Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2023 20:06:37 -0600 From: Fang Saito Subject: Welcome to Avernus - Chapter 20 This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any real people or places is purely coincidental. This story is the property of the author and is protected under copyright laws. The author retains all rights. No reproduction is allowed without the author's consent. Conversations and feedback are appreciated to Greyson B. via email at hokkaidohotel86it@gmail.com. I love hearing from readers. As always, special thanks to Johnny Kape for the excellent editing assistance he always provides me. If you enjoy this story, please support the Nifty archives today with a thoughtful donation by visiting https://donate.nifty.org/. Thank you for everyone who has written with words of appreciation for the story, and words of care for my health. If you can find an opportunity to help out a favored author, it would be appreciated. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/GreysonB. You can find my other Nifty stories at: https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/cadence/ https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/highschool/a-ghost-finds-a-body/ I have a mailing list to notify people when a new chapter is posted. If you would like to be added, feel free to write and let me know to add you. Welcome to Avernus Chapter 20 We messed around like a couple of six year olds, teasing each other over the toilet bowl, then playing ball tag while washing our hands and brushing our teeth, reveling in being naked, being naughty, and being happy. Once the giggling and goofing off wound down, I really expected us to get embarrassed, but it didn't happen. Now that this invisible barrier had been broken down, Boots was was even more physical with his affection than he had been before, but managed to not make me feel weird about it. He always seemed to be touching me in some way throughout the day. It wasn't in some possessive or even sensual way. Rather it was more like a dog or a cat, grabbing the attention he craved. He would rub his shoulder against mine, bump hips with me rather than telling me to move over, or touch my arm to draw my attention to something. After a quick breakfast of premix pancakes, we went downstairs, intending to put the ping pong top on the pool table and setting up some terrain to play a game of Hammers & Hordes. We'd barely got the topper on the table when Boots started grabbed a paddle and started hitting ping pong balls at me, laughing his ass off as I dodged his hits while trying to grab hills and buildings. Before we knew it, the miniatures were abandoned and we ended up putting the net across the table to play properly. Everything stayed calm for a few days. I didn't hear from Wren, and wasn't sure what to think about that. I really didn't know if I wanted to see him, hoping he would be back to normal, or if I was done with him, and would be better off without the complications he brought.Wednesday I went skating with the crew, and as it was getting dark, Liam asked me about playing some H&H. We each ran home to grab our stuff and met up at the store. It kind of worked out for me, because it was one of those rare nights when Boots was needed at home. He didn't want to say why, and I hoped hanging out with Liam would keep me from worrying about him. It was well after dark when I got to LGM, and the Vampyre players were already at the tables. I worried about running into Wren, but neither he nor Erin were there. However, Garrett was. He lit up when he saw me, and nodded a hello my way. I worried a little over why he would seem excited to see me, but decided to ignore him. The twins weren't there, and Montgomery wasn't there. For the moment, that's all I really cared about. The game was fun, and exactly what I needed to take my mind off things. I still hadn't beaten Liam, but I felt like each game was a little better than before, and I really thought I was learning. The last turn was a nail-biter, but really was mostly about whether my Commander died or not, and whether I lost by 20 points, or 25.Just as we were wrapping up, Garrett came over. He said hey to Liam, then asked if we could talk. I looked over to see Liam's reaction. I had been both dreading and expecting him to want to say something, but I definitely wasn't going to ruffle Liam if he still had any "anti-Raven" memories drifting through his brain. He didn't seem to have any reaction, so reluctantly I followed Garrett a little ways off. I didn't say anything though, forcing him to make the first move. "No, I'm not going to try to talk to you about Wren," he said in a serious tone. Shit. I forgot he could read minds. "Is this going to all be