Poor Misguided Soul
Chapter 4: Vanessa Coral
Grim was surprisingly understandable about being ditched. He'd taken as the others had and assumed she just hadn't been able to keep up with him. Vanessa enjoyed his company, especially now that she'd taken Floyd's advice and stopped hiding the fact that she wanted to remain a mermaid, and brushed off the old Yuu.
"I kinda like this new look for you… and now that you can do magic we can take part in classes together!" He expressed with high excitement.
"Right, classes…" She sat on the edge of the bed, her long purple hair spread over her shoulders and she ran her fingers through it. "I'm gonna have to really bone up. Otherwise they may have me start from scratch." She tilted her head to the side, smirking. "Wanna help me practice?"
"Yeah! Whatcha wanna try first?"
"How about…" Vanessa's eyes glowed a little as she unleashed her magic. Sparkles emitted from her fingertips and Grim let out a yelp as he was hoisted off the ground. "...levitation."
"FNGHA! Yuu! Yuu stop! Put me down!" Grim wriggled and waved his arms and legs. She laughed and heard the ghosts echo her laughter.
"That looks like fun! Let me try!" One ghost appeared behind Grim and took over the levitation spell. Grim was then passed around like a ball between all three of them. Vanessa laughed and rolled into the bed til her sides hurt.
The front doorbell rang interrupting the fun. Grim fell to the floor with a high pitched grunt, and he dizzily got to his feet.
"S-Saved by the bell…"
"Wonder who could be saying hello now." Vanessa walked to the window to poke her head out and glance down. She smirked seeing Azul, his irritation very apparent. "Uh-Oh… Grim you may wanna make yourself scarce. Azul looks really upset."
"Why would Azul be upset at you?"
"Let's just say I borrowed something I shouldn't have." She pressed a finger to her lips. "Stay here, okay?
"Mmmkay…" Grim gave no argument and plopped face first into the floor. Vanessa laughed, and did a little jog down the steps just as Azul let himself in.
"Azul, to what do I owe this visit?"
"Where is it?"
"Where is what?" She gave him a copy and innocent smile.
"Don't play with me, woman. Your contract! What did you do with it?"
"I put it away for safe keeping."
"It WAS safe, I had it in a literal safe."
"One that everyone knows the location of. If I was able to get my hands on it so easily, what makes you think the others in this school would not if they find out this contract exists?"
"The only reason you were able to get your hands on it is because you tricked Floyd into opening it for you. I've since relinquished his key rights." Azul huffed in response to her argument.
"Malleus, Jamil, Riddle, Crowley and the teaching staff all have methods that could make you relinquish your key rights as well." Vanessa pointed out. "So long as I'm the only person who knows where my contract is then the only person who could destroy it is me."
"What if they find out you have it."
"Then that's my problem, not yours. Until then we will continue to pretend that the contract doesn't even exist. Is that understood, Azul?"
"Just who the hell do you think you're giving orders to?" Azul grit his teeth.
"I'm not ordering you to do anything but to keep your mouth shut about our deal, which was already in the contract. So might I suggest you follow your own scripted line?" She gave him a pitying look and had him seething.
"I'm starting to regret this whole thing. Your change in demeanor is unnerving, and unsettling and I'm not the only one who thinks so. You manipulated Grim into helping you escape the infirmary."
"To be fair Grim came up with that plan all on his own."
"You attacked Cater and Trey and nearly over blotted."
"On accident." She defended with a shrug. "I'm kind of new at this whole magic thing, remember?"
"And instead of luring him to your whims you've done nothing but push Malleus' buttons to the point of irritance!"
"Really? I think he seemed to rather enjoy it." She twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "He even flirted back. I think he likes a woman with grit."
"He loved Yuu. He loved her kindness and compassion. She gave him a friend when he needed one."
"Put the emphasis on 'FRIEND' there Azul. If he truly loved Yuu then he wouldn't have dumped her no matter what her race. That's a hard fact." She flicked the piece of hair over her shoulder. "Vanessa on the other hand is a woman who is of the fae, can challenge his intellectual prowess, and with the right training may even rival his magical ability."
"Don't hold your breath on that last one." Azul muttered and crossed his arms. "You had better make good on your end of the bargain or-"
"Yes, yes, yes, indentured servitude for life. I get it." She waved him off and circled him like a shark with its bait. Azul adjusted his tie and then pushed his glasses back into place. "You're far too tense about this whole thing, Azul. Need I remind you that this deal was YOUR idea in the first place."
