Nick was hit by the smell of alcohol and hormones, he loved it. He wanted to get wasted immediately, but even his uncultured ass had to appreciate the place.

Jack knew how to throw a party, this place was great! Considering how great this place looked, Nick knew he'd brought the “good” beer. He could smell it from here, it was strong.

Was it privileged to call a probably quality beer, trashy? Probably. Did Nick care that much? Nope.

Nick turned around to make sure that his... friend was still with him.

Pat stood there twirling his hair, face still red from earlier. Nick mentally chuckled to himself, how he would abuse this power.

It was extremely fun to tease Patrick, it just felt right, so Nick did it. Nick prayed half-heartedly to Fyner to give him the strength to not a dick to Pat for a while. Though truthfully, Nick was having fun. Though, maybe he should calm down; can't go all in the first time.

Not like I'll be gentle the first ti-

Bad Nick, save it for the tissues, you creep.

Nick led Pat over to the drink stand and got himself a beer. He started drinking it, he loved the familiar burn as it went down.

"Want one?" Nick asked, pointing to the beers. Patty shook his head, Nick assumed Pat didn't like drinking. Nick could respect that, but could never follow the example.

"Ok, I'm gonna find my friends. I'll find you afterward, that all right?" Nick asked, and Pat nodded, still quiet.

He seemed much less talkative now, Nick hoped Patty was ok. Nick was a bit surprised at his concern, he'd only known the kid for like 10 minutes, and who knew if he'd see him after this.

But I hope I do see him again...

Nick would never admit it, but he liked talking to Pat. Even when he wasn't flirting with him.

He liked talking to Pat, but he loved Patrick's reactions to Nick's “jokes”.

That's why he couldn't help but blow a kiss and wink as he walked away from the boy.

The way Pat flushed at everything he said made Nick all riled up.

***

Pat flushed at the action, as always.

Pat wondered if he got repetitive, reacting the same way each time.

Nick left, taking another drink with him. He truly was an alcoholic. Pat started to wander around, he didn't know what Nick expected him to do. Patrick didn't know anyone here and didn't have nearly enough confidence to walk up to someone.

As always.

So Pat ended up watching everyone while sitting on the floor, his back to the marble wall.

It was surreal. Seeing all these people dancing and laughing, without a care in the world. Meanwhile Pat was chock full of them.

Maybe if you stopped being a little bitch and did something for once, you wouldn't feel this awful.

Par internally flinched, guess he couldn't hide forever.

It was extremely hard to hide from his own head, and his internal voice was loud.

I wouldn't have to be this loud if you weren't so damn pathetic, I mean, look at you.

It's pitiful really.

It was almost like talking to an entirely different being, with how much it shamed him. He treated it like one, it was easier that way.

If they were a different person then maybe they could be wrong about Patrick.

It's been there for a while, and doesn't want to leave.

Pat wondered if that's why people got drunk, to escape themselves. To escape from the prison that is their minds, or maybe Patrick's just insane.

Probably insane.

Maybe he should get one of those drinks.

On one hand, it might shut his mind demon up- never call me that. -on the other, Pat didn’t feel comfortable leaving his fate in the hands of Nares.

Especially when he didn't know anyone here. Plus he not addicted like someone.

Acting like you know anything about that guy is cringy, even you know that.

Ok, that's kinda true, for all Pat knew this is the first time they've ever drank. If Patrick had accepted Nick’s offer, it would've been his first time. Being drunk didn't sound like a good idea, Pat couldn't afford to spill his guts tonight.

Pat unconsciously reached for the amulet in his pocket.

It was a shoddy, crumbling relic of the past.

The carved symbol for durability in it's wood was likely the only thing keeping it from shattering completely. He should've thrown it away by now, and almost did. But that was about 3 years ago, the day his Papa died.

Great, here comes the pity party.

No one told him how it happened, he didn't want to know. Patrick remembered sitting on the floor of his room, in their little shack of a house.

...

Pat stopped, the voice was quiet now.

Don't stop, keep going.

Papa had always been a huge man, so the house seemed so much bigger, so much colder when he was gone. There was a hole there that could never be filled, and Pat could never mend it. When that hole tore open, it left a scared little boy in its wake, who missed his dads. Pat had almost threw the talisman against a wall, back then.

...

Patrick and his Papa had made it together, and Dad laughed when Papa had proudly shown it off... much to the small boy’s embarrassment. Papa had carried Pat on his shoulders shouting entirely too loud about how his son was going to be a master craftsman someday.

And for a second Patrick had considered it, simply because he'd loved his Papa. But how do you become a crafter if you can't sew? And Patrick couldn't even weave his family back together.

