~~~~~~~
Golden Case
~~~~~~~
That evening, we returned to Savanaclaw and meet up with Ruggie and Leona.
"Eh? You guys seriously went to the Coral Sea?"
"You're too dumb." Leona sighed.
"Ffgna?! You're the one who told us to hurry up and do something!" Grim said pointedly.
The lion scoffed. "Nobody said anything about jumping into the ocean like an idiot. Your time is limited. I meant, use your head to come up with a worthwhile course of action. There's no way to beat merfolk head on in the water, no matter how you struggle. It's like you're trying to get eaten."
"...Umm, Leona-senpai, did you by chance know that those twins were merfolk?" Jack asked.
"Pretty much."
"Last summer I saw Floyd revert to that form during a joint swimming class we had..." Ruggie suppressed a shudder. "If he came at me like that in the water I feel like my story would be over."
"Then you should tell us something like that in advance!" Jack barked.
"Weren't you guys the ones that jumped in without gathering information first? If you had asked I would have told you all about it." Leona said.
"Yeah yeah. You've gotta be wary before you act." Ruggie snickers. "Those who can't look ahead will starve on the savannah."
Grim grits his teeth furiously at them. "You're as big a bully as ever!"
"I had a feeling Azul had every intention of getting in our way from the start, but I admit that we've rushed in." I bit the inside of my cheek. I tend to have a one-tracked mind in the morning before noon strikes, though that's just an excuse now. It didn't change the fact we wasted a day, and it was my fault for dismissing the thought.
"With the Leech twins as his underlings, Azul is pretty famous for getting his hands on whatever he was promised from his clients. There's also the rumor that they interfere with people so they can't complete their end of the deal." Ruggie told us. Well go figure, rumor solved.
"Those guys are a bunch of cowards!" Grim then wilts, "Uugh... If Strix loses, am I gonna be worked to the bone forever?"
I lift a hand to my mouth and lowered my gaze to the wooden floorboards. "Where will we go if we lose Ramshackle..."
Leona was silently staring at us until he stated, "Azul's unique magic is 'It's a Deal'. He can take one ability if you sign a special contract. Also, if there's anything that breaks contract the one who signed becomes absolutely obedient to Azul."
I looked up attentively.
"It's magic that hard to activate but has big results if you do... He's vicious." Ruggie said.
"The ability he takes is sealed inside the contract and Azul himself can use it whenever he wants."
Jack's eyes widen. "Then the reason Azul could use a bunch of difficult spells was because..."
"They were most likely collateral that he's taken from signees before." Ruggie affirmed.
"What a guy! Everything about him is a fraud!" Jack growled.
"His unique magic itself is pretty high level so you can't call everything he does 'fraud'." Ruggie told the first year.
"I've never put one of my abilities on the line for a deal so I can't tell you how it works." Leona said.
"Hm? Then, what did you use as collateral when you made a deal?" I asked curiously.
Leona growled at the memory. "It doesn't matter. Don't make me remember." He then returns to the topic, "And, so long as he has that contract then it stays in effect. So that's why he uses deceitful language when drawing up the contracts..."
"And makes you sign for impossible conditions... Is how it goes." Ruggie said.
"The best way to beat Azul is, 'don't sign'..." A mirthful smirk grows and a laugh by the nose leaves Leona. As if I had much choices to defeat him on my own...
Grim whimpers, "What should we do..."
"I can't afford to lose..." I mumble, furrowing my brows. To lose both my shelter and freedom when I already have a lot on my plate will be even more stressful.
"Idiot. Use your head. You have to use this," Leona tapped his temple, "to beat those stronger than you. But, yeah. If I was in your position..." He crosses his arms and smirked. "First, I'd figure out a way to tear up those contracts."
"But those contracts are invulnerable?!" Grim said.
Leona feels a headache coming as he released a sigh again. "You guys are really running low on brain cells."
