The calm evening breeze peeks through his window, his eyes catching how the pages of the book he's reading flutter. Grey eyes study the pages, wearied from revision since who knows how long. It's only when a whine escapes your lips that he looks up, eyes widening in shock as you stretch. The top you wear rides up your ribcage, showing off your figure. Your eyes are closed as you groan from how utterly tired you are. The fatigue leaves your body with a pop as you replicate the stances a cat might when as fatigued as you, wanting to laze around.
All he can think in the moment is how beautiful you are.
It's not as if you notice how Riddle's gaze never once leaves you, his face suddenly as red as the roses Cater had painted. He shouldn't stare, it isn't gentlemanly and not appropriate in any way - no matter how close you are to him. Not even if you're his lover. He has half a mind to scold you, to give you a lecture about how mustn't do so in front of him and much less others. Though, for some reason no words leave his lips and it's only then that he realizes that he's been subtly chewing on them, biting the flesh ever so slightly that it's a pretty pink. He's quite cute at the moment, utterly mesmerized by you - trying to look away, but he can't. He doesn't want to.
He's warm all over when you look back at him, opening your eyes and offering him a lazy smile - body splawed in a manner that only gave leeway to lewd thoughts. He feels so awfully guilty, his rosy cheeks burning a fire inside him. A feeling so rough as though a thorny rose bush was crawling inside him, wrapping around his heart till it burst. A fire traveling down his body to places it shouldn't.
He only looked away in response with a flustered scoff, making it clear that he was embarrassed. However, you weren't sure why. You could only crawl towards him from the other side of the bed, wanting to be closer to your love. He wished for the moment, to maintain his dignity, that you didn't. For the manner in which you came his way could only be called seductive, as if you wanted to ruin him or get ruined yourself.
He scolded himself internally, trying his best to maintain his composure. He felt so horrible for what he was thinking, the way he was thinking about you. It sullied you, and with the way he was raised he felt as though he'd committed a grave sin. His ashy eyes fell onto you once you'd reached him, curling into his side with a playful smile. You were so endearing yet so distracting.
You had no clue what you were doing to him, did you? Not when you leaned over to kiss him. It was tantalizing, playing with the restraint he was trying to withold.
Nevertheless, the book slipped from his hands and his lips met yours. One kiss wouldn't hurt, would it?
ᥫ᭡. Leona Kingscholar ᥫ᭡.
A peaceful slumber is all he wanted really, what else did he ever want? The short answer was: You. If there was one thing he'd rather have other than sleep, it would be you - in more ways than one.
It was a hot afternoon and with how Leona was, he planned on taking a long nap. Of course, with you in his arms, cuddled and huddled up to him. It would be hot and sweaty, though no matter how much you tried he wouldn't let go - at least not till half an hour. That was how it was meant to go. A simple nap and maybe some cuddling.
Unfortunately it didn't go that way. Not when he couldn't get a wink of sleep with how you clung to him, a leg over his - bodies touching as if melting into one. No space in between your bodies as if you were waltzing in bed. You nape was exposed too, as if tempting him to take a bite of a forbidden fruit. Yet your slumber was so peaceful, such an adorable sight.
He felt awful for how hot he felt, his face tinged crimson with fluster. He could only stare, for the first time feeling unsure where to touch. You were asleep and here he was thinking about the position the both of you were in, how vulnerable you were around him. How lucky was he for such a wonderful gift. He was scared to either wake you or something within himself - yeah he felt like such a dick, quite awful. Not very princely of him, huh?
It's only when you opened your eyes, asking what was wrong that he realized how long he'd been staring. Though it was surely your fault, if you'd simply stayed asleep he could ignore it - now though? It was so different.
Your arms clung around his neck, pulling him closer and your legs tightened around his hips. It was innocent enough, to you maybe - it could be a sign to cuddle and kiss. To him? All he could think about was how you'd look after hours and hours of intimacy. How hoarse your voice would be, how you'd shake and tremble at his touch - how you might feel even a morsel of the yearning he felt for you in the most carnal manner possible. How sore you'd be in every part of your body and how long the both of you would go on and on and on.
Don't blame him for finishing what you started, especially when you pulled him into a deep kiss. Needless to say, it would be long before you left his room. Not that you mind.
ᥫ᭡. Azul Ashengrotto ᥫ᭡.
The clean scent of the sea melted into a warm musk filled Azul's office. The desk filled with paperwork and contracts from poor unfortunate souls whom he'd save so graciously.
But who's going to to save him from you?
It's not that you're doing anything, simply sitting on a plush lounge chair, knees huddled with the slightest gap between, and hands holding your phone that you're seemingly engrossed in. Maybe it's because you're doing nothing that his mind is wandering.
