I failed a french quiz before posting this...
"I'm seeing the light," I said to no one, eyes wide open in a daze as I sat in my living room. "These pizza rolls are so good."
The twins and I took a while conversing at the Mostro Lounge, and by the second hour my social battery was dead. Fortunately I was able to receive Azul's personal phone number from Jade before I escaped.
"You prolly shouldn't message him today," Floyd had told me lazily as he stretched his arms above his head. "He's deffo still mad."
"Giving advice to a miserable soul like (Y/N)'s..." Jade had sighed with a shit-eating grin. "How noble of you, Floyd."
"Ay, it'll be a pain to see Azul mope around!"
I was going to punch the twins for their teasing, but was given a box of pizza rolls by Floyd as a peace offering.
So obviously I forgave them.
"Where are those from?" Dad asked, entering the room with a mug of tea.
I froze— I had completely forgotten that I kept the twins and Azul a secret from my parents.
In the Queendom there was a lot of tension between merfolk and humans(despite how we're practically neighbours), and so I was worried that my parents would ban me from seeing them.
Although I knew that they had some sort of suspicion, back then I was able to dodge their questions well enough.
"From a friend at Night Raven," I said as casually as I could. "He's really good at cooking..."
'...when he's in a good mood. Or else his cooking may as well be the equivalent of shit.'
"Sounds amazing hun," He said, "I'm glad you're making more friends."
I beamed, "Mhm! They're chaotic but it's fun!"
We chatted for a while, and eventually got to the topic of his current work.
"I'm working with a buncha other scientists to complete it," Dad said, "The whole world'll know my name when it's done."
I only nodded along, but felt excitement for what the research may be. I've always been intrigued by my father's work.
Eventually he left to his office to work on the 'high-profile' project, and I laid around in the living room basking in the evening sunlight that shined through the blinds.
I stared at the ceiling, wanting something to busy myself with. I still wasn't used to the freedom of not working at Chicken Breast(though I did enjoy the job. Plus...)
Eventually my phone buzzed.
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SILVER is typing...
SILVER
Helloo
(Y/N)
Hello sailor‼️‼️
(Y/N)
Long time no talk
SILVER
It has been a while since we spoke. The tournament, to be specific.
(Y/N)
YESS I SAW YOU ON THE DIASOMNAI TEAM AMDNSJM
(Y/N)
YOU DID SO WELL
SILVER
That's nice to hear! I did see you in the stands
(Y/N)
Yayayay
(Y/N)
Oh and I got Diasomnia merch 😼
SILVEE
Nice! What kind?
(Y/N)
..just a keychain
(Y/N)
Everything was so expensive I'm sorry 😭
SILVER
No, don't apologize! Just knowing that you were cheering for my team is enough
SILVER
And I agree that everything is overpriced. I wanted to buy a scarf, but it was 50 madols...
(Y/N)
FR
(Y/N)
istg the person running the stands must be an insane capitalist or something
SILVER
Mhm
(Y/N)
ALSO ALSO
(Y/N)
YOU'RE LITERALLY SO BUFF??
SILVER
Haha, I wouldn't say so
(Y/N)
Well I would??? 🤚
(Y/N)
Like what is your workout routine tf
SILVER
Well, I do 100 pushups, 100 situps, 100 squats and I try to run 10km every day.
(Y/N)
What
(Y/N)
The fuck
SILVER
?
(Y/N)
'I'm not buff 🥺' he says
SILVER
There's always more work that can be done
(Y/N)
Main character mentality 😭 But also holy shit you should be proud of what you can do
SILVER
I suppose it isn't too bad to enjoy my accomplishments from time to time
(Y/N)
YOU SHOULD THROW A PARTY
(Y/N)
And invite me
(Y/N)
Cause parties have food and I love food
SILVER
Sure!
(Y/N)
😼
SILVER
Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you
(Y/N)
Yes bbg
SILVER
Are you okay from the Overblot that happened at the tournament? I feel bad for having left so quickly.
(Y/N)
ITS OKAY YOUR DUTY CALLED 😭
(Y/N)
Idk who you're serving but like I'm uninjured so don't worry!
(Y/N)
I'm strong and buff like the rock frfr
SILVER
Really?
(Y/N)
No
(Y/N)
I mean I did do karate for like two years
(Y/N)
When I was 5
SILVER
Oooh, nice
SILVER
You should teach me sometime!
(Y/N)
Ofc I can teach you Chatanyara Kushanku 😼
SILVER
I'd love that!
(Y/N)
RLLY 👁
(Y/N)
OKOK NEXT TIME WE MEET IM TEACHING YOU KATA
SILVER
Sounds good!
