I got out of the pod feeling that state of weirdness that I didn't want to think about. Poppy was an unusual girl in that world; I could feel it. But at this point, I just did not want to think about it. I moved towards the shower so that I could change.
I stopped thinking about it, and I went into the shower to let the hot water roll off of me. I started to wash up, still feeling weird, but I didn't want to let things get into my head, so I started to think about what we were doing tonight. It was going to be a game of laser tag, and I knew I couldn't allow myself to get last place. Knowing Victoria, I would regret it, and frankly.
I didn't like to lose.
I finished up washing the sweat from being inside the Pod, and I sighed as I let the colder air outside the shower touch my skin. I started to dry myself off, and I looked at my face in the mirror. My hair had grown longer, and I didn't feel any need to cut it. Not long after Victoria came in, I shaved my beard, and I knew that Beards were never for me. With my looks, they made me look much older than I was. Then again, a couple of weeks back, it didn't matter how much beard I had when I looked so beaten.
It felt weird to look at myself in the mirror, and I knew I needed to shave the stubble that was growing on my face. I started to shave while ignoring how much more I had started to take care of my appearances lately. It was something that I didn't do much in the past either other than shaving.
Even when I was at the height of my Career starting out, though, I was Meticulous because I had to be; business deals when you are not looking your best was terrible. It didn't matter your competence or reputation unless it was much larger than it was at the time. Hell, even billionaires had to dress up to make these deals.
I started to change into something that I could run in and was somewhat stylish. I looked at all the women's clothes, and I had a slight urge to wear them for Victoria. Instead, I just shook my head, and I put on some well-fitted clothes. I moved with precision, and when I exited the room, I saw Victoria in a nicely cut V neck that would allow her to move with some good jeans to move around in. She looked good, and I smiled, coming over to her, and I kissed her.
"You know," Victoria began as we broke the kiss, "Buttering me up doesn't mean that I will be easier on you later."
"I wouldn't have expected it," I replied with a grin. "I know you, and I know that I am going to have to be atop my game." I shuddered dramatically, "Otherwise, I know you will get me," I finished.
Victoria smiled and kissed me for a second, then brought up her mouth to my ear, whispering, "I am sure you would enjoy it."
Another much more authentic shiver went down my spine. I made sure to stiffen my spine a second later as Victoria stepped away with a sly grin. I changed the subject, and I asked, "So how did things go with you and the ladies after I left?"
"We started to look around, and we came up remarkably short. The only information that could lead to it, we think, is that Warewolf town." Victoria looked a little lost in thought.
"Mistress said something to me, and I couldn't help but agree with her," I said, and Victoria looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "She told me that my hunting method was flawed. It was predator hunting where they weren't a predator. Think about it more this way," I said, seeing Victoria was intrigued, "She told me where I was a preditor was inside cities. It got me thinking," I said, and I shrugged, "Maybe we would have more luck shopping or stealing a Growler pedal. We are demon affiliation, after all. We specialize in short battles and not prolonged ones."
Victoria nodded along but was frowning, "Then what about me as a ranger?" Victoria asked, and I looked at her funny.
"Become a sniper?" I replied, "With buildings all over, you would find it easier to hide and allow you to practice accuracy more."
Victoria looked at me, shocked, and I smiled, "What do you think? I never think about these things. I know you like your Ranger, and I would have thought about these things. This way, you can do more damage from a range and free Iona and Naughty of a little pressure. But there are downsides I can think of as well, to be honest." I sighed, and Victoia smacked my arm.
"It's okay; I think you are correct; also, I am a little tired of the forest for now. But we will need to talk to everyone about this." Victoria nodded, and I agreed.
"You guys coming?" I heard Gabby's voice coming out, and I saw her come into our vision. "I don't know how long we plan to play tonight, but I think we have some travel time to make it there." Gabby continued.
"Yup," I replied, and I started to follow her out. I turned, and Victoria came up and linked her arm through mine as we made our way out the door.
We made our way to the elevator, joining Li, who had called the elevator up. "Hey, You guys ready?" Li asked.
"Yup," I replied, and I heard the Elevator chime, and we all got in. "So anyone decided what they are going to ask the loser?" I asked them as the elevator started to move.
As the elevator went down, I got three smiles that told me all I needed to know. The three women in front of me gave me knowing smiles, and I started to get suspicious if they might be planning something.
In the end, though, the elevator arrived, and I got into a limo that I had planned to pick us up. I got into the back, and the ladies got in behind me. The driver nodded to me, "Long time no see, Rick," Greggory called back from the front.
"Greg," I replied in a fond tone, "It has been a while! How are the kids and the Wife?" I asked as Li, Gabby, and Victoria made themselves comfortable finding the minibar.
"They are doing fantastic. You have left me with a lot of free time lately, so I have been taking some time with the kids. They have loved it! I really have to thank you for that." Greg replied.
"Hey, You have never missed a time when I have called no matter where you have been. You have kept me safe when on the road. I have no reason not to hold onto you, Greg." I countered, and I leaned forward, "Take us to go play some games; I have some ladies to beat in laser tag!" I finished.
I leaned back with a grin, and I saw three competitive looks on their faces. "I am not going to lose," All of them replied and giggled. Victoria pulled out a bottle of rum and some coke and poured out four cups. "You keep it simple, Rick," Victoria remarked on the alcohol.
"Hey, just because I have the money for the most expensive alcohols in the world doesn't mean that I don't prefer the cheaper stuff," I countered as we each took a cup.
Victoria handed out filled cups to us all and Gabby smiled, "To the loser, May they enjoy the punishment the Winner has in store!" Gabby lifted her cup up and the rest of us cheers to that and took large swigs.
I started to laugh with them before we headed out into the city towards the competition of the night—laser tag.