#more regulus next chapter lmao poor enemy-kun hasn't even been properly introduced

[locria-writes]

untitled pt. 4/?

general notes -- friendship with rival-kun and enemy-kun has ended, elliot is best boy

last edit -- 06/07/22

IV.

17 February, 2X52

“Janny, why am I here?”

“Because we’re friends?”

“Yeah, but why am I at your hair appointment?”

“Our hair appointment.”

Symphora looked up from her phone, frowning as she stared at the blonde, who was currently engrossed while tapping through various hairstyles on a tablet. They were currently in a private room in one of the salons that Januaria’s mother owned, seated in comfortable plush chairs around a small table filled with an assortment of fancy finger foods and sweet drinks, waiting for their appointment. “Explain, please.”

“I kinda sorta maybe booked you with me?”

“Janny.”

“What? Wouldn’t it be fun to change up your hair?” Januaria twirled a lock of her hair, pursing her lips as she continued to tap through the photos. “And if it looks like shit, you can just dye your hair back.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“I’ve already got something picked out for you, Syma. You’ll love it, promise.”

“For the last time, I’m not going blonde – “

“I didn’t say blonde.” She held up the tablet. “You like pink, and you like purple, so why not pick both and go magenta?”

She had to admit, the shade did look really pretty, and it wasn’t too loud of a colour that it made her uncomfortable. It was just a little rebellious, enough to raise eyebrows, but not enough to really cause a stir, and Januaria really did find something that she loved. “Okay, fair.”

“See? When have I ever let you down?” Januaria smiled smugly as she set the tablet down.

“Chronologically, or alphabetically?”

“Never mind, don’t answer.” She reached over to take a lock of Symphora’s hair. “What about a haircut?”

“I’m starting to think this is just a really long-winded way of telling me I’m ugly.” Her hair had never been something she minded extra attention to – she kept it long, almost waist-length, and left its colour an untouched brown-black. She once heard whispers that her mother had a similar hairstyle, and while of course, she wasn’t a sentimental enough person to let something like petty gossip affect her, but it did leave a strange feeling in her chest if she let herself dwell on it long enough.

“I never said that, and I just think you need some change. Like, we’re in our last year before lyceum. Let loose before you kill yourself from overwork.”

“Well, if I’m going an unnatural colour, you should too.”

“What, no way! Mom’ll kill me, then send my corpse to Pomona to get lectured by Nan. More importantly, tell me what happened yesterday!”

“Wow, nice segue, and if I knew, I would’ve already told you.”

What Januaria referred to, was the unprecedented and unexpected plus one Symphora had very reluctantly dragged along to their cheap and greasy dinner last night, who was none other than the societal menace himself, Regulus Burakgazi. She still hadn’t really wrapped her head around all that happened, to be completely honest.

After Cantrell had dismissed them, Symphora had gone out to the monorail stop, not paying much attention to her surroundings, but enough that she recognized Regulus’ unfamiliar presence there. Normally, he got a ride home (she knew that because most days ended with them glaring at each other while waiting for their respective rides), and she had never seen him head off to take public transit. She wasn’t sure how much was his asocial personality, and how much was just his father forbidding fun (again, she loathed to admit that she could empathize with him in that regard). She knew it had to have been either his first time, or one of the few times he had ever done it, because he kept sneaking glances at her that possessed less ire and disdain, and more worry and uncertainty.

While she would have loved to just ditch him there and leave him to fend for herself, she knew her father would be very disappointed in her for letting ‘one of their kind’ die on a trip on public transit, and he would probably punish by banning her from going out with friends. So she let him follow her on, purposely chose a seat where she could keep an eye on him, and she made sure he got off at the right stop. It was all terribly annoying.

“Why are you following me?”

“Why are you following me from the front?”

“I swear, I’m literally this close to kicking you.”

Her mood had been completely spoiled by his stupidity, but at least she found some joy in his aghast expression when he realized she was heading to Old Matrona – a dingy little diner that had long been a favourite of Harmonia Institute students on Caelus One. It was run by an old woman everyone called Matrona (her name was actually Amanda), along with her son and his family. Truthfully, it was a rather ugly place, décor left unchanged for what looked like thirty years, and a menu that was probably created before then. The food wasn’t amazing, and it was always too greasy and too salty, but everyone acted like they loved it.

In essence, it was the kind of place people like them had no business going to, but did so anyway out of some feeble rejection of their social class.

The only thing funnier that Regulus’ expression was the collective double-take their little dinner party had when they showed up. Januaria had put her head down in an attempt to stifle her laughter; Elliot kept looking back and forth between Symphora and Regulus, like he couldn’t believe his eyes (and who could blame him?); Donut nearly dropped his fry and spluttered a few times in confusion; poor Marius had just taken a drink and nearly spat it out; and Angelus started laughing, albeit more out of nervousness than the pure, unadulterated amusement of Januaria.

