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It was just a normal day at the atelier.
Qifrey was making lunch while the rest were helping him. Except for Agott of course, she always denied their requests for the sake of perfecting her spells.
Her professor has always been concerned of her health since she has been overworking herself to the extent of permanently staining her fingertips with conjuring ink.
But this day was different.
She messed up her circles, her straight lines have become squiggly and her quire is full of failed attempts for a simple spell for light.
She couldn't focus well considering the fact one girl has eaten her mind.
Coco
There was something about her smile and laugh that made her stomach flip, her green hair that contrasted perfectly with those bright yellow eyes.
Oh, her eyes were so perfect she could talk about how beautiful it was for days. How they widen when she looks at her, how they sparkle when she find out a new spell, how she-
Snap out of it Agott! Your dazing off again! She says to herself.
As she was busy flipping through the pages of her quire she heard a knock on her door. She stood up while muttering something under her breath, assuming it was her master calling her for lunch.
"Agott, lunch is ready. Now come eat with us, wont you?" Qifrey said while he fidgeted with the doorknob expecting a response .
She sighed and followed master Qifrey to the dining room where three heads turned to her direction, but of course Coco stands out amongst all of them. Her wide pupils staring at her with surprise.
"Agott! Come eat lunch with us!" Coco exclaimed
She planned to eat lunch in her room while working as usual, but how could she ignore those eyes that have been eating her mind for weeks?
She wonders what does this feeling mean..
This warm feeling in her chest every time Coco mischievously grinned at her. The way her cheeks bloom a tint of red when she hugs her tightly.
Wait.. do I have a crush on Coco?
Her thoughts were interrupted by someone patting her shoulder.
Agott, are you okay? You've been zoning out recently. Is there something troubling you? As your professor its my obligation to make sure my dear apprentices are doing well. Qifrey said in a patient, soft spoken tone while rubbing her back.
The other girls also looked at her confused.
Im fine! Im just thinking about something, it isn't anything serious and not something for you to meddle on! She huffed.
Maybe you need to rest! You look tired from all that thinking anyway, I can summon a cloud right now! Teita exclaimed with her usual bright personality.
Teita, not in the kitchen please. Maybe you can stroll outside later. Qifrey reminded.
I wont go outside since I have to practice Teita, but thank you for the opportunity. Agott sighed.
She wouldn't admit that Teita's offer was kind of nice, but she cant take a break since she needs to consistently learn new spells.
Thats alright! Thank you for your thank you! The other said with a bright tone.
Qifrey let out a soft smile, he was used to Agott's behavior despite it being disrespectful. He just understood that she can be stubborn sometimes when it comes to magic, especially when it comes to practicing spells to utter perfection. Everyone in the atelier knew how she rushes her journey of magic, but they are always here to remind her she has a childhood to enjoy while it lasts.
They all enjoyed their meal peacefully, but Agott couldn't focus since Coco mischievously put her hand on hers, making her bright red while they kept on eating.
Agott went back to her room as Coco followed. Agott was trying to focus on a book she wasn't even reading, while Coco is staring at her paper like its the most interesting thing in the universe.
They shared an uncomfortable silence, but Coco looked uneasy.
Coco broke the akward silence between them and said "Agott, what exactly is bothering you?" She said with an unreadable expression.
Nothing really.. why do you and master ask so much? Its unsettling and like I said something you shouldn't meddle on.
Coco locked eyes with hers. She was surprised but-
Can't you see!? I've been so concerned lately and you've been dismissing it! This has been happening for months now. Can't you just tell what's happening? Im here anyway, even Teita, Richeh, and master Qifrey wonder what's up with you. Dazing off into the same thought is not normal! Aren't you safe to tell all your struggles to us? Atleast thats what master Qifrey says. Please just give us something instead of that dumb answer!
Agott was surprised as Coco said that in one breath. She gasped for air and started panting out of frustration and exhaustion.
How was she gonna respond to this? Its the first time shes seen Coco so worked up like this. Even if shes cold to her sometimes she cant help but feel intimidated by her. Should she be colder to her? But that would worsen the situation..
Coco, im sorry that my answers are so dismissive, but sometimes people have emotions that they keep to themselves.. Im sorry for keeping you so worked up though. I just have something im not comfortable sharing and I hope you understand that.
She cant believe she said that with a straight face.
Shes known for being quite stubborn, but out of spite she made a sincere apology for the first time.. Was this a sign of maturing?
She was quickly interrupted by Coco sighing, clearly exhausted and didnt push the conversation further for their own sake
But then she felt arms wrap around her waist which caught her off guard.
It felt like the world froze around her, time stopped and she couldn't hear anything, just the sound of her own heartbeat and the shaky breaths Coco was still exhaling.
A warmth spread around her chest and her cheeks, making a pure rose tint that spread like wild fire
Coco was saying something she couldn't piece out. Her brain has short circuited and possibly melted from all these emotions. Her stomach betraying her by doing backflips, she couldn't do anything but try and control the fast pulse of her heart. She understood one sentence from Coco. "Sorry for breaking your boundaries". Her brain has given up on her and she felt like she was drunk. She couldn't form a proper response with this mind of hers. She muttered the words "You're so damn pretty its unfair, I cant even think."
Coco's eyes widened, she stared at Agott for she doesn't know how long. She felt her cheeks warming as she realized what Agott has implied.
