Poor Misguided Soul
Chapter 3: The First of Many Lies
"Lord Malleus!" Silver's broom zipped over to Malleus', who's eyes were desperately searching the crowds of people for Yuu. "I just received a message from Riddle. He said that they've found Yuu."
"Oh thank goodness!" Sebek let out a long sigh of relief then clicked his tongue. "Damn that human for giving us all a scare like that."
"Now, now, Sebek…" Lilia patted his back. "Mustn't be too hard on her. Women are very emotional creatures after all."
"Is she alright?" Malleus asked with a forlorn look.
"Well…" Silver gripped his phone as he reread the message. "According to Riddle she's fallen off a cliff."
"She what?!" Sebek nearly flipped in the air as he halted his broom.
"She's not…" Malleus lost his breath, the pain in his chest that had been a full ache was now a piercing stab.
"She's alive…" Silver said hurriedly. "... but Riddle says we should return to the school. Your magic may be needed to repair any damage."
Without a word Malleus flipped his broom around and zipped back towards the school. His three comrades hastened behind him, but couldn't hope to catch up.
~Infirmary~
Yuu lay still as death on the bed, her head and temple bandaged, hiding the skin that had been severely bruised. She was surrounded by her friends and classmates, while the teachers talked to each other on how to handle the mix of injury and transformation.
All heads whirled as Malleus burst through the doors, a storm raging outside and blowing open the windows. His eyes were intense, full of indescribable emotion that made everyone back away and clear a path.
"Yuu…" he went to her, his voice deep and full of hurt. "You foolish girl. What has happened? Why does she look like this?"
"Yuu survived the fall but she was knocked unconscious and trapped under debris. In order to keep her from drowning, I had jade perform a transformation spell… but something went wrong. We can't get her to change back."
"I see…" Malleus sighed with some relief as he checked her over. "Spell seals are broken easily enough. I'll use my unique magic and return her to normal."
"I wouldn't just yet…" Azul held his hands up. She's severely wounded, if you turn her back she may never wake up.
"Ashengrotto is right, Malleus. Well wait until Yuu has regained consciousness. Human life is very easily severed." Crowley reminded him.
"Very well, when she does-" Malleus started to speak but a sound from Yuu silenced him.
"Mmmph…" The young woman stirred, her hand shifting in Malleus' grip. Her eyes blinked open, and focused on the young dragon prince. His fearful expression immediately turned to one of affection.
"Are you alright?"
"Mmm… what a handsome face" she smiled at him, shifting so that her hand brushed against his cheek. He smiled at her, a moment of pure bliss illuminated between them before she dropped the bomb. "Do I know you?"
"Eh?" Malleus' eyes lit with surprise and then hurt. "You don't… recognize me?"
"Should I?" She laughed gently then winced and held her head. "Mmmmph where am I? What happened to me?"
"You fell off a cliff, and were transformed." He kept her hand in his, gripping it tightly. "What do you remember?"
"I remember…" her brows knit together. She touched her head again and slowly sat up. "I remember… crying. I was sad, but I don't remember why." She shut her eyes and now held her head in both hands. "Ugh it hurts… what's happened to me?"
"Take it easy, Yuu." Azul held his hands up. "You've gone through an ordeal. Don't force yourself."
"Yuu? Who's that?" She blinked and let out a cry and fell back down onto the pillows. "Ah it hurts… Why can't I remember anything?"
"I'm so sorry, Yuu-san." Azul sat on the edge of the bed and took her other hand. "I was trying to save your life, but the spell must have gone wrong. Malleus-san is here to fix it."
"Fix what? I don't understand. Who are all of you people?" She yanked both her hands free and clutched her head. "Augh it hurts!"
"Alright, that's enough excitement." Crewel slapped his whip in hand. "Let the doctors continue their examination, and we'll see if we can determine the source of Yuu's missing memories. In the meantime everyone is to return to the dorms and studies. You're all dismissed."
"Professor Crewel wait, please let me just-" Azul stepped forward but Malleus gripped his shoulder and pulled him back.
"You've done enough, Ashengrotto." Malleus pushed him towards the door. "We're going to have a little chat, you and I."
"I was afraid you'd say that…" he pushed his glasses up and walked out into the hallway with him and the others. In a blink he found himself alone in the courtyard with the dragon prince.
"I realize you're angry with me, Malleus-san, but if you're gonna blame me, at least give yourself partial credit for her emotional state. After all, everyone knows the real reason Yuu-san ran away was because YOU broke her heart."
Malleus' stride stalled and the anger that had been boiling immediately cooled.
