I was glad that I could shield my mind and block the thoughts from over two dozen people that tried to convince me that their view of the government was the right one and they desperately wanted me to speak publicly on their behalf. I kept my mouth shut and didn't nod or make any affirmative movements, that way they could talk as much as they wanted and I wasn't roped into making any kind of commitments. Even stating that I couldn't speak publicly would be seen as me privately supporting them and I wasn't going to allow that to happen.
Olugaell kept me moving, thankfully. She let each person make their case and then politely said I had more people to meet and we would go to the next person that waited for us. I also successfully ignored the very horny and sexually repressed women that were mentally frantic with me so close. Just me being there and dressed up was enough to send a couple of them into a mental fantasy land, with me as the star attraction. They didn't show anything physically, though. They were much too refined to debase themselves publicly like that. Privately? They would have been all over me, despite any protests, either on my part or that of their husbands and family.
Once I had met everyone, even the people in the military, some of which I already knew, Olugaell brought me back over to where my date for the night still stood. I took Grace's hand and she jerked like I had shocked her. I gave her an 'are you okay' look and she nodded and held my hand firmly. Tessa had seen her reaction and gave me a knowing look. I raised my eyebrows at her and she smiled.
“Dinner is ready.” One of the house staff said and opened a set of double doors at the side of the room. Everyone filed into the room and it was set up like a wedding reception hall. There was one long table at the front of the room and several medium round tables that sat four people at each. Everything was ornately decorated and the small tables nearest to the long table were filled up quickly, to the dismay of a few of the politician's wives.
I approached and went to sit at one of the small tables, fairly far away from the long table, and Olugaell quickly came over and brought me up to the long table. I sighed when I saw that little placards were placed on the plates and there was no spot for my date next to me. Most of the people at the long table had already sat and I couldn't ask them all to move down a seat to make room.
Olugaell saw the faux pas she had made and her gills showed her version of a blush. I held up a hand to stop her before she said anything and I walked down to the end of the table. I ignored the immediate surprised reactions from Uzahne and the other people that sat at the long table. If I did a bit of tweaking with Presence, I could probably manage to add another space there, then decided to go with my original plan. I led Grace over to the farthest table in the room, right by the door, and pulled out her chair for her. She sat down and I slid her chair in and then I unbuttoned my suit coat sat down beside her.
It surprised the young politician that sat there almost into apoplexy and the social coup completely delighted his wife. Even if I moved now, she would still have the story to share with all of her friends.
“Hunter!” Tessa whispered loudly from the next table. “What are you doing?”
“Sitting down to eat.” I said without whispering.
“You're the guest of honor.” Tessa hissed and motioned to the long table. “You're supposed to be up there with them.”
“To my regret, I let Olugaell take me away from my date during the socializing part of the evening, so I'm not going to make the same mistake and have Grace sit by herself during the meal.” I said. “It wouldn't be much of a date if she spent the whole thing by herself.”
“Hunter...” Tessa whispered and low murmurs could be heard from everyone in the room.
I turned to Grace. “I'm sorry for leaving you alone for so long.”
“I forgive you.” Grace said, her face red. The color almost matched her reddish brown hair perfectly.
“I wonder what's going to be served.” I said and looked at the young man next to me. “You wouldn't have any idea, would you?”
The young man spit and sputtered something unintelligible and his wife laughed.
“Don't mind him.” The young woman said. “He hasn't gotten used to meeting important people yet.”
I gave her a smile and heard her heart beat a little faster. “I assume that means you are?”
“Y-yes.” She said. “My father is the minister of trade.”
I turned my head and saw the man as he sat at the small table right next to the long table where I should have been. He was currently looking right at us and I couldn't make out what his expression meant.
“It seems I've put one over on him.” The young woman said and I turned back to face her. “He's going to be so envious.”
“I'm not sure that's envy.” I said and she gave her father another look and laughed.
“I'm sure I'll get an earful tonight when I go home.” She said. “Mother looks like she's chewing glass.”
I chuckled, because her mother was one of the ones that wanted me to be naked right now. Luckily, the house staff chose that moment to come out of the kitchen and served food to every seat, which included the empty spot beside Olugaell at the head table. I could see her sigh at the sight and she looked over at me, to see that I was talking to Grace.