Your lips part before you begin to bite them again - He can't look away. In fact, he hasn't finished a single document since you came in. All he's done is try and try only to be distracted by you - the way you clumsily laugh at a meme or the way you sigh, waiting for him to be done for the day. And yet all he thinks about is how you'd taste and how you'd feel.
With the way you sit there, it's as if you want him to be shameless. As if you want him to lose it and act on these impudent thoughts. Suddenly the room feels hot as his suit clings to him. You look up to him, smiling and asking how far he's done with work - he's certainly not and it seems he won't be anytime soon. Not when you're walking up to him and looking down at him with those eyes - what's a poor unfortunate soul like him meant to do when you've stolen his heart?
You lean over his table complaining, joking of course, about how long he's taking. And all he does is look at your plush lips, then your collarbone, and then down to your legs. He feels guilty, he doesn't want to look at you this way - what if you find him disgusting? It's wrong isn't it? Even if you're his lover.
But then he wonder again, is it so wrong to long for you in the manner he is? When you're this beautiful? As ethereal as a pearl, one he wants to cage within his arms.
Is it so wrong to want to kiss you right here and right now? Ignore all the paperwork he has, to melt into a heap of cuddles and your warm embrace? To have you so selfishly?
You didn't even need a contract, all you did was bat those lashes and give him that smile - one that left blood rushing to every part of his body.
So don't blame him after sitting down on his lap, because you both know where that's going to go - especially given the look in his eyes, all clouded in hunger and the need to worship.
ᥫ᭡. Kalim Al-Asim ᥫ᭡.
Loving comes naturally to Kalim with how happy he always seems, ready to include everyone. Though it's so different with you, it's so real. Devoid of performative actions to appeal to you on the surface, instead he truly wants you to like him for him. That true love written in fairy tales, that's what he'd compare to what the both of you share. All rosy cheeks, flustered words, and holding hands during the sunset. Kissing under the moonlight without a care of what comes tomorrow.
It's more than perfect. It's where his home lies, deep in your arms. That's where he is at the moment, simply cuddling with you. His head lies in your lap while his arms wrap around your waist. His face nuzzles into your chest as you lay back into dozens of silken pillows. Your hands find his milky hair, massaging his scalp slowly. It's the most sugary moment ever, like candied apples and cotton candy.
So why is it that Kalim's head is going to a place it certainly shouldn't - when you're doing the most innocent thing like scratching his head. When you're simply talking about your day. When all you're doing is speaking. So why does it feel so tempting, why does he feel so needy?
All he can do is focus on the proximity, the way his face nuzzles into your chest. The way his arms wrap around your waist. The way your floral perfume fills his nose, the one he got you.
It's suddenly so intimate, so sensual. Maybe it's the fact that you're covered things he's gotten for you, that fact makes him feel a certain way he hasn't before - the realization takes root in something other than joy. A feeling that blooms into something sensual and possessive. His body seems to act on his own, holding you closer and tighter. It's a failed attempt to clear his head since the embrace only gives a push to arousing thoughts. The fact that if he moved a little more he could push you down on the plush bed and be on top of you while you're under him-
It's you who brings him back from his thoughts, a giggle leaving your lips as you repeat a joke you'd apparently said which he failed to hear. You thought he was daydreaming.
Surely thinking of making love to you could classify as such, right? Maybe he's not as innocent as everyone thinks.
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Hello everyone! I've got another shop update for you all!
This one features a complete lineup of the Groovy Candies for Twisted Wonderland!
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Dreary Crowley wants very badly to lead a normal carefree school life. But she has never been normal, and must stop a classmate from getting a fatal injury.
~~~
Triggers: Mentions and descriptions drowning. Mentions of parental abandonment.
“You look fine,” Isabelle said to her new roommate who had checked herself in the mirror for the dozenth time that morning.
“Are you sure?” Dreary asked as she continued to fuss, the one wayward strand at the top of her head refusing to stay down. “I hope I’m wearing the uniform properly. I don’t want to make a bad impression on anyone. My mother always said first impressions are at the upmost importance. So you must always-”
“Your mother isn’t here,” Isabelle gently interrupted her. “I promise, you look fine and no one is going to think badly of you.”
Dreary finally looked away from the mirror after making peace with her hair. “I know I know. I just… I’ve never been to school before. I've only ever had tutors. And high teas,and debutante parties, and balls. Mother never taught me how to behave in a setting with other youths like this, and what if I say something thats improper or extremely rude and I-”
“Breathe,”
Dreary inhaled, not realizing she had been rattling on without catching her breathe. She exhaled. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Isabelle planted her hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “You're going to be fine. I will be with you every step of the day. Your going to WISH I left you alone, thats how there for you I am. But you need to take a second to breathe and relax. Okay?”
Dreary inhaled and exhaled again. She was right and she knew it. Dreary had let the anxiety get to her. She had always dreamt what it would have been like to leave her mothers house to explore the world on her own, and now that she was out it felt as if she was staring into a dark pit of the unknown and the fear would swallow her whole. She finally nodded. “Okay.”
