Static Reflections: Book 1 of The M... - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Richard didn't realize it, but Nick was breaking him down slowly. When they met, he had been an anxious mess, and he still was. But now, he was letting this animal accompany him to a restaurant, and he even managed to smile.
Not only that, but Nick was a dedicated student. Of course, he was nowhere near perfect when he first learned something, but he got better and better over time and the days.
Richard knew that he let himself get carried away with telling him information, which embarrassed him slightly. One minor problem seemed to be that Nick seemed to get lost in thought while he was rambling, as he would just look at Richard without moving for the duration of the speech.
Even so, training the hyena felt good for Richard, as he and Iwai had hoped. They hadn't delved into much personal information, which Richard was thankful for because he preferred to keep it closer to business.
They couldn't train forever, sure, but Richard was enjoying himself for the first time in a while. There was only one phase of training left, though, and something inside of him made him feel somewhat disappointed at the notion. Better to focus on what was happening now, then.
Nick walked in front of him with a bit of bounce in his step. "Hell yeah, I'm gonna fuck up some Chinese food."
Richard raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that whatever I eat better be afraid because I'm comin' for it," Nick grinned.
"I don't think food has emotions," the raccoon answered.
"You must be food, then," the hyena cooed. "I'm joking, I'm joking!"
Richard shook his head. "You're so peculiar, Nicholas."
"I know. I love it. So, should I get changed into pajamas or something?"
The raccoon shook his head. "It's the protocol that you wear your Guard Garb outside of the Institute. Erm, your red tie is tainted currently."
Nick looked down at the tie in his hand. "I don't need it, right?"
"That's like the most important thing," Richard answered. "The red will show that you're still in training."
"Ohhh, now I get it," Nick nodded. "I was wondering why the red mattered because you were one of the only people who saw it."
"Everything has a purpose," Richard stated.
"Ohh, you're so wise," the hyena turned, bowing while he walked backward.
"Not really," Richard said. "Just informed."
Nick rolled his eyes. "So what about the tie?"
"Looks like we'll have to wait in your room for the washer to make a quick visit."
"Fine with me," Nick groaned, rotating his shoulders. "I need to dope up on drugs before we go."
"Excuse me?"
"You know!" Nick shrugged. Richard just dropped it as they moved along.
Back in the room, Richard sat down on the couch once they were inside. He watched Nick flop back on the bed, looking exhausted. "Fuuuuck, training always gets me," he whined. "What about you? How are you feeling?"
"I feel fine." Richard looked around the room. "Do you enjoy being here?"
"Here? In this room?"
"In the Mortal Guard," Richard reiterated.
The hyena put an arm across his face. "Mm . . . I don't know, to be honest. It's a chance to help Boris, but I'm also never gonna see my family again. On the other hand, I'm learning about all this shit that existed this whole time right under my nose, but on the other other hand, I lost my band and everything I've built out there and now have to start something new here, so . . . ."
Richard looked down, feeling terrible for him. "I understand. I'm sorry if I made you feel sorrowful."
Nick laughed. "Hey, it's fine. You didn't make me feel sorrowful. I already felt that way."
"Oh."
"I'll get over it. Maybe someday, maybe never," Nick said. "Right now, I'm thinking about Chinese food."
"Is that all?" Richard asked, pulling his tail from behind him to be more comfortable on the couch.
"Well, there's like an . . . alphabet soup of thoughts swirling around up there. I'm thinking about how Tyler would think this place is totally rad and how much better it would be if he were here . . . ."
"Ah." Richard kept his back straight as he always tried to do while sitting.
Nick lifted his head. "No offense, dude! I just meant he's my best friend and junk."
"Certainly. Why don't you call an order for the washer?"
Nick sat up and went to Flip, pressing the red button. "Flip, have the washer come up ASAP."
"Request sent. The washer will be up shortly, Nick," the robot reported.
The hyena looked back at Richard. "You know, I think it's ridiculous that I don't have multiple ties. Everything has a purpose, but where's the purpose in that?"
"I guess they felt you wouldn't need one." Richard smiled a bit. Nick was always one to comment on the imperfections of the Mortal Guard's choices, and, he had to admit, he rather enjoyed it.
Nick was also a strange animal. His words and mannerisms were so loose, and he was much more vulgar than Richard had initially guessed from their first meeting, though the interaction had hinted at it.
There was also something else about him that just intrigued Richard. He wanted for nothing, only to save his friend. Due to his social proxy, it was rather evident that Nick made friends quickly, but the raccoon could tell that he could also remain so focused he blocked everyone else out.
Of course, he had yet to see that, but he found glimpses of it, especially when Nick had been training on Prism Pistol. He just hoped that he wasn't one of the animals blocked out.
