chᴇᴩᴇᴨ|inᴛᴇᴩʍᴇdiya| DVK

(does not apply to the boat)

I'm sick of writing all this. The whole story is now on the wiki ✌
I got inspired rereading my favorite chapters. I love the "volleyball fever" episode; it takes me right back to the summer of '23, when I was just starting to get into that whole atmosphere 😜

Mariam Petrosyan's trilogy "The House in Which..."

(Info so that the boot is more precise)
(I'm tired of writing all this, but I'm trying for you, children of the stems)

Interludes are interludes that recount the past of the residents of the Boarding Home for Disabled Children. They describe life in the Home when it "belonged to the elders," that is, the period before the events depicted in the main narrative.
The plot centers on the feud between two clans: the Skullists (led by Skull) and the Mauritians (led by Moor).
Grasshopper (later Sphinx). The narrator of this section. He arrives at the House as a child and befriends Blind and Wolf. An interlude shows how their trio is formed. Later, after a traumatic "leap" (on Graduation Night), he changes physically and internally—hence his new nickname.
The Blind Man. The interlude reveals his early history: an outcast in an orphanage, where he sought strengths in calm and a cool mind, because his physical gifts were not on his side. Here we also see him bond with Grasshopper and the Wolf. Later, he will become the "master of the House," the guardian of its laws.
Wolf. One of Grasshopper's friends back then. The interlude features moments where his character shines through—for example, he and his friends resist pressure from other students (as in the story of the "Plague Wheezers," when Sportsman kicked them out of the Junkyard, and they rallied around Wolf, Blind Man, and Grasshopper).
Skull and Moor. Leaders of two clans, between whom a serious feud unfolds during the interlude.
Elk. An important figure: a teacher who played a major role in the Blind Man's life. In the interludes, his image is imbued with special meaning—there are allusions to the "soul catcher" (a comparison to Christ), and he acts as a protector and mentor. Elk later dies.
Stinky (the future Tabaqui). In the interlude, he's still a child: annoying, mischievous, and full of childish pranks. Later, he becomes the guardian of the House's folklore and culture.
Athlete. Leader of the "Trash" group. It is he who, in a sideshow, drives Grasshopper, Wolf, and the others out of Trash, which becomes a turning point and leads to the emergence of the "Plague Wheezers."

(Info so that the boot is more precise)

The House is not just a building, but an entire closed world with its own long history and secrets. Its inhabitants are children with disabilities who live by special rules. For many, the House becomes a true family.
Anything outside the House is considered alien and dangerous. Mentioning the Outside in the presence of House residents is discouraged.
Groups (Packs). All inhabitants must belong to a group, each of which has its own leader. Transfer from one pack to another is possible only with the permission of both leaders.
Status of Adults. Adults (teachers, director) are considered part of the House. As long as they act in its interests and do no harm, they are inviolable. Children are forbidden from telling them about internal affairs.
Nicknames. There are no real names in the House—everyone is called by their nicknames. Upon entering the House, everyone receives a new nickname. The person who assigns it is called the "Godfather." If a person "outgrows" their old nickname, they may receive a new one, and their "Godfather" may change. Adults also receive nicknames upon becoming part of the community.
The Master of the House. The House chooses its own Master. He or she does not have absolute power, but his or her opinion is respected. The Master is the Keeper of the laws and can amend them if he or she deems it right.

(Info so that the boot is more precise)

The House (also known as the Gray House) is the central space and one of the key characters in Mariam Petrosyan's novel, The House in Which...
The house is located on the outskirts of the city, in a place called "The Combs." This is an area where high-rise buildings are built in rows resembling the teeth of a comb, and vacant lots lie nearby. The house finds itself in a neutral zone between these two worlds—the "teeth" and the vacant lots.
It's a three-story building. The façade faces the highway, and the courtyard side has a long rectangular courtyard enclosed by a chain-link fence. The building looks old: gray on the façade, yellow on the inside, facing the courtyard. It bristles with antennas and wires, is crumbling with chalk, and is riddled with cracks. Garages, outbuildings, garbage bins, and dog houses are clustered around it.
The building was once white, but over time, its façade turned gray and its courtyard yellowed. It was formerly known as the "Care Home for Destitute Orphans."
The building has three floors, housing classrooms, living rooms, recreation rooms, and other facilities. A burial ground (infirmary) is attached to the building.
The Home is perceived by its inhabitants not just as a building, but as a living being, an independent organism with its own will. It forms a unique, closed community with its own rules, traditions, and hierarchy. For the residents, the Home represents "family," "comfort," "mutual understanding and care."
The house has a special nature: it can influence its inhabitants, “accept” or “not accept” them, and is also connected to a parallel world - the “Inside Out”.

Skull is a strong, powerful, and charismatic leader whose authority requires no grand gestures or bragging. He is honest and intelligent, which sets him apart from the other House members. Younger wards (such as Grasshopper, the future Sphinx) idolized him, seeing him as an unattainable ideal and the hero of their games. His leadership is built on toughness and a willingness to confront conflict. Skull is part of a long-standing feud with Moor; their rivalry divides the House into two camps, like chess teams. He is not afraid of violence and is ready to fight to the end.

Tall, predatory-faced, with gray, speckled eyes. A yellowed monkey skull hangs from a twisted chain around his neck, revealing a secretion that makes the eye sockets appear dark and moist.
To anyone watching, it seemed as if Skull was surrounded by an invisible glow. It was invisible to the naked eye, but it made Skull stand out, making him appear brighter. Like in a movie. And the fact that he sat, lost among mere mortals, only reinforced this impression.