Symphora sat down next to Januaria, who sounded near tears from laughing, and looked over at Regulus. “Not where you were headed?”

Lacking his usual bravado, Regulus weakly glared at her as he reluctantly took the seat next to Elliot. “No, this is exactly where I wanted to go.”

“Sure, totally believe you.” She smiled saccharinely. “How long have you guys been here, and why haven’t you ordered?”

“About half an hour now, probably,” Angelus said, glancing warily at Regulus. “So, uh, I guess we’re now a group of seven?”

It was a painfully awkward, but deliciously hilarious dinner, in her humble opinion. His barely-concealed disgust while eating was probably one of the highlights of her year so far.

Her phone started ringing, and Symphora was tempted to just hang up, until she noticed it was Elliot. Accepting the call, she noticed he looked awfully distraught. “Oh hey, what’s up?”

“Ooh, is that Elli? Put him on speaker.” Januaria leaned over as she placed the phone on the middle of the table. “Hey, Elli.”

“Hi, Janny.” Elliot smiled weakly. “Syma…did you make a mistake?”

“I don’t believe I make mistakes.”

“Okay, then you said you were gonna handle my clothes for today’s party, right?”

“More like I said I could figure something out, and Janny butted in saying she’d take over, but yeah, something to that effect.”

“So you arranged for it to be delivered to my place, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re not handling anyone else’s clothes, right?”

“Elli, I’m hurt. You think I’d cheat on you?”

“Syma, I love you and I sort of trust you with my life, but I can’t accept this.”

“Why, does it not fit?” She narrowed her eyes at the blonde next to her. “Janny, I thought you knew what you were doing when you chased him for his measurements?”

“This suit is 14 000 denarii! I can’t accept this! It’s worth more than my life!”

“Aw, Elli, don’t sell yourself short. You’re worth at least 14 001 denarii,” Januaria said sympathetically.

“Wow, that was only 14 000 denarii?” Symphora nodded thoughtfully. “Janny, you really outdid yourself. I thought it was gonna be at least 16 000 denarii.”

“Guys, do you even know how much that is? It’s literally a quarter of our tuition!”

“A fifth of our tuition,” she corrected. “And so what? It’s a gift, don’t sweat it.”

“My dad has to work four months to earn this much! It’s really too expensive…!”

Symphora sighed, tapping her fingers on her knee. “Elliot, listen to me, okay?”

“Okay?”

“If it’s too expensive, just wear it this once, and resell, okay? Make sure to say it’s a Janny design – “

“Wait a second, Janny, you designed this?”

“Bitch, what the hell do you think I’m studying fine arts for?”

“Guys, shut up please, I’m speaking. Anyway, say that, then someone called Julius Claes – “

“Julius Claes? Like the Vice Chancellor?”

“Yeah, like the Vice Chancellor. Okay, so he’ll buy it from you for at least 20 000 denarii, got it? Then you can pay me back the 14 000, and you can pocket the rest.”

“This feels really illegal.”

“It’s not, it’s just business.”

“And why Julius Claes?”

“Oh, that’s my dad.” Januaria wrinkled her nose.

“He’s your what? How?”

“Well, dear Elli, you see when a man and a woman love each other very much – “

“Don’t tell spread misinformation, Janny.” Symphora lightly kicked her from under the table, which really translated to a gentle tap. “Who says love has to be involved?”

“Guys, I think we’re getting really off-track here.”

“Are we? Weren’t you the one who asked about my dad?”

“I really can’t wear this suit. I’m sorry, but it’s just way too much.”

“Elliot, listen to your elders.” Technically the truth, since Januaria was about seven months older than the both of them, and she was a day older than him. “There’s not a lot of people attending today’s party, but everyone there is an investor in the Antevorte Foundation, which means they have more money than they know what to do with it. All you have to do is dress to impress, smile prettily, and be your sweet little self, okay? Then you’ll have yourself a sponsor, and then you can think about paying me back.”

“Okay, but what if I don’t get a sponsor?”

“Sounds fake, but then just think of the suit as an investment from me, okay? I don’t really care, but if it bothers you so much, you can pay me back whenever, or pay a denarius a day.”

Elliot was quiet for a while, obviously deep in consternation, before he finally sighed and nodded. “Okay, fine, you win.”

“As I always do.”

“I’ll see you tonight, I guess, and see you Monday, Janny.”

When the call ended, Symphora sighed, putting her phone away. “Are you sure you don’t want to come tonight?”

Januaria laughed, shaking her head. “No, those parties are so boring. I’d rather go to Claudia’s party.”

“Lucky you.” She didn’t look forward to hours of smiling politely and being forced to play nice with people she found insufferable.