Ever Twisted

Chapter 17: A Deal in the Making Part 2

There are many words that describe Azul Ashengrotto; gentleman, "helpful", shifty, schemer— scammer in some cases— but overall he was known as a diligent businessman who would get what he wants sooner or later. So after learning about another descendant attending NRC and a beautiful young lady at that matter, it was a no brainer. Customers would line up at the Monstro Lounge just to get a glimpse of her up close— if we're talking about people not in Pomefiore or in her class— and the Azul would make a fine profit; all he needs to know is what she want and it would be a win-win for both parties. There was just one— well two problems; first off, he needs to know what she wanted the most right now, secondly, before he could find her desire he had to deal with the two "watchdogs" looking after her— a.k.a. Vil and Minerva. With the current situation at play, Vil might be easier to convince and/or hide from if done properly; but the Min issue have to be the bigger threat out of the two, which makes sense since they're in the same class and almost spend every moment together until passing her to Vil since Raven already meant the twins.

Right now he resorted to sta— observing
Raven from a distance during flight class with Jade and a bored Floyd.

Azul: I swear, I shouldn't be going through this for just one person.
Jade: Well considering the target we are trying to acquire, I believe we are doing quite well.
Azul: I beg to differ. It been almost a week since creating this plan and I yet to acquire a time where she's alone! Let's alone a single desire from her! *sigh* I'm considering this entire stakeout a waste of time.
Floyd: Yeah this is no snooze fest. I know, I'll just call her over. Little Betta~~!
Azul: Floyd NO!!

Without hesitation, Azul quickly pulled him back to their hiding spot before anyone realize them.

Azul: Have you forgotten her status already!? As a descendent of one of the Great Seven she is considered as a person of high interest at the time being; therefore it would be catastrophic if we just waltz up to her and ask her to work at the Lounge.
Floyd: What, but it's A LOT quicker to risk it all than just waiting around.
Azul: What ever happened to morays being patience cowards?
Jade: You know as well as I do about Floyd's mood swings. But considering the circumstances we are in now, I must say he might have a point; especially if you want her as soon as possible.

Azul let out an exacerbated sigh— they did make a valid point considering the time he's wasting. While Jade and Floyd have the ability to be pathetic for longer amounts of time before an opportunity opens, he however does not. The more days that pass be of Raven being here, her popularity is slowly decreasing; and while it might be a slow decline, he knows after gathering information from looking at stock market sells and trends that value changes quickly, and certain products' value can even plummet dramatically. So it was safe to say that he didn't want to wait around for an opportunity to open up, nor walk over to her casually without a strategy. If only she wasn't so heavily guarded at one point.

Azul: tch. Very well, I'll just need come up with a different solution to eliminate the problems. Let's prepare for our next class.
Jade: But of course.
Floyd: Ahh...I didn't wanna...

After the week went on, Azul continued to observe Raven actions....waiting for an opportunity to open up.....That never came!

Azul: (Another week...ANOTHER WEEK I BEEN OBSERVING HER PASSED BY AND SHE IS STILL GUARDED AS A RARE ARTIFACT!) (I guess this is their plan all along, waiting for her hype to dead down then give her to me..LIKE I'LL FALL FOR THAT OFFER! But I can't just wait around any longer...)

Azul thought as he was carrying the remaining shipment of supplies from the lounge. Normally he would had ask Jade and Floyd to do this for him;however Jade was on one of his hikes in the mountains by this time, and Floyd wasn't really in the mood for it— who was he kidding Floyd wouldn't do it even if he was in a good one— besides he didn't want to wait any longer. However, being a merfolk, he also wasn't particularly strong on land— evident by his P.E. Grade— so carrying four heavy boxes without magic was a tiring challenge.

As he placed down the boxes for a second, he needed to think about the issue at hand. Unannounced to Azul, someone was walking towards him.

Azul: *sigh* I can't even think straight right now due to these boxes; why did I insist on carrying them myself in the first place? Well I guess I might as well levitate them now.
Raven: Umm...Excuse me?
Azul: *mumbles* Now What? Yes yes what is—Ms. Queen! What are doing here?!
Raven: Umm...I was just walking by when I saw you out of breath. Are you okay?

Azul was still a little shocked from Raven's presents that he struggled to find the right words to say. It was only because he was caught off guard from her talking to him first; but he immediately snapped out of it and put on his gentleman smile— although he was still a bit shaken up.

Azul: Oh no worries, I fine, I was just resting a bit now.
Raven: So you are? Well I was only asking because it looked like you were struggling with these boxes; were they that heavy?
Azul:(She saw all that!? For how long and— Wait, Is she trying to look down at me? No no, I can't just create assumptions on her now. She barely knows me.) (Plus she doesn't know that I'm a merfolk, so in turn have no knowledge on my reduced strength, but still...)

As he pondered on his response, Azul noticed something on the top box, looking at it he said a label saying[FRAGILE. HANDLE WITH CARE] in bold letters. He remembered that he ordered new glasses for the lounge a couple of weeks ago but they never came; could this be them? Thinking it over, Azul came up with his excuse.

Azul: I assure you that I can carry the boxes myself. That said, I actually remembered I ordered a case of new glasses weeks ago and they never showed up until now. I was afraid the box might fall over and break so I just laid these down momentarily until I could find a better solution to carry them.
Raven: Couldn't you just levitate the boxes? It sounds easier.
Azul: At first I was planning on to, but now I know that glass is involved skeptical now. When levitating one must be focused, but one also need to be aware of the pressure they have on an object. Since the three boxes have different weight and durability, I have to be quite conscious on the pressure I put on every last one of them. *mumbles* and that would had been a headache of itself even with all not being fragile. So I must come up with a new strategy.
Raven: You know, I could carry one of them for you.
Azul: What? Oh no I quite alright, I'll just wait for Jade to come back. (besides I don't want to be in debt with you).
Raven: It really okay, I'm not in a hurry or anything.
Azul: Well you're a persist one, well whatever. Here, carry this on and follow me.

As Azul handed her a box, two walked towards the dormitories. As they entered the mirror for Octavinelle, Raven realized the dorm were underwater— or at least appeared that they're underwater— but she didn't right get a good look at the place due to Azul hurrying in pace.
Continuing their walk however, she noticed a sign saying "This way to the Monstro Lounge" and immediately stopped.

Azul: Huh? Is something the matter Ms. Queen?
Raven: Umm...The boxes we're carrying...are they perhaps for this Monstro Lounge place?
Azul: Yes. What about it?
Raven: Oh Umm... I just think, that it's quite generous of you to help out the owner. Unless you work here too?
Azul: Work here? Hehehe, that is quite humorous to think I work here.
Raven: So you don't?
Azul: Let me rephrase that. I don't just work at the Monstro Lounge...I run this establishment.

The minute Azul said that, Raven began to shutdown and beads of sweat rolled down her face. She knows she promised to stay away from the lounge— expectedly the owner— but it appears that they forgot to mention the owner and housewarden was the same person.