THE XIXITSU'S Chapter 1 - A New Place
THE XIXITSU'S
CHAPTER 1 - A NEW PLACE
" KEADE - very clean, private, 2 bed/2 bath apartment plus amenities. 1500 wan(1) plus half utilities to share w/ fun, 19 year old(2) male smoker. Avail immediately. 9053-72-1420."
It sounded pretty good to Reo-na and was one of the cheapest deals she had found all morning while surfing the classified section of "The Rising Sun". It had been a year and a half since she moved into the Blue Moon commune in the inner city. It was relatively close in location to her work and the occupants were like-minded, yet Reo-na tired from the rowdy beatniks and lack of privacy in her life. Everyday was the same for her. She rarely had a good night sleep due to the noise echoing through the halls of the worn down commune and was usually cranky upon awakening for work. The commune was poor, relying on donations and the support of those who lived there, mostly being filled with starving artists and poets and thespians that just couldn't catch a break. It was a retreat for those who dance to the beat of a different drum, and those loud drums seemed to beat all night and day. Reo-na was one of the rare few that held a normal, steady job and she put a lot of her time and money into supporting those who were more interested in drugs, munchies and sleeping. She had been working at Tiny Tails Daycare for nearly one year and she loved it, being so fond of children and all. Reo-na had thought about how much she would miss her best friend, Tai, who shared a room with her at the commune. Still, they could always visit each other and Reo-na was craving some peace and quiet in her life.
She had left a message on the answering machine of the male seeking a roommate, and called about fifteen other ads as well. She ate a small breakfast of berries and grains, found her way amongst the maze of her packed belongings, not that she owned much, and scurried off to work. Being around screaming children was the closest thing to peace and quiet Reo-na had and she did love it. She would tell the kits(3) stories and repeatedly educate a certain young male how paste wasn't nutritional or digestible. She would play games. She would serve healthy snacks. She would bandage and kiss scrapes all better. Yes, she loved her job. Yet it was tiring and the walk home would always tax her. Multitudes of people walked the along the sidewalks, moving faster than the rush hour traffic which was always nearly at a standstill. Keade was a medium-sized city. A handful of skyscrapers dotted the cityscape and neon signs decorated the stores. The overpasses and interstates were always congested with traffic, especially since Keade's main interstate connected with Okada, the capital of Seiji. There were plenty of restaurants and nightclubs and always something to go do. The beach wasn't too far away and there were many tourist events. The sky was overcast and gray during the early evening walk back to the commune. Tiny drops of rain dotted the sidewalks and bounced off Reo-na's light greenish-blue muzzle. There had been an off and on rain during that entire week as the wet season(4) was soon approaching. Reo-na took a deep breath and smelled the scent of a clean rain, yet gagged on the pollution from the cars and factories. She continued on, clutching her handbag close to her as not to get mugged.
She arrived at the commune, her ears pasted to the side of her head as handfuls of stoned hippies dotted the front lawn, all sprawled out like rows of casualties laid out in a war. A few of them commented to Reo-na in a stoned or drunken stupor as she walked past them and into the commune. A heavy, wooden door creaked loudly as she pushed it open with all her strength. The thick smell of Janai Weed(5) filled the halls as well as a variety of incense and baked goods. Reo-na grumbled as she noticed smoke pouring out from underneath the door to her room. She choked and gagged as she entered the room, Tai was laying on the bed, being teased by her current lover-of-the-day. Tai was wearing a rather skimpy ensemble of daisy duke type shorts, which were unzipped and it was rather obvious that she was not wearing anything underneath them, and a see-through lace bra. Her deep red and black fur was rustled and looked a bit sticky. Her daily pick of the litter donned a cream coat of fur, thin scraggly tail and messed up brown, spiky hair. A large blue bong sat between them, half a bowl of weed had not been smoked yet nearly the entire stash in a plastic bag had disappeared. Reo-na sighed and flopped on her bed, pulling a pillow over her face.
"Hey, I hear you're leavin' us, Starflower," Kani, Tai's current sex object said in a stoned stupor. Starflower was a stereotypically hippy nickname Reo-na received at her time in the commune. "We not good enough for ya anymore?"
"Pretty much," Reo-na sarcastically replied, knowing that Kani was only joking around. Kani began to playfully chew on Tai's large, right ear, which produced a loud, high-pitched giggle fit as he began to dry dock her, not caring that Reo-na was in their presence. Tai broke away from a tongue-filled kiss.
