Daily Life of Monster Girls in Alabama

by GoatManofAnime

It's time for a MonMusu fanfiction that takes place in sweet home Alabama, nuff said.

68. Bonus 10: The Office

Bonus 10: The Office

It was another ordinary morning in Huntsville. The weather was still quite cloudy after a lengthy rainfall all day the previous day, leaving the atmosphere a bit muggier than usual. Ideal conditions for certain liminal species but horrendous for others.

"Haa…haa…haa…"

A panting individual could be seen running down the sidewalk splashing water from tiny puddles on the ground. Any onlookers could easily tell it was a woman, a non-human one at that. She was dressed in typical office women's attire(light orange button up and black skirt), minus the shoes since they didn't fit her large feline paws for feet, matching her hands, so she had to wear specially designed pads for her soles. She has brown cat ears two matching brown cat tails with white tips poking out from her back and erratically swung with each stride and she held a green leather briefcase close to her chest.

The liminal woman could see her target up ahead, a liminal trolley parked on the street with both liminal and human passenger boarding on one end and exiting on the other. The last of the passengers were just boarding and it would leave any second.

"Oh no, oh no nononononono! Don't go!", The cat liminal woman cried, desperately increasing her stride, "I can make it! I can–eh?"

At that moment, a middle age human woman could be seen walking out of a furniture store guiding two men carrying a large china cabinet to a U-Haul truck.

"Ok boys, one more piece, and my dining set is complete."

"You know, lady, we would've delivered to your house anyway. You don't need to supervise us.", One of the workers complained.

"I'm just making sure nothing gets damaged. I paid good money for–"

"PARDON ME!", cried liminal cat, getting their attention as the look her in growing panic at the literal cat lady charging at them. Suddenly, that same cat lady leaps right up over them and performs a mid-air somersault before landing right on her feet, much to the onlookers' amazement and surprise, "So sorry!"

The woman and two men are left stunned watching the cat lady run before one of them loses their grip on the cabinet making one side hit the ground.

"AH! YOU FU–"

As that was happening, the cat lady could see the doors closing as the last passengers boarded the trolley. The cat woman desperately sprints as it starts pulling away from the street corner and merges into traffic.

"No wait! Waaaiiit! AH!", She cries out before tripping over herself, landing flat on her face. In the process, she drops her briefcase causing the contents, her lunch and expenses reports, to spill out on the sidewalk. She weakly picks herself up regaining her bearings, "Ow ow ow, ohhh…my head."

She then sees the trolley getting further and further away leaving her behind.

"No come baaaack. I'm gonna be laaaaate.", She whines sadly reaching out to the vehicle.

"Excuse me ma'am, are you ok?", Ask a female Caucasian human, joined by her friend, walking up to her.

"Ow, y-yes…I'll be fine. Thank you.", The cat lady weakly replies forcing a grin for them while rubbing away the pain on her forehead.

"It looks like you dropped your stuff. Here let me help you.", The human female says before getting on her knees helping the liminal woman pick up all the paperwork and her food.

"Oh, t-thank you.", The cat lady expressed.

"It's no problem. Doesn't matter if we're human or liminal, we all deserve basic kindness. You're a person too no matter the species. There you go. You have a blessed day ma'am.", The human woman says with a smile and a tone that the two-tailed cat lady felt was a little off, almost forced. She then turns to her friend and goes, "You get all that?"

"Got it.", Her friend squealed showing her phone of a recording of the cat lady and her and everything that was said.

"E-Eh? W-What…", the cat lady expressed in shock at being recorded without permission, "E-Excuse–"

"Nice! We can upload this on LiL'SiR's TikTok. We're definitely gonna get so many likes from this one!"

"Excuse me! C-Can you…please delete that?"

"Why? I helped you. Don't you want others to know that? ", The human woman asks, slightly offended.

"I mean… it's just–"

"Trust me, this is good for you people. You guys need as MUCH positive clout as possible more than ever. We're really doing you a favor.", The human woman insisted as her friend gave a slightly annoyed look.

The cat lady grits her teeth and fists in frustration then glares at the human woman before screaming, "FAVOR MY ASS! ALL YOU BOTH CARE ABOUT ARE YOU STUPID SOCIAL MEDIA BULLSHIT! NOW DELETE THAT RIGHT BEFORE I SHARPEN MY CLAWS ON YOUR UGLY FACES!"

That's what she wanted to say.

What she actually said was…

"O-Ok…if you say so…", the cat lady meekly spoke.

"Kay thanks. We knew you'd under–", the human turns around only to be met by a taller, black haired pale Caucasian woman dressed in a black ICEP suit, black lipstick, black side arm, black sunglasses and an overall imposing demeanor. Her arms were folded as she glared at the two.

The cat lady instantly recognized her ICEP coordinator, Agent Hannibal.

"She said 'delete that' now. Otherwise, I'm issuing you both a $750 fine for violating the right of publicity clause in place for all ICEP students.", Agent Hannibal spoke, her words dripping with venom as a menacing aura surrounds her terrifying both girls.

"Y-Y-Y-Yes ma'am!", The human woman frantically spoke before hastily deleting the video then showing the phone to the agent, "S-See? It's gone."

The agent quickly takes the phone from the woman and inspects the video settings and texts while muttering a bit herself. When satisfied she returns it.

"Very well then. You're both free to go…for now.", Agent Hannibal remarks in a menacing tone removing her glasses to reveal wicked red eyes.

Both girls quickly tremble for taking off running away. Agent Hannibal then turn to the cat lady.

"Seriously, Rikka? Can you wait until AFTER I had my coffee to make me earn my pay.", Hannibal sighed while looking at the Nekomata.

"I-I'm sorry! I just…" Rikka apologized, bowing as she looks down in shame.

Agent Hannibal's eyes softened a little before speaking, "Look, I get you aren't great with conflict but you can't let people walk over you just because you're new to this country. What would little Yumi think seeing you fold like that?"

Rikka's eyes widened at her words, "I-I know, Hannibal-san. I'll try to be…be better!"

"Don't try, just do. Now come on, get in, you're running late right?", The female agent says, gesturing with her thumb to her black sedan a few feet behind her.

The realization of her situation immediately returns to the Nekomata hitting her like a truck on the highway as panic overtook her.

"OH NO! That's right!"

"Lessing panicking more moving. Get in, I'll take you this time. Come on!", Agent Hannibal casually remarks before stepping inside and starting the engine.

"Ah! T-Thank you! Arigato go– I mean, thank you!", Rikka corrected, slipping back to her native tongue by mistake.

"No problem, just get in.",

"R-Right!", Rikka spoke, hastily gathering her things then getting inside the agents car.

The female agent puts in her GPS the directions to H.O.D. Dynamics before driving off.

Rikka looks out her passenger window seeing buildings and people in deep thought.

It's been over a month since she and her daughter moved out to this country after joining ICEP's Liminal workforce training program. As with their home country of Japan and several others, the organization in the U.S. currently has three methods for non-human immigrants to obtain citizenship. The most common is becoming a student and being paired with a human host family to learn about that country's culture enough to pass a citizenship test. The second is joining the organization as an 'agent' and obtaining a rank of 'C-Class' or higher to be given a permanent green card. Third method, and arguably the most difficult, involves being issued a temporary citizenship and work visa and working at an established business for at least three years. In that time, they also spend it learning about human culture enough to pass the citizenship exam.

In whichever scenario, marriage to a human is entirely optional. Though, technically, a 'faster' method of obtaining full citizenship, the non-human must still meet at least one of the three criteria in order for the marriage to be considered valid.

Rikka fell through door number three. As, due to the influx of liminal applicants in her country and this one, there were practically no hosts willing to take in herself and her daughter together. Option 2 was an instant pass since she's not really much of a fighter nor did she want to work at a high stress workplace. Due to a job crisis in her home country, working overseas to create a better future for herself and Yumi was her only option.

"So, how have you guys been adjusting since the move?", Agent Hannibal inquires.

"Ah…I um I feel like we're adjusting well. There've been a few…challenges…to put it mildly…but…", Rikka trails a bit.

"But you still feel out of place? Anxious? Fearful? Worried about the judgemental eyes of your human neighbors?", Agent Hannibal says as the two-tailed cat lady gives her surprised look at how easily she read her, "It's understandable for a liminal like you to feel that way. You're a non-human foreigner which makes you a double minority so of course you'd feel out of place and draw unwanted even scorful attention."

Rikka goes silent a moment the says, "To be fair, I had a similar feeling back home. It's the same everywhere huh?"

"Yeah. It's unfortunate but that's just how it is sometimes. That doesn't make it your fault. No matter how much media saturation and exposure this organization uses to make most non-human species seem as appealing as humanly possible, we can't stop all humans from being naturally cautious around what they don't fully understand. We humans are visual creatures after all, it's literally hardwired in our DNA to make judgements based on what we see and act accordingly. Which usually involves throwing something, be it words or rocks.", Agent Hannibal says as the GPS requested for her to take a right.

"I suppose but…maybe if I try to blend in more, I won't be stared at as much?", Rikka utters softly touching the fur on her cat-like hands.

"What? Try to make yourself LOOK more human?", Agent Hannibal says, upset at her suggestion, "You're seriously gonna take those jackasses at I.A.'s advice? Shave your fur, hide your ears and tail, cover up your hands and feet, even CHANGE your name to that basic bitch American sounding one? What was it, uhh, Charlie Beaver?"

"Chelsea Weaver.", Rikka corrects.

"Even worse! Seriously, don't listen to their misguided advice on making your life, and conveniently, their lives easier. If nobody else, YOU should accept yourself, fur and all. I've seen enough liminals go through crazy, sometimes dangerous, changes just to be accepted by us.", Agent Hannibal bitterly remark, taking another left.

"I just want us to have a place here to be accepted so my Yumi can be happy."

"That's all well are good but don't lose sight of who you are. You're Nekomata and so is your daughter. Pretty soon children of different species will attend human schools so it's best if she see's her mother not trying to hide who she is that just sending the wrong kind message to her. Sorry if that's intrusive, I'm not trying to tell you how to parent, just my two cents."

"No…you're right. I'd be an awful mother if my own daughter grew up hating herself.", Rikka spoke shamefully.

"Well, remember that you got people like me to help bring you back to your senses and watch out for her. Speaking of, is her sitter for the day with little Yumi?"

"Oh, yes. Agent Quinn arrived to look after her before I left for work."

