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Rain.
By itself it’s not unpleasant persay, although, Schlatt’s never enjoyed it when the heavens opened up above him and pour. He hates the rain. Maybe even more than he hates Wilbur Soot, but he avoids it when he can.
He can’t always escape it, unfortunately.
It was a sunny Thursday evening, Schlatt was teaching solo for the first time and Philza was watching in. This was his chance to get hired, he could teach one of the few things he felt passionate about. The class was going great, sun filtered through the white silk curtains, and the Royal French Orchestra played through the speakers. Schlatt was supposed to teach them the upcoming audition opportunity for an international exchange programme in dance. He could already see the potential students. Phil sits by the door watching intently, writing something down every so often.
Schlatt took pride in his teaching. Singling out students when they made obvious mistakes, helping one-on-one if needed. He’s been told by other teachers, ones that have been here much longer than him, that students appreciate his bluntness; saying it helps them learn faster. Even Technoblade finds his lessons fun to sit in on, though Schlatt kicks out Wilbur if he doesn’t need to be there.
When he spots a trouble spot for the whole class, he’s broken from his thoughts. He goes to pause the music, this causes a few students to stumble.
“There’s a tough bit I saw a lot of you mess up on. I want you guys to review the video i assigned and come back next week with a cleaner turn. If you need help, just let me know, okay?” He pauses, seeing all his students' heads bob in agreement “Great, Get out.”
Students shuffle to take off their pointe shoes and file out the door. Schlatt talks to a few students individually, but he doesn’t mind. “Vaeri, you really need to work on your leaps. They keep getting sloppier.”
The girl's shoulders slump. “Of course, sir.”
“If you need a break, that's fine.” He explains, brows growing closer “I know life gets hard sometimes.”
Vaeri looks up at him and nods. “Thanks professor.”
The rest of the students leave and Schlatt moves to pack his own bag and head home for the night. He hears Phil move to his side. “That went well, don’t you think?” The headmaster says.
“They keep getting better.” Schlatt replies, hoisting his bag onto his shoulder.
“There are lots of candidates for new teachers, but I think your spot’s guaranteed.” Phil smiles, “Good job mate.”
Schlatt can barely catch himself before he starts cheering. He calms his emotions and nods at Phil “Thank you sir.”
Phil nods and leaves the room. Only then, does Schlatt allow himself to celebrate “LETS FUCKING GO!”
The man jumps around the room, whooping and cheering to himself. He laughs as he goes to grab his bag and leave, wondering if Puffy’s place is open. A sudden clap of thunder makes his whole body freeze.
He turns to the windows, dark stormy clouds have replaced the blue skies. He quickly hurries out of his room. If he runs fast enough he can get to his car and beat the rain. He runs down halls, dodging students and teachers alike. The sound of his shoes hitting the marble floor echo off the walls of the empty atrium. The large oak doors swing open, but Schlatt stops dead in his tracks.
A thunderous down poor grates at the man's ears. He stumbles back, covering his ears. Memories begin to rise in his mind. His eyes sting at them, even after years he can’t forget.
The pavement’s cold and wet. His jacket only protects him so much from the elements, he’s put his raincoat over the cardboard box in hopes to keep Neofytos dry. The younger in question shifts in the box, making J stumble. His baggy sweat pants can only hide his digidegree legs so much. Asking for help would be pointless, nobody in the village likes his kind; in fact they wanted his kind dead. He opted for a semi-dry looking alley. He kicked away a few beer bottles before putting his bag against the wall for him to lean on. He puts Neofytos down next to him, the child is asleep, thank Dionysus for that. The boy looks at his hands, calloused, bruised and bleeding in some places. He remembers the harshness of his foster fathers words while he was being thrown out the door. “Take your hellspawn brother with you, you demon!” He screamed, pushing J out the door. The wife had been kind enough to simply hand Neofytos to him along with his bag of things. She had whispered a quiet apology and a prayer to Apollo for him.
