Outlaw Star Fan Fiction ❯ The Cupid Chronicles ❯ Just Another Job... ( Chapter 1 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Nate Grey 
The crew gets a job, and Jim gets pounced on, but not by Fred!
Anime/Manga: Outlaw Star Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Comedy / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.30.2001 | Pages: 3 | Words: 1.9K | Visits: 1.0K | Status: Completed
The crew gets a job, and Jim gets pounced on, but not by Fred!
Anime/Manga: Outlaw Star Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Comedy / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.30.2001 | Pages: 3 | Words: 1.9K | Visits: 1.0K | Status: Completed
The Cupid Chronicles 1: Just Another Job
Note: My first Outlaw Star fic. It's a humor-romance-slight angst thingee. Enjoy!
Summary: Fred gives the OS crew a new job, and Jim gets pounced on (but not by Fred!).
Normally, Jim would be paying attention to everything Fred was saying. After all, someone had to get all the details about the job. Gene was hardly listening at all (as usual), and Aisha had decided right away that Fred's fancy paperweight was a lot more interesting than anything he had to say. Even now, she was tossing it from hand to hand, looking a lot like a child with a new toy. It was times like this that Jim wished his life was more like hers. Almost.
With a sigh, he turned his attention back to Fred.
"Now, do you think you can handle it?" Fred asked once he was done explaining.
"Sure, no problem," Gene replied, stifling a yawn.
Fred glared at him. "Gene, this is a very important job! You haven't been listening to a word I've said!"
"That's why I have Jim," Gene pointed out. "Right now, he's probably figuring out how we can have this job done by lunch." Gene grinned at the boy. "Isn't that right, partner?"
"Uh...right," Jim quickly agreed.
Fred smiled. "Well, at least someone around here takes their work seriously. Jim, I know you'll be a great-looking man someday!"
"Don't you mean he'll be a great man?" Gene asked.
"I meant what I said," Fred replied, winking at Jim.
Jim barely kept himself from shuddering. He didn't understand how Gene could stand being this close to Fred. He was always smiling, winking, or finding ways to touch them whenever possible. Gene managed to ignore most of it, but it was really getting to Jim.
"So how do you wanna handle this, Jimmy?"
Jim blinked and turned to look at Aisha. "What did you just call me?"
"Jimmy," she repeated, glancing at him. "You don't like it?"
"It's almost as bad as when Gene calls me James. No, in fact, it's worse."
"Too bad. I'm giving each of you a nickname, so there. Now I just need one for Melfina and the talking ship."
"You mean Gilliam," Jim said. "What about Gene?"
"He already has one. Dummy."
Jim rolled his eyes. "Whatever. So what is it?"
Aisha looked at him. "I just said it. Dummy."
Gene shot Aisha one of his threatening looks, which might've worked on anyone else. "Anyway, how much does this pay again, Fred?"
"Seventy thousand wong, if you can prove that you found the creature. Seventy million if you can capture it."
Aisha dropped the paperweight when she heard that. Jim dove out of his chair and caught it just in time. "Careful, Aisha! This thing probably costs more than our last meal did!"
"A lot more," Fred added, snatching the paperweight away and looking annoyed. "Next time, play with something less expensive...like a ball of string."
Aisha ignored him and smiled at Jim. "Nice catch, Jimmy. You're ALMOST as fast as a baby Ctarl-Ctarl would be...if it were sick. But at least you're cuter."
Jim wasn't sure if she meant that he was cuter than a baby Ctarl-Ctarl, or one that happened to be sick. He decided to just take it as a compliment. "Thanks, I guess."
"If the baby ones are so fast, why didn't YOU catch it?" Gene asked.
"I knew Jimmy could handle it," Aisha replied. "Unlike some OTHER people I know. A delicate flower such as myself always knows to surround herself with at least one capable person."
"I wish someone would step on the delicate flower already," Gene muttered.
* * * * *
Melfina was almost done making dinner when she heard the familiar sounds of Gene and Aisha yelling at each other, which meant they'd just returned from seeing Fred about a job. With a smile, she leaned into the hallway. "Dinner will be ready soon!"
