Later that evening, Virulent Lesson dropped down a small, vanilla colored, folder that was stuffed to the brim with various paper work on his desk; with a sigh he rubbed his temples. His head ached with stress from his abnormally busy day and worse yet it was starting to get to the point that it felt like his head might explode into thousands of smaller pieces. It wouldn't, not litterialy anyway, but part of him wished it would just so it would end the near unbearable throbbing in his head. Unfortunately for him he still had more to do tonight.
Just one more meeting he thought to himself. Though it wasn't Phoenix’s, that meeting had concluded a while ago. This one was with another certain group of foals in his care. To his left he heard the familiar chime of his office clock followed by its, borderline obnoxious, click clack; causing him to move his gaze from the file work on his desk and towards it. The clock had just struck seven in the evening causing him to let out a groan of disapproval in a fruitless attempt to alleviate some of the building pressure in his head.
“Where are those five,” he muttered to himself as he tapped his table impatiently. Normally a few foals running late didn’t stress him out, but with his head in the state it was in, he just wanted to get his day over with. Thankfully he wouldn't have to wait much longer, as he could hear the encroaching footsteps of a small herd outside his office door. Virulent Lesson took a sharp, deep breath to try and calm his nerves, before taking out his quill and notepad just as the knock on his door came.
“Come in!” He called; a smile crossed his muzzle as the five creatures walked in. While he was annoyed with their tardiness, he nevertheless held a firm joy in seeing the foals in his care; which helped ease some of the aching in his head.
“Sorry we’re late Mr. Lesson. We were-” Carapace began before Virulent lesson quited her with a wave of his hoof.
“It is quite alright,” He assured with a friendly, but tired grin; hoping to alleviate any worry the group might have had.
“If I may say, you don’t seem alright,” Starling rebutted as he studied the pegasus’ overly worked demeanor.
“Yea you look super sleepy Lesson- OW! What was that for Ribbon?” Zeal irritably demanded.
“He's the head stallion! treat him with respect,” she hissed quietly into his ear. The two’s squabble managed to garner an amused chuckle out of Virulent Lesson.
“It’s quite alright Red Ribbon. But please do refrain from hitting your brother.”
“Sorry sir,” the filly lowered her head in an ashamed manner.
“Again it's okay. In any case your brother is right I just am rather tired tonight. It has been a long day for me and a lot of paperwork, that ultimately seem to be for nothing.” Virulent lesson let out a disappointed sigh as the last of the words escaped his mouth. He had hoped for a better outcome but unfortunately it seemed no creature would be adopted and it also meant all the paperwork he had prepped meant nothing.
“I-Is it because of the adoption couple who came in?” Carapace asked; causing Virulent Lesson to questioningly arch his brow.
“Partly yes,” He cautiously began, “But who told you we had a potential adoption family today?”
“Oh! Um sorry, Starling told me,” she answered; causing the room's attention to fall on him.
“Phoenix told me when she came in for art,” Starling explained.
“Really she told you that?”
“Yea. It's not like she's a mute. Though I get the feeling sometimes she wishes she was.” Starling scratched his head a bit as he thought back to his conversation with the strange filly.
“I know. I’m just surprised she brought it up to you is all.”
“Well it wasn't like she just started talking out of the blue. She just brought it up as her reason for being late.”
“Ah, I see. Well in any case, I’d like to officially ask you five’s half of the story today. Especially since Phoenix was sketchy on… Everything.”
“Well, she laughed for some reason,” Teratron began, “She also agreed to try and be less moody for the book club.” This had caused Virulent Lesson to do a double take just to make sure he had heard the gryphon correctly.
“Really now? While that's wonderful to hear,” he praised, “Oh and before I forget, here.” Virulent lesson handed the gryphon a medium sized book with a peculiar cover that looked as though it were a face. Though the thing shared more in common with a grimoire than a book.
“I-” the gryphon gave a befuddled blink, “when did you get an extra copy of Veil of Shadows?”