She touched his shoulder, and rubbed it as he tensed up. She leaned into his ear, whispering softly.
"Relax, boss… I know what I'm doing." She took the other shoulder in hand, and gave him a deep rub making him let out a whimpering grunt. "Just leave Malleus to me, okay? It takes time for true love to blossom… unless you believe in all that fairytale nonsense of love at first sight."
"Not especially…" he cleared his throat when his voice squeaked. "V-very well, I shall allow you to keep your contract on hand… but I still feel very uneasy about your tactics. I'll want full reports of your progress…" he let out a shudder and sighed. "... and the occasional backrub for the stress you're causing me."
"Hehehe," Vanessa laughed huskily in his ear again. "It'll be my pleasure boss… now about the overblot thing. I can't use any more magic without a magestone… So how do I go about receiving one?"
"As a matter of fact I just spoke with the headmaster. He and I both came to the same conclusion…"
~Mirror Chamber~
"Why are we doing this again?" Leona yawned and pulled his hood further over his face. "I thought the herbivore was rejected by the mirror."
"That was before she attained magical abilities. Now that she has gained some, and has chosen to remain a mermaid, the mirror may choose to place her elsewhere." Crowley explained.
"Just stay quiet and let's get this over with." Vil also looked at his watch, hoping he wouldn't be late for his dress rehearsal.
"Malleus still isn't here yet." Riddle pointed out.
"He never shows up to these-" Leona started to complain but the doors open again and Malleus stepped inside wearing his ceremonial robes proudly."
"Forgive me for being late. Im still getting used to this electronic device that Ashengrotto gave me." Malleus held up the black and green cellphone.
"You gave him a phone?" Everyone glanced at Azul who looked just as surprised as everyone else. Vanessa took the time to admire her nails, feinting innocence.
"Ah yes!" Quick to the ploy, Azul held his hands out in self praise. "Yes I did, I thought it was time Draconia was included in such things. A cell phone is key to remaining in contact with friends after all."
"You have my gratitude. I'd been meaning to get one for some time but always put it off." Malleus looked to Vanessa, smiling at the sight of her wearing the Ceremonial garb as well. "This will either be very anticlimactic or a very special and long awaited event. Shall we get started?"
"Yes, please. We all have places to be." Vil complained.
"Seconded…" Idia agreed from the safety of his tablet.
"I can't wait! I'm so excited!" Kalim practically bounced in his shoes.
"Well then, My dear, step on up and speak your name." Crowley took her hand, escorting her front and center.
"My name is…" she glanced back at Azul who gave her a nod. Her smile went wide and excited. "Vanessa Coral."
"Eh?!" Everyone but Azul looked confused at the chosen name.
"A new me, a new name. Yuuki no longer suits me so I chose a name that I think defines who I am now."
"You have chosen well." The mirror spoke, gathering everyone's attention. "Reinvented, and reborn, powerful it is, your chosen form. Crafty, and cunning, with a strong and proud will, your dorm is… Octavinelle!"
"Yes!" Vanessa beamed, and turned around to accept the mage stone pen Crowley handed out to her. She admired the purple color with awe and excitement. Then she got a brief flash of Grim's face in her head and she turned to the mirror. "Oh wait, what about Grim?"
"Your tiny friend has found his place, you need not have a worried face. By your side he should remain, so long as you continue your dangerous game."
"Dangerous Game?" Malleus puzzled over that Riddle and held his chin. He eyed the smug look on Azul's face.
"Guess that means Grim is part of Octavinelle too." Azul held his arms out to her in welcome. "Congratulations Yuu… oh forgive me, Vanessa. That will take some time getting used to. Octavinelle welcomes you with open arms."
"Thank you, Azul." Vanessa placed the pen in its holder and approached him. "I hope you'll take good care of Grim and I."
"Of course."
"Just try not to drown her this time." Vil waved his hand. "If you all will excuse me, I have to get to work. Welcome to Night Raven College, Miss Vanessa."
"Thank you, Vil, and good luck." She waved goodbye to him, and to Idia as his tablet followed the Pomefiore head out. Leona also gave her one long look before excusing himself.
