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Old Stories. New Twists. |
[Introduction]
We've all heard these stories before. Childhood tales like Little Red Riding Hood or the Three Little Pigs. Or classic tropes like the dragon kidnapping the princess. But what if, just for a change, the roles in these stories were reversed, or something unexpected happened to turn the narrative on its head? That's what this item will be all about! Each chapter will be a sort of new twist on a classic tale or trope. Anybody that wants to join in is more than welcome! |
Little Blue Riding Wolf Once upon a time, there was a family of wolves, who lived in a house in the woods. The youngest of the family was a female cub who wore a blue cloak everywhere she went. One day, Mother Wolf asked the cub to take a basket of food to her grandparents, who lived on the other side of the forest. As the cub rode her bicycle along the path, she found her way blocked by a menacing figure. It was the huntsman of the woods, who liked to capture and stuff animals for sport. He carried a rifle on his back, and a wicked ax at his hip. The cub, having never met the man, didn't realize the danger she was in. "Hello there." The huntsman said with a false charming voice. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" "To my grandparents." Said the cub "It's been a rather rough season for them, so I'm bringing them some of our spare food." "Oh? Where do they live?" The cub my have been naive, but she knew enough to know better than to tell a stranger that. "Excuse me, but I'm in a hurry." She peddled past the huntsman and went on her way. The huntsman was sly, however, and followed the cub through the woods, hiding behind trees and rocks as he did so. |
| Thankfully for Little Blue, the Huntsman wasn't the only human out hunting. On the path stood a Forest Ranger. Blue slowed down, as she came near. "Hello," she said. "Hello, I'm Ranger Green," the Forest Ranger said. "Have you seen anyone else along this path?" "There was this fella back there," Blue said. "They had a gun on their back, and an axe on their side." Green pulled out a picture, and showed it to the young wolf. "This them?" Blue looked at it, her eyes widening. "Yes." She looked at the Ranger. "What did they do?" "Hurt some people real bad." Green looked towards where Blue had come from. "You're being followed, watched even as we speak. Take the left path at the four corners, and head to the Ranger station - I have a partner there, a woman named Woods. Tell her I told you to head there." "But, my grandparents live -" "Who he'll hurt if you go to the home of your loved ones," Green said. "Woods is a Marine - no one can get past her." |
| Knowing better than to argue, Little Blue nodded and did as the ranger said. She rode to the station, where she met another ranger, a female human, as Green has said. "Are you lost?" Ranger Woods asked. "Your partner, Ranger Green, sent me. Said I was being followed by someone who would hurt my family and me." Ranger Woods nodded in understanding. "Come on inside. You'll be safe with me until Green gets back." After about ten minutes of waiting, the sound of gunshots echoed through the forest, startling them both. |
| "Will Ranger Green be alright?" Blue asked, looking at the female Ranger. Woods looked at her, and smiled. "Yes. I heard his gun being fired." She then walked over to a cabinet, and opened it. Inside was a couple of guns. She took them out, along with the ammunition, and loaded each firearm. She then placed them in different sections. As she did so, Blue noticed Woods' leg. There was a brace of some sort on it. "What happened to your leg?" she asked. "I hurt it pretty bad overseas," said Woods. "I can't run any more." "Were you in a fight?" Blue asked. "Green said that you were a Marine." Woods chuckled. "You should see the other fellas - the ones we fought," she said. "This thing on my leg - this is a scratch compared to what they got." "Why a Forest Ranger?" Blue asked. "I wanted some peace and quiet," said Woods. "What about the man after me?" Blue asked. "What did he do?" "He's hurt a lot of people," said Woods. "Hurt them pretty bad. Most didn't get lucky enough to just need braces." |
| Just then, there was a knock at the door. Woods readied her gun and cautiously approached the entryway. "Who is it?" "Girl Scouts! We're selling cookies!" Came an obviously false high-pitched voice. Woods rolled her eyes. Not only was he a poacher, but he had a terrible sense of humor too. "I'm warning you, I'm armed!" Woods called through the door. "So am I," Said the huntsman. "I know that little wolf in blue is in there. You can't hide forever!" Woods turned to Blue, who was visibly trembling in fear. "It's going to be okay." She reassured her." I'll protect you." |
