They all spent an hour or so coming up with ways to fit Jennifer and Tina into the squad while they played, before splitting into teams to scope out what everyone else was doing. Team one consisted of Brittany, Tina, and Victor, since the three of them had the best chance to go unnoticed, and in the worst case scenario, Tina could teleport them away. Team two was Carlos, Casey, Emily, Meredith, Jennifer, and Sarah because Casey and Emily insisted on staying together and without that, no split made sense. Plus, even with the Archmage's precautions, having some extra protection around Sarah wasn't the worst idea. And team three was just Tessa and Greg. Team one would be the primary investigation team, while team two would just wander around and see what people were offering, and team three would be looking for Fredrick.
“Do you think your dad will like me better now that the ferals aren't an issue?” Greg wondered.
Tessa rolled her eyes. “Does it matter? It isn't like you care.”
“I mean, fair, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice to have a good relationship with my future father-in-law.” Greg shrugged.
Tessa stumbled as she whipped around to stare at Greg incredulously. “Your future what?!?”
“My future father-in-law?” Greg raised an eyebrow at her. “You did say you were madly in love with me, right? Just seems prudent to plan for the future with that in mind.”
Tessa flushed. “I said to assume I was madly in love with you.”
Greg grinned. “What's the difference?”
Tessa opened her mouth for a second, then closed it with a snap, her flush deepening. “And you're- okay with that?”
Greg cocked his head. “Why wouldn't I be?”
“Because our relationship isn't even two days old yet?” Tessa replied.
Greg paused. “Well… that's a good point, but- I dunno, I just like you? The idea of you being madly in love with me just feels… comfortable. Right, in a sense even. Not in the obsession sense, which… shit, probably need to watch out for that, but- crap, I have so many issues.” He sighed. “See, I'm comfortable in pretty much any situation I happen to find myself in, I just don't know what to do with myself if I don't know what the situation actually is. So the whole ‘do you like me, how much do you like me, are you liking me more or less’ thing is a freaking nightmare for me because I don't know what level of affection and familiarity is appropriate at any given moment, but if I just assume you like me as much as possible…” Greg chuckled sinisterly, wrapping an arm around Tessa's waist and pulling her closer. “Well, then I can do pretty much whatever I want, can't I? And I like being able to do whatever I want.” He paused. “You know, as long as I'm keeping my obsession in check… Why do you like me again?”
“Why indeed.” Tessa muttered, shaking her head. “But I do… I really, really do. Though I don't think that means you get to do whatever you want…” She added, flushing slightly.
“Well, yeah, but- it's that whole all or nothing thing again.” Greg sighed. “I'm good with absolutes. Things that are either completely on the table or completely off. The moment you start throwing maybes and ifs around, I just start getting confused and nervous because I'm just not good enough at reading the situation to know when those maybes and ifs apply. So yeah, I'm perfectly comfortable treating you like… well, like my wife, because honestly, trying to slowly develop up to that point would be like trying to navigate a minefield for me.”
“What if you do something I am uncomfortable with?” Tessa asked tentatively.
“Tell me?” Greg offered, scratching his head. “I mean, I get I'm being kind of unreasonable here… though I would point out that it was your idea. Not that you knew what you were suggesting, but… nevermind, it doesn't matter. If you want to take something off the table, then go for it. I'm good with no, I'm just not good with uncertainty.”
Tessa studied him for a moment. “I suppose I can live with that…”
A dangerous chuckle escaped Greg's lips. “I certainly hope so. Cause the only other option I have is waiting for you to make the first move every time. Though… I do prefer things this way.”
“Mhmm.” Tessa hummed. “Just don't abuse the privilege.”
“I'll do my best.” Greg agreed with a smirk, giving her waist a light squeeze before letting her go.
Tessa narrowed her eyes at him for a moment, then snorted and started walking again. “Come on, let's find my dad.”
“Don't you mean our dad?” Greg snickered.
“Try that with him. I dare you.” Tessa shot back.
Greg coughed. “Yeah, no, that'd probably be a bit much… Maybe in a week or so?”
Tessa rolled her eyes. “Let's see if he even accepts the fact that we're together at all. He's never been a huge fan of any of my boyfriends.”
“Well, shit.” Greg sighed.
*
“Tessa!” Patrick greeted her as she and Greg arrived in a large, and getting larger, clearing where several log cabins were being erected. “Where have you been?!? We saw your squad getting together, but after that we couldn't find you anywhere!”
“We set up a base in the mountainous zone.” Tessa explained. “We figured it'd be best to avoid people given Sarah's situation.”
Patrick froze. “That- right, shit, good point.” He looked around. “You- probably shouldn't bring her here anytime soon, either.” He sighed wearily.
