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Agott was a mysterious girl.
She was reserved, pouring her energy into something literal, something that would benefit herself and only herself. She had no time to ponder over anything that didn’t bring any utility in her work.
She was a steadfast student in her studies, concentrating all her desire solely on magic to benefit — not anyone in particular, but rather herself. It boiled down to her main goal of completing all the tests on her own accord. To prove her status as a true witch. Keeping herself focused on the task at hand, to perfect her spells in each stroke of her pen.
But she was passionate even in ways not really visible to an outsider. She may seem uncaring or cold to those around her, but it was easy to notice the whisper behind her ear that guided her forward, to care for others even if she didn’t want to. Something of her innate mind that drove her to compassion.
To Coco, even if all this were true, Agott was beyond mysterious.
With a very loud, very defeated sigh, Coco let her head drop into her folded arms. The brushbuddy quickly hopped out of the way before it could be attacked by her melancholy. A little annoyed huff escaped it as it trotted off the table, passing over her work. Multiple loose pages were scattered across her desk, a small vial of ink already half empty in the corner. She let her eyes peek over her arms before pushing the papers forward and out of view. They were filled with scribbles, ranging from actual words to mock spells drawn haphazardly on the side.
It was just the beginning of July, the sun gleaming through the window and casting light through the room. Normally, Coco would be ecstatic as summer was in full swing. But, as a resident of Qifrey’s atelier, there were other, more important tasks than just relaxing. Just a week from now would be Agott’s birthday! It was of utmost priority to Coco. She had to get the most wonderful, amazing, perfect gift for the other girl. If only she knew what exactly that could be.
“What to get her, what to get her…”
“Mumbling to yourself again, Coco?”
A bundle of light pink popped out in the edge of her vision, prompting her to lift her chin and glancing over. She was met with Tetia’s bright smile, a hint of teasing glittering in her eyes. Upon seeing her friend’s downcast gaze, however, her smile immediately fell. “Oh! Are you feeling alright?”
Coco nodded, fully lifting her head and resting it against her hands. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just…” she trailed off, waving a hand in circles. “You know.”
Tetia put a finger to her chin, humming thoughtfully. “Do I? I can see your spells and ideas, but… Huh!” She leaned over the desk, eyes widening. “I see! This is for Agott, isn’t it—?”
“Shh!!” Coco interrupted, clasping her hands together over the other girl’s mouth. They both glanced at the very much open door of the room. The light inside the room faded a little. A cloud must have blocked the sun for a moment. After a few beats of silence, she let her hands drop. “I can’t let her hear. It’s a surprise.”
“I know that part. But why are you so sad, then?” Tetia sat down next to her, her head tilting curiously. The brushbuddy happily settled itself in her lap and let out quiet purr-like noises. “Isn’t this supposed to be fun?”
“Well… yes,” Coco started, pouting a little. Her eyes fell back onto the pages in front of them. “It would be, if I could figure out what to get her. I know what she likes, I know what she dislikes. I was thinking, maybe something practical, right? But what…”
The girl beside her hummed again, fiddling with the ends of her hair. “She’s a little difficult to read, isn’t she?” she mused. “Master Olly helped me pick out a new cloak for her. It’s something I know she’d like to receive, since her old one is getting a bit small. But, it’s also the sort of gift you’d expect from me, huh?” She flashed her a grin. The rays of light returned, the cloud having passed over. The brushbuddy’s noises skyrocketed as the sun passed its warmth through its fur. “As long as you get something that she will like, and see you in it, I’m sure she’ll love it.”
Coco looked away from her bright gaze. “I suppose you’re right. I just want this to be perfect.”
“I get what you mean.” Prodding the brushbuddy off, Tetia hopped up, her dress gently flowing around her. “Don’t stress too much over it. I’m sure any gift from you is bound to make her smile!”
Meeting her eyes again, the blonde girl smiled shyly. “Thank you, Tetia.”
“Thank you! I’ll see you later, okay?” She started to turn and head out the room, before stopping abruptly with a little hum. Then she spun around halfway, leaning to the side. “Maybe you could talk to Mastery Qifrey and Master Olly. I’m sure they’d be happy to help.”
