ALWAYS READ THE FREAKING CONTRACT

by peekodemeeko12

The story is inspired by Monster Musume No Iru Nichijou; Jackie was living in NY when the new bill to allow Extraspecies to live in the USA was passed. With the glanced over contract signed, Jackie is now the Host of a quickly growing number of Extraspecies. What can possibly go wrong taking care of predatory Extraspecies that can easily kill her? :D Cowritten by chaos-dark-lord.

36. Chapter 36

In a private room on the human side of the snow lodge away from the Extraspecies side, Jackie sat in a small lounge room holding a cup of undrunken tea in one hand while Ms. Smith, all tense and stern, sat opposite of her.

It had already been 20 minutes since the cup of the coordinator had been dry but the woman didn't seem to notice it. Instead, she just kept filling Jackie's teacup mindlessly again and again while half talking about how good of a host Jackie had been so far but all the while she had also been chewing on her lip and clearly remained lost in her own thoughts.

" … Ms. smith, are you doing alright?" Jackie asked, feeling nervous about Ms. Smith's prolonged silenced and random praises. Usually she was very vocal but her silence was deafening at the moment.

"Wha-at? Oh, yes, yes." Smith nodded, looking down, then stopped and inhaled deeply. "No, actually no." She took off her dark glasses and looked straight at Jackie, finally deciding to address the core issue. "I did not expect there would be council members in this place, much less those particular council members."

"Y-Yeah?" Jackie asked, nervous. "But who are they, really? I know Nikita is a council member from what I've gathered and Longwei is like his helper and a sort of member or operative too. But are they that … unnerving?" Jackie asked, trying to find the right word. Nikita was definitely unnerving; scary for sure. But why would Smith be scared of a cat like him? She didn't seem to be scared of anything but right now she seemed to be very nervous.

Smith took a moment to breath before answering. "I was expecting we'd be away from the council here so we could lay low for some days; not that Longwei would let his team handle New York and then come in vacation to such a remote place that also hosts humans. This place was the last place I would have expected them to be and that's why we rushed to get here." The coordinator pinched the bridge of her nose and took another deep breath, finally noticing her empty cup and serving herself some more tea that she didn't drink. "Nikita Sviet … the infamous white fang of winter ... he is far more scary and powerful that you may think. He is a council member, the ultimate representative for the bastet race and a very powerful and known character on his own. He has fought in every major war of the last century and even before that. He also just happens to be Jaska's family and he, let's just say, dislikes humans very much." Her tea wasn't hot anymore, but it was still warm and she finally took a sip before continuing. "Mengyao Longwei is Nikita's aide and a sort of advisor and high operative for the council. In fact he is the only dragon that decided to involve himself with the common affairs, more or less. He is considered a noble, all dragons are, and he is as disapproving of humans as most of the council." After leaving her cup in the table , the coordinator looked at Jackie straight in the eyes. "And they found us in not the best of moments or circumstances."

"S-So what does that mean for us?" Jackie asked, sounding very nervous and almost scared of the answer. "Is the program going to be alright after everything that's happened?"

"I really doubt it." Smith frowned. "In fact … this may be very bad for all the programs. Nikita has been trying to stop the programs and he has the support of around half of the council itself if not more. And we just gave him ammunition." She left her cup on the table. "And worse of all, this is personal. Not even I know all the details, but I can tell you they have valid and personal reasons to dislike humans. Nikita's family was hurt by humans and he isn't one to let something like that slip, much less now that a female and cubs that he now considers part of his family are involved."

"B-But why would he want to end the programs? Aren't the programs a good thing?" Jackie asked, alarmed as her heart started beating faster in fright. "The programs prevent incidentes between humans and extra species!"

"Yes, the programs are the most successful form of integration so far." Smith allowed herself a small smirk of pride but her lips quickly turned down. "But if you think about it, why are there so few? Although Extraspecies aren't as numerous as humans, or so we think, they aren't that few either. Well, some of their species and breeds are, but even so, why are programs so few in general? Just a few thousand in any given country, barely a few hundreds at best in others."

"S-So what about it? The programs are pretty new so that's normal, right?" Jackie asked, frowning.

"The programs are new in this country. But they have been around for some years in the rest of the world." Smith looked towards the window. "I think they are cautious. Maybe they have been testing us all along. And they are also prideful." She and uncrossed her legs. "Why should they integrate with humans and not the other way around? And if you think about it, why are there no reverse programs with humans entering Extraspecies cities as charges?" Smith looked serious. "And they have all the right to be so cautious given how humans have treated the world or even other humans through history. I'm sure that if some of them could avoid humans altogether they would, but the programs are also a chance to learn about each side and to learn to coexist and accept each other."

Not knowing exactly what to ask or respond made Jackie just skip to whatever involved her. " … s-so what's going to happen to my charges? Is the program here going to go under?" Jackie asked, mortified. Was she going to lose her charges over this?

"After seeing the success of the programs in the rest of America, the US government wants to have successful programs so their strained relationships with the Extraspecies and even other countries improve. They obviously don't want to admit it but the isolation idea has been a big mistake, especially when it came down to the economy. Extraspecies have their own technologies and secrets, they also took over many resources, so establishing good relations is a must, or it should be." The coordinator crossed her arms. "However, from the Extraspecies side, why would they establish any real commercial relationship with us if we can't even hold some of their people safe for a small period of time?" Smith tapped her fingers over her arm. "More so when the attempt to establish contracts in this country have been filled with incidents. You are the prime example of it, sadly. And as things are right now, it's very probable that your contract, if not all contracts, are going to be cancelled. It could be a matter of days, weeks or months, but I don't think your contracts stipulated time is going to be completed."

Jackie felt her heart dropped into her gut. She could lose her charges over this? Feeling so helpless about all this political crap, Jackie's eyes began to water before she began crying. "I don't want to lose any of them! Th-They're like my family, Smith! H-How, how can they just cut my contract short like that?"

Smith couldn't even look apologetic. "Jackie … about your contract. There is something I forgot to tell you, and it might serve for something, so-."

However, the coordinator couldn't continue. The door banged open and certain leopardess came in, looking alert around the room before locking eyes with Jackie. Her fur fluffed up, alarmed at the host's tears.

"HOST!" Sabre huffed, running straight to Jackie and hugging her while huffing at Smith.

Jackie turned to Sabre and tightly hugged her back, crying into the clouded leopard's fur.

"What did you did to Jackie, Smith? Are you trying to use her for some plan again?" Sabre puffed her fur and narrowed her eyes at the coordinator while her tail lashed. Instinctively she gave a lick to Jackie's hair before she grabbed the host by the shoulders and made her stand. "Well, I'm taking the host with me now." And without waiting for a reply, Sabre pulled Jackie away fast.

"W-w-where are we going?" Jackie hiccuped out, lifelessly following her.

"I'm taking you to a place where you'll feel better." Sabre ran straight to the buffet on the human side. When she saw the small line of people waiting to enter she narrowed her eyes and groaned. As soon as she heard a new wail from Jackie, she roared menacingly, catching the people's attention, some of which jumped aside, a chance she took to move forward in the line until she was at the front, where she quickly gave Smith's room number for the bill before Sabre pushed Jackie to one of the private boots that had a big window to see a beautiful snowy landscape.

"S-Sabre, you can't just force yourself into line like that." Jackie barely blubbered out, crying too hard to be understood clearly.

Sabre then rushed to fill a couple big plates straight out from the dessert section that she brought back, then she went back again for a few more dishes before she stole a couple jars of whatever beverage was in those, which happened to be coffee and hot chocolate.

Jackie just stared at the quickly growing pile of desserts mainly chocolate related, unable to take her eyes off of the large pile while tears spilled over her eyes.

Sabre seated herself in front of Jackie and then stood up to go and get some meat from the buffet for herself, but it was a small plate of whatever she found first . Quickly she took a bite and then made a scowling face. "Your seasoned meat is far better than this, host. Now drink some chocolate and then you tell me what happened."

Jackie huffed and puffed and tried to wipe away her tears but kept crying, completely ignoring the sweet presents the kitty had brought her. "Nikita is going to take you away from me! All of you, all of the charges!" She wildly sobbed. "It's not fair, why would he take you away? We're like a family!" She cried.

"Wait, what!?" Sabre blinked in surprise. "Jackie!" She grabbed the host by the head and pulled her forward, looking her in the eyes "Drink some of that hot chocolate and then explain. Now." She ordered with a growl.

Jackie drank some of the hot chocolate, trying not to cry before putting it down and trying to wipe off her eyes. "Smith said that Nikita wanted to take the programs down an-and because of me, he's going to take the programs in USA and America away." She cried, covering her eyes and sobbing. "It's all my fault! If only I was a better host!"

"Eh?" Sabre flickered her ears and though it. "America is a big continent with more than 30 countries and most of the countries all have a nice set up with the programs. It might fail in USA though." She noted before she shoved a macaron in Jackie's mouth. "Eat, Jackie. You need the sugar. And 1, Nikita is not going to force your contract cancelled. 2, it's not your fault, and 3, I told you, you are not a bad host."

"B-But Smith said that you all could be taken away from me in weeks, if not days from now because of all this!" Jackie cried, trying to munch on the macaron and chew it properly despite huffing and puffing, spilling crumbs everywhere.

