A Monstrous Life!
Book One: Beginnings
Prologue
The sun is starting to set on a warm evening. Humans and liminals alike are getting in their last few minutes of outdoor activities before they call it a day. A female centaur and her host are taking a stroll through the rowdy and bustling public park, humans playing basketball with liminals that are much taller than the average pro athlete, and the public pool is teeming with mermaids splashing around and singing the evening away. Sitting on a green bench watching the bustle and commotion is DJ Williams, a photographer patiently waiting on a friend to return with some food and water after finishing up a successful shoot. "DJ!! Hey DJ!" He turns to his right to see his friend, a sheep liminal named Isma, running with snacks and cold water in her arms. DJ smiles and waves at her. "Hey! Was it still packed at the food bar?" he puts his camera strap around his neck and meets with Isma halfway. "Oh yes! I've never seen so many human kids." Isma hands out the snacks and water before going to sit down. "They're all for the candy to satisfy their sweet tooth," DJ responds, settling his spot next to the liminal. They both take a drink of the ice cold water. "Well, they were also wanting to touch my fur as well. That's why it took me so long. I'm sorry!" Isma explained. DJ nods in response, chugging down the last of his water. It's understandable that the younger ones wanted to know what a person with a fluffy exterior would feel like. "It's okay! No need to rush!" DJ smiled. "I was just about to look through the photos here." He scooted closer to Isma to review the list of portraits and action shots that was taken earlier. Isma thoroughly enjoyed each and every bit of the pictures shown. From the way she positioned herself in the beautiful sunlight to the hilarious lack of frisbee catching caught with perfect timing. After a few minutes of reviewing, Isma was ready to move on to the next step. "Can you send me all of these before you leave for your 'new job'?" Isma asked. DJ looked away with a saddened look on his face. Tomorrow is the day that he leaves for the position he really wanted ever since liminals were discovered. A job he knows he'll love and enjoy, but at the cost of moving away from his friends and family. The job as a host for his extra-species. "What's wrong? You should be happy", Isma shook his shoulder. "Don't worry I am. It's just.." DJ looks back at her, trying not to look so down in the dumps. "I'm gonna miss hanging out with you and my other friends. It's getting tougher to leave now." He gripped his camera tight, trying his best to hold in the tears. Isma comforted him with a big warm hug, resisting the urge to break down as well. "Oh, bestie. It's okay, I understand," a pause. "Yes, it's tough to leave, but you know what will never leave us?" She hugs him tighter. "The memories that we had while were hanging out and enjoying each other's company. Never forget that!" DJ returned the hug and smiled. His spirits were highly lifted like a rocket going to space. The worries were replaced with confidence that he'll be back to see everyone again and not just by himself but with his new band of liminal friends. "Thank you, Isma. I really needed that," They both released each other. They both smiled and laughed. "Ready to head home?" DJ stood up, offering his hand. Isma gently takes his hand and jumps up cheerfully. "Let's roll, daddio!" The old school lingo never ceases DJ to crack up every time he hears it. "I can't believe I taught you that jazz!"
The trip back to Isma's home was a very entertaining one. Isma and DJ were playing tons of the old school playlist cassette tapes on the boombox on the way back. Nothing but The Gap Band, Stevie Wonder, Levert, MJ, and many other artists in one or two tapes, playing from sweet and slow to head-bobbing jams. A good way to end a very fun and relaxing day they both agreed upon. The trip was almost to an end as DJ looks around to a very familiar neighborhood. In a few seconds he made a right turn on the upcoming stoplight, passed by three houses and parked next to a light blue house. It looked a little more fancy than the rest of the homes on the street, if not much more maintained. Isma hit the stop button on the boombox and looks at her friend. "DJ, you gotta let me borrow some of your tapes!" She smiled wide. "You have amazing taste in music!" DJ smiles back, nodding his head. "I'll make sure to bring them the next time I'm around" His smile slowly faded away. "That is if I have time to visit again…" Isma places a hand on his shoulder. It was getting tougher for both of them to say goodbye. Neither of them wanted to say it. They sit in silence for a few seconds. "You'll find the time to visit," Isma rubbed DJ's shoulder. "Give the same love and support that you given to me for your new guests, okay?" He gives a slow nod. Another round of silence starts, both sitting and looking at each other. DJ breaks eye contact and drops his smile. "I'll see you again hopefully soon…" He puts the car in park and gets out. Isma quickly opens her door and goes around to give him a very big and warm hug. The kind of hug that says, 'I really don't want you to leave me here'. He returns the favor but a little tighter. A warm embrace that lasted for a minute or so. "Okay, I really need to go or I won't be able to get any rest for tomorrow morning," DJ giggled as he released his friend. Isma flipped out her smartphone and waved it in the air. "Promise you will keep in contact with me okay?" DJ gives a small salute and smiles. He much rather call her the old-fashioned way and dial her number via landline. He returns back to the driver's side of the car, rolls down his window and sticks his head out. "Be on the lookout for your photos!" He puts the car in drive and rolls away. Isma waves in response, a big smile along with a tear rolling on her face, watching her bestie disappear down the street. She clasped her hands together and held them to her chest. "I miss you lots already…"
