IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE: The version you are currently starting to read is the original version of the story. The plotline, and characters are the same, but a newer an updated version is currently in the process of being uploaded. These old chapters will remain in case you want to see the differences.

If you would prefer to simply skip to the rewrite, go to this link [ Chapter 1.1 ]

Mature Content Warning: This chapter is a bit tame, but it does feature the treatment of humanoid girls in inhumane ways by our sensibilities.

Chapter 1: You Suck

The interior of the school chancellor's office defined the nature of the man who resided therein. It was clean, professional, and boring as hell. John was not pleased to see the stuffy old magician again; they had never been on good terms. He had always been a disappointment to the man, doubly so since the man was his father.

Being the son of the arch mage in residence at Goldstead Junior Arcana Technical was not as much fun as some would surmise. John had no gifts, no reason to be in attendance beyond a desire to study magic, and no real prospects for a career as a mage. All humans had a capacity to develop magical proficiency through study, but only those with an innate demi-girl heritage that allowed for specific gifts would be able to master the art in a rapid manner.

The average gifted student might be able to complete the preparatory courses at the tech school in two years and move on to a true arcane university. The average non-gifted student might take four or five years. John had been in attendance for seven. He had shown great promise in the fundamental arts, but the raw power necessary to advance in the mystic arts was lacking. He could use only a few tier one spells per day before total exhaustion occurred. It was frustrating for both the young man and his father.

"Chancellor Dean, I don't know what else to say." remarked John. They had been arguing for over an hour. John's grades were stellar and he had a wide variety of arcane knowledge. However, he just wasn't making the cut as an actual mage.

"Mr. Dean." replied the Chancellor catching John's attention. "You know the rules. You have failed to graduate within a reasonable allotment of time. You have taken and passed every course this institution has to offer you. There is nothing else for you to do here since you have already performed two years of teacher's assistance."

John glared at his father and took a deep breath. "What do I do then? I want to be a mage."

The chancellor shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry son, but I just don't see it happening. You have the skills and knowledge. You just lack the capacity to use it effectively. Most students with your skills and experience would be preparing for graduation from university by now."

"There has to be something I can do! I've been practicing and training since I was a child. I've spent twenty years of my life studying to be a mage. I can't just let that go." John glared at the man, his anger writ large upon his face.

"I'm sorry. There is nothing left for you here. You may try correspondence courses or private tutors of course. However, I will be honest with you. I do not believe it will help." stated the man in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"My entire life you've pushed me, taught me! You've constantly tried to help me excel at this, follow in your footsteps! Now you're saying I should just do something else?" snapped the man venomously.

"Yes." replied his father and mentor in the mystic arts.

John stared at him for a moment as a cold feeling of dread washed over him. The man who had stood with him his entire life, the man who had constantly supported him and taught him the arts, that iron-willed man had given up on him.

"No. I'll be a mage." replied John stubbornly. He didn't care what it took; he would show this doddering old fart that he was capable. The hell that the old bastard had put him through during the last decade of his life could not simply be forgotten. He had called it training, but many others would have called it child abuse.

The chancellor shook his head. "I wish you well Mr. Dean. However, I must ask you to leave the premises. You are done here."

The man stood up then and snorted. "You're right. I am done here."

The chancellor watched his son turn away and walk out of his door. He noted the time afterward and proceeded to forget about him. He had other sons in other cities. Several of them had already graduated university and had become great mages. What was the loss of a single untalented child, really?

...

Several days had passed for John as he sat in his studio apartment and considered what to do with his life. He wanted to continue studying magic, but he had little in the way of funds. None of the other schools would take him, either. He already had far greater knowledge than most tech schools offered. No university would have him because his power raising statistics were too low. In short, he had fallen through the cracks just as many other non-gifted humans had before.

His father was an arch mage of the seventh circle. John could not even manifest more than one second-tier spell, much less a first circle power field. Ceremonial magic worked well enough for him for small things, but his magical capacity was so limited that half of what he would try to shift or change with that would be simpler to do physically. Why try to use a lengthy and expensive ceremonial magic working to change a weather pattern when he could just use an umbrella or wear a rain coat?

John frowned up at the ceiling. He was stretched out on his bed with his hands under his head and his elbows pointing out. The rent would come due again, soon. There was no work in this town for a human since it was easier to utilize demi-human labor.

His father had paid for his upkeep all of his life. That was one of the few good things he could say about the old bastard. Most of the time, he had felt like one of that man’s little projects. He would not be surprised if they were not even related.

