Twisted Wonderland 2

Better Aquatinted

After stepping through the mirror, you arrive inside a grand building. Large arching columns and marble floors. Tall metal poles holding many candles and a huge, low hanging metal chandelier. Light shines through the stained glass windows, creating a beautiful array of colors on the floor.

Trein does a head count when everyone arrives. "Let's see, one, two, three... Yes, it looks like all thirteen of you made it safely."

Grim trots by your side. "So this is Noble Bell College!"

"What grand and beautiful stained glass windows." Rook admires. "This place feels... pure, in a sense."

Epel nods. "Yeah. Even though we're in a big, cavernous hall, the light coming through the windows is so bright."

Trein gathers everyone's attention. "Let us go and greet our hosts."

Before everyone can pick up their bags, footsteps echo throughout the room. Looking to the top of the stairs just under the chandelier, you see a silhouette approaching.

"I've been expecting you."

A tall boy with a pale complexion steps into the light. His hair is grey, almost white, and is styled in front with short, choppy bangs following longer sections framing his face. He has pale forest green with tints of deep blue, thick and upturned eyelashes. His lips are thin and pale. He also has dark circles under his eyes. He dawns a triangular cap, calf-length robes, heeled shoes, and curtain-like fabrics on the back of his coat. His purple and black striped cap with maroon accents has golden buttons mirroring each-other on its top, having an ankle-length red ribbon which is cut unevenly at the bottom attached to it. On his innermost layer he wears a button-up white turtleneck shirt, white opaque stockings, and calf-length black pants with purple cuffs. His second layer consists of black robes with long sleeves that are puffed below his elbows and slimmed at the wrists. The robe has two triangular cuts below his knee, splitting them into rectangular sections with creases that trace up to his waist. Atop that lies black padded fabric with stripes of purple and maroon that frame it which dangles below his chest and lies on either side of his white shirt. From the fabric, maroon tassels hang down to his waist, and rounded, black and red shoulder-pads point from both sides.

You take a step back, eyes wide. He reminds you so much of Claude Frollo. A couple other students dressed in a similar uniform join him.

The boy steps down the stairs waves an arm in a grand gesture. A serious expression ever present on his face. "Esteemed guests from Night Raven College, welcome to Noble Bell College."

Trein nods in greeting. "Judging by your uniform, you must be the student the headmage mentioned."

"That's right." The boy sweeps an arm behind him as he bows. "My name is Rollo Flamme. I serve as the student council president here."

"Oh, interesting." Riddle says. "Our school doesn't have an independent student council, but it sounds like you all do."

Rollo nods. "Indeed. And while it may sound presumptuous, one could call it the face of our school." He holds a hand out to Idia. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Idia hides behind you. "Ack! Immediate encounter with strangers!"

Azul rolls his eyes. "Isn't the whole point of this social to meet strangers?"

Sebek hums, muttering quietly. "This human named Rollo... There's something about his presence..."

Epel nods. "He's not smiling at all... Is he angry about something?"

Rollo gestures to the other students with a hand. "This is our vice president, and this is our aide. When they heard they could meet with such an esteemed group, they dropped everything and came running. The entirety of Noble Bell College welcomes you. Our school is small compared to yours, and you may find it lacking in some ways, but we beg your indulgence."