"Nha." Sabre dismissed her and then put a mug of hot chocolate in Jackie's hand. "Nikita promised he'd let the contract finish its terms, so don't worry." She winked. "We are not going anywhere."

"Y-Y-You promise?" Jackie asked, her eyes glistening in tears as she shoved a triple chocolate muffin into her mouth.

"Of course I do!" Sabre then stood up to give Jackie a hug. "Now start eating sweets and get better. We are going to stuff ourselves here and then I'm taking you for a walk, then we are going to the saunas and then the Spa. I left enough milk bottles with Aleksey for a few hrs."

Jackie stared at Sabre before she started crying again before suddenly hugging Sabre tightly, sniffing back her tears.

"Why you crying now, host? Jackie?" Sabre proceeded to accept the hug and return it, nuzzling Jackie's forehead and barely resisting the urge to drag the host to the den so she could comfort her better. Instead, she went to get more desserts and placed them in front of Jackie as a soothing gift.

"B-B-Because I love you!" Jackie cried out loudly, gaining quite a few stares from passing customers.

"Eh?" Sabre blinked and flickered her ears, her tail suddenly stopping any movement in her confusion. After a couple seconds, she sat down and tilted her head, just quietly looking at the strange hooman.

"I-I can't stand the thought of any of you leaving me. I almost completely forgot that you were just charges and I was a host, you're all the family I never had." Jackie admitted, barely gasping in air as she sobbed wildly. She could hardly believe just how deeply the charges had wormed into her heart; they did so subtly and carefully without her noticing before it was too late to try and pretend she didn't care for them so deeply. She felt like her world was falling apart and her charges might leave because of Nikita. She wasn't ready to let go of them yet.

"Oh … uhmmmmm." Sabre felt her cheeks reddening and a deep purr rumble in her throat, her own eyes starting to water. The host thought of them all like family? She had never admitted that before. But considering Jackie's own family life, it made sense that she would want to replace those awful memories with new 'family members'. Sabre slowly approached and hugged Jackie once more, ready to quickly run to the den now. The poor depressed rock of a host clearly needed cuddling, however, before she could take her away, a low deep growl made her stop.

"Family? No make me laugh." Nikita's gruff voice cut through the emotional air like a knife. Sabre turned, seeing Nikita standing by the table with a displeased growl.

"Uncle Nikita!?" Sabre looked surprised at the older tiger being here of all places.

As if sensing her question, the council member answered. "I, as bastet representative, come look for Sabre Neofelis for important interview. The conference will be ready soon."

"An interview? But you already interviewed me." Sabre lowered her ears sideways in displeasure. Now she was going to have to be very careful when remember all she told him, much, even if not lies, weren't exactly the full truth either.

"Da, but this long distance conference very important. Now come niece." He said and stood up, waiting for Sabre.

"Right now?" Jackie asked with a needy frown, still holding onto Sabre and not planning to let go any time soon.

Nikita just so slightly narrowed his eyes at the human. "Extraspecies matters not business for humans. And you, all the charges under your contract will be on hold until our investigation of you and your place deems it safe for them to return."

"What?!" Jackie shouted, mortified. "O-Of course my house is safe for them! You can't legally hold them … c-can you?" Jackie asked in horror. Could Nikita really hold them from her like that?

Sabre stood up and hesitated, then she gave Jackie a big hug and stepped in front of her and placed her hands over her hips while puffing out to face the living legend of a council member. "Uncle Nikita, I'm glad for your concern, but this host and her place is safe enough. I'm sure you are going to send Longwei to check it out, and to ensure all, I'm also going to send someone you know and trust before I head back there with my cubs. Is that alright?" She grinned with confidence.

Nikita stared at her with a frown. "Oh? And who that?" He asked, curious.

The leopardess crossed her arms and tilted her head lightly. "A specialist that is well versed in securing an area and detecting or locating dangers, also someone that has a personal stake in this and that will ensure the charges safety." She then hugged herself, blushing and wiggling in place. "The most wonderful, handsome, courageous, valiant, strong, smart, caring, determined and wonderful mate I … ," she caught herself and then fakely coughed. "Aleksey."

"Hmph. Physically weak." Nikita huffed in displeasure, flattening his ears sideways. "He too hurt to carry out mission."

"But he won't be alone. Longwei will be there too." Sabre grinned, making her point. "Besides, I wouldn't trust just anyone else for checking the place where my cubs will visit, and I would be safe if Aleksey says it's safe." She then scratched the back of her head. "It's not that I don't trust Longwei but an extra pair of eyes is always better and Longwei is not used to being surrounded by so many hoomans nearby, whereas Aleksey was specially trained for it."

Nikita frowned, pondering it for a few moments. "Why not other operative? Why Aleksey? He need constant medical attention." Nikita argued.

"Because he is my mate and he said he'll come with me there. My own contract term hasn't ended yet either and I have business there, plus my cubs will be safe will all the charges around, so Aleksey should get used to the place too and all needed arrangements and remodels for his treatment there should be made." Sabre looked serious and worried. "Neither he nor my cubs can travel far yet, and we can't risk cutting the contracts or it would be bad for all your plans uncle, so that's the best solution." She then looked aside with very bright and almost watering eyes while taking her hand to her chest. "And we don't want to get separated again either."

"Hm … fine, Longwei and Aleksey go, if he agree." Nikita said with a light nod.

Without warning, Sabre jumped over Nikita to give him a hug, before the incredibly masculine scent made her let go and take a couple steps back with a bit of a daze.

"Now come, we leave." Nikita blinked while his lip twitched upwards just so slightly, taking Sabre's shoulder and directing her away from the host.

"R-Right now? Why not later? Sabre and I w-w-were going to go to the spa." Jackie said, catching Sabre's paw as her eyes glistened, clearly looking unusually needy and desperate.

"We'll go after the interview and all." Sabre smiled and pushed a plate of sweets in front of Jackie before quickly giving her a lick on the cheek. "Meanwhile enjoy all the desserts." She closed her eyes towards Jackie and went away.

Sabre offered a glance back at the host, seeing her eyes watering and heartbroken expression but Nikita kept her from turning around to return to the host.

"Important Extraspecies much excited to see you, Sabre." Nikita spoke, keeping up a brisk pace back down the hall once they were in a lone corridor towards a private and secure meeting room in the facility.

"Important Extraspecies?" Sabre blinked, getting worried.

"Da, royals." Nikita explained, sure that no one was near enough to hear them before they arrived to the programmed interview. "As bastet representative I sent notice of lost royal found and they wanted to the meet as soon as possible."

"Wa-wait, what!?" Sabre stopped in her strides, her eyes wide and her fur puffed. "But Uncle Nikita, I don't even know if I am a real royal or not."

"You are. Blood analyzed and results … very surprising." He looked over at her and then opened the door to the room.

The conference was set, there was a place for sabre and in front of it, in a 'U' distribution were a series of black disks on the floor that looked as if they were plates with some sort of black-blueish goo in their middles, in the middle of it all, a bigger plate held some silver substance that looked more liquid than solid. At the back, the curtains were drawn and there no telecommunications equipment that Sabre could see.

Nikita closed the door behind himself and locked it. "This very private conference. We can't risk interception, so we'll use special hologram projection. You know not Extraspecies language that well but common words are safe and posture can be seen even if scents not, ultrasound also can be sent."

Sabre gulped down and nodded feeling herself almost trapped. The Extraspecies language could give her away, after all, it was a mix of readable postures, infrasounds, scents and common words, although languages were used normally at the same time to convey greater detail. However, this was some technology she had never seen or heard about, not to mention she was going to met some of the most secretive bastet and influential Extraspecies.

"I start conference. Worry not, they know basis of you, you need not speak different." Nikita said and let her to stand behind the central disk. He then advanced to give a growl at the disk while placing his hand over it. The machine emitted a couple flickers of light over his face and then beeped, after which, the other disks vibrated in place for a second before litting up and created a beam of dusty light above them. A moment later, the central disk began vibrating and shoved more dusty grey light all around the room, moving it from floor to ceiling and then back; but by the second time it did so the figures of various bastet began appearing over the other disks.

Sabre did her best to remain unmoving. There were some very old cats and some younger ones appearing to be older than her, on the younger part, situated at the back were the young males, a snow leopard, a king cheetah, a black leopard and a lion along with a very young cougar and middle aged but mauled female leopard. Closer to her were the older ones, a one eyed lioness, a small lynx that barely held himself leaning on a cane, an older leopardess, two female jaguars, a mature amur leopard ,and closest to her right, a really , REALLY old tigress.

Sabre stared at them all, admittedly very nervous about saying the right thing to them. These were the legitimate royals of the bastets, meanwhile she was manmade. She let out a shaky sigh, standing up straight, waiting for them to speak first.

"So this is the new-old blood thought lost?" The amur leopard asked leaning slightly forward.

"Seems … to … be … so." The lynx spoke oh so slowly between labored breaths. "More … than … than …, than … we … could … hope."

"Mmhh …, " the lioness narrowed her eyes and tapped her claws on her crossed arms, contemplating.

"She's quite young." The young cougar remarked with a cheeky smile.

"You are younger than her, cub." The middle aged leopardess remarked, also looking at the clouded leopard before turning to the old tigress. "Is her blood really that pure?"

