“…”
“…”
“…Jack?”
“…”
“He’s sleeping with his eyes open again.”
“I’m not, I’m just ignoring you.”
“Were you really that offended?”
“…no.”
“Okay, hotshot.” Amanda teased, prodding Jack’s side. “Someone’s a widdle upset.”
Jack rolled his eyes, before yanking Amanda into a playful noogie. “You’re the stubborn jerk who won’t learn to use a gun already!”
“Jack, stop, she’s had enough!” Semi teased, as Collin found himself caught in a laughing fit.
“I’m the leader! I’m disciplining a teammate!” Jack insisted, as Amanda scrambled out of his arms.
“Boo! Bad leader!” Amanda complained, as Arti joined her side.
“I’m with Amanda. Bad leader!” Arti agreed, before leaning on top of Amanda’s head. “But you’re still weird for using a sword.”
“I think she’s scared of using a gun.” Collin interjected, lying against Semi’s lap. “Cause she’ll suck at it.”
“Hey. First of all, fuck you.” Amanda replied. “Second, I don’t need to use a gun. We need a melee user anyway.”
“But a sword isn’t military, Amanda! That’s not on brand!” Semi joked, prodding her side. “We’re about brand integrity here.”
“Oh geez, don’t remind me…” Arti let out, getting a laugh from the team. “What a douche.”
“We needed an agent.” Collin noted, as Amanda rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, but his personality still sucks. And the nicknames were overkill.” Amanda insisted, folding her arms. “And Jack’s doesn’t make any sense, especially for brand-whatever-the-fuck.”
“I didn’t pick it.” Jack pointed out, pointing back at her. “I don’t know why you’re complaining. Commander Major’s the best one.”
“It’s cause she can’t use a gu-“ Collin interrupted, only for Amanda to throw her shoe at his head, as Semi and Arti burst out laughing.
“How ‘bout focusing on the mission, numbnuts?” Amanda sneered, only for Jack to pat her back.
“Amanda’s right. We’re nearly there, so keep your wits about you.” Jack said, indicating to higher up the mountain, as their cable car rocked a little in the air.
“Oh no, everyone, Amanda’s right. The world’s coming to an en-” Semi added, only for Amanda’s other shoe to hit her as well.
“Fortunately, she’s out of shoes now.” Arti added, only for Amanda to glare at him. “…but I’ll keep to myself.”
Amanda grabbed her shoes back and lay against her seat, just as Jack sat beside her, staring up at the ski lodge.
“You doing okay?” Jack asked, as Amanda chuckled.
“You know hunts make me nervous.” Amanda pointed out, as Jack patted her shoulder and smiled.
“I get it. We’ve never really been the major players out there.” Jack confessed. “And who would’ve guessed that we’d get to take on the ‘Lodge Lurker Wailing?’ We’re gonna give Team Spectrum a run for their money after this one.”
“…I preferred the smaller hunts.” Amanda admitted, shying away. “All those news cameras in my face before we got on here made me feel sick…”
Jack grinned at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll mug to camera while you hang back in the van and sleep.”
“…can you make sure Collin keeps his distance?” Amanda asked, just as Jack chuckled to himself and playfully shook her about.
“This is why the cameras love you! You’re so relatable!” Jack cheered, just as Amanda wormed away again.
“If you quote that son-of-a-bitch so-and-so again, I’m jumping off this thing.” Amanda declared, as Jack quickly surrendered.
“Fair. I may not like our new agent, but he’s right about one thing.” Jack said, staring wide-eyed at the mountain. “This’ll be the hunt that makes Team Ballistic big…”
———
“You want a what?”
“Something charming.”
“Charming?”
“I don’t really have a preference or anything, just…nice!” Spence insisted, drumming her hands on her desk, as Coatsworth scratched his chin.
“…alright. And before you leave, right?” Coatsworth asked, with Spence nodding back.
“There’s plenty of time tomorrow. I wanted to give the other staff some time too.” Spence clarified, before leaning into Coatsworth. “We’re both a lot more on top of it than the others.”
Coatsworth resettled himself in his seat, before tugging on his suit sleeve. “It feels strange celebrating Bestalow after that harrowing attack.”
“That’s exactly why we’re doing it! It’s good for everyone!” Spence assured, only to get a very vocal scoff from Ferris over the divider in their staff room desks.
Spence started to whisper. “Even if some of us want to be grouchy about it. Do you know if Faller’s participating in the staff gift-swap?”
“He’s fairly busy at the moment. I think gifts are the last thing on his mind.” Coatsworth explained, before hushing his voice as well. “…how about Ferris?”
Spence rolled her eyes. “Like I could get a solid answer from her. It’s almost definitely n-“
“No.”
Coatsworth and Spence turned up to Ferris, now standing over them, her arms folded to compliment her scowl.
“I’m not celebrating it and you can’t tell me I have to.” Ferris insisted. “I get enough joy overload from the rest of the year, I don’t need the saccharine injection that comes with the holidays too.”
Ferris dragged herself out of the staff room to avoid more of their conversation, as Spence found herself sighing once she left.
“I can’t say I’m surprised. In all the years I’ve known her, she’s never struck me as the…celebrating type.” Spence admitted, resting her head in her hands. “I wish we could change her mind…”
“Short of a holiday miracle, I think that won’t happen.” Coatsworth noted.
“Knock knock, sir.”
Ferris stood patiently by Faller’s open door, as Faller desperately poured over recent news headlines, his eyes glued to his computer monitor, before turning them to Ferris. “What?”
“…you wanted my report on the EHM ‘visit.’”
“Ferris, I’m busy. Very, very busy…” Faller let out, turning back to the screen, as Ferris stood there motionless.
“You know, you used to be fun.”
“Haha. Why don’t you take Bestalow off? We could both use the break.” Faller suggested, as Ferris scoffed.
“I don’t know what you think I’d do with two days to myself. Frankly, a work distraction would be preferable.” Ferris asked, only to get no reply from the still very distracted Faller.
She waited for a few seconds, before clicking her tongue.
“…fine. Fucking jerk…”
Faller pretended not to hear that, as a reminder on his calendar popped up again, before he quickly closed it, hoping to forget it was even happening.
“…just another Bestalow…one more year down the drain…”
———
A man.
Wrapped in chains, tugging at his throat, pulling him into a writhing mass of flashing lights and noise.
“NO!”
His chest opened up, a hole growing in his heart, light pouring through.
“STOP, HE’S HAD ENOUGH!”
“Don’t pity me! You’re the one who should be pitied!”
The lights turned to her.
“I pity you! Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic!”
“P-Pathetic?”