“Well since Phoenix was joining you, I had one of my assistances run out and get an extra copy today. Do make sure that gets to her by the way. I would have done it during our meeting today but it slipped my mind at the time.” Tertatorn gave a quick nod before tucking the book under his wing for safe keeping. After letting Teratorn refocus his attention back on him, Virulent lesson looked back to the group of foals as a whole and asked:
“Anycreature else have any luck?”
“Well, I don’t know if it's exactly news to you but,” Star began, “I think I’m starting to get an idea for why Phoenix is so…” he paused to search for a kinder way to put his words before finally coming up with, “Distant.” This answer also got a notable curious glance from the Head stallion. He had his own theories on her reclusive behavior but he was curious to hear the grey gryphon’s proposal nonetheless.
“I think she doesn't trust us-”
“No shocker there,” Zeal interrupted; nearly earning him another slug in the shoulder from his sister.
“Let me finish. I mean she doesn't trust us in the sense that we’d be able to help.” This answer kept Virulent Lesson's attention. While that had been one of his own ideas, hearing some creature else, especially Starling, made him pay particular attention to that possibility.
“What makes you say that,” Lesson asked as he jotted down the two gryphon’s accounts in his notepad.
“Well, she had mentioned her problems were too different for us to even understand. “
“Anything else she commented on that caught your attention?”
“Not really. I guess she commented that she didn't really want a family, but that's not terribly surprising given she's a loner type anyway.”
“I’ll make note of it regardless. Now then what about you two,” he asked as he looked up to the twins while he wrote.
“You took her out before we even started our game,” Zeal answered; causing the head stallion to bite the back of his quill in thought.
“Hmm, I guess you’re right. Well then how about you then Carapace?” The changeling however remained silent as she looked at the ground; kicking her hoof awkwardly.
“No then?”
“S-sorry sir…”
“There's no need to be sorry Carapace,” Lesson reassured in the gentlest tone he could muster,” I’m not expecting changes overnight. Nor am I holding you at fault for something that's ultimately dependent on Phoenix.”
“It's just-” She began before Lesson cut her off again, more sternly this time.
“No buts about it. It takes time for you to see the results of your labor.” Though his words didn’t comfort Carapace. In the back of her mind, somewhere, she knew he was right, but it hurt when it seemed like everything she was trying didn't work. Though as she wallowed in her own self pity a friendly nudge to her side got her to look up.
“You're alright,” Starling assured. She tried to give him a thankful smile in return but all she could muster was an anguished sigh. Virulent Lesson shook his head at the sight before exhale sigh of his own.
“I wouldn't have you five helping Phoenix if I thought any one of you wouldn’t be able to help,” The head stallion interrupted, “So on that note do you know why I chose you five to begin with?”
“Because you needed creatures to make sure she actually did as she was asked and we already happened to know her, ” Carapace guessed with her head still hanging low while Starling wrapped his wing around her in comfort; the other three giving the nymph a few pitiful looks all wanting to say something but Virulent Lesson spoke first.
“You’re partly correct,” he replied, “but there's more to it than that. For instance I chose Teratorn because she needs something that will force her to be involved in larger group activities. But I didn't want to overwhelm her with the discomfort of too much talking and socializing when she isn't ready or willing. So she needed something with a lot of down time. But I also needed it to be something that would help direct her thoughts and keep that mind of hers sharp. Teratorn’s book club was the best match. So make sure she at least gets to know her fellow members Teratron. But do so slowly, I don't want her overwhelmed.” The larger gryphon gave a quick nod of understanding before Virulent Lesson continued.
“I wanted Starling because of his attention to detail. He picks up on things most creatures, myself included, might brush off. So my hope is through art he may be able to pick up on Phoenix’s creations. After all, art is a reflection of the soul and is the best insight we may have since she won't tell us. Plus it should provide her a way to vent herself in a positive and productive way. Having said that this means you need to stop slacking and make sure she actually participates Starling. I don't want her just sitting in the corner of the room.” The head stallion warned with a slight glare. This caused the smaller gryphon to tense up and quickly nod in understanding.