| Woods pointed her gun at the door. "I know who you are, and what you've done," she said, speaking up. "You're a coward. You like easy prey, prey that's scared and afraid. Well, I'm a Devil Dog, and fear doesn't enter my thinking, save for that which I give to my enemies, who are all dead. I got a Mossberg 500 shotgun pointed at you - 12 gauge, three inch deer slugs, 8+1 ammo count. It will blow a hole through that door, and you as well. Just leave, and you won't end up dead. Otherwise, I promise you this - you'll be in Hell before you can get close to this kid." She then stared, and listened. There was a tap on the side door. "Open up, you little pup," came the huntsman's voice. Woods pointed her gun at the wall beside the doorframe and fired, right where a waist would be. "Clever bitch," the huntsman said, from another part of the wall. "But I knew you'd shoot there." "Guess you know I ain't fooling then," said Woods. "There's always a way." |
| Chuckling, Woods only grinned as she moved a carpet with her foot to reveal a trapdoor before she whispered. "Blue, come open this." Not wanting to be told twice, Blue went to where Ranger Woods was standing and opened it to reveal a tunnel that led to a underground mine cart. "Go, I'll be right behind you dear." |
| Blue made her way down the ladder, into the tunnel, with Woods following behind her. But it wasn't long before the huntsman entered the station, saw the trapdoor, and figured out where they had gone. He began to chop the trapdoor open with his ax, but by the time he got through, Blue and Woods were gone. Growling with frustration, the huntsman would not be deterred so easily. It would be dark soon, and there was no way the little pup could reach her grandparents' before sundown. "Maybe this is a good thing." He mused to himself. "I was getting bored with easy hunts. About time I had a challenge." The huntsman climbed back up the ladder and returned to the forest. Stopping at a secret stash he'd set up beforehand, he grabbed night vision goggles, a camouflage suit, and some spray to mask his scent. "Maybe little Blue will be a more interesting hunt for me after all." |
| As Woods and Blue walked, the Ranger heard a sound. "Hold," she said, quietly. She aimed her shotgun at the sound, and raised her voice. "Who's there?" "It's me." Woods lowered her barrel as Green came into view, the other Ranger quietly grunting in pain, their outfit wet. "You hurt?" "Slipped and fell into a deep section of that river by the cliffside," Green said. "I think I cracked a couple of ribs on a rock, but said rock made for good anchor, especially given how muddy the river is at the moment, so I could hide long enough for him to think that I was dead." "Good to know that you're alive," said Woods. "You had me worried." "You got a spare gun on you?" Green asked. "I lost mine in the river." Woods pulled out her pistol, and passed it to him, along with some magazines. "We should make it to Porko's place. I know he's got a radio." "That pig doesn't like us too much," said Green. "Especially since we burned that one hay field of his." "True, but I doubt he'd harm a kid, and his one brother was a medic in the army, and that other brother of his, he owes me a favor from when I saved his bacon from an IED that hit his unit's convoy." |
| As the trio made their way to safety, it grew dark until the sun had completely set. "Damn." Woods said, " I was hoping to reach Porko's before sundown." Blue, meanwhile, was becoming increasingly terrified. Here she was in the forest at night, with a sadistic hunter after her, and her parents were no doubt worried, expecting her to have returned home hours ago. Woods placed a hand on the pup's shoulder. " Everything's fine, sweetheart. That hunter won't get you as long as we're around." Suddenly, Green let out a cry of pain as he fell to the ground, a crossbow bolt protruding from his calf. Woods and Blue took shelter behind a nearby boulder, staying low to avoid exposing themselves. "He's around here somewhere," Woods whispered. "Can you smell him out?" Blue took several long sniffs, but couldn't make out the huntsman's position. "He must be wearing some kind of scent masker." Meanwhile, the huntsman was about fifty yards away, camouflaged and aiming another bolt. "Go ahead, ranger. Help your friend. Then you'll be a prime target for my second shot." The Huntsman had them pinned, and Woods knew it. What could she do? |
