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Author's Note:
This story wishes to be a direct sequel to Deviant Empire, happening about one year after the events in the other story. There is an assumption that one has read DE, but neither is it necessary. Potential spoilers are unmarked.
This time the action will happen with the focus on Earth. There will be less focus on incest and the fantastical elements, instead going on community and romance. Will and his family have no relevance in this story. And if you are reading this after having finished the other... go back and leave a comment.
***
This planet stinks. Not just metaphorically, but literally. Another evening in a bar as Eva was out and about... looking for men. Good men... the kind that were worth her attention. Alone as usual in this rock bar, the music was hard yet the volume was low enough to talk. The girl of twenty five of decent body, dark hair down her shoulders, straight as can be. Just a bit of makeup on because people just can't seem to deal with seeing a girl without any. To most she can look like your average girl who does not spend too much energy on standing out.
Sipping her beer, the woman could swear it all looked as it was before. How long did it take to forget? Six months. That's how long it took for people to forget that they were in contact with an alien empire of advanced technology. How long it took them to forget that a literal god rampaged through the world, killing those he deemed guilty of great crimes. Six months for them to forget that there had apparently been superpowered people in their midst all this time. And another six months to try and go back to their old ways. Or almost.
"Turn that up."
She spoke as eyes went to the TV in the room which the bartender was shuffling through. News. After the previous governments collapsed, Europe went under a joint leadership as english was standardized everywhere. The new coalition was directed from Italy, with the new leaders making a new congress from where they decided the united path forward. Started to matter less in which country Evangeline was... they all started to blend together as it was clear the Italian representative was outright directing everyone with little concern for their voices. Seemed like some people did not learn.
And now the news showed how taxes were to be synced, all going to that directive... no doubt to be used more for their "country" than the others. Then they moved to cover the recent attacks AGAIN. A sigh from the girl as she needed more beer to drown this out. At least she could smoke in here. That cigarette was needed. Pack already on the table with the ashtray freshly changed to accommodate her vice. It was understandable why drinking and smoking was such a standardized pastime here.
"Whiskey shot for the lady?" The voice spoke to her with barely a hint that it was a question.
Her look turned up to see a man in his twenties... chiseled jaw, designer clothes, key to a BMW displayed on his belt, cologne so damn heavy that the girl noticed it before him... and those eyes that devoured her. Fit, clearly showing opulence and confidence. A devil may care attitude. She knew exactly what this man would get tonight.
"I can buy my own drink." Response was dry.
"And I can buy you some nice clothes, though you look so good in those. Want to ditch this place and go somewhere more fit for you?"
She was wearing items not quite on the discount rack, but the kind you can afford on a low salary. Long sleeved shirt with jacket on top, skinny jeans and trainers. It made her curves stand out, even if she did not have that many.
"You can go there by yourself. I'm right where I wanna be."
"Now that I'm here, of course you are."
The guy did not even ask before getting seated opposite of her at the table. His responses felt outright demeaning. Did this shit actually work on girls? Not her.
"Really can't take a hint, can you? Go away. Not interested."
"Playing hard to get. Don't worry. I know how to give a woman a good thrill."
"For fuck's sake! What does no mean for you?! Now get the fuck out of here or I will break that stupid face!"
THAT made his expression shatter. In other times, the guy might feel he could respond physically. Not today. Eyes in the place turned towards them. The man knew he had no chance to do or say anything... or he's gonna be all over the news and internet. An almost murderous expression as he stood up to turn away, though head remained looking her way just enough for his attempt at saving face.
"You ask too much for the hour, whore!"
It made her chuckle. Eva got his measure right. All about praising until they don't get what they want. These moments were satisfying in their own way. A delighted sip from the bottle to follow with a drag as the guy had no choice but to leave the entire venue. No doubt he will try the same strategy at some other place not far from here, and some shallow woman would bend open for him.
Nobody looked her way after. At times, it was easy to enjoy the pleasures that this society gave her. Even in such an interaction, the man was damned solely while his words were not even considered. In such a case, the woman wanted it to hold as she had no blame. In others... a lot of work to do.
Another ten minutes of looking through the bar for a prime target. She had done this almost regularly every week. Different days, different hours... different men. And finally... him. Several tables over, Eve saw a much more simple guy sipping at his beer. T-shirt, open plaid shirt on top to show the design... one for a metal band that the bar had no songs for. Perhaps a bit older than her... slim, but not too skinny. Guy who let himself go a bit. Every once in a while he looked around the bar, though seemed to avoid looking straight at her. The girl gave a groan as she noticed that. Yep, another thing on the list.
Cigarette finished, pack placed in jacket because these damn pants might as well have no damn pockets... and she picked up her beer and ashtray to walk towards him. The guy did not even look up as she got up to his table. Gods, the woman wanted to outright murder some people for the way he was reacting. He barely even looked in her direction as Eva spoke.
"This seat taken?"
"Uh... no... you can take it."
"Oh, I'm taking it."
A smile as the bottle and ashtray was set on the table before the decently looking woman sat opposite of him to his major confusion. By now she knew the drill and could answer questions before he asked them. Counting on her fingers, the girl tried to assure him.
"Not a prank... I'm not here with any girls, not selling drugs or doing a pyramid scheme, not trying to rob you or drug you for some worse reasons. Not here to prostitute myself or score free drinks or dinner, I can buy my own. Just a girl looking to talk. Because you look like a quality guy. And I'm Eva. Well, Evangeline. Don't call me Eve."
Several blinks as the boy looked in her direction, clear confusion on his face. While his mind did not go in those directions, it certainly felt alarmed at the clear breach in procedure.
"Jack... and... women don't usually approach unless it's for a bad reason these days." He could certainly remember the last time the guy fell for it as a woman was just using him for attention.
"Well, I'm not your usual girl. Oh, and not looking for a relationship, just friends. But maybe I can be friends with benefits."
That was dropped in his lap hard enough to give him whiplash. Mind was trying to find the logic of it. But he could not. Caution was up.
"Still sounds a bit like you're going in that territory. Sorry, just..."
"Yeah, I know. Can't trust women these days. I KNOW! Trying to get a better image for us. Or at least the good ones. There are still good ones out there. Yeah, you're looking at one."
"Kind of thing that one says while planning to steal my wallet. No offense."
A heavy sigh. The man was preaching to the choir. Moments like these were the kind where Eva had to suppress murderous instincts.
"Okay, let's just drop that line. I'm tired of it. How come you're all here all alone? No group of guy friends?"
"Dad is hounding me about going outside and talking to people. Asked the few friends... everyone's busy with this or that. So, here I am... outside. Trying to talk to people."
"And everyone's already here with their group, don't want to include you... Yeah, I know. Fucking depressing. Feels like people are antisocial or something."
"I agree with that and it comes from a guy who is celebrating a month since I actually left the apartment."
She found herself chuckling honestly before taking a sip of beer.
"Okay, I gotta ask... how can you NOT leave your apartment for a month? Don't you have to go to work, buy groceries... stuff like that?"
"Work from home, everything done through mail and banks. Apps to deliver groceries from plenty of places around, food delivered when I don't feel like cooking. Computer's there and I can just stay on it constantly. And... I don't find much reason to go outside. As you said... if you don't have people to go with, nobody wants to talk."
