Chapter Text
“C’mon Riyo! It’s been a week now! Can’t have you holin’ up in there forever. There are people who wanna meet you yknow?” Enjin called through the door knocking is he did.
It had been a week of this and Riyo was just about tired of it.
Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and imagined a perfect world where she could be having breakfast with her mother and father. She imagined places she would much rather be than here
With a huff she opened her eyes and shot up from the bed she had been sleeping in. She donned her holster and gun making sure to keep it hidden but accessible.
She looked down at the scissors.
Her vital instrument.
She couldn’t seem to understand just why they were. If anything they held her back.
In the dead of night away from the possibility of prying eyes she had trained with it.
They were heavy and difficult, hardly stealthy. They didn’t mesh well with her at all.
They made it all the harder to kill. Ironic considering it’s basically two giant blades she’s swinging around.
The scissors were the antithesis of all that she was. All they could kill were the trash beasts and she’d wager even that would be difficult to handle with the sheer weight of the metal blades she had to lug around.
Even though they made it harder they still held a place in her heart and represented something to her. She supposed that’s why they had even become a vital instrument in the first place.
The scissors were a gift, the only tangible memory to a time that held the warmth of family.
A memory she stained with blood.
A memory that will never be stained with it again.
Maybe it finally became a vital instrument because she became determined to keep to clean. To stop staining the blades with the blood of strangers. Maybe these objects did have a soul, maybe she had saddened it by making it the witness to endless the violence she wrought.
Maybe it didn’t become a vital instrument then because its only purpose would’ve been the indiscriminate destruction of human lives.
Despite her turbulent thoughts and disheartening memories she kept her face neutral and snatched the scissors, quickly shoving them into a pouch like they had burned her.
She opened the door as Enjin went to knock again. There was a moment of silence where neither of them spoke or moved. Just stared.
She liked those moments better. She didn’t have to do anything more than she knew how to. She can’t mess up looking like she can mess up a conversation.
“Finally out of your room, huh? Well I’m glad you are. C’mon, there’s some places I didn’t get to show you before you ran off to your room.”
She stepped out and Enjin patted her on the back. She frowned at that.
He must’ve noticed because he only got one pat in before stopping. She spared a glance up at him as he cocked his head, signaling that she should follow.
Deciding that there was no better option she trudged behind him. She kept a safe distance, if he turned to attack she could react fast enough.
“Now this is the pisser, second most important place here!” He laughed and pointed at the door.
“Uhf-!” She ran straight into his back.
“Gotta watch where you’re goin there Riyo!” His hand hovered for a second but he ultimately put it down. Riyo almost appreciated it but was too caught up in scolding herself for imagining each scenario while not paying attention to the real scenario playing out.
They moved on quickly enough and moved onto what Enjin considered the most important place.
The cafeteria.
What was she expecting?
There was a small gathering of other people there though she couldn’t discern what their roles were.
They could’ve been anything, supporters, cleaners, healers…. secretaries? She quickly ran out of ideas on just what jobs the cleaners had within their ranks. Did they have intel gatherers? Spies? Did they have a specialized group for human targets? She ditched the last idea, Enjins insistence that she never even draw blood again disproved it. If there were such a unit he would’ve immediately put her in it.
“It’s a lotta people I know! Let me give you a rundown on who you’re looking at here.” Enjin began pointing towards people and gave her their names and their roles.
There was Bro Santa, Dear Santa, and Guita. They made up team child. If they attacked her she may stand a chance but she’ll have to play her cards right with the adult. Maybe she would be better off running.
There was Team Eager consisting of Delmon and Tamsy. She wasn’t sure she could take them both. Apparently the smaller of the two had a vital instrument including string and the other had a long range weapon. She should run if she has to fight both.
Then there was Team Danger with Otto and Epalte Adderoy and apparently 3 other members that had other business at the time. Though the name and vital instruments of the pair were imposing she may have the upper hand in terms of mobility and stealth. Maybe she could take them on.
Lastly was a supporter, Gris. Thought his strength was worth caution she was sure she could win in ranged combat.
She was practically overloaded with information as he began describing those who did not attend…
Elisha and August Stilza…. Sikage… Semiu… Follo.. She could feel her head spinning.
She must’ve mentally checked out for some time because by the time she was back and aware she was walking out of the cafeteria with Enjin and Gris who had finished his food and decided to join.
“….and feel free to grab some food later! I know you said you weren’t hungry but, no offense, you look like oh could get some meat on your bones kid!” Food? Did she say that? She hardly paid any mind to the actual sentence or how Gris slapped his arm with a look as she struggled to recall what just happened. No memory came to her.
They visited other places Enjin deemed important and finished the tour off with the room that houses the Boss of the cleaners who Enjin said would have to meet with her at some point. She almost shivered at the thought.
Finally they had looped back around to the room she was staying in.
“You’ve had a pretty long day all things considered so you go get some rest, we’ll have more to talk about tomorrow alright?” He yawned and waved as did Gris. She said nothing to either.
She closed the door, locked it, and blocked it with a random piece of furniture. She stood in the middle of the room just staring out the window.
She could easily leave right now. She could go find the car Enjin had used and drive offs d away from this place.
For whatever reason she took a few steps and landed in bed instead of making a bolt for the exit.
She would find the courage to leave tomorrow.