Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

zoom has added 14 people.

zoom changed the channel name: chat for nerds

zoom: does anyone have notes for the geography class i missed

whither: Why were you not in class yesterday?

zoom: sick

whither: I see

zoom: what happened

whither: Just a group project about landforms and regions, you didn't miss much.

fire: Firion got paired up with,

fire: as he describes it

whither: Stop

fire: 'the really cute guy that keeps talking to himself in the corner'

whither: STOP

fire: because you missed class lmao

zoom: isnt that minwu

whither: How do you know his name?

water: doesn't palamecia call everyone by like

water: their last name or something

zoom: he does

zoom: he keeps calling me "mister tribal" like tribe-al

zoom: like im part of some ancient civilization

whither: Isn't it 'Tre-ball'?

zoom: yeah

water: makes sense

cl00d: What is this

air: lMAO CLOUD

whither: ?

air: y'know how I told you in our math class that cloud sits beside light

air: when light saw Cloud was on his phone he just straightup smacked the back of his head when Golbez looked away

air: ohg shti oh fuck

air: hes coming this way imghjdshgfmfs

zoom: LOL

water: bartz my guy you good

air: eifikskqfgsvaa

air: Get off your phones and pay attention.

water: FHSGFHFGDD

air: We'll talk more at lunch.

chat for nerds (Today at 12:13PM)

zoom: he looks so scary

september: Who?

zoom: light

zoom: do you not see him

september: I do, yes

zoom: cecil

zoom: do you truly see him

september: He's talking with Garland, isn't he?

zoom: yeah

september: You're not wrong

lightning: I can feel you guys staring at him from the other end of the school.

nocturnal: lmao

cl00d: Why are you guys texting right beside each other?

zoom: so light doesnt hear us

water: firions sitting at a different table today?

whither: Ah! Minwu asked me to sit with him and his friends so we could talk about the project

whither: I'll join you for lunch tomorrow, though

zoom: look at our baby boy

zoom: growing up

september, water (Today at 12:20PM)

september: Fess up, Tidus

water: ???

september: Something's wrong

september: Wakka told me you've been acting odd all day

water: fhsdgfhfsd wdym

september: Did something happen in drama class?

water: no

september: You're a horrible liar, Tidus, I can feel you sweating

water: hndfghddf it's nothing big

water: yknow how Yuna and I were together for a while then broke up bc of mutual differences or whatever?

september: I remember that, yes

water: She got with a girl earlier, Rikku

water: and nothing against Rikku, shes prettyyyy cool n all

water: but like

water: even Paine and Wakka himself said she reminds them of me 

water: so im just kinda wondering like whats up

september: You're worried she's not really over it?

water: yeah

water: again, nothing against Rikku, she's preeetttyyy cool

water: but yknow

september: I do

september: How about you update me on this? You can use my DMs to vent whenever you want

water: r

water: really?

september: Of course!

water: aight

water: fair warning tho

water: at least twice a week

september: I know what I'm signing up for, Tidus

chat for nerds (Today at 12:27 PM)

zoom: ITS NOTHING THAT

zoom: LOOK AT HIS HAIR

air: I CAN SEE HIS HAIR ZIDANE

zoom: TELL ME IT ISNT SOFT

air: HAVE YOU EVER TOUCHED HIS HAIR

zoom: I CAN IMAGINE IT

zoom: imagine running your hands through those lushious locks

air: luscious* 

zoom: WHATEVER

zoom: MY POINT IS THAT

zoom: HE'S JUST

light: Eat your food.

zoom: fdshgfb dsf Yessir

air: Yes sir

cl00d: I wish I had the ability to shut down conversations like Light.

september: I'm afraid you only make people even chattier, Cloud.

cl00d: I know.

light: You two too.

cl00d: Yes sir.

september: Of course.

chat for nerds (Today at 2:30PM)

ram: When we're out on a field trip is when you decide to make a group chat?

zoom: sorry ramza

ram: It's okay

ace: tf you mean nerds

zoom: yknow

ace: no, i dont

zoom: do you realllllyyyy want an answer for that

ace: -_-

zoom: but yeah when we get home

zoom: anyone up for ffxiv

zoom: im trying to level up rogue so i can grab myself that sweet ninja

ace: Terra, Ramza and I won't be home until later in the week

zoom: fair

whither: I'm meeting up with Minwu later for a study about the region project

september: I believe I'll be free

light: So will I.

wholewheat: I'm stuck in class without my phone and you guys just

zoom: WAIT I ADDED YOU TO THE GC TOO???

wholewheat: yeah.

zoom: im sorry luneth

wholewheat: It's fine

wholewheat: I can play for a bit but I'm meeting up with Ingus later, 6 maybe

zoom: sounds good to me

fire: Tidus and I are free later too

zoom: im doing the hildibrand questline and like

zoom: can we do that together? I'll wait for you

fire: Hildibrand questline?

zoom: ;)

september: I do not like that face

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 3:56AM)

air: Y'all I

air: I was playing ffxiv earlier n I was rouletting as a uh

air: black mage on a level 50 dungeon, I think it was stone vigil hard mode

air: but my tank? My tank oh god

air: My tank had like level 5 pants and 

air: it was a terrible run lmao

chat for nerds (Today at 8:58 AM)

cl00d: what were you doing up at 4AM

air: Huh

air: oh uh

air: I was still playing ffxiv

cl00d: At 4AM?

squall: cloud you saw those messages and asked me if I wanted to play games after.

water: shhghgdhsfhgfndf

water: expOSED

cl00d: shut up

squall: make me.

cl00d: where are you

squall: Im getting rinoa mcdonalds.

water: no offense but i thought rinoa told us she was going on a diet

cl00d: that was tifa

water: why tho

air: Tifa lookin fine

cl00d: watch it

cl00d: you might anger her girlfriend.

air: Aerith I'm sorry

air: WHYDTGDHASJD

cl00d: oh

light: Explain to me why Aerith walked up to us slammed her hand down on the part of the desk that is in front of Bartz.

zoom: hdgHAGH AHAHAHAHAHAHAA

light: And told him, I quote, 'fat chance bucko, she's a whole-ass lesbian'.

light: Aren't you in a test?

zoom: finished early

air: Probably failed too

zoom: HEY

air: Zidane my guy,

air: you are gonna fail English

air: and you ain't even bad at anything else, you just cant English right

whither: Did I read that sentence correctly?

air: yes

water: fiiirrriiooonnn

water: where are you :(

whither: I am exactly where you asked me to be?

light: Are you two not in class?

whither: I'm in science with Tidus, and our substitute teacher told us today was a free period, so I'm standing beside a wall at the back of the class

whither: Tidus I'm right here, are you blind?

water: why are you standing right beside the colored wall that looks like you

whither: They do not look like me, you are maybe just a bit off today

water: D:

zoom: oh shit thats the principal boutta walk ingottago

fire: lmao

light: Are you not in the same class as him, Vaan?

fire: Principal Cid is fine with me, you know

fire: It's just Zidane he doesn't like

fire: Mostly because Zidane keeps trying to steal his stuff

september: You two are lucky, I had Ms. Materia walk into my class earlier. 

lightning: Ha! Jokes on you, I had Spiritus

september: Ouch.

lightning: Very.

water, whither (Today at 10:32 AM)

whither: Are you angry at me?

water: huh? no??? ofc not

water: could never be mad at you

whither: Then what is bothering you?

water: its nothing! i swear

whither: Are you sure?

water: fhsghfd firion youre really sweet n all but like

water: im good, really

whither: Whatever you say, Tidus

whither: Just know I am here to listen

water: and talk, dont stop talking to me

water: i like your sexy voice ;)

whither: Hgfhdbngsffdf

chat for nerds (Today at 10:45 AM)

zoom: ok but

zoom: you nerds are forgetting the bigger picture here

zoom: cecil could totally do asmr if he wanted to

september: B

september: But I don't want to?

zoom: you say that now,

squall: bad zidane.

zoom: D:

nocturnal: Zidane is missing out on something big

water: what is that?

nocturnal: Now hear me out here,

nocturnal: Squall singing e-girls are ruining my life.

september: H

fire: AHHAHAHGHDHAGSDBDASH

nocturnal: But really,

chat for nerds (Today at 1:25 PM)

ram: Guys?

ace: thats weird

ace: its like their conversation wasnt finished

ram: They don't do that... unless they're in class?

ace: i dont think so, they usually talk in class too

ace: and we cant be the first to realize this, right?

earth: I just confirmed that we're not returning to the school at the moment....

ace: huh? why not?

ram: Where are you two? Talking is better than texting.

ace: uhhh i am over at the prehistoric exhibit

ram: Great, I'll meet you there

earth: As will I!

---

Ace stared at the group chat for a little while longer, scrolling up to analyze the text once again. Was that really the end of their conversation? Was he over-looking something here, or maybe he was overreacting? His connection seemed fine enough to talk to the other two, so... did something happen? He lowered his phone and leaned against the wall, sighing.

"Ace!" Ramza waved, grabbing Ace's attention quickly. He stuffed his phone into his pocket and gave him a small wave and noticed Terra behind him, though it didn't seem like they arrived together. Ramza followed his line of sight to Terra, leaving Ace to walk over to them. Terra didn't look so good herself, her skin was pale enough to make one think she was sick.

"Terra?" Ace asked, leaning forward and gently tapping her on the shoulder. The poor girl seemed terrified, and when she finally looked up at both of them, she still looked as though she had seen a few ghosts on the walk here.

"I spoke with Miss Ultimecia, and she didn't want the information public." She started, hugging herself. "She only told me because I made the point of telling her I only had two friends here, but..."

"But?' Ace raised an eyebrow, Ramza moved a bit closer to the both of them, lightly placing his hand on her shoulder until she took a shaky breath and looked back up at the both, slightly more comforted than earlier.

"It's the school." She said. "There's a lockdown, and it isn't a drill."

Chapter Text

chat for nerds(Today at 2:43 PM)

earth: Is everyone okay?

ace: i dont think theyre going to respond, terra

earth: Worth a shot D:

ram: We're on our way!

ace: i hope everythings alright

chat for nerds (Today at 4:46 PM)

fire: lmao

water: l

water: lMAO????

water: YOU GOT YOUR HEAD BASHED INTO A LOCKER

water: AND ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY IS 'lmao'???????

light: I feel as though I am missing context.

fire: lmfao

water: NO

zoom: vaans head was smarshed into his locker

whither: Smashed*

zoom: whatever dude

earth: And-

earth: How about all of you?

water: what about us?

cl00d: im pretty sure she's asking how the lockdown went

fire: lmao

water: lmao

zoom: lmao

air: lmao

september: Not 'lmao'.

september: Squall almost died.

earth: What?

ram: What happened?

ace: huh

september: Well, I wasn't there, but my friend Edward was.

september: He said Squall literally fought one of the guys that came in and lived, but he's got a nasty scar on his head now.

water: ouch

fire: How did he even live?

september: The guy didn't pull out his gun in time and Squall, being the idiot that he is, instead knocked it away from him under one of the larger cabinets.

september: Did you know Squall keeps pocket knives on him at all times?

fire: fhgsdhhfdhf

air: squall really just said 'aight my guy, that gun ain't gonna work here'

september: Well, even worse turn of events, so did the other person.

september: They got into a knife fight and because our school had soundproof walls, no one heard their fighting.

september: Not to mention they were in one of the pods, and on the smaller part of the third floor, where it is easy to cover with one person.

cl00d: im just surprised squall didnt get hurt any more than he did

squall: underestimating my abilities, are you?

cl00d: shshgfhd hi

squall: hey.

cl00d: hows the hospital

squall: decent.

squall: not one of the better ones ive been to.

cl00d: n

fire: whAT

water: how many hospitals have you been to?????

squall: 5 now.

water: five

squall: 6 if the one i was born in counts.

water: FIVE

light: I am still concerned.

light: Vaan, your head was smashed into a locker?

fire: oh, yeah

fire: remember that one guy that keeps bullying me?

fire: the really cute one?

air: Balthier was it?

fire: yeah him

fire: he came up to me right before the lockdown and bashed my head into my locker, but because of the uh

fire: the way i organized my locker today

fire: i actually got hurt this time

september: This has happened before?

light: What class is he in?

september: Oh-

light: Ah.

fire: well to answer the first one

fire: yeah

fire: i met balthier in middle school about luneth's grade

fire: so

wholewheat: What the hell

wholewheat: What happened here

water: ill explain it to you later in vc

fire: yeah

fire: its been going on for a while, but i havent head my head like

fire: full on slammed into a locker until like

fire: this year

fire: it wasnt always like this tho, balthier was really nice at some point

fire: then he just kinda changed so

fire: as for his addresss uhhhhhhh

fire: im not actually sure, im pretty sure that creepy guy behind the school has it

lightning: do you mean caius

fire: the edgelord guy

fire: edgier than noctis

nocturnal: what

cl00d: hey noct, where were you today?

nocturnal: dad called in

nocturnal: said he wanted his cabbages back

cl00d: his what

nocturnal: his cabbages

nocturnal: i may or may not have stolen his cabbages to feed to my friend that wants to go on a diet but isnt allowed

fire: ISNT YOUR DAD THE PRIME MINISTER???????

nocturnal: yeah?

air: DID NOCTIS JUST COMMIT A FEDERAL CRIME?????

air: AGAINST THE PRIME MINISTER????

nocturnal: shshsh

nocturnal: he also took me to a court hearing that was conveniently scheduled today

nocturnal: i heard what happened from prom, you guys all good?

cl00d: yeah

whither: 'Prom'?

nocturnal: my friend, prompto

nocturnal: its a nickname

whither: Ah.

wholewheat: Well, I'm hopping on ffxiv if anyone wants to join

wholewheat: Ik Vaan and Squall are still in their respective hospitals but anyone else?

fire: oh me n squall in the same place dude

fire: we're like rooms away from each other

wholewheat: oh

water: i can hop on with paladin

zoom: firion, cloud and i were gonna play anyway, so we trialing?

september: I can offer myself as well

wholewheat: cool! I'm walking home from a tutoring session

wholewheat: So I'll be a bit late but

september: ...But?

earth: Luneth?

earth: Earth to Luneth?

ace: dude, you good?

water: luneth???

whither: Luneth, are you alright?

air: Hello??? Air to Lune-Moon! Check your notifs, buddy!

chat for nerds (Today 5:16 PM)

wholewheat: Ah, I thought so.

fire: ah, luneth hello

wholewheat: This is Y'shtola from Grade 11.

fire: oh

earth: Hi Y'shtola! It's Terra :D

wholewheat: Hello again Terra.

wholewheat: Luneth is unconscious, so I've pulled him to my house.

wholewheat: I know Refia and Arc, so I took the liberty of calling them. Who am I speaking to?

september: I am Cecil, you may know me from Grade 12.

wholewheat: I do, yes.

september: In this group chat, I'll give you the full list.

september: Lightning from Grade 12, Bartz, Noctis, Light and Cloud from Grade 11, Ramza, Terra, Ace and Squall from Grade 10 and Tidus, Firion, Zidane and Vaan from Grade 9.

wholewheat: My thanks.

wholewheat: I only logged onto this chat as it was the one open. The rest of his messages he will read when he wakes up.

fire: if you dont mind me asking

fire: what happened?

wholewheat: A ball flew from a few people nearby playing soccer. They do this often, and I'm sure Luneth is aware of this, as I'm his tutor. 

wholewheat: They recently welcomed a rather strong girl to play and she kicked the ball too far and too hard, so it flew and hit Luneth.

wholewheat: The power as well as the fact that Luneth was mid-step caused him to fall and hit his head. He's bleeding, and I suspect he'll have a mild concussion or worse when he wakes up. I am about to call an ambulance to pick him up.

fire: call the hospital 2nd closest to us

wholewheat: Why?

fire: the first one is filled and we had to be transported to the second one so its a waste of time

wholewheat: Thank you for the information.

wholewheat: I'm turning his phone off now. If you want to see him, he'll most likely be at the hospital. I'll contact one of you myself otherwise.

light: Thank you, Y'shtola.

wholewheat: Twelve watch over you, and take care.

air: what an eventful day

chat for nerds (Today at 11:59 PM)

squall: chokemelikeyouhateme.mp3

squall: this bothers me.

air: WHHAWGGHDHHDBD

cl00d: did you REALLY?

squall: why do i sound good?

air: HAhAHAHAAHAHAHAHAh

cl00d: AT NEARLY MIDNIGHT?

squall: goodbye.

cl00d: NO COME BACK HERE AND ANSWER FOR YOUR CRIMES SQUALL

air: IM CRYINGDJGDHD

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 3:34 AM)

air: for those that are awake, I went to visit Luneth n Vaan n Squall

air: the nurses said Vaan's pretty alright but he'll have bandaging on for a few days while he goes back to school

air: Squall's alright too, but the scar is gonna stay there

air: and Lune Moon has to stay for a bit but he'll probably be out by Friday

air: man this week was eventful

chat for nerds (Today at 9:25 AM)

light: Thank you for your insight, Bartz.

air: no worries

air: also did you guys know that Baldesion's in the hospital closer?

light: I did not, no.

light: We are most likely the only ones online, type away until you finish.

air: oh

air: aight then

air: remember the incident at the gas station and how all the buildings around it were burnt?

air: remember how that apartment complex is like really close?

air: well a lot of the teachers actually lived there because it was affordable and closer to the school

air: even going so far as Materia

light: I recall them mentioning something about that in class at some point.

light: I can't remember from when.

air: all good

air: but yeah the gas station blew up, the apartment complex was burned, thats why the closest hospital was really packed and had no space

air: because the people that were harmed then were also students and teachers at the school

air: it also explains why I haven't seen Locke around recently

air: so really, a lot of the people that aren't normally away are now because of the incident

chat for nerds (Today at 10:12 AM)

lightning: thats why snow hasnt been around

squall: snow?

lightning: villiers

lightning: blond, beanie, jacket

squall: oh, him.

whither: Also explains why I haven't seen Minwu around since the first day we were paired up....

whither: I don't want his mark to be affected by this incident because I know it wasn't his fault and he was doing research with me until his "Wi-Fi cut out"

earth: I managed to talk to Y'shtola more about the incidents recently and grab myself tutoring classes with her!

whither: Congratulations!

earth: Thank you! :D

earth: I'll tell you what I've found out, as well

water: floor is yours

earth: Apparently this large gang moved in to our community not too long ago, and it is said to be their work

earth: The gas station wasn't planned, but there's a rumor that the lockdown at the school? It was planned directly after they found out half of the people weren't at school that day.

earth: They were apparently looking for Noctis, but they don't know what he looks like

nocturnal: huh

water: i was actually wondering when this would happen

earth: But not just Noctis either

earth: Do you remember when Miss Materia told us princes and princesses from other countries come here to learn, and children of wanted people? Well..

earth: Other targets were supposedly Garnet in Grade 9, Lenna and Faris in Grade 11, Edward in Grade 10 and Edge in Grade 12!

water: woah

fire: woah

air: woah

earth: woah

september: You were the one that typed it out...

whither: That would explain a lot, really. I heard tell of another attack planned by Caius when I asked him for knowledge in geography in exchange for money.

water: FIRION IS GROWING UP????

