Chapter Text
The sun had long since set at the Cleaners’ HQ, their ensemble drifting to sleep, yet Follo couldn’t stop thinking. Wandering over to his balcony he wondered what would help him sleep… Maybe some warmed milk? Tea? A pat on the back? Something soothing, although his mind drifted to the exact opposite.
A light skinned man with a jagged snarl-toothed smile & at least 12 piercings. The same man with long wicks adorned with gold cuffs that contrasted his matching jinki, 10 silver rings. His silhouette lingered in Follo’s mind, his distinctive appearance making him oh-so-distinguishable in a crowd.
Usually Follo doesn’t really pay much mind to opponents. These same “enemies” were just stepping stones for him to prove himself. Even though this particular stepping stone perplexed him. A walking paradox.
Follo had never been so confused in his life. Thousands of thoughts running through his head. Too many things were living rent free in the boy's head. He had hoped the cool winds would blow some of these lingering thoughts away.
Away from his relationship with his shiny new vital instrument, his shiny new status as giver, a lingering crush on a certain staff user, Jabber…
Wait.
Jabber?
Jabber..
JABBER???
“Why am I thinking about him? What’s so special about Jabber of all people..” Follo continued to mutter, leaning over his balcony and putting his head in his hands.
“Ion know dude, you gotta hate boner or sumn?” Jabber responded, observing Follo as he yelped. The older taking a double take and jumping back.
“HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THE— HERE??” Follo whisper-screamed as Jabber continued to smile mischievously while consistently staring at him.
“Don’t even worry about allat!” Jabber quipped.
Follo stared back in bewilderment, his irritation growing. Follo dragged his hands over his face, groaning. “You have to leave.” Follo gritted his teeth glaring at the younger boy.
“Nah, I won’t.” Jabber’s face & voice hardened, Follo gulped.
“Yes you will.” Follo responded.
Follo had barely reached for Alan before he felt his vision blurring and a drop of liquid streaming down his face.
“Oh no..” Follo slurred before dropping to his knees. He would’ve slammed his chin into the floor if it hadn’t been for those claws keeping him upright.
Jabber observed the older boy, holding his chin. Jabber fantasized about just how fun him & Zanka fighting would be.. Now that’s a great idea.
“Damnn.. you ‘bout to sleep goood tonight, huh?” Jabber whispered into the Black-haired boy’s ear. “Well, I gotta go, so.. Maybe you’ll be stronger.. uhh.. next month? Buh-bye!!” Jabber leaped off the balcony leaving Follo on the ground.
What the actual fuck just happened.
Follo could feel his rage growing as he begged his body to cooperate, to move, to do something, but to no avail. Whatever he had been drugged with confused him and so did the lightskin’s words.
“Stronger?” “Next month?”
Follo nearly laughed at the sentiment, feeling his consciousness slip away as he fought back tears. He felt like shit. He might as well be shit especially since he can’t go up against someone like him. You’d think becoming a giver would make him stronger and yet he’s still average. He’s still boring & he still amounts to nothing. He’s still just Follo.
No.
Hell no.
Follo had decided.
He’d decimate that raider tomorrow.
~~~
It'd been a peaceful night for Zanka, uneventful but thankfully peaceful. The ashen-blonde meditated in silence before hearing continuous taps at his window. Opening his eyes in annoyance he glanced at it only to see a certain raider grinning in front of the glass.
Zanka could’ve sworn he ascended to the sphere upon seeing Jabber but he decided it’d be better to ignore him all together. Jabber frowned as Zanka closed his eyes, seemingly climbing away. Not before giggling like a mad man anyway. Zanka sighed, hoping, praying he’d leave him alone, unlike the other times this freak had tapped the glass at his window. Unbeknownst to him the raider had opened his window and slipped in.
“HEY!!! ZAN-ZA—“ Jabber was cut off by a hand on his mouth and an undignified yelp leaving the other’s mouth.
“Why. The actual FUCK. Are ya here??” Zanka whisper-screamed. “It’s the middle of the night, stop yelling you dickhead.” Jabber only giggled in response to being pinned by the younger boy, before licking his hand.
Zanka groaned in disbelief, wiping his hand off on the raider’s uniform, glaring at him. Jabber only grinned in response, staring at Zanka once again with a malicious grin.
“Soo, y’know your little buddy? What’s his name? Fugo? Fernando?” Jabber mumbled in deep thought, humming quietly trying to recall a certain black haired boy’s name.
