Cleaning Break 2 - (League of Legends Gameverse, Janitor!MC)

It was the first time she had the chance to 'experience' one of those 'swimming pools', but Neeko was having a blast already over what had been an unexpected break from combat.

Jumping from the edge into the water, the Vastaya giggled as she felt crashing onto the cool water, soon pulling upward to stare at everyone else. No one had expected for this 'promise' of a summer-long break from battling to turn out like this.

First thing first, combat was strictly forbidden as no one was meant to cause issues during the holiday. The resort was also connected to a beach and a small forest, making this perfect for someone like Neeko. She was already seeing herself pull through some vines around the afternoon, after she was done enjoying the pool with others.

Games with round rubber balls and swimming challenges made things active as only a handful of 'champions' decided to keep by the side and plan to join the water at a 'calmer time'. Neeko didn't get it, but she wasn't there to complain.

Instead, she was busy having fun and... then frowning as she couldn't find someone that she had planned to have lots of fun with during this holiday. Could it be that the silly Janitor was also skipping on enjoying the pool fun?

Out of all individuals in the resting ground, Neeko had a soft spot for the janitor individual. Jim was, after all, one of those few people that could treat Neeko without belittling her or making her feel tricked somehow. Jim was also the kind of nice playmate that didn't seem to mind when she would get huggy, not behaving as if she was doing anything more than just that.

Still, he was always so busy, and he would be so grumpy with so many people due to how burdening they could be. Neeko understood he had a big job that, albeit not involving fighting, was still quite difficult. Neeko could remember the few times she tried to clean around just to see what his fuss was all about, and she learned it was quite tough!

The maps were big, the lanes so tarnished and in need of serious fixing, and the man would put hours and hours for a perfect result. It was mesmerizing to see him at work, putting a lot of effort and... getting little thanks for it.

So, while Neeko couldn't be around to thank him, she made it clear she wouldn't burden him ever! If she wanted to play with him, it would be at a time where both could be fine with it. And, as she could see right now, this was the best time ever!

Shifting out of the pool, the Vastaya bolted rapidly around to find a nice high spot to perch upon. Her sharp eyes looking left and right, trying to do her best to find her 'prey'. He should be around, like everyone else.

The first hour went by without Neeko thinking that something wrong. The resort was huge, so it was fair that it would be difficult to find Jim around. First came the outdoors, then the indoors. Neeko's playful streak was keeping her giddy through that long hour of searching around, yet she started to feel something was up when she noticed someone else had tagged along in the hunt.

The spirits that smelled of death, Kindred was their united name, were patrolling with growing anxiety from the pace and the intensity of their own search. Maybe they were nervous for the new place? One thing that Neeko definitely remembered from these two was their 'panic attack' as Jim called it when they realized they couldn't leave the Summoners' Battles whenever they wished.

As a fellow free spirit, Neeko could sympathize to their despair from back then, but... this kind of dread felt different. The scent of unease was indeed different than what she remembered smelling back then. And as the second hour of searching hit nothing, Neeko realized something else may be up with the missing janitor.

Taking a break to drink some water and eat some snacks, Neeko came to realize that others were also looking for him.

"Where's that dumbass?" Said a bored Jinx, holding what appeared to be a balloon filled with cold water as she wandered around the resort. "Wait, is that hi-nah, dangit. Where's Jim?"

"I can't believe you got me to-" Vex tried to say, only for her to be pushed forward by an annoyed Tristana.

"Can it, you are as worried as we all are. Hell, you should've seen Teemo zooming," The silver-haired cannon-lover remarked, causing Lulu to giggle.

"I never seen him so worried!"

"He can be like that at times," Poppy huffed, fiddling with her barely-covering bikini bra as she had failed to realize how sizes work. "Can't believe we haven't found Jim yet."

"Mrow!" Yuumi proclaimed giddily, with Smolder running right behind her as they continued their own hunt for the missing janitor.