| Blue then began sniffing a bit more. "I think I'm smelling a skunk with an extra strong odor." "I hope it's who I think it might be," said Woods. "Stay low." That was when a gunshot rang out. That was followed by another sound, and then a bunch of cursing, and movement, and then another gunshot, and a lot more movement and swearing, and then a different set of sounds. "That you Porko, with that double-barrel?" Woods asked. "Who'd you piss off this time?" a gruff voice asked. "Bastard shot me in the side with a crossbow bolt. Had them military goggles too." "You know that fella that's been in the news lately?" Woods asked. "We talking about the one that burned down -" "Yes! That one!" There was a sudden snorting sound. That was when an overweight pig came out from behind some trees, holding a hand to their side, a double-barrel shotgun in the other. They looked at Green. "Were you once an Adventurer?" "Smartalec," the injured ranger said. "Don't try removing it," said Porko. "I know that much." "Where's your bolt?" Green asked. "Looks worse than it is," said Porko. "Bastard got me in the love handle, and was a through-and-through anyways. At the moment, I'm just bleeding." "Like a stuck pig," said Green. "Now who's being a smartalec?" Porko asked. The pig looked up. "Besides Mr. Ex-Adventurer, whose all with you Woods?" Woods came out, motioning Blue to follow her. "Got this pup with me." "I'm Blue." "Dabba dee, dabba da," said Porko. Woods looked at him. "Hey, sometimes you got to take a bit of humor in this sort of thing," said Porko. "Is your place safe?" Woods asked. "Safe enough, don't know if I want to bring you there," said Porko. "That straw was going to be used at the Medieval Fair, for all those huts and such, only for someone to claim that it was ingested with blight. Oh, and don't forget, the ashes from the fire messed up the waterway section I grow Egyptian Papyrus along. Three hundred thousand dollars worth, all gone, and then the lab said that there wasn't any blight." "Are you going to hold that against us now?" Green asked. "I hate you, but I don't want you dead," said Porko. He looked at Blue. "Kid, help Green up, and I'll see about getting you all to my place." He looked at Woods. "Boro was about to come when I told him he doesn't know this area as well as I do, and told him to guard the place until I got back with anyone that was innocent. Chechron started grabbing his medical stuff when the shooting started and we realized that it wasn't the average hunting shooting - probably has two or three cots ready by now." |
| Fortunately, the Huntsman didn't try to attack again as they made their way to the pig's cabin. However, he was watching from a safe distance. "Damn. Now they're really outnumbering me. Hmm, I think I know the perfect way to get them into the open..." Upon arriving at the cabin, the Blue lay on an open cot and rested, while the adults stood watch. She had had quite a day and was very tired. She didn't know how long she had been asleep, but she was woken by Ranger Woods in a panic. "Blue! Wake up! The cabin's on fire!" Indeed, smoke was rapidly filling the room, clouding her vision and filling her lungs. They had two options at this point: to go outside and potentially be shot by the Huntsman, or stay and suffocate or burn to death. |
| "Well, we're not going out the front door, that's for sure," said Porko. "He'll be waiting for us that way." "Do you got a back door, and I don't mean the one above ground, because he might have an eye on that one too," said Woods. Porko chuckled. "Of course." He pulled a rug, revealing a trapdoor. "Got myself a little shaft to take us to my papyrus spot - tall enough to stand comfortably, wide enough for three, and plenty of ventilation so that we shouldn't get choked by smoke." "Do you use it to smuggle things in?" Green asked. "I make sure that anything I grow is legal," said Porko. "Let's get moving," said Boro, who had a heavily scared face, with an eyepatch over the right eye and was wearing biker leather. He grabbed the door handle. "I don't want my bacon to get fried here." He opened up the cellar door. "Injured, women, and children first." "Better hurry," Chechron said, grabbing his medical bag. "Hopefully the injuries don't get worse." He then grabbed some guns and ammo, passing them to his brothers, and made sure that he too was armed. "I don't think that this guy follows the Geneva Convention." "What was the first clue, doc?" Green asked, as he dropped into the shaft. "Ow! Don't you got a ladder?" "No time to grab it, now move," said Porko. "I hope his wound doesn't open back up," said Chechron, as