one-sided? You talk, and then pluck my opinions out of my head, rather I want to share them or not?" He sighed in frustration, looking down and away. "I'm not reading your mind, Jason. I don't have to, to know you associate me with Wren. I'm here about something else, although honestly, I think you're right, and he's being an unforgiving asshole." "Unforgiving? What does he think I need to apolo-" I stopped myself and threw up my hands. "You know what? Doesn't matter. What did you want to talk to me about?" "I want to see if you would be willing to meet someone. Someone who wants to talk to you about Dom."I was surprised, and I know I showed it. "I thought you weren't involved in all the politics and stuff." "I'm not. Or at least I try not to be. But really, I think this is something you need to hear."I tried to figure out if this could be some kind of trick, or trap. After all, this was Wren's best friend. Wren, who was currently pissed off at me and didn't want to bother explaining why. Would Garrett try to do something to me, in revenge for his friend? Would that risk a problem with Dom or the Si-Jing-Fu? Was Garrett being a poopy butt-zit and reading all this in my mind? Cool, no reaction from Garrett. So either he was keeping a good poker face, or he wasn't reading my mind. I stared at Garrett, imagining a giant, red pimple on his forehead, then it bursting and running down his face. Still no reaction from him. I guess my thoughts were safe for the moment. I gave him one more cross look, then sighed and nodded. I figured that between my political coverage being Dom's Assecla, and my own nominal powers, I shouldn't be in too much danger for the moment. He nodded as well, seeming relieved. "Grab your coat. He's outside." I told Liam I'd be back in a few minutes and to watch my stuff. Then I put on my coat and followed Garrett outside. I was hesitant as I saw no one outside, and he started leading me down to the end of the line of stores. It was dark, definitely spooky, and I was already distrustful. I didn't care if I sounded like a bitch by this point. "What's going on, Garrett? This really feels sketchy, and you already know you're not my favorite person." "I get it. He's right here." He stepped away from the corner of the building, staying where I could see him and not give him my back. I also stepped off to the side, not turning right at the corner in case someone was lying in wait. No way was I getting jumped today. "Are you cautious?" came a soft voice as I came around the corner, "Or paranoid? Which is more helpful, I wonder." For a moment I thought it was Plague of Sorrows, in the Human-looking form he had worn when seeing us off to New York City. But no, there were differences. This was a different ancient Chinese stereotype old man with a stereotype long stringy mustache. "We must talk, Jason. Will you speak with me?" "I get why you couldn't come in the store, but it's cold as shit out here. Can't we talk underground or something?" "It is not safe to speak of what we must, in any place where other Vampyre might overhear." Garrett jumped in. "We could go to your house, if you think that will work better for you." "How `bout you give me the short version now?" "My name is To Hong Bai. You may call me Bai. I... We," he motioned to Garrett, "have been working against Dominic Tsui and his machinations here in America." "You mean where he has been doing more than Si-Jing-Fu has given him permission to do?" "Bigger than that," said Bai. "Shall I continue, or would you prefer to wait until we meet at your house?" "Give me an hour. I guess you can use the door in the basement." They both gave small signs of surprise. "But knock first. I've covered over the peep hole." I looked at Garrett. "Are you coming as well?" "Do I have an invitation?" I laughed. "Is that the old Vampire shit about needing an invitation to enter a house?" "No," he grinned. "Just curious if I was welcome. After all, I'm `not your favorite person'." He even did the air quotes. I agreed to meet in an hour, then went back in and said my goodbyes to Liam while packing up. Once I got home, I fixed something quick to eat while waiting. I was trying to think over all the events since I'd been in Avernus, seeing what stood out as possibly rebellious against Dom. Obviously the attack against him that one time. Probably the interference with my return flight. Was there anything else? I couldn't think of anything at the moment. Just as I was plating my food, Boots showed up. I didn't even hesitate, but split my food onto a second plate and threw some chicken nuggets in the air fryer. "Everything alright at home?" He groaned. "Can we not talk about it?" "Sure, but it's probably tame compared to what I've got." "Really? Sounds