Chapter 62: Caretaker Part 2
…Back to Caleb's group…
"Did you really do that?!" Cheryl inquired, laughing with the others as they enjoyed their meal.
"Unfortunately, yes," Caleb confirmed with a chuckle, regaling her and the others of some shenanigans he and a friend in college had gotten into, "So, yeah, long story short, for like that whole semester I slept eight feet off the ground on a bed supported by glue and plastic pen caps."
"Hahaha! How are you not fucking dead?" Zwei asked, barely able to hold in her laughter.
"Simple. Dollar store engineering," Caleb remarked with a smirk.
Zwei burst out laughing, along with Mirabelle and the others. Even Drei couldn't help being amused as other agents nearby looked at the group before going about their business.
"Ha…that's crazy. I really needed that laugh. This week has been wild," Cheryl muttered, catching her breath before sighing and taking a bite of a blueberry muffin.
"Yeah…it has been pretty…exhausting, in more ways than one," Caleb remarked, leaning back in his chair. Mirabelle and the others gave him quizzical looks, fully empathizing with the sentiment.
"That's an understatement! I'm sure you guys know about that thing with the traffic accident caused by those two liminals fighting on TOP of an eighteen-wheeler. It was all on TikTok before ICEP took it down!" Cheryl stated as Drei continued eating her food, trying to draw as little attention as possible. She quickly put her scuffle with the Kunoichi devil out of her mind.
"Y-Yeah…I saw it too. It looks like they were moving too fast for anyone recording to get a look at their faces, right?" Ein inquired, crossing her fingers.
"Yeah. I heard even with editing software their faces are pretty blurry," Cheryl remarked, taking another bite of her muffin.
"Oh good," Ein sighed in relief before catching herself, "I mean, oh good…ness they must've been moving crazy fast then."
"I know right?! Like Flash or something," Cheryl said, smiling, not noticing Ein's wording,
"Smooth save," Camilla uttered, softly taking a sip of her black tea.
"Ten outta ten acting, sis," Zwei addded with a mischievous smirk, taunting her sister.
"But you know what has my and a bunch of other people's minds blown right now? Apparently, some ICEP host took on a freaking mafia AND some liminal assassins to save his students and WON!"
Caleb and the girls stopped eating and discretely exchanged looks with each other. All of them mentally agreed that they couldn't let her find out it was them, more specifically Caleb.
"Oh yeah! We heard about that! Didn't we, y'all?" Caleb stated, getting the others to play along.
"Yes! Dear, that host must be truly someone incredible to go through all that for them," Mirabelle whimsically spoke before flashing him a sassy smirk, proud of her acting.
"Y-Yeah! Someone we DEFINITELY don't know or have any affiliation with them at all. Doesn't even know we exist. A complete stranger in every sense of the word, right, Chief?" Lyca joined in, despite her terrible lying skills and her wanting to proudly proclaim her Chief as the one who protected their pack member. She knew she had to in order to help him continue protecting them.
"Yep. Total stranger. A faceless person in the crowd who apparently has a chip on his shoulder," Caleb remarked.
"Looks like you got some competition, sis," Zwei whispers, nudging her sister's shoulder with another mischievous smile much to Ein's annoyance.
"Seriously. I didn't believe it at first. I mean it sounds like something straight out of Die Hard movie right?"
"More like 'The Protector'," Drei said softly.
"Hah! It sounds to me like those bastardos all got what they deserved," Camilla expressed content at the downfall of those who would dare attack her familia. Ein gave her a plain glare at the Elder Devil's lack of reverence.
"Who?" Cheryl asked, "The mafia and assassins? Yeah, I guess so. Honestly, I'm more worried about the liminals and other people involved. I saw this news feed where ICEP had to quell a bunch of liminals that went on a mass killing spree inside this office building in Atlanta. They had keep them from getting out and attacking people outside the building. Wanna know the craziest part? All the people they killed were members of the same criminal syndicate that exploits liminals and uses them for prostitution!"
"Yes, I remember seeing that as well. I believe it was around the same time as the incidents that occured here. Strange coincidence," Ein replied with a shrug, feigning ignorance.
"Yeah, that's really weird, partly how it happened practically at same time. Some people claim they're connected, saying it had to do with something called a slave collar?" Cheryl pondered to herself.
Camilla, Drei, Caleb and Mirabelle each felt a tinge of disgust at the mention of those awful things.
"Oh my god! You guys heard about the Purple Flash too?!" Cheryl asked, startling a few of them.
"Purple…Flash? No, can't say I have," Caleb also feigned ignorance, noticing as Mirabelle averted her gaze away in shame.
"Apparently, there was like this fight going on between gang members, police and MON when this HUGE flash of purple light happened. Afterwards, NONE of the MON agents or police could remember anything that happened up to twenty-four hours before that. Not just them, a bunch of people in nearby homes were affected too. It's like everyone suddenly got amnesia or something. Not only that, the gang members, including the boss, all died off sudden heart attack and seizures. It's insane."
Mirabelle stopped eating as guilt and shame started creeping back into her mind.
"Yeah, it sure is! It was a bad time for everyone involved. I don't think we should dwell on it so much," Caleb stated, seeing how badly the conversation was making his girlfriend feel and quickly tried changing the subject, "Besides, I'm just really curious, why did you get fired?"
"Oh, uhh–"
"Caleb! Rude!" Mirabelle said with an incredulous and slightly appalled look.
"Sorry, sorry. Let me rephrase. Ms. Banks, if it's OK with you, I'd love to know what made you choose a different career path," Caleb replied in an overly proper tone as Mirabelle rolled her eyes and the other girls either chuckled or listen in curiously.
"Hahaha! OK, I'll tell you, just drop that voice, you sound like you're about to extend my car warranty."
"Or extend something that'll warrant a warrant," Drei uttered under her breath.
"It's…kind of a long story, so I'll skim some details."
…Flashback…
Cheryl's restaurant had started hiring liminals as I.A. sponsored employees. One of the liminal waitresses was a Bullywug named Lily, whom Cheryl was in charge of training. She got along well with the Frog-like woman and helped her adjust to serving and getting along with customers, despite her less-than visually appealing traits.
Then one day…while Cheryl was in the back with another liminal employee, a female Werecat named Tabby, getting ready to go on break. And then they heard someone yell from outside.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, FREAK!?"
She and Tabby rushed out to see what had happened.
They found Lily at a table where four men wore clearly displeased, even disgusted, expressions after the frog girl had accidentally dropped a glass of water near them.
"I-I'm so sorry! I'll clean this right now!" Lily frantically apologized before getting down on her knees, trying to soak up the water through her palm.
"How you gonna clean it up without a towel or napkin or something, you fuckin' toad?!" one of the men berated.
"I…I can soak it up through my skin. So…" Lily tried to explain but withdrew fearfully at their disgusted faces.
"Look at her, can't even pour a damn glass of water AND she's getting all her slime all over the place. Who the hell brought this THING to work here?! I don't want it near my food!" one of the other men berated.
"Bring us a HUMAN server not some slimy, stupid animal," another remarked in contempt.
Cheryl clenched her fists, becoming irritated at how they were treating her and was about to go over to them before Tabby grabbed her by the arm, stopping her.
"Don't. You'll just make it worse."
Cheryl looked to her in disbelief, then back to Lily, seeing her visibly trembling before standing up to get a broom. She could also see the other patrons, mostly humans but a few had liminals with them, trying to ignore the scene, not wanting to get involved.
At that moment, one of the men stuck his foot out, causing the Bullywug to land hard on the floor, much to Cheryl's and Tabby's shock. The men burst out into sneering laughter as Lily trembled, weakly picking herself up on all fours on the verge of tears.
Suddenly, one of the men grabbed a bottle of A1 steak sauce and dumped the entire bottle all over her green hair.
"Clean that up, bitch," he spat, balling up napkins and tossing them at her.
Lily, whimpered, clenching her teeth and eyes filling with tears, much to the guy's satisfaction. She quickly scrambled to her feet, running away, brushing past Cheryl and Tabby, as they heard her start sobbing. Both girls wanted to immediately go see her before the men called out.
"Yeah, that's right! Go! We don't want you here!"
"Go back to your lily pad or swamp or WHEREVER you came from!" another shouted in equal contempt.
"Can somebody HUMAN bring us our food?!"
Cheryl glared at the men, feeling her blood boil before she and the Werecat went and checked on Lily.
