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.

99. Spark of Hope

Chapter 92: Spark of Hope

…Elsewhere….

That very same morning in the city of Huntsville, there was a small neighborhood where multiple people could be seen going about their day going to work, getting in a morning jog, or, in this case, simply going through morning routines.

This was the latter case for a familiar home belonging to Andrew Bizzell Jr.

'Gooood Mornin', Alabama! This is the Ricky Smiley morning show! It's a cool Autumn morning, Crimson tide playoffs begin in one week…', Came the voice of the radio clock sitting on the nightstand, immediately waking up the elderly African-American man. He sees the red number flashing '6:30am' prompting a slight grumble.

Why on earth did his daughter get him a digital flashing red alarm? He hated red flashing lights.

He immediately raises up, yawns and stretches in bed feeling his back popping, before getting out of bed to start his morning routine.

'Today, we're talking about liminals in schools. Since ICEP recent victory in passing the marriage inviting many human-liminal partners to be officially registered under federal and state rights, another question soon sparked which includes the integration of liminal children into public and private schools. To no one's surprise, the proposal has received backlash from 'concerned citizens' A.K.A. racists and wanting to preserve the sanctity of the American school system. First of all, 'sanctity' is not a word I'd use to describe it. Second, am I the only one getting Ruby Bridges vibes? Are we gonna having armed national guard and MON agents walking lamia and arachne kids to school instead of their parents?', The talk show host rambled on in the background as Andrew went to his bathroom, then got in the shower, 'Another thing is the rise in violent liminal activity along with the sudden disappearance of college-aged women around the state. Some say it's a retaliation tactic against the Hunters yet their actions or reasons for random destruction are unknown. Even stranger is that most of the 'liminal criminals', have similar reptilian features and black scales. So either a Lizardmen dressed as Maleficent or Tyrese Gibson with dry skin, take your pick.'

After finishing his business and his shower, he gets dressed in a dark blue and white striped polo, gray pants and black loafers then heads out the bedroom entering the hallway. The walls were covered with photos of his family, mostly his wife and daughter, but also church friends, his sister and brother-in-law, along with nieces and nephews. A few photos of a much younger Caleb alongside his siblings hung among them. Andrew Junior knocks on a solid brown door to a guest room that was once Caleb's bedroom.

"Miss Ash? You up?", the old man asks, noticing the door was locked. He didn't get a response but could hear sounds of movement and some thumping, "Miss Ash?"

"Y-Yes! I-I'm up…"

"Alright, well I'm going to start fixin' some breakfast. You go ahead and wash up then come in the dining room when you get ready, I'll have a plate for ya!", Andrew patiently stated.

"...Ok.", she called from behind the door.

Andrew simply nods before going off to the kitchen. He rubs his in deep thought about his current circumstances.

…. Flashback….

'A pheonix?', Andrew Junior asks the male ICEP agent named 'Sterling' standing with him on his porch.

'Correct sir. The girl you have in your living room is an extremely rare Harpy species with extraordinary powers. We've actually been tracking her to ensure those powers do not cause harm to anyone. It's quite fortunate you found her.", The agent says, seemingly impressed somehow.

"From how you describe it, it doesn't sound very fortunate. I'd say it's more fortunate you showed up, maybe you can take her in to get some help. I don't know what happened to her but…it seems like she's hurting. Hurting real bad.", Andrew somberly remarks, looking back at the door, having spent the night consoling her.

Agent Sterling softly sighs, understanding the girl's pain and confides in the older man, "She is. She HAS been hurt…by someone or someones who wanted to exploit her gifts…while under our protection no less."

"What? You gotta be kidding. How could y'all let that happen?!"

"The details are highly classified but just know that if one person knew of her then others certainly do. I doubt she'd be safe, even in our care.", Sterling admitted, reflecting on what he learned from Dr. Graham and ICEP's intentions for the girl with discontent, "That's why I'm here to make a request of you, Andrew Bizzell."

Andrew Bizzell gives the man a puzzled look, "What is it? And how do you know my name?"

"You'd be surprised what we know, sir. As for the request, simple, I want you to look after Miss Ash for the time being."

Andrew Junior pondered his request for a moment and responded appropriately, "Sir, are you out of your damn mind?"

"I assure you my mind is fine, according to my last MRI, so I AM serious."

"I'd like to know who your physician is because they need their damn license revoked. What the hell makes you think I can do anything for that girl when y'all professionals couldn't?"

"Well, as much as I hate to admit it but .. you managed to do in a few hours what our professionals have been trying for weeks."

"What's that?"

"...Have that girl open up.", Sterling remarks plainly as Andrew looks at the agent curiously, "She wouldn't speak a word since our operatives found her in a very hostile environment. I can't even fathom what was done to her but it must've been terrible. Still…despite being total strangers, she opened up to you about her pain, even allowed you near her. That cannot be ignored."

"Come on now, that's nothing special. I just did…what I could for her."

"You'd be surprised how far that goes, sir. I have an ICEP student that's been through so much trauma and heartache from an abusive host… now she's changed dramatically for the better thanks to her new host. HE is 'nothing special' yet just doing his best, making her feel at home, she's changed for the better."

Andrew thought for a moment about the agent's statement then glances at the door. He remembered the tears the young Harpy woman shed last night. They were hot, almost like they were burning through his shirt—considering the tiny holes currently on his shoulder sleeve, it's likely. It didn't hurt his skin at all though. In fact, he noticed the arthritis in his shoulder had completely faded. He thought of anguish in her eyes. Despite her somewhat imposing physique, when he held her in his arms, it was like holding his daughter whenever she was scared; be it because of a loud thunderstorm or a bad dream. He was there for Vanessa.

"I'm not going to force you or plead for you to be her caretaker…", Sterling continued, "It'd just be a shame for her to begin closing herself off again when she's finally seeing a spark of progress."

Andrew Junior was silent a moment, weighing the options, before sighing reluctantly, "Alright…"

"Sir?"

"I said, alright. I don't know what she's been through but I'll do my best to look after her. I just want you to know I know almost NOTHIN' about caring for liminals."

"Neither do ANY of our host families, sir. It's our job to give them the necessary materials and information needed to work with. I can get those to you by tomorrow.", Sterling informed.

"Good. Believe me I think I'm gon' need'em.", Andrew responds, scratching his head.

…Flashback end…

It's been a day and a half since then. He allowed Ash to use the guest room for the time being and even gave her a little tour. Not that there was much to see aside from a few decorations and small ceramic animal statues his wife put up.

He tried making conversation with her a few times to try learning a bit more about her but she seemed unwilling to engage outside of short answers or 'I don't know'. In fact, she appeared to grow more somber with each question she didn't have an answer to so he stopped. Eventually she simply went to the guest room and stayed inside for most of yesterday. He could tell she was still very cautious around him.

As Andrew was in the kitchen whipping up sharp cheddar cheese eggs in a bowl then dumping in the sizzling pan. Beside it were some fresh oranges, bananas, turkey sausage, wheat bread with butter, low-sodium bacon(doctor's orders), and a pot of coffee brewing. He wasn't—and his daughter could attest to this fact—anywhere near the culinary genius of Alabama breakfast his Elizabeth was but he STILL knew his way around a skillet and spatula.

"I just hope she'll try to put some more food in her stomach this time. Or if she'll sit at the table ", He uttered to himself uncertainty.

It was true. She didn't even come out of the bedroom to eat at the table yesterday. She was probably uneasy about eating something from a stranger despite his kind demeanor. Not wanting to force her, he simply left the hot plate of food by her door that night. When he returned, he found that barely half the food had been eaten. Whether it was due to lack of appetite, a distaste for his cooking, or if her species simply didn't eat pork chops, Andrew couldn't tell. Nor could he ask since she fell asleep. Still, at least she ate SOMETHING.

As he finishes up the cheddar cheese eggs, bacon, and sausage, he tosses in a few slices of bread in the toaster. He could hear the sound of the shower running down the hallway as the scent of delicious breakfast filled the air. He smiled, thinking once she smells this, she'll be asking for a second helping.

Suddenly, he hears a knock at his front door, getting his attention. He turns off the stovetop and goes to answer then is immediately greeted by the ICEP agent from yesterday.

"Good morning, Mr…Bizzell.", Sterling greeted, feeling a bit awkward calling him that without instinctively getting it wrong on purpose.

"Good morning there, Uh…agent Sterile?"

Sterling goes silent for a moment, still smiling as he rides out that wave of karma before correcting, "It's pronounced 'Sterling', sir. I came to bring you this. "

The agent presents the older dark-skinned man with a large black bag ICEP tote bag. Andrew accepts, curiously opening it.

"Inside is everything you need for now. Her diet plan, species characteristics, and cultural practices; all based on what available information we have on her species and details related to harpies in general. We also included a temperature scanner, six pairs of fireproof gloves, and this Wood elven charm necklace infused with strong fire protection spells.", Sterling explained, pulling out and placing back each of the spoken items.

"Y'all sho'nough went all out didn't you, good Lord!", Andrew Junior expressed.

"We're just taking precautions. You can never be too careful. Speaking of which, I'm also here to let you know that tonight is a full moon. I'm certain you are aware of what that means for most liminal species?"

"O-Oh, yeah…yeah I've heard from my daughter, her friends, and folks around here about how crazy they get. Still, I don't believe that girl in there is like that. She doesn't seem like the wild type at all."

"That what another host said about his Troll houseguest and he was hospitalized for a couple broken ribs and a fractured pelvis."

"Damn!"

"Yes. A lot of hosts tend to get cute and cuddly liminals thinking they are perfectly safe even during full moon nights. They usually find out the hard way. People tend to forget that even a weresheep can still, and pardon my language, fuck up a human if they really want to. Not trying to scare you, it's just the truth.", Sterling plainly says before presenting two large white medicine bottles, "That's why I brought you these. They're strong sleeping pills to help liminals get through the night without harming themselves or others."

"She gotta take both of them?"

"The recommended dosage for most harpies is listed in your care package along with a calendar showing all predicted full moon nights for this year. Try giving it to her with food."

"I'll try…"

Sensing the man's uncertain tone, Sterling then asks, "How is she by the way? Is she beginning to settle in?"

"I guess but…she's real distant right now and she'll barely talk to me about much. She don't have much of an appetite either."

"I'd say that still progress that she's talking to you at all AND eating what you make for her. By the way, try not to give her pork. It's bad for a lot of avian liminals.", Sterling advised.

"Yeah, I didn't know.", Andrew mentally facepalms.

"That's why you now have that kit.", Sterling replies before turning to leave, "Ok, that's all for now. I have urgent business to attend to. I'll be back next week."

"You're not gon' stay and talk to her too?"

"I believe seeing someone like me right now would only complicate things. For now, you're the only one she somewhat trusts.", Sterling replies, walking back to his vehicle, which was parked further down the block.

"Hey!", Andrew sternly call out to him, stopping the agent in his tracks, "Can you at least tell me…what happened to her to make her like this?"

Sterling, not turning around, looks over his shoulder and responds, "It's not my jurisdiction to disclose the details. Besides, it's probably better if you hear it from her when that time comes."

The agent walks back to his vehicle as the dark-skinned human sighs, closing the doors. Andrew wondered to himself, what exactly was that agent hiding from him?

"W-Who was that?"

Andrew whips around seeing the phoenix woman, fresh out of the shower with reddish-orange wings shimmering, and wearing a black red shorts and black shirt with the words 'Trap Queen' in white letters that was slightly too big for her. It was part of Vanessa's wardrobe her father picked out for his houseguest to use for now. Hopefully his daughter wouldn't mind her using them…or his blindness when it comes to fashion.

"Oh…it was a delivery man. I had ordered a few things using my daughter's Amazon account."

"This early in the morning?", Ash suspiciously asks, eyeing the bag in hand.

"It was one of them rabbit folks delivering. I hear they be fast as hell.", Andrew jokingly fibbed.

Ash looks at him inquisitively, appearing to accept the answer despite knowing it was a lie.

Unbeknownst to Andrew or the agent, the young phoenix was aware of his presence since yesterday. Using her ability to sense heat signatures, she could tell it was an adult male human. She secretly listened in on their conversation yesterday and, after learning the man was from ICEP, she opted to run away at that moment. So why? Why did she choose to stay?

At the time, even now, she thought of the older human male. The patience and warmth he'd shown her up to now was very different from before. Even this environment, unlike the cold, sterile almost lifeless room she was held in, was full of 'welcoming warmth' as she described it. It almost felt…normal. She simply decided to quietly observe the ICEP man for now, determining if he's a threat to her.

"Hm? What's that you're holding there?", Andrew curiously asks, noticing a large white cloth material sticking out among her vibrant feathers causing Ash to flinch.

The Phoenix looks away embarrassed and shameful, fidgeting before reluctantly showing him the remains of the white towel she had used to dry herself. Remains since nearly half the fabric was burned away with a charred black hole near the center.

"...Oh.", Andrew uttered, unable to find the right words for something like this.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! I was just drying myself and next thing I knew it caught fire and…", Ash frantically apologized, head hung low, as heat began intensely radiating from her wings.

"Hey hey, it's alright, sweety!", Andrew assured, placing the bag away then going up and removing the towel from her…fingerless hand-shaped appendage with a thumbs, "Let's just sit down and eat, I'm just finishing up these good old eggs, turkey sausage, bac—toast and fruit here. Want some coffee?", he offered, choosing to exclude bacon from her plate.

Ash looks at him curiously then politely responded, "Oh, that sounds…nice."

"Mmhm, don't you worry about this now. Accidents happen.", Andrew assured while balling up the burnt towel then chucking it in the trash before going back to the kitchen to finish cooking, "It ain't but one little towel anyway."

Ash immediately tenses up at those words as down the hall inside the bathroom, smoke wafted from the cracked door. Not from shower steam but from the smoldering remains of six other large body towels she previously used. Strangely, no other surface of the bathroom was torched by her flames.

