Poor Misguided Soul
Chapter 5: Business and Pleasure
Malleus, escorted by Silver since Sebek had cleaning duty, walked up the steps to the Ramshackle Dorm. He heard the happy noises of the humans and Grim playing some manner of game inside and gave a swift knock on the door.
"I'll get it!" He heard Deuce's familiar voice call out before his feet approached and he opened the door. "OH! Draconia-Senpai! Good afternoon!"
"Good afternoon, Spade." Malleus smiled. "You lot sound like you're having fun "
"Yes! Shroud-Senpai and Ortho brought over some new video games for us to try. Would you and Silver care to join us?" He offered stepping aside to let them in.
"Normally I'd be delighted, but I actually came here to see Yuuki… or rather Vanessa." He stepped into the foyer and glanced down the hall. "Is she busy?"
"Oh! She's actually working a shift at Monstro Lounge. Since she's technically part of the Octavinelle dorm, it's required. She's letting us use the dorm as a kind of recreational center." Deuce explained.
"FNGHA! ACE! YOU STOLE MY ITEM! GIVE IT BACK!" Grim shouted from down the hall.
"Hahaha! Not on your life, Grim! Catch me if you can!"
"Huh? Grim isn't with her?" Malleus frowned over that. "That's strange as they're usually inseparable."
"Yeah well, Grim didn't feel like laboring so she asked us to look after him while she's busy doing dorm work. We don't mind, especially since she actually seems to be enjoying herself. I've haven't seen her like this since.." Deuce's smile slowly faded into one of horrified apology. "... Uh what I mean is, she's adjusting really well at Octavinelle."
"I see…" Malleus closed his eyes, pondering, and then glanced back at Silver. "We should pay a visit to Monstro Lounge. I'd like to see for myself if this is true."
"Very well, I'll text Sebek and have him meet us there." Silver pulled out his phone.
"I'll go too! I'd like to make sure Azul-senpai isn't taking advantage of her." Deuce put his shoes back on and called back to the group. "Guys I'm going to Monstro Lounge to check on Van!"
"Oh! I'll come with " Ace tossed the controller onto the couch. Grim scrambled up behind him.
"Me too! Maybe we can snag some free eats." He snickered.
"Don't count on it." Deuce muttered and they closed up the dorm following the Diasomnia Dorm Head and his associate. "I just hope Vanessa is doing okay."
~Octavinelle: Monstro Lounge~
"Welcome!" Vanessa called out as the group walked in… and caused their mouths to drop. The uniform Azul provided her was a knee-length dress in lilac fringe. She wore black stockings and high heels and had pulled her mile long hair up l to keep it out of her face. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of earrings in the same spiral shell design as the gold shell choker around her neck.
"Yu… I mean Van, what in the world are you wearing?!" Ace pointed at her, his voice loud enough to draw eyes to them.
"My uniform… isn't it cute?" She gave a spin, the fringe flowing up and shimmying as she moved.
"Adorable, now where's the rest of it." Deuce covered his mouth, his face completely flushed.
"You're so silly, Deuce. Don't worry, we're trying out a few different designs to see which ones the customers like best." She fluttered her eyelashes up at Malleus, pretending to notice him for the first time. "Oh! Malleus! I didn't expect to see you here. Azul said you don't visit the lounge normally."
"Normally, but since you're here it's given me reason to." He smiled at her and reached out to brush a stray tendril over her ear. "You look lovely… if not a bit underdressed."
"I will take your complaints to the manager," she winked at him. She grunted when Floyd suddenly appeared beside her and wedged himself between them.
"Ah! Sea Bunny, how rare is this?" His smile was just a little too wide. "Azul said if you ever showed your face here you were to be given the V.I.P treatment. Lucky you, huh?"
"Floyd…" Vanessa gave him a warning look, but Floyd only smirked over his shoulder at her.
"Nessy?" He responded in the same condescending tone.
"Don't be rude…" she crossed her arms. "Mr. Draconia is a customer, and as such will need to be treated courteously."
"Yeah, yeah, right this way." Floyd flicked his fingers out and showed the group to the table. Once they were seated, Floyd walked off, and Azul stepped up.
