Chapter 17

Floyd grinned. "You finally want to talk to me, Little Shrimpy? I'm game, but now's probably not the best time."

"We can make time for this," I said, my expression hard. "And this isn't some friendly chat, by the way. I want to know what is going on with you. Can we go somewhere private?"

"I am afraid we cannot abide by your request," said Jade. "Whatever you have to say to my brother, you can say to me."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Fine."

"Nothing is going on with me, Shrimpy," Floyd said. "I'm acting normal."

"Indeed," said Jade. "This is how he always acts when enforcing a contract, but you've never witnessed that, so how are you to know?"

"I'm not talking to you," I said to Jade, shooting him a look. I turned to Floyd. "I've just about had it with you. You keep saying we're friends, but I don't think you know what friendship means!"

Floyd frowned. "Hey, I'm just doing my job."

"Don't pull that on me! I know very well you wouldn't so anything unless you wanted to do it. That is what I don't understand. I can maybe let it slide that you didn't understand how important my friends are to me, but now you're affecting me. Where am I supposed to go? Do you want me to sleep outside in the cold in weather I have never experienced in my life."

"If you're in need of lodgings, feel free to come and speak with us," said Jade. "Reservations for guest rooms in Octavinelle Dorm start at 100 thaumarks a night."

I glared at him. "Stop interrupting!"

"Aw man, you're taking the fun out of everything," Floyd said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Good!" I snapped. "Nothing about this should be fun! Is that seriously all you care about? Was I just a plaything to you? Did you lie when you told me I could go to you when I needed help? Was that-" I stopped myself when I felt tears forming. I did not need them to see me like that. "You know what? Forget it. I'm done with you." I turned and took a step towards my room.

"Ona, wait!" Floyd grabbed my arm and forced me to face him.

I looked at him with narrowed eyes. "What?"

For once, I saw uncertainty on his face. Then his eyes flickered to Jade, and the brothers exchanged a look. When Floyd looked at me, his eyes were vacant for a moment before he scowled. "You better not make me mad."

I glared right back at him. "Or you'll what? Squeeze me? Do your worst. I don't care. You couldn't possibly hurt me worse than you already have."

Floyd released me, surprise on his face. "I didn't mean-"

"Perhaps you should fetch your belongings if you would like to take them with you," said Jade. "It is getting late."

Floyd's expression hardened again. "Yeah, just go."

"Fine," I said. I turned my back on them and marched into my room. Grim had already filled a bag to the brim.

"What took you so long?" he said.

"Never mind," I said. I grabbed my largest bag and began stuffing it full of clothes and school supplies. Then I stared at the golden angular triton shell on my dresser - the one Floyd had given me when we met. My heart twisted at the memories. I did not want to take it with me, but I even more so did not want Floyd to stumble upon it and think it meant something to me. So, I grabbed it and stuck it into my pocket with the other one.

Grim and I left the dorm without saying anything to the brothers. The cold air instantly hit me, and I shivered. "Brr... Guess we're roughin' it tonight," said Grim. "This stinks."

"And whose fault is that?" I said. I rubbed my wet eyes.

"Hey, you're the one who put our dorm up for collateral, and-" His eyes widened. "Are you crying?"

"No!" I turned away from so he could not see my face. "I just-" I clenched my teeth to force the tears back. I had to be strong. I could not show weakness here. Everyone would take advantage of it. "I'm tired of this. I'm tired of everything. I just wish I was home... with my real family. They always know what to do." My old life might not be the most exciting, but it was stable. I did not belong here in this world. Why did I ever think I could fit in? Everything worked against me.

"Hey, Ona! Grim!" Deuce shouted as he, Ace, and Jack jogged over to us.

"Sorry I let you leave on your own," Jack said. "It took me two minutes to realize the contract meant you had to give up your dorm right now. Then I had to wait for these two to stop by their own dorm."

"Myah! Are you guys here to help?" said Grim.

"Hm... Not to help you," said Ace, "but it's kind of our fault that Ona is out in the cold. It wouldn't sit right with me if you slept outside and caught a cold or somethin'..."

"What is it with you and posturin?'"

Relief flooded through me. "It's okay, Grim," I said. "I know what he means." I walked up to Ace and Deuce and hugged them both at the same time. "Thank you, guys." The awkwardly pat my back, and then I let them go.

"No problem," said Ace.

"We can't just leave you," said Deuce. "We've talked with Housewarden Rosehearts. We can offer you a place safe from the elements if you don't mind sleeping in our four-man freshman dorm room."

