Chapter Text
“Get out of my cafe.”
In her defense, she was only messing with him. She hadn’t any idea that dear Slingshot would get so frizzed up over a bit of joking around! To be fair though; she had been pestering him since she entered, but that isn’t the point.
The point was that Slingshot was and is very blunt.
“Come on! I was just joking!” Coil sneered. “At least let me get my last order…” She placed a hand on her chest in contempt, leaning on the pristine countertop.
Slingshot glared daggers at her before calling out a “to-go order.”
“Fine. After you get your order, out.” The other pointed at the door.
“Yes chef!” Coil threw him a salute before slumping onto one of the booth lounges.
The cat-like inphernal scoffed, brows furrowed before walking into the kitchen. Vine Staff shortly came out of the same door, taking over the register. Guess he couldn’t stand her anymore even if she wasn’t even talking to him.
Quaint cafes weren’t common in Crossroads despite being “safe.” Crossroads was pretty loud, but when compared to Playground; it was way more peaceful. The atmosphere was filled with clinks of cups and cutlery along with a calming, faint hum. Lighting inside apposed the cool tones outside, it was already late. When she really thought about it, Coil wasn’t that annoying since she went in with Skateboard. She just stayed, maybe loitered around longer. Slingshot really just disliked her presence for no apparent reason.
—
Slingshot walked up to their booth with a plate of cream puffs. “So this is the new recipe I’ve been working on…”
“Try it out, let me know what you think!”
Slingshot announced, sliding the plate to Coil. He had that obvious customer-service tone.
The skater took a bite of one of the cream puffs on the plate along with Coil, muffling out a bunch of noises probably meant to be a compliment.
“S’alright.” Coil stated nonchalantly.
“... Alright??? Just alright???” Slingshot queried with exasperation.
“Yeah… I think it needs more of whatever that filling is.”
“Dunno, would need maybe five more to tell?”
“Are you serious.”
“Yep.”
“Really.”
Coil reclined back into her seat, the cushions creasing underneath her weight. “Customer’s always right~!”
Slingshot balled his fists before they went slack, storming off into the kitchen.
Skateboard dusted off the powder on her hands. “By the way, d’you still need the newspapers? Still paying for your paper when it’s like five bux a week…”
“Yeah, they don’t give me newspapers because I literally live off the grid, helmet head.”
“Dude… couldn’t you just search it up on the internet or something?”
“Nah, it’s filled with propaganda.” Coil waved her hands in the other’s face. “Also it has the crossword. Can’t be missing out on that.”
“Well, you gotta pay for the meal if ya’ want the newspaper they handed out t’day!” Skateboard pulled out a paper from her backpack and brandished it like it was worth a fortune.
The boxer’s arm darted across the table; snatching it right out of her hands. She unrolled the paper like a scroll while Skateboard was basically throwing complaints at her.
“Damn, Biograft attack in Craterdust. Look at this.” Coil slid said ornate scroll across the table.
“Yo… Dude they’re looking for you.”
The bi-coloured inphernal snorted. “What did you think they were trying to do?”
“I’m jus’ saying bro, you gotta be careful.”
“They can look for me all they want, it won’t stop me.” She scoffed.
Skateboard’s eyes wavered. “Alright dude… Just know that I’m takin’ the newspaper if you don’t pay.”
“Fine by me.” Coil stated, hands down.
Biografts in Craterdust? No way. They weren’t that stupid to send them into the centre of Playground, let alone the city right beneath Splintered Skies. Might’ve been around the border, but– “Coil? You lookin’ a bit bemused there.”
She snapped her head towards the other. “Skate, pass me the newspaper again? Also, did you just learn that word? Sounded real stupid.”
“Saw it on the thing. And no way dude! Gotta pay first.”
“Just give me the damn paper.” She scolded.
Skateboard tossed her the paper, “Jeez, here bro.” She paused. “Ya’ not gonna get involved in whatever this is right?”
Her eyes squinted. Sightings of those piles of scrap were all over the city. It was basically a glorified hole in the ground–but apparently Blackrock liked it so much to send their shitty robots there.
