Virgil took his time wiping down shelves, struggling to reach the higher ones slightly, as his shoulders started to act up a bit.

“I guess training caught up to me.” He remarked, stretching it out. “I have been pushing myself a lot more since Sola started working here...I guess she’s a good influence.”

He got back down from the shelf, before the bell for the front of the store rang out, drawing his attention to the couple coming inside, worriedly glancing around.

Virgil stepped over to greet them. “Hi. Can I help you with something?” Virgil asked, as the woman stepped forward.

“Sorry to bother you. We were just looking for our daughter.” She said, gracefully pulling out a photo from her wallet. “We got into an argument and she stormed out on us.”

“We wanna make things up to her.” The man added, holding the woman’s shoulders. “Has she been around here at all?”

Virgil gave the photo another once over. “Not that I’ve seen. I could ask the other shops owners on the street if they’ve seen her.”

“Could you? That’d be greatly appreciated.” The woman insisted, nodding emphatically.

“We don’t know what to do about her. It’s just every little thing can set her off.” The man complained, as the woman batted his arm.

“Come on, dear. You know she’s had a rough time at work.” The woman said, before Virgil handed back the photo.

“Could I get a name?” Virgil asked, as the woman playfully smacked her forehead.

“Oh, of course! Silly me.” She said. “Her name is Jules. She’s got brown hair and wears of a lot of plaid, just like her father.”

The man rolled his eyes. “She makes that joke all the time.”

“...right.” Virgil said. “Leave your phone number and I’ll call if I see anything.”

“You’re an absolute doll. Thank you, really.” The woman said, pulling out a slip of paper from her wallet, before turning to leave. “Alright, we can mark the Abandonal Shop off our li...”

The couple left soon after, as Virgil stared at the slip of paper before returning it to his counter, drumming his fingers on it.

“Well then...”

The couple continued doting on each other, right before they managed to slip out of eyesight, moving themselves into a nearby alleyway.

The woman straightened her back and pulled out a tablet.

“…how goes the search?”

“Solid. We’ve inspected most of the stores in the business district, but she’s yet to be located. We’ll inspect the rest before moving onto the HyperMall.”

“Good. Report back frequently.”

“Understood.” The woman said, before hanging up and sighing out. “We were gonna do that anyway.”

“He’s being thorough.” The man remarked. “Apparently, he was quite disappointed in his staff before us.”

“Guess it means we’re being paid more.” The woman said, cracking her knuckles, before heading back out. “She’s bound to come up. Come on.”

The couple left soon after, leaving the alleyway completely empty, only for Jules to let go of the breath she was holding onto, falling out from behind a dumpster and onto the ground after her legs had given out.

She managed to pull herself back, only to hide away again, before realising they’d already left, giving her a sense of limited relief.

She carefully made her way back out of the alleyway, feeling the lack of food and consistent shelter getting to her, not to mention her reeking outfit she couldn’t get washed.

Her options were slowly dwindling. There were only so many places she could stay…

…if…

…if she wanted…

…

Her attention was drawn to the outline of the Venator Academy, just behind the city skyscrapers, as her options slowly shrunk down to just one.

…I’ve got no choice…

———

“Alright, I’m gonna throw one again.”

“Okay!” Sola nodded, pumping her fists, as Julia threw a disc into the air and kept it motionless in the air with her Whil.

Sola quickly pointed a finger at it, before shooting a small strand of lightning at it, blowing the disc up and scattering its pieces across their area in the training grounds.

The lightning suddenly started to build, as Sola clasped her hand tight, stopping the flow.

“Nicely done! That disc is dunzo.” Julia supported, as Sola calmed herself down. “You’re getting a lot better.”

“I just wish I could stop it for good.” Sola insisted, resting her hands on her hips. “It keeps building, even when I don’t want it to.”

“Well, your cannons seem to keep it under control.” Julia pointed out, picking up another disc.

“Yeah, but that’s not the only thing.” Sola noted, lifting her hands up. “I swear my lightning’s gotten bigger since last year.”

Julia tilted her head. “How can you tell?”

“I can tell.” Sola assured, pumping her fists. “It’s totally bigger.”

Julia chucked the disc up and down casually. “Maybe it’s cause you’re…”

Suddenly, she chucked it. “Getting better!”

Sola zapped it immediately, before realising she didn’t have to stop it building this time, as Julia held out her fist.

Sola grinned and fist-bumped her, as Julia went for another disc.

“Come on, we’ve got a good pace going. I’m go-“ Julia said, just as her tablet buzzed in her pocket.

She pulled it out, before confusedly staring at the screen.

