Twisted Wonderland: A New Dawn

Chapter 6

  Once classes were over, Rhyme bolted away from Ace, Deuce, Grim and Prefect.
  In order to do this, she had to be alone.
  A handful of students were in the Hall of Mirrors, chatting with each other and some of them heading through the mirror to Octavinelle, but Rhyme avoided all of them, heading for Pomefiore's mirror.
  Pomefiore might not be the easiest dorm to fit into, but Rhyme didn't want to waste anymore time with Grim and that identity hiding Prefect. The only way to fit into another dorm was to ask the housewarden to teach her.
  The housewardens were the most suited to help her fit into their dorm so Rhyme figured that was where she would start.
  "Hey kid," Grim yowled from behind, making Rhyme pause, just before the mirror. "What are you doing?"
  "I'm going to try and fit into a different dorm," Rhyme replied, turning around. "I refuse to be in a dorm of little standings and no connection to the Great Seven."
  "Hey! It may not have a connection to the Great Seven, but it's still a dorm!" Grim cried. "We've got some standing. We help solve issues around campus so that counts as something."
  "But it's not enough," Rhyme said, lowering her voice as the gathered students became aware of the argument happening. "I'm sure you and Prefect are happy there Grim, but Ramshackle isn't my home. And this is the only way to find my home."
  "You could always make a deal with Azul." Grim clasped his paws around his mouth after that sentence spilled out.
  Rhyme narrowed her eyes at the cat. "A deal? What are you talking about?"
  "N-nothing!" Grim cried. "Forget I said anything!"
  Dropping to all fours, Grim raced out of the Mirror Chamber, vanishing around the door.
  Rhyme looked over at the mirror to Octavinelle. "A deal?" She wondered again, looking down at her open hand.
  "If it isn't Goldfish's little sis," a new voice said, making Rhyme look up. Two figures had appeared outside of the mirror. Twins in appearance and dress. "What are you doing, just standing around?"
  "Contemplating," Rhyme replied, slightly nervous around these two. "And what are you doing here?"
  "We are here on request of Housewarden Azul to fetch something," the twin on the left said. "But perhaps you will share your contemplations with us?"
  "I'd rather not." Rhyme said.
  "It doesn't really matter," the right twin said. "Everyone knows what you want."
  "Which is?" Rhyme inquired.
  The right twin smiled, teeth showing. "You want to join a different dorm, but have no idea how to do that."
  "Alright. So you know about that," Rhyme folded her arms. "What does it matter to you?"
  "It doesn't," The right twin said. "But it can be possible."
  "What can?"
  "Joining a different dorm," the left twin said. "But manners before information. Floyd Leech and my twin Jade Leech."
  "Rhyme Rosehearts."
  "Little Seahorse," Floyd said. "It is entirely possible to join a different dorm. It's all a matter of finding all of your options."
  Rhyme, puzzled by the strange nickname, was even more confused. "All of my options?" She asked. "There is only one option and that's to talk to the housewardens and mold myself to fit into that dorm."
  "You really believe you can mold your thoughts and behaviours to match each specific dorm at least once?" Floyd inquired.
  "I do," Rhyme nodded. "I'm gonna prove the Mirror of Darkness wrong and find the dorm I actually belong to."
  The twins looked at each other then nodded. "What if there was an easier way?" Jade asked.
  "Easier way?" Rhyme asked. "What do you mean?"
  "Yes," Jade said. "What if there was a way to gain the traits and personality of any dorm you asked for, at the snap of your fingers?"
  Rhyme shook her head. "That's impossible. No magic is strong enough to change a personality or give a trait."
  "Maybe not a spell, but a potion could temporarily change something," Jade said, as he and Floyd walked over, flanking Rhyme on both sides. "Everyone wants an easier way to get what they want and you are no exception, Miss Rosehearts. And it just so happens that we know of an exceptional potions maker."
  "I'm intrigued..." Rhyme said, then ducked away from the twins. "But I'd rather try a bit of hard work before I take the potentially easier road."
  Jade shrugged, shaking his head. "Your loss," reaching into his suit pocket, Jade withdrew a card and handed it to Rhyme. "When you change your mind, bring this to Octavinelle's Monstro Lounge. We'll be happy to resume where we left off."
  With that, the twins walked off, leaving Rhyme holding the card and pondering.