“Long for death all you want, but I refuse that you mourn mine!”
The chains tightened, dancing him around like a puppet, before lines of red streak down his cheeks.
“YOU! I PITY YOU!!!”
“Ferris?”
“…rmmnr…”
“Ferris, are you ok-“
Ferris jumped up from her seat, suddenly pinning Coatsworth’s arm to her desk in panic, before realising it was only him and letting go, taking a second to register her surroundings.
“…sorry, sorry.” She let out, wiping her face, as he pulled himself back up. “Fucking hell…”
“Truthfully…that might have been on me.” Coatsworth admitted, going to grab his cane again. “I saw you were having a nightmare.”
“…yeah, that’s kinda normal.” Ferris said, still bleary eyed, before scanning the office again. “What time is it?”
“Almost nine.” Coatsworth said, checking his watch. “I was working late and noticed the lights still on in here. I was going to offer you a ride home.”
“…oh.” Ferris let out, stretching her arms. “Faller left already?”
“He’s still in his office, but he said he would be staying overnight.” Coatsworth added, as Ferris rolled her eyes.
“Typical…” She muttered, as Coatsworth patiently waited for her. “…I can just take the Flash-Rail.”
Coatsworth cocked his head. “You don’t live anywhere near the station. It wouldn’t feel right letting you wander through the dark this late at night.”
“I can handle myself.” Ferris pointed out, tapping the side of her sword. “Don’t need your good samaritan act.”
“It’s hardly an act, more just an offer.” Coatsworth insisted. “I like doing helpful things for people.”
Ferris’ eyes drooped, as she went to massage her forehead. “…fine, whatever. It’s better than me getting mugged.”
“…that’s appreciated.” Coatsworth said, before indicating to the door, as Ferris followed behind.
They both headed to the elevator, right down to the main entrance, before heading out onto the walkway where Coatsworth’s car was parked.
Coatsworth took a minute to get comfortable in his seat, pushing his cane into the back.
Ferris stood by the passenger door. “Can you drive?”
“I can still use my legs, I’ll just be a bit slower.” Coatsworth explained, fastening his seatbelt, as Ferris pulled herself into her seat and closed the door, only to notice some rust running up the side of it.
“Hey, there’s some damage here.” Ferris pointed out, as Coatsworth sighed.
“I know. It’s been paid for.” Coatsworth explained, turning the headlights on and pulling out.
There was a noticeable silence in the car as they left the academy grounds, with Coatsworth not expecting much from Ferris and focusing his attention on driving. Ferris, meanwhile…
“…thanks.” Ferris admitted, leaning her head back. “…I’m putting you out of your way. You didn’t need to drive me, but you still did it…”
Ferris started pushing the seat down. “You’re a standup act, for whatever that’s worth.”
“…thank you, Ferris.” Coatsworth commented. “It’s rare to hear a compliment from you.”
“Yeah, I don’t feel like giving them out that often.” Ferris admitted. “Plus you make me jealous, so…”
“Jealous?” Coatsworth reiterated, as Ferris realised she kinda stepped in it.
“…alright, whatever. I’m not gonna get into it, mostly cause I shouldn’t…” Ferris prefaced, as Coatsworth did his best to pay attention. “…I got to thinking about it when you mentioned your late wife last year. I’ve had some fucked up things happen to me too, but compared to my misery, you’re the only one who’s flourishing after it.”
“…now I am.” Coatsworth clarified, turning to her. “There were nights with plenty of crying. There still are, but I’ve…moved on, at least. Crying is healthy, it gets a lot of feelings out.”
Ferris scoffed. “I kinda wanna keep those in, thanks.”
She tapped her foot a few times, with Coatsworth’s attention still mostly on the road.
“…people have died in my life. Good people. Fun people.” Ferris admitted, surprising Coatsworth. “People I thought I’d get to keep seeing…”
Ferris sighed. “So…when you mentioned your wife…yeah, I got where you were coming from. I won’t lie, there were some moments where…”
Ferris stopped herself, before shaking her head. “No, I’m not getting that personal.”
“…do they have something to do with your current occupation?” Coatsworth asked.
Ferris turned to him, as he indicated to her sword. “And your skill with that?”
“…huh. You’re sharper than people give you credit for.” Ferris confessed, as she sunk into her seat and propped her feet up on the dashboard. “There’s a reason I hate working at this place.”
“Unfortunate reminder.” Coatsworth replied, trying to get comfortable. “Do you at least have some good memories of them?”
“…plenty.” Ferris smirked, closing her eyes. “We all grew up in the same town, Hayfith. Nice little area, not a lot for kids to do though. I didn’t really get along with anyone. This may surprise you, but I used to have a bit of an attitude.”
Coatsworth stared her blank in the eyes, as Ferris didn’t know how to respond.
“…anyway, I wanted to hang out with the other kids, even when I chased them away, but they never let me…” Ferris recalled, finding herself subtly smiling. “…until one of the bigger kids started picking on me, and they came to my defence. After that, I did everything I could to stay in their click, and we just kept hanging out.”
Ferris waved her hand mockingly. “And the rest is history.”
“…right.” Coatsworth replied, not wanting to prod too much further. “…and they’re not around, but you still are.”
“Yeah.” Ferris said, before glancing back at Coatsworth, giving him just the right amount of information.
“…it must make Bestalow lonely.” Coatsworth added, as Ferris screwed her face up.
“Who gives a shit about Bestalow? I’ve got no one to celebrate it with anyway, why put too much stock in that?” Ferris complained, as Coatsworth turned onto Ferris’ street.
“You have the rest of the staff, and Faller.” Coatsworth offered, before registering the disgusted look on Ferris’ face. “Holidays should be a light time.”
“I suck at holidays.” Ferris complained, before pointing right as Coatsworth. “And don’t give me that ‘holidays are actually about family’ crap, cause I don’t have one of those either.”
Coatsworth could feel himself kinda losing her, right as they reached the front door of Ferris and Faller’s place.
“Well, again, thanks. This was nicer than you needed to be.” Ferris admitted, stepping out of the car immediately to leave, right as Coatsworth rolled his window down to catch her before she disappeared inside.
“Ferris?”
“Yeah, what?”
“I want something funny.”
Ferris squinted her eyes. “Huh?”
“If you felt like celebrating Bestalow, I’ve asked for something funny as my gift.” Coatsworth offered. “You don’t have to get me something, but it might keep your mind off things.”
“…I’ll think it over.” Ferris said, waving him off, before Coatsworth spoke up again.
“Did you want anything for Bestalow?”