Tessa rolled her eyes. “Trust me, we know. But don't worry, we're doing fine. How about you? Getting set up alright?”
Patrick sighed. “We're managing, but we've had a few setbacks. Half our people are still freaking out over missing loved ones, and half the rest are more focused on challenges and magic than on actually making sure the people who need it have a place to sleep. There may not be any ferals to worry about, but you can't have kids and old people sleeping out in the cold every night.”
Tessa nodded. “And what is Dad doing?”
“He's putting together squads and setting up schedules for them, getting everyone organized, putting them to work, the usual.” Patrick shrugged. “We wouldn't even be half as far along without him kicking everyone into gear.”
A slight smile tugged at Tessa's lips. “That sounds like Dad. How is he motivating everyone now?”
“Training, information, and ‘services’.” Patrick sighed. “Even if everyone has powers now they don't necessarily know how to use them, he has squads running around putting together a list of all the challenges in the area so people don't have to waste time searching themselves, and… well, you know, there are always people who are willing to do certain things in exchange for being taken care of.”
Tessa let out a light hiss. Her father's willingness to let people sell themselves for his own benefit was one of her primary contentions with the man. It helped that everyone at least seemed to be a willing participant, but the idea of collecting people just to use them to keep other people happy rubbed her wrong. “Right… and I'm sure he already has a plan to get everyone here working under him?”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Patrick snorted. “Obviously. Is that why you're here?”
Tessa wiggled her hand. “We just want to make sure we don't step on anyone's toes.”
Patrick tsked in disappointment, but nodded in understanding. “Then I'd suggest steering clear of any development challenges, or at least not getting too invested in them. Each one teaches a specific craft and rewards resources instead of challenge points. Controlling one is like having a monopoly on whatever it is that challenge makes, so the more you control, the better.”
“Does that really matter with magic and whatnot?” Greg asked, cocking his head. “I mean, I guess people are going to want clothes and shit, but how valuable is that going to be?”
“You'd be surprised.” Patrick chuckled. “But you're right, basic goods wouldn't mean all that much in the larger scheme of things, but we aren't talking about basic goods.” He raised his arm, tapping his network device. “Where do you think things like this come from? Or the network itself? How about armor that reflects damage? Weapons with heated blades? And that barely even scratches the surface of what's possible! Yes, we can use magic, but that means we can craft with magic too.”
Greg blinked. “Well shit, good point.”
“So, everyone is going to be fighting over the development challenges, got it.” Tessa sighed. “Is there anything else we should be aware of?”
“Not that I've been told, but you know how Dad is. He only tells people what they need to know when they need to know it.” Patrick replied. “But you can ask him yourself, you know.”
Tessa shook her head. “Asking Dad about his plans is a great way to become a part of those plans, and we'd prefer to stay out of it.”
Patrick grunted noncommittally. “You should at least talk to him.”
“We will.” Tessa agreed, smirking slightly as she grabbed Greg's hand. “I have to introduce him to my new boyfriend, after all.”
Patrick froze for a moment, before breaking out in a bright smile. “Ha! I knew it! Oh, Dad is going to be pissed.” He snickered, turning and waving for them to follow. “Come on, I've got to see this!”
“I'm not that bad, am I?” Greg asked as they followed Patrick deeper into the growing settlement.
“Well, you didn't exactly make the best first impression, but it wouldn't matter even if you had.” Patrick chuckled. “Dad expects us to end up with the smartest, most competent, amazing people to ever exist and the fact that you aren't is more than enough to piss him off.”
“Well what if I am the smartest, most competent, amazing person to ever exist?” Greg retorted, causing Tessa to bark out a laugh.
“Please tell him that.” Patrick grinned.
Greg smirked. “I might. If he's going to be pissed anyway, why not just go for it?”
Patrick and Tessa shared a look. “I'm beginning to see why you like him.” Patrick commented.
“He is pretty great.” Tessa smiled, bumping into Greg as they walked.
Patrick led them to a larger cabin near the center of the settlement, taking them through a large room filled with people running back and forth constantly on their network devices as they switched between talking to each other and sending messages to others, Patrick winding through the chaos to reach a back room, all of them walking through the doorless opening to find Fredrick sitting on a log focused intently on his own network device. Fredrick raised a finger as they entered, not even looking up until he finished whatever it was he was doing. He finished a moment later, his expression brightening as he saw Tessa. “Tessa! You've finally joined us!” He exclaimed, getting up and giving her a hug.
“I'm just visiting, Dad.” Tessa corrected. “My squad had Sarah, remember? Joining you would only cause problems none of us want to deal with.”
