Chapter Text
Jabber wasn't a sneaky man in the slightest, nor was he the quiet type. Yet, despite all odds and possible inconveniences that could be caused by the dreadhead, he was the one chosen by Zodyl to accompany Cthoni to scope out the Cleaners while they were on a mission to clear out some trash beasts. He wasn't even told why they were looking out for information on the Cleaners- well, he was, he just didn't pay attention. Jabber couldn't be too pressed though, after all, if he was going to scope out the Cleaners, he got himself the chance to stalk a certain blonde and brown haired man on company time! Man, what are the chances? He must be up on his luck today! He stuck his tongue out in delight, thinking about his Cleaner counterpart.
Luck was not on his side.
When the time had come, the dreadhead had excitedly popped out of one of Cthoni's portals, feeling very thrilled already to see his rival regardless of the sharp peices of trash that littered around in this polluted zone. Besides, Jabber's motto was 'The pointier the better!', just more stuff for his perfect Zan-zan to slam him down into, after all!
Jabber was more than ready to just forget all about the plans he had been told and just skip over right to his beloved, only to be stopped with a crushing grip to his wrist when he tried to do so.
"Don't go off causing fights." Cthoni said, her head poking out of the manhole still behind him. "I'm serious here, we're here to scope them out so stay down, got it?" She warned him in a cold tone, her sharp eyes glaring holes into Jabber's skin.
Jabber let out a low sound of annoyance- his dear Mr. Bad Attitude was gonna be here and he couldn't even get a good beating out of him? What a bummer. The man just shrugged and let out an uninterested "fine fine, you're no fun." in return.
He turned on his heel, heading towards the Cleaners, this time making an effort to stay low, hiding and sneaking behind trash hills and stray peices of rusted steel and rotting wood to avoid being spotted. Its not like he could be easily seen anyway, this area was filled to the brim with hidey- holes and tall peaks. Hills made out of waste covered this No-Man's Land, forming high peaks and platforms to low dips and valleys. Looking out to the distance would've even seemed scenic if not for the fact that all of it was nothing but trash- that Sphereite pipsqueak would probably like it though, he's heard from Zanka that the kid likes trash.
Cthoni and Jabber had already discussed stuff ahead of time. They knew by now that when it comes to cleaning up trash beasts, the Cleaners liked to split themselves in groups, so of course, Jabber chose to stalk out the group Zanka's in, or rather- the one Zanka should've been in. The dreadhead was shook when he searched all around yet he found not one trace of the man he was looking for! No matter who he followed, who he listened in on, who he stalked, Zanka was no where to be found. He spent an abnormal amount of time seeking him out.
Seriously? First not being able to pick a fight, and now not even getting to see his favourite rival? Ugh, today's such a bad day. His shoulders sagged in disappointment as he looked around for any possible clues.
Still, that's unusual. He knew the blonde well, his Zan-zan isn't the type to sit out missions, no matter how small they may be. Needless to say, when he heard the name "Zanka" fall out the lips of the yellow haired guy with the umbrella, his attention was drawn like a moth to a flame.
Ducking behind a peice of metal sticking out of the trash covered ground, Jabber listened in on what the guy was saying- what was his name again? Enam? Enjer? Didn't matter. He was speaking to his choker, the voice of a seemingly nervous, stuttering woman barely reaching Jabber's ears in response.
"...How's he holding up?" The umbrella guy asked, leaning on the side of the car they came in as the others were finishing up, some already ready to leave.
"Oh... uh- his fever's gone down a bit, b-but he's still pretty sick! The bacteria from the water in those wastelands last time really shook him up..." The lady on the other end spurted out. "...I-I'm sorry- I couldn't get all of it out of him..." She added in, Jabber held back a bored groan.
"Hey, You did good, Eishia. Thanks for looking after him while we're gone." umbrella man responded with an overly optimistic tone "We'll stop by Alice's to get you guys some more medicines, we're passing by there anyway and..." His voice trailed off as he got into the car, slamming the door behind him as the car began to drive off, wafts of toxic dust flying into the air as the car left tread marks on the ground.
Jabber's brain worked out the information he got from eavesdropping. Zanka's... sick? Jabber could laugh right now. There's no way a measly illness could stop a force like him, he'd keep fighting even if he knew it would kill him. It's one of the many things Jabber liked about the guy. But, then again, those two seemed pretty serious about it, the part about the wasteland particularly caught his attention. Jabber had heard about the Cleaners beating a pretty big beast a day or so back in a No-Man's Land a bit far from here, maybe that's it?
Welp- Jabber shrugged. He'll just have to check for himself, it seems.