There was so much chaos going on in the afternoon as we helped Thietian pinpoint locations for the officials to meet at so we could snap them to where the real meeting was to take place. However, first we'd have to get them to sign an oath, only then could we snap them to the meeting place. So we all had several different scenarios to go over before Turk and Thietian felt we were prepared as we could be.
The evening prior to our meeting, everyone was given off to go relax and come back 'refreshed' for the next day. Thietian went and spent his evening with Elena. John and I went back to the training compound to check in with squad leaders who were training new recruits so we could have out staff start compiling new lists for the next round of testing.
As we walked around the grounds discussing everything that swept across our minds, we were soon joined by some familiar faces.
"Hey what are you two doing here? I thought you'd be at HQ?" Futere asks us both, smiling. He's accompanied by Suites, Hughes, Anzo, Akiyama, and Anand. Futere, Anzo, Anand and Akiyama are our company majors and Suites and Hughes are part of our Platoons second lieutenants.
"We got a little time off before tomorrow. We came by to check on some of the newest recruits. What are you guys all doing out right now?"
John looks at his watch as they chime in unison, "It's dinner time!"
The enthusiasm and amplified voices ring out at him, startling him visibly as he looks up at them.
We all get a good laugh at this before John cut in, "Mess hall isn't in this direction...."
Anand waved at Johns remark, "No worries. My wife is making dinner tonight. Come join us."
"We wouldn't want to impose." I started thinking of how much work Anand's wife had already with five extra mouths.
"Nonsense! You must come at least to meet my family!" Anand insisted and soon John and I were ushered along with the group.
His wife happily welcomed us in, after we removed our shoes. Sitting down around three low large tables, pillows surrounded the tables for our comfort. Anand's children sat already at one side of the table with shy and curious smiles on their faces.
We all took a seat around the table that was full of different dishes as Anand's wife brought out two more plates and cups for us and told us there was water and fruit juices in the carafes in front of us. Thanking her we took the plates and cups and set them in front of us. Anand poured water into both of our cups and told us we'd want to mix the water and fruit juices since they were quite sweet.
Anand started us off by giving thanks to the creator and passed around the plate of Naan for everyone to take a piece. John and I looked for some utensils and realized there were none.
Hughes snickered at our realization that no one had utensils.
Anand then reached forward with a piece of Naan and grabbed a bite of the dish near him and ate.
Everyone proceeded to do the same after that.
"You have never eaten a meal like this before?" Anand's wife asked curiously.
"No ma'am. We've seen it but never experienced a meal like this." John said reaching out with his left hand until the child next to him smacked it.
"Hey!" John exclaimed surprised.
"No! Only right hand!" The young girl scolded him and Anand and his wife chuckled before apologizing.
"We only use our right hand to reach for food. My apologies." Anand said gesturing with his right hand that had naan and one of the dishes wrapped in it.
"I'm sorry, thank you for correcting me." John smiled and nodded as we continued to eat.
Soon John was being taught table etiquette by a six year old and we all were getting a good chuckle out of it.
The food was amazing and soon everyone had been stuffed to their stomachs content. As we helped take dishes into the kitchen, Anand's wife shooed us out. Her and the children cleaned up as Anand took us out side to enjoy the crisp fall air.
This apartment was on the ground floor and opened up to a small grass area for children to play in. There was already a blanket to sit on which is where Anand sat down.
"So Anand, I'm curious why you decided to join the fight?" John inquired once everyone was sitting back comfortably.
"Well sir, is it not obvious?" Anand shrugged lazily.
"Call me John or Lacroix, we're not on duty. I understand to protect your family. You could have just sought refuge though." John while relaxed still looked inquisitively at him.
"You're right I could have. What kind of man would I be then? To my wife and my children, I would be seen as a coward if I didn't. In Rewa we had too much corruption with drug traffickers, we knew if we stayed we'd be in danger. So we packed what we could into our van with the kids and left. . Originally we told people I had received a job offer in Nepal. Then I found Lokor, a Yaksha, at one of the stops before the border into Nepal We shared a meal and talked. When he found out why we were truly leaving, he told us about a refuge that was safe.
Soon, my wife and I were signing a contract with blood. He snapped his fingers and when we ourselves here we were shocked. However, after hearing what you all were doing I knew I had to fight. To protect not just my family but others who would not be so lucky as us. My children respected and loved me before, but now I'm like a superhero in their eyes."
He grinned proudly, eyes twinkling at the thought of his children's adoration for their brave father.
"What about Akiyama?" I asked her not knowing too much of her background.
"My parents had health problems, some of the medications they received had the illegal street drugs in them. My mothers heart couldn't take the effects and had a heart attack, my father overdosed on his anti-depressants after my mothers death, because they helped make him feel better. I am here to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else and to seek my own form of justice for their deaths." She was solemn, but kept her emotions calm and steady as she told her story.
I nodded knowing that familiar array of emotions too well. "I am sorry you had to experience their loss. We will do everything we can to ensure you get your justice."
She nodded in response and I left her alone.
Hughes broke the heavy silence and awkwardly said, "Well, then my story isn't as noble as theirs, I just got lucky being around the right people at the right time and said 'I'm in'."
Anzo nodded, "Same here for me. I had my DD-214 and was just bored with where I worked. When all the riots were happening I ended up in the right place at the right time."
Futere and Suites looked at each other questions popping up in their eyes like they were having a private conversation with just looks.
We all waited patiently looking at the two quizzically trying to grasp what might be going on between them.
Suites finally sighed. "Me and Futere had heard about things going on that were suspicious. We were preparing ourselves for a fight before the riots started happening. We were talking with a friend of ours, an Oni named Kiezo, he told us about a half Fae warrior who was always looking to hire different groups who could fight and didn't mind getting their hands dirty. A friend of his was there and told us that they were not hiring anymore but recruiting. So here we are." Suites threw his hands gesturing to his surroundings.
Suites then leaned forward and asked us, "So, all of us are curious though, how did you two get wrapped up in all of this to begin with?"
"That's a long story that we don't have time to go into too much detail about. So let's just say... family ties brought me in and there fore John as well."
"So you're related to Thietian, one of the princes?" Futere was quick to ask.
"Yes." John said matter of fact.
"What made him do all this? I mean this has been a lot of work and foresight." Akiyama asked.
"Because he cared about the human race and knew what the Erl-king was thinking of doing. He wanted to protect those that his mother cared for. Then it turned into wanting to protect his family as well." John said without going to deep into it.
"Whoa... we need to thank him one of these days. Especially when this is all over." Hughes said impressed.
I shook my head as I was regaining my train of thoughts and told them this fact. "I think losing the burden of the heavy weight of responsibility off his shoulders will be his great consolation. When all this is done, I hope he realizes no matter the outcome, he did his best."