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Summer in the Atelier was rarely chilly, save for the first and last few days of the season. Those days brought cooling winds and rain to the isle of Zozah. Everyone in the Atelier knew that these days were the roughest for their professor, though only their Watchful Eye knew why. That’s why today, as a chill wind breezed through at the first flash of lightning, Tetia recruited Coco to turn their studious living room into a cozy fortress of comfort.
Coco had once told Agott about her little village, southwest of Kalhn, about how the thunder echoed through the foothills and often made her scared. The hills surrounding Master Qifrey’s Atelier were not so cruel; yet sometimes when the lightning struck nearby, the sound crashed so loudly that the entire house would shake- their nerves along with it.
Everyone together in one place, near the hearth and surrounded by blankets… It sounded lovely. Agott couldn’t deny that Tetia always had the most comforting ideas.
The two witchlings giggled to each other wordlessly as they tossed every item of comfort into the room. Pillows, blankets, stuffed toys- you name it. One blanket flew from Coco’s hands a little too eagerly, landing on the spying girl.
“What are you two doing?” Agott huffed from beneath the sherpa of the blanket.
“Oops!” Giggled Coco. She hurriedly uncovered her friend. Her callused fingers met Agott’s purple curls and pale skin as she brushed the mess she caused out the girl’s face.
“Tia had the idea of making this room feel safe and comfy since we’re all nervous when it storms!” Tetia nodded enthusiastically.
Blush still present from Coco’s fiddling, Agott looked away. “I don’t get nervous when it storms.”
Coco giggled again, not buying Agott’s words. “Right, I meant everyone else!”
“Come on, Agott, it’s okay to get a little scared!” Tetia laughed, completely disbelieving her friend.
Agott scoffed at the accusation, but followed the girls into the middle of the room anyway. She sat on the sofa near the window and allowed herself to curl into the blanket that was thrown at her moments ago. The atelier had gotten chilly. The rain beat against the window and the wind howled loudly outside. She was not nervous about the weather at all. Not one bit.
She watched her friends as they traded comforting items between each other and swapped laughter. Three years ago, if Tetia had tried to tangle her up in these shenanigans, Agott would have completely brushed her off and tucked herself away into her studies. Things have changed since Coco came into their lives, she supposed.
A flat, quiet voice manifested beside her. “Richeh was lonely and wants to know what her friends are doing.”
Agott jumped, startled. Richeh walked in silence and it was always a surprise when she made her presence known. No matter how many years they’ve shared the same home, Agott could not get used to it.
“We’re making a super comfy fortress of… Comfort!” Coco crawled out from the mess of blankets to answer.
“Richeh wants to help,” Richeh nodded at Coco with a serious look of determination on her face, to which Coco matched eagerly. Brushbuddy, who was resting on top of the blue haired girl’s head, made his way down her arm and onto Agott’s shoulder. “She and Brushbuddy are scared.”
Agott continued to watch them, now with the extra comfort of the Atelier’s pet. A sudden loud crash of thunder jolted her from her thoughts. Luckily, it startled the other witchlings as well, causing them all to jump and squeal from anxiety, so no one saw her. Except for Brushbuddy, of course, but she was confident he could keep her little secret. Hopefully. Maybe.
“Perhaps I could help you guys out,” Agott murmured. “That way you can be less afraid quicker. Four is better than three, I suppose.”
“Agott is not good at pretending,” Richeh once again materialized, seemingly out of thin air, beside her. Agott once again jumped.
Tetia snickered and Coco failed to hide her laugh behind a fake cough.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Richeh.” She adjusted her curls and picked up the last quilt from Master Qifrey’s blanket basket. “I simply care about you three, that is all.”
Tetia cooed.
“Agottaffection,” Richeh said. Agott rolled her eyes, but she could feel a hint of heat on her cheeks.
The four witchlings hurriedly moved around the room. Coco spread blankets and pillows across the floor, making sure every inch was cushioned. Agott fetched her stuffed animals from her bed and couldn’t help but admire how they now rested against the pillows. Somewhere along the line, Brushbuddy made himself cozy beside her myrphon plush. So cute, she thought. Richeh and Tetia worked hard to string sheets above the other girls. They created their fort together as the storm inched closer outside.
