Jenny and the Beasts

12. River

August 1,2022

As promised, Jenny met up with Bai the next day. Jenny did her chores and felt some pride when the girl complimented her house. Jenny had been working on it a lot. She had several smaller mats and her one large one to sit on. There was also the stool Harvey made her and her multitude of baskets. Jenny had even added some flowers to a tall bowl to freshen up the place. Bai commented on her tools and Jenny was more than happy to show them off.

While she gave the girl a tour, Jenny snuck glances at Harvey. She could practically see the flowers blooming around him. Feeling like a third wheel in her own home, Jenny left to go to the river. She had avoided the place despite promising herself to give the stranger more credibility. Since Bai was with her, she felt safer.

If the male tried to harm them in any way, Curtis would know it. Jenny was sure he was around still, but surprisingly didn't feel guilty about using him like that. They checked the traps and Jenny loaded them. She let Harvey answer any questions Bai had.

Jenny was still indecisive about shipping them or not. She really didn't want to put Harvey in that kind of danger, but then again, Harvey wasn't stupid. He knew that Curtis had four stripes and that the snake man had beat the crap out of Parker. Harvey was a grown ma-beast and would make his decisions. Jenny just wanted him to be happy... and alive.

Since Harvey was more than happy to talk to Bai, Jenny did everything a little slower than usual. She constantly looked around for the stranger, but didn't catch sight of him. Using the opportunity, Jenny decided to bathe with her clothes on. She could change them when she got home. She did what she could and Bai joined her.

It was hot and the water did feel cool. Jenny figured Bai was loosening up at least a little. Patting herself on the back for a job well done, Jenny looked away as the girl scrubbed herself and her clothes. Harvey cautiously watched the surroundings as they cleaned up.

Bai got her fake freckles wet and they started to run. Jenny debated about pointing it out, but the girl noticed it dripping off of her. Bai panicked and Jenny kept herself from rolling her eyes. 'How terrible it was to attract some attention,' Jenny thought sarcastically.

Realizing that Bai's anxiety stemmed from her inability to say 'no' properly, or at least partly, Jenny felt a little better about herself. It may have taken falling into another world, but Jenny finally managed to say that word when she wanted to. Her new skill wasn't perfect, but at least it now existed.

Sure, Jenny could understand the girl. She hated unnecessary attention. Then again, Jenny was convinced that the attention she received most of the time was the negative kind. Still, she knew how unpleasant it was to feel people watching her. Jenny decided to think better of the girl, if only slightly.

Bai wanted to hurry up and leave so Jenny sped up. They gathered their goods and Bai tried to cover her face on their way back. Jenny ignored her actions. Harvey mistook them as an issue.

After some back and forth between the two, Jenny zoned out. She looked around, but saw no sign of anything odd or endangering. Since Bai wanted to rush back, Jenny would have to clean the fish at the den. At least she had everything she needed to do so.

Once back, Jenny gave Bai some berries at the girls request. Bai quickly cleaned her mascara smears and started to dot on the berry juice. Jenny ignored her again and watched a starstruck Harvey instead.

Honestly, this guy was such a good catch. He didn't care if Bai was ugly or infertile and still professed his love to her. He had smarts, patience, consideration, and more. And yet... This girl in front of Jenny didn't seem to acknowledge it. Maybe they were too different.