Chapter Text
This was turning out to be an awful day
Idia woke up that morning to a blaring alarm. It felt like he had only finally fallen asleep a minute ago. As he opened his eyes in the brightly lit room he saw Ortho staring at him shaking his shoulder.
"Nii San, you overslept." Ortho spoke in a deadpan tone clearly unhappy knowing his brother probably went to bed late again.
Idia on the other hand was unbothered. He knew it wasn't all that important considering he didn't even need to show up to class at all.
Clearly ortho was a mind reader because the next words he spoke shook him wide awake. "You need to be in class today."
Idia sat straight up and grabbed his phone sitting on the bedside table. Checking the calander and...of course.
Ortho was always right. While yes Idia was allowed to skip the in person class cutscenes, avoiding everyone, due to recent circumstances involving overblots he was required to show up to SOME classes. That's why Ortho was so especially adamant about waking Idia up today. He was quite pleased about forcing his older brother into class. More importantly leaving the room at all was a massive improvement to the little robot.
He now only had about 10 minutes to be out of the dorm before he was officially late to class.
He quickly got out of bed, Ortho was quite obviously already done and ready to go but he stayed. To watch Idia struggle or to simply stay by his side I guess we'll never know.
None of his things were packed into his bag, he wasn't dressed this was already turning into a complete disaster but he wasn't going to walk into a fight under leveled without any equipment, that would be a rookie mistake.
First things first he brushed his teeth as fast as possible. Perks of having literal fire hair is that he really doesn't need to style it or anything so that's one step he can avoid for now.
Looking through his mess of a closet he got dressed and grabbed his jacket but once he put it on he made a horrible discovery. There was a rip in it and a small burn.
This was most likely due to an incident from yesterday in the dorm, caused by a freshman who decided their very dangerous gardening robot needed new arms and a flamethrower.
Being the housewarden he had been forced to help de-escalate the situation. He did manage to to leave mostly unscathed and it wasn't an uncommon occurrence in the dorm for new experiments, and tests and such to go wrong but clearly his jacket hadn't left as unaffected as him.
He definetly didn't have the time to fix it and he had two dreadful choices. Wear the slightly ruined piece of clothing or wear the school uniform.
Idia could write an essay on every reason he didn't like and didn't wear the uniform. He did wear the pants and shirt but usually not the vest, blazer, and tie. He hated how it felt and how it looked on him.
He didn't have time for this. He decided that maybe for just one day the full uniform would be fine...maybe. He could do this. He'll live. "Just one day" it's not like he'd be the only person forced to wear it.
Seriously though uniforms were one of the worst school mandated rules ever conceived. It was borderline idiotic. Especially when no one enforced it. No one REALLY cared. Well except Riddle but he was so uptight. Idia was shocked he hadn't burst a blood vessel.
Bag finally packed Ortho left just as he was finishing. He'd insisted the humanoid go ahead of him. Ortho smiled with his eyes and one could imagine the spikey grin under his mask.
If only Idia could be that excited about going to class.
As he exited his room full uniform and a packed bag he took about two steps into the hall before turning around. He now had about 2-3 minutes.
He grabbed the jacket and wrapped it around his waist. It felt to weird leaving without it and if anything it was a slight comfort to him. It was a constant that he wore everywhere he could at this point. That fact was the least concerning thing about him no he will not accept any judgement.
Finally he was ready and checking his phone he saw he only had about a minute to get out of the dorm. Yeah it was time to leave.
》☆°•~•°☆°•~•°☆《
Made it! And he had a full 2 minutes to spare befire the bell rang, thank the God's. Luckily Trein hadn't arrived yet, a small mercy. This good fortune did not last very long. On a day where Idia actually remembered his classes and been more prepared he would have shown up early and sat in the back of class. Due to his late start there were very few available seats.
Also since this was Treins History class, seats in the back were pretty sought after. The only seat that could possibly be okay in terms of position was one next to Cater Diamond.
Yet another impossible choice. Sit at the front, or sit next to one of NCR's biggest extroverts. Being around Cater made him nervous and extroverts in general were not the kind of people he wanted to be around but, sitting in the front would probably be worse.
Feeling like everyone could be looking at him, every little movement, eyes on the back of his head. That plus the current state of his outfit, yeah he was just gonna sit next to Cater for now.