he helped Blue down into Green's arms. "I'm surprised you're not worried about mine," said Porko. "Yours is a scratch," said Boro. "Woods, you're next." Woods got into the shaft. She was followed by Porko, Chechron, and Boro, who made sure that the cellar door closed as he dropped. That, was when there was a loud crash of timber above them. "If nothing else, this should buy us some time," said Boro. "Let's go." In the dark, Woods looked at Boro, as they walked side by side. "When we get a chance, we need to talk." "Agreed," said Boro. "Never did thank you properly for saving my life back there." Woods frowned. "Heard that you joined the Razorbacks." Boro nodded. "Whatever else one says about them, they saw me as a person in need of friends, unlike others that took one look at me and turned away," he said. "Most of them are veterans themselves. Also, the stories about the crimes they allegedly commit are, mostly, exaggerations. Of course, those about the fighting in bars, that part's true enough." |
| Walking, Blue started to sniff the air, as something familiar caught her attention. "That's odd, why do I smell something sweet?" Confused, everyone started to sniff around, also smelling something sweet. "Hey, there is something sweet..." |
| Not too far away, Blue saw a familiar sight. Her grandparents' cottage! The scent was her grandma's fresh-baked cookies! "That's my grandparents' house!" She told the group. "The huntsman wouldn't dare try to attack us there!" |
| "And that's why we need to be extra careful," said Boro. "The place that seems inviting might hide a deadly trap." "I'll go scout it out," said Woods. "Of us, I look the least messed up, I got my hat, look somewhat presentable, and the rest of you, well, you're needed here, in case things go wrong." "Might want your pistol back in that case, and I hold the long gun," said Green. "Less suspicious that way." "But, what about my scent on you?" Blue asked. "They will know I've been with you." "I'll figure something out," said Woods. |
| Walking up to the cabin, Woods walked as he normally would, yet kept his eyes peeled. With his gun in his holster, he mentally prayed nothing happens. Coming up to the door, he knocked a couple of times. Hearing movement inside, he steadies himself as the door opens. |
| (Wolfkingdom, just for the record, Woods is actually a woman.) There stood an elderly wolf with gray fur. "Yes?" Woods hesitated. "Do you have a granddaughter named Blue?" The old wolf suddenly looked worried. "Why? Has something happened?" "She's with me and some companions, but she's in danger from a poacher who has been pursuing us all day. May we come in?" The wolf agreed, and a few moments later everyone was in Blue's grandparents' living room. Blue was in the arms of her grandmother as the kindly female comforted the pup. "Don't worry now, dear. You're safe with us." "But what about my friends? They can't just stay here forever." That was when Blue's grandfather spoke up. "Don't you worry about that huntsman, Blue. I learned a lot about traps and defense in my army days. I may be old, but I still can put up one hell of a fight. Now, your rangers and your pig friends, listen up. I got a plan..." About twenty minutes later, the Huntsman approached the cottage. He knocked on the door slowly, relishing the fear of his latest quarry. "Little Blue, Little Blue, let me come in!" No response. "I know you're in there. Come on out, and I promise I'll make it quick!" Still nothing. "No? Well then, I'll just have to make it nice and slow!" He began chopping down the door with his ax. |
| That was when there was a gunshot, and the Huntsman felt a lot of pain, and then nothing. He looked down. There was an exit wound in his chest. "So, that's what that's like." He fell to the ground. Hidden in the forest, Woods looked at the grandfather wolf. He held a hunting rifle, still pointed at the Huntsman. "That wasn't the plan," she said. "We were supposed to try to take him alive, not shoot him in the back." "I know enough about him that taking him alive isn't an option," the grandfather said. "I know who he is, what's he's done, and I testified against him fifteen years ago when he did some things I don't want to repeat in front of my granddaughter. He swore he'd kill me, and mine, when he got out." "What did he do?" Boro asked. "Let's just say he did terrible things to the daughter of a village elder, and leave it at that," the older wolf said. "He wasn't too fond of being arrested then, and I was one of the MPs that slapped the cuffs on him. A few other charges got added too when we found some other things out. Heard he broke out." "So, what now?" Green asked. "Think he's alive?" "I hope not, but too many shots from a rifle at a distance looks suspicious to a police officer," the older wolf said. "At the moment, I can at least claim that I returned home from an unsuccessful hunt to see this man trying to break into my home with an axe, and I feared for my wife's safety. Thank goodness she'd gone out the back door, and that will be the story we tell the police, especially you rangers." "You could still go to prison, for this," said Woods. The older wolf looked back, where, further in the forest, Blue was with her grandmother. He looked back at the rest. "Some prices are worth it." |
