Twisted Wonderland - Beanfest: Bean or Be Beaned

Chapter 20: Ease and Poise

Soon enough, the group finds a supply crate.

"Now, I trust you're cultured enough to know that a jacket this loud will impart a completely different impression depending on the model. Eye-catching items are the literal fabric of individuality—how they're worn makes all the difference," Vil says, "Don't be shy; give it your own twist."

Moments later, Floyd is now wearing a camo outfit similar to Vil's

Vil says to himself, "His exaggerated, lighthearted silhouette gives a simultaneous sense of ease and poise. Meanwhile, the functional tactical vest adds an imposing presence to an otherwise playful look. His aura is riveting. What he wears is a fashion statement—that he is a warrior who always gets his quarry."

He then says to Floyd, "Impressive, Floyd. Your style game is clearly on point, and you know yourself well. I hardly needed to offer any input at all."

"Yooo, I'm digging these new threads," Floyd says with a grin.

He then asks, "What do you guys think? Am I lookin' cool, or what?"

"You're wearing the same design as Vil, but you look so radically different. So, uh... Yeah! It's cool!" Epel replies.

But Vil says, "I have a problem with this. Why is all the gear going to Floyd?!"

"Hey, we had a deal: whoever beans the most monsters on the way here gets their pick of the goods, right?" Floyd says, "And I'm the guy who sent all the supply crate ambushers packing, last I checked."

Riddle becomes annoyed, "Rgh... I'll grant that you did make a significant contribution, but still."

"You're the one who hasn't been pulling his weight. Without your magic, you're like a goldfish outta water. Shouldn't a housewarden be, like...better?" Floyd replies with a grin, "But hey, don't worry—any monsters try to attack you, I'll scare 'em off myself. You can just huddle up and hide behind me. Ahaha!" and wraps his arm around Riddle's shoulder.

This has Riddle furious at him, "Grrr... GET YOUR ARM OFF MY SHOULDER THIS INSTANT." And moves away from Floyd's grasp, "And where do you get off mocking ME? Your housewarden Azul is hardly a heavy hitter himself with his magic out of the equation. From what I saw earlier, he was the only one on the monster team struggling to catch his breath."

"True. If he's that desperate to improve his PE grade, he could try putting in the work every day to—" Vil says.

But Floyd interrupts, "Wait, hold up. Who said anything about Azul bein' weak without his magic? He's real strong."

"What?" Everyone says, confused.

Then Floyd explains, "He's slow on land and in water, and he's got lousy athletic reflexes, but that doesn't mean he's weak. Azul's bigger than me in the water, and he's got eight huge, heavy limbs. His submission holds are bad news, and he's got crazy grip strength. If he so much as snags you, he can snare you with your arms pinned.

"Is this really Azul you're talking about? No offense, but I find that rather hard to believe," Riddle questions, sounding doubtful.

And Vil says, "He is somewhat tall, but he tends to cut a lean figure. It's hard to imagine him having that much in the way of musculature."

"I dunno, man. Octopi are, like, all muscle. Seems to me like that wouldn't go poof just 'cause he took a potion to turn himself human," Floyd says. "I'm just spitballin' here, obviously. But all I'm saying is that writing Azul off is a bad idea. Otherwise, a certain magic-less goldfishie might wind up gettin' squeezed and go flop."

Riddle glares at Floyd in response, "Excuse me? Are you suggesting I would FLOP?"

"Hey, hey, I only mean when you've got no spells to fall back on," Floyd says, and then begins teasing Riddle, "Who's a strong little goldfishie? You are!"

Riddle screams at him that his face turns red, "STOP PATRONIZING ME AT ONCE, OR IT'S OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

Epel tries to stop the argument, "Guys, come on, let's all calm down..."

But Vil stops him, "Save your breath. They've been at each other's throats ever since orientation."

"Really? That long?!" Epel asks, shocked.

Then Vil explains, "Orientation at Night Raven College tends to be...eventful. Yours was hardly an exception there, as I'm sure you recall. There was someone who snuck out of the ceremony... Someone who snuck into the venue and started fires in it... And someone who picked a fight with a housewarden."

"Grk..." Epel grunts annoyed, "Okay, look—"

And Vil continues, "Our orientation had its own share of mishaps. There are no orientations here that end without SOME sort of incident. Picking fights on day one might as well be a school tradition. If our student body practiced basic etiquette and courtesies... then our Beanfest wouldn't be an athletic event at all."

Epel soon laughs, "Heh... Ahaha! You know, you've got a point there. But, I have to say... I really like the meritocracy-based setup we've got at Night Raven."

"Yes. I suppose we could do much worse," Vil replies.

He then says, "Now, then. It's time to go. If our pair of live wires is QUITE finished, I suggest they join us unless they want to get left behind."

"I object to that name, Vil. Maybe it applies to him, but I'm no live wire!" Riddle says.

"Is that supposed to be a joke? 'Cause it's hilarious," Floyd says and begins laughing.