Chapter Text
𝕮𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀 by infantazia
❛ When I look at her, it's like she actually gets me. I see it. The way her eyes follow me around, she detects the state of my soul. She picks up everything I can't say. I can't escape her. I can't escape it... this feeling. ❜
"I'm here to help."
It wasn't a normal occurrence at the Cleaners' headquarters for someone to just walk in, willingly offering themselves at death's door. Usually, it was the older guys bringing in young recruits. So imagine the astonishment on their faces as she stood there, backed by no one but her own confidence, seemingly unwavered despite facing intense-looking people. It was like watching a lone cat stroll into a dog fight, tail high, completely oblivious to danger.
The people in the lobby—the givers and supporters—looked at this roused-looking girl. Whoa, whoa! What's up with this little lady? Did she really just moonwalk into hell with one shoe?
She was missing a shoe. Trying to compose herself despite looking breathless. Her knees bled through the sweats she was wearing, earning a concerned glance from the healer among the crowd. Her clothes were disheveled, her hair blown out of her face, almost as if she had been in a rush—or maybe chased by a rogue trash monster. They could tell she was onto something.
She had nothing with her. Nothing but a ragged-looking instrument she held behind her. Who is she? Is that... an axe? No, no... it has strings! Ah, it's a guitar! Sick!
"You seem to be lost, miss. How can I help you?" Enjin blabbered, completely unserious. No one was speaking out, so he figured he'd be the one to do it. Perhaps he thought this girl was one of the few who entered the headquarters, seeing it as nothing more than a help hotline.
"You misheard me, Sir Enjin," she countered, lifting her head to look at him eye to eye. This time, she smiled feverishly. This caught the Cleaners' attention. She knows Enjin? But... the goat don't look like he knows her, like, at all!
"Huh? Wait, what? Wait, how'd you know—" WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING?
"I'm here to join the Cleaners!" This time, she made herself clear. With a bow, she confessed, "I'm a giver. I'm told I'll be a great addition to your team, sir! The name's Nov!"
Everyone in the room heard her. Enjin looked at her with a long face, earning a laugh from Semiu and Tamsy. Some seemed unbothered, others curious. But behind all the people who scurried toward her, asking her name and what she was up to, there was this guy trembling with excitement and curiosity.
"So cool. That guitar must be her jinki...!" Eishia watched as everyone crowded the new girl. She was pleased to see the new addition. She hoped she'd be accepted by the leader too! She turned to her brother, a worried smile erupting on her face. "Please contain yourself, Auggie."
"Hah... Heheh... HEHEHE!" August's lips trembled as he wiggled his fingers together in excitement. This man. He was passionate. In his excitement, he threw himself back, leaning with clenched fists and his head thrown back in a shout. His enthusiasm was like a fireworks show in a quiet church—completely inappropriate but impossible to ignore.
"SWEET! NEW MEMBER, NEW SPECIMEN TO DRESS!"
He was practically vibrating, like a human cymbal, and Nov couldn't help but notice. Eishia tried to snap him out, but failed as he swept through the crowd. He leaned on her, almost closing the very little space in between.
"Sup! You'd better be serious about joining, you need a serious makeover, girl!"
"Makeover...?" Maybe, just maybe, this guy was going to be trouble... or a very interesting kind of trouble. And somehow, her chest fluttered a little.