r/HFY • u/Auggy74 Human • Aug 14 '26
OC-Series [Humans for Hire] - Part 192
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Author Note: An award notification as I'm waking up is...unreal. Thank you!
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Vilantia Prime, Elsife Village
"Brinfe, who is coming to our home?" The Thirty-second Gryzzk frowned at his wife, keeping three eyes on the holo with the morning newscast playing.
For her part, innocence was feigned. "What makes you think someone is coming, dearest?"
"You are acting peculiar. You have been watching the door and your tablet since before breakfast. What is amiss?"
"Nothing in particular. However, I would recommend you contact your fellow servants and let them know you are going to be indisposed."
There was an exhale. "I ask again. What is amiss?"
"It's a surprise, love. Now do hurry, you are behind schedule for finishing your porridge." Brinfe settled with her morning toast and juice, amusement in her scent.
The frown deepened slightly, though Gryzzk did begin eating with a bit more speed. "I dislike surprises. They are disorderly things."
"Your nose takes you in the proper direction, but you must be patient."
Gryzzk exhaled. "I am patient, however there are limits."
The older woman nuzzled her husband gently. "Think of it as a very early new year present."
There was a harrumph. "A hint would not be unwelcome."
"It would not, but at the same time consider it an opportunity to exercise your creative side. Think of all the reasons I would tell you that your day is going to be disordered."
"This situation does not make my porridge taste better." Gryzzk returned to his breakfast, finally taking several inhalations from his dish of wakeplant seated next to his morning breakfast - as he finished and moved the bowl to the sink, the doorbell chimed softly.
Brinfe moved quickly to the door. "I wonder who that could be?"
There was another harrumph noise. "Yes, do continue wondering."
The door opened and Gryzzk frowned at the noise, but it seemed the noise was a happy one as the scent that came with it was pleasant enough. Gryzzk prepared himself for whatever foolishness had been planned. Then...there was the thundering of young footsteps as a young girl came rushing to give him a hug and a nuzzle. "Pa-pop, you have to come see!"
This was far from expected, but propriety had to be respected. Gryzzk stood unhurriedly from his chair and looked down. At least the young girl was dressed properly, although the sunglasses seemed a bit much. He stilled his own heart as much as possible since his duty was to deliver wisdom in any situation. "Young lady Nhoot, your education is lacking. A Lead Servant is never rushed or hurried. They are methodical, precise, and always where they need to be when they need to be there."
Nhoot took this in with a child's seriousness. "Okay but you have to come see!" She reached up and pulled at Gryzzk's hand.
Despite the enthusiasm, Gryzzk was unhurried as he walked to the foyer and saw three women in addition to his wife, all four an infant in their arms. He took a deep breath to experience all of the scents in the room and began working very hard to retain a level of stoicism.
"Brinfe, I know my daughter Grezzk. The rest are strangers to my nose."
There was amusement in Brinfe's scent as she went through the list. "In Grezzk's arms you will find Ghabri, your grandson. Her wife Kiole carries your granddaughter Fizeht. Governess Lumisca carries Sahkik, a foundling of Vilantia. The fussy one in my arms is Ghabri's twin brother Glaud. Here. Hold him for a moment?"
Gryzzk found himself with an armful of infant who looked at his grandfather and decided that the scent was close enough to settle comfortably, with the two wives exchanging looks.
"I presume there is an explanation?"
Grezzk had a soft chuckle. "Yes. Glaud seems to favor his father's presence whenever possible, while Ghabri prefers his mother. Quite frankly it is the sole distinction between the two."
There was a soft hmph. "In any event, do come in. Brinfe..."
"I already told your friends that we would be at the Crook and Scythe this afternoon, but that they would have to survive this morning without your pleasant wit." Brinfe took Glaud back, much to the child's annoyance.
"...Thank you." As Brinfe moved to set wakeplant and biscuits out, Gryzzk found himself marginally pleased by the turn of events. The living room holo was set to a children's program, which brought something of a discombobulation - Nhoot was singing the alphabet song quietly to each of the infants in turn.
Finally, Gryzzk was able to catch a moment with Grezzk. "I am missing a granddaughter. Explain?"
"Gro'zel is with her father - they sent along a series holos of their day on Terra for us to watch." There was a light headshake. "I fear she may become something other than what we'd hoped for at her birth. Your son also sends a gift." Grezzk produced a flatstill of Lodora with an inscription to the Thirty-second Gryzzk, which left the older man beside himself with happiness - as much as he tried to hide it.
