Chapter Text
Monstero Lounge was finally locked up for the night.
"Well, well. Not a bad take today. Especially for a weekday." Azul would say, flipping through and counting the thaumarks in the till. "Jade, have you finished-" a pause as he looks up at the deserted lounge. He'd just shut off the overhead ambience music for the night, the stillness making him take pause. Jade and Flloyd were usually hanging about, making sure the back was stocked or the last couple of tables had been bussed properly. But tonight… nothing.
How strange. Azul could have SWORN Jade had just been in here with him.
He set the money in a lock box and would call again, louder this time. How uncouth of him, having to raise his voice… but he would make sure things were tidy before he left the cash register behind. He would pass immaculately clean tables and perfectly positioned chairs, as he should. The busboys and janitorial staff were meticulous about the arrangement, lest they incur their manager's wrath …
He'd run a hand along one of the tables, rubbing his fingers together and smiling. Spotless. Perfect.
He would approach the front door, only to hear the familiar sounds of talking… yes, Jade and...Rook Hunt? He hadn't been aware that the Pomefiore Vice-Housewarden had been lurking around here so late.
"Ah, now now, Rook, there's no need to lurk in our doorway." He would step out with a flourish, interrupting the conversation. "You must have seen out Hours of Operations outside, yes?"
"Ahem! Roi d'Effort, do forgive my intrusion!" He would remove his hat and bow his head in greeting. Rook's smile was… unusually strained. "I was simply catching Monsieur Mastermind when there were less students around. It would be horribly rude to divert his attention from paying customers, non?"
"Mmm, how polite of you. However, if it is business you wish to speak, why don't you come in? We can work something out~" Azul would simply smile back, effortlessly dressing Rook down with just a glance.
Something was off.
He never looked like this. His hair was tousled, there was a rip in the knee of his uniform, and was that a smudge of dirt on his cheek…? Even when he was in class or in his little gardening club, Jade had reported he'd kept himself almost immaculately clean. Such dishevelment would have gotten him torn to pieces by Vil…
"Ahem! I… do not wish to keep you later than you must, It is perfectly fine!" Rook would give the same pained smile from before, trying to wave them off… Azul could see it. He'd wanted to speak with Jade, and only Jade then...
"Nonsense." Jade would finally speak up, placing a gentle hand on Rook's shoulder. "You look as if you've run through a couple dozen briar patches. If nothing else, we can make sure you're doing alright. And if it truly is that important, we can squeeze you in sometime soon." Jade did not look up at Azul, simply ignoring the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. He would lead the somewhat resigned Rook along, having him sit at the bar… he would even get him a glass of water, smiling.
"So." Azul would follow behind, putting his most friendly and calming face on as Rook took a drink. "What is this all about, hmm? It's not like you to appear under such unorthodox circumstances."
"..." Rook would sigh deeply, taking some polaroids from his coat and putting them on the counter. "What do you know about this student, Roi d'Effort?"
The student in question was little more than a blue colored smudge on the photos, a stream of blue hair trailing behind them as they dashed out of frame. More photos depicted the student out of focus, seeming to be running in every candid shot.
Both of the Octavinelle students would examine the photos, squinting and trying to make out the subject matter. "....There's a student in these photos?" Jade would mumble, eyes narrowing.
"Oui." Rook would reply, rubbing his face and putting his hat back on. He leaned in, pulling his hat down as he locked eyes with Azul. "What do you two know about Tusya Illborne?"
Azul felt his eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. It was an open secret that Rook Hunt liked to stalk and observe students on campus, to an almost unhealthy degree. He'd even had a period where he stalked and followed both Leech Twins. But… to see the ever amiable Rook Hunt be so … frustrated. The way his jaw was set so squarely as his eyes darted between himself and Jade… "Goodness. How forward of you!" Azul would laugh, adjusting his own hat and trying to shake off the cold chill he was getting from staring at Rook's narrowed and dark eyes. "Well, we are MORE than happy to provide the information requested for the right price-"
"Except we can't."
Azul's eyes would slide over to Jade, who had his chin in his hand as he scanned the photos. "What are you talking about, Jade, you surely-"
"I'm sorry, Rook. We can't help you with this." Jade would slide his photos back, shaking his head at Rook's incredulous face. "Believe me. You aren't the first to tread this path." He would look back at Azul, brows furrowed and sighing. "My apologies, Azul. But this particular student… I have nothing."
"Nothing? What do you mean, nothing?" Azul would ask, shaking his head. "You… you have provided me with more than enough information on every student in our dorm, and then some! What do you mean, you have nothing?"
"I mean," Jade would sigh and shake his head. "I've got nothing. I have… ahem, used my methods. And not a thing comes up. This student has no web presence that I can find, and doesn't appear to be in any clubs nor teams that I am aware of. I have some basic data on them, but it's nothing that Rook wouldn't already know." Jade looked almost… apologetic as he looked back to Rook.