...He’d been so proud of you... y’know.

The demon apparently liked when Pat faced himself and his memories, but...

Please don't make some dumb excuse for not being vuln-

But right then some guy conveniently walked up to Pat! Better pay full attention to them!

Ughhh-

The man walked up to Pat, swaying. It didn't take a genius to see that he was drunk. The man had medium-length black hair, and his eyes were an amber color. He was about as tall as Nick's 6'5, maybe even a couple of inches taller, and just as muscular. Pat assumed both of them were on a sports team or something.

He clumsily got down on the floor next to me, he spoke, slurring his words slightly. "H-hey dude, wh- hic why are you here all alone? It's a party!" Gesturing around him, he turned back to Patrick, grinning brightly.

"I don't know really, I just don't know a lot of people. My friend also ditched me" Pat snorted, Nick wasn't even really his friend. Though he was the closest thing Patrick had.

Liar.

There's Ry-

The man thought for a moment, trying to process my words.

"Well, now you know 2 people! That's a start." He pointed out, it was kinda cute how he wanted to cheer Pat up. Pat had never expected rich kids to be this nice. Not saying he didn't like it, it was just unexpected.

There's also Z-

"Hm, ok, this isn't the b-best first impression, give me a sec." With no explanation, The teen snapped his fingers. Sparks of magic started rushing around him, before dissipating. He seemed sober-er, at least enough to talk without slurring their words.

Hmmmm, isn't there also-

"Sobriety spell," he explained at the confused look on Pat's face. "It'll only last for a few minutes though."

"That's cool! I never used that before." That wasn't a lie, Pat had never used it, He'd never gotten drunk before. So he never really needed it, The man smiled at Patrick's embarrassing enthusiasm towards probably basic magic.

You can't ignore me forever, this guy ain't that cute.

Now look who’s a liar~

The demon was always nicer after Pat got introspective. Patrick even occasionally held somewhat friendly conversations with the demon on good days, they appeared to be just as into guys as Patrick was.

Shut it, he's conventionally attractive, what do you want?

"Usually, I prepare it beforehand so I can stay sober for the night." He continued "But guess who forgot."

"Who?" Pat asked, playing along with the dumb joke.

You're really playing along with this clownery, huh.

"This guy!" He exclaimed, pointing his thumbs at himself, the joke was so bad it was funny.

No, it's just bad.

"My name is Jack," he said, holding out his fist for a fist bump. What a dork.

Ok, I can agree with you there.

"Patrick" Pat replied, bumping his fist with Jack’s clumisly.

Wow, you really just messed up a fist bump... Awkward.

"But seriously Pat, you should enjoy yourself, this is a great party. I'd know, I'm the guy who set it up!" Shit, Pat just met the dude who threw this party. He looked around at all the people, Jack must be popular. There were a ton of people here.

Or he's just rich and has a huge house... money can buy you a bunch of friends.

"So this is your house?" Pat asked, wondering who's garden that was.

Gasp! What gave it away?

"Yep, and trust me. I know how stuffy the outside looks." He chuckled.

"Though it plays into our favor. Along with the soundproofing spells set up, this place looks so boring. No one would suspect anything fun happens." He explained. Pat had to admit, that was smart.

"Wow, that's really smart coming from someone like you."

Jack faked hurt and put his hand on his chest dramatically. "Oh, and what does someone like me usually talk like?" Patrick was silent, which made Jack chuckle. Wow Pat, remind me never to invite you again." He joked. Though Pat's face went pale, He hadn't known people got invites.

"Actually, I don't remember ever inviting you..." His eyes were inspecting Pat, they locked onto him to the point where Pat couldn't look away.

Ummmm.

Note to self; never underestimate jocks, they can get scary.

"I'm kidding," The eye contact was broken, and Pat could breathe again "everyone at school was invited. I probably just never saw you, though I don't know how I missed someone this mean to me." Jack said, draping his arm around my shoulder. Pat had to bite his tongue to keep from choking.

Uh...I...um-

I'm too gay for this shit.

"Actually, I'm new to this school. Monday is my first day." Pat hesitantly admitted, hoping Jack wouldn't make a big deal of it. Though that was giving him too much credit, Jack looked really excited.

"Wait really, that's cool! Wait then who's your friend, if you're new here?" Jack questioned.

"Well he isn't my friend per se, but he's the closest I've got." When explained it was so embarrassing, imagine saying you had no friends to a popular kid.

"No, he isn't, I'll be your friend." Jack smiled at Pat before seeing his shocked face and added. "If you want, that is."

