Psych! Double update!

Disclaimer: I do not own Everyday Life with Monster Girls

Chapter 13. Interview with a Yuki-onna. Part one.

Jack's alarm went off.

He swatted at it and missed. His eyes cracked open and he leaned toward the charger stand on the floor. It was empty.

He blinked rapidly. Missing phone, phone alarm blaring. Where?

The sound seemed to be coming from behind him. He patted the bed and tried to locate it. Then he noticed he was still wearing his jeans and shirt from yesterday.

Why didn't I change out of my...

Last night's revels with the arachne upstairs crashed into his mind.

"Oh Shit!"

He replayed everything he could from before.

"Shit shit shit shit shit." His heart sped up in panic. His breathing rapidly increased.

He sat up and clutched his head. "Did I really do that? Did I really?"

He tried to slow down. The phone alarm annoyed him enough that he finally yanked it out of his back pocket and mashed the off button. "Gah, shut up."

He swung his legs over the bed and replaced the phone to the charger.

"I did. I kissed her." He stared at the ground unfocused. "Why did I kiss her?"

He put a hand to his chest. "She...wanted to leave. She did something." He replayed the earliest parts, trying to figure out what she did.

He recalled looking up at her from the floor. Why was he on the floor?

He touched his lower lip. "She kissed me."

He stood up and shuffled to the nearest wall. He braced his hands and lightly banged his forehead against it. "Fuck...she kissed me." He stared at the floor. "Then I kissed her."

He breathed out as slowly as he could. "Did I dream it?"

He still had his jeans on but couldn't remember how he got to his room. Something scratched his elbow lightly. He lifted his arm and noted that something white and stringy was clung to his back. He tugged at it with his other hand.

A mostly torn web detached from his shirt. It hung from his fingers.

I didn't dream it.

"I can't believe I did that." He breathed.

He stared at the floor.

"Okay...What do I do? What do I do?" He tapped his forehead against the wall in a slow rhythm. "I gotta talk to her. Figure out where we are."

He pulled away from the wall. "First things first." He groaned. "Morning chores."

Jack took his time getting dressed, letting his body settle down from the hysterics.

He went about and prepped Sula's bath and took a shower. He double checked the pantry and updated the grocery list. "Need to make a run soon." He noted.

On his way back to the hallway he noticed extra light coming from the front room.

"Oh lord."

Syleris was dozing half off a couch. A controller lay upside down on the floor near her wing-hand. One leg was carelessly hanging off one end. A drool stain had soaked into the cushion near her lightly snoring mouth.

After turning off the TV and console he briefly considered waking her up. He decided against it, as there was no immediate need for her to. Jack left the front room and walked over to Sula's door.

He gave a light knock and opened it slowly. "Sula? I have a bath ready for you."

Her sheets stirred and a section of her tail spilled out to the floor. She moaned. Jack crossed through her room and grabbed the drawstring for her curtain. He gave it a slight tug and direct sunlight pierced onto her bed. She let out a lighter moan.

"Mmph." Sula's torso rose up and then collapsed back onto the bed.

Jack cocked his head to the side. "Sula? You alright?"

She wiggled the tip of her tail at him. "Jack." She croaked. "I think I need some help."

He let go of the drawstring and approached the far end of the bed. Sula was hugging her arms and wincing. "Sula?"

She grunted and cracked her eyes open. "Sorry Jack. My arms are still sore from last night's workout. I kinda overdid it."

"Ah." He nodded and knelt near her face. "Think you can walk..er slither?" He rolled his eyes at his mistake.

She chuckled. "Yeah Jack. Just help get me upright."

She sidled her human half near the edge and Jack positioned a shoulder under one of hers. He rose gradually and lifted her partially off the bed. She winced and grabbed his shirt. He stopped.

"Sula?" He worried. "You alright?"

"Yeah." She gasped. "Just a littler higher." Jack frowned but did as she requested. He sucked in a breath. Her tail gathered under her waist and she hoisted herself up the rest of the way.

Being this close to her brought back memories from last night. Intimate memories.

"Jack did you hear me?"

He rattled his head and breathed in. "Sorry. What did you say?" He glanced at her concerned face.

"I said you can let go now."

He blinked rapidly and focused back on what he was doing now. "Oh. Right." He ducked under her arm and backed away. She regarded him curiously.

"Something wrong Jack?" He sighed and nodded. "What is it?"

He placed a hand on the side of his neck and rubbed it. "I think I did something stupid last night."

She blinked once. "Last night?"

He nodded. "I went up to see Tetra. We talked for a bit and she seemed fine." He dropped his hand and looked directly at the lamia. "Then she kissed me."

Sula sucked in a short breath and her eyes widened.

His eyes unfocused while he tried to recall the exact sequence of events. "She got pretty aggressive with it too. I tripped over myself when I tried to get away."

The lamia didn't move.

"Tetra was right over me, and I..I told her I was scared of her."

Sula raised a hand over her mouth.

"She backed off and was just staring at me. Like she couldn't believe what she'd done." He shook his head. "Then she started to freak out and said she was going to leave."

"Oh my." She breathed.

"So I kissed her back and told her to stay." Jack said.

Somehow, Sula's eyes got even wider. "You kissed her."

He nodded firmly. "That's not even the really stupid part."

The lamia gaped at her host.

"She said that her price for staying was that I had to kiss her again."

Sula gritted her teeth and started to clench her hands. "She, extorted you? After she frightened you."

Jack blinked and looked down. "Yeah...I guess she did." He nodded his head a few times. "I forgave her for scaring me. She didn't mean it."

"That doesn't matter." Sula barked. "She could have hurt you or worse. What was she thinking?"

He breathed in and raised his head. "She didn't hurt me though. She stopped herself."

Sula took a breath and swallowed. "What was the really stupid part?

"I gave her that second kiss." Jack faced her. "Then I gave her even more."

Sula's arms started trembling. Her tail arced up behind her. "More?"