Ferris looked stumped, as for a brief second, she actually considered the question in all sincerity, before shutting herself down and grabbing the front door handle.
“Yeah, for people to stop asking me about it…” Ferris muttered, before heading right inside, leaving Coatsworth out in the cold, ready to head off now that his duty had been fulfilled.
“…I wonder if this is an improvement…” Coatsworth remarked to himself. “…loss makes us do such horrid things to ourselves…”
It was a long night for a lot of people.
Faller ran his fingers through his hair, nodding along to the voices on his computer, before finding an opportunity where he could finally butt into their arguing.
“Look, look, I know…I know it looks bad, but there’s only so much I can do. The academy hasn’t been attacked this much since its founding; we’ve gotten complacent. But we’ve still fended off each o-“
“Fended off? Three Wailing, three, left the main building and the security department in utter shambles.”
“Not to mention several students were caught up in the chaos. The evacuation plans need to be updated for more modern Wailing attacks.”
“And we’re improving them, but this takes time. We’d only just recovered from the previous attack when this one came through.” Faller defended, wiping off some sweat. “Look, we’ve convinced Senator Carmich-“
“The attacks are hardly the issue here, Aaron. The education of your student body has been sorely lacking for your entire tenure, not to mention your seeming disinterest in the future of the industry.”
“That’s n-“
“And you can’t keep mentioning this ‘rogue element’ in the Venator industry without any solid proof! You’ve been banging that drum for years now, and have yet to produce a crumb of evidence!”
“Running the academy has been my priority! I’m trying to improve the standards for students above guns for hire! Not just teaching combat, but survivability, how to take care of themsel-“
“And nobody’s been asking you to do that! Venators have been working fine for years, and we represent the pinnacle of Venator education. We can’t have you coming in with some ‘radical ideas’ and changing things on a whim because you want happy Venators.”
“Do you really want to have this conversation right now?” Faller threatened, leaning forward in his seat. “Cause we can have this conversat-“
“FALLER.”
Despite where he wanted to take this, Faller found himself going quiet.
“…we’re reviewing your tenure for the next year. We understand you’ve been under a lot of pressure, but between your…unorthodox teaching methods and hunt for the latest ‘Wicker,’ despite that old rumour never being confirmed in the first place, it’s hard to see what you offer to the position and to the Venators you teach. You’ve spread yourself very thin, and that’s not a good look for a leader.”
“…right.” Faller replied, feeling himself needing to shut up.
“The vote takes place in a couple months. We’ll keep you informed.”
The video call closed out, as Faller finally fell back into his chair, before running his hands over his face, feeling tension all throughout.
He was too tired to even get that mad, as he glanced over at his liquor cabinet and realised just how long his night would keep being.
———
“…f you’re just joining us, our top story is the latest tragedy to have hit the Venator industry, as four members of the beloved Team Ballistic were killed during a hunt in the Northern Wayside. After being contracted to take on the ‘Lodge Lurker’ Wailing inside of the recently opened Rabbit Lodge, the team seemed to be quickly ambushed, with Amanda Major as the only survivor. As of right now, Amanda has refused any and all interviews, and has yet to comment on the situation.”
“This has raised several questions as to the validity of the current Venator structure and whether we need to reevaluate how Venators are taught to hunt Wailing. With me to discuss is Caren Carmichael, the Senator of Central Point, and Conrad Baxter, the Senator of the Southern Wayside. Thank you for joining me.”
“Thank you for having us, Tim.”
“A pleasure.”
“Conrad, I think it only appropriate we start with you, since Team Ballistic were from your home state. How do you think the recent tragedy reflects on the industry as a whole?”
“Tim, I think Venators are more important now than ever. With all the new breeds of Wailing running around, we need to keep them under our thumb. Team Ballistic were a great team, but, and I understand the wound is fresh…this is a common occurrence. Teams lose members all the time, but rarely to this scale and to this publicity.”
“Caren, do you have any thoughts on the matter?”
“Shockingly, I find myself agreeing, but not for the right reasons. Yes, this happens all the time, but that shouldn’t be a norm we’re comfortable with. Team Ballistic’s passing should be a reminder of the needless bloodshed that’s plagued the Wailing Conflict for as long as it’s lasted. It should be a wake-up call for serious reform to stop this happening in the future.”
“…the reform drum…geez…”
“Peace with the Wailing is possible, but the more we funnel into the Venator industry, the less likely that’s gonna happen.”
“So what’s your brilliant suggestion, Caren? How would you stop this from happening again?”
“Well, Conrad, it wouldn’t have even gotten to this point in the first place. Sending a single team into a confined, unfamiliar space with a Wailing was ju-“
“I don’t think we’re asking the right question here. Can we really blame the conditions when a Venator should be accustomed to that?”
“Alright, where does the blame go then?”
“…well, there was a survivor.”
“Conrad, you can’t be serious.”
“I’m levying appropriate caution. There were no security cameras, no witnesses, and only one person who made it out, who’s refusing to comment. We don’t know what went down in the-“
“Are you suggesting Amanda killed the rest of her team?”
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Tch…killed them, no. Did she get the rest of the team killed somehow?...well, we can’t say.”
“I think you’re saying plenty right now, yo-“
“Caren, if we can keep this civil. Conrad, are you suggesting heavier scrutiny on keeping Venators accountable for their actions?”
“…look, there’s always gonna be bad apples. Not everyone’s strong enough to take on a Wailing, and some of us are better at scurrying away if need be. I think it’s on the teams to hold themselves accountable and pick the right members.”
“Tim, if I may interject. The Venator industry has always had famously bad accountability. You can’t hand five trigger happy people weapons and tell them to keep each other in check. It’s not an appropriate substitute for punishment.”
“I’d say keeping the Wailing at bay in punishment enough.”
“Okay, just cause you used to be a Venator, don’t laud it over u-“
“You think it’s easy? You think most Venators want a war? You think Team Ballistic wanted t-“
“Okay, okay, that’s enough. I think we’ve heard plenty from both sides here. Caren, Conrad, thank you for your time.”
———
“Ferris?”
“…wha?”
“Stop drooling on my bar.”
“…oh.” Ferris let out, slowly lifting her head up. “…stop making your bar easy to drool on, nerd.”
“Good one.” One of the security complimented, bumping Ferris’ side. “Hey, if Ferris wants to sleep here, let her.”
“Then she can bring a night cap and little candle next time.” Seears stated, as Ferris stood up, stumbling to her feet. “There’s no classes today, so I don’t expect you to hang around here for all of Bestalow.”
“So? It’s not like you’ve got anywhere to go…” Ferris groaned, grabbing her forehead.
