I do not own Daily Life with Monster Girls
Chapter 10:Simulated war facility.
Jack rushed toward the corner of the ruined building. He ducked and slid to avoid the incoming fire from the enemy. He spun and planted his back against the wall. Just to his left a fellow freedom fighter with dirty blonde hair bound up in a pony tail and a visored mask nodded at him.
"What happened over there?" She asked loudly over the din of battle.
"They got Sheena and the rest." He panted through his own helmet. "Flanked us on the left."
"Damn."
Jack nodded, silently agreeing with his companion's assessment of their situation.
He peeked around the corner that he just came from. The enemy hadn't advanced over the open ground despite having devastated Jack's unit moments before.
He ducked back under cover. "Who's left over here?" He asked.
She turned toward him. "My guys are mostly intact except for- LOOK OUT!"
Jack's eyes widened at her shriek. He spun, crouched and aimed his weapon toward where he surmised she was looking.
Perched on the adjacent building's ruined wall was an eight-legged monstrosity just starting to aim her weapon at Jack. He could just see the edges of her devilish grin visible through her mask.
"Ah crap!" He yelled as the assailant began spraying fire his direction.
"Come on! Get to cover!" He bellowed as he sprinted toward the far end of the building. Jack and his companion rounded the corner in a desperate scramble.
The blonde leaned over on her knees trying to catch her breath. "You...you hit?"
Jack patted himself and checked. "No, I think I'm fine."
She gave a hoarse laugh. "Huh. Your Widow-maker actually missed."
Jack was about to protest any association when they both heard a cackling. Jack and his companion went alert and tried to find the source of the fiendish laughter.
"Widow-maker performed exceptionally." A spine-chilling, slithering voice echoed.
It seemed to be coming from the long grass just a few feet in front of them. On frantic impulse Jack fired blindly into the foliage hoping for a lucky shot.
Both held their breathe for a few seconds. Then something in the grass moved.
Jack panic fired at the disturbance. He took a few heavy breaths listening for any sign of his target.
His companion nudged him with her elbow. "She's toying with us."
Jack paused and then nodded.
"We gotta get to cover and join the others." She advised.
"Right." Jack agreed. "I'll watch back, you watch front."
Both freedom fighters sidled along the wall scanning for any threats.
Jack heard a scritching noise right above him. "Oh shit!" He exclaimed and aimed up.
That was his last mistake.
Out of the tall grass emerged a reptilian-human hybrid armed with a weapon similar to Jack's own. Before he could react she pulled the trigger twice and spurts of orange goo exploded from his chest. His companion pivoted back toward the gunfire but was met with the same fate. The snake monster fired two shots and eliminated her other target.
"Yesssss!" She crowed with a clawed fist high in the air.
Jack grimaced. "Damn it, Sula! Stop cheering over shooting your host."
The hybrid leaned forward and hissed with almost manic joy in her eyes. "There is no Sula. There is only... Golden Death!"
She bounded back into the tall grass and disappeared with an echoing cackle.
His companion chuckled. "She is enjoying this way too much."
Jack shook his head. "She needs this." He mused. She tilted her head curiously.
"Let's get off the field." He said. "We're 'dead' right?"
She chuckled again but didn't comment.
Jack and his fellow defeated freedom fighter emerged from the boundary net and doffed their helmets.
Kelly pulled her hair loose and removed the scrunchy keeping her impromptu pony tail in place. Jack wiped sweat off his face with the last dry spot on his sleeve.
Both walked over to their group's bench where Monica, dressed in dark green overalls and a white t-shirt, was still tinkering with a recently purchased paintball marker.
"Any luck with that?" He asked as he sat down.
Monica leaned back slightly but didn't shift her gaze from her work. "An engineer doesn't need luck. She only needs parts and a plan." She stated confidently.
Jack set his rental marker to the side. "So you haven't got it yet."
She narrowed her one eyelid at Jack. He gave a cheesy grin back.
"So where's Syleris anyways?" He asked.
Monica looked back down at the partially gutted marker. "Sheena and she went to get food for you guys."
Jack nodded his head and breathed out.
"So." Kelly spoke up next to him. "What did you mean that Sula needed this?"
He turned to her. "Well, ever since the first night at the new place something has been bothering her. A couple days ago I said we should take a trip to California and she thanked me..." He glanced at the MON agent at the table. "enthusiastically."
Jack noticed that Monica paused her work a second, but she didn't say anything.
"Enthusiastically?" Kelly repeated.
"Um." Jack swallowed. "She hugged me...kinda hard."
"Oh." Kelly stated. "Oooohhhhh." She leaned her head back as she stretched out the vowel.
Jack nodded. "Yeah and she's been feeling pretty terrible about it since." He placed an arm on the table and shifted his weight to speak with her more comfortably. "Then we got a rather abrupt awakening the day after when a work crew arrived at the house at six in the morning."
"Oh my." Kelly exclaimed.
Jack scratched the back of his head. "Fortunately I was already up and preparing breakfast. So I confronted the first two guys that walked right into the house. But before I could get an explanation or even a question in, one of them was strung up in Tetra's webbing and the other was wrapped inside Sula's coils."
"Oh no."
Jack nodded. "Yeah I panicked for a bit there and basically begged them both not to hurt the two guys." He breathed out. "Tetra pointed out that they were not invited guests and trespassing on technically government property but if they didn't struggle too much she'd consider letting hers go. Sula on the other hand..."
Jack stared passed Kelly. "There was something different about her. She wasn't angry, just, kinda giddy and content while she had the poor guy at her mercy." He paused a second. "Right then, it clicked." He snapped his fingers on his right hand.
"Echidnas are supposed to be one of the more aggressive species right?" He asked. Kelly tilted her eyes up and nodded. "But until the hug she hadn't done anything physically aggressive since my interview with her. And Agent Smythe told me that she was one of his most well behaved students he had ever overseen."
Kelly eyebrow's lowered a hair. "She's been holding herself back, suppressing that part of her nature."
"Exactly." Jack nodded. "Fortunately, the foreman came in and explained that his company was under contract to work on the residence. He even had papers with signatures to prove it. I managed to convince the girls to let the crewmen go after that."
Kelly pursed her lips. "They weren't hurt, right?"
"No, thank god." Jack shook his head. "I asked the foreman what his crew was setting up that day." He paused and eyed Kelly. "Exercise and boxing equipment."
She hummed positively.
"Yep. Sula's eyes lit up like a kid's on Christmas morning." Jack grinned. "She was probably going to hug him too but I placed a hand on her shoulder. I could tell she was tensing up to 'thank' him." Jack sighed. "She seemed to get my little message and just bowed instead."
Kelly chuckled. "Good call."
He nodded. "Seems so. Anyways, later that day we got our newest guest and you called me about today's stuff and here we are."
"We're back!" A slightly Japanese accented voice announced.
Jack looked up and waved to greet Sheena and Syleris. He took an offered cheeseburger from the kitsune. Kelly did the same. Monica just placed her food to the side and kept tinkering with her project.
Jack leaned over and retrieved a water bottle from their cooler. As he straitened back up he noted a few orange splotches on Sheena's black and yellow t-shirt. "Sorry for abandoning you back there, Sheena." Jack gave the MON agent an apologetic look.
She shook her head. "No, you made the right call Jack. Tactical withdrawal from a superior enemy position is always a valid strategy."
Jack snickered. "I 'advanced in a retrograde maneuver.'"
One of her fox ears twitched and she grinned. "Ah, you know some military double-speak it seems."
He took a bite out of his burger and nodded. This is a really good burger. "Yeah, an old college friend of mine was a huge military buff. Loved to pull out those phrases and lingo every chance they even remotely applied."
Sheena snorted. "That had to be annoying after a while."
Jack closed his eyes briefly in agreement. "It was. But here's the kicker." He leaned forward to emphasize his next point.
"He's legally blind."
Sheena choked on her water bottle and sputtered a mouthful on the ground while laughing.
Jack chuckled too. Though more at her reaction than his own revelation.
Monica stopped her work and just blinked at Jack several times. A forming smirk tucked at the corner of her mouth.
Kelly displayed a half pitying, half amused expression. "That's..kinda sad."
Syleris shook her head and ate her cheeseburger.
"Are you serious?" Sheena asked after regaining her composure.
Jack nodded. "Yep. Mac had to wear these really thick, almost goggle like glasses. Had to take public transport to his job everyday since he can't drive." Jack shook his head. "No military in the world would let him near a gun, let alone put him through basic training."
He shrugged. "But he didn't care. He was damn smart, knew computers and programming like a pro and could debate the finer points of the historical battle of Thermopylae like he'd witnessed it himself."
Syleris tilted her head way to the side. "If he had such bad vision how could he have witnessed it even if he had been there?"
