Sorry, this took so long. Procrastination, thy name is Tahrae.
I'm also sorry this is short. It'd be another four and half months until the next chapter.
The chapter name is from a Be More Chill lyric, specifically Micheal in the Bathroom. I highly recommend you guys check the Broadway and off-broadway out.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"I think the abomination balloons should be purple, not yellow."

'Well, maybe if you bought them earlier instead of last week when you know all the schools would be clamoring for them, they would be. And they're not yellow. They're Deathodill."

Edric was currently at his Grom planning committee meeting. They were only in the planning phase, with Grom being a month away.

It was just him, Tom Gash, Finley Betz, and Katie Jenson. Becky and Ian were running late. They were all discussing logistics for decorations. He was in charge of decorating the banner (but not putting it up ever since the stairway incident)

And here he is, listening to yet another argument between Tom and Finley.

"Hey Blight, your family makes abomination stuff? Do you think they could get us the good balloons?" Tom called. Who had pinkish peach skin, his beak accentuated his square jaw, thin lips, and sailor nose. His red feathered hair (that was literally red feathers) complemented his wide, oval blue eyes. The way his confident and cocky posture set off his square soldiers and slim body made him appear more bigger than he was.

"We don't sell that kind of merchandise," Edric said, turning away from everyone. He had previously suggested that to his mom, but she dismissed the idea. "We're a serious security company, Edric. The last thing we need is to stoop so low," were her exact words.

"I like the Deathodil balloons. They complement the red flower arch. Besides, the curtain would wash them out and overpower them." Katie, Finley's assistant and best friend. She had a plump potato-shaped figure but was offset by her height., complemented by her curvy limbs. With a heart-shaped face, tan skin, and defined cheekbones framed by shoulder-length chocolate brown hair.

"I guess so."

Edric turned his attention back to the banner. "You said we were going for a gold and red theme?"

"Yes," said Finley.

"Then, I think we should make the banner all gold so it shines off the stage lights," Edric suggested.

"That's actually a really good idea, Blight," Tom said.

Actually?

"To make that work, we need to make the flower arches stand out, so they must be at least 15 feet tall," Finley remarked, tapping a pen against their chin. Finley was a higher-than-average looking witch, with their round face, tan skin, button nose, and wavy dirty blonde/light brown hair that was somehow dry and greasy.

"And the balloon arch should be at least 20 feet taller than the flower arch. " Tom chimed in.

"Where are we going to get the money?" Finley asked.

"What if we had a bake sale?" Katie chimed in.

"What if we speak to Principal Bump to increase our budget?" Edric offered.

"From where? He's already spread pretty thin with rebuilding the detention pit alone; he won't go for it." Finley cried.

"Go for what?"

Becky and Ian stood in the conference room doorway with snacks. Rhea Beck, a petite witch with short, curly black hair, ivory skin, and three horns (two in the back of their head and one above her forehead), was carrying a box of donuts topped with a veggie tray and a bag of blood apples, while their boyfriend Ian Snailby, a dark chocolate skin with short hair, was carrying an assorted apple blood boxes.

"We were just talking about the logistics for the Grom budget this year," Finley said.

"And it's too small for us to do what we want." Said Katie.

"And Bump isn't going to widen it with everything else that's going on," Tom said.

"It's still pretty early in the year; he might say yes. What do you want to do?" Ian asked as he and Becky set all the snacks on the table.

"Well, we think the flower arch should be bigger," Kaite said.

"Okay..."

"Also, the balloon arch," Tom said.

"Okay, I think that's all manageable. We might even be able to cover that with our current budget. Assuming we don't go overboard with anything else."

"I also have some ideas." Edric chimed in. "I thought we could get one of those human lights machines. I saw one at The Owl Lady's stand."

"Isn't her human junk kinda pricey?"

"I can pay for it out of pocket myself; it would only cost me one and a half allowances."

"We still have to get permission from Principal Bump to get those things. Since the incident in '89."

"So, it looks like we have decorations covered. Now all we need is food."