"That's good to know. While we're on that, it looks like we'll be at your office by 9:05am.", The agent says looking at her GPS.

"Oh noooo! I'm going to be five minutes late?! This is only my second week! I'm gonna get scolded!", Rikka bemoaned, covering her face in her furry hands.

"Calm down, it's only five minutes. We Americans are a bit more lenient with schedules than the Japanese. Besides, I'm more curious as to how you like to work for an engineering firm as an accountant?"

"I-Its fine…I just feel…awkward most of the time. I don't have much to talk about with anyone and some try to avoid interacting with me. Others…don't really like me at all.", Rikka sadly spoke gazing downwards thinking of the human coworkers in her department that look at her with disdain or talk about her behind her back.

"Yeah, figures. I heard from a superior that that firm recently started hiring liminal workers. Apparently over a third of their employees quit after learning they'd be working with liminals which, just meant more seats opened up for people like you. A mixed blessing honestly but at least the real vocal haters are gone and now you're really earning a living."

"I guess so…", Rikka half-heartedly replies.

"Hey, come on now, don't let the quiet haters try and keep you down. You have as much right to be there as they do. Plus, they can't all be assholes, right? There's gotta be at least one person who seems decent."

Rikka went quiet for a moment thinking to herself remembering something that happened just a few days ago.

…Flashback…

Rikka looks over a large trash can horrified to see her carefully prepared rice, fish, and eel lunch from home now with its contents spilled out. It was her only lunch for the day since she didn't have an employee meal card yet.

"Oops, I guess I mistook that cat food for garbage.", A human male remarks sitting with another male and two females as they chuckle seeing her reaction, "Sorry about that."

Rikka clenches her fists, baring her teeth before facing them.

"YOU DIDN'T MISTAKE SHIT! YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE YOU WIDE EYED PETTY DEGENERATE! HOW DARE YOOUU?!"

Is what she wanted to say but what she actually said was "I…understand. I-It's fine…"

In the far back, she noticed a few other liminals, a werefox and two dark elves, watching not wanting to get involved but pitying the woman. One of the dark elves shakes her head muttering the word 'pathetic'. Rikka also hear one of the humans betting one of his coworkers that 'she'll still eat it.'

Rikka turns away clenching her eyes on the verge of tears.

"Here."

Rikka opens her eyes upon hearing a voice and sees a hand extended towards her with two round burgers wrapped in metallic foil stacked atop each other. She then looks up to see a darker skinned human male with an expression as she couldn't place. It wasn't disgust, pity, or even apathy, it was something…unique yet genuine.

"They're chicken sandwiches from up there, servers just put them out. It's not much but better than nothing all day, right?", The dark skinned human spoke nonchalantly, giving her a small, comforting grin.

Rikka eyes widen at the gesture before graciously accepting the food and bowing slightly, "Ariga–I mean thank you so much."

"It's just a couple sandwiches. You're welcome though. See ya.", The young man spoke before leaving. He ignores the comments and glares of his fellow employees along with the curious stares of the other liminals as he goes about his business.

Rikka watches him curiously before hearing the others muttering. The humans, of course, spoke with clear disdain for the young man.

"Seriously, hasn't he done enough after working with those demon's.", One of them utters.

"Hey was that him? That guy from the incident last month?", Rikka heard one of the dark elves whisper to her friend.

"Yeah, um Caleb Barbell, I think that's it."

"I thought his name was Caleb buzzllee?", Her friend pondered as the two continued their chat.

Upon hearing their mixed feelings towards that human, Rikka herself couldn't help becoming curious about him.

…Flashback end…

"Well, there is…one person there who seems nice. I believe he works in a different department though."

"Hey, there ya go! It's a start at least. Maybe sometime you can introduce me to your little boyfriend.", Agent Hannibal teases.

"Wha–?! H-HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND! I'VE BARELY MET HIM! I doubt he even knows my name!"

"Hahaha! Easy there Rikka, I'm just playing. I know you're not that type of girl. At least not as quick to rush into things like many of these liminals girls and guys are. Maybe already having a kid makes you more…cautious huh?"

"I…I suppose…", Rikka utters in thought before they start drifting to that young man.

He is, so far, the only person to show her any genuine kindness and respect towards her that didn't feel forced or fake; even among the other liminals working there. A part of her actually wanted to go find him and ask if maybe he would be willing to take her and Yumi in as his students. However, the part of her with some sense knew that it was incredibly stupid and irresponsible to ask someone she barely knows to let herself and Yumi live with him.

From what she heard, most hosts don't like taking in liminal children and even more so liminal parents with children unless their elf, angel or another species that people naturally adore. With how ICEP'S rules are set, they aren't really made to work with children resulting in many issues most hosts aren't willing to or prepared to deal with because of the consequences of accidentally causing further harm.

Even then, the minimum age to become an ICEP student is eighteen. Though, liminals with substantially long lifespans and slower mental development were a different case entirely.

"Annnd here we are! We made it. Let me just park and you can get on your way.", Agent Hannibal says, before pulling up to a large building then parking at the visitor's section seeing the security check-in doorways.

"Ah! Oh, good!", Rikka expressed.

"Hm, looks like they'll only let those with employee badges through. Good you managed to get yourself a job at a place this secure"

"R-Right! Thank you so much, Agent Hannibal! I promise I will repay you for this. I promise."

"It's fine, don't worry about that. You just hurry up go clock in before they give you points for tardiness."

"Ah! You're right! S-See you later then!", Rikka frantically rushes to the door, scans her badge, then flung open the door rushing inside, greeting the security guard.

Agent Hannibal shakes her head in amusement, "Jesus help that woman, she is gonna need it. Oh well, she's doing better than some liminal workers we have."

The agent starts pulling out of the lot before putting on the brakes as another car suddenly pulls up from behind and takes a sharp left parking a few spots away from her.

"The hell's his problem? Is everybody running late today or something?", The agent remarks before backing out of the parking area onto the main street.

The man takes out phone and dials a number, prompting someone to answer.

"I'm outside. Yeah. I'll be ready when desk security goes out to lunch by one.", The man spoke on the phone as he took out a large combat knife.

…Meanwhile…

Caleb's team could be seen in their usual office going over project details and working on reports. Caleb sat in his usual spot working on his design report through his company laptop while Rodney gave his usual briefing/pep talk. The were joined by two of their newer team members, Zeke and Jack, both coming from the Boeing firm.

"So, yeah, the folks over in SAP are reporting complaints with the housing units having small indentations on the outer surface. We wanna try and address that soon."

"Could be an issue in the shop. Maybe one of those clumsy oafs is bumping something against it.", Rachel suggests.

"Maybe not. If they're following K.D.N.E. protocol it's likely to have something to do with the quality inspectors. We should reach out and make sure they're flagging the right parts BEFORE they get the assembly team.", Clay joins in the discussion.

"I'm going to speak with the quality specialist in charge at the B.o.C.A cell later today. I'll ask him for the documentation later.", Raj offers.

"Excellent. You do that and we can move to the rotor blades for X-520 model. Caleb?", Rodney says getting his attention.

"Yeah?", Caleb responded.

"The QM made test models for those blades you suggested…and they're performing very well. They're saying the material not only helps reduce the total energy loss by twenty percent but also the geometry lessens vibrations produced during testing. Good work, we got a winner."

"Great. I can now sleep peacefully at night.", Caleb facetiously replies, accepting with a plain small grin then returns to finish his monthly report. He was at work and didn't want to be disturbed.

"Yeah and that's not all. Apparently they've recieved at least a three weeks of QPA trial simulations and reports on your end that'll really be helpful in the final product stage."

"Wait, seriously?! How did you manage to get so many done so quickly? Do you even sleep?!", Rachel stated, flabbergasted as Raj and the others give him curious looks.

"What? Of course I sleep, I just…find time to get things done.", Caleb half-lied, not wanting to freak out his coworkers on his Nightmare ability to go long periods without much test.

'Though I have to admit, this ability does have it's benefits. Getting a few weeks of research AND QME reports done in four nights definitely frees my schedule. More time with the girls and I can keep cashing the weekly checks just by putting in time here and with Rodney visits. The perfect LEGAL crime.', Caleb thought to himself with a proud, devious smirk.

Sidenote: Our protagonist ladies and gentlemen.

"If you say so man, just don't push yourself too hard. Still, you managed to save this quite of time in the short run. Great work", Rodney acknowledged patting Caleb's shoulder.

"Thanks."

"Ah ah ah, do not forget. It was MY expertise and charisma that allowed our blade designs to be considered in the first place. You can thank me for getting you in the door too Caleb.", Raj reminds everyone in a conceited tone.

'No the hell I won't.', Caleb thought plainly, ignoring his coworker while still typing.

"Yeah, we know Raj. Don't need to lord it over us normies.", Rachel remarks rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Hey, isn't the new QM lead one of those um…whaddya call'em? Triclopes? Those are the monoeyes with three eyes right?", Clay inquired.

"Ok, first off, SO MANY contradictions in one sentence. Second, yeah she's Triclopes and, apparently, really good at quality management.", Rodney answers.

"Well damn, no wonder you had an easy time, Raj. Isn't one of your gods like a three-eyed woman?", Rachel remarks with a sly grin.

"What the fu-what does Mahakali have to do with–?!"

"Wowww, Raj trying to nab himself a real life goddess. Hey, maybe she's got an OnlyFans you can follow.", Clay joins in.

"That woman is not even remotely Hindu! What the fuck? What kind sacrilege is this? Also, fuck you, Clay.", Raj went off as Rachel and the others laughed at his reaction. All the while Caleb simply carried on while a bit amused by his coworkers antics.

"Yeah. For real though, it's good to see way more diversity in this place. Even if some of us aren't happy about our non-human coworkers.", Clay says.

"I know, but I for one welcome the new faces around here. What does species have to do with anything?", Rodney replies, "If they wanna work here and be miserable like the rest of us, who are we to deny them that?"

"Preach!", Rachel chimed with a little clap.

"Seriously though, when are we humans gonna wake the fuck up? We're not alone on this planet anymore. Why are we trying to go BACK to that instead of exploring what other races have to offer?", Rodney voiced in irritation.

"Yeah! I mean, MAGIC is straight up real now. I saw online that the Chinese and Germans are already developing technologies and devices that can utilizes mana as a new enegy source. Machinery, appliances, vehicles, even weapons are currently in development as we speak.", Zeke, one of the new guys voiced, clearly excited by the idea.

