It had taken her ages to learn that Pomefiore had it's own private dance studio in their dorm. Finding the housewarden was easy enough...explaining why she wished to borrow their studio during acceptable hours was a bit trickier.
"Let me get this straight... you wish to borrow our private studio...to practice dance?" asked Vil.
Nimue pulled out her phone, before looking up a specific video. She handed it over to Vil, who watched the entire thing with mild interest.
"As you can see, it's the sort of thing that requires proper coordination and spacial awareness," she said.
"Indeed, however it seems most of these dances are done with several partners, save for the solo acts," said Vil.
"I came across an interesting spell while at my old school...with a lot of help from a few friends who helped me track down the right book. It creates simulacra that can at least make up the numbers, but are of little use for practical purpose," said Nimue.
"Oh?" said Vil, with open interest now.
Nimue took out her spell pen (which had replaced her wand, which was securely locked up) and cast the spell. Six other versions of herself, which wouldn't hold up if examined properly but were perfect for making up numbers to help practice certain dance routines, appeared in identical clothing.
"Very impressive," said Vil, and he meant it.
"Oui! Dame du Lac is very studious!"
It took Nimue a second to look up what he called her, before she smiled at him. How polite of Rook to use the French name for the Lady of the Lake.
"Do you mind if I observe your practice?" asked Vil.
"I have no issue with that," said Nimue. "And if any of your dorm members show interest in learning this particular style of dance I would be happy to teach them."
Vil and Rook observed her practice session in the dorms private studio. It was very clear from the start that Nimue took her dancing seriously. It was the way she moved and the fact she ignored Vil and Rook completely until the song was over.
The copies she made of her self were mostly to make up the numbers, and Vil could see the appeal of this...Riverdance. It appeared to be a form of tap-dancing that emphasize staying in rhythm with the other dancers and frowned on frivolous hand movements. The music was very easy on the ears, and was very lively.
Once she was done and her copies vanished, she noticed the two boys staring at her.
"How long will your practice sessions take?" asked Vil seriously.
"I usually don't practice more than an hour or two. Thirty minutes minimum at least," said Nimue. "And I try to practice at least two or three times a week."
Vil gave her an unreadable expression.
"I have no issue with you borrowing out practice hall, within proper reason of course. However there will be a few restrictions," said Vil.
Nimue was more than happy to adhere to Vil's rules. Things like no practicing after ten, and that if there was ever a schedule clash between her and the Pomefiore students, they would get first priority. She was also to dress appropriately, as Vil did not want someone with a slovenly appearance anywhere near his dorm. It might encourage bad habits.
Oh and any damage she created was to be paid for out of her pocket.
"You're opening up a restaurant...in our dorm?" said Nimue dubiously.
"We're calling it the Monstro Lounge," said Jade smiling.
Nimue gave them a look that spoke volumes of her opinion on the matter.
"Why come to me?"
"I've heard a rumor you're somewhat of an entrepreneur," said Azul. "And that you have an eye for business."
"You want me to sponsor your restaurant," guessed Nimue. "The twins I have known for years and I had a sample of their work and ingenuity. The only help they needed was capital and someone who knew a bit more about how to set up a proper shop."
Azul's smile didn't fade in the least.
"Would you like to see my business plan?"
"I want to see everything you have," said Nimue. "Suppliers, menus, drinks, the works. If you can show me you actually have some idea of the work involved, then I'll consider it."
"Fair enough," said Azul. And honestly, the fact she demanded to know such information raised his estimation of her a bit.
Nimue did more than just skim over the paperwork. She went over all of it with a fine tooth comb.
She set down the final piece of paperwork and gave Azul an appraising look.
"The structure is sound, the location is acceptable enough considering the limitations of being a student, and the menu is well thought out...though a bit limited," said Nimue. "What sort of design theme were you going to use?"
Jade pulled out pictures of the lounge itself.
"Not bad. You're playing off the undersea theme in a way that is tasteful, rather than tacky," said Nimue. "What sort of PR were you planning to do to announce it's opening?"
Azul found his plans thoroughly picked over by Nimue, and was rather pleased she actually took his request seriously.
"Exactly how much did you need to start this restaurant properly, and what would you be willing to concede in return?" asked Nimue.
The talks went well into the night. Azul had to admit, Nimue had a sharp mind for business. She picked through his business plan with a fine toothed comb and left nothing untouched.
The amount she was willing to give him was more than sufficient to start up a restaurant, with a reasonable concession in return. Azul had no issue paying ten percent of the revenue back to Nimue until the loan was repaid in full.
"Now that official business is concluded, how about some food and tea?" suggested Jade.
Floyd and Azul stiffened slightly. Nimue was utterly baffled as to why.
When he brought out the food, she raised an eyebrow at the way the two poked at it with trepidation.
"Do you two not like mushrooms?"
"I can tolerate them just fine," said Azul stiffly. "The problem is Jade's cooking."
Nimue tentatively ate a bite, and aside from an odd tingling sensation found it rather enjoyable.
"What sort of seasoning was that? Some sort of spice?" she asked with interest. Jade looked beyond pleased at the fact she wasn't balking at eating his cooking.
"A special mushroom that grows in the forests near the school. I've found it has a rather unique flavor, though with the unfortunate side effect of causing minor paralysis. Really you two, I wouldn't dare jeopardize something as big as this with my special collection."
Now their expressions made perfect sense.
