It was time. This was it. The penpal exchange was coming to an end. Some wept with disappointment. Most, with relief, and others still with pain or embarrassment caused by prank presents or meetings gone awry.
Epel held his gift behind his back. He didn't want to knit another sweater, or blanket, or pair of socks-- that kind of felt like a cop-out, it's what he was giving practically EVERYONE this year. But it's not like he had much money to go and buy something else... so he had to be creative. He sighed... just his luck, getting a techie wiz kid as his secret gift receiver. A subject he was both not knowledgeable about, and out of the price range for.
But he did make it work. He knit Rove a pillow prop that could be used for some of his devices, or maybe for his homework or something if his devices weren't compatible. It was stuffed enough to give it shape and support something decently heavy leaning on it (like a hunk of metal and glass or whatever those things were made of), but it was also soft to the touch and could blend in as a throw pillow on a bed. Combining Rove's love of tech with his love of bugs, Epel took extra special care to knit the portion on the bottom meant to hold devices in place into a little smiling caterpillar. Green was Rove's favourite colour, was it not? Speaking of which, the yarn Epel used for the main body of the thing was close to white, but slightly tinted green. He actually didn't have a lot of super green yarn left, after his most recent project, but he was glad he had at least enough to finish the caterpillar.
All he had to do was deliver it. Honestly, he wasn't really sure how he felt about this guy. His last reply wasn't the most amicable, though it's not like Epel was expecting to walk out of this with a brand new bestie anyways-- this was mandatory. This was homework. He just had to get 'er done. That didn't mean he was gonna phone it in, though; he didn't do anything half-assed. He put a lot of work into everything he did, and that included knitting secret presents for bug enthusiasts that had called him "weird and annoying" and would probably laugh at him. Whatever. Ugh, he just wanted to get this over with now so he could go back to his temporary room. Though... the game Rove was talking about did sound fun (if a bit confusing). He kind of hoped they could still play it one day.
So, he walked around looking for Rove. Idly, he wondered about those last questions Rove had asked him-- it had been the last letter, so he didn't get a chance to answer. Would he be asked to now? It was equally likely that they would never speak again... Rove wasn't in the cafeteria, or the common areas. Epel asked a few people at Ramshackle if they knew where Rove's room was, and was pointed in what was hopefully the right direction. Honestly, wasn't that kind of an oversight on the school's part? Secret pen pals should have been given their target's room number for easy coordination. Maybe it was an issue of privacy/security? Well, if Epel was supposed to have been given Rove's room number, it was lost in the metaphorical mail. But he guessed it didn't matter now.
He knocked on the door, and waited for it to be answered. Hopefully Rove was alone, or it would have been doubly (even TRIPLY) awkward. He didn't need a roommate to witness this...
Once the door opened, Epel brought the box behind his back forward. It was wrapped in a shiny reflective wrapping paper the colour of a clip art Holiday Tree, and Epel had taken the time to draw little bugs all around it with a black marker. It was tied off with a blue and green bow.
"Surprise!" Epel said clearly, looking up at Rove with a hesitant smile. He figured Rove would connect the dots on his own.
The knock on the door had startled the blonde second year as he was spending time with his precious bugs. So for poor Epel when he had opened the door a large Tarantula was sitting on his head looking down at the first year As Rove rocked his head slightly.
He blinked at the box being held out to him in confusion. “I think you have the wrong door?” He started until it clicked. “Oh…pen pal thing?” He eyed the other up. The large tarantula hopped down onto the box that was still in Epel’s hands, clicking his fangs in curiosity until Rove took the box.
“So you are my mystery Penpal.” He muttered, motioning Epel to come in if he wanted. Half the room (and a bit) was lined with small bug cases holding a mixture of insect life and the other half was clearly Jinx’s space. Sitting on the bed Rove set to opening the present Barrel the Tarantula already setting to ripping the paper. “So impatient…” Rove scolded the other softly almost like a father to a child passing the Large arachnid a corner of the Torn paper so the creature could enjoy the fun of ripping it.
“Sorry he’s been a bit crabby due to the reduced living space.” He mumbled realising Epel might have found it weird. “I thought we had another letter before this so I accidentally asked you more questions…whoops…” He stopped when he saw the small knitted holder. “Oh you knit…my granny taught me a bit of knitting but I doubt I could make something like this. Your links are super neat too. The caterpillar is rather cute too...”
Watching as Barrel settled on the holder enjoying the soft bed he had now claimed. "Seems like you have the seal of approval." he chuckled slightly giving the large black and white tarantula a slight scritch on his head with a finger.
