“A New Customer?”

Uhm, okay, long story short: I’m going on hiatus. Explanation down below:

It doesn’t feel that way.

It doesn’t feel like they’ll both be okay- that everything will sort itself out, and the two will be able to go wherever world they belong to- especially since there hasn’t been a single way to be sent back the first time it’s been tried.

With the hope stored in Yuu’s heart comes the doubt stashed in Prathamik’s brain; and although she’s tried to find a way home herself- late nights spend reading through notes, checking out any possible library book relating to otherworldly traveling, as well as even asking random ass questions about it on an anonymous account she made on her phone- there’s a part of her that deems the entire thing hopeless, that maybe there’s no point in trying to find a way home.

Maybe he’s just stuck here. Forever.

“Ace and Deuce…” The otherworlder starts, “They’re my friends, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t belong here. Physically, I don’t.”

And in her eyes, that’s what matters.

This isn’t his home. This isn’t where she belongs. He has no magic, no knowledge about how the system works, no outstanding qualities that can help him.

“I…know.” She replied shifting her gaze away from him; other students of the like had made it fairly obvious of their shortcomings, and the idea of needing to always rely on someone else in this world left her feeling twinges of guilt.

“Y-you know Crowley isn’t really trying for us though. And the others, I mean, some of our upperclassman have assured living here and being of some use to the this world without magic. That is..” She was fumbling her words, trying not to fall into the same place she was when they’d first arrived. “There are surely jobs we can do magic or not, we won’t ever be mages of course so who knows what would become if we were stuck here throughout the senior year, but I’m sure the professors or someone might need ordinary people.”

The idea sounds appealing… Tsunotaro is one of the people Prathamik is genuine friends with, and oddly enough, he doesn’t seem to mind that she’s got no magic.

“It sounds appealing, but…” They sit themself down, wooden boards creaking underneath them. “Will the Fae kingdom accept us? Like… legally. Because I don’t exactly know how Tsunotaro’s guards were selected-” He starts to itch his neck. “-so even if he minds or not, it might not even be his choice... honestly, I'm not sure if there are any good jobs for us out there..."

The Ramshackle students sighs, "Not like I care. I don't have any interest in staying here." Sure, she's got friends- Ace, Deuce, and Malleus- but Twisted Wonderland isn't her home. This place isn't his, it's not where she belongs. Even if they stayed here for the rest of their life, they could never be comfortable here.

At least, as comfortable as she was back at home.

"I have my own life, my own friends... I have something ahead of me!" Something starts to fizz behing their eyes. It stings, and tries to get past the barrier in front of it, but Prathamik quickly blinks away the pain. "I was going to get money for college, just for going overseas for one year, and then, I'd be doing something I actually wanted to." They swallow something welling in their throat. "If I let this opportunity go to waste, then what will all that effort been for-?!"

He pauses. Takes a deep breath. Exhales.

The Ramshackle Prefect takes her fingers away from her neck, now rubbing the area reddened from all the scratching.

"...sorry," They mumble, "I didn't mean to lose my cool like that, I just... I don't want to let my opportunity go to waste."

A sigh leaves them.

Vulnerability is hard.

To be vulnerable in Twisted Wonderland is to be easily manipulated. As soon as the students here catch a wiff of any sort of emotion, it'll be abused to the highest degree.

So, to make himself not as exploitable, he's made himself not be as emotional as he usually is- too bad it comes with opening up being difficult for him, now. Even if it's with someone in the same situation as her.

Originally, Shrimpy protested against waking the possible owner of this house, spouting some useless things about 'caution', 'disturbances', and 'unknown'- just nonsense that Floyd was half tuned in on.

Don't blame him. Whatever Shrimpy saying wasn't really stuff that the merman agreed with; plus, coming from the person who made the plan to shred Azul's contracts, something she probably knew would badly affect him, the gibberish about 'caution' was pretty ironic to talk about.

So, Floyd woke the guy up.

"Huh?"

