Rather than the barrier being pushed away, but holding like he expected, it exploded into the individual sheets of paper that constituted it, but the feedback sent Dan shooting off like a rocket. It was fortunate they were training in such an open space, or Dan would have been severely injured as he crashed into a building. His screams were so loud, Anaar would not have been surprised if the entire campus heard them. Dan hit the ground, tumbling and rolling until he finally slid to a stop.
Though he knew he should have felt bad for what he had done, Anaar was instead quite impressed at the result. Dan had flown roughly half a mile before he even hit the ground and sliding for another hundred meters. If that would have hit a person directly, even the toughest of Titans would have their bodies blown to pieces. If he was not mistaken, he was still growing stronger, even though so much time had passed.
Anaar stepped out of the portal at Dan’s location and found he was unconscious. Checking his body over, he found three broken ribs, both arms and hands were shattered, he had a fracture in his skull with cerebral hemorrhaging, and many of his other organs were also ruptured, likely from the pressure. Erasing Dan’s injuries like a mother kissing a small child’s knee to make the pain go away, he sat patiently on the ground next to him, waiting for him to regain consciousness. When he finally did, Dan looked around understandably confused.
“Da fuck happen?! Am I dead?! Where we at?! Damn dat shit hurt-” Dan pats himself down then reaches into his pants and feels around his crotch to Anaar’s confusion. “I ain’t hurt?! I was sure I felt a myself bust a nut, and not in no good way!”
Anaar sighs as he knew for a fact there was no damage to Dan’s testicles. “That was what happens when you are overconfident in your shields. I think it is great you are learning how to better manage your resources, that is important. You also must keep in mind what is best for the situation. I basically told you to make a wall since I made it clear I would be hitting a small area. Where you messed up is by holding it on your own rather than anchoring it. You know it is much harder to hold it on your own when faced with an overwhelming force.”
Dan rubs the back of his neck, wanting to stand but still finding himself fatigued. “Yeah, I know, but I ain’t think that shit was gone be strong enough to do all that!”
“I must admit I am somewhat surprised myself. I don’t know why it turned out the way it did. I expected the barrier to hold, but you to collapse. I don’t know if this was testament to you being much stronger in your manipulation than I thought, your barrier being weaker than you thought, or some weird mix of both. Either way, you now know how it feels to have your shield collapse. As you can see, you are susceptible to it as well. Just because it isn’t an energy barrier doesn’t mean it can’t happen.”
“Well fuck. How you gone just come up and ruin all my shit like that?!”
“Because you were becoming too comfortable. You were on the brink of thinking yourself invincible, so I had to thoroughly unravel that belief. It will lead to carelessness. On a mission, you can’t afford to overestimate your own capabilities. Even though I will technically be there with you, I don’t plan on contributing much. The goal is to get you ready for and comfortable with solo missions so you can start bringing in plenty of money. You can’t do that if don’t bring your ‘A’ game from the start.”
Anaar stands from the ground, extending a hand to Dan. With both of them up, Anaar switches roles with Dan, letting him know he will be erecting the weakest barrier he can muster, and he wants Dan to break it. Dan agreed happily, thirsty to give Anaar even a smidgeon of the pain he had felt. Unfortunately for Dan, even Anaar’s worst was easily a match for the heaviest assaults he could bring to bear. After two hours of Dan throwing everything he could at the shield, Anaar falling asleep at some point inside the dome, Dan gave up. Using the defeat as a lesson, Anaar made a serious plug for Dan reassessing how to strengthen his offense. Though he was not satisfied with the outcome, there was no more time for preparations. The next day would begin Dan’s very first mission.
It was very peculiar to first learn of mission parameters on the same day of departure, but Anaar was aware how willingly they would exploit his abilities as a Transporter to save themselves some costs. Anaar was pleased to find Dan appeared poised and confident. He had been concerned that Dan would crack under the pressure like most people.
