Author's Note: Just a heads up, this chapter gets mildly suggestive near the end thanks to our favorite evil snek boy.
Ace, Deuce, and Grim had been usually fidgety all morning as they waited for news about the audition. Rook had told everyone that only those who passed would be notified, but he didn't say how they would be contacted. The boys tried their best to stay hopeful, but as each moment passed with no word from anyone, they began to grow nervous. Thankfully, their Magic History class was doing wonders to take their minds off of the audition…by making them fight to stay awake.
"Uuugh!" Ace groaned as they walked out of the classroom and into the first floor's exterior hallway. "I can't believe Trein caught me sleeping. Now I'm stuck with all this extra homework!"
"I swear he uses some kinda sleep spell so he has an excuse to give us more work!" Grim complained. "I don't see how Dev manages to stay awake in his class. Must be nice bein' a nerd."
Devon smiled and rolled her eyes, Zephyr hovering at her shoulder as always. "Honestly it's pretty easy to stay awake when my back's so sore from carrying our GPA, Grim."
"I've started wearing a rubber band on my wrist so I can snap it whenever I feel myself getting sleepy in class," Deuce said.
"That seems a little extreme, don't you think?" Ace replied. He pulled out his phone, his face falling slightly when he saw there were no new messages or emails. "Sooo, changing the subject for a sec. They're supposed to be announcing the audition results today, right? And only the people who made it will hear anything?"
"Yeah." Grim nodded. "It's almost lunchtime but we still haven't heard back from anyone."
"Do you think that means we didn't pass?" Deuce asked.
"Maybe we oughta give it a little more time," Devon suggested. "The day's barely half-"
The group just had time to register the sound of something whistling through the air toward them when Zephyr snapped into action, using wind magic to stop whatever it was in its tracks. Everyone shouted and jumped back.
"What the heck was that?!" Grim exclaimed.
Zephyr brought the object closer, suspended in the air by tiny ribbons of wind magic. Had they not intervened its trajectory would have caused it to cut right through the group, passing dangerously close to Deuce's nose before embedding itself in the wall.
"Is that…an arrow?" Devon asked, though she already knew that it was.
Zephyr manifested their trademark wind whips and cracked them threateningly, but it seemed that whoever had fired the arrow was long gone.
"What, do we have assassins out for our blood now?!" Grim demanded.
"No way, dude! None of us is that important!" Ace retorted. He carefully took the arrow from Zephyr. "Hang on. Looks like this arrow's got a note tied to it."
"Say what?! Is someone challenging us to a fight?!" Deuce asked, squaring his shoulders and slamming his fist into his palm.
"Okay, can you not brace yourself to throw hands every time something unusual happens? Let's just see what the note says first." Ace untied the note and unfurled it before reading it aloud. ""Thank you for your participation in the Vocal & Dance Championship auditions. After much deliberation, we are pleased to announce that the following two students have passed our rigorous screening process: Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade of Heartslabyul dorm. Please report to the Pomefiore ballroom after classes let out for the day."" He blinked. "Wait… So that means…"
"We passed…?" Deuce finished.
"Whaaaa?!" the boys exclaimed together while Devon and Zephyr (who had relaxed now that it was clear their favorite organic beings weren't being threatened) shared an amused look/pulse.
Deuce was in shock. "Wait, so that means we were picked for the ensemble, right?"
"I think the note was pretty clear about that, man," Ace replied as a grin broke out over his face. "Sweet! This means we don't have to help the dorm leader with all that behind the scenes setup stuff!"
Grim looked crestfallen. "Myah?! B-But what about me?! My performance was top-tier!"
"Hang on. It looks like there's more written here," Ace told them. ""To Devon Lopez of Ramshackle dorm: We have something to discuss with you, so please join your two aforementioned friends at Pomefiore after class." That's it."
"I wonder why they'd wanna see me. I didn't even audition," Devon mused.
Deuce grinned. "Looks like we're all headed to Pomefiore after school, then."
"Mroww… My tuna caaaans!" Grim wailed.
The rest of the day seemed to pass both agonizingly slow and entirely too quickly. Ace and Deuce were practically buzzing with anticipation while Grim spent the afternoon sulking. Devon did her best to console the little guy, even warping back to Ramshackle at lunch to whip up some consolation/victory arepas, but it seemed that this was just something that would have to run its course.
