Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 10
Chapter 14: Stop Sulking and Start Living
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)
I was released from the hospital as I returned to the Chatterjee Clan homestead in Chithravai. Even though I was in my room, I still remained in bed after what happened to me yesterday as I was holding onto the gift certificates that were given to me. With the sound of the elephants trumpeting complete with the Bollywood music going on full blast, I was trying hard to ignore it as I also had to make use of what I had in which I had no choice but to revel in the hellscape that I got myself into. At that moment, I decided to get out of my room as I went towards the dining room to have some breakfast in the form of rava uttapam that was accompanied by a green chutney. I didn't want my depression to get the better of me this time as I decided to have my breakfast while tasting the rava uttapam that I dolloped with the green chutney that was there. The taste of it was more than enough to get me out of my funk as I also had to make an effort in taking my vacation seriously after all those days of doing too much work around the villa, for I also had to take time for myself just to heed the advice that Minara gave me just to stop sulking and start living.
"You're finally among the living," said Hrithik as he entered into the dining room.
"I'm so sorry about yesterday," I said.
"Don't worry about it. At least Mom had some of the people living here around the homestead give you some gift certificates so you don't get too discouraged. You deserve to be pampered just like the rest of us."
"I was about to go and enjoy the day without worry. It's the most I can do, right?"
I finished up my food as I excused myself to go towards the kitchen to wash my dishes in the sink. When I finished and later rinsed them off, I put them into the dish drainer as I left the kitchen and rushed out into the main hall of the house. I was ready to challenge what was put in front of me as I went outside to see the people all over Chithravai coming and going. When I was going towards the trolley, I entered inside as I saw it going towards a district near the lake. By the time I got there, I was looking at one of the spa parlors as I was eager to use one of the gift certificates that was given to me yesterday, for I needed to unwind if I wanted to get back home to the villa.
When I went towards the nearest spa parlor, I was ready to show my gift certificate to the receptionist until I noticed a Va'Kihri woman enter with a wad of cash in her hand, for she was wanting first dibs when she got in front of me. I never expected anyone to cut in front of me, but I had to grin and bear it in which I didn't want to argue too much after suffering from an anxiety attack yesterday, for it was business as usual when it came to the Karens coming and going.
"I need the lux special," she said as she gave the receptionist some cash.
"Isn't it rude to cut in line, Za'Kreen?" asked the manager who came in from the back.
"Isn't it rude to deny service to me when I'm on a very busy schedule?"
"There was a customer in front of you with a gift certificate just to pay up front."
"Really? Gift certificates are a mainly meal tickets to bums and freeloaders. I'm a working woman who has to have everything in check."
"I'm sorry that I ever came here," I said as I was ready to leave.
"Hey! I'm not done talking with you, so you better stay put or else I'll sic Portia on you!"
"Who's Portia?"
"You'll know when you find out… Oh, Portia!"
It wasn't long until I saw a young girl burst into the parlor as she was armed with a knife to my throat. She was quick to subdue me as she wasn't about to let me out of the Za'Kreen's sight the moment I stepped into my parlor. When she saw the gift certificate in my hand, she snatched it from me as she was adamant into tearing it into shreds until I noticed Yavanna approaching, for she wasn't about to let me have another anxiety attack in the parlor.
"Primakyar Za'Kreen, I presume?" she said. "Isn't it a little rude to look down on others with gift certificates?"
"Yavanna Chatterjee," she said. "From what I hear, you spend the bulk of your days managing that inn on Cordell Island and yet you have your free time coming here and later returning to a place that is cold and frigid."
"For the record, I suggest that you tell your little attack dog to give the gift certificate back to Sam or else you'll be hearing from the captain of the Hunter Corps." Yavanna takes it out of Portia's hands as she gave it back to me. "You show up here like one of those Karens in which you also decided to talk to the manager."