"Uhh, yeah…one little towel…", Ash muttered with a strained embarrassed grin, promising to somehow get him new towels.

…Meanwhile…

As Sterling was walking back to his vehicle, he could be seen on the phone.

"Yes, that's right. So far she appears to be stable. Don't worry, Dr. Graham, it's under control. They are being monitored closely as we speak. I'll keep you posted if anything at all changes.", Sterling assured the IA specialist over the phone as he gets inside the car and fastens the seatbelt, "Yes, I know. You don't have to keep reminding me. Later."

He hangs up and sighs lethargically at the wheel.

"Workplace drama?", asks Fantina who has been patiently waiting in the passenger's seat.

"That's one way to put it. She's still giving me shit over making that man as her caretaker."

"Can you blame her? You can't just dump potentially dangerous liminals into households all Willie Nillie. You have to verify their yearly income, insurance and background first.", Fantina snarkily remarks.

"The process isn't nearly THAT careless these days. Besides, it's the best option that wouldn't set the phoenix off again. We want to avoid another incident like the facility. She needs to be somewhere safe, away from prying eyes."

"And you decide on a house in the suburbs guarded by an old guy who looks like he cuts hair for a living while giving life advice to troubled teens?", Fantina dubiously replies, arms folded.

"Hey, it seems to be working. From what he says, she's making better progress there than in that gilded cage at IA. Even Graham was shocked to hear that. For now, she's and I are the only ones that know of the phoenix location. We'll inform the director once we've fully verified her overall condition in this new environment.", Sterling informs, starting the car and pulling from the curb.

"So this is just a social experiment."

"Isn't all of this? Humans and liminals living side-by-side I mean."

Fantina only sighs, knowing she couldn't deny that statement. At the end of the day, whether they wanted to be or not, they were all cogs in this giant machine. As they pass by Andrew's house, she couldn't help being curious about what they were doing now.

"Is that man going to be ok?"

"I made sure to give him several tools and documents to ensure his safety. There are even five Fairy operatives discreetly monitoring them both and have been ordered to cast fire and heat dispersion spells in every corner of the home. In case of injury or accident, they are trained to alert emergency services and provide healing techniques if needed. Also, I got a Wood Elven protection charm from Graham in case–"

"Yeesh. Someone's got their fail-safes in order. Since when are you good at planning ahead?", Fantina incredulously questions.

"Since I learned what the consequences are if we don't.", Sterling replies, staring ahead in thought as Fantina looks at him curiously but somewhat understanding.

"Hm…speaking of, I recognize that man's family name. Given how close the humans in this part of the country are I'm guessing they are related. You realize the consequences if anything happens to THAT man's family right?"

Sterling grips the steering wheel tightly and morosely responds, "Of course I do. That's why I'm not going to let anything happen. That man is all the real family he's got.", he morosely spoke before driving away, feeling a bit guilty at having to use Caleb's only other family for something like this. He could only imagine how he'd react if he found out.

Fantina stares at him a moment, seeing the uncertainty in his face. She'd been around him long enough to be able to tell when he was doubting himself. He was always bad at hiding it. What she didn't understand is…why? First, he convinces the directors to allow her coven refuge and sovereignty in IA. Then, the proposal he's making that's meant to possibly legalize harem-type liminal marriage. Now, he's purposely obscuring information to his leaders about an extremely rare and dangerous liminal just to give the girl a somewhat normal life? When did he become so bold? What happened to the man who wouldn't even take a day off without ICEP's approval?!

"But enough about that, I'm finally off this weekend so we can do some bonding as host and student before the full moon is visible.", Sterling says, putting on a smile for the baphomet.

Fantina's cheeks flush pink before turning her gaze to the window, "Don't remind me. Haaa, to think I'd be in the SAME position as those younger foreign liminal students. You know, the type that are all giddy and way too excited to come here like they've never seen a human before."

"Yeah they can be a bit…difficult at times but, to them, this country is exotic and full of opportunity."

"It's also full of weirdos and racists if they're not careful. Then there's the possibility of getting a host who's idea of doing chores is buying a Roomba vacuum that's never has a charge. OR who's idea of cooking is vitamin water and Little Caesar's."

"Come on, I'm not THAT bad of a host.", Sterling contests, turning out of the neighborhood.

"I found the Damascus steel cooking knife I got you for YOUR birthday years ago just sitting in your kitchen drawer collecting dust; unused and unloved for YEARS.", Fantina shot back, slightly irritated at such a pristine blade she spent a third of her paycheck on just wasting away among plastic forks and over mitts.

Sterling pulls at his collar, feeling like he just stepped on a landmine and tries to salvage the mood, "Ah, well…at least I know it isn't lost, hehe. I can try using to make–"

"No."

"Y-You don't even know what I was gonna say!"

"Doesn't matter, I already know the outcome and I prefer my teeth, taste buds, and colon intact. I'LL be using that knife from now on since you clearly can't appreciate its value."

"Aww come on, Fan Fan…"

"Nope, your 'Damascus privileges' are now revoked.", Fantina sternly replies the turns away again, focusing on the passing street, "You just continue to keep the fridge stocked with all the ingredients I need. Got it?"

"Uh, ok. Whatever you need, Fan Fan. Hehe, I can't wait to see what you'll make. I loved that Éliphas eggplant the other day.", Sterling warmly compliments.

"Well…I've made it plenty of times for my witches so I know it's delicious.", Fantina stated proudly, cheeks flushed at the compliment. It was true she's been praised plenty of times for that dish, it's the first time getting praise from Sterling or any man really. Her heart raced as she tried to maintain her outward composure.

"Your modesty is as admirable as ever, Fan. Let me know when you need more eggplant. I'd love to have it again.", Sterling replies, giving her a cheeky grin.

"W-Watch the road, jackass…", Fantina chides, turned with her arms folded, and cheeks burning red as her tail wiggled happily beneath her seat.

Sterling lightly chuckles, choosing to stop teasing her for now, but glad they could still joke around like old times.

At the same time, Fantina went deep in thought remembering how they used to talk like this all the time. Despite everything that's happened between them…a part of her missed times like these. However, another part couldn't forget what he did all those years.

When he traded away their partnership and her coven's future in exchange for progress. Yet, now, it seems as though he's changed drastically in the time they were apart. He's fighting a battle that no one in the organization can see…except her.

'So why…why are you fighting so hard putting yourself at risk so much now then back then what changed you and… Would you still make the same choice that day as you are now?', Fantina thought as she also remembered his secret project he had. As she then clenched her fist as she felt mixed emotions hit her.

…A bit later…

Andrew sat at the table enjoying the breakfast he made as the TV played in the background. He typically did so because he just liked having background noise while he ate.

Ash sat across from him, much to his delight, carefully picking at the eggs into near piles and cutting up the sausage into tiny pieces. Her plate was still decently full and she'd barely eaten a few bites of food. Andrew noticed her strange eating habits, guessing there was something wrong.

"Everythin' alright, child? You barely even touched your food."

"I'm….fine. I just…don't feel too hungry…", Ash listlessly responds, moving the food around with her fork.

"You didn't have much appetite yesterday either. Keep eating like that and you'll end up as poor as a snake."

Ash looks at him questioningly, "I'll…I'll turn into a snake?"

"Nah nah, that's just a saying we old folks got down south. It means you'll be skinny like a snake if you don't eat nothin'.", Andrew clarified as Ash looks at him in understanding, "I used to say that to my daughter Vanessa a lot when she you. She used to be a little bitty ol' girl. She was a picky eater too just like you."

"Oh, is that right?", Ash replies in a hollow tone.

"Yeah, that was because she didn't like trying anything new often. She just assumed she wouldn't like it so she didn't try it. Wasn't until her mother got tired of cooking all that food just for Vanessa to eat scraps. Made that girl sit at the table and eat everything off her plate. And you know what? She realized how much she liked my wife's cooking, vegetables, corn bread, everything! Bet she cleaned her plate then on, hehehe."

"That's good for her. It must be nice…to enjoy your favorite foods…", Ash somberly spoke, pushing around some eggs with her fork.

"Whatcha mean?"

"I know what you're trying to say but…it's not that I'm picky about what I eat. Even now, what you made smells delicious. It's just…food hasn't tasted right since I first woke up like…this. It all tastes…flavorless.", Ash expressed, sullenly looking down at her delicious looking food. The combination of sorrow towards her inability to enjoy such a simple pleasure and regret at the realization that she'll just end up wasting more of his food hurt her to the core. He worked hard to make it and she can't even fully appreciate the gesture. She was sure he'll kick her out of his home for disrespecting his hospitality.

"It's ok, child.", Andrew calmly assured her, "I should have realized that could be an issue considering all you went through. I….have a nephew who went through the same for a long while after he lost his parents. No appetite. No taste for anything.", Andrew reminisces, pensively moving the bacon to the side on his plate.

"R-Really?", Ash curiously looks up at him.

"Yeah. His taste was so bad I could've sworn he ran into Taste Slapper Bill."

Ash pauses with a bewildered gaze, "Um…who?"

"Oh you ain't heard of Taste Slapper Bill? Yeah, they call him that is because he can actually slap the taste outta yo mouth. I saw it! I was there! He old boy were having an altercation one day during a function barbecue across town.", Andrew began his anecdote as Ash listens both a bit confused but intrigued, "See Bill, he a nice dude, real laid back but when he get fed up. He get FED UP. Anyway this boy try to swing on Bill and Bill just WOP! Slap the man so hard had him spinning like a cartoon characters Folks heard that slap across the street, thought they were shooting over there!", Andrew emphasized, slapping his hands together with a loud pop startling the Pheonix a bit who then lightly giggles, "Anyway, found out later old boy who started that mess to Subway or something to eat then realize he couldn't taste the sandwich. Not just that, every restaurant he went to, beer he drank, even his wife's cooking all tasted bland as hell. Thought he might be sick so he went to the doctor. Come to find out his taste buds was dead!"

Ash eyes widen in shock and fascination with a slightly agape jaw and unconsciously bringing food to her mouth.

"Taste Slapper Bill had damaged the nerves in his tongue so bad he could barely taste anything. The man hasn't tasted food right ever since. Only thing he CAN taste for real is butter popcorn and I hear that every night. So you know his blood pressure is high as hell!", Andrew stated chuckling heartily as Ash chuckles with him, plaintively taking a bite of eggs, "Hehe, there you go. Them eggs good right?"

Ash tilts her head before noticing, to her surprise, most of the cheese and egg were gone as were two sausages. She'd subconsciously been eating as he spoke, evident by the food still. Even more surprising, she could somewhat make out the rich, soft cheesy yet slightly spicy flavor of the eggs and the meaty juices of the sausage. It wasn't by much but it was the first time in weeks food tasted even remotely like…well, food!

How? They've only been talking and yet…

"You know, just realize this reminds me of Vanessa when she REAL stubborn and didn't wanna eat what her momma made her. Days like that I'd just talk to her like this and tell stories. She so busy listening and enjoying herself, barely notice her plate was empty.", Andrew fondly reminisces with a loving, pensive smile as Ash stated at him. He then smiles at her, "People forget how much better food tastes when you have someone to enjoy it with…and a good ass story don't hurt either hehehe."

Ash stated at him a moment in fascination, beginning to understand before smiling back in appreciation, "Yeah…I guess you're right! Hehehehe."

The Phoenix sweetly laughs, feeling at ease, as the pigment of her wings and hair seem to brighten a little, regaining some of their color.

"Oh, want me to tell you about the time my buddy Leroy got ACCIDENTALLY engaged to one of those spider women?" Andrew said trying hos best not start laughing

"Yeah!", Ash emphatically stated, taking a bite of sausage.

…Elsewhere…

Miles away, somewhere near the Decatur area, lined with several tall building and businesses, there was street plaza filled with vendors and restaurants. They could see humans and some liminals entering restaurant to get breakfast before their Saturday work, getting fuel for a workout, or simply enjoying the morning with a hot meal in their belly.

Sterling parks his car between two midsize sedans in the parking lot of a diner.

As they got out, Fantina's eyes widened upon seeing the rustic-themed building that looked like a combination of a log cabin and modern barbecue steakhouse. She never thought she'd see it again.

" 'Buddy's Diner. It's…still here?", Fantina uttered quietly.

Her mind went back to their first trip here five years ago.

…Flashback…

"Alright, so where are you taking me first on this little 'bonding trip' of ours?" Younger Fantina half-heartedly asked, clearly still not fond of her supposed human partner; especially after how rudely he addressed her.

"I was thinking we should get something to eat first. Can't bond on an empty stomach and say things we don't mean, amirite?", said a younger Sterling trying to lighten the mood, "a

And I know the perfect restau-"

"No, fast food.", Younger Fantina cut him off with a stern expression and arms folded.

"What? I wasn't going to suggest a fast food place."

"Funny, considering all the discarded paper cups and bags from various human food companies I saw at your desk, gross by the way, I guessed your palette was accustomed to garbage.", younger Fantina quips giving him a sideeye.

"I don't JUST eat fast food. Only if I don't have time on field work to get any real food ", He replies, slightly offended.

"I doubt wherever you take me will have any 'real food' as you eloquently put it. Definitely not any that'll satisfy my palate.",

"Heh, clearly you've never been to Buddy's Diner."

"A name like that doesn't exactly spark expectations.", Younger Fantina remarks, unimpressed.

"Heh, well prepare to be culture shocked! By the end, this'll be your favorite place in the state.", He stated with

"Heh, sure, and maybe pigs will fly.", Younger Fantina dismissively chuckles.

…Flashback end…

Sterling and Fantina into the diner, familiar bells chiming on the doors, as they look around to see humans and even a few liminals happily enjoying their meals. Three human and two wererabbit waitresses in red uniform were busily attending to customers. Fantina looks in amazement, noticing how everything was almost same since her last visit with notable upgrades. The once squeaky floors, at first annoying but eventually added to its charm, were replaced by red and white marble tiles to match the chairs, stools, tables and countertop. The sports memorabilia from Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn still hung from the walls and a wall of photos showing pasting customers in a sort of 'Hall of Fame'.