Coco nodded, waving to her goodbye before returning to the papers scattered in front of her. They looked a little daunting, covering every inch of the wooden desk. But her talk with Tetia helped loosen the weight off her shoulders. She pondered for a moment, tapping her cheek with a finger. Something that Agott could see Coco in… What could that possibly be? Something strictly practical, simple and minimalistic in its design? Something decorative, bright? Something wholesome? Did it have to be just one way?
What could be specific to Coco, that Agott could recognize at any moment?
It was a little hard to tell from Coco’s own eyes, obviously. Perhaps a visit with her guardians could enlighten her a little. A different pair of eyes that saw her regularly.
“...Master Qifrey? Do you mind if I come in?”
The aforementioned man looked up from the task at hand. A few days after her talk with Tetia, Coco had found him in the kitchen, cutting up some ingredients to prepare for lunch. Thankfully, Agott was nowhere to be found; possibly out with Mastery Olly for the time being. Qifrey passed a warm smile at the girl, his eyes crinkling slightly. “Of course, Coco.”
The girl skipped forward, fiddling with her hands. “Would you like to help, while we talk?” Qifrey continued with a knowing smile. “I suspect it’s something important.” He pulled a stool to his side with his foot, nodding for Coco to step up. As she did so, he passed her a mountain apple, along with a small knife and a bowl filled with fruit skin. They worked in silence for a few long moments. Qifrey didn’t push, letting Coco take the time to find her words.
Then, she finally spoke, her voice small and hesitant; “It’s Agott’s birthday soon.”
“So it is,” he said with a hum. “Have you prepared a gift for her yet?”
“That’s… what I wanted to talk with you about.” Coco set the apple to the side, completely bare of its soft skin. She reached over and grabbed another as she continued explaining. “I can’t seem to figure out what she’d like.”
“Hm? No idea at all?” Qifrey questioned, fixing Coco’s handle on the knife, murmuring something about you’ll nick yourself like that. “That’s unlike you.”
Coco pouted. “I just want to give her the perfect gift. Tetia said I should pick something that still has something me about it, but I don’t really know what that could be.”
“That’s a good way to think about it,” he said thoughtfully. He paused for a moment, thinking. “I see the way you help in any way possible. Perhaps the gift can be of great use to Agott.”
She nodded. “I had started there, but anything beyond that is difficult to figure out. I’m not sure what could be a bother that she hasn’t figured out a solution to, yet.”
“It doesn’t have to be a solution,” Qifrey offered. “Just something kind.”
Coco faltered at that. Agott was a very straight-forward person. She wanted to fix issues with simple solutions, and that was that. There was no need for anything more. If there wasn’t a problem (or if it was solved to begin with), then there was no point for something beyond that. Would she really want something more than practical?
“Don’t think about it too much, Coco.” Qifrey’s soft voice interrupted her train of thought. He plucked the half-peeled mountain apple from her hands — the last of the bunch — and trimmed the remaining skin. “You’ll know when you find the right gift.”
“Oi, Qifrey, what’s it that— oh, hello Coco.”
The pair turned around to find Olly leaning against the doorframe, Agott and Richeh trailing behind him. Coco stiffened at the sight of the former girl, turning away in a hurry. Agott didn’t pay any mind to her reaction, though, walking off to her room.
“Olly!” Qifrey greeted, smiling brightly. He turned to the girl beside him, who was still trying to make herself look busy. “Coco, thank you for your help. Do you and Richeh mind cleaning a place to eat?”
“I hope the food’s almost done.” Richeh said, plopping a basket down on the floor by the door. Coco hopped off the stool and reached her side. “I’m starving.”
“I think it is,” Coco replied as they made their way into the main room. “We were just cutting up some sides.”
They went to work fixing up the table, smoothing out a large sheet and laying out cutlery. Richeh was very precise in the setup, placing everything straight and neatly. As she carefully lined each one, Coco would steal nervous glances her way.
Eventually, the smaller girl let out an exasperated huff. She turned around with her hands on her hips. “What is it?” she asked. Coco perked up with a confused hum. “You keep looking at me. And your forks are the wrong way.”
At that, the blonde girl looked down at her work, blinking. Her forks were placed downward, unlike Richeh’s own tidy placements. She hurriedly fixed them with a sheepish smile. “It’s about Agott, isn’t it?” the other girl continued.
