“Oh... umm… okay. We are hunting gnolls first, though,” Fluff stumbled over her words.
“You both need to stop by our new digs,” Alburet cut in to break some of the tension Fluff was feeling. “Part of it is set up for a guild to use as a base.”
“That’s awesome,” Karen said, “but first, as Fluff said, we got gnolls to hunt, right? Let’s go.”
As the group went inside Alburet noticed his message icon flashing. Checking it he found a message from Marysue asking if he was going hunting today. He asked the others to wait a moment while he replied to her. His message icon lit up again a moment later, prompting him to make another reply before putting his Mindstone away.
“Marysue and Gerald will be joining us,” he told the women as they moved into the waiting area.
“Marysue was full of questions during the reception,” Fluff told him. “Gerald was shocked about the whole thing, as well.”
“Guess that means you can fill all of us in on the hows and whys of the wedding,” Karen added with a gleam in her eye.
“I’ll tell the tale of love once we start spilling blood,” Alburet replied, “as I don’t want to have to tell it twice.”
A moment later Marysue and Gerald came through the door, and greetings were exchanged before they headed for the stairs. Alburet gave Kim a smile and wave as they went by the desk. She greeted them all with a smile, wishing them good hunting. As they found the right room for the gnoll portal, Gerald paused with his brow creased.
“Gnolls? You sure this is a good idea?” Gerald asked glancing from Alburet to Marysue, as if to convey his worry about Marysue’s safety.
“We did them a couple of days ago. We have a pattern that works out fairly well. It should be even easier with you along to tank one of the two we don’t lock down,” Alburet reassured him. “It’s not like we’re trying the dungeon today.”
“Can we?” Karen asked, spinning towards the two men, her voice eager.
“Not today,” Alburet said firmly. “We can set it up for a day or two from now, that way we can all be ready for it.”
Sighing, Karen went to step on the portal rune, “Sissy.” She vanished, leaving the others standing there.
“Did she just call you out?” Gerald smirked.
“Yeah and she can kick my ass in a straight up fight, so not I’m not upset about it. If we went with abilities I can probably take her, but meh. She’s just pissy that I slapped down the dungeon today. Once we start hunting she’ll forget about it.” Alburet motioned Stacia and Fluff towards the portal, “Ladies.”
Once all the women went through Gerald cocked his head slightly to the side, “When I first met you, I thought you might try for Mary. I’m glad you didn’t. Also glad to have been able to group with you. All in all, you’ve proven yourself a good person to know.”
Chuckling, Alburet replied before he stepped through the portal, “Just wait, knowing me is going to be even better soon.”
Gerald followed him through the portal, “Oh yeah, by the way, thanks. You and Fluffball really did me a solid favor by getting me on the list. I got my email this morning that I’m in for the testing.” Gerald heard Marysue’s squeal of pleasure as she hugged him. “Wanted to surprise you after we had that talk with your dad the other day, Mary.”
“That is so wonderful,” Marysue said as she let go of Gerald, her smile blindingly brilliant. “It’s going to be so cool to be able to stay in here with you for a full month.”
“We should invite them,” Karen said simply, her eyes focused on Alburet in a half challenge.
“Fluff? What do you think?” Alburet said, not taking his eyes from Karen’s challenging stare.
“I think they are both really good people,” Fluff said softly. “I’m fine with it if you are.”
“They came to our weddin’, invite them,” Stacia added.
“That makes it unanimous then,” Alburet said calmly. “Did you want to run this guild, Karen?”
Karen blinked, her eyes flickering away from Alburet, “Not really.”
“Then kindly stop eye fucking me, please. If you have an issue, bring it to me so we can talk. I don’t do this stare down thing, I dealt with it enough in my last job.” His voice was calm but flat, completely devoid of emotion. He turned to Gerald and Marysue, his voice going back to normal. “Did you both want to join Alpha Company?”
Gerald glanced at the four of them wearing the emblem then looked at Marysue, who nodded. “We would be glad to. I’m not challenging you here, but if you want I’ll help out with the guild. I run a number of businesses, so I’m used to the bit of dealing with unhappy people.”
“We can hash that all out later,” Alburet said as he tapped through his interface for the guild. “Here you are, two letters from the guild leader. Take them to City Hall to turn them in. When you do they’ll issue you a Guildstone and add you to the roster.” He handed the scrolls to Gerald, “Now that that’s all out of the way, let’s get going.”
“Let me and Mary grab the quests really quick,” Gerald flicked his head towards the gate.
“Good point, we can turn in ours as well,” Alburet agreed.
As they turned to go Karen tapped Alburet on the shoulder, “A moment please, alone, if that’s okay.”
“We’ll catch up,” Alburet said to the others before turning to Karen, “Yes?”
“Look, I didn’t mean it like that, okay? I’m a little frustrated about some things going on in real life and then you up and get married in here, cutting down on some of my stress relief. None of that is your problem, but I got my panties in a knot and acted out. I seem to have hit a nerve with you there and for that I am sorry, okay?” Karen met his eyes, obviously sincere.
Sighing, Alburet nodded, “Okay. Sorry for jumping down your throat in return. Having had to put up with stare downs and eye fucks from inmates for years makes me sensitive in that area. We good now?”
Karen extended her hand, “Truce.” Alburet shook hands but Karen clamped down on his hand as they shook, “Fluff is off limits to you, right?”
Alburet felt his anger start to rise again when she clamped down, but it evaporated as she asked about Fluff. “I feel bad for Fluff. She was interested at one point and I shot her down. She did ask if you liked women awhile back, though. So you might have a shot if you play it slow and cool. Now kindly give me my digits back,” Alburet said as his hand was now limp in hers.
Karen’s smile grew, “She did, huh? Good, good, I’m happy to hear that. Oh and yeah, sorry.” She released his hand before they began to walk into the fort. “So, any advice on how to move forward with seducing her?”
“Don’t try, that’s my advice. Be there for her. Give her hints that you’re interested, but do not press. She says Lilith is helping her somehow, so just give her some time. Who knows, by next month she might ask you out.” Alburet chuckled at the idea of timid little Fluff cornering Karen against a building to ask her out.
When they caught up to the others, Gerald and Marysue had just gotten their quests from the same sergeant that had been there before. She turned her eyes to the others questioningly, prompting Alburet to speak up. “Sergeant, we have completed two of the missions you set out for us the other day. We have killed the gnolls required and raided some of their camps. Considering their strength though, we brought reinforcements this time.” Alburet jerked his head at Gerald and Marysue, “If all goes well today, then in the next couple we should be attempting to slay the Head Shaman of the gnolls for you.”
Lips pursed, the greying sergeant nodded, “Admirably done then, Alpha Company. You have proven yourselves capable to this point, but I will warn you that the Shaman is a dangerous foe.” Her voice was firm as she spoke, making sure they knew the seriousness of her warning.
“Yes, ma’am,” Alburet replied. “We know this, which is why we’re taking steps to become better acquainted with our enemies first.”