Chapter Text
Mouth pasty and eyes still clogged with sleep, Sheva awoke abruptly from the strange dream she had had.
She didn't have many memories of what had happened, but the words "Roses" "Painting" and "Card Game" jumped right into her mind.
She shook her head slowly to avoid thinking too much about it. It wasn't the first time she had weird dreams that didn't make sense.
His sudden agitation seemed to wake his roommate curled up sleeping on the end of the bed even with the covers.
But not only that, there also seemed to be a bustle downstairs. Frowning, Sheva put on the slippers and dressing gown she had found on her bed with lots of other clean clothes when she got back from their little excursion in the forest.
Stumbling along in the darkness, she and Grimm came to the entrance where someone was pounding desperately hard against the heavy double door.
Who could need her at this hour? Surely not Crowley, right?
_Who is this ?
_It's Ace, let me in.
The human hastened to open to her classmate. What could bring him to Ramshackle?
And in the middle of the night, nothing less by all the cosmic gods ?!
She was about to pop the question when the young man rushed inside with a huge, uncomfortable necklace around his neck. Grimm seemed to recall unpleasant memories at the sight of the necklace and gave a horrified little cry.
Silently, she led the boy to the living room, letting him settle down more quietly before he explained the exact reason for his arrival.
She quickly prepared hot milk with a spoonful of honey and cookies to warm them up and bring some comfort. Ace looked like he needed it, the disgruntled grimace he still wore on his face spoke for him.
The young woman tried to lighten the atmosphere.
_So, are you trying a new style?
_Don't make fun of me, this thing is super uncomfortable! Ace snarled with cursing eyes.
Sheva raised her hands in front of her in a sign of appeasement.
_Sorry, sorry. If so, what happened to you? This necklace tells me something...
The redhead spoke in a fuming, it looked like smoke could almost come out of his ears!
_I would never go back to Hearslabyul, never again! Starting today, I'm joining your dormitory!
_You what ?! Exclaimed Grimm.
Sheva frowned deeper. She asked again cautiously:
_Ace, what happened?
It was the first time she called him by his first name, it was a rather strange feeling. But not unpleasant.
The first-year student told his story, not parting with the feeling of anger and injustice that ran through his veins!
When he had finished telling, he concluded:
_... The end.
_...
_You're both wrong here, you know, said the fiery cat.
_Don't you think it's just a little too much to seal my magic just for a tiny piece of pie?! I am a magician! It's as if my arms and legs were chained. And anyway, there were three whole pies in there! There's no way he could eat them on his own!
_I agree. However, you should have observed the bigger picture better. But Grimm is right, you are both wrong. If he didn't want anyone touching the pies, your dorm leader should have put a note on the fridge for everyone to see. And you should have thought with something other than your stomach... Didn't you think that such big cakes weren't just there for decoration? There's probably a birthday or a special event planned and that's why it shouldn't be touched and why he was so angry. Your dorm leader should have explained your mistake to you first and you could have told him that you didn't know.
_A birthday ?
Grimm and Sheva nodded together.
_Take the opportunity to go apologize tomorrow and clear up this misunderstanding.
_Why should I apologize?!
Grimm spoke as if the young man was an idiot.
_You destroyed the pie by picking from it. And it was up to him, that's not cool.
_Fine. I will go. But it's your idea, so you better come with me tomorrow!
The magicless girl gave her classmate a knowing smile. To be honest, she was quite curious to see how Hearslabyul looked compared to Ramshackle.
Besides, now that she paid attention, Ace was wearing a different uniform than the usual dark and sober one. She really liked the design of the jacket and the sleeves.
It reminded her of a female comic book character that she liked a lot.
_So, where am I going to sleep?
The question pulled the young woman out of her thoughts.
_The other rooms are still dirty and messy, Grimm pointed out.
_Yes, sorry I couldn't have time to clean them. And although I like you since you've been more livable than when we first met, Trappola, I absolutely won't let you sleep with us. You are sitting in a perfectly functional and very comfortable sofa.
_Tks. Miser. All right, I guess I'll sleep on the couch in the living room.
_I'll bring you a pillow and a blanket. You're lucky, they smell great, they've just been washed.
Sheva helped Ace get as comfortable as he could because of the collar that was tight around his neck.
