Chapter Text
“You wish to be independent?” A woman's voice echoed in the hall. The long, rich, yet somehow lifeless hall. The young girl in front of her nodded. “How so?”
“.... I want to get a place of my own.”
“A place of your own?” She asked, confused. “Why would you want something like that? You have all that you could want here.”
“Well, I'm turning 18 and I…. I want to move out. I’ll join the foreign program that they’re hosting and I’ll transfer over.”
“....” The woman looked down at her with a look of slight irritation before rolling her eyes. “Fine. We’ll start looking into places you’d like, so you don't stick with the others in that program. But you must find a way to sustain yourself. We aren't going to be here forever, and your books will not hold you above the ground forever.”
“I’ll find a way!” She protested, but her mother raised her arm, which quickly shut her up.
“Let's hurry up and get this process over with. Maybe we should start packing your items. We should renovate your room into an office once you leave.” The woman walked off as she spoke to herself, planning on what she would do once they were gone.
A feeling of shame flooded the young girl before she sighed. It’ll all be over soon.
The process was hard. Moving from America to a whole new country with a whole new culture. The program was a ‘just because’ kind of thing. A common thing within rich places and schools is that they host events and programs just because. This one intrigued the young Edgar Allan Poe. Not only did it mean getting to explore a whole new country, but it also meant getting away from their family.
It's not like they’re the worst people. That's not it. Poe isn't abused, starved, mistreated, or anything like that. Just that no matter what, they felt as if their voice was never heard there. No matter what they said, it would be overruled by his parents. They didn't like things about them. They didn't like how interested they were in books. The works of many authors always fascinated them. It inspired them to write too.
Poe loved writing. They’d lock themselves in their room and write till their hand were sore. It was a sort of art where they could escape from everything and go into a new world. And when they discovered their ability, things got even more hectic. His parents distanced themselves from Poe even more. Poe never understood why, but there was always this look of disapproval in their eyes. All they wanted was their praise. How hard was that to give?
This program would let them start new. They will cut their parents off and go on with a new identity. Thank god it was only after their parents had begun to distance themselves and the date of the program that they started HRT.
The process to get it was hard, too, but they’re not going into that process. They’ll enter this school as a new person. Someone people would love. Edgar Allan Poe. A young author who transferred from America, and nothing less.
It was in the school bathroom right before everybody got on the bus that he cut his hair. Using some scissors, he may or may not snatch from a teacher. Could he have just gotten a professional to do it? Maybe. But he had other things to focus on, and it was already too late.
“POE!” Someone called out to him as they knocked on the bathroom door. He yelped and flinched, moving his hand lower than he wanted to when he closed the scissors. His face dropped as the hair fell everywhere below him, and he looked so bad. There is NO way this is happening!
“POEEE!” The girl at the door knocked again and called out. The familiar voice of a younger girl he was friends with. He covered his face with shame before slowly walking towards the door, opening it, and looking down at the red-headed girl. Her jaw dropped as they saw his hair and the look of defeat on his face.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” She screamed as if she had just seen a ghost, though with how pale Poe was, it might as well be the case.
“I…. I decided to cut my hair.” He mumbled.
“RIGHT BEFORE THE BUS WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE?!” She was utterly baffled. There's no way this was happening. “ARE YOU DUMB?!”
“It was an impulsive decision.”
“I CAN TELL!” She sighed as she went to her bag and pulled a hair tie. “Bend down a bit. You’re fucking massive.”
“I am not that tall.” He rolled his eyes as he bent down, praying she could somehow fix this horrible decision.
“Yeah, you’re not that tall and Im a fucking ant.” She sighed before turning him around and tying his hair in a small ponytail. It wasn't the best, and she even let some of his bangs out just like how Poe liked it before stepping back. “See that's sorta better.”
Poe stood up before looking at the bathroom mirror, and a sigh of pure relief escaped him. “God, Lucy, you work miracles.”
“Yeah, yeah- thank me later. We’re gonna miss the bus and then the program! Come on!” She took his sleeve and dragged him out of the bathroom. Poe just chuckled and nodded, following behind.
