Chapter Text
Yuu had slowly developed and honed what she dubbed her “Crowley Sense” ever since arriving at Night Raven College– which, unfortunately for her, was going off now.
Whenever she got that vague, sinking feeling in her gut for no apparent reason, Yuu had learned it meant Crowley was searching for her in order to offload some task onto her. Whether it was some small task such as give this paperwork to someone, or hey, go dismantle this indentured servitude based student empire for me she could never tell.
Yuu wasn’t particularly keen on finding out what he wanted today, either. More work? No thanks. She was busy enough with the upkeep of Ramshackle and literally everything else on her plate. Like, schoolwork. Grim. Finding her way home. Which, clearly, between the two of them, it was something only Yuu was working on.
However, it became clear that Yuu had not been quick enough on the uptake today.
Really, that was on her. She should have guessed he was catching onto the fact she was learning to avoid him when he wanted something from her, so of course he’d go to the one place she could not avoid him at.
“Ah, Yuu! Just the person I was looking for!”
Yuu stared at the person who was sitting on her couch. Uninvited. Looking entirely too comfortable as he helped himself to her tea.
Crowley looked up from the papers that were sitting on his lap, giving her a cheerful smile with glowing yellow crescents behind his mask.
“Please, do come sit. I have an announcement I am sure you would love to hear.”
“You should lock the door more, Henchman,” Grim whispered into her ear from where he was perched on her shoulders, having chosen to sit up there as they walked back from their last class while everyone else went to clubs. “... Maybe shut the windows too. It might not keep him out, but it would make it harder. We’d have more time to flee!”
Grim, for once, had a point.
—
“So let me get this straight,” Yuu began. She held up one finger. “There is an increase of bad press about Night Raven College due to the overblots.”
Upon sitting down on the couch opposing his own, Crowley had regaled her with a story that had Grim leaving the room at the first opportunity he had gotten. Since Malleus’ overblot, he had been receiving letters from investors that were questioning the state of affairs at Night Raven, at what steps were being done to address it. That was not to mention the controversies online, especially in regards to the overblots that had happened.
“Indeed,” Crowley nodded solemnly. “Patrons, donors, and businesses on Sage Island are more hesitant to offer their support due to the continued disasters. They fear it is a sign of potential decline at the college, and that their investments may go to waste. While the college is wealthy, I do fear it could not survive without their continued support, if only due to the expensive costs that repairs rack up every year. Why, if only the students here were even the slightest bit less rambunctious and prideful… It would have saved me many gray feathers.”
Crowley sounded more pained about losing money than he had when he heard about the students overblotting.
She wasn’t quite sure why she had expected anything different. She also didn’t quite care. She chose to move on and address his second point.
Yuu held up a second finger. “So, in order to clear up the bad press, and show Night Raven isn't a sinking ship, in three weeks, you’re holding a… Festival?”
“Indeed I am!” Crowley beamed, throwing his hands out in the air. “Night Raven’s first Night Raven Spirit Fair! Students will be running the event, with vendors and booths invited! Of course, the main focus will be to showcase that Night Raven College is as spectacular as ever, and that morale is high despite the… turbulence that we have faced this past year. And the investors and community will benefit from the income earned from the vendors and tickets for the shows, as we will be giving a portion of the profits back to them! Am I not a generous philanthropist?”
Okay… So what I’m getting from this, is that Crowley is holding this fair to make it seem like everything is normal, and that we’re doing better than we actually are so that way investors don’t pull back on their funds. And for the cherry on top, he is also giving money back as a soft bribe, which I’m sure is paining him immensely. But he cares more about the image the college holds than the people in it, so this is no surprise.
“Very generous of you, Headmage Crowley,” Yuu agreed placatingly, because whoever said flattery will get you nowhere had never met the headmage. She held up a third finger. “Now, I just gotta ask. What does this have to do with me?”
Please don’t ask me to hang up fliers. Please don’t be asking me to hand out applications. Please don’t ask me to do anything regarding advertising. She silently begged, resisting the urge to dig her fingernails into her palms. Anything but a VDC repeat.
“I’m so glad you asked!” Crowley beamed, clasping his hands together. “As I briefly mentioned, while vendors are invited, the main event will be the shows taking place– think of it like the Vocal and Dance Championship– but now, it is a talent show exclusive for Night Raven students to show off their skills. There will even be a vote at the end of who had the best show for maximum audience engagement!”
