Location: Scarabia
Time: 2:10 PM
Jamil was wrapping up his usual vice leader duties. Admittedly, he was getting bored. Ever since he began his small detective agency, life on campus has been a bit more exciting. No cases all day, it seemed like just a peaceful day. Although, Jamil has a feeling today won't be so peaceful for long.
"JAMIIILLLL—"
Jamil yelped in fear! "What in the great googly moogly?!" Jamil turned around to only see two of Heartslabyul's finest troublemakers, Deuce and Ace. "Jamil! Jamil! We need your help!" Ace yelled out.
"We can't deal with this information, and I don't think I can sleep now!" Deuce followed.
Jamil was confused beyond belief. What's scaring these two so much? "Can you two please calm down and tell me what happened?" Ace and Deuce took deep breaths…and began to talk over each other. Jamil looked over at whatever invisible camera out there before looking at the two Heartslabyul students. "One at a time please. Ace?"
Ace was sweating. "Erm right, sorry. So..lately Heartslabyul has been having some paranormal activity." Jamil cocked a brow. "Ace, Night Raven has many spirits roaming about. It could've been one of them." Deuce immediately interjected. "That's what we thought too! Until we asked around, that is.."
"Oh?"
Ace glupped. "T-They said they were nowhere near Heartslabyul..and there weren't supposed to be any ghosts there! If they're not the ones haunting Heartslabyul…then what is?!" Jamil perked up upon hearing that. That certainly was quite mysterious. Sure the ghosts could be lying, but what if they're not? They've obviously been here much longer than anyone, surely they know what they're talking about.
"Well boys, I will admit I'm no ghostbuster. But who else are you gonna call in a time like this..but nonetheless! I will investigate this rather haunting case!" Ace and Deuce sighed in relief and smiled. They both simultaneously thanked Jamil for his help!
Jamil took out his iconic magnifying glass and did a dramatic pose.
"The Case of the Haunting of Heartslabyul is now..open!"
Location: Heartslabyul
Time: 2:50 PM
"So Ace..Deuce. Tell me what the hauntings were like." Jamil entered through the beautiful heart arch with Ace and Deuce. Already itching to start investigating.
"I'll be real..these hauntings aren't necessarily bad but it's still kinna weird and scary." Ace remarked. Deuce tapped his fingers. "At first, it was just random treats appearing in our rooms. We thought it was Trey doing this but he's also got a treat. Riddle didn't seem to mind these at first so we just moved on."
"Then there was the toothpaste."
… Jamil looked at Ace with a confused look. "Pardon?"
"This ghost really cares for our dental hygiene apparently. Our bathrooms are stocked up on toothpaste. It even surprised Trey!"
Jamil was already noticing a pattern with these hauntings. But he needed more information just to be sure. Deuce jumped up! Immediately remembering something! "Ooh ooh there's one more thing! Riddle's fancy napkins were taken..but then an hour later, he got a new set!" Jamil tilted his head; "Do tell how that's important..?"
"That's easy! Rule 53! You must replace everything you steal!" Deuce proudly stated. The rules were quite hard to remember so he was pleased to remember one.
Jamil took note of that as well. This ghost was sounding more of a Heartslabyul student than a ghost, but why be sneaky about it? Not only that, there's one thing that bugged Jamil about this so-called ghost.
"Speaking of rules, Deuce, we gonna grab our pink outfits. It's our turn to feed the flamingos." Ace pointed out. "We'll leave you alone..try not to get possessed please! I think that'll make Riddle super mad." Deuce leaned over and whispered. "..Is getting possessed against the rules?" Ace gave Deuce a soft smile and a pat on the shoulder.
"I have no idea."
The two left the detective alone as they went to get all fabulous looking for the flamingo feeding. Meanwhile Jamil was thinking about what Ace and Deuce said.
"At first, it was just random treats appearing in our rooms."
"This ghost really cares for our dental hygiene apparently."
"Riddle's fancy napkins were taken..but then an hour later, he got a new set!"
"Rule 53! You must replace everything you steal!"
