Chapter Text
It was still only homeroom and all anyone could talk about was the new girl. “Karlach this, and Karlach that.” Tav was starting to get seriously annoyed. She couldn’t be that great! She abandoned her team during one of the most important games of their high school career! But no one seemed to care about that. As far as Frozenfar High was concerned, Karlach was the gods’ gift to hockey.
“I heard she was ejected from a game for snapping a stick in half over her knee,” Astarion said, scandalized, ever the gossip.
Gale rolled his eyes. “That’s not so special. Sticks break all the time.”
“It was a goalie stick!” Astarion protested. “Did I leave that detail out?”
Gale frowned, and Tav saw respect flash in his eyes. “That is impressive.”
“More like brutish,” Shadowheart countered, wrinkling her nose.
“We could use that kind of muscle,” Lae’zel added. “Gale hasn’t had my back much lately.”
Gale held up his hands in defense. “I don’t play dirty. Wyll’s your goon, sweetheart.”
Tav was about to cut in when Wyll slumped down in his seat beside her, uncharacteristically late. Tav had never seen the team get so quiet so quickly. Everyone watched him with caution, not so eager to give their opinions on the hot new protege in front of him. “What the fuck are you all looking at?” he growled. “Don’t stop creaming yourselves over that fucking Devil on my account.”
Astarion was the only one not stunned to silence. “She may be a Devil, darling, but she’s fucking hot.”
Snickers broke out amongst the group and Tav rolled her eyes as roll call began and a sheepish girl stood awkwardly at the front of the room, unsure of where to go. She only looked sheepish because she was so obviously out of place. Really, her hesitance was endearing, because underneath was a burning hot confidence, a certain set of her shoulders, an intoxicating look in her eye that made her… hot. Tav hated to admit it, but Astarion was right. Karlach Cliffgate was hot.
It occurred to Tav that she’d never seen Karlach in something other than her hockey gear. She stood at least 6 feet tall, towering over the teacher. Her black hair had streaks of red running through it and was shaved along the sides. She wore an unassuming black sweatshirt and jeans, but somehow she made them look effortlessly attractive. Tav loathed herself, but she admired Karlach’s muscle tone. She was objectively stunning, but it was that way she had about her, that confidence, that made her intoxicating. Tav didn’t want to look away.
“Excuse me, sir,” Karlach said politely to Mr. Skuncher. “Where should I.. uhhh…”
Annoyance flared in Tav when she realized the only open seat in class was next to her. Of course it was. Not only would she have to endure everyone drooling over her, but now the great Karlach Cliffgate would be her homeroom buddy. Great.
No one knew why Karlach Cliffgate, captain of the Avernus Devils hockey team, had transferred to Frozenfar. It was certainly unprecedented. It was rumored that she was kicked out of Avernus, but Tav doubted it. Whatever the case, Karlach had dropped out of Avernus and left behind her team and a town that worshipped her to finish junior and senior year at Frozenfar, of all places. Tav had no idea why she’d left, but she really had no idea why she’d chosen Frozenfar. It wasn’t like they were the best. In fact, they hadn’t won their division in over 2 decades. By all accounts, they were the underdog, and by all accounts, Karlach was a golden child.
Tav felt uneasy about their rival joining their team, and clearly the team was mostly suspicious, but everyone else thought Karlach was their one and only chance at winning. Tav already resented her for it.
“There’s a seat next to Tav, there,” Mr. Skuncher pointed out and continued to call roll.
Tav steeled herself as Karlach lumbered towards her. She could feel Wyll on her other side seething. They’d had a pretty intense rivalry on the ice for the past 3 years. Last season, Karlach won the Devils the game that sent them on to the semifinal she would later walk out of by benching Wyll with a concussion. The Frozenfar Barbarians cursed her name for a while after that loss, but no one held a grudge quite like Wyll.
A whole summer of training had passed since then. Three months to change minds and choose fates.
Tav wanted to get ahead of the intimidation. Karlach was walking into her territory after all. She watched Karlach unflinchingly as she awkwardly settled into the desk next to hers. Karlach met her eye. “Hey,” she said warmly. “Tav, right? You’re fucking good at hockey, dude.”
Karlach was unshakably charming, but Tav didn’t let it shake her in turn. “Karlach,” Tav appraised her. “So far the mighty have fallen.”
Karlach shrugged, gave her a wink. “Only if you consider yourself an underdog. You guys gave the Devils a pretty good run for our money, if I remember correctly.”
“Is that why you tried to bash my head in, Devil?” Wyll hissed, leaning over Tav’s desk.
Karlach blinked at him, recognition coming over her. “Oh shit, Blade, dude I am so sorry about that! The Devils fight dirty, man. That’s one of the reasons I left. I never meant to hurt you, I just-“ Just then, the bell rang, cutting her off. Wyll was out of his seat and out the door before Karlach could say more. “I really am sorry!” she called after him.
Tav was trying so hard to be annoyed by Karlach, but at every turn she seemed sincere. Tav was sure it was a ruse, but wasn’t sure how just yet.
The team started filing out and parting ways. Tav collected her things and made to leave when Karlach stopped her. “Hey, Tav?”
Tav sighed and turned to meet Karlach’s eye.
Karlach nervously looked down at a paper in her hand, probably her class schedule. “I have no idea where I’m going,” she said, smiling cautiously at Tav.
Tav grabbed her schedule impatiently. They both had history together next. Great. She passed it back to Karlach. “Come on. We have the same class, I’ll show you.”
Karlach broke into a wide smile. “Oh, amazing! You’re really not as mean as people say,” she blabbered, following Tav into the hall.
“People say I’m mean?” Tav asked, though it occurred to her that she preferred that over being thought of as a pushover.
People respected Tav. They generally got out of her way, but right now, the hall was parting for Karlach. Everyone was staring at her, not trying to hide their awe even a little bit. Karlach seemed unphased, if a little annoyed.
With a chuckle, Karlach changed the subject. “So tryouts are tonight. I’m looking forward to joining your team.”
Tav narrowed her eyes. “So sure you’ll make it?”
Karlach laughed, nervously this time. “Just eager to prove myself, really.” She was confident, but not arrogant. Tav did find annoyance in that.
“Well, I should warn you,” Tav said, stopping before their classroom to look Karlach in the eye, venom in her voice. “Withers might see you as an asset, and the whole school might be treating you like a god, but don’t expect the team to kiss your ass.”
“I don’t want-“ Karlach started to say quietly.
Tav went on. “I don’t know what happened at Avernus, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re in the hole. You’d better start digging yourself out.”
A shadow passed over Karlach’s face at the mention of her past. “I don’t expect special treatment. And I understand why you don’t trust me. But I only want to play hockey. If I have to earn your trust to do it, then that’s what I’ll do.” She bowed her head slightly, and once again, Tav knew she was being sincere.
Tav gave her a small look of approval before leaving Karlach alone in the hall.