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At first, like any ordinary teen like himself, the moment he’d heard the distinct sound of revving, and felt the buzz of excitement and magic in the air that raised gooseflesh on his arms– it was a familiar sensation that he knew all too well. Although he’s aware that there was no way Magic Wheels would be allowed on campus, he still lied to himself, and hoped that he’ll see one zoom past him. With abandoned regard for all the lessons on proper manners and etiquette that Vil had drilled into him ever since he first met the guy.
The vehicle stopped right in front of him, the glowing wheels, brimming with magic, left behind a trail of faint light that was still connected to it.
The rider, Epel noticed, had the posture of a seasoned rider- - the rider’s helmet visor flipped open, and the spade painted beneath the same bright, earnest eyes he’s come to know these past couple of weeks, greeted him.
“Deuce! What are you-”
“No time! Quick, hop on!” And Epel, on instinct, catches whatever was thrown at him- a helmet, the same shiny black material as Deuce’s own. Even the electric blue accents were matching.
Just where in the world did he get this?
Once he finished putting the helmet on—Deuce had been nice enough to double-check the lock—and got on the vehicle, his mind barely had the time to come up with a conclusion, much less theories – what the hell is going on? – when the MagWheel lurched forward, speeding down the stony floor of Main Street.
For safety, he’s grabbed onto Deuce’s shoulders, his helmet hitting the back of Deuce’s. The soft clack made Epel wince, but Deuce didn’t seem to be bothered by it, so he doesn’t think of it much. How could he, when all he could do right at that moment was watch the awestruck faces of the students they’d passed, and nearly run over- well, it was just Sebek, but Epel will still apologise to him later. He’ll have to write it down.
He’s only ridden MagWheels twice, excluding today, so forgive him if he felt like he'd get flung off his seat at every turn.
He was confused- - what were they doing at the coast, and why did Deuce suddenly start shouting out into the ocean? He supposed that it made sense, if even a little, that this could help relieve stress; the tension on his shoulders, the expectations that flood his head. Expectations that he never asked for, expectations that were put on him unsolicited.
He humoured Deuce, and let go.
Vil had told him to fix his accent- to fix his posture, how he dressed, how he chewed his food, his favourite food- - the life he's dreamed of upon entering Night Raven College had been shattered the moment he was sorted into his current dorm. If the Mirror of Darkness looked into their souls, then why did he not get into Savanaclaw like he wanted?
It was one of the school's mysteries that Epel would have to figure out in the whole time he'll stay here- second only to that eerie sword in the library that never stopped talking – now that was creepy—if you planned on staying to cram school work until the Librarian kick you out—and not to mention annoying, but not as bad as the pressure he's built up ever since that first dinner he had at the dorm.
His own hubris would be his downfall, he knows, but he'll never not challenge Vil.
He may have presented himself as this inviolable autocrat- this beguiling, yet so vile person, but he had never made any choices that could potentially harm Epel, or anyone that he was aware of. He was like, in Epel's opinion, a very controlling mother, who was overprotective of their child – if said child was a sixteen year old who would rather run around roughhousing with his friends instead of learning about manners and dinner table etiquette indoors. Not that he would actively seek out trouble or get into fights, but he knows in himself that he would never back away from them, if he were presented the opportunity.
Which was what was currently happening– he could feel Deuce tense under his hold on his shoulders when the two guys started stepping closer to the MagWheel.
After shouting out their frustrations, and resolutions into the open sea, they’d decided to head back as soon as possible, if it could possibly ease them out of severe punishment for running off without permission; Deuce had expressed gravely that if his dorm leader ever got wind of this incident, Riddle would have his head.
(And boy, did Epel pale at the implication, regardless of the fact that he was only vaguely aware of what “beheading” entailed back at Heartslabyul Dorm.)
(He’s just grateful that neither Vil nor Rook seemed to be in the business of the same sorts, although he wouldn’t be surprised if Rook knew what it meant.)
— So Epel brought out his secret weapon:
“Whoa! I never knew NRC went from an all-boys school into a co-ed one!”
“Since when did NRC have female students around?”
He can feel—maybe even see —the phantom question marks that popped out of nowhere to float around Deuce’s head. He can’t blame him- this was the complete opposite of what Epel had bared himself to be, so it was understandable if his friend—can he call Deuce a friend now? He hoped so- it would suck if they didn’t get closer after all this shouting their feelings aloud business—was confused at how easily he was able to turn into the persona he loathed to see in the mirror every time he checked.
“Come with us, and we’ll take you somewhere nice!”
Really? He asked, blinking as he did so; his head angled so he would be looking up at the guys who decided to block their path. Crap. Vil was so going to kill them!
“Yeah! Come on, ditch this poser, and let’s go. I’ll even let you hold onto me,” the other guy said proudly.
Epel had to fight back scoffing, otherwise he’ll have spoiled his own plans before he was able to execute them. Deuce though, was shaking his head no, in his attempt to dissuade Epel. Ohh, right. He only thought of this plan on the go, and his friend wasn’t made aware of this- but him not knowing anything only made Epel’s act more believable.
The guy then offered a hand for Epel to grab onto so he could get off the vehicle.
Okay. He took the hand, and held it firmly.
“PSYCHE! We’re gonna getcha!!” And then he pulled on the hand, sending the guy stumbling forward, then Epel punched him square in the jaw. He let go of the hand he was holding, and started hitting Deuce’s shoulder with it. “Comeoncomeoncomeon- just go, man!”
And then Deuce snaps out of his shock and floors it.
So maybe they got an earful from Vil later that night when they got back; he was expecting some sort of punishment like, doing the whole team’s laundry for the week, or cleaning an entire room in the musty Ramshackle dorm, but it never came.
Instead, Epel was enveloped in a hug—albeit it was just as quick to end as it began—and a light bop on the head with Vil’s hand. Rook then entered the room to ruffle Epel’s hair, and did the same to Deuce, who floundered at the attention.
“As much as I believe that I should, I won’t be reporting this incident to Riddle.” Deuce visibly brightened up at that, Epel noticed. “Although I will train you two as doubly hard as the time you’d spent gallivanting the Great Seven knew where. Am I understood?”
Both Epel and Deuce glance at each other before nodding to Vil, accepting their fate.
Oh well.
They were dismissed to clean up and prepare for dinner, so they headed up to the room where the first years in the team had set up camp.
“Epel, I- -” Deuce calling out to him made him stop in his steps so he could address him. He looked like he was about to cry, but he could see the determination aflame in his eyes. “Epel.” He repeated, “ –let’s continue to do our best, and achieve our goals.” He presented him with a closed fist.
“From here on out, I’ll be in your care, and support you in your endeavours.”
Was this how having friends your age felt like? Was this warmth in his chest what it felt like getting support from your peers? Maybe so, but they still had a competition to win, so he’ll have to think about that at a later juncture.
He balls one of his hands into a fist, and bumps his with Deuce’s.
“Likewise. Please take care of me,” he told him with a chuckle.
Today was shaping up to be one of Epel’s fondest memories here at school.