Chapter Text
It was a relatively quiet morning on Sixth Street as everyone prepared for the day ahead. Kids were already lined up for the bus, excitedly chatting about a field trip as the adults lined up at Coff’s Cafe to grab a coffee before heading off to work. Howl, the former stray dog now in charge of the news stand, yawned tiredly as Sjal, a teenager with far too many side gigs, hung up a fresh bone for him. The mundane, peaceful atmosphere made General Chop smile as he silently prepared homemade noodles for his inevitable lunch rush. It was nice to finally settle down after the fall of the old capital and see people, his neighbors, and his community finally make peace with themselves after the disaster.
In a less quiet and peaceful corner of Sixth Street was Random Play, a video store run by three siblings and their bangboo Eous. Currently, two of the three siblings were bickering as they brought in boxes of their latest shipment of tapes. Belle, a blue-haired woman, sat on the brown leather couch in their break room. She had earbuds in, listening to music as she scrolled on interknot looking for any interesting commissions as some reality TV show hummed on in the background. Eous, unlike Belle, was watching the program intently when it suddenly switched to the news.
“... We interrupt your regular programming for this breaking news… A companion hollow has suddenly appeared on Fourteenth Street and has already breached level-three containment.”
The bangboo, originally upset about the abrupt interruption, now listened with excited curiosity.
“The Hollow Investigative Association has dispatched a team to the scene to carry out emergency protocols. Evacuations of residents in nearby blocks is already underway.”
Eous clambered onto the couch, frantically poking at Belle and pointing to the TV to get her attention. “Eh, nah! Eh, nah!” Belle looked at them curiously while pulling out her earbuds to listen to the program. “Huh?” She quickly understood what Eous was getting at and leaned back on the couch to continue watching with it.
“Please stay away from the Fourteenth Street area…”
“Wise, Ves, come check this out.” She interrupted the reporter, calling for her siblings' attention. Wise, who was carrying a stack of videotapes, was attempting to sort through their new inventory and stopped behind the couch to listen in.
“What’s that?” He paused to take in the news, sparing a glance to his youngest sibling, who was awkwardly propping the door open with a raised leg to let two of their bangboo employees follow them like baby ducklings, also awkwardly juggling boxes. The gray-haired man had to hold in a laugh as number 18 nearly ran into the one leg Vesper was balancing on, almost causing them to drop the box they were lifting. “Fourteenth Street? I think the news mentioned it earlier… Give me a sec.” He went to set down the tapes he was carrying and walked to the H.D.D. as Vesper still tried to catch their balance.
“Yeah, in the Janus Quarter,” Belle confirmed, not even looking back at the two. Once number 6 finished walking in, the orange-haired adult let the door slam with a huff as they set their other foot down, fully regaining their balance. They gave the twins a stink eye for not bothering to help them as they walked over to see what was on the TV. “They say it’s already breached level three controls.” She continued, still not looking back at Vesper, who she could practically feel the glare from.
“Wasn’t Pub Sec doing a manhunt in that area today?” Vesper asked, shifting the box to rest on their hip. “That’s got to impede on evacuation efforts.” They frowned.
“You’re right,” Wise confirms. “Says here that they’re doing a manhunt on the Red Fang Gang. Considering their track record, it’s safe to assume that evacuation efforts won’t go to plan.”
“So you’re saying..?” Belle asked with a hint of excitement as she hugged Eous, finally looking back at the two.
“We should get ready,” Wise said, turning away from the H.D.D. to face his siblings' expectant looks, “We’ll be seeing some business coming our way soon.”
“Cool, now we play the waiting game…” Belle leaned back with a satisfied smirk as Wise walked over. Vesper took this time to stack their box on the other two, numbers 6 and 18, brought in before leaning over the back of the couch.
“I bet a thousand dennies Nicole will be the first person running for our services.” They said with a laugh.
“You have no faith in our dear Nicole~ I bet a hundred thousand dennies it’ll be her.” Belle giggled, already picturing Nicole’s dramatics.
“Neither of you has that kind of money to be betting that…” Wise sighed at his younger sibling's menacing behavior. “But if we did, at least bet a million.” Well… Wise can be quite the menace himself.