Blue eyebrows raise as the student realizes the stranger's awake, but not quite responsive.

That's a bit annoying.

If Floyd were in a bad mood, he would've kicked the guy out of his bed.

"C'mon, wake up."

But he's not, so he just repeatedly pokes the guy's cheek, pressing and pressing, skin smushing with skin, just trying to disturb the guy enough so he can-

cautious , disturbance , unknown .

he woke up , not cautious at all - he hadn't quite know there was an actual person within his house - and it's not just one , it's more than one .

disturbance . his sleeping hours have been disturbed , he was a very heavy sleeper but with a simple noise of his parakeet that sounds like it was hunger for food that would wake him up . but this time the parakeet was chirping loudly like a screaming person and that was also a factor into waking him up . . with also a voice of an actual person telling him to wake up with a demanding voice .

unknown . he haven't yet known the people within his house is unknown to him and . . everybody in the Seireitei , he simply thought it would be one of his comrades - perhaps Chika ? sometimes Chika just really like to bug him . . not like he really minds though ! Chika is a very good friend to him after all !

so when he finally forces his eyes to open he expected to see a white head and dark skin - oh that is not white , and his skin is also . . not dark - his eyes are opened now , yes . but he seems to be squinting a bit as he yawns and his eyes closes once more .

a finger pressed against his cheek in a very repetitive manners - slowly it starts to wake his mind up , eyes opened , tiredly he looks at the teal head before he wipe his eyes with his palms and try to take a better look at him - blink once , blink twice .

oh yeah he do not know these people . seems humane enough . how the hell did a human got here - and wait there's . . more than one ? !

more blinks as his eyes widen a bit and a sweat ran down his face .

" who are you ? ? how did you guys get into my house - ? "

Ah.

One’s face contorts into shock.

He’s up.

The other’s just barely twitches.

Prathamik’s first to speak, “I’m sorry for coming into your house uninvited, sir, but we mean no harm! You see, this whole thing-”

“We got teleported here.” Floyd, deciding his friend is taking too long, interrupts, “So you need to tell us where we are and help us get back to Night Raven Academy.”

This guy was the closest person to us when we got transported here, so he’s gotta deal with whatever mess we’re in right now. Maybe this whole ordeal’s his fault?

Mirror hijacking is a thing, but The Octavinelle Student doesn’t remember any details about it… meh, must not be important.

If any gods exist out there please just let Floyd be smited and not me-

“I’m sorry for my friend’s crudeness-” The Prefect chimes in to try and remedy the situation. “-but we do need your help. As far as we can see, you’re the only one here-” And also this house is too big to navigate. “-so if you can help us, we’ll be out of your hair in no time!”

Floyd huffs, “Yeah, what she said.” Heterochromiac eyes narrow, and soon, sharp teeth start to peek through glossy lips, almost in a snarl. “But if you’re the one that caused this situation…”

If any gods exist out there please just let Floyd be smited and not me-

She can’t really blame them. After all, he himself feels pretty unnerved by the whole situation. Being stuck with a stranger, one who’s face can’t even be seen, the both of them in an unfamiliar place-

Or is this the other person’s home? Was the otherworlder purposefully brought here, while he was sleeping, and handcuffed to this masked guy- just to make her easy to dispose of?

But then, why didn’t whoever planned this kill Prathamik in his sleep? That would also be easy, she’d be pretty easy to kill during that time. And while he does have Grim, he’s… admittedly, not the best at guarding; anyone who knows him knows that, and anyone who’s seen him can see that.

So why not in my sleep?

It’s easy- wait, even then, why Prathamik? She doesn’t have any money, and she doesn’t hold any actual status in Twisted Wonderland; so why her? Why was the penniless, magicless, otherworldly human brought here?

Unless it’s for me being otherworldly…

Who would know that? Other than everyone else in the whole school, and this person looks like they’re an adult, instead of a school student. And why would somebody want an otherworlder?

Prathamik doesn’t know. She doesn’t know, she doesn’t know. He doesn’t know the culprit’s motive, he doesn’t know why’d they’d draw this out, he doesn’t know anything.