The old tigress eyed Sabre and then nodded slowly without uttering a single word. " She … is. I … can … … tell ... just ... by ... looking … at ... the ... young ... kitten." The elderly tigress wheezed out as the others patiently waited for her to finish.

Meanwhile, Sabre really had no idea what to say, if to say anything or what was this meeting supposed to be about, and the fact that the mighty Nikita wasn't even speaking was slightly unsettling. In fact, she quickly stole a glance toward the council member and noticed that he was standing firm and unmoving in the background as the royals chatted to one another. So she decided to remain quiet and just observe them argue.

Their chattering went on among many growls and noises, even farts from the old lynx or tigress that feel asleep and everyone waited for her to wake up again, although the lioness started growling at everyone and the guys around Sabre's age kept eyeing her weirdly. Still, they went on talking.

"So we are going to recognize her officially? It's been a long time since we did … do we need to go all formal with rituals?" The young cougar asked.

"Probably, except that we are supposed to be a secret. Practically no one knows we still exist." The lioness answered.

"Then we'll need to ask some other race to recognize her officially too, and then she can also be used as communication with other courts, but who?"

"The merfolk have already accepted her. It seems someone of noble blood within the royal guard noticed her royal blood and informed his queen. Everyone already knows by now." The cougar sighed and facepalmed. "You know how they are with gossip, by now half of the extra species around the world will know."

"Then…. they will…. wait…. for us …..to contact... them... and... Start... start... negotiations … I think... 'that' ... council... member... can... take... care... of...of... those." The lynx noted, slowly and between haggard breaths while pointing his cane to Nikita, who just barely nodded, still not speaking.

"We...accept...her. I..want...to...see...our...kin...survive." The old tigress said, immediately shutting everyone up before almost falling asleep for a second and waking up with the sound of her own snore.

"Thats fine, we'll discuss all details and plans later." The snow leopard exhaled and then waved his hand, then his hologram disappeared. One by one, all the bastet began saying their goodbyes and disconnecting till Sabre and Nikita were alone again.

Sabre stared at the empty room, blinking in confusion. " … was that it?" She asked in confusion, turning to Nikita. "They … they didn't even talk to me." She said, surprised. "What was this about?"

"Da, they like that. They take decisions, you'll learn too..or at least you'll get used to it." Nikita said, placing his big hand on her shoulder and giving a small squish. "Now we leave room so other charges can have self interviews with their representatives."

"Oh … okay." Sabre said, still weirded out.

"Think not of it. They accepted you and bloodline with you, all fine. Mermaid gossip hard to manage now but I deal with it, you can rest." Nikita smiled; or just attempted to. She couldn't tell.

Sabre nodded, slightly more unsure about all this, but at least she was sure of something. After she checked on her cubs, she was going to go find the host again and would cuddle the hell out of Jackie no matter how much chocolate she needed to stuff inside the host's mouth to make her feel better.

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MWMWWMWMMWWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMMWMWMWMWMWMWMWM

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Nikita stayed in the room, starting the transmission to the merfolk representative who had been contacted previously. In this case, with the charge being a noble, protocol stated that it was the head of the charge's family, and that meant Reza's mother and sister.

As Sabre stepped out of the room she nearly stepped on Reza's fin. Her instincts made her muscles jolt and leapt away in an exaggerated fashion before she whipped around, eyeing him with startelement before seeing the host lying on his back and barely avoiding the poisonous spikes, strung out in a chocolate coma.

"Oh, hello my royal kitty? Are you fine? Good thing you remembered to be careful of my fin, are you done with your interview? What was it about?" He asked with a cheerful smile as Jackie sadly whined. Reza twisted his arm back, petting the mopey host on the head to help calm her.

"Reza? What are you doing with the host?" Sabre asked, startled to see Jackie in the state she was in; tear streaked with chocolate smudges on her face.

"Oh, I went to check on the host since she hasn't pet me in a while. Have I told you how good it actually feels to me when you licked my ears or when the host sucked on them? I'd like you to suck on my ear too, it should feel weird but good with that tongue of your. Anyways, I saw the host slurping so much chocolate straight out of the chocolate fountain, not of the best quality - which reminds me I should prepare some desserts every so often - and she looked so pathetic and sad and terrible that I wanted to show her to my mother. She's my line's representative, so I guess it will be her, and my little sister as the next one in line is probably going to be there too. But, anyway, I wanted to show them my host while she looked so adorably pathetic." Reza explained with a cheerful grin.

Sabre stared at the host, realizing how politically bad it would be for someone in power to see the host in her current depressed state. With quick reflexes she snatched Jackie up and tossed her over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "I'm taking the host away to … um … rest, because she needs it. Go ahead to your interview while I cuddle the host." She said, starting to trot away quickly.

"Wait, hey! You're going to cuddle with the host? Let me come too!" Reza excitedly shouted, trying to catch up to them but Sabre picked up the pace, quickly running away with the host.

"Your interview ready." Nikita suddenly stepped in front of Reza and the merman gasped before rushing inside away from the alpha. Once inside, Reza pouted, letting Sabre escape with the host for the time being, but quickly regaining his smile when he saw a hologram of his mother and sister in the middle of the room. Reza noticed that his sister was wearing one of the clothing samples he had sent her from Sabre's line, something he very much would like to have himself at the moment because his scales were getting dry in his normal clothes.

As soon as he stood over the disk, he knew his hologram was projected at the other side of the line, and so, he took a deep breath at the same time than his mother, and then both of them began talking at the same time.