"Lily!" Cheryl called out before she heard the sound of water running and saw the Bullywug frantically washing the sauce off her head and arms while two human cooks looked on, at first agitated, now concerned.
"It burns! It burns!" Lily expressed while sobbing uncontrollably, nearly breaking down.
Cheryl and Tabby were already aware of how sensitive her species' skin was, so she must be in quite a lot of pain.
"Oh gods…" Tabby expressed solemnly.
Cheryl clenched her fists then took a deep breath, "Get her in the restroom and clean her up. Don't want the manager complaining about cross-contamination."
"O-OK. Lily, Lily, come on, sweety, I know it hurts but that sink is for food only. Let's get you cleaned up in the bathroom, OK?" Tabby assured comfortingly, taking the still whimpering frog girl to the restroom.
"Hey. Where is table six's food?" Cheryl calmly inquired as a storm silently brew inside her.
"Right there," one of the cooks spoke, gesturing to a serving cart with four main dishes and five sides on it.
"Good. They want human service? They're getting it," Cheryl stated before taking the serving cart before the cook could protest.
"Heyyy! Here we go! An actual person," one of the guys, expressed as Cheryl casted them a fake smile.
"Aren't you a pretty young thing," another said, putting on a gentle voice.
"Aw, how sweet," Cheryl replied, not buying the act at all before picking up two plates of food, "Alright, who ordered the cheese steak and mash potatoes and who's got the spicy chicken with broccoli and rice?"
"Steak's mine."
"Chicken right here, darlin'."
"Ah. Excellent choice," Cheryl spoke with a cheerful grin before placing both meals back on the tray, to the men's confusion, before digging her hands right into their food, much to their shock. She scowled as she mushed up their food right in front of them with her bare hands before flipping bits of it at them.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOIN'?!" one of the men shouted in anger, shooting up from his seat as the others joined him.
"Oh, and I think you gentlemen both ordered the chicken Tetrazzini? Yeah, ours is reallllly good," Cheryl praised the food as she took two big handfuls from both plates, as the men and other patrons looked to her in disbelief, before taking a bite from her hand, eating it in front of them.
"HEY! I PAID FOR THAT, YOU CRAZY BITCH!" one of the guys shouted at her, startling her a bit but she still held firm.
"This bitch must've lost her damn mind!"
"No, YOU lost yours when you decide you're superior to others just cuz they look a little different! Racist!" Cheryl spoke with her mouth full before flinging cheesy noodles at the men.
"FUCK this monster lovin' bitch, I'm about to beat her ass!" one of the bigger guys stated, violently shoving one of the chairs aside as Cheryl quickly backed up. She may be pumping with adrenaline but she was still a small white woman against four heavy built men.
"HEY! What's going on out here?!" Cheryl's manager stated, getting everyone's attention.
"You the manager?! Your waitress here fucked with our food right in front of us!" the man stated as the manager looked at Cheryl in disbelief.
At that moment, Tabby was escorting a still shaken Lily out of the bathroom, most of the sauce cleaned off her. She and the frog girl took notice of the scene before them.
"They hurt Lily!" Cheryl stated, pointing an accusatory finger.
"Bullshit! I didn't even touch that damn toad!" one of the guys said.
"She's a BULLYWUG and her skin is very sensitive. You basically gave her chemical burns!"
"I DIDN'T DO SHIT!"
"ENOUGH!" Cheryl's manager stated, interjecting himself then looked to an impartial source, "Is that true, Tabby?"
"Y-Yes, sir," the Werecat affirmed.
"Why are you listening to what that animal says?!"
"I need both sides of the story here, sir!" Cheryl's manager stated firmly.
"WE'RE the humans here. The only real people here! You should be listening to us! And I say you need to fire these damn animals and give my buddies and I a refund for the food that BITCH wasted! If you can't do that, then good luck staying in business when everyone hears you have wart-covered freaks serving them food!" one of the guys threatened.
Cheryl's manager was taken aback by the threat, starting to feel like he was in a tight spot. Cheryl looked to her boss, then at her coworkers, seeing the borderline desperation in their faces. She knew it was her fault things had escalated this far and, with a heavy sigh, decided to take responsibility.
"You know what? I have a better idea," Cheryl spoke, getting everyone's attention.
…Flashback end…
"Annnd I was fired on the spot," Cheryl said, finishing up her story.
"Golly! What is up with that restaurant and attracting racist assholes?" Caleb questioned, shaking his head derisively.
"Maybe it's listed as a popular meetup spot or something," Drei commented.
"Or perhaps our misfortune simply rubbed off on you," Camilla added with a dubious expression, reminded of the Angel, or really, FALLEN Angel, they had encountered there.
"I doubt it, I've basically had misfortune all my life. Sometimes caused by my own poorly thought out actions."
"Still, it is quite admirable of you to stand up for your friend like that. Albeit in the most crude and tactless way possible," Mirabelle pointed out with a light giggle.
"Those sound like a bunch of bad guys anyway. If we were there, we'd have helped you beat them up! Four against eight! Mwah!" Lyca said, clenching her fist before taking a big bite out of a roast chicken breast as Mirabelle giggled nervously.
"Ehhh, more four to seven, I'd probably just slow you guys down. I can fight…but not fight fight. Like if I'm going against someone way bigger than me or with any kind of formal training, I'm likely getting my ass kicked," Cheryl admitted, fully aware of her limits.
"So basically it's like power scaling. Average Joe is weak to a WWE wrestler, WWE wrestler is weak to UFC fighter, UFC fighter weak to…Hank Hill or something. I don't know," Caleb jokingly replied, garnishing a laugh out of Cheryl and Mirabelle, the only two fully getting the reference.
"Who's Hank Hill?" Zwei whispered to Drei.
"I'll tell you when you're older," the little weasel girl remarked, munching on her chicken breast.
"Haha! Yeah…but seriously, I've probably got some real bad luck to run into ANOTHER guy just like them today."
"You mean the other candidate?" Caleb asked.
"Yeah! The dude literally burst out of the office saying 'Y'all must be out of your damn minds if you think I'd look after a fuckin minion of Satan. You ICEP people need Jesus.' Something like that, I kinda tuned him out halfway," Cheryl repeated the man's words in an exaggerated deep, manly voice, making Zwei and Lyca giggle.
Camilla folded her arms, leaning back, "Well, ju managed to capture the spirit of him and others like him."
"Hey, like I said to these guys earlier, someone like that isn't worth our time. Glad we didn't get to meet cause he wouldn't be runnin' his mouth after I was done. Wire that damn thing shut," Caleb spoke indignantly as the others looked to him in amusement and a bit of admiration.
"I can only hope ju would let me get a few hits in," Camilla remarked with a smirk.
"With your fists, I hope. Doubt he'd survive one of your spells."
"I'd…probably, if I feel like it, hold back. Bare hands is more fun though," Camilla haughtily remarked, cracking her knuckles.
"I'll be close by playing that 'Gangster Paradise' song on my phone as you guys kick his ass," Zwei joined in with enthusiasm.
"Mr. Bizzell, can you please not encourage your students to commit acts of violence, ESPECIALLY not Camilla," Ein pleaded, not wanting the Elder Devil to slip back into old habits then turned to her sister, "And you, don't enable them."
"Sorry, but we are just talking, Ein. We know better," Caleb assured the tall weasel as Camilla playfully rolled her eyes.
"I mean, that guy was just talking…out his ass but still…I wanted to ignore it but decided I wasn't gonna tolerate that," Cheryl remarked, catching the attention of the group.
"What did you do?" Caleb said, raising an amused eyebrow.
"Nothin'. I just sat and waited for the agent to call me in…" Cheryl said, trailing off, realizing she couldn't lie to them, "Riiiiight after stealthily sticking a wad of gum on the back of his suit."
Upon hearing that, Zwei, Mirabelle, and Lyca burst out laughing, along with the others who also found her action, while petty as hell, weirdly satisfying.
"How old are you?" Caleb asked with a chuckle.
"Old enough to NOT judge people before I know them, that's for sure," Cheryl replied plainly as Camilla looked at the human woman with a tiny grin, "At the same time though, I do have a tendency to be petty towards people who really get on my nerves. I really do hope that spearmint gets ALL over the back of his car seat fabric and his shirt. I hope he gets frustrated every time he tries cleaning yet it stays there for months to years as a kinda perennial middle finger from yours truly."
