Chapter Text
Something shattered. The angry yells of Scarabia students followed you and Grim as Kalim’s magic carpet flew you out into the Hall of Mirrors.
This was just another night for you, the Ramshackle Prefect. Truly, there was never a dull moment in your life!
“GYAAAAAH! We’re gonna crash right into the mirror!”
But it’s a life never to be envied.
WHAM!
The impact was painful, but the crash rewarded you with some momentary peace. You rolled onto your back, lying flat on whatever cold, hard surface you landed on.
It was cold—so cold. It was almost a welcome change from the heat of your prison cell—er, room in Scarabia.
While it is a great relief to be away, you know all too well that as the Ramshackle Prefect, you must always be prepared for what’s next.
“Oi, hench-human!” Frantic paws tugged at your shirt. “Get up!”
Grim was right. You needed to get moving, or you might just find yourselves thrown back into prison.
Wherever you were, someone had turned on the lights. You opened your eyes, painfully so, to a blur of blues and purples.
Wait, this is familiar…
Is this…
Is this Mostro Lounge?
Two tall, familiar, and absolutely eerie and definitely unwelcome shadows fell over you, confirming your location.
“Well, well. What have we here?” That’s Jade Leech’s voice. Your vision focused on him first. He smiled down at you in wonder and hunger, yellow eye gleaming with fascination. “Patrons in search of a little midnight snack, perhaps?”
Ah, shit.
“NGYAAAH! It’s these guys!” shrieked Grim. The both of you scrambled away until your back met a hard surface.
Past incidents were still fresh memories. There was no forgetting what these two eels and their boss Azul Ashengrotto put you through. There would be no forgiving either.
“Aw, maaan. I was totally ready to squeeze any burglars here to nab our food supplies.” Floyd, who came into focus next, whined in disappointment. “It’s just the little Shrimpy and the Seal! Laaame.”
Grim started to panic. “We’re-we're inside Octavinelle!”
“Great observation,” you muttered dryly. “Where else is the air heavy with the spirit of greed—I mean, benevolence?”
Surely being a prisoner of Scarabia was better than this. But then, flashbacks of Kalim’s scarily unpredictable mood swings and the feeling of walking through the desert with aching limbs and a parched mouth played back in your head like a recap of a terrible TV episode.
Was there even a better option?
You wished for someone to just pick you up and take you back to Ramshackle.
Jade cleared his throat, cutting through your thoughts and pulling you back to reality. You can’t believe this was your reality.
“Care to explain why you've come here?” That unnerving smile of his never left his face. "And with such loud fanfare as well..."
His gaze made you feel as if you were nothing more than a specimen under a microscope. You wanted to shrink into yourself. Your head was too muddled to string words together. Trying to fake courage, you tried to hold eye contact. But not sooner did you avert your gaze.
His stare remained on you—analyzing, like it always does. It gave you the shivers. Now, honestly, both Leech twins were creepy as hell. But you preferred Floyd’s brand of creepy to Jade’s.
You didn’t even know what the guy’s Signature Spell was. For all you know, he could read minds.
Grim explained for you—thankfully—disorganized his story may be. That pulled Jade’s probing gaze from you for a moment. His attention had been so intense that it felt like a weight being lifted off your head.
“You were in a prison? Care to elaborate?” Jade pried like a prosecutor. Then, his eyes found you again, as if expecting you to talk.
Before you could open your mouth, the sound of heavy footsteps and panting neared, making you freeze.
“They followed us all the way here?” shrieked Grim, clinging to you for protection.
The two Scarabia students—the ones who were chasing you, had found you. And they're still very eager to bring you back.
Their persistence was admirable, you’d have to give them that.
“Eh? More intruders coming in?” An irritated Floyd stepped towards them, his scary expression slowing them down.
You sighed, closing your eyes and pinching the bridge of your nose. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. You already knew what would happen, of course. Floyd and Jade are not your friends. This would not end well. After all that effort, you would be thrown back in Scarabia.
“Well… sorry, Grim. You’ll have to dig us another hole out.”
Then, suddenly—
“What’s all the commotion at this late hour?” Azul Ashengrotto, Octavinelle Housewarden, strode out with a flourish of his coat. You’d never been more happy to see him.
That did not mean that his attempt to take Ramshackle was all water under the bridge.
One of the Scarabia students stepped forward, chest puffed up. “These two have stolen from Scarabia! If you refuse to hand them over, you’ll be party to their wrongdoing as well!” You didn’t miss the quiver in his voice and the way he shrank back. Now that you think about it, the student looked familiar. An anemone victim, maybe?