Jack gave her a knowing look. "That's the joke." He took another bite of his burger. This is really good.
Sheena laughed in her throat and shook her head with a big grin.
"Of my old circle of friends back then, I was probably the one that got along with him best." Jack took a swig of his water and swallowed. "I used to be a history buff and I had ideas of joining the military myself when I was a teenager. We actually had a pretty long discussion about it one night over some jack and cokes."
He stuffed the last bite of his cheeseburger and washed it down with the remainder of his water bottle.
"We came to the conclusion that he saw a career in the military as a constant source of testing for his intellect and command abilities. I, on the other hand, would be in it for the glory and the sharp uniform. So long as I didn't actually have to fight."
Monica, Kelly and Sheena snorted in unison. Syleris just shook her head.
Jack nodded and smirked. "Yep. He'd be the no-nonsense combat commander and I'd be the screw-up that he'd have to dishonorably discharge for slacking off at my post."
Kelly shook her head. "Oh my god. That's terrible Jack."
He eyed her. "I did mention the jack and cokes right? Not exactly a first rate mental effort by either of us." He looked back at the group. "By the way, anyone else think the burgers were better than you were expecting?"
Syleris shrugged. "Wouldn't know. I've never had one before today." She nodded. "I do like 'em though."
Kelly nodded. "Actually yeah, I noticed that too."
Sheena glanced between the two humans. "Why? Cheeseburgers are everywhere in this country right? Aren't they all made the same?"
Jack and Kelly shook their heads.
"Oh no." Kelly explained. "Some places make terrible burgers."
Jack nodded. "Yep. Last time I was here the burgers were basically charred bricks on a bun."
"Well mine certainly smells good." Monica stated. "Also Jack," She looked up at him. "I, for one, think it was a good thing that you didn't enlist."
He looked over at the cyclops curiously.
"If you had, we might not all be here to enjoy this very fun day." She stated positively.
"Fun for some of you..." Syleris grumbled. She folded her wing-hands on the table and huffed.
The cyclops looked over at the harpy briefly. "I'm working on it, I'm working on it."
Jack felt a pang of guilt and sympathy for his most recent homestay.
"Sorry Syleris." She looked over at him. "I'll admit this whole event is more for Sula and Tetra's sake." He jerked his head at Kelly. "At least as far as my household is concerned."
The blonde woman nodded. "You should have seen Lucas on the ride here. Bouncing off the walls like a kid on crack."
"Oh man." Jack said.
"I had to ask Maiko to hold him down at least once." She gave a relieved sigh. "He got the message and calmed down enough after that."
"Think it's everything he wanted?" Jack asked.
"Let's find out." She straightened her stance and gave a wave at someone behind Jack. "Lucas! Over here!"
Jack pivoted over and watched Kelly's liminals approach their table. The lizardman had on a full tactical vest and green camo fatigues. Maiko seemed to be wearing something akin to a vintage ninja outfit.
Maiko had a serenely content expression as she sat next to Kelly. Lucas choose a spot opposite Jack and gruffly planted himself. The whole table shook. Everybody except Maiko blinked and stared at the lizardman.
"When I asked you to bring your homestay Jack." He began in a low tone. "I was thinking something like a Pan Faun or a Usagimimi." He sighed heavily. "You know, something small, harmless, like yourself."
Jack choked back an indignant protest.
"Something fairly fast at least," Lucas continued. "to provide a modicum of challenge."
The lizardman raised his gaze to match with Jack's eyes. "Not two alpha predators that double team and outmaneuver everything that challenges them." He snarled through his razor sharp teeth.
Jack pressed his lips together and tried not to smile. "I take it you became a victim of 'Lady Death' as well?"
"Golden Death!" He raised his hand in the air as he corrected Jack. "Your crazy echidna's lost her goddamn mind." Despite his irate ranting Lucas couldn't keep a slight grin from undermining his righteous anger rhetoric.
Jack could barely hold in his laughter. His belly shook with the effort.
Lucas raised his other hand abruptly. "And your arachne!" He pointed a claw at Jack's chest. "Oh is she ever the enabler. And a cheat." He grumbled. "Climbing over walls, luring us into ambushes, distracting us from the true threat."
Despite knowing the exact answer, Jack asked. "The true threat?"
Lucas' eyes widened. "The true threat, which is your freakin' echidna!"
"So Lucas," Kelly interjected. "Are you having a good time?"
He slapped both hands on the table, rattling it again. "I'm having a blast!" He wasn't even trying to hide his grin now.
Jack chuckled and looked over at the ryujin. "And you Maiko. Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes." She nodded. "I am having a lovely time here Jack."
He smiled and nodded back. "Good to hear." He looked back at Lucas. "So is your game done? Are they on their way?"
The lizardman folded his arms. "Their throng of sycophants are probably still fawning over them." He growled.
Jack chuckled lightly and got up. "Well I should get some food for them too. Want anything?"
"A dozen cheeseburgers." He barked.
Jack blinked a couple times and looked over at Kelly.
"Four cheeseburgers." She emphasized.
Lucas gave Kelly a hurt expression. She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Alright, five." She relented.
Jack nodded. "And you Maiko?"
"One shall suffice for my needs." She answered. "Thank you Jack."
He left the table and approached the counter of the concession stand. Figuring he'd need at least as many burgers for his girls as Kelly's liminals requested Jack doubled the order.
The cashier raised an eyebrow. Jack flipped out his Exchange issued expenses card. "I'm with the liminals over there." He thumbed back at his table. The cashier took the card and swiped it wordlessly. The request was processed and he handed the card back.
"It'll be bit." He informed in a dull tone. "Want a tray?"
Jack nodded, stepped off to the side and leaned back against the brick wall. He whipped out his smart phone and scanned the local news items for anything of interest.
"Hey you."
Jack blinked and looked up from his phone. A tactical gear aficionado with an expensive looking marker slung over his shoulder approached. He had a thick layer of make-up (pardon, camo face paint) that obscured his ancestry. Though Jack was fairly certain he was some Caucasian stock.
"You the guy that brought all those monster hotties?"
Jack grimaced behind his phone. He took a breath before answering.
"Yes, I host three liminals." He stated.
"Daaaamn. Three of them." The male human that Jack had decided to mentally dub 'dudebro', exclaimed.
"You must get some great action, man." dudebro asserted.
Jack paused a second to keep a calm demeanor. "It can be challenging at times."
"So like, which one's the best, man?"
Jack snickered at the open ended nature of the question, and decided to exploit it.
"Well Tetra and Sula seem to be matched in their knowledge of languages." He informed. dudebro blinked. "Between them they could probably act as translators for any two people on the planet. Although hmmm.." Jack tapped the side of his chin with his forefinger. "I wonder if there are any liminal developed languages that they would know. I'll have to ask."
dudebro held up a hand. "No wait what I mean is-"
Jack barreled on. "And Syleris can remember everything she reads, so she's got loads of potential knowledge. And she can run really really fast."
"Dude no that's not-"
"Tetra can make clothes out her own silk. She can climb up walls and probably across ceilings. Sula's tail is hella strong, but she's good at playing with kids."
dudebro gritted his teeth. "No man I wanna know if-"
"If Lucas' tail would grow back if it got chopped off." Jack finished for him while nodding in agreement. "That'd be pretty cool. Maiko's antlers are fairly interesting too. I wonder if they are actually like deer horns or possibly some sort of dragon horn." He shrugged a shoulder. "She is a ryujin so... maybe."
"Dude!" dudebro half shouted. "Are they good at f-"
"Hey buddy."
dudebro glanced at the concession stand. The cashier slid a paper tray across the counter. "You want your hot dogs or what?"
dudebro grimaced as he walked over to the counter and picked up his food.
"Fag." He hurled at Jack before walking away.
"I wonder if Monica can see in different spectrums, or if Sheena can make herself grow into a godzilla like creature or something or maybe-" Jack stopped when he figured dudebro was too far away to hear him.
He pocketed his phone and approached the counter.
"I told you. It'll be a bit." The cashier said.
Jack held up a hand. "I know, I just wanted to thank you."
The cashier's eyes darted in the direction dudebro left. "Yeah, we get guys like that."
Jack nodded grimly. "How often?"
The cashier shrugged. "Everyday. But they usually only say stupid crap like that when there's a lot of 'em around, like today."
Jack inclined his head a bit. "'A lot of 'em?'"
The cashier shrugged. "You brought like a dozen liminals didn't you?"
Jack snorted at the inflated count. "I only brought my three homestays."
The cashier blinked. "Oh." He shook his head. "Eh, I've learned not to pay attention to that sort of thing."
Jack frowned. "You seem awfully blasé about liminals."
The cashier shrugged. "Comes with working with one everyday."
Jack blinked. "A liminal works here?"
