The spoiled prince of the ocean, Prince Salde III, was unhappy. It was his ninth birthday and his presents were held ransom by this party organized by his parents and butler. With all those stuck up Ocean Nobles his age he didn't care for. Forced out of his beloved dolphin form as well.

The first happy birthday he didn't get from his family and staff (and even then), and he could feel the insincerity hitting him like the royal family whale. Not at all subtle.

If his presents weren't at stake here he would've left lollygagging around Primp Town.

It was difficult but he managed to get out of it, at least for now, in the hallway out of the ballroom where the boring stuff happened. Resting down on a couch. "At long last, a moment to breathe."

But that relief it was cut short. That annoying Sig stealing harlequin suited clown walked in the same the hallway. It seemed she didn't notice the birthday boy. "Oh! An amphibian? Yourrr starrr act?! Prrreposterrrous! Why I neverrr, yourrr cirrrcus the bottom of the barrrrrrrel trrrite therrre is if and amphibian. How could you everrrr have rrrecruited the Osharrre Bones? And how does his magnificence doesn't get top billing to a lowly amphibian, exactly? You arrre the clown the King hirrred? Pah! You ignorrrant pleb, that is, in fact, a jesterrr suit. Actually Counselor Anita J. O'vees, I believe that's a harrrlequin suit. I don't see the differrrence. It would seem ourrr clown herrre knows neitherrr so it would seem. No place forrr such a clueless low-class enterrrtainerrr such as you at a high-class socialite gatherrring like the Prrrince's day of birrrth. Frrrafrrrafrrrafrrrah. Grrrrrrwhaaaa!" Pierrot ranted out of frustration, repeating what was said to her in a mocking tone walking in circles. Venting out the stress.

Salde assumed the parents of his non-playmates took a bigger toll on her than him. Primp's citizens are always so casual, he isn't surprised to see that moody clown react like that.

"Prim and proper, haughty, higher than thou, even higher browed, overdressed, overly made-up to the point of disgusting, rude, inconsiderate, spiecist, classist, toxic, ocean tax receiving, stuck in a bubble, wine sipping, caviar eating, badly dressed, own fart smelling, SEA SNOBS! Donny would be rich if he wanted to thanks to his efforts… And you! What have you done to deserve it compared to that amphibian? I'm gonna treat him to whatever he wants when I get home."

Seeing Pierrot frustrated like this… It felt real, unlike everyone else he knew in his father's circle. While he felt unclean relating to this uncouth clown, her honesty is to be admired.

"EEeek! Prince Shellbrick! I-I didn't notice you there. I was just uh… was practicing a routine to amuse the peasants next week. Yeah." Nevermind the honesty.

"Droppeth thine act, Harlequin. I have heard all of thine and couldn't care any less on your squabbles, you shown your true color to me in full." He mumbled, deprived of fun.

The clown noticed it. Surprised at the prince somewhat familiar attitude. Hard to pin it down beneath the apathy. Pierrot tilted her. "Something wrong, kid?" She walked closer.

"Do not refer to me as such…"

"Sorry." Pierrot went to the foot end of the fancy couch. She got on her knees, resting her arms on the armrest. "C'mon, tell auntie Pierrot what's bugging you." She said, seemingly no ulterior motives beyond helping.

"Why are you being so friendly to me now?" Salde asked annoyed, arms folded.

"Now?" Pierrot raised an eyebrow. "Have we met before?"

The prince was confused that Silvana was confused. 'Ah, she must have never seen my true form before. I do not want her ranting upon me again, not today.' And she won't call him Shrimp. "My apologies, I mistook you with a previous entertainer." He lied.

"Okay." Pierrot just neutrally accepted it.

"Wherefore art thou present here?"

"Your butler watched our show, found me specifically hilarious. What's wrong with him?" She genuinely asked though it made the prince laugh thanks to her deadpan delivery. 'Guess, I'm getting better? Now I need to be intentionally funny…' "He paid me to be here. I couldn't complain, the money's good." She bluntly said. "But this isn't about me. Just tell what's bugging you. A birthday should be a good time. What's wrong?"

The prince complied, the accidental joke coaxed him. He let out his grievances. He came across really petty sometimes. Pierrot wasn't afraid to voice it, but she was sympathetic towards him.

"Sounds miserable…"

"And that's why I escape as often as I can get away with." He sighed.

Pierrot wasn't sure what to say. On the one hand, this kid is really spoiled and bratty. On the other hand, he seemed miserable at home she did feel the need to cheer him up. Plus those nobles are jerks, she'd love to upstage them.

"Would you feel better if I offered you a private show for you and your friends at my circus for free?" She offered, a promise easy to make, the butler overpaid her. She didn't even have to haggle, saying that no price is too big for the prince.

"This tickles my royal fancy. What acts do you do you have in mind?"

Pierrot seemed happy he liked the idea. Like a rich kid at a candy store but the butler has to shovel the candy. "Whatever acts you want (within reason and our normal work hours)."


"It's a deal!" They shook hands upon it. "Thank you, kind stranger. Why're thou showing such kindness while people I know down here the ocean don't?"

"Good question, normally I wouldn't care as much for a brat like you. But you look sad, trust me, I know sad. You don't wanna build it up and overwhelm you." She got up back on for feet. "C'mon, the King's probably wondering where you are."

To this day Sil still doesn't know the Ocean Prince and Prince Salde III were one in the same. And Salde laughs as Sil gets angry.

Chapter 22: Hate Triangle

"Are we almost there, Professor?" Klug couldn't wait.

Accord giggled. "Almost Klug."