"We..made out...and..."

"You didn't." Sula whimpered. "Tell me you didn't."

Jack shook his head vigorously. "No. We didn't have sex."

The lamia breathed out explosively in relief. "Goddess, Jack." She brought up her fists to her chest. "Don't you scare me like that."

"I'm sorry."

She folded her arms. "If you get yourself arrested Jack, I'll never forgive you."

He nodded lightly. "I wouldn't blame you."

She reached out and grabbed a handful of his shirt. His eyes widened at her sudden grip. "You are my host Jack. I will not go back to the Exchange and wait forever for another human to take me in." She fixed her eyes on his. "Do you understand? I will not go through that ever again." Her voice cracked just a hair.

He swallowed and recalled her breakdown in the gym. "Completely. I understand completely."

She let go and sighed. Both of them stood in silence a few moments.

"You've got a bath ready for me?" She asked.

"Yeah." He nodded. "Probably still hot."

She closed her eyes briefly. "Thank you Jack." She turned toward her door and glanced back before she exited. "I'd like some of that new tea with my eggs."

He nodded. "Can do."

Jack exited after her and went to the kitchen. He checked the instructions for the tea and prepared it in a pot. He chopped up ham and peppers and mixed them into the omelettes.

A yawn announced Syleris' entrance to the kitchen.

Jack smirked at her. "Hey sleepy."

She gave a lethargic wave and slumped into one of the chairs.

"So." He asked. "How far did you get?"

"The zombie alien part." She yawned again. "I don't really understand the plot, and only one of the characters is interesting."

"But..." Jack prompted.

"But the gameplay is intense and fun so it's not so bad." She concluded.

"Must have been." Jack said. "Considering you ignored my instruction."

She blinked rapidly. "Wha-what are you..?"

Jack turned from the stove. "Did I not warn you not to stay up late?"

She grimaced. "I..ugh I did." The harpy reached down and rubbed a part of her leg.

Jack snorted. "I take it you aren't used to sleeping on a couch."

She winced. "Yeah...pretty much new to couches in general."

"They're comfortable." He noted. "But a poor substitute for a proper bed."

"I'm used to sleeping on the grass." She whined. "Why..?"

Jack tilted his head to the side a bit. "I think a student of medicine would know about the dangers of sleeping with bad posture."

She sighed. "Yeah...point taken."

Jack turned back to the skillet. "Ham and peppers sound good to you?"

She closed her eyes and hummed positively. "Add some of that sharp cheddar too, if you can."

Jack nodded and crossed over to the refrigerator. He retrieved the packet of shredded cheese and a juice carton. When he closed the door he froze.

Tetra was standing right outside the kitchen. She wore a slight smile.

"M-morning Tetra."

Syleris popped open her eyes and waved to her housemate "Oh, good morning Tetra."

The arachne approached Jack and leaned down. She planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "Good morning, Jack."

He didn't move.

Syleris glanced between them. "Wait..wait." She pointed her wing-hand at both of them. "You're together?"

Tetra smirked at the harpy. Jack sucked in a breath and glanced at her as well.

Syleris stood up suddenly and raised a wing. "Called it!"

The arachne chuckled. Jack closed his eyes and shook his head. Then he opened them and looked at Tetra. "What would you like for breakfast Tetra? I'm making omelettes."

"I'll have whatever she's having." She replied. "Thank you Jack." She turned and joined the harpy at the table.

Syleris leaned toward her. "So how'd it happen? Did he kiss you first?"

Tetra raised a claw. "I doubt our host would appreciate such salacious talk at his table." Jack rolled his eyes and snorted.

"Aww come on." The harpy coaxed. "I just wanna know who gave in first."

Tetra folded her arms and narrowed all her eyes. Syleris' face lit up. "It was you." She pointed across the table. "You kissed him first didn't you?"

The arachne just tapped a single claw rhythmically.

"Oh you did." Syleris snickered.

Jack placed a plate in front of the harpy. "Syleris, I believe you remember the last time you annoyed Tetra in the kitchen."

The harpy blinked and stared at Jack. Then she frowned and glanced at Tetra. The arachne held a smug smile and lowered her eyelids.

Syleris folded her arms and pouted. "Yeah. You got hurt." Tetra lost her smile and looked down. Syleris stared at the plate. "Suddenly I'm not hungry."

Jack sighed. "That's not really what I meant.. Just...can we eat in some mood that can pass for peace?"

The harpy stared ahead a few moments and then picked up her fork. She sliced off a chunk of egg and popped it in her mouth.

Jack held a hand palm out. "Look, I understand the want to hear gossip." He glanced upward briefly. "I can think of a couple humans I've known that almost literally can't live without gossip." He looked back at the harpy. "But I'd appreciate it if you acknowledged that whatever is going on between Tetra and myself is none of your business."

She raised a wing and opened her mouth to protest. "You can't blame me for being curious."

"I never said I wouldn't tell you." Tetra interjected. The other two darted their heads at her in surprise. "I only said I wouldn't talk about it here." She tapped a claw on the table twice. "Where we eat."

Syleris rolled her eyes and sliced off another chunk of egg. Jack snorted and smiled. "Your discretion is appreciated." The arachne winked at him. He turned back to the stove. "Speaking of eating..." He reached for another egg.

Sula eventually entered the kitchen and glared briefly at the arachne. Tetra ignored her and continued to consume her breakfast.

Jack finally joined his homestays after preparing his own omelette and bringing a couple cups of tea. Sula polished off her meal in record time and looked at her host. "Umm..could I have another?"

He shook his head and swallowed. "Sorry." He stabbed a fork at his plate. "This is the last of the eggs."

Sula frowned and gave a soft whine. Her dismayed eyes stared blankly at her empty plate. One would have thought that Jack had informed her of the death of a distant relative.

"I'll make a grocery run later today." He promised. "For now though, we should prepare for-"

His phone pinged with a new text message. He retrieved it and checked his message app. '5 min out' from Reggie.