like you couldn't even get through a game with Liam, without Vampyre bullshit getting involved?" "You know it," I said as I started eating. "And this is one better. I got to meet some of the people fighting against Dom." "Wait, fighting against? So he's really a big, bad villain?" "I guess. If there's people considering him enough of a problem to fight against him." "Like fight-fight? Or just beat him in the next election kind of thing?" "Yeah, one of them is Garrett, Wren's friend. No idea how that is tangled up. But he and this guy, Bai, claim they have been working behind the scenes against Dom. I think Bai is also the Jianshi you saw, the one that tried scaring us by attacking Taki." "If he is, you need to have a few words with him about that. So can I stay and hear this? Please?" "What happened to staying low and not letting them know you aren't hypnotized or whatever?" Boots was giving me some real sad puppy dog eyes here. I didn't think it was worth the risk, but I also didn't think it was really my call. Part of respecting someone as a real person was letting them take their own risks. "Let's go find a good place to hide you. They should be here soon." I swear, if Boots had a tail, he'd be wagging it! We clambered down the stairs and started looking at what we could shift around. It had to be far enough away for him to be effectively hidden, but close enough that he could hear anything being said. In the end, we ended up throwing a sheet over the pool table and stacking some boxes and shit on it. "You know," he said as we were finishing up, "this gives you some backup. If they start messing with your mind, I'll be here as a witness, to snap you back out of it." "In that case, hold onto this just in case." I handed him the pool cue I had swung at Bai last time. He started to duck under the table, but suddenly changed his mind and ran to the bathroom first. He was quick and came back out after washing his hands, to find me grinning. "What?" he chuckled. "I didn't want to give them the opportunity to scare the piss out of me!" "Goof," I said as I helped him under the table. Now it was my turn to sit around nervously. I didn't want to strike up a conversation, in case they just walked right in, or could hear us through the door. I paced for a minute, then sat on the couch. When I stood back up a minute later, Boots muttered, "Jeez, calm down, dude!" I sat back down and pulled out my phone, just to try and distract myself. I don't think I would have been nearly as nervous if I didn't have Boots hiding in the basement with me. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Just as I was about to say as much and ask him to run upstairs, there was a tapping on the wall. Too late now. I hopped up and went over to the wall, knocking back. The secret door opened and Garrett poked his head in. "Quick question. Is it okay if Bai stays in his natural form? Playing human after dark tends to drain some energy." "When you say `natural form', do you mean the float-" "Floating head, yeah." I sighed in annoyance. "Look, if you are just going to sit here and read my thoughts all night, what's the point in talking? But yeah, whatever he needs. Just stay out of my head, either mind reading or magic. Hopefully Bai isn't going to start talking about feeding on my friends and family though, just `cause he's in spooky mode." Garrett laughed. "So no mind reading, no mesmir, and no threats. Got it." In a more serious face he added, "I just ask one thing in return, that you listen, really listen, before you do anything." I nodded, and Garrett slipped back out the door for just a moment, then came right back in. He was quickly followed by a Jianshi. I knew it was Bai, but what did I know about one Jianshi from the next. "Is the human form an illusion? Or do you really have a physical body you slip in and out of?" "It is... a mental... projection of sorts.... It is unknown... how we do it.... We just do.... Naturally..." Damn, I was biting my tongue, but if all of his speech was going to be this slow and wheezing, I sure hoped Garrett was going to do most of the explaining. "Right," I said while sitting back down. "You're welcome to have a seat, assuming you do sit?" I looked between the two of them. "I'm not trying to be rude. I just don't know what's protocol with a floater." Bai sighed, at least I think it was a sigh. He released a long, low wheeze of air while dipping his chin and shaking his head slightly. A greater volume of red mist began flowing from beneath him, then as if in reverse camera footage the mist retracted back to his center, forming the human body I had seen outside the LGM. "I'm sorry," I said as he sat down on the futon across from me. "I wasn't trying to cause problems." "It is