After the washer came and cleaned Nick's tie, the two exited the room and made their way to the Institute's entrance. The female otter was there.
"Evening, Richard, Nick," the animal said. "Going somewhere?"
"We're going back to Prostasia for dinner," Richard stated. "I won't let him out of my sight."
"I'm fine with that," Nick said. "I'd get fucking lost in there and probably end up back here anyway."
The female otter nodded. "I trust you. Just keep an eye on him."
Richard nodded, and he and Nick strolled through the portal, finding themselves back in the Station. Nick looked around, putting his hand on his hip. "Gods, it's nice to have a change of scenery. And I'm so damn hungry. Let's gooo, Dick."
Richard waved his arm. "You already know where the Plaza is."
"Yeah, yeah," Nick said, and they began the journey. "Hey, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"How do laws work around there? There was nothing about them in the courses. Only hunter-specific rules."
Richard looked around. "Catastrophe makes them. Your phone has a list of them along with Sect Specific rules. It's in the 'Guide For Being a Perfect Guard' app."
"Well, mostly perfect with some flaws," Nick smirked.
Richard nodded. "You'll be fascinated to know that there's no jail for members here. If someone breaks any of the serious laws, like murdering another member, the Mortal Guard will erase their memories of the organization, and they will throw them back into the Mortal Realm."
"I remember," Nick answered. "This doesn't seem like a place that enjoys the death penalty."
"All you have to do is not cause trouble, really," Richard explained. "Or hide magic, which they see as an offense."
"Hide magic? But Spellcasting uses it all the time."
"Under jurisdiction."
"Nuh-uh! A dude lit my cigarette with his finger."
Richard put a hand to his chin. "He must have been about to go on a mission. Magicians-- members of the Spellcasting Sect-- wear Suppression Bracelets when they're here so they can't use magic."
Nick frowned like he was judging that choice. "Well, speaking of cigarettes . . . Glad I brought these out." He pulled out the pack he had bought the last time he was in Prostasia along with the lighter and began fiddling with them.
Once Nick stuck the cigarette between his teeth, he held the box out to Richard.
The raccoon raised his hand. "No, no. I don't participate in such recreations."
Nick nodded. "Good." A small note, but the lack of wind meant he didn't have to hold his hands up to light the stick. The end of the cigarette glowed orange as the flame licked it. "Uh, so I've been trying to avoid it, but I just have to know. How much time has passed since I've been in the Institute?"
Richard sighed. "I apologize, Nicholas, but I don't know. You see, time isn't important here unless you're on a mission or have a meeting."
"I am on a mission!" Nick said, coughing after he blew out some smoke. "I can't wait forever to save Boris, you know."
"That answer was insensitive," Richard stated. "Though I didn't mean for it to be. I still don't know."
"Ah, whatever . . . I'll cross that bridge when I get to it." He took another drag.
Arriving at the Chinese restaurant, the two found a cozy booth near the back next to some windows looking out into the Plaza. Richard's nerves kicked in as he sat across from the younger animal, but he knew he could do this.
Nick looked out the window at the animals and neon lights outside. "How the hell does it look like it's turning night outside? There's no sun."
"Well—"
A Hephaestus Bot approached them. "Welcome, Nick and Richard. We have only the finest authentic Chinese around."
The hyena looked over and chuckled. "Hey, Flip, what moon is it?"
"It is currently Scarlet Moon. This is the moon believed to hold the most dangerous missions for the highest reward. Most think it's due to the kinds of Creatures that come out at this time—"
"Pause," Nick interrupted. "How much longer is the explanation?"
"The duration of your 'All About Scarlet Moon' lesson is five minutes and includes info about Scarlet Moon and lists of notable events on Scarlet Moon. The explanation was given because you have not heard it before."
"Hold it for later, Flip," Nick ordered.
"Lesson held. Please tap the screen to order our very delicious Chinese food."
Richard watched the whole exchange, feeling like he was far away. He hadn't been out with anyone besides Iwai in a long time. What if he said something out of place? What if he had a breakdown? He didn't want all these animals looking.
"Are you gonna order?" Nick asked, his finger held to the screen.
"A-ah, yes, sorry. Transfer the order to me. I'll be paying for it."
"Transfer current order to Richard Seife," Nick told the robot.
The machine turned, looking at Nick and the UI turned its original blue. "Would you like to add anything else to this order?"
Richard raised his clawed digit and tapped on the screen, ordering hot and sour soup, fried rice, veggie egg rolls, and water. He pressed "order" and the bot told them it would be right out, then turned away.
"To answer your question about the sky," Richard began. "It's a magic spell, as far as I know."
"Great explanation." Nick looked at him blankly.
"Sorry." Richard looked down.
"No, it's fine," the hyena chuckled in disbelief. "Not every slightly negative thing I do means I feel some type of way toward you."
