Chapter Text
The knot of anxiety and fear and paranoia faded. Honestly, dying wasn’t too bad. Sure, the burning of Desmond’s arm screamed, but even that quickly became numb. And him dying was a for good cause, you know, stopping the sun from destroying the world. Even as he felt his body fall, arm a charred mess with his friends and family crying out in anguish, everything felt like a weight being lifted off of him. The world was quickly turning black. The sounds of those that mattered to him the most were washed away. Muffled. Under-water.
Funny.
Death sounded like laughter and the neighing of horses.
~~~
He woke in darkness. What was that noise?
There was shuffling, something small brushing against his feet. “I better hurry up and find that uniform before someone spots me…” A slightly raspy voice filled the black void. “Urgggh… this lid weighs a ton!” Whatever was at his feet circled around, huffing and puffing. “Try this on for size!” His arm, the same one the became a burnt crisp, started to tingle and itch.
“Mya-ha!”
Suddenly, the void was overcome with blue flame. Desmond immediately tensed, resisting the urge to kick out and escape. What. The. Fuck? There was a heavy thunk and the flame faded out. Thankfully, nothing was singed. Desmond could tell now that the void he was in was a coffin. The lid rested on a smooth stone floor, with a little, cat-like creature standing on top. It had a pitchfork tail and blue fire in it’s ears. It was clearly looking around. Behind it was more coffins.
“Now to grab the goods…”
Desmond brushed past the creature. “What. The. Fuck?” The coffins were floating. Even the coffin he came out of was floating.
“What?! You ain’t supposed to be awake!”
I’m supposed to be dead, actually. Desmond thought. “Are those floating coffins?” He said instead.
“Oh-ho! You got a lotta nerve ignoring me, human! The name’s Grim. Believe me, you won’t forget it! Now, gimmie your uniform, and be quick about it!” The creature huffed, snagging onto Desmond’s clothes. “‘Cause if you don’t…” It tugged. “You’re gonna regret it!”
Desmond quirked a brow and smirked down at the little creature. I am going to ignore the fact that I am not wearing what I died in. “Getting roasted alive by a weasel. Pretty sure that when you die, you’re supposed to see your life flash before your eyes. Not dream about some weird weasel threatening to kill me. What will I dream of next?” I’d rather dream than bleed, though.
“Well, keep dreamin’, ‘cause I ain’t no weasel!”
Desmond shook the little creature off of him. He craned his neck side to side, sighing in relief when it finally cracked. He hummed, taking in more of the room. It was rather big, with more floating coffins than he assumed could fit in it. At the front of the room was large and ornate mirror. It was raised on a small platform, with a couple of steps leading up to it. Currently, velvet ropes sectioned it off from the rest of the room. “That’s a double negative.” Desmond hummed. “So… you’re a weasel.” Honestly, the creature was more cat like than weasel like, but it stuck. Plus, it seemed to upset the annoying creature, which was currently a bonus.
The creature gasped. Desmond didn’t spare the creature another glance as he moved through the room, looking for a door. Or a window. Really, any way to get out of here and give him some sort of clue as to where he was. Finally, after he managed to weave his way through the coffins, he spotted another door. And through the door…
Was a hallway. Really, Desmond thought, what was I expecting?
The hallway matched the gothic feel of the room he just left. Wide and tall, with smooth stone for the floor and the walls. The walls were lined with moving images, flowing banners in seven different colours, and torches that flickered with green flame instead of orange. At times these effects were broken up by doors. Like the rest of the castle, these doors were also gothic. Surprisingly, the castle was warm (and nothing like he expected when he was Altair or Ezio).
Desmond walked, and the little creature followed him. It kept making noises and trying to snag Desmond’s robes. Other than that, the halls were quiet. Which was weird. Things were very clean, not a speck of dust anywhere in the halls. There wasn’t a carpet that would muffle the footsteps of anyone else. Still, if this was some dream he were having instead of his life flashing before his eyes… well. Things being quiet made sense.
Finally, at random, Desmond chose a door and walked in.
A library. Desmond hummed again. Well, if he really wanted to figure out where he was, this would be the place. He strode forward and plucked a book off of a shelf. Now, where am I?
“Foolish human! Did you really think you could slip away from me?” Desmond spared a glance at the little creature and slid the book back into place. The creature sank it’s claws into his robes again. Tugging. “Now, unless you want to be burnt to a crisp, take off that – me-YEOW!”
