War and MG Chap 12

“… too damn early,” Casey said in a barely audible mumble as he fumbled about to shut off the noisy alarm.

 

 

Rolling over, Casey was greeted by Emrald looking him in the eye as she stretched and yawned.

 

 

“Morning, love,” she said, planting a quick peck on his lips.

 

 

Casey gathered her up in his arms in response, returning her affection several fold. Letting out a little happy squeal, she freed herself from his grip, then rolled over to sit up and stretch again. All the while, Casey watched and admired her like a love-struck youth half his age.

 

 

Emrald soon picked up on his stare.

 

 

“I know you would like to continue from where we left off, but we can’t afford to be late this morning,” she said, using the most authoritative voice she could muster.

 

 

Crawling over him and hopping off the bed, she threw on some clothes she picked up from the floor, then motioned for Casey to do the same.

 

 

“Come on. If you get up now, we can shower together.”

 

 

“I suppose that’s worth getting up for,” he said, yawning.

 

 

He smiled to himself as he stood up and began donning what clothes he could scrounge from the floor. Casey was still amazed at how such a simple morning routine could make him so happy.

 

 

--

 

 

Grouped up outside, the only person missing was Serlov. Casey’s gaze wandered over everyone else assembled, noting that the new couples all appeared to be rather tired. With a smirk, he looked over at Emrald. There hadn’t been an early night for him in almost a week now. Attempting to stifle a yawn, he wondered when he’d have to tell the insatiable kitsune, “no,” and what her reaction would be.

 

 

The women were chatting amongst themselves, occasionally looking at one of the men. He had no doubt about their topic of conversation.

 

 

Casey then noticed Serlov approaching out of the corner of his eye.

 

 

“I apologize for being late. Had a few urgent things to take care of,” Serlov said as she slithered out to the group.

 

 

Everyone’s conversations came to a halt at Serlov’s appearance.

 

 

“Everyone get onboard and let’s get moving,” she said, heading straight for one of the vehicles.

 

 

--

 

 

Once aboard, Casey and Emrald found themselves opposite of one of the new couples, Marc and Viole.

 

 

“Hey, haven’t talked to you much lately,” Casey said as he smiled at Marc.

 

 

“Yeah, you haven’t been around much. You’re doing all that , ah, clerical stuff while you heal up yeah?”

 

 

Casey nodded.

 

 

“Yeah, for at least another two or three weeks. Doctor’s orders and all,” he said while pointing at Emrald.

 

 

She simply smirked.  

 

 

“Heh, lucky you. Though ah, I guess those restrictions are lifted at night?”, Marc said with a knowing smile.

 

 

Casey didn’t respond verbally, but an uncontrollable grin gave Marc his answer. His eyes wandered from Marc to the taller woman seated next to him. He thought her dirty-grey hair and fur were a bit odd, but even stranger still were her hands and feet. Her legs ended in very large, wolf-like paws. Her hands appeared to be slimmed-down paws, complete with pads. She was missing a finger from each hand, but at least she had thumbs.  

 

 

Viole poked at Marc.

 

 

“It’s not nice to pry into someone else’s personal life, you know,” she said.

 

 

“Aw it’s just some fun between guys, right?” Marc said, looking back at Casey.

 

 

“In that case, since you know about me… how about you?” Came Casey’s reply.

 

 

“Well, ya know…”, Marc said sheepishly while looking at Viole.

 

 

“She’s pretty wi-“

 

 

Whatever he was going to say was cut off by a paw on his mouth, Viole spitting him with a glare.

 

 

Emrald, who had been quiet up to this point, started laughing.

 

 

“Feels good, doesn’t it?”

 

 

Viole blushed at her words, nodding slightly.

 

 

“W-well, it’s certainly better than with another woman.”

 

 

“Wait, what?”, Casey interrupted

 

 

Emrald laughed even more, patting Casey gently on the shoulder as if he was a child that had just lost his innocence.