Ruggie shares the sentiment. "They're the types that would quickly fall for any type of scam or someone impersonating someone else."
Grim flinched. Somehow I did as well. I'm not grouped with Grim and the boys, right? Yet this twinge of shame was eating at me that I feel included.
"In the first place, why did you sincerely believe Azul when he said that his contracts couldn't be destroyed?" Ruggie questioned.
I pursed my lips. I just thought since Ursula's contract powers were invincible, Azul's would be the same as well and didn't question it.
"Eh? But our attacks really had no effect..." Jack trails off.
"If I said it was a performance they can put on there... Doesn't that seem like something they could totally do?" A smirk grows on Ruggie's lips.
The realization hits us.
"Every spell has its weak point. That red brat's unique magic for sealing even had its holes." Leona points out. He had once broken through Riddle's collar magic the one time at the Magift stadium.
"No matter how great the wizard, they can't use magic infinitely. So Azul's 'It's a Deal' being absolutely invincible, that is 'absolutely' unimaginable."
"I see..." Magicians really have it hard to not be able to go all out without facing the consequences of Overblot. When they consume too much magic and get emotionally unstable, they become badass, destructive villains with new threads; but when I become depressed I just lay on the floor and wallow in my misery like a loser. Okay, sure.
"His 'It's a Deal' has a weak point... Rather than challenging the Leech brothers in the ocean, we might be better off looking for that 'weak point' up here. Is what...you're saying." Jack becomes hesitant. "But, that reeks of foul play, you know."
"Umm, you know, Jack." Ruggie began, sighing, "Having high morals is great and all, but you weren't able to fight back against Azul even on land."
The wolf bit the inside of his cheek. "That's..."
"In general, those guys are villains that tricked some naive herbivores and made off with all their possessions. Why do you need to hold back? It may be cowardly or a street fight, but it's your win if you can annul the contract." Leona tells him.
Ruggie squealed with a cruel smile, "That's our Leona! He's a coward done to the bone!"
I deadpanned. "That doesn't sound like a compliment though?!"
Leona smirked regardless. "I told you, didn't I? I always give it my all."
"...An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Jack mumbled before nodding in determination. "Okay. We've got two days, let's go after Azul and aim for our chance to destroy those contracts!"
I sweatdropped. "We're sort of like stalkers now, too, huh..."
"All right, do your best, little fresh-babies."
"Eeeh?! You told us all that but won't help us?!" Grim exclaimed.
"Why would I? I gave you hints as a special service. The rest is all on you guys. Bye." Leona takes his leave.
"I'm also outta here. Good luck, you three~" Ruggie sang as he followed suit.
"He-Heartless jerks!!"
...
There was only two days left to complete Azul's contract. The following morning, Jack and I meet up with the anemone trio during lunchtime in the exterior hallway.
"Search for a way to destroy the invincible contracts?" Ace then grinned, "Sounds good! It's pretty cowardly, though."
"It's true that might get us what we want. It's cowardly, though." Deuce said.
My eyelids fall flat. If I earned a dime every time I hear cowardly, I'd be rich.
"Shut up! This isn't a time for saying it's cowardly, y'know!" Grim retorted.
"If you're gonna talk about cowardly, Azul is doing the same. He told us to get a photo from the ocean and planned to get in our way the entire time. Leona-senpai may be cowardly but he's still the 'genius command tower'. I think it's worth a shot." Jack said.
"The word 'cowardly' is starting to not sound like a word..." Deuce sweatdropped.
A whimper escapes Grim. "Just the memory of being chased by the twins underwater is making my skin crawl, y'know!"
I shuddered and murmured lowly to myself, "I really could have gone by without knowing eel abs existed..."
"A contest of speed..." The navy-haired boy gritted his teeth, "I could beat them if you could ride a magical wheel underwater!"
It was my turn to sweatdrop. Deuce can be so genuinely serious to a fault about the wrong things...
