"Of course, man, what's up?"

"I've been--enlightened."

"Does that mean you're finally coming to church with me? Gonna be honest, not reaaaally the best time and place for that, in here, but hey, the Lord works in mysterious ways and all, I--"

"--No, Tommy. Tommy. Look at me. We need power. I've been leading this group sort of, sort of de facto, because I started it, but--I don't have any real power."

"I mean, that's 'cause it's not a democracy, right? People want to feel like they had some say in it, you can't just, come in and start declaring yourself as having power and expect people to listen to you, that's not, that's not how it works. You can't just go around calling yourself Prime Minister, right, you gotta be elected."

"You're saying I'm not the legitimate ruler of the study group."

"No! No, I just mean--y'know, maybe people would listen to you more if you could say, oh, look, you agreed here to do whatever I say. It's like fuckin', terms and conditions, innit."

"And we solve this by--what, having an election?"

"I mean--yeah? Why not, right? Easiest way to get power, just, have everyone agree you have power, I don't see what's so hard about that."

"Famous last words." Deep breath. "No, yeah, okay! You're right, we'll--we'll run an election and it'll be fine."

"You know you're being kind of weird, Wilbur."

"Nahhhh. What do you mean? Elections! It'll be fun!"

"Well." Lean in. "I say we rig 'em."

"Well now you're piquing my interest, Tommy! Now you're speaking my language! And how do we do that, my friend?"

"I mean, no one else is gonna run, right? So you just win by default."

Laugh. "The legitimately elected representative of the British study group. Yeah, fuck it, why not?"

"That's the spirit! Yeahhhhhh! Fuck it!"

And the next day, he stands up and starts the group with an announcement.

“Hello, friends! I have an announcement to make regarding some, some changes to how this group will be run! I will be running for leader of this study group. I, uh— I did not actually think of campaign promises. I promise to continue our grand traditions of meeting every day, finding Tampa unpleasant, and, uh, fuck. Um. Everyone who votes for me can choose one policy of their choice within reason.”

“…Interesting. And what does you being leader actually mean, exactly?”

“It’ll mean, you know, I have more of a say. That, that I have the power here.”

“And you think that’s a good idea?”

“Look how last year went. Anyone could just— leave, if they wanted to, whenever they wanted to. It was chaos. If everyone had agreed to a leadership, a set of policies—”

“And you think you’re the one to be making those calls, huh, Soot? You think you’re the one we want to be our leader?”

“I mean, yeah. I started the group. Is anyone else running?”

It’s intended as a rhetorical question. It is, he realizes as soon as the words leave his mouth, a bad idea. 

“You know what, yeah, as a matter of fact, I am. Vote Alex 2020, baby.”

“Aw, come on. You’re not even a real member, you can’t run for leader.”

“Oh? You know what, fine. I’ll give you that one. But Schlatt’s a real member, right?”

“Schlatt’s not even here.”

“Sure, today. But it seems kind of corrupt, huh, to run an election without checking in with all your members, am I right? Give me a day. He’ll be here tomorrow.”

Tommy’s frantically trying to get his attention; he can see it in the corner of his eye. He ignores it. “I started this entire project and you’re trying to take it over.”

“Hey, hey, hey, man, relax. Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. Democracy in action. You’re the one who decided to hold an election. I’m just giving the people what they want.”

“What do they want, then?”

“I dunno, an alternative? One-party systems aren’t super democratic. I promise that, uh, if I’m elected leader, I will work on repairing relationships with Tampa, maybe start selling to Nick again. How’s that.”

“Personally, as one of the people, I speak for all of us when I say that what we want is our homework done so it doesn’t eat us.”

“I am with Tommy on this one. —Sorry Wilbur. But can we focus on work? I have to be writing an essay.”

“Sure. We’ll vote tomorrow, if that’s— if that’s amenable to my opponent.”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Then it’s agreed. Announcement over, everyone back to work.” 

Tug tug tug. Hushed whisper. “Wilbur this was not in the plan.”

