Bio Weapon Dystopia

Pain. Hesitation.

These two things filled Vomi's mind as she lay there on the ground. She kept telling Marco to just run, escape so she could do her thing, because her gun wasn't going to make any difference. Whatever chrome the cyber guard has was enough to make the Nue useless. Symbiote powers needed to be used, but the not-so-corpo corpo decided that he was going to enact his inner hero all of a sudden. And if being honest? He was terrible. It was a mistake to bring him along now that she realizes. Too nervous, too hesitant, too loud, too slow.

That angered her.

Vanguard felt that anger, the pain and the desire to just be stronger. Vomi’s biology was higher than the general individual, yes, but that does mean she was invincible. Against a borged out gonk? She wasn't as dominant in her attacks, even more when the guy had some Sandevistan to boost whenever she tried to shoot him. But what was the final nail in the coffin was the stupidity of Marco. Why didn't he just leave? Why didn't he delta and act like a normal corpo would? Why was he so obsessed with being a hero?

Vanguard merged back with her, the symbiote healing any injuries she got from the chase and the fight, tendrils enveloping her with the usual appearance a symbiote suit would, even the spider logo being present. From forehead to toe, she was covered in the black biomass, the Bio Weapon showing its colors for the first time, only her natural hair being a semblance of her humanity.

And it was pissed.

“Some things never change.”, Vomi commented as she cracked her neck, the bullet that was inside her falling to the ground, “There's always a white knight that just can't leave a damsel in distress.”

“The fuck…?!!”, The cyber guard gasped as the incomprehensible horror stood in front of him.

Before he could do anything a single motion of Vomi's shoulder was enough to send a tendril at his neck, lifting his whole body up. The symbiote got closer, each step echoing in the alley as the man squirmed, trying to either shoot her or the tendrils. It was no use, since the bioware wasn't exactly bullet damageable, staying where it needed for its owner to enact the riposte needed.

One punch.

One punch was all it took for a new hole to appear in the man's rib cage, Vomi's fist going from front to back, blood and wires falling to the ground as a waterfall of red paint. She removed her fist, the man still hanging from the tendril.

And she just let it loose.

The punches were so fast and so precise that Marco, who was speechless at the entire thing, could only see blurs of black moving, all the while Vomi's face showed nothing but a calm fury. Collected, yet poisonous.

Animus. Venomous.

It reached a point where only the upper half of the poor guard's body was left, the tendril keeping him suspended like a trophy. Blood dripped onto the pavement, pooling beneath him in a grotesque display.

Vomi stepped back, breathing heavily as the adrenaline coursed through her. “Pathetic,” she spat, looking at the lifeless remains. “This is what happens when you underestimate me.”

Marco finally found his voice, though it came out shaky. “Vomi… is that… you?”

She turned to him, her eyes glimmering with a fierce intensity. “Get the fucking shards. I'll check them when we are clear.”

“But you—” he stammered, trying to wrap his head around the transformation he had just witnessed. “You di—”

“No ‘buts’!” She snapped, the symbiote’s tendrils flickering irritably around her. “You wanted to play the hero, and look where that got us. If you hadn’t hesitated, we might have had a chance.”

The words stung, and Marco took a step back, feeling the weight of her anger. “I just wanted to help,” he said, frustration creeping into his voice.

“Marco? Where do you think you should be doing right now?”

He clenched his fists, “The shards?”

“The shards!”

Marco didn't need to be told thrice. Whatever she had turned right now wasn't worth getting flatlined over, getting to the car and picking up the shards. The Chevillon’s shards were scattered around so he needed time to pick them up, much to Vomi's annoyance as she tapped her foot on the ground, each tap making a menacing thud.

“Got ‘em!”, He said as he pocketed the shard.

“Good.”

A tendril flew towards Marco and he immediately thought he would be the next victim, but instead of picking up his neck, it enveloped him enough so it wouldn't hurt him. Vomi immediately jumped, another set of tendrils making her sling from place to place, all the while Marco screamed in terror. Eventually his mouth was shut thanks to more black goo covering it, but that's not important right now.

They eventually landed far away, truly far away, Marco thanking the Gods he could feel the ground again, while Vomi's symbiote slowly merged back to her flesh, until a very familiar cat formed in her shoulder.

“You owe me more than you think.”, Vomi pointed a finger at him.

“Bringing him along was a mistake.”, Vanguard commented aloud as he gave the same judge full eyes any cat can give.