The creature was yanked away from Desmond. The fabric of his robes strained under the claws, but, remarkably, didn’t tear. Desmond spun with the creature, freeing it’s claws. Sure, it was annoying, but that doesn’t mean he wants to cause it pain.
The man holding the little creature? Yeah, he could be stabbed. Something about him made Desmond’s skin crawl. The little creature had danger in it, sure, but it was just a baby. Itty-bitty. The man was a seasoned predator.
That’s okay. Desmond was too.
“That hurt! What gives?” The little creature clearly had no survival instinct.
“Consider it tough love.” The man trained his eyes onto Desmond. They were a piercing yellow. Not like Desmond’s when he activated Eagle Vision. That was more gold than anything. This yellow was like the plague – violating and deadly.
“Ah, I’ve found you at last. Splendid. I trust that you’re one of this year’s new students?” The man hummed. “My, you were ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school’s rules.”
“As if I’d serve a lowly human!” The creature swatted it’s forepaws around, claws out and clearly trying to snag some skin. Yeah, definitely no survival skill. Or I’m just used to people trying to kill me and my friends.
“Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won’t you?” The man smiled, entertained as he scolded the creature. It crossed it’s forearms and harrumphed.
“Dear me.” The man turned his attention back to Desmond, tsking. “Of all the students I’ve dealt with, you’re the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out of it. Does the very notion of patience elude you?” Desmond opened his mouth to respond, but the man just. Kept. Speaking. “No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber.”
The man promptly turned on his heel, the creature dangling from his hand, almost like it was forgotten. When Desmond met it’s eyes, he was met with fear and pain. Desmond felt his shoulders slump. He trailed after the man, feeling almost like he was following his father.
“Wait… you said student?” Desmond nearly stopped walking. Student like university? Or student like high school? Please be student like university.
“You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All the students at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up.”
Suddenly, Desmond is very glad that the creature blew the lid off of the coffin. If this man had woken him up, Desmond might have tried to stab him. Try being the key word. Along with wearing different clothes, he also no longer had his hidden blade. “So those coffins are like… gateways?”
“The design is intended to symbolize a parting with your former world, and a rebirth into a new one.”
Desmond hummed. Fitting, I guess. I am dead.
“But now is not the times for such prattle. You’ve a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste.”
This guy sure likes the sound of his own voice… “Sure, just… one thing. Where am I?”
“Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories… Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you as we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless.”
Desmond stared. Hard. At some point they had gone outside, even though Desmond hadn’t left the building initially. For wanting to get back to the ceremony quickly, the man sure seemed to be taking the long way back.
“Ahem.”
Ah, he noticed I wasn’t listening.
With a flourish, the man proclaimed: “This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland.” The man bowed. “And I am Dire Crowley.” He straightened. “Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as headmage.”
Desmond stopped, heart pounding. Oh, no… Magic. The Isu had some pretty damn advanced technology that the shit it did sure seemed like magic. The Apple was enough of an example of what could be considered a magical artifact. But if magic was involved. If the Isu were involved…
Desmond raised his charred arm. The blackness of his skin was surprisingly smooth, with the cracks not appearing organic, but rather geometric. Like the lines on the Apple. Like the lines on the device he sacrificed himself to.
“Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to campus through those gates, which can appear anywhere. A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you.”
Desmond violently recalled the neighing he heard when he died. “I guess there was a horse?”
“That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects you to this campus. And, as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honoured tradition.”
“A time-honoured tradition where?”
Crowley tried to clap, seeming to have forgotten the fact that he was holding the little creature. “Now! Let us attend your orientation!”
Crowley swept open the doors to the Mirror Chamber, the poor creature swinging with the motion. Immediately the noise of a crowded room filled the hallway. Desmond followed Crowley into the room, noting that the people were split into seven different groups. The large mirror was no longer sectioned off with the velvet rope, and standing in front of each group was a clear leader. A young leader. A teenage leader.
Oh no… A pit formed in Desmond’s stomach.
“We’re done with orientation and dorm assignments?” Desmond heard above the din. It was spoken by a petite red head. When the red head received a round of nods he continued. “All right, new students – let me be clear. At Heartslabyul House, I am the law. Break the rules, and it’s off with your head!”
Wow, harsh.
A boy with lion ears gave a massive yawn, flashing deadly canines. He rubbed the back of his head as he spoke. “Well, that ceremony was as boring as ever. I’m going back to the dorm. If you’re in Savanaclaw House, follow me.” His statement was met with a cacophony of yips and growls.