"You guys are gonna cram ANOTHER two bodies into a crowded four-man room?" said Jack. "What, does Heartslabyul not have any empty rooms?"

"Since nobody in our dorm ever drops out or gets held back, it's always at full capacity."

"Then...why don't you come to Savanaclaw Dorm instead?"

"HUH?!" we all exclaimed.

"I acted like I was doin' you a favor by sticking around for those negotiations with Azul, but I didn't actually contribute at all. And considering how much we owe you for everything that went down at the Spelldrive tournament, Leona and the others won't make a peep about it."

"Oh-hooo..." Deuce said with a smirk.

"Daaang," said Ace. "I never knew you were such a big softie, Jack!"

"You learn something new every day!" Grim said with a smile.

Jack flushed. "D-don't get me wrong, okay?! I want our next round of exams to be on a level playing field. It's in my best interests for Ona to win that bet with Azul!"

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say," Ace said.

"Ona and Grim will probably sleep way better there anyway," said Deuce.

"Yeah, their options at our dorm would be a spot on the floor or sharin' a bed with me or Deuce..." Ace looked at me mischievously. "Y'know, that IS still on the table. Juuust sayin'..."

I lifted my eyebrows. "Still trying to share a bed with me, Ace?" I shook my head. "Sorry, I'm not a fan of cramped spaces."

Ace laughed. "Ha ha! It's cool. I was kidding anyway."

I smirked. "I sure hope so."

"Great, then we'd better get back," said Jack. "It's almost midnight as it is..." He yawned.

"Okay, see you tomorrow," said Ace.

"Have a good night," said Deuce.

I smiled at them. "Good night, boys." Perhaps they did see me as family too after all. This lightened my heart as I walked to Savanaclaw with Grim and Jack. We entered the lounge to find Leona and a bunch of students still hanging around. Jack quickly explained the situation to his housewarden and asked if Grim and I could stay.

"Not a chance," said Leona.

"You didn't even pause before answering..." said Jack.

"No pets allowed in the dorm. They shed all over the place."

"First of all, I AIN'T NO PET," Grim said angrily. "Second of all, I DO NOT! Aren't you guys, like, a billion times furrier than me?!"

"He has a good point," I said.

"This is about you, not us," said Ruggie.

"For one thing..." said Leona. "Our empty rooms haven't been cleaned in months. Dorm students use 'em as a dumping ground for their junk. Where are we supposed to put up two extra freeloaders?"

"Ooh, I know! Why don't you just bunk with 'em in your room, Leona?"

"What?!" we all exclaimed.

"Ruggie, if you keep flapping your lips, you're about to find 'em sewn shut," said Leona.

"Think of it this way, Leona," said Ruggie. "You're used to havin' people do everything for ya, right? What if we put 'em in charge of serving you instead of charging for room and board? Seems like a win-win to me."

"Grr... Ruggie, you little..."

"Hey, I still ain't fully healed up from the interdorm Spelldrive tournament, y'know? I dunno if it was that major magic I chugged a whole potion to use or what, but hard work's been wearin' me down more than ever lately. And if I might remind you, Leona, I busted my tail for you. So, I'm thinkin' I'd heal a whole lot faster if I had these guys waiting on you for a while!"

Leona crossed his arms. "Tch. You're a regular mercenary sometimes."

Ruggie smirked. "Hey now, I haven't said a single dishonest word! Shyeheehee."

"Maybe, but I don't let just anyone cozy up to me like that." Leona waved his arm. "Hey, boys! C'mere a sec!" Several Savanaclaw students bounded over to him. "Fight my dorm's students. If you win, I'll let you stick around as gophers. I don't care if it IS just for three days. Savanaclaw's got no use for dead weight, no matter how short or long your stay."

I took a deep breath before taking a Wing Chun fighting stance. "Bring it on!" I said. Unlike the last time I ran into these students, I was not afraid. I knew how to fight effectively, even against big guys. And with Grim on my side, we were able to win in the end.

"How could you lose to some puny little herbivores that fast?" Leona said, shaking his head. "You're givin' me a bad name over here."

"Yipe!" said one of the students. "Sorry, sir!"

"Okay, a deal's a deal!" Grim said haughtily. "I want that three-day stay and I want it now!"

Leona narrowed hsi eyes at him. "Grrr... Tch. Just remember, even the slightest bit of trouble from you and you'll be out the door faster than you can say 'tuna casserole.' You hear me?"

"Y-yes, sir!" I said. And I thought Riddle had been scary.

"Phew," said Grim. "At least now we don't gotta sleep outside."

