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the-scouts-codex · 11 months

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Summary: “A Housewarden meeting?” Renmu repeats. “Yes, a Housewarden meeting. Normally Housewardens are elected by previous Housewardens and or by challenging one for the position.” The Headmage explained, “Since Ramshackle is still considered a dorm, and You and Grim have taken residence in it, this makes you Housewarden of Ramshackle. Therefore, you now attend Housewarden meetings.”

Scout's Notes: This fic is 11,333 words. Yes, that is a lot of words lol. So I will be posting my work in parts. This is part 3. This fic is also found on A03 here. Thescoutscodex

Part one can be found here. Part 2 is here.

An assortment of food was offered to the table. Foreign dishes were served along with seafood and sweets. The food looked amazing. Everyone took from the shared platters.

“You can thank Jamil, and Trey for the food and sweets.” Jade said happily.

“Yeah thanks to them I didn’t have to do it.” Floyd said happily.

“Thanks for the food.” Renmu said softly.

“You’re quite welcome.” Trey said with a cunning smile.

“Jamil’s cooking is always the best!” Kalim laughed loudly.

“Now, I know some of us have already done so, but we must introduce ourselves.” Azul announced. “Please include titles.”

Leona and Idia groaned. “Leona Kingscholar. Housewarden of Savanaclaw.” Leona growled.

“Ruggie Bucchie.” Ruggie said lazily. “Not a Vice but Leona’s right hand man.”

“Riddle Rosehearts, Housewarden of Heartslabyul.” Riddle said proudly.

“Trey Clover, Vice Housewarden of Heartslabyul.” Trey said, tipping his fedora.

“Cater Diamond, Trey’s right hand man.” Cate said with a wink.

Trey shook his head and laughed. Next was Azul. “Azul Ashengrotto, Housewarden of Octavinelle and Proud owner of Mostro Lounge”

“Jade Leach, Vice Housewarden of Octavinelle.” Jade said smiling.

Floyd sighed. “Floyd Leach. I’m his muscle I guess.”

Renmu was confused. “What do you mean by muscle?”

Floyd, Jade and Azul smirked. “Let’s hope you are never on the receiving end of a beached contract. You will find out why he’s my muscle.” Azul explained.

Renmu’s mouth went dry. He could put two and two together. Jamil took a sip of his drink before speaking.

“Jamil Viper, Vice Housewarden of Scarabia.”

Kalim stood up excitedly. “Yaay, my turn. I’m Kalim Al-Asim, Housewarden of Scarabia!”

Renmu smiled. He was adorable. “Ah, I guess it’s my turn.” Renmu said nervously. “Yuu Renmu desu…A-Ah, I mean, I’m Renmu Yuu. The new Housewarden of Ramshackle.”

Lilia hummed in thought. “Which one is your surname? You introduced yourself to me earlier with Yuu first.”

“Oh, where I come from, we introduce ourselves with our surname first, not our given name.” Renmu explained, “Yuu is my surname, Renmu is my given name.”

“Oh, so like military rules. I would love to learn more about your home when the time comes.” Lilia said.

“As would I.” Riddle announced.

It made Renmu happy that they already wanted to know more about him.

“Keep the line going!” Floyd yelled.

Lilia chuckled. “Lilia Vanrouge, Vice Housewarden of Diasomnia.”

“Malleus Draconia, Housewarden of Diasomnia.” Malleus said.

Vil stood and bowed. “Vil Schoenheit, Housewarden of Pomefiore.”

Rook then stood. Leona, India, and Ruggie groaned. “You know he’s gonna do it…” Idia mumbled.

“I, Le Chasseur d’Amour, Rook Hunt, am the Vice Housewarden of the dorm of beauty, Pomefiore. As well as Vil’s faithful companion.”

Renmu laughed. He loved his energy. “I love the title.”

Rook smiled fondly. “Merci, Amour.”

“Don’t encourage him!” Ruggie whined.

Lastly was the poor Idia at the end of the circle. Idia sighed. “Idia Shroud. Unfortunately, I am the Housewarden of Ignihyde…”

Riddle scowled. “You should take more pride in your status as Housewarden.”

“Don’t wanna…” Idia whined, sitting back down.

Renmu wondered why he didn't like being Housewarden. Couldn’t he just quit? Azul clapped his hands together, getting everyone's attention. “Now that introductions are done, let us enjoy ourselves.”

They went back to their food, casually talking amongst themselves. Idia didn’t say a word. Renmu could definitely relate.

“Renmu, what’s your favorite food?” Lilia asked to start a conversation.

Renmu looked over to Lilia. “Ramen.”

“Eh, seriously!? Mine too. We're like Twinsies” Cater squealed.

Multiple people groaned. “Who says twinsies!?” Ruggie asked, annoyed.

“All the trendy dudes and dudettes do.” Cater replied smiling.

“Sounds so lame.” Idia mumbled.

“Boo so mean.” Cater whined.

“I’m surprised you have Ramen here.” Renmu said, surprised. “It’s my country's native food.”

“Totes cool.” Cater commented.

“What are your hobbies, Renmu?” Lilia asked again.

“Mmm. art, cleaning, fixing things, playing music, dancing, reading, learning, playing logic based games and or video games and sleeping.” Renmu listed.

“Sleeping isn’t a hobby, Renmu.” Riddle said disappointedly.

“Sounds like a hobby to me…” Leona mumbled.

“You like art?” Rook asked happily.

Renmu nodded. “I like to paint and photography.”

“Quelle Beauté!” Rook cried.

“Such diligent and beautiful hobbies you have. Beauty comes from within as well as it does on the outside.” Vil said smiling.

“There he goes, spouting nonsense. Do you play chess at least?” Leona asked. Renmu nodded.

“Hmm, maybe I should play with you to see what you got.” Leona said with a confidant smirk.

