REFURBISHED [Morbitia Renovarse]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

[image description: Despina without a mask wearing a cracked pair of glasses. Their true face is pitch black with messy curly hair and a muzzle like a cartoon simplification of a bird. There is a certain leathery shine to their beak, light reflecting.]

The two of you have settled into a booth in the library section of the archives. Though they're designed to allow private spaces to study and research, they tend to be good spots for having small meetings. Your spidery colleague makes his way with little effort or fanfare, locking the door behind. 

Diver: You settled in fine?

Despina: Good as I'll be.

Diver: Just you right now? 

Despina: Savvy's gone ahead, they wanted to check in on Romero. Good to see them getting along so quickly, takes a bit off me.

Diver: Hard to keep an eye on?

Despina: Needs more than a few wounded witches and a few proxies in the lobby, you know? Friends who can keep up with someone as active as them. 

Diver: Friends who can cover for them at work if shit hits the fan. 

Despina: Mm... 

Diver: You plan this at all or...

Despina: No? As much as I consider them and the others I handle contractually my responsibility I don't meddle more than I need to. Keeping them safe is one thing, managing their lives like that...

Diver: I mean you shelter Savvy pretty actively, more than just "a friend." People worry about you, you know? You got like any friends you don't treat like a kid? Keep up with your old crew like that or-

Despina: We're still talking. 

Diver: Off shift.

Despina: It's been all work these days. 

Diver: Yeah but like.. I dunno. People don't want a boss or a mom hovering over them when they clock out but... get the sense you never turn that off. 

Despina: Can I ask you how things are with your people? 

Diver: I mean I'm busy but I take the time to drink with my folks. I'm still close to my old team, we call every other day. You... well, you literally got a mask on at all times. 

Despina: You're one to talk. 

Diver: My smile's still my own you know... you got your old glasses on you? Called yourself a wounded witch.

Despina: In my pockets... 

Diver: Put 'em on, let me see the real you right now.

You carefully pull out your old lens, cracked and shining with the mark of a few too many supernatural accidents. 

Diver: Things went bad for you pretty early, yeah? 

Despina: Never such thing as early.

Diver: You're what, 30? 

Despina: 33. 

Diver: That's hella early to get scuffed like that. 

Despina: And not at all uncommon in this field. That's why it's proper etiquette for any witch scarred permanently by their field of work to keep their lens on their person. Solidarity with your comrades. 

Diver: How often you get the chance to share that with other people though? When you keep to yourself...

Despina: Enough. 

Diver: Is it really?

He proceeds to shuffle through his own pockets, circular lens with swirls cracked in form that felt almost deliberate. 

Despina: You too then, figured. 

Diver: Yeah. I mean why else do you end up with a different body, you know? 

Despina: Aesthetics, fulfillment of needs.

Diver: First one's a little true, I was given some options but... you know? Shit goes down, gotta figure out a way to keep yourself going. 

Despina: Your model's not public though. Means either you paid deep, got connections, or-

Diver: Or It's stolen. Not that anyone can prove it. 

Despina: You cozy with any gene archivists?

Diver: Nah, too much effort. 

Despina: Then you obtained it by alternative means. 

Diver: Long as you don't ask specifics, absolutely. 

Despina: A troublemaker.

Diver: Mmhmm.. 

Despina: You're looking for colleagues who aren't-

Diver: Going to be sticks in the mud? Yeah. If you're a witch, not born into a coven family, and you're as overly serious as the dudes I'm working with? Something is wrong. People like that rub me wrong being the majority at the top right now. Not in the spirit of things. 

Despina: You want practical but a people person. I mean I'm one of those things-

Diver: Are you though? 

The false fiend reaches toward your face. 

Diver: Can I see? 

Despina: The mask?

Diver: Your face. Not whatever entity you're filling the shape of right now, no puppetry or costumes. Just you quickly. 

Despina: It's a lot to ask when we hardly know each other. 

Diver: But? 

Despina: You're assuming there's a but. 

Diver: Isn't there?

Despina: A little bit. 

Diver: Then fill out the rest. But....? 

Despina: But nobody really asks me without it being a fetish thing... 

You fiddle with your glasses in your hands for a moment. 

Diver: If you really don't want to-

Despina: I'm interested in whatever potential alliance you're offering, I'm also very aware that the way things have been operating are putting more strain workload-wise for gains that aren't sustainable or significantly better. They just want people to stay busy but they avoid being direct. 

Diver: You get it then. 

Despina: What made you think I'd be up for this sort? I'm not exactly any lighter-

Diver: The company you keep. People around you are too... honest, comfortable around you. Speaks a million words.... but also you can't internalize them as real friends. Starving yourself of a good life. 

Despina: Maybe. Deserve it to a degree. 

Diver: Don't feel it. 

Despina: Like I said, hardly know each other. 

Diver: Your case isn't exactly secret above, have to disagree. 

He stands up to stretch for a brief moment. 

Despina: You have something to say. 

Diver: Bit preachy. 

Despina: Go on. 

Diver: Someone who fucks up and does everything possible to make up for it... to the point where they might grow old and die never believing they've got good in them after...

Diver: ...I dunno, rings more earnest than someone who's never kicked a puppy in their life as far as we know. Harder to atone and accept that means you might not be forgiven in the end, proof of stronger character as far as I'm concerned.

You quickly slide the mask off, glasses on.

You feel exposed, the cracked lens being the only protection you and your soul have from the gaze of the world. 

The fiend gives you a big smile. 

Diver: There you go! Bird.

Despina: Not quite anymore... 

Diver: You from a coven family? 

Despina: Mmm... 

Diver: Marcos Justicia, understudy according to your files. You both related at all or-

Despina: Student of a old mentor, Javi Blanc. Wanted to see some practice in the city, got the blessing to take him in for them for a few years. 

Diver: Mm.. noted, noted. I got a message so give me just one sec. 

They pull out their phone quickly.

Despina: Everything alright? 

Diver: Yeah. I might have to put a pin in this but... this week I wanna have your crew and mine meet. Think it'd be good to trade notes over a group lunch. I wanna expand networks a bit, something that doesn't rely on the bigger branches as much in case. 

You nod, quick to put away your glasses and reach for your mask. 

The fiend puts a finger on your hand just as you grab the rim.

Diver: I want you to open up to your guys more if you're gonna do this. Can you do that much? 

Despina:... I don't know if I can. 

Diver: Think you should at least try, you know? Maybe call some old friends more too if you're able. 

Despina: I'll see what I can do. 

The Fiend lets your hand free, you're quick to slap the mask back onto your face until it's no longer your own.

You adjust it, making sure you can see through just fine and-

Diver has already managed to make his escape, the door still swung open.

Your friend waving at you from the other end holding a labeled paper bag.

Savvy: Hey! Had to get help covering your meds, talks go okay?

Despina: As good as they could be. 

Savvy: ..That bad?

Despina: No, it's nice for once. Lets wrap up business here and I'll fill you in.