Rian's rickety stall was at the end of the market street, nearly to the town limit and generally ignored. His fruit was the best of its kind, but it was not what most of the townfolk wanted.
"Fresh delicious pears," he offered, when a handsome demon paused to peruse.
The handsome demon looked from the fat pears to Rian and the tiny nubs of dark horns jutting through pale hair.
"Grown just beyond the churchyard," Rian added. Juicy pears nourished with the flesh of sinners.
The handsome demon smiled and reached for his purse.
Rian felt the branch break before he heard it but there was nothing to grab for. He fell sideways, swinging, and landed just over the low churchyard wall.
He winced, but the pain was just from hitting the ground. The other kind of pain would follow, if he stayed.
And another, he realized as he heard a low growl. The grim hadn't wasted time and as much as Rian couldn't find his breath, he scrambled upright and tried to run.
He stumbled, but a sharp whistle kept the grim from biting.
Rian, staring up at the priest, tried to hide his horns.
Rian wandered through the market, debating on how to spend the coins in his pocket. He'd sold everything he'd brought already, some of the last fruit of the season, and paid the fee for his rickety stall for another week.
"One pill a day for healthy horns!"
"Good for humans and demons!"
"Warm gloves for the coming season, reinforced!"
"On sale this week only!"
A few steps later, he doubled back for the gloves. If they'd survive his claws, they'd be worth it.
The last fruit of the season was waiting, as well as the chill of autumn.
Stories about Rian the demon, so far:
https://fedibird.com/@kalloway/111912903808248076
https://fedibird.com/@kalloway/112032120725671959
https://lemonadecafe.neocities.org/original/earlymorningsunlight - ~1200 words of what happened next
https://fedibird.com/@kalloway/112105448270240683
There'll be more... [参照]