“Who’s calling?” Sola asked, peering over at the screen.

“…Principal Faller.” Julia said, before gulping and taking the call. “…hello?”

“Ah, Julia. Hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

“…no, we’re just doing some training. Did you need something?” Julia asked, before Sola indicated she wanted to listen in, as Julia crouched down so Sola could press her ear to the call.

“Actually, I have a small request for you.” Faller said. “There’s a woman here to see you. Her name’s Jules.”

Julia and Sola both turned to each other and mouthed the word ‘Jules’ in shock, before returning to the call. “H-Here on campus?”

“She’s in one of the spare offices at the moment. I didn’t know if you knew her, so she’s being watched by security.” Faller clarified. “Out of curiosity, does this have to do with what happened at EHM?”

Sola quickly shook her head and crossed her arms in protest, as Julia took her advice.

“Can I tell you in person?”

Julia heard a slight chuckle from Faller. “Good call. I’ll see you up here.”

Faller hung up, as Julia turned to Sola in surprise.

“She got out…” Julia managed, before Sola jumped into a hug with her.

“She got out!!!”

———

“She actually got out.” Harley remarked, staring into the office holding Jules, with her in clearly borrowed clothing and casually sipping a drink. “Holy shit…”

“I’m surprised she managed that.” Wess added, stroking her chin. “And that she came here of all places…”

“HEY!!! HOW’S IT GOING???” Sola shouted out, waving to Jules, as Faller entered their room quickly after, followed behind by Julia.

“She can’t hear or see you. It’s a one-way mirror.” Faller explained, drawing the team’s attention.

“Why do you have an office with a one-way mirror?” Wess asked, as Faller shrugged.

“For times like this.” Faller stated, folding his arms. “We don’t know much about her, but she asked for your team specifically, so I put two and two together.”

Julia looked to the others for confirmation before speaking. “She was at EHM when we broke in. She was working for Wicker and wanted to leave, but had to stay behind so we could get out.” Julia explained. “We didn’t know what had happened and kind of thought…”

Julia left it there, as Faller leaned against a nearby table. “Well, that clears that up.”

He indicated back to her, as she kicked her legs casually. “I tried to get her to talk, but she hasn’t said much so far.”

“Cause she’s mute.” Harley noted, as Faller rolled his eyes.

“Yes, I noticed. I meant figuratively talk.” Faller said. “I don’t think she knows if she can trust me.”

“Well, that’s a good sign.” Julia noted, surprising Faller. “If she didn’t freak out at the sight of you, at least now we know for sure you’re still not Wicker.”

Faller looked a bit unimpressed, before indicating to the door. “Do you guys mind if I talk with Julia for a second?”

The trio looked at each other awkwardly.

“I…guess not?” Harley said, as they soon left the room, with Sola still waving to Jules.

Julia’s nerves started acting up. “D-Did you not like the Wicker comment?”

Faller shook his head. “I wanted to propose an idea. For the team, but you get the most say.”

Julia carefully nodded her head.

“…let Jules stay with you.”

Julia looked a bit confused, as Faller resettled himself.

“Just until Essex gets back from her internship.” Faller said. “I can’t get anything out of her, and since she knows you, you’re our best chance at learning more about Wicker and their operation.”

Faller waved his hand. “And I know you’re already watching Cecil for us, but just in the likelihood that it’s a dead end…we can’t let this opportunity be wasted.”

“S-Sorry, why’s she staying with us?” Julia asked.

“So you can gain her trust. She won’t give up information this sensitive so lightly, especially when she’s not sure who she can trust.” Faller pointed out. “Take the next few weeks to befriend her, show her around, talk a little bi-“

“Gain her…? We don’t have to be that sneaky. We can just show her photos of the staff and see if she recognises Cecil.” Julia pointed out.

“And if it is him, how do you think she’ll react if she finds out Wicker’s here?” Faller noted. “She’ll take the first chance she can to bolt.”

Julia held her tongue, as she agreed to Faller’s point.

“This is our only opportunity to get information about what’s really going on in the Venator industry. If we want any chance of finding out what they’re up to, we can’t just go after someone we think is Wicker. They have resources, and an entire collective working with them. Getting the answer to one question now would be short-sighted.” Faller clarified.

“…yeah.” Julia let out.

“You know her already, right?” Faller asked, as Julia nodded back. “Then she must have come here hoping you would help her. We can keep her safe and get the information we need.”

Julia found herself shaking her head. “Faller, I’m…I’m not gonna befriend her just to get information out of her.” Julia insisted. “It wouldn’t be fair to abuse her trust like that.”