"I'm guessing that being selected means there'll be even more singing and dancing training now, huh," Deuce said as they stepped through the mirror leading to Pomefiore once their last class let out.
"I mean, obviously," Ace replied.
"Grrr… I still can't believe I lost to you two!" Grim grumbled.
"Hey, guys!" Kalim greeted as he and Jamil stepped through the mirror as well.
"Oh, hey. What are you guys doin' here?" Grim asked.
"We passed the audition screening," Jamil replied. He caught Devon's eye and gave her a quick smile. "I'm guessing you all passed as well?"
Ace nodded with a grin. "We sure did!"
"That's awesome!" Kalim replied, beaming. "I'm so happy to hear you all did well!"
"I didn't pass, though, and it really yanks my tail!" Grim complained. "And then they still asked to see Devon even though she didn't even audition."
Jamil leaned closer to Devon so he could whisper to her. "I imagine even Vil would have a hard time trying to fit Grim on the team. Why do you think they wanted to see you, though?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, man. Nobody ever tells me anything," Devon remarked dryly.
Kalim, meanwhile, was busy trying to console Grim. "Aww cheer up, Grim!" He reached into his pocket. "Here, have a cracker!"
"Ugh, not this again!" Grim immediately moved to hide behind Devon. "Can someone please tell this guy that not every problem can be solved by stuffin' crackers down my throat?"
"Halt!"
Everyone looked up to see that two Pomefiore students had suddenly appeared just outside the dorm gates, blocking the way in.
"You there-the five students and the cat. You shall go no further!" one of them declared.
Deuce blinked. "Are you talking to us?"
"It would appear that some of you passed the audition," the second said.
Kalim nodded. "Yep, that's right! Vil asked to see us. Are you here to take us to him?"
The first student smirked. "Heh. Not so fast. One does not simply waltz into Pomefiore!"
Everyone exchanged confused looks in response. "…Huh?"
"Pomefiore's gates will only open to those who embody both beauty and strength!" the second elaborated.
"Even though we were all able to pass through them just fine yesterday?" Devon challenged.
"Th-That was an exception!" the student stammered. He removed a white glove from somewhere in his dorm uniform and threw it down at their feet. "The gauntlet has been thrown down! Now pick it up!"
"I'm confused. Why did he just throw a literal glove at us?" Kalim asked, more perplexed than intimidated.
"Focus up, Kalim!" Jamil warned, bracing himself for the fight he knew was coming. "Incoming!"
What followed was a somewhat confused and bumbling battle that seemed more like an excuse for the two Pomefiore students to spout the most dramatic lines they possible could than an actual fight. The boys weren't entirely sure what was happening or why the two students had challenged them but they gave it their best. After firing off spells and dodging for a while, the two students leaned against the gate, panting far more heavily than seemed necessary.
"Rgh… You're not half bad," grunted the first student.
"This…is only the beginning," the second warned. "The road to true beauty is long and fraught with peril…" The pair let out on last pained grunt before collapsing dramatically.
"So...does that mean we can go in now? Awesome," Devon said, stepping over one of them as the gates slowly opened.
"I'm so confused right now. Why did they just attack us unprovoked?" Jamil wondered.
"Let's just get to the ballroom," Deuce replied.
No sooner had they crossed the threshold into the dorm lounge than two more Pomefiore students sauntered in, looking as though they were channeling the most over-the-top movie villains they could think of.
"Well, well. You must be the group that passed the audition," the third student said as he appraised them all with a smirk.
Devon rolled her eyes. "I thought we already established that."
The fourth student shot her a glare. "Don't get cocky just because you beat those guys at the front gate. They were just a warm-up!"
"We are your opponents now!" the third challenged. "Don't think we'll allow you to reach the dorm leader so easily!"
"What the heck?! Your dorm leader was the one all who told us to come here!" Ace exclaimed.
"This doesn't make a lick of sense!" Grim agreed.
The "battle" that followed was much the same as the one before it: the Pomefiore students spouting dramatic lines and poses while the boys just tried to figure out why this was even happening. Devon attempted to use Flapjack's magic to warp them all right to the ballroom, but it seemed some sort of ward had been placed that rendered warp magic useless. Thankfully, the fight was over in a matter of minutes.
