Chapter Text
Melon soda with a chocolate drizzle and a generous dollop of sea salt cream on top—an intriguing combination, both salty and refreshing. Perhaps that's the intention: to momentarily please the customer with the cool liquid while leaving them thirsty enough from the added salt to consider ordering another. How fittingly devious for a specialty drink at the Monstro Lounge.
As I absently spun the straw in my contradictory drink, a tiny school of fish swam by in the corner of my vision. This spot in the cafe had become my favorite, a small circular table next to the ceiling-high windows offering a priceless view of the captivating sea surrounding Octavinelle dorm. Of course, Azul could find some roundabout yet diligently thought-out way to attach a price tag to innocent scenery.
As if summoned by my thoughts, the manager of the underwater establishment I'd unfortunately become a regular at suddenly appeared at my table.
“Yuu?” Azul Ashengrotto asked, wearing his dorm uniform as always, his form swallowed under a clean gray coat that hung on his shoulders like he was some mafia boss, which wasn't too far from the truth. A dark hat sat crooked atop his silver curls, framing his bespectacled face that was currently set in an expression of polite surprise. Azul was always polite, even when scamming all the thaumarks out of you with his unreasonably salty drinks.
“Good afternoon, Azul,” I said, though it was impossible to tell the time in this dimly lit cafe. Devious.
His soft features shifted to his usual slight smile. “Good afternoon,” he responded, “I don't usually see you gracing us with your patronage. I was under the impression that me and my establishment were too…duplicitous for your liking.”
Had I said that? Maybe, but certainly not to his face.
I sipped my sweet and salty drink. “Can a fellow student not simply enjoy a drink at the only campus cafe available?”
He raised one silver eyebrow above his rectangular glasses. “Is that what you're doing?”
“No,” I frowned. His knack for reading people's wants and wishes was always slightly off-putting, but at least it helped me get to the point. “I need… want a meeting with the manager. So I've been getting my points through,” I gestured defeatedly at the tall, green drink in front of me, “these.”
Now both his eyebrows raised. “Well, aren't you always full of surprises?” He held out one gloved hand. “Could I see your points card, Yuu?”
I dug through my school bag and presented the sea-green stamp card to him with an appropriate amount of shame. Going to Azul for help was a one-way ticket to trouble; I had seen it firsthand. But, there was also a good reason desperate people kept coming back to him despite knowing the risks, and I officially declared myself desperate.
Azul looked over the card and hummed to himself thoughtfully. “You're only 5 points away from earning a consultation.” He abruptly turned to one of his waiters. “Javi, two limited special combos delivered straight to my office, please.”
The Octavinelle student jumped to work with a quick: “Yes, boss!”
I stared at him as he turned back to me, smiling as calmly as ever.
“That will get you 6 points. Enough to talk with me now, and even a bonus point for any future dilemmas you choose to run my way.”
“Why…” I frowned at him, “Don't tell me I have to pay you back now, because I didn't agree to any deal yet.”
He chuckled softly. “Good point, that wouldn't be fair. But you were the first person at this school to cause me such trouble a couple months ago. It is truly in my best interests as a businessman to keep my eye on you, one way or another.”
He winked and clapped his hands together, the sound muffled by the pristine, white gloves. “Now, follow me to my office, please. Let's see what I can do for you.”
I nibbled anxiously on one of the many macaroons from the Monstro Lounge combo in front of me. Azul had a plate for himself, too, but he swiftly pushed it aside to make room on his desk for a small, unassuming notepad.
We sat across from each other over his mahogany desk. Him in a high-backed leather chair, and me on an uncomfortable wooden stool that made me feel like a failing child getting a talking to.
Azul steepled his fingers together and leaned forward slightly, not bothering to hide his intrigue. “I've wondered if this day would come,” He grinned, “What is it? Do you want those ghosts in your dorm dealt with? Should I nudge Headmage Crowley into allowing you to join housewarden meetings as a prefect?” He unwove his fingers and rested his chin on his hand, blue eyes fixed on me with unwavering intensity. “Is it time I find a way to get you those magical powers you uniquely lack?”
I hadn't considered that. Given his known history of messing with other's magic, Azul would be the first person to ask for something like that. But that wasn't what I was here for.
I placed my half-eaten macaroon back on its fancy plate.