"I won't argue with you about that. I didn't handle my relationship with Yuu well at all." He sighed and held his chin. "Things just keep getting more complicated. Perhaps, once I return her to normal, it's best if I stay away from her altogether."
"You mean you're going to run away?" Azul responded cheekily with a tsk. "I've never known you to be a coward, Malleus-san."
"Me? A coward?!" He glared at Azul. "Mind your tongue."
"I hope she remains oblivious to your existence if that's how you feel about things." Azul pushed up his glasses. "To return her to normal, only to leave the poor thing pining for you is rather cruel. I never thought of you capable of hurting Yuu-san more than you already have."
"Do you ever tire of hearing yourself speak?" He scorned, with his hands on his hips.
"No, not really." Azul smiled with a shrug. "I will advise you this once, Malleus, as I have a share in this debacle. My suggestion to you would be to talk to Yuu-san once she is feeling better before you make any rash decisions."
"I'll take that advice in kind and follow up with an inquiry. That spell that the Leech brothers used. What was the leverage they used to perform it?"
"Leverage?" Azul blinked.
"Don't play dumb… you know very well that transformation spells come at a high cost, especially if they're mediocre wizards like your lackeys."
"I'd hardly call them weak, Malleus-san, though compared to you I suppose all of us are mediocre." Azul held his chin. "Mmmm you do bring up an interesting point though. It could be that the reason the spell isn't breaking is because we're unable to return said leverage. I'll have to ask Jade what precise words he used so that I may decipher the cost."
"Good… the sooner Yuu returns to normal, the better."
"Are you certain you want that, Malleus-san?"
"Hmmm?" Malleus paused his retreat. "What do you mean?"
"Wasn't the problem with your relationship with Yuu because she wasn't of Fae blood?" His smile went perky. "Perhaps this odd twist of fate is a good thing. So long as Yuu gets her memories back, there won't be any need for you to take another bride. You can marry the woman you love, your grandmother and the people will be satisfied with your choice of queen, and the two of you can live happily ever after."
Malleus remained silent… there was something in Azul's words that made him wary… but he did have a point.
"I won't ask her to change for me… if she chooses to remain that way, I will respect her decision, but I already decided that our paths cannot be intertwined. Regardless if she becomes human again, or remains of the Fae, I will not continue to court her."
Malleus strode off. Azul held his chin smirking a bit at his retreating figure.
"After the performance my Vanessa just pulled on a mere whim… I wouldn't be surprised if you soon find that resolve of yours slipping, Malleus-san."
~Three days Later~
The "Amnesia" plan had been a complete success. With the boys help Vanessa had managed to play off the confused and innocent victim with hardly any trouble. Azul's vast knowledge of spells and illusions helped her fool the medical staff and the Mermaid transformation provided a convenient excuse for the quick heal.
She sat up in bed now, reading one of many books that Azul had given her on beginner's magic. She'd amused herself performing small elemental spells such as conjuring a breeze, lighting the candles, and molding a ball of water… but now she wanted to try some more complex spells without the watchful eye of the nursing staff… not to mention the little blue cat that refused to leave her side.
"Your name is Grim, right?" She asked the ball of fluff who had snagged the tray of food she hadn't touched. He glanced up, his cheeks puffy from having food stuffed in them. "We're… roommates?"
Grim swallowed loudly and licked his maw grinning.
"Yep! The best of friends. We're practically inseparable, you and I. Have been since I first took you under my wing. Nyahaha!" He crossed his arms looking smug. While he was a bit hurt that Yuu couldn't remember him, he enjoyed boasting about their friendship and his influence in the school. "Don't worry, you'll remember soon enough."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that…" she sighed, emphasizing her pout to make it seem sadder. "Something tells me I don't want to remember everything. Why else would everyone be tiptoeing around me?"
"Hmmm? What do you mean, Yuu?"
"I mean, come on Grim. Look at me." She spread her arms out. "I'm not injured anymore, but they're treating me as if I'm made of glass. How can I expect to remember anything if I'm stuck behind these four walls?"
"Ah, I getcha! Hehehe, leave it to me." The devilish little monster climbed off the bed. "Get ready to make a break for it."
Vanessa's smile came quick and mischievous. She watched Grim sneak over to the nurse's station and with a quick blur of movement had them screaming and running out the room. Immediately Vanessa made a break for the window. She climbed out with ease and waited a beat as Grim leapt out behind her and landed on her shoulder.
"Freedom! Let's go, Yuu! I'll lead the way!" He jumped off her shoulder and ran down the path to Ramshackle Dorm. Vanessa followed him all the way to the botanical garden before stopping and detouring inside. She stuck her tongue out at the vanishing feline.