“RPGs are better. You have to multitask in those.” Idia chimed in.

“To be honest, my peoples RPGs feature people that use magic. In my world, magic is something part of a fantasy.”

“So weird.” Idia mumbled.

“Does sound a bit strange.” Trey commented.

“That’s good and all but he says he dances.” Jamil repeated.

“Jamil loves to dance Renmu. He can’t resist.” Kalim chirped happily. Jamil rolled his eyes.

“I mean, It’s nothing special. I'm sure the dances my people do would be very weird to you.”

“Oh oh, do it.” Kalim shouted.

Renmu shuddered. “I-I could never dance in front of people. That’s just as bad as asking me to sing.”

“You sing too?” Cater asked.

Renmu nodded once more.

“Aww, I would totes love to hear you sing.”

“As would I.” Lilia chuckled. “I’m not that bad either.”

“Not that bad?” Idia questioned.

“You sang trash metal at the pop culture concert last year. It sounded like screeching.” Cater said with a shudder.

“Trash Metal? You mean like Heavy metal?” Renmu asked.

“Heavy metal?’ Lilia asked.

“Where I come from, heavy metal is intense rock music with screaming.”

“Yes, exactly like that. Do you like that type of music?” Lilia asked.

“Yeah I do.” Renmu replied.

“Where do you come from, Son of man?’ Malleus asked.

“I come from a country called Japan. It doesn’t exist here though.”

“How unfortunate.” Rook said sadly.

“Does your county have its own language? You said something earlier that I did not understand.” Malleus asked.

“Yes. It’s called Japanese.”

“Ooh, Say something in your native tongue for us, dear?” Lilia asked.

“Please?” Cater pleaded.

Renmu sighed with a smile. “I guess saying something wouldn't hurt. Watashi wa Yuu Renmu desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.”

They stared at Renmu in awe. “So pretty!” Cater squealed.

“Quelle Beauté!” Rook cried.

“Nothing special. I just introduced myself.” Renmu explained.

“I really want to hear you sing in your native tongue!” Kalim said excitedly.

“Maybe next time.” Renmu mumbled.

“Lilia and I come from the Briar Valley. We are known for our expected magic abilities, though we don’t have a native language.” Malleus explained.

“Ah, what about everyone else?” Renmu asked.

“Trey and I are from the Queendom of Hearts.” Riddle replied.

“Many strange and unique animals there. It’s been said that the flowers once sang during the month of june.” Trey informed him.

“Now I'm curious.” Renmu said in awe.

“I’m from the Shaftlands. Not much else.” Cater said awkwardly.

“I’m also from the shaftlands.” Vil replied. “There are many biomes and districts with different cultures and ways of living. The one I'm from, we still often use its ancient language.

Renmu nodded. “Very interesting. I hope to learn more about them.”

“Jamil and I are from the Scalding sands.” Kalim added. “You should totally come visit. The food is amazing.”

Renmu smiled. “I hope to one day.”

“I’m sure you have realized that Jade, Floyd and I aren’t from here either?” Azul asked.

“Take a guess, Shrimpy.” Floyd insisted.

Renmu took a moment to think. He remembered Floyd saying he smelled like the sea. So maybe they were from a place that was next to the ocean? “Maybe somewhere on the coats? Or a place that’s next to the sea?” Renmu asked.

Floyd made a buzzer noise. “Wrong!”

“We are literally from the sea.” Jade said with a smile.

“Eh, you mean you live in the water?” Renmu asked, surprised.

“Yes.” Azul replied. “We are from the Coral sea. Maybe we could show you one day.”

Renmu deflated. “I-I can’t swim…”

Jade chuckled. “You won’t need to know how to swim. You have potions that will allow you to breathe underwater.”

The idea of a potion that allowed people to breath under water was truly amazing. He would be afraid to try it though.

“Leona and I are from the Sunset Savannah. Most beastmen are from there.” Ruggie explained.

“Unfortunately, Rook is from there too…” Leona mumbled.

“Oh, Roi du Lion, you wounded me. I love being within reach of any quarry. The Sunset Savannah has made me into an excellent hunter. Best of all, I get to observe such potential prey all day.” Rook said with a bone chilling smirk

Renmu could see Ruggie shiver.

“You're a freak pervert who stalks people.” Leona spat.

Rook frowned. “I am no such thing. I’m a hunter, Le Chasseur d’Amour.”

“Leona, please, no fighting.” Riddle said with a sigh. Leona clicked his teeth in annoyance.

“You knowing where I'm from isn’t important…” Idia mumbled. Renmu nodded. He would respect Idia’s choice not to say.

“This is off topic but, why do I smell Tomatoes and Briar Roses.” Lilia asked, sniffing the air.

“Tomatoes?” Leona asked in disbelief.

“It’s Renmu.” Cater teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

Renmu groaned. “I didn’t know the cologne was enchanted. Nor did I know that it was meant to allure people.”

Lilia nuzzled his face into Renmu’s neck. Renmu spazzed and strangled out a gargled noise.The table erupted in laughter. Renmu flushed as red as Riddle's hair.

“What kind of noise was that!?” Ruggie asked.

“Sounded like his soul left his body.” Leona chuckled.

“It did!” Renmu shouted, trying to push Lilia away.

“Aww but you smell good.” He whined, pulling Renmu to him.

“Now he smells like cinnamon and paprika!” Kalim said, sniffing the other side of Renmu.

“Aww, I wanna smell him too.” Floyd whined.

“As do I.” Trey agreed. Renmu sputtered like a fish.

“Kalim, off of him.” Jamil said over a mouthful of curry.

“That’s it, we are switching spots. I want to smell shrimpy!” Floyd demanded. “You guys can’t hog him.”

“No one is hogging him, Floyd.” Riddle reasoned.

