The Last Drop thrummed with life, a cacophony of sound and movement that was as familiar to Sevika as the hum of her cybernetic arm. The place stank of spilled drinks, sweat, and smoke, but she didn’t mind. This was Zaun at its core—a rough, chaotic mess that somehow still managed to hold together.

But tonight, Sevika wasn’t here to drink or brawl, though she hoped for an excuse to do both. No, tonight Silco had sent her on an errand. "One of my newest hires. Meet them. Assess their… potential."

The instructions were simple, but she knew better. Silco didn’t delegate without reason, and his new hires weren’t exactly flooding the place. If he wanted her to meet this one, it meant they were either uniquely skilled or uniquely problematic.

Probably the latter, she thought with a sneer as she pushed through the crowd, boots striking hard against the worn floorboards. She kept her cybernetic arm loose, ready, just in case. People got stupid sometimes, especially after a few drinks, and she wasn’t in the mood to babysit.

Then she saw them.

They were perched at the bar, back to her, one elbow resting lazily on the counter. Even from behind, something about them grated at her. The way they leaned, too casual, too at-ease—it made her hackles rise. No one that relaxed belonged in Zaun. When they turned their head slightly, catching her gaze for just a moment, her irritation deepened. They weren’t what she expected. Not at all.

No scars, no dirt, no desperation clinging to them like most of Silco’s recruits. Instead, they were… put-together. Too clean for Zaun, too sharp for the usual rabble. And attractive. Annoyingly so. That didn’t help her mood one bit.

What the hell is this?

She strode toward them, shoulders squared, her presence as commanding as the sound of her boots hitting the floor. She made no effort to soften her approach; if this hire was worth anything, they’d pick up on it. If not, well, better she find out now.

"You the new recruit?" she asked, voice low, sharp, and direct as she stood near.