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Dylin didn't speak for the first part of their walk back to the Sapphire Wing, but kept a serene smile on his face and greeted whoever they passed. Although Iceburg found the brief silence comfortable he walked stiffly both from the pain he was in as well as from how awkward he felt. The bandages he'd loosened prior had unwound themselves with every step; he was left desperately trying to keep them hidden against his chest which was bare and itchy thanks to his uniform. He'd become painfully aware of his senses, from the sound of their shoes against the stone floor to Dylin's hand on his shoulder. The throbbing in the spots where he'd been struck served as the only reminder of the boy's violent outburst as he walked him calmly through the halls.
What sort of a façade is this...how can such a disagreeable person just suddenly act so civil and be head of a dorm - of anything!?
Just as quickly as the question surfaced in his mind he felt foolish for even wondering at all. After all most of the people of wealth and status he'd ever known had been highly venerated regardless of their true heartless nature - they were able to hide it from the public's eye but behind closed doors there was no room for kindness.
This place isn't anywhere near ideal...but...
He shuddered at the thought of his mother and stepfather; their eagerness to sell him off and rid themselves of him, groom him to conform to what the bidders desired so he'd be "prepared and presentable" when time came for the marriage. Then of course there was the affianced himself, the winner of the grand prize, who upon growing tired of waiting for what he believed was owed to him showed he was nowhere near the gentlemen he played himself off to be.
I'd rather die than go back.
The days events had convinced him more than ever that he'd never truly belonged among his relations and the rest of the upper class. Again, thoughts of Tom's cozy home and Kokoro's quaint apartment brought him back to a better, calmer feeling. Living simply after he finished school would truly be a blessing to him - but he had to make sure he could survive the school long enough to make it there.
They approached the stairway that he'd initially descended and Braeburn's eerie, feigned smile struck into his mind. He found himself struggling with the idea of bringing up what had transpired to Dylin - it only seemed right considering he had been spoken of so venomously after they'd acted so loyal to his face, but at the same time he couldn't help but feel like he'd only be damning himself further by trying to discuss anything with him. However, the fact that he was supposed to be some sort of authority to them paired with the evident fear of being discovered by him that Desmonde held showed he might be the right person to go to after all - if his wrath were to be turned on them he thought it might drive them away.
Torn between decisions he sighed - a little more loudly than he'd intended to.
He was met with a low laugh in return.
"You really are something, aren't you? I don't think I've ever met a brat with an attitude quite like yours before."
"Attitude?" Iceburg blinked in surprise before he glowered up at him. "I - I dare say I've never met someone with one like yours either!"
Dylin's response of choice was to let out a small snicker which made him turn his head away in frustration. For another few moments everything was quiet but their approach towards the Sapphire Wing's heavy door warned him that if he was going to bring up the issue of the other boys, it was now or never. Still unsure exactly how he'd do it, he folded his arms more tightly over his chest and frowned while he thought hard on it. Another laugh arose from Dylin.
"Dare I ask what's so funny to you now?" The exhausted teen wrinkled his nose up at his condescending smirk.
"Hah!" He halted their steady pace and released his grip so he could turn to him. "It's you - you uppity punk. You and your brooding. How's that for an answer?"
"It's sufficient, I suppose." Iceburg did his best to sound unphased despite how irritated and emotional he was. "Though it was more of a rhetorical question...I don't really care to know what you think."
"Come, now...don't be such a petty child."
"I beg your pardon!?" He resisted the urge to slap him across the face. "Considering the way you behaved earlier I believe you've awarded the wrong person that title! Petty child, indeed! Head of the Dorm...does such a person even hold any real responsibilities or is it just an honorary title meant to give you a false sense of authority?"
He realized after he spoke that perhaps he did feel a bit petty, but he tried not to care. He'd spent years unable to speak his mind while people berated him and he was beyond tired of it all. He was only allowed, at many times encouraged, to talk down to the various members of the house staff but refused to do so. He'd thought well of them and how kind they were. He wished he'd stood up for them, and himself, more like he was attempting to stand up to Dylin now.
He began to walk away but Dylin smirked and leaned his hand against the wall in front of him to block his way.