As the walk past it, Fantina stops a moment upon seeing a photo of her and Sterling. In it, he was smiling wide, giving a thumbs right over her head as her past self wore a slightly annoyed scowl with cheeks puffed out from a full mouth. It was to commemorate her first order there as a non-human customer. She couldn't help feeling nostalgic seeing it, reminded of simple times…before…

"Well, look what the cat throwed and dragged in!", came a raspy feminine voice that immediately caught Fantina's attention.

She turns to see, to her surprise, a fair-skinned human around her mid-60s, chestnut hair with a little gray, a lanky build, green eyes, and a red button-up shirt tucked into her blue jeans to match her red sneakers. There was a silver name tag that read, 'Ruby'. The owner of the establishment.

"Morning to you too, Ruby! You're looking as authentic as ever, like something out of an antique shop.", Sterling quipped back with a smirk.

"Boy, you look like you're fresh out of a Dollar Tree box! I ain't trying to hear that!", the older woman quipped back as the two shared a laugh together, enjoying their typical back and forth, "You your usual?"

"You know it. But you are gonna have to bust out your old repertoire, you have a returning customer.", Sterling replies as Fantina looks up at him incredulously.

"Really? Is it that Clarence boy from that ICEP training?"

"Better!", Sterling sidesteps, revealing the baphomet hiding behind him who is immediately bewildered being on the spot.

Ruby's eyes widen, jaw agape in surprise at seeing the familiar baphomet.

"H-Hey there, Ruby? It's…been a while…", Fantina awkwardly spoke, fiddling her hair and avoiding eye contact.

Ruby comically rubs her eyes then exclaims, "Fantina?! Sweetheart, is that really you?! It's been way longer than a while, it's been five years! How you been?!", she stated with an ecstatic grin, greeting the baphomet like a long-lost friend.

"I've been…OK.", Fantina replies, feeling slightly more at ease but a little guilty before her stomach loudly grumbles for everyone to hear adding to her embarrassment, "Ah! S-sorry about that!", she stated, clutching her stomach and blushing.

"Hehe, looks like her stomach smells your cooking, Ruby.", Sterling jokes prompting a glare from Fantina.

"Hehehe! Don't worry Fantina's stomach, y'all, go on have a seat! You want YOUR usual?", Ruby happily inquires before realization hit, "Wait, what was your usual again? It's been so long."

"Two Cinnamon toasts with maple syrup, hash browns, hot green tea, two Sunny Side up eggs, and a bowl of mixed fruit NO strawberries. She hates the seeds.", Sterling casually interjects earning a surprised look from the baphomet.

"Ha! Figures you'd keep track, alright have a seat. It'll be ready soon. Mai'loak!", The woman called out after writing it all down.

A male Rock Lizard pokes his head out from the kitchen doorway, "Yes ma'am?!", he inquises, his accent a combination of South african and Australian.

"Got a couple of special orders coming your way, sugar.", Ruby says, pinning the orders atop on the hanging rack near the kitchen window.

"Understood. Right away, ma'am!", The young reptilian man stated, going to prepare their meal.

"I see he's adjusting well.", Sterling spoke, taking a seat on the red stool at the counter, quickly joined by Fantina, "I was a little worried after his previous social worker quit and they had to get a new one last minute."

"It still worked out though and I appreciate the extra help. Plus, that young man's a fast learner and really good on the stove. The customers can't get enough of his cooking. Almost as good as me."

"Heh, nobody's as good as you Ruby. It makes sense, though. Rock Lizards culture in Raukadona is based on males impressing females with their meal prep skills.", Sterling informs, prompting a curious look from Fantina.

"Well, rock lizard women have it good in that case. Most men over here don't even know how to make ice! Now, some of them, like my husband can grill all day but COOK cook? Uh uh, nope, might as well ask a crow to cook", Ruby flamboyantly replies, "Ain't that right, Fantina?"

"Huh?! I…yeah, I guess so. Hehe…", Fantina forces a chuckle, still feeling awkward, "Sorry, it's just been so long since I've seen you I need to get back used to your…bombastic personality."

"No problem, sweety! Take your time, don't need to absorb all me at once, hehe.", Ruby jokingly chuckles as Fantina forces a grin then asks, "How did the job go?"

Fantina gives the woman a confused look, "Job?"

"You know, the job Sterling said you've been on this whole time. You had to leave ICEP and everything because it was so important. I hope it went well."

The baphomet turns an incredulous glare at Sterling who keeps a straight face, not shifting his gaze away to avoid suspicion. Why would he lie about the nature of her absence?

"It was–"

"That's classified, Ruby, and you know it.", Sterling quickly interjects, "In our line of work, it's best civilians aren't TOO involved in most jobs. Point is, Fan is back now. That's all that matters.", he assuringly spoke as Fantina's eyes widened, mouth slightly agape in surprise.

"That's true. It IS good to see you back at ICEP sweety.", Ruby sweetly says to the baphomet.

A small, warm smile grows on her face as Fantina replies, "Yeah…it is…"

"ORDER UP! The Fantina-Sterling Special!", The rock lizard man stated, ringing the bell in the window and earning a dubious look from Fantina.

Ruby then places the tray with the meals for each of them. Fantina noticed Sterling meal, consisting of bacon, sausage, cheddar eggs, a couple of white gravy biscuits, and a small bowl of chopped cantaloupe served with black coffee.

'Haa, he hasn't changed at all…', Fantina thought, still perplexed by his unhealthy habits.

"Here you go, charge hers along with mine.", Sterling requested, offering his credit card.

"Thank but for today I'll just charge for yours. Consider it a welcome home meal, sweety.", Ruby happily assured, smiling at the baphomet.

Fantina gives a surprised but appreciative look, "Oh, thank you, Ruby."

"No problem."

"Hey, if you're feeling generous, why not extend it to my order? It IS the Fantina-Sterling Special after all. We're a package deal.", Sterling snarkily points out.

"Yeah and I wish I could return you back to sender.", Ruby sharply quips, "$14.95."

Sterling innocently shrugs, "Worth a try."

"Haaa, Ruby, I'm so sorry I left you alone with him for so long.", Fantina solemnly apologized, unable to imagine the older woman's grief.

"Don't be. I've managed to get him under control in your stead. Threaten to cut off his coffee refills and he's obedient as a lamb."

"I still say that's inhumane treatment."

"Treat your caffeine addiction.", Fantina remarks, sipping her tea as Sterling raises an eyebrow, "THIS doesn't count."

"Ugh, whatever you two. Oh, right, how's your sons, Ruby?", Sterling inquires.

"Oh yeah, weren't they both starting college last time I heard about them?", Fantina chimes in curiously.

"Yep! Both of them have already graduated! Harold lives upstate in Tennessee running a machine shop for Hyundai and Jacob started his own photography business. He is getting married this year. This is his fiancee.", Ruby happily informs, taking out her phone and showing a picture of her son cuddling up to an Alp, their tail wrapped possessively around her son's leg, "Most people would be put off by a devil but Hank and I got to know her better. That Riley's a kind young woman, perfect for someone like our Jacob. They met in college and apparently they were set as roommates. I was a little shocked hearing the college down there does mix gender AND liminal boarding! From how Jacob talks about her, I'll be a grandma before you know it."

Sterling and Fantina observe the picture with a plain stare, then share a cryptic glance as Ruby admires the photos of the pair together.

'Should we tell her?', Fantina whispered to him.

'It's better if THEY do it themselves, preferably near Thanksgiving. That's the best time for some reason.', he whispered back as Fantina rolled her eyes.

At that moment, the bell chimes from the diner door as another patron enters the restaurant.

Fantina's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing a familiar tall, beautiful black-haired pale Caucasian woman dressed in a black ICEP suit, black lipstick covered full lips, and bright green eyes. Agent Hannibal.

"Good morning, Ms. Ruby! I hope you're doing well. May I have my usual?", Hannibal, getting the older woman's and Sterling's attention. Ruby looks at her dubiously as does Sterling who was equally confused by her odd demeanor.

"Uh uh. Uh uh. Nope! You better get outta here with all that.", Ruby vehemently stated in disapproval.

"What? What I say?", Hannibal replies, confused.

"You know what you did.", Sterling cheekily chimes in as Fantina raises an eyebrow and Hannibal shot him a skeptical gaze.

"You better take your ass back out that door and try that again. Address me like you got some sense!"

Agent Hannibal sighs, choosing to comply rather than argue early in the morning.

"Alright, fine.", She says, walking back out the chiming door before flinging open the door making the bell chimes louder then exclaims, "Mornin' Ruby, ya dusty old bitch, how you been?", Hannibal casually stated, catching Fantina off guard.

"That's BETTER.", Ruby proudly stated, arms folded in defiance, "Comin' in here all PROPER and shit, who the hell do you think you are baby girl?"

"You mean BESIDES the reason those jackasses from 15th Street won't be harassing your employees anymore?", Hannibal remarks, taking a seat at the counter then looks to Fantina and Sterling, "Morning, Agent Sterling. Fantina.", she greeted them with a smile, catching the baphomet off guard.

"Good morning, Agent Hannibal.", Sterling casually replies.

"Yeah... good morning.", Fantina awkwardly responded.

"Hey, don't you go getting me back started on those three.", Ruby chimes back in, "I was damn near ready to catch a case if they didn't stop messing with my girls!", she emphasized pounding her fist to her palm ready to brawl as the two wererabbit waitresses, while grateful, grin awkwardly in the background.

"The last thing you need is another assault charge, Ruby! Remember the last time with that Auburn chick and the Heineken bottle?", Hannibal points out as Fantina looks at her surprised and a bit confused.

"Oh yeah! Didn't she need like 17 stitches in her mouth? You damn near turned her in to the slit mouth woman.", Sterling chimes in getting another confused look from Fantina.

"You a damn lie! It was 13 at most!", Ruby corrected, lightly chewing him out, then refocused on Hannibal, "And you! Don't act like that ass whooping you gave those men wouldn't have got you a case! Two of them got their jaws wired shut, I heard."

"No. ONE has a facial fracture and one with two broken ribs AND jaw. Now who's making shit up?", Hannibal contested as one of the wererabbit waitresses places a cup of black cream and sugar coffee in front of her, "Oh thanks, Judy.", she politely spoke prompting a warm smile from the bunny girl.

"Those two disciplinary points added onto your ICEP record sure aren't made up.", Sterling chimes in getting a look of frustration from Hannibal, "Seriously, you're lucky those three were hostile enough to warrant such forceful detainment. It took a LOT of convincing, on Greenly's behalf, for the board NOT to suspend you."

"I didn't need a bailout, you know! They were intending to physically harm non-human contract workers with a weapon. I was very much within legal clause to detain them by ANY means! Look it up. It's there in subsection B-something", Hannibal stated before taking a sip of her coffee.

"ICEP's de-escalation through escalation clause is only applicable so long as the death of the 'hostile' party ISN'T avoidable. It exists so she agents are encouraged to subdue assailants—human or Liminal—with whatever non-lethal means possible. Everyone is treated with equal leniency. That DOES NOT mean you get to roundhouse a grown man in the face like Patrick Swayzee.", Sterling firmly stated, shooting a glare at his fellow agent.

"The roundhouse was in my judicial rights.", Hannibal dismissively spoke as Fantina lightly chuckled in amusement, surprising even Sterling, "See? Fantina here gets it."

"I could've jumped in too gave them a couple scars like that other wide-mouthed bitch.", Ruby emphasized, taking out a broken Heineken bottle from under the counter, surprising the others.

"You KEPT the bottle?!", Fantina stated in surprise.

"Of course! I keep it for good luck! Never know when some skank gone getting froggy around here."

"Your husband must never get bored with you around.", Sterling remarks getting a dubious look from Fantina.

"Nope."

"Hey, about my usual...", Hannibal points out still expecting her order.

"Already sent my cook the note. He should be done in a few minutes."

"Awesome.", Hannibal casually replies as the old woman goes off to handle another customer. She then looks at Fantina and Sterling with a warm grin. "You know, it's been a while since we were last together like this."

"We just saw you LAST week in the conference room.", Sterling points out with a dubious expression.

"OUTSIDE of working ours. Honestly, when I heard Fantina had returned from her…'sabbatical', I wanted to come see her sooner buuuut I was busy. I've BEEN busy for a while helping a Nekomata lady and her kid settle in. Not to mention my the other host families because it's SO hard to find decent agents these days!"

"Yes, we're a bit understaffed at the moment. Thank you again for reminding me.", Sterling interjects a bit annoyed.

" Well, I appreciate the thought at least.", Fantina acknowledged, "I'm glad to see you've finally come into your own as an agent. You were a lot shyer back then but now you're confident enough to beat up racists in the street on the company dime.", Fantina half-joked, relaxing a bit.

"Damn right!"

"So, have you come to drown your frustration in Ruby's waffles again?", Sterling snarkily remarks.

"Shuddup! I'm having a heartfelt reunion with an old friend here!", Hannibal barks at her fellow agent.

"Is that what you call heartfelt? Sounded more like something from a Disney channel movie character.", Sterling teases with a grin.

"I swear Sterling, one these days I'm gonna absolutely dog your ass."

"In your dreams. Stick to beating up dipshits that THINK they can fight. You don't want these hands."

As the pair bickered, Fantina couldn't help gradually feeling at ease with the atmosphere. Despite still sensing the tidbits of tension hanging in the air, she decided to simply relax into the moment. Taking it for what it is for now.

Fantina lightly chuckles, "Heheh, you know, I just remembered this thing last week where some dipshits were assaulting a human guy and his Apsara girlfriend. I roundhoused kicked the guy trying to assault her into a spin cycle.", Fantina boasted a bit, getting incredulous looks from the others.

"No way. seriously?! What's with all these weirdos lately?! Damn, I wish I could've been there to help you out though! Show you how much my skills have improved.", Hannibal emphasized, flexing her toned biceps.

