I stilled, or maybe… another sin is walking around. Damnit, shouldn't they have mentioned they had human forms that everyone could see??? Or… could they… no one had seemed to noticed the man sleeping in the patch of grass…
Rusty blew on my ear, jolting me out of my thoughts, "Maxie, what are you thinking about so hard? Did you see him again?" She asked tilting her head.
I gulped as her giant blue eyes blinked up at me, "Uh, I uhh, umm, just maybe, no, didn't see him again…" God I felt like a bumbling idiot… words dang it! Words!
Jack continued to glance around, "I'll ask around. Let's grab a drink."
Jake nodded as he sandwiched me between them and Rusty… like I was a fragile egg they had to protect… it was kind of embarrassing. I was escorted to the juice bar where I swear everyone was eyeing me out of the corner of their eyes. Like I wouldn't notice the hundreds of stares stabbing me like knives.
"Yogurt, vanilla, protein, peanut butter, large." Jake ordered as he handed over a punch card and his membership card.
"We can load money on the membership cards for monthly dues, or the fruit bar, or anything really, talkative aren't they?" Rusty asked bumping shoulders with me as she rolled her eyes at them.
"Oh, that's convenient." Then I wouldn't have to worry about losing money, I could just load and go.
"Your first drink is on me Max, they have food too." Jack offered ruffling Rusty's hair.
"I" I didn't even get to protest as Jack held up a hand.
"We invited you, Auntie Mellie would take a bite out of our hide if we didn't treat you," Jack explained pointing a thumb at Rusty, "She tattles. Careful." I laughed when Rusty kicked Jack in the shin so hard he started jumping around as he cursed.
Rusty turned her sharp glare at me and I went silent, pretended to zip my lips, then turned to the menu. "Uhh, yogurt protein shake, uhh, chocolate… umm… medium?" I asked glancing over the available options. The girl at the counter didn't look impressed.
"Are you asking me? Or telling me that's what you want?" She asked back snippily.
I tried not to flinch as all three of my companions glared.
"Get it Ruby, now." Jake snapped slamming his card back on the counter. I was almost sorry when she, Ruby flinched, bowing her head as she took the card again without a word.
"Uh, sorry…" I mumbled under my breath, I couldn't even order a drink right…
"Don't apologize because she's being a bitch. Ruby better be glad I wasn't the one who said something, cause we'd be having more than just words. Isn't that right Ruby?" Rusty snapped leaning over the counter.
"Yes ma'am, it won't happen again." Ruby murmured, clearly on the verge of teers.
"Don't pull that shit again, but maybe I should ask around before our next little run." Rusty snarled showing off her teeth.
"Add two more of what Jake ordered, then bring them to us. Understood?" Jack ordered glowering behind Rusty. I stared at the sudden hostility… there was clearly some history between them.
"Yes sir, yes ma'am." Ruby whispered with her head still bowed.
Rusty turned a beaming smile on me, "Let's grab a seat Max, and if anyone gives you trouble anywhere we've invited you, let me know yeah?" She asked sweetly taking me by the arm as she led me to a few group of tables.
"Uh, it… wasn't a big deal…" I stammered as her animal ear brushed against my cheek. It had felt… warm.
"It is a big deal Max, to us. We have rules, you've been welcomed, that means everyone should be welcoming you." Jack said gruffly looking around.
"I mean, it's not like I'm money, not everyone is going to, you know, uh, like me." I tried to defend, but… it was nice to know they had my back.
"Liking you is one thing, welcoming you is another." Rusty humphed as she sat down. "They should know better!"
I sat down, "Thanks… for inviting me… and uh, having my back."
"Of course! Now, any other plans for today cutie?" Rusty asked batting her eyes at me. I wanted to say no, that I had the day free to do whatever…
I sighed, "Uh, yeah, seeing my younger brother off tonight. My older brother is going to pick me up." Not to mention… I had no money to spend on hanging out…
Rusty grinned, "Oh, what are their names? Where is your younger brother going?"
