𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕎𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕: 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕦𝕖: 𝟘.𝟙𝟘

          3𝑟𝑑 𝑃𝑂𝑉
     The first day of club applications have finished, and everyone is returning to their dorms. Jack, Opal, Morgan, and Sylvette were walking pass the Cafeteria, and they paused, looking inside confused. The large chandelier that had hung in there just this afternoon was destroyed on the floor. “What in the-?” Morgan asks very confused, sharing a confused look with the others. 

     Opal lets out a weary sigh, rubbing the back of her neck, before giving a one finger salute and says is a sing-song way, “Fuck this shit I’m out.” She walks away, and Jack just shrugs while he follows. Morgan and Sylvette stay for one more moment before following the duo.

     As they approach the hall of mirrors, they see Azul talking to Rook. They both perk up and smile at the group. “Ah, salut les filles~! And, random boy walking with them.” Rook dramatically bows to them, tipping his hat in their direction before fixing Jack with a hard stare, still smiling. Said boy shifts uncomfortably from Rook’s stare and with how Azul was staring at him with the same look. ‘Eesh, this is horrifying.’ He thinks to himself with a shudder.

     Opal steps in front of him and says, “Don’ worry ‘bout him, he’s my friend. He's fine.” She shrugs her shoulders as Jack nods his head, slightly fearing for life. 

      “Well, I am glad you all returned safely.” They turn to Azul, who was giving the group a smile, and he approaches them. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Azul Ashengrotto, second year, and Dorm Leader of Octavinelle. A pleasure.” He gently shakes the girls hands, and firmly shakes Jack’s. 

     Sylvette perks up and says, “Ah, you’re Morgan’s brother! It’s nice to formally meet you.” From behind the group Morgan rolls her eyes, crosses her arms, and letts out a ‘tsk’. Sylvette continues, not having heard. “I’m Sylvette Ashten, first year Pomefiore.” She gives him a radiant smile. He returns it, blush so small it was barely noticeable. He turns to Opal. “Opal Clément, same as Sylvette.” She gives him a tight smile, but he returns it with a calm one.

     Rook steps forward and puts his attention on Morgan while the others speak. She perks up, dropping her aggravated stance. She gives him a smile similar to Azul. He bows down, and gently grabs her hand, pecking the back of it. “Bonjour Reine du mystère. Tis a pleasure to formally meet you! I am Rook Hunt, third year vice dorm leader of Pomefiore.” He stands back straight and sees her slightly flushed cheeks and flustered smile. “Uhm, nice to meet you too Hunt-Senpai.” She says with a giggle in her voice. 

     The others turn their heads to them, and Azul’s smile twitches. 

     Rook shakes his head with a playful ‘tut’. “Non non, you may simply call me Rook-Kun. Now, apologies to leave when we just met, but Roi du Poison had tasked me with making sure Dame Bijou and Madame Beauté returned safely. But I do hope to talk to you again.” He gives her an apologetic smile and she shakes her head “Oh, don’t worry about it! It was-uh-it was a pleasure to talk to you as well.” She gives him a smile. 

     He nods his head in thanks, then turns towards the other girls, still smiling. “Now, shall we all head to our dorms?” He asks with a clap of his hands. 

     Azul straightens himself and returns the smile. “Of course! I had come to also make sure Morgan returned safely. It was a pleasure talking to you two.” He says to Opal and Sylvette. Jack lifts his hand with an offended look on his face. Azul quickly says, “Oh! And it was also nice to meet you as well Jack.” He gives said boy a tight smile as he approaches Morgan. “Now, shall we leave?” He lifts his arm for her with an innocent smile. She harshly stares between his face and arm for a second before reluctantly taking it, giving him a fake smile. Her smile turns genuine as she turns to the others. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.” They return her smile and the siblings walk into their mirror. The second they were alone, she ripped her arm out of his with a scowl and wipes it off like he was unwanted dust on her sleeve. He rolls his eyes, his own friendly expression dropping, as he walks towards the Monstro Lounge, her in tow complaining.

