New Arrivals

Walt sighed. He stared at the one slightly singed bush and the impression in the flower bed that an enemy trampled and then fell back in when Friday had blasted the invader.

He already had a flower fairy, Tiramy, work to repair the damage. A specialist. And once he'd gotten the pink Pomeranian looking thing to stop ogling the girls and saying "mii" and get to work they'd done a good job and he sent them around to check what they could do with the forest. Still... his phone kept blowing up with text messages about it.

He put it away, looking at the house. "Friday. Please handle anymore incoming messages from the Gardners for me that aren't an actual emergency or about Jimbo's case. I actually have important things to do today. Also rearrange todays schedule for me if possible? This could take awhile."

(("Of course, Boss. Would you like me to try to give you the day off instead?"))

Walt briefly thought about it. He really would like that. "No. Even if we put everything else off I need to sit in on at least three after action reports. But see what you can move to tomorrow's schedule please? Also cancel training for today. The girls did battle and then stayed up all night. Plus more than half their instructors were here too. I want them to take it easy today if possible."

(("Understood, Boss... good luck. You'll probably need it."))

"Thanks. I definitely will." He walked back up towards the main house. He returned the salutes the remaining 3S teams gave him. They were all happy smiles. Boss had already authorized double bonuses for everyone. They were working so they kept it professional but also relaxed. The Ranch was like a second home and he always treated them like family here. Didn't hurt how warmly the ladies had treated them either. He saw Raylan walking his direction and smiled. He had a hand behind his back. "Raylan."

"Walt. Just seen you canceled training?" He smiled.

He nodded. "Yep. You're still on security detail til after lunch but then you got the rest of the day off."

"Yessir, Boss man." Raylan grinned.

Walt chuckled. "You and Vincent been assigned too many cases together. Habits are starting to rub off on each other."

Raylan pulled the mason jar from behind his back and raised an eyebrow. Walt looked at it, Raylan, then the rising sun and nodded. "Yup. I reckon it's five o'clock somewhere. At ease and crack that thing open... and don't tell the boss!"

"You got it!" Raylan grinned as they both climbed up to sit a fence rail. "Cheers." He took a belt of the moonshine and passed Walt the jar.

"Cheers." Walt took a drink. Passing the jar back he noticed Raylans bulging pocket. "Bush and flower bed aside, I think our biggest casualties were the pantry," He said. "Guess I'll be going shopping again soon. I also promised Neo and Kali dates. Better add that to the list of "things to do" as well."

"She's a sweet girl. She keeps it up she'll have a bigger fan club then you." Raylan smiled. "She made Zangief cry he was so touched."

Walt shakes his head. "He's got a bad rep but he's a softie."

Raylan nods and takes a small sip before passing the jar. Wouldn't do to be drunk on duty even if it's an easy one like sitting around the ranch. "Yep... Like you."

Walt smirks. "That a fact?"

"The things you done. The things you do." Raylan shakes his head. "I wouldn't work willingly for a man like that. You'd have to chip or repath me... but that's not all you do. Those ladies, the ones you picked up yesterday too and everyone from 3S... even them ponies. That's why you're doing the other stuff, Walt. That shits just the means to the end for you. That's who you are."

Walt nodded and took another drink passing the jar. "Maybe so... And what do you think of a man like that?"

Raylan smiles. "I think I couldn't ask for a better man to work for, drink shine with as a friend, then a man like that." Raylan closed the jar.

"Thanks "Ray-Ray". I think you're swell too. Now enough of that pep talk or I'll have to bring you posies the next time I see you."

They both laugh. "You got it, Walt. Seriously, I'm happy for you. They're a great bunch of ladies."

"They're definitely that." Walt said. "Investigation team find anything useful?"

Raylan shook his head. "Just a bunch more leads to run down. Won't really know where they'll lead 'til we can run them all down. Banks, purchases for the equipment, friends, family, former employers, etc. Friday's a huge help, cuts the work load in half, but all that still takes time."

Walt nodded. "Yup. I figured as much... and speaking of I better stop stalling and keeping the ladies waiting."

Raylan nods and they both hop off the fence. "Good luck."

Walt smirks and nods. "Yup. I'll need it."

Approaching the house he sees all the ladies waiting for him. "Welcome home Walter."

"Thank you it's good to be home." He kisses Penny, Neo, Pyrrha and Lita. Then kisses Kali, Blake and Sienna on the cheek. Kali didn't want to tell Blake this way and Walt agreed provided they tell her sooner and not later. He went to kiss Ahnassi's cheek as well but she wasn't having it and drew him into a kiss. He was happy to oblige his very, special friend.

"I'm glad you're all safe. Under the circumstances training has been canceled for today."