"Heh, maybe, but I'm sure my arms can still curl you like a dumbbell.", Fantina casually remarks, showing off her slender yet firm and tough arms.

Hannibal plops her elbow on the counter in an arm wrestling position and a challenging smirk, "Wanna bet?"

"Pfft, sure. Why not? I'll even go easy on ya former rookie", Fantina places her elbow on the table.

"It's 9:00am on a Saturday and you two wanna arm wrestle? Seriously?", Sterling dubiously spoke, hardly believing the sight.

"So, you win, I buy you an extra serving? I win HE buys me an extra?", Hannibal excitedly bets as Sterling looks between them in disbelief.

"Deal."

"Why is MY wallet on the line here?!", Sterling stated, not wanting to get involved.

"You are her host now, right? That means her loss is also your loss."

Sterling shoots a glare at his fellow agent, "You know what? Kick her ass, Fan Fan. Toss her like a fuckin' towel."

As the pair started their match with Ruby taking a short break to be referee, Sterling simply observed on the sidelines noting Fantina's change from her reserved demeanor moments ago. He was glad to see the baphomet with a genuine smile for once.

….. Elsewhere….

Somewhere near bustling downtown as vehicles ceaselessly passed through the streets and people—human and liminal—went about their daily routines and activities, two human male joggers could be seen in a park getting in their morning cardio.

They both came to a stop near a few vending machines, panting and sweating profusely.

"*Pant* Alright, ten minutes to cool down?", one of them asked.

"Haaaaa might as well make it twenty after that last lap. You want a Gatorade? *Pant*", the other offers, going to the vending machine

"Yeah but NOT white one."

"Aight, what kind do you want?"

"Anyone but the white one!", he insisted.

The other, acquiescing to the request, purchasing a red and blue Gatorade, handing his running partner the latter and quenching their thirst.

"They gave us the time for the appointment this Thursday at 4 pm.", the one with the blue Gatorade spoke.

"Are you sure you want to go through with it? I'm sure we can get the contract pushed to January. Maybe we can hire an ICEP contractor to fill in."

"No, I've been working on this for three months now. The market's changing with all the liminal products hitting shelves. It's about time we started diversifying."

The one with the red Gatorade sighed conceding, "If you say so. How are you and Rebecca by the way?"

"We're doing fine. She went through molt recently so she's been extra sensitive, in more ways than one.", blue Gatorade chuckles changing the subject.

"Heh, that life with a Medusa for ya! I heard the snake liminal women are a whole different experience.", red Gatorade remarks getting sideeyed by his partner, "You guys have plans for the full moon tonight?", he smirked knowingly at him.

"Yes, because my sex life is an open book. Unfortunately, it's written in a language you can't read."

"Well that's just—"

"HELP!", cried a shrill young voice, catching their attention. Both men turned to see what appeared to be a short girl wearing a small black hood, matching face mask pulled down enough to expose her buck-toothed mouth, and jean skirt, "SOME BAD MEN ARE HURTING MY BIG SISTER!"

"What?! Where?!", blue Gatorade guy inquired.

"Down in that alley across the street! You have to save her please!", the girl stated pointing at the alley between two buildings.

"Lead the way! Let's go man!", Red Gatorade urged his friend who quickly agrees, "Stay close, sweety."

"Ok, sir…"

Both human men and the little girl quickly hurry to the alley. They rush in ready to beat up the attackers only to find nothing but old discarded furniture next to a dumpster.

"What the…I don't see anybody…", Red Gatorade guy says, looking around even turning his nose at the garbage's foul stench.

"Me neither. Hey, little girl, where's your si–Aahh!", Blue Gatorade guy turns only to be blindset by a blue cloth sack over his as a dark figures descends upon him.

"WHAT THE FU–MMMPH!", His friend expressed as thick cloth gags him from behind and three more dark figures forcefully subdue him and his friend. Their wicked ecstatic grins exposing sharp teeth, dark purple reptilian claws, and boisterous chuckles as they gleefully mocked and teased them sent waves of fear through both me.

The little girl in the hoodie looks at the scene with a blank yet sorrowful expression.

….Back at the restaurant…

After predictably and soundly defeating the black haired agent in arm wrestling despite her collar handicap, Sterling, Hannibal, and Fantina happily enjoyed their breakfast and reminisced on stories of their early days in the program or just their lives in general. The food was every bit as delicious as Fantina remembered it being. Not only that, Ruby apparently added new menu items to accommodate vegan and vegetarian liminal and human clientele; mostly the liminals since they tended to be the biggest spenders.

Fantina felt genuinely at ease for the first since arriving. A part of her was happy to know what Hannibal, Ruby and other people she knew had been up to all this time. The more she listened to their stories and experiences, the more she realized what she'd missed out on. The relative normalcy she would have had alongside them instead of aiding trafficker and drug dealers. It ate at the baphomet inside knowing what she'd thrown away.

How were Ruby and Hannibal so casual despite not seeing her all these years? Shouldn't they be asking a million questions?! And why did Sterling lie about what really happened? He could have easily just told Ruby about her abandonment, labeled her traitor like everyone, so….why?

"And she STILL ate the food!", Ruby stated, her shrill voice pulling Fantina from her thoughts.

"You're kidding, right?", Hannibal chimes in.

"Yes! She knew it was the WRONG order and STILL ate their food. Then had the nerve to report her food undelivered. My son was so mad! He ain't never Doordashing again!", Ruby vented about her son's experience side hustling.

"You said he went back and tried to exchange it when he noticed his mistake, right? I'm just hung up on the fact she ate that entire FAMILY SIZED meal in one minute. Did she…inhale it like Kirby or something?!", Hannibal expressed in a combination disgust, intrigue, disbelief.

"Might as well! Ol' Big big back buffalo bitch! Hell, pregnant women don't eat like that! I've BEEN pregnant and I've eaten everything in every way in front of everybody!", Ruby spiritedly stated prompting a couple hearty chuckles from Fantina and Hannibal.

"Hehehe, I can definitely see you scarfing down your food like a duck.", Sterling jokes.

"I know you ain't talking with your Daffy Duck-lookin' ass. Ol' sufferin' succotash lookin' ass.", Ruby ribs the male agent as Fantina and Hannibal burst out laughing.

"Watch it, bub or you'll lose a favorite customer. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta use it. I'll take my usual black coffee to go too."

"Already charged it to your card when you first ordered.", Ruby assures as he gives an 'Ok' gesture with his hand before she takes up his nearly empty plate and wipes off the counter, "Pfft, 'favorite customer' who almost never tips."

"Unlike me, who usually leaves you a twenty, right?", Hannibal chimes in, furrowing her eyebrows.

" That's hardly any better and WHY is every twenty you give me always torn down the middle slightly? What's your beef with Jackson?"

"I don't know. Ask my Cherokee grandparents.", Hannibal casually remarks with a shrug, taking a sip of her coffee.

Ruby shakes her head then turns to Fantina, "You enjoying the food, sweety?"

"O-Oh, yeah it's great Ruby. As good as I remember.", Fantina replies before her expression turns morose, looking contemplative at her tea, "I…I missed it. I missed…a lot of things actually since…"

"Since you went off with those criminals?", Ruby questions in a knowing tone as the baphomet looked up in surprise.

"Wha? Y-You know?!"

"I've known for a long time.", Ruby confirms as Fantina shifts her gaze, "And no, Sterling NEVER told me. He didn't need to. He's a terrible liar. I knew one morning he walked with dead eyes without you beside him SOMETHING happened. Something he was ashamed of."

"Ashamed huh? It didn't seem that way to me.", Fantina lightly scoffs.

"Dude, he was like a zombie for a week straight just going through the motions. I almost thought you nut checked him so hard he became braindead.", Hannibal jokes, trying to lighten to mood a bit but sees it didn't help, "Listen, Fan, I know things back then weren't…ideal for you species but now—"

"Baphomet are now 'conditionally' allowed in the country?", Fantina cuts her off giving a side eye to the agent, "Yeah, I've kept up with ICEP's Liminal immigration bill updates. In the last three years, they've added 27 species through a 'resource indemnity' clause with possibility of full citizenship within six months to a year working in an ICEP subsidiary. Meanwhile, species that choose to maintain social sovereignty and NOT working for them are barred completely. The only way to gain citizenship is for covens like mine to bend the knee, sign away our right to govern ourselves, and take on whatever jobs they'll toss our way. I will not allow my girls to be slaves just to be accepted."

"Coven? Your girls?" Ruby asks in confusion, looking over at Hannibal for an answer who merely shrugs equally confused.

Fantina pauses a moment before realizing that she just carelessly blurted out her secret then slams her head into counter in frustration, "Fuck!"

"Well, clearly you had more on your plate then I realized.", Hannibal remarks, beginning to understand the baphomet motives.

"Chaos fuckin' dammit, what is wrong with me?", Fantina bemoaned, face in her paws, knowing she screwed up.

"So, this whole time, you didn't leave for yourself but for them? Now that's more like the Fantina I knew back then.", Ruby chimes in, a bit relieved at the truth.

"Wait, so is that the reason you decided to run with the Malones for so long? To maintain the independence of your coven? I'm pretty sure there were other less illegal ways to do that, you know."

"THAT'S…listen it's way more complicated than that. What I needed at time, I tried to get it from ICEP but they rejected it…on multiple occasions. After they essentially ousted my species, I was desperate and it just so happened one of THEM found me at that time. They offered me exactly what I wanted to give the members of my coven."

"What's that?", Hannibal inquired.

"...A future. My coven…had suffered greatly in the last couple decades and was nearing the end of a bloodline and I had to save it as its leader.", Fantina somberly explained, pushing around scraps on her plate the sighs deeply,

"It's my responsibility and I've barely done a decent job with that. Sad, isn't it?"

Hannibal stared at the baphomet as realization dawned on her. She's been in the organization long enough to easily understand the motives for most species that join the program. Whether it's an escape from a rigid, often domineering social hierarchy, fleeing religious and racial persecution, social and political conflicts amongst their groups, or even simply financial gain in the liminal resource industry. However, one of most prominent and controversial reasons is liminals seeking romantic and sexual partners for breeding purposes. With greater visibility than ever before, more species, especially those on mono-gendered races began flooding ICEP host family requests for single, opposite gendered individuals, regardless of social or financial status.

It would appear to the young agent that her baphomet friend falls into a similar situation. She needs males for her coven but, considering what she knows about baphomet and witches, it'd be exceedingly difficult. They're relationship in the public eye would be heavily frowned upon, even reviled, and could even lead to arrests for any males involved.

"Not at all! Fan, you did what you thought was the best option your family had!", Hannibal wholeheartedly stated, wanting to comfort the baphomet, "Does it make it right? Of course not! Are you an accomplice in a lot of the Malones' horrendous activities? Also yes. Were some liminals traumatized for life? Maybe! But that's…not entirely your fault! Is this helping?", Hannibal inquired, realizing where she was going.

"No.", Fantina plainly and coldly replies.

"What this girl is TRYING to say is…you fucked up, Fan. Plain and simple.", Ruby chimes in as Fantina give a plaintive stares not denying her words.

"Wha–How is THAT any better than me?!"

"Hush! I'm not done. It may not be ok RIGHT NOW…but it will be sooner or later. You just have to learn to live with your mistakes. Everyday work to make up for it. It won't fix everything but…you will be better than you were."

Fantina pauses in thought, processing the old woman's words. Her life up until that point has been full of pitfalls, even more so since she joined the organization. Even if she were to start working on herself, it'd never restore her reputation or trust from anyone in ICEP.

"You don't have to go at it alone either, Fan. Despite everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, I still consider you a colleague…and a friend.", Hannibal warmly assured with a grin.

"She's right, for once, you're always welcome here. Not like you ain't among friendly folks with a history of law trouble. Hell, Earl over there just got out on probation from burning down his Ex-wife shed.", Ruby assured while casually pointing out the older man with a beard eating steak and eggs, "And if your girls ever need a job, I'm open for a few extra hands. Don't worry, I'll make nobody bother them."

"Hehe…I appreciate that, Ruby. Both of you actually.", Fantina remarks, slightly amused and at ease.

"You know, it's not just us. Sterling still has your back too. Why else would he become your host family?"

Fantina blushes slightly, taken aback by the sudden question, "I-I don't know. Maybe it's just his way of trying to make up for what he did."

"That seems like part of it, , we weren't kidding earlier. Up until recently, he carried himself like he was barely alive. Hell, I've seen actual ZOMBIES more lively than him. It's like you coming back breathed life back into him. You did that, Fan."

"I…I did? C-Come on…I didn't even really come back. I was dragged along.", Fantina uttered slightly grimacing at the memory of a certain weasel girl. She then clenches her paw to her chest and murmurs, "Did he…miss me that much…"

"How long are you gonna wait?", Ruby asks.

"F-For what?"

"To tell him exactly how you feel. It's plain to see you're crazy about him now as you were back then!", Hannibal chimes in, prompting a deeper blush from the baphomet, "Don't tell me working with actual criminals didn't strengthen your nerves a little more! You guys are even LIVING together now! It's the perfect opportunity!"

"She's got you there.", Ruby added.

"Just stop, alright?! I just…I don't think…", Fantina blurted out, trying to find the right words or conjure any excuse to deny their claims…but couldn't deny the truth.

"You said he was trying to make up for what he did…maybe you can work on forgiving him.", Ruby suggests.

"Forgive him? But he—"

"Made mistakes and sacrifices for the good of others, same as you.", Ruby interjected, "And just like you, he needs to atone for them. It all begins with the both of you right now."

Fantina went speechless, unable to deny the weight of her statement. A part of her wanted to remain angry and bitter towards him but…could she really just let it go?

"Tonight's a full moon too. Maybe you guys can work on healing your relationship Marvin Gaye-style?", Hannibal suggested with a saucy smirk making Fantina flinch, blushing heavily.

