0. THE FOOL

save me \ from the things i’ve seen . Dash Com

       ‘ Chips ahoy are far superior than Oreo’s ’

“...huh-?”

It takes a moment to process, and when it does the girl can’t help the look of surprise that comes across her face. She’s quickly shaking her head, waving her arms aswell - acting far more animated than she is on a normal basis.

“N-No way! If-If anything it should be the other way around! I was going to school to be a professional musician. I-I had singing lessons sure but I’m n-not good or anything!”

“...Why are you looking at me like that.” Is Echo’s first response. It takes a moment for the gears to turn in her head before her face is flushing. Oh, okay. This was...strange. If only because she doesn’t talk to Lucian often. She felt like she would have expected this from Cater, maybe Ace if he was feeling like teasing her.

“....Well....no one has asked me to dance yet.” A bit of a lie. There had been one or two but they were quickly distracted by others, forgetting she was here. She had gotten used to that sort of treatment and had decided to sit down at a table and just try to relax.

She wonders if he saw those attempts, and wonders if this is his way of attempting to cheer her up.

Or mess with her further, either were valid options.

         ‘  Guilty  as  charged  ~ !   ’   he  claimed ,  shoulders  shrugging  as  he  to  show  he  had most  certainly  been  caught  lurking  the  headmaster’s  office .  Of  course ,  there  wasn’t  a  lick  of  worry  in  his  voice .  ‘  You  won’t  tell  him  will  you  ~  ?  ’

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 - 𝐓𝐖𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 || @echowoven​

She...isn’t sure what to do in this situation. On one hand, it was none of her business. On the other, she did owe the headmaster a lot. On yet another hand - he had caused her no end of grief, especially recently.

  “  That’s  wonderful  to  hear.  It  certainly  shows  in  how  gifted  you  are.  “  Truly  something  unique  to  hear.  But  upon  her  expression  changing  ,  the  vampire  tilts  her  head  as  she  listens  to  what  the  other  has  to  say  about  it.

   Slender  fingers  laced  together  and  rested  on  her  lap  as  she  gives  a  small  nod  of  understanding.  “  I’m  sure  those  from  your  home  are  quite  blessed  to  have  you  there.  I  certainly  understand  why  your  would  focus  more  on  returning  to  where  you  came  from.  Any  world  would  be  blessed  to  have  your  music  as  a  part  of  it.  “  She  offered  a  gentle  smile.  “  If  you  ever  would  like  to  play  some  time  while  you’re  here  besides  class  ,  always  feel  free  to  let  me  know  whenever.  I  know  some  who  would  absolutely  love  to  get  to  hear  such  music.  “

Oh....It’s always nice to hear such words of praise, especially from this teacher. But...blessed to have her there? She had a hard time thinking of such a thing as truth. But she hears those words almost in her brother’s or father’s voice, and there’s a wave of nostalgia that falls over her. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

echowoven​.

“S-Sorry I just-” She takes a deep breath as she stops walking. ”I think I have blisters.” While the shoes were wedges and much easier for her to walk in than the tall heels Vil had tried to get her to wear earlier - she’s still not used to them.

“I’ll just need a minute to put something over them..”

“  It is no trouble, Aion. No beautiful swan grows in one night.  ”  Time is a luxury they can’t afford in this mission, but perfection can’t be rushed. He motioned to the nearby seat and glanced at her feet. Now, what can be done with this dilemma?  “  Rest, for the time being. I may have spare bandages with me if you need them.  ”

She follows his lead and takes a seat, sighing as she was finally off of her aching feet. “Oh...that might be helpful. Thank you, Rook.” She said with a smile before working to take the boots off. It was...a struggle - almost as much as walking in them. She wasn’t used to boots that came over her knees like this. In fact, she wasn’t really used to boots at all. She typically only wore flats, or shoes that had less that a quarter inch heel on them. This was way out of her comfort zone in more ways than one.

The ghosts were finally fading away, and ending what has to be one of the strangest events to ever happen since she’s come to this school. She was glad there was a happy ending, but she was also glad it was over - it had all been a little much.

It seems just as she was fading away, the ghost bride remembered she had a bouquet of flowers in her hands. She locked eyes with Echo, and gave a smile before turning around and tossing the translucent flowers. Echo knows what it means, and she doesn’t think she’s worthy of marriage (or wants it at such a young age), but still....something causes her to step forward. Maybe she’s lost in the feeling of it all - a happy ending always did make her heart soar.