The ginger was on his phone probably going through his magicam so he wasn't paying much attention to his approach. As Idia put his bag down and took a seat Cater did finally look up.
"OMG hey Idia fancy seeing you here, love the new look!" :D
Was he talking in emojis now? Idia mumbled a quiet hello under his breath, not looking him in the eyes. Luckily there was no time to talk as Trein came in at 7:30 on the dot.
20 minutes in and 2 people had already fallen asleep. Trein focused in quickly on those students resulting in a slightly startling wake up call and the snickering of other students, though most could understand them.
It was a common occurrence for people to fall asleep in this class but the slight humiliation helped keep everyone else up.
Idia's other problem was the staring. People were looking at him he could tell. He didn't know if it was because of how he looked, something he did, or his clothes. Maybe he should have just worn the jacket over top regardless of the damages.
Another 10 minutes and he thought he was gonna fall asleep. He forgot how boring these classes could be. Cater had already dropped about 5 minutes ago but managed to wake himself up. Idia on the other hand was an idiot.
He stayed up late the night before thinking it would be fine. It was what he usually did but that didn't make it any better for him and his situation. His eyes started to close. BANG!
A heavy book was dropped in front of his face onto the desk. He was startled awake instantly and looked up to see the terrifying face of his teacher glaring down at him. He could feel heat rising to his face turning his face red. He just knew his hair was probably turning pink around the edges.
He quickly averted his eyes and pulled his hair over his shoulder as if to cover its strange color change. Now he knew everyone was looking at him, people who weren't used to his presence, people who didn't like him, people who thought he looked wierd, people who didn't care. He heard giggling. His heart sank lower and he already wanted to leave for his room again.
Trein turned his back and returned to the front of the room making marks on the board. Another sleepy student wasn't worth the lecture. At least he didn't get a detention. Cater gave him a slightly sympathetic look but had also been startled into alternate by the heavy textbook.
It's almost over, it's almost over then I can leave and stay in my room, get more gems and I'll have enough for the limited ssr character and no one will bother me. He repeated and continued his mantra in his head till class was over.
》☆°•~•°☆°•~☆•°《
Holy shit Idia was not gonna survive the rest if the day. He had already woken up late, been stared at, laughed at, been forced to wear an uncomfortable awful uniform, and yeah people had talked about him behind his back before but it was way worse in person.
He might actually have a heart attack. Ortho had film club later and Idia had been reminded of a hoursewarden meeting he was now obligated to attend due to the mere fact he existed and was already out of the dorm.
He also thinks Crewel was...glaring at him during alchemy? Maybe it was because Idia was the expert at having terrible posture, maybe it was consistently missing class or his posture who knows. All he knows is that the eyes he felt on the back of his neck made him even more uncomfortable. Why were his teachers so insanely terrifying.
Maybe he really is insane. He could be the evil mad scientist character in a show. A creepy annoying one. People used to make rumors like that after Orthos creation and they were impossible to escape.
Idia got out of that class as soon as humanly possible. At least nothing blew up. He was pretty good at alchemy, it was an easy enough subject to him and simple in theory. So no accidents there.
The worst part of the day had arrived, lunch. Okay so maybe not the WORST, (he was already dreading that houseearden meeting.) but lunch was an excuse for people to socialize and eat two things Idia didn't do together. Ever since Ortho joined the freshman class he began to sit with them at lunch and while he was happy for his little brother it also made him look even lonlier.
So now the plan was to take his lunch consisting mostly of bread outside. (Yes bread. He was a picky eater so sue him.) While he didn't like to go outside or touch grass most days this was an exception. Since the courtyard was mostly empty around lunch everyone instead choosing to sit inside with their friends where there was more space.
Finally a moment to breath. Things were gonna be fine.
What is he saying no they weren't.
He took a deep breath and ate his plain white bread in peace. Besides, it was good to touch grass for once.
》☆°•~•°☆°•~☆•°《
The end of the day was in sight and Idia couldn't be any more grateful. He had fallen on his face in flying class and while it was both humiliating and hurt pretty bad he had been excused from the rest of the lesson and sent off to be checked for a concussion.
