Day 5, John: Sometimes Frye is a gun for hire. Today, his boss is named John.

All the good things belong to MonolithSoft.

Frye slung a long leg over the chain surrounding the parking lot and hopped into the empty area. It was early for NLA, but late for him. He paused to take a refreshing swig from his thermos. Probably not a great idea to take a nip once the client arrived. He glanced at his comm device, reviewing the scant details. He was here for an escort mission, on the cheap, for some sort of human-Nopon joint project. The price point and the limited description made him suspicious, but he was at loose ends for the week and willing to try things just for the laughs.

"Ahem." A small voice sounded at his kneecap. Frye looked down into dark eyes like two judgemental pools. A Nopon of uncertain age was frowning up at him. "Paying for work, not party."

"You're not paying for anything, buddy," Frye said genially.

"You called Ostrich?" Frye admitted as much, at least partially. "Then pon paying."

"I was supposed to meet someone else," Frye corrected him. "A human by the name of John something or other."

"Not something, not other. Me John-pon."

Frye was astonished, and said as much. "What're you doing, using a human name? I never heard of a Nopon called John. Not any other alien either."

John the Nopon fluttered around Frye's ankles like a strutting turkey. "Noponfolk must adapt. Business with friends all well and good, but business with equals better." This was clearly a favorite lecture. The Nopon continued. "Noponfolk marked by business, and by trade. Use strengths to make coin, also limitations to make profit. Use every part of pon. But when not present, cannot act to balance flaws." Frye's fingers twitched toward his flask, but he restrained himself. This was going to go on for a while.

Eventually the Nopon got to the point. "In written documentation, humans respond better to human names. Is natural, so John take on nom-de-pon. Also better than listening to humans butcher proper name. Two for one deal. Get respect, avoid cringe."

"So what's your real name?"

"None friend's business," John said with a smug gurgle.

Frye shrugged. The morning sun was flooding the area. It was time to settle the contract and get the show on the road. "John it is. Call me Frye or Blood Ostrich or Hey You, I'm cool. What will be a problem is the rate you're asking."

"Half day mission to Noctilum, no fighting."

"Escort missions cost extra because you demand extra. You don't want me to get myself from point A to B still able to walk. That's good enough for most missions, but you want me to get you to point B in good shape, and all your stuff."

"Naturally."

"So the rate is higher. If we don't run into anything, it'll drop to the base rate."

"40% base rate, flat half day."

"Make it 75%, provided I never draw a weapon, and we don't sweat the hours."

"Agreed. Now help load nopopotomus with goods and John-Ostrich venture can begin."

a/n: I am exceedingly proud of nom-de-pon.

Next up: Beverage. I feel we may need more Frye.