He’s doing that stalling thing again where he doesn't say what he actually wants right away! Yuu realized, dread creeping up. Images of the VDC tribe coming to live in Ramshackle, the Savanclaw sabotage plot, Azul’s midterm scheme, and being sent to the Dwarf Mines flashed in her mind. He always does this whenever he is going to ask some unreasonable task out of me! Abort, abort!
“Actually, if we could put a raincheck on this conversation, I think I just remembered I have some prior obligations with friends that I’m late for–” Yuu tried, quickly standing up from the couch.
“Ohhh! What beautiful bonds of friendship you display!” The volume of Crowley’s overly theatrical weeping cut off her weak excuse. “However, your profound connections among the campus are what makes you the perfect candidate for what I have in mind!” He stood up himself as well, walking behind her couch to put a hand on her shoulder, and lightly push her back down.
“You see, while the variety show will be perfect for individuals to showcase their talents, a true show of unity by Night Raven students will truly convince the investors that their donations are not in vain!” The headmage exclaimed, gesturing outwards with the hand that was not on her shoulder, clawed rings gleaming in the light. “Imagine how extraordinary it would be for students to come together, and display Night Raven College spirit! And so, Yuu, your beast-taming talents came to mind! You, of all people, have displayed a capability in bringing greatly diverse people together!”
“Oh no.” Yuu whimpered weakly. She could see where this was going.
“And so, Yuu, I beseech you to lead the production of an original Night Raven College creation, where students from all dorms come together to create a phenomenal main event! A show, created by our resident beast-tamer, led by our resident beast-tamer, for all to see! It is sure to bring in great revenue– I mean, inspire the spectators greatly!”
“You want me to create a play from scratch?!” Yuu shouted in disbelief, her eyes widening as she spun around to look at him. “With all due respect sir, you cannot be serious!”
“Serious I am, dear Yuu!” Crowley smiled, golden orbs gleaming from behind the mask without a shred of humor in them. “Who is better for the task, if not you?”
“Vil,” Yuu suggested immediately. “You know. The prodigy actor. Who also happens to lead the Film Research Club. Who also directors the acts they do there. Him. He would most definitely be the better choice by far.”
“Housewarden Schoenheit is far too busy as is,” Crowley said dismissively, waving a hand in the air as if to bat that idea away. “Not only is he still the Pomefiore Housewarden, and has those associated duties to worry about, he is also currently in charge of vetting the auditions for the talent showcase, and monitoring their progress. He could not possibly hope to juggle this as well.”
“How about literally anybody else then?” Yuu tried again. “What about uh… Azul? He’s, uh, good at getting things done in a pinch,” what other friends do I have that I could throw under the bus here?! “Ortho? He’s also in the Film Club!” Sorry Ortho, it’s you or me, and I really don’t want to do this. “Kalim? He’s, uh, rich. I’m sure he can pay someone to do it.”
“Nonsense! Housewarden Ashengrotto is already providing catering for the event, along with the fact he is on the planning committee. Not to mention what he could possibly ask of me…” Crowley cleared his throat before continuing. “And the young Shroud simply does not have the creative spirit you possess! And Housewarden Al-Asim too lacks the finesse you hold in spades!”
“Headmage, I really do not think I’m the person for the job here.” Yuu tried more bluntly, a frown pulling at her lips. “I don’t think I could reasonably execute that in this short of a timeframe. Three weeks is not enough time for me to make something and execute it well.”
Crowley’s smile did not waver. But a rather cold glint entered those golden orbs shining from under his mask. “Ahhh… While I’m thinking about it, next month’s food stipend is being issued soon. It would be a shame if Ramshackle’s was misfortunately lost, because I am oh-so busy!” He said pleasantly.
Yuu’s eyes widened, and she glared “No! You can’t threaten me with that,” she hissed, eyes narrowing. “I’ve been working part time at the Mostro Lounge. I have food and money. I’m not doing this, Headmage.” She snapped, standing up to spin around and stare at him.
Crowley looked at her silently for a couple moments. All light seemed to leave his eyes. “It would be a real shame then,” he began softly, the smile widening. “If I were too busy to continue my research on finding you a way home. Why, that would be an utterly terrible thing.”