Either they loved her or something was going on, and she doubted it was because of her. Yeah, she stole crystals from time to time, but Blackrock wouldn’t send a bunch of Biografts right into enemy territory just because Subspace was being pissy; especially with the whole conflict in play. Plus, Playground doesn’t even care about most assaults. Mainly just because there was a Biograft; it got on the paper. While she was busy scrutinizing the paper; Shuriken dropped off the extra cream puffs.
The skater’s eyes lit up, “Yo, thanks dude!”
“No problem.” Shuriken mumbled, quickly sneaking away.
Skateboard quickly shoved a cream puff into her mouth, spilling powder everywhere. The table looked like a pile of snow.
She snickered. “Your greed sickens me.”
The red-horned inphernal somehow managed to wheeze while having her mouth stuffed. What the fuck? It was weird as hell, but kind of endearing just from the absurdity of it all. Although a bit thrown off from the peculiar situation happening right across from her; she grabbed a cream puff and took a bite.
Rays of light descended into the cafe, creating a warm ambience. It was filled with lively chatter as if it was a familiar family dinner, the light revealing dust particles floating around.
The skater looked around her–and quickly noticed that all of the other tables were pristine while theirs was a mess. She didn’t really want to add another problem to Slingshot’s plate, especially after the whole “s’alright” incident. Even though her hands were still drenched in powder; she attempted to wipe up the table. Instead she just spread the sugar around.
She didn’t realize Slingshot was staring at her while she was scrambling to get the powder off the table–genuinely being so immersed in cleaning it up.
“Skate, it’s alright…” Slingshot placed the bill on one of the cleaner spots on the table.
Coil poked out of her newspaper. “Thanks kitty, could you give me a discount?” A grin crept up on her face. “Especially with all of the effort Skateboard put into cleaning the table.”
“Unfortunately, we do not give out discounts.” He answered bluntly.
“Why not? Make an exception for lil’ ole us here?” Coil rested her chin on her hand, the paper now on the table. Skateboard took her chance and snatched the paper away.
Slingshot’s smile twitched. “Please pay for your meal.”
“Fine, but I don’t got any bux on me.”
Skateboard butt in, “I’ll pay then, y’owe me next time dude.”
Slingshot thanked her and retreated back to his private domicile where he hopefully wouldn’t be harassed again; the kitchen.
Skateboard zipped up her backpack, “Dude, gonna go run some errands wit’ Boom and the fam, wanna come?”
“Nah, gonna stay here a bit longer.”
“Cool, could you get me a box later?”
“No.”
The skater stuck her tongue out at her, before pausing at the door. “See ya’ tomorrow?”
Coil didn’t respond.
—
Maybe the whole cream puff situation was one of the reasons why. She hadn’t even realized she was zoning out before she noticed Slingshot coming up to her booth. Even though he was absolutely pissed earlier; he plopped the box of desserts on the table with a smile.
“Please take your leave.” His brow knitted while his grin didn’t move a single bit.
Sometimes Coil would genuinely get curious about the whole… customer-service act Slingshot always had. “Thanks, Sling.” She sat up, hastily snatching the box, and cruised out of the booth, pausing at the door. “See you tomorrow.”
Slingshot didn’t respond. It was way too easy to get him on his nerves, she swore he got mad at everything. Coil slid out of the cafe, now walking under the flickery streetlamps; on her phone. It lit up with new notifications from Skateboard.
“yo idk if ur still out but i read ur 20 bux a month paper and its kinda crayz”
“som group of playgrounders got busted trying to trespass into the blackrock border or whatever ypu call ot”
“they didnt make it rhrough tho also b careful esp cus ur on the run”
She huffed. That’ll probably make the faction beef up their security, no greater day than the one she planned to restock on crystals, but she could handle it. Though, why would a random group of Playgrounders get arrested, especially when Banlands and the like don’t even have business in Windforce’s territory, let alone public order around there? Craterdust was already a giant shit hole full of crime. Whoever’s covering up all the things Blackrock’s done either did a terrible job or the situation was that sloppy. Either way, it was interesting.
She shoved her phone into her pockets and walked through the roads.
—
The boxer sat down on a patterned train seat–no doubt using the design to hide a bunch of dirt stains. The fluorescent lights made her head hurt, it reminded her of the lights they use in hospitals.
The stars outside eventually disappeared along with the moon, the nasty light pollution and the giant floating island blocking everything in the sky.
Carelessly, she stepped off the train. She’d drop off the box then go home. Maybe lay in the field after.
