Once in a Blue Moon (RevisionEdit in progress)

by HeroProject39

"Don't chase the dreams. They'll lead you to nowhere, just an abyss you'll never be able to wake up from." She delves deeper into the mysteries of Twisted Wonderland and its inhabitants...until she may never wake up from a world that blindfolds her gently from the reality waiting beyond the road. (OC) REVISING. Main story ON HOLD.

27. A Warm Place to Call Home

A silent house with walls of ice and stifling atmosphere was to be her cage. The bird that lost its singing voice is now resigned to staying with its clipped wings until the day they die.

The door to her cell creaks open, paving foul light into the dim room. An elderly woman stood at the doorway. Like her father, her face was blackened; anonymous.

"Get up and pack your things. Your great grandfather is coming to pick you up soon." Came the frigid voice.

Apathetic blue eyes bored into the corner of the dusty wall.

Her paternal grandmother sniffed. She closed the door without another word.

The child buried her head underneath her arms.

Regardless where she'll go, the shadows will follow.

~~~~~~~

Azul caught Strix in his arms before she would collapse to the floor upon using the ghost camera. Jamil's blot magic had dissipated once defeated, her casual wear returning.

Kalim was quick to rush to Jamil and cry out his name as he laid unconscious. His long dark hair was free from his usual ponytail and now cascading his back.

Hebby Repp checked up on Keeba Tiger who had blacked out after being struck by lightning magic. The tiger Spirit growled softly, slowly rising to its feet. It shakes the soot off and regained its bright yellow palette. It nodded once to the snake-lizard hybrid before disappearing.

Hebby Repp then waddled up to Jamil. Kalim watched as it tapped the tip of its tail on Jamil's forehead. A pink ripple spreads, the Spirit disappearing afterwards. He watched on hopeful as Jamil's visage soften.

Strix slowly opened her eyes. "Huh...?"

Azul cupped her cheeks. "Don't say anything. Please open your mouth."

Still in a daze, Strix parted her lips.

Azul grimaced. "...It's swollen, but the bleeding stopped."

"Oh my, how upfront of you," Jade chuckled in amusement, hand to his lips.

Having removed his hands from her face, Azul nearly fumbled over his words before hissing, "Would you stop making jokes like that?" Jade simply chuckled again in response.

Meanwhile Strix grazed her fingertips against her forehead. The impact of the head butt still throbs. Her head probably feels foggy thanks to that. Has the fight really been long for the sky to be dark now?

Jamil slowly stirs awake. "Ugh... Where am..."

"What a relief. We were able to bring back to your senses." Azul said.

Grim heaved a shaky sigh. "That shadow monster is gonna be visiting my dreams..."

"Jya, Jyammi..." Kalim's lips quivered to the point he could only wail in sorrow and threw himself over the vice dorm leader.

"Sea Otter, you're not using your words." Floyd remarked in mild amusement.

Jade watched with his usual mild-mannered smile. "It seems he's forgotten all about that punch he was talking about. Though Strix's head butt was satisfying as well."

His casual remark caused Strix to jolt. She couldn't make eye contact for some reason. It did seem out of character for her...

"I'm so gwad you're awive... You're awive..." Kalim bawled into his hoodie.

"...Why are you falling apart..." Jamil sighed in the end, exasperated.

"I-I..." Kalim pulls back and sniffled before continuing, "I had no idea how you felt this whole time. You-You've always... been carrying that weight. I had no idea..."

"As a result, you went and cruelly betrayed Kalim." Azul said as a matter-of-fact.

"Yuuup. Sea Snake, you've been making a fool of Sea Otter this whoooole time without saying a word." Floyd drawled as he leaned to the side.

"You guys are the worse at reading the mood than I am, y'know!" Grim deadpanned.

"You're re-really awful... But that doesn't change the fact you were helping me this whole time, too." Kalim raised his ruby red eyes to meet Jamil's dark pair.

Jamil stared. "Kalim..."

"That all ends today. You don't have to hold back because of our parents' status or the master-servant relationship." Kalim boldly said.

Jamil blanked. "...Huh?"

"Starting today, let's become rivals, both aiming for number one without holding back. Let's be friends... As equals, Jamil." He outstretched his hand.

"Friends... Equals...?" Jamil pondered, humming. "That's a very Kalim-like solution... Then there's something I want to say, as equals."

He opens his mouth.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!"

Kalim was taken aback, gawking indignantly. "Eh?"

"Eh~?!" Grim squawked.

"Thoughtless and flaky, stupid and clumsy, infuriatingly carefree and arrogant, completely lacking in any sort of tact! Who in their right mind would be friends with someone like that of their volition?! Unless it's in my interest, I have no intention of spending a second of my time with you!"

Kalim could only awkwardly take the brunt of Jamil's ranting before exclaiming, "Eh, eeeeeeeeehhh?! What the heck?"

"We really busted open this can of worms. He's cutting Kalim to pieces with his words, y'know." Grim muttered.

Jamil has revealed his true colors, Strix thought. A sassy, bitter boy who is 101 percent done with everything. Strix crossed her arms. She can relate.

Azul smiled in amusement. "Isn't it fine like this? I much prefer this ruthless Jamil."

Jamil scowled at the silver-haired male. "What do you want? That smirk of yours is creepy."

"Actually, I've been very curious about you since we were freshmen." Azul tipped his glasses up.

Jamil cocked one eyebrow. "Huh...?"

"Because you never stood out I thought you were actually just some frivolous student. Your grades in class and practical exams were nothing to be impressed with. At the same time... You never let your grades drop too far. In every subject you scored perfectly in the middle so I had a hunch that it was on purpose. There's no way something like that could happen by chance. So I thought there must be something forcing your hand but... After listening to what Strix had to say, it all made sense."

"Now I see. Azul, your grades in potions are top level but it's faster to count from the bottom for your ranking in flying." Jade snidely remarked.

"That might be going a bit too far, y'know." Grim sweatdropped.

"Playing mancala with you the other day is what really confirmed my suspicions. You stayed in complete control of the game so as to not put Floyd in a bad mood." Azul said.

"What, you serious? You can do something like that?" Floyd remarked, though he wasn't upset in the least.

"Someone was bound to notice if he kept losing and if he kept winning it would frustrate his opponents. So he'd back them into a corner then let them have a comeback victory to keep their spirits up. That's not something you could do with a normal skill or patience." Azul explained.

"Azul didn't hold back for a single moment and kicked my ass!" Grim chirped.

"It turns out my hunch was correct. Jamil's true potential is truly marvelous!" Azul praised.

Kalim eagerly agreed, "Right? Right? Isn't Jamil just the best!"

"You'd probably get along better with someone like me rather than Kalim. What do you think? Would you like to transfer to Octavinelle, then we can join forces and really make a name for ourselves." Azul offered.

"Absolutely not." Jamil shot down in a heartbeat.

He snarks, "The hell's up with you, anyway. Do you get off on going on about other people's business... It stinks of shady shit! No way I'd want to be best buddies with you for the rest of my life."

Strix breathed a sigh of relief. At least the two weren't paired as her enemies at the same time. She might have been screwed if they did.

"Oh my, he really let you have it." Jade smiled mirthfully.

Azul chuckled. "I don't mind. I've gained a new addition to my collection of secrets so I'll just leave it at that."

"Also known as: the collection of weaknesses." Floyd said.

"...Hmph. Can't make use of some 'secret' that the whole world already knows about. I'm not going to hold back anymore. Whether it's to Kalim, you guys, or anyone, I'm not going to just hand over victory again." Jamil firmly declared, resolution lighting a fire in his eyes.

Kalim bobbed his head. "...Yeah! And I don't plan on losing!"

Strix smiled.

...

In the darkest hour of the night, Scarabia was peacefully silent.

A certain monster had snuck out of the bedroom, silently tread through the vacant hallways, and was now prowling the lounge in search for the call to his hunger.

A black muzzle twitched.

"A black rock... I can smell a black rock in this room, y'know..." The voice muttered in a daze.

"There it is... I knew it..." Grim cackled and snickered to himself in delight.

Plucking the dark stone from the carpet, he consumes it. "This is spicy... but still has a mild richness about it... y'know."

Aqua blue eyes open dully. Not a trace of light touches the murky surface.

"Hmmm... I've already eaten it all. More... I want more black rocks, y'know..."

His body twitched. High pitched glee giggles in the lounge.

Meanwhile, a vibrant yellow and blue snake-lizard was slithering around in search for something as well. It spotted a rainbow stone protruding underneath a pillow and wrapped its long tail around the object. It was a bright garnet red in the shape of a cobra head.

Golden yellow pupils stared unblinkingly at Grim laughing to himself. It was silent and expressionless before the face of foreboding darkness. Without a second glance, it teleports away in soft pink hearts of light.

Hebby Repp landed on a shelf in the bedroom of Ramshackle Dorm. Holding the gem with its jaws, the Dream Eater used its tail to lift the lid of a box containing four other colorful stones like it. A magenta jagged stone, a ruby red rose, an amber lion head, and a light purple octopus.

It placed the new addition to the glimmering collection and closes the box.

Hebby Repp reappears in Strix's temporary bedroom in Scarabia. Landing quietly on the space next to the sleeping girl, it nudges her cheek gently with its head to ease the wrinkles folding between her brows. Without stirring her awake, her visage softens into a youthful sleeping face of a child.

The Spirit curls up beside her head and drifts to sleep.

Back in Ramshackle Dorm, the five rainbow stones once shimmering now began to glow intensely inside the box. Voices of children giggling softens when a young childish voice speaks faintly from within. Parts of their message is cut off at irregular intervals.

["...Don't...nowhere...wake..."]

The light dims to their usual faint glow, hushing the unknown voice in the tranquility of darkness.

The silver blue crescent moon shines above the dark velvet canvas of midnight, silently watching as the spectator of Twisted Wonderland.