“How long have you been on active duty?” I asked and used a fork to dig out a piece of crab meat from the chilled legs.
“Six months.” Grace said. “I graduated from the academy, did my mandatory work placement for two months, then won the slot as the first officer on a fast patrol ship.”
“Good work.” I said and sucked in a long string of meat. I chewed on it for a moment and swallowed. “You must have shown a great ability to get such a lucrative spot right away.”
Grace's face flushed red again.
“Hey, don't be shy.” I said and reached over to take her hand. “I know you did well, otherwise you would have been shuffled off to serve with a dozen other lieutenants on one of the larger ships.”
Grace opened her mouth to respond, then she closed it and nodded.
I let her hand go and we kept eating. “What office do you hold?” I asked the young man and looked at him for a second to make him sputter, then looked at his wife, who covered her mouth as she laughed.
“Surprisingly, he did not marry into politics.” The young woman said happily. “He's a junior in the finance department and has been the best thing that they, and I, have had in our lives.”
“I'm happy to hear that.” I said. “Earning something with your own merits makes it all the more valuable.”
“That's what I keep telling him.” The young woman said and pat her husband's arm.
“I... value... you.” The young man managed to say coherently. His wife beamed a smile at him and leaned over to kiss his cheek. It left a big lip mark and she had to use a napkin to wipe at his face. We continued to share small talk until the meal was done, then the house staff removed the plates and brought refreshments.
“Shall we move back into the other room?” Olugaell said after a few minutes, and everyone stood.
Before I could be swarmed by the people that had tried to compete to be close to me during dinner, which meant they had messed up because I sat somewhere else, I swept Grace, the young couple with us, and Tessa and her date into the other room.
We formed our own little group and I made sure we put our backs to the room to hinder anyone from approaching and disturbing us. The young man was still surprised and could barely put a sentence together, his wife was even more delighted with that development, and Tessa glared at me.
“Hunter, you can't do this all night.” Tessa said.
“I don't see why not.” I said and put an arm around Grace's waist. “They each had their chance to talk to me before the meal.”
“That's not how events like these are supposed to work.”
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“That's not my fault.” I said with a smile.
“You're really not going to play along?” The young woman asked. “You could make some powerful friends here...”
“Only if I felt like lying and playing their political games, and I really don't want to. I have no business trying to dabble in things that I have no experience with, nor do I want to have that experience.” I chuckled. “Besides, who needs friends like those when I have friends like all of you?”
The young woman blushed. “You really think that?”
“We had a nice time during the meal, didn't we?” I asked and she nodded. “You didn't try to recruit me for your own political gains, or your husband's, and I didn't try to manipulate you to try and get favours or concessions for my business. We talked like normal people and enjoyed the food. That's what friends do. We enjoyed the company and didn't worry about what we could get from the other person.”
“Hunter.” Tessa whispered. “Turn around.”
I looked at her and then turned my head to see Olugaell, Uzahne, Ahaen, Sheph, Shanifra, and the Minister of Trade and his wife were barely five feet away. They wore a mixture of surprised and shocked faces. I had been talking in a normal voice and anyone that was relatively near would have heard everything I had said.
I guess I should stop blocking my perception off so much. I thought with amusement. “Hello!” I said. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“No.” Olugaell said. “We were just...” She sighed. “I hope you liked the food.”
“It was great.” I said. “I especially liked the chilled crab legs.”
“I can see that by the stain on your shirt.” Olugaell pointed out before she could stop herself. Why did I say that in such a mean voice? I heard her ask herself mentally.
“What stain?” I looked down and saw that there were a few dribbles of crab juice on the collar of my shirt. “Oh. I thought I wiped it all off.”
I used a napkin to dab at it and the cloth absorbed it all, which left the shirt white and pristine, thanks to the Preservation spell. That surprised Olugaell almost as much as me telling her that she had been abusing me with her hospitality.
“Is this event going to last much longer?” I asked.
“I... no, I suppose not.” Olugaell said in a slightly defeated tone.
“Tessa, is there a place around where we can go to have some fun?”
“Excuse me?” Tessa asked and Jaset put a protective arm around her.