_Good, see you tomorrow and good night, Trappola!
She was about to go up to her room with Grimm, but she stopped to add mischievously:
_By the way, avoid sleeping with your mouth open or spiders could nest there while you sleep. And if you're not properly woken up on time tomorrow morning, I'll have James, Sirius and Remus do it for you! They'll be thrilled to have a new ghost roommate in the dorm!
In response, the young man picked up his pillow and threw it at Sheva, his mouth clenched in a thin line of exasperation.
She just ducked off and went back to her bed laughing.
The rest of the night was quieter. No weird dreams or classmates seeking asylum in his dorm to disturb his sleep.
Sure, Grimm still kicked around at night, but that was already something she had gotten used to.
The next day, Sheva slept a few more minutes, but that didn't stop the fact that she was the first up in the early hours of the morning and already in uniform. She prepared three breakfasts and a coconut flan for Ace to be a gift for his dorm leader.
She didn't have to, of course. But since the first-year student from Hearslabyul had started on one of the precious pies last night, it was better if he showed up at his dorm with a replacement as a show of good faith.
Soon, it was pretty certain that Ace wouldn't wake up on time, nor his roommate for that matter. So she took care of it... By throwing a barely awake Grimm on her classmate.
The monster cat and the student jumped up in fear with a ridiculous cry!
Sheva held her stomach laughing hard as she still raved about the ridiculous faces the two had made in their shock.
As revenge, the redhead took his cushion like last night and swung it on the young woman. This time he did not miss his target.
But Sheva took it well, it was deserved.
_Good, everyone is awake! Good to know. Come and have your breakfast and get ready afterwards. Oh and Trappola, I made you something that will make your apology slip more smoothly, join me in the kitchen when you're ready.
The boys took 5 minutes in all to get ready and to join her in the kitchen. Ace and Grimm were dazzled by the delicious smell of coconut flan everywhere in the air mixed with that of a good breakfast.
And once the dishes were cleaned and the flan packed to stay soft and warm, they were just about to leave for Hearslabyul. But that was before he was joined by Deuce (who in turn was dazzled by the delicious smells wafting through the kitchen).
_So this is where you were hiding.
_Pff... Deuce... Ace muttered.
_I heard what happened from the other residents. You really got screwed for stealing the dorm leader's pie. You are a complete idiot.
_Shut up ! I don't want to hear that from you... By the way, is he still mad?
_Not really. He was a little annoyed by those three students who had missed morning roll call... The worst part is that they suffered the same fate as you, replied his classmate, shrugging his shoulders.
Sheva frowned. It was a bit excessive... Especially for a first week of school, it could happen to everyone to be late. It was clearly not a good reason to seal their magic, a first warning would have been more than enough.
Sealing would have been better for a second or third recurrence.
_That's your definition of "Not really" ?! No matter what you say, he always looks angry!
_Maybe your apology and the cake will be enough to appease his bad mood at least a little. Maybe I could convince him, I'm honorary prefect now too, and you spent the night in my dorm. I should discuss it with him.
The redhead and the black haired boy opened their eyes wide round like saucers.
_Would you do that?!
The young woman shrugged.
_I don't do it because I like you, Trappola. But because I want to talk to your dorm leader and get to know a little about his way of doing things. I find it a bit excessive at the moment, but I wouldn't want to judge him too quickly, he may have his reasons.
The redhead didn't look convinced, but still appreciated the attention.
They walked out of Ramshackle (Ace carrying the cake awkwardly, but carefully) and as he arrived on the main street, anyone who wanted to hear Grimm could be heard humming what a wonderful day it was going to be as an official student, of his beautiful necklace topped with his own magic crystal and that Ace would make a very good replacement janitor as it was his turn not to be able to use his magic today.
_Grimm, Sheva warned her amusedly. Watch out, you're getting mean. And it would be a shame not to come and shop at Sam's shop after class and miss out on that great promotion on spicy tuna cans that I heard about from James, Sirius and Remus.
The fire-breathing monster's ears immediately popped up on top of its head.
_I would be good ! Promised the fiery feline.
Grimm's comment on redhead inability to use magic sounded like it got stuck in the back of the Ace throat.
