"I often wonder why not many people in the Order use online shopping but then I remember that shipping to a mostly secret extra dimensional space might not be covered by FedEx." - Val when explaining the order to Kurt.

Jay read over the letter that had been sent to Kurt. Oddly enough in today's age, it was handwritten and very legible to the point that it almost looked like it was printed in a font that only appeared like regular handwriting.

While the lines were neat and the spacing very tidy, there were the tell-tale marks to show a pen was used. It was a very high-quality pen, likely using very high-quality ink as well. He studied the little sweeps at the ends of the letters, noting a slight hesitation to some of them, likely indicating that the author was not using their native language.

"Hmm, it does appear to be legitimate." He said to Kurt, who sat on the overstuffed couch in Jay's office. "But it is up to you on what to do with this." He waved the letter.

Kurt took it and put it on the table. "What would you advise?"

Heaving a sigh and leaning back, Jay waved his hand flippantly. "I don't care what you do, it's your business. I would recommend you consider if you are satisfied with what the order has done and if so, consider staying. If you are curious about the other offer, go talk to them."

"But don't I owe…"

"Other than having to deconstruct the hub and potentially having to do some weird stuff with the last pay checks and signing a magical NDA, which probably won't stick because of your new divinity, not really." The demon leaned forward and plucked his coffee cup off the table. "How about this, ask the girls what they think?"

"I did." Kurt huffed in irritation.

"And?"

"And they didn't seem to care either way." Kurt finished. "I am inclined to tell them to fuck off since they barged in then attempted to strong arm me into talking with them."

Jay shrugged. "Well, then do that." He took a sip of his drink before frowning at the cup, likely from it being cold at this point. "Also consider the things you are working on or benefits you built for yourself. The little trade deal you have with that gargoyle and your rather slow infiltration into the enchanter's guild are some fringe benefits. Plus, you know us and already work well with us."

"The devil you know, haha." Kurt had to make the joke.

"Smart ass." Jay said with an eye roll.

"Eh, it's better than being a dumbass." Kurt shot back with his favorite retort.

Jay smiled over the rim of his cup, which was now steaming somehow. "I think I will borrow that one." He took a sip, hummed in satisfaction and set the cup back on the table, adjusting it slightly on its coaster. "So, do you want to tell them off or should I handle it for you?"

Kurt was a little taken aback at the comment and it showed on his face since Jay scoffed before putting words to his thoughts. "Listen, Kurt, I will support you as long as you want to be here. It does nothing for us to have you unhappy or feeling like a rat on a wheel. If you are happy and do good work, it's better for everyone, rather than you being miserable and doing a shit job."

"I guess that might be a good point." Kurt admitted but then Jay's words reminded him of something. "What was with the other team and us having to go back out to Washington to deal with their territory?"

"What, don't enjoy the pacific northwest in the fall?" Jay snarked. "It's another one of my teams. They are just very fresh and still adapting so they don't clear rifts as easily as you do. All of my teams are like yours though, for better or worse."

Kurt once more felt there was something there. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you and your peers have caused a bit of a wave in this part of the Order. You were the first team I got active but the other two followed within a couple weeks of you. So far, their experience has been similar though I haven't given them as much extra homework for internal politics and such."

"So, they are handling raids and that stuff too?" Kurt asked.

"Yes, mostly rifts and more than you are, actually. But that is mostly because your little problem is more long term than theirs have been." Jay paused and considered. "Hmm, I think we should have a little, how do you say it in corporate, team bonding or something?"

"Team engagement?" Kurt offered.

Jay snapped his finger and pointed at him. "That's it, engagement. You might actually benefit from making connections since they have some other areas of expertise. You aren't the only one with a hobby after all."

Kurt shrugged. "Sure, just let us know when. I should probably get going anyway."

Jay stood when Kurt did. "Oh, hot date?"

"No, it's just your couch sucks." He replied and stretched, trying to figure out how he got a kink in his back after such a short time. "Is it enchanted to be uncomfortable?"

"HAHAHA, no. That is just a bonus." Jay said while walking him back to Penny's office. "I picked it so that I could seem hospitable without people wanting to linger for long when they came for a chat. "

Starting to speak, Kurt stopped himself. "I… wait, no that makes sense actually." He wouldn't expect anything less from the old demon. "Well, thanks for hearing me out. Give my best to the family and all."

"I will pass that along but for what it's worth, they have no idea you even exist." Jay said with a wave and his traditional smirk. "Talk to you later, Kurt."

Jay sighed after he made sure that Kurt had safely transitioned back to his home and closed the door to Penny's office. He then wondered where the young lady was spending her time recently. As he returned to his office, he stopped at the smaller one right next to his, the one for his assistant.