whither: No! I don't have a partner anymore, remember?

whither: I'm alright at geography but for the first half of the project I was with Minwu and we did our separate parts.

whither: I don't know where he got his information from because none of my search engines gave me the same results as his were, no matter how far I looked. So it seemed reasonable that my only option was to ask people if they knew, and Caius happened to be the first person that came into my mind.

light: I am concerned on why Y'shtola knows about this.

earth: ;)

light: I see.

water: i have a feeling theyre dating now

earth: ;)

fire, air (Today at 12:25 PM)

fire: hey bartz?

air: Hey there Vaan!

air: Whats up?

fire: i kinda just needed dms to vent in and someone to talk to me

air: Oh shit this is serious

air: okay, hit me with it

fire: i really dont know anymore. i thought this entire time i had this burning hatred for

fire: him

fire: but do i?

fire: do i really? 

fire: every time i look at his stupid smug face i want to punch it yeah

fire: still do

fire: but now a part of me worries itll ruin his beautiful face and its terrible

fire: i know i cant fight back but i wish i could because maybe he'd be

fire: maybe he would be my friend if i amounted up to what he does

fire: i want to mean something and maybe if i try hard enough he'll

fire: stop and see me as a mutual, not some victim he picks on

fire: but im scared that if i do everyone i know will hate me

fire: im torn because i think i love him, bartz

fire: im pretty sure i love him but i just

fire: i can see the pity in his eyes

fire: he pities me for being weak

fire: for being small, being timid

fire: for being me and i dont

fire: i dont know what to do.

fire: im scared bartz

fire: i dont want to lose anyone anymore but i cant keep up this appearance that im fine every time he smashes my head against a wall and tells me ill be nothing, tells me that he hates me, that he wishes he never saw me before

fire: im afraid

air: did you want advice back?

fire: idk man

fire: i mean

fire: kind of?

air: 1. stop playing the prONOUN GAME WITH ME VAAN YOU KNOW IM TERMINALLY DUMB

fire: IM SORRY D:

air: lmfao is all good

air: but seriously, whore you talking about

air: who're

fire whore

air: WHO'RE

fire: WHORE

air: NO I MEAN WHO'RE

fire: SCREENSHOTTED. SENDING TO THE GC LATER.

air: NOOOODBDGJDBADMD IM SORRRYYYYYY

air: hshshg on a serious note

air: who is it?

fire: ....balthier

air: makes sense

fire: wh

fire: not gonna yell?

air: youd be surprised

air: bullies x victims is a very popular trope when you've read what I have read

fire: what

air: But if you really want advice? go for it

air: I'm not seeing "Vaan who is trying to impress someone" in these ideas you have

air: I'm seeing "Vaan who is trying to make himself better"

air: You believe you're timid? Then by all means

air: Do whatever you want to make yourself less timid

air: and you could eventually fend off your bullies too, win win situation

air: Gaining respect with bullies should never mean losing your friends

air: If your friends ditch you because they don't bully you anymore

air: My guy those are not friends those are rats

fire: LMFAO

air: BUT REALLY

air: If you believe you're improving yourself by doing what you're saying

air: Then go for it, because no bullies should ever stop you from doing it

air: And even if you were doing it to impress the guy, you're helping yourself too

air: again, win win situation

air: So really, there's no downsides

air: Just know that I helped Noel hook up with Caius and I helped Locke get with Edgar so everyone in the gc doesn't really care lmao

fire: THAT WAS YOU????

air: yeah???

fire: DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES GARLAND COMPLAINS HIS METAL GOES MISSING AND LOCKE LEANS IN TO MY EAR DURING LUNCH AND GOES LIKE "the metal is mine" BC HE KNOWS IM CURIOUS BUT GARLAND WOULD NEVER BELIEVE ME?????

air: LMFHJSDHJSMDAGBJDSA

fire: I AM TORMENTED BY THIS CYCLE OF LOCKE STEALING METAL FROM GARLAND FOR EDGAR DUDE

fire: AND YOU CAUSED IT

air: I SAID IM SORRY DHGAHDSBHJADSHADNKJK

chat for nerds (Today at 1: 42 PM)

fire: whore.png

air: NOOOOOOO I SAID SORRRYYYYYYY

fire: LMAO

water: HAHAHGDJHDNDMD

fire: NO CONTEXT FOR YOU

water: EVEN BETTER

cl00d: pfft

squall: huh.

air: YOU EVEN GOT SQUALL AND CLOUD ON FOR IT?????

lightning: rip bartz

light: Rest in peace.

september: It was nice knowing you.

air: NOOOO YOU GOTTEM TOO??????

ace: :pray:

earth: I pray for you, Bartz.

whither: My condolences for your loss

air: REALLY????

air: We're only missing Zidane, Luneth and Ramza :/

cl00d: odd

cl00d: isnt zidane normally really active for no reason?

squall: yeah.

air: Havent seen him at all today

ace: luneths at the hospital still, i think he's resting up

ace: Ramza said something bout going to his family for a bit

cl00d: oh

air: Ah.

nocturnal: huh?

air: Common knowledge, but ig its fine that you dont know

air: Ramza doesnt have the best relationship w/ his family and he left to live with his birth mother while on bad terms w/ them

air: he goes by Ramza Lugria in school but on the attendance its listed as Beoulve, so its not uncommon to hear the name be tossed around

nocturnal: that... makes sense

light: Pay attention.

september: Yes sir.

cl00d: Yes sir.

water: Yes sir.

fire: Yes sir.

chat for nerds (Today at 3:09 PM)

air: SO GUESS WHAT I JUST FOUND OUT??

air: ZIDANE????

air: HE'S AT THE HOSPITAL.

air: WHY???????

air: HE GOT SHOT.

air: IT GRAZED HIS SKIN BUT A BULLET IS STILL A BULLET

air: THEN HE GOT STABBED????????????

air: HA HA HA HA HA

air: BOUTTA STRANGLE WHOEVER DID THIS

water: wha

whither: My apologies,

whither: but,

whither: WHAT?

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Yesterday at 6:48 PM)

cl00d: what

earth: Zidane is in the hospital???

air: yeah

air: I'm going to go check up on them now

ram: Them?

air: oh, Lune moon and Zidane

air: They're in the same hospital and lune moon can walk around now, so I'm gonna take him over to see Zidane

earth: Take care, Bartz

air: got it

chat for nerds (Today at 9:00 AM)

cl00d: has anyone heard from Bartz?

squall: haven't seen him today.

lightning: serah said he passed by the hospital yesterday.

whither: What was Serah doing at the hospital?

lightning: snow's her boyfriend.

whither: Ah.

september: But he is not in class, is he?

light: He is not, no.

cl00d: hes had a clean track record for a while so idk where he is now

water: i dont like the look of this dude

water: didnt he say yesterday that he was gonna check up on zidane and luneth?

cl00d: yeah?

water: well, he hasnt said anything since yesterday

water: do you think something happened?

zoom: huh

wholewheat: Huh

water: zidane!

water: luneth! hello

zoom: hey

wholewheat: Morning

water: zidane what happened yesterday

water: also luneth are you okay

zoom: so i was minding my own business when my dad dropped by saying there was a musical in town and he wanted to take me, so i agreed bc theatre nerd. when we got there we watched it, it was cool 10/10 would recommend, but as we were walking out some enemies my dad had came and like started a fight and i just happened to be there so one tried shooting me

zoom: but im zoom so they didnt hit me and then one got mad so they just ran up to me n stabbed me but my dad kicked him away and rushed me into the car and took me to the closest hospital

zoom: story of how i got stabbed

cl00d: sounds fun

wholewheat: im fine btw

wholewheat: my head hurts but thats it

wholewheat: im actually joining the bandages squad so

fire: luneth speaking with lowercase? are you okay?

wholewheat: hurts to care about my capitalization

wholewheat: im in the office rn bc desch and refia told me to

wholewheat: apparently me being nauseous and falling down is not a side effect of the medicine i was given it is actually me not being healed up properly

wholewheat: thats what i get for getting bartz to take me out of the hospital

cl00d: back to bartz

cl00d: where is he?

zoom: oh idk

zoom: we took luneth to school then walked me

zoom: should be somewhere in the school

chat for nerds (Today at 1:37 PM)

air: sorry about that

light: He lives.

september: Welcome back, Bartz!

air: thank you

air: ive been in the office all day, sorry

september: What happened?

air: nothing much

air: police thought me taking luneth and zidane from the hospital and to school was kidnapping of sorts, too lazy to explain what they thought

air: but yeah uh my parents were pulled in n everything

air: was very odd

air: i had to explain to him that zidane and luneth were friends and they didnt want to stay at the hospital so i got them out and you know how my mom is on making friends w/ people years younger than me

air: so she yelled at me

air: but i got off the hook by telling them luneth didnt actually have parents and zidane was special

zoom: hey!

air: am i wrong

zoom: D:

fire: fhdhhfhdfhdf guysssss

water: ?

fire: he just walked past me???

air: who

fire: the guy

fire: the man

fire: balthier he just

water: :0? progress?

fire: p r o g r e s s ?

water: hell yeah, progress

water: but yeah uhhhh why did he do that tho

fire: probably bc he cant smash my head into the locker or he'd actually get in trouble and probably kill me

fire: i have the uh

fire: bandages on

fire: so if he did he'd be in major trouble, but

fire: yeah

fire: Fran looks like she pities me tho so lmao

water: 'lmao'

zoom: 'lmao'

water: i hope you did not actually 'lmao'

fire: i did and balthier whipped around so fast and looked at me with the most concerned look that i actually bashed my own head against my locker

fire: easy to say im bleeding again

water: wh

fire: im gonna uh

fire: go to the office now

fire: so ill be gone for a bit

light: No you don't.

september: Light, wait.

light: What?

september: Look.

water: what?

september: Vaan passed out, likely too much blood loss.

september: Guess who is carrying him?

water: no way.

air: NOOOO WAYYYYY

air: PHOTOS OR IT DIDNT HAPPEN

september: here.jpg

air: OHGDJGDHJDHBHSDJN

air: GO GET SOME ASS VAAN

september: Bartz!

air: but balther's got some cake tho :eyes:

water: i mean

water: you arent

water: w r o n g

september: Both of you!

chat for nerds (Today at 4:43 PM)

ace: i know no one has notifs turned on and everyone is playing ffxiv but

cl00d: what

ace: has anyone heard from ramza?

ace: oh-

ace: hi cloud

cl00d: squall and i have notifs on in case shit like this happens

squall: ramza? havent heard from him all day.

nocturnal: ik terra is busy w/ her friends today so she hasnt been online a lot

nocturnal: but idk about ramza

ace: hmmmm

ace: okay, sorry about that

ace: ill just ask around see what i find out

ace: take care

cl00d: you too, ace

ram, ace (10:54 PM)

ram: My apologies, Ace, I didn't realize I hadn't contacted you at all today.

ace: oh! nonono its all good

ace: are you alright?

ram: Yes, I've been busy with my family though.

ram: But I'm okay! Just a bit stressed out at the moment.

ram: Can you tell my teachers I will likely not be at school for a bit?

ace: of course

ace: take care ramza

ram: You too, Ace.

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 5:24AM)

air: squall what the fuck are you doing its 5:30am

squall: I could ask the same of you.

air: well i was on ffxiv which is a valid reason

air: BUT YOURE LITERALLY RIGHT OUTSIDE MY HOUSE STANDING STILL

squall: This is your house?

air: yeah my dude, what the fuck

squall: Shit, uh

squall: Can you let me in for a moment? I'll be out soon.

air: uh no?

air: get in and stay in until my father can drive you home at like 6:30

air: aight?

squall: Sure.

chat for nerds (Today at 7:54AM)

light: Why were you up at 5 AM?

september: I would like to ask the same thing.

air: well squall was outside my house for reasons he asked me to keep private

squall: He let me stay until his father could drive me home.

zoom: did you have a sleepover or smth

air: kind of? we didn't sleep tho

water: isnt squall's house like

water: downtown?

air: yeah, he took the bus to the nearest bus stop and walked here

air: I don't think he was lookin to get to my house but he got here anyway

nocturnal: The closest bus stop is like a good 20-30 minute walk depending on how fast you are

nocturnal: I go over to my uncle's house frequently, and cycle to Bartz's place from there

september: But why weren't you asleep, Bartz?

air: idk man

air: I cant sleep often anymore man

air: it just ain't working

september: I see...

whither: While we are on the topic of being up at ungodly hours, I was as well.

whither: But I saw Vaan typing for a while at around 5:30 too?

fire: shsgshhfdgdhf

september: Something you'd like to say, Vaan?

fire: weeeeeeelllllll

fire: remember how I bashed my head into a wall earlier?

whither: Yes?

fire: well balthier came to visit me when I went back to the hospital

fire: and y'know what he said?

fire: he was all like,

fire: and i quote,

fire: "If you're going to keep getting in harm's way like you always did back when we were younger, you'll need someone to look out for you, hm?"

fire: that.

air: WAIT

air: VAAN PLEASE

air: VAAN DID YOU GRAB THE ASS

fire: NO you DUMBFUCK I DIDN'T GRAB THE ASS

fire: we're not dating yet thats disrespectful

air: yet

earth: yet

water: yet

whither: Yet.

september: Yet.

ace: yet

fire: oh hi ace

fire: you were looking for ramza earlier?

ace: it's all cleared up, don't worry

fire: ????

fire: but he was at the hospital I was at earlier this morning???

ace: WHAT.

fire: yeah

fire: he wasnt hurt or anything

ace: oh thank god

fire: but he looked sad

fire: im pretty sure he was visiting someone

cl00d: His sister, Alma, was in their house while it was robbed. She was hurt, but not to the point where it would be considered severe.

fire: huh

cl00d: I saw the report on the news this morning.

cl00d: From the statement, she said she didn't see her attacker's face, or couldn't remember it. One of the two.

ace: alma is the one ramza is the closest to....

light: Start walking.

light: We will talk more at lunch.

chat for nerds (Today at 9:56 AM)

air: okay im pretty sure everyone is in clas or swityching atm but

air: im gonna bvein dragged out of class someone please fsend help

september: That was... a lot of typos

air: someine help mebplkenase

september: Where are you?

air: i dont know i dont remembber

air: i walked somqhetr i dint know cecil help

september: Bartz stay where you are, can you call right now?

air: maybe???nid have to br really quiet i

september: That's okay, I have your number, you have me saved as 'Moon Man'.

air: gpd fycl i csnt hrar him

chat for nerds (Today at 10:12 AM)

fire: what happened here?

september: I think you should allow Bartz to tell you himself.

fire: okay....

september: All I can say is that he isn't in the best place right now.

cl00d: What.

september: He'll tell you more when he gets back on himself.

september: I can tell you what I saw, but not what he did. I have no idea, if I'm to be honest.

light: Pay attention.

light: We will talk more at lunch.

fire: He said that exact same thing earlier....

light: Vaan.

fire: yes sir

chat for nerds (Today at 11:31 AM)

water: im at the table, where are you guys?

whither: I got held back in geography, give me some time.

water: aight

----

Light approached the table while stuffing his phone back into his bag, taking his seat across Cecil. The man looked bothered, most likely from his call with Bartz earlier. Light contemplated asking him about it when Vaan approached the group quietly, sitting down. Clearly what happened to Bartz earlier was weighing on everyone's minds, as no one seemed to want to start a conversation. Everyone was here except for Bartz, Lightning and Firion.

"...So tell us." He looked over to Squall, startling the younger boy while getting his attention. "First, what happened this morning?"

Squall looked away, then back up when he heard heavy footsteps approach them. Light also turned, his eyes widening slightly as the person that was now standing behind one of them wasn't someone that was part of their normal group. Said person put a hand on Vaan's head and leaned down, holding out, what looked to be, a piece of paper. Vaan took the paper slowly, looking at what was written. Light couldn't see from where he was sitting, however Zidane, who happened to be beside Vaan, brightened up almost instantly.

"You were curious why I acted as though I cared, were you not?" Balthier spoke softly as he stood back upright with a sigh. One hand was now on his hip while the other ruffled Vaan's hair. He then turned around and left the table, walking towards the cafeteria's doors.

"Talk to me later, see if I'm gracious enough to tell you why."

Vaan was now just staring at the paper with a blank expression, though Zidane poked his cheek once or twice to get him back into the realm of the living. Squall shook his head and looked back to Light, the same boredom still plastered on his face.

"Was in a bad spot..." He started out with, looking away once more. Light could tell by the shift in his posture, by his shoulders rising and his arms moved a bit closer in to himself, that he was already becoming uncomfortable. He pulled out his lunch and started eating as the other quieted his voice, now looking down on his plate more often in the hopes that it helped his friend. Some of the others seemed to pick up on this and copied what he did, either deciding to eat or pulled out notebooks to divert their attention for a bit while Squall talked. Zidane still focused on poking Vaan, who was now just looking between everyone and the paper.

"Go on." Terra urged him, careful not to touch him and instead nudged his food box closer to him. Squall looked down at it for a bit, before picking up his can of soda.

"...My family was threatened yesterday." He started with, now opening the can. "I was supposed to go to my uncle's house. He wasn't home. People started following me, so..."

"You tried getting away?" Another familiar voice finished. This time the person took a seat between Tidus and Terra, sighing as he placed his food on the table gently. It was bagged once again, most likely bought from the nearby coffee shop. "I heard it from Guy, a friend of his saw what happened. Sorry to interrupt you, Squall."

Squall said nothing in favor of looking away as he relaxed his shoulder and took a sip of his soda. Firion took it as a signal to continue, grabbing his drink from the cupholder he held in his other hand. "Guy told me some person had been following Squall for some time. He knew I was Squall's friend and followed the person, who got on the bus with him, and out on the same stop as well. He then followed the person from a good distance with another one of his friends, and they saw him wait outside a house Squall went into for an opening. They called the police, and were taken for questioning some time after. I haven't heard from them since."

Light stared at Firion, a sense of dread overcoming him. Noctis looked between Light and Ace, the two people he sat across from, and pulled out a few cookies from his container, handing it around. "So... why would this happen to Squall of all people? And why are we missing Bartz today?"

"The house mentioned was Bartz's." Cloud was staring down at his tray as he spoke, letting his words make a dent into Noctis and any other that didn't read the chat earlier, and continued soon after. "Go check the group chat. You'll know what happened."

It took Noctis a bit to scroll through all the messages he received daily to find the group chat, but the moment he entered the gc and scrolled up, it was as though his whole aura could be felt changing rapidly. Light diverted his attention to eating his partially finished food, right before he sighed and pushed the box a bit away from him. Cecil put the lid back on and pushed it back towards him, then continued eating his own lunch.

"...Oh my god." Noctis said, putting his phone on the table, case facing the ceiling. He ran a hand through his hair, then turned to Cecil. "And what did he say to you while on the call?"

Cecil continued eating his food, his gaze fixed on the table. Lightning approached the table with heavy footsteps and put a newspaper article that was clearly cut out in front of Cecil. Upon closer inspection, the paper read something about Bartz's address being raided and there being one person injured but well alive. "Mind explaining what the hell I missed?"

