"So."
The principal taps the envelope on their knuckles as they search for the right thing to say. Their face is conflicted in more ways than one. As tapping doesn't seem to work they resort to flipping it over on its side and drumming it with their fingers.
Aofil takes the opportunity to try and wedge their fingers under the plastic casing holding their broken arm stiff and in place. They don't quite reach the spot where their arm cracked, but they tug at their shirt nonetheless to try and suppress the itching.
It helps just a little bit.
But, it's still pulsating uncomfortably warm. Both from waves of pain, and from waves of magic trying to heal the bone. It's broken, no doubt about it, but it served its purpose. It dampened the determination flowing around them during the presentation.
They had to hold the rest of the presentation through gritted teeth, but they got through it. However well they did is in the envelope flipping through the principal's thinking fingers with various amount of success. It doesn't bother the principal though, since their mind is occupied elsewhere. They open their mouth, but closes it immediately afterwards.
Aofil glances at the clock on the principal's desk. It's an hour or two past dinner, and Aofil feels it. They felt it during the presentation. For as much irritation as it added, it didn't really make a difference. Another layer to add to the already staggering amount of layers isn't gonna make that huge of a difference, but now that it's only one of few layers its screams are much more easier to hear.
No fruit or anything else edible is in the principal's room. There's a plate with a half eaten slice of pie on the desk, but it's not edible. Maybe for the principal, but not for Aofil. Nor is the untouched plate of pie they were handed. The tea summoned enough of a relapse for the day, or week, or month. However long it's been since the last one. This one was much more hurtful though. Both figuratively. Aofil tries to flex their fingers carefully, but to no avail. And literally.
The principal makes a final flair with their fingers and the envelope lands in between Aofil and them, "Considering everything that happened," the principal stops, as if they're having a hard time believing their own words that they're about to say, "I think it went well, Aofil. Despite the," they pause again to inhale through their clenched teeth, "unorthodox," they hang on the word for a second, "methods you used, you still came through when you managed to relocate and follow your thread of thought."
The principals eyes move to Aofil's injured arm, "I even heard some of the monsters next to me whisper something about how they've never seen someone teach so visually. So you got that going for you."
The principal smacks their lips, "They were a bit skeptical with the frozen pie that almost froze the lizard's tongue off, and I'm not gonna lie and say that you're not entirely innocent in that regard. You're not entirely at fault though since they volunteered, and you couldn't have known that they didn't have any arms. In either case," the principal produces a letter knife, "let's see what they said."
The Delta Rune holding the envelope together is undisturbed as the principal slices the top in two. They drag out the paper inside and read it quickly. There's a smile on their lips, and Aofil feels a bit of calm wash over them.
They really needed that.
The principal's smile fades, "Here," they fold the paper and give it to Aofil, "It's better that you read it instead of hearing it."
Aofil grabs it with their one functioning hand and open it back up.
"Congratulations!" the paper starts.
Always a good start.
"The monster council has deemed your performance as extraordinary barring some questionable decisions during the presentation. The sheer novelty and visual spectacle is something the council have never seen before, and that enough is grounds for continuation to the next step."
Aofil raises an eyebrow. Next step?
"Unfortunately, the attitude during the presentation gave the council a cause for a second opinion. The chance is still open, but an extra laurel has to be earned to ensure that the supposed reason for the attitude was an isolated event, and can be controlled should the teacher advance further through the program."
Aofil's eyebrow is lowered, and turns furrowed along with the other one. Program?
"If the human test comes back with exceptional results, then an interview will be planned. This decision is final and not negotiable."
Signed, the monster council of human scouting for teaching for the monsters, by the monsters.
Sure is a royal council with that kind of name.
"I don't know what to say, Aofil. I think congratulations are in order, but I'd be lying if I said that a part of me wants you to stay. With that said, if you plan to pursue this career option then I won't stand in your way. None of us will, but we'll miss you."
Aofil throws down the paper. This is the complete opposite of what they wanted to happen! Again they're dragged closer when all they want is just to be left alone. This was supposed to be for the school, not them!
"Dammit," Aofil mutters. They bury their forehead into their only functioning hand now that the other one is disabled because of the monsters. Again!