Yuu stares. She knows, realistically, Crowley has not been working on finding a way for her to get home. Perhaps he had– perhaps a problem such as her own was enough for a mage of his caliber to even be stumped. But Yuu knew in her heart he wasn’t. Yet, it was a strong enough bluff that she couldn’t challenge it.
“... Fine,” Yuu spat after a couple moments, deflating. “I’ll do it.”
Crowley beamed, brightening once more at her concession. “Wondeful!” He exclaimed, already turning to leave. “I expect great things out of you, Yuu. Do take care to not disappoint me.”
And just as suddenly as he appeared he was gone.
“I think,” Yuu began darkly. “I am going to kill that man.”
—
Yuu had not been lying when she said making up an entire play in such a short timeframe was out of her realm of capabilities. The fair was in three weeks. And he wanted an original play.
Pulling an original creation out of her ass like that would be impossible.
However, what was possible, was pulling a musical from her world, and passing it off as an original creation in this one.
Thankfully, copyright laws couldn’t get her in another world. Take that, capitalism!
… She’d be sure to leave credits to the proper creator somewhere, somehow. Being an academic at heart, she couldn’t bear the thought of plagiarising something and claiming it as her own.
It took Yuu a couple hours of thinking (and trashing one of the newly repaired rooms as an improved rage room) to think of a good musical. It took an all nighter and enough caffeine to euthanize a small elephant to write the entirety of what she remembered of the script and songs down. Which, considering her excellent memory and how many times she had watched it, was nearly all of it. What she didn't remember, she filled it to the best of her ability.
The Ride The Cyclone script sat in front of her the next morning. Tamed down slightly to fit the Twisted Wonderland move industry standards of happy endings and avoidance of uncomfortable topics, but it was done.
—
“Ahhh! I knew you would pull through, Prefect!” Crowley beamed as she nearly threw the notebook containing the script onto his desk. “Excellent work as always!”
Yuu blinked wearily. “... You haven't even looked at it to approve it, Sir.” She pointed out.
She had tamed it down, yes. But some of the script still most certainly needed approval to be shown.
“I have complete faith it is a fantastic script,” Crowley said dismissively, making no effort to reach nor look through the notebook. “Me reading through it would take very valuable time you do not have. After all, you still need to cast the show and direct it!”
Yuu’s mouth fell open in shock. “Headmage!?” She stammered, reeling back. “You cannot possibly expect me to do that too–!”
“After all, having to find another person to do such work would leave me so terribly swamped with work,” Crowley sighed, holding a hand up to his forehead. “And we both know how awfully dreadful the results of such a thing would be. Even a man as generous as I have limits to my boundless grace.”
Yuu grit her teeth, shock quickly numbing. Why had she expected anything different? “... As you wish, Headmage.”
As she left the Headmage’s office, a thought entered her mind.
She could comply. She’d do exactly what he asked of her, even. She wasn’t going to tame down any of the songs– even Space Age Bachelor Man, like she had originally planned. Nor would she shy away from any of the uncomfortable themes present in the show.
In fact, she’d lean into it.
Yuu had noticed over her unwilling stay in Twisted Wonderland that movies and musicals tended to be on the happier side of the spectrum. A clear cut black and white story: a hero and villain, with the villain falling in the end, and the hero getting the girl. Good prevails over evil.
Watching movies or playing games here had always confused her for that reason. Where were the bittersweet endings? The dark endings?
They were there– just nowhere near as popular. People did not like confronting that reality wasn’t always clear cut and dry.
A hero was a hero, and a villain was a villain. The power of good would always triumph, and a happy ending would be for all.
Yuu supposed that was to be expected of a Disney like world. But the production from her world wasn’t Disney.
Ride The Cyclone was arguably a bittersweet story. You didn’t know who was good. Didn’t know who was bad. The moral from the story wasn’t that everyone got their happy ending. It was to live in the moment– look to your own life and make what you want of it. Not look up at fairytale standards and wait for your prince charming to fall into your lap.
Sure, it was a comedy at heart– but that just made the serious moments hit even harder.
She’d make the best goddamn rendition of Ride The Cyclone anyone had ever seen. And she was going to do everything in her power to make Crowley regret it.
—
The First Years
Today
Yuu
Everyone meet me at
Ramshackle like now
Deuce
Yuu?? Where have you
been all day??
Sebek
HUMAN! DO NOT
PRESUME TO ORDER
ME AROUND!
