Chapter 1: Brief Beginnings
It all started with another morning. Truly the worst time of day. I don't usually wake up early or use an alarm. I just tend to wake up whenever I do. I like that style of life. Its soothing, relaxing and feels natural. It really is nice to go at your own pace. Sadly, not everyone has the same opinion as I do when it comes to mornings. Others prefer to have their days start at a more "brisk" tempo, which doesn't help me in the sligh-
"Get up already!"
Slightest.
"I planned precisely what would we be doing today and this schedule needs to be followed on the dot! So arise if you will, prepare your bed, take a shower, brush your teeth and once you are done you can promptly assist me with breakfast." said the liminal who intruded into my room without any form of consent whatsoever which is not acceptable.
*yawn* " OK, OK. I'm awake. Sigh, I don't get why you try to disturb by blissful sleep with your totally not blissful complaining. You just got here yesterday in the late morning so one would think you would settle in, but no." I groggily replied as she pouted at me and began to walk away.
"Sigh, good morning though Ethan." she mumbled just loud enough for me to hear as she stepped out of my small room. Well the room isn't small, it's perfectly average and is big enough to satisfy. The size doesn't always matter and sometimes it's what is on the inside that counts anyway. Just because other rooms may be bigger doesn't mean they are also better. I am perfectly happy with the size of my room.
Average room sizes and innuendos aside, I begin to think about my life as of now. The recent changes which happened yesterday in the late morning for example. I would explain it but if I do a pointless flashback at the start I can get myself ready for present shenanigans while the audience is still worried about the origins of this story.
*Flashback*
It all started with another morning. Truly the worst time of- wait a second I swear we did this already. Just a moment...
*Brief introduction skip*
I was greeted with an unexpected knocking on my door after hearing a car pull up outside my small and humble home. After I got dressed in a hoodie, sweatpants and some cosy slippers, I rushed to the door. When I went to get it I saw a woman dressed in black standing just a couple meters away from my door with her hands behind her back. She had pale white skin and short raven-black hair which only went to her chin. Her eyes were concealed by black sunglasses. As in the pitch-black sunglasses. As in so black you could wear them and have a conversation with a woman and they would never know that you stared at their chest for a solid 5 minutes. Besides that she was simply dressed in a black suit with a slender tie loosely around her neck. Behind her I noticed a large black van that said "C.E.P" on the side in big white letters. Looked like it was used to abduct people.
"Good Morning, Mr Spade. How are you on this fine day?" said the tiny 5-foot 5 woman in front of me. "The day has barely started but if i have to reply I would probably say very tired and confused.
I don't recall anything I recently signed up for and I don't think I did something worthy of getting Secret Services involved but is their any way I could help you ma'am?." I replied. My tendency of being a smart ass when I'm tired is one of my biggest flaws but greatest strengths.
"The name is Miss Adams and yes, actually! You see I am from the Cultural Exchange Program and I am here to inform you that you are going to be a host for an extra-species." She paused briefly with large white smile to see my reaction to these news and she seemed rather disappointed by my impassive face. Before I could even mutter a syllable, she continued. " Now before you say anything I would like you to know that you did not sign up for anything, but you were chosen at random as a fit candidate to take part in the program due to you being of age, both financially and mentally stable, having no previous criminal records nor associating with anyone having a criminal record, no infectious diseases and also maintaining a healthy diet." She still had that large shit-eating smile.
I blankly stared at this point I was pretty sure this was invasion of my pure innocent but maybe not-so-innocent privacy.
"How. Do. You. Know. All. Of. That?"
"That's for us to know and for you to not find out. Sorry!" she stated whilst smugly leaning forward towards me with what I can only assume are closed eyes behind those lenses.
"However..." she briefly removed her glasses to reveal her dark chocolate brown eyes for dramatic effect making the atmosphere change. I would describe the atmosphere but I am too tired for description this early in the morning. "Let's not get off topic and proceed to why I'm here right now." "Yeah, you're here right now because you like ruining the mornings of people you stalk. Am I right?". She visibly sighed at me but tried to maintain some enthusiasm. " As I said before lets not stray as to why I am here. As you may have suspected I have come here to bring you an extra-species for you to care of!"
...She never denied that they stalked me...
"That still doesn't answer my quest-" "Shhhh... " She placed her thin index finger on my lips to emphasize that she wanted me to stop talking. "Stop being such a stick in the mud and let what I said sink in."
Once again I found myself staring blankly at her. In all honesty, I always considered joining the program when it was revealed that liminals were revealed 3 years ago and they introduced the Cultural Species Exchange Bill however I refused to do it because I didn't want my friends to think I was some pervert who invited girls to live with him at the drop of a hat. I also chose against it because the sheer amount of money it would need to pay for extra mouths to feed would be too much money. Even if I am financially stable right now, I don't think that me taking part in this program would be a good idea. Also what happens if I manage to get hurt by them? " Sorry, but despite you praising me, I don't think I am ready to pay to renovate my house or feed another mouth much less a monster mouth. I will have to decline."