Faller went to raise a point, before massaging his forehead. “…would you do it anyway?”

“Not without being transparent to her.” Julia declared. “She saved our lives. It’s the least we can do for her.”

“…consider it.” Faller asked. “Please. I know it might feel wrong, but we don’t get an opportunity like this all the time.”

Julia nodded solemnly, as Faller got up to leave proper, letting Julia take a moment to look back into Jules’ room, quietly enjoying herself.

…can we even trust you?

———

Rosalind was having trouble balancing herself and her sword on top of Florey’s counter, especially as he tried to get his work done around her. Admittedly, she was staying out of his way, but that didn’t make it any less distracting for Florey.

He tried to keep his gaze on a set of beakers, all with varying amounts of liquid in them, only to catch Rosalind in the corner of his eye, keeping herself busy.

“…so…” Florey started, worried about even starting a conversation with her. “Not to…tell you how to do your job…”

“What?” Rosalind shot back, not looking at him. “You complaining that I haven’t gotten a Wailing yet?”

“…no, no, not really, uhh…” Florey muttered, turning himself back to her. “Is there a reason, at least?”

Rosalind focused on balancing her sword on the back of her hand. “Gelatinous Wailing are stupidly rare, especially one’s that are fully gelatinous like you want, apparently. I get to wait until a report comes in about one so that we can go and capture it.”

“…you don’t…I mean, if you don’t want to hang around here…” Florey suggested, right as Rosalind dropped her sword and gripped the handle. “Like, if you’ve got more important things to do than just sitting here, watching me work, I’m not gonna force you to stay.”

Rosalind sneered. “Right now, you’re my boss.”

Rosalind pointed her katana right at Florey.

“I don’t like it, but that’s what’s happening.”

Rosalind stood up on the counter before walking off, just as Florey quickly went to wipe down where she’d stepped.

“Uhh, Marcus doesn’t like this place getting dirty.” Florey explained, as Rosalind lay against one of the counters.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Rosalind admitted, staring around, before looking at the autopsy room curiously. “Hey. Florey.”

Florey raised his head. “Uhuh?”

“What’re you gonna do with it once you’ve got it?”

Florey’s eyes lit up. “Well, if I get the chance, I want to study its behaviour and some of the traits of its gelatinous nature, and after that, I want to perform a full autopsy on i-“

“An autopsy?”

“That’s the idea.”

“On a sentient water balloon?”

Florey blinked. “Yeah?”

Rosalind scratched her nose. “Gelatinous Wailing dissipate the moment they die.”

“Yeah, I know that.” Florey admitted, going back to his work.

“So do you have a plan to help dissect it?”

“I’m…kinda working on one…” Florey admitted, a sheepishness in his voice, as Rosalind glared at him.

“You told the bosses you could do this without even knowing if you could?”

Florey deliberately kept his back to her, before laughing awkwardly.

“Yeah…but you said they’re rare, so we’ve got plenty of time until that comes up.” Florey pointed out, as Rosalind scoffed and went back to balancing her sword. “You don’t have to worry. I know Wailing biology, this’ll be done in no time.”

“That’s how mental breakdowns start, kid.” Rosalind remarked, now wandering around the lab with her sword. “Hey, feel like balancing this on your tongue?”

Florey stared back at her, trying to make out her intentions.

“You’re joking, right?”

“…sure.” Rosalind replied, sighing in frustration, before heading to the elevator. “I’m getting stuff from my car. If a Wailing’s reported while I’m gone, you handle it.”

Rosalind left right before Florey could ask whether this was a joke as well, leaving him to anxiously debate whether he’d actually have to do that or not.

…where the hell did she come from? Florey wondered, leaning on his own counter. What interesting company you keep, Cecil…

———

“…so?”

Julia stared at the other three expectantly, as they mulled over her question.

“…come on, nothing?”

“We’re just thinking, dear.” Wess insisted. “It’s a lot to consider.”

“I’ll say…” Harley agreed, as Sola nodded along.

“Yeah.” Sola added. “I mean, she’s obviously taking Essex’s bed, but it’ll be kinda awkward to get her out when we need to change.”

Harley and Wess stared at her in confused silence, as Sola blinked.

“What?”

“You think we should take her in?” Julia asked, as Sola nodded emphatically.

“Yeah! Why not?” Sola insisted. “She helped us escape from EHM! And she got us our weapons when the school was being attacked!”

“And she was working for Wicker.” Harley noted, only for Sola to shake her head.

“Nuh uh! She didn’t like Wicker! She wanted to leave with us!”

