It is gonna be a long night.
"So how do you guys feel about being blind soldiers for America? Especially with stuff like racism problems against the Anthros and hating gay people?" August asks happily.
Tina just joined us a few minutes ago, and she's hitting us with the big problems. I hate it.
"I just want to serve my country without feeling bad." I say with annoyance and shame.
"Yeah, well. America is flawed. I still love it." Tina says warmly.
Tina is wearing something more casual. Same upper half, but now she has on a light blue skirt and white tights with white high heels studded with sapphires.
"I don't care much myself honestly. We will move forward but I would probably be judged if I was in charge. I'd be a controversial centrist." August says warmly.
"Oh God, here she goes again. Did you miss this, Ruben?" Jacob says with good humor.
"No, not really." I say awkwardly.
August shrugs without a care, smiling like a confident snake.
"You can't just be a blind fool for America forever. That's how you end up a Nazi if China takes over." she says warmly.
"That won't ever happen." Tina says angrily. "We aren't dumb enough to let that happen."
"We serve to prevent stuff like that." Jacob says nervously.
"Yeah, but it's hard to say we shouldn't police our own nation." August says warmly.
"So what? You're going to try manipulating America as a soldier? Good luck with that. We're all bootlickers right now." Tina says with skeptic, bitter amusement.
August smiles smugly, while Tina glares proudly.
"So these are Hemlock's friends, Ruben? Makes sense." Tina says, annoyed. "How are you guys even serving this country?"
Jacob shrugs and drinks a shot.
"I serve as a blind soldier honestly." he says sheepishly.
"You shouldn't have to clarify it like that. It's annoying to serve a country you disagree with." August says warmly.
Tina's glare intensifies while I shrink awkwardly into my seat. Why did I even come here? They haven't changed at all.
"Why did you invite me here, Ruben? I don't want to hang out with haters of America." Tina says angrily.
"We don't hate America. I just wish to change it. And how better to do it than to work with the people as a soldier?" August says warmly.
Tina seems shocked by this. As am I honestly. To an extent. I've heard this rant before from Hemlock and her.
"They want to control America themselves. And turn it liberal as hell." I admit.
"Well, we can agree on that at least. I'd like a more liberal America. I don't like things like racism. But we are soldiers now. Please be respectful of our country." Tina says nicely.
As we chat, there is an Anthro slave working in the kitchen. The sight makes me uncomfortable. Which August pounces on.
"Should I buy that slave and set them free?" August asks warmly.
"What!?" Tina says, shocked. "How can you say it so casually? Don't get their hopes up. They might not even be for sale."
A Waiter walking by sighs, annoyed with August already.
"Please don't be a fool. He's not for sale. He's a good worker. He gets room and board at least." He says stoically.
August "pfft"s, bitterly amused.
"Not this time, I guess. But I need to do that soon. I have to mark my territory and see what sticks and what doesn't. I'm a controversial woman after all." she says, cocky and serious.
"Why would you save him anyway? Where will he go after this?" Tina asks, annoyed.
"I usually drive them to a nearby sanctuary city. Which near here is San Francisco. It gets the job done. Give them a month's worth of money and wish them luck." August says nonchalantly.
"She has done it before, I admit. Hemlock made me ride with them a few times when she's done this." I say awkwardly.
"That's insane. Why would you even mention that here? You're gonna get its hopes up." Tina says nervously. "Ruben, I'm sorry. But I must leave. These people are weird."
"I should leave as well. I can't be around y'all tonight. You're gonna do something weird and mess up my time here." I say nervously.
Tina and I move to leave. While August leaves us with a bad vibe.
"You really think this is a bad thing? I'm generous, not cruel. I will do as I please and hope I don't get kicked out. And if I do? Well, I've got ways to influence America still." she says cockily.