image [https://cdn.midjourney.com/912e8809-b3a3-4990-9ffe-f16d72df96af/0_1.png]
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Walking up from his siesta half an hour before the date, Peter showered and spent almost all the remaining time choosing clothes. The System argued jeans weren't a proper choice for a gentleman, so just to shut its blabber, Peter put on dock pants, deep blue, and a light blue shirt, casually worn outside the trousers. He had a pair of Italian leather shoes his mother gave him on his twentieth birthday, which matched well.
"You look great," was the first thing Regina said, after hugging and kissing him on the cheek, French style. She had grabbed his shoulders, keeping him at arm's length, to inspect him better.
"T-thanks," Peter blushed. "You look swell too."
She did indeed. The buttery A-shape dress accentuated her light-bronzed skin and shapely figure.
"Movie, or dinner first?" she asked.
"Is it OK to watch the movie first?"
"Of course."
She took him by the arm and they proceeded to walk on the streets. The little New England old town had charming alleys and an art cinema. To his shame, Peter was so tired he fell asleep. He even snored softly, the System informed him, sourly. The AI enjoyed the movie a lot, though. Meanwhile, Regina had suggested a French restaurant across the street, and Peter accepted gladly.
They had onion soup, a traditional thing, and lamb chops. The food was great. She helped order it, speaking in French with the waiter.
"Are you French?" Peter asked.
"Kind of," she said. "Cajun, but we moved around a lot. Papa is in the military."
"Nice… I mean Cajun is a cool ancestry."
"I suppose," she shrugged. "And you, mister keep your head low? No one here knows what are you up to."
"I'm from across the border—"
"Canada?"
"Vermont. And I'll tell you a secret," he whispered, leaning forward. "My grand grandfather was a bootlegger."
"How cool!" she exclaimed, covering her mouth with her right hand.
"Yep. Italian. Our family name was Collina, but they changed it. But easy come, easy go. He lost most of his money in bad investments and became a clerk. He was good with bookkeeping."
"And your folks?"
"Sports teachers, both… They run a summer camp. We haven't spoken much since the Change, they're upset I transferred here… because… err…"
"They don't like Cultivators much, I know." Regina leaned back on the chair, crossing her legs, a short painful expression on her face. "My parents were the same at first..."
Shut up, you bastard! This is a lovely date. The best I ever had.
Peter growled, then pretended to clear his voice. They chatted about lots of things, like music, but for the largest part of their dinner, she told him the action of the movie, detailing the meanings in a deep way that surprised him. The dessert came, ice cream and pancakes, and it was delicious, disappearing in a minute.
"I'll pay," Regina rose two fingers to call the waiter.
"Let's make it fifty-fifty," Peter proposed. His funds were limited, compared to a full-scholarship Cultivator, but his manly honor demanded to share.
"Very well," she shrugged after a brief silence. It was a hundred per each, tip included, which was not so expensive, considering the quality of the meal, but made a twenty-percent dent in Peter's monthly pocket money. He made a plan to walk around Jack as often as possible, to extort more tips.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
That jerk cares only for himself.
It was one, for Peter too. Maybe projecting his hate of Jack over her, he previously considered Regina shallow. A cheerleader, all giggles and no brain. Yet, during the date, she had proved smart and charming. He found the walk back to the Campus too short. They stopped in between their dorms, each short of words.
"Fuck… sorry… I forgot I have to walk the dog…" Peter exclaimed.
"Your puppy? Can I come? He's adorable."
"S-sure."
They went to his dorm together, but Peter went up on his own. He found the garbage bin on the floor, and the half-eaten pair of sports shoes had vanished.
"Woof," the pup wagged his tail, then burped, a shoelace hanging out of his mouth.
"I won't take you to the vet," Peter waved his finger. "They'll figure out you're a mutant on the spot. If you die, you die."
"Woof," the warg frowned, sucking the shoelace inside him like a spaghetti.
Once outside, Regina squatted and hugged the pup, squeezing it at her breast, then scratching the pup's head and belly like there was no tomorrow.
Don't you dare make jokes about my date!
Really?
"Strength. All six."
How considerate.
Offering Regina the leash, Peter let her play and run around, following the pup's caprices. He enjoyed the show. Night had fallen over the Campus, but the moon was up, and bright enough to lighten the alleys around the main lawn. They stayed clear of the forest, though.
"What's his name?" Regina asked.
"I didn't have the time to find a name, I adopted the pup last night."
"You found time to adopt a dog last night?" Regina furrowed her brow. "When?"
Peter wasn't so good at keeping secrets from pretty girls, though. "Just after the fight. Remember that Warg I killed last night?" he asked sheepishly. "I found the pup near the carcass."
"Don't tell me it was the pup's mother!" Regina covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes widened and watery.
"No, that one ate the little one's mother… Please, don't tell anyone."
"Your secret is safe with me, so I solemnly swear," Regina raised her right hand, hanging the pup in the air for a second. "Sorry, little one," she excused herself, hugging the warg.
Why the red, you're angry or something? Relax, no one will notice. Look at him, he looks like a hundred percent dog.
I forgot. "Why don't you name him?" Peter proposed, seeing Regina was now kissing the pup's face.
"Can I?" Regina jumped on her toes, clapping her hands. She looked funny, as cheerful and energetical as the puppy, and that made Peter smile. "What would you like best, a funny name, or a serious one?"
Peter repeated the System's words. "He'll grow big," he excused himself, just in case she preferred the funny thematic.
"Hm… hm…" Regina pondered, grabbing her chin and walking back and forth, then squatted near the pup. "Do you have a preference, little one? What do you like to do best?"
"Woof!" Darting toward a fallen twig, the pup reduced it into smaller pieces in seconds.
"Shredder!" Regina exclaimed in triumph, raising the pup over her head.
"That's perfect!" Peter said, thinking of his destroyed shoes.
"Woof!"
"He likes it," Peter smiled. "I'll escort you to your dorm first… I have Shredder to guard me on my way back."
"Very well, my knight!" She took his arm with one hand, restraining the little monster with the other. It did not please the pet, who pulled on the leash all the way to the dorm.
"Thank you, it was a lovely evening," Peter said, taking the leash.
"It was," she said pensively, letting her head on a side. "I'm going home for a few days… but next weekend I'm free… Let's do it again. Next week's Saturday?"
He nodded. Instead of leaving, she remained in place, staring at him. Gathering his courage, Peter leaned forward, and they kissed. A real kiss, with her caressing his cheek. Shredder pulling on the leash broke the charm, ten seconds later. She giggled and ran inside the building. Peter waited until the door closed before walking back to his dorm. He was confused. Did she like him, for real, or was she a good actress?
"Do you need to be so sarcastic all the time?"
<…Sorry…> the System said, slowing down.
"Yeah, do that. Go meditate or something…"
"I told you I don’t want to fight tonight," Peter said.
Quest: Objective 1: Aquire better gear. Objective 2: Join the Resistance.
"The fuck? The resistance?"