Things Lost and Found (a Waglington and Mianite fanfiction)

Chapter 77

Okay, this song has nothing to do with this chapter. I'm just majorly fangirling over it. This music video for "Ceasefire" by For King and Country just dropped on July 13th. The song is going to be featured in the Ben Hur remake coming out in August. (The original was made in 1959 based on the book. 10/10 would read again.) Ah! It's going to be so good! A story of injustice, slavery, vengeance, love, and forgiveness is just what the USA needs right now with all the drama going on. Another surprisingly appropriate song is Switchfoot's "Looking for America" on their new cd (just came out on the 12th). It legit almost made me cry earlier today when I was listening in the car. ;~;

*Slow exhale* Okay, enough fangirling and feels. On with the story!

*Waglington's POV*

The brisket was every bit as good as I'd imagined. I made a mental note to swing by the kitchen later and compliment the students who had drawn kitchen duty this week. I can see why my brothers were being selfish. That was delicious. I sighed in contentment and leaned back in my chair. Memento was quite amused by my behavior. I looked up to where he was sprawled along one of the high rafters above the dining hall, grooming himself. How he had gotten up there, I had no idea. I stared up at him, wondering if he ever considered the possibility of falling.

"Hey, Wag?"

"Hm?" I lowered my gaze to find Matt looking at me hopefully. That look usually meant he wanted something. I narrowed my eyes ever so slightly and asked, "What's up?"

"Phil was supposed to join us," He said, nodding towards the empty seat next to him. "But he got caught up in his work again. I saved him some food. Could you take it up to his workshop for me?" Matt asked with his best pleading face.

My gaze flicked between Matt and the untouched plate beside him. It was loaded up with brisket and steamed veggies. It would be a shame to let that go to waste. "Why don't you just take it up to him?" I asked. Everyone knew that Phil didn't appreciate being interrupted when he was working. Phil was a bit more lenient when it came to Matt and was less likely to sic one of his contraptions on his only "little" brother.

Matt chuckled nervously and admitted, "I may have started a fire last time I went up there. He never told me that rocket fuel was so flammable, or I wouldn't have leaned against that drum! After that, he kinda banned me. Hehe."

I smirked. That sounded exactly like something Matt would do. Frankly, I was impressed that the Tower was still standing... Oh, there had been that scroll incident, hadn't there? He did seem to attract trouble.

Matt grew worried I would refuse and pulled out the big guns. Now, bribery normally wouldn't work with me, but I couldn't just conjure up anything I felt like since coming to Ruxomar. My brothers could—to an extent. Matt held up his hand, and a fresh, ripe mango appeared an inch above it. (In Wag's Q&A video, he mentioned that he loved mangoes.) He levitated it there, watching as my eyes widened. I hadn't had a mango in ages. As far as I knew, they didn't even grow in Ruxomar.

I snatched the mango and took an experimental bite. I sighed and relished the juicy sweetness. Memento made a disgusted gagging sound in the back of my mind, and I ignored him. "Make one more of those and a chocolate chip cookie, and you've got yourself a deal."

"Wag, you're the best!" Matt smiled and created the requested items.

I pocketed the second mango and set the cookie on Phil's plate. I ruffled the flames that passed for Matt's hair and stood. "Matty, if something happens, do me a favor?" He gave me a questioning look. "Don't sing at my funeral."

He laughed as I picked up Phil's care package and walked away. Memento had somehow gotten down from his perch to join me by the time I walked into the hall. So, is Matt not really on fire, because I distinctly remember you not being fireproof, Memento asked.