“Move down!” Cater and Trey sang.

“H-Hey!”

Once again they shuffled. Renmu was in between Floyd and Trey, actually, Floyd took it upon himself to hold Renmu. Jade was on the other side of them along with Azul. Cater was on the other side of Trey. Leona and Ruggie still haven’t moved. Idia preferred to be on the end next to the isle. Riddle was now next to Leona farther in. Jamil, Kalim, Rook and Vil were now on the other side of Ruggie.

“Must we keep moving?” Vil asked. Vil looked even more beautiful now that he sat across from Renmu. His eyes were covered with smokey purple eyeshadow. His cheeks were powdered and tinted pink with rouge. His lips were covered in a dark purple lipstick.

“We actually do this during our tea parties. We move down until everyone has found a clean cup and an empty seat.” Riddle informed him.

Vil hummed unamused. Vil looked up from his drink to find Renmu staring at him. Renmu flushed and looked down. “I don’t mind your staring. It is quite welcomed.” Renmu flushed more to Vil’s amusement.

“The parties at Scarabia are fun. Lot’s of food, music and dancing!” Kalim said excitedly. “Renmu, come to our dorm for a party.”

Renmu was caught off guard. He was actually being invited to a party. He was never invited to a party before. “A-Are you sure?” Renmu asked cautiously.

“Absolutely. The more people, the merrier.” Kalim said smiling.

Kalim was a ray of sunshine. His happiness was contagious and adorable. He was glad there was someone like him in this school. “Okay, I'll think about it.”

“Yaay, Jamil, we should throw the party tomorrow!”

Jamil coughed on his drink. “Kalim, I have told you before many times, You can’t just declare when you want a party. You have to plan it appropriately.”

Azul chuckled. “Eagered as always.” “Renmu should come to Heartslabyul for a Unbirthday party. It would be totes fun.” Cater added.

“If it’s not a violation to The Queen of Hearts Laws…” Renmu mumbled looking at Riddle.

Riddle smiled fondly. “There is no rule against the Queen of Hearts from inviting others to an Unbirthday party.”

“Sweet!” Cater cheered.

“Ah, it's almost 9pm.” Riddle announced.

“Queen of Hearts Law 96: Cake shall not be eaten after 9pm.” Trey recited. “I’ll bring out the cake.” Trey swiftly scooted out the booth and into the kitchen. Azul waved his staff and all empty plates stacked themselves onto a nearby table. All their glasses refilled themselves. Trey pushed the cake out and on a trolly. The cake was a white, black and blue frosted tiered cake. The tiers were out of order. They looked as if they were balanced carefully.

“The Black frosted cakes are Black Forest cake with strawberry and pomegranate filling. The Blue frosted is white cake with a date filling. The White frosted is Red Velvet with raspberry filling.”

Everyone raised their staff and or magic pens. The cake began to cut itself and each piece floated over to each person.

“Renmu, which one or ones would you like?” Trey asked.

“Black and White, please.”

Trey cut the two flavors for Renmu and passed it to him.

Vil practically moaned. “Trey, this cake is delicious. So much for my diet.”

Trey laughed. “I’m glad you like it. It seems black and white are very popular.”

The tweels had blue and Black cake. Azul and Cater had blue. Riddle, Ruggie, Jamil, Idia, Trey, and Renmu had black and white. Kalim had all three to Jamil's dismay. Lilia and Leona had a slice of blue cake. Rook had Blue and white and Malleus had Black and blue. They all ate their cake with the prospect of savoring it. Except for Leona who practically inhaled it. Trey really was a good baker.

“There is one more slice of Black and White. Who-”

“Me.”

Vil, Malleus, Ruggie, Rook, Riddle, and Idia looked at one another.

“Well, Trey can easily bake more for me.” Riddle said, crossing his arms.

“If Roi du Poison wants it, he can have it.” Rook declared with passion.

“I rather not fight for it.” Idia mumbled.

“Not that big of a deal.” Leona slurred.

Vil, Ruggie, Malleus were left.

“You all know what that means.” Cater said smugly.

“If that’s how we are settling for it, then I'll join.” Idia said.

“I guess I will too.” Riddle chimed in.

Vil huffed. “If we must. Everyone, move down.”

Everyone began to scoot down out of the booth. Renmu was confused. “Hmm, how do you all settle for it?” Renmu asked, as Floyd scooted them out.

“Musical chairs,” Floyd said, amused.

5 chairs were placed into the middle of the room back to back. Vil, Idia, Riddle, Malleus, and Ruggie were standing around the chairs.

“You guys play musical chairs for the last of something?” Renmu asked.

“Oh yeah. I onced suggested that we “crawl” for it. That ended up with food everywhere, Riddle blowing a casket, and Leona trying to claw Malleus’s face off.” Cater said, chuckling. “So yeah, this is less dangerous.”

“Last chance for those who want the cake!” Trey called.

“Oh fine, I’ll join!” Lilia said, running down to the others. He tossed his coat to Renmu. Renmu took it and folded it neatly on his lap.

“Are you sure you don’t wanna do it?” Cater asked Renmu.

Renmu just shrugged, holding onto Lilia’s coat. Trey added one more chair and stuck two on the outside and four in the center. “Alright, you all know the rules. No magic at all in this game. Just force.” Trey reminds them.

“Also, anything that becomes damaged must be paid for.” Azul said happily.

“Ready?” Jade asked, standing next to a music player.

They all nodded and or said yes. Jade pushed the play button and the music started. They all began to walk around the chairs clockwise. Cater was recording them from the steps. They went round and round the chairs. Vil was holding his train to keep the others from stepping on it. Lilia was dancing behind Malleus who just walked normally. Jade pressed the stop button and they all sat down quickly.

“Nice, now, let the real fun begin.” Trey declared, removing one of the chairs.