“I am aware that it was not in the plan! I made the plan with you!! Fuck, fuck, what do we do—”

“I mean, I guess we gotta win the election, right?”

“Fuuuuuuuuck.”

“I, uh, I wasn’t lying, though, I do need homework help. You understand Shakespeare, right?”

Sigh. “Give it here.”

"You are, like, you are just... the best. This is why I am voting for you. ...Hey, Toby, do you have any homework--"

"Tommy, I think that might be bribery. I think you might be accepting bribes."

"What? Me? Naaaaaaah. Can't be. Wil does all my homework anyway."

"Not all of it. I'm not going to just, like, leave you unprepared."

"Well. Maybe not all of it. But a lot of it. And I think if you are going to win our votes you should do our homework."

"I'm with Toby, that shit's bribery."

"What! Alex! How could you!" Tommy grabs his chest and dramatically swoons.

"Bet he just doesn't want to compete with me for who can do the most of your homework."

"Nah. Wil's right, you shouldn't get too dependent on us for your homework."

"The whole point of study groups is to cheat, I really think you guys are being too dramatic. Don't worry, Toby, I'll still do your homework without being a little bitch about it."

"I haven't given you my homework yet."

"But you're going to! Well. Maybe not your artificing homework. But, like, your English homework."

"I mean, probably, but you're still being a little, a little presumptuous, I would say!"

"So if I don't want to do any more work today--"

Sigh. "Fine, fine, you caught me. One minute." Aaaaand Tommy can have his English homework. "D'you have any shop or lab stuff you want me to help with?"

"I mean, hey, I'll never say no to free help."

"You are literally doing my homework right now, that is--that is like the opposite of free."

"I don't see what that has to do with anything."

"You know what, sure. Just, uh, just let me know what free work you need, I guess."

"Any time, Tubs."

Alex, being the only junior, is the first to go to dinner. He takes a baked sweet potato that looks half-burnt and half-raw, some vaguely yellow and uncomfortably bitter broccoli(?), and rice, which has the decency to be mostly unoffensive. The main course looks to be... some sort of stew... but there's a mal by it and stew would be a great place to hide and he does not want to put a mal on his plate, thank you very much, so sweet potato and broccoli and rice it is.

He jumps when he feels someone grab his ass, but--it's just Schlatt. He makes himself relax, a nervous laugh bubbling up. "You startled me, babe."

"Yeah, 'cause you're a fuckin' pussy. Keep a better watch out or the mals'll get you."

"Not funny."

"Yeah it is, I'm always fuckin' funny. What's got your panties in a twist?"

"Wilbur got me in on a scheme. You know how it is. It'll be fun, though, trust me."

"Yeah, that's what you always say."

"Yeah, well, have I been wrong so far?"

"I don't fuckin' trust that shit. What do you want."

"Wilbur's having fucking, elections, for leader of the study group. And it's stupid but also if I can get him to stop antagonizing Tampa--"

"Aw, just cut the crap, Alex. You want me to vote for you or are you voting for me?"

"Voting for you."

"Knew I liked you for a reason. I mean, other than the cute face and fat ass. So, what, you just want me to show up tomorrow?"

"Yes sir, yes sir."

"Sure, fuck it. Why not?"

"Alright! Let's, let's fucking do this! --I think sophomores are coming in now, I'll let Wilbur know you're running."

"Hey Alex."

"Wilbur, hey! Schlatt agreed to run, I thought I'd, y'know, come on over, let you know."

"I thought he was already running...?"

"I mean, basically, just, y'know, running everything by him. I just wanted to check in, you know, we’re still cool, right? It’s just—just friendly competition."

"Yeah, I mean, of course."

"Cool. That’s—that’s really good! Great, yeah."

Wilbur pauses, looks Alex up and down pointedly. "I’d even say it’s been a pleasure, running against you."

Alex laughs and raises one eyebrow. "I’m going to kiss you on the lips right after I completely destroy you in the polls."

"Careful, Alex, I'll hold you to that."