Ace
Caps lock dude.
Sebek
My apologies. But my
point remains.
Ace
Stop poising and get ur
ass over. Ignore Juice,
we’ll be there in a min
Deuce
IT’S DEUCE
Epel
Gimme a bit, Vil is on
my ass rn
Jack
omw
Ortho
I will be there in five minutes
and thirty-three seconds, Yuu!
—
“THE HEADMAGE DID WHAT!?” Was the unanimous roar in Ramshackle.
Despite the renovations done after STYX razed her dorm to the ground, she could have sworn they had been loud enough to shake the room slightly. Then again, Ramshackle Dorm wouldn’t be Ramshackle Dorm without dubious structural integrity.
“That plebian is a disgrace to his fae heritage,” Sebek muttered, narrowing his eyes in distaste. “It is a slight to my liege’s honor to rule over such a thoughtless imbecile.”
“Man, you really got the short end of the stick, huh?” Deuce said in jest, although didn’t quite hide the annoyed sneer on his face.
“He is surprisingly good at extortion,” Jack huffed, his tail flicking sharply in displeasure. “What a dishonorable thing to do. He’s the headmage! He should be better than this!”
“He’s the headmage! He should be better than this! Big mistake to ever assume that guy could be decent, dude,” Ace mimicked, before falling back onto the couch with a groan. “Yikes, Yuu. Not sure how you’ll pull this one off.”
“Want me to go cause hell? Surely, it’da make ya feel better, even if it don’t putta damper on things.” Epel offered eagerly, his accent slipping out. Yuu had a suspicion that the offer was more for his sake, since his punishment would also extend to Vil for not keeping the freshman in line.
“Indeed! If you wish, Yuu Mi, I can use my technomagic laser, and destroy the area the day before the fair is set to take place!” Ortho beamed earnestly. “It would certainly save you the time and effort!”
Yuu laughed. For all this world had her thinking about happy endings, she almost forgot she was surrounded by people who could most certainly be described as villainous.
“Tempting. But, I have a better plan,” she promised. There was a loud smack as she slammed the notebook in front of them on the table. “Behold, my terrible creation– well, not mine. But mine at this moment. Ride The Cyclone!”
There was a moment of silence.
“You’re letting yourself get pushed around?” Jack asked uncertainly, a scowl pulling on his lips. “Yuu, you don’t have to do that. I wo– I mean, you have people who would help you if you asked.”
“Way to play it cool, Jack,” Ace snorted, rolling his eyes before turning back to her. “But seriously. He’s got a point.”
“I’m not letting myself get pushed around,” Yuu corrected, standing up and gesturing widely with her arms out with a grin. “But before I say anything, that’s actually why I wanted everyone here. I’m asking for your help in doing this musical.”
There was silence.
“You want… Us to be the actors?” Deuce hesitantly raised his hand, before pointing at himself and gesturing between the other freshmen scattered around the couches and chairs in the guestroom.
Yuu blinked. “Who else could I ask? Considering the fact I’m being forced to do it, clearly no one qualified is available.” She deadpanned. There were a few winces at that. “Besides. Ace, Deuce, and Epel– you guys sang and danced for the VDC! And Ortho has a vocaloid program! Sebek and Jack, both of you are talented enough you could learn in time for the fair! And I know the perfect roles too!”
Epel blinked, before reeling back. “Woah! I didn’t agree to this!” He protested, blue eyes widening. He held up his hands defensively. “I just got outta the VDC! I ain’t got any interest in doing another performance!”
“And I cannot possibly devote that much time to practice when I must be there for my liege!” Sebek exclaimed, earning a collective groan at his volume. He winced. “My apologies. But my point remains.”
“... I have to agree on that point, Yuu,” Jack agreed. “Training takes up a lot of time. I can’t in good faith act if I miss half of the practices.”
Ace looked around at the others, before he gave a mean grin. “Hah. See who your real friends are, Yuu? I’ll help you… And on that note, I have been craving a bunch’a sweet treats lately. I’ll send you the list later.”
Blatant bribery. Lovely. She was desperate. Yuu would take it.
“Ignore Ace,” Deuce butted in dismissively, before giving her a grin as well. “We’ll both take an outing to Foothill Town paid for by you instead. I’ve heard the Crisp ‘n’ Dips diner has a new selection of flavors I’ve been dying to try.”