Chaos began to unfold once Trey removed that chair. Idia didn’t make it to a chair in time. To be honest, Renmu didn’t think he really cared anymore. There were 4 chairs left now. The music started and they went around the chairs again. Lilia was still dancing around the chairs happily. Vil looked like he was on a catwalk. Riddle walked around with poise. Jade stopped the music abruptly. They rushed for a chair, pushing one another to sit in it. Vil practically hip bumped Ruggie out the chair.

“Oi, No fair!” Ruggie growled.

“Hah, you got bumped by that pompous Prima donna's butt!” Leona chuckled lazily.

Vil gasped. “You say it as if I have a big butt!”

“Your butt is as beautiful as you, Bella Vil!” Rook cried affectionately.

Renmu burst out laughing. Wheezing and snorting. He almost sounded like a mule. He covered his mouth and covered his face as he laughed. Vil looked at Renmu in disgust.

“His laugh is so cute!” Lilia chuckled.

“It absolutely isn’t!” Vil argued.

Ruggie walked back up to the stairs and sat next to Renmu. The music started again and they went around in circles. The sound of their heels echoed through the room. Vil started swaying his hips to the music. Renmu found it endearing. Jade stopped the music. They scrambled for seats quickly. Malleus and Vil secured their chairs. Riddle and Lilia fought over the other. Lilia and Riddle pushed and shoved one another for the chair. Heels scuffing and clicking on the floor. Both of their faces contorted into aggression and determination. Riddle went as far as to drag the chair with him. Ruggie howled in laughter. Lilia stole the chair back and dragged it back to his side. Both of them jumped onto the chair. Lilia was faster and Riddle flopped onto the floor.

‘YES!” Lilia cheered.

Riddle huffed in annoyance as he got up and brushed himself off. Riddle walked back over to the rest of them. Trey discreetly brushed Riddle's butt off for him as he walked by.

“You're cutting it close now.” Cater hollored.

Trey removed another chair from the mix. There were two left. The three of them didn’t look as if they wanted to give in. Jade started the music promptly after. They walked around the two chairs faster. Malleus was just taking bigger strides. Jade stopped the music soon after. Vil grabbed the chair and sat down. Malleus and Lilia fought tooth and nail for the other. Malleus bumped Lilia away from the chair and sat in it.

“And you guys talk about my butt.” Vil said, crossing his arms.

“Malleus, after all we've been through?” Lilia said, panting on the floor beside him.

“Sorry, I want cake.” Malleus said with a coy smile.

Lilia got up giggling. “I could bake you one.”

Malleus visibly shuddered. Lilia smiled and walked over to Renmu and sat behind him. Now one chair was left. Vil stared down Malleus, Malleus just smiled.

“Kick that horned bastard's butt!” Leona roared.

Jade turned the music on and the battle began. They ran around the chair this time. Vil suppressed a giggle as he held his train. Lilia swayed Renmu with him to the music. Floyd waltzed over to Jade and switched the music to something more upbeat. “Run faster!” he commanded.

Vil and Malleus ran faster around the chair and Floyd stopped the music as they were in mid run. They slipped and slid to get to the chair. Vil was draped over the chair, trying to climb into it. Malleus yanked the chair away, dragging Vil with him. Leona roared with laughter.

“He’s dragging him like a rag doll!” Ruggie laughed out.

Vil had no means of letting go.

“Let go.” Mallues ordered.

“NEVER!” Vil Shouted back.

Vil kept scrambling to get up but Malleus prevented him from doing so. Vil kicked the chair from Malleus. The chair skidded away and they scrambled for it. Vil grabbed Malleus’s legs, causing him to fall. Vil skipped over him to the chair. Malleus pulled his train, causing Vil to stumble back. Renmu was in tears at how funny the scene was. They all watched them fight in amusement. Vil flopped over the chair again. Malleus pulled at his legs to get him off. Vil kicked and thrashed at Malleus. His boot flew off, sending Malleus backwards. Vil Scrambled into the chair and sat down. Vil threw his hands up and rejoiced. “Yes! Yes! It’s mine!”

Malleus started to laugh from his spot on the floor. Vil crossed his legs as he calmed down but went back into a fit of laughter.

“Vil wins the two slices of cake.” Trey said laughing. “Don’t worry, I'll make you a special cake next time, Malleus.”

Vil summoned a hand mirror and checked his appearance. “I still look beautiful.”

Renmu couldn't suppress his laughter. This was the most fun he’s had in ages. Trey wrapped up Vil’s cake for him and they cleaned up the mess. The chair took quite a beating. Vil and Malleus agreed to split the cost. Either way, Azul was pleased. It was getting late so they all agreed to end the festivities.

“Aww, I wish we could hang out more.” Cater whined.

“We can always do this again, Cater.” Trey reasoned.

“Yeah I know. But it was so much fun.” Cater sighed.

“It was.” Riddle said fondly.

They all walked back to Octavinells Mirror together. Renmu took in the quiet aquatic life around them again as they walked.

“We totes need to take a group photo.” Cater declared.

“I wouldn’t mind that.” Riddle said.

“I wouldn’t either.” Jade agreed.

“C’mon, group photo!” Cater yelled.

They all go into position. There was so much scrambling and shoving going on for a few seconds until everyone found a proper spot. Cater used magic to let his phone rise into the air to get everyone to fit. “Ready!?” Cater asked.

“Ready!” A few of them said in unison. The phone snapped a few pictures of them before coming back down into Caters hands. “I’ll send everyone the group photo and all the photos I took tonight.” Cater said with a cheeky wink.

“Have a good night you all.” Azul said.

“I want to hug shrimpy.” Floyd said lazily.

Renmu walked over to Floyd and hugged him to his surprise. Jade hugged the back of Renmu.

