Necessary Customs

  There were a few people present, among them, the usual, with Egoaiz Prein and Roam beside Luis, who stood side to side with Lesly. Sona Heartez was there, too, with a few secretaries for herself. Fox nodded at them in general before walking to Luis, who looked at him with a glint in his eyes. It may be pride, welcome, or simply glad that he was there for Lymoca; and Esmeralda. He was now feeling great of his choice back then at the very least.

  “I’m here,” Fox presented himself to Luis, who nodded and directly passed him a thin folder. Fox grabbed it and opened its contents while Luis offered some words. “The east has suffered some horrible events, and as you might know, we’ve been helping each other indirectly for some time.”

  “Here lies the following operation I want you to follow after I send you to the east. You still have to accept it yourself, as Raging Blood, but these are the norms. We won’t be aiding them directly, as you might have guessed, but our hoogs will aid each other. With your knowledge and your experience through the secret world’s role in wars, I’ve decided to select you.”

  Fox read through the documents, swift and with some huge paragraphs, all adding to the customs between both Lymoca’s hoog and those of Zyckevele and KAA. They were asking for help, more so, cooperation for secret world operations.

  It was to be expected, as Lymoca might be interventionist now, but they would only move with a purpose. On the other hand, taking Lymoca’s example, the east, the two highest powers in the world, and each the hegemon of their supercontinent, wouldn’t ask for military manpower.

  Naturally, they would request the greatest level of aid from allies, since it was more than obvious that these attacks were premeditated, and that they didn’t plan them on their own. These countries, which had been rather peaceful no matter the issues, suddenly went to war.

  Only idiots wouldn’t see what was happening. Yet again, Zyckevele and KAA acted more brazenly in the First Ters-Ly War, so they didn’t have much room to complain.

  There was a document for Zyckevele, which was the most pressing one. From what it looked like, Zycks had their side of the Radical Wars practically under control, when it comes to the media, that is.

  Their situation is many times better than in ANS or Lymoca, while lower than KAA. Meanwhile, KAA has it even better, but in truth, both were struggling just to begin mobilizing.

  Fox nodded when understanding the situation. Just like Fox had thought Lymoca should do after the First Ters-Ly War and Luis didn’t give it much importance, they didn’t notice their neighbors’ intentions until it was too late.

  Lifting his head, he looked at Luis and made a slight frown, “This is understandable, but even Lian is adequate for this job. I don’t need to do this, any of this. I won’t fight for more of your wars just because you ask me to.”

  “…” The room went wide-eyed, silent, and awestruck. Before they could emit any response, however they could, Esmeralda berated Fox in her first spoken word before continuing with a soft tone. “Fox! We should do as asked with these matters. It is necessary for global stability, elementally. You should know.”

  “Okay. I’ll do it,” Fox didn’t even tilt his head. With his frown still above his eyes, he nodded a bit and changed his stance but remained the same overall towards Luis. “When do we travel?”

  “…” Luis was a bit flabbergasted before recomposing, opening his mouth to reply. Compared to the others, who took several seconds more to return to normalcy, giving Esmeralda a look while Nala innocently blinked, Luis was calm and collected despite his momentary silly face.

  “In a few weeks. The situation there is too complicated, and their supercontinents’ aerial space compromised. If it isn’t directly with ‘enemy’ air forces, then it is from threats from the seat.” Luis spoke at last. Fox thought for a bit, his polycoria eyes moved before understanding with a nod.

  He turned around and said with the documents in his hand wagged in the air, “I’ll prepare a team for in 3 weeks. You ought to grant us a lot of air combat proficiency for protection.”

  “It’s the least I can do, Fox.” Luis commented with a regular volume while Fox was already walking around the corner again, this time for exit. He would’ve yelled a bit if he didn’t know Fox was much aware that even whispering with air wouldn’t escape Fox’s ears.

  … Leaving the presidential office behind, Fox looked left and right at his pensive beauties before asking them while staring ahead. “What’s in your heads?”

  “Should we have it in the mansions outside the city? We have so much terrain, and is almost like a palace in some places. If not, a few decorations would be enough. How about that?” Esmeralda spoke first, her mind clearly stuck in the matter of their promised wedding.

  “Anything is fine. It’ll be enough.” Nala nodded. Fox blinked. He felt like a toy, cherished and taken care of, but a toy… Esmeralda then added, “It is also important to know who is coming. Not many should be invited, right, Foxie?”

  “Mhm.” Fox shrugged before answering, finding it just right, and proud they knew him this well. Nala absentmindedly nodded with her usual face. Esmeralda grinned and said before they stepped out of the main building. “Then, you go ahead and visit those you want to come. We’ll be busy with the mansion’s preparatives. Mmm… 1 week, and we’re falling in an eternal bind!”