All she knows is that she has to find a way out, and then find a way back to Twisted Wonderland.

Safely.

If it’s possible.

…Her gut’s starting to sink.

“No.”

There’s nothing in this room- not only for helping, but literally nothing.

It’s empty.

Prathamik’s head turns to the door.

two skulls in a tank of a head filled with nothing but the thoughts and talk over just how much they both hate this situation they were forced into without knowing or even seeing this coming - was this Gilga's doing or Llargo's doing ? he don't know but they do already . . kind of hope they both die anyways . he don't like them and neither do they .

Aaroniero and Arruruerie each other's kind of protection . in a way they're each other shields that . . well annoy the other a lot . it isn't his fault they're the one being an annoyance after all right ? RIGHT ? ! he hate being pair together in the same spot already ! they're already both kind of just stuck in this body for the rest of their life , and now he might be stuck with ANOTHER person in HIS palace ? ! AHHH THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE IT ! !

NONE OF THIS MAKES ANY SENSE ! WHO WOULD DO SUCH A THING !

IF IT WAS GILGA , WHERE DID HE EVEN GET THIS HUMAN - IF IT WAS LLARGO , WHERE DID HE EVEN GET THIS HUMAN EITHER -

all of it makes zero sense to him !

" . . that'll works "

he isn't much of a speaker it seems . when asked question they answered with short answers but if he was given a chance to speak more they'll gladly give paragraphs just for you to enjoy .

another pull of the handcuff , just making sure he can't seriously just pull it out and not just some stupid prank and that it isn't actually a locked handcuff ! but just some toy handcuff - but it does seems real . as their head turned to look at the door and he stared at it for a while and they walks up front and stops , almost forgetting there is a human besides him -

" come along "

“Do you know where we are?”

The way this guy’s walking, so confidently, it’s making Prathamik think this guy’s been here before.

If that’s the case, then can be either good or bad.

Having somebody familiar with their surroundings will definitely help the both of them with finding something to get them out of these handcuffs-

To test the equipment once more, Prathamik tugs on it a little bit.

-and for her to find an exit easier, but if this stranger turns out to be a more hostile person…

Mm.

They’re cooked.

He’s absolutely cooked, because 1) he’s somewhere that he has no idea of what the layout is, but his only company has an advantage in that area and if that company were to be less… favorable, then that would be bad news for Prathamik; 2) he doesn’t even know this person- he doesn’t know what the stranger is capable of, what their abilities are if they have any, if said abilities are even the same ones from Twisted Wonderland, or something entirely different; 3) Prathamik himself doesn’t have anything to defend himself with- no weapon nearby, no people to support him, no Grim- all he’s got is his fists, and he doubts it’s gonna get him as far as he wants them to.

She can only hope and pray this person is agreeable.

Ugh…

Considering their luck, it’s really likely that won’t be the case.

Guess she’ll have to prepare for some sort of confrontation… alone.

Just when I thought I could get a break…

Also, why are all the walls white?

Not an off-white, not a white that signifies years of love, but a blinding white.

It’s the kind of white seen when somebody’s vision starts to black out, the kind of white seen when a flashlight is shone in one’s face, the kind of white seen in the center of the sun.

It’s a white that hurts.

Come on- come on- what else can I use-

Frantically, her eyes jump to every possible object she could use; immediately crossing all of them off, deeming them as useless in her goal to stay alive-

-at least, until his eyes land on the silent man standing there, not doing anything to contribute to the fight.

Does she care about eating her comrades-?

Not another thought, and the Ramshackle Prefect changes course, heading right for the silent man. Lifting Grim up, and throwing him at the cloaked one, aiming right for the face; soon standing behind the man, using him as a shield.

Man… they look like they’re having fun….

Multicolored eyes look from what Shrimpy’s doing to the weird armored guy in front of him, before flicking back up to the ceiling.