Underneath the solid exterior, Dan was a quivering mess. After being so thoroughly trounced by Anaar, something that normally would not bother him, he was now doubting if he would be strong enough to take on missions alone. He did not want to burden Anaar to go with him every time, so he needed to prove how strong he could be. Together they both read over the initial details of the mission, a vein on Anaar’s temple beginning to throb more violently with every word he read.
You… must be joking… We have been tasked with going undercover as male models?! What is our aim, to steal the latest fashion trends?! I have never been on a more ridiculous mission! Do they really think this is all Dan is worth? Especially after I worked so hard to toughen him up!
“Perhaps this will be an opportunity to enjoy a change of pace. Your normal missions are often quite severe. This could be a delightful retreat for you and Mr. Bedacholli.”
That’s what I’m worried about! Dan is capable, but he is easily duped. If he gets this idea in his head that this is what a typical mission looks like, he is going to run with it and get himself into a situation where he will get critically injured or worse.
When Hobb had no response to his concern, Anaar only became more worried. It was Hobb’s way to simply say nothing when he feared his own response. Anaar could only think he had been a bad influence on the AI over the years, as omission was part of his personality now. Spying Dan still intently reading, he finished his own report, finding the mission much more acceptable once he knew the true reason behind it.
Their goal was to use their cover as male models to unearth the inner workings of a human trafficking ring. This stoked a raging fire in Anaar’s spirit due to his mother’s past. If there was any way he could prevent what happened to her from happening to others, he knew she could be proud of him. Reading further, he realized there was little intelligence on how they were capturing their targets, or whom their ideal victims might be, but it was spelled out how most people went missing after raging parties.
The two of them had come prepared to leave promptly after their briefing with hopes it would allow them a window for preparation. They found their shoot started at noon, and because it was in Tampa, they were already two hours behind. Arriving to the hotel in which they were staying, they checked in, Anaar being none too pleased they were so cheap they forced them to share a room.
With the limited time they had, Anaar decided to drill Dan to make sure things were clear. “You remember everything about your alias?”
“Yep. My name is Zayne, I’m 18, fresh outta high school and lookin’ to get my start in da bizness. I’m from da big city so it don’t bother me none-” Dan stops and looks at Anaar nervously. “What’s yours?”
“Billy, 19, from a rural area but has dreamed of modeling all my life. Have done some small gigs earlier in life but-”
“Yea, um… I don’t sound like no Zayne, I sound more like a Billy.”
Anaar thinks about it for a moment then nods. “Good point, we will switch aliases. That will make it more organic.”
“That ain’t gone fuck no shit up?”
“It may only cause a small hiccup. We come from the same agency so it could be explained away as a clerical error. I think our personalities will sell the story.”
“So you think we gone have to do some freaky shit? I mean, it ain’t cheatin’ if it is for work is it? I needs to know jest in case Mags finds out. I don’t want her thinkin’ I be over her fuckin’ anything dat move.”
Anaar narrows his eyes in disbelief. “Dan… This isn’t a porn shoot. I think… I’m sure everything will be fine. I really hope it will be…”
Even though he had been unbothered before, despite how wild his thoughts were, Dan had a strange knack for guessing exactly what the situation would be. Anaar desperately hoped he would be wrong in this instance. Unlike Maggie, he could see Phavian being more excited than upset, which would come complete with badgering to make their own content. As they were leaving, Anaar noticed Dan loaded up with his holsters.
Outstretching a hand, Anaar stops Dan from exiting the room. “Whoa, whoa… Where are you going with all those?”
Dan looked around confused. “All of what?”
“The holsters Dan. We are supposed to be young starry-eyed wannabe models. You look like you are headed into the Melee.”
“How I’m ‘posed to defend myself?”
“From… hair and makeup?”
“Them bitches too!”
Anaar sighs as he shakes his head. “Dan, I’m sure we will be fine. Honestly, this is the least threatening mission I have ever had. Barring it turning to shit like my first mission with Peter, I think we should be fine.”