"God fucking dammit!" Aofil curses as they slam their hand into the principal's desk.
"Aofil!" the principal interrupts Aofil's growing anger with a snap of their fingers, "This is your chance to prove to yourself that you're willing to change! The one chance you have to understand that the monsters aren't monster. That they're flawed, yes, but that they mean good."
"It's not that," Aofil sighs.
"Of course it's that," the principal scoffs at the notion that it isn't, "It's time to put the past where it belong, Aofil. You have this opportunity to take a step towards bettering yourself. I've been lenient with your hatred towards monsters, but I can't be anymore. This is as far as I'm willing to give you. It's your turn now to take the step. Not for me, not for the school, but for you. I don't want to give you an ultimatum, but I'm going to push for this school to be one of the first to incorporate monsters and their proposed curriculum. This will happen with or without you, Aofil. I can't hold everyone back just because one of my teachers have history. If push comes to shove," the principal looks Aofil deep into their eyes, without blinking. The gaze is hard like diamond. The principal doesn't have to say anything, Aofil gets it, but they open their mouth anyway, "they'll not be one of my teachers anymore."
A minute of quiet hangs over the two like a thick blanket, bending both necks down in contemplation. The principal is the first to lift up their head, "I don't like being the bad guy here, Aofil, but I'm the principal of the school, not over you."
Aofil nods without lifting their head, "I get it."
"Good," the principal nods as well, "and good work on the presentation, Aofil. It was a good one, take pride in that you managed to win them over despite your allergy towards them."
Aofil doesn't join in with the principal's chuckle.
"Go home and get yourself some dinner, Aofil. You've earned it."
Aofil nods and stands up with intent for the door. They stop at it and turn their head around, "See you tomorrow."
The principal returns a smile, "Until then, Aofil."
"Excuse me!"
Aofil looks around for the voice that called them.
"Over here."
A monster beckons for them. A light blue one, with scales that flow almost like hair. It stands a head or two taller than Aofil. Four arms move awkwardly as it tries to figure out the right words to say. It scratches its beak, and blinks with its four eyes. It's a she, Aofil notices that very easily. It's hard not to, judging by how taut her suit shirt is.
"This might be a bit silly, human, but are you a friend of Tylior?" she asks.
Aofil nods, "Yeah, I an."
A pair of almost transparent wings extend from behind the monster with a soft snap. Aofil takes a step back in reflex.
"No, no, sorry," the monster retracts her wings, "I didn't mean to scare you, human," the monster gestures wildly with her hands, "Forgive me."
Her voice sounds strangely desperate, but she recuperates as Aofil steps back where they were. She extends her hand with an innocent smile, "I'm Sevoltne, a pleasure to meet you."
Aofil hesitates for a second before grabbing the hand. Her claws are gentle against their wrist, but they're still sharp enough to be acknowledged, "Aofil."
"Your presentation was really good, Aofil. Congratulations on passing. I was the one that proposed that your," Sevoltne clears her throat, "attitude, was just a one time event."
"Oh," Aofil doesn't really know how to react to that statement, "Thanks," they try hard to make it not sound like a question.
Sevoltne's four eyes close with a smile, "No need to thank me, I would've done it even if I didn't know about your illness."
Aofil's smile is sucked in, "My illness?"
"Oh, Tylior told me yesterday."
Aofil's brow furrows so hard that they have difficulty seeing.
Sevoltne puts a hand up to her beak to silence a small chuckle from her, "I should probably start from the beginning," she motions for a nearby bench with her other three hands. Aofil sits down, despite them just barely seeing it through their brows.
"Yesterday morning I was hurrying along to work, and accidentally stomped in a deep water puddle. I say stomped because that's how I run."
Sevoltne taps her feet on the ground very clumsily. Aofil joins her chuckle despite not finding it funny. Their concern is overwhelming them.
"The stomp launched a wave of water that crashed over a human. He said that it was fine, but I felt really bad about it afterwards. I don't know why, it was an accident," she leans closer to Aofil with a hand next to her beak. Aofil leans away just enough for it to not be noticed, "I guess I caught a glimpse of his face," she chuckles again.
"He is pretty proud of that stubble, yeah," Aofil adds.
Sevoltne nods very ecstatically, and with a wink.