“What’re ya yappin’ about?” Zanka sighed, clearly exasperated by the raider’s shenanigans.
“The pretty one! With yellow eyes ‘n black hair?”
Pretty?
Pretty..
Pretty.
Zanka was seething, attempting to keep his expressions under control. How was he supposed to compare if Jabber’s calling Follo pretty. Had they ever met? How did they meet? Did he know him? Did he like him? What if he—
Nevermind that, whatever. It’s not like he wanted him anyway..
“Soo.. I was wonderin’.. how about we fight tomorrow? All three of us!” Jabber added, an oddly excited tone lacing his throat.
Oh.
Yeah.
No, that's fine.
Everything is fine.
Zanka could feel his eye twitching, his neutral expression fading with it.
“Do whatever you want, go fight Follo, or somethin’.. I ain’t comin’ though. You geniuses would probably smite me.” Zanka’s response was a subpar attempt at sounding as neutral as possible.
Jabber’s smirk faded almost immediately as soon as he heard Zanka didn’t want to come. He noticed the difference in his tone too, along with the tell he does when he lies. He avoids eye contact, but why would he lie about not caring? The raider wondered what he even meant by that, why was he jealous?
Mr. Bad-fucking-attitude was jealous of.. the other guy? Maybe the two of them are fighting is what he’s jealous about? Jabber’s expression darkened as he responded.
“Whaddya mean you ain't comin?”
“I ain’t goin’, simple as that.”
“What made you think you had a choice?”
Zanka looked towards the other boy, who was now staring at him with such intensity. Zanka had never seen Jabber look so serious about something. Everything concerning him was always such a joke, & yet he’s freakishly angry about him not showing up to one fight?
“Why do you want me to come anyways? Im sure you two would have a riveting fight. Right up your alley for a masochist like you.” Zanka murmured, attempting to avoid Jabber’s stare.
“Because I want you with us.” Jabber murmured, leaning backward.
“Hah?” Zanka turned to him, a perplexed expression crossing his face.
“Nuthin’.” Jabber responded quickly. “Just remember to meet up wit us, kay? And if you don’t.. I’ll drag yo ass over my damn self.” Chills danced down the younger boy’s spine as he nodded begrudgingly, his body alerting his fight or flight response. “Okay! See you Zanny!”
Zanka sighed, putting his head into his hands, contemplating what the hell he just got himself into. And why the hell was Follo of all people involved?
~~~
The next morning Follo woke up to a greeting from the ground notifying him he’d be stiff the rest of the day. The only proof that last night was in fact not a dream was the small knick that he had left above Follo’s eyebrow. As he got ready he could tell the pain would linger alongside his chronic pain. He groaned, his arms still numb & slightly tingly from whatever he had inflicted upon him.
Jabber. Jabber Wonger.
That man went by a lot of names.
“Freak.”
“Masochist.”
“The raider with the claws.”
That same man couldn’t have been serious about his idea of meeting him, was he? The idea had him recalling his dream from when he had been poisoned.
“Yer flushed Follo.” A voice came through, supple and oh so sweet.
And yet, here stood Follo, by his lonesome facing this man, his claws in tow. His unfortunate nightmare had become a sort of deja vu, this predicament should’ve never happened. It was supposed to be a simple recon mission as Enjin had called it. Follo had just become a giver with no real experience to call himself anything but a beginner.
He himself knew he wasn’t anything special, he was always just a guy.
Just a supporter.
Just Follo.
And yet, he’s ready to challenge those odds by facing this freak. Follo drew in a few too many breaths, trying to calm himself & yet the raider still seemed so giddy.
“Yo… you the guy I met last night! Aren’t you a noobie or sum?” Jabber inquired, his voice lilting as he dragged his feet closer.
“What’s it to you?” Follo shot back, “I don’t know what information you want, but you won’t find it with me.”
“Feisty… I like that in an opponent.” Jabbers mouth quirked into a jagged smile as he leaped at the black haired boy. Follo quickly drew Alan out transforming him into his newest version as Jabber summoned Mankira.
Follo blocked the dreadheads first slash and jumped back. Jabber began to dash around Follo running circles around him as Follo attempted to track him with his eyes.
Jabber jumped at his opponent, throwing a combination of slashes his way. Follo could barely keep up with somebody like him, somebody so much better, somebody who’s younger than him but already a prodigy, someone like Ru-
“YOU.” Echoing a gruff voice, Jabber jumped back squinting his eyes then grinning as he realized who had just made an appearance.
