𝓒𝓱𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓮𝓻𝔂 | Red Velvet x Fem!Reader

♠ Second Try ♠

A/N: I AM SO SO SORRY EVERYBODY!!!!!! I may have abandoned Cookie Run for a certain.. other.... gambling-addition-fueled game BUT! I refuse to let Chicanery die, the show must go on even if it's been two.. three.. four? ...About six months? Maybe more? Oh geez. Please read the post on my profile's conversation board for the posting dates of the rest of the chapters!

~~♠~~♠~~♠~~♠~~

You woke up to someone shaking you.

It took a second to register, but once it did, you jumped, pushing yourself up into a sitting position quickly.

"Ngh.. it's already noon?" You murmured, looking up at Madeleine.

"Not quite. I figured I'd wake you up earlier to get yourself cleaned up."

You blinked at him. "...Do I really look that bad right now? I mean, I know I can't be looking too good considering everything that's happened, bu-"

Madeleine cut you off. "You'll have to... see for yourself. Come on." He walked over to the cell door, waiting for you. You followed, sticking close behind him as he led you to the bathroom, standing next to the door. You walked in, locking the door.

"Come out when you're done. And for the love of all the divine, don't do anything stupid. I'm already in enough hot water for giving you another shot, I'd be a dead man if you tried anything funny." His voice came through the door, and you hummed, looking at the mirror. Your jaw almost hit the floor.

Geez, you were a mess. Your hair was sticking in every direction, tangled and dirty due to a lack of hygiene supplies. Actually, the entirety of your body was dirty. It'd been a while since you'd cleaned yourself up; the last time was at Sparkling's place. The wound Madeleine left on your cheek the night of the train chase still had dried blood surrounding it, speckles and splotches of deep reddish-brown against your skin. Your eyes had seemingly brightened, or maybe your condition everywhere else was so bad you couldn't help but see the light within them now.

As soon as you had your fix of finding every problem, you looked around the room a little more. There was a shower at the end of the room, and some clothing on the edge of the counter. It looked similar to clothing you'd had at the ranch. Upon closer inspection, it was some clothing you'd had at the ranch. Madeleine must've gone there and grabbed it on the way out.

Right. It was time to get to work. If you wanted to get into presentable shape by noon, the time was now.

~~♠~~♠~~♠~~♠~~

You sat on a couch at the end of the room, arms crossed. Before you was Madeline, arguing with Raspberry Cookie.

Her and Espresso were the only ones he managed to re-recruit. Which isn't too bad, considering one other member was dead and the other outright refused. Chili Pepper wasn't directly told you'd be on the team, but she had some insight, and never wanted to talk to someone who "outcriminaled" her. Whatever that meant.

The new team seemed pretty strong. Raspberry, Espresso, Madeline, You, Herb, and a woman you'd never seen before. She was definitely not from here: the black clothing and crow on her shoulder would make her stand out amongst a crowd. She'd introduced herself as Black Raisin Cookie, a cautious spark in her eye.

Herb had filled you in on the situation when you first showed up in the room. You were devastated to find out that Latte had gone missing; guilt had filled your chest, but it was now mostly diminished. Pancake had also been sent to stay with Almond. As much as you didn't like him right now, you knew that was a good choice. Now, you sat there, a fed-up look on your face as you listened to the argument. Back and forth. Back and forth.