“I’m closing early and celebrating Bestalow with my fiancé.” Seears clarified, as a few of the security guards let out cheers and hollering. “So I’d rather the bar be empty when I leave.”
Ferris drunkenly flipped him off, before pulling herself to the door, as the guards waved her off.
“Later, Ferris! Keep working those sass muscles!” Another called out, getting a few chuckles from the others, as the light of midday started to blind Ferris, making her drunken/hungover state even worse.
“…this time of year hates me…”
“Someone’s got quite the grouchy attitude for Bestalow.”
Ferris turned to Spence just beside her, making her way into the Daiquiri Lounge, as Ferris tried to straighten out her back.
“Spence? What’re you doing at the bar?”
Spence excitedly held up a box. “I’m heading home to spend Bestalow with my mother, so I’m dropping off my presents now. Seears wanted magazines he hasn’t read yet.”
“Oh.” Ferris let out, turning her attention away, as Spence gave her a once over, freaking Ferris out. “What? Why’re you staring?”
“Hey, how’re you feeling today?”
Ferris avoided looking at her. “Loaded question.”
“I know you’re not a big fan of Bestalow, but I was at least hoping you weren’t planning on day drinking. Every new day is something to be celebrated, after all.” Spence suggested, as Ferris actually looked a little guilty.
“…right. Uhh…” Ferris muttered, rubbing her face. “There’s just days when I can’t help it, you know?”
Spence looked a little saddened, right as some raucous laughter echoed out from the Daiquiri Lounge, drawing the duos attention.
Spence was willing to leave it alone, only for Ferris to stick her head into the door to listen in.
“…an I guess?”
“Okay, everyone gets three questions and one guess as to who I’m thinking of, alright?” Seears suggested, mixing a couple drinks for the security. “Lawkins.”
“Easy. First question.” Lawkins started, scratching his chin. “Are they…famous?”
“In a way.” Seears replied.
“So infamous?”
“Very. That’s two questions.”
“…dammit. Okay…are they…a Venator?”
“Nope, you lost it.” Seears answered, before waving his finger around. “Who might get it? Who’s it gonna be?”
He noticed a guard excitedly waving her hand, as he pointed to her. “Jones.”
“Okay, I got it. Are they…ill-tempered?”
“…I think you’re catching on.” Seears stated, as she continued.
“Unpleasant to be around, and just in general?”
“Correct.”
“Okay…” Jones stated, pushing two fingers to her lips. “…hates life and herself?”
“Bring it home.”
“Is it Ferris?” Lawkins butted in, as Jones shoved his arm.
“Oh! Lawkins sweeping in for the steal!” Seears cheered, as the security started cackling to themselves. “Free drinks for Lawkins on the expert guess! Okay, who’s ready t…”
Ferris finally pulled her head back out, after they’d given her a pretty good show.
After a few more seconds, she just stood there, slowly shaking her head, as Spence could see the distress on her face.
She quickly dropped off her gift near the door and started dragging Ferris away.
“…I knew I was hated, but hearing it articulated behind my back stung a lot more.” Ferris admitted, as Spence sighed out.
“Don’t listen to them. They’re just a bunch of Negative Nancy’s who feel like putting other people down.” Spence assured, before walking in front of Ferris. “And you’re not hated. You can…just be difficult to get along with.”
“You don’t have to massage my ego, I know I’m a fucking downer.” Ferris confessed, sighing out. “They don’t need me stinking up their Bestalow…”
Spence pouted her lips, before clapping her hands loudly in Ferris’ face, as she stumbled back.
“…I have a hangover, you jerk.”
“I don’t care. Stop pretending you have nothing to offer.” Spence insisted, resting her hands on her hips. “…if you don’t have anywhere you want to go, you can come join me in the library. I’ve got to finish up a few things there before I leave anyway.”
Ferris could see Spence was putting herself out, almost looking at her with pity, as the guilt from before grew a bit bigger.
“…sure. I’ll, uhh…stay out of your hair.” Ferris remarked, as Spence turned back around and marched to the library, followed by Ferris doing her best to keep her distance.
Once they arrived, Ferris was ready to head in, only to find Spence hanging by the entrance in silence, poking her head in.
Ferris took a second to reach her side, before peeking around as well and finding Harley and Sola in the library, putting some textbooks away.
“They’re back on camp…?” Ferris muttered, only for Spence to shoosh her, as Harley turned to Sola.
“Huh?”
“Huh? Huh what?”
“Huh, as in ‘did I hear you correctly?’ You got a gift for Ferris?” Harley questioned, as Ferris shut herself up now.
“Yeah, I figured why not.” Sola insisted, pressing her finger to her lips. “But don’t say it too loud. Someone might hear.”
“Right, but…like, why though?” Harley asked, genuinely confused. “Why even bother? She’s gonna hate whatever you give her. Plus I don’t think she even likes Bestalow.”
Sola looked a bit dejected, as she put her own textbook back.
“…I know that, but she’s been making some real improvements recently.” Sola pointed out. “She’s actually teaching some classes, and she saved Julia from Rosalind during the attack.”
Sola jumped forward. “And she made us do that weapon swapping trip! That was fun!”
Sola subtly reached into her back pocket, before pulling out a couple vouchers.
“…she seems like she’s really hurting, so I wanted her to know the effort was appreciated.” Sola nodded. “I got her a spa trip to help relax and get her mind out of the academy. She’s probably gonna say no to it, but the offers still there.”
Harley smiled, before reaching over and kissing Sola’s head sweetly. “You’re just so kind. I get what you’re saying, but I still think it’s a lot to give her, especially since you two don’t get along. And she left you in that forest.”
“…I can put that aside, at least for Bestalow.” Sola assured, just as Ferris sighed out.
She pulled herself back, before falling onto the wall.
“…Harley has a point. Why even bother?” Ferris muttered, as Spence stepped to the side.
“You know, you don’t get to decide whether people like you or not.” Spence noted, smiling back at Ferris. “It’s a double-edged axe, sure, bu-“
“Double-edged sword.” Ferris corrected.
“…okay, it’s a double-edged sword, but that just means some people will only hate you if you’re the one chasing them off.” Spence reasoned, before bumping Ferris’ arm. “So leave Ferris alone and stop doing that to yourself, you dill.”
Despite the teasing nature of the comment, Spence saw Ferris take it very seriously, as her pupils shrank a little in fear.
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to touch a nerve.” Spence stated, as Ferris shook her head.
“…that’s…” Ferris managed, struggling with her words, as she looked around her nervously.
Before Spence could ask what she was doing, Ferris felt around for her keys in her pocket and started to headed off down the hall.