(Y/N)
But for right now can I ask you a question 😭
(Y/N)
Like for advice
SILVER
Of course!
(Y/N)
What would you do if you hypothetically had a childhood friend that you didn't see for 7 years
(Y/N)
But now they kinda hate you cause you didn't search for them as much as they searched for you
(Y/N)
TOTALLY hypothetical
SILVER
Of course
SILVER
Hmm
SILVER
Well, first I would apologize
(Y/N)
HE HOLDS GRUDGES 😭
(Y/N)
So i need to do something to make it up for him but idk what..
SILVER
Well you want to be friends with him, right?
(Y/N)
I mean yeah 😭 but idk if friends is even the right term for it
SILVER
Explain??
(Y/N)
Like I wanna be friends with him but I also wanna throw him and his acquaintances off a cliff
SILVER
Why??
(Y/N)
They tried to drown and strangle me many times as a kid 💀
SILVER
I... don't believe you should be approaching him, then
(Y/N)
Understandable however I was also really annoying as a kid so it's kinda valid
(Y/N)
And the worst that could happen is I die
SILVER
Please don't die
(Y/N)
Awww okay 🥺 for you
(Y/N)
So maybe I'll message him instead of talking face to face
(Y/N)
And I'll just figure out a bribe on the fly
SILVER
That sounds... better
(Y/N)
If this doesn't work out imma make a waffle and eat it out of anger
SILVER
Waffles sound good...
SILVER
But good luck with your apology
(Y/N)
Thanks i'll need it 😭
SILVER
And stay safe
(Y/N)
ILL NEED THAT TOO
SILVER
If you ever feel like you're in danger, you can call me okay?
SILVER
And may I ask, who are these people?
(Y/N)
So they're from Octavinelle
SILVER
Nevermind, that explains a lot
(Y/N)
😶
(Y/N)
DAMN OKAY.
(Y/N)
And sorry I literally just ranted to you the whole time adjfbdjf
SILVER
Don't worry! I'm happy just talking to you
(Y/N)
SILVER
!!
[Silver is offline!]
(Y/N)
??
[Silver is online!]
SILVER
(Y/N)
AKSBAJDBSJBDJSBC *dies*
(Y/N)
ILY 😭
SILVER
What does ily mean?
(Y/N)
...YOURE AMAZING TOO
SILVER
Thank you!
(Y/N)
Adjdgshfs my heart
SILVER
Unfortunately I need to go train now
(Y/N)
Okayy! Bye!!
SILVER
Goodbye!
[Silver is offline!]
[(Y/N) is offline!]
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I snickered to myself before putting my phone down.
A calendar notification popped up from the top of my screen, which said 'RUGSTER JOB'.
'Right, I need to figure out what to tell Xianniang so I can get Ruggie hired...'
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The following day, I hummed a tune as I flipped through my notes for my class's midterms.
I was seated outside on a bench in Sage Park, and a light layer of snow coated the ground. My hands were going numb from the occasional breeze I but decided that I was too lazy to grab my gloves from inside my bag.
"You're actually here."
I glanced up from my notes, seeing a certain dirty-blond boy not too far from myself. He was wearing a thick coat(that looked too big on him), and his nose was dusted with pink from the chilly air.
"I said I would be, didn't I?" I smiled, closing my notebook and standing up from the bench.
As soon as I approached him, he scrunched his nose.
"You reek of those twins." Ruggie said, a disgusted look on his face.
"Oh yeah," I said, "We talked for a while yesterday. Thanks for being the moral support."
"I didn't do anything."
"You breathed."
He stared at my face for a while before letting out a sigh. "You're insufferable."
"Lets go to Chicken Breast!" I said cheerily, choosing to ignore his comment as I began to walk down the trail.
We stayed silent during most of the walk there, but I soon noticed his ears laying flat on his head.
'Chenya does that when he's upset.' I thought, wondering on whether or not I should comment on it.
"How's the arm doing?" I asked instead.
He shrugged. "I chugged some potions and it's fixed."
"That's good, now I can throw you into the kitchen or something."
His ear flicked. "I guess. But I don't want your pity."
I almost stopped in my tracks, but forced myself to continue walking.
"Pity?" I repeated, perplexed. "I'm not pitying you because of that arm of yours. I just need a coworker."
"It's not—" He huffed. "I'm not talking about that. I'm sure you know the stereotypes around people like me."
"Around beastfolk?" I said, furrowing my brows.
He let out a hiss-like breath as he came to a stop. "What kind of beastfolk do you think I am?"
