He didn't even think to flee to the nurse's station. He knew if he went there he'd be told he deserved it. Get told someone so rotten and disturbed should be dead. What even happened anyway though? He didn't remember doing anything but protesting a bit. Was that it? If so, that was particularly rude on Seifer's part.

Just as he usually would, Ventus fled to the bathroom. At least then he could handle his blood leaking nose. No amount of sniffling made a difference of course and he was glad his colour scheme was half black. He just had to keep the blood being wiped on the black side for now so the white wouldn't stain. He wondered if he should tell Terra and Aqua, sic them on Seifer, but he had something more important to attend to first. Figuring out what happened.

It was short, sure, but he knew Jack was on the way, and if Jack said anything, then well he probably deserved to get more than a simple bloody nose. If that were the case though, then he could kiss redemption goodbye. Would it be that bad though? It was just a few friends right?

Regardless, he couldn't quite be sure of the diagnosis of friends when he didn't know what happened so he called Futaba. She was wide awake as usual, but she wasn't listening in for once. She was apparently enjoying the day with her friends. Maybe this was a mistake so he backed out and hung up with a sigh. Maybe he could ask Dilan what happened. He'd tell him. He knew all about him too so if Jack did do anything, he wouldn't be phased. That was probably a bad sign.

Should he go back to the classroom? Well he'd hate to interrupt after a scene like that so maybe he should avoid that class from now on. Besides, his nose was like a faucet of blood at the moment, one he needed constant toilet paper for. Maybe if it wasn't shitty school toilet paper, it'd be better, but it's what he had.

Well the idea of doing nothing but hiding in the bathroom by himself sounded absolutely abysmal. He wanted to fix things too, and if Jack did actually have a hand in it, then all the more reason to apologize for whatever cruel thing he said. He'd just have to figure out how to remain calm this time. Ven felt alright now at least, despite having just been punched in the face, but after rationalizing it, it certainly felt deserved to keep him from being too offended. Wouldn't be the first time after all.

Stuffing toilet paper in his nose as a temporary band-aid, Ven looked himself in the mirror. Yeah, that's about what he expected. All bloody and weary looking. Maybe he should join a fight club, he certainly looked the part. He wouldn't put it passed himself to beat the shit out of himself either. Jack would certainly like that level of anarchy too if that vision was anything to go by.

Ah but fuck, he forgot to meet up with Emerald and Mercury after texting to meet them at the start of school.

I really am a lousy friend. Maybe I do deserve to get punched in the face. But a fight club does actually sound exciting now that I have been punched again. Oh, but maybe I'm just a masochist.

That certainly wouldn't be a surprise even just with the daydreams of getting slashed with venomous nail polish. Hot.

I'm getting distracted again!

Right, he had to talk to Dilan to confirm something. On the way out, Ventus graced his hidden cat's fur for a stroke of luck. Maybe now he won't get hit again. Oh, but what was he going to tell his family? He supposed he could just say he blacked out again, that explained everything pretty nicely.

Nevertheless, he moved out and immediately into someone else. For fuck's sake. Perhaps he was too distracted with his cat, but god could this day get worse.

"Ventus, my dear boy!" Bellowed the booming voice of a man he knew well. Why did he sound like All Might though? Backing up a step to prevent spreading his lacking aids, Ven looked at the teacher named Magnus Quinn and couldn't help but twitch his eye.

"Magnus" He started a bit sheepishly "why are you dressed and acting like All Might from academia?"

The teacher of average build and curly brown hair patted the frail boy grandly on the back with a hearty laugh that they'd be hard pressed to prevent others from hearing. Even Ven could tell that much, and he was deaf. Maybe Magnus was going just a bit overboard, but he couldn't say he didn't find it inspiring. Maybe that showed on his face though because the teacher patted him once more before finally taking in his appearance and taking the heroism down a few notches.