I free you and this is how you repay me? you thought bitterly.
Desperate, you tried to catch Azul’s eye, willing him to remember your tender moment together when you returned his class picture to the Atlantica Memorial Museum. You hoped that outweighed the memory of his contracts dissolving into grains of sand because of you! To be fair, that was Leona.
O benevolent spirit of the Sea Witch, may you compel Azul Ashengrotto right at this moment.
And so She did. Azul glanced at you, recognized you, and for a moment, a crack showed in the polished businessman's facade.
“No fighting of any kind is permitted in the Mostro Lounge,” Azul said—cool, firm, authoritative. “I will have to ask you to leave.”
The brave Scarabia students, whose names you hadn’t even learned, didn’t show any signs of backing down.
“You plan to shelter these thieves?”
“We can’t allow that, or the Housewarden will kill us!”
Azul raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “I hardly believe Kalim would—as you put it—kill you for this. These two crashed into the Mostro Lounge and incurred damages, which makes them our responsibility now.” He shot another curious look at you and Grim. “I promise that whatever was stolen will be returned promptly.”
Then, turning his gaze back on them, he said, “Now, leave them be.”
You couldn’t believe it. Azul Ashengrotto was actually protecting you.
The Scarabia student kept talking, even though he shook like a leaf.
“No. This is Scarabia’s business. You will hand them over to us!”
“Hmph. I think it’s time we asked these ill-mannered patrons to leave,” Azul said. “Jade. Floyd. Show them the door.”
You watched, half-dazed, as the Leech twins took swift care of the stubborn Scarabians.
Azul walked to you and outstretched his hand, which you gratefully took. Just as you were about to thank him for his benevolence, he had to ruin the moment with the next words that left his mouth.
“I hate to do this, but…” he started, adjusting his glasses. He wasn’t smiling. Well, you didn’t expect him to greet you like an old friend. You couldn’t imagine he was happy to be disturbed late at night by two intruders crashing into the Mostro Lounge. Especially by… you, of all people.
You braced yourself for whatever comes next.
“I’m afraid we’ll have to bill you for repair fees for the tables and chairs damaged in that fight.”
A string of curse words died at the back of your throat. The smile you gave him was as tight as the fist you made behind your back.
Azul was feeling generous. You and Grim were offered temporary refuge in Octavinelle—with a price, of course!
While Grim snored peacefully in the room they kindly reserved for you, you and Azul discussed payment terms for your stay and the repair bills for the damaged tables and chairs.
The pristine VIP Room of the Mostro Lounge was the same as you remembered, like nothing terrible had happened there. You never saw yourself coming back—sitting exactly where you sat when you put Ramshackle as collateral. With unease, your gaze wandered to the safe that once housed the golden contracts.
After everything that transpired in Scarabia, all of that felt like a lifetime ago.
“Tsk. Distracted, aren't we?” Azul said, pulling your attention back to him. “I asked if you would be able to pay, Prefect.”
“I literally have nothing on me,” you insisted. Thank you, Crowley, you bastard. “And don’t even think about trying to get your hands on Ramshackle again.”
There’s a flicker in his expression that suggests he was replaying a very unpleasant memory. It makes you smirk. Azul let out a nervous laugh. “That’s something I’ll never attempt again. Who knows what you’ll pull next time? I shudder to think about it.”
Jade entered with a tray of tea and treats, momentarily putting a pause to your conversation. You watch as he sets it down on the table between you and Azul.
“My, you both look quite uneasy,” commented Jade, gracefully setting the table. “The Prefect and Azul having a business meeting? Does this arrangement bring back any memories?”
You bristled. Jade turned to look at you, that signature smile unchanged. “I hope you enjoy your stay with us, Prefect.”
Shut up.
As he poured the tea, you immediately recognized the aroma that wafted into the air. It was honey-chamomile—your favorite from the tea blend set that Riddle gifted you. You drank it every night to de-stress.
Huh. What a coincidence. Is it the same brand?
“I wanted to ensure the Prefect felt at home, so I procured this tea for them. It’s their favorite blend,” Jade explained, catching your eye. You noticed it—a taunting quirk of his lips. Azul appeared pleasantly surprised, not expecting Jade to know such personal information.
“Is it now?” he said, looking down at his cup and breathing in the scent.
You tense up. You were right. He was creepier than Floyd. “A-and how would you know that?”