Ace rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I'm sure. But still... merfolk, huh. The Leech brothers are moray eels but I wonder what Azul is like in the ocean."
"Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure Leona-senpai was calling him an 'octo-punk'." Jack spoke up.
Deuce's eyes widen a fraction. "Is his true form an octopus merman?"
"Ffgna! If he gets more legs underwater, then he seems even stronger than a moray eel!"
I wonder what Azul looks like. I bet he's like Ursula in that he has black tentacles with purple undersides for suction cups. Maybe his skin will be purple-grayish as well? That would be cool to see.
"That's why we're saying we should think of a way to fight them that doesn't involve going in the ocean." Jack said.
I nodded. "We have to find the contracts first. I've had my eye on the vault in the VIP room since we first saw it..."
"If that's decided then let's sneak into Octavinelle!" Grim perked up.
"There shouldn't be anyone there since lunch break is before opening hours. Let's check it out." Deuce prompted, and we head straight for Octavinelle and to the VIP room.
When we have carefully arrived without getting caught, Grim scans the room from the gap of the door.
"Right, clear. Left, clear. All right guys, after me!" Grim quietly signaled.
Jack looks around as we filed inside. "It's true. It looks like nobody's here."
Deuce examines the vault. "The vault has two authentication, a password and a key lock. That's fairly tight security."
Jack's ear twitched towards the door. "Someone's coming!"
A pair of clicking footsteps can be heard.
"Ah, crap. Hide!"
We scrambled to hide under the nearest thing being Azul's desk.
I somehow wounded up being sandwiched between Jack and the desk stand. I don't think I'd enjoy being clustered in tight spaces with the boys, this is too much stress for the heart. And body.
"No room... Jack, you take up too much space." Ace whispered.
"What now?"
"Don't move now!" Ace harshly whispered.
We held our breaths when a pair of legs appeared behind the office chair. From the voice, it came from Azul.
"Now, let's see.."
A rattle of keys and the click of the lock unlatches open, followed by the creak of the heavy-duty vault door. From our perspective, we could spot the golden contract glowing just below the edge of the table.
"That's...the contract we signed!" Deuce whispered, surprised.
"So he did lock them in the vault." Ace quietly uttered.
"One, two, three..." A chuckle from Azul.
"That jerk is counting the contracts like money with a big grin on his face." Grim frowned.
"That's a pretty nasty hobby..." Jack mumbled.
"...Hmm. I should probably get back." Azul muttered. He closed the vault and locked it before leaving the room.
Once we were sure he was gone, we crawled out of the space underneath the desk and collectively breathed sighs of relief.
Well, everyone except Grim whose size proved fortunate in this case. "We were almost spotted."
I didn't look at anyone in the eye and instead stood at the corner, resting my forehead and staring at the books with great interest. This is not healthy for my heart...
Jack glanced around and spotted something. "...Wait! Look, he left a contract on top of the table."
"Seriously? Lucky! Let's get it out of here and see if we can destroy it." Ace said.
Grim snickers. "Azul is clumsier than I thought he'd be. Whose is it?"
My eyes widen. I swerved to them, "Wait, don't just-!"
My attempt to warn them fell in vain. Yellow electricity flashed before my eyes. The boys got comically electrocuted from the chain reaction of Grim touching the contract. For a split second I thought I saw their skeletons flash like in cartoons.
Grim gave a shrill shriek, fur standing up from a few excess sparks buzzing around. "My body is all tingly."
I had pressed myself to the bookshelves from being zapped and stared dumbly. "Are you guys all right?"
Maniacal laughter rings in the room. That sounds like Floyd!
"My my. You're all shaking like you got attacked by an electric catfish... That's quite unsightly, everyone." Azul comes entering with the Leech brothers at his side with smug smirks.
"You bastards, you noticed us!" Jack growled.
"But of course. Your fuzzy tail was in full view from under the desk." Azul states, vaguely gesturing a hand to the tail. Ah, I should have known that would be the case!