The thin linen sheets stretched across Master Qifrey’s rocking chair and the sofa, creating a roof to the fort. Then two more sheets were draped over the entrance, creating curtains. It looked like a velvety grotto. Colorful blankets, quilts, and sheets created a dome. Pillows lined the fabric walls as if they were soft boulders inside a cave. Agott’s stuffed animals added to the ambience, sitting around like real animals would as they took shelter from a storm.
“Hmm… Something’s missing!” Tetia lamented, her hands balled into fists at her side. It was obvious as the storm drew nearer, her anxiety had been increasing. Brushbuddy, who had been woken up by another clap of thunder, scuttled over to Tetia and climbed up to her shoulder. He nuzzled his face against hers and chirped happily at the attention she gave him.
“Richeh thinks it’s too dark. She will still see the lightning.”
Coco clapped her hands. “Oh! I know! Let’s all make some of those floaty lights!”
“Floatglow lamps,” corrected Agott, though she nodded in agreement.
“Yes those!” Coco giggled sweetly.
“Richeh, help me make some real fast!” Tetia tugged the girl away to their components, not allowing her to refuse. Brushbuddy squeaked and scurried down from the pink haired witch and over to Coco. She scooped him up gently and rubbed the top of his head with her pointer finger.
“You don’t like the storm too much either, do you, Brushbuddy?”
“Nbiii!” He agreed.
Agott watched the other witches furiously scribble their spells. Coco ran back and forth between them and the fort, delivering the floating lights to the darkness of the cavern. The warmth of the orange lights shone on Coco’s face as she skirted past. The reflection in her eyes looked like golden glitter. Each passing glance Agott stole, her eyes seemed to shine brighter with excitement. The storm continued to crawl closer, thunder growling and lightning erupted with flashes.
“Th-that should do it, everyone,” Agott disguised her worry with a cough.
“Yeah, it looks nice and cozy now!” Coco smiled. The four witchlings piled in the fort one by one, dipping their heads under the fabric doorway. They quickly sat amongst the comforting pillows and toys, ready to face the storm in their hideaway.
The storm was almost overhead. Despite the girls’ best efforts, no amount of blankets could mask the booming rolls of thunder. Always the first to relent and admit her fears, Tetia snuggled close to Coco, who was no better about it. Brushbuddy, not happy about being squished between the two witches, crawled down and over to Richeh. Agott tried not to be jealous of how easily the two showed affection; that’s just how they were. Tetia and Coco had each other, Richeh and Brushbuddy had each other, and surely Master Qifrey and Olly had each other too. Agott had… Herself.
“Richeh wants to cuddle too.”
Agott wondered if her thoughts were being read.
“Richeh!” Wailed Tetia in her endearingly dramatic tone. “Forgive me!” She sniffled as she abandoned Coco to wrap Richeh in a tight hug.
“You are forgiven by Richeh… Brushbuddy will think about it.”
“Pwee!” The little creature agreed, once again squished between two witches.
Coco let out a tiny giggle at their interaction, but it was obvious she already missed the comfort of her friend. “Can I-”
“I suppose,” sighed Agott.
“Hm?” Coco titled her head like a scalewolf pup, hair falling from behind her ear.
“You wanted to cuddle, no?”
“O-Oh, yes!” A flush of red brightened her face and she quickly crawled over. “Thank you, Agott, that was really kind.”
As Coco’s arms wrapped around her body, Agott realized that she wasn’t asking her for comfort, she was going to ask the others. Her face grew hot with embarrassment and her heart fluttered. The crush she harbored for the other girl was tremendous and overwhelming. She knew the others knew about it. Knew Master Qifrey and Olly knew. What she wasn’t sure about was whether or not Coco knew. Sometimes Agott swore she must because of how Coco would always make her flustered.
“Oi ducks, what’re ya four up ta now?” Olruggio’s gruff voice, laced with amusement, unexpectedly rang out from outside the fort.
Agott drew open the sheet acting as the entrance.