“Speak for yourself! I still expect those sweet treats–!”
As the Heartslabyul duo broke into their characteristic bickering, Ortho turned to Yuu. “Don’t worry, Yuu Mi! I’ll help!”
“You’re a godsend, Ortho.” Yuu beamed, clasping her hands together.
“... If you help me get big brother out of the dorm sometime!” Ortho finished, his eyes narrowing in the way they did whenever he was smirking at someone.
Somehow, that task was going to be harder than whatever obscure list of demands Ace came up with.
Yuu sighed, but relented, her shoulders sagging. Then, she turned back to the other three who were yet to agree determinedly.
“Please!” She begged, clasping her hands together as she leaned forward, gaze locking onto Jack, who, ironically enough, was the most susceptible to peer pressure here. “It’ll be great! You’ll love the script!” Yuu tried.
Jack leaned away, his ears flattening against his head as golden eyes narrowed. Try to indoctrinate him into a plot to sabotage a school of people in the name of sports? Not happening. Too strict morals and too large a sense of justice. Begging him with puppy eyes to do some inane task that would result in no harm done even if he didn’t necessarily want to do it? He folded like a wet towel.
“Fine,” he said with a defeated sigh, but he couldn’t quite hide the wagging of his tail. “I’ll help. Only because it isn’t right for the headmage to make you do this!” He added the last part sharply, the comment targeted at a snickering Ace and Epel.
Yuu’s attention turned to Epel.
Epel’s eyes widened in alarm.
“Nuh-uh. No way,” Epel repeated vehemently, shaking his head wildly.
“There’s an audience vote at the end,” Yuu tried to appeal to his intense competitive spirit. “Imagine winning and being able to shove it in everyone else’s face. I’m sure Crowley will instate a reward so people actually sign up.”
Epel visibly wavered.
“I’ll even treat you to a barbeque somewhere,” she attempted to sweeten the deal. “And having to attend rehearsals will be the perfect excuse for you to get out of whatever Vil wants you to do–”
“I’m sold!” Epel declared, a wide grin splitting his face. “Pissin’ off Vil? You don’t gotta say more!”
“Weak,” Sebek proclaimed with a huff, crossing his arms against his chest as Yuu’s attention turned onto him expectantly. “I am not so weak as to abandon my duty for menial bribery. Do not try your luck, human!”
Five offended looks turned to him. Four for being called weak for being susceptible to bribery, one for the fact he wouldn’t take said bribery.
“I’ll give you the lead role,” she tried, as if he had not been the ideal candidate already. “Well, closest to the main role.”
Ace gave her an indignant look. “Hey! I was the first one to agree to help! Shouldn't I get that role?” He exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.
“When you read the script you’ll see why Sebek gets it,” Yuu flippantly. “There’s no one as self-important as him.”
That seemed to pacify Ace, who tilted his head in consideration and then nodded in acceptance.
Green eyes narrowed, incensed at her jab. “You’re awfully sure I will agree, especially after such an unsolicited and uncalled for attack of character.” Sebek sniffed, miffed. “Your audacity clearly knows no bounds.”
“You won’t accept after the rest of us agreed?” Deuce shot back, punching his fist into his palm. “What? Afraid you won’t shape up to the rest of us?”
Sebek sputtered at the navy haired boy’s taunt. Deuce had an exceptional talent for weaponizing others’ pride against them. Yuu was yet to be able to tell if it was on purpose or accidental.
“Nonsense! As Malleus’ knight, I am exceptional above all others in all fields!” The half-fae began, his volume increasing as he spoke.
“Guess he really must be afraid,” Jack grinned mockingly, lifting his chin up at the Diasomnia freshman. “What a coward.”
Sebek bristled in offense, mouth opening to shout in his defense.
“Well, I guess he must be too scared to lose and embarrass Malleus Draconia,” Ortho sighed, mechanical whirling coming from the boy as he picked up where Deuce left off. “It is okay, Yuu Mi! We will find someone far braver for the role.”
“FINE! I WILL JOIN!” Sebek boomed, standing up as he put his hands on his hips. “BE THANKFUL, FOR I WILL BRING THIS MUSICAL TO VICTORY!”
Yuu grinned brightly, ignoring the slight ringing in her ears with an ease that came from a lot of practice. “Thanks, Sebek! I knew I could count on you!”
