The group continues to walk down the staircase.
Just then, Epel says, "Now that we've handled that... Time to pick up where you left off!"
"Where I left off? What were we talking about again?" Rook questions.
"I think Epel means that you're mentioning that you were originally assigned to Savanaclaw before you transferred to Pomefiore," Briar replies.
"Uh huh," Sereia says with a nod.
Soon, Rook remembers, "Oh yes, that!"
Soon, Rook explains, "The Dark Mirror chose Savanaclaw for me at my orientation. I've often identified with the King of Beasts' spirit of persistence, myself. So I saw no issue with the assignment. In fact, I found my time in Savanaclaw to be quite fun and rewarding."
"Really?" Sereia asks.
"So then, why did you transfer to Pomefiore?" Briar asks.
Epel then mutters, "Seems like kind of a waste..." but notices Vil giving him a firm glare.
Epel corrects himself, "Er, I mean, if it suited you, you didn't really have to transfer, did
"I did so because I wished to gain a deeper understanding of beauty," Rook says. "Granted, I could've continued my pursuit independently in Savanaclaw. But... Transferring to Pomefiore, a dorm honoring the spirit of the Fairest Queen, would help me reach the true depths of beauty all the sooner. That was what my hunter instincts told me, anyway."
Epel is shocked, "Bwhaaa?! You made a decision that important based on a gut feeling?!"
Rook laughs, "Hahaha! It was more than a mere gut feeling, l assure you. Another reason was my desire to watch Vil hone his own beauty up close. After all, two swordsmiths hammering a blade can give it an even keener edge. I volunteered to swing the second hammer upon Vil's blade of beauty."
"Oh my," Sereia says.
"Sheesh..... This boy ain't right..." Epel replies.
Then Vil says, "I tried to dissuade him when he first brought up transferring to me. But Rook cares not for the opinions of others once he decides something. Though you two already know that, right?"
Briar giggles, "Once his heart's set on something, he never lets go."
"Before I knew it, the complicated paperwork and ceremonies were complete, and there he was, wearing a Pomefiore uniform," Vil says. "He stood out like a sore thumb, of course. He looked QUITE different back then."
"What'd he look like?" Epel asks.
"Well, his hair was long, thick, and completely unkempt," Vil answers, "Scraggly like you wouldn't believe. Also, he never bothered with sunscreen or skin care, though he's prone to sunburns... So his cheeks and nose were always freckled and bright red. And as for his attire, he only cared if it was easy to move around in. He'd just waltz all over the place in sweatpants with frayed hems or jeans with torn knees, without even bothering to mend them."
Soon, Epel and the girls become shocked.
"Say whaaat?!" Epel exclaims, "I can't imagine that at all."
"He would at least put in a modicum of effort with his grooming when going to an opera or concert that had a dress code," Vil adds.
"Ahh, this takes me back! It's a bit embarrassing having all these old stories dredged up in front of freshmen, I admit," Rook replies.
"With that grin on your face, you don't look embarrassed at all...." Epel replies.
He then asks, "What gets me is that you changed dorms to pursue beauty, but didn't put any care into your own appearance. That, and aren't you like, rich? Why were you going around in tattered sweatpants?
"I suppose back then, the "beauty" Rook sought didn't encompass his own appearance," Vil says. But one time, we had an intense discussion about how the audience plays just as large a role as the performers in plays and concerts. A play isn't a play without an audience to watch it. In that sense, the audience itself is a member of the cast. I'm not saying it's wrong to dress casually for a play when there's no dress code. But personally, I prefer to dress in a way that befits the beautiful stage. Of course, there's a chance you'll make your fellow audience members feel underdressed, which would be a bit of a faux pas. But when I coordinate my attire and makeup to fit in as a theoretical part of the show... Well, that's part of the fun of seeing a play, to me. Getting ready to see a show makes me feel so excited... 'Pumped,' even. At one point after that discussion, Rook told me with much delight that he won a front-row ticket to a play featuring his favorite actor. So I said that since it was a special occasion, he should get dressed up for it. The dress code for the play was smart casual and up, anyway. I had zero interest in dressing up before then."
"But Vil gave me such wonderful advice," Rook says, "He even coordinated my entire ensemble. I don't think I'll ever forget the exaltation I felt when I set out for that play! I always delight in watching shows. But if I were to quantify my enjoyment and rate my prior experiences at 100... Then that day was easily 120! Perhaps even 200! Ever since then, I've developed an appreciation for personal care."
I now know the actor Rook mentioned was Neige. And Neige wouldn't mind a bit if his fans saw him in tattered sweats or patchwork pants. So my advice was entirely unwarranted," Vil adds.
Soon, Epel begins to laugh, "Ah... Ahaha... But if it helped Rook enjoy the play more, then it all worked out for the best...right?"
"Exactly, Epel. Encounters with the unknown are always sublime to me!" Rook says.
Soon, everyone begins to laugh with smiles on their faces.
Suddenly, something zooms right past them, catching their attention and some to yelp.
"What's that?" Sereia asks.
"What that...?" Briar asks, and begins to hurry down the stairs.
"Briar!" Epel calls out.
"We need to hurry, I think that's Grim!" Briar says and hurries down the stairs.
"Quick, after it!" Rook calls out.
Everyone soon follows Briar down the staircase as fast as they can. They travel further down, but they can't seem to find Grim.
After taking a breather, Epel shouts, "GRIM!"
"GRIM!" SEreia calls out.
"Are you out here?!" Briar calls out.
"Tartarus has but one way forward. It makes no sense that we lost sight of..." Rook says.
Suddenly, they hear a loud, "SHAAAGH!"
Rook quickly looks up, "Above us! Everyone, ready yourselves!"
Everyone prepares themselves as a Phantom appears before them. Without a second thought, they attack the Phantoms with their magepens.
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld
FanfictionAfter Grim attacked Briar after the SDC, she and her friends search for him, but captured by Ortho. A few days later, the school has been invaded by strong people is armor, and has captured, Riddle, Leona, Azul, Jamil, Vil, and Briar, and has Grim i...
