Cecilia

“Ah! Mother, please!” In the middle of the room, sat the legend of the flames. 

He balled up in agony, his fingers covered his face— his eyes entirely. 

Blood seeped between the crevices of his digits, his eyes burned with an itch, a feeling he wanted to tear out.

“For how could I— your spawn, be subjected to such a monstrosity of an ending?” The man cried out, his deep wails echoed throughout the chambers around his being. 

Messmer mumbled incessantly, begging and twitching as his vision blackened. 

He had to gain control— before the chaotic numb feeling goes too far, before his mind slips away completely. 

Think of the throne 

Think of the order 

Think of… 

“Wife,” 

He called out, saliva dripped down in a reddened  pace between his lips. 

Messmer reached out to nothing, to the blackness that surrounded him. 

“Wife!” He wailed

“Don’t— don’t leave me alone!” 

The lanky man keeled over, his hands beat against the wooden floor with fury. 

“A-Answer me! Your husband— your Lord demands it!” 

With a slurred speech, he crawled, began to move toward where he thought the door might be. 

His hand met with a stone wall, it stood firm against his blood covered palms. 

He couldn’t think- couldn’t remember the size of the room, the chamber at all for that matter. 

The  pain was piercing his mind, it left fire in its wake. 

“Augh—“ 

The knight continued his mission, persisted onto finding the exit, the way to his home- his love. 

Knees now scratched and molded over with scabs, he stopped his movement, as something cold came into contact with his dirtied palm.

Shakily a pale arm reached down once more and with his posture bent, he leered over the object. 

It was fleshy, wet with a warming substance and–

“No,” 

Firm hands acted, looked for proof that could refuse the perverse thoughts invading his mind. 

“No, no, no!” 

Shaky fingers guided their way to a hand, it was soft, so small that he could cover it whole with his own. 

He came into contact with a cold metal, a band that had been wrapped around the person's finger. 

His darling wife’s finger. 

“—Ah! No, this— this is a warning- a vision, it's a farce!” 

Not bothering to stop the blood from pouring down his chin, it fell atop of the bloodied woman. 

Her eyes remained closed, the middle of her person laid into a deep maroon color. 

As best as the weakened knight could, the woman was pulled towards him. She rested upon his lap like a deity. 

Her head was angled towards him, it sagged into the man’s chest instantly. 

He smelled the apples— the Elder flowers that clung onto her stilled skin.

There was no denying, it was his love that lay crumpled in his arms like a wilted lily. 

Only his cries were heard through the chamber, bouncing off the walls with ease as his wails got louder and louder. 

The cries were wet, uneven hiccups accompanied the tears. 

As if nature mourned her loss; thunder boomed, rain seeped down to drench the land and the wind howled beneath the winking stars. 

The man’s shoulders shook, he howled— it was too much, too far beneath the golden rays he was promised. 

Burying his head into her neck the man refused to move. 

His kin could walk through the gates now— with a cure for his blindness yet he would say put. 

For his protective reign is over. 

Now that his purpose lay still and quiet. 

His grip tightened, wide knuckles turned white with pressure. 

“Thy will bury it all in flame,” 

His voice but a whisper among the pelting rain. 

“I will offer it all; and join thee with the heads of the filthy accusers, who dare put thy to rest.” 

Biting down on his cheeks, more crimson seeped down with unwanted reign. 

“Rest, my wife,” his forehead met with hers, the surface sticky and wet. 

“My love will hold me here—“

“—nnnghh,” 

Thin red brows raised, with his mouth agape he let out a noise like no other. 

“Darling, love, please!” He didn’t know what he was begging for, but it came out in unseen repetition

Her mind was foggy, vision even more so as her arm raised above her being. 

It felt as if daggers pierced through her chest, and needles laid about her arms like unseen birthmarks. 

“–mer, Messm—“ 

“I’m here! Gods, I’m— lovely, hear thy cries, please!” 

The voice sounded like it was under rubble, or even perhaps miles of sand and dirt. 

She felt the light touches, how they guided their way on her cheeks, her jaw. 

It was a loving, soft touch made by roughened hands. 

Familiar hands. 

Tears struck her bloodied cheeks, a sloppy smile graced her expression. 

He hadn’t left her afterall— after the fall, the oncoming of soldiers, he was here, by her side. 

Grunting out a low groan, words fled her cut lips in a rush. 

The woman’s words slurred together, and the man tried to make sense of them.

“Slow down, my wife, slow—“

“Es, mess, yo— your eyes!”

On queue, the blackened holes throbbed. Dark pits of ash wobbled down the crevices and met the material of his armor. 

“Shhh, Darling, it will be alright, it will be alright.” 

Her lips shook with a new level of fear, of total shock. 

“I will take care of it— mother will help. I— it will be alright.” 

“She is the cause of such damnation, how will she help?” Taking her hand in his larger one, Messmer placed kisses upon each finger.

The woman gaped up at him. 

“Why are you so calm, aren’t you angry— hurt?”  

“I… was,” He replied. Still distracted by the kisses he laid upon her skin. 

“But thy are here to calm such a flame, hm?” 

The red knight pushed his woman closer, till the cheek of her face mushed against his dirtied armor.

“Let us get fixed, then such a discussion can be demanded.” 

Ignoring the woman's constant worried touches, a smile adorned his face. 

He wasn't alone, his wife lay huddled between his arms. The unspoken horror lay hushed beneath his heel, stomped and winded. 

Although he was blinded, left to die on his own, he could continue his push to the capital.

For the prophecy has already been foretold. 

“Can I help you?”

Ashveil stares down at the person on the other side of the door like he’s trying to decide if they’re real or just another thing his brain coughed up out of boredom.

The office is quiet in the way it only ever gets when everyone else has scattered off somewhere. The Furbos are gone, Mister N is gone, even the usual background noise feels like it’s packed up and left him behind. So when someone knocked, it echoed up until even his own agency—loud, annoying, and intrusive.

And here you are.

The first thing he notes is that you don’t look like trouble. Not that “not looking like trouble” has ever stopped trouble before, but still—you’re just standing there, holding a bag that smells—he sniffs, subtle—good. Really good.

“I—um, sorry,” you start, already sounding like you think you’ve made a mistake. “I was looking for someone. Is Nihilux—”

“No,” Ashveil cuts in, leaning his weight against the doorframe like he’s got nowhere to be. Which—really—he doesn’t. “She doesn’t work here anymore.”

You blink, as if you didn’t expect the answer to come that quickly or maybe at all.

“Oh,” you say, and then you start talking.

You ramble. The words spills out of you in uneven, apologetic waves—about Nihilux, about how she’d often forget to eat, how you’d bring her food because she’d get so caught up in her art that hours would pass and she wouldn’t notice, how you weren’t even sure if she’d still be here but you thought you’d check anyway because it’s been a while and—

Ashveil listens.

There’s something oddly nice about it. The way your words tumble over each other, the way you circle back and correct yourself, the way you keep glancing at him like you expect him to shut the door any second now.

He doesn’t. Instead, he hums once, low in his throat, just enough to let you know he’s still there.

“…and yeah,” you finish, a little breathless. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to just… talk so much. You probably don’t even care.”

“Didn’t say that,” he replies, shrugging his shoulders.

Flustered, you look down at the bag in your hands.

“Well, since she’s not here…” you say, holding it out toward him, hesitant but decided all the same, “you can have this. I mean—only if you want. It was for her, but it’d be a waste otherwise. And I already bothered you, so…”

Ashveil blinks. “For me?” he echoes, like he needs to hear it again to make sure he didn’t misinterpret anything.

You nod quickly. “As an apology for talking your ears off.”

He takes it.

“Thank you,” he says, thumb hooking into the plastic as he lifts it slightly. It’s warm and fresh. His stomach reacts immediately—traitorous thing.

You smile, small and relieved. “Okay. I’ll go now,” you say, stepping back. “Sorry again.”

And just like that, you’re gone.

He doesn’t go back to his office right away. Instead, Ashveil lingers by the door, fingers resting loosely against the handle as he stares at the empty hallway like it might shift and give you back if he waits long enough. He almost expects the sound of hurried footsteps returning, like you might realize you changed your mind and went to retrieve the food you gave him.

You don’t.

He exhales through his nose and shuts the door.

When he turns back into the agency, it’s dim, cluttered, and quietly decaying in ways that have long since stopped bothering him. Bottles crowd every available surface—some empty, some not, and none of them particularly organized. Pills sit scattered where they were last left, and papers cover the walls and desk in uneven layers, their contents faded into irrelevance even to him. The computer hums steadily in the background, and the freezer in the corner hangs slightly open, leaking cold air into the room like it’s waiting for attention he won’t give.

He ignores all of it.

Instead, he clears a small space on the desk with a sweep of his arm, sending a few sheets of paper sliding to the door, and sets the bag down. There’s nowhere to sit, so he leans his weight against the edge of the desk, glancing at it for a moment longer before opening it.

The smell hits him immediately and—

Oh.

That’s… yeah. It smells good.

He reaches in, not bothering to look for utensils, and takes a bite.

The effect is immediate: he stills, jaw going slack for a second before he actually chews, like his brain needed a moment to catch up with what just happened.

It’s been a long time since food tasted like this—long enough that he’d stopped expecting it to. There’s no bitterness, no stale aftertaste, no underlying sense that he’s eating something just because it’s there. It’s warm, properly made, and unmistakably intentional in a way that most of what he consumes isn’t.

He swallows, then takes another bite.

And then another.

And another.

And another.

Somewhere along the way, the pace picks up without him noticing. His hand moves before he thinks about it, reaching back into the bag again and again, like something in him is trying to make up for something it’s been missing. And by the time he realizes it, he’s already halfway through and still reaching for more.

The door opens behind him.

Ashveil doesn’t turn around right away. He just takes another bite, slower this time, as if the interruption doesn’t quite register as urgent. He hears soft and light footsteps padding closer, and only glances over his shoulder after he swallows.

“…Mr. Ashveil,” Mister N calls. The Slumbernana Monkey stands in the hallway, small and still, holding a thin plastic bag filled with fruits that aren’t clearly bananas. His gaze shifts from Ashveil, to the food, and back to him again. “Where did you get the food?”

The detective hums softly, leaning his hip more firmly against the desk as he tilts his head back slightly to swallow. “Someone dropped by.”

“Someone did?”

“Mhm.” He taps the edge of the container with his fingers. “They were looking for the former president of Furbobo Weekly. Said they were a friend of hers and that they usually bring her food. I told them she doesn’t work here anymore.”

“Did you get their name?” Mister N asks.

Ashveil glances down at the half-finished meal. He shrugs. “I didn’t ask,” he says. “They left right after handing this over.”

His assistant’s eyes linger on him for a moment, his expression unreadable yet attentive. “And your stomach?” he asks after a beat.

Ashveil lets out a soft scoff. “It’s fine,” he says. There’s a slight pause before he adds, more honestly this time, “Better than fine actually.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah,” Ashveil says, glancing at Mister N with the faintest hint of dry amusement. “I haven’t died yet.”

A small silence settles between them.

After a moment, Ashveil lifts the container in a casual manner. “You want some?”

Mister N’s gaze lingers on the container, as if weighing the offer more seriously than expected. Then he gives a small, polite shake of his head.

“No,” he says. “You should finish it yourself.”

Ashveil studies him for a second, searching for any sign of hesitation or hidden interest, but finds none. Mister N simply steps further into the room and places the thin bag of fruit on top of the slightly open freezer.

“Suit yourself,” Ashveil mutters.

He shrugs it off easily and turns his attention back on the food. If anything, Mister N’s refusal seems to settle something in him—permission, maybe, to keep going without restraint.

So he does.

He digs in again. Bite after bite, steady and unthinking, until the world narrows down to taste and warmth and the simple act of eating. The room fades into the background—the clutter, the dim lighting, the hum of machinery—all of it blurring at the edges compared to what’s right in front of him.

Across the room, Mister N remains.

By the time the container is nearly empty, his pace finally begins to slow. He leans back slightly, exhaling through his nose as he looks down at what little remains.

He just stares at it briefly. Then, almost absently, he finishes the last bite. Ashveil rolls his shoulder, shifting his weight as he sets the empty container aside.

It’s not often that something lingers like this. Not just the taste—though that too—but the feeling of it. The care behind it. The fact that it hadn’t even been meant for him at all, and yet…

His gaze drifts, unfocused, toward the door.

You hadn’t stayed long. Had barely given him time to ask anything, really. No name, no details—just a bag of food and a hurried apology before disappearing down the hall like you were never there to begin with.

And still—

He wonders if he’ll get to see you again.

The thought comes easier than expected, settling somewhere in the back of his mind as he glances once more at the now-empty container and, briefly, to the side—at the bag of fruit resting untouched atop the freezer.

If he does…

Well—he’d have to say thank you. Properly, this time.

Since that day, Ashveil hasn’t seen you again. Not that he was looking—at least not in a way he’d willingly admit.

Days pass the same way they always do. Work comes and goes in irregular bursts, and the agency remains just as cluttered, just as dim, just as stagnant as ever. If anything changed, it’s subtle enough that he doesn’t bother naming it.

Still, every now and then, the memory resurfaces. A passing thought while he’s staring at nothing in particular. The faint recollection of warmth that doesn’t come from anything in the room. The taste of something that had no right being as good as it was.

It’s annoying, honestly, because it lingers.

It’s not enough to distract him—not enough to derail anything—but enough that, on occasion, he catches himself thinking that if did happen to run into you again, he’d say something. Just a quick acknowledgment, maybe. A simple thank you; tell you the food was good.

That’s all.

Which is probably why he wasn’t expecting for it to actually happen.

“Fresh air,” Mister N had said earlier. “It would be beneficial for your health.”

Ashveil had stared at him for a long while, unimpressed. Eventually, he left anyway.

Now he’s outside, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other rests loosely around the handle of his cane. His shoulders are slightly hunched, his stride unhurried, the cane more of an extension of habit than necessity as he walks with no real destination in mind.

The air feels different out here—less stale, less suffocating—but he wouldn’t go as far as to call it refreshing.

He follows the sidewalk without thinking too hard about it. People move around him in a steady flow—faces he doesn’t know, lives he doesn’t care about, all carrying on with a sense of purpose he doesn’t share.

And then, he slows.

And there you are.

Standing at the edge of the street, waiting for the stoplight to change. Grocery bags hang from both of your arms, the thin plastic stretched taut from the weight of whatever it is you bought. You shift slightly where you stand, attention fixed on the traffic passing by as you wait for your turn to cross.

Ashveil comes to stop a few steps behind you. For a moment, he just looks—like he’s confirming something.

You’re real. Not a trick of memory, not something his brain conjured out of boredom—you’re actually here, in the same space, close enough that if he wanted to, he could just walk up and—

…

He exhales softly through his nose. Right.

This is it then. The chance.

He straightens just a little, before finally closing the distance between you.

“Hello.” The word comes out casual, low, just enough to catch your attention without startling you. Your head turns at the sound of his voice.

Ashveil hadn’t really expected much—at most, a polite glance, maybe the brief confusion of someone trying to place a stranger. Instead, recognition settles in almost immediately, and he sees it happen. The slight widening of your eyes, the way your expression brightens like something just clicked into place—and then you’re looking at him properly.

It catches him off guard.

For a moment, he just stands there, his grip on the cane adjusting ever so slightly as the moment lands in a way he hadn’t prepared for. There’s a flicker of something in his chest—light and unexpected—and he can’t quite pin it down before it settles somewhere deeper.

Flattering, he realizes. Weirdly so.

He hadn’t thought he left much of an impression. Your interaction had been brief, barely anything worth remember on your end—or at least that’s what he assumed. People don’t usually hold onto things like that. And yet here you are, looking at him like you’re genuinely glad to have recognized him.

It does something to his stomach, an unfamiliar flutter that makes him shift.

He frowns faintly to himself, already dismissing it. Probably just hunger. It makes sense—you did give him food, after all. It’s only natural to associate you with that.

“Hello!” you greet him, voice warm despite the noise of the traffic. “It’s so nice to see you again.”

For the first time since he met you, Ashveil smiles. “Thank you for the food last time,” he says. “That was the first time in a while that I’ve had such good food.”

There’s a flicker of surprise across your face before it melts into something else, something almost shy, and then you laugh—light, a little flustered, like you don’t quite know what to do with the compliment. “I’m glad you enjoyed my cooking!”

Ashveil watches the way you react, the way your grip shifts on the plastic bags hanging from your arms, and his gaze briefly drops to them. The thin handles dig int your fingers slightly where the weight pulls down, and you adjust them again without really thinking about it. He frowns just a little.

He lifts a hand, pointing at the bags. “Do you need help carrying those around?”

You shake your head almost immediately. “Oh, there’s no need! I can handle just fine!”

There’s no hesitation in your voice, no sign that you’re struggling in a way you’d admit, but Ashveil doesn’t look convinced.

“I insist,” he replies. “Here—let me.”

Before you can properly protest, he steps out and reaches out, sliding the bags off your arms in one smooth motion with his free hand—the other still occupied with his cane. The shift in weight is immediate, the pressure gone before you can brace against it.

“Wait—” you start, a little startled, your hands hovering awkwardly. “You don’t really have to. I mean— I don’t want to trouble you.”

Ashveil adjusts his grip on the bags, barely sparing them a glance as he settles them comfortably at his side.

“You’re not troubling me,” he says, like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “If anything, you can think of this as payment for the food last time.”

“But you don’t need to anything to return the favor,” you insist, brows knitting slightly as you look at him. “I gave it to you because I wanted to, not because I expected anything back.”

“I know,” he says. “I’m choosing to do it.”

You open your mouth like you’re about to protest again, but the words don’t quite come out this time. “…okay,” you relent, reluctant. “If you’re really sure.”

“I am.”

The stoplight changes from green to red, the steady stream of cars slowing to a halt, and once the moment it’s safe, the crowd begins to move, carrying you and Ashveil along with it as you step off the curb and into the crosswalk.

For a while, the two of you walk quietly, your pace naturally adjusting to match his, but it doesn’t take long before the silence gives way to something easier.

Ashveil glances at you. “Your friend,” he starts, casual. “Did you find out where she might’ve moved?”

There’s a small shift in your expression—something brighter. “I did, actually,” you say. “She apparently forgot to tell me about it. I’ve started bringing her food again like before, so… she’s eating properly now.”

Ashveil hums. “Good,” he says. “I’m glad you found her.”

You smile at that, and the conversation continues from there without much effort. He asks what you do, and when you tell him you’re a chef, he isn’t surprised.

“That explains a lot,” he murmurs, almost to himself.

You laugh lightly. When you turn the question back on him, he doesn’t hesitate.

“I’m a detective,” he says.

“Oh.” You blink, clearly intrigued. “Really?”

“Mhm.”

The details that follow are sparse, but it’s enough to keep the conversation going—small exchanges, bits of curiosity traded back and forth. By the time you reach your apartment building, it almost feels the walk passed quicker than it should have.

You lead him upstairs, the familiar surroundings closing in as your unlock the door and step inside, holding it open for him as he follows you in. The space is modest but lived-in.

“Just set them down in the kitchen counter, please,” you say.

Ashveil nods once and does exactly that, placing the bags down with care.