I laughed. “I meant like a bar or something that we can all go to, not you and me alone.”
“Oh! Well, I think...” Tessa took out a datapad and checked something. “I think we can get in, if we're lucky.” She said and then grinned. “Then again, once they see it's you...”
“I have to get back to work later.” Grace said.
“As long as you're by my side, you're on leave, right?” I asked and she nodded. “So, what happens if you don't come back until tomorrow?”
Grace opened her mouth for a second to say that she was only granted a few hours leave, then she sighed. “As long as I'm with you, I guess it's fine.”
“Then let's go.” I said and looked at the young couple with us. “Are you coming?”
“No.” The young man said.
“I'd love to!” His wife exclaimed.
The man looked at his wife with wide eyes and she gave his cheek a kiss.
“It's all right.” She said and wiped his face off. “You head home and I'll be back later.”
The man nodded and I, Grace, Tessa, Jaset, and the young woman headed for the door. We were joined by several other military members who wanted to go have fun, too. Surprisingly, a few of the younger politicians came as well.
“I have to do this.” Sheph said to Uzahne and quickly followed us.
“Sheph!” Ahaen said. “SHEPH!”
I held in my laugh as we stepped outside and then we were offered the use of the mansion's personnel conveyance. It was large enough to take us and those that didn't have another ride, like Sheph and a few of the military personnel, and the rest followed us in their own vehicles. As we left, I 'looked' into the mansion and saw Olugaell and Uzahne as they stood there and didn't know what to do now.
“I can't believe we just left like that!” The young woman exclaimed and laughed. “My mother is going to kill me! Ha ha!”
I had to laugh at her mirth, as did a few other people. “What's your name?”
“Hannash Benisla Ignadio.” She said.
“Is 'Hanna' okay?” I asked and she nodded. “Thanks for coming along, Hanna.”
“Are you kidding?” Hanna asked. “I wouldn't have missed this for the world!”
*
The bouncer wasn't sure what to do. He saw the vice president's vehicle stop in front of the bar and it was immediately followed by half a dozen other hover vehicles. They immediately split up and parked not far away and then no less than twenty people piled out and came over to him and expected to get in. He was about to call for backup to stop himself from being swarmed when a hand reached out from the crowd and gripped his shoulder.
“I'm sorry to bother you like this.” The very handsome tall blonde man said. “Is there any chance we can get in, or should we try somewhere else?”
The bouncer blinked his eyes and looked at the man's face. It seemed kind of familiar; but, he couldn't place it.
“Hunter! Put on your blast shield!” A tiny woman exclaimed.
The tall man chuckled and made a black piece of metal appear from somewhere and slipped it onto his face. After a second, it looked like it was embedded into his face.
“It's YOU!” The bouncer yelled. “Justasecondjustasecond!”
Everyone laughed at his reaction and he tried to call the owner of the bar on his wrist com. When he didn't answer, he called the manager, and when she didn't answer, he tried the bartender.
“It's too busy in here.” The bartender said. “Send them away.”
“But... but this is...”
“It doesn't matter who it is.” The bartender said. “We're at capacity and that's that.”
The bouncer turned off the wrist com and looked at the legend in front of him. “I'm sorry, sir.”
“That's all right.” Hunter said and let his shoulder go. “We'll try somewhere else.”
The bouncer's spirit withered as the large group of people split back up and climbed into their vehicles. They drove off and he watched their tail lights disappear from sight. About ten minutes later, his wrist com beeped at him. He looked at the caller and sighed as he hit the button.
“What do you want now?” The manager asked. Her shrill voice cut into his ears like knives. “I was in the middle of dancing!”
The bouncer wasn't sure if he wanted to tell her now; but, if he didn't, when they reviewed the security footage later and saw who had shown up, he knew he would be in serious trouble. He took a deep breath and explained what had happened with a bunch of people showing up and wanting to get in and the bartender's absolute refusal.
“Why didn't you call him first?” She asked, her voice even more shrill. “You're wasting my time!”
“It was Hunter.” The bouncer said.
“Hunter? Hunter who?” The woman asked.
