Chapter Text
Silver Wolf takes a drag from her cigarette as she lounges in her sunbed by the pool, switch on her lap and a can of cider in her other hand. Chatter, loud music and splashes can be heard from 30 or so teenagers wreaking havoc in and around her home. Silver Wolf’s Mother is away for the weekend, a perfect opportunity to throw a pool party.
She normally doesn’t care about these things, she’s a loner. One of her friends promised to buy her that new game she wanted if she let them throw a party here. That was an offer she couldn’t pass up since her allowance has been limited this month, she's already spent 700 on gacha pulls. Plus, why not get some exp for her popularity level?
Silver Wolf looks up and groans as she spots her “friend”, Herta approach her, a stern look on her face. She quickly puts out her cigarette.
Their Mothers run a small company together, forcing them to see each other often to both of their dismays. “What’s with the bitch face, Herta?”
“First of all this party is undoubtedly breaking noise pollution laws, secondly, why the fuck are you throwing a party!?” Herta crosses her arms over her chest and leans down slightly to get to the other girl’s level.
Silver Wolf rolls her eyes and moves her sunglasses back down to cover her eyes. “What? Can’t a girl be popular? Besides, someone brought a boat load of alcohol.” She giggles and waves around the can of cider in front of Herta.
Herta swats the can away and glares at Silver Wolf. “Underage drinking now? You aren’t even 18 yet - no one can verify the ages of each individual here. You’re just asking for trouble.”
Silver Wolf feels her annoyance building up, she takes a sip from the half empty can before throwing it towards Herta, purposely missing her but splashing some of the alcohol on her dress. “Fuck off if you’re gonna be such a sourpuss, also last time I checked, no one invited you!”
Herta storms off without a word, Silver Wolf doesn’t even bother to make amends, opting to continue drinking and play some pokemon. The party continues for another hour or so before sirens start wailing. “Shit, shit!” Silver Wolf drops her switch on the floor in a panic as the rest of the partygoers flee the scene.
Two hours pass and Silver Wolf is currently sitting in a holding cell, bored out of her mind. “Ugh, I’m so bored. I bet Herta snitched…” She spots a guard sitting outside the cell. “Hey, you! When can I fucking leave?”
The guard, having no patience for this brat doesn’t even look in her direction and continues reading his newspaper. “Your Mother is on her way, mind your language young lady.”
Silver Wolf gives him the middle finger and sticks out her tongue, it’s not like he could see her anyways.
Ughh can Mom hurry up and get me out of here? She better have a McDonalds waiting in the car for me, I deserve it after being practically held hostage for so long.
After a while Silver Wolf’s mother arrives to pick her up, and she looks PISSED.
“Finally! What took you so long, woman!? I’ve been so bored it physically hurts.”
Silver Wolf’s mother doesn’t utter a word and silently escorts her to the car, which doesn’t include McDonalds. She slouches down in the passenger seat, and glares at her mom. “Where’s my treat for having to go through such a traumatic experience today? Jesus Christ Mom, that's the least you could do. Fuck this I need a cig.” Before Silver Wolf even has the chance to light her cigarette, her mother snatches it from her hand.
“Be quiet. I can’t begin to express how disappointed I am in you, Silver Wolf. My home is in complete shambles, I had to bail you out of jail, you stink like cigarettes and booze, and on top of all of that you are giving me attitude! Do you really think I would let you off that easily?”
Silver Wolf pouts in response. “I really don’t see what was so bad about all of that. I mean we’re rich so who cares if the house is destroyed..”
Her mother starts the car and lets out a loud exhale. “You seriously see nothing wrong with this? I’m at my wits end with you. Believe me, this won’t go unpunished.”
Before Silver Wolf could let out another snarky response she hears her mother mumble under her breath. “Why can’t you be more like your brother and sister..”
The rest of the car journey is eerily silent, Silver Wolf’s tough girl persona is faltering slightly, but she doesn’t feel a hint of regret for her actions. She lets out a yawn as her eyes feel heavy and she drifts off to sleep in the passenger seat. Once they arrive home Silver Wolf grabs her switch and heads to her room. An hour passes and her Mom hasn't come up, surely that's a good sign right? Maybe she’s been let off after all.
The next morning, Silver Wolf wakes up and drags herself downstairs to get some breakfast. To her surprise not only is her Mother sitting at the table, but also her older sister Bronya, as well a man she doesn’t recognise - all with serious, yet slightly unreadable expressions on their faces.
The unfamiliar and professional looking man speaks up first. “Ah, so you must be Sylvia Wolf Zaychik-”
Silver Wolf scrunches up her face at hearing her full legal name and interrupts. “Nope, no, no no no. Just Silver Wolf is fine.” This grants her a stern look from her mother.
The man continues, “Well, Miss Silver Wolf, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Welt Yang.” And puts out his hand for her to shake, which she does so hesitantly.
Silver Wolf looks over at Bronya and her mother bewildered. “So uhh what’s this all about? And Bronya, why are you visiting?”
