Chapter Text
Uzi felt intimidated while walking back to the front of the bunker, no keycard in hand. To be fair, she felt happier that she was wrong about dying, and her prototypes being destroyed definitely made it a bit more exciting for her to come back and rework them!
…But how would she get-
A *SHRNK* cut her off, as the bunker doors started to slowly screech open, revealing green eyes staring back in astonishment. Uzi only felt more awkward, staring face-to-face with the last person she’d talked to before… everything happened, Thad.
As she slowly made her way back in, she was surprised as she felt a pair of arms swing around her, hugging her tightly.
“It’s.. good to see you in one piece, Uzi.” Thad said, trying to steel his emotions a bit.
“Yeah… same to you, Thad. Sorry to worry you, I just… needed some space, is all.” Uzi lied, as she hugged her friend back.
“Yeah I-I get it. The bunker felt a bit… aggressive when you left, though.” Thad said, as he and Uzi pulled apart, confusing Uzi. “I don’t think you leaving made anything better, funny enough! Uh- no offense?”
Uzi chuckled awkwardly. “None taken…? Honestly, I thought for sure people would cheer after I left! What happened, anyways?” She asked, cocking her head curiously.
“A lot, if I’m being honest! C’mon, I’ll tell you on the way back to your place! The less time we have to be here, the better!” Thad said, as he let Uzi come into the bunker, shutting the blast door on any prying eyes.
“SO, what’s changed? Anyone found dead- actually, why am I asking that, of course more people died!” Uzi chastised herself as she smacked her face, before turning back to Thad as they kept walking. “Just- what happened at school while I was out?”
“Not much, if I’m being honest! Well- one thing did change, at least, after that first day I mean.”
“Oh yeah? What could’ve possibly happened that’s so important?”
“...Doll was, uh, kiiiinda exiled from every friend group in our bunker?”
“Wh- WHAT? How did everyone just up-and decide THAT?” Uzi said, actually shocked to her core.
“Well, word can spread fast from person to person that she actually said multiple death threats to you, and that you… might’ve taken them literally. Everyone thought you died, Uzi. Everyone but me and your dad! I never tried to ask Doll, I don’t think she would’ve talked to me anyways…” Thad explained, as Uzi stared at him dumbfounded.
“Huh, well, how has Doll taken it all? I’m sure she’s not too happy with her popularity going down the s—-hh-hh-er- geez! I forgot we had that automatically enabled!” Uzi asked, being reminded of the auto-censor on her words. Frankly, she thought it was a stupid change, but most parents in the bunker disagreed with her! Whatever, it’s their loss, after all!
“She’s… barely showed up, Uzi. I think she kinda blamed herself for your disappearance, there aren’t many people that could’ve pushed you that far, even after all these years.”
“Yeah… maybe I should’ve waited a bit longer before I asked to be friends again. Maybe none of this would’ve happened if she didn’t have to deal with her parents death alongside that…”
“Nah, I wouldn’t beat yourself up over that! Besides, if she did that when she was at her lowest, it’d be terrifying to see what she’d do if she were fully okay!”
“Heh, I doubt it, the stress probably got to her too fast. It’s not my problem anymore, though. I learned from that to leave her alone, at least! But- uh, how do her friends feel about… everything?”
“Lizzy stuck with her, I don’t think anything could separate those two though! The rest of her friend group is split between feeling remorse for you, and feeling like Doll was right though. Not many people want to hang out with the ones on Doll’s side! I’m pretty sure that argument has started a semi-civil war at school, at least, it feels like it did.”
“So, was I a martyr or…?”
“Nah, I think you’re probably going to make things more confusing when they see you, honestly…”
“...Yeaaaah, you’re probably right.”
“Oh well, you’ll get through it, right ‘zi?” Thad asked, as he stuck up finger guns at Uzi.
“Hah, yeah! I can get through anything when I’ve got my mind on it!” Uzi responded, pointing up her own finger guns at Thad.
“Cool! Well, we’re here, so… See you tomorrow?” Thad asked, as they both came to a stop outside the unit, and he stuck a fist out at Uzi.
