Considering I've been sitting in this office for half an hour while Crowley finishes a call, I regret every single moment I thought that this might be a nice meeting with the Crybaby Crow. I take in another deep breath of deep calming and do my best not to stop screaming because I have some cleaning to do.
The hunt for the bags last night and this morning, along with their contents? I'm impressed with the ingenuity of the ghosts, I am not impressed that they're going hard core pranking already. I have had a rough week! Has it only been a week, or about that? Oh my gosh I will not survive if every week is this big and dramatic.
I also don't want to deal with the brain cell bros hunting through freshly cleaned dorm areas. It's going to be a long haul, honestly. There's so much work and TLC to give...
At least, I got the bags back to Deuce and Ace—they were both grateful. Ish. Since it was their homework I delivered to them—memorizing for Crewel, Trein, and so on. There was some griping, but I had to run. If I had known that, instead, I would be sitting here waiting for Crowley to finish a conversation with an unknown individual—I would have hung around for some studying or card games. Well, unlike those two, and Grim, I am wholly and utterly done with my homework. I'll review in the morning for the memorization for Crewel… Maybe try and go over some things with Grim. I wonder how they're going to test him because he, as I've seen, can't hold a pen. Maybe matching with paw prints? I have zero idea.
I hope Grim isn't a terrible student, or I face a big loss in my good grades. Oh boy.
The phone is finally hung up and I wonder if there's health insurance here—because I'm going to become ancient waiting for things! Okay, that's an exaggeration but I really do have things to do.
"Now! I called you here for a few topics. Your stipend has been approved, and here is the paperwork." He slides me a stack, and I read through it. It's so much a week for as long as I'm a student. I'm surprised there's no grade requirement but I'm relieved. Grim's complaints about studying has me worried. I give a little hum as I flip through the pages and read through the legal terms. It's very short and simple, at least.
The Crow crows on, "I have also arranged, in my endless kindness, for repairs on Ramshackle Dorm to begin this week. Tomorrow morning will start with the roofers after you leave the attend classes… and end sometime before you should return, to not disturb your study time.
I finish the packet and look for a pen, because I need to sign. "Do you-"
"I am so kind as to remember." I'm handed a pen and I do not like how his eyes look when he smiles. It's not natural, but none of how he looks is natural.
I sign as iNo Wei/i after having to stop my OG signature. The misunderstanding is permanent and I'll just live with this. It's also a little bit funny when I look at it, and if nothing else, I can laugh at that when my hormones eventually seize control. Or. Cry.
"And your uniforms arrived." He puts a package on the desk from nowhere, and I stand up, a bit surprised as I open it.
"Oh… I thought it would take longer." I admit, and I open the box and paw through the contents with some excitement. "How many are in here…?"
"Five sets each of both your school uniform and gym attire, No. There isn't a dorm uniform as you… ...aren't established." I give him a careful look as he explains.
"Does that mean I could design something for Grim and I? At Heartslabyul, they gave him a very lovely ribbon…" It was super cute. And he very much liked it.
"We'll have to discuss that later; the designer isn't taking new clients currently." I feel like that's an excuse to not spend more money but since I have enough clothes and can wash them as needed—it's all fine. Crowley gets off the hook today.
I close the box, and slide the paperwork to Crowley. "Is there anything else?"
Crowley hands me an envelope. "Your first disbursement. You'll receive in two-week intervals… which will be delivered by magic, so don't lose it!" How… weird.
"Alright…" I take it and tuck it away. Definitely going to use that on inside-repairs to the dorm, and food.
"You will also now be in charge of the Dorm's expenses, which include maintenance, parties, groceries, and other affairs." He's pulling out more paperwork and I wonder if I'm going to be here all day as I look at the number and press my lips together. Not bad. "All Prefects are responsible for maintaining the budget and submitting reports to me biweekly—as you cannot send it by magic, you can stop by before classes or after every-other Friday and either hand them to the desk outside my office or to me. You can also submit for out-of-budget costs like large repairs or replacements as long as the circumstance is not directly your fault."
"Okay." I respond, at least letting him know I've got it. There's a stack of replica forms for every-other week, and there's even event forms if I want to formally host something. "So this means I can make up traditions?"
"I—well. I suppose so." He looks a little surprised at that question.
I parse through the forms, giving a low hum again. Then I spot iCafeteria Budget/i! Ahaha. No. Grim eats too much for this shit. "Hmm, what is this…?" I pull it out and show him. "I remember you saying that Grim and I could eat there for lunch every day, and it wasn't an issue… did that change?"
That's probably going to bite me in the ass but with how much Grim eats at lunch for one meal I cannot possibly hope to afford repairs and Grim at once. The budget isn't necessarily small but considering I do not currently have a full understanding of the valuation of things, I honestly cannot properly budget until I grapple costs better.
"AH—I did… say that…" I see it now. Crowley's a wee bit of a miser, isn't he? "Then—I will continue that. I am very kind." He holds out his hand and I give him the form. "And this—is your expense card." He hands me what looks like a debit card. "You can use this for payment… are you familiar with these? Do you have something familiar in your world?"
"Yeah, credit or debit card where I'm from—they're a little different." I look it over in my hand.
"And that's not for frivolous things—it's for dorm expenses."
