#tbc I am not upset about this so much as surprised/taken aback I very much did not expect it to explode like this

[crypticpatterns]

welp the thing of mine that has the most views/clicks/etc on the internet is now officially a dumb video about akechi's cut dialogue about how he is "always calm" that i quickly edited in imovie in a single night lmao

[ak47stylegirl]

Doctors Appointment: Chapter 8

Okay here’s the next chapter! Virgil gets some spot light 💚😁 and there is some mention to Jeff’s okayish parenting. It was a fun chapter to write! 

I hope you guys enjoy! 😆

Past chapters

@janetm74 @dragonoffantasyandreality @alexthefly @inertplanetary @cg29 @katblu42 @gumnut-logic

--- Virgil was sitting at Dad’s desk, his engineering coursework scattered across the table. There were two empty coffee cups sitting to the side, and one full cup of coffee in Virgil’s hands. 

The amount of coffee Virgil drank daily, at eighteen years old, was honestly slightly alarming...

But Scott couldn’t talk...

‘Hey, Scott…’ Virgil smiled as he took a sip of coffee, leaning back in the desk chair. ‘how’s Allie’s appointment going?’ 

Scott sighed heavily with a grimace, glancing over at Alan’s sleeping form. Alan’s eyebrows were farrowed, head beginning to toss and turn slightly.  

‘that bad, huh?’ Virgil mused sadly, frowning softly. 

Alan whimpered in his sleep, breathing picking up speed.

“Yeah…” Scott nodded sadly, fingers gently running through Alan’s hair soothingly, trying to calm his baby brother. “It's been a difficult day…”

Alan’s face visible relaxed at the gently stroking motion. 

Scott’s shoulders dropped, “-for both of us….” 

‘I believe you….’ Virgil sighed in sympathy, brown eyes looking Scott over in concern, ‘you look exhausted, Scooter….’

How this day had been going so far, that wasn’t surprising…

“I am…” Scott chuckled humourlessly, his head collapsing back against the chair. “It’s been a long, long day, and it’s not even over yet….”

Virgil frowned at Scott’s bitter dark tone, concern bubbling in his gut. 

‘You know, one of us could take Alan instead next time?’ Virgil suggested hesitantly, not wanting to upset Scott accidently, ‘You deserve a break...’

Scott been to almost every one of Alan’s doctor’s appointments since the diagnosis, even before Dad went missing. Sometimes, most of the time, Dad was too busy to take Alan himself. 

Of course, Dad tried to find time but often schedules just didn’t match up. So the nineteen year old Scott would take the five year old on Dad’s behalf. 

Virgil knew that Scott had been frustrated at Dad with his lack of presence in Alan’s life. Which had only increased at Alan’s diagnosis, Scott’s protective mother hen instincts going into overdrive.

Scott would often come to Virgil’s or John’s room to rant, pacing back and forth in his frustration. ‘I just don’t get it! Can’t he just change the stupid meeting time or something?!’

‘Is this bloody business more important to him than Alan?!’

Of course, Scott knew that Dad valued them more than the business, but while their Dad did love them, he wasn’t perfect or unfaultable. (a fact Scott often forgot now days...) 

Dad made mistakes. 

And one of the biggest ones in Virgil’s opinion was the way Dad kept Alan at arm lengths. Dad couldn’t ever fully get over his grief at losing their mother, and unfortunately Alan was the innocent victim in it all.

It wasn’t Alan’s fault that he looked uncannily like Mum or that he was born on the same day Mum died. It was a natural disaster, no one foresaw the avalanche or that mum would be fatally injured.  

It was a miracle that Alan was even born...

Virgil knew that Dad loved Alan, but he was still human, and sometimes you can love someone while having...complicated feelings. 

Anyway, one of them could take the strain for a bit. They all were Alan’s big brothers after all, and both him and John were legal adults...

They could take some of the pressure off Scott's shoulders.

“No…” Scott shook his head, a determined (stubborn) look on his face. “I’m his legal guardian; it should be me that takes him….”

Virgil frowned, ‘Scott, you know me or John can look after Alan just fine….’

It wasn’t like they hadn’t done it before; Scott wasn’t always able to be there when Alan needed help. 

Though Scott damn well tried to be….

“And I don’t doubt it, but….” Scott ran his hand down his face, emotional exhaustion apparent in his mannerisms. “It’s just….”

Alan groaned in misery, getting restless once again

“Alan had a complete and utter panic attack during his blood test-” Scott sighed heavily, caressing Alan’s cheek with a heartbroken look. “-throwing up and everything….”

Virgil’s eyes widened, taken aback at the news. He knew Alan was scared of needles, everyone in the family did, but…

But he never realised it was that bad.

“I…I can’t not be there with him….” Scott pleaded softly, his eyes filled with anguish as he continued to stroke Alan’s cheek. “I just can’t….”