But then again, she could just bring those home. Coil didn’t need to give them to Skate. After all, she said no. Yet she found her feet dragging her to the familiar apartment.
There were still a decent amount of inphernals walking around; no surprise because she was in Playground. That was short-lived and she eventually snuck into a shady alleyway as force of habit. Trash, cardboard, and other unidentifiable dirt that she didn’t want to identify; were scattered all over the ground. One trash can was particularly pestered with flies, way more than usual, and another had an animal inside of it. She would at least toss it a piece of dessert, but the smell was killing her.
Holding her breath, Coil made it out of the alleyway–taking a deep inhale of fresh, clean air.
The streets were bathed in a cool glow yet the neon artificial signs scattered around the area contrasted with the blue, creating a spectacle of lights.
Gusts blew through the street, sending slight shivers down her spine. The desserts in the box shook from the wind. This was stupid. Skateboard didn’t need these stupid desserts.
She said no.
She passed alleyways one after another, like aisles in a grocery store. There was an unfamiliar glow coming from one of them. A peculiar pink glow in a grimy, unremarkable alleyway.
Her eyes narrowed.
The glow burnt into her vision as she scanned her surroundings. The boxer strolled into the cramped alleyway, ignoring the stale air that drowned the backstreet. Her eyes adjusted to the dimness, the source of the pink light now apparent.
A Biograft, but something was strange about it. The thing was miniature. It was stuck to the wall like a spider.
An amused grin crept up on her face–her saunter transitioning into a jog as she ultimately snatched it off the concrete while her hold on the box faltered. It was evident that it had no defensive mechanics to make up for its size, obviously made for another purpose.
The robot jerked around in her grip as she examined the strange thing.
It had two pairs of horns that extended backwards before tapering upward, multiple pink motifs spread around its body, and a third eye. The Biograft had rubber soles and palms probably made to stick on walls, pretty obvious from beforehand. She twisted it around in her palm as she hummed. Her smirk widened. On its chest was a triangular glass panel with a crystal hidden inside; pointed, blindingly bright, and oh so tempting.
Coil unlatched the glass like it was nothing while the machine seemed to power off. Its interior gleamed; the crystal practically beckoned her to take it.
“CRYSTAL CRIMINAL DETECTED.”
The call-out was stark, mechanical, and like clockwork.
A Biograft. Its silhouette was obvious; lines of orange emanated from behind her. This one could actually fight back. She set the miniature version on the ground.
Coil turned, fists raised with a smirk. Maybe her stroll back wouldn’t be so tedious after all.
The two were veiled in gloom, the criminal and the Biograft’s gears the only source of light.
Her eyes narrowed before taking a deep breath. The box of desserts were tossed to the side–completely pushed away.
She shifted the positioning of her feet before lunging toward the robot. It slashed its glowing sword without hesitation as Coil closed in, just a few inches shy from her rib as she suddenly sidestepped to the Biograft’s flank, harshly grabbing its wrist and tearing it clean off. Wires and sparks spilled out of the robot’s arm, and she flicked the torn metal to the side with a grin. It was completely optional to get into a fight, after all, these things were dumb. She could easily get them off her tail, but it was fun to wrestle with these stupid robots. Snickering, she wound up her fist, aiming for an uppercut.
How would Skate feel after finding out she got into another altercation? That she got hurt again?
She hesitated for a split second–creating an opening. The robot snapped toward the criminal, body twisting to drive its sword into her, burning a deep gash in her extended arm. Blood splattered onto both. She yelped, being caught off guard. It burned like hell, and more importantly, it was obviously going to get called out. The bandages on her arm were torn up with charred edges.
The boxer darted backward in response, her back slamming into the concrete. She was unfocused. Sloppy. She grimaced in pain from the combined damage of the harsh scrapes and the wound on her arm. It charged once again, slashing with an ominous drone, not giving the criminal an ounce of rest. Coil ducked, a searing sensation grazing her horn. The sword struck the wall with intense force–only to accidentally jam itself into the concrete. It was left completely open. Like she said, stupid. She quickly drove all her momentum into her fist, driving it into the Biograft’s chin. It staggered, bluntly falling on its back–and she spent no time stomping down on its head.
She stumbled back, panting.
