The thirteen-year-old human girl kept pounding the body of the peacock-type harpy boy named Beau.

His greatest advantage had been his talon feet that he had used to dig into the canvas to stand his ground. But as the air was being punched out of his stomach, Beau’s feet lost their grip which meant he was unbalanced and unprepared as Dimi rammed her fist right in his pretty and punchable face.

Dimi grinned as she raised a fist in the air after Maltus the Dwarf had counted out Beau. She went to her corner so Ivan could get her gloves and headgear off.

“Not bad, girl. Not bad at all.” Ivan took off his goddaughter’s protective headgear.

“Ivan, would it kill you to tell me that I did great?” Dimi smirked.

“I might do that one day. And you might eventually quit being so smug.” The minotaur dried the human girl with a towel, then held her by the chin as he studied her face. “Hmm… You look exhausted.”

Dimi yawned. “Can you blame me?”

A few days later…

“I’m telling you, Beau was tougher than he looked. I kept pummeling his body, but it took a while to knock him over.” Dimi grinned as the teenage dwarf Amethyst did her hair.

“Dimi, I really don’t want the details.” Amethyst said as she did the final details on Dimi’s new braids. “I get that you are good at it, but I couldn’t care less about two creatures hitting each other in the face repeatedly.”

“Hitting each other in the face and evade getting hit in the face, Amethyst. It’s not as crude as you make it sound. It’s kinda like… It’s kinda like dancing.”

“But isn’t it… kind of scary? Knowing the other creature is going to punch you in the head?”

“Not really. Not sure how to explain it, but when I get inside the ring, if I felt nervous… I just stop feeling it, you know? I just go fight mode and feel invincible.” Dimi stood up from her chair and took a look at herself in Dimi’s bedroom mirror to admire her new hairstyle. This was definitely an upgrade from the pigtails, she felt more mature-looking. “I love my new braids! I look AWESOME!”

“Good, because it’s my turn to get prettyfied.“ Amethyst took a seat at her bed and waited for Dimi to do her beard. The young dwarf was proud of how big her fluffy beard was despite her still being very young. Puberty had been most kind to her.

Amethyst’s mother Agate entered the bedroom with a tray with a pot of tea and a plate of snacks. “Girls, I have some snacks for you. Cookies for Amethyst and carrots for our athlete. Dimi, you have to leave about an hour from now. Or Ivan will be displeased.”

“Man, why do I have to go to bed early just because Ivan is an old lady?” Dimi tied the sixth bow on Amethyst’s beard. “I could stay up all night if…” She yawned “… if I wanted to.”

“I don’t know about that.” Agate took a cookie for herself. “You do look like a bit of shuteye could do you good.”

“Maybe it is all of that dancing that has tired out our resident master boxer.” Amethyst giggled as she stood up to see her own reflection in the mirror. “Look at me! Do I look like a princess or what?”

“Take it from someone who knows.” Dimi grinned as she rubbed her tired eyes. “You do.”

***

Dimi had slept like a baby, but she still felt a bit groggy as she went to get eggs from Aura the Sphinx’s egg stall at the town’s public square. The winged lion-woman greeted her. Dimi made a somewhat drowsy smile as she placed a bag of coins on the table. “Two eggs, please.”

Aura gave Dimi a basket with two griffin eggs inside. “Here you go. Also…” Aura winked as she placed a brown bag in the basket as well. “Some chicken sausages on the house.”

“Sweet! Thanks, Aura.” The human gave the griffin and chicken farmer a grateful smile. “Never realized how much I love meat till I moved in with Ivan.”

“That sweet man doesn’t understand that a healthy growing girl needs plenty of protein.” Aura gave Dimi a smile so all her sharp teeth were visible. But then she looked worried as the human girl yawned once more. “Dimi, are you okay? You look exhausted.”

Dimi nudged her face as she took the basket. “How come everyone tells me that? I look awesome.”

“You look worse for wear is what you do. Is Ivan overworking you? Are you ill?”

“No, I’m fine.” Dimi yawned.

“Dimi...” Aura was unsure if she was crossing a line, but she had to ask. “Are you on your period?”

Dimi's face turned red like a tomato. “What? NO! I mean… yes… no… YES! Ah…” Dimi groaned. “Um... Which answer will make me look less stupid?

