Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

To Melvin, my dearest compadre,

I hope this letter finds you well. Once again, I find myself asking for your forgiveness. Though I dared not pass up a golden opportunity, perhaps it could've been handled with a touch more… finesse, as you've said.

I trust your cousin has told you all about her side of the story, and for that, I apologize. You must understand I only wanted to check her loyalty to us, but I'll admit that ultimatum was rather unfair. Worry not, I've already sent my correspondence to Beatrice, and I hope to hear from her soon as well.

Onto more pressing matters: the big game is nearly upon us, and your oversight is requested. Maybe we could make our amends after we triumph over the brutes once and for all? Just a thought. Not that I'm diminishing your feelings here, of course. I apologize again for the rather underhanded tactics, but it was just another way to make them all pay, you see.

Thaddeus would also like to inform you that Shelob has gone through another successful molt, after some struggle, and he hopes you'll be able to take her into your custody soon just in case she's approaching her last days. We could keep her in our quarters at Dragon's Wing if your parents are that against you having a tarantula. I won't make any fuss, I promise.

Please come back.

You know me. I'm losing my head without your guidance and care. Bucky's loyalty is faltering without you or Beatrice around, and on top of that Francois has taken over as Grotto Master and it's becoming intolerable, to say the least.

All of that aside, I miss you. I'm sorry for being a handful. Can we please talk this out again, later?

You're needed here.

Your steadfast friend and leader,

Earnest Jones

Chapter Text

January 16th, 2007. | 8:33pm, Tuesday. | Approx. -11 °C, clear skies.

Matthew 5:5 - Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth.

Key points of the day:

• Reoccurring greaser drama.

• Hopkins in the lair.

• Shrimp scampi dinner.

Today's Log ~

Academics were rather uneventful; Galloway had us do silent reading while he nursed a hangover, again, Dr. Watts gave us a pop quiz (another 100% for me, of course), Study Hall was more quiet than usual thanks to Vendome skipping the block, and Matthews went over the black death- something I already know all about.

Lunch, I skipped in favor of studying. Kowalski sought me out because his new best friend Hopkins had some business to take care of and that left him alone. I'm perfectly capable of eating alone myself, but it's good to be respectful to those less fortunate.

It was a pretty enlightening conversation even if he kept me from studying, really. Apparently Peanut had come knocking on James' door asking for help with something, probably his boyfriend's troubled romance again, but why enlist the aid of Jimmy of all people?

In fact, almost everyone is getting this… ~brain-dead brutish ruffian involved in their affairs. Even members of my own circle are welcoming him with open arms! Just today at Dragon's Wing that bald lunatic rolled in like he owned the place and my companions told me he was "worthy as a fellow gamer" because he beat Fatty's highscore on that stupid game he loves. Unbelievable.

Watts had already told me after class he had no deliveries ready for me, so I simply bid my peers farewell and came home to help my Mom with dinner. It turned out excellent, and paired well with a glass of Chardonnay. My father had to work late on some case tonight, so she was happy to pour me a glass and call it our little secret.

Now here I am, spilling ink and letting my rage simmer.

Hate ~

Lola Lombardi.

That harlot is one of the school's biggest catalysts for drama. She's a mongrel like the rest of those mid-century LARPers she hangs around, and a complete Bitch in all senses of the word. No grace, no dignity, no respect for the Lord can be found anywhere within that "lady." Sure, she has her looks, her thrills, and she's probably the easiest to score, but I don't see the point of pursuing such debauchery when it'll only bring ruin on everyone thanks to her raging grease-monkey boyfriend, and on top of that there's just more important things to do in general. I have more respect for myself than to fall for her games, but I wish my peers could say the same.

Johnny Vincent.

A failure of a man, some wannabe mafia crimelord. He needs to either step up and put Lombardi in her place once and for all, with whatever grace and forgiveness he can muster in his tar pit of a heart, or just cut the crap and let her go, and maybe ditch his disgrace of a lifestyle a take a damn shower while he's at it. As it stands right now he's got the all the wrath and smarts of a shit-flinging chimpanzee, so I doubt either will happen anytime soon, especially considering he's enlisted the help of Hopkins. Can't he even trust his own goons to do his bidding? Or if it's an inconspicuous nobody he's looking for, I'm sure that creep Brakus wouldn't mind spying on her for him. Regardless he's utterly pathetic, and nowhere near as cool as he thinks he is. I might be a nerd but at least I'm not that desperate.

Gord Vendome.

While I was walking home today, Smith came up and wanted to exchange pleasantries. I told him what I heard, and he told me what he heard. Rumor has it the preps and greasers are gearing up for another rumble, and that it's all the prep's resident manwhore Vendome's fault. He's been hanging around Lombardi too much for anyone's liking, sticking himself where he doesn't belong. Of course it all boils down to two whores again. Utterly repulsive individual, is his greedy self ever satisfied? On top of that, he's been really stepping on his own circle's nerves- supposedly Ogilvie has been conspiring with Williams, Esposito, and Pucino to take him down a few pegs. Hardly surprising either; those rich entitled scumbags are always looking to stab each other in the back, just like all other oligarchies. Stupid moronic selfish drama queens.

James Hopkins.

Where do I begin with this utter menace.

It's clear as day he's power hungry, and he doesn't care about anything or anyone he steamrolls in the process. He'll help you out, sure, but only if he stays on top. He's not anyone's friend- he's not a good person at all. A catalyst for complete mayhem. Smith told me he's going to take over the whole school, and my peers are already laying down and kissing his shoes. I can't tolerate this, it's disgusting and mortifying. Cowards, all of them. This Friday I'll see if I can raise my argument to Earnest and sway him to my point of view. He's a proud leader, and by far the smartest of all of us. Surely he'll hear out my concerns for our future.

Back to Hopkins in general, he's just so much. He's everywhere. He's a whore. He's a brute. He's rude and crass and entitled and he's even taking my job as Dr. Watt's delivery boy. He's worse than the preps, the greasers, the bullies and jocks, all of them combined. And he's ugly. How on earth did Beatrice fall for him too?

I feel bad for Kowalski, on one hand his insider knowledge on that bumbling brute's activities makes for good intel, but on the other can he really not find better company? Yes, he's kind of girly, and just as snarky, but so am I. He's not really a queer either, I've seen him at church. Maybe I can pull some strings and get him to join us in the library later…

(got lost on another tangent. ugh.)

Hopkins is bad news. They'll all see.

10:47pm. Anderson, out.