Chapter Text
Amelia stared at the email spread across her screen, bright and burning her eyes. A stark difference from the darkness of her workspace. It was sent from her fellow researcher and cryptozoologist, Jenma, a happy go lucky blonde and probably one of the most well-known names in this company.
Amelia grunted, squinting. She could already feel the headache approaching, and for once it wasn’t from her fourth cup of coffee she had just chugged at 4:35 am.
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Date: ██ █ ██ █ ████
To: ██████.██████@█████████.███
From: █████.█████@█████████.███
Subject: Myth Integration Program (M.I.P!)
Ame-Chan! Long time no see (or email, for this matter). Surprised you haven’t heard of this little trial program we’ve been trying to kickstart for a while, what with your need to know everything mentality, but better late than never, right?
I’m not going to spoil everything from you, but if you ever need a hand you know I’m just an email away.
Sincerely,
Jenma ❤
Amelia exhaled softly, hand fidgeting with her computer mouse as her gaze flickered over the email her boss’s boss had sent her five minutes prior.
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Date: ██ █ ██ █ ████
To: ██████.██████@█████████.███
From: █████████████@█████████.███
Subject: Myth Integration Program
Dear Amelia H. Watson.
I have consulted your manager, Jenma, and it has come to our attention that you possess several niche and sought after qualities for this trial program Cover is kickstarting.
I am well aware of your previous endeavours and civilian lifestyle, thus making you more accustomed to mythical creatures and encounters as well as normal, human lifestyles.
In this email is a document containing all the information you need to know, and a meeting will be conducted on the ██ / ██ / ████ at ██ : ██ pm to consult all available options regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
Motoaki Tanigo (Yagoo).
“The fuck?” Amelia muttered, reading and re-reading the email several times over.
Her audible confusion must’ve caught the attention of her terrier, Bubba, as the small dog padded over to where the scientist was sitting and began pawing at her overly long lab coat.
Ame spared him a glance, the light from her monitor reflecting off of her wire-rimmed glasses. Bubba cocked his head curiously, dark eyes flicking from the tired blonde to her screen and then back again. With a whine, he reached a paw closer to her. Amelia just sighed, a fragile smile creeping onto her face.
“It’s too late for this, Bubba,” She concluded. The dog didn’t look entirely convinced, but Amelia was already closing all her unneeded tabs and saving those she’d view later, finally letting her whirring computer sleep.
The wheels on her chair squeaked as Ame rolled out from her desk, shifting herself onto her feet before standing with a hunched posture. ‘Too many hours from sitting at my desk… I need to get out more’ She huffed out a bout of dry laughter. Like there was anywhere else to go in this place. Ame sighed and stretched her arms over her head, relishing in the way her spine popped and muscles flexed. The digital clock resting on her desk read 3:27 am, the red glow faintly illuminating the book it was propped upon. Neither the scientist nor the dog paid it any attention.
Amelia shrugged off her coat, draping it haphazardly over the back of her dingy chair. The sweet embrace of her bed was nothing short of heavenly, cushioning her weary form as her plush blankets rested comfortably over her. Bubba jumped up onto her bed, nestling into the downy duvet by her feet.
The darkness of her room was comforting and quiet, well, quiet enough for Ame to let her mind just turn off and sleep. If she listened too hard, the harsh winds of the arctic could be heard lashing violently outside, despite the fact she was seven layers underground.
With a grumble, Amelia clapped twice, loud enough for the sensors in her room to detect and turn off all the lights. The small lamp by her desk, the one light in her tiny bathroom that she often forgot to turn off, the LED strips that lined the skirting boards of her little lab area and the lights in her mostly empty aquariums (despite having a dog running around, Amelia still wasn’t allowed to house her fish. A fact that, yes, she still was salty about to this day).
Without another sound, Ame blinked her eyes closed, nestling further into her bedding before letting her mind fully drift off into the warm embrace of sleep. The blizzard outside whipped at the building with growing hatred, but deep down under the crust of the earth it was nothing more than a lullaby to the tired scientists that called the lab home.
…
..
.
Approximately seven levels above her, the automatic doors to the loading bay hissed and creaked as they opened. Billowing winds bustled into the loading bay, bringing clouds of dusted frost. A convoy of heavily armoured vehicles rolled in, each carrying a heavy blanket of snow with mud-spattered up the sides. A heavy-duty crate was strapped securely to the bed of the middlemost truck, and the rest looked to be escorts for it.