"I hope you do!"

"We should have a debate, y'know, do some campaigning. After dinner?"

"It's a date. --Don't take the soup, I saw a mal near it."

"So gentlemanly! It really is a date."

"Don't get too cocky, Soot."

"Me? Cocky? Never."

"Uh-huh."

"Hey, loverboy! --Not you, babe, I mean Wil. Heard you were running for president or some shit? I'm gonna kick your ass."

"Oh, come on. Are you even coming to the debates or are you just there to be Alex's pretty face?"

"You saying I don't have a pretty enough face on my own? I'm hurt. And here I thought we had something."

"I'm not coming to your pussy-ass debates, loverboy. Fatass here's gonna get me aaaaall the votes, nothing for me to do but show up tomorrow."

Eyeroll. "Sure. You two have fun with that."

By the time the freshmen start trickling in, it's almost time for Alex to head back to the library and Schlatt to head back to... Wherever.

Well. He can do some homework while he gets ready for the debate. It's kind of exciting, almost, as stupid as it is; he notices his leg bouncing with impatience and forces it to stop. He does a second perimeter check for mals even though he just did one five minutes ago, because it's something to do.

The five of the rest of them--Wilbur, Niki, Tommy, Toby, and Jack--all arrive together. Like pack animals. Alex relaxes when they're around, though; he's not immune to safety in numbers. After a bit of discussion, Toby nominates himself debate judge. (Alex is pretty sure it's called a moderator, but who is he to stop their fun? Nah. More fun to encourage it.)

"Okay. What are your-- what are your policies? What do you want to do differently? I'm gonna be honest with you guys, I don't actually know what questions I'm supposed to be asking."

That's okay. Alex is ready.

"This study group has a long history of—of what I would say is discrimination. I, myself, am not able to technically join the study group, despite attending more sessions than Schlatt, who Wilbur does consider a full member, because of the- because of the policy he’s put into place. And I don’t agree with that. I’m gonna let everyone join because I think it’s a beautiful idea! And everyone who believes in it, I think, deserves to be able to join. Wilbur judges me, he judges enclavers, he won’t even talk to them, he won't sell to them, even when it's in our best interest. I say that we open trade back up, we improve relations with enclaves, we start selling again to Tampa. There is no reason to stay--to stay isolationist like this."

"Great. Is that all, can I pass the stage to Wilbur?"

"Sure."

"Then Wilbur, you're up."

"We are not a place of oppression. We are a place of sanctuary. What you are intending to do is come to us and open it up to the people— the very people we seek to escape. Your proposed policy would let enclavers just-- come in and do whatever they want. This in itself is a tyranny, and I will not stand for it." (He had stood to speak; he sits back down after finishing.)

"Wilbur? I disagree. Is there-- Is there anything I have to say after that? Because I just don’t agree with that statement. Wilbur, you are embracing tradition here. We don’t need to embrace tradition. We- We are a new generation, Wilbur. Tommy, Toby, Jack, they are a new generation, and if your idea works, they are the future. I hope you remember that. Alright? Embracing your, your old-school policies is just gonna hurt uh, progress. And quite frankly--"

"These policies were formed from blood, not long ago!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Your policies grow from not being able to fight. From judging those who can. But my policies would make us more able to fight. If we talk to Tampa—"

"I stand by what I said. And as long as I’m in charge I promise to keep those fucking enclavers—"

He cuts himself off, frantically looking around.

Tommy's already up and scanning the area. No enclavers nearby.

(Whispered: "That was stupid, Wil, you do realize--")

"Yes, yes, I am realizing that now!"

"Let's--let's move on. What are you both offering?"

"I think-- to answer that, I would want to ask everyone here what they want out of this study group, and then move towards offering what the people want. Like-- Jack, Jack Manifold, hey, we haven't really talked, have we? What do you want out of being here?"

"...Uuuuuh. I dunno. Study help, I guess? Languages practice? Fuck, I dunno. I'm feeling kind of put on the spot here, I'm gonna be honest."

