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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

Las Lindas and other products set in the same universe are all owned by Chalo/Chalosan and SoulKat.

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Chapter 6: Rallying the Disgruntled

Beta-Reader: Ant0nius


"Remember to not get baited by him."

Mora huffed as she fixed her half-sleeved violet shirt, the cloth revealing just a modest part of her cleavage, but it was far from the sight bestowed by previous sets. Matching with her upper clothes were a pair of white pants that brought out a feeling of attractiveness from her.

"I'm not giving him the opportunity. I've already said that way too many times already."

I could only nod as we made our way through Gossamer. It was still early in the morning, not many were around for work or other activities, but there were still some people walking around.

The reason we were both wandering around so early was due to the fact that Mora had caught rumors of a clumsy new waiter in the very bar the first issue at the farm had started from. There was little reason to doubt that Miles had appealed to Taffy for a job and, from what I could remember ever since we last visited, the Bunny was favored a lot by the owner since she was a good worker and a lovable person.

While the news was good as we now knew where one of them was, there was still the matter of 'recovering' him and… trying to find the other. Minos was still an integral part of the Farm considering how his presence allowed for some difficult tasks to be completed by someone in the workforce. Beyond that, the impression he made was one of an honest guy with good intentions that had some… direct methods in handling some issues.

I didn't entirely blame him for leaving after what happened a week ago, but… it was hard not feeling unsympathetic about the way he handled the 'before' of that problem.

Did I condone the farm owner's retaliation? No, I had already staked by beliefs against it.

But could I ever think Minos was the only one in the right? Only after the situation had unfolded, but I could only see the way he dealt with the hours prior to the awkward predicament as a lacking response to previous hints about Mora's interest and stubbornness on the topic.

Still, I wasn't in the mood to play the blame game with anyone. Especially after a week that saw me trying to awkwardly deflect some teasing from the Cow Prime, while also making sure she didn't go overboard with her working pattern and hurt herself with the long hours. We were both straining with the double-shift each day, but I managed to get some breaks set between the work hours to avoid any health problems.

"The cat is going to gloat," Mora muttered, her voice bringing me out of my reflection. "I hope you know how to keep him from getting too frustrating."

"I have something planned. Don't worry too much… Mora."

Her lips twitched into a smile as I was finally making 'progress' in getting to call her what she wanted. While I wouldn't normally be this much of a social moron under normal circumstances, I couldn't help but feel weird when trying to address my boss so soon after only a month. Not that I considered this a madness of a situation, just… I really felt awkward to be put on the same ground as her.

It's been a while since I've been part of that kind of friendly environment.

While pondering this, I noticed that a group of people had slowly moved to block our way. A bulky human with brown hair and a beard, he had a pair of purple glasses covering his eyes while the only clothes he had on himself were an overall with nothing underneath from the looks of it. Beside him were a Jackal Prime with long spiky blue hair and a Hyena Prime with short dark-brown hair that matched with his fur. The big man looked to be the boss of these thugs.

"We meet again, hot stuff," The human muttered eagerly. "Ready for a rematch?"

The jackal sighed nervously. "Um, Bruce. The Boss wasn't happy with us having fun while we work."

"Yeah..." The Hyena added with a nod.

"She ain't gonna find out. No one is here to save her this time."

Boss?

Mora growled, looking particularly annoyed by this obstacle. "I don't need any saving..."

She was one step close to bolting and pummeling the trio to dust, ready to let out as much pent-up anxiety out in that beating… so I moved in to stop her for a moment by grabbing her arm.

"Don't go overboard," I muttered as the woman turned with a glance that was a mix of annoyance and surprise.

Before she could answer that affirmation, the fellow human snorted as he turned to grace me.

"Would you look at that? She got herself a little buddy," The guy foolishly remarked. "What? Was the big guy unhappy with slutty girls?"

I sighed. "Mora… I retract my statement. Go for it."

A grin adorned the woman's face as she swiftly took care of the unlucky trio. The first one to go down was the human, the man put out of commission with a punch that cracked nose and glasses in a single hit.

The rest were thrown around until they were unable to stand their ground against her. It was clear that, despite having little to no actual training in fighting, Mora managed to make up for that lack of skills with might and speed. I watched the entire thing, deciding against joining the brawl as I knew that the woman needed to have this opportunity to vent. Plus, she easily handled them on her own and my entry would've been unnecessary.