"Just basic snacks, no big meals like last year. A few pastries, maybe a cheese platter . "

"But the meals are the best part! It distinguishes Grom, besides the giant fear monster, from the other dances."

"I'm sorry, but the weapons budget takes precedence above all else. At least we'll have something."

"I can chip in for food if that's an issue. The money my mom gives me to leave her alone could supply enough snacks for the entire night."

Horrified and pitying looks fill everyone in the room.

"As thoughtful as that idea is, Edric. I think we'll be fine as is. If it comes down to it, we can always do a bake sale." Katie said, reassuring Edric.

"Honestly, no one cares that much about food, anyway. It's all about the Grom Royalty fighting a goop monster and seeing their inner demons. That and dates and groups. You know, like any other dance."Ian said.

"Well, Ian and I are obviously going together. We've been researching matching outfits for months." Becky said.

"I mean, me and Katie have talked about going. As friends, obviously."

"What about you, Blight? Do you have any suitors lined up? Or are your parents saving you for someone like the Golden Guard?"

"Uh, first of all, the Golden Guard is prohibited from courting anyone. I know because my grandfather tried to set up my father, aunt, and uncle with the previous one, and Emperor Belos vehemently refused. Something about the Titan having greater plans for them or something."

"Huh."

"Wait, Head Witch Blight tried to set up all three of his kids with the Golden Guard?" Puzzled Becky.

"What? No. He offered each one as a viable suitor for the Golden Guard, leaning more towards my aunt for some reason, but Belos refused."

"Yeah, that makes more sense," Katie remarked as Becky nodded.

"So…you don't have any other suitors lined up?" Tom asked as he drew a circle on the table with his finger in a sort of suggestive way.

"Uh… no, not that I know of."

"So you don't have a date for Grom?'

"No."

"What a coincidence, neither do I."

"Are you asking me to Grom?"

"I think I am Blight. The real question is, will you say yes?"

"Uh, yeah, that sounds fun," Edric said as he ticked a piece of hair that was too short to be tucked. He tried his best not to let the committee see him blushing harder than Mittens throwing a tantrum, but it was only his cheeks, so it didn't count.

"Cool, I'll see you there. So, is that all?"

"I mean for now. We still have to go over the budget, the number of people attending…"

"Right, right, I'm gonna head out. Grudby practice is almost over, and I wanna watch Boscha yell at everyone as they stumble. So…I'll catch you guys on the flip side."

"Wait! We haven't…adjourned yet." Finley cried as Tom strolled out of the room.

I'm just frustrated that Tom never listens to me. What's the point of being chairdemon if no one listens to me!?"

"Putting on a magical Grom despite all the obstacles that come your way?" Edric chimed in.

Finley and Katie looked at him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

"No, no, you're right. I've let Tom get under my skin, along with the stress of the rest of the preparations. I've lost track of what Grom is really about."

"Technically, Grom is all about stress and frustrations since the whole thing is a student being forced to confront their deepest, darkest fears in front of everyone," Katie said.

"And that's why they have us! To focus on the fun festivities and not the moral ambiguity. Now, let's buckle down and figure out the amount of people who might attend and how much food we need based on that number!"

Notes:

I know the ending is kinda of abrupt, but again, I couldn't bring myself to write anymore.
In case you didn't know, Ian and Becky are referenced to married couple Rebecca Sugar and Ian Jones-Quartry. Aka, the creators of Steven Universe and OK KO: Let's Be Heros! (I highly recommend you check both of these out.)
Finley Betz is in honor of Betty Fynn, Veronica's childhood friend from the movie Heathers before Martha Dunstock replaced her in the musical adaptation and no hate to Martha, and my elementary school, Edward F. Betz. But it is a crime Betty was cut entirely from the musical, and Katie Jenson was named after Katie Ladner and Jenny O'Leary, the actors who played Martha Dunstock in the World Premiere and Original West End musicals. I highly recommend you check out all three.
There will be another chapter introducing a special character we learned about in the last one.