"BOY ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DAMNED MIND?!" Vladimir's voice shook his office walls and door.
Jamie had preemptively covered his ears, "Kinda? But like I said before the mimic situation didn't make sense. I need to go back there."
"Thirty," Vladimir huffed, "Thirty mimics is the number you claimed to have slain by yourself."
"That is correct sir." Jamie nodded.
Vladimir toyed with a squishy cat plush in his hand, "If what you say is true, and I'm assuming that it is. We can expect that number to be well over one thousand. No matter how good you are, that's impossible odds."
"Exactly my point!" Jamie excitedly slammed his hands on the table. Vladimir raised his brow causing Jamie to quickly pull his hands back, "Sorry pops."
"Nevermind that, I hardly see how sending you into the forest to die is a good plan of action. Come back when you have an idea with a more solid foundation."
Jamie shook his head, "Who else is able to escape danger like I can? You know my ability so what's the issue?"
"That is precisely the issue my dear boy," Vladimir raised his voice once more. "IF the mimics learn the true nature of your ability could you honestly say that we are prepared to fight a small army of you?" Vladimir rubbed his forehead.
Jamie let silence fill the air as he took a seat across Vladimir, "The problem is there are active requests in that forest, traders travel through there and the locals of Sentry Village do their hunting and gathering there." Jamie paused, "'One simply cannot idle when there are lives at stake.' You taught me that."
"Boy- Ugh... Fine. But Beatrix goes with you." Vladimir conceded.
"W-What? You're sending me with that maniac again? What if shit gets too real? I won't be able to flee as readily with both of us." Jamie complained.
"Either Beatrix goes with you, or I suit up myself. Your decision, son." Vladimir's fangs poked out from his toothy grin.
"Cheating old man. Fine, I'll give Betty a call."
"Wonderful! Then it's settled. The Fool's Carol will be initiating a Mimic Forest Survey. The intent of this mission is to identify the cause of the overpopulation and snuff it out by any means necessary." Vladimir stamped a piece of parchment on the desk, "However, no lives may be lost on this endeavor." He added.
"Yes sir!" Jamie smiled.
A little while later Jamie found himself on the northern outskirts of Mimic forest. Bruh. Where is she? He fiddled with a stick he found laying around. As if on cue a wyvern could be spotted in the near distance barreling towards his direction. Alright, I won't have to chew her out for being late. Before the Wyvern could begin its descent, Jamie saw a shadow diving at him. You've gotta be fucking kidding me. Now of all times?! Jamie took a few steps to the side and tossed his stick down the hill.
"FIGHT ME YOU MOSSHEADED DOPE!" A high pitched voice rang through the sky. An averaged height woman with deep blue skin was diving head first with her fist extended outwards. Her long tail swiped rapidly at the air, speeding her up aided by the fin at the tip. Just as she was about to make contact with Jamie her eyes widened.
"Will you please-" Jamie grabbed her outstretched hand and rotated his entire body dampening the force before swinging her over his shoulder. "Shut up?!" He then finished his movements by gently tossing her on the grassy hill. "This is supposed to be a go in quietly type of thing, ya know? Didn't ya listen to anything I said on the phone, Betty?" Jamie chewed her out.
"Haha, oops! My bad. I just wanted to settle our score so I kinda forgot." Beatrix said.
"Settle what score? You always lose ya dork." Jamie waved her off.
"Exactly! I need to beat you at least once before I rank up." Beatrix waved the wyvern down.
"Or you could stop being a bum and just take the Dragon certification already. We all know you qualified and would pass with ease." Jamie shrugged and scanned the treeline.
Beatrix walked towards Jamie proudly, "I will beat you before taking my Dragon certification. Just you wait though, I've been grinding my ass off!"
Jamie looked at Beatrix with a glint in his eyes, "I'm looking forward to it," He began his descent towards the woods, "Let's go, Betty."
"Right." Beatrix nodded.