"Oh hush up! I thought y'all ICEP folks wanted to prevent host relationships like that."

"Typically, buuut with the marriage bill passed and more couples popping up every day, the board of directors started allowing romantic relationships between host and student. So long as both parties verbally consent, are 19-years-old or above, have no current relationships, and intend to marry within at least year. Shit, over half the host families I'm in charge of have filled out marriage applications. Oh, and you didn't hear this from me, but there've been quite a few human/liminal agent couples popping up recently too.", Hannibal whispered to the old woman and Fantina, making sure to wink suggestively the latter.

"Really? Well shit, go get you some healing Fan!"

"Shut up! What is wrong with you two?!", Fantina nearly screamed while blushing beet red and fuming, prompting hearty chuckles from both women.

"Hehe, what did I miss a joke at Fan Fan's expense out here?", Sterling lightly chuckles coming from the restroom, getting their attention as Fantina tenses up before hiding her flustered face.

"Nahhh, we're just having a much needed and constructive conversation. Nothing that old guys like you could understand."

"Old?! I'm only 36! That is NOT old."

"Did you watch G.I. Joe growing up?"

"Y-Yeah when I was like…nine."

"Old. I grew up with Batman Beyond, bitch.", Hannibal proudly remarks, flaunting her youth.

"You're beyond my patience. You done eating, Fan Fan? We're heading out."

"Oh! Y-Yeah, I'm done.", Fantina answers, still not looking right at him.

"Ok good, thanks again as always, Ruby.", Sterling politely addressed as he left a crisp twenty on the counter, to Ruby and Hannibal surprise.

"Appreciate your business. And Fantina? Remember what I said, now go get you some!", Ruby encouraged while Hannibal gives a supportive thumbs up while Fantina glares at the incredulously with a deep blush.

"What is she talking about?", Sterling asks.

"Nothing! Let's just go!", Fantina stated, pushing against his lower back urging him forward as they walk out to his vehicle.

"Hmph, first time he tips and it's a fresh untorn twenty. He must be really happy to have her back in his life. Good."

"I am too, honestly, and I know you are. Don't you even try to deny it.", Hannibal remarks in agreement before thought occurs to her, "You know, when she started talking about Covens, it made me think of my cousin Gregory. He got a new job at I.A. on the security force guarding a Coven. Damn, I probably could've asked her if she met him. Hope he doesn't have his hands full up there. He's a good and reliable guy but dense as hell sometimes."

"Sounds more like they got their hands full of him, hehehe.", Ruby chuckles to herself as the bell on the door chimes signalling the arrival of another customer, "Good morning, what can I get for you two sweethearts?"

Approaching the counter, wearing inconspicuous clothing and unbeknownst to agent Hannibal, was an older human man with freshly cut goatee and a young human woman with fair skin and blonde hair.

"Ah! Did you hear that William, my love, she called us sweethearts!", the human woman happily stated in a noticeable French accent, swaying back and forth in excitement as Hannibal and Ruby raise an eyebrow.

William sighs in slight annoyance, side-eying the overly flamboyant dark priest as her tail flails about. Due to the effects of her 'Goddess Blessing' she currently has activated, only he can perceive her true form. Everyone else just sees a weird, clingy blonde.

"Good morning. Can I please have a coffee, one sugar? Waffles, bacon and scrambled eggs.", William spoke, taking a seat at the counter, joined by the young woman.

"Why yes you can. And for your sweetheart?"

"Same as my Love…buuut I prefer black tea to coffee.", Adelaide sweetly remarks with a smile, hugging Williams arms who adding to his annoyance.

'Is he her sugar daddy or something?', Hannibal and Ruby thoughts in unison.

"Right away, sir. It'll be out in ten minutes.", Ruby assured, writing down the order then pinning it up.

"Perfect.", William remarks, wriggling his arm free from Adelaide's grasp.

"You two seem like you're having a good day so far.", Hannibal chimes in observing the pair.

William looks at the black-haired woman, noting her demeanor and black suit with an ICEP badge just barely in view from her white shirt. He cursed his bad luck but chose to play things smoothly.

"'Good', isn't the word I'd use. Yet here we are, pushing through to get things done and clean up messes because no one else will."

"God(dess)' work must be done, my love. No point in complaining now my love.", Adelaide chimes in with smile.

"Hehe, sounds like you two are having trouble in paradise love birds. But seriously, you have a lot of work to do today, like me, huh?", Hannibal jokes with a smile as Adelaide glared coldly at her.

"That's ONE way to put it.", William answered, discreetly putting Adelaide's hand down as it charged a black mana seal in her palm, "Guess you can say we're scoping out competition."

"Ah, so you're business owners. What do you guys sell?"

"...Pharmaceuticals.", William and Adelaide responded in near perfect unison.

….Back to Andrew's house….

After enjoying the rest of their hearty breakfast together and putting away the dishes, Ash went back to her room choosing to get more rest. Andrew could seen reading the Harpy care package Sterling gave him while the morning news TV played in the background.

"Damn, I didn't know they had TWO sets of lungs", He comments looking through the ecology notes and dietary requirements on the Harpy species.

'Next up on 'Good Morning Alabama'! Officials are investigating a devastating accident on the border of Madison county. Victims were a family of four in a 2010 Chevy silverado with no survivors. State troopers called out had to quarantine the area due to high levels of dangerous mana and contacted ICEP mana specialists to contain the spread. These ICEP specialist also confirm the mana from the body of the victims was the byproduct of a powerful highly volatile curse placed by a Chaos-born species. An investigation has been launched to find the one responsible.', The female human reporter informed.

'Another instance of mana corruption. And right after the reports of a mysterious explosion at the liminals resource research and development facility at Interspecies Affairs. The details on that haven't been released by ICEP but the director assured it was due to 'natural causes' and the repairs have already begun. However, there are speculation of another dangerous liminal possibly escaping. Visitors in the facility at the time reported glimpses of a winged figure flying out of a 'pillar of flames', the male reported chimes in giving his two cents as Andrew looks up at the screen curiously. The screen showed images of the fire and blurry images of a winged figure, 'Two dangerous liminals in one day and right before a full moon too? Is it me or should ICEP change their name to INEPT?', he jokes, prompting a fit a forced laughter from his fellow anchors.

'In other news, a Tuscaloosa county fire department chief forms a team of adorable Dalmatian-type Cu Sith dubbed the 'Dixie Spots'. Their origins remain unclear but the chief assures these girls are loyal and eager to help protect and serve their community.', the female reporter enthusiastically spoke, showing pictures of the anthropomorphic female dalmatians in fireman hats and yellow uniforms while happily smiling.

Andrew looks at the screen astonished then back down to his crossword in deep contemplation. He thought of the I.A. facility they showed and that enormous pillar of flames erupting from the building. He could only imagine the damage sustained on the inside. Coupled with the unfocused image of a winged figure and Ash's sudden arrival, it didn't take a rocket scientist to put the pieces together.

What exactly happened at that facility? Was Ash responsible for that destruction? Or was it some other Liminal experiment gone wrong? It could These questions and more ran through the elderly man's head causing a slight headache.

"Lord have mercy...", Andrew softly groaned, unsure of how he should approach the situation. If the towel incident from earlier and the news port was evidence enough, Ash may be more dangerous than he realized.

He thought of simply contacting that agent again to have her removed from his home. However, he also remembered the confused and scared expression she had when he first brought her into his home. The dull, listless almost melancholic tone in her voice reminded him of his daughter Vanessa when she was grieving her mother. Andrew could tell, just like Vanessa at the time, she feels lost. Lost and afraid.

Could he really just give up on her before even trying?

No.

"No. We're not doin' that.", Andrew shook his head driving the thoughts out before changing the channel from the news; not wanting to be distracted. At that moment, he accidentally bumps the bag with the rest of material causing the full moon sleeping pills to roll out onto the floor. He picks it up, instantly reminded of the full moon tonight.

He has to get her to take them but needed the right way to approach it.

"Ah hell with it, I'll just talk to her.", Andrew sighed, choosing to just be direct and honest. It was still HIS house after all and his rules.

While that was going on, Ash could be seen in the guest bedroom going through the drawers and closet taking inventory of everything. Socks, pants, T-shirts, extra sheets and pillows, footwear, even miscellaneous objects like lightbulbs, books, and several large candles placed stop the dresser. She didn't understand why but simply organizing everything made her feel calm and assured.

Whatmore, she inexplicably collected all the pretty pieces of discarded jewelry, coins, and a few keys placing in a neat pile on the nightstand. She called it the 'shiny corner'. She didn't know why but she remembers loving little shiny objects.

Ash reaches her bird hand-wing into the drawer and pulls out a haphazardly torn open five-pack of panties with three missing. She unfolds one of them noting they were twice the size of her current-and only-undergarment. Whoever bought these must have been generous in that area.

'I don't think I'm big enough to fill these. Maybe I can ask for extra portions for a while?', Ash pondered, looking over shoulder at her small but plump rear, imagining it a little bigger. She then immediately noticed her reflection in the closet door mirror, forgetting to close it.

As she stared at her reflection, taking in every detail of her body from her striking flame pattern wings, toned legs, and burning ember eyes, and frowning. Ash hated looking at herself. Every time she saw her reflection, Ash felt a surge of anxiety and sadness. Everything, from head to talon, felt wrong. It didn't feel like anything on her body was SUPPOSED to be there or at least not the way it is now. This isn't her. She can't remember what she used to look like but she knew, deep in her heart, this ISN'T her.

"Then...who am I?", Ash somberly utter as tears well up. She wipes her tears away but then stops to look at her reddish-orange wings, clenching the hand-shaped appendages with opposable thumbs in frustration. She wanted to break them. Whenever she feels this way, she just wanted to take these horribly-colored wings and BREAK them.

*Knock knock knock*

The sound of knocking at the door jolts the Pheonix from her thoughts. She quickly puts away the package of panties.

"C-Come in!"

"Hey there, sorry to bother y-", Andrew stops up on seeing the objects organized in the bed drawer hanging open and pile of coins and keys on the nightstand, "What in...what are you doing in here?"

"I-I was just organizing and cleaning up a bit. But nothing abnormal or concerning, I promise.", Ash responds, fidgeting her wings in slight embarrassment, then changed the subject, "Is there something wrong?"

"Not...really but I did hear on the news earlier about a full moon tonight."

Ash pauses a moment, realizing what he was saying. Despite her memory loss, she retained several bits of crucial information but especially awareness of what happens to liminals like her on the full moon.

"I heard about how wild y'all Liminal folks during that time so I came prepared.", Andrew informs before taking the bottle of sleeping pills, rattling it a bit much to Ash's surprise, "These should help you get through the night. I heard ICEP approved these to-"

"NO!", Ash blurted out without thinking, alarming the elderly man, before taking a deep breath calming herself, "S-Sorry...but no, I can't..."

"What do you mean you can't? It's only a two capsules you gotta take with food. I have blood pressure meds that work the same way. You need these if you wanna avoid going wild toni-"

"I don't want ANYTHING from them! Ok?!", Ash cuts him off again, body trembling as heat radiates from her feathers, alarming Andrew.

"Ok! Ok! It's alright, Ash. It's...alright.", Andrew stated, trying to calm her and sweating a bit from the heat.

Ash quickly realizes what was happening and takes a deep breath before exhaling. The heat does down as Andrew sighs in relief.

"I know about the agent that came to visit.", Ash says in a dull tone getting Andrew's attention, "I didn't say because...I didn't to make things more complicated for you. I don't want you...I don't to cause you trouble just you wanted to help. But that was wishful thinking. They know where I am now and will likely come and take me back to that room. I... can't go back...I...", Ash's voice quivers as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Andrew gently tilts her head up, making her look him in the eyes, "It's alright, Ash. You don't to worry. They don't know you're here."

"W-What? But...that man..."

"Is covering for you. I don't know the reason but he hasn't told anyone else in ICEP you're here with me. Before you ask, yes, I believe we can trust him...for now. I'm a very good judge of character and that man passes for decent.", Andrew calmly assured as the Pheonix stared at him intrigued, "Ash... what happened between you and them?"

Ash goes quiet, the memories of that room, that man and others like him, and images of her body parts being ripped apart fill her head with terror. She could hardly utter an audible sentence as her lip trembles.

"...Did they hurt you?", Andrew carefully asked.

Ash doesn't say anything and simply nods in confirmation.

Andrew, understanding the situation a bit more, felt a small surge of anger unable to imagine to terrible things she experienced in that place but chose to keep it to himself.

"Ok, I understand. I won't make you do anything you don't want but...If you're going to live here, and you are welcome here, we're gonna need to figure this full moon thing out. I know you don't intend to harm me but neither do most liminals students during nights like these.", Andrew affirms as Ash nods in understanding, "Imma check that care package see if y'all Harpy can take Tylenol to make you sleepy."

"...Actually, I think I know something we can try.", Ash says, getting his attention, "It pains me to say it but when I was at the facility, they had a way to suppress my instincts without using drugs."

Andrew raises an intrigued eyebrow, "Really now?"

"Yes, um... question. How cold do you believe you can make one room?"

"Hehe, Ash, you realize you talking to a man who lives through sixty-seven consecutive Alabama summers. I know how to knock all the heat out of a room. I got you.", Andrew chuckles giving an assuring grin.

Ash eyes widen then smiles warmly at him, feeling more at ease.

….Hours later….

Fantina and Sterling spent the entire rest of the day out in the town. On top of taking care of a couple errands—mainly picking up dry cleaning and groceries for evening dinner—the pair decided to visit an art museum downtown Sterling took the baphomet years prior. Despite her time in the criminal underworld, it didn't seem to dampen her love of modern art. They observed a few new additions to the exhibits and art pieces featuring different liminal species as the muse.

There was even an entire exhibit for occultist-related species and those that dabble in magic and the supernatural. Despite enjoying the surprisingly accurate depiction of mystic symbols used in spell crafting and various magic imbued tools donated to the museum from liminal communities, she had mixed feelings towards the design of the large baphomet statue. It just wasn't feminine enough for her liking.

