I'm tired.

But, I know I'm getting my first wonderful, relaxing day in a long time. And as I get up, I greet the morning joyfully. I had a great meeting with Hornton, I've got plans, and I guess everything is finally going well. No Crowley appearing. No nonsense.

And I'm back to Ramshackle in my own shower able to sing as loud as I want and have the best—okay I miss Leona's tub and I won't lie.

Maybe I can ask a favor…? Probably not. I think he's going to avoid me for awhile. Plus, I'm back with Grim so I bet the scent is nice and covered again.

But that was some grade-A hugging. I want another one really bad right now. Ah, why can't I have 3-day periods and be blessed?

Unfortunately there is no nice kindness for me in this world. I got to punch one guy in the face for hurting my hair and my tender skull and I am punished forever. There's a knock on the door and I do not want to live on this planet any longer.

I open—yep. The FUCKING Leech duo! I. Why? What did I do, God? Please, have mercy.

"Lil' shrimpy and baby seal! Morning!" The two just step right in, like I can stop them. "We came to get you! Let's go!"

"Going where? I don't like the sight of you two… it's bad luck. We might get hurt…" Grim is right to be arm-crossed and cautious—did his ear flames get darker? Huh.

"Oh, of course not. We only harm those that break their contracts. No Wei fulfilled his obligations perfectly." Jade explains, a hand toward his chest in a weird gesture. I don't like it. "Now, this weather is perfect for our field trip."

Wait. To the museum? We… only discussed… what?

"We're going to the Atlantica Memorial Museum!" Floyd's too chipper.

I'm… what?

"Azul arranged, and reserved the entire museum for us today. We have already collected your fellow compatriots, and they are waiting outside for us." Jade informs, further. So he has HOSTAGES. Dumb hostages. "Azul has already gone ahead."

It's Deuce and Ace, isn't it?

WAIT. Will he be an octopus, then? WILL HE BE CHUBBY?

I—I have to go now.

"We're putting the photo back, right? ...Without alterations…?" I am very, very suspicious. He was mortified at his cute appearance. What a cute baby octopus… and even these two were cute once, which surprises me.

"Yes, the photo is unaltered. I have kept it in my possession." Jade is… weirdly attached to it? Or maybe he just likes teasing Azul? He's a sadist too, clearly.

"Come, come, let's go, let's go!" Floyd is way too hyped up about the field trip.

It's… kind of cute?

If he wasn't terrifying.

So, we're out—and yep, wrangled two dumb asses. I see Ace and Deuce a little cautious—and I'm surprised to see Jack. He's got a protective stance. He's ready for a fight. I can't blame him either, because he's definitely got the right attitude about this.

"How did they snag all of you?" Grim asks.

"...We were… threatened…" Ace huffs a little.

"I'd say ipolitely coerced/i." Deuce concluded.

Jack says nothing, shaking his head. "Are you feeling better, No?"

"Define better?" I need some clarification. I still feel like shit, but having some delicious barbecue has soothed my Texan soul somewhat away from violence. Would I still punch Azul in the other side of his face today…? Yes, given the right circumstances. And I'd enjoy it as much as the first time.

In other news, my fist hurts. Worth it.

I get a pretty big from from Jack. Oof. I don't deserve that.

"Do you want to stay here…?" Jack hedges, and I see that the Leech Bros are getting pretty close and those big dual-colored eyes are so fucking creepy with the sharp-eyed smiles that I'm okay now.

"Let's go!"

"Can we get fish today…?" Grim asks, and I look at the two matching eels.

"Maybe." What? I like eel.

It's an easy trip to the Mirror Chamber, our ticket to getting off the island. It's really weird to think about that we're on an island. Campus seems so large, or at least I guess with the other planes that the dorms exist on that it's really, really large? That's still something I'm trying to wrap my head around. Is it a method to keep the students safe, or is it a way to save on real estate costs? Knowing Crowley, the latter seems likely. I mean, if he… well if he established the school, wouldn't he be a hundred or something?

I wouldn't put it past him given what a pain in the ass he is after all. Haunting and terrorizing students for generations with his desires to run off on vacation? Sounds legit.

I'm bitter.

I am very bitter, and very violent right now. I should've said no to this and done something that wouldn't be building ire. I'll chill in a few days, but right now I'm still riding the red tides of bullshit. I hate this. Everything is awful. I want to cry.