"Nah, I'm fine not having any friends. I wanna be alone forever." Pat said jokingly.

Jack's smile dropped.

Aw fuck, he's a damn puppy.

"Of course I want to be friends! But why would you?" Patrick asked, why would Jack want to be friends with a loser like him?

Hey! Only I get to rag on you!

Wow thanks, I feel so much better.

Jack smile picked back up and his eyes brightened, he looked confused at Pat's question and responded:

"Why wouldn't I want a new friend? You seem cool, and I want to get to know you. Don't overthink it, bro" Even Pat wasn't that nice.

How do people get to be nice, hot, and rich? Gross.

Luck.

We talked for about half an hour, the spell eventually wore off, it didn't matter much though. Jack was really funny, in just a few minutes he knew exactly how to make Pat laugh.

As Jack was telling Pat a story of the time he got into a really stupid prank war with someone named Zane, Pat heard footsteps walking towards the two of them.

Pat knew that people with a little training or talent could sense auras relatively easily, Jack seemed to fit one of those categories.

The moment Jack sensed the person strutting towards them, he stiffened and his smile evaporated. It was replaced by a weak smile faker then Pat's mental stability.

Uh?

They both looked towards the sound and saw Nick standing there. He looked drunker then he was when he left.

Oh great, the deviant’s back, drunk now too.

What's wrong with Nick?

Everything.

When he saw Jack he broke into a grin and loudly said "Hey asshole! We've been looking for you everywhere! He then noticed Pat and grinned even wider "Oh hey, Pat... Wait, I've been looking for you too, you dick!" Pat couldn't tell if he looked more or less cute standing there trying to look mad at them.

Less.

Oh, so you admit he's cute?

Objectively.

"Oh h-hey, Nick, I-I didn't realize this was the friend you were talking about...heh" Jack said, nudging Patrick. Jack got up and held his hand out to help Pat up. Patrick took it and got hauled up.

Is he... nervous? What the hell?

"L-let's go, Pat, I still owe you remember?" Nick started to head off to where Pat assumed Nick's friends were. It was exactly at that moment Pat realized he was still holding Jack's hand as Jack followed Nick, dragging Pat along with them.

Ew, let go. You aren't drunk enough to get to do that.

You let Nick do it.

Nick can literally crush our arm in 2 seconds.

So can Jack?

Speaking of Jack, seems totally different now that he's here.

That could be a coincidence.

Ok, I know you aren't that naive.

...what's your point?

I just have a bad feeling, ok? Be careful.

***

After a minute of walking...

Gods damn this mansion with its million square feet.

Pat eventually was dragged to someone's room. Where he saw a bunch of people looking at the three of them, looking at him. He felt a more then a bit uncomfortable.

Run, this ain't worth the dick.

I-

"Hey everyone!" Nick all but yelled. "I found our lovely host! Everyone cheered with drunken enthusiasm. "I also found that kid I was telling you about." Everyone stared at Pat like they were examining him. He felt like a piece of steak thrown into a den of hungry animals.

Nick turned to Pat, smiling. "Pat, these are my friends"

"This crybaby is Ben" Nick then pointed to a boy with auburn hair, pretty blue eyes, and with, what Pat could only assume was his, too big varsity jacket on. "Hi." He waved, visibly trying not to hit Nick for his comment.

Come on, Ben! I believe in you!

"That asshole is Ethan" Nick pointed to the guy sitting right next to Ben, suspiciously not wearing a jacket... Ethan didn't even look at me and started talking to Ben.

They did look cute together.

That's not the point, he's an ass.

Guess Pat was right about them being jocks.

Don't ignore m-

"That bitch over there is Eliza" Nick continued, pointing to a redheaded girl with a really cute dress. "Boy, you better shut your ugly ass up before I come over there and make you." She snapped, glaring at Nick.

Please make him.

Ignoring Eliza's comment, he pointed at the final person. "This is Sarah" It was a girl with violet hair and color-changing eyes. He had always wondered how people keep up those illusions for so long. Pat could barely hold his for 10 minutes, and those were the practice ones. Though, that was why he was going to that school.

At least you're improving yourself?

Jeez, you wouldn't think they were just ranting about how pathetic Patrick was.

How do you go from mean to supportive on a dime?

Uh... Bipolar?

Yep, a bipolar mind demon, fun.

Go away.

Fine, fine, you know how to find me.

No? Pat didn't?

I literally don't, you just show up.

Just call for me in your head, duh.

Ah yes. “Mind demon, where are you, mind demon?”

Fuck off, just call me... Whatever, I don't care. Just... don't be stupid. These people may not look like the Ferins you remember, but they're just as dangerous.