It had been worse than humiliating when he had gone home and found his possessions on the front porch. The servants would not let him into the house. He had been barred from the residence. There was no note, no money to tide him over for the future, nothing of use to him save for the handful of items he was allowed to keep. Those items were mostly his clothing and some toiletries. When he asked about his television and furniture among other things he was told that they were the property of the master and he had no right to them.

Apparently, John had been incorrect when he thought that buying stuff with money he'd been given for living expenses would mean that the stuff would continue to be his. He had spent half of the money he had remaining to rent a room at the local motel for a week. His bank account had been seized by his father with the claim that it belonged to him since it was in his name. John had originally had his name on it too but he had been taken off the list of people allowed to use the account. In short, he'd trusted the old man too much despite how he had been trained. Now he was practically penniless and out on the street with little more than a week's worth of clothing and his tooth brush.

He didn't know what he was going to do. He had plenty of random skills, but he could not put them to good use in town. No one wanted to hire him without the man also having demi-girls that might be of use. He had dealt with those creatures on occasion in classes, but had never really seen the point of having them around unless you planned on living in the woods or were in the military. They had their role but he was uncertain what purpose they might serve for him.

He knew basic information about them; anatomy, typing, breeds, and all that. There were many classes in both high school and at Goldstead regarding those animal women. However, he wasn't really interested in them beyond their basic function. In many respects when he had thought about them at all he had thought they might be similar to a well-trained animal that could speak and desired to have sex with you. He'd seen a dog once, long ago. It had continually tried to hump a table leg to no avail. Demi-girls seemed similar in concept.

Now he was forced out of the safety zone of mystical academia and into the real world of menial labor and starvation. He knew that the only legitimate way he could make a living might be to deal with those creatures. However, he was rather annoyed to do so. They were pretty enough in their way, but he didn't appreciate a lot of the recent changes in the world.

In the last decade or so demi-humans had been removed from purely owned status and had been granted basic rights and freedoms in limited situations. They had to work for it, but eventually they were free to become actual citizens and own land. The free girls could even attend school, if you could believe something so pointless! In point of fact, several of them had gone through his former tech school and gone on to university with the coming and going of every class.

Living in America was not difficult. It was one of the most prosperous of the ancient countries still remaining on the planet. Most countries only survived for a few decades or so due to political instability. America had been founded in the sixteenth century and continued on for a little over five hundred years. Only a dozen other nations could claim such a legacy. Only three were older.

John frowned lightly and closed his eyes. He knew that there was only job that he could legitimately take. Unfortunately, it would mean traveling in company with those creatures.

"So, be it. I need money for my studies." remarked the man as he sat up. He'd taken all the pre-requisite tamer courses in high school as electives. There were also more than a few of those classes in his old tech school. He was a little old to begin a tamer career, but he had to try something.

John stood up and grabbed his wallet off of the table in the room. It was a very small and cramped living arrangement but it was his for two more days. He had to make the most of it while he could.

...

"Sir, your test scores have been compiled." said a pink haired Generica. He had spent all morning taking the basic taming permit test. He had to follow the rules despite his age. He would only have a permit for the first six months. This forced him to acquire no more than six demi-girls for his own uses. All others must be relocated in some manner.

"How did I do?" inquired the man as he mentally went over the remaining funds in his possession. He had only around one hundred dollars left. He absolutely needed to score eighty-five percent or higher.

The girl smiled and handed him his paperwork. The man nodded to her then flipped through the pages till he found his scores and blinked. He'd done better than he had hoped. His overall score was a ninety-eight out of a possible ninety-nine with line scores that ranged from one hundred twenty-two to one instance of a perfect one hundred forty.

"That's a really good score, sir. You should have no problem being sponsored." The girl unleashed a sweet and toothy smile. He was kind of cute in a way, and unlike most of the morons who barely passed their tests he was a grown man with an obvious intelligence about him.

He nodded to her as politely as he could manage then attempted an equally polite smile. "Thank you for your kind words."

The Generica took that as friendly flirtation and winked at him. John fought down an involuntary shudder then nodded once before speaking a proper farewell. The poor girl would have been devastated to know how much he truly did not care about the possibility of her having a nice day.

The raven haired man walked along the corridors of the local taming registration office until he found the financial aid center. He walked in casually and signed his name on the sign-in sheet when directed to do so. Then he sat down and waited while the other new tamers who had arrived previously went in to see the 'wizard' one after another.

