Chapter Text
Idia was holed up in his room as usual. The lights had been shut off, making the glow from his computer overwhelm the room. He had his favorite pajamas on and a blanket on his lap, not planning to leave for a while. It was a Saturday night, meaning he was free to play whatever game he wanted without worry. Which was perfect, because one of his live service games just had a new update, so he planned to play through the night.
He had just finished his dailies and was about to begin the new story, when he saw a pop up on the bottom right of is screen.
He had to do a double take, that couldn't be right.
For the past year, he had been monitoring the entire web for one board game. Settlers of the New World. It was an cult classic that had gone out of production and was now impossible to find.
There was a crazy elaborate set up (which miiiiight take up to two hours), but it basically was complete TTRPG system where there stories and fights were preplanned, so there was no game master. It might sound rigid, but thanks to the complexity of the system, it can be played like any other TTRPG and you could play alone or with two people. The complex system was probably the cause of it's poor sales. Screw the normies who couldn't appreciate it, they robbed the world of an amazing game. It wasn't available in shops or even online anymore. Idia has even missed his chance to get it in the past, just narrowly missing out on sales.
So after the initial shock wore off, he frantically clicked on the alert he had received. It seemed too good to be true. It was a local seller in Foothill Town who was clearing out things from their basement. They didn't even seem to know what they had and Idia had no problem taking advantage of that. After all, he would appreciate it for more than this person ever could.
They weren't even asking that much for it! 20 thaumarks! What a joke! They could be asking for at least a thousand.
Idia quickly messaged them behind the comfort of his screen, asking for all the details and making it clear he was willing to pay upfront. Everything seemed to be going well until Idia asked how they could handle shipping.
Gloomurai: I can pay for shipping, no prob
Gloomurai: Just tell me hou mch
SeazyBreazy: uhhhhh cant you just come pick it up?
SeazyBreazy: i made the listing so only people close to me could see it
SeazyBreazy: i dont wanna deal with the post office lol
Idia stopped and stared at these messages. He really wanted this game. Well, he had wanted it for years, but only started looking in earnest a year ago.
It happened at board game club, when he had been playing a game with Azul. The other boy had mentioned that he didn't mind if the game had a long set up time, as long as it was well structured and defined. This lead Idia to begin ranting about Settlers of the New World, going into the details of the systems and how long it would have taken to set up.
Idia had been expecting the reaction he always got. When people heard the set up time of the game, they acted like it was offensive. This meant Idia rarely brought it up anymore. He didn't even know why it suddenly all came back when talking to Azul.
To make matters even more confusing, Azul didn't seem grossed out by the concept. In fact, he was very interested. Telling Idia he would play if he ever got his hands on it.
Idia didn't know how to describe what he was feeling in that moment. But he definitely knew it was a good feeling. So as soon as he and Azul had finished their game, he put mass trackers all over the web trying to find it.
So now here he was. The only thing preventing him from having this game was meeting some rando in person.
Apparently Idia was stuck in his mind for longer than he thought because he saw another message pop up on his screen.
SeazyBreazy: you still there?
SeazyBreazy: no biggie if you cant pick it up I got a msg from someone else who can
SeazyBreazy: theyr saying they can pick up now
That lit a fire under Idia.
Gloomurai: Sry pick up is no prblm
Gloomurai: i was just getting rdy to head out
SeazyBreazy: k cool ill let the other person know it's sold
SeazyBreazy: See you soon
Idia's breath hitched as an address popped up on his screen. It seemed the seller was providing the address of a corner shop. It made sense they would want to meet in public, but it caused Idia to spiral a bit further.
He knew he had to get ready quickly, if he made the seller wait too long they would sell it to that other person.
Instead of getting ready, Idia opted to slam his head down on the table. He could just bail out…
The feeling of going out in public to meet a stranger felt bad, but honestly the feeling of not being able to play this game with Azul felt worse. So reluctantly he dragged himself up. Letting his blanket fall to the floor.
As he moved to his dresser he heard a soft knock on his door.
"Brother, are you awake? I heard a thump, you shouldn't be sleeping at your desk. It's bad for your back."
Ortho!
Idia grinned, this was perfect! Suddenly a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders and he wasted no time opening the door for his brother.
He must have looked bit manic because Ortho recoiled a bit when the door was opened. Or maybe the speed of Idia's response had shocked him.