  “Alright.” Fox relaxingly smiled and said with a lazy tone. He had 3 weeks or so to leave for the east, and 1 to marry. He already had an idea of how to visit all those he wanted, and as many as he would allow, in one day so he wouldn’t have to do anything the rest of the week.

  … The next day, after talking about life all day and night long with two beauties who would be bedridden for the entire day, Fox went out to carry out his selfish plan. First, he went to see Mona, who was just revising her clients’ documents and notes in the early morning.

  Fox walked into her office. He still had at least 2 elite Red Blood special agents taking care of her, but her office’s block had become much safer. Like the rest of Lymoca after Luis’s 3rd term, where every other governor was also trying to do the same but couldn’t compare to the capital.

  Smoother sidewalks and streets, with much better positioned panels for tourists and overall information of the surroundings and even the entire capital city, with maintenance and live updates. Streetlights better taken care of, and a lot of community transit regulation uniforms.

  As he walked to Morena’s door, the old lady widened her eyes when noticing him. It looked like her ‘boyfriend’ had gone out to get her the morning coffee and snacks. Fox gave her a quick nod before lightly knocking twice on the door.

  “Come in,” Mona’s voice sounded a couple of seconds later, probably wondering why there was someone looking for her. She lifted her eyes from her desk when Fox came in, snapping her head up to face him. “Fox! What are you doing here? So early~.”

  Mona stood up and walked around her desk to meet him, she gestured with her hands, which Fox silently allowed. She then went for a small hug before asking him with a smile, “Is there something the matter?”

  “It looks like you are already guessing what I’m here for. Does it have anything to do with your new ‘comrade’ as of lately? Especially when I was out of the country, doing it a service?” Fox looked at Mona and didn’t spare her, hinting a smile that wasn’t it.

  Mona blinked and blushed a bit, wondering how this ‘little’ devil got to know about it and hide it after so long. She relented, nodding with a defeated blink of her eyes. “That’s right, but you never said anything about it. Why now?”

  “I’m inviting you to my wedding, miss Morena. I’ll invite Vanessa later, so leave that to me, and don’t tell her or anyone. Okay?” Fox took a seat, with Mona doing the same out of courtesy.

  “Mhm, I know that. But why? Are you shy?” Mona nodded, ignoring her documents to attend Fox. Fox titled his head a bit, “No, I’m not. I won’t ever like too many people. Especially when they are all grouped together.”

  “So, you are.” Mona said with a professional face, nodding a bit and ‘mhm’-ing him. Fox tilted his head a lot, letting it hang. Mona smiled thinly before Fox shook his head and added, “If you want to talk, do it here and now, I’ll be busy the rest of the week.”

  “By the way, have you two decided who will be my mother and who will be my aunt?” Fox seemed to remember something as he asked. Mona was perplexed before blinking a few times. She brought her palms to her face and lowered her neck.

  “Oh, no. Don’t start with that,” Mona complained. She blushed again, but not a little this time. She exhaled with some guttural sounds before facing him, “It’s nothing like that, alright? You’re taking things out of proportion and making them silly again.”

  “Hmmm,” Fox hummed victoriously before placing his left shin over his right knee. Their little conversation began, with Fox taking no more than 1 hour of her time before letting her go back to her work. Of course, despite her responsibilities, she wanted Fox to stay.

  She wanted to congratulate him more, give him a lot more of questions, and spent more time with ‘the kid’. Mona wouldn’t stop congratulating him, knowing just how great the two brides were, and feeling glad there was such a prosperous future to the kid she once knew.

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  … After leaving Mona, Fox went to PSD, where he directly found Mena instructing some recruits who recently entered the District.

  With the matter of Fox belonging to the secret world, those who were approached by any secret organization in Lymoca, before only that and Terka’s territory, would wonder if this was where Fox was. It wasn’t only for PSD, while the lagjs were silently taken care of during the start of the Radical Wars. Tri Fortress Shield and Scarlet Houndhood were just as benefited.

  Only one of them was where Fox existed. Despite the advertisement that would cause, neither TFS nor SH tricked their recruits, leaving them to decide if either to enter the secret world, as few in the entire world, or not.

  Fox waited a couple of minutes at the side before walking to Mena’s side, who harshly disciplined those who didn’t focus. It was the brand-new batch, so there was still some of that ordinary life that some recruits wouldn’t scrap off their new skin so soon.

  “Fox?” Mena turned around at some point, with her recruits becoming wide-eyed. Fox presented her a little smile before standing side by side with her. Mena faced the front again and refocused on her instructions. The recruits became more serious, but they didn’t dare look at Fox.

  “What are you doing here now, hm?” Mena asked after some instructions, still facing ahead. Fox crossed his arms and said with all calmness, “I am here to invite you for a certain event.”