“...Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow, Thad.” Uzi said as genuinely as she could manage, fistbumping him.
“Sweet, see you then!” Thad said, waving as he walked away, while Uzi waved back.
…Robo-god dang, he was a great friend! Doll was, yet again, wrong about he and Uzi’s friendship! The fact that he believed enough that Uzi would be fine made her feel better, knowing that she had a friend both on the outside and the inside! But now…?
She had to face her dad. After everything, would he be disappointed in Uzi, or would he kick her out? Sure, he didn’t care about her or her safety most of the time, but the specifics were lost on Uzi.
She braced herself for the worst, as she finally walked up to the door, and opened it.
All she saw was the TV on, and her dad… standing in front of-
Her confusion was cut short, as Khan slammed his arms around Uzi, breathing a sigh of relief.
“Oh thank robo-god you’re alright! I was worried sick, what happened?” Khan said, as Uzi hugged him back for the first time in… a long time.
“Uhh… a lot happened. I can’t remember much though, just bits and pieces…” Uzi lied yet again, as Khan pulled back to look at her.
“Alright… as long as you’re okay, I don’t need to know. Just… be more careful next time, okay?”
“...Yeah, I-I’ll try. Thank you…” Uzi stuttered out awkwardly, as she looked away.
“Good! Now then, you should get some sleep, I’m sure a lot of folks will be relieved to see you in good shape! I know I am!”
“Uh huh, sure… Goodnight dad.” Uzi said unconvinced, walking into their unit, as she turned towards her room.
“Goodnight Uzi! I- uh… I love you, don’t forget that, okay?” Khan said, shutting the unit’s door.
“...I love you too, dad.” Uzi said, walking back to her room, ready to just end her night once and for all.
She wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow, but she’d manage!
Somehow…
__________
…But as she strolled through the halls, every corridor staring her down, she felt that she honestly might just be out of her league. Being someone who’s survived the outside after a failed sss—-- offing attempt, she wasn’t too shocked that most would feel bewildered that she could actually survive the murder drones! There was one problem though…
She couldn’t tell if it was for that reason, or if it was because of her argument with Doll. Neither one sounded much better to her, so she decided to push it down, as she strolled to her locker and opened her backpack to get her books out. She dreaded the next part, as she stacked them up to make a book tower and stood on it to access her locker, grabbing her supplies.
As she started sifting through her stuff, she started to listen in on conversations around her, just to see how annoying today would be.
“Is- is that Doorman’s daughter?”, “You think she’s a vampire now, or something?”, “Dang, she didn’t take time off after that?”, “Where’s my wallet? I thought I left it here!”
…Okay, yeah, most people probably were going to focus on Uzi today! Great…
Uzi finally got sick of all the commotion, as she threw her backpack into the locker and slammed it shut, hopping off the book tower and picking it up to take it with her for class, along with everything else. Actually…
Where’s Lizzy and Doll? Usually, one of them OR their friends would antagonize Uzi by now, so the fact that she wasn’t getting anything?
Yeah, today would suck. How would it not? Oh well, Uzi has class, and she’d rather die than actually sit in her room all day. So, she started her trek to class, noting how most people finally looked away when she came close by. Great, how respectful.
After wearily avoiding any stares and probable insults, she finally reached the classroom and walked in. From what she saw, most of the class just stared with hollow eyes, as she slowly made her way to her desk, finding a chance to wave to Thad too. Hell, even the teacher stared confused, and he never emoted from what Uzi saw. Finally, she sat down awkwardly, as she saw everyone snap their eyes away; looking at the last two drones walk in, Lizzy and Doll.
Lizzy snapped her head towards Uzi in shock, as Doll looked away guiltfully. Uzi tried her best to ignore them both, before Lizzy tried to speak up.
“H-huh! Guess the freak decided to stick around, right?” Lizzy tried to insult Uzi, before everyone looked away immediately, not wanting to be dealt any vitriol from kicking someone who might still be on-the-edge.
“Don’t. Let’s just sit down, okay?” Doll said, guiding Lizzy towards their seats, also trying her best to avoid Uzi.