"All right," said Ruggie. "Jack, bring some spare bedding to Leona's room."

"Will do," said Jack, and he left the lounge.

"Shyeheehee! Lucky me! I get to coast down easy street for three whole days!"

"I heard that, you know," said Leona. "You're in for it later. Okay, herbivores. Get the lead out and follow me." He led us down the hall into through a door. His room was quite impressive. It was hgue and had stuff thrown in various places.

"Daaang!" said Grim. "Now this is a wild man's room!"

"Quit yer gawkin'. I'm goin' to bed now, and if you disturb my sleep, I'll turn you into shag carpet. Grrr..." Leona flopped on his bed and immediately began snoring.

"He was out in literally three seconds!"

"Keep it down," I said. "We don't want to wake him." Fortunately, Jack soon arrived with our bedding. It was not much, but it was comfortable enough. And it was warm. Grim and I curled up together and fell fast asleep.

I had a dream about a mermaid. It was the same mermaid I dreamed about the other night. She wanted to be human. In this dream, she made a contract to gain legs. Something about it seemed very familiar. Why did my dreams appear so real and vivid?

"Heya, g'morning!" Ruggie's voice broke through my thoughts. "Leona, it's time to get up. Up and at 'em, Ona and Grim. Let's get those mangy faces washed."

"Mrah?" Grim groaned. "Morning already? W-wait, it's barely six!"

"We do morning Spelldrive training here at Savanaclaw. Since you're part of the dorm for the next few days, you'll be joining us."

"Muh? Morning training?"

"Yup. We've been at it ever since the last Spelldrive tournament."

"Mrrrgh, lay off..." Leona muttered.

Ruggie glared at him. "Leona! Don't roll over and go back to sleep!" Then he walked right up to him and dragged him out of bed.

Grim watched them with wide eyes. "Whoa. Ruggie's draggin' his own boss outta bed feet-first."

"Well, Leona has to live by his own rules," I said, stifling a yawn. "And he's still not waking up. Wow." It seemed like this would take awhile, so I grabbed my things and headed to the bathroom. Soon, the entire dorm was out on the Spelldrive field.

"Oh, hey," Jack said as Grim and I approached him. "You're joining us for morning practice?"

"I coulda used several more winks, but Ruggie wasn't havin' it," Grim grumbled.

"Since we've got these freshmen crashing with us, let's make today a light game," said Ruggie. "Go easy on 'em."

Leona yawned. "All this standin' around is gonna make me fall asleep again. Let's get on with it."

Spelldrive practice turned out to be pretty fun. It definitely woke me up. Even Grim seemed livelier. After chatting with Savanclaw a bit about the interscholastic tournament in May, we headed to the cafeteria for breakfast.

"Nothing beats a good breakfast after workin' up a sweat!" Grim said happily. "Grim craves protein—bring on the MEAT!"

I chuckled lightly. "I'm pretty hungry too." I grabbed both of us some food and found an empty table. Grim and Jack sat on either side of me, and Leona and Ruggie sat across from us.

"So, like, what were you thinking, cuttin' a deal with that cephalo-punk?" Leona said. "How stupid can you get? Now you're crampin' MY style as a result."

"Well, it's like this..." I said. I delved into the story about my friends getting into trouble and how I had to help them out.

"Hah! You made a deal to free all the chumps who contracted with him to get ahead in their finals? BAH HA HA! That's rich. I shudder to imagine being that dumb."

"Rumor has it that Azul's study guide is the real deal, though," said Ruggie. "I kinda get why people would wanna get their hands on that."

"So you guys steered clear of Azul's scheme, huh?" said Jack. "I figured you'd go for the easiest out you could get, Leona... Ah, no offense, of course."

"Are you kidding?" said Leona. "Who in their right mind would voluntarily keep making deals with that swindler? I've made a few deals and paid the piper for 'em. There's always a steep catch."

"Yeah, he ain't the kinda guy you wanna turn to at your first resort," said Ruggie. "He's definitely a capable magician, though. He can grant some real tall orders just like that."

"The guy who wants something outta a deal is always the one at a disadvantage. That's Negotiating 101. When dimwitted herbivores sign contracts on a whim, they always end up getting suckered somehow."

"Now I'm getting nervous," I said. I knew this would be difficult, but...

Leona leaned forward on the table. "Y'know what? Let's hear it. What were your terms, exactly?"

"Well, alright..." I took a deep breath and launched into the details.

"Before the sun sets on the third day after signing..."

"You have to sneak into the Atlantica Memorial Museum, steal a photo, and bring it back?" said Ruggie. "Boy... Stinks to be you."