~~~~~~~

An elderly man greets the child at the doorframe of her bedroom. She did not recognize him as either one of her grandfathers from either of her parents' side.

"I'm Sidney, your great grandfather. I'm here to take you away."

For the first time since her estranged father left, she reacts. Her dull eyes that regarded the world with contempt in the same manner her family had towards her slowly widened.

Light wards the darkness from his face, revealing kind squinted eyes whose wrinkles belie generations of wisdom and experience. His smile was gentle.

"You will be living under my care from now on, in a place far from here."

How far, she wanted to ask. Yet her voice is lost somewhere within her.

Upon wordlessly entering the taxi cab and being driven away with her great grandfather beside her, she doesn't spare a glance back to the house that was her prison.

The little girl dreams of a warm house. A home she can return to and say "I'm home" and expect someone to answer "Welcome back". A home with a warm, tasteful meal on the dinner table.

This has to be a dream. This old man claiming to be her family member is only a figment of her imagination.

She poked his arm. It was warm underneath his clothes. Were people always this warm like the sunlight?

Sidney tilted his head curiously at the mute child. He raised his gray brows questionably but the lighthearted smile was merely innocent under her bewildered stare.

The urban city landscape was replaced by the dark tunnel. Every time the gold light flashed in the intervals of the dark, his presence was still here in the vehicle with her.

He was real.

~~~~~~~

The desert heat wave pounded in her head.

Strix slowly sits up. Her body feels like lead. She doesn't see Hebby Repp sleeping beside her now. It must have disappeared at some point.

Her hand wanders to the ledge, only to grasp air the next second. She tumbles forward, dragging the thin blanket with her.

Roused awake by the sound of her weight, Grim drowsily peers over the edge of the bed. "Strix?"

The girl was tangled in a bundle on the floor, wincing from the impact. "Ughh..."

"Geez, you can be surprisingly clumsy..." Grim rubbed his eyes.

She props herself up by the elbows. However, her muscles quivered like jelly and immediately plopped forward to the floor.

Grim winced before landing beside her. "You okay?"

The female coughs into the blanket from the dust kicked up in the air. Her coughing sounded more like a wheeze, though. She frowned at the irritation burning in her throat uncontrollably. It's as arid as the desert.

The gray beast's fiery ears twitched. "Strix?"

Strix didn't move from her spot. She couldn't, for she was robbed of her strength now mustered enough to lift her eyelids.

Ragged panting is heard from the girl. Sweat drips down the flushed skin of her face and neck.

He lands on the floor.

"Your face is super red! And hot!" Grim's paw swiftly retracted from her forehead.

A mortified Grim clenched his jaw at the vulnerable sight. He placed his paws on her shoulder, desperately searching for a reaction as he prodded her. "Strix! Don't die on me! Say something! Anything!"

She would always have something witty to say with her silver tongue. Strix didn't come this far without a voice, after all. She's strong. She's beaten four Overblots to live and tell the tale.

Yet her feverish lips parted to the terrible sounds of a dying man's last breath. Her limp body made no move to acknowledge his touch.

Clouded azure blue eyes beneath long lashes were dull. They have always been bright yet devoid of glimmering light a living being should have. On the brink of consciousness, they were now almost truly dead.

Grim slowly backs away... and darts out of the room. His screams crying for help rang duly in her ears as she remained laying on the tiled floor.

It's hot. It's cold. She can't make heads or tails which was burning and which was freezing. Her mind is a muddled mess; all she can comprehend right now is how agonizing the fever throbbing in her head is killing her slowly.

When was the last time she fell sick, if ever? This desolate feeling of loneliness in her most vulnerable state is a familiar experience, though...

Strix closed her eyes. She doesn't know how many minutes it has been since she was on the floor. Usually sleep would solve most of her problems. If she sleeps through this fever, she might be relieved from it by the time she wakes up.

A pair of feet appeared before kneeling. Callous knuckles grazed her sweaty forehead and retracted soon after.

Strix mustered the will to reopen her eyes.

Long silky dark hair flashed into view.

A pair of strong arms carefully scooped her up. She felt tiny in their hold.

Her nose brushed against the fabric of a sweatshirt. It had a mild scent of rich, exotic spices and cinnamon.

But this scent isn't unwelcoming, Strix thought as her body was laid on the bed.

She let her eyes fall shut and her conscience fade.

...

Jamil stepped out of the bedroom and turned to Grim who was waiting anxiously by the door framed for news. "It seems Strix collapsed due to a variety of reasons. Stress, emotional and physical exhaustion, heat stroke, and the drastic change in environment. She's hit her breaking point."

"Will she be okay?" Grim asked.

"Once she eats her fill and takes the medicine, she should get better with plenty of rest. I know I need some." Jamil walks away to head for the kitchen.

"Wait, I wanna help! What kinda master would I be if I don't make sure my henchman is alive and kicking?" Grim spoke up.

Jamil internally rolled his eyes at the irony of it all. "All right, come with me. Make sure you listen to what I say carefully."

After washing their hands/paws, Jamil placed the ingredients and utilities across the counter.

"Because Strix's tongue is swollen, we'll have to serve the rice porridge lukewarm. We'll let it cool down for a while and then bring it to her room." Jamil explained.

It was then Kalim enters and discovers the vice dorm leader with Grim.

"Jamil, you're still recovering from yesterday, aren't you? You should let everyone else take care of the cooking until then." Kalim buzzes around the exasperated Jamil after noticing the setup along the counter.

"It's not for me. Strix woke up with a fever, so we're fixing up a meal before she takes her medicine." Jamil explained without glancing to the dorm leader as he poured the necessary amount of white rice into the pot.

Kalim gasped. "That's terrible! Even more of a reason for me to help."

"Hey, I told Jamil I would help, don't go stealing my thunder." Grim scolded defensively.

"Ohh, that's why you're here, Grim? I thought you'd want to eat what we have in the fridge for breakfast." Kalim admitted innocently. To be honest Jamil was thinking the same thing as Grim's ulterior motive to joining him in the kitchen.

Grim's ears flattened halfway. "...You're not wrong about that, but I'm too distracted because of Strix to enjoy my meal in peace! So I thought I'd wait until after she eats first."

"Awww, you really do care about her." Kalim cooed. "You two must be really close friends."

"Strix is my henchman, of course I gotta care about her!" Grim stubbornly replied. It was apparent he was embarrassed about admitting it, with his ego and all. "And don't make it sound like we're all rainbows and flowers! That's soo sappy, I'd barf all over that garden. I can vouch that's what Strix would feel like, too."

Kalim laughed. "And you guys make a funny pair."

Grim sweatdropped. "For some reason I took that personally..."

While Grim and Kalim were bantering, Jamil was already done washing the rice and cooking it in the pot.

"Grim, after the porridge is done, you can help by sprinkling the herbs on top." Jamil told him.

"Got it."

"Jamil, you can rest easy now. I'll look after the rest." Kalim offered.

"I can easily cook a simple rice porridge dish in my condition, thank you very much." Jamil leans back on the counter while waiting for the rice to boil.

Kalim wilted. He perks up the next second and insisted, "Then I'll bring it to her when you're done. I can do that, at the very least. I said we're gonna be equals at Night Raven College, and that means you don't need to carry my weight all the time from here on. I'm gonna do my share of the work like I mean it."

Jamil stared passively. "...All right. By the time we're done, Strix should be cooled down enough to eat. Don't have her eat all of it if she can't. As long as she eats, that's fine."

Kalim bobbed his head. "Gotcha."

"Y'know, you're being surprisingly cooperative helping Strix out. I thought you'd be annoying to persuade." Grim bluntly said.

When he went to the first person he came across for help, Jamil immediately comes to the rescue without hesitation. Though Grim had his skepticism after yesterday, he had no time to be picky when Strix was breathing for her life every passing second.

Jamil crossed his arms coolly and glanced elsewhere, long side bang obscuring his eyes from a side angle. "I had a feeling it was my fault she got sick to begin with. It was partially my responsibility for bringing her into my schemes. I'm also repaying her for saving me, even though she wounded herself in the process to accomplish that..."

Kalim smiled softly. He has good in him after all, just like he had always known him to be.

After Grim helped add the finishing touches on the rice porridge, Jamil entrusts the tray to Kalim and watched as he made a beeline for Strix's bedroom with Grim accompanying the boy.

Though Kalim hasn't slipped up even when he disappeared around a corner, the dark haired male still has lingering doubts Kalim could make it all the way without keeping all the food inside the bowl.

He shook his head, the bells and coins in his hair accessories jingling from the motion. He was not going to keep playing the servant now that he revealed his true nature to Kalim. It was time he stopped fretting over him and finally think for himself like he had always dreamed of since childhood.

Though he wasn't completely free from his shackles by legal means, the chains were loosened enough to give him some extent of liberty. It was progress.

Jamil's eyes narrowed a fraction.

After his defeat, he is now faced with a new dilemma: redeeming himself as Scarabia's vice dorm leader.

...

Throughout the trip, Kalim hadn't made a clumsy mistake (much to Grim's relief) and safely made it to the door with all the food intact.

Kalim enters carefully and quietly and sets the tray on the counter beside the bed. He peers over and whispered, "...Strix?"

Grim climbs atop the bed and crawls near to prod her shoulder. He drawled in a singsong, "Striiiix, wake up~ Jamil made food for ya~"

Long eyelashes weakly fluttered open. Even in a haze the blues were still bright.

Strix's eyes were bleary upon sitting up. Kalim propped a breakfast table on the bed and placed the porcelain bowl of lukewarm rice porridge in front of her.

"Can you hold a spoon by yourself or do you need help?" Kalim asked in concern.

Strix reached for the spoon wordlessly. Fortunately she still has the strength to feed herself and takes her time eating the rice porridge in silence.

Kalim opens his mouth but was silenced by the raise of Grim's claw.

Grim stared closely at her face. "...I think she's sleepwalking. She can't talk to you when she's on autopilot mode."

Kalim does notice how her eyes weren't focused at the bowl. Her body was moving unnaturally as it relied on muscle memory alone to perform the task while her mind was asleep. In a way it was a skill to be impressed by, though Kalim wonders how she managed to achieve that. It couldn't be through practice, right? It would be something she was used to doing for a long time, whether she liked it or not.

Somehow it saddened him a little to think about.

After swallowing the pill with a glass of water, Strix returns to sleeping without sparing a single glance. She was out like a light. She didn't register she was eating in reality and instead subconsciously assumed it all to be a dream.

"That's amazing..." Kalim then glanced to the bowl. It was likely because she was half asleep, but she could only finish half of the serving. At least she was willing to cooperate without a fuss.

His eyes land on the gold heart lock sitting beside her pillow. It was the same one she wears on her person 24/7.

The gold luster gravitates him to examine it. The scratches tell a lifetime's tale of usage. It must have been an inherited accessory from her family.

A vague spark of recognition flashed in garnet red. This gold...

Kalim looks at Strix once more.

"Hey, Grim,"

Said cat perked his ears attentively. "Hm?"

"Does Strix have a key to open this lock?" The boy asked, staring into the keyhole. It was not there for decorative purposes. The hole was big enough for a key to insert.

"Uhh, I dunno. She never mentioned anything about a 'key'." Grim shrugged.

Kalim scrunched his brows together. "Really? But every lock has a key." Has Strix always had the lock without the key counterpart to this day? Or was she keeping it a secret?

"When you say that, that does sound true. But I'm tellin' ya, I never saw any key from Strix." Grim insisted. He wondered why Kalim is fixated on the lock anyways.

Kalim hummed.

Could it be his imagination?