"Drink this." I'm handed a potion by Jade, and I've completely zoned out. It goes down the hatch with ease and with a glow—we're soon in the ocean again.

I kind of want to be a mermaid right now, because with—wait, where are the two?

Uh.

It's just us. Us five. The two are missing. Is this a trap?

"Where did they go?" I ask.

"Ah—right. They have to get rid of their clothes… probably didn't want us seeing them naked." Ace hedges.

"Then aren't we seeing them naked in their eel forms?" I ask.

"That makes a lot of sense…" Deuce continues.

"Let's not talk about this. Ever. Ever again." Jack also poses a reasonable point, and as we're in familiar territory—off we go!

Okay, so the ocean was definitely a good idea. I feel so much better in the water. As we are on an island, I'll probably try to go to the sea tomorrow just to—or maybe whatever water source is nearest and just sit in the water for the relief. My power back, and my lower abdomen feel so much better with the watery support. It's nice. I could get used to this.

"Lil' Shrimpy!" I hear Floyd, who comes up and warps me in an underwater bear hug and I screech and flail! "See, we're here!" I am being ignored and he has wisely pinned my arms.

"Now, now, Floyd, don't squeeze him too hard." YOU ARE NOT HELPING MR. LEECH.

"Leggo!" I squirm aroud, as I hear his laughter—we twirl—and shoot off. THAT IS NOT LETTING GO!

I'm finally released after twisting and twirling endlessly in the water for what feels like an eternity but is only a few minutes. I'm released, and hear Jade talking—"We are here with the Ashengrotto reservation…"

"Come right in, please—the musuem is expecting you."

That was… easy.

I am at least left on my own now. I hate Floyd.

"Wow… it really is magnificent." Ace commnets—right, he was outside.

"Oh—isn't that the statue of the Great Sea King?" Deuce points out the buff daddy merman in the center of the entrance.

"He is quite well trained!" You could wash sheets on those abs, Jack.

"Now then, everyone, welcome to the Atlantica Memorial Museum." Azul finally appears. I am SO disappointed he's not a chubby octopus. "And this is the sponsored trip from Monstro Lounge to you. Please, enjoy yourselves."

"Biggest letdown yet." I sigh. But I see a puffy cheek. GOOD.

"Hah! There's that octopus—wait, why aren't you an octopus?" Grim is asking the appropriate questions.

Now I have to wonder.

How the fuck are his flames lit underwater? We've been here three times now and I've only just thought of that question.

I'm going to brush it off as magic flames and move on with my life.

"So you don't eat—octopi are rare in this area." Azul has disappointed everyone with this appearance.

"Worst let down." I comment, again.

"I would like to avoid unwanted attention after the photo is returned." As if anyone's going to recognize the cute chubby baby Azul for this asshole.

"How paranoid. I doubt anyone would recognize the octopus in this photo as you, Azul." Jade is mocking him. Good Jade.

"We haven't been here in ages—why wouldn't it be easier to be normal, Azul?" Floyd asks. "No one's going to recognize cute lil' Azul as big Azul."

"Just let me do as I need—now I'm going to return the photo—please enjoy your tour." Azul heads off without a further word.

Floyd chuckles. "Oh, oh, come here! It's an exhibition of the mermaid princess's silver comb!" It's… Floyd, that's a fucking fork.

"I saw that on a pamphlet, but isn't that a fork?" Ace is pointing out the obvious today, he probably has brain cell control.

"Of course that is what those of the surface would perceive." Jade chuckles.

It's a fucking fork, weirdo.

I let them wander off, but I'm following Azul. I don't necessarily trust him to put the photo back. So, as their voices fade, I follow his very, very slow gate. Maybe I can get away with another punch? I'm still feeling a bit annoyed. I have cookies to bake.

"Why are you following me?" Azul asks.

"I have absolutely no faith in you." I say, coming up to his side properly. "I'm also in the indecision of making your face match."

He recoils a little. "—I-I will return it just fine! There's no need for that!"

"You ruined my hair, Azul, that is a multiple-face-punching offense." I gently pull the locks out. It's terrible, even under water!

"—I will arrange for you to head to Pomefiore afterwards to have that fixed—will you stop going after my face?!" Azul hold his unhurt cheek protectively.

