Twisted Wonderland Book 4: Schemer of the Scalding Sands

Chapter 39: Invitation Exclusion

Time has passed, and Briar along with her group return to the Ramshackle Dorm. They have a great time ins Scarabia, but are more tired and ready to head back inside

Grim sighs, "Phew... We finally made it back to our own dorm."

"I know. I'm really tired, but we had a good time," Sereia says.

Jasper stretches his arms and says, "It's good to be back."

Just then, Patrick, Albert, and John appear before them.

Patrick happily calls, "Hey, you guys!

"Heh. These ghosts are a sight for sore eyes," Grim says.

"Hello Patrick, Albert, and John. It's good to see you," Tanzanite says.

Then Albert says, "You've been gone for so long, I started to wonder if you were GONE gone, you know? We worried ourselves half to death! Get it? Hee hee hee..."

"But hey, glad to see you're okay," John says

Then Patrick says, "We took care of tending to the fire fairies in the cafeteria fireplace while you were out."

Briar and the others become shocked to hear about the fireplace in the cafeteria.

Grim yelps, "Myah?! Oh crud, I totally forgot about that!"

"It's because we were busy with the situation that's been going on in Scarabia," Briar says.

"Hey, nobody wants to spend the holidays frozen over," Patrick says.

"That's for sure," Jasper says.

"Sorry you three had to do it," Tanzanite says.

"It's no trouble at all," Patrick says.

"Yes. And from the looks of it, you guys seem to have fun as well," Albert says.

"Well, not at first," Sereia replies.

Then John says, "By the way, there's a bunch of food waiting for you here, courtesy of the headmage."

Grim happily cheers, "Mya-hah! Didja hear that? We're getting our feast! C'mon, guys, let's go check it out!"

With that, Grim and the ghosts rush to the Dorm.

Jasper sighs, "Doesn't Grim ever get full?"

"Well, we might as well go inside and get warm," Tanzanite says.

Sereia nods her head, "you're right. It's really cold out here."

Even Trinket nods her head.

Everyone begins to head towards the dorm to get inside.

Briar is about to do the same, but a familiar Lilia appears in front of her, upside down

With a smile, Lilia says, "Ah, you're back."

"GAH!" Briar screams in fright and steps back, "You scared me!"

"Khee hee hee. With a reaction like that, I could make a habit out of spooking you," Lilia says, and lands right side up.

"Oh, hi Lilia. I didn't expect to see you here," Briar says.

"That's me, Lilia Vanrouge, vice housewarden of Diasomnia. I came to deliver a holiday greeting card from a certain somebody," Lilia says, and presents an envelope to Briar

"A certain someone?" Briar replies, confused and takes the greeting card.

A thought comes to her mind and think the greeting card is from Tsunotaro. The thought of the idea makes her blush a bit, but she manages to calm herself so Lilia won't notice

Then Lilia says, "He's a bit peeved that once again nobody invited him to any festivities this year... So if you happen to hold any with your friends, it'd be nice if you extended him an invitation too. Anyway, that's all I came for. I bid you all a pleasant holiday."

"Okay. bye," Lilia says.

Lilia smiles and disappears into thin air.

Briar looks at the envelope, "That's very sweet of him to send me a card."

Briar then opens the envelope and takes out the greeting card. The greeting card is green with black, and a black silhouette of a kind of castle, and there are thorny vines around the sides of the card. In writing, it says 'Happy Holidays.'

Briar smiles and says, "That's very sweet of him."

She then thinks about what Lilia said about no one having invited him to any festivities for holidays. It's kind of sad that he hasn't been invited."

"Maybe I can invite him to the dorm sometime. I'm sure the others would love to meet him," Briar says.

Briar places the card in the envelope and notices an initial on the envelope. It says 'From M.D.

"Hmm, the sender is listed as M.D. Now I wonder who that could be?" Briar asks herself.

She thinks for a minute and says to herself, "I wonder if it's Tsunotaro's real name." She then begins to think, "M.D? M.D...? I feel that I heard the name initials before, but where..."

Suddenly, Briar hears Grim calling out to her, Hey, Briar! You better step on it, or I'm gonna eat the whole feast without you!"

Briar turns her head to see Grim sticking his head from the doorway of the dorm before zooming back in. Briar decides to place the envelope in her bag and hurries into the Dorm.

John happily says, "Ho ho ho! Happy holidays!"

Then John closes the door as soon as Briar enters. Now, everyone is having a big feast and ending up with a small Christmas party.