“They wanted to hide from the storm,” Agott replied. “And I didn’t feel like being alone.”
“Ah, right, makes sense,” he leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. If he didn’t believe the last bit she tacked on, he didn’t mention it. “D’ya mind some company then? Qifrey’s quite a bit flayed, I reckon this’ll make’m reyt.”
“Oh, yes! We’d love you both to join us, Master Olly!” Coco beamed, head popping out of the fort and cheek squished against Agott’s face.
“Me? Ah, well, guess I can’t say no t’ya. Right, I’ll go fetch ‘im for yous.”
The girls quietly celebrated with smiles and giggles. Two more loud bangs from outside caused Agott and Coco to shrink back into the fort. Then two sets of footsteps entered the room. Agott could hear Master Qifrey gasp and Olruggio stifle a laugh. “I told ya,” Olly whispered.
“Girls?” Qifrey softly addressed them. “May we come inside?”
Coco scooted impossibly closer to Agott, causing the latter to blush. “Come in!”
Carefully, the two men crawled inside the little fort. Master Qifrey first, followed by Olruggio. Master Qifrey looked around the inside in awe, his eye glittering from the lights. His lips formed a tight, but fond smile. Agott could feel the nerves radiating off of him still, but she noticed his usual tense posture that he would hold during bad weather was looser. More relaxed. She felt calmer as well. Tetia really did have good ideas when it came to bringing others comfort.
“My girls, you certainly are clever…” Master Qifrey finally spoke again. “And using Floatglow Lamps! What a pretty touch.”
Tetia gasped excitedly. “Those were Coco’s idea! The fort was my idea though!”
“I see! Of course it was, dear Tetia, you always look out for your fellow apprentices. And Coco-” he smiled softly at the girl. “What a valuable idea you've provided.”
Coco beamed proudly and grabbed Agott’s hand. She crawled over to Master Qifrey, pulling Agott with her, and curled up at his side. He let out a soft laugh and wrapped an arm around Coco while reaching for Agott with his other. Of course, Agott accepted and curled into the pair. He wasn’t donning his cloak- in fact, neither of the adults were, but he was still blanketing them in warmth.
Tetia whined and pouted.
“Master Olly, can we cuddle with you?” Richeh nodded fiercely in agreement. Olruggio chuckled loudly and opened his arms, only to be quickly tackled by the two girls. Tetia giggled when he let out an “oof!”.
“I didn’t say t’ pounce on me!” He grumbled softly.
“Richeh is not sorry.”
“I don’t expect ya t’be,” his voice was fond as he plucked Brushbuddy off the floor and back onto Richeh’s shoulder.
Master Qifrey laughed at his predicament, not even bothering to scold Tetia or Richeh for knocking Olruggio over. They were scared. Very clingy and very nervous. Master Qifrey and Olly wouldn’t ever get upset at them for seeking comfort and safety. That’s why they made the fort in the first place; they knew there wouldn’t be any consequences for making a mess in this instance.
Agott watched as Coco melted into Master Qifrey’s side. Just a few months ago, she would have felt a touch jealous. She craved the affection Coco so easily asked for. Master Qifrey rarely gave her physical affection due to her previous total aversion to it- and Agott was truly grateful that the adults in her life respected that! But now… She wanted that physical touch. It was just hard to express that sometimes.
Thunder crashed outside and shook the atelier. Coco and Tetia yelped, both hugging their respective adults tighter. Master Qifrey reached over to grab Olruggio’s hand, fear in his eye. Olly brought it up to his lips and kissed away the tremor of his fingers. “You’re alright, heart.”
Unfortunately for Agott, she jumped too.
“Agottafraid,” whispered Richeh.
Agott was not scared, yet Coco’s fingers intertwined with hers and tugged Agott in closer. With his free arm, Master Qifrey embraced them both lovingly. He stroked Agott’s short curls. She wouldn’t lie, it felt nice. The comfort of her teacher. A parental feeling she was not used to.