"Welcome, friends, what can I get for you today? Refreshments? Sustenance?"
"Some better customer service." Ace grunted "What's Floyd's deal today, Azul?" Ace replied and then nodded his head in the direction Floyd took off. "He's so itching to fight that he even threatened Draconia-Senpai."
"You'll have to forgive Floyd." Azul sighed and pushed his glasses into place. "He's taking his work as Vanessa's guard dog a little too seriously."
"Guard dog?" This from Malleus. "What does she need protection from?"
Azul merely motioned towards Vanessa who was taking an order. They'd notice the customers leaning in a bit too close, eyes looking her up and down. You could practically see the drool dripping down their chins. Floyd was there in an instant, not saying a word but towering behind her. The look on his face was enough to have the customers scooting farther back into the booth.
"Floyd's become rather protective of her for some odd reason. A few customers wouldn't take no for an answer, so Floyd's taken it upon himself to be her bodyguard. I've never seen him so motivated on a task before. I don't have the heart to stop him."
"If she's being harassed why not change her uniform? Her parading around like that probably isn't helping matters." Ace suggested.
"Oh we tried that…" Azul thought back to yesterday's attire; the female version of the pant suit, and fedora that he and the twins wore. THEN recalled the three students from Ignihyde getting on their hands and knees asking her to step on them. "Let's just say that didn't go over too well either. Which is why we're changing up the attire to see what might work better."
"Octavinelle is now the only dorm with a female student." Jade added as he stepped up to the table. "It's drawn in quite the crowd, but unfortunately the crowd comes with unruly patrons. Even if Floyd threatens them, they keep coming back."
"Huh? Why? If I were them and Floyd was threatening me I wouldn't step foot in this place again." Grim crossed his arms.
"Well…" Jade glanced back at Vanessa. As the patrons left she gave them a flirtacious wave and a beaming smile.
"Thank you so much, please come again!"
Like being shot from cupid's arrow the boys flushed and eagerly responded.
"Yes! We will!"
"You gotta be kidding…" Grim gawked. "Is she spelling them?"
"Not in the literal sense…" Malleus chuckled as he curiously browsed the menu. "Mermaids, the female ones anyway, have a unique charisma that lures in men. They call it "The Siren Song" and it's pure physical attraction and not at all magical."
"From what we learned in class there are very few who can resist it." Silver added, his eyes drooping. "Mmmm can I get an ice coffee please?"
"Coming right up. Can I get anybody else anything?" Jade asked politely. Once everyone placed their orders, he disappeared to the back once more.
"The Siren Song, huh?" Deuce leaned his chin on his hand, a dreamy smile slowly spreading on his lips. "Yuu does have a lot more feminine appeal now as Vanessa. She used to walk around in sweatpants and jeans on days we weren't in school."
"Oh yeah…" Ace mirrored his position. "She'd also get really bad bed head, and wore those Oversized pajamas to bed."
"Her glasses always kept falling down her nose, and she always bit her lip when reading so her lips were always chapped." Silver added in a dazed tone.
Their image of tomboy Yuu shattered as Yuu turned from the bar holding a tray. Eyes eyes drifted in their direction and she gave a flirtacious smile and a wink before strutting back to the table she was assisting.
"WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!" Ace and Deuce praised in synchronicity and continued to happily ogle. Silver's initially sleepy expression turned to one of dazed awe.
Malleus said nothing, but he put the picture they put of Yuu into his mind; Her flushed face, her big green eyes, her short brown hair, her wide genuine smile. He could remember the sound of her laughter, the way her nose wrinkled when something displeased her, and all the tiny little things her come to love about her.
Depression hit hard and he eyed the drink Jade dat in front of him with such animosity that it made Jade address him.
"Is something wrong with your order, Malleus-san?"
"Hmmm?" The annoyed expression faded to bafflement. "What? Oh, no it's fine. Thank you, Leech." He picked up the refreshment and drank from the glass.
"Hmmm…" Jade stood, holding the empty tray, and admired everyone in the booth. A knowing smile pursed his lips. "Excuse me." He bowed and headed for Vanessa who was taking another table's order. "Allow me to finish up here, Vanessa-san. Your presence is highly requested at the V.I.P table."
