Chapter Text
Agathe didn't know what to do.
It's going to be Coco's birthday soon and Agathe didn't know what gift to give her.
Agathe hated not knowing things.
Agathe wanted, needed to find out what the perfect gift for her would need to be. She didn't want anything impractical, that’s the easy way out. Agathe needed something that'll help Coco out in the long run.
But she didn't know. Hence why she is now surrounded by a lot of books, with titles along the lines of “ The Art of Gift Giving ” and “ An Essential Guide To Meaningful Gift Giving ”.
Book after book, Agathe got more frustrated. Each book always had something along the lines of "Give them something they'd truly enjoy." That is the problem. Agathe didn’t know something that Coco would truly enjoy.
Agathe briefly considered consulting her professors to see if they had some insight but she quickly shut that thought down. This will be something she will do alone. She will work hard to give Coco what she deserves.
Agathe looked all around her. Books stacked neatly in some areas and books strewn about in others. Agathe was so focused on reading every book page by page that halfway through, she didn’t bother stacking them neatly.
‘I should put all of these back.’
When she picked up the third book an idea struck her. She looked at the book in her hand.
A book.
A book is versatile. A book can be anything.
Coco can use a notebook in whatever way she wants. Agathe herself wrote in journals to keep her thoughts in order.
A book is perfect. The perfect gift to give Coco. She found it.
But Agathe still wasn't satisfied.
‘Why? Why?’ Agathe thought. ‘ What do you mean you're not satisfied with this?’
Agathe thought about it while putting back the books she read up on for research. She didn't want to give Coco any lousy old cheap notebook that can be found in a store.
'No. Coco deserves better than that.'
Agathe then remembered what Tetia and Richeh were doing a few months ago.
“Bookbinding is more fun than I thought it would be,” Richeh remarked while making her own personal notebook. “Thank you Tetia.”
“Thank you! “ Tetia emphasized the ‘you’. “We should do this more often. Can you pass me the glue?”
Bookbinding.
Agathe can bookbind a whole special custom notebook just for Coco. A proof of Agathe's gratitude and respect towards her. 'And maybe something a bit more?'
Agathe quickly erased that thought away. These thoughts she may or may not be having more of recently is a hindrance and a distraction towards her goal. Which is, giving Coco the perfect birthday gift.
‘I need to find some paper.’
•—•—•—•—•
Agathe was slow and methodical when it comes to bookbinding, like she is for everything she sets her mind to. Every cut was precise and detailed. Every design was intentional and dare she say, beautiful.
Everything was going perfect.
Except when it wasn't.
Agathe was bookbinding in the privacy of her own room so that people won't see what she's doing. But there's a problem with that logic. Agathe was roommates with the person she's supposed to give this gift to.
Coco isn't nosey. But when your usually calm roommate jumps up whenever you walk into the room and quickly hide whatever she's doing, you're bound to get suspicious eventually.
"Hey Agathe," Coco asked, trying to see whatever Agathe's doing on her desk. "What are you working on?"
Agathe tried hiding the half-finished book away from her roommate's view. "Just a...project. I'm working on. Don't distract me." She tried sounding assertive but it just came off as nervous. Agathe was having trouble thinking of a design but she didn’t want Coco to hear it in her voice.
"Oh...okay." There was pause. "Good luck Agathe! I um, will be studying over here. If you need me."
If you need me.
‘Come on Agathe. Say it.’
“Coco.” Agathe started fiddling with the paper. Her desk was across from Coco’s and Coco couldn’t see her face from this angle.
“Yes?” Coco quickly answered her, not expecting Agathe to speak after she pointedly told her not to distract her.
“What’s your favorite color?”
“My….my favorite color?” Coco sounded confused (‘Or as Tetia and Richeh would say, Coconfused.’) , it’s not every day Agathe Arkrome asks you about your favorite color, after all.
Coco made a contemplative sound. “I like all colors to be honest. They’re all pretty in their own way.” She paused, then continued. “But if I had to choose, teal, white and yellow together would be nice.”
“Like our apprentice hat?” Agathe asked.
“Ah, now that you mention it, yeah!” Coco laughed a bit. “Maybe that’s why I liked wearing it so much.”