A few people glanced over, tucked away in the observation deck far above, safe from the hustle and bustle below. Various control panels blinked, and a rather large lever was shoved forward, making the automatic doors squeak close.
The trucks rumbled, slowing down as they all parked in a somewhat perfect line. A few personnel disembarked from their vehicles, looking over the situation. A few scratches, no casualties and their trucks were covered up to their windshields in mud and snow. Much to everyone’s relief, the crate securely loaded was in one piece and showed no damage.
A slew of employees rushed forward to handle the container. From the one next to it exited several armed guards followed by a frail-looking woman. In her arms, she cradled a purple, leatherbound book to her chest. Dark eyes trailed over every detail in the loading bay, glinting with curiosity.
Before she could say anything, her escorts nudged her gently, guiding her deeper into the levels of Sector – E1.
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‘It’s too early for this shit…’ Amelia took a pensive sip of her coffee, relishing in the warmth it brought her hands and the bitter taste that washed over her tongue. Most would say it was an acquired taste, others often complained about the chest-rattling heart palpitations. Amelia would brush off both of those comments before continuing on her merry way.
In front of her, Jenma shuffled around nervously, fiddling around with a stack of papers that sat to her left. Beside her, Tanigo Motoaki, better known as Yagoo by his close employees, shuffled a stack of papers nervously. His face was kind, probably waiting for Amelia to finish her coffee before starting the meeting.
“So… Why d’ya choose me?” She drawled, settling her cup of coffee on the coaster in front of her. Yagoo cleared his throat.
“Because of your unique set of skills and experiences. You’ve lived the civilian life, you know the ins and outs of what it means to be a human. But, unlike most of our workers, you also know the ins and outs of the very mythical creatures we seek to help,” He motioned to the watch dangling around Amelia’s neck.
“Yeah, I got that part, but what about the part that is my regular work that already keeps me busy enough? I can’t juggle babysitting some myth and my office work at the same time,” Her eyes darkened ever so slightly, thinking back to the stack of papers she had to leave on her desk before rushing to this very meeting.
“On top of this, do I even get to know which myth I would be assigned to? Do I get a choice, or is one just picked for me?” Feeling the scientist’s annoyance spiking, Jenma fluffed her wings and piped up.
“You would be promoted! In a way… You would switch job titles and you wouldn’t have to deal with your paperwork anymore. Integrating myths is a full-time job… That is, if you choose to accept it,” Amelia paused, letting herself relax.
“If? So if I really don’t want this job-“ Yagoo cut her off.
“If you really didn’t want this job, we wouldn’t force you. Not only would it affect you negatively, but it would also be counterproductive in achieving our goal,” He assured. Amelia pursed her lips.
On one hand, it was certainly an interesting offer and she didn’t exactly enjoy filling out paper after paper, but it kept her hands busy for the most part. On the other hand, Amelia had no idea what myth she would be assigned to and after that run-in with the Warden of Time, she’d rather keep herself away from myths for the time being.
“If it makes you feel any better, the position would come with a pay raise,” Jenma offered hopefully. Amelia quirked an eyebrow, watching the angel wither ever so slightly before whispering something in her boss’s ear.
“You would also be allowed to start housing your fish,” Yagoo nodded in her direction. Amelia felt herself smiling, shoulders relaxing as she sat up straight.
“Give me a little more info and we’re good to go,” She smirked, reaching out for her now tepid cup of Sinners Coffee™.
…
..
.
Amelia shuffled into her room, fumbling around for the light switch as her beloved terrier fondly tackled her ankles.
“Yes yes, I’m happy to see you Bubba, but I got work to do and then I have to head out again,” Amelia bent down and scooped the dog into her arms, cradling him expertly as she sat down in her chair. It squeaked and wavered slightly, years upon years of use had worn it down. ‘Now that I’m thinking about it, pretty sure it’s overdue for a replacement’ Amelia just shrugged, letting Bubba sprawl out across her lap as she laid the files out in front of her.
Two thick binders, each documenting their respective myth. To say Amelia was a little salty when she found out she was supposed to be handling two wards instead of one was a slight understatement, but she had accepted the job and now she had to deal with the consequences.
She pried open the first file.
Her sight came to rest on the picture first. Grey-blue eyes stared back at her, slitted pupils giving the person a feral but compassionate look. She smiled with a wide grin, rows of sharp teeth glinting in the light. Snowy hair framed her face, streaked with shades of blue along with two, small pigtails tied with what looked to be fishbone pendants. Behind those pigtails nestled two very shark-like fins.
