Foxtails and Fairytales: Facades and Fables of the Phantom Prince

[Arc 14] Ch.5 Rank "S"

[Sebas]

I showed off a bit when I used one of my tails to make a duplicate Alpha. He was taller than Jekyll, so it was a bit weird looking up at him. He had bandages over his throat and his arm was in a sling under his cloak. This was all for show since he had taken a spill overboard.

I'm very committed to my backstories and try to keep my lies as straight and consistent as possible, so I even made his voice hoarser. I'd add a new scar to his look if I ever used him again as well. This was also the reason I don't just use a teleport scroll. It would be too much to explain, plus this seems like a good chance for me and Talisa to spend some actual time together and make up for what a negligent douche I've been to her.

We followed the beach south. Luckily, I know this area pretty well, so I use this time to talk to and flirt a little with Talisa. I even make sure to hold her hand as we walk. I don't think walking miles to civilization is what most people think about when they say 'romantic long walks on the beach' but every little bit helps.

"There is the Coinfou inlet that leads to Market lake." I explained to Talisa. "There is a resort city on this side of Coinfou they will have ferries that lead across to a major trading city where they collect all the tariffs from ships going to Market Lake. From there, we can catch a caravan that circle the lake. And travel with them most of the way to Elkwood if we are lucky."

"That doesn't sound too bad." Talisa said.

"That's what I always think right before something blows up in my face." I laughed. I looked at her and was glad that we were able to hide her tail, wings, and horns with my magic. We even changed her hair color to black just in case.

"Anyways, it is so exciting." Talisa did an adorable mini clap and I tried not to focus on her breasts too much under the plain clothes disguise I also made for her. Big red Sorcerer robes just weren't what we needed right now. "What are the resort and trading cities called?" she asked.

She really was a princess who had never seen the outside world. Even the little that was seen in Hearthroam could still be considered fairly sheltered.

"The resort on the north shore is called Clear Coast Springs. It has a casino and lots of touristy places and is a hot spot for the rich. The merchant city on the south shore is called Whale harbor town. They are both part of the No'ad Federation, a group of City states that line this inlet and the Market Lake." I said. "They are very Anti-pirate and have a tentative relationship with most of the human kingdoms here since there have been multiple wars over the years for the merchant minded cities. Luckily, for us the No'ad Federation is very pro adventurers and have a great relationship with Galavan and Hearthroam... and well pretty much everyone except their direct neighbors."

"Can we do some sightseeing when we get there?" Talisa asked with big hopeful eyes.

*

It took about a day and a half to get to Clear Coast Springs. The name reminds me of a certain couple and when I look at Talisa's very generous figure I wonder if I'm in for a similar fate as a certain hero trainer.

But I'm not the only one ogling her when we get to civilization. It turns out our clothes are pretty filthy and trashed since we are shipwrecked. So our first order of business is getting some proper clothes.

Apparently, that's a pretty common thing around these parts so they actually have a store that will let shipwreck victims pick some clothes and work for food as servers in the casino or other such odd jobs if they don't get shipwrecked with money.

When I show the store manager that we still have plenty of money he looks a little disappointed. When I mention I know someone at a big hotel chain he gives me a skeptical look but gives us directions after we buy a set or two of fresh clothes for traveling. I was quite pleased to see a section with Cherubs Garden fashions selling pretty well and I bought a blue scarf for old time's sake. It had a cooling enchantment, and the soft fabric was light and almost sheer. This way even though it was extra clothing it actually worked to cool the wearer down.