"OK, that is some…Eobard Thawne level pettiness," Caleb said with an amused grin.
Suddenly, Agent Clawthorne came over, giving them a welcoming smile, "How are you all doing?"
"Fine. The food is great, thanks," Caleb answered as the girls wholeheartedly agreed.
"That's great! I just came to inform you that our personnel are ready to escort you and your students back home the second you finish eating. Ms. Banks, I understand you drove, so kindly follow the vehicle they're in."
"Gotcha, vehicular follow-the-leader. My favorite," Cheryl smirked.
"Somebody didn't have many friends growing up.", Drei uttered under her breath.
"If you don't mind, I would like to borrow the Zyklon agents for a few minutes. I need to go over a few things with them," Clawthorne asked as the sisters looked at each other before looking at Caleb.
"I'm fine with it if they are."
"Yes, I'm fine to go," Ein said, raising out of her seat.
"I'm good," Drei said, already full.
"I will be ready to go…" Zwei quickly ate what was left on her plate, puffing out her cheeks like a chipmunk holding nuts. Then she said with a mouthful, "..now."
'Why are you like this?' Ein thought, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Alright, if you three would follow me," Clawthorne said, leading the sisters away.
…Elsewhere…
Sterling and Director Greenly could be seen on the second floor of the building in a conference room with three of Alabama Interspecies Affairs' representatives.
Seated to the left was a darker skinned human male dressed in business attire with a slim but defined frame, a bald head and thick frame black glasses. A badge with the I.A. logo was clipped to his suit pocket. His overall demeanor was serious and slightly imposing, yet welcoming.
In the center was a female Ratatoskr. Despite having the appearance of a young lady in her teens, she was well in her thirties, but still childlike in personality. She was dressed in formal business attire with some modifications. Her mostly noticeable features, however, was the large, fluffy brown chipmunk tail, small rounded ears atop her head, silky brown fur covering her arms up to the joints, green eyes, and small but prominent front buck teeth poking from her top lip. Her I.A. badge was pinned on a sash labeled 'Acorn Sisters LLC'.
On the far right, a female Hakutaku, wearing a formal business top under a large, white lab coat reaching down to her knees, and wore a black square cap with a blue tassel similar to ones used for graduations. Her body was similar to that of a minotaur, except much less muscular and with shaggy snow white fur on her ox-like legs ending a black cloven hooves. She also had a large pair of ox horns sticking out the sides of her head, adorned with three silver rings on each and had large white bovine ears to match her long hair reaching down her back. Her demeanor was aloof, yet also giving off an air of benevolent wisdom.
"Now then, we trust everything is taken care of on your end?" the human man inquired with a noticeably deep voice as the Ratatoskr woman casually munched on a can of honey roasted peanuts.
"Yes, Director Parks, any information of Mr. Bizzell's involvement with the events has been suppressed and is beginning his sentence next Monday," Greenly answered.
"Very good. Now on to dealing with the incipient threat that is the Amphetamine Team. I'm joined today by Chief Information Specialist and Marketing mogul Yuki Suzuki and Head of Mana Research and Pharmaceuticals Dr. Halibel Cheng," Parks said looking to the Ratatoskr and Hakutaku respectively, "Chief Suzuki, if you would please start us off."
"Yeppers! My girls managed to get a hold of where that Sean Fitzpatrick guy is residing currently. He appears to be attempting to lay low in response after the Malones empire fell. Makes sense, honestly," Suzuki replied with a nonchalant grin, then flicked a nut into her mouth using her thumb.
"I see. You intend to apprehend them for questioning?" Greenly inquired.
"Nope, not yet. I have two of my girls to monitor him for now in case something happens. For all we know, he may have contacted the Amphetamine Team or at least one of their emissaries. Yeppers!"
"Ah, good strategy. Let the worker bee lead us to the hive. There's just one thing…" Sterling said as Greenly, Suzuki and the other two representatives looked at him expectantly, "Make sure what you're following are actually bees and not hornets. If they have managed to elude us this long, then obviously they're wise to our tricks."
"THAT just means we can invent new tricks, yeppers!" Suzuki ecstatically replied, raising her can of peanuts and causing a few to spill onto the table.
"While I certainly agree, Ms. Suzuki," said the Hakutaku while calmly picking up one of the peanuts, "we cannot allow ourselves to be carried away simply because of a slight advantage. The victor is never victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so after all."
"Well said, Dr. Cheng, it's especially crucial to not forget that the species we're dealing with is likely an Apophis. Even with their primary financial supplier gone, they are more desperate now and much more dangerous," Director Parks replied in a serious tone as the chipmunk lady playfully shrugged.
"What's most important right now though is finding the Apophis and her colleagues before they can set up a new lab for their drug," Director Greenly pointed out, "I trust there haven't been any reports of increased activity of Gluttony Fang use?"
"Yeppers! So far so good! Lucky for you guys, my girls are working round the clock, constantly keeping your agents informed of anything suspicious related to that nasty drug," Suzuki proudly informed with a haughty smirk.
"If that's true, mind telling us how you couldn't find the source of their supply before all this? Or accurately locate the Malones' trade routes?" Sterling challenged.
"Oh dear, here we go again with that.", Suzuki playfully rolls her eyes and innocently replies with sparkly cutesy eyes, "So we had a few…hiccups in our department when it came to getting accurate information. At the time, there was plenty of misleading information spread among Malone's associates to throw our newer members off. Don't blame my poor, innocent girls. Besides, we did our part to mitigate damaged or are you trying to say my girls lives aren't that important?", She finished, giving him an offended look.
"Oh! He's not saying that at all, Ms. Suzuki," Director Greenly stated, lightly blushing as Sterling gave him an incredulous glance.
'Seriously?' he thought.
"Besides, let's not forget, you should be more grateful for my marketing team putting together that little liminal encyclopedia website for your hosts to use. That's the whole point right? Getting humans more interested in romantic and sexual relationships with non-humans?" Suzuki playfully questioned with a hint of arrogance in her tone.
"The point of that website is to assist hosts in caring for their student's needs. There are many liminals with biologies quite different from ours, so having that can offset any accidental harm," Sterling insisted.
"Although, it is convenient that many of ICEP'S directors in this country have allowed hosts knowledge of various species' mating habits. You can thank yours truly and my colleagues overseas for such valuable details," Dr. Cheng graciously added as Sterling gives an incredulous glare.
"Yeppers! Appreciate you for that," Suzuki shot her a toothy grin, giving a thumbs up, "Besides, it's no coincidence that, since we launched that site, liminal/human marriage applications have skyrocketed. In fact, at least a third of my department got themselves a man they're looking to hitch up with."
"I do admit. The influx of marriage applications is great for human/liminal relations. It'll give both parties more of a chance to assimilate into the country," Director Greenly said.
"Yeppers! That's our business model. Stage one: make human/liminal relationships the norm. Stage two: *blank stare*. Stage three: profit!"
"It's much more complex than that and you know it," Sterling replied, slightly annoyed by her statement.
"Hey, if it works, it works. Human or Liminal we all want happiness and love, real or not. We just so happen to be supplies for both parties.", She insisted as Sterling shakes his head in disapproval.
At that moment, Clawthorne quietly enters the meeting room.
"Apologies, Agent Sterling, everyone. Sir, the host family have departed from the premises."
"Good, thank you"
"Nice of you to join us, pretty elf woman. I bet you catch all the guys attention.", Suzuki says with a cheeky grin.
"E-Excuse me?", Clawthorne utters with a blush.
"Ignore her.", Sterling suggests.
"Ms. Suzuki!", Director Parks sternly stated catch the chipmunk girls attention.
"Whaaaat? I was just trying to say Elves are pretty popular in the country. Oh, fun fact! Did you know that MY species is ranked number five in a 'most popular liminal species in America' poll?! I think Elves are number seven. Hohoho, aren't we the popular ones? It makes sense since we're so cute and cuddly. Everyone loves us. So much that they pay more for our services, our merchandise, not to mention our brand name delectable Ms. Suzuki Cookies ," Suzuki happily chuckled with a devious wide grin full of greed as she spawns a box of cookies with her cartoon caricature from her tail.
"You can at least try to hide your sleaziness," Sterling plainly remarked to which Clawthorne nodded in agreement.
"Who's number one?" Greenly inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Angels."
