• 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐖𝐎 •
The Rebel of the Savannah
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You hummed a small tune while you roamed the halls around Ramshackle Dorm, your fingertips brushed against the now repaired walls. Whilst your other hand held a broom. There's still a lot that you need to do for this dorm to be appealing to the eye. And that is to deep-clean every corner that you have missed in the previous days of cleaning, and repair some of the furniture that you have found in the other rooms.
This ramshackle dorm is still a mystery to you. Who knows what kind of things that you'll find. But thanks to Nigel's help, you've been able to sleep peacefully without worrying too much about staying in a place like this.
Eventually in your free time, you often spend it by cleaning every room and maybe doing laundry. The dorm doesn't have a usable washing machine since it sadly broke, so of course you're doing it by hand. Luckily, you only have to wash your clothes with a few blankets here and there. Hectic indeed.
Today was one of those days where you have the free time to clean, that you'd eventually finish your chores by the time the day ended. You were only in your long-sleeve and blazer, the uniform jacket long gone in your room. Thereafter, cleaning the halfway progress on the 2nd floor to the 3rd.
There were a lot of rooms, bedrooms even that made you suspect whether the Ramshackle was an existent Dorm with potential back then. There were even office-like rooms and a library on the 3rd floor, along with an art and music room on the 2nd. Even a turret that you can see at the front of the dorm.
You also liked the color of the dorm. A beautiful sage green along with cream, brown and gold. Almost like it was from a vintage painting. It may be a hassle but just the thought about making this dorm pretty swells a feeling of pride in you.
"Oh! [m.name]!" Boo, the chubbiest of the three specters that you're familiar with greeted. While you walked downstairs to the empty main lounge, with no Grim on sight. The specter of a ghost floated closer as the both of you walked through the halls after dropping off the broom to the storage closet.
You now decided to follow him wherever he intended to go.
You grinned seeing him. "Hello, Boo."
"Finished cleaning up the upstairs floors?" He asked.
"I managed to clean up everything, yes."
"Must've been rough." Boo laughs.
"Nonsense." You chuckled, waving him dismissively. "I have to admit that we couldn't do it without you guys and your helping hand. Thank you."
"Aw, don't mention it! It really has been a while since we last had any visitors! It's exciting!" Boo chirped before you could ask him a question. Now noticing that he went outside to the yard, where actually the other ghosts are.
The ghosts seem a bit dodgy of the topic when asking them about the Ramshackle Dorm and its mysterious origin. Much to your dismay. But you decided to not pry them and let them be, to avoid being seen as rude. You consider them as your friends, familiars, after all.
Eventually, you followed Boo outside and saw the amusing sight before you. It was Grim along with the ghosts, whereas Jasper was holding a frisbee disk as they conversed. Are they playing Magic Shift?
"Oh?" You mused out loud. "What's happening here?"
Your voice seems to caught their attention, when they turned to you. Mostly Grim who hastily turned to your direction as his fire ears twitched. So he was still upset of the fact that he can't play in the tournament, even though you already talked to him about it. Stubborn as ever. Grim was literally sulking, right before you! Now that is adorable.
"Now look who it is! Hey, [m.name]!" Grubb exclaimed and you nodded with a smile to acknowledge him.
"We're cheering Little Grim here because he's sulking that he can't play in the Magic Shift Tournament!" Jasper, the thin ghost among them, said.
"We played with him for a moment when you got a bit busy cleaning." Boo explained. "Wanna join for round two?"
"Hm, I'm not really familiar with the rules." You muttered in slight sheepish. Suddenly, there was a hint of mischief when you glanced at Grim's sulking figure.
"I'll just watch you all play for now, Grim seems to know a lot more than I do."
"Hmph. Of course, I do!" The feline immediately remarked, huffing with his chest puffed with pride. You snickered at his behavior, all relieved to see him in high spirits.
The three ghosts were already in their positions when Grim went to his, determined eyes stood unwavering from the ghosts playful demeanors. Your fingers fiddled on your neckties knot, making it slightly loose, along with the first button of your shirt. Watching their small game with interest when the four of them were having their fun. Yet you often point out to Grim his next steps to avoid himself losing.
"Woah! You guys have done pretty well for first-timers!"
You raised a brow at Grubb's comment. "Me too..?"
"Yeah! The skills are one thing, but strategizing is important as well!" Jasper said in agreement and you shook your head with a sigh. You barely even do anything.
