Into the World of Twisted Wonderland Pt 2

👑 The Beautiful Tyrant: Chapter 51 👑

Art is by @houdiniisazucchini

"The exhibit booths are where arts club students sell and showcase their original creations and other goods," Riddle explains as they walk down the steps. "The seniors also have booths to exhibit their research and study findings. Do browse and see if anything piques your interest."

"Oh yeah, Crewel mentioned somethin' about seniors comin' back for the culture fair," Grim says as he recalls the words. "How come we never see 'em on campus otherwise?"

"The typical M.O. for four-year magical academies is that seniors go off-campus for hands-on learning," Trey explains. "I'm no exception- I'll be doing the same next year, and I'll only be back for special occasions."

"Ooh...Whaddaya mean by 'hands-on'? What do you guys do?" Grim asks. Angel was curious as well, interested in the new information.

"Some people apply to shadow a certain special team in an administrative organization...While others leave to excavate or explore ruins, or to decipher ancient texts," Riddle explains. "Still others accept internships with magic related businesses."

"That sounds like a wide variety of options," Angel says as she thinks about the words. "What's this 'special team in an administrative organization'?" She asks.

"Oh yeah, Angel- you came from a world without magic, right?" Trey recalls. "Of course this would all be new to you," he chuckles. "Twisted Wonderland's fire and police organizations include elite teams comprised entirely of mages." The statement shocks her. "And the best and brightest mages in THOSE teams go to an international organization called the Arcane Response Unit. Lots of people grow up idolizing them."

"Sounds elite!" Grim happily exclaims. "So once I become a great and powerful sorcerer, I can join this Arcane Response Unit?"

"I haven't heard of them taking in monsters before, but we do live in an age of increased diversity..." Riddle says in thought, taking a moment to think about it. "I wouldn't rule it out if you put in the work."

"Wow..." Angel says in awe. "Mages have lots of different occupations, huh?"

"Heh," Riddle chuckles at her words. "You have to do a lot more than fly around on a broom to cut it as a modern mage. Think about your own futures. Follow the rules and study hard if you want to get ahead, though, only one of you would need to take that to heart."

"Yeesh, that's like your catchphrase or somethin'," Grim groans.

"Excuse me. You asked me a question, and I answered."

Angel thinks about the explanation. A world of magic was completely different from her world, yet, it only made her feel more out of place. She was 'accepted' in the school for special circumstances, yet she couldn't help to wonder: if she doesn't return home, what would she do here? She obviously can't stay in the school for the rest of her life, and though Crewel did offer her a chance to stay with him, she couldn't rely on him forever. She always remembered how Kalim happily said that she could just stay in Scalding Sands, thanks to his family's backing and the fact that she was a Purifier, but she always told him that she wanted to find other options, which he happily understood. Would there be something for her in the future if she stays here? She remembered a lesson that Trein said, how in the past, people who had no magical power would often be sold off or married without consent to other families. She hoped that wasn't the fate of her future here. Is there any jobs she could take with her having no magic? She thinks about her position. Could she use her position as a Purifier to get a job? No, she couldn't. She remembered what Crowley said, remembering how most people's opinions about them has become hostile over the years. She didn't want to live in danger for the rest of her life, she only wanted to go back home. She sighs, a bit overwhelmed at the thought of the future, and Trey noticed. "Ha ha," Trey chuckles, bringing her out of her thoughts. "The future's a hard thing for freshmen to envision. The culture fair isn't all stuffy research exhibitions, of course. There's also plenty of booths you can visit for fun," he says, changing the topic, which she was happy for. "In fact, my Science Club is running a decorative plant café. Care to check it out?"

The duo eye's brighten at the prospect. "Ooh, a café! That means food!" Grim happily says. "Count me in!"

The group walk into the greenhouse, the two surprised at the sight. Instead of the normal view of a walkway and gardening supplies, there was dining tables with chairs alongside them, decorated to fit the bright color of the plants. Upon closer inspection, there were tables and chairs in different parts of the garden, some having green, black, purple, white, and dark blue tablecloth, fitting the plants perfectly, enhancing them even further with their brightly colored petals and flowers. The two look at wonder at the sight, seeing some students putting plants in the middle of the table, setting up center pieces and tea sets, preparing to open. "Myah! Look, they've got a buncha dining tables set up in the greenhouse," Grim says as he sees the students bustling about, putting the final few touches on the tables.

"Hey, Trey!" One of the students happily says as they call out to him.

"Glad to see you!" Another student says as they put down a pot.

"You too, guys," Trey says with a smile. "Sorry I couldn't help you set up the café."

"It's fine. You stayed up late last night helping fine-tune the menu," one of them says.

"All Rook did was sing praise about your smooth workflow," the other student adds.

"Ha ha..." Trey sheepishly chuckles. "He does seem better suited to the Literary Club than the Science Club." Oh yeah, Rook did say he was part of the Science Club Angel thinks as she recalls him mentioning it. "He's also going to represent our school in the SDC Make sure you show lots of support as fellow club members, all right?"

"Will do!" The two says as they head back to work.

"I was rather perplexed when the Science Club submitted an application to run a café..." Riddle says as he looks around, seeing how well set up the café was. "But the botanical garden is quite spacious venue for it. That was some smart thinking," he smiles.

"It's always nice to have someplace to unwind at crowded events," Trey says. "It's also warm in the greenhouse, so it's the perfect spot to come in out of the cold after watching a show. Not to mention its size and capacity. I'm expecting a solid two days of sales."

"Y'know, none of what you're talkin' about sounds like it's got anything to do with science," Grim states.

"Oh, that's not true at all. This is a place to relax and admire the rare decorative plants that the Science Club grew as research specimens. Plus, cooking is highly scientific. Food preparation is arguably a form of experimentation. This is a perfectly legitimate science exhibit. The club members also wait tables in white lab coats. Doesn't get much more on-brand than that."

Angel's eyes focused on a laminated piece of paper, taking it for a closer look. She reads the paper, looking at the various pictures of food. "All the menu items look delicious," she says as she feels her hunger rising.

Riddle looks at his watch, shocked at the time. "Oh dear," he exclaims, getting everyone's attention. It's almost half-past ten. We'd best check on the rest of the campus. The festival opens to the public at 11 a.m., and I want my full patrol done by then." The three nod and Angel puts the menu back, leaving with the group to their next location.

The four walk into a classroom, with a sign that says 'Gargoyle Studies Booth' on the overhead. The four look around, seeing various statues of heads of monsters on the tables and some on the walls. Based on some observation, most of them seem to be the heads of horned creatures like dragons with their mouth open, almost as if they were breathing fire at anyone looking at them. Others seem to be of other monsters Angel doesn't know, sitting, or at least they're sitting, still, looking down. "What's this place supposed to be?" Grim asks as he looks around, shivering at some of the statues in front of him. "And what's with all the statues of scary-lookin' monsters?"

"Those are gargoyles- engraved sculptures that serve as a part of a system of rain gutters," Riddle explain. The description of the statues reminds Angel of what Midnight said as they looked at the gargoyles at the dorm. "This club is chaired by Malleus, the housewarden of Diasomnia, but..."

"I'm not seeing him around anywhere," Trey finishes as he looks around for the person in question.

"Malleus is an extremely capable mage, but he's never been the most punctual fellow," Riddle states. "He's the only member of the club, as I understand it. I hope he comes back before opening time. Leaving a booth unmanned would be asking for trouble."

"I don't know," Trey says with doubt. "Somehow I doubt anyone on this campus would dream of doing anything to Malleus's exhibit."

"You have a point there," Riddle agrees. "All right, on to the next booth."