With the thugs groaning by the ground, we resumed our walk to the bar. There was some silence at first, and I restrained myself from initially talking as I saw Mora was still trying to get her eagerness under control. The moment I saw her sigh in relief, I struck.

"Better?"

Her smile widened. "Definitely."

Nodding at that comment, I looked back in front of us.

"I hope this will help to keep some hold over your temper if Miles gets a little too… frustrating."

"I will only keep myself in check if he doesn't go too far with his words."

I nodded again, this time opting against adding any extra comment about it. It wouldn't help us if I started to once again press her for her behavior once we had arrived at our destination. She had made her point well enough and I didn't need to harass her about it. She was easy to anger, but not enough to be mistaken for a child.

As far as her curves could tell.

I blinked at the last thought, contemplating how much she had been investing in her time around me to tease me with her body. She didn't go beyond having me look and ogle for a while, possibly because she feared falling back into her most recent mistake. That still didn't mean she was subtle about her playful manners, and I was quick to react to these actions the way she found amusing and good enough reason to keep on with this attitude.

Eventually we arrived at our destination and… I noticed that the bar was mostly deserted, except its owner, Taffy, Miles and… Minos.

Now, that is a surprise.

We started to approach the counter, with both Minos and Miles distracted, the boss of the place regarded us with a nod while Taffy swiftly tried to alert her newest colleague of our presence since the Cat Prime was lost in some rant about the situation.

"And who are you to tell me that? If I ever, ever, see that scum-sucking she-devil again, it will be too so-"

I faked a cough, stopping him in his tracks as I tried my best to hold Mora in check. The woman was pissed at the insults she was receiving, but not far enough to jump on the unaware young man from the way she wasn't leaving my grasp.

Turning around, Miles panicked at seeing the glare Mora directed at him… but soon his eyes narrowed towards my frame before advancing towards me. I was surprised when he started to pull on my shirt and push me away from Mora.

"You," He muttered, his voice growing more furious from the annoyed tone he had during the rant. We stared at each other, our eyes fairly close to one another as I gave off a confused look and he glared at me. "Why didn't… why didn't you leave?"

"Because it wouldn't have helped," I replied cautiously, only for my answer to anger him even more.

"And you think staying actually helps me?"

"Yes."

I caught his punch before it could connect with my face. The other occupants tensed up at the sight but… the struggle that ensued seemed rather pathetic. I could feel that Miles hadn't put much strength behind his attack, but it still left me perplexed by one detail.

"Why?"

"Why did you stay?"

I blinked, feeling his posture finally relaxing in a defeated manner.

"Leaving wouldn't have solved the problem."

"You were my friend," He remarked, his eyes once more displaying an upset glint.

"I am your friend," I rebuked, sighing as I tried to find the proper word to make my point clear. "What the boss- Mora did was terrible," I paused to look at the awkward glance Mora was giving. "And she regrets it."

"Because Minos left-"

"Because it was the pettiest shit she could've done," I interrupted with a serious tone. "I know this sounds suspicious- I know you have all the rights to doubt any attempt of reconciliation but… I'm just asking you to listen for a moment."

"And what will listening do?" Miles said, snorting at my words. "You know better than me that it was uncalled for. I might have been a pest at times, but that was going overboard-"

"I didn't say you are wrong."

He sighed. "Then what do you want to say?"

"To listen. I'm not asking you to do anything but listen."

"I'm… I'm trying to start decently here at this bar. Taffy helped me get the job and, while there have been some bumps, I know I can do it."

There was a strange silence that came when he said that, and I didn't need to ask the reason why this was the reaction from both owner and waitress to realize what was going on since… I knew the truth.

"Miles, I… I called the bar two days ago."

The Cat Prime frowned at me when I said that, but I continued nonetheless.

"Beyond the fact that you've broken a considerable amount of plates, angered a few clients… did you know that the bar was planning to lay off both you and Taffy?"

His eyes widened. "What?!" He turned to the bartender and the old man shrugged.

"I was already planning to do this in a month or two when it was just Taffy. She is a sweetheart but-"

"But the bar is switching to automated servicing," The Bunny Prime explained with a nervous tone. "It would've happened eventually, that is why I told you it wasn't going to be a permanent solution."

"S-Still, there had to be another place to go and-"

He stopped when he realized the uncertain look on Taffy's face.

I didn't mutter anything to this, only because I knew someone else was ready to speak up about it.