*Snapshot*
*Another snapshot*
*Snap*
"Woooow! Guys look at that weird building."
"Oh."
"Aaaah."
*Snap snap, snappersnap*

Primp Magic School went on a tour, effectively an extended field trip. Their latest stop was the town of Lert, Leado and/or Todo. Three towns over from Primp town. Said to be three times as big as most towns surrounding it.

Surprisingly obscure too, considering its strange appearances. Not to mention its insane history Accord keeps teasing about. Making everyone morbidly curious. Which makes the trip to it agonizing. Apparently, Lert, Leado and/or Todo does its best to suppress its history to the museum for tourism.

Doing such a good job of telling it there, they encourage tourist to tell their friends to come.

Ms. Accord and Popoi had trouble shutting their traps about the place.

Sil snapped a few pictures. She brought a lot of photo rolls for the occasion. Taking pictures of the locations, her friends, (unflattering pictures of) her rivals. All the above. She as well was caught up into the build up. Genuinely curious.

The buildings were weird. Some were styled after caves, others after bird cages of many types and morbidly enough coffin styled houses varnished to perfection. All of different types depending on the district.

The natives came in three different flavors, very little variation and even less humans. Owlbears and Wraiths and possibly the scariest of all: Ahha Birds. It's exactly what you think… Thinner Hohow Birds with a passion for solving puzzles.

The tour guide was an Ahha Bird. 'No, Amitie, don't talk to him we're almost to the museum. Don't provoke the beast.'

"Mr. Feathry?"

"Yes? Amitie was it?" The jolly Ahha asked.

"Yep, my brochure says that you play something called Columns, is that true?"

"Ah Ha, you must be Puyo players then." He neutrally noted. "True. How do you play it?"

"That's your question?" Klug was utterly disgusted by her priorities. "What's the origin, Sir Feathry?"

"Ha Ha, always fun to see curious folk. But I'm afraid 'tour guide' in this town basically means my job is telling you to wait until we're there."


"A purity test?" Silvana threw her arms outward. Angrily looking at her teacher.

"Oh. Didn't I mention that?" Accord put her hand over her mouth in shame.

"No(, meow)!" Her students and cat voiced ranging from neutral, concerned and 'I guess that rules me out'. "Oh, how careless of me, kiddies."

"This won't take long." The owlbear gatekeeper told them, preparing buckets of water for the test. "Please forgive us, there are some highly dangerous artifacts in there. We can't have anyone below a heart of gold inside. And even then good-hearted people can upset them, etc."

Only Sil and Lidelle were uncertain if they'll make it inside. Scratch that, Silvana knew she's out for the count, she just knew it.

Raffine was confident in herself passing.

Amitie didn't think twice. The rest were confident she'd make it.

Sig looked around if any new bug types were around.

Klug looked at his backpack containing that certain book.

*The oddest purity test ever later…*

"Hokay, I'm back." The owlbear waved the papers. The anticipation almost killed Lidelle. "I'm listing the names who didn't make it."

"Silvana Pierrot."

Silvana sighed deeply. Came prepared, still disappointed. "Knew it… and it's pronounced-"

"Raffina Fielding."
"What!? How dare you! My heart's pure!"
"Apparently not Miss Fielding."

Raffine bit her handkerchief. Making Sil and Klug smug.

"And finally Klug Wizeman"

"WHAT!?" Klug clutched his head, even though he should be holding his chest. His heart's broken.

"I'm sorry. You were close, if it helps."

"It doesn't!" Smartypants bawled, trying to compose himself.

"It doesn't necessarily mean you're evil. You three just don't pass the test." The owlbear assured them. "The three of you are disqualified for the following, not all mutual, and no particular order." The bear began reading.

"Most likely to get corrupted by the artifacts, most likely to get possessed, too full of yourselves, too likely to setting off the artifacts, lingering bitterness, few bad days away from being evil, a past tendency to confuse left and right, radiating evil, too evil, deep-rooted insecurities, too pessimistic, capable of possession, too materialistic, multiple entities on a single unit where there should be one, therefore making the other unreadable therefore unaccountable and too much plaid. Not to mention at least three of these are incurable." The owlbear put his hat over his heart. "My condolences, hope you didn't want to go too bad."

Sil found some a bit stupid. But many others were perfectly valid concerns. She didn't need a reminder of how horrid she was and felt right then with everyone around.

Raffine and Klug's blood were a boil. Ranting about it. Klug took it the hardest it seemed. Like Sil, he's tearing up, but he's also on the verge of crying. Amitie, Lidelle and to a lesser extend Sig tried to calm, cheer up and/or hold them back. Ignoring their relief for a moment.

"Kiddies, please calm down!" Their teacher pleaded. "It was a silly short-sighted oversight… kiddies?"

"KITTIES!" Popoi yelled distracting from their grief.

"Please calm down. We won't think any less of you." Something the rest confirmed. "Now please refrain from lashing out at Mr. Grizzhoot. I will make it up to you in some way. Is that alright?" She asked getting on their level with a motherly smile.

"Amitie Rose Jr., H. Accord, Lidelle Thunderhead, Popoi, and Sig are allowed to go in."

*Cheers* "Oh, uh… sorry guys." Amitie put her hand on her disqualified friends. Only Raffine pushed it off. Lidelle said she felt sorry for their flaws, that didn't help… Sig asked Sil if she's okay.

"I'll be fine." Sil choked up trying to whisper. "Thanks for asking."

Grizzhoot gave them time to plan things out. Accord had everything figured out already.

Accord opened her purse and hand gestured for Silvana to come to her. "Klug, Raffine. Your attention, please. I want you along with Silvana to stay together."

"Huh?"
"With her?"
"Why?"

"I feel like Miss Silvana would spend these golden credits responsibly. This was supposed to be your entry fees."

Sil accepted the money with a little confusion. "Eeeeeehmmm. Well, I do run a business I suppose."