“Yes sir, sorry sir.”
“Good, now then where was I?... Right, Phoenix also needed something to occupy her physically so she doesn't just sit inside all day. Zeal and Red Ribbon already being my most active and outdoorsy foals, made that a no brainer. The two also excel at pushing and motivating others which is a nice benefit. Now that doesn't mean antagonize her again,” the head stallion added as he glanced at Zeal. This caused a slight smirk to cross Ribbon’s muzzle, which Lesson picked up on; making him turn his head towards the filly.
“Encouraging her with simple upbeat words isn't enough either, as she is likely just going to ignore it and do the bare minimum. This means you are going to have to try new things, like challenging her. While in many ways that's a tall order, between the two of you I’m sure you can find the right balance. This is why you are a duo in this regard.” The head stallion cleared his throat as he turned to Carapace who looked at him expertly.
She was nervous to say the least. All her friends had been chosen because of the talents they possessed, but for herself she had nothing they didn't already have in spades. She didn’t have the energy to keep up with Zeal and Ribbon, the wit of Starling or the raw intellect of Teratorn and that showed. After all she was just assigned to see Phoenix to her meals and to show her around.
“Carapace,” the head stallion's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, “ I chose you to spend the most time with her because you are the most empathetic creature in this whole place. Not only because of being, well, a changeling, but also because you're kind.”
“I um, thank you but.. B-but I don’t really follow.” Virulent Lesson rubbed his temple again before replying.
“This is all to say you are the only creature who I think can put up with how callous Phoenix can be, while still wanting to help her. That's why I want you around her more than anycreature else. Because if any creature has the dedication to see this through for Phoenix's well being, it's you Carapace.” The nymph shifted in mixed emotions at the vote of confidence unsure what to say or how to respond, thankfully she didn't as the four other creatures descended upon her in a group hug of sorts, though it more so resembled a mosh pit.
“He's right. None of us would even be here in this room if not for you.” Staling assured.
“You were the one who didn’t give up on us when we came in so there's no reason to stop now.” Teratron added while the twins giggled in agreement.
“I was absolutely distraught and consumed in my own melancholy after I injured my brother. I felt like a monster and for a long time that's all I thought of myself as. Yet despite that you sat at my side every day, talked with me, helped me find a passion in reading; reminding me that I wasn’t a monster. Instead I was just a griffon who made mistakes and my mistakes were not what defines me. Just like you shouldn't let your doubt define you.”
“If not for you, I would have been lost. I still remember how heartbroken I felt when my family just went and left me here out of the blue. I felt worthless and alone, and yet you came like a bright light and sat with me. Never leaving me alone and reminding me at the very least I mattered to you. It was you who helped carry me out of my slump, no creature else. I don't even have words to even begin to describe how important that was for me. I say this because it's that same drive to help others and that helped me that will help Phoenix!” Starling added with a wide sentimental smile.
“Plus you were the only creature that would put up with us when we arrived,” Zeal continued.
“Put up with you,” Ribbon corrected, “they just didn't like me because I defended your stupidity.” Zeal laughed a bit at this and shrugged with a grin.
“Anyway, what he's trying to say is, we can be a bit.. Too intense for some creatures and that meant we didn't make a lot of friends. Despite that though you went through with it and still hung around with us.” Carapce felt her cheeks grow warm at their support. She wanted to thank them but she choked; unable to even get a word out. So instead she mouthed them a silent thank you.
Virulent watched the scene with a small smile before leaning in his back in his chair. He let the group get everything out of their system before dismissing them for the night. His earlier headache now eroding away; leaving him with the comforting assurance that Phoenix would be in good hooves. No, the best hooves. Together the group would help Phoenix just as they helped themselves.