"Hello mother, it's been awhile since I ran away … sort of, with your permission. You wouldn't believe how cramped the trip was to the host's house! Well, my current host, the other hosts … like 5 of them I think, were stuffy too, they were entertaining but not that fun, well not all of them but in any case they weren't as fun as my current household, land predators are funny creatures. Also, I felt like Baba inside his little tiny carrier was quite stuffy too- Baba is the name of the forever living fish I have, the one my lil guppy of a sister gave, that thing with red scales; by the way, it was named by a little fluffy kit named Antain, who was adopted by a … not sure what the name of her race is, there are way too many but just know that she is a feline and she's the royal bastet I told you about, and that kit is not of her race, but he acts like it, and he vibrates and purrs when you carry him, also he likes knives and I'm teaching him how to use them, well, not the cooking knives, but the throwing ones. Anyway, the car ride was pretty cramped but I was looking forward to being a charge for a fairly nice host, who's name is Jackie and she bought me this really nice set of knives so I could make lots of yummy sushi and sashimi, and oh that bastet, not the other ones, the royal one, she likes sushi and knows the different types and all, but anyway, I arrived at the house which was a pretty tiny looking house so I was doubtful they would have been able to fit all of the necessary tanks inside and I was suspecting that maybe they sold some of the extra tubing maybe before Smith dragged me up the stairs to her home, but it wasn't that small, it was actually the whole building, well, 2 connected buildings and one is the host's, although not all the building was for me, still it was bigger than all the other one's I've been while in the program - it smelled weird inside but a nice kind of weird, the kind of weird I hadn't ever smelt before then since it was all land Extraspecies. Funny, I guess being other aquatic Extraspecies didn't work that well, they didn't know how to be around a noble that wasn't acting like a noble in general. Anyways, about the land predators they were all super nice and looked like they wanted to fight me as a nice welcoming so I of course obliged and made the host wheel me to my room and the first to lunge at me was a fun but anger filled saltwater crocodile named Kroc who murdered his father and then blamed the dragon for it not that long ago, Now that I think about it, he wasn't the one to exactly blame the council's dragon, but it ended like that anyways, and then Smith made us go to the Snow lodge where we officially met Nikita, who is a super scary white tiger from Russia, you know, the famous one? I didn't meet him in any meeting when I was still a guard, but he way scarier than all gossips and legends say, really, funny thing because he is a commoner, well, even more impressive, he is extra scary, far more than most nobles I know off. Anyway, so I poisoned him, the crocodile, and then squirted water at the little fox in a playful manner but the mama got super mad at me and tried attacking me - the kitty mama - and then, since I was curious about their bodies, I made lots of yummy sushi and overfed all of them so I could poke at their paws and look in between their legs. Mammals look very funny in between their legs you know especially when they're connecting together like when I saw the tiger, one of the other cats at the house, and I know he is a tiger because of the stripes, going at it with the … clouded leopard, I think? YES, the royal kitty, she is the clouded leopard-cat-bastet-thingy one, but for being a leopard she has few spots in her fur, more like bands, a mix of everything, and her fur color changed once she became bigger in fluff for winter. Anyway, it's not the white tiger it's a different one, you know, the long lost nephew of the white one that Smith kept secret from the big and scary white one - oh, both of them actually, the super hurt one and the mental one, I think it was the mental one at the house, yeah, definitely the mental one. He wasn't very good at being a trained operative since he got caught and brainwashed or whatever and his brother blew something up, himself probably. It seems that mammal special forces are super below even my skill level up here on land, although I think it is because they were trained by hooman special forces and not extra species one, that would explain it, speaking of which I tried to murder the mental tiger and make him into tiger sushi to make everyone feel better since he went feral at some point, he even attacked the female cat he was mating with, that is like super bad I heard, some sort of taboo and very punishable. That was before Kroc murdered his own dad but the host threw a sparkly weird fun ball into the room and I forgot about murdering him, the striped menace cat I mean, and speaking about the host, she's pretty cool, I like her a lot since she bought me the best sushi plate set ever and that makes her a good host considering my last few hosts which wouldn't even buy me a decent knife so I ended up using them as target practice. Is that one host out of his coma yet or is he a 'vegetable' now? I think hoomans refer to people who become brain dead vegetables but I really don't understand it, you can't boil them like vegetables; oh! And speaking of vegetables I've been trying lots of new yummy recipes thanks to the host and all the fresh ingredients I have in my pool which are all so fresh that they twitch when I pour soy sauce over them but since it freaked out my past hosts whenever I did that I decided not to show the host that but then again, maybe it would cheer her up considering how sad she's been looking lately and when she's sad she overeats. Oh, I wonder if I could go look between her legs now while she's in a food coma." Reza spoke, glancing back at the door in thought in his first pause through this entire conversation before starting up again, "but then again at one point I was able to scale the hair off of her legs which felt pretty good against my fingertips, not to mention it feels amazing when she or Sabre sucks on my ears, it feels so good that it feels like I am peaking at an exceptionally higher rate when they do that me. Oh, speaking of which, cats have super weird spikes on their tongue that feel super good on my ear too. I wonder if her babies have that same textured tongue and if I'd be able to trick them somehow into nibbling on my ear for my own entertainment but I've noticed that Sabre doesn't even like me being near her cubs which is super mean, so I'll be a good uncle, and she said we are uncles to those cubs even though we aren't even related, and I'll teach them to use knives and all stuff, I'm starting with the adopting one because he is bigger and can hold a knife, he is still bad at aiming but he is improving, so Sabre will soon let me play with the others. Maybe she is nervous. Where you ever nervous about us when we were younger, mother? I think not, but I like your approach. Oh, right back on topic, so anyway while I was touching between their legs back at the house the host came to talk to me for a bit and that's when she offered to buy me new knives, so we left and went to the store but while at the store the snake caused problems and made the jaguar super scared since he thought that underneath malls were secret sex dungeons that he would be dragged off to if he was out of sight of his host and was super scared after that. And once we got home the snake bit the host and injected her with poison but while she was healing I wasn't allowed to cuddle with her even though everyone else was cuddling with her and it looked super nice and warm, so I think I'm going to start monopolizing the host more as revenge for not letting me cuddle enough with them before and cuddling also feels super nice and warm! In the car ride over to the snow lodge I was able to cuddle with Kroc and Jaska super comfy but then they rudely locked me in the tank so after the truck crashed I smashed through the glass and jumped onto them to hug them some more but then the driver was dead so Kroc carried us all up the hill and onto the road before taking us down the super cold road and the crocodile was moving so slow that even I would be able to outpace him on land before a large dragon, the council's one, the one called Longmai came and picked us up before taking us to the snow lodge, and we were flying, well, he was flying and carrying us all in his mega big claw, but there was no safety nets or protection or anything, and when we got there, well, here we found out that Sabre ran away and had kittens in a cave during a snowstorm while we were being checked out in the medical room but the big fat snake who could have stopped her decided to nap instead of help with anything so all we could do was wait for her to return so we can take a look at her fluffy babies. Have you ever felt something fluffy before? Not slimy and plush like a sea slug, but fluffy? It's a pretty incredible material that is super hard to get the right feel of since we are naturally wet and slimy but after drying off my hands I can really tell the difference in delicious texture which feels amazing against my skin, you should try it! It's super nice but you'll have to come out of the water for that if you want to. OH! Speaking of water, the water in New York is absolutely disgusting! It's the most horrible water. When we went to go rescue the host from a kidnapping bat, which is a fluffy thing that flies but has no feathers, the other charges dumped me into the gross water below and while they were looking for the host I thought that I might as well look for ingredients but I found a weird plant man instead, and I attacked him thinking he might make for interesting vegetarian sushi but he was able to pin me. I was going to cut off his head but then he began listing titles for Sabre and I was so bored that I just gave up the fight and he told me he was looking for the kitty but he was addressing her like she was royalty and that's how I found out about her secret status and her servant so I kindly gave him the address to the host's house so he could meet us there once we get back so that will be interesting to see him there once we return. And she has sooo many titles that you could sleep while someone lists them, more so, that plant has skill, skill enough to be a royal's servant, I could stab him, repeatedly, and he probably wouldn't fall or so it seemed ... Speaking of returning, I can't wait to sleep in my nice cool tank, the waters here are nice and warm but they don't have that touch of home with all the coral inserts and other fish other than the Extraspecies fish but since we aren't back in our territory I couldn't just use them for ingredients so I just left them be. I really wish you could have met my host but Sabre came by and took her away from me while the host was looking adorably pathetic in her chocolate coma. Is it chocolate or cocoa? I don't know the difference myself other than one is solid and the other is a liquid, I think? And some are yummy while others are super gross but that's alright, all of it was consumed by the mighty host while she was sad which was super fun to watch and wonder when she'd pass out and the answer is after about 67 pieces of fruit dipped into a chocolate fountain while her tears offered a nice salty touch to the sweetness. Oh, and speaking of sweet I've begun thinking about trying to make some desserts to go along with my sushi but I want to wrap the desserts in sushi rolls so it looks cohesive along with the fish inside the regular sushi which I think would look really beautiful and speaking of beauty, the host said I was more beautiful than the diva snake! It was hilarious, the needy snake was trying to take her away from me and had the audacity to suggest that his scales were more beautiful and while most of the time I would let this slide I really wanted to keep the host's warmth so I asked the host all sexy like if I was more beautiful than the snake and she said that yes, I was! The look on the black mamba's face was amazing! I am going to have to make the host extra sushi for that and maybe I can get her to try out some of my experiment dessert sushi. I think she'll devour anything as long as it's covered in chocolate. Oh so anyway, after the host left to go fix up the crocodile, the black jaguar named Eztli, I think? Jumped into the water and started chasing after me but refused to dive down deep so I slipped into a tube of water and he followed after me! He had to keep taking a new breath every couple of feet but he looked super funny chasing after me while Sabre and her little kitty kit were watching from the ground like smart kitties. I didn't feel like attacking him so I just let him follow me all the way back to my pool before the host started yelling at him. I've noticed that mammals are super loud, especially when they are connecting their sex organs together. Jaska and Sabre kept using the host's designated mating area in her room to mate and sometimes they left the door a little open so I was able to get a good look at them and they looked so funny humping away and doing a weird thrusting motion that I could only laugh at how ridiculous they looked but enough about that, so anyway it's really weird to crawl over floorboards in the house although it is smoother than most floorboards I've trained on before. Once when the host was being attacked by a rival female for control over the territory and charges- which I now know is not how you become a host - I had to slide over the floorboards. Hoomans fight in a really funny way by the way and it's clear the host has had no fighting training at any point so I should train her at some point but I could only really train her in the water and even then she might just manage a few panicked splashes, also she has a horrible aim, so knive throwing isn't an option either for her, but then my host grabbed a metal frying pan and began smacking the rival with it which was okay but not done very well. Oh! Speaking of rivals I think it will be super tense between the two rival tigers, the mental and crippled one, as to who gets Sabre and the babies and considering that she is a super rare royal kitty I imagine that they will fight to the death over her. Ah~ how tragic! Two brothers fighting for the one they mated with and not knowing who the kittens belong to, and the brothers were long lost brothers for a long time as well … it's a super fun tragedy, it really is and can you believe it, but I don't really know how long cats carry their babies inside because they don't lay eggs, so we can't know wat striped cat fathered them because of all the pushing the kittens out before time in that storm, but she likes the crippled cat more, and because the mental one went mental and attacked her and everyone she kinda wants to kill him now, but it would still be funny because the mental one still wants her as mate and all. Oh, and you won't believe it, well, you will, but I hid the fact I love tragedy for almost 2 months just so I could enjoy the drama unfold before me without my interference. Mammals are such funny and dramatic creatures, they really are and I enjoy it a lot. It's been quite fun being around them.

While Reza continued to speak on seemingly a single breath or two of air, a small little fox stumbled into the room, hugging an overweight red fish against his chest, looking around desperately for something before spotting Reza in his tank. Antain gasped, running over to the tank before he jumped up onto the side, barely balancing himself before he tossed Baba into the tank and watched the fish slowly begin to swim around dangerously close to Reza's spikes.

"Oh." Reza paused, glancing back and seeing Baba barely swimming around the water while Antain giggled and laughed, batting the top of Baba's head with a little paw. Reza grinned, reaching back and picking up Antain before presenting the little furry fox kit to his mother. "This is Antain, the one I was telling you about. The fluff adopted by the kitty." Reza said before reaching back, picking up Baba and showing it to them. "See? Even the slow fish is still alive. It's pretty funny how it won't die." Reza lightly laughed before he coughed, setting Baba back into the water before he took a few sips to cool his parched throat.

"Reza … what is wrong with your voice? You've barely spoken for 45 minutes." The mermaid said looking serious. "Why is my sweet baby boy's voice so hoarse?"

"Ah~ yeah, I spoke nonstop for almost an entire day before this … I'm not saying that my throat hurts, but … it hurts." He heavily sighed while Antain nuzzled against the crook of Reza's neck, purring against him. "See?! He makes this cat noises. Oh! Yes, I am also teaching this little kit how to throw knives as I told you. I think he'll be good at it one day." Reza grinned, nuzzling against the kit's soft tail as Antain giggled and hugged the top of Reza's head, nibbling on his hair.

