This time its name was green, so, not passive? Green doesn’t exactly read off as aggressive, but hey what do I know? It wasn’t exactly charging me though, in fact, it seemed to be doing its best to avoid me. As soon as it properly laid eyes on me, the cat immediately began zig-zagging side to side, delaying and concealing its inevitable attempt to pass me as best it could. But, given my quest has an undecided reward…
Maybe this was a scripted event?
Bringing my “weapon” to bare didn’t quite result in the same wind pressure it would’ve, had I been playing any other game… Buuuuut it was an intimidating enough sight to see somebody spinning a four foot long pole around four times a second. Taking a wide stance, I spread my legs and got myself ready to intercept.
The cat didn’t stop for a single second at the intimidation attempt, but hey at least I was ready for it.
Tracking it as best I could, my eyes darted side to side along with the monster, and when its legs tensed, I reflexively lashed out with the broom. Catching the feline mid jump at its midsection and forcing it back down to the ground with a surprised yowl. It managed to right itself in less than a second, but it now seemed to view me as more than an obstacle.
It was, visibly, shocked. Like, I don’t think I’ve seen this much of an expression on any animal, monster, whatever you wanna call it, in game or not for a long time now. Oh, you know what, the image of like… a really shook tiger comes to mind, yeah, that one! That’s what they look like.
I did my best not to hurt it, aiming for its torso and with minimal force, but it wasn’t a non-attack either. Spinning the broom around once again, purely because I wanted to, I took a step back, as did the cat. Ending the flourish, I once again brought the broom to bare, scattering a pile of dust that I’d priorly accumulated…
I couldn’t help but smile in annoyance, but that wasn’t my focus right now. This escapee was!
Speaking of my smile however, it didn’t seem to take very kindly. Its expression once again changed as my eyes pierced into it. And while it may have caused the creature a moment of hesitation, when it clearly heard footsteps pitter pattering against the floor a distance behind it, it immediately got back to its prior goal of passing me.
Mind you, each of those following attempts, I matched, equaling each of its movements with one of my own. It snapped to the left, my body tensed to intercept. Its legs tensed to leap past me, my broom threateningly snapped into place. We appeared to be at an impasse, but time was on my side.
…It was sort of pitiful, honestly. Like, I was almost tempted to just let it go.
…Was it giving me puppy dog eyes?
“Jasper!”
And then its eyes instantly hardened. It would seem that the time for action on its part, was now. Without any further hesitation, it leaped in a desperate attempt to make its way past the immovable blockade that was me. However, unfortunately for the big cat, my reflexes had not magically grown worse in the span of a few seconds.
Donk
Forced back to the ground, it could only scowl as the woman who’d been chasing it… attached what I think is a leash? Yeah, a leash, to it. It actually had a collar on, always did, I just didn’t notice. Which is fair, I was clearly preoccupied.
“Thank you so much, Mr…”
“Koth.”
“Mr Koth. This rascal has a habit of not following instructions and trying to escape. As I’m sure you’re aware.”
I nodded understandingly. Despite not quite understanding the struggle they supposedly went through.
“Uh… I haven’t seen you around before. Are you a new hire, or are you just here for after hours work?”
…I don’t think I’m a new hire. And the only other option makes sense.
“After hours work, I was asked to help cl…”
I now notice, in the scuffle… we knocked over the dustpan… and its contents scattered… everywhere…
“Oh god dammit.”
Somehow, the big cat had both the capability and the gall to look smug. My hand twitched ever so slightly in response, the weapon in my hands shuddering along with it.
“Well, I’m sure Mr. Matthew would be happy to pay you extra for the help! Sorry about the trouble, though.”
Sighing as I put the broom back to the floor, I mumbled “Don’t worry about it.” as I got back to work.
—
“You stopped Jasper?”
“Is that their name?”
“The monster you stopped in the hallway? Yes, that would be their name. They’re quite tricky, excellent work.”
“Thanks.” I shrugged slightly. It wasn’t much trouble.
“Well, you might not care too much about it, but it was a big help. She can be quite difficult to catch when she puts her mind to it.”
Hall upkeep 1-complete!
+20 exp!
+30 copper!
+???
Determining rewards…
“Actually, we happen to be somewhat short staffed tonight. Would you be interested in helping out some more?”
“Hm… Well, n-”
Rewards determined!
+30 exp!
+70 copper!
New quest available!
Assistant work-1
40 exp
1 silver
???
Take care of Jasper.
“-ever did I expect such a positive response! Sure!”
—
After I was given a silver for my already completed work, I was ushered along with the same woman who had priorly captured Jasper. Obviously I accepted the quest. I wasn’t sure how much experience was an actual large amount of experience, and I could still just be wasting my time, but I was already half way to leveling up. 50/100 experience needed. And if the previous “???” reward was anything to go by, it can be big numbers. The ??? was worth way more than both other rewards combined.