There was a soft smack as Jack, Ortho, and Deuce highfived in the background, each sporting a smug grin (it was hard to tell in Ortho’s case, with the mask covering his mouth, but Yuu assumed so).
“Great. You’ve got your victims. Now what?” Ace drawled, interrupting her internal victory dance.
Yuu blinked, clearing her throat before speaking again. “I mean. I guess I’ll tell you the premise of the musical, and the roles I had in mind for everyone. Sit back down, because this is a story.”
Once the other freshmen had taken their seats once more, Yuu strolled to the center of the room. “So, the story starts off with a headless girl singing a song about life going around and round,” someone gave a caught off guard murmur of headless? “And then there’s this mechanical fortune teller automaton who can predict the exact moment of someone’s death? And so anyway, he predicted the death of these six teenagers who died on a roller coaster called the Cyclone–” someone broke into hacking coughs. “– and he brings their spirits back to compete in a gameshow styled competition where they compete for one of them to be revived.”
There was silence. Five pairs of eyes stared at her.
“That’s pretty much the synopsis.” She added helpfully.
“Off to a morbid start.” Ace commented casually, although he sweatdropped.
“Yuu,” Deuce said. “... How about you go a little more in depth about the characters and then let’s look at the script? I think I’m a little nervous now…”
Yuu gave a slightly awkward laugh. Fair enough.
“So, these are the characters,” she opened the notebook to the beginning, where the character descriptions were. “And the person I’ve assigned the role to is already listed by the name… Then let’s go read the script.”
—
Epel scowled when he was done reading. “I think I want another barbecue for this.”
That was entirely fair. But barbecue was expensive, so Epel was only getting the one she originally promised him no matter how much he complained.
“I also think I deserve more compensation,” Ace said, staring blankly at the character page.
“I have to sing about being a gay boy wanting to be a female prostitute in some post-war country! What the hell, Yuu?” Epel exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. The rather incredulous look on his face suggested she had personally wronged him by the decision.
Deuce blinked. “... But aren’t you gay, Epel?”
Epel glared at Deuce. “That doesn’t change the fact I’m singing about being a female prostitute! How does it get worse than that?!”
Ace scowled back. “I have to sing about wanting to imagine myself as a space catgirl saviour! How does it get worse than that!?” He cringed, before turning his glare onto the Ramshackle Prefect. “Yuu. I get that you said this is one of the musicals from your world, but could you have chosen literally any other one?”
“I could have,” Yuu conceded. “But I know Ride The Cyclone the best. The other musicals I know by heart are either about politics for a country that doesn’t exist here, and the other musical has three murders, one suicide, one fake suicide, one failed suicide, and even more horrific themes behind it.”
Jack stared at her, his ears slowly flattening against his head once more. “You have a very… questionable taste in musicals, Yuu,” he said carefully, unable to hide the pained expression as he read his character sheet. “And rather questionable casting choices.”
Yuu gestured at him vaguely. “I had a vision! You try to keep up that lone wolf image you have! Your character felt alone in life! Both of you have a nice person with a twist archetype going on! You have your sense of justice, and she’s the nicest girl in town!”
Jack’s nose scrunched up. But he didn’t deny it.
“Then can I get the vision behind me acting as a sex worker?!” Epel shrieked, lunging across the room to tackle Yuu, who fell onto the ground with a yelp and a loud thud.
“It’s deeper than the whole prostitute thing!” She protested, pushing him off her as she sat back up. “Both of you are small town boys who struggle with gender ideals and socialital expections, and dream of vastly different idealized lives than the one you had growing up!”
Epel’s glare went from heated and wanting to shake her violently, to suffering from the mortifying ordeal of being known.
“... We talk too much.” Epel grumbled after a moment, turning away.
“I’d also love to hear the thought process behind mine,” Ace said pointedly, jabbing an accusing finger at her. “Have I pissed you off lately, Yuu? Seriously. I’m never going to be able to take this seriously. Was there no other option?”
“... I admit, part of putting you there is because Sebek has the role I would give you otherwise.” Yuu conceded sheepishly. There was a loud HA! from Sebek in the background.
“But it’s also because both of you don’t really conform with convention. Both of you are misunderstood in different ways,” there was a pause, and a slightly meaner smile crossed her face. “And I thought it would be really funny to make you sing with cat ears.”
