Chapter 51: Trouble saying sorry.
Tenya took off his headset, peacefully sighing after just ending a stream. He gave the time a check while leaning against his chair. "Should be a good time." Scrolling through his contacts he started up a video chat with Shred.
After a few rings the video started. "Mmmng hey dude!" Shred groaned. Currently the camera was facing him without his top laying on what looked to be a coffee table with Millie sitting on his lower back, giving him a massage around his shoulders.
"Howdy Ten!" Millie waved with a wide smile.
Tenya rose a brow, chuckling a tad awkwardly at what he was seeing. "Hey guys. Bad timing?"
"Nah. Mill offered me a massage for my aches." Shred explained.
His tad awkwardness switched with concern. "Aches? You good?"
"It was a…hectic Cleansing."
"To say the least." Said Moxxie, walking in with a tray that held three bowls of soup, giving two to Millie and Shred. "Hey Tenya." He took a seat on the couch.
"Hey Mox! What happened?"
"Well for starters-" Shred explained the events.
Tenya whistled, leaning back on his chair. "They went all out with this."
"Yeah, it was crazy." Shred stated, taking a spoonful of soup.
"And Berserk mode?"
"Not something I plan to use again for a WHILE!" He put a good emphasis on that.
"Don't blame ya." Getting up, Tenya made his way to his bed next to his computer setup. "Sounds cool to see but not to experience."
"It was pretty scary to see." Moxxie chimed in.
"Who you tellin?" Shred chuckled, twitching hard at the moment but as a good response. "Oh! Right there!"
"Huh, guess Moxxie aint the only one good with his hands." Tenya joked.
Popping up, Millie replied. "I learned from him!"
"And I happen to be a good teacher!" Moxxie said proudly.
Smirking, Tenya added: "Must give a real hands-on experience."
"Yep, he's got a real grip on his methods!" Millie added.
"Guess his teachings all in the wrist!" Shred stated.
Moxxie face-palmed but stifled his laughter. "Oh crumbs these puns…they're really wringing me."
They all shared a laugh.
"Oh that reminds me." Tenya remembered. "I streamed before I called and I got a few comments asking about yall."
"Really?" Their ears collectively perked at that statement.
"Yeah, you all made an awesome first impression. I had subs asking if yall were coming back."
"Told that meme will boost ya!" Shred grinned.
Millie bounced on the spot with shining eyes. "We're becoming youtube stars!"
Tenya offered: "Up for another collab like next week?"
"Hell yeah!"
Moxxie was equally excited, stating: "I'm all for it!"
"Know I'm in!" Shred declared.
Tenya gave a thumbs up. "I'll get it set up and let you know when."
"Awesome!"
"Oh, can we do Mario Party?" Millie asked. "I wanna have some chaotic fun!"
"Only if Moxxie doesn't play wife favorites."
Rolling his eyes, Moxxie asked. "You're still mad about that."
"Mox," Tenya chimed in, "You let Millie take first how many times?"
"Um…" Lurring his eyes away, trying to keep a poker face. "A few times."
"Uh huh, and how many times did you nail me and Shred EXCLUSIVELY with those shells?"
"There weren't that many." He turned his head away trying to remain casual and unphased.
"I have the counter for how many Green Shells you nailed us with."
"GREEN Shells!" Shred exclaimed with an accusing glare. "Just green, you sniper!"
"Well…" Nonchalantly, Moxxie took a scoop of soup, stating: "Maybe it's your fault for being such an easy target."
"Oh that does it, Tenya, alliance!"
"Deal!" Tenya readily agreed.
"Wha-" Moxxie dropped his poker face with a confronting snare. "You can't do that!"
"Too late!" Shred smirked.
"Alright, fine." He huffed, crossing his arms, "No pillows for you!"
"Gonna take more than that to break me dude!"
"Wait," Tenya said, "You're sleeping over?"
"Just in case I get nightmares from what happened."
"Ah, so you'll have a cuddle buddy?" He smirked.
"Exactly." Shred returned.
"Y'know I forgot how comfortable you are with admitting that fetish."
"Cuddling aint a fetish, it's a comfort."
"If it wasn't a fetish they wouldn't be making parties for it where they need a bouncer."
"That's only for the horny." Millie clarified.
"Fair but with what I was told y'all can be pretty horny."
Moxxie side glared Shred. "What has he been telling?"
"Behind our backs?" Millie squeezed Shred's ear, menacingly scowling at him from above.