Raffine stayed quiet but miffed.
Klug sounds like he's mumbling his revenge plan.

"I suggest you spend it when you get peckish. Our museum trip should take three hours give or take. Meet us back here."

"Yes, teach." Sil lazily saluted looking forward hanging out she taunts on a regular basis.

"Fine." Raffine was on the same boat as the class clown, this was gonna suck.

"Please, Mr. Grizzhoot! Which flaws are mine?! I'll improve them on the spot, I Swe-he-ear. Test me again. I must learn the knowledge inside! You're wasting it on them!"

"Lemme go, kid. One test per person per day."

Klug made an utter butt out of himself. All looked at Klug in pity. Aside from Raffine, she just found it pathetic, she couldn't even take delight in it. Silvana was somewhere in the middle.

"Now, now Mister Klug." Accord waved her wand. Magically tethering the know-it-all and the refined lady to the clown. There's a joke in there. The magic seemed like it's made of elastic it catapulted Klug into Silvana. She was caught by surprise, slid on her front with Klug on her back. Raffine lost her balance as well falling onto of Klug.

*Gasp!*

"Good job protecting your students. It's purrfection."


"'Have a good time now' she said. 'Try not to kill each meowther' he said." Sil grumbled dragging Klug by the wrist away from the museum even if they must be five streets away by now. Grateful Raffine won't help. Even she wasn't sure if that was sarcasm.

"Come ooooon! Use your magic tricks to sneak insi-hide!" Sil sighed, her patience with him whittling away a bit. "Not gonna happen." He hasn't stopped bawling yet. All Silvana and Raffine were doing on looking for something fun.

"Silvana, found something to pacify this baby yet?" Raffine all already lost her patience with him.

"No Raffine, have you?"

"Afraid not. It seems shops are few and far between. Ohohoho, Oh La-Ti-Da!~ Gentleman?"

"What? Found an ice cream stand for this crybaby?"

"Hhhhwwwuuuuuaaaaaa~"

Silvana's eyes followed the direction her lady class rival was pointing. She was less than amused. "No Raffine, we're not going to that jewelry store. Accord didn't give us enough money and she'll know if you spend your own money on something noisy and obvious like jewelry."

"H-How did you know I brought my own money?" Raffine clenched her fist.

Raffine disobeyed Ms. Accord. They weren't allowed to bring their own "pocket money" That's in air quotes, 'cuz she's rich.

"Because I'm forced to share space at school with you… Also, I didn't, you told me."

"I figured it out before." Klug managed to get off a bit. Sil didn't doubt his claim. Raffine fumed.

Sil proceeded dragging smartypants away. She adored the looks they got. Must be nice to be a Lerter, a Leadizen and/or Todorian watching clown drag a scholar away.


One street later and Klug never stopped whining. He somehow got more high pitched. "Stop being such a girl, Klug! I will make you feel better, maybe get you something as good as getting into that museum, so you will be the insufferable nerd you're meant to be." Klug and Raffine had to process take at the second part. Kindness is something neither ever received from her.

"What? Really? Why?" Seriously still not done crying. The dam's slowly closing. "Oh wait… This is about your attractio-" "THAT DOESN'T MATTER! I'm willing to help you, no strings attached. But if you keep whining I will let Stanley possess you again!" "Oh, great idea, Silvana." Raffine genuinely praised. "Can't you just skip to that part?"

"Y-You can't! Y-You wouldn't!" "I'm not bluffing Klug. You know I can do it~" "I'll shut up now!" "Good." Sil's content now. Now she had to deal with the squabble twins. "And please use your own feet."


*Prod McPokington* *Girly scream* Klug's violent reaction to Raffine poking him made him cover his mouth in fear. "No Stanley!"

Raffine rolled her eyes. "There's a bookstore." She pointed her thumb backwards.

"A bookstore!? Uhyauhauahauahuaaaaa!" Klug's glasses got scary, he made a dash into Buhuhu's Bookstore to cure his depressive spell.

"Happy?" Raffine did her trademark one eye closed pose. Trying her luck at the impossible task of getting a compliment for her.

"As of late? Yeah. Not with you though. Now let's follow Mister 'Wize'man before this tether gets to- OOF!"
"Yowchie!"

"Oh, La-Ti-Da!"


While Sil and Raffine were just scanning for something that might've interested them, Klug cut right to the chase. He asked the wraith clerk straight away. "Please do you have a book on Lert, Leado and/or Todo's history?" He hung his chin over the counter, on his knees.

The clerk sighed, sympathizing. "Oh dear, like, you didn't take the museum's rejection well, did you?" She asked to which the top student nodded with a quivering lip. "Well… I got what you want." She floated to get it.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup." *Two brick sized book book slam.*

*Dust choke*

"Oh, like, I'm sorry, I, like, forgot the living breathe. Anyway, this is book came from the museum's gift shop. It's a bit outta date, thanks to a minor revelation we've had since a few years ago. But nothing that's contradicts it. Slightly used."

Klug beamed. He collected himself. Which means he has to be condescending again. "Please wait a moment. Silvana, can you please come over here."

Silvana moved from the corner she was standing in, taking the book she was reading, 'How to finally ask him out', with her. "Looks like he has found hope." She whispered to Raffine.

"Pfff, at least he'll be quiet." The beaut rolled her eyes, averting her eyes from a magazine on Leado fashion for a moment.

"Need Accord's money?"

"How frank." Klug adjusted his glasses.

Sil found too much self-righteousness in those two words. "You know, Stan is way more charming, likable and handsome than you~" Sil smiled both sadistically and fondly at the same time, she didn't look at him when she made that threat.

*Gulp*

The wraith clerk was confused. "Sooo, is this, like, some kinda in-joke?" She guessed.