  “What’s that? Another big business opening? Going for Terka this time?” Mena jumped her eyebrows, speaking half teasingly and half admirably. Fox smirked a bit, the notion disappearing from his face soon after.

  “No, that can be for later. This one, you have to, and I have to invite you.” Fox’s words made Mena turn her head to him, clueless. Fox added, looking at her while cocking his head a bit. “Come to my wedding on the 2nd day next week.”

  “Oh my heavens. Are you serious?” Mena widened her eyes and spoke to his face, finding it incredible that it was happening. Fox nodded a bit, “You can bring whomever, just not a group.”

  “My~. Congratulations, Fox. I knew you had it in you.” Mena smiled and gave his upper back a pat. Fox hummed through his nostrils before inquiring a bit, “Hmf. How are these going? And, is it that fun to be doing this?”

  “It’s not normal for agents like you, but this is the road to keep climbing in hoogs. Some brand-new hoogs might not adopt this system soon enough, but all hoogs understand the need for leadership.” Mena crossed her arms and looked at the ostentatiously sweating recruits.

  She further elaborated, “This is nothing much. The second batch I instruct, but it will be the way I find myself becoming a Captain. Moreover, I’ve already selected those I’m interested in. I have to tell you, it was fun and entertaining, something I never expected from this.”

  “So, that good?” Fox was a little taken aback. Mena nodded, closing her eyes a bit, “Those I pick disappear from the radar a bit, and then I can merge them into my methods. Some are experienced enough. Others? I have to teach them everything myself, from theory to practice.”

  “Ah…” Fox expressed, his sight a little unfocused, pensive. Mena concluded after nodding, “It is more engrossing the deeper you go into it, and I’ve barely selected 4 possible agents to join my team. In time, I could lead a squad, then a platoon… hehe.”

  “That, I have to thank you.” Mena looked at Fox again, this time more like she does when it’s just the two of them, and as she has been since they met. “Who knows how longer would we have gone without our Raging Blood, and these units.”

  “…” Fox fell a bit pensive before deciding to watch for 10 minutes more. Mena went on with her instructions, almost ignoring him, chatting every so few times, but knowing Fox enjoyed these ‘silent chats’ quite well.

  … After leaving Mena, Fox went to see someone rather special, so to say. Doctor Valle was idle, with the inventions he’s made for further processing Fox’s DNA to silver medicine, allowing him a much more free schedule.

  Even if he wasn’t this old, any scientific person like him wouldn’t want to spend the rest of their days doing everything until they found a method to patent their research or products. But the doctor was indeed old, and he needed to rest more than usual. He was nearing his end.

  “Fox!” The doctor received him well, still lying relaxed on a chair, but received Fox. Fox looked around before setting his eyes on the doctor. The latter was surprised to see Fox, even though Miros was busy nowadays with some things, as he walked to him and brought a chair.

  Lifting his sleeves, Fox further surprised the doctor with his following words, “I’m just here to take another test before going to the east. Do you mind? I’ll do the basic steps myself.”

  “Sure, sure. Go ahead, go ahead.” The doctor sat up and gestured, urging Fox to begin while he went for the rest. After all, to rapidly and efficiently analyze Fox so he wouldn’t go out in a mission without verifying if there was something wrong, there were brand-new gadgets just for Fox.

  It wasn’t that there had ever been something wrong with Fox’s body before, or so far, but what if it happened? Thus, the doctor returned a few minutes later, carrying a couple of heavy cases with gauntlet bions.

  Fox and the doctor proceeded to test his body, from samples to analyzing his body. It went on for a little more than an hour before finishing the testing. In the end, Fox was the same as always, and his left arm showed no abnormalities, further from what it already was.

  They sat down facing each other’s direction, but with the doctor to the right of Fox. Since they were done, they just stared ahead into the open space, relaxing and contemplating. Fox then looked at the old man before opening his mouth, at last.

  “Doctor Valle, I’m inviting you to my wedding next week’s 2nd day.” Afterwards, Fox stood up and smoothly walked out of the doctor’s room, leaving him both baffled and… with a brighter face. The feeling of loss and solitude was still there, but this little extra accompanied him now.

  … Immediately after, Fox went to visit Butler in his dispatch, where the old man was busy reading some things on his desk. Fox walked in unannounced and without knocking, gaining himself a pair of bothered, old, upturned eyes.

  “Heh,” Fox flashed a forced but polite smile before walking to the desk, bending a bit and looking at Ego, who dropped his task at hand. Fox said, “You don’t look like a grandpa to me, no matter how much I think about it. Eh.”

  Fox cocked his head before lightly slapping the desk, “If you want to have the opportunity to be like one, whether you already are or not, you can come the next week’s 2nd day to convince Nala. Marrying her would only be one of the steps. Pregnancy is still something she indirectly says no to.”

