Chapter Text
“Young master, is something troubling you?”
Malleus looked up from the fireplace to the first year, the one called Sebek. Malleus had his fingers steepled in thought before he pointed them at Sebek.
“Master Zigvolt, may I… What is the term humans use? Pick your brain?” Malleus asked. Sebek looked shocked.
“Of course! My brain and my body are always yours to ask and command!” He bowed, and Malleus glanced back at the fire.
“The other day, I was walking back from class when I happened to notice a meeting between two of my classmates. Leona Kingscholar and Azul Ashengrotto were having a tense discussion in one of the niches of the hallway. While I knew there was some bad blood between them, that seemed to be over with after Ashengrotto overblotted. My curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to eavesdrop.” Malleus explained.
“There is no shame in eavesdropping sir!” Sebek shouted his comfort. “Even the prince of Briar Valley has a need to gather information that may affect the kingdom.”
“This isn’t espionage. This is the school rumor mill, which is decidedly below the threshold for breaking tact. I find my behavior shameful.” Malleus countered. “But I digress. Their conversation still runs through my brain. I wonder if things are worse than I originally thought, and if those who Overblotted aren’t as recovered as I assumed… Especially Ashengrotto and his deals.”
“But what exactly made you so worried?” Sebek asked. It was at that point Malleus realized that the half fae was still standing. He motioned to the seat next to him, and Sebek sat down.
“Let me start from the beginning…”
“I refuse.” Leona said, as he turned to walk away from Azul. “I’m not some pawn in one of your schemes.”
“You’re not a pawn! More of a… Knight, or a bishop.” Azul stepped around the Lion to block his way.
“That’s still not the point, Azul!” Leona growled. “You’ve manipulated me plenty of times and I’ve rolled over and just took it, but I have to put my foot down sometimes.”
“Is it really manipulation if I’m telling you I’m using you to make money up front?” Azul asked, a charming smile on his face. “Plus, I’m paying you in food and drinks. That cuts into my profits. I think that’s even.”
“You think free food is enough t’ make up for bein’ your puppet? Bein’ forced to put on a show for everyone?” Leona scoffed. “Nah. Not on your life.”
“You’re the only one of your circle who hasn’t bought in.” Azul smiled. “Jack has agreed, Ruggie has agreed. Even your dear sweet Cater has bought in.”
“If Cater agreed, then he would have told me.” Leona scoffed and crossed his arms.
“He agreed earlier today.” Azul explained. “I just happened to encounter you first. So, what do you say?” He offered a hand to Leona.
“...Did ya really think bringin’ up Cater and playing the fiancee card is gonna make me accept?” Leona glanced at the hand and back to Azul’s face.
“If that doesn’t persuade you, I’m sure Cater will persuade you himself.” Azul smirked. “I believe he was the reason you decided to become an associate of the Board Game Club in the first place, if I remember correctly.”
Leona’s gaze softened for a moment, and he sighed and took Azul’s hand.
“Ya know just how t’ pull my strings…” Leona shook his hand. “Fine, I’m in.”
“If merely mentioning that Cater agreed is enough to reel you in, maybe he’s the one you should be worried about, not me.” Azul smirked. Leona’s softened face instantly turned into a glare.
“Whaddya mean by that?” Leona’s grip on Azul’s hand tightened. Azul winced.
“It’s a jest.” Azul said as he tried to maintain his composure. “Merely poking fun at how easily he can tempt you to do literally anything.
“Hmph.” Leona scoffed and pulled his hand back. “You should be happy he actually likes ya then. Otherwise you’d be shit outta luck when it comes to me.”
“If Cater wasn’t involved, I’d still find some way to get what I want.” Azul smiled small and smugly.
“I’d ‘a thought you learned your lesson by now.” Leona growled as he started to walk away. “I’m a fighter, and I’m willing to get my hands dirty to protect me and mine.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Kingscholar.” Azul said and started walking away. “Good afternoon.”
“I can see why this would stick with you.” Sebek nodded in thought. “The drama of the other dorms has impacted us before. Your wisdom to keep it in check is very wise.”
“But, what can we do?” Malleus said. “At this point these concerns are beyond our reach. It’s better to prepare for the outcomes of that conflict than to force our hand and stick our noses in. We don’t know enough.”
“We could always crash their party!” Sebek said. Malleus quirked an eyebrow.
“Party?” He asked.
“You didn’t know?” Sebek asked. “Mostro Lounge is having some private event tonight. There are even outsiders coming in and visiting the lounge for whatever this party is.”
“And you want us to invite ourselves? It is a possibility.” Malleus hummed in thought.
“All that talk about tact and you’re talking about forcing your way into a private event.” Lilia floated over the pair with a frown on his face. “I thought you both were raised better than this.” Malleus glanced up and Sebek almost jumped out of his seat.
“It seems old age hasn’t harmed your hearing.” Malleus smirked up at Lilia. “Though I believe the pot is calling the kettle black if you’re going to eavesdrop on my tale of eavesdropping.”
“Turnabout is fair play, as they say.” Lilia floated back down to the floor in front of the pair. “But I’m here for something much more important.”
“Good news, I hope?” Malleus asked. “I am not in the mood for bad news.”
“Depends on what you see as good news.” Lilia shrugged as he pulled something out of his coat pocket. It looked like some sort of paper document.
“What have you got there?” Malleus reached out his hand, and Lilia handed him the papers. They were tickets to some sort of event: A special dinner at the Mostro Lounge.
“The private party you mentioned?” Lilia explained. “I managed to get us tickets. Enough for the three of us, plus one.”
“Excellent!” Sebek shouted. “But who will our plus one be?”
“Silver, of course.” Lilia explained. “I would never leave him behind for such an auspicious event.”
“Of course.” Malleus smirked slightly. “So, how did you come by these?”
“I have my own methods, Malleus~” Lilia teased back. “So what do you say? Shall we walk in the door, invited for once?”
“...I suppose it would be rude to not arrive when we were expected.” Malleus said as he got up from his seat. “Come, let us enjoy some fine dining.”