"Seeing as he turned into this building I came back around lunch and asked a human female if she'd seen anyone with a pair of drenched trousers," Sevoltne taps her beak with a claw, "I think her name was Julie."
Aofil nods.
"She pointed to a trail of wet footsteps," Sevoltne continues with an ever growing smile, "and I followed them. I caught up to Tylior, and asked if there was anyway for me to repay him. It took a while for him to answer, but eventually he said that dinner is always nice."
"A date?" Aofil asks, being careful to make it sound as pleasant as possible.
"It turned to one."
An avalanche of worry falls over Aofil, "Oh."
Sevoltne nods, "Yeah."
The hair, and fur, on Aofil's arm solidifies into spikes, burrowing into their arm, stinging like hot needles. They muster a smile, but it's not genuine to them, "How nice."
Sevoltne rolls her claws as she notices Aofil's change in tone, "I'm sorry if I came to you with a bit too much information. Tylior's tongue seems to loosen up after only a couple of drinks, and we had more than few. I'm surprised he came to work today."
"Yeah, he," Aofil pauses to exhale, "he can't handle alcohol when he's awake, but he can when he's asleep. I've never figured it out."
Sevoltne again puts her hand next to her beak, "I have my theories."
"How do you mean?" Aofil asks unnaturally quick. Their eyes dart around Sevoltne's face, but they can't seem to catch her eyes. They're off to the side, avoiding Aofil's.
"Wouldn't you like to know?," comes a sudden whisper in Aofil's other ear.
Aofil almost jumps out of their skin, causing Tylior to laugh loudly at their reaction, "Dammit, Tylior!" grumbles Aofil, "Aren't you supposed to be home?"
"Got a call from Julie earlier this evening. She said that Sevoltne was here, at your presentation, Aofil. So, knowing that it went well?" Tylior hangs a pair of questioning fingers on Aofil and Sevoltne until Sevoltne nods, "I looked up a recipe and tried my hand at baking something."
The edge of Sevoltne's wings poke Aofil before retracting in embarrassment, "Did you?"
Tylior nods, "Yes, banana pie."
Sevoltne stands up quickly and clamps her hands together, "For me?"
Tylior glances down at Aofil, "For you as well. If you want, that is."
Aofil lips curl together, "I'm fine."
Sevoltne doesn't pick up on their subtle huff, but Tylior does. It's a sound all too familiar for him, Aofil knows that as well, "Sevoltne," Tylior summons a calm smile, "Where's your bag?"
"Oh, I must've forgotten it in the classroom. Um, Aofil?"
"Two doors down, second door inside the corridor," they answer without any emotion.
Sevoltne nods and gives Tylior a peck on his cheek as she passes him. Tylior sits down with Aofil when he hears the door close behind him. He meets Aofil's eyes, but breaks eye contact to sigh, "Aofil."
"One day? You've known her for one day, Tyl. Are you being serious right now?"
"She's," Tylior sighs again, deeper than before, "She's wonderful. She finds me funny. She's funny as well. She has a nice job. Smart. She has some nice, you know."
Tylior's hands work their way up his body, but Aofil stops him almost immediately, "Spare me."
"Yesterday was one of the best nights I've had, period. Everything clicked, it was," Tylior hesitates, but Aofil already knows what word he was about to use.
"Yesterday was magical, Aof. In way more ways than one. We," Tylior hesitates again, but this time there's a smile on his lips as he recalls the event, "went all the way."
Aofil can't tell which emotion that's showing on their face. Tylior sees which though, and scoffs at his own words. He leans back onto the wall behind him with his hands together and his fingers drumming rhythmically.
"I know, Aof. It's silly. It's real goddamn silly, if not stupid as well. But, I'm pretty sure I've fallen in love with her. We just," Tylior balls his two hands together, "click, you know? I'm not gonna move in with her or propose to her tomorrow, but I did take some time out of my day to make her a banana pie. That should say it all, really. I've never baked something before in my life, let alone for someone else. Let alone again for a monster! A monster that almost destroyed my pants, no less."
