Noire heaved a sigh as she tried in vain to fall asleep, despite being mentally and emotionally worn out from the events of the day. After seeing her friends off to Heartslabyul (with plenty of leftover spaghetti, including portions for Riddle and Trey), she realized barely had the energy to do much more than shower and go to bed. She couldn't even fathom what her friends must be feeling, but Ace had been quite vocal about how sore he was after that disaster of a Spelldrive game. She couldn't help but send an envious look toward Grim, who had passed out almost as soon as he'd settled in for the night.
"Myaa mnya…Did ya see that awesome shot…?" Grim mumbled in his sleep.
Noire huffed out a laugh and rolled her eyes. "Sure did, bud." She sat up and began to scoot toward the edge of the bed, moving carefully so as not to wake Grim. 'Welp, I've officially come full circle. I'm so tired that I'm not tired.' She pulled on her hoodie and made her way down to the front door of Ramshackle. She paused just before opening the door upon hearing Enma ask where she was going at this hour. "I can't sleep so I thought I'd step outside for a bit. You don't have to worry, I promise I won't even leave the yard." Enma acquiesced and reluctantly opened the front door, allowing Noire to step out into the night.
Noire pulled in a breath of the cool night air as she walked toward the top of the staircase that led up the hill to the dorm. Ramshackle had always given off an air of solitude but she was usually still able to hear the hustle and bustle of the students walking around campus. By now, though, everyone had turned in for the night and it was the first time Noire had seen the campus so silent and empty. She shivered lightly as a chilly autumn wind blew past her and stuffed her hands into the pocket on the front of her hoodie. "It's starting to get colder. Guess the seasons really are a-changin'…" She sat down on the top step and took a moment to look up at the sky, taking note of the stars twinkling down at her.
"Hmm? What has you up at this hour?" a deep voice asked.
Noire squawked in surprise, whipping around to face the newcomer so quickly that she nearly fell onto her back. The voice belonged to a very tall man, probably taller than anyone she'd seen in this world so far, though some of that height was due to a pair of vaguely familiar curved black horns protruding from his head. 'What the actual hell?! How did he get so close without her noticing, upon seeing it was Malleus caused Noire to relax slightly and try to calm her breathing.
"Well, this is a surprise," Malleus said, apparently unfazed by Noire's…less than eloquent outburst. He studied her face intently. "Your very interesting child of man."
Malleus nodded toward Ramshackle. "I'd become quite fond of it as it was a place where I could be quietly left alone."
Noire puffed up her cheeks in a pout. "Don't glower at me like that, horns. Me stayin' here was the headmaster's call, not mine." She shook her head and smiled."I should call you, Mr. Dramatic?"
Malleus rested a finger against his chin in thought before smiling at her. "For the sake of your charming ignorance, I shall make an exception and allow you to call me by a name of your choosing." His smile shifted into a smirk as a look of smug amusement danced in his eyes. "Though you may come to regret that one day."
Noire smirked back and took a step closer. "Oh no, my friend. I think you'll come to regret giving me that much freedom. I'mma come up with the dorkiest name I can think of." 'This guy's a little…out there, but I can't help likin' him.'
Malleus chuckled again but the amusement faded from his expression as he looked at Ramshackle again. "Still…It appears I'll have to find another abandoned place for my nightly sojourns."
"I mean…not necessarily," Noire objected. Malleus gave her a puzzled look, so she elaborated. "I can't help that the headmaster has me staying here with Enma and Grimm, but it sounds like you really like place. I don't mind you comin' around if you still want to. I won't bother you or anything, either; I totally get needing some time to yourself. Although…" She rubbed the back of her head. "It'd make me happy if I got to talk to you again."
Malleus's eyes widened in surprise again. "It…would?"
Noire nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I hope this doesn't sound weird or anything since we literally just met, but I've actually had a lot of fun talking to you. Today was…stressful, to say the least, but I actually feel like I'm unwinding now, thanks to you."
Malleus quirked a brow. "May I ask what was so stressful about your day?"
"It's kind of a long story, but some friends and I had to make a trip to Savanaclaw where I had the distinct…" She gritted her teeth. "pleasure of meeting their dorm leader. Nothin' but a bully."
"Mmm, I'm familiar with Kingscholar's…abrasiveness," Malleus replied, an air of haughtiness in his tone. "Hardly befitting a prince, if you ask me. Even if he isn't the heir to the throne."
"Hang on, that jerk's a prince?!" Noire asked incredulously. "I mean, I guess that explains his 'I'm so much better than you, peons' vibe he was giving off, though it actually seems like most of the students here are like that."
Malleus amused smile was back, his brow quirked in an elegant arc. "And would you say the same of me?"
"Well, given that you got all huffy with me about living in this dorm, I'm gonna go with…yeah," Noire confirmed before nudging him gently. "Don't worry, though. It's actually kinda charming on you."