The two entered Mimic Forest's maw, the deafening silence was only broken by the sound of their muted steps. After exchanging worried glances, they picked up their pace slightly. Oh wow, they aren't even trying to hide it. Jamie turned his attention north east. He could sense the presence of something malicious much deeper in the forest. That feels closer to oceanside than it does over here. He looked at Beatrix and tilted his head in the direction they needed to go. I could be there already if it wasn't for her. Oh well, this too has advantages. Remaining silent they carefully pushed onward. After about half an hour the two found themselves surrounded by a small welcoming party of people with familiar faces.
"There's about twenty of them. How do you want to handle this?" Beatrix assumed a fighting stance by materializing a chrominium whip in each hand. While they didn't have quite the same range as your average chrominium whip; they featured a retraction system to form short sword-like weapons.
"I think we should reserve as much mana as possible. Focus on mobility and clean kills. I have a feeling we'll need all the strength we can get later." Jamie instructed.
"Ri-" Beatrix's affirmation was interrupted by a pincer attack from two Jamie clones.
She quickly parried each of their strikes before wrapping her whip around one's neck and the other's ankle. Upon pressing the button on her whips and flicking her arms across her body, the whips retracted neatly into blades. This caused chunks of the bladed whip to drag across the Mimic's flesh. The head of the first mimic rolled off of their body onto the ground with an unsettling PLOP. The second mimic looked on in horror at their comrade as their leg exploded, causing them to fall backwards. Screeching, the mimic flailed about on the forest's ground until Beatrix extended her whipblade into its chest piercing its heart. Upon retracting her whip again green blood from the mimic landed on Beatrix's face.
"Ridiculous," Beatrix scoffed, "YOU DARE INSULT ME WITH HIS FACE AND YOUR MEASLY STRENGTH?!" Beatrix's roar caused the remaining eighteen mimics to flinch, taking a step backwards.
"What are you looking at?" Jamie whispered into a Beatrix clone's ear shortly before snapping its neck with his hands.
The crunch of its vertebrae alerted two nearby Jamie mimics. But by the time the one on the right turned to face Jamie he had already stuffed his arm through its chest. Behind its back Jamie held the still beating heart in his palm.
"You were all sent to die here." Jamie slowly pulled his arm out of his fallen foe's carcass.
More mimics began registering the systematic slaughter and five more of them joined the lone mimic to jump Jamie. I wonder what Lucky's up to? Jamie pictured her in her work attire before trying to envision what she would look like in one of the maid outfits. An absent minded smile crawled across his face as he dropped his heel into the skull of a mimic. She'd look really cute. Its cranium caved in and his heel collided with the ground. A small scale eruption launched a cloud of dust into the air. The dust spread throughout the entire area within an instant.
The mimic that had been next to him since the start listened as his companions cried out one by one. A random merfolk colored arm spun through the air clearing some of the dust and landing on his feet. This was quickly followed by the piercing cry of his comrade begging for its life. The mimic's form faltered revealing a smooth grey humanoid with no features to speak of. Its body shook as it heard two sets of footsteps approach it.
"So," Without warning, Jamie appeared in front of the remaining mimic, "Now that all of your friends are dead, would you mind telling me if I'm going in the right direction? I figured I had to keep heading north eastish. That sound about right?" Jamie waggled the leg of a mimic in front of its face.
The mimic fell to its knees and nodded.
"Good," Beatrix cleanly finished off the mimic with a practiced horizontal swing, "They were awfully weak, or am I imagining things?"
Jamie shook his head, "No you aren't. Chances are they were sent to gauge our strength."
"Holding back was the right call then." Beatrix admitted.
"Well," Jamie sighed as he pressed on, "Unfortunately that was so one sided I think they got the picture."
"You may have a point there, we probably could have sold that better."
Jamie shrugged and the pair walked in silence for a considerable amount of time. Jamie noticed a strangely misshapen tree trunk that had fallen on the ground.
"Hold on, I'll be right back." Jamie jogged over to the massive log and placed his hand on it.
His smile resembled a small child receiving a present. With a quick sidekick he broke the tree into several splintered pieces of wood. What was left was a locked rustic looking chest. It beckoned him to come and claim its riches. Jamie once more placed his hand down, but this time directly on the chest. After a few moments he poured some mana into it causing the lock to bust open. Rubbing his hands together he leaned over and opened the chest. Within it he saw a few peculiar items. A letter, a pair of boots, a ring, a bangle, a spyglass and a scepter. He beckoned Beatrix to come over. Once she reached him he pointed in the chest.
