Q And A

Fresh Meat

"Let's go," says Eliot.

Quentin looks up from his textbook and shoots a puzzled look at Eliot, who is hovering over him with his usual nonchalant expression. Eliot raises his eyebrows waiting for Quentin to get off his ass. When Quentin doesn't make a move Eliot rolls his eyes and sighs.

"Let's GO! Q...you've been sitting on your ass poring over Fillory for hours. You need to take a walk so come with me before I blackmail you with embarrassing secrets from Threesome Night."

Quentin lets out a huff. Maybe he does need to take his mind off things for a while. It's not like I'm making any progress anyway, he thinks bitterly. He shoves the old textbook off his lap and gets on his feet, holding his hands up to Eliot in a sign of mock-defeat.

"Where are we headed?" asks Quentin.

"Fresh meat!" Eliot smirks. "First years" he clarifies on seeing Quentin's horrified face. When the boys reach the Brakebills courtyard, Margo is already there, glorious and sulking.

"Bambi..." Eliot greets her and she gives him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Where the fuck have you guys been?" she asks. "They're almost here!"

"Took me a while to tear Q away from his precious" Eliot explains. Then suddenly, his expression changes. Margo is the queen bee of Brakebills. Why is she here at the freshman reception? His eyes narrow and he stares at her suspiciously.

"Bambi," he says. "What are you doing here?"

"I have vested interests in a fresher." Margo states. Her eyes shine with lust and both Quentin and Eliot take note; that look means she's calling dibs.

Quentin loves his interaction with Eliot and Margo. It helps him forget.

"Backing off" says Quentin smiling a little.

"We shall see..." Margo says and Eliot looks shocked. It's been a while since she's been so smitten by someone.

"Alright, I'm paying attention. What if I challenge your claim?" Eliot teases.

Quentin wonders why anyone would want to go up against Margo. But if there's one person to do it, it's Eliot.

"I doubt you'd be interested, El" she mutters dryly. "Now shut your cocksuckers. They're here"

A few feet away, four very confused looking individuals have appeared on the grounds, of which three are guys and one is a girl. Quentin scans the group looking for Margo's special someone. The first guy looks nerdy, and not in a cute way. So, it's not him. The second guy is dressed in a particularly flamboyant pair of shiny pants. He is definitely gay, and not Margo's type. The third guy is the only one who's vaguely attractive. Margo is often into really jacked up brainless jocks, so maybe it is him. Good old muscle man.

Then Quentin's eyes land on the girl and as he finally sees her face, he almost shits himself.

What the fuck. Quentin feels his social anxiety peak. He averts his gaze only to find Eliot and Margo staring at her too.

"Delicious, isn't she?" Margo asks, but the question is rhetorical.

"Impressive" Eliot replies. His fingers are morphed into a square and he's intently observing her through it. Quentin's mind is reeling.

"That's your pick? Her?" Quentin asks, hoping that they wouldn't hear the disappointment and alarm in his voice. But Margo turns around to face him. She's reading his expressions and she's damn good at it.

"Okay, spill. What is the problem?" she demands. Her question is promptly answered, but not by Quentin.

"You fucking asshole." Y/N yells. She's made her way across the meadow and she's noticed Quentin.

Eliot yanks Margo out of the way as Y/N rams into Quentin, shoving him to the ground. A look of amusement passes between Margo and Eliot and they watch as the new girl marches towards and hovers over their friend. Quentin has his hands up in surrender and he's looking up at Y/N with his best puppy dog eyes that make even Margo melt sometimes.

"How long have you known?" Y/N demands.

"Y/N, I can explain. Plea-" Quentin begins but Y/N isn't in the mood for excuses. Her body slumps and she moves away from him.

"Don't bother Q." she says turning towards Margo. "How did I get here and how do I never leave?"

........................................................................................................................

Margo is delighted to show Y/N around. Turns out the hint of lust in her eyes was just excitement for a new member for her Welters tournament. Although, to be honest, everything looks lustful when it comes to Margo.

Eliot tags along with Margo and Y/N, hoping to find his flavor of the month among the freshmen class. Despite all the hunky distractions they encounter on the way, Eliot can't help but observe Y/N. He's still processing the sparks he saw through his finger lens earlier. This girl has some serious mojo and from what he's heard about her entrance exam, she means business. She almost resembles Alice in her determined mannerisms, but there's something else-- something dark. Her connection with Quentin only serves to concern Eliot more and he can't contain himself.

"So you were hedging before Brakebills huh?" he asks, hoping to pull some secrets from her mind which is airtight with wards.

"Yes. Minor spells. Mostly mental wards." she responds with a half-hearted smile.

"Impressive for someone who never had any training. Hope that'll show in the tournament." Margo muses. They're nearing the end of their tour and Margo's initial excitement for her new recruit is wearing off. Eliot can tell Margo's about to dismiss Y/N. He makes his move.

"We have a party at the Physical Cottage" he says, "You should come, build some new bridges, fix some old ones"

Y/N chuckles. Then for the first time, she looks directly into Eliot's eyes and he sees how truly remarkable she is. Her eyes can't hide what her mind does.

"I'll be at your party." she says "but I should get going now. Gotta get dressed so I'll fit in with your friends"

She grabs her backpack from the ground and gives a quick goodbye wave to Eliot and Margo. She turns on her heel and calls out to them as she walks away.

"See you guys soon. And don't worry about me and Q. We'll figure it out, we always do."