 

 

“We still have urges, you know. If there are only other women around… well…” she said, turning to look at Viole.

 

 

“But it was never very satisfying. It was simply scratching an itch, so to speak,”

 

 

Casey considered what would happen if he was raised in a society in which women were nearly non-existent. As much as he hated to admit it, perhaps she had a point.

 

 

Viole burned a deeper shade of red at Emrald’s worlds. Seizing on the opportunity, Marc threw his arm around her, taking the wolf woman by surprise. Casey noted her tail started to thump against the seat.

 

 

“Hard to image the gal who could probably throw me across a room is so sweet,” Marc said, laughing lightly, then giving her a peck on the cheek.

 

 

Her tail broke from a gentle thump into a flurry. Apparently Marc had already figured out how to charm Viole.  

 

 

Never one to turn down an opportunity, Casey mimicked the gesture and drew Emrald into a one-armed hug along with a kiss to the cheek. Though rather than become flustered, she simply sighed and laid her head on his shoulder.

 

 

--

 

 

The portal was an awesome sight -  it was the first time any of the men had seen it. Looking at it from the front or rear, it was very tall and wide. Big enough to fit an entire division of troops at once, Casey thought. Looking at it from the side, however, seemed to make it completely disappear. What he thought most impressive was how it seemed to give off a perfect image of the other side. The edges were a little hazy, but otherwise it was as if was looking through a window into another world.

 

 

“Hey,  Casey,” he heard a voice call, pulling him back from his wonder.

 

 

“Casey, get over here,” Emrald yelled.

 

 

“Ah, coming”

 

 

Once he rejoined the group, Emrald handed him a paper bag.

 

 

“What’s this for?”

 

 

“You’ll see.”

 

 

Casey noticed everyone else was also holding one of the small bags.

 

 

Serlov, along with several people he hadn’t seen before, were talking near the portal. He wasn’t close enough for him to hear what they were talking about though. After some more time milling about and making small talk, Serlov finally called to them.

 

 

“All right. Everyone up front.”

 

 

The group made its way over to her, lining up at attention. Nodding in approval as everyone kept near-perfect formation, she turned, heading towards the portal.

 

 

“Forward march!”

 

 

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Casey began to walk in stride with the rest of the unit. Serlov disappeared through the portal, though he soon saw her reappear on ‘the other side.’ He wasn’t quite sure what to expect as he entered the portal, but he instantly understood nothing they could have said would have prepared him.

 

 

When his foot entered, he felt an electric jolt course through his body. The sensation increased in intensity the further his leg entered, until it was almost unbearable. Emrald shook her head, watching him gingerly enter the portal like it was a pool full of cold water. Walking behind him, she gave him a hard shove that sent him completely through. With a bit of hesitation, she closed her eyes dashed in right behind him.  

 

 

The world as Casey knew it ceased to exist. All the light around him bent and compressed down to a single, white dot in front of him. Then it exploded out, completely saturating all his senses in blinding, bright noise. He felt himself cease to exist as a person, like his consciousness was freed and could explore the stars.

 

 

As suddenly as the sensations saturated every part of him, they faded just as quickly as reality snapped back into existence around him. Dizzy, light-headed, and nauseous, he realized why he had been handed the bag.

 

 

The contents of his stomach now inside the bag, he was somewhat relieved to see that he was not alone. Even Serlov was looking woozy, attempting to steady herself by leaning against a vehicle.

 

 

Behind him, he heard the sound of retching. Turning around, he saw Emrald making full use of the bag. With a sigh, he walked over and held her long hair up as she was hunched over.

 

 

“Th-thanks,” she managed to slur out before her stomach continued to empty itself.

 

 

Casey winced slightly at the scene. She appeared to be having a far worse experience than he did.

 

 

After a half hour had passed, most everyone had managed to recover. There were a handful of people that appeared to have suffered more heavily than others. Some of the staff here were helping them out to the courtyard, be it lending them a shoulder or a wheelchair. Most of the guards and staff Casey saw appeared to be used to this sort of thing. It gave him a small measure of relief to know the horrid sickness effected everyone.