I don’t blame you, Scotty…

‘I…Scott…’ Virgil blinked rapidly, choking on his words and emotions, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t-’ 

Scott’s eyes shot up in alarm, 

“Hey, no. It’s okay….” Scott smiled weakly at Virgil, understanding clear in his eyes. “You were just trying to help. I appreciate it, I do….”

Virgil’s chest felt a little lighter at that. But still, he wanted to help…

‘Well, maybe instead, one of us could come with you guys next time?’ Virgil reiterated his previous suggestion, ‘that way, you’ll have a little help with Allie….’

Which definitely would be needed and very helpful when dealing with an upset Alan. One man simply couldn’t do it all…

No matter how much Scott tried to prove that wrong.

Scott sighed, “Virgil, we’re already stretched thin as it is, I don’t thi-”

‘Just think about it, okay?’

Scott eyed Virgil for a second, before nodding with a defeated sigh. “I’ll think about it. That’s all I can promise….”

Virgil smiled, knowing that he’ll probably have to get John on board to tag-team convincing Scott into agreeing. 

Because Scott wasn’t the only stubborn Tracy…

‘Hmmm, this needs more spice...’ Virgil's eyes widened as Grandma's voice flooded up from the kitchen. ‘A half cup- no a full cup of chilli should do it!’ 

Scott was so unbelievably glad he was not there right now! 

Oh wow, that would be hot….

‘Okay, I gotta ask….’ Virgil chuckled nervously, looking over his shoulder with fear clear in his eyes. ‘Are you bringing home dinner, or do I need to flee the island?’

Scott laughed heartily, “Tell John to order something, and I’ll pick it up on the way home….”

Virgil smiled, relieved, nodding. ‘FAB…’

‘Now, to find someone to try this….’ Virgil shot up from his seat at those words, eyes terrified. ‘Virgil, are you up there?!’

‘Got-to-go!’

Scott was roaring with laughter, as Virgil hung up the call in a panic. Oh, little brothers, they were the best entertainment…

“Scotty?” Alan sleepily blinked up at Scott, rubbing at his eyes, “what’s…what’s so f-funny?”

Scott smiled down at Alan, still chuckling. “Oh, just your big brother Virgie running from Grandma’s cooking….” 

Alan smiled weakly, “He’s doomed, isn’t he?” Alan giggled, exhausted eyes lighting up in amusement. 

“Oh yes…” Scott nuzzled his nose against Alan’s nose with a shit-eating grin, forehands touching. “Quite definitely….”

“So very doomed….”

TBC...

[lamentalia]

Alfred - Chapter 3 - Part 2

★

It’s late afternoon before Mattie gives the ok. Alfred had put in a decent effort but gave up the surveillance in favor of his astronomy book a while ago. The cats here are not much fun to watch. After he’d seen the same three cats walk across the village square two or three times each he tapped out and left the rest to Mattie. They both know his attention span is not long enough. Besides, Alfred’s more of a “rolling with the punches” kind of guy.

They’re posted up in a large, leafy tree growing behind one of the building structures on the outside of the square; one that has good cover and vantage. It was easier than they thought it would be to get here. The grassland they’d traveled over provides negligible resources, so the cats have naturally ignored it. There is also only a smattering of trees on the north side of the village center and the pathway that leads through these trees appears to be neutral territory. It’s little wonder, really, the only things that had been living up north of here were Alfred and Mattie and monsters don’t often wander outside the cover of forest. There’s no real need for security on this side.

Halfway through a paragraph on a theory about how the Two-Canes used to study the stars, Alfred hears a short exhale. He looks up hopefully to see Mattie’s resigned profile. He cocks his head in a silent question and Mattie gives him a nod. Yes! Alfred takes a moment to view their surroundings. No one’s looking this way.

Grinning, Alfred grabs his packs and carefully, silently, climbs down the tree to land behind the building. He waits for his brother to reach the ground, too, before speaking in a low voice.

“Glad we can do this before the sun starts setting, it would be pretty awkward to crash in on them at night.”

“Yeah… I thought about that.” Mattie replies. “How do we want to do this?”

“Well, we’re pretty sure the Chief’s house is the one farthest upstream in this area, yeah?”  Alfred decides to carry the pack of food in one hand by its shorter handles for easy access instead of slung over his shoulder. “I figure we go in that direction until we can catch someone’s attention.”

Mattie sends him a disgusted grimace, then responds a moment later, morosely. “Ugh. I hate that I don’t have any better ideas than that.”

“Haha! My time to shine, Mattie.” He says with a winning smile. “Let’s go.” 

★

They backtrack slightly into the woods before turning back onto the path so as not to let on that they’d been spying for the greater part of a day and wander casually, (and nervously) into the village square.

They look around, pretending to catch their bearings and keep an eye out for anyone who might be out. The stream looks pleasant as it rushes through a canal built into the center of the square. Three bridges cross it. Alfred approaches the middle most bridge looking for anyone who might be out.

