Enfys’s responding smile held a hint of a sneer as she said, “Well, ain’t that nice.”
“It is,” Zef agreed.
The last to arrive was Cya, the newest addition to the group from Bryce’s understanding. They were young, not a day over twenty if he had to guess, though they were trying to act mature to fit in with their older co-workers. They spoke with a posh accent indicative of the Pride district, and though everyone was friendly, Bryce could tell the others didn’t quite know what to do with them.
They were a Sypent, their snake-like lower half covered in deep green scales that shimmered in the light, their tail ending in a black rattle. A tunic-like garment hung from their narrow shoulders, and they werecovered in gold jewelry. Their torso was more humanoid, their long green hair matching the color of their tail, their skin a dark bronze.
Instead of joining into conversation, Cya hovered around the edges, observing the group with intense golden eyes. Knowing what it felt like to be an outsider, Bryce made his way over to them and extended a hand.
“Hey, I don’t think we were properly introduced last time,” he said as the Sypent sized him up with a bored expression. “I’m Bryce.”
“Cya,” they said as they shook his hand, the bangles on their arm jingling.
“You’re new, right?”
“Not exactly. I worked closing shifts for a few months, but I’m moving to the day shift now that Oliver and the Araknis are moving to the Greed location,” they said, gaze jumping between him and Zef across the room. “You are the Mantodea’s partner?”
“Roommate,” Bryce corrected. “I’m doing a study abroad program, and Zef’s letting me crash at theirs for the next, like, nine months or so.”
The first sign of interest crossed Cya’s face. “Study abroad? Explain.”
It was a demand, not a request, but Bryce decided not to take offense. From what he’d gleaned about Pentagram society, Hellians from Pride and Greed were wealthy and even snooty. Cya was probably accustomed to getting their way and ordering people around.
Plus, they were just a kid. He didn’t want to judge them too harshly.
“Yeah, I’m a vet back home. An animal doctor,” he explained when Cya’s brow furrowed. “And there’s this three-semester program where we study Hellian animal species. I thought it sounded fun.”
“Fun?” they echoed incredulously.
“I’ve always liked school and learning. Studying here sounded so interesting, I figured I’d give it a shot.”
Cya hummed. “I see. I attend university as well.”
“Oh yeah? What are you studying?”
“Business,” they said, looking bored again.
“What made you choose business?”
Their eyes pinched. “Well, my parents allowed me to choose between business, law, or medicine. So I chose business.”
“But you don’t like it?” he asked. Well, he meant to ask, but it came out more as a statement because it was clear by their expression and posture that they didn’t.
Startled, they stared at him unblinking for several loaded seconds before they turned away, crossing their arms protectively over their chest. “It’s not about liking or disliking. It’s school.”
“I guess, but you should still like what you’re studying, especially if you’re gonna be working that field the rest of your life, right?”
Like he was speaking a foreign language, Cya side-eyed him judgmentally before they said, “Excuse me,” and abruptly walked—slithered?—away.
Someone snorted, and Bryce glared down at Rusty as he sidled up next to him, claws clicking on the floor. “Smooth.”
“I was just making conversation,” Bryce muttered.
“They’re not much for conversation. Gem tries to talk to them at work, and they literally ignore him. It drives him crazy.”
“They’re young,” Bryce said, and Rusty nodded into his cider. “Oh, have you read the D&D manuals I gave you?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I think I get how it’s supposed to work.”