The cashier hooked a thumb toward the interior of the building. Jack leaned over the counter and craned his neck. Sure enough, a large man with charcoal colored skin, large partially flappy ears and a pig-like snout stood at the grill with a cooking apron over his clothes and a spatula in his hand. His extra wide body just barely cleared the space between the wall and the grill.
"Whoa cool." Jack breathed.
The cook heard him and glanced over at Jack. "Hey Derek! I told you not to let anyone look back here."
Derek held up a hand. "It's cool man. He's a host."
The cook stomped up toward Derek but didn't walk past the opening of the counter. "I am not some 'man'." He grumbled.
Derek dipped his head and looked toward the register. "Okay man, I'm sorry."
Jack held a finger out at the cook. "You're an orc right?"
He blinked and glanced at Jack. "Hrmm. Yes. I am an orc."
Jack stretched out his hand. "Cool. My name's Jack."
The orc examined Jack's hand, then up at his face. After another moment's pause the orc seemed to make a mental shrug and grasped Jack's hand. "Rukh."
Jack nodded at Rukh and released the handshake. "You make really good burgers Rukh."
The orc leaned back and regarded the human. "Thank you." He turned his head toward the grill and sniffed. "Speaking of which..."
Jack held up his hand. "Oh, don't let me keep you. I'm gonna need those for my friends."
Rukh glanced back at Jack before walking away. "Right..."
Jack looked over at Derek. "How long has he worked here?"
Derek shrugged. "Don't know. He was here when I started two months ago."
"Hmm..." Jack whipped out his phone again and stepped to the side. He brought up a notepad app and made a quick entry. He reviewed some of the older notes then closed the app and slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Derek raised his chin at Jack and slid a tray full of boxed burgers toward him. Jack retrieved it, thanked him and Rukh, and proceeded back to his table.
Jack noticed that Sula and Tetra had returned from their adventure. The echidna, dressed in her own dark form-fitting long sleeve shirt under an equipment harness and a completely unnecessary eye-patch, was making large movements with her arms and talking animatedly. Likely recalling every 'kill' she claimed.
Tetra was dressed in a similar outfit, save for the central zipper pulled down kinda low. Instead of an eye-patch however, she wore a belt with a red hour-glass looking buckle. The arachne stood to the side and watched her fellow predator's antics with a satisfied if a bit amused smile.
" -and then Golden Death's last victims tried to escape by hiding in the ruined fortress." Sula's voice was raspy and deep. "Silly victims, Death cannot be avoided, Death finds them." She coiled a part of her tail under herself. "Death circled the last bastion of resistance, committing each remaining victim's location and their numbers to memory." She closed her eyes and made an inclusive gesture at Tetra. "With the consultation of Lady Widow-maker," Sula closed her other hand into a fist and opened her eyes with maniacal determination. "And the assistance of Death's legionem aeternum, the victims were surrounded and annihilated." She raised both hands in the air like she was holding orbs of power. "Golden Death claims victory!"
The others at the table clapped in mild applause, even Lucas. Sula bowed slightly. "Your accolades honor Death."
"I see you've been having fun." Jack observed while placing the tray of burgers on the table.
Sula's visible eye locked on the food. "Ah, servant, excellent timing."
Jack looked up at her with a eyebrow raised. "Servant?"
Tetra raised a hand to get Jack's attention. She slowly mouthed 'play along'. Jack blinked and then shook his head bemusedly. He picked up a pair of water bottles from their cooler and gave one to Sula.
"Golden Death is grateful, servant." She said the last word in her normal voice. Jack rolled his eyes. He stepped over to Tetra and handed her a water bottle.
"You've been watching out for her right?" He asked just above a whisper.
The arachne snickered and took the offered bottle. "Widow-maker watches all, servant."
Jack rolled his whole head back. "Oh my gods, not you too."
She winked three eyes and chuckled. "Just enjoying the moment Jack." In a more sober tone she continued. "But yes, I have been observing her behavior during the game. The only weapon she's used are these..." She hefted her own marker. "rentals."
"Good. That's good." Jack nodded his head. "Where'd she get the eye-patch?"
"From one of our teammates." Tetra explained. "He said he was a..." She tapped a claw on her chin. "How did he put it? A Burt Russel fan."
"Kurt Russell." Jack corrected. "I'll explain the reference later. Or better yet, we'll watch one of my copies of the 'Escape From' movies after we get back."
"I do like your choice in movies." She grinned at him.
He snorted. "They're cult classics." He warned. "Not everyone likes 'em."
She tilted her head quizzically. "Cult classic?"
Jack blinked a couple times. "Oh, not actual 'cult' cults." He rotated a wrist a couple times while clarifying. "With the withdrawal from society and mass suicide insanity." He held his hand palm up. "Certain movies have devoted fan bases, despite glaringly bad performances, ridiculous plot lines or audience insulting gimmicks."
"Ah." She stated and held up a claw. "Like real cults that expect their followers to accept contradictory doctrines and follow arbitrary and possibly harmful rules."
Jack nodded while looking up. "Yeah I guess that's how that term sort of applies." He focused back down at her. "It's kinda hard to define though. Cause it also covers really good TV shows and films that have also have strong followings but due to circumstances didn't get as much recognition as the fans of the material say it warrants." He held his hand palm up again. "I can really only give examples of either."
Tetra inclined her head. "So... give me one."
"Okay well, have you ever heard of Firefly?"
"I got it!"
Everyone turned and looked over at Monica. She lifted her project in the air.
"I got it. " She exclaimed again.
"Really?" Syleris asked excitedly.
"Yep." Monica nodded and handed over the modified paintball marker to the harpy. "Wanna try it out?"
The harpy clutched the marker tightly. "Oh yes, yes yes yes." She adjusted her grip, and then sped over to the shooting range.
Monica raised her hand and jogged after her. "Ach, wait up. I have to see how it performs. I might need to make more adjustments."
Jack watched as Monica entered the range, then turned back to Tetra. "Hey, you mind if I check that out." He thumbed behind himself. "I'm really curious about what she did."
Tetra closed her eyes and nodded. "Of course Jack."
"Thanks." He returned to the table and retrieved his rental. "I'll tell you all about the space adventures of Nathan Fillion later."
Tetra blinked as her host left. "Who the hell is Nathan Fillion?"
Jack jogged down to the range and walked over to Syleris and Monica. "So it works?"
Syleris pointed the marker at a nearby target and squeezed a lever.
'Pop' 'Splat'
One stop sign maybe five yards into the range was graced with fresh coat of orange paint.
"Cool." Jack stated.
"Isn't it?" Syleris placed it sideways on the wide wooden rail. Jack took a step closer and examined it for himself.
"Ahh I see." Jack pointed at the lever that Syleris had used to fire the marker. "It's like those really old crossbow designs from the middle ages. No trigger guard, so her whole hand can fit."
"Correct." Monica stated.
"Hey Jack." Syleris gripped her modified marker and took a shooting stance. "Accuracy contest. Ten shots." She grinned confidently at him. "Furthest target hit, wins."
Jack grinned back and assumed a similar stance. "You're on." He looked over at the cyclops. "Monica, mind refereeing us?"
She nodded and smiled. "Of course. I'll call each shot. As always," She waved a hand at the harpy. "Ladies first."
Syleris grinned smugly at Jack, who just snorted in response.
"First shot." Monica announced.
The initial shots of each contestant went wide of their mark and they each learned to be less ambitious with their follow-ups. Both shooters choose and landed targets much closer to themselves. Then they gradually improved their range and kept even with themselves until it was time for the last shot.
"Final shot." Monica announced.
Syleris decided to increase her lead by an impossible margin by aiming at ,ironically enough, a paint can hanging off a rope way near the back. She adjusted her stance, angled the marker, and then squeezed the trigger.
The ball flew and splattered on her target, causing it to sway slightly.
She threw a fist in the air. "Haha!"
"Son of a..." Jack grumbled.
Syleris snickered at her host. "Beat that, Jack."
Jack frowned while aiming his own marker. He took his time, steadied his breath and squeezed the trigger.
His shot flew, and for fleeting moment he'd thought he would at least match hers. Until his paintball ricocheted off of the curve of the can and onto the ground.
"Sunuva!"
Both monster girls looked at him concernedly at his reaction.
"But you hit the target." Monica said.
"Yeah..." Jack acknowledged. "But the ball didn't break, so it doesn't count." He straitened up and replaced the sock on his marker.
Monica was still looking at him dubiously.
"In paintball," He started to explain. "If the ball hits but doesn't break, it doesn't count. There's no paint splatter to mark where it hit." They both leaned their heads back slightly. "Think of it like firing a dud round."
Monica nodded. "Okay, I think I understand that."
Syleris blinked once."So.." She hesitated a bit before smiling hopefully. "I won?"