“Bye bye, shrimpy.” Floyd giggled.

“Bye Floyd.” Renmu mumbled.

Floyd reluctantly let Renmu go. The rest of them walked back through the mirror to the Hall of Mirrors. Everyone walked over to their respected mirrors.

“Goodbye, Renmu!” Kalim said, hugging Renmu. “I can’t wait to party with you again.”

Renmu just smiled. Not knowing what to say.

“See you all later.” Jamil said, pulling Kalim along through the Mirror of Scarabia.

“TTYL, Renmu.” Idia mumbled before walking through his Mirror.

Leona ruffled Renmu’s hair. “You’re not so bad, herbivore. Let’s go, Ruggie.” Leona said walking through the mirror.

“See ya, prefect.” Ruggie waved, running after Leona.

“Until next time, Roi du Mystery.” Rook cried dramatically. Renmu waved him goodbye.

Vil huffed. “You're not too bad, Prefect. I wish to style you though next time. Let’s go, Rook.”

“Yes, Roi du Poison.” The two of them waltzed through their mirror together.

“Son of Man.” Renmu looked up at Malleus and smiled.

“Thanks for remembering me. I would have never had fun tonight if you didn’t invite me.”

“You’re welcome.” Renmu said softly.

“Thank you for the good time. In my day, I would have never done something so fun.” Lilia said, chuckling.

“Always talking as if you are old.” Trey said laughing.

“Maybe I am.” Lilia said coyly. “Come, Malleus. The others are waiting for our return.” Malleus and Lilia walked through their mirror one after the other. Lilia blew Renmu a kiss goodbye before fully stepping in.

“Would you like us to walk you back, Renmu?’ Trey asked.

Renmu shook his head. “I’ll be fine.”

“Well goodnight Renmu.” Trey said smiling.

“Goodnight Renny.” Cater cooed, hugging Renmu tightly.

“Goodnight, Renmu.” Riddle said lastly.

“Goodnight.” Renmu mumbled.

Cater finally let go and blew him a kiss goodbye like Lilia did. They went in one by one, disappearing beyond the looking glass. Renmu sighed to himself and walked back to Ramshackle. The night air was chilly. The wind rustled the tree above. Renmu smiled to himself, recalling the night's events. This was the first time he was ever invited to a party, let alone to have fun. This was the first time he had ever gotten to know so many people. The first time he has ever had the prospect of making friends and was promised to be included in the future. The first time he was part of something. It made Renmu giddy inside and out. Renmu couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face. He was happy for the first time in forever. He missed the feeling it gave him inside. This is what happiness was. Renmu couldn’t wait for more happy days to come.

You have reached the end of First Impressions! I hope you enjoyed this fic. (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ

To read another Codex, click here for my Archives.

For background information on this fic, click here Scout's Notes.

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astringofmadhousefloozies · 3 years

Text

Ghost Wedding: The Remix

So, uh, here’s the first actual fanfic I’ve written, and the first full length piece I’ve written in literal years. I wrote it for my own amusement, after weeks of eating up various bits of TWST lore and scenes and going “But, how would the whole Ghost marriage story have gone with a Yuu who was more like me a goth bisexual disaster?

What follows is a series of vignnetes, starring a Yuu who’s the only girl in NRC, with deeply questionable taste, told in the second person. Please let me know if you enjoyed it, I crave positive feedback and like when other people enjoy the things I like.

Contend warnings for blood, body horror, emeto, coarse language and pretentious word choices.

You've been here a while. En-Arr-See wasn't precisely a safe place, what with your dorm being a condemned hellpit of tetanus and black mold, and powerful magicians having mutagenic psychotic breaks only curable by kicking their ass so hard it flies out their mouth. But certainly, it wasn't boring, and you'd made friends. You had your scrappy ginger Ace in the hole; your serious mamas-boy Deuce; your funny little not-a-cat Grim. Hell, you even have your Horned Boy, he of the poison-coloured eyes that never seem to leave your face when you talk about fun things like books and music and the moral imperative of dissolving the monarchy. And, you were on speaking terms with a good chunk of others. So, when your favourite little robot came up to Crowley, yelling something about ghosts kidnapping his brother, you took his hand and said, "Ortho, show me what's going on." After all, you won't let anything happen to Idia. You have plans for him yet.

~*~*~*~

Some beauties might launch a thousand ships, and in your (objectively correct) opinion, while Idia's beauty wouldn't lead to a ten year siege of Troy, he'd certainly convince everyone attending Whitby Goth Weekend to haul off into the sea with a beat of his lashes. The first time you'd seen him, you'd simply stared in slack-jawed awe. He was luminescent; even leaving behind the fiery hair that flashed and swelled behind him, his eyes were a bright clear amber, and his skin translucent, with his own blue veins serving as the detailing in the marble. Add in the deeply circled eyes and the bluish discolouration of the lips, and the figure he presented was arresting, astounding, more beautiful and unreal than anything you'd conjured up after staying up all night reading ghost stories. "Magnificent," you'd said to yourself, and if your friends gave you a strange look, well, fuck 'em. They have no sense of beauty or taste.

Unfortunately, the intensity of your gaze proved too much for him, and he'd fled. You'd had no time to pursue the object of your infatuation either, class would soon begin, and Grim was yelling. Later, then. There's all the time in the world to ask after the fine young man with the lamplight eyes.

~*~*~*~ "Oh no," you said when Ortho showed you the video. "She's really hot."

Grim gawked and Crowley raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you take from this?"

"You're the one with an all-boys school. What's a girl like me to do when a pretty girl pops up?"

"She's a ghost, Yuu."

"That's the best part."

"My brother-"

"I'll help you, dear." You set a hand on Ortho's shoulder. "He must be so frightened, right? I'll do what you need."

Before anyone could say anything else, a racket started up outside, and things got a little busy.

