Twisted Wonderland 2

Decoration Alight

   The bell signaling the end of class rings through the classroom. Students pack up their belongings and start to head out the door. You sling your bag over your shoulder and walk out of class.

   Grim trots beside you. "Another boring day of school over and done with. Hey, Y/N! Let's mosey home to the dorm. We gotta get back to that game we were playin' yesterday! Would it have hurt 'em to build Ramshackle Dorm a LITTLE closer to campus, though? Sheesh."

   You can't help but laugh. "We have an easier commute than the other dorms, though. They have to walk through the Hall of Mirrors and then walk into their dorm."

   "Yeah." Grim huffs. "Still gonna complain though."

    As you approach the gates surrounding your dorm, you're met with the most peculiar sight. A large red dragon with blue horns and orange spikes almost appears to be leaping from the ground by the front gates. Around the dragon, glowing jack-o'-lanterns with carved faces are scattered across the ground and perched on the gateposts. A pagoda is in the middle of the pat leading to the dorm, with red lanterns hanging above and draped across the trees along with pink lotus flowers placed everywhere.

   Grim doesn't seem to notice at first. "Phew, we made it! Honey, we're... home?" He spots the dragon, jumping behind you in a fright. "A monster! Don't just stand there, Y/N! CHEESE IT!"

   "Ah, you're here."

   Grim leaps to your shoulder, hiding behind your hair. "GAAAH! Another monster behind me!"

   Turning around, you see Lilia. He laughs from Grim's frightened expression. "That's the reaction I like to see. You got home quicker than I was expecting."

   You wave cheerfully to Lilia. "Hey, Lilia."

   Grim peeks from behind your hair. "Wait, I know you. You're the guy from Diasomnia who keeps poppin' up places upside-down!"

   "Indeed I am." Lilia dramatically bows. "Lilia Vanrouge the elusive beauty, at your service."

   "What're you even doin' here?" Grim asks. "We haven't seen you since that whole deserted island fiasco. Wait, we got better things to do than stand around chatting! We gotta get away from that colossal monster!

   "Oh, relax." Lilia waves him off. "It's an imitation made of papier-mâché."

   "Huh?" Grim looks at the dragon, tilting his head. "It's fake?"

   Lilia nods. "Mm-hm. A wooden skeletal frame with paper affixed all over. It's the fruit of Diasomnia's labor. We're hard at work on more as well. Gates, lanterns, you name it."

   You notice the various Diasomnia students setting up the decorations around the dorm. You can hear the students talking and giving directions as they mill about.

   "We're about to raise the gate with a group spell. Watch your heads, everybody!"

   "Let's coil the tail around the garden so it stands out!"

   Lilia smiles. "By all means. Don't be shy. Give this the works!"

   "Yes, sir!"

   Grim glances around in bewilderment. "What in the world is goin' on here? Why's Ramshackle getting a haunted house makeover? HEY! Who said you could mess with my dorm, huh?"

   "Why, the headmage, of course." Lilia says with a smile ever present. "He gave us his full blessing."

   "Say what? Why, I oughta..." Grim grumbles under his breath.

   You take Grim off your shoulder and hold him in your arms. "The decorations are really fun and I appreciate Diasomnia setting them up, but why are you decorating Ramshackle?"