Chapter Text
Trey was. Tired. Very, very tired, let's just say that right out of the gate.
At least the one positive that came from tonight was the little guessing game he and Cater had going on at that moment. That had been a small moment of relief, at least. And it had been fun. Though maybe Trey himself was a bit of a sore loser, and Cater liked to rub it in. But then that weird weasel got into the room and set it on fire and everything. Which had been. Eventful. But it had been short-lived thanks to Riddle and Azul tag-teaming to catch it. He had not thought that it would be possible for them to work together, but it happened. It was almost a miracle, if he could be honest.
He sighed once he was in his pajamas, plopping down onto the bed. The mattress was so soft, it was almost pulling him into sleep. A chance to rest before he has to wake up tomorrow and start cleaning up after messes the freshmen may leave behind during their first few days at Heartslabyul.
PING!
He'd been halfway through taking off his glasses when he heard that notification. And, at first, he thought it came from his phone. But he had put his phone on silent way before the orientation ceremony. So it was definitely not that.
He looked ahead, jumping and scrambling back in surprise when he saw a black box appear. It was translucent, similar to the holograms of the Ignihyde students, especially Idia's. He reached for his magic pen, holding it shakily as he stared at the black rectangle with a bead of sweat rolling down his face. He was waiting for it to attack him or do something similar. But it didn't. It was just sitting in the air, doing nothing. Trey frowned. What was that, exactly? What was it doing here?
SYSTEM has created a chat
SYSTEM has added USER_01
SYSTEM has added USER_02
SYSTEM has added USER_03
SYSTEM: Welcome, Users. I congratulate you all for reaching the official prologue of Twisted Wonderland and making it through the QUEST: Orientation Ceremony Mayhem to the end. Your thaumarks will be cashed in shortly, and your main reward is the ability to communicate with the other transmigrated users that share the same fair as you all.
SYSTEM: Restrictions regarding Out Of Character behaviour have been lightened for this chat and non-mandatory interactions. However, it is important that you stay true to your character's personality outside of the chat. Punishment will be severe.
USER_01: What.
USER_01: Hold the phone.
USER_02: WHAT???
USER_02: WHAT DO YOU MEAN???
USER_03: SO
USER_03: SO I HAVEN'T BEEN SUFFERING IN HERE ON MY OWN FOR LIKE. HALF A DECADE AT LEAST.
USER_03: THERE'S MORE PEOPLE.
USER_02: HALF A DECADE?!
USER_02: DUDE I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I WAS LIKE, A CHILD
USER_01: So have I.
USER_01: How odd. Perhaps we transmigrated at different times.
USER_03: HOW ARE YOU SO CALM ABOUT THIS?!
USER_01: Panicking would alert my dorm mates, who I am with at the moment.
USER_01: I'd rather not have them be concerned about me for now. It would give away that there was something wrong.
USER_01: Believe me, I am just as baffled as you both are.
USER_02: Ohhhh
USER_02: That's a good point, I did not think about that.
USER_03: Wait.
USER_03: You text super fancy.
USER_01: Because of the character I am, I fear that my old way of texting has been.
USER_01: Eradicated from existence, persay.
USER_01: I do miss it.
USER_02: LMAOOO??? 😭😭😭😭😭😭
USER_02: Mans (gender neutral) got hit by the fancy shmancy life and now got the fancy shmancy speech.
USER_03: Wait.
USER_03: @SYSTEM can we change our names?
SYSTEM: That is allowed, correct. In fact, please allow me to correct my mistake.
SYSTEM has changed three names
Ruggie B.: Okay that can happen.
Ruggie B.: OH SHIT you actually are showing our characters' names.
Ruggie B.: I was NAWT ready for that-
Deuce S.: RUGGIE?!?!?!
Malleus D.: Bucchi?!
Malleus D.: And Spade, as well!?
Ruggie B.: EXCUSE ME WHAT?!
Ruggie B.: MALLEUS?!
Ruggie B.: AND DEUCE, TOO?!
Deuce S.: WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!?!
Malleus D.: I did not even notice this.
Malleus D.: You are very good at playing as Ruggie.