Jack nodded at her while throwing his shoulder sling into place. "You won. Congrats."
"Yayyy!" She cheered and threw another fist into the air. "So. What do I win?"
Jack blinked at her. "I wasn't aware we were playing for stakes."
She grinned conceitedly. "We are now."
He rolled his eyes. "How convenient for you."
"Isn't it?" She stated with an impish smirk. She put a wing near her chin. "Now what should my reward be?"
"The admiration of your fellow liminals and your host." Monica stated with cheerful finality.
Syleris waved a wing. "Nahh. I already got that."
Jack shook his head and turned and left the range. Syleris followed. "What should I get? What. Should I. Get?"
On concerned impulse Jack stopped and spun back toward the harpy. "Syleris."
The harpy looked at him deviously. "Oh don't worry Jack, I'll think of something good."
"You're forgetting something." He looked pointedly at her modified marker.
Monica noticed it as well. "Oh my, you are."
Syleris blinked and looked between them disbelievingly. Then she stared at her marker...and its uncovered barrel.
"Oh shoot." She exclaimed and patted her pants with her free wing-hand. "Where'd I leave it?"
"Probably back at the range." Monica suggested.
Syleris spun in place and darted back into the shack. A moment later she returned with her marker properly covered with a barrel sock.
"There, got it." She slung her marker over her shoulder. "Now as for my prize..."
Jack displayed a Machiavellian grin. "I'm afraid there is no prize for you, my dear."
Dumbfounded shock took over her features. "What? Why not?" She demanded.
Jack held up a finger. "You violated the park rules concerning safety. Therefore all prizes earned in any shooting contests on the park grounds are forfeit."
"Wha...?" Her jaw hung open a sec. "There is no rule like that."
Monica held up her own finger. "I must concur with your host." She smiled at the stunned harpy. "The rules are quite clear concerning stipulations of the forfeiture of prizes. And violating park safety standards is very near the top."
Syleris stamped a foot. "There is no rule." She insisted.
Monica and Jack shook their heads in unison.
"Ugh! There is no rule." She stomped passed the MON agent and Jack. "You two are insufferable."
Jack snorted at that."Says the gloating harpy." He mumbled under his breath.
As the trio approached their table, Kelly waved to them.
"Hey you guys up for a round? I think we're all going."
"Yeah sure." Jack replied. "But umm..." He looked concernedly at all the ammunition and other items that would be left unattended. "I wonder if we shouldn't leave someone here. To watch our stuff."
Kelly blinked at him. "Do people actually steal stuff here?"
Jack shook his head. "Almost never. But I don't like taking the chance."
"I will stay and watch vigil Jack." Maiko volunteered. She set her marker down and slid into the nearest seat at the table.
"Okay..uh thanks Maiko." Jack nodded.
"Have fun." She waved as they all left.
The group lined up and joined several others waiting for a game. The officials split the teams at random. To everyone's relief Tetra and Sula were placed separately. They gave each other a predator's grin before mingling with their new teammates.
This new game course was a decent walk past a few others. It was kind of a post-apocalyptic scene. Rusting vehicles and cement blocks placed haphazardly around a mostly flat field.
Jack followed Monica, Lucas and Tetra at the far end of the course. The course, Jack noted, that had lots of clumps of tall grass.
"We are so screwed." He shook his head in dismay.
"I can find her Jack." Tetra reassured him. "But with the lack of tall cover around here, I'll need assistance."
"What kind of assistance?" Monica asked.
Tetra waved a hand dismissively. "Just keep her throng of minions off me."
"What about the harpy?" Lucas interjected. "She's pretty fast right?"
"I can get her." Monica nodded. "But I'll need to concentrate."
Jack smirked. "So we keep the dastardly villains away from our women." He turned and raised a fist toward Lucas. "Like the ancient knights of yore."
Lucas grinned and completed the fist bump with Jack. "Like the deep warriors of the chaos age."
Jack blinked and was about to ask about whatever the hell Lucas alluded too, when the main referee announced the game was starting in five seconds. He shook his head and gripped his marker.
Jack scanned the available cover and chose a spot behind an overturned bus. He prepared to run.
"GO!" The ref announced. Jack took off. Tetra, Monica, and Lucas seemed to have the same idea he did. The allied liminals reached the bus first. Tetra extended her legs just enough for her top pair of eyes to see over it.
Jack reached the bus just as Tetra starting reporting.
"At least two thirds of them are heading to our right. Syleris definitely headed left." She announced.
"Hammer and anvil." Monica deduced. "That's Sheena's style."
Tetra ducked after a shot whizzed past her head.
"Whoa, they saw you?" Jack blurted.
"Apparently." She grunted. "More likely that Sula sniffed me out."
"Oh crap." Jack exclaimed. "I forgot she could do that."
"We'll need to flush em out in the open so I can get a clear shot." Monica surmised. She looked at her fellow liminals. "Tetra, Lucas. You'll have to be the bait. Swing around our left and skim the edge of the field. Make them turn their backs toward us."
The lizardman and arachne nodded and sprinted off together. Several guys from the opposing team took shots at them. A few even stepped out of their own cover.
"Jack, watch my back." Monica commanded, and then started firing flanking shots at her opponents.
"On it." Jack acknowledged. He turned away from the cyclops and readied his marker. He saw the rest of his team holding fast on the other side of the field. But no opponents came into view.
His heartbeat was almost as loud in his head as Monica's shots from right next to him. He kept his breathing steady. He scanned the area around - What was that?
Something flitted at the edge of his vision. He glanced up at the top of the overturned bus. While kneeling he scooted back a step and tried to get a better view of -There it is again.
Creeping trepidation leaked into his voice as he called his teammate. "M-monica."
The cyclops withdrew from her corner and glanced at Jack concernedly. "What? What is it?"
He pointed at the top of their cover with the barrel of his marker. "I think Sula climbed the other side."
Her eye widened in realization. "That's why." She spun in place and aimed her own marker where Jack indicated. The tip of something golden flitted over the top of the bus.
"Fall back!" Monica shouted while firing her marker. Jack turned and ran for a rusting car behind them. He pumped his legs as several paintballs screamed by his head. He ducked and slid around the trunk.
Safely behind cover, he peaked back and tried to find Monica. It wasn't hard. She had a hand above her head and was casually walking toward the nearest edge of the boundary string for the field. There were a couple of fresh orange splotches on her overalls.
"Damn it, she's out." Jack muttered. He peered around and tried to get any glimpse of Sula.
He saw a few guys from the opposing team run across the field. But he didn't see any of his teammates. Jack crossed to the other side of the car and spotted a welcome sight. The humans on his team not only held against the initial assault but had turned it back as well.
He made a snap decision and sprinted for the nearest group of them. One of them aimed at Jack. He flashed his armband. "Same team, same team." The guy paused a second and nodded. Jack reached the middle of their cover, a chest-high concrete block, and knelt.
"Hey man, what happened over there?" One of the guys wearing a reverse angled SOX hat asked.
"Sula, I mean, the lamia climbed our cover. Had to fall back." Jack explained.
"Daaaamn, that's hard core." He exclaimed.
Jack nodded. "It certainly makes things interesting."
"Didn't we have a couple monsters on our team?" The other guy, wearing a custom print face mask, asked. "Where are they?"
"Have you seen a harpy or a kitsune around?" Jack asked him.
"Uh no, I don't think so." He said.
"Then the arachne and lizardman on our team are doing their job." Jack concluded. "We gotta watch out for the lamia though. She likes to hide in the tall grass."
"That's crazy." Reverse Cap said. "I knew this shit would be more fun with monsters running around."
Jack snorted and couldn't help smiling. "I'm glad you feel that way."
A familiar cackling froze his blood.
"The hell was that!?" Custom Print cried out.
Jack gripped his marker and scanned around slowly. "She's here. Call out as soon as you see her. She's fast."
"Damn, this shit's crazy." Reverse Cap awed.
Despite being stalked by Sula, again, Jack grinned. Stay focused, she doesn't have a partner to cause a distraction this time.
He scanned the tall grass for any sign of her: foliage that swayed against the wind, a glint of light reflecting off her scales, those 'D' shaped hair clips she always wore, even while sleeping. Seriously, she wears them while sleeping. What's up with that?
"I think I see something." Custom print announced.
Jack glanced at Custom Print, then in the direction he was looking. Something on the other side of their cover moved in the grass. Jack immediately fired a shot at it.
The thing, likely her tail, darted toward the rusted car Jack had used for cover barely a minute ago. Custom Print and Reverse Cap fired as well.
On adrenaline fueled impulse, Jack broke cover and ran for the other side of the rusting car. He held his marker out in front of him, ready to fire at a moment's notice.
His gamble payed off. There Sula was, her human half mostly upright and peering through the rusted car.