"H-How much?" Klug asked.

"Like, you're, like, not gonna like this. So brace yourself, 'kay? It's 3500 flipping credits."

Klug's heart stopped. "Th-th-th…" 'There's no way Professor gave us-'

"Why is it so pricy?"

"Dude, I don't know… But I'm, like, legally obliged to sell our history at least twice the price it's actually worth. So the least I can give to you for is… Uuuuuh… Lessee…" The ghost played with an abacus. "3000."

"That can't be true, right?" 'This limited vocabulary phantasm doesn't seem to be lying…'

"How much is this book?" Sil asked about 'How to finally ask him out.' "Don'tsaythetitleoutloud."

"15 Credits."

"'K here's 3015."

Sil brought her own "pocket money" with her. Stunning Klug, annoying Raffine.

"And you dare criticize me!"

"I didn't. I made you know I'm disgusted knowing y-!" Sil blocked the punch to her face with the palm of her hand. "OW!"

Raffine was content with injuring the clown's wrist.

"You bought this for me?" Klug didn't know what to say. This girl whom he mutually hated really did what she promised, at such a ludicrous price.

"No, both books are mine." She teased. "Alakazoom!" Seemingly, with no magic, made her books disappear. Raffine and the wraith applauded. She bowed.

"Why did you!? Where did it go!?"

'Shoot I should've waited, now he whines again…' "Relax, Wizeman. I just sent it home, you're free to borrow you the book when we're home."

"Why can't I read it now?"

*'Almost had enough of your stuff' sigh* "Ugh… Just calm down and think logically like you normally would, nerd."

"What Raffine said."

*Breath in* '1, 2, 3, 4, etc.' *Breath out*

"Ah, I see it now. Regrettable… I read it now, Professor Accord will catch on, and presumably snuff out you two's wallets."

"Congrats Klug." Sil fake over-excitedly clapped. "Don't tattle about our cash. And I may let you keep that book." She immediately deadpanned.

The gesture hidden beneath the bickering was forgotten.


Till they backtracked a few streets. "Thank you for shutting him up… But I feel like you have an ulterior motive, Miss Pierrot." Raffine said out of the blue to her favorite clown. Klug kept an ear open.

"Aaaw… Was that a genuine compliment, Raf? How thoughtful, you're improving, good for you." Sil's response skirted the line of being condescending and genuinely proud. Her smirk and body language leaned to towards the latter? This just puzzled her rivals.

"What have you done to Silvana?" Raffine just asked.

"Huh?" Sil's stumped, she didn't get it.

"I've noticed you've been less crabby around the others."

"Not to mention you've actually been more like a clown as of late."

"Really? You guys aren't messing with me?"

"We're not."

"Yes!" She fist pumped out of glee. Klug and Raffine did not see that coming.

'I'm changing! I mean my programming does not want this, and it's letting me know, violently. But I'll come for that nasty gut reaction soon enough.'

"This means a lot coming from you two. And to answer your question: Silvana changed apparently. While you two stay static as unlikable jerks." She smirked, posing faux innocent, fingertip covering her mask mouth. It made her look like a jerk she sees herself as, but it is another positive remark about herself, and those do her good, heck, that and positive thinking, in general, are rare for her if it wasn't in jest.

"Hmmmmnnnngh… Change this!"
"Gyaaaaaaa! You stay static!"

She tried to dodge her agitated classmates' attacks. But doing a backflip proved to be a dumb move on her part as it scorched the back of her jacket.

'This was gonna be fun explain to the Professor…' She huffed. Trying to ignore the pain. 'Note to self, don't show off, just sidestep… Stupid, STUPID!' Not even the tickets the squabble twins got for assault wasn't good enough payback.


Things were awkward between them. Not wanting to say anything in case one snide comment on any of their traits was too personal. Like beauty, intelligence or what's lurking underneath the mask.

'Maaaaaan, I'm hungry… But I don't wanna waste my lunch now. Looks like Klug's hungry too, but he's not gonna speak up now… And I don't want my jacket more burned any more than it is… Oshare will make me his kin for that.'

"I feel peckish. What do you gentleman say we enjoy lunch at that restaurant?" To Sil's surprise, she pointed at a not-so-fancy looking place. Either she's budget conscious or doesn't care for conflict at the moment.

"You never said anything that made me like you more, Fielding." Klug replied.

"Ditto." Sil chimed.

"Just keep it at Raffine, please. And don't think that insult flew over my head."

"Insult?" Klug grinned.

"Cold hard fact!" Sil tag teamed. "High five!"

*Slap* They both wiped their hands off their own clothes, wiping off each other's filth to mock each other some more.


Everyone ordered up. Forced to sit at the same table, Klug, and Silvana next to each other, Raffine on the opposite side. The tether wouldn't allow it any other way.

*Loooooong sigh* Sil turned to her right. "You have a book I can borrow, Sir Wizeman?" She didn't know why, but she loved his last name.

"Not anything for you, Lady Pierrot." Klug returned to his studies. Chuckling at his last name wasn't very wize.

"You know, I hate being quiet at the table dinner. Can we be friendly for once?" "How would you propose to do that without getting jailed?" Raffine waved her ticket for assaulting Sil earlier.

"I SAID be friendly, not being passive-aggressive/aggressive-aggressive that mysteriously escalates."

"How about we do not talk about ourselves?" Klug proposed.

Sil and Raffine snorted for different reasons.

"Sorry, I agree. Let's do what us evil people do and gossip behind our fellow student's backs."
"Silvana!"
"Oh. Don't pretend to you're above it."
"Hnnngh. I thought liked them?"
"Wait, you don't like them? I thought you guys at least have a soft spot for them."
"I do. But don't change the subject."