"Still so dead-set on being a mouthy little bitch even after I broke those lips open...hmph. You really are something. Anyways...you needn't be so sour; it's not entirely a bad thing. I can't remember a time I've ever been amused by a shitty attitude before - so that's something...right?"
Iceburg shot him a look of revulsion but turned away again as he continued to speak.
"Well, anyways...I can't quite figure you out," He reached for his front pocket but stopped himself short and folded his hands neatly in front of him instead. He leaned his back against the wall with a pensive look. "and I'm not sure if I like that or not."
"Hmph. What is that supposed to mean?"
"Now, now..." He flashed a wide grin "Is that a real question or a rhetorical one?"
"Whatever suits you best, I suppose!" He found himself speaking through gritted teeth.
"Well, the thing is..."As Dylin began, Iceburg sighed loudly again - this time exaggeratedly so.
"Oh my...and here I was hoping you'd decide on it being rhetorical..."
Dylin raised a brow at him then continued slowly.
"The thing is any other wretch who gets their ass handed to them by me usually shuts the hell up and learns to take their place like the dog they are. They'll roll around with their stomachs bared and try to find ways to appease me in order to avoid any more trouble...but here you are turning your nose up to me and acting even more high and mighty than you were before. You know I'll break you to pieces without a second thought... yet you still talk back."
Iceburg shrugged.
"Well, I guess it's because I'm not one of your dogs. Fortunately."
"Hah! Fortunately so!" He finished his sentence with another drawn out laugh.
He felt his face flush. For a brief second he thought back to Kokoro throwing the cup at Tom out of annoyance and how it had smashed against the wall; he no longer wondered why she'd done it. Being laughed at and not being taken seriously was an exhausting thing. Dylin was an exhausting thing.
"Will you stop laughing!?"
"You're not in any position to tell me what to do, princess."
"Well you're absolutely insufferable!"
"Am I?"
How his voice came off as being both cocky and languid was as perplexing as it was vexing. Iceburg tried to take a deep breath and conceal the flame of his agitation as it raged hotter than ever. Every bit of his torso still ached but the fresh air he was able to enjoy made it a little bearable.
"Well, it really doesn't matter if you are or if you aren't. I haven't the time to worry about you; you're the least of my concerns here...Dylin, was it?"
After giving him a long skeptical look, his grin returned.
"Was what Dylin?"
He came to the conclusion that remaining calm and indifferent was just an impossibility with him.
"Your name! What else could I have possibly meant?" he shook his head "...you - you really are disagreeable, I hope you know that!"
Dylin shrugged lackadaisically before he replied.
"Now, now, I don't exist to please anyone so thats something I can live with."
"Well..." Iceburg begrudgingly enjoyed the response and could identify with it wholly "That's fair. However, if you could refrain from your nonsense for a moment or two I'd like to speak with you; civilly - if you're at all capable."
He narrowed his eyes at the young boy and Iceburg flashed an innocent smile back at him. Dylin lowered his voice, that grin still present on his pale face.
"I'm quite capable of anything I choose to be. So I'll go first."
"...Pardon me?"
"You said you want to speak with me. I'll speak first. Dissatisfied?"
"Would it make you feel at all better if I lied and said that I wasn't?" Iceburg cast a cold, blank look at the taller boy.
Dylin laughed again.
"You!" He leaned closer again and murmured into his ear. "Just who are you, Iceburg?"
He felt a chill run up his spine. He wasn't sure if he was more unsettled by the closeness, the suspicious tone he'd struck or just the fact that he remembered his name at all to say it so eerily.
"I'm just that... Iceburg. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Heh...from what I've learned icebergs are never as simple as what's seen on the surface. Where exactly are you from, Iceburg?" His volume had risen again and brought forth a demanding tone.
"W-what? I... I live here, in Water 7."
"Dodging questions like that doesn't work with me. I didn't ask you where you live. I asked you where you're from."
He glanced sideways and tried not to look at him.
"I don't think that's any of your business...but I was born here." He didn't feel like he was really lying. Tom had given him his new name and a new start at life on Water 7 and it truly had felt like being born again. Why shouldn't he consider it his true home? When he thought of The Isles and his former life he felt no love lost. The things that had been good about life there had died out years before he'd left. He frowned and looked back at Dylin with a furious stare. "Now, if I may, I'd like to talk to you about - "
"You can lie all you want but for who's benefit will it be? During my time here I've known countless whelps from this god-forsaken island and even some of the wealthiest didn't speak half as well as you. They couldn't carry themselves like you even if they sold their souls to the devil himself - meanwhile it seems to me that you're trying to tone yourself down. I know true upper-class when I see it...when I hear it. I know your accent. I'll figure you out, Ice-boy. I figure everything out eventually."