Grim shot him a look. "Hey, we ain't even gotten started yet! Don't go jinxin' us!"

"Isn't the Atlantica Memorial Museum underwater? How are you gonna get there, brainiac?"

"They gave us water-breathin' potions."

"No idea how well they work, though," said Jack.

"Huh. If Azul gave 'em to you, they probably work just fine. He's got his pride. I doubt he'd ever give someone a wonky potion."

"True," said Leona.

Ruggie looked at me curiously. "You know, I just thought of something. Aren't you friends with Floyd, Ona? Why don't you convince him to get you out of this?"

I stiffened. "We are not friends, and he will not help me."

"To be fair, you haven't really asked," said Grim.

"I don't need to ask. He's made his position clear enough with his behavior recently. All of this may be Azul's idea, but he's still going along with it. He doesn't care about me."

"I beg to differ on that one," said Ruggie.

"And what would you know?"

Ruggie lifted his eyebrows. "I know that he was a pain to deal with during Camp Vargas because of you. Not that he wouldn't find a way to be a pain anyway, but this time it was because he was worried about you when you were 'taken.'"

I shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sure you're exaggerating. Or maye he was just being dramatic."

Ruggie shook his head. "Let me explain something to you. Floyd Leech does not worry about people. And he does not make friends. Yet he was so concerned for your safety that he was ready to run off on his own and tear up the forest. I had to agree to any one favor to reign him in."

"Oh, that's what that was about?"

"You are clearly important to him. Jack, back me up."

"That did seem true at Camp Vargas," said Jack, "but he's acting completely differently with Jade and Azul."

"Of course he is. He's with Jade and Azul. Those three have been together pulling schemes probably longer than they've been with school. Floyd plays a certain role in the trio, and that's what you're seeing. He's not going to suddenly drop that because he met you, Ona. I doubt it even occurred to him before now that there would eventually be a conflict."

"A role, huh?" I said. "So, Jade's not the only one doing some acting..." I shook my head. "Even if all that's true, why do you think he would ever help me?"

"He won't on his own, but you have to be smart. Like I said, he probably didn't see this coming. He has never had to act as the enforcer against someone he considers a friend. It's thrown him for a loop, and he doesn't know how to act."

"He has tried to be friendly with her despite his actions," said Jack. "He's trying to play two parts at once."

"Exactly. There's an internal conflict, and you have to take advantage of that, Ona. Show him why being with you is better than playing the bad guy for Azul. Win him over by any means necessary. And make sure to get him alone. He'll act differently than when he's with Azul or Jade."

"Don't give her advice that could get her killed," said Leona.

"He won't hurt me," I said. Even though I doutbed everything else about him, for some reason, I knew that much was true.

"Even if he wanted to, Azul wouldn't let him," said Ruggie. "If word got around that he was letting clients get hurt, no one would want to make a contract with him."

"That's very reassuring," said Jack. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to, Ona."

I took a deep breath. "No, I need to talk to him. I want to hear from him why he's doing this. I tried last night, but I don't think either of us could be completely honest with Jade standing there. I think I'll try to catch him alone at the Lounge tonight. Then I'll get the truth out of him." I needed it for my own sake as well. I had to know if Floyd had just been messing with me or if he had hung out with me because he actually liked me.

"I wouldn't expect too much from him," said Grim. "I say he's not good."

I held in a sigh. "I do find it hard to believe that everything was just a lie." I felt something while we were together, and I could have sworn he felt something too. That was why it was so hard to swallow this new atittude of his. "But we'll see..."

"In the meantime, I'd get the ball rollin' on the contract if I were you," said Leona. "You can't count on Floyd for anything, and time is money, as they say."

"Myah! Good idea!" said Grim. "Hey, Ona, let's hit up the Atlantica Memorial Museum right now!"

"O-Okay," I said.

"Good call," said Jack. "With only three days, we don't have any leeway here."

"I'm bringin' Ace and Deuce along, too. Let's mosey!"

It was easy to convince the other two to join us. This was mostly their fault, after all. Soon enough, we were all gathered outside of the Mirror Chamber, where I handed everyone a potion. "Will Azul's potions really let us breathe underwater?" Azul asked.

"Only one way to find out," said Jack. "We'll have to chug 'em and see for ourselves."

"Okay, on three," said Ace. "One, two...three!" I drank my potion along with everyone else. It was... interesting.

"Whew..." said Deuce. "That was..."

"NASTY!" Grim shouted. "It tastes like someone mixed together dried frog and rotten mushrooms!"