“Ferri-“
“I need to go somewhere. I may be gone a while.” Ferris replied, not even looking back at Spence, as Spence debated chasing after her, at least to make sure she wasn’t about to do anything reckless.
———
“…s that rea…”
“…did you he…”
“…how coul…”
“…deserves it…”
Amanda tried her best to block out the murmuring of the café around her. She couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but she knew what they were talking about. She knew it was about her.
And why wouldn’t it be?
Once she took her attention off the chatter, she noticed a waitress waiting by her table, tapping her pen to the menu.
“Done daydreaming?” She remarked, as Amanda took the menu off of her. “What do you want?”
Amanda could barely make out the words on the menu, before she threw it to the table in frustration. “Just get me a danish…”
The waitress pouted and walked off, right as Amanda could feel a constant pain growing behind her eye.
As her headache started to worsen, she went and grabbed for her flask, before it slipped out of her pocket accidentally. She tried to pick it back up, only for a passing couple to kick it across the floor and out of reach, staring back at her bitterly.
She decided not to risk getting up to grab it, as she turned back around and saw the waitress chuck her danish onto the table lazily, spilling a bit of it onto Amanda’s hands.
Amanda groaned and went to grab some napkins to wipe it off, before the waitress sneered at her.
“I guess cream’s easier to wipe off than blood.”
“Fuck off.” Amanda replied, before shaking her cup. “And get me a refill.”
The waitress grabbed it and wandered off to do so, as Amanda inspected her danish.
What’re the chances someone’s spit in this? Amanda wondered, before grabbing her fork. I’ll risk it.
Right as Amanda took a bite, the bell to the café rang out, failing to draw her attention. She kept eating peacefully, only for a man to slowly come over to her table, before placing his hand on the seat across from her.
“Is this taken?”
Amanda stared at him, before going back to her food, as he took up the seat regardless and dropped his suitcase nearby. He went to talk, only for the waitress to come back over, almost pouring Amanda’s coffee onto her.
“Anything else, Teamkiller?” The waitress replied, before noticing the man across from her. “Oh. Are you friends with her? What do you want?”
“Less attitude.” The man replied, as the waitress held her tongue. “And a latte, prepared better than hers.”
The waitress kept quiet, before tentatively going off to do so, as Amanda lifted her head out of curiosity.
“What? You here to defend my honour?” She asked, taking apart her food.
“I know you don’t need that.” He replied, as Amanda kept eating.
“If you feel like trying shit, I’m still a Venator.” Amanda pointed out. “I may be unarmed, but I can kick your ass easily.”
“No, I’m…” The man said, before resettling in his seat. “You’re Amanda Major, right? From Team Ballistic?”
Amanda paused, before picking at her danish. “The former Team Ballistic, in case you didn’t hear the news.”
“No, I heard it. I just don’t think they have the full story.” The man explained. “A whole Venator team goes in to take down a Wailing, and only one member makes it out, all while refusing to take interviews. No one’s gotten your side, and yet you’re the only person who was there.”
“Jack was there.” Amanda muttered, stabbing at her food more aggressively.
The man breathed out, just as the waitress came back with his coffee. “I want to hear what actually happened.”
Amanda stayed silent, as the man sat patiently, waiting for a response.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…I’m not leaving until I know.”
“Then you’re gonna sit there for a while.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Amanda jabbed at her danish again, before throwing her fork across the room.
“Fine, you nosy fucking…” Amanda let out, grabbing at her head. “…we got up there. Everything was routine, we were joking about shit, complaining about the press, and then the moment we go in, it drops on top of us.”
Amanda avoided looking at him. “Next thing I know, three of us are dead, and Jack’s pinned under the thing. My sword got knocked away in the scuffle, but his rifle slid over to me. So I pick it up, and even though I don’t know how to use the thing…I fire.”
Amanda went back to her food, not even eating it at this point.
“I killed them both in the crossfire.”
There was a dead silence between the two, as the man took in what she’d admitted to.
“And now nobody’s hiring me cause they think I got the team killed…” Amanda muttered.
The man had forgotten his coffee was even there, as he reached over the table. “You shouldn’t blame yourself for that. In a situation like th-“
“You still haven’t told me why you’re here.” Amanda replied, grabbing the rest of the danish and stomaching it. “…start talking.”
The man sighed out, before reaching down to grab something from his suitcase.
“I have a job offer.”
Amanda immediately scoffed and got up to leave, only for the man to grab her sleeve.
“Just…hear me out. It’s for your benefit too.” He said.
Amanda glared at him, before cautiously taking up her seat again and leaning on its back legs. “I’m not joining Nova.”
“This isn’t…it’s not that.” He said, pulling out some files. “I need a bodyguard. One who can help me get information and make sure I don’t die in the process.”
“A bodyguard?” Amanda scoffed, as the man started displaying charts and photos over the table.
“Something’s not adding up.” He confessed. “There’s been reports of Wailing attacks that make no sense. Look, Meda Manufacturing’s headquarters were attacked a few months ago, despite it being up in the Eldos Mountains, far from where any Wailing should be. Quas Transporters were hit too, but no footage was found of the Wailing arriving, just the attack.”
“Wailing are crafty. Thirty seconds.” Amanda stated, as the man looked confused, before continuing.
“There’s more. Attacks that don’t make sense, Venators that might be benefiting from it…and I think someone might be behind it.” He insisted. “But I can’t look into this myself. Whoever we’re dealing with might have…access to Wailing, whatever that might entail, so I need someone who can at least hold their own against on-“
“A Venator, okay.” Amanda said, picking up one of the photos. “And what, I was desperate enough?”
“Yes.” He admitted, offending Amanda. “And, considering your current reputation, leaving the spotlight would make a lot of sense from an outside perspective. You’re the perfect candidate for this.”
Amanda gave the photos another once over, before the man pulled out a few more documents from his briefcase.
“I’ve just gotten a promotion to principal of the Venator Academy, and I want you to moonlight as a teacher there. You can update m-“
“What did you say?”
The man looked at her puzzled.
“You want me to teach?” She groaned. “I’m meant to spend my days around the next generation of those fuckers? The ones who left me to rot after all this shit went down?! Just so you can run after your crackpot theories?!”
“Tha-“
“No, no, screw you and your shitty deal! Find someone more desperate to be your bitch!”
Amanda stood up to leave, making a fairly big scene of the café, only for the man to stand up as well, hiding some shame on his face.
“You don’t…get to make that decision.”
“Like hell, I don’t! Fuck off!”
The man clenched his fist.
“…what if something happens to me?”
Amanda slowed down briefly, before turning back to him.
