{"sf1_id":2062357,"sf2_id":"Vm2P6EN1","title":"GREED AND CHARITY","author":"LiveIron","words":1803,"posted_at":"2023-10-20T01:43:45.000Z","tags":["Anger","Angst","Anthrostate","Blood and Injury","Car Chases","Dark past","Gun","Horror","Human","Interspecies","Interspecies Awkwardness","Large Breasts","Magic","Old Friends","Pain","Paranormal","Possession","Resurrection","Size Difference","Spies \u0026amp; Secret Agents","Tiger","Tigress","Transformation","butt slapping","driving","fights","firearm","healing","monsters"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2062357-greed-and-charity","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/Vm2P6EN1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/0e/a9/0ea9a8f4-0e6c-47ca-b5c8-2b6dee96c9d3","description":"'On'","content":"\\\u003eYou pull around back, hiding from the road.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou're not sure it'll help, but at least passerbys won't get curious about the car full of bulletholes and clawmarks.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eSomething bumps and knocks as the engine spins down. The electronics still work, thankfully.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou tune the radio to Steele's frequency, but hesitate.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Rebecca?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou slide open the cab window and look back. The weak interior lights reveal red, orange, white, and black.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Rebecca, you awake?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe tigress doesn't respond. She's curled up in the bed and filling most of it. Her legs almost brush the ceiling.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer chest moves slowly.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou grunt and turn back to the radio.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Steele, this is Hummingbird. Put some distance between me and the threat. Can report, now.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer voice is strained over the airwaves.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Receiving, Hummingbird. What exactly happened?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Radio cut out the further I went into the AO. After I got attacked, I needed to secure the place to run scans.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I caught that,\" she says.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Went inside and found a --\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou pause, choosing your words.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"--A civilian engaged with a paranormal threat. She's still with me, condition unstable.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Unstable how?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Some form of catatonic state. Breathing, heart's beating, but consciousness seems in and out.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I'll add a medical attachment to your extraction,\" the white tigress sighs. \"Now, the manor.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"She gave me a lot of intel, that's why I brought her up. The paranormal threat she was fighting when I got there was her husband. Died a year ago, supposedly. Apparently not all the way.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"He have a name?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Patrick Madlovich.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eSteele grunts on the other end, and orders someone to search it up while you relay the spelling.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"He was in charge of the corrupted civvies I came across. Turns and controls them with his staff, guessing that's what was causing the anomalies.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What's his goal?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"It -- civilian says it's from his past life. He saw anthros as monsters, and now he's got the means to prove it.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eSteele manages a chuckle.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou know what she's asking next.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What's her name? And what's her connection?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Rebecca,\" you say after a moment. \"She -- I met her before everything happened. Briefly.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer hum comes through mostly as static.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"And how did she engage the primary threat and survive?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, alright,\" you growl. \"She's extrahuman too. But tell the medical team to use agent procedures.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"You don't get to make that call, Hummingbird.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eFuck.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou hammer the door.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou knew she'd be like this.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Steele, you're not bringing her back as a specimen. She's -- she was cognizant. No mind drift, no possession, she was clean!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"You weren't issued bioscanning equipment. You don't know that.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I _talked_ with her. She gave me that intel.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Hummingbird... assuming no psychic interference, you're influenced by --\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Yes, I'm influenced by my past!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou take a breath. Your throat hurts.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"But that doesn't matter, Steele. She saved my life. She disabled the threat.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"And I lugged her ass through a burning building to save her.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYour heart beats in your ear.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"You're not wiping her fucking mind.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt’s a few moments before you hear a sigh over the radio.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I will consider it,\" is all she says.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt means she's coming out herself.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eGood.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Now stay where you are and don't cause any more damage.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Understood.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou set the radio down and collapse back into the seat with a sigh.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe debate isn't over. You'll have convincing to do when she arrives.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eBut between the amount you’ve done and the escape from the mansion, you've earned a little --\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Thank you.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou jump and look to the rear window; Rebecca is pressed halfway against it, eyes glinting in the weak cabin light.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHow the hell she moved so quiet, you're not sure.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"You're awake,\" you manage.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah,\" she says.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer voice is light. You can't tell if it's from nerves, weakness, or both.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What's going to happen to me?\" she asks.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eShe can't hide the fear in her eyes.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"You're going to 'disappear' like me,\" you say.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Are they going to --\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"No.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou grab onto the window ledge, then offer your hand to her.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"No. I promise, Rebecca. I promise they won't do that. You'll get to decide.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eShe hesitates, but takes your hand.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer grip is firm and warm.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou turn away when she lets go, whispering \"just like I did.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What do you mean?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eDamn those feline ears.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What happened, Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou groan, then turn back to her.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"You want to do this inside?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer eyes narrow.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eBut she says yes.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou hop out of the truck, gingerly testing your ankle as you walk around to the back.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe morning air is brisk.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eJust like it was that morning.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou grunt.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYour whole body tenses.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eFootsteps like funeral bells.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eKnocking like gunshots.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca's voice is muffled.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Anon, are you out there?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Yes -- sorry.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou open the trunk and step aside.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou notice new holes in her clothes -- bullet shaped ones.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThere's blood, but the fur around them is clean.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou sigh. Bioscanners _would_ be nice.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Sorry about, uh...\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca's voice trails off as she wrenches the sword from the cab.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou grunt.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I'm already in trouble. Drop in the bucket.