Caleb also couldn't help getting intrigued by the possibility of having a brand new power source.

"That's amazing, and all, but if us humans decide to human, how long would it be before we go overboard with this new power source? Hell, look what happened to the planet when we discovered what oil can do.", Clay points out.

"True. It IS in our nature to fuck up nature.", Rodney says in a matter-of-fact tone, "Why are we like this?"

"I don't know, it's encoded in our DNA like British people and loving tea or losing the Olympics every year.", Rachel chimes.

"Well, bottomline, I'm open to accept our non-human coworkers and liminals in general. I've lived with Aki for over six months now and I speak from experience when I say they're really not that different from us."

"Aki? You mean your Lamia homestay? I thought her name was 'Sally'.", Clay inquires.

"Ah, yeah, she told me that's just the name a coordinator SUGGESTED her to use while she's here. Something less alien sounding so she'd have it "easier", apparently." Rodney emphasized with air quotes on his fingers.

"Ugh, I went through that same thing when I first came to this country. So fucking annoying. They wanted me to go by 'Paul'. PAUL!", Raj spoke with clear disdain.

"Yeah, it's messed up. I was honestly surprised when she first told me. I guess that's how you know a liminal person trusts you. Isn't that right, Caleb?"

Caleb was surprised to be suddenly brought into the conversation, "Huh? Uh…yeah, I guess. When you get down to it they're exactly like us with fears, feelings, likes, dislikes and everything else."

"You would ask the ONLY other person here who's an ICEP host.", Rachel teased.

"Wait, he's an ICEP host too?!", Zeke, one of the new guys, expressed in surprise looking to him.

"Yep! And he's got, not one, but THREE liminals women living with him as homestays. One of which is a devil, a hot one at that.", Clay emphasized raising three fingers, much to the new guy's surprise. Caleb shoots him a glare at that last part.

"Well, six if you count the three fox girls that live next to him.", Rodney added.

"Wait, for real?!", Zeke stated.

"Hahh, first off, those three are WEASELS not foxes and they aren't my homestays. Second, what's the big deal? I've seen people on Instagram all over this country with five homestays living with them.", Caleb says, becoming annoyed by their prying.

"Yeah, but hardly any have a literal Mexican devil living with them too!", Rachel remarks then looks to the new guys, "You guys heard what this guy did right?"

"Oh my fucking god…here we go…", Caleb bemoans pinching between his eyes in exasperation at his business being put out for everyone to see.

"No. What he do?", Jack inquires curiously looking to Caleb.

"Remember an incident at a hotel on the 4th of July, with these gang member liminal traffickers and a group of Devils with some human man protecting them?", Rachel explains.

'It's debatable who was "Protecting" whom honestly.', Caleb bitterly thought.

"Wait! That was you!? No way!", Zeke stated.

"Yes yes! It was me! It happened! It's over! It's DONE! I don't wanna talk about it anymore.", Caleb stated, trying to contain his agitation. He was very much tired of being forced by other people to relive that night. Not like THEY have to live with the memories.

Rodney gives him an understanding look then says to the others,"Alright guys, that's enough. You know that's a touchy subject for him so let the man be."

Rachel and the others look at each other feeling a bit guilty now.

"Ok, fair enough. Besides, we still have to finish this work right here before you and Raj go to that proposal meeting with the director of Boeing this Thursday.", Clay says, changing the subject much to Caleb's slight relief.

"I am ready. I have my game face prepared, my cashmere vest steamed, and plenty of ice breaker jokes to put her at ease.", Raj says in a suave tone.

"Yeesh, are you trying to make her a customer or your mistress? What the hell?", Clay remarks, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

"Old spice wearing, dollar store chocolate buying ass.", Rachel joins in.

"It's not my fault Stewart always chooses me for these meetings. I just have that charm that clients admire. Do not hate the player, hate the game as they say.", Raj replies, his heavy Indian accent giving the phrase a certain flare.

"You don't have game. You're barely even a player, more like a spectator. In fact, it was presumptuous of me to assume you could make a mistress out of her. Besides, I hear this lady's tough to get through. Like a living iron maiden or something.", Rachel emphasized.

"Well then, children, get ready to behold my powers of negotiation and persuasion!", Raj confidently spoke.

"Certainly not going to behold any bitches anytime soon.", Clay points out earning incredulous looks from Raj and the others.

'Dayum!', Caleb, Rodney and the new guys collectively thought.

"Fuck you.", Raj plainly remarks with a scowl, inciting a laughter out of Clay and the others.

Caleb smirks with a light chuckle, shaking his head as they carry on and he finishes his work in the midst of their shenanigans.

…Meanwhile…

Rikka exits the elevator and walks into the section of the office on the third floor.

It was a typical large office setting with desk areas for individual workers. A mix of humans and liminals, the former making a majority, could be seen going about their work day.

She makes her way over to her desk getting the attention of a few that noticed her. Right when she was about to take a seat, a voice spoke up behind her.

"You're late."

Rikka tenses up, her tails stiffening up, before turning to see a human woman with her arms folded and a serious expression. Her supervisor, "M-Mrs. Williams. G-Good morning."

"Was. It was a good morning. Mind telling me why you're fifteen minutes late on you second day?", She says arms folded, eying the Nekomata coldly.

"I-I um…I missed the-"

"You know what? I don't really care. I just don't want it to happen again or I will be very unhappy and you'll be even more unhappy. Come to work ON TIME just like the others, understood?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am. It won't happen again.", Rikka spoke, shamefully casting her gaze downwards as her cat ears fold down.

lightly scoffs at her pitiful act, glancing her up and down, "And what did we say about those tails of yours?"

"Yes ma'am.", Rikka complies, wrapping her two tails snuggly around her waist like a furry belt keeping them out of the way.

"Good. Now, get to work, I need that expense report before two.", Mrs. Williams says before turning her back on the Nekomata.

"Yes ma'am.", Rikka lightly bows before taking a seat, then turning on her laptop and desktop set.

"Still can't believe they replaced Larry with that…thing.", One of Rikka's female coworkers spoke in discontent.

"To be fair, Chloe, he did quit rather…abruptly.", A male coworker remarks, seated at his desk with a headset on, "I see nothing wrong with giving the cat lady a chance."

"Are you serious? You're fine with animals working like people or us working for them?!", the female coworker berated while keeping her voice down.

"If that's how you feel, why didn't you leave with Larry and the others?", Another female coworker asks.

"You're crazy. I still need this job. I just bought a house over in Hillcrest."

"Then try and deal with it. Either way she and the others like her, are still gonna be here regardless of our opinion? What's the problem?"

"Problem is it just makes me sick being on the same level as them. The thought of animals owning houses, policing our city, marrying OUR men… ", the female human spat looking at Rikka and the other liminals working and minding their own business, "I know I'm not the only one."

"Sounds like a personal problem, therefore, not my problem. Besides, the Elf women…are definitely my favorite. If you'll excuse me ladies, I have a call.", The male coworker says, prompting incredulous looks from both women, as he puts on his headphones.

"Personally, I was hoping we got at least one Angel. Preferably a guy. Oh well.", the other female remarks with a shrug before walking off.

'Yeah, an Angel would've been MUCH better than that..thing', Chloe thought bitterly, glaring at the nekomata woman. She then notices her phone vibrating. She takes it out seeing the number then goes to answer in private, "Hey. Yeah…she's here. Ok, until then."

…Later that day…

Caleb and the rest of his team managed to finish and send in their individual reports to management. Though it was time for lunch, they were also on a deadline and some of them were eating as they worked, Caleb included.

Fortunately for him, he was just about finished for today, unfortunately, depending on how one views it, everyone else in his team is a multi-tasker.

"For real though, I'm open. I am very open to exploring all the hot liminal guys out here.", Rachel says with a sassy smirk, while working on a PowerPoint of flow lines and eating a tuna sandwich.

"Aw hell. I knew that was coming. You can't go ONE day without drooling over some liminal guy's Instagram.", Clay chided while running a fatigue test through Solidworks and enjoying some meatballs he brought from home.

"You can't say shit to me! I saw you helping out the blonde Elf girl over in HR, you basic bitch.", Rachel accused as he tenses up.

"Uh ohh, boys, Clay's plottin' again.", Rodney joked, giving the man a knowing smirk then shows his laptop to Caleb, "Cal, can you send me the A.O.C. measurements for the regulation sensors?"

"Static or Dynamic check? Or both?", Caleb replies, opening up his Google drive.

"Both please."

"Look, she just dropped some papers she was carrying! I was just being an upstanding gentleman of human society.", Clay attested as Caleb and Rodney give him doubtful glares.

"Yeah, a hot elf with nice boobs in front of you, SOMETHING about you gonna be UP standing.", Rachel remarks, taking a bit of her sandwich as the two new guys and Raj erupt with mixed laughter and surprise.

"Shaddup! You're just mad cuz a gentleman like me is hard to come by! Besides, somebody has to give these liminal women the respect they deserve.", Clay spoke proudly as Caleb rolls his eyes.

"Simp!", Rachel stated, pointing at him.

"Simmmp! You one those guys on Twitter that retweets elf cosplays. Shut the fuck up, Clay!", Rodney stated with a chuckle.

"Hey! It's a better contribution than ogling Kobold men and Cat boys!"

"I APPRECIATE them. They're confident and dignified and, like a lot of hosts say, living with them is a wonderful experience because they know how to treat a girl. Unlike SOME men folk.", Rachel affirms, gesturing between all the men in the room, including Caleb.

"The hell did I do?", Caleb utters, slightly offended.

"I see you're taking your breakup with Chad pretty well.", Raj cheekily pointed out, "What has it been, 4 months now?"

"5 months two weeks 7 days, thank you, and that has nothing to do with anything sooo fuck you." , Rachel remarks with her middle finger up at him as the Indian man shrugs.

"He was a piece of shit anyway. You can do better. Maybe become a host to one the Kobold-type liminals.", Rodney suggested.

"Ha! You know, my mom told me last week if I wanted unconditional love, I should just get a dog. So you know what? I think I will."

Rodney and the others burst out in surprise and hearty chuckles at her statement.

"You trying to get that dog in you?!", Zeke chuckled.

"I BEEN had that dog in me. Now I'm trying to see what the dog doin'.", Rachel slyly remarks as the others burst out laughing again.

"Hehehe…goddamn…", Caleb lowly chuckles with a grin while working in an excel file.

