Chapter Text
2004
Eliza squinted their eyes in suspicion as they watched Kate and Sarah have a whisper argument in the hallway right outside of their rooms.
"Why?!"
"Because we're all friends, that's why!"
"I think friends is a really strong term to use!"
"Kate! You promised you would be nicer now that they're back! You promised Wattleman and Farrier!" Kate pouted, and Eliza could've sworn she let out a small growl too.
"Fine!" Kate whispered. Seeing her starting to make her way into their room, Eliza quickly tried to make themself look unsuspiciously busy by organizing their books on their nightstand. "Oy, Gestalt! Sleepover! Tonight!"
Eliza turned around with a genuine surprised look on their face, "Sorry?"
Kate rolled her eyes and sighed in annoyance. "It's Friday night and Blumen's gone until tomorrow so we're having a sleepover. You in or what?"
Sarah leaned over to her side and waved from a few feet behind Kate. She waved and gave a pleading look, then clapped her hands into a prayer position. "Erm...sure?" Eliza replied. "Should I-?"
"No!" Kate cut her off. "Just you. Not the other..." her hands start making a circular motion several feet over the floor, like she's waxing the roof of a small, invisible car, "...yous. Don't make this weird, we're not there yet." She starts to walk away, clearly mulling the decision to include her roommate. "So I guess, er, get in some pajamas or something."
She walked back to Sarah and Eliza can hear her say, "Don't make me regret this." She takes a deep breath before heading next door. "Thomas! Sleepover!"
The event announcement has definitely caught them off-guard. A sleepover has never been something Gestalt has ever been invited to--any of them. Pajamas? Are sleepover pajamas different from the ones I usually wear? They looked over their wardrobe: their clothes are plain and simple mostly, but there were the untouched "gifts" that Wattleman had given them. They rummaged through the boxes and eventually opened one containing blush colored silk pajamas. The outfit--a button down with short sleeves and white piping paired with matching pants--felt so un-them. The mirror reflected back an entirely new image of Eliza, one that even Gestalt can describe as "girly" or "pretty." They ran their fingers through their long hair and stared; their journey to individuality amongst themself was finally making headway. Maybe I should open the rest of the boxes to keep busy while I'm at this sleepover.
Eliza walked next door. Sarah's face lit up at the sight of them. "Hey! Nice pajamas!"
"Thanks," Eliza replied. "Erm, it's new."
"They are nice, Gestalt. I like it," Kate said as she stepped closer to them, looking at Eliza from the top down. "But no time to admire this now--Rodgers, we gotta go." She looked at Sarah and jerked her head to the side.
"You're leaving?" they asked. It was suspicious to be lured somewhere by someone only for the host to disappear. Teddy paused, waiting to see if they need to run down the hall.
Sarah got closer to them and squeezed their forearm lightly. "We'll be right back. We're going to get supplies, okay?" she said with a smile, her big brown eyes gazing down theirs. They nodded. "Great. Why don't you keep Myfanwy company while waiting? Make yourself at home."
They looked past Sarah to see her roommate sitting on her bed. They waved hello to each other without saying a word. Awkward. The other two girls left with a backpack each, promising a quick return. The two remaining trainees looked at each other in silence. Gestalt fought the instinct to leave, to lock themselves up in their room away from everyone else. Remember what they said? I need to learn how to socialize, to be able to blend in with the crowd. Eliza stretched out her hands that are by their sides and held her breath in their lungs for a few seconds; they desperately looked around the room, trying to find something to start a conversation with.
They looked back to Myfanwy who was sitting on her bed, rubbing her shoulders for relief. "Sore?" Eliza asked. Myf nodded in response. "Don't worry you'll get used to it. The soreness will get more familiar over time." She laughed; the start of the conversation seems to be going well.
Gestalt decides to keep it going. Eliza sits on Sarah's bed, facing Myfanwy. "Your punches were good but you have to remember to keep your hands up. Protect your face. I can show you next time."
She let out another laugh. "Sure," Myfanwy said as she continued rubbing and squeezing her shoulders. Seeing her tend to her sore muscles made Alex press their fingers along the back of their neck, feeling out every vertebrae. They roll their head around to stretch with Eliza doing the same reflexively. "You too then, I guess?" Myf asks.
