Chapter 7 #3
Walking toward us are two beings, both covered in a fine sheen of fur that looks similar to a mink blanket.
They vary in color; the male-looking one is dark aqua, the color becoming an ombre as it travels down his body, ending in a snowy white on the lower part of his legs.
He has black markings across his shoulders, chest, and arms, like a tiger, but they’re not stripes.
These almost look like tattoos. The male has a broad chest and well-defined arms. His torso tapers down into his waist, where the fur stops, and there is a naked patch across the front of his body from just above his nipples to as far as his groin.
There looks to be plenty of muscle definition.
He has a loin cloth covering where his genitals are.
Damn! He’s stunning, his beauty undimmed by the very unwelcoming frown that’s currently on his face.
The female is lighter all over, her entire body a very pale blue, and she has a mane of black long hair running down her back.
She has defined breasts, with a slender, toned body leading down into a lean backside and legs.
She’s covered by a toga-style dress, so I can’t see if she has hairy titties.
God, I’m bad. I’m so going to get myself into trouble.
Both are currently in humanoid-shaped bodies.
Their faces have angular high cheekbones, and they have cat ears on top of their head that twitch, likely following the sounds in the room.
Their eyes are feline in shape and pupil, and they have fangs sticking out over their bottom lips.
Not huge saber-tooth fangs, these look more like vampire fangs.
I can see that both have tails that are moving back and forth in agitation. I’ve probably been staring for too long, but at least I haven’t blurted out any stupid questions. This could totally be going much worse than it is right now.
They reach the table, and Dylan stands up, holding his hand out to the male. “Maxsim, man, good to see you.” He turns to the woman and air kisses her on the cheek. “Natalia, beautiful as always.” He turns, gesturing to me. “This is Lila, as you probably heard.”
Neither look impressed to see me, and I can hear a quiet growling sound as I say, “So happy to meet you. I hear we are going to be in an act together.”
Maxsim crosses his arms and just continues to stare at me.
Natalia looks me up and down, the growling stops, and she sneers at me with what sounds similar to a Russian accent but is much growlier—probably due to the teeth.
“That remains to be seen.” She turns to William, dismissing me.
“We will not work with this bistich.” The unfamiliar word sounds more like a sneeze than anything else, but the tone she’s using is speaking perfectly clearly.
“You insult us if you think that she, a human, can handle us.” Right, this must have been why he warned me to be nice. Bitch has attitude.
She turns to Maxsim and lets out a barrage of words in another language, arms flying, tail twitching.
He listens and responds in the same language before she turns to me and growls, exposing those fangs, then storms off.
I can see a burnt patch of fur just at the bottom of her dress.
I snort in amusement as I realize just who got hit by my stray lightning bolt.
Maxsim turns to William and says, in a voice just as heavily accented, “I am sorry.”
No-nonsense William is immediately back as he straightens his spine and stares the tigerman in the eye.
“Deal with it. Fix it, Maxsim, or you are all out. I can and will find another act. Lila is taking over. Last time we were on Iceeen, the Sensee matriarch mentioned that some of her children would like the opportunity to travel, so I’ve no worries about being able to replace you.
” Maxsim nods, throws a scowl in my direction, and follows Natalia.
I appreciate the support, but I really don’t know how that’s going to make them respect me.
“Whoa,” I say, leaning back in my chair.
“Is everyone so intense?” Not waiting for an answer, I direct my next comment to Dylan.
“And what’s with all the beautiful creatures?
Seriously, when the grandpas told me aliens, I was thinking slimy little green men, but that was definitely not a little green man.
You could bounce a quarter off of his ass.
Even your friend with all the tentacles was smoking hot, and you, you’re sex on legs.
How is a girl supposed to cope with all of this sexiness around?
” I wave in the direction Maxsim had gone, realizing that Dylan's eyes are on said ass.
“Honey, you are not wrong. That is one fine specimen of male tiger, but most of them are.” He turns back to me and laughs at the way I’m furiously fanning my face.
Hey, you have to find the silver linings.
Right now, I’ve struck out on a first impression with at least one out of two acts, so I’ll take the positive where I can.
“I’m not sure I can cope with much more.
Not only is all of this so unexpected, but I can feel everyone's eyes on me. Like I’m on display and they’re waiting for me to freak out or something.
I know that’s what Caspian had hoped for.
People have been watching all that’s been going on and seeing all my reactions.
I haven’t been popular so far.” All of this spews out of my mouth in a rush, and the grandpas exchange a glance.
John and William are frowning at their employees, but Eric just stands up and stretches.
“Let’s call it a night.”
“But she hasn’t met everyone yet,” John complains.
Eric turns to him and frowns, gesturing to me. “Look at her, she’s exhausted and overwhelmed. She can sit and watch the show tomorrow night to get a feel for it.”
“I agree,” says William, “but we do have that one thing she needs to know.”
“That’s my cue to leave,” says Dylan, getting up. “Lila, it was lovely meeting you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He grabs my hand, places a kiss on it, and then walks away.
“So, what was so important that you had to chase him away?” I grumble to the grandpas.
"Not here,” says William, glancing at Phillip and Fiona, the two failing in their attempt to look like they’re not hanging on every word. “Let’s walk you back to your room.”
Back in my room, the grandpas crowd in and shut the door.
They all have a serious look on their faces, and William takes the lead.
He comes across as the hardass of the group, but not one of them stands out as ‘the leader.’ They seem content with being on equal footing with one another, so it looks like they almost take turns with who’s in charge of what.
“Although we have shared much of what the circus does, there is one thing we haven’t shared yet.
The most important and most secret thing the Galaxy Circus does is guard the Orb of Power.
” Well, okay then, that sounds like something out of a movie, but I‘m coming to realize my life is much more amazing than a movie could ever be. Or at least a lot crazier.