The Masquerader and the Jester [Rascal x Female Reader]

Chapter 9: The Heart of Pierrot

Chapter Song: "Annen-Polka, Op. 117"
-Johann Strauss II

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After training with Rascal, you reached out to Emily through text asking for a personal tour of the Library of Legends. As expected, she got excited by this proposal and agreed to show you around. Her passionate love for the library left no room to explain the reason behind the request, much to your relief. Thanks to her, you were able to get familiarized with the layout of all the bookshelves and the categories for each one. Spending more time at the library and learning about its diverse selection of books made you appreciate it that much more. The Library of Legends not only had every single fairytale in existence, it also had an entire section dedicated to magical items and artifacts.

When your next study session with Chloe came up, you brought up the subject of effective research strategies. You took Rascal's advice and expressed the desire to learn more about Jubiland and the Shadow Realm as a way to aid the Glitter Force. Aside from asking for her help, you also requested to get in contact with Pop for more professional research tips. Chloe was strongly in favor of your pursuit and loved the idea of consulting Pop, wondering why she hadn't done the same thing sooner. In the meantime, she taught you how to operate the Rainbow Hills Middle School Library Database for schoolwork.

Once Chloe was able to borrow the charm chest from Emily, she used the glitter phone charm to call Pop. As it turns out, he was an even more valuable resource than you had originally anticipated. He taught both of you how to narrow down your search with keywords, pick reliable sources of information, organize data, and other time-efficient techniques. Overall, the daunting quest for the Heart of Pierrot was coming along much smoother than expected.

To avoid drawing suspicion, you only frequented the Library of Legends around midnight to retrieve books from the magical item and artifacts section. Fortunately, no one caught you rummaging around during those times. In the past six days alone, you've searched through thirty books for any mention of the Heart of Pierrot. Every break between school and homework was dedicated to finding its whereabouts. Your patience was wearing thinner as the deadline and Rascal's impending visit loomed closer. But it was right when all your hard work and efforts seemed most in vain that you finally found it...

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"Wakey! Wakey!" a chipper voice cooed.

"Five more minutes..." you murmured groggily, turning your head to the other side.

A faint chuckling is heard nearby before a sharp fingernail pokes the side of your cheek. "No can do, sleepyhead! Rise and shine! There's a beautiful moon out tonight~!" Upon registering whose voice it is, you fling yourself upright with a startled gasp. The unwelcome sight of Rascal and his proximity were enough to give you a heart attack. He flashes you a fanged grin and casually waves. "Nice to see you again, Glitter Fantasy! Looks like you've been sleeping on the job."

You furrow your brows, unsure of what he's referring to until you inspect the surrounding space. Instead of a cozy bed, there was a messy desk filled with miscellaneous books, papers, and writing utensils. The table lamp continues to burn bright, illuminating the clutter with a warm yellow glow. But even with the light still on, both Rascal and the bedroom remained blurry. Slowly, you rub your eyes and yawn before acknowledging the animated jester. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop visiting me in my room unannounced?"

"But where else am I supposed to go? You said you didn't want to hold meetings in public," Rascal pouted.

"I don't know, I'm tired. What time is it?"

"One in the morning!"

"It's that late?!" you croaked. "W-When was the deadline again?"

"Right now!" Rascal takes several steps closer and places a firm hand on your shoulder. The hollow black eyes of his mask dilate as his iron grip tightens. "So tell me, have you found where the Heart of Pierrot is?"