Twisted Wonderland 2

A Night to Remember

Entering the hall, you see everything has been fixed or repaired. The tiled floors are polished and reflect the glow from the burning candles. The chandelier has been fixed and hung back up. The hall looks as if nothing had happened last night. An orchestra band plays music in a corner of the room.

Malleus hums. "The hall looks just as beautiful as when we first saw it."

"How invigorating it all feels." Rook says. "Why, I'd say the space is more dignified than ever!"

Grim leaps to your shoulder. "Everyone's wearin' the same kinda fancy duds we are. I still look the coolest, of course!"

Looking to the boys, they're all wearing a mask that matches their attire. You wear one as well. It's turquoise color and beautiful sequins match your outfit perfectly.

"You guys look great in your masks."

Malleus looks to you with a smile. "I noticed this earlier, but you look quite different in a mask as well, Y/N. It really suits you."

You're thankful that the mask hides your blushing. "Thank you."

"I'd prefer to make my face known to our fellow arcane academy peers," Azul shrugs. "but we must follow the dress code."

Idia grins. "This mask rules. It's like my life preserver in this loud sea of people."

Jamil folds his arms. "I can't imagine just wearing a mask over your eyes would affect things that much."

Malleus glances around the room. "Seeing everyone here wearing masks, it reminds me of how people danced in their masks at Topsy Turvy Fest yesterday."

Azul nods. "Oh yes, the idea there was that the masks concealed your true identity. That festival feels like so long ago now."

Malleus chuckles. "I cannot blame you for feeling that way. We had a very long night."

Idia groans. "I already put in overtime. If only we didn't have to do this offline meetup ball with a bunch of partiers..."

A student bumps into Idia. "Oh, pardon me. I didn't mean to bump into you."

"Uhhh, s'cool..." Idia shrinks away.

Other students gather around your group.

"Hello there! Lovely evening, isn't it?"

"I know we haven't officially met, but we should celebrate making it through that awful ordeal together!"

Idia ducks behind you. "This place is swarming with sparkly, cheerful normies!"

You shake your head as you laugh. "You can't hide behind me all night, Idia."

"I take that as a challenge and I accept."

Silver smiles as he glances around. "All these people are still smiling, thanks to our group."

"This is going to be a lovely ball." Riddle grins. "Just seeing all this merriment makes everything we went through worthwhile."

Ruggie flicks an ear. "Yeah, for sure. And as long as there's food, you won't hear any complaints from me."

Jamil smirks. "Since we're all wearing masks, you can't tell who anyone is. So I say we just eat and dance the night away."

A little bell rings, causing the chatter to die down.

Grim tilts his head. "What's with that bell?"

Looking to the top of the steps, you see the vice president.

"Allow me to thank you all for coming. The Noble Bell College student council president and organizer of the first Promising Young Mages' Social would like to say a few words."