Always a Delta

Jack was faster. He grabbed the man's arm, twisting it behind his back and slamming him face-first into the bar.

One of the minions let out a primitive yell and jumped forward in defense of his master. Jack grabbed the whiskey a confused Millia had just placed on the counter and threw the contents in the minion's face. Blinded and sputtering, Jack stomped his shoe at the jointure behind his knee, making the minion fall down on all fours with a cry of pain, then pulled out a chair, placing the legs on each side of his head with the conjoining bar across his neck, and pushed down. The man immediately stopped struggling, unable to move his neck at all.

The big man with the thick neck gave out a strangely feminine giggle of amusement. "I love this show," he said with a grin. "We should bring newcomers more often!" The gorgeous woman next to him punched his arm and shook her head.

"What the fuck did you do that for?" the man with the neck locked against the bar growled. Jack pushed down on his arm, and he groaned in pain.

"What do you mean, 'what did I do that for'? You're the one that tried to punch me," Jack said. "I'm just doing my job and keeping the peace. I think we need to call the police, Millia."

"Yes, of course," Millia said. She seemed to be enjoying the spectacle unfolding before her. “I’ll send a messenger as soon as I find one with the appropriate endurance to make the run.”

"No! Don't call the cops!" the man begged. "Look, I'm sorry. We got a little carried away, but we don't want any trouble. We're just here to have a good time."

"Really? Are you sure?" Jack asked. "Because it looked like you were trying to start a fight with me. And then it looked like you succeeded.”

"I swear, that's not what we meant to do," the man said quickly. "Please, we were just trying to impress the ladies, man... you know how it is, right? You get it, bro?"

Jack considered him for a moment. "Yeah, alright. I'll let you go with a warning this time," he said finally. "But I expect the ladies to remain wholly unimpressed during the remainder of your stay."

The man nodded vigorously. "Absolutely, man. You have my word. Come on, guys, let's get back to our seats. I'll help Mr. Grant here get back on his feet."

Jack stood back up, releasing the chair from the neck of the man on his knees. "You do that," he said. "And remember, we're watching you." He made a show of turning to Thomas and Millia. "See? Peace restored. Just another day at the office for your friendly neighborhood bouncer, huh?" he said, patting himself on the shoulder and giving a thumbs up to the big man who gave a hearty laugh and raised his drink in a gesture of 'cheers'.

"Thanks, Jack," Liza said from the side where she had been watching the spectacle. "You could've done it without wasting a perfectly fine glass of laphroaig 18, though." She looked at the glass on the floor.

"My bad," Jack said. "Next round is on me." He winked at the women of the Smith party who were watching the display with amused eyes. They all smiled back at him.

"So, where are we on those drinks?" the first man who'd come up to the bar asked. He was rubbing his arm, wincing slightly. A red line covered his brow where it had connected with the bar top.

"Millia?" Jack asked, turning to the nymph, who was regarding Jack with a strange expression in her eyes.

"Um, yes. Right away," she said, snapping out of her trance. Jack watched as she quickly got to work mixing drinks, her face flushing as the men's eyes followed her every move. Yet she glanced at Jack a few more times while serving the drinks, though trying her best to hide it. Jack just raised his eyebrows at her, amused. She quickly turned away, busying herself with serving the drinks and pressing the enchanted glass of the magical tablet.

As Millia worked, Jack noticed Liza watching her with interest. The nymph was clearly drawing a lot of attention, and not just from the customers. Jack had a feeling that Liza would be making a move soon, and he intended to use it to his advantage.

"Jack, come here," Liza called out a little while later. Jack made his way over to her, his eyes scanning the club for any signs of trouble.

"What's up, boss?" he asked.

"I've been thinking," Liza said, leaning in close to him. "Millia seems like a real asset. I think we should keep her around for a while."

"Oh? That's great!" Jack said, trying to sound surprised. "I told you she'd be good for the club."

"Of course, you did," Liza agreed. "And I think she has a lot more potential than just serving drinks. What do you think about training her as a dancer?"

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Really? You think she has what it takes?" He glanced over at Millia, who was busy serving drinks to a group of appreciative men.

Liza followed his gaze, her eyes roaming over the nymph's curves. "Oh, I think she definitely has what it takes," she said, licking her lips. "Don't you?"

Jack shrugged. "I mean, she's not bad to look at. But I don't know if she has the skills for that kind of work."

"What kind of 'skills' are you referring to, Jack?" Liza asked, a smirk playing on her lips.

"You know what I mean," Jack said. He knew exactly where this was going, and he was more than happy to play along.