“If I die…and you could’ve prevented that…”
Amanda’s eyes widened, as the man was visibly ashamed of himself.
“You really want another life on your conscience?”
Despite her better judgement, and her rapidly building anger, Amanda stormed back over to the table, sitting down in frustration as she stared daggers right into the man.
“I hate you.”
“I can live with that.” He admitted, handing her the documents. “I’ve gotten a cover ready for you, just to avoid drawing any attention. Name change, history, general appearan-”
“Good riddance.” Amanda said, before sighing out and picking up the documents he handed over.
“…Lola Ferris.”
Amanda’s eye drooped, before staring at him again. “Couldn’t have picked a better name?”
“…no.” The man lied, as Amanda scoffed and balanced on her chair again.
“Guess it makes sense, now that I’m your errand bitch.” Amanda complained. “So what, should I start calling you sir now?”
“You could start by calling me Aaron Faller.” He replied, finally sipping his coffee. “And don’t look so glum about this. If all goes to plan, we’ll do something great.”
———
A slight chill was rushing over the academy, as the afternoon of Bestalow started to settle in. The campus, for the most part, was empty, with plenty of students off campus and only a couple staff still hanging around instead of heading home.
Faller was one of them.
While he didn’t like to admit it, he didn’t actually have much to go back to himself, and hated the idea of adding Ferris to the mix of his already frustrating few days.
Wess, on the other hand, was only here briefly, and was planning to be off of campus again soon, before getting caught off guard by a few noises coming from down one of the academy halls.
She didn’t want to investigate them, but felt she should, as she turned to find Faller resting somewhat near his office, lying against the wall, a few bottles laying about him. His head was leaning back, staring right up at the ceiling.
Wess sighed out, before starting to approach.
“Quite the undignified state to find you in.”
Faller turned over to the voice. “…Wess?...why’re you on campus?”
“I was dropping off some gifts for friends.” Wess explained, as she noticed Faller’s bloodshot eyes. “…are you drunk?”
“…maybe.” Faller let out, shaking his head. “Or sleep deprived, I dunno which…”
Frankly, Wess didn’t have the patience to deal with this, as she went to take her leave, before Faller spoke up.
“…hey.”
She begrudgingly turned around.
“…do you think I’ve been a good principal?”
Wess stared right at him, truly considering the question.
“…depends what day you ask me.” Wess replied. “On orientation day, of course. As of recent, there’s certainly bias hindering my opinion.”
Faller thought on it for a second, before hitting a realisation. “…right, with Julia…”
Wess scowled, as she continued to stand near him. “Wicker’s to blame for that night, but you did Julia no favours putting her in that position. And if we’re looking clinically at your position as principal, you failed that night.”
Faller threw his head back again, before letting out a weak laugh.
“I can’t even disagree with you…” He admitted, as Wess, despite her want to leave, went to sit beside him. “…I keep pretending I’m making hard decisions, even when I’m just forcing other people to make them for me…breaking apart teams with my carelessness, the one thing I swore I wouldn’t do…”
He laughed a bit more earnestly now. “I’ve been a shit principal, but it’s not like it’s been easy. It’s not like anyone else could’ve done better with the hand I was dealt…I really tried my best…”
He looked back at Wess solemnly. “…did I ever tell you why I became principal?”
“I don’t believe I asked.”
“…well, after I got my engineering degree, I tried my hand at becoming a Venator. To no one’s surprise, it wasn’t really for me. I wanted to change the world for the better, but that wasn’t how I was gonna do it.” Faller explained, trying his best to seem composed. “Then I found a job offer with Venator Standards and Practices to look into potential corruption in the industry, and took it on a whim. Administration’s more my game.”
Faller tried his best to paint a picture. “After that, I started to notice some patterns in the industry, which I later found out was Wicker making moves. Now here was something I could work on.”
Wess found herself weirdly captivated, as he weaved his tale. “I took what information I could and used my degree to get the head engineer position here in hopes of becoming principal. Then I could sway the new generation of Venators to look out for this corruption, as well as use the position to get easier access to information on Wicker. And it…mostly worked…but it just reminded me of what I couldn’t do too…”
Wess watched him dip his head down, as he accidentally knocked over an empty bottle.
“…since working with Standards and Practices, I’ve seen so many Venator teams fall apart, disassemble, get killed, due to infighting and arguments in the team. Some of the best teams in history ended their careers hating each other, and all riddled with disorders they had no idea how to treat and trauma they were just stuck with.” Faller noted, looking so much less dignified than Wess had ever seen. “Frankly, that kinda thing is deadlier than any Wailing attack.”
He threw his hands up. “And I tried to curtail that from happening here, but there’s only so much I can do. I’ve inherited a warrior school, we’re not exactly a mental health program.” Faller admitted. “Pather has to double up as a councillor, and we can’t even afford a full-time therapist with all the repairs and maintenance from the attacks. We just hire them out when they’re needed, which is still not enough for most of the students here. Hell, only Julia got one for your whole team. That’s bullshit.”
He shook his head frantically, rocking about as he spoke. “I wanted to take care of everyone here, and better the standards of Venators, and keep everyone safe, and end the Wailing Conflict. I spread myself too thin. In the end, I could only do so much…”
Faller slowly sat back down, feeling himself sink into his depression, as Wess watched his expression change, before folding her arms.
“…well, as some advice, you could try not being so hypocritical.”
Faller turned back to her, as Wess faced him properly.
“For such an advocate of mental health, someone in your life is suffering greatly and needlessly. And frankly, you’re not doing much about it.” Wess pointed out, as Faller threw his hands up and looked away.
“If this is about Ferris, I’ve tried to help where I c-“
“Then once again, you’re doing a shit job.” Wess argued, annoying Faller.
“There’s only so much I can do! She has to be here, for my safety and to help pin down Wicker! I can’t help that she’s surrounde…!”
Faller trailed off, stopping himself from admitting too much, as Wess lay her head back.
“…I have no idea what’s happened in Ferris’ life, and I understand that, to some extent, she needs to be here.” Wess pointed out. “But it’s clear to me she’s in pain, and your workload has meant she’s fallen deeply down the priority list. And you don’t look at those people and roll your eyes, you help them where you can. It is fair on no one that we’re stuck with a teacher who despises the very school she teaches at and can only get through the day with a pocket flask in her jacket.”
Wess stared at the ceiling, as she nestled into her coat. “You cannot help those around you without helping yourself.”
She then stared Faller dead in the eyes. “But how’re you meant to help others if you don’t know how?”
Faller was left silent, given plenty to chew on, as Wess stayed where she was, watching as he considered her opinion.