In a much lower and concerned tone, Magnus asked, "Are you alright, Ventus." Before Ven could retort peacefully, Mr. Quinn carried on to ask "Did you happen to see my wife dressed as Midnight? Quite the fox she is." He paused if only to state "Oh but don't go oggling her like the other students. I couldn't handle her being taken away from me by a stud like you."

He knew it was in jest, but how the fuck did she manage to come dressed as the R-rated hero. He could understand if she came as Toshinori's predecessor, were they not there yet? Ah still, did that mean those classes were kinky today? What a world he was missing.

"You're leaking, Ventus." Magnus commented easily. He pulled out a tissue from his pocket and held it out to him then doubled back to grab for the whole pack. "If you're going to be thinking about my wife, you might need all of these." While he might say that, he still had the look of, 'you better not be' though that easily changed to a gleeful smile. "Don't worry, I know she's amazing."

Taking the new tissues and throwing out the blood soaked and utterly useless toilet paper, Ven could immediately feel the improvement to which he smiled over. "Thanks, Magnus." The boy sighed with relief.

"Of course!" The man insisted, fist swinging before him to give a thumbs up. "Now how about we get you to the nurse's station. You don't look too good. Did you want to talk about it?"

A talk with Magnus might be nice, but the nurse's office...he couldn't help but cringe and hesitate. His companion seemed to know exactly what for however and assured

"Don't worry, Dulcie's on today. You won't be running into your nasty grandfather." That was a load off his back expressed in the form of a long and relieved sigh.

Another pat to his back given by the kind teacher. "Come now, let's get you fixed up and you can tell us what happened."

Stepping out of the bathroom with him, Ven couldn't help but smile with relief. Magnus was always one of his favourites, along with Abigail, his wife, and Dulcinea. It's too bad he didn't have either of them and that his grandfather was there more often than Dulcie, though that wasn't surprising given her sick state. It was a miracle at all that she still came to school. She seemed to be doing better than she had been before however. He was glad to see an improvement. She was always so kind after all and maybe that would mean she'd be around more often.

"Oh, why are you guys cosplaying again?" Ven asked as they moved through the halls. The tissues were stuffed and unmoving in his nose as he looked up at the All Might esque teacher. He certainly didn't have the build for either form of Toshinori truthfully, but the attempt was made and he even used an inflated buff suit. Props.

"It's actually for our roleplaying group. We're all dressed up as students and teachers." Was he serious? That was so rad. How had he not noticed that.

He wanted to ask more, but they'd reached the nurse's station by then. And what he found inside was still shocking despite his conversation with Magnus. Dulcinea, albeit still bound to a wheelchair in her frail state, was dressed as a female and hybrid version of Nezu from the same show. And besides her was her companion, hulking mass, Protesilaus dressed as Aizawa.

"You're all in the same group?" Ven asked with awe. He received a nod from his current companion.

The nurse, Dulcinea or Ms. Septimus had begun looking him over but it didn't take her long to deduce the problem. "Who hit you?" She asked bluntly. "Shall we recruit our members to hit them back?" So straightforward as usual, and yet with such an innocent demeanor and tone.

She didn't seem totally surprised by the development, but Magnus certainly did. He seemed appalled. Maybe he should have dressed up as Iida.

"Who hit you?" He asked. He was stern yet still kind as can be. Ven wasn't sure how he pulled it off, but it was welcoming. As usual, Protesilaus didn't have much to say, though he did gaze and examine.

"No, it's nothing." Ventus tried, even attempting to cover his injured nose. "I probably deserved it because I remember my other side coming out."

"For when you black out?" Asked Mr. Quinn. Ventus nodded. The older man bit into his lip, mulling it over rather clearly. What was there to think about though? The only option for him was to be locked up like the loon he was. That was it. And he knew it.

"Just don't be stressed." Magnus interjected. "That's what causes it isn't it? When you're too stressed you black out and hurt people." Bringing his hands up into a half shrug, he declared "Then destress. We can help you with that."

It was absurd but something to hope for in a timid and naive mind. Of course that didn't stop Dulcinea from laughing, even if it ailed her into a coughing fit. Bloodied phlegm fell against her fragile and deathly hand. The three of them started for her but she held her free hand up to stop them.