The bouncer started to explain about all the news broadcasts about the Rescuing Hero Of Chofaris, then the woman screamed so loudly that it felt like his ears started to bleed. It was wordless at first, then it was full of curses.
“You're FIRED! The bartender is FIRED! YOU'RE ALL FIRED!” She yelled and kept cursing him.
The bouncer cut the call and waited. He knew he wasn't going to have to wait long for the boss to call and he wasn't looking forward to that conversation at all.
It's not my fault. He thought, sadly. His wrist com beeped at him and he took a deep breath, let out a long and drawn out sigh, then answered the call.
*
The next bar was more than happy to accept a few more people, since it looked like an old warehouse and had plenty of room inside. Tessa urged me to keep the blast shield on until we got inside and found a few tables for everyone. Once the bartender saw me, he called in some help. A small part of the seating area was quickly roped off and we were brought there. It was both secluded and visible.
“Drinks are on the house for you and your friends.” The bartender said with a huge smile as he and two waitresses brought over trays of different drinks.
“I normally wouldn't accept that; but, I know you're going to use me to advertise.” I said and took a tall glass filled with a blue liquid from him. “You're going to make more money tonight than you have all week.”
The man laughed and nodded.
“You see? He's strong AND smart!” Tessa exclaimed to her date and accepted a drink with three colored layers. “Ooo! I love this one!” She said and took a sip. “Mmm!”
“I'm ignoring that jab.” Jaset said and took what looked like a dark beer from the waitress. “Thanks.”
“When does the music start?” Grace asked and took a drink that looked like champagne.
“As soon as the band gets here.” The bartender said. “Which reminds me.” He used his wrist com. “Hey, you deadbeats! Get your asses to the bar now!”
“We'll get there when we get there.” A voice said from the little speaker. “So what if we're a little late.” “We play every night.” Another voice said. “What's the rush?”
“The Hero of Chofaris is here.” The bartender said.
There were several incoherent yells from his wrist com, the screech of a hover car, then the call ended.
“They'll be here in a few minutes.” The bartender grinned and the waitresses laughed.
The band showed up and came in the back way to get to the small stage. They pretty much threw their instruments into the space and had everything set up in only a few minutes. It took them another minute to get their rhythm going and then the entire bar was up and hopping around.
It's almost like a dance club from Earth. I thought and went to sit down.
“Oh, no you don't.” Grace said and drank half of her drink. “Take a gulp of that and come with me.”
I looked at her with raised eyebrows.
“You brought me here, so you have to follow through.” Grace said and took my hand.
“I was just going to relax and...”
“You can relax later.” Grace said and tugged me to my feet. “Let's dance.”
“I am not doing that sideways crab thing.” I said adamantly.
Grace laughed and dragged me towards the dance floor. “We dance normally here.” She said and the song changed to a good dancing beat. “I don't know about dancing in this dress, though.”
I surrounded us in a solid wall of Presence so no one could see us, just like I had on the fast patrol ship to let her change. “Let's get you changed, then.”
“Please tell me you have a party dress or something.” Grace said and turned around to take off the dress. “I'll wear my uniform if I have to; but, that's not much fun.” She said and slipped the gown to the floor to leave her in just a bra and underwear.
“So, you're stoic about composure and propriety until you decide you're going to ignore it?” I asked and she turned to give me stern look. “I wasn't complaining.” I said and took out a small bundle of black cloth. “Would a little black dress be okay?” I asked with a smile and held it out to her.
“Thank you!” Grace exclaimed and took it, checked it to see which way to put it on, then stepped into it and pulled it up. She slipped it over her hips and then grabbed the top of the cloth and pulled it up over her shoulders, put her arms in the arm holes, then pulled it back down over her hips. She had to adjust her underwear slightly to put it back into place and fixed the hem of the dress to straighten it out.
“You're not supposed to stare like that.” Grace said as she looked at my face.
“You didn't turn back around, so I figured it was okay.” I said with a crooked smile and stored my coat.
Grace smiled back and waved at the barrier around us, so I absorbed it. Quite a few people had been surprised at the wall appearing like that from nowhere, then it disappeared and they saw that Grace was in a sexy new dress. She ignored Tessa's teasing about changing in front of me and took my hand again, then she dragged me over to the dance floor.