“Alright, I’m thin-“

“Traffic cone.”

“…Julia, you’ve guessed that before.”

“Was I right?”

“No. I’m thinking of something better.”

“Is it…round?”

“Yes.”

“And also orange?”

“…ye-“

“Basketball.”

“…”

“…”

“…god dammit…” Wess muttered, folding her arms. “Why do you always know my thoughts?”

Julia shrugged. “Because you’re always so interesting. I like hearing what’s going on up there.”

Wess started to blush, hiding her face from Julia to still seem upset, as Julia started chuckling at the cute attempt.

“Heyo!” Sola called out, popping her head out from the bathroom to Julia and Wess in the kitchen, sitting across from each other. “When’re you guys heading out on your date?”

“Uhh…ten minutes.” Julia answered, checking her tablet. “Do you want us out of the dorm that bad?”

“No no. I just wanted to spend some time with Percy.” Sola admitted, pressing her fingers together. “See how she’s going…”

“She certainly seems a lot more chipper these days.” Wess pointed out, lifting her head from the table. “And she’s quite the crack up. I wasn’t expecting a sense of humour from her.”

Sola nodded slowly, as Julia started studying Sola’s demeanour, taking a second to analyse her slight apprehension and nervous movement, then thinking and reaching a conclusion.

“…are you hoping you can get her and Harley on the same page?”

Sola’s eyes widened, as Julia got stares from both her and Wess.

“Very good guess, dear.” Wess let out.

“How’d you guess that’s what I was doing?!” Sola exclaimed.

Julia threw up her hands in surrender. “I-It’s not a superpower, guys. I-I just noticed Sola’s slight nervousness.”

Julia pushed her hair from her face. “I know you wouldn’t be nervous about talking to her since you’re never nervous talking to anyone, so it meant you had to be worried on someone else’s behalf, i.e. Percy’s.”

Julia shrugged. “Harley’s had a hard time trusting her, and cause you’re really close with both of them, it makes sense you’d wanna fix that. But you didn’t want us involved cause you think we might look down on Harley for being judgey, or that she might repeat what happened during the tournament.”

Sole blinked profusely, before nodding frantically back at Julia. “I was literally up all night going over those exact thoughts. Holy shit, Julia.”

“I’m starting to see where you get your mind reading abilities from.” Wess remarked, laughing slightly and embarrassing Julia.

“…o-oh, Wess.” Julia said, before pulling up her tablet. “We should get going. The Flash-Rai-“

“Alright, alright.” Wess sighed, rolling her eyes and getting up from the table. “You just want us to stop complimenting you.”

Julia kept her mouth shut, not wanting to confirm Wess’ point either way, before following her out the door and waving to Sola. “Bye, Sola! Good luck!”

“Thanks!” Sola called back, briefly leaving her to herself, right as the door opened up again.

“Hey, just passed Julia and Wess.” Harley greeted, stretching out her arms. “Looks like…they’re gonna have…fun on their date!”

Harley’s arm made an audible popping sound, briefly surprising her. “Whoa. That one kinda carried. Just gonna go freshen up before heading out again.”

Harley went to kiss Sola’s cheek, right before darting off to the bathroom, as Sola ducked her head in. “Wait, where’re you going?”

Harley pulled her hair back and faced her. “Oh, sorry, it was kinda last minute. My Buster Knuckles were squeaking yesterday, so I’ve gotta get some maintenance stuff for them. I’d usually go with Essex, but I invited Chops instead.”

Harley gave her armpits a sniff and reeled. “Oh gods, training stank…Chops is a real maintenance buff, so she practically begged me.”

Sola’s eyes lit up as the perfect opportunity arose. “Can me and Percy come along?”

Harley’s squinted back at her. “I…I guess. Does she need to?”

“Nope!” Sola replied, annoying Harley.

“Sola…I know you like her.” Harley said, before heading to the shower. “But we have no idea if she’s still working with Wicker or not. Doesn’t having her slip into our friend circle to kill us feel like some machiavellian scheme they would cook up?”

“I don’t even know what that word means, so I’m gonna say no.” Sola insisted, pumping her fists. “And if that really is her plan, she’s taking her sweet time to do it!”

“She’s probably waiting till Essex gets back.” Harley suggested, turning the shower on and sighing out. “…she can come along with us, but I’m keeping an eye on her. I trust her about as far as I could throw her.”

Sola went to speak, before Harley quieted her. “And I know I’m good at throwing people, but that wasn’t an invitation to correct me.”

Sola pouted and closed the door, before she hurried over to the closed study door and knocked on it, waiting for a response.

After a bit, Percy opened it up, still rubbing her eyes and tugging on her oversized shirt.

[What’s up?] Percy signed.

“Nooooooot much.” Sola trailed, darting her eyes around while trying to look casual. “Feel like taking a trip into the city?”

Percy thought about it, before shrugging in agreement. [Any special reason?]

Sola considered keeping her plan a secret, before leaning into Percy and whispering.

“I’m gonna use it to convince Harley you’re cool.” Sola said, giving a thumbs up.

Percy looked a bit incredulous. [You really don’t have to. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to stay with you guys, but I don’t need to befriend everyone.]

Sola pouted again, before stamping her foot. “Why doesn’t anyone wanna be friends?!”

Sola spun around and folded her arms. “Whatever! I’m still gonna do it and get you two to like each other!”

Percy silently snickered a little. [I already like her enough, so that’s a start.]

Sola kept up her frustrated act, as she waited patiently for Harley.

“This’ll be totally worth it and we’re all gonna be friends…”

———

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…so…”

“…”

“…seen any…movies…lately?”

Rosalind glared back at Florey, biting her tongue with just how bored she was of watching him, as Florey quickly turned back to his work.

“…forget I said anything.” He let out, just as Rosalind groaned and jumped up from the counter.

She stepped in front of him.

“Come on, throw a punch at me.”

Florey blinked. “Wha?”

“We’re gonna go find a Wailing soon, so I want you to be able to hold your own.” Rosalind said, leaning down and pointing to her cheek. “Really lay it into me.”