"Hey! No way she was taking our order first!" The Savanaclaw members snarled. "Those pissants can wait."
"Oi, shut yer trap, unless you wanna be squeezed." Floyd interjected, cracking his knuckles. "V.I.P members get first dibs, so deal with it."
"Down Floyd," Vanessa gently touched Floyd's shoulder, soothing his temper, then turned a charming smile to the boys in the booth. "If these gentlemen are patient enough to wait for me…" she gently strokes the pen under the chin of the closest patron. "I'll come back and finish them."
"Oooh yeah you will…" he leaned all the way forward pursing his lips for a kiss, but found himself falling out of the chair.
"Code 17, or 34?" Vanessa casually asked him as she circled towards the bar so they could exchange info.
"Neither, a number 7. Your lucky number." Jade winked.
"Really? That fast huh? Alright, distract Floyd if you can. I promise I'll be quick."
"As you wish." Jade smiled smugly and returned to work.
Vanessa picked up the food for their table and sashayed over. She smiled sassily and set the orders down.
"Sorry to keep you boys waiting."
"No problem…" they said in unison.
"Can I get you guys anything else?"
"What time are you off duty?" Malleus wanted to know.
"Oh…" she looked at her phone to check the time. "in about an hour. Why? Did you need something, Malleus?"
"I'd like to have that walk, if you're free." He absentmindedly tapped the side of his glass. "There's much I'd like to discuss with you."
"Okay…" she smiled warmly now. "Meet me at Ramshackle in two hours? It'll give me time to change and put on some sensible shoes."
"I will be there." he nodded and focused on his drink and meal. Vanessa looked at Ace and Deuce giving them a wink.
"Enjoy your food, guys." She turned away from them, purposely shaking her hips as she did so. She felt so empowered working here. She could feel all eyes being drawn to her, giving her the center of attention. She in turn reacted in a way that left them stumbling, bumbling idiots. It was as if she had this instinctual knowhow on grabbing a man's attention and keeping it focused on her.
She knew how to move her body in a tantalizing and alluring way without it being too obvious. She knew to draw attention to her lips by pursing them softly, and giving them little bites to keep them moist and plump. She knew how to look at a man, focused yet detached, so as to make him feel wanted without letting him into her emotions. Best of all she knew how to let her voice croon out in a melodias sound to soothe a man no matter his mood.
These natural gifts were tools she'd harness to attain her goal. Things were moving progressively quick, and it was both a good thing and bad thing. It was good that Malleus seemed to be allured by her, but bad because she still needed time to really perfect her particular skills to keep him. She's have to take things slow with Malleus. She would keep him right in her pocket so as to show she was interested… but not fully on board with the idea of their relationship blooming.
The reason she saw fit to do so, was to keep him from thinking she'd gone through this whole transformation solely for him. While it's true that Yuu did sign the contract in order to be with him, Vanessa liked to think part of the reason Yuu chose to become a mermaid was to reinvent herself as well. It was like getting a haircut after a bad breakup. Sometimes you just needed a change in order to appreciate yourself and build up your confidence.
The most important part of this entire plan was to get Malleus to respect her… and there was no way he'd respect a woman who would change herself just for a man.
~Octavinelle: Dorm Lounge~
"Nessy!" Floyd called over to her in a song song voice and wrapped her up in his arms. "I'm hungry, let's go have dinner."
"Sounds good." She gave his arms a little pat and turned in them so she was facing him. "Mind saving me a spot? I gotta go meet Malleus. He said he needed to talk to me, and it seemed serious."
"Tch…" Floyd's cheeks puffed out. "Sea bunny wins again. It's not fair that he gets all your attention."
"Them's the breaks, Floyd." She stroked his cheek and leaned up on her toes giving him a peck. "Squeeze you later," she teased and made a skipping jog out the door.
"Yeah, yeah…" Floyd slumped onto the sofa and rolled onto his side to continue pouting. He was still there ten minutes later when Azul and Jade walked in.
"Oh my, Floyd. Everything alright?"