~*~*~*~ "Do you mind if I sit?"

Idia looked up at you. starting at the intrusion. His face was awash in blue from the conjured screens around him, his lips gone black. "...Why?"

"Tables are full. I'd rather not eat standing." He didn't explicitly say no, so you settled across the table, a few chairs down. He made a fascinating tableau as you picked at your lunch, flicking through and typing at the screen. Lines of code, schematics for all sorts of tech, occasional comics all flit across the pane of light in a million shades of blue. Until...

"Could you pretend I'm a bug?"

You squinted. "What." What the actual hell did he mean by that.

"Pretend I'm not here. I'm beneath notice."

You stop for a moment and smile, faint enough that he can't see the devil in it. "You want me to treat you like an insect."

"Yes." Hard to see in the light, there was a small twitch by his temple, a barely perceptible shake in his long fingered hands.

"Alright." With that, you slide down the table to directly across from him, settle you chin in your hands, and stare at him unblinkingly.

"?!?!?" The squawk he made was undignified and deeply, deeply endearing. "What are you doing?"

"You asked me to treat you like an insect." You smile at him, full of mischief and good cheer. "So I'm looking at you very closely. I'm taking in every sweet action, and delighting that the day has conspired to put something so wonderful in front of me."

Oh, who would have thought that this blue boy could turn so pink! As he pulled his hood up, you chuckle and move back to your tray. "I'll let you be," you say, and did indeed, for the amount of time it took him to close up shop and flee back to the depths of Ignihyde. When you waved at him as he went by, he nearly tripped in his haste.

~*~*~*~ "Stop laughing."

The boys did not listen.

"May others show you the kindness you've shown Idia if you're in a bind."

"You're just mad because she's gonna kill your-"

"Grim? Shut the fuck up. Now; who's helping."

After a chorus of 'no's, you drag your fingers through your hair. "I hate all of you so fucking much right now... Ortho, your ideas?"

Ortho's idea was deeply enticing but Crowley would not have the school leveled, and thankfully, the two of them threatened and guilted the others into helping. You'd have to say thank you later, but god, then Crowley might think you actually liked him instead of just finding him funny, and who needed that in their life?

"Alright, so... A plan?"

~*~*~*~ As badly as he might've liked to have escaped, there was only one empty seat in the class, and it was by him. So, Idia threw his hood up, along with his headphones, and started blatantly ignoring you.

"Idia." Silence.

"Idia." A faint grunt and he turned away from you.

"Shroud," you intoned in the most sepulchral tone you could, setting you hand in his field of vision. He whipped his head at you, the fire in his eyes nothing compared to the changing colours on his head.

"WHAT."

You raise your hands in supplication, trying to still your racing heart. "I'm sorry dude. I wanted to ask where you got your screens?"

"My screens?" His eyes flicked back to his schoolwork, hovering in the air. "I made them myself."

Your face lit up in awe. "That's amazing dude, holy shit. How'd you do that? It's a damn miracle."

"Ah... well..." Two sides warred within him - pride that someone recognized his tech genius, and his deep seated anxiety that anyone trying to be nice was just fucking with him. Fortunately for both of you, pride won out. "It's certainly something complicated for a magicless normie like you to understand." He raised a questioning eyebrow. "Do you really want to hear?"

You fixed him with a level look. "Never call me that again. Now, start like I'm five and go from there."

He stared back at you, and you stared right back. "Indulge me, Idia."

He gave you a smile full of sharp, crooked teeth, and while you tried to still the palpitations the sight of them gave you, he started with very basic theory, and went from there.

~*~*~*~ "You are not going to seduce the ghost bride, Yuu."

"Why the hell not?"

"You're a girl?"

"You're kinda plain."

"You're fat."

"She's probably straight?"

You point in turn at Leona, Azul, Vil, and Kalim. "So?, no I'm plenty hot actually, get fucked, and... Okay, That is a good point. But Kal, you have no idea how many straight girls I've managed to kiss."

"I think you'd die, Shrimpie," Floyd said as he flopped heavily over your shoulders, giggling as you attempted to untangle yourself. "And you're short."

"Yeah, but you have no idea how hot I am when I'm actually try- Shut up, Vil - Like, I clean up so good you guys. I even made a suit a couple weeks ago -"

"That's convenient? Weirdly so?"

"I found suiting that wasn't moth eaten and decided to have fun, at least-" You finally escape from the noodly arms of Leech the Wild One. "Let me suit up and show you? I can be so sexy, you guys. Come on."

In answer to the confused silence, you took your keys out of your pocket and chucked them at Deuce's confused face. "Adeuce! Grim! It's on the vanity in my room!"

"But ghosts?"

"Say you're clearing out things so that we won't bother... No, actually just go the balcony way."

"You can't unlock the balcony from the outside without a lockpick, it only locks from the inside."

A moment of silence. "Lilia, what the fuck?"

He shrugged. "I moved everything two inches to the left once to see if you noticed."

"I wasn't imagining things?!?"

This'll take a moment to sort out, and the clock is ticking...

~*~*~*~ You truly liked the woods! Green and quiet. Full of things that crawled and scurried, little friends that squeaked and croaked and hissed. The occasional precious treasure of a small bone or edible mushroom. So, you were quite surprised when you found Idia, miserable, crouched beside a fallen log.

"... Skipping gym?" Going by the uniform, the most likely answer. "Or did you finally realize that outside doesn't always bite?"

He scowled at you, and you stifled a giggle when you realized that yes, he was actually covered in bug bites. "They should replace this with a mall."

"You hate malls. Too many people." You reached out a hand, and pulled him to his feet. Idly, you wondered if he'd let you try and fit your hands around his waist, but thought better of asking.

"Game stores are alright. No one bothers you in one, or in arcades. And." He stopped, as he brushed the dirt from his legs, before continuing in a mumble you only got the gist of.