"Oh, yeah! That reminds me.", Rodney spoke before quickly going inside his backpack then pulling out a manila folder labeled 'BOM approval', "I need someone to take these to the financial auditor. Need their signatures before the end of the day so we can move forward on the proposal."

"Why not do an electronic signature?", Clay asked.

"Yeahhh, they kinda changed it for security purposes. Need an original signature now."

"Lame!", Rachel remarks, giving a thumbs down.

"Anyway, I can't go because I'm expecting a call from the A.M.E. leads soon so…I need a volunteer. Any takers?"

"I volunteer…Caleb.", Raj says raising his hand, only to then gesture to Caleb, "Caleb, please get the signature."

"Wha–?", Caleb utters before the others chime in.

"I second that."

"Appreciate you.", Rachel says with a toothy grin.

"Alrighty, Caleb, that ok with you?"

Caleb gives him an incredulous look before noticing the others' attention on him. He sighs, knowing it's pointless to argue, "Fine, give it here."

"Appreciate you man.", Rodney replies with a grin as Caleb takes the folder and heads for the exit.

"You got it Cal.", Raj remarks sarcastically.

"Eat a dick, Raj.", Caleb retorts, flipping his middle finger as he leaves.

"Ha! You just made his shit list.", Clay taunts as Raj gives an incredulous look.

"Hey don't get too cocky. You're on mine.", Rachel says with a devious smirk to Clay's surprise.

"Mine too.", Rodney raises his hand in agreement.

"Oooh, a coalition.", Raj spoke, twiddling his fingers like a cartoon villain.

"What the f–?"

…Elsewhere…

"What is this?", Ms. Williams says, standing over Rikka holding a sheet of paper in front of her.

"I-It's the bill of materials list, m-ma'am.", Rikka nervously, responds seeing her supervisor bearing down like an adult scolding a child.

"Wrong! This is a bill of bullshit. Some of these values are in the wrong sections and the ones you DO have in the right sections don't properly add up! Since when is an ounce of raw aluminum three times it's price the price to process it? We'd end up paying way more than necessary! What is wrong with you?!", She berates the nekomata, getting the attention of the coworkers.

"What's wrong? What wrong?! HOW ABOUT A HUMAN BITCH WITH A SINGLE IOTA OF TENUOUS POWER WHO CHOOSES TO GO AFTER THE NEW TO COPE WITH HER INSECURITY! YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TYPE ON TINY KEYS WITH THESE HANDS?! GET ME A LARGE PRINT KEYBOARD SO I CAN ACTUALLY DO MY JOB!"

Is what Rikka wanted to say but what actually said was…

"I-I'm sorry! I'll do it over!", Rikka expressed her voice shaky.

"I know you will because that's what you're paid for, right? So hurry up, that has to be sent to the process engineer before noon. Understand?", Ms. Williams sternly spoke.

"Y-Yes, ma'am!"

With a frustrated sigh, the human woman turns and leaves as Rikka clenches her fist hand while taking a deep breath. Some of the other coworkers felt sorry for the liminal woman while others appeared satisfied at seeing one of the animals put in their place.

"Girl, that just couldn't be me. That woman would have to see me if she EVER talked to me like that.", A female dark elf said from further away to her friend.

"Me neither. That cat is such a pushover. Letting these humans walk all over her. It's pathetic.", The other dark elf agrees as a few other liminal workers give concerned looks but didn't want to get involved in another's problems, "I'm giving her about one more week."

"Shit, I give her three days.", Her friend chimes.

All the while, Rikka could hear them feeling aching in her chest but refusing to let it show. She knew she had to endure this if she wanted to build a future for herself and Yumi.

"Haa, ok, let's do this.", She told herself before starting to type which was a little difficult even with the specialized keyboard for liminals with larger than average digits.

'Why does excel have to be so difficult?', she thought in slight frustration.

Behind her, the human woman from earlier could be seen glaring daggers at the Nekomata walking out the office.

…. meanwhile…

'Why do y'all have to be so difficult?', Caleb thought to himself standing at the HR woman's desk.

"I'm sorry sir but I'm having trouble understanding you.", The dark skinned human woman says in a neutral tone.

"I said, I need to speak with the financial auditor. I don't really know where they are, or anyone here, since I don't visit this floor in the building often."

"Well sir, I can't really help you if you can't give me a specific person to search for.", The woman affirms, not liking his tone.

"How can I give you a name? I just said…*inhales then exhale*,Ok, please, I just need whoever typically does it."

The HR woman side eyes Caleb before typing into her computer, "Hmm…it looks like the one who usually does that is Larry Burgess."

"Ok, good. I'll just take it to–"

"But it looks like he was terminated last week. Actually, he might have been in the group that left after we hired the liminals here."

Caleb pinches between his eyes with an annoyed sigh and lowly murmurs, "Of course his ass did. Ok! Do you know if anyone has replaced him or if there's a temporary appointee or something."

"Hang on…hmm…no I'm not getting anything in the system."

"Excuse me?"

"We got so many new liminal workers, all sponsored by ICEP, that it take time for them to show up in the directory. They still need to update the system so right now, I can't see who does what at the moment. Sorry."

"Haaa, of course…", Caleb grumbles lowly.

"Why not ask around to some of the department supervisors? I'm sure one of them knows something."

Caleb, inhales, wanting to vent but chooses to remain professional, "Ok, thank you."

"You're welcome, sir."

'I thanked her. Why did I thank her? She was no help at all.', Caleb bitterly thought, walking away as another human woman passed him. He noticed her sullen expression as she does and thought, 'Hm, looks like she got a lot on her mind.'

The woman goes to the elevator and looks at her phone. It was already past twelve, the security at the front door should be going to lunch by now.

…Outside…

Perched above another building just across the street from Caleb's firm, Ein was busily surveying the outside for any suspicious activity.

Despite her credentials allowing her to enter most secure facilities without much warrant, there were certain businesses like this one that reserved special security measures to prevent classified information from leaking to competitors. As such, it was required for an adjunct agent like Ein to be escorted into the building by their personnel, drawing more attention than she's comfortable with.

Much to her chagrin, and making her job more difficult, she was relegated to sentry duty. Nevertheless, she'll perform it adamantly. Plus, between Caleb's building being decently secure and his supernatural powers inherited from Ms. Marequine, he would be in any immediate danger. That being said…

Ein's focus was drawn back to a car and its driver whom she's been keeping tabs on since he parked there. He's been sitting in his car for over an hour now. Unfortunately, from this angle, she can't get a good view inside the vehicle.

Suddenly, she sees a human woman exit the building and go up to the car.

"Hm? Who's that? A coworker?", Ein theorized.

She then sees the human male step out of the vehicle, exchange a few words with the woman, then follow her to the entrance where she uses her employee ID to let them inside.

'That's it? He was just waiting for his friend to let him inside? If he lost his badge, why not call ahead for security to let him in? And why wait over an hour just to have a coworker let you in?', Ein thought to herself, finding the circumstances not adding up as she felt her fur standing on end, 'I don't like this. My danger senses are telling me something's not right. Should I call human law enforcement? No, all I have is speculation and no evidence. I'll try calling Mr. Bizzell first.'

Ein takes out her phone and dials his number. It rings a couple times before he picks, "Hello? Mr. Bizzell? Yes, well, I just wanted to make sure you were ok. Oh good, that's good to hear. Well, I'm about 60 meters away observing your building and I noticed a suspicious indivi–hello? Hello? Mr. Bizzell?! Dammit, we lost signal!"

…

Inside, Caleb could be seen on his phone.

"Hello? Ein? Damn, bad signal in this area of the building. I heard her say something about a…something suspicious? I didn't get that last part.", Caleb murmured to himself then notices a couple people looking at him crazy before straightening himself up and moving along with the documents in hand.

…

"Come on, pick up. Arghh! It's not working! Damn you, Straight talk! What should I do?", Ein expressed putting her phone away, becoming worried.

She then sees a yellow van parked across the street marked 'Stanley Steemers carpet cleaners' and notices a tall Minotaur woman in a yellow jumpsuit with the company logo approaching the back of the van.

"Damn, I knew this size was too small. So tight.", The minotaur woman spoke cupping her mountainous breasts that proved too much for the fabric. She then pulls out a larger jumpsuit among several others, "Good thing I brought extras."

Ein watches as the Minotaur walks off to go change then resume working, conveniently leaving the door partly open to avoid getting locked out. A lightbulb goes off in the weasel girl's head as she smacks her fist to her palm with a determined smile.

'I can't let this opportunity slip. Caleb's life might be at risk.' , Ein thought, leaping into the air toward the van.

…. Elsewhere…

"Haaa, that's enough for now.", Rikka sighed, pushing her chair away from her desk, deciding to finish editing the bill of materials list after her break. She didn't bring her own lunch today fearing another incident like before.

She opted to go to the building cafeteria, hoping the sushi there was at least half decent.

"Larry?!", A male coworker exclaims, catching her's and some other coworkers' attention.

Rikka turns to see a scruffy-looking human male in baggy jeans, a black hoodie, and messy brown hair, easily standing out among the other workers.

"Well, I see you've all adapted fast. Barely even two weeks and they almost seem human. Almost.", Larry coldly spoke looking around the room then focusing his gaze on Rikka causing her to tense up.

"Larry, what are you doing here? I thought you quit.", A female coworker asks.

"I did quit, Melissa, but I just wanted to come back and just check out this zoo we got here now.", He says, gesturing around at the mixture of liminals and humans around him in disgust. He then sets his sights on Rikka, "I guess you're what they got to replace me."

Rikka tenses even more, feeling a lump in her throat, sensing the hostility in his gaze. She then weakly said, "I-I…just…accepted the…j-job."

"Oh is that right? I bet it's reallll nice to just have a human job just HANDED to something like you."

At this point, Rikka was visibly trembling as the other coworkers, especially the other liminals in the room could sense his malicious intent.

"Get security here, hurry.", Melissa whispers to a male intern, who nods understandingly quickly getting up.

"If YOU don't sit your ass back down!", Larry stated, pulling a glock out from behind his pants much to Rikka and everyone else's shock. He then points it right at the intern who puts his hands up trembling, "Get down on the floor! All of you, down NOW!"

The young man and the other employees do as instructed, all getting low to the floor. Larry turns his attention back to the Nekomata seeing the fear in her eyes, to his satisfaction.

"O-Oh God…", came the shocked voice of Mrs. Williams returned to the office upon hearing the commotion.

