Archive of Our Own ^beta

ADDRESSED TO:
Hallariel Lomenelda
Seacaster Manor
Downtown Elmville
Solace
INTERCEPTED: XX/XX/XXXX

My dearest daughter,

The mild and pleasant breezes which have, for millennia, so gently tousled each stately blade of grass in our lands have attained a certain crisp quality. We awake to find the dew droplets of the morn crystallised into an elegantly thin frost. It glistens quite beautifully under the sun's tentative light. Perhaps he grows nervous in the presence of his kin, Galicaea's moon lingering in the early hours of the day.

Winter is arriving in Kei Lumennura. The flora of our woods, evergreen as it is, persists in spite of the delicate chill, but many of the critters and majestic beasts which you so loved to pursue as an armed young girl have fallen into their winter slumbers. This is perhaps for the best.

I write to you, my daughter, to cordially invite you to join your family in your homeland for the season - and, hopefully, for many seasons to come. I should hope you would at least grace us with your presence for celebrations of the Solstice, but it is encouraged that you stay as long as you desire. I imagine even our winters are far more agreeable than any of that in the rest of Spyre - let alone Solace. You are aware, I'm sure, that the lands of the Lomenelda maintain a pleasurable temperature throughout the year, and that our weather never reaches extremities. Your extensive time abroad will have dulled your sensitivity to our concepts of the cold. You would perhaps find more enjoyment in Kei Lumennura at this time of year than any of its inhabitants are capable of, were you here.

This invitation naturally extends to your son, Fabian Aramaris Seacaster, and your partner, Gilear Faeth. You never did bring William Seacaster to me; familiarising myself with his charming young boy, fleeting, desperately human lifespan and all, shall have to make up for it.

I fervently await your reply and subsequent arrival. Safe travels upon the Celestine Sea - the waters grow tempestuous as the cooler months creep in. In the meantime, I shall have one of your siblings prepare your old room, if it is still unoccupied. I forget where it is you used to stay. Let us hope you, or someone else, has not.

Ever your father,

Telemaine Lomenelda

ADDRESSED TO:
Telemaine Lomenelda
Kei Lumennura
Fallinel
INTERCEPTED: XX/XX/XXXX

Father,

You may expect me for the month of Solstice, and nothing more. You should know that Gilear and I have married. He has kept his original last name, just as I have kept Bill's. Gilear asked that I forward his apologies to you - he has existing commitments here in Solace for the season, and is unable to come to Fallinel. It'll have to be another year, I'm afraid. You have eternity to see him.

Fabian has severed contact with us. I doubt he'll express any interest in visiting Kei Lumennura, especially with my being there. If you wish to attempt convincing him of having sense, you'll have to find some other way. I don't have an address to pass along.

There's no need to concern yourself with my travels, nor locating my childhood bedroom. I've sailed the Celestine Sea in winter plenty a time. I would have no issue doing it again. That being said, I'll probably just take a jet. And don't bother figuring out where I slept over a century ago - I'm perfectly fine with one of the guest bedrooms. A sizeable one, preferably. How many do we have available, again? Or, more directly, my dear father: how opposed are you to me bringing my manor's staff?

Hallariel Seacaster.

P.S. Don't worry about what a ‘jet’ is.

kel @whispears • XX/XX/XX
begging someone to listen to this album and gush about it with me PLEASE

>> minci ♡ @feywildin
>> is it sum complete shit u found on fantasy soundcloud like every other time u say this or acc decent

>>>> kel @whispears
>>>> okay yes i found it on soundcloud but it's good. i swear. diamond in the rough

>>>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin
>>>>>> man if we went wit ur definition of a diamond ppl would be revivifying left n right😭

>>>>>> Nitix (he/they) @Clerically23
>>>>>> What's the album?

>>>>>>>> kel @whispears
>>>>>>>> https://m.fantasysoundcloud.com/hildahilda/sets/paramortal i think you’ll like it it’s kind of rock adjacent!! you listen to rock right. uh. anyways @feywildin you should see this too

Paramortal - hildahilda

1… More Dread (3:42)

2… Ended Endless Night (Some Are Forever) (5:14)

3… Hometown Hero (3:25)

4… Crown of Madness (4:29)

5… In Bad Taste (4:08)

6… Fossilisation (3:27)

7… Sacred Order (5:01)

8… Infernally Eternal (Keep Burning) (6:06)

9… Timelessness (4:25)

>>>>>>>>>> Nitix (he/they) @Clerically23
>>>>>>>>>> Alright, will listen and get back to you :] (and yes, I do like rock)

>>>>>>>>>>>> kel @whispears 
>>>>>>>>>>>> you’re the best

>>>>>>>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin
>>>>>>>>>> ur not gonna let this go r u

>>>>>>>>>>>> kel @whispears
>>>>>>>>>>>> I SWEAR JUST GIVE IT A CHANCE PLEAAAAASE

>>>>>>>>>>>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ok listening. where tf have i heard this voice b4

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> kel @whispears
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> uhhh good question? the tracks were only recently uploaded and they don't have any previous stuff so truly i don't know

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nitix (he/they) @Clerically23
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yeah, this does remind me of another artist. Can’t put my finger on what though

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ughh this is gna annoy me so bad. hold on

...

minci ♡ @feywildin • XX/XX/XX
friend sent me new music n its rly familiar but i cant figure out what it reminds me of. send help 
https://m.fantasysoundcloud.com/hildahilda/sets/paramortal

>> kel @whispears 
>> omg you called me frieeeend

>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin 
>>>> junnp 0ff a bu1ld1ng 

>>>>>> kel @whispears  
>>>>>> WHAT

>> ⛭ alumila @aluminummy
>> she kinda sounds like the singer from burn towns get money

>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin 
>>>> girl u mean fig?? its literally in the band name get it 2gether

>>>>>> ⛭ alumila @aluminummy
>>>>>> the way i’m being bullied over answering a question?

>>>>>>>> kel @whispears
>>>>>>>> we victims of minci feywildin must stick together 🤝

>>>>>>>>>> ⛭ alumila @aluminummy
>>>>>>>>>> 🤝

>>>>>>>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin
>>>>>>>>>> im gna block u

>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin 
>>>> wait ur kind of right tho…

>>>> SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN @saltoftheearth   
>>>> yes i think so too!! i used to love the cig figs:((

>>>>>> ⛭ alumila @aluminummy
>>>>>> yes omg i remember your gorgug layout from ages ago ajdfhskjd

>>>>>>>> SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN @saltoftheearth 
>>>>>>>> PLS not my dark past

>>>>>>>> SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN @saltoftheearth   
>>>>>>>> i miss it though ngl:(((

>>>>>>>>>> ⛭ alumila @aluminummy
>>>>>>>>>> aww i get it, do you think its them?

>>>>>>>>>>>>  SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN @saltoftheearth   
>>>>>>>>>> >> dunnooo.. it would be cool but even if not its cool to have similar music to listen to :D

…

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ughh this is gna annoy me so bad. hold on

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ik kel already saw but alu and saltor r saying fig n the cig figs. thoughts?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nitix (he/they) @Clerically23
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh, interesting. I’ll need to go back and listen to them to be sure, but from what I remember I could see that. I’ll get back to you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> minci ♡ @feywildin
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> yh im listening back rn and ngl she sounds a little different but its very similar

Nitix (he/they)
Okay, I’ve done a little listening and decided to come here for ease of conversation
The resemblance to the Cig Figs is pretty uncanny.

⛭ alumila
right!!

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
i might be kindaaa biased cuz i saw mimi’s tweet before i listened to the music 😞 but i swear it sounds JUST LIKE FIG
and the music is similar too!! i need to look into it more but i swear in bad taste is SO reminiscent of the sexy rat saga
like the chord progressions and snippets of melody?? idk but !!!

