Chapter Text
Ruggie watched as everyone flooded into the mirror chamber. Boys of all builds, heights, and lineage packed into the room like sardines in a can. It’d be so easy to swipe something from these fools. A magic pen, a wallet, a phone. They were all within grabbing range as Ruggie shook his head, clearing away the intrusive thoughts. He couldn’t get in trouble here. Especially on his first day. Soon he was seated with all the other new students in the rows of seats. He began to fidget with his pen, the white gemstone shone in the light of the flames that illuminated the room. It represented so much for him. Potential for him, his family, for hyena kind. If he could get a good job, maybe he could help his grandma out. Give her a comfortable life. Help out his neighbors, and the kids he considered his nieces and nephews despite no blood relations. Maybe, just maybe, he could make the hyenas of Sunset Savannah proud.
He wondered what dorm he’d be sorted into. Diasomnia, Scarabia, Heartslabyul, so many possibilities. Only the magic mirror knew where everyone would go. He looked over to the housewardens of each dorm. They sat in an area separate from the others. He immediately recognized one from magazine covers found in the big cities in Sunset Savanna. The second prince himself, Leona Kingscholar. He looked annoyed, Ruggie could see his tail swishing slightly as it smacked the Heartslabyul housewarden in the arm. As Ruggie adjusted his foot, he felt something against his shoe. It was long and fleshy. He immediately recoiled as he saw the person in front of him. The ears, their tail which was snaking under the seat under Ruggies foot. Ew. A rat beastman. They let rats into school now?
Ruggie couldn’t help the look of disgust as he pulled his feet up and under him. He’d rather sit on his feet than touch a gross rat tail. Rat beastmen were discriminated against nearly everywhere in Twisted Wonderland. Especially in cities. Long ago, people found that rats easily carried disease and pests. Unfortunately that stereotype never really left. Society tended to cast rat beastmen away from people. Even Ruggie was told to steer clear of them for fear of bringing home a disease that could infect his grandma. And now he’d touched one. He needed to take a long shower after this. The rat seemed to notice something hit his tail and slowly withdrew it, bringing it closer to his body. Good. Rats are so gross with their beady eyes and long tails. Ruggie couldn’t believe they’d let one in. Hopefully they wouldn’t be in the same dorm as each other.
Ruggie watched as one by one, students went up to the magic mirror. It was so cool to see their magic pens change color with their assigned dorm. He watched the rat go up next. Some people sneered, some covered their mouths with their sleeves, others turned up their nose. The rat's ears were down as he moved very nervously. Was he even supposed to be here? Or did he snatch those robes off someone else? The rat stood before the mirror as it began to speak.
“State thy name, boy.”
“Reece King.”
“Your soul is that of Savanaclaw.”
Reece nodded and went back to his seat. Soon enough it was Ruggies turn. He got up, grinning from ear to ear as he watched the mirror look him up and down.
“State thy name, boy.”
“Ruggie Bucchi!”
“Your soul resides within Savanaclaw.”
Ruggie went back to his seat, a little annoyed. He was happy to have a dorm with a lot of beastmen but he really hoped he wouldn’t have to share a dorm with the rat.
Once the ceremony was done, Leona yelled to the Savanaclaw students to follow him. As they got there, a huge feast was set up for everyone. A thousand different smells hit Ruggie all at once. A giant buffet style barbecue. Ruggie grabbed a plate as Leona told them all to help himself with a dismissive wave. The rat meekly made his way to a dish, but was immediately stopped by a bigger student.
“What do you think you’re doing? You’re gonna eat last so none of us get sick.”
“No I’m not. I’m gonna eat when I want. You don’t control the food.”
“You’re a pest. You’ll contaminate the food if you’re anywhere near it. Everyone knows rats carry disease.”
“Not all rats carry disease, I’m clean I swear. I-,” Reece was thrown back away from the food. Ruggie noticed the way the student who tossed him wiped his hand off on his pant leg. The guy was correct. That’s why rat beastmen weren’t really allowed in bigger cities. It’s why they have cities entirely for their kind. It kept people safe. Ruggie grabbed a piece of chicken as he watched the rat watch everyone else. Ears down as he watched everyone else grab the best bits of food. Only when they were done was he finally allowed to grab some, quietly piling his plate with the scraps he’d been given.
“The smaller the rat, the easier to stop disease!” Someone laughed as a few other students joined in, chuckling at the joke.
Reece sat by himself, tail curled around himself as he ate. Ruggie could almost feel bad for him. But it was for the best, wasn’t it?”
That night, he heard the students who had to room with the rat complaining. They whined to Leona who just stared at them with a look of disinterest.
“Sleep here or don’t. But the dorm is currently full. Either deal with the rat or get out of this school, you’re whining like newborn cubs and it’s getting on my damn nerves. Now get the hell to sleep!” Leona roared, causing squeaks to rise from the rats' dormmates as they closed the door in Leona’s face.
As Ruggie settled into his own bed, he thought about how he’d wake up early enough to ensure he got a good breakfast. After all, he wouldn’t be here long hopefully. How hard could this school be? Ruggie wanted to continue his train of thought but the mattress and soft pillow under him were lulling him to sleep. His eyes drooped as the hyena fell into a peaceful, quiet sleep.