I felt bad that they brought an extra-species and I turned them down like this. I begin to wonder what my like would have been if I had accepted the responsibility...it would make life less lonely. It would be a great way to make friends. Learn new things. Experience new adventures...going to miss out on all of that huh? Will I ever find out what it's like to be with another species? I don't even know who I could have been hosting.
This premature existential crisis lasted for about 5 seconds until my thoughts were brought back to reality.
"I understand, but before I go let me tell you a few things." I wait in suspense as she makes another dramatic pause before resuming. "Firstly, any mandatory obligations are accounted for which does include health care, food, renovations, clothing if the host or homestay is unable to provide any. It will be reimbursed. Every cent. Secondly, we will renovate your house if the need really does arise. The only obligation you will have is to care for your homestay. Lastly, I am not really giving you much of a choice in this matter."
I received mix feelings upon hearing those two statements. First I felt ease. The thought that if I did take part in this Culture Exchange-thing, I wouldn't have to pay this out of pocket. On the other hand, my consent meant nothing in this situation which made me feel unsafe because it was the equivalent of being the governments female dog undergoing an oestrus cycle or widely known as a bitc-.
"Anyway I think we delayed this long enough as I have a very tight schedule and I haven't even introduced you to your homestay. Anyway, without further ado...this is your new homestay!"
As if on queue, both literally and metaphorically, a kobold walked out of the dodgy, black van. She was rocking brown-caramel skin, black hair with bangs that concealed her entire forehead and smooth black hair that went to her hips. She was wearing a dark blood red crop top which only covered her chest and long baggy trousers which were a dark violet. The top of her head was adorned with a small, presumably gold alloy which seemed to represent a pharaoh. She was relatively tall standing full height at about 5"8" and was gifted with a very respectable C-cup.
I could really use Miss Adams sunglasses right now.
Although on second glance, I notice things which are rather peculiar aside from Miss Adams jazz hands. Instead of having hands or feet she has large black paws along with a long, bushy tail which shared the same jet black as the rest of her fur and hair. She also had blazing scarlet eyes, which were staring directly into my soul.
Despite them being such a hot red, she was giving me the coldest stare possible. I realized that this awkward situation would apply so much pressure my skull would crack. Thankfully Miss Adams intervened soon enough.
"So Mr Spade this is your homestay Anuri Talibah and is 19 years of age. She is from Egypt and is an Anubis liminal."
Anuri nodded silently in confirmation before speaking. " It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can use this situation to its fullest so we can both learn from the opposites culture brilliantly. " she said blankly but with a hint of...something. " Um, it's a pleasure to meet you as well...Anuri was it? So I hope we exchange cultures...pretty well. My, uh, name is Ethan but my friends like to call me...Ethan." Too bad I don't have any nicknames. Geez gotta ask my friends to come up with one.
Holy Crap, I am blowing this so hard. Phrasing.
Miss Adams, picking up how awkward I am intervened once again but only after an obnoxious sigh. "Anuri, this man will be you host for the duration of the culture exchange. His name is Ethan Spade and is 19 years old just like you. He is going to be responsible for you and if you ever need anything you can always turn to him." she finished "Got it?"
"Understood.". As Anuri gave that response, Miss Adams then put her now signature glasses back on and gave us a subtle wave as she walked back towards the van. " Well I hope you two get well acquainted with each other because I need to go! Have fun you two!"
The way she said "Have fun" sounded almost like she was suggesting something suggestive secretly. Before I could say that ten times really fast or ask her about the Interspecies Exchange Bill and its rules which I clearly did not know, she disappeared into her menacing van and drove off.
As I observed the van disappearing in the distance I briefly looked my new homestay in the eyes as she was looking at the van driving away and saw that that she wasn't being cold or cruel but instead just unsure because you could see her eyes almost trembling. I felt that as the host I should be responsible for making my homestay feel welcome, regardless if I have no legal papers or evidence for that matter. All we had were half-assed introductions which made us very awkward right now.
Very awkward.
I guess the best course of action would be to simply invite her inside and get her accustomed with my abomination of a house. "So... do you want to come inside? I can show you around my house but just keep in mind that it won't be anything too impressive."
"Don't worry about whether or not your house is impressive or not. I didn't set any high expectations for you." she replied with a bit of bitter and worry?