“H-Huh? What do you mean?”
“I saw how you looked at her. You’re nervous about her gift,” she said matter-of-factly.
One thing about Richeh was her almost freaky ability to read others. Coco, who wore her heart on her sleeve, was easy to her. Even a slightly different glint in her eye couldn’t be missed. “You caught me there,” she giggled nervously, wringing her hands. “I’m still working on it.”
“It doesn’t have to be all elaborate, you know,” Richeh said, waving her hand mindlessly. “You know Agott well enough to know that she’ll be happy with anything you give her.”
Coco faltered at this. “But it can’t just be anything, right?” she argued. “It has to be a really good gift.”
“A ‘really good’ gift can be simple.” Richeh pointed at her, making sure her point was really setting in. Her expression was stern as she met Coco’s gaze. “Just do what you do best.”
The girl let out a groan, letting her head fall forward limply. “Everyone seems to be telling me this.”
“They’re right, y’know.” The blue-haired girl finished setting the table and brushed her hands along the front of her dress. “I know you. You overthink everything, even this.” She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice softening. “But I also know you’ll figure out something good, no matter what. So stop stressing.”
There was a tumbling noise further down the hall, and Tetia announced her arrival, along with Agott. Their conversation was finished. Richeh nodded her head once, proud of her words, then shuffled to her seat. Coco stood dumbly for a moment too long before realizing and hurrying to her own spot.
Dinner went by as normal. Tetia recounted stories of her day, too busy talking to eat the food in front of her while Richeh took yet another round of helpings. Agott listened quietly, chiming in every now and then. Coco, who would usually talk alongside her, stayed fairly silent, prodding her food. She was in very, very deep thought, but no one stopped to question her. By now, they all knew about her problem at hand.
After they all finished eating and cleared the table, she ran up to her room, toiling away at her desk even as the sun set much later. Come morning she’d find her way in front of Olly’s door, paper overflowing from her arms and a determined twinkle in her eyes.
Only two days now. Her gift would be finished, and perfect.
Coco was starting to second-guess herself.
Sure, she was proud of her gift. In fact, she couldn’t have been happier when she finished it while situated in the middle of Olly’s room, blueprints scattered around her and tools thrown about. She kept the gift stashed away under her bed, in a little, inconspicuous box (the actual gift box was hidden in another, just beside it. Tetia had helped her decorate it the night before).
But, now, she was wondering if it was… too much. Too little? Either way could work.
Agott was sitting with the other girls encircling her, Olly and Qifrey just a few ways away, and the brushbuddy was curled up beside her. Coco fiddled nervously with her hands as the girl went through the other gifts. Her words didn’t give too much away, and neither did her expression — but they could all tell she was excited with each gift, her emotions floating inside and out of their view.
All that was left was Coco’s.
She held the box tightly in her lap, fingers gripping the corners. Agott was still tinkering with Olly’s gift — a sort of puzzle — with the other girls looking over her shoulder and throwing out suggestions every so often. Maybe if they kept at it, Coco could find an alternative and be back before they noticed…
A hand suddenly touched her shoulder, ever so gentle, but she still jumped at the contact. She turned to see Qifrey smiling down at her. “Go on,” he murmured, looking at the gift in her hands. “I’m sure Agott is excited to see what you’ve been busy with the past week.”
“More like the past day,” Olly piped up, rubbing the side of his face. “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone procrastinate worse than me, and then here comes Coco.” Qifrey shushed the other man with a chuckle as he returned to his seat. Coco paid no mind, too nervous to argue back. She was still trying to steel her nerves and hand the gift over.
“Coco?”
Ah. Agott beat her to it.
“You’ve been holding that box since the start,” she said, raising a brow. Tetia was grinning at her, and Richeh was still poking at the puzzle. “Are you planning on keeping it for yourself?”
“N-No!” Coco stammered, sitting up straight. She fumbled with her words for a few more moments before giving up, holding the box out to the other girl. Agott blinked at it before slowly taking it from her. As she slowly opened it, Coco’s fingers tapped at her knees, and her eyes were looking anywhere but the subject at hand.
It was silent for a long moment. A very, very long moment.
