That…That had been an experience. While none of those in on Ben's project, especially Ben, had known what to expect, and still technically didn't know what to expect, Doug had theories. So far only one of the VKs matched what he'd predicted and even then it wasn't perfect.
Volunteering to help Ben with his project had been natural, normal. If he hadn't, Doug would need to get himself checked in with a doctor. Ever since Ben first started learning about the Isle of the Lost, Doug had been involved, helping him find sources, translating texts, calculating the most likely population and then the ratio of adults to kids. He'd come to the same conclusion as Ben; the children of villains had been abandoned and they didn't deserve that fate.
Together, they started crafting a decree that would rescue those that were born on the island or, gods forbid, brought there with their parents. Then they planned out how to present it to the Ascendancy rulers, what to say, who to appeal to, and what arguments they would need to counter. From there, they planned the implementation and what would be needed once it was passed: how to get all of the kids and young adults off of the Island, where they were going to go and how they were going to integrate them back into society. .
They hadn't planned nearly enough, and the decree barely passed. They knew they couldn't realistically bring all of the kids over and had planned ahead of time which four would be brought over. Doug had suggested starting with the youngest, they would integrate the easiest and they would be more 'innocent'. Ben had disagreed. The oldest ones had suffered enough, and it was better to get them off and on their side, then they could possibly even help rehabilitate the ones brought later. That's how they ended up with these four.
The so-called 'experiment'.
While technically accurate, he hated calling it that.
After all, the VKs weren't lab rats; they were people with their own personalities and experiences. As it was, how to engage with them wasn't entirely clear, but he, Ben, Lonnie, and the rest of the Ascendency needed to be flexible. If they tried to tie the VKs down with rules and regulations, then they would rebel; as any person would if everyaction they took was scrutinized for any excuse to punish them. On the other hand, if they were too lenient, then the VKs would just run rampant and be sent back to the Isle.
"Who knew giving a tour could be more exhausting than training," Lonnie sighed from where she slumped in her chair. Mulan's daughter was a new addition to their friend group, having met them during her first year and Ben's second year at the University of Auradon. Needless to say, she had her mother's persistence, and spirit. But he rkeen mind, and personality were the very reason she was one of the people he and Ben trusted the most; even compared to people they'd known half their lives..
"Mental and emotional strain can take just as much toll on the body as a physical workout," he replied. The tour had been draining for him too, and he wasn't ashamed to admit he was far less fit than Lonnie.
"No wonder Mom always includes meditation as part of her routine."
Doug sipped his tea and nibbled at one of the sugar cookies Mrs. Potts had sent over from the palace. She'd happily given him the recipe when he'd asked, but none of his results were as delicious as hers.
A door slammed and he exchanged looks with Lonnie. That was concerning. Together they both rose only for the door to their little conference room to open. If Ben used a little more force than strictly necessary, Doug wasn't inclined to point it out, especially when Ben was in a bad enough mood to forget his strength.
"I cannot imagine a bigger waste of time," Ben groaned, running a hand through his hair as he paced. "And he acted as if…I don't…Uhg."
Wordless, Doug held out a cookie for Ben as he passed him in another lap across the room. Ben accepted it with a muttered thanks. Once his pacing had slowed, Doug asked, "What did the UASE want?"
"To pick out a carpet and upholstery for a common room that's being redecorated," Ben nearly growled before taking a breath. "Mom dismissed me early. I think Dad's sleeping in the dog house tonight."
"Serves him right," Lonnie snorted and Doug sighed inwardly. She didn't have the same level of respect for Ascendancy royalty as she probably should…Then again, Mulan supposedly had a reputation of being blunt, and caring little for rank or positions.
"It does," Ben agreed. Shaking himself, Ben bit into the cookie as he sank into a chair between him and Lonnie. "I'd like to know your first impressions of the VKs. Comparing notes might give us a better understanding of them and how to interact with them so we don't cross lines we shouldn't."
"It was…interesting," Doug said, gathering his thoughts. "Most of my theories on them are looking like they'll be proven false."
"I'll tell you one thing," Lonnie grinned. "That Mal is a competent leader. She's decisive and clear and she knows how to trust her 'subordinates'. She talks a big game, but I don't think she's going to just start a fight if someone insults her or something. She's more likely to either laugh in their face or give as good as she got, if not better. But mess with her people and you better run."
Ben nodded, absently biting the middle crease of his index finger. "Interesting. Doug?"
"Maleficent's daughter is rather blunt and straightforward with her words. She often goes with the most realistic description of events. For example, I mentioned that you ensured all the other students knew they were your guests and she pointed out immediately that you did it because they were villain kids," Doug replied. "She's protective of the others, but does appear to trust them to be able to take care of themselves to a degree." He hesitated then sighed before adding, "She's intimidating. Scary."
A crease formed between Ben's brow. Something they were saying didn't match what he'd witnessed; at least a little. Doug couldn't imagine Mal acting any other way and he'd only known her for a couple hours.
"What about Jay? What did you think of him?" Ben asked.
Lonnie tilted her head, thoughtful though still grinning. "He's definitely seen 'combat' and he's strong. But definitely untrained. Not that that makes him any less capable." Swinging her leg a bit, she continued, "He's also the 'sentinel' of the four. No matter where we were or what we were talking about, he was always watching the others and us. Mal's in charge, sure, but he's the front-line defense. He was the one watching us almost the entire time, and Mal would be checking with him to make sure everything was cool."
