The Winged Child

♥ Chapter 9: A Mealtime Chat

***Cafeteria***

C.C. POV:

"Bwah?! Housewarden!" Ace shrieks in fear, jumping back a bit. "Hey, Riddle! What's shakin', pal? You're lookin' adorbs, as always!" Cater exclaims hesitantly. "Hmph. Cater, keep running that mouth and you'll lose it - along with the rest of your head." Riddle states sternly. "Sorry, sorry! My bad!" Cater backs off. "Myah?! You're the guy who put that stupid collar on me at the orientation ceremony!" Grim exclaims. "You frickin deserved it." I mumble, earning a pout from Grim. "And you're the new students who were nearly expelled yesterday. I'll ask that you not refer to my signature spell as a "stupid collar." The headmage's habit of tolerating rulebreakers like you is going to send this entire campus spiraling into chaos one day. Those who break the rules should have their heads removed immediately, without exception." Riddle explains impatiently.

"Dude, seriously? This guy looks like a wimp, but talks like a monster!" Ace exclaims. "The headmage may have forgiven you, but if you break any further rules, I assure you I will not." Riddle states. "So, uh, listen, housewarden, sir... Any chance I could get you to remove this collar?" Ace asks hesitantly. "I had intended to remove it once you'd taken an opportunity to reflect upon your crimes. But I've not detected so much as a hint of remorse in the foolishness I've heard you spout today. So I think I'll let you keep that for a while. Don't worry. The freshman curriculum is more focused on magical theory than practice. And your inability to use magic will help prevent incidents along the lines of what happened yesterday. Now, if you've finished your meal, you should quit gossiping and prepare for your next class. Rule 271 is quite clear: "One must leave the table within fifteen minutes of completing their lunch." You DO understand what happens to rulebreakers, I trust?" Riddle asks impatiently.

"More insane rules..." Ace mutters after sighing. "I believe you mean to say, 'Yes, Housewarden!'" Riddle says, his patience clearly running thin. "Yes, Housewarden!" Ace and Deuce exclaim fearfully. "Very well, then." Riddle says, calming down a bit. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them." Trey says. "Hmm. As vice housewarden, I trust you'll avoid any further indiscreet conversation. Now, as per rule 339..."The post-meal beverage is to be lemon tea with two sugar cubes." Thus, I must go to acquire my sugar cubes. Farewell. Don't even get me started on their violation of running out of sugar cubes...!" Riddle exclaims while walking away.

"Yeesh! That was terrifying." Cater says while loosening up. "That guy... has some serious issues." Grim grumbles. "Hey, don't disrespect him!" Deuce counters. "Is the housewarden gone?" I hear a student ask. "I totally just broke rule 186, "Never eat a hamburger on Tuesday." I don't know what I would have done if he'd caught me! *Sigh*... I wish he wouldn't come here so we could at least eat lunch in peace." I hear another student say, Cater and Trey keeping quiet.

"Riddle managed to secure the housewarden title before the end of his very first week at school. I know he can come off a bit harsh, but he's not a bad guy. Everything he does, he does because he thinks it'll improve the dorm." Trey explains. "Would a good guy go around putting collars on strangers' necks?" Grim asks, earning skeptical laughs from Cater and Trey. "That was your own fault for causing trouble and destruction Grim." Bubba says. "Grrrrr... But that collar really hurt, and it shut off all my magic! That's just rude!" Grim complains. "What is his "signature spell" anyways? I mean I saw it, but I don't understand it." I ask.

"Hm? You're curious about Riddle's signature spell?" Cater asks. "That means, like... It's a spell that only he can cast, right?" Deuce asks. "I doubt he's the only person in the whole world...But yes, a signature spell is a magical ability that is, generally speaking, unique to its user. You'll learn about them in class soon enough." Trey says. "Riddle's signature spell allows him to temporarily seal away the magic of another. The spell is named...'Off With Your Head!'" Cater says. "Even the name is completely psycho!" Grim exclaims.

"To a mage, losing the ability to use magic is about as painful as losing your head completely. Which is why all of us at Heartslabyul House try hard not to violate Riddle's rules." Cater explains. "And as long as you are following the rules, Riddle isn't so scary." Trey adds on. "Speaking of which - are you still not gonna let me into the dorm until I buy a tart, Cater?" Ace asks, crossing his arms sassily. "Don't @ me, but... yeah. That's rule 53, so my hands are tied. Also, Riddle always looks forward to having the first slice of a tart. So if you want him to forgive you, you had better bring a whole tart!" Cater exclaims.

"What happened to "We're all from the same dorm, let's try to get along?" Throw me a bone here!" Ace exclaims. "That's one thing. This is another." Cater states. "A whole tart has gotta be pretty expensive." Deuce states. "Seriously? I don't have that much money!" Ace exclaims in return. "Then why not make one yourself? Trey made those three tarts by hand, after all." Cater states nonchalantly. "Trey made them by himself? That cool!" Bubba says happily. "You made those tarts, Trey? That's incredible! That was like something you'd find at a bakery!" Ace exclaims in surprise.

"Heh. I appreciate that. We do have most of the stuff you'd need, but...I'm afraid I'll need something from you in return." Trey states. "You're gonna charge me to make it?! What kinda racket...?!" Ace exclaims. "Nah, I wouldn't take money from a freshman! But Riddle wants a chestnut tart next, so I'm gonna need you to gather a ton of chestnuts." Trey states. "Like that's any less of a hassle. But... fine. How many do you need?" Ace asks. "Well, it's for the unbirthday party, so... Probably two or three hundred?" Trey estimates. "Did you say HUNDRED?!" Deuce and Grim exclaim in surprise.

"And they're all gonna need to be boiled, shelled, and pureed." Trey states. "Understandable." I state. "Alright, I'm gonna head out." Grim states. "I'm leaving too." Deuce says. "You heartless cowards!" Ace exclaims in offense. "Hold up! Haven't you ever heard that food tastes better if you make it with your friends? This'll be a memory to treasure! It could even be your chance to make a splash as a cooking blogger!" Cater exclaims. "Don't tell Riddle, but chestnut tarts are at their tastiest when eaten right out of the oven. And the only people who get to experience that culinary privilege are the ones who make it." Trey adds on.

"Well, when you put it that way... Come on, humans, let's do this!" Grim exclaims. "Your opinion changed fast when food was brought up." I state, unamused. "It's fine C.C." Bubba says. "I heard there's a whole bunch of chestnut trees in the woods behind the campus's botanical garden." Trey says. "Cool. Plan made. Let's meet at the botanical garden after last period." Ace says. "We're gonna be up to our ears in chestnuts!" Grim exclaims.

***Interesting Facts***

-C.C. doesn't want to harvest chestnuts

-Cater is determined to teach C.C. the ways of social media

-C.C. has taken a liking to Trey and looks forward to his cooking, even though he doesn't necessarily need to eat