Taskhand hadn't changed. Still buzzing with activity, filled with footsteps and voices that never seemed to pause, even without me or Wanora around to fan the flame.
As we stepped in through the familiar glass doors, the first thing we saw was Monday, stationed dutifully at the reception desk like always.
"Hey... Monday, how are you?" I called out casually.
Monday's head jerked up the moment he heard my voice. His eyes widened, and then—before I could brace—he lunged over the counter with surprising speed, wrapping both Wanora and me in a hug.
"Woah woah, hey hey, that's a bit rough," I said with a laugh, patting his back. "Missed you, buddy."
He didn't say anything—just gave a small nod, then turned his head and bellowed with surprising force, "SINUS! THEY'RE HERE!"
There was a loud crash somewhere deeper inside, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Sinus came barreling in, all limbs and motion, before wrapping his arms around both me and Wanora in a tight squeeze. Monday quickly joined in again like he couldn't help himself.
Wanora smiled, almost chuckling, then asked, "Where's Gars?"
"Oh, he got the task of getting the cat," Sinus replied, still clinging a little.
"Again?" I raised an eyebrow. "Who's even assigning him that at this point?"
"Dunno," he shrugged, then glanced over his shoulder and motioned subtly. "Hey, who's that?"
I followed his gaze.
Evena stood there. Still. Expression unreadable. Like a soldier waiting for the next command. Not a twitch.
I took a step toward her and clapped my hands dramatically. "THIS IS THE NEWEST CORE MEMBER OF TASKHAND! CLAP, EVERYBODY!"
The crowd inside the hall looked over, a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces—the usual drifters, those randoms who came here to grab a job, make a quick buck, and vanish again. They didn't ask questions. They didn't need a reason. They heard me shout, saw someone new, and the applause started without hesitation.
Monday went up to shake her hand. As he reached out, Evena turned her eyes to me. I gave her a small nod, and only then did she lift her hand to meet his.
"Evena, please make yourself comfortable," I said, gesturing her toward the door behind reception—the one that led to our living space. She gave no reaction, just moved silently in that direction like she was following a script.
Wanora watched her disappear into the hallway, then said, "I'm going in too."
"Alright," I muttered, turning back to Monday and Sinus once we were alone again. "Listen. That girl—Evena—she doesn't talk much. Had a rough childhood. Real quiet most of the time. And she'll do anything you tell her, no questions asked. Not because she's loyal. Because she's scared. Scared you'll hit her if she doesn't. So take care of her, alright?"
"Uh, sure... Wanora allowed this?" Sinus asked, glancing toward the hallway.
"Yeah. She's the one who suggested it, actually. So I followed through."
"Oh, well—we forgot to tell you too," Sinus said, his voice shifting with sudden nervousness. "We also have a new member. Got that kid while you were away."
I stared. "Oh? Where are they?"
"Oh, she's with Gars."
---
"Okay, you see it, Shalap?" Gars asked.
The girl beside him nodded eagerly, her dark orange hair bouncing with the movement. Her eyes—brilliant purple—sparkled with a smile that never quite left her face.
"Good. Catch it."
The cat bolted the moment it felt eyes on it. A sleek shadow weaving through the crowded market, under stalls, over crates, vanishing and reappearing like a ghost.
Shalap didn't hesitate. She leapt from rooftop to rooftop like she was born up there. No wasted movement, no hesitation. Her eyes locked on the darting cat. Then—timing it perfectly—she dove down, arms extended, and scooped it right out of the air like a hawk snatching prey.
"There you are, you cutie," she giggled, pressing her nose gently to the cat's fur and inhaling its scent.
Behind her, Gars approached, slightly out of breath. "Thanks. This one really was a pain."
She shook her head with a big smile. "No problem, big brother."
Then, as if remembering something, she tilted her head toward Taskhand's direction.
"Big bro, is someone coming today?"
"Huh? No, not that I know of. Why?"
"I put my hair near the board," she said proudly. "So I can hear. 'Welcome back Heide and Wanora...'"
Gars paused.
"Wait—big bro, is that brother Heide and big sister Wanora?" Shalap's eyes lit up.
Gars turned to look toward the building, a slow grin spreading on his face. "Guess they're back, huh?"
"Let's go, let's go already!" she said excitedly.
He laughed. "Let's go then."