Pleasant greetings

Emi practically drags you down to the car on her excitement. As you drive away, the cat girl is bouncing in her seat, something you’d expect from Lili more than Emi. You’re not surprised to see it, however. Despite your intentions to keep in touch with Mark and Alice, things have been too crazy lately for you to follow up. Hopefully they’re doing well.

It’s not a long drive to Mark’s house, and soon you’re pulling up out front. As a precaution, you look around carefully, but it doesn’t seem like anyone is watching the place. The two of you get out and walk up to the door, and you knock, remembering how cautious Mark was last time.

After a short pause, the door opens, and Mark smiles when he sees you. “Well hello, stranger. Was wondering if we’d ever see you again. Come on in.”

You chuckle as you walk in. “Yeah, sorry about that. Things have been…busy.”

Alice emerges from a hallway, dressed casually in shorts and a t-shirt, and Emi immediately runs over to hug her. “Alice, hi!”

The fox girl seems surprised for a moment, and then her face lights up in a smile as she returns the hug. “Emi! It’s good to see you, dear!”

Mark laughs. “Well. It looks like the girls are happy to see each other again too.”

You nod, watching the two Hybrids embracing happily. Aside from their background, the two couldn’t be more different. Emi, scarred and three eared, with her short black hair and slim body, stands in stark contrast to the curvy red haired fox girl, who looks like she walked out of a teenage boy’s fantasy. Both are beautiful, but very different. They finally separate, and Emi is all smiles as she moves back to your side, taking your hand and squeezing tightly.

She looks up at you. “Would you mind if Alice and I go off and talk privately? Girl stuff, you know.”

You shrug. “I don’t mind. Mark, Alice?”

Mark shrugs as well. “Not my call, she’s her own woman.”

Alice laughs. “That’s not what you say at night, love.”

Mark blushes, and both girls laugh. Alice smiles at Emi. “We can go in the bedroom if you want to talk privately.”

Emi nods. “Thanks!”

Alice glances at you and Mark. “No spying, boys. Girls only!”

Both women giggle again as they disappear down the hallway. Mark chuckles, shaking his head. “Getting them together is trouble. She already runs the show here, and I’m sure it’s the same for you and Emi.”

You laugh. “It does seem like that sometimes.”

Mark gestures towards the couch, and you both sit, making yourselves comfortable. “So. Is this a social call, or is something important going on?”

You lean back, taking a deep breath. “Well, a bit of both, though admittedly it’s less social than it probably should be.”

Mark nods. “I could tell. You looked very serious when I opened the door. What’s happening?”

You chuckle. “How much do you want to know?”

“Spill it, man. We’re all in this together, after all.”

You nod. “Fair. I suppose I’ll tell you everything I know…”