Of course, Jim was the only one that heard her. "Thanks, Mel! Be there in a minute!"
"Is Suzuka with you? She left right after you did."
"No, we haven't seen her. Fred still gets nervous when we mention her, so we decided she shouldn't go." Jim paused in the doorway. "Hey, Melfina?"
"Yes, Jim?"
"Have you ever...um...never mind. I'm gonna go wash up for dinner." Jim quickly ran upstairs.
Melfina watched him go, a curious look on her face.
Just then, Aisha bounded into the kitchen. "Something smells great! Can we eat it yet?" She peered into the large pot on the stove.
Melfina gently pushed Aisha's head away. "Soon, Aisha. Have you noticed anything strange about Jim lately?"
"Well, he has been spending a lot more time in his room. I'll drag him out for you." Before Melfina could stop her, Aisha was already leaping up the stairs.
Aisha didn't even bother to knock on Jim's door, she simply opened it and peered inside.
Jim was sitting on his bed, staring at the floor. His shoulders shook slightly, and Aisha couldn't figure out what he was doing until her sensitive ears picked up a quiet sob. She crept into the room and stopped by the foot of the bed.
Jim was indeed crying, there was no mistake about it. Tears were running down his face and staining his shirt, though he didn't seem to notice or care.
"Jim, why are you crying?"
Jim's head snapped up. "Aisha! What are you doing in here?"
"I asked you first," she replied.
"It's nothing," he said, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
"Even a baby Ctarl-Ctarl wouldn't cry over nothing, Jim."
"Would you stop comparing everyone to them?! I'm not a Ctarl-Ctarl!"
"Unfortunately," she muttered, glancing at the floor. "At least then I'd have someone to-" Aisha paused when she realized he was staring at her. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing," he said quickly, looking away.
"So are you gonna tell me why you were crying, or do I have to drag it out of you?"
"Just forget about it, Aisha. Dinner's probably ready by now." He got off the bed and started to walk past her.
Aisha grabbed his arm. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me."
Jim started to shove her away, but suddenly found himself on the bed. Before he realized what was happening, his face was shoved into the pillow, and he felt Aisha's weight on his back.
"Now," he heard her say, "we can do this the easy way or the Ctarl-Ctarl way."
"Let me go!" he screamed into the pillow.
Aisha dug her claws into his shoulders, not enough to really hurt, but enough to let him know she meant business. "First, you have to say that I, Aisha ClanClan, am the most beautiful and delicate flower of the entire Ctarl-Ctarl empire, and that I can still whoop your butt any day of the week. That should teach you not to underestimate me again."
Jim wasn't going to do it, but after a few minutes, he gave up and said what she wanted.
"Good boy, Jimmy. I always knew you were smart." She ruffled his hair like she always did, then let him up. "Now, why were you crying?"
"You made me forget," Jim replied, looking puzzled as he sat up.
"Oh. Well, I tried." Aisha turned and started to leave.
"Thanks, Aisha," Jim said suddenly. "For cheering me up...or beating me up...or...well, whatever that was."
She grinned. "Anytime, Jimmy! Just let me know when you need your tail kicked, and I'll come running!"
Jim frowned. "Hey, wait a minute!"
* * * * *
Suzuka sipped her tea quietly. "Let me get this straight. You've been hired to find a creature that supposedly makes anyone it wants fall in love with a person in their memories?"
"Basically," Gene replied.
"And you expect me to help catch it?"
"Well, not really. But we'd appreciate it. This thing is supposed to be very elusive."
"I want an equal share of the reward."
"Done. Whoever helps will get their portion."
Suzuka took another sip. "Then everyone is going?"
Gene shook his head. "Only Jim and Aisha, so far. Melfina thinks it might be too dangerous for her."
Suzuka arched an eyebrow. "You didn't say it was dangerous."
"Well, Jim assumes it is. We are getting seventy million wong for bringing it back alive."
