Disclaimer: I do not own Daily life with monster girls.
Also I changed the tag from 'Romance' to 'Friendship' because after a couple days of thought, I concluded that that is truer to the tale I want to tell. I am not discounting romance as an option to explore in the future but, for now it would be a distraction at best.
Chapter 3 Interviews # 2 The Arachne.
Tetra descended from the tree branch and lightly landed on the grass. She regarded the backs of the two unsuspecting humans from mere feet away and listened in.
"Sooo... she's on her way right?" The young man she lassoed earlier today asked his companion.
"Yes, I suspect she'll make some grand entrance or sneak up on us." Agent Smythe replied. "Arachne are honest folk but they like to push boundaries and tend to play games with their hosts."
"Games? Like what?"
"Hmm,'mind games' is probably the closest term to describe it. Its not like a board game with written rules and cards and pieces. Its more about psychological dominance."
"Oh, like in a sales office kind of way?" The young man sounded disappointed.
"It's more intimate than that, as I understand it. You'd have to experience it yourself to fully grasp it."
"But you work with an arachne in MON right? Does she..?"
"Agent Serilla plays with her teammates and Agent Magnus to some extent. It's healthy competition to keep them sharp. I haven't had the pleasure."
Tetra smirked. "All you have to do is ask, you know."
Their reactions were suitably comical.
Agent Symthe's shoulders tensed and his body leaned forward slightly. At a distance one might have assumed he hadn't reacted at all. The young man ,however, jumped and tried to scramble away from the wooden table like it was some predator attempting to eat him. He tripped on the bench and fell onto his butt.
Tetra's smirk stretched into a full grin. Oh, this homestay is going to be soooo much fun.
Agent Smythe sighed and got up from the table. He turned around and faced the arachne. "Hello Tetra. Nice of you to join us." The bored sarcasm from his tone suggested the exact opposite of his positive greeting.
"A pleasure as always, Conrad." Tetra replied. His face betrayed the slightest irritation at her casual use of his first name.
The young man cleared his throat. "I don't want to be that guy but, 'a little help here.'" Agent Smythe turned toward him but Tetra interrupted and extended her hand toward the poor man on the ground. "Please, allow me."
She noted the lack of hesitation by the man as he grasped her clawed appendage for assistance. She also noticed that his hands were fairly callused. Now upright, the young man took a moment to evaluate the liminal in front of him.
"You uh...changed." He noted.
Tetra smiled and ran a hand over the white button up shirt and the black skirt over her pedipalps she wore. "Well this is an interview is it not? One dresses appropriately for such occasions, correct?"
"Well for job interviews yeah," He acknowledged. "But I'm not an employer. So this is a bit more..." He turned toward agent Smythe for clarification. "...casual?" Smythe just closed his eyes briefly and shrugged.
"Well if we are going to be casual about this..." Tetra said breathily. She reached up and undid the top button of her shirt. She continued toward the the next one when the young man interrupted.
"Uh...b-before we go on. Please allow me to officially thank you for saving me." He held out his hand. Tetra smirked and finished undoing the second button before taking his hand and shaking it. She held her grip for a few seconds and focused on his eyes. He was visibly forcing himself to maintain eye contact. Such a gentleman.
"Saving you?" Smythe asked from the side. His face registered mild skepticism.
"Uh yeah." He turned his head toward the agent. "When I came into the lobby, a couple of liminals almost ran me over." He pointed a finger at her with his other hand. "She pulled me out of the way."
Smythe didn't move for at least a beat. "I see. Please excuse me." He stepped around the table and back toward the building. Both of them noticed a harshness to his gait as he left.
Tetra let go of the young man's hand and placed a claw on her chin. "Hmm, I do not envy whatever he has in mind for those two."
"You think he'll punish them?" He asked.
"Of course."
The young man looked at little sad. "I don't want them punished just cause of me." Tetra titled her head toward him. "They could have seriously injured you or worse." He grimaced. "Yeah but, its not like they meant to."
"Intentions are immaterial." Tetra snapped. He blinked and looked up at her. She closed her eyes and gave a weak smile. "Sorry, that came out more sternly than I expected." She opened her eyes and took on a more serious expression. "What I mean is that those two volunteered for a homestay among humans. Part of that is accepting the Exchange laws of not harming a human."
"Okay, but I'm fine. Thanks to you." He grinned. "No harm no foul."
"Thanks to me." She mused. "And if I had not been there to rescue you?" The man looked down. "They would have run into me."