“I’m kinda with Sola. Aside from the Wicker connection, there’s not much to be suspicious about.” Julia pointed out, as Wess raised a finger.

“What are the odds that she broke out on her own? We saw first-hand how difficult it was to escape.” Wess noted. “And I’m sure someone like Wicker would’ve hired some goons to take care of anyone who tried to leave their clutches, not to mention Rosalind.”

“Rosalind nearly ran us over, and Jules just wandered out one day, after we escaped?” Harley said, shaking her head. “If you want my take, that’s pretty suspicious.”

“But that doesn’t mean we can’t trust her. You and Essex wouldn’t have gotten away if she didn’t hold Rosalind up.” Julia noted. “She saved your life.”

“Yeah, you’re right, and if you say she’s staying with us, I’ll bite my tongue.” Harley insisted. “But I’m siding with big brain Wess on this one. It’s too convenient for me.”

“…the nickname’s unnecessary, but thank you Harley.” Wess said, leaning back into the couch.

“Well, I don’t see why we should turn away someone in need.” Sola pouted, turning away. “I wanna help her…”

“And I do too.” Julia said, before leaning down to Sola. “But Harley and Wess have a point. If we start blindly trusting people, Wicker’s gonna have a really easy time getting to us. I say we give it a day. Think on it, talk with her face-to-face and make a decision then.”

“…fine.” Sola let out, huffing out.

“So Faller wants us because we have a prior relationship with her?” Wess asked, as Julia nodded back. “Well…that’s somewhat gaudy. Frankly, I couldn’t see us abusing anyone’s trust like that.”

“That’s what I was saying!” Julia insisted, joining her on the couch.

“Maybe he really is Wicker.” Harley joked, getting a guilty laugh from Wess. “I guess those’re the tough calls someone like him’s gotta make.”

“…he should still treat her like a person.” Sola reasoned, folding her arms. “I thought he was nice…”

Julia shared a sympathetic glance with Sola, before scratching her cheek. “I think the real question here is should we tell Essex.”

“Ooh, best not.” Wess insisted. “Knowing her, she’ll come back here in an instant and take matters into her own hands faster than we can explain things.”

“And we don’t want to stress her out while she’s travelling alone.” Harley noted. “…I still miss her.”

“It feels weird not having her around.” Sola admitted. “Maybe Jules can fill that void for a bit?”

Sola immediately got an idea and turned to Julia. “Should we get her a suit?!”

“…no?” Julia replied, as Sola pouted again. “You can buy her an actual gift, if you want. You’ve been saving up a fair bit working at Virgil’s place. It might be nice to get her a…congrats on escaping…gift.”

“Oh yeah! I forgot I’ve got money now!” Sola confessed, before staring at the calendar and freaking out. “Oh no! I forgot about my shift today! I got distracted by Jules!”

“Another point in the con column.” Harley remarked, before getting looks from everyone. “What? Am I wrong?”

Virgil stared down at his paperwork, running over a couple expense reports idly, all while the Abandonal Shop saw very little in terms of customers.

This meant whenever the bell the front door rang, it usually warranted his attention, like when Sola came bursting in.

“Hey, Virgil!”

Virgil lifted his head from his counter, as he spotted Sola coming into his store. “Afternoon, Sola. Cutting it a bit close.”

“Sorry. Some personal stuff happened at the academy.” Sola explained, before nodding her head. “But I won’t talk about it cause it’ll sound like I’m bragging about going there.”

Virgil let out a gentle smile. “If you say so. Your uniform’s in the back.”

“Thanks.” Sola replied, hopping over. “Has it been busy today?”

Virgil tapped his finger to his chin. “Not especially. I used it as an excuse to finally clean up behind the back shelves.”

“Nice! Those shelves were so filthy.” Sola let out, walking into the back of the store, before spotting something on the store notice board by Virgil’s head.

She pulled off a photo of Jules, as Virgil noticed and turned around.

“Something the matter?”

“Where’d you get the photo?” Sola asked, facing it back to him.

“Oh. A couple came in the other day saying they were looking for their daughter.” Virgil explained, leaning in as he spoke. “She ran away from home, apparently. Do you know her?”

Sola went to speak, before shaking her head. “What’d the couple look like?”

Virgil thought back on it, before giving an earnest shrug. “Non-descript?”

“…okay.” Sola said, pinning the photo back up, before getting an idea and taking out her tablet, snapping a quick photo.

“You seem pretty invested in the photo of a person you don’t know.” Virgil pointed out, as Sola started to sweat, before he turned back around to the paperwork he was in the middle of. “But that’s hardly my business. Don’t forget to unpack and ticket the new Team Daybreak merch.”