"Alas… I believe this is the end for me…," lamented the third Pomefiore student as leaned heavily against one of the lounge sofas.
"It has been an honor to fight alongside you, just as it will be an honor to fall beside you, my brother in combat," the fourth panted. The pair embraced before falling to the floor together.
"Oi! Quit tryin' to act like tragic heroes when you're the ones who started the fight!" Ace exclaimed.
"I thought Rook was Pomefiore's odd duck, but it seems like just about everyone in this dorm likes to spout nonsense," Deuce commented. "You think that's the "essence of their being" that the Dark Mirror talks about?"
"Seems to me that it's less about essences or souls or whatever and more about relative values," Jamil replied, exasperated.
"Ah ha ha!" Kalim laughed. "I like that our school is so full of different types of people. It makes things so much more fun!"
The sound of running footsteps brought the conversation to a halt and everyone groaned as, once again, two more Pomefiore students appeared from the hallway leading to the ballroom.
"There! I see the ensemble members!" the fifth student shouted.
"You shall not pass! We swear by our honor as Pomefiore students!" the sixth challenged.
"Mrah?! These guys just keep comin'!" Grim said.
Devon pinched the bridge of her nose, her patience long gone. "Okay, y'know what? No! I am not sitting through another episode of Attack of the Drama Club! I'm handling this one Magicless New Yorker-style." Without further ado, she marched toward the two students, tossed her staff up in the air so she could catch it near the bottom, and proceeded to use it to crack both of them across the face with enough force to knock them to the ground. The students were momentarily stunned and made no move to get back up, so Devon pointed her staff down the hallway as she looked back at her boys. "Vamos!"
"Dang. That was…pretty brutal," Deuce commented as he fell into step with Devon.
"No kidding," Ace agreed before grinning wide and wrapping an arm around Devon's shoulders. "Isn't she just the best?!"
"Myah ha ha! That's my henchman!" Grim said as he followed after her, Kalim and Jamil right behind him.
"Was that really necessary, Devon?" Jamil asked. His tone sounded scolding but when Devon glanced at him, she could see the amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Probably not, but it got the job done," she replied with a shrug. She shot him an amused look of her own. "Don't tell me you didn't wanna do it too."
Jamil smirked. "I will neither confirm nor deny that."
The group ran into the ballroom and slammed the door behind them. "Phew! We finally made it!" Deuce panted.
"What was all that about, anyway? Why did those guys keep trying to fight us?" Ace asked.
"Because you've been selected as ensemble members, of course," replied a voice at the far end of the room. Everyone turned to see Vil, Rook, and Epel standing there…for about a split second before everyone was blinded by the Pomefiore sparkle.
"Urgh! Not again!" Grim groaned.
"It doesn't appear that any of you dropped out. Very good. You all pass, for now," Vil continued.
"What's going on, Vil?" Kalim asked. "Why did all those dorm students come at us like that?"
"That was a simple warm-up exercise," Vil explained. "They were intended to give you a full-body workout so that we can start rehearsals immediately. Listen well: we are all selected representatives of Night Raven College. We will be aiming for the very top spot and our battlefield is the Song & Dance Championship stage. I have no use for performers incapable of overcoming a little adversity. Mark my words, the battle for the championship crown has already begun." He narrowed his eyes and placed his hands on his hips. "There will be no more fun and games from this point forward! I intend to whip you all into shape!"
Everyone flinched back a bit at his intensity. Kalim was the first to recover, offering Vil a bright smile. "U-um… I'm still a little confused, but whatever you say!"
"Is it just me or is Vil acting eerily similar to our own dorm leader?" Ace whispered to Deuce.
"Well…Heartslabyul and Pomefiore were both founded on the spirits of queens," Deuce reasoned.
"My, my, Roi du Poison," Rook chimed in. "I see you intend to take off full tilt right from the start!" He gestured toward the group with an amused chuckle while Epel once again looked like he just really didn't want to be there. "Just look at how your bright and dazzling drive has stunned them all into inaction." He gave them all a smile. "Firstly, I'd like to congratulate you all on passing the audition. Bravo! Ace. Deuce. Kalim. Jamil. Epel. And finally, myself and Vil. From this day forth, the seven of us shall be a tribe. I look forward to working with all of you up through the VDC." He nudged Epel forward gently. "Go on now, Monsieur Crabapple. Say a few words of introduction."