As he rounded the corner to get a clear shot, Sula noticed him and turned in surprise. They fired at the same time.
Sula's shot stung Jack's arm. Jack's shot splattered on her tactical vest just above her waist.
They both paused and looked at where they'd been hit.
"Ugh, Jack!" Sula yelped. "You're not supposed to hurt a liminal. It's against the law."
Jack smirked behind his mask and pointed at her with his free arm. "No no, missy. You signed the waiver for this place. Paintball shots fired in a game are allowed."
"Hmmph."
Jack shouldered his marker and raised a hand above his head. "Come on, Miss Death. Let's get off the field."
He turned around and walked toward the nearest boundary string. Sula darted forward and caught up to him. "That's 'Golden Death' to you, host."
Jack just kept smirking behind his mask.
"Hey man!" Custom Print shouted. "Didja get her?"
Jack turned toward his 'living' teammates. "Yeah." He shouted back. "But, she got me too."
"Worth." Reverse Cap said. He gave a thumb's up. "Way to take one for the team, man."
Jack nodded and looked back at the boundary string. He held it up and waved his other hand forward.
"Ladies first." He offered.
She 'harrumphed' indignantly and ducked under the string. Jack did the same and they proceeded to the staging area for the course they just left.
He looked over at the lamia. It was hard to tell with the face mask on, but from her posture and the slight twitching of her ears, he could tell she was happy.
"So, Golden Death, still having a good time?" He asked.
She glanced back at him with a dark glint in her eyes. "Oh yes, host. Golden Death quite enjoys hunting humans for sport."
Jack snorted and shook his head. He stopped suddenly when she grasped his arm.
She was looking down. "Seriously though Jack. Thank you for this."
He nodded sympathetically at her. "This was Lucas' idea, ya know, and Kelly coordinated most of it."
She looked up at him. "But you brought all three of us. Even though I almost hurt you and..."
Jack held a up a hand. "Technically all three of you have almost hurt me."
She cocked her head to the side. "What did Tetra do to you?"
"She strung me up by my ankles breifly during our interview." Jack answered nonchalantly.
The lamia blinked a couple times, then her expression hardened a bit. "Those arachne." She spat.
Jack nodded. "Yeah I wasn't too happy about that either." His expression sobered. "She'd probably argue that she was in complete control of her actions, and that I was never in any danger." He shrugged. "Freaked me out though."
Sula's eyes flashed and she made fist with her other hand. Jack placed his free hand on hers. "But just like Syleris' need to run, Tetra needs to spin her webs." He looked into her eyes intently. "Just like you need to channel your aggressiveness."
Sula held her fist for a few seconds and then released it. She let go of Jack's arm as well.
"You all have different needs." Jack continued. "It's my job to see to them."
She let out a deep breath and nodded. "I'm really glad you figured that out." She glanced back up at him. "When I got to America, I knew I had to behave as nice as possible to even have a chance at getting a host. I had no idea it would take as long as it did. So I just kept penting it up."
"When I moved into the house I was so used to doing that." She shook her head. "I think subconsciously I told myself I shouldn't do anything aggressive around you." She looked down. "I-I was afraid that you would reject me like the others had."
Despite her honesty, Jack felt a little pang of hurt at the very idea that he or anyone would kick Sula out of their house. "No Sula. Never." He declared. "I would never reject you."
She looked at Jack wide eyed. "After all." He continued. "We're family right?"
She gasped and then hugged him, pretty hard too. But no part of her tail wrapped around his legs or torso this time. He still almost lost balance though.
"Oh Jack." She said breathless. "You have no idea what that means to me."
"I think...I have...a clue...or...two." He struggled to say.
She loosened her hug slightly and giggled. "Sorry Jack. I'm just so glad you understand."
"I..do my best." He gasped. She let go and giggled bashfully again. Jack straightened out his shirt. "You can be yourself around me Sula. Just y'know, be careful about it." He poked at his belly. "Squishy human and all that."
She closed her eyes and nodded. "Of course Jack."
"Come on." He jerked his head toward the staging area. "The others are probably waiting for us."
"Right." She answered.
The two of them tucked into the group milling about the dirt path. Monica spotted Jack and waved them over.
"So who won?" Jack asked casually as he approached.
"It's still going on." She answered while looking back at the field. She squinted slightly. "I can see Syleris darting around and Tetra trying to chase her down, but she's too fast."
Jack looked back at the field himself but he could only see the remaining human members of each team taking potshots at each other. There weren't a whole lot left on either side.
"It must frustrate her to no end that she can't use her webs here." Jack commented.
"Maybe." Monica retorted. "Still think she's having fun either way." She glanced at Sula. "You know how predators can get sometimes." The echidna preened at her words.
"Oh yes. Death explained as much to her loyal servant." Sula agreed in her other persona. "This simulated war facility is quite enjoyable."
Jack shook his head. "'Simulated war facility.'" He paused and thought for moment. "Huh, that'd probably be a good band name."
Both liminals gazed at him curiously. He waved a hand. "Nevermind. Random tangent."
The round went on a few more minutes before the refs called for time. Neither side won but Jack got the sense that no one was particularly unhappy about it either.
The rest of the liminals and Kelly joined Jack in the staging area before departing for the lobby field.
Jack smiled as he overheard his and Kelly's homestays recall each thrilling moment on their way back.
As they passed the safety zone most of the people removed their masks. Jack did the same and noticed that Kelly wasn't telling any of her 'war stories.' He side stepped to get closer to her and asked. "Where were you?"
She flashed a grin. "Oh I stayed behind a freezer and tried to shoot Lucas."
The lizardman's eyes flashed and he stomped over to his host. "That was you?"
Her grin stretched to shark-like proportions. "I was supporting my team."
Lucas narrowed his eyes at her. "I promised myself that if I ever found the human audacious enough to harass me like that I would-" He shut his mouth abruptly and then clenched a fist while flashing his own toothy grin. "I would personally show them my admiration for their initiative."
Kelly giggled and looked back at Jack. "He's such a sweetie isn't he?"
Jack chuckled. "Yep, Lucas is just a big softie."
The lizardman focused his glare at Jack and pointed a claw at him. "Watch it Jack. I still haven't forgiven you for pulling a bait and switch on me."
The human just rolled his eyes in response.
The rest of the games went on much the same way. Although it was probably unnecessary, someone stayed behind and watched the group's stuff while the others played at war.
Until the last round when Jack and Kelly both decided to sit out. Most of the liminals were going to object until Sheena pointed out that the drivers should rest up before transporting their homestays back to their respective abodes.
They accepted that logic and each of them loaded up the last of the ammunition. Win, lose, or draw they were going to go out with a bang.
"So you gotta tell me." Kelly initiated after waving at their liminals. "Why are you hosting three homestays?"
Jack sighed and summarized the events leading up to their current situation. Throughout his story Kelly asked lots of questions and required clarification on a few points. She stayed quiet during the part about his parents and for most of the tale after that.
"The 'home of the future' he called it?" She asked after Jack finished.
He nodded. "Yep, those are his exact words."
She shook her head lightly. "I gotta see this mansion for myself."
Jack smiled sheepishly. "It's not quite finished yet. Reggie and his crew are working on it today and probably tomorrow." He reached down and retrieved one of the few water bottles they had left. "When they have a day off maybe we can have a small party or something."
Kelly smiled. "That'd be fun."
"So I've told my story." Jack stated. "May I ask about..?" He stroked his cheek with two fingers, mirroring the scar on Kelly's face.
She blinked a couple times and raised a hand to her head. "Oh." She lowered it and looked to the side. "Sometimes I completely forget about that."
Jack leaned back a bit. "If you don't want to.."
"I don't." She stated with certainty.
Jack sighed. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head. "It's old news. No real use retreading it."
"Alright well..how about your place. Did your house need a lot of remodeling to accommodate Lucas and Maiko?"
"Not really." She shrugged. "I mean other than their tails, my homestays' bodies aren't radically different shape-wise from a human. We do have more space heaters and heated flooring than the average household I suppose. The biggest thing to get used to was the amount of cooking I have to do."
Jack smirked lightly. "For Lucas?"
Her eyes opened emphatically while nodding. "Oh yeah. I still have no clue how he maintains that figure while eating as much as he does. It's mind-boggling."
"Any theories?" Jack prodded.
She waved a hand casually. "Oh plenty." She spaced her hands apart widely. "From overly active mutated metabolism to a magically regulated black hole in his stomach."
Jack snorted. "I take it some alcohol was involved in this brainstorming session."
She nodded emphatically again. "Oh yeah. Maiko even contributed some ideas for his inexplicable appetite after a few glasses of schnapps."
"Really?" Jack tilted his head. "What's her theory?"
She looked up and squinted. "Something about... benign parasites embedded in his esophagus."