Cringing to the pinch on his ear, Shred was quick to defend. "Ow ow ow! I only told him what was obvious!"
"What kind of obvious?" She asked with increased pressure.
"Ayee!"
Having enjoyed his mild torment, Tenya went ahead and bailed him. "No worries, he only said stuff about how you're always riling up Mox before and after a date, and how you're always tonguing. Y'know just obvious married stuff…with a bit extra horniness and less self control."
"We got self control!" Millie defended, offended by the accusation.
"Sometimes," Chuckled out Shred. "Ow!" His ear got a tighter pinch.
"Watch it, mister."
"I would but I- Naw I'm not gonna say that." He laughed.
"Pft," Having an idea of what he was gonna say, Millie snickered before cackling. "You better not!"
"She would've axed you for that!" Moxxie hard chortled.
"And it would've been deserved!" Tenya added, mimicking Mox.
"Yeah yeah!" Shred waved, looking up to Millie. "Can you let go of my ear now?"
The imp on the cat met his gaze and smirked. "I will if you call off that alliance!"
"What!?"
"Do it!" She squeezed harder.
"Agh!" His face scrunched, the pain evident.
"Give up yet?" Moxxie asked, snarkily.
"N-never!"
"Say goodbye to your ear then!" Millie said, adding a twist.
His whole body started to scrunch, the eye relevant to the ear squinting and his gripping tightly on the couch. "YEEE!"
Their laughter faded as the conversation lulled. Tenya leaned back, glancing at the screen. "Alright, I'm calling it. I'll talk to you guys later."
That night…
Moxxie came out of the bedroom, going to get a drink from the fridge.
"Nnngh!" A groan came from the couch.
"Hm?" Looking over, Moxxie could see that it came from Shred.
"Mmmmm!" Shred twitched in his sleep, his breath coming in short, uneven bursts. A faint whimper slipped through clenched teeth, his fingers gripping at the couch fabric. His tail flicked anxiously, muscles tense as though bracing for something unseen.
Concerned, Moxxie reached out, briskly moving his fingers through the cat's neck, earning some calm.
Shred's hand trailed up, brushing against his forearm. "Mmm." Following the limb, gripped onto Moxxie's shoulders.
There was a pull and while forceful it wasn't a very strong one, so the imp gunner could easily pull back and out of his grasp but as he looked again on the cats face he couldn't help but notice how he almost looked pleaful, as if subconsciously begging him to come closer. A smile came across Moxxie's lips, giving in and allowing himself to be taken, wrapped in an embrace.
Not long after, Millie came out, realising Moxxie hadn't returned. She gazed on the couch, both relieved and chuckling, making sure to snap a quick photo before getting behind Shred holding him around his waist. She, along with her husband, were ok with this, having an understanding of why he would need this.
Earlier.
Before Moxxie and Millie slept they got a message from Tenya asking if they were alone. Millie told him they were and they were asked for a quick call.
"Something wrong?" Moxxie asked Tenya on the phone.
"Yeah, real quick, um…" Tenya spoke softly. "I know I joked about the cuddling thing earlier but uh…" There was an awkward pitch in his voice, confusing the demon duo.
"What is it?"
"...Look…" Tenya sighed. "Back when we were young, Shred's always been a wild and a bit of a ferocious kid."
"We noticed." Millie giggled.
"Yeah but…he also got…pretty frightly of things back then."
This took them by surprise, but not too much when they consider how they helped the two reconnect. "Really?"
"Really. When we were kids and whenever he got shaken up by something scary, he'd always cuddle up to his dad, mom, or even me sometimes. Especially when he's sleeping."
"I…didn't know." Moxxie replied with sympathy.
"Not surprised, not something he'd just bring up out of nowhere. Anyways, as he got older he got better at it but there were times when something really got him and he'd try to play it off or act tough but…" His face displayed a bit of pain as he reminisced about those moments. "He still got nightmares and trust me, he'd try to pull in anyone for comfort."
"I see…so you're asking us-"
"If you'd be ok with snuggling up to him if he needed it. It's been a while but…I don't know if that part of him is still there. Only if you guys are ok with it though, don't wanna force just…wanted to ask y'know?" With a face that asked for small compliance, he kindly pleaded for his friend.
Moxxie and Millie looked at each other, forming a smile after a near second of eye contact before nodding. "Sure thing!" They said in unison.
"Thanks….His ear ok by the way?"