"Hm, yeah. Lee was a bit more brutal today than usual. He's a bit mad when it comes to physical training but he's pretty cool when he's off the field."
"Really? Wouldn't have figured you as someone to know him well enough off the field."
"Ha. Been here long enough."
Myf leaned in with squinting, concentrating eyes. "How long have you been here for?"
Eliza took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling, as if they had written the answers above their heads. "Let's see...Linda found us when we were four. It took a few months to get us from Dresden to here and we were about five when we moved in. So...twelve years? Thirteen almost?"
A look of shock and amazement took over their companion's face. "Wow. That long? And I thought two months was tough. Can I ask, how often do you and your brothers see your family? Your parents?"
Gestalt cleared their throat and shook their head. "Our mother gave us up to this strange woman when we were really young. She smuggled us from Poland to Germany and then dropped us off at this orphanage. We don't even remember our father."
Myfanwy covered her lips with her fingertips. "Oh, I've really put my foot in it."
"No, it's fine-"
"No, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize." Myf reached out but the sudden movement caused for Gestalt to flinch their hand back. She stopped herself from holding their hand but continued with her apology, "I'm so, so sorry."
"Really, I don't care," Eliza reassured her with a smile. "It was a long time ago and I barely even remember. I can't miss something I never had..." They looked at Myfanwy, whose face is full of worry. Shit. That's the last thing I need. I have to do something, change the subject! "So, er, I've never actually been to a sleepover before--what exactly happens in one?"
It took a couple of moments before Myfanwy answered. Gestalt could see the anxiety that had built up slowly disappearing. "Never?" Eliza shook their head. "Er, I guess it's just hanging out with your friends except you get to stay up late and have a lot of sweets. I guess it's much more alluring when you're a kid but it's still fun. Oh! And don't believe those movies with the girls all scantily clad and stuff. It's disgusting and highly inaccurate. Even with my friends back home, the most we ever did is get drunk."
Movies? Scantily clad? I'll just ask later.
"Drunk? Who would ever think about getting drunk at a sleepover?" Sarah's voice came in a loud whisper as she reentered her room, Kate following behind her, closing the door. All four trainees were delighted by their reunion. Sarah opened a bag pulled out a re-corked bottle of red wine, bottles of Coca-Cola, a few packets of potato chips, and boxes of cookies. "Some merlot courtesy of Queen Linda Farrier."
Gestalt was impressed. Kate was someone they could see sneaking out into the kitchens but not for Sarah. She always seemed to have been a rule-follower, quiet and unassuming. They've known her a few years now but they've never really talked to her either...It's time for that to change.
Kate sets down some glasses and then takes a Jaffa cake and sticks a small candle on it. Myfanwy gasps and heartily says, "Oh no! Don't say that's for me!" Kate takes a silver lighter out of her pocket and lights the candle.
"Uh huh. Don't think you can just let your birthday slip by and for us not to do anything about it, do you? Come on, for this brief moment we'll all be seventeen years old. Next thing you know, we'll all be just a bunch of old miserable Checquy agents."
"Well, I don't know about 'miserable' but 'agents,' yes," Sarah added. She and Kate took the Jaffa cake closer to the birthday girl. "Make a wish."
Myfanwy closed her eyes before blowing out the small candle. The girls split up the contraband, except for Kate who refused the wine ("Just cokes for me!"). The first sip of merlot made the back of Eliza's jaw tingle. Their time away from Glengrove put them in places where wine was not the drink of choice. Alex and Teddy often found themselves in pubs drinking beer while Robert and Eliza grew to love champagne and whiskey. They were still getting used to wine, which was often served with dinner, not with snacks.
The alcohol with the treats lessened whatever tension had been lingering before and Gestalt found themself actually having a good time. Despite being part of the conversation, Eliza observed with great care--these were three very different girls but all were feminine in a way, all different from Farrier and other adult women they've been with during their life.
"I think Lucas really likes you, Sarah. I think you should go for it," Myf said as she cheekily smiled.
"Not you too! Look, I'm in the middle of studying for my A-Levels and I can't think about that!" Sarah blushed as she took another sip of wine.
