Home sweet home! After an unceremonious, iDon't come back/i from Leona, Grim and I are sent on our way with our bags! Which is fine with me, the hour is late and I bet Jack's passed right out since it's ten. It's been a long, long, long day and I'm still wound up enough a full to be awake a couple hours, but Grim is fading fast.
When we get in, I'm actually a little surprised to see it cleaner than I left it—as in someone did the high-dusting I have to pull a ladder for and am a little lazy about keeping up. If Grim had skills in practical, cleaning magic, I'd… probably…
Make him do a LOT more. At least he helps with a bit when he's bribed properly. I wish he'd just do things but I can only work miracles that stop incidents with Overblots, obviously.
I am so over this emotional hellscape that is my hormones but there's a few days left. I wish I had those three-day short ones.
Life sucks.
I've got my clothes put away, Grim's stored his tuna, I'm busy with an article when the cat demon creature of bones graves goes up to bed. I'm sipping some tea, and it's… a nice evening.
I at least get my report and such submitted on time. I'm really hating Crowley's schedules. But, hey, I'm going to get some money in! I have projects. I need some things replaced, including every single mattress in here. I'll have to probably save up for that but I am so, so excited to get some big changes to make this place more comfortable—and maybe one day it'll be a real dorm again.
I think I'm taking the weekend off, and I'll make cookies Monday? Thank some of the big help and friends for everything. Maybe give some to fatty octopus as a gesture of good will. I am mad, but I don't want long-term animosity. I've made up with Leona… I… think? And of course Riddle. And even Ace when he was being a dick.
But not Vil Schoenheit.
Fuck that guy.
Sorry I'm hiding some grade-A titties, fucklord. I'm already headed outside to cool down. I can't wind down and go to sleep if I'm getting pissed.
I like singing, and when is the best time to sing? Definitely when I'm wandering around the dorm's grounds with no one paying attention—the ghosts are doing ghost things, and Grim is in a dead sleep. So here I am, singing my actual lungs out. It feels good. The stress of a new world and classes? It's a great relief, and since I'm shit at sleeping—well, it's always at the night hours this happens, right?
There are several songs I run through one after the other. Singing, a bit of dancing. Air guitar? Of course. And I feel good after it, even if I'm ending on a song about how I don't care, which is the absolute opposite of the truth—but it's one of those good emotional songs that sort of feel awesome to belt out loudly.
I finish, and there's a long sigh of relief. It feels so good to sing out things. It's how I cope with my emotions—I mean, clearly, I cry too, if the overblots are anything to go by—which is really weird… It's not something I'm really ready to think too deeply about because my itheory/i is I can hear the thoughts of the person in overblot and now I think I know a little too much about some people here at Night Raven College.
And how would I even bring that up.
Except, well, I could think more about that but instead it comes to my attention that someone is clapping.
I have never turned my head so fast I probably gave myself whiplash! But who else do I see except my mysterious horned friend! My cheeks turn redder than an apple at harvest. I didn't expect… right. He wanders around at night.
"...So you heard how much of that?" My voice squeaks a little.
"The one of words in someone's head." He answers simply, his expression curious; there is no smile to his face. No amusement.
"And you… didn't… say anything sooner? That was—that was the start. That's when I started." I am so embarrassed. I'm a good singer, I know this, but I don't really sing for an audience unless alcohol is involved. And as far as I know this is a dry school. I should ask Azul… but I don't want to get tangled in that mess.
But I could use a drink right now.
"It seemed rude to interrupt."
"...So you saw… everything…" I can't dance but do I move around like I can when I sing? Yes.
"Yes." Again, a simple answer.
I take in a deep breath, and let it out.
"Tell no one." I have my hands over my face and shake my head vigorously to try and get rid of every bit of embarrassment that I feel. I don't think it will—work out that way, but—but it's helping a little bit.
When I look back, he's smiling that sly, curious smile of his. "I did not have that thought, No Wei. I was hoping the outside world would have more to amuse me…"
Let me perish.
"I am glad to see you've returned." I think maybe this is Mr. Mystery's initial purpose but I also want to die. "I am surprised to see you victorious over Ashengrotto. You act, and look, quite… air-headed, however you have proven yourself clever."
Hornton has no faith in me. DICK. I.
He's smiling too. The fucker knows he's being insulting. Is he trying to get a rise out of me? Does this have to do with the amusement stuff? What a prick!