"Hey can you put these in your fatpack please?" Jamie requested.
"Oh, hello again Jamie. So great to hear your voice again. This past forty minutes has been so enjoyable. Ya know walking in silence and all that." Beatrix jabbed as she slid her bag off of her shoulders.
"Thank you Betty. Sorry I got lost in thought." Jamie admitted.
"Whatever, I'm over it." Beatrix smiled as she dropped the spoils into her bag. It made a warbling sound as each item dropped in.
"If we keep pace we should be there in the next half hour or so." Jamie looked around the area.
Beatrix threw the pack back on her shoulders, "Yeah, even I can feel something from over yonder."
As they continued walking Beatrix struck up a conversation about how the local marine life had been acting strangely. She tossed around many theories and speculated the long term effects it could have. After some time she abruptly changed the conversation.
"So how are things with Lucky?" She teased.
Jamie sighed, "I don't know, I feel like I've been seeing less of her since she started at the cafe."
"That's because you are seeing less of her." Beatrix smiled.
Jamie rolled his eyes, "Yeah, that's the problem."
"Aww, feeling lonely are we? Well I see her plenty! She's a hard worker, and people seem to take quite the liking to her. You better be careful or someone might snatch her up on you." Beatrix giggled.
"You act like I make the decisions for her, she's welcome to do as she pleases. She wouldn't be getting 'snatched' away from me, she would just be doing whatever she wants." Jamie shrugged.
"Y-yeah, I think you missed the joke."
Jamie snorted, "Jokes are supposed to be funny."
Beatrix elbowed Jamie, "Oh shut up."
Jamie nudged her back, "No you."
A twig snapped causing the two to jolt into battle ready positions. Jamie scanned the area taking in all of the shadows, points of elevation and fauna. They got here fast. His face contorted with frustration. They remained silent, listening carefully for the slightest of movements.
"Let's end this game of hunter and prey, shall we?" Jamie's voice was powerful as he addressed the woodland.
"Perhaps." An echoing voice called out to him.
Jamie turned his attention to the east where he felt the slightest flare of mana. "The mimics have long been peaceful and an important part of the ecosystem. What have you done to make them hostile?" Jamie inquired.
"What have I done?!" The being from beyond sounded annoyed," It is you city dwellers that take as you please, you disturb our lands, killing us if we try to communicate."
Beatrix continued scanning the area while Jamie held the being's attention. She could see multiple faceless mimics approaching them.
"I mean no disrespect when I say this, but the last time I checked, attacking travelers is not communication. It's assault and attempted murder. Do you believe I'm wrong in saying this?" Jamie probed.
"And this is why there will never be a peaceful resolution to the crimes committed against my kin." It hissed.
"Alright, wait a second," Jamie put his hand out and relaxed his stance. He waved at Beatrix and she put her weapons away. "Maybe we both have been going about this the wrong way. My name is Jamie, a Phoenix ranked Guild representative for The Fool's Carol. This here is Beatrix, a Wyvern ranked member of the guild. If we could avoid further bloodshed we'd be more than happy to have an open dialogue with you... What's your name? Jame took a slight step forward and a small legion of mimics revealed themselves to him.
"They call me Slade. What do we gain from speaking now? Why hadn't you tried that before killing my kin and forcing the forest to birth me?" Slade asked.
"Slade, nice to meet you. From our multiple interactions with your kin we have never been able to establish any kind of feasible line of communication until this very moment. You are intelligent, I'm sure you can tell that I am more than capable of leveling this entire area within moments. But that's not what I want. I simply want the attacks on our people to stop." Jamie explained.
"You wish for us to no longer defend ourselves while we get slaughtered? That is unusually cruel." Slade's voice grew with anger.
"There are sanctions, rules in place protecting this forest and its inhabitants from any harm. The only time we would enter this forest with the intent to kill something is if it had been attacking our people or endangering the ecosystem." Jamie put his hands up.
A looming figure approached Jamie, "So, the deaths of my friends and family were our fault?"