Epel sighed but did as Rook said. "Hello. My name is Epel," he greeted keeping his eyes on Kalim and Jamil since they were the only ones who really needed him to introduce himself. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Wait, wait, hold up!" Grim interrupted. "You left me and Devon outta that whole speech! Why'd you even call us over here when I didn't even pass the audition?!"
"I, in my infinite generosity, shall answer that question!" Crowley replied from directly behind them, prompting them all to shout and jump away.
"What the-?! Headmaster?!" Grim exclaimed. "Again with the poppin' outta thin air! You've been scarin' the daylights outta me!"
"I beg your pardon. It's not as though I was attempting to conceal my presence, if that helps at all," Crowley apologized. He cleared his throat before starting again. "Now then, allow me to explain why the two of you were summoned here. Starting this weekend, we'll have four weeks until the Vocal & Dance Championship. Our representatives will need a home base for their training camp and I would be ever so grateful if you would agree to share Ramshackle dorm!"
"A training camp?!" everyone who wasn't in Pomefiore shouted.
"I mean, I get that we have a lot of empty rooms but why would you want Ramshackle to host this training camp thing?" Devon asked.
"I'm confused about that as well, headmaster," Jamil agreed. "Why do we need to stay together for a training camp that's already being held on campus? We already have our own dorm rooms, after all."
"To foster teamwork, of course!" Crowley replied with a bright smile. "All of you hail from different dorms, different class years, different birthplaces, and different cultures. My hope is that living together will instill a deeper sense of camaraderie!"
"It's not unheard of for first-rate musical groups to take their meals together and sleep under the same roof to build rapport," Vil added.
Crowley tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I did consider Pomefiore as the host dorm initially, but then I realized that might make some of the participants feel out of their element. At least at Ramshackle, everyone would be on equal footing."
"I guess if we have to stay at a different dorm, I would feel the most comfortable at Ramshackle. Even so, this is all pretty sudden," Deuce commented.
"Yeeeah, I'm getting a pretty powerful urge to drop out," Ace agreed. "Livin' with you is already a pain. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle these other guys thrown in the mix."
"Well I think a mixed dorm training camp sounds like fun!" Kalim said. "Are you sure it's okay for both me and Jamil to be away from Scarabia for a whole month, though?"
"Worry not, my boy. I will exercise my authority as headmaster to assist you all in whatever capacities you might need. I am so very kind, after all," Crowley assured him. "It's in the school's best interests for you all to win, so rest assured that you'll have our full support."
"Hold your horses!" Grim interjected, irritation written all over his face. "Why should we help out with this thing if we aren't even going to be in the show? Sounds like a lot of extra work that Dev and I don't need! I don't want any part of this!"
Crowley blinked. "Really? Are you certain about that, Grim? If you can find it in your heart to share your dorm, there might be something nice in it for you, you know."
Grim eyed him warily. "What kinda "nice"?"
"If our team takes the win this year, Rook and I intend to donate our shares of the prize money to Ramshackle," Vil supplied.
Devon quirked a brow. "But why would you do that if Grim and I won't be going on stage?"
"It's not as if I'm entering VDC for the money," Vil replied. "Besides, the amount I'd receive for winning is trivial, hardly worth entering into my ledger."
"As for me, I think it's only fitting that I provide proper compensation to those who contribute to Vil's cause," Rook chimed in.
Grim's brow furrowed as he tried to do the math. "So if you split fifty thousand Madol into seven shares and then we get two of those…ummm…"
"You end up with about 14,200 Madol," Jamil supplied.
"Myah?! That could buy me…," Grim struggled to do the math again. "Well it could buy me way more than four thousand cans of tuna!"
"And all you have to do to get it is share rooms you aren't using anyway and provide support when needed," Crowley goaded. "I was also thinking of footing the bill for some renovations to the dorm's plumbing if you agreed, but if you're absolutely against it, we can just forget this conversation ever happened." He sighed. "I suppose that's the way it goes sometimes."
