This is a story collaboration between me and James Lewis.

James and Desmond stepped into the garage. They got into Jame's car and opened the garage door, ready for a day at the science convention. As the two pulled into the driveway, another car pulled out at the same time. There was a "POP!" noise causing James and Desmond to jump in their seats. The paused and looked at the other car. The goat woman James saw earlier stepped out of the driver's side and inspected the back tire. "Ah, shoot!" she groaned.
She stepped back into the car and said something to someone in the back.
Desmond rolled down the window and asked, "Hey, nanny goat, is there something wrong with your car?"
She looked behind her at Desmond. "Just a flat tire."
"Were you going somewhere important?" the grizzly asked.
"To the Nautilus Science Convention. I was taking Paul there until the tire blew a hole."
Desmond looked at James. "Should we let them sit in the back with us and then drop them off back here once we return?"
James thought about it and said, "I know Paul, he's a nice boy who lives with his grandpa and apparently, the nanny goat might be his new caretaker. Well, I'm okay with Paul but I don't know her very well. I guess she could come along. But just this once. I really am not used to traveling with strangers."
"Okay." Desmond nodded. He stuck his head out the window. "Hey, lady, you can ride with us. We are going to the convention too."
"Thank you, sir." She opened the side door and told Paul what Desmond said to her. They both entered the back of the car.
"Everyone buckled up?" James asked the two.
"Yep." Paul said. James began the drive over. Paul was spent time mostly listening to music on his earbuds. The goat woman was looking out the car window.
"Hey, Miss, what's your name?" Desmond asked.
The goat looked at Desmond. "It's Mildheart." she answered.
James noticed that Desmond was trying to think about something. Then a look of fear appeared on his face. James raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Something wrong, buddy?" James asked.
"Oh, no, everything is alright. Just remembered there was a bill I forgotten to pay for." Desmond said. James looked at the rear mirror and saw Mildheart with a neutral expression on her face.
"She doesn't look dangerous." James thought to himself. Just then, another car dangerously cut them off.
"Idiot!" Desmond shook his big fist at the thoughtless driver.
"Why that little--!" Mildheart said as her eyes flashed yellow and her horns began to lengthen. James noticed her eyes were yellow and then turned back to a shade of blue. Her horns returned to normal size. She relaxed. Paul didn't notice anything.
James glanced at Desmond who was looking relieved. "Something wrong?"
Desmond said, "Just glad we didn't get into an accident." They continued the drive with no more interruptions. They arrived at a four-story glass building. Everyone stepped outside and got ready to go in.
Mildheart said, "Paul and I are going our separate ways. Thanks for letting us drive with you! You two are both gentlemen." As the goat and human boy left, James and Desmond began to go on their way to the entrance of the building. They bought their tickets, and they entered the building. The floor was filled with state of the art technology such as AI videogames, interactive holograms that interacted with whoever was asking it questions, androids that could cook and clean house, and even clothing that could monitor the wearer's health status.
"Lots to see and do here." Desmond said. A male, muscular dragon walked towards them. "Oh, hey, Marduk."
"Were you going to introduce me to your new friend?" Marduk asked.
"Oh, yeah." Desmond said. "James, this is Marduk."
"H-hello." James said timidly.
"Pleasure." Marduk replied. Marduk asked Desmond, "What took you so long to get here?"
"Some people needed some help to get here. Car trouble." the grizzly replied.
Marduk asked, "Are they here on this floor?"
Desmond gazed around him and spotted Paul and Mildheart standing at a videogame table. "They're over there." Marduk noticed them. He said to James, "Desmond and I have business talk that's private. You can browse until Desmond returns."
"Okay." James said as he went to look at the holographic images.
Marduk led Desmond into a men's restroom and then he said to Desmond, "What the heck were you thinking?"
"I know that Mildheart is a succubus of some sort." Desmond replied.
"Yeah, and you know what they do besides seduce men. They punish them. Even us freemasons are not safe from them." Marduk said. "As for the boy, another freemason group wants him as a sacrifice, and he escaped just once already. They are offering a reward for capturing him and bringing him over. If you get the chance, kidnap him and make sure he is delivered to the masons, and you'll be rewarded. Get both the boy and that alpaca. Neither of them should suspect us." Marduk said.
"Yes, sir." Marduk said obediently.