Florey stepped back. “I don’t…really feel comfortable doing that.”

Rosalind bared her teeth. “It’s either that or a Wailing fucking eats you. Which is it?”

Florey looked side to side. “Can I pick neither?”

“Boring, dead people pick neither. They just die later without having lived.” Rosalind insisted, right as her tablet went off. “Fine. Be a bitch, just don’t slow me down later.”

Right as she said that, she eyes widened at the screen, before she let out a relieved, gruelling sigh.

“Oh shit, here we go.” Rosalind announced, before proudly waving her tablet in Florey’s face. “Ding ding ding, Gelatinous Wailing spotted!”

“R-Really?” Florey let out, as Rosalind grabbed his shoulders.

“Pull the lead out, pussy, we’re gonna fuckin’ do something!” Rosalind exclaimed, running to the elevator. “Grab your science shit! We’re heading out in five!”

“Five?” Florey let out. “Five what?!”

No response, as Florey hurriedly reached for several notebooks, as well as a camera, some jars and his spare jacket by the entrance, trading out his lab coat.

After locking up the lab, he hurried to the elevator as well, riding it down to the lower parking lot in the building and hopping out, before accidentally almost bumping into Cassidy on her way in.

“Whoa, Florey! Where’s the fire?” Cassidy remarked, just as Florey rushed past.

“Sorry! We just got word on a Wailing!” Florey admitted, waving to her. “We’ll be back soon!”

Cassidy smirked a bit, before waving back. “Alright, have fun! And remember sunscreen!”

Florey quickly scanned around for Rosalind’s car, only to realise he had no idea what it even looked like.

“Hey!”

Florey spun around and found Rosalind leaning on top of a red sports car casually, before putting two and two together and pointing at it.

“I-Is that yours?”

Rosalind tilted her head. “Yeah.”

“I thought you said you owned a ute.”

“Past tense. That one got bodied.” Rosalind insisted, before slapping the hood on her new car. “I didn’t wanna get one again, so this’ll do.”

Florey stared wide-eyed in shock, as Rosalind hopped in the driver’s seat. “Uhh…hey, question. How’re we meant to transport the Wailing with this?”

Rosalind grabbed a lollipop from the glove compartment and turned her head back. “We’re gonna go pick something up in Heiamimi for that.”

Florey looked even more confused. “Isn’t that place basically just a bus lot and a few gas stations?”

“Basically.” Rosalind replied, before slamming her hand on the passenger seat. “Get in already! I wanna keep this momentum going!”

“R-Right, sorry!” Florey blurted out, dropping his stuff off in the back seat and hurrying to the front, right as Rosalind started pulling out and leaving the carpark.

The moment she hit the road, the power behind the car was immediately evident, pushing every speed limit it could as it traversed Detu City’s streets, making Florey nervously grip his seatbelt with each turn.

Rosalind chucked her shades on as they left the city limits, speeding through the surrounding suburbs and heading in the direction of Gebate, leaving the top down as they drove.

Florey could see Rosalind grinning with excitement, occasionally drumming her hands on the wheel when a good song came onto the radio, even sticking her head out of the car once and yelling excitedly at a passing car.

Meanwhile, the wind was ruining Florey’s hair, and making it near impossible for him the hear the radio or pay attention to Rosalind the few times she spoke over their twenty-minute drive.

During her drumming, Rosalind noticed Florey indicating to lift the top, visibly uncomfortable with the speed of the wind, as Rosalind side-glanced him and rolled her eyes, lifting the top back over the car.

“There, crybaby. What, is wind too much for you? Can’t handle a breeze?” Rosalind complained, as Florey tried getting comfortable again.

“I like the wind. I don’t like when it feels like it’s hurting me.” Florey admitted, as Rosalind could see Gebate in the distance.

“Boo hoo, my colleague let me hang out in her sweet new fucking car, but I’m too much of a wuss for the top to be down, boo hoo.” Rosalind mocked, rubbing her eyes teasingly.

Florey didn’t feel like replying, as he leaned against the window and stared out at the surrounding area of Central Point passing him by, leaving Rosalind to focus on driving.

Making her way through Gebate, she pivoted up north to Heiamimi, taking about another twenty minutes to reach it in the impressively speedy car, before pulling into one of the gas stations.

True to Florey’s suspicions, Heiamimi was barely even a town. From what he’d heard about it over some radio broadcasts, it was meant to be a connecting point between Yue Wai and Gebate but saw its development perpetually delayed, stuck in a kind of status. There were always promises from the Central Government that it would be finished someday, but anyone paying attention could see it probably never would be.

After a couple minutes of waiting, a passing truck coming down the road pulled into the station as well, before Rosalind hopped out of the car and opened up the truck’s back, letting her and the truck driver slowly lower a trailer out of it and onto the ground.

Florey decided to just passively observe, as Rosalind came back to the car, before driving it over to the trailer, letting the truck driver hook the trailer onto the back, giving Florey a better look at what he could see was some kind of containment device.

“You’re all set!” The truck driver declared, giving Rosalind the go ahead, as she pulled out of the station, heading back down in the direction of Gebate. The truck eventually pulled out as well, disappearing to wherever it came from, leaving Florey with a lot of pressing questions.

“…who was that guy?” Florey asked, as Rosalind rested her head on the windowsill.

“A fellow employee.” Rosalind admitted, while Florey leaned behind his seat, staring at the trailer.

“Did Cecil design that to store Gelatinous Wailing?” Florey followed up.

“…R&D did, but yeah.” Rosalind said. “We can’t use the typical method since it’ll just seep through any cracks in the interior, so this one’s sealed up real tight.”

“Typical method?” Florey repeated, leaving Rosalind at a loss for words.

“…yeah. For transporting Wailing.” Rosalind confessed. “For research stuff.”

“…right. Research stuff.” Florey let out, still leaning back, as Rosalind sped down the road, before pulling Florey in excitedly.

“You ready to see a Wailing up close, kid?”