"Check the chat." Noctis explained in minimal words. Lightning sighed and sat down with her back to the table as she pulled out her phone and scrolled through the gc. After no more than a few minutes passed, she let her hand fall down into her lap as she looked over to Light. "You're telling me him getting hurt was one big mistake? Squall was just trying to get away and it would've been him if Bartz wasn't up and didn't see him?"

"That's the gist of it, yes." Firion nodded, looking over to her. Lightning, in response, groaned and leaned forward, looking around the lunchroom before tapping Light on the shoulder with the back of her hand. She then looked to everyone else as she got up. "Go talk to Caius later. He might know something we don't."

With that, the woman picked herself up and walked away from the table and out of the cafeteria. Light looked over to the others, eventually resting his gaze on Firion, who didn't seem to notice until he was mid-bite and dropped his spoon back into his bowl, getting some soup on the people around him. Firion stared back with confusion until Lightning's words seemed to take their toll.

"You want me to go speak with Caius?" He asked, looking around. No one seemed intent on telling him otherwise, even Light nodded and Cecil continued eating. Firion sighed and got up, picking up his food and closing all his containers before tucking it back into his bag and picked up the newspaper just as he set off. He waved to other tables he knew, even stopping to talk to, who Light believed was, Minwu, before continuing on his way out.

"Do you think Caius will be as nice as he was last time?" Tidus asked, packing up his lunch while occasionally eyeing the giant clock installed above the cafeteria's entrance. Cecil put his drink down and sighed. "Caius is an enigma, it depends on his mood. I suspect we'll receive an answer later, as he has the entire school wrapped around his finger. If he keeps Firion longer than lunch lasts, then the teachers won't care."

Light shook his head and picked up his container, carefully placing it back into his bag. He made sure he wasn't forgetting anything before the bell rung, allowing him to wave to his friends as he set off to his next class.

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Thursday at 12:27 PM)

september: Has anyone heard from Firion?

water: he told me he's gonna be late for PE today

water: didnt say why

ram: I read through the papers and recognized the address of a recent break-in. Is everything okay?

ace: hi ramza

ram: Hi ace :)

nocturnal: It was bartz

ram: Oh dear...

water: they were targeting Squall but he went to bartz's place bc bartz was like "my guy cmere"

water: nevermind that it was 5am

ram: That... would explain it.

ram: I've just finished reading through the messages.

ace: hold off on bartz for a moment

ace: ramza, are you okay?

ram: What do you mean?

ace: read the reports about your sister

ram: Oh

ace: how are you holding up?

ram: I've been doing fine. As you said, her injuries are non-life threatening. She'll recover well.

ace: but still

ram: If you must know, Zalbaag has been throwing fits about finding her attacker. Dycedarg is trying to keep him calm and I'm her most frequent visitor.

ram: The nurses have a harder time believing Zalbaag and Dycedarg aren't her uncles.

ace: oh FSDHGGHDDHHJ

ace: LMAO

ram: Lol

ace: Do you think you'll be returning anytime soon?

ram: Unlikely, father is going to keep us here for some more time before sending us back.

ram: I might even be pulled out of the school, he says it's dangerous in the area.

ace: D:

ram: Speaking of the school, I heard something about your class, Ace.

ace: my class??

ram: Apparently, a few of your classmates apprehended one of the lockdown planners?

ace: ??????

ace: hol up what names were listed

ram: I don't remember all of them but I know there were about 3-5? And two of the names were Sice and Jack?

ace: havent heard about this

ace: lemme go ask em, see whats up

ram: Take your time :)

chat for nerds (Thursday at 12: 42 PM)

zoom: my god just kiss already

chat for nerds (Thursday at 12:55 PM)

ace: okay so apparently they did?

ace: the guy isn't very important but yeah they did it

ace: the whole class was in on it except me

ram: Really?

ace: yeah

ace: they said it was because im friends with noctis

nocturnal: Huh

ace: hey noctis,

nocturnal: Dunno

ace: oh

ace: well then

nocturnal: Look, I have no idea why people are weird to me

nocturnal: It's probably because I'm the prime minister's son but yeah

nocturnal: If I wasn't, this wouldn't be happening

light: Pay attention.

nocturnal: Yes sir

chat for nerds (Today at 1:34 PM)

air: hey

air: is everyone okay?

air: i heard about what happened a few days ago

air: im worried about you guys

air: please respond soon

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 2:45 PM)

fire: lmao

air: what

fire: lmao

air: WHAT

fire: you heard me

fire: l m a o

air: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

fire: L M A O

air: NO PLS VAAN THAT'S HELLA SCARY

air: vaan?

air: vaan????

air: air to fire, you here?

chat for nerds (Today at 3:35 PM)

september: I believe he means he's fine.

air: oh thank god

air: and all of you?

september: Lightning and I received our phones back as we're 18, however I don't believe the others did.

september: Except Light.

air: why light?

light: I am simply just built different.

air: HAHAHHJDND

air: but no seriously is everyone okay?

air: ik you were transferred to the second hospital to keep everyone together and have it be an easier transportation but really, what happened

september: It's a long story. Are you available to call right now?

air: uhhh yeah?

september: I'll explain everything I can.

air: cool

wholewheat: Hey, start a call here

wholewheat: I heard about what happened from Refia, but I still wanna know your take

september: Of course.

(september started a call that lasted 30 minutes.)

chat for nerds (Today at 8:32 PM)

water: finally

fire: back in action

air: where did you go?

fire: lmao

air: vaan pls :')

fire: yuh

air: :')))

water: anyway wheres firion

whither: I'm here.

whither: My apologies for disappearing for a few days.

water: what happened after your talk w/ caius?

whither: Well, I happened to bump into a guy named 'Gaius'.

water: what

whither: Apparently he's a good friend of Caius's, which is ironic but neither of them seemed to take notice.

whither: Anyway, they had me run some errands for them before they gave me any information, but while I was taking the book home, I also got hit by whoever attacked you.

whither: Luckily I was walking with Maria and Guy, so they called the ambulance fairly quickly.

whither: I'm most likely in the same hospital.

water: :eyes:

water: where you at firion

zoom: oh god

water: :person_running:

zoom: ffdshjbjfd

fire: HE EVEN TYPED IT OUT GOD DAMN

water: imma find you

firion: :cold_sweat:

zoom: HAHAgHBHBDBJDD

september, whither (Today at 8:46 PM)

september: You are aware Tidus has a crush on you, correct?

whither: I

whither: I'm sorry???

september: Why are you apologizing?

whither: No-

whither: Could you please explain?

september: Ah.

september: Well he's had it since Grade 7, and it's never gone away.

september: He's constantly asking about you more than anyone else and wants to hang out more with you than anything.

september: Not to mention the fact that when Zidane mentioned you called Minwu 'cute', he got into a mood.

september: I asked him about it, but he told me it was because Yuna got with a girl named 'Rikku', who acted a lot like him.

whither: How could you tell?

september: Tidus is a naturally confrontational person. He's not one to talk about his problems and not do anything about it.

september: Unless, of course, it would damage his relationship with you.

whither: Have you ever thought of being a detective?

september: I've contemplated it a few times.

september: I know you hang out with him often enough that he's been fine so far, but you should ask him about it.

september: Not directly, of course, and don't mention me. Just sneak in a hint every now and again.

whither: Right...

september: But how about you? What are your feelings on Tidus?

whither: Well....

whither: He's been there for me when I've really needed someone and I don't know who I'd be without him.

whither: And... I suppose he's somebody I also really admire for no reason. He just has that stupid aura about him that makes you want to be around him more.

whither: It's like.... he's just really good with making friends that it feels as though it's a crime to not be his friend.

whither: Do you

whither: I can hear him sprinting down the hall-

september: You should get going.

whither: I'll delete our conversation so he doesn't know.

whither: Thank you for telling me.

chat for nerds (Today at 8:58 PM)

water: I FOUND FIRION

whither: Hshndsgfhdfbhf

zoom: FIRION YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO SPRINT OFF LIKE THAT YKNOW

water: SO WHAT

zoom: THE NURSES THINK YOURE UNSTABLE PLEASE COME BACK

water: D:<

water: THEYLL NEVER CATCH ME ALIVE

whither: TIDUS!

fire: oop

whither: He just ran out of my room at lightning speed-

fire: BRUH

air: :'D

fire: ZIDANE COME BACK

zoom: NO >:D

chat for nerds (Today at 11:38 PM)

water: why dont i get to go back home D:

air: bc you and zidane were RUNNING AROUND THE HOSPITAL LIKE IDIOTS????

ram: What?

air: scroll up

ram: Okay, give me a but.

air: but yeah you guys get to stay

air: your wounds might've opened up bc of it

air: ill come get you in the morning

water: >:(

water: this is racism

air: TIDUS

zoom: LMAO

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 6:24 AM)

air: aight toodus, zoom im at the hospital

water: t

water: toodus??

air: accept your fate :gun:

water: :eyes:

water: :person_running:

air: GET BACK HERE

zoom: LMAO

chat for nerds (Today at 7:15 AM)

earth: Ohhh okay, I have bad news....

earth: For some reason, our contact information is listed on the school newspaper?

water: what

air: WHAT

september: What?

light: Start walking.

earth: Yes sir.

air: yes sir.

water: yessir

cloud: Lmao whipped

light: Cloud.

cloud: Yes sir.

chat for nerds (Today at 9: 43 AM)

ram: Since we have the period as free time, Terra, what was that earlier?

earth: Well, I was reading the school newspaper earlier.

fire: why??

earth: Edgar mentioned he wanted me to read it because something was in there that would catch my attention.

earth: Thanks to Edgar, it's now been brought to our attention that everyone's contact info in this group chat has been leaked.

earth: Only the most active people though.

fire: so like

fire: me n zidane for example

earth: Yes.

earth: You and Zidane, as well as Tidus, Bartz, Firion, Cecil, Light and for some reason, Squall.

earth: The rest of us are safe, except....

fire: except?

earth: Luneth's has also been leaked.

earth: I'm not sure if he told you the situation he's been experiencing things at school recently, hence why he hasn't been online. But it's pretty bad.

fire: oh gee

air: I'll go check on Lune-Moon as soon as I get home today

earth: I'll talk with Y'shtola and ask about him, I'm sure she's concerned too.

air: for now we'll talk more at lunch, I've got shit to do

fire: yeah same

chat for nerds (Today at 11:34 AM)

fire: mmmmmbalthier is being eeeeeeeeeeeee

air: ah yes.

air: i especially appreciate it when balthier is being

air: "eeeeeeeeeeeee"

fire: shut fuck ur mouth

fire: balthier is being odd bc he wants to be added but itd also be privacy invasion

fire: so yeah

air: wait why are you with balthier

fire: we've been hanging out thanks to fran and penelo so now we're in the cafeteria together because

air: IS THAT WHY YOU AREN'T HERE YOU TRAITOR

fire: I'M SORRRYYYYYYYYYY

air: SMH

air: but are you gonna get w/ him tho :eyes:

fire: BARTZ

air: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

cl00d: Get with him or I'm going to tear your toes off.

air: SGHBGHSDAGJDANJKDAHN

fire: C L O U D

squall: This is getting annoying.

air: ikr

squall: Not that. Something else.

squall: Bartz, DMs.

air: Oh uh

air: okay?

air, squall (Today at 11:37 AM)

squall: I've got a problem.

air: you have a lot of problems my good sir

squall: I'm going to beat your ass.

air: y'know what, I'd be into that dude

squall: You're impossible.

air: they tell me that all the time ;)

squall: Seriously.

air: fiiinnnneee what's wrong squally

squall: I got a new kid in my elective class.

air: :0

air: is squally in loooovvveeee~?

squall: The opposite.

squall: I knew this kid from a while ago, he was a good friend of mine.

air: :0 really?

squall: Read; 'was'.

squall: He's been in my class for a while now, but he's never been so direct.

air: WAIT

air: MOVE TO THE GC PLS

squall: What?

squall: Why?

air: JUST DO IT

squall: ...Fine?

chat for nerds (Today at 11:43 AM)

squall: I've got this kid in one of my elective classes.

fire: love?

water: love?

squall: He's a real pain in

squall: No.

squall: What is wrong with you three?

air: :)

squall: Anyway, he's becoming a pain in my ass quickly.

squall: Everywhere I go, he's there along with his two little freak friends.

squall: It's getting old real quick.

air: Wait who are we talking about

air: dunno if you've noticed but it's really hard to pinpoint someone by grade and "friends" weve got like a million and a half people in this school

light: We have around 600 students.

air: shsghgfdhds fine but still

squall: His name is Seifer Almasy, and his two friends are Fujin and Raijin. 

squall: The two keep trying to talk to me and Seifer keeps trying to talk to me thanks to my info being spread.

air: squall i think you have a fan club

squall: What?

air: nevermind

air: look, lemme check in w/ them

air: I'm sure they'll talk w/ me and if not then I've got an army of people at my disposal

fire: you

fire: you what

air: ;)

squall: ?

fire: okay???

air: I'll see what I can do

air: leave it to me

fire: ????????

squall: I guess? There's no one else I've told this to so...

air: dw bout it :)

chat for nerds (Today at 4:20 PM)

zoom: my god that took forever

fire: did your tests take that long????

zoom: yeah

fire: DUDE ITS 4:20 WHAT THE HELL

zoom: 420?

zoom: WEED TIME

water: NO

whither: Children...

fire: anyway uhhhhh zidane is it okay if I add balthier

zoom: tf

zoom: why you askin me

zoom: im not the group leader

fire: .

fire: yes you are you dumb bitch

zoom: I AM????

zoom: no im not

zoom: YES I AM???????

zoom: WHAT WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN

fire: YOU MADE THE GC SO YOU COULD GET GEO NOTES

zoom: OH YEAAAHHHH

water: LMAO YOU DUMBFUCK

zoom: I MEAN GO AHEAD IG

fire: cool :D

fire: i dunno if he'll talk often thanks to the info leak on the newspaper so

zoom: is all good

zoom: go ahead n add him

fire has added gunsexual.

fire: :D

air: look kid if you fuck this up you will not be gunsexual anymore

gunsexual: What?

air: im just sayin

air: watch your mcfuckin tongue

air: or you aint gonna just get mcfucked dude

fire: D:

fire: YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE NICE BARTZ

air: IM SORRY ITS AN AUTOMATIC REACTION

air: HI BALTHIER I'M SORRY LMAO

air: It's bartz from grade 11

gunsexual: Ah.

gunsexual: Well seeing as you already know me, no need to continue, hm?

air: .

air: his aura throws me off

fire: his aura throws everyone off

chat for nerds (Today at 5:45 PM)

squall: This kid...

light: Hm?

squall: Scroll up for context, tell me when you've finished.

light: Ah. What about that kid?

squall: He's not only trying to message me, but I'm at the mall right now with Rinoa, Irvine and Zell.

squall: Seifer's here too, and he's been trying to start a conversation with me forever.

squall: Rinoa thinks its funny, her and Zell keep trying to get me to talk to him, and Irvine is the only one that's actually listening to what I'm saying.

squall: I don't know what I should do. I'm holed up in a stall in one of the bathrooms but it won't be long until they find me.

light: Throws precisely three knives at everyone but make sure not to kill them.

squall: Light, I'm not trying to kill them.

light: Oh, you aren't?

light: Then I suppose the only thing I can say is to try and express your discomfort.

light: If they won't listen to words, then talk with Seifer for a bit but make sure you express through your actions that you don't want to be here.

squall: I'll try and update you later.

light: Of course. Take care.

chat for nerds (Today at 7:52 PM)

gunsexual: I am awfully late, but I am curious.

gunsexual: I know who Seifer is, he's in a few of my core classes as well as my homeroom, but I wasn't aware he had an obsession with anyone.

squall: You're lucky I just got home. I don't know who you are, but you wanted an update, right?

gunsexual: Balthier, and yes, an update would be nice.

squall: I figured out we have more in common than we thought, but Seifer kept trying to use odd pickup lines on me for no reason. When I asked him why, he said he thought it'd bring back "old times' we had.

squall: As if we had anything to begin with.

gunsexual: ...So what exactly happened with you and Seifer?

squall: A lot of shit.

squall: It's a long story I'm not in the mood to get into right now.

gunsexual: I see.

gunsexual: I'll talk to Seifer tomorrow and see what happened, though it may take me some time as I might want to befriend him first.

squall: Thanks.

gunsexual: Of course. Drama is always at the front of my mind ;)

gunsexual: Anyway, Vaan's going to threaten me if I don't get home soon, I'll be going now.

squall: Take care.

gunsexual: You too.