A snicker from them was the only answer he needed, the human imitating it before greeting them another goodnight followed by a word of thanks
Next Day.
Loona waited in the lobby, sitting at the desk, looking at meme's, chuckling at a few. A red gate cut in front of her with Poch and Shivarna coming through, perking her mood as she smiled at their return.
"We're back!" Poch announced.
"Brought a souvenir!" Shivarna stated, holding a silver orb.
Loona looked at it curiously. "What is it?"
Poch answered, getting onto her lap: "Well we killed a fortune teller so I think that was his orb."
"Aren't those supposed to be glass though?" She questioned, wrapping an arm around him as usual, leaning back with comfort.
He shrugged while laying his head back against her. "I don't know."
"Think he was a silver fortune teller." Shivarna stated, marveling at the orb. "It's shiny though."
"Where should we put it?" Loona questioned.
"Table ornament?" Poch suggested.
"Sounds good."
Taking out the Earth-tearer, he tossed it to Shivarna. "Take it away Shiv."
"On it." The Shadow Demon took the dagger and opened a gate.
While he was doing so, a message came onto Loona's phone. "Hm? Oh hey it's Tex!"
"What's he saying?" Poch asked. She showed her phone, letting him see.
-Hey girl! How's it goin? Wanted to ask, yall in the office?-
Loona responded. -Yeah, Poch just came back from a hit, whats up?-
-Well…remember how he had to come for an angel arrow we found?-
"Uh oh…" Poch didn't like that message.
-Did you get another?- Loona texted.
Vortex responded with: -We actually got something worse-
The hound couple looked at each other concerned, before she replied: -Worse how?-
-Worse as in her whole dressing room was ripped apart and we found an Angels sword and spear there-
"That's worse." Poch stated.
"Oh shit." Loona groaned, a follow up coming in before she could text back.
-Verosika can't ignore this anymore so giving you a heads up, were coming in-
-when?- Loona messaged.
-Now-
"Huh?" The two gawked. Then the door opened with Verosika and her crew entering in. "Huh!?"
"Hey guys!" Vortex waved awkwardly.
"Little heads up woulda been nice." Poch deadpanned.
Verosika approached the desk, annoyance placated on her face. "Where's your boss?"
Slightly annoyed herself, Loona replied: "He's out right n-"
Milky leaned over the desk, scratching under Poch's chin, the Exterminator giving an uncomfortable gaze with his eyebrows scrunched and lips pulled back in an uneasy frown. "Glad to see you again, cutie."
Loona bared her fangs and her eyes reddened with a murderous glare, claws coming out and ragefully slamming down to where Milky's arms were, almost getting her as the succubus retracted her arm just in time, looking at the hound with pure terror as she was growled at with malice. "Watch…it!" Loona warned threateningly.
"Mhm mhm!" Milky quickly nodded.
"Warned ya." Vortex shook his head.
"Hello?" Waving at the disgruntled Loona irritatedly, Verosika tried to get her attention asking: "Your boss? Where is he?"
Loona was still glaring at Milky so Poch decided to give an answer. "He's out right now, finishing up a hit."
"When will he be back?" She scoffed.
"Should be done soon. I can send him a message."
"Do that." She demanded, crossing her arms, earning a passive glare from the white Hellhound.
"Ok sure. What's it about?"
"None of your business."
"Yeah, something tells me it's about to be my business. Let me guess, another attack and you need some Exterminator protection?" He smirked.
The succubus pop stars' eyes twitched, not giving an answer.
"Hey, I warned you. Coulda avoided this but you had to be stubborn. Now ya gotta face the Ex."
"Pft keke!" Loona chuckled.
Verosika grew more irritated, growling: "Just…text him."
"Sure." Poch told her, gesturing to the couch. "Have a seat please."
Gazing at the furniture, scoffed and strolled over to it. "Tell him to hurry up!" She plopped down, looking around. "Don't you got anything to read?"
"Don't you got a phone?" Loona snarkily remarked.
With a sharp glare, she retorted. "Yeah and I'm sure I can leave a pretty shitty review if you want that!"
With a roll of her eyes, she simply said: "I'm pretty sure your ratings would need to be better first before that could be a threat."
Jumping up in a rush of rage, she shouted: "What was that, mutt!?"
Loona growled, baring her teeth at her with plans to use them, Poch too giving a glare, not taking kindly to that mutt comment.