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
“Mr. Matthew must’ve been impressed with how you handled yourself! It usually takes him a little bit to let non-employees actually work with the monsters. A few days at the least!”
“Hm.” I nodded thoughtfully. Frankly, it was a little weird, but like, it’s a game. Things are meant to progress quickly. It’s unrealistic to spend days doing one thing in the early game. And honestly, fully stopping Jasper probably wasn’t even expected by the game. That was difficult, even for me, and I’m what some people would call, slightly better at video games than most. AND I dumped most of my starting stats into agility.
Honestly, I probably just skipped the starting quest line for this place. Hall upkeep 1 became Assistant work 1, so… makes sense
“Now, we don’t have too many monsters to take care of today. You’ve already met one of them actually. Now, you’ll be getting a little more acquainted with them. Jasper’s a sweetheart, really, but she just can’t help but ignore every order given to her. She’s become somewhat of a permanent resident, nobody wants to purchase a monster that won’t even listen to them. Especially not a lynx.”
“Why’s that?” I ask absentmindedly, observing the empty stalls and rooms that are presumably for different kinds of monsters.
“Well, Lynxes are powerful monsters. Well suited to hunting and combat, but not so much straight up physical labor. In combat where they’re most effective, having a companion that listens to you is essential. Nobody wants an ally that won’t listen to them, and we can’t in good conscience sell her off knowing that.”
Made sense, made perfect sense really. What would you do if one of your allies just said, “nah” in the middle of a fight and left? You’d suffer for it, that's what you’d do. You’d suffer real bad.
“Jasper’s room is just ahead. Given her extended stay, she stays in one of the nicer rooms. Emphasis on er, though. She’ll scratch anything fancy up eventually.”
“Right.”
Nobody had actually bothered explaining to me what exactly I’d be doing quite yet, but oh well. I’m sure it would be clear in due time.
—
Well, not quite what I expected, but the task was simple enough. As opposed to before, they were remarkably calm. Tranquil, even. In fact, despite the cats lack of malleable facial expression, I could just about swear they were taking pleasure in the fact that specifically I was brushing them.
Like, do they take this as some kind of revenge? Jokes on them, I don’t really mind one bit. I never had pets of my own. I always wanted one as a kid, but my parents never let me. Then when I was older, I just couldn’t really be bothered to work a job consistently enough to provide for another creature.
In other words, fur soft, very nice.
“I know I said she was a sweetheart, but…”
“Hm?” I tilted my head slightly as I ran the brush against their back, slowly tracing their spine down their body.
“But nothing, I guess.” She crossed her legs and pondered the situation. “I suppose you just have a natural sway with them.”
Staring down at the lounging feline, I could’ve sworn I could still feel a lingering sense of smugness.
“...I don’t know about that.”
It felt less like naturally getting along and more like a battle of some sort. Just one I didn’t really care to win.
“Well, either way, they clearly don’t mind your presence too much. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to leave them to you or not, but if you’re okay with being on your own with them I can go take care of the other monsters.”
“Sure, go ahead.” I nodded again, flicking a sizable amount of hair away. At least allergies didn’t carry over 1:1. This much dandruff would surely ruin me in real life.
“Great! I’ll be back in thirty or so minutes.”
And she got up. And then, she left.
And then it was just the two of us.
It didn’t take Jasper long to get up, and with a somewhat lazy stretch, they shook my brush away and jumped off of their podium. I did find it a little silly how there was just a bunch of stuff in here that you’d get a cat in the real world, except like, super sized for a bigger cat. But hey, who am I to judge? The devs already got flying colors for design from me earlier. Maybe they’ve got a plan or something, who knows?
Walking across the floor slowly, Jasper slowly, very slowly, yet inevitably, came to sit at the door. Staring at me from across the room.
“...I’m not going to let you out.”
They blinked once or twice.
“I’m not doing it.”
Their expression remained entirely motionless.
“I’m not.”
Leaning forward, resting both of my elbows onto the podium they’d formerly been on a moment prior, I lock my hands together and rest my head upon them. Staring right back at the feline as their head tilted ever so slightly forward.
We can do this all day.
Slowly, their maw stretched open in a yawn. Their exceedingly sharp canines flashing in the now orange light bleeding through the… the window…
Is that what they’re staring at?
That’s definitely what they’re staring at.
Reflexively, I reach for a broom, but I don’t quite have one on hand.
They start to move, slowly but surely creeping towards the window. Crappity crap crappalacka of course this quest isn’t just a free completion. She’s a clever girl. But, the thought occurs, why did they not just do this while nobody was here?
…Did they WANT an observer? That’s a little strange, but maybe they don’t just want to single mindedly escape.
I wasn’t given a leash to use, so… Ccccrap. I might be cooked, honestly. Well done, one could say.
So, my options seem to be either, let them break out, or try my best to keep an eye on them inside of the building while letting them roam around…
“Alright, fine.” I roll my eyes and sit up, and immediately, she sits down and tilts her head towards the door.
…What the hell?