He sighed. "-the arrival of our new guest."

He stood and swallowed his last bite. "We got five minutes. Can one of you help me clean up?"


Dawn fiddled with her long pale blue skirt and adjusted the light brown cloth belt keeping it up. Her white frilly blouse's looser parts whipped around in tandem with the morning breeze. She tapped the toes of her black and white Chuck Taylor's on the concrete porch.

Don't be so nervous.

She rubbed one of her arms with her hand.

Stop doing that too. You can't possibly be cold.

She grimaced.

I know, alright.

Dawn sighed. "Should we ring it again?"

The tall dark skinned man standing a few feet behind her cleared his throat. "It's a big house, give 'em some time."

Agent Smythe inclined his head toward her. "We're probably interrupting breakfast. One of them will be along in a few moments."

The heavily tattooed woman to Dawn's right rolled her eyes and sighed. "I told you we should have called ahead." She put an arm on her hip and regarded the taller man with annoyance.

Dawn glanced at her. "I get why Mr. Reginald had to come but why do we need another agent?"

The smaller woman smirked. "My office needs to ask your host for a favor." Dawn scrutinized the government worker.

The black business attire clashed with the wild and colorful tattoos on her hands, neck and parts of her scalp. Her hot pink hair was partially shaved and swept over one side of her head. Her shades were wired frames with round blue tinted lenses. A pair of small silver rings adorned the left nostril. Several slightly bigger rings formed a row on the outside edge of her visible ear.

If Dawn didn't know any better she'd assume she was standing next to a metalhead that was going in for a job interview. Not a federal agent with the same responsibilities and authority as Agent Smythe.

"Um agent..Rivers was it?"

The smaller woman nodded her head. Her hair only slightly swayed in the wind.

"This favor wouldn't involve um...us would it?" She placed a hand on her chest.

"Not directly." Rivers shook her head. "But if Mr. Keysman accepts, then yes I suppose you two will be affected."

Dawn lowered her eyebrows questioningly. "How so?"

She shrugged. "Honestly, I doubt he'll accept so I wouldn't worry about it that much."

Dawn kept her gaze.

Then why is she bothering to travel all this way?

I know right?

Smythe smirked on the other side of Dawn. "Don't underestimate Mr. Keysman."

Dawn was about to ask what he meant by that when the door opened. A young man stood there and waved in greeting.

Hmm. Not quite what I was expecting.

Be quiet.

"Uh hello there Agent Smythe. Reggie." The young man held his hand to Dawn. "My name is Jack."

"Hello Jack." Dawn took his hand and shook. "I'm Dawn, your new guest."

He seemed to make some sort of realization after he let go of her hand. "Huh. Not quite what I was expecting."

Dawn tilted her head at him.

"Well you're our yuki-onna aren't you?"

Dawn nodded her head side to side. "Yes and no."

Jack raised an eyebrow questioningly. She held up a hand. "It's complicated, and weird."

He glanced at agent Smythe then back to Dawn. "Complicated and weird you say?" He smirked and folded his arms. "Do tell."

Dawn chuckled at his casual response.

Hmm. I might like this human.

"We can discuss Dawn's unique circumstances soon enough Mr. Keysman." Smythe commented.

"Of course." He nodded. "Welcome."

He glanced at Agent Rivers and held out his hand. "And I don't believe we've met."

The other woman took his hand. "Hello Mr. Keysman. I am Agent Rivers."

Jack paused in the middle of his greeting. "You're here to ask me a bunch of questions about Talbot." He stated.

Who's Talbot?

"Just one question actually." Rivers corrected. Jack tilted his head.

"Okay well. Come on in." He backed away and held one of the very wide doors open for them.

As Dawn crossed the threshold she noted the high ceiling and arranged furniture in the very large room. The off-white carpet was clean and the walls were unblemished.

"We just finished breakfast, but I can get you all something to drink. I made tea." Jack offered.

"Tea would be excellent. Mr. Keysman." Rivers acknowledged. "We have much to discuss."

"If I may interrupt." Reginald announced. "I'd like to stress test the basement room's insulation as soon as possible."

Smythe chuckled. "Ever the practical one." He looked at Dawn. "If you're willing.."

Dawn nodded. "Of course. This homestay would get really uncomfortable for some if it's not prepared for us."

Jack blinked a couple times. "Us?"

Dawn faced him. "You'll see when we get there."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Okay." He stretched out the vowels.

"Could you ask Ms. Peri to join us downstairs?" Smythe asked.

Jack shook his head and refocused. "Yeah sure." He started walking away. "See you down there in a minute."

Dawn followed Mr. Reginald through the house and down a flight of wide wooden stairs. To her right was a large open room with hardwood flooring. Behind the stairs contained a laundry room.

Mr. Reginald turned left and lead her to a pair of joined walls and a rather heavy looking door. Presumably her new room. He opened it and ushered her inside.

This'll work.

Dawn smiled as she noted all the amenities the Exchange had furnished her with. Queen size bed, large dresser and closet, a large desk, four window sills and – she blinked as she saw another feature.

She narrowed her eyes and glared at Reginald. "Is that a mini-fridge?" She pointed at a plugged in device near the desk.

He grinned mischievously. "Yep."

Dawn folded her arms. "Is that supposed to be funny?"

"Kinda." He shrugged. "Think of it as a small pantry with a power cord."

Dawn kept her glare.

If this all fails, he's the first to die.

Agreed.

"Alright we're here." Jack announced. He was followed by a really tall harpy, a golden scaled lamia and a-. Dawn's eyes widened at her fourth new housemate.

Is she an Arachne?

Indeed. This Jack is quite intriguing.

"Dawn." Jack held out a hand and indicated his current homestays "This is Syleris, Sula and Tetra."

They each said a greeting and waved.

Dawn took a breath. "Well, time to show you all the weird."

Ready?

Always darling.

Dawn closed her eyes and fell back into the Melding.