For a second, he just stands there. Then, as if remembering himself, he shifts his weight back, hand adjusting around the handle of his cane.

“I’ll take my leave now,” he starts, already turning slightly toward the door. “Thanks for—”

“Wait!”

He pauses, turning around.

You hesitate only briefly before continuing, fingers fidgeting together for a moment as you glance at him. “Would you… like to stay for lunch?”

Ashveil smiles. “You’re very kind,” he says. “But are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”

You shake your head immediately.

“Oh, no, not at all!” you insist, words tumbling out before you can slow them down. “I really don’t mind, I promise! I actually like cooking for other people more than just for myself, and it’s not like I had anything else planned anyway, and you did help me carry all of those groceries—which you really didn’t have to, by the way—and you said you liked my food last time, so— so it’s kind of like I’m just, um, returning the favor? I think?”

He considers your words quietly, gaze lingering in a way that suggests he’s weighing more than just the offer itself.

“Alright,” he says, and your face brightens almost instantly, the shift in your expression so quick and genuine that it’s hard to miss.

“Really? Okay— great!” you say, already turning toward the kitchen with renewed energy. “You can just make yourself at home! I’ll, um— I’ll start on the food.”

Ashveil nods. He doesn’t wander far. Instead of taking a seat somewhere in the living room, he steps over the kitchen island and settles there, positioning himself just off to the side where he won’t be in your way.

From there, he watches.

You move about your kitchen, pulling ingredients from bags and cabinets and the refrigerator, setting things down with a familiarity that suggests you’ve done this a thousand times over.

You’re meticulous, he thinks. Your hands move with certainty as you wash, peel, and cut—your knife gliding through ingredients with practiced ease as if it already knows where it’s meant to go before it gets there. Nothing is rushed, but nothing is wasted either.

And you look comfortable—like this space was made specifically for you or maybe the other way around.

Ashveil admires it. The passion, the ease, the care you put into something as simple—but also not simple at all—as making a meal. It’s different from anything he’s used to, and he finds himself drawn to it in a way that doesn’t feel forced.

At one point, you lift a wooden spatula from the pan, bringing it up to your lips to taste. Your shifts almost immediately after—your eyes light up and a pleased smile forms like you’ve just confirmed something you were hoping for.

Ashveil watches that too.

And he assumes that’s all it is—that you’ll go back to cooking, or maybe take another taste for good measure. So when you repeat the motion, lifting the spatula again, he thinks nothing of it. At least not until you turn and extend it toward him.

He blinks, momentarily caught off guard, his gaze shifting from the spatula to your face, where you’re looking at him expectantly.

“…you want me to have a taste?” he asks, almost dumbly. You nod.

There’s a brief pause before he leans forward slightly, accepting the offer without further question.

The moment it hits his tongue, everything else falls away.

The flavor is immediate and overwhelming in the best possible way, rich and layered and warm in a way that feels almost surreal—like his senses weren’t prepared for something like this and are now scrambling to catch up.

It’s not just good. It’s— it’s—

Ashveil stills.

For a second, he doesn’t move, doesn’t speak, doesn’t even fully process that fact that he’s already swallowed, because his mind is too busy trying to reconcile how something so simple can taste like this.

If there’s such a thing as paradise—he thinks distantly—then this must be it. Because wow.

“What do you think?” you ask, eyes bright with anticipation. “Do you like it?”

Like it? The thought echoes in his mind, almost incredulous. Like isn’t even enough of a word—not even close, not something that could possibly hold the weight of what he just tasted—because it feels like trying to contain something vast inside something far too small.

He loves it.

It’s almost absurd, really—how something can taste this good, how you’ve managed to take what he already thought was the best meal he’d had in years and somehow surpass it. The first time he tasted your cooking, it had already felt like a rare exception, a one-time thing he wasn’t expecting to experience again. And yet here you are, proving him wrong in the span of a single taste.

“I do,” he finally says, though even that feels like an understatement. There’s a brief pause before he exhales softly, something almost like disbelief slipping through.

“It’s…” he starts, then stops, brows furrowing slightly as if he’s searching for the right word and finding none that quite fit. “…better than the last one.”

Which, considering everything, says more than it should.

“Is that even possible…?” he mutters, more to himself than you.

You fluster almost immediately under the weight of his attention, the way his gaze lingers making you take a small step back, a shy laugh slipping past your lips.

“I’m so happy you like this one as well!” you say, a little breathless, a little embarrassed, but unmistakably pleased. “I can’t wait to finish cooking so you enjoy it in its full glory!”

Before Ashveil can respond, you’ve already turned back to the stove, slipping right back into your rhythm like nothing happened—like his reaction didn’t settle somewhere warm and lasting beneath your ribs.

His gaze drifts briefly to the pan, then back at you.

Me too, he muses.

He can’t wait to eat.

Ashveil doesn’t realize how much he’s eaten until there’s barely anything left.

The plate in front of him is nearly empty, reduced to scattered remnants that wouldn’t even qualify as a proper serving anymore. He leans back slightly, gaze lingering on what’s left.

…Right. He could finish it. Easily.

The thought comes without hesitation because there’s no doubt about it—if he wanted to, he could clear the plate in seconds. There’s no fullness weighing him down in any way, no real resistance from his body that would stop him. If anything, there’s still that lingering pull, that subtle urge to keep going, to chase the taste just a little longer. But—

His eyes flick up briefly, landing on you. You’re still eating, slower than he had been. He looks back at his plate.

He’s already had three servings. That’s… more than enough. Without much ceremony, he sets his utensil down and nudges the plate just a fraction away from himself. That’s where it ends.

He knows he wants more. He also knows he doesn’t need it. And—more importantly—he doesn’t want to look greedy.

The thought is faintly amusing, enough that the corner of his mouth twitches just slightly. It’s not something he usually concerns himself with—appearances, impressions, any of that—but here, now, sitting across from you with the aftertaste of something genuinely good still lingering on his tongue… It matters. A little.

Besides, you should eat too.

Eventually, the plates are cleared, the conversation—whatever remains of it—settles into something softer until it naturally reaches its end. Ashveil rises not long after, adjusting his grip on his cane as he prepares to leave.

“Thank you for the meal,” he says, voice low but genuine. “It was very good.”

That feels insufficient. It is insufficient. But for now, it’ll have to do.

He turns toward the door, already expecting that to be the end of it—the natural conclusion to something that, realistically, shouldn’t have extended this far to begin with.

“Wait—”

He pauses mid-step. There’s a brief beat before he turns back, brows lifting ever so slightly in quiet question.

You hesitate, just for a second, before speaking. “Do you want to take some food home?”

Ashveil blinks. “…home?” he echoes, like the concept needs a moment to settle.

You nod, already moving toward the kitchen. “There’s still plenty left,” you explain, voice a little quicker now, like you’re trying to justify it before he can refuse. “And you said you liked it, so I figured—”

“You don’t have to do that.”

You pause, glancing back at him.

“I’ve already had more than enough,” he continues. “Three servings is—” he huffs lightly, almost amused under his breath, “—generous, to say the least.”

“That’s fine,” you insist. “I made a lot on purpose.”

There’s no hesitation in your expression, no polite obligation dressed up as generosity—just something straightforward and sincere, offered without expectation. It makes refusing feel unnecessarily difficult

“…still,” he starts, though there’s less conviction behind it now, “I don’t want to impose.”

“You’re not.”

You’ve already started packing the food before he can argue further, moving with that same easy decisiveness he’d noticed earlier, like this outcome had been decided the moment the thought crossed your mind.

“…alright,” he relents.

By the time you return, handing him the neatly packed container, he takes it without further protest, his fingers brushing briefly against yours in the exchange.

“…thank you,” he says.

You walk him to the door after that.

He adjusts the container in his hand, already calculating how long it’ll last, how best to portion it, how Mister N will probably—

“You can come back whenever, you know.”

Ashveil pauses.

“I don’t mind cooking for you.”

He stills, before turning his head slightly, just enough to look at you.

You don’t seem to think much of it. To you, it’s probably just a polite offer—something said out of kindness, out of habit, out of the same easy generosity that led you to hand him food in the first place. But to him, it doesn’t land lightly.

Come back whenever.

Ashveil’s grip tightens around the container in his hand. He could brush it off. Treat it like nothing. Let it pass the same way most things do. That would be the easier option.

Except—

“…I’ll take you up on that offer.”

© 2026 kominigiru.

end note: ashveil when he tasted mc’s cooking for the first time:

That morning was definitely...something. First thing٫ you woke up to being nearly squished to death. During the night٫ you—somehow—ended up with Azul underneath you and squeezing you with what felt like a death grip. Jade had laid peacefully beside the two of you٫ but his arm seemed to have a tight grip around your waist. For Floyd and Grim٫ it was honestly surprising how similarly they slept: Sprawled out like the owned and paid for the bed. The difference was Grim was small enough to lay on top of you٫ and Floyd was not. So٫ the eel seemed to have settled for the next best option of sprawling his limbs over you. At least when you slept in Leona's bed٫ HE had the decency to give you breathing room. You started viciously wriggling around to free yourself٫ waking them up in the process.

Now٫ you and Grim were being brought back to prison. Unwillingly٫ you might add. The only reason you hadn't put up more of a struggle is because you knew these three borderline PSYCHOPATHS had a plan to mess things up٫ and you were kinda here for it. You and Grim٫ both٫ were really salty about everything.

"I still can't believe the Ramshackle pair fled to Octavinelle."

"And they stole the magic carpet. If the housewarden were to find out about this...Rrgh, what do we do?"

"I think we'd better take this to Vice Housewarden Jamil to start with."

"Hello, gentlemen. Mind if we pop by?"

With Grim in your arms and the magic carpet beside you٫ you followed Azul as he strolled before the two Scarabia members. The tweels followed behind٫ as if to make sure you and your fluffy companion didn't attempt to flee. You nervously adjusted your clothes٫ carefully balancing Grim so that you wouldn't accidentally drop him. Your current outfit that they dressed you in was a remarkable redesign of the Octavinelle House uniforms in a way that fit your clothing style. How they knew your clothing style was unknown to you. The creepier part٫ it was somehow your exact measurements when you don't remember ever getting measured...

"Good GRAVY, it's hot here. Feels like the middle of summer٫" Floyd groaned and began fanning himself with his hat. The two boys before you all looked thoroughly surprised.

"You're the Octavinelle guys who gave us a thrashing last night!"

"What do you want with Scarabia?"

"Permit me to apologize for what transpired last evening. It's only natural to believe and defend what's yours. But after I heard their story...It became clear to me that the two of them must've decided to act out and steal Scarabia's magic carpet. Once I realized my mistake, I took personal responsibility for the matter. I've brought them here to apologize in person for the trouble they've caused٫ and to return the magic carpet to its rightful owner٫ as well."

"Rgh... It ain't fair, I tell ya..." Grim grumbled. The carpet seemed to nod.

"W-well, uh..."

"Thank you for the...help?"

"Guys. It's about time for morning training. If you're late, Kalim will—Gh?!" Jamil froze at the sight in front of him.

"Why, Jamil! Hello there. How are you?" Azul greeted in delight.

"Azul Ashengrotto...and the Leech brothers as well? What are you doing here?"

"Our home isn't the most hospitable place in the wintertime٫" Jade explained.

"So we spend our holidays in the dorm! Aha ha!" Floyd laughed.

"Wh...What?"

"By the way, where might Kalim be? I'm here to return his magic carpet to him٫" the conman stated.

"Er, ah...lf you need to deliver something, I'll take it to him٫" Jamil offered٫ attempting to pass Azul and approach you. Your best guess was so that he could lead you back inside.

The former٫ however٫ was not so willing and stepped between the two of you٫ "Oh, but I insist! This magic carpet is a legendary artifact on par with national treasures. If it were discovered to be damaged later, Octavinelle would be held liable. We can't have that, now, can we? I would prefer to hand it to Kalim in person and have him assess its condition firsthand."

"Kalim wouldn't care even if it was damaged. Let me take it٫ and these troublemakers٫ off your hands, okay?" Jamil urged.

"Worry not—l won't even ask for my standard twenty percent finder's fee٫" Azul hummed.

"Consider that our way of apologizing for our uncouth behavior towards Scarabia last night٫" Jade added.

"We also brought a seafood pizza as a little present. You wouldn't want it to get cold, wouldja?" Floyd purred.

"The point is, I would MUCH prefer to deliver it in person. He's awake by now, I trust?"

"No, really, he's not feeling up for any—hey!

You can't just barge in, Azul!"

Jamil's words were of no use٫ though. Adult had already pushed passed him٫ dragging you along. Right behind٫ Floyd and Jade followed.

"Oh, hey, Azul. What brings you to our dorm?" Kalim wondered. With how calm he was٫ it was probably safe to say that the Housewarden was kept out of the loop about last night's escape.

"Hello there. It's nice to see you, Kalim٫" Azul greeted. "Goodness me! Scarabia never fails to impress every time I visit. It's a veritable winter wonderland outside, yet in here, the sun's so hot that it might as well be midsummer. You would have vacationers coming in droves if you opened up a resort here. It's an ideal location."

"You don't say? I don't really have the savvy for business stuff, but thanks for the kind words!"

"At any rate, I'm here today because I caught your magic carpet. I'd like to return it to you."

"Really? It ran off again? I'm sorry you had to deal with that٫" Kalim apologized.

"Oh, it's no bother at all٫" Azul reassured٫ "By the way, is Scarabia having holidays in the dorm this year?"

"Yes, that's right. Is Octavinelle doing the same?"

"Why, yes! Fancy that! In fact, what say we take this opportunity to improve relations between our dorms?"

"Wha...?!"Jamil yelped٫ finally catching up.

"It seems there are many things to be learned from Scarabia's unique studying style that was apparently adopted this winter٫" Azul went on.

"That's right! I would be positively honored to host Octavinelle's housewarden here in our dorm٫" Kalim exclaimed.

"....Kalim, I recommend against this٫" Jamil advised٫ finally grabbing a proper hold of you and pulling you away from Azul's side. His dragging caused you to stumble٫ almost making you drop Grim.

"Aw, why?" The housewarden whined.

"The whole point of our current training regimen is to catch up to the other dorms. If we invite the housewarden of one of those other dorms to join us, we're showing the enemy our hand٫" Jamil chided٫ taking Grim from your arms and setting him on the ground beside you.

"Oh, please. He's hardly an enemy. Besides, didn't you invite the Ramshackle residents?"

"Well, er...Yes..." The vice paused before continuing٫ "Look, Azul I'm saying this for your own good."

"You're absolutely right, Jamil. Other dorms are always going to be, on some level, our rivals in the grade standings. I'm afraid we'd best take our leave, boys. Kalim, Jamil, best of luck with your training٫" Azul wished and turned back around towards the Tweels. Then٫ he sighed٫ "Back to spending yet another holiday stuck indoors in the dead of winter, just the three of us. It's unavoidable, I suppose..."

"And after we worked so hard to capture that magic carpet and bring it back..." Jade added on.

"And it made a huge mess outta the Mostro Lounge in the process..." Floyd threw in.

The three let out a collective sighed and said in unison٫ "Alas..."

"Layin' on the guilt trip a little thick there, don't ya think?!" Grim gaped.

You noticed Jamil rolling his eyes as he inspected you٫ checking for signs of your condition having worsened or the three of them having done something to you. He seemed relieved at finding nothing for both possibilities.

"Not so fast!" Kalim stopped them.

"Here we go..." Jamil groaned٫ lowering hid head in defeat.

"Azul is one of the top magicians in our whole school. I think Scarabia would benefit greatly from having him over! Besides, turning away esteemed guests out of hand would bring shame upon the Asim family name."

"Why, Kalim! What a kind and generous soul you are! Naturally, I would be more than happy to share any insights I have with you٫" Azul generously offered.

"The two of us will be happy to assist with cooking and cleaning٫" Jade added.

"Yeah! We do it at the lounge anyway, so we're pretty good at it٫" noted Floyd.

"That would be great! And it would ease Jamil's workload٫" Kalim beamed.

"I don't NEED any help...Ugh, forget it. You're not listening to a word I say."

"All right, let's get ourselves ready for some special training! It's your dorm versus ours. Put your things away and come to the courtyard٫" the heir announced.

"Certainly. Do go easy on me, Scarabia gentlemen. Heh heh heh..." Azul mused.

❥

The whole day ended up as some weird game of tug-of-war or capture-the-prefect. Every few minutes٫ you found yourself being pulled away from someone by someone. You thought you might finally get some peace later that night. Turns out you thought wrong.

"Kalim was in a pretty good mood today٫" Grim happily pointed out. The direbeast was currently splayed out across your lap.

"Agreed. That was the 'regular' Kalim I know٫" Azul noted.

"When he's in a bad mood, he narrows his eyes and gets this scary tone when he talks٫" Grim explained.

Jade began question٫ "Are you certain that's what's happening here?"

"Whaddaya mean?" Floyd asked٫ plopping down next to you on the bed and leaning his weight against your side.

"You're prone to mood swings yourself, Floyd. Kalim doesn't give me that same impression٫" the former stated٫ "I suspect a different root cause at play."

"Jamil said it was brought on 'cause of their lousy dorm standings in Spelldrive and the exams٫" Grim remembered.

"Really? Since when does Sea Otter care about that?" Floyd wondered٫ now leaning his head on yours٫ much to your dismay.

"Sea what now?" Grim questioned٫ already giving the eel dirty looks for stealing his you-time.

"He means Kalim. Floyd likes to give people nicknames based on sea creatures٫" Jade explained and sat next to you٫ as well. "In your case, Grim, you have a cute, round little silhouette. Which is why he calls you Sealie. It's a term of endearment."

"I ain't round! I'm full-bodied, thankyouverymuch!"

"And 'Little Shrimpy'?" You asked.

"Well٫ shrimp do tend to have quite the symbiotic bond with eels. Plus٫ you're quite small and adorable like them٫" Jade cooed. You groaned.

"Sea Otter's always bangin' on a drum with a grin on his face. Reminds me of those fuzzy sea scamps٫" Floyd added. You couldn't disagree.

"He does have a generally sunny disposition. I can't imagine his demeanor would shift so drastically over something as minor as unimpressive grades٫" Azul thought aloud٫ "I agree that the root cause is likely to be something else entirely. If we want to get to the bottom of this, we'll need to get to know Kalim better. Jade, would you mind having a little 'talk' with him?"

"Consider it done. Jamil would be a harder target, but...Kalim might be willing to 'talk' openly with me."

"Then I think I'll play with Sea Snake in the meantime٫" Floyd volunteered.

"Excellent idea. I'll join you for that٫" Azul offered.

"Heh heh heh..."

"Their smiles ain't reached their eyes once this whole time..."

"I think I'd feel less threatened by another overblot..."

❥

Knock! Knock!

You waited patiently at Jamil's door٫ hoping he'd answer and had not already gone to sleep. Azul and Floyd made you be the one in front of the door so that Jamil wouldn't immediately slam it in your faces. Once it was open٫ Azul made sure he was first to enter.

"Good evening, Jamil٫" he greeted.

"How's it hangin'?" Floyd joined.

"Mind if we drop in?" Grim asked as a formality٫ but was already through the doorway.

"Sorry for the crowd٫" you apologize.

Jamil seemed to looked at you with pity before facing Azul٫ "What do you want?"