The younger mermaid, Sabre's little sister, pressed herself closer. "What is that little thing? It's cute. He is a baby mammal? Are they all that cute? ... hey! He is wearing a design of WYLD! And it's not in the catalogues! Ohh its so cute! I want more models. The samples you sent me are great, they are not so old fashioned and no one else has ever had anything of that material."

The older mermaid leaned forward too. "Oh yes, well until I tell your aunt that there are models for little cubs! She'll want the catalogue right away. New models would make the rest of the court so miserable and envious, ho, ho, ho. All our family is quite interested in WYLD models and custom creations." From out of nowhere she took out a fan made out of coral to hide her laugh behind. "And Reza, are you miserable yet, away from home and from your noble status? Being mostly treated like a commoner, in a house without aquatic companions of any kind, away from home after running away … oh, how horrible, is it not?"

" … you know, I'm not miserable at all like how I thought I would be. I'm actually very happy." Reza admitted with a soft smile, licking the top of Antain's head before spitting out a few stray hairs. Licking furry things is definitely not fun.

"You're not?" Reza's mother blinked before a small smile escaped her lips. "Mmmhh … your contract is quite strange too, maybe you need more of it to end up with a big tragedy. Are you going to mate the host? Or perhaps you want to compete for the royal kitty? I'd think that a noble falling for a hooman commoner is even more tragic than pursuing a royal Extraspecies, she is of a high status after all and the tragedy of a common mate is already going behind her, so the hooman seems even more tragic and pathetic. So what do you plan to do? I still want you to tell me about your great tragedy."

"And I cannot wait for it to unfold. I might have to become a little more active if I want this to be more fun." Reza softly sighed before hoarsely coughing, taking a moment to sip on some more water. He softly sighed, knowing he wouldn't be able to talk much after this, especially once his mother started speaking too. She and his sister spoke as much as he did but they usually waited until he petered out before speaking - mostly, he suspected, so he'd be too weak to flee their ramblings. Perhaps he'd go find the host and look between her legs if she was still in a chocolate coma.

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Meanwhile, Sabre had gotten back to her room where Dumisa was watching her cubs. Upon entering, she gladly saw Dumisa's coils forming a pen for the cubs that happily napped over the polar bear rug.

"There you are, Sabre. Your cubs are loud sleepers." Dumisa huffed in annoyance before noticing the state of the host. "Now that's a sorry sight. What happened?" Dumisa asked, tasting the air with his tongue and tasting Reza's scent on the host.

Sabre placed Jackie over the rug and then carefully placed her cubs around her while the host only groaned before Sabre began licking Jackie as much as her cubs. "She had a nasty conversation with Smith and I took her to the buffet to get some dessert and assure her all is fine, then I had an interview and she ate too much chocolate after I left." Sabre accommodated the host and rubbed her cheek against Jackie's. "She's super worried about us all."

" … is it working so far?" Dumisa asked in a quieter voice, worriedly looking over the host as she laid on her side, seeming dead to the world at the moment. "Your plan to save the host, that is." Dumisa asked, looking up at Sabre, "seeing how the host is currently acting like dead weight, it seems it's up to us to take care of her this time."

"So far it's going well, we just need to stick to the story." Sabre twisted then her lips. "Although seems the biggest problem is me due to my … blood. I didn't anticipated that I am-"

A knock on the door interrupted her.

"Sabre, it me, Aleksey, I come in." Aleksey announced with a small chuffing sound.

Before the door opened, Dumisa, seeming oddly serious, called her attention. " … Sabre, we need to talk."

The door opened and Aleksey came in with a big smile that just widened when he say Sabre and not diminishing despite the snake being there.

Aleksey came in, grinning when he saw Sabre she she walked over to him and smooched him with a big hug and various kisses.

"Let's go Dumisa, ´leksey can take care of the cubs and the host." Sabre told Dumisa and then turned to her mate to give him a lick in the check. "I'm going to go speak with Dumisa. I'll be back later."

"Why go with snake? I want mate." Aleksey said, emitting a few needy chuffing sounds.

"Do not be so clingy. It's an embarrassment." Dumisa huffed, slapping Aleksy on the back with his tail before turning and leaving for Sabre to follow.

"Dumisa is a partner in business, so we need to discuss stuff I guess. I'll be back soon enough." Sabre hugged him before looking up with bright, big worried eyes while tracing circles over his arm. "Are you alright, Aleksey? Do you need anything?"

"Just you." He purred, nuzzling her before chuckling. "Go ahead, Mishka." He said with a gentle smile.

Sabre gave him another hug and a gentle kiss. "I'll be back soon and I'll bring some meat cubes, meanwhile please stay with our cubs and the strung out on chocolate host." After a final kiss she walked away, stopping for a moment before going out the door. "I love you. I'll be back soon." She slowly close her eyes towards her mate before rushing back to give him another hug and then rushing away.

Aleksey smiled, watching her leave before frowning, turning and staring at the host with a frown. He disliked how close she was to the kittens but he couldn't move them without them waking up. He let out a huff, trotting over and sitting at the base of the cushions to stare at her in annoyance and watch the babies like a good mate.

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Sabre followed after Dumisa, watching as he tasted the air to make sure no one was around before slithering into a nearby room. Sabre followed him, stepping inside to find the host's room in front of them. She sniffed at the host's scent, enjoying her pleasant smell reminding her of pets and yummy cooked ducks while Dumisa shut the door to the neutral area.

"What is it that you want to speak about, Dumisa?" Sabre asked, turning towards the serpent.

Without warning the snake whipped forward, making Sabre jump before Dumisa tightly hugged her, coiling his entire body around her and tightly squeezing her in a hug. She struggled to breath as Dumisa took in a deep breath, visibly calming himself before he loosened his grasp but kept her within his coils. "I'm sorry, Sabre." He apologized, seeming awkward in his apology.

"Wait … what?" Sabre tried getting out of the coil but he was hugging her quite firmly.

"I am sorry for acting so rashly and dry biting you before, putting you and your little ones at risk. I … panicked. I was deeply disturbed by the fact you were leaving that I was reminded of my past. I did not mean to hurt you and I sincerely apologize." He sadly frowned, genuinely upset.

"Dumisa … I … to be honest I don't know if I'm angry or not because I understand it but yeah, I was in danger too." She huffed before she exhaled. "You are a really needy snake you, know? Mmhh ... as an apology … well, you'll have to help into getting the collection for spring. We can't allow Cyan to add all those frills, or worse, Indra add all those bright colors."

"I'm needy because I deserve it. I'm pretty amazing." He said with a straight and serious face. "Agreed. Cyan's designs are, although interesting, not sellable to the general audience we want and Indra is one of the most irritating feathery bird brains I have ever met." He hissed in irritation. "Without me, the entire line would be ruined." He huffed in annoyance.

Sabre chuckled and then freed her arms to give him a hug. "And you need to learn not to be so desperate needy. You know I am your friend, no matter what, even if you dry bite me … but if you ever bit me with poison I will come back from the dead to haunt you forever."

"Hmph, probably to compliment the new designs I would implement." He smirked back at her. "I'm not just a pretty face. I have excellent sense of style out of all 3 of you so called top designers." He miffed, referring to Sabre, Cyan and Indra.

Sabre flickered her fingers over his forehead. "Hey, don't get too cocky, snakey. You still don't know that much about materials"

"This is true, but you had better watch out. After I learn the right materials, I'll surpass all of you." He devilishly smirked.

"I don't even want to know what I'd do if you weren't on my side." She sighed. "But now … please tell me all that happened while I was feral."

"Ok, but you tell me all what's happened, you've been rushing here." Dumisa crawled towards the bed and her there so they both could get comfortable. After all, he wanted to hear all and from his part it would take little given that he had been unconscious or tranqued most of the time.

Sabre started with all she could remember and ended with her interview of the royal, while Dumisa told her what he could about himself and the others. After they shared stories, Dumisa used his the tip of his tail to pull on her fluffy tail and call her attention.

"I have to ask, Sabre. Why are you taking such a lowly male to be your mate?" Dumisa asked with a harder expression now.

"Huh? What do you mean?" The bastet tilted her head sideways, blinking in confusion.

"I am talking about Aleksey. He's not strong enough to help protect you from what's to come, not to mention he is a broken commoner cat without an ounce of royal blood in him. How do you plan to defend your decision to taking a commoner as a mate to those royal bastests? I imagine they'll want to use you as a breeding post to make more royal kittens." Dumisa asked with an annoyed sneer, not aimed at her but rather aimed at those who will inevitably cause her trouble.

Sabre hissed in response. "Dumisa, I love Aleksey. He is my mate, we've been together though a lot of things and I can't even think about not being with him. He may be hurt but he will heal, eventually. I don't care if he is a commoner. Heck, I didn't even know I was a royal a month ago." She hugged dumisa, resting her chin on the crook of his neck.

"A passionate response, but will it be enough?" Dumisa wondered out loud, going ahead and hugging her in return. "What's weird is that you're not even considering to abandon a broken mate." Dumisa heavily sighed. "I hope you don't plan on using us other males to replace him when he can't fulfill your needs."