"And seriously injured you at least." Tetra concluded. The man looked back up at her. "Would they really? They didn't look all that strong."
Tetra shook her head. "Harpies may have hollow bones but they are much stronger than any human pound for pound. I've seen a robin harpy lift a man twice her size and weight and fly off. Any centaur can knock over that same man and race on without missing a step."
His eyes widened at the implications. "Oh man." He reached out and placed a hand on the table to steady himself while he sat on the bench. "So I really might have...I thought it was just adrenaline."
"You really were in life threatening danger, and from all appearances Agent Smythe is understandably upset about their behavior." Tetra waved an arm toward the door. "Yikes. I mean, I knew some liminals were strong but, yikes." He said to himself.
"It is one thing to read about or hear from a news report." Tetra said philosophically. "It is quite another to experience it for yourself." The young man nodded his head a few times processing everything he'd just learned. "Okay, okay. I hadn't considered that before. Thank you."
Tetra smiled down at him. "You're quite welcome human."
He blinked a few times in confusion. "You can just call me-Oh crap!" He bolted up and stood straight before her. "Sorry, Smythe didn't introduce us." He offered his hand again. "I'm Jack." The Arachne took his hand in belated greeting. "Tetra."
When they let go Jack asked. "Smythe mentioned a 'game' arachne play with their hosts. Are we playing now?"
"Have you agreed to be my host already?" She asked sardonically. "Well no." Jack answered. "But I guess I'm just confused because I've never heard such a thing about arachne before."
"Oh, figured us out already have you?" She teased. Jack rolled his eyes and snorted, "Obviously not. But Smythe advised me about it, so I figured it was common among your kind."
Tetra paused to consider her answer. "I really can't say anything about arachne I haven't met, but yes we do play 'games' with each other as he puts it. My kind rely on their wits and quick reflexes to survive. So testing our minds against each other keeps us from getting dull and slow."
"Alright, I can see that." Jack lightly nodded. "Are there any particular rules to these games?"
"There are no rules per se, but there are a few taboos." She explained. "The most basic one is to never harm your opponent directly. It's not so much about preventing damage to each other as it is an admission of defeat. If an arachne has to use direct force to subdue her prey then she is a poor huntress."
"Right, you use webs, camouflage and surprise to catch prey." He paused. "But how does that work for the large breed arachne?"
"Ha." Tetra scoffed. "Well, large breed tend to have short tempers and even shorter tolerances for anything weaker than themselves. So their 'games' tend to be rougher and bloodier."
Jack was taken aback. "Bloodier? I thought you said direct harm was taboo." Tetra shook her head. "Not with large breed. They don't rely on patience or subtlety like the rest of my kind, so they usually don't bother developing the skill. Kind of unnecessary when one can just run up and beat their prey to death with their fists." She made her own fist and smacked it against her other hand for emphasis.
Disgust was evident on Jack's face. "Yeesh, sounds brutal. And they got that paralytic venom to boot don't they?"
"Most arachne have a venom." She stated. Jack focused back on her in surprise. "It's not as potent as an echidna's or a killer bee type but its effects are similar if milder."
Jack shook his head a few times to get the message of what he just heard straight. "So wait, do you have a venom?" He asked.
"I do." She acknowledged. "Mine causes localized numbness on most animals but I've never used it on a human." She flashed her fangs in a grin. "Care to find out?"
Jack stepped back involuntarily. "Uh no thanks. I'll just let that be one of life's mysteries, okay?" She shrugged but kept her grin. "Suit yourself."
"So, to clarify, what would a game between an arachne and a human host look like?" He asked.
Her grin impossibly widened into evil proportions and all six of her eyes flashed. "Something like this..." She purred darkly.
Jack had maybe half a second of trepidation to contemplate on his error when the world twisted around him in a blur. "Gah!" He cried out as something strong and thin tightened around his ankles and whisked him off the ground. He flailed about with his arms for a few seconds in panic. He stopped when heard loud giggling.
An upside down Tetra skittered into his view with a hand over her toothy smile. "Wha -What are you doing?" Jack squeaked. Tetra replaced her hand at her hips and regarded her latest catch. She stepped up to Jack's vulnerable form, nearly brushing her shirt against his waist. "Clarifying." She stated.
Jack hung there and deliberately looked away from her underside. "C-clarifiying? I didn't..." Jack started to growl angrily but stopped as he recalled his own words just a moment ago. He deflated and let his arms hang limply below his head. "I kinda asked for this didn't I?"
Tetra took a step back and leaned down toward his face to emphasize her point. "You specifically asked for this, Jackey." Her smile was more amused and playful than predatory.