…Huh, well then. Guess today was going to-
Uzi snapped her head towards the door when she heard it creak open, as she saw a sliver of… yellow enter the doorway.
“...WHAT.” Uzi shouted, seeing Cyn of all people enter the classroom, as everyone silently agreed with her confusion. She looked completely different from before, wearing a black turtleneck and a white crop top with long sleeves over it, along with a black and white skirt to tie it all together.
“Oh, I forgot about her. Class, welcome our new student named ‘Cyn’ or whatever. Please find a seat so I can start, or something.” The teacher said, as Cyn smiled, strolling over to a seat next to Uzi, and looking straight at the person sitting in it.
“Hello! Can you please move? [Curious]” Cyn asked with a ‘gentle’ smile, as the person worriedly looked behind her at Uzi.
“...Why look at me? It’s your choice, man. Although, she miiight just knock you out cold, from what I see.” Uzi snarked, as the random drone snapped back in shock.
“OH. Then, uh- it’s yours! Just don’t hurt me!” He said, flinging himself out of the seat, as Cyn elegantly sat down, finally looking at Uzi with a bright smile.
“Hi, Uzi! Nice to finally meet you!” Cyn said, as Uzi stared dumbfounded.
“B-but HOW did you get in here? Especially with… all of that?” Uzi asked, gesturing towards Cyn.
“They let me in! I got everything from thrift snatching with N- er, my brother and sister-in-law!” Cyn said, as Uzi stared blankly.
“Wow, I know this bunker’s security sucks, but I didn’t know it sucked this bad… Whatever- you look nice! I wasn’t trying to insult you before, y’know?” Uzi redirected, as Cyn chuckled.
“I know… I appreciate it, really! [Shy]” Cyn said, turning away to hide her blush.
“Yeah yeah… But why come here? Wouldn’t they interview you just to make sure you aren’t trying anything?” Uzi pointed out, as Cyn turned back around.
“Well… I said I was the one to save you, and your- uh- dad, I think, immediately thanked me and let me off the hook! Just gave me an entire unit and all!” Cyn explained, as Uzi heard the teacher start yapping, immediately deciding to tune him out.
“Yeah, that sounds about right…” Uzi muttered, as she slammed her arm onto her desk, laying her head onto her hand.
“So… What do you usually do after this? I haven’t seen much around to do, y’know? [Curious]” Cyn asked, as Uzi looked back at her.
“Not much… Either I get on my computer to pirate anime, or I work on one of my projects, like the railgun you guys snatched.” Uzi said, as Cyn scratched her head awkwardly.
“[Awkward Chuckle], Yeah… At least we didn’t destroy it, right?” Cyn reassured, as Uzi slammed her head onto the desk.
“*UGHHHH* That’s not good enough for me! It’s not like I’m going to kill anyone with it now! It’d be useless anyways…” Uzi muttered into her desk, before raising her head up and away from Cyn.
“Well… How about we work on something together? It’d be a good way to make it up to you!” Cyn suggested, as Uzi turned her head back towards her.
“What are you good at building? Can’t really do it all alone if you want to help, y’know?” Uzi asked, as Cyn thought it over.
“Uhh… [Contemplating], I-I don’t know. Nevermind, I guess…” Cyn said, turning away from Uzi to sulk.
“I mean, we could still watch something, right? It’d be nice to actually get to know each other after…. that.” Uzi said, as Cyn immediately cheered up.
“[Excited], Yeah, that sounds good! Just let me know when I should come over!”
“Uh huh… Should we- uh, actually do work now, or…?” Uzi said, pointing at the teacher still talking away.
“Nah, I wanna talk to you still!” Cyn said, as she leaned closer towards Uzi.
So much for having a friend on the outside… Still, this was a good thing! At least Uzi could actually meet Cyn properly AND talk to her without the risk of death!
It was a good start, at least!
__________
*BRIIINNNGG*
“You can leave now, good day. I guess…” The teacher said, as he softly laid his head onto his desk, as everyone scrambled to gather their belongings.