"Hey! Keep 'em coming!"
The small game continued and you cheered on both sides but mostly Grim. Who you often guide on where to go and what to do next. Him responding to you with evident irritation but followed it nonetheless. And the sight of it almost made you laugh.
It wasn't that long while you watched. when you saw a figure from your peripheral vision. You turned and saw Crowley by the gates. Now this was surprising. He only comes by when he needs something or comes by for a chat and tea but right now, he looked like he need something.
"Ah, it's the headmaster..." You greeted him from afar.
Now you glanced at his figure walking towards you, grinning as usual with his eccentric demeanor. He approached your side and looked at the small game being displayed before you in interest. Then, he finally called.
"Why hello, everyone!"
Crowley's greeting alone caused their game to pause, and the playing ghosts and Grim noticed his presence. There was a visible scowl on Grim's face when he saw the Headmaster.
"And here's the number one party crasher..." Grim grumbled.
"Are you playing Magical Shift?" Crowley asks, unaware of Grim's grumbling. You nodded as a response. "You and Grim seem to be getting along quite well with the ghosts. How magnificent~!"
"Honestly, they're great company to be around. Mischievous but great." You told him. And from the short feedback seems to bring a wide grin on Crowley's face.
"Well, that's splendid to hear!" He chirped happily.
You tilted you're head. "How did the meeting with the housewardens go yesterday?"
"Oh..." Crowley's eyes suddenly narrowed, still smiling as he began to ramble of the things that you can and can't comprehend at the same time. Saying things about presenting a dorm in the Great Hall of Fame, the other Dorm Leader's opposing of his idea and so on, so forth. It was amusing to watch.
"Anyways, do you need something Headmaster?" You asked, now curious of his visit. But at the same time to stop of Crowley's mumbling and rambling mess.
While you asked the question, the Headmaster smiled widely as his rambling mess was long-forgotten. Golden hues turned crescents. Glowing underneath his mask that caused you to sweat-drop.
He hummed, not tearing his eyes from yours.
"Shall we go inside?"
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You suspected something happened after the housewarden meeting. Otherwise the headmaster won't be freely sitting in the guest lounge. After you went inside the Ramshackle from his request, you immediately went to the kitchen to prepare him the tea that you brought the other day for yourself. Now you walked back to the guest lounge and settled a tray of tea on the lounge table.
You sat on the couch with Grim, eyeing the Headmaster who looked around the clean guest lounge whilst sitting on the wooden rocking chair. He seemed taken aback of how you managed to make the lounge this neat.
He already noticed this the last time he visited. But should he ask about how you managed to repair the walls? He doesn't remember giving you something to repair it.
"I'm impressed that you managed to make Ramshackle this clean in a span of less than a month. Let alone repair it." He remarked with unaware suspicion laced in his voice.
You hummed in thought, leaning forward to pour tea into the teacups that Riddle gave you. Pouring for yourself and for the Headmaster. Giving his reaction, maybe Dr. Hook and Nigel did help you on their own good will.
"Well, I do clean during my free time but other than you, my gracious Headmaster, Dr. Hook and professor Nigel seem to be gracious with their overwhelming help as well. Repairing the dorm with their oh-so kind magic."
You slid the teacup to the Headmaster's direction and sipped yours. Once you settled your cup down, you looked towards the Headmaster and much to your surprise, there was now a strained smile on his lips. And it says a lot. You didn't intend it to be an offensive comment in the first place.
But right now, the Headmaster seems like it.
"Did they now~?" His voice was low for a moment that was laced with amusement, when it finally shifted to his usual pitch. You almost raised a brow at the man's change of attitude. "Oh, where are we? That's right! I'd like to make a request to both of you!"
"A request?" You and Grim glanced at each other.
Crowley nodded. "Yes. Another student took a tumble down the hall stairs just yesterday, marking the tenth occurrence of such an incident..."
You perked up and recalled the Heartslabyul individuals that you and Grim encountered yesterday. And this happened for the tenth time? You and Grim glanced at each other yet again as your feline half frowned. This does sound like a case.
"That is really odd. Because I encountered the same students who took part in the incident yesterday." You raised a brow, crossing your arms.
"So I've reached the right people then. Good." Crowley said, leaning back to the rocking chair.