He had already been cleared by the nurse and was getting ready to leave. Everyone had probably already changed and left meaning the locker room was empty now.
He made a quick beeline to change back into regular not gross PE uniform.
He changed retrieved his bag and attempted to leave for the "very important" housewarden meeting before he was stopped by the sound of thunder.
Great.....he had been unaware of any possible change in weather today so he of course didn't have an umbrella. He quickly shot Ortho a message to check in on him. He wasn't a fan of thunder and lightning or anything rain related.
Ortho had already returned to the dorm and was 100 percent safe. Now to focus on his own problem. The torrential downpour.
The meeting was happening in the other building so he would have to run in the rain if only for a moment. He just had to get out from under the awning and make a break for it. Not a very far distance. He should be fine. Just don't slip.
He grabbed his jacket still tied around him and held it above his head to minimize damage.
Deep breath then run. He couldn't help but hesitate for a moment. He had to move his feet.
He finally walked into the pouring rain feeling the drops of water quickly go through his jacket falling onto him. He heard the sizzling of his hairs flames burn out. Wet hair sitting on his shoulders. Bangs falling into his eyes.
Finally he made it back under a roof even though he was still late and now soaking wet. The things in his bag should've been safe since he added a waterproof liner.
Maybe he was late enough to miss the meeting. Nope. Missing the meeting was no longer an option. Some of the other houswardens had already seen him today and he was too tired to deal with an angry Riddle at his door.
He quickly made his way down the lonely hall until he reached the correct door.
A flash of lighting startled him further illuminating the hall.
He knocked on the wooden doors and pushed them open, he was promptly met with what could only be described as a scream of pure terror.
He could recognize the slightly high pitched yell as Kalim's. This didn't stop him from falling back slightly.
He scanned the room quickly already prepared to retreat after being startled, as close to the open door as possible while still being in the room.
Kalim latched onto Azul, Riddle stood at the ready one hand on the table other hand gripping his magic pen tightly. Leona had his elbows on the table resting his head only peering at Idia with one eye, annoyance clear in his features.
Also shockingly Malleus had arrived today. This was especially rare, and what are the chances it was on the one day he had to show for the meeting.
The dragon staring at him alone made him nervous. There was question about why so many students avoided or feared him. He didn't say a word though. Just continued to stare with a blank unreadable expression.
Idia tried his best to read people but Malleus was such a strange case if stone face stoicism.
Vil was quick to apologize from where he sat. "I am sincerely sorry about that, Kalim has been slightly on edge due to the storm." The white haired boy had let go of Azul and also apologized. Idia said nothing as he had gone quiet. All his senses simply stopped for a moment as he considered using his tablet Vil spoke up once more.
"I think you may be confused, are you sure you have the right room? We are currently having a housewarden meeting."
Huh?
Idia simply didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. Did he really look that different? Thinking about his situation sincerely he supposed he did. But this was so awkward he didn't know how to explain.
He stopped reaching for his tablet and simply replied, "Um... I'm pretty sure I know where I'm going." He pushed sopping wet hair out of his face, continuing to drip onto the floor. He remembered how wet he was from the rain in that moment.
The other houswardens looked at him slightly shocked. Now it was just plain uncomfortable.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you guys it's rude to stare?"
Riddle had quickly recovered, "your one to talk about manners. Your late." What a pleasant surprise, he had expected more yelling from him.
Leona was sitting up now. "Definitely the radish sprout, his attitude is unmistakable." The last part was only a little quieter.
Kalim began to approach him and had already gotten a little to close. "Wow Idia, I didn't realize you had hair underneath your fire. Can I touch it? Do you control the fire? It's pretty short now compared to before."
Immediately to many questions. He was clutching his bag in front of his chest. Azul was smiling that mischievous smile of his. One that made the hairs on someone's arm stand up.
"Kalim, he's still soaking wet give him some space. He just got here. You can ask him plenty of questions later we do still have work to do."
A blatant lie considering they never got anything done in these meetings.
After a quick apology Kalim returned to his seat. Idia moved to an empty space near Vil. Before he could sit down a towel hit him in the face, one thrown by Leona. The lion was already looking away.
He quickly began to dry himself as best he could. He didn't mind the fire being out for a while. It made him look more normal. His hair was a very dark blue almost black color. That could also be due to how wet it was. Other than looking like a wet rat it wasn't all that bad.