 

 

Walking towards the exit, Casey was beginning to feel a great deal of trepidation. What would this world look like? As he emerged through the doorway into the courtyard, Casey looked around.

 

 

“This is… is… kind of the same,” he said, feeling deflated.

 

 

“What were you expecting?” Emrald asked, walking up from behind him.

 

 

 

She was still holding her stomach.

 

 

“I’m not really sure. Something… different?”

 

 

“This is not different from what you’re used to?”

 

 

“I… it is, but… It’s more like… everything I already know, just advanced a bit.”

 

 

“Hmm, so you were expecting something more exotic?”

 

 

“Maybe?” Casey said with a shrug

 

 

“Well, there will be plenty more to see than just around here. Perhaps you will see something that catches your interest as we travel. Though for now we should probably head over there,” Emrald said, looking towards Serlov.

 

 

She was standing near what appeared to be some civilian cars. Casey nodded.

 

 

Rejoining the group once again, Casey noticed the interiors of the cars varied, and some of the vehicles were larger than others or oddly shaped. Before he could speculate on their purpose further, he and Emrald were directed to one of the few he considered normal by his standards.

 

 

--

 

 

Driving through the city, Casey was amazed by how familiar everything looked. Well, everything except for the many different races of women that populated the city.

 

 

“You’re such a tourist,” Emrald said.

 

 

“What’s wrong with being interested in a different world?” Casey responded, looking out the window the entire time.

 

 

Then he felt something soft and fluffy tickle his cheek. Turning around, he saw Emrald was holding up one of her tails in front of her face. By now he had figured out she did this when she wanted to appear shy.

 

 

“Is it more interesting… than me?” Emrald said, her voice carrying a slight quiver of uncertainty.

 

 

Though he knew it was an act, he couldn’t help himself. He cursed himself silently for succumbing to her wiles time and again.

 

 

“No, I guess not…” he said with a sigh

 

 

“You guess not? That’s hardly convincing…”, said Emrald, tickling his face with one of her tails.

 

 

“But, I’ll take it.”

 

 

“Hey, look at that!” Casey exclaimed while pointing out the window on the other side of Emrald.

 

 

When she turned her head to look, he reached out with his hands, splitting his index and middle fingers into a V. Each ‘V’ shape fit neatly onto each of her ears, then he stroked up and down vigorously.  

 

 

“Ah~”

 

 

Emrald let out a little gasp and tensed up, her tails poofing out in Casey’s face.

 

 

“Is that enough attention for you?” he asked, stopping after a few seconds.

 

 

Emrald looked back at him, pouting.

 

 

“Not nearly enough… and get around the base this time…”

 

 

“As you wish,” Casey said with a grin.

 

 

--

 

 

Several minutes later, the car pulled into an area that reminded Casey of a fairgrounds.

 

 

 

“Looks like we’re here,” Casey said as he ceased scratching Emrald’s ears.

 

 

“Ahh… I wish that could have been longer. That’s the first time you’ve attacked my ears so viciously, you brute~. I guess I’ll have to return the favor sometime…”, she said with a giggle, then stuck out her longish tongue and narrowed her eyes seductively.

 

 

Casey’s flank flared up in pain as he thought about what was to come this evening. Dare he say no?

 

 

Mercifully, the vehicle had parked just in time, freeing Casey from an obligation to answer the kitsune. He opened the door and dashed out, stopping a few feet away to wait for Emrald. She got out sluggishly, looking a bit peeved before standing next to Casey.

 

 

“Don’t think you’re getting away that easily,” Emrald whispered, wrapping a tail around his waist.

 

 

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Casey said, avoiding eye contact with her.

 

 

The driver then lead the pair towards the back of a large stage where large groups of people had already begun to assemble.

