Author's Notes: So, this is coming up due to the Glorious Masquerade story currently happening in the game. This is going to take place after at least the first five books of the game, so just past the Beautiful Tyrant book. I'll try to keep spoilers from my intended writing, but you're going to get things that will allude to what has been happening in the other stories once I get them written. I apologize in advance if something doesn't make sense because I haven't written it yet. I do hope you can still enjoy this story which is still canon for my written series. I'll try not to allude to the other stories too terribly.
Chapter one:
Aster felt himself starting to panic. Red, everywhere. On homes, on shops, on statues, and in the distance, a large building that was familiar yet wholly unknown to him. The red glow was cast over everything around him. Fire? The mere thought had him wanting to curl in on himself as the city was replaced with a deep, dark forest he knew too well, but couldn't grasp. He ran from the fire, hoping to get away from the fire around him. "Aster!?" Aster was too far gone in his own panic to hear the worried call for his name.
As he moved, the city and forest warred in his vision, wavering between each other until he found a pond. A well. A pond. He fell into the water when he felt himself pushed from behind. Then he was falling. He noted, distantly, that he felt nothing from the bonds he had formed. What bonds? Were there bonds he had made? With who? It was too late to ruminate on it, he supposed, as the deep darkness below him greeted him with the sweet embrace of nothingness. The last thing he saw was the pale, outreaching hand that he knew, but didn't know.
"Hey! Wake up Aster!" a voice yowled in his ear. Panic clear in it.
Aster shot up in bed, heart racing against his rib cage and a migraine that just screamed suffering for the rest of the day. He grimaced at the unpleasant feeling of cold sweat drenching through his pajamas. "Aster?" a voice asked worriedly, softly. Golden eyes blinked slowly, before the boy reached up a hand to move a strand of dark hair from where it was plastered against his face.
"Grim?" he asked, turning to see the ash gray dire beast, whose blue eyes were wide and the blue fires of his ears flickering radically from dim to overwhelming.
"Are you okay?" Grim's voice was unusually subdued for the creature.
"Me? Are you okay? What has you so worried looking?" Aster asked in concern. Something flickered in the other's large blue eyes. Then he growled.
"Me? What has me so worried?" he snarled. "I could feel you panicking over the bond. You wouldn't wake up! Then it was gone. Just like that for nearly a full minute! Do you have any idea how worried I was? How worried the others are going to be? What happened?" the little beast snarled out of his worry and concern.
"I- I don't... I don't remember." Aster winced, rubbing at his temples in hopes of pushing the migraine away, even just a little bit. He grimaced; he was going to have to stop by the infirmary before classes for a pain relief from Divus. Grim growled in both worry and disbelief.
Finally, the dire beast huffed. "Well, not much we can do right now. Seems it was a nightmare... You should go shower since you're up early enough. You stink of sweat." And terror, but Grim didn't feel like voicing that little observation. Aster nodded and Grim watched his human leave for the showers. He knew it would only be a matter of time before some of the others would be either arriving at Ramshackle or they would be swarmed at breakfast that morning.
He could feel the concern from the others, as muted as it was for them. Thankfully though, Aster's part of the bond was back and as strong as before. He was very confused, a little concerned about their friends' reactions- though many would claim that they weren't friends, Leona, looking at you- and a lingering trace of panic that was fading fast to be replaced with excitement towards the day. Apparently Aster could feel something was going to happen that day, even if he wasn't sure what.
It was half an hour later that all of the now Sophomore students made their way to the school for breakfast, after having confirmed for themselves that Aster was truly okay. Aster did stop by the infirmary for that pain killer and explaining to his guardian that he really was okay.
At breakfast, their entire group was sitting at the large table they had claimed for themselves towards the end of last year. Malleus had stopped and confirmed that Aster was fine before making his way to the library for some research he was doing on gargoyles. It was then that several ghosts swept throughout the school informing the students of a full body assembly that morning before classes for an important discussion. Eventually, everyone made their way towards the large lecture hall. Well, almost everyone.
"No one's told Hornton."Aster groaned, looking around the hall and not seeing his friend.
"So, it would seem." Lilia sighed. "Even the ghosts. I'll just fill him in later then. It's about to start." the nocturnal fae said, seeing Crowley entering the hall and going to the podium.