"Of course they are," Sterling remarked unsurprisingly, shaking his head in disappointment. As with most problems in the world, usually humanity's fault, giving pretty privilege to liminals like Suzuki would come back to bite them in the ass someday, "Can we please get back on track? We haven't even discussed how we'll contain the Apophis."
"Hmm, from what we've researched, the ICEP branch in Cairo dealt with a similar scenario two years ago when an Apophis showed up. Apparently, they were drawn by the presence of a newly awakened Pharaoh and her followers that had taken residence in the city along with her, now human, husband," Director Parks explained with a pensive expression, recalling the events while Suzuki shares her cookies with Dr. Cheng.
"I read about that. Several agents lost their lives due to the lethal poison and high affinity for mana control. All civilians had to be evacuated from the area to avoid exposure to airborne toxin. The Apophis there was so powerful they easily defeated entire squads of MON teams," Director Greenly cryptically spoke, "Ultimately, even their most powerful MON units fell victim to the venom and made capturing the Apophis impossible. They only managed to relocate her with assistance from the Pharaoh and her husband by luring her to the outskirts of the city, where she and her followers created a barrier around the entirety of Cairo to keep the Apophis out."
"Keep in mind, all of that took place in less than a WEEK and that solution was their ONLY option at the time," Sterling emphasized, hoping to get across to how imperative it is to find the Apophis.
"Good gambits! I know Apophis are extremely deadly, like, 'barred from entering sixty-five percent of the countries on earth by ICEP' deadly but…are they really that deadly?" Suzuki gasped dramatically.
"Unfortunately, such a scenario is common," Dr. Cheng joined in the conversation, examining the nuts in her palm, "Thanks to those samples of gluttony fang your division graciously provided, I found out that it was composed of not only Apophis venom and a cocktail of several neurological stimulants, but it was also infused with highly concentrated mana. The users of this drug aren't just addicted to the chemical, their very essence is being slowly but effectively corrupted by volatile mana."
"Volatile mana? I thought mana was supposedly the life energy all non-humans can inherently use to some degree," Sterling questioned.
"Typically, yes, but there are species whose mana are significantly different due to the state of their being like elementals whose mana is their respective element which is molded to form their bodies. Or a more common example everyone here should be familiar with is Liminals that fall under the undead category or 'zombies' as the average person would call them. Furthermore, there's the section of liminals known as 'Chaos-Born'."
"Yes, we're aware. Species like Devils, Hellhounds, even Baphomet like Ms. Fantina all fall within that category. I believe the Apophis is the only lamia species that belongs there," Director Greenly pointed out as Sterling shot him a knowing look.
"Yes, and 'Chaos-Born' mana has the unique property to corrupt, influence or outright change the person body who is… infected by them," Clawthorne said though wished she had a different word then infected as she got a minor glare from Sterling before she continued, "Like, if an undead species would bite a human, if not treated quickly, they will turn into an undead themselves usually becoming the same species as the one who bit them."
"Correct and we're all familiar with the incident in Japan a year ago where a Irina and her husband unintentionally gave birth to a elemental know as a Kitsune-bi who would go on to possess the man's mother who was visiting at the time. By the time it was found out by MON personnel, it was too late to separate them as the former human became a species known as a Kitsune-tsuki while in a… compromising position with her husband," Director Parks explained, clearing his throat as he said the last part as Clawthorne blushed slightly.
"Yeppers! I remember that there was a massive debate about that between various agents on what should be done and blame being thrown around. A real mess that was," Suzuki remarked irreverently before casually munching on her nuts.
"Both excellent examples, you two. However, you're leaving one characteristic of 'Chaos-Born' mana…and that is destruction," Dr. Cheng remarked, popping one of the peanuts in her mouth as the others looked to her, "In very high concentrations, 'Chaos-Born' mana can also ravage the body of their victim. Worst case scenario, if the user has malicious intent, their entire body can be broken down at the cellular level and converted to additional energy. Though that scenario is very low."
"So are my chances of being struck by lightning in a storm," Sterling points out plainly, "Just because they're low doesn't mean they'll ever be zero. Now, for the sake of everyone's time, Doctor, kindly tell us your theory that's been brewing in that three hundred IQ head of yours."
Director Greenly gave him an incredulous look and was about to chastise the human man for his rudeness until he heard low chuckling from across the table.
"Hohohohoho! Was it that obvious agent Sterling?", Dr. Cheng chuckles in amusement before sighing lowly, "Very well. I believe…the apophis has no intention to kill the users of the drug. Given the concentration of mana was much weaker than it can ACTUALLY produce."
"So, what, you're saying the apophis is pulling her punches? Isn't that a bit obvious since they still need buyers?", Director Parks questioned not getting where their going with this.
"Of course, but have you ever noticed that the majority of users of gluttony fang are human males between 18-30 years of age? At least 76 percent to be more precise and, interestingly, less than 5 percent in that group are non-humans.", Dr. Cheng points out earning intrigued looks from the others knowing what she's saying is true.
"Also with only measly 4 percent are women of any age? Their dealers aren't just selling to anyone, they are clearly targeting a specific demographic. A kind that clearly speaks that our apophis has some plan or desire going through her head"
"I believe the apophis is using her drug as a means of, in a sense, 'devouring' young men. Like a snake swallowing a rodent, her drug corrupts these young men swallowing up their entire being. Making them increasingly desperate for more willing to do ANYTHING for it. For her."
"So this is all about control over young human males?", Director Greenly skeptically questions, "It sounds preposterous at first glance but..."
"Given her nature as Apophis and our species' young generation's increasing susceptibility to seek easy pleasure, it makes sense. Still…the effects these boys go through…", Director Parks agrees with a noticeable disheartenment in his voice.
"What worries me is with Malone's gone, we might have given them the perfect opportunity to start acting on those desires for the drug. Now that only competition it had that kept them in check and employed."
"Truly an ironic comedy! We defeated the evil knights only to release a dragon that was being placated BY the evil knights. Hahaha.", Suzuki stated with a chuckle.
"Odd metaphor but clear message nonetheless.", Dr. Cheng replied.
"Well our new objective is to FIND the drag...Apophis! Ordinarily, we would create measures for deportation. However, given the circumstances…we have no choice but to invoke Clause 9 of the ICEP bill.", Director Parks says in a serious tone as Clawthorne eyes widen in shock and the others give understanding looks.
"Oooh, look at you Director, you're really pulling out the big guns. Yeppers."
"A-Are you sure about this?", Clawthorne expressed.
"We don't have any other choice. It's best to avoid another incident like Malone's which, if you forgot, was solved by sheer luck.", Agent Sterling said before thinking to himself, 'and the sheer unwavering will of several brave idiots who hold each other dear.'
"It's for the best, agent Clawthorne, we cannot allow the Amphetamine Team to roam freely.", Director Greenly agreed, despite himself.
"Then it's settled, the apophis along with her associates, human or liminal, will be treated as extremely hostile threat to public safety. All MON and law enforcement officials in this state will be authorized to KILL on sight!", Director Parks stated, unwaveringly, "Make sure you alert the neighboring states as well just in case they attempt to cross the borders."
"Understood.", Sterling and Director Greenly stated simultaneously as Clawthorne glances between the two of them before bowing her head.
"U-Understood…", Clawthorne spoke, with an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
"Now then, there's a couple more thing we have to discuss…", Director Parks spoke as the others look to him expectantly, "...first is what are we going to do about these 'Hunters' terrorizing host families and liminal owned businesses. Next, is this. Chief Suzuki?"
"Finally! You guys are gonna love what my girls even more than the apophis! Check it, Yeppers!", Suzuki stated, producing a filing folder out her tail fur then sliding it across the table to Sterling.
He gives her a curious look then opens up the file examining it. Within seconds of reading his eyes widen in shock, then looks back at the Ratatoskr who wore a cheeky grin.
"Is this for real?!", Sterling stated before showing the files to Greenly and Clawthorne who are also left stunned.
"Yep. The reports AND photos are 100% genuine.", Suzuki replies with a smirk.
Sterling clenches his fists, realizing things were getting more complex by the minute.
…Meanwhile…
After getting out of the shower and redressing herself, Fantina went back into Sterling's room, no longer reeking of his overly masculine scent and began cleaning. She managed to quickly gather up his clothes in a laundry basket to put in the washer and threw away any garbage she came across.
