Chapter 23

The next morning the Odette was woken up by banging on the front door. "Coming!" Odette called out as she ran down the stairs. She opened the door to see the Leech brothers.

"Good morning Shrimpy!" Floyd cheered coming in for a hug which Odette allowed but quickly stepped back from.

"What are you two doing here? We won the bet." Grim said appearing at the top of the stairs.

"We've been sent by Azul but not for the reasons you think. Azul has book the museum and is waiting there for you." Jade informed them.

"Can we trust them? Their boss nearly killed us yesterday." Grim asked glaring at them.

"We don't rough anyone up less we're told to and have a good reason and neither of those exist in this condition. We'll be perfect gentlemen." Jade said with his customer service smile.

"Alright give me ten minutes." Odette said as she went back up the stairs. "Please make yourselves comfortable."

"You can't be serious. They nearly killed us." Grim grumbled as Odette got changed.

"Riddle and Leona nearly killed us too and we don't hold it against them. In fact they've help us since lately. I think we should give them the same chance." Odette explained

"But you didn't hug neither of them." Grim pointed out making her blush.

"I wanted to, I just didn't. It just didn't seem right those times." She explained.

"If you say so." Grimm grumbled.

They came down the stairs to see Ace, Deuce and Jack.

"We came to check on you." Jack began.

"Then we saw these two relaxing on your couch!" Ace shouted cutting off Jack.

"Yes, apparently Azul has invited us to the museum." Odette informed them.

"Really?" Jack asked raising an eyebrow.

"We don't mean any harm." Floyd said raising his hands up in defeat.

"If you don't trust them then come along. We're ready to go." Odette said taking a step towards the Leech brothers.

"I guess we have no choice." Deuce said.

The group handed towards the hall of mirror once through the mirror the group handed back to the museum where Azul greeted them wearing his dorm uniform. "Good morning,...everyone. Feel free to wander the entire place. It's very educational."

The others began to wander off but Odette stayed in the entrance way with Azul. "Why aren't you going with the others?" Azul asked.

"I want to keep an eye on you. I'm still a bit worried about you." Odette answered.

"I still can't tell if you're brave or stupid. You're worried about someone who injured you yesterday. That bruises all over you are very distinct, it's a sucker cup. You should get those healed by the school nurse." Azul said as he pulled out the photo and placed it back on the wall. "I wanted to be like the Great Sea Witch."

Odette looked it over to see it was unedited. "You weren't yourself so I won't hold it against you. I don't think this is worth bothering the nurse over and no one will see them since it's winter. Believe me you don't want to erase your past." She sighed deeply. "It's not as wonderful as you think it is."

Azul stared at her in shock for a moment speechless but she continued. "I think you have more power than you think."

"What?" He asked finally finding his voice.

"Your diligence. Many people perfect their magic and that takes diligence but you take your diligence beyond that. Most people can't perfect diligence." Odette informed him as she took a step away the wall and towards the other displays.

"You have no reason to butter me up so don't." Azul replied following her.

"I'm not." Odette said blatantly.

"Shrimpy! Aren't you coming?" Floyd whined appearing behind her to give her a hug in his real form.

"Yes, all in due time now let me go." Odette replied patting his arms.

"So why are you in your human form?" She asked as the group made their way down the first hallway.

"Octo-men here are rare, so I didn't want to bring attention to myself." Azul explained as he made his way to the front of the group and began to tell everyone about what look liked a regular fork on display.

After the a few hours the group headed back to the school. "Why not stop by the Mostro Lounge? It should be open by now." Azul suggested as they entered the hall of mirrors.

"I have been wanting to try it for awhile." Odette said following him.

The Mostro Lounge is already slammed despite only being open an hour. "It looks like the word of the new promotion has gotten out." Jade said as he headed towards the back.

"What new promotion?" Odette asked raising an eyebrow.

"It's nothing nefarious. Just a point system, you get a point card, a drink gets you a point, snacks get you three points, reach fifty point and you get a consultation with me. Fill up three cards and you enter the next level." Azul explained as he pulled out a card and handed to her.

'Has he learned anything?' She thought. "You adopt frightenly quick." Odette commented as she took the card.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Azul chuckled as he headed towards the VIP room.

"Well, we're here we might as well give them a try." Jack said a seat at a booth.

"I'll be waiter today, here at your menu but I suggest the daily special." Floyd grinned as he handed the group a few menus.

"I think after this week we deserve the special." Grim commented as he looked over the menu.

"I think I agree." Odette smiled.

Across the campus the dorm leader of Scarabia, Kalim isn't happy as he looks at the finals results. "Jamil! Jamil!" He shouted as he got up from his beautiful and complex desk.

"Yes Kalim?" Jamil asked entering the room.

"Gather the dorms members we need to a meeting and if they think they're going home on break they have another thing coming." Kalim informed him.

"Yes Kalim." Jamil said nodding and leaving the room.

After leaving the Mostro Lounge Odette and Grim headed back to the Ramshackle dorm as they near the dorm they saw a figure leaning against the stone wall fence. It was Silver, alseep on his feet.

'That takes some talent.' Odette thought as she reached forward to gently shake him awake. "Pssh, Silver, hey Silver."

His aurora colored eyes fluttered open and he looked a bit confused to see her for a moment until realization dawned on him. "I came to check on you." He said coming to his full height.

"Oh that's very sweet of you. I'm okay now through. I really wanted to handle it on my own but that wasn't much of a choice." Odette replied.

"Please don't be afraid to count us among your friends." Silver said gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I won't, I've realized I have more friends than I realized. I promise next time I won't keep my burdens to myself. Will you still be coming over for tea after the holiday?" Odette asked.

"Good, I look forward to your tea again. The holiday break starts tomorrow. What will you be doing?" Silver asked.

"I'll make sure to serve the hibiscus tea again then. I'm not sure what I'll be doing but I'll figure it out. I'll see who's around to hang out with." She beamed at him.

"I hope I'll see you around then. Good night Odette." Silver said giving a small bow.

"Good night Silver." Odette replied returning the bow and heading inside.

No sooner had she fallen asleep Odette had another dream. She was in a museum with a the people from the last dream. She couldn't see what she was looking at but the atmosphere was heavy and mournful.

Once outside the sunlight was bright, it a gentle spring day. As the group walked along the river it reflected the image of a four story building with a dome top. "So much destruction." She whispered as she stopped to look at the empty brick building.

"Humankind is capable of great things, good and bad." Her friend with the deep voice beside her said.

They were silent for a moment before someone's stomach began to growl.

"Jeez Lee!"

"What?! We haven't eaten since breakfast, Finley. Let's get some lunch." Lee cheered trying to shake for the uneasiness that the museum had cause them.

"I swear he only thinks with his stomach." Finley said.

"Hey, I get picked on enough for this." Lee whined.

"We're not picking on you." Odette said.

"Yeah, we're not like the others. I can't believe bullying still exist even now. We're not middle schoolers." Finley remarked.

"Believe me it still happens." Odette sighed.

"I know it does." Finley replied as a sadness settled over them again.

"I vote ramen for lunch!" Lee cheered trying to shake the sadness.

"Of course you do." Finley chuckled.

The dream fade out. 'Where were we? Were we on vacation together? It didn't feel like one. Neither did the last one with them. Were they friends? Co-workers?' Odette thought.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

We're finally at the end of this arc. As I've said before I do have a soft spot for the Octa-Trio. This isn't this story through.

I hope you enjoyed Silver's appearance at the end of the chapter. Will they remain just friends? You'll just have to wait and see.

The veil on Odette's previous life slips a bit more. Will she ever remember who she was before she was brought to this world? Maybe.