"Me and Ortho will be your big, scary guard dogs?"

"... Who'll notice me with both of you?"

"Everyone." Because he's the most beautiful person in the room, and they'd be mad not to look. "Because you show up so rarely. It makes it all the more noticeable when you are out, so everyone pays attention." You held out a hand. "I'll take you out the back way so you don't get in trouble."

No dice. He held his hands in close. "I'll just follow."

"Alright. Why'd you go out this far in the woods with no map, anyways?"

"There's no cell service..."

"Clearly, we need to turn your blood into a wi-fi signal, instead of liquid sugar."

He huffed, but he did follow you, and was actually approaching a good mood once you escorted him through the Ramshackle gates.

~*~*~*~ "Hey, what did I miss?" It took entirely too long to get a single lock of hair to to a perfect insouciant flip over your forehead, even with the eternally stylish Sam's help.

"She's slapped everyone who went to propose, and when she does you're paralyzed for 500 years."

"Christ," You say as you adjust a pin on your lapel. "We have to get Idia back, he'll get what? A week before he gets the hand."

"She's so fussy!" yelled Grim. "You have to sing and have a dog and she hates poison flowers."

"Clearly, she has no taste." Honestly,you thought her taste was just fine, what with thinking Idia was the finest of the bunch. He was very princely, if your tastes ran to exquisite corpses with the personality of a neurotic goblin. "Who wouldn't want poison blossoms?" Tie? No tie? Tie? No tie? No tie. And unbutton. Leona wishes he had this chest.

"We know she has no taste because she chose Idia."

You chose to ignore that, and clapped. "Okay, Round Two!"

~*~*~*~ The truest tragedy of this school was that it was all boys. Not that boys were bad by any means, you certainly enjoyed them, but... girls. Tall girls! Short girls! Busty girls! Petite girls! Butch girls! Femme girls! Fat girls! Girls!

So many kinds of girls, and you, in all of your plump and handsome glory, were the only girl in an entire high school. Welcome to hell.

You accepted no gifts that came unvetted. You had friends ward the everloving bajeezus out of your dorm room. Grim was more than happy to test your food and drink for tampering, but it was exhausting. You at least knew that any food you ate at the Mostro Lounge was clear, but that was only because everyone was too damn scared of the eternally hovering Floyd to try anything while there.

So, you eat a lot of vending machine snacks.

You've been standing there for fifteen minutes, trying to figure out the best combo with your limited funds, when someone coughed behind you.

"??? Oh, hey Idia." You stepped aside while he shuffled up to the glass and peered in. "Anything to recommend? I got this." You waved your bill in the air.

He only looked at you a moment before looking back at the machine. "That won't get you much."

"Ah, don't I know it. But it's all I got."

He still wasn't looking directly at you, but a smile started to creep across his face. "Get your bag."

"Wha-" He was already tapping out a beat with the keypad, blue sparks flying from his fingertips, the machine starting to groan and shiver. With a final note, the snack machine gave a final heaving shudder - and every single snack fell to the bottom of the machine.

He was so proud as he smiled at you, reaching down and pulling a single bag of gummies from the spilled mess. "You first."

And, as you stuffed your schoolbag and pockets full of thieved goods, praising his genius, his cleverness, his skills, he just glowed.

~*~*~*~ "I guess you were ahead of the game, Yuu. She hates that no one's dressed up properly. And..."

"And? You raised an eyebrow at Ace.

"You do look stylish. But you need backup."

"Of course. You'll all rescue people while I distract her!”

"But what if she slaps you?"

"You'll step in if that happens. But we have to dress you all up."

"Did you makes spares?"

"No." Tragic, everyone would look so cute in summerweight green wool. "Let's ask Sam, he's got everything."

~*~*~*~ "Okay, Ortho, you see?" You held his back to your chest, and raised your hand in front of his face, palm away from him. As you wiggled your fingers, you could see movement on the back of your hand. "Those are tendons. Those, and the muscles, are what move the bones, make your hands move. If you put your fingers here," you say as you place his fingertips over the moving lines, "you should be able to feel it."

"I do! They go up and down. What's the popping?"

"That's my faulty joints, we'll cover those another day. Now," you flipped your hand over, and moved his fingers to your wrist. "You feel that?"

"That is your pulse! It's not as string as it should be."

"I'm not always in the best of health. So, Ortho. My hand moves by muscles and tendons when I think of it. My blood moves through my body, one beat at a time, and you can feel it. Right?"

"Right."

"You," you say, as you take Ortho's other hand. "Your hand moves by motors and servos, when you think about it. Electricity and magic moves through your body, in beats so fast we can't perceive it, and it's as measurable as my pulse."

"... Because I am a robot."

"Because you are a bit different. But we're both alive, we're both real, just in different ways." You turn to look at Ortho directly, and he looks back at you with yellow eyes that are actual, real lamps. "Don't let anyone ever say you're not real, or alive, or good enough, just because you're different."

And though you can't see it, you can feel Idia smiling from the corner of his room.

~*~*~*~ Alright. No more time for memories, only the here and now. You've got a heart full of love, a pocket full of ring, and a head full of stupid. You're as prepared as anyone else who went in. Start on your left foot, and...

"Hello? Excuse me?" You make a cursory knock at the doorframe before stepping in. "I heard there was a wedding."

The bride - Eliza - whirled on you, and stopped. She was even more of a vision in person, airy translucence and fine, sweet features currently arranged in confusion. "Ah- Yes! I'm getting married to my darling Prince Idia! Right away, so-"

Not if I have my way about it, you thought to yourself as you arranged yourself in a perfect bow, one hand behind your back. You pretended not to notice Idia trussed up with rope, but you filed the sight away for later. "How wonderful. I wish you only happiness. But it must wait."

