Why was Rook in Savannaclaw and how was he able to change dorms since other students mention wanting to change dorms but dont
Hello hello, thank you for this question! đč
We might get our earliest information about changing dorms from Crowley, who says in Book 1 that Ace transferring dorms in order to get away from Riddle is an option!
And this is a fascinating revelation: You do not need to feel irresistibly drawn to another dorm in order to transfer? You do not need to prove that your soul is better suited to another place? Wanting to escape your housewarden is enough basis for a transfer, provided that you are willing to undergo the paperwork and ceremony? đ
Does this require approval from both your current and future housewarden? From Crowley? From the mirror? Or is it an option open to anyone who would rather be somewhere else, at any time?
As for how Rook was able to transfer, he explains,
The Dark Mirror chose Savanaclaw for me at my orientation. I've often identified with the King of Beasts' spirit of persistence, myself. So I saw no issue with the assignment. In fact, I found my time in Savanaclaw to be quite fun and rewarding. I (transferred) because I wished to gain a deeper understanding of beauty.
Granted, I could have continued my pursuit independently in Savanaclaw. But transferring to Pomefiore, a dorm honoring the spirit of the Beautiful Queen, would help me reach the true depths of beauty all the sooner.
Another reason was my desire to watch Vil hone his own beauty up close.
So it seems that Rook did not have any problem with his placement in Savanaclaw at all! He says, "I've often identified with the King of Beasts' spirit of persistence, myself," which is possibly why he was assigned there in the first place.
But then he met Vil, and it seems that his priorities shifted? Suddenly he wished to gain a deeper understanding of beauty, and to be physically closer to VIl đ
Vil was initially against it, saying that he tried to dissuade Rook, but "Before I knew it, the complicated paperwork and ceremonies were complete, and there he was, wearing a Pomefiore uniform."
And this was our second reference to complex paperwork and ceremonies being required đ There is maybe not any information about what those things specifically entail?
It is true that we have seen others express interest in changing dorms and most notably Epel, who was convinced that his placement in Pomefiore was a mistake, but Rook and an unnamed Heartslabyul-turned-Savanaclaw student are maybe the only people we have heard of who have actually done so.
Transferring dorms also comes up in Epel's dream, where dream-Vil says, "I would never allow Savanaclaw to have you," but did he literally mean that he would interfere with Epel's attempts to transfer out?
Is that something that Housewardens have the power to do? Or was that an invention of Epel's mind because the thought of Vil fighting to keep him made him happy?
In the Harveston event we have a long conversation between Jade and Epel that leads to Epel sharing that he has "started to feel okay with Pomefiore in general," but he still wants to be in Savanaclaw.
If the process involves only paperwork and ceremonies it seems odd that Epel has not taken it upon himself to do so by now, and the reason for why possibly goes back to from before Epel even knew what dorm he was going to be in:
Epel's pre-orientation fight with Vil was before his placement in a dorm. When Epel loses Vil explains,
In this school, the rule is that the weak obey the strong. From what I can tell, you haven't been assigned to a dorm yet. Regardless, since you lost, you will do as I say.
In this school, losers have no right to whine or complain. If you want to voice a grievance, you'll have to beat me in a fight first.
Epel was going to be stuck following Vil's orders even if he was assigned to Savanaclaw đ He is trapped in obeying Vil both because Vil is his housewarden but also because of that fateful fight on his first day: until Epel can beat Vil in a fight, he must do as Vil says, regardless of what dorm he is in.
And that is maybe connected to why Epel has not transferred out? We do not know if Housewarden opinions are taken into account when a student wishes to transfer, but even if Vil cannot legally intervene in the dorm-transfer process of another student at NRC, the agreement between him and Epel is a private matter between the two of them that is independent of the school.
This possibly means that Vil can order Epel to remain in Pomefiore as the person who beat Epel in that first fight, even if he cannot order it as Epel's Housewarden.
Has Vil maybe already forbidden his transfer and that is why Epel is still there, or has Epel maybe not asked, on the assumption that he will be denied anyway? đ Very interesting to think about!
