Chapter one: The first day pt. 1
The dream was interrupted by the sound of a buzzing alarm clock. DJ slowly opened his eyes and grumbled something quietly, looking directly at the time. 8:10 AM displayed on the clock screen. "Alright, alright...time to rise." He gets up from his bare mattress and turns off the alarm. The mornings were evil, but he had to set aside his frustration for now. In a few minutes the Exchange will pick DJ up for a flight to Boston, Massachusetts, his new home and the start of being a host awaits there. After a quick shower, he double-checks his belongings just to make sure nothing is left out. A last look around the room and he was satisfied. The cell phone on his desk begins to buzz. DJ looks to see that the caller was the MON agent that's scheduled to come by and pick him up. The caller ID name under Agent Zeri. "Oh, hello? This is DJ," he answered quickly. "Mr. Williams, I am three minutes away from your location. Make sure you are packed and ready to go when I pull up. Understood?" The agent replied in a serious tone. DJ flinched from her response. "Jeez, lady...okay then. I'll be ready, don't worry." Agent Zeri ended the call, leaving DJ with only a little bit of time to get dressed and take his stuff downstairs. Moving as quickly as he could, almost tumbling down the stairs, placed his storage bins outside the front door and waited for the agent. In no time, a black van with the word "MON'' painted on the side came to a complete stop in front of the house. The driver's side opened, revealing a lizard liminal, wearing a sleeveless camo top, covered with a bulletproof vest and camo pants. Her claws and forearms were covered with brick red scales, along with her cheeks, reflecting the sunlight. She had long jet black hair tied in a ponytail. Her silver slit eyes bore into the young human. "Is this everything, Mr. Williams?" Zeri asked, inspecting the bins behind DJ. "Umm yes, this is all that's coming with me," he answered quickly. Zeri nodded and quickly grabbed a stack of bins. The strength of the lizard girl made DJ's jaw drop. All of his heavy equipment was carried like it had the weight of a pillow to her. She walked to the back of the van and jerked her head to signal for help at the doors. "Mr. Williams, if you're done staring, I suggest you get a move on!" Zeri yelled, snapping DJ out of his stupor. "O-Oh, sorry! I got the doors!" He quickly ran and opened the doors, watching her lay down the bins in the empty trunk. It never ceases to amaze him on how liminals are so strong and so agile. Most of the time it's terrifying but the amazement of their show of strength outweighs that for him. For now DJ has to focus on getting the rest of his stuff in the vehicle. Once that was done Zeri starts up the van once more and drives off. DJ looks back at his old home, one last look of the house he and his father lived in as a family. DJ didn't want to leave him alone and it hurts him more that he'll be miles and miles away. After telling him about the news, he was very happy for his son and the achievement he made. Before DJ prepared himself last night his father told him that "You always have a home here." Those words echoed in his mind, the old home that he will miss greatly.
The start of the flight was a very quiet one. The only bit of conversation happened when the airplane took off and DJ asked a few questions about the type of species he was traveling with. The passengers on the plane consists of one human and five MON agents of different liminal species. Zeri is among those five. The other four, a jaguar liminal called an ocelomeh, an echidna, a grizzly and an ogre. The plane wasn't an ordinary aircraft though. It was custom designed for both humans and liminals of different sizes. Every seat was made with a very cozy cushion, making sure the passengers are relaxed and feeling like they are sleeping on a cloud. The seats were wide enough to fit a dozen of oni and ogres. When DJ made contact with the seat, he passed out immediately. Sleep and the coziness of the warm soft cushion grab hold to him, tuning out the rest of the world and returning to dream land. The plane begins to take flight towards their destination. An hour of flight time has passed. Minor chatter was exchanged between the grizzly and the ocelomeh. Meanwhile Zeri goes up to check on the human. He was still sound asleep, undisturbed. The lizard girl folded her arms. "A host of four liminals, huh?" Zeri whispered, her serious gaze turned to worrisome. "How can you be so lax about this?" "Maybe he's nervous! He doesn't want to show it!" The echidna answered across from Zeri. She turns around and signals to keep her voice down. "Sorry sorry…" the echidna bowed. She slithered her way next to Zeri. "Like I said, he's definitely nervous. He doesn't even know if the homestays are dangerous or not." "How can you tell?" Zeri questioned. The echidna looked at DJ, a smile crept on her face. "His hands were shaking earlier." Zeri turned back to the new host and folded her arms. She wanted to shake him awake to get his answer. How can this human act so relaxed, considering the risks he's taking as a new host? The Exchange could give him a werewolf that isn't much of a friendly roommate or give him a wyvern that'll abruptly break the laws and fly around the city without supervision. Zeri shook her head. "There's that 'look' again," the echidna poked her arm and giggled. "W-what look? What are you talking about?" Zeri quietly answered. "You know what I'm talking about," the echidna smiled. "That look of massive worry. The newbie will do fine!" Zeri closed her eyes, annoyed knowing she was right. "...wake me up when we're close." She walked back to her seat to nap through the rest of the trip. The echidna smiled and turned her attention back to the still sleeping DJ. A quick adjustment to his blanket and left to go back to her seat as well. "Rest well, Mr. newbie."