Florey found himself blushing out of fear, before nodding back to her. “W-Who wouldn’t?”

~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~

After another fairly difficult morning waking up in the Aurora Venator Agency, Essex found herself comfortably moving into the kitchen. She was never really a coffee person, but whoever had used the machine last brewed something utterly divine smelling, tempting her to make one herself, before remembering she didn’t know how.

That’s right. Julia usually makes one for me. Essex remembered, deciding to glance into the fridge instead. I wonder if I take her for granted…

Essex popped her head up.

“I should do something for her. And the team.” Essex decided, scratching her chin. “But I am not sure what…”

“Thinking about your teammates?”

Essex lifted her head and turned to the person next to her, holding a mug of coffee with a scarf wrapped around most of their head, and staring at her standing in front of the open fridge.

“…admittedly, yes.” Essex said, before closing it and bowing to them. “Aerlo Decali. My title is Essex.”

“…the intern.” They muttered, taking a sip. “Sillik. We haven’t crossed each other much.”

Essex nodded. “I have met with the other members of Team Avalanche already.”

“…right.” Sillik stated, before indicating to the machine. “Want me to make you one?”

Essex threw her hands up. “I do not wish to impos-“

“I’m offering.” Sillik said, before heading to the machine. “You’re our guest. We have to be nice to you.”

Essex wanted to refute the point but decided against arguing unnecessarily, as she waited patiently for Sillik to finish.

Once she sat down, she started to notice a piece of string hanging from the kitchen ceiling tugging and bouncing, almost like it was being pulled.

“You a snob about how much foam you want?”

“…no. Sillik.” Essex said, as they turned around, before she pointed to the string. “What is that indicating?”

Sillik’s eyes widened, as they quickly abandoned the coffee machine and headed out the door, with Essex deciding to follow them into Charles’ office.

Once they got there, they found Nevando next to another piece of the connected string, this one heading directly out the window with the same tugging motion.

“Nev, it’s here.” Sillik announced, as he raised a finger.

“I know. Just saw the warning.” He said, turning around, before finding Essex with them. “Hey, Essex. You’ve met Sillik.”

“Is this the Wailing?” Essex quickly asked, as Nevando’s expression turned more serious.

“The Slush Skulker. Looks like it’s tripped one of the wires we set up.” Nevando stated, before staring down at the string again. “…but there’s something weird about the movement. Sillik?”

Sillik stepped forward and glanced at the string too, before blinking a few times.

“It’s testing it. It hasn’t tripped one, it’s just found one.” Sillik explained. “It’s either playing with it or it’s trying to draw us out.”

“…well, we were doing the same.” Nevando said, grabbing Sillik’s shoulder. “Alert the others. We’re heading out before it tries to hide away again.”

Sillik nodded and swung up the main stairs in the lobby, as Essex stood ready and firm, waiting for Nevando to speak.

“…oh, right.” Nevando let out, caught up in his own head. “Essex, I want you to hang with Sillik. I know you probably had hopes of taking out a Wailing on your trip here, and Charlie’s probably encouraged you to do so, but we don’t know how dangerous this thing really is.”

Nevando grabbed a bowstaff from the entryway, while taking off his coat. “Sillik’s our scout and usually hangs in the back. They’ll cover you, but if you have to get involved, don’t be an idiot.”

“Understood.” Essex replied, running up the stairs to meet up with them, as Nevando started stretching out, his skin glowing a subtle yellow.

“Alright Skulker, it’s show time…”

—-—TEAM AVALANCHE MISSION—-—

—-—HUNT DOWN THE SLUSH SKULKER—-—

———

“Jessie! How’ve you been?...that’s so wonderful. Guess what?” Spence exclaimed, happily skipping along the walkway to the academy, her tablet to her ear. “You know those ‘fun little investments’ you kept telling me were a waste of money? Well…”

She reached into her pocket, before pulling out a winning lottery ticket and waving it around mostly for herself.

“I won the jackpot! Three diamonds!!!” Spence cheered, as Jessie excitedly murmured over the call. “And I know what you’re going to say next, and yes, I’ve put most of it aside as savings…”

Right after, Spence reached into her pocket, before pulling out and spinning a pair of car keys, and coming up on a very nice, very flashing luxury car parked by the side of the walkway.

“But I couldn’t resist!” Spence let out, before tapping away on her tablet. “Just a sec, I’m sending you a picture of my latest purchase.”

A couple seconds after she sent it, Jessie could be heard visibly annoyed over the call.

“Oh, grow up. I’m allowed to have nice things. None of the other teachers have cars this nice.” Spence insisted, unlocking the car. “And don’t worry, I’ll happily take you on a drive too. Alright, later!”

She hung up, before chucking her bag into the back seat. “What does she know? They wouldn’t advertise nice cars like this if you weren’t meant to buy them.”

She jumped into the driver’s seat and settled in. “…I wonder if I should invite Lola on a drive. It’d be good for her to get out of the academy more.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

She started chuckling to herself. “I probably shouldn’t let her behind the wheel though.”

Just then, the sun started to crack through the clouds, reflecting off the hood, as Spence covered her eyes, before reaching back for her bag.

“Where’re my sunnies? This midday sun…” She muttered, climbing out of her seat to grab them.

Meanwhile, just off the side of the walkway, a guy casually whistling a tune caught sight of the gorgeous car, before quickly panicking and ducking behind a pillar.

“Holy shit, look at that…” He let out, popping his head out. “That’s a hundred thousand capitals at least! What’s a nice car like that doing around the Venator Academy?”

He subconsciously licked his lips, catching the luxury finish off the hood. “O-Oh man…whoever owns that thing must be loaded. They’ve probably stuffed the glove boxes to bursting with capitals…”

Suddenly, he saw Spence’s legs flailing about, ducked behind the driver’s seat, while noticing that the front door wasn’t completely closed.

“No way…” He muttered, before shaking his head. “…no, come on Derek, you’re on parole for the exact thing you’re thinking of. Don’t be…”

He stared back at it.

“…stupid…”

He noticed he was sweating a bit.