| Taking a calming sigh, Woods used the phone inside the house, being careful she didn't mess with the evidence. "This is Ranger Woods of the Forestry Rangers. We have a scene to look at. Looks like a attempted burglary. The owners were out, the husband came back from a hunt and defended his property. Twenty minutes, okay. Thank you. Bye." |
| The Huntsman never threatened another innocent again, and Blue and her family were safe. When the police arrived, they believed the self-defense story and took the Huntsman's body away to be identified and disposed of. Afterwords, Woods escorted Blue back to her home. "I'd say you've had quite the exciting day." Woods chuckled as they walked along the trail. "Yeah. Too exciting, if you ask me." "I'd have to agree with you there. But at least you're safe now, and your grandpa made sure that huntsman will never hurt anyone again. What will you tell your parents?" "I'll just say I lost track of time and got lost. Thankfully, I ran into you, and you brought me home." "Normally, I'd say it's not good to lie to one's parents, but in this case it's probably for the best. They must be so worried about you." So, Little Blue made it safe and sound back home and slept all through the night into the next afternoon after her little "adventure". Before she fell asleep, she made a mental note to herself to never talk to strangers she met in the woods ever again. Jane and the Beanstalk One day, a young giantess by the name of Jane was out for a walk, when she felt rather hungry, having not eaten that day. Just then, she noticed something strange in the distance. It was even taller than the tallest giant she knew, and seemed to be growing up from the land of humans far below. She came closer to investigate when she suddenly had an idea. If this strange plant did indeed reach all the way to the land of humans, she could climb down and snack on all the Smallies she wanted! She grasped the thick, tree-like plant and began to descend. |
| Of course, no giant alive had seen a human. Sure, there was the occasional wildlife that, somehow, stumbled into their land and was mistaken for one, but no giant in the past hundred odd years had seen an actual human. Thus, she was taken by surprise when some large metal birds began spitting something painful at her. |
| Jane swatted at the birds, trying to knock them away. But they were too fast and managed to dodge her attacks. They continued to spit at her, lodging tiny stones into her skin. Eventually, she decided to try to run away from them instead, but they swiftly followed her, still spitting at her. It wasn't long before she encountered more strange, tiny creatures, like these weird metal things that also spat at her, but when they struck her, there were small explosions across her body. She soon decided this wasn't worth it and tried to make her way back to the beanstalk. |
| That was when she saw several beings, of her size, made of metal, all blocking her way. A red one stepped forward. "You'd best sit down, and let the humans apprehend you," they said. "You will not be harmed if you do." "What are you?" Jane asked. "Fire-Fighting mech 6398," the metal being said. "Most call me Blaze though." They pointed at a yellow one. "Construction-Demolition mech 4861. Most call them Dozer." Dozer nodded. Blaze then pointed at a bright green one. "Agriculture mech 5309. Most call them Olive." Olive nodded. Blaze indicated the rest. "Everyone here are what's known as Utility Mechs - Civilian Models," they said. "The aircraft and armor you've been dealing with are classified under Obsolete and are Reserve Forces - militia, as it were. They respond to local issues, just as we have. You don't want to deal with with Current Military forces, especially Slayer Unit Mechs. They are not equipped to capture enemy giants by using restraints. Instead, they will remove your arms and legs, and even your head if they deem killing you necessary." "And you?" Jane asked. Blaze pulled out a bright red axe. "I'd rather not have to kill a living being, especially when I am programed to try to save them. But, the writers of said programing put in enough leeway that I don't have to save every life, just those that I reasonably can. In short - try to harm a human, I'll kill you, if I reasonably believe it to be in the human's best interests. Programing for free will is rather complicated." |
