Twisted Wonderland Book 5: A Beauitful Tyrant

Chapter 12: Compliments Gushing

The group lets out a scream of fright and turns to see Rook Hunt, standing behind him.

Ace cries out, "I just about had a heart attack!

"Who jumps out from behind people like that?!" Deuce asks, shocked.

Rook laughs and says, "Hah hah hah! Did I startle you? Pardonne-moi. I'm simply too accustomed to concealing my presence as I make my approach. I am Rook Hunt, le Chasseur d'Amour. My life's work is to seek out beauty and support it. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Leona scoffs, "Tch. Speak of the weirdo and he shall appear."

"Good day, Roi des Lions. But what is this? Monsieur Dent-de-Lion does not appear to be accompanying you for your lunch break," Rook happily says.

"He ain't with me twenty-four seven. Now get lost, and take these herbivores with you," Leona says, annoyed.

Confused, Deuce asks, "Who's Monsieur, uhhh... Dandelion?"

Rook chuckles, "Heh heh heh. That would of course refer to the Roi des Lions' confidante, Ruggie.

"Why do you call him that? 'Cause he's got a poofy head of yellow hair?" Grim asks.

Sereia giggles, "That would be funny."

"Non, non. It's for another reason. It happened last spring... Just as the first beautiful signs of the season began blooming around campus," Rook answers.

Flashback:

At the sports field, Ruggie is picking some of the dandelions from the ground, "Great, there's plenty of 'em here. Now to pick 'em before they turn into seedheads."

That's when Ruggie walks over, "Bonjour, Monsieur!"

"Whoa! What do you want, buddy?!" Ruggie asks in surprise

"I beg your pardon for the interruption. I am Rook Hunt, of Pomefiore. You were doing something fascinating, and I just had to drop by," Rook says.

"I'm literally just picking dandelions, but okay," Ruggie replies

"To what end are you gathering so many?" Rook asks.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm gonna eat 'em," Ruggie answers.

"What?!" Rook asks, confused.

Then Ruggie explains, "You can make them into salads, saute them, use them for tea... And more to the point, you can find 'em anywhere and pick 'em for free! They're perfect for a broke joke like me. Not that you probably have any idea what it's like to be penniless. My food budget's tight this month, so I've gotta subsist on something. On that note, no time for chitchat. Free to move on and get out of my hair now."

Then Ruggie walks away.

Flashback Ends:

"And there you have it. I was struck by his willingness to sustain himself on roadside weeds, and I've respected him more ever since. Thus, I call him Monsieur Dent-de-Lion," Rook explains.

Confused, and stunned, Ace asks, "Dude, Ruggie eats DANDELIONS?! How is that respectable?!"

"He really will eat anything as long as it's not rotten, huh? He better not have fed me those things..." Leona says, annoyed, and not really that surprised.

But Rook says, "Non, non. They're not poisonous. And one must never be a picky eater, Roi des Lions."

"Rook does have a point. Surprisingly, dandelions are actually edible and are a great source of vitamins and minerals. During one of the parties my aunt catered, one of them asked for salad with dandelions in it. I know it's odd, but they're used for salad, sandwiches, and even tea," Briar says.

That has Grim thinking, "Okay, but how do they taste? I gotta try me some later!"

Deuce glares at Grim, "How many times do we have to tell you not to eat off the ground?"

Suddenly, Ace remembers, "Derp. You almost distracted us from what we came to talk about. Can we get back to the audition now?"

"Oh, right! Hunt, we'd like to apply for the SDC," Deuce remembers.

Soon, Rook remembers and says, "Ah! Forgive me—I have a troublesome penchant for derailing conversations. I believe the two of you belong to Heartslabyul? Ace Trappola, #25 in Class 1-A, human, 172 centimeters tall... Deuce Spade, #24 in Class 1-A, human, 173 centimeters tall... And here we have Ramshackle Dorm members Briar Hawthrone, #8 in Class 1-A, human, 163 centimeters tall... Grim, #9 in Class 1-A, monster, 70 centimeters tall... Tanzanite, #10 in Class 1-A, half dwarf half cat, 82 centimeters... Jasper, #11 in Class 1-A, half dwarf half cat, 83 centimeters, Sereia, #12 in Class 1-A , doll, 68 centimeters, and lastly, Trinket, fairy, 7 centimeters."

Everyone becomes shocked as Rook talks. For some reason, Rook seems to know exactly who they are, and knows which class and dorm they're in.

Stunned, Deuce asks, "H-how do you know our class and student numbers?!"

"For that matter, how do you know our exact heights down to the flippin' centimeter?!" Ace asks, stunned.

"And how do you know which dorms we're staying in?" Seriea asks.

Rook giggles, "Heh heh heh. As a hunter, I make it a point to memorize the species and height of every student on campus. It wouldn't do to be underprepared, would it?"

"Underprepared for WHAT?" Briar asks, worried.

Then Rook says, "Since you have informed me of your intent, you will not need to fill out any paperwork. The audition will be held in the Pomefiore ballroom after school, three days hence. Do be sure to save the date."

"Yes, sir," The group replies.

Suddenly, Leona says, "Hey, are you guys done crowdin' around my seat yet? Get outta my hair already."

Rook then turns to Leona, "Say, Leona! How would you like to put in an appearance at the SDC auditions? You have ample athletic ability, and your physique would add extra flair to your dancing. Not to mention your wonderful, resounding voice. I've never seen a lion sing in the Sunset Savanna, but I've no doubt it would be an incredible sight to behold."

However, Leona says, "I wouldn't be caught dead in that kids' show. Besides, isn't that nag Vil gonna be there? You can count me a hundred and ten percent out."

Rook tries to persuade him, "But picture this: Vil with his cosmopolitan appeal and Leona with his rugged charisma... If you two danced and sang together, it would be a feast for the senses! Twould be a battle of flavors most disparate! Ahhh, how very trés bien!"

Again, Leona says, "Tch. You don't care one iota what other people have to say, do you?"