Chapter Text
Mozus Trein sighed as he held the small 5 year old boy in his arms. When he’d gone to attend his step-nephew’s funeral, coming home with a child was not at all what he expected. He hadn’t been particularly close to his step sister’s family. While they’d manage to reconcile their differences as adults they’d never regained that familial bond. Trein hadn’t even realized he had a step-great-nephew.
He did know Ella (his step-sister) had not cared for the woman her son married. That had helped lead to some of the disconnection within their family. And now Trein knew all too well why that was. The boy in his arms- Cater Diamond- was her child but she treated him like a nuisance. A burden, demanding someone in her husband’s family take him. That he wasn’t hers, and she’d had the documentation to prove it. Revealing the marriage contract between her and her now dead husband.
It had made Trein sick, the boy had stood there off to the side with his head down, as his mother ranted about how she didn’t want him. In the end, he didn’t feel like he had a choice. There was no way he’d let that boy leave with that woman even if she’d been willing to take him. Vahn had been an only child, and his step sister was currently in a nursing home in declining health. There was no one else.
After he agreed to take custody of Cater, he’d been sat down with a lawyer. Cater was the sole heir of his father’s fortune. As much as his mother didn’t claim him, his father laid no claim the the daughters born from his marriage. Trein had known objectively that his step sister had married into considerable wealth. It wasn’t something he’d ever put much thought into. His family was well off enough as it was. Her and her husband’s finances had never been his concern.
But as he sat there, as the lawyer went over the numbers, the amount left to the boy in his lap was staggering. Most of it would be locked up in an iron clad trust fund until the ginger came of age. His father’s company, Crown Holdings, would be run by its current board of directors, overseen by the trustee to make sure the decisions they made were in the best interest of the health of the company and Cater’s future inheritance.
Trein would receive a stipend every month to care for him until he graduated from high school. It wasn’t something he felt like he needed, and the amount was borderline obscene. So the decision was made to open an account and place the money in there, only to be touched in emergencies. Otherwise, he’d hand it back over to the boy when he received the rest of his inheritance.
And that’s how a young, shy boy by the name of Cater Diamond had come to live on Night Raven’s campus.
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10 Years Later
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“So I’ve heard, that the staff have a betting pool for which dorm Cater will end up in.” Trein stood in the staff room, hands on his hips. He’d been quite surprised when at 8 years old the boy had developed magic. It was rare among mortals, and he was the only one in his family for several generations to become a mage.
Crewel crossed his arms whip in hand. “We all know the boy is a shoe in for Pomefiore, I don’t even know why anyone is betting against me.”
“Hardly” Vargas chimed in. “The boy is a fine candidate for Savanaclaw.”
Early on, thanks to the abuse the boy had faced at his home, Trein had decided to raise him on Night Raven’s campus and keep him close where he could make sure no harm came to him. He schooled the boy himself, alongside his duties as a Professor at NRC. It wasn’t uncommon to see the boy in the back of the room, diligently working on his own schoolwork, as his guardian lectured his class.
Though as he got older, some of the other professors around the school, had taken on some of the responsibility. Having him pop up on the sports field, Crewel’s lab, or the Astronomy tower was not unheard of. Trein may have been the one to legally adopt him, but many of the staff treated him like he was their own Nephew.
Even Sam had been caught spoiling the boy, giving him treats from his shop. It’s how Cater had become particularly fond of saltwater taffy. “My bet is Octavinelle.” The shopkeeper smiled.
“Given the boy’s magical aptitude.” Crowley brought a hand to his chin. “My best determination would be Diasomnia.”
“You’re all hopeless,” Trein spoke with an aggravated tone. “Besides, it’s clear he’ll end up in Heartslabyul.”
“We’ll find out soon enough.” Crewel smiled, clearly still confident in his choice. “The new students should be arriving shortly.”
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“Cater” Mozus Trein smiled down at the boy he’d raised, the child he’d come to think of as his son. “I’m very proud of you. You’ve worked hard and been very diligent. I know wherever you go, you’ll do well.”
“Thank you.” the ginger wiped a few tears from his eyes. Night Raven College had been his home for as long as he could remember. But he’d always had a room in his father’s staff lodging. It was almost intimidating to be moving into a dorm room. His room would still be his though and he could visit it on the weekends if he wanted, but Trein had told him it would be a good idea if he stuck with his dorm for at least the first month so he could get used to being there. “I’m nervous but excited too. I like the idea of attending classes properly.”
“Just be sure to refer to myself and the other professors properly while in class. We’ll give you a little leeway, it’s something we’ll all have to get used to.” Trein had always been a bit stern and strict with Cater, but not without love and affection.
“Yeah.” he rubbed the back of his neck. “I understand, though Uncle Divus tried to tell me I could keep calling him that.”