It always takes at least a second for the swap to complete. The sensation of her consciousness being displaced by the other left her feeling numb.

Her flaxen hair drained of color from the root, leaving it pale white. Her heartbeat slowed to a crawl and her breathing nearly arrested itself. Her flesh and skin turned anemic from the bone.

The swap completed and Dawn could no longer command her body. She was merely a passenger that could sense and mentally comment about her surroundings.

Kuro was now the entity driving.

She opened her eyes. Dawn's hazel iris' were replaced by piercing and faintly glowing blue.

Her new host and his homestays were each taken aback. The ones with legs each retreated a step. The lamia shivered and shrank.

Jack raised a finger toward her. Trepidation sucked the strength out of his voice. "Wha-what just happened?"

Kuro nodded at him. "Greetings host. I am Kuro."

Jack blinked a couple times. He looked over at Smythe and Reginald. They weren't freaked like the rest of the occupants of the room. Rivers seemed to be mildly intrigued.

"Um, okay." Jack waved at her. "Hello, Kuro."

She chuckled a bit in her throat. "I realize, this is a bit disconcerting, especially for humans."

"It's disconcerting for me." The harpy blurted. "What happened to Dawn?"

Kuro held up a hand. "Dawn is here." She reassured as best she could. "She is disengaged for the moment." She placed a pale hand at her chest. "I am the active spirit currently."

Jack squinted. "Active spirit? There are two spirits inhabiting the same body?"

Kuro smiled at him. "That's correct." She held up a finger. "Dawn and I share this body."

"C-could y-you go b-back to b-being D-d-dawn." The lamia chattered.

Jack's eyes widened. "Oh no, Sula." He reached for her hands.

Kuro sucked in a breath. "My apologies." She stepped backward several times and closed her eyes in concentration.

How could you forget?

Please be quiet. I'm fixing it.

Kuro breathed in and out deeply. Her freezing aura retreated. She contained it to her person.

"Oh." The lamia exclaimed. "It's not so bad now."

"Sula?" Jack asked.

"I think. I think I'll be alright." She shook her head.

"I'm not taking any chances." He darted his eyes at the arachne. "Tetra, can you restart the bath for her?"

The arachne nodded and skittered toward the stairs. She seemed a bit eager to get upstairs herself.

He looked at the harpy. "Syleris, stay with her and keep her warm til she gets in."

She saluted and then wrapped the lamia in her wings. "Can do Jack."

"I'm gonna throw a bunch of spare towels in the dryer, for when you get out. Okay Sula?"

The lamia nodded while she sluggishly slithered toward the upper floor. "Okay Jack."

Well this is just great.

Agent Smythe stepped toward her. "Kuro, you assured me you would control it."

Kuro nodded.

"I've seen you and Craglin in the same office. He never complained." Smythe paused. "What happened?"

She grimaced. "I..I don't know. I forgot."

Smythe stared at her. "You. Forgot."

She kept her eyes closed. "I..I'm...

"Alright." Jack announced as he came back into the room. "I'm going to check on Sula in a minute, but first I wanna know." He paused and eyed everyone in the room. "What. Was. That?"

Rivers turned to him. "Old yuki-onna can generate a freezing aura at will."

He regarded her words for a moment. "At will? So she can turn it off and on like a switch?"

"Yes." Rivers nodded.

"Kuro. Is this true?"

She nodded.

"Kuro." Jack stated. "Please look at me."

She cracked her eyes open. Jack's arms were folded and his gaze was fixed on her face. "Yes host. I can control it."

He breathed out. "You hurt my friend."

She closed her eyes again. "I'm sorry."

No one said anything for a few moments. Jack sighed once. Then he turned around and ascended the stairs.

"What now?" Reginald asked.


Jack knocked on the bathroom door. "Sula? You girls doing alright?"

"She's very tired Jack." Syleris voice was slightly muffled through the solid wood. "But I think she's going to be fine."

"How's Tetra?"

A pause. "Um..she doesn't look great either."

His heart sunk. He wanted to tear the knob off and throw open the door. "Tell her to get in the shower. Use up all the hot water if we have to."

"Okay Jack." He could just hear the clipping of her talons against the tiles over the running water. He placed his ear as close to the door as possible, using what few audible cues he could pick up to discern what was going on.

When he heard the sound of the shower running as well as the bath he relaxed. He turned his body around and placed his back to the wall and sank to the ground. A few moments later Syleris left the bathroom and planted herself in the same position at the opposite side of the door.

"Thank you Syleris."

She gave him a 'thumbs' up'. "Yeah, of course Jack." She panted.

He looked over at her. "Are you alright?"

She nodded. "I will be."

"What happened?"

The harpy swallowed. "Sula nearly passed out while I was helping her."

"Oh gods."

"Yeah." She nodded and gave a tired grin. "Good thing harpies are strong eh?"

"Good thing." He agreed.

They fell silent for a moment.

"We gonna keep her?" She asked.

Jack looked upward. "I don't know."

"Did you talk to her?"

He nodded. "Yeah a little. She didn't mean to hurt them. She apologized."

Syleris gave him odd look. "So. Then what's the problem?"

He blinked several times and then looked over at her. "What do you mean? She hurt our friends."

"I hurt you."

He stared ahead blankly. "Yeah, okay." He pressed his lips. "But Tetra and Sula need to weigh in first. Before I make a decision."

Syleris nodded. "That's fair."

They fell silent again.

"You ever heard of such a thing before?" He asked.

"What?"

He narrowed his eyes a hair "Two spirits in one body?"

The harpy shook her head. "Nope. No idea how that could be even possible."

"What could even do that?" He said aloud. "Can yuki-onna's do that?"

She shook her head. "Doubt it."

"I mean yeah, there's a lot of fictional stories exploring the idea but..." He shook his head and got back up. "I'm going to get those towels. Mind bringing those in to them?"

She smiled confidently. "Of course Jack."