“…gotcha, boss.” Sola said, heading into the back, before sending a quick text to Julia with the photo and an explanation.

It took a minute to get back a response.

Julia [Thanks, Sola. This might’ve just made our decision clearer.]

———

Florey kept his gaze on his beakers, keeping an intense focus on whether any change came about from the mixing of liquids, ready for any reaction that might occur…

…meanwhile, Rosalind lay on top of one of the counters, staring at him in annoyance.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…son of a…” Rosalind grumbled, before banging her fist down and freaking Florey out, getting up right after. “Fuck me, this is boring…”

Florey noticed the beakers shaking and grabbed them to keep them still, before Rosalind jumped up from the table.

“I’m losing it. This is the most mind-numbing…” She groaned, before grabbing her sword and pointing to Florey. “You. Come on.”

“What?”

“I’m hungry. We’re grabbing food.” Rosalind announced, heading for the door, as Florey watched her leave. “I need a change of scenery, and you’re technically in charge. Hurry up.”

Florey’s pupils shrank, as he debated with himself whether he should stay or try and wrangle Rosalind back, before giving into his fear instead and deciding to follow her.

“…you know the worst part of cafes? No candy.” Rosalind noted, grabbing a bag of lollipops from the grocery store shelf. “Everyone insists on going there for chats, but they’ve only got those fancy little desserts and finger sandwiches.”

Florey was desperately trying to keep his cool, as she held the bag up and inspected the packaging.

“…guacamole and salsa flavour.” Rosalind read aloud, scratching her chin. “Huh.”

“H-Hey, Rosalind?” Florey started, nervously glancing around their shared aisle. “Shouldn’t we have told Marcus or Cecil we w-were gonna leave in the middle of work?”

“No.” Rosalind argued, immediately ripping into the bag and briefly freaking Florey out.

“Uhh, you haven’t…paid for those.” Florey muttered, as Rosalind worked at the lollipop wrapping.

“Yeah, I’ll pay for them later, you nark.” Rosalind complained, sticking one in her mouth. “We’ve gotta go past the counter to leave, right?”

Immediately she took it back out, before staring at it.

“What the fuck, why is this good?” Rosalind exclaimed, putting it back in, as Florey tried to distract himself with the food in the aisle.

Aren’t I in charge of her? Shouldn’t I pull rank? Florey wondered, before glancing back at Rosalind’s intimidating presence again. Wouldn’t she kill me for that?

“God, I wanna fuck this bag of lollipops. Why does is taste so fucking good?” Rosalind let out, before spotting the register and grabbing several more bags. “Come on, I’m getting these.”

She started wandering off on her own again, excitedly waving the bags of lollipops around, as Florey thought about following right after her, before deciding to speak up instead.

“H-Hey.” He let out, as she turned around, before he held out another bag of his own. “I…I might as well get one too. While I’m here.”

Rosalind stared at him blankly, before indicating to the register. “Cool. I’m not paying for yours.”

“I…yeah, I wasn’t gonna…” Florey let out, following behind her, as they approached the counter together.

Rosalind got her bags rung up, as Florey went to do so too, all while Rosalind scanned over the perpetually worried expression on Florey’s face, nervously glancing back at her every chance he could get.

“…so…what’s that theory you got about the Wailing?” Rosalind asked, crossing her arms. “The gelatinous ones.”

“O-Oh…” Florey let out, facing her again. “You actually…?”

“I might as well know. I’m working with you for the foreseeable future.” Rosalind stated, as Florey’s face immediately lit up right as he began to speak.

“Right! Well, Gelatinous Wailing are a recent phenomenon, but we know virtually no reason as to why they’ve appeared. However, I’ve got a hypothesis.” Florey prefaced, before grabbing his bag. “Gelatinous Wailing are a mutation caused by a disease in the Wailing.”

Rosalind kept staring at him, not really seeing what he was seeing, before Florey felt he should keep talking.

“Y-You see, Gelatinous Wailing aren’t their own thing. Some Wailing are only partially gelatinous, meaning it’s something a regular Wailing can become. There’s also some kind of correlation with Gelatinous Wailing and ‘magic,’ since all the ones reported seemed to have possessed it, but only in small quantities.” Florey explained, as they left the grocery store and started heading back to the EHM building. “So why is it that Gelatinous Wailing all seem to have at least some ‘magic?’”

Rosalind rummaged around her already opened bag for the other flavour, before popping it into her mouth alongside the other one. “Don’t all Wailing have magic though?”