"The treats…the toothpaste..the rule following.. this ghost must really idolize Trey or something else is afoot." Jamil has found his lead..and his first suspect. He then went off to find the kitchen, hoping to find Trey there, he was the local baker after all and it was around the time he was preparing treats for tomorrow's tea party. Jamil eventually found it and softly knocked on the opened door. "Hel—"
"GAH-" Trey gave out an abnormal yelp as he quickly turned to face the rather surprised Jamil. "...Pardon me Trey, was I interrupting something?" Jamil questioned as Trey patted himself off. "Ah no no..you're not. You just scared me, that's all. Erm..what brings you here, Jamil?" Trey was cleaning up the messy table as Jamil walked on.
"I'm sure you're aware of the hauntings..correct?" Trey nodded. "Well I've been requested to investigate it, and something about these hauntings interested me." Trey nodded as Jamil was talking, although he was acting odd. He was..looking for something.
"Trey..? Are you okay? I don't think you're liste— oh what's this?" Jamil found a lavender colored cotton ball and he picked it up.
"DON'T TOUCH IT-" Trey yelled.
Jamil blinked. Trey hasn't yelled at anyone like that before. "Relax, relax. I'm just picking it up. Here." Jamil handed over the cotton ball to Trey and he snatched it away. "Whew..I'm sorry Jamil but this is very important to me." Trey calmly explained once he grabbed it. Jamil softly oohed as Trey said that. "Ah well that makes sense. I would have the same reaction too if someone tried to touch something that is important to me. …What is it anyways?" Jamil questioned, genuinely curious about what Trey was protecting so much.
Trey looked around. "..Well Riddle and the others know about this but." Trey fully showed Jamil what exactly the cotton ball was. It was a plushie! With a cute white face along with a cute purple fur cap and bow like scarf. Jamil awed rather loudly when he fully saw what it was. "Oh my goodness Trey, it's adorable!! I never knew you were one for plushies. May I hug it?" ..This was out of character for Jamil but he too has his soft moments. Trey hesitated at first but he gave the plushie to Jamil and Jamil eagerly hugged and nuzzled the plushie. "Even softer when I nuzzle it! How long did you have this?"
"Ah well..always really. I have had it ever since I was a baby. It always comforted me when I was feeling stressed. I brought it with me to Night Raven but I never took it out of my room. But ever since the hauntings began, I began to bring it with me everywhere to ease some stress."
"Oh I see! Extremely personal then.. Well, it made me feel better too! Thank you!" Jamil handed back Trey's special plushie. "Speaking of the hauntings, have you noticed a pattern with it Trey?" He shook his head as he placed his plushie in his pocket. "No, what about it?"
Jamil began to pace around. "This ghost seems to act like you." Trey was shocked to hear this. "Me? How?"
"You make treats for everyone in this dorm. You care for everyone's dental hygiene. And most importantly, you follow the rules quite well." Trey looked taken aback from Jamil's observation. "..And guessing by your reaction, you didn't realize. Which brings me to my next question, has there been anyone who's been attached to you as of late?" Trey did a quick hug of his plushie before placing it back in his pocket. "N-No..not that I'm aware of. I've been sticking with Riddle as usual and as of late I've been preparing for the upcoming tea party. I'm sorry if this doesn't help much, I've truly been caught up in things to notice anything like this."
Jamil was thinking; Trey obviously didn't do any of this. If it's not him then who and why? To impress him? He wasn't sure. "That's quite alright, Trey. You've been very helpful." Trey smiled at Jamil and offered him a cookie. "Here, take one! I made plenty!" Jamil perked up and gladly took one, he thanked the kind vice leader and took a bite. "Mhm! Spectacular as always! ..Oh hey what's that?" Jamil took out his magnifying glass and took a look at an uncleaned spot on the table. "Hey Trey? I think you have a mouse in here."
"A mouse??"
"Yup, I see some tiny footprints here."
Trey looked at what Jamil was talking about. "..Huh, so there is. Well it seems like it's gone now, heck maybe it was the dormouse. Probably wanted a nibble of crumbs or something. Mice need to eat too. Plus I didn't see any markings on my plushie so..I'm not worried so much yet. But thank you for telling me. Riddle will definitely lose his head if he hears about this." Jamil chuckled at Trey's reaction. Unless his special plush was threatened he didn't see a need to do anything yet. He found it quite adorable.