"I know," Richard said. "But I don't know how to tell. I feel I'm always teetering on the edge with other animals."
"And have you tried falling?"
"Falling?" Richard looked up.
"Yeah. Not apologizing and letting yourself fall."
The raccoon blinked. ". . ."
Nick leaned back. "When I was back in the Mortal Realm, my friends . . . We always insulted and talked shit about each other, but it was always because we cared about each other. That's just how teens are these days. Mean to each other because they like each other."
"I don't want you to be mean to me." Richard felt like his mouth was moving on its own.
"Don't worry; I won't. Promise," Nick said. "Pfft, ten minutes isn't enough time to get to know anyone. I still don't know shit about you."
"You don't want to," Richard said.
"Don't assume." Nick moved his claw on the table. "First of all, what's your favorite color? That's an easy one."
"Oh, I don't have one," Richard said. The robot dropped off their drinks and then went back to greet a new couple who just entered.
"Uh . . . alright. So what about your favorite type of music?"
Richard shook his head. "I never listened to music, really. My father didn't like it. Even the car rides were silent. I've only really heard what was in stores, so . . . I guess that kind?"
Nick gawked at him like he had just seen something horrific. "I'm literally the lead singer of a band."
Richard adjusted in his seat. He had almost apologized again, but he kept his lips sealed. The hyena shook his head, taking a swig of his water. "Then what do you miss? Before all of this. Before the Mortal Guard."
His companion tried to think back to anything he might have enjoyed when he was younger but came up blank. "We were very poor. My father consumed himself with the work he was doing, whatever that was.
"My mother left because of the neglect, and I was starving and didn't know how to feed myself. Then, the Mortal Guard came. My father refused to give up his life, so he took me somewhere and . . . ." The raccoon remembered the vivid scene. His father was yelling, the sharp piece of metal, the pain, the crying and screaming, the way his father had grabbed his arm, the strange words he was saying, then the black that came after. When Richard woke next, he was in the Medical Sect of the Mortal Guard. A scared little boy. That's all he was-- still was.
Richard rubbed the bottom of his arm where the scar was and swallowed. "He handed me over to them as a sacrifice . . . ."
"It's okay to cry, Richard," Nick told him.
The raccoon moved his claw around the rim of his cup. "I can't."
"Okay. Well, do you want a hug?"
"No," Richard said. He didn't want pity for what he had gone through. Why? He wasn't sure. He just wanted to forget.
Nick just kept his gaze on the older animal, as if he might float away if he looked anywhere else. "Well, I'm here for you, and your dad is a fucking tool."
"Wouldn't I be the tool in this situation . . ." Richard mumbled.
"That's sick." Nick crossed his arms, seeming angry. "That really fucking bothers me that animals can be like that to their fucking children."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Same fucking feeling I get when Tyler talks about what he goes through with his abusive grandfather. I wouldn't be surprised if Hugh does the same fucking thing." Nick fumed.
Richard looked at him, confused. He hadn't meant to upset Nick; he was just saying what had happened to him. "Are you cross with me, Nicholas?"
"I'm not religious," Nick said. "But I am pissed at your dad."
"Religious . . . ?"
The Hephaestus Bot returned, distributing their hot food all over the table. "Enjoy!"
Nick picked up a piece of breaded sweet and sour chicken, looking at it. "Well, whatever. I have a better idea than being mad about all that stuff."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Let's play a game me and Ty used to play when we had food like this." Nick's smile returned just like that, and Richard was relieved to see it. "Open your mouth."
"Excuse me?"
Nick held the piece of chicken to the side of his head. "Come on. I'm gonna throw it."
"But why? Don't you want to eat it?"
"This is a fun way to eat it," Nick said. "Opeeen."
"Nicholas . . ." Richard looked down, embarrassed. "It would look . . . childish."
"And? Youth culture forever, bitch," Nick said.
Richard was appalled at how the hyena could throw these words around so lightly. He sighed and obliged, opening his mouth just a bit.
"Come on, wider," Nick said. He opened his mouth to show an example. "Lah dis."
"I don't know, Nick. . . I don't think I can . . . ." Richard felt defeated. He just felt too uncomfortable.
Nick held out the round piece of fried meat. "Then you do me."
"Huh?"
"Throw it into my mouth."
Richard took it, looking at the chicken like it was the strangest thing he had ever seen. "F-fine."
Nick opened his mouth just as he had before. Richard took a moment to aim, then chucked it, the miniature food smacking right into his left eye. He yelped."Gah!!!" A hand immediately went to where the chicken hit it.
Richard gasped.
Then, the hyena was giggling and laughing and gasping. "Ahahahaha! Ohohoho! Wow!"
Richard just stared at him. This animal was just so so out there.