You discover that while there are some asshole customers, there are some nice ones too. One is a cat-man named Nicolat. He comes in fairly often at the end of the day--you know that he is a blacksmith by trade--and orders a couple of drinks. When times are slow he engages you in conversation, and you learn more about the world. You find yourself opening up to him a little bit, and one day when you let slip that you used to be a human male, he doesn't blink an eye--in fact, it doesn't alter the way he talks to you at all.
You find yourself missing him on days when he doesn't come in. One morning you wake up, and realize that you were dreaming of being held in his muscular blacksmith's arms.
A troupe of entertainers is coming through town next week--it's all anybody's been talking about for a month. You plan to go yourself on your night off. Nicolat asks if you want to go with him.