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou motion for her to follow you to the back door.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe exposure suit's zipper is quiet, but the slight jingling of the keys isn't.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYour hands shake.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"This is some kind of safehouse, right?\" Rebecca asks.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah,\" you breathe.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe inside is just as you remember.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eJust like last time.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eJust as you'd like to remember it.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou've got the forethought to step aside and let Rebecca in while you push things down in your mind.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eShe's not talking to you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca looks idly at the mild mess on the coffee table, blowing off the layer of dust.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIs she pissed? Or just resting?\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca gingerly places her huge blade on the table and sits down on the couch.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer tail flicks as it creaks, but the worn sofa holds.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou knew it would.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer ears stand straight when she notices you standing there, and closes herself up.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eOffers you a spot.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou stare at the empty, old cushion.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e_Say something._\n\n \n\n\\\u003e_Please._\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou look up.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Are you alright?\" Rebecca asks.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Y-yeah,\" you say.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou don't bother with an excuse. You just get onto the couch.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"So...\" the tigress asks after a minute. \"What... happened, Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What will happen?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"With luck, you'll end up like me,\" you say. \"The agency usually spares civilians that get caught up in paranormal events.”\n\n \n\n\\\u003e”But your case is different. You're not technically a civilian anymore, Rebecca. You're a new... ‘paranormal actor.’ An unknown actor.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"And despite F.E.R.A.L.'s specialty being the unknown, they can't stand it.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe tigress stays quiet, clasping her hands to her stomach.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe burns are mostly gone. Her fur is pristine in the half-light of the moon.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What does that mean, Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"It means they're going to be cautious,\" you sigh. \"Even though I'll fight for you, there'll still be bullshit to go through.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca chuckles.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"You just can't escape the bureaucracy, huh?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou laugh; you're surprised.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt’s been a while.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"No,” you chuckle. “Add that to death and taxes.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer smile is warm.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eLike when you first met her in the sunshine on the range.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eWhen she'd first gotten everything on target, when you told her she was getting the hang of it.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Why are they calling you 'Hummingbird?'\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou blink, and you're back in the house.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Codenames,\" you say quickly. \"You take one on when you become an agent.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe tigress hums.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"You don't see it that way,\" she says.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou look up, finding her gaze firm. An ear flicks.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt was a statement, not a question.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What happened, Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou take an internal breath.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Why did you fight for me?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't know. She wouldn't.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Why did you disappear?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Because I fucked up!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt comes out more explosive than you intend.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I... I was targeted by an entity. A ghost. Used one of my guns as a host.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eSilver moonlight. The scent of black powder.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I listened to it. Used it to do what I wanted.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eMoaning. Shattering glass.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eOld metal and wood.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou gasp. You didn't know you were holding your breath.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eA weight lands on your shoulder and you tense.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca's green eyes catch yours when you look up.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eShe catches you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou nod, taking a breath.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou're not what matters here.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I wanted revenge, Rebecca,\" you say. \"I wanted Patricia.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer eyes widen.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I wanted wrath.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"And I got it,\" you say, clenching your fists. After a moment, you sigh.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"It didn't do anything good. She -- the entity had taken control of me. Taken advantage of those desires.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou chuckle.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"And when I figured it out, she showed me she'd always had the leash.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"That's why I said that stuff when I was patching you up, Rebecca. That's why I tried to get you to stop.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer snout wrinkles.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"If you let it control you, it will consume you. And there'll be nothing left.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou brave her harsh expression.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Why do you think you collapsed after you got your revenge?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eShe blinks. She huffs and turns away, her expression still snarly.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHer tail flicks between the two of you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"That's not everything,\" she says. \"How did it end, Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYour heart races.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eWords catch in your throat.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Anon?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYour hands burn on polymer.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eSpectral claws dig into your bones.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Anon.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou gasp when she grabs you again. It takes a second for it to be comforting.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca's ears are flat, her green eyes mournful.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I -- I'm sorry,\" she says, turning away. \"I shouldn't have --\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"This.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou hold up your hand and summon Talia.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"This is how it ended, Rebecca.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe soft glow of the Kolibri illuminates her features.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eTalia is still silent.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I fucked up,\" you sigh, closing your hand around the tiny gun. \"I came here, and shot Talia.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca gasps quietly; you grit your teeth.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Virina toyed with me. Pretended like I'd have a chance to slip from her control. But it was happening either way.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Then I... tried to end it. Make sure she couldn't use me to hurt anyone else.”\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I shot myself.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca's grunt is soft.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou open your palm and let the moment stand.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou stroke the gilded grips of the gun, wishing she'd answer you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Still don't know how, but Talia ended up in here,\" you say, gesturing to the Kolibri. \"Gave me a headache instead of a one-way ticket to the Styx.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Virina -- the entity from before -- she was trapped.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou sigh. Talia disappears in a small flash.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"That's how it ended.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"That's why I did what I did. Said what I said.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Because I don't want you to end up like me.\"","series":{"name":"Negligent Discharge: Repent","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2061118-zeal.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2063316-gluttony-and-temperance.json"}}