Two hours have passed. The flight was nearing its end. The pilot announced that they are minutes away from landing back on solid ground. DJ woke up to the pilot's voice stretching and yawning. He looked out the window and watched the airplane set itself to a slow descent down towards the earth. "I'm not in Ohio anymore," DJ said to himself. The plane came to a full stop in front of a parked van with the MON insignia on the door. An agent popped out of the car waving and jumping. "Well, that's an adorable welcome party," DJ laughed. The exit door of the plane opened. The echidna was the first to go out followed by Zeri, the rest of the MON group and lastly DJ. They moved quickly to greet the hyperactive person. A kobold with dark brown fur and big smile across her face, took DJ's hand and shook it hard. "Welcome to Boston, Mr. DJ! How was your trip?! Did you have fun hanging out with these cool agents?!" The kobold said, not letting go of his hand. "Uhh yeah?" DJ responded. He tried to separate from her grip but to no avail. Zeri stepped up and grabbed the kobold's shoulder. "Come on, Koko! That's enough!" she exclaimed. "We're gonna be running late…again!" The kobold named Koko released her grasp and giggled a bit. They quickly load up the van and begin to drive off to DJ's new home. The city of Boston was more lively than the small and quiet town of Marion. As they were passing through the city, DJ took in each and every bit of it. Citizens both human and liminal enjoy a walk around the parks, historical buildings and statues standing tall, and tons of mermaids swimming up and down the rivers. A smile quickly crept on the young man's face, his excitement reaching critical levels. "It's pretty nice, isn't it?!" Koko turned around from the passenger seat and asked. "Oh yeah!" DJ answered. "This place reminds me of Detroit, but a lot cleaner and much more life to it." Koko gave a curious look. "Detroit? You're not from Ohio?" DJ shook his head. "I was born and raised in Detroit. I'm used to the big cities. It feels so good to be back living in one again." Koko smiled big. She wanted to give him a hug, she was so hyped for the host. "I wish I knew about this city earlier. I would take so many photos here," DJ continued. Koko's eyes lit up in an instant. "You're a photographer?!! Wow! I didn't know that! Maybe you can take photos of me sometime!" Zeri, being the driver of the three, shook her head. "Maybe you should read your files next time you escort a host." The kobold turned to her and pouted. "Hmph! Fine, miss grumpy pants!" DJ giggled a bit at their exchange and returned to sightseeing. They left the city by freeway, getting slowed down by traffic for a little while. Koko proceeded to play a game of 20 questions with DJ in hopes that the traffic will die down. Questions about what his old home is like, his previous job, liminal friends he's made, etc. Zeri finally made it through the rough traffic and onto the exit towards the last few minutes of the trip. They were coming across neighborhoods surrounded by trees and greenery. Some houses look a little bigger than others and a lot fancier. DJ realized where they were after Koko finished asking questions. Zeri made a right turn towards an empty road surrounded by more trees. At the end of the road stood a massive mansion. Six thousand square feet of a beautiful snow white building. The exterior looked like it was inspired by the mansion that Will Smith was living in from Fresh Prince of Bel Air, only difference is that it's twice as wide. Zeri parked at the front entrance and turned to the host. "Welcome to your new home, Mr. Williams," she shook DJ into attention. "T-this is…where I'm staying?" DJ asked with disbelief in his voice. Zeri turned off the engine and hopped out of the vehicle. She went around and opened the slide door. "Come on. No use sitting here gawking here," Zeri said. "Oh wow! This place is so amazing!" Koko exclaimed as she hopped out as well. "Oh how I wish I was one of your home-stays right now!" DJ stepped out and observed the marble exterior of the mansion. It felt so smooth to the touch. He still couldn't believe that this was all real. This is crazy, man. A tap on his shoulder broke his focus as he turned around and Zeri handed him his camera bag. "Aren't you even gonna go in?" He grabbed the bag and placed the strap on his shoulder. "Yeah, I'm just…trying to process all of this." He turns again to the front door and pushes gently. He tried his best to dispel the disbelief. His excitement was at the boiling point, ready to see what the interior looked like. The doors open, revealing a sight he never thought would be possible. The first room was a very spacious living room with two sets of sectional couches facing the tall and wide windows and the front doors. In the middle of them is a glass table with a globe with a gold base. The carpet had a 80's and 90's style pattern that matched the couch's colors. Black, red, yellow, pink, purple, and blue dominated the floor. And lastly a cabinet sitting on the left of the room with miniature