Work Text:
THE BAD KIDS!!:
areyoumydad: anyone seen Adaine today yet?
The Ball: I saw her this morning, why?
areyoumydad: we were supposed to have a free period together earlier
The Ball: maybe she’s was in the library, @adaine ?
areyoumydad: nooo i checked the library
Fig: she wasnt in wizard class earlier
Bill’s dad: Fig you are a Bard, what were you doing in Wizard class?
Fig: idk it sounded fun
The Ball: have you attended any bard classes this year?
Fig: yeah but i thought it was a rogue class so that doesnt count
kristen: ??????
The Ball: anyway, Adaine. Where is she? Do we have any leads? Come to think of it, she didn’t notice me this morning and i tried to wave.
areyoumydad: well she’s not in the library :(
Fig: i can look for her im not in class rn
areyoumydad: do you have a free period?
Fig: no
Bill’s dad: Good luck, I suppose.
The Ball: let me know if you need me to investigate further
Fig’s POV:
Fig’s gotten pretty good at knowing the layout of the school, on account of attending classes in every department. She knows the Wizard timetable well at the moment, and heads to the class that Adaine should be attending. She pokes her head into the room, smiles at the teacher (who gave her an A last practical) before scanning the room and failing to find Adaine.
“Hey, teach, where’s Adaine at?”
“Not so sure, Fig. She sent me an e-crystal to say she would not be in attendance today. On one of the school’s crystals, though. Perhaps she went home sick?”
Fig knows Adaine would never.
“Okay, thanks for the help!”
“Of course. Don’t forget, spell-work due tomorrow morning!”
Fig feigns shock, “I would never!” and leaves, her concern growing.
THE BAD KIDS!!:
Fig: shes not in her class
areyoumydad: hope she’s okay????
The Ball: doesn’t she have this chat on mute?
Fig: oh right
Direct message, Fig -> Adaine:
Fig: yo adaine ur not in wizard class r u alright
Fig: adaine? yk i can see u read the message?
Fig: its been like 5 mins u good?
Adaine: In the PE cupboard
Fig: what
Adaine: The big one
Fig: okay that’s better i guess??? coming
Adaine: No it’s okay
Read by Fig
FIG’S POV:
“Adaine, are you in there?” Fig’s standing outside the sports cupboard with all the Bloodrush equipment inside.
She hears a very soft murmur in response, “Mhm.”
“Can I, uh, come in?” It feels almost silly to ask.
“Mhm”
She opens the door to see Adaine nested between some bollards and a training dummy. Her knees are pressed to her body and she looks so small amongst the equipment made for players twice her size. Her chest is noticeably heaving, and Fig frowns as she glimpses the girl’s watery eyes.
“Adaine did someone hurt you because I swear I will-“
Adaine furiously shakes her head.
“Is this a panic attack?” Obviously it is, and Fig thinks it stupid to have even asked. She slides down on her knees in a perfect punk-rock style that would have been enviable in another context, “Hey, it’s okay. Can you breathe for me please? Just like, five in and then hold and five out?”
Fig hopes Adaine can’t tell how much she’s bullshitting this advice, she’s not sure how much it’s helping.
“I’ll count it for you, okay? One, two, three, four, five…” She continues the mantra until Adaine’s breathing seems to have steadied somewhat, the counting aiding her to catch her breath. Fig watches Adaine’s face intensely as she looks up, wringing her hands together. Fig holds out her own hand, and her friend slowly takes it after some internal debate.
“Want me to just… talk for a bit?”
“Yesplease.”
“Okay, sure. So, I’ve been in some of Porter’s classes and that dude is up to something, I just gotta figure out what the fuck it is. Oh! Also, I wrote this new song for the band me and Gorgug are forming. It’s about the Bad Kids and it’s gonna be SICK, you can hear it early if you want. Don’t worry, I’ll portray you like the badass you are and…”
Fig continued rambling about all sorts until Adaine had noticeably calmed down. She had shuffled closer, and was now shoulder to shoulder with Fig.
“You had us worried, girl.”
“Sorry.”
“No, no! Sorry. It’s, like, alright of course. I know I don’t usually have my heart on my sleeve but I care about you a lot.”
A hint of a chuckle appears in Adaine’s eyes as Fig says this, though Fig doesn’t know why.
“Let me just send a text real quick. Is it good if I tell them, no detail?” Adaine nods and Fig sends a text with one hand, still holding her friend’s in the other.
THE BAD KIDS!!:
Fig: shes alright guys dw, just having a kinda shit day
Bill’s dad: Well it is good to hear she’s alright.
kristen: okay let me know if you guys need anything, you’re my friends
kristen: also i get extra credits for humanitarian aid at the moment
The Ball: I don’t think this counts as humanitarian aid Kristen
kristen: eeehhh okay. point still stands though
Fig: ty <3
FIG’S POV:
Fig shows Adaine the ‘humanitarian aid’ comment, and she chuckles timidly, but immediately goes back to staring at the ground and looking guilty.
