Chapter Text
“Zaankaaaa~” the other jeered, his magenta eyes flashing past his eyelashes becoming barely visible as the dust dies down. “You keep saying you have more in you, so show me.
Zanka was coughing up blood, just moments away from falling unconscious, hand attached to his lovely assistaff, nails digging into the carefully polished wood as if even the other man couldn't make Zanka take care of his most important possession.
the purple eyed man sauntered over, eyes locked onto Zanka's face, observing the blood running down the sides of his mouth, and the flicker of life falling in and out of his eyes. “Jabber…. I will kill you.” Zanka just managed to mutter out before being pricked with mankira.
“I will believe it when I see it Zanka~” the words slither out of Jabber's mouth, making Zanka's hair stand on end. a chill running down his back… the emphasis on every consonant in his name circling in his head, only making him hate the other more.
as the neurotoxin within mankira takes effect on Zanka, making him writhe in pain. Jabber walks away seemingly gleefully to Zanka's altered gaze. The words circling Zanka's mind by this time of the fights between the two men tended to be the same…. “DAMMIT, I was supposed to get him this time.” But this time it was different, the hatred lingered, the grinding of his teeth was audible from the other side of the seemingly silent room
Jabber finds himself alone, in an alleyway, seemingly waiting for someone. he fidgets with his rings admiring their shine underneath the soft light peering over the tall buildings
“you’re late” He snarled
“i know, i know, i got caught up with something on the way here” a dark figure replies from behind the corner
“You better have what I'm looking for.” Jabber said flatly, continuing his admiration of his rings whilst looking for his wallet
“of course, your my best customer, how could i ever do that to you~”
Jabber's head shooting up to hear the dark figure, followed by him shoving something assumedly valuable into the other's chest, and bolting away, laser focused on what he just heard. Locs flying behind him, jabber looks for somewhere to compose himself, his eyes look panicked, darting around to find something that could help him, somewhere he could absorb this information.
the man looks around, eyes finally landing on a run down building to the left of him, windows covered with boards. he arrives at the door, wiggling the handle to get in ‘Fuck, no use.’ he looks at the boarded window, noticing that the board is inside, allowing for jabber to go through the already broken window.
kicking the board down, any others who were calm in the building, are now very caught off guard, hustling to grab any drugs they had as to prevent jabber from stealing them, as if he cares, he has more important things to get high on, like the pain Zanka puts him in.
jabber finally notices why the others are there and covers the window back up, laying down on a nearby mattress. “I don't want anything. I just need a place to lay down and I'll be out of your hair” he mumbles through his hair, shielding his face from any view. He activates his mankira and pricks himself in the neck, then closes his eyes.
Zanka is in the infirmary, Enjin at the foot of the bed just to be there, he thinks it makes Zanka feel better, knowing someone cares ‘bout him.
Zanka would never admit that he actually did like it to Enjin's face, he could never. If Enjin actually knew Zanka's feelings about him…. whatever they may be. He would have to crawl into a hole and die.
“your awful quiet Zan… what's up?” Enjin perks up, looking at Zanka, he seems deep in thought
I HAVE to beat Jabber next time I see him. I have to prove that some mediocre can beat natural talent, first it was…. her- and now it's him?!? that… masochistic freak?
Zanka shudders back into the real world, “What's that Enjin?” he blurts out
“whats up, you just seem very out of it-“ Enjin asks,
“Nothing, don't worry about it, I just need to work harder. im only a mediocrity after all” the other responded, obviously distracted
“whatever you say, im gonna go to grab some grub, talk to riyu and rudo and such, your welcome to join us if you feel up to it” the man got up walking to the door nearby, leaving it just ajar as he leaves
Dammit, he never closes the door behind him, that irresponsible fuck.
"ZanKa"the name, spiraling through the cleaners mind over and over again, making every hair stand on end.... but he simply couldn't understand why? the scene of Jabber perched up in front of the cleaner.. Zanka remembers the way the other man crept up to his side, he couldn't feel it at the time but in retrospect he distinctly remembers the feeling of mankiras claws lightly grazing his skin. That day he just couldn't stay focused on anything Jabber was doing, something about the raider stuck out- it made Zanka hate the man even more. Usually when the two fought it was quick, erratic you could tell the blonde was the only one deep in thought, eyes tracking the raider closely, barely avoiding mankiras deadly wrath. But this time..
"ZANKA!" Riyo burst into the room, practically jumping to the poor boy, Rudo, Enjin and Gris following- not so close behind her.
what is it this time
"Youve been cooped up in here for like DAAAAYS now Zaaaankaaaa, come onnnnnn" Riyo didn't elaborate, but Zanka was fairly certain it was related to some sort of party somewhere nearby
"RIYO! get off of me!” He yelped, Riyo not.. Even actually being on him, just abnormally close. Zanka wasn't used to being close to people outside of combat, and often the others would forget that, he's more used to it since joining the cleaners fortunately.
“Waaah! I'm sorry Zanka!” Riyo jumps back, hollering, finally landing on the edge of a chair nearby, perching on the edge of it not to stray too far from Zanka.
“Jesus guys, can yall quiet down? I'm trying to avoid a headache right now already: thanks to August.” Enjin mutters
“I'm sorry!” Riyo finally settles, “ Zanka, I was wondering if you would be willing to come with the four of us and go to some party nearby? You can say no! But i think it would be a great way to get you outta bed finally, get back into a better mood and get back to it tomorrow? We can train tomorrow afternoon if you would like?” She rambles frantically trying to convince Zanka into joining the group.
If i went up against Riyos jinki, it might be a good chance to fight against someone more well acquainted with.. More styles of fighting
“Sure.” Zanka replied
“You totally do-n–Never mind, YAYY! Zankas coming with guys!” Riyo cheers, Zanka likes to cheer the group up, even if it's to his demise later, he really hates going to parties, but he knows Riyos right, he should really stop sulking in the infirmary.
Is Rudo smiling? At Riyo? I didnt even know he could smile…
“Guys… Zanka cant come with if he cant change? Lets go” Gris perks up, leading everyone out of the room
There's a quiet nod between Gris and Zanka as the group shuffles out of the room. He's never been very good at speaking up about his boundaries, and Gris has always noticed Zanka's discomfort, he's always managed to do that with everyone… Gris was always good at that, He admired that about the man.
Finally, I can get back to what I was thinking about… Jabber-
He got out of the infirmary cot and started walking to the dresser across from the cot.
I wonder if he might be at the party-.. Wait what?
The dresser drawer opening, he finds his uniform, now mended and cleaned, he begins changing
“I hate that crazy motherfucker.” grumbling as he struggles with his uniform he'd like that wouldn't he Zanka… pushes the thought away.
The man grabs his lovely assistaff before leaving, caressing the delicate wood and frowning at the blood on her bandages. Zanka sets down his lovely assistaff deciding today may not be the best day to bring her. Plus- she needs to be refinished before she can see another fight, she got pretty beat up when he last saw jabber and he had to rectify that.
He walks out of the room meeting up with the rest of the group, they walk out to the car as Enjin bickers with Gris about who gets to drive.
“Enjin can drive there as long as Gris drives us back.” Zanka perks up, deciding to avoid a pissed off Enjin, BEFORE they even get to the party.
“Im fine with that” Riyo chimes in
“Ditto” Rudo, eyes fixated on Riyo.
“Fineeeeee! I concede” Enjin harps, "I've been out voted. But at least I GET to drive!”
Gris ends up shaking his head, chuckling at Enjins's comment.
They get into the car and head to the party.