Her mother was not a comforting woman. She would never wrap her arms around her little daughter. Hugs did not exist in the Arklaum home. Nor did comfort of any capacity. No one was there to comfort her mother if she was fearful- not that Agott had ever seen her express fear. Not that it mattered, no one would have eased her worries anyway. No one eased Agott’s. It wasn’t until she joined Master Qifrey’s Atelier that she ever received any sort of affection.
She rarely accepted it through the years. Sure, she craved it, but accepting such gentle treatment after only ever knowing the complete opposite was not easy for a young girl. Master Qifrey and Olruggio understood this and they never once pushed her. That’s something she would always be grateful for. It took until Coco’s arrival for Agott to begin opening up to affection- especially the physical kind.
“You’re alright now, my dears,” he whispered. Coco closed her eyes and smiled.
As the storm closed in and made its presence known, a deep humming soon enveloped them all. Olruggio held Richeh and Tetia close as he hummed a familiar folk song that he’s sung to them before. Tetia giggled as he swayed and Richeh closed her eyes. Even Brushbuddy let out a yawn and curled up on Richeh’s head. Agott watched as Coco’s own eyes opened back up and sparkled. She always loved when their masters sang to them- this song particularly she knew Coco was familiar with due to her mother. Sometimes she would sing it quietly when she and Agott were alone and neither could sleep.
Soon Master Qifrey’s voice joined Olly’s humming and the pair sang the tune softly. Coco took over the humming and her little fingers carefully caressed Agott’s knuckles. The calluses from her pen rubbed against the soft skin of Agott’s hands. It felt nice to have her so close and to feel her warmth against her. She never used to appreciate close company, but Coco was so different from anyone she had ever met before.
The comfort of it all was overwhelming. The adults she looked up to as mentors- as her beloved caretakers- were holding her and her fellow apprentices close. Protecting them from the storm outside. A storm they all knew would do them no harm and would soon pass. They would always protect them and they’ve proven that time and time again. From terrifying encounters to a bug crossing the floor, they protected them. Now they sang together a soothing song that eased everyone’s anxiety and even lulled Richeh to sleep.
The Atelier trembled from another boom, but there was barely a flinch amongst the witches. Olly’s voice grew louder, more boisterous. Even Master Qifrey seemed calmer and happier. Suddenly, Agott’s vision grew blurry and the taste of salt coated her lips. Oh. She was crying. She sniffled subconsciously, drawing the attention of the girl closest to her: Coco. To ease any worries the green haired witch may feel, Agott smiled.
Coco smiled right back, understanding what wasn’t said. She reached up to place her hand on Agott’s cheek, thumbing away at the wetness pooling beneath her eye. Agott leaned in to the touch. The girl’s hand was cool against her own warm skin. So loving. Her hand was gentle and kind. Agott couldn’t help but close her eyes. As the thunder wore itself out, withdrawing from their home, Coco carefully pressed her lips to the corner of Agott’s own. When Agott opened her eyes in awe, Coco quietly giggled and lifted her finger to her mouth in a silent shushing gesture.
Agott laughed. Softly and quietly, she laughed. Coco gave her the strength to find courage. She held her hand proudly. Not just now, but always. Any time Agott was feeling afraid, even if she herself didn’t want to believe she was afraid, Coco held her close. This time, Agott let go. She pulled her palm quire and pen from her dress pocket and felt her face heat up as she drew a special spell. Coco watched curiously.
A small, golden owlcat unfolded from Agott’s little book. It glowed so bright that everyone’s attention refocused onto her. But instead of embarrassment, Agott felt triumphant. She felt euphoric from the look of wonder that overtook Coco’s face. She felt giddy from the pride that shone on her master’s expression. Tetia squealed and squeezed the now awake Richeh, delighted to see a spell similar to one of Olruggio’s from Agott.
Summer in the Atelier was rarely chilly, save for the first and last few days of the season. Those days brought cooling winds and rain to the isle of Zozah. Tonight, the stormy weather of the early days of fall brought fear into the heart of the young witch, Agott, but it also brought much more. It brought the warmth of her friends. It brought the love of her teachers. And it brought the comfort of her home. Next time it storms, she won’t pretend to be unafraid.