“Great. Now we have to go if we want time for breakfast before class. Come on. Grim, we’re going!”
Dreary felt like all eyes were on her. She wasn’t sure it was the nerves making her feel it or that was actually the case. But she was keenly aware that she stuck out like a sore thumb in the crowd of students that moved about the mess hall. Isabelle had told her how out of place she felt the first few weeks of school. After all, being the only girl in the boys school gets plenty of attention. But she said the commodity wore off after awhile and no one spared her a glance anymore. So odds are it would be similar for her. What was reassuring before was not the case now. Dreary clung to Isabelles side as they lined up for food and her eyes darted nervously as they walked around. All the tables looked so full, she wasn’t sure where Isabelle was even going.
The prefect simply walked up to a half filled table with a group of boys sitting there. They seemed to already be acquainted as they greeted Isabelle. Dreary had yet to meet any of Isabelles friends in the couple days she had been here.
“Guys, this is Dreary,” Isabelle introduced. “I told you about her already.”
“Oh yeah, youre the headmages cousin that's staying in Ramshackle, right?” The tallest one, a beastman boy, asked.
Dreary nodded. “Yes, that is correct.”
“I’m Jack, nice to meet you.”
“And I’m Epel,” The much shorter boy beside him piped up.
“And these are my idiots,” Isabelle gestured to the red and blue haired boys across from her. “But you can call them Ace and Deuce.”
“You’re the idiot, not me.” The red headed boy pouted, but then grinned.
“Let me guess…Ace?” She pointed to the blue haired boy. “And Deuce?” To the red head.
The blue haired one shook his head but smiled kindly, “Nope. The opposite, I’m Deuce.”
"Ah, I see."
"Hello, Dreary Crowley, I'm Ortho Shroud." A boy with firey hair and a seemingly made of metal happily greeted. "And this is-"
"Sebek Zigvolt!" A green haired boy loudly proclaimed. " A pleasure to finally have a fellow fae join our fold!"
Dreary tried not to show the shock at the booming of Sebeks voice. "Oh you're fae as well, how nice." She said nervously.
"Sebek, please, indoor voice." Isabelle said.
"This is my indoor voice!"
"Isabelle and Grim spoke highly of all of you."
"Aw, you say nice things about us?" Ace teased.
" Yeah, like how you finally shower more than once a week."
Ace scoffed. "Liar!" And playfully shoved the laughing girls shoulder.
"Oh where are my manners?" Dreary momentarily forgot herself and curtsied before saying politely, "It has been my pleasure to make your acquaintance, gentlemen."
"Uh…" Jack looked confused but went along, awkwardly bowing his head. "Same."
Dreary finally sat down to enjoy her breakfast. One leg tucked behind the other, a napkin folded in her lap.
"You're so proper," Epel commented, "Vil would be impressed."
"I-is that a bad thing?" Dreary asked.
"Not at all," Deuce said. "Riddle has lectured us on what's proper at tea parties all the time. I wish I had the knack for it more."
"I can teach you if you'd like," Dreary offered. "If there is one thing I do know, it's etiquette like the back of my hand."
"Really?" Deuce seemed surprised at her offer. "That would be great to impress the housewarden at the next unbirthday party."
"Well no one bring it up to mine, or else Vil will get me learning even more table manners on the double." Epel said. "I still don't know why you need so many forks for dinner."
As the group continued to banter about their Housewardens, Dreary felt her shoulders relax for the first time that morning. Things were…going okay. She hadn't messed up yet. Her first day was having a good start, the week would surely be better, right?
~~~~~~
She felt the air leaving her lungs. Hands that weren't hers flailing in the water until they slowed down, a pain from the back of her head at the impact. She could hear the muffled and panicked voices from the surface, but she was too far gone as they faded.
Dreary gasped as her eyes snapped open. Her heart beating a mile a minute. Even after all these years, the visions that came to her did not get easier. But that was her curse to bare. Or at least that's what she was always told.
The whole thing was so detailed and vivid. The clearer it was the closer the tragedy. She didn't know when. She didn't know where. All she knew was that someone was going to drown. Possibly unable to swim due to a head injury. There was a way to try to make more certain of the details, even if it was one she did not like.
The sounds of Isabelle and Grim in the hallway caught her attention. She would have to do it later. Away from prying eyes.
You must not let anyone see you use your magic. And she certainly never would.
“Are you ok?” Isabelle asked as they prepped for alchemy.
“Uh huh” Dreary nodded a bit too eagerly for what could be considered normal. “Yes, just fine. Let's start the lab, shall we?” And hurrying off to their assigned cauldron before Isabelle could open her mouth.