"Your timing is legendary!"
"Is it?"
"Yeah, yeah. Listen, you gotta run into town for me real fast, I need you to grab something for me?"
"Eh? Why can't you get it? It sounds like it would be a good opportunity to get outside…"
"Just do me this solid?"
"But this will just be another thing I do for you. At this rate you'll never leave your room or interact with others."
"But this is for the game I've been looking for, to play with Azul…"
Ortho's demeanor suddenly shifted, "The acquisition of this game will cause you to spend more time with Azul Ashengrotto?"
"Yeah." Idia put on his best puppy dog eyes.
"That's wonderful! I will procure the game, I expect you to make plans with Azul Ashengrotto as soon as possible!"
Idia quickly passed along the meeting location and the needed thaumarks. He even gave Ortho his tablet in case anything went wrong. As his brother left, he crashed back into his chair to start playing his game again.
He had a big smile on his face while he played, but he couldn't help it. It all worked out too perfectly. Ortho would bring the game back and he would finally be able to play it with Azul. He had been collecting info on this game for years, he was excited to see Azul's reactions to the different mechanics and systems.
He was so excited he messaged Azul after a while. Unable to keep it to himself.
Idia: youll nver guess what
After sending his message, Idia waited for a reply only to realize the time. It was pretty late, knowing him, Azul was probably already in bed.
…
Was it safe for Ortho to be out alone this late?
Of course it was. Sage Island tended to not be a dangerous place. There were plenty of powerful mages around as well. Most people would think twice before causing trouble.
So yeah, statistically it was fine.
That's what Idia kept telling himself. But his mind kept conjuring images of his brother in danger, his brother getting lost, his brother getting eaten by a giant sand worm.
Before he knew it, Idia was changing out of his pajamas, getting ready to run into town.
The only thing that stopped him was his phone buzzing. Checking caused the tension to leave his body as he had received a message from Ortho. Actually it looked like a few messages.
Ortho: I've secured the game!
Ortho: It's in good condition and the seller was very kind! He even gave me a free nightlight! It's shaped like the moon!
Ortho: He enjoys games as well, perhaps the two of you would have gotten along!
Ortho: Maybe you could have played games together. We should keep his contact information.
Idia loves his brother, but he can't help but grimace at that last statement. Just cause someone also plays games doesn't mean Idia wants to talk to them. Let alone play games with them. Games are important him, he doesn't want to play them with just anyone…
Idia: Thx 4 picking it up
Idia: c u soon
Ortho: Yes! See yjonirdkjb 889y78uh djnscvkljnnkdf z;
Uhhhhhhhh…..
Idia: something wrong?
A moment passed where Idia was afraid to move.
It's fine. It's nothing. It's fine. It's nothing. It's fine. It's nothing. It's fine. It's nothing.
…
It's not fine, Ortho never takes this long to respond. In his panic he almost misses his phone going off again.
He holds it up to his face with more force than necessary. Hoping that it's Ortho saying he experience a minor bug and they'll have to patch it out. But no…
It's Azul?
Azul: What?
Idia is confused by the message for a moment, completely forgetting that he had even messaged the other housewarden. What's Azul even doing awake?
He mentally apologizes to Azul, but he'll have to respond later. The longer he goes without a response from Ortho, the most he feels like he's going to combust.
He suddenly remembers he sent Ortho with his tablet. He just has to check the location of it! He almost topples over is chair running the search.
But there's nothing? Not a weak signal, not even a ping for last location it could be tracked from. It's like it didn't exist?
That settled it. Idia was dressed and out the door in record time.
That's how Idia found himself heading to some random corner store in near the edge of Foothill Town. Hoping he can take the exact route Ortho was on and maybe find some kind of explanation as to why he's not responding.
The weather is as dreadful as Idia's mood. Dark clouds had rolled in, creating a slight drizzle and blocking out the sun. The only source of light now coming from the oil lamps that line the street and and the few bars that are still open. The cobblesone streets are starting to look like mini rivers, with water now flowing between the stones.
Idia had opted to wear his hoodie to cover as much of himself as possible. He didn't care if he looked shady, the type of people who were out right now, are not the kind of people he wants to interact with.
…and yet he sent Ortho out here to interact with one.
Seven, he was a terrible brother.