“‘The verge of death’?” Floyd boredly echoes, voice grating- clearly expressing his exasperation at this situation. “I don’t got any injuries on me, so I dunno what you’re talkin’ about.” He starts to rock back and forth on his feet. “If anythin’, you’re gonna be on the verge of death once I squeeze ya.”

Honestly, it sounds a lot more fun to squeeze than to have this stupid conversation.

“Actually-” The merman looks back at the armored guy. “How about I do that right now?”

that chair wasn't delicious at all - it was made and it felt so POORLY made . . not even a little good to eat that at all - she have to spit it out and her face was squinted - fuck that taste so fucking bad - JUST LET ME EAT THE GODDAMN HUMAN ALREADY ! - she was getting more and more angrier the more she stayed uneaten with the human meat she was still trying to get - she felt like she was chasing a cockroach and she still haven't got it down yet - LET ME EAT !

the anger was showing on her face more and more as she try following around the human - until he took a turn and suddenly everything switched and now it looks like he was using Sternritter I as a shield . . does she care ? not really , if the Stenrritter lose an arm or two or his whole life she can just say it was his fault he was in her way .

the mouth didn't stop , no . his majesty hated conflict but that doesn't mean they can't eat their own kinds she can now because she aren't in front of the man .

he isn't going to know that she just ate her own comrade - if she ate him clean nothing will be left of him and she can say he ran away . simple problem comes with simple solutions .

everything went dark - suddenly a fluffy thing landed on his face and he can felt someone was behind him - NO NO NO WAIT - DON'T TELL HIM SHE'S USING HIM AS A SHIELD ? ! - his eyes went wide - pulling off the fluffy beast from his face . everything was in slow - mo for him as the mouth was going towards him - not stopping at all and he looked like a deer in headlight as his automatic response is - no not flight - he throw the fucking cat forward , grab the person behind him neck and grip it as he launch to the side -

he doesn't exactly know why he saved her - his instinct just say to grab the person behind him neck and throw them both to the side - it seems she have reminded him of something that needed to be protected - what a pity . your majesty will not like this Cang Du .

" LAMPERD , YOU FOOL ! YOU COULD'VE KILLED ME ! "

he said sitting up from laying down before as he stared at her breathing heavily and fast - close call -

" nevertheless that isn't an answer . one more chance "

that was the immediate answer to his question being asked back , he completely pushed aside the threat and all he cared for was for the information , that's what they've cause a ruckus over for today anyways .

" I don't know what you're talking about , I am not a car "

that's what he said to the threat - apparently he didn't really pushed aside the threat after all , he just kind of put that as a second priority to answer and taken into consideration .

Floyd's face goes blank.

How does a car come into this?

He's never said anything relating to a car... so how does this guy... huh?

Is he stupid or something?

And just like that, Floyd's mood does a complete 180- body stilling, lips pulling into a grin, a laugh falling out from them- clear joy radiating from his being.

"Are you stupid or something?" He echoes his thoughts, placing his hands in his pockets- much too casual for a situation such as this. "I ain't ever said anything about a car, guppy, and if you think you can squeeze one, you'd have to go back to school! His voice is just like his laugh; loud, nasally, and high-pitched.

It'd be even funnier if I told Shrimpy!

With the newfound idea, the merman turns his head, ready to call out to the human-

Ah.

His face falls, as he sees the Prefect lying on the ground next to him, rapidly shaking.

What happened to her?

Ah, well, whatever. Doesn't matter. Plus, it's kind of funny to see her like this.

"Aww, it looks like the little Shrimpy needs help!" The merman giggles, "Well- I guess I better help ya get on your feet. Aren't I just so kind?" He bends down, Floyd picking the Prefect up by his collar, setting him right on his feet. "There ya go! That must feel a lot better than lying on the floor, eh, Shrimpy?"

However, despite feeling grateful, the so-called seafood can only feel smelting hot panic slam through her body, infecting her brain and making her thing of one thing:

Grim.