"When Kalim gave us a tour of the treasury, we spotted a board game I've never seen before٫" Azul went on٫ "I asked Kalim to explain the rules, but it's still not quite making sense to me."

"It's this wood board with little divots, and you put gems in 'em or something? How's that work?" Floyd bluntly asked٫ showing the game in his hands to Jamil.

"Ah, I recognize the board. That's a popular game in the Land of the Scalding Sands٫" Jamil noticed.

"As a member of the Board Game Club, I'm always looking to try new games. Would you care to play a round with me?" Azul wondered.

"Aha ha, me too! I wanna see what you've got, Sea Snake٫" Floyd excitedly cheered.

"The great Grim never misses out on a competition!"

"Pleaseee٫" you pleaded٫ clasping your hands together and attempting to give your best puppy eyes.

"Kalim's gone to bed. I don't see why not٫" Jamil relented٫ "My dorm room doesn't have enough space for all of you, though. Let's play in the lounge."

❥

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒊𝒅𝒆:

"I'm sorry about this, Kalim. I wasn't expecting you to already be in bed for the night. This can wait until tomorrow, honest. I know it's selfish of me to ask to see the treasury again..."

"No worries! It's totally fine! What did you want to see?"

"I was curious about the tapetries and carpets further in the back. You don't see many textile handicrafts under the sea, you know. I've always been fascinated by Scalding Sands culture. After all, what could be further from the bottom of the ocean than a world of arid sands?"

"Ooh! Speaking of carpets, I've got one with colors that would be a perfect fit for your dorm. It would be a shame to let it keep gathering dust in the storeroom. Why don't you take it back with you?"

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely! And here we are."

Kalim opened the door٫ allowing Jade entry to the room full of visible wealth.

"Ahhh...It's even more amazing when I study it up close٫" Jade admired٫ "Kalim, what's this lovely peacock green fabric?"

"Oh, that's woven out of silk٫" the housewarden replied٫ "Long, long ago, back before yandere and darlings were recognized٫ and when they first reformed the law stating that royalty could only marry royalty...There was a princess who wedded a common man raised in the slums. She often wore that color. It's a popular color among men and women alike in the Scalding Sands."

"Incredible. If the mer-princess fascinated with the human realm were to see these treasures, she'd have been desperate to have them all٫" Jade joked٫ "It can't be easy keeping track of so many luxuries."

"I leave all the organizational stuff to Jamil. He airs them out on occasion."

"Jamil is quite the competent right-hand man, isn't he? Azul was saying the same thing٫" the mer commended.

Kalim chuckled in proud delight٫ "Heh heh! Isn't he, though? The guy's pure amazing. It was Jamil who taught me magic and tutored me. He was a way better tutor than any of the ones my family hired. Oh, and he's a great dancer, too! Not that he does much of that around others..."

"If he's that competent, why doesn't he speak up to you about what you've been doing?"

"Huh?"

"Keeping students from going home on a long holiday and forcing them into harsh training every day...I strain to imagine you doing such a thing. So why?"

"Oh...Well...It's because we really needed extra training, I guess...?"

"You 'guess'? It was your decision, wasn't it?"

"Yes. It definitely was, but...I've been...spacing out a lot lately."

"Why is that?"

"Jamil says it's probably fatigue from me becoming housewarden as a sophomore."

"Come again?"

"I've always had this habit of nodding off when I start working my brain too hard٫" Kalim thought back٫ "My tutors and Jamil were always on my case about it."

"What are you finding difficult at present?"

"Our loss in the interdorms, our bad grades in the exams...My responsibility...Remedial measures...my darling wandering around on their own...When I dwell on those, lend up just spacing out. Ha ha, I'm a pretty lousy housewarden, huh?"

"Wasn't it your decision to keep the students over the holidays for special training?"

"I, um...I think it was."

"Another noncommittal answer. Hmm..." Jade hummed. "Ah...Ow!"

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Sorry, I think I got a speck of something in my eye. Could you take a look at it for me?"

Kalim got closer to Jade٫ even going on his tiptoes to look better.

"Are you all right? Here, let me see. Which eye?"

"My left eye. That's it, look in my left eye...Don't be afraid. I want to help you٫" the eel purred before chanting٫ "Shock the Heart."

"...Huh?"

"I'm going to ask you some questions, and you will answer them honestly. Do you know..."

❥

𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑻𝒐 𝒀𝒐𝒖:

"WOO! I win! That's three for me!" Floyd celebrated٫ startling you from you half-conscience state.

Seeing this٫ Jamil softly rubbed you arm٫ coaxing you to calm back down as he congratulated his opponent٫ "You're tough competition when you're focused, Floyd."

Earlier٫ when your little group started setting up the two gameboards on the floor٫ Jamil lit some incense that he claimed would keep any unwanted bugs out. For something to keep bugs away bugs٫ its aroma sure was calming. From what you guessed must've been a mixture from the scent and the day's events٫ you felt yourself growing exhausted. Jamil noticed your fatigue rather quickly and let you rest against his shoulder instead of laying on the hard ground. Every so often٫ you'd point out a move that he should make whenever you paid enough attention.

"Mrgyah! I lose again! You're relentless, Azul."

"That brings me up to five to zero. I'd be an affront to the Board Game Club with anything less, of course. Meanwhile, Jamil's at...two to three, I see. Even with the additional help٫" Azul jabbed.

"Hm? Oh, yes. It's been a while since | last played. I suppose I've gotten rusty٫" Jamil remarked٫ "Back in the old days, Kalim would spend hours a day making me play with him, insisting on going until he won a game. Despite his middling skill. Imagine that."

"Ah, I see٫" Azul replied before muttering٫ "Mm, yes, that would explain it."

"Explain what? You sure love your cryptic little asides٫" the vice remarked.

"Forget I said anything. So, you and Kalim essentially grew up together, correct?"

"We've been together for as long as I can remember, yes. Speaking of which, you three Octavinelle boys have been friends since childhood, I hear?"

"Thaaat's what they say!" Floyd replied٫ messing with the game pieces.

"What's that s'posed to mean? You're talkin' like you're not even one of 'em٫" Grim retorted.

The eel went on at his request٫ "We've been classmates ever since we started elementary school...But personally, I barely knew Azul existed until just before we started middle school. So I wouldn't exactly call us childhood friends.

"You barely knew your own classmate existed until you graduated?" You sleepily muttered٫ "You've got a serious case of tunnel vision..."

"I was a rather quiet boy myself. I hardly ever stood out in class٫" Azul admitted.

"You stood out in other ways, though. Not many guys could claim to be as cute and round as—"

The octo-mer quickly shut Grim down٫ slapping a hand over his furry mouth.

"Grim, I believe we've been over this multiple times. You are NOT to dredge up the forbidden lore!"

"You make it sound like some convoluted videogame storyline..." You grumbled before yawning٫ earning a snicker from Jamil.

"Yet here you are now, presiding over them as housewarden. You have a curious relationship٫" he pointed out.

"Y'think? I just do what Azul says 'cause it's more fun that way٫" Floyd wondered with a grin.

"I strongly doubt Jade or Floyd have any binding allegiance to me. This is all an elaborate game of pretend to them٫" Azul shrugged.

"Your relationship is getting more confusing by the minute٫" Jamil commented.

So they were in denial about...whatever they are to each other. You didn't really care to think about it٫ either.

"If I made a poor choice as leader—or even simply a boring one...They would turn on me instantly and seize the housewarden seat for themselves. Not that I'd lose if they challenged me, of course."

"We ain't got any plans to challenge him, either...for now, anyway. Aha ha!"

"They'd probably also make him into their pet octopus٫ too..." you sarcastically muttered٫ earning another chuckled from Jamil.

"So essentially, the three of you are all equals in each other's eyes٫" the vice summarized.

"Yeah. We stick with him now 'cause it's fun. If it stops bein' fun, we drop him like a bad habit. Easy٫" Floyd answered٫ "It ain't like the vice housewarden is the housewarden's servant or nothin'. It's a pretty normal relationship, if you ask me."

"Normal, you say. I suppose that concept is lost on me. I've always been loyal of the Asim house. And that will likely never change."

"Oh, hey, guys. Are you still gaming?"

"GAH!"

Jamil's little outburst reset your progress from the last time you were startled from awake from nearly falling asleep.

"What's this? Ooh, Mancala! That takes me back. I used to play it for hours on end with Jamil."

"I thought you went to bed, Kalim. Why would you..." Jamil cleared his throat٫ "I've told you not to wander around by yourself. What if someone abducted you?"

"You're such a worrywart, Jamil. Chill. Jade's been with me the whole time٫" Kalim reassured.

"Wait, JADE?"

"Yes, hello. I've been keeping Kalim company."

"Y-you..."

"Kalim is so generous. He's been teaching me aaall sorts of things..."

You felt Jamil's once gentle grip on you quickly tighten.

"Answer me. What did you do to Kalim?"

"What did I...do? I was just having a pleasant conversation with him. Isn't that right, Kalim?"

"Yep. I was just showing him around the storeroom."

"Gh...!"

"Oh yeah, Jamil! You know that silver and blue carpet we brought with us when we came here? Do you know where it is? I couldn't find it for the life of me."

"We're leaving, Kalim٫" Jamil firmly stated and stood up.

"Huh? Why?"

"Back to your room, now!" The vice housewarden fussed before standing you up and grabbing you by the arm like he did Kalim. "And it'd be best not to leave you alone with those three..."

"Whoa! Okay, okay! You don't have to pull my arm out of its socket! Sorry, Jade. I'll get you the carpet some other time!"

"Certainly. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other very soon..."

"Hey! Bring Little Shrimpy back!"

Jamil ignored them while dragging you and Kalim away and back to Kalim's room. He made Kalim get back in the bed and even found a spare set of pajamas for you to wear to sleep. Out of respect٫ Jamil made sure to look away and made double sure Kalim wouldn't peak while you changed.

"Sorry٫ but this is the closest we have to another spare bed٫ and I trust Kalim far more than those three٫" Jamil apologized.

Kalim٫ on the other hand٫ seemed ecstatic. He had even started chanting "sleepover" until Jamil shut it down.

"If neither of you get any sleep٫ I may need to change up everyone's sleeping arrangements٫" the vice warned. You both nodded and watched as Jamil left for the night.

It didn't take long for Kalim to fall asleep٫ snuggling against you and nuzzling his face in your chest. When you were sure that he was completely unconscious٫ you took out you phone and read through the plan details the others sent you. Wait٫ how did they get your number...?

❥

You barely recognize your dream٫ almost mistaking it for still being in the dark bedroom. The skies looked so dark and ominous...You were only able to distinguish the two when the adviser from your previous dreams appeared before you with a lamp in his hand and his foot on another's face.

Soon٫ your view panned over to what must've been a palace with a large٫ dark figure looming over it.

A man's voice called out٫ "Genie, stop!"

"Sorry, kid. I've got a new master now٫" the genie apologized٫ his voice full of remorse.

The scene changed to the once-adviser as he stood on a hill٫ looking down below as his feathered companion proclaimed٫ "Kneel and pay tribute to the great sorcerer Jafar!"

At the order٫ the old sultan and who you believe to be his daughter appeared٫ bowing before him.

"Now where were we? Ah, yes—abject humiliation!"

Suddenly٫ the scene changed. The sorcerer was now between the princess and a street rat and declaring٫ "He is no prince, and that's a fact. Now that he's unmasked, do you recognize your prince? It's Aladdin! His punishment? Eternal banishment...from this life! Farewell, 'Prince Ali'!"

You could hear the man's maniacal cackles as he flung a tower of the place—with the boy still inside—far away using the magic of his staff. With that final act٫ the dream started to fade.

❥

"Good morning, you two."

"Go away..." You groaned at the wakeup call٫ desperately trying to pull the blankets over your head to shut out the light.

You felt Kalim turn his head a bit from where he was laying it on your shoulder to get a better look.

"Mm...Izzat you, Jamil? Morning..."

"No, it's Jade. Though our names do sound a bit similar. Heh."

"Wait...What? What are you all doing here?" Kalim wondered٫ now perfectly awake.

You٫ on the other hand٫ not so much. You tried hiding back under the covers٫ but Jade wouldn't allow that and scooped you up.

"I've brought some tea to wake you both up and each a change of clothes. Now٫ please rise and shine٫" he instructed.

"Huh? Wha? What's going on? Where's Jamil?" Kalim questioned٫ frantically looking around.

"Don't worry. We're perfectly capable of helping you get dressed without him٫" Azul reassured.

You had just begrudgingly took your change of clothes to dress yourself when you heard a knock on the door before it opened.

"Kalim. ___. It's time to—what?! Azul? Jade? Grim?! What are you doing in Kalim's room?!"

Jamil gaped at the sight.

"My hench-human's here٫" Grim quipped٫ but was practically ignore. You patted his head.

"Ah, good morning, Jamil! You're welcome to sleep in today. In fact, I encourage it٫" Azul insisted٫ "We'll be taking care of Kalim starting now until the end of break."

"What?!"

"After our chat last night, I realized something٫" the conman began٫ "Who's the busiest guy in this dorm? Who works the hardest by far? It's you, Jamil!"

"We've been taking advantage of Scarabia's hospitality during our stay, you see. So we'd like to pay it back somehow٫" Jade added on.

"You can call us the Jamil Support Squad!" Grim cheered.

"O-of all the ridiculous...I mean, no, I couldn't possibly ask you to..."

"Oh...Ooh...OOOH! That's BRILLIANT!" Kalim exclaimed٫ "I've been thinking for ages about how I wish I could make Jamil's job easier!"

"Your compassion is a touching thing to behold, Kalim. Would that Azul could take a page from your book٫" Jade retorted.

"Ha ha ha. You just had to get in a dig, didn't you, Jade? Anyway, allow us to handle matters here. You can kick back and take it easy, Jamil٫" Azul continued to push.

"By all means, take them up on it, Jamil! This is great for you!" Kalim agreed.

"Run along now, Jamil. Go back to your room and catch up on your sleep٫" Jade started to physically push.

Now dressed٫ after having done so in a private corner while they were distracted with eachother٫ you helped pull Jamil out the door. Once getting him into the hall٫ the was quickly shut again.

"What in the world is going on here?"

"Maybe it's a sign you're working too hard. How about going back to bed?" You urged٫ trying to nudge Jamil in the direction of his dorm room.

"I can't just rest٫" he denied٫ "I'd better at least see to breakfast..."

"But Jamilll٫" you whined٫ following right behind him.

❥

"Hey, minnow. That ain't been seasoned yet, so don't run it out."

"S-sorry, sir!"

"The vegetables in the oven are done."

"Those are already dressed, so plate 'em and get 'em on the table."

"B-breakfast is already made?!" Jamil yelled in shock٫ causing you to flinch slightly. "Did you do this, Floyd?"

"G'morning, Sea Snake! Yup, me 'n the minnows took care of it. Azul was goin' on about how much he wanted to help you٫" Floyd confirmed. Then٫ with only a few large steps٫ he already started squeezing you in his arms and singing٫ "G'morning٫ Little Shrimpy!"

"Yeah. Morning..." you replied٫ trying time push him off.

"But...But I can't put our guests to work٫" Jamil stated٫ pulling you away from Floyd.

"We ain't exactly guests, remember? We're trainin' buddies٫" the eel corrected.

"But Kalim can only eat food prepared by me. It could be poisoned٫" Jamil added.

Floyd laughed٫ "Ha! That's an even more unbalanced diet than what I eat. And I ain't poisoned anything here, by the way. If you don't trust me, test it yourself. If it gets Jamil's Poison-Free Seal of Approval, I'm sure Sea Otter will eat it right up."

"You have a point, but still..."

"Vice Housewarden, could you taste-test these grilled vegetables?"

"I think this soup came out nicely. What do you think, sir?"

"Rgh...Fine. I'll test them all myself٫" the vice relented٫ "Actually, are we prepared for our morning oasis trek? Usually, breakfast comes AFTER the march."

"Ah, about that. As housewarden of Octavinelle...I've given my fellow housewarden Kalim an alternate proposal."

"Wh...What?! You can't just do that!"

Thank whatever divine being is out there for Azul's sudden entrance٫ because you were about to threaten to kill yourself or something if you had to do that trek again.

"Rather than aerobic exercise like long-range walking...You'll see far greater gains in strength and stamina from proper indoor weight training٫" Azul elaborate٫ "Scarabia's desert is a terribly hot place, you know. We wouldn't want to risk anyone getting heatstroke...Again."

"Oh٫ poor Little Shrimpy didn't deserve that~," Floyd playfully cried٫ suddenly cradling against his chest from where you stood٫ despite your blatant distaste. "In fact, there's a huge fountain in the courtyard. If you wanna build stamina, how about swimmin' in that? It'd be more fun, too."

"Agreed. I can tell you from experience that swimming is a far better way to burn fat than walking."

"So...We don't have to go on those marches anymore?"

"We're safe, Vice Housewarden!"

Correction: they were safe. With a certain three around٫ swimming was just as dangerous for you. You were getting no where near that water if any of them got in.

"It's also worth mentioning that skipping breakfast can make you more easily fatigued and distracted. Not that overeating helps either, of course."

"Good morning!"

You nearly yelped upon being basically suprise tackled by the dorm's overly enthusiastic housewarden.

"Ooh, breakfast is done already?" Kalim rested his chin on your shoulder as he observed the meal prep٫ wrapping his arms around you from behind.

"Hot diggity! That looks delish!" Grim cheered as he bounded behind Kalim.

"Floyd's in fine form today. It comes out considerably worse when he's not in the mood...٫" Jade followed.

"And Sea Snake's already poison-tested your portions, Sea Otter. Go on and dig in!" Floyd urged.

"Bon appetit!"

"Ooh, this is wonderful soup!" Kalim praised.

"Ain't it? That's a Coral Sea staple. It's packed to the gills (heh) with seafood٫" Floyd snickered٫ "C'mon٫ Little Shrimpy. Open wide~." The eel cooed as he tried to make you let him spoon feed you.

You vehemently shook you head٫ backing away as far as you could. In the corner of your vision٫ you noticed Jamil silently watching from the side.

❥

"First, the key to ancient incantations is memorizing vocabulary٫" Azul explained.

"I'm aaawful at memorization. It puts me to sleep٫" Kalim whined.

"Then I've got the perfect study method for you: recitation while walking٫" the octo-mer suggested.

"It's a good study method for people with shorter attention spans٫" Jade elaborated.

"Sounds like it'd be just as great for me!" Grim pointed out.

"Does it work on Floyd?..." You snickered under your breath.

"All right, let's all try it together, guys٫" Kalim announced.

"Yes, sir!"

❥

"Proper exercise is critical to honing a more efficient mind for study. However, overstraining yourself will have an adverse effect٫" Azul detailed.

"Mock battles are a good way to exercise while venting stress٫" Jade added.

Floyd laughed٫ "Aha ha! I'm in the mood to cut loose, so count me in! Hmmm, who to fight?"

"All right, split into teams of five and let the melee begin!" Kalim declared. "You'll watch me٫ right٫ ___?"

