Page 27 of I Dated a Retired Hero

“Sure. I even signed up for the BDC, but all they were able to find for me was a series of tepid dates that just left me frustrated.”

“He cut off foreplay?”

“We didn’t even hold hands. Everybody there thinks I am going to dose them with radiation. So, I quit and am thinking about quitting my job and retiring to irradiate plants or something. Sorry. I am in a mood.”

“Enforced celibacy can do that.”

“That is what the BDC is all about, but they won’t pair actives with those that can cause them harm, and what it comes down to is no one trusts me. I didn’t have enough funds to become a patron.”

“Patron?”

“They are the ones who pay for the dates with the escorts. The funds are used to seek out more and more escorts as they have had a recent tendency to end up in unions, which makes them ineligible to continue in the company.”

“Interesting. The women survive?”

“The women are all actives, so... yeah.”

His eyes widened as he ate. “All of them?”

“Yup. And preferences are stated in an extensive application, and after some investigation, if folks are accepted, they are very pleased with the services.”

“Wait, they can reject an applicant?”

“Sure, if they are too dangerous or violent or want to rut their way through the actives and cause injury. All of those.”

“And what are the rates?”

“That depends on what they want to do and to what extent. There are platonic dates or days of bookings. Some even take their favourite escorts to the resort that the corporation owns.”

“And no one is entangled?”

“No one is in a registered partnership. That is a huge deal.”

She started to pick over his plate and got some slices of smoked meat. She saw his mouth curve in a smile. She mumbled. “Wha?”

He chuckled. “In Erradia, we don’t have anything as advanced as an organized corporation for meeting others. It is all trial and error.”

She nodded. “Well, it must work occasionally. Was your mother an active?”

“She was a minor active. I was her only child. I was not my father’s only child. He had six with six different women.”

Litha grimaced. “Ick. How many of the women survived the pregnancy?”

He looked at her. “How did you know?”

“It’s common. The energy of an active wears on the mother, and then the child drains what is left. All life force is pushed into the baby, and it leaves little for the mother.” She shrugged. “With active women, they have the energy to spare, so more kids. Lots more kids.”

“How many kids?”

She smiled. “The current winner is Khytten with a set of triplets and adopted twins. Nelith has been given the title of grandma considering her age.”

“Five children with one woman? That sort of thing is uncommon.”

“Yeah, but in most countries, so is screwing your way to a sports team.”

He blinked. “Right. I suppose not.”

“How many kids do you have?” She was curious.

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