They soon left and eventually decided to stop at a nearby park called Big Spring, famous for the long above ground irritation channel connected to an underground spring. It was one of many locations they'd visit back in the day. It was a calm environment where people could enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities or just enjoy the scenery and clear their minds.

In this case, it was the latter for Fantina and Sterling. They could currently be seen seated at a stone table on a hill overlooking much of the park and the nearby street as vehicles passed. It was the perfect spot for one of their favorite activities: Pedestrian Roasting.

"Oh, check this guy out.", Sterling remarks, drinking a can of pineapple Celsius, at the middle-aged human man wearing a Pac-Man beanie, matching yellow jacket and black pants, "Now what stage of a midlife crisis would you call this?"

"The 'revert back nine-years-old with no responsibilities because the mortgage is too high' phase?", Fantina cheekily replied with a smirk, drinking a strawberry Fanta, her favorite.

"Ha! You know what? He kinda strikes as me as that one kid in an arcade that swears they're the best at a game then DIES ten seconds in!", Sterling chuckles as Fantina joins him, "Oh! Kobold woman dressed in Crimson Tide merchandise at three o'clock. Might as well wear a sign saying 'I'm definitely a tourist.'", Sterling added, gesturing to said jogging Kobold woman with face and fur painted.

"Yeah, better hope the literal Auburn tiger doesn't…catch you.", Fantina slyly remarks at the young Jinko with auburn fur to match her orange sports jersey stepping out the trolley, pausing a second from being reminded of Ranka.

"Ever think some liminals are adopting some of this countries' traits WAY too quickly?"

"All the time. It does make occurrences like these all the more interesting though."

"True."

"Oh, Chaos, look at this one! Harpy discovers hotdogs.", Fantina gestures to a Raptor Harpy seated on a bench holding a hotdog with both wings, inquisitively sniffing at it, "*Sniff sniff* W-Wait a minute? What's going on here? What is this…conniption? I asked for mustard not relish. Why's it smell like chicken? Can I eat chicken? Am I a cannibal if I eat chicken? No wait, I'm a bird of prey. I prey on other birds. And I pray this thing goes down easy.", Fantina monologues as Sterling chuckles grew more lively with each joke before she joined in.

"Hahahaha! Oh fuck…", Sterling expressed with a smile before leaning back slightly, looking out in distance pensively, "I missed this…"

Fantina glances at him curiously but understands exactly what he meant.

"Uh, sorry if that came out of nowhere.", Sterling apologized, realizing how awkward it sounded.

"No, no, it's fine. I…I missed this too…"

"I do mean it though. It's always more fun to do this with someone."

Fantina raises a curious eyebrow, "In that case, you could've gotten someone else to roast strangers with you. I'm sure Hannibal would love it. If not her, your other friends."

"Maybe but…I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much. It's just way more fun with you.", Sterling casually admitted prompting a blush from the slightly stunned baphomet, "Listen, Fan…I know thing aren't quite squared away with us, and they probably won't be for a while, but…I want you to know that…I don't resent you for leaving."

Fantina takes a moment to process his statement, feeling a combination of relief and slight offense, "That's convenient. It's good to know you're tolerant of my reaction that day; regardless of justification."

"It's not like that! I…did what had to be done and I know you know that. I wish things could've been different but…", Sterling trails off, touching his forehead as he looks up towards the clouds, "I tried to do what was right for everyone at the time. It was just the 'right' thing had so much bullshit attached."

Fantina stares at him, sensing the sincerity in his words. She could from his demeanor and body lanythat he genuinely tried his best. It was one thing she's picked up all the time she's known him and even more since they've lived together.

"One of the biggest mistakes I made that day was that I should have talked to you. I should have gotten your opinion on the vote! You deserved to have yourself heard. If not by the board, then at very least by me! I convinced myself that I need to be impartial and look at things objectively. I… believed that I KNEW what your opinion would be. I was just being arrogant."

"Yeah…that part I won't deny. You sounded exactly like the other board that believes they KNOW what's best for us non-humans.", Fantina bitterly remarks, reminded of her first encounter with ICEP's Board of Directors.

"I know. Believe me, I've done my best to correct my mistakes but it's hardly enough. It almost never is. I…I'm so sorry.", Sterling shamefully admitted as Fantina's eyes widened in surprise, "I was your partner…your friend…and I failed you… I betrayed the trust you had in me. Can you ever forgive me? If not, that's fine."

Fantina pauses in thought, unsure of how to fully process this sudden apology. It wasn't exactly how she pictured it the last few years but it was very close. She takes a deep breath and responds, "Sterling…I wanted to give you grace since I'm sure your heart was in the right place but…you still put me and my girls in a bad spot. Your choice puts us at risk of losing a place in this country. I don't take that lightly as their protector."

"...I understand. Why…didn't you ever tell me or anyone the real reason for joining ICEP?"

"Please. The social climate back then was way too volatile for just about every species that didn't have a pair of white wings but ESPECIALLY those like me. The way we look…drew unwanted attention and you know that. Either I was treated as a freak or treated unseriously like a child. Imagine how they'd react to seeing a very human-looking childlike girl kissing an older man in public."

Sterling goes quiet as he couldn't deny the legitimacy of her reasoning. The world in that time may as well have been a parallel universe compared to now. It would have been a PR nightmare if a MATURE-looking non-human was caught being romantic with a human in public. They already faced violent opposition from irate citizens when the exchange bill was established. It would have been much worse if ICEP tried to include relationships of that nature at the time.

"The best way I saw to help them was to get to a position of power using YOUR rules. I trained, learned, and adapted all to work into a spot where I COULD change things for my girls.", Fantina stated with emphasis, "I hoped they wouldn't ignore me anymore. They'd see…that little pedo goat deserves respect too."

"And you do, Fan. Believe me, I was there to see how dedicated and strong you were. Despite how everyone treated you, it never seemed to bother you because you KNEW you'd prove them wrong. It was…one of the things I admired about you.", Sterling humbly spoke with a smile grin.

Fantina was slightly taken aback, turning her face to hide her rosy cheeks, "Y-You said ONE of your biggest mistakes was going behind my back. Then what was by far the worst?", she inquired, trying to change the subject.

"Well…I would say NOT listening that one time you told me don't wear cheap cologne near a Devil Bug den. Still can't stand the sight of roaches.", Sterling half jokes, grimacing at the memory as Fantina rolled her eyes, also recalling the incident, "But, I think my biggest mistake was not fighting hard enough for you back then. I understand you needed ICEP help for your coven and others like it…and we failed. You all deserve to find love and be loved no differently than other species.", He says in an assuring tone, scooting closer and looking her in the eyes.

Fantina's heart skipped a beat at his words, cheek rosy.. An aching warmth spread throughout her chest squeezing tightly as she stared up at the handsome human man.

"W-What are you saying so suddenly?", She asked, scooting closer as well.

"I'm saying you deserve to be happy, Fantina. You and every witch in your coven are all wonderful. It's honestly infuriating that people can't see past something that's not even your—", Sterling expressed indignantly, stopping as Fantina stared at him with twinkling red goat eyes full of hope, "S-Sorry, I guess I got carried away."

"No, it's ok. You're just saying how you feel, right? Y-You really mean that, don't you?"

"...Yeah, I do, Fan Fan .", He affirmed, looking her dead in the eyes, barely noticing how the two of them were now barely a foot apart.

Fantina's fur-covered hands inches close to Sterling's as her lips part staring wantingly at his own and the red in her cheeks deepens. Her heart raced, ready to offer itself to the human it adored so much.

'Are you seeing this right now?', whispered the voice of a passerby, catching Fantina's sensitive goat ears. She glanced to the side, noticing two humans —both women—staring in disgust as their power walked by.

"I know she isn't human but she's still way too young right?", a woman spoke in clear revulsion, "The nerve of people nowadays! It's bad enough with ADULT liminals running around turning decent men into freak fuckers."

"I know right. There's other kids here at the park. What if they see this pervert in action? Pieces of filth like him belong in prison.", the other woman stated glaring at Sterling like he was filthy, hurting Fantina to the core.

"Should we report them?", the other suggested.

Upon hearing that, Fantina turns away from Sterling then stands up, surprising the human agent. He could see her body trembling ever so slightly.

"Fan Fan? Are you ok?", He asks, attempting to reach out to her but she steps out of his reach.

"I…I have to go to the bathroom.", She stated, her back turned to him.

"Oh, uhh, alright then."

Without another word, the baphomet quickly walks away, leaving Sterling alone. He watches her leave with a disappointed expression, unsure if he was too straightforward. Or maybe her stomach just couldn't handle sugary drinks like it used to, denoted by her half-empty Fanta can. Sterling sighed to himself before noticing two human women watching him suspiciously. He noted they both looked like fully evolved grocery store Karens.

"Morning!", Sterling politely greeted with a wave.

Both women rudely turn their backs in disgust, refusing to acknowledge him as they power-walked away. Sterling, confused and slightly offended, wondered what their problem was.

"Oh whatever. Go be Karens somewhere else.", He dismissively spoke.

…

Further away, inside the universal women's restroom—universal since the whole interior had been converted to accommodate just about any non-human body. Whether the user has multiple legs or no legs at all, they could do their business in peace.

Fantina locked herself inside one of the humanoid accessible stalls, seated with the white porcelain lid down and face buried in her large paws. The brown fur soaked up her tears as she gently wept.

It wasn't the first time something like this happened. When they were first partnered together, she mostly kept her distance, only treating him as a little more than a coworker. That's all he and the organization was to her at the time; a means to an end. A lot of their fellow agents picked up on that attitude and saw the two of them in that light. It was entertainment for those people, watching them squabble and bicker. A couple of begrudging coworkers. Nothing more and nothing less.

However, things changed as she grew closer to Sterling. He was so different and treated her as if she were a normal woman. No matter how much she berated or tried to put him down, he just shrugged it off like it was nothing. She wanted so badly to bring out the jerk in him and prove he wasn't any different then the humans that looked down on her. Yet, every time, he proved her wrong. Her tough exterior gradually weakened and allowed more and more of his kindness and patience inside. The other agents picked on this change as well and began speculating the true nature of their relationship. Looking back, it's funny how the second it seemed they had a serious and genuine relationship, everyone had their opinions and objections. She honestly didn't care what they said about her but...several started labeling Sterling as having a 'thing' for little girls. If it continued, he would have landed in deep trouble with the Board, likely fired and blacklisted as a sex offender in his own society. She couldn't allow that so…she hardened herself again. She refused the most platonic of touches from him and even distanced herself when walking together in public. Any kind of affection or attention from him she denied herself for his sake. It was painful and she could sense it hurt him too.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I wish I didn't care. I wish it didn't bother me.", Fantina softly whispered to herself as Ruby and Hannibals advice from earlier, Sterling's apology, and the comments of those strangers along many others before them bombarded her mind, "I wish I wasn't too much of a coward to admit that I…."

Fantina pauses, thinking of not only the heartache she's caused him but also the suffering she helped inflict on other innocent people because of the Malones. The blood on her hands and scorn against her heart was for the baphomet to bear. No one she loved deserved it. Her eyes widened at that word, love, as Sterling words from earlier rang in her heart, "I just…don't want you to suffer the rest of your life because of me.", Fantina bemoaned wiping her tear-stained eyes as she stared at the ceiling fluorescent light.

…..

While that was going, Sterling descended the hill where they were sitting down to an empty picnic area full of picnic tables and a few vending machines.

He taps the button, prompting a bottle of Sprite to tumble out. He wasn't sure if it'll settle her stomach but he had to try.

"Haaa…who am I kidding? It's not an upset stomach. She's just sick of being around you but is too worried what'd happen if she admits it.", Sterling sighed, disheartened.

It was true that with the elven collar on neck, her coven essentially under ICEP jurisdiction, and HE being her host in a very precarious deal, meant she was in NO position to be defiant. He didn't want to have power over her, he just wanted to make things right between them. He wanted his partner…and best friend back. Sterling stared at the sprite bottle inquisitively, thinking of their interaction minutes ago. Her lovely sparkling crimson goat eyes, adorable baby face and horns curved upwards, her youthful charm combined with mature mentality, all reminders of how amazing she–

Sterling, with a faint blush, shakes the thoughts from his head then clenches his forehead, "Dammit, what are you doing? You can't think of her that way…not anymore after you fucked up. Not after everything you put her through. You don't have the right.", he chastises himself, unaware of the hooded figure quietly watching him before jumping out.

"Help! Someone help!", the figure in black hoodie shouted, getting his attention.

"W-What? What's wrong, little girl?!"

"It's my brother! It happened so fast! This big pink pig lady came outta nowhere and took him!"

"You mean Orcs?! Where did they go?!", Sterling hastily inquired, instincts kicking in as he's reminded today was Full Moon. There's bound to be some liminals lurking about seeking to abduct a partner for the night.

"There! They took him down that alley! Please, you have to save him!", the hooded figure pleaded, gesturing to a familiar alley across the street

"Don't worry, it'll be ok. I'm an ICEP agent! Stay here and don't go anywhere. If you see a short woman with goat horns and brown paws, tell her I'll be back. Understand?"

The figure pauses a moment before reluctantly nodding. At that, Sterling takes off, in the back of his mind hoping Fantina wouldn't think he'd abandoned her. As he takes out his phone to call in backup, he quickly increases the tracker range on Fantina's collar so it doesn't appear like she's escaping.

"This is Agent Sterling of Huntsville ICEP Office, calling in any available MON units. We have a code F-669 at 32 Jack Warner Street Alley 15. Category 3 hostiles! Repeat! Category 3 hostiles!", Sterling relayed on his phone as the hooded figure watched him leave with a solemn frown.

