CHAPTER 5: NO ANIMAL NOR MAN

When Jill reached the dining hall, she was nothing short of impressed. The Octavinelle caterers had created a large party spread; there were dozens of plates set out on the lengthy table, all of them with various dishes from veggies to meats to desserts and then some. There was even a genuine chocolate fountain plugged into one corner of the hall, with bowls of strawberries, apple slices, and marshmallows for dipping. Although her wallet was thin, Jill had to admit that the effort put into this was worth it.

"There you are, Jill."

Jack Howl stepped up to Jill, towering over her. In his muscular arms was a struggling Grim. "I caught him trying to dip his paws into the chocolate fountain," Jack said. "After all this time, you really need to discipline him more."

"Grim…" Jill sighed, glaring at the direbeast.

"Hey, c'mon! It's my party! I can use the fountain how I want!" Grim said.

Jill plucked Grim out of Jack's arms. "Grim, you can't contaminate the fountain for others. You need to use the sticks to spear the desserts, then push it into the chocolate flow. I've never even used one before, but I know that!" she scolded.

Grim sighed heavily. "Fine. Didn't think it would be such a big deal."

"We'll do it together," Jill told him. She turned. "Jack, have you tried the chocolate fountain?"

"I'll just dip one thing," Jack said. "I don't want to eat too many sweets."

Jill and Jack demonstrated how to properly use the fountain. Once Grim shoved a stick into a marshmallow and soaked it with chocolate, he seemed to get the idea.

"Oh, hey! This is more fun!" he said, chomping on the marshmallow. "I think I'll try a couple more before I go to the movie room."

Jill watched him, saying nothing, until Grim finished his desserts. She also made sure that Grim's paws were clean before he ran off. This reminded her of her first day, when Grim would just run wherever he wanted and she had to chase after him… would she have to monitor him all afternoon?

"He means well," she said tiredly. "He's just excited about the party."

"I know, but you need to rein him in more," Jack insisted. "He sent you to the infirmary, and you're throwing him a party. Grim even calls himself your boss, even though you're a housewarden. I don't think he respects your authority."

Jill's eyes widened, and she bit her lip. She didn't know what to say.

"Look, I know you try to put Grim on the right path," Jack said. "He has improved since day one. But you really need to put your foot down, especially when…" He read the look on Jill's face, and stopped. "I'm not trying to be mean, I just don't want to see you injured again. Okay?"

"Right," Jill said, taking a breath. "I mean, I know Grim can act like a brat. But he's lived in the wild for as long as he can remember. I might be the closest thing he's ever had to a parent. It's been hard, for sure… but Grim needs me. So I have to be there for him, whether he appreciates it or not."

Jack nodded. "Alright. Well, with that out of the way… this is a pretty nice party," he mentioned.

"Thanks." Jill sighed and glanced around. "Where's Leona? Napping in the movie room?"

"Nah, it's too noisy," came a disgruntled voice to her right. Jill turned to see Leona Kingscholar, as well as Ruggie Bucchi.

"Oh, guys!" she greeted. "Welcome to Hallowgrim! Enjoying things so far?"

"I mean, it's not terrible," Leona muttered. "There are some really annoying people here that I'd rather avoid… but that's about my only complaint."

"Oh, okay…" That was probably the best compliment she'd get from Leona. The leonine housewarden always had a neutral relationship with her at best. He found her energy to be exhausting, and her dreams to be unrealistic. In contrast, Jill recognized signs of depression within Leona and tried to reach out to him, though he asserted his distance.

It didn't help that Jill had stepped on his tail by mistake, or that she was sent to investigate Leona's sabotage in the Spelldrive tournament. After his overblot attack, Jill was understandably furious with him. They were able to reconcile somewhat when they went to the Sunset Savannah for a trip, and when Leona had helped her fight Azul, but it didn't seem like Leona would see her as a friend. She had to accept that in the end.

"Aw, c'mon, Leona. This party's pretty impressive," Ruggie said. "Let me guess, the food is from Mostro Lounge?"

"Nailed it," Jill affirmed.

"Yep, I've worked some shifts there when I'm off from the Mystery Shop. I'd know that food anywhere," Ruggie chuckled. He was wearing a backpack that was notably blocky in the back. "That reminds me," he continued, "I brought along some containers so I could take some food home. That's cool with you, right, Jill? Waste not, want not, after all."

"Sure. Just don't tell Grim," Jill told him. She wasn't sure where she stood with Ruggie. While he has helped her out on occasion, Jill had a feeling he was only looking out for himself. She didn't dislike the hyena boy, per se, but she would honestly like him more if he wasn't so calculating.

"Shyeehee, thanks! That's why I like you, Jill. You're always so generous," Ruggie gave another chuckle.

"Right, well… have you guys checked out the other exhibits yet?" Jill asked. "Our library is open on display, and so is the artroom."

"Nah, not into that stuff," Ruggie said.

"Those annoying people I mentioned are there, so no," Leona seconded.

"I… might get around to that," Jack mentioned. "Thought I'd hit the dance hall first, though. How about you, Jill? Are you going to dance, too?"

Jill listened to the music echoing through the mansion—it was now on "Monster Mash".

"No, not yet," she said. "There is one song I really want to dance to, but this isn't it. Once it starts playing, I'll be there."

"I'd take a guess as to what song, but this music isn't from Twisted Wonderland, is it?" Ruggie guessed.

"No, it's all from Earth," Jill explained. "When I, uh… fell here, I had my phone on me, and I downloaded a lot of my favorite songs onto it. At least it helps make a good mix track."

"Huh. Well, have fun with all that," Leona said. "I'm gonna find a nice chair somewhere in the foyer." He took a few steps past Jill, carrying a plate of bacon and eggs, until he stopped and looked over his shoulder. "By the way," he mentioned, "your lizard buddy is in the library. Just so you're not tearing the house apart lookin' for him." He smirked and walked off.

"Steve is in the library?!" Jill asked excitedly. She grinned at Jack and Ruggie, waved at everyone else that was nearby, and rushed towards the downstairs library.

She couldn't wait to see Malleus.

Author's Note: Originally, Jill was going to go through all the other dorms in order, but I mixed it up a little to do a bigger scene later. So next stop is Diasomnia!