(Author's Notes: Hello, everyone! A few months ago I discovered a great and creative tumblr blog called "skullgirlscollegeAU" that reimagines many Skullgirls characters as normal, well-adjusted college students, and I highly recommend checking it out. I already knew one day I'd want to write stories based on it, and now that my main story is finished I decided to just go ahead with it. I'm still gonna be working on the sequel to The Ballad of Squigly, but I'll also be trying to do these in the meantime. This isn't one long story, but will rather be a collection of 'slice-of-life' type vignettes of varying lengths and parts. Right now I only have this first one planned, so you could consider this a 'pilot' of sorts. Unlike TBOS, this isn't rigidly outlined or anything, and is more off the cuff, so expect some edits and forgive me if you see any errors. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!


"Miss Squigly, had you a full breakfast?"

"Yes, Leviathan."

"Do you have your bag with all your supplies?"

"Yes, Leviathan."

"And do you have all of your textbooks as well?"

"Yes, Leviathan."

"...Your textbooks aren't too heavy, are they? Do you need me to carry them for you?"

"Leviathan! Please stop worrying about every little thing! I can assure you, I'm fully prepared for class and can carry all of my books just fine."

The sun shone through the open blinds of the rear window, and the digital alarm clock on the desk read 9:10 A.M. in bright red numbers. Sienna Contiello, or more commonly known by her friends and classmates as 'Squigly', was sitting at her desk checking Facebook messages on her laptop as a tall, thin man named Leviathan neurotically hovered over her and bombarded her with questions and reminders, heavy unease spread out over his long, pointed face. This was her first day as a sophomore at the quaint, mid-sized Canopy College, something that Leviathan wasn't taking with as much stride as she herself had been.

Both Squigly's and Leviathan's appearances had given off an air of high class: Squigly had blue eyes and black hair worn in her preferred style of pigtails, and had worn a cute yellow short-sleeve shirt with white fringe, a small red necklace, red and white bead bracelets, a dark blue knee-length skirt, and short white open-toed heels. The dapper Leviathan had had yellow eyes and spiky white slicked-back hair, and was clad in a white long-sleeve dress shirt with matching slacks, white loafers, a mauve sweater vest and a red-and-white striped necktie.

For Squigly, a kind, mannerly but rather under-socialized 19-year-old from a wealthy and prestigious family, college mornings had already become a fairly routine practice, given the two full semesters she'd already completed the year before. However, on the morning of her first day of sophomore year, her childhood friend and self-appointed 'guardian' Leviathan saw fit to arrive bright and early at her dormitory from his off-campus apartment to make sure she'd been adequately prepared for her first class, even making her bed despite her insistence on doing it herself. A polite and well-spoken gentleman from a similarly well-to-do background well-acquainted with Squigly's parents and not much older than Squigly herself, Leviathan cared deeply for Squigly's happiness and well-being, and had the tendency to dote on her incessantly, at times to her chagrin. While Squigly did indeed value Leviathan's companionship and appreciate his concern for her, she'd wanted to forge her independence while away at college, desiring to be less dependent on the support of both him and her equally pampering parents, who at first had insisted she attend a large elite university closer to home. Hoping to make friends that would value her for more than just her social status, Squigly instead opted for the smaller college, which her parents ultimately agreed to after some convincing. The two acknowledged Squigly's longing for independence and sent her off to Canopy College immediately after high school, though despite her wishes to be self-reliant, she was more than willing to accept hefty allowances from them in times of great need.

"B-but miss, you mustn't overexert yourself!" Leviathan continued to fret. "I myself had been enrolled here not too long ago. I know firsthand how much these professors bear down on you poor students..."

"Don't worry, Lev, Squigly will be fine – I mean, she's with me, after all. I got her through freshman year, so I don't think this'll be too tough for either of us."

Leviathan turned to the door and saw Squigly's roommate enter the dorm: an amicable and level-headed 20-year-old named Filia. The young woman Filia had green eyes and long black hair that draped down to her waist, adorned with a white headband worn behind her ears. Her outfit consisted of a light blue spaghetti-strap top, a short blue skirt, black slippers and yellow semicircular earrings that were mostly hidden by her hair.