Dreary simply kept her eyes forward on professor Crewel as he gave out the instructions on the lab. Not absorbing a word of it, fully aware of her roommate glancing at her all throughout.
She was never good at this. The hiding. The lying. Her mother did all that. Drearys talent was in her silence. She was good at being ignored. Not the prying and concern of a peer.
As Crewel walked over to the other side of the room, Isabelle found a moment to start whispering. “What is with you? You're so jumpy today, I thought you got over your nerves?”
“I did,” she replied. Not looking her in the eyes. “I'm only tired. I didn't sleep very well.” A half truth. She could do that.
Grim, at least, seemed blissfully unaware of what was going on as he happily hummed away and tossing in the ingredients for the potion. What they were making, she had no idea. But at least looking at the instructions on the worksheet provided a distraction.
“A teaspoon of bone dust, three snake scales, a piece of mandrake root…” Dreary read out to her partners as they measured and tossed them into the cauldron. Or rather Isabelle did the measuring and Grim “helped” by throwing them in.
“Whoops” the mandrake root slipped from Grims little paws. He hopped off his stool to pick it up only for a THUD to follow. “Ouch!”
“You okay?” Isabelle asked as Grim hopped back up the stool.
“Yeah, Just bumped my head against the ingredient cart. It hurt,” He growled out as he rubbed the back of his head.
Dreary felt her heart drop as Grim leaned over the cauldron to drop the root in, she swore he wobbled like he lost his balance. Dreary panicked.
“Grim no!” She reached over and practically lunged over the cauldron to reach him and grab the little direbeast before he could potentially fall. All the while bumping into the cauldron and spilling its contents all over the floor. The rest of the class stared in confusion, except for Professor Crewel who did not look pleased.
“Dreary Crowley! You and your group will clean this up immediately!”
“Now will you tell me what's wrong?” Isabelle asked as she continued to mop up the mess,“and don't say ‘its nothing’ because it's very clearly something.”
“It's not.”
“It is,” She insisted. “Sleepy people don't throw themselves across a cauldron for no reason.”
Dreary fidgeted with the scrub brush, looking into the soapy cauldron. She was right. Dreary felt horrible hiding this from her. Isabelle had been nothing but kind to her, and here she was lying to her face. She was a bad friend. But if Isabelle knew the truth of what she was, odds are she would not want to be around her at all. Dreary would rather be a bad friend than go back to having none at all.
“It's …. it's complicated.” Dreary said into the empty cauldron.
“Is it Crowley? Did he say something? Because I swear-”
“No!” She shook her head. “It's not Dire at all.”
“Did one of the guys say something?”
“No no no. No one said anything. It's me that's the problem.”
“You're darn right, I never met anyone so paranoid.” Grim called out from where he was straightening out supplies.
Her shoulders slumped as she continued to scrub. She wanted this to be over. She needed it to be over so she could find a moment to herself.
I hope that vision was just Grim. Please seven, just let that have been it so I let this rest.
Isabelle signed as she dunked the mop back into the bucket, the floor looking much better already. She seemed to be contemplating what to ask next, before finally asking, “Is there a reason you won't tell me why? I know we've only known each other for a couple weeks, so I don't expect you to tell me everything. But-” she paused for a moment. “but considering how you acted about Grim, I think it's serious, and if so I should know, because it effects me too.”
She really was a horrible friend. The guilt was eating her alive, but she can't know. No one could know. It was the one thing Dreary had been certain of since the day she was born: She was a curse to all, and no one could know.
Looking down at her hands, all Dreary managed to mutter was a weak, “I can't tell you,”
There was a pause, the silence heavy in the alchemy lab. All Dreary could bring herself to do was stare into the cauldron. She only finished a scrubbing it and began to rinse. Anything to distract frim the crushing silence. She didn't want to look at Isabelle. Didn't want to see if she looked angry or sad or anything.
Perhaps as a small mercy, Ace and Deuce poked their heads into the lab.
“You guys work fast,”
“What is it Ace?” Isabelle signed as she emptied the mop bucket into the sink.
“Ouch, touchy today, aren't we?”
Deuce only rolled his eyes, “we only wanted to check on you.”
“It's appreciated,” Dreary replied as she put the cauldron back to it's rightful place.
“What even happened?” Deuce asked as he looked about the now clean classroom.
“It was an accident,” Dreary managed to squeak out. For a moment she glanced at Isabelle, who only nodded. Her face not really showing any emotion.
“Yep. It happens. But it's done now.”
“Well try not to have any more,” Ace replied with a grin. “We'd hate for you guys to be in detention during the party.”
Isabelles ears perked up at that, “What party?”
“Savannahclaw is having a pool party this Saturday. Jack just told us, and now we're telling you.”
Dreary felt like a stone was weighing down her stomach. No no no…
Deuce simply continued talking. “You'll love it, Dreary! Savannahclaw has this cool pool in their common area. And it has waterfalls you can jump off of, it's a lot of fun."