“New students! Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your achievement. As a dorm leader of Octavinelle House, I am honoured to have the opportunity to support you in what I hope will be a fulfilling campus experience.” Desmond watched a conman’s smile spread across the new, bespeckled boy.
Crowley and Desmond were getting closer and closer to the front of the room, yet no one seems to have noticed them. Desmond was used to blending into a crowd, of practicing the art of not being noticed until it is too late, and he is most certainly glad of that experience now.
“Hey, does anyone know where the headmage went?” A handsome boy looked around. “He disappeared midway through the ceremony…” He tapped at his chin, looking amused and upset at the same time.
Beside the handsome boy was a floating tablet. It glowed and dimmed as a voice came out. “Some headmage he is.”
“Maybe he had a tummy ache?” A boy with red eyes looked concerned.
“I most certainly did not!” Crowley’s voice boomed out, causing the red eyed boy to jump. Desmond winced and tried to step back, hoping to separate from the attention Crowley was drawing to them. Instead, Crowley shot out a hand and grasped Desmond on the shoulder. He dragged Desmond forward, ignoring the comment from the red head and also Desmond’s current internal crisis. “If you must know, I was searching for the new student who failed to show up for orientation.” His grip turned claw-like on Desmond’s shoulder.
Crowley’s yellow eyes pierced through Desmond. Desmond squirmed, feeling like a insect about to be pinned. “You are the only one who has yet to be assigned a dorm.” He gave Desmond a shove. “Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it. I’ll watch your weasel.”
The creature growled, it’s tail lashing. Crowley promptly clasped his now free hand against the creature’s mouth, stopping whatever protest it could come up with. Desmond sighed and stepped forward. He moved silently past the house leaders and up the steps to the Dark Mirror. The smooth surface started to swirl; smoke encased in the glass glowing green. A white ornate mask appeared.
“State your name.” The voice boomed and echoed around the cavernous room.
“Desmond. Desmond Miles.”
“Desmond Miles, the nature of your soul is… unclear.”
Desmond nodded. The headmage was not as nearly as accepting of that response. “What did you just say?” The headmage squawked.
“I sense no magical power from this one. Soundless. Colourless. Shapeless. Utterly vacant. Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate.”
Desmond nodded. “Yeah, probably doesn’t help that I should be dead, and also sometimes I am not Desmond.”
“Are you suggesting that the black carriage went to receive a person who cannot even use magic?” Crowley promptly ignored him, but the house leaders most certainly caught on to what he was saying. Crowley also ignored them, scoffing as he addressed the mirror with wide and almost panicked eyes. “But that is absurd! The student selection process has not erred once in its century of existence! How could this have happened?” Crowley finished with a wail.
The creature finally escaped during the headmage’s despair. “Me!” It yelled as it hit the ground. “Let me have this student’s seat!”
Crowley growled, hand darting towards the creature. “Not so fast, you hyperactive weasel!”
The creature scampered away from the headmage, snickering as it flounced up to Desmond and the Dark Mirror. “Unlike this human, I can actually use magic! So let me be a student here!” The creature begged. “Look, I’ll show you! My spells’re the cat’s meow!”
The creature drew in a deep breath, tiny chest billowing out. Desmond took a step back from the creature, bumping lightly into the Dark Mirror. His arm tingled and started to itch.
The red head let out a shout. “Everyone, get down!”
The creature spat. A ball of blue flame shot out, ricocheted off the smooth floor and hit the ornate robes of the boy with red eyes. Pandemonium erupted. The boy screeched. “Help! I’m on fire over here!”
“Someone catch that blasted animal before it sets the entire school ablaze!” Crowley sobbed out.
Bickering broke out between two of the house leaders. They were more interested in making pointed barbs than helping out. The boy that was set on fire wasn’t even trying to put it out, just standing there, whimpering. Looking for someone to do it for him. Students were backing away from the Dark Mirror and the creature standing proud.
“I’m sorry, were my instructions unclear?!” Crowley’s voice broke over the cacophony of everything else.
The boy with lion ears scoffed. “Preeetty sure you can handle catching one mangy weasel all on your lonesome there, headmage.”
The creature let out a yell. “How many times do I gotta say it? I’m Grim, spellcaster extraordinaire! I am not a weasel!” It hopped around in anger.