When his name was finally called, he went into the office. He blinked at what he discovered inside. There was yet another demi-human in charge of something. His financial aid officer was also a Generica. Those girls were everywhere it seemed. He had not really gotten out much during his studies, but he was certain that most important jobs were performed by humans. How nice was it that they could train animals for such delicate paperwork?

John idly wondered if the pretty blue haired girl was housebroken, just before she began her greeting spiel with bright eyes and an energetic smile. "Hello, Sir. How may I help you today?"

"I am in need of a sponsor for my new career as a tamer and needed to know if there was one available." he said. John tried to smile as politely as possible, but it was difficult. He felt rather silly talking to her, actually. At any moment she might become a sex crazed mad-woman that desired his penis or something. How could you have a reasonable and intelligent conversation with such a creature?

"Of course, sir. Give me your test scores and permit number. It will only take a moment to check on that for you." He handed over the requested information then marveled at how easily she used the keyboard. Computers had never really been that interesting to him. If you couldn't make it freeze, explode, or turn into a turnip he really had no use for it. A powerful mage could turn a computer into a turnip, but he had not mastered the power necessary for such a feat.

"Sir, you're in luck. There are three available sponsors not including the standard government sponsorship package." She presented a perky smile after realizing his social possibilities.

"Excellent, do I have to choose a sponsor now or do I file with all of them and wait to see which of them reply back?"

"That would be the latter, sir. If you took the government service option it would be done today."

John considered for a moment then instructed her to begin his application with the three available sponsors. The government sponsorship was always available, but he knew he would have better funding from the private sector. He also did not want some random idiot from the service division checking in on him constantly to determine whether or not he was efficient enough with the funds he was being granted.

"Alright sir, your applications have been sent. Do you have a number where you can be reached or will you be staying at T.H.D.?"

"I would prefer to be enrolled at the tamer housing directorate barracks for now. How long do these sponsors normally take to decide?"

"Three to five business days, usually. It's Tuesday, so you should know by next week this time at the latest." she replied perfunctorily. If you would like I can go ahead and send over your scores to THD so that you might have quarters assigned?"

"Thank you, miss. I would appreciate that. It has been a pleasure to work with you." He smiled in an approximation of pleasantness. It was hard not to at least be pleasant with the attractive creature. She was well trained at pretending to be a human professional after all.

"You are welcome, sir. The pleasure was mine." She granted him a truly warm and endearing smile. It was nice to meet nice people.

John left the registration office after receiving confirmation that he had a room then headed over to the barracks to await the results of his sponsorship inquiries. It would be a long few days but he was granted ten days of free room and board by law. That would have to do for now.

...

"So, he's passed the test has he?" asked the old chancellor. He viewed the paperwork on his desk. His son had always been a good student, but he had lacked the fundamental drive to seek and explore new concepts that was necessary of a true master mage.

He had spent many years tutoring his son, but the young man had never even tried to deviate from standard practices. He was an excellent scholar but he was a poor magician. The old man only hoped that time out in the real world would force his son to actually struggle and achieve instead of simply coasting along. He had become arrogant and cynical due to being among the intellectual atmosphere of academia for so long.

He'd convinced himself that he had nothing else to learn. Magic was a force of dedicated will and inspiration. His son needed to be truly inspired to touch the well spring of power that the old master knew was slumbering deep inside.

Jeremiah Dean shook his head. It was hard to constantly be on top of the boy. He had so much promise but so little initiative. It had placed a severe strain on their relationship over the years.

The chancellor looked over the sponsorship papers that had been sent to him due to his work with the American Society of Demi-human Capture Advancement. Every year the ASDCA sponsored four tamers with high scores on their permit tests. His son no doubt was unaware of the fact that he was applying for a sponsorship that his father was in charge of granting.

Jeremiah filled out the necessary acceptance paperwork on his computer then sent it back. He hoped his son would take the incentives offered in that deal. However, if he did not it was certainly fine with him. The entire purpose of casting him out into the world was to force him to fend for himself and take some real initiative. It would be interesting to see what he chose to do.

...

John looked over the sponsorship offerings and considered which to work through. The Fellowship of Solar Prominence offered a large upfront cash and equipment offer, but he would have to send his captures solely to their headquarters. He could not legally trade or sell them on the open market. The Carolina Capture Conference worked in a similar fashion to the FSP, but they offered fewer incentives upfront with a slightly larger bonus for sales to their organization.