"At least I have cash to pay up front." Za'Kreen takes out a dagger as she presses it against the flesh or the receptionist the moment she screams. "So, you think you can hide in the shadows after evading every single freelance hunter after you for a long time, isn't it?" She later stabs the receptionist as she falls down onto the ground with her skin falling off. "A lowerling in receptionist's clothing; real cute. In the end of this debacle, you won't be able to change into another form again, for your kind really know how to get caught on camera after doing so many shameless acts like your forebears from the Elder Days."
I never expected the Karen in the parlor to turn out to be a hunter as she was no slouch into searching for suspicious people. Even the manager was shocked to see the receptionist like that as he noticed members of the Hunter Corps bursting in and taking the corpse away the moment the real one came out of the back with a bump on her head. It was something that I never expected to see as I saw Za'Kreen and Portia standing there the moment they were ready to greet me, for they were mainly undercover for a while.
"I'm sorry that you ended up getting caught in the middle, My Lord," she said. "If you got in first, you would've blown our cover."
"You're a hunter," I said.
"I'm the only hunter who goes undercover without attracting attention from the Intergalactic Space Police. I'm also sorry that I sent Portia in, but they have their reasons to keep you from blowing the operation that had us tracking the lowerling who evaded capture."
"They?"
"Portia is both intersex and non-binary, Sam," said Yavanna. "They stick to Za'Kreen for a lot of reasons and I'm sorry that you ended up getting involved in this mess. For the record, both Primakyar Za'Kreen and Portia have been searching for that lowerling in which it evaded everything under the stones. Now the dust has settled, I suggest that you show your gift certificate to the real receptionist and get some extra services on the spot."
I reluctantly agreed as I showed the real receptionist the gift certificate as I was provided the essentials before going into one of the spa rooms. After yesterday's anxiety attack, I was eager to clean myself as I entered into one of the bathing areas where I cleaned myself at the wash basin. By the time I rinsed off, I made my way into a large hot pool as I was lounging away without worrying too much. I was at ease as the place, which was known as a hammam, as I found it to be more like the warm pools in the shrines. What I didn't expect was that Za'Kreen and her right-hand non-binary partner were there as they entered into the pool, for they were no strangers in bathing in bizarre places.
"You know how to enter unannounced," I said.
"You're in a co-ed hammam, Sam," said Za'Kreen. "You should know these things before going in head first."
"Thanks for the warning…"
"For the record, Za'Kreen's no stranger into dipping her toes into cold water," said Portia as they went in with a towel covering their private area. "Luckily, if you went first with those silver-haired locks of yours, then our target would've gotten away. At least Za'Kreen and I came here and took out the lowerling or else it would've shed its skin again and flee undetected."
"And we all know what lowerlings did in the Elder Days…"
"It was best that I went in first to track down the lowerling," said Za'Kreen. "Still, working undercover has its drawbacks, but it also has a great reward as well. That's how the hunter lifestyle worked in the Elder Days in which your past self and that of the future Alecrian Emperor's had a knack for evading the law to the point of dressing up as federal agents with rock star aliases."
"That was how they had to do it back then. Still, we have our reasons to do what is good for stopping possible threats."
"You mean by saving people, hunting things, and upholding the family business?" said Portia. "I know all about it because of the fact that I was saved from the slavers that my handlers tossed over. I'm also no stranger to humiliation in which I know the sting of it too well."
I sensed Portia clenching their fist as they were remembering something that happened to them. I never wanted to pry into their affairs so readily, but I also noticed them holding a cloth with the serial number, "AE-7991," in black letters. They were human, but was born on Harkonnen as they endured the worst coming from their Leviathan masters on that planet, for they had their own mental scars to bear. Still, I didn't want to bring the issue further as I continued to lounge in the pool until I got out and dried myself with a towel and later put on a robe while putting it into a hamper. When I went towards one of the lounging rooms, I noticed Reiko sitting there after she had her bath earlier in which she was there to check up on me, for she wasn't the type that I couldn't shake off lightly.
"I never expected to see you here," I said.
"At least you're feeling better," said Reiko.