A beleaguered sigh escaped Rook, as he rubbed at his face. He would inevitably spread the dirt a bit more, as he finally said, "Mon dieu. So this elusive beast of a freshman has stumped even yourself, hm?" A gloved fist would come down on the counter with a mighty bang, making the glass of water tremble. "Merde! This is so very unacceptable!"
Azul looked between the two, eyes wide as he tried to understand. "You mean to tell me that, between the two of you, neither of you have any meaningful information on this one freshman? How? Rook, I have no frame of reference on your methods, but JADE? Are you certain? NOTHING?"
"Nothing at all." Jade would reply with a shake of his head, brow creased in thought. "I have personally tried everything. Looked into their records, spied on them, tried to ask other students...By all accounts they are a typical student with no outstanding qualities. I even went so far as to speak with their Vice Housewarden. Nothing meaningful save for one piece of information that he was willing to tell me."
"Well?!" Rook sprang up from his seat, eyes wide. "Out with it! I too have tried to ask but-"
"They're from the Ink Cap Mountain area."
A silence fell over the Monstro Lounge once again.
"...The Ink Cap Mountain?" Rook repeated, staring Jade down and eventually looking down at his hands in contemplation. "Are… are you most certain? Incroyable... I didn't think anyone could live there…"
"Mind you, this IS Lilia we are talking about here. He could very well be lying. Or fabricating some truth. Regardless," Jade would pick up a polaroid again. "This little Freshman is certainly a Person of Interest, aren't they?"
Azul would clear his throat. "As interesting as this all is, it still is very much past business hours. So unless you have some intentions for this freshman…"
"Oui. But." Rook would slide the photos to Jade. "Roi d'Effort, please do not take this the wrong way. But it is not your services that I require. Non non, that would be Monsieur Mastermind here. I wish to offer… a partnership. Just hearing about this prey sends my hunter's heart into a frenzy! So! Let us combine our forces to corner and drag the information we seek from this petit monstre!" Rook would extend his hand in a flourish, those lovely eyes wide and alight with an obsession the likes of which Azul had yet to see...
Jade would simply smile, taking his hand. "It is quite a rare treat to see you so very riled about someone I also am flummoxed by. Azul, if I may, would it be alright to have an, ah… less than formal contract drawn up between Rook and I?" It was not like him to put Azul out, so at the very least he should ask Azul for his assistance.
"Hmph. I still find it hard to believe that you of all people cannot keep tabs on this little freshman. Isn't your signature spell made entirely for this, Rook?" Azul would huff, arms crossed.
"Oui, it is! But try as I may, they somehow shake off the effects after some time!" Rook would reply, back of his hand to his brow. "I know not what devious magical trickery this is, but it truly is unusual… hence why I have decided to come to speak with Monsieur Mastermind about the matter!"
"Hmmm… well. Under normal circumstances, asking for my assistance on such short notice would call for a VERY steep price. But… since I too am interested in finding out more about this mysterious individual…" he would nod. "I think I might be able to find it in my heart to agree to a discount. What's say you to, perhaps, a week of work every month until the end of the school year?"
"Ahhh, that certainly is a price!" He laughed nervously. "Quite a commitment. But I know better than to just agree. Will I be allowed to schedule these weeks? Will they be consecutive and what happens in the event of unforeseen circumstances?"
"My my. You are certainly shrewd." Jade replied with a nod. "Let's see… say…"
Azul would scowl through the negotiations, watching Jade do his work. Under normal circumstances, he would be more than happy to let Jade handle all this legwork. But… Now that he'd heard about the Ink Cap Mountain range, he had to admit, he was ALSO hooked.
This little minnow of a student was supposedly from one of the richest, most bountiful regions in the world. How had none of the student body heard of such a thing? Such news would have rocked the school from foundations to the shingles on account of how cut off from the world that region was…
Even now, with all their technology and magical advancements, the Ink Cap Mountain range was a death trap, home to a magical miasma that would turn even the most experienced explorers on their head. Not to mention the multitude of monster species that made the region their home.
And yet. Deep in those mountains lay fields of rare magical plants, rare ores that cropped up like common garden gravel… and most importantly, ancient magicks from before even the Seven's time. Or so the tales said. Azul had always wanted to see if he could establish a foothold in that gold mine, but such thing were next to impossible without connections. Those connections usually were in the form of trading post owners and merchants from within the region itself, selling their wares on the outskirts to those looking to buy in bulk.
Perhaps this little freshman could be the connection he'd been looking for?
Azul would just exhale deeply, reaching under the bar and pulling out a beat up legal pad. They were in for a long night of negotiations it seemed. And he had to make sure the contract was up to snuff. Even if the Headmage had told them not to ensnare students in contracts again, this was more of a personal one between two students. Not himself and another student. Both were on even footing, and there would be no underhanded wording, nor hidden or obscurely worded clauses. Not for this one. After all, all parties ( himself included ) were wanting to cash in on this new student's potential. To think Rook thought so highly of their intel gathering abilities that he would deign to collaborate with them! It would not do for Rook to complain about an unfair contract to the Headmage. So they would all have to play nicely.
He did not exactly LIKE under the table deals. But this simply had to be done. And so far it was all above board.