Before Bronya has the chance to speak up, their Mother decides to explain the situation. “Silver Wolf dear, Welt Yang is the Principle of an esteemed boarding school in the Countryside.”
Silver Wolf grabs some leftover pizza out of the fridge and starts munching on it. “Ok? No offence I don’t care about any of the fancy people you bring here to make business deals with or whatever. I’ll be up in my room gaming now, k?”
“Stop right there young lady!” Her Mother shouts, causing her to stop in her tracks and turn around with a hint of sass. Silver Wolf makes a gesture with her hands for her Mother to continue. “Mr Yang is not here for a business deal, but to enroll you into the Astral Express boarding school.”
Wait what??
Silver Wolf drops her pizza slice and when the reality finally sets in she pouts and crosses her arms. “Nuhuh. No fucking way I’m going to a boring boarding school in the Countryside, I bet they don’t even have internet there!”
Welt interjects, “Actually you can access the internet on school computers, but of course it will be much more limited. There’s a cable telephone provided in each dormitory too.”
“CABLE?” Silver Wolf screeches, this is the worst day of her life. “This must be considered child abuse or something! I will simply DIE without my video games. How will I use character ai to talk to my digital girlfriend now? Do you want me to be heartbroken? Is this what you want MOTHER!?”
Bronya speaks up for the first time. “Silvie, please calm down. Seele went to this school when she was a teenager, and she really enjoyed it. I’m sure you’ll make lots of friends there and-”
Silver Wolf redirects her anger towards her sister now. “I don’t care about what school your damn wife went to, ‘Mrs Perfect!’ I don’t need friends when I have games and cigs to keep me company! No way I am going to let you all send me to a school that's going to turn me into a boring prude like Herta of all people! It’s always ‘blah blah be more social Silver Wolf’, but the second I throw a party this happens??”
Bronya looks a little hurt from Silver Wolf’s words but doesn’t say anything, looking downwards.
After an hour of heated arguments Silver Wolf unwillingly goes to her room to pack, grumbling the entire time. “Stupid school. Stupid Mom. Stupid Sister. Stupid Bro- actually he’s chill nevermind. S-stupid life.” She flops onto the bed and begins crying into her pillow. She doesn’t want to go to this dumb school.
She wipes her tears when she hears a soft knock at the door. “Hey, can I come in?” It’s Bronya, she's like, the second to last person Silver Wolf wants to see right now.
“No. Fuck off.” Silver Wolf shouts.
“I brought your favourite sweets.” Silver Wolf will not fall victim to this manipulation, something as small as sweets will not fool her. And that's exactly why she opened the door and let Bronya inside.
The atmosphere is slightly awkward as Silver Wolf inhales her sweets and avoids eye-contact with her Sister. Bronya decides to make the first move. “Look.. Silvie, I know this isn’t something you want to do. And I know how unfair it all seems right now but please just promise me you will at least try to mature while you’re away?”
She pauses for a moment before continuing,
“Me, Mom and even our brother Moze all care about you deeply but if we don’t step in now you could potentially end up in jail one day from your antics. We can’t allow you to keep hurting others, as well as yourself.”
Silver Wolf fights the urge to roll her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I don’t really believe that ya know? Mom just wants me to be perfect like you..”
Bronya frowns slightly at that, she doesn’t want to admit it, but it is true. Instead of saying anything else she pulls Silver Wolf into a hug, which she hesitantly reciprocates. After a few moments Bronya pulls away and grabs something from her bag.
“I can’t send my sister away without some parting gifts huh?” She places the items in front of Silver Wolf, a rabbit plushie, a framed photo of her, Bronya, Moze and their Mother, and finally, a portable wifi router. WAIT! a portable wifi router??
Silver Wolf grins and jabs Bronya lightly. “Whaa Bronya! Not so perfect after all huh? I mean t-thanks, I suppose.”
Bronya lowers her voice and smiles. “Hide your devices well though, they check rooms often, Seele told me. But please don’t break any rules other than that, okay? Anyways, need help finishing up?”
Silver Wolf nods and they pack. It actually feels nice for Silver Wolf to bond with her sister for once, she would never admit that out loud though.
For the sake of keeping the peace she behaves a little, she definitely has a few tricks up her sleeve but they can wait until she gets there.
Once finishing up packing they depart, the journey to the boarding school is long and boring. A few stops had to be made on the way because of Silver Wolf’s motion sickness, she begged her Mother to turn around the car a dozen times.
After what felt like a century they finally arrive, her mother and Bronya wave goodbye to her, as Mr Yang takes her through the front gates. He informs Silver Wolf that another student will give her a tour soon and bring her to her dorm, before leaving to go to a teachers meeting.
Hopefully it's not someone like Herta.
Noticing she’s alone she lights a cigarette and looks at the building. It was old, fancy and in Silver Wolf’s eyes - boring. What a drag. Classes must be ongoing since the courtyard is completely empty. As she tosses her cig to the floor she hears footsteps behind her, must be the tour guide. But never in a million years she would expect to hear that familiar voice again, not after that day a few years back.
“Silver Wolf!?”
Silver Wolf turns around to look at the girl.
“Sparkle!?"