understandable," he said, folding his hands in his lap. Garrett slipped off the other end of the couch and joined Bai across from me. "I forget how difficult it can be to interact with one of my kind." "Well thanks for being so understanding, I guess." I slapped my hands on my knees. "I guess we're alone now. So what's the big conspiracy against Dom Tsui?" "You were told about how Dominic was sent away from the Americas," began Bai. "But were you told why?" I shook my head. "Just something about the Jianshi needing to be banished." "Two in particular. One was hunted down in his home territory in Jiangxi Province nearly two hundred years ago, in China. He had turned feral and killed too many people, too publicly. The other..." He paused, as if he didn't want to finish. "The other was Beishang de Wenyi, the Plague of Sorrows," finished Garrett. Bai nodded. "He behaved himself while back in his home territory, but here, before being forced back to China, he was the Vampyre equivalent of a serial killer, feeding on and terrorizing whole communities, both colonial and native." I was confused. "Is this something linked with this 'promise' everyone keeps mentioning?" "It is," said Bai. "Dominic was to provide the Jianshi a base, a home, here in the Americas. A place to establish ourselves until we were, each on our own, prepared to move on. Each of us were to spread out to find our own territory to feed and survive." "He hasn't done that? It seems like that's what Avernus is?" "The Plague of Sorrows was to be contained here in Avernus. Instead, we have all been imprisoned here." "Wait," I said, just catching up on another detail. "Are you saying Dom built Avernus? Like, the whole town and everything?" Garrett shook his head. "The town was already here, and the underground facilities were an old Cold War era military complex. But Dom expanded it, pouring money into the town to ensure humans would come here. He offered the Chinese Vampyre a place here, and then tempted many of the younger looking Vampyre from around the country an invitation to come to a place where they would fit in due to sheer numbers." Giving something of a self depreciating chuckle, Garrett said, "Most Vampyre turned early, say 25 and younger, have a harder time blending into society. It just takes so much less time to realize we aren't aging. Too many groups shun younger appearing Vampyre, for their own safety. Dom opened Avernus to us, and many of us took up his invitation. That's why there are so many of us here that look like teenagers or college age individuals." I nodded. "I also wondered why the local council had a Chinese name. So Dom really runs Avernus." "No," said Bai. "He may have backed much of the work, but the Si-Jing-Fu is truly a community led council. However, it is true that Dominic has enacted a barrier, a Jiejie, which now prevents all the Jianshi from leaving." "How many of you are here?" I asked. "Twenty three," said Garrett grimly. "And since the Jianshi feed on nightmares and mental misery, their presence in such concentration have been slowly driving the mortals here mad for years." "Damn, no wonder this place feels broken. So why won't he release you guys?" "Power and protection," said Garrett. "With Bai and his buddies here, most Vampyre won't come close to Avernus. Too many horror stories." "Seriously?" I laughed. "Sounds seriously lame!" "And yet true," said Bai. "So what's with the attacks on Dom? Are those real, or just BS he was using to manipulate me?" "No, they're real," said Garrett. "Some of the Jianshi were desperate enough to try force to get away." "So two questions," I said. "Since supposedly my power boost made Dom strong enough that attacks would stop, does that mean you or one of your friends was trying to get me held up at the airport on the way back from my dad's funeral?" "It was obvious it would not work," said Bai, "but at the least, it was hoped to get your attention. To show you that someone was opposing Dominic behind the scenes." "Makes a weird sense, I guess. I suppose my second question then is, is Wren in this with Dom? Or is he just being a dick on his own?" Bai and Garrett shared a look, then the Jianshi said, "I do not have any information on this. You are his friend and companion." Garrett sighed. "Look, Wren isn't exactly blameless here, but he's not in Dom's camp. He just isn't!" My eyebrows raised. "You don't seem too sure of yourself. What did Wren mean when he said that Dom got greedy, and ruined things with me?" Garrett looked confused, or maybe hurt. "He said that?" "Yeah. Guess he didn't mention that to you when he was being so 'unforgiving' about me." "That doesn't sound like Wren." "Alright," I said. "Could Dom or someone be controlling him somehow?" "I'm