“My mistake was not getting countermeasures for quick hacks.”, She muttered, “But I agree. That was a stupid mistake.”

“W-what? The cat talks?!”

“Is that really your main concern right now?”, Vanguard raised an eyebrow, still thinking the human might just be mentally disabled.

“Of course it’s not my main concern! But you just… you just transformed into some kind of monster!” Marco exclaimed, still grappling with the whirlwind of events.

“Yeah, and it worked, didn’t it?” Vomi shot back, crossing her arms as she surveyed their surroundings. “But next time, try not to mess it up.”

“Next time? You think there’s going to be a next time?” he said incredulously, his heart still racing from the adrenaline. “I don’t think I can handle another situation like that.”

“Then maybe you should have stayed behind,” Vomi replied, her tone clipped. “You wanted to be a hero, but you nearly got us both killed.”

“Hey, I was trying to help!” Marco protested, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. “You didn’t have to pull me into this mess!”

Vanguard yawned lazily from Vomi’s shoulder, unfazed by their bickering. “You two really need to work on your teamwork. There’s a reason the word ‘team’ is in there.”

Vomi shot a glare at the cat, then turned back to Marco. “Look, we need to focus. We can’t afford to get caught again. Those guards will be looking for us.”

“Right.” Marco took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain his composure. “So what’s the plan?”

“You fucking tell me.”, She shrugged, “The gig is yours. What are you going to do with the shards?”

“Handle them to my boss. He knows what's up.”, He said, still bewildered by what is happening right now and what just happened.

A talking cat, and a monster woman.

“Who's your boss?”, Vanguard asked as he now climbed Vomi's head, settling there for now.

“Uh? Oh, it's Schmidt Demir. President of the GRM Company. Security investigations, protocols and retrieval.”, Marco scratched his head as he explained, “Why?”

“Is he at his office right now?”, Vomi asked as she readjusted her glasses, frown still deep.

“Probably? He is not famous for leaving it for long periods of time.” He replied, still confused.

“Preem.”

Before anything, another sharp tendril met Marco's face, hitting him directly in the brain. The body fell to the ground lifeless in a single go, Vomi already hacking his agent to meet this so-called Schmidt Demir. She was going to deliver the shards personally, because no way someone that knew her and Vanguard's powers could roam free. Optics made sure everything they saw was recorded, that's why she eviscerated the cyber guard until there was nothing salvageable. Marco was a terrible handler, so better do things herself.

The tendril returned to Vanguard's cat figure, with no blood, of course, “That's the end of that.

Marco's corpse was... Depressing.

"Sorry not sorry Marco. Time to meet your boss and get this biz finished. I want my eddies, my rest, and some booze to finish it.”, She sighed, “Of course my day off needed to have this bullshit.”

“Now now,”, Vanguard called, “The more we complain the longer it takes to finish the gig.”

“Fiiiiine.”, Vomi called up her Colby, the car taking a few minutes to show up, “If I had this tech in my past life I'd never use an Uber.”

Vang jumped out of her head to the passenger seat, his usual spot, “This was too messy. We need to take care that we aren't followed, or that any video captured our outburst.”

“Already on it.”, The strokes on the keyboard were the only confirmation the cat needed.

“Okay.”

Vomi slid into the driver’s seat of the Colby, her fingers flying over the laptop interface as she activated the breaching security protocols. The screen lit up, displaying a feed of nearby surveillance cameras, each flickering to life under her command.

“Let’s see if we’re clear,” she muttered, scanning the feeds. Vanguard lounged in the passenger seat, his eyes narrowed, watching her work with an air of lazy confidence.

“Just don’t get us blown up, okay?” he quipped.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Vomi shot back, not taking her eyes off the screens. “You’ll be my first target if we get ambushed.”

Vanguard chuckled softly. “You know I’d be a hard one to catch.”

As she analyzed the feeds, Vomi felt a rush of irritation at the chaos of the day. She had been on a simple retrieval mission, and now she was neck-deep in trouble with a blabbering corpo and a potential bounty on her head. A sigh escaped her lips as she toggled through the feeds, looking for anything suspicious. They just got away from Militech and BioTechnica, so every measure was needed.

“Looks clear for now,” she said, pulling the car out of the alley. “But we need to keep moving. I don’t want to stick around long enough for someone to catch wind of what we just pulled.”