"I never wanted to go on vacation at first because of the fact that I had to care for everyone around the villa."
"As I recall, I was the one who brought you here against your wishes…"
"I had a feeling that you would do that…"
"You may help me and our children and friends, but you can't keep neglecting your health, Sammy. Even Reuben told me about your anxiety attack you suffered from in which you were wanting to get home to check up on us. Besides, you needed to unwind here in which Yavanna comes and goes here, but her main concern is the upkeep of the Singer House on Cordell Island. I hope you learned your lesson, especially with the inflatable dinosaur as a stand-in for me." She sees me blushing out of embarrassment as I couldn't hide it from her. "You should also heed Minara's advice when he tells you to stop sulking and start living."
I was moved by Reiko's words as I had to do a lot more than just be thriving on survival mode on this vacation. I also wanted to have a little more effort to enjoy my stay in Chithravai as I couldn't let my anxiety get the better of me, for I had all that time to myself before returning home to the villa. When I saw Reiko leave without a trace, I was alone as I was feeling elated at the words that she echoed from Minara. She was right the whole time when I had to stop sulking and start living in which I would see her again, for it was something that I had to look forward to.
When I left the room and put on some different clothes, I was ready to leave the spa as I also had to take my dirty ones out and take them with me to the laundromat next door. When I stepped inside, I was putting some of the clothes and the ones from the spa into the frontloader as I used some change to get some detergent and to start a load in which I was watching it patiently. What I didn't expect was that Reiko was there as she was naked in which she was wanting me to get a little intimate until I noticed her to be a hallucination, for it was also a sense of longing. On a whim, I decided to take a little stroll to the fancier district in the city as I continued to see the clothes washing in the frontloader. By the time I saw it on spin cycle, I was waiting for it to get done as I later noticed Portia coming in with a basket of laundry in their hands. I didn't mind them coming in to wash their clothes as they went towards one of the toploaders and put their clothes into it complete with some detergent that was put into it. Still, I was watching my clothes on spin cycle as I noticed Portia staring at me in which they were more than likely to be striking up a conversation, for they were mainly a right-hand partner for Za'Kreen so far.
"You came out of there quickly without your friend, didn't you?" I said as I took my clothes out of the frontloader. "I take it that you were on the road while hunting monsters."
"Za'Kreen and I stick together till the bitter end, but she's also cautious when she is in the presence of the god and goddess of the Ashizoka System," said Portia as they sat down in one of the chairs.
"From the look of you, you have a way of hiding what's between your legs due to the criticism that's been stuck with you, isn't it?"
"It's a lot more than that… I was born with both male and female genitalia and reproductive parts in which I was also born on Harkonnen. I was also raised in captivity in one of the farming facilities that were meant for the Leviathans to have for the main course, but they only take breeders and not those with both parts. When I fled the planet, I stowed away to a ship on Kaijirin and ended up being caught by the handlers who pursued me. When they didn't want to destroy the reputation of their company on Harkonnen, I was sold to the slavers in which they left to other planets that could cater to my unique parts. I wasn't living the high life, but I was often abused and trafficked to the point of having me end my own life until I was rescued by Za'Kreen. She saw value in me when she got me out of the slave dens in which the locals on Britannicus had enough and brought down the slavers who exploited and abused me. I owe her that to this day…"
"And you lived through hell and back. That is the way and mean of surviving and thriving. It's the most you can do and not looking back at the terror you went through."
"There you are, Portia," said Za'Kreen as she entered into the laundromat. "We should get going in which there's a case in Mirhuin with a rawhead, but first, we'll have our laundry done and then, we'll go to the Saffron Patch to go for the finest chicken vindaloo we can eat."
I saw genuine kindness in Za'Kreen as she was there for her protege in which it was more like a mother and non-binary child bond than just being hunting partners. I was also happy that I had my own family as I also had to take it easy in which I would be returning home soon, for I also had to avoid another nervous breakdown that was looming in the process...