You agreed to appease the walking sunshine. This time while training٫ he seemed to be intentionally making his moves look more flashy٫ looking back over at you every so often just to make sure you saw. Some of his dormmates even looked to occasionally be losing on purpose for their housewarden's dramatic performance. At some point٫ Floyd joined in on Kalim's dramatics٫ making his moves just as exaggerated. The whole show was very entertaining to everyone there٫ even Azul and Jade. Jamil٫ however٫ didn't look all too amused.

"Aha ha! Mock bottles really are fun. And they're a great way to gauge the results of your training٫" Kalim beamed.

"Yes, Housewarden!"

Not too far away٫ you noticed Jamil let out a strained sigh. You couldn't help but wonder what was wrong.

❥

Now in the school cafeteria٫ everyone watched Azul as he spoke.

"There's one main reason we've grown as well as we have٫" he lectured٫ "And that would be...our diet, of course! It's about getting the nutrients you need—not too many and not too few. This helps your afternoon performance."

"Cooking is an essential life skill for gaining an understanding of food and developing a healthy diet٫" Jade elaborated.

"Maybe I should start cooking every now and then...I wouldn't have to worry about poison if I prepared meals myself٫" Kalim thought aloud.

"Don't. You'll injure yourself again٫" Jamil scolded.

"Okay, Sea Otter. You're in charge of stirrin' the pot٫" Floyd instructed.

"Keep an eye on that soup and make sure it doesn't boil over, would you?" Jade asked.

"Sure thing! Glad to help٫" Kalim happily agreed.

"What about me?" You skeptically asked٫ looking up at the twin eels as they assigned tasks.

"You٫ my dear٫" Jade purred٫ picking you up by the waist and sitting you on the kitchen island٫ "...just sit here and look adorable as always."

The eel booped your nose٫ making you subconsciously scrunch up your face.

"All right, everyone. Let's make this a meal to remember٫" Jade announced.

"Yes, sir!"

"Okay, I'm going to make the best-tasting soup ever!" Kalim declared٫ already in front of an empty pot on the stove.

"I worry about having you cook on your own. I'll help٫" Jamil decided.

"No need to fret, Jamil. We will aid him٫" Azul assured.

"You just sit back and relax with ___," Jade insisted.

At Jade's mention of you٫ eyes were back on you for a second. It was bad timing٫ though٫ because you were currently snagging a bite of one of the ingredients. You quickly shoved it in your mouth.

"Yeah٫" you agreed through your chewing٫ covering your mouth with one hand and patting the counter beside you with the other.

Jamil let out an amused breath at your antics before finally relenting٫ "Fine..."

You ended up being the involuntary taste tester. Anytime something needed to be sampled٫ they had you taste it. They even insisted on feeding you themselves. It got to a point where Jamil started to limit them on how often they could make you taste test something.

"Scalding Sands cuisine is delicious. Perhaps we should add some to our menu٫" Azul thought aloud٫ "Though it might be difficult to procure ingredients and learn to cook them properly."

"I'll help with that! I'd love it if everyone knew how great our food is٫" Kalim offered٫ "I can get all the spices and have one of my family's chefs come to instruct you."

"That would be grand! Let's work out the wording of the contract later."

After what felt like forever٫ the food was just about done.

"Nice one, Sea Otter. You're better at this than I expected٫" Floyd praised.

"Ha ha! You think so? I guess you never know until you try٫" Kalim chuckled٫ "Okay, it's almost done. Just a bit more!"

You held onto Jamil as he helped you off the island counter. Still٫ he was weirdly quiet. It was almost like he was staring past you at something٫ his gaze cold.

"Jamil...?" You called below your breath.

You voice seemed to snap him out of his daze. The usual warmth in his expression returned as he looked back down at you to ask what it was you needed.

"I—...Thank you..."

You couldn't bring yourself to ask about it. You've long learned expressions like that often end with violence...

"You're welcome٫" Jamil replied with a soft smile٫ placing a hand on your head.

"Done!" Kalim announced٫ "Wow, even I can make a simple soup, huh? Aha ha!"

"All you did was stir the pot..." Jamil grumbled with a sigh.

❥

"Ahhh, that was fantastic٫" Kalim sighed in delight.

"Pausing after a meal to take a light walk stimulates the brain and improves your study efficiency in the afternoon٫" his fellow housewarden informed.

"You know a lot about this stuff, Azul. I'm impressed٫" the heir commended٫ "And here I was just pushing for frantic hard work with no real direction. I think I've put my students in an unfair position. You're a sophomore housewarden just like me, but I'm woefully behind."

"Everyone makes mistakes٫" Azul reassured٫ "Our vacation's only half over. There's still room to make up for lost time."

"With a training camp this helpful, staying at school doesn't sound so bad٫" one of the Scarabia students commented.

"Yeah, agreed. The only chance we get to spend time with you guys is when we're at school٫" another joined in.

"It feels like I'm waking up from a nightmare..." a third added.

❥

"Scarabia's got a lot of people good at astrology and ancient incantations, right?" Azul questioned.

"As they tell it here, the Sorcerer of the Sands specialized in divination, and this dorm is populated by students who embody his spirit٫" Kalim explained٫ "I'm not good at either thing myself, though. Aha ha!"

"I hear the Sorcerer of the Sands successfully utilized a man-made device for fortunetelling that required natural energy٫" Azul remembered٫ "The study of astrology took shape relatively early when compared to other fields of magic...He was so far ahead of his time. I suppose his successes played a major role in that."

"Ooh...The Great Seven never fail to impress!" Kalim praised.

"Oh, it's almost three o'clock. Let's get in a bit more studying, then take a break٫" Azul suggested٫ getting dramatic whines from you and Grim.

"Shall I prepare some tea?" Jade offered٫ a hint of mischievous in his eyes.

"No, I'll handle it. I'm the farthest along with my assignment, after all٫" his housewarden decided٫ obviously also suspicious of the eel's antics.

"Allow me to help٫" Jamil urged٫ already standing up٫ as well. He obviously wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

"l'd appreciate that. Shall we be off, Jamil?"

As they walked out٫ you realized there was no one left to help you with your own work. The rest were either too dumb or too aggravating. Damn it...

❥

"The students' completion rate for these assignments is up fifteen percent from yesterday. Those are some statistically significant results٫" Azul noted٫ "___ and Grim told me Kalim was going through drastic mood swings...But he's been acting pretty calm since we arrived. Isn't it nice that Kalim's regained the faith of Scarabia's students?"

"...No. No, it isn't٫" Jamil muttered under his breath.

"It's not?"

"No offense, but I can't let you people stay in Scarabia any longer. It's time you went back under the sea٫" the vice stated.

"Pardon? Where did this come from, Jamil?Have I done something to offend you?"

"You really don't get it? Does the sad look on my face mean nothing to you?"

"What...?"

"...You made eye contact with me. Fool٫" Jamil grinned and began to chant٫ "The one you behold is your master. When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent. Snake Charmer."

"What?! Gh...My head! Rgh..." Azul groaned.

"The pain will last as long as you resist. The sooner you give in and submit, the easier it will be for you. Go on, I'm waiting."

"Rrrgh...Urgh..."

"Azul, who is your master?"

"My master is...you, O mighty Jamil. I await your command, Master."

"Heh...Ha ha...Ha ha ha ha ha!" Jamil cackled٫ "You thought I was a mediocre magician, but you were sorely mistaken—an embarrassing misjudgment for the housewarden of Octavinelle. But really...Because of you, all my carefully laid plans have gone up in smoke. All I needed was a little more nudging from the Ramshackle visitors, and the students would have kicked Kalim out. It was my way of getting Kalim ejected from his position without getting my own hands dirty. AND by his own darling to rub salt into the wound. Do you have any idea how much painstaking effort I put into laying the groundwork for that? First, you're going to take the twins and go home to the Coral Sea...Wait, hold on. Azul. You returned all your contractually stolen powers back to their original owners recently, right?"

"Yes, Master."

"Tch. So much for using you as my own personal genie of the Lamp. Your signature spell is quite a valuable asset...But it would be hard to keep you controlled long-term."

"Sir. I remember the contents of the contracts."

"What?"

"I remember all the secrets of the people I made contracts with. Their troubles. Their weaknesses. Their desires٫" mer repeated.

"What a twisted collection. I can see I made the right call not making friends with you٫" Jamil mused٫ "Does this intellectual cache of yours include Headmage Dire Crowley's secrets?"

"Of course, Master. I know one thing he would never want others to learn."

"Hah...Ha ha ha...That's it. That's it! It's all going to work out! You really are my genie of the Lamp, Azul!"

"Do you wish to know the headmage's secret?"

"Oh, absolutely. Once I have the headmage's weakness in my grasp, I'll finally be free. I'll kick Kalim out of school and become housewarden myself!" Jamil declared.

"And there we have it٫" Jade announced٫ slowly clapping as he strolled onto the scene٫ taking Jamil by surprise.

"So, you finally show your true colors! I bet you thought you were real slick, pullin' the wool over our eyes!" Grim fussed.

"How...How much did you hear?" Jamil questioned.

"All of it, from start to finish٫" Jade answered٫ "Your entire conversation from the moment you left the lounge...has been livestreamed to the world from Azul's smartphone."

"WHAT?!"

"Azul's Magicam livestream presently has five thousand active viewers٫" the eel continued٫ "It's trending online under the topic: 'A Certain Magicians' School's Dirty Little Secret.' It's your moment in the sun, Vice Housewarden. Naturally, all the dorm students are gathered in the lounge, watching you."

Footsteps rushed over to the scene.

"Vice Housewarden Jamil, is everything you just said true?"

"Have you really been deceiving us this whole time?!"

"Talk about a wolf in sheep's clothing!You're a fraud, through and through!" Grim called out.

"Y-you...You've got it all wrong. I..." Jamil stammered.

"Don't even try to talk your way out of this one. The mind control magic you used on Azul is hard evidence٫" Jade firmly stated٫ "Jamil...It's been you all along. You've been using your signature spell on Kalim and making him throw Scarabia into chaos!"

"Gh...!" The culprit scoffed٫ "I was trying to avoid escalating matters, but you leave me no choice. Azul, I command you! Subdue and restrain them all."

"...Yes, Master."

"Azul, no. You don't want to do this. Snap out of it٫" Jade begged.

"Pleading with him won't help!" Jamil pointed out.

"Yes. I am Jamil's loyal minion...or at least, you wish I was٫" Azul rebuked.

"What?!"

"Jamil, you said the funniest thing to me earlier. Allow me to return the favor. You thought I was an arrogant magician, but you were sorely mistaken. An embarrassing misjudgment for the vice housewarden of Scarabia—the dorm that embodies the spirit of mindfulness."

"What's going on? I know you made eye contact. I had you under control!"

"Please. I'm a competent magician. I always prepare for all eventualities before | act. Isn't that right, Floyd?" Azul called.

"I think you let your guard down a little too soon there, Sea Snake٫" Floyd pointed out٫ his voice much deeper than normal.

"MRAH! What's with your voice?!" Grim yelped.

"I signed a contract with Azul and got this rad deep voice for it. Whaddaya think? Do I sound all cool and grizzled now? In return, I offered Azul my signature spell, Bind the Heart."

"And if you don't know what that spell does, your face is going to crack when you hear this: It jams an opponent's magic and diverts it elsewhere٫" Azul elaborated.

"That's the magic he was usin' in the Coral Sea! The one that kept our magic from hittin'!" Grim shouted.

"Correct٫ Grim٫" Azul confirmed٫ "And after swiping it from Floyd—ah, correction. After taking it as collateral, I used it to evade Jamil's mind control spell. Then I pretended to be his thrall and got Jamil to spill his true intentions as he gloated."

"I gotta hand it to ya, Azul. You're real dastardly!" The direbeast commended.

"I prefer to be called an intellectual٫" the mer corrected٫ "At any rate, I quickly deduced that Jamil was the only person Kalim would care about enough to fight back against Jade's signature spell. And that was the underpinning of my whole plan."

"Ja...mil?" Kalim called out٫ hesitantly pushing forwards with his arms tightly secured around yours٫ almost like a security item٫ as you were dragged along by his side. "What is this? What's going on?"

"K-Kalim...___..." Jamil muttered.

"Y-you were controlling me? That can't be true, right? I've been having occasional blackouts lately where hours have passed the next time I come to...But those were just dizzy spells or me nodding off, right? I tend to doze off anywhere as it is. You've always gotten on my case for it. So please, say it isn't so. Tell me I was just nodding off٫" Kalim tried to reason.

His hold on your arm grew tighter and desperate as tears began to glisten at the corner of his eyes. You let him hold onto you with such desperation٫ just this once٫ and even rubbed his arm. Aside from the boy's repressed sobs٫ the hall was silent. Including Jamil.

"Mind-controlling me, plotting to expel me...You would never do any of that. Jamil, you're...You're the last person that would ever betray me, right? After all, we're best friends, right?!"

Jamil began to chuckle. Then٫ it became a laugh. Soon٫ he was outright cackling like a madman.

"H-hey...What's wrong?"

"Oh, I'll tell you, Kalim. I'll tell you EXACTLY what's wrong٫" the vice snapped.

"Huh?"

"You've been the same for as long as I can remember. Oblivious, gullible, foolish...AND I HATED IT! You trot along merrily in ignorant bliss, utterly blind to my suffering! Every time I see you smile, it makes my skin crawl! I'm sick of it! There's no point in maintaining my facade now. You have no idea how many days I've spent wishing that you would just go away. But that ends today! Myself, my family...I don't care about ANY of it anymore!"

"W-wait! Jamil!" Kalim called out.

"The one you behold is your master...When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent! Snake Charmer!"

"Agh...!"

The Scarabia students all began to groan in collective agony.

"Wha—did he just mind-control the whole dorm at once?!" Azul exclaimed.

"All of you, eject Kalim and the Octavinelle guests from the premises!" Jamil ordered.

"Yes, Master."

"Jamil?!" Kalim shouted٫ now positioning himself in front of you.

You watched as the others fought off the mind-controlled students٫ but they just kept coming back.

"Incredible. He's controlling all these targets at the same time AND making them do separate things! Mediocre, nothing. He's easily one of the top magicians in the entire school, to say nothing of Scarabia!" Azul praised.

"Do you wanna beat him or do you wanna kiss his ass?! You can't do both!" You argued from behind Kalim. Just because you don't have magic٫ it doesn't mean you can't backseat duel.

"D-don’t be lewd!" He fussed back.

"I keep squeezin' em but they keep gettin' back up. Are they zombies or what?!" Floyd complained. There was no way hell that you were gonna get used to that terribly deep voice.

"Jamil, please, just stop! You can have what you want! You can be housewarden! I'll go home to my family!" Kalim begged.

"What? You thought that would work? My spell won't be broken so easily...Not as long as you exist in this world, Kalim!"

"Jamil, you're courting danger! If you keep using your signature spell like this, you'll exceed your blot tolerance level and—٫" Jade tried to warn.

"Shut up!" Jamil interrupted٫ "Don't you order me around! I'm through following others' orders! I'm going...TO BE FREE!"

You all watched in horror—well٫ you more so in irritation at another—as the large٫ shadowy figure of a snake appeared behind Jamil. As he laughed٫ blot began leaking from him like blood from a fresh wound. Jamil tugged off his hood٫ embracing the blot as it started to drench his whole being until there was only the gooey substance. Even as the last bits of his natural form were smothered٫ Jamil had a maniacal grin on his face. Soon٫ he reemerged in another form. A form similar to the the sorcerer in your dreams...

"What in the world? J-Jamil just transformed?!" Kalim yelled.

"The very air around us is changing. It's just like what happened with Azul..." Jade observed.

"He's overblotted!" Azul pointed out٫ "And right on winter break with no prospects of backup from any corner. This is quite the conundrum.

"Did he turn into another one of those dark berserkers?!" Grim shouted.

"Again?!" You screamed. Crowley was a big٫ fat liar. He said these things were rare٫ but you're currently face to face with number four٫ right now!

"The negative blot energy is swelling up٫" Azul warned٫ "Everyone, steel yourselves!"

"Come. I'll wrap this up. I'm through living like this٫" Jamil declared.

"We need to bring him to his senses, and fast. Once his magic runs out, he's done for٫" Azul reminded.

"GYAAAH! A giant monster! I'm scared!" Grim yowled٫ scurrying over to hold onto your leg for comfort. You've both seen overblots before٫ so you had no idea why he was so scared now. To be fair٫ the snake hair WAS pretty freaky.

"Jamil! Please, come to your senses!" Kalim pleaded.

You watched from behind as the others did their best to defeat Jamil. Much to your terror٫ their best wasn't enough this time. Unlike the overblots before٫ your team was at a significant lack of people. Soon٫ they were on their last legs.

"I have no need for an incompetant king or a con artist. Your personality flaws give me ADEQUATE cause...To send you packing on a one-way trip to the ends of the earth! WHOOPEEEEE!"

"NO!" You screamed٫ hearing the others' shouts grow more and more faint. Wait٫ how come you were still here?

"SO LONG! MWA HA HA HA HA! Ex-Housewarden Kalim!" Jamil cackled is sinister delight.

You cowered behind a nearby pillar٫ attempting to be as silent as possible. You had no idea if you were left behind on purpose or on accident٫ but you were not keen on finding out which one it was.

Once Jamil calmed down from his laughing fit٫ he still managed to keep a smirk on his face.

"Now٫ why don't you come out from behind that pillar?"

You froze. The question was definitely more of an order. He looked over his shoulder and directly at where you were trying to hide.

When you didn't come out from your hiding place٫ due to fear freezing you in place٫ Jamil ordered a handful of the Scarabia students to drag you out and hold you still in front of him. No matter how much you struggled٫ their grip was just too tight.

"What do you want with me? Aren't you gonna send me off with the others?" You questioned٫ trying your best to bite back the overwhelming fear inside of you.

"Feeling feisty٫ are we?" Jamil mused٫ tapping the bottom of your chin with his fingers. "Why٫ I'd never do such a cruel thing to such a precious darling. Oh٫ I have other plans for you٫ my diamond in the rough."

Your eyes widened in horror. At the shock of his discovery٫ you began to demand٫ "H-how do yo—?"

"Details٫ details..." He interrupted٫ even trailing off as he did. The boy ran a finger down your jaw until it reached your chin. Then٫ he took a hold of it and tilted your head to have you look him face to face. "You're quite easy to read when paid enough attention. It's quite cute٫ really."

"So٫ what did you mean by 'other plans'?" You asked٫ desperately biting at your inner cheeks and lip to calm your nerves.

Jamil scoffed and looked away with slight disdain in his expression٫ "Kalim's always gotten everything٫ and I've always been left with nothing. Everything I've loved has always been taken and given to that spoiled bastard...So٫ it's only fair I should get something for myself٫ and even better if its his."

"Huh—?"

Jamil looked you directly in the eyes before chanting٫ "The one you behold is your master. When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent. Snake Charmer."

Your head started to violently throb. You winced and groaned in pain. In response٫ Jamil moved his hand to your cheek٫ gently stroking your skin with his thumb.

"It'll all be alright٫" he cooed٫ "Just give in and the pain will be all gone."

Your pained groans soon devolved into pathetic whines.

"There you go. Good girl/boy٫" Jamil praised٫ "Now٫ who is your master?"

"My master is...you, Jamil. I await your command, Master."

"Perfect..."

𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒔:

“Roleplaying… in bed?”