Vortex and the succubus crew quickly cut between. "Ok ok, let's take a chill!" Vortex quickly interjected, facing his boss. "Verosika, look, we're gonna need their help, and I get you're mad but it'd be better not to get mad at our potential bodyguards."
Verosika looked to Vortex, her anger still there, looking between him and the hound couple at the desk. She huffed, turning her nose up. "Whatever." Before sitting down and taking out her phone.
Sighing, Vortex faced Poch and Loona apologetically, telling them: "Sorry."
"It's fine." Poch waved it off with huff, leaning back against Loona.
"What happened anyway?" Loona questioned, only calming slightly.
"After the last time you came we still kept getting those arrows." Vortex explained.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, even got more!" Ace, one of Verosika's crew members, spoke
"How much more?" Poch inquired.
"About up to four." Vortex answered.
Milky stepped in. "Not all-" As she got closer to the desk, Loona sent a glare with a growl, scaring her, speaking carefully. "U-um…not all of them were on the door either."
"And sometimes they were like small blades or mini scythes."
Hearing this made the couple show more concern and confusion.
Josh leaned in, whispering: "You'd think Verosika would take that as a sign but as you can see."
Peeking up from her phone, Verosika stared Daggers into Josh and angrily but softly said: "I heard that!"
Trying to awkwardly smile and laugh it away, he shuffled back.
"Then came this recent attack and well, now we're here," Finished Vortex.
"Good thing you came before it got worse." Poch commented.
Shivarna summoned himself. "I have a question."
"Whoa!?" His appearance startled the crew, except Vortex, having never witnessed it up close.
"Hi." Shivarna smiled and waved.
"What's your question, big guy?" Vortex asked.
"By chance when you checked the cameras did you see the same guy as last time?"
Nodding, he answered: "Yep, same hooded guy. Although this time was a little different."
"How different?"
"This time we were able to see the guy come in but the cameras acted up, there's about six minutes of footage missing and we only captured him going in and then leaving."
"Hm…" Poncering, the wolf rubbed his chin.
Ace leaned to Coco. "He really DOES have his own personality."
"Cool right?" Coco replied
Poch questioned Vortex: "Know what caused it?"
Vortex shook his head. "Mm-mm. Security has no clue."
"Nothing magical either?"
"Thought you might ask but they didn't notice anything, even then they were human and my nose didn't pick up anything when I got there."
"I see."
Leaning down, Shivarna leaned his mouth close to Poch's ear, covering it and whispering: "Think we should call HQ?"
Poch whispered back, also covering: "If it's anything like last time there might not be anything Purge related. Besides, this is way too crafty to be an Angel monster."
Hearing the two, Loona herself leaned in and joined the conversation. "But it IS Angel related. Maybe one disguised himself and took a weapon over."
"But why Verosika?"
"She IS a demon."
"Yeah, but how'd they find that out? It's not like they spend time or are invested in earth stuff."
"Hmm…" Shivarna took a moment to think.
"Shiv?" Poch looked over curiously.
Vortex gave them a wave. "Um, yall ok?"
"Oh! Sorry, we were just…chatting about something."
Before Shivarna dismissed he told them. "I got a theory. Tell ya later."
"Alright."
Loona checked her phone, seeing a message from Blitz. "He'll be here in five minutes."
Verosika huffed out: "Finally."
Stolas hummed, watering and feeding his plants, when he received a phone call. "Hm?" It was Blitz calling. "Hello, Bl-"
"Stolas, emergency!" Blitz said in a hushed emergency, as if wanting to shout but unable to.
He grew concerned, setting down his watering canteen. "What is it?"
"It's Verosika! She's here!"
"Oh." He was less worried as it wasnt the emergency he thought. "What is she there for?"
"I don't know! Loona told me it was cause she wanted to hire the team for something and she needs to talk to me about it!"
"I see. Well isn't this a good chance?"
"What? Chance for what!?"
"You said you wanted to patch things up didn't you?"
"I did, I know I did, it's just…"
"What?"
"...Kinda early isn't it?"
Stolas raised a brow as if he was looking at Blitz with unserious confusion. "How?"
"I mean I decided not too long ago so it just seems…early."
"Darling, the quicker the better don't you think?"
"...Is it?"
"Blitz…you're worried you're gonna mess this up aren't you?"
"...Yeah." He said in a defeated, called out tone.
The Goetia sighed. "Blitz."
"It's just…if she's still pissy at me and I might retaliate y'know!"
"You want to fix things dont you?"