Iceburg didn't know what to do but remain silent and hold his gaze, so Dylin kept talking.
"Everyone knows this shitty school is one of the few things that keeps this island's economy from drowning. There's only so much money here on Water 7 - and hardly any old money to circulate - if it were left up to the residents this school would wither and die just as this island is damned to. A majority of the real flow comes from brats being shipped here for education from the other islands: Pucci...San Faldo...Saint Poplar...well, most of the other islands here in Paradise." he held his arms out to give a half-ass shrug before he continued "You'd be surprised how many government officials have their pampered, clueless spawn registered here. All of those who take to the sea will need ships and subsequent repairs - right? This is just a convenient hub of sorts for them so it all works out. Lucky for Water 7, eh? Anyone who can come up with enough money for it can register, even pirates and other criminals, as long as they don't cause too much trouble while they attend - this school will allow a student to be whoever, or whatever, they want to be. As long as it keeps the city afloat...not many questions are ever asked. When the school is ran by the same corrupt fool who runs the city, it's no surprise!" He ended the sentence with a laugh and a shake of his head.
Iceburg raised an eyebrow. He was interested in learning more but at the same time tired of dealing with Dylin.
"However...history lesson aside, you don't quite seem to fit into any of those categories. So, I'm asking you again...who are you?"
Iceburg backed up to put distance between them again, but Dylin took a step forward and pressed on.
"Oh, now you don't wanna talk?"
He cocked his head and laughed awkwardly.
"Well, no...not about my personal life."
"Why not?"
"I hate you."
Something new appeared on Dylin's face before he broke back into another cocky smirk; the look of being genuinely surprised.
"Well, I suppose that's how it goes!"
"I suppose so."
"Shall we then?" He motioned towards the door.
Iceburg shook his head.
"I really have to speak with you about those other two, Braeburn and Desmonde, before we -"
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Dylin scoffed.
"Don't waste my time. I don't wanna hear a single word about them right now, especially from you. Let's go."
"I just - "
"Enough! I won't hear another word of it I say! Now let's go - remember, you've been ordered to rest." Dylin's eyes flashed as he glanced up and down the hall. "Don't make me put you to sleep myself, little girl."
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised...Head of Dorm. At least you've answered my question about whether or not your title actually means anything." He ended the sentence with a roll of his eyes. "Now as scary as your Sandman threats of slumber are, I'm going to have to decline...leader."
"Listen here..." He brushed a few stray hairs from his face and leaned forward again, his voice lowered. "I take care of more around here than you'll ever know. You'd better learn to respect that before you talk shit about what you know nothing of!"
Iceburg scoffed and shook his head in disbelief.
"You've shown me absolutely no reason to respect you, you boorish troglodyte! I won't."
Dylin's eye twitched.
"What the hell did you just say?"
"Don't act surprised! As if you don't know how you've been behaving! You're an ill-mannered prat! Why should I respect you?"
"No, that's not what I... I just - I..." he glowered at him and clenched his jaw before he spoke again, in a very muted tone. "What the fuck is a troglodyte!?"
Iceburg blinked in surprise before he answered.
"Oh, well a troglodyte is typically defined as a - WAIT! That's not even the important part! You're unbelievable!" He sighed and rubbed his throbbing head. "Listen, I don't know what your relationship with those two is, but you - "
Dylin cut him off from speaking once again. He had a wrathful look burning on his face.
"Relationship? My relationship with them? Hah! All they had going for them is that they weren't quite so useless that they couldn't be used when the time was right. Listen here, kid. If there's one thing you're gonna get straight while you're here...it's this..."
His brow was furrowed with anger and his eyes clouded as he pulled Iceburg close against him by the crook of his arm. Iceburg, desperate to keep his chest and bandages hidden, kept his arms crossed and didn't flinch or try to escape. Dylin stared down with such a dark intensity that he was sure he was going to strike him again but all he did was speak against his ear through gnashed teeth in a harsh, coarse voice.
