Once Upon a Nightmare
Chapter 9: Infiltration
The shining white castle sat along and elegant white sandy cove and luxurious foliage. The air practically sang with springtime and was scented just as potently. Yuu, Grim, Jade, and Leona stood at the entrance all of them looking grunge and out of place.
"How did I let Malleus talk me into coming here?" Leona rubbed his temple.
"Because he promised to grant you any free favor of your choosing in return for keeping Yuu safe." Jade reminded him and had Leona chuckling.
"Oh yeah, that's right. That lizard is gonna owe me big. Guess I better come up with a good payment." He rubbed his chin.
"You can think about how you're take your revenge after we survive our time here. I still don't like the idea of playing spy." Yuu grumbled.
"You'll get over it." Leona grabbed her collar, making her grumble again. She was barely walking on her tiptoes now. "Let's go inside before they change their minds on inviting us."
As the three stepped inside, Yuu felt a buzz along her skin, the magical warding doing its job to keep any unwanted outsiders from wandering in. Almost immediately a group of students came rushing from the main building to greet them.
"Greetings, Lady Yuu and members of Night Raven College!" The sandy blonde student saluted while his free hand held the butt of his sword. "I am Percy Chamberlain, captain of the student body defense force. I am here to escort you to the Headmaster's office."
"Figures the headmaster won't let us wander on our own." He whispered in Yuu's ear. "We'll fix that. Lead the way, Captain!" He nudged Yuu forward, and tries not to bristle when the students crowded around them in a perfect protection circle.
The sound of a camera snap had all eyes turning to Jade. He lowered Yuu's ghost camera and gave an innocent smile.
"Apologies, I was told to document Yuu's experience here. Please lead on." Jade tucked the picture away in a small black bag strapped across his chest.
"Not a problem, I will ask that you refrain from photographing inappropriate areas such as private rooms and offices." Percy warned.
"Understood." Jade replied with an agreeable smile.
"Enough with the stalling! Where's the cafeteria? I wanna chow down on some fancy munchies!" Grim announced and danced at her feet.
"Ugh, we're doomed." Yuu muttered, her face blue with stress. "We'll be kicked outta here by lunchtime."
The group marched them into the main building, and brought attention to them from passersby. The wide white halls narrowed down to a tall tower and Percy led the hike up the steps to Ambrose's office.
"Geez what a climb." Yuu huffed a little and held the wall for balance. "Doesn't he get tired walking up these steps everyday."
"The headmaster usually just apparates to his office."
"Ugh, of course he does." Yuu laughed a bit breathlessly as she climbed up the stairs. She let out a little yelp when Percy stopped and picked her up princess style. "Whoa, whoa hey what are you doing?!"
"You seemed tired. Allow me to carry you up the rest of the way. I'm quite virile, so it doesn't bother me." He sent her a blinding smile. Jade took a picture and Yuu wriggled.
"Hey! JADE DON'T TAKE PICTURES!"
"Apologies Yuu-san, but the Headmaster was very explicit in his instructions." Jade snapped another. Yuu groaned as she was hoisted up the remaining steps before being set back down on her feet.
The doors open and the group entered a large yet cluttered office of books and knickknacks.
"What in the…"
"Old man… I thought since you were expecting company you were gonna tidy up." Percy's eyebrow twitched.
"Ah, forgive me Yuu, everyone, I nearly forgot you were coming. You are a bit late, you know." Ambrose waved a finger at them. "Nevertheless I'm happy you came. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Balderdash."
"Oh don't mind Aristotle, he's a lot nicer than he looks." Ambrose dismissed his prickly looking assistant with wild brown hair and big owlish eyes. He turned those eyes on the group and made a huffing sound.
"Humph! I still think you're making a big mistake bringing this lot onto campus. Trouble makers, the lot of them, I guarantee it!"