Trein brought a hand to his head. “Of course, he would.” the man had never done anything to deter the attachment Cater formed with his coworkers. He’d seen it as good for him. “Most of the school already knows your connection. But that’s also why it’s important we don’t show any favoritism. I’ll have a talk with him later.” he sighed, knowing that it probably wouldn’t get him anywhere. Of all the other professors, Crewel had taken a shine to the boy more so than others. Being Cater’s pseudo uncle was something he considered a badge of honor. He’d even taken the boy with him to fashion week last year and gifted him his sketchbook and other artist materials when the boy had started showing an interest in the subject.
Cater let out a laugh as the professor pulled the boy into the hug. “It’s almost time for you to go. I don’t think I am quite so ready for you to grow up.”
The ginger just returned the embrace. “You’ll still be my father, even if you’re also my professor.”
There were a few tears in the man’s eyes. “And you’ll be my son,” he replied before standing back and ruffling the boy’s hair. “Now go along. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Okay.” Cater nodded before turning to leave, taking one last look at the home he’d shared with his father for the last 10 years.
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Vil stood in the mirror chamber, he’d had a few looks but not as many as he expected. He tried not to be vain but he was fairly famous. The actor had come to the school with concerns about his privacy. Coming up with ways to deter fans who sought to pester him. At least that had been the excuse he kept telling himself. It wasn’t like he’d hoped that people would be desperate to make friends with him. This would surely be different than the movie sets he’d grown up on, he wasn’t a villain here. There was no reason for the other kids to keep their distance.
But that seemed to be exactly what was happening. No one had approached him at all. He let out a sigh, this was just the first day, and he still held hope that once he got sorted into his dormitory, that he could make friends there, if not when classes officially started. Vil had realized that Malleus Draconia, crowned prince of Briar Valley was here. He wasn’t narcissistic enough to think he could truly compete with that.
Briar Valley was a mystery to many people outside its borders, the royal family even more so. Of course, Malleus would be pulling most of the attention. But as lavender eyes took a moment to gaze at the imposing figure, he realized no one else was clamoring for his attention either.
Now he was truly confused. Especially as his eyes scanned the room once more, to find that several of the older students watching the ceremony seemed to be flocking around a ginger headed boy. “Whose he?” Vil whispered not intending to say that out loud, but he couldn’t figure out who he was, he’d never seen him before.
“Oh” another first year standing near him answered his question. “He’s Cater Diamond, my brother told me about him.” Vil looked over at the sandy headed boy who was smiling. “He’s one of the professor’s kids, everyone’s all excited because he’s officially a student this year.”
Vil looked at his companion. “I see.” he brought a hand to his chin. “Thank you for telling me” That at least made some sense. It seemed odd to him that a child would have been raised on a high school campus, but Night Raven College wasn’t your normal boarding school. It functioned almost like a micronation. Either way, if he was essentially the campus’s own little celebrity then him having most of the attention wasn’t something Vil would be bothered by.
Sorting started in earnest, as the first years were separated into the dorms that would be their home over the next 3 years. His ears did perk up a bit when he heard the boy’s name called. The entire chamber seemed to go quiet as the ginger approached the mirror.
“Cater Diamond.” The mirror’s face seemed to be smiling. Even it was apparently eager to learn the boy’s placement. “The nature of your soul is Pomefiore!”
Cheers erupted from the section of the room where most of the members of Pomefiore were gathered. Pomefiore huh? Vil thought to himself, as the ginger went to join his new dorm. That’s where I’d hoped to end up.
The names flew by none having quite the reaction Cater Diamond’s had. Malleus’s own induction was treated with a bit of reverence but there was no joyful cheering, the prince’s appointment was more an affirmance of what was already known
It wasn’t until his name was called out that more chatter began, and he approached the mirror with his head held high. Maybe that had been it? No one had realized who he was. Not with the ceremonial robes he’d been wearing. He could hear things like ‘ Is that really?’ ‘I thought I was going crazy, I didn’t know he was a mage’
Vil smiled a bit, as he stood in front of the mirror. The words were out of the Dark Mirror’s mouth almost the moment he came to a standstill in front of it. “Vil Schoenheit, the nature of your soul is Pomefiore!” it called out without an ounce of hesitation.
His own sorting had lifted his mood significantly, as he took his placement with pride, and went to stand with the rest of the Pomefiore first years. As he did he caught sight of one of the newly minted Savanaclaw students, jade green eyes staring at him. Vil was used to the stares of others, he could brush them off easily enough, but there was something different about this boy. The actor turned away focusing on the group of new students he’d joined. Though no matter what he did he felt like he was being watched.