Of course, what Devon and Grim didn't know was that the renovations would be coming either way. A letter was waiting for him when he arrived back from the holiday break from none other than Queen Maleficia of Briar Valley that told him in no uncertain terms that neglecting Devon or the dorm she was currently residing in would result in a personal visit from her and, best case scenario, some scorched feathers for him. He was more than a little curious to know how Devon had managed to earn such a powerful mage's favor, but he doubted she'd actually tell him anything even if he asked. Either way, he knew he'd have to be much more careful about how he leveraged things to get Devon and Grim to do what he wanted from now on.
But the two of them didn't have to know that.
"Mmgh… This might be my only shot at a tuna bonanza," Grim grumbled before looking up at Devon. "What do you think we should do, Dev?"
That was a good question and one that Devon wasn't immediately sure how to answer. Count on Crowley to put her on the spot like this. One the one hand, she was confident that Ace, Deuce, and Epel would be fine given how much time she typically spent with them anyway. Kalim would probably be okay too so long as she could convince him not to throw any of those extravagant parties he was known for. It was everyone else she was concerned about. While things between her and Jamil had improved considerably since the holiday break fiasco, she wasn't sure they were quite at 'hey, why don't you move in with me for a month?' just yet. Rook had been a huge help during the mess with the Ghost Bride and while she could see why Leona found him so off-putting, her blessing wasn't picking up any truly bad vibes from the guy, so he was probably solid. In all honesty, it was Vil she was really worried about. Between Epel's horror stories and what she'd already seen of the guy, she got the sense that he was probably going to be the most challenging new "roommate" they'd have to deal with. Devon had no issue dealing with overbearing personalities so long as she had a space to retreat to (thank you, secret Ramshackle passageways), but she couldn't help but be a little concerned about how Regina would handle Vil. If what happened when Octavinelle took over the dorm for a few days was any indication, the large Wisp wasn't above resorting to drastic (and painful) methods to put anyone in their place, not just the headmaster. Given how protective Regina had become over the freshmen and considering how badly Vil treated Epel even when other people were around, Devon wasn't sure they'd last a month without Mr. World-Famous Model getting at least one knife thrown at him.
On the other hand…Ramshackle could really use those renovations. And the shares of the prize money that Vil and Rook were offering were nothing to sneeze at.
After taking a moment to mull over her options, Devon finally heaved a sigh and turned to Crowley with a nod. "Fine. We'll do it."
"So you'll cooperate after all?" Crowley asked as he clapped his hands together excitedly. "Why, that's wonderful news, hatchling! In that case, I'd best get the arrangements in order straightaway!" He turned on his heel and made to exit the ballroom, waving over his shoulder. "Good luck, everyone! I look forward to seeing how you hone your performance by showtime!"
"The headmaster sure knows how to strongarm people, huh," Deuce commented.
"No kidding," Ace agreed. "Still though, this sounds like it could be fun. At least we won't have to worry about the Queen of Hearts' rules for a while." He smiled and nudged Devon playfully. "I mean, we do have an in with the Ramshackle dorm leader, after all."
"First we had a training camp with Octavinelle and now we're having one with Pomefiore and Heartslabyul. This is going to be great!" Kalim cheered.
"If that's the headmaster's decision, I suppose I'll have to abide by it. I don't want to make myself look bad by defying him, after all," Jamil said, hoping his dismissive tone would mask his own eagerness. He couldn't say he was looking forward to being stuck with the other entrants for a month, but being handed an opportunity to stay close to Devon more than made up for it.
"Then our training camp meeting is adjorned. Rehearsals will begin immediately!" Vil announced.
"Wait, what? Aren't we waiting until the training camp starts?" Ace asked, confused.
Vil narrowed his eyes. "Think again, Spudling One! You all may have passed the audition, but you're still amateurs when it comes to singing and dancing. Quite frankly, we don't have any time to waste."
"Wonderful! I propose we play a song to kick of our shared journey!" Rook suggested.
Epel's brow furrowed in irritation, but he didn't voice an objection.
Vil nodded. "Very well. Start the music, Rook: 'Piece of My World'."
"Not that I don't appreciate you gettin' me outta Pomefiore for a bit, Dev, but why did you ask me to come back to Ramshackle with ya?" Epel asked as he and Devon made their way through the dorm's front gate once VDC rehearsal had ended. He braced himself in time for Regina to pull the two of them up the front steps and into the foyer, unable to keep the small grin off his face. "Always good to see ya, Regina. No matter how many times you do that, it never gets any less fun."