"Very well. I'll help. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning." Gene stared to get up.
"One more thing, Gene."
"Yeah?"
"If this creature happens to bring me under its influence? I will hold you personally responsible for anything that happens to me."
Gene frowned. "Why?"
"Because you're the only one I could imagine taking advantage of a helpless woman."
"HEY!"
"Just see that nothing bad happens to me. Because if it does, something bad will happen to YOU."
* * * * *
Jim didn't get any sleep that night. He'd finally remembered what made him cry earlier, and now it wouldn't go away again.
If he tried hard enough he could see her face, hear her laughter, feel her hand in his.
"I miss you, Homniyo," he whispered to no one in particular.
The simple act of saying her name made his heart ache in places he never knew existed. If only he knew where she was, and why she hadn't shown up that evening, maybe he'd feel better. Maybe.
He suddenly wished that Aisha were around, so that she could make him laugh, or do something to make him forget about Homniyo. Actually, now that he thought about it, he was never unhappy around Aisha. In many ways, she was a lot like Homniyo. They were both very agile and seemed to have a talent for making him smile. And neither of them was ever very far from his thoughts. And not that it was really a similarity, but Homniyo had two cats, and Aisha...well, she WAS a cat, when you got right down to it. But Jim liked cats, so maybe it did count, after all.
And they were both beautiful in their own ways. Homniyo's beauty was a bit more obvious, and surrounded by a layer of cuteness that wouldn't fade for several more years. Aisha's, on the other hand, wasn't so obvious at first glance. She just looked like...well, a CAT. But the more Jim looked at her, the more he noticed how attractive she was. She was like something out of a fairy tale he'd once read. Except that Aisha wasn't a prince or a frog, though she certainly acted like a stuck-up princess at times. But only when Gene got on her nerves.
Jim blinked and shook his head. "Wait, what am I thinking? Aisha...attractive?!" He sighed and closed his eyes. "I must be losing it. There's no way she could ever compete with Homniyo." But as he drifted off into a troubled sleep, Jim had no idea how wrong he was.
Continued in Part 2: Catch the CACHIT!
The gang gets their first glimpse of the target [his name's Cachit (or Catch-It, minus the t! Get it? Get it?! Ah, never mind...)], and Suzuka is the first to fall...in love, that is. But with who? The answer may shock you!
Note: My first Outlaw Star fic. It's a humor-romance-slight angst thingee. Enjoy!
Summary: Fred gives the OS crew a new job, and Jim gets pounced on (but not by Fred!).
Normally, Jim would be paying attention to everything Fred was saying. After all, someone had to get all the details about the job. Gene was hardly listening at all (as usual), and Aisha had decided right away that Fred's fancy paperweight was a lot more interesting than anything he had to say. Even now, she was tossing it from hand to hand, looking a lot like a child with a new toy. It was times like this that Jim wished his life was more like hers. Almost.
With a sigh, he turned his attention back to Fred.
"Now, do you think you can handle it?" Fred asked once he was done explaining.
"Sure, no problem," Gene replied, stifling a yawn.
Fred glared at him. "Gene, this is a very important job! You haven't been listening to a word I've said!"
"That's why I have Jim," Gene pointed out. "Right now, he's probably figuring out how we can have this job done by lunch." Gene grinned at the boy. "Isn't that right, partner?"
"Uh...right," Jim quickly agreed.
Fred smiled. "Well, at least someone around here takes their work seriously. Jim, I know you'll be a great-looking man someday!"
"Don't you mean he'll be a great man?" Gene asked.
"I meant what I said," Fred replied, winking at Jim.
Jim barely kept himself from shuddering. He didn't understand how Gene could stand being this close to Fred. He was always smiling, winking, or finding ways to touch them whenever possible. Gene managed to ignore most of it, but it was really getting to Jim.
"So how do you wanna handle this, Jimmy?"
Jim blinked and turned to look at Aisha. "What did you just call me?"
"Jimmy," she repeated, glancing at him. "You don't like it?"