"So far, any time I've fought a mimic in this forest it was purely out of self defense. Even today, we were simply walking in this direction and were attacked first. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't criminals causing trouble that we have yet to detain. Would you be willing to hear a proposal for peace and protection?"
The figure appeared in front of Jamie and Beatrix. It stood a head taller than Jamie, its grey featureless body rippled like some sort of liquid. I can feel Slade's mana from here. If mimic's had royalty... This would be the pinnacle of that. Jamie studied Slade's form intently.
"What's stopping me from just killing you here and now for revenge?" Slade asked.
"Well Slade, let's say you could kill the both of us. There would certainly be heavy casualties. Then the guild would send their own army to fell you and your people. Not to mention, the ones responsible for wronging you all may never be caught and brought to justice." Jamie reasoned.
Slade seemed to look Jamie in the eye, "You make a fair point, outsider. But this rage inside of me is far too great."
"I can only imagine... But is it too great to risk the lives of your remaining kin? Too great to stop the criminals who attacked your fallen brethren?" Jamie asked.
A full three minutes went by and Slade finally responded, "I cannot overlook the murder of my kin." Jamie listened intently. "Are you willing to atone for your crimes against us?"
Jamie shrugged, "How would you have me atone?"
"Jamie you can't be serious!" Beatrix interjected, "Atone for what? You acted in self preservation!"
Jamie put his finger to his lip and smiled, "Shhh, Let's listen to what Slade has to say." Jamie turned his attention back to the mimic, "I'm listening, Slade. I meant what I said. I have no intention of harming any of you if I don't have to."
"I would consider your people's crimes pardoned if you were to find an individual and bring them to me for justice." Slade's words dripped with fire.
Jamie pulled out his phone, "Can you show me them?"
"Pardon me?" Slade cocked his head.
"Can you take their form so I know who I'm looking for?" Jamie restated his question.
"A simple task." Slade wobbled slightly before appearing as an average height blonde elf with a strange scar across their cheek."
Jamie's phone clicked as he took the picture.
"Perfect, Well it sounds like you are asking me to take on a quest to deliver someone to you. I'll do it, but first I need you to promise me something." Jamie smiled warmly.
Slade tilted his head slightly, "What could you possibly want?"
"I'd ask that you and the entirety of your kin commit no acts of violence to any outsiders unless they pose a threat to your well being. If the attacks were to continue after I leave here, it would be impossible for me to protect you." Jamie waved his hand and produced a shiny piece of metal with a suspicious phoenix shaped button on it. "And if anyone attacks your people unprovoked I want you to press this button." Jamie tossed the device to Slade.
Slade grabbed the item out of the air and placed it on his chest. It sunk into him disappearing from view.
"You have my word, Jamie of The Fool's Carol. Though you are a strange outsider I can sense a familiar sensation from within you. I shall await favourable news."
"Wonderful!" Jamie exclaimed, he turned to leave but hesitated for a moment, "Slade?"
"What is it?"
"I'm sorry for the pain we've caused you. No... I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you and your kin."
Slade remained silent and watched as the pair walked away from the area.
"What a strange one." Slade sighed as the outsider left.
*****
"What the hell was that?" Beatrix seethed.
Jamie and Beatrix stepped out of the treeline and into the open air on the west side of Mimic Forest. The sounds of wildlife happily chirping and buzzing around them filled the air. Enough time had passed that overcast clouds had filled the sky, their clothes felt wet from the humidity.
"I don't know why you're so upset, that could have been a bloodbath." Jamie shrugged.
"They attacked innocent people!" Beatrix shouted.
Jamie kept walking, "And we've slaughtered innocent mimics. What's your point, Betty?"
Beatrix grabbed Jamie by the shoulder, "Are you fucking stupid?! They attacked us first!"
Jamie stopped walking and turned to face Beatrix, "Right, and we defended ourselves. If they had known we meant no harm they wouldn't have attacked. Just like we wouldn't have attacked them if we knew the same. But we went in there with the intent to wipe them off the map. So what is your problem?" Jamie's expressionless face matched his dead cold stare perfectly.
"You know as well as I do that this is the kind of logic that leads to civilian casualties. Or have you forgotten the millennium war?!" Beatrix clenched her fists.
