Twisted Wonderland: Glorious Masquerade - Let the Bell of Solace Ring

Chapter 1-4: A Non-Zero Effort

In the Pomefiore Dorm Lounge, Vil is doing some packing.

Vil checks Epel's package, "Cleanser, check. Face wash, check. Booster essence lotion, check. Moisturizer, check. Eye cream, check. Overnight serum, check. Day serum, check. Sheet masks, check..."

"Um, Vil..." Epel speaks up, "You're not even going to the social. You don't have to be so stringent about checking what I'm packing..."

"Please. I know you'd just take a change of underwear and nothing else if I didn't check," Vil points out.

"Okay, that's a little unfair..." Epl says.

"Oh, is it, now?" Vil questions, "I know how you like to cut loose when I'm not around."

Epel becomes frustrated, "Grk..."

And Vil explains, "You are representing both Night Raven College AND our dorm, which is under my leadership. If I hear any rumors of a student from my dorm goofing off in unkempt clothes with unprotected skin, well... I trust I don't need to spell it out."

Epel yelps, "Eep..."

"Worry not, Vil, for Epel will have my fullest support," Rook says.

"You don't exactly inspire confidence, Rook," Vil says, "Why did you two of all people get selected for this?"

'Oh, Vil. I implore you to forgive me for leaving you alone in such a way," Rook says, "I leave you this flower ere my departure. I shall return by the time this bud blooms. Please, keep it and do not forget me..."

"You do realize you'll be gone 72 hours, not 72 weeks, right?" Vil points out, "Look. The headmage may have been flippant about this whole thing... But you attend the famous Night Raven College. People will view you with their own prejudices, for better or for worse. There no telling who might seek to undermine you. You must stay sharp at all times when socializing."

Epel reassures, "Don't worry! I'll be honest, I ain't got a lick of interest in no ball... But I'll do my best to uphold Night Raven College and Pomefiore's image!"

"Heh. You're excited and you know it," Vil says, "I'm going to give you a crash course in ballroom dancing. Otherwise you'll just embarrass yourself."

"A crash course? Right now?!" Epel asks, shocked.

Rook is delighted, "Oh, how delightful! Come, Epel, let us trip the light fantastic!"

Meanwhile...

In Idia's bedroom, the blue haired Shroud housewarden is having a serious problem.

Idia cries out in complains, "NOOO! I don't want to go to a stupid social! It's the very LAST thing I'd ever want to do!"

"Are you still kicking up a fuss?" Ortho asks with a sigh, "So many other students wanted to go. You should consider yourself lucky you got picked."

'I've done a lot of lottos for merch over the years, but this is the first time I've won something I didn't even want..." Idia shouts and becomes frustrated, "Aaaugh, I didn't WANNA win the grand prize!"

"Aww, I wish I could visit Fleur City," Ortho says.

And Idia says, "I'd love nothing more than to let you take my spot, but the headmage won't allow it..." and sighs, "If only you could come with me."

"I'm also happiest when we're together..." Ortho says, "But I'd be just as happy if you made a new friend from another school at the social."

"Aww, Ortho..." Idia says with a smile, but then says, "Wait, I almost agreed without thinking, but that's KIND OF a tall order, y'know? I don't even have any friends here."

Realizing his brother has a point, Ortho says, "Um, well... Just try to make any friend, then. Even someone from the Night Raven group."

"It's lol-tastic just how pointless going to another school is..." Idia says.

He then asks, "But speaking of, what's Fleur City like, anyway?"

"I looked it up online," Ortho says, "It's not a major metropolis, but it's a beautiful city that's a highly-recommended vacation spot. It's known for its unrivaled scenery, and there are certain things you can only find there. Plus they have lots of neat tourist attractions," and has an idea, "Ooh, I know! You should take me there another time, Idia!"

"Huh? Me, take you on a trip?" Idia questions.

"Yeah! You can be my guide and show me places that aren't mentioned on the tourist websites! You can think of this trip as a practice run for our own," Ortho says, happily.

"Practice run..." Idia says, "Okay, if I'm doing it for you... I GUESS I could maybe put forth a non-zero effort..."

Ortho happily says, "Yay, glad to hear it! Enjoy your practice run, then."

"It's okay..." Idia says.

"Yeah, it's gonna be okay..." Ortho says and thinks, "Hm?"

"It's okay... It's not a social..." Idia says.

Ortho then asks, 'Um, Idia? Are you listening to me?"

"It's okay.. It's a solo trip... Everyone else is just baggage... It's not a social... Not a social..." Idia says.

"...He's trying to convince himself. Guess he's REALLY allergic to the word 'social'..." Ortho replies.