Awwww, you care.

Fuck. off.

"hi..." She said, she seemed to not say a lot it to Pat out of shyness, and not a lack of interest. Which was a relief, at least one of these people didn't ignore his existence.

Though, maybe he didn't want their attention.

"Everyone, this is Pat." He smiled. Everyone turned to look at Pat, even the popular kids.

"hi..." Pat said, suddenly understanding Sarah on a spiritual level.

Everyone looked away from Pat, returning to what they were previously doing. The kids that Nick didn't mention seemed to be preparing for something. A select few were even praying to their preferred god. There were about 32 of them.

Pat tugged on Jack's shirt since Nick was talking with his friends. He led an obedient Jack to a quieter area.

"What's up?" He asked, no longer slurring as his body flushed the alcohol out. It always amazed Pat to see what a Ferin's body could do compared to a human one. Apparently, they recovered from drunkenness a hell of a lot faster.

"I have like a million questions, for one, who's the room is this?" Pat asked.

"It's mine," he said, causing Pat to examine it more. It was covered in posters of various sports teams, magical lights floated in the air, changing colors, combining and splitting with other lights. The room was clean, a little too clean honestly. Pat wondered how much time he actually spent here. Other than the posters, the room itself was bare, devoid of any personality. Jack seemed like the person to not leave an inch bare on his locker, much less his room.

Sus.

That was quick, miss me?

I'm just here to make sure you don't die. It's not that hard, for you.

"Ok, next, who are those people and why does it look like they're preparing for battle?" Pat then asked, Jack looked sort of embarrassed and then answered.

"They're preparing for the game, it's this thing we do when we go to parties. We play a game and the winner gets to hang with us." He explained.

So, basically gladitorial combat and the victor gets glory. When'd we get to Kinis?

Pat remembered hearing about Kinis and their famous dueling team, Pat couldn't imagine being in a duel.

Hopefully you never will.

Maybe that's what sport these guys played, Patrick wanted to watch.

And check out the sweaty guys.

Of course.

Anyways, these guys had a hangout? Actually, why am I surprised? They are rich and magical.

You spent an hour in a fucking mansion, this surprises you why?

But it sounded fun, Pat wanted to play. Plus if he won, Pat would get to hang out with Jack and Nick and their friends.

Sorry, what?!

"Oh, that sounds fun, can I play?"

Jack looked really nervous but said "Ok?". His tone was more like a question.

Take the hint, idiot!

"Yay! So what game are we gonna play?" Pat asked Jack, excited to hang out with people. He usually was anti-social , but right now Patrick wanted friends. it was better then being alone again, at least.

This is not the way to do that!

"Well, we usually start with 'Truth, Dare or Punishment' then when they aren't as many people we switch to... this game we... made up. Jack explained, looking extremely embarrassed.

"What kind of game?" Pat asked Jack who looked mortified and like he wanted to fall off the face of the earth.

"I'll... explain later, probably". Jack said, seeming like he'd much rather not explain.

Take. The. Damn. Hint.

"Are you ok?" Pat asked, Jack seemed upset.

"I'm fine," he said, clearly not fine. "Please just make sure you want to do this."

"I want to do this." Jack looked like Pat just sentenced himself to death.

You probably did.

As he said that, the redheaded girl from earlier popped up and said "Well good luck, Jackie can't save you from total humiliation." She giggled. Jack looked to be having a panic attack. "Jeez, I was kidding Jack. You don't gotta shit yourself"

"I'm Not-" Jack said indignantly, before being cut off.

"Don't care, good luck new kid. Hope you win, been a while since we had a new victim." Eliza joked.

That's concerning, right Pat?

"For the record, the second game might go by faster if you get smashed, just saying."

"Eliza-"Jack started, but Pat hardly heard him, Pats heart was beating too loud.

Fear crept into Pat’s heart, he sort of knew why his mind demon had thought this was a bad idea.

Still.

...Pat?

...

Patrick?

"I think I will" Pat mumbled, walking over to where there was a case just for the people in the room. As he took a bottle, Pat heard Ben call out.

Oh gods, you're really doing this, huh? Fine, t-try not to die.

"Alright, get your asses over here, and let's have some fun!" Pat heard the grin in his voice. He'd heard Ferin drinks were a lot stronger than human ones, and Pat couldn't imagine himself being anything but a lightweight.

Get ready, Patrick... This is probably going to suck.

Ready as I'll ever be.

As all the people started to head to the center and sit down, Patrick Alixa started chugging, preparing to be a statistic for humans dead due to rich kid shenanigans.