"Too easy…" she laughed and hummed as she walked inside. She inhaled deep and stretched, the first taste of fresh air and sunshine feeling good on her skin. The plan had worked, but God she'd been so suffocated with all the tests, and surprise visitations from people she only had the vaguest of memories about. She couldn't even remember some names because the memories she did have of them had weird little nicknames like "Shrimpy" "baby seal," "and goldfish." She supposed it helped for authenticity to be oblivious to such details, but it really left her at a disadvantage to not know the people around her.
Ah well… she'd deal with that in due time. For now she had more interesting avenues to pursue… such as testing out her magic.
She knelt beside some herbs growing in a pot and eyed them curiously. The snake-like pupils of her eyes went into sharp slits as she studied the plant dubiously. She held her palm over it, a slight sparkle emitting from her fingertips.
"Well this is a surprise…" a voice spoke from behind her. Startled Vanessa yanked her hand back and whirled around to see Trey and Cater smiling down at her. "Should you be up and about, Yuu-Chan?"
"Ah…well…" she let out a short laugh as she rose to her feet. "I just needed some fresh air. I was feeling really cooped up."
"Understandable." Trey said with a polite smile and sprinkled water on the bed of herbs she'd just been admiring. "Where's Grim at? He hasn't left your side since we found you."
"I noticed," she muttered under her breath then managed a weak smile. "Well he and I ran out together, but the little guy was so fast I couldn't keep up so I got lost. I saw this garden and couldn't resist wandering in."
"That's Grim for yah… too fast for his own good." Cater sighed and shook his head. "He should know better then to leave a defenseless woman on her own."
Defenseless? Vanessa's brow twitched with irritation.
"I'm sure he didn't mean to… I should go find him before he starts to worry." She sidestepped and attempted to make her second escape.
"If you wait a moment til we're done with our chores, Cater and I can show you to your dorm. I'm sure you'll wanna change out of those pajamas you're wearing."
"Ah…" she glanced down with a pout, but then got an intriguing idea. "Or…" she stepped up to Trey and took his arm. "Maybe you can change them for me right now? You know…" she wiggled her fingers. "Magically?"
"Eh?" Trey blinked and blushed.
"You guys can do that right? That's how the nurses changed my clothes before." She batted her eyelashes at him. "Please? I really want to see more of the school as soon as possible."
"Uh well…" Trey blushed at the obvious flirtation and stepped back. He let out a short laugh. "Yeah, sure. I suppose I could do that."
"Yay!" She clapped her hands excitedly then stepped back holding her arms out. "Hit me with your best shot, Sea turtle."
"Huh?" Trey paused his spell and Vanessa blinked and mentally cursed as she realized her mistake.
"Eh… sorry. That's what Floyd calls you .. I thought it was cute." She fidgeted, casting her eyes downward as if shying away. "My bad."
"No, no it's okay. Just not used to you calling me that. Guess you really did lose your memories."
"You doubted that?" She raised a brow, curious and a bit annoyed that her performance was questioned. "Why?"
"Well, it's just…" Trey hesitated and looked back to Cater who held his hands up shaking his head.
"No… no tell me. Why would people think I'm making this up? Was I a bad person? Was I a liar or someone who would make up stories or excuses?"
"No, no Yuu thats not what we-" Trey held his hands out.
"Then, why?" Before she could stop them, Vanessa's eyes filled with tears. She wasn't sure why she was crying. Something in their insinuation, and doubt made her upset and she couldn't stop the emotional outburst from coming out. "Do you think I want all this attention? Do you think I enjoy people looking at me as if I'm made of glass and ready to break? Do you think I LIKE people giving me pitying looks and thinking of me as "defenseless poor Yuu" all the damn time?"
"Whoa, whoa Yuu calm down!"
"WHY? I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE UPSET WHEN THIS ENTIRE SCHOOL THINKS I'M NOTHING BUT A HELPLESS PATHETIC LITTLE GIRL!" She felt the magic burst out of her before she could stop it. Like a bullet from a gun her power lashed out surrounding Trey and Cater in a bluish black aura, and then in an instant the two collapsed to the ground unconscious.
Vanessa stared at what she'd done, sweat dripping from her temples, her hands coated in the same bluish black aura the boys had been encompassed in. Instead of feeling weak and fatigued however, Yuu felt his magic power increasing.
"What did I just…" she turned her hands over and let out a shaky laugh. "Was that my… unique magic? How did I do that?"
"Senpai? Are you done watering yet?' Vanessa heard the voices approaching and it snapped her out of her high. She looked at the two collapsed figures and panicked.
