Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(116) TTotSS: Unpredictable Tyrant!

The brunch was simple but satisfying. Everyone was pretty grateful for the team that afternoon. The fact that they still had some little energy left to feed them was probably the best thing so far. Fasulia (green bean and beef stew) with an option of lamb burgers or lebanese rice, cauliflower hummus with pita bread, shish taouk (chicken kebobs), and a glass of ice coffee. Many groups had quickly finished their meal and now left chatting around.

Jonah, however, for some reason, wasn't that hungry. Aimlessly stirring the bowl of hummus with his pita bread, he was staring at Kalim who happily munched his lamb burger, smiling as the sauce dripped from the corner of his lips. Jonah wanted to huff. Kalim had return back to normal. He didn't shout at all during the march back to the dorm, giving them encouraging cheers, even allowing them to take a break sometimes. Again, what's wrong with him? Deep down, Jonah knew that the real Kalim is this sunny boy. The magic carpet ride was undeniable proof that was the real Kalim, not the unexpected tyrant. So what triggers him to change into a storm?

Kalim then perked up. Swallowing the food in his mouth he reached for the plate of blue cheese and crackers that he prepared himself earlier. "Oh yeah, Grim! Have you tried the blue cheese?" he picked a cracker and added blue cheese to it. "It's made from sheep's milk."

Grim, with crumbs around his cheeks, turned to him. "Eh... No thanks..."

"Aw, come on~ Don't be shy! Ahaha!" Kalim shoved the crackers and cheese into Grim's mouth despite the cat's apparent squirming.

"AJFAKLNLA!!???!?!?"

"Don't force him to eat one thing after another," Viper sighed. "Grim's gonna choke, you know?"

"Ah! Sorry, sorry!" Kalim sheepishly chuckled, patting Grim's back as the cat gulped the food in his mouth. "How about some dessert instead? We have plenty of ice cream. I can serve it Kalim-style."

"What's that?" Jonah asked.

"You put all the flavors in one single line and then use a big spoon to get one giant scoop!" Kalim stood up from his seat. "I'll bring some, so wait here~"

Viper's eyes widened slightly and he quickly got up, strode to block Kalim's way. "Wait, Kalim. I'll go prepare it, so sit down."

"It's fine!" Kalim waved his hand casually. "I just have to get it from the fridge, right?"

Viper sighed again. "Idiot, what kind of servant makes his master wait on him?"

That seemed to strike Kalim in the heart. His smile slipped a little and his brow slightly furrowed. Jamil seemed to not notice this as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I wish you'd be more mindful of the fact that you're the Asim Family's heir," he said. To that Kalim bit his inside cheeks. "If they find out that I made you do something like that, our fathers will lecture me."

"But it's just ice cream, Jamil." Kalim shifted in his spot, fingers playing with his vest. "Just this once, okay? I want to try to prep it on my own." He gave him a sheepish smile. "Maybe you can just teach me?"

Viper stared at him for a second, before sighing in defeat. "Fine."

The sparks in Kalim's eyes returned. He jumped in his spot, cheering, "Yay!" He grabbed Viper's wrist, much for the vice prefect's surprise. Kalim glanced to Jonah and Grim for a second and said, "We'll back in a second." Before he ran out of the lounge, dragging Viper with him.

Jonah watched the pair left and then sighed. "What's the trigger?" he mumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Grim drank the last drop of his coffee, erasing the taste of dry crackers and blue cheese from his mouth. "Haah... I wanna hurry and get away from this prison, dammit." He looked at the boy still in deep thought. "Jonah, do we have a signal now?"