_Grrr... Wait until I can use my magic again.
_The director literally just told us yesterday not to make a scene... Anyway, you're going to have problems in class if you can't use magic. I hope for you that Head of Dorm Rosehearts accepts your apology.
_I hate it so much! Why am I apologizing?! cried the student with the heart.
_Maybe he'll apologize as well, understanding the situation...?
Deuce and Ace gave her a look that said she could still dream. Rosehearts didn't seem one to apologize, especially if he thought he was right.
_Nyehe, let's watch Ace's apology! Grimm crooned happily.
_This is not a show!
And now Grimm and Ace resumed their verbal battles while the small group continued its way through the establishment. Deuce and Sheva were talking quietly on their own. The boy with the Ace of Spades asked at least several times if the girl without magic had remembered to take her inhaler and she had to reassure him by showing him the inhaler she had kept in her pocket.
Reassured, the black hair leaned towards his comrade with a kind smile.
_By the way, the uniform suits you very well. You look cool.
_Why, really ? Thank you very much, Spade. I was afraid because I was a girl, I would be given the top of a standard uniform with a skirt found at random. I think the pants are the most practical, she replied, pushing her glasses up her nose.
They made their way to the east wing where the hall of mirrors was and hurriedly jumped into the one patterned with roses, playing cards and topped with the Hearslabyul emblem.
Much like their first mirror trip, this one was so quick it looked like they had only blinked.
_Wow! That's wonderful ! It couldn't be more different from ours.
It was Grimm who expired the compliment and Sheva immediately agreed. The Hearslabyul dormitory now facing them was magnificent! The rose bushes, architecture and painting swirling around to resemble or suggest the shape of a heart gave the place an enchanting fairy tale shape.
A smell of tea and freshly baked pastries floated everywhere in the air accompanied by the delicate fragrance of roses with a hint of fresh paint.
A thought tickled the back of the young woman's mind, like a frozen memory, but she forgot it as soon as it came to her.
_Ramshackle is still being repaired, but... It's true that Hearslabyul is dazzling.
The establishment seemed beautiful even from afar, however to reach it, you had to go through a maze made of hedges and rosebushes. Sheva was a little worried about arriving late for the first day, the mazes and she never got on well together.
Once, when she was a child, she got lost in an maze who was at the Palace of Versailles. She had gone there with her primary class for a field trip and she had wandered a bit away from the group when she was not paying attention and finally got lost. Her teacher and a staff member had to search for her for two hours.
Because of her, she had delayed the school bus for the return and they had all returned to school well after the scheduled time. She had been scolded harshly by her teacher and her mother had to dry her tears that she had cried until they got home.
Since that day, Sheva doesn't really hold labyrinths in her heart. But it will be fine, she imagines.
This time, if she gets lost, she won't be alone and a student from Hearslabyul will surely help her find her way back. Not to mention Deuce, Ace and Grimm who will surely freak out if they find out she's not with them.
Much to the magicless girl's relief, Ace and Deuce seemed to know their way through the maze perfectly well and she tried not to lose sight of them!
Their attention was slightly distracted by the male voice coming from behind one of the hedges.
_Shit, I have to hurry to paint these roses.
The small group curious by the commentary circled around to find a student being surrounded by rose bushes of white roses some of which had red paint dripping onto the delicate petals. Red shoe prints colored the grass green in places, pots of red paint and brushes lay here and there near the heart-shaped flowering shrubs. A pot was even knocked over, which must have explained the shoe prints.
And especially explained the smell of fresh paint that seemed to mix with the scent of roses.
The student in the middle of all this mess was tall, shoulder-length carrot-colored hair tied back in a few strands.
He had a red diamond painted on his cheek like on the played card (in general, it seemed that having a played card symbol was in some way part of the uniform or was a sign of belonging to Hearslabyul).
The mysterious student had beautiful green eyes and a carefree smile plastered on his lips.
He seemed like someone who didn't take himself seriously and liked to have fun. And to be completely honest, he gave Sheva the vibe of an Instagram influencer or an Idol trainee (or a love interest in an Otome game, but that, she would never admit out loud.).
The mysterious student finally seemed to notice their presence and offered them a bright smile although hiding a touch of mischief.
_Hmm? Do you need anything ?