"That's enough Aristotle… go to your desk and nest there for the next ten minutes will you?" He waved him off and rounded his desk to step up to Yuu. He took her hands shaking them. Please come, I've prepared some tea. Percy, why don't you take her friends around campus? I'd like to speak with Miss Emcee alone. I shall escort her personally from here."
"With pleasure, Headmaster." Percy bowed and motioned the rest of the group back to the door. "Please come this way."
"No can do, old man…" Leona eyed him with a suspicious stare. "A certain fairy Prince left her in my charge. If anything happens to her he'll take it out on me and I ain't dealing with that headache."
"I can assure you, Mr. Kingscholar, I mean miss Emcee no harm. I just want to get to know her. Why don't you three head to the cafeteria and have some lunch. We'll meet you there."
"Now we're talking!" Grim jumped up and down. "Let's go!"
"Yuu-san, will you be alright without us?" Jade inquired.
"I'll be fine. You guys can go. I actually wanted to talk to the headmaster too so this is a golden opportunity for me."
"Gimme your phone " Leona held out his hand. When Yuu stared blankly at him, he took it from her hand himself and made a few tapping motions on it. "I've put a tracker on your phone. If you're not back in my sight in an hour I'm coming after you. Capeesh?"
"Yeah. I got it." She giggled. "Thanks Leona. Jade, will you look after Grim for me please? Make sure he doesn't get into any trouble."
"Of course." Jade lay his hand over his heart.
"And Grim…" she crouched and pet him between his ears. "Be a good little boss and try not to disrespect anyone while your here."
"You worry too much. The only thing passing through these lips will be food." Grim laughed and scurried out the door. "Noms, noms, noms in my tums! Meat, bread, fruit and cheese. More, more, and more please!"
Yuu giggled more as Grim danced his way out the door with three men right behind him. Once the door closed behind them Ambrose led Yuu to a small table set up where hot tea and fresh baked cookies were waiting.
"Let's have a chat, Miss Emcee."
"Thank you for inviting us here, Headmaster Ambrose." Yuu sat and watched as the tea set started to move. The kettle poured into the cup and the sugar jar moved over beside it with a spoon ready to scoop.
"It's my pleasure, would you like some sugar?" Ambrose offered motioning to the tiny jar at attention.
"Yes please." The sugar jar started to scoop its contents inside her cup.
"Be sure to say when." Ambrose told her as he took a seat. "Otherwise it'll drown your tea in sugar."
"When." She smiled at the excited little jar and she took the offered spoon to stir it around. "It's odd how used to magical elements I am. It's all become second nature to me."
"You may come from another world, but this is your home now." Ambrose sipped his own tea. "So, why don't you tell me all about it?"
~ Meanwhile ~
Leona, and Jade had ditched Percy, leaving Grim as a distraction. With a flick of his wand Leona conjured two bottles and gave one to Jade.
"Bottoms up." He held his potion up and downed it. He made a face and grunted as the transformation removed his ears, tail and scar. His hair shortened and canines shrunk. "Ugh, gross…" he ran fingers through his short mop of hair. "If Ruggie saw me like this he'd bust a gut."
"Ara, Ara, I think you look very distinguished, Leona-san." Jade laughed gently, his own teeth retracted to normal canines, and his hair a sandy brown color with short spikes to pair with his gold eyes. He waved his wand and their uniforms changed to that of RSA students.
"Keep your comments to yourself. Lets poke around and see if we can find any dirt. The more info your boss has, the better."
"You should join us on our excursions more often, Leona-san. I'm sure you would benefit greatly from the information we could collect with your intellect."
"No thanks, sounds like a pain. I'm only doing this for…" he trailed off, when he realized what he was about to say. "Amusement."
"Well if you ever change your mind…" Jade chuckled and stowed away his magic pen. The two walked side by side looking around. Class was out for the day but there were still clubs being held. Leona could hear the 'screech screech' of sneakers on the basketball court, and smell the overpowering sweet scent of chocolate from what he could only assume as the baking club.