Minara was back at his homestead in New Capua on Claudius as he was mainly sitting in his rocking chair while he was also looking at the news that was on his tablet. The unrest on Alecrast ended up getting intense as he was concerned about what was going on so far. Even though he was with child, he couldn't get around too much due to the limited mobility with what he was carrying as he also had to make sure that Shigeru didn't pull off any crazy moves, for the news of the resistance putting the damper on the Four Steward Houses was getting towards a fever pitch. Even though he wanted me to stay on his vacation like Reuben, he also had to have his quiet time of his own due to the fact that he was forced to be on bedrest, for it was too much for him.
"Things have gotten from bad to worse…," he said as he looked at the headlines on his tablet.
It wasn't long until he got up from his rocking chair as he was holding his cane. When he was about to go towards his room, he was stopped by Dalamera as she wasn't about to let him off the hook. As a member of the Medical Corps, she didn't want anyone who was carrying children to walk freely as she finally caught him in the act after evading everyone in his household, for she had him in his sights so far.
"You shouldn't be intruding, Dalamera," he said.
"Really? I overheard some of your family members telling about how you keep leaving your safe space just to take a breather," she said. "I also have the Emperor and the Brotherhood of Lions breathing down my neck in which they keep wanting to know where you went."
"My whereabouts are none of their business but my own. I'm not a trained poodle that has to stand up and get dog biscuits all the time. I'm also a humanoid being with rights, not a commodity that gets tossed around too much."
"They are when they're concerned about the health and status of the Ancient you're carrying. There's been talk about how the Brotherhood of Lions have voiced their complaints about having the Ancient being birthed here instead of somewhere else."
"So, I can't make my decisions even after I was violated… As for what's been going on, I suggest that the Emperor pulls his head out of his ass and grow a pair just to stand against the Brotherhood of Lions and their rhetoric of keeping us stifled. No wonder Septimus and his husband left for Valinor… As for the last checkup, Ryosuke got advice from Reuben in which I'm also having a high-risk pregnancy. Once I get the go-ahead, I'll be leaving for the hospital on Yock Island on Stohess as planned."
It wasn't long until several members of the Medical Corps arrived in which they were ready to take Minara to where he needed to go. Even though he was ready to leave, he was ready to go to Stohess as he gently got up and walked with his cane in his hand with Dalamera following him. Even though he gave his immediate family the go-ahead on watching over his homestead, he was also met with opposition as several members of the Brotherhood of Lions were adamantly opposed to him leaving for Stohess the moment they followed him to a Medical Corps ship. Some of them were also blocking the way as they refused to let Minara leave until Ryosuke intervened at the last minute, for he was getting fed up with their shenanigans for far too long.
"Out of the way," he said.
"You cannot take away Lord Minara!" yelled an elderly man dressed in purple robes. "If you do, then all of Claudius will suffer from a plague of locusts!"
"He is enduring a high-risk pregnancy and you want him to be kept here like a dog trapped in a kennel and not being able to take a piss?"
"Taking away Lord Minara out of Claudius is an absolute form of heresy! You will answer for your actions, Ryosuke Ashizoka!"
"I've had enough of your crackpot shit!" he yelled as he wasn't about to be intimidated by the crowd from the Brotherhood of Lions. "You think that my departure for Stohess spells eternal doom and gloom, but you're wrong! I'm only going there to be on bedrest along with the peace and quiet, not be badgered by a group of religious nutjobs! You will either respect me or you'll spend the rest of your days with a seeing-eye dog!"
The elderly man in the purple robes was ready to strike as he refused to budge the moment Ryosuke sent his entourage to subdue him. By the time Minara was escorted safely to the ship, he was leaving for the better as it left Claudian soil and onward to Stohess. When the elderly man saw the ship leaving, he was screaming in rage as he even threatened to attack Ryosuke, for he was eager to punch him in the jaw. He had to defend himself as he didn't want to be dealing with the Brotherhood of Lions altogether, for they have gotten belegerent since Minara was carrying an Ancient and not stopping.