Jamil thanked Trey for his time and the free cookie before walking away. He knew where and who to go to next.
Location: Rose Maze
Time: 3:20 PM
Jamil hated mazes. He never quite understood why this was a much needed addition to Heartslabyul. Once Jamil found his way out, he was greeted by Cater painting the roses red and a pouty Riddle.
"Come on Riddle, I know you're upset that Maeve, Malleus, nor Idia can spend time with you today, but it was an emergency." Cater tried to reassure the dorm leader who's still a bit grumpy.
"I know! I just wished they didn't take all of them! Malleus or Idia aren't even Dancers like Maeve is so I dunno why they had to come along.." Riddle crossed his arms and plopped on the ground. "It's not fair it had to be today of all days!"
"Uh..hello Cater?" Jamil spoke up a bit, feeling a little concerned for Riddle. "Is everything well?"
"Yo Jamil! Yeah we're totes great..well I'm totes great. Riddle..not so much. He's grumpy." Cater leaned closer to Jamil. "So uh..know how Maeve has a job coaching others to dance? Well she was called in for an emergency cuz one of the newest dances needed coaches. The original coaches somehow broke their legs and they couldn't do it. So, Maeve got Malleus and Idia to come with her to her workplace." Jamil nodded, he was following. "And I'm assuming they all promised Riddle something?"
"It's like, deeper than that. I'll be blunt, Riddle sometimes goes to kiddo mode. Today is one of those days he goes all kiddo, can't blame him though. All this ghost stuff can drive anyone up a wall! And only those three know what to do when he goes all kiddo. I've tried to get him to paint with me but..he's not cooperating." Cater scratched his head. "IDK what to do."
Jamil completely understood, he understood what Riddle was doing was just him trying to feel better and just rewind. It's obviously hard when he's alone and all stressed with the current events. "I think I may help." Cater sighed in relief. "Plz do."
Jamil walked over to Riddle and sat down near him. "Hello Riddle." Riddle glanced over and didn't say anything, still upset that his best friends aren't here. "Heard you miss Maeve and the others." Riddle just nodded, refusing to talk. "..Well I don't know how it goes but..you wanna help me with something?" Riddle lifted his head and looked, that seemed to interest him. "..With what?"
Jamil smiled. "Well I am a detective, right? I'm solving a case." Jamil did a thinking pose. "And it seems like I need some help solving it. Want to be my special assistant?" Riddle got all star eyed upon hearing that. "Like..a game?!" Jamil nodded! "In a way! It's just more real and not pretend. But it's okay, you know how to play detective right?" Riddle nodded! "It's just like that! Just more real." Riddle softly squeed, excited to help Jamil.
Cater whispered to Jamil. "Dude, OMG, you're good at this. Thx BTW."
Jamil smiled. "Not a problem. Anyways! Just one question, Riddle." Riddle sat up straight, listening to what he had to say next. "If it's okay with you, when you're out with Trey doing dorm leader things, did you see anything weird?"
"Weird..? Like what?"
"Like someone following Trey or copying him."
Riddle shook his head. "Nope! Nothing weird! Besides I wouldn't see anything anyways! Ghosts are invisible, silly!" Jamil laughed a bit. "That is true for some ghosts. Though we gotta solve this case and make sure everyone in Heartslabyul can sleep well without worry. Ready to help?" Riddle stood up eagerly. "Ready ready!"
Jamil stood up as well and patted Riddle's head. "Good! Remember, we have to keep our eyes peeled! We must be fair too." Riddle nodded! He understood and was willing to help!
"Good! ..Just since we're on the same topic, Cater. Same question I asked Riddle."
"Eh? Nah didn't see anything. I did a mouse though."
Jamil blinked. "A mouse?"
Riddle awed. "A mousey?"
Cater shrugged. "Yea. It's weird to me cuz we don't have any reason to have a mouse problem." Riddle giggled a bit. "Maybe the dormouse can scare the ghost for us!"