Sterling made his way across the street standing with his back near the alley entrance, peering around the corner listening. He could hear sneering chuckles and muffled sounds of struggling further down before removing a black desert eagle sidearm from his suit's holster. It was loaded with rubber rounds laced with a neural dampener synthesized from motango enzymes. The new standard used by agents to better combat more resilient species and their answer to the mana bullet's circulation in the black market. Of course, it still hasn't been cleared for mass production in all states yet mainly cause lacking a reliable and more importantly cost effective way to produce them in mass

He removes the safety and pushes forward into the alley keeping his eyes open for any orc's hiding out to ambush him. He spotted no sign of orc activity, damage or even footprints. They weren't exactly a clandestine species. A clear red flag that something is very wrong. He immediately comes across two large cloaked figures straddling what looked to be a young man in his late teens. His clothes were partially ripped apart as he grunted and cried out to get free.

"Hands in the air! ICEP!", Sterling stated in an authoritative tone, catching the assailant's attention.

"Oh my, she brought us a lively one to add to our collection of Full Moon fuck buddies.", one of the figures spoke, sounding amused as they slowly rise up while he compatriot held the teen down. They look over their shoulders at Sterling, eyes flashing with purple menacing glint, catching the agent off guard, "~You wanna have some fun too!~", they smiled widely letting the dark purple reptilian tail flail out and brandishing the sharp dark claws.

Sterling was taken aback a bit surprised and steeled his nerves.

'You've gotta be kidding me.', he expressed internally before noticing black reptilian woman shift her sharp gaze to the right.

Sterling instincts sensed a figure quickly approaching from behind. He ducks to his knees as another black reptilian woman goes soaring over him, arms spread wide from a attempt to tackle him. He noticed the amazed yet malicious smile on her face as she soared overhead. She lands on her hands, before performing a back kick on the agent.

Sterling guards himself with his arms and is sent flying backwards before catching himself as it felt like it would have fractured one of his arms. He fires off four rounds, aiming for the upper thigh to avoid fatal shots. In the flash, the reptilian woman's tail whips around deflecting all four rounds as they bounce off her scales. Sterling grits his teeth in displeasure, not expecting her reflexes to be that acute.

"~Oh shoot, you missed your shots, handsome. Here.~", The black reptilian woman teased as she and the others remove their cloaks to. They were each tall, lightly tan to pale skinned women with black and purple reptilian scaled claws and legs, black fin-like ears, dark purple horns, menacing dark purple eyes, razor sharp teeth and thick, strong black draconic tails. Their skin had black tribal markings, particularly around the lower tummy, and they each wore clothes that exposed their best features and allowed for better mobility; short pants and skirts, crop tops and tanks, anything with sex appeal and maximum functionality.

Sterling narrows his gaze as his fears are realized. He was dealing with dragonewts, a rather unusual type at that. He's only seen the type with green or even red scales in his tenure as an agent, but never black scaled variety. A new subspecies perhaps?

"Oh wow! This one's tough! I thought for sure that kick would have knocked you out cold or at least broken one of those cute arms of yours."

"Tch, ordinarily yes.", Sterling scoffs at her statement before pulling at his sleeves, "ICEP uniforms arm made with high-density Arachne silk and imbued with Wood Elven mana for extra physical and mana defense. Expensive as hell to tailor but I doubt even those claws can puncture though. Now, release the boy before this gets ugly. MON units will be here very soon.", he demanded, his weapon aimed at the collar bone of the one holding the teen, who cries out for help.

"How soon is 'very soon'? Whatever it is…we'll just have to beat you into submission and haul you off before then. I would have loved to taste whatever else you're packing.", The tan-skinned dragonewt female grins menacingly, licking her lips and walking towards him dragging her razor sharp claws right through the solid brick before flinging the bits of stone at Sterling face. He shields his face and jumps back, firing off a couple shots which bounce right off her skin, making her chuckle boisterously. The dragonewt advances, claws bared to tear into his chest, "Game over Mr. Agen—"

The dragonewt is quickly intercepted by a knee strike right to her chin, rattling her skull before Sterling performs a spinning roundhouse aiming right for the dragonewts webbed ears. She goes tumbling to the ground much to the shock of her companions.

"W-What the?! Judith! How the hell did he do that?!", one of them expressed, looking at their friend writhing on the ground stunned.

"I was a bit worried at first but it seems the color of the scales doesn't matter too much. You have the same weak point as most other dragonewts. A solid hit to the vestibular fins can stun even if bullets bounce off your skin. Also pays to have steel-toed boots.", Sterling explained, quickly reloading and tapping his shoes to the ground.

"How's this for steel-toes, agent fuckwad!", one of the other dragonewts angrily shouted, lunging towards with a flying kick. Her clawed feet bared like a spear.

Sterling skillfully dodges as the dragonewt soars past him.

"Gotcha.", She smirks wickedly before kicking off the concrete, foot talons ripping through brick before lunging with her claws ready to decapitate the human, "You're mine!"

"No. You're wide open. ", Sterling coldly remarks, firing a couple rounds right into both fin ears. A massive surge of pain shoots through the dragonewts head as she falls to the ground writhing and holding the sides of her head. Though they did not pierce her leathery membrane, the energy from both shots sent painful shockwaves through her sensitive nerves, "I'm only going to say this one last time: let that boy go right now and get on the ground, hands behind your head.", He warned, pointing his weapon at the now stunned and angered dragonewt restraining the teen.

"Y-Yeah?! And what if I don't?! I didn't even get my turn with him! Why don't you get on the ground before hot stuff gets it, huh?!", The desperate dragonewt stated, pointing her razor sharp claws at the teen boy's neck making him whimper and sob in fear as she drew a little blood for good measure.

Sterling grits his teeth in frustration, not wanting to risk the boy's life in the hands of an unstable liminal. In truth, his goal was simply to hold them off until the MON unit arrived. In a long drawn out battle he is woefully at a disadvantage. He knew acquiescing would only give them more leverage in this scenario.

"You realize the situation you're in, correct? All your friends are basically down for the count and, last time I checked, bullets are definitely faster than claws.", he stated, hoping they'd fall for the bluff.

The dragonewt smirks deviously, "ALL my friends you say? Sorry, Mr. Agent, you forgot about Dolly."

"Dolly?", Sterling questions before a tall figure lands behind him, tremors almost making him stumble. He turns to see a muscular, darker skin dragonewt woman with a well-endowed figure standing over a foot taller than him.

"Dolly! The mistress gave her an extra helping of her essence!", the dragonewt cheered, fist raised.

Dolly grabs his arm in an iron grip, squeezing hard enough to make him drop the firearm and lifts him up. Sterling groans at the pain, feeling his bone being crushed, struggling to get free as the taller reptilian woman glares at him blankly before a wicked smile grows on her face. She growls loudly, slamming him hard against the brick wall then against the other, stunning him. She finished by overhead slamming him against the concrete ground hard enough to make him lightly bounce off and create little fissures.

"Ghhaa!", Sterling gags out in pain, lying on his back staring up. His back, arms and abdomen felt like they'd been torn to shreds as he lay stunned, unable to move. The tall dragonewt woman stood over with a menacing grin, brandishing her claws like a spear.

"Nghh, tear his fuckin' heart out Dolly and eat it. Then gimme a bite!", Judith, the dragonewt he roundhoused earlier shouted, recovering slightly from the trauma.

The tall dragonewt growled loudly, thrusting her arm to impake him as Sterling shuts his eyes, preparing to feel her sharp claws rip through his chest like paper.

Suddenly, he could hear a familiar sound of repeating tapping, like the hooves of a deer in full stride. A short horned figure leaps over him and delivers a devastating rock-hard kick to the dragonewts fin-like ears. The darker skinned dragonewt body locks up completely, a massive surge of pain so severe she could barely utter an audible sound before toppling over much to the shock of her companions.

Sterling weakly turns himself over on his stomach, surprised to see Fantina standing over him, facing the remaining dragonewts with an irate expression.

"N-No way, just one kick?", one of the dragonewts incredulously stated, wide-eyed in shock.

"F-Fan…", Sterling weakly uttered.

"Making friends everywhere you go still, I see.", Fantina plainly remarks, glancing over her shoulder, appalled at the state they left him in.

"How'd you—"

"I met your little 'victim', idiot. Or should I say RAT?", Fantina emphasized, flicking her wrist prompting her scythe to float towards the group. Hanging off the blade with the little girl wearing the black hoodie but the hood pulled off to show her large mouse ears, buck teeth, and gray hair. Even her furry gray arms and slender pink tail were exposed, as she fearfully whimpered with tears in her eyes. Sterling looks on in surprise.

"Dammit, you worthless rat! You had ONE simple job and you couldn't even do that!", One of the dragonewts, the one Sterling shot both ears, berated with a vicious snarl.

"I'M SORRY! The goat lady is really scary!", The large mouse girl tearfully stated.

"Scarier than the mistress? Bullshit. We'll see what the rest of your family thinks when we get back.", the other dragonewt threatened.

"NO! You can't! Please!"

"I don't think YOU understand. None of you are getting out of here.", Fantina plainly spoke, stepping towards them with fists clenched as two of the dragonewts, now fully recovered, stand up with vicious glares.

"Yeah? You think you're enough to handle us?!", One of them shouted as both dragonewts charged her simultaneously, claws bared.

Fantina, summoning a blue magic seal and propels herself up, dodging the coordinated slashes before bouncing off another conjured blue seal going for an axe kick to the back of one of their webbed ears. It was quickly blocked by the dragonewt who grins sadistically, refusing to be caught off guard again. She tries to slash the goat girl but Fantina backflips away landing on her feet, only to then be struck by one of the dragonewts tail, slamming her into a brick wall. Fantina reels from the hit.

"Fan!"

One of dragonewts attempts to slash her again but the baphomet quickly ducks to avoid the hit as chunks of brick go flying. The dragonewt goes for a knee strike but Fantina, using her smaller stature and momentum from the attack, uses her opponents reptilian knee as a vantage point and headbutts square in the face with her large horns breaking cartilage and cracking bone. The dragonewt falls over, clenching her bleeding mouth and writhing in pain on the ground.

"You little goat piece of shit! I'll carve you up and roast you!", one of the other dragonewts shouted, rushing Fantina with a flurry of kicks, slashes, and tail swipes which the baphomet skillfully weaved and dodged.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you…", Fantina coldly remarks, side flipping a tail slash then, seeing an opening, straight kicks the dragonewt hard in the lower tummy making her lurch forward, then uppercuts her in the chin. The baphomet finishes with a twirling roundhouse straight to the dragonewts webbed ear, making her slam into the brick wall groaning in pain, "Goat meat is really tough."

"ENOUGH!", Shouted one of the dragonewts from above, getting their attention. Fantina and Sterling eyes widen in horror and see the dragonewt dangling the sobbing and fear-stricken teenager by the leg, "ONE MORE MOVE AND I DROP HIM!"

"Somebody help me! Please!", the teen boy cried out.

"No, stop!", Sterling shouted, fearing to the kids life.

Fantina grimaced at the dragonewts, wanting to use her scythe but didn't want to risk the large mouse escaping. They were also just out of range to use her low-level spells thanks to the collar effects or use the levitation on herself and risk the dragonewts following through on her threat. She has enough innocent blood on her hands. At that moment, as her hand subconsciously touched the brick wall, she noticed the small but sturdy corners sticking out.

"Yeah, that's right! Stay right where or I'll—Eh?", The dragonewt boasted in satisfaction before her triumphant smile drops by what she saw.

Fantina could be seen carefully but methodically scaling the brick wall with only the small corners of her cloven hooves. The dragonewts looked on in shock while the baphomet glared at her target as she drew closer.

Sidenote: Due to their naturally lean musculature, hard yet rubbery concave hooves to prevent slipping on any surface, and mastery over the principle of center mass, goats are among the best climbers in nature. A ledge as small as a 60 degree offset is more than enough to climb even solid brick walls.

"D-Dammit! You asked for it!", the dragonewt, panicking, drops the teen, head first, as he cries out in horror.

Acting quickly, Fantina skillfully leaps along the wall edges like a mountain goat scaling a cliff, and summons the blue magic seal from earlier underneath the boy. His body blows with blue energy as he levitated in mid-air above the ground to his surprise but relief.

"W-What the–Gahhh!", the now distressed dragonewt expressed before Fantina leaps up in front of her face the spin kicks the reptilian reprobate square in the webbed ear, stunning her completely as she falls backwards writhing.

The larger dark-skinned dragonewt and both her friends recover, noticing how far south their plans have gone.

"Dolly! Grab the boy and let's get outta here!", Judith commanded.

Dolly nods, about to go for the young man only for a gunshot to grab their attention and a bullet grazes the larger dark-skinned dragonewt's ear, making her loudly whimper while holding the sides of her head. Judith and the others turn their attention to the male agent, struggling to stand but pushing through the pain pointing a backup firearm—a silver and black painted desert eagle—at the dragonewts.

"Did you forget about me?", Sterling remarks, sharp gaze trained on any that dared to make a move.

At that moment, they could hear sirens from the MON van quickly approaching in the distance.

Judith grits her teeth in frustration glaring between the baphomet and human man who ruined their plans for the evening.

"Fuck! Dolly! Distraction attack!", she demanded as the larger dragonewt, pushing through the pain, stood up with an irate expression and stomped hard on the ground, shattered the concrete into large chunks to Sterlings confusion.

Fantina, sensing the danger posed by the larger dragonewt as the human boy floated to her, desperately reached his hand out. She grabs him and lunges the both of them to Sterling's position. Dolly kicks the broken chunks of concrete, sending them flying towards the agent and large mouse girl.

"Scatter!", Judith yelled as her fellow dragonewt quickly jumped up, climbing the walls, one of them retrieving their stunned comrade on the roof.

At the same time, Sterling attempts to shield the mouse girl from the flying debris but Fantina appears in the nick of time, expanding the blue seal on the young man in the path of the concrete chunks. All the chunks stop just mere inches from tearing through Sterling and the girl, glowing with blue energy as they levitated in place before unceremoniously dropping to the ground.