It was not until he looked over the incentives offered by the ASDCA that he saw a few things that interested him. All true sponsors offered at least one demi-girl, a little money upfront, and some equipment. The ASPCA offered a vehicle, some experimental equipment he had never heard of, and no restrictions on how or where to sell captures so long as they were obtained legally and ethically. He did have to document the method of capture for various demi-girls, though. This was part of the gig. The field knowledge from actual tamers would be collected and sifted through so that the ability to capture and tame wild girls would continue to advance with the changing of the times.

John nodded to himself. "I'd be an idiot to turn that down."

He sent back the necessary acceptance paperwork not long after making his choice then settled in till he received the call to meet with the financial aid officer. Things were going fairly well so far. He wasn't certain what to do after being sponsored but at least he had another few days left before he was out on his ass.

..

"So, these are the only companions that I have to choose from?" He looked over the spec sheet at the front desk. He was not particularly impressed. The tamer reserve was the place for tamers to acquire a demi-girl if they had the money or a sponsor. Upon entry he had shown his claim chit which was good for one girl of up to uncommon rarity. This meant that he could acquire an uncommon demi-girl of at least tenth level, or any girl who has lesser rarity and combat statistics.

"Yes, sir. Your claim chit is unusual for a beginning tamer. Most are only authorized common companions. You may choose one of the four on the list, however."

John looked her over. The girl was yet another Generica working a desk. These things were everywhere apparently.

John considered the list and bit his lip. He knew about attack statistics and typing, but there was a difference between learned knowledge and actual experience. He was also rather gun-shy about the taming aspect. This was especially true in regards to anthropomorphic species. The Dragon/Ice type Frolizard seemed to speak to him, but in all honesty he could not force himself to bang a lizard with tits. The Futanalia was very near human, but he was disturbed by the fact that her normal end-line evolution led to her becoming a girl with a little something extra.

He considered the other two on the list. One was a common Catgirl and the other was a Charmaron, both had strong animal traits. It bothered him that there were no standard humanoid girls who didn't want to play hide the toy surprise with his backside on this list.

"How often is this list updated?" he asked.

"Every day sir." she replied.

"I'll come back tomorrow." He had three days of free room and board left. They had to give him something. If nothing else, he'd cash in the chit and use the funds acquired in conjunction with his own current bank account to try and buy something else.

John spent the rest of the day collecting his equipment via claim chits, including his new truck and corpse hauler. By the time all was said and done he had acquired quite a bit of equipment. Some of it was almost like stuff a few people wore in sci-fi movies that he'd seen. The scanning system definitely felt that way. Some company called Turner Enterprises had recently released this model only two weeks prior. It was apparently a big deal among the taming and hunting community.

"Made in Japan, huh?" Pretty much all of the best high-end electronics were made there nowadays. Half of his initial sponsorship allotment had been spent on the device according to his claim chits. "How can this thing cost a hundred grand?" That was twice the cost of his truck and hauler alone.

The other chits had been spent on healing items, armor, type I tactical weapons and the like. By the time all was said and done he only had his demi-human claim chit, food allotment chit, and a little over eleven grand in spending cash. Somehow he'd thought he would have more of the latter with a two-hundred fifty thousand dollar sponsorship allotment. It was a fortune in initial equipment, but he knew he wouldn't receive another dime unless he went out and earned it.

Time passed, day turned to night, and eventually morning came. John woke up got dressed and headed over to the tamer reserve once again to check through the listing. There was nothing new save for a Bunnygirl and honestly he'd be better off bare knuckle brawling with wild demi-humans than relying on that sort of girl.

"What do you have besides demi-humans available for my claim chit if I can pay extra?"

"Hmm. Well, let's see." The Generica before pulled up the necessary information. John noted that there were thirty demi-girls in the registry compared the three which had been on the list prior.

Most of the girls were immediately discounted from choice as they were anthropomorphic. The registry was largely populated by demi-girls that were unwanted for some reason or were still wild. He continued searching but found no one of interest save for a Dire Chef. Sadly, he was hungry and decided that had influenced his decision. He would have to wait till the next day.

He said his good byes to the animal on duty and returned to his room. The demi-girl choosing process was a wash again for the day, but he still had plans to make. The better part of his morning was spent plotting a travel course to the next town. The afternoon was spent checking his equipment and preparing it to move out. Tomorrow he would choose a girl no matter what.

Evening came, dinner passed, and once again the morning was upon him. He returned to the reserve and despaired that once again there was nothing of interest.

"Sir, if you don't want any of the girls in the register you can always visit a ranch or visit a dealership." The Generica quirked her eyebrow. This guy was nice enough, but he was far too picky. Several of the girls he'd turned his nose up at were quite rare or formidable, often both.

