Chapter 4-17: Feeling of Deju Vu
"Wha...?!" Malleus says, shocked.
"Oh my!" Briar says, surprised.
Stunned Idia says, "Th... The…"
"The gargoyle…" Azul adds, shocked.
All four say in shock, "TALKED?!"
"Sure I talk," The gargoyle says, "I'm a gargoyle at Noble Bell College, an arcane academy. I've been watchin' over the school and Fleur City from the bell tower for eons now."
"Wait, so you're like the talking paintings at Night Raven College?!" Idia asks.
"Amazing, so you can move and talk like Sereia," Briar says. And sheepishly says, "Then again, with everything that I've seen in this world, talking painting and such, I shouldn't be surprised anymore."
Then Azul says, "I knew I wasn't just seeing things when I saw the gargoyle move earlier today! There, you see? I was right, and you were wrong."
"Uh-huh, sure, whatever you say…" Idia says, but soon notices, "Ah! Um, Malleus? You okay there?"
Malleus remains silent as he stares at the gargoyle.
"Tsunotaro, are you okay?" Briar asks.
Azul asks, "What's the matter, Malleus? You've been staring at the gargoyle in silence. Considering your enthusiasm for them, I thought you would be jumping for joy by now."
Idia panics, "Oh nooo! Nononononooo! You've got it all Malleus's perspective, the object of his hyperfixation just revealed a completely unexpected side of itself. It's possible he's got reality whiplash, and he's all like, "The gargoyles I love don't move! This isn't accurate to my headcanon!"
"So people will just deny reality if it doesn't match some ideal they've conjured up in their minds? That's absurd," Azul says.
Malleus remains silent.
"His silence does give me an ominous feeling of déjà vu... Is he going to let out another angry burst of magic?!" Azul questions.
Soon, the gargoyle notices, "Heeey, that's a nice set of horns. I got 'em too, see? We should hang out."
Briar says, "Oh dear."
Malleus again remains silent.
The gargoyle happily says, "C'mon, let's be pals!" and nudges Malleus.
Idia cries out, "NOOOOOO!"
Azul yelps, "Yeek! What kind of reckless fool NUDGES Malleus Draconia!"
The gargoyle nudges Malleus again, "Hellooo? Can ya hear me?"
"Tsunotaro, are you okay?" Briar asks.
Soon Malleus breaks his silence, "...OH! Apologies… I was so awestruck, it left me in a daze," and smiles.
"Oh I get it, you're just so happy and amazed that you couldn't speak at first," Briat says with a smile.
"I guess, I have," Malleus says with a smile.
"He got so happy he glitched out?!" Idia says, shocked.
"He's even more overjoyed than I'd anticipated!" Azul adds.
Then Malleus says, "This isn't our first meeting, but allow me to introduce myself. My name is Malleus Draconia. I belong to the family that rules Briar Valley, and I am here in my capacity as a student of Night Raven College. I am truly delighted you've chosen to converse with me. Might I shake your hand?" "
"Malleus, huh? Sure, put 'er there, pal," The gargoyle says.
Malleus reacts, "OOF...!"
"The moment the gargoyle called him 'pal,' Malleus clutched his chest with a pained exclamation…" Azul says, stunned.
Idia agrees, "Yeah, that's a classic fanboy thing right there. He's so happy it physically hurts. Like, 'Oof, ow, right in the feels...!' A superfan just got an impromptu meet and greet. WTG, Malleus."
"You're from Night Raven College? So you don't even go to this school? What're you guys doin' up here?" The gargoyle asks.
"Well, it's kind of a long story," Briar says.
Then Malleus says, "Allow me to explain…" and explains the whole story.