Hang Your Hat Pt 4 Ice Cream

I watched the scenery go by as the truck rolled down the road.

After Walter had thrown several large coolers in the back of the truck they had left. It took a long while to leave the ranch and almost as long to leave rhe 3S areas and base they passed through. It was one thing to fly over it or see the things that Friday had shown to them. It was another entirely to be in it. Especially when I had slipped the glasses on and the information started popping up on all the things, equipment, facilities, people and characters started coming in. I had to take them off. It was too distracting.

It was another thing to see how important Walt was. Snappy salutes and cries of "Sir" and "Boss" which Walter would return but quickly dismissed. Almost everyone was genuinely happy though and not just to see him. Walter hid it well but I could tell all the attention embarrassed him some. I was an expert at reading people.

The attention I was receiving was almost as embarrassing! They were all curious about me and the men seemed to keep giving their "Boss" thumbs-ups and the like. The ladies were even worse. Wanting to know how close we were and gushing other personal questions. Walt brushed them off and deflected as much as possible though.

Still it was a lot to take in and getting in and out took time. When we'd finally left and were on their own again she was happy... which was a strange feeling for me. I hadn't been happy in a longtime. I hadn't had a lot of experience with "happiness".

"If you'd like you can turn on the radio, Neo."

I looked at him and shook my head. He nodded and then he smiled at me. It was a nice smile. Unguarded. Genuine. No deeper meaning. No hidden subtext. He was happy and he was with me. I was with him and it made him happy. I smiled too.

He turned back to the road in silence, still smiling. Quiet. He was like that. He'd happily talk a lot and then not say anything for just as long. When he spoke it wasn’t just to fill the silence.

Silence.

Silence was one of the things that bothered most people. My Silence bothered people. My parents...

No. I shook my head. That was the past and I didn't want to think about the past right now.

The thing was my silence didn't bother him. My inability speak. He just accepted it. Never once brought up the subject of "fixing" it. I didn't want to be fixed. I hadn't broken yet no matter how hard the world had tried. He gave me different options instead.

He turned to me raised his eyebrow and nodded. We were about to pass a gas station. I looked at the gauges but everything was fine. He was asking me if I wanted to stop. I shook my head. He nodded.

He was willing to communicate with me my way. He wanted to communicate with me. Not many did. In my experience most people shut me out of communications because they didn't want to spend the extra effort. To much effort. Laziness.

He was the opposite of that.

He seemed to relish doing things the harder way and not the convenient way. He was patient and hard working too. The process was as important as the result to him.

He could have had the supplies delivered. He could have chosen a faster mode of transportation. He could have had an army of underlings take care of it for him.

He didn't because he chose to do it this way. The way that took effort. The long way. The way that took time. And he chose to spend that time with me.

He said a lot when he wasn't saying anything at all.

His actions spoke volumes.

I liked that about him.

Apparently he liked that about me too.

I slid accross the seat and rested my head against his shoulder.

I liked this short trip already.

"Alpha 1 to base."

"This is base, Alpha 1. Go ahead."

"We have visuals on the primary and secondary. Status update the ice cream has begun to soften. I say again the ice cream has begun to soften. Over."

There's footage of Neo leaning against Walt.

"Recieved. Alpha 1. We confirm Target "Ice Cream" is softening."

Meanwhile back home

"So they just went out?" Blake asked.

"Yes. We needed supplies so Lifts-Her-Tail and I made a list for Walter. He took Neo with him. There are nine of us here now," Kali said. "If you all think of something you need-"

"Ninjas of Love!"

"You don't "need" that dear. You want it. If you need something tell Friday and she'll put it on the list of things to get while they're out."

"But what if I really want-"

"Blake honey," Kali told her daughter, "you already feel bad for the way you trested the man. Please do not ask him to pick up your smut for you, alright? Apparently that's what something called the interweb is for." Kali blushes. "Or so I've heard."

The truck pulls into the parking lot. He looked over. "While we're out filling the list let me know if there's anything in particular you want for yourself, Neo."

I couldn't help myself, "anything" was too easy. I smirked at him and raised my eyebrow.

He looked and laughed. "Depends on what it is. We'll see what you pick." But he didn't say no. He's playing with me because he wants to. He enjoys it. I do too. It's fun! He reminds of Roman that way. I think I've played more with this man in such a short time then all the time since Roman died. What does that say about my life the last couple years?

We pull into a place called Mallmart. And get out of the truck. Walt is saying something about how he should go to "Costco" instead but sometimes time and dimensions go breakdown and he doesn't want to deal with that on a day off. I didn't quite follow but I get that he doesn't want a distraction. I don't want that either.

But then I see that cape! Walt tries to say something to stop me but I charge at her-

"Rew-bae Rose!"

She turns around and it's not her! She looks totally different from before is part of it but there's just a feeling I get but that's not "her".