"Stinking head mage, calling us first thing in the morning." Grim grumbled in annoyance. "What's all this baloney about an 'important discussion,' anyway?" Grim huffed.
Aster grimaced at the mixed feelings of foreboding and excitement swirling in his gut. "Whatever it is, I'm curious." he settled on. Ace and Deuce looked around them.
"Wow, he's summoned freshmen through seniors. The only ones not here are the undergraduates." Ace realized, letting out a low whistle. "It's never good news when he calls a mas assembly like this." Ace sighed.
"Shh! The head mage is about to start." Deuce scolded his ginger friend who stuck his tongue out at him in childish retaliation.
"Good morning, my wondrous students!" The head mage greeted his students with one of those cheery smiles of his. "What a lovely day this is shaping up to be!"
"Well, isn't he all smiles. It's creeping me out..." Grim grumbled, several students that over heard him agreeing. Crowley chose not to comment on what he definitely heard.
"I have good news for you all. There will be an arcane social one month from today!" He called. Aster immediately perked up, giving more of his attention to his eccentric guardian.
"A social?!" Several students cried out in shock and surprise.
"This sounds like a separate event from the Arcane Academy Culture Fair." Riddle mused from his seat a few benches ahead of Aster and the other sophomores of their groups.
"It's a party where we get to make new friends right? Sounds fun!" Kalim was ecstatic as usual.
After a few moments, Crowley smacked his gavel on the podium. "Quiet down!" he called to the assembled students with a frown, getting snickers from his fellow faculty who were present. "It shall be the first Promising Young Mages' Social. One of the other magical institutions came up with the notion." the head mage explained.
"Specifically- Nobel Bell College, in Fleur City. And they shall be hosting it as well." Crowley smiled at the notion.
"Fleur City?" Vil pondered. "I'm somewhat familiar with it. It's in the Shaftlands, I believe."
"Indeed it is!" Lilia and Aster told the Pomefiore Housewarden, Lilia appearing above Vil from his original place behind Aster. The three Pomefiore students jumped startled.
"Don't just swing in like that!" Vil scolded, getting his heart rate back under control, causing Aster to chuckle at the other. Vil scowled at his little spud- not that Aster was a spud, more like a budding flower but that was beside the point. "And you! Don't encourage his behavior." That just caused Aster to laugh a little harder.
"It's quite a historic city." Lilia informed the listening students. "And while Noble Bell College is smaller than Night Raven, it's a storied institution in its own right. Even I've never set foot on their campus before. This is quite a rare opportunity." Lilia explained.
"Vanrouge is entirely right!" Crowley called out to the hall. "Much like our own campus, Nobel Bell college is usually closed to outsiders except on special occasions. So it was quite a surprise to hear them of all people propose a meeting of arcane academies." He continued the meeting.
"I considered declining and telling them not to put our esteemed academy on the same level as the others..." Aster sighed, that was so like Crowley. "But they were most insistent when they reached out. I believe they said, 'There is no arcane academy more exceptional than Night Raven College! Please, you must take part!' How could I say no in the face of such an honest appraisal of our school, which has flourished under my last century of tenure as head mage?" Crowley positively glowed with the praise.
Aster sighed again, just as loudly as before. This was also just like Crowley. "I swear Grim and the Head mage are two peas in a pod." he muttered, but in the momentary silence in the hall as students looked at the head mage, the words were heard by all.
Grim proceeded to rant about how he was much better than the head mage, while other students discussed among themselves once more.
"Talk about over flattery... No wonder his smile's a mile wide." Cater sighed, fiddling with a strand of hair in embarrassment over their head mage.
"Ha, you're joking, right? Sounds like the most tedious thing I've ever heard. Who'd sign up for that?" Leona grumbled. The last thing he wanted was to attend a social of all things. He already struggled enough avoiding the ones he was required to attend as Prince of Sunset Savannah.
"This has 'hard nope' written all over it." Idia said from next to Aster. It was one of the rare moments that the Ignihyde Housewarden was caught out of his dorm and made to participate in a school assembly in person. "Just the word 'social' makes me break out in hives." he shuddered. Aster put a comforting hand on the other's shoulder who leaned into the touch ever so slightly.
"I doubt my liege has anything to learn from the rabble. Socials are meaningless!" Sebek growled in annoyance.
"Looks like everybody hates the idea..." Grim stated having finished his rants moments ago.