"Is everyone ok?!", Fantina quickly asked, met with the frightened unintelligible murmurings of the clearly emotionally traumatized human teen and large mouse girl, "Uhh, physically?"

"Nghh, yeah more or less. Glad you showed up in time.", Sterling says, putting on a smile and holding his ribs before dropping to one knee.

"Ah! Sterling–", Fantina reaches out to help him but is immediately cut off by a familiar voice.

"AGENT STERLING!", cried the voice of Clawthorne as she came running down the alley with MON units behind her, breasts bouncing widely and blonde hair flowing catching the teen boy's attention. She sees all the damage to the area and Sterling collapses on one knee and immediately grows worried, "Ah! Sir! Miss Fantina! What happened here?! I came as soon as you called! ", she fearfully asked the now slightly annoyed baphomet.

"Yeah, I'm sure you did. Anyway, Dragonewts attacked. These two here are your witnesses. Though, I'm sure the girl knows more than he does.", Fantina calmly replied as the large mouse girl visibly tenses up.

Clawthorne looks to the large mouse and teen boy, the latter turning away with a nervous blush, curiously.

"We'll give the full details later. Right now, you need to pursue those dragonewt that escaped and see after these kids—Aghh, shit that hurts.", Sterling expressed, holding his right arm and gritting his teeth, alarming the baphomet and Wood elf.

"Agent Sterling! Hold still, let me see your arm.", Clawthorne stated, kneeling down and gently pulling down his sleeve to reveal, to her shock, a badly bruised arm with dark discoloration and swelling, "Oh goddess, it's fractured! Don't worry, I'll heal you!", she says, conjuring a green magic seal over the injured area. Warm pulses of green energy spread throughout the wound as the pain slowly vanishes.

"Haa, thanks. Guess I'm getting a bit older than I thought.", Sterling jokes, trying to laugh off the pain.

"Let me help him too. I can use stronger healing spells to treat his other wounds but I need this collar removed for just a couple–", Fantina offered, truly worried for her old partners safety.

"Don't even try it!", one of MON personnel, a human female in yellow and black armor, stated , guiding the teen boy and large mouse away, "We have strict orders from the exchange office not to remove that collar! Unless you want to be considered 'hostile', you will let agent Clawthorne do her job. Come on now.", She berated with a distrustful glare, leading the children away as three flying MON liminals began to scan the area for the Dragonewts.

Fantina clenched her fists in clear irritation, wanting to give the woman a piece of her mind.

"Miss Fantina, stop.", Clawthorne takes the baphomet by the arm, giving her a reassuring yet forewarning look, "It's ok. I can handle it. You've done more than enough."

"She's right, Fan, just ignore her.", Sterling added, giving an assuring smile.

Fantina's anger simmers down before releasing a tired sigh then kneeling down beside Sterling as Clawthorne continues her healing session. The least she could do was provide moral support.

….Much later…

As the sun set on a relatively uneventful day, many normal people were returning from a day of work or relaxation and preparing to enjoy a calm Saturday evening. For those people who are host to liminals, however, it was more like preparing for a natural disaster.

Inside the home of Andrew Bizzell Jr., it was no different as he could be seen securing a large 15,000 BTU air conditioning unit into Ash's window before turning it on.

"Ok, I think that should be enough.", Andrew expressed, looking at the minor temperature regulating measures they've taken. Every corner of the window and doorway were covered with blankets to keep any heat out. There were five styrofoam coolers filled with ice cubes and dry ice, creating a cold fog around the floor. He even had bottles of ice cold water sitting in the cooler to further bring her temperature down.

Apparently, the folks in the facility where Ash was kept, always made sure to lower the temperature to below 50 degrees during full moon nights. As an additional failsafe, they had fire suppression systems active at the time to extinguish her flames and keep her docile. It was one of the most miserable parts she experienced during her time in that place but if it meant keeping THIS human safe…

"Yeah, this unit right here, gone get real, REAL cold. It's gonna be around 50 degrees soon, maybe lower with the dry ice melting. It's already feeling like an igloo in here."

"Aren't igloos designed to be warm inside, though? You know because of the insulation of body heat by snow?", Ash's questions.

"I mean the outside of the igloo. Where you ain't got no body heat because yo ass gone be Jack Frost.", Andrew jokes with a chuckle as the Pheonix, finding it genuinely funny, chuckles as well, "So, you got enough to eat for tonight? I made you some turkey sandwiches in case you get hungry. They are in that lunch box. Not sure if you can heat them up but..."

"It's fine, thank you but I'm pretty full from dinner. I'll keep them just in case though. Besides, I don't mind if my food is a little cold. Hot food is overrated anyway.", Ash politely assured the old man, attempting to make a joke.

"Hehehe, child you're something else.", he lightly chuckled much to Ash's delight, "Hooo! Let's get out of here, my joints acting up now, shit"

Before he could leave, he suddenly felt a large pair of wings wrap around him like a reddish-orange feathery blanket. He could feel her slim frame pressing against his back as a comforting heat spread throughout his body.

"Thank you.", She sweetly utters, a small tear trailing down her cheek, before releasing him.

Andrew pauses then turns back giving a smile, "Y-You have a good nigh now."

The old man shuts the door and immediately hears it lock behind him. He smiled warmly to himself, glad he's able to help her with that problem. Maybe he did have it in him to be a host after all. Or maybe he was lucky tonight. He didn't know but…he knew he didn't have it in him to abandon the girl when she needed help.

"Hmm? Oh, my joint pains are all gone.", He spoke to himself, experimentally rotating his arm.

Inside Ash's bedroom, as she lay on top on the blankets, wrapping herself in her wings allowing the cold to seap in at the surface level, she grabs a pair of headphones connected to a radio Andrew lent her. He figured some music from his CD collection would help her relax. She presses play, prompting the CD to start spinning, and she lies down staring at the ceiling.

The song 'Beauty is Only Skin Deep' by the Temptations plays in the Phoenix's ears. She takes a deep breath, relaxes every muscle, letting herself get carried away by the lyrics. Deep down, she wondered what she and Andrew could do tomorrow.

Unbeknownst to either of them, five small fairies were busily casting a protection spell covering the entire home. Pulses of nearly unnoticeable whitish-gray aura ripples throughout the wall and ceiling, reflecting the lunar rays. A unique ability in the most recent generation of fairies that bred to be immune to the full moon effects.

…. Elsewhere….

Hours went by since the alleyway kerfuffle with the still unknown variant of dragonewt. The teenage victim, apparently named Max Phillips, was returned to his home following the ordeal. The large mouse girl was brought into MON custody and, reluctantly, revealed the location of a cellar near an abandoned store where 11 other men aged 18-30 were being held captive as 'Full Moon Partners' by the dragonewts. The large mouse girl currently remains in MON custody for further assistance in their investigation. ICEP filed a report about the group of hostile liminals running around and urged all host families and regular citizens to take extra precautions; especially during the full moon tonight. That was everyone's primary concern after all. No liminal agents out on patrol this night was a risk for public safety.

That, however, was a problem way too big for Fantina to worry about. After returning home with Sterling, she starts working on dinner for two of them tonight. Anything to take her mind off their recent life-threatening battle and prior awkwardness. After enjoying a relatively pleasant dinner, Fantina could now be seen loading the dishes into the washer, using a levitation spell, then pressing the button starting it.

She sighs, removing her small red apron then levitating it over on the hook.

"Hey, Fan?", Sterling asks, peering over the corner getting her attention. He had changed out of his suit and into a black metallica T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and black slippers. A part of her still found it jarring seeing him in normal civilian clothes despite living together for weeks now, "I'm finished in the shower and I did NOT touch the big red towel this time."

"Good to know. You're finally learning what boundaries are.", Fantina half-teased.

"I knew the dictionary definition, just not the practice.", He teased back.

Fantina lightly giggles then worriedly asks, "Are you…sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Fan. Don't worry."

"I can't help. You got hurt…badly and...If I hadn't left your side I…", Fantina stuttered, blaming herself and her fears for what happened to him. If she had arrived even just a second too late….

Suddenly, she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders and was met with Sterling's bright gray eyes staring into hers as he knelt down.

"Fan, listen…it's not your fault at all. I ran off without having all the details. I should have known it was an ambush, all signs pointed to such. Yet I still pressed on to save a civilian because that's what agents do.", Sterling affirms with a stern gaze, "Besides, you arrived right when I needed you most. Like you always do."

Fantina's eyes widened, cheeks becoming rosy as he stood up, giving her a reassuring smile, "A-Alright then…"

"Plus, between my suit absorbing most of the damage and Clawthorne's healing magic, I say I got outta that alright. She was pretty thorough in making sure I didn't sustain anything fatal."

"Yeah, real thorough.", Fantina remarks somewhat bitterly, remembering the Wood elf feeling up his arms and chest muscles claiming it to ensure her mana seeps deep into his body. Her claim may have held weight if it weren't for the lewd grin she tried to keep hidden. Pervert elf.

"Oh, by the way, it's about two hours before the moon reaches full visibility. You still have the bottle of sleeping pills I gave you?"

"Yes but you know I don't need them. My coven has its own method for staving off the full moon's effects passed down from my family.", Fantina emphasized, conjuring a blue magic seal and levitating a package of salt from the cabinet to her hand.

"Right, it's supposed to a sacred time for your species and witches. But, I'm still fuzzy on what exactly happens to you."

"L-Look you just need to know it's a time our bodies and spirit are at their weakest, not much different from other liminal species. We're just more private about it!", Fantina strongly insisted, refusing to elaborate, blushing deeply.

"Ok ok, I understand. You know, I don't think I ever asked about your family life growing up."

"Well, I never asked about yours so we're even. It just never came up because…we were agents. It's natural not to over share our personal lives."

"Yeah, well, we're not coworkers anymore, I'm your host. I'd…like to know more about your family and everything else about joining ICEP. I'd be happy to tell you about mine too.", Sterling awkwardly offers, scratching his head as Fantina stared at him intrigued, "I-If you want to that is, anything we share STAYS in this house."

"I'd…like that…very much.", Fantina warmly spoke with a smile.

Sterling cheeks flush, feeling a bit awkward before turning away, "W-Well, I'll let you have your shower then."

"...Wait!", The baphomet spoke up with a deep blush and fidgeting a bit as Ruby and Hannibal's encouraging words played in her head, "I-I know I said it's a private time for my species but…there is one exception…"

"An exception? What kind?", Sterling curiously inquired.

"Our…Big Brothers are allowed to…see us…our true selves.", Fantina explained, finding it harder to maintain eye contact.

"So, only…your mate can see this 'true self'. Sounds like a real honor.", Sterling remarks, trying to keep his voice as neutral as possible.

"Yes and…I…I want…", Fantina muttered, blushing deeply and heart pounding in her chest.

Sterling's eyes widened, wondering if she was asking what he thought she was, "Fantina?"

The baphomet looks up and sees his warm expectant gaze, feeling herself growing smaller as her words get caught in her throat. She then noticed the outline of something in his gray sweatpants prompting a deeper blush from her.

"F-Forget it! I'm taking that shower!", She cried out, making a beeline for the bathroom.

"Wait! Fan–"

The door audibly slams shut and locks, leaving the male agent equal parts confused and disappointed. He sighs deeply in embarrassment at his wishful thinking before heading to his bedroom.

Inside the bathroom, Fantina frantically strips naked and throws on the water. Cold water. Then steps inside letting the cool liquid run down her hot body. She punched the tiles wall repeatedly, head lowered as water pelted the back of her neck. A look of frustration, not at Sterling, but at herself on her face.

'Why? Why am I like this?! I spent so much time finding the best mates for all my witches but…mine is just in the other room yet I can't even…', Fantina berated herself, hating the type of woman she's become. The kind that sees everything she wants but is too scared of losing it to take it.

The moment he said he wanted to know about her family was simultaneously the happiest yet most tragic. Everything she has of her father and mother is only a memory. Still, that was her sign of just how much she mattered to him. Thinking back, he's always been showing her how much she mattered. Today was just one of many examples.

Yet she couldn't tell him three simple fucking words? Ridiculous.

…Nearly two hours later…

The entire house was quiet, save for some distance barely audible noises coming from neighboring units.

Sterling, after a while of deep contemplation, was now fast asleep in bed softly snoring after a long and tiring day.

Unbeknownst to him, his baphomet roommate stood just outside his bedroom door. She was dressed in a small translucent red satin nightgown with a black undergarments and a bra that fit perfectly with her petite body. A deep blush plastered on her panting face as she fought internally to maintain control of her senses.

'It's really come to this. If I can't tell him how I feel…then I'll just have to show it instead.', Fantina thought to herself in desperation as her body began to grow in size. Her red eyes piercing through the dark as her now larger hand gently reaches for the door.

A part of herself hated knowing THIS was he would be introduced to her DeLune form before he'd even accepted her Enfante form. It broke the rules of her coven, hell, her entire species.

She just couldn't stand it anymore.

"I want him…so badly.", Fantina utters, her silky voice now sounding like an attractive woman in her 30s.

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…WN…

SUP FAM! Happy Thanksgiving and soon to be first day of December. I hope you all have an amazing holiday. Spend time with friends and loved one, eat good food, and take a well-deserved rest. I sure will! Gonna probably be singing a lot of Kendrick Lamar with my girlfriend and her brothers during dinner.

I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter. Plan to post a few more just like it in December. The Pokemon chapter is taking longer than I thought. I just can't decide on a direction. I know the MC gonna be on more of the lawful evil side so I'm structuring around that.

Anyway, that's about it. Let me know what you think of this chapter. Thank you so much to Sandshrewmaster and my betas. Check out the deviantart when you get the chance. Don't forget to hug your parents this holiday season or anytime really, drink water, get you some sleep fr fr, exercise gotta add that too, DON'T follow girls in hoodies down alleys on a Saturday afternoon, and I'll see y'all next time.

Peace on Earth, Fam!