The boy with glasses grinned wider, pupils dilating. “Aren’t you a spunky little fellow? Riddle, would you be so kind…?”
The red head, Riddle, matched his grin. “Furry miscreant. I will abide no rule-breaking. You will be judged by my hand.”
Desmond nudged the creature with his foot. It, him? Said it was called Grim and sounds masculine…, briefly stopped spitting fireballs and stared at the two gearing up for a hunt. He spat another fireball. “Check it! See how strong I am?!”
Riddle flicked out his arm. He gripped a pen in his hand, and from the shimmering gem at the pens tip a ball of magic shot out. The creature jumped to the side, just narrowly missing the magic. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!”
“How very brazen of you to go on breaking the rules in my presence.” Riddle hissed.
“Shall we make this quick, then?” The boy with glasses asked. Pretty sure I heard the tablet call him Azul at some point. “I’m afraid we don’t have much time to spare.”
In a dual shot, each boy fired magic at Grim, one aimed high and the other low. Still, Grim dodged the magic and shot a fireball back. Then he dropped to all fours and sprinted towards the crowd. The students scrambled to get away from the fleeing creature, and the two boys took chase. No one else bothered to stop Grim. Desmond snorted out a laugh. According to Crowley, everyone here was a gifted mage. But no one was bothering to help, and even the headmage, the person in charge of the entire school, was leaving the capture of Grim to his students.
Desmond easily kept track of the fleeing creature. It wasn’t hard. Grim was loud and vibrant with his fireballs and fire in his ears and with his taunts. Desmond didn’t even need to activate his Eagle Vision.
Though, I’m pretty sure Azul is just drawing this out.
“Must you relish playing with your quarry, Azul?”
Yep. Grim managed to escape the duo once more, beelining for Desmond. A scheme was clearly running through his brain, even as he shouted about being allowed into the school.
Now! Desmond scooped the creature up, pinning Grim’s forelegs to his body and scruffing him with one hand. “Mya-hah?!”
The duo skidded to a stop in front of Desmond. Riddle’s face was turning a startling shade of scarlet. He shoved Azul to the side, arm raised. With a quick flourish, Riddle screeched: “Off with your head!”
A heart shaped collar clamped onto the creature’s neck, magically shoving Desmond’s hand out of the way.
“MYAH! What are you doing?!”
“The Queen of Heart’s Rule 23: One must never bring a cat to a formal affair.” Riddle’s face was thankfully returning to his pale shade. He smoothed out his robes and tucked his pen away. “Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately.”
“But I ain’t a cat either!” The creature squirmed around in Desmond’s arms. His tail was lashing back and forth, ears pinned back. “Don’t try to collar me! I’ll burn it right off!” Desmond’s arm started to tingle and itch again, but the sensation quickly faded. “Huh…? Wh-what gives? My fire ain’t workin’!” There was a wobble in the creature’s voice. Fair enough. Seemed like magic was Grim’s main line of defense.
“Until I deign to remove the collar, you won’t be using any magic. You’re naught but a pet cat now.” Riddle sniggered.
“M-meoWHAT?! I ain’t nobody’s pet-NOTHING!”
Riddled rolled his eyes. “Oh, you’ve nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet.” He crossed his arms. “The collar will disappear once you’re removed from campus.”
Azul clapped, also appearing as prim and proper as ever. “Good show as always, Riddle.” The boy laughed. “Your signature spell locks down any magic. It’s quite handy.” He sighed. “I’ve just got to have it - ah, I mean, I’ve just got to have respect for it.”
Desmond quirked an eyebrow. Did nobody care about that? That wasn’t even a slick cover-up!
“Desmond! Was I not clear that you are expected to take responsibility for your familiar? Now discipline your -”
“He’s not mine.” Desmond deadpanned.
“What’s that? He isn’t yours?”
“Nope.” Desmond popped the p. “I’ve never seen this creature before today.”
“Oh… is that so?” Crowley coughed. “Then I shall have him expelled from campus. I shall even spare him from being served for dinner!” Crowley crooned to himself. “My, but I am kind.” He clapped. “Now, someone take this away, please.” A shadowy figure snaked the creature from Desmond’s arms, floating away with the creature.
Grim cried out complaints as he was escorted away. Desmond watched as his eyes welled up with tears, trying to yank himself out of the grasp of the shadow. The doors swung shut before the creature could make any leeway, if he even could. I wonder why he was so desperate to stay here?