Ace raised a brow at her. “You ok? You don't look so good. Can you not swim?”
“I-I have to go!” Before Anyone could say anything, she was dashing out of the alchemy lab, ignoring them calling after her.
She bumped into a tall figure by the exit and looked up to the masked face of her cousin.
“Miss Crowley, I take it you finished your punishment?” Professor Crewel who was standing next to him asked.
She only nodded as Dire continued to stare at her. “Dreary, you look ill, what's going on-”
“Nothing, I just remembered I have to do something, bye!” She continued to run before either of the men could continue to question her. She sprinted all the way from the alchemy lab up the lawn of Ramshackle and to her bedroom. Practically slamming the door behind her. As she panted, a dozen thoughts raced through her mind.
That must have been what the vision was about. Please be wrong. Please be wrong. Please please please-
She waited a few more moments, but she never heard the sound of the front door opening, nor the creak of the floorboards. She was alone in the dorm and that meant she was free to use her magic.
“You must never, ever,allow anyone to see you use your Unique Magic, do you understand?” Her mother used to drill into her since she was small. “The world is cruel, and our family especially. You would be taken if they knew. Do you understand, Dreary?”
“Yes, Mother.”
Despite how Dreary felt about her upbringing, Dreary always knew her mother was not wrong in this regard. She had heard the stories of others like her. How they would go missing but not before being shunned and abused. The Cursed Ones. Dreadful had always made sure her daughter would not be among them.
With a deep breath, Dreary sat cross legged in the middle of the floor and closed her eyes. And reciteded her spell.
“Fate be cold and Fate be cruel. Fate unwind thy threads and show what is true. Omen Bringer” Her eyes snapped open, the once bright yellow now completely black, sclera and all. All noise around her distant and muffled. Nothing could be seen, only misfortune was what commanded her attention.
A party. Students gathered around the pool. Laughing and swimming as the music played. Dreary was not in her body, but in the one of the person who would fall. Large and towering over most of the people around. Jack. It was Jack. And like the dream,he eagerly went to dive from the rocks around the waterfall. Only to slip and, his head flying backwards as he went down hitting the rocks. Disoriented, Jack hit the water and unable to move in his dazed state as the yelling above the water was muffled. Dreary gasped as if she was the one who desperately needed air, her eyes back to their vivid yellow. The party. She had to stop it, had to-
“What was that?”
Dreary felt her heart drop as her head snapped to the door, Isabelle now standing there.
“What was that?” Isabelle repeated.
“What was what?” Her voice notably higher than normal.
“What you just did,” Isabelle shut the door behind her. “Your eyes, they were all black and you were in a trance.”
“No I wasn't.”
“Ok, cut the crap, Dreary. You're a terrible liar.”
“No-no I'm not. I'm not lying,” She said, her voice cracking.
“So your voice just goes up and you stutter with that deer in the headlights look? You look like an owl right now.”
“Well I'm a raven, actually-”
“Don't change the subject.” Isabelle said bluntly. “What. Was. That?”
Dreary didn't know what to tell her. I'm cursed. I'm a seer of doom. Misfortune follows wherever I go. But please don't turn me away! Her own flesh and blood wouldn't accept her if they knew, why would she expect her?
Dreary wrung her hands together. “I really can't tell you-”
“Can't or won't?”
“...”
Isabelle only nodded and went to open the door. “I guess I'll just ask the Headmage what your deal is-”
“NO!” Drearys fae speed had her at her side in seconds, pressing against the door, her hand over Isabelles to keep her from turning the knob. Her voice was trembling. “Please please, don't tell, Dire! He doesn't know, he can never know!”
The prefect was now the wide eyed one as she looked at her in shock. “Dreary, what is wrong?”
Her throat tightened and her eyes started to burn. She knew Isabelle wasn't going to take I can't tell you, as an answer. Even Dreary was impatient with herself just thinking of it. But no other excuses came to mind.
She didn't want to cry. It would seem like she was putting on crocodile tears to not tell. But she bit her lip, still leaning against the door, not wanting to look at her dormmate. “Its not that I don't want to tell you. I just- I don't know how to tell you. Or anyone for that matter.” Her voiced cracked again, followed by a heavy breathe and sniffle.
Isabelles expression softened as she placed a hand on her arm. “Just sit down and try.”
So she did.
“In the Crowley Clan, we have a superstition. A family curse. We're mostly ravens and crows, born with black feathers in our bird form. But some of us, our feathers are white. And that is a very unlucky thing to be.” Dreary explained. “I am a White Raven.” It felt odd to say out loud. Her mother would shush her from ever mentioning such a thing. The sentence forbidden from their household.
“So what does that mean?” Isabelle asked. “What's so bad about that?”