Sabre hissed and gave his ear a light punishing bite. "After all we've gone through do you still think I could ever do that?" Angry, she gave him a small smack. "My mate is back. He is not broken, he is just hurt and already healing. I love him deeply."

"Well, I wouldn't know. I've never known a female to be dedicated to her mate before." Dumisa smirked, enjoying her annoyance. "But, if you say so." He shrugged.

"You seriously need to start interacting with females from other species, Dumisa." Sabre deadpanned.

"I suppose so." He smirked in return.

With a loud and logh sigh, Sabre continued, this time more serious. "And I am conscious that there will be people trying to use me. But I have a plan."

"You usually do." Dumisa smirked. "Well, I wish you luck on your plan then. Does it involve me in anyway?" He asked.

"Actually yes, it involves all of you and if it goes right we will save the host too. Maybe it will let us be rid of problems with the council."

"Who knows. You'd have to talk to Reza more about their tactics." Dumisa shrugged.

"It's Reza, maybe not talking would be best" Sabr shrugged too.

"If you can listen close to what he says, I imagine he has important things to say … masked around a bunch of nonsense." He sighed. "Maybe."

"Yeah … later. You kept to the story, that will help us, but for now … hey, didn't you do your interview shortly after me?" Sabre stood up. "You were supposed to go to the meeting room, I think."

" … ugh. As if I want to talk to that wretched b**** of an alpha." Dumisa heavily sighed. "But, yeah, I have to. I'll be seeing you, then." Dumisa said, turning tail and leaving into the hallway to go do his interview.

"I'll accompamny you to the conference room." She stood by his side. "Remember that whatever happens, you are still going to finish your contract time and you have us all, Dumisa."

"Yeah. All I have to do is never return." Dumisa smirked confidently. "I'm outside of her territory so she has no power over me. And if I happen to find a human mate, I won't have to return at all." Dumisa grinned before leaving for the interview room.

"Territory, huh?" Sabre looked pensive as they arrived.

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while the kittens nuzzled against her sleepily, using the hooman as a perfect pillow for them to rest on. He really didn't like it, after all, hoomans had caused Extraspecies and his own family much too many troubles and horrors, but then again, Sabre … she had made him change his mind for the most part and he couldn't imagine things without her now. In any case, he was going to test out the host for himself. He wanted to know what made Sabre trust her. He rounded Jackie a few times, staring at her curiously before taking a seat, not taking his eyes off of her for a moment. He reached out, poking her head a few times before she stirred in her sleep, waking up from her small food coma.

"Ugh … I feel like crap." Jackie whined, holding her aching stomach. She was so stressed that she ate just way too much food. She was about to roll over before pausing, noticing the furry babies resting on top of her. They looked so at peace that she didn't dare move to wake up.

Aleksey blinked, never taking his eyes off of the host while looming over her rather menacingly.

Jackie perked up, turning around and seeing Aleksey there in the room. She awkwardly stard at him, unsure of what to say. "Um … how are your wounds feeling, Alekesy?" She asked, trying to make small talk.

Aleksey growls some more and sits down, still staring at Jackie.

Jackie awkwardly looked away, showing submission. " … Aleksey, if I did something to upset you then uh, I'm sorry. I really don't know what I did to upset or insult you, but I didn't mean it, alright?" Jackie said, thinking it would be best to just apologize for anything she might have done to upset him.

Aleksey huffs, puffing up his chest but then sighs. "Uncle told me all problems you caused but Sabre trusts you. As promised, I will listen to side of story." He cracked his neck before leaning down to rest a bit. "Only thing you did was fall over and tell about Sabre. I glad you told about Sabre, so I thank for that, but I don't trust hoomans in general. Why I should trust you?"

"W-Well, what do you want to hear?" Jackie asked, not sure what to say exactly. "And yeah, I can see that you hate humans." She frowned, seeming uncomfortable. "I don't know what you want to know but I can tell you this much; I only want the best for my charges. They're like family to me." She said, looking Aleksey evenly in the eyes.

"You know what crimes you made?" Aleksey narrowed his eyes.

"T-To be honest, not really. I know that Ms. Smith broke a few rules but I didn't realize how serious they were. When I found Sabre lost, confused and ill, I couldn't just leave her there. I had no idea that you didn't know that Jaska was alive, o-or that you were even alive. Sabre told me that you passed away blowing some place up.

"Lost? Ill?" He seemed agitated. "Tell me, how you met Sabre, what you know about her?"

"Well, I was coming home from the market and found Antain in a box; she was feeling ill so she tried abandoning the pup for his own good but ended up coming back. Dumisa and Kroc caught her, and after talking for a bit she just kind of moved in so I started taking care of her. She got sick so I helped her relax with some water and medicine and before I knew it, she became an official charge after signing some paperwork. She and Jaska were usually fighting or getting along; eventually they got into a really bad fight and I got pretty hurt from it," she admitted, showing Aleksey the claw marks on her torso from when Jaska and Sabre scratched her. "They tried to take care of me but they were still fighting. I eventually locked myself in the bathroom to try and sleep in the tub." Jackie admitted with a small laugh, remembering how pissed off she was at the both of them. "Before long, Sabre really began fitting in with the rest of the charges and everything. Aleksey, I'm so glad that you're alright. You should have seen Sabre's face when she was telling me that you were alive." Jackie said with a warm grin. "You're really lucky to be so loved."

"Im loved, and I love Sabre too much." He smiled and purred, slowly closing his eyes for a second before suddenly opening them and giving the host a playful smile. "Hey, tell embarrassing stories of Sabre and Jaska, there must be some, da?"

Jackie snickered and laughed to herself. "Oh, there's a lot." She grinned, happy that Aleksey seemed to be loosening up a bit. "When I first got Jaska I had no idea he used to be Spetznaz and while I was cleaning up his room, I found some of his blacked out papers. I tried calling Smith and asking about them but Jaska took the phone from me and began questioning me about what I knew. He was pretty scary then, but it was also funny with how he was acting." She chuckled.

"Ha. Older bother sloppy." Aleksey laughed along, twitching his tail back and forth. "I bet he rounding. He turns off light but leaves one to make it scary." he chuckled. "What else, tell and I will tell embarrassing stories of them too."

"Once while Jaska and Sabre were fighting I had to grab a bomb of catnip but before I could throw it at them, Dumisa dumped it all on me before kicking me into the fray. Their cuddling was pretty terrifying. They cut up my carpet with their claws and after the catnip began to wear off, they almost started fighting so I had to pet them both at the same time to prevent that; they ended up cuddling with each other all happy. I wish I took some pictures to show you." She grinned.

"I too jealous, so no show pics, but I tell Jaska once got his head stuck inside a hole in tree when we young after he sniffed some wild catnip." He chuckled. "Old bratja had too much catnip and then rolled around on snow while tumbling around."

"You're kidding!" Jackie laughed, covering her mouth and trying not to laugh too loudly.

"I also have recordings of Jaska trying to sing motherland's national anthem. He bad singer." Aleksey crossed his arms. "What else, you tell one story and I tell one. Tell about Sabre too."

"Alright. Hmmm," Jackie hummed, trying to think of another story with Sabre in it. "Oh, well this one involves everyone really. When Reza first arrived, everyone was excited to eat him; with a house full of predators, it was hard to beat them back so they wouldn't eat him. They attacked but Kroc, the saltwater crocodile, got stung badly so everyone was weary of them. Apparently the next early morning they planned on surprise attacking him, but Reza made a ton of sushi for everyone. Every single one of my charges was so bloated from eating so much sushi that that couldn't even move. Sabre's belly so was taunt, it was hilarious!" She laughed.

"That crocodile, he strong but he seems nice guy. He wants to fight once I'm fine." He chuckled "I can imagine Sabre's belly full. One time we were in mountain for train. She was feral and tried to chase a bunny but couldn't catch it, so I got a deer and she ate it almost all. She ended up with belly very full, so much I could tease her and pull on her tail a lot"

"Yeah, he is. He trains like crazy with weights and often wrestles with Jaska to get better." Jackie noted before laughing. "Yeah, Reza went around poking everyone and kept touching their legs. I think that was his first time seeing land Extraspecies." Jackie noted, remembering how Reza kept touching the padding on Sabre's hands and feet. -

"Well, most scary memory is when I and Jaska tried to sneak out on uncle to go hunt bears. We just cubs then, but uncle caught and chased us for entire hour through the woods. Wanna hear how uncle trained us? Jaska too whiny then, but then you tell all about how you meet charges and more funny stories too"

"Yeah. I have so many that I'll have to start writing a list of them." Jackie laughed, surprised to find herself enjoying the conversation. She thought Aleksey was strict and unfriendly but he seemed a lot more sociable than Jaska was.

"Do start. How about fox cub?" Aleksey curiously asked. "And … can you pet me? I wanna try." He smiled.

Jackie hesitated, surprised that he wanted her to pet him. "A-Are you sure that's alright?" Jackie asked, hesitant. "I won't pet you unless you want me to." She said.

"I asking." He stretched and then curled up slightly. "You good enough to pet I heard. I no mind, you do?"

"Well, yeah, sure. Help me put the babies on the couch." Jackie said, gently picking up the young felines as Aleksey took them with ease, laying them on the couch in a large bundle while looking at them with pride before Jackie leaned over to Aleksey and began petting his shoulders, gently holding his neck while petting him. "If I hit a tender spot or want to be pet anywhere in particular, just tell me." She said, working him over like she would with Jaska.