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The welcome banquet prepared by the upperclassmen had been exactly what Vil had expected out of a dorm founded in the image of the Fairest Queen. But now he was facing some hesitation. He hadn’t realized he’d be forced to share a room with someone else as a first year. He didn’t need someone else to have access to his things. The anxiety was going to get him. Maybe he could go to the headmaster and plead his case. Vil had wanted a normal high school experience when he’d accepted his invitation to NRC, but this was a bit too much.
Nervously he waited for his dorm assignment. A third year student had been assigned to each group of four first year students that would be staying together, to help them find their room and get settled in.
Currently, his hand was settled on his chest playing with the hem around his collar, waiting for his name to be called out, worrying about who he’d be paired with. It was almost a nightmare.
The dorm leader, a man with long silky black hair, dark olive tone skin, and yellow eyes stood with a smile on his face, crown on his head that denoted his position. Elegant Pomefiore blue nails, resting on his hips. He smiled bringing one hand to his chest. “Cater Diamond,” he called out. “And Vil Schoenheit, you’re with me.”
Vil blinked before standing. He thought they were being forced to share 4 to a room, but it had just been him, and that boy he learned about in the mirror chamber. “Welcome to Pomefiore.” the dorm leader smiled. “If the two of you will follow me I’ll show you to your room.”
“Of course.” Cater quickly nodded. Vil simply repeated the gesture as the man led him off down a hall toward the first year dorms. It was the ginger who broached the subject that had been on the actor’s mind. “I thought they said I’d been in with 3 other students. Not one.’
“Ah.” their dorm leader brought a finger to his lips and winked. “Yes for the most part first years share 4 to a room. But our numbers didn’t divide evenly into 4. You two were the odd men out so to speak. When I was finalizing room assignments I thought this was for the best.”
Favoritism was Vil’s immediate thought. Not that he was going to argue. If he had to have a roommate, having 1 instead of 3 was much more appealing. Even more, so that he was apparently the son of one of the staff members, meaning he was less likely to do something uncouth. Maybe this wouldn’t be a nightmare after all. “Oh.” the ginger replied. “Okay.”
“Here is your room.” the 3rd year pointed up at the plaque that already had their names on it, along with two empty slots. “Normally dorms have communal bathrooms, but given the nature of Pomefiore students, you’re lucky enough to have an ensuite. I couldn’t image 200 students fighting over a bathroom mirror in the morning.” he laughed.
Vil let his own laugh out at that. “I’m not sure I could handle that.”
“None of us could.” The dorm leader winked. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or my vice dorm leader. My room is on the third floor.”
Cater turned to open the door. “Thank you.” he spoke with a smile as the pair slipped into the room.
“Pleasure is mine. I hope you enjoy your time in the dorm.” The 3rd year replied before shutting the door behind them. Leaving the pair alone for the first time.
The blonde looked around, even though there were just two of them, they’d still been given a full sized first year dorm. The extra beds had been removed, and the ones left were placed on either side of the room. Each student was given a wardrobe, bookshelf, writing table, and vanity. However, the second wardrobe seemed to have been left behind for both of them. Their bags were sitting at the foot of their beds. And there was a door that Vil could only assume led to the promised bathroom.
“I guess this is my side.” The ginger spoke softly as he walked over and immediately started to put his things away.
Vil took it as his cue to do the same. Opening his wardrobe to discover his various uniforms. Currently, he was in their ceremonial robes, but there were 3 copies of his dorm uniform. 5 of his standard school uniform, and one lab coat. He hadn’t brought much of his clothing with him, not sure what to expect. His plan had been to retrieve more of it over the winter holiday once he’d slipped into a proper routine, so it hadn’t been much to put his clothing away.
His cosmetic collection however had come with him in its entirety. It was while he was putting it away he heard his roommate’s voice. “Wow, you have a lot of makeup and skincare products.” the words hadn’t been said mockingly but still Vil got a little defensive.
“I take personal care very seriously,” he replied with a neutral tone.
“My uncle Di-” the boy seemed to stop himself. “Well, my uncle has taught me a bit. He gifted me most of my collection.”
Vil looked up and glanced at the other’s vanity. While it wasn’t as large as his own collection, he noticed quite a bit, in fact, he wasn’t sure the boy didn’t own more eyeshadow palettes than he did. “You enjoy makeup too?” the blonde looked up at him his earlier defensiveness bleeding away a bit. Cater's question seemed to have come from discovering common ground rather than judging him.
“I do.” he laughed a bit. “My dad says it’s a bit excessive. But I’m especially a sucker for eye shadow. He’s right I’ll probably never use all of it, especially before it expires, but I like having options. I don’t know as much about skincare though.”
“I tend to stick to shades I know work for me,” Vil admitted, there was a bit of fluttering in his stomach. The idea that he could make friends had hovered in the back of his mind. It was something he tried to deny wanting but now with his roommate, he knew there was no use lying to himself. Vil was too excited at the idea that he and Cater could be friends. “I can teach you more about skincare though if you like.” he offered trying to keep his outward appearance calm.