Nitix (he/they)
Oh, that’s very interesting. Let me relisten

⛭ alumila
i might be wrong but didnt some of their unreleased songs get leaked when they disbanded
like the ones that were supposed to be on the sophomore album

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
yeah!!! it was pretty much just mviab cuz iirc they were thinking of releasing it as a singleee??
don’t quote me on that!
there might be others

⛭ alumila
hmm ok!! ty

kel 
Okay i’m gonna come out and be honest and vulnerable
NEVER listened to the cig figs in my LIFE

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
WHAT!!

kel
so someone PLEASE tell me what the HELL the “sexy rat saga” is

⛭ alumila
well

kel
actually
do i even want to know

⛭ alumila
it’s nothing bad aksdjf

kel
also what’s mviab

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
the sexy rat saga is just a series of songs from throughout their debut album!!
and mviab is short for my van is a boat, one of their unreleased songs

⛭ alumila
from the sophomore album that never was…

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
yeah :((  
ANYWAYS!! listen to the cig figs they only have the one album but its SO FUN

kel
i feel like i have to for context if nothing else

minci ♡
im sorry kel there is NO WAY uve never listened to them
thats like saying uve never listened to fleet of foot mac
yh maybe u dont KNOW that uve listened to them but uve def heard them on the radio

kel
who is fleet of foot mac…

Nitix (he/they)
What

minci ♡
oh there is no hope for u

kel
WHAT DO YOU MEAN

minci ♡
go listen to burn towns get money
n then go listen to the chain

Nitix (he/they)
Or. Any song.

minci ♡
yh that
n then come back n tell us uve never heard either

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
NOOOO you gotta listen to the album in order.. for the PEAK EXPERIENCE!!!

minci ♡
be fr nobody in spyre listened to that album in order
we all heard burn towns get money first n then maybe listened to the rest after

Nitix (he/they)
Harsh, but true

minci ♡
saltor did u even listen to it in order first time??

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
:( 
no…

minci ♡
yh thats what i thought

Nitix (he/they)
To be fair
Although there’s certainly virtue in experiencing a musical work in the order intended by the artist right from the get-go
I don’t think it’s entirely necessary
The best way to do it? Arguably, yes
But to go about it in a different manner doesn’t suddenly compromise any and all artistic integrity in the act
Beginning with an artist/album’s most acclaimed song will incentivize new listeners to explore the rest of their discography

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
true!

Nitix (he/they)
Also, Burn Towns Get Money is just plastered on at the end and doesn’t actually add anything to the flow of the album so in this case especially I frankly don’t think it matters

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
nevermind i will FIGHT YOU!!!

Nitix (he/they)
It’s a good song
But

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
THERE IS NO BUT

Nitix (he/they) 
Mom should’ve been the album closer

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
YOU DON’T UNDERSTAAAAND
IT CONTRASTS THE MORE SOMBRE TONES OF THE LATER TRACKS FOR AN EPIC TRIUMPHANT FINISH
MAKING SIGNIFICANT FIGURES THE PERFECT FEEL-GOOD CATHARTIC COMING OF AGE ALBUM!!!!

Nitix (he/they)
I feel like there’s a lot we could unpick there
But my main point is this: it would have worked just fine as a single

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
A LOT TO UNPICK?!?!

kel
okay back. i relent
i’ve definitely heard this song before

minci ♡
yh. thats what i thought.

kel
yeah yeah congrats do you want a medal

minci ♡
would acc love one <333

Nitix (he/they)
Worry about Fleet of Foot Mac later
Right now you need to listen to the entirety of Significant Figures in its intended order and pick a side

kel
what are the sides

minci ♡
omg just backread

kel
I WAS EXPERIENCING MUSIC

⛭ alumila
sorry to interrupt akdjfks but i went to go look for the other leaks
from the cig fig sophomore album

minci ♡
the sophomore album tht never was yh i see u typing saltor

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
the sophomore album that never waHEY >:((
n e wayz! sorry mimi what were you gonna say

⛭ alumila
no worries!!!
i did some digging and you were totally right that there wasnt much but
i found a speculative supposedly unfinished tracklist
and one of the songs was apparently called crown of madness

Nitix (he/they)
Oh?

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
same as one of the songs on paramortal!!

Nitix (he/they)
This is very interesting…
Did anyone ever get their hands on audio of the Cig Figs’ Crown of Madness?

⛭ alumila
i’ll keep looking! but i doubt it :((

kel
i mean
i don’t know who the hell these guys are
and i don’t mean to get all conspiracy theorist
but with all the connections you guys are drawing
do you think this hildahilda dude could be the cig figs?

⛭ alumila
i dont think youre getting conspiracy theorist!!
o k maybe a bit
but its a fun theory!

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
!!!! it would be so so cool if it was fig!!

minci ♡
ok look
i dont mean to burst anyones bubble

kel
actually i feel like that’s maybe your sole goal and purpose in life

minci ♡
thats just for u kel. shut up
anyway

kel
wowww…

minci ♡
crown of madness is the name of a spell right
its not crazy to imagine 2 diff ppl would both use it as a song name
n with all due respect to ms faeth her voice is not super unique

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
i feel like i should be offended>:(( but youre not wrong..

minci ♡
right
n hildahilda doesnt sound exactly like her
just as similar as any other young female vocalist trying out this style would sound

Nitix (he/they)
I agree that I don’t think we should jump to conclusions, but I still think it’s certainly something worth considering
We haven’t even had the time yet to fully digest this Paramortal album, let alone make a real judgement on it

minci ♡
mhm
whts convincing u rn im curious

Nitix (he/they)
Although you’re right the voice is not identical, it’s still very similar, at least from what I’ve heard so far
And it’s not unreasonable to assume Fig’s vocals might have matured and changed since she recorded Significant Figures at, how old?

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
fifteeeen!!

Nitix (he/they)
Thanks, Saltor :]

minci ♡
yh ig

Nitix (he/they)
Also.
There’s so much bass.
Good bass. Very good bass, in fact
But So Much

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
and thats the cig figs for you!!!

kel
man i told all of you my fantasy soundcloud digging would get us somewhere
we might have just found the comeback of the greatest rock band of the century
as their crystal music artist bio from 3yrs ago claims they are

minci ♡
it only took u a millennia to find something worth listening to

Nitix (he/they)
Kel has found some good tracks, in their defense

minci ♡
just not a lot

Nitix (he/they)
Well. Yes

kel 
You guys are so mean

minci ♡
ok look heres the thing thats rly bothering me
ik im no cig figs expert like saltor or wtv

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
🫡

minci ♡
but frm what ik abt their disbandment this feels so weird

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
yeahhh thats true!!
i know people can change their minds but it rlly seemed like they just didnt want to do music anymore! at all

⛭ alumila
and i’m kind of wondering about the other members too

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
THAT!!!
like they didnt sing a TON but they did sing a notable amount on significant figures!!
and from what we know of mviab that was basically ALL gorgug

minci ♡
which u mourn the loss of to this day im sure

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
you jest but its true!!:(
i know they could just be playing instruments for this but. idk!!

Nitix (he/they)
Not to mention. Why in the Nine Hells would they release their long-awaited second album on Fantasy Soundcloud with no press under an unrelated username

⛭ alumila
maybe part of some artistic vision??

Nitix (he/they)
Hmm, a good point

kel
i mean why the hell did they disband in the first place
still working my way through this album but it’s great

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
RIGHT

kel
and i listened to paramortal earlier (obviously that’s why i POSTED about it) and that was also really fucking great
i still haven’t even gotten the chance to gush about that. my GOD the grip timelessness has on me rn
and it seemed like they were doing great
so why the hell stop

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
i ask myself that every day :(( 

Nitix (he/they)
Were they ever particularly transparent about it?

