Granting Favors (Twisted Wonderland | Azul x Jamil)

Chapter 10: The Stubborn Presence of Absence

Summary:

Despite being busy with the move to Ramshackle and the VDC Training Camp, Jamil finds himself still worrying about Azul and his mysterious ailment, especially because he hasn't heard from him in a long while.

When Azul finally talks to him, he realizes that the situation might be worse than he thought.

Word Count: 11,336

Author's Note:

(At the end of the chapter)

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"This house has got pretty low ceilings, huh?" Kalim said as they entered Ramshackle. "Looks like I won't be able to fly in my magic carpet here!"

Jamil sighed. "You shouldn't even be flying indoors in the first place."

Footsteps sounded down the hall and Yuu appeared to greet them. "Hi! Rook, Vil, and Epel are already here. They're waiting for you guys in the living room."

"Yuu," Jamil began. "I'm sorry for the trouble, but could you room me with Kalim? If that's not possible, a room next to his would be just as fine. Security here might be a lot weaker than Scarabia's since you don't have to go through the Mirror Chamber."

"You're still such a worrywart, Jamil!" Kalim said. "It'll be fine! There haven't been any assassins after me ever since I started school here!"

Jamil frowned. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm not worried about you. If something bad happens, the blame will be on me as your valet. Keep in mind that just because yesterday was peaceful doesn't mean that today will be as well."

Rook's arrows had reminded him that he should be more alert with his job; he had barely reacted quickly enough to shield Kalim, and they were lucky that Rook had meant to miss.

"I'll show you to your rooms," Yuu said. "But Vil said to leave your things in the living room first."

Vil was in conversation with Rook and Epel when they got there; they didn't interrupt them with a greeting and just left their bags before going upstairs.

"This should be the most secure side of the dorm," Yuu gestured to two adjacent rooms and led them into the first one. "There aren't any trees or shrubbery outside, so you can see clearly for miles. No one can hide out there."

Yuu went to the window and opened it. Outside stretched the grassy school grounds, and in the distance, they could see the main buildings where classes were held.

"The wall outside is also the smoothest here," Yuu continued. "There aren't any crevices or ledges that could be used as footholds for climbing. If anyone wanted to sneak up on you, they'd have to do it from out in the hall."

"Whoa, that's pretty smart, Yuu!" Kalim complimented.

"Both rooms only have one bed each, though," Yuu said. "So you'd still be rooming separately. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks," Jamil replied, mildly impressed that Yuu immediately managed to find rooms for them strategically.

"Ooh, I'll ask Vil if I can bring my pillows here already," Kalim raced out of the room and down the stairs.

"I heard Vil say that he'd be setting up a curfew for all of us," Yuu walked over to him. "But any time before that, feel free to come and go as you please. It's not like I'm keeping you prisoners here." Yuu smirked.

"How are you so cool with everything?" Jamil asked with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "It was just two months ago when I locked up you and Grim in Scarabia, and now you can joke about it?"