Chapter Text
Back in high school, when you’d told April that you’d gotten a part-time job at the Grand Nexus Hotel, she’d been happy for you just as any good friend would have been. She hadn’t known you’d been coerced into it by Big Mama herself for hearing and seeing too much. Why would she? You hadn’t told her. And never would, universe willing. Lest she, too, be forced into the yokai crime boss’ servitude as well. Or worse, should Big Mama not feel as… generous as she had the day she’d caught you.
The turn of events also meant that most of your other extracurricular activities had to be put on the back burner— or ultimately, unfortunately, left forgotten. Making new friends became more of a liability than anything. Hanging out with April became a rare occurrence outside of school.
There are those that crave isolation, and there are those that are forced into it.
But oh, to be isolated in a world full of mysticism.
To be the assistant steward, the pet daycare worker, the pool attendant, the teenaged free agent utilized however Big Mama saw fit—but also free enough to learn of the Hidden City and its inhabitants, cultures, and laws—
There were times when you’d forget about being completely cut off from a normal teenage life, where you would have little, fleeting thoughts that Big Mama had given you a gift hidden within the chains.
But you were still alone. Fraternizing with Big Mama’s human pet was strictly forbidden. Sure, you sidestepped that rule with the best of them, made a few acquaintances your age, but never any that could or would stick around. You learned often, adapted, and changed. And hadn’t noticed it much until April pointed it out.
“Dang, girl! Where’d all this extra confidence come from? Don’t get me wrong, you always handled yourself, but this is that new new.” April said with her usual jubilant energy. “I like it!”
You did too, to an extent. Highschool bullies? You’d seen worse, fought worse. Ugly is ugly in any living being, but mystic ugly had instilled new tactics within your repertoire.
“Well,” you chuckled, a little self-conscious under the scrutiny of your friend and peers, caught in the moment, “customer service changes a person.”
And, for better or worse, a changed person you were.
However, the Great Oozesquito Debacle was highly concerning, given the repercussions it could and would have on unsuspecting people. During your time traipsing around the Hidden City, you’d never seen someone turn into a yokai. Stanley, though—while you felt bad for poor Stanley, he certainly did himself no favors in the situation.
Regardless, you couldn’t, in good conscience, let Big Mama have her way without at least trying to stop her. So, upon meeting the boys, then the 'unlicensed amateur' bug catchers, while you hadn’t thought much of them, throughout their bumbling transaction with Big Mama, you did what you could to assist as discreetly as possible.
While the troupe escaped without so much as a word to or from you, you remained curious, as they seemed to be around your age, and amusingly prone to trouble. Given the opportunity, you’d be able to identify the blue masked turtle yokai, Leo, but he’d not seen hide nor hair of you.
You hadn’t really expected to see them again since you’d never encountered them in either of the Cities. You definitely hadn’t expected to meet them again via April—however accidental it was.
Many nights later, you’d spotted, or rather, heard her, on your way home, tucked away in one of the more secluded basketball courts, and stopped by to say hello, only to recognize everyone else in her group too. Leo’s gloating a dead giveaway.
They’d all tried excuses and diversions, all fair attempts if you were anyone else, but you weren’t having it. “You know these goofs—you’ve known these goofs?” You’d all but yelled incredulously at April, snorting to yourself at their irate grumbling in the background.
“You know these goofs?” April countered just as loudly, but whereas you looked amused, she looked highly concerned.
“I mean, not really?” You shrug, then giggle and jab your thumb in Leo’s direction. “Blue and I shared a moment though.”
Leo squints in turn, taking you in suspiciously. For what, you don’t know, since he’s never seen you before, but then it clicks, and his eyes go wide as he gasps. “Intercom girl?”
It’s not exactly a flattering title, so you give them your name, and smile a little wider.
“Wait, you work for a crime boss?” April injects, worry still written on her face.
With a sigh, you nod. “Yeah, let me tell you about it.” Honestly, it feels nice to get it all out.
Nice to feel less alone.