“…and waste…a good chance…”

Quietly, he stepped forward.

“What’re you thinking of buying?” Chops asked, walking backwards down the academy walkway, as Harley stretched her arms.

“I wanna try some new oil brands for my Buster Knuckles. They’ve got this real annoying squeak at the moment and my go-to’s not really pulling its weight.” Harley noted, as Chops snapped her fingers.

“Nice. I’ve got some recommendations.” Chops added, before turning her head back to Sola and Percy trailing behind them. “Hey, new girl! What kinda weapons you rockin’?”

Percy’s eyes darted around in confusion, before Chops slapped her forehead. “Right, sorry, forgot you’re not a Venator.”

Sola looked back at Percy, finding her still shying away.

“Sorry. I forgot you don’t really know Chops either.”

Percy threw up her hands. [It’s fine. She seems pretty outgoing. I doubt we’d have much to bond over.]

Sola nodded solemnly, before jumping and getting an idea.

“She’s got a cool Whil though!” Sola called out, grabbing Chops’ attention.

Harley turned around to the duo, right as Chops rushed past her, almost running into them out of excitement.

“No shit! You shoulda said something! Hold on, I’ve got a notebook here…” Chops said, grabbing for her backpack, as Percy now looked to Sola for some kind of help.

“Talk of the town…” Harley groaned, muttering to herself. “I think we’re forgetting who she’s probably working for…”

“H-Help! Somebody!!!”

Harley spun her head around, scanning the walkway for trouble, only to notice Miss Spence getting shoved out of her car by some guy.

The others quickly noticed too, following after Harley as she nearly caught up to the trouble, only for the guy to close the door and start up the engine, tearing off in the matter of seconds.

“Shit!” Harley let out, watching the car speed off, before addressing Spence. “You okay?”

“Yes, but that…so-and-so just stole my new car!” Spence cried, wiping some tears away. “I-I thought Wailing were scary, but that guy takes the cake.”

Harley swung her head around to see how far the Flash-Rail station was, before concluding getting there and waiting for a carriage wouldn’t be fast enough to catch up with him.

“Harley! What happened?” Sola let out, running up to her with the others.

“Some dickhead just stole Spence’s car.” Harley groaned, as Chops started looking around. “He’s long gone by now.”

“I’ll call law enforcement.” Chops said, pulling out her tablet and watching the car in the distance. “They’ll be on that guys case in no ti…”

Chops turned around and stopped herself, as she spotted Percy by the side of another car on the road, running her hand over the side of the door.

Harley, Sola and Spence noticed too, right as she reached her hand into a nearby puddle, before pressing her other hand to the door’s lock and pushing steam into the lock, quickly rusting it.

With a quick tug, she forced the door open, snapping the lock and causing Harley to panic.

“Wha-Percy! What, you’ve caught the stealing bug too?!” Harley complained, as Percy ignored her and started hotwiring the car. “I can’t believe tha-“

The engine whirred to life, as Percy jumped into the driver’s seat and started signing through the window, a look of sheer determination on her face.

[Come on! We won’t catch him if we wait around!]

The trio hesitated briefly, thinking through their options, as Sola and Chops ended up jumping in, leaving Harley standing out awkwardly.

“…I swear to…” Harley grumbled, before forcing herself to join them in the car. “We’re putting this back right after.”

“Don’t worry, Spence! We’ve got this covered!” Sola called out from the window, as Spence gave a nervous thumbs up.

“O-Okay…don’t crash please.” Spence insisted, as everyone got comfortable in their seats and Percy familiarised herself with the car.

“Alright, super on board with this.” Chops remarked, watching Percy from the passenger seat. “You know what you’re doing, ri-“

In a second, Percy immediately tore off, going almost as fast as the thief, as the group headed into Detu City in hot pursuit.

———

“…aaaaand…we’re here.”

Having taken the long route into the Eastern Wayside and driven off the main road through a clearer part of the Aishanara Forest, Rosalind parked the car, before hopping out and stretching.

“You’re welcome.” Rosalind stated, as Florey stuck his head out.

“So…the plan is-“

“Lure it back here and trick it into the containment device.” Rosalind said, before noticing Florey staying put in the car. “You coming or what?”

“I, uhh…I’m not really equipped to…handle a Wailing…you said it yourself, it’ll probably eat me…” Florey admitted, as Rosalind shrugged casually.

“Alright. It’s coming back here anyway, so you’d be safer not sticking around.” Rosalind remarked, wandering off into the forest, as Florey briefly panicked, before hopping out and running after her.

Making her way in, Rosalind slid down a small muddy incline, grabbing out her sword to help stabilise her as she slid, leaving Florey to tentatively attempt to follow, almost slipping and falling onto his face, before tripping and falling onto his ass instead.

He slid down slowly, as Rosalind spotted his pathetic descent and started cracking up, gripping her stomach in pain as Florey tried pulling his face up from the mud.

With a wet plop, he just managed to, before looking up to find Rosalind almost falling over with laughter.

“Didn’t feel like helping?” Florey grumbled, standing back up, as Rosalind happily shook her head in response.

“Oh man…fuck me, that was funny.” Rosalind let out, getting up herself. “You’re already way better company than my old partner. She couldn’t crack a joke for shit.”

Rosalind spun around and kept walking further into the foliage, before Florey trotted alongside her.

“Old partner?” Florey asked.

“Yeah. We hated each other, but we worked well together. I fought ‘em, she stunned ‘em.” Rosalind explained, before displaying her hands. “But then she’d get all mopey about the Wailing and insisted I not be so rough, like that wasn’t my job or something. Now she’s fucked off to who knows where…”

“She just ditched?” Florey remarked, before feeling some regret and shrinking into himself. “That’s…”

“Whatever. Good riddance. She was only good for the stunning part anyway.” Rosalind muttered, as they passed by a partially frozen stream. “We had this formula meant for knocking out the Wailing, but it was only effective when vaporised. It was mostly a gel, but it couldn’t get through their hide or anything. Then it turned out my old partner’s Whil let her turn things into gasses, so now she could direct it right at the Wailing.”