Frantically jumping around the room, Prathamik's eyes try to catch even a glimpse of the ball of fur, all of objects in the Mostro Lounge blurring together to become one conglomerate mess-

There.

His eyes fix on the sight of Grim, stomach leaping to his chest.

Arms spread out, as if trying to stop the giant mouth coming his way- the feline looks scared, downright horrified, at the scene before him-mouth open, ready to spread some flames, trying to stop his imminent death.

Oh god-

Oh, god.

The scene's going too fast.

It's going too fast, there's too much happening at once and Grim is going to die and-

Grim is going to die.

Ice-cold water is poured onto Prathamik's brain.

Grim is going to die.

Blood starts to fill the Prefect's mouth.

Grim is going to die.

Lips splitting apart, a step taken forward, Prathamik prepares to rush forward, to save Grim, to not have one of the only friends she's ever made in this world die-

"GRIM!"

The feeling of something digging into her leg, slicing right through- the sound of something limply landing on the floor, liquid pouring out- the feeling of something bursting from her leg, spreading to the rest of her body-

Hurts-

The world rushing by him, chin slamming onto something, and his leg-

Oh god her leg.

He doesn’t know what happened to it, he doesn’t know why it feels like something’s pouring out- all he knows it that it hurts.

It hurts, it hurts, IT HURTS-!

Burning, searing- reaching all the way to her head- consuming it like come kind of parasite, making her think of that, and only that- is Grim calling out to her-?

He opens her mouth, something spilling out of there- something inhuman, not belonging to someone such as Prathamik-

She’s screaming.

And Jugram, who blocks Tenjiro’s sword with his own, can hear it.

and yet the screams was loud and it was heard and making Tenjiro's smile fades as his eyes widen . is that the screams from the kid ? he wasn't sure - he needed to check but WITH THIS ANNOYING GUY HE WON'T BE ABLE TO .

HE NEEDS TO CHECK ON THE KID - with the blondie's comment - he could tell he have done a huge mistake - something he did not meant to at all cost - doesn't exactly know of what he did just yet but he knows he did something he didn't mean to and it was related to Oetsu's kidnapped kid - AND THAT'S THE FIRST THING HE HAVE TO WORRIES FOR AT THE MOMENT -

a quick jump back as he turned his head slightly to look back to just see where was the kid - and oh . . the injuries was heavy .

there's no need to be afraid of though . as he click his tongue and landed at a close enough range for him to use his healing abilities - as his eyes was looking at Haschwalth he also have to take a quick look towards the kid as he swings his sword around for a slight moment - he have to end this quick - he won't be able to try and fight this guy while also having to try and heal onto the kid - and option is to either be distracted by the kid's injuries or finished off the blondie quicker and get the fight over with so he can fully focus his attention onto the kid he was specifically given a task with to take care of and take her back safely .

as his eyes squinted and anger shown in his eyes .

" let's finish this quickly , I got a kid ta' take care of out in the damn battle "

this dim witted kid should have stayed in Oetsu's palace , he's getting himself out here to be KILLED and MURDERED with brutality or something ! but he can't say too much , probably saw at least one chance to escape and thought it was good idea to interfere with a battle .

as then he lowered himself down slightly and putting his zanpakuto to the side as both his hands grabbed onto it and his speed shall increases as he swiftly tries to kill Jugram in one shot by using his quickness and his strength to cut through and try to at least make a wound as it almost seems like he teleported behind Jugram when all he did is try to slice Jugram quicker , trying his best to end it all .

With blows that do not connect, swords that nearly miss, this duel has almost turned into a dance. A performance, one meant to entertain, not for what it needs to be.

A battle.

A war.

Quincies and soul reapers must fight for their lives in what will be a massacre, and so, theatrics cannot be allowed here.

“Yes, let’s.”

Right after those words leave Jugram’s mouth, his opponent disappears.

Momentary shock, one second passed.

One second too late.

He can feel a blade skimming his neck, and barely within a second, he ducks, sword chopping of some strands again.

Hm.