not aware of a method of mentally controlling another Vampyre." He looked at Bai. "Are you?" "Tricks, illusions, even modifying memories, certainly," offered Bai. "But controlling their actions? I am not aware of such an ability." I looked hard at Garrett. "So either he's decided for his own reasons to be a real dick, or for some reason he's working with Dom." Garrett took a deep breath. "I don't --" He stopped mid sentence, then took a deeper, sharper inhale. With a sly grin, he looked at me. "Who's here, Jason? Where are they?" "What?" I fought hard to stay calm, but adrenaline shot through me and my heart leapt into my throat. "What do you --" "There is a mortal here with us. They have heard things they shouldn't. Who is it?" "No, no. I have friends over here all the time. One friend practically lives here in my basement most nights. That's gotta be who you're smelling, right?" "Bai?" The Jianshi stood, then like a miniature explosion, his form collapsed into red mist, leaving him floating in his 'spooky head' form. "Ah... I sense... his mind..." "Fuck," I muttered. "Guys, you have your secrets, and I have mine. I have a friend who isn't under your town's mesmir. I'm not going to out him, because you're just going to fuck with him." Garrett shook his head. "Jason, this is dangerous." "Fuck you!" I shouted. "Have you heard of any problems being caused? Has anyone said anything? I bit my tongue when I fucked up and Liam got outed and back under mesmir. I didn't know what was going on then, and I also know he was having an attitude about you guys. So I get it. But this other friend hasn't caused any problems. Hasn't said anything!" "Except to you," said Garrett softly. I calmed instantly. "Except to me. Yeah. Look, you want my help? You want me to trust you? Then this is my price. My friend is left alone." Garrett and Bai shared another glance. "Look," I said. "My dad's dead. Killed by Dom. My mom's gone, her brain fried with mesmir before she even left physically. You gotta give me this." I looked from one to the other. "Please." They exchanged another look. Bai gave a small nod, and Garrett said, "I think I know who it is anyway, but we'll leave this with you. His safety, and his mess ups, are on you. You are responsible for your friend and what he does. Just know that if he does cause some shit, Si-Jing-Fu will treat it as if you have done it. Are you good with that?" I nodded. "We need... you... to say it..." "Fine," I said in frustration. "Monkey see, monkey do. If he does it, I did it. You guys are being real dicks about this, but at least you're letting it go." "Hey, we're running real close to putting our lives on the line with this," said Garrett. "The biggest reason we are agreeing is that we are already acting treasonous as it is. Vampyre law charges the Vampyre for the actions of their mortals." "Wait," I said as something else occurred to me. "How much trouble would Dom be in if his hotel employees were talking about Vampyre shit in front of random guests?" Garrett looked stunned. I had no idea if Bai was showing any surprise. "Like what kind of business? What was the conversation?" "My parents were complaining about having nightmares when we were staying at the hotel, and when two of the employees were talking, one of them said they were surprised my parents were in that specific room. Something about they thought they were supposed to be being nice to my family. They acted like their room assignment was why they were having nightmares." "And they had this conversation in front of you?" "Well, in the hallway outside my room, before my door was closed. Was their room why they had nightmares?" "Many of... my kind... will use the rooms... below guests... to feed from strangers... passing through..." "But Beishang de Wenyi opposed Dom bringing your family here. His compromise with Dom was that he be allowed to feed on your parents himself. The Plague of Sorrows was responsible for your parents' bad dreams. Dom's staff was certainly out of line, but if that's the extent of what they said, it likely wouldn't be enough for Dom to be censured." "Damn. Oh well. You and Wren have both mentioned that, 'censured'. What is that?" "To be censured is to have a black mark. Kind of an extreme disciplinary measure. In the short term, it could mean a loss of allies of convenience, as other Vampyre scramble to not be associated with you in other Vampyre's minds. Privileges and responsibilities could be stripped for a time. Long term, others might seek you out when things go wrong, looking to see if you are to blame. It also makes future censuring more likely." I shook my head. "Fine. So what's the next step? What's the plan?" "We have... not yet decided.... We merely..." "We just wanted