"They're finally done. Now this place is more livable for a woman of my stature. Still, aren't we around the same age? How is it I'm the one with sense to clean up and he just let all that filth build up!?", Fantina expressed in disgust before looking around his room once more, proudly appreciating her work a bit.
That is when she notices his laptop laying on his desk slightly opened. She curiously goes over to take a closer look.
"Wait, isn't this…the same computer I got for him?", Fantina thought, remembering when she gave it to him as a birthday gift. The old one was basically on its last legs and it's not like he was paid nearly as well back then. It made him so happy.
She then remembers him showing her a lot of pictures of the two of them on it. Did he still have them? Or did he delete them all to try forgetting about her?
Without really dwelling on it much, and wanting to kill time, she opened the laptop and pressed the power button. She takes a seat as the screen flashes alive in no time. She thought it must've just been in sleep mode or something.
'Time to find out. I mean it…it wouldn't hurt to check. I'll just…look for the photos. I won't do something terrible like look at his browser history nor do I want to', she told herself internally as the screen displays a default snowy Alps background along with a password protection cursor.
"Hmm…password protected huh? Let's see…let's try…", Fantina types into the cursor and presses 'enter' only for it to tell her that was incorrect. She curses a bit under her breath then tries another, and another, and another. All of them incorrect adding to her growing frustration, 'Dammit. Come on think, what else does he like?'
She ponders for a moment until a thought occurred to her, and her cheeks flush a bit. Could it really be?
"F-a-n-t-i-n-a", she spoke while typing into the computer. She practically held her breath waiting for it to accept it and…it was incorrect, "The fuck? Ok, fine, how about F-a-n F-a-n?",
Yet again, she gets wrong password word as she sighs 'I know that him using my name as password was wishful thinking but somehow it still hurts. Still, what password could he be using for this? There are at least another couple dozen possible passwords he could be using that I can think of and they all could be wrong for all I know.'
Fantina frowned debating if she should give up and just leave.
That when she gets one more idea as stupid as she thinks it is as begins typing, 'There's no way he would still be using-' that when she hits enter and the laptop unlocks accepting what she typed in.
She stares blankly at the laptop for a few seconds trying to process what happened and glancing at the 'Top Gun' framed poster hanging in his bedroom.
'He seriously still uses 'Danger Zone' as his password. I take it back, he's still an idiot.', Fantina thought to herself, unable to be mad or even disappointed. She was already well aware of his love for Top Gun, and Tom Cruise in general, from numerous conversations.
"Well, either way, I'm in now so time to see if those photos are still—", Fantina stops herself as the screen white for a moment before a Word document loads back after being left open. Whether Sterling had forgotten to close it or maybe intentionally left it like this was unclear.
'What hell is this?' Fantina questions as she looks through the part of the doc he had left it on.
"Despite the many rumors and claims, they do not actually commit incest and the term they use is more equivalent to name used to refer to their husband/mates rather then literal 'brothers' similar to pet names human couples tend to use? What the?", Fantina read out loud before scrolling through the document, reading more details that involved witch and baphomet culture and practices then seeing it all under a subsection title 'Baphomet Clause'.
"Baphomet clause? What is…what even…?", She questions unable to find to right words.
She decided to scroll all the way up to the first page despite the file being more than forty pages long. The structure of which appeared to be that of some type of legal document broken into different subsections each titled with different liminal species. It was then she finally reached the title page of the document: Multi-Spousal Marriage Bill.
"Multi-Spousal…Marriage Bill? How…when did he have time to do this?", Fantina was floored. She went to the settings wanting to, no, NEEDING to know when this doc was created.
On the left hand screen, it shows the date. Two months ago.
Fantina, forgetting about the photos for now, was more curious about her former partner's side project and started going through the document from the beginning.
…Elsewhere…
Caleb and the girls eventually arrived back home from the exchange office with Cheryl tailing them all the way to his house.
ICEP's staff could be seen in a large transport van pulling out from the driveway after receiving thanks from Caleb and the Zyklons.
"Whoa! Duuude your house is awesome! So this is where you guys live?! This is nice looking neighborhood.", Cheryl stated, standing outside looking around the neighborhood even waving to random male jogger who waved back.
"Yep. Pretty quiet too, most of the time. Come on in so we can give you a tour.", Caleb says while getting out his keys before unlocking the door.
"Cool."
"Come along with me. You simply must see my beloved collection of Sailor Moon figurines.", Mirabelle ecstatically spoke, gesturing Cheryl to follow with the energy of an excited child.
"Ooh, I wanna show her my den too!", Lyca happily stated grabbing Cheryl by hand, pulling her inside.
"Wah! Do you have to drag me?!"
"Easy girls! Don't break her! We just got her.", Caleb stated.
"Ju make it sound like she's an expensive vase.", Camilla remarks hands on her hips.
"More like a vase from a thrift store but I still don't want it to get broken. Please help reign them in Jelly Bean?"
"Huhu, is that mi name now?!", Camilla chuckles upon hearing the pet name he chose for her, "What made ju decide that?"
"Well, you're just like a jelly bean. Sweet and hard on the outside yet soft on the inside. If you don't like it, I won't use it."
"I never said I didn't, mi amor, in fact I think it's cute and suits me. Even though it did come from a big dork.", Camilla playfully teases with a warm grin, cheeks flushed feeling warmth in her heart.
"I'm your big dork.", Caleb winks at her, "Ok, imma check the mail real quick."
"Jes, and I will go make sure our temporary host does not die before the first day.", Camilla calmly replies with a hint of sadism
"Morbid. Please be nice."
"Fine, for ju.", Camilla shrugs before heading inside.
It was then Caleb noticed the Zyklons going over to their house next door. Their demeanor suggested they were intentionally trying not to make eye contact with him and the others. He also notices Ein carrying something close to her chest.
"Hey? Y'all not gonna join us? " Caleb said causing Ein and Zwei to freeze up before Ein gives him her best forced smile.
"N-Not yet sir! We'll…be there shortly to assist Ms. Banks. We just…have some things to take care of.", Ein stated as Drei unlocks the door before she and her sisters hurry inside.
Caleb give a curious look at their behavior. Actually, the three of them, especially Ein, have been acting strangely all the way back home. Almost…distant. Maybe they were just tired or something. He'll check what's up later as he goes to the mailbox finding, to his surprise, a letter from work.
Inside the Zyklons house, Ein and her sisters we seated in their small living room. A brown manilla folder in the center of the table.
…Flashback…
"Agent Clawthorne want is it you need to talk about?" Ein ask as she and her sisters followed her out dinning room as they see another agent, a human woman, waiting outside who hands Agent Clawthorne a brown manilla folder.
"Thank you." She said giving the agent a smile as they nod and left. The Elf woman turns to the Zyklons and says, "Now then, as I'm sure you're all aware, the three of you were hired protect Mr. Bizzell and his students against attacks by the Malones. You three have managed to fulfill that task and much more. In fact, Commander Lovelace, leader of the Elements Team, whom you assisted in protecting Ms. Marequine has given their praise for your valiant efforts."
"Really? They…did that for us?", Ein says, surprised but great appreciating them commending her and her sisters.
"Oh yeah! How are those guys holding up anyway after everything?", Zwei inquires.
"They've been…busy you can imagine with relief efforts following the aftermath. Along with rounding up the former enslaved liminals caught in the skirmish.", Clawthorne answers before clearing her throat, "Aside from that, they are just fine."
"That's good, at least.", Ein acknowledges.
"So, besides the obvious, what does that have to do with us?", Drei questions, wanting to get down to business.
"Well, in light of recent events and after much consideration, we've decided to make you an offer to become a full time independent MON squad with all the benefits that come with it."
Ein and Zwei's eyes light up upon hearing the news as smiles grow on their faces and Drei also couldn't help being intrigued at the prospect.
"Are you guys for real?! Does that include pay raises too?!", Zwei stated hopefully with starry eyes.
"Only a bit more than your current wage but you have much greater opportunity for advancement compared to now."
"Good enough for me!", Zwei happily stated.
"Thank you so much, agent Clawthorne! We are extremely grateful! You don't know how much this means to us.", Ein stated with a gracious bow on the verge of tears.
"So, what all do we have to do now?", Drei inquires plainly, sensing something off.
"Not much honestly. You three simply have to sign these forms to terminate your current contract and then we can begin changing your status from adjunct to full-time.", Clawthorne politely answers.
Ein and her sisters were taken aback upon hearing her answer and look to the elf woman.
