Old friends

By the time the weekend rolls around, everyone is excited for the cookout over at Dave and Lisa’s house. Sirona is a bit nervous, having never met them, but the other girls do a great job of calming her and telling her all about them. For the first time, there’s too many of you to all fit in one car, especially with both Sirona and Kenna being larger than most, so Dakota takes her car as well.

Kenna and Mazzy decide to ride with Dakota, leaving you with the quiet car. Sirona sits in back with Ellie, and the two of them have a quiet conversation on the short drive. So quiet, in fact, that you have no idea what they’re talking about. In the end, though, they both are smiling when they get out of the car, so you count it as a win.

Dakota’s car pulls up, ant the occupants are decidedly less quiet. Laughing and shouting, the three of them pile out and join you. As your group moves toward the gate, Sirona takes your hand, giving you a nervous smile. You squeeze her hand, leading her towards the back yard.

Out back, you’re greeted immediately with a now familiar scene. Dave is at the grill, of course, and he waves as you and the girls approach. Lisa, wearing another of her seemingly endless supply of floral dresses, is setting out plates and snacks. Saya, the huge but surprisingly shy orc, is sitting in a chair next to Katie, the slime girl. When she sees Sirona with you, Lisa sets down the food she’s carrying and hurries over to say hello.

“Oh, hi! You must be Sirona. We heard so much about you from Brian and the girls, it’s a pleasure meeting you!”

Sirona is squeezing your hand almost painfully, but she manages to answer normally. “Hi…the others told me about all of you too. It’s nice to…meet you, Lisa.”

Lisa laughs. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I’ll back off, I can see you’re going to break Brian’s hand soon! Just relax, there’s no pressure here. We’re all practically family now.”

Sirona loosens her grip slightly, blushing. “Thanks…”

Lisa smiles, backing off and walking over to chat with Dakota, who immediately hugs her. Their loud conversation draws in Mazzy, and you’re sure the three of them will be plotting something soon. Sirona slips away, joining Ellie in conversation with Saya, the three shy girls all finding common ground between them.

You walk over to talk with Dave, finding Kenna there already. The two of them are having an animated discussion about food, of course. You note that the dragon girl somehow has already acquired a burger, and between sentences she takes bites.

Dave laughs as you approach. “Brian, aren’t you feeding this poor girl? She practically raced over to take a burger!”

You roll your eyes. “Yeah, Kenna is hungry. Always.”

Kenna puts on an indignant face. “Hmph. A dragon needs to fuel herself, my mate!”

With that she walks away. To get more food. Both you and Dave chuckle, and he shakes his head. “Fun lady. I like her.”

You nod. “Me too. Obviously. So, how are you doing?”

Dave shrugs. “Quit my job.”

You look at him, surprised. “Really? Why?”

He smiles. “After they canned you, a bunch of us did. For me, it was only a matter of time before the boss found out about Katie and Saya. A couple of the other guys are thinking about checking out the AWIO too, after hearing about you and your family.”

You nod. “And that wouldn’t go over well with the racist old man.”

Dave grins. “Exactly. So, a bunch of us quit. Most of us found other work quickly, though. I’m working for a different construction company now, one that doesn’t care one way or another about monster girls.”

You smile. “Sounds like an improvement.”

Dave laughs again. “I’d say! Got a pay raise out of it too. Good all around. How about you, how’s the desk jockey life treating you?”

You shrug. “I like it. Yeah, the paperwork sucks, but it really feels like I’m helping people.”

Dave nods. “I get it. Hey, don’t be surprised if you see a few of the boys from work showing up, I told them we have a connection on the inside.”

You feign ignorance. “Oh? Who?”

Dave rolls his eyes at you, and both of you laugh. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Mazzy and Katie sneaking off into the house, and you notice that Dakota and Lisa are already missing. You chuckle and shake your head.