From the couch of your apartment, Ashveil looks up at you with raised eyebrows and a slight tilt of his head.

Without wanting to sound too much like a freak, you quickly follow up with a “remember that last movie we watched, where the couple pretended not to know each other at a bar?”

His eyes light up. “Oh! Yeah, I remember that, that did look fun,” he nods, “wouldn't be the first time I do something along those lines.”

Well that's very great to hear. Which means he can probably be convinced to do something that's not quite so tame, right?

You nod along. “I’ve always wanted to try something like that, so, I was wondering whether you'd like us… to…”

You trail off as a wide, downright evil smirk spreads across Ashveil's face

“Wh- what?”

“Oh, nothing,” he shrugs, “hadn’t expected my sweetheart to be so kinky, that's all –”

A pillow promptly lands in his face, earning a yelp from him before it falls to his lap. His eyes are wide.

“H- hey, I’m being vulnerable here!” you stutter between astonishment at his behavior and embarrassment at how quickly he clocked you.

As much as you like to tease him, his intuition isn’t all that bad, and he has the very annoying trait of reading you better than you’d like to, at times. So what if you're a bit into that stuff? Everyone has their peculiarities, the childhood trauma that somehow got turned into a weird fixation and now serves as a coping mechanism more than anything. Roleplaying is fun, and that's the end of it.

You huff, insecurity creeping up. “If you’re just teasing me with no intention to do something, I can just shut up.” Being teased is one thing, feeling like you’re being made fun of is another.

“Aright, alright. Why don’t you tell me about what you have in mind, hm?” Patting his lap, Ashveil invites you to join him, and he wraps your arms around your waist once you do. Another smirk spreads on his face. “No need to beat around the bush with something as meek as ‘pretending to meet at a bar’. What’s your goal here, love?”

Here it goes. After thinking about this for months, you finally have the chance to lay bare all those desires that you’ve been hiding within the deepest parts of your depraved brain. Gosh, you’ve seen this guy naked and whimpering – why are you suddenly getting shy about this?

“Okay, so… You know that old fairytale called red riding hood and the big bad wolf?”

“Not predictable at all.” His voice drips with sarcasm.

“You can't predict a plot twist in a movie even if it's obvious from the first damn minute.”

“I can predict you just fine. I think that's a lot more fun.”

You're going to strangle this man. That shit-eating grin is just asking for it, really. Instead, you retort to more civilized methods to get back at him.

“Hm… Though, I’m not sure that you can pull off the big, bad wolf,” you lament, rolling off of him and flopping down next to him on the couch.

Ashveil sputters, every point of his pride wounded to a degree that rivals insulting his very own being. He’s downright offended. “Me? I am THE big bad wolf,” he retorts, frantically pointing to all the wolf badges and motifs all over his clothing. “That’s my entire thing!”

You tilt your head from side to side, taunting. “I don’t know. The big wolf is supposed to be scary – that’s the whole fun of the scenario. It’s about the dynamic, the adrenaline,” you explain, a director in another life, it seems. A side eye meets those grey hues. “And you’re a lot of things… but not frightening.”

For a moment, it seems that Ashveil wants to protest, but his expression slowly softens, eyebrows furrowed and gaze pensive. When he opens his mouth again, it’s a soft, low murmur. “...I don’t want you to fear me.”

The sudden shift in mood is a whiplash, making you feel guilty for teasing him like that. He was a feared Galaxy Ranger once. Aeons, you know he can still be intimidating when he wants to be. Of course he wouldn’t want to put you in the same spot as corrupt scoundrels and evildoers.

You lean up, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Hey, come on. I could never be scared of you,” you promise, taking his prosthetic hand into yours and pressing it against your cheek.

“Are you sure?” His thumb brushes over your cheekbone. “I know I’m not the infamous ‘First Fang’ anymore, but I don’t want to cross a line there’s no going back from.”

You huff. “I’m more resilient than you think.”

“I know you are,” he smiles.

“So leave it to me to determine where that line is.” A pause. “How about this: you can be as scary as you feel comfortable being. And if something goes too far, I’ll stop you, ‘kay?”

That proposal visibly lets his tense shoulders sag with relief. Nodding, Ashveil’s head drops to your shoulder, where he lets out a small sigh, “...yeah. Sounds good.”

“Also, just saying. I wouldn't be choosing this scenario if I wasn't into a bit of fearplay, you know.”

“Not to mention your very obvious love for seeing this old wolf in action,” he giggles, and you clearly feel a smile against your neck.

You ruffle his hair with a chuckle.

…

Usually, the setting of Little Red Riding Hood is a forest, but there are no forests anywhere close to Duomension City without travelling for miles. So no flower picking, no forest path, and no cabin in the woods where dear grandma lies in wait. Thankfully, the whole dressing up part is the easiest thing about this – there’s all sorts of peculiar people running around every day, and your little red and wolf cosplays won’t stand out from the crowd. Which means the only thing you need to focus on is somehow translating the old fairy tale into a modern version without losing the charm of the original.

“... Narrator, you know what this is all a buildup for, right?”

You sit on the chair in Ashveil's office, with Mr. N sitting on the table while he taps his phone. The detective is out to run errands, and his faithful assistant has offered to help you out on your little mission of coming up with the details of the scenario. Frankly, having the monkey meddle into the whole thing is a bit…

“Rest assured that I know what Mr. Ashveil and you are planning with this,” he nods, occasionally checking something on the computer. “I’d rather the both of you find a location more fitting for your little adventure than the office. I've marked down a few reputable places, and sent you some links about helpful tips and tricks for what you two have in mind.”

Uhm. Are you– Are you seriously getting kink PSA from a monkey? Why is he so well informed?? The logical explanation would be that, as the one actually doing the detective work in the agency, Narrator has collected a lot of info about all sorts of places. Or maybe he used to be into that stuff when he was still human. You don't want to think about any other possible explanation.

…

A few days and lots of communication later, you and Ashveil decided on a location. Initially, you eyed the website of a love hotel that uses imagenesis to create whatever environment you want, but just one hour in a room was more than your monthly salary. Nope, that was definitely too much for your budget, not to mention Ashveil’s. Instead, you found a little motel aimed at kinky couples, advertising soundproof rooms, a snack bar and free contraceptives, as well as a collection of accessories like handcuffs or blindfolds for rent. Still a bit pricey, yet the both of you agreed that doing anything like that within the thin walls of your apartment would not only be super embarrassing, but could also lead to prying neighbours assuming things they shouldn’t. 

So here you are: dressed in your favorite red hoodie, just a few streets from Perdido Station, following the route that you agreed on. Hopefully nobody recognizes you two… You try to keep your eyes fixed to the screen of your phone, wanting the surprise of Ashveil popping up to be as genuine as possible. Walking alone late in the evening is not a very smart thing to do, though, so you still try to stay aware of your surroundings as best as possible.

“Good evening, Little Red Riding Hood,” a voice calls from an alley, a dark purr beckoning you to stray from your path and walk right into your doom.

You walk past him.

Behind you, you can hear confused footsteps going into one direction, then the other, before you see the flash of white and red press past you to hide in another alleyway a few steps ahead.

You can't help it. You know it's cruel of you, and you're barely holding in your laughter, but you had to do it to him. 

“Good evening, Little Red Riding Hood,” Ashveil repeats, louder this time, because you clearly didn't hear him.

That's when you finally look up from your phone and turn to face him: from beneath his usual coat, a long, black tail sprouts forth, a raven dark fading into white, similar to his own hair. One tall ear peaks from the raised side of his fedora, the other hanging down on the other side, almost blending into his hair. You’d make a comment about how the one floppy ear makes him look kinda silly, but you instead find yourself staring. It’s easy to forget it when you often get to see this man at his worst, but Ashveil is gorgeous. His silvery eyes, staring at you from behind hooded lids, the hint of a smile on his delicate lips, and now, the ears and tail that not only fit beautifully into his overall aesthetic, but also remind you of what’s about to come.

Ah, right, you gotta answer him.

“Uh… Are you talking with me?” Feigning confusion, you look around the empty alley.

Ashveil’s eyes narrow, tilting his head. “Where are you going so late in the evening?”

“That’s none of your business?”

“That’s not –” A deep breath, before the wolf continues, irritation mixing into his deep voice. “You’re supposed to say ‘to my grandmother’s house’, Little Red,” he grumbles.

Seeing Ashveil pout, even if he’s just pretending this time, never fails to amuse you.

You frown at him. “And why would I say that? My grandma doesn’t even live anywhere close…”

Teeth gritted, hands flexing, he narrows his eyes again. “Because that’s how the story goes.”

You do your best to look at him as if he was a random weirdo on the streets who knows every officer by name with how often he gets the police called on him. Then, you snap your fingers. “Oohh, I get it! They’re doing some kind of Red Riding Hood adaptation, right?” Suddenly crowding his personal space, you lean in closer. “Is this a promotion for a new movie? Do you walk up to anyone wearing red? Is someone recording this?”

Ashveil can do nothing but look dumbfounded as you take out your phone and snap a selfie with him.

“Hmm, I haven’t seen any ads at all, are you gonna use this video as material? Because I wanna be paid for this if this is gonna go online.”

The dread of paying money catches up to him, because he snaps back into his role and glares down at you. “There is no adaptation! This is no movie, and no ad campaign either,” he huffs and puffs and blows the – no, wait, wrong fairy tale.

Putting your phone away, you take a step back. “Uh, so… You’re a cosplayer, then? A really weird one,” you add under your breath.

“Listen –”

“Hang on.” Fishing your phone out of your pocket again, you hold it up to your ear. “Oh, hi babe! Yeah, I'll be home in a min.”

There is no other person on the line. You just need an excuse to get away… and to ragebait Ashveil as much as possible. Without another word towards him, you walk off towards the Dreamless Coffee location nearby, leaving him behind. Aeons, you'd pay to see the expression on his face right now.

Instead, you follow the plan the two of you set up, sitting yourself on one of the little tables outside the cafe without ordering anything. Checking the time on your phone, you see that you still have about half an hour before you have to head for the motel, and you start to wonder: What will happen once you get there? Will Ashveil really put on a granny costume and lay down in bed? A grin spreads on your face as you imagine him trying to imitate the voice of an old woman, pitch croaking and cracking. He may be able to look like one, with a bit of makeup, but his voice has always been his biggest giveaway.

Maybe Ashveil has something completely different in store? After all, you've put a lot of creative liberty into your version of the fairytale, but what matters is the core, right? Unassuming little thing gets ravaged by the mean wolf. Adaptation, modernization, all begets change. What matters is having fun, for Aha’s sake!

Some part of you… worries. Not because you don't trust Ashveil, of course you do. But this is the first time the two of you are doing this, and you hope that it's not too much for either of you.

Relax. That's why you have safe words and gestures, you remind yourself. It's all gonna be fine.

Inside your phonecase, the keycard to your room sits snugly, and every time your fingers run over it, you’re reminded that this is all going to happen soon. You’re finally going to live out this fantasy. It’s gonna be fine, and fun, and hot.

Perhaps an eternity passes, even if it’s over in seconds, as your phone screen flickers to life with the sound of a timer. It’s time.

Ever since Ashveil got released I've wanted to write a Red Riding Hood fic, and after a lot of time slacking off, part 1 is done! I'm posting this part already because this fic got significantly longer than expected; part 2 will be out sometime this week!

It's nothing he hasn't done before, and it is hardly as difficult as others he's taken before. In fact, it's rather mundane compared to the absurd ones he's been receiving lately, but a nice reprieve nonetheless. Besides, a missing person is exactly the kind of cases detectives such as him are expected to take up and specialise in, anyway.

Ashveil's eyes skim the hastily written words, clearly done by someone in deep grief. They list a name, a location where they were last seen, and a picture of a smiling person. For some reason, his eyes can't help but stop on them.

"(Name), where have I heard that name before…" He mumbles to himself, eyes scrutinising every detail of the photograph for any clues.

It's been so long since they've disappeared, and I don't know what to think anymore. The police have long scrapped the case and said they've run away, but (Name) wouldn't do something like that… If you could just find a clue to whether they're alive or dead, it would help to ease this heavy burden…

These desperate words linger in Ashveil's mind as he walks around Dovebrook District, his eyes scanning every nook and cranny of the alleyways. It wouldn't be surprising if you were hiding in here all along — after all, Dovebrook District was the crime capital of Planarcadia, and there's no better place to hide then among those who lived to commit greater crimes than that of running away.

A light rain covers the city in a glossy blur, the blue lights dancing against the dark night sky. Ashveil slides the letter into one of his coat pockets, walking into the tavern without a single reservation.

Eyes follow him from every corner of the lobby as he makes his way to the bar. But Ashveil has no intention to drink, not today nor for the rest of his life.

The bartender simply raises an eyebrow in both acknowledgement and question for his appearance. People like him don't come around just for a drink, after all.

"What's the case this time?" She asks, sliding him a glass of water.

"A missing person," Ashveil answers, taking the glass in his hand, but only to inspect it. Then, he sets it down. "Have you heard of someone called (Name)?"

"(Name)? Hm…" She ponders, absentmindedly mixing another concoction, before her expression shifts. "Yeah, I think someone with that name came around a few months ago. They were in a rush to leave, though. I heard they were looking to leave for another planet."

Ashveil hums as he notes her words down. Perhaps whoever was looking for you didn't know you all that well, or at least, not well enough to know that you wanted to leave Planarcadia. The glass of water continues to sit untouched.

The rain has grown heavier in the time he spent in the tavern. There's little point in travelling to the other cities, not when it's looking to be a downpour and it's late at night. Should he have done more? Maybe. But a sick detective isn't a detective that can work.

The walk back is uneventful, petty thieves scurrying away at a glimpse of his white hat. Even as he makes his way up the stairs and into the Furbobo Weekly's headquarters, following his designated path towards his own office, Ashveil is careful to not make a sound, even though the rain beating the windows outside would be more than enough to silence him.

The door creaks open while Mister N greets him with a welcome. The letter is placed upon the table, along with a written testimony from the bartender, and from another pocket, a locket is laid across it.

"Mister N, please write back to the commissioner that (Name) has left Planarcadia, of their own volition. Attach the bartender's testimony and their locket, please." Ashveil doesn't wait for his response, stepping into the refrigerator once the final word left his tongue.

His damp clothing only serves to enhance the cold air, but it hardly bothers him. There's only thing he came back for.

"I'm back, my love." His gloved hand rests on your freezing cheek, a tear drop immortalised by ice, your beauty kept eternal, and your existence forever by his side.

That morning was definitely...something. First thing٫ you woke up to being nearly squished to death. During the night٫ you—somehow—ended up with Azul underneath you and squeezing you with what felt like a death grip. Jade had laid peacefully beside the two of you٫ but his arm seemed to have a tight grip around your waist. For Floyd and Grim٫ it was honestly surprising how similarly they slept: Sprawled out like the owned and paid for the bed. The difference was Grim was small enough to lay on top of you٫ and Floyd was not. So٫ the eel seemed to have settled for the next best option of sprawling his limbs over you. At least when you slept in Leona's bed٫ HE had the decency to give you breathing room. You started viciously wriggling around to free yourself٫ waking them up in the process.

Now٫ you and Grim were being brought back to prison. Unwillingly٫ you might add. The only reason you hadn't put up more of a struggle is because you knew these three borderline PSYCHOPATHS had a plan to mess things up٫ and you were kinda here for it. You and Grim٫ both٫ were really salty about everything.

"I still can't believe the Ramshackle pair fled to Octavinelle."

"And they stole the magic carpet. If the housewarden were to find out about this...Rrgh, what do we do?"

"I think we'd better take this to Vice Housewarden Jamil to start with."

"Hello, gentlemen. Mind if we pop by?"

With Grim in your arms and the magic carpet beside you٫ you followed Azul as he strolled before the two Scarabia members. The tweels followed behind٫ as if to make sure you and your fluffy companion didn't attempt to flee. You nervously adjusted your clothes٫ carefully balancing Grim so that you wouldn't accidentally drop him. Your current outfit that they dressed you in was a remarkable redesign of the Octavinelle House uniforms in a way that fit your clothing style. How they knew your clothing style was unknown to you. The creepier part٫ it was somehow your exact measurements when you don't remember ever getting measured...

"Good GRAVY, it's hot here. Feels like the middle of summer٫" Floyd groaned and began fanning himself with his hat. The two boys before you all looked thoroughly surprised.

"You're the Octavinelle guys who gave us a thrashing last night!"

"What do you want with Scarabia?"

"Permit me to apologize for what transpired last evening. It's only natural to believe and defend what's yours. But after I heard their story...It became clear to me that the two of them must've decided to act out and steal Scarabia's magic carpet. Once I realized my mistake, I took personal responsibility for the matter. I've brought them here to apologize in person for the trouble they've caused٫ and to return the magic carpet to its rightful owner٫ as well."

"Rgh... It ain't fair, I tell ya..." Grim grumbled. The carpet seemed to nod.

"W-well, uh..."

"Thank you for the...help?"

"Guys. It's about time for morning training. If you're late, Kalim will—Gh?!" Jamil froze at the sight in front of him.

"Why, Jamil! Hello there. How are you?" Azul greeted in delight.

"Azul Ashengrotto...and the Leech brothers as well? What are you doing here?"

"Our home isn't the most hospitable place in the wintertime٫" Jade explained.

"So we spend our holidays in the dorm! Aha ha!" Floyd laughed.

"Wh...What?"

"By the way, where might Kalim be? I'm here to return his magic carpet to him٫" the conman stated.

"Er, ah...lf you need to deliver something, I'll take it to him٫" Jamil offered٫ attempting to pass Azul and approach you. Your best guess was so that he could lead you back inside.

The former٫ however٫ was not so willing and stepped between the two of you٫ "Oh, but I insist! This magic carpet is a legendary artifact on par with national treasures. If it were discovered to be damaged later, Octavinelle would be held liable. We can't have that, now, can we? I would prefer to hand it to Kalim in person and have him assess its condition firsthand."

"Kalim wouldn't care even if it was damaged. Let me take it٫ and these troublemakers٫ off your hands, okay?" Jamil urged.

"Worry not—l won't even ask for my standard twenty percent finder's fee٫" Azul hummed.

"Consider that our way of apologizing for our uncouth behavior towards Scarabia last night٫" Jade added.

"We also brought a seafood pizza as a little present. You wouldn't want it to get cold, wouldja?" Floyd purred.

"The point is, I would MUCH prefer to deliver it in person. He's awake by now, I trust?"

"No, really, he's not feeling up for any—hey!

You can't just barge in, Azul!"

Jamil's words were of no use٫ though. Adult had already pushed passed him٫ dragging you along. Right behind٫ Floyd and Jade followed.

"Oh, hey, Azul. What brings you to our dorm?" Kalim wondered. With how calm he was٫ it was probably safe to say that the Housewarden was kept out of the loop about last night's escape.

"Hello there. It's nice to see you, Kalim٫" Azul greeted. "Goodness me! Scarabia never fails to impress every time I visit. It's a veritable winter wonderland outside, yet in here, the sun's so hot that it might as well be midsummer. You would have vacationers coming in droves if you opened up a resort here. It's an ideal location."

"You don't say? I don't really have the savvy for business stuff, but thanks for the kind words!"