Luckily a craggy looking cat exits a nearby building. He looks shocked at first and then aggressive, with ears way back and defensive posture upon seeing Alfred wave him down. Alfred stops waving but keeps his hand up in a placating manner.

“Hey! Hi.” He says. He keeps smiling sheepishly despite the way his voice cracks just a bit on his opening line. This is the first time he’s ever met a cat outside of his own territory (not counting that time with Gilbert when he and Mattie were kittens,) and he’s surprised at how unsettling it turns out to be. He clears his throat and pushes on before it can get to him. “We’re heading to Ransen and we’d like to pass through here. Would you mind taking us to see your chief? We’d like to give our respects and trade our goods for their blessing.”

Alfred indicates the overstuffed pack and the cat now looks defensive and confused. He can see a hint of curiosity spark in his demeanor, though. Several doors and windows around them crack open and Alfred can see glinting eyes shining behind them. This is kind of… weird. Okay… Maybe his theory was wrong and they’re not openly trading with outsiders. Somehow.

Mattie’s hand grips Alfred’s coat and its obvious he’s getting jumpy. Time to up the ante. Slowly, so as not to alarm anyone, he moves his free hand to his bag and unbuckles one side to reveal the dried fruits, roots, bundled grasses and nuts within. The cat’s eyes go comically wide and shift between Alfred and the bag a few times before he responds.

“Where did you two come from…?” He asks in a hostile, yet deeply curious manner. Alfred continues to smile in as friendly a manner as possible. Which is pretty dang friendly!

“Up north, near the coastline.” Alfred says and the cat only looks more distrusting.

“And how did you get there?”

“Uh. We were born there? That’s where we live. Er. Well. Did live, up until very recently.”

The craggy cat calls out what seems to be a name and a young tom goes to his side immediately. He looks tired and thin and only slightly younger than Alfred and Mattie. The craggy cat murmurs curtly to the young one who then runs off to enter the chief’s house.

“Follow me.” The craggy cat says, turning to walk in the same direction. Alfred looks to Mattie who gives him a thoroughly nervous look, but so far so good, it seems. The two follow him inside the house.

The young tom is sitting by a side wall by the time they enter. An elderly cat sits on the floor at a low table with another elder and a middle-aged cat. The three of them glare at the twins suspiciously. Their escort dismisses himself. Alfred plasters his smile back on and is about to speak when he feels a light squeeze on his tail. Not enough to hurt (this time) but enough to distract his attention. Alfred glances sideways at Mattie and notes his stony look and steady, alert ears. It’s a look that might convey polite seriousness to a stranger but says ‘Be Alert and Be Quiet’ to Alfred. Not that he has any experience with this look or anything.

“I hear that you claim to be from up north.” The old cat says, crossing his arms. His ears are forward but he radiates vehement dislike. “I also hear that you wish to trade for safe passage through our village.”

He leaves it at that. After a quick glance at Mattie, who only blinks placidly, Alfred replies.

“Yes, sir.” He holds the bag of food out to show them its contents. “Er. May I?” He indicates the table before the three cats sitting on the floor. The chief only nods sharply, not taking his eyes off the two of them. Alfred gently places the bag on the table. The middle-aged cat on the left opens the bag further and the elder cat on the right calls the young tom back over. He hurries over and, as if he’s already understood what he’s supposed to do, takes three randomly picked pieces and eats them.

Huh. Weird. The young tom returns to his spot against the wall.

“Where did you find this?” The chief asks.

“It’s our winter store.” Mattie says, suddenly. “We’ve been gathering it since Spring. Sadly, there is not much, considering. The land in our territory is becoming barren and has finally been invaded by the Void. It cuts off a direct route to Ransen and so we come to ask if we may pass through your village.”

Wow. Mattie’s pretty good at this! Two of the faces before them are looking slightly less distrusting at least, even if they’re not looking much less hostile.

“Since we’re headed there anyway, it would be a waste to leave it behind, so we brought it as a gift to you, sir.” Alfred adds.

“And how am I to believe you were born and raised in that cursed, monster-infested land?” The chief says harshly. “The witch Wuti does not permit anyone to trespass, to say nothing of letting anyone live and raise a family there.”

Alfred is taken aback. That was a name he very rarely heard. There wasn’t much need to say it around the house, after all. It also sounds like this chief fears “Wuti” and does not seem to know about her death, which is useful if a bit upsetting. Alfred glances at Mattie once more who has finally returned the look. Alfred grabs Mattie’s hand and looks the chief directly in the eyes.

“Yes. Hehewuti is our mother.” Mattie says with the convincing tone of a loving son. All three eyes are back on them and frozen solid.

“She sent us ahead and instructed us to give you this gift.” Alfred says.

“We mean no disrespect, chief, but we ask that you please refer to her by her real name and not in such a distasteful manner.”

“Particularly when speaking to us.” Alfred finishes with the barest hint of an edge in his words. The warning in their voices is no act.

The silence that follows seems to last an eternity.

★ TBC ★