And of course Uzi didn’t do any work, neither did Cyn, honestly. They hit it off well, at least, well enough to forget that school was even a thing. And definitely enough for Uzi to ignore Doll staring at Cyn with vitriol!
Finally, she gathered everything as she got up, Cyn following in tow after she waved goodbye to Thad.
“SO! You have any free time today to watch stuff? I don’t have much to do, now that I’m here!” Cyn asked while she and Uzi left the classroom, as Uzi thought it over, paying little attention to anything around her.
“Well… not today, no... But maybe tomorrow would work? I just need to make sure my blueprints haven’t been destroyed after I left, y’know?” Uzi responded, as she and Cyn both sulked.
“Aww, I get it, but it hurts regardless… Still, at least you’ll see me tomorrow! [Happy]”
“Yeah, at least-” Uzi said, before a random drone kicked her in the leg. “Wh- ack!” She shouted, as she looked up at her attackers, Cyn standing beside her in shock.
“Try to watch where you’re going, bozo! You don’t get any special treatment just because you’re ‘depressed’ or whatever!” The preppy drone snarked, as her friends laughed alongside her.
“*HMPH* As-if! It’s not my fault your friend is a jerk!” Uzi retorted, as the drone stared with pure hatred at her.
“It wasn’t her fault that you suck!” The prep shouted, as she got into Uzi’s face. “And in my opinion? You should’ve-” She tried to continue, before Cyn tore her away from Uzi.
“BACK OFF. [Angry]” Cyn shouted, as the prep looked back incredulously.
“Wh- but- why her of all people??? You can do way better, girl!” She said, holding a hand out to emphasize.
“Whatever… Just go ff—f—k off or something, I’d rather talk to rocks.” Cyn said as she pulled Uzi up.
“*UGH* Your loss, creep!” The prep shouted, as she shepherded her friends away.
“Ew, what’s the point of any of that?” Cyn snarked, as Uzi picked her books up.
“Hell if I know. I just let it happen, then snap at ‘em, it’s all I can do, y’know?” Uzi said as she sulked, enraging Cyn.
“Who are they? Mainly the one who nearly said another death threat.” Cyn asked, as Uzi cocked an eyebrow.
“Why’s that important? It’s not like anyone would actually listen to you if you complained. No offense, of course!”
“It’d be good to know, right? I could know who to avoid, and who’s not that bad! Just tell me who that girl was, the one who talked sh–hhh-h- robo-god why can’t I swear??? [Confused]”
“Heheh, thaaaat’s our censor! A bunch of idiotic parents in our bunker got sick of their kids swearing like hell, so they turned on a code that censors every swear beyond ‘hell’ and ‘crap’.” Uzi said, as she put her stuff down and opened her locker door, as Cyn opened hers.
“That’s stupid! Why do I have to suffer for their crappy parenting? [Insulted]” Cyn complained, as she stuck her supplies back into the locker.
“I know right? Me and a bunch of others tried to argue, before dad gave the final good-to-go on it! It doesn’t help that a week before that was…” Uzi trailed off, as she slowly put her stuff back in her locker, trying not to fall off the book tower underneath her.
“...Someone important, huh? I’m not prying if you don’t wanna say it.” Cyn said, as she shut her locker, watching Uzi put her supplies away as she pulled her backpack out, slightly shaking.
“Maybe I’ll tell you later- oh to hell with it. It was my mom, Cyn! One of your friends killed her outside, and dad basically gave the bunker’s residents free will for a year before he got himself together. I won’t blame you, but it still hurts, y’know?” Uzi explained, as Cyn’s eyes went hollow in shock.
“Oh. I- uh, didn’t know that… I hope she didn’t suffer, at least.”
“I wouldn’t know, since dad shut the door before she could get inside, she told him to, at least…”
“Ah. Well, you- uhm, want a hug…?” Cyn asked awkwardly, as she stuck her arms out.
“...Yeah, that’d help, I guess.” Uzi said, as she hopped off the book tower and reluctantly hugged Cyn.
“...There, there-”
“Don’t.”