Rosalind shook her head. “She coulda been useful if she wasn’t such a turncoat…”

She only now noticed Florey wasn’t still behind her, as she spun around and saw him staring into the stream, ducking his head down.

“Drowning yourself already?” Rosalind joked, as Florey scanned cautiously.

“…I’m checking for loose parts of the Wailing.” Florey explained. “If there’s a water source near a Gelatinous Wailing’s location, bits of their flesh can come off when they try to bathe.”

Rosalind rested a hand on her hip. “Okay, brainiac, you’ve got some skills. See anything?”

“Nothing yet. There’s no guara…” Florey said, only to shut himself up and point further up the stream, as Rosalind noticed a small chunk of flesh hanging off of a rock.

“Well, I’ll be.” Rosalind grinned, slapping Florey’s back. “You know your shit. I was just gonna wander around ‘till we came across it.”

“I figured I’d save us some time.” Florey muttered, before hurrying over to the rock and grabbing out a camera and a jar from his bag, taking a couple pictures of the flesh.

Rosalind wandered up to him, as he scraped it off into the jar carefully.

“Gross.”

Florey sealed the jar up. “I want to see if there’s any lingering elements of the disease on the separated skin.”

“Okay, weirdo. What you do with that stuff’s no business of mine.” Rosalind let out, following along the stream, as Florey realised what was she was implying and followed behind.

“W-What do you think it’s for…?”

“You spend all your time in the lab. You get lonely.” Rosalind mentioned. “Putting two and two together.”

Florey shook his head. “I think you’re the gross one here…”

~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~

“Stick behind me. Our job is locating it and securing the surrounding area. Once the others engage it, that’s when we can step in.”

“Understood.”

“And keep your voice down. If a Wailing finds you, it’s usually by sound.”

Essex simply nodded, as she hopped around the top of the tree cover in the Aishanara Forest, closely trailing behind Sillik.

Sillik hurried along the top branches, wielding a large bow and firing arrows connected with rope across any large gaps. Essex managed to keep up beat for beat, before Sillik stopped suddenly, holding their hand out.

They rested a finger on their lips, as the duo waited, before a quiet shuffling noise emanated from the forest floor.

They patiently sat, scanning around for any sign of the Wailing, before Essex spotted a grey blob shifting through the flora, clearing a path through the layers of built-up snow.

She pointed down, as Sillik followed her gaze and watched it traverse effortlessly through, almost like it was swimming. Once it was out of sight, Sillik indicated to head down, as both scaled down to the ground, landing in the path it’d created.

“That’s definitely it.” Sillik admitted, as Essex got her scythe ready.

“Do we engage?”

Sillik glared at her. “I told you, we scout and wait. For the…”

Glancing over the path the Wailing had left, Sillik just noticed a small chunk of flesh hanging off one of the bushes it’d passed by, sticking to the leaves and clearly gelatinous.

“Wait.” Sillik let out, before getting a closer look, taking a few sniffs of the flesh. “…son of a…”

Sillik shook their head. “The Wailing’s gelatinous. Completely gelatinous, judging by the texture.”

Before Essex could comment, Sillik pulled up their walkie talkie.

“Nev, it’s Sillik. The Slush Skulker’s a Gelatinous Wailing.” Sillik reported. “Request to pull back?”

“…agreed. We’ll call for back up. Should take about a week to arrive.” Nevando decided over the call, as Essex was visibly shocked.

“Pull back?” Essex repeated, stepping forward. “Are we not engaging?”

“We can’t. Those Wailing don’t get hurt by weapons, only Whils.” Sillik explained, holding up their bow. “Nev’s the only one with a Whil, and it’s a noncombative one.”

Essex eyes widened, as she gripped her scythe handle and turned her skin to metal. “I possess a Whil, and I have slain several Gelatinous Wailing before. We can still pursue it.”

“You’re one person. And still a student.” Sillik noted, resting against a tree. “Point still stands, we need a team of Whil users. Nev’s gonna call th-“

“B-But if we leave it alone, it may return to the north again, or travel further south toward towns.” Essex insisted. “We cannot allow a Wailing to escape and eventually wreak havo-“

Sillik stamped down their foot, before massaging their forehead.

“…this is why students piss me off.” Sillik bemoaned. “I get it, you wanna take out every Wailing that crosses your path and bring ‘em to justice. That’s what the training says. And nine times out of ten, that’s what happens.”

As they spoke, Sillik stood back up and started heading in the direction of the agency. “But then the tenth time, the Wailing disappears, or it gets the upper hand, or you just plain lose track of it, and you have to pull out. And you know what? That’s the job. Some Wailing get away, and you lick your wounds.”

Essex gripped her scythe, as she stared down the path the Wailing had made. “The job is to stop trying?”

“The job is to know when to try.” Sillik demanded, tapping the side of their head. “And when to call for backup.”

Sillik carried on, starting to head back up to the tree cover. “We’re heading back to the agency to hunker down. We still have to secure the area in case the Wailing slips away before the other team arrives.”

Essex waited for a second, before begrudgingly following behind them, biting her tongue at the idea of letting a Wailing run loose. Even as she climbed back up, she could feel her instincts pulling her back down to not lose the trail.

If we leave this… Essex wondered, hopping up onto the top branch. I know I could handle it…a week is an egregious amount of time to let it escape…where could it travel if we leave it unattended…

Essex could feel herself slowing down, as Sillik fortunately seemed to be paying more attention to returning to the agency and not on where Essex was.

I refuse to sit by and let it run free.

Sillik continued their traversal, having an easier time heading back since they’d created a path earlier, only to notice that not much noise was following behind them.

“If you’re getting tired, we can take a bre…” They started, only to turn around and not find Essex there. “Essex?”

They gave a quick search of the area, only to find Essex’s tracks hadn’t even been following them for a while now, as they put two and two together and stamped their foot again.

“…fucking students…” Sillik muttered, pulling out their walkie talkie. “Report. Essex split off. She’s taking on the Wailing alone.”