"Hey there, Sherly. Good of you to join us.", Larry spoke with an arrogant smirk.

"What do you want, Larry?!", A male worker stated.

"I just wanted to meet my replacement give Mr. Stewart a piece of my mind. Why don't you go get him, Sherly. Now."

"A-Alright…", she nervously responds, giving a slightly worried look to the Nekomata.

"You! Get up. I SAID GET THE FUCK UP!", Larry demands before snatching the Nekomata woman by the top of her hair, eliciting a frightened and pained shriek out of her, "What's your name?"

"R-R-R-Rik–"

"YOU'RE NAME IS 'CAT'! We humans own your kind. YOU'RE PROPERTY!", He shouted, waving his pistol at the terrified cat woman, "Get over here!"

"AGHH!", Rikka cries out as she dragging by the hair. Larry taking even more satisfaction from hearing her cries.

…Meanwhile…

Caleb be seen walking along trying to find anyone to lead him to the financial auditor but every person he asked, be it human or Liminal, appeared to not know what he was talking about and didn't know who it was.

"Goddamn, is too much to ask for coworkers who don't got their head up their ass?", Caleb lowly murmurs to himself before spotting a pair of female Dark Elves walking by holding bags and food containers. He then shrugs, "Well, at first you don't succeed…"

"Va' var pi'nik fae sen hïn feer nesh lor nae jil kä buuk ni himé(You think they'll scold us for going to lunch 20 minutes early?)", One of them said to her friend in Dark elven language.

"De'me seké? Ooká pl'kikma lor nae móhi ita, col n'e fae sencan uskeche maskan feer Arta Tel' hun kä. Salen coordinator tel'queta arta uhi'cala. Ukuluka ke'makta te lä(Who cares? Just play dumb to it, not like they can fire us on the spot. My coordinator got me on contract. Flexible hours and all.)", Her friend responds.

"Ineká? Kashi, ena lich husecä wil che'na ICEP uk'kel ni'va een–(Really? Damn, I knew should've applied as a ICEP contractor and not as a–)"

"Hi, excuse me?", Caleb says getting their attention.

"What?" One the two asked, clearly annoyed by having their conversation interrupted.

"Sorry, I'm trying to find the financial auditor. I kinda need them to sign off on a few things. You know where they are?"

"No, don't think I know anyone like that.", Her friend says, to Caleb's dismay, before looking to him curiously, "Hey, are…aren't you that guy from the hotel incident with the Devils? Caleb Billsale?"

"It pronounced 'Bizzell' and, unfortunately, yes that's me.", Caleb utters through clenched teeth, barely containing his irritation on both fronts. The other dark elf annoyed expression immediately shifts to intrigue, "Well, thanks anyway."

"Hey, wait!", One of dark elf women stops him, "Sure, we don't know who it is you're looking for but our boss probably does, Mr. Stewart."

"Yeah, he's my boss too. Sometimes he comes down to my department."

"Oh, looks like we have something in common then. I'm Kamël.", The dark elf woman says with a small grin, her cheeks becoming rosy.

"I'm Ródy.", Her friend chimes in before offering her hand to him, "We can take you to his office. I'm sure he's not even busy."

"Thank you, but you can just point it out and I'll handle the rest. Don't wanna interrupt y'all lunch."

"Nonsense, our break isn't for another ten minutes. We just left a little bit early. You're welcome to join us.", Kamël remarks, swaying closer to him with a hungry gaze as she takes in his oddly alluring scent.

"Thanks but I kinda need to get this back to my team asap.", Caleb politely declines before feeling a hand against his back and sees her friend Ródy behind him.

"Aw come on, surely you can spare some time. I have an extra drink if you're thirsty.", She emphasized gently pressing her soft D-cups to his arm, sighing softly, her eyes becoming glazed with lust.

Caleb gulp then notices her friend closing in as well, threatening to box him in. He stills his nerves and audibly clears his throat.

"Again, thank you both for the offer.", He says while side stepping out of their pincer maneuver, to their confusion, "I'm kinda busy right now but MAYBE another time and place."

"O-Oh, Ok.", Ródy says in slight disappointment that he had to go as Kamël folds her arms, eyebrow raised with a satisfied smirk watching the human male leave.

'Hoooly fuck! First the gym, now here? What is happening to me?', Caleb thought to himself, walking a bit awkwardly to hide his half-arousal below.

"So that's him huh? He's definitely a strange one, that's for sure.", Ródy says, tilting her head curiously.

"Yeah and did you notice how good he smelled? Not to mention, I'm really in the mood now. He seriously just got me hot and then leaves? Fuckin' tease.", Kamël remarks, a bit annoyed.

"Well, he did say 'another time and place'. I'm gonna hold him to that, what about you?", Ródy says in a hungry tone.

"Yep, I'm not letting a specimen like that slip away again.", Kamël remarks, licking her lips, "Alright, let's go eat. May as well fill myself on actual food."

"Wanna eat at our desk?", Ródy suggested.

"Nah. Let's go to the break area. The office is boring enough as is."

"Yeah, guess that's true. Nothing interesting or exciting really happens in these human businesses anyway.", Ródy remarks, following her friend away from their office.

…Meanwhile…

"And…what did you say your name was again, ma'am?", Asked a pale skinned insectoid liminal male dressed security guard. He also had silver hair covering his eyes with slender antennae on top and three-digit carapace on all four arms. A Silverfish. He just returned from lunch, which consisted of pages of an old English textbook.

Standing before him was a tall liminal woman, Ein, in a yellow jumpsuit that hugged her body shape accentuating her curves, large breasts, and hips. To her dismay, this was the only jumpsuit that wasn't too baggy for her. Luckily she didn't need to make a hole for her tail and also wore a black face mask.

In her hands, she held a basket of carpet cleaning supplies and a large, chrome colored carpet vacuum from the van. She left a note on the van promising to return everything soon.

"Eva Lin, sir. I'm with um…Stanley Steemers and I'm here to clean the carpets.", Ein, in disguise, says while deepening her voice and gesturing to a logo on her left breast.

"Which carpet? What floor?", The Silverfish asks skeptically.

Ein ponders for a second then answers, "All of them, sir."

"Ok. It's just you though?"

"The…others will be here a bit late. One of our team members um…Scott…he had to go to hospital because his…big toe was ran over by some guy in a...Bugatti.", Ein lied, badly, noticing a framed picture of a Bugatti to her right.

"Damn! They hit his big toe?", The Silverfish expressed, cringing at the thought.

"Yes, I shattered every bone in it. Don't worry, they're launching an investigation. Luckily he saw the license plate and I'm sure the driver will face a lawsuit. Anyway, while Scott's recovering I'd like to complete his portion of the job in his stead."

The Silverfish looks at her for a moment then replies while handing her a tablet, "Alright, sign in here."

Ein almost typed her actual name on impulse, before stopping herself and uses the FAKE name instead.

"Alright, Ms. Lin. Good luck and tell Scott I'm so sorry."

"Thank you, sir.", Ein slightly bows before walking past him.

'Ok, that was…a bit too easy. I'm a bit more concerned about Mr. Bizzell safety in this building now.'

As she's walking, the Silverfish guard moves his hair up, showing four pale eyes, getting a good look at her from behind seeing her shapely hips and plump rear moving in that tight yellow jumpsuit as her bushy tail swayed.

"~Oh that's real nice~.", He slyly spoke in appreciation before taking a bite off a note he found at the desk.

Ein enters the elevator, after the door closes she moves her facemask down to expose her mouth.

"I'm in. Now to find Caleb. My danger senses have been going off like crazy since I came in.", Ein says to herself as her tail twitches erratically, she then brings her hand over to the button's and gently glides her hand over them until it reaches three where her tail suddenly starts twitching again "They're telling me I should stay away from the third floor. Then that's where I need to go!" Ein said to herself pressing the button for the third floor.

…..

Back to the third floor, the employees especially the liminal ones were terrified as Larry continued on with his torture of Rikka with no one daring to even speak out fear of triggering the man. The liminals were especially afraid of becoming his next target.

"You know I can blow your brains out all over this damn carpet right now…and nobody would care.", He says, pressing the barrel of his gun at the back of the trembling Nekomata head.

"P-Please…no…", Rikka begged while on her knees as tears streamed down her face. The overwhelming fear in her heart rendered every muscle in her body unresponsive.

"H-Here he is, sir.", Ms. Williams says showing her boss, Gary Steward, the crazed former employee.

"Mr. Burgess…", Gary says in shock noticing the Nekomata woman weakly looking up at him, her green feline eyes begging for help.

"Hey there, Gary, you're looking well. How's your daughter?", Larry facetiously spoke.

"What are you doing, Larry?", The regional project manager asks in a serious tone, worried for the Nekomata woman.

"What? This? I'm just doing what we've been doing since the beginning, hunting animals. Especially ones YOU decide to give MY job to."

"Larry, you left this position. No warning, no two weeks, you just left with some of our other staff. For what? Because you don't want to work with liminals? That's absurd."

"Absurd?! Absu–no no no! What's ABSURD, BOSS MAN, is you believing that some…oversized China cat can replace ME! A real person!"

Rikka lowly sobs a the floor as Gary looks to her, fearing the worst. Close by, Chloe could be seen observing as he takes charge. Also, glad to see that cat put in her place.

"Larry, come on, this has to stop. Let Ms. Yukimura go, she hasn't done anything to hurt you. All she did was apply for a job and I gave her one that was vacant. Come on, this isn't you."

Larry looks to the man incredulously, "Why are you trying to save this thing? Matter of fact, why are ALL y'all just accepting these things as employees?! Don't you realize what's happening?! They're not just trying to replace us at our jobs! They're not just taking away human husbands and wives! They're trying to topple the natural order of the world and make US the animals! Well, I'm not just gonna roll over and become some CAT's pet without a fight!"

"Larry, I'm giving one chance let Ms. Yukimura, go now, put the gun down and surrender. If you do, I will talk to the police and you might have some hope of not getting a life sentence." Gary warned him not taking he is eyes of him.

"SHUT UP! I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU SAY! I'm running this! I'm the Hunter! Now get on the fucking floor! This bitch right here is MY game!", Larry shouted before forcing Rikka up by the hair as she cries out in pain as he points the gun at her face. Gary and Ms. Williams get down on the floor as commanded as the gunman focuses on Rikka before demanding, " Now strip!"

Rikka gives a horrified look and tearfully begs, shaking her head, "No, no no, please don't do this."