"We're friends, but you must know my patience is on you guys' level by now. And I'm not afraid of being honest with their flaws. Here: Dumb, Spineless and Slow. In alphabetical order. Your turn."

"Why? You've summed it up well."
"Nothing more to be said. I don't feel like taking this discussion any further."

Klug replied and Raffine dismissed.

"Aaaaaw."

Klug's body grew tense. 'The wait time must be killing him.' Sil thought to herself. Raffine was cooking up a response but decided against it.

He performed a mighty overhead slam on the table. *Whiney grunt* "This sucks!" He had tears once more. Hidden behind his shiny glasses.

"Here we go again." Raffine groaned.

"Please, no hyperbole. Which museum disqualifiers belongs to who?"

Suddenly Sil was in the same boat as him. "Eh heh. Kluuuuuuuuug. You may not realize it, but that's a touchy for anyone to discuss."

"Hmph." Raffine closed her eyes and turned her head.

"Pleeeeaaaaaase! I'll tell yours, in the way Amitie would say it! You tell me! I want to enter someday!"

"'Kay, okay. Just stop screaming, everybody's watching. I don't wanna turn into a 'A nerd, a shallow person and a clown walk into a restaurant' joke."

"How come your screams get you more eyeballs than my sex appeal?"

"Uh… Raf, honey?" Sil revved up her ego deflation machine. "I don't think the species of Lert, Leado and/or Todo are interested in humans."

The fashionista looked around the restaurant. Ahha birds, owlbears, wraiths, a human woman and a lycanthrope. "Point taken."

Sil thought about Klug's proposal. "Okay, I'll play. But I'll admit those faults as I see fit."

"Understood, likewise." Sil and Klug shook hands on it. No mocking wipe this time.

"I refuse to play."

"Aaaw. Look, Klug, she has insecurities too. She is human after all." Klug held in his laughter.

"Please keep your mouth shut."

"This is none of your business now. I'll go first, Klug."

…It proved to be fruitless both Sil and Klug were so hung up on their own faults they don't wanna admit to remember each other's possible faults.

"Give up?"

"Give up…"

*Sob on its last legs, crawling towards the realm of acceptance*

*Sarcastic slow clap*

"Raffine, you're not playing, so keep your mouth shut."

"Hmph."

"…It's been a while since I had to wait at a restaurant. How long-"

"Expect to wait for half-an-hour at the very least." Raffine answered agitated.

Sil pouted.

Klug polished his glasses for reading his studies. Raffine put on her stylish reading glasses (Sil and Klug admitted as such, lowering her rage) for her book on Leado fashion. Sil put on fake glasses over her mask opened up a special pop-up book.

Klug's ears felt irritated all of the sudden. And it sounded awfully familiar to something sadly only he could hear. And Silvana for some reaso- "Huh? How!?" His book! The Record of Sealing! Not in his bag where it should!

Silvana looked up from her book. The bookmark shaped red demon, Stanley, saluted his hoarder sarcastically. "Give that back!" Klug tried to swipe it back.

"C'mon, Stan has been in your bag for days. He needs to be free." Sil said. "No he does not, he must stay in there!"

"Shhh. That what I meant, free to see the outside world, numbskull." "Oh. Well, it's been a while, I suppose I owe you at least that."

"Seems the Klugs care for each other after all." Raffine smugly observed.

"Debatable." Sil dryly replied.

Neither Klug nor Stanley were amused.

"Sorry, Stan. It's best if I leave you in here for now. Maybe next time." *Wink* The demon bowed. "Don't encourage each other!" Klug's glasses fogged up.

"'Scuse me, ladies. But have you two gone crazy, or am I too far away to hear Stanley's squeak?"

"Uh. Um… Only… The best of magicians can only hope to hear him. Y-Yes."

"You obviously made that up." Sil snarked. "Though I think he's onto something. Hmm?" She and Klug listened in on Stanley. "He says he hasn't possessed you."

"Okay, smarty, then how can the comedy trainwreck hear him?"

"Stan says because either my magic is compatible with him or I have so much magic that it doesn't matter."

Raffine gritted her teeth. She kept quiet, closing her book, looking aside. "Hm. Look at that."

"What kinda painting is that?" It was painting of a chef approving his own cooking. With text below.

It read: 'Als je dit kan lezen en je bent toerist. Waarom? We spreken allemaal Engels hier. Geniet van je diner van de engelen. Snap je het?'

"You know what it means, Raffine?" Sil curiously asked.

"I don't know. I don't speak German."

"That's not German, fake Frenchy." Raffine raised tightened her fist again while Sil turned to Klug. "You know what it says?"

"Weeeeell…" The top student adjusted his glasses. "No." Betraying the girl's expectations. "But it would seem it shares the same root language as both English and German. So allow me to make an educated guess."

"This is gonna be good." Sil whispered. Raffine smirked haughtily.

*Self-important throat clear* "Tourists enjoy our meals. But why? We're all Angels here. Here's dinner from the Angels. Not sure what the last sentence means." Klug was pleased with himself.

"Not as profound as would've hoped." Raffine, a critic when it comes to art apparently.

Sil found herself chuckling again. "I can see why they call you Wizeman." *Snort* "That can't be your real last name, right?"

"It is! What's wrong with it?"

"It's a bit on the nose, don't you think so?"

"Fufufu. Thanks for answering that one for me, Raf. 'Oh, it's the wiseman celestial mage!' 'What's his name?' 'Wizeman.' 'Oh… That's boring.' 'His first name's Klug.' 'That's worse!'" The clown tried to curb her laughter. Raffine admittingly had trouble keeping it in as well. Angry at this clown sometimes made her laugh, Sil's surprised she made a funny as well.