  “!” Ego’s eyes didn’t grow wider, but the emotion in them shook. Fox mentally grinned when seeing this before taking his leave. He didn’t want to go into a spat or get all warmed up to this old man now, less so out of nowhere.

  When Ego went back to normalcy, Fox had just closed the door, slamming it a bit. Ego wanted to grow grumpy, as he was old and allowed to do so, but he couldn’t, no matter how much he tried. In the end, he smiled and went back to his work, feeling his sight blurry, caressing around his eyes now and then as a remedy.

  … Fox rapidly met with the White Blood representative captain. He had just arrived around the corner to Lian’s apartment in the HQ, when he saw the 2 beauties, Paula and Manie, standing outside and waiting.

  The orange and black haired young women looked at him in surprise. Fox stopped between and in front of them, asking, “Did something happen to Lian? Why are you out here?”

  “Agh,” Paula sighed, her orange hair making her seem bothered, but her big black brown eyes were a little down. “It’s like that, more or less. Captain Lian usually meditates than any other agent, but he’s taking longer nowadays.”

  “We’re worried he might have fallen older and older now. In no time, he…” Manie clearly had more to say, but she stopped. Fox didn’t need her to continue, as this was but time speaking.

  “How much longer will he remain as the representative captain or before retiring? Did he ever tell you?” Fox asked. They wouldn’t have answered anyone asking, but they looked up at Fox, the Raging Blood. Paula spoke first.

  “Before, he said that until next decade, he should be retiring at last.” Paula crossed her arms weakly. Manie completed Paula’s words, swinging her long, smooth black brown hair backwards over her shoulders. “But if we put a more likely date, this decade should be his last.”

  “Indeed…” Fox nodded a bit, his reaction somewhat calming the worried young women. He patted their shoulders before nudging his head towards the door. “Let me meet with him and see if he’s even alive, mm?”

  “Hmf. Go ahead. Captain won’t show his discontent with you.” Manie crossed her arms and grinned. Paula released her arms and put on a cute face, “Or with Butler.”

  Fox grinned a bit before stepping in, closing the gates behind him. Lian was alive, alright. Even he could hear his breathing before walking around the corner, slightly rugged yet trying to balance it to keep meditating. So could the second-hands outside.

  Captain Lian sat cross-legged on the floor, instead of on his bed or a praying mat. The room was spacious and a bit luxurious. Before Fox could speak, taking a look around, Lian’s rough, old voice sounded from where he sat. “It’s cooler and flatter on the floor. More space to think with my eyes closed, too.”

  “Talking like a true elder.” Fox said before sitting a few feet before the old man’s left knee. Lian completed a few more breathing exercises before gradually coming to a halt. He lifted his knees and looked at Fox, “Talking bad words to me already, Rage?”

  “Mn, I’m no god of emotion or something. Just Fox.” Fox denied that form of addressing. Captain Lian nodded before falling silent. That’s when Fox went to the point, “I’m inviting you to my wedding. You can invite those 2 girls.”

  “… Who do you consider is the most adequate for taking the representative captain’s seat of the White Bloods?” Lian thought in his silence before asking. Fox looked at him before asking in return, “From Paula and Manie or any good White Bloods?”

  “… Those two could be at the top of any list.” Fox waited for a few moments before commenting, striking at the old man’s insecurity. Lian’s face improved a lot, of which Fox could see hints of shamelessness.

  Indeed, any elderly in this stage towards death wouldn’t care about themselves much. Even if something embarrassing just happened, as long as those they cared for were on the best or safest path…

  “While Teon is scary within the District, she is still some bits away from weapons mastery, and more so intelligence craft. She’s not at any top list for now. That’s the current Teon, and they above her in specialty and status. Teon is only fearsome because of her mighty prowess and combat style, much like mine.” Fox added, letting some ears flutter excitedly.

  “Then, of my two pupils?” Lian asked. Fox blinked before answering, “Paula.”

  Lian looked up at him. Fox continued, “Manie is quite good at moving. Her ability to adapt to known but new fronts is excellent, and they are of the same age. Like your second hand was, before he perished of old age.”

  “Manie for… Paula’s second hand?” Lian wondered, a bit muddled. Fox nodded, turning around to head for the exit. “Paula is the best for the seat of the representative captain. They are of the same age anyway, so they won’t suffer the same outcome you did. Anyhow, They are the ones to inherit your Blood once the time comes. I see that fitting.”

  Lian said nothing more, contemplating but subtly acquiescing. Meanwhile, outside, Paula and Manie looked at each other, exchanging a knowing pair of eyes to one another.

  …

  Let It Rain's note: I had the worst 4 weeks, getting almost fever every 4-7 days, and I think I harmed something in my belly. I had to stop writing for almost an entire week, but I think I'm recuperating now.