“Agreed,” Vanguard said, his tone more serious now. “We can’t risk being followed. If they trace us back to Marco or the warehouse, we’ll be in deeper trouble than we already are.”

Vomi nodded, pushing the car to a steady pace as they drove through the winding streets of San Francisco. The neon lights blurred past them, and she felt a momentary flicker of normalcy amidst the chaos.

“Just keep an eye on the rearview,” she instructed, her voice steady. “I’ll focus on getting us to Demir’s office. If we can hand over the shards without any more drama, we might just get through this unscathed.”

“Got it,” Vanguard replied, settling back in his seat, his eyes fixed on the road behind them.

As they navigated the city, Vomi’s mind raced. She had transformed into something darker, more powerful, and it felt good. Intoxicating. The fact that she was in complete control over the situation, sent both chills down her spine and a new sense of status quo, one where she was at the top, and everyone else below.

And that… didn't settle right. Nor because she was weirded out by it, but because it felt… normal.

And Vomi knew it wasn't normal to think that.

“Hey,” Vanguard said, breaking her train of thought. “You okay? You seem a little… distracted.”

“Just thinking about what happened,” she admitted, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

Vanguard tilted his head, his expression shifting to something more serious. “You don’t have to shoulder it all alone. You’ve got me. I’ll help you control it.”

She shot him a grateful glance. “Thanks. I just don’t want to lose myself in it. The power felt… great.”

“Trust me,” he said, his voice steady. “You won’t. You’re stronger than that.”

With a nod, Vomi refocused on the road ahead. They were getting closer to Demir’s office, and with it, the promise of a safe haven and some much-needed clarity.

As they turned onto a main thoroughfare, the gleaming glass of the GRM Company headquarters came into view. “There it is,” Vomi said, her heart racing with anticipation. “Let’s just get this over with.”

They parked the Colby in a dimly lit corner of the parking lot and exited the vehicle, the low hum of the city surrounding them. Vomi took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. With Vanguard by her side, she felt a flicker of confidence return.

“Let’s go collect my payment,” she said, her voice low and fierce. They moved toward the entrance, the weight of the shards in her pocket serving as a reminder of the chaos they had just escaped.

“And you are?”, An office man asked at the obvious not corpo Vomi and her feline companion.

“Doesn't matter. Have biz with your boss, Demir.”

“I hardly think someone of your caste has even his contact.”, The man snickered.

As a response, she called Schmidt, her eyes flashing yellow. The man obviously didn't respond, but Vomi wasn't in the mood anymore. This day was completely and utterly disaster after disaster, so why not cause a bit of a fuss on her own?

Vomi crossed her arms, feeling the tension rise. “Listen, buddy. I don’t have time for your bullshit. Just tell Demir I’m here. We’ve got business to settle.”

The office drone chuckled, leaning back in his chair like he was about to enjoy a show. “And why would he want to meet with you? You look like you just crawled out of a gutter.”

“Cute,” she shot back, glaring at him. “But I didn’t just crawl out. I just took out a cyber guard, and I’m not exactly in the mood to play nice. So unless you want me to rearrange your face, I suggest you call him.”

The office guy raised an eyebrow, but Vomi could see the unease creeping in. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “You think I’m kidding? I’ve had a rough day, and I’m not in the mood for your games. So either you call Demir, or I can make this a lot more interesting for both of us.”

He hesitated, glancing at the phone like it might bite him. “Fine, fine. Just… wait here.”

As he reached for the phone, Vomi smirked. “See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Maybe a bit too hard,” Vanguard muttered, still looking bored. “You really should work on your charm.”

“Charm is overrated,” Vomi replied, crossing her arms. “Besides, I’d rather be feared than liked. Keeps the gonks at bay.”

“True, but a little charm wouldn’t hurt now and then,” he said, flicking his tail nonchalantly. “You know, just to keep things interesting.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll save the charm for when I actually need it.” She turned her attention back to the office guy, who was nervously pressing buttons on the phone, glancing at her every few seconds like she was a ticking time bomb.

After a moment, he finally spoke into the receiver. “Uh, Mr. Demir? There’s someone here to see you. She—”

Vomi cut him off with a finger held up. “Tell him it’s Vomi. He’ll know who I am.”

The man blinked, clearly surprised. “Uh, right. Vomi. Got it.”

A moment later, he hung up and looked at her, the previous cockiness replaced by a hint of fear. “He’ll see you now.”