Klug riled up. Raffine and Sil feared a passionate lecture.

"I'll have you mouthbreathers know my family was named after the mythical Wizeman the Wicked, a warlock inhabiting the dreamworld, Nightopia. King of Nightmaren. Ruiner of dreams. A manifestation of everyone's collective's nightmares forming sentience."

"Pfffft. You're proud of that?" Sil questioned. She reserved the comment about that's why Klug couldn't get in… For now at least.

"Sh-Shut up!"

"So can I blame you for every tormenting nightmare I had?" The clown grinned, pointing her finger up and coursing a visible spell through it in jest. Stanley was laughing at his captor's expense.

"What! I said he's mythical!" … "What? How?"

"Huh?" Raffine's left out the conversation again.

"Stan's saying great grandpa Wizeman is real or was a real man. That his influence on the populace has been greatly exaggerated. He's was just an immoral bank robber with dream magic." Sil's eyes playfully darted back to Klug.

"Oh, La-Ti-Da. Klug, perhaps you are really related to this nightmare wizard, though maybe of the loser branch. Perhaps that's the main reason Grizzhoot didn't you let you in. Ohohohoho."

"Stanley, please tell me you're kidding."

The demon spirit kept quiet, keeping smarty pants in suspense if he's joking or not.

"Just live your life like it's neither. Don't let us get to you…" Sil said to him like she would tell a kindergartener.

*Sniff* "Silvana…" Klug pushed Stanley's Record of Sealing towards the clown, swallowing some pride in the process. "Please seal me away."

Sil and Stanley flinched. "D-Did I go too far?"

Klug proceeded to elaborate. "Just until lunch arrives." … "Fine, fine… Let Stanley have a bite or two. I need a moment…"

"I'm sorry." Sil was genuine saying that, preparing the spell. "I want you to know I don't like you and you're a giant wimp. But I didn't want to go this far."

"I have a hard time believing that…"

"Oh, La-Ti-Da. If I didn't know any better, Klug, I'd swear Silvana cared for you. Hoho. What would Si-"

"SHUT IT, Raffine. I hate him almost as much as I do you."

"Amethyst Switch." And with that, Klug's facial expression changed, tucked his hat in his bag. Those especially demonically sensitive would notice the demon's shadow behind Klug, as well that he has grown red all over. Said demon's sheer power messed up his host's hair and grew a cape, I guess. I'm not bothering justifying that neat visual medium quirk on written text.

"Hi Stan! How ya feeling?~"

"That pest's feelings are still resonation in his body, but I'll overcome it. Thank you for your concern, Silvana."

"C'mon, give four-eyes a break."

"Of course, whenever he provides a reason." The demon picked out a book to read, shutting the book Klug's in as well.

Raffine, reading her book as well, watched the transformation unfold. "I know there's another person in there. But all I see that Klug has manned up." Raffine noted, not very interested.

"You kidding, Raffine? Now Klug's body isn't an eyesore."

Raffine gave a glare that basically said. 'Are you kidding me?' "So what? Now has a better posture, manners, personality and wears a cape."

"But boy do you rock that cape, Stan."
"Ahahahah. You flatter me, Silvana."
"I should start wearing capes again."

"Ugh…"

*Annoyed sigh* "What you have against capes, Raffine?"

"What kind of philistine doesn't like capes?"

"Well I do. Capes are unfashionable on ladies like moi. It hides my figure from behind, and my silhouette in front and I deserve to be adored from all angles, thank you very much. Hohooo." Raffine flipped her hair. "If you want an accessory that look majestic flapping in the wind I would suggest a scarf."

Sil shrunk. "When you put it that way, now I wanna wear a cape even more… Maybe even wear an all-encompassing mantle from the mouth down… Is this how Lidelle feels on a daily basis?"

"Who're you to tell this lovely jester what to wear?" Stanley calmly but coldly replied.

"A fashion expert, of course."

"Couldn't a fashion expert make a cape like mine fashionable?"

"You tell'r, Stan." "Pah, of course I could. But I won't."

The two of evil origin daggered this insufferable pink haired menace, wondering if she's secretly cut from the same cloth. They faced each other to see if they thought the same.

"Mind having a female body?"
"Hmm. If all else fails I wouldn't be opposed to it."
"I'd possess her myself to shut her up and live my life as usual."
"You can do that?"
"Hey, you've sensed my power before, Stan~"
"I know, but doing that is remarkable, I wouldn't be able to do it without certain energies."
"Eh heh, it's nothing~. Well it's been a looooooooong while since I-"

"You wouldn't." Raffine deadpanned, arms crossed.

"Huh?"

"There are many reasons to leave my body alone." She remained stoic. "You'll regret possessing me in five minutes. Plus, Silvana, you would look horrid dressed as yourself as me." Raffine was fully confident in her claims.

"Why's that? I would still use your muscles, mine haven't developed enough yet for some acts."

"I'm afraid you have to trust me on that." *Radiates confidence + Raffine's signature wink-y smile turned 'come at me' smirk*

Not that Sil was seriously considering it… But… "Okay, you've talked me out of it." She threw up her hands.

"Good." The beauty kept beaming confidence as she stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I'm off to powder my nose." She went for the facilities.

"Don't be surprised if I spiced your food. Oh, and mind the tether." Lucky for those at the table it was just around the corner.

"Tether?" The strange Klug's confused. "Come to think of it, why are we here?"

"We failed a purity test so Accord has tethered the snobs to me. Heh, you're probably the big reason Klug failed."

"Too bad for him… So we're not in Margch anymore?"

"Sheesh! That was two days ago, has Klug not opened you for that long?"

"It would seem as such." The demon rubbed underneath his chin nonplussed.