"How could I? Vladimir reminds us about it every month. Have you forgotten that it was through the efforts of this reasoning that the war finally came to an end? I'm just skipping the part where we elevate the death toll in the millions." Jamie reasoned.
"You always do this." Beatrix's voice shook.
Jamie grew impatient, "Always do what, exactly? Try to do my job?
"Shut up!" Beatrix threw a right hook at Jamie, placing it squarely on his cheek. Her eyes widened and she did a double take.
"Happy now? Can we get going? I'd like to see Lucky." Jamie turned away and began walking towards the hill where they left the Wyverns.
"Why?" Beatrix's voice trembled, "Why didn't you dodge?"
"I didn't feel like it was necessary?" Jamie stated dryly. "It's not like you were going to hurt me or anything."
The air fell still for a moment as Jamie lifted his right leg to step forward once more. An overwhelming sensation of bloodlust filled the air and from behind him Beatrix's mana swelled.
"Face me." She said as his foot reached the ground.
Her energy sent waves through the surrounding area. The smaller trees bent from her presence and the grass tore around her. Blood dripped from her palms and her grip caused her muscles to bulge.
Jamie sighed, "I really don't think we should do this."
"Scared?" Beatrix taunted.
"I think you're just scared of being left behind." Jamie spat back.
A single drop of rain fell past Jamie's field of view before it could hit the ground Beatrix struck at him once more. Jamie appeared behind her but almost as though she had predicted it, her tail lashed out at his neck. Aptly weaving the wide atack, Jamie slipped to her side and landed a clean liver shot with his left hand as the raindrop hit the ground.
"Ack!" Beatrix gasped and fell to her knees gritting her teeth.
The rain came down like a violent parade, instantly drowning them and limiting their vision. Jamie's slicked back hair drooped down, covering his eyes slightly with messy bangs.
Running his hand through his hair he calmly addressed Beatrix, "Listen, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Let's just get going."
"I..." Beatrix stood up slowly, "Do not..." The rain seemed to slide off of her with ease, "Want your goddamned pity. You've had it so easy. Granted powers equal to an Aeon's. No burdens, no financial worries, no adversity. And you think you can just do whatever the fuck you want?! Someone needs to beat the stupid face of yours in!!!" Beatrix's chest heaved.
Damn, tell me how you really feel... Jamie frowned, "I thought we were friends, no... Closer than that. I never knew you thought about me like that." Jamie looked away from Beatrix and he felt a twinge in his chest.
"You really don't get it do you? There is something fundamentally wrong with you. Anyone close enough to you can see that. And who else is really closer? We started at the same time, fought together in the war and yet..."
Beatrix attempted to approach Jamie again but without fanfare he disappeared. She quickly looked over her shoulder but he wasn't there.
"YOU CAN'T JUST RUN AWAY FROM ME FOREVER JAMIE JAMINSON!!!" Her scream shook her chest and burned her throat. A dark figure in the treeline behind her watched as she dropped to her knees once more. She looked at her right first and felt her chest grow tighter. What have I done? Beatrix covered her mouth as she screamed out in agony slamming the ground. After several minutes of remaining still Beatrix got up and ascended the hill. She went to adjust the strap on her back for the fatpack but realized it wasn't there.
Where did I-. Her thoughts were interrupted when she reached the peak upon seeing Jamie tying the bag to the Wyvern she rode in on. When did he? Then she remembered back to when he appeared behind her and dropped her with a liver blow. Just how fast is he really?
"You ready to head back?" Jamie's monotone voice caught her off guard.
Beatrix averted her gaze, "I-I thought you left already."
"Beatrix, I'm an asshole, not a monster. I wouldn't leave you out here alone." Jamie walked over to his Wyvern and hopped on.
"B-Beatrix?" Her eyes welled up, "I see."
The two flew out of the area heading back to the northern drop off. Jamie stayed a few paces behind the entire flight.
Jamie and Beatrix finally reached Aegis and made their way to The Fool's Carol. Neither of them spoke a word to the other. Jamie pointed at the hospital and grabbed some of the loot from inside Beatrix's fatpack before hurrying inside. After a little while he came back out with the gear still in hand.
