“Then you will be given six weeks’ leave and then return to attempt orientation again.” He pauses. Something about this monster seems older than the ones I’ve come into contact with.
They don’t seem to age the same way humans do, so there are no physical tells. At least, none that I can see.
But it’s a feeling I get when he stares at me.
He steeples his fingers under his chin. “Please understand that we do not want this to be a traumatic experience for you, human.”
“Everest,” I correct absently, then flush. “I mean?—”
“Everest,” he corrects. His mouth lifts at the corner just a little, and I see a hint of fang. “The quiz will not measure intelligence. It’s simply to ensure you understand what we’re doing here, and why.”
My heart skitters around my chest. So far, we know what they need: semen. We know when they need it: once a week.
But the information about why has been very…opaque. The government officials have simply explained that it’s something the monsters need to survive. And most humans haven’t bothered to question it.
But I have been curious.
There are about a thousand hidden Discord pages dedicated to information, but the ones I’ve been allowed into don’t have evidence.
It’s all conspiracy theory and speculation.
And the fact that I’m fairly certain no monsters have attempted relationships with people isn’t helping matters. They don’t mind us. Some humans and monsters have become friends.
But more than that?
“Do you have questions?”
I take a breath, then shake my head. “No. I’m good.”
He nods. “Please let me know if you do. Again, we want this to be a comfortable and willing experience for you. Many humans find their weekly sessions pleasurable and comfortable. That’s our aim.”
He sounds like a PSA, but his voice is comforting, which is probably why he’s taken this job. He’s a little less intimidating than the other monsters, with his low voice and the fact that he wears both pants and a shirt.
But it’s not something I want to focus on now. I want to get this done with, and I don’t want to be told that I need to wait another six weeks before I can start.
Tapping the screen, I enter my name, and then swipe to the video and begin.
I’m not sure what I expected, but it reminds me of the new-employee video I was given when I got started at the hot dog stand at the mall.
There are humans and monsters walking the camera around the clinic facility. It shows an animation of the chair we’re meant to sit on, the straps to keep us down, and then a nondescript silhouette of a monster kneeling in front of the human before the video cuts back to the narrator.
“…and upon the portals opening to Earth, the Vyastil soon discovered that human semen has a unique property that fills the need the Vyastil require to sustain their species. With the agreement between Earth and Erethar, the symbiotic relationship between both species will mean happy, healthy, prosperous beings for the rest of time.”
I sit back as the quiz loads, blinking at the screen.
That didn’t answer my questions at all. Like, not even a little bit. Everything in it was everything I already knew.
I look up at Eissa, who is watching me with an unreadable expression.
“Do you need assistance?” he eventually says.
I shake my head. “No, but…is that all?”
“All?”
I take a breath, then gesture at the tablet. “I guess I thought I’d know more about uh…well. You. And this whole thing.”
His mouth twitches again, then he says, “When you pass the quiz, your internet server will be unlocked, and you will be granted access to websites with more information. But those are closely monitored to ensure there is no information sharing. The NDA extends to that information as well. And as I’m to understand it, you have a roommate who has not yet registered for his service.”