"It appears that you all were trying to steal a contract but... There is a spell on it that will electrocute any besides me who touch it. Too bad for you."
"Y-You go that far?!" Ace exclaimed.
"Didn't I tell you? My contracts cannot possibly be destroyed."
Floyd wheezes with uncontrollable, deranged laughter. "These guys are total idiots!! Why do you keep coming back even though you know how it's gonna turn out?"
"Heh. Floyd. I feel bad for them if you laugh too much. They're doing their best with their limited knowledge. Fufufu." Jade was certainly not feeling pitiful at our expense as he said this with mocking eyes.
"Bad kids who try to steal something important are in need of a good chastising." Azul tipped his glasses up his nose.
"We have to teach them proper manners so they never so much as think about doing this again."
"I'll give each of you a turn to be squeezed."
They step forward.
Jack gritted his teeth. "Here they come, you guys!"
"We're going to fight here?!" I inwardly cried out. They fell on deaf ears as the boys duke it out with their magic.
I take cover behind them. We're just reliving the episode when 200-something students attacked the trio. If not that many could tear them down, then certainly not us. The stupid contract and Floyd's unique magic are major obstacles.
Jack huffed for breath, having exhausted his magic to no avail. "Shit, the dorm head class is this strong?"
"If you can't handle this, then stealing a contract is out of the question." Azul said.
"Wouldn't going to the Atlantica Memorial Museum be faster?" Floyd suggested.
"Your time limit is until tomorrow at sunset. You really don't have time." Jade stated.
"There's also going to sleep in the infirmary after this little fight, but then it's time up!" Floyd beamed maliciously.
"They're just stalling us now, let's get out of here!" I tell the boys.
"We'll be back!" Deuce swore.
"Shit, I'm no good at summoning magic but... Come forth, cauldron!" By Ace's command, a black pot manages to appear.
Deuce was shocked. He then shot him a glare, "Why you, don't copy me!"
As the object flies towards Octavinelle, Floyd smirked. "I told you yesterday. That won't hit! Bind the Heart!"
The cauldron changes direction and hits the vault with a clang.
"Floyd!! Where are you aiming your spell?! Who hits away towards the vault?!" Azul screamed.
"Ah, sorry." The eel boy grinned and stuck his tongue out playfully.
"Aah, there's a scratch on the door!! Do the dials and hinges still work?" Azul hovers over the vault and heaved his shoulders in relief. "...Oh, good."
He swerved to Floyd, "I'm always telling you to stop throwing around your unique magic without thinking! How many times do I have to?!"
Floyd pouts and childishly told him with puffed cheeks, "I said sorry. You don't have to get angry over a tiny scratch like that."
"It's too late if it breaks!" Retorted the dorm leader.
Being the calm one of the three, Jade smoothly intervened, "Both of you, calm down. Otherwise... They'll get away."
"Eh?"
While they were bantering, we were quietly sneaking out of the VIP room until we were at the doorway.
"Now's our chance! Farewell, y'know!" Grim bids, and then we hightailed it out of the dorm that you could almost hear the comical whistle effect.
We returned to the hall of mirrors. It seems they had long gave up the notion of chasing us.
Deuce sighed. "That was a fright."
"Yeah, 'cause Jack is a giant." Ace muttered out.
"Ugh... It's just that I'm bullied than you guys! That, and wolves tend to be taller." Jack defended.
"Those contracts, we can't even touch them, let alone destroy them..." Deuce mumbled.
"I guess this is all we can do today."
"We completely wasted a whole day." Grim droops.
"Is there really a way to destroy them." Ace moaned.
I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
I grasp my heart lock. What should I do, Sidney?
...
It was nighttime as I treaded down the path through the forest. When I looked up and recognized the renovated building standing in the distance, I realized I had came back to Ramshackle Dorm out of habit. And I only have one day left before my dorm is taken away...