“Good choice,” she said, giving him a smirk as she stepped past him. Vanguard hopped off her shoulder, landing gracefully on the floor, and they made their way down the sleek, modern hallway lined with glass panels and abstract art.

“Remember, don’t cause too much of a scene,” Vanguard said as they approached the office door. “We want this to go smoothly.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m all about smooth.” Vomi rolled her eyes but felt a flicker of anticipation. She had the shards, and soon she’d be cashing in on her chaos—if only for a drink and a moment’s peace.

With a deep breath, she pushed the door open, stepping into the opulence of Demir’s office. The president of GRM Company sat behind an expansive desk, the glow of city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Vomi,” he said, looking up with a mix of curiosity and concern. “I wasn’t expecting you here so soon. I take it things didn’t go according to Marco's plan?”

She didn’t hesitate. “You have no fucking idea.”

Demir leaned back in his chair, a brow raised. “I figured it was something like that. You look like you’ve been through hell.”

“More like I just dragged it along for the ride,” Vomi shot back, tossing the shards onto his desk with a clatter. “I took care of the cyber guard. You’re welcome.”

“Is that so?” He eyed the shards with interest. “And I take it Marco didn’t make it?”

“Let’s just say he wasn’t cut out for the job. It’s a long story, but I don’t have the energy to recount it. Just know I handled it.”

Demir’s expression shifted, something like respect creeping into his gaze. “I see. You’re not just a pretty face, then.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere, Demir.” She leaned against the desk, crossing her arms, trying to project confidence despite the exhaustion tugging at her. “What’s the payout for these?”

“Straight to business, I like it.” He tapped a button on his desk, and a small screen flickered to life, displaying a series of numbers. “For the shards, I can offer you—”

“Cut the shit, I know what they’re worth,” she interrupted, irritation rising. “I want fair compensation, not your corpo bullshit.”

Demir chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Fair enough. How about twenty percent more than the agreed price with Marco?”

“Now we’re talking.” Vomi nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction. “And don’t think I won’t come back for more if you try to lowball me.”

“Understood. You’ve made quite the impression today.”

And true to his words, eddies came to her bank account, her Agent showing at least five digits worth of pay.

“Good. Now, about Marco…”

“Forget him,” Demir said, dismissing her with a wave of his hand. “He made his choices. You’re the one who delivered. That’s what matters.”

Vomi felt a flicker of irritation at the dismissal but pushed it aside. “Fair enough. Just thought I’d mention it.”

As she turned to leave, Demir’s voice stopped her. “Vomi.”

“Yeah?”

“Keep your head on a swivel out there. You’ve made some powerful enemies.”

“Ugh, don't even remember that to me.”

With that, she stepped out of the office, feeling the adrenaline from earlier start to fade, replaced by a sense of victory. Vanguard hopped back onto her shoulder, looking pleased. “Not too shabby. You handled that like a pro.”

“Thanks, but I’m not done yet. I need a drink.”

“Let’s hit up that bar we like,” he suggested, stretching luxuriously. “You deserve it after today’s chaos.”

“Shouldn't even have accepted this gig.”, She yawned, “It was supposed to be a rest day.”

“Look at the bright side, our resume will look even more impressive for M-Tech's HR.”

“I couldn't care less about that as I do right now.”, She deadpanned.

Again, at the bar she went the first time, whoever now at night, the bar had way more people than this morning. She made sure to remind herself and refuse any and every single offer for a gig for a while. Eddies weren't a problem, and street cred was also at an all-time high. All she needed was booze, food, fun and some small talk.

As she stepped into the bar, the familiar sights and sounds of the nightlife enveloped her. The low thrum of music mixed with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Vomi inhaled deeply, letting the vibrant atmosphere wash over her. “This is more like it,” she said, scanning the crowd.

“Much better than that stuffy office,” Vanguard chimed in, his voice a playful tease. “No chance of some corpo stiff looking down his nose at us here.”

“Exactly.” Vomi made her way to the bar, pushing her way through the throng of patrons. “I need a strong drink. Something to drown out the day’s bullshit.”

“Can’t argue with that logic.” Vanguard flicked his tail in agreement. “I’ll take a shot of something too—don’t forget your favorite talking cat needs to unwind!”

“Yeah, yeah. One drink coming up,” she replied, settling onto a barstool. The bartender approached, wiping down the counter.