"Yeah."
"And you know she has every reason to be mad, right?"
"Y-yeah I…did do a lot."
"Then let her be mad. Take your lumps as you oh so deserve, and after your beating, show your sorry."
"It's not like I can just say sorry and fix this shit like that."
"No, show it. Ask her out for coffee, let her know through actions that you regret how things were."
"Go out for coffee? Will that even work?"
Stolas gave a shrug. "Worked for Clarissa."
"That was in a Soap Opera."
"And? Can't hurt to try."
"Well…Guess I can give it a shot at least."
"Do you want me there with you?"
"Nah…" Blitz was heard taking a breath. "I can do this."
"Good luck!"
"Also how bad were you trying not to say naughty boy there."
"Very bad!" He laughed.
The door to Blitz's office opened and the Imp stuck his head out, calling out: "Verosika?"
"Ugh!" Verosika raised her eyes up, standing irritatedly and angrily strutting over to Blitz. "What took you so long!?"
"I was gone onl- No no." He shook his head and took a deep breath, trying to smile. "Would you please come in so we can discuss the details?" Moving to the side, to allow her to enter, gesturing her to do so in a polite manner
She lifted an eyebrow, suspicious of his smile and politeness. With a huff she replied: "Whatever," before walking inside. Blitzo took a deep breath before following her in.
Worried, Vortex asked: "He…he wouldn't shoot her, would he?"
"It's fine, I took the guns out earlier." Poch replied, sliding out the cabinet drawer and revealing Blitz's guns.
"Oh so that's what you were doing earlier, clever!"
"Yeah, if he's willing to shoot me, I wouldn't put shooting an Ex out of the picture."
"Shoot you!?" Josh exclaimed
With a curious lift of his brow, Vortex asked: "What he almost shoot you for?"
Both Poch and Loona blushed and took a quick glance at each other. "Um…"
Taking note of the blush they gave, Vortex and the rest of the crew smugly grinned, the hound stating: "Caught you in bed, huh?"
Both their faces turned even redder. "N-no, nothing like that!" Poch quickly tried to clarify.
Loona added to help keep their imaginations in check. "He just…found out about something."
"Oh, found out about the bed." Vortex teased.
"Wh- not that!"
Shivarna appeared, attempting to say: "They haven't even-"
With extreme haste, Poch jumped up and clamped his shadow demon's mouth, ferociously glaring and growling through his teeth. "Clamp…it!"
"Hahahaha alright alright, enough teasing!" Vortex laughed.
Exterminator HQ
Tom entered the shooting range to watch some of the recruits test their aim. The range had two different areas, one part was the shooting lanes, the second was a course lined with different targets, some would pop out and some would have an Angel monster with a hostage. It was very similar to ones the police departments would use. As Tom walked down the range, he could see some recruits testing their aim on the lane, recognizing a few of the recruits, Jerry, Scott, and John. Jerry was testing out a Colt 1911, Scott was trying an M4 Carbine, and John was practicing with the M39 Scout Rifle. All very effective weapons.
Just as the recruits were settling into their practice, sharp, controlled gunfire rang out, followed by the metallic clang of rounds striking targets. Heads turned toward the training course, where someone was clearing rooms with ruthless efficiency. Weapons forgotten, the recruits gathered near Tom, eyes flicking to the scoreboard. Twelve seconds. Eight targets down. Tom looked down and saw it was Jackson in the course, equipped with a M416 as his main rifle. He was clearing every sector with acquisition not missing a single target. Tom took note that Jackson was using semi-auto fire instead of full auto. The recruits began to root for Jackson, thinking his moves were killer. Jackson pivoted sharply around the corner—two silhouettes sprang up. One held a weapon, the other flinched behind a hostage. No hesitation. A single pop—headshot. Before the second target even fully registered, another round punched through its forehead. The room fell silent. He then approached the final stretch, it was a closed quarters scenario. Jackson put his rifle on his back and drew a M9 Beretta, swiftly dispatching the targets.
As Jackson exited the course the recruits went to congratulate him, he said that he was just doing his part. Before looking up at the time and score, it said thirty four seconds with sixteen targets destroyed. Jackson pulled out a small notepad and took note of it. Tom snuck up and peeked around to see what he had written down before, previous notes were shorter times with higher kill counts.
"Is there something you need, Tom?" Jackson spoke without turning around.
Tom was taken aback that Jackson knew it was him, inquiring: "How did you know it was me?"
