forum Pheasant Brook (O/O with Icarus!)

Started December 12, 2019 by @GoblinKing

tune

(Np! Also I won't really be on this evening, sorry)

Connor nodded. "Yeah, there is tha'." he replied, taking another sip from his tea.

(it really is all good)

Claude nodded with a grimace.

“How’s the editing going? Did you get any of those papers done?” Wilhelm suddenly asked, trying to switch the topic.

(k thanks)

Oliver thought for a moment. "You know…do you need help with that science homework?"

Connor thought for a moment. "No, actually. I got that done. Bu' thanks."

Claude blinked, but dug in his bag. He dropped a small stack onto the table. “Take a look. I got two done- took one from incoherent to vague babbling, another from good to great.”

Oliver smiled lightly. "No problem. So, how have you been settling in? Doing okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah, pretty well, actually."

“Which ones? Let me see!” Wilhelm grinned, now used to seeing the papers covered in corrections and red ink.

Claude handed over the papers, letting Wilhelm shuffle through them. “The literary analyses are always the worst.”

"Oh, good." Oliver replied. He thought for a long moment. "You going to do any sports?"

Connor snorted. "Yeh see how short ah am? No' going ta do sports, no."

Wilhelm sniffed, handing the papers back over. “Those originals are… rough. Why aren’t you charging these kids, Claude?”

(Sorry responses are taking so long! I’m doing hefty culturebuilding rn)

Oliver laughed. "Come on, you could actually do well. People would underestimate you."

"Yeah…no." Connor shook his head.

(Haha it's fine, dude. Take all the time you need)

Claude took the papers back, eyeing them proudly. “The economy’s shit. I know everyone here could afford any fees I charged, but it just isn’t worth it. Besides, my style of writing has a distinct quality to it, meaning teachers know that their students got it edited. That’s payment enough.”

“..Fair, I guess. You haven’t gotten in trouble for that yet? Isn’t it technically cheating?” Wilhelm tilted his head.

Oliver sighed loudly. "Fine. Still, though. You could do great."

"No, ah could nae. Ah'm an artist, no' a sportsman." He replied, shaking his head.

Claude sighed, rolling his eyes. “Of course I have, Wil. You underestimate how good of a liar I am, though. All I have to do is deny it ‘n say they copied me if someone catches on. Simple.” He laughed.

“Hah.” Wilhelm chuckle softly, though his attention drifted over to Connor for a tiny moment. Claude followed his gaze.

“What’s over there, eh?”

Oliver shrugged his shoulders. "Still. Just think about it, alright? You might have fun."

He shook his head, smiling. "Me? Sports? Fun? Ah dinnae think those belong in the same sentence."

Wilhelm cleared his throat, eyes snapping back towards Claude. “Nothing, sorry. Just a.. uh.. bug. That’s all.” He lied, though he could feel a tinge of embarrassed pink growing on his cheeks.

“Yeah, sure. You’ve never been good at lying, Wil. Tell me the truth if you want, I’m not going to judge.” Claude coaxed, leaning in a bit.

Oliver let out a snort of laughter. "Wow. So enthusiastic, Connor. Nice to talk to you too, Connor." His voice was teasing.

Connor rolled his eyes, gaze flicking to Wilhelm for just a moment, then back to Oliver again.

“It’s nothing!” Wilhelm said defensively. He crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “If you still think it’s so important later, I’ll tell you.” He snipped, pressing the pad of his thumb against his top teeth.

“Fine, fine. Don’t get so pissy, I’m only curious. I’m only human, after all.” Claude rolled his eyes, swiping his thumb against the tip of his nose.

“Sorry, Claude, it’s just that these past few days have been really stressful. Sorry.” Wilhelm mumbled, linking his fingers behind his neck.

(gtg now sorry. Good night!)

Oliver sighed. "Connor, seriously."

Connor stuck his tongue out, wrinkling his nose.

(gn!)

Claude blinked at the sudden change of attitude. “I..It’s fine..? I get it, you get a new roommate, your favorite person ever gets their nose broken by your crazy-ass ex, I get it.” Claude joked, cracking his knuckles. “Don’t worry about it.”

Wilhelm hit Claude playfully, laughing. “Are you talking about yourself, there?”

Oliver snorted. "You're a child."

"Ah am, ah am." Connor agreed pleasantly, smiling.

“How many other people do you know that have broken their nose?” Claude responded. “Of course I am.”

“Hah! You’re my favorite person, then? Alright, alright. I see how it is.” Wilhelm slowly regained his energy, scrunching his curls as he talked.

Oliver picked up his crutch, lightly bopping Connor on the head. "You're a strange one, Scottie."

Connor wrinkled his nose, grabbing the tip of the cane in one hand. "Hmph."

Wilhelm shot another glance at Connor’s side of the dining hall, though this one only lasted a moment. He looked back at Claude, whose attention had shifted back towards an unfinished edit. He drummed his fingers on his notebook, flipping through once more in silence.

Oliver rolled his eyes, and lightly tugged the cane out of Connor's grip. "Don't you humph me." He teased.

Connor stuck his tongue out.

Wilhelm took a small breath, checking the time on his watch. His head lulled back, staring up at the ceiling for a little while. “Claude, I think I might go back to my dorm. I can’t focus in here.” Wilhelm’s head tipped back to its normal position on his neck. “You can come if you’d like, but I just can’t stay here.”

Claude shook his head, continuing to write. “You can go, I’ll catch up with you later. I have to finish this.” He waved to Wilhelm, barely looking up.

“Uh, yeah. I’ll see you, then.”

Oliver shook his head. "You insufferable little Scotsman." He teased lightly, chuckling.

"Oi! Ah'm little an' a Scotsman, yeah, but ah'm no' insufferable."

Wilhelm grabbed his stuff, ducking out of the dining hall. He wrung his hands in an attempt to calm down, the noise of the echoing room jabbing into his brain like knives. As soon as Wilhelm entered their dorm he collapsed on his bed, taking in a sharp breath.

Oliver and Connor talked for a while longer, and then Oliver had to go. Connor stuck around for a little while longer, then got up, heading to the dorm. He hummed softly as he walked.

Wilhelm stared at the ceiling in dead silence, hands folded on his stomach and eyes nearly blank. Honestly, it was hard to tell if he was awake or not.

Connor came in quietly, closing the door. His eyes flicked to Wilhelm for a moment, and he bit his lip.

Wilhelm partially waved to Connor, not really moving all that much. It was just enough movement to show that he was awake. The boy stayed quiet.