glass statues on display. DJ was looking in great awe at the decor. He loved old school stuff like this so this was a dream come true for him. "I can't believe this is all real! Just…Wow!" He still can't believe that this is the home that he and his fellow liminals will be staying and living in for Lord knows how long. "Mr. Williams, you don't want to keep the others waiting." Agent Zeri broke DJ's trance, shaking him. "Oh, right! Sorry!" DJ replied. He picked up his stuff and gave a nod to the agent to lead the way. They make a right turn towards the chatter in the kitchen. DJ was able to make out who was talking the majority of the conversation but the second voice was probably his first guest. They turn the corner to see both another human and the liminal, both stopping to see the host and the agent. DJ finally gets a clear look at his guest and to his even bigger surprise she was a Arachne. A very beautiful one. She stood at least 6 feet tall. Her human half was voluptuous with very attractive facial features. Her hair was long but split between silver and navy blue, the same color scheme as her spider half. Her second abdomen is all navy blue with stripes of silver, adorning her symbol resembling a shining star. DJs eyes locked onto hers. She put on a generous smile to her host. DJ smiled back, trying to hide his nervousness. "Mr. Williams, it's good to see you!" the human interrupts the little staring contest DJ and the Arachne had. "Let me formally introduce you to your first guest. This is Illyana." The human was wearing a dark blue suit and a silver tie with oriental patterns. Illyana turned her focus on her new host and smiled slightly. DJ held up a hand nervously. "Hello, my name is DJ. Nice to meet you." The arachne took his hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you too." Her hand was so soft, her grip ever so gentle. They looked at each other for a few seconds until the other human cleared his throat to get their attention. "Sorry to cut this introduction a little short, but I would like to give you a tour of your new home." DJ lets go first and begins to ask a question. "I'm sorry, sir. You didn't give me your name." The mystery man laughed a bit. "I'm sorry about that! My name is Eric Davidson. I'm your new coordinator." He raised his hand and DJ gave it a quick shake with his. "Maybe you should introduce yourself first the next time a new host shows up" Zeri said dryly. Davidson shook his head slightly at the comment and begin to lead the two around the mansion. The upper level consisted of six bedrooms custom designed for both human and liminal sizes, along with a bathroom installed with a heated tub and two showers. In the basement there's a theater room that'll seat ten or more people, an indoor pool with a jacuzzi, a mini kitchen and a rec room with a pool table. DJ couldn't keep his jaw from hitting the floor. The entire place had 80's and 90's themed decor all over the place. Did they actually read the part about me being a huge retro fan? The group walked back to the front entrance, thus concluding the tour. "And this is it for the entire home," Davidson started. "Any questions about your position as host or your home-stays, Mr. Williams?" DJ regained his composure, trying not to geek out as best as he can. "Oh, yeah yeah! Umm...you read the part about me being a big retro guy huh?" Davidson chuckled a bit at his question. "Was it that obvious? To be honest we didn't think we could do this due to the amount of sources we had to research. Everything here was made with the love and care of our construction workers." DJ nodded in agreement. "So how is this going to work for the rest of the home-stays? Do you already have an idea on who's gonna live here?" "Indeed we do. I can't give you any details at the moment, but I will keep in contact with you as soon as I can." Davidson continued. "For now I apologize for the lack of professionalism on my part. My schedule is very tight at the moment." Zeri tapped her watch, signaling to wrap things up here. The coordinator took the hint and prepared to head out. Before they roll out, Zeri hands DJ a booklet that reads, "Cultural Exchange Manual". "Make sure to read this during the week, understand?" Zeri ordered, giving him a stern look. DJ nodded in response as the two employees walked out and waved goodbye. Koko waved and cheered as well. The van rolled away leaving DJ and Illyana alone in their new home. "Okay, so umm Illyana, right?" DJ asked, closing the door and locking it, "Are you hun-" When he turned around, the arachne was gone. Silence fell in the living room. DJ looked around for her in the kitchen and the basement, nowhere to be seen. His only guess was that she went to her room upstairs. He went back to the main living room and sat on the couch, pondering over the responsibilities and other things that's to come in this new part of his life. Will the liminals get along with him and each other? Will they like it here? Who will be the other three? So many questions in his head. "A slow start, huh?" DJ sighed to himself.