~~~~~~~

A man stood at the open doorway clutching a luggage bag behind him. He was officially going to leave and start a new family with another woman. He claimed he had moved on and intends to lead a new, better life at the expense of disowning his only daughter. It was to officially end their ties, and the responsibilities he was obligated to fulfill at the bare minimum until his tolerance had reached its climax.

She watched as he walks out of the door...

She wakes up. They had arrived to their destination.

The house was painted a pale blue with a white porch and brown roof. It was small for a family of three to reside in. Some cartoon animal characters she recognized -such as a mouse in red shorts, a duck in a blue sailor suit, and a dog in a green hat- decorated the front yard and the window sills.

Despite the childish decorations, something about it adds to the homely atmosphere. In a way, the state and appearance of the building reflects the resident's character. This old man couldn't possibly be a mean person with all those Disney merchandise shamelessly up for display. Had he always had them there?

Sidney helps settle her to the ground and walks with hands behind his hunched back. The wind chime featuring a Mickey head inside a ring had the word "Welcome" engraved and painted white. It ghostly jingles as the door opened.

She looks down from the welcome sign and enters inside. An unfamiliar scent oozing from within registers in her nose. It was a mild scent of lavender.

What first caught her eye was the grand piano situated by the window. A miniature figurine of the iconic mouse character was situated atop the cover of the piano. He wore a red robe with a blue pointy hat decorated with yellow stars and the moon.

"Make yourself at home," Sidney said. He makes a beeline for what must be the kitchen.

She plopped her mini pink backpack on the sofa and slowly absorbs her surroundings. Picture frames of Sidney's history were hung on walls and propped on the counters. Some photos were black and white and also sepia brown.

The little girl noticed a photo in color and went up close to examine it.

It was a simple picture of Sidney and a young woman who bears a close resemblance to the girl. She was smiling closely with him while the two stood in front of the house.

She averted her eyes and continued exploring.

A tall bookshelf was completely packed with neatly arranged books.

She pulled a random book from its slot. It was a picture book of a blonde princess in a blue dress with slippers made of glass. The title read "Cinderella".

Sidney steps out of the kitchen and discovers the child sitting on the floor reading a book.

He smiled at the sight and walks up to her.

"You can read all the books I have to offer, my dear. This bookshelf is dedicated to fairy tales from around the world, not just Disney's versions." Sidney said.

She looks up in surprise.

No adult who reads and enjoys fairy tales can be so mean... Right?

She never gets to read them aside from school where she buries her nose in books due to her shyness. She enjoyed reading magical tales of happily ever after a because she hoped she would find her happy end with her family. At home, there was no fairy tale books to pass the time. She couldn't watch the TV alone when one of her grandparents occupy the living room without having to judge her existence on the spot.

She had drawn various scenarios of a world where she and her family can be happy together without sadness and hatred and fear to tear the world apart. Yet when she realized what was missing in all the pictures, she couldn't bring it to show anyone.

Her family missed her mother. No one would miss her if she was gone.

The girl herself was the sadness, hatred, and fear that burned their worlds to ashes. All she had to do was be born deathly silent as stone for the rest to scorn her as a monster.

A heartless, monster of ice...

"You must be tired after sitting in a stuffy cab with an old man like me. Would you like to help me finish the pudding I made?" Sidney offered.

She perked up at the sweet name of pudding. He even made them himself!

Her doe eyes were sparkling with excitement despite the rest of her face being blank.

Sidney laughed. "I'm quite proud of my pudding. Wait in the dining room and I'll prepare a mug for you."

Sidney turns about face and returns to the kitchen.

She slowly reverts her eyes to the book where Cinderella marries the prince and lives happily ever after.

Compared to everyone else she's known, Sidney appears like a saint in comparison; the nicest angel ever to befriend her.

There's no way someone like that would exist... Right?

She hugs the book to her chest and lays her back on the glossy wooden floorboard to stare at the ceiling.

The atmosphere around her feels warm. Even the floor isn't freezing cold. Or is that her chest being fuzzy? What is this feeling?

Her grip on the book loosened. Her hand rested on her stomach. Something stirring hurts her inside. The living room feels like it's boiling her alive.

A silent whimper leaves her quivering lips. She breathes for air, sweat forming across her pale skin.