"Furthermore, those wounded were all promising contenders chosen to compete in this year's Magical Shift Tournament as such, I would like you two to investigate it..." Your eyes had widened in anticipation.
"However, we have no evidence to back our suspicions. All of the incidents occurred in public places, and all of the poor witnesses claimed the same thing..." Crowley trailed off.
"So, they think they're being careless. Is that it? But it seems to me, someone is doing it on purpose." You frowned, to see the unimpressed expression on your face. You can smell the foul play already.
"Precisely. How very astute, [m.name]. This is precisely why I'd like you to investigate the matter... I trust you and your judgement." Crowley said.
"Hmph! This doesn't concern me!" You and Crowley turned to Grim who had his arms crossed, the upset evident in his huffing face. Oh right, you almost forgot that the feline was still upset of the disposition of not taking part of the Magift Tournament.
Grim continued. "It sounds like they're clumsies. There. Case closed. I won't even be able to participate in the Magic Shift competition either way!" He complained, rolling his eyes.
"I see..." Crowley mumbled, and you sent the Headmaster a look. A look to say to not continue the words he was about to say. Yet your silent pleads rang over deaf ears.
Crowley sighed in defeat. "And here I am, having the most wonderful reward planned for solving the case... Namely, a spot in the Magical Shift Tournament was what I'd meant to present to you..."
"Given how incredibly kind I am..." He finally said, almost like he was teasing you when the man glanced at your way. You really hoped he could see the visible vein popping on your forehead.
"Incredibly kind, indeed." You muttered through your slightly gritting teeth. And the said man only smiled kindly at you.
It's not that you didn't want to play. The sport already sounds interesting enough, but you were aware of the rumors of the magicless student residing in a magic institution. You're just worried about the unwanted attention when you already have eyes watching your every move. Yes, those same eyes who played hide and seek with you.
Crowley continued now saddened. "Yet, as I ruefully recall, you've decided against lending me a hand... So let us forget this little..." The man peeked an eye to Grim.
"Hold that thought! I want in!" Well, if Grim's happy.
You raised a brow in confusion to the Headmaster. "Doesn't a team need seven players?" You asked the Headmaster.
"Fret not. As the headmaster I'll simply conjure up a magical miracle and round up the remainder of your team!" The man said, smiling every so widely. If that's even possible.
"Now I'm getting fired up!" Grim exclaimed, and you smiled in pain through a brief moment. He's enthusiastic, alright.
You sighed, finally giving in. "That's it then. I'll send you our report of the investigation's progress if there's any useful for evidence, headmaster Crowley."
"Delightful~! I'm counting on you two~!" The Headmaster clapped, very happy with your approval. You wanted to sigh, it's too late to back out now. Now, you just hoped this will be the first and the last of his errands.
"Understood, headmaster Crowley."
Just what have you gotten yourself into?
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It was now the next day, and you were visiting the infirmary first thing before you proceed to your investigation. You and Grim walked through the halls to the very doors of the calm infirmary. You held the door and opened it, allowing yourself inside. The smell of a calm scent wafted through your nose.
"Why are we here again?" Grim grumbled on your shoulder, peeking his head out beside yours. Clearly uninterested. You looked around the infirmary to find a familiar face when you walked further inside. Seeing an empty office table.
"We need to identify the injured students first before we can start the investigation. With that, we need the records of who was injured days prior." You told him. Continuing yourself to find the doctor's unknown whereabouts.
"You came to the right place, then."
You widened your eyes hearing the familiar voice behind you and you turned. Seeing the man in red pirate clothes, who's in his white doctor coat. Black wavy hair swayed behind him as he smiled at your presence in his office.
"Hello again, [m.name]." Dr. Hook greeted and you greeted him back. Mutually delighted to see him. He urged you and a silent Grim who stared in wonder at the doctor, following to his desk.
The three of you sat down as he opened a drawer and took a jar of what seems to be a jar of Starshards. Small and fluffy candies that resemble mini cotton candies. Soft and does not melt easily, if unless exposed in hot temperatures.
"Starshards, you two? I also have Limelight waffles with me if you want, little Grim." He offered and extended a wrapper of the brown, sugary waffle to the creature.
There immediately were stars in the feline's eyes. Of course, he couldn't refuse food. "Don't mind if I do!"
Grim took the wrapper and dug himself in, which caused a short chuckle from the doctor's throat. And then he offered you to take some Starshards out of its jar. You thanked him and took two of it, pressing the candy into your mouth as it melted like cotton candy. Dissolving by the second.