Having stepped out of the dorm just briefly, Filia walked in to the predictable sight of Leviathan fussing over Squigly, and had attempted to quell his baseless worrying with her own reassurance. Filia had been Squigly's roommate during the two's shared freshman year, as well as her first and closest friend on campus. Like Squigly, Filia had come from a noteworthy lineage, but, unlike her, had been more socialized and well-rounded, and better prepared for dealing with the outside world. As Squigly had a relatively sheltered upbringing, she'd initially had no concept of life outside of a mansion; after meeting her, Filia had been the one to introduce her to the basics of average student life, as well as teaching her how better to interact with people of common status. Under Filia's guidance, Squigly's social skills, though still not perfected, had seen a marked improvement since her arrival at college. Because of this, Leviathan was grateful to Filia and treated her affably despite his distaste for her particularly boisterous boyfriend.

As luck would have it, Filia and Squigly ended up as roommates again upon their return to campus, as well as sharing the same first class. Squigly kept her side of their dorm neat and orderly, and decorated her walls with signed posters of various opera singers, being a lover of music and song as well as an aspiring opera singer herself. Conversely, Filia's side was usually untidy, with books and clothes strewn across the carpeted floor. Filia didn't aspire to any particular career path and instead chose to decorate her walls with pictures of puppies.

"Oh hello, Miss Filia. I didn't notice you come in," Leviathan greeted with a smile and a nod. "Impeccable timing, actually. Perhaps you could help me: I was attempting to convince young Squigly here of the importance of proper–"

"Don't call me young, Leviathan! I am not a child to be coddled!" Squigly interrupted, pouting and turning to face him. "Besides, you're only a few years older than I am."

"Relax, Lev. Squigly will be given all the care and attention a girl like her needs," Filia teased, giggling. "I guarantee you she won't have a single scratch on her delicate little head."

"Don't humor him, Filia..." Squigly groaned.

"I understand that you are mature now, miss, but campus life can still be daunting for even the most seasoned student. I am just trying to see you get through this new school year unscathed."

"Yes, I know. Listen, Lev, I sincerely appreciate you wanting to assist and protect me, but I'm capable of doing this on my own. I ask that you have some faith in me, please."

"...Very well, Miss Squigly..." Leviathan sighed.

Squigly smiled gratefully, then closed her laptop and stood up from her desk. Preparing to leave for class, she and Filia picked up their messenger bags containing their books and supplies: Squigly's being white with pink pinstripes, and Filia's being black with two gold buttons and a large white zipper.

"Oh, Squigly, is it okay if we make a quick stop before class?" Filia asked as she and Squigly neared the door. "I promised someone I'd meet with them."

"I do hope it isn't that boyfriend of yours," Leviathan muttered, folding his gangly arms. "Miss Squigly, you be sure to steer clear of him."

"I can make my own decisions, Lev, thank you," Squigly briskly replied. "Anyway, Filia, we certainly can see this person. What better opportunity for me to make new friends of my own than the first day of class?"

"Awesome! Thanks, Squigly!"

"Do you need me to walk you to class, miss?"

"Lev, you walked me to class nearly every day last semester. I already told you, I'm not a child!"

"...You're right. Apologies, miss, but you know I can't help but be concerned for you." Leviathan hung his head slightly. "I've looked after you for what feels like a lifetime, after all..."

Touched by his caring words, Squigly smiled and doubled back to Leviathan, giving him a light hug. "Leviathan, I thank you and truly do appreciate you always being there for me... but I am an adult now, and can take care of myself," she gently spoke. "As Filia said, you needn't worry about me. I promise I'll be perfectly fine, alright?"

"...Yes, Miss Squigly. I understand," Leviathan warmly smiled back. "...Go on then – you mustn't be late for class, now. Academia awaits!"

The two released each other, and Squigly rejoined Filia in heading out the door.

"...Oh, and don't hesitate to ring me if you need anything, Miss Squi–"

Before Leviathan could finish his sentence, Squigly and Filia left the dorm and closed the door behind them.

"...Damn it."