Someone help...

~~~~~~~

Strix awoke after what seemed like a long dream. Sweat and cold droplets ran down her face and neck.

She removes the wet towel from her forehead and looks around. No one was present. She must have had a fever for the second time in her entire life. Thankfully it has gone down now.

She slips off the bed and cleans up her face. After checking her tongue in the mirror, she decided to bring a pen and paper while it recovers in the meantime.

She leaves the bedroom and walks to the lounge.

She sensed the presence of her Dream Eaters appear behind her without having to summon them. Strix looks behind and smiled before the party of three Dream Eaters that immediately swarmed to her feet.

At the same time, Jamil was walking down the hallway to check on Strix when his blood ran cold at the colorful sight. Three stag beetle creatures, one blue, one red and one white, surrounded the girl.

KO Kabuto, Staggerceps, and Kab Kannon appeared to communicate to her something exciting with their trills and buzzing sounds. That is, until they notice the boy and rested their yellow pupils on him in synchronization, causing him to jolt violently.

Strix looks up.

His body was pressed up against a marble white pillar, unable to contain his visibly trembling fight or flight response wagging like a metronome. "I didn't think you'd have... insects for familiars."

Strix pulled out a notepad and pencil from her pocket and scribbled her message down for Jamil to see.

["I guess it's uncommon to have an insect for a partner."]

Unless they're a Pokémon or Digimon, Strix thought to herself.

Jamil frowned upon seeing the utilities in her possession. "...You shouldn't be walking around yet. You're obviously still tired."

["How long was I out?"]

"For a day. Grim was really worried about you."

Strix crestfallen.

["How are you feeling?"]

"'Fine' is what I would say if you didn't have your beetles watching me." Jamil wryly said.

The three stag beetles's bodies rattled with hostility. He flinched.

Her brow elegantly rose. ["Are you scared of bugs?"]

"I'm disgusted by them. I hate bugs with a passion. Send them away!" Came the immediate response.

She strokes the flat pentagonal plate of Staggerceps' head to soothe them of their wariness before writing. ["They're different from your normal bugs. They're much more cuter, that's for sure."]

"C-Cute...?" Jamil uttered in disbelief, bug-eyed himself. Though they may not be hairy and overly realistic as the bugs he knows (thank Great Seven for that), they're still gross.

Strix nodded. She gets on one knee and embraces KO Kabuto who reciprocates her gesture affectionately. ["I love all of my Dream Eaters, even if they're a bug. They're my friends, after all."]

"It looks more like you treat them as pets, though." Jamil muttered.

["They're more than that. I don't train them to do tricks for my amusement. If they want to help me, why deny the offer?"] Strix tickled Kab Kannon's chest where the pink heart drop emblem is marked, eliciting giggling from the Spirit.

"Why are they here?" Jamil asked, still giving them a dirty look of evident distaste against bugs. The feeling was mutual for the stag beetle trio.

["They were very concerned for me and wanted to keep me company until they were satisfied knowing I'm okay. I guess I don't look like I am?"] Her smile was weak.

Jamil stared. "...Are you mad?"

She looks up in confusion.

"You know, back when I was out of control..." He trailed off, looking away.

She knew exactly what he was referring to now. ["Not really. I was embarrassed at first, but I wouldn't break your bones or anything like that just because."]

She had also predicted to be put in that situation just like in the Aladdin movie, so it wasn't all that shocking. Though she can't tell that to Jamil, for obvious reasons.

Jamil made a face. "Thanks for not considering that, I guess."

["You must be really pent up, Jamil-senpai... In more than one sense (lol)."] Her monotonous expression was not very lighthearted by contrast.

Jamil didn't think she was the type to make crass jokes like that. Or was that her passive aggressiveness projecting her grudge on him? Probably the latter. It was understandable, though.

He sent her an unamused look before closing his eyes. "I'm really sorry for that. I honestly didn't see you that way. It may sound like I'm making an excuse, but some parts of my memory are fuzzy during my Overblot. It's as if something possessed me."

Strix solemnly nodded once. Her eyes spared an understanding gentleness. ["I believe you. It WAS random as hell, after all. I forgive you."]

Jamil bored his eyes into her own. "Even though you literally bled and shocked yourself to near death because of me?"

Azure blue slowly makes contact with his dark pair. Jamil was surprisingly acting remorseful over this, huh.

["It's not like you hypnotized me to do it. It was all I thought I could do at the time. I have no magic after all. I was completely alone, too."]

Jamil frown deeply. He's seen countless idiotic and reckless things from Kalim he could use as reference, but Strix may just take the cake.

"You're an idiot." Was what Jamil spat in a heartbeat. It was difficult to take his words to heart when his back is plastered to the pillar right now.

Nonetheless, he's not wrong. She was not going to get riled up and defend herself from that statement because she feels that way herself. But being an idiot, she realized, is okay. She can afford to be a little stupid while she's still young and dreaming.

That also means she's going to play the petty card without giving a damn.

Strix glanced to the three beetles and drew a zigzag with her finger.

The three Spirits approach Jamil with their four stubby limbs in a flurry side to side.

His screams are music to her ears.

...

Strix was sent back to her room after Jamil swore (threaten?) to not cook a meal for her if she didn't stop sending her bug familiars after him. She wouldn't want to miss out on delicious food when she's still recovering with her numb tongue.

It was some time while she rested in her bed that Grim and the Octavinelle trio entered to greet her. They must have heard the news from Jamil.

Grim bounced to her lap the moment he saw her. Strix automatically rubs his head to console him from his tears despite him claiming to be unaffected by her sudden fever. Floyd pokes fun at him for it, saying Grim didn't eat as much because he couldn't enjoy it while knowing Strix was on her deathbed. Grim sure likes to exaggerate.

She has a particular feeling why Grim acted this way, though. Her eyes, devoid of reflective light, were perpetually dull as though signs of humanity abandoned them. She must have looked like a dead corpse because of her eyes when on the brink of consciousness.

Truly, what reason should she have to be proud of them when they instill fear in others?

Seeing his sorrowful face, Strix moved her hand from his head to his round tummy and let her fingers dance in a flurry. Grim's laughter lifted a smile to her lips.

"Strix, I'd like to ask you something regarding Jamil's Overblot..." Azul began, taking the wheel in the conversation now.

Strix ceased tickling the beast and pays her attention to the dorm leader. He was oddly serious.

"Back then, you revealed you were sleepwalking under the guise of Jamil's Snake Whisper, yes? Back then, you displayed technique with a blade. Where did you learn such skills?" Azul asked with great interest.

Hypnosis magic doesn't equate to a burst in strength. Strix is not physically adept; in fact she is similar to Azul and Jade during flying class where their strengths are poor in the area. Was that all a facade?

"I must have admit, confronting that side of you was quite unexpected. Exhilarating, even." Jade's close-eyed smile widened.

"That smile's creeping me out..." Grim muttered fearfully to himself.

"It was like, totally badass. Shrimpy sure keeps a lot of secrets..." Floyd remarked, intrigued.

Her brows furrowed. ["What 'sword skills' are you guys talking about?"]

They paused and stared.

Eyes as clear and still as water reflecting the blue moon stared back.

She doesn't remember anything when she was mind controlled. Not even the parts when she wielded a bladed weapon in battle.

She truly has no recollections about it.

~~~~~~~

She feared kindness. The anxiety of being betrayed by such tempting humanity continues to plague her insides. Every time she tastes bile on the roof of her mouth, she feels lighter.

Having been treated poorly by her former household, she was numb to the jives. She doesn't have a high opinion of herself as a result. Everything revolved around her dead mother, not the girl herself.

Happiness is an alien feeling for her to experience. She feared joy. It was more painful to receive the gifts of generosity than the cruelty casted upon.

She doesn't know how to accept his kindness. To be happy over it made her nauseous the longer she remained in his house, in his presence. Was it really okay to be happy when she left the people behind grieving without knowing peace?

Kindness was the poison to her slow and agonizing demise.

She wanted to be proven wrong. That this reality is in fact a dream. She had anticipated the moment when his two-faced side would come to spit at her at any moment, for Sidney to lecture her on how to please her family by obeying them without question and that what they say are absolute and correct. Yet it never came.

Butterflies are in her stomach, and they're not the welcoming bunch. Even anticipating what other acts of kindness her great grandfather will do builds up cramps.

Ever since she suddenly fell ill to a fever, Sidney had been nursing her to health for the day. He understood from piecing a few things together that she was under the emotional stress from the change in environment, including the people she interacts within that environment.

"No one will hurt you here," Sidney reassured gently beside her bed. He had placed a cool wet towel on her forehead and tucked her in after she ate an easily digestible meal and drank a grape-flavored medicine. "You won't have to see them ever again. It's fine to not want to see those people if you don't want to."

Feverish azure blue eyes weakly glanced to the elderly man.

"I've seen it happen to others. Sometimes bonds, even in families, must break apart for the person to be free. You don't have to love them just because they're your family by blood."

She didn't truly understand what he was conveying at the time. She wanted to ask him how Sidney would have felt if she revealed her honest feelings about her grandparents, her father, and her mother. All the things she couldn't tell anyone out of fear for being hated as a cruel monster, she wanted to test where Sidney draws the line.

Yet she never did, even after the following decade of growing up under his wing. She still bottles up her emotions about the darkest, personal questions to her life shaped by the people from her childhood.

She had tried imagining countless conversations with the elder about it since then. Yet they all came to the same conclusion. It was one she didn't want to come true.

"When you get better, I'll have pudding ready for you." Sidney promised.

The little girl closed her eyes, exhaustion hanging off her eyelids and compelling them to sleep.

"Welcome to your new home, my dear owlet." Whispered the elder.