"You've brought the wrath of the gods upon us!" he cried.
"Shut your mouth!" yelled Ryosuke. "You morons in purple robes are all bark and no bite!"
"We're the real authority here on Claudius, not the Emperor and not you!"
"Really? You keep telling us that disaster keeps befalling this planet when they're only small occurrences. You believe that the Ancient in Minara's body to be sacred, but you treat it like a sick commodity just to add to your agenda of ruling this planet. No wonder Septimus Corri left. As for those so-called omens, they were photo-shopped to make the masses believe the lies of the fraudsters that were fleecing everyone in which a village was reduced to cannibalism not by curses, but they were starved by the aid they withheld."
"It's all lies!"
"Is it? I've delved into the log of some of the chieftains who live here on Claudius in which you've been embezzling from the needy just to add to your own pockets. Your omens have been your basic propaganda to use just to gain power over the Claudian Emperor after the fall of a tyrant a thousand years ago and now, you're reaping what you've sown. So, who's suffering from bad omens now?!"
The elderly man and his followers were surrounded by some of the locals as they felt betrayed by what they heard. As for Ryosuke's efforts to undermine the Brotherhood of Lions and what they truly stood for, his battle against them wasn't over as he also had to keep Minara safe from harm, for he also had a personal vendetta against the crackpots in purple robes in mind…
I was back in my room at the Chatterjee Clan homestead as I was feeling a little better than normal. After cleaning my clothes and the ones in the spa at the laundromat, I was also happy not to be having an anxiety attack as I had my reasons to start living and not worrying. Laying on my bed, I was also busy looking into some of the news that was on the tablet that I had in which I saw the headlines that detailed in the alleged corruption from the Brotherhood of Lions. It was also when some of them tried to thwart Minara's departure to Stohess for possible treatment and bedrest as Ryosuke ended up putting his foot down in which he was also detailing the constant lies that were concocted just to pull the wool over the masses. I never saw this coming as I was hoping that Minara would be safe from harm. When I put the tablet back on the nightstand, I was more than likely to get out of the main house as I heard the happiness of everyone going about their daily business, for I wasn't about to stay in my room on this vacation.
When I left my room and went back outside again, I took a long walk outside the homestead as I took the trolley to one of the districts that had a few restaurants and a love hotel that some of the tourists went to. With the bulk of my gift certificates in my pouch, I had to check out the love hotel as I was more than likely to be having the usual session that lasted overnight. I entered into it as I showed my gift certificate to the manager as he gave me a complimentary love basket complete with condoms and lubricant when I received my hotel key and went to my room. By the time I got there, I saw a bed with pink sheets and blankets there complete with some chocolates on the nightstand. What I didn't expect was that Reiko was there as she was real this time, for she was wanting to have a break before going back home.
"Hello, Sammy," she said.
"I never expected you to be here, but I'd rather not waste this opportunity," I said.
"I see that you're feeling better…"
"Yeah, but my new friends happen to be hunters and I also had to be in the hammam with them."
"Za'Kreen isn't fond of relationships in which she's had her fair share of troubles even with Portia around. As for you, I think that you need a good distraction in mind."
I felt Reiko kissing my lips as I began to hold her close to me. The smell of Valinorian sea salt with the local flowers growing in El Anillo del Fuego caused me to go wild over her in which I took off her clothes in which she was more radiant than ever. When I took off my own clothes, I decided to crawl into bed with Reiko as we started with the foreplay while staring at the box of condoms that were there on the nightstand. In a wave of pleasure, I noticed Reiko staring at my member as she began to stimulate with it with her mouth. The very feel of her made me want her a little more as I felt her stroking at the head of my member while I was holding onto the sheets. At that moment, I saw her grab out a condom as she unwrapped it and covered my hardened member with it.
