Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

“Not bad.” Oliver checked himself out in the mirror after his attribute increases. While still on the slim side, his more toned muscles gave him something of an athletic build. Looking closer at his reflection, his skin had more of a healthy glow to it, the few spots of acne that use to dot his body now mostly cleared up. And, after recovering from the sudden change to his body, he felt incredible.

Hearing the front door open and his friends return, he threw on a shirt. Just as they started to call out for him, he left his room to join them. “Hey guys. Sorry I didn't join you for lunch, but I ate already.”

Ed gave the others a sly wink and grinned at Oliver. “Ah, no worries man. I'm sure your girl Poli gave you plenty to eat. We're just surprised you didn't come back last night. You finally decide to let loose and really enjoy yourself? Did she break out the handcuffs for you?” Ed waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Marty rolled his eyes at their friend's antics and offered Oliver and apologetic look. “I think what Ed means to say is, how did your date go? We're guessing it went well, but we have to look after our bro.”

Seeing his friends focus on him, Oliver considered how to respond. Thinking about his date with Poli, a bright smile spread across his face without him realizing it and his friends shared a knowing look. “It went really well, I think. I mean, aside from the drunk idiots that tried to mess with us while we played pool.”

Under his friends barrage of questions, he caved and told them about the date, though leaving out anything after they left the pool hall- He wasn't one to kiss and tell, after all. He expected the teasing, but their reaction to the fight surprised him.

“She dropped that guy like it was nothing? Damn man, she sounds like a bad-ass. You better treat her right, or we all know how that will end!” Gary chimed in with a laugh, sounding impressed.

“And she kicked Oli's ass in pool!” Ed added with a snicker.

“Yeah, I don't even know how to describe it. She's kind, funny, beautiful... Perfect.” Oliver replied with a soft sigh.

Marty watched his friend with a small smile, picking out all the clues and analyzing them. Oliver was always so calm and restrained, but talking about his date... He was animated and smiling more than ever. Every word was filled with joy and excitement. With Oli's previous girlfriend, the reaction was never this strong. While it was clear Oli had liked Jess, it was equally clear-at least to Marty- that his friend was falling for Poli. Maybe he already had.

“So, when is your next date?” Marty asked casually.

Oliver gave them a sheepish smile as he blushed in embarrassment. “Ah... Dinner. Tonight, I mean. And yes, I'll meet you at the party after.”

Oliver broke off from his friends to shower and change before heading back to Poli's for dinner. Ignoring their wolf-whistles and jeers, he rushed out the door and drove off. Dinner was an entirely new experience for him. Not only was the table already set and food ready when he arrived, but they talked about his day while they ate. Even before his parents' divorce he rarely saw such a classic domestic scene, let alone experienced it himself. It quickly became something he would want to do again.

Cleaning up after their meal didn't take long with the two of them working together. While Oliver finished drying and putting away the dishes, Polina took that time to finish getting ready. When she came back out, Oliver took a moment to appreciate her outfit. While simple, the jeans and t-shirt hugged her curves perfectly, showing off her athletic build. With her hair pulled back, she looked like any number of college girls, if a bit more beautiful- though, Oli admitted to himself, he may be a little biased.

“So, think I'll be able to blend in at the party?” She asked, amused at Oli's ogling.

Shaking his head, Oliver couldn't resist teasing her. “You're too pretty to blend in, but you got the 'college party' look right at least.”

Blushing girlfriend in tow, Oliver hopped in his truck and headed towards the party. A touch of nervous energy built in him as they got closer. It had been more than half a year since the last time he took someone to a party like this, and he knew how fast the gossip would start up once they arrived.

Seeing the tension rising in Oliver, Polina took his hand and gave him a warm smile. “Worried about introducing me to your friends?”

Feeling her hand in his, Oliver calmed slightly and gave her a small smile. “A bit, I guess. And I'm a bit worried about how everything will go. As long as there's no trip to the hospital involved, I'll call it a success.”