When I neared closer, a tiny fluorescent green light hovers into view. Then several more flies around dotting the otherwise dark surroundings.
I blinked. I wasn't imagining it, nor was it the trick of the light. They're like fireflies, except I don't see the insects. But then what is this?
"It's so pretty..." I breathed in awe, the soft green light glittering in my doe blue eyes.
The bristling of shrubbery attracts my attention from the light show. A familiar man with horns appeared. "...Hm? Aren't you..."
My mind flashed back to the nickname Grim had made up. I inwardly blurted out, "Ah, it's you, Tsunotaro!"
The lights disappeared. Neon green eyes dilated. "Tsunotaro? By Tsunotaro... Do you mean me?"
I wonder if he forgot our first meeting even though it's been a while since we first encountered each other in this very site. He seems astonished.
Despite that, I stand tall (though that didn't even put a dent to the dramatic height difference between him and I. I think it's the horns) and crossed my arms. "You told me to call you whatever I like." How would I not take advantage of that?
Shock was replaced with amusement. "Pfft... Hahaha! I can't believe I'm Tsunotaro!"
From his husky laughter, white fangs flashed. He looks at me with a glimmer of mirthful light through his long lashes. "You really seem to know no fear. It's fine. I am the one who told you to call me what you'd like. I'll allow you to call me by that odd nickname."
The horned man turns to the direction where Ramshackle stood. "...By the way, this dorm has been quite lively inside for the past couple of days. Are there more residents other than you?"
I dejectedly pull into a solemn expression. "It was taken as collateral..."
When I briefed him the details, he said, "What? A deal with Ashengrotto? I see... Is that so? Then tomorrow after sunset this place will become his and become a lively meeting place for other students."
I frowned at the prospect.
He stared at the dorm before glancing to me. A smirk graced his lips. "...Hmph, your face says you object to that. Do you not enjoy talking like you've already lost?"
He fell silent and once again examined Ramshackle Dorm. "Did you know, the walls of this dorm have some wonderful gargoyle carvings on them?"
I blinked up. He completely changed topics? "You mean the monster statues?"
"Gargoyles may appear like a monster carving with a sinister appearance at first glance but... They are actually a type of gutter made so that rain water doesn't damage the walls. They may look terrifying but..." His eyes soften, "They are something that dearly cares for the home."
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. Does he relate to the gargoyles? From an angle I do see how he can be seen as unapproachable and feared by appearance alone. But I don't fear him like he would have expected. Even without the knowledge of Disney I still would've reacted the same.
After all, the lights that had surrounded him and announced his presence were gentle and warm.
On another note...
In the back of my mind, I inwardly thought, 'Tsunotaro would excel at art history class...'
"There's a gap between their looks and role." I remarked after learning the detail. I didn't know gargoyles protect the building. I just assume they're there for aesthetic like the next person.
"There are times when what you see is the exact opposite of reality." Tsunotaro said. He heaved a silent sigh. "...I would also like this place to not be noisy every night. Struggle with all your might and prove you can protect your dorm."
He parts these encouraging words to me before disappearing into sparkles just like the first time he did.
I was left pondering his words. "Expectation and reality, are opposites?"
This sounds familiar. I feel like I had a similar thought process but didn't continue the track with the concept in mind. There's a hint that I need to uncover... But what?
I continued this train of thought on my way to the hall of mirrors.
When I returned to Savanaclaw and entered Leona's bedroom, I see Grim, Ruggie, and Leona. They must've been waiting for me when Ruggie announced, "Today I'm going to have you clean Leona's room."
"Work to earn your keep, herbivores." Leona spoke from his laid position on the bed.
"Worked to death by Azul and now worked to death by Leona... I'm dead on my feet here." Grim weeps pitifully.
Ruggie points respectively as he instructs, "First, you're gonna get all the clothes strewn about into the laundry basket then organize the stuff on his desk. Accessories go in this drawer, books over on that case. After putting everything away, wipe it down with a rag."
