Nimriel quickly made her way out the House of Mirrors. It was simple maze, no challenge for a master thief like herself. Once out in the fairgrounds, Nimriel stared around in amazement at the new world around her.
Nimriel didn't know exactly what the mirror she had stolen was capable of. In truth, she hadn't cared. Her client was willing to pay handsomely for the object so she hadn't asked many questions. After all, she would soon have hatchlings to feed. She had certainly not intended to travel to some other world. But when the opportunity to escape suddenly presented itself, Nimriel took advantage of it.
This new world was something beyond her imagination. She had seen humans before, but never so many. And their clothes were so strange. There were huts and shops like her world, but they were made of flimsy material - soft cloth or flimsy wood. They would not stand up to any siege. Some of the wares were familiar - roasted meat and vegetables - but others were unlike anything she had seen. Pink fluffy 'cotton' that the humans consumed and 'iced cream'. She had to try some, using the funds she obtained from picking a few pockets. Even in her new body, she still had her skills. Not that she had to try too hard. These humans seemed weaker and simpler than the ones from her world. It was much easier to steal from them.
What impressed her the most were the strange metal structures scattered between the huts. One resembled a boat, rocking back and forth on a pole. It was a useless form of transportation, not taking its riders anywhere, but humans lined up to pay money to get on it. Another one resembled some kind of elevated mining cart system. The cars roared by at breakneck speed, hugging tightly on the tracks. It looked incredibly unsafe, the human riders screaming with fear as they rocketed up and down the steep hills of the track. But regardless of the danger the humans still lined up to ride it. The strangest was a circular tent that housed wooden animals. Small children rode the fake animals in endless circles. Nimriel couldn't understand why the children would not prefer to ride real animals. Maybe animals were rare in this world, available only to the very rich.
Nimriel was quite intrigued by the Midway, filled with carnival games. This was something she understood. The Kingdom frequently had contests of strength and skill, rewarding the very best contestants. But these prizes looked like useless toys for children, not the money, exotic potions or weapons that were usually given to warriors. Why did they bother to compete? Her sly eye noted that most of the games were rigged. She easily detected the deceptions, as she had used them in the past. Perhaps the games were some kind of elaborate con.
Nimriel ducked her head down as she passed an advertisement for a Magician. She would have to be careful. Wizards and witches were crafty and might see through her illusion. Still, it was nice to know that for the right price she might be able to get a little magical help. The poor Magician obviously needed it. They were performing their magic at shows for commoners to earn money. No respectable wizard from her kingdom would ever stoop so low.
Nimriel's heart skipped a beat as she passed the Petting Zoo. She had not seen any hybrids in this world, much less any of her brethren. Could it be possible that only common animals exist in this world? Nimriel gushed as she saw a young goat following its mother around the small pen, young humans chasing them around and trying to pet them. Nimriel patted her flat belly ..... her flat now human male belly. Her offspring were still very young and had many more months to grow before they could be hatched. But she was looking forward to caring for her children. Could she really give them up to some strange human to raise? This world was nice - easy pickings for a good thief. It was tempting to stay here, maybe start a new life and raise a new family. But would she ever feel comfortable in this world, in this body? Returning to her own world seemed like the logical choice, but she was a wanted criminal. Who knows what kind of trouble that human had gotten into while he was in her body? For all she knew, the human had been captured and sent to prison. Or even executed....
Nimriel debated her choices, then decided to....