He rapped his knuckles on the door frame. "Hey, Kevin."

The human looked up from his computer and stood after seeing who was there. "Yes boss?"

"I want to find a time to get the teams together for a social event. Find time on the schedule and book one of the event rooms in the order. I will also cater the event, but we can plan that when we find a date." Jay rattled it off.

His aide had immediately began writing on his note pad. "Got it. Social event for all three teams and their handlers." He paused and glanced to his collections of wall calendars. "How about we do it on a Friday night? Maybe this month? I think its better sooner than later since there are a bunch of earth holidays around that time."

Jay smiled. He really liked this aide. "Sounds great, just make it low commitment and casual."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Kevin went back to his note pad and wrote that down. "Got it. Anything else I can get going boss?"

Glancing down at his watch, Jay thought for a second before making his decision. "How about lunch?"

"I can do that, what would you like today?"

"No, Kevin, I mean let's go get lunch, my treat. Call it a two in one or whatever they say in corporate speak. But we are on the clock for this, despite it being casual."

Kevin locked his computer and grabbed his suit jacket. "I think the phrase is One-on-One."

"That's what I have you for. Now, what sounds good?" Jay said and they began the walk to the entertainment area of the order.

*****

Kurt returned to his house and walked inside to find the girls in the living room, studying their D&D books and trying to learn the rules. They both looked up as he entered and tracked him while he walked over to the couch Val was sitting on.

He flopped down next to her before pulling her into his side and cuddling. She had made a little squeak of surprise, but she then relaxed into the motion before wiggling into position and rubbing her face along him. He then made grabby hands at Kristi where she sat on the couch, and she came to join him on his other side. They still had their books but looked at him expectantly.

"We are staying with the Order." Kurt declared and got a happy hum from Val who was still wriggling against him. "I don't have anything to complain about and we have already formed some connections there. Plus, the Agency just rubbed me the wrong way with how their people acted."

"A good decision." Kristi said. "While I have no friends at the Order besides Penny, I very much doubt that things will be better elsewhere. That might hold even more true after they find out what we are."

"I don't think it really matters." Kurt said. "I didn't join the order to make friends, I did it to do a job that I could live with. My 'friends' are all out here except for Penny."

"What about us?" Kristi asked. "Are we not your friends?" She sounded a little hurt.

"No, you are so much more." Kurt said and tilted his head to give her a kiss on the cheek. "While I wasn't expecting either of you in my life, I am so glad I met you both."

"Daw." Val cooed and stretched up to get a kiss of her own. "We love you too."

Kurt ignored her groping hand and the sudden squeeze around his ankle from Kristi's tail. "So, what did you guys get up to besides learning how to play table top games?"

"Well, if you remember when we went to the gaming store, we were told about the group that met on Saturdays and that they had some open seats?" Seeing Kurt nod, she continued. "I reached out to that Steve guy and asked if we could come watch. He responded by asking if we would rather come ready to play a little early and we can do character creation."

"I was worried about going through all that and not actually sticking with it." Kristi said. "But when Val asked, he responded that it was fine, if we played for one session or a hundred, it didn't matter to him."

"That's cool." Kurt said. "Do we need to bring anything or…"

Val rolled up to her knees to face Kurt directly. "He said shareable snacks are always good, but his specific ask was for drinks since two of his regulars always brought chips or something." Val said, she was starting to bounce on the couch in her excitement.

Kurt laughed and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Ok, we can go out for an early dinner tomorrow and then head that way. Let's just stop at the store and grab some soda and stuff on the way to the game."

"So, what are you planning on doing the rest of the day?" Kristi asked.

Kurt thought for a moment. "Well, I have some th…" He stopped himself as the sound of a car on the gravel pulled his attention to the driveway. He craned his neck to look out the window to see a tow truck coming to a stop in front of the garage.

"EEEEE! Its here!" Val shrieked and scampered her way out of Kurt's lap, running to the door.

"VAL! EARS!" Kurt called as she began to reach for the doorknob. He was also in the process of getting off the couch, trying to gently disentangle himself from Kristi. He might have copped a feel in the process as they both tried to move at the same time and hands went…places.

Val quickly hid her features before opening the door and stepping outside, somehow already in shoes when she had been barefoot moments before.

"What is she so excited about?" Kristi wondered as she also hid her features by activating the enchantment on her amulet and followed Kurt to the porch.

"I have no idea." Kurt said while tugging on a pair of sneakers and stepping outside. He could have spent months guessing what Val had ordered and never would have gotten close to the truth.

Val was currently talking to a man hanging out the window of his truck, directing him where to park before stepping away to let him maneuver. When the truck turned around, Kurt could see the shape of a car under a cover but was even more surprised when the driver hopped out and removed the fitted canvas.