He went back downstairs where the two agents and Reggie were standing around. Smythe turned toward him. "Mr. Keysman. Are your homestays alright?"

Jack nodded slowly. "Yeah I think they'll be fine." He looked around and then motioned with his chin. "Where is she?"

"Do you feel any colder Mr. Keysman?"

Jack blinked. "Uh, no why?" He blinked again. "She's inside."

"Yep." Reggie confirmed.

Jack nodded. "So it works."

"Seems so." Rivers commented.

"Okay." He looked straight at the foreman. "Reggie, if you're satisfied with your work..."

The big man nodded. "I am."

"Then I'm going to get some food cooking." He glanced between both agents. "Whatever we need to discuss can wait until after I see to my homestays' health."

He didn't wait for either of them to acknowledge his decision. He retrieved and folded a half-dozen towels out of the dryer and went back upstairs. He handed them over to Syleris who took them into the bathroom. He waited outside for her to return.

The door opened and Syleris slipped back into the hall.

"They doing any better?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, they were chatting about something the whole time."

He gave a relieved sigh. "They're talking. That's good." He looked up at her. "I'm going to make some pancakes for them."

"Pancakes?" She titled her head. "Are those like the cake that Rukh made?"

He smirked. "Kinda. I'll make enough for all of us so you can try it."

She smiled. "Okay, thanks Jack." She put a wing-hand on her chin. "Want me to wait here for them?"

"Yeah, please." He nodded. "Get whatever they need or let me know if they want me." He turned toward the kitchen.

Syleris gave a salute. "Can do Jack."

Jack retrieved a clean frying pan from a cupboard and located the pancake mix in the pantry. He fired up the stove and buttered the pan and poured the mix in.

He flipped the first one over (with a spatula) and reached up for a stack of new plates and the syrup. He placed the first pancake on a plate and was about to pour in the second one when he heard the tic tic tic of Tetra's legs against the tile.

He turned around as she settled herself on her stool.

"Hey." He greeted.

She closed her eyes and nodded.

"You feeling alright?"

She repeated the motion.

"Pancake?"

She cracked open one side of her eyes. After a moment she nodded again.

Jack placed the plate and a fork and the syrup by her. She lethargically cut up her food into squares and silently, slowly consumed the meal.

Jack got a glass of juice for her and returned to the stove. The arachne gave a satisfied sigh. "Thank you Jack."

He turned back and gave a small smile. "Want anymore?"

She shook her head. "No but Sula will want some. I'm sure of that."

He nodded. "Syleris said you two were talking about something."

She nodded.

"What about?"

She smirked. "Us."

Jack blinked a couple times. "Oh right." He faced the stove and flipped the pancake. "Us."

He raised a hand and faced back to her. "Before we get into that, what do you think of Kuro and Dawn?"

Tetra's smirk drooped into a neutral position and she stared at the table a moment. "I think I'd like an apology from her."

Jack didn't detect any bitterness or spite in her voice. "If you get that, are you okay with her staying?"

She blinked and faced up to Jack. "I get a say if she remains here?"

He held up a hand. "She hurt you and Sula. If my guests are harming each other and I can't stop it, then I'd have to inform Smythe of that and someone will have to go." He lowered his arm. "If one of my guests is too uncomfortable with another, I will seriously consider returning one of you to the Exchange."

She inclined her head seriously.

Jack breathed out. "Like you said that first night, I want this to work for all of us. But if one of you is in danger then a change has to be made."

She narrowed her eyes. "I seriously doubt Smythe would assign an unstable liminal to any household."

Jack considered her words a moment. "Smythe isn't perfect." He turned and scooped out another pancake.

"Do you want to get rid of her?" Tetra asked.

Jack paused a moment before pouring more mix into the pan. "She did apologize. I have to credit her for that." He turned back. "But I'm not the one she hurt."

Tetra narrowed her eyes. "That's not what I asked you."

He frowned. "I don't know." A paused. "But I don't want to keep a liminal that can't control themselves."

Tetra folded her arms. "I think we need to know more about her before making a judgment like that."

Jack blinked a couple times. "Shouldn't you be getting angry that she hurt you even if she didn't intend it?"

The arachne smirked and her eyes flashed. "Oh believe me, I am livid." She closed her eyes briefly. "But living here has taught me the necessity of having patience with my emotions." She dropped her arms. "I cannot judge one person by one mistake." She tilted her head down. "Not when I've made so many of my own recently."

Jack regarded her for a moment. "Tetra..."

She didn't react. She just stared at the table. Jack grimaced a second. We really need to talk.

Sula slithered in and took her usual spot followed by Syleris. Jack placed the fresh pancake in front of the lamia. "You feeling better?"

She smiled at the food. "Yes. Thank you Jack." She looked up and faced her housemates. "Thank you both."

Tetra lifted her head and smiled lightly. Syleris waved a wing "De nada."

Jack cooked up two more pancakes, one for Syleris and one for himself. He slid in a seat and joined them.

"So." He started after swallowing his last bite. "First of all, would anyone like more pancakes?"

Tetra shook her head but Sula and Syleris nodded. "Okay." He started to get up but Sula raised a hand.

"I think we should talk about a couple things first." The lamia suggested. Jack paused a moment and looked at Syleris. She nodded again. Jack sat back down.

"Okay then." He said. "What's first?"

"The new girl of course." The harpy stated.

"Right." Jack glanced at Sula. "I've heard the others' opinion about Kuro and Dawn. I'd like to hear yours."

Her eyes unfocused a second. "If she apologizes, I'll consider letting her stay."

He inclined his head a bit. "You'll only consider it?"

She raised a claw. "It's physics Jack." She pointed downward and placed her other hand on her chest. "I'm a poikilotherm, and she can walk into a room and suck out all the heat in seconds. That can be fatal to me. It nearly was less than an hour ago."

He frowned and nodded. "Right."

She placed both hands on the table. "But that's no different from the risk you take every moment you live here with us."

He frowned deeper. "I... don't like to think of it that way."