There's some mixed reaction to this news but most of it's understandable. They're all tired.

Walter gestured. "This is Sayoko Shinozaki and Roberta Cisneros. They'll be joining the maid team. Roberta and Sayoko, you'll be working under Lifts-Her-Tail or Lita here. She'll be the head maid."

Roberta and Sayoko curtsied. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Everyone greets them. Lita also curtsied. "I'm looking forward to working with you both."

Walt figured that would be the easy part. "Sayoko and Roberta we have rooms in the main house or down to the bunkhouse if you'd prefer. There also a number of cabins, cottages and other homes if you'd rather something else?"

"The main house would be very generous, Master Walter. Thank you." Sayoko said.

"Gracias, Master Walter. It's very considerate. I also wish stay in the main house."

Walt nodded."You're both very welcome here. You'll be treated like well. Like family if you wish it. As I said you're my responsibility now." He looked at all the new ladies. "The same goes for all of you. You're all my responsibility now and it's one I take seriously. As you can see."

He swept his arm indicating everything around. "Unlike a normal house, I own almost everything you can see standing here. What little I don't, my company owns. There's plenty of room here for all of you. You have a choice of accommodations that might suit your preferences and needs. There's top notch security here and then beyond that even more security as well as a not so small army to back that up. You can see a small sliver of them now. It has other dangers though as the girls can attest. Wild, ferocious and even poisonous animals. As well as all the hazards you'll find out here. Rock slides, hypothermia and all the other day to day dangers."

He continued. "At my company we have the finest minds and skilled teachers and agents across a variety of different fields and specialities. You can have access to them and what they can teach you. If after sometime giving it a try you prefer not to be here personally owned by me, I'll try to place you with them or somewhere's else that's suitable to your needs and skills that might be fulfilling to you."

He nodded. "I'm your personal owner now. I'd like it if we could be friends and work towards becoming a family." He put his arm around Penny and Neo, who put their arms around the next lady and the next and so on until the original 8 and he are standing, united like that. Sayoko and Roberta both looked at each other and nodded joining in making the others smile. Belonging to a part of a family is something that they both desired and a large part of who they were. Sure they'd been repathed. If he could get it undone it might could get messy but they still deserved to be happy until then and after.

"But I won't **** you either." He said. "The rules here are simple. Make an effort to get along with each other, no attacking each other or others except in Self-defense or instructed to. Try to look out for and support one another. Try to help out where you can. Right now we need chefs to help Kali, myself and the maid team for example-"

Senko quickly raised her hand and after, a bit more timidly, Haruna did as well. Walt smiled. Volunteers already? "Yes?"

Senko smiled and bowed. "Greetings to you all. I am called Senko. I am a divine fox spirit. My strengths and expertise are homemaking, cooking and providing personal care. I would very much like to be of assistance however I may. I think I could do well on both of those teams if you would let me, please?"

Walt looked at Kali and Lita who both nodded. With all these potential extra mouths to feed they'd gladly take her. Walt smiled at Senko. "Are you certain about this Senko?"

Senko smiles happily. "Very much, Master Walter! It would make me very happy! I was very unhappy before and, while you did make a mess in that pretty room last night, you touched me gently, saved me, told me you'd bring me home and you did. Now you freely offer and pledge not only your protection and help but also friendship and family like such a kind and sincere, young man? It makes an old lady very happy!"

Walter blushes but there's a lot of nodding and soft friendly laughter too from the original eight plus Roberta and Sayoko... and Minami as well who steps forward to join the other three.

"You certainly talk a bit like my grandmother, minus the accent, but old lady's a bit much, Senko? You look..." he trailed off realising he was about to step on a potential land mine.

Senko's smile had turned just a little hard and all the other ladies looked at him like he'd watch a bomb disposal specialist. Infact he watched every 3S member deliberately take one more step away from him. He didn't blame them at all. "Ahem, excuse me. I was about to say you look so beautiful and young! It's hard to believe you're..." he gulped and cut the wire. "...18?"

Senko smiled at him warmly then laughed. "I was just teasing you deary to see how you'd react! We foxes like to play. You got yourself out of that predicament quite nicely young man! And since you said such nice things, I'll be honest. I'm actually over 1000. I'm a fully mature zenko or Inari fox. I even have nine tails but it's easier to just manifest the one, especially with my powers sealed. Still..." she blushed and wagged her tail. "You have quite the good manners and a silver tongue. I would like to hear more of that kind of talk sometime, young man!" She stepped up being serious and ernest again. "May I also join your household and family, please?"