She gently pushes passed Trey and others, giving a small hop before grabbing onto the flowers.

Or she would have, if they had not faded before they landed in her hands. Just like the ghosts around them, the ghostly bouquet faded - leaving behind echoes of petals before those too became nothingness.

She stares at her hands for a moment with almost a look of disappointment before looking over at Trey. “....Do you think it still counts?”

echowoven·:

“….There’s nothing I can say that will convince you to go to class, is there?” She asked, fully knowing the answer. Still, she dares to try once more. “…Even that we’ve been paired together for an assignment?”

          He was already shaking his head, ‘ Nope, there’s nothing that’s gonna make me– ’ he pauses, ears twitching as he made sure he had heard that right. He was paired for an assignment ? He sighs, he couldn’t exactly ignore that  , now could he ? If it had been Ruggie– Well, then he wouldn’t have to worry so much. The lion yawns, eyes opening as he sits up. She’d gotten his attention. ‘ What exactly are we supposed to do ? ’

“It’s a history presentation.” She said, walking a bit closer to him and sitting down on the grass near him. It was easier to talk this way, and hand him the paper that had the outline of the assignment.

“Truthfully...I don’t mind doing most of the work.” She said, but frowned right after. History was normally one of her best subjects, and yet...- “But as I am not....exactly from here, this history class has been a struggle.” After all, everyone else knew basic history from this world - while she was left in the dark.

“But-!” She starts, surprising herself in her resistance as she reached out to grab Cass’s hand as he went to turn. She stands there for a moment, face flushed as she firmly holds onto the oracle. Well, she made it this far - she needed to see it through. She takes a deep breath before managing to look the other in the eye.

“I...I don’t want a ‘better’ partner, I want to dance with you.”

She waits, gauging his response before slowly pulling her hand away from his. She wouldn’t force him to dance with her, after all. Nothing was fun if it was forced....but still - “I can teach you how to dance, if you’d like.” She offered with a small smile.

She looked around the room, before finding the large window-like doors that lead outside. “This way.” She said softly, grabbing his hand gently this time before guiding him to the doors and outside. She walks for a moment, getting out of plain sight of people within the ballroom before turning to face him.

“Here is okay, right? I know you’d probably be embarrassed in front of everyone.” Plus there’s a part of her that wants to be selfish, for once. That wants this moment to just be the two of them. “Now then..” She steps closer, deciding to ride out whatever feeling was making her so bold before it ended. She guided his free hand to her waist before smiling brightly at him.

  (  TWST  OC  TRIAL  STARTER  CALL  - @echowoven​ )

   “  My  apologies.  I  did  not  intend  to  frighten  you.  “  Shou  raised  a  hand  in  an  apologetic  gesture  for  the  fright  he  had  unintentionally  caused.  “  I  have  been  assigned  to  oversee  this  dorm  for  the  night.  “  He  explained  simply  as  an  attempt  to  reassure  her  of  the  situation.  

   The  Air  Watch  were  rarely  noticed  ,  not  to  mention  his  mask  ,  likely  had  added  to  the  initial  fright.  “  Are  you  heading  back  there   ?  I  can  accompany  you  to  the  dorm  if  you  wish.  “

She looks cautiously at the other, waiting for his explanation. She had heard about the Air Watch, but this was her first time encountering one of them. Mysterious had been one word to describe them and well, they were right to say so. Why the mask? The question is on the tip of her tongue but she holds it back.

“...If you could, that’d be great.” She finally decides with a nervous smile. “Grimm normally keeps me company but he’s staying with friends right now.” And while she didn’t want to admit it - the campus at night....freaked her out.

              His tail whips behind him as he feels soft fingers take his. He did mean it of course, she looked quite lovely. It wasn’t something he would say to others, but much like Ruggie, somehow the attire seemed to suit her just as well. His fingers curl around her hand, taking it elegantly as they began to lead her towards the entrance. 

            ‘ I don’t really like these things, but the sooner we can get over with , the sooner we can leave. ’

She’s still embarrassed as he begins to lead her, but tries to match his long strides while also trying not to trip in the shoes given to her. She had at least gotten practice in walking in them while most of the group was in that modeling practice.

“Right...I guess you’ve been to these kinds of things a lot, huh?” She asks with a nervous smile. She could say the same, but somehow it seems like they were on completely different levels. After all, this world is full of magic, real life princes - one who was holding her hand right now! - it all seemed so otherworldly and whimsical.