"The problem is that I'm not exactly certain what I want." replied John. That was certainly a true statement. He had to pick a girl soon, though. His sponsorship depended on it.

The receptionist nodded at him. "If you wouldn't mind a few suggestions I might be able to help you out."

"At this point I'd take anything and you seem more competent than I had expected." She nodded at him then decided that he might just be anti-social. He didn't seem to be blatantly insulting at least.

"Where do you plan to travel?"

John considered for a moment and then said, "I was considering heading south toward the Southern March. I hear the Florida Preserve is nice and temperate in the winter. It would be a good place to catch wild demi-humans without freezing myself half to death."

She nodded. It was an uncommon, but still frequently chosen route this time of year. "I'd suggest a fighter or some type of ranged demi-girl. The wild girls get nasty in the denser forests, which would require a strong front-line battler. The fields and occasional plains would be easier to traverse with a ranged attacker as well. If you have a vehicle the latter could also be used as a gunner to protect the vehicle in transit."

John considered that for a moment. That did sound like good advice. He wasn't planning on traveling south until he'd acquired at least three girls that he intended to keep, but that was surprisingly good strategy for an animal. He'd probably snag a front-line fighter, a ranged battler, and perhaps a demi-human with healing capacity. One that had transportation abilities would be nice as well. A magic user would be good in general since he wanted to continue his magical studies.

"We have several front-line battlers but honestly, if you're traveling south you'll probably want to find someone that has more experience than any of these girls. That sort of competence isn't cheap, though."

John nodded. "You're talking contract, aren't you?"

"Yes, sir. One of the mercenary companies or a dealership might be able to find you a girl that you might like." informed the secretarial type with a smile.

The man considered that for a moment then nodded slowly. "Any suggestions on a good place to start?"

"Honestly?" she asked. She presented another curious quirk of her well sculpted eyebrow.

"I'd appreciate it." he replied candidly. She might be a well-trained animal but she did seem rather competent at her work. Her advice had a ring of truth to it so far.

"There are several companies in town, and a few pet shops. I wouldn't contract with anyone other than Hara-dynamic. They train their girls well, make sure their paperwork is right, and they only sell contracts for domestic born free demi-girls. A lot of other companies sell free demi-human contracts but they were actually born in the wild and captured recently. It's a mess working with such people." She granted him a knowing nod.

John nodded in return and thanked her for the advice. The tamer without a girl and the girl without a tamer continued to discuss a few methods of handling his upcoming trip. Afterward he asked her to cash-out his demi-human claim chit for real money then bid her farewell.

He headed off to locate the Hara-dynamics office. They were a multi-state corporation with an office in many larger towns and cities.

He was glad the helpful creature at the reserve office had given him the proper directions as he found the building readily. It had an office at the local strip mall. It was not like he could miss that. In fact, he was certain he had seen the place at least once or twice before. He had rarely gone into town throughout his life but he had gone to the mall during several of those trips. He was home schooled prior to high school. Afterward he went to technical school. Each of those studies occurred outside of town.

When he entered the chamber of the local Hara-dynamics field office he was greeted to the site of yet another demi-human working the desk, yet another Generica. He was beginning to wonder if there was some sort of demi-human secretarial union in place.

"Hello, sir. Welcome to Hara-dynamics. My name is Jill. How may I help you?" She spoke in a bright and crisp professional manner. For what amounted to a shaved monkey with proper home training, she exuded a clinical form of perky that put him both at ease and retained a business like demeanor.

"Yes, Jill. I was interested in asking about contracting with a girl from your establishment?"

"Of course, sir. Do you have a specific contractee in mind, or did you wish to look over a catalog of current applicants?"

"The latter I think. I have a general preference but I do not know exactly what I am looking for yet."

"I understand. We get that a lot." She bent down a little then pulled out a thin item reminiscent of a high school year book. "This catalog has every demi-human who we currently have applications for at this location. If none of them meet your approval we can ship one in from another location. Please be advised that shipment services will cost extra."

John accepted the catalog from Jill with a smile then moved over to a viewing table. Not long after sitting down he stood back up and asked the receptionist if she had any paper and something to write with. She handed him the requested items and he sat back down to begin taking notes.

An hour passed as he looked through the contracts offered in the catalog and he jotted down the application number of each girl that interested him on every page. Once the book was leafed through he began to cut down the list one by one until he had five candidates.