"Well, you did drop a pretty useful hint that finally got my brain back in order." And I have the worst case of period-brain. Rumor says pregnancy brain is a hundred times worse and I believe it. Is that going to stop me from wanting four rugrats? Nope.
"Me?" The amused Mystery Man looks surprised. "I did not contribute." How serious, too! Gosh, Hornton. "...but if that is the case, I am only thankful that the grounds are as peaceful as they were once before—even with their night concerts." OH. MY. GOD. HORNTON. STOP.
WE NEVER SPEAK OF IT.
I had to put my hands to my cheeks! Ugh!
"I find it unfortunately I was not there to see Ashengrotto during his defeat." Wow, is everyone at school a sadist? "It must have been a fun sight."
That smirk tells me that, yes, everyone is a sadist.
"I punched him in the face." I say very bluntly.
He looks surprised.
I pull out the short piece of hair that will have to be crafted into bangs soon because it sucks now—it's clearly torn apart, it looks jagged and absolutely awful. "He tore my hair."
"How… vicious…" He has his hand to his chin, again, head tilted in curiosity.
"I have to go to Pomefiore… tomorrow… I guess. I need it fixed." I can't help a sigh. "I'm not good at cutting hair, or I'd do it myself."
"Ah." He has quite the expression, and I don't understand it at all. It's both curious and as if he's starting to plot something.
"So! As a thanks for your help—I'm baking some cookies. So—how about you make sure to stop by on your walk Monday night? We can have some tea, too." I openly invite him, of course, otherwise I'm not going to see him in actual light and prove he's real.
He looks so shocked. "An… invitation… for me?"
God, these guys are so under-socialized. "Yes! Horntonl I'm inviting you Monday night, late, whenever we normally meet I guess, for tea and cookies at Ramshackle."
My horned friend still seems rather shocked. "I… accept." Even dazed? Is he okay?
"Are you okay?" Oh boy, okay, instead of friends with Leona first we're starting with Riddle and moving UP to Leona. I'm going to get Mr. Mystery here some friends if it's the last thing I do—and both those Housewardens need some buddies too. Lots more. Friendship is my brand of magic or something. I don't know.
I really do think they could all be friends.
Now, his head sharply turns, and there's a bit of a frown. "Unfortunate—it is time I return to my own dorm, No Wei. Two days, then, good night."
"Can't wait!" I wave—and when I turn my head off and back he's gone and I just don't even know! With a sigh, I shake my head and start to head back to my own Dorm. I think I'm calmed down enough for some nice sleep.
I soon hear running, and two Diasomnia—oh! I recognize Sebek! He seems a little out of sorts, and I don't exactly know the silver-haired one.
"Is he here?" The silver-haired one asks.
Sebek looks around, frowning. "No, he is not!" His voice is fairly quiet. For once. But I think he looks like he's about to cry?
"He might be at the west building…" The other replies, serious, as pretty aural eyes are sweeping the area.
I'm just a spectator.
"Ah, young master, why must you always run off alone? Why did you stop looking over him, Silver?"
"He is not a babe—you are overly concerned. He is safe at school." The silver-haired one scolds. Wait. His name is Silver? Huh. That's on point.
"It will be too late if anything happens to him! We cannot let our guard down, not even for a second!" Yeah, that passion is DEFINITELY all Sebek. He looks way more ready to cry. Ohhhh. "We are his knights! And you should understand your debt—raised by Lilia, as a human, and watched over by the young master as you've grown!"
Wait, isn't… Lilia a student…?
I am so fucking confused, and definitely tired. But I love my free student drama. I don't have a television here and I can't really do cool net stuff on a school lap top. So, this is what I've got.
Silver sighs, and places his hand against his head, looking… done? Or sleepy? Maybe both. Sebek's got to be exhausting long-term.
And there they go.
"Wonder what that bullshit was about." I ask.
Whatever, maybe I'll hear more drama tomorrow—and off I go to bed, heading up the stairs to hear Grim sleep talking about nonsense. Well, this is nice. My own room. Why haven't I kicked Grim out to another after cleaning up?
Let's be real it's because I'm too used to sleeping with a kitty cat. Hah.
The…
The mirror's glowing?
I.
I approach, slowly.. I see… swirling mist…?
And a voice, a voice….?
i"Is someone there…?"/i It asks.
I wake up.
Ugh, I'm dying.
Rolling out of bed, I mumble as I start the new day. I've got bidness.