"You don't know?" Aura was baffled. She placed a sign at her stand that said Will be back in a minute. "Dimi, I think we should have a little chat.“

***

After one very embarrassing conversation, Dimi went back to Ivan’s house with the eggs and went to the forge for work. She had recently gained the function as striker, meaning she had to swing a large sledgehammer while Ivan held the hot iron at the anvil with tongs in one hand, and made signals where to strike the iron by tapping it with a small hammer in his other hand. With some difficulties, Dimi delivered heavy blows against the metal while sweat ran down her forehead toward her slightly tired eyes.

Ivan raised an eyebrow. “You did go to bed at the time we agreed, right?”

“Yeah, stop asking already.” Dimi made a small groan as she swung the sledgehammer again. “Quit nagging me.”

“I’m not nagging, just worried. Alright, I think that’s enough.” Ivan cooled the iron as Dimi dropped the huge hammer and stretched. “Look, there is no shame in feeling a bit under the weather. How about you go for a run, get some fresh air in the head, and then take a nap?”

“But what about the deliveries to Onyxville?”

“Dimi, I ran this forge long before you came into my life, I can live with you taking a nap now and then when you need it.” The minotaur handed her a wet rag. “Clean your face and get going. Who knows? You might not need the nap after a bit of jogging.”

Not long after Dimi had left the forge, Aura came in.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise.” Ivan cleaned his face before giving Aura a kiss.

“I closed the stand early today.” Aura embraced the bull-man. She smiled at him, but her face turned somewhat stern. “Ivan, I came because I think you should know how much it bothers Dimi that she hasn't had her first menstruation yet.”

“Wow, WOW! Hold up!” Ivan let go of Aura and took a step backward as he held his hands up as if he thought the sphinx was about to throw a ball at him. “You can’t just talk to me about Dimi and that… that girl problem.”

Aura restrained a laugh. “That girl problem?”

“You know…” Ivan’s blushed. “That… THING! The thing, you know? That month-thing.”

Aura smiled as she rolled her eyes. “What are you, Ivan? A child? You haven’t talked to her about it at all?”

“I can’t talk to her about… about that. I’m a man.”

“Well, she did talk to me about it. And she is actually very upset about having yet to have had her first menstr-”

“Please don’t use that word and my goddaughter in the same sentence-”

“Her first MENSTRUATION!” Aura smiled triumphant and giggled at Ivan’s expense as the bull-man buried his face in his hands out of embarrassment. ”Get a grip of yourself, Ivan. You are old enough to know that girls don’t have cooties.” Aura stopped giggling and looked serious once again. “She needs someone to talk about growing up, Ivan. I don’t expect that you can, but you have to make sure someone provides her with information about how and when her body will change.”

“Okay, you are right.” Ivan sighed. “Ah… What did you tell her about… about that?”

“I told her she has nothing to worry about. That it comes later for some than others and that it is completely natural.”

“I’m glad she has someone to talk to about those… things. I know nothing about young female creatures and how they… work.”

“Not a problem.” Aura hugged the somewhat dirty bull-man and kissed him on the cheek. “But couldn’t she talk about it with Nora? You told me she was her great aunt, right?”

“I asked Nora, but she wasn’t sure she could help because…” Because humans and elves are slightly different in several ways. “Ah… it’s complicated. Hey, did you do something with your hair?”

Aura raised an eyebrow. She noticed that there were a lot of things Ivan did not tell her when it came to Dimi. Like when she asked how he became the godfather of a human kid. Aura had heard that after most of the humans left the kingdom after the orcs took over that several human children had been allowed to stay after not-humans had agreed to adopt them. Aura wanted to know why he had agreed to adopt this girl, but he always changed subject right after saying It’s complicated, as if it was some sort of universal explanation.

Aura sighed. “Right… Oh, almost forgot, I want to ask you a favor: I asked Korra to stop by my place after dinner because Hothoof hurt her wing. Could you stop by and help me hold her while Korra examines her? She gets nervous around animal doctors.”

Ivan looked terrified by the thought of being that close to a griffin. “Aura, you know how much I HATE touching animals.”

"Eh, just hold a rope tied around her."

Ivan narrowed his eyes. "Still not that comfortable about it."

“Oh?” Aura gave Ivan a coy smile as she drew circles on his chest with her clawed finger. “Are you telling me that my big, strong, sexy bull-man won’t do me that tiny favor?”

Ivan could feel a big lump in his throat and blushed. “I mean, well… When will Korra arrive?”

“About a quarter to seven.”

Ivan groaned. “Fine. I will be there.”

