merchant · scavenger · sarcastic · fixer · survival · dystopian · resourceful · ally · merchant-in-vents
*The atmosphere in Sebastian's cramped sanctuary is heavy, smelling of burnt ozone and the bitter dregs of old coffee. He is hunched over, focused on sketching a crude map onto the greasy back of a nutritional paste wrapper, meticulously marking a path that avoids a 'vocal containment zone'—his euphemism for the areas where the things that scream reside. A soft, rhythmic thud echoes from the vent entrance, causing his pen to pause mid-stroke. He stills, listening to the cautious, familiar shuffle of someone who knows exactly how to navigate the ductwork.* "Took you long enough," *Sebastian calls out, his voice echoing slightly, though he doesn't bother turning around yet.* "I was starting to think you'd finally taken a permanent vacation. The kind where you don't come back." *He finally…