| Seeing no way v out of it, Jane nodded as she did as she was told by Blaze. Carefully sitting down, she held her arms out to whoever came to her. "Okay, I'll be nice and do as I'm instructed." Nodding, Blaze put his ax away and nodded to the militia to bring the cuffs over to place on her. |
| It was only then they realized they didn't actually have any handcuffs large enough to fit on her. Blaze had to hold Jane's hands behind her back as they escorted her to who knows where. "So, what happens now?" She asked. "Well, why exactly did you come down here?" Blaze responded. "To be honest, I wanted to munch on a few hundred or so humans. I heard they made delicious and wanted to try for myself." "Well then, that sounds like a confession to me. You'll likely get into trouble for intent to devour civilians. But since you're being honest and are cooperating without a fight, maybe you'll get some leniency." |
| "So, what will happen to me?" Jane asked. "Well, since you didn't harm anyone, you'll probably keep your head," said Blaze. "A standing order is, barring certain extenuating circumstances, a giant that kills a human is to be put to death." "What do you mean by 'Extenuating Circumstances'?" Jane asked. "Like if there was an accident, or if you were trying to defend another human from a hostile one," Dozer said. "Even us mechs have to be careful about where we step and all that." "That being said, the rounds used on you were of the less-lethal sort," said Olive. "That is to say, they hurt you, but you suffered no real injury." It was at that moment that a black mech unit materialized in front of them "I was wondering when you'd show up, Ninja," said Blaze. "You got restraints?" The black mech pulled out some rather large cuffs, as well as shackles. "Of course." They looked at Jane. "What is your name?" Jane gulped, nervously. "Jane." "Well Jane, I have word as to what your punishment will be," the mech said, as they fastened the restraints. "Since you didn't harm anyone, you won't be executed. Instead, you'll be put to work doing heavy manual labor for a few years, or until you prove trustworthy enough that you can be allowed to be free, and not reside in a holding facility. That being said, you'll have a tracking device on you." "Can I go back to where I came from?" Jane asked. "Standing orders are to cut down those beanstalks," said Blaze. "I doubt that you'll be able to return home, even if another beanstalk shows up near you." They then looked at Ninja. "You be good to her. She seems more confused than dangerous." "I've never killed a prisoner I didn't have to," said Ninja. They looked at Jane. "Let's go." |
| Jane was brought before an international court, where her case was presented. After hearing the evidence and her confession, the judge proclaimed, "Since you admit you intended to devour innocent humans en masse, you are hereby found guilty. However, you also didn't actually harm anyone, and have been completely cooperative with authorities. Therefore, this court decides that you are to serve two years of community service, after which you are free to return home. Provided that you continue to cooperate peacefully and refrain from setting foot in the human world again upon your release." "I suggest you take the deal," Blaze whispered to Jane. "It's the best you're going to get." "Very well. I'll serve my sentence." The next day, Jane was put to work helping construction crews. Helping transport vast amounts of materials, crushing condemned buildings, etc. |