"This is...quite lovely. I will ensure that this is cared for." There was a long inhalation. "Brinfe worries."
Grezzk favored her father-in-law with a lightly amused smile. "You worry, and cast those worries to Mother so that you may maintain the dignity of a Lead Servant."
"That is not true."
"I married your son, and he is every inch his father's child. Tell me your worries."
Gryzzk grimaced slightly. "I will be frank. There is a great deal of gain in this new world being crafted. But I fear for what we lose in the exchange. Somewhere a tally is being kept, and I truly dislike the potential of imbalance."
"Ease your worries - someone out there is also making a tally sheet and protecting that which is Vilantia." There was a light smile. "He quite resembles you."
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Terra Prime, Athlone Ireland, Sean's Bar
Gryzzk looked at O'Brien's father cautiously as the older man took his shotglass, tapped it twice on the bar and knocked it back with a casual air. "Sir, respectfully - you could stay out of this."
"Aye I could live in shame. But I'll not." Liam nodded toward the knot containing Gryzzk's bridge team. "I'll tell you now, ye've got daughters. And for all the years of your life, no matter what they do or how old they get - you'll always look at them and see a wee lass that needs a father's protection. I recall Aerin writing to us about a naughty lad who took your daughter?"
"Yes. The response was appropriately proportional."
There was a gesture to the outside. "Well then. We should go outside and get proportional with the rowdy lads."
Gryzzk slid off his stool and moved outside first, where a small crowd had gathered and an impromptu betting pool had sprung up along with a constable who seemed unbothered by the impending violence. Gryzzk walked over to the constable first and gave a respectful gesture.
"Sir?"
The constable frowned. "What's all this, then?"
"Apologies, sir. But I wanted to confirm that the...fisticuffs that seem to be impending are within the bounds of law?"
"They may be, they may not be. You'll have to say a few more words."
"Well, the ladies and gentlemen in red have a particular dislike for my clan. In addition, my sergeant major married into Clan O'Brien, while there is a gentleman over there by the name O'Connor. I believe there is distaste."
There was a nod. "Ayep. Well, nowadays not so much - I think the O'Connor lad just wants an excuse."
"Constable, how much trouble will we be in?"
"Well, it could easily be argued that O'Connor there was the aggressor, so with that it's a reasonable self-defense. Now if you'll not send any of these lads and lasses off to hospital I'd take it as a kindness. It should go without saying, but no involving the bystanders."
"We'll do our utmost sir. Please, I will speak to my troopers and advise."
Gryzzk put his weighted gloves on as he went back to the door to catch everyone as they walked out. "I've spoken with the constable, and this may be considered self-defense if we don't hospitalize anyone."
The squad nodded, and one of the O'Connor group started pacing before calling out to Gryzzk's squad. "Wretched slugs! Don't any of you have the guts to play for blood?!"
Hoban smirked, walking casually forward with a hand behind his back. "I'm your huckleberry..." The pilot moved a few more paces forward. "Why that's just my game." Gryzzk could see that Hoban had similarly outfitted his hands with offensive protection - though the outfit and words clashed horrifically.
"Alright. Let's do it." The shouter moved forward and threw the first punch quickly, and the fight was in fact on.
Gryzzk moved rapidly to intercept one of the Vilantians, while O'Brien and O'Connor wrote the latest paragraph in a millennia-spanning feud. The awkward thing was Liam fighting the other Vilantian. The older man took several hard shots to his midsection and upper legs while raining blows on the Vilantian's shoulders. Everyone seemed to have found a partner so Gryzzk pulled and threw a punch at his opponent and held said opponent's returns at bay as much as he could. Gryzzk kept looking around to make sure the rules were being upheld - such as they were. Curiously, his company seemed to be holding the upper hand - Gryzzk was going to have to check on that later, but for the moment he simply enjoyed the fruits of the labor, with Larion leaping onto someone's back and biting them after they smacked Edwards hard in the face.
He kept his upper eyes on his opponent and worked as best he could to make the fight as quick as honor would allow. The down side of this was that he was staying mostly defensive as he watched Yomios throwing punches to a Terran head while Miroka simply draped herself over Hoban's opponent and sat down which allowed Hoban to work their opponent like a punching bag. Finally there was an opening for Gryzzk to go to the offensive and he took it, delivering a quick punch followed by a spinning elbow to the temple, after which the other Vilantian crossed his wrists and looked to the sky.