Gawr Gura was the only known living descendent of the Lost City of Atlantis, a lone shark that had managed to escape its destruction.
Amelia skimmed over the rest of her history and went straight to the important notes Jenma had mentioned.
- Do not feed Gura raw meat under any circumstances (this includes human, beef and pork. Seafood and spiders are okay) – (No, Haachama, crocodile is a part of the no-go meat)
- Do not stick your fingers in Gura’s mouth under no condition. We’ve already had three people lose seven fingers this way
- Gura is a saltwater shark. Don’t give her fresh water
- Gura is much stronger than you. Don’t try and wrestle her unless you have several death wishes prewritten
- Don’t try to bribe Gura with french fries. Her body is still acclimating to human food and too many french fries make her sick
…
‘I’m not gonna question at least two fifths of these…’ Amelia pursed her lips, adjusted her glasses and slid Gura’s folder to the side. Her fingers lingered on the cover for a few seconds before a yawn spilled past her lips. Bubba whined in her lap, waving his forepaws in the direction of Amelia’s sleepy expression. With a sigh, she gave the dog the belly rubs he desired.
Amelia opened the second folder.
She didn’t know what she was expecting when Jenma told her about the ancient high priestess, but such kind eyes caught her off guard, accompanied by an even kinder, small and shy smile. Almost minuscule violet scales were speckled along her cheeks, reaching just past her odd tentacle bangs. The strange tiara of diamonds drew Amelia’s attention to the adorable nubs on the top of her head.
Ninomae Ina’nis, the high priestess of an unknown, ancient god that had resided below the ocean surface for countless decades.
- Always be aware of your memories when engaging. Do not let Ina’nis use her “forgetti beam”, as she has put it
- Despite her protests, Ina’nis is not human, but rather some sort’ve “Takodachi” (her own words)
- Do not let her have Dr Oopsie unless she has been awake for at least three hours
- Do not let Ina’nis come into contract with any cucumbers under any circumstances. Site E – 1 cannot stand against another instance of ████████
- Do not touch her tentacle hair. She will react violently
…
‘These two are gonna be a handful…’ Amelia let the folder in her hand fall back onto her desk, leaning back in her chair to pop her spine. She just sat like that, staring off into the darkness with her mind wandering all over the place. Bubba shook himself. Amelia didn’t even notice as the terrier jumped off her lap and into the darkness, probably going to curl up on her bed.
The only thing that roused her from her stupor was the rapping against her door. Jenma poked her head in, eyes squinting as she struggled to see through the darkness.
“Ame-chan? Ina’s settled into her room and would like to meet you,” The light from her halo pierced through the darkness like light reflecting off a mirror. Amelia grunted and shuffled to her feet, shrugging her lab coat on as she silently plodded through the door.
“You’re… not gonna wear shoes?” Jenma closed the door behind her, letting Amelia lock it. The scientist sighed, rolling her shoulders.
“I can’t be bothered,” Was all she said. Jenma fluffed her wings and pinched her nose in disappointment before swiping her key card and punching in a random number at the elevator. Amelia didn’t care to pay attention.
With an all too cheerful ding, the elevator arrived and the duo shuffled in.
“So… You’re not nervous at all?” Jenma flicked her gaze over to her sleep-deprived friend. Amelia slowly turned to look at her.
“Jenma, I was only able to have one coffee today. I don’t have nearly enough caffeine coursing through my bloodstream to be half awake right now, let alone care about what tasks I have to face today.” And with that, a somewhat awkward silence settled over the small room.
The lower levels were much chillier than Amelia had ever thought. The cold nipped at her skin and her breath fogged up in front of her eyes. Lucky for Jenma, the angel didn’t seem affected by the cold at all.
Ina’s door looked to be a tad bit overkill. Several layers thick of some sort’ve metal like titanium that was bolted to the wall, presumably only to be opened by the very key cards Jenma and Amelia carried.
But inside the room was very different.
It looked like a stereotypical Japanese style house. The sliding doors were open, letting a soft synthetical breeze flutter through the space and artificial sunlight filtered through the upstairs windows, dust particles flittering to and fro.
And in the centre of it all sat Ina’nis, settled into a tank of water embedded into the floor.
With a big smile, she turned around and said one thing.
“Wah!”