"Sure." Why not? If anyone can fix it, it's the fashion dorm.

"I just wanted to erase all of the photos from my past, No. I wanted to make that past no longer exist. I am unlike the Sea Witch, where as she never hid, but embraced all she was—growing from all she had been, and would be… I've spent all thios time trying to bury mine, not able to accept part of what is me. I haven't been like her, though I've desperately wanted to be." I.

I dislike that I am growing heavy sympathy for Azul right now. He's… just another troubled guy at this school. Like Riddle. Like Leona.

Bastard.

"You've already accomplished a lot without stealing magic, Azul." I say, with a sigh. Damn. I'm too soft.

"What?"

"—Your hard work has toppled Crowley, and you're a teenager with a successful business. Magic is easy, but working hard is way more work, and a lot more impressive." And I can say that as an expert that has ZERO magic.

"You think I'm a hard worker…?" Azul, no one can get on my nerves this much without working at it. He laughs. "There's no need to flatter, No. All I've wanted is revenge against those that have wronged me."

"I think you're misunderstanding. Those guides took a lot of work. The spells you can use take a lot of work. And annoying me this much takes a lot of work, too." I need to clear the air.

He pauses, with the frame in hand as we stand before where it needs to be returned. "Noted."

I watch him hang it up, and sigh. "Boy, you really were cute…"

"Ugh!" He's so disgusted, too. "Why?!"

"I mean, so were Floyd and Jade. THAT surprises me more." Those eels were adorable once upon a time. And Azul was SO CUTE. "I doubt even in your form you'd be… that cute…"

"Can we NEVER talk about this again?" Azul stresses.

"No, No!" Grim cries out, coming over and tugging my hand with his paws. "There's a giant dinosaur bone! Do you think I could eat it?!"

"No." I reply, easily.

"That is a monster of the depths called a sea dragon." Jade cuts in with facts. "The legends say that the Sea Witch had sea dragon skeletons throughout her cave."

"And this is a replica of the Sea Witch's cauldron!" Floyd points out excitedly—and I'm drug along. Welp.

"Woah! There's cauldrons underwater?!" Deuce.

Okay fine I'm surprised too.

"How do you heat that?" Ace asks.

"No idea. Azul!?" Floyd twists around, asking the smart octopus.

"A-hem… I must warn you, my fees as a tour guide are quite exorbent." Uh.

"How about one knuckle sandwich?" I ask from the clutches of Floyd's tail. Again.

"—but today I will offer them at the low, low price—of free!" That's a good move, Azul.

Fine, the museum trip was fun! And I'm pretty glad to get back to Ramshackle for a nice, long, hot shower. I'm almost tuckered out, but honestly? I feel better. The time underwater erally helps with my cramps, and I admittedly had some fun with them. Maybe the trio aren't so bad after all.

You know, I'm going to reserv those feelings for later.

I head down stairs, and fry up some extra-special salmon cakes for Grim. "-celebrating our dorm, returned!" And the canned salmon was on SALE! So, we'll have these more often.

"Oooo! I love these!" And he chows down.

I snag two, since we're eating at home again I definitely need to keep up the rationing until I get the new budget in order. We're running low on funds, and I don't want to be dead broke. I think the first check comes in Monday but then I have to arrange the payment to the Dorm's account and that's going to take a few days.

Stipend funds aren't much, every little red cent counts.

And of course I hear more knocking.

Off to the door I go, and I open it to…

Mr. Drama Bowl Cut. Huh. I haven't seen him in a hot minute. Those sharp-eyes are pretty unnerving too. And I've also seen more of him that I want to! But that's neither here nor there.

"Uh… Rook Hunt." Yeah, I remember, the all-day potion affair, too. And apparently Leona avoids him at all cost.

"Oui, oui, Roi du Non!" The very dramatic man says, giving a bow with his hand off, and offering his hand. "I am here to escort you to Pomefiore."

"...Oh! Right." Azul had said…

"Oui! You have many benefactors~!" He snags my hand, and tugs me—uh. Wow. This is how you'd have your arm for a lady but okay. Um. I guess because I'm shorter this works.

It's—a little awkward, but he's insisting on this, and I'm along for the ride. "SEE YOU GRIM! BE GOOD!" I call out, praying he doesn't figure out how to work a can opener. If he does? I'll never eat again.

I'm just tired, in all honesty.