Jack deflated more. "Please don't call me that."
"That's your name is it not?" She asked. "Jack. Keysman." She made a swift slicing motion with one of her fingers. "I just removed the 'man' part." Smug reeked off her tongue.
Jack frowned and looked at her evenly. "And an 's' if we are clarifying." Tetra lost her smirk and blinked. "Hmmm."
"I've heard that joke before." He explained. "It wasn't funny then and it is not funny now." He paused. "I think I've had enough 'clarifying' for now. I'd appreciate it if you let me down." He bit out.
Tetra smiled coolly and withdrew. She raised an arm toward the supporting thread. "Gently." Jack added at the last second. Tetra nodded lightly and grasped the supporting thread with her other hand. She snipped it off and gradually lowered the young man to the ground.
He removed the thread from his ankles with some difficulty and stood back up. "Well, that was exciting." He stated casually while brushing himself off. "Pretty sure I'm not going to be asking for that ever again." He looked at her straight in the eye. "Are there any other aspects of this 'game' I should know about?"
Tetra ignored the question and scrutinized his face. "You aren't angry with me for stringing you up like meat?"
Jack's voice regained a little bit of the indignation from before. "Oh I am a still a bit miffed at you. But I've had worse."
Tetra cocked her head and raised a knuckle to her chin. "You've had worse." Jack shrugged. "I work with a werewolf." The arachne blinked and stared at the strange human.
Jack sighed. "I was joking around with him after work one night while he was waiting for his ride. I said something...I don't remember what is was exactly, but it offended him. Next thing I knew asphalt was sky and the moon was under my shoes." Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "He picked me up by my belt and got right up in my face. I was freaking out cause everyone else had left."
The young man took a long breathe before continuing. "Talbot just held me and told me that panicking would make things worse." Jack's eyes wavered with the memory of the fearsome encounter. "There was something different about him. Like he was borderline feral, or something. It scared me stiff."
"After a few seconds he turned me right side up and placed me back on my feet." Jack's eyes focused on something in the distance. "He told me not to talk about the moon around him." Tetra leaned her head back slightly in understanding. Jack raised his hand like he was stating the obvious. "I honestly should have known better. Of course a werewolf would be sensitive about the moon. I apologized and never brought it up with him again."
Tetra was silent a moment before she asked. "You didn't report him?"
Jack narrowed his eyes and frowned. "I was going to the next day. I was pissed." His expression softened. "But when I arrived to report to work he stood outside the door waiting for me." Jack snorted. "He looked like a puppy that was being scolded for peeing on the floor. He apologized profusely but said that he'd understand if I reported and got him fired." Jack chuckled. "I guess I got a weak spot for dogs, cause I couldn't stay mad at him. I accepted his apology and said I wouldn't report him." Jack closed his eyes and shook his head. "Guy was so happy he hugged me." He chortled. "Damn near cracked my ribs."
"Just so you know." Tetra interjected. "Werewolves aren't the only liminals that the full moon affects."
Jack focused on the arachne's face. "Really?" She dipped her head slowly. "Yes. Nearly all extra-species instincts are awakened on full moon nights."
Jack hummed. "Why?"
She shrugged and looked to her left at the mostly empty field. "No one knows." She hoped he would get the implications of what she said on his own. And that she didn't want to talk about it further.
"Alright I'll ask Smythe about that later I suppose." He gave her a hard look. "Just so you know. That little stunt you pulled is the last time you get to do that to me."
Tetra grinned evilly. "No promises." Jack raised an eyebrow. "Really? 'No promises.' You already caught me once. What is doing it a second time going to prove?" Tetra rolled her eyes. "Oh fine, I'll go easy on you oblivious humans." She pointed a claw at Jack. "But I won't let this homestay program dull my skills. No matter who my host is."
Jack sighed. "That's probably the best I can expect from you isn't it?"
"Can't expect a spider to not lay their webs now can you?" She remarked. Jack shook his head. "Fine. I'll put a pin on this issue to discuss later. For now though..." Jack looked back at the table and picked up the manila folder. "Shall we get into this?" The arachne nodded and scuttled around to the opposite bench. "Actually I have one question for you before we begin."
Jack seemed to freeze for a sec then gave her a worried side glance. "Okay. What is it?" Tetra regarded his response for a second before continuing. "You called me something earlier. What was the term?"
Jack's relief was evident in his response. "Oh, uh, I think it was 'web-slinging spider-woman.'" Tetra nodded. "Yes that." She tilted her head curiously. "May I ask where that came from."
