Mature Content Warning: Not much really.

Author’s Notes: These notes are lengthy. Bear with me please.

This chapter is shorter than I would like, but I wanted to put something out despite my overall crappy feeling. The pollen season is a bit hard on me this year. Growing up, it had never been an issue, but in the last few years it feels like I am surrounded by plants that are out to get me. I wonder if this was the real meaning behind the movie ‘The Happening’.

The trees did not control people’s minds; they made them feel so bad with their pollen that they just wanted to end it all.

Anyway, updates for any of my stories over the weekend will be sporadic at best. I have to reserve the dwindling reserves of conscious effort that I have, to try and completely finish out Freelance Saga Episode 5. I promised it would be out this weekend or by Monday at the latest, and I want to keep that promise.

The only other update that might happen today is a Blackthorne update in a few hours since about half of the next update was already completed.

Right now, every few hundred words I have to take a break and put a hot, wet, rag over my eyes for twenty minutes to an hour. Case in point, I started writing this chapter at 5 am and it took me this long, just to get it typed out. (It's close to 1:30 pm my time... or 13:30 for you 24 hour people.)

There might not be any Origin updates over the weekend, but I should be able to update something for Origin on Monday at least. Next week might herald the end of volume three as well, so as is normal, after next week there will be a week or two where this story won’t be updated until the official volume 3 is out on Amazon. Then of course, volume 4 will start. :)

This chapter is short, really it's just maybe 1/3 of a chapter, but I wanted to put something out today. Do try to enjoy it, despite the length. :)

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Chapter 16: Step Away From the Eye Candy

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They came from the sea that day. Dozens of voices cried out in unison at the sight before them. Never had such a thing of terrifying beauty been witnessed on that quiet public beach. Men squealed like pigs, and women screamed in brutal excitement.

“W-who are you?” one brave girl asked.

The creature from the deep tossed his head back then flashed a brilliant smile. “Name’s Scott.”

The girl gasped then fell back upon seeing his magnificent smile. However, eyes quickly turned from the man with the mighty and erect fins, to the blue haired goddess that slipped up beside him.

“No way, who is she?” called a guy wearing shorts and flip flops.

“Wow, check out her big... fins.” said another guy.

Guys began to crowd around after seeing Rhea in all her bodacious and recently bronzed glory. However, they saw her reach out to take the big guy’s hand. Many masculine hearts broke at that sight, though a few others still decided to try their luck.

A beautiful flying girl fluttered down atop the big guy’s head. Unlike the others she was completely naked. Several curious people had gathered to see who and what she was as well.

Before the crowd could get too close for comfort the wind began to blow violently. Suddenly, a dozen people clad in dark black clothing appeared around the trio. They each wore suits and sunglasses, something entirely out of character for the setting.

“Step away from the eye candy.” stated a voice from atop a nearby ice cream stand.

The crowd looked up toward to origin of that voice. The gathered throng of people was treated to the sight of a girl wearing a bright red outfit that swayed in the breeze. Her left thigh was completely exposed, and her hair was pulled back in a brilliant and fiery ponytail.

One brave man in the crowd tried push past he encirclement of security personnel, but he was casually tossed back with a simple thrust of expert hands. “The lady said no.”

A paper fan appeared in the ninja girl’s hand then she placed it over her mouth. She loudly laughed, “Oh ho ho ho ho ho.”

Sharde leapt from atop the beachfront ice cream shack then performed an eventful and eye-catching flip before she landed in front of Rhea. Men scattered throughout the crowd cheered when the red-haired ninja wrapped her arms around her sister and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. While the kiss was innocent, if a little odd; in the minds of many a perverted beach goer it had involved tongue action and more than a little feminine moaning.

The horde tried to break through the line of security, but they were quickly tossed back. They could look but not touch.

Sharde whispered something to her sister, and Rhea smiled at her. The Ninja girl waved at Ero happily, and the fairy waved back with great excitement. Ero liked Sharde.

The ninja girl turned to Scott and smiled gently. “Hi, Scott.”

“Hey, Sharde.” He glanced sidelong at Rhea and she smiled. He looked back at Sharde then opened his arms. “What, no hug for me?”

She giggled then wrapped her arms around him. When he placed one hand on the small of her back and the other on the back of her head, she sighed softly then snuggled in to him. He smelled nice, if a bit fishy.

Several minutes passed before Rhea coughed once, loudly. Scott and Sharde got the message, and the ninja girl reluctantly let him go.

“So, good to see you guys again!” said Sharde excitedly.

Ero fluttered over and sat on Sharde’s shoulder. She leaned over and gave the ninja girl a warm hug.

Sharde lifted a finger and rubbed Ero’s side gently and the little fairy giggled cutely. “We should get out of here. These people are a little over-excited.