to get you into the loop," jumped in Garrett. "Find out if we could count on you." I agreed and I saw them out. I even remembered that I might want to do something with the door, while it was open and inspect-able. However, I realized that Garrett or Bai might need it, now that we were co-conspirators. So I left it alone, although I kept the peep hole covered. Once they were gone, I helped Boots out from under the table. "Damn, I thought for sure they were going to jump under here and drag me out!" "I was worried that was going to happen, too. But I think they are going to leave you alone. It seems like you are my problem now." I grabbed him in a headlock, and he tried pulling away. We both started laughing as we fell to the couch in a heap. After tussling and goofing around for a few minutes, we settled down and fell back into the couch, shoulder to shoulder, catching our breathes. "Are you worried?" asked Boots. "Scared shitless. But one way or another, this has got to be handled. I'm stuck in this, as sure as if I were born into this fucked up family." I sighed. "In a way, I guess I was." "Hey, at least you know you can keep me here to help you, right? You know I got your back." "Yeah, and I appreciate it." "Yeah." "So, not to change the subject too much," I said. I looked away, not able to risk eye contact. "Are you, uh, okay with everything last Saturday?" "Yeah, it was great!" he piped up. "Why, are you having second thoughts or something?" "No, not at all. I just wanted to ask. I mean, after all, I didn't do anything back." "Yeah," he said with a giggle, as he bumped shoulders with me. "You kind of fell asleep instantly. It seemed like you needed the rest." It was my turn to smile. "You didn't exactly seem to uncomfortable where you were. I mean, you woke up still down there." "I didn't mind," he said softly. Last weekend had been spontaneous, at least for me. I had no idea how premeditated it might have been for Boots. For all I know, he could have been planning exactly what he wanted to do, for hours. We also hadn't done anything more, or even talk about it until now. And while everything with Wren was certainly sexy, it was like he said, there was no innocence to it. Messing around with Wren was all about getting off in the hottest way possible. With Boots though, I actually liked him. I liked being with him. Not just naked stuff, but just being in the same room. I trusted him. I told Boots I needed to get a shower. Much as I hated it, we had school in the morning. When he stalled about getting up off the couch, I stopped at the bottom of the basement stairs and was like, "Well? Are you coming?" He grinned and practically launched off the couch, following me up the stairs in a run. I stopped to make sure the house was locked up and the lights were out, then headed upstairs. When I got to my bedroom, the light was off, but the bathroom light was streaming into the bedroom. I peeked in as I was pulling my hoodie over my head, and saw Boots sitting on the toilet seat, already naked, his legs crossed and his hands folded across his lap. He looked like a cross between excited and nervous, positively vibrating in anticipation. I could have left his line of sight, going over to the clothes hamper to undress, but instead I started stripping down there in the doorway, removing each piece of clothing and tossing it across the bedroom toward the hamper. Most made it, some didn't, but I thought Boots was worth the show. By the time I was naked, Boots had hopped up and started the shower. I walked in to join him in the bathroom and he kind of stood there, his arms wrapped around his torso. I'd never seen him this shy. He definitely wasn't like this the night before. "Is this really okay?" he asked. I grinned and walked right up to him. In answer, I reached up to his face, but my hand around to the back up his head, and pulled him in for a kiss. I did my best to give him the kind of kiss you see in movies, the kind you're always embarrassed about seeing your dad give your mom. My lineup was perfect, face tilted slightly so our noses wouldn't squish, lips parted, after a moment, tongue searching forward to ask him to open his own lips. His lips melted into mine as his body pressed against me. With one hand holding the back of his head, the other reached around his butt, pulling our hips together. For a moment he seemed unsure what to do with his own hands, but very quickly they began sliding all around my back and ass. Eventually I began to pull back from the kiss and he let me, albeit reluctantly. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be in such a state that I don't think he could have fought me even if he had wanted to. "Come on, sexy," I whispered. "Let's get cleaned up."