'Where's the catch,' Drei thought.
"W-Wait? Terminate…our current contracts? So, what'll happen to Boss, Lycs and the others?" Zwei questioned.
"Since the threat of the Malones is taken care of, their lives are in minimal danger. You honestly have no need to stay on as bodyguards."
"I…suppose that's true but…" Ein trailed off, unsure of how to contest her statement or if she even wanted to.
"You don't think it's a bit soon to be offering this right when hosts are being targeted by a liminal hate group and Malone stragglers are likely still active?" Drei questioned.
"Our units are currently working to suppress the group's activity as much as possible along with measures to deal with any remnants of the Malones. We are getting things under control and we could use your skills in doing so. Karmaitchi in this country are rare, and your clan has apparently done so much good for China's ICEP branch in the past. Agent Sterling also believes you can be a great asset to our forces," Clawthorne replied, acknowledging their capabilities.
The sisters went silent in thought.
"Take it. Give some time to think about it. We understand the…smaller one here will be accompanying Mr. Bizzell during his six week community service. We've agreed to give you before the end to decide if you'll accept or remain where you are," Clawthorne informed, looking to Drei before handing the manilla folder to Ein.
"The transport is ready, ma'am," a male ICEP personnel spoke.
"Excellent. Thank you," Clawthorne said before looking back at the Zyklons, "That's all Agent Sterling asked me to tell you. The decision is yours to make."
…Present…
The three sisters kept looking at the folder in silence. Ein was biting her lip nervously, Zwei was glaring at it with fists clenched and Drei simply looked at it. She didn't really show how much feeling until, finally, Ein broke the silence.
"Well, we should at least talk it over," Ein started slowly.
"What's there to talk about? There's no way we are abandoning Boss, Lyca and everyone!"
"Zwei...this isn't about abandoning anyone! Like Agent Clawthorne said, we were originally assigned to protect them from the Malones and with the group broken apart and dissolving it is fair to say…our mission is complete. We aren't really needed here anymore," Ein said, trying to calm her sister down but ended with a somber tone as she processed her own words.
"So what? That doesn't mean…" Zwei tried to think of something she could use to challenge the statement but nothing came to mind.
"I understand but…we knew exactly what we were getting into when we started this assignment. What we're working for. Right?" Ein said, trying to convince her, looking to Drei for assurance only to be met with a cold gaze.
"This IS what we wanted right? A chance to finally shut the mouths of those stuck-up Full Bloods? Finally prove our blood makes us no less Karmaitachi warriors?" Zwei said with disdain as Ein looked at her in shock.
"Well, I'd say we've done just that and more. Wouldn't you both agree?" Drei calmly inquired, catching both of their attention, "We've defeated the majority of the host family's enemies and suffered relatively no casualties on our side. Not bad for 'filthy Half Bloods', amirite? Something to definitely write home about."
Ein and Zwei looked at each other for a moment, understanding what their sister was trying to tell them in her own way.
"I get what you mean, Drei, but…there isn't much reason for us to stay," Ein replied a bit sadly.
"You honestly believe that?" Drei said as Ein looked to her curiously, "You really think ICEP has everything under control now? If that were ever the case, why are we even here at all?"
"Hey, yeah…they were in a worse position before we got here!" Zwei said.
"Exactly. I don't doubt they won't have their hands full with everything going on after the Malones' downfall. They're going to be more busy now more than ever before and you SERIOUSLY want to be worked to the bone with the other agents? You want to go BACK to our old lives as agents for our home branch?" Drei questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Ein and Zwei's eyes widened in horror as memories of strenuous schedules, endless paperwork, constant ridicule behind their backs from fellow agents who knew of their species history, and feeling like they had to constantly watch their backs to make sure their work wasn't messed with or completely undone. Though they could never prove that to superiors who didn't bother to investigate into the problem.
"Nope, nope, nope, nope, definitely no!" Zwei vehemently stated, shaking her head, "Looking back on it, this is definitely by far the easiest job we've ever had. Certainly the most…interesting."
"I too find this job more…manageable, compared to the others, but still. You don't think ICEP won't eventually transfer us anyway when they SEE this host family is no longer in danger?"
"Ein? Do you know who it is we're bodyguarding? Caleb, he's a magnet for all kinds of trouble," Drei replied.
"Hey now! It's not like he's doing it on purpose," Ein said, a bit offended.
"Yeah, it doesn't make it any better. At least then we could more effectively prevent any danger. It's just…random with him," Zwei pointed out as Ein gave her an incredulous stare.
"You're describing life in general. I kinda agree though. Pretty much ANYTHING could happen when it comes to him. It's a little stressful," Ein admitted.
"Let me be clear. I don't mean that insult or cast blame on him, it's just facts based on experience."
"I know Caleb has a history of getting into…precarious situations but trying to use that to justify having us remaining as his bodyguards to ICEP higher ups? Do you really think that would work?" Ein questioned.
"We don't have to justify anything. Clawthorne herself said Sterling gave us the final decision. We can choose not to accept it and, legally, they have to accept that."
Ein pondered for a moment, realizing what she said was true.
"Besides, whatever 'benefits' they may offer can't compare to free snacks and food made by the host," Drei casually pointed out.
"Lots of good company and video game breaks," Zwei added.
"Less expenses and no paperwork to do…at all!" Ein chimed in with a small grin.
"Only thing really missing is medical insurance," Zwei playfully pointed out.
"I am the insurance," Drei coldly and sternly remarked, glaring at her sister.
"I know, I just wanted to trigger you," Zwei teased, "Besides, this gig comes with one benefit that can't be bought anywhere… loyalty," Zwei smiled, her cheeks becoming slightly red, remembering how Caleb stood up for them earlier.
"Hehe, you're right, for once…" Ein agreed with a small grin but couldn't shake away her uncertainty, "Guys…are we making the right choice here? What would our baba say knowing we passed up on this opportunity?"
"Ein, remember what he used to tell us…everytime we doubted who we are?" Drei spoke, her tone soft yet firm.
"Victory is not always about who's the strongest, the fastest, or the smartest…it's the ones who lives to see another day with the people they cherish most in this world," Zwei spoke with a small grin, quickly wiping a tear away.
Ein gulped audibly, feeling a slight lump in her throat before letting out a low sigh. She then made a peace sign, "So…we're all agreed then? We're staying right here."
"Yes," Drei plainly affirmed, doing the same with her fingers .
"As if you had to ask me," Zwei said, also doing the same with her fingers.
The three Karmaitchi each connected their fingertips together, forming a triangle. For a moment, a shimmering green aura appeared on their connected hands before quickly dissipating.
"Alright, we best head over to Caleb's home before they start wondering why we were gone for so long," Ein said.
"Yup, besides, I'm definitely interested to get to know more about our new guest," Zwei said with a Cheshire-like smile, only to be hit on the head by Ein.
"No hazing," Ein scolded.
"Awww, c'mon? Just a little? She looks so hazeable."
"Be polite to Ms. Banks," Ein said like a mother scolding her child.
While the two were doing that, Drei subtly looked at the folder before releasing a sigh of relief, 'Good, that could have complicated things. Lucky for me, Zwei did the heavy lifting for me,' she thought, relieved that that problem was solved.
…Hours later…
The rest of the day went by relatively smoothly for the group. After a detailed tour of the house, including explaining certain emergency features, which Cheryl couldn't help feeling a little jealous about at how much nicer their home was compared to her apartment, they eventually decided to hang out with their temporary host for the rest of the day to get to know her better.
They were all currently relaxing in the living room with the TV on but mostly using it as background noise as they chatted away, enjoying some snacks Caleb and Ein had prepared.
"So, you basically have to drive back and forth instead of sleeping here?" Mirabelle inquired to the human woman.
"Isn't that going to be trouble for you?" Ein added.
"Not really. I've commuted to work with every job I've had. Plus this place is only like a ten minute drive from my apartment. But ICEP isn't going to compensate me for gas so…" Cheryl answered, trailing off.
"Still, if you need a bed in case it storms or something, feel free to use the blowup mattress and spare comforter I keep in the hall closet. It's queen sized," Caleb offered.
"Aw, thank you. I guess it'd be nice to stay somewhere nicer for a while. Seriously, this place is amazing. I still can't believe they renovated your home for free."
"To be fair, most work was done to make it easier for my homestays. Plus, I still pay my usual rent," Caleb answered Cheryl as Mirabelle happily munched on chopped granny Smith apples with caramel.