| "Best be careful around some of these buildings," Dozer said. "A number of them have been Marked under Historical Significant." "What does that mean?" Jane asked, as she moved a steel beam. "They'd add ten years for scratching the paint on them, compared to the two you already have," said Dozer. "As for destroying them, it would be fifty years, and you'd have to teach children the history of the place, and also tell them that you are the reason that they can't actually explore it themselves." "So, it's a way for others to learn to hate me," said Jane. "Actually, the worst part is when the kids ask you why you destroyed the building, only for you to not have a good answer," said Dozer. "Especially for yourself." "At least I'll be able to leave in two years," said Jane. Dozer nodded. "You could. Or, if you prove trustworthy enough, you could stay." "What do you mean?" Jane asked. "Plenty, of their own free will, decide to stay, and even form families," said Dozer. "So, there are other giants down here?" Jane asked. "About two thousand within a hundred miles of here," said Dozer. "Then there's all the other communities. Close to a million all told. Of course, we try to not strain the local economies and ecologies too much, hence why most communities are under five thousand or so, but, then again, there's plenty of cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, and so on that you can eat." "I see," said Jane. "Now, let's hurry up, and hope that the heat doesn't get real high," said Dozer. "There's a decommissioned sanitation facility that we'll have to deal with in an hour or two, and while the place might have been cleaned out long before we arrive, there's still things that affect my sensors, and the humans that I've worked with in the past, always complained that they could still smell old excrement, especially on hot days." |
| Feeling disgusted, Jane swallowed the retort and followed, hoping the rumor of a foul smell was only a rumor. As they walked, Jane took notice of, to her, a strange tall brick building with what looked like a shield and sword as a crest over the main door. "Hey Dozer? Whats that place?" |
| "Oh, that? That's City Hall. It's mainly where the locals get together to debate issues and discuss new laws. That sort of thing." |
| "Hey Dozer!" a voice called out. "Mind giving me a lift?" Jane looked towards the voice, and saw a young man on a rooftop. "Not a problem, Jack." Dozer walked over, held out the palm of their hand, which the human got onto. Dozer moved their hand to their shoulder, and the human stepped onto it, and found a spot that looked like a chair of some sort. The human looked ay Jane. "She behaving?" "So far," said Dozer. "Good to know," said Jack. |
| As Jane and Dozer continued to the work area, Jane couldn't stop looking to Jack with a bit of wonder in her eyes. Noticing this, he looked to her with a amused face. "So, first time seeing a human?" Slightly blushing, Jane quickly looked away. "Yes... Sorry for staring..." |
| "So, there are other giants living down here?" Jane asked. Jack chuckled. "There are. I've worked with a number of them. Good people, although those born here might take a while to be able to trust you." "Why is that?" Jane asked. "Tensions tend to ride high between giants and humans after one of you comes down here," said Dozer. "Doesn't help those trying to make a living when someone up there decides to say, 'Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum! I smell the blood of an Englishman!' and tries to grind said Englishman's bones for their bread." "So, this is Englishland?" Jane asked. "Actually, this is Midwest America," said Dozer. "England is on the other side of the Atlantic, and a bit further north." |
| Tilting her head slightly, confused of what she just heard. "Midwest? Atlantic?" She rubs a hand in her hair, confused. "Ugh, I'm getting headache..." Hearing this, Dozer and Jack chuckled from her confusion. |
| "Well, you've got two years' worth of time to spend down here." Jack said, "Plenty of time to get acquainted with the world. Maybe you'll decide you want to stay down here once your time is served." |
| "Who knows - you might get a boyfriend or girlfriend, which might lead to much more," said Jack. "So, I might fall in love with a giant that's already here?" Jane asked. "Or a human," said Jack. "A human?" Jane was puzzled. "Does that happen?" "My sister fell for a giantess, who fell for her," said Jack. "Freaked out both sets of parents at first. But, they manage to make things work, and they've even set a wedding date for the Spring." |
| "They made it work?" Jane asked, now even more confused, "But how could they possibly..." "Don't know." Jack shrugged. "I thought it rude to ask. And frankly, I don't really want to know, either." |
| "Depending on the question, the answer is actually simple," said Dozer. "Adoption is one of them. Assistance from a male giant and/or a male human is another. Of course, if the question is something else, that would take a great deal of control, and a greater deal of trust, in more ways than one. The important thing is this - do they make each other happy, without any pressure forced upon them, or without either one taking advantage of the other in an unhealthy manner? If the answer is yes, why ruin it?" "For a Construction-Demolition mech, you're pretty well philosophical," said Jack. "One of my first jobs involved a university in need of repairs," said Dozer. "The main location I worked at was next to a lecture hall dedicated to philosophy and logic. It was interesting to listen to the debates." |