Under the black tarp was a rather expensive looking, light grey Audi. He knew it was rather expensive from the badge on the trunk that boldly displayed 'RS' in red letters. The driver then lowered the bed of the tow truck and released the tiedowns before climbing in and starting it. The sound of very loud and very turbocharged engine starting greeted them, causing Kristi to flinch from the sudden noise.

The driver then very carefully backed the car onto the gravel before shutting it down and climbing out. He handed Val a clip board and rolled up the cover while she went around and inspected everything. Kurt and Kristi went down to see what was going on.

"So, you bought a car?" Kurt said.

"Isn't it beautiful." Val said while smiling and running down her checklist.

"It's also a performance model of an already expensive car…" Kurt said skeptically.

"I know but I couldn't help myself. I have always wanted to have a little sports car, but it wasn't possible when I lived in the Order and Japan wasn't exactly the best place for one. So, when I came here, I decided to buy one but after our first pay day I was actually able to buy a super nice one."

"A very nice one." Said the driver as he came back around. "Here is the cover, miss." He handed the cover to Val, who passed it right to Kurt. "We also have the snow tires coming in at some point this next week so we will call when they are ready to pick up."

"Great, thanks Jeff." Val said as she made it back to her starting point at the driver's door. "I think it all looks good, so here… you… go." Val said and signed the papers before handing them back.

Jeff took the clip board, ran down the line and signed his own line before handing a carbon copy to Val. "Great, here are both keys and everything else is in the trunk. Just the floor mats and other things, the plastic ones in there are temporary. Enjoy the new car and we will see you in a little while for those tires."

They shook hands and the man climbed back into his truck and drove off. "Val, when did you buy this?" Kurt asked, as they watched the truck pull out onto the road.

She was still walking around the car as she answered. "Couple weeks ago, Penny helped arrange the purchase and delivery for me." She then popped the trunk and made sure everything was in there. "We had it shipped to the local dealer from one down south, they were really happy when I paid by wire same day, even after I talked them down from the sticker price and had them add in winter tires."

Kurt couldn't really say anything, he thought the car was awesome. "You picked a great car for winter. All wheel drive will be nice to have."

Val shrugged while putting in floor mats. "Its also good to have two cars, that way we can split up if needed. If I want to do something while you are out, then I have a means to do it. Also, I just wanted a fun car to drive."

"Whatever you want, just let me pull the trailer out and you can have that second stall." Kurt said and opened the middle garage door. He didn't bother bringing his car around to hook up the trailer, he just kicked the chock blocks and gabbed the safety chains to haul it around the side of the garage. After setting the blocks back in place, he covered it with a tarp and tied that down so the wind wouldn't take it away.

When he returned to the front of the garage, Val and Kristi were talking about something. They both stopped and turned to him when he approached. "What's up?" He looked between the girls and saw Kristi wringing her hands from nervousness.

Nudging her friend, Val whispered something that made the dragoness speak up. "Um, c-can…. No, never mind, it's not important."

Val facepalmed and groaned. "Ugh, Kurt, Kristi wants to talk to you about her hobby and was wondering if you can help her set it up."

Kurt smirked. "Sure thing. What is it you wanted Kristi?"

"I, ah I was hoping we could…" Her face lit up in embarrassment until Val gripped her hand. She looked the kitsune in the eye for a moment before turning back to Kurt. "I was hoping to set up a gaming room."

"Hmm, Ok. What kind of games?" Kurt asked. He wasn't sure where to put it but if he had some more information, it might help.

"Video games." She said. "I wanted to ask for help in getting the consoles and setting them all up. It doesn't have to be right now…" She began but Kurt waved her off.

"Not a problem. What consoles did you want? Just the current ones or all of them? Oh, did you want a PC too?" Kurt was already thinking about finishing out the extra room in the basement for her to use.

Kristi glanced back to Val who just nodded in support. "Umm, just the current ones and a PC?"

"Sure, we can start with those." Kurt said. "Why don't we ask Frank about it tomorrow? He might have some ideas on how to set it up. I say we just finish out that other room in the basement and you can have that for all your things."

"A-are you sure? I don't need a whole room if…"

"Yeah, it's not a problem. It will be a good winter project, then you can help design everything you want. Also, if Val is getting an entire section of the garage, then you can have a custom designed room."

"Oh, then can I get a car lift?" Val asked.

Laughing once more, Kurt told her she could have whatever she could fit in there. They all shared a moment in the driveway before Val declared she was taking her new car for a joy ride and pulled Kristi along, promising Kurt they would be back for dinner.

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