"Right, yeah, I apologize for putting you on the spot. We can talk more later, okay? But, okay, languages practice! If I'm elected we can incorporate more languages practice into our study sessions. My point is, I want to ask our members first what they want, and then what I implement will be based on that."

"I'm offering the same thing I've been offering this whole time, which is this study group. If anyone would like it to offer something new, they can talk to me, I've done as best as I can to make this study group a welcoming place. Alex can say whatever he wants, make whatever promises, but I'm the one that made this group a reality."

"Also you do my homework."

"And, yes, I also generally do more of everyone else's homework than my opponent."

"That's not a fair comparison, Soot, and you know it. I contribute more mana."

"Also not a fair comparison. You're a year older than me, of course you contribute more mana."

That earns a raised eyebrow. "I think that everyone can judge for themselves who contributes how much, how about that."

"Sure."

"Alright. Alright. Do either of you have any--any final statements?"

"I think Wilbur is--he's offering tradition. And that's not a bad thing! This is my second year in this study group, and if he hadn't founded it, if we didn't both believe in its mission, we wouldn't be here. But I'm offering, I'm offering change. I'm offering mended bridges with Tampa. And I think that's what we need right now."

"Respectfully, Tampa took our supplies in a time of need. Mending bridges with them is the opposite of what we need. I trust--I trust that everyone else here can see that. Alex is making promises, he's saying buzzwords. I've led this group for over a year now. What I have that he doesn't have is, it's not tradition, it's experience. You know I can follow through on my promises because if I didn't none of us would be here, a fact which my opponent admitted.

Thank you, Toby, that's all."

"Do we--shake hands now, or what?"

"Yeah, okay, why not." Wilbur spits in his hand before shaking; Alex mirrors him.

Wilbur doesn't sleep well, that night. He's up before curfew, pacing his room; as soon as the bell marks its end, he heads to Tommy's room.

..........Blink. Blink.

"Wilbur?"

"No, Tommy, it's Phil, somehow in the scholomance with you. Who else are you expecting."

"No one, you just startled me, it's 6 in the bloody morning."

"Well, rise and shine, today's the elections."

"Yeah, during study group, which is after class, not before breakfast. Why are you here."

"Couldn't sleep. But that's not the point."

"Could've fooled me. Breakfast isn't for another two hours, Wil."

"Are you--" Pause. "What do you think of Alex? Like, really think, not just--what makes me feel good to hear."

"I think... Fuck, I dunno, man. Give a man some time to wake up. Alex seems nice, but I'm--I'm always on your side, you know that. I'm voting for you."

"Okay. Okay. Sure." Deep breath. "But I know you-- I mean, you've been hanging out with Clay, right? --I'm not mad."

"Yeah. I mean, Clay is my friend, I think. He's cool."

"Tommy. Tommy, look at me. They took everything from us! He— You don’t understand, Tommy. You weren’t there. You can go around, buddy up with Tampa, you weren’t there when they tried to kill us. Because that’s what they did! They took our alarm, which they knew, they knew it was our alarm for mals, and left us defenseless. And we were attacked. Because obviously we were going to be attacked, alone, with no alarm, thinking we were safe. That’s what they do, Tommy. Clay? You can play him your little fucking music box all you want. He doesn’t give a shit about you. None of them give a shit about you, about any of us. That’s why we have to stay away from them. As long as we’re relying on them, to not fuck us over, we’re not safe."

"I, I agree with you. I just… I just think you’re being a bit harsh."

"A little harsh--! They--"

Deep breath.

"Tommy. I trust you, alright? If you think—if you really want to vote for Alex—I think you should do whatever your heart tells you to do."

"No. Wil, I’m, I’m on your side. You know that. I’m your right hand man. Of course I’m gonna vote for you. I'm with you a hundred percent of the way."

"Okay. Okay." Deep breaths. Deep breaths. "That's--good! Great! Just-- be careful, okay?"