For the first time she's ever known, a smile pulled at her lips and lingers after she surrendered to sleep.

~~~~~~~

Every day after she regained consciousness, her Dream Eaters would use recovery magic bit by bit to heal her wounded tongue. Eventually she was able to speak normally again, and that also means no more cold porridge to eat everyday! The flavor was spiced up each time, but she would like to have something different. Hopefully she doesn't risk her tongue again and repeat the same mistakes.

The following period of recovery from both Jamil and Strix led up to the day of celebrations.

"Alrighty. Jamil has made a complete recovery and we all finished our winter break homework! So that means it's time for a holiday party!" Kalim announced cheerfully.

"Are you ever going to get over being a party boy?" Jamil deadpanned.

"Now now, I think this is fine. Everyone would enjoy a lively holiday party." Azul smiled.

"The camels are already loaded up with plenty of food and drink for all..." Jade said.

"We even brought swimsuits for the oasis!" Floyd chirped, white parka over his swimming trunks matching with Jade's but with inverted colors. The trio were dressed prepared for the summer heat.

Meanwhile, a certain Ramshackle prefect was standing irate from behind with balled fists perpendicular to her sides.

Her eyes were closed yet the twitch of her brow betrayed her not-so festive mood. "I wanted to say I can't believe you guys, but that's the complete opposite. To think you three stuffed me in these clothes..."

"Is it not to your liking?" Azul inquired innocently, resting his eyes on her.

The skirt of a soft pink summer dress flowed to her thighs, lined with sunset orange frills and bold pink trimming with yellow teardrop designs. Draped loosely around her slim arms is a teal green shawl. Her petite feet donned pink strapped sandals. Her hair was free of any accessories and hairstyles for this occasion forced upon her out of the blue.

Azul spoke professionally, "The summer trend of clothes for land dwellers calls for a breezy look. There's a popular fashion style in some cultures called Mori, otherwise referred as 'comfort clothes'. They're understated but highly stylish featuring relaxed, casual outfits, often layered, which are smartly coordinated. Knowing you, I thought this attire best fits."

Strix had to hold her tongue. His deductions had pinned her down from just looking at her?

"...You're right. It's true I like the Mori style. I don't have a problem with the clothes themselves." Strix admitted tersely. "But you could have gave me a heads up before magically replacing my clothes."

Strix shuddered and hugged herself. "I felt naked for a second, you know..."

"You say as though your clothes don't magically change into the respective dorm uniform..." Azul sweatdropped.

"It's a shame to not dress for the season, Strix." Jade appeared from her right. "The Mori clothes give off a subtle elegance, befitting for a sophisticated young lady such as yourself."

Floyd bobbed his head, occupying her left. "Shrimpy looks sooooo pretty, like a pearl."

"Keep flattering me all you want," Said the girl dismissively, muttering, "Right now I'm more concerned with how you guys got my size down..."

Her shoulders squeezed inward. She doesn't need to look up to know they're staring down at her. They're also invading her bubble more than she'd like to bear.

"But you never show off so much skin before," Floyd drawled innocently, mismatched eyes drinking in the unfamiliar sight of her slender shoulders and clavicle glowing like a pearl underneath the rays of sunlight seeping through the ocean surface. She looks smaller than before, especially when all hunched and cowering underneath his stare.

His hunter's instincts of a moray eel kick in. Sharp jaws itched to rest on her soft flesh. He flashed his white teeth...

"There's no need to be shy," Reassured Jade while shoving his brother's face away with a smile, unbeknownst to Strix who had been staring at her feet ever since.

Azul silently sighed in relief.

Ignoring Floyd's pout, the vice dorm leader continued, "It's a refreshing change for you, is it not?"

"Why does everyone make it sound like flashing my ankle is scandalous of me?" Strix wittingly retorted, slightly irked by how the boys are walking on eggshells when it comes to the topic. "I'm pale, of course I'd try to hide my skin from the summer hellhole."

"Speaking of, have you remembered to put on sunscreen?" Jade asked. He opens his mouth...

"I already did it before leaving the bedroom, thank you very much." Came the instant response. She wasn't looking at him.

Jade mirthfully grinned. "Splendid."

Strix twitched involuntarily. Her balled fists trembled at her sides. He just gets off on this crap.

"You're so pretty, Strix!" Kalim complimented in a heartbeat, clasping her hands in his and shaking them with boundless energy awkwardly received by the introvert female. "You look good in anything!"

"I wouldn't say 'anything', really. But thank you..." Strix sheepishly smiled.

Kalim glanced over them before nodding. "Well then... The elephants and peacocks are all ready so let's go get out parade to the oasis started!"

Grim hopped with a wide grin, "March on! Y'know~!"

As everyone travels to the oasis not in a march but a parade, Kalim looks to his vice dorm leader. "Jamil, are you sure you're good to go? If you start feeling unwell just say so, okay?"

"Shut up... I said I'm fine, didn't I." Jamil gruffly told him and crossed his arms.

Meanwhile Grim was singing to himself, "I'm ready for the oasis party. La la la~"

"Shrimpy, Seally, I'll teach you both how to swim, m'kay~" Floyd offered.

Strix was pensive. "Please go easy on us, Floyd-senpai..."

Jade chuckled. "So exciting."

"Jamil, if you are in any sort of pain then you mustn't push yourself. Please rely on me if necessary." Azul smiled invitingly after matching his pace with the boy.

"Hard pass. Going into debt with you will just come back to bite me. You should be careful not to evaporate in the desert. I know you're not used to this environment." Jamil leered from underneath his hoodie.

Kalim laughs. "You guys are getting along great!"

"I really don't think so..." Grim and Strix sweatdropped. The atmosphere between them is electrifying with hostility.

"Oh yeah, Strix. You should let your familiars join in on the march," Kalim perked up, "It's never boring when they're around. Pretty please?"

Strix quirked a smile. "All right..."

Lifting a hand to her temple, she listens to the gleeful voices in the back of her mind; the voices of her Dream Eaters. Now that they've returned alongside her renewed perspective in life, the voices lurking in her shadow had also become silent. Though said voices didn't disappear, they're simply sleeping. That was enough for her right now. She was going to live the moment in this dream for as long as it lasts.

A yellow and violet elephant marches next to the gray elephant, surprising it with its vibrant colors. The Dream Eater was smaller as though the size of a newborn. Zolephant blares it trunk.

An orange and green bear with a party hat and yellow star patterns walks on their stubby legs. Ursa Circus manifested a rainbow hoop to perform tricks expertly.

Kalim's eyes rivaled the galaxy. "Whoa...! Awesome! I always knew your familiars are perfect for bringing along in a parade! Can I pet them? Can I?"

"After knowing you for a bit, I think I can give you my stamp of approval." Strix shrugged. He wouldn't do anything to upset the Spirits.

With her permission, he bounces up to Zolephant and hugs them, unable to contain his gleeful laughter. The elephant Spirit slung its trunk around the boy who squeals in delight from the reciprocating gesture. Kalim is then hugged behind by Ursa Circus who joined in the hugging fest.

Strix watched the two Spirits warm up to Kalim immediately. His light is so pure like a child's that even the Dream Eaters are being affectionate to him. Dream Eaters have a soft spot for children as part of their target of affections aside from Strix. They often gravitate towards those with dreams.

She absentmindedly hums "Prince Ali" to the leisure march.

Jamil glanced to the girl peculiarly before looking ahead. "Great, the oasis is in sight."

"Ffna~ I'm ready to stuff myself, y'know~" Grim said.

Kalim bobbed his head. "We're gonna make this the best holiday ever! I'll race you to the oasis! Ready, go!"

He and Grim dashed off while Strix and the others leisurely walked at their pace.

Jamil watched them kick the sand behind their trails. "Good grief... They sure are energetic."

Upon arriving at the oasis, everyone unloaded the equipment from the camels and spread out the food on the foldable tables. Once the preparations were made, Kalim makes his announcement.

"Now the party is ready to begin. Eat, sing, dance, be merry and let all your worries melt away!"

Kalim bounced up to his vice dorm leader and tugged his arm. "C'mon Jamil! Come dance with me!"

"I-I'm fine so...!" Jamil protested before being dragged off by the enthusiastic Kalim.

"They're both very good. Azul, what if you had them teach you?" Jade inquired after seeing the duo dancing.

"Knock it off, please. That hurdle is much too high for a merman." Azul shot down immediately, unamused.

"I wanna dance!" Floyd spontaneously joins the crowd of students on the dance floor.

Zolephant sucks the water from the oasis and sprays it into the air for a shower, forming a rainbow.

Strix smiled from under the shade of a palm tree. To think she would spend her winter break in a summer getaway... She guessed she had the "southern island vacay" Crowley went on right here in Scarabia. It's not so bad.

"...ey! Heeeey..."

Grim's ear twitched. "Hm? Someone's running from across the desert."

Strix narrowed her sights on two dark figures drawing closer to them. They were following a colorful snake rolling down the slopes...

"Hebby Repp?"

The snake-lizard hybrid rolled around her feet before landing to a stop. It was attentive under its master's curious gaze.

A hand waves to attract attention. "Heeey, Strix! Grim!"

"Are you guys okay?!"

Strix and Grim's eyes widen. "Ace and Deuce?"

Ace comes to a stop before them, hands on his knees. He pants heavily like he ran a marathon as he uttered in exasperation, "The hell's with this place? Why's it summer?"

Hebby Repp must have led the two to the oasis, Strix realized. She looks at her feet only to then discover the reptile splashing on its feet by the edge of the pond. It was having fun with Zolephant and Ursa Circus.

She reverts her attention to A-Deuce."What happened to you two? Didn't you go home for vacation? It's still too early to go back to school."

"What d'ya mean 'happen to us'? What the hell happen to you?" Ace retorted.

"As soon as we got your 'We're locked up in Scarabia' message we couldn't get in touch with you at all..." Deuce explained.

Strix furrowed her brows. "But I didn't..."

Her head slowly turned to the gray beast scuffling away bit by bit until he was caught like a deer in headlights.

"You messaged them?!" Exclaimed the girl. She should have known how suspicious it was when her phone was not in the same spot as it was before that one night. That was Grim!

"I wouldn't know if everything woulda turned out all right by ourselves, y'know! 'Specially when you've been acting all weird, crying and saying 'I wanna go home' and all that!"

"I wasn't crying! In fact you're the one who was, every time we come literally marching through hell and back!" Strix stubbornly argued back, pointing a finger at him.

"Fgnya~! You don't have fur like me, that's why!" Grim hissed.

"Hold on, hold on! Does that mean you planned on not telling us?" Ace questioned Strix specifically.

She looks away, remorseful. "I'm a trouble magnet. I didn't want to drag you guys out from winter break just to get involved in my mess. You two should have been spending time with your families without stressing over school."

Strix was said to bring misfortune. The nickname really did have meaning to it. She's responsible for intervening in the happiness of others, regardless whether it was unintentional.

Her shadow stirred.

That's why she...

A pair of red and white sneakers appeared in view.

"Strix, look at me."

She slowly raised her chin, only to find a hand in front of her.

A sharp jolt pierced her forehead.

Strix bit back a cry and shot her hands up to nurse the area. She was caught up in her lament that she couldn't find it in her to be angry. Instead, she looks at the boy dumbly. "What...?"

Ace lowered his hand, not looking the least bit guilty. "Stu~pid. It's not like it's the end of the world if we came back. We got plenty of opportunities to see them."

"Yeah. Didn't we tell you to message us if you needed anything before we left?" Deuce said, admittedly disheartened.

Strix flinched. Not the puppy eyes! Especially from Deuce!

She closed her eyes and swallowed her pride. "...I'm sorry."

"I didn't think you'd be any help but you really showed up after everything has been taken care of, y'know." Grim send the duo half-lidded eyes of disappointment.

Ace squawked indignantly, "Whaaaat?! You know, the Door isn't open right now so we can't just warp on over. Therefore, we took freaking public transportation to get all the way back to school!"

"I'm not sure what you did but... You all look like you're having fun so I guess that means you're out of harm's way." Deuce noted after seeing the party happening in the background.

"Who're they? Some of your friends?" Kalim approached their circle with Floyd and Jamil in tow.

The latter cooed in greeting, "Oh, hey there Crabby. Did ya come to hang out?"

Deuce raised a brow. "Crab...?"

"Ahh, I'm on the basketball team with Floyd-senpai... Jamil-senpai from Scarabia is on it, too." Ace added after seeing the vice dorm leader.

"Oooh! I see, I see. Any friends of Jamil's are friends of mine!" Kalim chirped amiably.

"Hey. How many times do I have to say I'm not your frie..." Jamil then sighed in defeat. "He's not listening."

"Since you guys came all the way out here, you should enjoy the party too!" Kalim invited.

"We've got pizza and pasta over here." Azul called out by the table.

"Would you like anything to drink?" Jade offered.

Ace nearly choked on his spit. "It's those Octavinelle guys!"

Strix sweatdropped. "And Floyd-senpai being here didn't ring any bells...?"

"Why are you hanging out with them?" Deuce whispered to Strix and Grim.

"We were in deep shit while you guys were gone, y'know! I'll tell you the heroic saga of the Great Grim so take a seat!" Grim said.

"Heroic what now... Whatever, I'm just glad you're all right." Ace shrugged, smiling.

"Man... You guys sure know how to freak a person out." Deuce shakes his head, a fond smile on his lips.

Strix reciprocated the smile. Her heart squeezed with a fluttering emotion she can't describe as she softly spoke, "Thank you for coming all this way."

"Not really? I only had games to play at home so I was super bored..." Ace shifted his weight to one foot while looking elsewhere, attempting to appear nonchalant.

"I'm the one that told you to text me anytime so I can't just ignore it." Deuce said as a matter-of-fact.

"You guys really aren't honest, y'know." Grim deadpanned at the pair not making eye contact with Strix. He's one to talk...

Her lips quirked upwards.

Strix embraces the two.

Their eyes widen at the sudden gesture. They stood awkwardly in her embrace.

"Okay, you're seriously acting weird, Strix. Getting all sentimental over the break..." The embarrassed Ace muttered. He wasn't going to let this sappy direction get to him, he swears!

Meanwhile Deuce was a hopeless mess. "Wh-What do I do? This is all new to me..."

She kept her head bowed to hide her quivering eyes as she clung to them tightly.

"You two are the best..."

They shared a glance before grinning.

Kalim smiled at the heartwarming sight before facing for the general audience to hear. "Okaaay, the party is back on! Get that food out and that music playing! We're going to have the best holiday ever!"

The oasis roared with cheers.

"He really...never changes." A fond smile crept to Jamil's visage.

Kalim pulls a flustered Azul into the dance floor while the boys party like no tomorrow.

Strix laughs without a care in the world.

Seeing the smiles on their own faces, a forlorn frown resettled on Jamil.