What caught his interest was the wide open field of rich green grass with two golden hoops that served as the Spelldrive practice field. Two makeshift teams went head to head in a practice match, wands waving and spells flying.
"Well now… that's more like it." He casually strolled over to a nearby bench and took a seat. Jade followed him, taking notes on a pad from his pouch. "If anyone questions what we're doing, we'll just say we're enthusiasts."
"It may be a little late in saying this, but do you think it wise to leave Yuu and Grim on their own?" Jade tapped his pen to his cheek. "Why did you tap her phone if you weren't worried about her meeting up with us?"
"A clever ruse… Percy will think we've gone after Yuu, and if Yuu's smart she'll keep her mouth shut about any spying business."
"She is quite clever, I'm sure she'll think of something to tell them."
~1 hour later~
"I'm gonna kill them…" Yuu's brow twitched with annoyance. Percy was on one knee in front of her and Ambrose while Grim sat at a table devouring a mile high plate of food.
"Oh dear, they must have wandered off and gotten lost. You best gather your comrades and find them, Percy, before any disagreements break out." Ambrose suggested.
"At once, Headmaster!"
"You better take Grim with you," Yuu countered. "He's like a bloodhound. He'll be able to sniff them out."
"I can do that… but can't it wait til I'm done eating?" Grim licked his maw. "Mmmm such nummy things. I want to devour more!"
"We haven't the time, you gluttonous feline." Percy hoisted Grim up by his collar making him squirm. "We're going now. Let's go!"
"No! My food!" Grim wailed as he's carried off. Yuu shook her head, sighing.
"What am I gonna do with him?"
"I'm afraid I must return to my work. I had planned to escort you around myself, but some things have come up." Ambrose said with grievance.
"That's alright. If you could just point me in the direction of the library i can…"
"I'll show her to the library, Headmaster." Aiden strolled up with a casual smile. "I just finished my club activities and have some free time on my hands."
"Ah, Aiden, an excellent idea. I'll feel much better knowing she's with someone she knows." Ambrose gave yuu a little nudge towards him. "I'm sure the two of you can entertain yourselves from here."
"Ah… right." Yuu's brow twitched again. Somehow she knew this was gonna happen. "It's good to see you again, Aiden."
"Same… I feel bad about how we parted. I hope you'll permit me to accompany you today as I promised I would." He offered her his hand. Yuu hesitated, glancing back at Ambrose who was already walking away. She suddenly wished Leona and Jade hadn't gone off on their own to play spy.
"Well… a promise is a promise." She turned back to him with a warm smile. "Alright, Aiden. Lead the way."
"Great! I can't wait for you to see it." He took her hand and rushed with her through the halls. "You'll absolutely love it."
… and surprisingly… he was right.
~ Library ~
"Wow! This place is amazing!" Yuu exclaimed as she rushed into the huge library and did a spin. Her footsteps on the marvel flooring, and her laughter echoed throughout the wide open space with elaborate stain glass windows, huge open air lighting, and shelves upon shelves of books. "I could spend ten years here just reading non-fiction alone!"
"I'm glad you're pleased. You were looking up information on dream walkers, right? Lemme show you." He took her hand again, leading her through the aisles. They finally found the right section.
"This is great, there's so much more material here than at Night Raven College." She turned with a look of gratitude. "Thank you for keeping your promise, Aiden."
"It's my pleasure, my lady." He kissed her hand before releasing it. . "I would do anything to put that smile on your face."
"Ah, right " Yuu blushed and slowly pulled her hand away, tucking it behind her back. To distract herself Yuu immediately plucked book after book from the shelf, reading some of the contents before setting it aside. She pulled down a fat leather bound book and admired its wrinkled and worn cover. "This book seems rather old."
"It's also in ancient script. If you need me to translate-" Aiden started, but trailed off at Yuu's smug smile.