"At any rate, I'm here today because I caught your magic carpet. I'd like to return it to you."

"Really? It ran off again? I'm sorry you had to deal with that٫" Kalim apologized.

"Oh, it's no bother at all٫" Azul reassured٫ "By the way, is Scarabia having holidays in the dorm this year?"

"Yes, that's right. Is Octavinelle doing the same?"

"Why, yes! Fancy that! In fact, what say we take this opportunity to improve relations between our dorms?"

"Wha...?!"Jamil yelped٫ finally catching up.

"It seems there are many things to be learned from Scarabia's unique studying style that was apparently adopted this winter٫" Azul went on.

"That's right! I would be positively honored to host Octavinelle's housewarden here in our dorm٫" Kalim exclaimed.

"....Kalim, I recommend against this٫" Jamil advised٫ finally grabbing a proper hold of you and pulling you away from Azul's side. His dragging caused you to stumble٫ almost making you drop Grim.

"Aw, why?" The housewarden whined.

"The whole point of our current training regimen is to catch up to the other dorms. If we invite the housewarden of one of those other dorms to join us, we're showing the enemy our hand٫" Jamil chided٫ taking Grim from your arms and setting him on the ground beside you.

"Oh, please. He's hardly an enemy. Besides, didn't you invite the Ramshackle residents?"

"Well, er...Yes..." The vice paused before continuing٫ "Look, Azul I'm saying this for your own good."

"You're absolutely right, Jamil. Other dorms are always going to be, on some level, our rivals in the grade standings. I'm afraid we'd best take our leave, boys. Kalim, Jamil, best of luck with your training٫" Azul wished and turned back around towards the Tweels. Then٫ he sighed٫ "Back to spending yet another holiday stuck indoors in the dead of winter, just the three of us. It's unavoidable, I suppose..."

"And after we worked so hard to capture that magic carpet and bring it back..." Jade added on.

"And it made a huge mess outta the Mostro Lounge in the process..." Floyd threw in.

The three let out a collective sighed and said in unison٫ "Alas..."

"Layin' on the guilt trip a little thick there, don't ya think?!" Grim gaped.

You noticed Jamil rolling his eyes as he inspected you٫ checking for signs of your condition having worsened or the three of them having done something to you. He seemed relieved at finding nothing for both possibilities.

"Not so fast!" Kalim stopped them.

"Here we go..." Jamil groaned٫ lowering hid head in defeat.

"Azul is one of the top magicians in our whole school. I think Scarabia would benefit greatly from having him over! Besides, turning away esteemed guests out of hand would bring shame upon the Asim family name."

"Why, Kalim! What a kind and generous soul you are! Naturally, I would be more than happy to share any insights I have with you٫" Azul generously offered.

"The two of us will be happy to assist with cooking and cleaning٫" Jade added.

"Yeah! We do it at the lounge anyway, so we're pretty good at it٫" noted Floyd.

"That would be great! And it would ease Jamil's workload٫" Kalim beamed.

"I don't NEED any help...Ugh, forget it. You're not listening to a word I say."

"All right, let's get ourselves ready for some special training! It's your dorm versus ours. Put your things away and come to the courtyard٫" the heir announced.

"Certainly. Do go easy on me, Scarabia gentlemen. Heh heh heh..." Azul mused.

❥

The whole day ended up as some weird game of tug-of-war or capture-the-prefect. Every few minutes٫ you found yourself being pulled away from someone by someone. You thought you might finally get some peace later that night. Turns out you thought wrong.

"Kalim was in a pretty good mood today٫" Grim happily pointed out. The direbeast was currently splayed out across your lap.

"Agreed. That was the 'regular' Kalim I know٫" Azul noted.

"When he's in a bad mood, he narrows his eyes and gets this scary tone when he talks٫" Grim explained.

Jade began question٫ "Are you certain that's what's happening here?"

"Whaddaya mean?" Floyd asked٫ plopping down next to you on the bed and leaning his weight against your side.

"You're prone to mood swings yourself, Floyd. Kalim doesn't give me that same impression٫" the former stated٫ "I suspect a different root cause at play."

"Jamil said it was brought on 'cause of their lousy dorm standings in Spelldrive and the exams٫" Grim remembered.

"Really? Since when does Sea Otter care about that?" Floyd wondered٫ now leaning his head on yours٫ much to your dismay.

"Sea what now?" Grim questioned٫ already giving the eel dirty looks for stealing his you-time.

"He means Kalim. Floyd likes to give people nicknames based on sea creatures٫" Jade explained and sat next to you٫ as well. "In your case, Grim, you have a cute, round little silhouette. Which is why he calls you Sealie. It's a term of endearment."

"I ain't round! I'm full-bodied, thankyouverymuch!"

"And 'Little Shrimpy'?" You asked.

"Well٫ shrimp do tend to have quite the symbiotic bond with eels. Plus٫ you're quite small and adorable like them٫" Jade cooed. You groaned.

"Sea Otter's always bangin' on a drum with a grin on his face. Reminds me of those fuzzy sea scamps٫" Floyd added. You couldn't disagree.

"He does have a generally sunny disposition. I can't imagine his demeanor would shift so drastically over something as minor as unimpressive grades٫" Azul thought aloud٫ "I agree that the root cause is likely to be something else entirely. If we want to get to the bottom of this, we'll need to get to know Kalim better. Jade, would you mind having a little 'talk' with him?"

"Consider it done. Jamil would be a harder target, but...Kalim might be willing to 'talk' openly with me."

"Then I think I'll play with Sea Snake in the meantime٫" Floyd volunteered.

"Excellent idea. I'll join you for that٫" Azul offered.

"Heh heh heh..."

"Their smiles ain't reached their eyes once this whole time..."

"I think I'd feel less threatened by another overblot..."

❥

Knock! Knock!

You waited patiently at Jamil's door٫ hoping he'd answer and had not already gone to sleep. Azul and Floyd made you be the one in front of the door so that Jamil wouldn't immediately slam it in your faces. Once it was open٫ Azul made sure he was first to enter.

"Good evening, Jamil٫" he greeted.

"How's it hangin'?" Floyd joined.

"Mind if we drop in?" Grim asked as a formality٫ but was already through the doorway.

"Sorry for the crowd٫" you apologize.

Jamil seemed to looked at you with pity before facing Azul٫ "What do you want?"

"When Kalim gave us a tour of the treasury, we spotted a board game I've never seen before٫" Azul went on٫ "I asked Kalim to explain the rules, but it's still not quite making sense to me."

"It's this wood board with little divots, and you put gems in 'em or something? How's that work?" Floyd bluntly asked٫ showing the game in his hands to Jamil.

"Ah, I recognize the board. That's a popular game in the Land of the Scalding Sands٫" Jamil noticed.

"As a member of the Board Game Club, I'm always looking to try new games. Would you care to play a round with me?" Azul wondered.

"Aha ha, me too! I wanna see what you've got, Sea Snake٫" Floyd excitedly cheered.

"The great Grim never misses out on a competition!"

"Pleaseee٫" you pleaded٫ clasping your hands together and attempting to give your best puppy eyes.

"Kalim's gone to bed. I don't see why not٫" Jamil relented٫ "My dorm room doesn't have enough space for all of you, though. Let's play in the lounge."

❥

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒊𝒅𝒆:

"I'm sorry about this, Kalim. I wasn't expecting you to already be in bed for the night. This can wait until tomorrow, honest. I know it's selfish of me to ask to see the treasury again..."

"No worries! It's totally fine! What did you want to see?"

"I was curious about the tapetries and carpets further in the back. You don't see many textile handicrafts under the sea, you know. I've always been fascinated by Scalding Sands culture. After all, what could be further from the bottom of the ocean than a world of arid sands?"

"Ooh! Speaking of carpets, I've got one with colors that would be a perfect fit for your dorm. It would be a shame to let it keep gathering dust in the storeroom. Why don't you take it back with you?"

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely! And here we are."

Kalim opened the door٫ allowing Jade entry to the room full of visible wealth.

"Ahhh...It's even more amazing when I study it up close٫" Jade admired٫ "Kalim, what's this lovely peacock green fabric?"

"Oh, that's woven out of silk٫" the housewarden replied٫ "Long, long ago, back before yandere and darlings were recognized٫ and when they first reformed the law stating that royalty could only marry royalty...There was a princess who wedded a common man raised in the slums. She often wore that color. It's a popular color among men and women alike in the Scalding Sands."

"Incredible. If the mer-princess fascinated with the human realm were to see these treasures, she'd have been desperate to have them all٫" Jade joked٫ "It can't be easy keeping track of so many luxuries."

"I leave all the organizational stuff to Jamil. He airs them out on occasion."

"Jamil is quite the competent right-hand man, isn't he? Azul was saying the same thing٫" the mer commended.

Kalim chuckled in proud delight٫ "Heh heh! Isn't he, though? The guy's pure amazing. It was Jamil who taught me magic and tutored me. He was a way better tutor than any of the ones my family hired. Oh, and he's a great dancer, too! Not that he does much of that around others..."

"If he's that competent, why doesn't he speak up to you about what you've been doing?"

"Huh?"

"Keeping students from going home on a long holiday and forcing them into harsh training every day...I strain to imagine you doing such a thing. So why?"

"Oh...Well...It's because we really needed extra training, I guess...?"

"You 'guess'? It was your decision, wasn't it?"

"Yes. It definitely was, but...I've been...spacing out a lot lately."

"Why is that?"

"Jamil says it's probably fatigue from me becoming housewarden as a sophomore."

"Come again?"

"I've always had this habit of nodding off when I start working my brain too hard٫" Kalim thought back٫ "My tutors and Jamil were always on my case about it."

"What are you finding difficult at present?"

"Our loss in the interdorms, our bad grades in the exams...My responsibility...Remedial measures...my darling wandering around on their own...When I dwell on those, lend up just spacing out. Ha ha, I'm a pretty lousy housewarden, huh?"

"Wasn't it your decision to keep the students over the holidays for special training?"

"I, um...I think it was."

"Another noncommittal answer. Hmm..." Jade hummed. "Ah...Ow!"

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Sorry, I think I got a speck of something in my eye. Could you take a look at it for me?"

Kalim got closer to Jade٫ even going on his tiptoes to look better.

"Are you all right? Here, let me see. Which eye?"

"My left eye. That's it, look in my left eye...Don't be afraid. I want to help you٫" the eel purred before chanting٫ "Shock the Heart."

"...Huh?"

"I'm going to ask you some questions, and you will answer them honestly. Do you know..."

❥

𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑻𝒐 𝒀𝒐𝒖:

"WOO! I win! That's three for me!" Floyd celebrated٫ startling you from you half-conscience state.

Seeing this٫ Jamil softly rubbed you arm٫ coaxing you to calm back down as he congratulated his opponent٫ "You're tough competition when you're focused, Floyd."

Earlier٫ when your little group started setting up the two gameboards on the floor٫ Jamil lit some incense that he claimed would keep any unwanted bugs out. For something to keep bugs away bugs٫ its aroma sure was calming. From what you guessed must've been a mixture from the scent and the day's events٫ you felt yourself growing exhausted. Jamil noticed your fatigue rather quickly and let you rest against his shoulder instead of laying on the hard ground. Every so often٫ you'd point out a move that he should make whenever you paid enough attention.

"Mrgyah! I lose again! You're relentless, Azul."

"That brings me up to five to zero. I'd be an affront to the Board Game Club with anything less, of course. Meanwhile, Jamil's at...two to three, I see. Even with the additional help٫" Azul jabbed.

"Hm? Oh, yes. It's been a while since | last played. I suppose I've gotten rusty٫" Jamil remarked٫ "Back in the old days, Kalim would spend hours a day making me play with him, insisting on going until he won a game. Despite his middling skill. Imagine that."

"Ah, I see٫" Azul replied before muttering٫ "Mm, yes, that would explain it."

"Explain what? You sure love your cryptic little asides٫" the vice remarked.

"Forget I said anything. So, you and Kalim essentially grew up together, correct?"

"We've been together for as long as I can remember, yes. Speaking of which, you three Octavinelle boys have been friends since childhood, I hear?"

"Thaaat's what they say!" Floyd replied٫ messing with the game pieces.

"What's that s'posed to mean? You're talkin' like you're not even one of 'em٫" Grim retorted.

The eel went on at his request٫ "We've been classmates ever since we started elementary school...But personally, I barely knew Azul existed until just before we started middle school. So I wouldn't exactly call us childhood friends.

"You barely knew your own classmate existed until you graduated?" You sleepily muttered٫ "You've got a serious case of tunnel vision..."

"I was a rather quiet boy myself. I hardly ever stood out in class٫" Azul admitted.

"You stood out in other ways, though. Not many guys could claim to be as cute and round as—"

The octo-mer quickly shut Grim down٫ slapping a hand over his furry mouth.

"Grim, I believe we've been over this multiple times. You are NOT to dredge up the forbidden lore!"

"You make it sound like some convoluted videogame storyline..." You grumbled before yawning٫ earning a snicker from Jamil.

"Yet here you are now, presiding over them as housewarden. You have a curious relationship٫" he pointed out.

"Y'think? I just do what Azul says 'cause it's more fun that way٫" Floyd wondered with a grin.

"I strongly doubt Jade or Floyd have any binding allegiance to me. This is all an elaborate game of pretend to them٫" Azul shrugged.

"Your relationship is getting more confusing by the minute٫" Jamil commented.

So they were in denial about...whatever they are to each other. You didn't really care to think about it٫ either.

"If I made a poor choice as leader—or even simply a boring one...They would turn on me instantly and seize the housewarden seat for themselves. Not that I'd lose if they challenged me, of course."

"We ain't got any plans to challenge him, either...for now, anyway. Aha ha!"

"They'd probably also make him into their pet octopus٫ too..." you sarcastically muttered٫ earning another chuckled from Jamil.

"So essentially, the three of you are all equals in each other's eyes٫" the vice summarized.

"Yeah. We stick with him now 'cause it's fun. If it stops bein' fun, we drop him like a bad habit. Easy٫" Floyd answered٫ "It ain't like the vice housewarden is the housewarden's servant or nothin'. It's a pretty normal relationship, if you ask me."

"Normal, you say. I suppose that concept is lost on me. I've always been loyal of the Asim house. And that will likely never change."

"Oh, hey, guys. Are you still gaming?"

"GAH!"

Jamil's little outburst reset your progress from the last time you were startled from awake from nearly falling asleep.

"What's this? Ooh, Mancala! That takes me back. I used to play it for hours on end with Jamil."

"I thought you went to bed, Kalim. Why would you..." Jamil cleared his throat٫ "I've told you not to wander around by yourself. What if someone abducted you?"

"You're such a worrywart, Jamil. Chill. Jade's been with me the whole time٫" Kalim reassured.

"Wait, JADE?"

"Yes, hello. I've been keeping Kalim company."

"Y-you..."

"Kalim is so generous. He's been teaching me aaall sorts of things..."

You felt Jamil's once gentle grip on you quickly tighten.

"Answer me. What did you do to Kalim?"

"What did I...do? I was just having a pleasant conversation with him. Isn't that right, Kalim?"

"Yep. I was just showing him around the storeroom."

"Gh...!"

"Oh yeah, Jamil! You know that silver and blue carpet we brought with us when we came here? Do you know where it is? I couldn't find it for the life of me."

"We're leaving, Kalim٫" Jamil firmly stated and stood up.

"Huh? Why?"

"Back to your room, now!" The vice housewarden fussed before standing you up and grabbing you by the arm like he did Kalim. "And it'd be best not to leave you alone with those three..."

"Whoa! Okay, okay! You don't have to pull my arm out of its socket! Sorry, Jade. I'll get you the carpet some other time!"

"Certainly. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other very soon..."

"Hey! Bring Little Shrimpy back!"

Jamil ignored them while dragging you and Kalim away and back to Kalim's room. He made Kalim get back in the bed and even found a spare set of pajamas for you to wear to sleep. Out of respect٫ Jamil made sure to look away and made double sure Kalim wouldn't peak while you changed.

"Sorry٫ but this is the closest we have to another spare bed٫ and I trust Kalim far more than those three٫" Jamil apologized.

Kalim٫ on the other hand٫ seemed ecstatic. He had even started chanting "sleepover" until Jamil shut it down.

"If neither of you get any sleep٫ I may need to change up everyone's sleeping arrangements٫" the vice warned. You both nodded and watched as Jamil left for the night.

It didn't take long for Kalim to fall asleep٫ snuggling against you and nuzzling his face in your chest. When you were sure that he was completely unconscious٫ you took out you phone and read through the plan details the others sent you. Wait٫ how did they get your number...?

❥

You barely recognize your dream٫ almost mistaking it for still being in the dark bedroom. The skies looked so dark and ominous...You were only able to distinguish the two when the adviser from your previous dreams appeared before you with a lamp in his hand and his foot on another's face.

Soon٫ your view panned over to what must've been a palace with a large٫ dark figure looming over it.

A man's voice called out٫ "Genie, stop!"

"Sorry, kid. I've got a new master now٫" the genie apologized٫ his voice full of remorse.

The scene changed to the once-adviser as he stood on a hill٫ looking down below as his feathered companion proclaimed٫ "Kneel and pay tribute to the great sorcerer Jafar!"

At the order٫ the old sultan and who you believe to be his daughter appeared٫ bowing before him.

"Now where were we? Ah, yes—abject humiliation!"

Suddenly٫ the scene changed. The sorcerer was now between the princess and a street rat and declaring٫ "He is no prince, and that's a fact. Now that he's unmasked, do you recognize your prince? It's Aladdin! His punishment? Eternal banishment...from this life! Farewell, 'Prince Ali'!"

You could hear the man's maniacal cackles as he flung a tower of the place—with the boy still inside—far away using the magic of his staff. With that final act٫ the dream started to fade.

❥

"Good morning, you two."

"Go away..." You groaned at the wakeup call٫ desperately trying to pull the blankets over your head to shut out the light.

You felt Kalim turn his head a bit from where he was laying it on your shoulder to get a better look.

"Mm...Izzat you, Jamil? Morning..."

"No, it's Jade. Though our names do sound a bit similar. Heh."

"Wait...What? What are you all doing here?" Kalim wondered٫ now perfectly awake.

You٫ on the other hand٫ not so much. You tried hiding back under the covers٫ but Jade wouldn't allow that and scooped you up.

"I've brought some tea to wake you both up and each a change of clothes. Now٫ please rise and shine٫" he instructed.

"Huh? Wha? What's going on? Where's Jamil?" Kalim questioned٫ frantically looking around.

"Don't worry. We're perfectly capable of helping you get dressed without him٫" Azul reassured.

You had just begrudgingly took your change of clothes to dress yourself when you heard a knock on the door before it opened.

"Kalim. ___. It's time to—what?! Azul? Jade? Grim?! What are you doing in Kalim's room?!"

Jamil gaped at the sight.

"My hench-human's here٫" Grim quipped٫ but was practically ignore. You patted his head.

"Ah, good morning, Jamil! You're welcome to sleep in today. In fact, I encourage it٫" Azul insisted٫ "We'll be taking care of Kalim starting now until the end of break."

"What?!"

"After our chat last night, I realized something٫" the conman began٫ "Who's the busiest guy in this dorm? Who works the hardest by far? It's you, Jamil!"