I turned to fully face Ruggie, and took a closer look at him. His hair was dirty blond at the tips, and darker at the roots. His face was covered in light freckles and scars, and his ears were rounded. My eyes met his blue-grey ones.
"Uhh...." I prayed I wasn't wrong. "I'm guessing you're a hyena bestfolk? But is there anything wrong about that?"
He froze, and I could feel my palms getting clammy. 'Is he gonna hate me, too?'
Ruggie's expression morphed into a snicker like a switch. "Shyee-hee-hee, you're exactly like Yuu!"
'Hee hee? Micheal Jackshon?' I thought, but didn't comment on his strange laughter as he walked past me.
"Lets go!" Ruggie said, putting his hands behind his head. His ears were no longer flattened, so I shrugged to myself and began to walk as well.
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"So I'm allowed to go back to work now, right?"
"Hmm..." Xianniang hummed, her hands placed on her hip as she eyes the two of us. Even Ruggie began to sweatdrop.
"I got a new hire, too?" I tried, and nudged Ruggie.
He shook off his nervousness surprisingly quickly and straightened his posture. "I'm Ruggie Bucchi, a second year at Night Raven College."
"...A Night Raven student." She stated a matter-of-factly, looking towards me for an explanation.
"I know but he's not like the others." I cringed immediately at what I said, and I could see a disapproving flick of the ear from Ruggie out of the corner of my eye.
Xianniang stared at us for a little longer, and I've never felt smaller under her gaze. "Well..."
'Please!! I'm a child and I yearn for the mines!!!' I thought, biting the inside of my cheek.
"...If it's your judgement, then I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try!" Xianniang suddenly did a 180 in her mood and faced Ruggie with a grin. "Can you cook?"
"Yeah, I worked at—" Ruggie was about to continue, but was quickly interrupted.
"How often can you work?"
"Maybe 15 hours a week? I—"
"Sounds good! Just drop in whenever and tell me how much you worked. I'm closing right now, but (Y/N)'ll show you around some time. Work hard, scrump!"
She then walked into the kitchen.
Ruggie stood still, eyes wide. "That was easy...?"
I looked at him. "What, was the Mostro Lounge interview more difficult?"
He shivered. "Fireproof test."
"What?"
"I think Leona's calling me." He stammered, pulling out his Nokia(which was ringing). "Show me around tomorrow!"
I stared at him as he bolted out the door and down a road, then decided not to think too much about it.
I entered the kitchen and chatted for a while with Xianniang before she kicked me out of the store and sent me home.
"You have midterms, dontcha?" She said.
I did.
So begrudgingly I carried myself home and shut myself into my room to do a deep dive into my studies.
Although I was alright at studying Biology and Pre-Calculus, I hit a roadblock as I flipped through my French worksheets.
'...What the fuck.' I thought, feeling my blood pressure rise from the sight of the language. 'What the fuck is a tonalité polémique?'
I scavenged through my notes, but despaired as my only note on it didn't make any sense.
"Screw my writing." I grumbled. "Neither Xianniang or Dad can read French either..."
My eyes flickered to my phone, and I reached out for it with a sigh.
"He looks French enough. Might as well ask."
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(Y/N) SHANN is typing...
[(Y/N) is online!]
(Y/N)
Dude
(Y/N)
I mean
[Trey is online!]
(Y/N)
Good evening
TREY
Haha, hi (Y/N)
TREY
How are you?
(Y/N)
I'm good but also I'm dying
TREY
That's rough
(Y/N)
Kinky
TREY
(Y/N)
(Y/N)
Sir yes sir my apologies drill sergeant
TREY
So anywho, I'm guessing that Midterms is the cause of your current suffering?
(Y/N)
Yes 😭
TREY
Maybe I can help? What are you having trouble with?
(Y/N)
The godforsaken language of French
TREY
...alright, uh
(Y/N)
TREY
I can't help you much with that
(Y/N)
ITS OKAY IF YOU CANT 😭
(Y/N)
I just have no clue abt tonalités
(Y/N)
And verbs
(Y/N)
And everything like wtf is "nous eûmes cueilli"
(Y/N)
Sorry I need to stop ranting to ppl aksbajdbsj
TREY
I have a friend who would be able to help
(Y/N)
ONG 👁
(Y/N)
Like if they don't mind then pls yes 🙏
TREY
I'll make a group chat
[Trey is offline!]
[(Y/N) is offline!]
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(1) new message from
TREY , (Y/N) & ROOK
[Trey is online!]
TREY
There
[(Y/N) is online!]
(Y/N)
His name is Rook?