“…I know that…but I’m worried about what’ll happen to her if she leaves here.” Faller admitted. “She was in a terrible spot before coming here anyway. There’s no way she’s gonna bounce back from that. The least I’ve been able to do is watch her and make sure she doesn’t try anything.”
Wess raised an eyebrow. “So help is completely off the table?”
“…I’ve tried in the past.” Faller confessed, huddled over. “And she’s never been receptive to it.”
“Perhaps that’s the problem.” Wess suggested, sitting back up. “Ease her into it. Take a few drastic measures at first, then get her a therapist off-campus who she can vent to about you and her problems.”
Wess decided to stand back up, before dusting off her coat. “If you want my take, she teaches best when she’s invested in the topic herself. And sober.”
Faller smirked a little. “Don’t we all?”
“She has the potential to give some damn good advice, and I wouldn’t waste that in your position.” Wess noted, finally leaving like she intended. “At the moment, I can’t respect you. So if you want to make this position count, pull back and work on something you know you can do and stop constantly gunning for the bigger picture. I might just find myself revoking that opinion if you’re successful.”
Wess disappeared back down the hall, as Faller found himself pulling back up to his feet, still leaning on the wall for support.
He admitted that the role reversal of her giving him advice felt strange, but it was something he needed to hear. Or be reminded of.
“…”
After perking himself up, he took a few minutes to clean up the mess he’d made around him, taking the empty bottles back to his office, before his now drained liquor cabinet gave him an idea of somewhere to start.
———
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
…despite wanting to finish it, Ferris poured the rest of her beer out onto the ground, covering the grass as much as she could and letting out a pained sigh.
A gentle breeze ran over the graveyard, as the sunset started to take up the sky. A bit of it glinted off of Ferris’ car, parked close by.
She stared at the few graves in front of her, boarding the Southern Wayside coast, a place she was already pretty familiar with at this point.
Though she hadn’t been here yet.
“…are you the shadows of things that may be…?” Ferris muttered allowed, glancing over the line of graves. “…or are you shadows of things that will be…?”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out her flask, getting the last few drops from it, before spotting a perch on the coastline and leaving the graves of Team Ballistic behind.
She drunkenly wandered up, nearly tripping back down the hill a few times, before making it to the top, sitting out and watching the sunset descend.
She gave herself a few seconds to catch her breath, still pretty delirious. In a moment of weakness, she caught herself looking over the cliff, watching where the waves hit the rocks, before rolling back out and coming back in, rolling out…
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…am I interrupting something?”
Blinking profusely, Ferris took a second to register the other voice, before turning around and finding a woman in sunglasses and a trench coat standing behind her, hands in her pockets.
“…not really.” Ferris admitted, as the woman nodded, before looking out over the cliff as well.
Ferris tried scanning over her, right as she caught the distinctive claw marks running up her face, quickly recognising her.
“…you’re Ryuko. The Dragon Tamer.” Ferris noted, as Ryuko didn’t make eye contact.
“In the flesh.” She replied. “Are you a fan?”
“I just know you…” Ferris admitted, leaning her head down. “We met a while ago, but you wouldn’t remember me…”
Ryuko raised an eyebrow, before looking down at Ferris. “I’m pretty good with faces…but yours looks pretty battered. Can’t say I recognise you.”
“Join the club…” Ferris groaned, falling backwards, as Ryuko took the chance to sit down too, her attention mostly still on the skyline.
Ryuko took a second to look back at the graveyard. “…so, who did I meet back then?”
“…someone. Anyone.” Ferris let out. “A person that can’t exist anymore…I’m not the woman I was…”
Ferris slowly sat back up, only to rest her head in her lap. “But I can’t move on either…always thinking about what used to be…I’m like a fucking ghost now…”
Ryuko smiled, as she leaned back, letting the sun wash over her.
“…you know that’s a good thing, right?” Ryuko posited, as Ferris glared at her in confusion.
“No it isn’t.”
“Hear me out. Did you like the old you?”
“…to a point.” Ferris admitted, as Ryuko smiled.
“Exactly. And is there any good reason to go back to her?”
“…she could be happy.” Ferris added.
“Well, good for her. But she’s not around anymore.” Ryuko pointed out, indicating behind her. “You said it yourself, she’s dead and buried, just like everyone back there.”
Ryuko pressed her finger into Ferris’ chest. “You’ve got another chance.” Ryuko stated. “Whatever was weighing you down before doesn’t have to shackle you. That was the old…”
“…Amanda.”
“…Amanda.” Ryuko repeated. “Now you can be who you need to be. You don’t have to forget, but let it go. Don’t torture the new you.”
Ryuko rested her hand on Ferris’ back.
“Be someone who deserves to be alive.”
Ferris could feel herself pushing against the sentiment, as she pulled away slightly, before starting to speak.
“…I don’t deserve anything…” Ferris muttered, balling herself up, as her voice started to break. “…I’m a f-fucking failure…”
Immediately, she started weeping loudly, closing up into herself and letting it take over her body, as Ryuko let her have her moment, giving her the space she needed.
After a few minutes, Ferris rested her head on the ground, slamming her fist down a few times, before finally letting up, as her breathing returned to normal, even with her face still streaked with tears.
Ryuko leaned back. “Feel a bit better?”
Ferris took a few more seconds, angrily wiping her face clean. “…I-I-I’ve already wasted my new chance.” Ferris admitted, looking pleadingly at Ryuko. “I m-made everyone hate me a-again. That’s all I thought I deserved.”
Ryuko smirked. “Oh, come on. You’re not that stupid, are you?”
Ferris blinked.
Ryuko grinned happily. “You haven’t wasted anything. You’re still here.”
The realisation hit Ferris hard, as she immediately stood up, before shaking her head and slapping herself hard in the face.
“What time is it?!” Ferris demanded, as Ryuko pulled out her tablet.
“Seven. Bestalow’s almost over.” Ryuko explained, before Ferris started running back down the hill in the direction of her car.
Right as she was about to drive off, she stuck her head out of the window and waved.
“THANK YOU!!!”
The car tore off, as Ryuko smirked to herself, before going back to admiring the sunset.
“Seize the day, Amanda.”
Ferris was back in Detu City at record time, even with her drunkenness slowing her down, but even with her newfound energy, basically everywhere was closed at this point.
“Fuckin’ of course…” Ferris groaned, catching a glimpse of a few open stores further into Detu Central. She checked her watch again, right as it hit ten thirty. “This is worth it. It’s the thought that counts.”
She went sprinting down the street, desperately scanning for any shops with lights still on, before spotting a small kid dressed in rags across the road.