Geez. I'm not sure whether to be glad, disappointed or offended, although I think I will go with glad because I don't have high expectations for myself either. I proceed to step aside and hold the door open for her an accompanied it with a " Come in m'lady.". Despite my manners and sorry attempt at being welcoming and humorous, her face just showed how uncomfortable I was making her. Then again she only knew me for a for a few minutes at best so I might as well be a predator telling her to jump into my black van no questions asked. Like that government agent coordinator person.
"Um, thank you...Ethan Spade was it? I appreciate your hospitality towards me." she replied with a faint blush. "I am certain that you are greatly inconvenienced by having me stay here." Well she wasn't entirely wrong with this tiny house considering there is only one bedroom and I don't have a guest room but I can't hurt her feelings. Anuri proceeded to then come inside and looked at the small and cozy living room. "No way! Of course not. I don't mind having roommate for a while. It's just I have no idea how this culture exchange works and I wasn't even given papers regarding this whole cultural exchange so its a tad overwhelming. That's all." I replied. She seemed unconvinced and sat meekly on the small sofa chair beside her.
I don't want her to feel unsafe here. Even though she might be an Anubis or dog person or whatever she is, she is also just a girl who left her comfort zone and I need to let her know that I am here to help. Or at least trying to help as best as I can, which to be perfectly honest still isn't that much now that I think about it, but it is something.
" You know-" At that moment her large, pointy, black ears perked up from the top of her head? Wait what. "wait...what? Are those black things your ears? They kinda look like jackal ears. Wait, does that mean you don't have human ears on the side of your head? Does that mean you hear as well as a dog too?" I hastily said in a surprised manner. I was genuinely curious now.
"Well...um...no. I don't possess...human ears. They are indeed jackal ears and behave the same way with few differences." she muttered that last bit somewhat bitterly again and looked down to the floor. I noticed I went off topic once again. "Anyway what I meant to say, before I got sidetracked was that, well, if you ever need anything talk to me. And I don't just mean about what clothes you need or the food you want to eat. I also mean if you ever need someone to talk too or share laugh with. I'm here for you."
I know that my line was pretty cheesy and cliche and was probably taken right out of an anime or movie but it did the trick by giving me one of the sweetest smiles I have seen. So sweet it could make me diabetic. Anuri now was looking me directly with the traces of tears in her eyes and her bushy tail wagging side to side. So Pure.
"Thank you." she whispered.
With her puppy eyes, wagging tail, and cute but not high pitched voice, I was at my limits trying to resist saying "Who's a good girl?" Luckily she continued our heart to heart before I could ruin it "I was afraid that when I came here I would meet a host family who wouldn't be fond of my appearance or one of those detestable mongrels who would be too fond of my appearance but... I think I could endeavor lending you my trust Ethan. You seem trustworthy." she finished before gently hugging me and resting her head on my collarbone. Her paws pulled me in closer to her and tail was wagging adorably from side to side slowly and consistently. As much as I loved the demonstration of affection I was unsure if should hug Anuri back because I have never even hugged a woman outside of my family before but if I didn't hug her back it would make me the biggest asshole for just standing there. Against my fear and nervousness, which probably was non-existent at this point, I decided that I would hug her to not leave her hanging.
I fumbled when I tried to hug her back, between deciding to hug her hips or upper body, so my inept skills of showing affection went from to trying to give her a gentle and tranquil embrace to giving her a very awkward back rub because I didn't know where to place my filthy hands on her smooth and soft back. To my surprise however, her tail started wagging faster and she didn't object meaning she enjoyed it at least a little bit? I guess I didn't screw up entirely.
Hell, I knew her for a couple of minutes but she has already decided to have faith in me. It feels great. Another thing I was feeling was the flashback finally coming to an end.
About time...
*Flashback*
I was fully dressed in my black hoodie which cloaked around me loosely, some comfortable grey pants and my generic white socks. Ready and fit for the day. As I exit my now tidy room. I smell the fragrance of toast with jam which Anuri probably made.
...to make some magical memories.
Author's Notes
So this is the start of my Monster Musume. Bear in mind, this is my first time writing on this platform and in general. I hope you guys enjoy it. Reviews are definitely appreciated because I do wanna improve my writing. At the moment I would prefer if the reviews were not about any plot suggestions or characters you would like to add because I already have a small layout of how I plan the next couple of chapters. Anything about grammar/vocabulary is ALWAYS welcome because I don't want my stories sounding repetitive. Also enjoy it if people point out if I have too much cringe worthy crap like Mary Sues or overly edgy and tragic characters (which I hope I don't make) or if I I get my MGE and Monster Musume info wrong.
Anyway, can't promise regular updates as of now but I think I can aim for at least one chapter of about this length from 1 week to a fortnight. Does mean I can be a couple of days late or early though.
Thanks for reading this :D
-UltraDunk