In a wave of passion, I noticed Reiko crashing on top of me as she was busy giving me all the pleasure I wanted. I was seeing her in all her glory as I saw her large breasts bouncing freely like a pair of red dodgeballs. I wanted more of her as I sat up and shifted gears the moment I was on top of her. I heard her moaning loudly as she was holding onto me. Every single thrust I had gave her the much longing pleasure that kept us apart for so long as I wanted more from her while yearning for her touch. I couldn't get enough of her as she felt the head of my member go a little further. She was mine for the taking as I kept going until we went to the point of climax. By the time we finally reached it, we were exhausted from our intimate time as I gently pulled out of Reiko and removed the spent condom from my member while throwing it away in the wastebasket. I was satisfied that I gave my all to Reiko as she was mine for the taking for tonight, for I was also happy that I felt more alive than normal.
"Oh, Reiko," I said as I stroke her long hair. "I love you so much…"
"I love you, too, Sammy," she said as she smiled.
"It's been a while since we did it, but we also have to deal with the humdrum of our daily lives."
"I know… As for what we're doing, it was worth the wait, but your pillar is craving to scratch the itch I still have…"
I thought that our interlude was over at first as I wanted to take Reiko a little longer. I was eager to give her more pleasure as I got out another condom and began to unwrap it and place it on my member. At that moment, I turned Reiko over on her stomach as I began to enter from behind the moment I was kissing at her neck and fondling at her breasts. I was thrusting from behind as I was giving her more pleasure than normal. The feeling from the head of my member drove her wild as she felt me touching at her breasts while playing with her nipples during this interlude. I was wanting her as I became more sated than normal the moment I heard her crying out for more pleasure, for she was yearning for it.
"Oh, Sammy…, I love you so much!" she cried as she felt my coursing member thrusting from behind. "Oh, how I wanted this…"
I heard Reiko's cries of orgasmic pleasure growing louder as she was on the verge of climax. At that moment, I felt her gushing as I gave her the most of what I had while I also became tired from what I gave her, for we had more than enough to keep us sated. When I pulled out again and removed the spent condom, I laid down with Reiko as she was tired just as much as I was. We needed a little bit of intimacy to ourselves after being stuck in our rut with the childcare and housework, for this was only for tonight. I gently held Reiko in my arms as we slept together in the bed of the love hotel. Both of us felt more alive than normal as we had our reasons to be together, for we had the Destiny of Worlds at our beck and call after all…
The Medical Corps ship landed towards Yock Island on Stohess as Minara was safely wheeled out of it in which he was being taken to the hospital that was still standing. He noticed some of the hospital workers looking at him as he was more than likely to be going to his room to get some needed bedrest. Even though some of his family members on the Elkins side stood firm at his homestead in New Capua on Claudius, he was longing to never giving birth again as he went and laid down in his bed. Even though he missed Mizuwa and the other children, he was safe from the constant criticism and the watchful eye of the Brotherhood of Lions as he breathed a sigh of relief, for he was growing weary of their crying wolf over omens.
"It's about damn time that they got put in their place," he said to himself as he curled in his bed.
Minara was glad that the Brotherhood of Lions were getting their comeuppance after their attempt to keep him there on Claudius failed. Curling up in his hospital bed, he was glad to be free from the stress as he was also there to correspond with his family back in New Capua. Just as he was about to get some rest, he turned on the television as he saw the headlines that came and went, for the revelation of corruption within the Brotherhood of Lions was in full swing.
"Good evening," said a newscaster. "Tonight, there's been a shakeup on Claudius as the Brotherhood of Lions have been exposed as fraudsters in which an anonymous tipster recorded some private details and reports on their squeezing hold on the planet's citizens. This video we're about to show you is not suitable for younger viewers, for there is a discretion and a trigger warning advised at this time."