“ZAN-ZAN!! Mannn how’ve you been? I ain’t seen you in awhile.” Jabber noted with a flowery tone, completely ignoring Follo.
The blonde sighed transforming Lovely, barely stealing a glance at Follo who seemed… pissed?
Zanka barely dodged as Jabber threw himself at the blonde, knowing his way of fighting all too well. The two of them seemed to compliment each other well. Follo simply stared as he lowered Alan. The fight seemed like an over complicated dance, Zanka constantly on the offensive while Jabber continued to block each swing of Zanka’s staff.
Zanka barely dodged one slash, tripping over his own feet. Zanka barely registered what had happened before he had fallen. Just as Jabber brought those claws of his to Zanka’s chest he flew out the way. Zanka peered to who could’ve done that, and there he stood.
Follo. The black haired boy was on the defensive, keeping his ochre eyes glued to the rubble that had fallen atop the raider.
“Need a hand?” Follo teased. Zanka scoffed, his cheeks turning pink in the process. Follo had just pulled him up, before maniacal laughter was heard at the site of the smoke.
“DAMN, DAMN, DAMN. You pack a damn good swing. I never thought a 2v1 could be this fun. Now I know I gotta get serious.” Jabber grinned, transforming his mankira into a gigantic set of claws. Jabber began to laugh & dashed at the two with incredible speed. Lunging at them with his claws.
Zanka played offensive and Follo stood back and provided support to defend against the raider as he began giggling and laughing maniacally, “Y’ALL ARE TOO FUN. CAN’T WAIT TO HAVE YOU ALLL TO MYSELF.”
Both cleaners paused, wondering who he could be talking about. ‘Could it be me?’ Both of them thought, denying this despite themselves. Zanka had paused too long leading to Jabber surprising him, with an upwards slash that led to a cut on his left shoulder. Tumbling back, the ashen blonde groaned and scrambling to get up and grab lovely.
Follo gasped seeing Zanka lying there with Jabber approaching. Running to his rescue he planted Alan in front of Zanka to provide a shield while Jabber attempted to pierce through them both.
“You.. wont get away with this.” Follo grunted using Alan as a shield to protect against his attack. He could feel the stress charging up, he just needed a little longer..
“What makes you think I wont? Zanny’s on the ground, you ain’t done jack-shit, and you’re struggling. Shitty footing too.” Jabber kissed his teeth, obviously irritated as Follo tried to fix it now. “Uh-uh! You can’t fix it now, way too late!”
“You’re wrong. I’ll do whatever I WANT!” Follo yelled deflecting Jabber to a nearby cliff. Gasping for air, Follo directed his attention to Zanka who’d been clutching his shoulder.
“That was incredible.” Zanka stated looking up at Follo.
His blush immediately became evident as he looked for some bandages in his pack.
“Oh, it-it’s nothing. No big deal.” Follo murmurs shyly, bandaging the other boy’s wound. Speaking of the wound, why hadn’t he become paralyzed yet? How was Follo still coherent? How was he lucid? Zanka’s thoughts were interrupted by a question, “You think I actually knocked him out?” The ochre-eyed boy asked tying up the gash.
“Nah, a guy like ‘im never stays down long, no matter how strong ya may be.” Zanka grunts, grabbing lovely, looking towards the edge to find the raider laying motionlessly. Though those few peaceful moments didn’t last for long as he suddenly began to shuffle awake.
“We have to get out of here. Now.” Follo whispered, staring at the nearly lucid man. “I don’t know what he’ll do when he wakes up, but I don’t think I want to find out.” Zanka gasped as he was scooped into Follo’s arms. The two scurried to a nearby hiding place as two figures emerged from the darkness. A short woman with turquoise blue hair and a man whose stare could cut through stone.
“You failed.”
“Who’s that?” Follo asked in a frighteningly quiet tone. Slowly releasing Zanka to stand on his own.
“Zodyl. The boss of the raiders, remember when Team Akuta & Child got captured? He was the one behind most o’ it. Same thing with that manhole woman.” Zanka whispered back watching the two interact.
“Nah, not really I got some good info for—“ Just as Jabber was about to stand he was met with a fierce punch from the older man now known as Zodyl. “I always forget how damn good you punc—“ Jabber was cut off with a barrage of punches to his face, collarbones, and other parts of his body, silence filled that cave. Tension thickened while Zodyl beat him into the ground as the only noises came from the occasional squelches of blood.
