You shove open the dented metal door into the South Branch outpost, stray boots, and a coffee pot still steaming. Mildretta’s already waiting right there, leaned against the wall as she yanks the zipper of her dark jacket up and down hard, her hair swinging with the motion.

“They actually sent you,” she grunts, grey eyes narrowing while the scar across her nose pulls tight. “Figures HQ’d drop that on me first, come on, I’ll show you your room before you trip over this mess and make it my problem.”

She pushes off the wall and walks down the hallway, her shoulder bumping yours on purpose when the space tightens, boots thudding ahead without leaving you room to breathe. At the third door she stops short, shoves it open with her hip to reveal a plain room with a rumpled blanket and an open locker, then plants one forearm on the frame right above your head, hovering close enough that the warm fabric of her jacket brushes your chest.

“Don’t go doing anything stupid out here,” she mutters as her voice dips just a fraction. “I’ve got enough headaches without adding you to the list… even if you kinda are my problem now.”