"Try to refrain from causing trouble now that you've magic at your disposal, Miss Coral." Riddle warned before exiting as well.
"I'm so happy for you, Yuu-Ch-ah… I mean, Van-chan!"
"Van-chan?" Vanessa put a hand to her mouth as she laughed. "Is the endearment really necessary Kalim? Just plain Vanessa would do."
"No way! Cute girls deserve cute nicknames. If you don't like Van-chan, then how about Vanny? Or Ness? Or maybe-"
"On second thought… Van-chan is fine." She held her hands up defensively, her brow twitching with obvious annoyance.
"The Ramshackle Dorm shall remain under your care, Miss Coral. Since it was Yuu's hard work and care that has made it into the picture of refinement that it is today." Crowley told her with a smile. "So long as you continue to upkeep it, you may use it as you please."
"Thank you, Headmaster. I shall do so." She smiled and then turned her attention to Malleus who hadn't taken his eyes off her since he'd arrived. "Did you have something to say, Malleus?"
"I'm feeling conflicted." He confessed and uncrossed his arms. "I'm happy that you've found contentment, and seem to be enjoying this new life and persona you've created. However… I find myself feeling a bit sorrowful for the loss of my friend."
"You needn't feel that way on her behalf. While she may be a bit loss at sea right now, there's still a high chance Yuu may find her way home. I just don't want you and the others to have expectations of that happening… especially when I'm quite content with the way I am now." She reached out and smoothed the lines of his robes with a smile. "Do you dislike the way I am now?"
"Dislike is not the word I would use…" he gently took her hand, but instead of pulling it away, he held it over his heart. "... intrigued and curious would be more apt. If this "Vanessa" is who you've chosen to be, then I'd like the chance of learning more of what she has to offer."
"A pity I didn't wind up in your dorm, or you may have a chance of doing so." She started to pull away, but he kept her hand in his grip.
"I was thinking more along the lines of dinner and a stroll through the courtyard." His smile had just the hints of flirtation in them. "I'm quite fond of a late night stroll, particularly with a beautiful woman."
"Oh? Do you actually know any?" She raised a brow and that earned a laugh out of him.
"My, my, you are amusing." He released her hand and held out his new phone. "May I call upon you?"
"If you're asking me for my number, then yes." She pulled out her phone, and Azul took notice that she had a newer model as well as a case that was the same deep purple as her hair. He watched the two exchange information, the look on Malleus' face astound him.
"You truly do frighten me." He told Vanessa later on as the two walked together back to the dorms. "You actually went out and bought new phones for yourself and Malleus just so you could manipulate him into asking for your contact info. Where did you even get the money for…" he paused and glared at her. "please tell me you didn't."
"Consider it a business investment, Azul." She playfully wiggled her phone in sight. "As your new executive assistant, that ancient model Crowley gave me was just incompatible with the apps I would need to help you maintain the lounge while also completing my other agendas."
She unlocked her phone and scrolled through the contacts she'd acquired.
"Besides I made the adjustments to my salary that I will be earning at the lounge in order to pay for them in small installments every week."
"Lemme guess, Floyd gave you the passwords to all of the business files as well."
"No…" she tapped her temple. "That I believe I got from the echoes of Jade's memories. I also have an eidetic memory of your entire clientele list, delivery and supply chains you use, recipes for your menus, several of our classmates' daily routine schedules, and for some reason a list of rare poisonous fungi."
"My, my, Jade has been holding out on me." Azul laughed, amused by this information.
"He's a crafty one, that Jade. While he's fully committed to his tasks, he's also thoroughly prepared for any animosity that may lash out at him. He's the kind of guy that plans for any eventuality and takes any and all surprises in stride." She paused as they passed a hallway mirror, and took a moment to admire herself in it. "As for Floyd, he's loyal to an extent to the hand that feeds him, but his chaotic nature stems from boredom. If he's not personally invested in it, he doesn't do it. The trick with getting him to do anything is to make it interesting to him."
"Is that how you managed to accomplish getting him to give you your contract?"
"In a way… he seems to have taken a liking to this new persona of mine. It's rather cute actually."
"What do you mean by 'taken a liking' to you?" Azul narrowed his gaze at her through the mirror. She just smirked at him.
"You'll see soon enough."