Minara saw the report on the news as he noticed several members of the Brotherhood of Lions engaging in an orgy complete with some of the superiors of the ruling religion taking part in throwing their tithing money and other needed funds all over the place. What he saw on television was mainly a purple party instead of a white one as he was disgusted at the behavior that the Brotherhood of Lions was displaying in which he was safe from the clutches of their watchful eyes and flowery talk about bad omens occuring. When the video was about to show a little more, it returned to the newscaster as he was also telling more details about the orgy that was shown earlier, for there has been scrutiny about the Brotherhood of Lions since the downfall of Emperor Caedrios a thousand years ago.
"Emperor Lucivius has condemned the actions of the Brotherhood of Lions in which their 'doctored images' proved to be orchestrated to have them keep a further grip on its citizens," said the newscaster as the screen displayed images of the transactions and statements that now disclosed to the public to see at this time. "The Order of Letters' leader, Ryosuke Ashizoka, has also condemned the actions in which their lies have finally been exposed the moment that the anonymous tipster issued this statement."
"I know that the Brotherhood of Lions may be pious, but that orgy isn't part of their teachings," said Charlie as she appeared off screen. "We all know that a thousand years ago, the Rainfeather brigade brought down a tyrant with the help of our friends in purple coats. Now, that the shoe's on the other foot, it's them that have been turning into tyrants just like the guy who steeped in tyranny."
"There you have the statement from the anonymous tipper who blew the whistle on the Brotherhood of Lions being exposed as being stingy instead of charitable while maintaining a facade of piety. There will be more to come on this story, but first, we have the start of today's baseball game between the Mirhuin River Rats and the Zavrath Sewer Gators…"
Minara turned off the television as he was laying back down with a smile on his face. He was glad that the Brotherhood of Lions got their comeuppance as he was free from their grip and antics. Still, the room was quiet, but safe for him as he had to stay on bedrest for the remainder of his pregnancy, for it was worth it when he had to be in a resting environment for his troubles…
The next morning, I woke up as I turned over and noticed the same inflatable dinosaur in the bed. I also saw a note that came from Reiko in which she was on her way home to check up on everyone at home in which she also forbade me from returning until I my vacation was over. Just as I was about to get out of bed, I saw the door open as I noticed Charlie barging in the moment she saw me in the nude while laying in front of the inflatable dinosaur that was there, for she had to give me the heads-up at the wrong time.
"This is so much better than watching Jurassic Park," she said as she saw me sitting up.
"You could've stepped out and let me get dressed," I said.
"There's been a shakeup on Claudius in which the Brotherhood of Lions has been exposed as cheaters and tyrants fleecing the needy while they display their 'holier than thou' attitude to the public."
"Minara would've loved that…"
"Speaking of Minara, he had to be moved to the Yock Island hospital on Stohess in order to get some extra bedrest after one of those crackpots attempted to block him from leaving, only for Ryosuke to lay down the law. That was when I secretly filmed those pious pricks throwing money around in one big orgy with a side order of money being laundered to fund their extravagance."
"Azelas and Jeremiah will be devastated to hear that once the news spreads like wildfire. Therefore, before I go anywhere, I suggest that you let me have some privacy so I can get dressed."
And so, Charlie left the room as I was alone in which I went towards the bathroom to clean myself in the shower. After last night's interlude, I was feeling more alert as I was busy cleaning myself in which I was grateful that I spent the night at the love hotel. Just as I was about to finish up, I heard something tinkling as I later heard the toilet flushing the moment I ended up being scalded in which I later rinsed myself off and turned off the faucet. When I got out of the shower, I noticed something a little off as I stepped out and dried myself with a towel and later put on my clean clothes for the day. Turning towards the closet, I noticed the small Chonoid from the hive hiding in the closet as she was startled to see me finding her, for she ended up stuck here in the love hotel just to get home with.
"Aren't you far away from the hive?" I asked.
"Sorry, but I ended up here in which Jill went to find you," said the small Chonoid. "She used her powers to transport us here, but she must've accidentally put me here in this place for grown-ups."
"Ni'Qaat!"