It took a moment, but she managed to stop it rather well, breathing in calmly just as she had with exhaling. She wiped her bloodied hand off on a handkerchief pulled from her pocket.

"Think about joining our fencing crew and dnd group. We're all the same people, but if you're looking to destressing, we've got a wonderful way about it." Dulcinea assured despite her frail form. Protesilaus still hovered over her protectively, but really Ven didn't have to be asked twice. Friends were friends and he probably messed up with the last bunch by more than likely being a psychopath in front of them. He still had to figure out what happened there but maybe the following day.

"How do I join?"

"Well first you need a companion. Our next campaign involves groups of two or three so hurry and find someone to either be your cavalier or your necromancer." Magnus chimed in. "I do know someone that might work well for you. Two someone's that I've been wanting to include in our group along with you."

Ven perked his head up as Mr. Quinn held up a finger to announce the first. "The first is Vanitas Vatia. He looks just like you actually so you could be twins like Ianthe and Coronabeth. That'll work fine. You can choose which of you two is the cavalier of the group. Canaan house is our main session see, but we also alternate campaign's so be aware of that."

"We've been searching for representatives of the eighth house." Protesilaus finally spoke albeit briefly. Unsurprising really. Ven had known him a while and he wasn't one for many words, though he did like spouting the occasional poetry. He was head of that club even, but Ven was bad at arts of that like so he avoided even trying to indulge

"I can represent your final house." Ven shrugged though he was thrilled at the inclusion. And he got to meet others. Score!

Holding up a second finger, Magnus added "And the second is another from my study room class. Another loner by the name of Sabrina Sidney."

Ven couldn't help but voice his thoughts on the matter "You really like helping out loners huh. Is this some sorta breakfast club scenario or maybe the loser's club. Are we gonna fight Pennywise?"

"I do have a horror campaign in mind." Dulcie cooed.

"You're the dm, Dulcinea?" Ven asked and she nodded matter of factly.

"I create the campaigns and stories and Pal organizes the games."

"Pal?" That didn't sound like a teacher he knew.

"Palamedes Sextus." She informed. "He's a student in your grade. He's our engineer and builds the contraptions we use to play our games." Something that went completely over Ventus' head as wasn't it all imagination?

Holding a lithe hand to her breast, she proclaimed "I, along with Pro here, make the costumes." Okay, so like today, they did dress up. That made more sense with Dungeons and Dragons. What did engineering have to do with it though.

"By the way, doing outside campaigns such as roleplaying academia was just a test run." She carried on. "It proved a bit too disorienting however so we'll stick to playing ourselves with different abilities."

"But...dont' you make characters for dnd?"

Both her and Magnus chuckled at that. Was he stupid or something. Mr. Quinn stepped in for her however. "We play with virtual reality so we get fully immersed in the worlds which means in game I could do Detroit Smashes and the like whenever I wanted."

"But he was too afraid to hurt the civilians or damage public property even in game."

"Virtual...reality?" That was a thing? What fucking year was it? 3000?

Apparently he had a stunned look on his face because Magnus gave another hearty laugh that seemed to stem from his costume. Another pat to the back as well. Regardless of his approach, Ms. Septimus was the one to explain.

"Pal and his friend Nigel created virtual gaming equipment together. They're a partnership and we're the guinea pigs." That didn't sound safe. "It's so nice to feel healthy again and be able to walk in games so I appreciate it." He supposed it couldn't be all bad in that case if it helped her out so immensely.

"Any drawbacks or dangers?"

"Just a bit of disorientation among shifting into your characters which is why we'll be playing ourselves from now on to not have an identity crisis." That made sense, but how fun was it to play himself in games? That just sounded like a drag. Magnus must've read his mind though.

"I'm sure it'll still be fun as ourselves. That means I can have my lovely wife again."

He supposed that made sense. Even if he would be playing himself, he had to wonder what that would be like. Being born to a different family, in a different world. It was actually exciting. So much so that he honestly forgot he'd gotten into an altercation that day.

