(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: The Date from Hell (part 2) Chapter 58: The Date from Hell (part 2) While it was openly known that the Guiding Centers all competed against each other for popularity and government subsidy, it wasn’t known publicly that there was bad blood between Guiding Center A and Guiding Center B.

For the most part, Guiding Center C stayed it its own lane, and so did the other Guiding Centers, but Guiding Center A had it out for all the others.

They were, in Kellen’s opinion, elitist, and he couldn’t understand why any Guide would want to work for them.

But Kellen kept that opinion to himself, since his Father had worked there before meeting his Mother.

That, and a lot of his friends from guiding school wanted to go there as well.

Actually, it wasn’t a lot, all of them wanted to go there.

Kellen knew he’d always been unusual, since even back then he was determined to go to the front lines, but he still had no idea what drew people to that horrid place.

Anything lower than B Class was treated like dirt, while B Class was treated as the average, and A Class was treated like the standard.

It didn’t matter your Class, you were never treated like you were worth anything.

Kellen hated those kinds of establishments the most.

At least at Guiding Center C you knew you were selling your body, while at Guiding Center A you weren’t told you were selling your soul.  With all that being said, Guiding Center A had taken a strong dislike to Guiding Center B ever since they overtook them in the popularity vote.

Kellen, and all of the other Guides who worked at Guiding Center B, knew they would never overtake them in the efficiency ranking, and in fact they often hovered around 3rd, or 4th place.

When it came to the popularity vote?  Guiding Center B won without it being a close competition.  Turns out, people like it when you treat them well, not like shit.  Guiding Center A, a Center that never wanted to be less than, hated that.

While Guiding Center B, threw a pizza party every time the results came out.

They took it all in good fun, and were grateful that the Espers that visited them thought of Guiding Center B so highly.

It also meant that Guiding Center A’s monopoly on the government money was no more, and it had been this way for a couple of years now.  So when Kellen finally spotted the group of Guiding Center A Guides, a wave of apprehension washed over him.

He straightened up from where he had been bent over, sorting through a pile of canned food that might be salvageable to watch them approach.

He could tell that it was a blended group of Guides from their uniforms.

Like the Guilds, all Guiding Centers had different uniforms.

While Guiding Center B had gone the medical route, and preferred for their Guides to wear pale yellow nursing scrubs, Guiding Center A had modelled theirs after the former D.E.C.’s Guide uniforms.

They had to wear black dress pants, and white dress shirts.

What made them really stand out was the fact that they wore coloured vests that showed what Class of Guide you were speaking to.

A Class were blue, B Class were green, C Class were yellow, D Class were pink, E Class were brown, and most insulting, F Class were white.

You could barely tell that they worked at the Guiding Center.

Another quiet way to discriminate against certain Guides was the fact that some Guide’s had silver buttons, while others had gold.

If you had gold buttons, you were more likely to get better Espers, while if you had silver buttons, you were likely to get the harder to deal with Espers.

That wasn’t anything confirmed, but all Guides were gossips.

Even if Guiding Center A stated that it wasn’t true, everyone knew they were just covering their asses.  So Kellen, recently contracted to the Saturn Guild, stood, staring at the clean Guides who approached.

They were clearly coming from the direction of Guiding Center A, and even from the pile of rubble he was on he could pick out the several higher Class Guides with them.

They also had a few C Class and D Class Guides, but for a group made up of about 15 people, only one or two of them were the lower Classes.

Kellen had to hide how his face wanted to contort with disgust, so he turned to face the Captain.

He wanted to know what he thought of the whole situation.  The Captain had a neutral expression on his face.

He watched the group of Guides moving towards the search and rescue members.

He finished what he was helping with before coming to stand closer to the group.

Kellen watched him dust himself off as the Head of the group, the Manager of Guiding Center A, approached him.  “Captain Thatcher.

I wasn’t expecting you to be here.

You seem so busy these days, flaunting your powers.” Kellen felt her gaze roam over the group around the Captain.

Kellen wiped his face with the back of his hand, aware he was probably smearing grime all over himself as he did so.

He didn’t really care what she thought of him.

“Do you need guiding?

Guide Davidson is here and would be happy to assist you.” Guide Davidson was a pretty little thing in a blue vest, just like the Manager was.

The only difference between the two was the fact that she had a half jacket on, symbolizing that she was the Manager of the Center, not just a Guide working there.

Kellen wasn’t even worried about the way she had clearly dismissed that he was there, because in fairness to her, he had stripped out of most of his Guiding uniform and almost looked like he was one of the search and rescue members.

Almost.

If he didn’t know that she personally knew his Mom and Dad, he would have bought it.  “Oh, he’s perfectly fine, Guide Thompson.” Kellen came over towards the two powerhouses, a smile on his face.

He ignored the fact that Guide Davidson had frowned at the sight of him, along with the other A Class Guides.

