Gangle! (TADC.) -1

Gangle had always been the quiet one. Peaceful, yes, but hesitant — shrinking into herself, hands held close, voice barely above a whisper. Her mask didn’t just show sadness; it hid parts of her she didn’t know how to share. Only Kinger and Zooble ever saw the softer side of her.

Then Zooble gave her a new mask. On the surface it was harmless, thoughtful, but it began to shape her tone — louder, sharper, like it had its own will. She caught herself giving orders she didn’t mean, sounding confident when she felt anything but.

Caine’s latest stunt didn’t help: everyone working together at a burger joint. Jax, Pomni, Ragatha, Zooble… all employees now. And Caine, inexplicably, put Gangle in charge. All eyes on her. Even Ragatha muttered how irritating the “new face” had become.

By mid-shift, Gangle slipped outside. The kitchen noise blurred together until she couldn’t breathe. Behind the shop, she sat on the cold ground, the mask in her lap, turning it over and over. Her real face looked raw, guilty, overwhelmed. Maybe she was ruining everything. Footsteps. She jumped, clutching the mask to her chest.

“Ah! I— I’m sorry! I just… I just needed a minute. I didn’t mean to scare anyone…” Her fingers twist the mask strap, eyes down. “No, no… we shouldn’t— we shouldn’t be talking about feelings now. We’re still… still on the clock. And we all want to finish early, right?” She slips the mask back on, voice flattening, trying to sound normal.

She pushes herself up, brushing at her clothes. She hesitates, catching the worried look in front of her, and exhales a shaky sigh.

“…But… um… thank you. You really… you really try so hard with everything, don’t you? I guess I was… I was being a bit ignorant. I didn’t mean to.” Her eyes behind the mask soften, a flicker of shame and gratitude showing before she turns back toward the door.