“What can I get for you?” he asked, eyeing her with a mix of recognition and curiosity.

“Something strong. And a shot for my buddy here,” she said, gesturing to Vanguard.

“Coming right up.” The bartender nodded and set to work.

“So,” Vanguard said, breaking the brief silence. “You’ve taken out a cyber guard and collected your payment. Got any plans now?”

“Honestly? Just want to relax for a bit. Maybe catch up with some folks,” she said, her eyes drifting to the crowd. “After today, I think I’ve earned a little fun.”

“Sure, but you know how it goes. The moment you let your guard down, someone will want to pick a fight,” he replied, his tone teasing but laced with concern.

“Let them try. I’m not in the mood to play nice anymore.” The bartender returned, sliding her drink and a smaller shot of milk to Vanguard.

“I didn't know what to expect.”, Vang admitted.

“Cheers!” she said, raising her glass.

“Cheers to surviving another day in this hellhole,” Vanguard said, taking a sip. “And to the most chaotic day off I’ve ever seen.”

“Right? What’s the point of a day off if you’re just going to end up knee-deep in trouble?” Vomi downed her drink in one go, savoring the burn. “I mean, I could’ve been at home binge-watching BD-Shows. Instead, I’m here, nursing a hangover in the making.”

“Let’s not forget, it’s also an opportunity to show off your new symbiote powers,” he teased, leaning in closer. “I bet some folks here would pay to see that.”

“As if.”

“Just don’t let it go to your head. Remember what happened last time you tried to impress someone,” Vanguard chuckled, remembering a particularly reckless night where Vomi had challenged a group of nomads to a drinking contest. “I’m still amazed you survived that.”

“Hey, it was a fun night! Until I woke up with a cyber arm in my bed and no memory of how it got there.” She shrugged, grinning. “Did I have sex with anyone?”

“No.”

“Thank God.”, The man inside Vomi sighed in relief, “Still pure.”

“Pure, right,” Vanguard replied, flicking his tail thoughtfully. “But maybe this time, let’s skip the crazy stunts and just enjoy ourselves.”

“Deal. But I’m definitely getting another drink first.” She signaled to the bartender for a refill, already looking forward to the momentary escape it would bring.

Then, another set of Samurai songs started playing in the bar, some people groaned, some didn't mind, others really went on it. Vomi was one of the people who just turned to the jukebox and started yelling the first few lyrics of the song.

In this case, The Ballad of Buck Ravers.

“Lost another day to pointless drudgery!”

The scientist's voice was so rough that even some of the wannabe rockerboys were hyped by the song.

Vomi threw her head back, belting out the lyrics with reckless abandon, the music pulsing through her veins. She couldn’t help but smile as more people joined in, the bar transforming into a temporary concert hall. “Need a way to set it straight!” she sang, the catchy chorus making her forget the day’s chaos.

As the song reached its peak, she noticed a figure at the edge of the bar, a man leaning casually against the wall, a grin spreading across his face as he watched her with an amused expression. His dark hair fell just above his eyes, and the leather jacket he wore had seen better days, but somehow, it suited him.

“Hey! Nice voice!” he shouted over the music when she caught his gaze.

Vomi stopped mid-verse, a little taken aback. “Thanks!” she called back, feeling a rush creep up her neck. “You should join me up here!”

He pushed off the wall and swaggered over, effortlessly sliding into the rhythm of the song as he approached. “Nah, I’ll leave the spotlight to you. You’re killing it!” He leaned on the bar, his body language relaxed, but his eyes were bright and lively. “Name’s Thiago.”

“Vomi,” she replied, matching his energy. “You a fan of Samurai, or just enjoying the show?”

“A bit of both,” he said, giving her a playful smile. “But honestly, it’s more fun watching you tear it up. It’s not every day you see someone bring a bar to life.”

Vanguard, perched on her shoulder, signaled that he was okay to talk with.

“Well, yeah. I needed something strong here, but I wasn't challenged since.”, She showed the empty cup of booze.

“Is that so?” Thiago raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “I’m all about a good challenge.”

“Challenge accepted!” Vomi laughed, leaning closer. “But fair warning, I’m not just all talk. I can hold my liquor.”

“Let’s put that to the test then,” he replied, his eyes glinting with mischief. “What’s your poison?”

“Anything with a kick,” she said, throwing him a shrug. “I need something to wash down the memory of that hellhole I just crawled out of.”