"Nessy!" Floyd's long legs practically skipped down the hall. Behind him Jade casually strutted with his arms folded over his chest. "We just heard from Goldfish that you're officially in our dorm! Woot!" He wrapped her in his arms. "We should celebrate! Let's have a party!"
"A party just for me? Aww Floyd, she turned, laying a hand on his cheek. Azul could practically see the love sick puppy's tail wagging. This didn't bode well for him.
"A celebration does sound in order, Azul." Jade concurred with a smile.
"Very well, inform the members of our dorm to convene to the Monstro Lounge for a welcome party for our latest arrival. All hands must pitch in to help prepare food and drink." Azul ordered.
"Yay! Party! Party! Party!" Floyd chanted all the way down the hall, practically carrying the petite mermaid with him as she laughed.
"Jade…" Azul halted his second minion before he could follow. "Be wary around our new friend."
"As you wish, but may I ask why?"
"She's smarter than any of us gave her credit for. I keep forgetting that it was Yuu's tactical prowess that kept us alive in all those precarious Overblot scenarios. All of us underestimated her because she didn't have magic… now that she's got it at her fingertips and the means to use it, there's no telling what she's capable of."
"Now that you mention it… it was Yuu who managed to foil all your carefully laid out plans by manipulating Leona into helping her destroy the contracts." Jade held his chin, an amused smile spreading. "How very interesting."
"...and dangerous." Azul adjusted his glasses again with a scowl. He didn't care to be reminded of his own downfall. "She's even managed to secure her own contract so that she could destroy it at her leisure. She's in complete control of this situation and I don't like it."
"What would you like me to do?"
"See if you can locate where she's hidden her contract. So long as I know it's location, I'll feel more at ease."
"Consider it done, Azul." He bowed his head.
~Octavinelle: Vanessa's Room~
"Here you go!" Floyd held out a box. "A welcome present for Nessy."
"Why you shouldn't have." She fluttered her eyelashes at Floyd and accepted the box. She opened the lid and gasped with delight. "Oh Floyd, it's perfect!" She lifted the necklace, the long velvet ribbon held a simple gold shell with her name etched on the bottom spiral. "You've got remarkable craftsmanship."
"I figured you'd want something girly." He took the necklace and put it around her lifteds her hair out of the way. "I gotta tell ya, though, it was a real pain transfiguring the thing without breaking the seal."
"Shall I make it worth your while?" She turned her head looking at him with heavy lidded eyes. "You've done me a great service after all."
"I could think of a few things that'll make it worthwhile." He took her chin in his hand and leaned in. Vanessa hesitated before letting his lips brush against hers in a soft kiss. When he stepped closer to deepen it she placed a hand on his chest and pulled back.
"Floyd… that's enough."
"For now." He licked his lips. "If you want more favors, I'm gonna want more than just a peck."
"You do remember I'm supposed to be convincing Malleus to marry me, right? I don't think he'd appreciate us smacking lips."
"Sea bunny doesn't have to know." He leaned forward again, practically pinning her to the wall. He traced a finger over the swirl of her necklace. "If you don't tell him, I won't."
"You're pushing your luck, Leech." She shoved at him but was met with form force. "Seriously Floyd, back off. Don't make me-"
"-squeeze you?" He finished for her in a teasing tone. "You hold all the cards, Nessy, so what are you really afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid!" She shot back and bared her fanged teeth.
"Are too… see that?" He took her hands that still lay on his chest. "you're shaking."
"From anger not fear, you dolt!" She whipped her hand away. He pouted at her and she rolled her eyes before shifting them away. "Don't look at me like that. The answer is still no."
"Fine… but don't expect me to keep quiet about your little trinket if Azul questions me about it." He threatened and made her gawk.
"Are you…" her gawk turned to a sneer. "...blackmailing me?"
"Bing Bong!" He grinned and pretended to ring a bell. "I never said I'd keep it a secret after all. If you want these lips to stay zipped…" he tapped a finger to them.
"You're such a jerk."
"What's it gonna be?"
"Grr… Fine! " She grabbed him by the neck tie and yanked him back down to her. "Just remember, Floyd, if I go down for this I'm taking you with me."
"Mmmkay!" He grinned cheekily before she closed the gap with a quick tug of his tie. Floyd held her against him, as he smoothly kept the kiss going as he backed up, and flipped the lock to her door. No way was he going to let Sealie or anyone else interrupt this.
