Modern Monsters

Ria the Orc

Male reader x Female monster

It had been dark and cloudy even before you came into the cafe. As soon as you ordered your drink it began to get dark, and the moment you take the cup of coffee into your hand, sure enough, it's raining. You sigh heavily and move over to an empty table to sit down.

"Of course," you say. "It figures." Not that you're in a hurry to get home, anyway. It's been that sort of day, week, month, quite possibly even year. It's easy to feel barrel-rolled after a breakup, and it seems like everything bad just happens at once.

As you're staring out the window and watch the rain, you hear giggles and laughter behind you. When you came in here there were a group of girls sitting at one of the big tables. They were enjoying their drinks and passing around fancy desserts to share. They were having fun and enjoying the day, regardless of the weather. It was nice hearing someone having a good time and doing fun things.

You start to take out your phone when someone walks up to your table. You look up, and it's the orc girl from the fun table. You're not quite sure how to react as she stands by your table, and you fidget for a moment before she plasters on a big smile.

"Is anyone sitting there?" She points to the chair opposite from you.

You sigh and shake your head. Of course; all she wants is the chair. "No. Go ahead. It's not getting used by anyone."

She beams and claps her hands together. "Great!" She sits down in front of you and looks up at you.

You weren't prepared and you almost knock over your coffee cup. As you fix your posture and check your clothes for any stains, you notice how nice she looks. She's wearing a cute pastel yellow sundress, patterned with daisies,and a cropped jean jacket over it. Her long black hair is swept over to one side, showing off the undercut on the other side, which is dyed a brilliant purple. She's very tall and carefully arranges her long legs under the tiny table so she can sit without kicking you.

"I hope you don't mind." She tucks her hair behind her ear. "My friends actually dared me."

"I, uh-" Your voice catches in your throat as you try to digest what's happening. "No, it's okay. If your friends are making you, I won't bother you."

"And here I was thinking I was the one bothering you." She leans forward on the table. "My name's Ria, by the way. I hope I don't seem too forward, but are you busy tonight?"

It's like sticking a fork in an electrical socket when she asks this; a complete shock followed by organ failure.

Ria is twirling a lock of hair around one of her fingers. "I guess tonight's not the sort of night someone would want to go out into." She turns to the window as the storm slaps a wet plastic bag against the glass. "Maybe tomorrow, then?" She looks at her phone. "Weather says it will only be cloudy. Should be okay for something."

"If your friends are forcing you, I don't mind playing along," you quickly sputter out. "No need to make yourself do anything."

Ria looks up at you with those bright, amber eyes and blinks a few times. "But it was my idea. They just helped me get up the nerve."

You'd think one extreme shock would be enough, but two feels like overkill. "Really?" You're a bit breathless as you try to speak.

"Really," Ria nods. "I get off work at six. If you'd like, you can meet me there and we can hang out for a bit or see a movie." She takes your coffee cup and writes her number down on it. Her signature is cute, and she dots her 'I' with a heart.

"Where do you work?" you ask.

"Just down the street from here at the Grit and Gravel Gym." She chuckles softly, seeming a bit embarrassed.