“Legend says in the age of the King of the Underworld, some ancestor angered a god. They were a white Raven. And so the god cursed any born like them in our family to be a bringer of misfortune. We're unlucky. Every one born like me has had a power that either tells of doom or brings it. The one before me was an aunt. Dirge was her name. Mother said she knew when you would die down to the second and how. Everyone shunned her because of it. Until eventually she went missing.”
She could see her nod out of the corner of the eye. Otherwise she had kept her eyes downcast the whole time. She didn't want to see a look of fear or disgust, or whatever it is she thought of her now written all over her face.
“So what about you then?” She asked. “What's your curse?”
“I see only misfortunes.” Dreary said. “I can see into the future and find out if something bad, big or small, is going to happen.” She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her lab coat. “Sometimes I don't even need to activate it. Sometimes if something is coming soon, I'll dream about it. I was very little then, but I remember I dreamed every night the week before my father left us. Just seeing him walk out the door only for it to happen in real life.”
“Oh, Dreary…” Isabelle reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “That wasn't your fault though.”
“But it is. He stayed to raise my older brothers but not me. Only one of us is cursed. That's not a coincidence.” She took a shaky breath. “The point I'm getting at here is that I'm unlucky and that everything bad in my family only happened after I was born.”
But still my mother kept me. I'm a horrible ungrateful daughter. Our home felt like a prison but it was to keep me safe. I ran away from one of the only people that loved me. I really am a wretched thing.
Dreary finally looked at Isabelle with tears welling in her eyes. “I'm sorry I lied. I just wanted to be normal for a while.”
There wasn't anger on her face or disgust or any other emotion Dreary had expected. The Prefect looked softly at her, almost sad. She wondered for a moment if this was a look of pity. But she knew what that looked like. Saw it all the time in the gazes of her various cousins that managed to feel bad for her for being her mothers shadow.
Isabelle moved her hand from Drearys shoulder to rub her back soothingly, “I forgive you,” she said with a gentleness she wasn’t used to hearing from others. “But. You have to promise me something,”
“What?”
“No more lying to me. No more hiding things from me. If we're going to be friends, we can’t treat each other that way. I wouldn’t lie to you like that. So you have to return the favor.”
The guilt from earlier twisted her stomach again. Dreary had thought if she was ever going to keep a friend it would be through deceit, even if it ate her alive. She never wanted that. She wanted to be a good friend worth keeping.
“But what about my curse?”
“What about it?”
“Aren’t you worried?” Dreary looked at her with concern. Surely it would not be this simple.
Isabelle simply shook her head. “Curses don’t scare me. They never had. I’ve seen curses way scarier than this, Dreary. If anything it sounds like the real curse is your family.”
Dreary couldn’t help but snort at that. She wasn’t wrong in that regard.
“Now,” she held up her pinky finger and looked at Dreary expectantly. “Do you promise?”
Dreary reached up and wrapped her pinky around hers. “I promise. No more lying.”
“Good,” Isabelle perked up before her expression turned serious. Her golden-brown eyes narrowed. “Now what did you see?”
Dreary had never been to a pool party before. She felt rather awkward and exposed, even in the knee length pink sun dress she had put on over her swimsuit and the almost comically large sun hat to protect her pale skin from the bright Savannahclaw sun.
Isabelle had no such discomfort as she strode into the party in her tank top and shorts, Grim scurrying behind her with red sunglasses. There was purpose in her dormmates steps as she scanned the crowd of boys for one familiar wolf.
“Any sign of him?” Dreary asked, looking around as well, even going on her tip toes to do so.
“No,” Isabelle huffed. Not letting it defeat her, she kept walking. “If we find Ace and Deuce we’ll probably find Jack. And if not maybe Leona or Ruggie will know,” She paused and pointed at the pool area. “That's the waterfall,” The rocks that led up to the several levels of the dorm and of course a big waterfall that came down it. There were a couple boys jumping from them but not one was Jack. A small relief. But they still had to find him and soon, then keep him away for the entirety of the party.
As flawed as it was, that was the only plan they had. There was no way to get the party canceled last minute. Telling Jack about her vision was a last resort. The less people that knew about her magic the better. She was petrified of what might happen if word of it spread and got to her cousin, and she would rather not find out.
Eventually, with no sign of any of their friends,they wandered into one of the tents that held lounging chairs by the pools. A long haired lion beastman was lounging in one, his eyes closed. Dreary had yet to meet any of the Housewardens of the other dorms yet, but she could only assume this was Leona Kingscholar. His ears twitched. Without opening his eyes he said, “What are you doing in here, Herbivore?” Despite the question, he did not seem angry or annoyed.
“Needed a place to safely dump my bag.” Isabelle replied as she did just that. Dropping her bag to the floor next to the opposite chair to him and sitting down.
“Since when did I agree to my tent being your locker?”