“Hm,” Agathe felt awkward trying to continue the conversation any further. She felt fluttering and warmth in her chest. “Thank you for your answer, Coco.”
Agathe can now continue her gift making.
•—•—•—•—•
Today was finally the day.
Today was Coco’s birthday.
Today, Agathe woke up way earlier than she usually does.
Agathe didn’t need to wake up this early, but since she’s up, she might as well help the professors downstairs with the birthday decorations.
Agathe carefully slipped out of bed so that she wouldn't wake Coco and got herself ready for the day. If she put more effort into looking presentable today, that’s only between her and the mirror.
When Agathe was finally ready, she stood there in front of the mirror instead of going downstairs. Agathe rehearsed what she was going to say to Coco when she gave her the gift.
‘This is stupid. I should go down already. Coco might hear me.’
Despite those thoughts though, she didn’t move an inch. Agathe will never admit it but she’s scared of giving Coco her gift. She’s worried Coco might not enjoy it or even use it.
Agathe balled her fists. ‘You are an Arkrome. You can do anything you set your mind to. Get to it already.’
She quietly walked over to her desk and brought out her nicely-wrapped gift from the corner of the second-to-last drawer. (Agathe put it there because people usually check the last or first drawer first. So the gift is well hidden in her opinion.)
Agathe went down the stairs to the kitchen area, where Professor Qifrey and Olruggio are currently decorating. She hid her gift behind her back, not wanting her professors to see it just yet. From the outside, Qifrey looks calm and serene as usual while Olruggio looks tired and frazzled as usual. But Agathe can tell both of them haven’t gotten that much sleep. She can see that Qifrey’s eyes are more half-closed and that Olruggio’s eyebags are darker than usual.
“Agathe? Why are you up so early?” Qifrey was the first one to notice her, giving her a small smile. Olruggio stopped what he was doing to look at Agathe as well.
“Guessing you wanna help?” Olruggio remarked, already knowing what she was going to say. “You don’t need to, you know.” Qifrey gave him a look and Olruggio looked back at him in return. They did this a lot, Agathe observed. They seemed to have whole conversations just by looking at each other.
‘Is this an adult thing? ’ Agathe mused.
Olruggio sighed, looking back at Agathe. “But since I know you’re stubborn, help me with the balloons.”
“Thank you professor.” She quickly walked over to where the balloons were, almost too quickly. Agathe wanted to hide how nervous she was by quickly finding something to do. Olruggio stayed for a few moments to see if she needed help with anything. When everything seemed good, he went to help Qifrey with the food.
Agathe noticed the balloons were all sorts of colors. It seemed like the professors couldn’t agree on what color balloons they should get so they went with the safe option by picking all of it.
Agathe brought the teal, white and yellow balloons to the front of the kitchen area, where Qifrey and Olruggio were arranging the food.
They seemed to be fussing over which food should be nearest to the cake, which Agathe deemed pointless since why does that matter anyway?
‘Must be an adult thing. ” Agathe thought.
Olruggio was the first one to notice her this time. “Why’re you only bringing the blue, white and yellow balloons here?”
“It’s teal, Oru.” Qifrey corrected, smiling at him.
“Gah, same thing,” Olruggio sounded annoyed but the blush on his face tells a different story.
“I just think these look good together, that’s all.” Agathe’s voice remained neutral but a small blush made its way to her cheeks. She focused all her attention on taping the balloons to the walls and not the professors behind her giving her a knowing look.
Half an hour later, an energetic Tetia and sleepy Richeh entered the kitchen, talking to each other in hushed whispers. Since the 3 apprentices were now here, the professors told them about the plans for Coco’s birthday party. Tetia was bouncing around excitedly in her seat while Richeh listened intently. Meanwhile, Agathe was by herself by the balloons she set up earlier. She was close enough to listen to her professors and fellow apprentices but far away enough that no one would bother her, that is, she hoped that would be the case.
After the professors were done explaining, everyone started drawing the Gathering Shadows glyph on their cloaks. This was so that they can surprise Coco when she finally comes downstairs. During this period, Tetia started talking about her gifts for Coco. Qifrey and Richeh would respond once in a while but other than that, everyone let her ramble on.
