Biohuman

Chapter 272 Night Chat

The suns were setting by the time they finished dinner. Most of the Foxes were either drunk or tipsy. Lee Seng, Keng, and Ritsuka conversed with other Foxes about the different things they all have done while out on mission and the amount of training they managed to squeeze in.

"We're all adventurers on Earth." Chrono's finger flicked between her and the Foxes. "People are switched out to watch different areas every couple of weeks, so the rest of us train by going on missions."

"Which Guild are you guys with then?" Lee Seng asked.  A male fox across the table leaned forward. He introduced himself as Fennec.

"Chrono is with Astro. I'm with Knights." Fennec told them.

"You're with Knights? Why'd you choose Knights?" Lee Seng asked.

"Well," Fennec leaned back in his chair. "Commander wanted us to be spread out enough that we didn't draw attention to ourselves."

"So we live our lives separate from each other most of the time." Chrono continued. "I live in the busier part of Capitol City. The district most adventurers want to be in. What was it called again?"

"Veros." Ritsuka answered.

"Ahhh, Veros!" Chrono snapped her fingers. "I'm in Veros."

"It seems weird that the Guilds have properly spread themselves around the city, well." Fennec mentioned. "It's like they're claiming territory."

"Guilds don't want to compete for areas, but I've been reading Knights have been causing some upset amongst the Guilds." Chrono took a sip of her drink.

"Oh, I think I heard about that." Ritsuka pointed at Chrono. He propped his head up with one of his arms resting on the table. "They're currently trying to battle it out for the North-east side of the city. I think that's getting into Tempest's territory."

"Mmm, they're exploding in popularity because they probably have one of the best minimal damages within the city." Fennec nodded. He smiled slowly looking over at Chrono who shook her head.

"Speaking of which, Ritsuka and Lee Seng, have you guys decided where you want to go?" Chrono raised an eyebrow. The two boys looked at each other. Lee Seng leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he thought.

"I haven't really thought about it much." Ritsuka answered. "I want to try out the Guilds and try out the Police force as well. Not sure where I'll go, yet. What about you, Lee?" Ritsuka turned to look at him. Lee Seng had puckered his lips, slightly and stared down at the other end of the table.

"I'm planning on just trying to get in with Penumbra. I know that side of the city pretty much like the back of my hand. It's two hours away from the Academy, though, so that'll be rough." Lee Seng scratched the back of his head. He grabbed the cup full of herbal remedies and took another sip of the drink.

"Doesn't Penumbra have the strictest applications?" Ritsuka asked.

"Mmm," Lee Seng nodded as he set the drink down. "One of the three biggest guilds in terms of members, but leaning on the smaller side of members since Crown and Knights have entered the scene. They have popularity because of their strong members. They're outfits don't stick out as much because of my older brother's lack of color taste, but they stick out cause all of their guild members are very attractive and charismatic."

"You sure being under your older brother will be a good idea? He might just run you through the wringer or worse… Make you become an errand boy." Fennec asked. Chrono and the others nodded. "If you got in, your reputation would make people think you pulled strings to get into Penumbra."

"Mmm, Fennec has a good point." Keng nudged Lee Seng. Lee Seng turned to look at Keng. "Most people will think you pulled strings." Lee Seng nodded and turned his attention back to the front. He watched as other Foxes grew loud and jolly. They were all enjoying their time. It was the calm before the storm.

"Just a thought." Fennec tapped the table to draw Lee Seng's attention. He took another sip and set the cup down. "You could always come to Knights. It's two hours in the opposite direction towards the East side but you'll be with a good guild."

"He might as well just go to Astro since they're in the heart of the city." Chrono suggested.

"Astro and Tempest would be too congested. It'll be a fight to get anything within those groups." Lee Seng spoke. "I'll probably still apply to Astro due to their influence but I'll be stuck with crappier jobs. Penumbra would be the hardest to get into and people would assume I used connections but the sheer application process will hush most of them. As for the two newer Guilds, they don't have as much work. Knights are growing in popularity due to their crests being flashy and their work ethic. Crown only has so much popularity because they put themselves on the south side of the City, handling most of the border work."

"A tough choice." Valen lifted his head. He had been sleeping next to Chrono. He yawned as he lifted himself up. "I'm with Penumbra since its closer to our duties under Commander…" He rubbed his eyes.