"How was work?" Tai asked, squirming underneath a rather excited Kani who was obviously erect. Reo-na pulled out her cellphone to check her messages.
"Alright, I guess. Same as always, " She answered as she listened to her first message. She shushed Tai and Kani as she listened to a reply from the young male seeking a roommate. He had replied asking Reo-na to call and meet him at his apartment later that evening. She instantly returned his call and ran to hop in the shower. He seemed nice over the phone; he had a very attractive voice and definitely showed good manners. Reo-na hoped that her liberal lifestyle wouldn't clash with this stranger, if she were approved to become his new roommate. She threw a plastic jug out of the tub that was used the night before as a gravity bong, drained the water and showered off. The bathroom was a popular spot for Reo-na and Tai to smoke. They'd sit in there for hours and get high and just talk about whatever. Reo-na looked at a resin stain on the edge of the tub and smiled. She hoped she would still have these experiences with her best friend. Despite a small amount of depression from leaving, Reo-na felt positive about moving away. Her intuition had been telling her to do so for quite some time now.
"Shit, I'm late!" Reo-na said to herself as she ran down the sidewalks of Keade. Fortunately for her, the rain had stopped before she had left the commune. Tai had wished her good luck with a tight hug, even though it was clear in Tai's eyes that she did not want Reo-na to leave, either that or she was still in afterglow. Reo-na dodged the citizens of Keade as she neared the location where the young male, who's name she discovered was Aitarou, told her to be. It was a large apartment complex on the outskirts of the city. The area was peaceful and there was not too much traffic. Reo-na had noticed a large, glistening swimming pool and a jacuzzi on her search for the correct apartment. The apartments were nicely kept and the lawns freshly manicured with flower beds all around and well-kept trees. She took a nervous breath and stuffed a small, tattered piece of paper in her handbag as she knocked on the door of apartment 5-3. No answer. She rechecked her directions and confirmed that this was the correct apartment. Ding-dong! She tried the doorbell. Still no answer. She stood around, feeling rather awkward and after a few minutes, she began to walk away. She started down the steps when she heard someone call out for her.
"Excuse me? Are you Reo-na?" A male asked. Reo-na turned around instantly and walked back up the steps towards the apartment. A very handsome, young male stood in the frame of the doorway. He wasn't wearing a shirt, only some baggy, deep indigo colored military pants. His fur was a burnt-orange color. Long, light brown hair flowed to the middle of his back, a piece of the bangs tied on the left side of his face tied with a rubber band. He had an incredible body too, well-formed pecs and a hint of abs. He wasn't too muscular, but certainly did look strong and he had a thin, non-bushy tail with a tuft of brown fur on the end. Reo-na cleared her throat as she cautiously approached him, although the smile on his face made her feel calmer.
"Uh... yes, I am. I thought I had the wrong apartment there for a second," She laughed a bit, shaking hands with Aitarou.
"I apologize. I was indisposed there for a moment. Come on in," Aitarou invited Reo-na into his home. Reo-na noticed a military logo on his pants. That clothing wasn't just for show. He wore the mark of a high-ranking officer and that instantly made Reo-na feel rather uncomfortable. He seemed kind, but she doubted he would want a free-spirited hippy for a roommate. Aitarou had his own thoughts about this potential roomie. He looked her up and down, one eyebrow raised, while she was glancing around the living room, checking out her bright greenish-blue and incredibly large, bushy tail with a lighter green underside. Reo-na was very slender and delicate looking. She was wearing a long, pastel pink skirt and a tight, long-sleeved pink shirt that she had tied at the chest to expose her whitish belly. Her long, light purple hair was dotted with beads intermittently and a soft, white feather tied to a strand of hair in the front. Aitarou smirked happily as he looked at more desirable parts, such as her chest and rear. He gathered himself together and walked towards this green beauty. "So, this is the living room... obviously."
"It's very nice," Reo-na smiled. Aitarou looked unhappy at himself for his unintelligent remark. "May I see the spare bedroom?"
"Hmm? Oh! Of course," Aitarou awakened from his own thoughts and pulled at his pants to hide his visible, dirty thoughts. He gestured Reo-na to follow him. The spare bedroom was very nice. It wasn't too large but Reo-na didn't require too much space. Moreover, the place was clean and quiet. The kitchen was a lovely size and the bathroom and kitchen had newer appliances. She had noticed a vast amount of weaponry ranging from swords to guns displayed on the walls in decoration. Reo-na was highly against the use of weapons and honestly, she did not agree with the military or war. Still, live and let live, she always thought. "So, what do you do for a living?"