"The farm has paid the debt you have with the bar owner," Mora finally revealed and the Cat Prime tensed up and stopped.

"W-Wait, what?"

The woman sighed. "I was wrong to behave like I had, making a horrible mistake that I know will take some time to fix. But I'm willing to take the first step in trying to redeem myself for what happened last week."

"I… this- this is just..."

I grasped his shoulder, stopping him from going beyond with that.

"I know you're angry. I agree that what happened was unfair to you. But I'm asking you in the name of our friendship. Please, consider the offer."

"I… I have a single condition."

I blinked, Miles turning to stare at me with a serious look.

"I want you to hire Taffy."

Mora was surprised by the move, but her reaction paled compared to Taffy. The Bunny Prime stared at the young man with shocked wide eyes as she tried to form coherent words out of that unexpected development.

"B-but Miles-"

"While the farm isn't the best place to work at right now, I know it's better from nothing. You would've had more space than what you currently have at your flat. The wage would be better and you would have to handle less tasks."

"I-I really don't know what to say..." The young woman admitted, floored by the sheer suddenness of the offer.

"You could accept," I suggested calmly, gaining her attention. "The owner mentioned how you have a talent for cooking that has gone wasted with this job. Right now the farm lacks a cook and we usually take turns to preparing the food."

"Y-You mean you wouldn't mind if I… took over the kitchen?"

For some reason, that question felt particularly… off. Frowning at her, I noticed a strange glint coming from her green eyes. I decided to shrug at first, then I spoke up.

"Sure. I wouldn't mind having someone else take over a task I've been doing the most."

At my response, I saw Mora looking away and Miles doing his best to not turn to see the glance I was aiming at him.

"I… I guess I can accept the kind offer."

With Miles conquered and Taffy joining the party, I turned to the last individual I needed to convince for today. Someone that I had very little to offer to have him return since I knew very little about him to make a good attempt. I needed to improvise and… hopefully get him to accept.

"And what will you say to interest me?"

I merely stared at him, eyes narrowing as I realized something curious about his expression.

"You're not angry."

"I'm not," He calmly admitted. "But that doesn't mean I can ignore that it was a poor reaction to-"

"A poor inaction?"

He paused for a moment, his red eyes widening in surprise at that comment.

"Minos, I will not blame you for being upset, but we both know that you could've been less… blunt with your interests."

"...You think I'm to blame."

"I think the situation could've been lessened from being troublesome if that dialogue option had been explored," I replied flatly to his comment. "I know you're a diplomatic guy despite your physical shape suggesting otherwise. I believe you're not so direct when it comes to emotions, and I want to believe you really wanted for things to solve peacefully."

He sighed. "What do you think I should do?"

That got me frowning, catching me off-guard with how quick that question hit me.

"What?"

"I assume you have an idea of what I could want to come back."

"How about I don't annoy you beyond being your boss?" Mora quipped with just a hint of nervousness, drawing the Bull Prime's attention on herself. "I've been unprofessional, and I think that if you have to return, you would want me to not jump your back."

"That would be a start," The tall man admitted, interest increasing at her speech.

"If there has to be any interactions… beyond friendship," She resumed with a tense voice. "I understand those could be done after work and without jeopardizing the farm's interests."

He nodded. "Yes, that would be optimal and correct."

"And..."

I stared at her, then back at Minos and… finally, I snorted.

"And I think that's all."

The Cow Prime frowned at my comment, but she turned to see that Minos was actually smiling her way after I said that.

"Declan is correct, I believe that is more than enough for me to return."

"Y-you mean… ?" Mora quietly inquired, her eyes widening as he nodded to further emphasize his acceptance of the offer.

Before I could do anything, I found myself engulfed in a sea of softness as the woman pulled me in a tight hug. Did she miss her target or-

"Thank you."

My own eyes widened as I heard that whisper. I looked up, most of my mind leaving its attention on the softness that was created by her boobs as I saw a genuine tearful smile on her face. It was an unexpected sight, and I was reminded once more of how much Mora cared for the farm.

This was the only chance she knew the activity could've began making progress into recovery and, with it assured, any worries of failure had dulled to a minimal. And right now, her words cemented a calm humming that happened from within my chest.

I merely smiled. And nodded as she let go of me so that it wouldn't appear too awkward.

No. Thank you, Mora.

For now things are sure going to get better for us all.


AN

Taffy joins the party!

Next time… Lemon! Make your bets on who is the girl (well, there are two options right now so… yeah.)