Malleus couldn't help but laugh, his amusement mixed with disbelief. Nobody had ever spoken to him this casually. The only one outside of his retainers in Diasomnia who'd been bold enough to do so was Kingscholar himself and, though he did find himself enjoying trading barbs with the lion prince, Noire's lack of aggression was…refreshing. "You truly are ignorant of this world, child of man, though I must say I find it rather charming on you as well." A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment before Noire covered her mouth to hide her yawn, causing Malleus to smile fondly at her. "My apologies, I did not intend to keep you so long. Sometimes I forget that humans require much more rest than fae do."
'So he's fae, then. I was wondering how I was going to ask about that without sounding rude. Thank you, mysterious stranger,' Noire thought before offering him a sleepy smile. "Will I see you around here again? I was serious when I said you could stop by whenever and I've really enjoyed talking with you."
"I feel the same," Malleus agreed. "You're an interesting one. I'd very much enjoy the opportunity to speak with you like this again." He took a step back from her. "But until then, I'm afraid I must bid you farewell." He offered her one last smile. "Sleep well, child of man." With that, he vanished before Noire could respond, leaving only a sea of twinkling green lights behind.
"Huh… Well, that was interesting," Noire mused. She walked back to the front door but stopped short of going inside.
"Ahh, there you are Malleus," Lilia greeted as Malleus appeared in the Diasomnia lounge. "Sebek was whipped into quite the frenzy when we noticed you'd disappeared. It was all Silver and I could do to keep him from turning the campus upside down looking for you." He tilted his head as he took in the prince's contemplative expression. "Malleus? Are you alright?"
Malleus blinked, his gaze focusing on Lilia as if he just realized he was there. "Hm? Ah, my apologies, Lilia. Yes, I'm quite alright. I just crossed paths with Noire. It appears she's residing in the abandoned dormitory I frequent."
"Mmm," Lilia replied. "The keyblade wielder. She is wih Enma and his monster companion, rumor has it she played a significant role in bringing the Heartslabyul dorm leader back from his Overblot. Nobody knows precisely what happened, but Trey, Cater, and Silver have mentioned that Riddle seems in much better spirits ever since."
Malleus' eyes narrowed as bitterness crept into his tone. "Yes, well, what happened to Rosehearts, however, that I believe I can understand. I'm uncertain how she did it, but that child of man has put me in far better spirits than I was when I left for my walk."
"Oho~? Is that right?" Lilia pressed, a teasing smirk on his face. "It's not like you to get attached so quickly?" He let out an exaggerated gasp. "The scandal~!"
"Please don't tease me like that, Lilia," Malleus huffed, crossing his arms. He turned his head away but Lilia's sharp eyes detected a very light hint of pink in his cheeks. "We just had a conversation, is all."
"A pleasant one, judging from your expression," Lilia teased, prompting another unamused look from Malleus. He held his hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine, I'll stop. Just doing my part to keep the youth on their toes, after all." He floated closer to his charge. "You'll be seeing her again, I trust?"
Malleus nodded, unable to keep the fond smile off his face. "She invited me to visit whenever I wished. It would be rude not to accept."
"LORD MALLEUS!" Sebek bellowed as he threw open the door to the lounge. "Words cannot express how relieved I am to see that you've returned safe and sound!"
"Quiet down, Sebek," Silver chided, walking in just behind his green-haired countryman. "Most of the other residents are sleeping."
"You're in no position to give me orders, Silver!" Sebek argued. "We never would have lost sight of the prince if I hadn't been forced to wake you up again."
"I don't recall asking you to," Silver countered. "Besides, Father told us not to worry."
Lilia nodded with a close-eyed smile. "Mmhmm, that I did! There's no need to fret so, Sebek. Malleus was just spending time with Noire who's now residing at Ramshackle dorm."
"Her again?!" Sebek exclaimed. "How do we know that she can be trusted?! What if she's been sent here to assassinate Lord Malleus?"
Silver gave Sebek a flat stare. "You honestly believe that a keyblade wielder, was sent here to stage an assassination on one of the most powerful mages in all of Twisted Wonderland?"
"It could happen!" Sebek reasoned, crossing his arms. "For that matter, what makes her think she's worthy of even a glance from the young master?!"
Seeing that this argument was unlikely to end any time soon, Malleus took advantage of the distraction and warped away to his bedroom for the night.
Meanwhile, over in Savanaclaw, Ruggie was busy bringing Leona his evening meal. A hyena's work was never done, it seemed. "Leona!" Ruggie called out as he knocked on the door to his dorm leader's room. "I brought your dinner." He opened the door and slipped inside, closing it behind him. He set the tray of food on Leona's desk before lowering his voice. "And I took care of another job while I was out."
"Nice work," Leona praised as he lounged on the couch in his dorm room. "Your efficiency never fails to impress."
"Aww, it's nothin' I can't handle," Ruggie replied. "Anything for the cause, after all."
