𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐧

✧[030]✧

"Thank you for having us."

Yeah. No problem, really. It's just you didn't really feel like having 6 nearly feral children running around the Ramshackle dorm, performing and singing like it was something going out of style. There was seriously no need. You allowed in on behalf of Yuuka and Grim because they were technically going to give you compensation.

However, the idea still didn't thrill you. And what thrilled you even less was... Vocals. He was having you as the second lead vocal. You felt sick. So very sick. It was your own doing of course, you kept panicking and feeling faint at the idea. Even after having sung with him previously in practice. Practice makes perfect and you would sing good eventually. But the idea never did thrill you.

You tucked you legs to your chest, curling up against the soft worn fabric of the couches. Listening to the atmosphere that was not bustling with life. No longer dead silent with just the sounds of Yuuka, or Grim. But now full of actual life.

Kalim occasionally came by, riding around on his carpet and crashing into walls like an uncoordinated bird, Jamil was constantly screaming and running around the dorm with a broom, terrified with the amount of bugs that were around. Deuce and Ace were playing chess but you kept grimacing each time Ace would swallow a chest piece when Deuce wasn't looking.

It was loud. No longer silent. Something about it was calming... Yet it was off-putting. You no longer had the same amount of serenity as before. Your hands reaching your ears, you shut your eyes briefly, only for the sound of clinking glass to get your attention. You glaced up from your knees to see Rook holding a tea set.

"Mon lapin. Please excuse my behavior from the previous day, it is inexcusable... My apologies."

"It's... Alright, Rook."

"Please allow me to serve you on behalf of myself and Vil. We've made for you as an apology, please... enjoy." The golden liquid was poured into a gold lined cup, definitely something brought from Pomefiore. It steamed so prettily, making little swirls in the air, feeling your senses with delight. It smelt lovely.

A suddenly nudge against the table made the entire set shake, the drink nearly spilling over and for a millisecond you could've sworn you saw Rook glaring. Epel nudged into the table, his eyes constantly drifting between your cup of tea and yourself.

"I.. er.."

"Monsieur Cherry Apple! It's best to watch where you are going! We wouldn't want you getting yourself hurt before the performance, would we?"

"...n..no, we wouldn't."

The cup and saucer were put into your hands, almost hastily. Rook took the tea kettle with him, leaving behind a tray of snacks and nothing more. Epel bit his lip watching you blow away steam, the way he was acting was making you anxious. You could tell something was wrong.

"Sugarplum... Er- [Name]. How have you been? Life treating you well?" Epel blurted out before you could bring the cup to your covered lips, you felt your cheeks heat up for a second. He called you Sugarplum, you brought the cup down and smiled.

"I'm doing fine, Epel. How about yourself? I haven't heard from you since you texted me a few days ago."

"Ah, well-" Epel looked up to see Vil staring at him from across the room, with eyebrows raised and eyes harsh in a glare, besides him, Rook. Who stood besides Vil with a smile. All he could do was hold his tongue, he knew he could figure out something eventually but now... He was aware that Vil had magic far to great for something of his stature.

"I've been fine, [Name]. Thanks fer- for asking. I'll leave you to your privacy, I don't want to invade your bubble when your eating, I'll talk with you in a bit." Epel walked away, taking off back to his assigned Ramshackle dorm room. You could only purse your lips at the sight. Finally allowing yourself to drink down the hot tea and pastries accompanied with them.

The tea was calming, leaving you in a gentle daze whole you drank, similar to that of the relaxing feeling from chamomile. Staring at your masked reflection in the warm glass, you felt at ease. Unaware of the second person approaching you, who of course... Was a very judgemental Vil, who was trying to be polite.

"Crinkle Cut. Where you get... That." Vil gestured, waving his hand towards your new mask.

"Ah, Riddle. I only just got it yesterday... I figured it'd be nice to try wearing it." Vil smiled in a way that was obviously fake, nodding at he stared at it. It was blatantly obvious he didn't like it.

"Well, I didn't think you'd want something so erm... flashy on your face. With all respects to riddle, I understand why you are wearing it." You huffed, finishing the last drop of the tea while Rook seemingly appeared out of nowhere, taking the cup without you even realizing.

"It's a gift. I'll always wear the gifts people get me. I'll wear the one you got me tomorrow." He hummed, staring at you. As if he were searching for something.

"Well sweet potato... It's getting late. I'll see you off. Get to bed. It's best to maintain a good schedule."

You felt your lips curl into a smile, he no longer viewed your posture as something bad. That must've been the case? You don't think he even realized he called you a sweet potato. Feeling a surge of happiness, you agreed. Watching as Vil took off to his room, trying to visit the land of sleep.

Yet... You began to feel a warm tingle in your system. Your skin heating up grossly, you tried to brush it off. Standing up and deciding it was time for bed. Yet something chewed at you. You wanted to check if you locked the door to your private room, feeling progressively more faint as you took a detour.

The house seemed loud and silent all at once. All real noise being hushed by the sound of sleep yet the noises you heard were produced from your mind. You heard your heartbeat in your ears as you made it up the stairs, you didn't know why you felt like this.  Quickly hurrying to your room, shaking the doorknob, It was locked. Just like you left it.

Leaning against the door with a sigh, you felt yourself becoming increasingly more dizzy, so faint. The world was laughing at you. The walls seemingly were spinning. The light progressively growing dim. You felt your vision fade in and out, not out of tire, but out of illness. You stubbled as you walked, slamming against the wall. Then once again into a dresser. Until you finally hit the ground.

Listening to the sound of your own heartbeat and breathing, you could no longer tell what was approaching. Whether it was the sound of heels, or your own heartbeat. Staring at the ceiling with sweat dripping down your face, you felt a cool hand brush against your neck, so nice in comparison to the warmth.

You craved it's touch because it relieved you of such disgusting pain. You wanted to throw up but a gentle voice whispered sweet-nothings to you as you panted.

"Poor thing... Feeling under the weather, aren't we? Usually, I'd find such a thing disgusting, touching on a sick creature. Yet with you... I find myself forgetting all the rules of which I built upon. You are no creature, you are a queen just as I. Rest easy, sweet potato. I promise to look after you."

"I wish I would've done something... I wish I spilt that damn tea. Ya don't deserve what's coming, sugarplum. Ya never did."

"I wish I didn't eat that chess piece."