"Got it." I've budgeted before—I'm an adult.
"Do not lose it."
"No plans on that, either…" As I tuck it into my wallet. Alright, I can budget with the forms, label out the expenses and turns them in while using the card to pay for things. That works for me. Now to change the subject… "And, about finding me a way home?" I inquire, and the immediate look on his face is that he hasn't looked at all.
"It's a—very complicated topic! I've enlisted help from around to try and find—something." That higher lilt in his voice really seals the deal.
"Okay, just let me know." I reply.
"And as a last order of business, what pictures have you taken?" Of course. I go back to my bag and reach in, pulling out the photos shoved in a pocket and hand them over to him. Most of it is just of what's happened, including Grim's excitement over his collar, and then there's a few of the first day of classes—which ends with the clean up of the Heartslabyul Dorm and people cooperating to clean it up. He's delighted at least. "Splendid! Wonderful work. This is exactly what I wanted."
"Glad to do well…" I guess. But I wonder if I can put these all in a photo album…?
I like that idea.
Maybe Sam's Shack has one?
He hands them back, all except three, and I tuck them away. I guess he's making some sort of report out of them? And as I don't want to know, I definitely don't ask.
I tuck them away, and—of course he has more to say.
"And Friday, after classes, would you please bring Trappola, Spade, and Grim with you—I would like to go over yesterday's incident."
"Alright, I'll let them know."
"That will be all, Wei." Well, I know when I'm being dismissed. I gather my paperwork in my bag, and grab the box before leaving.
"Have a good night, Headmaster!" I'm at least polite as I exit, and head my way back to the dorm. I've got a lot to work on…
Oh boy.
It's nice to be able to free-boob at night without fear. And as I wake up, Grim's still snoring away. Judging by the lack of light, I didn't sleep long and I have time for a long, luxurious shower before I begin the day. Excited, too, as I have baggy, and proper gym attire—plus, I have a uniform that's in date!
I even find the ribbon with a seal to put on my arm in the box. Ah, white and black ribbon with… what is probably the old dorm's thing. It says iRamshackle/i on it. Befitting.
I am way excited. I'm starting to feel like a real student here—and I know I don't fit it (I have 0 pop culture references that match so far), but it's a learning process. It's not like I have any access to social media or anything here. Which, is probably for the best because I haven't really seen Cater without that gaudy cellphone.
I'm starting to set off for my new routine at Night Raven College… which involves, today, dragging Grim out of bed and running off to class.
"Oi. The make-up Unbirthday Party is Wednesday at five." Ace Trappola informs me, which brings me right out of my post-lunch coma.
"Oh! That's soon." I'm surprised.
"It's the next day without any birthdays." Deuce replies very informatively. "So—we'd like you—uh, actually, the Housewarden personally told us to invite you."
Maybe I'll get an apology. Hah. Yeah right.
"Well, I already feel like a honorary dorm member with how entangled I am with your affairs. Sure—Grim and I will go." I reply.
"Only if we ACTUALLY get tarts and food this time!" Grim huffs. Okay, he's definitely holding a grudge and I'm not blaming him at all for it. We definitely got blindsided into this disaster and make-up food is worth it.
"I can't wait for the tart!" Oh, the tart thief is excited.
"Yeah, and don't steal this one. I'm charging rent if I have to house you two again like that." I reply.
"You can if we iactually/i had rooms." Ace shoots back.
"I'll take your rent as help cleaning." Oh, I think I got him.
Both of them don't look too keen on the idea.
"See? Either stay at your dorm and stop the shenanigans or clean for me." I make a face. Yes, I am the pinnacle of maturity right now.
"Pulling that Prefect cards already?" Heart-face scoffs.
"Yes, Prefect." Deuce is good. Ten-out-of-ten here.
But I am really glad I've made some friends.
The triumphant sounds of a leader entering are loud and clear. The tea garden is I guess what someone calls perfection for this affair. It's all very exact, and I see that Ace and Deuce look a bit worn out. I need to ask about what shenanigans occurred but I did not help with set up this time.
It is amazing how quick Cater had us dressed for the affair. I should ask why I'm in this odd-themed outfit with blue that doesn't fit in at all with the theme. Is it supposed to be for outsiders? Is it pointing out my lack of magic? Because if so, that's pretty rude.
Riddle, who looks recovered, enters with a student's announcement, "Make way for our leader, the Red Ruler: Housewarden Riddle Rosehearts!"
That's.
"Cheers for Dorm Leader Riddle!" Many students cry out with varying levels of enthusiasm.
I smell drama? I smell drama.
"Indeed. The roses are red, the tablecloths are white—truly, a perfect Unbirthday Party." I'm having too much deja vu and I do not care if we're getting food at this event I do not want to have these repeated flashbacks to where they haunt my dreams.
But also: free food.
"The Dormouse is in the teapot… or, perhaps it doesn't really matter now." I think we broke the teapot tyrant.
"You don't have to change things so suddenly, Riddle." Trey gently cuts in. "—we can just use the jam on the scones, if you'd like." Yeah, he's definitely dorm mom. "We don't have to stop some things all at once. It can be a slow process."
And get him therapy. That'd be great too.
I flinch, too, because Riddle's face flickers for a moment.
Oh no. iPlease/i no.