I silently sighed and began collecting the clothes littered around the room. I'm not going to complain at this point.
"You're not a kid so at least clean up after yourself." Grim muttered.
Bright green eyes glowered behind his challenging tone. "Huh? You say something?"
"Eep... Nothing at all." Grim had squeaked before getting to work.
He climbs atop the desk. "Time to get this messy desk cleaned... Oh?! There's a bunch of expensive looking accessories just sitting here. And his wallet, too!"
Grim examined the luxurious items. "If he's got this much then he probably wouldn't notice if one went missing, right? It's his fault for being so defenseless."
He snickered deviously and was about to land his grubby paws on a bracelet when a hand smacked his paw off.
Ruggie squinted at the raccoon. "Stop that. That's the one I'm aft... no. He'll notice right away if it goes missing."
The hyena heaved his shoulders as he turned to the dorm leader. "Leona, I'm always telling you to stop leaving your valuables out in the open. It's too late if they get taken!"
The dorm leader ran a hand through his hair. "Shut up. Are you my mom or something? It's not that big a deal if it gets stolen. It doesn't matter what I do with it. If someone's got the guts to steal from me then go ahead."
"I'm telling you that it is a big deal." Ruggie argues, "It's the ones who treat money frivolously that cry over one madol. This is what you get being raised with privilege..."
My eyebrows scrunched up. If you don't fear losing something to someone, you would have the means to teach them a lesson after they do. But Azul was so defensive about the vault. You'd think he wouldn't be so horrified after flaunting how indestructible the contracts are...
Expectations versus reality. What I saw is the opposite of reality...
Blue eyes dilate.
"That's it!"
Grim almost tripped off the desk upon my scream. "Waah!! What happened?"
Leona's ears flatten to his head from my volume. "Don't go shouting all of the sudden."
I dumped the clothes onto the basket and swerved to them, "He puts them in the vault because they aren't invincible!"
Ruggie was confused. "Huh...?"
Leona's body shook as he laughed. "That's it, now I see! You thought of something pretty interesting."
"What? What do you mean by 'interesting'?" Grim asked.
"In short..."
After the brunet explained it to him, Grim lit up with realization. "I got it!!! Y'know!! Now that we know the contracts' weak point, we have to sneak into Octavinelle immediately and..."
"There's one more problem."
Grim looks to Ruggie questionably.
"If your hunch is correct then the Leech brothers will be there to run interference. Honestly, you're going to need a better strategy for dealing with them than the vault, I think."
"Crap. It felt like we were really into something." Grim mumbled, planting a foot to the desk.
I raised my brow. "So if we can do something about the Leech brothers...?"
I look to Leona.
His eyes narrowed as I plotted a potential scheme behind my fist. "Hey. What're you thinking now? I think I've got the general idea but... I will absolutely not help. Getting involved in troublesome stuff just isn't my style. Anything related to that octo-punk, more so."
"No way, no way. Just give up now." Ruggie was quick to turn our hopes down.
Grim's expression fell flat at the two of them. "Hmph. You're a cold jerk."
I was quiet. I looked out the open balcony where the crescent moon shone brightly, glowing a soft blue tint from the midnight sky.
I suddenly raised my arms above my head and stretched them. "Such a nice night we have tonight."
Ruggie and Leona remain silently still as they attempt to decipher my actions.
I breathed in through my nose before releasing it, relishing in the cool temperature nighttime brings. I let my arms fall limp to my side.
"Gentlemen," I began, unusually calm, "there was once a wise woman from my world who bestowed these enlightening words..."
I turned my head to face them.
" 'If I ain't getting sleep cuz of y'all, y'all ain't getting sleep cuz of me'!"
Three frog Dream Eaters appear. One possessed a frying pan and lid in a chef uniform while the other donning a crown wields a rapier and shield, the third a leaf shield and a spiked club with bat wings.