She thinks im pretty? Was that the thought that was bothering her? It cant be that.. maybe it was something magic related, shes always practicing anyway it must be that..
Agott had soon realized what she said and jumped from surprise, sending both her and Coco tumbling on the wooden floor.
Wait! I- I didnt mean it that way I just- Just forget about it! I said nothing!
Coco took it the wrong way
You dont think im pretty? Coco said with a saddened expression on her face.
This girl will be the death of me.. Agott thought.
I guess you are pretty.. but just forget what I sai- PROFESSOR QIFREY??
Turns out Qifrey has been watching all along with an amused on his face.
He has been silently giggling while watching the two girls bickering. He burst into laughter while Coco and Agott protested with flustered faces.
Professor! Get out of our workplace! How long have you been here even?!
He laughed even harder and said he "discovered something about Agott" before smiling and leaving, still hiding his face red from laughter.
Coco didnt understand but Agott got the message perfectly.
PROFESSOR! DONT TELL ANYONE! Agott said with a mix of confusion, anger, and embarrassment.
Coco looked at her confused while the latter was still a flustered mess.
Hush Agott! Your voice can be heard by the whole Atelier.
That made her even more red as she put her hands on her mouth
(-.-)Zzz・・・・
Good lord, this day felt like torture.. She said to herself while trying to sleep. Her mind wouldn't let her, still replaying the embarrassing moment that happened hours ago
Qifrey is very sharp, everyone in the atelier was aware of that. She was sure enough that He had already noticed her growing feelings for Coco, but chose to stay silent for the sake of saving her from embarrassment.
God, what should she do now? Avoiding her feelings wont do anything. Plus Coco isn't the type of person to realize what's happening until its too late, so she knew that her crush was clueless.
Her mind was exhausted from all this thinking. She usually stays up late to practice her spells but she cant help feel tired. The soft candle glow illuminating the room and the warmth of the area comforting her. She closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
...
She found herself opening her eyes, knees on the ground as she heard a familiar voice. For some reason she had her long hair again. Was she in the past?
So this is your magic, hm?
Its not bad its just so.. average.
It doesn't quite compare to the other children.
What..?
Agott, I had such high hopes for you. What A shame.
You are a disgrace to the Arklaum Family.
You are no apprentice of mine, We've no need for dull children like you.
But I practice! Im good I swear, just give me time i can be a librarian one day! My fingertips are stained with ink, I can be better and I will prove it!
Someone slapped her, the mark burning on her cheeks as she felt it swelling.
Oh Agott, you will never be good enough no matter how much you practice. You are talentless! A disgrace to your last name.
You will never succeed.
To think your worthy to become a librarian at the tower of books? Pathetic! Dreams are just candy for your brain. Face reality, nothing can save a talentless girl like you.
Tears ran down her cheeks, her breath turning uneven.
She hates every part of her.
They were right. She was nothing but a burden, disgrace for her family.
How can she be viewed as wasted potential when there was none to begin with. No one wanted someone stupid as an apprentice.
She can never prove them wrong, no matter how much she tried.
The grip on her skirt tightened as she was shaking helplessly, bursting into a river of tears as her "family" watched with a disgusted look. She curled up into a ball, her tears wetting her swollen cheek as she cried ugly.
She was just a waste of space, she wanted to dissappear forever. She wanted to d-
Agott!
She flung of her bed instantly out of surprise, making her head hurt.
Oh, it was just a nightmare.. She said as she patted her tear-streaked face. She was still trembling uncontrollably and didnt know how to stop.
She turned to her right and her dark purple pupils met golden ones.
Agott! Im sorry I barged in your room but why are you crying!? Did you have a bad dream? Its okay im here!
Her tense shoulders lightened. She couldn't say anything and only responded with sniffles and more tears. Reminders of her ugly past broke her the most, the most fragile part of her had just been exposed to Coco.
She was broken, and all she could do was cling to the person dearest to her heart.
And that she did.
Her arms wrapped around Coco while she wiped her tears on her cloak. She thought it was disrespectful but both of them couldn't care less in this situation.
Coco went on the bed and pulled her trembling Agott to her lap. She knew nothing about her past, so all she can do is hug her and assure her that its okay to let it out.
Agott never imagined in a million years that she would warm up to Coco.
When she first came to the atelier, Agott was frustrated that she was unexperienced and unqualified to be a witch. She thought this not because she was a bad person, but the society around taught her that useless people have no place.
Her cold demeanor was built from her lack of self-esteem and insecurities, but Coco's warmth and lovable attitude contrasted with it.
After seeing how far Coco has gone, by being a person who cant use magic to a dedicated and observing witch who was aware of the basics in such a short time, she slowly viewed her as a peer instead of a nuisance. Although she never knew her perspective of Coco praised her even more, resulting to these feelings.
I mean who could blame her? Coco was a talented fast learner. She was kind, smart, and even beautiful.
The moment she hugged her she felt like the nightmares have gone away.
Forget about the past, forget about the tower of books. Right now she had someone she deeply respected and valued in her arms, and thats enough to forget the bad things that happened to her.
After another 5 minutes of pure silence passed by, they both let go.
Coco wiped her face with the same cloak Agott practically used as a tissue. She didnt care about the wet cloth on her skin. What mattered most now is just the two of them.
Agott still couldn't talk properly, so she muttered out two words that just made sense.
"Thank you.."
They sat there for a while, appreciating eachothers company.
It was just the two of them, and that was all that mattered.