With a worried look, Polina asked hesitantly, “Is it common for people to end up in the hospital after these parties?”

Oliver cursed himself for speaking without thinking and quickly explained about the last party and his day in the hospital. When questioned more about why it happened, he hesitated before answering truthfully. “Back during spring semester, I dated Jess for a while until she dumped me for Carl. I dealt with the whole thing pretty well, I think, but I guess she didn't like it that I got over her because the next time I saw them at a party she was happily telling everyone that she had been cheating on me with Carl for a while. Since then, he's been shit talking me and causing problems every chance he gets.”

Holding his hand tightly, Polina leaned into him a little more. “It looks like it doesn't bother you anymore, but are you ok? I know how much a betrayal like that can hurt.”

Raising their entwined hands up to his lips, Oliver kiss her fingers gently before smiling. “I'm good Poli, I promise. Some people call me cold, but that's just because they don't understand.” Seeing her curious look, he explained. “Only things that I care about can hurt me. After everything she did, I saw who she really was. And that person isn't someone I can really bring myself to care about. Same for Carl; I thought he was a friend, but he showed otherwise. So, I just don't care about either of them anymore.”

With a shrug, he added in a grumble. “Though I do wish that asshole would leave me alone.”

Polina laughed softly at his response, hugging his arm. “Oli, dear, its pretty obvious why he does it. He's insecure and afraid she'll do the same to him. With you not reacting to them, he sees you as an easy target to make himself feel better. Maybe he even thinks if he acts tough, somehow it makes him a 'real man' or some other bullshit like that. Typical toxic masculinity.” She added with a shrug. “Either he will give up after a while, or he'll try to start a fight with you. Though I would bet on him trying to start a fight, so be careful if you see him.”

“What makes you say that?”

Ticking points off on her fingers, Polina spoke. “He's insecure. Obsessed with proving himself to be strong or manly. He's in what is clearly a toxic relationship. And, most importantly, “Polina held up one finger, pointing it at Oliver. “Even though he attacked you from behind, you had to go to the hospital. He probably convinced himself that he beat you, but knows other people won't count it because of how he jumped you. He wants to prove to them that he's better. So you better be careful, and don't turn your back on him.”

“And if they show up at the party, point them out to me so I can be on guard against their bullshit too. Understand?” Her last words held the tone of a command, and she suddenly felt awkward and embarrassed at basically ordering her boyfriend around. “Sorry. I'm not trying to be bossy, I just don't want anything to happen to you."

Oliver winked at her and squeezed her hand. “I don't mind. You're kinda sexy when you get bossy.”

Walking in to the party, the couple drew a number of looks. Oliver was familiar with many of the people present, and on relatively good terms with them, so their surprised expressions was more funny than anything else. He understood the reaction though, it had been six months since he dated anyone and people had gotten use to seeing him alone or just with his roommates.

The very same roommates who started shouting the instant they saw them, much to everyone's amusement.

“Holy shit man! She really is out of your league!”

“Damn! Does she have a sister?”

Marty shook his head at the other two's jeering and just waved at the couple. When they walked over to join up, he offered Polina an apologetic look. “Ignore these idiots, it will only get worse when they start drinking. But they're harmless. Mostly.”

After a quick introduction, the group settled in with a couple beers to hang out. Oliver wasn't too surprised that Polina got along with the group, all of them being rather open and friendly people to begin with. If anything, Oliver's naturally reserved demeanor made him look like the odd one out. Not that they would let him sit out of the conversation for long, as they kept pulling hims back in with questions and jokes about his new relationship status- Though they all seemed to silently agree not to bring up Polina's job, as no one mentioned it a single time.

Others at the party stopped by their group from time to time, mostly to chat and ask about his date. Word spreading that they were a couple earned Oliver a number if impressed looks. With Polina being a complete unknown, he knew it was only a matter of time before people started digging for more details. Of course, he doubted many would be found without them being asked directly. Most of the people there rarely encountered the local police, and the likelihood of them having run into her- or recognizing her out of uniform if they had- was fairly small.