Jill burst into the bathroom as she found the small Chonoid safe and unharmed. With such embarrassment, I had to usher them out of the bathroom as I has to have them leave out the window where a stairwell was at. When they were outside, I was more than likely to meet with them later on as I also had to check out and return to the Chatterjee Clan homestead, for I also had to deal with what was going on so far.
"I'm so sorry about this, Sam," said Jill.
"Don't worry about it," I said.
"I didn't know that you were in the shower, but I also had to go tinkle," said Ni'Qaat as she was feeling embarrassed. "I couldn't hold it, so I had to do so."
"It's okay… Besides, this isn't the first time I get scalded while taking a shower and it won't be the last. As soon as I check out, we'll go to the restaurant and have some samosas."
"What's a samosa?"
"A samosa is a fried dumpling with chicken and potatoes," said Jill. "They also happen to be street food, for it can be a delight once we go to the food vendor here."
And so, I saw Jill and Ni'Qaat leave away from the love hotel as I was ready to check out. With the housekeepers coming in and cleaning up, I was taking my dirty clothes as I made my way out of there and straight to the laundromat. I was mainly cleaning my clothes again as I placed them into the frontloader with some detergent in which I started them up while I watched them wash with all the suds in it. While I waited for my clothes to get done, I noticed Yavanna coming into the laundromat as she was looking for me the moment she was aware of what was going on, for she was no stranger in dealing with the news that came and went.
"Didn't you hear the news?" she asked me.
"Was it the Brotherhood of Lions being exposed as frauds?" I asked.
"The orgy and money laundering weren't the only things that became the final straw. Shortly after Minara left for Stohess, some of the members burnt down a laundromat in retaliation for the Order hauling him offworld in which they believe that the Ancient he bears is supposed to be born on Claudian soil."
"They're desperate and in damage mode right now. I bet that Minara doesn't know of this, but at least he's at the Yock Island hospital on Stohess for bedrest. As for what the Brotherhood of Lions are doing, they've become the thing that they hated the most and that was being a group of tyrants."
"For the record, security has been tight at that hospital after it was attacked by a hellhound and later a member of the Black Dragon Guild. As for dealing with the Brotherhood of Lions, they have their reputation soured so badly that it curdled when it fell out of favor to the public. Their rep is in tatters after Charlie tipped off the press to expose their corruption front and center."
"I hope to the gods that Minara won't get taken away, for he's also carrying a high-risk pregnancy right now."
I was hoping for the best as I prayed for Minara's safety in which he was in good hands at the people who worked at the Yock Island hospital on Stohess. Still, I couldn't worry too much as I also had to stick to my vacation while heeding Minara's advice so readily, for I needed to stop sulking and start living. When I noticed Jill and Ni'Qaat entering into the laundromat, they had their hands full of samosas as they were chowing down on them. They couldn't get enough of them as they were tasting the chicken and potatoes that were put into them until I noticed Ni'Qaat fish out a small lacquer box and handed it to me, for it was something that I never expected to see before.
"You should open it," she said as she saw me doing so. "It's a box with some barfi in it. You should try it."
I saw the barfi in the lacquer box as they were made with nuts and cardamom the moment I tried one of them. The taste of it was unlike any other form of sweet treat that I tasted as this was very new in which it was good to try new things instead of wasting my vacation. Still, I was blessed that I had fun instead of sulking as I was also glad that I wasn't depressed right now, for this was a huge step for me.
"This is good," I said as I finished off the piece of barfi.
"Barfi is made mainly from nuts, cardamom, milk, sugar, and ghee," said Yavanna. "It's really good when it's made with those ingredients. The extra-fancier ones have rose petals, saffron, and edible gold or silver while the street food edition has extra nuts."
"At least we got to see what you're up to, Sam," said Jill as she took a bite of her samosa.
"I'm glad that I have such company here," I said.
...And I meant it… Still, I was making a better effort into not suffering form a breakdown as I had all that time before I returned home. As for what would happen next, I would see it for another day in which I also had to stop sulking and start living, for those words were a reminder of not to suffer the worst on this vacation in general…
To be continued...