It was a moment of being caught off-guard, but one that could’ve been his last.

I see, now.

With speed the human eye cannot process, he raises his sword up, aiming for the Soul Reaper’s legs.

Every second counts.

IT HURTS-

She needs to move.

It hurts-

He needs to move.

IT HURTS-!

HE NEEDS TO MOVE!

She cannot walk, cannot move- the pain in her leg commands her not to, weighs her down with the power it carries, able to push her down like it’s nothing and god it hurts.

But the world refuses to wait for him, and so, he must move as everything else does.

As this war does.

By the edges of her nails, skin of her teeth, she must drag herself forward, no matter what.

It doesn’t matter if her nails crack, if her teeth shatter, he must move.

Move, to get out of here.

Move, to live.

“Gh-”

One by one; drop by drop.

She uses her hands to move, blood leaving her leg at an alarming rate.

He does not care, though; he can’t care.

Every second counts.

And then, there’s a voice.

High-pitched and nasally, trying to push through the night-covered forest of Prathamik’s panic. “Prefect!” It yells, “Prefect, cmon- get up-!”

Grim.

It’s Grim.

“Gri-” barely a syllable of his name leaves their lips before Prathamik’s coughing intensely, ribs rattling with each rasp.

Fuck- I can’t speak-

She needs to, she needs to, she has to, she has to-

Before it’s too late.

The answer is immediate, not requiring any sort of thinking from Floyd’s end.

“I don’t want to go to some bakery,” The word ‘bakery’ is almost spit out, as if Floyd detests even the thought of them.

He’s actually impartial to them, going whenever he’s in the mood for some sweet treats; however, at this very moment, he’s really not in the mood to go to one.

Especially since this girl bumped into him and ruined his already-bad day.

“C’mon, think of something else.” The words are painfully dragged from his throat, scratchy and placing his short temper on clear display. “Else I might have to squeeze ya.”

And even then, that might not make up for her bumping into him- gah, Floyd’s just been in a horrible mood the entire day, and this person he doesn’t even know just had to make it worse!

her train with thoughts starts coming into her - the trains were too much and too many as her eyes stayed slightly widen gritting her teeth behind her closed mouth as her hands was put up and it was visibly shaking -

should she try to convince him to go with her ? - should she try to get him to go still ? that was her only solution of helping him calm down right ? I mean who wouldn't want a sweet treat of breads right ? does she really have no else options other than to look and think of something else which she can't ? !

c'mon come up with another solution ! INOUE COME ON .

sweats starts profusely coming down her face - breath starts becoming heavy and fast - brain full of thoughts that were running through her too quick - too much this is too much to handle .

" I - uh - ah - er - "

she said squinting her eyebrows together looking side to side - there were some shops and some more places everywhere but yet all her brain all said that this guy would not like a single thing that Karakura town have to offer - even without her asking him first . . she felt like he wasn't going to like any of this - not at all -

" I'm sorry I - "

her thoughts cut short and so was her word - apologize - I what Inoue .

“Sorry?” He echoes, “Sorry ain’t gonna cut it, guppy.”

Nails on a chalkboard, fork on a plate; Floyd’s tone is far from pleasant.

It is low, it is rubbing against his throat, and it is full of anger.

Well- of course it’d be! Floyd’s entire day is practically ruined because some dumb fish couldn’t look where she’s going and bumped into him! The feeling of somebody touching him, body against body- ugh, he absolutely hates it. He hates, hates, hates it.

And the fact that somebody he doesn’t know did it?

Sevens.

Can’t he have one good day? A day without his mood being ruined, a day without anything happening, a day without other people fucking it up.

Agh!

“I need payment.”

One of his hands, hot and heavy, claps itself onto the other person’s shoulder. Nails, sharp from neglect, dig into skin, clothes wrinkling up underneath fingers.

“You caused this, so you gotta fix it.”

In this moment, personal space is nonexistent, Floyd’s face coming close to her’s; teeth, too sharp to be normal, are extremely close to human skin.