"It's almost as bad as when Gene calls me James. No, in fact, it's worse."
"Too bad. I'm giving each of you a nickname, so there. Now I just need one for Melfina and the talking ship."
"You mean Gilliam," Jim said. "What about Gene?"
"He already has one. Dummy."
Jim rolled his eyes. "Whatever. So what is it?"
Aisha looked at him. "I just said it. Dummy."
Gene shot Aisha one of his threatening looks, which might've worked on anyone else. "Anyway, how much does this pay again, Fred?"
"Seventy thousand wong, if you can prove that you found the creature. Seventy million if you can capture it."
Aisha dropped the paperweight when she heard that. Jim dove out of his chair and caught it just in time. "Careful, Aisha! This thing probably costs more than our last meal did!"
"A lot more," Fred added, snatching the paperweight away and looking annoyed. "Next time, play with something less expensive...like a ball of string."
Aisha ignored him and smiled at Jim. "Nice catch, Jimmy. You're ALMOST as fast as a baby Ctarl-Ctarl would be...if it were sick. But at least you're cuter."
Jim wasn't sure if she meant that he was cuter than a baby Ctarl-Ctarl, or one that happened to be sick. He decided to just take it as a compliment. "Thanks, I guess."
"If the baby ones are so fast, why didn't YOU catch it?" Gene asked.
"I knew Jimmy could handle it," Aisha replied. "Unlike some OTHER people I know. A delicate flower such as myself always knows to surround herself with at least one capable person."
"I wish someone would step on the delicate flower already," Gene muttered.
* * * * *
Melfina was almost done making dinner when she heard the familiar sounds of Gene and Aisha yelling at each other, which meant they'd just returned from seeing Fred about a job. With a smile, she leaned into the hallway. "Dinner will be ready soon!"
Of course, Jim was the only one that heard her. "Thanks, Mel! Be there in a minute!"
"Is Suzuka with you? She left right after you did."
"No, we haven't seen her. Fred still gets nervous when we mention her, so we decided she shouldn't go." Jim paused in the doorway. "Hey, Melfina?"
"Yes, Jim?"
"Have you ever...um...never mind. I'm gonna go wash up for dinner." Jim quickly ran upstairs.
Melfina watched him go, a curious look on her face.
Just then, Aisha bounded into the kitchen. "Something smells great! Can we eat it yet?" She peered into the large pot on the stove.
Melfina gently pushed Aisha's head away. "Soon, Aisha. Have you noticed anything strange about Jim lately?"
"Well, he has been spending a lot more time in his room. I'll drag him out for you." Before Melfina could stop her, Aisha was already leaping up the stairs.
Aisha didn't even bother to knock on Jim's door, she simply opened it and peered inside.
Jim was sitting on his bed, staring at the floor. His shoulders shook slightly, and Aisha couldn't figure out what he was doing until her sensitive ears picked up a quiet sob. She crept into the room and stopped by the foot of the bed.
Jim was indeed crying, there was no mistake about it. Tears were running down his face and staining his shirt, though he didn't seem to notice or care.
"Jim, why are you crying?"
Jim's head snapped up. "Aisha! What are you doing in here?"
"I asked you first," she replied.
"It's nothing," he said, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
"Even a baby Ctarl-Ctarl wouldn't cry over nothing, Jim."
"Would you stop comparing everyone to them?! I'm not a Ctarl-Ctarl!"
"Unfortunately," she muttered, glancing at the floor. "At least then I'd have someone to-" Aisha paused when she realized he was staring at her. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing," he said quickly, looking away.
"So are you gonna tell me why you were crying, or do I have to drag it out of you?"
"Just forget about it, Aisha. Dinner's probably ready by now." He got off the bed and started to walk past her.
Aisha grabbed his arm. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me."
Jim started to shove her away, but suddenly found himself on the bed. Before he realized what was happening, his face was shoved into the pillow, and he felt Aisha's weight on his back.
"Now," he heard her say, "we can do this the easy way or the Ctarl-Ctarl way."
