Apathetic introduction

After a bit of teasing from Alicia, and plenty of eye rolling from Damon, the three of them get underway. The streets are beginning to become somewhat familiar to Mike, and though there’s no roadblock this time, they are soon turning into the same alley where they were ambushed before. This time, however, there’s no waiting group of goons. Instead, a single person, dressed in black leather. Melody grins as the car pulls up.

“Was wondering how long I’d have to wait here! Hopefully those assholes at the security office didn’t bother you too much.”

Alicia smiles as she gets out of the car. “It wasn’t too bad, actually. I think Mike might have a new admirer!”

Mike chuckles. “I didn’t even do anything!”

Melody laughs. “You don’t need to, you’re just a cutie! Now, is the other guy coming with?”

She gestures towards the car, where Damon is still sitting. He shakes his head and makes a shooing gesture. Alicia laughs. “I don’t think he wants any part of this.”

Melody shrugs. “His loss. Shoulda brought the other girl, she seemed fun. C’mon, I’ll introduce you to my crew.”

With that, she leads Mike and Alicia into a side alley. Opening a side door, she heads inside, and they follow. They find themselves in a large room, with several people lounging on chairs and couches. Melody waves to the group, and gets a chorus of halfhearted waves and grunts in response.

She laughs. “Everyone’s already a little high, so don’t worry about the lazy jerks.”

One man, a gigantic Dunori leaning on a wall and holding a big bottle of some type of alcohol, grumbles. “Hey, fuck you, Mel. Some of us are just drunk.”

Mike and Alicia look at Melody, alarmed, but she just laughs. “Stop acting tough, Jack. We all know you’re just a big teddy bear.”

The huge man grins, pushing himself off the wall and walking over. “Fair enough. It’s fun to scare the new people a little, though.”

He extends a huge hand to shake, and Mike takes it. Jack has a firm grip, and chuckles. “So, you’re the alien everyone’s talking about, hmm? Here to finally tame Mel?”

Melody laughs. “Hardly! But I hear he’s got a magic dick, so I figured I’d take it for a ride!”

Jack rolls his eyes, then looks to Alicia. “And who’s the cutie, here?”

Alicia blushes. “Alicia. I’m a scientist working with Mike. And…I’m here to join in.”

Jack laughs. “I hope you’re sturdier than you look, then! Whatever, not really my business. Let me introduce you two to the others.”

He points towards a large lump under a blanket on a couch. “That lazy pile over there is my sister, Ellie.”

An arm pokes out of the pile, holding up a middle finger. A muffle voice grumbles. “It’s nap time, fuck off. Melody can show off her pet alien when she finishes fucking him.”

Melody laughs. “Whatever. The three playing cards are Dani, Nate, and Keith.”

The three Tyrii two men and a woman, look up and nod, then go back to their game, seemingly indifferent to the arrival of guests. Melody shrugs. “I warned everyone that you’d be coming, so no one really cares. Don’t take it personal. And the loner over there is Ethan.”

Seated in a chair in the corner is a muscular Fanir smoking a cigarette. He lifts it in greeting before taking a pull and going back to staring into space. Jack laughs, shaking his head. “We really don’t make a good first impression, do we. You caught us on a lazy day is all.”

Mike chuckles. “It’s fine, I’ve had days like that.”

Melody looks at Mike and Alicia, a grin on her face. “Not today, I hope! I was promised a good fuck!”

Jack laughs, walking back to lean on the wall and taking a swig of his drink. “Just don’t break them, Mel. I don’t want to have to explain that to the cops.”

Melody winks. “You’re just jealous.”

She turns to Mike and Alicia.