"Looks like the person I was looking for has already checked out. That's a real shame, I know they'll like this stuff. It's okay though, I'll catch them at the guild or something later." He explained but seemed distant.
Once at The Fool's Carol the pair hurried back to Valdimir's office and quickly reported the events of their quest. However, Jamie left out the details of Beatrix's outburst.
"Hmm, Interesting." Vladimir rested his chin on his interlocked hands, his elbows placed firmly on his mahogany desk.
"I think that there is validity to Slade's claims. Even if there was no outside party committing crimes he's clearly sentient and angered by the murder of his kind. That alone merits investigation into this." Jamie said.
"Betty?" Vladimir raised an eyebrow.
Beatrix had yet to make eye contact with either of them, "Yeah, whatever he says. I have a terrible headache and should be going. I think I overexerted myself."
"Should you check in with Dr. Hops?" Vladimir straightened his posture, a worried look painted on his face.
"No, I don't think it's that serious. I just need some rest." Beatrix explained.
"Well if anything changes-"
"Check yourself into the hospital immediately." Beatrix copied Vladimir's cadence and tone, "I know, I know."
"Very well, you're dismissed Betty." Vladimir smiled and watched as Beatrix left.
"So uh, pops?" Jamie said awkwardly before taking a seat.
"What is it son?"
Jamie shut the door behind Beatrix, "You didn't send anyone else after us, did you?"
"What? No. What would possess you to think I would burn resources without cause?" Vladimir's shocked expression made Jamie nod.
"Yeah, I thought not." He said worriedly, "It's just someone, or something else was in that forest with us. And I know for a fact no merchants or other guild members were out there today. I checked ahead of time." Jamie ran his hand through his hair.
Vladimir spun a pen in his hand, "You probably felt the presence of more mimics, no?"
"Nah, this was different from the mimics or Slade. It was... Malicious, dark.. Heavy like a mountain on my chest and a rag shoved down my throat." Jamie leaned his chair back and looked at the ceiling, "In fact that may explain some things."
"That is no pleasant imagery, boy." Vladimir furrowed his brow.
"Well," Jamie leaned forward carefully, setting his chair legs on the ground, "It wasn't the slightest bit pleasant."
"What you're describing sounds like an old folk tale." Vladimir stared off.
"I'm supposed to be an old folk tale. I wasn't able to confirm anything, but I think we should be careful in the coming days. Something isn't right." Jamie rubbed his temples in frustration. "I just can't figure it out."
"The earth's mana alignment has been off for a while now, it would be of no surprise should big changes be coming in the future." Vladimir reasoned, "You'll be fine boy."
"It's not me that I'm worried about." Jamie looked at the door.
Vladimir gave his son a warm smile before offering some advice, "Why don't you visit your old home for a bit? Take some time to relax? Who knows, maybe you'll forget about these worldly troubles for a little while."
"I would rather not, I didn't see Lucky at the front desk. I need to see when she gets off so I know when to pick her up." Jamie explained.
Vladimir pointed to the door, "I'm no longer asking. Go, relax. Take some time, I'll call if needed."
"Y-yes sir." Jamie got up and left the office heading for the stairwell.
After getting to the third floor he counted the wooden floor panels on his way to the familiar brown door. One, two, three, four, five, six... Seven, eight, nine. He stopped for a moment to examine the dark aged bronze door handle. He gently placed his hand on it releasing a trace amount of mana into it. CLICK! The door unlocked and he stepped through the threshold into his old home. What the?! He felt a warm presence coming from his living room. Lucky? He kicked off his boots and quickly walked through the hall, his kitchen and into the living area.
His eyes lit up when he saw Lucky passed out on the wooden floors. Her legs were tucked away underneath the kotatsu. Her silver hair was down and gleamed like a precious silk in the rays of light that escaped the clouds to come through the window. Her breaths were deep as she snored lightly. Huh, that's the most peaceful looking Lucky face I've ever seen. He took a step forward but quickly changed his mind and went back to the kitchen. I should check the fridge, usually Cleo keeps a special snack in here for the maids. Jamie nearly jumped back upon opening the fridge and seeing its contents.
"W-what the?! Who went shopping?"