Cater tilted his head. "Well Riddle, it's not our dormouse. This mouse was cream colored." Jamil immediately looked at Cater when he said the color. "Cream you say?" Riddle wasn't that worried, he merely gave a soft reassuring look. "Maybe the dormouse was lonely and invited a friend! .. But is this important to remember, Jamil?"
Jamil nodded. "Any information is important! Thank you Cater." Jamil and Riddle left the Rose Maze, thankfully Riddle knew the way out and Jamil made it a small race with everyone as the winner. That made Riddle very happy!
Riddle tapped Jamil's arm. "Jamil..?"
"Mhm? Yes?"
"I've been thinking, should we ask everyone here if they saw a cream colored mouse? I don't know if that would help."
Jamil had a lightbulb moment when Riddle suggested that. If Jamil can get a timeline as to when the new mouse sighting began, it can help led to whoever was "haunting" Heartslabyul! "Riddle, that's a very good idea! Between you and me, I don't think it's a ghost doing all this. Ghosts are simply too busy helping around or haunting other places to even try to haunt Heartslabyul!" Jamil booped him. "And how about this, you can draw the mouse! It can give us an idea of what we're looking for." Riddle grew super excited and agreed!
Now with a plan, Jamil and Riddle went around Heartslabyul to ask all the students about the hauntings and the mysterious mouse. Some students admitted to accidentally breaking a rule but it magically got fixed before anyone noticed. Some students stated they sometimes find their toothbrushes with toothpaste already as they're ready to brush. And oh me oh my, some even wished for some snacks to appear and they did! But one thing is the same, a cream mouse seen running and hiding.
When asked about the mouse, Riddle listened closely to the students as he drew the mouse with red ink. He filled his notepad with nothing but mouse drawings! "..Jamil? Look at the time." Jamil was confuzzled. "Heartslabyul rule?" Riddle chuckled. "Nope! Personal rule. I usually have a snack during this time. Maeve sometimes makes these almond cookies, I don't really like almonds but it's special!" Jamil stayed quiet at first…then looked behind Riddle. "I think the 'ghost' heard your wish."
Riddle was stunned and then looked behind him. The table had a plate of almond cookies! "Wha—?! Oh thank you ghost! Or mouse! Whatever you are!" Riddle ran over and placed his pad down to start eating away his snack. As he did that, Jamil scanned the room for a little mouse. He didn't see any.
"What the.. curiouser and curiouser.." Jamil was stumped. Those cookies appeared out of thin air. "Hey Riddle? Does anyone know about your snack?" Riddle paused and thought about it. "Well Trey knows because Maeve baked these cookies here at Heartslabyul once. I don't remember when though." Jamil walked over to the table, "I see..hey can I see your drawings?" Riddle opened his notepad and showed off his art skills. Which was surprisingly very well drawn.
Jamil complimented on the mouse sketches and studied each one. They were all the same, all matching the sightings. Unbeknownst to him however, Deuce and Ace came inside and were behind him as he was looking.
"Hey, that's the mouse we sometimes see when feeding the flamingos!" Deuce yelled out, scaring Jamil. Everyone wants to give him a heart attack today. The only ghost that'll be haunting Heartslabyul is Jamil Viper if they keep this up. "Guys, do you want to send me to an early grave?" Deuce laughed nervously. "Sorry, man."
Ace tried to take a cookie but Riddle slapped his hand away. "Eek! Fine fine keep 'em.. so about the drawings. They're missing something." Riddle looked a little bewildered. He drew what the students said, what was he missing? He beckoned Jamil to return the notepad to fix it. Jamil and Deuce watched as Ace told Riddle what he's missing.
. . . .
"Riddle you solved the case!"
"Oh?!"
"Ace! Deuce! Gather Cater and Trey to the Tea Garden! Riddle, come with me! Bring your notepad too!"
Location: Tea Garden
Time: 4:50 PM
Trey was serving tea to everyone as they all sat down; they all watched Jamil sit there as he's thinking. Cater placed his phone down as Ace and Deuce sipped their tea. Riddle was waiting for Jamil to speak.
"As you all know, as of late, Heartslabyul has been 'haunted' for a while. Riddle and I have figured out what's been causing it."