| Arriving at the waste facility, Jane covered her nose from the smell. "Ugh! Smells worse than the pen for my my pet goose in here!" Chuckling, Doberman handed her a mask, which was happily accepted. "Yeah, it happens. |
| For the next few months, Jane went about doing her community service without complaint or incident. Until today. She was helping with building a skyscraper when she heard a commotion from the other side of the construction zone. Looking around the corner, she saw a young human man around her age, currently in the process of getting mugged at gunpoint. Jane didn't recognize what the weapon was, but figured it posed a threat as the young man frantically emptied his pockets. Noticing none of the utility mechs were around, she figured she should do something to help. The mugger pointed his revolver at his victim's face. "Come on, all of it! I want cash, jewelry, and anything else you might have that's valuable!" "All I have is my wallet! Take it!" "You trying to rip me off? There's only twenty bucks in here!" "Please, I paid off some bills and won't get my next paycheck until next week! That's all I have, just let me go!" |
| It was one of them things that Jane knew would get her into trouble. Thus, she decided to do what might put her in the least serious trouble. She grabbed the would-be mugger, and set him on a rooftop that had no other way off - no stairs he could use, or balconies he could jump to - just a straight drop. The mugger pointed their weapon at her, and began firing. Jane crossed her arms, and waited, the ammunition doing nothing to her. Clearly, the weapon wasn't rated for giants. No wonder the humans used the mechs and larger weapons. She then spotted a blue mech coming towards her. She looked around, and stepped into a clear area, away from the building the mugger was trapped on. The blue mech was soon close enough. "Law Enforcement Unit 5150, or, if you want something shorter, Leo." They looked at the ground, and saw the robbery victim recovering from a panic attack. They noticed the mugger on the roof, with an empty firearm, which they dropped. They looked at Jane. "Explain." "Honestly, I'm not sure what was going on, but that one was pointing a weapon at that one, who looked to be scared to death, so I placed the more aggressive one on that roof, and waited." "She tried to eat me!" the human on the roof shouted. "I was defending myself!" Leo looked at the robbery victim. "And what's your story?" The victim gulped. "The fella on the roof decided to rob me. He didn't like that I didn't carry much cash. The giantess spotted us, picked him up, set him on the roof, and waited." "Did she try to eat him?" Leo asked. "No." "Alright," Leo said. "Interfacing with nearby cameras." They then spoke rapidly in gibberish, as if rewinding something, and then fast-forwarding it. They then looked at the man on the roof. "You are under arrest, for armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, discharging a firearm in city limits, and littering." "Littering!" the mugger exclaimed. "Cigarette butt was thrown on the sidewalk before you started the rest of your crimes," the mech said. "The fine is $50." At this, the robbery victim started laughing. Leo waited, until the laughter was over. They then looked at the victim. "Please stay. Human officers are on their way." "Understood," the man said. Leo then looked at Jane. "You caused some cosmetic damage to the roof when you placed that one upon it, and he could argue that you abducted him and imprisoned him against his will, and a few other things. However, since you did so to save others, and no real permanent harm was done to anyone, or any actual crime, the judges might just drop the case, or add a mere token punishment where you have to clean windows on City Hall or something to the effect, as the cameras seem to show you in a more positive light, especially since you didn't try to eat him." Jane nodded. "Thank you." "Stay here, for now," said Leo. They then looked at the man on the roof. "I wouldn't go anywhere, if I were you." |
| Being careful not to hurt anything, or anyone, and staying at a distance from the crook, Jane took a seat on the ground before looking to the victim. Giving a calm smile, she relaxed. "Hey, I'm Jane. You okay?" |
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