 

 

Seeing a few people he knew, Casey drifted over towards them. Several of them were rehearsing their lines again, reminding Casey to pull the script from his jacket pocket. Finding a wall to lean again, he spent a few minutes reviewing the questions and answers, occasionally looking up at Emrald. She was constantly looking around, almost like a predator, running her tails through her hands or otherwise looking bored.

 

 

“Shouldn’t you look over this,” Casey said, drawing Emrald’s attention.

 

“No,  I think I’ll be fine. I am, however, rather bored with all this already. I almost wish I had something to do besides make you look better.”

 

 

“Oh? And here I thought the whole point of this trip was to make you lot appear better,” Casey said, looking up at her.

 

 

“I meant you specifically, you see.”

 

 

“So you’re saying I don’t look good?”

 

 

After not hearing any response for a few seconds, he smiled. For once he had managed to vex the sly fox.

 

 

“That’s… that’s not what I meant and you know it,” she finally said.

 

 

“Do I?”

 

 

Unfortunately Casey could no longer prevent a smug grin from forming, drawing a scowl from Emrald.

 

 

“Fine fine, I give up,” she said, waving a hand in the air as a signal of defeat.

 

 

“I will leave you alone for now.”

 

 

With that, Emrald walked off into the crowds. Casey laughed to himself, then decided to see out a few of his fellow men.

 

 

--

 

 

 

“So how are things with you and Reia?”, Casey asked Tomas.

 

 

“…Not bad.”

 

 

“Aw c’mon, ya gotta tell us more than that,” Alex chimed in

 

 

“It’s nice. But I’m not saying more than that,” Tomas said, crossing his arms defiantly.

 

 

“Well, what about you Alex?”

 

 

“It’s great. ‘Specially her hugs; the way she wraps herself ‘round me…”, Alex said, grinning to himself as he recalled the experience.

 

 

“Her scales feel really nice…”

 

 

Alex paused, as if contemplating what he just said.

 

 

“That sounds kinda strange, don’t it? Though who woulda ever guessed I’d be datin’ a gal like her…”

 

 

Tomas and Casey both nodded in understanding.

 

 

At times Casey wondered if he was asleep somewhere; if this was all just a dream.  

 

 

“Everyone on stage,” came a yell

 

 

“Well, looks like it’s our time to shine,” Casey said as the trio proceeded towards the back of the stage.

 

 

Reaching the stairs leading up onto the stage proper, Casey saw Emrald was leaning besides them, her eyes closed. He turned back towards Tomas and Alex, giving them a little smile. They paused and watched as he walked up to Emrald, then pinched and rubbed the fluffy tips of her ears between his fingers. Her eyes shot open in surprise, then melted into something resembling bliss for a few seconds before they again changed to annoyance.

 

 

“Gah! Don’t do that, not here!”, she yelled, giving Casey a slap on the arm.

 

 

Tomas and Alex each gave Casey a pat on the shoulder as they walked past wordlessly.

 

 

“You can touch my ears all you want later… just not now. You know how it gets me in the mood!”

 

 

“Well, that’s why I did it. You tease me so much, I thought I’d return the favor,” Casey said with a little wink.

 

 

“I think you are becoming too much like me,” Emrald complained.

 

 

“Hmm, maybe I am?”

 

 

Emrald gave him another playful slap, this time on his rear, then shoved him towards the stairs.

 

 

Atop the stage, the pair were ushered into position by the various stage hands. Casey saw Serlov talking to someone else – it appeared to be another kitsune. Though from the lines on her face, he assumed she was much older than Emrald. His thoughts were cut short however, as the curtain began to rise.

 

 

All at once there was a great thunder like nothing he had ever heard before. Casey’s heart leapt to his throat. Is this how actors felt?

 

 

Then his breath caught in his throat as the audience became visible.

 

 

“There’s thousands of them…”, he whispered to himself

 

 

Emrald gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

 

 

“You’ll be fine,” she said, almost yelling to overcome the clapping.

 

 

He hoped she was correct.