"You were the only one amongst the recruits who didn't go back to what they were doing. You obviously want to learn how to shoot like I do. Is that correct?" Jackson responded as he turned around and looked at Tom with a serious look.
Tom took a moment to think about the offer. "Alright, I'll bite. Teach me what you know." He answered.
"Well alright, let's head to the armory and pick something out that suits you." Jackson said.
The two walked over to the armory and Jackson handed the Weapons Master his rifle. She then pointed at his sidearm and put her hand out.
"No, this one is mine." Jackson nodded and took the rifle and went to unload and put it on the rack. As she returned Jackson spoke up. "I need access to your showroom, this one wants to learn to shoot." Jackson pointed at Tom. "We need to find out which weapon suits him."
The Weapons Master gave him a slow nod and pressed a button to her left. A door opened to the right.
"Follow me." Jackson told Tom.
Tom marveled at all the different weapons in the room. Different sniper rifles, assault rifles, marksman rifles, shotguns, submachine guns, sidearms, bows, crossbows, and different blades. "Corps got a lot of guns here." He whispered to himself.
"Go ahead and find a gun that suits your physique." Jackson stated.
Tom walked up to the wall of rifles and browsed with his eyes. He looked at the assault rifles and thought that he wouldn't be using them that much, but he then started looking through the submachine guns. His eyes stopped on one, it was a UMP-5. He picked it up and got a feel for it. He aimed it and then he looked at it from the side, giving it an approving nod.
Jackson gave a warm smile and said: "Very good choice, that's a versatile weapon. Go ahead and put it back on the wall, we'll get a loaded one from the Weapons Master."
They walked over to the Armory and got the SMG from the Weapons Master with a couple of magazines. They went to the shooting lanes and picked out a spot. Jackson turned to Tom with the rifle and showed him the side of the gun.
"Alright, this rifle has three different firing modes, semi-auto, full-auto, and burst. The burst mode is only a two shot burst. Nothing crazy. So we are going to start you off on that." Jackson then handed the SMG to Tom making sure the safety was on.
"Keep your finger off the trigger." Jackson reminded him. "Alright step here. Here's what you wanna do. You don't want to stand straight. What you want to do is have a partial side stand. You're gonna want to focus your weight on your left leg to compensate for the recoil from the burst."
Jackson had Tom step to the platform. He had Tom aim the rifle and he corrected his stance. Made sure he had good posture and was steady. Once he confirmed all this, he stepped back.
"Alright, aim down the range and focus on your target." Jackson instructed.
Tom focused on the target down the range, Jackson could see that Tom was sure-footed. He cracked a smirk seeing this, Tom's determination reminded him of his recruit days.
"Do you have your target?" Jackson asked.
"I have my target." Tom responded.
"Alright, now, just squeeze the trigger, don't jerk it. If you do that, this will throw off your aim." Jackson instructed.
Tom exhaled and focused on the target, he squeezed the trigger and let out a short burst. Then he pulled the trigger a second time, then a third.
"Cease fire, rifle down." Jackson commanded.
Tom backed down and stepped aside as Jackson pressed the button to call the target back. The holes in the target were spread out slightly. First burst missed the head of the target and just hit the white outline, the other two hit the torso of the target. Non vital areas. Jackson could see Tom had a look of defeat on his face.
"Hey, this is your first time shooting one of these rifles, you're not gonna be a marksman right off the bat. It takes time." Jackson assured him.
"You know, I've only shot a pistol in my life, I thought it might be the same with this." Tom answered, looking at the gun he held.
"No, rifles are a whole new ball game." Jackson responded.
"You're not wrong." Tom responded.
"Here's what I can do for you, I can keep giving you lessons on how to shoot on our rec time. You seem eager to learn and I respect that. So we're gonna call it a night here, it's getting late, me and the other recruits need to be up at 0600 hours. Sound like a fair deal to you?" Jackson asked.
"Yeah I would appreciate that." Tom answered.
Jackson patted Tom on the shoulder and brought him back to the Armory, they turned in the rifle and headed out of the range.
As Jackson arrived at the barracks, Tom spoke up: "I have a question for you, and forgive me if I am overstepping my bounds. I noticed you have three dog tags hanging on your locker door. Did they mean something to you?"
Jackson sighed and looked down. He then spoke up after a brief moment of silence. "It's a long story, it connects to my life. Here's what I can do for you. This is the short version of it, I had a squad back in my military days, we were called to do recon on a rebel group. Turned out to be an ambush. I was the last one to survive. I'm still coming to terms with forgiving myself for what happened. That's all I'm willing to disclose right now."