Tylior puts a hand on Aofil, who debates whether or not to allow it. As they debate it in their head, Tylior catches his breath, "That's why I want you to come and have some with us. You're not gonna be the third wheel, I promise. If anything I'm afraid that you'll steal her from me, but I'm willing to take that risk if it means you getting closer to understanding, Aofil."
"Found it!" announces Sevoltne. Neither Aofil or Tylior react. They don't even acknowledge her when she walks up to them and swivel her head back and forth between them, "You two ready?"
Aofil breaks eye contact with Tylior, and does so coldly. They smile to Sevoltne, "You and Tylior enjoy that pie without me. I've had enough for today," Aofil pats their stomach, "We humans actually get full, even from magic grub. Right, Tyl?"
Tylior tries to reestablish their eyes to Aofil's, but Aofil isn't letting him. They look at him, but not in the way Tylior wants. Aofil's fake smile is good, but Tylior knows it. He gives it one last chance before breaking off himself and shrugging to Sevoltne, "More for us!"
"I guess so," she seems a bit sad over Afoil's rejection, but as Tylior motions for the exit after a brief goodbye with Aofil, he assures Sevoltne that's it's not because she's a monster.
He's a good liar.
Aofil sits alone while trying to gather their thoughts. It's fruitless, just like their taste buds are gonna be for the rest of the night. No, this is for the better. Aofil rolls up their sleeve and pushes down the fur. It stings from the broken bone inside, quite a lot actually, but the itching is driving them insane.
Well, more insane.
They've kicked everything Tylior thought he'd accomplished straight to the curb, and then some. He'll recover though, he's a good person. A great friend that always have Aofil's back.
So why can't Aofil be happy for him? Why are they angry with him? They touch their cheeks.
Normal, no blossoming heat. That's even worse!
Why can't they be glad that he's found love? Even though it's a monster, Aofil should be happy for their friend. They look down at their arm again.
At least now they know why he radiated magic earlier today. Is what why they're mad at him? Is it because of Sevoltne that Aofil is angry and disappointed? He didn't choose to fall in love with her! They can't think like this. Aofil can't blame him!
Yet they do! Why!?
"Fuck!"
The word bounces around the empty building, not dying out for an extremely long time. Aofil's sure that the principal heard it, but right now they don't care about them. They massage their throat, the word took a toll on it.
And it didn't help either.
Aofil sighs, they're too tired for this. Too exhausted from their curse, their arm, not having eaten properly, having to probably do another interview, and this time with a monster. They need to get home and calm down, nothing else will help at the moment.
Their mouth tastes bitter, would've been nice to have a slice of that banana pie right now. Human pie, no magic. But alas, they're cursed.
And now they can't be around their friend anymore, because he's in love. Love comes before friends, especially friends who can't even appreciate the company. Especially friends who are now allergic to him.
It's not fair, any of this.
Aofil's quiet mumbling and vacant behavior has them sitting alone on the subway home. If they had any mind to spare they would've enjoyed it, but their head is full with the realization that their best friend is now food for their curse. The rain at their stop is a blessing though, since it gives them a reason to blame their wet face on something other than the tears staining their cheeks.
The street to their home is more crowded than usual, despite it being late in the evening on a workday. It gives their mind something peculiar to think about, and Aofil welcomes it with open arms. A couple of fire engines stand around the corner of their building at a stop light.
There's no smoke in the air, and it's raining. Why are they there? No flames wherever Aofil turns their head neither.
Heavy footsteps make their way down the staircase and Aofil holds the door for whoever it is. Two firemen thank them as they pass Aofil, but Aofil's so baffled that they forget to ask them what they were doing there. When they realize that they could ask them, the firemen have already disappeared into the now dispersing crowd.
Aofil unlocks the door with a very tired yawn. At least they're home now. Just need to make something simple to eat and then sink down into their sofa to watch something that they don't have to dedicate any though to.
Their kettle whistles, and Aofil freezes in place. They didn't use it during the morning, and if they did then their home would've been nothing but soot by now. Is that why the firemen were here? No, can't be. They sample the smell heading there way.
Sweet, and sour.
The springs on Aofil's sofa sing that someone is using it. Aofil rushes the corner, and their eyes almost borrow through the back of their skull.
"a bit smaller than your other place."
A bony finger is dragged on top of the back of the sofa.
"not as dusty though, heh."