There, he could see the large group of other transfer students along with the teacher who hosted the program, and he would transfer with them. The trip to the airport was long, the wait for the plane was even longer, and the trip to Japan was even longer. Poe can't even count how many times he’s fallen asleep on the plane and at the airport. His phone and books can only entertain him so much.
Though when they arrived, it was like a whole new world. Lucy walked out sluggish, jet lag hitting her like a truck, yet an orange-haired man known as Mark rushed out excited. “God, you know what sounds good right about now?”
“Hm?”
“Some food.”
“Oh… I can’t disagree with that.”
“You finished the manuscript you’ve been writing on that trip.” She asked as she cracked her back and adjusted the neck pillow she wore, although they all flew first class.
“I got some writing done, but I am far from finished.” He hummed as they picked up their bags.
“Oh, by the way, I haven’t asked, but are you gonna stay at the place the program provided, or did your parents get you your place?”
“They have decided to buy out a property they believed to be suited for me.”
“Eh? Buy? But it’s not like we’re gonna be here forever. Wouldn’t it just be better to rent?”
“Well…. I’m not that far against staying here after graduation. I’ll have to let my time here help me settle on this decision.”
Lucy hummed; she was one of the few people who knew the rocky relationship Poe had with his parents. “Oh, do they know about the-uh-ya uh- ya know.”
Poe sighed and shook his head. “I don’t intend on telling them either.”
“Really? I mean, I’m sure they’ll notice eventually.”
“Believe me, I doubt they will.” Lucy let out a deep sigh. She’s been Poe’s parents' number one hater since the start. She just patted his back as they left the airport before a scream could be heard from one of the people up ahead, snapping all of them out of their thoughts and conversations.
It came from Margret as she stumbled back and almost fell if it wasn’t for Nathanial’s assistance.
“THAT RODENT! Sweet Jesus, where did it even come from?!” She loudly groaned as she pushed herself up on her feet and adjusted her clothes.
A rodent? Like a rat or something? It wasn't until this small raccoon caught Poe’s attention. His eyes widened. “Are you alright, Margret?” Nethanal asked. The rest of the group was focused on Margret, so as they were, Poe pulled out one of the snacks he’d kept from the plane.
Slowly, he made it to the rodent's direction, kneeling to its level as he let the open bag of crackers open for it to reach.
“Edgar, just what in tarnations are you doing?!” Seems as if their attention on Margret didn't last long.
“Just feeding it. It’s likely hungry.”
“It’s probably got rabies! Guys, Edgar’s gonna die on the first day here!” Mark laughed at the sight, causing Poe to roll his eyes, turning back to the raccoon. It showed no signs of having such a thing. Poe, of all people, should know, but he shouldn’t expect too much from the common folk.
He watched as it carefully began to get more comfortable around him and stood right in front of him, just taking the crackers. It was honestly adorable. But soon footsteps behind him could be heard, and the small raccoon ran off.
“Ah! Nooo…”
“Come on, Edgar!” The familiar voice of their professor, Fitzgerald, could be heard behind him. “Enough befriending the wildlife here. We have things to do before we head to our temporary settlements.” He smiled as he extended his hand for Poe to take.
Sighing and no longer seeing the rodent, Poe took his hand and joined the group.
The rest of the week was more unpacking their stuff and getting adjusted to everybody's new layouts. Though every time Poe swore, he had a weird feeling every time he got out. He tried to brush it off as some adjusting that he needed to get used to until he finally realized what it was. The creature was smart, he’ll give it that. But Poe is a genius. It didn't take long for him to realize the same raccoon that he had fed had grown interested in him.
Clingy creature that's for sure. Did he tell anybody he was going to adopt a raccoon? No. He’ll tell them when it's necessary! He even named it! Got some food bowls for it and bought extra fruits just to feed it, and began studying ways to care for a raccoon. This little shit became his world so fast!
Karl was on Poe all the time, and since Poe hardly left besides when he’s invited or dragged out of his home, they’re always together. Which was bad for when he finally did need to go out….
Honestly, Poe was stressing so much over having to get used to adjusting to a new environment that was so different than what he’s grown up and used to that he didn't notice when the bastard snuck into his bag! He left the house in a rush, muttering to himself small reminders of the day as he began joining the crowded city on his way to school.