It was truly a nonsensical and ridiculous scene. Men and women, all scantily clad in beach wear, continually made attempts to cross the line and reach the group in the middle.

Scott glanced around and several women in bikinis gasped then begged their friends to fan their faces for them. Rhea looked around a little and several guys leapt toward her with wide and excited eyes.

“Seriously? What’s wrong with these people?” asked Scott. It was funny when they first popped up, but now it was just weird.

“Have you seen yourselves recently?” asked Sharde, a soft blush crept along her nose.

Scott looked at Rhea. She was as gorgeous as always, though her hair shimmered more and her skin gleamed with a rainbow-like radiance due to her slightly scaled skin.

Rhea looked at Scott, and noted that he cut a rather dashing figure in his man-hammock. She had seen it every day, but apparently none of the women on the beach had seen so much well-toned manliness packed into a single person.

One girl shouted, “I love fairies! Let’s be friends!”

Even Ero had a burgeoning fan club. The little fairy fluttered up into the air then performed a cutesy spin maneuver. She then winked and blew a kiss to the crowd. Dozens of people screamed in excitement and at least one young girl fainted straight away.

“Yeah, we should go...” said Scott. He reached up and collected his bouncy little BFF.

Ero giggled then squirmed around in his hand a little. “It’s fine to hold me tight, but don’t be so rough about it.”

Rhea rolled her eyes then shook her head. A small smile crossed her lips not long after, however.

Sharde noticed the interaction then sighed softly. It seemed quite unfair that she had to be left out, but if her plans came to fruition she would have her own adventure soon enough.

The business suited ninjas followed along with them while maintaining their absolute circle of defense. No matter how the crowd moved, the ninjas kept them in-line. Eventually they made their way off the beach and into a nearby area where a simple cart was waiting.

“I’ve prepared a cart for you...” said Sharde happily.

Rhea smiled. “With this kind of greeting, I would have expected that you had rented a flying ship or something.”

Sharde laughed nervously, “Well... We sort of blew the budget I had set aside for costuming. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to acquire a proper business suit in a medieval setting.”

Another dozen business ninjas appeared suddenly. Their sunglasses were as black as midnight, and they wore expressions that could have been chiseled out of ice.

The newcomer ninjas lined up on either side of the cart and acted as a sort of honor guard. The cart was a simple thing, but it was a nice touch.

The quartet moved forward and hopped onto the back of the cart. The driver revealed himself soon after.

“Hey Gambol.” said Scott.

The man beamed a bright smile at the finned sorcerer. It was a smile that practically screamed, “Sempai noticed me!”

It was strange to Scott. Gambol was both older and far more experienced with life on ARS.

Gambol squealed a little then coughed. “I’ll take us out then.”

Sharde patted the man on the arm then made a forward motion. “Get along little Gambol.”

“Ya!” cried the ninja master. The mule pulling the cart turned around and gave him a look.

Gambol frowned at the stubborn creature then snapped the reins once more. The mule yawned loudly then lifted its tail to the side and proceeded to unload a steaming pile of, “Nope” right in front of everyone.

“Dammit Gambol...” said Sharde.

“Hey, this mule came highly recommended!”

“By who?” asked Sharde.

Gambol blinked at Sharde. “Silence....”

Rhea groaned loudly. Sharde just shook her head.

“Silence?” asked Scott. Ero fluttered over and stood on his head before leaning down to listen in to the conversation. She was interested as well.

“My brother...” said Rhea. She shook her head. Leave it to Silence to pull something like this.

Sharde nodded at Rhea, but then she looked to Scott. “You grew up on a farm or something, right?”

“Not really... We had a few animals and tilled a little soil, but it was more of a really big garden than an actual farm.” said Scott.

“Think you can get the old girl to move?” asked Gambol.

Scott shrugged. “Maybe she’s just hungry?”

He got out then went to check on the mule. The grey haired creature eyed him curiously for a moment.

Scott reached out to the mule and she barred her teeth at him. He responded by saying, “That’s an ugly smile for such a pretty girl.”

The mule flicked her ears back then tilted her head to the side. What was this fool talking about?

Scott reached out to her again and she tilted her head farther back. He shook his head. “No, I won’t hurt you.”

He started to speak in low-soft tones to the old girl and soon the mule decided to let him rub her face a little. “Who’s a pretty mule...?”

Rhea snorted when the mule started to swish her tail back and forth. Sharde glanced at her and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Rhea glanced over to her sister. “That guy... I swear it’s like I can’t take him anywhere without some girl shaking her tail at him.”

Sharde blinked then looked at Scott chatting with the mule. To her surprise the ornery creature reached her head up and licked the side of his face. Sharde’s eyes widened in surprise. “Seriously, even a mule gets more of a shot than me?”

Rhea giggled at her sister. Sharde turned and pouted at her. Life wasn’t fair.