Tetia stopped talking when she heard shuffling upstairs. “Quick! Everyone, your glyphs!” Tetia whispered. Everyone quickly finished their glyphs and got under their cloak so that they would blend into the shadows.
Agathe’s heart was racing. She was feeling every emotion possible. The beating of her heart seemed to get louder with every second of silence. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Coco to go downstairs.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The newly-arrived witch yawned and rubbed her eyes. She didn’t seem to notice the birthday decorations yet.
“Professor?” Coco murmured quietly. She looked around and her eyes widened at the sight of balloons and streamers. That was everyone’s cue.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY COCO! ” Everyone shouted and revealed themselves at the same time. The professors activated some fancy light glyphs while Tetia and Richeh ran to hug the birthday girl. Meanwhile, Agathe slowly revealed herself, she didn’t run to hug Coco or prepare a fancy light glyph for the surprise. She just stood back, watching Coco get emotional from the amount of effort her professors and friends did just for her.
“Wha…y-you guys…” Coco was sniffling and violently hugging Tetia and Richeh back like her life depended on it. Her eyes were transfixed on the light glyphs the professors made, shining from the tears and the light. Agathe dare might say it looked pretty. (‘The magic, that is. Magic is always pretty. Which means magic reflected in Coco’s eyes makes her eyes pretty. That’s why. ’)
The professors went over to hug Coco as well, though not as tightly as their apprentices of course. Tetia was the first to break the hug and she started giving Coco her gifts, which prompted Richeh to do so as well. Tetia was thoroughly explaining her gift for her while Richeh was less verbose in her explanation. The professors lead Coco to the table where all the food is already prepared. Coco’s eyes somehow got shinier when she laid her eyes on the delicious feast in front of her.
Agathe hadn’t said a word to her yet. The professors started giving her their gifts as well and Agathe reasoned that she was waiting for the others to finish first before she could give her gift.
“How did you guys know that teal, white and yellow are my favorite colors?” Coco asked while looking at the balloons surrounding the table.
“We didn’t actually, Agathe prepared that.” Olruggio explained. “I bought these balloons. By the way. Just so you know.” He added hastily. Everyone chuckled a little from their watchful eye’s attempt at getting credit.
Coco turned to Agathe, who was still standing all by herself near the corner. “Is this why you asked me what my favorite color was the other day?”
Agathe stiffened when the attention was suddenly put on her.
‘This is it. Give her your gift. This is your chance. ’
Agathe tightened on her grip on the gift behind her back and walked towards Coco. “Coco.” Agathe averted her eyes. It seemed impossible to look her roommate in the eye at the moment. “Um, here.” With a quick movement, Agathe held out her gift in front of her, finally showing everyone what she was hiding behind her back.
Coco carefully took the gift from Agathe’s hands. It was a beautifully crafted book wrapped in a white ribbon. Coco slowly unwrapped the ribbon to reveal the cover of the book. There was a teal triangle in the middle with a white triangle at the base. There were yellow accents on the white and on the top of the triangle. It resembled a witch’s apprentice hat, she realized.
Coco didn’t say anything yet, Agathe started fidgeting with her cloak. “I made it. For you. You’re a great witch so you deserve an equally great gift in return.” She dared look up to see Coco’s face. Her eyes were filled with tears and she had a wobbly smile on her face.
“Agathe…” In one second, Agathe almost stumbled to the floor and she suddenly felt warmth all around. Her brain was trying to process what was happening.
Coco was hugging her. “Thank you, thank you, thank you Agathe!” Agathe couldn’t tell if she was laughing or sobbing or both and she didn’t know what to say or do.
Why was Coco hugging her?
Agathe’s brain finally caught up and she stuttered. “Wh…What are you doing! ?” Her voice sounded higher than usual and her face was beet red. Coco withdrew from the startled witch. “Ahaha, sorry, I got carried away…” She gave Agathe an apologetic smile.
“I really enjoyed your gift Agathe, thank you for making this for me.”
Enjoyed.
Coco truly enjoyed Agathe’s gift in the end.