That was until he felt his bag move unnaturally. He paused and looked down. His face dropped in a sort of shock and horror as he realized that he hadn't checked if Karl was inside. He didn't check if he was in the bed he had ordered for him. He completely forgot! Quickly, he rushed to a place less crowded, opening his bag and to his absolute misfortune, a fat sack of gray and black. Fluff covered all his books.
“Karl! Just what are you doing here?” He muttered as he looked around. Would he look insane if he just pulled a raccoon out of his bag? “Go back home. God, what am I even talking about? You don't understand English. Fuck…”
He groaned as he looked around before tensing up, seeing someone staring at him. Looking at his uniform, he could tell he came from the same school he’s going to. This might just be the worst case scenario. He didn't know what to say. What is he supposed to say in this situation?! He probably looks like some crazy person! Karl! Oh, Karl, how could you do this to him!
And as if on cue, he popped his head out of his bag, adorably so, but it just made the situation so much worse! “Ah- Nonono!”
“.... You know pets aren't allowed in the school building.” The boy spoke up, no teasing tone in his voice. It was pretty much a matter-of-fact type of tone. Something that, for some reason, brought a lot of shame on Poe.
“I… I know- he wanted to come with me and before I knew it, he snuck into my bag….” He tried to explain. The fact that he stuttered over his words made him wanna slam his head against a wall. “The smart bastard was somehow capable of standing so still, I didn't notice him until now. I'm gonna have to return and put him back home- god…” He groaned and looked down at Karl.
“You’re gonna be late.” The boy snickered, now starting to find some sort of amusement in Poe’s humiliating experience.
“I am aware.” He mumbled, picking his bag back up with Karl in it and rushing back home. Public humiliation. That's what that was. It was a scheme someone must’ve planted to humiliate him! To destroy him on his first day! That is what it must be! Though Poe knew that was not true, it was rather just a series of misfortunes that he had no control over.
He was exhausted by the time he returned to the school. It was a lot fuller than before, signaling a lot more students arriving. The gates open, so lucky he’s not late! Not super late at least!
Though as he rushed inside and began to look for his shoe locker, a familiar red-haired girl walked up to him. “Where were you!?” She asked with a concerned but also irritated tone of voice.
“Ah- I…” Poe was startled for a little while before groaning, focusing on putting his school shoes on. “I had a series of misfortunes hitting me all morning, and it held my intended schedule back a bit.”
“A bit?! Do you know what time it is?!”
“I have not been able to check. Why?”
“The bell’s gonna ring any minute! Anything you planned on doing before class, you gotta do fast!” A shiver went down Poe’s spine as he tried to get faster, finally putting his shoe on and looking around. God, the layout is something he has yet to get used to. “... Where’s your class?”
“Oh, I'm 1-3. You’re a senior, so I'm assuming your class is on the fourth floor. They got a whole board showing your classes, so go check that out.” Lucy smiled as she pointed to the group of students who huddled over a board. Poe let out the most prominent frown. He hated crowded spaces. This place already seemed like misery…. Oh, suicide feels like a great option right now!
He sighed, walking to the group and adjusting, trying to quickly peek, but it was genuinely hard with the number of people surrounding it. Maybe he should adjust, stand back, and wait…. And wait a few more… And the bell rang!
Today is just not his day! What the fuck!?
Though it did help! Everybody around was starting to disperse, and he was finally able to see without being surrounded by a bunch of people! He looked for his name on the huge list of students. The school did seem pretty big on the outside, so the number of students here is not shocking. Finding his name in this list was hard, though, but eventually he was able to as the hallways got emptier. Class 3-2. Like Lucy said, that must be on the fourth floor.
And so he finally began making the journey to his classroom. The fact that he was late stressed him a little, but the hallways were starting to feel much quieter now, less overwhelming. It's almost nice.
Finally, he’s reached his classroom door. A part of him didn't even want to open it all of a sudden. Maybe it was how the day was so far? He was so excited for today, and yet now that he’s here, he wants to run away, try again another time when it's better.
The frown on his face deepened as he finally gripped the handle and opened the door.