“Are you saying the housewardens tent isn’t the best place to store my stuff?”
“Not if Ruggie is skulking around here,”
Isabelle scoffed. “Please. I'm too broke to be a target for Ruggie. The only thing he'll find here worth stealing is chapstick and lotion.”
Leona smirked slightly at that. He finally opened one eye to look at her and then to Dreary. “This must be the new bird.”
Dreary only nodded and awkwardly waved, “Hello, I’m Dreary. Dreary Crowley.”
“I’ve heard, the headmages cousin.”
She nodded, “That's right,”
“Well you're already less obnoxious than he is, so I guess that's a good sign.” He turned his gaze to Isabelle. “Now why are you actually here?”
“Where's Jack?” She bluntly asked. “I've looked all over and I can't find him.”
“No idea,” Leona replied and Dreary felt a pit in her stomach. “I'm not his keeper.”
Isabelle did not seem to accept this answer and continued on. “Oh come on! You had to have seen him! He always around you and Ruggie!”
“Look if he's not in the main party area, try his room or something. He might still be getting ready. Does that answer please the Prefect?”
“It does actually.” Isabelle got up and begun to lead Dreary out the tent to continue looking for Jack.
“Aren't you going to take your stuff?” Leona called after them
“No!” Isabelle called back.
They looked all over but Jack was nowhere to be found after peaking at his room. Drearys anxiety grew by the moment.
"What if we can't find him?"
"We will," Isabelle assured as she continued scanning the crowd. "We will he's not hard to miss."
"Maybe he's getting snacks," Grim piped up. "We should check the buffet table."
Isabelle glanced over, "Sure but only because Ruggie is there. Ruggie!"
A hyena beastman glanced over from the snack table where he was piling an assortment of treats onto his plate. "Hey, you made it."
Isabelle hurried over to him and Dreary followed. "Have you seen Jack?"
"Not for a while," Ruggie shrugged. "I think I saw him run off with Epel earlier but not much after that."
"Do you know where they might be?" Dreary asked. "Its urgent."
Ruggie shook his head. "Nope. But maybe Davie will know." Ruggie looked over somewhere and let out a whistle. "Davie!"
"I'm coming you don't have to shout like that." Said a dark haired human boy walking over. "What is it?"
"They're looking for Jack, have you seen him?"
"I think I saw him go to the bathroom not too long ago."
Dreary felt her shoulders relax a little. It was something.
"Who's your friend, Isabelle?" Davie asked.
"Davie this is Dreary, Dreary, Davie." Isabelle quickly introduced. "She's my new dormmate."
"Oh right, Leona mentioned a relative of the headmages came here." Davie said.
Dreary nodded. "Yes, that's me." She nervously wrung her hands. She felt shy all of a sudden. Well, shyer than normal. And she didn't know why.
Ruggie had gone back to the snack table, Grim trailing behind to get his own plate full, and Isabelle glanced around one more time.
"I'm gonna look for Jack closer to the restrooms over there. You watch for him by the pool." She said, her back turned to Davie. The look she gave Dreary said it all Be vigilant.
Dreary nodded as her friend disappeared into the crowd.
"So are you,like, really close with Jack?" Davie asked as he followed her to the poolside.
"We're friends." Dreary replied, half distracted as she weaved through the groups of Nrc boys. "We just wanted to all spend time as a group. Especially since this is my first party and all."
"Really?" He asked sounding somewhat surprised. "You've never been to a party before?"
Dreary felt herself flush from embarrassment. She must have sounded socially inept. The only 'parties' she'd been to had been tea parties, luncheons with her mother's social circle, the occasional ball that was so stuffy all the fun had been zapped from the atmosphere. She cleared her throat. This was not the time to think about her sad sad social life. "Yes. I ,um, didn't get out much. I would like to leave it at that."
Davie didn't reply. She didn't know if that was a relief or a disappointment. He seemed nice enough to talk to. She glanced back to see he had stopped following her. He must have realized she wasn't going to be very a fun conversation partner. A pity, but expected.
Shoving her disappointment aside, Dreary walked along the edge of the pool, surveying the area for any sign of Jack. Or Epel. Or Ace and Deuce. Any of the first years since odds are they would be together, but none seemed to be out swimming right now.
With a heavy sigh she sat on one of the pool chairs. He had to be here. My visions are never wrong. I have to stop it.
"Need a drink?" Said a boys voice, holding out a colorful drink with a little umbrella in it.
Dreary glanced up and Davie was smiling down at her holding a drink in each hand. She took the cup he offered. He came back.
"Thank You,"
"I figured your first party deserved a drink, it's a mango smoothie." He said before sitting the chair beside her and taking a sip from his own cup.
He had left to get her refreshments, not because she was boring. Dreary took a sip of her her smoothie. It was delicious, and a far cry from the teas and lemonades served at events she went to before. She could have a dozen more and not get tired of it.