Florey wagged his finger. “That’s not always the case. Some Wailing just don’t have it.” Florey reasoned, grabbing a lollipop of his own. “Remember that Wailing that attacked the HyperMall a few years back? Apparently, that didn’t have magic of any kind.”

“...oh...yeah. I forgot about that one.” Rosalind said, scratching her nose awkwardly. “Guess it isn’t that weird...”

Florey nodded back to her, before trying the lollipop and immediately gagging at the flavour, as Rosalind noticed.

He tried to hide his disdain for it, before she stuck out her hand to him.

“I’ll take ‘em.” She offered, as he handed over the bag, before she grabbed her sunglasses once they were out of the shade. “Don’t Gelatinous Wailing act all weird with Whils and stuff too?”

Florey nodded. “For some reason, they’re really sensitive to them and it’s one of the only things that can kill them for sure.”

Rosalind clicked her tongue. “Guess it makes sense. Whils and ‘magic’ are real similar.”

“That’s actually a common misconception.” Florey corrected, as they reached the EHM carpark. “While they do act similar, they have very different properties.”

Florey started counting on his fingers. “‘Magic’ generates heat, which is why the visible veins on the Wailing glow, and is separate to their cardiovascular system.” Florey reasoned, having reached the main entrance to EHM. “Meanwhile, Whilvin, the substance that lets people use Whils, acts as a companion to our blood, sorta...flowing through it. And, obviously, it doesn’t generate heat.”

Florey lifted a finger. “In reality, humans and Wailing are very complex creatures, so we most likely have a common ancestor. And as the Wailing Conflict’s progressed, we started to rediscover these abilities as an evolutionary advantage to keep up with the Wailing’s strength. Kinda like how some moths have snake patterns on their wings.”

Florey waved his hand around once they reached the elevator, as he was visibly proud of himself. “That’s probably where Behemoth Wailing came from as well. As the Venator industry started to grow, Wailing had to get stronger to keep up with Venator teams, and then our Whils got stronger to combat them, and so on.”

“Then Gelatinous Wailing started popping up more?” Rosalind reasoned, as Florey pointed back at her.

“Exactly.” Florey remarked. “It’s just an evolutionary arms race.”

The elevator opened up, as they both got on and rode it to the top floor, letting Rosalind grab another lollipop.

“I see why Cecil likes you now.” Rosalind remarked, turning back around to him. “You both love talking a lot. You’re like a walking encyclopedia.”

“…w-well…I wanna be a biologist…” Florey defended, trying to get his confidence back up. “It makes sense I should know about this stuff.”

“Is that why you don’t have friends to talk to?” Rosalind commented, offending Florey.

“I…do. I just…whatever…” He ended, backing down, as they arrived back at the lab. “Let’s get back to work already.”

———

“…I still don’t know about this.” Wess chimed in, pursing her lips. “We know so little about her…”

“But we know her ‘parents’ are fake.” Julia insisted. “We saw her at EHM. There’s no way to explain that away.”

“Maybe she’s just real good at deception.” Harley pointed out, before tapping her nose. “Kinda like a certain Wicker we know.”

“Come on, Harley. Look at her.” Sola bemoaned, indicating into the office holding Jules through the one-way mirror. “She’s so not evil. Wicker’s people are looking for her.”

“…we might as well start the interrogation.” Wess said, before resting her hand on Julia’s shoulder. “Ready, dear?”

“…I think so.” Julia muttered, as she headed to the door. “If I start flailing about, you can assume Wicker’s given her poison or something.”

“No way she’s trying anything.” Harley declared, flexing to Julia. “You got that?”

Julia nodded, grabbing the door handle. Just as she opened the door, Jules immediately perked up and got out of her seat, before hugging Julia warmly.

Julia took a second to take it in, before Jules broke the hug and started signing.

[You’re okay. I was worried that you hadn’t gotten out.] Jules admitted. [How’ve you been?]

“Uhh, pretty good.” Julia remarked. “You know, considering everything…Essex got an internship.”

Jules smiled. [Good for her. Did her arm heal up after you got out?]

“Yeah, yeah it did. How’d you make it out?” Julia asked, as Jules’ demeanour changed very quickly.

[…I don’t…I don’t really want to talk about it…] Jules confessed. [It was hard enough to put myself through once…]

“Right. Sola…found out that some people might be looking for you.” Julia said, as Jules nodded back knowingly.

[They’re working for Wicker.] Jules confessed. [They’re the reason I came here. It was the only place I could think of that Wicker wouldn’t think to look.]

[Good idea.] Julia signed back, before leaning in. “Do you know if you were followed?”

