"Hey man. You took your time, grab a seat."
It was 5:35pm, and Jamie had just arrived at Munchers Paradise with Eve in tow, joining the black rectangular table John was sitting at, along with two others. One was a muscular late teen with black hair in a comb over, wearing a tight fitted black shirt along with black jeans. The other was Emily, a fellow trainee from Warpet's Delux. She was wearing a loose pink shirt, along with light blue denim shorts. Lounging at her feet was a 2 Tailed Tiger. As Jamie sat down next to John, at the opposite side on the table of Emily, he nodded a greeting to her, and received a wave in response, while Eve approached the 2 Tailed Tiger with her tails high. The 2 Tailed Tiger rolled over while Eve approached and sniffed it, before sitting at Jamie's feet.
John caught the exchange between Jamie and Emily and asked "Do you two know each other?"
Emily nodded and said "We work together in Warpet's Delux."
John's eyes widened "Come to think of it, Jamie mentioned he worked there when we met earlier today." A grin started to form on John's face and he said "Let me guess. He's the quiet, thoughtful newbie who doesn't talk much to people, that you wan....."
"STOP!!!!"
Emily flushed, glaring at John. The muscular teen leaned forward slightly, interested. "What did she say?"
"She said that....."
"JOHN!!"
The 2 Tailed Tiger let out a low roar, looking at John. John wilted under the pressure of Emily and her bonded beast. "I'm not gonna say man. Don't want my face clawed off."
During the exchange, Jamie's eyes switched between Emily and John. He was curious about what she said, but given how adamant Emily was on not talking about it..."Hey John, what have you been up to since highschool?"
John leaned back in his chair. "I started working at my Dad's security company. Mostly filling out paperwork, while I get to use the training facilities and getting some training. Once my combat ability is up to par, I'll start working alongside the security officers."
"Do you think you will get to join in when they escort some of the Battlepet store expeditions?"
"Dunno man. The next evaluation is on Sunday. Maybe."
The muscular man snorted. "That's b*llsh*t. Your skills have always been up to par, your strength was just too low. Now that you have advanced to stage 3, being a Novice Martial Warrior, you'll pass that no problem. It's just a matter on if you want to go."
The muscular man looked at Jamie and held out his hand. "My names Andrew."
Jamie shook his hand "Jamie."
After shaking hands, Jamie turned to John. "So, do you want to go?"
John nodded. "I do. I do admit, I am curious what it's like on the other side. It's supposed to be like another world. It's b*llsh*t that people who venture into a portal can't talk about what goes on in there in detail."
Jamie grinned. "That's great. I'm joining the expedition of Warpet's Delux along with Emily. Hopefully, we will see you both in there."
Andrew shook his head. "Not me The company is going to send some people to some of the remote towns that have been having it hard recently."
"Have they told you you'll be sent?"
Andrew responded. "Nope. But they always send me for these kind's of jobs. "
John grinned. "Yea, well, maybe you shouldn't have gone AWOL when guarding a client in a portal. Your lucky you didn't get fired."
Andrew smiled. "It was worth it. Found a bunch of basic elementary stones, and I sold them to make a nice sum. Easy two hundred thousand mystic credits."
Emily smirked. "And that attitude certainly wouldn't help."
John turned to Jamie. "Speaking of which Jamie, didn't you fail the evaluation at school? How did you become a Battlepet Master Trainee? Were you on the verge of increasing your Astral Body."
Jamie shook his head. "No. I bonded a beast that my brother gave me, and my Astral Body increased as it's stage did."
John's eyes widened. "That's possible? Nice. Is it that wolf besides you?"
"No. It was a black dragon."
"You have a freakin dragon? Awesome. How big is it?"
Emily cut in. "It's up to his knee now. The wolf evolved later on. It used to look a lot more adorable then it does now."
"Evolved? Wait.....Don't tell me that's Bell?"
Eve snarled at John. John sat their speechless for a moment, before his stomach started to rumble.
Emily smiled. "I think it's time we ordered something to eat now."
>>>>>
After spending a couple of hours talking to John, Emily and Andrew, Jamie headed home, after exchanging numbers with Andrew and Emily. As he entered the door carrying the paperwork he could hear the sound of the television from the room.
"Today, over a hundred thousand people joined Joshua's rally in Slaka, to remove the restriction on all information and allow open discussion and access on everything. There are over five million people who have signed his petition and the number is still increasing stea....."
As Jamie entered the room, he saw his mom lounging on the sofa. Just as he entered the living room, she raised a hand to Jamie as he entered.
Jamie cleared his throat and said "We need to talk."
Laura muted the television and turned to face Jamie. Jamie handed her the form and contact card while saying "I registered Eve as a new species, and need you to complete that form you to get 2 more AGP"
Laura nodded, receiving the form. "I'll do it tonight. Did you keep the AGP you received?"
"I did. Why?"
Laura smiled. "In three months time, some unique creatures will be sent the government office in Brouis, some of which are likely to increase the Bond Anchor's Soul upon promotion. They can be be exchanged for AGP. You would need around 40 AGP for a beast, and some of them are higher. Of course, I can get one for you but you need to pay me back.....with interest."
"Thanks mum. Wait....How much interest?"
She grinned. "Depends on how long it takes you to pay me back. We can discuss it if you need the loan."
She turned back to the television, un-muting it, while Jamie stood there for a moment, then shook his head smiling wryly. He got some meat of the freezer, and fed Eve and Blackwing. After they finished and he cleaned up the trays, he went back to Blackwing.
"How are you going on using the locating skill?"
Blackwing let out a growl. Jamie sighed, then tried to teach him again. He sent Blackwing a mental image of sending a constant trickle of energy through the bond link, while saying to him "follow your energy."
Blackwing stood there motionless for a moment, before roaring in frustration. Jamie sighed. "maybe it would be easier if I stood away from him?" Jamie thought.
Jamie then started a little game to motivate Blackwing. He went to hide in a room, while Blackwing would try to use the skill to locate him in the house, Eve staying besides him to make sure Blackwing didn't just search each room one by one. After trying that game and failing to see an improvement in Backwing, Jamie gave up and went to strengthen his soul, before sleeping.
Tomorrow, he would be going to Bulagd.