"Is it good?" Davie chuckled.
Drearys blushed, she got distracted and hadn't noticed she was chugging down her drink. She managed a nod. "Yes, very. Again, thank you."
"It's nothing, we got plenty more if you want a refill." He paused for a moment before asking, "So do like Night Raven so far?"
"Yes! Very much. I'm glad to be here and make friends. I was…I was homeschooled previously. It's a nice change of pace."
Dreary scanned the pool area again, no sign of Jack. But she was now very aware of Davie looking at her. She adjusted her hat and hoped her hair didn't look too disheveled. "Um, what year are you in?"
"I'm a second year," Davie said. "Same class as Ruggie. You're in the first year class with Isabelle?"
"Yes, though I think it's more so Dire doesn't have to worry about me being alone."
"I'm sure Isabelle takes her job seriously."
"That I do," a familiar voice rang out behind them. Dreary looked over and saw Isabelle with Grim trailing behind. Leona now standing beside her. Her face looking rather serious. "I can't find Jack."
Drearys heart sank. Where could he be?
Grim glanced at the pool and pointed a little grey paw upwards. "Hey, there he is!"
To her and Isabelles horror, they saw Jack in his swim trunks running up the stairs with Epel to the second floor of the dorm. The pair going onto the rocks and joining the group of boys diving.
Leona seemed to take note that both the girls faces had gone pale. "What's wrong?"
"Shouldn't they stop? That's incredibly dangerous."
"What do you mean? We jump from the rocks all the time." Davie replied.
Isabelle looked agitated before calling out, "Jack!"
The wolf boys ears perked up and he waved at her from the top of the rocks along with Epel. "Hey!"
"Come here!" She waved down.
Epel called back, "We'll jump down in a second!" Before eagerly taking his place in line.
Leona eyed them both. "What's going on?"
"Dreary come on, we have to get them," Isabelle said, ignoring Leona's question.
But Epel had already cannonballed off the waterfall and Jack was already stepping forward to follow him on the wet rocks.
Dreary moved before Isabelle could, that fae speed of hers having her up the stairs and onto the rocks in moments. She wasn't really thinking anymore. Only that she had to stop it and stop it now.
Jack was running towards the edge so he could jump before a pair of firm hands pushed him back. Dreary felt her feet slip out from under her in the puddle that would have hurt him. Instead of falling with her head hitting the rock like in the vision,Dreary fell backwards. It all happened so quickly as she fell through the air. She swore she heard Isabelle yelling for her. She could have turned into a bird right now, but then she would expose her white feathers to at least a third of the school. Instead she hit the water.
It didn't hurt as much as she thought when she went under. She heard the muffled sounds above and kicked upward. Dreary took a big gulp of air when her head finally surfaced.
Isabelle was calling out to her. She looked over to see her friend grab a towel and step towards edge of the pool, beckoning her to to come over. All the while Leona barked for all the boys up there to get down now.
Dreary swam over to where Isabelle was waiting, her dress dripping wet, short hair clinging to her face. The water was freezing, and she gladly accepted the towel Isabelle draped around her shoulders.
Davie looked shocked, and Leona eyed the two girls as Dreary sat in a beach chair.
"What was that about?" Leoana asked.
"What was what?" Dreary played dumb. Though she could tell Leona was not buying into it.
"Why would you you run up there and push Jack like that?"
Dreary looked at her feet. She was out of lies to tell. She couldn't think of anything.
Isabelle instead stood in front of her and looked at Leona. "Just drop it, Leona. Please. No one is hurt. And thats what's important. Right?"
Before the housewarden could say anything, Jack had run up toward them. He hadn't jumped. He was okay.
"Dreary! What was that about?"
"Um…"
Leona glanced between them. And mercifully stepped in. "Dont worry about it, Jack."
"But-"
"I said drop it."
Jack looked confused but seemed to heed Leona. Dreary felt her shoulders relax. It was over. Jack wasn't going to get hurt.
Maybe now she could resume her normal fun school days.
Crowley watched from a distance as the girls strolled out of the hall of mirrors, and up the path to Ramshackle.
Their arms linked as they laughed, hair clearly still damp from swimming as Grim trailed behind.
Something had been off about his young cousin. Her sudden outburst in Crewels class was odd. And earlier he had heard whispering of other students saying she had pushed Jack Howl without explanation.
Something did not sit right. His aunt Despair had been incredibly vague when they had spoken over the phone about Dreary after her arrival. She said Dreary had not had much interaction with others her age. That her magic was modest. That she hadn't even developed her Unique Magic yet. Dire trusted Despair for many things. She had helped him flee her sister's nest all those years ago, and a part of him would always be grateful for that.
But he knew his aunt had not been completely truthful. Something more was going on with Dreary, and he was determined to find out what.
