Twisted Wonderland Book 5: A Beauitful Tyrant

Chapter 38: Defusing Tension

Outside of the Pomefiore Dorm, Deuce walks outside after the argument he has from the ballroom.

Deuce sighs, "I blew it big time. I had no business lashing out the way I did. That's not what an honor student does. Someone gives me justified criticism, and I go off on them. Man, I'm lame..."

Suddenly, Deuce feels something touching his cheek and turns to see a water bottle. And surprised to see the one who is holding the bottle is Briar.

Briar smiles and says, "There you are."

Grim walks over and says, "Hey, our kindly manager's brought you a bottle of water."

Deuce looks to see Briar and the rest of the Ramshackle Dorm group arrive on the scene.

"Briar. Grim. Everyone. Sorry about running off like that," Deuce says.

Then Grim says, "You should be! If you guys don't win first place, my tuna bonanza goes up in smoke. You and Epel both better buck up and get back to practice."

Tanzanite and Jasper sternly glare at Grim.

Deuce calmly laughs, "Ha ha. You and your one-track mind. It makes me kind of jealous."

Then Grim says, "Y'know, Deuce, I've been wondering: why did you stick your nose in Vil and Epel's argument? Even I know that's just askin' for trouble."

"It is, huh? I agree. It was dumb of me," Deuce says. "But I've seen something in Epel ever since we ran into him by the courtyard well. I think...he and I are a lot alike.

"Seriously? You and Epel?" Grim questions, "You guys don't look or act anything alike."

Deuce explains, ""It's hard to put it into words. It's about wanting to change, but not being able to... Not knowing HOW to change yourself, and just kind of floundering." Then grows a little frustrated, "Ugh. Ace was right. I'm hopeless with this stuff. I'm bad at getting a point across. It's just so...frustrating.

"Such frustrations are the bittersweet pain of youth, Monsieur Spade!" Rook's voice appears.

Then Kalim's, "C'mon, what's the matter? Cheer up!"

Deuce, Briar, and the others yelp, "WHOA!"

And turns to see Rook and Kalim.

Deuce asks in shock, "Rook? Kalim? You scared me! What are you doing here?"

"It's about time to get back to dance rehearsal, so we came to check up on you," Kalim says.

Then Rook asks, "Are you feeling ready to return to the ballroom?"

"C-can I...really go back?" Deuce asks. Reluctant.

Confused, Kalim replies, "Huh? Of course you can."

"Vil was right when he said I'm dead weight. I know that," Deuce says, "I was chosen for the ensemble, and I'm trying my best. But I'm afraid it might not be enough..."

But Rook says, "Do not get ahead of yourself, Monsieur Spade. You are but a chick still inside your egg. Would you expect an unhatched chick to accurately gauge their own limits? Non. You will not attain a beautiful warble or plumage for flying while huddling within your shell."

"Rook..." Deuce says, sounding surprised.

Rook continues, "Don't worry. I've heard it loud and clear—I've heard all of you pecking, slow and steady, at the shells around you, striving to break out. Here's a bird fact for you, actually. Unhatched chicks have a hard, pointy, horn-like protrusion on the end of their beaks called an egg tooth. They use that to break their shell. That egg tooth fades away as the chick grows, though. The point I am making is this: Ensnared as you are in the throes of hatching, each of you has an egg tooth that no one else possesses. You have power within you, somewhere. Speaking not only for myself, but for Vil: We're both waiting eagerly for all of you to break free and stand tall at long last.

"A strength that only I possess, huh? Hm..." Deuce says, and begins to think as he remains silent.

And soon says, "Nope. I got nothin'. The best I can come up with is that I'm a little quick on my feet. I'm neither book smart nor a clever thinker. I don't have much going for me at all, really...

"Hey, Deuce? Maybe the problem is that you keep using your brain to try to work through these problems?" Kalim suggests.

"Huh?" Deuce replies, confused.

Then Kalim says, "If that's not really how you're wired, then why are you trying to force it? When I watch you, do you know what I see? I see someone trying to write with their non- dominant hand, then yelling, 'Oh, I'm so bad at writing!' You're doing something you know you're bad at, then beating yourself up when it doesn't turn out well. Of course you won't see your strong points when you do things that way."

Rook chuckles, "Heh heh heh. Kalim, your eyes are as clear as the sky after rain. Such candor. Such a pure luster. Truly, that is your strength, Roi Doré."

"Hm? Was that a compliment?" Kalim questions, and then smiles, "That's very kind of you, Rook!"

"Kalim is right, Deuce. Your true strength lies elsewhere. It's not about using your head," Rook says.

"Ain't that the truth? Every time you come up with a plan, it's a disaster waitin' to happen. Remember that time you tried to catch me by throwin' Ace, and you broke a billion-thaumark chandelier?" Grim says.

Deuce flinches, "P-please, don't remind me."

"Please don't, we almost got in serious trouble from that time," Sereia says.

Kalim smiles and says, "I get that a lot too, you know. Jamil calls me thoughtless and oblivious all the time. But it also means that whenever I'm feeling down, a little food, rest, and dancing are all I need to purge whatever's bugging me from my mind. So it can also be a plus, in my view. Basically, um... I'm trying to say that something you see as a negative can actually be a positive. I'm not sure how to word it better."

"Well, there is also a saying, someone's weakness can also be your strength. And someones you just need to look at things from another angel. Try to take something you learn and use it to help you go through life," Briar says.

She blushes and says, "I've been doing that since I came to the school."

Thinking a bit, Deuce realizes, "Oh. Ohhh. I get it! Thank you, Kalim. Rook, Briar. I think I understand things a little better now!"

"Really? Well, glad to hear it!" Kalim happily says.

Then Deuce asks, "Um, may I ask a question?"

"Oui, by all means. We'll be happy to answer if we can," Rook says.

Then Deuce says, "There's something I need to borrow."

"Oh?" Rook & Kalim say, confused.