Chapter 13: Mission Start

The morning sun filled the mansion with light. Ferral groaned a little, his body still sore from yesterday. Especially in his eyes. He was alone in bed, still in the same position he was in when he fell asleep. As he slowly lifted his body, Ferral scratched his head. Gripping his hair, Ferral remembered he needed to get a haircut.

After taking off his dirty, ripped clothes and putting on clean ones, Ferral headed to the second floor for breakfast. Nia and Berus were already at the table, eating. “Good morning, Chief.” One of the housekeepers greeted. “Morning.” Ferral smiled, “Guess I’m late for breakfast?” “Only by about a half hour, Chief.” She replied, “The Chieftess said you were quite tired from defending the village the other day.” She bowed her head, “Please, don’t overexert yourself for our sake.” Ferral was slightly taken aback, but smiled. “Of course. Thank you for worrying, Sabe.” She lifted her head with a smile and walked off.

He walked over to join his family. Berus looked up from the food he was devouring. He gleefully grinned, “Morning, Papa!” His mouth is full of food. Nia lightly hit his shoulder, “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” He chuckled, swallowing what he had. “Morning, Papa! How did it go with that human?” Ferral pulled out a chair and sat down. “About as good as I figured.” He looked around, his brow furrowed. “Where’s Laura?” Ferral asked. “She went out training at the crack of dawn.” Nia replied. Ferral sighed, “I wish she wouldn’t work herself so hard. That girl.” “She takes after her father.” Nia gave a sly smile.

Once breakfast was finished, Ferral asked one of the other housekeepers to give a haircut. “I’m surprised, Chief.” He said, “You said you enjoy your long hair.” “Well, the wife said it was about time.” Ferral draped it over the chair. “Just make it short, Adian. Keep it a little over shoulder length, nothing fancy.” Adian inspected the hair. “Shall I cut this bang completely off, or shorten it too?” He asked, lifting it. “Cut it off.” Adian nodded, grabbed a comb and scissors, and began cutting. During this, Reginald carefully walked it. Clearing his throat.

“Got some new information for me, Reginald?” Ferral asked with his back turned. Adain didn’t pause. “Yes and no, Chief.” Reginald replied. “It’s nothing major, but I will still save it for last.” As he talked, Reginald walked to face Ferral. “Everything in the village is fine, though there have been complaints about that human who’s been upsetting the people.” “Upsetting them how? Ferral asked. “In their words, “By simply existing.” There have also been questions about an outsider experiment roaming the village.” Ferral forgot that Leona was in the village. As long as she’s not causing trouble, then it’s nothing Ferral needs to worry about right now. Dr. Atlas is a little more of an issue. But it’s nothing Ferral couldn’t deal with.

Hair continued to fall to the floor. “And what of this important info?” Ferral asked, being spun around in the chair so that Adian could cut his bang. “It would seem Jurga took care of the problem he talked to about yesterday.” “And is that all?” Reginald nodded. “Quite uneventful news.” Ferral sighed. He enjoyed the peace of knowing none of the villagers were in danger. However, Ferral also hated feeling complacent. He always wants something to do. A problem to solve.

Even now, simply sitting for this haircut bores him. That is the reason he will spend hours locked inside his lab or out doing hobbies. He tinkers, creates new inventions. Thinks of new ways to improve the village even if it doesn’t need it. He’ll go out to explore the jungle or the ocean. Studying the wildlife, or trying to find new ones. He had spent years of his life trapped in one small box, so Ferral developed the thirst to constantly do or find new things. Or maybe that was his DNA driving him. Always evolving, needing constant stimulation. Guess it was actually a good thing he was going to find a cure for this fungus, Ferral thought.

Ferral yawned, stretching in the chair after Adian had finished. He looked at a mirror to examine his hair and smile. “Thank you, Adian. It looks great.” Adian bowed, “Thank you, Chief. It was my pleasure.” Ferral got out of the chair, helping Adian sweep up, but he refused. “That’s alright, Chief. I can handle things here.” Ferral wanted to disagree, but nodded and walked out.

Ferral left the mansion, already getting compliments on his haircut. He looked around for Atlas. Eventually, finding him sitting on the grass leaning against a bush. Dr. Atlas was writing in a journal, and it reminded Ferral of when he used to do the same thing. Funnily enough, to find another cure. The thought made Ferral chuckle. “Good morning.” Ferral stood over Atlas, arms crossed. He looked up, “Oh, good.” He closed his journal and got up. “I was wondering if you forgot about me.” “Believe me, I tried.” Ferral’s face is stern. “I’m honestly surprised you haven’t run for the hills. Where’d you even sleep?” Atlas pointed to the grass he sat on. “So I tried to ask some of the other villagers if they’d let me stay the night, but they spat at my feet or threatened to kill me. I tried to see if I could stay and YOUR home, but the guards spat in my face and threatened to kill me. Eventually, I settled for sleeping out here.”

Ferral scoffed, “Well, you'd better have gotten enough sleep, because today is going to be all work. Got it?” Atlas fixed his lab coat. “Of course, I’m ready. And I have to say, the grass here is very lush and soft.” “I designed it that way. Now let’s go.” As the two started to head out, Ferral picked up the scent of Laura and Leona coming closer. He stopped, staring into the trees. Angrily clenching his fists. They walked into the village, Laura giggling. She noticed Ferral, and her face lit up, running toward him.

“Hi Papa!” She greeted as she stopped in front of him. “Morning, my little pup!” Ferral patted her head. Leona joined the two; Ferral looked up. His brow furrowed in annoyance. “You’re friend is so cool!” Laura said, getting Ferral’s attention back. “She told me a lot about you two when you were younger. You were so silly.” Ferral gave a fake chuckle, “Silly? How so?” “She said stuff like you didn’t know the difference between ‘collateral’ and ‘cholesterol’.” She laughed, Leona joining in. Even Atlas chuckled, covering his mouth and looking away. Ferral’s right eye twitched; he chuckled, embarrassed. “Well, I was very different back then.” He knelt to look at her, “Breakfast is waiting for you at him, okay? It’s cold by now, but make sure you wash up before eating, okay?”

She nodded a few times, “Okay! C’mon, Ms. Leona!” She grabbed Leona’s hand and pulled her along. Leona looked back, Ferral’s face scrunched in anger. She smugly smiled and shrugged, turning back around. Ferral grumbled. “So, we should get going.” Dr. Atlas side-eyed Ferral, a smile on his face. “Right, Mr. Cholestral?” He laughed. Ferral looked at him with a murderous scowl. “Let’s just get this over with, you siviling son of a bitch.” He grabbed Atlas by the hair and dragged him along. “Ow ow ow! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”