Jules nodded proudly. [I managed to shake them off. I’m kind of a ghost at the moment.]

Julia found herself smiling a little, before speaking again. “I wish I could say we’re all happy to see you, but…Harley and Wess don’t know whether to trust you or not. They think you could still be working for Wicker.”

Jules went to protest, before quieting herself and shrugging. [I don’t blame them. My word’s only so good.]

Having prepared her, Julia resettled in her seat. “…Principal Faller also gave us an option to help you. He asked if you could stay with us for a bit so that we could learn about Wicker.”

Jules’ pleasant expression started to dissipate.

“But I didn’t want to do it without your permission.” Julia insisted. “While we do wanna know more about them, your safety’s more important right now. Essex is in the Eastern Wayside, so we have the space for you.”

[…if I give up the information…]

Julia shook her head. “That was Faller’s idea. But if you need it, we’ll let you stay in our room until we find a more permanent living arrangement. And hopefully, we’ll find some way to shake Wicker for good.”

Jules’ eyes lit up at the suggestion.

[…so…can I still stay with you e-even if I don’t say anything?] Jules asked, as Julia nodded back firmly. [But I-I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness.]

“Who’s taking advantage?” Julia said, smiling back to her. [We’re happy to help.]

Jules started smiling awkwardly, before scratching her head. […I don’t really have a choice, huh? I saved you guys, so it’s only fair you pay me back.]

Julia grinned back at her, heading up to leave, before Jules grabbed her shoulder suddenly.

[H-Hey…] Jules started. […just, before anything else…]

Julia turned to give her attention.

[…can you…can you call me Percy…f-from now on?]

Julia stared at her a bit confusedly, before giving a happy thumbs up.

“Whatever you need…Percy.”

Julia stepped out of the office and right into the rest of Team Valiant, all staring expectantly at her.

“What did she seem like?”

“You reckon she’s bad news?”

“Did she get out okay?”

Julia blinked, before pointing back at the door. “You can ask her yourself.”

The trio blinked too, before readying themselves to head inside.

“Oh, and…she wants to be called Percy.” Julia added. “Just so you know.”

Taking in the news, they all slowly stepped inside, right as Harley and Wess were nearly toppled by Sola running past and hugging her.

“You made it out! Way to go, you!” Sola cheered, as Percy happily accepted the hug.

[I couldn’t just stay. We promised to leave together.] Percy insisted, as Sola smiled up at her.

“Wicker can suck a fat one! You sure showed ‘em!” Sola exclaimed, before Harley pulled her back somewhat.

“Or did you?” Harley asked, deflating Percy’s enjoyment. “Admit it, you’re spying for Wicker.”

Percy’s eyes drooped, before she signed again.

[No.]

“So you won’t admit it then?”

[I’m not spying for Wicker.]

“…not even a bit?”

[What do you think?]

“…I think there’s no good reason to believe you.” Harley insisted. “Other than the fact Sola likes you. And Julia. And that you saved me and Essex from Rosalind…”

Harley stopped herself briefly, before reaffirming her frustration. “As a perfect cover.”

“Babe…” Sola let out, pulling her aside, as Wess stepped forward.

“Forgive me, it’s nothing personal.” Wess said, sticking out her hand. “But I plan to stay tight-lipped around you.”

Percy reached out and shook it, before pulling her hand back and grinning.

[Same here.] Percy joked.

“…well then.” Wess remarked. “Hopefully, we find you’re one worth trusting.”

“I’ll say.” Julia added, prodding Wess’ side, just as Percy got a glimpse of the team together, all playing off of each other, before finding herself giggling silently.

Julia noticed and tilted her head. “What’s so funny?”

Percy wiped a small tear away.

[It’s good to see you all so happy…]

She kept laughing, lying against the table, as it was clear she was truly happy to be where she was, even if only for a little bit.

———

“…okay.” Rosalind let out, holding both flavours of lollipop out in front of her. “Salsa’s the better one, but the guacamole helps reset the palette so it’s not too spicy. The trick’s to start with salsa and periodically move over to guac in order to get the best of both.”

Rosalind stared at Florey, now back to analysing his beakers of fluid, before smacking his arm. “Looks like you’re not the only scientist here, huh?

Florey lazily glanced at her. “You want me to write down your results?”

Rosalind mockingly laughed back at him, before putting the lollipops back in her mouth, kicking her legs on top of the counter and staring out of the skylight.

“You still didn’t tell me your theory.” She mentioned, catching Florey’s attention. “You mentioned a disease, but you didn’t elaborate.”