One of those candidates stood out in his mind more than any other though. The only problem was price. She would cost twenty-two thousand dollars to contract after all the fees were paid. He could afford her but his budget would be exhausted by this acquisition.

"So, you have chosen a contractee, sir?"

John nodded slightly. "Yes."

She smiled politely and brought the girl up on her screen. "She is still available and is willing to work with anyone. Shall I put her into a queue status so no one else claims her while you finalize your decision sir?"

"Yes, please."

"Alright." replied the demi-girl as she made that action happen. "Do you need a full spread sheet on her statistics and personality data?"

"I would like one, but I primarily wish to discuss contract terms."

"Of course. Let me verify that information for you, sir."

A brief moment passed and she nodded. "Sir, the contract is for a six month tour. There is an option to continue the contract for up to two additional six month tours at the current price. Her fee is twenty thousand dollars per tour, and we add ten percent as a fee for our services."

"So, twenty-two thousand dollars?"

"Yes, however be advised that you are also required to pay for her medical insurance and general maintenance while under contract."

"General maintenance?"

"Food, shelter, ammunition, and expendables. A reasonable rate of eight hundred dollars per month should take care of her living expenses and insurance readily. This is only a suggestion, however. Once the contract is made the company is no longer part of the equation."

"Hmm, sounds fair. Can I see her information?" he asked then. That was a more expensive proposition than he liked but it did seem fair. You did have to take care of your equipment after all, and he would not want her to be killed due to poor maintenance. It would cut into his profit margin too much.

She ran off a copy of the information and handed it to him for his viewing pleasure. If he chose to work with her then he would receive her official dossier.

John looked over the information and noted her combat level, statistics, and known attacks and skills.

"She seems perfectly capable. I'll work with her." he stated after looking the information over for a few minutes.

"Very good, sir." replied Jill. She was quite happy with this transaction. She received a ten percent commission for every contract she helped broker. She didn't do much but that didn't matter. She was on duty and a contract occurred.

The contract was signed and the necessary paperwork was completed on his end. His new hireling would arrive in a few hours to accept her assignment as she had already agreed to work with anyone the company located for her.

John was given leave to settle in and watch television for a while in the backroom. It was a lounge area for customers to wait for their new contractees. Free drinks, free snacks, and free cable were provided.

He watched a documentary on the Life channel regarding the mating habits of the large breasted Pikabu of Papa New Guinea. It was quite an electrifying show in all honesty.

Time passed leisurely. Eventually Jill came in to announce the arrival of his new contract. The man followed her out of the room and took in the sight of his contracted hireling.

Her name was Kara and she was a Steel Valkyrie. He had not expected much in the way of personality considering some of the quirks of the breed but she seemed human enough on first glance. She had the normal skin tone of a human female and at the moment her arms actually were arms instead of arm canons.

"Kara this is John. He has contracted with you to be your tamer." stated Jill matter-of-factly.

"Understood." replied the technologically derived demi-human in a flat monotone voice. She did not continue the conversation. Instead, she observed the area for signs of danger. John was a bit put out by this but he knew she would not be particularly touchy feely or overly emotional. He actually appreciated that as it kept him from being more unnerved by the concept of being a tamer.

"We'll work together for six months and if we make a good team I may be willing to extend the contract. Will that be acceptable?" inquired the man.

"That is one of the stipulations of the contract. I do not feel concerns about such matters."

John nodded. So they were agreed then.

"Outstanding. Let's finish up the last of the paperwork and then you two crazy kids can get on with your day." Jill unleashed a devastatingly perky smile. She just loved the smell of money and romance. Of course, the romance was all in her mind but hey these two would make a cute couple. One was a stoic individual that didn't talk much and seemed to be unconcerned with the feelings of others. The other was a demi-human that acted the same way. It was obviously love in the making.

John and Kara agreed with her and the trio sat about finishing up their business. It promised to be an interesting time ahead. The man had spent almost all of his remaining money on this contract but he was excited about his prospects. Jill would make a nice commission. Kara was simply happy to be employed. It was a win-win-win situation.

....

AN: So here's the first chapter of another story set in the same (or at least a very similar world) as Echoes of the Silver Millennium. That story is an alternate version of the story, Nocturne. It uses a different world-setting. Modern day, with a sexy twist.

Feel free to review. I'd like to know some thoughts on the current scenario. I'd probably consider this world setting to be more in tune with what I would really like to do with this concept, compared to Nocturne. The other story is fun for me, but I think this setting might be more fun for other people.

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