“Now, that was quite the unexpected fracas.” Oh, joy. Crowley is speaking again. “I hereby declare that orientation has concluded. Housewardens, please escort your students back to your dorms.” The headmage looked around. “Hm? Come to think of it, I don’t see Housewarden Draconia of House Diasomnia anywhere.”
Desmond resisted the urge to bury his face into his hands, but did give in to the urge to pinch his nose. How is this man in charge of the school?
The other Housewardens started bickering again. The rest of the students were creating a din again. Apparently this Draconia-guy was famous. Or very intimidating.
“Ah, just as I’d expected.” A small figure poofed into the room in a cloud of green sparkles. He was floating upside down, and had a surprisingly deep voice. “I figured I’d come down and see for myself whether Malleus had made an appearance.” He sighed. “But once again, he was evidently not informed that his presence was required at an official ceremony.”
The more diplomatic Housewardens offered apologies and excuses, though they weren’t sincere. Still, the small boy accepted the empty platitudes and quickly left with his new dorm members. Soon after the Mirror Chamber was completely empty, aside from Desmond and Crowley.
Crowley clapped again, even though Desmond was the only one there and was already paying attention to the eccentric mage. “Well, Desmond. This is a most unfortunate turn of events. I’m afraid you will not be attending Night Raven College after all. Surely you realise that I cannot very well admit a student with no magical ability to my academy. But worry not. The Dark Mirror will see you safely home. Now, step into the gate, and visualize the place whence you came.”
Desmond nodded and stepped into the Dark Mirror. He drew up the caves in which he… well…
“O Dark Mirror! Return this soul to where it belongs!”
Silence. Desmond stared at Crowley. The headmage coughed. “L-let us, er… try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return this soul -”
“There is no such place.”
“What?”
“There is no place in this world where this soul belongs. None.”
“How can that be? My, but today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible phenomena!” Crowey shook his head. “Tell me: From what land do you hail?”
“Sure, don’t think it’ll help, but sure. I’m from the United States of America.”
Crowley tsked. “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with such a place. I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has ever come here, and yet… This mysterious homeland of yours eludes me.” He stroked his chin for a moment. “Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?”
Crowley strutted away, muttering to himself. Desmond rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Dark Mirror.” The assassin prowled after the headmage, recognizing the route that was being taken. Desmond knew that the headmage was taking the long route before. Why am I here? The hallways had no answer.
Neither did the library. Crowley finished flipping through yet another book and slipped it back into place. Desmond crossed his arms and tilted his head.
“Just as I suspected. Nothing.” Crowley shook his head. “Your homeland not listed on any map from any point in history. Now, are you quite sure that you come from such a place? That wasn’t some sort of lie, or jape?” Desmond shook his head. “Because if so, the only explanation is that you come from another planet. Or perhaps you were summoned from another dimension?”
Desmond shrugged. “Probably another dimension.” That would make more sense than coming from another planet, especially since he was supposed to be dead.
“Show me everything that you brought here with you. Do you have some form of identification, a driver’s license perhaps? Or even a… shoe? You do seem a tad bit… empty handed.”
Desmond shrugged again, but turned out the pockets of the same ornate robe the other students were wearing. “As you said, I’ve got nothing.” Not having an ID was the norm, but the lack of his hidden blades were uncomfortable.
“Well, this is quite the predicament.” Crowley started to crow about again. Desmond only paid half-attention, willing to follow the headmage when he mentioned a vacant building that Desmond could stay in. The man rambled on about how generous of a person he was, and each rambling word sent a spike of pain into the slowly forming headache behind his eyes.
In fact, this pain was starting to ring a bell. Ah, crap. Desmond rubbed at his eyes, trying to get his vision to stop flickering to the sight. Hope we get to this building before I fully bleed. I’d hate to be Ezio or, god forbid, Altair, in the open right now. He sped up his steps, subtly forcing Crowley to pick up the place.
Crowley led them to a new room, but this was more like a formal hall than anything. There was a large rug on the floor and a series of mirrors at the far end. Like many other things in this school, there were seven pristine mirrors. Except, instead of reflecting the room, it instead showed the image of different landscapes. Crowley strode towards the line of mirrors and then veered sharply to the side. Tucked away in the corner was another mirror, albeit dustier. With a hum Crowley walked through the mirror. Desmond just kept his eyes on the ground as he stepped through the mirror.
The cool night air helped bring Desmond back to his senses. Crowley came to a halt, and Desmond stopped next to him. They both took in the decrepit building in front of them.