The Manager gave him a tight smile.  “Ah, Guide Woods.

I didn’t…see you there.

You blend in so well with the regular riff raff.” She chuckled, and Kellen joined her.

He moved closer to the Captain, who seemed surprised at the openly hostile interaction.

He hadn’t seen Kellen behave this way before, even on the front lines.

If Kellen didn’t like someone, he told them outright and didn’t play these kinds of games.

In fact, if the Captain was honest with himself, he didn’t think Kellen was capable of doing so.  “Well, I can understand how you wouldn’t be able to spot me.

You have such narrow vision.

Tell me, does Guiding Center A cover going to the optometrist?” Her jaw tightened as Kellen smiled at her.

He’d gotten good at that when he had to practise for his interview.  “I didn’t realise that Guiding Center B had speech therapy sessions.

You’ve gotten so good since I last spoke to you.” She retorted, and Kellen raised his eyebrows.  “Oh, how kind of you to notice.

We really did have everything a Guide could need at Guiding Center B.

Too bad I had to leave once I found my pair, otherwise I would have been more than happy to stay.” The Captain cleared his throat.  “Was there a reason for you coming with a group of Guides, Manager Thompson?” He interjected, wanting to stop the Guides from fighting.

He worried that Kellen would break the woman’s arm or neck by accident.

She huffed, upset at being interrupted while Kellen had a serene smile on his face.  “We wanted to thank all of the Espers who came to help us in our time of need.

We know we were the first to be targeted, and since everyone is helping out the general public, we only thought it was fair to offer our assistance as good members of society.” Kellen wanted to hurl.  “You know that lots of the Espers here are from the Nemesis and Peach Guild, right?

Did you think about what the Guide’s from those Guilds would think?” She smirked.  “Relief, obviously.

Who wouldn’t want to take a break from guiding Espers?” Kellen was stunned by her words.

He never viewed guiding the Captain as that kind of a chore, and it amazed him that she had the balls to say it with several Guides and Espers in hearing range.

When none of them got upset, Kellen was even more shocked.  “Well, it isn’t my place to decide what to do with your kind offer, so all I can do is suggest you go speak with a young lady called Ms.

M.

She’s in charge of everyone who isn’t from a specific Guild.” The Captain informed Manager Thompson whose lips twitched slightly.  “Oh?

What direction is that?” Kellen couldn’t believe she expected to get escorted by the Captain.

She was clearly fishing for it.

Kellen clenched his fist, rolled his eyes and grabbed the Captain’s hand in his own.

The Captain was stunned at the open show of affection, especially since it was unlike the touches Kellen had been giving him over the last several hours.  “If you follow along the destroyed road, you’ll be able to spot the search and rescue tent.

Ms.

M doesn’t leave there.” Kellen told her warmly, which only made her narrow her eyes.

She crossed her arms, opened her mouth, closed it, before opening it again.  “I’ve always wondered this, but why did you never apply to join Guiding Center A?

I honestly thought you were never going to settle down in the city, but then I heard word that you’d applied to Guiding Center B of all places.

I’ve never understood why.” Kellen was actually surprised by her straightforward question, and knowing that this was a rare moment for her, he decided to reward her with his own honesty.  “Up until a few days ago I was your run of the mill C Class Guide, and I’ve seen how you treat C Class Guides, Manager Thompson.

I came back from the front lines to relax, maybe settle down.

I had no interest in going from one war zone to another.” Her mouth hung open, stunned at Kellen’s words.

Captain Thatcher was continuing to kick himself about his lack of knowledge on Guides.  “B-But their results are below average.” She protested and Kellen chuckled.  “You can say that if you’re looking at just efficiency, but everyone who comes through Guiding Center B’s doors leaves happy and satisfied, don’t they?

Why else would they be consistently rated number one in the popularity vote?” Kellen knew it was a sore spot of hers, but he couldn’t help himself.

He watched as her face contorted with anger.  “Guide Woods, you’ve already admitted to the public that you aren’t what you classify as a ‘fluffy’ Guide.

I would say that there is not a place that nurtures ‘fluffy’ Guides more than Guiding Center B.

So why are you defending them?

Why are you standing up for them when they create what you are not?

In my opinion, and I know your Father agrees with me, nothing matters more than efficiency.” Kellen sighed at her words.

She clearly thought she’d gotten him, and Kellen could tell that the others were getting uncomfortable.

“I never said I hated fluffy Guides, just that it’s not easy for me to be one.

If I’m honest with myself, I’ll never be one, but that doesn’t mean I am going to be prejudiced against another group just because I’m different from them?

That’s terrible.

I’ve also developed more as a person working at Guiding Center B then I think I ever would working for you.” Her face turned red, and with a huff, she rushed away.

Kellen wasn’t sure what was the nail in the coffin for her.