Walt smiled. She was a kidder but very sweet. Almost as sweet as Penny, if in a more mature way that didn't fit her young adult appearance. He bent down and kissed her cheek then hugged her and stroked her head. "Of course. Welcome home, Senko!"

Senko hugged him back happily. "Thank you! It's good to be home! I'm looking forward to pampering and caring for you!" She went and introduced herself and hugged everyone else in line too. Walt watched happily as she made so many new friends.

Haruna stepped forward next. "Hello. I'm Haruna and I'm an evolved Goblin called a Goblina. I was formerly from Rimaru in the Jura Tempest Federation." She started shyly but seemed to pluck her courage as she went. "I was a cook as well as a seamstress and attendant. My specialties are cooking and deserts and sewing. I'm also quite proficient at entertaining dignitaries and guests and can preform tea ceremonies and the like. I admit I was scared at first, youre very strong, but now I'm thinking you might be a nice human. I'm not as brave as Ms Senko, but I'd also like to join the cooking or maid team, if I may? A-and maybe the opportunity to become f-friends and family, please?"

Walt smiled and saw the others smiling and nodding too. "Alright, Haruna. We'd all like that very much. Let's put you and Senko primarily on the cooking team and start from there. I'd also like to be friends and maybe more later. So let's be friends and see where it goes from there, sound good to you?"

Walt held out his hand but she stepped forward shyly and hugged him instead, nodding her head. "Yes. Let's be friends. Good friends! That would make me happy!" She liked nice humans and briefly wondered if this was what Rimaru was like as a human. Plus this house had so many different species... just like Jura Tempest! Maybe life could be good here as well!

Haruna went around and introduced herself and hugged everyone else, just like Senko had. Though definitely more timidly. *Seems we started a trend.* Walt thought. *Did Senko do that on purpose trying to help everyone else out?* He looked over at Senko and when she noticed him she grinned and nodded once happily. *Yup. Seems that way! Maybe she really is a demigoddess for happy homes?... Couldn't hurt to put up a small shrine, I suppose... I've got a lot of blessings but this is the first one to come home and live with me.*

It looks like one of the others will go next but seeing her chance Sasha runs right up to stand before Walt and the rest. She raises her hand and waves. "Hello! I'm Shasha! Sasha Blouse!" She snaps to attention giving the Eldian salute! "Permission to join the-"

"Denied." Walt says. "Next!"

Sasha is crest fallen! This was her chance! A super rich guy accepting volunteers for KP duty and he out and out shuts it down! It was like he knew she wanted to just spend her day sneaking food and eating it all! But there's still a chance...

She chokes back her tears and plasters a smile on her face. "Well then how about maid-"

"Denied." Walt stated finally.

Sasha's about to lose it and Walt's had his fun. He really likes characters like her and Nora. But he's not insane enough to put her to work in the kitchen and expect results.

"Sasha Blouse!" He used his field voice and she immediately came to attention again, as did every 3S member on that side of the mountain. "We have a very special position reserved for Sasha Blouse! In exchange for working in the barns with the animals she will recieve no less than three double portion meals a day as well as bi-hourly snack privileges if the job is done well! She will also have to help the commander on hunting and fishing trips as well as drink beer with him, like a friend!" He sees her shaking with excitement. "Does Scout Sasha Blouse accept the appointment to the position and the rank of drinking buddy?"

"Sir! Yes, Sir!" She says with tears in her eyes! "It's actually better this way! I gladly accept and thank you, Sir!"

"Very good!" Then Walt smiles and places a hand on her shoulder and says tenderly. "Welcome home, my friend. No more walls and no more wars for you soldier, if you don't want. Whenever you want to go somewhere or see something you let me know and I'll make it happen. We'll go together if we can. Promise. "

He turns her around and points out Raylan. "Your first order my drinking buddy is to go to the man in the hat over there and get yourself a drink. We already had one earlier, so you're one behind. Then join us for breakfast later. Can do?"

Sasha nods. "Can do!" She gives him a hug crying! This really was better! "Thank you, Walter!"

He hugs her back. "You're so very welcome, Sasha!"

She steps back laughing. Then quickly introduces herself to everyone else before leaping over the railing with a happy yell and off the porch running in Raylan's direction. She was moving so fast Walt thought she might be wearing ODM gear if he didn't know better. Penny squeezed his hand as he watched her go.

"That was a very nice thing you did for her." Penny said smiling as they watched her practically tackle Raylan. "She's special to you, isn't she?"

Walt nodded. "She's a good person with a good heart. Her world was cruel and a lot of her life too... and her **** was tragic. She deserved better. She is special... you all are."

Penny nodded and laid her head on his shoulder as they watched two new friends.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse also with Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique and Pirotess

Will Return In

New Arrivals Pt 2

Coming Soon]