"Help me meet my apparent companions then. I wanna join. I'm tired of being depressed and stressed out. I need to make steps to being happier again."

"And a good group of friends will aid in your travels." Protesilaus remarked with a fisted hand pressed regally to his chest.

"I'll tell them to meet me after school so you can meet them." Magnus beamed. Another pat to his back. They were so comforting really. "Now, do you need help getting back to class?"

Class huh. Why was he gone from it again? He couldn't quite remember even with the bloodied tissues in his face. The pain, he'd grown accustomed too, though that wasn't hard given his tolerance to it in general.

"Uhh...what period is it?"

Looking down at his watch, the man remarked "Almost third period."

"I might as well wait for next class then if that's alright. I don't really wanna get hit again so." Right, that was why. Maybe he should just avoid that class from now on after all. Whether he deserved it or not, he wasn't sure, but the idea of dwelling on it sounded exhausting especially when he could easily move on. They didn't like him, so it was hard to justify forcing it.

"Whatever you want to do." Magnus patted him on the head this time. "Just be sure to go to your classes now that you're actually enrolled alright." Right right, he supposed he should, but he was always so bored and tired during them. He already knew all they had to offer. Years of being secluded to his room to study and all. Sure he played games a lot, but that was a lot of time to spare.

"I'll gather everyone today so we can meet at Pal's house and try out the new campaign. Or a new one. We should do a simpler one first." This was more towards Dulcie who sighed with utter defeat. She looked ready to chew her aggression into her handkerchief.

Magnus left then, bidding them farewell, presumably to get back to his class as he'd been away for at least ten minutes which was bad. That left Ven with Dulcinea and Protesilaus.

"What's the other campaign?" He asked if only to disturb the silence.

"A fantasy realm. Bringing peace to each kingdom and fending off a great evil together." She explained. She didn't seem to mind that idea, though it was easy to see her heart was set on the other one.

Author's notes: Honestly, Ven was supposed to agonize over his classmates disliking him. It'll still be present in the story, but it's been over a year so I think it's time that I move on now that I got new friends of my own. Besides it's been 20 chapters of just angst, I think it's time to let up a bit and let him have some fun.

Sorry for being gone for so long though, I've been tending to my rp server. It's been going pretty well. Only one hiccup of a trio coming in and day one getting mad at me for not blindly trusting them which I thought was absurd. No one should blindly trust anyone on the internet. That's just a bad mindset to have, but that was certainly upsetting to deal with and I dread them ever coming back since they did remind me of the people this story was originally about.

Also, Ven admitted to being a masochist in this chapter and my friend, since I heavily use Ven as a self insert for coping, thought that I was one too. There's a lot of similarities between me and Ven as well as differences, people that know me have mentioned being able to spot the differences though, and similarities for that matter. But no, I'm ace so that's a difference, and afraid of pain. I can't stand getting hurt.

There will be a lot of new characters in the next chapter as that will be Ven meeting the dnd group which has about sixteen people in it, excluding Ven's own group he's being set up with. The story should instead focus on their adventures as friends instead of Ven moping around and feeling sorry for himself and pursuing those that blatantly don't like him since I'm pretty done fussing about those people now that I got friends of my own. I know Ven getting over it was fast, but the last couple chapters have been hard because it hit too close to home, so I'm not gonna dwell on it more. I'm moving on.

The dnd group are mainly from the locked tomb trilogy though. I highly recommend reading it as there are two books out right now named Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth. And then Nigel is from Heir Apparent which I finished rereading yesterday. The new book I'm reading reminds me heavily of my own writing and I can't stand how straight forward it is. And finally, Sabrina is my dear friend's oc. I've been pining to have her in the story somehow so I hope I can do her justice as well as the rest of the cast. But yes, Vanitas is finally getting introduced.

I'm sorry for being all gloomy and resentful all the time. It's a bit hard not to be when people are constantly trashing you but the opposite has well the opposite affect so that's always nice.