Regina gave an approving pulse before closing the front door.
"I just wanted to show you something before the training camp started," Devon explained, leading Epel to a nondescript section of the wall. She felt around for a moment, grinning as her hand caught on hidden edge. She pulled it out and back to reveal a small entrance to one of the hidden passageways. She turned back to see Epel standing open-mouthed behind her. "Follow me."
Epel stood frozen in place for a second before scrambling after his friend. It wasn't until they were out in the main passageway that he found his voice. "Has this been here the whole time? How'd you even find this?"
Devon grinned at his gobsmacked reaction. "Yep! The Wisps showed 'em to me not long after Grim and I moved in. They lead all over the dorm, but there's also some secret rooms too."
"Please tell me we're gonna go see the secret rooms," Epel replied eagerly, the happiest Devon had seen him in a while.
Devon smirked. "Obviously."
The pair spent the next hour navigating the passages and touring around all the secret entrances and rooms. Epel was delighted by each new discovery and the sound of the two of them laughing together echoed through the maze within the dorm's walls. Finally, they stopped in the secret room in the turret.
"I can't believe you were able to keep these a secret for so long!" Epel exclaimed as he flopped down into the chair. "I figured Grim would've stumbled into one of the tunnels by now, at least."
"Well, Regina's good at keeping people from getting places I don't want them," Devon replied. "Jack's the only one of us that knows because he was there when Regina tossed Crowley into the labyrinth underneath the dorm, though. Leona's used this room for naps when he can't sleep in the botanical gardens and I'm pretty sure the Octatrio found out about at least some of these when they took over Ramshackle a couple months ago."
"How come you never said anything before?" Epel asked.
Devon shrugged. "Sometimes it's nice having a place where nobody can find me. I'm plenty social but even I need a break. I know you come to Ramshackle whenever you need a break from your dorm…and Vil. Since Vil's gonna be staying here for this training camp too, I figured I could give you another way to escape if you needed it."
Epel stared at Devon for a moment, genuinely touched and unsure of what to say. It wasn't until they were back in the passageway and head toward the foyer that he found his voice again. "Thanks, Dev. I don't think I've ever had a friend step up for me the way you have. You're a real one."
Devon grinned at him over her shoulder. "I try."
"What happens if I get lost in here, though?" Epel asked. "Clearly you can navigate these tunnels like a pro, but this place is still a maze to me."
"Don't forget that Regina will always be able to tell where you are if you're on the Ramshackle property. If you ever get lost, just tap the wall twice." Devon reached out and placed two gentle taps on the tunnel wall. In an instant, small lights like tiny golden flames popped up in a line, forming a path through the tunnel leading back to the entrance in foyer wall. "Regina will show you the way."
"Just when I think those Wisps can't get any cooler," Epel commented softly, more to himself than to Devon. He smiled back at her, feeling as though a weight had been lifted. He might not be able to avoid Vil at Ramshackle for a while, but at least the playing field was a little more level. This wasn't Pomefiore; Vil would have no more power than any of the other VDC contestants.
Epel would be lying if he said he wasn't interested in seeing how it all would play out.
"I don't understand what you're so nervous about, Ace," Ace's brother said as he spoke with Ace over the phone later that evening. "I mean, you've stayed over at Devon's dorm before, haven't you?"
"I'm not nervous," Ace huffed defensively. In truth, he wasn't exactly sure what he was feeling. He was plenty excited when the training camp was announced. A break from Riddle and Queen's rules and some extended time with Devon outside of class? Sign him the heck up! It wasn't until he and Deuce got back to Heartslabyul and explained the situation to Riddle, Trey, and Cater that the reality of the situation began to sink in, not helped in the least by Cater's (and Trey's, to a lesser extent) teasing jabs about finally making a move. Ever since he'd had a perpetual case of butterflies in the belly. "I just don't wanna make myself look dumb in front of her, y'know?"
His brother sighed. "How long has she known you now? Chances are you've already made yourself look stupid plenty of times by this point."
"Thanks, bro. Really feelin' that support right now," Ace grumbled.
