So I enter the ceremony hall, or, the floating-coffin place I entered in this strange dream, with Dire Crowley and Grim with me. The vastness of this dream really takes me. Sure, it's only a few minutes in the waking world but it's already drug on for awhile. It reminds me of a horror dream I had once upon a time where I was trapped in an 80s-esque mall with monsters. Not a good time, but maybe preferable to the awkward BDSM ringmaster headmaster dude.
A red-headed boy stands before the crowd, I can barely see his unnaturally bright red hair and dark eyes peeking out from the hood. Unlike Dire Crowley, he has some pigment in his cheeks. But he definitely needs some sunshine. He's fairly small, a little shorter than I am, I think.
"Well, are we done with the orientation and dormitory sorting? New students of the Heartslabyul Dorm, I am the rule of law. Break the rules, and it's off with your head!"
A young man with dark locks and piercing green eyes yawns tiredly. They're… cat-like? They shine strangely in the odd, flickering light that has turned from a sickly, evil green to a bright, warm orange. But with the floating coffins around, it's still creepy. "Finally, this exhausting ceremony is over. Savanaclaw Dorm, follow me back to the dorm." I'm pretty sure I saw fangs. His olive complexion only makes his eyes stand out more.
A young man with glasses speaks next, his eyes are grey-ish, matching silvery hair—or maybe it has a purple hue? I can't tell because it's dark. His voice comes out with pep, but he talks smoothly like a slick salesman. And his smile's a bit crooked. "New students, congratulations on your enrollment. I hope you experience a fulfilling school life. I am dorm leader of Octavinelle House, I will support you in every way possible.
A young, slender lady with purple dyed-ends and shining blonde hair looks around the room, distracted, "Where did the headmaster go? He left in the middle of the ceremony…" Oh. That's a REALLY pretty man. Uh.
It's not as surprising as the floating tablet with a weird, triangular symbol, states in a robotic reply: "Some headmaster he is…"
A bright-voiced guy with stark-white hair and bright red eyes and big, golden earrings suggests, "Maybe he has a tummy ache?" He seems cheerful, and it's a stark contrast from strict, sleepy, slimy, and severely deceiving I've seen speak loudly over the crowd. I'm gathering all of the ones making loud comments are dorm leaders… And the tablet? I don't know what that's about.
This is such a strange dream.
Dire Crowley's honor is clearly besmirched as he announces his presence with a shout, "No! That is not right!"
"Ah, speak of the devil…" The red-haired boy comments dryly.
"This new student went missing, and so I went to search for them. You haven't gotten your dorm assignment. Please go to the Dark Mirror, while I watch your weasel." Dire Crowley notices I exist again, at least, and Grim squirms and muffle-yells at his side.
"...Not my familiar…" I mumble to no avail, and, well, as the dream states.
I walk up to the big, floating mirror in the center of the hall. I notice that all of these people are in nice-fitting robes, buttoned up nice and properly. So why does mine fit like a too-big Halloween costume? I'm basically swallowed in this thing, and it's all rumpled from the running around. I think it might be singed from Grim's blue fire, too.
The Dark Mirror flares to light, a masked face, decorated with lace around the eyes. It speaks sourly, green flames reflected in the surface before it. Like a strange, evil creation that's peering into my very soul with empty sockets. It sends a shiver down my spine.
"Recite your name." It speaks in a low, bass voice.
The mirror… talks...
"No way…" I'm flabbergasted by this. It's—wow. My hand reaches out, wanting to touch the mirror when it speaks again, startling me about out of my skin! It's really then I notice the absolute silence of the room.
"The form of your soul… … Unknown to me" The mirror states to the now, almost almost deafening silence of the hall. Everyone is staring.
I want to wake up now, please. We have gone into nightmare territory. I look down, making sure I'm just in a robe still and not my underwear. Or worse, naked. I do not want an XXX rated film nightmare please.
"What did you say?" Dire Crowley is the first one to speak in disbelief.
"I do not sense any magic from this one. Colorless. Shapeless. Nothing. This one is not worthy of any dorm." This mirror has definitely hit me in the ego. A nightmare about a magic school and having no magic? That's about right.
There's a murmur over the hall now. Many students whisper at the strangeness. I want the ground to swallow me up whole as I pull the hood down a little more. I'm really glad this thing is gigantic right now.
"The black carriage cannot pick up a human who cannot use magic. This is impossible! The student selection process has never had an error, not in all of its centuries of existence. How could this be…?" The befuddled headmaster is loud over the low din of the crowd.
"Mmmph! Mmm!" Grim's muffled protests are even louder. A loud gasp finally comes as he seems to break free from whatever Dire Crowley used to mute him. "Then—let ME have that seat!" He demands.
"Wait, you strange raccoon!" What is Grim?
"Unlike that human, I can use magic! You should have me as a student instead!" He crosses his paws with an arrogant smirk. "If you want to see magic, then I will show you mine!"
"Everyone, duck!" The strict, red-haired boy shouts at the crowd.
"Nyyyyyyahhhh!" Grim shouts as he summons a massive wall of blue flames across the room. Now everyone's attention is on him and his fire. I step down from the mirror and really hope I can just leave.
"AH! HOT! My butt is on FIRE!" The very energetic guy shouts, running around and trying to get rid of the flame on his ass.
"The school might catch on fire if this continues! Someone seize that dog!" Dire Crowley orders the chaotic mass of students.
I've approached the lazy boy and the pretty boy as I'm trying to slip away from all this chaos, "Tch. How bothersome…"
The very lovely one in his deep, smooth voice comments to Mr. Lazy, "Oh? Are you not a famed hunter? Go on, catch that little, plump morsel." Implying that the lazy guy would eat Grim. Gross.
"Why? You do it."
The slimy salesman proclaims loudly, "Headmaster Crowley, please allow me to handle this!" He seems very eager to please. "Let me injure, and capture this small, cute creature." Ugh.
I'm way too tired and distracted by all of this.
The tablet replies—is that the Triforce with a snake face or something in the middle? Looks like a copyright violation to me… "Way to go, Azul. Here, a plus one for you."
Okay, so Mr. Over-Eager is Azul…
Flame-Ass shouts, "My butt is STILL on fire! Someone please help me put it out!" He's very desperately trying to rid the flames.
Why isn't he stop-drop-and-rolling? "Stop, drop, and roll!" I shout, but it's clear he didn't hear me.
"Are none of you listening to me?!" Dire Crowley has zero control over this situation. Good. Weirdo.
"If you want the mouse captured, why not do it yourself, headmaster?" The cat-eyed guy comments. I finally notice the braids in his hair. They're very neat.
"How many times do I have to say it?! I am not any of those things! I am GRIM! I will be a great sorcerer!" Grim screeches, furious!
"Such a small animal with such a big dream. Riddle, if you would?" Azul directs to the small, red-haired boy.
"I will not abide by this." Riddle proclaims, "Let us finish this."
Azul and Riddle take off after Grim, casting spells after the fleeing fire cat. He runs just like a cat, and in all honesty I, and everyone else are transfixed on the spectacle. I can barely believe that these two guys are chasing after a magical cat with a pitchfork tail. He even has a cute bow—it's so weird. Maybe this is some strange nightmare-dream mix. I was going to leave, but seeing them chase after Grim all around the ceremonial chambers is honestly entirely and utterly spellbinding.
He stops to tease them for a moment, before running off again. The chase resumes and magic flies from jewel-tipped wands. It's a really weird style, to me at least.
Finally, the pair pin Grim in a corner, he shouts in surprise, growling at the two as he's finally cornered.
Well, maybe there will be some resolution to the chaos that the two have Grim pinned.