The fridge had been filled to the brim with various meats, fruits and goodies. Jamie surveyed the shelves and noticed a plate or prepared food. A note was placed on the top of a carefully wrapped dish with squid on a stick. He read it out loud.
"Lucky had a hard day and could use a little extra attention... At least I think. I know you will but I'm going to say it anyway, take it easy on her will ya? Maybe take tomorrow off too? She said she wanted to be alone but... Who knows, maybe if it's you it'll be a different story.
-Cleo ♡"
Jamie smiled, I'll have to thank her for doing all this for Lucky. I wonder what happened though. Jamie looked back into the living room and put the note in his pocket. I should change quickly. He headed down one of the hallways and into an old bedroom. Doing his best to ignore various photo frames and memorabilia. He pulled open his dresser's drawers and quickly grabbed a high quality pair of black joggers, a kirbo tshirt and a cafe branded hoodie. He hid his underwear inside of them before heading to the bathroom. After a quick shower and freshening up he threw his clothes on and went back to the kitchen. He pulled out the squid on a stick and various snacks, warming up what needed to be hot when served. He also pulled out a six pack of the in season razzblomb beer before heading to the living room. Carefully balancing the various dishes and snacks on the way. The kotatsu was easily filled with the items he placed on it. He reached for the remote in the tv stand across from the couch and turned on the tv loading up NewTube. He scrolled through his subscriptions list until he found Ankho and put on an older highlights video. I don't think Lucky's seen this one yet. He then placed the remote down and leaned over towards Lucky his face above hers. Placing his hand on her shoulder he began to speak.
"Luck-"
"What are you doin'?" Lucky's eyes cracked open.
He quickly leaned back, "I was just trying to wake you up, feel like eating with me? I'm starving." Jamie said, trying to hide his blushing ears.
"I knew I smelled something good!" Lucky yawned and sat up, "You really know how to make a girl happy." She beamed at Jamie.
Is... Is she actually a girl though? I've never really thought about it. Jamie pondered.
The two sat under the table and ate food happily for several minutes, occasionally laughing at a segment on Ankho's highlight video. The rain had finally come to a complete stop and the sun began shining freely once more. Lucky took a deep breath and changed the conversation.
"Aren't you going to ask about it?" Lucky asked.
"About what?" Jamie mumbled through a mouth full of food.
"My eye? Being in your place? Anything?" Lucky grabbed the last mozzarella stick from the basket.
"I thought about it, but I figured if you wanted to talk about it you would. Do you?" Jamie inquired.
"Not really." Lucky bit down on the stick causing cheese to fill her mouth.
"Then we won't. So uh, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
"Nope. I have off apparently." Lucky double tapped her phone screen and swiped a few times. Pulling up her schedule she showed Jamie.
"Oh, looks like you're on leave until you're ready to return. Damn." Jamie looked at the TV, "Feel like going out with me tomorrow, before the Eveningtide Celebration event?"
Lucky's tail wagged excitedly bouncing off of the ground, "No!" She teased.
"Alright, well that's fine. I guess I'll find some other cute neko to hang out with then."
Lucky lunged at Jamie, "I was joking! Take me with youu!" She pouted on his chest.
"Yeah, yeah. I know I was kidding too. It's a date then!"
"Like for real this time? Or just like a friend's date?" Lucky asked shyly.
"A date, date." Jamie's heart raced.
"Oh? Who said I'd wanna do that?" Lucky teased. But before Jamie could rebuttal she continued, "Thank you, I look forward to it."
The two enjoyed each other's company for the rest of the night and decided to crash there rather than heading back to the log cabin. They had turned on Ankho's stream as per their usual nightly ritual and sat on the couch together. After awhile Lucky found herself laying on Jamie's lap and he was petting her head, I can't believe Jamie doesn't know that Ankho is really Stella and I do! She thought as she drifted off into her dreams. Before the two knew it they had both passed out. Their day had been long and trying but the comfort of each other allowed them to slip away from worry and into a deep sleep for the time being.
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(Uploaded version is the initial draft of the work LxD. The final edited version will be available for purchase in the future and you can check the progress of the book by visiting Lucky's streams twitch.tv/TheLuckyTempest)