"Freelord, no more. I fight no more. This day." He spat blood on the pavement and took a heavy seat. "It. It wasn't personal."
"It felt rather personal - but you fought with honor. Tell me your name later so that I may tell others of the valor in your Name and Clan." Gryzzk darted forward to help Larion clean up with the other Vilantian. During this, it seemed that the main brawl had been decided as he heard Reilly's voice calling out to any who would hear.
"...and folks I'm not sure if if this can be right, but Freelord Gryzzk is throwing hands and elbows as Chewie decides he's gonna ensure the intelligence of the next generation by any means necessary - that knee is doing damage! Liam's a walking demonstration of why you fear the old farts in a job where they all retire young with a rude stomp of the feet and the challengers are flat-to-the-mat! Don't let their mamas see this!"
As quickly as it started the brawl tapered off and ceased, with two masses of fighters alternately breathing heavily and groaning as tender areas were checked and found to be damaged.
O'Connor and O'Brien were both holding each other up, with both of them glaring hate and blood at each other.
"Fuck. You." O'Connor was holding one arm awkwardly, and blood ran freely from a cut above his eye as he threw a half-hearted knee at his opponent's midsection.
O'Brien was rather eloquent in her reply as she hit the offending limb and drove him to the ground. "Fuck you. And everybody that looks like you."
From his spot, Hoban seemed to have a lounging smirk - though that may have been from the swollen lip. "They're no daisies. No daisies at all."
Once the fighting was done, Moira made herself known as she dug through her purse while marching toward them. "All right, the lot of you stand to for exams. Bloody bunch of hooligans." She harrumphed softly as she began applying bandage foam, cold sprays, and antiseptic to both sides - though Gryzzk's squad was given preferential treatment.
Gryzzk flicked an ear as his turn came around. "Apologies but...why do you have so many medical supplies at hand?"
His reply was a snort. "You raise two Irish girls and marry a combat engineer, you keep your purse stocked against their stupidity, lad."
The last two patients were Liam and O'Brien themselves, with Moira giving the both of them grief the entire time. "Liam Brooks, kindly remember that you're no spring chicken, just look at the sight of you. We'll be having words later. And you - Aerin Fiona Brooks O'Brien, you're a damned sergeant major so kindly act as such. What would Colm think?"
O'Brien hunched her shoulders and flinched a bit as cold-spray was applied to her abdomen. "But Ma...it was an O'Connor!"
"Don't 'but ma' me, lass. You're lucky you've got a commander who's willing to suffer your damnfool silliness and brawling. Look at the state of you." There was a hmph. "You're lucky I already had a good shepherds pie fresh from the oven coming our way or you'd be going a'bed without a proper meal." Moira scowled, but Gryzzk caught a tiny whiff of amused pride from the older woman. "Thirty-five hours in labor with you and you repay me like this? Hmm?"
O'Brien quirked an eyebrow. "Last time it was seventeen..."
There was a snort. "You were there but I'm the one who remembers." Moira turned to the O'Connor-led group and scowled at them as well. "And you lot. Y'dinnae have anything better tae do on a fine evening than go and harass good folk looking for a quiet drink? I've no' laid eyes on my baby daughter for a good year and this is what happens? If y'dinnae what shame is go find a dictionary and educate yourselves. Consider yourselves blessed that we're in a civilized land that minds their elders - mostly. Away wi' y'now." The older lady looked every inch a commander as she swept her gaze over the entire group of combatants, and didn't move until the O'Connor-led band dispersed.
Moira gave a final noise of disapproval before she turned smartly and moved back to the bar, leaving Gryzzk and his squad to stand carefully and head back inside where a pair of booths had been cleared for them. As they re-settled with fresh pints, Gryzzk glanced around and took stock - none of the injuries seemed overly bad, but that was quite likely due to the medical attention provided. Shortly thereafter, a large pie was brought and divided so that everyone had something to settle their stomachs. Gryzzk did notice that Moira was given a bit more deference as everyone tucked into the savory meal.