"Let me go!" he screamed into the pillow.
Aisha dug her claws into his shoulders, not enough to really hurt, but enough to let him know she meant business. "First, you have to say that I, Aisha ClanClan, am the most beautiful and delicate flower of the entire Ctarl-Ctarl empire, and that I can still whoop your butt any day of the week. That should teach you not to underestimate me again."
Jim wasn't going to do it, but after a few minutes, he gave up and said what she wanted.
"Good boy, Jimmy. I always knew you were smart." She ruffled his hair like she always did, then let him up. "Now, why were you crying?"
"You made me forget," Jim replied, looking puzzled as he sat up.
"Oh. Well, I tried." Aisha turned and started to leave.
"Thanks, Aisha," Jim said suddenly. "For cheering me up...or beating me up...or...well, whatever that was."
She grinned. "Anytime, Jimmy! Just let me know when you need your tail kicked, and I'll come running!"
Jim frowned. "Hey, wait a minute!"
* * * * *
Suzuka sipped her tea quietly. "Let me get this straight. You've been hired to find a creature that supposedly makes anyone it wants fall in love with a person in their memories?"
"Basically," Gene replied.
"And you expect me to help catch it?"
"Well, not really. But we'd appreciate it. This thing is supposed to be very elusive."
"I want an equal share of the reward."
"Done. Whoever helps will get their portion."
Suzuka took another sip. "Then everyone is going?"
Gene shook his head. "Only Jim and Aisha, so far. Melfina thinks it might be too dangerous for her."
Suzuka arched an eyebrow. "You didn't say it was dangerous."
"Well, Jim assumes it is. We are getting seventy million wong for bringing it back alive."
"Very well. I'll help. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning." Gene stared to get up.
"One more thing, Gene."
"Yeah?"
"If this creature happens to bring me under its influence? I will hold you personally responsible for anything that happens to me."
Gene frowned. "Why?"
"Because you're the only one I could imagine taking advantage of a helpless woman."
"HEY!"
"Just see that nothing bad happens to me. Because if it does, something bad will happen to YOU."
* * * * *
Jim didn't get any sleep that night. He'd finally remembered what made him cry earlier, and now it wouldn't go away again.
If he tried hard enough he could see her face, hear her laughter, feel her hand in his.
"I miss you, Homniyo," he whispered to no one in particular.
The simple act of saying her name made his heart ache in places he never knew existed. If only he knew where she was, and why she hadn't shown up that evening, maybe he'd feel better. Maybe.
He suddenly wished that Aisha were around, so that she could make him laugh, or do something to make him forget about Homniyo. Actually, now that he thought about it, he was never unhappy around Aisha. In many ways, she was a lot like Homniyo. They were both very agile and seemed to have a talent for making him smile. And neither of them was ever very far from his thoughts. And not that it was really a similarity, but Homniyo had two cats, and Aisha...well, she WAS a cat, when you got right down to it. But Jim liked cats, so maybe it did count, after all.
And they were both beautiful in their own ways. Homniyo's beauty was a bit more obvious, and surrounded by a layer of cuteness that wouldn't fade for several more years. Aisha's, on the other hand, wasn't so obvious at first glance. She just looked like...well, a CAT. But the more Jim looked at her, the more he noticed how attractive she was. She was like something out of a fairy tale he'd once read. Except that Aisha wasn't a prince or a frog, though she certainly acted like a stuck-up princess at times. But only when Gene got on her nerves.
Jim blinked and shook his head. "Wait, what am I thinking? Aisha...attractive?!" He sighed and closed his eyes. "I must be losing it. There's no way she could ever compete with Homniyo." But as he drifted off into a troubled sleep, Jim had no idea how wrong he was.
Continued in Part 2: Catch the CACHIT!
The gang gets their first glimpse of the target [his name's Cachit (or Catch-It, minus the t! Get it? Get it?! Ah, never mind...)], and Suzuka is the first to fall...in love, that is. But with who? The answer may shock you!