Jack laughed in his throat. "What?" He shook his head. "You take him in for medical checkups right?"
She nodded. "I pointed that out her too."
"What'd she say back?"
Kelly leaned forward and lowered her eyelids. "They're invisible."
Jack bent over laughing and pounded a fist on the table.
She laughed along. "I know right? It's crazy."
"Invisible." Jack repeated. "Wow..just wow."
Kelly nodded. "Yeah, she's kinda funny once she loosens up a bit."
Jack whipped out his phone and accessed the note app again. "Schnapps for Maiko." He said while typing. "Got it."
She giggled. "Oh, so it's going to be one of those parties?"
He shrugged. "Folks don't have to if they don't want to."
"Hmm." She glanced up and over Jack's shoulder. "Looks like that last game's letting out."
Jack nodded. "Right. I should gather up our stuff and get ready to go." He got up and separated the empty ammo boxes and other trash from their cooler. Kelly assisted and set her group's items aside for transport.
The final event's participants trickled in singles and pairs.
"Hmmm..." Kelly eyed the path leading to the field their homestays were supposedly at.
Jack looked over there himself. "Yeah..that's odd. We should have seen one of our group by now." He gathered the last of the empty ammo boxes in his arms. "I'm going to take care of this and then check it out." He snatched his facemask and put it partly on his head.
"Okay." She sighed and sat at the table facing the path.
Jack dumped his garbage and proceeded to the path while pulling down his mask. He noticed that several players had left the field but were lingering just outside the net.
He walked up to the safety net and peered through it. It was tough to make out any details but Jack could have sworn he saw Syleris dash by with Sula hot on her heels.
"Uh...What's going on?" He asked in general.
"Dude, the monsters are having a battle royale." The closest player to Jack exclaimed.
"Yeah, they're trying to see who's the best among them." Another guy said.
"It's a monster mash!" Someone in the back shouted. Most of the crowd laughed at that one.
Jack face-palmed and shook his head. "I really hope one of mine doesn't win."
The first guy next to Jack shot him a look. "Why not?"
Jack lifted his head. "Cause they'll be absolutely unbearable to live with afterwards."
The guy chuckled once. "Ha, True."
"Ooooo" The crowd expressed their sympathy after one of the liminals took a shot to the faceplate.
Maiko stood up from her cover and raised a hand to indicate she was out. The crowd clapped for her as she exited the safety net.
"Hey Maiko." Jack greeted as he approached.
"Jack." She acknowledged.
"I'll ask how this all started later," He said. "but if you could let Kelly know what's going on..."
Maiko nodded sagely. "Of course." The ryujin hefted her rental and walked toward the lobby area.
"Hey so." One of players with a Disturbed t-shirt stepped up to Jack. "You know them?"
"Yeah." Jack answered and crossed back over to the net. "I'm a host."
"Cool." Disturbed uttered. "What's it like?"
Jack snorted. "It's challenging, but fun."
"Yeah? How do I become one?"
Jack shrugged. "Sign up for it. The Exchange has a website." He blinked and decided to add another detail. "Also it helps if you actually know a liminal and try to befriend them first."
"Hmm, I don't know any." Disturbed mused. "But I think I saw a few at the park the other day."
"Well good luck with that." Jack briefly nodded at him and turned back to the field. "Oh nice shot, Monica."
The cyclops had perched herself on a tower and managed to snipe Syleris as the harpy crested a small hill. The crowd clapped for her as she headed for the exit. Jack helped her get through the net.
"Ugh. Thanks Jack." The harpy grimaced. "How'd she get me? I was running near my top speed."
"Cyclops." Jack offered. "Really good vision."
"Hmmph, whatever." She crossed her arms. "Also I'm hungry. When's dinner?"
"I'll stop by a drive through on the way back home." He assured her. "Just be patient." He waved toward the lobby. "Why don't you spend the rest of your ammo at the range? I'll wait here for the others."
"Okay." She nodded and smiled. "Thanks for taking me out here."
Jack smiled back. "My pleasure."
In rapid succession, Lucas, Sheena and Monica were knocked out. The trio exited the net to applause. Jack greeted and congratulated them.
The lizardman grumbled about unfair advantages or something to that nature before he departed. The MON members silently agreed to stick with Jack, just in case.
Part of the crowd started chanting 'Golden Death'. A moment later the other half answered with 'Widow-maker'. Both sides cheered as loud as they could for their champion.
Oh no. This is going to be a Thing isn't it?
Jack slumped his shoulders and despaired the new crisis he was in. Apparently sensing his distress. Both MON members decided to console him.
"What's the matter Jack?" Monica snickered behind her mask. "You're not going to cheer for your girls?"
He just grimaced in response.
Sheena stepped up to his other side. "Aww c'mon Jack. You must have a preference."
Jack folded his arms and said nothing.
"Oh, the strong silent type eh? I hear arachne really like that in a man." Monica commented.
Jack took a long patient breath.
"But he's such a nice guy. Taking in three students so far." Sheena pointed out. "Lamias are pretty fond of nice guys."
Jack stared ahead, trying to think of some solution that wouldn't be a complete disaster.
Fortunately, he didn't have to.
Sula slithered up to the referee near the net followed closely by Tetra. The crowd's chanting died down as both monster girls talked with the official.
After half a minute the ref raised his hand and declared "No contest."
Jack's eyes lit up. The crowd expressed their disappointment.
Mentally thanking whatever deity had intervened, Jack held the safety net entrance open for his homestays. "Welcome back girls, good match."
"Hey, what happened?" A guy from the crowd asked. The rest of them voiced that they wanted answers too.
Tetra tapped the top of her loader with a claw. It made a dull hollow thump. "We used all our ammunition."
To Jack's horror, several of the players produced ammo containers full of paintballs. "Here, take mine." "Take the whole pod." "I don't need mine any more"
The main ref stepped between the liminals and the crowd. "Sorry guys. We're closing down for the day."
They let out a collective "aaaawww."
Jack let out a relieved sigh.
"Come on, come on." The main ref said to the crowd. Jack started to lead his girls out as well when the ref whirled on him. "Not you."
Jack blinked and stayed in place. "Mind sticking around for minute? I wanna ask you something."
Jack glanced at his homestays and the MON girls. They either shook their heads or shrugged. As the crowd passed by several of them gave Sula and Tetra catcall comments. Jack gritted his teeth and clenched his fists and glared at the gawkers.
When the last of them cleared out the ref removed his safety mask.
He was probably in his late twenties. Partly spiky dark hair topped his decently handsome features. He reminded Jack of a few d-list celebrities like Jesse McCartney or Frankie Muniz.
He held out his hand to Jack. "My name's Ryan."
"Jack." He completed the greeting ritual. "I sense an incoming sales pitch."
Ryan chuckled. "Kind of." He pointed at Jack's mask. "You can take those off. There's no active games right now."
Jack and co. removed their masks and took a few seconds to breathe some fresh air.
"So." Jack asked. "What's this about?"
"Well, to put it not so delicately." He eyed Sula and Tetra. "You girls kick ass."
They grinned at the praise.
"And I've been talking to the regulars. At first they were unsure about playing with extra-species that can outrun, out climb and frankly outfight any given human." He held up a finger. "But after competing with and against the extra-species you brought today, they are excited at the idea. A lot of them talked about the new dynamics of mixed species teams competing against each other."
Jack nodded. "That's cool. What do you want us to do?"
"What I want, is more extra-species to attend my park."
Jack blinked. "This place is yours?"
Ryan shrugged. "Well technically it's my dad's. But I'm the general manager."
"Okay. So what? You want us to make a commercial for you?"
Ryan nodded. "In essence. I want a few clips of extra-species in action on a field. And maybe a voice-over from them as well. "
Jack snickered. "I'm Commander Shepard and this is my favorite paintball field in Illinois."
Ryan paused a second, then barked a laugh at the old meme. "Yeah I guess that's what I'd like." He grinned.
The monster-girls just blinked and tried to figure out whatever the hell the weird humans were talking about. Sheena shook her head and raised a hand. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid that I can't help you."
Ryan looked over at the kitsune. Jack turned around as well. She placed a hand on her chest. "As a member of MON and an employee of the U.S. Government I cannot promote one business over any other."
Monica nodded. "That's right." She pointed a finger at Jack. "And consequently, as a government paid host, neither can you."
Jack's eyes widened. "Oh right." He looked back at Ryan. "Sorry man."
"But we can do this." Sula piped up. "We're guests of the United States. And I happen to like this paintball facility very much." She looked directly at Ryan. "I would be happy to help."
Ryan smiled at the lamia's offer.
Tetra put a hand on Sula's shoulder. "Before we get ahead of ourselves." She hooked a clawed thumb at herself. "What's in it for us?"