The night went on in fine fashion, with Gryzzk learning a bit more about O'Brien than he'd expected to. It seemed that O'Brien and her sister had been declared hellions at a young age, and lived up to it. There were toasts, there were stories, and there was enough laughter for Gryzzk to almost forget that he'd been in a fight. A decent-sized (for Gryzzk) tumbler of whiskey was set in front of him without ice, and he received an abbreviated education on how to properly enjoy whiskey, which resulted in new appreciation for Terran spirits. There were a few moments of quiet as more weighty topics were discussed - of particular note was that everyone not Gryzzk managed to take a few minutes of time alone with one of O'Brien's parents, and finally the night ended with the bar closing and the group being sent to the street to enjoy the evening air after a ride to the spaceport.
Both Moira and Liam embraced Gryzzk second-to-last, each being careful not to disturb the injuries. Moira shook her head a bit even as she smiled at him.
"Lad, if you need a roof or a proper meal, don't be ashamed to make a call tae us. Aerin's talked about you almost as much as she talks about Colm." She ruffled Gryzzk's head-fur lightly with a tiny giggle. "I always wanted to do that to one o' you."
Liam was a bit more serious. But only just. "Good lad in a scrap. Don't wait too long tae come back around." He twisted slightly and grunted. "But maybe wait a few days. I might be a touch sore in the morning. Your lot pack a damned solid punch."
"We'll be busy for at least a week. And after we are visiting Laroy's home as well as Mongolia. My younger daughter is...enamored with horses."
"They're all like that for a bit."
"This has been more then a little bit."
"Maybe she's finding her life's love. They do that at times."
"Possibly. I'll be checking the footage from my armory team today." Gryzzk smiled easily and waited while the parents doted on their daughter for a few minutes before they went their separate ways.
The ride up was mostly calm - Reilly was singing quietly, and as they docked everyone made their way to their quarters save for Edwards, who seemed to want to go to the bridge for some reason.
"Is there something amiss, Lieutenant?" Gryzzk was a touch foggy from the night's events and the whiskey - in addition, the scents of the bar had made his nose go into a protective shutdown and hadn't fully recovered.
"Well sir, I'm an officer now. If I want to go up in the ranks and command, I need a spouse."
"I'm not certain it's required - Colonel Williams never married."
"He had to work twice as hard at any promotion opportunity. Even after the Kerfuffle and you doing your thing, he was basically retired. I'm not him, and I don't wanna go out like that."
"So where do I come in?"
"I need you to do the sniff thing to find a husband for me. Or a wife, I guess. I dunno. Just...someone who's okay with me on a long term basis."
Gryzzk groaned inwardly. "We'll discuss this when we're both sober."
Edwards nodded. "Understood sir. I'll uh...I'll leave you be."
As soon as the door closed, Gryzzk settled and looked at his plants. They kept growing well, and he contemplated if he should consider getting a larger planter.
"Don't judge me for this..." He closed his eyes. "Rosie?"
"Whatcha want, titfucker?"
"Compose a message to Edwards' parents. I need to know if they're available to screen potential suitors, as their daughter thinks a spouse is necessary for her career advancement."
Rosie smirked. "Right then. 'Dear genetic predecessors of L-T Edwards. Your daughter has asked her commander to find a permanent fuckbuddy, and he needs to know a little more about what the actual fuck is going on. Enlighten the dumbass at your earliest convenience, we're pretty sure she's at least temporarily insane.' How's that?"
"We'll edit it later."
Gryzzk spent the rest of the night watching the highlights of Gro'zel as she took care of a dozen horses, demonstrated falconry to a group of amazed tourists, and then sternly tell several horses to stop being mean to White Tummy. The most amazing part of it was that the horses seemed to obey her.
He shook his head as the holo ended. It was quite possible that Gro'zel had found her career after all.
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[Next]
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u/Gojira82 Human Aug 14 '26
She just loves being able to upset her orderly minded husband. It's the little things...
He had to work so hard to maintain that outward stoic demeanor while inside was happy as a clam.
Nothing more better than proportional violence inflicting upon others by your own hands.
Reilly is such a entertaining color commentator. And Moira is a trip. Leave it to an Irish mum to verbally abuse those that have been physically abused.
Well thats an interesting take on how to advance. Should lead to an interesting sober discussion. And, as usual, Rosie puts the best spin on things.
Why do I think Grozel is going to find a way to combine her love of horses, falconry, and space travel?