"Jesus, I'm so sorry that you had to go through that." Tom responded.
Jackson gave him a warm smile. "If you want, when I get a lot more rec time, we can discuss my life over a couple of beers, and maybe you can do the same. You're a good kid, you have respect for me, I have respect for you. It's a good thing to have nowadays."
Tom smiled. "Yeah it is, and I would be up for that sometime, sharing stories. Could tell you about my brothers."
"Alright then. I'll see you on Thursday for the hand-to-hand drills." Jackson said.
Tom chuckled. "Yeah, I'll see you then. Be safe."
"Will do," Jackson responded.
Jackson entered the barracks and closed the door.
In Blitz's office
Verosika came into the office, keeping her vexed and unamused glare, looking around the room. "Tacky."
Ignoring her comment and taking a seat, Blitz leaned on his desk, giving his best smile, resting his chin on his hand, and asked: "How can I help you?"
Still a bit muddled by his attitude, she approached the desk and took a seat. "I'll be quick. I need your Exterminators."
There was a small perk to his stature with a faltering smile. "What for?"
"None of your business."
With a slight twitch, he returned his smile, this time with a tad bit of sass as he explained. "Well, I AM their boss and since this IS something work related, so as their boss, it technically is MY business."
Now it was her eye that twitched, narrowing her glare to the boss Imp. "...Fine. I need them for bodyguards. There's been angelic threats against me and they recently tore up my dressing room, so I can't put it off anymore."
His smile completely dropped upon hearing angelic threat, replaced with concern. "Angels!? Why, how?"
"I don't know, maybe a jealous bitch I dissed hired one."
"That's not possible, they only follow orders from…" Blitz stopped before he overshared.
"Orders from what?"
"N-nothing, so you need some Exterminator bodyguards?"
"That's what I said, isn't it."
An irritated grumble slipped past his tightened lips, taking a sharp exhale to untense his body. "Well, one of our guys is down for a while, but I still got Poch and Shred. Will they be enough?"
Verosika shrugged, partially uninterested. "I suppose two should be fine. How much will this be?"
"Well when will you need them by?"
"A few days after the next Cleansing, on Wednesday in the afternoon. I have a beach concert."
"Oh a beach one, nice nice." His comment only got an eye roll from her but he continued, grabbing his calendar. "Well seeing as that's about four days after it, I think," taking out a piece of paper, he wrote onto it and handed it to her, "This price works."
"Let's see how much you'll be…ripping me off?" Looking over the slip, her scowl changed into confusion. "This is…"
"Cheap?"
"...yeah…" Untrusting, she glanced up with suspicion. "What's the catch?"
"No catch just…some conditions."
The suspicion rose. "What conditions?"
"Condition one. Respect my employees."
"Ok."
"Condition two, no one hits on Poch, especially your crew, I'm saying that for their safety."
"What do you-?" She recalled earlier when Coco scratched the brown hound's chin affectionately, witnessing Loona's reaction to it. "Nevermind, what else?"
"And three…you and me-"
"Here it comes." She groaned under her breath.
Hesitantly, Blitz rubbed the back of his neck, almost stuttering his next words. "Um…you and me… go out…for coffee…l-later this week."
Her eyes narrowed and she looked a tad puzzled. "...What?"
"Well there's this coffee place I know that sells some good beans and it's pretty good price so I was thinking…" He tried to keep his eye contact and only turned his eyes a minimal amount of time, "you and me, coffee… a-at that place."
"For…what?" Unsettled and confused by the offer, she tried to find the trap within it.
"Just to have a talk, that's all." He shrugged with an attempt to straighten his nervous face.
"About?" Her body loosened some, dropping her emotional guard even further.
"Just…things. Important things…things that…need to be…talked about."
"Hm…" She was still trying to find some mal intent but was failing. Still she believed there were some so even though her guard faltered, it stayed even though she couldn't deny how genuine he looked. "Alright… I think I can agree to that."
"Great!" Blitz smiled, his awkward tension melting, replaced with an easing sense of relief. "Let's get this finalized!" He took out a contract and started writing it up.
"Right…I'll admit…you seem like less of an asshole for once." Softening up, she stated that, but still kept her stature.
"Yeah I…had some help."
End.
Next chapter: Triangle dance.