“Sorry! Sorry… [Remorseful]”
“You’re fine, I guess. I’m not used to any, uh, affection, y’know?” Uzi said, as she pulled back.
“I get it. So, do you still not have any time today? After all of that, I mean.” Cyn asked, as Uzi picked up her book tower and put it into her backpack.
“I’m sure I don’t, sadly. Those blueprints are important, y’know?” Uzi said, sliding the backpack on.
“Yeah, sure… At least walk with me back to my unit! [Pleading]” Cyn asked, as she put her hands together and shook them towards Uzi.
“Okay, okay fine! I have time to do that, at least!” Uzi said, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.
“Great! C’mon, we won’t see much just standing around here!” Cyn said as she started walking away.
“Yeah yeah, I’m coming!” Uzi responded as she followed her.
__________
“...You sure you don’t wanna tell me at least one of their names?” Cyn asked, as she and Uzi neared her unit.
“*Ughhh* FINE! That short haired idiot who sent threats was ‘Lainey’, she’s got a knack for conning people, or whatever. I don’t talk to her, she avoids me, I never had a deal with her.” Uzi explained, as Cyn took in every detail.
“Okay… She’s one of those people then! How much money?”
“Uhh, not much? She does it as a ‘prank’, however you do that or whatever.”
“Weird, why con people without a payment?” Cyn asked, cocking her head to the side.
“The people here are like that, all idiots who do whatever for the hell of it. Why else do you think I got the stuff for my railgun?”
“Yeah, good point… Oh well, thanks for the info regardless! [Happy]”
“Sure, sure… We’re here, by the way.” Uzi pointed out literally, as Cyn jumped in surprise.
“Really? Geez, I thought it’d be a longer walk! Well- uh, see you tomorrow…?” Cyn said awkwardly, as Uzi chuckled.
“Yeah… See you then, Cyn.” Uzi said, as she waved to Cyn and walked back towards her bunker.
Meanwhile, Cyn had a phone call to make…
*BRRRRING*
“...Cyn?” N said on the other end, as Cyn internally cheered at the success of this little hackjob of a plan she had so far.
“Big brother! How are things outside?” Cyn exclaimed, as she went into her unit.
“It’s okay! J isn’t as mean today, probably because you’ve started that- uh- rock-con-asance thing…?” N stuttered, as Cyn chuckled, glancing around the fancy little living room she had. A nice little couch with one of those vintage ‘fancy TVs’ the humans owned on the dresser in front of it, and a nice little coffee table in the middle of it all.
“It's reconnaissance, N! [Giggle]” Cyn said, as she walked towards her room.
“Right! That! Well, me and V were paired up again, so we got some time together, at least! What about Uzi? You like meeting her properly for once?”
“Yep! She’s as cool as I thought she was! Too bad there’s some… morons that need to be taken care of to make it less awful for her…” Cyn said as she finally entered her room. Just a simple little room with a dresser filled with ‘designer’ clothes that J and V picked out, along with a simple bed that was left here for whoever would live here, and the walls all a nice little gray color to top it all off.
“Oh? Is that how you’re doing your- uh- end of the bargain?” N asked, as Cyn flopped onto her bed.
“Yeeeaaahhh.” Cyn muttered into the bed, before turning onto her back. “I just need to get into their archives and look for someone named ‘Lainey’ or whatever. I’ll figure it out then, maybe I can strike a deal? [Giggle]” Cyn snarked, smiling at the ceiling.
“Maybe! Well, I need to go, we have to go hunting soon! Call you tomorrow, bye Cyn!” N said, as Cyn said bye, and hung up.
“Yeah… We definitely need to go hunting.” Cyn muttered as she smiled, thinking over her little semblance of a plan.
Was it risky? You betcha!
But, it would be worth it! Kill two crows with one bullet! Earn herself a good meal and add to her quota, and take some stress off Uzi’s back! Yeah, this was good!
…How was she going to do this, though? THAT, is the question.
Eh, she’ll figure it out later! Right now, she needs to find a good getup for tomorrow! After all, what good was an Elliott who didn’t try to dress her best?
The rest will come to her in time! She just needed patience (and luck, obviously).