Dan grumbles as he begins removing the holsters. “There, ya happy?!”
“The paper armor too.”
“What?! Come on now man! Not dat too! I bet you got on ya bodysuit!”
Anaar lifts his shirt displaying rippling abs, sans a bodysuit. “Nope. Now lose it.”
The paper flows out and collects itself on the bed, Dan’s face sad and longing as he gazed at it. Anaar figured it was the best he could do, positive Dan had some paper still hidden on him somewhere, but it would likely go unquestioned in such a small amount. They made for the set and found it was close to the water, and there were a number of others, both male and female, present for the shoot.
Both Anaar and Dan were amazed how hectic everything was during the shoot. He also noticed smoldering gazes all around that felt as if they would be immediately killed if they let their guard down for even a second. The over the top pandering done by some of the other models was borderline sickening, but Dan understood what it felt like to want and need something so badly you were willing to do anything to make it happen. Though he did not feel that way specifically about the modeling, he knew his future as a provider was riding on this mission.
Unbeknownst to them, the shoot was more of a fitness, underwear and swimwear shoot. As Anaar looked around, he figured that would explain everyone having nice builds. There were many he would not deem attractive, but they did have a gorgeous physique. They were changing out of their clothes when a woman appeared with a clipboard, paying more attention to the phone in her other hand as she absently called out a name.
“Billy… Murdoch. We need you to hair and makeup now.”
When Dan stepped forward sheepishly, she gave him a quick look up and down, with a mixture of displeasure and confusion. “I jest follow you then?”
“Who are you?! I asked for Billy Murdoch.” She looks around until she finds Anaar. “That guy. Hey you! Yeah you! Come over here!”
Anaar trots up, doing his best to look aloof since he was quite aware of the issue. “Yes. Is it my turn?”
“You’re Billy Murdoch aren’t you?”
Anaar points to Dan. “That’s Billy. I’m Zayne. Is something wrong?”
The woman shows him the clipboard, a small photo of him and a profile on it. “This says you are Billy.”
Giving a heart melting, apologetic smile, Anaar rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry! I think there must have been a mix-up. I have seen him around a few times, so I think we are with the same agency. They must have accidentally crossed our profiles.”
The woman looks at them both with anger. “I hate when they do this shit! How hard is it to differentiate a white kid from a middle eastern kid… Whatever. You. Come with me. You… stay here for now.”
The woman continued mumbling under her breath as Anaar shrugged and followed her. Once he had arrived at the line of mirrors and people working furiously in front of them, a man points to a chair, indicating he should sit. After pulling off the hair ties and playing around in Anaar’s hair for a moment, the man swoons and begins speaking passionately at a rapid rate.
“Just look at all this hair! It is so silky and well maintained! It is just the pinnacle of perfection! Honey, what conditioner do you use? What is your regimen? It is a shame they want me to put all this up, but I can see how it could be problematic with the group shoots. I am going to make a plug to let it down for the solo shots. This mane is too beautiful to keep pinned up! Oh and this skin! I bet you have never had a pimple in your life! Do you even need makeup?!”
The man’s rambling continued on and on for the duration of the time it took him to complete Anaar’s hair. With the ruckus he was making, there were many women who had begun peering in his direction, envious looks on their faces. There was nothing he could do to shrink himself any further, so he had to bear all the attention. Once it was finally done, he sprang from the chair and made the hastiest retreat possible. Since he had no idea where he should be, he made his way back to the changing area.
Meanwhile, Dan had already been heavily made up, his freckled body causing the makeup artists to hyperventilate. Though most of it would be retouched with editing, they liked to have a base to work with. For his first shoot, he was paired with a tall statuesque platinum blonde woman, whose skimpy bikini and top appeared loose since there was not much in the way to cover in the first place. Regardless, she had a pretty face, which made Dan slightly uncomfortable with their shoot.