———

“Just…gotta…clear the city…” Derek muttered, frantically racing around in Spence’s stolen car, wiping a bit of sweat away. “I’ll just head for Coola and figure things out from there…”

He tore through several of Detu City’s streets, trying his best not to draw the attention of the police while still hurriedly making a break for it.

He quickly hit a busy roundabout, giving him a moment to catch his breath as cars passed by. He noticed a couple people on the street eyeing up his nice car, feeling somewhat proud of himself for such a successful grift, before spotting something in the sideview mirror.

Turning back, he spotted a car tearing down the street about as recklessly as he had been just a minute ago, one that was clearly heading right toward him.

In a panic, he floored it, charging over the middle of the roundabout and nearly colliding with several cars. They broke just in time as he drove past, giving Percy and the others just enough room to follow, threading the needle between the other angry drivers.

Percy’s focus was entirely on the car, keeping her gaze on the back of it with every movement, going way past the speed limit in an effort to not lose it.

Harley desperately gripped the cars handles for stability, as Sola jumped around excitedly and Chops started hollering.

“This is so fucking cool!!!” Chops yelled out. “Go! Go! Go! Get that crapsack!”

“Percy, you wanna slow down a bit?!” Harley complained, nearly falling out of her seat.

Percy refused the respond, only darting her eyes around the road, making sure not to endanger any other cars present.

Her attention was briefly thrown off by Sola grabbing her shoulders over the seat, shaking her happily.

“You’re the coolest!!! Rip this guy a new one!!!” Sola insisted, only motivating Percy more, as the stolen car swerved into another street.

Percy quickly followed, expertly shifting gears with each corner, before noticing the car heading down another corner in the other direction.

Percy suddenly adjusted, turning the wheel hard to the right and throwing the others around the car, as she drifted perfectly into the new street, now much closer to the other car.

Derek almost immediately noticed them behind him, slowly catching up, right as the city limits around him gave way to the surrounding suburbs. He scanned around for the nearest exit out, before finding a road in the distance and booking it.

“Bingo!” He shouted, happily drumming his hands on the wheel, right as Percy’s car came into view again.

As they both approached the exit, Percy got right behind the car, matching it for its speed, as she just followed behind, waiting for her opportunity.

“What are you waiting for? Ram it already!” Chops insisted.

“We’re not gonna ram it! We need to get it back to Spence!” Sola pointed out.

Not yet… Percy thought, keeping her grip tight on the wheel.

Harley noticed the flex and kept a subtle eye on Percy as she drove, waiting to see just how she’d get this guy to pull over.

After a short while, they both cleared the suburbs, heading out of the city and onto the road to the Southern Wayside. The greenery started to build up as the wilderness made itself known, finally giving Percy the opportunity to act.

In a swift move, she changed lanes and pushed the car further, speeding ahead of the stolen car a good distance.

Then, she turned around.

She kept the car in place, right in Derek’s path, waiting for him to eventually collide with her.

“What’re you doing?!” Chops cried, grabbing Percy’s shirt. “Drive us away!!!”

Percy kept staring steely eyed at the other car, watching as the car started to waver, shaking a little from Derek’s nervous hand movements.

“What’re they doing?!” Derek cried, feeling his sweat run onto his hands. “Don’t they want the car back?!”

“Fuck this!” Chops yelled out, jumping out of the car, as Sola and Harley did so too, leaving Percy at the driver’s wheel.

She waited, firm in her conviction.

The stolen car shuddered.

Derek’s felt himself caught between decisions.

In a matter of seconds…

Percy watched as the stolen car swerved, slowing down somewhat, before rearing off road, tumbling down a hill and landing in a massive pile of bushes, letting Percy release a solitary sigh of relief.

Eventually, she hopped out of the car and started heading over, before getting stopped by Sola and Chops dogpiling her.

“Nevermind, that was awesome!” Chops let out.

“That was insane!!! What a wild child!” Sola exclaimed, sitting on top of her. “Where’d you learn to do that?!”

Percy sat back up enough to free her arms to sign.

[Back when I was working with Wicker, he insisted I learn how to stunt drive.] Percy confessed. [It was standard training. Our line of work meant I might need to escape from pursuing Wailing, so I took my classes very seriously. Also, I was really good at it.]

As Percy started to feel uncomfortable, she noticed Harley reaching out a hand, before she looked up and willingly took it.

“That doesn’t explain why you nearly got us killed.” Harley noted, as Percy stood back up and started heading for the other car.

She turned around to answer.

[Good drivers’ brake. Idiots swerve.]

She headed for the car again, hopping down to assess the damage, leave the others behind in shock.

“…”

“…”

“Is she single?” Chops earnestly asked, looking back at Harley and Sola. “…asking for…Joleicia…”

Percy slid down the car’s front, before finding Derek knocked unconscious behind the wheel. Fortunately, the damage to the car was almost non-existent.

“How’s it looking?” Harley called out, as Percy started heading back up.

[It’ll need a lift. We’ll have to push it out of the ditch. I’ll drive it back to the academy while you guys can take the other car.] Percy mentioned, before hearing the sound of sirens closing in from the distance. [We can leave this guy for them.]

Harley nodded, before snapping her fingers. “And I know a fun way we can cover our tracks.”

Derek started to flutter to consciousness, as he registered the gag in his mouth and the approaching police sirens. As the cars pulled up, he could already see his parole officer stepping out of one of them, before walking up to him and shaking his head.

“You just make things harder on yourself, Derek.” He bemoaned, before spotting a note pinned to Derek’s chest.

Don’t worry, the car’s been returned to its rightful owner. All in the name of justice.

Sincerely, the Blacklock Bandit

“The Blacklock Bandit?”

“It’s a local legend. They apparently protected Detu City from criminals a decade back.” Harley clarified, driving down the academy’s walkway. “Julia told me about it.”

“I think I heard Virgil mention them once or twice too. They seemed pretty cool.” Sola noted, kicking her legs. “Think the police’ll chase us down?”