"Withering away time and efforts on relationships is for the weak. Friends...family...faith...what point does any of it hold when it can all crumble in a moment? Putting trust in anyone is usually as good as leading yourself to the gallows. People will always put themselves first; they won't think twice about using you as a shield to protect themselves from whatever is being hurled their way. You never really know anyone but yourself, and even then... the human mind can't truly be trusted."
After several seconds of looking up at him with a contemplative eye, Iceburg slowly nodded.
"Imagine that. It appears there is something we can agree on. Humans can't be trusted."
After all...a Fishman and a Mermaid have been the only ones I've truly felt safe with...
Dylin's face seemed to soften momentarily as he released his grip; Iceburg backed away from him again and crossed his arms back over his chest.
"Yeah. Imagine...Now, tell me about what your business with Desmonde and Braeburn is - and no more of your lies. Born in Water 7... hah!"
Iceburg shook his head in disbelief.
"Don't you ever stop!? You're an outrage! I was trying to talk to you about them anyways, don't try to act like you're commanding me! Just lis - "
"Answer me now, Ice-boy. I told you not to get dodgy with me. You think I'm stupid enough to believe it was mere coincidence that you were all rendezvousing when you were? So what are you all up to then?"
"You're ridiculous!" Without thinking he darted a finger out and thrust it hard against Dylin's cravat. "I-I thought you said you were capable of talking civilly! This is a sad excuse if you think this is anything close to being civil! I don't think you're stupid but dare I say I certainly know you are ignorant!"
Dylin looked down curiously at the slender finger before he shrugged and pulled it away from his chest. He held firm onto his hand and gave a crooked smile.
"I said I was capable of anything I choose. As it turns out...I don't wanna be."
"You know what I think!?" Iceburg forced out a calm, deep breath before he spoke again. "I think... that's just fine, Head of Dorm. I don't 'wanna' be civil with you either." He ripped his hand away and breezed past him. He looked over his shoulder as he used all of his strength to heave open the door. "However, I won't entertain you or your wild ideas. I wasn't rendezvousing with them. Running into them today was actually worse luck for me than it was running into you. You're just a bully. They're something else altogether. "
"Oh? Is that so?"
"For your information, Dylin, as much as they've decided to have some sort of business with me, I had none with them. I do now. Well, we do. It seems we're both somehow stuck in the midst of their... affairs. I just thought I'd let you know that they're a part of something terrible and whatever it is they really don't want you to find out. They're not as loyal to you as they pretend to be. Funny isn't it, people apparently tend to say quite a bit in front of someone they intend on making disappear. Oh well. Enjoy your mutiny."
Dylin stopped the door from fully closing with his gloved hand with an ever-so-slightly curious expression on his face.
Relief washed over Iceburg when he crossed the threshold and saw the dorm was empty. He had been positive that Desmonde and Braeburn were going to be there waiting. Dylin closed the door swiftly behind them. Iceburg heard it click shut - and then lock.
"W-why lock the door? Won't any of the others need in?"
"Why? You want them back in here or something?"
"Well, no..." Iceburg took a step back towards his bed - and the windows - as he spoke. "Not them. But what of the other ones? Won't that cause problems for them?" he indicated to the other bunks.
"There are no others anymore. There used to be, but they up and vanished over the past several months. It's just us and Braeburn and Desmonde."
"Vanished?" A feeling of dread knotted up inside him.
Dylin stretched and yawned loudly. Iceburg glowered.
His yawn is just as obnoxious as his god-awful laugh.
"Yeah. Anyways, with dinner over I'm sure those two are off enjoying their free time before curfew like everyone else."
"Why not you too?"
"Heh. Didn't the nurse tell you? I'm to be monitoring you. You know...concussions."
"...Concussions. Monitoring. Right." Iceburg closed his eyes and sighed.
"Also in case your assailant comes back, don't forget."
"It's you. It's literally you - the assailant, the one who did this. Unlock the door." His best attempt at coming off as assertive was probably ludicrous to such an intimidating person, but he gave it his best attempt regardless.
Dylin laughed loudly, as expected, then looked back at him square in the eye.
"Well if you're so worried why didn't you go say anything about me to the nurse while you had the chance?"