༺༻

     Rook turns to Jack and gives him a smile. “Well Monsieur Bouffon-” Jack quickly interrupts with a raise of his hand. “Actually, it’s Jack, and that’s not even close.” “Oui, I know.” Jack gives him a deadpan look, quickly turning and giving Opal a glare as he hears her let out a laugh, before covering with a cough. “T’was a pleasure to meet you, but alas, I must return to my dorm with the filles. Au revoir.” Rook gestures to the girls to follow him as he goes through their mirror. Sylvette leaves with a wave and smile to Jack and follows. 

     Opal gives a long sigh and turns to Jack. “Dude, please, I begg’a ya, switch dorms with me. Ya know how I feel ‘bout pretty people like the people in that dorm.” She had her hands clasped together while Jack rubs the back of head, slightly looking away. “Sorry Opal, no can do. Plus,” he faces her with an incredulous look, “what makes ya think mines any betta!? Literally an in the dorm for Queen of Strictness, remember?? Not sure how much better that could be.” 

     She sighs again and hangs her head, shrugging her shoulders in defeat. “Fair enough. Ok, in that case, I’ll talk to you later.” She waves her hand and finally enters her mirror.

     Jack sighs and playfully shakes his head. Before he could walk to his own mirror, he hears his name. He turns around and sees a widely smiling Cater approaching. “Hey Cater-Senpai, what’s up? What’s got you so weirdly happy?” He jokes, making said person let out a sarcastic laugh. “Very funny, freshie. But, even you can’t ruin my #vibe, because I got someone to sign up for my club.” He proudly puts his hands on his hips as Jack smirks and raises and eyebrow. “Wow, whatt’a win.” He sarcastically says, playfully rolling his eyes as the two begin to walk.

     “Hey, it is in a fact a win, clown boy.” “Am I suddenly the mascot of the joker card?! Like, this is the second time within a minute I’ve been compared to a jester.” He says with a raise of his hands, making Cater laugh at him. “I don’t know, probably your half-and-half hair? Usually jesters have their hats like that.” He explains with a shrug of his shoulders, making Jack groan and roll his neck to the side. “It ain’t my fault, I was born like this. But anyway, back ta the matter at hand, why is this member ya gained for your club a win?” He faces Cater again.

     He pauses before they could enter the mirror and grabs Jack’s arm, spinning him to fully face him. “I’ll tell you why. One of the girls had signed up!” Jack’s eyebrows raise in surprise, and Cater quickly adds on, “Well, she signed up her sister, but still! It’s a win!”

     Jack goes back to neutral, but slightly more amused now. “So, how do ya know this girl will actually wanna be in ya club.” “Because~, Mr.Doubty-Mc-Doubter, she wouldn’t sign her sister up for something she wouldn’t enjoy.” He confidently crosses his arms, and Jack playfully rolls his eyes again. 

     They walk into the mirror and continue to talk. ”Ok, what about the sister? She also in the club?” He questions, but Cater shakes his head. “No, she joined a different one, suggested by the ever kind Cay-Cay-Senpai~.” Jack nods his head, a playfully doubtful look on his face, before he pauses, and chuckles to himself. “Wait, can I guess which club it was, and the girl?” 

     Cater smirks and says, “Sure. I’m figuring out the girl will be easy, but the club, eh, not so much.” He shrugs his shoulders confidently. 

     Jack close his eyes and rubs his chin, in a thinking way, before he returns the smirk and says, “The girl was Petra from Ignihyde and the club was the board game club. Am I right, or am I right?” He opens an eye and glances at Cater, whose mouth is open in surprise. 

     He closes it and gives and small smirk. “Wow freshie, #impressed-...wait~ one second.” His eyes narrow playfully and he points an accusing finger at him, who in turn raises his hands innocently. “I take back my #impressed, you probably already knew! She probably told your female friend, who in turn told you, am I right?” “No, actually, ya ain’t!” Cater looks slightly surprised as Jack explains as they exit the maze entrance. ”I was with ma friend when I heard it from Petra, but she told me herself. She even asked me and said friend ta join the club with her so she ain’t the only girl. That’s how I knew.” 

     Cater sighs but lets out a chuckle. “Ok, fair enough. Look at you, being a ladies man. #Jealous, freshie out here with more game than me.” Jack lets out a laugh and says, “Hey, it ain’t ma fault I’m the same age as them and in such, know them better than you.” “Plus because of your own female friend?” “Yes, plus because of my own female friend.” The two laugh as they enter the Heartslabyul castle.