Quietly calling her a bigot or saying working for her was underwhelming.

Most of the Guides followed after her, scrambling over the rubble in their fancy shoes.

Only two of them stopped near Kellen, and both had the yellow vests on denoting that they were C Class Guides.

It took Kellen a moment to recognise them, since they had avoided meeting up in person for so long but kept in contact over text and phone calls.

His expression brightened immediately.  “Terry, Savvy!

I didn’t expect to see you two here.” He said warmly, and Kellen didn’t notice how their smiles seemed hollow, fake.

The Captain, however, shifted.

Terry was a woman of average height, with light brown hair cut short and dark blue eyes.

Savvy was taller, wider, with curly blond hair and hazel eyes.

Both women opened their arms for their fellow Guide, and Kellen went into them willingly.  “Kellen!

We weren’t expecting to see you here either, and with your pair, no less.” Savvy’s tone was slightly teasing, and Kellen smiled as he pulled away.  “Ah, well, it just kinda happened.

You two haven’t met Captain Thatcher before, have you?” Kellen motioned for him to come over, and the Captain willingly did so.

He smiled down at the shorter women.

“Captain Thatcher, these two are Guides I went to school with.

The one on the left is Savvy, and on the right is Terry.” They were a rare Guide couple, but Kellen didn’t want to presume anything.

The last time he had spoken to Terry the two had been on rocky ground.  “Hello, Captain Thatcher.

It’s nice to meet Kellen’s pair.

We were worried that he’d have the title Kellen the Celibate forever.” Savvy’s voice held a hint of smugness to it that the Captain picked up on.

Kellen’s jaw dropped in shock.  “How did you two hear about that?” He demanded and Terry laughed.  “You’ve been on the front lines forever.

Of course rumours about you are going to spread into the city.” Terry teased, and Kellen had the distinct thought that he owed Brent a punishment.  “Plus, it’s big news that you got a 90% compatibility match.

That’s insane Kellen.” Savvy added and the Captain chuckled.  “You’re right.

I’m never going to be able to find another with such a high level of compatibility.” He wrapped his arm around Kellen’s shoulders, and Kellen gave him a look.

He was having a great time playing it up for the audience.

Everyone was interested in their conversation now that the Manager had left.  “What was I supposed to do?

You’re the one who told me you’d always had a crush on me.” Kellen tried to keep his tone quiet, but even then the Captain’s eyes still glimmered as he spoke quite loudly in response.  “You’re the one who had the audacity to call me a coward in a room full of our A Class Espers.

I gave you a chance to walk away, and instead you willingly walked into my arms.

So it doesn’t matter who had the crush first, hmm?” Kellen’s face turned bright red as the Captain smirked at him.

Terry and Savvy covered their mouths.

Kellen knew that this was going to spread across town like wildfire now, and he was not impressed.

“Must you feed every gossip train in the damn city, Captain Thatcher?” Kellen asked tartly, and he grinned, unrepentant.  “I want everyone to know you are off the market and ensnared in my web, Mr.

Woods.” Kellen threw his hands up in defeat.  “Captain Thatcher, you informed me we made international news this week.

Everyone knows.

Terry, Savvy and I haven’t seen each other in ages, you didn’t need to butt in like that.” Kellen protested, and Terry couldn’t keep her snort in any longer.

It was only a few seconds later that Savvy joined her.  “I’m glad to see you’re doing so well, Kellen.” She seemed to hesitate for a moment when the Captain’s phone, which had been quiet until now, went off.

He frowned, unwrapping himself from Kellen to check the caller.

Frowning further, he glanced at the trio of Guides.  “I’m going to have to take this.

I’ll be right back, everyone.” He shuffled off to the side so the Guide’s couldn’t hear his conversation.

For a moment the trio stood in silence.

Then, Kellen smiled widely at the two of them.  “I’m glad to see that you two are in good health.

When I heard that Guiding Center A was targeted, I worried that you guys would get hurt.” Savvy gave a tight smile at Kellen’s open and kind one.  “Thanks for worrying about us, Kellen.

You’ve always been kind to your friends.” Kellen gave her a slightly confused look at her words.

Of course he was going to be kind to his friends?

Who was mean to their friends?

He wasn’t Gunther.

“Of course I’d be kind to my friends.

That’s what friends do.” Savvy opened her mouth, and Terry reached out to stop her.

They shared a look and Savvy huffed, clearly not agreeing with Terry stopping her.

A weird, uncomfortable feeling filled Kellen’s chest at the interaction.

Something felt…wrong, but he wasn’t sure what it was.

This felt like…like an ambush, but Kellen wasn’t sure why?

He’d had this feeling before, but he just never expected he’d feel this way around Terry and Savvy.

They were his friends.

Why was this gnawing, awful feeling filling his chest?

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB do you think that Manager Thompson is jealous of Kellen?

Or does she just not like being looked down on?