“Okay, for this next shot we need you embracing one another while passionately looking into each other’s eyes. If you are going to break eye contact, both of you need to do it and really serve us some face!”
Dan took note of the instructions and awkwardly placed one hand on the woman’s waist. Since he refused to move closer, the woman took charge, pulling him close and hooking a leg around his. Her hand lightly grazing his bottom, he gulped and did his best not to show how terrified he was. He had never been one for the rail thin type of woman, so he was not particularly attracted to her, however thinking about what Maggie would do if she saw the scene gave way to him envisioning Maggie being with him instead. Before he knew it, there was a scream that broke him from his stupor.
“Alright stop! Take a two minute break! Dude, get rid of the chub already!”
The woman had already pulled away from Dan and walked away, leaving him standing there alone. When he looked down, he did notice he was at attention and covered his crotch in embarrassment as he slinked away. Once everything was back to normal and their break was over, Dan made it through the shoot and rushed anxiously back to the changing area to find many of the other male models chatting amongst themselves as the waited. Spying Anaar, he hurried over to speak to him.”
“Man, dis shit ain’t easy! I thought you jest had to stand there and smile and shit! They be wanting you to do all this shit and hold these poses that be uncomfortable as fuck! You done did some takes yet?”
Anaar nods, still scanning the area warily. “I had two shots where I was with two women in one, and three women and two other men in the second. We got the shot pretty easily which is why I’m back so quickly. For whatever reason, I’m not liked, despite having done nothing to anyone. No one cares though. What’s important is that we get more intel. Have you heard anything regarding suspicious trafficking activity?”
Dan turns red and hides his face. “Shit! I’m sorry! I done totally forgot ‘bout dat!”
“Don’t worry, it’s understandable. This is a different type of situation. Typically you are there to blend in without doing much, so your mind is focused on the mission. It isn’t like we are used to modeling or anything. Just try to be more aware in the future. If it makes you feel any better, I have been listening intently but have gotten nothing.”
“Well shit, that do make me feel better since you got that good ass hearin’. If you ain’t heard shit, I know I wouldn’tve heard nothin’.”
Everyone had begun rotating
through a number of different garments, Anaar noticing that each new one revealed more than the last. Dan seemed much more genial when it came to the outfit changes and the general banter surrounding them, making jokes with many of the other men in the area. Anaar was not sure if it was his dedication to the mission, or his lacking in personality which caused him to be treated like a pariah, especially when Dan continued to become more and more popular with his infectious personality.
There came a point when Dan and Anaar had a shoot together with just the two of them, and as it was far into the day, the trunks they were wearing left little to the imagination. The photographer was busying himself with his camera and tools, while another man, the director of the shoot began giving instructions.
“Alright boys, we are selling sex with this one. I want smoldering eyes that pierce the heart through the camera. I need you close, but not too close, something that will sell the story of you two being best friends, almost like brothers, so you are very comfortable with one another.”
No problem there.
“Everyone loves that taboo brotherly love that borders on incest.”
Okay, definitely a problem there.
“Just have fun with it, but not too much fun. Throw your arm around each other’s shoulders, use each other as props, the whole nine yards. Try to keep the smiling to a minimum. We will do a separate round of takes to see if we like the fun innocent look, or the bad boy sexy look better.”
Anaar sighed and worked to execute the directions as best he could, moving closer to Dan and trying to give the camera something brimming with sex appeal. Dan however, though comfortable with Anaar, as they were standing side by side, slightly touching, looked down, causing him to stop the photographer, to the annoyance of both he and the director.
“Yeah, umm… Can I get like… a sock or somethin’? Like this difference fo real makin’ me look bad. I promise it ain’t or nothin’! I just cain’t compare to… that.”
Anaar’s eyes go wide once he realizes where Dan is pointing. Doing his best to smile and act as if nothing is happening, he whispers angrily to Dan, his lips so still it would make most ventriloquists jealous.
Revelations (Song of Sophangence Book 4) Page 42