Ace snorted, but the annoyance in his eyes softened. “Figures,” he said. “Whatever. If I own it, I can’t be embarrassed by it. Catgirl savior it is.”
Deuce finally tore his gaze away from his character sheet. “I think I can imagine why you chose this character for me.” He said dryly, sighing as he shook his head.
Yuu gave an abashed smile. “... A little too on the nose?”
“It’s not a very honor’s student role.” Deuce agreed sullenly.
“I know why you gave me this role!” Sebek boomed, a proud smile on his face. “Because I am the most successful one here! Excellent choice, Yuu!”
Jack sweatdropped. “... Did he already forget Yuu said earlier she gave him this role because of his sense of self-importance?” He muttered.
Epel gave a flat look. “Don’t remind him. It took all that work to get him to agree in the first place.”
Ace turned to Ortho, who had been staring at his character sheet thoughtfully. “Ortho? You’ve been quiet. Something on your mind?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ortho perked up, before nodded. “Indeed there is. While I see the vision behind Yuu Mi’s casting for the others, I believe my role isn’t best suited for me. I think there would be a better one for me, and I do believe there is a better person for this role.”
Yuu blinked in surprise. “You do? Then who would do your role?” She asked, tilting her head in faint confusion.
Ortho pointed a single finger at her. “You would be!” He said cheerfully.
Yuu’s eyes widened in surprise, pointing a finger at herself. “Me?!” The prefect exclaimed.
Deuce leaned forward, glancing at the character sheet. “Oh, yeah! I could see Yuu in that role.” He agreed, bringing his hand up to his chin thoughtfully. “Kinda fitting too, actually.”
Sebek leaned forward as well, squinting as he read it. “Indeed!” He concurred. “It would be a travesty for anyone but you to do that role!”
Yuu stared silently, before sighing, her shoulders sagging. “Man… There really is no rest for the wicked, huh?”
Ace chuckled in amusement at her pain, before blinking in realization. “Wait. What will Grim be doing the entire time?” He wondered.
“Doing what he does best,” Yuu answered solemnly. “Eating inanimate objects that he really shouldn’t be eating.”
“Roles aside, how do we plan to get help? We have a budget, right?” Jack asked.
Yuu stared blankly. “... To my knowledge? Nope.”
Jack’s eye twitched. Then, he sighed, looking exceptionally pained. “... I’ll see if I can get Ruggie to help me get Leona to sponsor us. If we word it right, Leona will help.”
“Ignihyde can help with all technology, special effects, and lights needed!” Ortho offered. “Allow me to create a list of everything we will need. I will begin working on that immediately.”
“We could probably use the ballroom at Pomefiore,” Epel mused, before sighing. “I really didn’t wanna involve Vil, but he’d probably help with makeup if we asked…”
“Good idea,” Yuu hummed thoughtfully. “Professor Crewel helped with the Fairy Gala outfits, right? Maybe I can ask him if he’ll help with these outfits.”
“Hey, Deuce. Cater is in the Pop Music Club, right?” Ace asked, receiving an affirmative nod from the navy haired freshman. “Think we could go ask him and see if the club would be willing to help?”
“That’s a good idea!” Deuce nodded once more, punching his fist into his palm in excitement. “I’m sure he’d help if he learns it’s Yuu asking!”
“Lilia is in the Pop Music Club as well! I shall join you in your endeavor to ask for aid.” Sebek declared, standing up.
Ace scowled. “Dude, who said I wanted your help?”
“You would dare refuse an offer–?!”
“Ladies, you're both beautiful,” Yuu interrupted, earning two unhappy looks. “... But seriously. Thank you guys.”
Deuce looked away, a faint blush on his face. Jack’s tail wagged despite the grimace on his face.
“... No need to get all sentimental on us, Yuu,” Ace grumbled. “... We're not doing it for free.”
Because you'd never let yourself be seen as nice, Yuu silently deadpanned. Everyone here is so emotionally constipated it's crazy.
Yuu grinned, before clapping her hands. “We'll put on the best Ride The Cyclone performance this world has ever seen, and shove it in Crowley's face! We got this!”
“The only performance the world has ever seen.” Epel corrected snidely.
Yuu threw the notebook at his face.
The group dispersed quickly after that, each striding to accomplish their own tasks.
There was a lot of work to be done in a very short period of time, after all.
Countdown to the Night Raven Spirit Fair: Three weeks.