Fredrick grunted in disappointment. “Right, that one. Well, in any case, you can still coordinate with us. Where are you based? How many people do you have? Not many, I suppose, but a small strike force no one knows about could be useful in certain situations…” Fredrick trailed off as he began putting plans together.
“I think it would be better if we didn't.” Tessa grimaced. “We don't want to become a target, since we won't be able to depend on you for protection.”
Fredrick frowned. “True… we would need to reserve you for emergencies.”
Tessa suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, recognizing that this was the best she was going to get. Besides, if there actually was an emergency, it wasn't like they'd just ignore it. They may not want to get involved in all the politics, but she still wanted her family to succeed if possible. “We just wanted to make sure you were doing alright and get your contact. Also… I wanted to introduce you to my new boyfriend.” Tessa announced a lot more hesitantly than she had with Patrick, stepping closer to Greg and grabbing his arm, pressing herself against it.
Fredrick froze as Greg grinned and raised his other hand to give him a peace sign. “Howdy!” Tessa groaned, covering half her face with her hand while Patrick struggled and failed not to laugh, turning to face the wall as if by doing so Fredrick would fail to notice the snorting sounds he was making.
Fredrick's expression darkened as he glared at Greg. “You are dating my daughter?”
“Yup!” Greg beamed at him. “I'm one lucky sumbitch, huh?”
Fredrick stared at him like he was a caveman who'd just pooped on his doorstep, then turned to Tessa. “Is this a joke?”
Tessa sighed. “No, he's really my boyfriend. Though why he thought it was a good idea to start talking like a yokel, I have no idea.” She grumbled, shooting a glare at Greg.
Greg coughed. “It just kinda slipped out? No idea why.” He paused. “Also, I think that was more redneck?”
“Not helping.” Tessa growled.
“Pretty sure I'm beyond help at this point.” Greg shrugged.
“That we can agree on.” Fredrick muttered.
“Well, since I have so thoroughly made a fool of myself already-” Greg began.
“Do not say it!” Tessa hissed, digging her fingers into his arm.
“Aw, but I said I would!” Greg complained. “Do you really want me to be a liar? Though…” He glanced over at Patrick who seemed to be having trouble standing. “It might give your brother a stroke.”
“Greg.” Tessa growled in warning.
Greg sighed. “Fine, I- holy shit, am I bleeding?” He blinked in shock as he felt something drip down his arm.
Tessa froze, releasing her grip on his arm as she quickly stepped back, not even having realized she'd sharpened her fingers. “Shit, sorry!”
Greg frowned at the holes in his arm for a moment, wondering why they weren't healing, taking a moment to concentrate on putting his arm back to normal, watching as the blood flowed back and the wounds slowly knit back together. “Huh… guess my healing isn't automatic when I'm all fleshy. Weird.” He shrugged, turning back to Fredrick. “Anyway, yeah, I'm Tessa's boyfriend now. That's a thing and it's probably not going to stop being a thing any time soon. Hate it, love it, deal with it.” He turned to Tessa. “Anything else?”
Tessa just stared at him for a moment, before letting out a sigh. “No, that- pretty much sums it up.”
Greg grinned. “Great! Anyone want to go get dinner? I'm feeling a bit peckish.”
Patrick coughed. “I could eat.” He paused. “I could eat…” He repeated, a slight edge of shock in his voice.
“Me too.” Tessa agreed, her eyes widening slightly.
Fredrick grunted. “And I as well. It seems whatever was keeping us from going hungry is no longer in effect.”
“Really?” Greg blinked. “Huh, I was going to blame it on healing myself.” He turned to Tessa. “To the cafeteria?”
Tessa nodded, then glanced at Fredrick. “You can join us, if you like.”
Fredrick frowned at her, then Greg, who beamed back giving him two thumbs up, before sighing in acceptance. “I would be remiss if I did not make an effort to familiarize myself with your… boyfriend.” His lips twitched distastefully as he said the word.
“I can feel the love.” Greg snickered.
Tessa scowled, struggling to pick who to glare at first, before letting out a frustrated grunt and turning to Patrick. “Patrick?”
“How could I not?” Patrick smirked.
Tessa groaned. “Could you at least pretend you aren't enjoying this?”
Patrick paused, then shook his head. “Nope.” He grinned. “Your boyfriend is great, sis.”
“Aren't I?” Greg chuckled. “You could say-”
“Don't!” Tessa hissed. “Just- come on, let's go eat!” She insisted, grabbing Greg's hand and pulling him out of the room.
Fredrick watched them go, before turning to Patrick. “Do I want to know?”
Patrick grinned. “Let's just say this one has no lack of confidence.”
Fredrick grunted as the two of them began to follow. “At least she finally found one with a spine.” He muttered under his breath, a brief smile twitching across his lips.