***

James looked at the prices of the holograms. Perhaps if he saved up enough money, he could afford to buy one. He noticed how expensive they were, especially for him and how much he earned at work. "Hmm, maybe there is something more affordable on the second floor. He checked it out and saw more videogames and androids. He looked at his brochure and decided to check out the third floor. There he saw voice command appliances and showers! There was even a voice command toilet set. James was interested by the state-of-the-art technology, but he still couldn't find anything affordable. He traveled to the fourth floor where a human man was offering people raffle tickets. The guy spotted James. "Hey, there, would you like to buy a raffle ticket. If you do, you get one of the merchandises here for free! We are announcing four winners today. What do you say?" James saw the raffle tickets were fairly inexpensive enough, so he bought one. James ran into Paul again who was holding a raffle ticket.
"You bought a ticket too?" Paul asked.
"Yes." James replied. "Mildheart has one two. Maybe Desmond should get one too." Paul suggested.
"Only if he wants one." James replied.
Desmond came running toward them. "Sorry for the wait, I also saw raffle tickets, so I bought one. The guy said you purchased one too, James."
James blushed and scratched the back of his head. James looked at his watch and saw it was lunch time. They four had their lunches of Mexican food. It was one of James favorite food. Paul enjoyed the tacos. Mildheart never tried them before. Desmond bought them because of how inexpensive they were.
Paul looked at the clock. "Shoot! It's almost time for the raffle announcement! If we aren't present, they'll call someone else."
"Right, let's not waste any time." Desmond said. They finished up their lunches and the four made it to the fourth floor where they were hosting the raffle. The room where the raffle was being hosted had a stage. In the middle of the stage was a glass orb filled with lottery tickets. The tickets inside were being blown around by a fan so they were evenly spread out.
The man said through the microphone, "Alright, everyone, it's time to announce the raffle winners! I'm Mr. Axle and I'm announcing that the four winners will not only get a chance to get one of our products for free but also will get a free trip to Nautilus Labs and meet the maker." The whole crowd cheered. "And the winners are--." Mr. Axle opened a little door on the side of the glass orb and pulled out the first ticket. "#509" said Mr. Axle.
"Yes!" Paul said excitedly.
"Come onto the stage, young man." Axle said. Paul stepped onto the stage. He pulled out the second ticket. "#419" Mildheart blushed and stepped upon the stage. "# 781" James realized this was his number. So he joined them. Axle pulled out the final ticket "#322" Desmond stepped onto the stage to join the other winners. The audience applauded causing James to blush, big time. He absolutely hated being the center of attention, especially crowds of people watching him. Mr. Axle said, "So you four get a tour to visit Nautilus Labs and meet the CEO too. You also get one free purchase of your choice. So, what do you want to get? We can see about delivering the stuff to you tomorrow."
"The video game counsel." Paul said excitedly.
"The voice command shower would be nice." Mildheart said.
James decided, "I'll have one of those holograms."
"I'll take an android." Desmond replied.
"Excellent choices! You'll get your stuff tomorrow. In two weeks you'll get to visit Nautilus Labs!" Mr. Axle said. The crowd applauded and cheered one last time before the four left.

***

They returned to James's car. As they got into the car, Desmond asked them all, "Did you all have a good time?"
"Yes!" Paul enthusiastically said.
"I suppose." Mildheart said looking tired.
James simply nodded. He drove them back to their houses. After Mildheart stepped outside and looked at the car, she sighed. "I'll have to get that fixed tomorrow."
Paul offered, "I can help you."
"Thanks, Paul." she smiled cheerfully.
Desmond said, "Thanks for going out with me, James."
"You're welcome." James said. Once Mildheart and Paul had their backs turned, Desmond and James embraced each other. James felt Desmond's firm muscles. He enjoyed the feel of them. Once they let go, they went back home. James thought to himself, "Sure I really hated all those people watching me on stage, but Desmond makes me feel better. I want to tell him how I feel about him but the words just won't come out." He sighed. "Maybe tomorrow I'll tell him once we are alone." the alpaca smiled as he stepped into his house to take a shower.

End of Chapter

Paul Jacob and Mildheart and Mr. Axle belong to me.
James and Desmond and Marduk belong to James Lewis.