"We've been taking advantage of Scarabia's hospitality during our stay, you see. So we'd like to pay it back somehow٫" Jade added on.

"You can call us the Jamil Support Squad!" Grim cheered.

"O-of all the ridiculous...I mean, no, I couldn't possibly ask you to..."

"Oh...Ooh...OOOH! That's BRILLIANT!" Kalim exclaimed٫ "I've been thinking for ages about how I wish I could make Jamil's job easier!"

"Your compassion is a touching thing to behold, Kalim. Would that Azul could take a page from your book٫" Jade retorted.

"Ha ha ha. You just had to get in a dig, didn't you, Jade? Anyway, allow us to handle matters here. You can kick back and take it easy, Jamil٫" Azul continued to push.

"By all means, take them up on it, Jamil! This is great for you!" Kalim agreed.

"Run along now, Jamil. Go back to your room and catch up on your sleep٫" Jade started to physically push.

Now dressed٫ after having done so in a private corner while they were distracted with eachother٫ you helped pull Jamil out the door. Once getting him into the hall٫ the was quickly shut again.

"What in the world is going on here?"

"Maybe it's a sign you're working too hard. How about going back to bed?" You urged٫ trying to nudge Jamil in the direction of his dorm room.

"I can't just rest٫" he denied٫ "I'd better at least see to breakfast..."

"But Jamilll٫" you whined٫ following right behind him.

❥

"Hey, minnow. That ain't been seasoned yet, so don't run it out."

"S-sorry, sir!"

"The vegetables in the oven are done."

"Those are already dressed, so plate 'em and get 'em on the table."

"B-breakfast is already made?!" Jamil yelled in shock٫ causing you to flinch slightly. "Did you do this, Floyd?"

"G'morning, Sea Snake! Yup, me 'n the minnows took care of it. Azul was goin' on about how much he wanted to help you٫" Floyd confirmed. Then٫ with only a few large steps٫ he already started squeezing you in his arms and singing٫ "G'morning٫ Little Shrimpy!"

"Yeah. Morning..." you replied٫ trying time push him off.

"But...But I can't put our guests to work٫" Jamil stated٫ pulling you away from Floyd.

"We ain't exactly guests, remember? We're trainin' buddies٫" the eel corrected.

"But Kalim can only eat food prepared by me. It could be poisoned٫" Jamil added.

Floyd laughed٫ "Ha! That's an even more unbalanced diet than what I eat. And I ain't poisoned anything here, by the way. If you don't trust me, test it yourself. If it gets Jamil's Poison-Free Seal of Approval, I'm sure Sea Otter will eat it right up."

"You have a point, but still..."

"Vice Housewarden, could you taste-test these grilled vegetables?"

"I think this soup came out nicely. What do you think, sir?"

"Rgh...Fine. I'll test them all myself٫" the vice relented٫ "Actually, are we prepared for our morning oasis trek? Usually, breakfast comes AFTER the march."

"Ah, about that. As housewarden of Octavinelle...I've given my fellow housewarden Kalim an alternate proposal."

"Wh...What?! You can't just do that!"

Thank whatever divine being is out there for Azul's sudden entrance٫ because you were about to threaten to kill yourself or something if you had to do that trek again.

"Rather than aerobic exercise like long-range walking...You'll see far greater gains in strength and stamina from proper indoor weight training٫" Azul elaborate٫ "Scarabia's desert is a terribly hot place, you know. We wouldn't want to risk anyone getting heatstroke...Again."

"Oh٫ poor Little Shrimpy didn't deserve that~," Floyd playfully cried٫ suddenly cradling against his chest from where you stood٫ despite your blatant distaste. "In fact, there's a huge fountain in the courtyard. If you wanna build stamina, how about swimmin' in that? It'd be more fun, too."

"Agreed. I can tell you from experience that swimming is a far better way to burn fat than walking."

"So...We don't have to go on those marches anymore?"

"We're safe, Vice Housewarden!"

Correction: they were safe. With a certain three around٫ swimming was just as dangerous for you. You were getting no where near that water if any of them got in.

"It's also worth mentioning that skipping breakfast can make you more easily fatigued and distracted. Not that overeating helps either, of course."

"Good morning!"

You nearly yelped upon being basically suprise tackled by the dorm's overly enthusiastic housewarden.

"Ooh, breakfast is done already?" Kalim rested his chin on your shoulder as he observed the meal prep٫ wrapping his arms around you from behind.

"Hot diggity! That looks delish!" Grim cheered as he bounded behind Kalim.

"Floyd's in fine form today. It comes out considerably worse when he's not in the mood...٫" Jade followed.

"And Sea Snake's already poison-tested your portions, Sea Otter. Go on and dig in!" Floyd urged.

"Bon appetit!"

"Ooh, this is wonderful soup!" Kalim praised.

"Ain't it? That's a Coral Sea staple. It's packed to the gills (heh) with seafood٫" Floyd snickered٫ "C'mon٫ Little Shrimpy. Open wide~." The eel cooed as he tried to make you let him spoon feed you.

You vehemently shook you head٫ backing away as far as you could. In the corner of your vision٫ you noticed Jamil silently watching from the side.

❥

"First, the key to ancient incantations is memorizing vocabulary٫" Azul explained.

"I'm aaawful at memorization. It puts me to sleep٫" Kalim whined.

"Then I've got the perfect study method for you: recitation while walking٫" the octo-mer suggested.

"It's a good study method for people with shorter attention spans٫" Jade elaborated.

"Sounds like it'd be just as great for me!" Grim pointed out.

"Does it work on Floyd?..." You snickered under your breath.

"All right, let's all try it together, guys٫" Kalim announced.

"Yes, sir!"

❥

"Proper exercise is critical to honing a more efficient mind for study. However, overstraining yourself will have an adverse effect٫" Azul detailed.

"Mock battles are a good way to exercise while venting stress٫" Jade added.

Floyd laughed٫ "Aha ha! I'm in the mood to cut loose, so count me in! Hmmm, who to fight?"

"All right, split into teams of five and let the melee begin!" Kalim declared. "You'll watch me٫ right٫ ___?"

You agreed to appease the walking sunshine. This time while training٫ he seemed to be intentionally making his moves look more flashy٫ looking back over at you every so often just to make sure you saw. Some of his dormmates even looked to occasionally be losing on purpose for their housewarden's dramatic performance. At some point٫ Floyd joined in on Kalim's dramatics٫ making his moves just as exaggerated. The whole show was very entertaining to everyone there٫ even Azul and Jade. Jamil٫ however٫ didn't look all too amused.

"Aha ha! Mock bottles really are fun. And they're a great way to gauge the results of your training٫" Kalim beamed.

"Yes, Housewarden!"

Not too far away٫ you noticed Jamil let out a strained sigh. You couldn't help but wonder what was wrong.

❥

Now in the school cafeteria٫ everyone watched Azul as he spoke.

"There's one main reason we've grown as well as we have٫" he lectured٫ "And that would be...our diet, of course! It's about getting the nutrients you need—not too many and not too few. This helps your afternoon performance."

"Cooking is an essential life skill for gaining an understanding of food and developing a healthy diet٫" Jade elaborated.

"Maybe I should start cooking every now and then...I wouldn't have to worry about poison if I prepared meals myself٫" Kalim thought aloud.

"Don't. You'll injure yourself again٫" Jamil scolded.

"Okay, Sea Otter. You're in charge of stirrin' the pot٫" Floyd instructed.

"Keep an eye on that soup and make sure it doesn't boil over, would you?" Jade asked.

"Sure thing! Glad to help٫" Kalim happily agreed.

"What about me?" You skeptically asked٫ looking up at the twin eels as they assigned tasks.

"You٫ my dear٫" Jade purred٫ picking you up by the waist and sitting you on the kitchen island٫ "...just sit here and look adorable as always."

The eel booped your nose٫ making you subconsciously scrunch up your face.

"All right, everyone. Let's make this a meal to remember٫" Jade announced.

"Yes, sir!"

"Okay, I'm going to make the best-tasting soup ever!" Kalim declared٫ already in front of an empty pot on the stove.

"I worry about having you cook on your own. I'll help٫" Jamil decided.

"No need to fret, Jamil. We will aid him٫" Azul assured.

"You just sit back and relax with ___," Jade insisted.

At Jade's mention of you٫ eyes were back on you for a second. It was bad timing٫ though٫ because you were currently snagging a bite of one of the ingredients. You quickly shoved it in your mouth.

"Yeah٫" you agreed through your chewing٫ covering your mouth with one hand and patting the counter beside you with the other.

Jamil let out an amused breath at your antics before finally relenting٫ "Fine..."

You ended up being the involuntary taste tester. Anytime something needed to be sampled٫ they had you taste it. They even insisted on feeding you themselves. It got to a point where Jamil started to limit them on how often they could make you taste test something.

"Scalding Sands cuisine is delicious. Perhaps we should add some to our menu٫" Azul thought aloud٫ "Though it might be difficult to procure ingredients and learn to cook them properly."

"I'll help with that! I'd love it if everyone knew how great our food is٫" Kalim offered٫ "I can get all the spices and have one of my family's chefs come to instruct you."

"That would be grand! Let's work out the wording of the contract later."

After what felt like forever٫ the food was just about done.

"Nice one, Sea Otter. You're better at this than I expected٫" Floyd praised.

"Ha ha! You think so? I guess you never know until you try٫" Kalim chuckled٫ "Okay, it's almost done. Just a bit more!"

You held onto Jamil as he helped you off the island counter. Still٫ he was weirdly quiet. It was almost like he was staring past you at something٫ his gaze cold.

"Jamil...?" You called below your breath.

You voice seemed to snap him out of his daze. The usual warmth in his expression returned as he looked back down at you to ask what it was you needed.

"I—...Thank you..."

You couldn't bring yourself to ask about it. You've long learned expressions like that often end with violence...

"You're welcome٫" Jamil replied with a soft smile٫ placing a hand on your head.

"Done!" Kalim announced٫ "Wow, even I can make a simple soup, huh? Aha ha!"

"All you did was stir the pot..." Jamil grumbled with a sigh.

❥

"Ahhh, that was fantastic٫" Kalim sighed in delight.

"Pausing after a meal to take a light walk stimulates the brain and improves your study efficiency in the afternoon٫" his fellow housewarden informed.

"You know a lot about this stuff, Azul. I'm impressed٫" the heir commended٫ "And here I was just pushing for frantic hard work with no real direction. I think I've put my students in an unfair position. You're a sophomore housewarden just like me, but I'm woefully behind."

"Everyone makes mistakes٫" Azul reassured٫ "Our vacation's only half over. There's still room to make up for lost time."

"With a training camp this helpful, staying at school doesn't sound so bad٫" one of the Scarabia students commented.

"Yeah, agreed. The only chance we get to spend time with you guys is when we're at school٫" another joined in.

"It feels like I'm waking up from a nightmare..." a third added.

❥

"Scarabia's got a lot of people good at astrology and ancient incantations, right?" Azul questioned.

"As they tell it here, the Sorcerer of the Sands specialized in divination, and this dorm is populated by students who embody his spirit٫" Kalim explained٫ "I'm not good at either thing myself, though. Aha ha!"

"I hear the Sorcerer of the Sands successfully utilized a man-made device for fortunetelling that required natural energy٫" Azul remembered٫ "The study of astrology took shape relatively early when compared to other fields of magic...He was so far ahead of his time. I suppose his successes played a major role in that."

"Ooh...The Great Seven never fail to impress!" Kalim praised.

"Oh, it's almost three o'clock. Let's get in a bit more studying, then take a break٫" Azul suggested٫ getting dramatic whines from you and Grim.

"Shall I prepare some tea?" Jade offered٫ a hint of mischievous in his eyes.

"No, I'll handle it. I'm the farthest along with my assignment, after all٫" his housewarden decided٫ obviously also suspicious of the eel's antics.

"Allow me to help٫" Jamil urged٫ already standing up٫ as well. He obviously wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

"l'd appreciate that. Shall we be off, Jamil?"

As they walked out٫ you realized there was no one left to help you with your own work. The rest were either too dumb or too aggravating. Damn it...

❥

"The students' completion rate for these assignments is up fifteen percent from yesterday. Those are some statistically significant results٫" Azul noted٫ "___ and Grim told me Kalim was going through drastic mood swings...But he's been acting pretty calm since we arrived. Isn't it nice that Kalim's regained the faith of Scarabia's students?"

"...No. No, it isn't٫" Jamil muttered under his breath.

"It's not?"

"No offense, but I can't let you people stay in Scarabia any longer. It's time you went back under the sea٫" the vice stated.

"Pardon? Where did this come from, Jamil?Have I done something to offend you?"

"You really don't get it? Does the sad look on my face mean nothing to you?"

"What...?"

"...You made eye contact with me. Fool٫" Jamil grinned and began to chant٫ "The one you behold is your master. When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent. Snake Charmer."

"What?! Gh...My head! Rgh..." Azul groaned.

"The pain will last as long as you resist. The sooner you give in and submit, the easier it will be for you. Go on, I'm waiting."

"Rrrgh...Urgh..."

"Azul, who is your master?"

"My master is...you, O mighty Jamil. I await your command, Master."

"Heh...Ha ha...Ha ha ha ha ha!" Jamil cackled٫ "You thought I was a mediocre magician, but you were sorely mistaken—an embarrassing misjudgment for the housewarden of Octavinelle. But really...Because of you, all my carefully laid plans have gone up in smoke. All I needed was a little more nudging from the Ramshackle visitors, and the students would have kicked Kalim out. It was my way of getting Kalim ejected from his position without getting my own hands dirty. AND by his own darling to rub salt into the wound. Do you have any idea how much painstaking effort I put into laying the groundwork for that? First, you're going to take the twins and go home to the Coral Sea...Wait, hold on. Azul. You returned all your contractually stolen powers back to their original owners recently, right?"

"Yes, Master."

"Tch. So much for using you as my own personal genie of the Lamp. Your signature spell is quite a valuable asset...But it would be hard to keep you controlled long-term."

"Sir. I remember the contents of the contracts."

"What?"

"I remember all the secrets of the people I made contracts with. Their troubles. Their weaknesses. Their desires٫" mer repeated.

"What a twisted collection. I can see I made the right call not making friends with you٫" Jamil mused٫ "Does this intellectual cache of yours include Headmage Dire Crowley's secrets?"

"Of course, Master. I know one thing he would never want others to learn."

"Hah...Ha ha ha...That's it. That's it! It's all going to work out! You really are my genie of the Lamp, Azul!"

"Do you wish to know the headmage's secret?"

"Oh, absolutely. Once I have the headmage's weakness in my grasp, I'll finally be free. I'll kick Kalim out of school and become housewarden myself!" Jamil declared.

"And there we have it٫" Jade announced٫ slowly clapping as he strolled onto the scene٫ taking Jamil by surprise.

"So, you finally show your true colors! I bet you thought you were real slick, pullin' the wool over our eyes!" Grim fussed.

"How...How much did you hear?" Jamil questioned.

"All of it, from start to finish٫" Jade answered٫ "Your entire conversation from the moment you left the lounge...has been livestreamed to the world from Azul's smartphone."

"WHAT?!"

"Azul's Magicam livestream presently has five thousand active viewers٫" the eel continued٫ "It's trending online under the topic: 'A Certain Magicians' School's Dirty Little Secret.' It's your moment in the sun, Vice Housewarden. Naturally, all the dorm students are gathered in the lounge, watching you."

Footsteps rushed over to the scene.

"Vice Housewarden Jamil, is everything you just said true?"

"Have you really been deceiving us this whole time?!"

"Talk about a wolf in sheep's clothing!You're a fraud, through and through!" Grim called out.

"Y-you...You've got it all wrong. I..." Jamil stammered.

"Don't even try to talk your way out of this one. The mind control magic you used on Azul is hard evidence٫" Jade firmly stated٫ "Jamil...It's been you all along. You've been using your signature spell on Kalim and making him throw Scarabia into chaos!"

"Gh...!" The culprit scoffed٫ "I was trying to avoid escalating matters, but you leave me no choice. Azul, I command you! Subdue and restrain them all."

"...Yes, Master."

"Azul, no. You don't want to do this. Snap out of it٫" Jade begged.

"Pleading with him won't help!" Jamil pointed out.

"Yes. I am Jamil's loyal minion...or at least, you wish I was٫" Azul rebuked.

"What?!"

"Jamil, you said the funniest thing to me earlier. Allow me to return the favor. You thought I was an arrogant magician, but you were sorely mistaken. An embarrassing misjudgment for the vice housewarden of Scarabia—the dorm that embodies the spirit of mindfulness."

"What's going on? I know you made eye contact. I had you under control!"

"Please. I'm a competent magician. I always prepare for all eventualities before | act. Isn't that right, Floyd?" Azul called.

"I think you let your guard down a little too soon there, Sea Snake٫" Floyd pointed out٫ his voice much deeper than normal.

"MRAH! What's with your voice?!" Grim yelped.

"I signed a contract with Azul and got this rad deep voice for it. Whaddaya think? Do I sound all cool and grizzled now? In return, I offered Azul my signature spell, Bind the Heart."

"And if you don't know what that spell does, your face is going to crack when you hear this: It jams an opponent's magic and diverts it elsewhere٫" Azul elaborated.

"That's the magic he was usin' in the Coral Sea! The one that kept our magic from hittin'!" Grim shouted.

"Correct٫ Grim٫" Azul confirmed٫ "And after swiping it from Floyd—ah, correction. After taking it as collateral, I used it to evade Jamil's mind control spell. Then I pretended to be his thrall and got Jamil to spill his true intentions as he gloated."

"I gotta hand it to ya, Azul. You're real dastardly!" The direbeast commended.

"I prefer to be called an intellectual٫" the mer corrected٫ "At any rate, I quickly deduced that Jamil was the only person Kalim would care about enough to fight back against Jade's signature spell. And that was the underpinning of my whole plan."

"Ja...mil?" Kalim called out٫ hesitantly pushing forwards with his arms tightly secured around yours٫ almost like a security item٫ as you were dragged along by his side. "What is this? What's going on?"

"K-Kalim...___..." Jamil muttered.

"Y-you were controlling me? That can't be true, right? I've been having occasional blackouts lately where hours have passed the next time I come to...But those were just dizzy spells or me nodding off, right? I tend to doze off anywhere as it is. You've always gotten on my case for it. So please, say it isn't so. Tell me I was just nodding off٫" Kalim tried to reason.

His hold on your arm grew tighter and desperate as tears began to glisten at the corner of his eyes. You let him hold onto you with such desperation٫ just this once٫ and even rubbed his arm. Aside from the boy's repressed sobs٫ the hall was silent. Including Jamil.

"Mind-controlling me, plotting to expel me...You would never do any of that. Jamil, you're...You're the last person that would ever betray me, right? After all, we're best friends, right?!"

Jamil began to chuckle. Then٫ it became a laugh. Soon٫ he was outright cackling like a madman.

"H-hey...What's wrong?"

"Oh, I'll tell you, Kalim. I'll tell you EXACTLY what's wrong٫" the vice snapped.

"Huh?"