A dark sinister shadow crossed their eyes. Chef Kyroo, Lord Kyroo, and Sir Kyroo surround the Savanaclaw boys.
"I don't remember asking you to help, did I now? Leona Kingscholar-senpai~" My voice was sickly sweet like honey, yet beneath it lies a thin coat of dripping venom.
Leona's brow twitched. He glanced to Ruggie only to find out the hyena had somehow virtually appeared to my side. Upon eye contact, a feigned innocent look morphed to a cruel smirk as Ruggie silently cackled for Leona's demise. No way is he backing the man up in this situation.
"Sorry, but Strix promised me donuts after this~"
"Ruggie! You-!"
A satisfying pop is heard when I cracked my neck and slowly stalked over. "Grim... Get ready."
The trio of Spirits raised their respective weapons and shields...
~~~~~~~
Extra: Midnight Parade
~~~~~~~
Strix may seem calm and aloof as the moon, but she has a fire that burns underneath, one that is pale but still intense as the sun.
Leona had seen Strix get irritated at the residents. He had seen how she doesn't hesitate to resort to violence because she knows it's necessary and doesn't preach peace and heart to heart discussions. She even threatens to castrate them, something Leona would hate for the women in Afterglow Savannah to pick up on and follow her practice.
It was until this night that he realized he never truly witnessed Strix's character beneath the moon, despite the warning signs and proclamations of her being a night owl.
Her daylight character is just a cover that hides how equally chaotic of a menace she can be just like her damn raccoon friend.
Strix had virtually summoned a keyboard and sat down directly across Leona so he would have the VIP seat to what would become waves upon waves of torture.
She cracked her fingers and ghosted the monochrome keys, a twinkling light in her youthful eyes accompanying her smirk. "Yours truly will put on a flawless performance. Consider it an honor."
Leona met Ruggie's eyes. As the hyena has music class with Strix, he knew for sure that Strix was not merely bluffing to scare him.
[First Wave]
The three Kyroos banged their shields to the beat as Strix played the keys and sang,
"I'm gonna be a mighty king, so enemies beware! I'm gonna be the main event like no king was before
I'm brushing up on looking down
I'm working on my ROAR!"
Her fingers mashed the keys in a flurry that would have one question how her fingers haven't fallen off from the speed of lightning for a quick upbeat melody before crying out,
"Oh I just can't wait to be king~!!"
Leona was close to hanging off the edge of his bed upside down teetering between wanting to knock himself out and eating the herbivore.
Bloodshot green eyes bored at the ceiling screaming "I'll eat you and not even spare your bones, damn herbivore".
Every damn time Strix sings that specific line, salt is tearing apart the wound that is Leona's dignity. She's definitely doing it on purpose and is absolutely thriving while singing her heart out at his expense.
Ruggie felt that burn. Strix is totally bullying Leona, and he's enjoying the show.
[Second Wave]
Ruggie had brought in a massive, human-sized speaker (please refer to Jack's height for comparison) and connected the cord to her keyboard. He had earmuffs covering his large round ears to soften the damage while Leona's pitiful pillows and blankets seemed to have lost all meaning.
The three Kyroos and Grim bash the bongos as Strix hollered deliriously into the attached mic, "Nants ingonyama bagithi baba!!! [Here comes a lion, Father]" for the entire Savanaclaw dorm to wake up to. What better way to wake up in the middle of the night than to sing the glorious opening theme to a glorious opening cinematic? They should be lucky!
Complaints and curses ensued throughout the walkway.
From inside his bedroom, Jack was staring at his ceiling. He wondered if Strix has pent up stress just waiting to be unleashed, especially with the current situation. If she wasn't deliberately singing over the top to annoy her peers, her singing voice would have actually been nice.
Deuce wasn't kidding when he said to not incur Strix's wrath in the night. Leona must've not been cooperative.
Back with Strix, Leona glared daggers, tail violently lashing. If only looks can kill, they would.