Then, some stifled giggles.
And more giggles.
All from one person.
Coco blinked rapidly, startled, as she glanced at Agott. The girl was holding onto the gift with one hand, the other covering her mouth. She carefully let it slip back into the box and used both hands to cover her face as her laughs grew.
“H-Huh?”
Okay, sure, her gift was a little funny. But she didn’t expect that sort of reaction.
Inside the gift box sat a little lantern, carved from a light wood by Coco’s own hands (and Olly’s careful instruction, of course). A few delicate spells were carved at the bottom inside the lantern. A little switch at the front would complete the circles, lighting the lamp with…
Little, glowing, fluffy, round owlcat puffballs.
Actually, maybe that reaction was fair.
Coco remembers the night that Agott showed her those sigils she liked, when neither of them could quiet their mind enough to sleep or draw. They were all beautiful, majestic. Something Agott wouldn’t typically enjoy, but still… they were her favorites. Especially one particularly odd spell. And, to Coco, those silly owlcats made their mark on her heart. Agott sheepishly admitted her love for them, waving Coco away when she tried to get her to talk about them more. They were cute, and funny. Something to give the girls so much joy in the night.
Something Coco thought would be useful, but entertaining, if done right.
“Are… is this the sign I showed you… that one night?” Agott finally asked in between her giggles. Tears were forming in the corner of her eyes from all the laughter, causing her face to redden. Her smile was wide, wider than any of them had possibly seen.
With another blink as she processed this moment, her cheeks warming bashfully, Coco nodded. Her shoulders lifted to her ears in embarrassment. “I just thought… It would be fun to have. It’s a lantern, see? Something useful, but still cute. Like, when you said it helps you when you can’t think of what to draw, I thought— well, you need light when you work, right? And if this is the light, then it can… inspire you, or—or something—”
“Coco,” Agott interrupted her rambling, hands still covering her face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh like that.”
“Then— then why are you laughing so much?” Coco asked in worry. “It’s not that funny, is it?”
“No, no it’s… it’s just…” Agott giggled again, peeking through her fingers. Her eyes were bright with joy, crinkled at the corners as she smiled. “It’s just so you, Coco.” The other girl let out a confused noise, looking back at the gift.
“Well, I know magic means a lot to you, and… usually you like useful things,” Coco mumbled, blushing harder.
“Sure, but this is very cute too.” Agott wiped her eyes, taking a moment to catch her breath before passing a genuine smile her way. “Thank you, Coco. I really appreciate it.”
“Um. Y-Yeah. Happy birthday, Agott.”
It took a while for Coco to finally calm her rapidly beating heart and explain the actual contraption. Agott hadn’t actually turned the switch yet, having only recognized the sigils inside it. When she did, however, all the girls burst out laughing at the little owlcats floating gently inside. Even the brushbuddy found the object curious.
“Coco, what is that?”
“They look so funny!”
“So this is what you labored over??”
Once all their laughter subsided, Coco broke down her process, with more or less detail. She had drawn out the whole idea, and at first tried to alter an already existing lantern. Although, that proved difficult and besides, a unique lamp would be better, right? So, with Olly’s help, she was able to carve out wooden pieces, then heated glass, to create the actual object. As for the spells, the contraption was quite simple, really. Part of the spells’ outer circles were drawn on a lower tile of wood. When the switch was spun, so was the tile, and with it the lines would appear to complete the sigil. There were a few of different sizes scattered, so as to create multiple different owlcats.
In regards to the spell’s origins, however, the story was kept a secret between the two girls.
Maybe the gift was silly — but it brought a smile to everyone’s face. That’s all that mattered. And sure, maybe its use was a little impractical. After all, using some owlcats as a light source could be a little distracting to the work they were illuminating.
Even so, Agott was steadfast, Coco knew that much, as much as she was crafty. It didn’t just have to be a lamp to work beside. Agott could just appreciate it all the same. It would still give the joy it was intended to bring. Whatever purpose she used it for was out of Coco’s control. She could see it as a lantern leading the girl through the halls in the middle of the night; and as a lamp to allow her to see at her desk; and as decoration, in general.
And if Coco noticed a nightlight lulling the other girl to sleep, a much lighter color than normal candlelight, who is she to judge?