seasonality ✦ rupert

[commandertoolbelt]

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week 0, monday

[commandertoolbelt]

[ it's a beautiful afternoon, showtunes are playing, and valdez is flopping ungracefully into a chair in the common room with a sigh. ]

You know, for the whole fancy academy vibe, I was not expecting a class with coloring books.

[heartlands]

[he glances over, laughing after a second]

They're kind of fun, though! In a... little kid way. I mean, I'm assuming they're for little kids? I don't have anything like that where I'm from.

[commandertoolbelt]

Neither do I! It's all "climb the lava wall" and "capture the flag" back at camp. Can confirm younger me would've loved it, but it's kind of funny how they go from that to Theoretical Physics, you know?

[heartlands]

[he nods, but after a second—]

Wait a second, lava walls? Are those a thing? What kind of camp were you going to?

[commandertoolbelt]

[ gravely: ]

Survival camp.

week 0, saturday.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ one way or another they get back to the dorms eventually, where leo is currently sprawled on one of the bunk beds with something in his hands. he's not really... doing anything with it, just turning it over and over with a frown on his face, keeping his hands busy. he hasn't noticed rupert yet. ]

[heartlands]

[when he wanders into the dorm, he still looks pretty unhappy about all this, but - he's glancing with curiosity at whatever leo has in his hands, wandering over.]

What's that...?

[commandertoolbelt]

Huh? Oh, this?

[ he holds it up. ]

Fletching from some of the arrows. I took it days ago, just to have something to keep my hands busy. It helps me think, you know?

[heartlands]

Yeah, sort of.

[after a moment:]

Penny for your thoughts, then?

week 1, tuesday

[commandertoolbelt]

[ you know, normally, the library isn’t leo’s thing? with adhd as bad as his, he has absolutely no focus for books. however.

there are computers now.

so that’s where leo’s headed! but he’ll spot rupert and wave, showing off the ring of text on his wrist. ]

Hey, Rups! Did you come looking for some dragon parenting books for Porridge?

[heartlands]

You know, I didn't, but now that you mention—

[he heads over as leo waves, though, glancing towards his wrist curiously! and then

aiming to bite him on the arm when he's close enough. unfortunate.]

[commandertoolbelt]

Ack! Hey!

[ he just shakes out his arm when rupert is done. ow :( ]

Okay, seriously, what is with everyone today? Is there something in the water?

[heartlands]

Sorry! So sorry, I'm really sorry - are you okay?

[backing away immediately!! awkward.]

week 1, saturday.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ when rupert gets back, leo is sprawled on a couch in the common area and gives him a tired little wave with a screwdriver. not much of a greeting but it's been A Day. ]

Guess we have to look forward to this every week, huh?

[ terrible. ]

[heartlands]

...I guess so.

[he takes a breath.]

I really wanted to think - it wouldn't be a pattern, but...

[he's idealistic, not necessarily stupid. either way, he looks pretty down after what just happened, expression tight.]

[commandertoolbelt]

Me too, buddy. Me too.

[ he runs a hand through his hair. ]

Gods, I can't believe we have to do this whole thing over again... And somehow I don't think we'll be able to get people to leave again like we did last week.

[heartlands]

To leave...?

[he tilts his head until he remembers - tomorrow. right.]

Right. Someone else is going to get dragged into that again, aren't they?

w5, sunday.

[heartlands]

[a few hours after everyone has come back, rupert is looking around for leo! by this point, the bandages are gone, because his eye is actually intact again - even if it looks cloudy. the way he walks makes it seem like depth perception isn't all there, but it's fine.

when he finds him in the kitchen:]

I didn't realize you know how to cook.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ leo pauses to watch rupert for a second, curious at the way he moves. ]

Well, surprise! Kon isn't the only one of us who can whip up something tasty. You hungry?

[heartlands]

Ha, I won't say no. What are you making?

[commandertoolbelt]

Loaded nachos - the ultimate comfort food, and way better than anything you'd find in the SUB. Just wanted something familiar, you know? I'm almost done, though, so you can go ahead grab a plate, if you want.

week 7, saturday.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ leo is coming back to winter for a short time tonight so while he's there. we can chat! hey rupes, whassup. ]

...So, think that draft will actually make the cut? Fix everything for us?

[heartlands]

[he gives him a little wave!]

It said draft accepted, right? And that's what it said right before the dorm heads came back. So... For once, I think everything is going to turn out okay.

[commandertoolbelt]

Guess I'm just conditioned to expect the worst. That's probably a survival instinct for a demigod, or something.

[ what a lame joke ]

...It said a winner was already chosen, too, that we couldn't all make this pocket dimension together unless we're part of that dorm. Do you think that'll be us?

[heartlands]

Maybe, but... Even if it isn't, it sounds like whatever dorm did win would be willing to use a wish to change that.