~~~~~~~

Upon returning to the dorm, Strix was approached by the Octavinelle trio in the lounge room for a surprise.

Strix thought her ears misheard them.

"You...got me a present? You three?" She points to them. She had many reasons to be suspicious of the innocent grinning trio, of course.

"How cruel for you to doubt our benevolence," Azul wept theatrically. "We simply want to express our gratitude."

Strix deadpanned. "Can you really blame me for thinking that?"

Floyd grinned as he sidled up and gifted her a small box. "Hey hey, open up my gift."

Ushered by the excited boy, Strix complied. There's no telling what Floyd's idea of a present could be.

Strix slowly blinked. Encased behind the glass window of a black case was a pearly pink and dainty clamshell resting comfortably on the velvet red cushion.

"I found it while swimming around the Coral Sea. It reminded me of you, Shrimpy. I was just gonna hand the seashell as is but Azul got mad and told me to get a case for it." Floyd pouted.

"It's important to keep your treasures in a chest. Everyone in the sea knows that, Floyd." Azul quipped.

Strix giggled softly. "That's so sweet. Thank you, Floyd-senpai. The shell is pretty."

Floyd stared. "Sweet" would be the last thing to describe the fickle young eel, yet this strange bubbly sensation in his chest welcomed the praise. He giggles like a lovesick youth.

Jade stepped forward and smiled. "Now for my gift. Do be careful with it, it's fragile."

Strix lifted the lid. It was a small blue snow globe containing a certain underwater museum inside.

She shakes it. Rainbow glitter swirls a storm around the building.

"You seemed very fond of the Atlantica Museum from the time we all visited together. Bringing the place to you makes a lovely gift, don't you think?"

Strix bobbed her head. "Thank you, Jade-senpai. I'll take good care of it."

Jade grinned, revealing sharp teeth the slightest. "I trust that you will."

He stepped back to let his dorm leader approach.

Azul hands her a box with a smug smile. "I'm quite confident you'll like my gift."

"Really~? Then you don't mind if I open it now?" Strix asked coyly.

"That doesn't necessarily mean-!"

Floyd slung an arm over his shoulder. "Yeah yeah~ Go ahead~"

Azul whipped his head to the eel instantly it looked like whiplash. "Wha-!"

Strix paid no mind to Azul's apparent struggle in Floyd's grip while his brother stood beside them with an unfazed smile as she lifted the lid.

Strix's eyes widen a fraction. "...A music box?"

The wooden box was the size of her palm. When flipping the lid, a picture of a mermaid and the title "Part of your World" is engraved on the back. Inside the box is the music box mechanism.

She cranked the handle once. The tune plays the same song as the title.

Having surrendered to his defeat, Azul was released by the twins. He stated, "It plays a popular song from the Coral Sea. Your fascination with our world after we visited the Atlantica Museum is 'endearing', to put it one way. Or perhaps you're simply easy to amuse."

Strix sweatdropped, muttering, "Well I am from another world. It'd be hard to not be surprised..."

She then beamed a wide smile. "This is beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much, Azul."

The silver-haired male stared with wide eyes. Her sincerity was...heartwarming. Usually the girl was aloof and branding her poker face. Has Strix been this open with expressing her feelings?

He averted his gaze and tipped his glasses upwards, suddenly bashful. The heat must be getting to him. "I'm glad you like it."

Sensing the twins' mirthful eyes, he shot them a silencing look. They simply retained their grins and said nothing.

"Ah, I just realized I don't have anything to exchange with you guys..." Strix lamented. "I had never imagined you three would get me a present until now."

A toothy smirk flashed a set of white jaws. Floyd grinned. "There is something."

"Something only you can fulfill..." Jade echoed.

Her doe blue eyes were round with confusion, innocence practically begging to be gobbled up. "Only I can do?"

Azul smirked. "Yes..."

Strix stared awaiting for their answer when a radiant presence from behind her blinded the three from her attention.

"Strix!"

She looks back. "Kalim?"

"I see Azul and the others are giving you gifts. I've been meaning to give you something as thanks, among a lotta other things. Please take it! I insist!"

He says as he led her away from the Octavinelle trio. The mermen simply backed down for the day out of "mercy", according to Azul. He wasn't particularly upset by his fellow dorm leader's intervention as there are plenty of other opportunities to open a deal for Strix. His eyes need to rest after that light show.

Meanwhile Kalim had stopped near a marble pillar and spun to face the girl.