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
BFF kel!!! would you be interested in an hour long rant about the rise and fall of fig and the cig figs, high school band turned critically acclaimed rockstar sensations :DDD ??

kel
uhhh

⛭ alumila
adkjfsf
i can grab an article if thats easier?

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
sighhh 3: that might be best!!

kel
you can rant after buddy i just want the compact version first

SALTOR ✩ COMMS OPEN
YAY!!

⛭ alumila
https://www.rolling-sending-stones.com/music/music-features/fig-and-the-cig-figs-disband-2874

Fig and the Cig Figs Call It Quits: “It’s been a whirlwind”
After taking the world by storm with just one album, the up-and-coming rockstars have decided to hang up their instruments

ALL ACROSS SPYRE, fans of rock (and just about anyone who hasn’t been living under one) were variably shocked by the news of Fig and the Cig Figs’ imminent disbandment. In a social media post released just yesterday, the band announced their decision to officially disband; a decision that was, perhaps unsurprisingly, met with confusion and disappointment by many of their fans.

The band boasts wild success - and in a record-breakingly short stretch of time, too. Their humble beginnings, writing hits-to-be in drummer Gorgug Thistlespring’s backyard, only remained humble for about a month before they skyrocketed to worldwide fame. Their most popular track, Burn Towns, Get Money, dominated the charts for months on end, and its album, Significant Figures, earned platinum status and heaps of praise from critics across the plane.

It’s been lauded as sonically cutting-edge, bringing fresh takes to a variety of classic rock and metal, meshing together and echoing its predecessors without coming off as derivative, but also as refreshingly earnest. Lead singer, bassist, and main songwriter Fig Faeth exudes star power. She’s captured the quintessentially complex teenage plight in forty-five minutes or less with her raw lyrics and even rawer vocals. They’ve called her a bard of the soul. Significant Figures contains multitudes - rage, grief, joy, and a hell of a lot of heart, and Faeth has no problem conveying that all under the heat of the stage lights. 

In spite of what a work of art it is, it was (and, now, forever will be) the Cig Figs’ sole album. It’s this fact that’s probably elicited the appalled fan response to the breakup - the people want more. Many continued to hold onto hope even after months of radio silence following the conclusion of their electrifying world tour - although the Cig Figs as a musical act had disappeared from the public eye, Faeth and Thistlespring had not. Fans blamed their absence in the realm of rock on their preoccupation with saving the world as part of the Bad Kids (the adventuring party responsible with defeating Kalvaxus, the Nightmare King, and, at the time people were beginning to anticipate new music, the N*ght Y*rb). 

Unfortunately, as day returned to Spyre, Faeth and Thistlespring practically fell off the face of the earth. Nothing was heard from the Cig Figs until the statement yesterday, breaking their year-long silence with bad news.

“We can’t possibly express how grateful we are for all the love and support you’ve all shown us,” the post said. “Creating music with the people we care for most, touring and seeing all your smiling faces, all of it - it’s one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. We thank you for giving that to us.”

“It’s been a whirlwind,” it continued. “We’ve had our fair share of whirlwinds. We don’t know if we can handle any more.”

The band first began with just its frontwoman, Fig Faeth, and drummer, Gorgug Thistlespring. By their official debut, the two had already been joined by their third permanent member: Gorthalax the Insatiable, lead guitarist and Faeth’s father. Apart from being joined by Thistlespring’s biological parents for a few short stints of their tour, the composition of the band has remained the same for their time as an act.

Although Thistlespring and Mr. the Insatiable have yet to make any individual comments on the band’s breakup, Faeth made a brief appearance on her personal Fantasy Instagram story. In a short video, she thanked supportive fans but ultimately said: “Music isn’t for me. I’m not a creative force - I’m a destructive one. And if you talk shit about what I’ve decided to do, or what Gorgug’s decided to do, or what my dad’s decided to do, I’ll destroy you. Fucking got it?”

The account has since gone private.

sam nightingale
+89 XXXX XXX 194

XX/XX/XXXX
11:18

Hey girl
Could I steal you for a chat rq?

hey hey! yeah ofc what’s up
OH BTW i meant to tell you
jawbone LOVES that one insane crime show and we saw you guest starring on it the other week!!
you were AAAMAZING
applebees and i were freaking out the whole time

Omg stoppp thank you! That is so sweet
Tell Kristen hi from me ♡

will do!!

That’s really so nice I feel kinda bad now
Fig, I respect you. A lot. So I’m not gonna beat around the bush
Lola wants to talk

ah
what great news

Yeah I’m sorry girl

nah you’re fine just lay it on me

She didn’t give me specifics but I’m sure we can both guess what she’s up to
She doesn’t have your contact details anymore and asked me if I did. I didn’t tell her I had your number, just that I would check, so if you want me to lie and say I don’t know or just tell her to fuck off and leave you alone both of those options are still very much on the table

sam nightingale you are a goddess amongst women

I know. But that stuff’s just being a decent person with a backbone

i seriously appreciate you having my back
bone
but honestly she’s gonna find me one way or another. and i’m fine to talk to her and get it over with

You sure?

yeah 100%
but thank you really

I’ll send her your number then?

give me like a couple hours
i gotta go have lunch and a walk in nature first. find inner peace
but yeah in a while

Lolll ofc
Listen if she does end up dragging you over to Bastion City call me. We’ll grab coffee

YES
nightingale i will drag my OWN ass to the city just for that

Honestly would be so nice
Bring your girls and I’ll bring mine we have to catch up properly

wait are you back in elmville for solstice
because adaine’s coming back so we could actually fucking do that

Oh my god that’s such a waste I’m abroad :( Give me dates though maybe there’s overlap where we’re both home
Also Adaine’s coming back?? What are your plans spill rn

ABROAD?? spill YOUR plans that’s so fun
is it you and the maidens or?

Me and Zelda :)

OOOOOOH SPILL SPILL SPILL

Call from Unknown Number [+89 XXXX XXX 512] to +89 XXXX XXX 666
Intercepted XX/XX/XXXX
Call log beginning 14:32

Brrring… Brrring… Brrrrrring… Click.

Hey.

Fig, sweetie! Real glad you picked up. I’d say it’s nice to hear your voice after so long, and it sure is nice but I’ve had this Paramortal shit on loop since I got word of it, so I’ve already heard plenty of you yelling into a tinny mic today. Talk to me. I love you, I do. You’re fantastic. A fucking marvel. What in the Nine Hells were you thinking?

You don’t know that’s me.

Haha! I know everything. Listen: I have the hour. Set it aside for you and everything. You have my undivided attention, so if you want to do the whole song and dance of pretending you have no clue what I’m talking about, then-

What’s that noise?

Huh?

All the only-kinda-distant whirring and barking and screaming. What’s that?

Oh, I’m at the groomers’ - they’re giving my dog a bath. Is it that loud?

It’s-

Don’t answer that - forget it, forget it. Don’t worry about it. I tune it out.

You tune it out?

Yeah, of course. I’m used to it. Let’s talk the album. What’s going on?

Like I said, Lola. You don’t know that’s me.

Listen, here’s the great thing about it. It’s so novel, you know? Nothing’s original, sweetie, we both know that, but this still manages to feel like it’s doing something new. It’s fresh, contemporary, hot off the press, whatever you wanna call it. Your old stuff was good, don’t get me wrong - I mean, you didn’t sell out for no reason, did you? - but this? This is different.

Different enough that it might not even be me, right?