Larry fired the gun up to the ceiling startling everyone as Rikka visibly trembles before he points it back at her.

"Don't tell me what to do you filthy animal. Go on! Strip! Get rid of those human clothes! Show them the animal you really are!"

Rikka gives a despondent look then very reluctantly complies, whimpering and unbuttoning her shirt in front of the whole office. Gary and a few others look away at the scene in shame. Ms. Williams looks at the cat woman sadly, unable to imagine the fear and humiliation she's experiencing.

Rikka, lets her shirt drop to the floor, leaving her upper half bare save for her dark green bra. She trembled shamefully hugged her chest, her arms covered in tan fur up to the elbow and a small patch of fur between her cleavage.

Larry looks her up and down down with a lecherous smirk then steps up closer to her, "It's almost crazy how much you do look like us. If I cut off the tail and those ears you'd be my type."

Chloe gives him a shocked glares in anger at his statement.

"Please…I have a daughter. Please, don't kill me. I'm all she has. Please.", Rikka tearfully begs.

"I could give a rat's ass about your mongoloid child. It's you and me, and I plan on taking my time so the rest of your animal friends get the point.", he coldly spoke, taking out a large combat knife approaching her.

'Friends? Is that a joke? None of these people are my friends. Not a single person here or back home gives a damn about me and the ones that do are only doing so out of obligation. All I have is my Yumi, that's why I'm doing any of this. I love her more than anything. That's why, it hurt me more than anything…for her to realize how pathetic her mother is.', Rikka thought to herself despairingly flinching at his cold blade grazing against her D-cup breasts about to slice her bra off.

Suddenly, the door to the office opens and in steps Caleb.

"Hello? Can someone PLEASE point me to whoever's in charge of this of…fice?", Caleb stated, walking in only to find bare witness to the sight of everyone on the floor, a half-naked crying cat girl, and a guy with glock and combat like Rambo.

Rikka looks at him in surprise as did Larry, Steward and the other employees.

"Who the fuck are you!?" Larry demands before grabbing Rikka by the neck and uses her like a shield as Caleb who immediately puts up his hands still holding the brown folder.

"Whoa whoa, hey man easy…I was just sent to get these forms signed. What uh…what's goin' in here?", Caleb says, trying to sound as non-threatening as possible.

"I'M askin' the questions here!", Larry asserts his pressing the gun harder against Rikka temple while his arm clenching the knife holds her firmly in place.

"Ok ok! You're asking the questions! Got it! Let me just put this down here.", Caleb says placing the brown folder on a nearby desk before resuming holding his hands up, "Listen, I don't know what's going down here but I have nothing to–"

"Shut up!"

"Ok."

"GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR BOY!", Larry shouted, waving the gun at Caleb.

Caleb quietly complies, getting down on his knees as Rikka looks to him sadly. She felt bad for getting him wrapped up in her mess.

Caleb looks to the floor, feeling his heart racing reminded of that night with the Malones. The feeling of the bullet entering his body replaying in his head.

"Yeah, you see that, kitty? Come in here all big and bad. He's just a bitch, just like these others in his degenerate ass generation that likes to fuck you animals. They aren't shit and they're mothers who gave birth to them aren't shit!", Larry venomously spat.

Upon hearing that, a vein on Caleb's head bulges and he clenches his fists tightly as they pulsate with purple sparks of energy for a moment. He then slowly raises back to his feet.

"And that goes for the rest of you–!", Larry berated, looking at everyone else still on the floor before noticing Caleb standing back up, "HEY! Get your ass back down on the floor before I blow her fuckin' head off!"

"P-Please, d-do what he says.", Rikka begs.

"...No. I don't think I will. Neither should you. ", Caleb plainly says not taking his eyes off the man. Rikka appeared shocked by his statement but could feel the genuineness of his words.

"You think I'm playing with you boy!?"

"Yeah, you are. You're just a little boy with your big toy. If you were half serious you would have done something by now besides yell like a fuckin' baby.", Caleb says stepping closer to him, his eyes flashing with purple energy as his anger boils inside.

Larry looks at the young man confused at the sudden shift in personality. Despite that, he refused to back down, "You want me to do something, huh?" Taking aim at his head with his gun

Rikka glance between both men in panic, her heart racing in anticipation.

"Yeah. If you got the balls, do it.", Caleb replies, glaring unflinchingly as he keeps getting closer.

Larry starts sweating a little 'what fuck wrong with him!? Is he insane? And what's with his eyes? Are they…purple?! No, I gotta be imagining this shit!', he thought as his hand started trembling slightly.

Gary along with some of the human and liminal employees look up from the floor at the two men in anticipation.

Larry clenches his teeth in anger, his finger on the trigger, as Caleb was just a little over a two meters from him he shouts, "DON'T FUCK WITH ME! YOU SON OF A B–"

BASH!

Caleb, teleporting at just the right moment to create the illusion of fast reflexes, elbows the man hard in the mouth with a small, but very hard barrier at the end of his elbow for extra damage. The impact knocks out his top and bottom from teeth and sends him reeling back, involuntarily releasing Rikka and dropping the gun.

Gary and everyone else who saw that were stunned at what just happened.

Chloe looks on in pure shock at seeing her partner getting brutally struck.

"Ah!", Rikka yelps upon hitting the floor. At the same time, the glock hits the floor firing off a round into the nearby wall, startling her.

"GAHHH!", Larry cries out holding his profusely bleeding mouth, as three of his teeth fall out through his fingers.

Rikka looks back at the two men seeing Caleb standing observing his elbow.

"Hmph, even now you're still loud. Why don't you put a pacifier in your ugly, fucking mouth so we don't have hear your whining.", Caleb coldly remarks as the man glares at him, his hand trembling at the sight of his own blood. He starts hyperventilating while clenching his combat knife as if to hype himself up.

"I'll FUGGIN' KILL YOU!", Larry yells to the top of his lungs, blood spitting from his mouth, as he rushes Caleb with the knife, aiming for his stomach.

Caleb, unable to dodge in time, forcing him to discretely conjures a small, condensed barrier underneath his shirt. When the blade makes contact, it snaps in half on impact with the rock-hard barrier, much to Larry's shock.

Taking the initiative, Caleb seizes the man by the shoulder, knees him in the jaw, rattling his skull, then performs a strong judo throw flipping the man over his shoulder. He hits the floor hard immediately falling unconscious.

"Your mama ain't shit.", Caleb softly remarks scornfully as Rikka looks at him in amazement.

"LARRY!", Chloe cries out, getting their attention, as she scoops up the gun taking aim at Caleb.

Before she could fire, the front door flies open smacking her right in the back of the head, knocking her to the floor.

"MR. BIZZELL!", Ein shouted bursting into the room, seeing Caleb standing over a man and a woman holding a gun, "I KNEW IT!"

"Ein?!", Caleb stated, unsure if it was really her given her attire.

Chloe tries to aim the gun again but was stopped by Ein, who forcefully restrains her with handcuffs.

"My name is agent Zyklon! You're both under arrest!", Ein stated in an authoritative tone.

At that moment, everyone in the office, human and liminal, gets up and cheers while applauding the two heroes of the day. Caleb and Ein look to each other unsure of how to react.

"Somebody call the police and a ambulance!", A male employee stated

Caleb looks over to Rikka as she is still on ground using her arms trying to cover her chest as best she could and softly whimpering. He then notices a button down shirt on the ground and grabs it and places it on her, getting her attention as he kneels beside her.

"Here...this belongs to you. I'm sorry if what I did scared you, I just…" Caleb apologizes, understanding how traumatized this poor woman must still be. She looks up as him with tear-stained eyed, holding her shirt close to her chest making his heart sink.

That was when Rikka suddenly tackles Caleb, to his, Ein, and the other's surprise, pressing her face into his chest and sobs loudly releasing all the stress, fear, anger, pain and sorrow in one burst. However, one emotion that outweighed them all was joy.

Not knowing what else to do, Caleb gently pets her head, careful not to touch her body out of respect, letting the woman have her moment.

….Some time later…

Police and an ambulance eventually arrived at the building. Larry was arrested for assault and attempted murder of a liminal and human but not before going to the hospital to see about his injuries. It was also discovered, thanks to Ein, how he got into the building in the first place which led to Chloe also being arrested as an accomplice to murder.

It was quickly discovered that the front entrance cameras were on loop showing an empty floor which brought up the question if chole did this herself or did someone from security or another employee from a different floor was responsible. Regardless, Gary decides to do an entire investigation of his company with the assistance of mon having no idea how deep it could go and wanting to make sure there won't be another incident like this happening again.

Police could be seen questioning some of the employees in the office as witness statements, each given their, albeit slightly exaggerated, view of the people arrested. Within minutes, word of what happened on the third floor quickly spread around the building. Yet they all agreed on one fact, the guy who saved them.

"Honestly though, that guy always didn't seem right to me. Him and Chloe deserve each other. All that bitch did was talk shit about our liminal workers.", A female employee vents to one of the police officers who's forced to listen.

"Yeah, It's fucked when you can't be safe at work. I for one don't judge off of species. In fact, I appreciate my liminal coworkers. Right, Carmine?", A male coworker emphatically expressed, placing his hand on a gray wererabbit girls shoulder.

"Don't touch me.", The wererabbit brushes his hand in revulsion.

"Ok.", He withdraws.

"Man, of course, the ONE time actually happens around here is when I'M not around.", Kamël the Dark elf from earlier grumbles at her desk.

"Yeah it not fucking fair." Ródy agreed next to her not noticing the glares they were getting from some of their coworkers.

While that was going on, in a large conference room, Caleb and Ein could be seen with Gary and Ms. Williams along with a police officer and two MON agents, a female human and a male Jackalope. Rikka sat, now fully clothed, with both agents standing by her side still shaken by the event.

"Alright so I should start with upper management and the security and work our way down from there.", Gary says to the agents and officer.

"That would be most efficient. You should also start with dealing with liminal-human tensions in the workplace.", The jackalope man advises.

"Situations like these are becoming more and more common. Reports of alienation, discrimination, bullying and other forms of tension between liminal and human employees. Let this be an example of how badly it can escalate if not properly dealt with.", The police officer says in a serious tone.

"I-I understand. I'll be sure to deal with this immediately and make sure this never happens again. Everyone of our employees is valuable and deserves to feel safe and accepted regardless of race or culture.", Gary firmly stated as Ms. Williams agrees, looking to the Nekomata woman.