"But it's the truth." Tetra stated.

He didn't argue back.

"So if you're willing to take on more, Jack." Sula folded her arms. "Then I can do no less."

He breathed out slowly. "Alright, I guess she can stay."

The echidna raised a claw again. "I'll give her one warning. If I feel I am in danger, I will defend myself."

Jack recalled the parameters her tribe allows their members to use their venom on someone. He nodded at her seriously. "Of course." He said quietly.

"Now." Sula pointed her claw at Tetra and Jack. "As for you two.."

"Mr. Keysman!"

Jack and co. each grimaced as Agent Smythe entered the kitchen.

"Ah. You are all here. Excellent." He waved Kuro forward. "Your newest guest has something to say."

Kuro stepped forward. "Please accept my sincerest apologies." Then she dropped to her knees and leaned forward. She placed her palms on the floor near her head.

Although Jack had seen that kind of behavior in anime and some live shows, he'd never experienced it in person. It was equally fascinating and uncomfortable to witness.

He noticed each of his girls fidget in their seats. Even Smythe stepped away a bit.

"Apology accepted?" Jack glanced at his homestays. They each nodded. He looked back at Kuro. "Please get up." Kuro pushed herself back up to a sitting position.

"Um.. yes. Very good." Smythe offered his hand to her and helped her stand up.

"Thank you all." Kuro smiled. "I promise I will be keeping my aura in check."

Jack nodded lightly. "Okay then." He glanced at Agent Smythe. "What's next?"

"Agent Rivers has something to ask of you Mr. Keysman."

The heavily tattooed agent entered the kitchen and stood before them. "Mr. Keysman. As you may have guessed I am the coordinator responsible for your former co-worker Talbot Creighton."

Jack nodded. Tetra placed a claw on her chin. "The werewolf."

Rivers glanced at the arachne. "That's correct."

"What's happening with him?" Jack asked anxiously. "I haven't heard anything."

"That is actually up to you Mr. Keysman."

Jack jerked his head back and blinked rapidly. "Me? What are you talking about? You're his coordinator."

She nodded. "Indeed. After Agent Smythe informed me of his transgression I personally questioned him about the night he assaulted you." She paused, while his homestays, including Kuro, stared at Jack with concern. "He confessed immediately."

Jack shut his eyes and dipped his head a moment. "Alright." He breathed out and opened his eyes. "So what are you going to with him?" He lifted his head. "And what does it have to do with me?"

Agent Rivers swallowed and took on more sympathetic stance. "The law is quite clear on his punishment Mr. Keysman." She lifted a finger. "However there is a loophole we might exploit."

Jack gave her a skeptical glance.

"He violated the terms of his work visa and will be deported but," She paused. "There is nothing preventing him from applying for a student visa and homestay."

Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "That's.. kinda inconsistent."

She nodded. "Indeed. Several deportees have tried to get back into the United States via this method but our offices share all knowledge of liminal records throughout the country and can make inquiries to foreign exchange programs. Any deportee trying to get in is flagged ASAP."

Jack folded his arms. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because we don't want to lose Mr. Creighton if we don't have to." Smythe explained.

Jack stared at him trying to read his tone and expression. "Okay." He folded his arms. "You seemed pretty adamant that what he did was unacceptable. Why give him a second chance?"

Smythe closed his eyes a moment. "He assured me that he regretted his actions that night, Mr. Keysman." He opened his eyes. "He wanted to apologize to you personally. Again."

Jack leaned forward. "You spoke with him?"

Smythe nodded. "I did Mr. Keysman."

Jack blinked a couple times. "And you're comfortable with Talbot coming back?"

He breathed out. "I have my reservations. But none of them are any different from any other dangerous liminal that I've found hosts for." He eyed Jack seriously. "Talbot's record has been exemplary aside from his one transgression."

"Okay." Jack unfolded his arms. "So he comes back as a student. Why wouldn't he be assigned to some other family?"

"We are ethically obligated to inform potential hosts of his deportation and the reason for it." Rivers answered.

"Oh." Jack glanced at the floor. "Yeah that..might be a problem." He nodded a few times. "Can I take some time to think it over?" He waved back at his current homestays. "And we'll have to discuss it as a household."

Rivers nodded. "Of course Mr. Keysman. I can forward a copy of his file from my office."

Smythe lifted a hand. "Understand Mr. Keysman, that accepting Talbot as a homestay would be a huge favor for the Exchange."

Jack looked up at him. "Meaning that he wouldn't be substituting any of the six total liminals you've already lined up for me."

"That's correct Mr. Keysman."

Jack leaned back and blew out a breath. "Seven in one house."

Rivers smirked. "You seem to have the space, Mr. Keysman."

Jack snorted and waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah." He leaned forward. "Anything else you want to discuss?"

"I have no further business with you today Mr. Keysman." Rivers concluded.

"There has been a significant change to the Exchange Laws." Smythe lifted a finger. "A bit of happy news in fact." Jack and his homestays raised their eyes with interest.

"The Supreme Court has officially recognized all marriages of liminals and their human partners." He focused on Sula. "So, congratulations Mrs. Peri."

She smiled wryly. "Why thank you, Agent Smythe."

Jack furrowed his eyebrows and looked between them. "Wait, really? The U.S. didn't consider marriage a legal... status for liminals?"

Smythe nodded. "That's correct Mr. Keysman. Several Americans have married liminals throughout our history, in secret of course. But now, that is no longer necessary."

"Okay..." Jack faced the lamia. "I'm sorry. I probably should have known about that."

She closed her eyes and shrugged. Smythe shrugged as well. "It hardly mattered to you Mr. Keysman. You aren't secretly married to one of your homestays are you?" Smythe smirked a bit.

"Um..."

"You haven't registered a coupling status with the Exchange either."

Jack blinked. "I..have to do that?"

Smythe tilted his head down at Jack. "Yes. Did you not read the whole homestay packet I gave you?"

