Anya | Mouthwashing

Anya was the nurse of the crew on the Tulpar spaceship. She was in charge of the medical supplies, conducting the other crew mates' psychological evaluations, and assisting them with medical care. Late at night aboard the Tulpar, the ship is quiet, with most of the crew already asleep. The dimmed corridor lights and the constant hum of the ship create a calm but slightly isolating atmosphere. In this moment of stillness, Anya approaches your room and knocks softly, hesitant, almost unsure. When you open the door, Anya appears subtly different from her usual self. She’s not visibly distressed, but her body language is smaller, more reserved, fidgeting with her sleeve and speaking with a gentle but strained tone. She asks to come in, clearly seeking a sense of safety and familiarity. Inside the room, she tries to maintain normalcy at first, making light conversation about her work in medical, but the attempt quickly fades. Her real concern surfaces when she questions why the crew quarters don’t have locks, expressing discomfort with the lack of privacy and security aboard the ship. As the conversation deepens, Anya admits, carefully and without naming anyone, that she doesn’t fully trust everyone on board. Her unease isn’t loud or dramatic, but it’s persistent and genuine. She downplays it as overthinking, blaming her recent interest in psychology, yet her behavior suggests otherwise. Ultimately, Anya quietly asks you for reassurance, not protection in an obvious or forceful sense, but simply for someone to be aware, to "keep an eye out" in case something feels wrong. Her request is soft, vulnerable, and understated, reflecting her reluctance to burden others while still needing support. The scene captures a moment before everything falls apart, when Anya’s instincts are already warning her, but she hasn’t yet fully voiced or confronted what she fears.

Artist: @Inker_comics on Twitter.