Kate stuffed a chocolate covered digestive into her mouth. "Just go out with him. Maybe he'll stop being a cheeseball trying to get your attention," she said as small crumbs start flying out as she's speaking. Robert looked over to their roommate, who was lying on his bed, listening to music on his headphones. They made a mental note to investigate to see what's going on between him and Sarah.
Myf leaned in close to Eliza's face, her cheeks have become flushed over the two glasses of wine they've had. "Weird question: May I touch your hair?" They laughed. That was a question they've never been asked before.
"Sure."
Myfanwy immediately moves her whole body close to Eliza and carefully starts running her fingers through their white-blonde hair. The sensation was absolutely relaxing. "Beautiful. And this is your natural hair color?" They nodded; the comfort and the wine was starting to take effect. It was approaching midnight and Gestalt decided that if Eliza were still to stay up for some time, the rest of them would take their eased state and go to bed to rest.
Myfanwy leaned in again, this time with Eliza gazing back into her eyes. She was close enough for them to feel her warmth, take note of her freckles, to get lost into her blue-green eyes, even if it were for a second. "Another question," she asked quietly. Eliza nodded without thought. "Can I...braid it?" Another new request. A slight shock came over them. They agreed, not really knowing what to expect.
"Don't worry, Eliza. I'll do it real nice. I'll braid it into a crown."
"A crown? Seems complicated."
Eliza stay sat on the floor as Myfanwy stood up and then moved to sit on her bed. "Yeah! A braid crown. My sister and I had a fairy phase several years back. I got quite good at this." They smiled as their hair got plaited around their head. It was so different from when their Glengrove matron first groomed then. If it was as pleasant as this, Gestalt would've let someone braid their hair more often.
Kate stood up, demanding everyone's attention. "I have a very important question! Myfanwy, please continue your, er, craft. But nevertheless, I need everyone to be completely serious about-" She belched loudly.
"That is disgusting!" Sarah squealed.
"No! No! I do have an important question!" Kate continued through laughter.
"Well, what is it?!"
Kate cleared her throat and straightened her posture. "What would you do...if tomorrow...a zombie apocalypse broke out?"
Strangely enough, that question started off a debate that went on until three in the morning.
***
"We need you to socialize," Linda sternly said. Gestalt looked down on the floor while looking at both Wattleman and Farrier at the same time. "Look, you've already proven to us that all of you are capable of living apart, at doing different tasks at the same time, but the reason we brought you back to Glengrove House-"
"To finish training?" Teddy interjected.
"Yes. But it was also to let you reacquaint with the other trainees." Gestalt can see the concern in her eyes. They knew this, deep inside; they knew that their years of isolation, as much as it was an act of isolation, was of concern to the Court.
Henry joined in, "Do you remember why we gave you your names?" He walked back and forth, cup of tea in hand. Gestalt shook their head. "We named you after members of my family: Eliza, after my mother; Robert, after my grandfather; Teddy and Alex, after my older brothers. We named you such because we wanted you to know that you are part of our family."
Family. That word echoed in their head. Efforts had been made, of course, for years since they first arrived. However, they often find that people tend to stay away due to their EVA or at least for trainees around their age, their need to be the best has made competitors out of them instead of friends.
Farrier continued the conversation, "The people in Glengrove...they will work with you in the Checquy one day. Perhaps, even be lead by you further in the future." She took one of their hands and both of her around it. "They need to be able to work with you, trust you, and more importantly for you to trust them. Believe me when we say that we are not doing this to torture you. Think of it as another task, a goal. One that would benefit you in years to come."
"Well how about that young girl from this morning? The one that just left. Tiffany? No, Myfanwy! She just came in yesterday, same day that you came back. Why don't you start off with her? She doesn't know you yet so you can start off with a blank slate," Henry said, practically bouncing from the idea.
Gestalt thought of the impression they've given Myfanwy that morning and the day before. Blank slate? Not quite. This was going to be difficult.
2009
Kate and Lucas tilted their head to the side in confusion. "I guess it works...?" Lucas commented with doubt in his tone.
"But it seems...excessive..." Kate added. Kate turned and repeated her sentiment. "Gestalt! This is too much!"
Alex smirked as they put down a box of their belongings. "Last time I checked, Fairchild, this was my new flat and I could do whatever I want with it."
"Yeah, but TWO king-sized beds?! Together?!" her arms gesturing grandly.