"Hah, don't go actin' all noble now," Leona said. "You and I both know you're only goin' along with this to help yourself."
"Not at all, Leona," Ruggie argued. "I'm doing this for all of us. They say the hyenas followed the King of Beasts to improve their lot in life. No shame in doin' the same. We're all lookin' to turn the world on its head."
"Then I hope you're bein' discreet when you do your jobs. Make sure you ain't leavin' any evidence behind," Leona reminded him.
"C'mon now, who do you think you're talkin' to here?" Ruggie asked with a smirk. "You know we hyenas never leave a trace of our prey behind. Shishishishi~!" His expression turned more serious. "That actually reminds me: who do you want me to take out next?"
"Hmm, let's see…," Leona trailed off, tapping his chin in thought before sending a withering glare toward his closed bedroom door and raising his voice so anyone standing just outside could hear him. "How about a wolf who can't keep his nose out of other peoples' business?"
Ruggie jumped, his ears going almost flat against his head. "Huh?!"
"I know you're out there, freshie," Leona called as he sat up. "If I were you, I'd find a better use for those oversized ears of yours." There was a moment's hesitation, but the door to Leona's room swung open and Jack stepped in, an uneasy, disappointed look on his face. Leona quirked a brow. "And? What are you doin' here this late? You need a lullaby or somethin'?"
"I'll sing one for ya. Shishishishi!" Ruggie jokingly volunteered.
"I…I just needed some answers," Jack said. "I wanna know why you're causing all these accidents."
"Ah, so you're lookin' for a bedtime story, then. Fine. I'll tell you one," Leona began. "For two years in a row, Savanaclaw's been pitted against Malleus and Diasomnia in the first round of the interdorms. And how do you think that went? We were crushed. Completely humiliated. Savanaclaw's got a well-deserved reputation for dominatin' the Spelldrive field, but we were like newborn kittens with their eyes crusted shut out there. The whole world got to bear witness to that shameful display. I looked like a complete and utter moron, branded too incompetent to lead any team to victory and now all those recruiters and sponsors pass right by Savanaclaw."
"Th-That's just because you weren't trying hard enough…," Jack reasoned. His voice was hesitant, as if trying to assure himself.
"Yeah. You're right," Leona agreed. "We absolutely weren't giving it our all those past two years. Goin' up against a monster like Malleus without a plan set up in advance was basically handing Diasomnia the match. We knew that and we still didn't come up with a strategy." He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "And Savanaclaw's supposed to be the dorm founded on the persistent efforts of the King of Beasts. What a joke."
"I understand wanting to bring glory to the dorm, but the underhanded way you've been going about things is totally wrong!" Jack exclaimed.
"It's wrong, huh?" Leona repeated. "Jack… You get that I'm only trying to look out for Savanaclaw's best interests, don't you? If we take Malleus out, not only will Savanaclaw be restored to its former glory, but we'll be getting payback for all the humiliation that Diasomnia's dealt us these past two years. At the last dorm leader meeting for the tournament, the headmaster told us that if Diasomnia wins again this year, Malleus is going to be inducted into the hall of fame. This is our last chance to take him down and you want to throw it away for…what? Some high and mighty moral high ground? Are you that dead-set on destroying your upperclassmen's futures?"
"O-Of course not! But…," Jack trailed off as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Using your head to corner your prey is Hunting 101. There's nothing "underhanded" about it," Leona reasoned.
"Shishishi! This school operates on the law of the jungle: survival of the fittest," Ruggie added. "Ain't no place here for straight shooters who keep everything on the up-and-up."
Jack shook his head before giving Leona a pleading look. "Dorm leader…if you it your all, we'd have no trouble taking Diasomnia out! I still remember watching you play three years ago! I know you can-"
"You don't know anything!" Leona shouted, his green eyes narrowed into slits as he glared at the silver-haired freshman. "If I gave it my all? Do you even hear how ridiculous you sound?! Even if I did, nothing would change!" He jerked his head toward the door. "Get out. If you want to see the morning sun."
For a moment, it looked as if Jack was going to say more, but in the end he did as Leona ordered, casting one last disappointed look over his shoulder before leaving the room.
"Wooow~ Good goin', Leona. I could practically see the pedestal he'd been holdin' you up on crumble before my eyes," Ruggie snarked. "But seriously, that guy's makin' a pretty big liability of himself. You want me to take him out?"
"Nah," Leona declined. "Even if he goes and squeals to Crowley, he ain't got any evidence. Besides, that'd be a waste of a perfectly good player. Just keep an eye on him for now."
"Sure thing, boss," Ruggie agreed before leaving to head back to his own room.
Once Ruggie had left, Leona let his ear lay flat against his head, his tail thumping against one of the couch's legs as it thrashed irritably from side to side as he glared into the empty room. "Tch…damn freshie. Sounds just like my brother."