"10 credits says Raffine's released she's dead on the inside for the last 15 years."

"I don't have monetary income. Oh right, I forgot. To your left."

"Hmm."

The waiter had everyone's lunch. "Ik am zorry voor de wacht- WAIT time. Heire's lunch."

"Ah, heel bedankt ober, neem aan dat je je best dee. Maar ik was onder de indruk dat iedereen Engels sprak?" Stanley pointed at the art piece on the wall to the ghastly waiter.

"Oh, zo je spreekt Ne- Dat maakt het nou heel wat makkelijker. Ik heb moeite Engels te leren." The wraith looked sheepily aside. "Ik ben echt bezig, jonge!"

"Ik geloof je, veel geluk."

"Bedankt heh, rakker. Geniet van de lunch, gezellig met je vriendinnetje." *Wink* Though he changed his tone as he put down the third dinner plate. "En wie dit mag zijn. Doei."

"We zijn niet in een relatie! Ik ken haar nauwelijks." Stanley riled up, huffing deeply, back to reading his book.

Sil sat there, stunned. "What? You speak that language?"

The demon got out of his annoyance to explain, just not out of his book. "It's Netherrealm language, so presumably the founder of this very restaurant was a wraith native to the Netherrealm town of Lertalg. I knew a lot of those."

"Cool. What does that painting say?"

Staring intensely. "…You'll be disappointed."

"C'mon, pleeeeeaaaase?" Sil said, sweet-ish and innocent enough-like. "Hmm. Look it up on your own…"

"Aaw… Take a few bites and it's time to switch back to Klug."

Sil turned open the book. "Rise and shine, four-eyes. Feeling better?" He nodded in return. "Good." Sil smiled. "Enjoyed your bites?" She directed to the abomination inhabiting the wrong body.

"I have never enjoyed lasagna, but disgusting it. It's so sublime~"

"Good Amethyst Switch. Sorry Stan. Had to do it before you might rebel. Just in case." She turned back to her Klug. "So how was the darkness?"

"You didn't have to close the book on me! It's dark in there!"

"Don't take that tome with me, mister. You wanted a moment for yourself, and I granted it."

"Hmph."

Klug saw the empty seats on the other side of the table. "Where has she gone?"

"Off 'powdering her nose'."

"And how long has it been this time?" The jester looked at a nearby clock. "Give or take five minutes. You owe me 15 credits."

"How can I trust your assessment of time?"

"How come Stan can make your voice not grating?"

From the corner she shall appear. "I'm back. Ah, so's Klug…" Raffine sat down in front of her food, enjoying it.

*Stretch* *Tasteful Munching* "Ouch!" *Stretch 2: Incoming snapback* *Tasty, Munch, Munch* "Owie!" *Str3tch: Revengeance* *Munch, Munch, Crunch?* "Mrgrgr!"

"Silvana, why are you doing this?"

"I… uh. Left my eating mask at home…" Sil twiddled her index fingers.

"Then just take that creepy mask off for a change. I don't care what you look like underneath."

"I do…" Sil and Klug conversed.

"Why do hide your face behind your mask?" Raffine demanded, slamming the table. "And don't give one of your endless frivolous fake excuses."

"Like you would believe the real answer at this point. Why won't you show your real face?" Sil chuckled out of her brief down spell. Plus she found a possible hypocrisy, that's always nice.

"And what do you mean with that?" Raffine prepared herself to counter any Silvana had to return the favor. No matter how much of a point she's had and was gonna have.

"You have a layer of make-up on you at all times. We don't know your true face either."

"Don't think you can change the subject on me, Miss Pierrot."

"Aw, I was holding on to that insult for months…"

Klug and Stanley wisely decided to watch the fireworks.

Back to the conversation. Raffine's turn, playing defensive. "Of course, there's nothing to be ashamed of in a little makeup to hide my minuscule imperfections."

"Frankly I'm surprised you admit you're imperfect."

"It's not my fault I have freckles and a single zit!"

"Freckles?" Klug tilted his head.

"Omigosh, that's adorable." Sil's completely serious.

Raffine realized what she just said. "70 credits to the both of you if you keep this a secret." She offered in a way that bordered on threatening them.

"80." Sil raised.

"90" Klug raised higher.

"Fine! 100!"

"Deal."
"Deal."

*'Frustrated at herself and the world around her' TABLE SLAM*

"Back on point! How dare you equate my makeup job to your mask? Unless your mask is…"

Sil saw the light bulb turn on above her class rival's head. She gulped.

"Ohohohohoho, Oh, La-Ti-Da."

'This does not bode well. C'mon, Sil. Don't let her beat you. Derail conversation whenever possible.'

"You're hiding your imperfections, aren't you?"

Sil choked up. Even if she's off, it hit like a bull's eye.

"Ohohohoho! Now I'm not saying that I think you're outright ugly. (Though I'm not ruling it out.) There's something about your face… You. Don't. Like. Is there? A nose that's not pointing straight forward? Natural red eyes perhaps? Crooked teeth? Or are you just saving it for a joke, and revealing it's a plain and boring as it can be, easily forgettable?"

"I was always under the impression you wore it because you get a kick out of people asking. But seeing all this I have to reconsider."

The harlequin frowned, her head pointing to the main prosecutor, shifting her eyes to her neighbour. "Thaaaaanksssssssssssss Klug, see me doing anything nice for you again…"

Raffine pointed dramatically at Sil's face.

"Take your mask off."

"Why should I? By the way. If you remove it you will wake up in Puyo hell." Sil threatened with a strong magical purple aura surrounding her.

"Oho. That only confirms it, by all means, keep digging that hole."

"Drat!" Silvana cursed, deflated.

"Just let us see your face. If it's particularly bad I might help you."