"Where Dreams Lie I Wait, by Phillipa Howard." She read off the title then cracked open to the first page. "The world of dreams is the manifestation of-"
"Y-you can read ancient script?" Aiden stared at her practically dumbfounded.
"Since I don't have magic of my own I study other areas I can participate in, such as linguistics, and cartography, remember?" She stuck her tongue out playfully and gave a wink.
"Well yeah but… you've only been here for what… a year? How did you pick it up so fast?"
"It wasn't that hard," Yuu shrugged. "Once I perfected Baranese, and Nihon it was just a matter of finding the right-"
"You speak Nihon?" He questioned further.
"Yes, quite efficiently according to Professor Trein." She replied with smug satisfaction. Aiden laughed and applauded.
"Very good," he responded in the same language.
"Thank You." She sat down at the table and continued to read, silently this time. Aiden sat across from her, watching with a look of pure adoration. She became so engrossed in her book that she completely forgot he was even there. He loved how her eyes would shift tones as they went through a variety of emotions. He loved the way she nibbled at her lip and mumbled as she struggled to understand certain words or phrases, but was too stubborn to ask for assistance. He loved how the short hair she'd attempted to tame stuck up in certain areas and she absentmindedly fussed with it as she read.
"It's as I thought…" he sighed dreamily. "You're the one."
"Hmmm? I'm sorry?" Yuu blinked out of her thoughts and shifted her eyes to him. "Did you say something?"
"I said you're the one." He rounded the table, got on one knee and placed a hand over his heart. With a wave of his fingers he conjured a rose in the other and presented it to her. "I know you said you're not ready… but I cannot deny my feelings for you. I'm in love with you, Yuuki Emcee. Please consider me as your-"
"Look, Aiden," Yuu held out both of her hands and scooted the chair out to get some distance from him. "I find you very charming and interesting… but you're ringing way too many warning bells in my head."
"Whatever do you mean?" He frowned, the rose wilting in his hand. Yuu eyed it with the same wariness as if he were holding a venomous snake.
"The peeping, the talk of meeting me in your dreams, the rush to marriage, your roundabout way to get me alone, manhandling me in front of your friends and the fact you already have a fiancee… I'm sorry but I just don't think you and I are the match made in heaven you've deluded yourself into believing." She stood up and stepped away from him.
"Wait! I'm sorry, I know we may have had a rocky start, but that doesn't mean we can't start over." He maneuvered around her when she tried to slip away. He took her hand and gave it a charming kiss. "Hello, my lady, I am Prince Aiden Daybreak. Please allow me the honor of this dance."
"Oh no you don't!" She yanked her hand away and held the book out as a shield. "No kissy faces, no dancing or singing! I mean it, Aiden just give up already!"
"I don't want to!" A bit more desperately now he slid down onto his knees again in front of her. "Yuuki please just give me a chance. I know I'm betrothed already but I have absolutely no intention of going through with it. Both of us feel that we're completely incompatible, and I swear it's mutual. If I had any indication that she had feelings for me then I would do my duty, but neither of us have any affection for the other. In fact we can't stand one another."
"Betrothal aside, I still don't want to be mixed up in all…" she waved a hand around him. "This. Please don't get me involved!"
"You're already involved!" Aiden got to his feet and circled around her again. "I see your face in every woman I meet, I hear your voice in my dreams, and I smell your perfume everywhere I go."
"I don't wear perfume." She frowned at him.
"Would you rather I said BO?" He sighed heavily and he lay his hands over hers on the book she held. "Please Yuu… all I'm asking for is a chance."
"I'm sorry but that's not going to happen… I shouldn't have come." She handed the book back to him. "I'll just-" her voice choked as the vision hit her like a freight train the moment their fingers touched. Her skin went pale, her eyes large and pupils slit, she watched the dark fairy pace back and forth with angry impatience. The air around her turned cold as she set loose her fury on all her minions, cursing their incompetence.