Before she could get her hand ready, you straightened and fixed her with your best smile. "My dearest princess, I cannot let this happen until I dance with the most beautiful person in this room. It would be improper to do so with a newlywed, and I cannot know peace until I dance. Would you be so kind, my fair princess?"

She was still baffled. "Aren't you a girl?"

You keyed up the brightness. "I am, and I dance very well. Would you indulge me, my dear?"

You could see her considering it. "You... are rather princely. Can you lead?"

"Of course. May I?" Again with the bow, and to your delight, she returned with a flawless curtsy. Hand in hand, you began.

~*~*~*~ It was delightful, to dance with this silly ghost girl. Everywhere your bodies touched, from her hand in yours to what would have been a fine chest, but was instead a clean and elegant ribcage festooned with pearls, heat seeped away and left only a chill as cold as clay. Her footwork was flawless, considering she no longer had feet, and she was so easy to chat with. She asked you about your dog (none currently, but you'd love to have one, and there was Grim in the meantime), your singing, (little voice to speak of, but that was what vocal coaches were for), and why you wanted to dance with her (because when would the chance ever come again? Unless fairest Eliza considered her for forever and a day.)

"But what of dear Idia?" She'd almost looked towards where Idia no longer was, having been unknotted long ago, but you drew her back in before she could notice the chaos around her.

" 'Dear Idia', though as beautiful as the moon in the sky, has cold feet, my love. He's afraid of dying. But I? I'd cherish you for all of eternity." You leaned in closer. "I am not afraid of dying, beloved. To journey with you through realms beyond mortal reach. I can think of nothing more exciting than to cross the barrier to the other side, hand in hand with you. In the words of a fine sir from my home, 'to die by your side/the pleasure, the privilege is mine'. Please, please consider me, please..."

Here's how it should have gone: She said yes, and you put the ring on her finger, and all was well. But you'd awakened such a sweet hunger in her, she could not wait for propriety. Instead, she grasped your face and kissed you with the passion of five hundred years search, found.

~*~*~*~ It was so pleasant at first, that you couldn't help but return it. When had anyone ever kissed you with such passion? But quickly, the chill began to overtake you. It could have been bearable, but after that was pain. You started to shake, uncontrollably, as every nerve in your body was scraped away with a rusty blade, and as you weakly tried to push away, as blood began to flow from your eyes, your mouth, every pore and orifice, she still would not let go. All you could think was it hurts it hurts it hurts hurts hurts hurts hurts and, as you slipped to a grey place beyond where pain could touch you, you barely noticed the cacophony around you, or something hurtling towards the two of you from the corner of your eye.

Something blue.

~*~*~*~ When you finally woke up, through a drugged and painful haze, you couldn't tell where you were. When you jolted up, the pain of it sending you into a nauseated fit of blood-flecked coughing, a familiar yelp sounded, and you turned to see Idia, little the worse for wear.

"You're up, uh..." He fumbled something onto the table, behind his back. "I."

You just looked. At him, at the surroundings. A hospital bed, with gifts and flowers (most filched from the wedding venue, but someone had stuck Jade's poison blossom into a vase and set it in the far corner). Idia was the only one present, seeing as it was the middle of the night.

"Ortho's getting things you might need. I... I hate hospital scenes..."

"Hurt's over.” You tried to settle yourself more comfortably, failing miserably. “Here comes the comfort." You reached out a hand, as he looked anywhere in the room but you.

"Idia." Silence.

"Idia." More silence.

"Shroud." He hesitantly placed his hand in yours, tinting pink as you pulled the sleeve up. The sight of it made you gasp. His fine wrist, so small even you could put your fingers around it, was mottled with deep bruising, blacks and purples set so deep into the skin that there was crusted blood on the surface, despite being unbroken. It was so, deeply, incredibly...

Beautiful. It was all you could do, not to press your lips to his wrist and taste his pulse as it flitted under his skin. To clean the blood away with your own tongue and cover the marks that your hungry ghost princess had made with your own teeth. Not hers. Yours.

Really, no wonder you'd been so enchanted with Eliza. You're cut of the same cloth.

"It must hurt."

He jerked his hand away, making you both wince. "What the hell is wrong with you? They only reason you're not dead is everyone pouring so much healing magic into you that it exhausted almost everyone. I." You could see flickers and flashes of orange sparking along the full length of his hair. "I'm not worth dying for. Why?"

What do you tell him? That it was the right thing to do? That you wanted to prove that you could woo a pretty girl? That you didn't want him dead? That you were a possessive bitch that couldn't stand the idea of someone else having him, even if unwilling on his part? All were true, but what do you say?

It proved a moot point, as when you opened your mouth to say something, anything, something shifted within you, and the only thing Idia received was a gout of blood square in his face.

~*~*~*~ After you'd slept, you reached for your phone in the thin morning light. Your friends where texting well wishes and condolences, and explanations of what happened after you went down (It seemed Idia had tackled Eliza clean off of you, and after some chaos she ran off with her retainer, rending this entire day moot). Even more interestingly, you found a text from an unknown number:

- I'm still mad at you.

You huffed to yourself, and after a bit of thought, start to text back.

- Dude I'm so sorry about the uh. blood puke. - I'll pay for cleaning - Also you know, you could have just asked for my number a long time ago? - Like a normal person? - Who doesn't break into phones to steal said numbers while I was unconscious next to you, what the fuck dude - That's not what this is about though. - You've got every right to be mad - That whole day was traumatizing, and you didn't deserve any of it - I'd rather sort this out in person but if text is easier for you right now we can do that - One last thing though

You stopped, and thought Do I actually do this? and went what the hell.

- I still need that dance I went in to get from you

#twisted wonderland #twst fic #twisted wonderland fanfiction #ghost wedding #my writing

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