Communication, its important
Yuu needed to figure out where to begin. She was thankful to avoid the Diasomnia crew today but knew she couldn’t hide forever. She had to hold her head high just as she did earlier today. She won’t have fate in her favor if life has taught her anything; it taught her that Murphy’s Law was true.
She took a page out of Corvina’s book and used her new tea set to serve tea to everyone that Corvina and Yuu invited. However, Corvina would not stay for long since she had her own needs to attend to. Yuu did not feel the need to prod; Corvina would be able to handle her part of the plan.
The atmosphere visibly thawed when Corvina left to go wherever she was needed. Yuu smiled and decided it was to begin before this meeting devolved into chaos.
“I know many of you are wondering what you all were called here for, and I know some of you have heard some rumors. I’ll clear it up for you and then some.
“I was dating Malleus,” Ace spit out his tea; the others did not look any less surprised. “Well, at least I assumed we were after we confessed and accepted each other. Especially after Malleus introduced me to Corvina, who offered to be my legal guardian and mentor in Twisted Wonderland. And everything seemed to be going well.
“Not too long ago, Crowley was trying to court Corvina,” Ace gagged, and Deuce hit him to shut up. “Who was absolutely not interested,”
“Oh, thank the seven!” Epel whispered, not quietly.
“However, when Malleus discovered this, he was enraged and told Corvina about Crowley’s neglect of me. Corvina was enraged and definitively and violently rejected Crowley. That’s why he was sulking off for so long.
“I finally found out what Crowley was doing during that time. He returned to his home turf and manipulated politics so Malleus would return home. There Malleus became engaged with another who he became instantly enamored.
“Malleus returned back a changed fae. He avoided me, and when we met, he was cold. When we met for the last time, he told me clearly how I meant nothing to him. Crowley then appeared to gloat and went as far as physically harming me. Now Corvina and I are working on getting rid of that meddlesome and neglectful crow once and for all.”
The room was silent, and the students were dumbfounded. It was Jack that spoke first, “So you’re telling me that Crowley, an ancient being, is picking a fight with you because of associating with someone who got you in trouble?”
“Gah! It sounds like exactly something the Crow might do!”
“But why Yuu? And why like this?” Kalim asked; his heartbreak and empathy were evident.
“That’s easy to explain, he’s petty and angry, but he has no desire to get himself killed by messing with Malleus. Yuu is an easier target to hurt. But in a sense, he also is hurting Malleus and stringing him along for a destructive ride, except this way, his head won’t become a decoration on a spike.” Jamil answered.
“I was thinking the same. However, what is it that you want from us? After all, we were all called here for a reason, hmm?” Jade crooned.
“First, I have reason to believe the situation will soon get out of hand. I want my friends to be aware.
“Second, I was hoping I could ask for your help.”
“Help with what, little trickster?” Rook sang,
“I will not take this standing down. Enough is enough, and I’m mad. I want to bring back all the hell that was brought down on me for NOTHING at all! I refuse to let this happen to me again!
“I was overworked, overused, neglected, and manipulated! I was thrust into life-threatening situations, and all for what? For WHAT?!” Yuu was flushed and panting. It was obvious how hard she was holding herself back from acting in a blind rage.
“Who wants to spend their entire lives being jerked around by others? Who wants their lives to be irrelevant until useful and then no longer?
“I’m tired. But more than that… I’m angry,” Yuu finished. The room lost its voice. Nothing made a sound, not the ghosts, the old piping, the creaking wood, or the people.
It was Grim who broke the silence. “Gah! It doesn’t matter who it is; anyone who insults my henchhuman insults the Great and Powerful Grim! I’ll crush them!” Grim spit out vehemently with fire.
“Psh…You really know how to pick them,” Ace rubbed the back of his head. “Heh…As if we’d let you have all the fun for yourself!” Ace’s energy returned full force with mischievous eyes!”
“I’m pumped up now! We’ll crush those punks!” Deuce yelled; his inner delinquent was awake.
“Y’all can count on us to lick ’em up and spit ’em on out!” Epel punched into the air.
“Comme c'est fascinant…” Rook muttered to himself, his eyes wary.
Jade rumbled in agreement.
This would undoubtedly be entertaining. A mess. But entertaining nonetheless. Rook only hoped that Vil would forgive him for the imminent chaos that he was contributing to create.
Not far from here, Corvina was planting her own seeds of chaos. At a private cafe a distance away from Night Raven College, the teachers frequently found their refuge away from Crowley and everything that came with him. It helped that this cafe had guaranteed privacy by its owner and guarantor, Corivna.
“I cannot believe that Crowley is still moping like a petulant child! This is completely unacceptable for the head mage of such an illustrious school!”