“What for? We’re giving the cars back.” Chops chimed in, just as they passed Spence and Percy to the side.

“Oh, thank you so much! I’m indebted to you, truly!” Spence insisted, hugging Percy suddenly, as Percy felt the need to break it immediately.

Fortunately, Spence pulled back, before assessing the state of the car. “What team are you a part of? I’ll put in a good word with Faller.”

Percy shifted her eyes for a second, before throwing her hands up to try and distract from the awkwardness of the situation, only to come up with a better solution.

[…Team Valiant.] Percy replied, as Spence nodded along, before reading the signing aloud.

“Team Valiant? Wait…” Spence said, muttering to herself and counting on her fingers, only to spot Coatsworth standing by the walkway holding his bags, staring at the empty space on the road.

He blinked a few times.

“Where is my car?”

He got his answer right as Harley pulled up beside Spence’s and quickly realised whose car they borrowed.

“Mr Coatsworth?” She called out from the window, before hopping out. “We’re so sorry. There was this guy-“

“This dickhead stole a car!” Chops added. “Not your car, Spence’s one, but-“

“We had to chase him down! And it got really intense!” Sola followed up. “So we had to use a car to find him-“

Right as she said that, Percy appeared from the side, before frantically bowing to Coatsworth in apology.

[I’m sorry sir, but I couldn’t sit by when I knew I could catch that criminal.] Percy insisted. [I can pay for the damages myself.]

Coatsworth thought on this for a second, before tilting his head.

“Who are you?”

Percy panicked for a second, realising they were both strangers to each other, before Harley went to wrap an arm around her.

“She’s a friend of ours. She’s the reason Spence got her car back.” Harley explained, watching Spence happily grab her sunglasses from the back of her car.

Coatsworth turned to face Percy, before signing himself. [Then what’s there to apologise for?]

Percy’s found her face turning flush, as Harley and Sola started dragging her back in the direction of the dorms.

“Sorry again!” Sola called back.

“We’ll be more careful next time!” Harley added, as Chops stared at her.

“Next time?”

Harley realised what she said and facepalmed. “You know what I meant.”

~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~

Essex sprinted across the forest floor, expertly ducking and weaving around and trees and swinging from branches, trying to keep pace with the still lingering path of the Wailing.

The snow was starting to peter out as she got further into the forest, making the trail harder to navigate, giving Essex little hope of finding the Wailing after all.

I cannot return empty handed now. Essex insisted, taking a second to recover and investigate the surrounding area.

Not much was coming up, as she saw no markings on any nearby trees, or lingering parts of its flesh.

All hope of finding it seemed lost, as she found her way into a small clearing, until Essex remembered Sillik’s earlier remark about drawing out Wailing with sound.

She decided to cup her hands around her mouth, before pulling off an impressive bird call and jumping out of the way, scaling up a nearby tree and hiding until the Wailing arrived.

I had never thought I would be deliberately drawing a Wailing toward me… Essex thought, just as a small bit of activity caught her eye in the distance.

Eventually, it slowly built up, shifting around the surrounding plant life with each movement, before the Wailing in question emerged from the bushes, wandering into the clearing as best it could without legs.

Unlike most of the Wailing Essex had encountered, this one seemed at least semi-aquatic. What could be made out of its body looked to be in the shape of flippers and a tail fin, but sharpened for some kind of protection, with a singular eye that navigated around its face, moving to whichever side it needed to. A small spout of water also seemed to be constantly spraying from its back, which Essex lichened to it having sprung a leak.

Its eye shifted around, trying to get a good look at the area, ideally finding some kind of easy food, as Essex took a second to get into the ideal position to ambush it.

It skulked around, looking like it was feeling for vibrations in the air, only for a branch to snap suddenly behind it and spook it.

Its head lifted up in an instant, right as Essex hit the ground and it bolted, rushing back into the forest again now that two people were surrounding it on each end.

Essex almost went to chase it and not lose it again, before she found the other reason why it escaped, as Rosalind stared at her across the clearing, her sword at the ready and a curious smile on her face from now having noticed Essex.

Essex quickly registered who it was and after a second of confusion readied herself in a combative stance, as Rosalind slowly did the same.

They both wandered into the clearing, still keeping their distance as they started to circle each other, sizing the other up. Essex was fully ready to pivot away from the Wailing hunt, especially if it meant finally dealing with…

“Well, I’ll be.” Rosalind let out. “Lucky day for me. Where’re the others?”

Essex stayed silent, still looking for a chance to take her out, as Rosalind figured out the answer.

“…huh. Just us then.” Rosalind insisted, clearly enjoying herself. “Of all the gin joints…looks like we get our real fight after all.”

Essex started gritting her teeth, as Rosalind prepared to run.

“Finally, no holding ba-“

“Rosalind? Where’d you head off to?”

Rosalind’s ears perked up, as Essex turned in the direction of the voice.

“I think I might be lost. Did you manage to catch up to it?”

Suddenly, Essex recognised who the voice was, before getting an idea and exiting her stance.

Rosalind noticed her change in expression and raised her sword.

“Don’t yo-“

“Florey?!” Essex called out, as Rosalind stamped her foot.

“God fuckin-!”

“…Essex?”

“You little shit!” Rosalind grumbled, holding herself back so much. “You got so fucking lucky this time, remember that.”

Rosalind quickly ducked away, leaving the clearing right as Florey found his way in, his eyes widening as he saw Essex.

“Uhh, hey? What’re you doing out here?” Florey asked, somewhat in disbelief.

“…I am interning. With Aurora.” Essex explained, as Florey snapped his fingers.

“Right, they’re right around here.” Florey remembered. “Well, small world. Didn’t know we’d both be wandering through the forest today.”

Essex looked back to where Rosalind had disappeared to. “…why are you here today?”

“Oh, Wailing research. I, uhh, can’t really go into more detail.” Florey excused, rubbing his neck. “Hey, have you seen a woman around here? Her name’s Rosalind, she’s helping me out with work.”

Essex stepped back a bit, shocked at how brazen his admittance to that was, as Florey dictated with his hands.