"Huh?"

"I have connections."

"Why? Scratch that. How good is he? Can he…" 'Mislead her while also giving you the exact answer you want. Think quick!'

"Are you planning to rearrange my face to make me really ugly?"

"Hmph. He's that good all right. But I wouldn't let him. As much as I hate you, you are talented, and talented women should look beautiful." *Blinding hairflip*

"Is she being nice? Or…" The jester whispered to her neighbour.

"I-Is that even possible?" He whispered back.

Sil considered her proposal. She could change her face if she was to be believed. She just have to bribe a little worst case scenario… She wouldn't have to share…

"…My mask stays on and I decline." She put her foot forward. 'AAAAAAH! I meant to say the opposite, can't… Backpaddle.' She cursed her mind.

"Fine! Have it your way."

"I'll tell you this though… My face is not deformed. It's as normal it can be!"

"In that case, I can just teach you the basics of makeup, confounded tomboy." "I know how, I sadly had to apply some a month ago… Turned out perfect on my first try and I hate myself for it. If I wore it regularly I'd be Primp's Miss Miserable five years running if I had to reapply it every five seconds. I sweat a lot in my uniform!"

"TMI."

"Good!"

*Stretch: Darkness* *Eating noises* "Yeoc-


"…was the worst."
"Sorry, it's not my fault the gondola operator was lost in a cave."
"But you sure could've saved him faster!"
"Hey! Don't knock my dungeon raiding abilities, freckles! That was a record time."
"It took an hour!"
"Not my fault you're not smart like Klug and brought a book."
"What was else am I supposed to do?"
"Not take the credit when he became conscious maybe? Actually going in the cave with me, and earn the credit?"
"You said that you'll go alone."
"That's that because I didn't wanna risk your lives. I would've caved if pressed."

Sil bursted out laughing.

"Sorry, that was kinda intentional, glad to know that they come naturally now." That last comment got an eye roll, other than that it was ignored.

"How would I have known there was more ore in there then I was given?"
"That's the wonder of adventure. First off, you should try it, it's the spice of life."
"Like the one's Arle goes on? No thank you. Why don't you go on more adventure, Silvana?"
"I would more often if my job didn't earn me steady income (being a teen living alone), and my crew didn't enjoy working there."
"Maybe you should just go instead of wasting your time snuggling your monkey."
"You leave Arms out of this! He's not even here for you to insult him right into his beady li'l eyes! How dare you attack a girl on liking something cute! Don't be such a man, Raffine."

The accused lowered her brows, pouted and tilted her head. "Pardon?"

"I said the opposite to Klug earlier today. Plus you called me a gentleman (twice I think), and Klug a lady. I've been dying to give you your turn."

Raffine stared ahead of her. Right into the mask's eyes. Anger was building up again.

"Fight me."
"In… Columns?"
"Why not?"
"Okay! Sounds fun. You too Klug."
"What!"

*One abysmal Columns match that Klug won later…*

From underneath the rubble, the girls conversed.

"My head. What were we fighting about?"
"Too dizzy. Ah, there's my mask."
"We still have a lot of time. Can we go shopping? Can you sent my stuff home."
"Shuuuuure."

Both of them held their heads. They were delirious.

"Ah ha! You kids should worn Ah-Hardhats." A local 'guess what' bird said.


Ms. Accord, Popoi and the rest museum enjoying students exited the building satisfied. "Wow, I actually remember all that I was thought. Teach, can you make teaching this fun?"

Accord, slightly offended by Amitie's question replied: "Nnnn. Maybe you weren't paying enough attention in class." She said in her usual calm tone.

"Um… Teacher?" Someone gently tugged at her dress.

"What is it, Lidelle?"

"Silvana, Klug and Raffine are over there."

"OH MY!…"

"What happened to mew?" Both the professor and her cat reacted very much unlike them at the sight.

The sight of Silvana carrying Klug over her shoulder, who's legs really hurted, in turn making her hurt all over. Dragging the unconscious Raffine along via tether. All of them bruised, scratched, burned, frostbitten, wet, covered in space dust, mask cracked slightly, had their clothes torn and were very tired.

"Don't ask." Sil's voice had grown hoarse. She still hates both of them and the feeling's mutual.

Author's Notes:

I had to scrap Silvana's equivalent of Lert, Leado and/or Todo. A nameless Meta Knight-esque mage that leaves when his mask's broken. Either the owner of a theater or carnival. "I'm not devious.", "All I wanted was to learn the ball balancing act." Sil: "I'm still working on that myself.", Sil: "Okaaaaaay, didn't expect it to be him…" Wanted to focus on these three.

The reason for Columns is in-universe is that there was an archaeology boom once where it caught on with its citizens. I'm saying this because we'll never return to Lert, Leado and/or Todo. And that's just a footnote in the history book.

A little view of what Silvan is like around people she doesn't like, and don't like her. And how she isn't much better.

I had the name Raffine Fielding in mind before I became friends with fellow wannabe writer R. Fielding (Don't know what her first name is). It's a coincidence, Raffine's last name's based on Blaze Fielding from Streets of Rage.

I do feel guilty making Raffine talk so much fashion and makeup, but it's in character I suppose… Not too flanderisy I hope. How obvious is it that I'm just making logical guesses about the subject?

Sil, Klug, Raffine is my favorite hate triangle. I do feel sorry for Klug though.

Also happy anniversary, yada, yada. For the most reals this time if really early. I don't care anymore I don't have the patience to wait 20 days more. Besides it's the thought that counts.

I'm back, expect regular new chapters now, though not a frequently as before. I'll starting as soon as this uploaded.

Finished on 04-05-2018. Released on 12-05-2018

Next up: New Circus Act!: Hypnosis Show!