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 2:43 AM)

air: so no ones up at this time but

air: I pretty much spent the entirety of the day after I got off the gc with lune moon

air: hes not holding up so well

air: he didnt know about the entire situation w/ our school newspaper so when he started getting random messages that were extremely threatening in class he pretty much broke down crying in the boy's bathroom at his school

air: thats what arc told me anyway

air: both refia and ingus testify and bc i trust no one else it would make sense

air: anyway after what happened i decided to take him out places with his friends, but even then he was really on edge so i took him home with said friends

air: the front door was opened and luneth was basically scared as hell and didnt want to go back

air: i ended up walking in and checking the living room, but the place looked pretty ransacked

air: like the furniture wasnt broken or moved to the point where itd be extremely obvious, but it was definitely strange that everything was uneven as hell

air: luneth confirmed some thing had been moved

air: so we instead moved him to ingus's place because he didnt feel comfortable being around his home and ingus's was a safe distance from mine

air: i called the police while they moved and the police came in to investigate

air: they took a testimony from me, ingus, refia and arc bc luneth was and is in no position to handle the stress

air: so any information will be handed directly to me because im the oldest involved

air: they said theyre going to contact me in the morning about everything and find out what happened

air: ill tell you everything in the morning but rn i need some mcfuckin sleep

chat for nerds (Today at 7:28 AM)

september: Thank you for the information, Bartz.

september: I'll stop by Ingus's place after school to thank him and to be apprised on Luneth's condition while he stayed overnight.

air: ofc

air: my mom's on the phone with the police

air: yall know im gettin my ass whooped

air: hgdhgfnbf shes askin for my phone lemme switch for her be nice

zoom: oh?

air: hello?

zoom: hi

air: is this the group chat that has Bartz's school friends?

air: like Zidane, Vaan, Toodus, Firion, and others.

air: Tidus**

water: DID HE REALLY SET THAT AS AN AUTOCORRECT I

air: Tidus?

water: yes this is me, hi miss klauser

air: I would like to know what is going on with my son.

water: uhhh its hard to explain

water: its really early so i have time to spare before class, why dont i walk over n say hi and tell you?

air: that would do, yes.

air: you should hurry though, Lenna might beat you here.

water: im on my way

chat for nerds (Today at 8:58 AM)

air: okay so

air: lune moons parents are okay

air: the house didnt seem to be damaged save for luneths room

air: a good portion of his clothes were torn, things broken, stuff like that

air: the police dont have a suspect but luneth showed them all the messages hes been getting from anons

air: so the police are launching an investigation on the school bc luneth doesnt know anyone other than us and why would we do that

air: but they might contact us anyway just bc we could possibly be suspects

water: thanks

wholewheat: yo

air: LUNE MOON HI

wholewheat: yeah

light: Are you okay, Luneth?

september: What Light asked. We know what happened.

wholewheat: I know you guys know

wholewheat: Sorry I haven't been on often and yeah I'm good

wholewheat: Just shaken, nothing like this has ever happened before and honestly I'm a bit scared

september: I'm glad you feel alright.

air: got a place to stay yet>

air: ?*

wholewheat: Ingus is letting me stay at his place until I feel comfortable going back

wholewheat: But my parents are still overseas and I don't know where my aunt is, so it might be a while

whither: your aunt?

wholewheat: Yeah, she was supposed to look after me at home

wholewheat: She always kind of... set me off, but now I'm actually concerned

september: And you? Are you still uneasy?

wholewheat: I guess?? Classes are postponed for a bit because of this and apparently, I'm not the only person

whither: Hold on, you aren't?

gunsexual: Who else is there then?

wholewheat: I don't know their names but I do know they also know Ingus well

gunsexual: Hm.... That's odd.

wholewheat: What?

gunsexual: Call me insane, but I feel as though that's a major connection. Do the police know about this?

wholewheat: Uhhhh no, but I can tell them

gunsexual: You should.

wholewheat: Oh- okay??

wholewheat: Btw who are you

gunsexual: Balthier.

wholewheat: Oh you're that guy Vaan simps over

gunsexual: I

fire: LUNETH

gunsexual: Excuse me?

fire: SMSGHSGDDFDBDJ

fire: SMH YOU DIDNT HAVE TO TELL HIM

wholewheat: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

gunsexual: I believe we have much to talk about.

fire: hfghhfghghhgnh

chat for nerds (11:04 AM)

cl00d: We have a lot of tension in the chat right now, but Seifer?

cl00d: He's got a nice ass.

cl00d: You're missing out, Squall.

squall: Did you log on just to tell me that?

cl00d: Maybe.

cl00d: But seriously, I came on to tell you he's an annoying prick with a nice ass.

squall: What?

cl00d: Remember how we were talking before your history class, my math class?

cl00d: And Tifa was close behind us?

squall: Yeah?

cl00d: He approached me earlier while we were talking in the same hall, right before this class started.

cl00d: I wasn't listening but he pinned me against a wall to tell me to stay away from you.

cl00d: Then walked away.

squall: Where does him having a nice ass fit in here?

cl00d: I was with Yuffie and she said he has a nice ass.

squall: And you looked at his ass??

cl00d: Well yeah, obviously.

squall: And you agreed???

cl00d: He's got a nice ass.

squall: You are impossible.

cl00d: I don't want to hear it from you, your ass is flat.

cl00d: Your ass is built like a fridge.

squall: And yours isn't?

cl00d: Mine has some layer on it.

squall: Smh.

cl00d: But anyway, he's just annoying and I want to punch his face in and kick his nice ass.

squall: Right? That's what I want to do but I know Setzer wouldn't let me live it down.

cl00d: Setzer?

squall: Gabbiani.

squall: He told me not to cause trouble, because he knew Setzer was bothering me so we just had a chat about it.

cl00d: And you just listened to him????

squall: We were paired together for a careers project so obviously I couldn't really say no, could I?

squall: Besides, Gabbiani's one of the only teachers I actually like.

cl00d: Really?

squall: Yeah. Have you ever had him?

cl00d: No, I think I got... fuck, what was his name.

cl00d: The blonde with the long hair.

squall: Kam'lanaut?

cl00d: Him. I had him as my careers teacher, and Izunia as my civics.

squall: Damn. I've got Izunia and Gabbiani.

cl00d: Isn't Izunia a sex offender?

squall: No? He's just creepy.

squall: He looks at everyone weirdly and it makes me uncomfortable.

squall: But his jacket's pretty dope.

cl00d: Yeah, he's got a nice outfit.

squall: Ah shit, Seifer's bothering me again.

squall: Catch you later.

cl00d: Same to you.

chat for nerds (Today at 11:34 AM)

zoom: how was no one online for that exchange

fire: we had tests, remember?

zoom: right

whither: Tidus and I were in an English assignment.

whither: It was a courtroom recreation of a book we read where we basically roleplayed the characters.

water: i won >:D

whither: We won, yes.

fire: nice

zoom: how?

whither: We were prosecution, but the defense was sorely unprepared.

whither: Our previous English classes with them were spent lazing around because they didn't do anything.

zoom: lmaoooo

water: but

water: when it came to presenting i was one of the witnesses

water: and a classmate of ours was the prosecutor

whither: I was the coroner. The person that analyzes bodies.

zoom: :0 like the person that does fingerprints

whither: No, but to fit it in, my role doubled as that.

zoom: right

whither: But yes, Tidus, continue.

water: right

water: so firion n i have been prepping for this day

water: bc i played ace attorney >:D

whither: I was there, it was... dramatic. And impossible to understand.

fire: ace attorney is so good tho

fire: ill talk about it after

water: right

water: ok, so i was hyper

water: but my teacher saw how unprepared the prosecution was while defense looked ready, but actually wasnt

water: so they switched me in for prosecution instead and i got to be prosecutor

water: apparently it played into our drama mark so we had to act????

water: i think i nailed it

whither: You most definitely did.

whither: A class 3 doors down could hear you shout 'objection'.

water: shdghfbgdf

zoom: WAIT THAT WAS YOU????????

fire: HOLD ON THAT WAS YOU?

zoom: IM IN THE MIDDLE OF A MCFUCKIN UHHHH

zoom: SCIENCE FUCKIN TEST AND

zoom: ALL I HEAR DOORS DOWN IS 'OBJECTION' LIKE ITS ACE ATTORNEY

zoom: YOU GOT ME A SCOLDING BC I LAUGHED AT IT

fire: HAHAGAHJBBHDJND

fire: i managed to keep my laughter down

fire: but my classmates didnt so a few of them got in trouble, but miss senna let it off the hook bc she was also trying not to laugh

september: This is wonderful and all, however I have news.

zoom: oh shit oh fuck

air: tell

september: Balthier and Ramza are being targeted.

air: whUH

air: WHAT

squall: Why are we being called for an assembly? It's lunch.

september: Hm...

water: can they do that?

cl00d: I don't think so, but it's happening anyway.

chat for nerds (Today at 12:11 PM)

cl00d: I didn't think they were serious.

squall: Me either.

wholewheat: ??

cl00d: We just got called for an assembly during our lunch break.

cl00d: Basically classes will be closed for the entirety of next week due to what's been happening. They think what's happening in your school is linked to ours, and that was the final straw.

zoom: honestly considering everything that happened im surprised they didnt close it sooner

wholewheat: Oh

zoom: but! that means we all have time off

zoom: how about we get together and go out for lunch next week sometime?

cl00d: Depends on the place.

whither: Pause the conversation for a moment.

whither: Cecil, what was that earlier?

september: Screenshot_1

september: Screenshot_2

september: Screenshot_3

september: Screenshot_4

september: Screenshot_5

september: Ramza sent me this earlier.

ace: what

september: Apparently, when he confronted his family about it, there was nothing. He brushed it off but was still paranoid about the experience.

september: And Balthier contacted Vaan, who then got me, and told me the exact same thing happened. Not the texts, but he deleted the chat. Vaan was there for it.

whither: I think we need to stay together right now. Clearly this isn't anyone else.

september: What do you mean?

zoom: well think about it

zoom: first it was the lockdown right

zoom: then weird shit started happening to us

zoom: like vaan went to the hospital for getting his head bashed in, yeah thats different,

fire: hey!

zoom: but i got grazed by a bullet then stabbed, luneth got hit in the head with a ball, squall got into a knife fight w/ one of the guys that caused the lockdown

zoom: not to mention there was that weird gas station shit that happened

lightning: Right...

zoom: then ramza gets held back by his family for no reason

ace: that is pretty weird yeah...

ace: he doesn't like his father's side, except Alma

zoom: right??? then the incident w/ bartz being attacked in his own home, right?

air: still unnerves me, thinking about it

zoom: because squall was being followed by people????

zoom: then you mentioned alma got attacked?

ram: I did, yes.

ram: Sorry, all the notifications got me online.

ace: all good

zoom: i'll continue

zoom: after that, ace's class caught one of the attackers

zoom: but then after that, most of his were nearly killed except for bartz because he was already at the hospital

zoom: we were just fucking attacked like that

air: right...

whither: I still remember Maria and Guy retelling what happened to me.

zoom: exactly, then not too soon after that?

zoom: THEN our contact info gets leaked and because all of us are piss poor we cant afford jack shit

whither: Hey!

zoom: AND THEN luneth's home, more specifically his room, was ransacked for, what, his shit?

air: nothing, actually, they just trashed the place.

wholewheat: yeah

zoom: T H E N both ramza AND balthier get fucking attacked in their dms???

zoom: balthiers contact info isnt even public

gunsexual: And that is what has been bothering me as well. I only recently joined as well, I have no bearing on this group.

zoom: and yknow what? it all started RIGHT AFTER I STARTED THIS GC.

zoom: none of this shit happened before.

zoom: this is cursed

light: Then create a new one.

water: then whats the point in it? itll be hacked again anyway

whither: The only option we have is to switch to DMs, or FFXIV chatting.

whither: It's the only way we can stay in touch out of school hours without meeting up and without using this group chat.

zoom: we're all in an fc, right? we can just talk in the fc chat

squall: But is it still safe to use this group chat? Frankly, it's more convenient than ffxiv.

cl00d: Won't they find out one way or another? For all we know, we could be spied on at school and at home too.

water: eugh, i hate complicated shit

fire: same

light: Keep using the group chat.

light: There is no point in not using it. These people seem to place no attention on our petty drama, more-so our knowledge of them.

light: As long as you use this group chat for things like the Seifer problem and such, then it should be fine.

zoom: idk man, if they know we know then whats the point of messaging us?

nocturnal: Why not just keep using the gc then, if they're going to know anyway

cl00d: That's the point I'm making.

light: Then I suppose we should carry on with our days. The bell will ring at any moment now. Start packing up.

zoom: yes sir.

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Friday at 1:21 PM)

earth: So I decided to talk with Y'shtola during my elective today and she told me a funny story....

earth: That a boy from Grade 11 had been receiving the same 'attacks' Ramza and Balthier have? He's a good friend of Urianger's so Y'shtola knows him well

air: woah hold up, who?

earth: His name is 'Layle'.

air: oh shit layle i didnt know

air: ive got him in my homeroom

air: i'll ask him about it in study hall

earth: Please do.

water: ill get firion to ask caius later today

lightning: No need. I've got a meeting with a few classmates and Caius later.

lightning: I'll ask.

water: oh cool thanks

chat for nerds (Friday at 4:56 PM)

lightning: Caius apparently didn't know about this.

lightning: According to him, Layle is one of the few students that refuses to be around him. Layle probably knows how good he is at listening in.

lightning: Any place Caius can listen, Layle refuses to go to. The only possible way for Caius to know is if he eavesdropped on his friends.

lightning: Meaning either a kid named 'Keiss', who hardly ever talks in the first place, or the Scions.

earth: Oh...

lightning: But I doubt the Scions would be nice about it. They're good friends after all. Caius eavesdropping could be bad on their relationship.

air: ill be real here,

air: what the fuck

air: so I talked with layle for a bit during homeroom but he said the school was not a safe place to talk

air: so he invited me out to lunch after school????

air: OFF TOPIC BUT THE GUY IS

air: L O A D E D

air: MANS GOT SO MUCH MONEY IM SURPRISED HE LIVES IN A TINY ASS APARTMENT WITH HIS DAD

fire: LMAO

air: Anyway,

air: so he invited me to lunch and showed me the chat

air: he was still talking to the guy that msged him???????

zoom: what why

air: BUT IT WAS SO FUNNY BC 

air: idfk man

zoom: huh

zoom: mans got some fuckin guts

fire: sounds like it

air: ANYWAY

air: ON THE CHAT HE WAS SO CONDESCENDING LIKE THE OTHER GUY SEEMED SCARED OF HIM

air: BUT HE?

air: WAS QUAKING

zoom: WHAT

air: like

air: i could FEEL HIM SHAKING from the other side of the table

air: he WOBBLED a bit while getting up it was funny

air: then his friend came to pick him up

zoom: LMAO

september: That was a train ride.

air: ig we're friends now tho?

air: ive got his contact info now so ill text him later when i get home

air: he took me to this really fancy place n even paid the bill when we left

air: like damn i thought my 10 dollars max was cool but the guy has thousands

fire: youve got 10 dollars max???

air: yeah

fire: damn dudes got less than me

air: look, im aware i am piss fucking poor aight

air: i should just wear a sign around me saying "nearly homeless" bc as soon as i get out of high school my parents are pretty much booting me- in the nice way

zoom: what fucking nice way is there for being booted out of your home

air: theyre gonna give me money to get a place but man i dont think ill be employed, bc who wants me as a coworker

air: unless i host like... a radio show about getting ppl together

air: yknow what at this point i should charge people shit for me to help get them and who they like together

fire: lmaoooo

air: id be a millionaire by now

whither: How long have you been matchmaking...?

air: ive done it since i was in grade 2

air: g r a d e

air: 2 .

whither: Oh.

september: Bartz do... you need help? Therapy? Anything?

air: DO YOU THINK I CAN AFFORD IT???

whither: :cold_sweat:

chat for nerds (Saturday at 1:36 AM)

squall: The chat is most likely dead, but I've got an update.

gunsexual: Do share.

squall: Oh. Good morning Balthier.

gunsexual: Good morning to you too.

squall: Anyway, Seifer's friends with Layle.

air: Layle is friends w/ everyone ill be real here

squall: Seems so. Everyone except us, that is.

squall: Anyway, Seifer knows what's going on.

squall: He messaged me earlier even though he knows I don't normally look, but this was about the texts.

air: :eyes:

squall: He said he knew and wanted to help, and he just wanted to keep me out of trouble.

squall: He wants to be friends with me to keep me from being one of the targets.

air: i dont think thats how that works

squall: Me either.

squall: But I told him that. He hasn't responded yet.

air: regarding Layle, he wants to be in the gc

zoom: what?

water: layle?

september: Why does Layle want to join?

air: i-

air: okay whos actually online bc ill update you

zoom: me

light: I am.

water: meeeeee

lightning: Here.

squall: You know I'm here.

cl00d: Yeah.

whither: The notifications woke me up.

september: I'm here.

gunsexual: As am I.

ace: hey

earth: I'm here too.

ram: I've been watching for some time.

wholewheat: lmao

fire: lmao

nocturnal: Lmao

air: jesus fucking christ why is everyone online all of a sudden

zoom: idk, continue

air: okay-?

air: but yeah layle wants to be added, can i

whither: It's 1AM??

zoom: there is no awful time to add someone to a gc.

zoom: unless its 6AM then what the fuck is wrong with you

whither: ....Luckily it is not, in fact, 6AM.

zoom: yeah >:D

air: aight im adding him

gunsexual: I see.

air has added gravityman.

gunsexual: I am no longer the newbie of the group. To some extent.

gravityman: why is your name gunsexual?

gunsexual: Layle, sometimes, there are things you do not ask about.

gravityman: ????

gunsexual: This is one of them.

whither: Can we all go to sleep now? I keep notifications on so I do not miss anything but when it keeps going off at 1AM and I need my phone for an early alarm tomorrow, it's... a bit disturbing to my sleep.

water: to bed we go :D

chat for nerds (Saturday at 6:12 AM)

whither: Does anyone know how to get to the flower shop that's supposedly nearby the school?

air: imagine getting up at 6AM, cant be me

whither: D:

whither: Why are you awake anyway?

air: I could ask that of you firion

whither: Well, I've got a meeting to go to today with our florist group, the place I'm volunteering at.

whither: Maria, Guy, Minwu and I all collectively decided we wanted to volunteer together so we chose the florist place but I've forgotten how to get there.

whither: I had the address written down somewhere but I don't remember where...

air: isn't it 5 or 6 blocks down Squall's place to the right, then take a turn at the intersection and walk to where the mcdonalds is

air: then either enter the mcdonald to or walk around to the double-door exit, then walk straight across, there should be a dirty pathway by the small gathering of trees

air: and then when there's a fork in the road go left and you should come across a shack

air: keep walking and then there's a gathering of shops, like a little district thing, and the florist shop is on the outer-right place so you don't walk into the place???

fire: I-

whither: Thank you....?

september: Bartz...

water: how did you

zoom: LMAO

air: ??? what?

water: WHY DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE FLORIST SHOP IS

water: AND WHERE DID YOU GRAB THE TIME TO MEMORIZE THE PATH THERE

air: IDFK

air: my mother frequents the place so i've got the address basically memorized

whither: Well, regardless, thank you again.

air: no problem ;)

water: i'll come visit sometime today!

whither: I look forward to it. :)

water: :D

chat for nerds (Saturday at 3:23 PM)

cl00d: I remember someone mentioned going out for a lunch or dinner date with us all?

squall: Who mentioned that?

zoom: i did!

zoom: do you guys still want to go?

gravityman: lunch/dinner date?

zoom: yeah???

gravityman: I'll pay.

zoom: no???

zoom: you're newbie

zoom: you do not get paying privileges

gravityman: why not?

zoom: bc you are newbie

gunsexual: Then I'll pay.

zoom: no :D

zoom: you are semi-newbie but still newbie

zoom: you do not get paying privileges

whither: Luckily I just got off work. How about I pay?

zoom: no

zoom: :D.

zoom: how about I pay because I SUGGESTED IT :D?

water: look as long as i aint paying im good

fire: same

air: ive got 10 dollars

fire: you could buy a drink for yourself

air: :0

air: I COULD!!

zoom: NO :D.

zoom: I AM PAYING. EVERYTHING.

zoom: ive got a SHITTY DAD'S WALLET TO WASTE ANYWAY

fire: LMAOOOO

air: so whens the date?

zoom: does anyone have any upcoming things they need to do? tell me now or hold silence

september: Also.

september: Please put it in order of days. Start with tomorrow, Sunday, then go to next Sunday, because it makes it easier for me to list down.

zoom: yeah hes our calendar guy

water: im visiting my dad tomorrow, hes in town, but i can just skip

fire: Jecht?

water: yeah.

fire: eugh

zoom: is that everyone on Sunday?

september: Seems so.

september: Now Monday.

whither: I've got more volunteer hours to do on Monday from 9AM to 2:30PM, however the walk takes me some time because I have to pick up my friends on the way.

light: I am going out on Monday.

whither: They're not on the bus route and I don't have a lot of money, so I walk. 

september: All for Monday?

zoom: yep.

september: Tuesday?

whither: Same for Tuesday

gravityman: ive got a dinner date with Keiss on Tuesday.

air: RIGHT ABOUT KEISS

air: OFF TOPIC BUT

gravityman: mmmmmmm.

air: ARE YOU STILL

gravityman: yes.

air: CRUSHI

air: oh

air: lmaooooo aight continue

september: Anyone else?

september: Alright. Wednesday?

zoom: i've gotta get a uhhhhh medical test taken but it wont take me long, its at like 10am to 12 or 1pm

september: No one else?

september: Thursday?

squall: Agreed to meet with Seifer.

cl00d: Got a meet-up with a few classmates.

whither: More volunteering, but from 12 to 4.

gunsexual: Vaan and I are working on his homework assignments he hasn't handed in yet.

fire: hehe

gravityman: another dinner date with Keiss.

water: god damn man, you really like this 'Keiss' guy, huh

gravityman: mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

gravityman: yes.

air: visiting a friend of mine in the hospital

fire: what??? who???

air: lenna, she was in a cab when it got into an accident

air: or more importantly, a limo, but thats not the point,

fire: fgdgshb

september: Everyone has something to do on Thursday that I'm afraid of what we're doing on Friday.

september: Friday?

zoom: AMUSEMENT PARK

fire: AMUSEMENT PARK

water: AMUSEMENT PARK

air: AMUSEMENT PARK

whither: Amusement park

whither: Oh, sorry, let me rephrase it.

whither: AMUSEMENT PARK

september: Right, we're going to an amusement park...

september: I have things to do on Saturday and Sunday so Wednesday seems to be the ideal day.

zoom: wednesday it is! ill stuff it in my calendar

fire: lmao

water: everyone hop on ffxiv we're running orbornne >:D

whither: Party finding the rest?

water: yep

whither: I'll start a call.

water: thanks boo

(whither started a call that lasted 5 hours.)

