Monster in Paradise

Chapter 1: Invite to Brandt

"KAIDEEEEEEEN!!!" A young woman's voice calls out through the Temple of Wisdom, as a man with blueish black hair looks up from cleaning his sword.

"Yes, Ava?" Kaiden asked, deadpan as per usual.

The white haired woman known as Ava flashes a small screen that closely resembled an envelope up to his face. "Guess what?!" She asked smugly.

"What?" He sighs.

"C'mon, Kaiden, guess...! It's not fun if I just tell you...!" She pouts.

"I'm not good at making guesses. What is it you're so excited about?"

Ava stomps her foot on the ground in a bit of frustration, but composes herself. "Fine, Mr. Buzzkill. I just got an invite to Brandt's Annual Science Exhibition! Of course, I can bring a plus one if I want to. I'm thinking of bringing along Lord Damien to show off some of Brandt's best and brightest. Or maybe Miss Leizhao...~?! Oh! Maybe Claus! I'm sure he could appreciate getting away from his new trainee, yeah?!"

Kaiden was quiet, and just stared at her blankly. He didn't really seem to care about what she was saying, or who she wanted to bring. Seeing that her chatting wasn't getting a reaction out of him, Ava sighs as well.

"Seriously? You can at least pretend to care." She says.

"Sorry. I've never really understood science, and do not plan to." Kaiden says.

"Ugh... You knew that I was going to bring you along the whole time, didn't you?" Ava asked.

"Pretty much." He nods and stands up, putting his sword away in a single motion. "After all, you never go anywhere without me."

"You...!" Ava weakly hits his chest with a pout. "Fine, you got me."

"Does Lord Damien know you will be leaving?"

"I already told him."

"And Lady Leizhao?"

"She knows I'll be gone for the week."

"And she's okay with it?"

"She wanted to come along, but I can only bring one other person. And I'd be stupid if I didn't bring my bodyguard!"

"And I assume you packed all of our things as soon as you got the invite?"

"Hehe! You know me too well. Was just missing your sword. I know you never go anywhere without it."

After that small back and forth, the two smile at each other as Ava skips along ahead, while Kaiden followed behind her to the portal room. Just as they were about to leave, Damien walks into the room with his wife Vallarie who smiles and waves.

"Are you two leaving now?" The blonde male asked.

"Sure am! I'll be sure to bring souvenirs for everyone!" Ava smiles.

"Be safe, okay?" She says.

"Will do! Also, just cuz I'm gone, don't do anything funny, Lord Damien~!" Ava giggles with a sly smirk.

"I-I would never...!" Damien says with a blush.

"She's just messing with you." Kaiden says matter of factly as he usually does.

"O-Oh, right, of course..." He chuckles. "Well, I hope you guys have fun."

"Welp, see you guys in a week! Don't burn the temple down~!" Ava waves as she starts the gateway to Brandt up.

With a small wave, the two step through the portal and disappear.

"Ah... Some peace and quiet." Damien chuckles.

"You don't like their company?" Vallarie asked with a smile.

"Well, I do. But Ava can be a bit...loud, when she's excited. So having some time without her around would definitely help my head." He scratches his head. "Anyway, I'll see you back home?"

"Hehe, yup. See you, darling." Vallarie disappears next, leaving Damien alone in his temple.

"Right then. I think the Temple could use a bit of spring cleaning... So I'll start with that." Damien smiles and starts to get to work. Just as he does, he gets a notification from Tine, the Goddess of Storms. He walks over to his computer and checks out what she sent. "Kaiju attacks...? Hmm... Cleaning will have to wait then, I guess. I need to look into this before it gets out of hand."