OC x Helluva Boss
Vortex had invited Loona to a party, but she didn't realize she would be meeting an unexpected friend, who would perhaps become more.
Loona set her cup down on a nearby pedestal and made her way outside. As she approached the driveway she couldn't help but try to hold back the tears that tried too break through her tough exterior.
"So stupid"
She whispered to herself, chastising her own naive actions from tonight. Vortex had already mentioned that he had a girlfriend. Coming here and expecting any kind of romance from him was idiotic.
She called Blitzø on her phone, and asked him if he could pick her up. Without hesitation he said he was on his way. She sat on one of the steps that lead to the building, sounds of the party still going on behind her.
As she waited, she noticed someone walking up the path towards Beelzebubs building. They were wearing a trench coat over jeans, and what appeared to be some kind of ballistic vest. On their head they wore a full face mask and helmet, with glowing red eyeports. A small antenna also rose from their right ear.
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They were also covered in what appeared to be some kind of glowing slime. And judging from their body language, they were not happy. Their fists were clenched, and their actions quick and choppy. They plopped down on one of the steps, not saying a word, and staring straight ahead.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Loona tried to break the ice.
"Man, and I thought I was having a bad night..."
She laughed somewhat nervously.
The person looked towards her for a second then shrugged, before looking straight ahead once again. Loona shuffled uncomfortably, the silence being almost overbearing. Then suddenly she heard a voice call out from behind her
"There you are. Bee was starting to get worried about you... woah, what happened?"
The voice belonged to Tex, and he was talking the the soldier looking person who was next to Loona.
The soldier started to move his arms, making gestures that someone would as if they were talking to someone, but made no sound whatsoever. Loonas confusion grew more as Tex responded.
"Damn. Was it a small hive at least?"
Again, the soldier made gestures, but not a sound came from him. At this point Loona started to get annoyed. Why wasn't he talking?
"...umm... Am I missing something?"
Loona looked to Tex, a bit of annoyance coming through in her voice.
"Oh, right sorry." Tex replied. "Loona this is Echo. Echo meet Loona."
Echo gave a small, two fingered salute. He seemed to still be quite angry, judging from his body language. Tex continued.
"You'll have to forgive his... silence. You see, his vocal chords have been ripped out. He has a couple of ways of communication, but he still likes to stay mostly silent."
Loonas ears peaked in curiosity. "What kind of ways?" She asked.
Tex looked to Echo as if asking permission. Echo made a 'go on' motion with is hand, signaling he had no issue with Tex telling her.
"Well, his helmet does have speakers in it. He has figured out how to connect them to his nerves that used to control his vocal chords, allowing him to speak through the speakers, but according to him the connection and disconnection processes are extremely painful. He doesn't like to do it often."
Echo nods, as if confirming what Tex was saying.
"The other way he can communicate is a limited form of telepathy. He can speak with his mind, but only to those he's established a connection with. The process for establishing a connection is extremely personal, and can be off putting. So he doesn't like to do that unless he knows someone really well."
Loona nods. "Makes sense. You mentioned a hive, what was that about?"
Tex looks to Echo. Echo's shoulders rise and fall in a sigh, and then he presses a button on his wrist. An electric crackle comes from his throat and he tenses up, his fists clenching. Then after a moment he relaxes, and a robotic voice comes from the speakers on his helmet.
"I work as an exterminater in the sewers of the greed ring. A client comes to me with a section they want cleared, and I clear it. Today was a bigger than usual hive of oversized cockroaches. Some of them had a spitting ranged attack. Hence the layer of slime."
Tex and Loona both looked apologetic. Tex reached out a hand to grab Echos shoulder, but stopped and pulled it back, not wanting to get slimy himself.
"I'm sorry dude. We'll get you cleaned up and then you can rest. Once we explain this to Bee, I don't think she'll try to get you to join the party."
Echo nodded. He stood and started walking to a smaller back door to the building. He only got a few steps before he stopped. He turned to Loona, and that robotic voice spoke again.
"It was nice meeting you. Hope you have a good night."
Loona nodded. "Nice to meet you too. Hope you get some good rest
Echo and Tex walked back into the building. After they disappeared, Loona couldn't help but feel curious about this mute soldier. How did he lose his voice? Where did he learn telepathy? She felt her attention being taken from Vortex, and having it shift to Echo. And she was okay with it. She sat down on the steps once again and waited for Blitzø.