"CRAP!" She darted down the winding path in the opposite direction. This was no time to feel good about herself. If Trey and Cater blabbed that she had magic and had used it on them, she would be dragged back into the infirmary for more tests and questions. More… they could find out how she acquired that magic and take it away from her. She couldn't let that happen!
She thanked the Seven that classes were in session so the halls were practically empty. She was able to make it to Octavinelle's Monstro Lounge without being seen and locked herself in Azul's office.
There… she sat and waited, contemplating on how to handle this new development.
"Ah, Shrimpy-chan what a coincidence." Floyd was the first to return and he gave her that wide grin smile he was known for. "Azul just asked me to go look for you… lucky! You're right here!"
"Floyd…" tears slipped down her cheeks and she rushed to him. His automatic instinct was to hit her, but her arms came around him so quick that it caught him off guard. She squeezed him tight, her body shaking against him.
"Shrimpy? What's wrong? You're shaking." Not sure what to do in this situation he tried to pry her off but she latched on tighter. "oi, that's starting to hurt, knock it off!"
"Then squeeze me back, Floyd."
"Eh?"
"You heard me," she lifted her head so that her eyes met his. The look in her eyes reminded him of the sea monsters he'd seen in children's books… part fish, part dragon and incredibly dangerous. "Squeeze me as tight as you can, until I stop shaking."
His heart did a little dance in his chest at the request, and his smile spread wide once again.
"Mmmkay," he picked her up off her feet and held her tight. When she only nuzzled in, his heart did another jig. Yeah, he thought with an affectionate smile, there was definitely a sea monster hiding under that cute image she was projecting. "If that's what Nessy wants, then that's what Nessy gets."
~Later~
He treated her to a soda. Taking advantage of the empty lounge he sat her down in one of the big booths and placed an ice cold drink down in front of her.
"On the house."
"Thanks, sorry I blubbered all over you, Floyd."
"No big… you ain't nearly as big a cry baby as Azul is." He sat across from her and leaned forward. "So… what's up? Why the waterworks?"
"To be honest… I don't know." She held her head. "I went from happy, to sad, to extremely pissed off, to exhilarated and then scared brainless. I guess it all just overwhelmed me and I needed some stability."
"Hmmm…. What made you feel like all that?"
She laid it all out for him, starting with her escape from the infirmary and then finishing with her episode with Trey and Cater.
"Hahahaha! Nessy you're amazing! You flattened Sea Turtle and Snapper. Hahahaha!"
"Damn it, it's not funny Floyd…" but her lips curve up. "Okay it's a little funny, but seriously what am I gonna do? My whole plan was rising on them not knowing I could do magic. I can't let anyone find out about this contract or they'll make Azul abolish it and I don't want that."
"Ehhh…." Floyd dragged out the sound and he cupped his chin smiling at Vanessa's pouting face. "Nessy… do you like being a mermaid?"
"I do…" she sighed it out and smiled warmly. "I really, really do."
"Then tell them that."
"Huh?"
"Tell them you don't want to be a human. It's your body, and you made the choice to change it. Who cares what anyone else says?" Floyd waved his hand around as if to bat the thought away.
"Huh… you've got a point there, Floyd." She sipped at her soda. "Mmmm still, what if they decide to take matters into their own hands and tear up the contract?"
"You don't let them. Anyone who goes against your wishes is the enemy. You've got magic now, use it… and if I feel like it, I'll help you out." He grinned at her and had her laughing.
"I'll count on you then…" Vanessa pushed the drink away. "Hmmm, Floyd, do you have access to the vault?"
"Yeah, though Azul doesn't like it when I go in there without permission."
"Well… as his executive assistant…" She adjusted her glasses with a smirk. "I'm permitting you."
~Infirmary~
"I'm sorry, Headmaster, but that's all I can remember. I'm not entirely sure what happened. One minute Cater and I were talking to Yuu, and then the next thing I know I'm on the ground."
"Same…" Cater admitted rubbing his neck. "I felt all woozy and drained as if I hadn't slept in days. It was weird."
"Not to worry, gentlemen, we'll get to the bottom of this." Crowley assured. "At least you're both alright."
"More importantly…" Malleus, who had come when he'd heard Yuu was missing, interrupted. "We have to find Yuu and make sure she is alright as well."
"Indeed. Without her memory, she could be wandering about anywhere on campus." Crowley sighed. "What a troublesome girl she's becoming."
"Is it possible that Yuu was kidnapped by Trey and Cater's assailant?" Deuce asked.
"Sounds more like she WAS the assailant." Riddle deduced with a scowl.
"How, though? Yuu doesn't have any magic." Ace frowned, not believing that for a second.
"Actually…" the female voice turned all their heads to the doorway. The person in question stood there, head hung with Floyd's hand atop her head. "I can use magic now."