As the man stopped, an eruption of giggles broke out from Jabber. The masochist relished in this beating, his body bruised from the consequences of actions that were not his. “Perhaps you need more persuasion.” The older man’s voice echoed across the cave as he began slipping mankira off the younger man’s fingers. The dreadhead stopped giggling immediately as he was held down by the manhole raider.
Zodyl began to stomp on the metal, making Jabber watch through pain and pleasure, the two mixing as his laughs grew louder. A few hicks were heard between laughs as he stared in horror at the sight before him.
“Your weakness has made you vulnerable. When you have strengthened yourself, see to it that you come back to me. So you may aid me, help me, just as I have helped you today.” The boss then stepped into the portal leaving the young raider to stare at his broken jinki. He no longer giggled, the high he felt from the pain was gone. He simply felt numb. Perhaps beholding Mankira all bloodied like himself isn’t such a bad sight, especially for his last.
~~~~~~~
Follo’s shaky breaths finally cut through the deafening silence as the two cleaners stood by each other. Neither brave enough to break the silence nor make a decision. Looking at Zanka’s conflicted face, he decided to make a decision. He’d help the raider if it was the last thing he’d do. He sighed, Opposite sides be damned as he emerged from their shared hiding place.
“Whaddya think yer doing?” Zanka asked, staring at the older boy.
“I don’t know.” Follo groaned. This mess was conflicting, especially with their likely differing stance on the matter. Follo had most definitely heard about the encounters between Zanka and Jabber. Horror stories would be a more adjacent fit, however, his heart felt too heavy simply leaving him to die. Zanka felt the same, especially with his jinki damaged. “I’m going to help him, I don’t know about you, but—“
Zanka interrupted the older boy, “I’ll help.” Follo turned to the staff-wielder as he began walking towards the likely dead raider.
“Zanka,” The younger one turned to face the voice. “I know what he’s done could’ve caused irreparable harm. I understand that and I understand what he did to you. But I believe he should get a second chance.” A blush overtook Zanka’s face as he turned away.
“Thank you, Follo.” Turning back, Zanka flashed a rare smile at the older boy to show his appreciation, unfortunately blinding Follo as he shied away from looking. Quickly nodding while turning his attention to the unfortunate sight before him.
Jabber’s face and fingers were mangled, bruised and deformed. Every orifice on his face had clearly been gushing blood, despite the grotesque appearance, the younger took a deep breath. Follo turned to connect his choker to the Supporters line mentally preparing himself for the questioning.
“Follo! You’re alright, we were beginning to worry about the two of you. Need help?” Gris’ strong voice echoed through the choker as Follo began to speak.
“Okay, don’t be mad,” Follo stated, through the choker Enjin released a long sigh. Letting out a few grumbles, Follo could tell he was exhausted.
“What did the two of you get yourself into? Don’t tell me Zanka was incapacitated by that freak with the dreadlocks.” Enjin sighed.
“Close, but not close enough. More like the other way around and we wanna help him..out. So could you help? Please?” Follo asked sheepishly. He could already predict what they’d say.
“What?! Are you two insane?! You do know about everything that guy’s done, why help him? We ain’t no charity!” Enjin’s shouting startled the rest of Akuta, (minus Shikage) as they began to wonder what the ruckus was about.
“Well.. sort of? I guess.. But if you help us I’ll explain everything we saw. We found out some of their motives as well.” Follo’s initial statement was unsure. Enjin weighed their options before he had decided.
A prolonged silence grew as he heard their leader groan, “We’re on our way.” Follo’s smile became evident in his voice as a sigh of relief came through.
“Thank you, I owe you one! I promise I’ll explain everything as soon as you all get down here.” Enjin sighed as he started directing the group, Follo then hung up to help Zanka out.
Looking at the raider seemingly cold made his heart ache, for some unknown reason. Shrugging the feeling off, the black haired boy began to assist.
~~~~~
“You can’t be serious.” Rudo frowned at the sight before him as Follo sheepishly waved at the group. “What were you two thinking?!”
“That's what I said!” Enjin shouted. Riyo stared at the two boys.
“Dumb and Dumber, I’m telling you.” She grinned.
“No, we ain’t! The only dumb people here are you and Rudo’s fatass.” Zanka argued.
“Right, right. Whatever you wanna believe, bud.” Riyo responded.