Ryan darted an appraising look at the arachne. After a moment he grinned sharply. "I can issue discounts for future attendance to my place and pay both of you a one-time fee for services rendered."
Tetra made a pondering look and tapped a claw on her chin. "You'll have this in writing?"
Ryan nodded. "I can draw up a formal contract."
Jack hummed and glanced at Sheena. "We'll probably need a lawyer to look at it won't we?"
She nodded and retrieved a business card from one of her pockets. She handed it to Ryan. "E-mail the contract to this address. I'll make sure it gets to the right people."
Ryan glanced at the card and then pocketed it. "Thank you." He looked over at Jack. "I'll look forward to hearing from you." Then he tipped an imaginary hat at Sula and Tetra. "Ladies."
Jack and co. followed Ryan to the lobby and went to their table. After returning all the rental equipment each group separated and made for their respective vehicles. Kelly and her homestays hopped in her van and left.
Some motion across the parking lot caught Jack's eye. He stared at it a second then turned back to his girls. "Hey I want to check something out real quick. Won't take long." He started jogging away.
The girls glanced at each other then at Jack. Monica looked ahead at where he seemed to be going and took in a sharp breath. "Why is he...?"
The other girls looked where she did, and then all of them went after Jack at once. Syleris got to him first and grabbed his arm. "Jack, what are you doing?" She cried.
He turned around with an alarmed expression. The rest of the girls gathered around him with concerned looks. "Uh, hey. What's wrong?"
Sula pointed behind him. "Jack, that's an orc."
He nodded slowly. "Yeah I know. I can see that."
"Orcs are very dangerous Jack." Monica advised. "You don't want to just run up to one and say hello."
Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "Rukh seemed pretty decent to me."
Each of the girls was taken aback. Syleris even let her hold on Jack's arm slip.
"You...know his name?" Tetra said haltingly.
"Yeah I met him at the concession stand." He explained. "He's the cook."
They all stared at Jack in silent disbelief. The minimal signs of life from all of them was really creeping him out.
"Um.." He held up a hand. "If it really upsets all of you, I'll let it go."
They still didn't say anything.
"I ate...orc food." Sheena barely murmured.
Jack nodded his head slowly again. "Uh huh. The cheeseburgers. He prepared them."
The sound of heavy footsteps drew Jack's gaze behind him. Rukh stood in the grass just outside the parking lot.
Jack waved at him. "Hey Rukh."
The orc nodded. "Human."
"Call me Jack." He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to say hello."
The orc glanced at the girls behind Jack then back at him. "Hello."
Behind Jack, Sheena stepped forward a few paces and assumed a fighting stance.
Rukh lowered his eyebrows. "Please kitsune. I wish no violence."
Sheena's ears folded back and she growled. Alarmed, Jack stood in front of her and held his hands out. "Agent Sheena." Jack tried to make his voice officious and commanding. "Stand down."
She barely glanced at Jack. "You don't know."
He blinked a couple times. "I don't know..what?"
"You don't know what those bastards did to my country." She snarled.
Jack lowered his arms and stood straight. "What happened?"
When she didn't answer right away, Monica stepped up next to her. "A group of orcs committed an act of terror in Japan a few months ago."
Now it was Jack's turn to be taken aback. Behind him Rukh groaned and looked away.
"Was anybody killed?" Jack asked breathless.
"Not for lack of trying." Sheena rumbled in her throat. "And because of stupid loopholes in Japan's Exchange laws, all they were punished with was deportment. They all deserved far worse."
"Those idiots were punished." Rukh informed.
Sheena's stance relaxed a degree from surprise and Jack spun around.
Rukh faced the kitsune directly. "All six were thrown into Zrun Gozzad Dungeon. For life."
Jack's eyes widened. "For life?"
Rukh gave him a grievous stare. "It was reported that they attempted to rape one of their hostages." Jack's own expression turned serious. "The matriarchy takes a dim view on such behavior. Especially considering the circumstances." He waved a hand in the air. "The fact that their attack took place on foreign soil and in full view of the non-orc public greatly angered the clans.
Sheena gritted her fangs together. "One of them escaped."
Rukh nodded. "And Clan Rathrul informed the Japanese government of that fact and his likely intention to return to the country that humiliated him."
"He was captured by your local authorities and handed back over to Matriarch Rathrul." Rukh snickered. "Where he now serves as her snaga."
All the liminals near Jack save Syleris winced and looked disgusted at the same time.
"No one sullies the reputation of Matriarch Rathrul." Rukh's expression deepened into a full unpleasant grin. "No one ever will."
Sheena relaxed her stance fully after a few seconds of contemplation. "Why didn't Clan Rathrul inform Japan about the punishment for the one that escaped."
Rukh waved a hand dismissively. "He is snaga, nameless. To talk of his deeds officially is to breathe life back into them." He looked intently at her. "Rest assured that his fate and what he did to deserve it is well-known among my kind."
Monica glanced down at Sheena. The kitsune was clearly tense but not posing any sort of threat currently. The rest of the girls relaxed a bit more but were still wary of the orc.
Rukh folded his arms. "Tell you what. In the spirit of further cooperation between species, let me take to all back to my place and cook you all something."
Jack nodded. "Alright, that sounds good." He turned back to his girls. "That sounds good right?"
None of them moved. None of them even glanced at Jack. The human frowned and stepped in between them and Rukh.
"Hey!" He barked and finally got their attention. "You could at least give him a chance." He looked each of them in the eyes. The eye in Monica's case. "You all liked his cooking before. What's wrong now?"
Sula raised a hand to object. Jack darted his gaze at her. "Rhetorical question." The lamia wilted a bit and put her hand back down.
"Well I'm going." Jack announced and turned back to the orc. "Come on Rukh. Which way to your place?"
The orc gave Jack an appraising and slightly impressed look. "I like you human. You've got iron in your blood."
Although he'd never heard that expression before, Jack figured it was some sort of compliment and nodded appreciably at Rukh. The orc took a few steps ahead of him and Jack followed.
"W-wait Jack." Syleris called. "You can't leave us. We can't be away from the residence without our host."
Jack turned around and pointed at Monica and Sheena. "You have two perfectly capable members of MON to take you all back home."
"What about you?" Tetra asked in a mildly caustic tone. "How will you get back?"
Jack pulled his phone out of his pocket. "I'll call for an Uber driver. Piece o' cake."
Rukh turned around and raised his voiced. "I have cake at my place, incidentally."
Jack jerked his head back at the orc. "And he has cake."
The girls still seemed ambivalent. Jack crossed his arms. "Alright, last appeal."
"If it really bothers you to go to a home of a species that's committed terrorism, why did you sign up to live with a human?" Jack knew his words might sting but their intransigence was irritating him. "Humans are masters of that shit and pretty much every other horrible thing a person has done under the sun."
He stopped and let his point sink in. When they still didn't say anything Jack sighed and turned back to the orc. "I'm sorry Rukh but it looks like they called my bluff."
Rukh nodded. "I understand." He breathed out once. "Loyalty to your clan is an admirable trait. Even when you disagree with them."
He waved at Jack and turned away. "Perhaps another time."
Jack dipped his head and shuffled back toward their vehicle.
"Rukh stop!"
Jack halted and looked back up. He turned back and saw Sheena jogging up to the orc. She bowed to him. "Please accept my apologies."
The orc held up a hand and looked fairly distraught. "You don't have to do that."
"But I must. I've been so rude to you." She held her stance. "Please accept my apologies."
Rukh held up both hands. "I accept I accept! Now please, stand up."
The kitsune straightened and gave a small smile. Jack blinked and scanned the rest of them. "So, you guys are okay with him now?"
"To be honest," Syleris began. "I was fine with him as soon he offered to cook for us. But..." She glanced at the ground. Sula looked downcast as well.
Jack looked between his homestays, trying to figure out their behavior. "But what?"
"But." Tetra held up a claw. "With a MON agent present, who clearly disapproved of any association with Rukh, we were not sure which course to take."
She looked at Jack directly and held out a hand to her side. "Do we follow our host and stay within the law." She held out her other hand in the opposite direction. "Or do we go along with the wishes of the MON agent responsible for enforcing those laws."
"Oh." Jack stated. "I'm sorry girls. I didn't mean to put you all in position like that." He scratched the back of his head. "I just thought that...after he explained things, we could take him up on his offer."
"It's my fault. Jack." Sheena sighed. "I shouldn't have let my anger dictate my behavior." She perked her head up. "Now come on, let's eat."
The rest agreed and followed after the orc. Sheena caught up with Rukh and asked him questions. A few seconds after, Sula slithered up next to Jack.
"Hey." He greeted. "You alright?"
"I'm fine." She replied. "But Jack you weren't really going to..?"
"Abandon you all?" Jack finished. "No Sula, never. Not if I can help it." He looked into her eyes. "I told you, I'd never reject you like that."