So one moment, it was sitting there in its pitiful frog, and the next, it was trapped beneath the furry paws of a creature that had no intention of granting mercy. He felt the sharp claws pierced the soft lilypad, the splash echoing through the quiet pond, sending ripples across the water's surface. 

He looked up, he could see the creature, his eyes gleamed with triumph as it looked down at the squirming creature in his grasp. 

This was it, a quick meal to satisfy his hunger. Shit!

“Ribbet!” 

The frog looked up, something strange flickered in its gaze—a spark of defiance, a hint of something more than mere animal instinct. It wriggled with surprising strength, desperately trying to slip free from Grim's grip. 

This frog didn't just accept its fate like the others. 

It had...spirit. This idiot hadn't expected that.

What was he meant to do, get eaten!

Bah!

never!

And then, it happened. 

Despite being two completely different things, they have the main effect: to prevent a person from moving.

Whether it be for years, or seconds, to stop the current action is all that is needed, and for Grim, with the little jet of water shot towards his eyes, he is certainly stopped from eating his prey.

“Gah-!”

He cries from the feeling of cold water slapping his eyes, vision temporality blinded; in an attempt to clear his sight, he’s forced to let go of the slimy little thing, wiping his eyes to quickly clear his vision.

How dare that thing-!

Fire rolling underneath his lungs, Grim can feel indignation sparking in his brain.

A speck of flame escapes his throat, and he cannot help but yell out a “Why, you-!”, soon giving chase to the little thing.

“Get back here! Nobody resists Grim the Great in his conquests!”

So, no. It’s a complete and total myth that’s been made up- something used as a cautionary tale to little guppies that keep going to places they don’t belong.

If that’s the case, then why’s Floyd doing it?

Because Floyd’s being a little shit.

Undeterred by the tug on his hair, the student only grins wider, eyes crinkling with the smile on his face.

“I read about a thing called a kraken once and that…” How did she put this without potentially incurring more of his wrath? If he’d even cared or had an idea what a kraken even was of course. “A creature like that supposedly does eat humans, it also seems to favor females more often and though it’s a thing of myth in my world for all I know it’s a real creature here.” For all she knew as well Floyd could have been a subspecies of merperson and had kraken in him, though that seemed a little far fetched considering she’s seen him in his natural state. Azul on the other hand seemed to be much closer related to what those stories had descripted.

The sea of raging tides, the manic cries of lightning bolts; within the enigma that is Floyd’s mind, a stream of light peeks through.

A stream of recognition.

“Oh, that thing!”

Eyes closed in glee, Floyd releases his hair from the baby-like tug of the Prefect, the merman’s arms moving to lie one on the head of her.

She has been made into an arm rest.

“It ain’t no myth here, Shrimpy,” He almost sings, “The kraken’s real, but it hasn’t really been seen in decades.”

Or was it centuries? Floyd doesn’t remember; Jade’s better suited for recalling that knowledge.

“The only evidence of its presence is the mutilated remains of a merman.” The Octavinelle student giggles. “It doesn’t have an appetite for humans, really- just sea animals, since they’re, yknow, in the same environment as it.”

The way he speaks, it’s almost as if he thinks the Prefect is dumb. Stupid, for not knowing this information that his species is familiar with.

With his free arm, he lifts up the strand of hair that’s differently colored than the rest. “Sure, it’ll take down ships, but that’s rare, and just cause it got caught in the crossfire of whatever the kraken’s fighting.” His smile widens. “So ya don’t gotta worry! No fishman’s got an appetite for humans, especially for a little shrimp like you. You’re too small for that- you’d just be a little snack for us!”

Why is he-

A step back, only to be changed into a last-minute duck, the Ramshackle Prefect’s legs stretching into an almost painful split.

It happened too suddenly.

A person, someone that Prathamik has only heard the name of, charging at the otherworlder without any sort of warning.

Oh God-

He’s been attacked before- stray dogs, Grim, overblots- he’s been attacked before, so he can defend himself okay enough.