“Coming right up,” he said, signaling the bartender. “Two shots of whatever’s the strongest.”

As the bartender poured the drinks, Vanguard whispered, “You might want to pace yourself. You don’t want to wake up with another mystery limb.”

Vomi shot him a glare. “Shut it. This is my night to have fun.”

Thiago picked up the shots, handing one to her. “To making bad decisions and living life to the fullest!” He clinked his glass against hers, and they downed the shots simultaneously, the burn igniting a thrill in her.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” she said, wiping her mouth with a grin. “You’re not half bad, Thiago.”

“Just wait until you see me dance,” he replied, stepping back and gesturing to the floor. “You might want to keep a safe distance.”

Vomi laughed, a sense of camaraderie building. “Bring it on! But just remember, I won’t be responsible for any injuries.”

As the next song started, Thiago pulled her into the crowd, dancing like he was born for it. Vomi let herself be swept away, her earlier worries fading into the background as the music enveloped her.

“See? This is way better than sulking at home!” Thiago shouted over the beat, flashing a wide grin.

“Way better!” Vomi agreed, feeling lighter than she had all day. She twirled and spun, enjoying the freedom of the moment, with Vanguard watching on, pleased with her newfound spirit.

Then it was chaos.

Blackjack, drinks, poker, drinks, darts, singing more songs, some that Vomi didn't even know, but liked anyway, and to finish it off, even more drinks.

Vanguard was starting to feel concerned.

Even more when Vomi was absolutely drunk.

“Need another one…”, The woman glanced at her empty bottle.

“I can't drink anymore. I think I am—”

Thiago puked, thankfully on a trash can.

“Our lives won't like us.”

“We can chrome new ones.”

Vomi slurred through her laughter as she leaned against the bar, her eyes half-lidded but still gleaming with the night’s adrenaline. “Yeah, chrome new lives, new livers. Who cares? We survived this long, right?”

Thiago groaned from his spot, still hugging the trash can. “You’re… insane, you know that?”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” she shot back, grinning widely. “Besides, I’m not the one puking up half my drinks. Lightweight.”

“Lightweight?!” He looked up, wiping his mouth. “I’d challenge you again, but I think I’d die.”

“Smart choice,” Vanguard finally spoke up from the bar stool, watching Vomi with growing concern. “Vomi, you’ve reached your limit.”

Thiago looked at Vanguard, “Heh, talking cat.”, Before puking again.

“He won't remember me.”, The symbiote cat nodded at himself.

“Who asked you, kitty?” she muttered, her balance wavering slightly. “This is my night. I’m gonna have all the drinks I want.”

Vanguard flicked his tail, clearly unimpressed. “I’m not dragging your drunk ass home if you pass out, you know.”

Thiago chuckled weakly. “I’ll help. If I can even stand up…”

Vomi waved them both off and started humming the tune of another Samurai song, her head spinning pleasantly from the alcohol. “Okay, okay, fine. Maybe I’ve had enough… but just maybe.”

“Definitely enough,” Vanguard corrected. “How about we get you some water before you chrome that liver you’re talking about?”

Thiago gave a half-hearted thumbs up. “Water sounds like a good plan. After… whatever just happened.”

Vomi sat down heavily on the nearest stool, glancing at her new drinking buddy. “You’re not half bad, Thiago. You sure you don’t wanna keep this party going?”

He groaned, holding his head. “Maybe tomorrow. If I survive the night.”

“Coward,” she teased with a grin.

Thiago managed a weak laugh before waving down the bartender. “Water for both of us. I think we’re done for the night.”

As the bartender set two glasses of water in front of them, Vomi stared at her reflection in the clear liquid for a moment. The day’s chaos, the symbiote, the fight with Marco—none of it mattered in this moment. Here, in the bar with a new friend, a talking cat, and some cheap booze, she felt free. The weight of her world had been lifted, if only for a little while.

“Alright, alright,” she finally said, grabbing the glass and raising it toward Thiago. “To surviving today. And maybe tomorrow, too.”

Thiago clinked his water glass against hers with a shaky smile. “To not dying of alcohol poisoning.”

Vanguard sighed but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his whiskers. “I suppose that’s as good a toast as any.”

As they drank, the bar buzzed around them, but for the first time in what felt like forever, Vomi felt at peace. Just a little longer, she thought. Just a little longer before the chaos returns.