The Ruby Rose before me is extremily pregnant and already carrying two other screaming brats. Her face is lined and haggard, a cigarette dangling from her lip. "Daddy's Bitch" is tattooed around her neck. Her once bright silver eyes look at me dull and lifeless. "Oh... "she says,"it's a Neo... 'sup?"

"Rew-Bae Rose!!! Yew git yo ass in this he-ah truck this instant! Yew he-ah me woman! The game is 'bout ta stah-ta! An' shut them brahts up!"

She doesn't even hardly react. Its normal to her. She just says in a flat monotone, "Later..." and waddles over to a beat up pickup truck where a fat, slovenly looking man heaps more verbal **** upon her as they leave.

I look at Walt and he just nods. It was a Ruby Rose even if it wasn't the one I want. I should feel something about her and her fate... but all I can think is thank the brothers... thank the brothers my owner isn't like that...

He offered me his arm and I smiled and I took it. We walked into the store.

"Base to Bravo Team. Sitrep."

"Bravo Leader here Base. Encountered a withered rose. Ice Cream was about meltdown but withered rose fell. Meltdown was averted. Repeat. Meltdown averted. Targets "Boss" and "Ice Cream" leaving the area. Handing off to Charlie Team. Over."

The monitors show Neo taking Walt's arm as they enter the store. There's a lot of murmurs and sighs of relief. For many of them there's a lot riding on this operation. They personally want to see a "win" on this one.

"Base to Bravo Leader. Understood. Good work Bravo Team. Continue mission. Over."

Meanwhile back at home

Pyrrha and Sienna return from the gym to find the rest watching something on the big view screen.

"What's this your watching?"

"It is something my friends recommended. #YorHarleyQuinnChannel." Penny said. "Dr Quinn gives advice and answers characters questions. She's also made pamphlets and booklets to order on several subjects. Walt told me to order all of them if I wanted to so that's what Friday and I did. They are over there on the table."

They look at the literature on the table. There were titles like "A Characters Primer to Prime", "Settling in to Your New Home" and "Characters and the Law" that seem to cover a broad base of helpful information, handy tips and useful things to know.

There were other titles too. "Sharing and Caring in a Harem" and "Zen and the Art of Sex Toy Maintenence" for instance that seemed a bit more specialized on certain topics.

Blake was absorbed in reading "Butt That Hurts So Good!: Learning, Liking and Asking for Anal, A Beginner's Guide". She was blushing furiously and muttering to herself. "...I can't believe another "me" told Penny to show "me" this..." as she kept reading.

"I'm sure she meant to be helpful and educational, dear." Kali said reading her own booklet. "There's no telling how other versions of us have turned out here or how we might change ourselves, given time and experience."

Sienna peaked at the title Kali was reading "Learning to Love Your Owner and Yourself" and gave her a hard look. Kali closes it quickly and sets it down. "It was simply the next one in the pile." She said with her finger in the pages marking where she'd left off. Sienna shakes her head.

Pyrrha sits with the others on yhe couch. "What's today's subject?"

"The importance of finding your "role". Most characters are purchased with either a labor, skill or service role already in mind by their owners." Penny said. "But she's saying you can discover something that you want to do for yourself that you'll find fullfilling as well. A hobby, an interest or joining a group or club, for example. For instance her owner let her create this channel."

Pyrrha looks thoughtful. "Walter is unique that way isn't he? He didn't really buy us with any specific goals, except for Lifts-Her-Tail?"

Lifts-Her-Tail nodded. "True and master asked me if I wanted to be the maid before purchasing me. He had something in mind but I had the option to say "no" to him. Kali chooses to be chef for herself."

Kali looks up. "That's true. He asked us to try to find ways to help out. I like cooking so I kind of decided that was something I could do to help."

"Ahnassi, wonders if there's something she can do? Hmmmm..." Ahnassi says. The others look thoughtful as well.

"I wonder what my "role" is?" Penny thinks aloud. The others laugh. "I don't understand. Why is that funny?"

"Penny," says Pyrrha pointing at the screen drawing her attention.

[The Dr Harleen "Harley Quinn" Quinzel is saying,"...but whatever "job" or "role" you discover for yourself it's very important in a group of characters to recognize who the "head" is! Especially in a group of ladies or a harem! The "head lady" or "guy" is thier owners right hand character and special to them. They usually have authority and agency over the others and runs the house. The home is their domain and they rule it for their owner. Their function is like a spouse and it's not unusual for some owners to even marry their top characters. Respect them and follow their lead. Each one will be different, like every owner is different. Keep them happy and your owner will probably be happy too! And they'll be happy with you! Well that's about all the time for todays episode, boys and girls! Thanks again for tuning in and sending us all your questions, comments and likes!"

"This has been Yor," the not quite as talkative but very beautiful other lady says holding up a sign #YorHarleyQuinnChannel bashfully

"And Harley Quinn at "Yor Harley Quinn Channel"! Bye!... Yor, I've told you before don't hold the sign so high. It's Important that they can see the girls...Yor, the eye candy!... lol. Get it?! Huh?! I crack me up!" The episode ends.]