Desmond snorted. “This is a bit too much character, if you ask me.”
“Isn’t it delightful?” Crowley planted a hand in between Desmond's shoulders. “Right, scoot inside now. There you go.”
The inside of the building was just as decrepit as the outside. In a way, it matched the dusty mirror that they walked through to get here.
“This should keep the elements at bay for the time being. Now, I should return to my research. Do try to find some way to busy yourself. But don’t let me catch you wandering the campus!” Crowley quickly exited the building, almost as if he were scared to get any dust on himself. “Ta!” The headmage gave a wave and the door to the room swung shut.
Desmond rolled his head, trying to work the tension out of his neck and shoulders. Small little plops hit the dusty ground. “Looks like it started to rain.” The few drops quickly turned into a downpour.
“GWAH!” The raspy voice of the little creature was back. Desmond most certainly did not jump, thank you very much. “It’s pouring out there!”
“Where the hell did you come from?”
Grim gave a full-belly laugh. “That look on your face is priceless! Like a bat that got blasted with a water gun!” He gave a sly smirk. “As if I wouldn’t just sneak back onto campus the second I escaped pryin’ eyes. You all got no idea what I’m capable of!” He crossed his little arms. “I ain’t givin’ up on goin’ here just ‘cause I got kicked out one measly ol’ time. And if you think otherwise, you don’t know Grim!”
Desmond huffed out a laugh. He plopped onto the ragged couch. Still dusty, and a spring was digging into his ass, but it was better than being caught in a downpour. “Why do you want to go here anyway?”
“Mrrao! Ain’t it obvious?” The creature stomped his feet. “I was born to do this! I’m a magical prodigy who’s got the makin’s to become one of the greatest mages who ever lived! So I’ve been waitin’ and waitin’ for that black carriage to come for me.” Grim’s tail curled up around his body. The creature played with the fur on the pitchfork tip. “And yet…”
The creature shook his head. “That Dark Mirror’s got no eye for talent!”
Desmond nodded. “So you decided to get in on your own?”
The creature jumped up. “Exactly! You humans don’t understand what a mistake you’re makin’! Not lettin’ me in is a great loss to the world!”
The fire in the creature’s ears dimmed as rain hit the flames. Grim scurried over to Desmond, trying to shove him over so he could get in the dry spot. “C’mon, scoot over! I’m gettin’ dripped on here! These flamin’ ears are like my trademark, y’know? I can’t let ‘em get doused!”
“Guess I’ll go look for some buckets.” Desmond heaved himself up, stepping over the creature and into the hallway. He ignored the Grim yelling at him about being useless. He did note the creature scampering after him though.
“Heh, you want me to help you?”
Not particularly, no.
“Ha! You got the wrong idea. I’m just a stranger takin’ shelter from the rain. You ain’t the boss of me.”
I never said I was the boss.
“If ya had some cans of tuna to trade, well, that’d be another story. But I don’t work for free.”
“Quiet.” Desmond halted. His eyes flashed. The hallway went greyscale. Looking for colour. Laughter echoed in the hallway, overlapping and haunting. Which, well.
“We haven’t had visitors in ages! Oh, I am just itching for new friends!”
“AAAAAH! GHOSTS! GHOOOOOOSTS!” The creature's claws dug into Desmond’s thighs, sharp little pin pricks. His concentration broke, but it’s not like Eagle Vision was very helpful against ghosts.
“All the people who used ta live here got scared of us and ran away.”
“We just want a new ghost to play with! What do you say, buddy?”
Desmond shrugged. “Just curious on how you kill someone who’s already dead.”
The ghosts cackled and floated around them. One reached out and tickled the creature under his chin.
“Eeeeeep!” The creature shivered and pressed tighter against Desmond. He once again felt the tingle and itch in his arm. Desmond frowned and stared at his scared arm.
“I’m a master sorcerer! I ain’t afraid of any dumb ghosts!” Grim shot out another fireball, and the sensation in Desmond’s arm stopped.
“Nuh-uh. Not even close.” One ghost teased. The sensation started and stopped with each fireball the creature summoned and released. Interesting.
“Over here! Over here!” Another ghost laughed.
The creature stomped his little feet. “Argh! They keep disappearing and reappearing!”
“Hey!” Desmond shouted. “You’re going to set the entire dorm on fire! If you’re going to insist on shooting fireballs, at least do it with your eyes open!”