"Let me guess...Jade has a tendency to slip poisonous mushrooms in the food for you to eat when he cooks, doesn't he? I hope he doesn't plan to do the same to the guests."
"Of course not," said Jade, almost offended. "There's no way to tell if one of them has an allergy after all."
Nimue took another bite, and carefully analyzed it, not even paying attention to the effects of the mushroom.
"Hmm...It could use a tad bit more pepper, and perhaps a hint of garlic," said Nimue. "Other than that, the taste is acceptable."
Azul felt a strange feeling of fear as Jade took extreme interest in what Nimue had to say about his cooking, and the two began chatting.
"Keep us out of it," said Azul. Floyd nodded enthusiastically to that.
"Once you're closer to opening up the restaurant, I'll get to work on the PR side of things," said Nimue.
Azul blinked, as he hadn't expected that.
"Are you sure?"
"I've made a tentative connection with our resident movie star, and Leona happens to like me. I plan to ask Vil for advice on how to best promote the Lounge, as you should stay focused on getting things running. I don't plan to sit idly and hope for the best...particularly considering how much money I'm giving you."
"Fair enough, so long as you don't attempt to run the place."
"I have enough on my plate with the extra assignments Professor Crewel gives me, on top of the clubs I'm in. Running something like this requires paperwork, which is a headache I don't need," said Nimue flatly. "However helping the launch and the odd PR campaign is much more manageable long term, since I do have a vested interest in things going well."
Azul was feeling a bit better about approaching her for funds now.
That being said he wanted nothing to do with whatever concoctions Jade and Nimue came up with whenever he had another one of his excursions in the mountains.
Nimue had an odd ball in her arms, which contained her two familiars. She had been wanting to explore the lake for ages, but never had the time.
This weekend however, Professor Crewel was busy training some of his advanced students with extra credit lessons, her clubs were having the weekend off, and she wasn't in the mood to dance or brew anything.
To that end, she gathered up her two familiars and went to the lake.
Nearby...
"What's Little Kraken doing so close to the dock?" said Floyd.
"Most curious...especially with such a strange ball," said Jade.
It didn't escape their notice she was dressed in a simple shirt and jeans.
So you could imagine their surprise and confusion when she jumped off the pier into the lake...and didn't come up.
Both of them were quite concerned, as Nimue hadn't shown any signs of being that depressed.
Three minutes passed, then ten, then twenty. Jade was already dialing Azul while Floyd went into the water to see if she had gotten stuck. It wouldn't do for their biggest investor to come up dead after all.
Floyd popped his head out of the water, in his mer form.
"She's not down there!"
"What?" said Jade in shock.
"I can't see her anywhere, and I don't see her stuck on the bottom."
"Keep looking. She can't have gone far," said Jade.
With Nimue and the eels
Nimue was having an absolute blast, as were Flotsam and Jetsam. The lake was rather deep, but nowhere near as deep the waters around Black Island. Never mind how deep the water got once you were past the shallows of Motanui.
They were having a great time...until she sensed something coming up fast on her left. Out of instinct, she swam into a small alcove and used her natural camouflage to blend in with the rocks. It didn't hurt that it was so dark at the bottom.
So you could imagine her shock seeing what looked like Floyd and Jade swimming fast, almost as if looking for something. A few moments later they were followed by a rather unhappy looking Azul, who looked nothing like he normally did.
Nimue...honestly didn't know Azul was an octo-mer like herself. She vaguely knew Azul brewed a special potion once a month, but she wasn't aware it was the one that allowed mermaids to walk on land like humans.
She had to wonder why they looked so frantic, so she snuck a little closer, moving as slowly as possible to avoid being noticed.
"Have you found her?" asked Azul.
Her? Wait...did one of the twins happen to see her jump in the lake with her familiars?
No wonder they were freaking out...she almost wanted her kick herself for not seeing them.
She could either out herself...or she could have some fun with the boys. And honestly, she was bored.
Flotsam and Jetsam looked at their Mistress with darkly glinting eyes. They sensed mischief and they liked it.
With the Octo-trio
The first indication something was off was when something swam past Floyd. It went so fast that it felt like it had slapped him on the tail with something.
It took Floyd a second to realize it was another moray eel, and this one had a wicked smirk.
"Think that was funny, do ya? Let's see how you like being squeezed," sneered Floyd. The eel seemed to make a 'come on' gesture, before speeding off. Without a second thought, as he had lost interest in trying to find the 'little Kraken', Floyd took off.
"Floyd!" said Jade in annoyance. Of all the times Floyd had to lose interest in something, why did it have to be now?
His attention was soon diverted as well, as a second moray eel swam past and nipped him good in the fin.
Jade's eyes narrowed in annoyance.
By the time Azul had caught up to the two and realized what was going on, the two mystery eels which looked oddly familiar had disappeared.
The trio went back to the surface, and Azul was already trying to calculate how they'd make up for the inevitable loss of funding for the lounge.
You could imagine their surprise when they found Nimue sitting in the common room of the dorm sipping tea pleasantly and looking rather pleased with herself.
"You... they saw you jump in the lake!" said Azul.
"I did. I had a fun swim, at least until I saw something massive coming my way. I felt discretion was the better part of valor and got out."
Azul felt drained and just done with today. Of course someone of Nimue's caliber could brew something as simple as a water-breathing potion. Floyd must have scared her back to the surface.
All that effort wasted for nothing.