Chapter Text
Corvus leads you down unfamiliar hallways silently. It's not an uncomfortable one, albeit a little strange. Kinda like he’s expecting you to speak first. Though you're pretty sure he’s starting to take the hint that you’re not going to. It was never revealed what his ability is in the manga, at least not where you left off on. What if he can see into people like Semiu?—who DEFINITELY saw something by the way—you wouldn’t doubt it, not with that weird tat on the back of his head(which you SWEAR blinked at you. Did it blink in the anime?). Not speaking without being spoken to is simply a precaution. He hasn’t mentioned where he’s taking you but you know. He’s taking you to Rudo.
‘Maybe that’s why he's expecting me to talk first? To ask where he's taking me?’ You glance over to the man leading you. ‘Though I think that would be obvious, even if I didn't know the future.’
He clears his throat, his eyes flickering over to you.
“Why do you want to join the cleaners?” He smiles down at you, a focused, analysing look in his eyes. It feels like everyone in this world is trying to figure you out, you hate that. Their gazes linger on you, trying to unravel you. It's uncomfortable. Nonetheless, you push aside the unsettling feeling and smile nervously at him.
“Well considering I just fell from the sky..I literally have nowhere else to go.” You sweat lightly, your head tilting sideways before continuing. “...Though I promise to not be dead weight.”
His smile widens, his eyes close, seemingly satisfied with your answer.
“That’s good to hear. However, you need training before you can take on missions with your team. Semiu said that you're in decent shape, but you need to learn how to use your vital instrument.”
“..My team?” Your voice is soft, hesitant. Though you know about the teams, and that you're most likely on team eager, most newbies wouldn’t. Realization flashes in his eyes. He hums quietly.
“I suppose you haven’t been told yet. You'll be on Delmon’s team, team Eagar. There's one other person, I'm sure you'll meet him soon enough.” There's an almost undetectable inflection in his voice when he refers to Tamsy. You wonder if it’s suspicion, or maybe disdain.
You nod your head, muttering a small okay in response. Goosebumps prickle your skin, the cool air of the building making you shiver. The high collar of your sphereite dress does nothing to help keep you warm. You pull on your sleeves, the white wool feels scratchy on your wrists. You would have never picked this out on your own.
Soon enough, you and Corvus end up in the medical wing. He motions for you to stay behind him as you enter the room.
He speaks, joining the conversion between the present cleaners.
“One of the raiders mentioned crossing the border, that phrase all but confirms that they've been doing research into the sphere.”
Enjin and Rudo turn at the sound, a look of surprise painting his face. He greets the boss, his voice is breathy, gritty in a way. You could almost smell the cigarette smoke from here. You peek out from behind Corvus. Rudo’s dumbfounded look almost makes you laugh, he looks just as goofy in person. His almost sickly complexion practically shines in the light. Even in comparison with the white of his hair, he looks pale. His bird-like hair fans out across his forehead. He looks young. It's easy to forget in the story, but he’s only fifteen. Sympathy pangs in your chest.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Rudo. Sorry I was absent when you first got to HQ.” He walks closer to Rudo, you’re quick to follow, staying hidden behind Corvus’s larger frame.
“Nah, where are my manners? My name is Arkha Corvus, and I lead the cleaners.”
Your eyes travel to Gris in his hospital bed as Corvus continues to talk to Rudo. The way his hair is parted blocks a lot of his face from your view. His shirt is old and faded, but real. He has no visible bandages but you know he's injured. He's a real person now—one that can feel pain and die.
Tomme is standing next to Gris’s bed, steady and calm. She has a gentle smile on her face, her dark brown hair flows down her back. Unlike Gris, she's in her uniform. Pristine grey, worn but not old. Her attention drifts away from the boss, her brown eyes landing on you, the only person to notice your presence. She's perceptive, you'll have to be careful around her, you decide. The smile doesn't leave her face as she looks at you, though it does get coated with confusion. You smile at her, a blush rising to your cheeks. Her gaze leaves you a moment later, choosing instead to focus on the conversation. Luckily, your body was out of her line of sight, her noticing your sphereite clothes would have completely derailed Corvus and Rudo’s talk.
The conversation happens exactly how you remember it, and you're relieved your presence doesn't change everything. You can barely contain giggles, you're witnessing a scene from Gachiakuta–and it's REAL. you can feel the heat radiating off of Corvus’s back and smell the scent of trash on these people. You're really here, and you're actually dead in the real world. Your smile falters. Your eyes flick to the floor.
‘Well not like the second half matters, I don't think I'd want to go back even if I was alive.’
“Now with that being said, I don't believe you've met our other newest cleaner.” Corvus steps aside to reveal you. “We found her this morning.”
Shock passes through the room, soft gasps ringing out. Your ivory sphereite dress is painfully out of place. Even scuffed up, the gray patterns stand out. You shift your weight, tilting your head to the side. The gold detailing shines with your movements. Your lips press together, morphing into an awkward forced smile.
Rudo’s eyes lock on you instantly, recognition and awe paint his face. He stares–no, examines you. Looking for any sign that you're not a real sphereite. He knows better than anyone how people on the ground treat sphereites and sphereite clothing. His hair bobs as his gaze travels across your form.
“You’re..?” He trails off, the rest of his question left unsaid. You didn't need him to finish, you know what he's trying to ask.
“From the city?..or um..the Sphere? Yeah.” You take a step closer to Rudo, the awkwardness melting from your body. “I’m surprised more than one person was able to survive that fall.”
“Oh shit.” Enjin’s voice reminds you of his presence. His shock is more amusement than anything else. The shit-eating grin on his face is mildly annoying but more so entertaining. “Boss, you said cleaner?” His eyes leave Corvus and land on you. “Not a supporter?” you raise an eyebrow at his question. Corvus nods.
“So, are you a giver then?”