"How much is rent?"
"Eight hundred dollars plus utilities."
"THAT MUCH!?" Cheryl, Ein and Zwei exclaimed simultaneously in shock.
"Yeah, honestly, for a two bedroom home in Huntsville that's a steal. Well, actually now FOUR bedrooms since ICEP keeps renovating the place," Caleb casually replied.
"Still, that's more than my rent! What do you do for a living?" Cheryl curiously inquired.
"I'm a mechanical design engineer for H.O.D. Dynamics."
"Ohhhh, OK, now it makes sense. This city's FULL of engineers after all. So I know you're making bank," Cheryl remarked with a chuckle as the Zyklons looked at him quizzically.
"Yeah, kinda," Caleb plainly responded, shrugging while secretly hoping that'll still be the case once his community service was over, "Anyway, I'm just glad my landlord didn't react nearly as badly as I thought she would have to do these renovations."
"I'm sure Ms. Thames is more grateful to you than anything, Dear. It IS a free renovation paid by ICEP after all," Mirabelle pointed out.
"Who is this Thames?" Camilla inquired never hearing the name until now.
"Oh yeah! You still never met her in person. Then again, she's out of town a lot so it makes it hard to meet in person. Anyway, she's my landlord, er, landlady I mean."
"Ah. So she is the true owner of this house," Camilla said, raising an eyebrow
"Only on paper. I still own the lease here. Also, don't worry, she already knows about you, Camilla, and she's perfectly fine with you living here. If she wasn't, we definitely would've heard something the first day," Caleb assured.
"Oh, how lovely. I have her permission to be here," Camilla replied, unenthusiastically.
"Ms. Thames is a really nice lady anyway. You have nothing to worry about, Camie," Lyca happily assured her to which Camilla gave a small but warm grin.
"Besides, if a problem did arise then ICEP would have just stepped in, most likely buying ownership of the building from her for above market price to prevent any serious issues," Ein added.
"Not gonna lie, I was almost sure that'd be the case at one point, what with all the CONSTANT renovations. I doubt there's anything even remotely lacking. Hell, everything's better than when I first moved in. The FLOORS don't even creak no more! Who knew being a host had the benefit of free home repair?"
"It's to be expected with how thorough ICEP renovations are. They want to make all non-humans as comfortable as possible and create a good impression. Actually, like you pointed out, I read online that some hosts HAVE started requesting home renovations for personal reasons outside of student well-being. It's becoming a bit of an issue honestly," Ein admitted.
"Really shot themselves in the foot on that front," Drei commented.
"More like they emptied the clip," Zwei chimed in as Caleb chuckled, quickly joined by the others.
"Haha, you guys are nuts. The fun kinds of nuts, like cashews or peanuts. But not pistachios! Fuck pistachios!" Cheryl said with a slight scowl as Camilla and Ein raised an eyebrow.
"Damn, what did pistachios do to you?" Zwei asked, eyebrow raised.
"Long story. It happened to me when I first moved to Alabama."
"Wait, you're not from Alabama?" Caleb inquired.
"You are? You don't really sound like it that much," Cheryl skeptically replied.
"Man, why in the hell does everybody keep sayin' that?!" Caleb expressed, annoyed by others thinking he had an 'accent' not from Alabama.
Sidenote: No, deadass, I have this problem too. It's so annoying sometimes.
"So, where are you from, Ms. Banks?" Mirabelle asked.
"Cincinnati," she answered.
"Oh, nawww! You're an Ohio girl!?" Caleb gasped with a surprised look, "How did even you survive?"
"Survive?" Camilla questioned, looking to the human female.
"What's an...Ohio, Dear?" Mirabelle questioned.
"It's a apocalyptic hellscape of Love Craftian monsters, supernatural phenomena, and otherworldly entities beyond feeble mortal comprehension. Also chilly cheese spaghetti. They love that shit," Caleb remarked, earning mixed horrified and intrigued reactions among the girls.
"Is your home really that…dangerous?!" Lyca asked.
"Wha–no! He's exaggerating! I mean…it's kinda dangerous where I used to live but nothing like he mentioned! We do eat cheese and chilli with spaghetti though, which SLAPS by the way. Everything else is just fake news internet nonsense," Cheryl wholeheartedly defended.
"Ah, so Dear was just being over-the-top with his description. Shame on you, Dear," Mirabelle said puffing her cheeks out at him and trying to look angrier than she really was.
"Bad Chief. No being a meanie to our temporary pack mate," Lyca scolded, going over to him and repeatedly but gently smacking him against the head as he just took it.
"Then why did you leave? Were ju not happy there?" Camilla asked, genuinely curious.
"No, I love my state! Well, I kinda hate it too sometimes. It's complicated," Cheryl admitted, shaking her head, "But I mainly left so I could complete my fine arts degree here."
"You came all the way down here for that? Doesn't Ohio have like a bunch of art colleges? You could've gone there," Caleb pointed out.
"Yeah, well…I kinda wanted to be as far away from home as possible," Cheryl said, her voice taking a slightly sullen tone, thinking of her foster mother and the last thing she had screamed at her before leaving, slamming the door shut, "It's complicated. Let's.. leave it at that."
Caleb exchanged a look with Mirabelle and as they and the others collectively decided not to pry any further.
"Alright then…so how do you like Alabama?" Caleb asked, changing the subject a bit.
"Oh, it's nice. After a brief adjustment period, I…mostly got used to your way of life down here. You guys love your football and your winters are nowhere near as bad."
"That we do. Personally, I was never really into sports all that much."
"He's anti-athletic. You should see him run," Zwei teased with a smirk.
"How about you run these hands?" Caleb shot back, waving his fist.
"How about I outrun you, beech?" Zwei said with a sly smirk.
"Hey now!" Ein interjected, raising her chopping hand and ready to discipline her out of line sibling.
"No, no, it's cool, Ein. Her insults mean nothing, like a gentle breeze in hundred degree heat," Caleb placated.
"Not sure where you conjured that metaphor from but I can say this for certain, you are more durable than you look, Dear," Mirabelle pointed out.
"That's an interesting take but what about my stamina?" Caleb inquired in a knowing tone.
"I would say…above average at best. Then again, I don't have enough experience to compare you too much."
"Chief does have enough energy to keep up with all three of us. I say he's definitely above," Lyca chimed in, a little oblivious to the subtext of the conversation.
"I would put him at average but he has potential to be even greater. For now, he is decent," Camilla joined in, giving him a sassy grin as Caleb's jaw dropped in disbelief.
"Wowww, really making him own that three star review, huh, girl?" Cheryl replied.
"Ju know it. He has to know where he stands in order to improve himself."
"Yeah, guess I should get to work then huh?" Caleb said, playfully indignant.
"Jes, ju should," Camilla replied with a sassy head rock.
"I believe in him," Mirabelle encouraged.
"Me too!" Lyca happily stated.
Caleb sighed deeply then looked to Cheryl, "As you can see, I got two that raise my confidence and one that keeps me humble."
"Heh, so what's that make Ein and her sisters?" Cheryl inquired, getting all three weasels' attention.
"These three…they're my enforcers," Caleb wholeheartedly replied.
"Enforcers? I mean…we are his bodyguards," Ein thought aloud.
"Bwahaha! Enforcers?! What are we, enforcing the laws of horny?!" Zwei heartily laughed, slapping her knees.
"Don't be ridiculous. No such ridiculous laws exist," Ein affirmed.
"You…do realize human/liminal marriage became legal two months ago. Before that, the were forbidden BY LAW to not have sex…and still kinda are if they don't intend to marry," Drei clarified as Ein looked at her before processing what she had said.
"...Oh…Oh god…" Ein uttered in realization, covering her mouth as her face flushed red.
"Damn…we really are Horny Enforcers," Zwei said with a mix of surprise and intrigue.
"Ahhhh. What is my liiiiiiife?" Ein groaned in her hands as Cheryl, Caleb and Mirabelle chuckled.
"Do not feel too bad, Señorita, at least ju are obediently following ICEP commands," Camilla remarked with a devilish smirk, causing Ein to groan louder.
"Emphasis on the 'cum'," Lyca said with a grin, catching everyone off guard by the She-wolf's sudden, unusually witty quip.
"YOOOOOO! Lyca, nooooo!" Caleb expressed as Ein groaned loudly in despair while the others erupted in a fit of laughter, save for Drei who was just mildly amused.
