disposition: favorable. Twink protocol successful.//

  The stars twinkled. The fire crackled. Ashen sat cross-legged next to Maddie, humming softly, children sleeping all around him. For an instant, he almost believed his performance.

  Emily, huh? That name stuck. Weird.

  As he wrapped a woven blanket around his torso, flute against him, Ashen breathed slowly out.

  I might be lying my head off, but this. this is almost like peace. For now, at least.