"I work in child care. I've been working at Tiny Tail's for about a year now," Reo-na informed. "I see you're in the military."
"Yep. First Lieutenant to be precise," Aitarou's smile was one of pride. He sat down on the couch and Reo-na copied, accepting a cup of hot tea from Aitarou.
"And how did you get that ranking so young?" Reo-na was wondering. The tea was delicious. It was some sort of exotic fruit and herb blend. She took a cookie off a plate sitting on the coffee table.
"I went to OCS. Got my rifle marksmanship and all that good stuff, but I prefer the sword. It's more spiritual, " Aitarou bragged. Reo-na tried not to scowl. How could weaponry be spiritual?
"Well, that's quite an accomplishment," She bluffed. "So, what are your interests?"
"I do a lot of meditation and I exercise a lot. I'm vegan, which I hope won't be a problem. I practice my sword technique. I like to read and go dancing. Stuff like that. I also like the mind numbing stuff such as video games," Aitarou chuckled. This was sounding better now. "What about you?"
"I'm an artist. I do a lot of painting and sketching. I'm very spiritual and vegan as well. I am also into meditation and alternative medicines," She taught, not mentioning her smoking preferences.
"It'd be nice to have an artist around here. Maybe this place would actually get decorated a bit better. So, it's fifteen hundred wan and three utilities. Rent is due the third of every month and I require the money upfront for this month's rent and a second deposit," Aitarou told. Reo-na nodded.
"I have the money set aside so if you accept me, I can pay you immediately," She told. Aitarou seemed blanked out for a minute, consumed in his thoughts. He blinked and came back to reality.
"Oh, well, that shouldn't be a problem. I've had a few people come the past couple of days who I wouldn't wish my enemy to room with. However, I have a few more people coming this evening so I will give you a call once I make my decision," Aitarou informed, placing a decorative pillow over his crotch and squirming a bit. "So where are you living now?"
"Well, " Reo-na started, trying to word her living situation delicately, however she decided to be honest. "I'm living in Blue Moon commune."
"Ha! Seriously?" Aitarou barked a loud laugh.
"Yeah..." Reo-na said in a blunt tone. Aitarou cleared his throat.
"Well, that's cool. So... what? You like... drum in circles and sing folk songs or something?" Aitarou tried to be as serious as possible, but the smirk on his face gave him away. He wasn't trying to hurt her feelings. He was fine with the hippy lifestyle, in fact he lived quite a bit in the alternative world, yet he disagreed with a lot of their philosophies as well and never had a chance to be in a commune setting.
"Well, no. Not... everyday. I don't sing folk songs," Reo-na looked to the side, ears pasted against her head. 'I should have lied.'
"Well, that's fine. I'm okay with that. I dig the alternative lifestyle," Aitarou admitted. Either way, he thought she was hot and she seemed to have a good personality. He glanced at a beautifully engraved clock sitting atop the entertainment center in the living room. "I have someone coming in about fifteen minutes. It really was nice meeting you and I'll be giving you a call soon about my decision."
"Wonderful meeting you too. I really like this place," Reo-na stood up, once more shaking Aitarou's hand. 'He sure does have a firm grip.' Aitarou walked Reo-na to the door, slowly shutting it behind her to get one last good look at her as she cascading down the stairs to the first floor.
Three days had passed. Reo-na was anxious each day and decided to still continue with her hunt for a new place, especially after Kani and Tai had full blown sex in the room while she was trying to sleep. It was a stormy evening. Reo-na had been smoking a bit on a back porch behind the commune when she received the call from Aitarou. She was accepted and was to move in immediately.
(1) Wan is a type of currency in the country of Seiji.
(2) Xelorians age faster than humans, although the actual aging process slows down in the early 20s. A 19-year-old Xelorian would be the equivalent of a 21-year-old male.
(3) A kit is an infant or toddler Xelorian.
(4) Seiji experiences a wet season full of constant, drenching rains which lasts for 6 months that extends into winter, causing a high level of snowfall and a dry season which consists of much less precipitation and lasts for 7 months through the spring and most of the summer.
(5) Similar to marijuana in all ways. Janai Weed will just be referenced to as "weed".