Aster shook his head at Grim's words. He understood Idia's stance on things, but everybody else? "This is such a good opportunity though!" Aster denied Grim's words, full of empathetic belief in that moment. "I mean, a whole new place with a whole new culture and history to it! And a way to learn about how another school functions. This is such a once in a life time opportunity!" he nearly cried fervently.
"A good opportunity for what, being bored out of my skull?" Grim argued, the duo having attracted the other students' attentions as they tended to do when this happened.
"For learning a new culture! To learn the histories and tragedies of another place and how they overcome their hardships to get where they are! To learn what knowledge and answers they have to offer!" Aster argued back.
Grim rolled his eyes at his silly human. "The school's tiny, right? It's probably just all beige walls and stuff. Nothing exciting." Grim denied the other.
"Are you sure that's the stance you want to take?" Crowley asked the hall as a whole, though directing his words to Grim as he held his chin in thought. "The social is a chance to speak with other students and broaden your horizons. It's not a challenging course. And after the social, there will be a ball where you can dance, eat, and enjoy all the festivities!" Crowley smiled at the assembled students. "And since you're students at the prestigious Night Raven College... I'm sure the other attendees will fawn all over you! I can see it now!" The man cried, thrilled at the prospect. "'Wow!' 'Can I have your autograph!' 'You're the cat's pajamas!'" Crowley squealed like a teenage girl.
Aster buried his head in his arms. "Great Seven, why is my guardian so embarrassing? Thank the Seven for Crewel and Trein." he muttered into his arms, only heard by those in his immediate vicinity.
"For real...?" Grim asked, having been taken in by the head mage's words.
'Poor Aster," Several students thought. 'Those two really are just alike.' They all shuddered at the thought of having to deal with two Crowleys or two Grims on a daily basis. How the smallest boy hadn't gone insane yet was a mystery.
"And more to the point- this is a special time in Fleur City."
"It is?" Several students wondered. Aster perked up.
"The Topsy-Turvy Festival! It only happens once a year!" he cried in excitement.
"Exactly. For two nights and three days, you'll take in the beautiful sights, see delightful entertainment, shop for unique souvenirs, and of course... Enjoy a myriad of delectable vittles!" He cried. He could always rely on his charge's natural excitement for new places and events to lift the mood in the room and pique interest. "With all expenses paid by the host!"
"I wanna go!" Grin shouted in excitement; it may also have to do with Aster's own excitement filling into the bond. "Me! Mememe! I wanna go to Flowertown or whatever! I want delectable vittles!" Grim shouted.
"For free? Okay, now you're speaking my language!" Ruggie chuckled, relaxing his position.
"A social for exceptional mages sounds like it'd be quite beneficial, actually." Azul added, the bond filling with excitement from several of those connected to it.
"Mm, yes. This is the perfect chance for you lot to learn more about another culture." Lilia told Silver and Sebek. He'd be sure to tell Malleus the same later.
"I know! It sounds like so much fun! And full of exciting new experiences." Aster said, just as swept up in the excitement filling the room.
"Then we all better get packing!" Ace shouted gleefully.
"Ah, not everyone can go, I'm afraid." Crowley said over the crowd.
"Huh?!" the shout filled the room. Crowley coughed lightly into his hand.
'Perhaps I should have mentioned that first.' he thought before addressing the students."The social will take place on Halloween. We have our own important Halloween festivities to run, so we can't leave the school empty. I'll be selecting 10 representatives to take part in the social."
"Way to get our hopes up for nothing." Epel grumbled in annoyance.
"Who shall be our esteemed representatives?" Rook asked curiously.
"My selection will be made via the fairest possible means." Crowley assured the student body.
"The fairest possible means?" Trey asked, sounding contemplative. "Like some sort of stringent rubric that incorporates grades and club participation...?"he wondered out loud to himself.
"A random drawing!" Crowley answered to the hall.
"You're just doing that for the laughs!" Grim angrily called him out on it.
"Anyway! We're a bit short on time, so I'll be drawing from the magical raffle box right now!" Crowley informed them, ignoring Grim's outburst. And despite the first reaction, many were on the edge of their seats waiting to find out who would be chosen. "Our chosen representatives are..." Crowley said, drawing the first name.
Author's Note: There we have it. Also, that is how that chapter ends in the game. So, I'll be putting up what I have as I finish them. Thanks for reading.