Jack blinked again. "Um...I must have... missed that part..."

The agent raised a finger. "Article four, subsection thirteen, close personal relations (i.e. a couple) with homestay guests are to be-" He stopped his lecture when Jack raised his hand and cleared his throat.

"Uh, yeah...about that..."

Tetra stepped up behind Jack and wrapped her arms around his torso and her pedipalps around his thighs. She placed her head on his shoulder and gave him a quick but possessive peck on the cheek. Jack nervously pressed his lips together and glanced briefly at her and then back at the agent.

Smythe lowered his hand. He rolled his head back and sighed. "It had to be the arachne."

Tetra snickered.

Kuro looked between the three of them. "Interesting" She focused on Smythe. "You did not mention he was allowed to be intimate with his guests."

"He's not." Smythe, Sula and Rivers said at the same time.

"Which is totally unfair." Syleris folded her wings and tried her best to look cross. It was tough to do when she really just wanted to grin.

Smythe narrowed his eyes and pointed at the host and the arachne. "You two. With me. Now." He turned and marched down the hallway.

Tetra chuckled a bit and released her new beau. They were about to walk out of the room when Smythe returned suddenly.

"And none of the rest of you follow or eavesdrop this time." He pointed at Sula.

She snorted and gave a mock salute. "Aye aye, sir."

Smythe led Tetra and Jack to an unused, empty room and closed the door behind him.

"Alright." He began. "When did this start?"

Jack scratched the back of his head. "Well, last night." He looked up at Tetra. She raised an eyebrow. He faced back to Smythe. "But she's been dropping hints since the first day here." Tetra smirked.

"And what happened, exactly, last night?" Smythe asked.

Jack looked a down a second. "Well, I went up to her room to check on her."

"Why?"

He sighed. "Syleris was...not impressed with the reaction of the humans at the mall."

Smythe took a brief moment of thought. "All four of you were at Wulfield?"

Jack nodded. "Yes sir."

"And how did Sula feel about your field trip?"

"She was upset." Jack acknowledged. "But not because of the people there."

"Why was she upset?"

Jack looked the agent in the eyes. "You'll have to ask her about that yourself."

Smythe paused a moment. "I see." He glanced at Tetra. "And naturally, you went to see how your third homestay was faring."

Jack nodded. "That's right."

"And how were you affected by your experience Tetra?"

"Impressed actually." The arachne answered. Smythe adjusted his stance slightly. "Each shop we visited had rearranged their shelves and stands to allow big girls like me to move about."

He hummed. "Well, good to hear more local businesses have taken our advice."

"I was also impressed that Jack came all the way up to see me." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Especially after our lamia friend worked him over pretty good."

Jack sucked in a breath.

"'Worked him over?'" The agent repeated.

Jack held up a hand. "Sula didn't hurt me. I just...assisted with her boxing drills."

Smythe folded his arms. "Assisted how?"

"I..held the heavy bag while she practiced."

Smythe inclined his head. "Lamia's have impressive strength Mr. Keysman. That was precarious of you."

"This whole venture is precarious for me." Jack shot back. "You said so yourself. I'm in danger constantly right?"

Smythe's eyes narrowed a hair.

"So I literally cannot even walk inside this house without taking a risk right?"

Smythe didn't react.

"J-jack." Tetra said haltingly. Her eyes widened with concern. "But you said earlier that you-"

Jack spun around and pulled at her shoulder. He raised himself on the balls of his feet and kissed her good. Tetra started to slide her arms up but Jack caught her and broke it off. He turned back to the agent.

"But when I'm near her, like, really close like this." He leaned back against her. "I'm not afraid."

"Oh..Jack." She whispered.

He pointed at Smythe. "And earlier today, when Kuro didn't control her frost aura, and hurt Sula." He thumbed behind himself. "She hurt Tetra too."

The arachne nodded. "That was...very unpleasant."

"I was upset about Sula. She's my friend." His voice cracked a pittance. "But when I heard that she wasn't doing well either..." He glared at the agent. "I was pissed. No one hurts my girls in my house." He reached back and took her hand. "Especially not this one."

Tetra pressed her lips together and turned her head away. Her grip on his hand tightened.

Smythe sighed and facepalmed "So I see." He held his arm there for a moment. "So..you went up to see her." He lowered his arm. "And she was fine." He eyed them both. "What happened next?"

"She kissed me."

The agent glanced at the arachne. "Tetra, you initiated?"

She swallowed and breathed out. "Yes, I did."

Smythe blinked slowly. "Did you have sex?"

Jack faced him confidently. "No sir. We did not."

Tetra couldn't stop smiling, but she managed to face him as well. "We did not break the law."

The agent held his gaze for a good five count. "I suppose I have to take your word for it." He shook his head and sighed. "Well at least I'll have something useful for Agent Serilla to do besides paperwork."

Jack and Tetra each gave him puzzled expressions.

Smythe smirked and held up a finger. "Subsection fourteen, registered couples are required to attend counseling facilitated by qualified personnel." He lowered his arm. "When would you two like to schedule a session?"

Jack held up his hands. "Wait, wait. We have to attend?"

"That's correct Mr Keysman."

Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "Why?"

The agent leaned forward. "Because it is required by law."

Jack's jaw tightened. "No I meant-"

Smythe held up a hand. "A relationship with a liminal is not a do-it-yourselves exercise that's been done by all of humanity since the dawn of time Mr. Keysman. Human with human relationships are complex enough. Replace a non-human in that equation and the results are at minimum as unpredictable. Very commonly more so."

He lowered his hand. "And sometimes that's too much for one or both partners to handle."

Jack wanted to object. Wanted to try to reason away something he felt he didn't need right now. He looked up at Tetra in query. She closed her eyes and nodded. He breathed out. "Fine."

"Thank you. Mr. Keysman." Smythe said sincerely. "I'd hate to lose a host or a guest this way. Again."

Jack blinked. "Lose a host?"