She stopped suddenly and called out.
“HEY! KID! STREET URCHIN!”
The kid lifted his head, before taking his hat off. “Who, me miss?”
“Yeah, you! Take this!” Ferris yelled, throwing some capitals his way.
The kids’ eyes lit up. “Gee Miss, you’re givin’ this all to me?”
“No! You’re…fuck it, if there’s change left over, you can keep it!” Ferris clarified. “Just find an open store and buy me a rubber chicken!”
“Anythin’ for a lady as generous as you, Miss!” The kid replied, donning his hat and tipping it to her before heading off, as Ferris turned around and headed into the nearby shop.
“Weird fucking kid…” She said, making her way into the Abandonal Shop, before being greeted by Virgil just by the door, clearly about to start closing up.
“Wait, I need to buy shit!” Ferris insisted, grabbing his shoulders. “Stay open!”
Virgil was visibly thrown off after being shaken, before taking in Ferris’ haggard appearance.
“…well, I’m in no real place to argue. Business is business.” He said, stepping out of the way, as Ferris rushed over to a few of the gift aisles, which had mostly been cleared out at this point.
Immediately, her eye was drawn to a mug on the shelf that read ‘Coffee’s fine, but liquor’s more my cup of tea.’
She grabbed it and shoved it to Virgil. “Is this mug for sale?!”
He stared down at it.
“There’s a price tag on it, so yes.” Virgil replied, heading to ring it up, right as Ferris searched for a few more gifts, before picking one out and heading to the counter, scrambling for her wallet.
She waited for Virgil to count up the cash, as he found himself slightly amused.
“You know, from your appearance, you reminded me of someone my coworker talks about a lot.” Virgil insisted, handing her the items. “But the way she described her, she’s not the type to buy last minute Bestalow gifts.”
Ferris blinked.
“…yeah, I didn’t think so either.” Ferris agreed, heading back out of the store, right as the street urchin came up to her, holding a massive rubber chicken in his hands.
“Holy shit, kid.” Ferris let out, as he put it on the ground, took his hat off and bowed.
“I couldn’ help myself, frankly! The Bestalow spirit gets the best of us!” He cheered, as Ferris grabbed up the chicken, before chucking him some more money.
“Okay, I’m paying you to leave me alone. If you see me again, don’t bother me.” Ferris insisted, heading back to her car, as the urchin waved her off.
“Gods bless you, lady!”
———
“Come on…it’s actually too big…I definitely…overpaid that urchin…”
Ferris dragged the chicken behind her, pulling it through the academy halls over to Coatsworth’s office, still conscious of the time with each drag.
She eventually reached the door, checking inside to find it empty, as she dragged the chicken over to leave it by the door.
“Ferris.”
Ferris jumped suddenly, nearly falling over and dropping the other gifts, before landing on the rubber chicken, as it let out a long, pathetic honk while she sunk into it.
She pulled herself back up, noticing Coatsworth standing outside the office, before she cleared her throat and indicated to the bird.
“There! Something funny. You…you deserve it.” Ferris let out, clearly embarrassed. “I’m not gonna elaborate on why I’m doing this, just…know that your company over this last year was…appreciated.”
Coatsworth took a second, before heading over to the chicken to inspect it.
He turned to Ferris.
“I guess we could say it’s…comedically…oversized.”
…there was an appropriate pause for such a terrible pun, as Coatsworth went to sit down, with Ferris getting up to leave.
“Alright, if that’s all do-“
“Thank you.”
Ferris turned to Coatsworth.
“I really appreciate the gift.” Coatsworth assured. “And Biscuit will too.”
Ferris could feel her embarrassment returning, as she left as quick as she could to avoid showing it. “O-Okay, get over yourself nerd. You’ve probably gotten a ton already.”
Ferris made a beeline for the staff offices, heading right past her desk and over to Spence’s, as she reached into her jacket to grab out her gift.
On the shelves at the Abandonal Shop, she’d found these bookmarks littering the shelves, clearly not selling very well, which she was initially going to overlook. However, as she inspected them, she noticed all of them had little crabs on them with reading glasses, saying ‘Reading is my crab-solute favourite!,’ with one exception. One of them was misprinted, instead saying ‘Reading is my crap-solute favourite!’
Going out on a limb, Ferris left it on Spence’s desk, before adding a note next to it.
This got a laugh out of me. Hopefully it does for you too. Thank you for everything.
- Lola
Before leaving, she stared over the gift again, before rearranging it slightly, trying to present it in the best light. She moved it around again, biting her lip, before she started to feel satisfied with how it looked.
“She better like it…” Ferris muttered, before leaving and heading back to her car.
It was pretty faint, but during the middle of night, Sola caught a subtle knock on Julia’s front door. She got up from the couch, rubbing her eyes as she walked over to it, right as the sound of a car driving off echoed through the door.
She opened it up, finding Dulce dead asleep by the entrance, with a small mug placed in front of the door.
She managed to catch a small glimpse of Ferris’ car disappearing into the distance, before she excitedly looked down at the mug and read over it, cracking up soon after.
Smiling to herself, she headed back inside, still chuckling a little at the gift.
It was past midnight by the time Ferris got back home. Her eyes were stinging and her legs wouldn’t stop hurting from the near constant running and driving. She’d gotten everything she wanted done, but her body wasn’t about to thank her for it.
Right as she headed inside and turned the lights on, she found Faller on the couch, pretty much dozing off himself, only for him to wince at the light overhead.
“Morning.” Ferris joked, heading right for the kitchen, as Faller pulled himself up.
“…morn…oh, you’re joking…where’d you disappear off to with the car?”
“Somewhere important.” Ferris stated, opening up the fridge in hopes of grabbing a beer, only to find it completely empty. “…did you drink the place dry?”
Faller stood back up and stretched. “No, I threw it out.”
Ferris slowly turned to him. “What?”
“I’ve been letting you suffer without intervening, and that stops today…” Faller admitted, still leaning on the couch. “I did you wrong. In so many ways.”
Faller placed his hand on his chest. “So let me do you right.”
“Faller, where’s the booze?” Ferris insisted, as Faller shook his head.
“There’s no more alcohol in the house. You’re going cold turkey.” Faller explained, as Ferris could feel a migraine developing. “But to make things fair, I am too. I also got rid of my liquor cabinet, and we’re both banned from drinking at the Daiquiri Lounge.”
Ferris ran her hands over her face, as her anger at him was only being tempered by her complete exhaustion from such a heavy night.
“…I hate you even more now.”
“I can live with that.” Faller agreed, before admittedly finding himself smiling. “If you can too.”