Liza leaned in closer, her breath hot against his ear. "Listen, Jack. I think you and I could both benefit from Millia's... talents. And I'm willing to make it worth your while if you can convince her to give dancing a try."

Jack turned to look at her, a fake look of surprise on his face. "You're propositioning me, Liza?" he asked.

She laughed. "I wouldn't call it a proposition. More like a mutually beneficial arrangement. So, what do you say? Are you interested?"

Jack pretended to consider it for a moment. "Well, I suppose I could talk to her about it. See if she's interested."

"That's all I'm asking," Liza said, patting him on the arm. "Let me know what she says."

"Will do," Jack said, giving her a wink and a pat back, activating Breath of Aphrodite as he did so. Liza's eyes widened slightly, and a soft gasp escaped her lips. Jack fought down a grin as he watched the effect of his touch spread through her body, causing her to shudder slightly. "Can't make any promises though. Millia can be stubborn."

Liza nodded. "I understand. Just do your best, okay?" Her voice was slightly husky, and Jack knew he had her right where he wanted her.

"Absolutely, boss," he said. He gave her another wink before walking away, knowing that she would be watching his every move. He made his way back over to Millia, who looked up at him as he approached.

"Hey," he said. "Having fun?"

Millia rolled her eyes. "This is ridiculous," she said. "These humans have no self-respect. They're all just a bunch of slobbering animals."

"Well, yeah. That's kind of the point of a place like this," Jack said with a shrug. "People come here to let loose and have a good time. And from the looks of it, you're helping them do just that."

Millia looked around the club, noticing the attention she was drawing from the male patrons. She frowned, clearly uncomfortable with it.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked her.

"It's just... I don't know how to deal with this kind of attention," she admitted. "In Mother's realm, things are different. The men there would never be so bold as to stare at me like this."

Jack chuckled. "You mean to tell me that the personal realm of the Goddess of Lust and Desire is more chaste than a nightclub?"

Millia blushed. "Well, when you put it like that, it sounds strange. But it's true, at least for me. The men in Mother's realm know better than to cross me."

"Yeah, well, these men don't know who you are," Jack pointed out. "To them, you're just another hot girl serving drinks."

"I suppose that's true," Millia said, biting her lip. "But still, I don't like it. I feel... exposed."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "And that's bad?" he asked, enjoying her discomfort. "You don't like showing your body off?"

"Of course not, you brute!" Millia exclaimed, though her face turned pink at his words. "My body is my own, and I don't feel the need to flaunt it for the benefit of men I don't even care about!"

"Maybe not," Jack said. "But you do look good in that chiton. And the way these guys are staring at you? It's pretty clear that they like what they see."

Millia's blush deepened. "Stop it," she said, pushing at his chest. "You're just trying to embarrass me."

Jack held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just telling it like it is," he said. "You can't blame a guy for stating the obvious."

Millia glared at him, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes now. "Mayhaps you're projecting your own lecherous thoughts onto these men," she suggested. "Conjuring a false reflection through the actions of your fellow brutes?" She smiled sweetly.

Jack laughed, looking around the club. "And maybe the divine nymph needs glasses?" he said. Millia opened her mouth to retort but was interrupted when the big guy from before approached the bar.

"Hi again!" he said cheerfully, his Adam's apple bobbing as he spoke. "Can I get another drink, please? A martini for me, and one of those Aphrodite things for my beautiful friend over there." He pointed to the gorgeous woman who had been with him earlier. Jack noticed that she seemed to be the only one of the women in the party that hadn't approached the bar to order drinks, instead remaining seated next to the man who had previously tried to punch Jack in the face, trying to ignore the man as he undoubtedly explained how he was just about to turn the tables during the fight before it ended.

"As you wish," Millia said, turning to make their drinks.

"And listen," the big guy added, leaning in a bit. "I just wanted to apologize again for my buddy's behavior earlier. He can get a little out of hand sometimes."

"Oh, it's okay," Millia said with a smile. "No harm done. Jack here took care of it."

"Yeah, I saw that," the man agreed. "Jack always protects his girls, doesn’t he?"

Millia's eyes flashed dangerously. "I am not Jack's girl," she said. "And I don't need anyone's protection."

"Ooh, I see that," the man laughed. "Sorry if I offended you there, princess. I meant he always has the backs of the wonderful ladies working the bars of this fine establishment." He gestured towards the other bartenders.

"Oh," Millia said, glancing at Jack. "Well, in that case, you're forgiven."