“Gods, Wolf’s gonna kill me.” She breathed out to see puffs of cold air, leaning her head back on the wall.
All she could see above her and the city was a matte navy blue.
She didn’t have anything to cover up the wound; her hoodie not having any sleeves, the bandages on her arms were torn up, so she had to put up with random jolts of pain. The cold was slowly pricking at her skin while she mindlessly stood there, lips dry from the crisp yet stale air. The boxer glanced at the dessert box.
What would Wolf say? Getting beat up by a singular Biograft?
The boxer didn’t want cold warnings from Wolf. Slingshot and Boombox were in Crossroads. That left Skateboard.
She’d already imagine what her reaction would be.
Treating her like she was made out of glass. A touch way too gentle and almost insulting leading her to the beat-up sofa that she never replaced because she was “too attached” to it. She shouldn’t even be visiting, it was completely optional. She could handle it by herself. Patching her up when she knew she could do it single-handed, constantly pestering her about why she got hurt, softening her footsteps whenever she left to get stuff, her voice and tone dampening in concern.
She shut her eyes.
She didn’t understand how she acted. Doing so much like Coil was a fragile snowflake. Skateboard was too vulnerable. She’d probably put her life on the line for a person that didn’t even care for her–she knew that, but she’d do it anyway. Coil looked at the box once again, lifting it off the floor. Her grip was firm. She stared at the Biograft, kneeling down to pull out her “prized” crystal which was then stuffed in her pocket, brows furrowing. The boxer drawled through the streets; box and machine in hand. There was no way out of this, wasn’t there?
The cold nipped at her fingers as she made her way to Skateboard’s apartment. The air drastically changed from stale and musky to a biting shiver. Lights around her were uncomfortably bright and artificial, basically draining her energy by just looking at them. Her pupils dilated, feet dragging against the concrete. Everything was a blur; her head hurt lightly from the sheer glare of her surroundings. Coil didn’t even realize she’d already arrived at her destination, only snapping out of it once she saw a familiar porch.
There was a singular flickery yet mellow light softly lighting up the entryway. Her fingers brushed against the dusty banisters which smelled faintly of paint and old wood as she climbed up the stoop. The floorboards creaked under her weight; the boxer’s eyes widening at the squealing. It was kind of like a vandalized old cottage–rugged but still retaining a rustic quality from the brown exterior. There were graffiti tags and random scribbles on basically every surface, but one caught her eye–a red throw-up that she could barely read anyway. Cautiously stepping on the dusty doormat, she paused.
She needed to back out. She could handle it by herself. But her hand had a mind of its own.
Coil rang the doorbell as the sound set off alarms in her mind. She laid her head on the wood for a long time, sighing half-lidded before the lights inside turned on. As the door unlocked she lifted her head, putting on a careless attitude.
Skateboard opened the door while rubbing her eyes. “Who…” She blearily mumbled, finally lifting her eyelids. “Coil? Why’re you at my house at like… two in the mornin’? ”
“Mind if I crash here?” Coil drawled as she crossed her arms, eyes finding it impossible to look at the other.
Skateboard looked straight into her eyes drowsily. “‘Course dude…”
She could feel Skateboard’s gaze scanning her; landing on the dessert box then trailing up. Her slight smile quivered for a split second before beckoning her inside. Coil warily stepped inside–waiting for anything, a warning, some type of scolding, or bitter words that she could quip at. Instead there was a hand grabbing at her wrist, not one that would try and send her to the ground in a fight, a gentle hold too intimate; something she couldn’t shake off with a joke.
The skater held the boxer’s arm out, one hand rubbing her knuckles while the other cradled her elbow. Coil stammered internally, a faint warmth creeping up on her face. Skateboard examined the wound with a slight frown. She looked back up, only for the other to avoid the contact.
“Dude…” Skateboard whispered.
She forced out a chuckle. “S’nothing, just got myself in a little scuffle. It had a lotta screws loose, y’know?”
The other looked at her with a strained expression.
The red-horned inphernal took the machine and box to set them on the floor, not letting go of Coil’s hand while she led her to the sofa. They had to step over a few soda cans and clutter scattered around the skater’s apartment while they walked to the living room. Coil sat on the worn couch as Skateboard let go of her hand, her fingers lingering for a beat.
“Gonna get some bandages, stay here, aight?” Skateboard disappeared into the bathroom.
