Hey guys! Some of you are coming back from the original story, I Belong to You, some of you are newcomers. Whichever you are, I hope you enjoy the new and improved version . I can't wait for you to read it. Anyway, you'd better get started. Have fun!
"So, ah, how is it you found us again?" Manning stated, avoiding contact with the woman sat in front of him.
"It's like I said. My mother had connections to the bureau through her profession of choice." she replied evenly from the chair in front of the desk, brushing her hair away from her sandy-brown face.
"Yes, as a… Monstoro-"
"Monstrologist, sir." She corrected, watching the nervous-looking man behind the desk, golden slitted eyes tracking his movements carefully.
"And how can I get in contact with your mother?"
"I can perform a seance, if you'd like." She offered without missing a beat, ignoring the way her throat seemed to thicken over her words in an attempt to cut her off. Manning cleared his throat, rubbing at his thinning hair in embarrassment.
"Yes, well, I'm afraid we can't just… hand you the job, regardless of your past connections. This is a position that must be earned."
"Then give me the chance to earn it." She pressed, concern touching her features. "I know I can if you just let me, and I think you may even be impressed."
Manning sighed, pushing himself away from the desk.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. I'm sorry, but you're far too young and inexperienced for the kind of job you're requesting. Not to mention you hardly have the skillset for this kind of organization."
The tall woman stood, the look in her eyes making the man shudder. Her body rippled and the loose-fitted jeans split from her body, exploding into shreds as a scaled mass took shape where her legs once were. She coiled the snake tail beneath her, crossing her arms as she glared down at the man and played with the end of the wooden staff strapped to her back.
"I think you'll find I'm more than equipped for the job, sir." She replied, eyes cold at the way his eyes widened. Pausing, he leaned forward, pressing the pager on his desk.
"Send in Red, Blue and Sparky." He ordered. The woman sat back on her tail, smiling with her arms still crossed.
"Alright, Manning. We're here. What did you want?" A deep voice asked. A massive figure entered the office, red skin bared beneath a straining black tee shirt. A more lithe figure entered, skin that faded from white to blue to black and back again all across his arms and chest, both of which were bared. Wide black intelligent eyes landed on the woman off to the side, black tail speckled with thin yellow rings curled beneath her torso. Manning sighed as Liz closed the door behind her.
"Alright, you three. This is Rishika Jansen. She's here to apply for a job, working alongside you." he explained briefly. Abe cocked his head, looking in surprise at the dark-skinned snake woman. The two men watched her a moment before Liz, with a sigh, stepped forward, holding out her hand.
"Elizabeth Sherman. Call me Liz, though." She smiled warmly, lightly cocking her head at the taller of them and glancing at her staff. The other woman returned the grin, taking the offered hand in a firm grip.
"Rishika. But just Ria will do." she replied, giving a small nod. The more muscular man stepped forward, placing his thick, stony hand on Liz's shoulder and offering the other to Rishika.
"Hellboy."
"'S an honor to finally meet you." She hummed back with a grin, taking his hand instead. "Been reading about you since I was just a Kaḍime ondu."
Finally, the blue man stepped forward, offering his bare hand without thinking.
"Abraham Sapien, miss Jansen." He greeted softly. Rishika smiled a bit at that, feeling the exchange of information when he touched her palm. He was... brilliant and talented and capable, and feeling it rather than knowing it was so strange to her.
ನೀವು ಪೂರೈಸಲು ಒಂದು ಸಂತೋಷ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ
She could hear his voice in her head, speaking her native tongue rather than English.
ಮತ್ತು ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನೀವು
Grinning in response, she barely listened as Manning gave them orders to take her to one of their gyms and test out her skills. She was too enthralled with the ichtho sapien that stood in front of her. Another moment passed before Red placed a hand on her shoulder, jolting Rishika from her revere.
"Come on, kid. We've got work to do." He grinned, nodding her toward the door. Giving a nod, she followed him out.
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