She closed her eyes. "You were kinda mean to me, though."
Jack blinked and halted a brief moment. "Oh." He jogged back up to her. "Right yeah. I'm sorry about that."
She opened her eyes and faced forward. "Accepted."
"It's just..." Jack continued. "I get it. Orcs are dangerous. But so are you. So are all of you." He waved a hand at the group. "But so what?"
"They...have a reputation, Jack." Sula said.
He sighed and frowned. "Yeah I figured." Sula looked over at him again. "I was hoping it was just stereotypes drawn from all the old stories."
"It's not." Monica said at his other side. Jack looked up at her. "Orcs have a long, complicated and oftentimes very bloody history. They've caused more than their fair share of havoc than most extra-species. They're one of the few that wage war among their own kind."
Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "So...what? Cyclopes don't fight among themselves at times."
Monica smirked lightly. "Oh, we have our squabbles." She admitted.
Jack grinned. "You don't always see eye to eye."
She gave him an even look. "I'll let you get away with that just once boy." She flexed her muscled arms in a stretch. "Anymore and well," She cracked her knuckles in one fist. "You might see how my anger dictates my behavior."
Jack pressed his lips together and dipped his head. "Consider me sufficiently intimidated."
She chuckled lightly. "If only it were so easy." She reflected then shook her head. "Anyways, the majority of extra-species histories don't even approach the level of violence that orcs have acquired."
She glanced at Jack. "Not saying any of them are perfect or completely altruistic, but none have displayed the kind of reckless hate that orcs have unleashed on their own brethren in the past."
Jack nodded his head soberly. "Alright, I think I understand." He turned his head back toward Sula. "Now I'm really sorry I was short with you."
She looked back at him. "I already accepted your apology Jack."
"Yeah but," He frowned. "I guess I should have tried to see it your way somehow." She looked at him askance. "I don't know."
"It's alright Jack, I'm not angry." She stated. "I'll admit I was annoyed when you ran off toward a liminal we didn't know without consulting any of us first." Jack dipped his head. "That could have been really bad for you." She scolded.
"Yeah, okay. That was pretty stupid of me." He confessed.
"You're not stupid Jack." Sula put more force into her rebuke. "You should just be more careful okay?"
He nodded his head. "Okay."
"And we're here." Rukh announced.
He approached a chain-link fence and unlatched the gate part. Ahead stood a one story apartment row. The brick structure sported a brown shingled roof and white doors at regular intervals for hundreds of feet. Enclosed in the fence area was various plastic patio equipment.
Rukh took a few steps toward his door then turned back to his guests.
"Hrmmm." He looked at each of them individually. "There's no way I can fit all of you in my kitchen. However." He held up a finger. "If you don't mind eating outside, we can use those tables over there." He pointed at the patio equipment.
Sheena cocked her head. "Isn't that your neighbors?"
Rukh shook his head. "It belongs to the association. Anyone who pays rent has access to it." He retrieved his keys from a pocket. "Also if you don't mind setting it up yourselves, then I can start cooking right away."
Jack raised his hand. "We got it."
The orc nodded and entered his abode. Jack and co. gathered a large circular table and enough chairs for everyone, including a stool for Tetra.
"So..I gotta ask." Syleris chirped after taking her seat. "Does he not have a host?"
Sheena shook her head. "No, he does not."
The harpy blinked. "Okay, then..."
Sheena smirked. "How is he here unsupervised?" Jack's homestays all nodded.
"He's under political asylum."
Jack tilted his head. "He's a refugee?"
Sheena nodded. "Yep. He wouldn't tell me the details, but the local coordinator for this region is aware of his status and keeps tabs on him."
"I wasn't aware of any current inter-clan conflict the orcs were having." Tetra stated.
Monica shook her head. "They're not, as far as we know."
"I got the impression that he offended one of the matriarchs and had to flee." Sheena said. "He wouldn't tell me what, exactly, that he did. But it was enough that he'd been declared 'shatogtar'."
Sula and Tetra hummed understandingly.
Jack looked over at them. "Is that, orcish for something?"
Sula nodded. "Literal translation in English means 'nomad'."
"But more accurately." Tetra interjected. "In this context it's 'no-clan'."
"Ah." Jack nodded. "Persona non grata. Got it." He kept his gaze on Sula and Tetra. "So are there lamia and arachne languages?" He looked at the rest of the liminals gathered around the table. "or harpy, kitsune and monoeye?"
"There is a kitsune language" Sheena answered. "I haven't spoken it in a long time though."
"I think.." Sula began. "there was a lamia language in the distant past. But since there's so few of us spread throughout the world it was more practical to learn the local human languages."
Tetra and Syleris agreed and said something similar to Sula's statement.
"Alright, so is it just orcish and kitsune that's unique to liminals?" Jack asked.
"Oh no, there's plenty of non-human languages." Sheena explained. "There's elvish, atlantean, dwarvish, gnomish..."
"Infernal, draconic.." Tetra ticked off two claws.
"Centauri, koboldese..." Monica supplied.
"Saytr, tengu, scyllean..." Sula expounded.
"The dryads that I've met use pollen and pheromones to communicate long distance." Syleris said. "And certain insect liminals rely a lot on body language while talking with each other."
"Don't forget about the troll dialects of Danish." Monica insisted. "Those are so different from the main line they're practically their own."
"Ugh, if you wanna include dialects, try talking to a shark mermaid from Suriname." Tetra waved a hand flippantly. "Their notion of Dutch is so garbled it's a wonder they understand each other."
"Have you ever heard a selkie sing in Gaelic?" Sula asked excitedly. "Absolutely sublime."
Jack leaned back in his chair and held a small smile. All five of them holding a conversation about 'conversation' was really really cool. This is what the Exchange is about.
He looked over at Rukh's door when he heard it open and noticed the big guy was struggling with it. Jack got up and crossed the yard. "Here, let me get that."
"Urgh. Thanks human." The orc said while hefting a large to-the-brim-full pot through the door way. "Just keep that open while I get the rest out."
Jack nodded. "Can do."
It took him a few trips but Rukh managed to get the rest of the food out to the table. On his last outing he held a stack of plates and all the utensils on top.
"Human, grab the tableware." Jack did as instructed, noting that they were all just plastic forks and knives. "Actual silverware is expensive." Rukh justified. "A decent ceramic plate set, not so much."
Jack shrugged. "Food tastes just as good served on plastic or gold. I'm sure the girls won't complain."
Rukh and Jack went around the table and gave each girl and themselves a setting. As they did Jack caught the scent of several cooked meats and a few sauces all mixing together. The last time he smelled something so good was when his sister-in-law made arrangements for the family to eat at a high-end restaurant in downtown Chicago. The family got a table near the kitchen so all the other meals ordered passed by his seat.
Rukh took his place at the opposite end from Jack and cleared his throat. The girls all looked up at him and waited eagerly.
"Thank you all for your patience." He waved a hand at the table. "The central pot is angel hair pasta and arranged around in no particular order is grilled chicken, braised beef, sausage, shrimp, ham, turkey, tuna and every sauce I had prepared. Spices and salad are near me and the human." He paused to let his guests ogle the food. "If you'd like to thank a deity, please do so now. Otherwise, dinner is served."
He clapped his hands together and the monster-girls passed around dishes and pots in an organized chaos fashion. All the time they commented on how well-prepared and tasting each entree was.
"I gotta ask Rukh." Tetra spoke up after devouring another serving. "How did you learn to cook like this? It's amazing."
The orc nodded at her praise. "I'm mostly self taught." He said. "My kind aren't exactly known for their proficiency at anything delicate. But peacetime is a great opportunity to pursue our own hobbies and talents."
"You did not just learn to do this as a hobby." The arachne insisted.
Rukh smirked. "I admit that cooking is a passion of mine, whatever form it takes." He tapped a finger on the side of his snout. "And as an orc, I do have an asset most lack."
Tetra hummed and reached for the tongs in the pasta pot.
"What asset?" Syleris asked while slurping up a mouthful of angel hair.
"An orc's sense of smell is incredibly sophisticated in comparison to other species." Rukh explained. "While most of my kind rely on it to detect gun powder and high explosives, I use it to determine the best temperature for cooked meats and gauging the right mixtures for preparing sauces and other dishes."
Jack nodded appreciably. "That's really cool." The monster-girls all agreed in their own fashion.
Jack glanced at Tetra. "So, would this quality of cooking be good enough in exchange for, let's say, some hand stitched clothing?"
The arachne gave Jack a look of mild surprise. Then her eyes narrowed and she smirked and nodded.
Jack smiled back. "Excellent." He looked back at Rukh across the table. "Then I have a proposal for you Rukh."
The orc looked up at the human and tilted his head curiously.
"Would you like to take on an apprentice?"