"Da, but do tell me about charges and especially my family." He tried to relax his muscles, but he kept his focus on the cubs. "What about little fox? I know Sabre rescued him, just ."

"Well, from what I know, Antain's parents were killed and Sabre adopted him too." Jackie explained while she reached up, petting his ears while letting his head rest on her arms. "Antain is like one of her cubs at this point. She was pretty protective of him early on and still is; it's adorable." Jackie lightly laughed. "They're inseparable." She noted, hesitating as she passed over a sore spot that made him wince in pain. "Sorry about that. Do you want me to keep petting you?" Jackie asked, holding her hands away from him and letting him decide.

"Da, keep petting I need massage. Muscles too sore. Too little activity for long time." He sighed. "And tell me more too."

"Yeah, sure." Jackie said, moving around to his back before she began rubbing his muscles to help him relax. "Well, I know that Sabre really loves duck. So for treats I often got her some goose or duck to have with some special seasonings. She usually makes me lightly cook them before giving them to her, while the others usually like their meat raw. Which I think is gross." Jackie lightly chuckled.

"She does?" Aleksey chuckled. "I keep that in mind, as soon as I can hunt I get entire flock. Yet I know not how to cook, I burn stuff, once with a flamethrower."

"You're kidding, really?" Jackie laughed, "I bet that went poorly."

"Da, I burned all meat, and log table … and floor … and curtain. After that, I no longer allowed to try and cook" He smiled "Maybe I try learn again, for new family."

"Hey … Aleksey, are you alright with Antain?" Jackie curiously asked. She knew that Extraspecies didn't normally like caring for the young of other Extraspecies and she was sure Aleksey was the same way. Jackie had to admit she was a little worried for Antain.

"What you mean?" He asked looking at her through the corner of his eyes.

"Well, are you alright with raising Antain along with your other cubs?" Jackie nervously asked. "He's not actually your cub but you'll still treat him like he is, right?" She asked, curious.

"Ahh … ," Aleksey closed his eyes. "Own parents dead, da? Father was killed in hooman war and mother let self die of sorrow and sadness, she barely managed to tell Jaska to take us to her brother. Uncle took us in, he like father for me and older bratja, so least I can do is return life favor" He smiled. "Besides, Antain be Sabre's cubs and thus my cub too. We mates, it's our cubs, and for what I see he small kitten."

"Yikes … I'm sorry to hear about your parents." Jackie apologized with a frown. Well, that definitely explained why Aleksey was so aggressive earlier and partly why Nikita hated humans so much. Nevertheless, she was happy to hear that he would take care of Antain.

The tiger shrugged. "Now … tell more embarrassing stories about Sabre and Antain."

"Hmmm … well, if you ever want to have a fun time with Antain or Sabre, you could just use a laser pointer. It's hilarious watching them run all over the place trying to catch it!" Jackie laughed. "Especially when Sabre is feral. She'll chase that thing for house."

Aleksey let out a good hearted laugh and then went on to tell a new story of his own about Jaska's embarrassing moments.

After far too many stories on both ends, the both of them were cracking up laughing, unable to quiet their laughter before Aleksey's ear flickered up. The moment the door snapped open both of them fell quiet, sealing their lips together as Longwei entered the room looking annoyed.

"Enjoying yourself with the hooman?" Longwei asked with a raised eyebrow of annoyance towards Aleksey.

"Da." Aleksey smiled defiantly with a bit of a naughty smile. "She tell good stories, I gather lot of information."

Jackie paused. Wait, that was all gathering information? The host froze before thumping her head into the pillow, feeling embarrassed at being tricked so easily. Aleksey was also a hardcore spy … how could she not realize that was what he was doing?

"She not seem bad hooman, I can see why Sabre trusts and I willing to give chance. She too trustful and gullible but she not seem bad."

" … I-I didn't even notice that you were gathering intel, I thought we were bonding." Jackie admitted into the pillow, flushing in embarrassment at how easily she just gave out information like that. Alas, she really was too easy to fool.

"And we did, da? I did enjoy stories and I want to hear more, I'll tell more too." Aleksey winked and then gave her a couple pats on the head. "You too trusting. I know you did because I Sabre's mate, but trusting so easily too stupid."

"Hmph. Well, glad you two seem to be getting along since you will be spending quite a bit of time together. The three of us will be heading back to the Penske residence in order to set up a room to properly house you and your needs, Aleksey. Sabre will be remaining at the residence along with the other charges to finish out their stay until further notice."

"Da." He nodded.

" … wait, you two are my charges now too?"

Longwei's teeth clicked together as his pupils narrowed, glaring so hatefully towards JAckie she could have sworn he was debating on whether or not he should lunge at hre and rip her throat out. "No, you simple minded moron. I am going to inspect the residence and ensure you do not take advantage of your charges for a small while." He answered, speaking through his teeth angrily.

"You too, Longwei?" Aleksey tilted his head to the side and blinked in confusion like a cute kitty, he then turned to Jackie. "I no leave Sabre, so I go with her for little while to ensure place is good for cubs; she mentioned something about business too, so I support." He then quickly bumped noses with Jackie. "Don't mind Longwei, he too stiff but not bad reptile."

"O-Okay." Jackie said, surprised by the nose bump. Aleksey kept surprising her with just how friendly he really was, a complete polar opposite of what she thought he would be like.

"Now … tell me more of Sabre munching on her tail." He leaned down again, picking up the cubs to groom them with fatherly glee. "I will need embarrassing stories to tell cubs about Sabre when they grow up."

"Aleksey … ," Longwei groaned,pinching the brick of his nose.

"Daaaaaaaa … ?" The said tiger rolled onto his side to see the not so amused dragon while he grabbed the little leopard girl and lifted her in the air for the dragon to better see. "My cubs are cute, right, wei-wei?

"I've told you many times to not call me that." Longwei stared at the little girl, flicking his tail back and forth before glancing over at the human and glaring at her.

Aleksey grinned, twisting his tail for the other cubs to play. "Hey hooman, when I and bratja were young we couldn't pronunciate dragon's name, so we called him wei-wei. It stuck."

Jackie's lips trembled into a smile as she struggled not to laugh, feeling that if she laughed, her life would be in imminent danger but the nickname was just so adorable she could barely contain herself. With a deep calming breath she managed to hold her laugh in. "That's adorable." She said with her voice trembling.

"And if you ever say that name, hooman, I will personally ensure you will never speak again." Longwei hissed angrily towards Jackie, vapor coming out of his nosetrils as he made her quiet down.

"But I imagine how much you no mind nickname while petting." Aleksey grinned silly while purring around his cubs. "I heard she pet you so well you changed to tiny wei-wei form." He then turned to Jackie again and winked. "Wei-wei used to turn small to play with bratja and I."

"Do not be ridiculous. I was merely testing her petting capabilities." Longwei answered with a frown. "It was research."

"Really? How long have you known Longwei for?" Jackie asked, now curious.

"Since me and bratja were small cubs. Even before parents died, and when uncle Nikita took us Wei-wei helped take care of us" Aleksey smiled and purred, pressing his nose against his daughter's."That was … after second great human war of world, I think. Jaska be the one who knows of human history dates."

"Whoa. I had no idea you were that old, Aleksey. I thought you were more around your 30s." Jackie admitted.

Aleksey bursted out laughing before he calmed down, apparently in some pain.

"Watch your wounds." Longwei warned in an annoyed tone, looking slightly worried as he carefully eyed Aleksey.

"We Extraspecies live longer than hoomans. In hooman years I guess I be in equivalent to second half of second decade, maybe… I think." Aleksey pondered it with a tilt of his head and quickly he added "Sabre would be in early 20's." Which of course, he knew she really was. "You know? It very rare for Extraspecies to mate permanently. Long life spans long or too short, so mating in mating season far simple. Few ever encounter perfect mate to mate for life." He beamed. "I very lucky."

"Huh. Weird." Jackie noted curiously. She never really asked how old her other charges were, now that she thought about it. She just assumed they were all in their 20s or early 30s. "I didn't realize that Extraspecies and humans life spans were so different. In that case, you are super old." Jackie pointed out before tapping her chin in curiosity. "How old is Nikita, then?" She asked, genuinely curious.

"Did it never occur to you that we superior Extraspecies live much longer lives than you infestation of a human race?" Longwei huffed in annoyance, keeping a sharp glare over the human. "And why do you want to know Nikita's age, hooman?"

"I'm curious, but if it bothers you then you don't need to tell me. Maybe he's like 100?" She wandered out loud.

"Uncle is almost double of that." Aleksey grinned and stretched. "He old indeed, but in hooman years he be around mid 40's."

"You're kidding!" Jackie shouted, stunned. "How?! That's so old!" She exclaimed. "How can Extraspecies tigers live for almost 200 years but tigers in the wild only live 20 years? Extraspecies in general live an extremely long time, much longer than their animal counterparts. Yikes, how long could Extraspecies tortoises' live for?" Jackie said, now contemplating on how that was possible.

Aleksey stood up to approach the host and tousled her hair around a bit. "We bastet can live around 250 years more or less, females up to 300. We live longer than other Extraspecies but not long as let's say some reptiles." He then eyed Longwei. "Longwei young dragon, but he might live to easily meet the grand cubs of my great-grand cubs. But some prey extra species live only half of what hoomans live, other double. It varies and aging process too."

