Work Text:
“oh dear, I’m late.”
A white-haired rabbit hybrid made his way through the halls, a golden pocket watch clutched tight in his hands. Tempo Hare was late to his dorm’s unbirthday party, he probably shouldn’t have accepted to tutor his juniors and then take a quick nap, he should’ve just chugged some coffee. Even then he was supposed to help decorate for the part, he very much enjoyed painting the roses.
But that wasn’t the point. Tempo was screwed.
Still, he had maybe a few minute’s windows to get back to the dorm head, Riddle wouldn’t take his head. He would’ve used his unique magic to get there faster but after an accident in his first year, he was forbidden from using his unique magic in the hallway.
Naturally, he was heading to the courtyard, it was closer compared to the mirror chamber. But he was so focused on his pocket watch that he wasn’t able to look directly ahead of him. Next thing you know, he was on the ground, accidentally bumping into someone much taller than him.
Tempo’s ears shot up in surprise before his hand found his watch. His hair slowly fell out of his perfect braid as he looked up and oh boy he wished he didn’t.
Bright green eyes looked down at him with curiosity, meanwhile, his companion. One looked at his with amusement, another indifference, and the last with shock.
Tempo’s ears fell as the names of these four people came into mind. Of course, he had to run into four of the most infamous members of Diasomnia. Silver, Sebek, Lilia, and of course Malleus Draconia, the fifth most powerful mage in Twisted Wonderland.
“oh? Tempo, are you good?” Lilia, his fellow club member asked. “I-uh, yep.” He quickly stood back up before his eyes wandered over to his pocket watch, his ears dropping down even lower.
“I’m late!”
He took off running, yelling out an apology as he tuned out Sebek’s yelling. He could already see the courtyard, just a few more paces away, just close enough to start his incantation. “Her Highness will have your head so don’t be late. Down the Rabbit Hole.”
Right on the grass a hole started to form, in his mind a familiar image came to his mind. A twisting maze filled with rose bushes with white roses mixed in with painted red ones next came the tea garden filled to the brim with decorations and food.
His body finally reached the courtyard, and not a second later he was already jumping inside the hole. The world around him turned pitch black, but that didn’t last as light started to illuminate above him and the next thing you know he was in his dorm’s tea garden, students running around getting the final preparations done.
“Tempo? I thought you would be late again.” Turning to his side he saw a familiar green-haired vice dorm head approaching him, Trey Clover. “almost late.” He sighed to himself, looking around to find a certain someone. “where’s Cater? I need to fix my hair!”
Ask and he shall appear, Cater Diamond appeared right next to Trey. “Tempo chan! So that’s where you were. I thought Riddle would take your head again. That would be #not great.” Cater Diamond, seemed to fuss over his hair, he didn’t even have to ask as he started to fix it up. Taking out the ribbon and holding it in place.
“Well, even if I’m late Riddle’s changed, so maybe wouldn’t take my head.” Still a big if, but Riddle hasn’t mentioned any of the rules he’s broken since his magic berserk mode or overblot. “still, you need to look presentable, your clothes are a mess. You’re also missing your rose pin.” Trey commented and got out his pen. Just a single wave and his clothes were practically brand new. Now his hairpin, his hand shot to where it should be but found it gone. “maybe it fell off when I bumped into Malleus…”
“you bumped into Malleus Draconia of all people!?” Cater seemed alarmed as he finished his braid. “thanks, and yes.” Tempo deadpanned then glanced back at his watch. He still had a bit of time.
“well then, you can explain your predicament later. Time to get back to your post.” With the rest of Trey’s advice, he left, springing over to the entrance where Riddle would enter.
Tempo kept the encounter in the hallway in the back of his mind, he had an unbirthday part to deal with first.