"You've been the same for as long as I can remember. Oblivious, gullible, foolish...AND I HATED IT! You trot along merrily in ignorant bliss, utterly blind to my suffering! Every time I see you smile, it makes my skin crawl! I'm sick of it! There's no point in maintaining my facade now. You have no idea how many days I've spent wishing that you would just go away. But that ends today! Myself, my family...I don't care about ANY of it anymore!"

"W-wait! Jamil!" Kalim called out.

"The one you behold is your master...When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent! Snake Charmer!"

"Agh...!"

The Scarabia students all began to groan in collective agony.

"Wha—did he just mind-control the whole dorm at once?!" Azul exclaimed.

"All of you, eject Kalim and the Octavinelle guests from the premises!" Jamil ordered.

"Yes, Master."

"Jamil?!" Kalim shouted٫ now positioning himself in front of you.

You watched as the others fought off the mind-controlled students٫ but they just kept coming back.

"Incredible. He's controlling all these targets at the same time AND making them do separate things! Mediocre, nothing. He's easily one of the top magicians in the entire school, to say nothing of Scarabia!" Azul praised.

"Do you wanna beat him or do you wanna kiss his ass?! You can't do both!" You argued from behind Kalim. Just because you don't have magic٫ it doesn't mean you can't backseat duel.

"D-don’t be lewd!" He fussed back.

"I keep squeezin' em but they keep gettin' back up. Are they zombies or what?!" Floyd complained. There was no way hell that you were gonna get used to that terribly deep voice.

"Jamil, please, just stop! You can have what you want! You can be housewarden! I'll go home to my family!" Kalim begged.

"What? You thought that would work? My spell won't be broken so easily...Not as long as you exist in this world, Kalim!"

"Jamil, you're courting danger! If you keep using your signature spell like this, you'll exceed your blot tolerance level and—٫" Jade tried to warn.

"Shut up!" Jamil interrupted٫ "Don't you order me around! I'm through following others' orders! I'm going...TO BE FREE!"

You all watched in horror—well٫ you more so in irritation at another—as the large٫ shadowy figure of a snake appeared behind Jamil. As he laughed٫ blot began leaking from him like blood from a fresh wound. Jamil tugged off his hood٫ embracing the blot as it started to drench his whole being until there was only the gooey substance. Even as the last bits of his natural form were smothered٫ Jamil had a maniacal grin on his face. Soon٫ he reemerged in another form. A form similar to the the sorcerer in your dreams...

"What in the world? J-Jamil just transformed?!" Kalim yelled.

"The very air around us is changing. It's just like what happened with Azul..." Jade observed.

"He's overblotted!" Azul pointed out٫ "And right on winter break with no prospects of backup from any corner. This is quite the conundrum.

"Did he turn into another one of those dark berserkers?!" Grim shouted.

"Again?!" You screamed. Crowley was a big٫ fat liar. He said these things were rare٫ but you're currently face to face with number four٫ right now!

"The negative blot energy is swelling up٫" Azul warned٫ "Everyone, steel yourselves!"

"Come. I'll wrap this up. I'm through living like this٫" Jamil declared.

"We need to bring him to his senses, and fast. Once his magic runs out, he's done for٫" Azul reminded.

"GYAAAH! A giant monster! I'm scared!" Grim yowled٫ scurrying over to hold onto your leg for comfort. You've both seen overblots before٫ so you had no idea why he was so scared now. To be fair٫ the snake hair WAS pretty freaky.

"Jamil! Please, come to your senses!" Kalim pleaded.

You watched from behind as the others did their best to defeat Jamil. Much to your terror٫ their best wasn't enough this time. Unlike the overblots before٫ your team was at a significant lack of people. Soon٫ they were on their last legs.

"I have no need for an incompetant king or a con artist. Your personality flaws give me ADEQUATE cause...To send you packing on a one-way trip to the ends of the earth! WHOOPEEEEE!"

"NO!" You screamed٫ hearing the others' shouts grow more and more faint. Wait٫ how come you were still here?

"SO LONG! MWA HA HA HA HA! Ex-Housewarden Kalim!" Jamil cackled is sinister delight.

You cowered behind a nearby pillar٫ attempting to be as silent as possible. You had no idea if you were left behind on purpose or on accident٫ but you were not keen on finding out which one it was.

Once Jamil calmed down from his laughing fit٫ he still managed to keep a smirk on his face.

"Now٫ why don't you come out from behind that pillar?"

You froze. The question was definitely more of an order. He looked over his shoulder and directly at where you were trying to hide.

When you didn't come out from your hiding place٫ due to fear freezing you in place٫ Jamil ordered a handful of the Scarabia students to drag you out and hold you still in front of him. No matter how much you struggled٫ their grip was just too tight.

"What do you want with me? Aren't you gonna send me off with the others?" You questioned٫ trying your best to bite back the overwhelming fear inside of you.

"Feeling feisty٫ are we?" Jamil mused٫ tapping the bottom of your chin with his fingers. "Why٫ I'd never do such a cruel thing to such a precious darling. Oh٫ I have other plans for you٫ my diamond in the rough."

Your eyes widened in horror. At the shock of his discovery٫ you began to demand٫ "H-how do yo—?"

"Details٫ details..." He interrupted٫ even trailing off as he did. The boy ran a finger down your jaw until it reached your chin. Then٫ he took a hold of it and tilted your head to have you look him face to face. "You're quite easy to read when paid enough attention. It's quite cute٫ really."

"So٫ what did you mean by 'other plans'?" You asked٫ desperately biting at your inner cheeks and lip to calm your nerves.

Jamil scoffed and looked away with slight disdain in his expression٫ "Kalim's always gotten everything٫ and I've always been left with nothing. Everything I've loved has always been taken and given to that spoiled bastard...So٫ it's only fair I should get something for myself٫ and even better if its his."

"Huh—?"

Jamil looked you directly in the eyes before chanting٫ "The one you behold is your master. When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent. Snake Charmer."

Your head started to violently throb. You winced and groaned in pain. In response٫ Jamil moved his hand to your cheek٫ gently stroking your skin with his thumb.

"It'll all be alright٫" he cooed٫ "Just give in and the pain will be all gone."

Your pained groans soon devolved into pathetic whines.

"There you go. Good girl/boy٫" Jamil praised٫ "Now٫ who is your master?"

"My master is...you, Jamil. I await your command, Master."

"Perfect..."

𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒔:

The office was warm, but not too warm. The temperature was perfect and inviting. Instead of cold sterile lighting, the office was basking in a warm soft light. The floor was of nicely polished dark wood, probably in oak, and a big red rug with lovely woven details of the forest in autumn covered most of it. Cream coloured wallpaper covered the walls, making the atmosphere cozy and calm. Rows upon rows of bookcases filled one of the long walls. Paintings of tranquil landscapes of ponds and ducklings, flower meadows and the calm sea, was strategically placed on the other two. The last wall, the one behind the deep brown wooden desk, had two large windows that went from the ceiling to two thirds of the wall. A large comfortable sofa that was formed as a ‘L’ was placed in front of the desk and with its back toward the wall. An armchair was to its right and another faced the sofa from the opposite side of the little coffee table. The office was large, but it didn’t feel uninviting. It was clear as day that it was supposed to be a safe space, a place where you could open up and talk about your deepest troubles.

They were initially going to let you see a psychologist who specialises in treating Darlings, but they collectively decided against that after a bug argument had occurred amongst them. You of course, had no say in it. They had then taken you to one of the most renowned psychologists in the entire universe. She was pricy, but it was nothing that Aventurine couldn’t afford.

Dr. Harlowe was an elegant woman. She had blonde hair that had started to whiten due to her age, which she had put up in a neat bun. She was dressed sophisticated, yet she didn’t seem arrogant in the slightest. She had crows feet that especially showed when she smiled that made her appear friendly. She was beautiful and carried herself with such grace, you couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit envious.

Dr. Harlowe was seated in the chair that faced the sofa, with her legs crossed. She had a notebook in her lap which she occasionally noted down notes in. Her kind blue eyes met yours and you looked away as you swallowed. You didn’t want to be there. At all.

You were sitting with a rigged posture on the sofa, your back against the cushions. To your left, by the door you desperately wanted to flee through, sat Jing Yuan. To your left sat Jiaoqiu, and beside him on the shorter side of the sofa sat Veritas Ratio. You had said that if you were even going to go, you wanted to go by yourself, but they had all naturally refused. So much for the respect they claimed they had for you.

They were all staring at you and you realised that Dr. Harlowe had asked you a question. You blinked before you said “I’m sorry, did you say something?”

Her eyes softened. “I asked you about how you are feeling. Your boyfriends have told me about your struggles and pain, but I want to hear it from you.”

You could feel the three Yanderes’ eyes on you and you hesitated before you answered. You wanted to tell her the truth about your situation, tell her all about the murder and horrors they had committed in the name of love, but you feared what might happen to her if you did. You opted to only tell half of the truth. “I feel… horrible. There is no other way to put it.”

“I see. Do you know why you are here?’ she noted something down.

You raised your brow slightly, but remained silent.

“You are here because there is reason to believe that you will put yourself in danger.”

Hah. You wanted to laugh. She could at least be blunt. You were in that damned office because you had been caught trying to kill yourself. How unfortunate.

Sunday had found you when you were about to slit your wrists in the bathtub. He had been absolutely livid and he had used Harmony as a means to calm you down. Due to his stress and emotional outburst, his powers had weakened and you managed to regain control of your mind. You had kicked and screamed your lungs raw as multiple of your captors had tried to calm you down. It had been awful for all parts and you had come to regret your decision. Your suicidal thoughts had started to dim down pretty fast after you attempted and you only felt shame when you thought about it. You had pleaded on your knees in a literal sense when Dr. Ratio had firmly told you that “you were going to get help from one of the most renowned psychologists in the cosmos, whether you liked it or not”.

“You also tried to end your life. Could you please tell me why you did that?” Dr. Harlowe snapped you out of your thoughts. Her voice was gentle and full of understanding, but you couldn’t help but wanting to roll your eyes. If only she knew. Though as she was neither a Darling nor a Yandere, it wasn’t certain she would ever understand you.

You wondered how you looked from her perspective. A woman with dark blue circles underneath tried eyes, messy hair and slightly hollowed cheeks. A disaster no doubt.

“I had my reasons” you finally spoke. Your voice low, yet slightly cross. Annoyance and discomfort was painted across your entire face and you couldn’t be bothered to pretend otherwise. You knew it was childish, but you couldn’t find it in you to care.

“You had your reasons?” she titled her head, a strand of blonde hair falling from her bun and onto her face.

You nodded.

“Why don’t you tell Dr. Harlowe about the state we found you in— the state Sunday found you in?” Veritas deep baritone voice slashed through the silence like lightening from clear sky. Your eyes flickered to his and his orange sunset eyes stared back. His composed expression was slightly faltering and his brows were knitted.

You looked away with your lips pressed tightly together. A large warm hand was placed on your thigh in a comforting manner.

“Don’t be afraid. We all just want to help you” Jing Yuan drew soothing circles on your pant leg.

After waiting for you to speak for a few long minutes, the psychologist finally broke the silence. “It’s okay if you don’t feel like talking” she turned her attention to Jiaoqiu “Perhaps you would like to tell me?” “If that’s alright with you, [Name]” she gave you a small smile.

You gave her a small nod as you didn’t really mind, you just wanted to get it over with.

“Alright” Jiaoqiu nodded. “Sunday, another one of [Name’s] boyfriends, found her in the bathtub as she was just about to slit her wrists. We managed to take away the razor blade and calm her down. It was clear for all of us that we needed help. I and Ratio may be medical doctors, but we aren’t psychologists. So while our knowledge of mental health isn’t lacking, we wanted someone who is an expert on the matter to help her. That was a collective decision on our end and while [Name] strongly disagreed, we don’t regret our decision” his voice firm yet laced with a hint of sadness. ‘Boyfriends’, you wanted to vomit all over the expensive rug.

You tuned out the rest of the conversation as you counted the minutes that passed. Dr. Harlowe had asked you a few more questions which you answered with short sentences and you wondered what would happen if you made a scene of asking her for help. The three Yanderes that had accompanied you wouldn’t do much other than silence you. Though you were sure that when they told the other Yanderes, some of the more violent types would hunt her down and kill her. Maybe they would gift her severed head to her family? It was hard to tell with the likes of Blade, Boothill and Moze. Especially the former.

Two days had passed since the appointment with Dr. Harlowe and you could feel the thick tension that filled the air. They were all looking for signs of change in your mental state. Instead of cooperating, you had decided to walk the more childish path via giving them the good old silent treatment. You didn’t have much to say to them at the moment anyway, except harsh curses and insults. Some of them didn’t seem to mind (or perhaps they were just good at hiding it), while others did not take it well.

You were currently resting in your room, bored out of your mind. Not being allowed to roam outside if your room and your bathroom was torture. You had asked if you could be let out of your room once, but the pitiful look you got in response was enough for you to not ask again. A loud knock broke the silence and your eyes snapped up to your bedroom door. You sat up a bit further on the bed as you waited for what was going to follow. The door handle slowly pushed down and in came Phainon with Argenti close behind. The knight gently closed the door behind them as he gave you a pitiful look. Phainon sat down on the edge of your bed with knitted brows. In his hand was a copy of the new volume of one of your favourite mangas. He waved the manga in the air as he gave you a small smile “I thought you wanted some entertainment.” He put the manga down on your duvet.

Argenti took a sat on the chair that was facing your bed. “How are you feeling my love? We are all so terribly worried. Are you sleeping enough? I really miss your beautiful voice. When will you grant us the privilege of hearing it again?” his words were filled with such serenity, it almost made your heart clench.

“Can’t you please talk to us?” Phainon’s eyes was akin to the eyes of a hopeless puppy and a glossy shine covered them as he looked up at you from the foot of your bed.

Days passed and you still refused to utter a single word. Multiple of the Yanderes could feel their patience wear thin. Boothill and Blade was both sick of your attitude and decided to take the matters into their own hands. They had both abruptly entered your room, causing you to jump. Despite their agreement on not being to harsh with their wording, Blade had decided to ignore it. He threatened to murder your family if you decided to stay silent any longer and that made you finally talk. They had never been so glad to hear “get the hell out of my room, you sick fucks!” as they were then.

As your silent treatment had failed as terribly as it did, you only had one option left: hunger strike. It would take a toll on your health and energy levels, but you couldn’t care less. They had granted you permission to walk around the estate, though that didn’t mean they weren’t watching over you like a hawk. At all times (expect when you were using the restroom) one of them if not more, were glued to your side. Jiaoqiu made your every meal and he made sure to make your favourites even if they weren’t exactly healthy. Everything to make you feel better.

You stared down at the plate. The lasagna that looked as if it came straight out of a five star restaurant, stood completely untouched. Your stomach was rumbling and your mouth was watering at the delicious smell of the meal. It was the third day of your hunger strike and it was clear that they all had caught up to your protest (and rather quickly at that). Anaxa was sitting to your left at the dinning table. His arms were crossed over his chest and he was leaning back against the backrest. His eye was narrowed as he scanned your expression.

“Are you not going to eat?” his slightly harsh voice broke the silence.

You ignored him and continued to stare down at the plate, hoping it would disappear.

He let out a frustrated sigh. “Can you tell me why you won’t eat?” it wasn’t really a question, but more like a command.

You didn’t answer him, instead you tried to tune his voice out. It didn’t work.

“Tell me” his larger hand found yours. You let go of the napkin you had been fidgeting with. His skin was cold enough to ground you. You still didn’t want to look at him, but you could see his expression in the corner of your eye.

“I’m not hungry” you finally spoke. Your voice a low rasp after not being used for hours.

“That’s a lie. I could hear your stomach growling a few minutes ago” he scoffed, though his gaze had slightly softened.

“I don’t want to eat. I don’t need to give you any more explanation than that” you turned to your right as to not face him, yet you could still feel his eye burning into you. Truth to be told, to having not eaten for a few days had maybe you extremely exhausted, yet you had gotten used to the feeling of an empty stomach. It was not the first time you had refused to it, though this time they had let you continue your little strike for a while, most likely as to give you the illusion that you were still in charge of your life. Laughable. You had now come to find comfort in the feeling of hunger. It was a dangerous thing, you were well aware, but it was only one of the few things you could control in your current situation. More unpleasant thoughts had found their way into your head whenever you looked yourself in the mirror. You had tried to push them away, but they had become gradually more intense as the days passed by.

Anaxa seemed unfazed with you snapping at him. He gave your hand a squeeze as he leaned closer to you even with you truing away from him, you could now see him clearly in your peripheral vision. “We want to help you” his deep voice was filled with such sincerity and gentleness that you blinked in surprise. “It hurts to see you wittering away. Why won’t you let us help you?” lithe fingers brushed a few hair strands behind your ear.

“I don’t need help.”

“You do” he sighed “And you know it.”

He stayed silent for a while before he rose to his feet and left the room without saying anything. You continued to stare down on the now cold lasagna as you let your mind drift.

You didn’t know how long that had passed since Anaxa left the room but it must have been an hour or so. You had drifted off as you leaned your arm against the table. The room to the beautifully decorated dining room opened and in came the green haired scholar with Jiaoqiu following behind.

“Hi my love. How are you feeling?” Jiaoqiu gently stroked your cheek, causing you to groggily blink. “We all had a little chat after Anaxa told me you wouldn’t eat your food. So we have all decided that if you refuse to eat your food, we have no choice but to force you to eat. Though I don’t expect this to come as a shock for you.”

Your only stared back at him with a blank expression. His lips were pulled up into a compassionate smile and you wanted to wipe it off him.

“Either we spoon feed you or you get intravenous feeding. Your choice.”

You could feel the familiar feeling of nausea washing over you. You glanced at Anaxa who stood behind Jiaoqiu with an unreadable expression. You pushed yourself up from the chair and violently shook your head as you stepped back. “No. No! I refuse!”

“You don’t have a choice” Anaxa sighed as if he was dealing with a tantrum throwing child instead of a grown woman.

“It’s not that bad. So don’t be scared, sweetheart” Jiaoqiu smiled softly as he tilted his head slightly.

“No, there really is no need” you shook your head as you put your hands up defensively. “I can manage on my own.”

“You have made it very clear to all of us, that you can not” Jiaoqiu sighed as he shook his head, soft strands of pink hair swishing with his movements.

“I promise you I will begin to eat. Please— just please don’t. I don’t need an IV or anything like that. I really don’t” you rambled frantically as your heart hammered against your ribs with anxiety. Cold sweat coated your temples and you were 100 % certain the fox could hear your heart beat loud and clear.

“Really? How can we trust you? How can we be sure you will keep your promise?” the doctor raised his brow.

“I think the IV is a good sol—”

“I promise! I swear! One of you can watch me eat! I promise I will keep my word!” you interrupted the scholar. You would do anything in order to not have to have an IV.

Jiaoqiu sighed loudly as he rubbed his forehead with his fingers as he thought. “Alright. Alright, it’s a deal. But if I— or anyone else suspected you to spit out your food or not eating enough, we will force you to eat. If I so have to force the food down your throat myself. Do I make myself clear?”

You exhaled in relief “Yes. It’s a deal. I promise!” The thought of food still made you nauseous, but the thought of losing even more of your autonomy was more horrifying than anything else.

You had yet again lost to them, but you had not lost it all. Maybe you could even decide what to eat most days?

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