"How would you know what that tastes like?" said Jack. He coughed. "It's a...powerful flavor, all right..."

"What genius decided that potions have to taste like crud, anyway?" said Ace. "Someone oughta fix that." He let out a loud burp.

"Shouldn't we be more worried about efficacy than flavor?" said Deuce. "W-wait a minute. It's...getting harder to breathe..."

"Are our lungs adapting to breathing underwater?" Jack guess.

"Aw geez, this is gettin' bad," said Ace. "Let's get in the water, quick!"

Jack turned to the mirror. "Mirror of Darkness! Guide us to the Coral Sea!" The background in the mirror changed. One by one, we stepped through. Suddenly, I was surrounded by water, though it did not take me long to adjust.

"It just dumped us in the water!" Grim said. "I'm gonna drown!"

"Wait," said Deuce. "I'm breathing just fine."

"Huh? Oh, hey, you're right."

"We really can breathe underwater," said Jack.

"Dude!" said Ace. "Get a load of this coral reef! If Cater was here, he's be hashtagging pics of it faster than you could say the word 'Magicam!'"

I looked around and was blown away. "It's gorgeous," I said. And that was an understatement. I wanted nothing more than to explore every last inch of this place.

"We don't have time to gawk at the scenery," said Jack. "We'd better get a move on and head to our target."

"Right, sorry." I started swimming towards the large building in the distance.

"So hard to move!" said Grim. "Mrrragh! I feel like a fish outta water here. Or whatever the opposite of that is!"

"I hear you," said Jack. "But you swim very gracefully, Ona."

I smiled at him. "Thanks. I spent a large part of of my life in the ocean."

"Hey, check it out," said Deuce.

"That's it, yeah?" said Ace. "The Atlantica Memorial Museum?"

"Myah! Look at all these guys with fish tails instead of legs!" Grim exclaimed.

"Are those...mermen?" said Jack. "Wow. There really ARE people out there who live underwater."

I grinned. "That is so cool!" I had always wanted to meet a real live merperson. Until recently, I thought that was just a fantastical dream. This world was really full of wonders.

"Eeeyyy! There you are, Little Shrimpy and co.!" said Floyd's voice.

"Huh?"

"Good day, everyone," said Jade. "How are you liking it here under the sea?"

"Those voices..." said Grim. "It's the lookalike brothers!"

"Got it in one!" said Floyd. He and Jade suddenly appeared in front of us, and they looked extremely different! There skin was light green, they had fins on their faces, and they had super long tales. I thought they were beautiful.

"Why d'you look like that?!" Jack said.

"Whaddaya mean? This is how we normally look. After all, we're mermen."

"You are?!" I said. "Why didn't you ever mention that?"

"You never asked."

"I didn't even know mermen existed until recently! Why would I think to ask? And how does this even work?"

"We use potions to change our forms when we're on land," said Jade. "After all, we can hardly walk on solid ground with these tailfins."

"Dude, they're long!" said Ace. "How tall—uh, I mean, how LONG are you?"

"Are you some kind of sea serpent?" said Deuce.

"Solid guess, but nope," said Floyd. "I bet Little Shrimpy can get it."

I took them in once more, and then something clicked. "Eels!" I shouted. "You're eels!" I remembered Floyd had a fake eel with him during Camp Vargas. What had he called it? "Moray eels, to be exact." So cool...

Floyd grinned at me. "Very good! I knew you were smart."

"You don't have to look so happy about it, Ona," Ace said, shaking his head.

Floyd smirked. "She loooves eels."

I gaped at him. "Th-that wasn't - I-I didn't know-"

"Who cares about that?" said Grim. "I wanna know why they're here!"

"Aha ha. That's easy," Floyd said. "We're here to get in your way."

My good mood instantly vanished, and I narrowed my eyes. "I see..."

"I shoulda known," Ace said.

"It wouldn't do for you to complete your challenge too easily," said Jade.

"Come on, it will be fun," said Floyd.

"There's nothing at all fun about this situation!" I snapped.

Floyd frowned. "Why do you have to go and ruin everything?"

"I'm not the one who is ruining everything! You're doing a fine job of that on your own!"

"Save it for the battlefield," said Ace.

"And move over there so you don't get hurt," said Jack, pushing me lightly.

I gave Floyd one last glare before swimming off to the side. Why did he have to be like this? Ruggie's earlier words entered my mind. Could he possibly be right? Was there much more going on with Floyd below the surface? If so, did I have a chance of seeing it and using it to get through to him? Not if you keep yelling at him every chance you get, said a small voice inside me. I knew that voice was right.