"Good. Now then…Mr. Bizzell", the female agent looks at the young man getting his and Ein's attention, "From what we–"

Before she could finish, the door burst open, and in steps, to Rikka's surprise, her ICEP coordinator.

"Ms. Yukimura!", Agent Hannibal expressed.

"Ah! Agent Hannibal, you arrived just in time.", The female agent says to her.

"Yeah as soon as I got the call! Ms. Yukimura, are you alright? Any injuries?", She says with great concern going to the Nekomata's side.

"N-No, I'm fine. Really.", Rikka replies with a small grin, trying to assure the agent.

"Are you responsible for her?", The police officer inquires.

"Yes, I'm her coordinator for the duration of her employment. Now I'd like to know how exactly this happened?!", Agent Hannibal demanded.

"It was planned. One of the employees let in another who had recently been terminated. Apparently, they held a grudge against Ms. Yukimura. He was also spouting rhetoric similar to the Hunters so we're currently investigating any possible involvement."

"Dammit. They're already making their way here too?", Agent Hannibal coldly remarks, "Still, I just thankful she's ok."

"You should direct your thanks to this young man, Caleb Bazzell, and his fox agent friend Ms. Zyklon.", Gary stated with a grin, putting the pair on the spot, "They're the ones response for stopping the assailant. "

"It's Bizzell!", "I'm a weasel!", They stated simultaneously.

Caleb then notices Rikka looking at him wordless yet curious.

"Ahem. And…that's kinda exaggerated, I just…knocked him basically.", Caleb says with a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

"Bizzell? Wait the same Caleb Bizzell from the Devil incident?!", Agent Hannibal says, intrigued catching Gary and the others attention and adding to Caleb's frustration, "What coincidence you happen to show up at the right time."

"I just…walked in a room at the wrong time. The only reason I was even there was to get these forms si–", Caleb replies showing the brown manilla folder in his lap before realization hits, "Ah damn! I forgot I need to get these signed by the end of the day!"

"Who do they need to be signed by?", Ms. Williams asks.

"Don't know they're name but I need them signed by the financial auditor.", Caleb says with a sigh before Rikka ears perk up.

"O-Oh! That's…me.", Rikka meekly raises her hand with a smile.

"Wait, really?", Caleb expressed in a slight surprise.

"It's true, she may have just started and has a lot to learn about this environment but she does have the legal authority to authorize it.", Ms. Williams says as Rikka looks to her in surprise before the human woman nods to her.

"If I may? Do you have a pen?", Rikka asks politely.

Caleb hands her the folder and a pen. She looks through the forms a moment before signing each then handing it back to him.

"Yes! Jesus Christ, thank you so much.", Caleb expressed to the Nekomata woman who blushed slightly at the praise.

"Haha! You saved her life and YOU'RE thanking her? Now that's wild. Next I suppose you want her to carry YOU into the sunset!", Agent Hannibal chuckles a bit.

"Hannibal-san?!", Rikka expressed, blushing deeply in embarrassment.

"Well, it looks like we're done here. We expect a full evaluation report on Ms. Yukimura's condition agent Hannibal.", The female ICEP agent says, to Hannibal chagrin at having more paperwork, then look to Ein, "Agent Zyklon!"

"Y-Yes!", Ein hops straight up to her feet.

"Excellent work today. You performed…admirably.", The female agent says, looking the Kamaitachi up and down as she, and the other agents, silently question her attire.

"Thank you but I was only doing my job as Mr. Bizzell's bodyguard."

"You're his bodyguard?! THAT is freaking cool! It's like he's a hitman and you're the bodyguard. The hitman's bodyguard!", Gary emphatically stated as the police officer and agents roll their eyes. Caleb and Ein look to him unamused by the quip.

"Mr. Steward…", Ms. Williams sighed, lethargically as the police officer and agents, save for Hannibal, walked out of the room, wishing them a pleasant rest of the day.

"What? Too forced? Yeah, you're right, he's more like…a guardian? Punisher?"

"Please stop.", Caleb sighed lowly.

"Oh, I got it, an equalizer! Like The Equalizer!", Gary says with a wide grin hoping someone gets the reference.

"Gary, stop. This is serious", Ms. Williams sternly spoke as Gary shrugs before looking to Caleb and the others, "Now, I can imagine Ms. Yukimura and Mr. Bizzell are Tired, due to today's… unfortunate events. You're both free to go home if you so need to or go return to your station. It's up to you. Don't worry, your hours still count for today."

Upon hearing that, Caleb immediately perks up.

"Yeah, not gonna lie, what happened today really shook my nerves up.", Caleb says, putting on a distressed demeanor, even making his hands tremble, much to Rikka's concern, "I really need to get back to my team and hand this in to Rodney but…"

Ein raises an eyebrow at his unusually frail tone.

"Hey, no need to force yourself son. You've done more than enough so go home and rest. I'll ask one of my people to take it to your supervisor.", Gary assures.

"Thank you so much. Let's go, Ein.", Caleb humbly thanks before shifting tones and walking away with Ein quickly following.

"W-Wait!", Rikka calls after him before he could exit the room. He and Ein turn to her as the Nekomata woman tries to find the right words to express how she felt right now, "I…I…"

"Yeah?", Caleb says.

She senses from his tone, which was gentle yet patient, that he is giving her time to express herself without being pressured. She could sense from his demeanor alone that he had a kind heart.

"YOU WERE FUCKING AMAZING! THE WAY YOU FLIPPED THAT SICK BASTARD AND SLAMMED HIM TO THE FLOOR! OH GOD THAT WAS SO HOT! AND YOU SMELL SO FUCKING GOOD, I JUST WANNA POUNCE ON YOU AND–"

Is what she restrains herself from saying out of embarrassment. What she actually said was…

"Thank you!", Rikka expressed, bowing her head low before looking up at him with tears in her eyes and a small, appreciatively, "Thank you so much!"

Caleb was taken aback a little but smiles warmly at her, "No problem."

Rikka eyes widen as he and the Kamaitachi leave the room, closing the door.

"Well, Ms. Yukimura, should we be on our way as well or would you rather stay and get the full day in?", Agent Hannibal offered.

"Oh, I'd like to go home as well. I'm sure Yumi is worried", Rikka expressed feeling exhausted.

"Alright then, let's head out. Both of you enjoy the rest of your day and apologies for what happened.", Agent Hannibal formally apologized.

"G-Gomen'na–I mean, I'm sorry for bringing to your establishment!", Rikka apologies as well, blaming herself.

"Nonsense! You've done nothing wrong ma'am.", Gary strongly assures much to Nekomata surprise, "Forget what Larry or anyone like him says. You have a right to work here."

Rikka gives a pensive stare then looks to Ms. Williams who nods in agreement.

"We'll see you tomorrow, Ms. Yukimura.", She says.

Rikka smiles at her and nods, "Right."

At that, Rikka and her coordinator exit the room, leaving Gary and Ms. Williams alone in the conference room. Both decided to decompress a bit, as Gary takes a seat.

"Today's been interesting.", Gary sighed.

"That's one word for it."

"Still…how is it that an exceptional guy like him has been right under our radar this whole time?"

"You got me, sir, maybe he just likes staying under the radar."

"Unacceptable! He should be displayed for everyone to see as example of humanity's best. A reminder to our liminal brethren that we're not all total dickbags!"

"Sir, I think you're putting him on too high a pedestal.", Ms. Williams plainly remarks.

Gary snaps his fingers, "I just had a great idea."

"Oh God."

"He's part of Mr. Hillcrest's design team right? And they've got that meeting with Boeing about the proposal contract?"

"That's correct sir.", She half-heartedly answers.

"Boeing has a lot more liminal employees and has partnerships with some big name liminal suppliers, like the Dark Elves mythril mining. How about we have him go instead of Sriv…Saba…the Indian guy? They close the deal, we reveal his true identity to the director and her liminal investors, and we reap the benefits!", Gary stated enthusiastically.

"There's…quite a few holes in this plan."

"Nonsense! It's fool proof! In fact, inform Mr. Hillcrest of the changes immediately and forward the details the Mr. Bizzell later."

"Understood, sir.", Ms. Williams sighs, knowing she can't change his mind once he gets like this, "Let's hope this works, especially for Mr. Bizzell sake."

"It's just a proposal meeting, Sherly. What could possibly go wrong?", Gary shrugs nonchalantly.

Sidenote: Oof

…Meanwhile…

Caleb and Ein could be seen inside an elevator, managing to evade workings and getting bombarded with unwanted attention by the employees.

"Well, that was yet another crazy experience to add to the list.", Caleb remarks in exasperation.

"You're telling me I'm just glad you're ok! Also, it's good that Nekomata woman wasn't injured either. Looks like those powers Marequine bestowed came in handy", Ein expressed.

"I'd say it's more thank to y'all's training regime so I can use them in the first place."

"True, and you managed to help someone with them as well. I guess you're Ms. Yukimura hero for the day.", Ein lightly praised.

"Don't you start too. But yeah, I am glad she's ok. Actually, I feel like I have seen her somewhere before but don't know where. Oh well.", Caleb shrugs it off.

"Sooo what was that about?", Ein asks, changing the subject.

"What?"

"The nervousness and trembling like lost kitten?", Ein says, mimicking his trembling hands.

"I had to sell it better for sympathy points and it's not like that shit didn't shake me a little. Besides, I'm sure most of the building knows what happened by now INCLUDING my team. I'd like at least a day's rest before they bombard my ass with questions I can barely answer.", Caleb replies then looks Ein up and down, "Enough about me though, what are you even wearing?"

Ein blushes in embarrassment, "I needed a way in the building that wouldn't draw attention and this was the best option at time."

"Ok, I can kinda believe that but why haven't you changed out of it yet?" Caleb asks, making sure to keep his eyes from wandering where they shouldn't.

"Well I need to ensure your safety just in case." Ein said only for Caleb to give her a look showing he wasn't buying that, "Also the zipper is…stuck." Ein said blushing even harder.

"Stuck?" Caleb said as he was reminded of a certain memory with Lyca he wished would stay buried. He then takes a deep breath, "Ok, we'll just deal with it when we get to the privacy, safety, and privacy of our home."

"Why'd you say 'privacy' twice?"

"No reason. It's been a crazy day.", Caleb replies, dodging the question.

"Mmrrr, I was hoping to return it to the van I borrowed it from when I was done.", Ein whined lowly, not liking the idea of stealing a business' uniform.