“No, I…” I took a deep breath, running the words through my head again. “I don't know where I came from,” I said, “I don't know why I don't have magic. I don't know how I even got into Night Raven College.” I shook my head, “The night when Grim and I crashed orientation? That's my first solid memory. I don't know what came before that.”
I had been locking eyes with the dessert in front of me, but the long silence made me look up at Azul's reaction. He had sat back in his chair and was now tapping his pen against the notepad thoughtfully.
When he caught me looking he said, “Missing memories and mysterious origin, hm? So you don't believe you are from any known locations around here?”
Well, at least he didn't call me crazy.
I shook my head again. “I looked through some of the big countries and cities with Crowley when I got here, but none of them rang a bell.” I frowned down at my macaroon again, “Crowley was supposed to help me find my home, but I'm starting to realize he's more preoccupied with planning his vacations and not doing his job.”
Azul nodded in understanding. “Crowley is the master of slacking off and saying he's doing it for us. You were never going to get anywhere with him.”
“To be clear,” I started, “You are equally as exploitative. I'm half convinced the headmaster was Octavinelle himself back in his student days. But at least you put in the effort and get the results you promise.”
“Thank you,” He smiled softly, ignoring my other jabs, “but let's move on. Would you please recount your memory of orientation, starting as close to the beginning as possible?”
I relaxed as much as I could on the rickety stool. He was actually going to help me. Going to try, at least. That's why I'd come to him, hadn't I? Any problem I threw at him would just be another business opportunity. And he wouldn’t squander opportunity.
I relayed what I could about that eventful night. It was more than a while ago now, but I could never forget waking up in that dark, cramped coffin. Grim had been the first face I’d seen, then Headmage Crowley—who had been impressively unhelpful. My other memories of a dark forest and a ride behind creepy horses were even foggier.
As I talked, Azul listened mindfully, every once and a while scribbling down notes or asking follow-up questions. Sometimes he chewed on the end of his pen cap while he listened to me. I’d never noticed that habit of his before.
I slumped in my stool.
“It’s no wonder desperate souls fall victim to you so easily,” I grumbled, “When you’re feeling this hopeless, having someone just listen to you and act so confident is such a relief. Even if it’s just an act…”
Azul looked up from his notes. “Who said I was acting? It is part of the deal for me to hear you out, isn’t it?”
I gestured weakly as the air. “But all this– None of it makes any sense! No one I know can work a problem like you can, but still…”
Azul placed his notepad face up on the table and smiled at me. It was a terribly comforting smile. I’d seen him use it on many clients before.
“How many times must I tell you flattery will do nothing?” He turned the notepad so I could read it. He had written a lot despite my lackluster information. He tapped the top of the notepad where the words GRIM and COFFIN were circled. “I believe the best place to start looking is the odd place you were found in and the one who found you. I recommend talking to Grim first to hear his side of the events. This could at least give you some timeline for when you arrived here.”
“That…Actually sounds like a good idea,” I mumbled.
He pushed his glasses back up his nose. “Try not to sound so shocked, for the sake of my sensitive heart.”
I snorted at that. My chest was starting to feel a little lighter. This wasn’t an impossible task. I had an angle now.
I tried to keep the desperation out of my voice when I turned back to him. “Will you help me look into this further? I don’t know if more than just this meeting is part of the cafe deal, and it’s not like I want to be completely at your mercy, but I’d like to work together on this.”
“Work together you say?” He held my gaze, considering, “Combining our efforts would be significantly more efficient.” He watched me for a little longer. I resisted the urge to feel trapped by his stare. I needed his help, badly, but I wasn’t about to roll over and beg for his mercy either. I stared back.
His smile widened, showing hungry teeth at the corner. “I’ll consider the intrigue of the challenge as my tip. It’s good to keep my mind sharp.”
I did my best to not collapse over the desk in relief. I was signing myself up for days if not weeks working with Azul. I couldn’t let my guard down just yet.
Azul tucked his notepad neatly back into the folds of his overcoat. “Memory is a fleeting thing. Let’s interview Grim as soon as possible. Is it alright if I stop by your dorm after class tomorrow?”
I nodded as I stuffed the remaining desserts from the combo into my uniform pockets. Azul’s dish was still untouched.
“Perfect.” His smile made me shiver, “I look forward to it.”