Ruggie B.: I didn't even fucking notice you were different either!
Ruggie B.: Damn, I'm either blind as fuck, or you're also really good at playing Malleus.
Malleus D.: I suppose we just are really good at playing our characters.
Malleus D.: Still, it is a relief to know I am not alone.
Malleus D.: I think I am starting to understand Malleus' loneliness in itself.
Deuce S.: Yeah!
Deuce S.: Like- I'm really glad that I'm not alone in this!
Deuce S.: Finally I have people who may understand my references and everything!
Ruggie B.: Yeah, man am I glad.
Ruggie B.: I'm also glad I get to just. Be myself somewhere safe, ya know?
Deuce S.: But uh
Deuce S.: What do we do now?
Deuce S.: Yuu hasn't shown up, so I think we won't have a Yuu
Deuce S.: Which means everything's gonna play out differently than in the game.
Malleus D.: That is true, the story is already set on a different path...
Malleus D.: That's worrysome.
Ruggie B.: How about we worry bout that tomorrow?
Ruggie B.: I am. BEAT.
Ruggie B.: Who knew that being in the middle of a room on fire would leave you wanting to sleep?
Malleus D.: Oh, right. That did happen.
Malleus D.: The system did not allow me to attend the entrance ceremony, for some strange reason.
Deuce S.: For real?!
Deuce S.: Man, that sucks!
Malleus D.: It does.
Malleus D.: I had been looking forward to attending it.
Malleus D.: But the system forbade me from it.
Malleus D.: I had thought it would be because a Yuu would appear, whether or not they were from the manga, light novel, game, or somewhere else, and I had to remain unknown.
Malleus D.: But with this new information, I suppose that the system is just being a bitch.
Ruggie B.: Yep.
Ruggie B.: Wow, now I want to read or hear THE Malleus Draconia swear more LMAO
Deuce S.: Same, ngl. It would be so fun.
Deuce S.: Sebek would lose his fucking mind LMAOOOO
Deuce S.: OH WAIT!
Deuce S.: Who has admin?
Malleus D.: I do.
Ruggie B.: I don't.
Ruggie B.: Why do ya ask?
Deuce S.: For nicknames, obviously!
Deuce S.: Why have our almost full goverment names when we can have nicknames?
Malleus D.: That is a good point.
Malleus D.: @SYSTEM are we allowed to set nicknames in reference to our past lives?
SYSTEM: While nicknames are encouraged, it is preferred that they are in relation to your character.
Malleus D.: I see. Thank you for the answer.
Malleus D. has changed their name to Tsunotaro
Ruggie B.: Oooooo
Ruggie B.: Yuu's nickname, I see?
Tsunotaro: It makes me feel fuzzy, even when I'm the one saying it out loud.
Deuce S.: Do your best, Malleus!
Tsunotaro: Thank you, Spade.
Tsunotaro: Allow me to change your names.
Tsunotaro has changed Deuce S.'s name to Double Down
Double Down: OOOOOO
Double Down: I like it!
Tsunotaro has changed Ruggie B.'s name to Honorary Vice-Housewarden
Honorary Vice-Housewarden: Shit I might as well be one considering what I do for Leona.
Honorary Vice-Housewarden: I like it.
Honorary Vice-Housewarden: Alright then, Deuce to bed you go.
Double Down: What are you, my older brother?
Honorary Vice-Housewarden: Remember which character I am in the role of.
Double Down: ...
Double Down: I'm brushing my teeth.
Tsunotaro: As I am a nocturnal fae, sleep will come later to me.
Tsunotaro: I wish you both good night.
Tsunotaro: We shall talk more in the morning.
Trey watched the screen disappear right in front of him, signalling that the strange chat had finished for tonight. He blinked, rubbing his eyes. That had actually happened. That had genuinely happened. What the woe was happening? Nothing made sense. Nothing was making sense to him at all. All he knew was that one of his freshmen was involved in this chat and the fucking PRINCE of BRIAR VALLEY was involved as well.
He shook his head. He could make sense of... whatever this was, in the morning. It was too late. And he was too tired right now. He took off his glasses and went back into bed.