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Yesterday at 5:43 PM)

zoom: okay so bc cecil cancelled on us we're at the park rn right and

zoom: layle is replacing cecil bc apparently firion counts as parental supervision so we will be fine

cl00d: How? Firion is younger than Layle and Bartz.

zoom: he's tall

whither: :')

cl00d: ???

zoom: anyway

zoom: so we've got me, firion, tidus, vaan, bartz and layle replacing cecil right

zoom: and you guys would never guess who we ran into

cl00d: No, we can't guess. It could be anyone.

squall: Keiss?

zoom: h

zoom: yes, it was keiss what the fuck

air: HAHAGAGBgDJHBD

zoom: so we ran into keiss

zoom: more accurately me, layle n firion

zoom: and i kid you not layle locked up and i swear a gear in his head popped out n switched with a different one bc when he went to speak with keiss he was so???? different????

zoom: like yknow how layle doesnt really talk to ppl often right

zoom: well yeah he seemed so mature when talking with keiss

whither: Like he was a different person entirely....

zoom: they talked for a bit and layle split up from us to go on a few rides with him and keiss's friend belle

whither: Layle told us he would call us later and tell us how it went, and that he'd probably be heading home with Keiss.

air: IS LAYLE GRABBING SOME ASS-

zoom: idk but it looks like it

fire: :eyes:

water: :eyes:

whither: :eyes:

chat for nerds (Today at 9:39 AM)

gravityman: I don't know what you're talking about.

air: huh?

gravityman: I did not grab any ass.

air: oh

zoom: aw

gravityman: He grabbed mine first.

air: OH

zoom: a

zoom: WHAT

gravityman: I will say it was good.

air: DUDE

air: dms rq

zoom: LMAO BARTZ WANTS THE ADVICE

air, gravityman (Today at 9:43 AM)

air: dude was it good

gravityman: Hm? Oh, it was wonderful.

air: duuuuudddeeeeee

gravityman: If you're wondering what happened after the park trip, well.

gravityman: We went out to get food with Belle. Keiss told me there was no way I could get back home this late, as he, apparently, did not know my address to drive me there and it was too dark for me to walk myself.

gravityman: Which is likely bullshit as I've told him my address far too many times now, but I digress.

gravityman: He told me I could stay the night, which I had no choice but to agree.

gravityman: We dropped Belle home and got to his place. Some of his roommates were out and the others knew me, so when Keiss took me upstairs they didn't question it.

air: DUUUUDDDEEEE

air: did you have to be quiet

gravityman: Keiss streams games occasionally, and sometimes his streams get too loud for his roommates comfort, so he installed sound-absorbing foam on his walls.

gravityman: We could be as loud as we want and his roommates would think we were playing video games.

air: bro

gravityman: Luckily they know we do this often so they don't question it.

gravityman: Though I will say the open curtains made it hard to stay down this time.

air: BRO

air: AND YOU'RE STILL PINING????

gravityman: That is different, we're not lovers yet. Friends with benefits, currently.

air: yet

gravityman: Oh, shut up.

chat for nerds (Today at 9:49 AM)

zoom: IM JUST SAYIN THAT ASS IS FINE VAAN

fire: IM NOT SIMPING FOR BALTHIER

zoom: YOU TOTALLY ARE

fire: NO IM NOT!!

fire: HES COOL YEAH AND I HANG OUT WITH HIM MORE

fire: BUT THAT DOESNT MAKE ME A SIMP

zoom: THERES MORE TO IT THEN THAT YKNOW

zoom: EVERY

zoom: SINGLE

zoom: TIME

zoom: I MENTION HIS NAME YOU GO LIKE

zoom: "yeah dude i love him so much"

zoom: AND YOU GIVE ME A WHOLE SPEECH

fire: I DO NOT

zoom: as the person who has to listen to it

zoom: YES YOU DO

fire: NO-

light: Be quiet.

zoom: yes sir

fire: yes sir

cl00d: Lmao whipped.

light: Cloud.

cl00d: Yes sir.

chat for nerds (Today at 11:28 AM)

light: You may continue.

whither: What happened?

light: Nothing serious.

light: There were trespassers in my home.

zoom: what

light: They are no more.

zoom: WHAT

fire: what did you do

september: Light... we've talked about this....

september: You can't just kill people, it's immoral.

light: They should have considered that before they broke into my home.

light: Now Garland has blood on his shirt.

zoom: AND GARLAND WITNESSED IT?

light: They only fell.

light: I did nothing.

september: Light..... you can't just let them fall and they conveniently die.

light: If I did not cause it, it is not my concern.

september: You could be sued.....

light: Garland video-tapped the entire thing.

zoom: H E

zoom: W H A T

light: The videos will not lie.

light: The police are almost here.

chat for nerds (Today at 1:00 PM)

nocturnal: I am so going to watch the trial and see the judge be confused as to why the guy just fell backwards lmao

chat for nerds (Today at 2:56 PM)

squall: So when's the trial?

light: They told me it was going to be on Wednesday.

light: Noctis, can you request it be moved to Tuesday?

light: I have plans on Wednesday.

nocturnal: You know that just because I'm the prime ministers son I don't get instant authority, right

nocturnal: ......

nocturnal: But I'll see what I can do

light: Thank you.

chat for nerds (Today at 3:43 PM)

gunsexual: The one time I log off is when things happen, hm? I see how it is.

light: My court hearing is on Tuesday.

light: Because I am not 18 yet, my parents have arranged a lawyer.

light: Garland knows what to do.

zoom: i cant believe you're actually going to court on tuesday

light: They should have considered not stepping into my home.

light: My room is littered with random things for a reason.

light: So they fall over and die.

fire: are you not in detention tho

light: I am at my home. It has been proven I am responsible enough to attend and I am being charged with 'involuntary manslaughter' and not any actual degree of murder.

zoom: ill try n bail you out with my dads card if youre convicted

light: I appreciate it, thank you.

nocturnal: Dad gave me the go on attending

nocturnal: So if you're actually innocent and they condemn you, I'll be taping it for the entire world to see lmao

light: My lawyer is talking to my parents. They think I am listening.

light: This is not my first time in court. I know what to do.

wholewheat: I can't believe you won the first case though

light: I am not stupid. I know when evidence is stacked against me.

light: But I will act on it if it is forged.

zoom: wait i think you owe us the story of your first court trial then

light: This was in middle school, grade 7 or 8. I took a week off for it, but it was only one or two days. I do not remember.

light: I was charged with assault on someone that was outside in the backyard of our joined townhouse complex.

light: My parents told me not to say anything and that they had it covered. Obviously I did not do that.

light: During the trial, I shared testimony I kept secret due to the fact that it wasn't relevant before certain information was presented.

light: Such as what my room was laid out as.

fire: what does that mean?

light: I have this habit of laying things out in my room for a specific reason. One example is the second half to my blanket, which stretches far enough across my bed to where I only need one half. The other half covers a USB stick on a laptop on some flimsy wood I gathered from outside.

water: what the fuck

light: I do not step on it because I know there is a USB stick on a laptop on some flimsy wood I gathered from outside. However I am the only person that knew this.

light: Another example is my floorboards. One of my floorboards in particular cracks easily, as it is already partially cracked. It is big enough for me to fit my foot into, and big enough for a larger person to get their foot stuck in. Underneath it is another USB stick.

zoom: w h a t

zoom: t h e

zoom: f u c k .

light: You need not worry. My parents know.

light: The last example I will give are my shelves. The two wooden bars above and to the left of my bed near my window are stacked to where if you move one thing, the entire shelf will fall sideways and every heavy thing I have will either break my window or fall out of the window if it is open.

light: There are random clean bowls on my floors so people are careful where they are stepping, and some of my floorboards are broken and in dire need of repair.

light: I know where everything is, as well as my parents and friends that have visited. People who do not know my room do not.

air: jesus fucking christ

air: give this man an oscar

fire: for what

air: ,,,,,interior decoration

light: I shall continue.

light: The prosecutor for my last case made the mistake of telling the court something about my room that was incorrect.

light: It was something about the things on my floor. I no longer live in the same house so I do not remember what it was.

light: I was fed up with him making up things about my room so, while I was in the waiting room with my lawyer, I asked him if I could testify.

light: I ended up testifying and explained every little thing about my room back then, even pointing out how he was incorrect on some things as I placed them there myself.

light: The prosecutor was charged with forging evidence and I was given an acquittal after they searched my room and found I was correct. 

water: god damn

zoom: imagine having half the brain power of light

whither: I think my brain would explode with even a fraction...

light: In any case, I must actually start paying attention ere I miss when my court hearing it.

gunsexual: What a train ride.

zoom: lmao

fire: this is kind of normal... kind of

wholewheat: I think my brain just had a stroke understanding what Light's room looks like

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 4:22 PM)

fire: wait hold on

fire: i thought your home would be 

fire: yknow, a crime scene?

light: It is. My parents own two separates houses.

air: i have another question btw

zoom: WHITEWASHED.

water: ZIDANE

fire: isnt light like.... white tho

zoom: W H I T E W A S H E D .

air: so ik this probably isnt the time either

air: but can i ask why Garland was there?

light: He tutors me on weekends.

air: but why

air: i thought you are ace-ing all your classes

light: I am.

air: ????

light: Look in DMs, Bartz.

water: damn, not gonna grace the rest of us with an answer? i see how it is :pensive:

air, light (Today at 4:26 PM)

light: Everyone I know keeps directing me to you for this, so I will take their advice.

air: ?

light: Garland... I believe I like him.

air: :0

light: Romantically.

air: FINALLY

light: He is graduating this year, but I do not want him to leave and stop talking to me.

air: do you wanna tell me more about your relationship or

light: I can try.

air: in simple terms please

air: my brain already fried earlier tryna understand what your room looks like

light: "Simple terms"?

air: like

air: kind of like paraphrased from an assignment to what a teen would text their friends

light: I see.

light: I can try.

air: cool :D

air: go for it

light: We've been friends since childhood, though in middle school we "broke apart".

light: We met again last year, and he's been tutoring me since. He was here earlier as part of our weekly sessions.

light: He told me during one of our sessions that he already has someone on his mind, but he's not interested right now.

light: So I am not sure.

air: mmmmm lemme talk to him?

air: i might be able to see who he's thinking about

light: I would not want to endanger you like that.

air: nahhh its fine

air: ill ask him

light: Do not mention my name, though.

air: aight

light: And thank you.

air: ofc >:D

chat for nerds (Today at 4:37 PM)

zoom: is it weird i ship people in this gc with other people not in this gc normally

air: huh?

zoom: yknow like person x person

air: ik that part but... what brought this on?

zoom: ive been thinking about people in the gc

zoom: and how most people are

zoom: painfully single here

zoom: and like

air: my question about garland brought it up?

zoom: yeah

air: makes sense

gunsexual: I don't see the chat being used in any other way.

zoom: i think everyones busy seeing people today

gunsexual: I am also quite interested in this list of yours.

zoom: :eyes:

fire: yeah same

whither: I as well...

september: There's a part of me that is curious, I will admit.

zoom: wow ok

zoom: ill start listing em

air: go off ig

zoom: balthier x vaan

zoom: bc yknow

fire: D:

fire: I DONT EVEN LIKE HIM LIKE THAT ZIDANE

zoom: SHUT FUCK UR MOUTH I HAVE TO SIT THROUGH YOUR SHIT

zoom: Y O U R

zoom: P I N I N G

zoom: IS KILLING ME INSIDE

fire: O.O

zoom: anyway

air: LMAO

zoom: call me crazy but cecil x either rose or kain or both so like

zoom: kain x cecil x rosa

september: My two classmates?

zoom: im a sap for the childhood friends trope ok

zoom: and do you see the looks they give you

zoom: they literally pine for you cmon cecil

september: I can't say I have noticed.

air: thats bc youre blind love

september: ???

zoom: ramza x ace, but ik ramza's classmate delita also likes him so there might be something there

zoom: i like both ramza x delita and ramza x ace but idk

ace: Delita Heiral?

zoom: i think so yeah

ace: ah.

zoom: obv light x garland seeing as garland is the only person he talks to daily

light: I do talk here often enough. Is it too little for your tastes?

zoom: yeah but there have been times where i havent talked to you in weeks

fire: we could go months without talking to you

fire: and then wed

fire: talk again yknow

air: wed

fire: we'd

air: WED

fire: WE'D

air: SCREENSHOT.

air: HAHAHAHAHAHGAH

fire: I KNEW KARMA WOULD COME BACK AND BITE MY ASS

gunsexual: It is a nice ass though.

fire: O.O

fire: BALTHIER

air: EVEN HE AGREES LMAO

zoom: uhhhhhhh

zoom: firion.... is complicated

zoom: i can see him w/ two people

water: who?

zoom: well im not gonna say

zoom: fuck you tidus

water: D:

zoom: thats for stealing the art pens i got

water: I DIDNT KNOW THEY WERE YOURS

zoom >:(

zoom: and im not gonna say who i ship you with either

water: WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE TO YOU

zoom: MY CANVAS TIDUS

water: THAT WASNT EVEN ME

zoom: WELL I NEED SOMEONE TO BLAME IT ON

water: :')

zoom: anyway uhhhhh

zoom: luneth x arc is cute but i also like luneth x ingus

wholewheat: Dude

zoom: look, youre in the gc

zoom: you count

wholewheat: Wow

wholewheat: Also, why Arc and Ingus

zoom: bc you n arc are besties but ingus has really been stepping up as a closer friend than arc

zoom: and refia is distant to you in particular, idk why

wholewheat: D u d e

zoom: SORRY

zoom: uhhhhhh lightning x deez

lightning: Thank you.

zoom: yos

september: Lightning and... Deez?

zoom: :)

air: oh

september: I don't know anyone by that name.

lightning: You might.

september: I might?

lightning: Yeah.

september: What's their full name?

zoom: deez

september: Deez what?

fire: oh no

zoom: :)

air: oh god

water: fufhhdjsfhjmjxfsd

whither: Oh my lord.

gravityman: I'll schedule the funeral

september: ?

zoom: deez NUTS

september: ...Their last name is Nuts?

water: HAHGAHGHSYTFHAFVBD

fire: DGGDGHDGB

gunsexual: Oh my.

whither: You guys are so....

september: ?????

gravityman: The playlist has been made. Is he dead yet?

whither: Is he?

september: What?

zoom: Not yet.

gravityman: Damn.

zoom: i also uh

zoom: i also have layle x keiss down

air: APPARENTLY

air: THEYRE FREINDS W/ BENEFITS

air: AND THEY ARHE STILL PIINING?????

gravityman: Yes.

air: oh ok ig so then

zoom: LMAO

zoom: ive also got noctis x prompto

nocturnal: Yeah probably

zoom: aight then

air: he knows

air: doesnt care

air: but he knows

zoom: anyway the only other ship i have isnt even part of the gc but

zoom: it's that guy edge

zoom: was that his preferred name??

september: Yeah.

zoom: cool

zoom: and like.... the guy- edward

zoom: w/ the harp

september: Oh! Yes, they're pining as well.

air: HGSHGDGHHJD IM NOT THE ONLY ONE?????

september: Please, I'm their mutual friend.

september: You may have seen it, but I feel it.

september: Every time I sit with them, there's unresolved sexual tension. They're either fucked and haven't said anything or fucked but aren't dating.

gravityman: I see I'm not the only one with a friend with benefits.

fire: doesnt edge have sidehoes tho

water: WHAFGGSD HE DOES?

fire: i heard it somwehre

fire: idk where

whither: If we're listing people we ship, I ship Fran and Penelo....?

zoom: OHH YEAH

fire: that seems about right

light: Hold on.

fire: ?

light: Check the news.

----

As Tidus set his phone down on his drawer while dragging the wet towel off his forehead to set away for later use, a call from downstairs shook him out of the half-asleep state he was still in from spending the good part of the day in his bed. The natural hyper attitude the boy had wasn't quite there yet, but there was enough energy for him to slide his covers off of him and to the other side of his bed. With heavy footsteps, the boy picked his phone back up and walked over to his door, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. Another call made him pick up the pace as he fumbled with the doorknob a bit before getting the door open.

"There you are. You might want to come here and see this." Jecht called to him, what few friends he had from the last tournament still over. They were staring, which made Tidus's steps become a little lighter as he made his way down the stairs. He approached the living room, notifications going off on his phone that he promised himself he would check later. With Jecht's friends watching him, Jecht staring at the T.V. as if he was mesmerized by whatever was on the screen, and his mother suddenly becoming interested in whatever had the five of them silent, Tidus blinked a few times to unblur his eyes as Jecht took the T.V. off mute.

"...the driver and the father of one of the teenagers, died. Paramedics arrived on the scene within a matter of seconds thanks to a nearby crime scene investigation. The son of both parents has yet to wake, however the other teenager in the car, a friend of the victim's son, was wide awake through the whole incident, and managed to answer questions police had for him before he was taken to the hospital with the victim's son. The friend, Ace Susaya, seems to be fine, however it's questioned whether or not the victim's son will survive. More coming up on this news...."

There was no way something like this was so conveniently timed, almost right after the texts he and Balthier received. Which meant that, if Balthier wasn't hurt.... he was next.

Tidus's eyes widened as he nearly dropped his phone, instead gripping it tighter when he felt it was slipping. He hardly registered his mother calling out for him and his father getting him when he ran to the door, tearing his coat off the hanger as he forgot his shoes by the front. He had to talk with someone - anyone from the group chat about this. Something had to be done quickly, or the next person probably wouldn't be as lucky.