“So, uh, do you wanna talk about it?”
Adaine shrugs, “Not much to say really.”
“Oh, okay. Well we can just sit around for a bit.”
“It’s okay, you can go if you need”
“Adaine I was literally skipping class, you’re good.” Adaine nods, still looking unconvinced.
“Riz said you didn’t say hello this morning, was something up?”
“Oh. I didn’t? I’m sorry, I-“
Fig cuts in, seeing the panic fill Adaine’s eyes again, “You don’t have to apologise. He really didn’t seem that fussed, you know him.”
They sat in silence for a moment until Adaine spoke up, “…I had a bit of an argument with my dad last night. It wasn’t- it was nothing new but I- it got to me, I guess. Then I missed the bus this morning because I didn’t get to trance long enough so I walked - well, ran - here and then I just couldn’t catch my breath and I tried to attend class earlier and-“
“Adaine. You’re good. Slow down, it’s okay girl.” She squeezes Adaine’s hand in both of hers. Adaine looks almost conflicted.
“Okay. And then I panicked before class and I guess I just legged it and now I’m here.”
“Okay, thanks for telling me. But… you know you can just text me if you need? Or, like, any of us. Though, like, not sure I would personally message Fabian, he may threaten to slit your heart out for you.”
“I just don’t want to be a burden. It is my problem, you know. Not yours.” Her eyebrows are knitted together, speaking sternly and pursing her lips.
“Adaine, you have never once been a burden to me even a day in your goddamn life. And your friends are literally here to help you. Do you, like, want a hug?” she pauses, “Or whatever.” Mysterious façade maintained.
Adaine blinks and mutters an extremely soft and quick affirmative. Fig responds by throwing herself in the young Elf’s direction and wrapping her tightly in a hug. Fuck the façade, she thinks. Nothing more punk than skipping class to help a friend. Adaine’s face is pressed closely to her chest and she takes a second to return the embrace, her arms sticking up awkwardly for a second before softly gripping onto Fig’s back. She sniffles.
“This is quite nice.”
“Fuck yeah it is. You can just ask for one if you want. Gorgug’s are really great, his hoodie’s so soft.”
“Mmm, I bet it is. Sounds nice right now.” Her voice is muffled against the leather jacket, “Tired.”
“Wanna sleep? I know a spot.”
“I’m an elf, we don’t need sleep.”
“Well, yeah, but do you want to?”
“Mmm… I only got a short rest last night.”
“You didn’t get four hours of trancing in?” Adaine shakes her head.
“Okay, we’re going to Mr Gibbons’ old office. He put some comfy-ass chairs in there.”
Direct message, Fig -> Gorgug:
Fig: meet in mr gibs old office? got adaine here
Gorgug: i’m in class right now!
Fig: trust me dude porter wont notice if u leave also bring ur hoodie
Gorgug: hurtful, but okay. also i’m wearing it.
Fig: okay great
Read by Gorgug
FIG’S POV:
Fig leads Adaine to the old school councillor’s office, “I’ve texted Gorgug to come meet us.”
“Okay. Maybe I should just go back to class? I feel a bit better.”
“Addy, absolutely not. You’re gonna fucking burn yourself out if you carry on like this!”
“Alright, I suppose. I’ve done tomorrow’s homework anyway.”
“I haven’t.”
“You… don’t have to? You’re not a Wizard?”
“Don’t put people into boxes like that Adaine.”
Fig fiddles with the lock on the door for a moment, clearly experienced in cracking it open. She grabs Adaine’s hand and leads her her to a plush couch in the corner of the dimly-lit space. Adaine gingerly lies down and closes her eyes, with Fig perched on the end. They both hear a polite knock on the ajar door, and Adaine jumps slightly, though they both know who’s knocking.
“Uhh, hey guys?”
“Hey Gorgug! Come in, we need your hoodie.”
“But I like my hoodie?”
“You can stay too.”
“Thanks?” He enters the room and glances at Fig concernedly, who messages him in her mind,
“panic attack. i’ve calmed her down though. can you give her your hoodie?”
“How are you messaging me in lowercase?”
“youll get there someday bud”
Gorgug approaches Adaine and, slightly reluctantly, takes off his hoodie, “Hey, Adaine. Hope you’re doing okay. Here.”
“Mmh, thank’s Gorgug,” she replies, as he cloaks her in the hoodie. He stands there, a little awkwardly for a second, before leaning down to give the girl a quick hug.
“Okay, um, I should go now. But text me later, okay, Adaine?“ She nods.
“Want me to go too?” Asks Fig.
“Could you… could you maybe stay? I’m sorry, you don’t have to.”
“Nah, of course I can.”
“Thank you.”
Fig shifts slightly closer to Adaine, suddenly feeling quite self-aware. She looks down at the elf, who blearily opens an eye before resting her head closer to Fig’s thigh. Fig hesitates, then gently begins to run a hand through Adaine’s hair, happy to hear a soft hum of contentment in return.
“Sleep good, Adaine.”