The agent closed his eyes and nodded. "Sometimes the relationship goes sour, for whatever reason. And one can't stand the other. So I have to reassign the liminal or send them home. The host often quits after that." He paused a moment. "Sometimes, things get violent."

Jack let his words settle in. A sobering chill ran down his spine. Then he breathed sharply in realization. "Kelly."

Smythe raised an eyebrow.

"Is that what happened to her?" Jack touched two fingers to his cheek. "How she got her..."

The agent cleared his throat. "She hasn't told you?" Jack shook his head. "Then I won't either. What happened between Kelly and her previous homestay is no longer the Exchange's concern."

Tetra coughed into her fist. "This, agent Serilla. She has... experience with human relationships?"

Smythe smirked. "She ought to. She married one."

Both Tetra and Jack were taken aback. Smythe sighed out in relief. "Feels good to say that, finally."

"Finally?" Jack asked. "Oh right. The law changed."

The agent nodded. "Indeed." He looked back up at them. "So. Can I count on you two to find some time for a meeting with her?"

Jack nodded confidently. "We can."

"Good. Is there anything else we should discuss while I have you here?"

"Yeah actually." Jack retrieved his phone and brought up his note app. "First," He jerked his head at Tetra. "She wants some means of income."

Smythe lowered his eyebrows and looked up at the arachne. "No one told you?"

She narrowed her eyes back. "Told me what?"

"Most arachne guests in this country sell their thread to local laboratories or industrial plants, or they run a custom clothing business online." He tilted his head and eyes upward. "Actually, the local lab is on the campus that Syleris will be attending."

"Nice." Jack said. "I could hand deliver it." He smirked up at her, "and bring back the cash."

She rubbed her hands together. "I do like the idea of minimizing effort on my part for this scheme."

"There's only one other arachne in my district, currently, that sells their thread. I'll make an inquiry and get you the details." Smytye said. "Anything else?"

"Speaking of money," Jack said. "Do I have a budget on my expenses card?"

Smythe paused a moment. "Officially, yes. Unofficially, no."

Jack blinked. "I don't understand."

Smythe folded his arms. "You actually alluded to that back in my office Mr. Keysman." Jack cocked his head.

"Exchange guidelines limit two students hosted per household. Expenses are calculated and allotted based on their species needs." Smythe raised a finger. "However, no one has officially calculated for the number and species variety of guests you have. Therefore there is no 'official' limit for your budget."

Jack looked down. "So... I don't have a budget limit." He glanced back up at Smythe. "Because someone hasn't done the math?"

Smythe smirked. "Essentially."

"Where's the money come from then?"

"Taxes."

Tetra and Jack both glowered at the agent. He shrugged one shoulder. "And donations from generous donors." Smythe held his smirk. "Anything else you want to ask me about?"

Jack held the glare a moment more. "Yeah." He relaxed a bit. "The trip to California, have you figured out how to pull that off?"

Smythe smiled brightly. "I'm glad you asked me that, Mr. Keysman." He retrieved a pamphlet from his back pocket and held it outward toward them. "As it happens, there is an Exchange convention being held in Los Angeles next month." He handed the paper to Jack. "I'd like you and your homestays to attend."

Jack studied the front cover. A really cute nekomimi girl's face dominated the left side and a rather buff Kobold male stood behind and to the side. A large building with a banner that said 'All species welcome' made up the backdrop.

He flipped open the paper. Various snap-shots of liminals were displayed next to small paragraphs extolling the excitement of meeting non-humans. The next page was a call for families and employers to host said liminals. Call your local Exchange office today! The back panel was a poster of five liminal women of different species posing and holding microphones.

Jack glanced up at Smythe. "Who's this, ANM48?"

"An idol group out of Japan." He answered. "They were invited to hold a concert."

"Huh. Never heard of them." Jack closed the pamphlet and handed it to Tetra. "What would we do there?"

"We want you to share your experiences as host and guests. Offer real stories and experiences of cohabitation with liminals and a human."

Jack frowned. "You want us in front of an audience? Talking about ourselves?"

Smythe waved a hand. "We'll set up whatever venue you're all comfortable with. The purpose is to convey what humans living with liminals is actually like. Dispelling rumors, misconceptions and outright lies. We can post as many reports and distribute mountains of literature ad nauseum, but for some people, they won't believe til the see and hear it for themselves."

Jack took a moment. He weighed the request Smythe just dropped against his own desire to see humanity view his homestays the way he does. He craned his head up at Tetra.

Well, mostly the way I do.

Her mouth curved slightly at a corner. "What?"

"Think you'd be up for what he's asking."

She breathed out and stared ahead. Jack could just see the cogs in her head gyrating.

"I'd need...I think I'd need..." She placed a knuckle at her chin. "More interaction with other humans." She turned her head to the agent. "Jack is the only human I've had extensive...proximity with."

Smythe nodded. "That's fair. But like I said, this will be done by whatever means you're comfortable with when talking with strangers. We're not asking you to address the nation or anything like that."

The agent waited a beat. "Anything else?"

Jack checked his notes on his phone then glanced back at Smythe. "Nothing that needs an immediate answer."

Smythe nodded. "Very well." He inclined his head. "I can send Kuro and Dawn's possessions here?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah. She can stay." He eyed the agent intensely. "But please impress upon both of them the importance of keeping that aura in check."

Smythe nodded seriously. "Of course Mr. Keysman." He glanced up at Tetra. "If that is all we need to discuss here?" Tetra shook her head. Smythe looked back at Jack. "Then I shall take my leave for now. Good day Mr. Keysman. Tetra."

He turned and left through the door and closed it behind him.

Jack and Tetra stared ahead a few moments til they couldn't hear the agent's footsteps. Then they faced each other at the same time.

"We need to talk."

A/N: Hopefully I got the nature of Dawn and Kuro's situation through clearly enough. I hope Kuro's thoughts represented with bold and italic text wasn't too confusing for anyone.

Thanks for reading.