“Thank you.” the ginger crossed his arms, bringing a hand to the side of his face in thought. “If I’m going to be in Pomefiore, I should probably learn. And you’re a model, aren’t you? I would assume you know what you’re talking about.”
“I am.” Vil acknowledged he wasn’t sure if the other had any idea who he was. A bit of nervousness came back to him, realizing he did. “I do a lot of modeling and acting. Though I intend to take my school years off from anything serious.”
“That’s really cool.” Cater laughed with a smile. “I’ve been to fashion week before thanks to my uncle. He’s got me interested in design. I thought you looked familiar, I just wasn’t sure from where.”
“Vil Schoenheit.” the actor stuck his hand out, realizing he hadn’t properly introduced himself.
The other boy immediately took it. “Cater Diamond.”
“I have to admit I was worried about who I’d be stuck with as a roommate.” Vil laughed, as went back to organizing his collection. He’d have to do some shopping soon but for the moment this would have to do. “But you seem fairly easy to get along with.”
“I try.” the ginger flashed his teeth with a smile. “Though you said you were an actor?” he brought a hand to his chin. “Wait…” he trailed off and Vil wanted to panic. If the boy suddenly devolved into some kind of fanboy that would change everything. Or even worse if he started treating him the way the people on set or the kids in the neighborhood used to like he was nothing more than the characters he played on screen “You were in the King’s Rose, right? You played Valanor” he snapped his fingers. “I knew you looked familiar. I guess I didn’t recognize you without your costume.”
“Ah” Vil hesitated but there was no use denying it, a quick internet search would prove him right. “Yes, yes I was.”
“Well, at least that’s not going to drive me crazy for the rest of the evening.” Cater laughed again before walking back over to his own side of the room grabbing a bag. “You seem pretty chill too, I think we hit the roommate lottery. But I’m not surprised given Reggie was in charge of placement.”
“Reggie?” the blonde blinked, there was still some anxiety in him, waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak, and which side of the spectrum Cater would end up on, but nothing seemed to change in his demeanor with the revelation of Vil’s celebrity status.
“Oh,” the other shook his head. “Reginald Weiss our Dorm Leader. I need to remember that most new students don’t know who everyone is. Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Vil stood coming over to take a look at the other’s collection. He recognized most of the brands he saw, they were high end luxury brands. But then again if his uncle had taken him to fashion week, it was understandable he’d be aware of them. Especially if he had a specific interest in eye shadows. “I heard a bit from one of the other students that one of the professors is your father. It would make sense for you to know your way around even as a first year”
“Yeah.” he smiled as he rubbed the back of his head. “I know campus like the back of my hand. I’d be happy to show you around if you want. Call it payment for teaching me about skin care.”
“That could be incredibly useful.” Vil acknowledged. Especially if he did end up with fans trying to follow him around. His fears that the ginger was one of them had started to fade. “Who is your dad if you don’t mind me asking, I’d have to give some guess that it would be Crewel, but he seems a little young to have someone your age.” However, if he had some connection to the professor then that could explain everything about the other’s demeanor. Crewel and his father had had a working relationship early on in both of their careers. While they weren’t particularly close, his father told him that he could trust to go to him if he had any problems at school and the man would take care of it.
“Ha!” the ginger laughed clearly amused. “I’ll tell him you said that, he’ll probably be pretty happy.” he shook his head. “But no, I don’t mind you asking. Most of the older students already know, and I don’t intend to hide it, I just try not to make too big of a deal about it, Trein’s my father. But I see a lot of the other staff as family, in this case, the uncle I’m talking about is Crewel. He’s threatened to take custody of me before.”
Trein seemed a bit old to have a child Cater’s age, never mind they didn’t share a name, but Vil wasn’t about to question it more, the information though did allow him to relax, realizing that his assessment that his roommate wasn’t someone who would be looking to take advantage of him was right. Someone he could make a friend out of. “Well then Cater Diamond.” he leaned against the wall. “I’d thought about heading out shopping when we got a chance this weekend, to pick up some organizational items, and personalize my side of the room a bit. You’re welcome to join me if you want, and I can help you pick out products formulated for your skin type.” Vil’s heart was beating out of his chest as he made the offer. Had he made too many assumptions? Cater seemed to know a lot of people on campus, what if he didn’t want to be his friend what if he-
His spiral of thoughts was shut down as Cater offered him a blinding smile. “That sounds great.” he laughed. “I have a bit of money set aside for fun things. Going out shopping, personalizing our room, and whatnot sounds fun. We can make a day of it. I don’t get off the isle too much.”
Vil nodded “Sounds like a plan.” he replied before heading back over to his side of the room. It was getting late and he did need to get ready for bed. A nervous anticipation rose in him for what the future would bring.