Sarah scoffed as she opened another box. "Kate, a hand? Please, we're nearly done." The blonde let out a barely audible whine as she stomped her way to where her friend was.
"But I'm tired," she moaned. "It's not my fault that Gestalt decided to move in the middle of summer. It's hot! And I'm hungry!"
Lucas added on, "And apparently cranky." He and Teddy straightened out the heavy mattresses unto the bespoke bed frame.
"I guess you and Sarah will be well trained once you two decide to have kids," Teddy joked. "You've been taking care of Kate for years now. A toddler will be no problem."
From the kitchen, Myfanwy raised a handful of folded sheets of colorful paper in her hand. "The sooner we get done, the sooner we can get some take-away for dinner."
Kate narrowed her eyes with determination. "Give me a box. Those clothes will be unpacked in no time. Though I do warn you, if I see one pair of underpants, I'm done. That's it." Everyone chuckled at her response.
"Good job," Robert whispered as they are putting away the dinnerware into the cabinets. Eliza looked over the menus that were now splayed over the kitchen counter.
"What should we get?" they asked. Their stomachs had started to feel that pang of hunger, and they have been carrying heavy boxes all day.
"Oh, I'm thinking a bit of everything," Myf replied. "It's always good to have options."
With Kate's new sense of motivation, they found themselves done unpacking and eating within an hour and a half. Myfanwy ended up ordering curry, Chinese, and some dodgy pizza, all of which were being inhaled by all of the flat's occupants. By the end of their meal, the friends have entered a state of satiated bliss.
"Your first real London flat, mate. Congrats." Lucas tapped his bottle of lager with Alex's.
"Yeah, not owned by the Checquy or anyone in the Court...Fuck me, the rent is expensive. But it's nice, yeah?" They both laughed and nodded.
Kate poured herself another glass of water as Teddy, Myf, and Robert start to clean up. On the other side of the apartment, Eliza gently stroked the head of a white-colored stuffed rabbit before placing it on a shelf while Sarah straightened out the sofa cushions.
"This was nice," Eliza commented as they walked back to the crowd.
"Just like old times, yeah?" Sarah said.
"And to think you were going to do this yourself," Myfanwy nudged her elbow to Robert's side and gave them a wink.
Kate rubbed her belly with great satisfaction. "Considering that I was repaid in a meal, I consider this day to be a success." She looked down at her watch and sighed, "Though it is late now. Don't know if we'll make the last train back to Glengrove."
Teddy looked at their friends with a sudden idea in their head. "So why don't you stay? All of you?"
"What?" Sarah asked. "No, we can't impose."
"No, really," Robert replied. "My sleeping bags are just over in that closet right there, it'd be no trouble at all." Their friends came around the suggestion in no time.
"Sleepover like we're seventeen again? Brilliant," Kate said. Her eyes widened suddenly. "Can we all lie down on the bed? PLEASE," she started to plead.
Lucas nearly choked. "There's no way all eight of us can fit on that bed. Nope."
Kate raised an eyebrow, "You wanna bet, Munro?" He shook her hand in agreement, five quid at stake. "All right everyone! On the bed!"
All of them rushed over to the oversized bed, giggling on their way there. Surprisingly, they did all fit on the bed albeit not necessarily comfortably. This caused some of them, namely Teddy, Alex, Myfanwy, and Sarah, to turn to their side to prevent their shoulders from poking each other. Teddy pushed some of Myf's hair away from her face, both laughing at the silliness of it all.
"Munro, you owe me five pounds!" Kate exclaimed as she punched the air. "Sure this whole bed situation is a bit too much but I do have to say, Gestalt, this mattress is nice." She did a bit of a wiggle, trying to test out the firmness in the little real estate she had.
The group took in the moment, each one of them leaning on the other or holding another's hand. Myfanwy had Eliza's head leaning unto the back of her neck while simultaneously cupping her hand with Teddy's. Gestalt felt their friends' warmth and genuinely felt grateful to even be in a situation where they had friends to do this with. Gives new meaning to the word 'housewarming.'
Kate suddenly lifted her head. "Something just occurred to me, and this is incredibly serious."
"What is it?"' Sarah asked, worried.
Kate took a deep breath, "What would you do if aliens landed on Earth tomorrow?"
Someone immediately chucked a pillow at her head.