Jack smiled and nodded. "You may." He gazed up and to the side for a few seconds, obviously considering his response. "Umm, how familiar are you with American pop culture?"
"Very little." She answered then smirked. "Do I resemble some popular cultural icon of some sort?"
"In a way." Jack nodded. "Have you ever heard of Marvel comics?" Tetra shook her head. "Can't say that I have."
Jack nodded again. "Okay, I could tell you about it but it would be better if I show you." He pulled out his smart phone and tapped on a web browser app. He typed in a phrase and swiped the screen a few times. "This should do as a start." He handed his phone to the arachne.
Tetra regarded the image and title for a few seconds and glanced at Jack. "Spider-man?"
Jack's face brightened up with a smile. "Yep. One of the greatest super heroes of all time. Me and my brothers grew up reading the original comics and collecting all the toys and games."
Tetra returned her attention to the screen and swiped it a few times, picking up little bits about the character from this 'wiki' article. "I don't see a 'spider-woman' that you mentioned."
"Oh she's in there." Jack assured her. "Actually there are several spider-women in the comics."
"Ah, I seem to have found one." Tetra announced and pressed on a link. She studied the new page for a few moments. "Interesting."
"Yep, that's spider-woman." Jack affirmed. "You know arachne aren't like any of these characters?" She pointed out.
"You did save my life." He rebutted. Tetra let out a curt laugh. "Ha. Very well then. Should I wear a cape and mask?"
"Nah, Spider-man never wore capes." He waved a hand in dismissal. "Those things just get in the way. And a custom made mask for all your eyes would probably get expensive."
Tetra gave him an ambitious grin. "Challenge accepted."
With practiced motion Tetra released a measured amount of webbing from her spinnerets and began threading the strands together with her needle-like fingertips. She turned away from Jack's curious expression for a few moments while she completed her little project.
She turned back to face him and dramatically placed a brightly colored silken mask over her eyes. "What do you think?"
Jack's jaw dropped. "You just..in like thirty seconds..." He blinked few times. "It's freaking awesome." He raised his arms toward her in appreciation. "You even got the pattern right."
Tetra smirked in amusement. Oh yes. This was going to be very fun indeed.
"How the hell did you do that?" Awe was embarrassingly evident in his tone. "All arachne can weave." Tetra explained. "We don't just make webs you know."
"Can you, can you make me something?" Goddess he sounded like an eight-year-old. "For a price." She replied while removing her mask. His jaw went slack again, like a sail that just lost the wind. "But you just, it didn't cost you a thing, you just did it and..."
Tetra held up a finger. "First of all, this did require something from me. I can't just make silk out of the void. And secondly if you are good at something never do it for free." Jack closed his mouth slowly then nodded. "Alright." He folded his arms and narrowed his eyes at her. "Name your price."
Tetra bared her fangs in a predatory grin. "First, you will welcome me as your guest." He rapidly nodded. "Done."
"Listen to the rest of my conditions before you accept." She admonished while rolling her eyes. "You will make and serve a meal exclusively for me per article of clothing I weave for you." Jack pursed his lips for a second before nodding. "I'm not that great a cook but I probably need to get better at it if I'm going to be a host anyways." He paused for a second. "I think I can manage that for you."
Tetra raised a third finger. "When the piece is fully completed you will accompany me to the Taranto-ball." Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "What's the Taranto-whatever?"
"The Taranto-ball is a gathering of arachne. We eat, we drink, we dance, we relax." Tetra swayed side to side as if she were about to take part in a waltz. "No games, no contests. Just us and our... partners."
"Sounds like a party." Jack speculated. "What do you mean 'partners'?" Tetra coughed once into her hand. "Well, most arachne bring their husbands, or boyfriends, but since the Exchange bill was passed hosts are invited as well."
"You've attended this Taranto-ball before?" Jack asked.
"Several times." She answered. "But I've never attended by myself before. And I don't intend on starting that as a trend anytime soon." Jack tilted his head to the side. "Is there some faux pas about attending alone?"
Tetra gazed upward while considering her answer. "Hmm, more like a social let down." She looked back at Jack. "If one can't bring friends or at least family to a party why attend one in the first place?"
Jack gave her a questioning look. "But that runs counter to arachne's solitary..." He paused to search for the right word. "reputation, doesn't it?"
Tetra closed her eyes briefly. "Arachne may be part spider," She raised her four front legs up and displayed them. "but we are also at least partially human." She waved a clawed hand from her face to her navel. "And humans need social interaction with each other to learn and develop correctly yes?" Jack nodded affirmatively. "So too with arachne."