Zanka grumbled as he made way for Eishia to check on Jabber’s injuries. A gasp made it’s way through the noise as she began to inspect his possible wounds.
“It seems they broke all the bones in his fingers. I’m afraid I can’t do much without an outlet.. I think we’ll have to transport him to.. hq..” Eishia’s voice was nearly gone as she saw Enjin lose his last marble.
Inhaling deeply, “Fine. We’ll… take the raider… to hq.”
“Can he even be classified a raider any longer? Zodyl essentially left him to die. He even ruined his jinki.” Riyo asked as Zanka looked back at his leader who was debating whether he should nuke the cave or not.
“Does it really matter anyways? Jabber isn’t exactly the most dangerous without his jinki. Those rings are what make him.. him.” Tomme noted taking down some notes about this whole ordeal.
“Kind of crazy the lengths the new raiders’ boss will go to, isn’t it?” Gris drawled rubbing his chin, lost in thought.
“I feel even crazier walking into hq with his crazy ass,” Enjin held his hair, “Semiu’s going to shoot me down.”
“I’m sure she won’t.” Gris hummed to himself.
“No she will, maybe you should too while we're at it.” Enjin was losing it.
“Why would I do that?” Gris asked
“He tried to kill you? And frankly, I’m still not over it. Why should we trust him?” Enjin questioned, staring at the blonde supporter who looked mildly confused.
“Oh, I’ve forgiven him already, it's fine.” Gris stated. And with that same statement everyone gawked at the man as if he had grown two heads. “Everyone deserves a second chance, even people that have wronged you. I haven’t forgotten what he’s done, and I haven’t become lenient either, but this situation is definitely odd.” Gris said as he lifted Jabber on to a medical stretcher. Enjin’s grumbles continued throughout the journey as the group brought the raider to HQ.
The rest of the day had flown by in a blur, but soon Zanka found himself standing outside the medical bay about to open the door. Walking in, the cleanliness and stale feeling of the room had enveloped him before being batted away to bring him back to the reason he was here. He was supposed to visit the same freak who had attempted to kill him. The thought of it was absurd, he’d even brought him a get well gift! Maybe it was too simple? Zanka had no idea what he liked, seeing as they were enemies. And yet, he couldn’t find it in him to hold resentment.
The lightskin’s face was no longer bloodied and instead patched up as if the tragedy had never occurred. His hands were still wrapped in bandages missing a crucial detail. His rings had been broken badly, each having sustainable damage that left them unwearable. Pulling the pouch out his pocket he sat down by the bedside table to properly inspect the set. Thankfully, none of them had been split into multiple pieces nor gone missing but it sent shivers down Zanka’s spine to think someone could do this to a jinki. A giver’s relationship with their instrument could be considered sacred, especially with how they come about. The idea of someone understanding you love and care for something so much and still desecrating it made the ashen-blonde bitter.
“Who the fuck told you that you could touch her.” A voice sounded behind him, seeping with malevolence. Zanka didn’t even notice he had woken up. His presence hadn’t made itself known before that same presence became corrupt. Immediately after, Jabber pounced onto Zanka knocking him to the ground straddling his hips.
“Wait, jus’ listen to m—“ Zanka was interrupted by the raider’s attempt on his life. Jabber wrapped his hands around the other’s throat trying to strangle him
“You must be damned if you think I won't kill you for this bullshit.” Jabber’s voice was gruff, as if it wouldn’t listen to reason either.
“I was tryin’ ta return them! Your boss tried to kill you and basically destroyed ‘em. Remember?” Zanka squeaked out as he looked at the raider who began to recall, slowly standing up to behold Mankira.
“She looks so brittle. All fragile-like.” His voice was oddly soft, intimate in a way. The look in his eyes told Zanka enough, he truly cared for his jinki. Mankira took care and protected him and he protected and took care of her and yet this time he failed. “Why am I here?” Jabber questioned.
“Yer boss probably doesn’t want ya in the raiders anymore. We felt bad jus’ leaving you there so we helped you out.” His expression while explaining was carefully observed by the other.
“Who else was with you?” The question confused Zanka.
“You don’t remember? Follo? The cute guy with the hammer?” Zanka asked.
“Is that how you see me?” Zanka whipped his head around to behold Follo leaning against the door.
“It’s true ain’t it?” Follo blushed looking towards Jabber.
“I guess.. How do you feel so far?” Jabber’s awkward stare left an uncomfortable silence, until he finally spoke.
