Thursday, November 16, 2017

Moy Mell 5: Not Everyone Loves Cats

"Moy Mell, 5: Not Everyone Loves Cats"
orig. 11/14/2017
Zoro, Elly, Chris Redfield, Sanji - PG
Original Concept, mixed fandoms

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"Top news today in the world of entertainment - the eastern part of the world is all talking about the thinly-veiled threat and accusations in a letter to popular demon Eruri Fang, known locally as Elly Sketchit. Ms. Sketchit is ..."

Zoro tossed his phone down and groaned, banging his head on the wall of his office in the middle of the park. It was early - around five am as usual -- because Elly woke at seven and he liked to stay ahead of her as much as possible. He sighed, knowing that beating himself up wasn't going to do any good, and fell down with a loud thump into his desk chair instead.

"Fuck." It was bad. Still just accusations, but that combined with a threat was bad enough. If they had been able to keep the letter a secret, things may have worked out fine without the press getting hold of it. But the harasser had mailed copies to all the news programs and journalism they could. It was on every media already, with no chance of shielding Elly from it. They would have to respond, as well as be extra careful with her person because of the threat of physical harm. If anyone sympathised with the aggressor, it might even get worse. He swore vociferously for a few moments, ending with slamming his fist on a button on his desk and yelling, "Wake up, crack team, we've got a code orange!"

Back in the dorm, guys were jolting awake as their security panels chimed off and Zoro's furious voice cut into their morning routines or sleep schedules. They huddled together in groups in the somewhat chilly morning air, racing for the cars that would transport them to the security building.

"Shit, did he say orange?"

"Orange is one level away from red, right?"

"Yeah, asshole. It's bad."

"Not the worst!"

"No, but bad."

They poured into his office and stood at attention, worried looks on their faces. The uppermost tier of the security force had been hand-picked by the big guy himself. Every single one of them was tough, fit, and had an ability that could be used to their advantage in a situation like this. Not a single one of them liked it when Elly was in danger of any sort, and all had worried looks on their faces as they waited for Zoro to calm down enough to speak.

"There's been threats and slander. I'm not worried about the slander." He stood and slapped his hands down on the desk hard enough to cause it to creak under the weight applied. "I sent the shitty letter we received to your mail - read it. Now." Hands dug into pockets to grab phones. Heads bent as they clicked, then scrolled... and not a few swore softly under their breath with rage.

"Extra security." A thick-bodied man nodded grimly at Zoro. He was one of the few that was wearing garb that resembled anything professional. The dark outfit resembled a military uniform with many pockets and even a patch on one shoulder.

"Yeah," he agreed. "You'll have to pull from the main body to get more guys. Most will be more than happy. Pick those."

"Two guards on her at all times?"

"Yeah, Chris," he growled impatiently. "You wanna be the first to team up with me?"

"Yeah, okay." His muscles bunched under the outfit he wore as he held his hands out, palms up. "Just don't take it out on me, big fella."

"Fuck you," Zoro spat, and they all laughed, releasing some of the tension in the room. "All right, go - just go. Get everyone that can be put on this, on it." Everyone filed out of the room except Chris, who remained behind to leave with Zoro for the mansion.

"Anything specific?" He asked as they got into the bullet car.

Zoro grumbled under his breath for a moment, input the coordinates and then shrugged as they started to speed along. "Just be the shadow," he said confidently. Chris approved. That meant Zoro would be in front and he could skulk around, the second person that might be an element of surprise if they needed it. "Oh, crap." The green-haired man scrubbed at the side of his face, looking displeased for a moment. "And ...be more alert in the mansion. I might get a little distracted there." He admitted this last grudgingly. Chris raised an eyebrow but said nothing, knowing he was sensitive about his relationship with Elly.

--

The hardest part was dealing with the cat woman when she found out it was all over the news. She was not a morning person, and then she had to be briefed on how her freedom was going to be curtailed for an unspecified amount of time. She sulked on her breakfast stool, lashing her tail behind her in frustration. Zoro sat right next to her and Chris stood some distance apart, watching the doorways. Sanji was frying eggs and brewing coffee, smells that filled the room and would have created a cheery morning atmosphere had it not been for Elly's sour disposition.

"You're not gonna let me do a whole lot, are you?"

Chris kept silent. He'd learned early the benefit of being quiet, and their mistress was a demon, after all. They had notoriously bad tempers. Zoro, however, took chances that he was amazed at.

"No," he agreed flatly, adding as an afterthought, "eat your eggs."

"Damn it. All this shit's made me lose my appetite."

Sanji called over his shoulder from one of the ovens, where he was making plates for himself and the two guards. "You know how I feel about wasting food, angel."

"Ugh."

"Eat," Zoro stressed. "You don't want to faint today."

"Yeah, I know," she sighed to Sanji while sticking her tongue out at the man sitting beside her. Chris stifled a smile when Zoro thrust his lip out in a stubborn pout. Every guy that lived in the compound was shown a video and given free access to old scrolls and books, information about her capabilities. He'd fought monsters before but nothing had prepared him for the wrath of an actual demon. Yet they all stayed, and it was apparent that the only thing the head of security was afraid of was showing that he felt the same way the others did. He looked aside as Chris glanced over at them again, breathing out a big puff of air and allowing himself a quick blush. When he turned around again his expression was severe once more.

"Do you need to go anywhere other than the art studio today?"

"Nope. I only promised I'd pose for Tracey." She set her fork down and wiped her mouth neatly on a napkin, hiding her own blush. "It's just sitting there for awhile, you know, while he sketches. The painting is done later, at his own pace."

"I know." Zoro wolfed down his own food when Sanji set his plate in front of him. The cook rolled his eyes and handed one to Chris, who smiled in appreciation. "It's been set up like usual, in the secure room people can see but not reach. I'll sit by your side this time, too."

"I'm going to be ghosting today," Chris offered when she looked curiously over at him.

"Ah. Just in case, huh?"

"Gotta be safe."

"Yeah." She wiggled her ears abashedly. "I really don't think I'm in danger. It's probably just, you know, some jealous person that took things too far."

"Could be." Zoro stood, walked over to the sink and dumped his empty plate in the soapy water bubbling on one side. "Or not. I'd rather be careful."

"I know," she sighed again.


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