"Good. I'm glad," the big man said with a chuckle. "I hate to offend such a spirited young lady such as yourself." He patted her hand gently before picking up the drinks and heading back to his friends.

"He's charismatic," Millia observed as they watched him walk away.

"Yeah, that's Marcus," Jack said. "Looks like a grizzly but is really just a teddy bear. He's one of our best customers, too."

"Hmm. He does seem like a better specimen than most," Millia agreed. "At least he has manners." She turned to Jack suddenly. "So, tell me. How did you subdue those men so easily? Even the biggest one? Are you a warrior among your people?" Her eyes scanned his body sceptically. "You seem rather obese for someone in such a position of strength and dominance."

Jack laughed. "Well, I used to be. I was in the military for a long time. Too long." He glanced down at his body, aware of the weight he had put on since his discharge. "I let myself go a bit after that. But some things never leave."

"I am unfamiliar with that word. Military?" Millia asked.

"Just what we call the branch of our state that handles war," Jack explained. "You know, fighting, killing, that kind of thing."

"Ah. And were you a warrior of renown in this 'military'?" the nymph asked.

"Yeah, you could say that," Jack replied. "I was in a very specialized unit. Did some pretty high-level stuff."

"Like what?" Millia was watching him closely now, clearly interested. "Tell me about your conquests, mortal warrior. How many men did you slay?"

Jack smirked. "I stopped keeping count after a while," he said. "Let's just say I saw my fair share of battle."

Millia's eyes widened. "Impressive," she murmured. "This unit of yours, was it made up of only the fiercest warriors in the land?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Jack said. "Only the best were accepted into Selection. Even then, most didn't make it through the training."

"And you did?" Millia looked at him with newfound respect.

"Yeah, I did." Jack suddenly felt the need for a drink.

"So, you were like one of Leonidas' chosen few? A warrior of the 300?" The nymph was clearly excited by this idea. "A legendary warrior of your land, feared by your enemies and admired by your people?"

Jack snorted. "Well, not exactly. I mean, we were good and all, but it's not like we were famous or anything."

"But surely your prowess in battle earned you great renown among your people," Millia pressed, confused. "Did they sing songs of your conquests? Tell tales of your bravery to their children?"

Jack shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. "No songs, no tales. At least, none that the common man would hear. Delta **** doesn't fight for glory. We fight to protect our country, nothing else."

Millia considered this for a moment. "And yet, you are not still fighting," she observed. "Why is that? Did you fall in battle? Sustain some grievous wound that **** you to lay down your arms?" Her eyes roamed over his body, as if searching for scars.

"I was injured, yeah," Jack admitted. "But really, I'd just reached my limit. It was time for me to move on."

"And now Mother has **** you to pick up your spear again," Millia said quietly. "To be her warrior. To fight in her name. Many would consider it unjust, considering... everything."

Jack kept the smile as he leaned forward over the bar. "You want to know the truth, Millia?" he asked. "The truth is, this life wasn't for me. It turned me into something I'm not. A soft shell of who I used to be."

"But you are still a warrior," Millia insisted. "You proved that earlier."

"Yeah, I am. But I'd forgotten it until your mother reminded me." Jack's eyes met Millia's, and he could see the understanding there. "I'd lost myself, Millia. But now? Now I'm remembering who I am."

Millia nodded, her expression serious. "I see," she said. Then, her face softened into a small smile. "You are not what I expected, Jack Temple. Perhaps Mother was right to choose you as her champion after all."

"Thanks," Jack said, returning her smile. "I think."

"You will teach me, Jack Temple." Millia proclaimed firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument. "You will teach me to be a warrior like you."

"Oh really?" Jack asked, amused. "And here I thought you didn't need protection?" He grinned at her.

Millia scowled. "I don't, not against any mortal adversary at least. But we won't be facing just mortals in this coming conflict, now will we? We will be facing other beings like me and you. Champions, monsters, creatures of myth and legend. I won't stand defenceless when we do. So I need you to teach me how to fight."

Jack considered her for a moment. He had to admit, she wasn't wrong. And it would be a good way of getting some of the rust out of his own system too. "Alright," he agreed finally. "But don't expect any special treatment just because you're a goddess' daughter, understood? I'm going to train you just like I would any other recruit."

Millia smirked. "Understood."

"Wonderful," Jack said as he saw Liza closing in on them from the corner of his eye. "And in return, you'll agree to Liza's suggestion of turning you into a dancer in this club." He quickly leaned back as Liza came to a halt beside them, quenching the words of indignation about to burst out of the nymph's lips.