Chapter Text
Jabber was finishing up what was perhaps his fifteenth “big mission” of the week. He was exhausted. Sure, he enjoyed ripping information out of people, getting away with robbery, rage baiting his victims, but he’s had like, nooo time alone with Mankira and his toxins back at base. He’s a cheerful and sociable guy, really!
But even he needed some downtime. Been pulling some all-nighters for these back-to-back missions. Maybe a toxic pick-me-up, or something that stung his central nervous system, anything, alone at his room.
He was finishing up his latest mission. Slumping through his boringly finished blood scene, at some nobody warehouse, Zodyl’s request in hand (some dirty ol’ antique?), and he turned his choker on, to call Cthoni.
“‘m done”
He feels the familiar psychedelic glow, and trudges into it, really looking forward to some time to relax.
When Cthoni returned them to base, Zodyl was already there, of course. Cold and still, he awaited for their return.
Raider base wasn’t exactly what you’d call welcoming, but it got the job done. Inconspicuous, dull and concrete walls, flat roof, and two basement floors. The inside is where the party’s at.
Jabber lazily smiled, holding up some ugly-old looking artifact thing whatever, and Zodyl simply nodded, and open-handedly accepted his request.
“Zodyl my mannn, Jabber’s been such an obedient little errand boy! Doesn’t he get something for all his hard work?
Come onnnn, new toxins? Plants? Maybe some new flasks??”
He heard Zodyl mutter something to Cthoni before she headed off. Zodyl turns to Jabber. Staring eerily for just a few empty moments, and then gives one of his rare, perfectly conducted, small smiles.
Jabber’s ecstatic, he rarely gets a smile, must be something good!!!
“Jabber, yes. In fact, you have been quite acceptable. I have something very special in mind, for you.”
Jabber’s elated, all the weariness leaving him. He knows what this means. The beatdown of a lifetime!!!!
Though the excitement dwindles once he hears Zodyl’s next few words.
“This gift will be different, I remember you requesting something unorthodox, for the next time you deserved a very special reward”
Jabber tilted his head “Whaddya mean? Uhh isn’t *everything* I ask for unorthodox?”
Zodyl kept still “I remember you mentioning the cleaner, Zanka.”
His mouth flew open. That request… was a joke. Zodyl was actually listening to him??? Zodyl *does* pay attention to him!!!
Jabber couldn’t help a squeal.
“AAAAAAAA YOU MEAN YOU MEAN- YOU’LL LET ME KEEP HIM?????????”
Zodyl, continuing his smile, nods.
Jabber thought he was getting a treat, no. He’s getting the whole candy store!!
Zodyl, turning back into base, waves a hand back at Jabber “I’ll have Cthoni pick him up soon. In the meantime, get cell #2 ready for him.”
Wow! He’s never had a pet before! He’s tried to keep some trash beasts before, but they weren’t as fun as he’d hoped. All volume without the conversation. He needs some good banter!
And what better banter than good ol’ Mr. Bad Attitude, himself? Hell, he’s already given him a cute nickname!
Jabber goes down to the second basement floor, hops and skids at cell #2, and takes its key that was hung up next to it.
He hums a tune as he sweeps the floor all nice, lays out a futon, some plushies, a water bowl, food bowl, and whatever else a pet needs. He wished he could just keep him in his room, but Zodyl’s got the right idea.
“Don’t give him any opportunity to escape.”
Though mayyybe some escape attempts would make it more fun!
Jabber takes a moment to take a step back and admire his impromptu decorating. Hands on his hips, sighing in satisfaction. “Zanka is definitely gonna be pissed”.
—
Zanka was pissed, he’d just gotten back into the field with Team Akuta (after yet another encounter with dreads a more than a week ago), but spent the whole day on babysitting duty, being Rudo’s mentor.
Enjin had entrusted them to go clean up some trash Beasts around South Ward with just the two of them, and two supporters he wasn’t as familiar with.
They all handled everything just fine, sure. But Rudo kept messing up the directions he gave him, and succeeded anyways with his own inherent giftedness. What was the point of him being his mentor here if the kid wasn’t gonna listen to him? And showing him up in the process? What an insatiable punk. Yeah Rudo apologizes, tries to listen, but he doesn’t know when to sit still and actually hear him.
After a day of cleaning, a tired car ride back to HQ, they arrive by dinner time. And with a sigh, he rewinds back Rudo’s performance as they take a seat at the cafeteria.
Rudo was improving his form, better pacing, so he does pay attention. But he should practice waiting and listening to his surroundings.
As he continued though, Riyo slides in next to him.
“Heyyyy guys, how did it go today?”
Zanka turns to Rudo, expecting him to answer.
“Oh uh, I guess it went well. We fought a couple of huge trash beasts, though there were hoards of the smaller ones everywhere.. made it harder to move around and stop the bigger ones from smashing through buildings.”
Zanka, more calm, replied, “I know you hate to see buildings torn down, but those trash beasts are huge, and trample everything in their way. Don’t beat yourself up for not being able to protect everything”
Rudo simply looks down, and nods.
Riyo perks up though, walking up to him and ruffled his hair, “Yeah come on, Rudo. You saved the rest of the empty city, right? What cool piece of trash didya use today?”
Rudo sits up straight, still flustered whenever the redhead messes with his hair, “I-I um, a toaster!”
“A toaster? How did you fight with that?”
“Launches projectiles!”
“Daaamn, that’s cool! I definitely wanna see that sometime!”
Zanka just rests his elbows on the table, finding the scene beside him ridiculous.
Enjin walks over, finding it hilarious.
He takes a seat next to Zanka, slinging an arm over his shoulder. “Zanka! Buddy, how’d it go with tomato face over there?”
Zanka rolled his eyes, “Could’ve been worse”
Rudo manages to reply “I’m trying to listen to Zanka.. and get better”
“Good! Good! Remember, a mentor and mentee relationship goes both ways. I know you both’ll improve as you work together. I know I’ve gotten better ever since I picked up Zanka!”
Zanka immediately brightens up at him, “Really?”
“Sure! Like I’ve said, you understand vital instruments best. Everyone gets inspired watching you and Lovely Assistaff do your thing!”
Zanka’s on cloud nine, smiling brightly to himself, though he remembers to tone his smile down. “Ahem, right, yes, of course. I’ve taken notice of this, before”.
Enjin and Riyo just glance at each other, and give a small chuckle, in response.
Riyo then lifts a finger, “Oh! Zanka, by the way, it’s your turn to pick up the takeout this week. Make sure to get me extra spicy sauce packets!”
“Oh shit you’re right, they close soon” He sits up, grabbing Lovely Assistaff, and heads to the entrance.
He’s ready to leave, remembering which place they go for on Fridays, but not before Enjin briefly stops him, hand resting on Zanka’s shoulder
“Hey, honestly, I’m proud of you. I know it’s not easy taking on the mentor role, sometimes. But I know you’re gonna be great, you’re gonna be strong”
Zanka does his best to keep his face straight as he looks up at Enjin, nodding, “Thanks, I really appreciate it”.
—
Cthoni was just done going over plans of kidnapping this Zanka kid. Why the boss was suddenly pampering Jabber? She’d never know.
Luckily for her, Zodyl’s already had this planned for a while, and made a surprisingly simple set up.
Zodyl’s got his connections, a restaurant owner, and all she has to do is wait for the Zanka kid to pick up some takeout.
She waits, portals him to base, and the owner will keep the place empty and not say a word about it.
About 30 minutes have passed now. He’s late, but he’s arrived. Cthoni is in her usual anonymous cloak, hunched over at a small table near the entrance. Zanka walks up to the counter, and she strikes.