I could believe that. Hey, it’s only happened maybe four times, but even I get it wrong sometimes. And no matter how many online threads and blog posts and whatnot there are, drawing parallels and theorizing, they’re still just online threads and blog posts and whatnot. I work in showbiz, sweetie, I know that the public can build the Mountains of Chaos without even a molehill to begin with, alright? Some of the clients I manage - you would not believe the things I’ve seen! Well, hey, I don’t know. You might.

What happened to knowing everything?

I know everything, but I can’t read your mind, sweetie. I won’t make you read mine, but you gotta understand why I jumped on this, right? Indulge me for a minute here - let’s assume Paramortal is yours, okay? Just for a minute.

Yeah, alright. I can play a little pretend.

It’s - and you know I’m honest, I’m not here to stroke your ego or sway you whatever which way - it’s the perfect solo comeback. Easily. It’s refined, mature, a different sound, while still being distinctly the Fig who everybody knows and loves. Look, I’m no musician! I’m no critic. But it’s got this sense of evolution, this new edge and approach backed with the passion people are familiar with. It’s like, hey, I’m not the same girl, but I still make goddamn good music, and I can do it on my own. It’s a real winner. And you’re a real winner, Fig - Fig Faeth is a born rockstar. You’re something real special, and I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t kill to have you back. The world would kill to have you back. You gotta understand why I jumped on this.

…

So I’d love to get you back on stage. They’ll say this to just about anyone these days, beaten it to death, but I really do mean it when I say you were made for this. And you sound great. You barely went to those bard classes, and you sound better than some of my clients who did! Don’t tell them that. But it’s true. It’s true.

…

Talk to me, sweetie.

I think that’s been a minute. Felt longer. What if it isn’t me, then? What’s it worth without a name attached to it?

Well, that changes things, obviously. And it’ll be a headache to shut down all these Fig return rumours - the poor girl behind it’s gonna have a rough start. But it’s still a good album. It’s fantastic. Everything I said before is still applicable. New and exciting and all of that, you know. I mean, like I said, we’re starting with one foot in a ditch and it’s gonna take a tow truck and a half to drag us out of it but once we’re there? We’re soaring. The pay-off’s gonna be worth double the investment - and of course I mean that financially, but in a broader sense, too. I’m only half that shallow. There’s something special here. I got a sixth sense for this kind of stuff.

And you really believe that?

I do. I really do. We wouldn’t be having this conversation right now if I didn’t - I’m a busy woman.

… I’m… I don’t know. I just…

Listen, I’m not looking for big decisions right this second. Soon, ideally, of course - carpe diem, seize the moment - but we’ve got time, alright? Don’t sweat it. You’re fine, you’re fantastic. All I need, right now, is for you to tell me the absolute, one hundred percent truth. For just one question. Can you promise me that?

Was that the question?

Hey, alright, you got me there. But, really - be honest with me. One question.

That depends on the question.

Fig.

I’m not saying I’m definitely going to lie! I’m just saying shoot, and then we’ll talk.

If we’re all wrong and this album really isn’t you, I need you to tell me right this second so I can start tracking down whoever this hildahilda character is. They’re the next big thing. I know it. I’m not going to miss out on having the next big thing on my clientele. And I gotta shut down these rumours! Clean house before they start staying over, you know? Hey, if that’s the case, I will need you to make a statement. They need to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth, and even that might not be-

It’s- It's me. I’m hildahilda. … Oddly enough, that’s not the first time I’ve said that out loud.

Ah.

Of course it’s me. You knew it was me. Everybody knows it’s me, which, just… Gods, I don’t know. It feels weird. I forgot what it was like.

Good weird or bad weird?

Weird. I think it’s weird because it feels good.

You have to - well, you don’t have to tell me, really, but as your previous-and-hopefully-future agent I’d like to know. Why the hell’d you do it like this? Why didn’t you come to me right away?

I don’t know! I wrote it for me. I wrote it for my girlfriend. It wasn’t for you or the label or the fans or anyone else in the world.

Then why did you put it on Fantasy Soundcloud? Of all places?

I… I don’t know. I guess some part of me wanted someone else to hear. I guess I missed that. I don’t know. 

Alright. Alright. Hey, listen: if you missed it, we can get it back. You’re getting it back already. Like I said - no big decisions, but we should talk. We should keep talking.

Yeah. Yeah. I don’t know why I lied. Fuck, why did I bother lying? You knew. You knew!

I know everything, sweetie, just like I told you. But listen, I don’t care why you lied. That’s fine by me. I’ve lied about a lot of things - how do you think I’ve stayed out of jail?

Should - should you be in jail?

Probably. Don’t worry about it! Look, I gotta go stop these people from blow drying my dog, so I can put you on hold for a second or I can hang up and call you back or text you or something - we’ll figure it out. We gotta talk!

What? Why can’t they-

Listen, let’s do lunch, alright? On me, of course. If you need a train or a car to come on down, I’m very happy to cover that too, and - no, sir, I told you, he hates it. He hates it, alright? Fig, I’ll call you back. Give me five minutes, I’ll - hey! Hey! I’ll call you back, sweetie. It’s wonderful to have you on board again, you’re fantastic, I’m delighted, and we’ll sort this out in just a seco- Rover, come on! Don’t-

Click.

sam nightingale
+89 XXXX XXX 194

XX/XX/XXXX
14:56

hey sam
coffee on the Xth?

Luckily for you I’m totally free
All yours!

thank goddd

And I’m not needed anywhere the next day until the afternoon
Sooo if you want a fun night out in the city…

i’m so down
what about the other maidens

I’ll ask
Not sure who’s free but I’m sure at least a few of them will be
You bringing your gf? Or Kristen

nahhh ayda’s got shit to do
and this is kind of something i wanna handle on my own. idk

I get that
I won’t tell the other maidens why you’re here, just that you’re visiting

gods. you really do get it
thanks. really

Ofc! It’s nothing at all

ok let me see if i can squeeze a hotel room out of lola

Lolll good luck girl
She’s DESPERATE to get you back so use that to your advantage

oh always >:)
and if not i know a guy i can bunk with

ADDRESSED TO:
Hallariel Lomenelda
Seacaster Manor
Downtown Elmville
Solace
INTERCEPTED: XX/XX/XXXX

My dearest daughter,

My heartiest congratulations on your marriage. I would wish that you had told me sooner, or extended an invitation, but time has never been of concern to the people of our lands. Besides, as you say, there will be numerous opportunities to see your husband in the many years to come. My daughter, you have chosen well - although he is not High Elven, Gilear Faeth has expressed a respectful understanding of the workings of our precious home, and it fills me with unbridled mirth to know that we will not have to mourn the loss of one of our own to the unrepentant ebb and flow of time ever again. I have been told that there was a brief moment during my reading of your letter during which the corner of my lip quirked up, as if to give the impression of a smile. I am sure that conveys the enormity of my feeling.

What I struggle to comprehend is the nature of this business with Fabian. I fail to understand what would prevent me from speaking with him, even if he does not wish to do so with you. It is a stage we occasionally see with the young elves of Kei Lumennura; or at least I suppose it must happen. I wouldn’t know. It is tiresome to pay them much mind, and your siblings say I have lived out far too many years to tire myself any more than necessary.

As I do not know his whereabouts, I have enclosed within this envelope a second letter, which I trust you will forward to your son. You are free to read it, but I ask that you do not alter its contents in any manner, and that you ensure it finds its way to him. His life is a mound of glittering golden sand, grains of which are constantly carried away on the wind and incessantly slipping through our carefully cupped fingers. By your hand has a mortal been born under the Lomenelda name, and by your hand shall he a Lomenelda be.