"Just peachy…" he grumbled, and sat upright. He folded his long body into a criss cross position. "Hey, Azul… is there any way we can keep Nessy a mermaid without her marrying Sea Bunny?"
"Why do you ask?" Azul scrowled, crossing his arms. "The whole reason we went through this entire endeavor was so Yuu could marry Malleus and get us positions in his court."
"Man I don't care about any of that…" He rocked back and forth, pouting. "I want Nessy to be ours. I liked her when she was just Shrimpy, but now that Shrimpy's got fangs I wanna play with her more… but she's so preoccupied with Sea Bunny that she's got no time to play with me."
"Well now…" Jade chuckled, showing great amusement. "Sounds to me like you want Vanessa all to yourself."
"That's precisely what I'm saying." Floyd unfolded his legs. "I'd fight Sea Bunny for her, but there's no way I'd win in a real fight." He stood up, his knuckles cracking anxiously. "So I gotta play dirty… but I don't know how!"
"Alright, I've heard enough." Azul put his hands on his hips. "Floyd, you're not stupid. I know you have some common sense in that thick head of yours, so let's just take a moment and listen to it." He pointed a finger at him. "Picture Vanessa in your mind, and tell me what your common sense has to say about her."
"Hmm?" Floyd rolled his eyes, then closed them. He did as he was told and put Vanessa in his mind. Her soft pale skin, her long luscious hair, and full kissable lips. All of that was dandy… but what really got him going, was imagining the look on her face when she was plotting and planning; The mischievous glint in her eyes, and the almost cat-like smile that got just a little too wide for comfort when her excitement piqued. "Mmmmmm." Floyd let out a small masculine giggle and tilted to the side as his imagination took over. "She's pretty… OW!"
Floyd held his hand and glared up at Azul who held a rolled up parchment in his hands.
"What was that for?"
"For being an absolute idiot. Don't you see that, that little tramp is using you?" He crossed his arms. "She's got you wrapped around her little finger, doing your bidding, and making you follow her around like a helpless puppy. It's pathetic."
"I think what Azul means to say is Floyd…" Jade interjected before Floyd could retaliate. "... is that we're worried you might be a little too attached to Vanessa. She changed for the sole purpose of marrying Malleus Draconia, and even if she didn't want to marry Malleus, her contract wouldn't allow her to do so otherwise."
"Worse case scenario and she doesn't marry him, then what happens?" Floyd questioned.
"She'd be my personal property, and would have to obey my orders." Azul factored in. "So even then she wouldn't be yours to play with, Floyd."
"Tch…" Floyd huffed. "Bummer."
"Hmm?" Jade paused on that phrasing. "Actually Azul, the contract states-"
"-enough about her contract! I will verify it, once we find it! Now don't you two have some other business you could be taking care of?!" Azul sighed with aggravation and strutted off down the hall.
"What were you gonna say, Jade? What does the contract state?"
"I fear I cannot tell you that without breaking some form of confidence." Jade held his chin, pondering a moment. "Still, you have to think of this situation logically, Floyd. Vanessa plans to marry Malleus, she's going to be a princess, have wealth, status, and the love of the man she'd lost before. She's not about to toss all of that aside for you."
"Humph…" Floyd crossed his arms, watching his twin brother follow after Azul. He wasn't stupid, he knew exactly where Vanessa's priorities were. She said from the start that she wanted to marry that stupid dragon… but he couldn't understand why. That arrogant, selfish prince had dumped her for being precisely who she was. He'd made her cry and turn to Azul of all people for comfort, and it hadn't sat well with him.
Nessy wouldn't be any different. The moment Malleus knew the truth, he'd toss her aside just as easily… and there was no way he'd let him make Nessy cry.
So he'd have to be sneaky.
First things first was finding out the wording of that contract. He could try to weasel it out of his brother, but that was too much of a pain. Getting Azul to crack wouldn't be a picnic either as he was focused on his own goals.
The only real way to find out what it said is to get his hands on it again…
A sinister thought crossed his mind and made his smile go wide. He stood up, and whistled while casually strutting down the hallway towards Vanessa's room. When she came back from her date with Malleus… he'd be right there waiting, whether she wanted him there or not.