“Shaddup human! I don’t need any lip from you!”
Desmond groaned. “If you defeat these ghosts without setting any more of the building on fire, I’ll give you a can of tuna.” Jesus. I wasn’t this bad with Shaun and Rebecca, was I?
The ghosts continued to laugh as the creature shot more fireballs.
“Did I say one can of tuna? I meant two.”
“You, human! You tell me which way the ghosts are!”
“To your left.”
Another fireball shot out, only this time actually hitting the target. To Desmond’s surprise, the fire actually did something. Huh.
“Again, human!”
Desmond sighed. Alright. He can do this. The rain was starting to let up anyway, and without the extra water they were more likely to start a fire. Desmond cracked his neck one more time. “Alright, let’s do this!”
Desmond clenched his fist, feeling the ghost of a blade slide against his fingers. Planting his feet he shouted his directions to the little creature. For all of his gripping, Grim was good at taking direction. His aim was surprisingly good, too. Before long the ghosts fled.
“H-huh? Did we… win?”
“Yeah. Thanks for your help.” Desmond smiled. The little creature beamed back at him.
“Aw, geez, I was scared outta my - I mean, they didn’t faze me one bit!” Grim bounced around. “Just a walk in the park for a mage of my caliber!” He started to shadowbox. “Whaddya got to say now, ghosties? That’s right!”
Desmond gave a soft laugh.
Of course, that was when the headmage walked back in, proclaiming his greatness with delivering Desmond dinner.
Dinner Desmond would so very much like right now, please and thank you. Of course, Crowley had to demand that the creature and Desmond show off their teamwork. And, of course, Desmond had to twist Grim’s arm before he agreed. In the end though, Desmond was given his dinner.
“Incredible… I’ve never seen anyone bend a monster to their will quite the way you have. I must confess, my educator’s intuition did sense something about you after the brouhaha at orientation, Desmond.” He stroked his chin. “I could tell you had a certain animal trainer-y, beast master-ish quality to you. Oh, yes. That said, I…” The headmage trailed off to under the breath mumbling, too quiet for Desmond to hear.
“Hey, would it be possible for Grim to stay with me?”
Surprised exclamations came from both Crowley and the creature.
“I mean, why not? You already said that I had a beast master quality to me. Besides, he’s just gonna keep trying to break in. At least this way someone will be keeping an eye on him.”
“Hmmm… I suppose I cannot deny your plea. Very well.”
“Myah?! Really?”
“Let me be clear!” Crowley quickly held out a hand. “Under no circumstance would I admit anyone to Night Raven College who has not been selected by the Dark Mirror - especially not a monster!” His attention quickly turned to Desmond. “Nor do I intend to allow you, Desmond, to freeload until you’re able to return home.”
“Of course not.”
“Now, allow me to explain. It was the Dark Mirror that transported you here. Therefore this school does bear some responsibility for your well-being. So I will allow you to remain in this dorm, free of charge.”
His proclamation was met with silence. Clearly, Crowley was expecting some sort of praise. Desmond just wanted him to drop the bad news and leave already. The food was pretty good though.
“However,” Crowley continued. “You will need to pay for your own food, clothing, and incidentals. As for how you will do so, penniless as you are… Ah. Ah ha. Yes, a fine plan.”
“What are you going to make me do?”
“You needn’t seem so alarmed. I’m simply going to ask you to do a few odd jobs around campus. From what you’ve done here, Desmond, I can tell you know your way around a broom.”
Wow, rude. Desmond hadn’t actually tried to clean the place. Grim’s fireballs just happened to clean up some of the spider webs.
“So what do you say to you two working together as a janitorial team? If you agree to that, I will make a special exception and allow you to remain on campus.”
“Yeah, I don’t really have a choice here.”
“I’ll also allow you to use the library, so that you may study, and research ways to return home. How soundlessly charitable I am. Ah, but only when your work is over, of course!”
“Whaaat? What kind of deal is that?” The creature stomped his foot. “I wanna put on one of those sweet uniforms and be a student, not sweep up people’s junk!”
“If you’re not satisfied with my offer, I can arrange to have you thrown out again.”
“Myah?! … All right, fine! Let’s do it.”
“Again, I don’t really have a choice.”
“Wonderful. Then I beseech you both…” And pause for dramatic flair. “To work as hard as the newest members of the Night Raven College’s janitorial staff!”
Desmond sighed. Is this better or worse than Abstergo?