You're the one wandering the hallways alone at 6 o clock in the morning, Tommy doesn't say, because it wouldn't be helpful. "Of course. Careful is my middle name. Tommy Careful Ingram, that's me."

"Sure." Wilbur laughs, and it's like a tension leaves the room. "Fuuuuck, I'm tired."

"Why don't you sleep, then, dumbass."

"Got too much adrenaline. Like I'm on a fucking roller coaster." Breathy laugh. "I'll be fine later. Don't worry about me. Just gotta make it through class today and then we're golden."

"Whatever you say, big dubs."

The day passes at once incredibly slowly and in no time at all. He can't pay attention in class.

He's the first one to the library, and then Schlatt and Alex saunter in, smug, laughing with each other, joking, and it takes all of Wilbur's energy to smile graciously, to shake hands with Alex.

He waits for everyone to arrive before announcing it's voting time.

"Everyone who would like me to lead the study group, raise your hand."

Tommy raises his hand. Niki raises her hand. Wilbur raises his own hand, because he didn't make any rules against voting for himself.

He waits a second, in case anyone will change their mind. Tommy's staring Toby down, a question in his face, all hurt-confused. Wilbur can relate. Toby's looking down, picking at a splinter in his chair.

"Everyone who would like Schlatt to lead the study group, raise your hand."

Schlatt and Alex, predictably, raise their hands. Jack Manifold raises his hand.

Toby raises his hand.

It feels like the floor's dropped out from under him.

"Schlatt, it was-- I want to say it was an honor competing against you, but, uh-- you didn't really compete at all, just let Alex do it."

"Well, that was pretty easy."

"Yes, sir!"

"Wilbur?"

And then, quieter: "...Toby?"

"It's fine, Tommy. They won, they, they made their choices." To Schlatt: "Do you have a, uh-- a speech? Anything?"

"You know what, sure. Yeah. As soon as I ran, I knew, things were gonna change. Now that I'm in charge, I want this group to look different when I'm done. No more goddamn pussies in charge. We're gonna sell drugs to Tampa and get rich. Boom! And Wilbur Soot can fuck off, I don't give a shit about him or his pretty face. We don't take pussies here."

"You calling me a pussy?"

"Yeah, what are you gonna do, cry about it? Oh, boohoo, Schlatt called me a pussy! If you're gonna be annoying you can get the fuck out of my study group. Yeah! MY study group!"

"And if I do? Huh?"

"Oh my god, stop fucking whining. You see this kid? Loses the election and can't stop fucking whining about it. I don't give a shit. Either shut up or get the fuck out.”

“You’ll miss me.”

“No I fucking won’t.”

“Fine. We’ll see.” Wilbur stands up and shoves at his chair almost hard enough for it to tip over. 

“Wilbur—”

“Shut up, Tommy. Schlatt’s made it clear he doesn’t want me here.”

“YEAH! Get outta here! WOOOOOOO!”

"Schlatt, are you sure--"

"Shut the fuck up, kid. I just started liking you, don't ruin it by being a fucking crybaby."

"...Right."

(Tommy keeps glancing between where Toby's sitting and where Wilbur left. It's--not top priority, right now, but Toby can't help but track it.)

"Well. There's still a while before dinner, we should--probably do homework."

"Now that's what I like to hear. Who here's good at English?"

"Alex. And Niki." And Wilbur.

"Fuckin'--great, that's great. I'm liking this kid more and more. Niki, you can do my English homework today."

"Wilbur--left?"

"Yeah, and good fucking riddance. Jesus Christ, why is everyone at this study group so slow. I told you to do my goddamn homework." He slaps some papers in front of her.

"I hope it eats you."

"Someone's in a bad mood. Jesus Christ. Alex?"

"Yes, sir."

"You'll do my English homework if Niki won't. Is anyone else here alchemy track?"

"...Just you and Niki."

"Damn. Just my luck, huh. I'll do my own alchemy homework, you and Toby figure out who's doing the rest of it."

"Yes, sir."