"Jeez. I only really learned about how to take care of my charges through lots of videos and instruction manuals but didn't really come across their life spans in general." She admitted thoughtfully. "I just assumed they lived more or less around the same years as humans considering how many similarities we share."

"Because programs only contemplate a year for interaction." Longwei huffed, emitting vapor from his nostrils, then he dedicated the tiger an annoyed look. "You don't need to know more. The less hoomans know about Extraspecies, the better."

"But how can I learn how to take proper care of my charges if I can't learn as much as I can about them?" She asked with a frown. "You too, Longwei. I'll have to read up more on dragons if you're going to come stay with me for a bit." She noted more so under her breath in thought.

"Your charges are only going to be there until the contract ends." He narrowed his gaze and let out some more steamy vapor from his nose and mouth as he spoke. "You'll be told all you need to know and nothing more. You are still under suspicions of selling your charges. We found a very compromising photo of you and Amako Sabre Neofelis

"Photos?" She asked, puzzled. "What photos? What's an Amako?" Jackie's mind immediately began racing, trying to remember when and where photos of any kind of weird nature could have possibly been taken. "What kind of photos are we talking about here?" She asked, eager to try and remember where and how photos were taken.

Reaching inside his clothes, Longwei took out a couple photos. "These incriminating photos were taken at some point while you were 'taking care' of your charges." He said while showing her some photos of Sabre in her bikini leaning over her in a very compromising position indeed. Worst of all, the other photos were edited to remove their clothes. "Amako refers to her position"

Jackie's eyes bulged from seeing the photos. "W-Wait a minute! Th-These were taken on the beach trip by some greasy slimeballs who follow Werner around to take pictures of Extraspecies women. I couldn't legally stop them, an-and these were photoshopped too! We were not topless for that trip!" Jackie shouted, freaking out that they thought she was actually posing for these photos.

"Let me see!" Aleksey quickly grabbed the photos to look at them, and while blushing he put the clothes into his inner pocket to hide them from ever being seen again. "I keeping these for … reasons."

"Longwei, those photos were altered through photoshop! Th-those boobs aren't even mine!" Jackie cried, really freaking out now.

"You want me to believe a shop that sells photos altered them?" Longwei rose an eyebrow, clearly not believing her.

"Yes! Go ahead and ask any of my charges, or ask Werner and his charges. We were not at a topless beach like that, and seriously, I have a mole o-on my breasts that's clearly not shown on those photos." Jackie growled in annoyance. "That was done through photoshop, a program where you can alter images online."

Longwei didn't even blink.

"Hooman … you need to show proof. Wei-wei and hooman technology don't get along, da?" Aleksey moved to stand besides Longwei. "I want proof too. I give you benefit of doubt, but I won't forgive if you endangered Sabre."

"W-What kind of proof? Well, here I can show you what photoshop is." She said, pulling out her phone and showing Longwei a small video tutorial of someone changing a woman's hair through photoshop. "This is the same kind of program that guy used t-to erase Sabre's and my suits to make it look explicit!"

Aleksey took out the photo again and he and Longwei squinted at it to look at it for details.

"You said you have a mole, so let me see that or I'll take it as proof of guilt." Longwei groaned, almost wishing she refused so he could toss this woman to the best torturers he could get.

Jackie's eyes widened in startlement, clamping her lips tightly together. " … s-seriously? You know what, fine! Go ahead, because those photos were altered!" Jackie growled, hesitating before she reached up and pulled up her shirt just enough to show a little mole on the bottom part of her breast.

Longwei quickly grabbed her shirt and pulled it up and over her face while the two of them look at the photos and to her breasts for direct comparison. Aleksey moved back apparently satisfied, but Longwei grabbed her breast and poked the mole to test that it wasn't anything recent or fake. Jackie screamed, flailing her arms and trying to push the shirt back down but Longwei held the fabric up at an awkward angle.

"I'm coming in!" Sabre called as she entered the room, finding the scene so startling that for a second she just stood there silent and stiff.

Jackie let out a muffled shout into her shirt, trying to pull her shirt back down before Longwei pushed her against the bed, looking between her breasts and the photo as he pushed her into a position that was shown in the photo to make a better direct comparison.

"Let go of me! Stop poking them!" Jackie shouted, desperately struggling to get free of Longwei's tight grasp.

"Sabre." Aleksey beamed and quickly went to greet her, first stopping in front of her before rubbing noses, and then hugging her while purring and kissing her neck.

" … what are you doing to Jackie?" Sabre asked, looking pass Aleksey over to the distressed and flailing host being pinned down to the couch, wiggling a bit between her mate's arms.

"Hmph. It would seem your claims are not entirely baseless." Longwei huffed towards the host before turning to Aleksey. "Aleksey, take a photograph for later analysis." Longwei turned back to Jackie, "get back in this position so we can take a picture as proof of your words." Longwei said, trying to push Jackie back into a similar position.

"You want photos of Jackie's boobs? Why? What?" Sabre blinked, looking between Longwei, Jackie and Aleksey, then finally getting her own hands to her own breasts "'Leksey … mine aren't too small, are they?" Of course, she didn't know what big boobs were for a bastet, but for a moment she vaguely remembered that before she used to be bigger in that department but of course, her body was designed for stealth, dexterity and agility, so the less in the way the better.

"You perfect mate." Aleksey purred before tossing Longwei his phone. Aleksey leaned in to kiss Sabre before they both heard a crunching sound, turning to see Longwei holding a broken phone in his claws.

"Hmph. Human technology is so inferior and frail." Longwei complained while letting Jackie go. She quickly righted herself with a bright flush on her face, glaring up at Longwei and trembling in anger. Without thinking about it, Jackie's hand lashed out, slapping Longwei's cheek before she realized what she was doing. The moment the loud slap was heard in the room, Aleksey's and Sabre's eyes widened in shock at the host striking Longwei.

"W-W-What the hell is wrong with you?! You don't hold down a human and try to take pictures of her boobs like that, that is horribly rude and indecent!" Jackie shouted up at Longwei while protectively covering her chest.

Longwei was stunned for a moment before he turned and glared at her with narrowed pupils. He was about to grab the human by the neck and strangle her but Sabre dashed to push Jackie aside and stood between her and the dragon. "Mr. Longwei, as bad as it may be, she is right." Thinking fast, she added. "But beyond that, harming a hooman host right now would have bad consequences given that her contracts are ongoing and we are in a neutral place that is mostly under hooman rule."

"She struck me, a high ranking official, without provocation. That is plenty reason enough to strangle her and string her up like a flailing fish." Longwei hissed with thick plumes of mist being breathed out of his nose as Jackie wisely hid behind Sabre.

"I know." Sabre raised her hands and pawed at the air. "Mmmh … grabbing a female in that way does counts as provoking. It was just a big mistake, after all, it was just a reaction out of trauma and fear. She is a prudish hooman."

"Sabre, he has naked photoshopped pictures of us!" Jackie shouted in embarrassment with her face brightly light in embarrassment.

"Wait, WHAT!?" Sabre quickly turned to look at Jackie.

"Remember those guys from the beach? They must have photoshopped the pictures to make us look topless a-and crap and the council found them!" Jackie shouted in terror, horribly embarrassed. "Th-They were looking for a comparison!" Jackie admitted, covering her eyes in complete embarrassment.

"Those photos … ," Sabre's eyes widened, realizing that she never did go back and get those photos from them - a horrible mistake on her part.

"I got them from some of the company's team that Nikita terminated around the time you went feral and birthed your cubs." Longwei explained, and as soon as he mentioned the company, both Aleksey and Sabre puffed and hissed, unsheathing their claws.

Jackie's eyes widened before she hugged Sabre, gently trying to pet her into calming down. "I-It's alright, Sabre. Just keep calm." Jackie said, petting her lots to help her remain sane.

Sabre calmed down a bit, but still remained still ruffled. "They tracked me through those photos? ... I'm an idiot." She hissed at herself, after all, she had all the fault of those photos.

"It's alright. Mistakes happen, but do leave this to us. We will ensure the safety of you and your cubs no matter where you decide to go to raise your cubs." Longwei assured her.

Aleksey quickly reached her side and began licking her head and joining the host into giving Sabre more pets and cares, he then took a few steps back and smiled. "Sabre, why don't you go with hooman to spa? You need some rest, so I stay with Wei-wei and care for the cubs."

"Yah, let's go to the spa for a bit. Come on, Sabre." Jackie said, taking Sabre's arm but the bastet remained in place.

"We'll go later, host. I need to do a bunch of calls, so please watch over my cubs for a while." Sabre then looked at Longwei. "Mr. Longwei, I think Uncle Nikita mentioned you needed to prepare something to supervise the next interviews."

Longwei nodded and stood up, leaving the room.

"I'll be back later." Sabre waved and then quickly scurried away somewhat hurried, suspiciously not even bumping noses or anything with either Jackie or Aleksey as she hurried out the door

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Hope you enjoy! 10 REVIEWS for the next chapter 3

Chaos-Dark-Lord: Not many updates now, but as a special surprise we are releasing 2 chaps together. I bet you didn't think those photos were going to come up ,no? XD