"I -"
"Seems pretty stupid to me. You probably could've convinced them and got me tossed out."
"Hardly! I'm not that naive to think I could get my entire dorm expelled over unprovable accusations, especially being new here. Why are you even saying all this? You're the one that told me not to tell!"
"So?"
"So!?"
"So - don't just do everything people tell you to because you're scared. Even for a little bitch like you, that's pathetic."
A stony expression crossed Iceburg's face but he continued talking levelly.
"Well...as I said. You're the least of my concerns now anyways so that was hardly the key reason I didn't talk about it. I've been more worried as to what I'm going to do about those others. Getting rid of them is a little higher on my list of priorities than trying to prove to everyone you're not the perfect angel you pretend to be."
Dylin gave a scoff before he spoke again.
"So I'll play then. Why are you telling me all this if you're not just trying to set me up? You don't owe me any favours. You won't get good graces for warning me about treacherous pigs - especially ones I already knew about. What's in it for you? You think you're gonna form some kind of alliance with me? Think I'm gonna help you out?"
Iceburg shrugged in response, which awarded him a lethal glare.
"Don't just shrug! This is the last time I'll ask you - what the hell is this all about? Quit being so cryptic."
"I'm not being cryptic. We easily could've been long finished with this unfortunate conversation except you didn't really want to listen until now. In fact, I think you're only talking right now because you like to listen to yourself speak."
"I'll kick your ass again, kid..."
Iceburg turned away towards the picture window and shook his head.
"As I said before, I've been trying to tell you anyways. There's no need to be so pushy - we can just be civil...regardless of how discourteous you've been to this point."
Dylin sauntered up next to him and exhaled heavily. He stared out quietly beside him for a moment.
"So... why are you trying to tell me?"
"Well, I'm telling you because it seems we're unwittingly on the same side. It'll make more sense if you calm down for a minute let me really explain things to you...it might take a few minutes of your time though."
"Hmph. Don't be so bold. I'm not on your side." He reached to his front pocket again and this time he procured his cigarette case. After lighting one he glowered back at him. "Though I already have an idea about what you're gonna gob on about, I suppose I'll listen to what you have to say. But, I'm not on 'your side'... I'm not on anyones side."
"Well, regardless of sides I wouldn't feel right keeping quiet about something that would put you in danger."
"How sweet." His voice was arid with disinterest as he took a pull from his cigarette "So, is this gonna shed any insight as to why you ended up down at the first floor office instead of the one down the hall?"
Iceburg nodded solemly in response.
"Hm. As well as why they gave me that bullshit about the inspections?" He threw in a short, dry laugh and exhaled an impressively sized pall of smoke.
"A distraction... yes, I suppose that would add up." He winced at the smell.
"Heh. Let's just say I wasn't too surprised when no one came to inspect the room. They're not the greatest actors. Braeburn maybe, but Desmonde is a downright terrible liar."
"So...are you willing to listen now?"
"Let's hear it."
So Iceburg delved into the story of what had happened and was careful not to leave out a single syllable of what was said. While he spoke there were times where he wondered if Dylin was even listening for the way he sat with his eyes closed, enjoying his cigarette, but then he'd surprise him by speaking up about something whether it was a question or a request to repeat specific details. When the smaller boy finished talking Dylin put out what was left of the putrid stick on the sole of his left boot then pulled the tie-up from his hair, letting it fall back down around his shoulders. He had a troubled look on his face.
"Ghylls? They didn't give a name other than that did they?"
Iceburg shook his head.
"Well, that's one thing that does come as a surprise. Ghylls, eh? I wonder..." Dylin looked back out the window as he mused aloud.
"You're familiar with the name?"
He gave a disgruntled nod and pulled out another smoke.
"I am. I knew they were up to some shit...I didn't think it went that deep though. Well, let's just hope it's not the same person I'm thinking of because that opens up a world of questions..."
"Who is it?"
"Don't worry about that. Worry about yourself for now." He grimaced and exhaled another shroud around Iceburg before he pointed the cigarette at him sternly. "They told you to keep quiet and you did. It won't take them long to find out if you kept your mouth shut or not. When they think they're in the clear they'll be back for you again as soon as possible - they likely won't expect you to have spoken to anyone, let alone me, since you didn't tell the nurse so they'll be cocky about it too. They know you're in bad shape because of our little altercation too, so...just be extra cautious."