Not when she’s the direct target, though.

He scrambles to get back up, shuffling away from the assailant, eyes flicking to and about-

Where’s a way to leave, where’s a way to-

Stray dogs, Grim, overblots; if she can, she’ll run away- if she’s in a position to, Prathamik will try and escape- if there’s nothing stopping her, she’ll leave it to everyone else-

A chair.

A chair, lying inches from his grasp.

A distraction.

A way to escape, to preoccupy the enemy, to blind them and run out the back door, finding somewhere safe-

Idiot...

He shook his head and ran after them, sliding and the moment that chair connected to his arm he slid back. Picking up remnants of the object and tossing them like a club, Mateo looked at Prathamik as if he were one of the teachers of Night Raven.

"You're sloppy." A snide remark but it was a truthful one, "if you want to survive, you'll need to defend better than that." A swift kick to their legs, going to bring the chair leg down on them.

"Exams, actual combat, Overblots- running gets you some places- but it doesn't get you everywhere." He reached to pick them back up before striking their chin, neck, and face with his foot as he spoke.

Gh-!

Planting his hands on the ground, Prathamik prepares to get up-

Only for a force to hold her still, sensations similar to a hammer bludgeoning her face, sending the student to go stumbling across the floor.

Dammit-!

Breath knocked out of him, the Ramshackle scrambles to get to, standing on wobbly feet to face the threat.

Her vision interpreting nothing more than blurry colors, she has to fumble to catch the club- dropping it, before picking it back up.

What the hell is going on-?

Ragged breaths are all that fills the room, words processing in the Prefect’s mind, realization taking place.

A test.

This is a test.

A way to train, a surprise quiz of sorts, from somebody who he does not know.

The intentions are kind, but the execution hurts.

Yet, she does as the other says.

Either way, I don’t have a choice.

As shown earlier, escape is not an option.

Those clothes, snugly wrapped around them; the articles easy to find, easy to wear, and easy to move in-

It ain’t fair!

It ain’t fair, he says! Why do they all get the new, polished clothes, and Grim doesn’t get any?! He wants a uniform of his own- and sure, he’s got a bow and a sparkly gem, but it’s not enough! It doesn’t make a statement that he’s part of NRC! He just- he looks like some cat with a magestone, and that isn’t fair!

He’s tried to bring this up with the Headmage, but that featherbrain said that ‘it’s too expensive’.

As if!

But there’s no use arguing with him about that. After all, he’ll only hide behind a wall of stupid excuses, eventually sending Grim back to his dorm because he’s ‘much too busy!’

…ugh.

So, as a last-ditch attempt, he stole his roommate’s money and came here, a store he’s heard many great things about from his peers.

“Listen up, pal!” Standing on his hind legs, Grim points towards the one at the front desk. “I need some clothes that fit a guy like me! Think you can do that?!”

A couple quick blinks as first the shop owner glanced to both sides in case an employee was there and then down towards the ... cat? There were many types of clients here but this was a first. He twirled the pen around a couple of times before putting it inside his cup holder, a confident custom service smile still plaster on his face.

"Now I shall preface that we don't have anything available for immediate purchase for your measurements," Harold did technically but parts were completely off and still would need tailoring. Let alone that fact those were young children sized and more on the childish side outside suits. He had hummed in thought. If not ready to purchase outfits with specific tailoring to fit well, then how about something custom? He was a business man after all.

First talking cat, first animal to enroll in a school, and the first feline to go clothes shopping.

Grim The Great, trendsetter for everything! He shall be praised and adored for taking dares and leaps of faith, worshipped as the first cat to do anything.

And a distinguished cat must have nice clothes, else he shall be ridiculed by all the other people. Or so he hears.

“Name the price, and I’ll busy it!” He shouts, “I got more than enough coins for what I want!” A paw lifts up the bag of coins around his neck, the heavy thing jingling with each shake of it.

Months worth of savings (that he stole), for this specific moment.

For some clothes! Is it too hard to ask for, goddammit?!