_What are you doing with that? Ace asked curiously.
_That ? Can't you see I paint the roses red?
_Eh ?! But why do such a thing?!
The student laughed happily and explained to his dorm mates his reason for painting the roses while Sheva listened quietly without participating too much in the discussion. Although inwardly she didn't approve too much, as the paint will damage and smother the flowers and their delicate scent.
It was a tradition that she found silly in addition to hurting the surrounding nature that hadn't asked for anything.
The carrot-haired young man went on to say that their little group was fairly well-known by now as the ones who had torn down the chandelier in the cafeteria, but the student seemed more amused by the anecdote than anything else instead of being in disapproval.
To everyone's surprise, the student suddenly gathered them all around him and took a picture with his phone!
The camera's flash blinded them for a moment.
Sheva was sure she had a carp's head out of the water in the picture because of her surprised expression. She was not good at taking pictures and she was even less photogenic, and this, since her childhood.
The surprised photographer asked if he could put the photo on Magicam, which must have been the equivalent of Instagram in this world. However, instead of waiting for their response, the young man hastened to publish the photo without waiting for their agreement and then asked them their names so that he could tag them in the notification.
Ace, Deuce and Grimm answered easily.
The student happily introduced himself as Cater Diamond. And he was a third year student.
Although slightly annoyed and Sheva also gave her name.
_But the next time you take a picture by surprise of me and without my consent, I take your phone, I throw it somewhere in this maze and good luck finding it. Am I clear enough, Diamond?
Cater gave the magicless young woman an easy smile, but when he saw that she wasn't joking at all and that her carefree attitude was absolutely not working on her to soften her, the redhead then nodded with a chuckle contrite.
_Yeah, sorry, Cater said calmly. Nice to meet you again.
Sheva gave him a firm handshake, but with a slight sneer.
_My pleasure. Nice to meet you too, Diamond.
_And so, I also heard about you! Are you the new student who became prefect of Ramshackle? You have my sympathy, this place is dark, and not even Magicammable.
Cater didn't seem to realize he had insulted Ramshackle.
_Ramshackle will be undergoing renovations soon, Sheva commented kindly.
Cater seemed delighted by the news.
_Oh ! So you're going to remove those ugly gargoyles staring at the students from the rooftops, aren't you?
_No why ? I find that without them, the dormitory would not have as much charm. I like them very much for my part, it would be sad to remove them.
The boys and Grimm gave her a strange look, but Sheva just shrugged.
Then Cater seemed to remember that he had his work cut out for him and little time in front of him!
_What am I doing? I don't have time to stand and talk! The party is tomorrow. I don't want to lose my head for being late. Hey, would you mind giving me a hand?
_But why are you doing weird chores in the first place?
_Because red roses in the evening are the most photogenic! I suppose ? I also have to color the Flamingos for the croquet game, so I have my hands full right now.
_Coloring the Flamin...! Wouldn't that be animal abuse...? The young woman stammered, frowning.
The human's remark was completely ignored as Cater informed that there was no birthday planned, that Rosehearts were angry for other reasons, that what was planned was actually a party of "Non- birthday" and seemed to easily convince the three fools who served as Sheva's friends to change the color of the roses with magic was a most brilliant idea.
So Sheva was forced to play the voice of reason. Again.
_Guys, this is not a good idea! In the mines, you couldn't even make light appear and you want to change the color of the flowers? Buy yourself some common sense. And you, Diamond, instead of encouraging them to use magic without notice, you could act like the elder that you are and show them how to do it first...
Scolding like a child caught stealing a lollipop, Cater just pinched Sheva's cheeks and cooed in her face that she was adorable when she was angry. Sheva slapped his hand which the redhead used to pinch his left cheek with a frown and growled that, "I'm not adorable and I'm pretty sure I'm older than you, Diamond!".
Nonetheless, Cater saw common sense and showed Deuce and Grimm how to change white roses to red. It was clearly a solution that Sheva preferred to painting the petals and thus killing the roses slowly.
However, she and Ace had to comply as they couldn't use magic either being careful not to stain their uniforms.
But it was quite a relaxing task all the same.
It still didn't keep Sheva from thinking that Cater had tricked them just to get the first-year group to advance his work.