When Antoine arrived at Bernie’s Burgers, he was ready to take the day off. He had gotten a text message from Momo and they had scheduled a date. While he was excited to see her again, he wasn’t excited to tell Bernie. Nothing good would come of the fact. He’d take every opportunity to rub it into his lovestruck face. And with her being the target, even if they had only just met, there wasn’t much he could say or do about it. The infection energy, the way she has… arms…? (In a totally not ableist way!) It made him blush even though it should have been physically impossible.

“Hey, Bernie—” When Antoine walked in, he was the second person in the room. “Where is everybody?”

“We’re closed for the day!” Bernie clapped his hands excitedly as he showed off a snazzy new suit, ready for the festivities of the world.

“Uhhh, why?”

“Dreamworld!”

“Oh.” There was recognition in his tone. One that gave Bernie all he needed to figure out what was happening.

“Oh my god.” Bernie gives a big, American smile. That kind of smile a CEO has when they give themselves a raise after slashing employee benefits. “You have a date!”

“How would you know that? Are you actually stalking me?”

“Well, you wouldn’t know about Dreamworld unless you had a date or friends to invite you. And you’re more attractive than you are likable.”

“Ouch?”

“Work on that personality, buddy!” Bernie continued. “Have fun on the date and try not to get anyone pregnant? Hm?”

Antoine slams the door behind him, heading straight for Momo.

Be there soon.

---

An umbral specter steps into frame.

They’re a walking silhouette with whisps of inky black smoke slinking off them. Adorned on their face is a white mask with distinct, red markings across the eyes. A four-link chain dangles off the beast's abdomen. And with a suitcase in hand, he carries everything she’ll need to make the improvements he’s looking for.

Ghouligan isn’t familiar with Meliora, but he can tell they were thorough. Anything less and Bernie wouldn’t have worked with them. But even without him as a reference, he could see her caution through how they conducted themselves.

When Bernie wants you safe and protected, you must be worthwhile. It was only moments before the meeting and he didn’t see anyone in the vicinity. Either they were late or he’d have to fulfill his promise to Bernie.

---

The introductions ranged from practical to outright strange. But one of the benefits of The Undertow was that it accepted all types. Whether they were providing a service, easily motivated, or simply needed help themselves, the more there were, the more sustainable the project.

Antoine was privy to the stray that entered from above but sought not to worry his peers. It’d be something or someone they’d confront after the fact. Considering he used a liquid slug to speak Japanese, he was no stranger to the utility of pets in the modern era. They went from companions to weapons. And, sometimes, even more.

“With introductions out of the way, let’s talk mission.” He says. “I’m going to vet each of you to guarantee The Undertow’s safety. While I do that, you’re going to be stopping a human trafficking ring. They target young, mutant children who resemble your favorite circus animals. You’ll be divided into a few groups and sent to different key points to take down the operation. If any of you want to back out, then now’s the time.” There were a few comments more pointedly directed at him that he’d address before giving them the room once more. “I’ll address all questions and concerns — like food — after the meeting.”

---

“You’re telling me your shaft isn’t hard enough?”

“My cue stick isn’t durable enough to deal with the full impact of my strength.”

“It happens to the best of us, Ant.”

“Bernie, for the love of god, do you know anyone who can help?” Antoine said. “Without compromising my identity.”

“Hmm, well there was Ana.”

“Ana?”

“When I looked into UAU for you, when we found Emile dropped out, I looked at the rest of the support students. Ana was the brightest of the bunch, but I heard she turns people down a lot and sends them to Kei Hada.”

“Is he any good?”

“He’s great, but I don’t like the kid. Heard from Zipper he’s taking the coward’s way out.”

“Zipper?”

“My source. She reached out trying to get Kei on some promotional material around these parts. I’m not in the business of advertising hero students, but I could offer him some good compensation for the help.” Bernie tapped his lips with his index finger. “We’ll say it’s a prize for a billiard tournament and then report it as stolen by Ghouligan!”

“Yeah, sure.” Antoine doesn’t care about his reputation. “As long it’s good.”

“We’ll see.” Bernie shrugged. “Let me send them a letter.”

“Did you recently adopt a messenger pigeon?”

“Wow, you’re so cute today~” Bernie laughed. “No, but someone as desperate as her will run it to Kei quicker than a text. She’ll be one hundred times pushier about it, too. She made the guy a fan club. Talk about obsessed!”

---

“I do have a reputation.” It was one of the more annoying aspects of the job. The ambitious, talented, and skilled would always find themselves on camera — whether they’d like to or not. In Ghouligan’s case, scuffed security footage gave a taste of the kind of man he was: a killer. And with that, his name spread like wildfire throughout the police departments. While civilians may be ignorant of his existence, cops had a general idea of who he was. “Wouldn’t recommend it.”

He had to give credit where credit was due. Usually, the high-energy types were quick to flake when Ghouligan followed up. It happened in the Caribbean, which left him to his own devices. And he thought he’d run into similar problems with Gadget and Guts. But they were two of the more gung-ho types in The Undertow.

“Great, then I’m making you the lead.” He said. “You have a better understanding of how this works. I’ll connect you to the others and we’ll move forward.” Ghouligan’s already sending messages on his phone, making sure that the next steps are taken to ensure swift and efficient development of these safe houses.

“I’ve made contact with most members already. I’ll also be hosting another meeting soon.” He looks up at Guts. “New members only. I’ve got to vet them, but…” He puts his phone away. “I wouldn’t mind a second opinion from someone I trust.” This was a bit forward, and there was always the chance Guts could betray them, but of the members he’s spoken to, he felt confident in their character.

“For their initiation, I’m sending them to stop a mutant trafficking operation. I understand I put a lot on your plate, but I’ll be reaching out to all members in case they want to be involved. I’m extending this offer to you, too.” He pauses. “If you’re interested.”

---

And, of course, someone went straight for him. A childlike figure with large protruding horns endearingly referred to him as ‘bestie’ despite having never met. With how familiar he was with the criminal underworld, he knew better than to trust their appearance — underneath the innocent facade lay a malevolence befitting the devil himself. Sun Tzu once said, ‘Keep your friends close; enemies closer.’ With those words digging into his psyche, Antoine decided to take her advice. If this were the most dangerous person here, he’d have to keep an eye on them.

“What do you recommend?” A few words out of his mouth, an another woman joins them. Apparently, they know each other. He returns his gaze to Rui and notices none of her limbs are missing. It’s either an inside joke or a crucial insight into her quirk. Trying to remain undercover, he kept it casual.

“A friend, yeah?” He asked. Just because he didn’t want to mingle didn’t mean he was incapable. Despite his outward appearance, he sometimes couldn’t stop himself from talking. His approach was mild, but he wasn’t as much a loner as one might think. “I’m Antoine. How does whole thing... work?”

---

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