"Well, it's not so much you stole it, more like commandeered it. You're with law enforcement so it especially works in your case.", Caleb assured, hoping it makes her feel a little better.

"I…suppose that's true…"

"Besides…I think it actually looks good on you.", Caleb admits, glancing away in embarrassment.

"R-Really?", Ein questions, taking a look at herself, then blushes a little before asking, "Do you…like jumpsuits?"

"Well…yeah, especially the yellow ones. You really pull off that April O'Neil look minus the red hair. She was my favorite cartoon crush next to Velma. And yes, Velma IS better than Daphne in every way. That is a hill I will always die on.", Caleb says as the elevator doors open and he steps out.

"Heheh, odd hill to die on.", Ein chuckles following him.

"I'll die on any hill so long as it's mine.", He replies before the two exit the building.

…Later…

At an apartment complex nine miles from H.O.D. Dynamics, Rikka could be seen walking up the stairs to her unit after Hannibal dropped her off.

She takes out her house key and unlocks the door, opening.

"Tadaima(I'm home)! Yumi!", Rikka cheerfully announced.

"MAMA!", Came a child-like voice before the sound of small feet came pattering on the floor. A female Nekomata child comes running up to her mother who scoops her into a loving hug.

Yumi looked just like her mother except her fur was slightly darker shade of brown, her eyes were hetocrome, one yellow one green, and, unlike her mother's, her two tails had small whitish-blue flames burning at the tips. Despite the appearance, the flames were not actually hot.

"Mama ga hayaku kaettekita! (Mama's back early)!", Yumi says to her mother in their native tongue, looking up at her.

"Hai(Yep)", Rikka says, smiling at her beautiful girl.

"Oh you finally made it!", Spoke another voice and out steps a red head human female in ICEP uniform, "I got the call from Agent Hannibal. How are you feeling?"

"I've…been worse. Thank you, Agent Quinn and thank you for looking after Yumi again.", Rikka assures as her daughter looks to her curiously.

"Anytime, I'm always happy to babysit this little firecracker.", Quinn stated gently pinching the little Nekomata neck making her squeal while chuckling.

"Hehe, even so, I appreciate you a lot."

"Yumi likes Quinn too! Quinn lots of fun.", Her daughter cheered, her English not as good as her mother's.

"Haha! Guess I have a fan club. Alright, I'll let you girls have a good afternoon.", Quinn says before going to the door opening it up. She then looks back to Rikka in concern, "You sure you're ok?"

"I'm fine, really.", Rikka assures putting on a smile.

Quinn chooses to believe her and nods, "Ok, see you later."

The door audibly closes, leaving the two alone. Rikka sighs to herself, looking downwards.

"Mama wa dōshite kanashī no?(Why is mama sad?)"yumi asks, looking up to her mother, giving her a hug.

"Watashi wa daijōbu, beibī, mama wa shigoto de tsukarete iru dake yo(I'm ok, baby, mama's just tired from work.), Rikka assures her child, not wanting her to worry.

"Yumi wa kuin ga denwa de hanashite iru no o kiita. Darekaga shokuba de mama ni ijiwaru o shite imasen ka (Yumi heard Quinn talking on the phone earlier. Is somebody being mean to mama at work?), Her daughter asks much to her mother's surprise, "Karera wa mama o hitori ni shite oku hō ga īdesu! Watashi wa sorera o sukuratchi shimasu!(They better leave mama alone! I'll scratch them up!), Yumi stated puffing her cheeks angrily, making her claws extend from her tiny paw-like hand.

Rikka couldn't help but giggle at her daughter's statement.

"Nani ga okashī no?(What's funny?)

Tonikaku, shinpaishinaide kudasai. Mama wa hontōni yasashī hito ni atta. Kare no okage de watashi wa anata to koko ni iru( Nothing sweety, don't worry, the meanies are gone now. Mama met a really kind person today. It's because of him I'm here with you.)

"Hontō(Really?)", Yumi expressed, intrigued.

"Sore wa tadashī. Dewa, chūshoku ni shimashou ka(That's right. Now then how about I make us lunch?), Rikka says in a warm tone, still hungry after not getting to eat lunch.

"Chikin o itadakemasu ka?(Can we have chicken?)", Yumi happily asks with a hopeful grin.

Rikka lightly chuckles, "Tashika ni, beibī(Sure, baby.)"

Rikka goes to the kitchen to start preparing lunch for both of them.

"Mama, itsuka sutekina kare ni mo aemasu yō ni(Mama, can I meet the nice man too someday?)", Yumi asks with hopeful, innocent eyes.

Rikka looks at her for a moment in thought before responding, "Watashi wa... Kitto sō surudeshou(I...I'm sure you will.)

"Wa ̄ i! Atarashī tomodachi(Yay! A new friend!)", Yumi cheered, the flames of her tail flash brighter in response.

Rikka smiles at her as she takes some freshly thawed chicken breasts from the fridge. Her thoughts drifted back to Mr. Bizzell, deciding she wanted to thank him properly.

'I wonder what he's doing right now. No doubt resting after what happened today.', Rikka thought with a warm grin.

…. Meanwhile….

"Camilla! Camilla, you need to calm down!" Caleb said as he and Mirabelle stood between the irate Elder Devil and the door.

"I WILL be calm after that bastardo is six feet underground. How DARE he harm mi amor?!" Camilla growled, her body flared with red aura as Lyca hugged her by the waist desperately trying to hold her back with barely any success.

"He's in the hospital already! By the time he gets out and gets the bill he'll WISH he was dead! Let that be enough!", Caleb stated.

"You don't even know which hospital they took him to! Besides, Dear is unharmed!", Mirabelle added, tries assuring her.

Suddenly, the front door burst open, alerting them, and in comes Ein STILL in the yellow jumpsuit. Not looking where she was going, she trips over on herself, prompting Caleb and Mirabelle to instinctively teleport away, as she crashes on top of Lyca and Camilla.

"Gahh! QUÉ DEMONIOS ERES—(WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU—)"

"GET AWAY, ZWEI!", Ein cries out fearfully, getting back up.

"OH COME ON! I'M JUST TRYING HELP YOU!", Zwei shouted, running into the room with Drei tailing behind with Ein's usual clothes folded up, scythe blades extended, "The zipper piece GONE, your tits swallowed it! I will cut it down the middle so you can get out just HOLD STILL!"

"NO! I'm NOT having a repeat of last time!", Ein stated scrambling to her feet as Zwei chases her.

"That was an accident! I didn't cut your skin at least!"

"I NEARLY LOST MY TAIL THOUGH!", Ein retorts running around evading her sister, even flipping over furniture.

"Hey, I know, Mama (Ein mother) hammered that in along with the spanking I got. Followed up by Mama making practice precision cutting for a month straight!" Zwei said

"Hey! Take it easy before y'all break somethin'! ", Caleb chastises.

"Sorry Boss just give us one second! Drei! Restrain her PLEASE!"

"On it.", Drei replies, taking out a little green bungy ball and flinging it at Ein.

Ein instinctively ducks, Zwei evades it as well, and it hits Caleb in the face instead exploding goo all over his head and knocking his down. He thrashes, screams muffled, trying to remove the sticky, rubber-like material from his head.

"Dear!", "Chief!", "Senor!", "Caleb!", "Boss!", All five yelled simultaneously

"Oops.", Drei uttered.

Camilla and Lyca rushed over with Mirabella teleporting to his side frantically trying to remove the substance off his face.

"Don't worry he can breathe, I made sure that they let in oxygen…this time." As Drei pulls out a vial, opening it before pouring its contents over Caleb's head causes the Bungy ball's to become mush all over the floor.

"I'll get paper towels!", Mirabelle stated, teleporting to the kitchen as Lyca and Camilla scoop the clumps of green goo from his head.

"Haa, good. Now then.", Zwei sighed in relief before sneaking close to Ein with an upward slash from her arm scythe, tearing through the zipper from groin to bust.

"Ahhh!?" Ein screamed in shock as the jumpsuit splits open showing her bare stomach and G-cups in green bra.

"See? I just got the zipper there was nothing t-" Zwei was saying only to be interrupted by a snapping sound as Ein breasts bounced freely as her bra was split in two, "Oops."

At that moment, Mirabelle return with all the paper towels in the kitchen as Lyca removes the goo from his eyes and mouth completely as he sharply gasps for air.

"JU SAID EARLIER HE COULD BREATHE!", Camilla angrilly expressed to the smaller weasel girl.

"No, I think that's what the gasp was for." Drei pointing toward her sister, bouncing breasts.

"Holy shit I can see!", Caleb stated then, noticing Ein standing motified with her bare breasts out. He then shuts his eyes tight, "I'm blind."

"ZWEEIII!", "DREIIII!", Ein and Camilla expressed chasing after their respective weasel girl around the house all while Mirabelle frantically cleans up the goo and Lyca looks around at her back and forth, her head spinning, confused on what to do.

Outside the house, Sterling could be seen standing in the front able to hear the chaos going on inside. He wears a tired expression, then touches his foot to the door, brings it back, and turns around.

"Alright, I'll count that as a visit. Moving on!", Sterling remarks, not at all in the mood to deal with whatever they're up to.

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WN

Wooo! What's good, Fam? I hope everyone is doing well. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Even though it's technically a bonus, I consider it quite important, mostly because it's kinda my atonement to Rikka.

I admit, a couple years ago I had SO much more going on and I felt rushed ALL the time. School, work, mom's condition, MY poor time management. I didn't know how to manage back and, well, 'It Goes On' was the result. Throwing five plot points in one chapter hoping it'll all stick and just work out. Sadly, that's not how things work. And, I will be honest, after a while I actually forgot about Rikka and her storyline.

*SHOCKED AUDIENCE GASP*

Random guy: Oh brother THIS GUY STINKS!

Yeah, I know. I intend to fix my mistakes moving forward. That includes PROPERLY introducing my character AND taking my time crafting the world I designed. I have my life, mostly, straightened out and I intend to do the same here.

Welp, that's all I gotta say. I appreciate the ones who stay, and the ones who leave, you're always welcome back. Don't forget. Hug your parents, drink water, get some sleep, be good to folks, and I'll see y'all soon. Peace Fam!

P.S. Yes, Caleb's coworkers ARE based on some of irl coworkers. The girl Rachel based on be wildin' for real.

P.S.S. Yes, I DID make up an entirely Dark Elf language just for that scene. If Tolkien can do it, why not me?