“I don’t know how to fix her.” Follo peered into the 18 year olds hands to observe the damage.
Follo hummed, looking at the 10 rings. “It’s not that bad. Can I touch them?”
“No.” Jabber held them closer as he backed toward a nook between the nightstand and drawers.
“Oh. Okay. Um I don’t know if you want this but I might be able to fix them.” Follo added.
“Ya can?!”
“Can you?”
He hummed happily while nodding, “My friend’s dad did ironwork and worked on lots of jewelry, he can help them get fixed.”
Zanka huffed in disbelief, “Well damn. That solves a lot.”
“Doesn’t it? He lives in the north ward and…” The conversation flew by in a blur as Jabber continued to look towards Mankira. She shouldn’t be like this. But if he left her with this guy he can’t protect her himself. So what could he do? He squeezed his eyes shut trying to think of a plan that would keep them both safe, and yet he had no idea what to do.
“…abber? Jabber?” The ashen blonde's voice startled him as he looked up at the two having a concerned look on their face. “Were you even listening to what we said?”
“Nah. But I know you ain’t takin’ her by yourself.” Jabber sternly said.
“I wasn’t going to..” Follo’s sigh was drawn out before he continued. “I was asking if you’d come with the two of us. We can clear a trip from the boss and all three of us can travel to the north ward! What do you think?”
Slowly he considered his options before noting, “I’ll think about it.”
“Oh! I almost forgot the reason I’m here.. the.. boss wants to see you.” Follo mumbled.
At that the raider paused before setting Mankira down gently and throwing his hands up. “Well. I’m either gonna get my ass beat, thrown out or I’m finna die. Great.”
“We’ll come with you! If.. yer that nervous. Only if ya want us there though.” Zanka added shyly, looking towards Follo, who slowly turned to Zanka at the statement.
“We??” Follos eyes went wide
“Yes Follo. We!” Follo sighed before getting tugged along by the two younger boys. Walking down the hallway to the boss’s office felt like a slow death. Would he really kill us all if he realized that we took a raider in? Is he mad? Disappointed? Disgusted? Oh sphere, Follo’s head was spinning with the possibilities and outcomes that could come from their betrayal. The two of them are doomed.
Slowly Jabber pushed the door in without knocking, an action both Zanka and Follo paled at. Follo hurriedly knocked in their stead to find their boss Arkha Corvus sitting in his chair looking over reports.
“Jabber Wonger. I understand you’ve come to see me? What purpose do you have here?” Corvus’ voice echoed throughout the small office.
“Not a single one. Got my ass beat, got brought here by tweedle dee and dum and now I’m here. In yo office. Starin’ you down.” Jabber grunted, in his peripheral he noticed Zanka’s eye twitch as if he was fuming, with Follo trying to calm him down. Jabber held back a chuckle at the sight.
“Do you plan on joining the cleaners? We have another one of your colleagues with us as well. I wouldn’t take you for someone who’s loyal to another after they’ve crossed you.” Corvus hummed, analyzing the raider. His body language seemed miserable yet he still didn’t seem completely uncomfortable.
“Ion know. Maybe I’m checkin’ my options first.” He simply looked at the boss who continued observing him. The silence was becoming awkward, before Zanka spoke up.
“We wanted your permission to clear a trip to the North Ward. The purpose of this trip is to fix Jabber’s Jinki. Follo knows someone there who works with iron and is willing to help.”
The boss nodded, weighing the options in this matter before adding to their plans. “You do understand that even if we don’t take Jabber in, he will still have his instrument. If he causes any fatalities within HQ, he will not be allowed to join and neither of you will help him fix his Jinki. Do you understand me?” The two cleaners were evidently nervous, but nodded in affirmation to assure him. “Good. Jabber. We will supply you with clothes, food, and necessities as long as you do not cause any trouble or damage anything or anyone. Understood?” Jabber only nodded in response, his eyes continued staring at the floor. Zanka and Follo shared a worried glance before redirecting their attention to the others. “Excellent, and if you ever need a chat..” Arkha stood before continuing, resting a hand on the ex-raider’s shoulder, “knock twice, would you? I have some business to tend to, would either of you mind giving him a tour of HQ?”
“Yes sir, it’s our pleasure.” Zanka replied. Arkha left with a small smile before closing the door behind him.
“Well, that was easy! Jabber are you ready to—“ Follo chirped before he was interrupted.
“Nah. Fuck that.”