Chapter 2
two
EVEREST
Orientation for the clinic is in the building next door. It’s a small office space with rooms holding tiny desks.
The moment I sit down, a monster wearing a flowing linen shirt and matching pants with dark sea-green hair in a braid hands me a tablet and introduces himself as Eissa.
“You will watch a video explaining how the clinic works,” Eissa says. “After which, you will complete the rest of your consent forms. There will be a short quiz at the end.”
Shit. I didn’t realize there were going to be tests. I barely passed high school, and the only reason I did was because my coaches bribed the teachers to keep me on the football team.
“What happens if I fail?”
“Then you will be given six weeks’ leave and then return to attempt orientation again.” He pauses. Something about this monster seems older than the ones I’ve come into contact with.
They don’t seem to age the same way humans do, so there are no physical tells. At least, none that I can see.
But it’s a feeling I get when he stares at me.
He steeples his fingers under his chin. “Please understand that we do not want this to be a traumatic experience for you, human.”
“Everest,” I correct absently, then flush. “I mean—”
“Everest,” he corrects. His mouth lifts at the corner just a little, and I see a hint of fang. “The quiz will not measure intelligence. It’s simply to ensure you understand what we’re doing here, and why.”
My heart skitters around my chest. So far, we know what they need: semen. We know when they need it: once a week.
But the information about why has been very…opaque. The government officials have simply explained that it’s something the monsters need to survive. And most humans haven’t bothered to question it.
But I have been curious.
There are about a thousand hidden Discord pages dedicated to information, but the ones I’ve been allowed into don’t have evidence.
It’s all conspiracy theory and speculation.
And the fact that I’m fairly certain no monsters have attempted relationships with people isn’t helping matters. They don’t mind us. Some humans and monsters have become friends.
But more than that?
“Do you have questions?”
I take a breath, then shake my head. “No. I’m good.”
He nods. “Please let me know if you do. Again, we want this to be a comfortable and willing experience for you. Many humans find their weekly sessions pleasurable and comfortable. That’s our aim.”
He sounds like a PSA, but his voice is comforting, which is probably why he’s taken this job. He’s a little less intimidating than the other monsters, with his low voice and the fact that he wears both pants and a shirt.
But it’s not something I want to focus on now. I want to get this done with, and I don’t want to be told that I need to wait another six weeks before I can start.
Tapping the screen, I enter my name, and then swipe to the video and begin.
I’m not sure what I expected, but it reminds me of the new-employee video I was given when I got started at the hot dog stand at the mall.
There are humans and monsters walking the camera around the clinic facility. It shows an animation of the chair we’re meant to sit on, the straps to keep us down, and then a nondescript silhouette of a monster kneeling in front of the human before the video cuts back to the narrator.
“…and upon the portals opening to Earth, the Vyastil soon discovered that human semen has a unique property that fills the need the Vyastil require to sustain their species. With the agreement between Earth and Erethar, the symbiotic relationship between both species will mean happy, healthy, prosperous beings for the rest of time.”
I sit back as the quiz loads, blinking at the screen.
That didn’t answer my questions at all. Like, not even a little bit. Everything in it was everything I already knew.
I look up at Eissa, who is watching me with an unreadable expression.
“Do you need assistance?” he eventually says.
I shake my head. “No, but…is that all?”
“All?”
I take a breath, then gesture at the tablet. “I guess I thought I’d know more about uh…well. You. And this whole thing.”
His mouth twitches again, then he says, “When you pass the quiz, your internet server will be unlocked, and you will be granted access to websites with more information. But those are closely monitored to ensure there is no information sharing. The NDA extends to that information as well. And as I’m to understand it, you have a roommate who has not yet registered for his service. ”
I sigh. “No, he hasn’t. But I don’t think he wants to know anyway. He’s…not enthusiastic about any of this.”
Eissa’s eyes cut down, and he nods. He looks almost…sad? It’s so hard to tell, but it’s in the flicker of his long, pierced ears. “I understand.”
Looking back at my tablet, I shrug. “I’ll get finished now.” I don’t wait for him to answer, instead flicking to the next page with a quiz that turns out to be insultingly easy.
I pass with a score of one hundred, and there’s a little chime of victory that makes me feel accomplished, even though I didn’t do much.
“What happens next?” I ask.
“You walk next door to the clinic and sign in for your session.”
I push the tablet to the edge of the desk and stand up. Staring at him again, I lick my lips. “Do you…ah. I mean, you participate, right?”
His eyes narrow a little. “Are you trying to make a request?”
“No. Oh my god, I’m…I mean, no offense. You seem like a perfectly nice per—uh—mon—um. Vyastil?” God, I’m such a loser.
Now he looks amused. I can read that in his dark eyes. “I see. Thank you.”
My face is flaming hot. “I just…I mean. I guess I never thought about how all Vyastil do it. The sessions.”
“Yes. Most of us.”
Interesting. I wonder what that means.
“And you, um. Like it?”
“It is necessary,” he answers, mostly toneless.
I realize I’m crossing a line here. I’m not sure if cock sucking is as intimate for them as it is for us, but it’s probably taboo to talk about it. They, at the very least, understand that for humans, it’s a sexual act.
So, yeah. I should shut my mouth.
“Thanks for being nice,” I tell him.
His face goes a little softer than most monsters look at humans, and he nods. “You’re most welcome. I hope you have an easy session.”
I make note of the fact that he doesn’t say good or nice or whatever. But I’ll take it.
An easy session is definitely something I can hope for.