"I see." Jack said. "So bringing someone with you is less about social status and more like a report card." It was Tetra's turn to give a questioning look. "Report card?"
"When human children attend school they get graded on the subjects they learn." Jack explained. "These grades are compiled along with notes from teachers about individual students and sent to their parents. It's a gauge on how their children are progressing in their education and social development."
"Ah. I see the similarities but nothing so formal." She answered. "Just having someone along is enough. Loneliness kills after all." Tetra rattled off.
"Fourth. You will also assist me in my future projects, following my instructions to the letter."
Jack frowned. "I won't do anything illegal. Or unethical. Or put you in a position of importance over the other home-stays." Tetra gazed at him blankly. Had she struck a nerve perhaps? Interesting.
"I will be glad to help you, if you ask me for it. But if I am occupied with one of the other girls' needs then I won't be able to assist you." He sat up straight and closed his eyes briefly. "I cannot be beholden to just one guest at the detriment of the others." He opened his eyes and parted his mouth as if to continue, but he stopped. He swallowed and stared at her, waiting for a response.
Tetra put a knuckle to her lips and considered the young man's words. Then she smiled faintly. "Hmm. Some backbone in you after all."
Jack's eyes hardened for a second and his arms tightened around his chest. Then he took a relaxing breath and let his arms fall to the table. "I'll admit I was fascinated when you whipped up that mask out of thin air in less than a minute. I've never seen someone do anything like that outside a magic show." He waved a hand at her abdomen. "But that wasn't an illusion, you created something real. And that excited my imagination a little too much." He shook his head firmly and set his gaze at her face. "But it's just a damn costume. One meal per article of clothing and compulsory attendance to this Taranto- ball is enough."
Tetra nodded her head in acceptance. "Very well host. One meal per article and attendance to the Taranto-ball upon completion."
He grimaced. "Yeah don't call me that either. Just call me Jack."
"Oh." She rejoindered. "Don't human males insist on being addressed by their vaunted titles?" Jack snorted. "The ones that earn them I suppose. And that goes for females too by the way. But all I've done so far is meet with two liminals. Haven't actually done anything host-like yet."
"Hmm." Tetra pondered. "You just negotiated a deal with a guest. That's somewhat host-like."
"Fine." Jack rolled his eyes. "But I'm still insisting you call me by name."
"So strict and demanding." She mock-teased. "And we've barely met. Perhaps I should request a different host." Jack rolled his eyes harder this time. "Oh go ahead. I'm just such a hardass and mean to liminals aren't I?"
"The absolute worst." She agreed with a smile. Tetra decided to gamble a bit and started to walk toward the door.
"Hey. Where are you going?" Jack asked. She grinned back mischievously. "To request another host of course." Jack firmly planted an index finger on the table. "Oh, get your big spider ass back here. You knew I was being sarcastic. I've already agreed to be your host and I have some more questions for you."
Tetra turned back and regarded the young human she was going to be living with. Yeah, this is going to be fun.
"Besides." Jack continued. "If you really wanted to get away from me you'd be gone before I knew you weren't there." Tetra nodded in acknowledgment of his assessment of her speed.
Jack flipped open the file and ran a finger over some of the entries. "Now, it says here that arachne are effectively omnivores. Are there any allergies I should know about or any foods you refuse to eat? Also it says here that..."
Tetra let Jack drone on about the basic care for an arachne and answered his questions without too much sass. He'd earned a break from the game. For now.
"Well I think that basically covers it. Anything else I should know that wasn't in here?" Jack asked . "There's plenty more but, for now that's a good start." Tetra answered.
"Coolness." Jack flipped the file closed and stood up. He raised his hand toward her. She took it and they shook. "It was good to meet you Tetra. I look forward to being your host." She smiled and nodded back. "Likewise."
Jack held onto her hand just a bit longer than necessary. "And thank you again." He said soberly. "For saving my life."
Tetra closed hers eyes. "Your quite welcome, Jack."
A/N
So Tetra's a handful. Hehe. Also a bit of spider culture. Yeah!
I also wanted to address her venom right away. One of the the things that annoyed me about the original manga/anime is the fact that they present Rachnera almost as a Black Widow, one of the deadliest spiders ever, but they never expand on it. They focus so much on her claws as the dangerous part of her but never once ,to my knowledge, utter one word about what her bite would do to a victim.
As always thank you for reading. Please review and comment. I do aim to please, believe me, but I also want to tell my story.
