"Ugh... What happened?"

My head's throbbing and my body feels like lead. No, seriously, what happened? And why is my back so sore? Then I realize that I'm on the ground.

Wasn't I sitting on a couch? How did I...?

I slowly open my eyes and flinch at the blinding light of the sun. There, standing over me, is a person. I can't really make them out.

I blink a few times to clear my vision and... Uh... I think I might be dreaming?

For starters, this woman is quite literally geometric. Or well, kind of geometric? One half of her is very cartoonish?

And that's not all. One side of her face is a bright red and the other a whitish bluish color. Her eyes are triangles, and most notably, her head, torso, and arms are just floating.

I sit up and get awarded with an immediate stab of pain. Fun.

"Um, hi?" I rasped. I grimace at how dry my throat is.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance. Did you sleep well?" The woman asked.

I try to hide my surprise. Despite looking like a woman, she sounds like a man. Actually, that's terrible. What's wrong with me-

"Er, I guess? Where am-"

"Would you like to hear an offer that could change your life?" The woman said.

I stare at the woman like an idiot. Please tell me she's not some kind of shady person...

"My personal philosophy is that people have the potential to become something great, and I can see that potential in you, just waiting to flourish!"

I couldn't even get a word in before she continued.

"I would be most delighted in helping you to become a better version of yourself. Of course, there are a few stipulations, but we need not worry about those needless details at this moment in time."

I blink again and try to make sense of what she's going on about.

"Potential? What potential? We just met." I said.

"I can already see it!" She continued, as if she hadn't heard a single thing I said, "There might be a few bumps in the road, but that could be easily smoothed-"

"W-wait! Can't you let me talk for a second?" I interrupt. I felt another stab of pain shoot through my head and flinch.

The woman knelt besides me, which startled me a lot more than it should have, and gave me an apologetic smile.

"My, you look lost. Is there anything you need me to clarify?" She asked.

"Um, yes. A lot, actually." I said. "I don't even know your name–"

"My apologies. I may have gotten a bit too excited there... My name is ENA. I am a bit of a salesman, among other things. And you are?"

"Olivia Davidson." I said, a hint of resignation in my voice. "And a salesman? So you're a peddler or something?"

"...peddler is one way to call it, but yes. But I'd prefer it if you don't call me that." ENA said. Fair enough. "Enough about me. Let's circle back to you."

She clasped her hands together and smiled politely. I can sense a dark and foreboding feeling in the air. She's going to say more confusing crap, isn't she?

"Wait, wait, wait!" I said quickly, "Why do you want to help me?"

"As I've mentioned before, you have some untapped potential that's just waiting to blossom into something wonderful. I'd like to nourish that potential and make you into the best version of yourself!"

Potential? Me? Hah! Man, if my mom heard this, she'd be laughing her head off. But it is kind of nice that someone has faith in me... She'd change her mind soon enough. I feel a bit bad about that.

"Um, thank you. For, uh, the offer? But, I'm not the right person you–"

"Ah, don't be so unconfident!" ENA interrupted me AGAIN, "I assure you, whatever qualms you have will be easily solved. I will develop you to become a successful salesman in no time!"

My hand flew to my hoodie string and tugged on it. Why is she so pushy? It really is nice that she has so much faith in me, but my head hurts, and I'm not sure if anyone realized I'm missing or not by now.

"Ugh, could you listen to me?! Can't we talk later–"

"NO! We're talking about this now, whether you want to or not!"

My back straightens at the sudden authority in ENA's voice. Wait, why does she sound feminine all of a sudden?

"Here's the deal. You will work for me and I'll provide for you in return." ENA stood up and produced a megaphone from her chest (?!?). She bent down and yelled at me. "I've laid out my terms, so quit staring at me like some brainless idiot and give me an answer already!"

"Er... Did you just pull that out of your chest?" I squeaked.

ENA lowered the megaphone and gave me the most iciest glare ever...

... in other news, I have a job!

It hasn't been a long since ENA and I first met. Not even hours, I think. I'm not sure, it's really hard to tell time. But I do need to explain to ENA about my, uh, situation.

I am going to do it, actually. Right now. I'm going to ask right now- What is that?

I stop in my tracks and turn to marvel at this weirdness. I could hear ENA turn around and walk beside me.

"Hey, ENA? I don't really understand what I'm looking at." I said without turning to her.

Well, it looks like a low quality gif of a man dancing. You know, those guys who would dance awkwardly yet passionately. That. And he's doing it in the middle of nowhere too...

ENA, on the other hand, is exasperated.

"What's there to be confused about? It's clearly a person dancing."

"Yeah, but..." I gestured at the grainy, dancing man.

"He looks like an NPC. Or a PNG. Both, actually.”

"NPC?" ENA echoed, glancing at me.

"You know. 'Non-Playable Character.' You know what a game is, right?"

"Of course I do.” She crossed her arms over her chest, sounding a bit defensive. Hmm, “Though I do admit I don't have the time to play them much. I have sold games on numerous occasions."