"Ahhh, we've corrupted her!" Caleb bemoaned jokingly.
"Good. Let us all bathe in depravity together," Camilla smirked.
"I'm depraved. I love depravity and all kinds of reprehensible behavior," Mirabelle said, going along with the madness.
"Yeah, I know you do. You got your kinks and your kinks got hands," Caleb teased before Mirabelle playfully bumped him with her elbow.
"I swear, if that water turns white I'm getting the fuck outta Dodge," Drei commented as Ein groaned loudly to the ceiling.
"Yeesh, somebody got TOO much milk.", Zwei comments prompting Caleb and the girls into another laughing fit as Ein's cries outs with a heavy blush, her soul appearing to try and escape her body.
"Hahaha! This place is a fuckin' madhouse…and I LOVE it!", Cheryl expressed holding her stomach.
Some more time passed and the group and Cheryl continued to hang out and mess around the rest of the day. They offered to have Cheryl stay for dinner but she had business to attend to at her apartment and she left. Caleb and the others simply did what they always did, enjoyed a pleasant evening dinner and put their problems to the side for a while.
…. Elsewhere…
Sterling could be seen walking up the stairs to his apartment. Glad that they finally finished up the last of their business for the day. Agent Clawthorne was a big help to him lately. He really needed to find the time to thank her, somehow.
Though he imagines Fantina is gonna get bored out of her skull until they can get out into the field again. Actually, the thought alone made him…a little excited.
He unlocks the door of his apartment and opens the door before flipping on the light.
"I'm ho–", Sterling stops seeing multiple black trash bags right by the entrance neatly piled not to block the way in. He then looks around, surprised to see his now tidy living room where all the furniture looked brand new and everything smelled fresh and clean, "Holy..."
Oh good, you're back.", Fantina plainly says, getting the agent's attention. Sterling eye widen upon seeing the short goat woman in a small black cooking apron with a red pentagram on it and holding metal tongs, "Well? You gonna shut the door or what? You're gonna let in gnats."
"Y-Yeah, of course.", Sterling utters, snapping out of his thoughts and closes the door shut, locking it.
"Geez…", Fantina rolls her eyes.
"Hey, did you…clean the living room?", Sterling inquires looking around.
"Firstly, I didn't clean the living room, I cleaned EVERY room because my host seems to think it's fine to sleep and live like a homeless person.", Fantina expressed in annoyance.
"Oh. Wow…thank you."
"I didn't do it for you. I did it for my sake.", Fantina contests, arms folded.
"Well, still I'm thankful. Hey, what's the smell? Are you…cooking?"
"Yes, that's dinner from what I could put together in that poorly stocked kitchen of yours. Seriously, we need to bring some real food for this house if we're gonna…live together! A baphomet like me can't live off of door dash or fast food.", Fantina stated fervently.
"Alright, fair enough! I'll make sure to send a personnel to pick up whatever you need. Oh but Fan-Fan! I have some really interesting news to tell you!"
"Whatever it is, it can wait. Now go wash up and change out of your work clothes! Foods almost ready.", Fantina sternly requested pointing down the hallway.
"O…K then? Be out in a minute.", Sterling says, raising an eyebrow at her.
Sterling had so many questions but learned from experience it's best to go along with her requests rather than argue. Especially when she had plenty of 'points' to use.
Fantina watches him leave out the corner of her eye before hastily returning to the kitchen to see about dinner.
Sterling enters his bedroom, immediately surprised but by how incredibly tidy everything was. There were even hampers by his now properly made bed full of clean and folded clothes.
'Damn, she REALLY meant it when she said "every room" huh? Still, did she really have to wash my–?', Sterling thought, picking up a pair of clean underwear from the basket, with mixed feelings about all of this, before noticing the desk where his laptop was completely cleaned off, "Ah that's right! Did I save where I left off?"
Sterling opens his laptop waiting for the screen to display. Suddenly a thought occurs to him.
'Wait, if she was in my room cleaning? Does that mean she was on my computer? Did she…see it?...nah, of course not. Heh I doubt even she could guess my password.", Sterling expressed with a confident grin as he enters his password and opening the document proceeding to skim through it glad everything was as he left it.
In the kitchen, Fantina could be seen stirring a large boiling pot of rice and garbanzo beans then adding a little paprika. She suddenly stops, her hand trembling a bit as she held back the wave of emotions she felt upon seeing him enter the house.
After reading through the entirety of Sterling's Multi-Spousel Marriage plan including the parts advocating for Baphomet and other species with body-types just like hers, she felt an indescribable amount of joy. Upon seeing him, her heart told her to throw herself into his arms but her brain and impulse control yanked those feelings to the side and curb-stomped them. She was too old for that kind of thing…not that he'd like it anyway.
Still, she couldn't believe her old partner…no, her old friend would do that. However, one part that really caught her attention in that plan was the 'Bizzell House Trial'. Was he really using that man and those girls to make a case? Forget that, is he condoning their polygamous relationship under his superiors noses?! She understood the reasons well but still…eventually she had to talk to him about it.
Several minutes later, Sterling rejoined her, now wearing a freshly cleaned plain T-shirt and sweatpants, at the table. Fantina, using a weak spell, levitates two plates that had a large pan sauteed Swai fish filet with tangy orange rice and garbanzo beans on either side across from each other with cold green tea.
Sterling looks at the food in amazement before taking a forkful of beans and rice into his mouth as Fantina watches in anticipation.
"Whoa. This is amazing!", Sterling expressed, as Fantina discretely sighs in relief, before he tries the fish. The meat melts in his mouth with a noticeable splash of lemon, "The fish is great too. Fan-Fan, I didn't know you knew how to cook.
"Yeah, well…there's plenty you didn't know about me.", Fantina replies a bit coldly, not making eye contact.
"Heh, yeah I guess not. Thank you, it's been a long time since I've had a home cooked meal this good."
Fantina cheeks flush red in embarrassment before replying, "W-Well, since I'm going to be living here, I…guess I wouldn't mind cooking every now again. D-Don't get the wrong idea though! It's not like I WANT to cook for you or anything! I'm just…being practical! I can't have a host who's bad at eating healthy and taking care of his own living area! How...how can I trust you to take care of me?"
"No no, I get it. I've been very busy since I became an S-Rank agent for the state so I…guess I do tend to let chores at home kinda pile up. I am thankful for you stepping up as house sitter for me.", Sterling solemnly replies, "Plus, no matter what, I am going to care for you. Whatever your need may be."
Fantina gives him a quizzical look, sensing the tiredness in his voice. She knew he must've been overworked since she left out of the blue. A sense of guilt entered her mind realizing how much he's likely had to carry out all alone.
"You're welcome, Sterling.", Fantina remarks, with a small but warm smile.
"That being said, I'm a grown man, so please leave my underwear for me to deal with. Ok?", He says plainly, causing her to blush beet red.
"THEN PUT THEM IN THE LAUNDRY HAMPER INSTEAD OF LAYING THEM ON LIVING ROOM COUCH, MR. GROWN MAN!", Fantina shouted, raising up in her chair across the table to which Sterling merely sipped from his cup, unbothered.
"Ok, I will from now on.", He simply replies.
"Haaa geez…", Fantina sighs, sitting back in her chair as her temp diminished. It was then her mind went back to the Multi-Spousel Marriage Bill he was working on. Now seemed like a good time, "Hey…there's something I…wanna talk to you about–"
"Oh! That's right! I almost forgot, I need to show you something you're not going to believe what we found out today Fan-Fan!", Sterling interrupted her before opening a PDF document then sliding the phone to her, "Check this out."
Fantina looks at him a moment before looking at the phone, reading what was on the screen. Her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the image of a Harpy girl with flaming red feathers and a brief description of her.
"This…this can't be real. IS this real?!", Fantina expressed in disbelief.
"It is. A Phoenix has appeared in this country…in GEORGIA of all places!"
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WN
Sup Fam! Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. As usual, thanks to my beta reader and Cowriter Sandshrewmaster for making this chapter what it is.
Be sure to check out my DeviantArt page for fan art sent in by my lovely, wonderful followers of the story. Two of which appear to be in some kind lewding war with me in the middle…. probably could've worded that better.
Anyway that's it. Be safe, be good, drink water, hug your parents and I'll see you soon. Peace Fam!
'My Mind', by ProducedbyMelv plays in the background