"Fine, fine. All jokes aside, I know your upperclassmen may have made jokes, but don't put so much pressure on yourself about this training camp thing, okay?" his brother advised. "My advice-if you want it, of course-is to let things happen naturally. If this brings you and Devon closer, that's awesome, but it's not the end of the world if it doesn't. Trying to force something between the two of you will just end up putting unnecessary pressure on both of you."
"Normally I'd agree with you, but Jamil's gonna be part of the training camp too," Ace said, his voice soft in a rare moment of vulnerability, something only the tiniest handful of people ever got to see. "Devon's always been attracted to him and he may have done a good job of hiding it at first, but it's pretty clear now that it's mutual."
"Maybe so, but you told me yourself that things were iffy between the two of them thanks to whatever mess had you rushing back to the school over your break," his brother pointed out. "They might be on the mend now, but trust is still gonna take a while to rebuild. If Devon was smart-and by all accounts, she is-she'd take her time before letting herself get too wrapped up with him." The smirk was now clear in his voice. "Besides, no matter how she feels about this Jamil guy, you're still gonna have the advantage."
"Oh yeah? How d'you figure?" Ace asked, quirking a brow.
"In addition to living with her temporarily, you'll also be in class together for most of the school day too," his brother explained. "Just make sure to dial down your trademark obnoxiousness, okay? If you're gonna be in the poor girl's face 24/7 for the next month, you should at try to be charming, yeah?"
"Excuse you? I'm always charming!" Ace joked back, his brother's humor putting him at ease. He was still a blend of anxious and excited about staying at Ramshackle, but at least he no longer felt like he was about to throw up.
Jamil sank down onto his bed after he and Kalim had returned to Scarabia that evening. He'd already been pleased that he now had an excuse to spend so much time at Ramshackle when the training camp was announced, but it gradually sunk in just how long a month could be. He considered it a bit of a double-edged sword; on the positive side, he would hopefully be able to repair his relationship with Devon much faster if he was closer to her and the VDC would be an amazing first step to finally living up to his real potential, but on the less positive side, the training camp meant he was going to have to spend even more of his time with Kalim than usual as he imagined most of their former free time would be packed with rehearsals.
He also wasn't looking forward to watching Ace do his level best to monopolize Devon's time. The fact that they were classmates notwithstanding, Ace had plenty of other advantages over him as well, namely the length of time the two of them had been friends and the fact that at this point she trusted Ace far more than she did him. Logically, he knew there wasn't anything he could do about the former and that the latter was entirely his own fault but logic did nothing to cool his blood when Ace's insistence on hanging off of Devon whenever they were in close enough proximity set it boiling.
He pulled in a deep breath, willing the negative emotions away. He'd find a way to make this work. Crowley had mentioned that Devon would be "providing support when needed" in addition to opening up some of Ramshackle's spare rooms. His mind began racing with all sorts of less-than-appropriate scenarios as to how far that support could go. The feeling of her lips against his when they'd kissed on Scarabia's balcony came back to the forefront of his mind, as did the image on Jade's phone of their even steamier one during his Overblot. He'd do just about anything to feel her pressed against him like that again.
Jamil shook his head to clear it. This was no time to be getting worked up. They may not have been his ideal circumstances, but this was an excellent opportunity for him in more ways than one and he intended to make the most of it.
Ending Notes: You know that scene in The Avengers where Loki hits that guard in the face with his scepter? That's what I'm thinking Devon did to that poor Pomefiore guy.
For some reason, I keep thinking back to that iCarly clip where she's like "He tried to put his lips on my face!" and Spencer's like "HER! FACE!" and literally kicks the guy out. I feel like most of the TWST boys would get similarly protective of Devon if she were in that situation (to say nothing of how DJ would react) but something tells me Floyd and Sebek would react the most like Spencer. Honorable mention goes to Jade standing by with a shovel so he could crush the guy's phone.
I'm excited for more of the boys to find out about the Ramshackle passageways. Poor Kalim and Deuce will probably literally stumble into them and get lost, resulting in Regina having to spit them out somewhere else in the dorm. I can see it now:
Deuce: *pops out of a hidden doorway in the lounge, confused and mildly terrified*
Ace: *walks into the lounge, eyes widening when he sees Deuce* Dude, I've been looking for you for almost fifteen minutes! Where have you been?
Deuce: I DON'T KNOW!
Thank you all so much for reading! As always, feedback and constructive criticism are welcome, Geekinthepink, out!