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Saturday at 5:03 PM)

fire: jesus fucking christ

gunsexual: Ramza Beoulve... is in this chat, is he not?

zoom: im with tidus n firion, balthier dont go anywhere

zoom: actually nvm balthier are you with someone right now

gunsexual: I am with Fran, Ashe and her boyfriend, Rasler. Why?

zoom: dont go anywhere

zoom: stay w/ them

zoom: always stay with more people

zoom: or capable ppl

gunsexual: Is something happening right now?

whither: We believe this has something to do with the texts you and Ramza received.

whither: Is it possible for you to stay at a friend's place with multiple people?

gunsexual: I might be able to.

gunsexual: Fran and I sleep over at each other's places occasionally.

fire: i can grab reks and we can stay with you for a bit

gunsexual: I'll inform the others. Fran, Ashe and Rasler may be willing to stay for some time.

gunsexual: Though Ashe is a princess, so she may have duties.

zoom: bad time, but ashe?

fire: Ashelia

fire: from dalmasca?

zoom: right

september: Has anyone heard from Bartz? I have been trying to contact him.

light: He ran by my house earlier. Firion, Tidus and Zidane passed a bit ago.

wholewheat: He probably went to the hospital

wholewheat: Y'know, he assembled this whole group so he's real close to everyone

light: Right.

september: I am going to visit the hospital tomorrow as my father is picky about what times I go out now.

wholewheat: Can you pick me up then? I wanna go too

september: Of course. I'll take the car.

september: Anyone else?

light: I as well.

squall: Take me and Cloud too.

gravityman: I'll take a van so we can fit more people.

zoom: me tidus firion

fire: pick up me, balthier n reks?

earth: Me too, please!

gravityman: DM me your addresses.

nocturnal: I'll have Iggy drive me there tomorrow

september: I'll drive by your homes tomorrow at 12.

chat for nerds (Sunday at 12:48 PM)

ace: im fine

zoom: ACE ARE YOU OK

ace: im alright, ramza's alive still and that makes me feel better

ace: i dont know why i wasnt hurt as much as ramza but im here

september: This is Terra, is Bartz with you?

ace: yeah

ace: bartz is really fucking concerned he actually stayed up all night in the waiting room and is nappin rn

zoom: crackhead smh

september: Cecil will pick him up later!

ace: cool

ace: visitors are allowed so you guys can come on up

september: I'll tell the others.

chat for nerds (Today at 8:35 AM)

water: its weird that we're back at school after all that

zoom: wdym

earth: ?

water: the break was really jam packed n all then theres just... school again lmao

fire: lmao

zoom: lmao

air: OFF TOPIC BUT I WAS SCROLLIN THROUGH MY PLAYLIST N FOUND A SONG WITH THE WORD "horny" IN IT

air: N IT REMINDED ME OF THIS MONSTER IN FFXIV

air: "HORNY TOAD"

water: VDFVGGHDGDH

whither: What???

fire: LKMAMAOSIO

air: IT USES THE ATTACK WHERE IT PULLS YOU CLOSER WITH ITS TONGUE

air: ITS

water: OH THAT THING

air: T O N G U E

fire: the stupid toads?

zoom: I HATE THOSE ONES LMAO

air: n get this

air: it uses an attack

air: called 'lap'

zoom: lap? more like fap

zoom: a h a h a h a

water: lap

fire: wap?

air: WAP

air: NOW FROM THE TOP

air: MAKE IT DROP

water: LMAO

air: THATS SOME W A P

zoom: THATS SOME WAP

fire: kraft dinner

water: in a pan

zoom: cheesy noodles

water: in a dish

air: what the fuck

air: thats some wap

zoom: wam

zoom: wet ass macaroni

air: slam

zoom: come on and slam

zoom: and welcome to the jam

chat for nerds (Today at 10:34 AM)

nocturnal: Isn't light at his trial rn

zoom: yeah?

nocturnal: Cool just checkin

nocturnal: I thought it was monday

fire: lmao same

zoom: honestly yeah

air: Yes, I'm a SIMP.

zoom: oh fuck he's back at it again

air: S

air: I

air: M

air: P

september: ??

air: MAYONNAISE

air: ON

air: AN

air: ESCALATOR

air: ITS GOING UPSTAIRS SO SEE YA LATER

water: LMAOOOOOO

chat for nerds (Today at 12:11 PM)

lightning: Why is this chat dead today?

squall: He's back.

lightning: Ah. I have revived it.

squall: Seifer is following me.

lightning: Reject him.

squall: I've been trying. Hasn't worked.

lightning: Meet me with Caius, we'll intimidate him.

squall: Sounds like a plan.

chat for nerds (Today at 3:58 PM)

squall: lookatthisloser.jpg

squall: Picture I forgot to show earlier.

cl00d: How.

air: SFGSFDHFDGHSDBND

cl00d: What did you do.

nocturnal: LMAO

whither: Did you..... spray Seifer Almasy with a nerf water gun?

whither: How did you get that?

water: nevermind that, what i wanna know is how he took thepicture

water: if one hand it holding almasy's hand and another is holding the gun

water: and lightning n caius, fujin n raijin are all in screen w/ seifer n squall

water: how tf did you take the fuckin selfie and also make it look good

squall: I have my ways.

water: what does this mean

squall: Don't worry about it.

water: i fear for my life in my own home this should not be legal

squall: :).

water: OH GOD HES USING FACES

zoom: ABORT ABORT ABORT

air: HSHGSGHJNBDHBDHJDHDHB :person_running: :dash:

whither: He... typed them both out....

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Yesterday at 8:33 PM)

air: im gonna go visit ramza in the hospital w/ ace

air: anyone else coming

gunsexual: I will. I'll have to introduce myself to Ramza as well, and understand our mutual situation.

air: cool

gravityman: I'll join you, seeing as the other 'new person' is going. It'd be good to try and introduce myself.

zoom: H

zoom: HES IN THE HOSPITAL FOR SEVERE INJURIES AND NOW YOURE GONNA INTRODUCE YOURSELVES?????

gunsexual: Yes.

gravityman: Yes.

zoom: aight then

gravityman: I'll take a car. Bartz, meet out by your bus station. I'll grab Balthier.

fire: right so reks and i are guarding balthier now

fire: his parents dont know about his situation so he's just saying that he's old enough and he can do what he wants so its whatever

water: #teenrebellion :weary: :fist:

fire: LMAO

chat for nerds (Today at 11:53 AM)

squall: Seifer is back again.

squall: I need something else that'll get him away from me.

zoom: ?

squall: Rinoa's been chatting with Seifer, apparently telling him two different things at once.

zoom: ????

squall: To be my friend but to not be my friend. But Seifer has decided to ignore the second one.

air: Huhhh that's why I've seen Rinoa a lot more often recently

squall: Yeah.

squall: I need something that will get them off my ass about this.

zoom: hit him w/ the water gun again?

whither: Ignore him...?

september: Ignore him?

air: Bully him?

cl00d: Pretend you're with someone else?

air: .

air: genius.

cl00d: What

air: I said GENIUS

air: if we get Squall to pretend to date someone else for a while then Seifer will get off his ass about it!

wholewheat: But who

gravityman: Aren't Squall and Cloud good friends?

cl00d: My friends already know about the Seifer problem, and Biggs is sitting right next to me as I tell him what's happening. 

air: we'd need it to be believable, so everyone in this gc is allowed to know, but no one else

zoom: who else could we frame for this?

light: Cecil?

september: Ah, I'm sorry, I'm already doing that with Edge.

zoom: w h a t ?

september: Do you remember that list of people you thought would be a cute couple together?

zoom: my ship list?

september: Yes, that. Well, the tension between Edge and Edward became worse because Edward got himself a girlfriend.

zoom: oh god why

september: His relatives are quite homophobic, so they would not take kindly to his feelings for Edge. My suspicions are that he did this to make his relatives and the girl happy. I know she's had a crush on him for some time.

zoom: dear lord

september: If I acted like Squall's boyfriend, Edward would catch on. And Edge would likely hate me for some time.

gunsexual: Then why not Bartz? You're not dating anyone, are you?

zoom: aromantic, I think

air: no, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now

air: all my friends and their uncles know this

air: besides, i'm well known as a matchmaker so anything about me that's open, people know

air: so the school knows the famous matchmaker isnt lookin for love himself

gunsexual: Damn. I thought I was onto something...

water: do we need someone in the gc for this?

whither: I'd think so. Like it or not, Squall's only other close friend group wouldn't work either.

air: yeah

air: we need people that arent at all connected to squalls other friend group

air: so we can pretend this has been hidden for some time

wholewheat: So who can we eliminate from this group?

nocturnal: Definitely you, Luneth

wholewheat: True

nocturnal: Me too, it's pretty obvious I like Prompto

air: everyone else that's already been nominated can be eliminated

air: so me, cecil and cloud

water: I'm going to go ahead and take out Firion, I don't think he's Squall's type

whither: Likewise, Tidus.

zoom: none of us dumbasses

air: so you, tidus, firion, vaan

air: and because he has keiss, layle too

gunsexual: I'll take myself out of this mix.

air: and balthier

air: ill take out ramza because hes in the hospital

water: who does that leave

air: terra, lightning, light, ace

ace: no thanks

lightning: I'm gay.

air: ok then

air: terra and light

earth: No thank you <3!

air: alllright then

air: light

light: Yes?

air: ive got a uh

nocturnal: Go on a date with Squall

air: favor to ask

air: NOCT

light: Sure.

air: WH A T

nocturnal: That was surprisingly easy.

squall: I have this afternoon off. Meet me at the entrance to the pizza place beside the mall's bus stop.

light: I'll be there.

chat for nerds (Today at 4:37 PM)

zoom: i HATE gym

zoom: i also HATE basketball

ace: same.

whither: Why?

zoom: bc all the boys in my gym class go hard as it and it sucks ass

zoom: there are go-hards, try-hards and then ppl like me that want to relax

zoom: yknow?

ace: kind of? i've heard of people like that.

ace: my class has to play fair unless you want jack and cinque to hold a grudge against you for the rest of the school day.

zoom: it sounds nice to actually be friends with everyone in your class

ace: yeah, but then you don't get the drama of people hating others. 

ace: like a normal high school class, right?

zoom: i guess?

light: This is an update from me, because Squall is busy.

cl00d: busy?

light: Yelling at Seifer.

light: Seifer approached us and started insulting me, according to Squall.

air: tf you mean according to squall

light: It sounded more like a poor attempt to capture my adored body image and sparkling personality.

light: He did not do very well.

air: LMNAHASJKHDNAJKD

light: Squall is now mad at him, and is shouting outside. Seifer looks genuinely upset at his but is yelling back at him nonetheless.

air: wow

zoom: whipped

air: HSGHSFGDHGDB

cl00d: This is going to go one of two ways and I know which way it is.

water: yeah, squall shouting is never good

water: someone is going to die or be injured

lightning: I'll come pick you up.

chat for nerds (Today at 4:53 PM)

light: We are on our way home.

cl00d: How was the date?

light: It was nice. I noticed Garland was there, but I didn't get the chance to talk to him.

squall: He kept talking to me about Garland.

light: That was supposed to be kept private.

air: rip squall, you broke a pact with light and now you must die

water: LMAO

squall: Don't be fooled, the passenger seat the only thing stopping him from strangling me right now.

light: You believe me to be restrained by where you are seated in the car? I will do it one way or another. There is no denying it.

squall: I'm in danger.

whither: Oh! Light, I've forgotten to ask, but how was your trial earlier?

light: I won. Obviously.

light: Garland helped me through it. The judge seemed to believe me at first as it was the same judge from my previous trial, which happened years ago. I am surprised they are still around.

september: How hard was it for you to win?

light: Not very. The judge was already on my side, and considering the death was in my room, they were more inclined to believe me anyway.

light: I got a full acquittal, all thanks in part to Garland's presence. It would have been slightly harder to win if he was not there.

light: Hence why I wanted to talk to him earlier, but I was not given the chance. Seifer seemed adamant to keep me with him and Squall the whole time.

air: right! regarding seifer i managed to enlist some help and i'll add them to the gc later

squall: Whatever help I can get, I guess.

chat for nerds (Today at 6:33 AM)

air has added ya and hoo.

air: found em!

ya: FUJIN.

hoo: and raijin!

ya: HERE AT YOUR SERVICE.

hoo: here at your service!

squall: Fucking why.

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 6:33 AM)

squall: Fucking why.

air: i said i recruited help earlier, didn't i?

squall: Get them out.

hoo: D:

ya: WHY.

squall: I said get them out Bartz.

air: Not until my business here is done! We're going to help you with that Seifer problem whether you like it or not.

hoo: yea, fujin n i have been keepin tabs on seifer, yknow?

squall: Get them the fuck out.

hoo: we're tryna help you, yknow!!

ya: HOSTILE?

air: squall, DMs

squall: Fine.

air, squall (Today at 6:37 AM)

air: what problem do you have with them?

squall: They're part of the problem, Bartz. They feed him lies about me that make him even more... obsessed.

squall: Their existence bothers me.

air: i cleared that up w/ them already

air: they lie to try and get him away, but no matter what, nothing they say gets him to leave

squall: Tell them to try harder.

air: squall, they arent duty-bound to help you on this

air: you're lucky i even managed to rope em into this, no one is more helpful then his henchmen

squall: Then I'd rather be unlucky.

air: look Squall, I don't know what crawled up your pants to bite your ass and put you in a pissy mood, but I wasn't the one that basically screamed into our gc that I wanted help with someone to leave me alone because they're fucking creepy

air: I may not act serious enough but trust me I am doing exactly what should be done

air: This isn't a game, this is a line of work

air: Seifer is obsessed with you to the point of no return and I'm getting him the fuck out of there for your sake, I don't give a rat's ass about his safety here

air: But if you didn't want my help you shouldn't have fucking asked alright

air: Now decide: do you want the help I'm offering or not? Because trust me, this is a one time deal and if you pick no then I'm not doing shit to help you anymore.

squall: I'll take all the help I can get.

air: Good

air: Now stop fucking complaining, my life is on the line for your lovey dovey bullshit and Seifer's ass won't forgive me if I screw up

squall: Yes sir.

chat for nerds (Today at 6:35 AM)

zoom: what happened to your caps

ya: ME?

zoom: yes you what happened

ya: IT'S STUCK.

ya: I TRIED FIXING IT.

hoo: we tried gettin it to work again

hoo: didnt work

hoo: we r gonna save up to get her a new phone!!

nocturnal: I can just buy you one lmao

ya: IT'S OKAY.

hoo: yeah, we r savin up

hoo: its workin!!

air: good for you two

ya: RESULTS?

air: he'll take a liking to you!

squall: Tolerate only.

squall: And if you're working on getting Seifer away from me, I'll tolerate you.

ya: ACCEPTABLE.

hoo: nice!!

gunsexual: I see you've added Fujin and Raijin.

hoo: hello!!

ya: YES.

hoo: who are you?

gunsexual: Balthier, from Grade 10.

gravityman: Ah, are we introducing ourselves?

hoo: yep!! who are you?

gravityman: Layle, Grade 11.

gravityman: Balthier and I were also added to this group chat some time after it was created.

gunsexual: Which reminds me, how was this group chat created?

zoom: uhhhhh well

zoom: i wanted notes from a geo class i missed and saw it as an oppertunity

air: opportunity**

zoom: shut up

gunsexual: From who?

zoom: i share my geo class w/ Firion

ya: FIRION?

whither: Ah, that would be me!

whither: Firion Rose, Grade 9.

zoom: oh right

zoom: zidane tribal, grade 9

hoo: this makes sense!!

september: Do you... always put multiple exclamation marks after your sentences to express yourself?

hoo: yep!!!

september: Okay then.

september: Ah, right. Cecil Harvey, Grade 12.

hoo: you've got a bunch of people there!!

ya: USEFUL.

september: Useful...?

ya: FOR HELPING WITH SEIFER.

zoom: right....

chat for nerds (Today at 10:32 AM)

zoom: genesis walked in and called me and vaan to his office

zoom: what do we do

fire: keep walkin, theyre gonna yell at us

september: That is odd. Raubahn called me to his office as well some time ago.

lightning: You too?

water: hey same :')

whither: Tidus and I were pulled out of our classes to speak with out respective guidance counselors.

light: I believed my calling to be due to my recent trial acquittal.

air: y'all got called???

air: AY YO SIR IS COMING FOR MEyDD

zoom: DD

air: is this the cute little group chat bartz is in?

zoom: yessir or ma'am or both of none

zoom: is this light that yoinked his phone again

air: how cute

air: no, this bartz's guidance counselor

air: i figured just texting here and giving everyone else a head's up that's part of my division would be better than walking everywhere

air: everyone is being called to the guidance department, start walking now

air: when asked, just tell your teachers to call your counselors

zoom: aight

air: HE gave me my phone back hi guys

air: omw to the department, thanks to palazzo

zoom: y

zoom: YOUR COUNSELOR IS PALAZZO?

zoom: THAT JUST NOW WAS KEFKA PALAZZO??????

air: yeah?

zoom: :cold_sweat:

air: WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN

earth: I never liked him...

earth: He scared me....

air: i can agree w/ that

Chapter Text

"Here, like you- Oh my god, everyone is here. What the hell..."

Bartz stopped himself at the entrance to the department with his words trailing, whatever he was going to say dying in his throat as he looked on to the more students than what the group chat alone held - Bartz didn't much care to count them all at the moment - gathered in the rather large guidance department, with more connected through the door to the main office. There had to be at least 20 or more in total considering the ones in the main office too.

While looking onto the flood of students through the clear glass door leading to the main office, a hand landed on Bartz's shoulder. The boy froze and lifted a hand up from his side to pat the hand on his shoulder, then gripped onto a few of the fingers. The hand was rough, yet oddly soft and had a tight grip on his shoulder - firm and well calloused but still strangely familiar.

The hand reminded him of that man, the one that hurt him, the one that had - had grasped at his throat and nearly killed him in his own home, somewhere he should have been safe and protected but he wasn't and - why wasn't he safe anymore? There were adults here that would take care of anyone that tried hurting him, so why did the air here feel so tight? A hand - he only registered it as his own reached up to his own neck and clawed god it hurt so bad but anything to get the air back in his lungs would work even if he had to claw his way in there himself-

"Bartz."

He was hyperventilating. Why was he doing that? When did he start breathing so fast? It hurt, yes, but he'd imagined the person that was trying to talk to him was concerned. The hand on his shoulder released him from his grip and retracted to it's owner as Bartz slowly tried catching the oxygen he missed. The stars that danced around in his vision were leaving, and the tears that threatened to fall were hesitating - it gave him enough time to wipe them away and take a semi-deep breath.

"...My apologies."

Bartz himself turned to face the other, grabbing at his hands with a semi-fake grin to cover the initial sense of dread that had taken him over. He had to tilt his head upwards to even look at the person's chin - though the clothes were well recognized enough for him to calm himself. He rocked back and forth on his toes like an excited child while moving the others hands.

"Do you know what we were called down here for, Cess?"

Calling people by nicknames was his comfort and though Bartz was glad Cecil didn't question it further, it was kind of odd that he didn't say anything whatsoever. He didn't even bat an eye at it, like it was completely normal - did someone else think of the nickname before him?

"Everyone here has some relation to the people in our group chat." Cecil looked around at the other students gathered with them. The three guidance counselors were talking amongst each other in a room somewhere beyond the door that lead to the storage room, and most of the students were simply chatting among themselves or were otherwise preoccupied.

Zidane, Vaan, Tidus, Firion and Ramza were talking with each other right beside the door, with Ace standing with Ramza. It didn't seem like he was much involved with the conversation, more-so looking on them as if he was watching over them. Another person - someone both Bartz and Cecil recognized to be Minwu - was standing behind Firion with his arms crossed but his gaze fixed solely on the silver-haired boy that was laughing at Tidus's jokes.

