Chapter 57: Meme-nagerie

Judging by the tavern’s façade, there should be at most two conjoined hall-and-parlor structures. But as Marm and Nyxdzzl stepped in, their mouths hung open because it was much, much bigger inside. Marm couldn’t tell how big exactly. It felt like the interior was the size of a football field, sometimes a hangar. It seemed the place was constantly contracting and expanding based on an unknown factor, so much so that the bar multiplied the infinity mirror effect in its glass side panels.

Apart from the jarringly grandiose glass, there was a circular bronze-and-copper polycandelon hanging from the ceiling. It was suspended by four chains and its horizontal design, Marm could discern with preternatural acuity, was a highly ornate mandala.

As for the clientele itself, it was the most bizarre, motley crowd ever assembled; not only the animals but also their owners. It was as though Marm and Nyxdzzl had been thrust into a pet show with no consistent rules except the more exotic the pet, t