J knew Apollo wouldn’t help him, Dionysus wouldn’t even answer his prayers. J didn’t know when his eyes started to sting, or when tears slid down his face, he only heard shouting. He peeked out from around the trash cans to his right. He saw torches and swords. His heart beat up in his throat, breaths came out panicked. Shouting followed, ‘I think I saw something!’ J decided there was no better time than now, to ask for help from the Gods. He quickly pulled out a small vial of his own blood and one of wine. Yanking the coat off the top of the box, he took a drop of each and smeared them on the temple of his baby brother.
“Hail Zeus,” He began hastily. “I call upon the blessing of Proteus; allow my brother to be able to choose when he can show his Satyr lineage. I ask this due to the circumstances; for I will forever be in your debt if you allow this. Hail Zeus.”
J finished the prayer and looked back to his brother. The liquid on his temples began to glow and his yellow sheep legs turned to normal human ones. J let a joyful sob tear from his throat. He silently thanked all the gods for their mercy, before grabbing his bag and booking it out of the alley. He sent a silent apology to the baby in the soaked cardboard box ‘I’m so sorry Sundrop.’
Yelling followed him through the alley.
He never looked back.
“-att? latt!? Schlatt!?”
The newly appointed teacher jolted from his own mind. He registered hands holding his wrists, he tried to fight them off. Tears slipped silently from his eyes.
“Schlatt! Calm down, it's me!”
Schlatt slowly met the eyes of the person holding his wrists. Wilbur Soot’s worried eyes looked back at him.
“Let go, lover boy.” Schlatt hissed.
Wilbur did as he was told, backing away from the man. The rain hadn’t let up, if anything it’s gotten worse. God, he just wanted to go home. The pounding of the rain against the pavement dilled into his brain, making him want to curl up against the marble wall. Wilbur hadn’t left, still sitting across from him.
“Do you need help?” Wil asked quietly.
Schlatt looked up at Wilbur, then looked around. His heart plummeted when he saw his phone sitting just out of reach in the downpour; can’t call Puffy.
“I need to call someone, can I borrow your phone?” Schlatt asks quietly.
Wilbur nods and pulls out the device, handing it to the man. Schlatt quickly dials Puffy’s number and waits. She picks up after two rings.
“ Hello?”
“Hey Puff, It’s me.” Schlatt mutters, his voice scratchy from crying.
“J??”
Her worried voice filters through the phone. “Yeah…”
“Where are you? I’m sorry, I didn’t realise it was raining-”
“I’m still at work, Lover boy’s with me.” Schlatt said, sending a tired smile to the brunette “Could you hurry?”
“ Yes, I’m in the car now, see you in a bit.”
“Thanks Puff.” Schlatt says, hanging up the phone.
He hands it back to Wilbur who takes it with a small thank you. The two sit in awkward silence, Schlatt occasionally jumping at the claps of thunder that shake the ground. He can feel Wilbur’s eyes on him.
“What?” Schlatt snaps at the man; he gets a pitiful look in return.
“Are you okay?” Wilbur asks quietly.
Schlatt looks up at the teacher; his colleague. “I’ll be fine. it happens”
Wilbur nods. The sound of a car makes them both turn their heads. Puffy rushes out of the driver's seat and over to Schlatt. He doesn’t think he’s ever been so happy to see his sister. He feels his eyes sting as he’s wrapped in the warmest embrace. He buries his face into Puffy’s shoulder and lets quiet sobs shake his frame. Eventually Puffy ushers him to stand and move to the car. An obnoxiously large umbrella is opened over him as he climbs into the car. Puffy exchanges a quick apology and ‘thank you’ with Wilbur before moving into the driver's seat. Only when the car has started moving does Schlatt allow himself to let the tears run freely down his face. Puffy looks over concerned.
“You okay, Bounder?” She asks quietly.
Schlatt looks towards the moon, underneath it the city that gave him hell. Feeling the magic run through his veins he looks over at Puffy.
“I’m gonna find him.” He says.
“I’m going to find Neofytos.”