"Herbi-"
"Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba!!!"
Impulsive eye twitching. He opens his mouth.
"It's the Circle of Life~!"
Leona has a feeling she skipped verse or two just to sing that specific line she so proudly sang from her lungs because the keys had suddenly changed to a major note upon hitting that high frequency.
He ducked his head inside the pile of pillows.
If she keeps singing to the high notes, her throat's bound to run dry. There's no way she has that much stamina for her lungs. This is the same human who sweated a waterfall from playing Magift, and she didn't even run around but instead barked orders for her familiars.
Peaking behind from underneath the pillows, Ruggie's expression told him that wouldn't be the case.
[Third Wave]
If the entirety of Savanaclaw isn't awake from Strix's song, she would be utterly disappointed. Who dares to sleep through the emotional, powerful song that would have one preaching to the sun?
She'll just change direction and aim for a more baffling song instead to spite them.
Strix breathes in.
"It's... Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,
Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious,
If you say it loud enough you'll always sound precocious,
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"
Then came the most nonsensical blurb of noise that would put the Queen of Hearts and Heartslabyul's whimsical, maddening reputation to shame.
Ruggie and Grim were shocked, astonished, then impressed the girl could say the long word without missing a beat. What language did that super-something come from? What does that word even mean?!
Strix was hopping around the bed and stomping the floor like a madman as she filled in the verses with the babbling noise while still expertly playing the keyboard on her hip. Almost like the equivalent of a person doing the air guitar with one leg bent in the air.
Leona didn't dare to look up to the madness of rainbow frogs hopping along with their master in a semicircle as though performing a ritual dance for a sacrifice.
"You know you can say it backwards which is 'Dociousaliexpisticfragicalirepus'
But that's going a bit too far, don't you think?"
(Cue Leona wanting to scream into the void.)
"So when the cat has got your tongue, there's no need for dismay,
Just summon up this word, and then you've got a lot to say,
But better use it carefully or it could change your life!"
Leona wishes to meld with his bed and spare himself the ear grating punishment. It's like being forcefully strapped in the midst of a Broadway he so desperately wants to snore through from the jovial singing and dancing.
He chucks a pillow at Strix. She evades and resumes merrily singing the blurb of lyrics again, having the time of her life.
[Final Phase]
How many hours has it been since the marathon began? It's definitely past midnight. Leona, along with every other sane person, should be asleep right now! Yet the woman before him is hyper than ever even after pumping out songs deemed nonsensical.
Strix simply tipped her chin up and looked at the man, unimpressed. "Something tells me you'll love this piece."
She plays a merry tune akin to a carnival theme song.
Lion ears stood erect. A string of "no" became a mantra that crumbled in vain once she sang the song that somehow resonates his soul in a traumatic dissonance.
"It's a world of laughter, a world of tears,
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears,
There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware, it's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world~"
Leona tossed his head back and resisted a mighty urge to scream to the heavens. If he was not so arrogant he would have lost his dignity and rolled on the bed back and forth.
Strix smirked at his mortified state. "Ready to wave the white flag?"
Leona would rather die than get on his knees and beg mercy. Strix was so kind to grant him the opportunity, if she said so herself.
"All right, all right! Have it your way."
Her lips lift into a smile. "Glad we see things eye to eye."
Strix drafted out the plan for tomorrow. Leona listened and offered his two cents on some points begrudgingly, though he was completely on edge as her fingers faintly drummed above the sleek shiny keys as though tempted. She hadn't sent away her three frog Dream Eaters threatening him the promise of doom with their weapons, either.
When she finally did, the plan had been settled. Ruggie left with the speaker in tow while Grim heads to the futon.
"I'm counting on you tomorrow. Good night." Strix slid into her futon and shunned her back to him.
Leona held his breath and listened when the silence of the night finally returning to bless his ears. He slowly relaxes into his bed and closed his eyes.
Damn birds.