It is to my knowledge, and the consensus of the other elves present here, that a ‘jet’ is a ravishingly dark gemstone, not terribly uncommon but employed only sparingly for arcane purposes. We are all seized by curiosity at the prospect of its use for travel. Do tell more.

You may bring as many staff as you like, my daughter, provided that none of them are terribly troublesome.

Ever your father,

Telemaine Lomenelda

from: Adaine Abernant < [email protected] >
to: Orixina Xastro < [email protected] >
subject: Missed lecture

Good afternoon Professor Xastro,

My sincerest apologies for missing your lecture yesterday - I wasn’t feeling well, but I’ve seen the slides you uploaded and gotten some notes from a friend, and I’ll catch up accordingly. Please do let me know if there’s any additional work to be completed.

I was also told we were given back our papers on spell components from last week. If it’s not too much trouble, would it be at all possible for you to email me over any feedback? I’m going out of town with my sister for the break, so I unfortunately would be unable to collect it in person, but I’d really appreciate being able to look over it during the holidays. If not, that’s of course completely okay - I’d be happy to wait until the New Year. Thank you very much.

Kind regards,
Adaine Abernant
Student ID: 9372454

from: Orixina Xastro < [email protected] >
to: Adaine Abernant < [email protected] >
subject: re: Missed Lecture

Hi Adaine,

No worries. Attached your essay to this email. You can read my full feedback there, in-line and summative, but good work. Really interesting insight on practical elements that many students tend to lack so early on in the course. Please note my further additions to your point on somatic elements; I think you’d find that line of research interesting. Overall, a very solid piece of work, especially for your first semester.

Enjoy the holidays.

Xastro 

Sent from my Crystal

(The essay is, as Xastro says, a very solid piece of work.

It’s not exactly light reading, but you treat it as a reprieve from poring over ciphers and newspaper clippings and mile-long strings that lead you nowhere. You read it under the dim, flickering light of your latest haunt, tucked out of sight and mind for the average civilian. Or any civilian, really.

It’s rigorously thorough and perfectly articulate, except for the bits where she gets especially passionate. It’s not that the phrasing is off, or that she loses the thread of her argument - no, not in the slightest. It’s just that Adaine, raw and fresh and just ever so slightly ticked off, starts to seep in between the lines. Bordering on rambling in the most captivating way. The rest of it is, naturally, a mark of academic excellence, but it’s the less refined parts that you really cling to. The Adaine you remember. The Adaine who remembered you.

Some of it flies over your head, and you don’t have the spare time to halt it in its path. You tuck away a few arcane lines of questioning to investigate for whenever you next get a breather, and leave it at that.

Part of you wishes it wasn’t typed up. It would’ve been nice to see her handwriting again.)

Call to BITCH SISTER [+89 XXXX XXX 329] from [+89 XXXX XXX 845]
Intercepted XX/XX/XXXX
Call log beginning 16:22

Brrring… Brrri–

What?

Where the hell are you? I was literally in the bathroom for, like, five minutes, and then I come back and you and the bags are–

Oh my gods, calm down. I’m just in the coffee shop.

Coffee shop?

Good timing, by the way. They’re out of oat milk. Do you want almond?

Do I- what? What coffee shop? Where?

Opposite direction to the toilets. Bit of a walk. So, almond?

I– yes, almond, sure, but how far are you? Should I come over there? Aelwyn, our train is in, like, five minutes.

And I’m being sooo caring by using this precious time to get my dear baby sister a latte. Isn’t that nice of me? Oh – they’re out of almond milk, too.

What? What do they even have, then?

Fuck if I know. Sandwiches?

Sandwi– Instead of the latte, or, like, fucking, sandwich milk?

Yeah, Adaine. Sandwich milk. Of course I meant instead of the latte! God, are you thick in the head?

Oh my god, don’t even bother getting me anything. Just hurry up and get over here. Lydia’s gonna stuff us with food when we get there anywa–

Ooh, they have strudel.

I’m going to fucking kill you.

How much for an apple strudel?

Aelwyn. Aelwyn, are you calling me while you’re in the queue?

You called me. And I’m not in the queue, I’m ordering. So, yes, the strudel, and I’ll… I’ll just have a cortado, and–

Oh my god. That’s so rude. That’s so embarrassing. You’re– I have to kill you on behalf of that poor cashier.

You’re on speaker, by the way.

WHAT?!

I’m kidding.

Aelwyn, I swear to all the gods above–

Yeah, that’s great, thanks. Keep the change.

You’re the worst person I know. The worst. Our train is so soon.

We’re not going to miss it, alright? Worst comes to worst, we’ll teleport on.

Is that legal?

Probably not. 

Oh my–

Give Bogariel a squeeze. I’ll be there in just a minute, with your– [Order up for Aelwyn?] Okay, hold on.

Oh, so now you have a little dignity?

Thanks. You too. … Shut up. On my way back, now.

What did you even get me?

Latte. Almond milk.

Didn’t you say they were out?

I lied. Oh, there you are! Turn around. Other way.

Aelwyn, what– Why in Spyre would yo–

Click.

Filed: XX/XX/XXXX

(It’s a very vibrant flier - a mishmash of loud shapes and eye-catching, bright colours, arrows highlighting the various percentages and dates. You’ve seen the previous iterations of the logo. It seems they’ve finally - or perhaps just currently - settled on a wrench, with a familiar metal flower curling its stem around the handle. The same flower replaces the first ‘I’ in ‘THISTLESPRINGS & SON’, which appears in metallic block capitals at the top of the page.

You wonder if Gorgug designed it. It’s certainly possible. None of you were ever very artistically-minded; Fabian had his calligraphy and Adaine sheepishly embarrassed everyone else on Pictionary nights but neither of them drew regularly, and Fig liked doodling faces to supplement your notes but no one could ever tell who they were meant to be. Gorgug, though - his preliminary sketches for gadgets and other trinkets were always impressively intricate. In the moments when your mind stopped racing enough to pay attention, you remember watching with fascination as he traced out the vague idea of the solar lasso, pencil flowing against paper with unfamiliar ease.

He strikes you as the kind of guy to like drawing in his spare time, but he had so little spare time left by the time you realised for the observation to be worth anything.

The flier’s advertising some deals for winter. A website link and the address of the garage sit at the bottom of the page, but make their presence known in big lettering. Sales on gadgets, discounts on commissions, services, etcetera…)

Note: Ask higher-ups what level of contact I’m allowed. See if I can get someone else to go for me instead. (No clue who.)

Sandra Lynn Faeth
+89 XXXX XXX 509

XX/XX/XXXX
18:22

How are you getting over here, by the way?

I’m not entirely sure. Hallariel took the house staff with her, so I was considering public transportation. I have, sadly, been banned from ‘Uber’ for several years now, and I am inclined against utilising the bus system whilst I have luggage, lest the sudden movement of the vehicle rips my balance from me and causes my undergarments to spill haphazardly from my bags as it did last time. Figueroth has assured me that ‘Fantasy Lyft’ has nothing to do with levitation or flight magic, so I shall perhaps consider that. It is a bit too long of a walk. -G

No chauffeurs left?

I’m afraid not. -G
I haven’t exactly previously been permitted to use the hired drivers anyways. She used to have Fabian take me places instead. -G

Yeah, well, that’s not on the table anymore

Yes, I’m well aware. -G

Do you want a ride tomorrow?