“You want another drink Poli?” Oliver asked as he stood. It was closing in on midnight, and he felt the need to stretch his legs and hit the bathroom. He wasn't surprised when Polina refused and offered to drive home. Neither were heavy drinkers to begin with, so he figured having one more before he called it a night would be fine.

It was when he was in line to grab a drink that trouble found him.

“Oli! I'm surprised you're not still laid up in a hospital bed. Or hiding at home, afraid of getting your ass beat again.”

Oliver turned at the approaching voice, his expression gone cold and voice tinged with disgust. “Carl. I'm surprised you're not still in jail. Did Daddy bail you out of trouble again? “ Waving off his own question before he got a response, he spoke firmly. “Never mind, I don't really care. Just fuck off. And don't call me Oli. Only my friends call me that, which I doubt you ever were.”

Carl's nostrils flared in anger and he puffed out his chest. Jabbing a finger at Oliver, he practically hissed at him. “You better watch how you talk to me Oli. Or did you already forget what I did to you last week?”

A crowd had started to form around them, though everyone kept well back from the brewing conflict. A few angry mutters went through the group, and even more hostile glances directed at Carl. Out of the corner of his eye, Oliver saw his roommates and Polina pushing through the crowd. Polina waved the others back as she cautiously approached to stand beside him. “I take it this must be Carl?”

“Looks like little Oli finally got him a new girlfriend. I hope you aren't expecting any actual warmth from the Ice Man. He's notoriously cold, even when you're dating him. Trust me on that.” A snide, feminine voice chimed in from behind Carl.

Oliver's eyes went flat as the short, curvy woman stepped into view. “Is this all you do Jess? You and Carl come looking for me just to cause problems and start shit? It's like you two are obsessed with me.”

Stepping into Oliver's personal space, Carl pointed a finger right at his face and snarled. “You might talk to your whore like that, but don't think you can speak to my girl like that!”

“Excuse me?”

Carl ignore the anger glinting in Oliver's eyes, his tone dripping with condescension. “The rest of us don't pay for our dates, Oli. Though you must have cleaned out your bank account to afford this sexy bitch. Tell you what, I'll pay her double and show her what a real man ca-”

The first crashing into his face cut Carl's rant off short. Before he could recover, a second punch slammed into his jaw and sent him tumbling to the floor. In an instant, Oliver was on top of him, raining down punch after punch. Blood splashed from a broken nose, then a blow clipped his temple, leaving Carl in a daze.

Leaning in close, Oliver spoke softly so only Carl could hear him with a voice that sent chills down his spine with its promise of violence. “I'm tired of dealing with your shit, Carl. From now on, you cause problems for me and I cause pain for you. And if I hear so much as a rumor that you're talking bad about my girlfriend or trying to cause problems for her... I'll kill you Carl. Try me if you want; It's your funeral.”

Leaving Carl groaning in pain, Oliver stood slowly, Jess's screeching finally registering in his mind. Looking to where Polina had his ex restrained, he smirked at her threat to have him arrested. Looking around at the stunned crowd, he spoke over her tantrum. “Wow, Carl really can't handle his liquor. Just a couple drinks and he manages to fall down and hurt himself. Repeatedly. I mean, that's what everyone saw, right?”

While he saw some concern among everyone, he also heard a few laughs. As most of the crowd turned away, talking excitedly about the fight, Carl's lackeys dragged him away while glaring at Oliver.

Polina whispered something to Jess before shoving her away, sending her chasing after the beaten man. At Oliver's approach, she pulled him into a hug. “I really prefer you not get into fights like that babe, but you did good. It's probably the only way to get him to back off anyway; Some people just can't be reasoned with.. Though, I don't know how you ever dated a bitch like that girl.”