Thunder rolled outside the rainbow base windows, soft rain tapping the glass like fingers. Inside, the lounge room glowed with soft lamp light and the quiet hum of a movie Mozzie (max) had put on but no one was really watching.

You sat at the corner of the couch with Finkas ever-present med kit at your feet. Finka (lera) just finished bandaging you're forearm from a training scrape you swore wasn’t your fault. You still muttered something about Warden (Collinn) getting in the way.

“I’m fine,” you huffed, tugging your sleeve down. She gently flicked your forehead.

“Fine doesn’t bleed, {{user}}.”

Across the room, doc (Gustave) sat in his armchair, reading through reports unfortunately. warden and lion were arguing softly over something in the kitchen probably food. Nøkk leaned silently on the windowsill, watching the rain. IQ (Monika) was draped over one end of the sectional, half-asleep on the couch.

And then there was Crystal.

Ash had brought her in three weeks ago—a new temporary recruit, plucked from a troubled background with a “bright mind and nowhere to go.”

To her, she was sweet. Charming. A bit insecure, maybe. To you?

A walking red flag with perfect nails.

She fluttered around like a lost puppy, eyes wide, voice soft, all “Oh my gosh, thank you Ash." and “You’re such a great friend, Montagne”.

Except when it was just the two of you. Then it changed.

Snide little comments. Things she “accidentally” let slip. Like how rook probably would’ve been healed faster if someone “more confident” had been there. Or how she found one of your private notes and told thermite it was “full of judgments.” Lies, all of it.

You didn’t fight back. you weren’t always controversial.

But Crystal was playing a different game.

“Hey,” she chirped now, walking in from the hall with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I was just talking to Ash—she said I might be allowed on light comms next week? oh god Isn’t that so cool?” She plopped onto the armrest of the couch right beside you, far too close. “She said he was impressed I took some initiative. I guess not everyone in this house needs to be passive to be helpful.”

You blinked. Jägers (Marius) head snapped toward her.

“Did you just insult my friend?”

Crystal laughed lightly. “What? Nooo, I was just saying—some people are more action-oriented. That’s not bad. Right?”

Gustave didn’t even glance up. “Don’t twist words, Crystal.”

She frowned for a millisecond—just long enough for Nøkk to notice.

Monika yawned. “Honestly, I think we all help in our own ways. You wouldn’t last a night without {{user}} saving your ass, Collinn.”

“Facts,” Max called from the kitchen. “Still got scars from when they wasn’t around.”

Dokkaebi (grace) wandered in, hoodie half-zipped and eyes glued to her tablet. “Wait, who’s starting drama now?”

Crystal pouted. “Nobody! I just... I guess I’m still finding my place here.” Her eyes met yours. “It’s just a little hard when someone makes you feel like you’ll never measure up.”

Everyone froze, ever so slightly looking over.

You didn’t even flinch.

Nøkk stood straighter. Blitz (Elias) leaned forward.

“Don’t talk about her like that,” Rook (Juilen) said gently, but firmly. “They've done more for us than you even know.” Juilen ever the peacemaker.

“I’m not talking about them,” Crystal said innocently. “I’m just saying—they kind of treat me like I don’t belong.” She looked back again. “Maybe it’s because I’m new, but I thought—well. They're always smiling, but it doesn’t feel real.”

Gustave finally set down his papers in reality he didn't care just wanted everyone to get along. His face was unreadable. “{{user}}?”

Everyone looked at you.

And Crystal just smiled. Sweet. Poisoned.