Chewing until it melted, you glanced on his table and saw a picture frame of him and a bunch of happy children gathered before him. And behind them is a large building. Shown in a black and white color scheme. The doctor was wearing his pirate clothes with a fond, soft smile.
You sent him a questioning look when he noticed your eyes on the picture frame. He smiled, the very same smile that the picture had caught.
He looked at it. "They're my lost little children from the orphanage I built and that I currently own in my hometown. They're my little fairies." He said with a proud tone and you couldn't help but stare in awe.
"That's amazing..." You ate another Starshard, as your eyes gleamed in amazement. And the man wanted to chuckle. The doctor was also pleased seeing you enjoyed the sweet.
"If I may ask... What do you need the infirmary records for, [m.name]?" Now turning to him, you licked your lips to wipe off the excess melted sugar from it.
"Oh, that's right. The Headmaster assigned us to investigate the suspicious incidents that happened all over the school and since they're injured, it would be best to take a look of the infirmary records before we can start." You said calmly. And hook nodded in understanding.
"Did he now? He seems to be sulking when we crossed paths in the halls yesterday... But I didn't know he assigned you to investigate such thing." Hook tilted his head, curious.
"Sulking?" You were baffled. Yet Hook nodded.
"He was mumbling about not being gracious enough." Hook placed his fingers to his chin, deep in thought.
"That... may be my fault." The doctor perked at this, seeing your hand raise nonchalantly. "I may told him that you and Nigel graciously helped me repairing the dorm. But it wasn't my intention to offend him that way in the first place..."
"Let alone compare him to the two of you." A bead of sweat dripped from your cheek. A subtle shock written to your own expression.
Hook sighed, laughing soon after. "Goodness, that's Crowley for you. Often acts so childish. And to think he's actually the Headmaster of the college."
You huffed, glancing down at Grim who ate the Waffles now without a care in the world. "Tell me about it..."
"Here." Hook extended a paper to you and it shows a list of a lot of names being written. Along with their dorms and their class numbers. "They're the list of students that possibly took part of the incidents for the past few days."
Holding the paper, you nodded with a thankful grin on your lips. "Thank you very much, I'll make good use of it."
"I trust you, Prefect [m.name]." The doctor softly said. "And before you forget, please take care of yourself."
"I will! Thank you very much!"
You grinned and stood on your chair, dragging Grin with you from his eating stupor. With another bow of appreciation, the doctor can only fuss about your deep appreciations and sends you off to your investigation. You thanks a lot, huh. But in all honesty, he was glad to have a change of atmosphere when meeting students, and you looked like a child for once when you smile so widely like that. Eating candy like a little boy.
You stood out like a sore thumb, but really, in a good way. At least he hope you do. But it'd be impossible to find someone who stalks you in interest, just impossible. Right..?
With the investigation had officially started, you and Grim found yourselves in the cafeteria. Looking for someone in particular, a pair of familiar faces that you encountered in the hallway stairs two days prior.
"Oh? You're the Ramshackle Prefect from the other day..."
You suddenly heard and turned to see the familiar face of the Heartslabyul students that you were looking for. One was the friend who called to you and beside him was the injured one that you helped.
"Ramshackle... So you mean the guys that the Dorm Leader invited to our Unbirthday Parties?" The injured one asked in wonder. You took notice of the cast wrapped around his arm.
"In the flesh..." The friend then nudged the one who's injured and glanced at you. "He's the one who helped you, y'know."
"Is that so...? Thank you for that." The injured one said and you dismissed him. Telling that it was nothing as the two of them invited you to sit down with them.
"I just want to ask about the incident back then, you're one of the students who plays for the Magic Shift right?" You asked.
"That's right." The injured one trailed off, now solemn of the thought of not joining this competition. "But to be honest, I have no clue how it happened..."
"He and I were just talking and then the next thing I knew, I had fallen down the stairs."
"Yeah. I didn't even see him slip or stumble or anything. The stairs weren't that slippery in the first place." The friend said, sounding worried for his friend's condition.
"Almost like my body just moved on its own..."
You froze in your spot at the statement. Your mind recalling similar words days prior to the student's incident while Grim took a hold of the questioning. As your eyes peered to the injured arm of the student, there was something itchy on the back of your mind. Telling you to remember it.
Now, where did you hear that from?