…

Who exactly would be providing this ride? -G

Don’t worry. It’ll be a cold day in the Nine Hells before I let Fig back in the driver's seat of a car
Or Kristen

Ah, I see. That is something of a relief. -G

I can hop over with Baxter, assuming you’ve packed reasonably
No offense taken if you want something more grounded

Yes… Baxter is a majestic creature, but I fear I will fall from him mid-air and splat into nothingness upon the tarmac. -G
That, or he will accidentally land on my head. -G

I don’t think he’d accidentally land on your head

Perhaps he would not accidentally land on an average head. I fear I do not have an average head. -G

That’s… fair

To put it simply, yes. I appreciate the offer, but a mode of transport that keeps me rooted to solid ground would be preferable. -G

Jawbone’s busy with Adaine, Tracker and Aelwyn tomorrow so he can’t drive
Unfortunately that’s our easiest option gone
I can send Fig to chaperone you through a bus or taxi trip?

That seems like a sufficient plan. Thank you. -G

👍
She’ll probably come get you at around 10 or 11, depending on when I drag her out of bed
I’ve told her this too and will tell her again tomorrow, but do NOT hesitate to call me if anything goes horribly wrong. Understood?
I’ll send Kristen with her too

👍 -G

Call to birth giver [+89 XXXX XXX 509] from [+89 XXXX XXX 666]
Intercepted XX/XX/XXXX
Call log beginning 10:52

Brrri–

Fig? Are you okay?

Hey, no need to sound so panicked! Do I have to be in a life-threatening accident to call my mom?

[sigh] I guess not, sweetie. I’m just worried.

Yeah, yeah, I get it. I love you.

Love you too. So you’re all alright?

Oh, definitely not. Thank god you made Applebees come, because the car toootally flipped over itself like, five times, and Gilear was SO dea–

What?! Fig, why didn’t you lead with tha–

(You stop listening here. You get the idea.)

sam nightingale
+89 XXXX XXX 194

XX/XX/XXXX
12:53

ok so the train says it arrives in the city at like 10 tomorrow
do you wanna grab morning coffee/brunch/whatev to hype me up for lola lunch and then meet up again after?
she said to meet her at 1 so
on the DOT

Ofc she did
But yes that sounds good!!

i’ll let you take the reins on where to go you know the city better 

Oh you will be spoiled tomorrow trust

fucking finally!!
oh btw i know you’re going away in like a week but adaine is here now
i don’t wanna bring everyone with me tomorrow cuz. you know

Yeah I get it

but if you wanna hang out before you go then we’d all be happy to see you guys again

Like I said before we absolutely have to
We can talk more about it tomorrow over the best brunch you’ll ever have
I’m assuming you’d like a ride

oh god yes please
would love to see your car again. is it weird that he’s kind of hot

Nooo not at all everyone says that about Sebastian

good he deserves it
have you ever taken him to gorgug
he’s kind of a car guy he could appreciate sebastian even more than i could

Umm no I haven’t lol

well there you go
things to consider

Yeah sure lol

also you know fabian right

Yeah we talk
Unless there’s another non-Seacaster Fabian running in our circles that I’m unaware of

lmaooo no yeah seacaster
i don’t wanna make you play taxi driver but can you drop me off at his place after lola?

Oh? What’s up with that

i just need to talk to him and i’d rather do it in person
it’ll only be five ten mins hopefully
but prob as equally soul-sucking as lunch so i want DRINKS in the evening

Girl that was the plan anyway don’t sweat it
I can take you there sure
Does he know you’re coming?

uhhh that’s kind of the thing i don’t know if i should tell him
i don’t wanna scare him or anything dude

Well girl that depends what you’re showing up at his doorstep to talk about
And he does shit too so you should make sure he’s in

yeaaa i guess that’s true

Plus like. ily and I trust you but I’m not pulling up to Fabian’s if idk what for
Like I’m not gonna pry if you don’t wanna tell me
But the guy himself has a right to know

yea you’re right
i’ll talk to him

Kk
See you at 10 tomorrow ♥?

cyaaa >:)))

Fabes
+89 XXXX XXX 717

XX/XX/XXXX
12:58

Fig’s coming to the city tomorrow and she wants to talk to you
Idk why but do NOT fucking let her know that I told you or you are DEAD
It’ll probably be like. 3pm
Ish
I said nothing. You’re dead to me if she finds out I told you

???
Tf are you talking about

Like I will actually KILL you

K I get it good god

15:39

Are you with Fig rn?

Yes why?
What did she say?
Don’t you fucking dare leave me on read I’m spending all night with this girl I need to know

15:50

Nbd
Dw about it
Rude as hell to go out and leave me at home tho lmaooo

I can smell your bullshit through the screen
We are talking about this later

Sure
Gl having fun without me 😘

You’re the worst 💕

Call to Gorgug [+89 XXXX XXX 091] from [+89 XXXX XXX 717]
Intercepted XX/XX/XXXX
Call log beginning 21:04

“Fabian?”

Fabian blinks blearily at his crystal, taking a moment to register the in-call screen. He swears under his breath - he’d been agonising over whether sucking up his guilt and talking to someone or sucking up his upset and sulking alone was the superior version of sucking it up , the way all solutions are framed in his head. It looks like his clumsy fingers made the decision for him somewhere along the way. About nine seconds to go, to be exact, if the timer at the top of the screen is to be trusted.

He scrambles to mute or turn off the TV -  whichever button he finds first. It’s the first time tonight he gives the mind-numbing drivel on the screen any real attention. He’d mostly been using it as white noise and a light show between making his way through a box of cheap screw cap wine. He can afford the expensive stuff, of course, but it all smells too strongly of his childhood manor.

“Hey, man,” he finally replies, putting the call on speaker. It comes out far too late, and a little slurred, but the fact a reply comes out at all will have to be good enough. “Long time no see, huh?”

The pause lasts a moment too long. By the time Gorgug comes out with a vaguely hesitant … yeah, Fabian’s buried his face in one of the luxuriously plush cushions on his luxuriously plush couch.

Various concerns of why did I call, what am I doing, what the hell am I so nervous about, what the hell am I so upset about in the first place all make their presence known in Fabian’s whirling mind, but the prevailing one is I’m not drunk enough for this. He can’t answer any of those questions. He can, however, have another drink, and that’s exactly what he does while Gorgug starts, sounding a little cautious, “how are you, dude?”

Fabian gulps down the last droplet of watered down wine in his glass. “I’m… fine,” he decides, hoping the sound of liquid glugging out of a wine bottle into a glass isn’t getting picked up by his crystal. It’s mostly the truth. He’s a little pissed off or sad or something he can’t put a name to with Fig or Gilear or Mama or himself, but apart from that, it’s business as usual. He’s got the same pleasant buzz slash titillating nausea he always gets while drinking, his apartment is as emptily clean as ever (okay, save for the accumulating empty bottles on his coffee table), and he occasionally has plans. Business as usual. “The city’s good. It’s… yeah,” he concludes, uselessly. “Things are good.” A pause, before he remembers his manners. “You?”

“Yeah, no, I’m– I’m good, too,” Gorgug replies. Fabian can hear shuffling on the other end of the line, metal clanging as Gorgug shifts things around - he’s probably in the garage, or at a workbench, or wherever he keeps his artificing these days. Everywhere, probably. “Work’s been steady. There’s always something to do, and I get to do all kinds of things, so, you know, that’s cool. Doesn’t get boring. And, uh, it’s nice to have what we’re working on go well, so.”

“Oh, awesome,” Fabian says. He tries to put as much feeling into it as he can, because he really is glad to see his friends doing well, but there’s a stinging pang in his chest and a lump in his throat and he can’t untie the knot in his stomach and he figures that probably obscures his message. “That’s good to hear, really. Shit, I’m not interrupting your work or anything, am I?”