I told them about Stevie shipping off to boot camp, I hardly even noticed Ruby dropping off our drinks. We chatted for a little under an hour before we spit. In that time I managed to get Rusty's number and we followed each other on socials.
I caught the bus back, trying to smother my stupid grin. It had been really nice to just hang out… chat… not worry.
By the time I got home I remembered the man in the bear pajamas, I crossed my arms as the dolls left my key chain. "Ace, was that you sleeping in the field?"
"Dude! How's you get merit so fast? Already popping up?" Ire demanded rounding on the bear.
Ace blearily looked up, "Oh… yeah, my bad… didn't yawn, think it, yawn, so soon."
I sighed as I kicked my shoes off, "What was that all about? Ire? They actually saw you? Why didn't you tell me that was a thing?" He wanted to be angry… but… angry at dolls? Any momentum he might have built up went right out of his sails looking at them.
"Sorry Max, it usually takes a few weeks before any of us can manifest outside of the dolls. Even Ire had to use his saved merit to show up like he did," Mai explained curling her pink tail around herself as her ears lowered submissively.
"If Jake and Jack had been there when you showed up, I would have left it alone, but that's not a place you want to be caught alone, at least not until everyone recognizes you Max. It didn't even occur to me we'd show up first." Ire explained a bit sheepishly after another glare at Ace.
"Then Ace also used Merit to show up like that?" I asked moving to the kitchen, the shake had been delicious, but he was still hungry… making a few scrambled eggs, snagging two oranges, and four slices of bacon, he sat down to eat with them.
"This may be late but… wouldn't the food make the dolls mold? Or stink?" I asked as we all ate second breakfast. Or I guess, this was my third?
"Oh, that's… different." Ace said with yet another yawn.
"When you've approved of us, or we've gained enough merit from you, we can show up like… phantoms? Don't take it the wrong way, but… its like of like we're haunting you, only you can see or hear us." Mai explained curling up in her tail to make herself look as pitiful as possible.
I stared at them, "So… you get merit from things I do… like sucking energy from me? Then you guys haunt me…" Why didn't I ask Dillon about them again? Narrowing my eyes, "Did you guys… make me not want to mention you to Dillon somehow?"
All the sins shared a look, trying to look stern, I crossed my arms. A pity that meant I had to stop eating.
"Not in the way you're probably thinking, its just, after our contract is released, all our former… uh, hosts, forget about us." Mai explained using her tail to cover everything under her eyes.
I stared… "So… Dillon doesn't remember you? Any of you?" I'd actually been growing fond of their chatter… I'd figured I'd eventually have to move on like Dillon… but I thought 'd still be able to see them…
Reed pushed his glasses up, "It's better they don't remember, once you leave… its because you've become the person you wanted to be. We may not always agree on that, but, that's how the contract works."
I uncrossed my arms, bowing my head to pick at my food which was suddenly less enticing. "Uh, what if I… just… refused to leave? Hasn't someone… just wanted to stay?" I looked up when a pink paw rested on my hand.
"You deserve to be happy… with us… you might be content… but you could never really share your life with someone. You'd be bound to the apartment, unable to have anyone stay for long periods of time. You want a wife, children, maybe a pet… Max. There's no rush, we'll be here for you until you're ready. Until then, well, we might drive you a bit crazy." Mai added with a playful wink.
I bit my cheek, that probably wouldn't be for a long time. No need to worry about it now. "So, uh, bad blood with…" I still didn't know their last names, even their socials only had first names or nicknames… "Uh, Jack, Jake, and uh the whole gym?" I asked changing the subject.
Ire rolled his eyes, "They just get territorial, feel the need to piss on everything. You'd think we actually fought or something, but nope! They just growl and bark, but one of these days! One is going to bark and I'm going to teach em who the real boss is."
"Uh huh, they only have you, outnumbered a hundred to one, not to mention… they're huge." I teased as I started eating again. This was a better topic, less real.