"Wait, you can't be that guy…" Ritsuka wagged his finger. Lee Seng looked at Ritsuka. Ritsuka turned to face Lee Seng and Keng. "Y'know, that guy who's been gaining popularity in the Guild Popularity Polls! He goes by Ealev! Ealev the Swift!" Ritsuka snapped his fingers at Valen and Lee Seng and Keng immediately nodded their heads and looked at Valen. Chrono was already chuckling at the mention of 'Ealev the Swift.'

"I still can't believe that's the BEST name you could come up with! Ealev! How the hell did you even think of that!" Chrono bursted out into laughter. Fennec began to chuckle and shake his head.

"What?" Valen drunkenly looked at his peers. "Fennec said to go with something easy! What's more easy than switching some letters around in my name?!?"

"But why did you have to pick something that is really hard to say?" Fennec smiled.

"It's original!" Valen slammed his hands on the table and stood up. Chrono quieted her laughs and grabbed Valen.

"Come on, Val, don't get mad. You'll end up somewhere far away if you leave like this." Chrono tugged at him. Valen pulled away and started to move away.

"You said to pick a name and I did… And now I'm getting laughed at it, again…" Valen pouted.

"I always wondered how you pronounced that name." Lee Seng spoke. "I know people tend to take nicknames in guilds and I didn't expect Ealev to be a Fox Spirit."

"That's right!" Valen turned to face the boys. He began to proudly pound his chest and stand tall. "It's just a nickname! A nickname!"

"Alright, buddy, I think you need to go sleep." Chrono spoke as she and Fennec stood up. Valen started to back track, trying to get away from his captors.

"No! I'm fine! Let me go!" Valen shouted. He started to run as Chrono and Fennec started to run after him.

"Get back here, Val! You're gonna do something embarrassing again!" Fennec shouted. Lee Seng, Ritsuka and Keng watched as the two chased after Valen. Valen jumped onto the table and quickly ran straight for Lee Seng after realizing Chimera and Halys were on the other end.

'"You'll never get me!" Valen shouted. He ran straight for the boys, narrowly missing the empty plates and leftover food.

"Val, come down before you're tied to a tree again!" Fennec shouted, chasing from below.

"No, never!" Valen shouted over his shoulder. As he turned around, Lee Seng and Keng lifted their hands up in unison. Valen felt the sudden pressure push down on him. He grunted as he slowly continued forward.

"Holy crap. He can still move." Keng whistled in amusement. Chrono jumped and lashed her tails at Valen. Lightning exploded around Valen as he tried to release himself.

"Valen! Enough!" Chrono shouted as her tails wrapped around him.

"NEVER! I WON'T TELL YOU ANYTHING, OFFICER!" Valen shouted. The gravity hold on him snapped as he shot forward, pulling Chrono.

"Chro!" Fennec shouted coming to a stop.

"God, he's drunk again." Ysa shook her head, standing. "I'll get him to calm down." She began to move when quick footsteps ran across the large table. Lee Seng watched as Valen shot past them, pulling a floating Chrono with him.

"I'm the Lightning Fox for a reason! I'm quick and I strike HARD!" Valen cackled. The sound of wolves howling grew loud as a huge snake shot past Lee Seng and wrapped themselves onto Valen. Valen felt his body tighten as he hit the floor with a loud thump.

"Oh my god!" Chrono shouted. She watched from above as a huge green snake wrapped itself around Valen.

"Why do I let you drink?" Chimera's voice spoke from the snake. Lee Seng and the two other boys, along with other Foxes, were watching. "Calm down, kid. You need your energy for tomorrow, alright?"

"I… I don't wanna! Let me go, Commander! I wanna run wild and free like I did when I was a Sprite!" Valen shook. He looked like a kid throwing a tantrum. It was amusing for Lee Seng and Ritsuka. The snake Chimera shifted back to their human form and held Valen down.

"You can release your grip, Chrono." Chimera spoke.

"Y-yes, sir." Chorno pulled her tails back and lowered herself next to Fennec. Chimera made a bunch of hissing noises. After they had finished hissing into Valen's ear, Valen's body immediately laxed.

"Someone put him into bed." Chimera stood up.

"Yes, sir. Sorry you had to intervene, sir." Fennec saluted.

"It's alright. Tonight's a celebration. We should all enjoy ourselves as much as possible." Chimera smiled. "Valen doesn't usually drink this much but I figured he would become like this at some point. You can put him in one of the newer cabins."

"Yes, sir." Chrono and Fennec saluted as they moved to grab the unconscious Valen.