TREY
Yep, Rook Hunt.
[Rook is online!]
TREY
That was quick
ROOK
Bonjour!
(Y/N)
Holy shit
ROOK
You need help with French, oui?
(Y/N)
How did you know—
ROOK
Je m'appelle Rook Hunt! Je suis un 3ème année du Pomfiore, à Night Raven College!
(Y/N)
...I understood that
(Y/N)
Est la français ta langue maternelle?
ROOK
Non, c'est la langue commun!
ROOK
To learn a new language is very valiant! Bravo!
(Y/N)
Thanks!
(Y/N)
So ya'll are classmates?
ROOK
Non! We fatefully met in the merveilleux Science Club!
TREY
No, we're just from the same club
TREY
Dang Rook, you're quick to type
(Y/N)
Bro is a walking red flag 🗣🚩‼️‼️
(Y/N)
But if he helps with French—
TREY
I'm a little concerned for you
TREY
But is french really that difficult?
(Y/N)
Bro it looks like
(Y/N)
ልኡ፪ዐሠክርሃ፪ሠረህህዐዓፕቹጮሸህ ዐቻⶴልረክርዐሠ፪ቻሃ ክሸረዓዐፏⶴ
TREY
Understood 👍
ROOK
C'est quoi you need help with?
(Y/N)
Les tonalités de phrases 🥺
ROOK
Beauté! Les notions de textes!
(Y/N)
I just wanted to ask what a tonalité polémique is 😭 google is not helping my fried brain
ROOK
Bien sûr! C'est un texte qui critiqué agressivement avec colère ou indignation!
(Y/N)
Ohh so like the really insult-y ones of textes argumentatif?
ROOK
Oui! ✨ 👏
(Y/N)
THANK YOU SO MUCH that was so much easier to understand 😭
(Y/N)
I couldnt read my own notes 💀 call me doctor's handwriting 101
TREY
So how many languages do you two know?
ROOK
I know the beautiful common language, la Français, Spanish and Russian!
(Y/N)
I know the common language and French maybe I guess 💀
(Y/N)
Gah dayum
TREY
Dang, that's a lot
ROOK
I simply could not resist the allure of the beauty of language ✨
(Y/N)
Damn
(Y/N)
Does the ussy language count cause I can speak that
TREY
I don't want to ask what that is.
ROOK
Enlighten me ✨
(Y/N)
You just put "-ussy" in front of every noun
TREY
What.
(Y/N)
This languagussy is easy to learn, I made itussy when I was high.
ROOK
Beauté! The creation of a languagussy is beautiful!
(Y/N)
Good jobussy!
TREY
Okay, stop
(Y/N)
Yessir 💯
TREY
So what other midterms do you have?
(Y/N)
Midtermussy
TREY
The block button looks pretty tempting
(Y/N)
IM SORRY
(Y/N)
But uh
(Y/N)
I have an art final project, a bio midterm and a precalc unit test
TREY
Yeesh, that's rough
(Y/N)
Yeah but I'm not too worried since stem classes are my favs
ROOK
Bravo!!
TREY
When you transfer to NRC, you should join our club.
(Y/N)
IM NOT TRANSFERRING 😭
(Y/N)
In-person school doesn't tickle my pickle
ROOK
Beautiful metaphor!
TREY
It's not that bad
(Y/N)
https://YurrTube/school-fight-in-NRC
TREY
Okay, sometimes it is a little bad
TREY
But you have a lot of friends here
(Y/N)
Asjdjkahsjhdjshdjsbj
(Y/N)
I'll think abt it 😶
(Y/N)
But rn imma need to focus on midterms cause it is not looking bright rn 😭
TREY
You'll do fine
ROOK
You are a soul strong and beautiful like a stallion!
(Y/N)
I'll just enact my superb villainous plan if I fail my midterms
TREY
It cant involve you dying
(Y/N)
I no longer have a superb villainous plan if I fail my midterms
(Y/N)
Also Rook have I thanked you yet for helping me 😭
(Y/N)
LIKE TYSM
ROOK
C'est rien! It is beautiful to help those in need ✨
TREY
Let us know if you have any other questions, yeah?
(Y/N)
THANK YOUUU 😭
(Y/N)
I'll go finish studying ahhhgdhdgf
TREY
Cya
ROOK
Au revoir!
[(Y/N) is offline!]
[Trey is offline!]
[(Y/N) is online!]
(Y/N)
ROOK WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UN TONALITÉ ÉPIQUE AND MERVEILLEUX
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Can you tell that Karate is my sport 💀
anygays
Please Vote! Thank you for reading!