#i forgot how many i put but there's definitely atleast a dozen

[heleneplays]

Here's a little snippet of a thing I thought up for the modern college roommates au that wouldn't go out my head until i caved & wrote it <3

anyways disclaimers: every character aside Helene Spillane is owned and created by James Shaw for his interactive fiction book/game Relics of the Lost Age & sequel titles :)

please check them out & play when you can, I PROMISE it's really good <3

---

"Helene, i'm freaking out a little. Tell me something nice?"

Helene gives him a thumbs up.

"Don't worry about it Rémy, I gotcha! Your ass is looking hella cute and you're radiating impeccable vibes--"

"--of a rancid tomato. Now can you clowns get out? We're trying to finish our work here."

Both brunette & ravenette turn towards María, looking scandalized.

"García! Oh my god. It's supposed to be positivity hour!"

"The rituals are intricate, María; and your tone seems very pointed right now."

The redhead glares over her textbook and points to the door. Rémy sighs dramatically and swans out, crop top & glitter shorts and all. Helene follows suit, pausing at the threshold of the foyer.

"Are you sure you guys don't want to come with? It's literally that time of the year we get pissed drunk and all..."

"Spillane, you and Fournier should already know the rest of us are too busy trying not to fail Johnson's class, 'specially that one--" Cleo's voice pipes up from the adjacent kitchenette.

"Stone, shut your mouth, I swear to fuck--"

"Ooooooooo what are you going to do Pippi--"

"Girls, you're both pretty. Now can you please focus--" Esme interjects, but instead of calming down they go into a three-way sniping match.

Abdul & Zhu come into the rooms' hallway bearing coffee in to-go cups & a bags of snacks.

"This is why we can't have nice things." Zhu deadpans, placing the groceries down before beelining to his room.

Meanwhile, Abdul looks at Helene, who was looking sappily towards the redhead facing away from her.

"Did you purposefully rile them up just so you can do that?" He asks quietly, making the young woman jump.

"What? No! Oh my god. I can't believe you'd think that; i'm not that kind of bitch... At least not towards this squad-- You know this, Ab." Helene rolls her eyes, and he nods.

"Good. Now can we have your notes so they can finally calm down?"

"Sure, the copies are in the blue folder on the desk in my room, just lock up after taking it."

"Right. Have fun and take care."

"Don't worry, Me & Rémy can handle ourselves."

---

It was almost 4 am when the four of them called quits, passing cups of coffee (and one cup of tea from Zhu who got out of his room for one) to finish while packing up their papers and textbooks.

"What time is it?"

"God, my brain is melting."

"You have one?"

"García, I will murder you in your sleep."

The redhead winces, before smoothing her expression.

"Sorry, not used to not being a bitch towards everyone else."

Esme squints.

"Did you just--? Nevermind, I will let it pass this once, as long as you say another magic word!"

She rolls her eyes. "Fine. Tha--"

RING.

"...So who would ring this late--?"

///

"Hi Ab! Can someone please pick me up? I'm scared. And alone. And also very hungry."

Abdul sighs. And looks towards the ceiling.

"Hold on, I'll see if there's anyone available."

"Okie dokey, text me when! I'm..." The address is a mumble, but Abdul repeats it to confirm after jotting it down.

Cradling the reciever to muffle himself, Adbul turns around and explains.

"Fournier's detained for the night, and Helene's waiting for a ride. Who else can go right now?"

"Rémy's arrested? What's he getting charged with?"

"Probably public indecency. I'm surprised it took this long."

"Forget that, who's moderately sober enough to drive and get my- I mean, pick Spillane up?"

Zhu sips on his tea. "I may have an idea."

///

20 minutes later, the door opens to a messy-haired Helene, being propped up by Dominique by the shoulder. She looks a little harrassed with her bandaged knuckles and a split lip, but brightens up as she steps into the dorms.

"Home~ finally. Thanks Domi, I owe you."

"Of course, expect me to collect sometime soon, Spillane."

"I always do. See ya around, dearest RA <3."

"Get some rest, you little trouble maker."

"Get off my ass, i'm just several inches shorter than you-- also, no you."

"I'm not the one who got into a bar brawl halfway blackout drunk."

"I'm already sober, and may I remind you it's NOT our fault. the guy who started it wasn't affiliated with us, just brought us into as meatshields--"

"What."

"But I took offense and we DID finish it. Also no, you'd get into one WHILE being in zone." Helene pauses, cocking her head, listening. All was silent, as it should be. "Now shoo please, I'm sure everyone's asleep."

"Yeah yeah, bye."

Helene pulls out her tongue before closing the door at Dominique's fake-scandaloused face.

She moves to hobble upstairs when she meets five (5) people in the common room, staring at her in various states of shock, concern, increduility--

---

honk honk that's the extent, thanks for reading & let me know if i should write more :)

also can i just say the flavor of this messy found family squad??? is 10/10?? coz i just think it is :)