"Yuu!" Ace and Deuce were on their feet and they ran to her. "There you are!"
"We were so-" Ace started to say he'd been worried, but then what she'd said finally sunk in. "Wait a minute. What do you mean you can use magic now?"
"I'm sorry, I should have said something but I was scared to." As much as she hated to, Vanessa played up the scared damsel. "I'm also sorry for sneaking out of the infirmary, and hurting Trey and Cater. The last part was an accident, I swear! I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I just… I don't know how to control it yet."
"So not only did the transformation spell turn you into a mermaid, but it awakened your magical gifts." Crowley held his chin. "Fascinating, I've never heard of something like this occurring."
"I really am sorry, Trey, Cater." She walked into the room, approaching the two bedridden students. "I hope you'll forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive, Yuu." Trey held up a hand. "We're sorry too for upsetting you. We didn't mean to."
"I know you didn't… honestly I'm not entirely sure why I was so angry to begin with." She spoke truthfully now, letting the emotions from earlier fuel her facade. "It's just… Ever since I woke up, it seems like everyone's expecting me to be someone else. No one will talk to me about what happened, except that you're sorry that it did. You all look at me like a bomb that's about to go off, treading lightly, and tiptoing around me as if anything you say or do is suddenly gonna make me explode… which I guess it did. Bad example."
She waved her hand in the air and then folded them together. Her eyes shifted to Malleus for a minute who had remained silent as the grave since she entered the room. Her lips quivered and she bit down on them.
"I guess I'm just mad that everyone keeps expecting "Yuu" to come back… when there's a chance she may not want to come back at all."
That, she thought with some smug satisfaction, got the room's full attention.
"Everytime I try to remember something from my past… It's like layers upon layers of hurt just blocking me from seeing any of it. I realize you all miss "Yuu" but I honestly don't think she's gonna come back anytime soon… and frankly I don't care if she comes back at all." She lifted her chin and crossed her arms. "From the way you all have been treating me, she must have been a weak and pathetic little girl who could barely stand on her own two feet. If THAT'S the kind of person I was, then I don't want to change back. So you!" She pointed a finger at Malleus who gave a look of surprise. "I don't know what kind of "Hoodoo" magic spell you were planning to cast on me, but you and everyone else had better put their metaphorical wands away because I'm NOT changing back!"
She turned her hand over, magic conjuring into the palm and sparkling. The slit in her eyes got thinner and thinner until they nearly disappeared.
"If you don't like it then you'll have to fight me every step of the way. It's my body, and my life. I refuse to change for anyone or anything!"
"Hehehe, how ironic." Floyd mused hiding his grin behind a closed fist.
"Humph, very well…" Malleus' sudden smile caught her off guard. "If that is truly your choice, Yuu, then I will support it." He unfolded his arms and approached her. "I would never ask you to change just to appease me."
"Well good…" she smirked up at him and placed her hands on her hips. "I'm glad we've got that cleared up. Your assistance is no longer necessary. You may go."
"Are you shooing me away, child?" He snagged her chin in his hand. "Has your amnesia yet again made you oblivious to whom you're speaking to?"
"Oh Grim's told me all about you, your highness." She gave a mock curtsey. "I can assure you that your title and powers mean very little to me."
"Oi, oi, Yuu…" Ace tried to warn her but she waved her hand, brushing him off.
"You're little more than a pretty face to me, Malleus Draconia. If you wish to impress me or receive any kind of respect, it'll need to be earned. I don't give a man due respect merely out of a garnished reputation."
"Those are some fancy words coming from a woman who claims to have no memory."
"I like to read."
"Yes, I know."
As the two countered each other word for word, the rest of the room could only look on in astonishment.
"Are they… flirting?" Cater whispered to Trey who only shrugged.
"Should we leave?" Ace jerked a thumb to the door. "Would you two like some privacy to finish this little… whatever is going on over here?"
"No… I think we're quite done." She flicked her gaze up and down Malleus one more time before turning her back to him. "Floyd, would you be a dear and show me the way back to Ramshackle Dorm?"
"Mmmkay Nessy!" Floyd chuckled and held out his arm for her to take.
"Nessy!?" The entire room shouted in surprise.
"I thought your nickname for Yuu was Shrimpy?" Deuce questioned.
"Shrimpy doesn't fit her anymore…" He patted the top of her head which she smacked away. He laughed at the reaction. "Yep she's definitely more of a Nessy, cute and calm on the outside, but a monster hiding deep within. Buh-Bye now!"
As the two left, the rest of the room fell into silence as all of them puzzled over what just transpired.