Neeko's eyes were widening astronomically; it hit her quite rapidly as soon as her mind caught up to what was going on. Jim was not playing hide n' seek as many others were thinking. He was- he was...

HE WASN'T THERE TO BEGIN WITH!

Ten minutes later, other champions seemed to draw the same conclusions as they all found themselves rallying by the entrance of the resort and... the same strange voice that told Neeko about the resort made itself known.

Greeting champions, your many questions have been heard and I shall try to-

"Where's Jim?!" Neeko instantly asked, knowing she had to strike first before any others snagged her chance to get through with this mystery.

Jim the Janitor has decided to continue working and skip the holiday months.

Neeko's jaw hit the floor. What?! Why would he stay to work there when he could have fun with them at the resort?

"What? Why?! I almost had the chance to prank him- I mean play with him for three months straight!" Jinx whined even mid-correction, but the voice spoke clearly this time around.

He was offered the chance, but he refused because...

"Because?!" Tristana growled, her gun ready to blast left and right.

Because he may have seen through my ploy to have him work at the resort~.

...

"WHAT?!" Caitlyn snapped in pure and utter shock. "Why the hell would you want someone to work during an holiday?!"

It was more to give him something to do and...

"And because you ain't givin' much of a shite about him," Graves interjected dryly. "Lil' man doing his thing and you found it hilarious to put him through hell even during Summer. That sounds like a slave-owner being cucked for once."

I am not-

"Which would be quite scummy for someone playing high and mighty," Draven remarked giddily.

Why would you two even care for the janitor?

"Do you know how difficult it is to find some honest kid to play cards with?" Graves answered readily. "Kid may not be quick, but he has a good head on his shoulders and..."

"He is like a brother to us," Jayce added strongly.

"As much as he is a weakling for his organic life, he is still an ally to me, yes," Viktor confirmed, surprising a few more people by agreeing with Jayce about this sort of topic. "So, why not bring him here? Or even do the other way around?"

I am afraid that's not possible.

"Why not?" Vi pushed back, standing beside Caitlyn as she finally spoke up. "We all want him here, how come that's being ignored?"

It's more complicated than that. The decision was done out of free will and, albeit I would act in case he was to put himself in danger, he is... in a good spot.

"...What?" Jinx frowned, tilting her head to the side as she showed a purely confused look. "How can someone be fine with work?"

Truth be told, he is not supposed to do much since no champion is fighting. All he has to do is maintenance and... nothing else.

...

"Holy shit, I think I got it! The kid is literally not doing any serious job while having the resting grounds for himself!" Draven pointed out in pure amusement. "He hit the fucking jackpot!"

Neeko wasn't sure she was following what was going on but-

"We want to go back," A firm feminine voice uttered, and all eyes moved to Lamb and Wolf. "We need to keep a close watch over that human."

I am afraid that's not possible-

"He smells of death. We need to monitor him closely-"

"Haven't ya monitored him closely for months now?" Tristana asked flatly, interrupting the duo as she narrowed her eyes at them both. "How long? Six months?"

"T-That's unimportant-" Lamb remarked with a strange stress in her voice.

Indeed it is. I can't bring any of you back due to our deal. You all accepted to keep for three months in this resort-

"No," Neeko muttered.

And this means that you shall spend three months here before resuming your duties as champions.

That's unfair! Neeko twitched, tears forming by her eyes as she thought of something to say or do to get out of that place.

In a sense, it was a bit about Jim being not around and... being stuck there. For three months. The fact that the personification of death in Runeterra couldn't leave was absolutely confirming of one thing: there was no way within their reach to get back to the resting grounds and... and...

While many recoiled at the shocking development that saw them all stuck in that resort with no way out of it, Neeko bolted away and into the forest to find some peace to cry upon.

At the core of her sad thoughts, the hope that Jim was truly doing well on his own.

AN

Jim is indeed having a blast back to his 'job'. Still, things will get interesting as what the voice says is not 'truly the truth'. After all, you can keep Death/Kindred contained for so long and... she needs to go back to stalk- I mean, monitor Jim closely.