330am October 14th
As I eat & listen to the talks going on around me like I'm not even there as they discuss changes to their security around the North Side since it's their territory to look over & setting up a training schedule for me instead of doing work at the pub that can accommodate my college classes & Jason's remaining time. "You know you could just ask me my thoughts on this & can I get a answer why everyone is treating Debbie like she's my mom??" Breaking the spell of conversation causing a semi awkward silence. "So what's with the silence on this?" Debbie looked at me sheepishly while Nathan looked at me awkwardly scratching his head thinking of how to phrase whatever he was about to say. "SO DJ The thing is I served with John in the Corp & he told me that you were getting into trouble trying to pay for college by fighting in the illegal fights. So he asked if I would let you work at the Pub & test run it as a favor. I didn't think you'd last long with how I saw how you were quick to react & assert where you stood with people which Weres commonly do with one another. I thought you'd have issues with it but you never engaged with it & even accepted it as part of the Pubs culture which is true but not for human customers. With how you handled it I decided you could stay with Debbie vouching for your work ethic & ability to handle even the most disrespectful of treatment getting tables cleaned & squared away faster then even the young Weres we employ do. This past incident with the shift you were covering Debbie officially declared that anyone who messed with you was messing with one of her cubs."
"So explain it to me like I'm 5 exactly what this means because the way you're dancing around this means this is a lot more serious then just being her adopted son which I'm not against cause she's the closest thing to a mother I've known & you already know outside of Jason & Mary I don't have anyone else that applies to. However I need to know the kinda trouble that just landed in my lap. I turn 21 here soon & you all know I study mythos for my degree so I have a idea coming of age ceremonies happen from 16-21 depending on the culture." Out of everyone present the answer comes from the most unlikely source being Elise in the door way looking ready to run at the slightest hint of Debbie wanting to wring her neck. "What Debbie went & did without the council's permission is adopt a non bear into the family, specifically a human of all things though thanks to Anubis we know you're not entirely human but that doesn't matter since your lineage hasn't awakened or presented itself. So on your 21st birthday the council will demand you prove yourself in a trial of combat against a warrior of their choosing meaning you'll have to fight someone as capable as me up to someone as strong as Alex in single combat to be allowed a place amongst the family. You've already seen how fast & strong Alex is & accidentally handled me tackling you full force. We have to train you in a months time to be able to beat Alex in a fight or Debbie & Dad will have to face the consequences which can be Banishment from the family at worst & at best fighting one another to the death."
With that in the air I now fully understand the schedule they were talking about & why it was so serious. I force myself to try & stand up from the bed wobbling a bit as I do causing Doc to step forward trying to help me but I wave him off. "Alright first off I'm game I don't walk away from a challenge & I sure as hell am not letting something happen to you guys so if we have a month then nothing new just stuff I know & expanding on it meaning one of you better be damn good at grappling & boxing as well as figuring out a way to make my body tougher then it is otherwise it doesn't matter if I can hit you when my bones shatter on impact." My response to the situation seemed to be not what they were expecting. "What did you think I'd try to walk away?? If I was scared of a fight I'd be dead by now & if I don't take this in stride my only other option is to roll over & die cause this is my world now if the past 3 days have been any indication. Just get me some clothes so I can go home & sleep in my own bed for a bit."
6 hours later
BRRRRRRR_BRRRRRR_BRRRRRR- I slam my alarm clock off looking up seeing it say 9:45am pushing myself up & heading to the kitchen for coffee walking in on Anubis & gramps sitting talking like old friends..."What the fuck is going on here?? how long have you guys been having these kinds of conversations while I'm sleeping or at work or classes??" Turning to look at me I get a shrug from each of them & gramps pointing at a cup on the counter for me so I grab the cup turn & wait for a answer instead of a shrug knowing both of them are aware I'll stand like this for the next 3 hours not moving a inch. "This has been a constant since I adopted you, I'm no stranger to the gods or mythos of the world. You see everything the world has to offer in war & learn that there's scarier things then other humans out for your throat with death always being a close friend. So since I adopted you of my own accord Anubis made himself known the night it happened & had to convince me to not put 7 FMJ .45 in him. Since then we've had these talks at least once a day keeping me informed how your days are going without needing to follow you all the time." "DJ since I became your guardian my duties have been removed almost entirely unless it's truly important. Meaning my time is spent keeping tabs on what's going on in the city spending time with Bellona & talking to Jason here." Somehow I'm not even shocked they're acting like this is normal & at this point I just need to focus on my first 2 Mid-Terms Monday & final 3 Wednesday.
"Alright well I need to head to the Pub & figure out where I need to meet for this training." Downing my coffee I go to head to shower but "Hey I have something before you go." "What's that??" "A phone you need one instead of just relying on walking everywhere to check or seeing if there's any voicemails on the home phone." I look at Anubis & he tosses me a small thing which turns out to be Nokia of all things. "Are you giving me a phone or a weapon Anubis??" "What are you talking about?? It's gotta be durable otherwise you'll be needing a new one way to often." All I can do is accept this new brick I'll need to carry around & got to get ready for the day with one thought on my mind.
'If life wants to keep trying to kick me down, don't be mad when I snap back bitches.'