I hit the showers in the men's locker room and spent five minutes standing under scalding water trying to remember what a normal Thursday morning used to feel like.
Back when I wasn't juggling two girlfriends, a quest timer counting down to my death, and an upcoming combat evaluation where I'd have to pretend my adaptive-type Essentia wasn't just a cover story for stealing powers through sex.
Good times.
I dried off and pulled on my uniform. The white button-up felt restrictive after the gym clothes, and I caught my reflection in the mirror while fixing my tie.
White hair still looked ridiculous. Mismatched eyes still made me look like a character creation screen gone wrong. But the marks on my neck were new.
Two scratches from Cheon's nails. One bite mark from Mera that I'd completely forgotten about until this exact moment.
Fantastic.
I buttoned my collar higher and hoped nobody looked too closely.
My phone buzzed. Group chat.
Mera: breakfast in 20? shore café?