“Attitude problem? Has a sword? No?” Florey asked. “It’s fine. Hey, how’re things on your end?”

“…good.” Essex said, before pointing to the forest. “I need t-“

“How’s Julia doing? You guys are in third-year now, right?” Florey insisted, excitement in his eyes. “What’s it like? Spare no details.”

…oh dear… Essex realised.

“I fucking hate that little bitch so much. I wanna strangle her to near death and watch her beg me for air…” Rosalind muttered, slashing her heated up sword through tree after tree. “How dare she rob me a damn good fight…AGAIN…”

Rosalind did her best to follow in the direction the Wailing had been heading in, even if her heart wasn’t in it anyone.

“…fucking Florey…” Rosalind let out. “He should know better than to hold me ba…”

Just as she managed to get past most of the trees, and luckily stumble upon her car again, Rosalind ducked back into the bushes, as she spotted the Wailing in question curiously inspecting her car.

It pushed itself against the side, shoving its head into the drivers seat and jostling the car around, as Rosalind used the distraction to swiftly run up to the car and duck behind the containment device.

“Perfect…alright, now to get it in there…” Rosalind muttered, chucking her sword in her hand in preparation for a fight, before spotting the Wailing lifting up its head and dropping a few loose lollipops from the glove compartment into its body.

It looked to dissolve them, as Rosalind put down her sword, before getting an idea and reaching into her pocket, pulling out a few more lollipops she had on hand.

Quickly, she chucked them into the containment device, rattling against the side loudly, as it drew the Wailing’s attention. Rosalind sidled around the car, watching as the Wailing gazed around, before finding the food in the container.

It sniffed inquisitively, before ducking in to try and grab them, only for its disproportionate head to pull it in, as it dropped in the device headfirst.

Rosalind bolted for the controls on the device, mashing the close button, as the lid slammed down and locked in place, only for the Wailing to realise what had happened and glare at Rosalind.

“Yes! That’s what you get, dipshit!” Rosalind celebrated, right as more rustling came from the bush, just as Florey emerged out, tripping over a couple branches.

“Rosalind! There you are. Sorry, got caught up talking with a f…” Florey muttered, only to notice the Wailing filling the containment device. “…wha…”

Florey blinked, before getting closer. “You got it?!”

“I always get it!” Rosalind cheered, pumping her fists. “Stupid thing just wandered in like i-“

Suddenly, the container shook violently, thrashing around as the Wailing inside was visibly vitriolic. Florey and Rosalind stepped back, just as it died down, with the Wailing starting to exhaust itself.

“…hah, what’d I say? Dumb as shit.” Rosalind grinned, kicking the side of the device. “Alright, let’s get this thing back to base.”

“…r-right.” Florey let out, holding his chest, as he tried to let his anxiety wash away.

Just as he went for the passenger seat, his heart started to race again, as he thought on everything that’d come from this.

I finally get to make a name for myself… Florey realised. The first step in my research…and more discoveries to come…

“I cannot lose them.” Essex muttered, angrily following in the direction of Rosalind and the Wailing. “This will be a disgrace if I let this happen.”

She stormed through the forest, scythe at the ready, as she was just about to pass through the bush blocking the view of Rosalind’s car before it drove off…

…only for a hand to land on her shoulder.

She swung around immediately, pushing her scythe to the person’s neck, as Nevando stepped back.

“Okay, bad idea on my part.” Nevando admitted, before taking on a much more serious tone.

Essex pulled her scythe away, as she noticed Sillik behind him, folding their arms.

“You disobeyed Sillik, didn’t you?”

Essex stared back at Nevando, as she tried not to let her emotions grip her.

“W-We had located the Wailing, but Sillik had decided to leave it to a later date. I could not sit by while a Wailing was allowed to wander around when I could have done something about it.” Essex explained, almost tearing up.

Nevando noticed and made a point to kneel down, resting a hand on her shoulder. “…I’ll give you a pass for now since no one got hurt. I’m not in the business of telling people what’s right or wrong, I just hunt Wailing. And it seems you’ve got your own code figured out.”

Nevando stood back up.

“But you’re still working with us. Show us respect, and we’ll respect you.”

Essex kept quiet, debating whether to make another apology for betraying Muer again.

“And Sillik, give the kid a break.” Nevando insisted, turning around, as Sillik tried to keep their composure. “We’re heading back to the agency and continuing with Sillik’s plan. Once the other team gets here, then we can go out hunting.”

Sillik shared a bitter glance with Essex as they followed behind Nevando, leaving Essex to quietly follow them back, still thinking about Rosalind and Florey and why they were here.

…the others need to know.

—-—TEAM AVALANCHE MISSION—-—

—-—HUNT DOWN THE SLUSH SKULKER—-—

—-—POSTPONED—-—

———

“…h dear, that was one of the loveliest outings I’ve ever been on.” Wess cooed, her arms wrapped around Julia’s as they came back into their dorm.

“I know. Any time with you is special to me.” Julia added, pushing herself closer. “I really liked the part with all the kissing and hugging and…you know…”

Wess rolled her eyes as she opened the door. “Uhuh. How am I not surprised?”

“Cause you liked it to?” Julia suggested, right as both of them realised what was happening in the middle of the dorm.

“Per-cy! Per-cy!” Harley, Sola and Chops cheered, throwing Percy into the air, as Percy wavered between excited embarrassment and embarrassed excitement.

Wess turned to Julia. “What happened while we were away?”

“Percy turned out to be badass, that’s what happened!” Harley cheered. “I take back everything I said, Percy’s cool as shit!”

“Julia, you missed a sweet car chase!” Chops clarified, as Julia looked disappointed.

“There was another one? Aww…” Julia let out, as Harley picked up Sola.

“I was right! Friendship rules!” Sola cheered, being thrown up as well. “Yay friendship! Yay friendship!”

Percy’s found herself laughing, before pumping her fists as well, cheering along with the others in her own way, as a few tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks.

The first time she’s cried in a while.

And this time, it was for a good reason.