Chapter Text
“Aren’t you excited to see the snow?" Enjin asked, plopping dramatically, making himself comfortable in the chair beside the albino.
The kid in turn just shook his head, still staring at the soft winter garments in his hands that he had recently received from August. "whazzat?”
"You're kidding?" Enjin propped his feet up on the table, which Semiu in turn gave him a death glare to which the former acted to not notice.
"It's basically just rain but softer and colder." Zanka seemed to be fed up with the ongoing conversation and decided to answer the question himself.
“That had a name?" Rudo had now shifted his gaze to look at Zanka.
Zanka sighed, standing to leave the room.
"Are you two just messing with me?" the Shpereite asked, looking annoyed at Enjin.
"Enjin, if you don't get your feet off my table I’ll be sending some paperwork along with you" The secretary had been patiently waiting for him to notice the death glares she had been sending his way for the past hour.
"And just because the job is going to be simple doesn't mean you can slack off or make everyone else do it."
"Oh come on, Semiu, all we gotta do is look for any signs of trash beasts or raiders; that's basically a walk in the park, so why not just make the most out of it?"
“So, would you like me to put the paperwork in a file or a binder, I’ll even give you a few pens in the goodie bag so there is no excuses.”
——- - ——-
The hallway outside the dinning hall is cold, not really freezing, just the kind of uncomfortable, it was still early but that didn’t seem to stop the cleaners from being up and about at such a hour, supporters were cleaning gear and some of the cleaners were packing for there own small trips or jobs.
I hugged the winter outfit to my chest and started a faster pace down the annoyingly long halls, Gris had ran past me a minute ago with a box in his arms on his way to the van being loaded up front.
Everyone seemed already packed but I had been procrastinating and since I was in the med room area for a few days I didn’t have as much time to prepare like Zanka did, who had proudly stated he was already packed the day we were given the information to the trip.
I got to my door and tried shuffling the clothes so I could reach the knob, thankfully I never lock it so that makes it easier and Riyo would agree, maybe I should start locking it.
What on earth am I even supposed to pack? I know I have my outfit but it's probably best to not only bring that and wear it every day, all day.
Honestly, I only have a couple of casual outfits, maybe I should use the leftover money and buy some clothes while in the city. Maybe I should just ask Riyo or August to go with me since they're good at that kind of stuff.
But that didn't help my current predicament, wasn't Zanka the same size as me?
God, asking him would be so embarrassing, but wearing the same smelly clothes for a week straight would be even more awkward.
Well, might as well go ask now and get it over with.
What if he says no? That would be so much worse! Then I really wouldn't have enough clothes, and I'll be sitting in the van next to him.
"Hey brat, ya better be ready soon, or I'll tell Enjin ya ain't coming."
Well, last time I checked I didn’t make any demon summoning jinki, but I didn’t even have enough time to figure out how I’m gonna word this, damn it.
"Well, um I don't h-have, I was wondering, since I-I can't, maybe you could-"
God save me!
"Spit it out, will ya? "
Zanka had taken a few more steps into the very crowded room, looking more tired than anything, but to be fair, it is 7 in the morning.
Apparently, the North Ward was about a 10 hour drive, seven if Enjin drives, and twelve if Gris drives.
"I don't have enough clothes."
God dang it.
"Well, just say that, dumbass; I have some extra clothes that are too small anyway."
Wait, what? Did he say?
"Just stay here, and I'll bring ya them; just finish getting packed so we can leave soon."
And he left me.
So that went better than I thought it would, the conversation made the corners of my mouth twitch.
Guess I should just finish packing what else is are normal things to bring anyway? It’s just clothes, right?
Maybe some things to fix on the road, I had a few gifts for others I need to finish up.
I wish I could bring them all, but Enjin would throw a fit if I did.
Hopefully, the inn they are staying at will have some bandages and ointment, I kinda ran out and don't have enough time to go across to the med area for some.
"So I don't really need any of these anymore, so you can just keep them. you're almost done, right?"
"I don't know what all to pack, it’s just clothes, right?"
And some treasures (junk), and candy, but he won't be telling anyone that.
"Clothes, shoes, and pray tell me you put a toothbrush in there?"
What the hell's a toothbrush? That sounds made up.
"Ya know, the plastic green stick in the bathroom used to clean your teeth."
Oh, I've been using that to clean my treasures, it's good for the smaller detailed ones.
"Are you freaking kidding me? Fine, I'll pack extra; man, you're a handful."
He just turns around and leaves in a very Zanka fashion.
Maybe I really should thank Guita for teaching me the puppy dog eye technique, Zanka seems to 'cave easy' according to her lesson.
Right. Time to get the rest and go.
Regto had taught me how to fold clothes, saying something along the lines that women (and men) find it attractive, and it's good life skill points.
But everyone was in a hurry, so I'm just gonna throw them in and just organize it when I get to this 'inn' place.
Throwing the bag over my shoulder and running out of the room to the van parked outside, we aren't leaving until 7:50, and it's only 7:42, so why on earth was that jerk face even rushing me?
He's not even here yet!
"I'll take your bag, kid, Tamsy and Follo are already in the van if you want to hop in." Gris was gently taking my bag from gloved hands and setting it in the open back hood.
Opening the car door looked like an entirely different vehicle; blankets all over, with some being folded but most just scattered around, and the heat is apparently on full blast, making it warm and cozy, a snack chest placed in the middle with oh my god, candy.
Attempting to grab them only to be picked up and thrown over the middle row and into the far back seats, landing in a pile of blankets.
"Enjin, you shithead! Give me them!"
Enjin just smirked and plopped unceremoniously onto the passenger seat up front. Follo was sitting in front of me, and Tamsy was to my left.
"I'll give you some slowly throughout the ride so you don't get sick."
"Follo, you traitor."
Gris went to sit in the driver's seat, casually messing with the radio to something quieter.
Zanka ended up showing up right on the dot with Riyo by his side. He sat in the middle seat in the back next to me and Tamsy, while Riyo sat in the middle seat across from Follo, already making small talk with Enjin.
"Alright, everyone set and ready to go?"
With that, the van drove off slowly from the cleaners' base.
This was honestly kind of nice.
Follo was looking out the window, Riyo and Enjin were talking about Gris's crappy taste in music, Zanka was now using his staff to grab a snack from the snack bin in the middle seat aisle, and Tamsy was reading a book that looked to be about psychology.
Everything felt nice, warm blankets and the white noise of the commotion going on around the vehicle.
Maybe I could just close my eyes for a second.