Near them was Seifer, who seemed to be trying to talk to Squall. Cloud, who looked to be more irritated by the moment, was beside Squall as well. His face seemed to be turning a tinge more red than it was the other moment each time Seifer opened his mouth to talk. Light was also beside Squall, standing between the younger student and the table to his left. He seemed mostly disinterested in the conversation they were having, and was also really out of it. His hand reached over to the box of pencil crayons every now and then, and his gaze flew somewhere across the room. Behind Seifer was Fujin and Raijin, who both seemed completely embarrassed by Seifer's antics.

The closest to Bartz was Lightning. She was standing off to the side, leaning against the table connected to the one Light seemed to be the most interested in, and was on her phone. There was someone beside her, a woman neither Cecil nor Bartz recognized, who was making jokes and winking at her every now. Much to the surprise of the two boys, Lightning was actually laughing a bit at the jokes, albeit she seemed to be trying her best to hide this fact from anyone that may have been watching.

Beside Cecil on the opposite side of the room were five separate people - the blonde woman was someone Bartz could easily recognize as Rosa Farrell. The blonde boy with semi-long hair that was talking with her and eyeing Cecil every now and again was blatantly Kain Highwind from how quick he was to avert his gaze once he noticed Bartz looking at him. The other two were Edge and Edward, but Bartz never really remembered who was which and them standing in the exact same positions wasn't helping. The brown-haired girl standing between them had to be Edward's girlfriend - Anna was her name, he'd spoken with Edge enough times to learn her name.

Somewhere near the group of seven, the first group Bartz noticed, was Terra and Y'shtola with Edgar, Locke, Layle and Keiss. They all seemed to be discussing something, and judging by their facial expressions it was definitely something serious, so either something happened and Bartz was unaware of this or they were talking about why they were all called into the guidance department.

In the middle of the room, though huddled close near each other, was Noctis, Prompto, Balthier and two others Bartz didn't recognize - actually, they didn't seem to be students either. They weren't wearing any of the standard uniforms or any specialized blazer, and both also looked to be older than Noctis. He could only assume these two were people Noctis brought in, seeing as they didn't have any visitor's passes either.

Standing beside Kain, though distanced so he was standing alone, was Garland. He was directly across the room from where Squall, Cloud and Light stood - oh, now that seemed to be obvious enough.. That's where Light was looking to every now and again, he was looking over to Garland. Now that the matchmaker himself got a good look at both boys, it almost seemed as though Garland was-

"Hey!"

Bartz whipped around in time to realize Cecil was falling over towards him, but wasn't quick enough to stop anything. The much smaller - and frailer - boy fell backwards, landing on his back. Cecil was now kneeling between his legs, a hand holding his head and the other on the ground near one of Bartz's arms. The fall seemed to be as much of a surprise to him than it was to Bartz, and the sudden impact on him seemed to have him dazed for a moment before he looked up at Bartz. He flushed an odd color and looked behind himself, with Bartz doing the same, only to see someone much smaller than both of them trying to get up.

The third boy groaned and stood upright. "Gosh... sorry about that, Cecil. Hi Bartz."

Bartz blinked back at him in a state of stupor. He registered Cecil getting up from his position vaguely as he stared down the other that had addressed him with confusion, though he did notice Cecil hang his hand down towards him. Bartz took the hand in his own and let himself be helped up, dusting his clothes off as he looked around the room. Some eyes were on them - actually, hardly anyone wasn't looking at them now - which prompted Bartz to let out an awkward smile and quickly turn his attention back over to the other two.

"It's still school hours for you, right Lune-Moon? What're you doing here?"

Luneth huffed, crossing his arms while looking away. He shifted his feet uncomfortably, eventually moving to stand against the wall beside the door instead of right in front of it, before shrugging and looking around the room. Some people were still looking at him, mainly those that didn't recognize Luneth, but otherwise the majority of the room were back to talking and doing whatever they were doing before Luneth arrived.

"I don't know, ask the principal and vice-principals. I was pulled out of school in the middle of my gym class, and Desch nearly punched one of the vice-principals because of it!" Luneth paused to look around once more, now becoming aware he was getting a bit loud for the volume in the room. "I was told that my parents called in and couldn't come get me, which is a lie because they're supposed to be overseas and both their work phones are turned off, so I really don't know."

The sound of a door opening from the other side of the room, followed by someone clearing their throat, caught Bartz's attention as he whipped his head over to look at the person in question. Vice-principals Materia and Spiritus were standing in front of the door looking out among the students alongside the three guidance counselors. Genesis was speaking with Materia for a moment before he nodded and took the door that lead to the main office, likely to go speak with principal Cid.

"Wonderful to have everyone here." Materia started off with. She looked over to Spiritus with a nod, and stepped back to allow the other to speak for them all.

"Certain... complications have come up this school year. A specific group of people here have been the target for multiple.... attacks, as others would call it." Though the names were left unsaid, Bartz felt himself tense up at the words.

They knew.

"Everyone else here is an accomplice to someone in this group, or multiple people." Spiritus's arms folded behind himself as he lifted his head upwards, as if looking down onto the students. "The safety of our students is our number one concern at the moment, which means that anything and everything that is remotely related to these such attacks should be reported to us."

A moment of silence passed the students before Cloud looked over to Spiritus. "What if we don't tell you anything?"

"You will." The man looked over to Materia. With no words exchanged, the two switched places - Materia taking a step forward and Spiritus a step back - to signal that they've switched their main speaker.

Materia almost immediately picked up where Spiritus left off. "For everyone in this room, during the first ten to fifteen minutes of one of your study hall periods, we'll call groups of two to three down to the office to speak with your respective counselor. This is only weekly, and groups may differ temporarily depending on if any student misses a day, but this will become mandatory. You can be suspended, or even expelled if you fail to attend."

Another silence between a beat of time before she continued. "But we're hoping everyone here will cooperate with the day and group planning we have already mapped out."

Materia and Spiritus both nodded to each other and looked over to Raubahn, who looked down onto a sheet of paper he was holding before casting his gaze up at the students once more. "We'd actually like to have a word with a specific group of people that have been the center of such attention for some time now. You know who you are - everyone else is free to leave."

Bartz moved away from the door, tugging Cecil with him, to allow the extra students to leave. He watched the people leave, eyes locking with a few of the students as they left. He was sure Kain was giving him a dirty look as he left and so was Rosa, but he wasn't sure - they passed by too quickly to confirm it. He then moved closer to the teachers and stood between Light and Luneth. The remaining teachers aside from Raubahn left the room, leaving the man to talk to the students himself.

"You can leave, Balthier. Same to you, Layle." Raubahn commented. Layle and Balthier exchanged glances before shrugging and looking at the group. Without words, it took the counselor a few seconds to realize why they didn't leave, but eventually dropped it.

"We're all here." Light stated. "Is this about the recent threats and mishaps we've experienced?"

"Right on the mark as always." Raubahn smiled down at his paper before tucking it away under a box of pencils on the table beside him. "First off, while the other students could miss a day or two of this and they'd get off scot-free, this is needed for all of you. You're the core of the attacks we've had since October and we'd like to know what you go through so we can deal with it as well."

He looked at the students, his gaze lingering on a few specific students for a moment before he looked back at everyone else. "If it's personal, we'll understand. I'll try and have the other counselors be nicer during these meetings, as I know Palazzo and Rhapsodos aren't entirely pleasant to talk to alone. We grouped you based off likelihood to participate with others in your group. You'll be emailed the groups, and don't worry, your parents don't know about this yet. We'll only tell them if you fail to attend. You're all free to leave."

Without delay, Bartz turned and walked towards the door, though not before it was swung open and someone bumped into him yet again. He only stumbled backwards this time, with Light quickly catching him before he fell down completely. He muttered a quick "sorry" before leaving the room, waving to the other students as he left.

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 10:53 AM)

hoo: sry we couldnt be there for the after thing :(

hoo: seifer took us shopping after

zoom: shopping?

hoo: what did the councellers say??

hoo: yep!! seifer does that

zoom: no no, i want context

zoom: does he do this often???

hoo: yeah!!

ya: YES.

hoo: he takes us shopping to calm us

hoo: we get the funny thing sometimes

air: funny thing ?

hoo: the funky tea with the black pearls in them

ya: BOBA.

air: :0 boba?

hoo: yep!!

air: damn, flavor?

hoo: im basic and i take chocolate :((

hoo: but fuu takes the strawberry latte :D!!

ya: IT TASTES NICE.

hoo: we r shopping!!

ya: WE SHOULD GO.

hoo: yea b4 seifer gets sus of us

hoo: ttyl!!

ya: YEAH.

air: while im here, wheres cess

september: Yes?

air: kain and rosa gave me dirty looks :(

september: I will talk to them.

air: :D

chat for nerds (Today at 11:33 AM)

gravityman: :(

air: oh god layle put a frowny face

september: That is never a good sign.

squall: What happened?

cl00d: Do I need to beat someone up?

light: Shall I kill someone for you?

gravityman: No! No killing, no beating people up.

zoom: then what?

gravityman: Keiss has a girlfriend.

air: :0!!!!!!

hoo: ouch!!

air: he's in denial layle, he still thinks he's straight

gravityman: I know.

air: we have to show him the error of his ways

gravityman: I know.

nocturnal: Well, at least he admits it.

ram: I can talk to his girlfriend for you! It's Belle, right?

gravityman: How'd you know?

ram: She's been talking about having a boyfriend since she got to school earlier today.

ram: After she ditched first period and homeroom, though.

ram: I figured it was someone I knew considering she doesn't have many friends that would willingly date her.

fire: O U C H .

water: OOF

zoom: LMAO

air: LMAKAHJDD

gunsexual: I would offer ice for that burn, however it seems the damage it irreversible.

gunsexual: And the person is not even here.

gravityman: Ramza, you aren't even in our grade. How do you know her?

ram: We have an elective together.

gravityman: Makes sense.

squall: I can see if I can talk to Keiss.

cl00d: No, leave that to me. Seifer's going to get pissy if you talk to anyone else.

ace: hey, odd question,

ace: but we're sitting at the same table. why are we talking on the gc?

gravityman: So Keiss doesn't hear us.

ace: ,,,,,keiss isnt even in the lunchroom

gravityman: He isn't?

ace: he left earlier with Belle, they signed out at the front office

gravityman: :(

air: im gonna shove my foot up keiss's ass

zidane: same lmaooooo

chat for nerds (Today at 12:33PM)

air: aight, know the plan?

ace: remind me why i'm part of this?

air: bc you have an elective rn

air: and you can easily talk to ramza so he can give us dirt

air: i see :/

light: Why am I part of this plan?

air: bc you also have an elective rn

air: and your teacher seems pretty fine with you walking in n out whenever you want

light: That's because I threatened him the first time he made the mistake of not letting me out when I wanted to.

air: prolly bc hes afraid of you

air: OH OK THEN :cold_sweat:

ace: how are you still allowed at school

light: What evidence do they have to expel me with? A teacher's testimony?

air: yes????

light: Who would faculty believe: A straight-A student that has never purposefully missed a day of school or period of the day at all, or a teacher that has a track history of incorrectly grading papers?

air: WAIT WE'RE TALKING ABT THAT DUDE????

light: Yes.

air: thats fair then

ace: What guy?

air: do you remember the guy that called ramza by the beoulve last name for about a month

ace: the one i kicked in the balls?

air: YOU KICKED HIM IN THE NUTS?

ace: yes?

air: OKAY WAIT SO LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT:

air: LIGHT THREATENED THIS TEACHER SO HE COULD LEAVE HIS CLASS WHENEVER HE WANTED TO,

air: YOU KICKED THIS MAN IN THE BALLS,

air: AND YOU TWO ARE STILL AT SCHOOL? HOW?

ace: magic

light: Magic.

gravityman: I'm in place.

air: oh aight then

air: ooo okay okay

air: operation start!

ace: wait im not in the bathroom yet

(air started a call that lasted 32 minutes.)

chat for nerds (Today at 1:16 PM)

fire: thank god sephiroth is trying to teach sex ed today

fire: what did we miss

whither: I fear for what happened in this chat.

air: hehehehehe

zoom: i am in fear

water: wait, is this what you were telling me about earlier, bartz?

air: :)

water: aight then ig dont tell me

light: I feel thoroughly violated.

ace: YOU SENT THREE TO FIVE KIDS TO THE HOSPITAL LIGHT

light: That does not change the fact I feel violated.

lightning: What the hell happened here?

air: :)

whither: Please Bartz, you're scaring me.

air: :))))

water: STOP THAT IM GENUINELY AFRAID

fire: light sent HOW MANY KIDS TO THE HOSPITAL?

light: Five.

ace: THAT DOESNT

ace: LIGHT

light: Self defense.

september: Lord have mercy on us cursed children....

chat for nerds (Today at 2:13 PM)

wholewheat: Okay uh

wholewheat: I'm afraid to ask what happened

air: i can explain now

gunsexual: Is anyone as confused as me?

ya: I AM.

hoo: i am!!!

gunsexual: I figured.

gravityman: Yeah I'm still reeling from what happened.

gravityman: Tell them, Bartz.

zoom: tell em, naegi!

air: DONT

zoom: HAHAHAHAHAH

air: IM NOT TRYNA SUMMON AN ENTIRE FANDOM BY THREE WORDS

air: THE CURSED SHIPPERS ARE GONNA FIND THIS CHATFIC ZIDANE

zoom: :0????

whither: What???

air: anyway, so here's the jist of it

air: the texts up there ^^ were just the after stuff of a plan we have

air: my plan was to get light to pose as layle's boyfriend while keiss and belle were together, which worked,,,, to some extent

zoom: 'to some extent'???

air: wellll

air: we were in a call for the entirety of it

air: sometime in, keiss went to the bathroom, but he walked past the closest one because he's a blind bitch and went to the one near the grade 9/10 area

air: ace was in that bathroom

september: Oh.

air: ace doesn't have headphones but was in the call

zoom: o h .

air: so ace had to leave the call, but was stuck in the bathroom

air: ace was part of the plan tho - was gonna plan for him to grab belle and talk to her in a different hallway abt keiss and layle, because its so obvious she knows too

air: so ace couldnt technically leave

air: now you may think it gets violent here

air: it doesnt

zoom: wait what???

gunsexual: That goes against my theory then.

whither: Theory?

gunsexual: I thought a group of kids I have witnessed bullying Ace's class were going to come in, and that's who Light sent to the hospital.

whither: That would make a lot of sense, actually...

air: hold on

air: ill get to the violent part in a moment

air: but

air: if ace left he couldnt steal belle bc he would be forced to go to class for the rest of the period

gravityman: It took me a while to try and get him to talk to me privately. He never did, but he ran off instead.

gunsexual: That explains why he left.

hoo: continue!!

air: ok so

air: its not violent, but layle and keiss made out in the fucking bathroom

zoom: W H A T

fire: AHAGHJJSDAJSDJDNMK WHAT

september: Oh dear.

zoom: I WASNT EXPECTING THAT WHATGDDBHJABD

wholewheat: Ew

ace: THATS WHAT I SAID.

zoom: W A I T

air: you guessed it

air: ace is still in the bathroom

zoom: N O

ace: their sounds haunt me

gravityman: I'm sorry, Ace.

ace: i do not want your apologies, i want my memory wiped >:(

ace: my ears ring from hearing...... that

wholewheat: Poor thing

air: lemme continued rq, we can give ace a funeral after

ace: fair

air: so yeah ace, keiss and layle in bathroom

air: light is outside the bathroom with belle

air: so while keiss n layle are in the bathroom, light talks to belle and tells her about everything

air: luckily belle isn't extremely stupid so she confesses she knew but was all like "do you think i can ever get anyone to like me?"

air: AND LIGHT

air: HE ANSWERS WITH "true love stems from doing things you both may enjoy, not from a first glance"

air: its not the answer she wanted but she was fine with it kind of???

light: She accepted it. That is all that matters.

september: Light.... we've talked about this...

september: You can't just stop considering other people's emotions.... it's immoral.

light: I am not a psychic. I cannot just magic up a perfect response for someone.

september: Light.....

september: You know what? Just continue, Bartz.

air: sure

air: so belle goes n leaves

air: meanwhile ace gets fed up of the fucking bathroom

air: he leaves the stall, washes his hands like its nothing and leaves.

air: i fucking cackled when ace walked outside, light asked what was wrong with him and he just says "they're having sex." AND TAKES LIGHT AND WALKS AWAY.

air: i met up with them at the entrance to the building with food, thats where the call was ended.

air: so layle took some time to find us

air: the moment layle finds us we're back to acting like light is his bf in case keiss is watching still bc it wasnt cleared up yet right

air: but then,

air: you actually guessed right earlier balthier,

gunsexual: Oh?

air: that group of kids that mocks ace's class approaches us

air: the leader thought i was jack with my hair down and different clothes, and thought light was sice or seven

air: anyway, he mocked ace for a bit

air: and guess who walks outside and spots us?

zoom: no way

air: FUCKING GARLAND???

zoom: N O

zoom: W A Y

air: WITH KEISS AND BELLE BEHIND HIM,

air: HE JUST APPROACHES AND SOMETHING LIKE

air: THE SWITCH IN LIGHT? FLIPPED.

air: but heres the thing, light couldnt see garland at this moment

air: so i think it was the aura of garland

air: BUT HE JUST CLOSED HIS FOOD, HANDED IT OFF TO LAYLE AND

air: KICKED THE LEADER IN THE NUTS

wholewheat: YES!

zoom: A H A H A

water: bRUH

whither: Oh my...

nocturnal: That's the Light we know

gravityman: He gave me a little kiss right after handing me the food, I feel like that is noteworthy.

air: it is!!!

air: bc after light beats up five people, he and garland have a staring contest and their emotions? i could feel them

air: it went from garland's disbelief to light regetting smthing to garland feeling sad and then light feeling sad too, they both looked away like this is some romance anime

zoom: oh mcfucking

air: ik their pining?

light: I do not pine after Garland.

air: dont lie to me mr pretty boy, you diuthjelkwfs

ace: excuse them, bartz is being choked by light (playfully)

ya: PLAYFULLY?

ace: its something light does

ace: anyway i can continue this now

ace: Keiss saw Light kiss Layle and also left, so did Belle, then Garland called the ambulance and told us to leave

ace: we're in the office right now testifying for Garland

zoom: garland???

ace: he told them he beat the five people up

zoom: oh

water: no cameras out front?

september: They removed them after continuously catching students making out near the fences outside. They deemed it unnecessary and instead continued with them inside the school. There is one facing the entrance on the inside, however.

water: makes sense

whither: So Garland took Light's fall?

ace: not... not really

light: He's taking the blame, but the staff know I did it.

light: They won't do anything about it, of course. But they know I did it.

light: The students were a pain for them too. I only hit each of them once anyway - aside from the leader.

light: I can call it self defense.

air: air is back

hoo: yes you are air, hi air!!

air: no my oxygen

air: oxygen in lungs is back

hoo: oh

air: i think im gonna

air: sleep for a bit

zoom: light,

light: He hit his head on the table beside him.

light: He's bleeding.

zoom: LIGHT,

light: I'll tell the medical professionals.