"Little? It was hardly little and I believe an altercation takes more than one person. You attacked me...we didn't altercate." he coughed and once again tried to wave the stench away. "Thank you for the insight though. I was thinking the same thing - they'll be back soon."
"Psh. Come now, you definitely started it. Anyways, nothing will happen while I'm here but there's many nights I'm gone into the early morning. That's when they'll most likely try something."
"First off, I really didn't start anything - or at least, I didn't mean to. I think you maybe just tend to take things the wrong way and look for the worst in people... maybe because you've already seen so much bad in them?" While he spoke he could see Dylin eyeing him with an unreadable expression "Secondly...Where do you go at nighttime? Isn't there a strict curfew?"
For a moment he was nearly inanimate before he snapped back and gave something of a hearty laugh.
"My, my - you are a nosy one, aren't you Mr. Winter? Well, I'll be working of course. Some of us have to pay our own way in life. We have to build our own dreams. Anyways...you'll have to stay sharp and sleep with one eye open. Like I said they'll probably wait until I'm down at the Shipyard to come for you, but they will come."
Iceburg felt a pang of jealousy.
"You... work at a shipyard as well as go to school?"
"Yeah. What of it?"
"Well, I'm impressed. It's just admirable I suppose - I don't know. What do you do there?"
"Hold the compliments, princess, and stop trying to spark small talk. There's more important things at hand - take it seriously! Pay attention so you can save your own ass." Dylin scowled while he spoke "I don't want you sucking up to me now too like some lovestruck faggot. I'm not going to be your damn bodyguard if that's what you're playing for!"
"I'm not trying to 'suck up' to you and that's not what I want at all..."
"Well what do you want?"
"Peace."
"Seems you've come to the wrong place for that, eh?" Dylin laughed and gave him a shove.
Iceburg surprised himself by laughing as well while he moved towards one of the smaller windows.
"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing." while he spoke he leaned over and opened one to usher in fresh air.
Dylin frowned and pointed at him, a demanding tone back in his voice.
"What didn't you tell me?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"What details did you leave out? How are you injured like that? I know that wasn't me. What did they do?"
Perplexed by his sudden seriousness, he followed the direction of his finger to the bandages that now draped freely out of his uniform top. For a moment he thought he might vomit up his own heart but instead he laughed it off as best he could, with heart racing and ears ringing.
"That's actually a prior injury. It's fine." He felt his face reddening and tried to turn it away from him. "I-it's mostly healed now but calls for compression."
"Ah. That's good then. Well, anyways - if it comes down to it I'm not going to save your ass. I don't care about you or peace. However...I think there's a way we can both benefit from this whole... situation...and go on with our respective lives, free of those two clowns."
"May I ask what that way is?"
"You may." Dylin put his hands on his hips. "We're going to march you right back to the nurse and tell her what happened."
"I don't suppose you mean what really happened?"
"Of course not! After all, what's the truth to a fool who's none the wiser?" he grinned and pushed his hair back "It's whatever we want it to be. We use the situation to our advantage and tell her it was those sick fucks who attacked you - not that it's a total lie considering - and it'll go up the chain of command and they won't be allowed to set foot on school property again. You get some peace knowing they're not just walking unleashed on the premises at all hours and I don't have to see their shitty faces anymore. Win-win."
"Well...I'm sick of lies but in this case it seems necessary. Fine. Let's get this over with. I'll go through with it as long as you agree to leave me alone afterwards."
"Hah! An ultimatum. You're learning. Alright Ice-boy..." he gave a small grin "I'll agree to your terms. I'll leave you alone as long as you stay out of my way too. Consider our temporary alliance officially formed."
He sedulously pulled off a glove and held his left hand out to the violet-haired teen. Iceburg attempted to shake it with a strong grip - he'd always heard men complimenting one another on their their strong grips - however he immediately felt he was being crushed by the older boys hand. He grimaced but tried to mask it with a smile as his arm was flopped around like a fish tossed to land.
Dylin gave him a look that seemed to be pity combined with amusement.
"Good lord. One thing is for sure...we're going to have to work on that handshake of yours."