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Why do you look so surprised?”

I chuckled nervously and turned my attention back to the PNG man. Somehow, the mental image of ENA doing anything with games felt wrong.

“How often do you play?” I asked.

ENA mulled over my question for a bit.

“I have not played a game for quite a while now.”

“Define ‘quite a while.’”

“Well aren't you curious!” She said, “But if you must know, it has been about five years.”

Five years, huh? That made sense. Sadly. Maybe one of these days I could somehow convince ENA to play a game? I'm not so sure… I haven't seen her sit down once.

Even when I asked for a short break, ENA only found something to keep herself busy. Is this what they call a workaholic?

"You know, I am a pretty good gamer. Why don't we play sometime?”

“No.” ENA said almost immediately.

"Why not?" I couldn't disguise the bafflement in my voice. ENA gave me a dry smile.

"It's a waste of time. Time is better spent working and contributing to society."

"What are you, a workaholic?" I asked, my voice tinged with sarcasm.

"I'm very career oriented." She replied.

Well then.

On that note, we turn back to the PNG man. He's currently breakdancing now and you can tell he's putting his soul into every move. I have the very strong urge to go up to him and see if he could speak. Ask him some questions. But, I won't

Unless ENA does, of course.

After a while, ENA broke the silence. "Are you going to keep staring at this man or are we finally going to get started on your training?"

"Er- Sorry. Uh, does everyone just... do that?" I pointed at the guy.

"Not out in the open like this. I'm sure this loser just wants an audience." She snorted, "Come on, Olivia. Let's get going."

"Olive." I said.

"Hm?"

"Call me Olive, please."

"I'd prefer not to. Nicknames are too interpersonal."

"What do you mean?"

"Nevermind." ENA said impatiently, "Let's just go already!"

ENA turned and started walking away. I guess this is the end of that. I glanced at PNG Man one last time before sprinting after her.

ENA and I are currently talking to this group of weird gummy men. Or actually, ENA's doing all the talking. I'm too busy focusing on the fact that her arms, head, torso, and lower half are floating. That's all I've been doing for a while now.

I wonder if she could feel it if I swiped my hand in the space between her torso and legs?

No, don't be stupid. If I do that, ENA would kill me. But she is busy talking to someone. Surely she wouldn't notice...

Yeah, no. Don't. Definitely don't do that.

So anyway, I swiped my hand between the empty space. I look at ENA, watching for any reactions.

I don't think she felt it. Her voice never faltered, she didn't change her stance or anything. Yep, she absolutely didn't notice. Perfect.

I do it again. It's so weird. The space between her is oddly freezing. Besides that, there's literally nothing there. And ENA still hasn't noticed. Fascinating.

Okay, okay. Twice is enough. No more.

I swiped for a third time. ENA crossed her arms behind her back and stood up a bit straighter. Okay. Okay. I'm pushing my luck. That's it. That's enough.

I swiped for a fourth time. On the fifth swipe, ENA quickly grasped my wrist with her sharp, geometric hand, digging her fingers into my skin.

My heart hammered in my chest and I started to sweat nervously. I tried pulling away, but she held on firmly. Holy shit, I'm dead.

ENA's conversation with the group soon ended, but she didn't say her typical 'Bless you for your business!' line. She waved bye to the gummy men with her free hand.

As soon as they were out of sight, she spun her head around to face me. ENA's smiling on the red side of her face, but I can clearly feel the anger bubbling beneath the surface.

"Olivia, dearest, would you mind telling me why you would choose to do that in front of the clientele?" Nice ENA asked, sounding scarily calm.

I-I'm absolutely dead-

"I-I was curious about something and was testing it out?" I stammered.

The smile becomes forced and her eye twitches.

"Curiosity is a fantastic quality, yes. But that's not what I'm asking." ENA's voice is strained.

"You asked why I did it and I told you."

"NO, SMARTASS! I'M ASKING WHY YOU CHOSE TO DO THAT WHEN YOU KNOW I COULDN'T AFFORD TO STOP TALKING TO MY CLIENTS!"

"Because you were distracted...?" I squeak.

"Oh, really now?"

ENA's grip on my wrist tightens considerably. It hurts like hell. She pulled me towards her roughly, her dark eyes holding my gaze hostage.

"I'm going to say this once." Mean ENA said, her voice low, "Do not pull anything like that again. Do you hear me, Olivia? I will not tolerate you making me look like a fool in front of my clients. The next time you pull such a stunt, I will kill you. Do you understand?"

I'm too scared to speak so I nod nervously. ENA's grip tightens on my wrist even more.

"Let me repeat myself. Do. You. Understand?"

"I-I understand." I squeaked.

At that, ENA finally let me go. I cradle my wrist to my chest and stare at ENA nervously.

"Good. Glad we could settle this."

ENA straightened her cap on her head and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She let it out and smiled, all traces of her anger seemingly gone.

"Well then, shall we get going?" Nice ENA asked cheerfully. I can only nod in response and trail behind her silently.

Note to self: Do not piss ENA off.