The apartment had miscellaneous junk scattered around the floor and surfaces as expected. The coffee table in front of her had a small stack of papers, a crumpled up soda can, and other things she didn’t bother to focus on. Almost all of the lights were turned off except for the lamp in the corner, radiating warmth throughout the living room. Even though it was a mess; the apartment felt lived-in and comfortable.
The boxer laid back on the cushions finding them to be more cozy than usual, her eyelids feeling heavier with each second she sat back.
What would she say once Wolf asks her where she’s been? At this point she was digging her own grave with one impulsive act after another. It’s been gnawing at the back of her mind the whole night repeating it over and over again to the point where it felt repetitive. Too vulnerable. She needed to pull away. Maybe just this one time. Even though her thoughts were drifting away slowly, the feeling remained, tiny but shrill.
Skateboard emerged from the bathroom holding bandages and sat down next to Coil, peering at her. She waved a hand in Coil’s face without her worry from before, slightly gaining back her playful edge. The boxer blinked at the gesture as Skateboard leaned forward to see her face, smirking. The slight flush from before returned to Coil’s face.
“Hey, m’gonna take these off… You mind?” Skateboard started peeling back the bandages on her arm starting from her wrist; not waiting for an answer.
“Wow, not even waiting for my permission? So eager.” Coil sneered, a bit overstated.
The skater deadpanned though she eventually cracked and sported a grin. “What the hell… Way out of context bro.” She scoffed–shaking her head.
Coil watched awkwardly as the other finally reached the charred area of the bandage. Her tongue was sticking out from the pure concentration she had on removing the gauze gently.
“Gonna hurt a bit…” Skateboard took off the mangled part of the bandage slowly. The boxer winced, squinting her eyes. It didn’t hurt as much earlier, but now it felt like she was getting stabbed all over again.
She discarded the now crumpled cotton, throwing it somewhere on the floor. The wound was deep and the burns didn’t help either by making it look like a part of her forearm was sliced and overcooked. Coil’s arm was littered in old scars, but the one graciously bestowed upon her just moments ago was unmistakably the biggest, covering half of her lower arm. Skateboard pulled out and dabbed the gash with a damp rag then wrapped it in fresh, white gauze.
Coil twisted her arm, testing the tightness of the bandage.
“S’not much, but it’ll do. Ya’ might need to redo it later.” The red-horned inphernal shrugged.
“I might, considering your experience in first-aid.” She tugged at the bandages on her wrist.
“You can’t bash me for my patch-up job when you were just walking around with your arm all sliced up!”
“Just saying…” Coil sneered.
“... So, what’s up with the mini Biograft? Was kinda cool, not gonna lie.” Skateboard questioned after a beat.
Right. She was going to tinker with it once she returned to Wolf, but obviously this… detour wasn’t planned at all. The crystal was still in her pocket and now it was painfully poking her.
“Found it in an alleyway.” Coil pulled out the crystal from her hoodie pocket. “This was inside, easy bux.”
Skateboard nodded, yawning. The room filled with silence, comfortable or uncomfortable. “Dude, just gonna go upstairs for a bit, be back in a minute. Feel free to crash wherever.” The skater spoke.
Coil hummed as Skateboard began to climb up the stairs. The cushions felt increasingly uncomfortable as time went on, though only a few minutes passed. The stale air was creeping in, awkwardly warm–though it was expected because Skateboard had all the windows closed. She stared at the new bandages on her arm as the tightness began to itch and the focus on the wound made every movement sting.
Her eyes drifted around steadily before landing on the backdoor across the hallway.
An uneasy feeling began to build up in her chest. Skateboard was finally gone. She could leave, right then and there, but it felt like her body was on pause. The wait felt like hours; the bandages basically digging into her wrists. Her jaw clenched unconsciously as her fingers dug into the sofa. She didn’t want to leave, as much as she would hate to admit it. Maybe it was finally getting to her. She was growing soft, and she needed to put an end to it. Her legs started leading her to the door.
It was time to go.
She stepped toward the door, hesitantly twisting the doorknob at a snail’s pace despite being in such a rush internally. Coil stepped outside. It was cold, really cold, but she took a deep breath, ignoring the shiver crawling up her spine from the breeze. She could hear the gusts rushing past her ears as she walked; following the wind.