When he finds Ortho, he's going to try to interact with people more just for him. It's basically the only thing his brother ever asks of him…
He's stopped in his spiraling thoughts when he turns a corner. It's a slim alleyway, leading to the corner store Ortho had gone to. Normally he would have pressed on, but something caught his eye.
A small moon shaped nightlight.
He scrambles to grab it. Ortho sounded excited about this, there's no way he would have just left it in this bleak alleyway. As Idia's putting in his pocket, something next to it catches his eye. It's so small. So absurdly small. If he hadn't leaned down to pick up the lamp he would have never seen it. It's just so out of place.
Idia recognizes it right way. It's a sea butterfly, floating in a small puddle. it would be hard to mistake it for anything else.
But what's it doing all the way out here?
Idia has a horrible feeling in his gut. The sea butterfly reminds him of someone he knows all too well.
In a panic he runs into the corner store. Quickly grabbing an empty cup by the coffee machine before running back outside. Idia is so greatful the employee doesn't seem to care. He really didn't want to talk to anyone right now.
When he gets back to the puddle, he gently scoops the sea butterfly into the cup. Trying not to let his hands tremble as he stands back up.
He doesn't want this to be his brother, but as he begins to inspect all the routes leading from the corner store back to Night Raven College he can't see any other sign of Ortho.
Almost in a dazed state he walks back to his room. If anyone passed him, he didn't even notice. Too trapped in his mental spiral.
The first thing he does upon arrive to his dorm is place the cup on his work table.
He started to run a scan and can only sit there in horror as it reveals his worst fears. The techno-bio scan seems to be a perfect match for Ortho.
So he runs it again.
And again.
And again.
Until eventually he can only accept it. Something happened to Ortho. It was his fault.
But he has to be a good brother now, he can't get lost in his thoughts.
Ortho shouldn't be in a cup.
He begins constructing a suitable tank for a sea butterfly. He's not even sure how long it takes, but eventually he's depositing Ortho in a small tank that should be suitable for sea life.
But he's far from resting, as he then moves to his computer and begins to look into different types of curses and spells. That has to be what this is.
The internet is a good starting point. He uses it to find a variety of spell that match the description. Turning a human into sea life. But he's only able to find some spell names and no helpful information beyond that.
So he has to turn to the books from the school library. It's a good thing he systematically made digital copies of the books he needed from the school library. He didn't think he could handle talking to another person right now.
Lucky after searching thoroughly, he was able to find some promising results.
The only bad news was the cures. He could get almost every ingredient from the schools botanical garden except one.
Merfolk Slime?
For starters, it sounded nasty. But almost every single cure had this one ingredient in common. How did they even know to test this in the first place? Was this a common problem? Or maybe it's an issue merfolk have to put up with? Land dwellers trying to become a merfolk and them having to fix it…
Either way, he knew there were merfolk in the school. And there was even one he felt comfortable talking to!
But that's a weird thing to ask right?
Seven, if he asks Azul that, he may never speak to him again. He can't stomach the thought of Azul never speaking to him again right now.
But at the same time…
He's going to brave it for Ortho.
After all, Azul is someone he considers a friend on some level. He's even had him over to his dorm before! Granted it was to help with maintenance on Ortho, but that's a step beyond how he would interact with most people in his life.
He looked back at his phone for the first time since this started. It seemed Azul had sent him another message.
Azul: I'm going to assume you fell asleep. Please do let me know what's so exciting when you get the chance.
That was sent hours ago at this point. He really hoped Azul wouldn't be too mad.
Idia: Ahhh it was nothing
Idia: But hey could u meet me asap?
Idia doesn't expect to get a response right away, it seemed like Azul had been up late last night, but a reply comes fast regardless.
Azul: My this is new. I must say you've piqued my curiosity.
Azul: I needed to head into town before opening the lounge for the day, but I can meet with you quickly before that. Would this be acceptable for you?
Idia: Ye thx, could you meet me in the woods behind the hall of mirrors
Azul: Well now I'm a bit concerned.
Idia: no m not gonna murder you or anythng just need to talk privately
Azul: Okay.
Idia wait for Azul to expand on that but when no further response comes he starts to head to the door. On his way out he stops by that tank he made for Ortho.
"Don't worry, your bro's gonna fix this."
Idia can't help but chuckle at the irony of it. He did end up making plans with Azul as soon as possible. He wonders if that would make Ortho happy.