"They're hopeless, a disgrace to the forces of evil." The dark fairy sighed and held out her hand. Her Raven perched upon her fingers. "My pet, you are my last hope. Circle far and wide, search for a maid of sixteen with hair of sunshine gold and lips red as the rose. Go… and do not fail me."
The image quickly changed to the Raven perching on a windowsill looking in on the scene unfolding. A beautiful maiden, matching the Dark Fairy's description, danced and sang of love. The three peasant women with her looked distraught.
"This is terrible!"
"Why? After all, I am sixteen…"
"It isn't that dear, you're already betrothed to Prince Phillip."
"That's impossible, how could I marry a prince? I'd have to be-"
"-a princess. You are, dear. Tonight we're talking you back to your father, King Stefan."
"I can't, he's coming here tonight, I promised to meet him."
"I'm sorry child… but you must never see that young man again."
Yuu's heart ached as the golden-haired maiden sobbed into her hands. There was no denying the young woman's heartbreak… and she felt a wave of sympathy for the poor girl.
Reality
When she awoke, she lay in a huge cushioned bed with a canopy, sheer curtains dimmed the harshness of the mid-afternoon sun. Staring straight up, Yuu had to wonder why royals needed to be force these betrothals without an ounce of thought for those involved. She realized it was a diplomatic move for peace… but if someone really wanted to do the country harm then no marriage was going to prevent that.
Yuu slowly sat up and held her head. She sympathized with the flaxen haired girl, and was puzzled by the dark Fairy's motives. Why would such a powerful and intelligent person care about being invited to a christening? She didn't seem like the person who would attend even if she had been invited. There was information missing here… something deeper that was driving the dark fairy to curse the humans.
"He proclaimed to love her… then betrayed her." Malleus' words came back to her in a moment of clarity.
If what he said was true then it was no wonder the dark fairy felt such hate… But that was all in the past. So why did it seem like Malleus and Aiden's families were still at odds with one another?
"You're awake." Aiden peeked his head in before opening the door all the way. "How are you feeling?"
"Better, I'm sorry for causing you trouble. My visions are getting harder and harder to control." She held her temple. "Not to mention more vivid."
"I'm sorry if I contributed to that at all." He held up a bag. "I brought you a few more books. "The headmaster said you can take them with you, and to write to him if you have any questions he can answer."
"Your headmaster is a very kind man." Yuu smiled warmly. "He's been more helpful to me in these few hours than Crowley's been this entire year."
"You and Grim could always transfer to RSA." Aiden smiled and made Yuu laugh.
"A tempting offer but I'd have to decline. Mine and Grim's place is at Night Raven College."
"Your place is where you choose to be, Yuu." Aiden took her hands again. Their eyes met, and for one long moment Yuu felt a familiar stirring in her chest. It was the same kind of fluttering attraction she'd felt when meeting Malleus for the first time.
"Aiden…" Yuu sighed and shook her head. She gently pulled her hands away and folded them in her lap. "I didn't want to say this, because I haven't told him yet but… I'm in love with Malleus."
The look on Aiden's face was all too familiar. It was the exact look of heartbreak and sorrow she'd seen on the golden haired princess. Guilt twisted her insides but she kept talking.
"I don't plan to marry any time soon. There are so many things I wanna do and see. I need to figure out why I'm having these visions and what connection I have to the land of dreams… but if you're gonna make me choose between you and Malleus then I'm sorry but it's going to be him."
Aiden's blue eyes went wide and his hands slumped at his side.
"Now you know. " She shut her eyes. "That's the truth. I can't betray my feelings… and I won't betray him."
"I see… thank you for your honesty, Yuuki." He rose from her bedside. "I should go. I'll have Percy and his guard escort you and your friends out once you've fully rested."
"Are you mad at me? I do want to be your friend Aiden. You've done so much for me, and I'd like to repay your kindness." She started to get out of bed but Aiden whirled on her.