"At least fucking loverboy is gone now. I mean, Jesus." Papers for Alex. "Set stuff back up with Tampa, Alex."

"I'll, I'll do my best. Sir."

"Yeah, that's right."

Tommy tugs on Toby's arm and whispers to him, quiet enough that Schlatt probably won't hear. "You-- you voted against Wil."

"I voted for Alex. He's right, we need to stop making Tampa our enemy."

"You voted for Schlatt. And now Wilbur's gone--"

"He'll-- he'll be back."

"It's-- come on, man, it's Wilbur."

"It's a study group, Tommy. It's not a big deal. You're being irrational. I just voted for our best interests."

"Wilbur's supposed to be our best interests."

"He'll be back tomorrow, okay? It'll be fine. Do your homework."

"Fuck you, bitch." Tommy flips Toby off half-heartedly and takes out his sewing instead.

Wilbur doesn't, in fact, come back the next day.

He doesn't show up to the library the day after next, either.

He does, on the third day, show up at Tommy's room in the morning, after curfew ends but before breakfast starts.

"Wilbur! Wilbur, man, come on in, we missed you."

"You missed me."

“Sure. I mean… Yeah. Of course I missed you, you’re big dubs! My partner in crime! You’re like my brother, man, and you fuckin’ disappeared for two days, of course I’m going to miss you!”

"Oh, I see what this is. You're being clingy again, aren't you?"

"Fuck you, man, I am not clingy."

"Suuuuuuure, Tommy. Just because you can't go two days without me and you're like Toby's taller shadow--"

"Just get to the point, Wil, I'm being serious."

"You want me to be serious? Fine. I thought I'd ask if you still wanted to do homework help, y'know, exchange mana, stuff like that. Now that I'm not welcome anymore at the study group."

"You're still welcome, Wil. We all miss you, I just said--"

"No. If we're being serious, you can't keep giving me this, talking about how much they miss me, how much they care, because it's a fucking lie. None of them, none of them give a shit about me. Schlatt told me to fuck off and what did you all do, you all just fucking sat there. You can keep talking about how they're going ooooh we miss Wilbur we love Wilbur but you're not going to fucking trick me with that, I know it's bullshit, and I'm tired of it, okay? Stop fucking pretending."

"...I'm not pretending."

"Prove it."

Sure. This is fine. Tommy's got this.

Backpack is getting dumped on the bed, showing the sewing project, the progress he's made on the mana crystal.

"It's still not much, but I kept working, see, the past two days, even though you were gone, even though-- I kept working on it for you. Just a couple more months and it'll be full."

Sigh. "Fine. So you'll help?"

"'Course I will. You know me. Tommy Trusty, they call me."

"You are the only person who calls yourself that."

"What's that supposed to mean, eh? I'm not a person to you anymore, I don't count? I will have you know that I am right all the time and this, my friend, this is no exception."

That earns a smile. "Sure, Tommy."

"...You could always start a new group, you know. You did it before, right? Niki'd join, I know she would, and I could bring Toby and Jack around, we could maybe find some new people. Start fresh. Schlatt's actually attending meetings, it's awful, you'll do loads better and everyone'll jump ship as soon as they see you."

Wilbur knows, he knows Tommy means well. "No. I'm not-- it isn't going to work."

"Why not? I could help! Come on, Wil, it'd be fun."

"I said no, Tommy."

"...Fine. You'll come here more often, at least? To my room? You fuckin' scared me, disappearing like you did."

"Fine. I'll-- I'll come by more often. That all?"

"I mean, hey, you tell me, I'm not the one who had a plan for this conversation, I didn't even know it was happening until it had already happened. You know, happened's a weird word. Can something hap, Wilbur? Tell me, have you ever happed? --Don't answer that, actually. Wait, no, maybe it's a plural! Like fuckin, oxen. Happen. Except you can't be oxened. I dunno, I guess I shouldn't erase people, maybe there's all sorts of people there who have been oxened."

...Yeah, okay, he had missed Tommy too.