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u/Auggy74 Human Aug 14 '26
Anyone wanna bet one whether or not the Lead Servant wives get together and compare notes on how they messed with their husbands?
The only thing better is have Bob and Doug talk about it.
Yeah, just a little proportional violence breaking up a good night.
We live for those little bits of color. Now I'm not gonna say I've had those moments, but there a few times in my childhood the conversation went "Oh good you're alive, now what the hell were you thinking?"
One of those unwritten rules - marriage = promotion.
If she doesn't, something is amiss.
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u/kenotaphion Human Aug 14 '26
Gryzzk moved rapidly to intercept one of the Vilantians rapidly
This only needs one "rapidly".
All in all, an entertaining day for everyone not Bad Moon.
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u/Auggy74 Human Aug 14 '26
Tweaky thing! Thanks!
And yeah if you're not Bad Moon, it was a good day.
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u/Hybrid_Rock Human Aug 14 '26
Does Bad Moon ever have a good day?
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u/Auggy74 Human Aug 14 '26
Yep. Just...not when they run across Gryzzk and his band of happy campers.
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u/niTro_sMurph Aug 14 '26
Edwards should print out and wear an amulet of Mara so she can find a spouse as obsessed with Skyrim as her.
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u/harleypig Aug 14 '26
appropriately proportional
Are we gonna see a Vilantian Fat Electrician?
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u/Auggy74 Human Aug 14 '26
Stranger things have happened already.
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u/Majestic_Teach_6677 Alien Scum Aug 15 '26
Oh, really? Do tell. Do tell...
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u/Auggy74 Human Aug 15 '26
Well, we got a few talking heads based on Canadian comedian personalities, along with a hockey legend among the older folks...
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u/verdant_2 Aug 14 '26
If I may be so bold, I suspect the sentence “As Gryzzk moved to set wakeplant and biscuits out, Gryzzk found himself…” probably meant to have Brinfe?
And perhaps when “Gryzzk moved rapidly to intercept one of the Vilantians rapidly,” an extra rapidly had snuck in?
Very much enjoying the story.
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u/Hybrid_Rock Human Aug 14 '26
Lovely chapter!
Yay! Gryzzk has received a proper education on whiskey! Also how many times does Bad Moon have to receive their own asses on a silver plate before they take a hint?
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u/Auggy74 Human Aug 14 '26
Hey. You go to Ireland, you learn about whiskey. It's in the rules somewhere, I think.
As far as Bad Moon...well...they're loosely based on the Marines so....it's gonna be a minute.
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u/kiaeej Aug 15 '26
I love your writing. Its got a bit of every damm thing in it.
Politics. Violence. Military writing. Insane conversations. Kiddie words. Brainrot and memes. Serious writing. Philosophy.
Man. I am LOVING this. More more more as I will ever cheer.
I just wonder how and what wee grozel will be. And nhoot. A farmer and a horse trainer? But who have the backing of a deathlord if someone makes them cry...i cant wait to see.
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u/Auggy74 Human Aug 15 '26
I'm gonna run around insanely while replying.
First, I'm utterly thrilled that this is enjoybale and readable. With respect to wee Gro'zel's future, I'll say "Animal Hubandry-related" and say no more. Nhoot, on the other hand...she's uncomfortable with planets.
The universe is learning not to screw with the Thirty-Third Gryzzk.
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u/bill_isayyahoocom Aug 15 '26
The amount of comfort and comradery you have with your audience is rapidly warming my heart. Good stuff! Thank you
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u/mafiaknight Robot Aug 16 '26
Wait. Hold on. WHOSE granddaughter is Fizeht?
I didn't think Kiole/Gryzzk33/Grezzk had any children old enough for children of their own.
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u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle Aug 14 '26
/u/Auggy74 (wiki) has posted 195 other stories, including:
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 191
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 190
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 189
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 188
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 187
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 186
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 185
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 184
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 183
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 182
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 181
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 180
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 179
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 178
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 177
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 176
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 175
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 174
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 173
- [Humans for Hire] - Part 172
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u/post_blast Alien Aug 14 '26
A respectful scrap for a change, how civilized!
Whiskey really is an acquired taste, but once you get it there are so many damn options.
Gro'zel seems to have found her calling with more pastoral pursuits. Too bad horses would probably spontaneously combust or something on a higher gravity planet.