"I'd agree," Doug nodded, noting Ben's expression shifting a little more towards confusion rather than uncertainty. "But he's also the one that acts on instinct the most. He asks questions after he fights. His knowledge in the streets is his strength. Traditional education is not something he's focused on. He's also quite intimidating."
"So he's doing his job," Lonnie laughed.
"You can't tell me you weren't at least wary of them," Doug said and she shrugged.
"They're intimidating and I'm not going to be letting down my guard any time soon, but I also don't think those two will start trouble. They'll react, not antagonize," Lonnie explained.
Ben laughed softly. "I feel the same way. If they make a threat I'll believe they'll follow through on it. So as long as I don't give them a reason to feel like they're in danger, I'll be fine."
Doug shook his head a little. They were certainly braver than he was. Overall, however, he didn't expect any of the VKs to perceive him as dangerous. That would work in his favor in the long run.
"Speaking of intimidating, do either of you understand why Evie and Carlos are in the group?" Lonnie frowned. "I can't find any reason for people like Mal and Jay to bother with them. Carlos is terrified of everything and Evie is just another flirtatious airhead. If it's all about strength on the Isle, those two aren't logical choices."
Actually, the two of them were excellent choices. Something he was surprised Lonnie hadn't noticed. Of course, she'd understood Mal and Jay better than he did.
"I wouldn't say that," he observed and his friends looked at him. "Take Evie for example." Daughter of the Evil Queen or not, Evie was absolutely stunning. With her enchanting eyes that he'd happily drown in, clear smooth voice, and her different smiles, she was everything a boy could dream of. Even better, she was smart. To sit across from her and talk…
Laughter snapped him back to the present and his cheeks flushed as Ben said, "I know they're beautiful, but try to focus."
Clearing his throat and attempting to ignore Ben's grin and Lonnie's amusement, Doug recollected his thoughts. "Yes, she flirts quite a bit and displays many of the mannerisms of an 'airhead'. However, her eyes are too keen for that to be true. She also adapted to our way of interacting, mirroring gestures and how we spoke. Mal is blunt, Evie is cunning. The persona she displays is a way to engage with people and blend in."
Something clicked behind Ben's eyes and he nodded slowly to himself. "That must be why she did most of the talking at lunch instead of Mal taking the lead. She's very good. I didn't even notice."
"Okay, but that doesn't explain Carlos," Lonnie pointed out.
"I admit I didn't observe Carlos as much as the others. But I have a theory," Doug said slowly. "His self-confidence is nonexistent or too low to make a difference. However, if you watch him, his skills balance out Mal and Jay's."
"What skills?" Lonnie frowned. "He was silent the entire time and…" She blinked. "I actually don't know what he was doing. I only saw him a few times."
"Exactly," Doug nodded. "He's an expert at going unnoticed. He's quiet, sneaky, and he seems hyper aware of his surroundings."
Eyes distant, Ben hummed quietly. "Now that you mention it, I forgot he was there during lunch. Actually, I don't think I heard him speak at all. The only reason I remembered he was there was because he actually reacted to something… And Evie distracted me in seconds."
A snap of Lonnie's fingers brought their attention back to her. "Oh I meant to say this earlier when I was talking about Mal and Jay. Carlos is the one they watched the closest. I guess Evie too if Doug is right about her. All of them are the most protective of him."
Looking back, Doug would agree with her assessment. And he could only remember the smallest VK speaking once and that had been about…
This time his flush was darker and Ben glanced at him, brow slightly furrowed. "Um," Doug started. "There's something we should probably tell you. About the dorms."
"The dorms?" Ben echoed. "Is there something wrong with the rooms?"
"In a sense." How could he word this? It was highly inappropriate and concerning, but he also didn't want to add to Ben's stress. There were already dark circles starting to form under the prince's eyes.
"Doug, what is it?"
He couldn't get the words out. Either having mercy on him or just wanting to move the conversation along, Lonnie spoke up. "They don't want to sleep in separate rooms. Right now they're bunking in the boys' room."
Ben said nothing, frozen in place, expression blank. Then he blinked. "One of the servants said they'd intended to bathe together." If it wasn't scientifically impossible, Doug would've sworn his cheeks were on literal fire. Bathe?! Together?! Ben's face looked the way his felt. "That's not something we can really accommodate for. It's against policy and-"
"They're in an entirely foreign environment surrounded by people they don't know or trust," Lonnie interrupted, sitting up and crossing her arms. Doug swallowed.
"Lonnie-" Ben tried, but Lonnie had her mother's tenacity and Doug knew this was somehow going to be a fight he and Ben lost.
"It took me a little while to notice, but everything about the way they act is like a unit from my mom's army. Each one has a role and they're all stronger together. No one cares about whether or not the person you're sharing a tent with is a man or woman when you're in enemy territory. You just want to be near a comrade," Lonnie continued.
"I understand that, but-"
"You understand the concept. Not the reality. Face it, Ben. Even if you forbid it, those four are going to find each other anyway. That'd be more of a scandal than just letting them stay together in the first place and treating it as normal."
That was an excellent point. If the VKs were caught sleeping in a room together without permission they'd be breaking the rules and everyone would quickly make assumptions about what they were up to: improper relations or scheming. If they started the year already in the same room, there'd be whispers and some gossip, but not nearly to the same extent. And, like most gossip, it would die out.
When Ben looked at him, Doug could only shake his head. He couldn't make a case that Lonnie couldn't demolish.
With a groan, Ben ran a hand through his hair. "Gods give me strength."