“Oh.” Florey let out, sticking his head back up. “I…was worried it would come off as too technical.”

Rosalind sat up to look at him. “You sayin’ I’m stupid?”

“N-No, definitely not that.” Florey let out, starting to sweat. “J-Just that it would be boring, and I’ve already talked a lot of theory today. You know, walking encyclopedia…”

Rosalind grabbed her sword, before poking Florey’s chest with the handle. “Try me, I’ll take it.”

Florey looked put on the spot, as he felt the need to speak. “O-Okay, sure. Uhh, disease, right…”

He took a second to collect himself. “Well, like I said earlier, Gelatinous Wailing didn’t come from nowhere, they’re a mutation of Wailing, one’s with far lower constitution. Their bodies can’t hold shape, so limbs and organs change on a whim.”

Florey suddenly recalled something and went to grab out a notebook from a pile of them near one of the storage cabinets. “If the Wailing’s physicality dissipates over time, and it’s spread throughout their bodies, wouldn’t it make sense for it to be a disease that takes advantage of low constitutions and weak ‘magic?’ One that only affects Wailing?”

“…cause otherwise we’d have it too?” Rosalind suggested, as Florey snapped his fingers.

“Right…and I think it’s tied to their ‘magic.’ What if it’s a pathogen that’s only present in their streams of ‘magic,’ and it can’t affect us since we don’t have it?” Florey pointed out, pulling up a couple images of Gelatinous Wailing surrounded by scribbled notes. “Better yet, what if we could find a way to use this to our benefit?”

Rosalind raised an eyebrow. “You suggesting biological warfare?”

Florey looked visibly upset by the idea and shook his head. “No, of course not. Nothing that severe. But if we knew what it was and how to use it, it might let us depower the Wailing and stop them from being so destructive. We wouldn’t need to fight them anymore, and the conflict could end without any more bloodshed.”

Rosalind tapped her foot against the counter, mulling over Florey’s words.

“…weirdly noble goal for an autopsy.” She remarked, before pointing to her neck. “I’m surprised you want a peaceful solution considering that baby there.”

Florey realised she was indicating to the large scar running up his neck, as she leaned back. “Got it from a Wailing, didn’t you? Figured you’d want payback for something like that.”

“…I-I’ve never been one for fighting.” Florey admitted, touching his fingers together. “Ideally, I just want the Wailing to leave us alone, stop being a threat all together. Of course, there’s no reasoning with them…”

“…uhuh.” Rosalind let out, hopping off the counter, before stretching out. “I’d find the thing responsible and gut them, but that’s just me.”

“…that’s just you.” Florey reiterated, right as Rosalind started leaving for the exit, not even giving a reason for ditching this time.

As she was heading out, she turned back to Florey, her face still mostly expressionless.

“Hey Florey.”

He snapped back to look at her, as she spoke up.

“You’re a nerd.”

She left right after, as Florey tried to make out the intention behind such a weird exit.

What the heck did she mean by that? He wondered, letting himself take a break while staring out the skylight. …maybe that was just it.

Out of curiosity, he stared at the counter she was lying on, before cautiously checking around and climbing onto it himself, as he lay down where she was.

I may not know if she likes me or not… Florey thought. …but it’s still nice to have some kind of friend.

———

“This is it. Your temporary home.” Julia greeted, opening the dorm door for her and Percy. “I was gonna say don’t get too comfortable, but honestly, it’s up to you.”

Percy glanced around the room excitedly, taking everything in again, as Julia stood in the middle of the room.

“Kitchen and bathroom’s to the left, and we’ve got a balcony view of the training grounds.” Julia said. “Do you need any food? I can whip something up.”

[Do you have any meringue?] Percy asked immediately, throwing Julia off.

“Uhh…I can check?” Julia pondered, watching her wander around. “You haven’t been here before, right?”

Percy shook her head. [It’s been over a year, though. The last time I was here, the academy was under attack.] Percy pointed out, as Julia blushed awkwardly.

“I guess that would make things a bit weird. Fortunately, we haven’t had one for a while.” Julia said, just as Percy pressed her hand to the couch.

[I can just sleep on the couch if you want.] Percy insisted, as Julia opened the door to the study.

“No way, Essex’s bed is free. Go ahead.” Julia insisted. “And tell me if it gets too hot. We can adjust the heating for you.”

Percy went to claim the space, before stopping herself and finding her face heating up slightly.

Julia quickly noticed, before resting a hand on Percy’s shoulder in comfort, as Percy took a second to compose herself and wipe a tear away.

[Thank you…]

Julia smiled back.

[You’re welcome.]