“No, no, no,” Gorgug says, almost too quickly. “Not at all. You’re fine. I was, uh–” metal clangs, again– “messing around with some stuff, but nothing important. Breaks are good, anyways. My parents keep telling me that.”

“They’re right,” Fabian agrees. “Breaks are– Yeah. Especially when you’ve got, like…” He gestures vaguely, wine sloshing around in the glass. “Machinery, and stuff. I don’t know. You’re the expert.”

“I don’t know if I’d say that,” he says. It’s the kind of sentence that Fabian almost expects to arrive with a twang of anxiety, coming out of Gorgug, and if one remains then it’s not loud enough to hear. All Fabian hears is the bashful half-smile in Gorgug’s voice, and that drowns everything else out. 

“What are you working on?”

He can imagine Gorgug waving him off. “Nah, I’m not gonna bore you with that,” he says. “Just trying to make things more compact, reading up on Bags of Holding; nothing special.”

“I’m already bored, if that helps,” Fabian groans, kicking his legs up onto the couch. One of his slippers flies off into the darkness, and he only momentarily laments its loss. “And most of the arcane shit you’ll probably talk about is just going to fly right over my head, so it’ll sound special. Talk to me, man.”

There’s a moment of silence as Gorgug hesitates on the other end of the line. Fabian halts, eyeing his crystal screen - he might be coming off too pushy, and it’s not often that Fabian of all people demands to be talked at, and a call late in the evening to a guy he hasn’t properly spoken to in months is inexplicable enough, and, gods, he just doesn’t want to make this weirder than it already is.

“Well,” Gorgug starts, slow, “it’s just kind of a passion project on the side. I really don’t know if it’ll go anywhere. I mostly throw stuff at the wall and wait to see what sticks, but I’m trying to do some more theory on this before I start tearing arcane threads of magic apart, and I’m not as great with that side of thing? But I’m trying to, uh, sort of string something together. And, I don’t know, I was just thinking about what exactly comprises a Bag of Holding, and whether that tech– well, some wizards might get mad at me for calling it technology, or arcanotech, but whether that magic could also be used for–”

Fabian does listen. He doesn’t understand a lot of it, as he predicted, but he listens to the calming lull of Gorgug’s voice, soft and slightly gravelly with fatigue but still so bright, so focused. He’ll admit he zones out once or twice, the jumble of technical jargon blurring together until only the familiarly jumpy tone and cadence are left, but there’s a genuine effort to understand for at least the first half of the ramble; eventually, he stops asking questions and making Gorgug backtrack and simply succumbs to the soothing flow of handing over the reins of conversation.

The crystal glows in the dim of Fabian’s living room; the only other sources of light are the flatscreen TV up on the wall, still flashing with vibrant colour, and the city around him filtering in through the windows. Apartments in other buildings, gleaming little squares of yellow in the distance, and the streetlights flickering down below. He doesn’t bother watching the numbers scroll through as the time ticks ceaselessly by (he doesn’t care how long Gorgug talks), but he can’t help staring at the contact photo in the centre of the screen.

It’s cropped out of a picture from some time in the first half of their junior year. Fabian can’t, for the life of him, remember who took it. It must have been Fig, or maybe Kristen (Gorgug and Adaine weren’t always fond of being caught in photographs, and for all the self-admiring he did and does in mirrors, Fabian himself often neglects to remember the existence of his crystal camera), but as he racks his brain, he finds he has no recollection of the event. He remembers the picture, though - can fill out the rest of it from the snippet with Gorgug’s face in it.

They’ve only just come off the bloodrush field, by the looks of it. The thin glisten of sweat is visible on Gorgug’s face and arms and what hair isn’t pulled back into a loose ponytail is slick to his forehead. He’s giving the camera a tired smile. A mostly empty water bottle is clenched in his hand. Fabian can see himself in the edges of the photo, obscured by the crop, leaning into what must have been the centre of the camera’s view (and, coincidentally, Gorgug).

It’s maybe not the most flattering picture of Gorgug, but he’s kept it all these years. He knows Gorgug wouldn’t care, and there’s something about it that makes Fabian’s chest twist into that paradox of nostalgia - fond and melancholic all at once. Bloodrush was fun. He remembers it best in snapshots of his best friend, all brute strength and blazingly stone-cold eyes on the field and soft laughs and tired smiles off of it. He doesn’t see Gorgug on the field anymore, bloodrush or battle, but he knows that duality is buried in there somewhere and the knowing, the sureness, is like being in on some kind of secret no one else will believe. Exhilaratingly isolating.

It’s nice knowing that Gorgug now isn't too different from the one Fabian knows. Not that he’s seen a lot of him recently, but he looks much the same - his hair’s probably even longer, now, and any notion of lankiness has been dispelled with solidly-built muscle, but none of that’s jarring. They’re pleasant developments, even. Gorgug’s always been a steady presence, an infallible rock to Fabian’s tumultuous ocean waves. Okay, maybe not infallible - that’s too much pressure to put on anyone (and if there’s anything Fabian gets, it’s expectation) - but good to have around nonetheless.

That’s why he called him, he guesses. Gorgug’s reliable. Not just reliably reliable, but reliably reserved, reliably calm, reliably not-a-wild-card. Gorgug knows when to hesitantly hover a hand over an arm, wordlessly pull people into hugs and let them cry it out and not pry for why. When to talk and talk and talk about something he knows Fabian probably isn’t entirely paying attention to, when to gloss over the slurring vowels and wet sound of his voice over the line. If he called Sam like this, or Ragh, or– or– well, those are kind of the only close friends he has– they’d fret and interrogate and eventually give up on getting him to say anything other than I’m fine, I just wanted to– and tell him to hold on, they’ll be over in five. Ten if traffic’s a bitch.

It’s not that Gorgug doesn’t worry. Fabian feels the guilt pool in his stomach when he hears it in his voice after Fabian’s gone quiet for too long, Gorgug quietly calling his name and yanking him back to reality. But he has a little more finesse about it. The decency to tiptoe around the issue long enough to leave Fabian an opportunity to dive away from it entirely. All-consuming regret being bottled away isn’t ideal, sure, but Fabian appreciates having the option.

Fabian feels said window of opportunity slipping shut as Gorgug draws his explanation to a close, turning off his camera. He’d had the thing on and off throughout, pointing out the different components of his current working (and multiple previous failed) prototypes. If he were another bottle in, Fabian might’ve blurted out asking to see his face, but he’s still sober enough to swallow down such a strange request. Besides, in the highly unlikely event where Gorgug indulges him without question, it’d only be polite to return the favour, and the last thing he wants right now is to be seen. The lack of eyes on him is the only pillar holding up the flimsy veil of okayness that he’s struggling to maintain.

“Sorry for going on for so long,” Gorgug says, sounding a little sheepish.

Fabian waves him off, placing his glass back down on the coffee table. “Nah, dude,” he says, “you’re all good. ‘S nice to hear.”

A few seconds go by without a response. Fabian can almost see Gorgug in his mind’s eye, scratching at the back of his neck, eyes searching anywhere but Fabian’s face for the right words. The Gorgug is his head is seventeen and towering over him in the locker rooms, but he tries to adjust the image to the present. “Fabian,” he says. Hesitantly deliberate. “Why did you call?”

And now it’s Fabian’s turn to be silent. I don’t know is the easy (and painfully obvious) lie. I’m tipsy and accidentally hit the call button is the crass attempt to throw him off his trail - the kind of answer that wouldn’t earn the same stern response out of Gorgug as it might Ragh or Sam. The kind of answer that Gorgug would have nothing but concern for. The kind of answer that would end with a pit of guilt in Fabian’s stomach. 

The truths of the matter, like I missed you and I didn’t know who else to call and My house is so, so horribly empty are ugly, jagged things that Fabian doesn’t want to dig out. Not now, anyways.

