24 Ch 24: Women of the Branch Office

"You know we're about to spend months together on this mission, you don't have to follow me around while we're still in the City. Unless you just can't stand to be away from me." Baldeur smiled as he looked back at Aisling who was behind him in the branch office hallway.

"As if I'd want to spend extra time with you. I'm heading to requisitions, same as you." She responded.

"Why would you be heading there?" Baldeur asked.

"Seriously? We're about to spend weeks in the wilderness on an unfamiliar world. I need supplies. Why are you headed there?" She asked.

"Oh, that's a good idea. I should ask for some stuff while there." Baldeur said.

When they arrived at the requisition counter Aisling realized why he was originally coming here. Behind the counter was a 22 year old bunny beast kin named Renie. She was Ulmira's oldest daughter.

"Hey there. I heard you passed your probationary period. Where's they place you?" Renie asked

"I'm currently in personnel. Though hopefully I'll be able to get into distribution so we can work closer together." Baldeur said.

There were four main departments within the Zeerous Trade Company. Acquisitions who sought out unowned resources. Procurement who set up trade routes and made contracts for good. Distribution who sells those goods and runs the company owned stores.

And finally, personnel who included accounts, lawyers, regular office workers, and special operations. That last subdepartment was where Baldeur was currently assigned.

"Well congratulations. Even though it did take you a decade to complete." Renie teased.

Ulmira had taken the advice of her boss and had introduced her daughters to Baldeur early on. Neither, as far as Ulmira could tell, ended up taking a romantic interest in him.

Renie treated him like a little brother. While her youngest, Anika, saw him as a pest. She was very spoiled by her husband, and seemed to see most people as unworthy of her.

"The finer things in life always take time. Which is why I looked forward to when you'll eventually agree to go on a date with me. How about we catch a play once I get back from this mission?" Baldeur said.

"Hehe. I'm not really sure my boyfriend would like that." Renie said.

"What? I thought Egar liked me? Or are you with Geoff again? Bouncing around from one to the other; it's almost as if they can't fully handle you. Don't worry, I won't have that problem." Baldeur said.

"Oh. You're so cute when you think you're being sauve." Renie reached over the counter and rubbed his hair.

Baldeur wasn't completely upset with how she treated him. Even though it would be nice if he could get intimate with her, he would still simply enjoy her company.

Besides, once it became widely known that he had three Sources, it was assured that he'd have women seeking him out.

"Have you been to the doctor lately? By how often you reject Baldeur, I think there might be something wrong." A new woman had secretly joined their group and was giving Renie some extreme side eye.

Baldeur jumped slightly as he found Arisha wrapping her arm around his.

His childhood 'friend' was the only person who wasn't at a higher level that could sneak up on him without being noticed.

After Vivek had been kidnapped, her father, Leonid, left the Explorers Union for the Zeerous Trade Company. He was now one of their top acquisition team leaders.

His daughter had joined the company a year ago as an accountant. Her Psychic mental discipline gave her an incredible mind for knowledge.

Just like Baldeur, she had a photographic memory. However, hers was much more advanced. If you asked Baldeur how many steps he took to get to work, he'd have to spend time reviewing his memories and counting them. Arisha just knew.

Her abilities were highly prized by merchant houses since she'd be a living library of information over time. If you wanted to compare expenses to income over the past decade, she'd be able to tell you anything you wanted to know without having to look anything up.

"Arisha. How have you been?" Baldeur's tensing had caused the other two women there to giggle.

He was full of bravado a moment ago. Now he was basically cowering to this woman.

"I've been okay. Except you haven't taken me on any walks through the park lately. I really miss those." Arisha said as she leaned her head into his shoulder.

"Well unfortunately I'm about to go on a really important mission and will be gone for a really long time." Baldeur said.

"Aww, I'm really going to miss you. You're not taking her along are you?" Arisha indicated Aisling.

"Hey, he will never take me anywhere. We just happened to be assigned to the same team again." Aisling said.

"Hmph. You say that as if always being with Baldeur is a bad thing. You might also want to get your head checked." Arisha said.

"You're the one that needs her head checked, if you think being around him is in any way enjoyable." Ailsing said.

A mental pressure fell on the area as Arisha stared daggers at Aisling.

One of Arisha's other abilities was to form items with her Physic energy, Baldeur began patting her head before semi real daggers actually appeared. The mental pressure instantly vanished.

"How about we take a stroll after I get back from this mission?" Baldeur said as she looked up at him with stars in her eyes.

"I'll hold you to that." After giving Baldeur a good squeeze, she hurried away before he could change his mind.

"I know she's your childhood friend, but I really think you need to be careful around her." Renie said with concern.

"I'm more afraid what will happen if she finds out about any of the barmaids you've come across." Aisling said.

A big smile formed as she began to realize the full implications that her throw away thought had.

"Bar maids huh? How pretty are they? Should I be picking out a dress to wear to the weddings?" Renie said.

"Not nearly as pretty as you and I'm sure you'll have a beautiful dress when we get married." Baldeur had returned to his flirtatious self once Arisha had left.

"Alright, all of this nonsense is making me sick. Renie, I need some supplies." Aisling pushed Baldeur to the side in order to accomplish why she was even around this mess.

"Sure thing. What environments are you headed towards?" Renie asked.

After Renie gave them the necessary gear for their mission, the two of them headed out of the branch office.

As they were about to separate, Baldeur spoke up.

"Hey, I'm really glad we're still on the same team. You're a really dependable companion." Baldeur had dropped any teasing that he usually had in his voice when speaking to her.

Aisling kept herself from looking at him as she felt her ears turning red.

"Yeah, well just don't mess around on this mission. It's our first real one after all. I don't want anything you do to reflect poorly on my record." She then left abruptly.

This guy kept annoying her. So, she couldn't understand why whenever he complimented her, she got really embarrassed.

Baldeur smiled, as his Psychic senses allowed him to 'see' her embarrassed expression.

He then headed home to let his family know he'd be away.