Storage bins upon storage bins littered DJ's bedroom, all marked specifically for the items he packed for his big move. From all of his clothing to the huge collection of books and tokusatsu collectibles were packed up nicely and organized. The furniture was left untouched, his old desk and his bookshelf wiped clean. His bed was looking very comfortable right now, even though his blankets were packed leaving nothing but a bare mattress and a pillow. DJ sighed, "One more night sleeping in here…" Before he lays down he turns to his nightstand and looks at the "letter" he received from the Exchange. The letter that sealed the deal of him becoming a host for the liminals that live among humans. A goal that he didn't think he would reach in his life. He picks up the letter and reads the contents one last time, to make sure that it's actually real. It reads, "On behalf of the Cultural Exchange, we hereby accept your application as host for liminal students. However, you've been chosen to be host of four different extra-species. It may be a challenge for you, but I can assure you that your commitment to the Exchange will see you through. You will have a new place to call home as well. It is to accommodate both you and liminals alike." A sigh and then a smile crossed the young man's lips as he placed the letter back down on the nightstand. It was real. It was very real. A new part of his journey starts tomorrow in the early morning. Reminding himself of that fact made his anxiety and excitement rise a bit. He takes a short stretch before laying down in his bed, still smiling. "Tomorrow is really the day, huh?" DJ whispered to himself. "Living with not one or two or three but four liminals?" He let his mind wander, imagining the various types of liminals that could possibly be living under the same roof with him. A kobold running around causing a ruckus, or maybe a slime doing her best to copy his actions, or a cu sith desiring headpats for a good job. So many different types of species of liminals including extra-species that'll be chosen. He had to force himself to sleep or he'll be staying up all night, his mind lost in his 'what if' scenarios. "Patience, young host! You will find out who it is soon enough!" DJ said in his best Obi-wan Kenobi impression. He let the comfort of his bed swallow him into sleep after a few minutes of rolling around. In a minute DJ was off into his dreams.
DJ was standing in front of the office door of the coordinator for the Cultural Exchange, fear and nervousness holding him back from knocking. He received a call from them to come and have a discussion about the application he filled out a week ago. It was a surprise to even get a phone call this quickly. He took in a breath slowly. "Okay come on now. It's either a yes or a no…"
He knocked a couple of times and waited for a response. "Come in!" a voice from behind the door answered. DJ walked in to see an older man that looked like he was in his mid-40's, sitting behind a huge wooden desk. The office itself was wide enough to have more than four people and have an actual meeting, probably more. The older man stretched his hand out and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Williams. I am Walter Samson. I can tell you're nervous about this special meeting we're about to have." DJ shook his hand in response. This is either a yes or a no. "Please have a seat, young man," Samson said, pointing at one of the chairs in front of his desk. DJ wanted to ask the big question but he was too afraid to say it. He sat down, clasping his hands and shaking slightly. "I won't hold you for long, so let's get to the main thing," Samson took out an envelope from one of his drawers in his desk and slid it in front of the nervous DJ. The answer to his question was right there, sealed and ready to be received. Declined or accepted. Excitement or disappointment. It's time to find out. "Hey relax, Mr. Williams. Isn't it obvious that you made it in the program?" Samson's smile grew wider, DJ looked in disbelief. They both sat in silence for a few seconds until Samson waves his hand. "Hello? Earth to Mr. Williams?" DJ shook himself and answered but slowly. "I...I made it...in the host program?" He was still in disbelief on what he just heard. It was no prank nor a lie, that's for sure. Hype built up inside him, but he had to keep it professional. "I'm very glad that I was able to make the cut, sir," DJ straightened himself out. "This is a big goal for me since liminals were discovered five years ago." "I can tell, after reading your reason for applying for this," Samson responded, eyeing the new host seriously. "You look like someone who is passionate and caring about our new friends here. Someone the Cultural Exchange really needs more of." DJ nodded in agreement. Not many people applied to be host due to the liminals' overwhelming strength and different appearances. It was very wrong to judge a book by its cover during these changing times, and DJ knows this all too well. " The liminals here deserve a very good home and environment. I don't like to see them struggle out there while I can just easily give them a helping hand," DJ looked back sternly. "I can't help them all, but I wanna at least help a few." The coordinator stood up out of his seat, his smile coming back quickly. "That is what I like to hear, Mr. Williams. And I couldn't say it any better. Welcome to the Exchange." Samson picked up the envelope on the desk and handed it to DJ. He stood up as well and took it with a warm smile. "Thank you, sir. This is truly an amazing opportunity."
To be continued...