"Here ya go,"

Strix accepts a slim velvet red box tied in a gold ribbon as Kalim explained, "I got it from the treasure vault. Good thing it came with a box and made things easier for me to search."

Strix lifted the lid. A thin gold necklace chain.

Upon meeting her confusion, Kalim explained, "It's for your gold heart lock you wear all the time. I noticed you've only worn a cord with it. This is more durable."

It was surprising that the Kalim who throws extravagant parties and grand animal parades on the fly would present her a simple accessory.

Strix smiled. "That's quite thoughtful for you to notice a minor detail. Thank you, Kalim. I'll wear this for special occasions, then."

His eyes dart around restlessly and batted their eyelids a few times in succession. "R-Right! That's perfectly fine, yeah..."

He sweats nervously under her stare. Strix internally sighed. "...It was Jamil's idea, wasn't it."

Kalim flinched. He sheepishly smiled. "Ahaha, I'm sorry. Jamil wanted to keep that a secret."

"So he sent you as his proxy... I'd think Jamil would still anticipate you giving away the secret, though. No offense." Strix quickly added. Kalim is not the type to lie directly to the person's face and not feel the least remorseful as though he committed a sin. That is the complete opposite.

His smile was still radiant. "It's okay, I know Jamil is just shy to give it to you after what happened recently. After he gave me the present, he went back to his room. Must've been tired."

Strix sweatdropped. She thinks Jamil would slap him upside on the head for using the word "shy", if not at least mentally will it in his mind.

"Well, even then, thank you. I'd ask you to tell Jamil I said thanks, but I'll pretend this didn't happen." Said Strix.

"And aside from that," Kalim began, "I wanted to ask you something myself."

Strix blinked. Was that why he dragged her to a less crowded spot?

Kalim stared at the lock before meeting her eyes. "I've been wondering... Does your lock come with a key?"

Strix paused. She fingers it with her thumb and index thoughtfully. "Good question. I'm not sure. This... was my mother's before I inherited it soon after I was born. I haven't heard anything about a key."

Kalim pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Well, if there's a lock, then there has to be a key for it."

"True... Even then, I wouldn't find it in this world. The key would have to still be back in my home world." Strix said, not really disappointed.

She contemplates.

The doors she has dreamt up to now... She never did get to open them. What do they even have beyond the keyhole?

"But why do you ask?" Strix inquired curiously.

"Well, you've always worn it on you that I figured someone special would have them." Kalim said.

"Right... Can't have a lock without a key." Strix mused. Who would have it, then? Sidney is the only person she can think of who would likely hold onto it, but he would have said something about it. Unless he's keeping it a secret for some reason she can't understand why.

"If someone out there still has it, then I believe they must be the person fated to meet you in some way."

Strix looks up from her train of thought. "I didn't think I'd hear that type of stuff from you. You believe that?"

He shrugged. "Why not? It wouldn't hurt to believe. Doesn't it also sound cool?"

"You're not wrong..." Strix muttered. As long as that "someone" has the key, they would want to come search for the lock and vice versa.

But the key wouldn't be from this world like she had said. She wouldn't need to worry about a missing key she didn't even assume to have existed until now. She'll think about it when she actually returns home.

Kalim glanced past her shoulder. "I see your friends from Heartslabyul. You should go see them."

"Yeah. Thanks for giving me the present, Kalim." Strix sent him a smile before leaving.

Kalim casted his gaze downwards mysteriously. He shook his head and raised his chin, turning to head for the kitchen. He's suddenly in the mood for ice cream.

"Hey, Ace. Hey, Deuce. What's up?" The girl greeted upon approaching.

"Strix," Deuce shyly extends a mini navy blue tote bag to Strix. "M-Merry Christmas. I hope you like it."

Wow, everyone's in a gift-giving mood today, Strix thought. Christmas had pass a while ago when Scarabia was caught up in Jamil's plans.

She graciously accepts it. "Thank you, Deuce."

A slim red box topped with a pink ribbon was shoved to her face. Ace had his head tilted away and was looking at the wall with interest. "Here."

Strix flatly glanced from the redhead to the box. She slowly plucks it from his possession. "Very romantic, Ace. Is this where I give you a peck on the cheek for your efforts? Maybe I'd have actually considered it if you came to save us in time."

Grim snickered, sneering, "Want some ice with that burn, Ace~?"

"The difference in treatment already hurts, stop it," Ace wheezed pitifully.

Strix grinned. "Jokes aside, thank you. Can I take a look at them now? I've already done it with Octavinelle's and Kalim's with their permission, of course."

"You got gifts from those guys? Kalim-senpai I'm not worried about, but you sure you didn't accidentally trigger a deal with Octavinelle?" Ace questioned.

"That's what I thought too before accepting them with no strings attached," Strix admitted, "so it's all good."

Deuce blinked twice, twiddling his thumbs. "W-Well, I don't mind you checking it out..."

Ace shrugged his shoulders. "Go ahead."

"If you guys say so..."

Strix looked inside Deuce's gift. An ornate crescent moon keychain with a blue gem dangles.

"I didn't know what to get for you, so I thought a keychain was simple. Sorry..." Deuce mumbled.

Strix smiled. "This is perfectly fine, Deuce. I was just thinking a keychain would be nice to have. I love it."

He perks back up with a wide smile, light blush on his cheeks.

Ace silently gags. He looks like a lovesick puppy.

Strix opens Ace's gift. She blinked twice. It was a pair of long red ribbons.

"..."

"What's with that dirty look? You're hurting my feelings, man." Ace pouted.

"Sorry, but it came from you, after all. I can't help thinking the first thing that comes to mind with red ribbons..." Strix muttered, not exactly excited.

Deuce raised a brow. "What would that be?"

Grim was curious as well. "Yeah, what's a red ribbon for? What's it mean?"

A part of Strix is relieved these two were innocent enough to not get the joke. The typical "wrap this around me and I'll be your present" joke.

"It's with completely pure intent!" Ace told her. He huffed and crossed his arms. "Geez, give me some credit. I just thought red would look good on ya, a refreshing change once in a while."

Strix stared. He does seem genuine about it.

"I was just pulling your leg, Ace. I knew that was the case. I'll try them out for another occasion." Strix placated.

"You can be so mean, Strix." Ace sighed. He perks up with a snarky grin, however. "But to think you were thinking that... Are you secretly-"

"Don't compare me to you, Ace." Was what she said lowly before silencing Ace by gripping his jaw with one hand, tick mark present and accounted for.

"I'm sorry..." The pale Ace ghostly spoke. Scary...

Meanwhile Deuce and Grim were still confused, practically screaming on the inside when they were being ignored. What was behind the meaning of red ribbons?!

Strix finally released the redhead. She crossed her arms and sighed. "I've been doing all the receiving yet never got to give anything in return. I feel like I'm being spoiled, or that I'm taking advantage of getting away with it."

Ace was nursing his jaws before speaking, "Well, a lotta things happened since we stuck together. We're still here thanks to your plans saving our asses every time. It's not like we got you something extravagant either, so what's there to feel bad about?"

"He's right. I'd feel bad for not showing this much for you as gratitude for everything you've done up to now. I look forward to next year." Deuce smiled sincerely.

Strix smiled. "Me too."

"Hey, what about me? Where's my present at?" Grim looks between the pair.

"You'll just demand canned tunas and food in general." Ace told him in a heartbeat, no hesitation wasted.

"Plus there will be food waiting for us at Ramshackle Dorm tomorrow. Just wait until then." Strix reminded.

"Oh yeah, the feast the headmaster promised to treat us!" Grim sighs dreamily, already drooling as he murmured, "Whole turkey, cake, gingerbread house... Man I love the holidays!"