"Oh!" Says Penny. "I'm Walt's "head girl" then?"

Everybody else nods.

We're going down another aisle of various products. He stops pushing the cart. He's looking at products while wearing the glasses and consulting with Friday. "Maybe you can help me with this, Neo?"

He's asking for my help with something? I give him a a shrug and a nod.

He's rubbing the back of his neck. It's one of his cues when he's not sure about something. "The ladies asked me for specific sents of soaps and things but I honestly don't know which ones smell "good" or not..."

I chuckle. Yes, that would be a conundrum for most men. It's a little annoying to think about the others when it's our alone time but he specifically asked me to help. And he didn't hesitate to ask for my input which is nice.

I think about teasing him but he's uncomfortable as it is. I'll be nice this time. I nod and put the glasses on while he sighs in relief. "Thank you, Neo dear."

I try not to blush as I start looking at the list of requests Friday shows me. I start smelling the lavender ones trying to pick one Kali might like. He dies that with me so often. "Neo dear", "dear Neo" and the like. It also makes me happy.

I start picking out products I think the girls will like and put them in the cart. He sees something and I can tell he's going to do it again.

He says "one moment" and walks over to offer to help some one. It's a short blue character. She wants something from the top shelf. He smiles and nods pointing and then nods grabbing the items she needs. Last aisle it was an elderly woman and two before that it was some children. She thanks him for his help and he brushes it off. He walks back over after waving 'goodbye'.

Walt thinks about others a lot. It's kind of his thing I've noticed. He's not usually pushy with it like some "hero" types can be, which is good. Being a "boyscout" is a term I overheard used earlier so I looked it up with Friday. Yeah that's pretty accurate. It gives him a boyish charm despite his age and size.

"Sorry about that," he says and I shake my head. It's somewhat nice to see. Endearing. I wonder... maybe I'll try that out and test it for myself. I'm curious to see how he'll respond if it's me.

He's looking at something so I get his attention.

"Base to Charlie Team."

"Charlie Leader. Go ahead Base."

"The "Boss" spotted a goldilocks heading towards their position and has given the signal. You have a green light for non lethal take down. Repeat non lethal takedown for goldilocks. Make it happen before the pun please."

"Copy Base. Charlie two and Charlie Six. Put goldilocks to bed."

The monitors show two operatives quickly knock out a random Yang and carry her over to the "furniture dept". They put her down in a chair and place a hat over her face. Just like Teddie, Chandler, Austin Powers, Peter Parker... and a slew of "Karens". A Mallmart manager gives them a thumbs-up.

"Charlie Two here. Goldilocks is taking a nap. Over."

"Good work Charlie Two and Six. Stay alert Charlie Team. It looks like "Ice Cream" is going to make a move."

"Copy. Standing By"

I show him that I got most everything. He smiles at me and nods. But then I point up towards the higher shelves.

He looks at me and I smirk. He knows I don't usually like someone helping me and with my skills I could be up there light as a feather myself. It's a test. What will he do?

He shrugs and smiles. I have a sinking feeling that I miscalculated something by being cocky again! He quickly puts his big strong hands arond my waist and gently picks me up. I'm blushing (but also excited?!) and afraid he's going to hoist me like a child embarrassingly. But he doesn't! He sets me on his shoulder instead. And not a piggyback. He's perched me onto his shoulder like helping a lady sit a horse side saddle.

He removes those hands. Those big powerful, gentle hands! He looks up at me and smiles. He's helped me help myself. Supporting me! Of course, he is. I should have known.

It should be embarrassing for him but he's not in the slightest! I can feel his breath on my leg and his face is so close to my butt and thighs. It's exciting and playful. I'm blushing but laughing! I stroke his face and nod. He didn't pass my lottle test. He shattered it! He's going to be a great partner!

I pretend to consider the items, take one and hand it to him. He places it in the cart. I pat his shoulder. He understands and starts pushing the cart forward as I cross my legs happy with this position, twirling my parasol.

I'm looking forward to ice cream.

There's happy cheering as people watch the action on the monitors. Close ups show Walt and Neo's faces grinning and laughing while happily blushing. He occasionally strokes her leg and she plays with his hair or ear as they keep shopping like that.

"Charlie Leader to Base. Confirmed critcal hit by "Boss". "Ice Cream" has softened and begun to melt."

Men are cheering while ladies are squealing. This is what everyone was hoping for. The operation is going exceptionally well!

"Base to Charlie Team. We confirm that. Over. All teams. Everything is proceeding nicely. Be ready to proceed with Operational phase "Napkin" if necessary. Over"

"Alpha team. Roger."

"Bravo Team. Roger."

"Charlie Team. Roger."

"Delta Team. Roger."

"Echo Team. Roger."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Ahnassi and Lifts-Her-Tail with Special Guest Appearances Will Return In

Hang Your Hat Pt 5 Napkin

Coming Soon]