Vil cast a quick wind spell mostly drying off his clothes. Enough so he could sit.
"Uh...thanks Vil."
"Don't thank me, you were gonna get the chair wet. Why didn't you even use that spell in the first place?"
The question was more rhetorical than anything so thankfully he wasn't obligated to answer. He just looked over at the sophomores arguing amongst themselves. Definitely not getting any work done.
He did notice a set of intense eyes on him though and looked back at Vil eyeing him curiously. The dragin on the other side of him also hadn't ceased staring since he had arrived.
He began to fidget slightly, becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
Discomfort was basically his default setting. Nothing could be done about it.
"What kind of makeup do you use?"
The question from the blonde seated next to him was really unexpected. Especially when he didn't wear makeup in the first place.
He stumbled to make a coherent sentence through nervous stuttering. He really should get a grip on that, it made him sound like a cringe oc made by a nervous middle schooler.
"Sorry, I don't quite understand your question." Vil gave him a funny look.
"I mean, your completely soaked yet your makeup has yet to run at all or be ruined."
Oh. Duh. He forgot about the blue around him eyes, not to mention the strange color of his lips.
He often forgot about it since he wasn't always looking at himself like certain peacocks.
Once he realized he gave a different answer.
"Sorry, I can't help you much. It's just a weird randomized trait. Sometimes I put a bit of eyeliner or eyeshadow on but for the most part it's all just natural. I can't be bothered to do my makeup everyday." Especially when I don't even leave my room half the time.
Vil didn't stop staring though he did look a bit shocked.
"You mean to tell me you simply wake up each morning with a face of blue makeup, naturally?"
"Uh...yeah pretty much." If he wanted to think of it like that it was fine but honestly it had become more a nuisance than any help most of the time.
Vil continued to watch him, deciding to instead ask more questions. He answered all of them with short responses while simultaneously watching the clock.
That conversation ended with Vil recommending him a concealer and lip gloss. He supposed that was something...not like he would ever buy either but it was Vils way of being "nice".
The meeting was basically over and his hair was nearly fully dry. The flames would be back. He didn't like the blue fire, it was a constant reminder of his curse and it made him stand out more than necessary.
He faintly registered the bickering of Leona and Vil next to him, the sophomores having their own discussion about what he assumed to be homework, and the eyes that still hadn't left him.
Malleus had been staring at him for 30 full minutes for who knows what reason. The eyes never left him but they were not intimidating or filled with malice.
He finally looked up from the spot on the table he had been looking at trying to ignore the feeling of being watched.
He looked back at Malleus without making eye contact.
"Do I look that weird? You've been staring for a while now."
Malleus seemed a little startled as he looked at his hands.
"Apologies Shroud, I didn't mean to cause you discomfort. You simply look very different today. Not 'weird' or 'bad' as you might describe."
Idia didn't know how to reply, he had only spoken to Malleus a couple times but each occurrence made him nervous. His palms were getting a bit sweaty.
The fae spoke up again, "are meetings always like this?"
"Nah not usually. It's very chill right now, there's usually more arguing and it's a lot louder. I try to avoid showing up. You should've seen the place after Azul brought his deck of cards. Oof, that was a bad idea." He chuckled remembering the disaster that was 'game day'.
Malleus looked around opening his mouth to speak once more when Riddle stood up. "It is now officially the end of this houswarden meeting. I trust you to all show up again next week."
Yeah that was highly unlikely. Idia's hair had successfully returned to its normal, dry, blue flames all the way down to his ankles once more. He stood up quickly, becoming slightly dizzy almost immediately.
He stabilized himself and gathered his things. As he walked out the door Malleus called for him.
"Shroud, will you be coming to the merting next week. I will attempt to be here once more. It would be most pleasing to see you again."
Idia was confused. Did Malleus want to see him again?
"I-I dunno, maybe."
The fae smiled and a sly look went across his face. The cursed boy felt his damned hair turn pink at the edges his face turning a similar color.
"I hope to see you then."
Malleus left Idia standing dumbfounded in the meeting room. He was finally free to go back to his room and forget all about today.
He supposed not all of it was so bad though.