Everyone laughs.

~~~~~~~

A long sigh drawls from Grim's black lips, forming a stream of white fog behind. "We finally made it back, y'know."

"It really feels like we've been gone forever. Looking at the dorm now, I realize how homesick I feel for this place..." Strix admitted with a fond gaze at Ramshackle Dorm, a tote bag full of her gifts in hand. After living at the lively Scarabia, she appreciated the calm and peaceful ambience Ramshackle has.

"Heeeey there, you two!" Laverne calls out, waving his arm for their attention.

"Even the faces of those old geezer-ghosts look cute after our prison life, y'know." Grim mused.

The rest of the Ramshackle ghost trio drifts over to them.

"We thought you might've gone over to the other side since you didn't come home for so long... Everyone was worried sick. Heeheehee..." Hugo said.

"It's a huge relief to see you back safe and sound." Victor said.

"We went ahead and took care of giving the fire fairies their daily logs." Laverne informed.

Grim's and Strix's eyes widened.

"Ffgna?! Now that you mentioned it... We completely forgot!"

"So it was you guys... Sorry about that, and thanks." Strix smiled apologetically.

Hugo snickered. "No way we're spending our holiday in a block of ice."

"Yup yup, and the feast the headmaster ordered has showed up." Victor said.

Grim jumps joyfully and enter the dorm with the ghosts. "Nyaha! Feast time! I gotta lay my eyes on this right now!"

As Strix was about to join them, a deep voice hovers.

"Ooh, are you back?"

Magenta pink and black strands of hair fall into Strix's line of view. Wine red eyes reflect her flustered visage.

The girl flinched and back up against the pillar of the entrance. He scared the hell out of her! How was she supposed to expect someone here at this time?

Through the pounding pulse of her heartbeat, she manages to speak evenly, "You're from Diasomnia..."

The short boy flipped back to his feet with a graceful arc. "Correct. I'm none other than the vice dorm head of Diasomnia, Lilia Vanrouge. I've come to deliver a holiday card addressed to you from a certain individual."

He hands her an ivory white envelope with a gold seal. Inside is a Christmas card with the cover of a black castle bordered with thorns. The bold gothic text read Happy Holiday.

Question marks float around Strix as Lilia continued, "He was sulking about since he wasn't invited to any holiday parties again this year... Please be sure to invite him if you ever happen to host a party with your friends. Then, my business here is done. Have a wonderful holiday."

Lilia turns his back to her.

Replacing the Diasomnia student was a hunched elderly man.

Blue eyes dilated.

"Wait!"

Then the illusion dissipated into white fog.

A youthful face stared back with wide eyes.

Strix was clutching Lilia's shoulders tightly. She had used more weight than necessary to lean onto him before she realized what she was doing. Yet she was too fixated on the feel of his smaller frame in her palms that almost activated her familial instincts to just embrace him...

They reminded her of Sidney all too well.

Lilia was stunned speechless. It was rather bold for the aloof Ramshackle prefect to act without thinking, according to the rumors and what he's seen of her. What really took the cake was her tearful gaze. He recognized those kinds of eyes all too well.

It was the eyes of a vulnerable, lonely little girl seeking solace in the arms of her loved ones.

Her lips shakily part open.

"I... I'm sorry."

She slowly released her grip on Lilia and let her hands fall limp to her sides.

Strix's eyes were unreadable behind her casted bangs. Admitting to him he reminded of her great grandfather would be awkward to accept behind her reasoning, wouldn't it?

Lilia peered at her solemnly.

A hand rests on her bowed head. His fingers dusted something flaky off her hair.

"You'll catch a cold with the snow melting on your head."

Strix blinked. She lifts her gaze into Lilia's.

Lilia simply smiled and spun about face, his draped blazer fluttering behind as he took his leave in a flash of sparkles.

Her hand touched the space Lilia had patted clear from the snow (some might have fallen on her when she had bumped into the pillar). Her lips pursed tightly, somewhat embarrassed from the whole incident in general.

She released a shaky breath and raised her chin to the sky. It was becoming hard to breathe behind her mask that started to cripple after that. Her chest aches. The air is arid. Everything is freezing.

Strix pats her cheeks. She let the cold get to her again.

Strix looks at the envelope in her hand. The sender's name only has their initials written in a beautifully cursive M.D.

Her finger grazed the signature. Azure blue eyes soften.

She wonders if this dream will lead her to a happy ending. When she wakes up, she'll have a hell of a storytelling time for Sidney to sit through.

"Strix! If you don't get in here you're gonna miss the feast!" Grim's voice hollered from inside. His head peeks out of the door to find the girl facing the stone stairs.

Victor laughs merrily. "Hohoho! Happy Holidays!"

Strix puts on a smile and faces them. "I'm home."

They grinned.

"Welcome back!"

...

That night, Strix and Grim were full from their feast. It was easier to fall asleep on satisfied stomachs, though Strix still remained awake as she stared at the ceiling with her thoughts to occupy her time.

She glanced to the shelf and desk. The bedroom has become more livelier with the presents she received.

"Hmmm, this turkey's mine, y'know..." Grim mumbled in his sleep.

Strix smiled fondly. Ever the free spirit, to be dreaming of food...

Darkness in the bedroom becomes lighter with white flashing from the mirror above the fireplace.

She sits up. "The mirror is... glowing again?"

The light draws her closer.

While in a daze, Strix accidentally stepped on Grim's forked tail. The cat jolted violently awake before slipping back to his dreams as soon as it had transpired.

A fist taps the screen twice, leaving an elastic texture effect as though the glass mirror was a rubber balloon. A familiar shadow with big round ears stand before her.

"Is... someone there? Who are you?" A squeaky voice asked.

"I'm Strix..." Replied the girl.

"It sounds mysterious and has a lovely ring to it. Yet it also sounds familiar..."

Strix furrowed her brows. What did he mean by "familiar"? Dos her name resemble someone he knows? She can't think of anyone on the top of her head though. Her (false) name is rather rare and unique.

But first, she has to hear it confirmed by this person themselves.

"And who are you?" She asked slowly.

"I'm Mickey. Mickey Mouse."

Strix mentally deadpanned to herself. All right, now is the perfect time to be hysterical.

"Am I having a dream again? But this is the third time I've had the same dream. There's always some living cards and a dancing music box... Usually. It's only your voice that I can hear really clearly. I wonder if by chance you aren't a dream? Where are you?"

Strix stared into the mirror.

All this time, deep down despite all the signs, she's been telling herself this is all one huge dream sequence. She may have approached it all realistically, but at some point she allowed herself to be blindfolded by a white, transparent cloth. It was foolish to stand on this hill, she knew. Everyone else would shout at her from the bottom saying so.

However, she herself has yet to fully grasp the cold hard reality that is...

Strix parted her lips.

"I'm in..."

"Twisted Wonderland..."

~~~~~~~

A Warm Place to Call Home

~~~~~~~

A yawn leaves Grim as he stretched his whole body. "It's been forever since I slept that good, y'know."

His eyes sharpen upon resting on Strix. "Oh yeah, you. Last night you totally stepped on my tail right! Geez. You gotta be careful!"

Strix held a fist to her mouth and muttered, "So Mickey really wasn't a dream."

Grim squinted. "What? Why do you look so surprised, weirdo. We've gotta take care of our firewood duties today, y'know. Then let's go over to Scarabia for food!"

Soon after the winter vacation came to a close...

It was the first day of returning to school. Strix was walking down the Main Street with Grim beside her when she heard a voice call out to her from behind.

"Hey there, Strix. Happy New Year." Ace greeted.

"We always spend time together but seeing you today makes me nostalgic for some reason." Deuce admitted.

"Hehe. I bet you're just sad you didn't get to see me over vacation." Grim smugly wiggled his eyelids. The three humans rolled their eyes.

A pair of footsteps clicked.

"You guys, stop standing in the middle of the road."

Ace perks up upon seeing the wolf beastman. "Oh, Jack. Did you get darker by chance?"

"Did I? It's probably because I was skiing for the entire break." Jack glanced at his skin tone.

"Eeeh, your hometown gets lots of snow?" Ace remarked curiously.

"What's 'skiing'? I wanna try it too, y'know!" Grim said as he pranced around them, wanting to join in on the conversation.

"Whoa, Grim! Stop running around our feet!" Chided Deuce.

Suddenly someone bumped into the boy.

A small, feminine student with soft lilac purple hair and cerulean clear blue eyes gasped upon contact. "Ah...!"

Deuce looks behind his shoulder. His eyes widened. "...Oh, my bad! You all right?"

The student in Pomefiore's colors lowered his chin. Sobs begin to escape him.

Cue a bewildered Deuce. "Eh?! Y-You're crying?!"

"Teacher, Deuce made a kid from another dorm cry." Ace mocked with the voice of a toddler, much to his chagrin.

Deuce shot his dorm mate a withering look. "Don't make fun of me, Ace."

He reverts his attention to the mysterious lilac-haired boy. "It hurt enough to make you cry, I'm so sorry. I'll take you to the infirmary so use my shoulder as support..."

"I don't think he's crying because he's injured..." Strix muttered after closely reading his reaction.

The boy sniffled, "I'm... over this...!"

Deuce may have misheard the peculiar accent coming out from the pretty boy's lips. "Eh... Over...?"

Without another word, the boy dashes off to the academy. Strix watched a few droplets fly past as he brushed past her. It was the hot tears of a conflicted soul.

"Aaand there he goes." Ace drawled out, arms crossed behind his head.

Jack recognized him. "That guy's in the same class as me. I'm pretty sure he's from Pomefiore... Epel Felmier."

"Epel from Pomefiore..." Deuce echoed.

Strix looks to the direction Epel had ran off to. Seeing his fleeing back filled her with a wave of sadness. Something must have happened to the poor guy. Hopefully things will turn out for the better for him.

Resting below her bow tie, the gold heart lock glistens a yellow sheen.

~~~~~~~

Sorry for the delay! I had a writer's block for this and also went out for a week vacay with my friend in between. To counter writer's block I focused on the events and doing art instead.

Upcoming plans: First I want to get the events out of the way. They are seriously overdue. I haven't tackled them like I promised mostly because for Wattpad I wanted to make art and post them with the update at the same time for impact. If I wasn't writing additional, unique stuff for Strix I'd have published them by now.

Afterwards I'll start Pomefiore chapter. I'm not too worried about updating on time since I'm waiting for Ignihyde chapters to be fleshed out so I can implement foreshadowing into the story. I have a bunch of exciting stuff to reveal for Pomefiore Arc.

Now get ready for a boatload of lengthy event chapters~