Now, Pomefiore is a gorgeous dorm. I want Ramshackle to at least be neat and organized, but I know there's not enough space and not enough money in this place to actually catch up. And I'm fine with that. I've done a lot with the place—and honestly the finery is far too much for me.

I don't think anyone's surprised to see me, or that I'm on Rook's arm. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

"Now, Roi du Non, let us get you to the salon." We go down a hall, and to the right into—an actual full salon. I'm. I'm not sure what to do. I'm pretty much having to take a step back mentally to see the full station—hair, nails, feet—it looks like there's a couple students paying for services. Well, I mean, if Monstro Lounge has a business through Octavinelle, this makes sense too, right?

I'm not sure what to think about it all, honestly.

He sets me down in a fancy salon chair, and turns it around so I'm looking into the mirror. He stands behind with a soft hum. I meet his eyes in the mirror—he's still smiling. Carefully, he starts to run his hands through my hair, and sighs when he pulls out the ruined bangs. "Oh, non, non! Look at this…" Such a sad voice! Ugh.

I sigh. "The area's still tender." I need gentle.

"Noted." He replies, and gently looks through my scalp. "Ah, I see, I see… Trickster, No, a moment." He departs, and…

I… really get a good look at myself. Huh. The baggy uniform. The long hair. These strange, blue eyes…

My hands go to my cheeks a moment, a gentle smack to bring me back as Rook returns, he puts some weird green goop on his fingers, and rubs it into the painful spot on my scalp—and it's—instantly better?!

"Viola! And now, your aches are gone." A laugh, and he sets a small bottle aside, before turning on a sink. "I am going to wash your curls, before I trim your hair, and shape. Alright?"

"...Yeah." I'm prepared.

"Good! Now…"

Honestly? I'm not paying attention in a couple moments as I'm under the water getting my hair washed, and conditioned. He's got gentle fingers, which does impress me—but I also notice his hands have scars, too, which… is a little thing to note.

He's talking, and I really don't care what he's saying. This feel so, so good. I'm relaxed. I don't care.

I can't help but relax for what feels like the first time in forever. In all honesty? I'm sad when I'm sitting up and getting my hair combed—and soon he's got out scissors.

Now, did I know this was going to be a three hour affair when I started? No.

Did I realize that by the time Rook's making the final slight snips in my hair?

Yes. Because I can read an analog clock.

"Oh… it's late."

"Ah! You have come back, No. Do you feel better~?"

"Yes." I reply honestly. I think I just needed to zone out.

He grins, and he turns me back to the mirror, a hand running through my new and improved, short bangs—with face framing. Oh—that looks so fucking feminine.

"Huh." Then I remember Epel and it's fine.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes! Thank you. My hair looks so much better." I sigh with relief. It's been awhile since I've had bangs, and the longer pieces have curls at the end too. It's… cute. It's REALLY cute. Why haven't I ever had a hair cut this good before? What is this absolute bullshit?!

Rook helps me out of the chair, and resumes the escort. "Come, let us take you back, Roi du Non!"

I go right along with him. I feel fancy, actually! And, I haven't seen that monster Vil Schoenheit. This day has been GREAT!

Except someone hates me.

Vil has just entered the crossroads and stops, turning to look at us. "Ah, so you've taken care of No Wei already." He pauses, appraising. "Not bad for a potato. You can work miracles, Rook."

I hate this man. Rook's got a strong arm or I think I'd probably try to yank that crown off of his head and beat him with it.

Oh, this was the wrong day to come here. I am full of hormones.

"What is with THAT expression?" Vil scoffs. "How inelegant."

It's the expression of murder, Vil Fuckheit.

Rook chuckles. "AH, Roi du Non was about asleep, beautiful Vil. I am taking him back now~"

"Ah—it is late. Good night."

We are FREE. And I sigh a long, tired sigh when we're getting toward my dorm. That is such a relief. I'm going to find a way to make his life Hell tomorrow or maybe the day after, depending… on a lot of factors.

"Thank you." I say as Rook leaves me at the door.

He gives a bow. "Until we meet again, Trickster No!'

I don't understand this guy at all, but he goes—and I've got a lot of stuff to do tomorrow—I mean, soon I've got cookies to give, and a nice Midnight Tea with my secret night friend!

Maybe, for a little while, life at NRC will be peaceful...