Jade laughed. "You look alarmed. I happen to know many things."
"That doesn't answer my question."
“Jade has his ways of gathering information,” replied Azul, smiling knowingly. “Don’t be surprised if he knows more about you than you might expect.”
You knew it—shady, slimy Octavinelle’s absolutely gathering intel on you, most likely to get back at you in the future! How much they already knew, you had no idea. How did they find out, exactly? Did someone watch you through your windows? Did someone fish through your trash to find what brand you drank?
You took a sip of the tea. It was as good as ever, and sure enough, it was the same blend. Somehow, its familiar taste didn’t feel so comforting anymore.
With the tea served, his job was done. Jade makes way for the door, but not without giving you one final assessing look. You shot him a glare, which he only answered with a tilt of the head and a smile.
Azul cleared his throat. “About your payment. I understand you don’t have the thaumarks. That is fine. There is another way to pay.”
You had a bad feeling. A really bad feeling.
“And that is?”
“Once school resumes, you work evenings at the Mostro Lounge for a week.”
A shaky exhale left your mouth. Actually, that alone didn’t sound too bad. But that would mean you'll be spending a lot of time with the so-called "Fish Mafia," who you now suspect to be gathering information on you. The thought induced a shudder down your spine.
“Oh, don’t look so glum, Prefect,” he said with a smirk. “It doesn’t end there. You see, I have a deal for you.”
“Oh, no, no,” you said, reeling back and shaking your head. “Not another contract, Ashengrotto.”
He laughed, amused by your reaction. “Listen, Prefect, I know the Headmage often leaves you… wanting for resources." Of course they knew that too. "My offer is this: You agree to work at the Mostro Lounge for the whole year, and you will be paid for it.”
You gasped. “You’ll pay me?” Crap.You didn’t mean to sound so desperate. Azul smiled and leaned forward conspiratorially. Was it just you, or did the lights just dim? "Think about it. You’ll get to buy yourself food, new clothes, furniture, repairs for Ramshackle, and anything else you might want. All I ask for is your service.”
Damn it, Azul. You make a tempting bargain. "I'll think about it."
He hummed, satisfied with your answer for now. "As you should. I feel this is starting to make sense for you, Prefect. I look forward to spending more of our time together!”
"O...kay?"
Azul smiled—surprisingly neither devious nor fake. You could almost believe it was genuine happiness. “I’m happy to hear that. Let me know your final decision soon, and I'll draft a contract."
You wouldn’t say Azul Ashengrotto remained unchanged by his overblot. While he was still a shady, slimy, greedy little octopus, you felt in your heart that he was at least trying to be a slightly better person. You hoped it wasn't just wishful thinking.
"However, all that can wait until after the break. After all, we have a mystery on our hands.”
You paused. “A what now?”
He seemed to find your confusion amusing. “In the morning, we return to Scarabia.”
“What? Why?”
“If your story's to be believed, Kalim is acting odd," he replied, looking pensive. "I would like to investigate it. Why, I can't help but feel concerned for my classmate and fellow Housewarden's well-being!”
“We just got out. Now you want us back in?” Your cup meets its plate with a sharp clink. "Just bring the twins and let Grim and I go back to Ramshackle."
He tutted. "Absolutely not. We need you." His cup meets his plate, too. Louder, as if asserting authority. “Jade, Floyd, and I will ensure you don’t end up locked in a dingy room again. Don't you worry.”
There was silence for a moment. There was you, trying to make sense of his words with a brain that just wants to sleep. There was him, trying to find the words to convince you.
“Prefect, don’t you want to cause them a little trouble for what they put you through?” he said, grinning.
When he saw your eyes light up, he knew he had you.
You shrugged. “I can’t say no to that.”
After your meeting, you joined Grim on your shared bed. Your tired body met the soft cushion—so soft, so unlike the bumpy one in Ramshackle that never failed to make your back hurt. The air was perfumed just right with the scent of sea salt and sage. Walls of deep blues, purples, and whites surrounded you. The temperature was nice and cool, and it would’ve been so easy to fall asleep if there was nothing on your mind.
Every day, your chances of returning home—your true home, were appearing more slim. Crowley has proven to be negligent, and this has never been more apparent after what happened in Scarabia.
While Grim snored away, you lay awake. If only thoughts of what might happen tomorrow didn't plague you…
You’d think that someone so tired, who just drank honey-chamomile tea, would easily fall asleep. But not The Ramshackle Prefect, no. Call it intuition, but you had a really, really bad feeling.