Aura chuckled as she playfully patted him on the shoulder. "Gods, you are so easy!" She had a smile that went from one ear to the other as she left the forge and flew back to her farm.

***

Dimi usually loved to jog in the big forest not far away from Jadedale. Not many came to the forest since they were worried about bears and wild griffins, something Dimi never had to worry about. Especially since it gave her the opportunity to visit her little friends she couldn’t really invite home since she knew how much they disturbed Ivan. But this day, she was just not in the mood. She was tired for some reason. Not as in overworked, but as in her head feeling like it was filled with cotton. As if she had been awake for days.

Dimi slowed down as she heard the sound of leaves rustling. She stopped up and looked at a bush with red berries. She noticed a pair of big, black eyes.

They belonged to a giant beer with golden fur that came out of the bush, standing on two legs and roared. Dimi raised her fists, but the beast had already thrown itself at her, forcing her down into the dirt. She could feel the bear’s warm breath and saliva as its nose was pressed against her forehead. Dimi then managed to get an arm free so she could punch the bear in the head…

And the bear then stood up and made a meek sound, making a pivot while feigning dizziness before falling into the grass.

Dimi laughed while cleaning her face with the back of her hand. “Serves you right, Fuzzy! You ruined my new braids.” She then placed a foot on the stomach of her friend while raising her arms in a triumphant manner. “I, Dimicatio of Nesredna, have once again slain this mighty beast!”

Fuzzy then pushed her off with one of his paws and stood up, giving the human a tight hug that Dimi returned. The bear then took a closer look at Dimi and made a bark filled with worry.

Dimi rolled her eyes. “I am sick and tired of being told I look…” She yawned. “... Look tired. Hey, you wanna race?”

The bear just stared at her with disapproval.

“UGH, you are just as bad as Ivan. I will run by myself. I need to build up stamina.” Dimi yawned as she began to jog.

Less than ten minutes later, she stumbled over a rock and fell over.

***

Ivan was getting worried. Dimi had been gone for an hour.

The minotaur soon saw that he had been right to be worried. A deer with a massive set of antlers arrived. And next to it was Dimi that was leaning against the king of the woods since she could barely stand on her own feet.

“What in blazes?!” Ivan rushed to the child’s aid. “Are you okay?!”

“I’m fine…” Dimi groaned.

“Yeah, and I’m a pretty little faun!” Ivan looked worried at the animal. “Um… did anyone… see you two?”

“No… no, Prongs and me took a detour. No one in the village saw me and my deer buddy.”

“Alright, THAT’S IT!” Ivan picked up the teenager in his massive arms and the deer left. “You are going to bed. Right now!”

“I’m fine, just a little dizzy.” Dimi nudged her eyes. “Just give me some tea, and I-”

“I will give you some tea as well as send you to bed.” Ivan walked up the stairs toward Dimi’s bedroom. “I’m not sure what is wrong with you. But you are sick somehow.”

Ivan gently placed the human on her bed and then pulled her blanket up toward her shoulders and covered her. “Alright, you are tucked in.” Ivan sighed. “I will make you some tea, you will try and fall asleep, and I will get Nora or a professional healer to have a look at you and-AOUCH!”

Ivan looked startled at his hand. It was bleeding. He looked at Dimi who was lying in her bed… and he noticed a little vine growing out of the princess’ neck. It had red thorns.

“... Okay...” Dimi looked at Ivan with eyes she could barely hold open. “Maybe I am a little sick.”

“Um… yeah.” Ivan looked once again at his bleeding hand. “You… um… you try to fall asleep, and I will get some help.”

And then he ran as fast as he could toward Nora’s house, not knowing he had made a huge mistake.

***

Nora dropped her bow and arrows as she was about to go fishing.

“Please don’t tell me you sent her to bed.” The short elf with the hat hiding her pointy ears looked at Ivan with fear written all over her face.

“What?! I did, but why is that bad-”

“HURRY! BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!” The elf sprinted toward the blacksmith’s home with her legs much faster than that of a human’s as she did not give a damn if someone suspected that she was not human. Ivan followed as best as he could.

Once they arrived at Ivan’s house and opened the front door… a massive vine with sharp and pointy thorns came out of it and lashed out after them. The elf and the bull-man backed away as they saw plants break Ivan’s windows and come out slowly like big plant snakes.

Ivan gulped. “Princess puberty?”

Nora sighed. “Princess puberty.”