"Well I don't want to be yours. I won't be friends with anyone who chooses that dragon freak over me!" Aiden sneered at her, his normally shining blue eyes going deep and dark. Yuu eyed his magical pen hanging from his lapel and noticed the black swirling spots starting to coat the stone.
"Aiden… Aiden just calm down, please!" She held her hands up, eyes wide and fearful.
"Why? Why should I be calm? I have every right to be angry, hurt and upset when the woman I love fawns and praises over that dragon and barely gives me the time of day! Malleus is so strong, Malleus is so talented, Malleus is so handsome… of course he's all that he's a damn fairy! I'm human and I'm on par if not better than him so why does HE get all your attention?!"
Yuu's breath shuddered out as the room suddenly became black and inky. Soon all she could see was black,
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I lied…" Yuu went to him and hugged him. Her body trembled and she felt the tears spilling down her cheeks. "I don't love him, I just said that because I wanted you to back down. Please… please calm down. Don't over blot, please!"
"Overblot?" Aiden's calm question shocked Yuu out of the vision. She was back in bed, Aiden's hands in hers and his eyes full of worry. "What are you talking about? Did you have another vision?"
"I…" Yuu swallowed hard, the lump in her throat too hard to swallow. "I think so… but that was different from any vision I've had before."
"Your powers are getting stronger. Now that you're becoming more aware of them it's opening you up to more clear and intense visions." He sat on the bed with her and pulled her into a hug. "Shhh, you're trembling. Tell me what you saw."
"I saw you… but you were so angry, and terrifying. Your magic was out of control. Your stone was burning black, and your eyes…" Yuu sucked in a harsh breath. "I've seen it happen before and I know the signs. It was all my fault."
"It was just a dream, Yuu… not all visions come true." He strokes her hair. "I'm sorry that it frightened you."
"You were so hurt, and upset. I shouldn't have made light of your feelings. Please forgive me." She shut her eyes as more tears fell. "I've just got so much on my mind, I can't handle all this right now."
"Shhh, shhh it's okay. It's okay, you don't have to decide right now." He pulled back smiling with his usual sunny charm. "I'm sorry that I pressured you. I just really like you."
"I know… I just didn't realize how much." Tears spilled down freely. "I thought I was just a convenient excuse for you to get out of your engagement."
"No, Yuu…" he gently stroked her shoulders. "It's more than that. So much more." He bent down and gently brushed his lips to hers. Yuu hesitated before letting it happen. The kiss was brief, and pleasurable… but it left a churning sensation in her stomach. She pulled away, her cheeks flushed and eyes diverted
"I should go… Leona and the others will run wild if I don't wrangle them in."
"I understand… Will you come back and see me?"
"Yeah…" she smiled warmly. "Yeah I will. Thank you for being so kind."
"Anything for the woman I love." He grinned watching her blush timidly. Happy that she didn't push him away, Aiden escorted her to the front gate. Leona, Jade, and a frazzled looking Percy soon joined them. After a brief conversation everyone said their thanks and goodbyes before leaving. As he watched Yuuki and her friends go, the gentleness in Aiden's blue eyes darkened as he thought of what had transpired in the infirmary moments ago.
~ Flashback ~
"Your place is where you choose to be, Yuu." Aiden took her hands, and their eyes met. He saw the rejection before she could even say a word, and it solidified his resolve. As Yuu opened her mouth to speak, Aiden conjured the spell.
"Walk with me, talk with me, I've met you before… Once Upon a Dream."
He watched Yuu's eyes cloud over as the dream took over her reality. He listened to her speak to the visions in her head, and saw the fear take over. His charming smile turned dark, and the grip on her hands tightened like thorny vines.
He felt her panic, and desperation, and calmed his face and gentled his touch before awakening her from the dream.
"Overblot? What are you talking about?"
~ Reality ~
"I'm sorry for the deceit Yuu…" Aiden pulled out his pen, rubbing a thumb over the blue stone that now had splotches of black in them. "... but I won't let you go that easily."