-
Drafting such a simple contract took little to no time at all. All parties had been read the contract and gone over it. It was nearing glass slipper hours for them all, but everyone in attendance of this late night meeting was far too eager to sleep for the time being.
Two signatures and a handshake, and they were ready to discuss business.
"So." Jade began. "I think we can all assume that we have possession of the same information: class schedules, web presence, social circle… I have looked into all of these and found… nothing. Nothing exceptionally noteworthy. And worst of all, I have failed to find any sort of defining information like tastes in food, hobbies, likes and dislikes… it's absolutely shameful." He would write out what he knew, the basics, on the legal pad between them as Azul set the notes aside. "They have the typical freshman schedule, and they're from Diasomnia. Thus far, I've yet to glean anything from them otherwise."
"Oui! It is… somewhat astonishing how anonymous they have made themselves out to be!" Rook would add. "I have done my usual routines to try and gain information, to see what makes them beautiful! I… cannot say it is their physical appearance, I'm afraid. Even from afar, I could see their hair sticking out in all directions. And their uniform was creased and wrinkled! Clean thankfully but not tidy at all …" he shook his head in distaste. "But! I have had SOME luck in speaking to Coach Vargas about them." Leaning in, he said in a low voice, "They don't fly. He said he was not allowed to speak further as to WHY, but they do not do flying practice."
"Really? For medical reasons?"
"I could not tell you, Monsieur Mastermind. But I know it is not for selfish reasons. Instead of flying, they're usually running, vitesse de pointe , around the tracks. It really is fun to watch them run, but there's only so much I can learn from their exercise practices!"
"Hmmm…" Azul would stroke his chin. "What about interactions during PE? Do they seem to be friendly with other freshmen?"
"Not that I can see." He would reply. "Of all the times I've seen them interact with Tusya, Tusya either goes off to do whatever it is they do after speaking, or the other freshmen leave him alone. It's most frustrating!"
"Perplexing." Jade would say, grumbling as he added that to the pad. "And what of classroom life? Anything there?"
Rook would just. Shake his head and avert his eyes. "I can tell you Professor Crewell does not like them."
"What do you mean?"
"I tried to ask about Tusya and he threatened to whip me if I did not stop baying at him like a hunting hound. It was a simple question, no less, spoken with respect about a single student. I have never seen him react in such a manner before. Très terrifiante…!"
"From what I am gathering, this Illborne lives up to their name." Azul would quip. "Jade, you may want to look into their current grades. If they anger Professor Crewell this badly, they must be in danger of flunking out, hmm?"
"Perhaps. But they could just as easily be ill mannered in the classroom " Jade would manage to reply through a yawn. "Apologies, gentlemen, but it is verging towards one am now, and we all should get some sleep. We can converge tomorrow or at your earliest convenience. But, to summarize: this freshman is connected to the Ink Cap Mountain Range somehow, they have never been seen to fly, and they have somehow incurred the wrath of Professor Crewell. While this has given us a place to start, we have a long way to go to dig out information on this little person of interest." He would scribble down a couple more things and put the legal pad away. "I think we are safe to wrap up for the night."
"Mmmm… oui. As much as it fills me with energy to speak of this, I mustn't burn my candles at both ends, so to speak." Rook would say, standing and stretching. "I was meaning to ask. Where is Monsieur Joyous Offender? I wasn't particularly LOOKING for him but is he not usually here?"
"Ah, Floyd went off to our dorm directly after he finished his work. He'd probably fast asleep by now." Jade would reply, putting on his hat. "If we have nothing else to discuss, as far as pressing matters go, then this little meeting is adjourned."
-
It was dark.
Very dark.
Lights did not reach this part of campus but that was fine by Floyd. His ability to see in low light was perfectly good on land as it was in the sea.
"Aha! There you are, little Frogfish!"
"Hah! It's you! You actually showed up, slimy bastard!"
"Such a big mouth on ya! I'm gonna squeeze some manners into you then."
"Try it and I'll bite off a chunk of your arm!"
In the dark wooded areas near the arboretum, they played and wrestled. This friendship had not been around for very long. But it was a good one. This one, they understood Floyd's moods, could sense the ebb and flow of his desires. They did not act put out when his moods shifted, and seemed to even follow along with his capricious temperament. Long story short, they were fun, and almost as fun to pester as that little goldfishy...
Floyd liked this one.
Eventually they would lie in the grass, looking up at the brilliant night sky. Both students panted and huffed, laughing at their little bout. They had not had one recently, so this had been great to get the energy and pent up aggression out.
"That was fun. But I better get going." Floyd said as he sat up. "I've burned through all that energy and I'm ready for bed! You're really good at wrestling for a freshman."
"What can I say? When you grow up where I'm from, you just wanna tangle with anything roughly your size, hah!"
"Hee~ If you say so. You should head back to your dorm too, probably."
"Yeah I will. I'm gonna lay here a lil longer, just soak up the starlight."
"Suit yourself. See you around, lil Frog fish!"
"Later, slimy bastard!"