“I didn’t– I mean, I’m happy to just talk to you, really,” Gorgug quickly clarifies, a little frantic in the face of radio silence. “You know I am. But you barely ever call me like this, and when I picked up, you sounded–” He sighs, pausing. “I don’t know. If you really just wanted to say hi, then that’s plenty for me, man. It’s good to hear from you. But if there’s something else – and I’m not saying there is, but, you know, if there is – you can tell me. If you want to, I mean. I’m just– I don’t know. Are you… okay?”

“I don’t know if I’m coming back to Elmville,” Fabian admits. It’s half an answer and mostly a redirection, but wholly the truth. “For the Solstice thing, I mean.”

“Oh,” Gorgug says. He considers this for a moment, and when he speaks again the stifling concern in his tone has dissolved back into something more casual. It’s like a weight off Fabian’s shoulders. “Did something come up? It’s okay if you can’t make it. There’ll be other times to–”

“No, I mean–” and Fabian’s suddenly glad that Gorgug has never been one to take offense to being talked over– “I don’t know if I want to.”

“Oh, ” Gorgug says.

Fabian winces. He hears the barely-concealed, deep exhale on the other end of the line, can imagine Gorgug carding his fingers through his bangs to push them out of the way, brow furrowing.

“That’s, uh… That’s fine, too,” he continues. He’s trying to sound reassuring, but the intended effect is overshadowed by the sharp tinge of surprise in his voice. “Can I ask why not?”

Fabian sighs. Thinks. “Elmville’s hard.”

He half expects a prompting nudge forward, after that. Gorgug doesn’t give it to him. Fabian imagines he’d probably be nodding along encouragingly, and possibly currently is, not fully realising that Fabian can’t see him doing it, but he’s never ushered him along with words. On some level, it’s nice not to be rushed into it. On another, he hates having to dig himself out of his own holes - there’s something he can appreciate about people like Sam Nightingale yanking him out, even if it's by the hair. Gorgug hands him the shovel and leaves him to finish the job. Sure, the latter method probably leaves him better off in the long run, but that doesn’t mean he can’t complain about the now.

“I haven’t been back since I moved out,” he says, shifting to rest his chin in the hollow of his palm. “I thought it’d be okay, anyways, since we were just going to Mordred. Mordred’s fine. A bit dreary, you know, but I suppose all the best previously-haunted houses are.”

Gorgug hums in agreement.

“Gilear’s going to be there,” Fabian grimaces. Utter disdain drips from his words.

“Gilear?” Gorgug asks, confusion evident. He guesses that makes sense; he is still Fig’s dad, after all, and a definitive member of Mordred Manor’s convoluted extended family, but… “Would he not spend Solstice with– uh…”

“Mama’s off in Fallinel,” Fabian grumbles. He appreciates that Gorgug has the decency to regret stumbling into the subject of his mother, but there’s no point in the avoidant song and dance tonight. “Grandpapa’s throwing the usual extravagant celebrations in Kei Lumennura. Gilear elected not to go – for what reason, I have no clue.”

“How’d you know where your mom is?” he says. Fabian can hear him frowning, now that the topic’s been broached. “I thought you cut contact?”

“I did,” Fabian replies, exasperated. “Someone didn’t get the memo.”

“I’m sorry, man.”

“It’s fine,” he mutters. He grabs for his wine glass again.

“So, Gilear’s going to be there?”

“All winter, apparently.”

“And you don’t want to see him, so you’re not coming.”

Fabian finishes downing another gulp of drink and sets it down on the table, caring less and less about whether Gorgug hears the clatter of glass against glass. “That’s the gist of it,” he confirms. “It’s not that I don’t want to come. It’d be–” I’d like to see everyone again gets caught in his throat. He settles on: “It’d be good to be there. And I don’t want to make a whole thing of it by not showing face like I’m not mature enough to be civil with Gilear, because I am, but just because I can do it doesn’t mean I want to. God, this is so stupid.” He flicks the screwcap off another bottle, and starts pouring.

“You don’t have to show up if you don’t want to, Fabian,” Gorgug says, and it’s so confidently gentle that he almost believes it. “I don’t think it’s stupid. I don’t think the others would think it’s stupid, either.”

Fabian wishes he were right. Fabian wishes he were right, and hates that he knows he’s wrong. Hates that Fig even dared to dream of inviting Gilear to a party that Fabian had held a spot at for months longer, hates that she had the nerve to bring that damned letter into his apartment, reeking of the sweet earthy smell of dewdrops and fresh grass - Kei Lumennura. God, it makes him want to hurl. God, the fact that a flimsy piece of parchment makes him so upset and angry he could hurl also makes him want to hurl. Sorry, Gorgug, but it is stupid. He’s nothing more than a stroppy child, throwing fits over little nothings, and it’s all so, so stupid.

“Maybe you could talk to Fig about it?” Gorgug suggests. “She’d probably–”

“No,” Fabian interrupts.

Too quickly, he realises, when Gorgug meets him with silence.

“Sorry,” he continues. “I just… It’s not a big deal. It’s fine.”

“Fabian–”

“He’s her dad, Gorgug,” he says. “Fig’s not kicking her own dad out of her family’s party to spend the night alone in an empty house on Solstice, of all days. It’s not that I don’t want to be there. I want to see you. Everyone, I mean. And it’s not that I can’t suck it up for a few hours, because I can, thanks. But he’s basically living over there until Mama gets home and, I swear, I can’t guarantee that Gilear will keep living if I have to spend a single goddamn night under the same roof as–”

“Stay at mine, then.”

Fabian blinks. And blinks again. “What?”

“You can stay at my place,” Gorgug says, like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “I’m in a little extension jutting out of the tree now. I don’t think you’ve seen it yet, but I can stand up straight in here and everything. So, uh, nothing like high school. It’s pretty nice.” He’s smiling. He’s smiling – soft and matter-of-fact and glowing with pride over his treehouse extension. Fabian can hear it. Sees it in his head, too. 

“I mean, I’m not gonna force you to come to the party or anything,” he hurriedly goes on. “That’s up to you. And, you know, like I said, there’ll be other times. But the offer’s open, if you need it.” A pause. Fabian hears the squeak of a chair as Gorgug presumably shifts around. “You don’t have to come, if you really don’t want to. I mean that,” he says, quite seriously. The severe edge leaves his tone when he adds, “but it’d be nice to see you.”

Fabian thumbs at the stem of his glass, eye still trained on his crystal. Junior year Gorgug’s staring back, tired smile and all. He should look somewhere else. “You really don’t mind?”

Gorgug shrugs. “You only had to ask.”

As Fabian sinks back into the couch, he lets a long, deep breath escape him. He hopes the newfound distance between him and his crystal means it doesn’t quite pick up. “I’ll sleep on it,” he replies, somewhat abrupt.

“Okay,” he says. “Call me. Let me know.”

“Okay,” Fabian lamely repeats back.

He doesn’t know how much time passes (realistically, it can only be a number of seconds, but it might as well be eons) while he tries to drill a hole into his TV’s glimmering flatscreen by staring right through it. The Great Gnomish Bake Off is what’s playing, he realises. Damn. He likes that show. And he just missed, like, all of it.

“You should probably call it a night,” Gorgug pipes up.

“Yeah,” Fabian says, returning to full consciousness. “Yeah, it’s getting kind of late. I’ll, uh– I’ll get back to you on the– yeah.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Gorgug smiles. “‘Kay, dude. Goodnight.”

“Night,” Fabian says. After a moment of hesitation, he chokes out a “thanks.”

And his hovering finger slams down on hang up.