ace: can someone tell Kurasame I won't be in my class's dorms for a while

ram: Of course! I'll tell him right now, I just passed him in the parking lot.

ace: thanks ramza

chat for nerds (Today at 4:34 PM)

fire: um

fire: funni times i knowbut

gunsexual: What's wrong?

fire: uhhh

fire: somnething bad happendd

gunsexual: Take a deep breath. Continue at your own pace.

hoo: you dont need to tell us right away if youre stressed!!

fire: thank you both uh

fire: im sorry give me a moment

zoom: hey, take your time, vaan

zoom: if you need more time then take the time you need

september: If you want us to stay silent as well, then all you need to do is ask.

fire: nono please dont stay silent

fire: im sorry its kindof important??? so

water: again, dont need to tell us rn if you need time

fire: no uits fine reallt im just

fire: im cryign rn

fire: ./cri

water: oh god okay

air: hey! its alright if you tell us in dms too, in case the multitude of people are stressing you out 

air: just know none of us would ever be mad at you trying to take your time with this

fire: thnaks guysnhhbsdj

fire: okkkaasyyy uhh

fire: reks,,,,,

fire: reks is dead

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Yesterday at 4:40 PM)

water: oh my god

zoom: shit dude

air: jeez man, i'm sorry about that

fire: nono its okay

fire: ive gota uhhgh

fire: gp

fire: ho

fire: go

fire: gotta go

fire: ill probBly be gone for a bit, ill pop in here and therr

air: take care vaan, reach out if you need anything of us

fire: thanks

chat for nerds (Yesterday at 5:25 PM)

water: so ik its not my place to pry n whatnot

water: but i did a bit of digging

water: on the current situation

water: because it is NOT a coincidence my father disappeared when i got home too

zoom: what

water: oh shit did i not tell you guys

cl00d: No. No you didn't.

gravityman: I would like to request context.

water: $50

gravityman: I would like to buy context for $50.

water: bought for $50

gravityman: I'm on your porch.

water: jesus fuycking christ he gave me 50 bucks

air: layle you flaunt your money like its mcfukin nothing

gravityman: Yes.

water: ok so context

water: i got home today rite

air: rite.

water: yep

water: and the yesterday my father had a game right

zoom: uh huh

air: i saw that game actually!!

air: the team annihilated in the semi-finals

water: ikr, he's smthin else

water: anyway so the day after a game he's usually home resting with his friends

water: like braska and auron and that other guy, right

air: right...

water: but braska, auron and wakka's older brother were there and none of them saw jecht that day

water: so i called caius about it

earth: You called Caius?

water: yea

earth: How?

lightning: His number is always on the front cover of the school newspaper. The kids are being paid by him to keep it there until he graduates.

earth: Oh.

lightning: Actually, Gaius's number is on the back.

earth: Wait really?

lightning: I'll tell you about Gaius after.

water: thanks

lightning: Just continue.

water: aight then

water: so yeah I called caius about it like half an hour ago and he tells me about reks's death????

fire: what.

water: hey, so caius has info about your brother's death?

fire: he has what.

water: i'm sorry to ask this of you but what do you know about his death right now? 

fire: uhh

fire: not much actually

air: feel free to stop texting whenever if you're going to tell us anything

fire: no, you guys have the right to know

fire: especially ramza

ace: wait let me get him online.

ace: lets continue this after he gets on? this will probably take a while.

fire: ofc

water: fine with me

chat for nerds (Yesterday at 5:46 PM)

ram: I am sorry I took a while to get online.

ram: Things have been... 'chaos' would be the right word here.

water: :0 need a place to vent?

ram: Not really.

ram: Well...

ram: Actually, maybe.

water: go on, stage is yours

water: no interruptions

ram: Thank you, Tidus.

ram: And I don't really know how to explain it, but it's as if ever since the beginning of the school year, things for me have been extremely... busy.

ram: The issues presented between my mother and father's sides of the family have risen and Alma and I are in the middle of it all, being the half-children of the Beoulve and Lugria lines we are.

ram: My brothers have gotten troubles put onto their own shoulders because of these threats and Alma's not been the best either, not to mention I am now being shoved between both families because neither my father nor mother want to deal with what's happening anymore.

ram: I'm thinking of just... staying over at a friend's place until they get it sorted out. Or renting out a student dorm, seeing as I have the money.

ace: not trying to interrupt, so asking permission to speak?

ram: You're free to speak whenever you want to, Ace.

ace: thanks.

ace: you could always stay at the class 0 dorms, you know.

ace: they really like you, and they actually asked me when you'd visit again because they miss you.

ram: Really?

ace: cinque has been annoying me the most about it, but even kurasame asked about you.

ram: Kurasame... your father?

ace: yep. also my class's commander, but yeah.

ram: Ah yes, I remember you mentioning this earlier.

ram: But we can talk about this later. Tidus?

ace: ....Tidus?

ram: Is everyone offline?

fire: no, i'm still here

hoo: ive been reading!!

ya: ME TOO.

gunsexual: That would be the case for me too.

gravityman: Yes.

fire: thats weird

fire: usually there's always at least.... bartz online from the original people in the gc

fire: or cloud or squall lurking in the chat, but they'd answer by now

ace: think something came up?

ram: Likely.

ram: I'll talk to Kurasame about letting me stay at your dorms.

ace: no worries, he's in the staff dorm's living room reading.

ace: i'll go annoy him about it.

ram: Thank you.

ace: dw about it.

fire: wait

fire: hold up zidane just dmed me a cat meme

ace: a cat meme?

fire: yeah

fire: wait hold on

chat for nerds (Yesterday at 7:46 PM)

ace: ...guys??

ace: heard what happened from caius, he felt the need to tell me about it all.

ace: uh.

ace: tomorrow's friday, right? i'll treat you guys to the nearby diner on saturday if you guys would like that.

fire: i think they would

fire: ill see if i can talk to each of them tomorrow

ace: thanks, my schedule tomorrow is kind of tight.

ram: I as well, I'm coming back to school whether my father likes it or not.

ram: Leave Squall and Terra to me.

hoo: i can grab the 11 ppl!!

ya: CECIL AND SNOW ARE IN MY ELECTIVES. I CAN TALK TO CECIL AND GET SNOW TO TALK TO LIGHTNING'S SISTER.

gunsexual: I am a well known troublemaker, and happen to get along very well with a few Grade 9 people I know. I can probably find out what happened to our troublemakers from the grade.

gravityman: I know the Scions of the Seventh Dawn club in our school, and I'm good friends with it's members. If there's anyone you can't get to, I probably can. I'll also see if I can find out the details of the joined attackers, as well as what happened to Luneth.

hoo: i can also have seifer threaten ppl!!

ace: i have class 0 on my side, they know what's going on too.

gunsexual: I'm sure Garland is well aware about Light's problems right now. I can talk to him thanks to Fran being part of the duel club, and can likely get the duel club to cooperate.

ram: I can likely coerce some of my dad's hireable coworkers that owe him favors to hunt people to me.

gravityman: Keiss's dad, Vaigali, can probably help me with info gathering. We're still on good terms, Keiss is too scared to tell him about our little... situation.

ram: I also know Shadow from Terra's friend group. I can likely talk to him about this too, considering he owes Terra a lot for helping him out.

gunsexual: I can also talk to Kain and Rosa, thanks to Cecil openly being friends with Vaan. We've chatted on few occasions but we know each other well enough.

ya: ARE WE GOING TO GRAB THESE PEOPLE?

ram: Yes.

ace: anything to make them pay for messing with them.

fire: thanks everyone

hoo: u should rest!!! we have the rest

fire: are you sure? i can help

fire: somewhere

gunsexual: Vaan, please.

gunsexual: Leave this to us.

gravityman: You're all helping me with Keiss, right? That's enough.

hoo: getting seifer out of his lil obsession w squall is payment!!

ya: WHAT RAI SAID.

gunsexual: You got me out of my bully habits that were on the worse side of me.

hoo: its all ok!!

gunsexual: We owe you anyway.

fire: thanks so much i might cry again

ram: Me too.

ace: i don't cry but my GOD this will make me shed tears.

hoo: u should get sleep rn!! we will talk more later

fire: thanks again

ace: just send a shout if you need us, alright?

ace: ramza, go to bed.

ram: Right, right.

ace: no go to bed rn.

ace: stop sending me funny cat memes.

ram: But...

ram: Cat memes.

ace: ramza pls i beg of you just sleep.

ace: king's going to wake up from the notifs

ram: Fine.

ram: ...One more.

ace: oh my GOD.

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Friday at 6:43 AM)

water: uhhfhghdhg

ram: Tidus!!

water: hi

gunsexual: Are you alright?

water: ye

water: bit tired ngl

ace: you should probably get more sleep then.

water: but

water: i just slept for like

water: ever

water: didnt like my dream either

water: which is why i want to stay awake

gravityman: I've managed to get most of them to the nearest hospital, they recently emptied the people out from the hospital from the gas station incident.

ya: ONLY RECENTLY?

gravityman: I don't know. Ask the nurses and whatnot.

gravityman: Anyway, the only people suffering from major injuries are Bartz and Terra.

water: ?? bart?

gravityman: Terra was caught alone, so they managed to get her down bad before anyone came along.

gravityman: Bartz locked up when they appeared so he wasn't much help in trying to fight. He was with Luneth and Zidane too.

water: hold up

water: did yall coordinate this shit

gravityman: Yes.

gunsexual: Yes.

ram: Yes!

ace: yep.

ya: YES.

hoo: yep!!

water: damn ok then

chat for nerds (Friday at 10:32 AM)

fire: so when were you guys going to tell me garland is fucking massive

water: what

fire: THE GUY IS THE HEIGHT OF AN ACTUAL FUCKING TRUCK

fire: ONE HAND COULD COVER MY ENTIRE STOMACH AND CHEST

fire: the guy's BUILT i am jealous of you light

water: he could probably strangle you too

fire: could he?

gunsexual: Shall we test it?

fire: ;-;

chat for nerds (Saturday at 3:13 PM)

water: this place just aint the same without bartz huh

fire: yea....

september: I have news.

water: aw fuck

september: Good and bad. Which do you want to hear first?

gravityman: Bad.

gunsexual: Likely bad.

water: bad

fire: bad

ace: bad.

hoo: fuu says bad!!

september: There's multiple.

september: Get ready.

lightning: Jeez.

september: First set of bad news is that Bartz and Terra both will not be out of the hospital for some time - this could range anywhere between a week to the rest of the month.

water: but.... it just turned to november :(

september: That's the point.

fire: D: ?

september: Their injuries ensure they'll stay for at least a week, but the incident could have been harder on them than it was for us.

september: Recall that both Bartz and Terra have experienced this before.

water: wait terra????

ace: oh yeah.

ace: uhhh around the time we were in like grade 7, it happened.

ace: bullies tried picking on her, but she wasn't having it and pushed them. one fell down and hit their head bad.

ace: they all collectively like beat her up, likely ramza and i got there quickly.

gunsexual: You knew Terra in Grade 7?

ace: no, but we became friends after that. we were hunting the bullies and they got expelled.

ace: anyway yeah thats what we call trauma.

water: and bartz is bc of that one time?

september: When he was attacked in his room, yes.

water: makes sense

zoom: boo

water: a

zoom: tidus someone is knocking on the door and is calling your name

zoom: i think they got the wrong room

water: tell them that then stupid

zoom: i did but they wont leave :(

zoom: their name is like ooron

water: O O R O N ?

zoom: oron?

water: AURON?

zoom: MAYBE?

water: IM OMW BESTIE

september: Tidus!

september: You aren't supposed to get out of bed yet!

chat for nerds (Today at 7:10 PM)

air: did you guys die for a week?

water: BARTZ

cl00d: Are you even allowed to be on your phone right now?

air: probably not lmao

air: but they put it in my dresser and told me i could call someone to pick me up later after my surgery so there's that

squall: Surgery?

air: yeah so

air: there was glass in my body lmao

water: wot

gravityman: What?

air: so yeah there was glass in my body and they needed to get it out

air: so yknow how we were sent in on the morning of 2nd or 3rd

air: yea i had surgery that day bc it was slow and no one else was in emergency

earth: Are you recovering fine?

air: im fine yes

ace: terra!

ram: Hello Terra!

earth: Good evening!

ace: are you hurt as bad as him at all?

earth: No, just a hit to my head. I'll be fine if I don't move a lot.

earth: But I've been sleeping on and off for a while...

earth: Tell me more about your surgery, Bartz?

air: oh ok

air: well idk i cant say much but the glass was stuck on my thigh

air: like the bottom?

water: oh ouch

air: yea

air: it was stuck there

air: they had to like open it and take it out and then stitch me back together lol

water: oh no

water: not the lol

air: lol

water: :cold_sweat:

air: anyway, i'm being held in solitary confinement until november like 20-something

air: idk i was pretty like... lucid after surgery so i heard them say smthin like that

water: what will we ever do without you :/

air: you can keep me updated on the drama while i am gone

zoom: you got it boss

Chapter Text

chat for nerds (Today at 10:21 AM)

nocturnal: So

air: oh god noctis is starting the convo today

nocturnal: When were you guys going to tell me

nocturnal: The person from our fc is in my 10AM elective class?

air: what person

water: which one

nocturnal: The elezen guy

water: oh the uh

water: shit what was his name

zoom: which one are you thinking of

nocturnal: the one with pink eyes brown hair pink highlights

noctunal: 100 height? he's tall and attractive

air: whore?

zoom: W H O R E -

water: I JUYST FUCKING SPIT OUT MY WATER THANKS

september: Great.

air: WAIT HES IN YOUR ELECTIVE???

air: whats your elective ill ask him to talk to you tomorrow

nocturnal: Our 10AM one is woodshop

air: sweet

light: His name is Horufette.

september: His full name is Horufette Astillieux.

air: he did claim "the internationally confirmed biggest whore" title for himself though

zoom: DID HE REALLY?

nocturnal: I can see why

nocturnal: He looks exactly the same as his ffxiv character

air: w H A T ?

water: pics or it didnt happen

zoom: theres no way

nocturnal: thisbitchbelike.jpg

air: no way...

water: oh my god

whither: I did not think it possible....

nocturnal: Why does he get to be attractive in game and irl

air: this is unfair, i want me and my character to be attractive :sob:

zoom: bartz stfu your characters hot asf

air: tell that to my 17 commendations

zoom: little hyur man

air: HE IS NOT LITTLE?

zoom: YOU PUT him at 5

zoom: 5

zoom: height

zoom: i do not want to hear it from you

zoom: my miqote looking ass is taller than you

light: Why is your character at 5 height?

air: NO BC I THOUGHT BEING ANYWHERE ABOVE 10 WAS A CRIME?

air: my character is 17 years old and I refuse to take criticism about it

zoom: in dragon years maybe

air: HEY

chat for nerds (Today at 11:12 AM)

earth: How have you missed him this whole time?

nocturnal: Seating mostly

nocturnal: Our old teacher is on leave for some reason so we have a long-term replacement teacher

nocturnal: She told us to call her miss Darcie and she had us stand to introduce ourselves so she remembers us better

nocturnal: And that is how I heard her say "Horufette Astillieux" and I looked at him so fast I think Prompto got hit with whiplash too

zoom: we should add him to the gc

gravityman: I don't think he'd accept.

nocturnal: Why do you say that?

gravityman: He looks very friendly, but he doesn't actively speak to anyone outside his friend group.

gravityman: You know, the Scions?

nocturnal: Right.....

zoom: major ffxiv fans there

gravityman: Yeah. He doesn't like being close friends with too many people.

gravityman: The closest you'd be able to get to him is possibly Alphinaud or even Alisaie, who are both in Grade 9.

nocturnal: Who?

gravityman: The twins with white hair?

nocturnal: Oh, those two.

gravityman: I'd say give it up until Bartz gets him to speak with you, so he doesn't feel threatened by you sneaking up on him.

nocturnal: Guess I'm waiting then.

chat for nerds (Today at 11:43 PM)

lightning: Alright.

air: ooo?

air: lightning starting the convo now?

lightning: I need a decoy.

air: :0?

lightning: To pose as who I'm dating.

air: WHAT?

lightning: No questions asked for now. I need a decoy.

lightning: Right now.

nocturnal: with prompto, cannot

air: ,,,,obviously not me

lightning: None of the Grade 9 or 10 people either.

lightning: Unless it's Firion or Squall, maybe Terra.

whither: I'm being taken out for lunch, sorry.

squall: Terra and I are in a class detention.

zoom: with your phone?

squall: Only customary for the only person in the class that can kick the teacher's ass.

zoom: seems about right

lightning: There go my younger options.

lightning: Cecil?

september: I would, but I'm not taking any chances at the moment.

september: Something is wrong with Rosa and Kain, and I'm going to find out what.

lightning: Checks out.

lightning: So my options are Light and Cloud.

cl00d: No thanks.

lightning: Light?

light: Where are you?

lightning: Out by the back where Caius usually is. Hurry up.

lightning: I'll answer everyone's questions when lunch is over.

chat for nerds (Today at 12:12 PM)

lightning: We're in place, Bartz.

air: oh!!! ok ok ok uh

air: did you grab ace?

ace: remind me why i'm here?

air: bc :)

air: ready to vc, everyone?

light: I am ready.

lightning: Ready.

september: Ah, a moment.

september: Ready.

ace: ready.

cl00d: Ready.

air: balthier, i'm gonna start the call, you can join after

air: if anyone else is gonna join, stay on mute

(air started a call that lasted 53 minutes.)

gunsexual: My phone is giving me trouble, hold on.

chat for nerds (Today at 1:14 PM)

zoom: the one time i actually pay attention in class is the time shit goes down

zoom: what did i miss

air: not much

air: i have time so lemme tell you when more people are on

whither: I am here.

fire: same!!

squall: What did we miss?

earth: I'm here!!

ram: As am I.

water: boom

air: anyone else?

hoo: fuu is with me!! we r here

nocturnal: Yeet

air: yote

wholewheat: I've got a free period to do whatever but it's not going to last long

wholewheat: Type your stuff out and I'll check again later

air: alright so

air: we did another thing

water: oh jeez

air: remember the thing we did with Layle :D?

fire: oh god

gravityman: Right, I'm here.

gravityman: You did another fake boyfriend thing?

air: yep!!

air: you guys are lucky the matchmaker knows the entire layout of the school by hand

whither: Why do you know the entire school's layout?

air: yes :)

whither: Alright...

air: okay so this time

air: we're making lightning's crush jealous

water: hold up

water: i think we missed a few chapters here

air: take it away lightning

lightning: Fine.

lightning: There's a girl in two of my elective classes, and now my homeroom.

lightning: She joined my homeroom during the week Bartz was off, but she's been in my electives since the beginning of the year.

lightning: She's a transfer.

air: they keep exchanging glances with each other like lovebirds

lightning: If you don't shut up I'm going to march down there and strangle you.

air: im sorry forgiveness plkease

lightning: Fine.

lightning: Anyway, her name is Fang.

lightning: You might have seen her around. She wears this blue scarf thing around her uniform.

whither: The lady that helped me when I dropped my lunch after laughing at me on Friday?

lightning: That's her.

water: nevermind you're crushing on that lady