Cater and Trey seemed interested as Ace and Deuce worried for his next words. Riddle, whom was told to wait for Jamil to signal him, eagerly waited.
"There is no ghost." Ace and Deuce whewed, obviously relieved to hear that. Jamil sipped his tea, which was the signal that Riddle was waiting for. Riddle stood up!
"Everybody, this is your ghost!" Riddle opened his pad, showing off his drawing of the mouse, but with Ace's testimony added onto it, which was a cap and a scarf. Cater and Deuce were confused as Ace wondered how a mouse was causing all this. Trey however was silent.
Jamil spoke up. "Trey. Is this mouse familiar to you?"
Trey sighed and nodded. He took his plushie out of his pocket.
"Sorry Kartoffel, let's hoodie down."
Everyone paid attention as the plushie began moving and unhooded itself. It was the cream mouse! Deuce yelped as Cater quickly snapped a picture of the mouse. Ace was speechless. Riddle was a little surprised as well.
Jamil walked over and softly poked Kartoffel's cheek. "A cute one she is. .. but one question Trey."
"I believe I know what you're going to ask. Let me explain. What I told you about me having Kartoffel since I was a baby was correct, we grew up together. She helped me get out of my shell more and helped out with my siblings. But eventually she..stopped helping." Kartoffel softly squeaked and patted his hand. Trey smiled. "But it was for a good reason, she didn't want me to be fully dependent on her so she only popped out when I was overwhelmed. Fair to say she made me who I am today and I appreciate her so much." The two hugged. "I took her to Night Raven with me because she was a secret for so long, I worry what my family would think if they saw a mouse in the house. I would've been devastated if something happened! She began helping me lately since my duties were piling up. I taught her some magic too so she can help out better! That's how she did what she did with ease! She was only helping. Honest!"
Kartoffel squeaked sadly and nodded somberly. Trey translated; "She said she's sorry if she scared anyone. She's just trying to help me and you."
Ace and Deuce were surprised at this outcome. They weren't expecting this! Cater was trying not to spam his social media about this, this was juicy information! Jamil whispered something to Riddle.. Riddle came up to Kartoffel, all serious like. This scared her a bit since she knew how Riddle normally is; she's worried he left his kiddo mode to get mad at her.
"Kartoffel, it is your Unbirthday. Correct?"
The mouse nodded fearfully.
Riddle looked at her and at Trey all mad.… Then Riddle lightened up and smiled.
"A very merry unbirthday!"
[..squeak squeak?]
"To you!"
"A very merry unbirthday!"
[squeak squeak?!]
"For you!"
"Now you're one of us! All rosey and true!"
"A very merry unbirthday to you!"
After Riddle sang Kartoffel her Unbirthday song he placed a tiny mouse sized rose on her hat. Marking Kartoffel an official member of Heartslabyul. "Now, please no more hiding! You're a very nice mouse! We'll properly introduce you to everyone tomorrow at the tea party!" Kartoffel was overwhelmed with joy! So was Trey! "You're..not mad? Oh thank you Riddle!! We're very grateful for this!"
"Whoa whoa wait, so we got a mouse as a member now?" Ace questioned. Deuce shrugged. "Why not? Grim is a student and they're a cat."
Cater took a selfie with Kartoffel! He was hyped about all this! Riddle looked at Jamil. "And you're invited to the tea party! As a thank you for helping Heartslabyul today!" ..Riddle whispered, "And thanks for dealing with my age regression today. Sorry you got pulled in." Jamil chuckled and grinned. "It's no problem Riddle, if you're happy and comfortable then that's what it all matters."
"Hey so..can I do the honors?" Riddle asked.
Jamil nodded! "Go for it!"
Riddle all proudly announced; "The Case of The Haunting of Heartslabyul is now closed!!"
The tea party was a success! Everyone was surprised about their newest member at first, but when they heard that Kartoffel was responsible for the "haunting," they all immediately accepted her. All pleased to know this mouse cared for them so much!
Jamil was honestly pleased with this outcome. He was more pleased on how happy Trey is now! His friend was with him in the open now, no longer a secret.
The tea Jamil drank that day was sweeter than usual. Must be the friendship in the air.