Chapter 8: A Baiting Duo

Briar and the others find themselves having an encounter with the Leech Twins, Floyd and Jade.

Jade questions, "Is it just my imagination, or is someone looking a bit dour today?"

"Oh, y'know, we're just coming to terms with being ordered around by a trio of tyrants," Ace says with a frown on his face.

Floyd laughs, "Aha ha! Isn't that cute? The sea anemone that breached its contract is talking! You guys know you're in no position to complain. So shut your traps.

Grim yelps in fear, "Eeep! Not the squeeze!"

And quickly climbs on Briar's lap and holds himself from Floyd.

Allow me to clarify: I wasn't talking to the sea anemones. I was specifically addressing you…" Jade says.

He then walks directly towards Briar, "Briar Hawthrone, prefect of Ramshackle Dorm."

"Yes?!" Briar yelps and looks at the twins.

Yes?! A-are you gonna squeeze me?!

Floyd smiles and says, "Awww, look at you, scurrying backwards like a shrimp afraid of being someone's lunch! And on that note... You're so teeny, I'ma call you 'Little Shrimpy' from now on!"

"Little Shrimpy?" Briar says, confused.

"I think most students on campus would be small compared to you two," Deuce whispers to the others.

Then Ace questions, "Yeah, and having two guys this big standing together is a special kind of imposing."

Then Jade says to Briar, "I understand that you were playing little spy games with Riddle and others just recently, Briar. You may know who we are already, but I've always been a stickler for formal introductions." and introduces himself, "I am Jade Leech, and this is my twin brother Floyd."

"Heya. I'm Floyd. Nice to meetcha, Little Shrimpy," Floyd says with a grin on his face.

"Um hi, it's nice to meet you. I guess you know, I'm these are my friends, Tanzanite, and his twin brother Jasper. Sereia, and the little fairy is Trinket.

"Well, aren't you all an interesting bunch? The little doll looked so small and cute, almost like an angel. I'll call you, Angelfish," Floyd says.

Sereia blushes, "Me Angelfish?

Then Floyd turns to the twins, "And the twins are kind of like us, but one also looks like a cat. You'll be twin catfishes."

"Catfish?" Jasper and Tanzanite questions.

"And the little fair is so small, so you're Plankton," Floyd says.

Trinket looks at Floyd with a dumbfounded expression.

"Now, where was I?" Jade questions.

Then says, "Ah, yes…"

He then says to Briar, "Allow me to infer what troubles you, Briar. Could your anxiety perhaps stem from these three anemone stooges?"

"'Perhaps?' Listen to you, acting all coy," Jack replies.

"What's your problem? You're as prickly as a sea urchin," Floyd asks with a smile.

Jack is taken back in shock, "Wh—I'm a WOLF, not a sea urchin!"

Briar then says, "Um I guess you could say that, but why do you ask?

Jade answers, If the source of your troubles does in fact lie with these sea anemones… I believe you would be well-served discussing the matter with Azul in person, Briar."

"Wait, what?" Jack says, shocked.

Briar and the others are just as surprised.

Jade continues, "You will find Azul to be as benevolent as the Sea Witch, one of the Great Seven. I have no doubt he would treat your misgivings with all due gravity."

"Yeah! Azul's a real problem-solver. For example… He could set these sea anemones free if you asked him to," Floyd adds.

"Really?!" Everyone exclaimed in shock.

Remaining calm, Briar asks, "Can he… really do that…?"

"Absolutely. Just remember: you can't get something for nothing," Jade says.

However, Jack stands in front of Briar for protection.

And looks irritated, "Tch. So that's your angle. You wanna rope Briar into one of his contracts."

"Please, there's no need to bare your fangs at me. Goodness, you land mammals are so belligerent," Jade says.

Then Floyd says, "We're just passin' on a hot tip outta the goodness of our hearts. Ain't that right, Jade?"

"Exactly, Floyd," Jade says, "We wouldn't dream of leaving a poor, unfortunate soul by the wayside."

Then the twins chuckle, "Heh heh heh... Hee hee hee…"

This makes Briar and the others rather weary.

Then Jade says, "If your interest is piqued, feel free to visit the Mostro Lounge sometime after nine tonight. We'll have some piquant tea ready for you upon your arrival.

"We'll be waiting, Little Shrimpy!" Floyd happily says.

Then the twins leave the scene. Briar, Jack, Sereia, Trinket, and the twins are a bit skeptical about the idea. Deuce, Ace, and Grim think differently.

Surprised, Deuce says, "Wait, so, uh…"

Then Grim says, excited, "If Briar makes a contract with Azul and meets his conditions, whatever they are…"

"...we could be freed from this?!" Ace says, in relief.

Then the three lean to Briar, "Please, Prefect! You gotta beat him for us!"

"You guys are shameless, you know that?" Jack says, annoyed.

Grim angrily turns to Briar, "You don't have an anemone on your head! You've got no idea how miserable this is!"

"Maybe you shoulda thought of that before trying to coast through a test," Jack says.

"Jack's right. It's your own fault that you got yourselves into this mess," Jasper says.

Then Ace says, "Look, I've already learned my lesson, okay?!"

"Yeah, I'll never do this again for sure. I'll take my results like a man, even if that means failing," Deuce says.

"You're supposed to say you'll work hard to ensure you stop failin' altogether," Jack replies.

He then turns to Briar, "Well? What's your call, Briar? You gonna take them up on their invitation?"

"Well, if all he wants to do is talk… then it wouldn't hurt to hear him out. Plus, this could be our chance to have a word with him," Briar says.

"But Briar, are you sure?" Sereia asks.

"Once you made a contract with him, you can't really turn back from this," Tanzanite says.

"I know, but it's our only chance. So yes, we'll head to Monstro Lounge tonight to talk to Azul," Briar says.

Grim is very happy to hear that, "Y'know, for the first time, I think I'm ready to recognize you as our prefect!"

"Tch. Fine," Jack replies, seeing that Briar has made up her mind.

Then says, "I'm goin' with you, though. You seem like you'd get yourself into trouble otherwise."

"Dang, Jack! You're a big softie!" Ace says with a grin.

Jack quickly says, "D-don't get me wrong, okay?! I just don't like Azul's scheming. I can't stand the thought of losin' to guys who profited off of someone else's hard work."

Suddenly, the group hears squeaking sounds and looks to see the anemones are on the move.

"So much for chatting. My sea anemone's tugging at me again!"Deuce says in pain.

Ace yelps, "Ow, ow, ow! C'mon, at least let me have my lunch break in peace!"

"I'm countin' on you, Prefect!" Grim cries out.

Then all three scream, "WOE IS ANEMONEEEEE!" and are dragged away.

"Yeesh... Hopeless, the whole lot of 'em," Jack replies, annoyed.

Then turns to Briar, "Anyway, I guess we're goin' to the Mostro Lounge tonight."

"I guess so," Briar says.

"But Briar, you know that Azul will ask something from you if you made the contract," Sereia says, worried.

"And he won't make this negotiation so easily," Tanzanite says.

Trinket nods her head.

"Are you sure you want to get involved with them?" Jasper asks.

Briar sighs, "As much as I'm very concerned about this, but this could be our chance to talk to him. So yeah. I feel that I need to do this."

"Well it's your choice, so we won't stop you. Just be careful while dealing with him," Jack says.

Briar nods her head in reply.