“I think that the real mystery is how he became head mage in the first place. I’ve never even seen him put in the effort for anything. He just hints at it and expects it to happen.” Sam chided from the shadows.
Corvina nodded. “And then proceeds to throw a self-destructive tantrum whenever whatever he apparently wanted doesn’t happen. As if it's a surprise.”
“Fortunately, it appears that the foolish bird is still in the moping phase. Try not to worry, Pet,” Crewel attempted to reassure the table.
“Do you truly think so? Do you say this with full confidence?” Corivna questioned rapidly.
“What do you mean? Why ask if he’s sure?” Vargas was quieter than usual. He was out of his element, surrounded by schemers.
“I doubt any of you don’t know what Crowley currently wants. And I don’t doubt you can assume what the result of his desire was given the current situation. But I’m here to tell you about the information you are ruefully unaware of.”
Trein caught on first. “What do you mean, Lady Corvina? What did he do?”
“Crowley has been severely neglecting Yuu. Ramshackle was literally falling apart. There were hundreds upon hundreds of health hazards, some of which were fatal. Yuu had no money and no way to salvation before I came along and saved her from being Crowley’s abused and overused indentured servant.”
Every member of the table was a mix of shock and fury. Trein lost his scowl and stared with horror at Corvina. Crewel scowled harder and grew even paler. Vargas looked like a kicked puppy. Sam grew quiet, all amusement leaving his eyes and his face half hidden by darkness.
Corvina continued on, “Naturally, I couldn’t stand being in the presence of such a vile thing. But Crowley wanted to destroy something, and since he can’t destroy me and he still wants a chance to change my ruling, he went on what he viewed as the root of all of his ‘woes.’”
“...What did he do? …What did he do to our poor child? …What did he do to Yuu?” Trein whispered in a broken voice. He saw Yuu as another daughter or granddaughter. He felt like he was slapped in the face by the knowledge of Yuu’s mistreatment. He didn’t know how he could ever have trusted a certain crow to do his job.
“Yuu was courting one Malleus Draconia. Crowley was a former courtier in Briar Valley. He still has political power and influence. He has been consolidating such power since the time of The Seven. He used his influence and talents for deceit and manipulation in order to distract the foolish prince with one of his agents. An agent who is actively working to hurt Yuu while standing where she should have stood.
Malleus was Yuu’s main link out of her situation. He introduced the two of us. He repaired her home and provided her with the education that she missed out on. He was a beloved companion. And now because of Crowly’s useless ego…has added another scar to Yuu’s heart.”
“So what do you want to do now, or better yet, what do you seek?”
“Your help. Yuu has had enough, and so have I. We will break Crowley and all those who are guilty. We will crush them.”
“And your plan, Pet?”
“First plan is, pretending that I’m involved with another. Nothing will kill Crowley’s hopes like the final nail in the coffin. But I need someone I can trust and someone that I can protect. But not somebody completely helpless. I hope one of you would be willing to play the role?”
The spit takes were synchronous, but the coverups for their blunders were separate. Trein was regretting all of his life choices. Vargas was contemplating the best way to get the hell out. Sam was laughing with abandon. And Divus looked furious.
“The little-imp is sure an evil mastermind!”
“It’ll certainly be the final nail in the coffin….” Trein sighed.
“I don’t know how I could possibly contribute to this…I don’t think my amazing muscles and I could do much for you….” Vargas sweat dropped.
“No one’s making you stay, Vargas. But hear this, you are not to get in our way, or it’ll be a repeat of your own experience in Pyroxene. You don’t need to help, but you sure as hell don’t get in my fledgling’s way.”
“O-o-okay,” Vargas meekly whispered and scampered away. Had it not been for the circumstances, Corvina would have been greatly amused to make the fool kneel. But currently, there is another, bigger fool to make kneel.
“I assume the rest of you are willing to contribute something to the cause? What say you? Are you willing to hold a mutiny?”
“Far be it from me to turn down a good time! If it's anything us from the Port-O’-Bliss love, it's to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. I owe ya’ plenty, so you can count on me and good ol' friends from the other side!”
“I don’t have a choice, do I? It’s as if my entire career was cleaning up after Crowley’s blunders,” Trein sighed again.
“I’ll do it.” Crewel suddenly exclaimed.
“Do what, Crewel?” Trein questioned suspiciously.
“Corvina, go on a date with me!”
The cup in Corvina’s hands shattered. Glass flew all over the table and its inhabitants, and Corvina reacted faster to her slip in composure. She cleaned away the glass in a moment. And then proceeded to stare blankly at Crewel, waiting for elaboration.
“I don’t want you to think that I’m so careless that this is my ideal proposal!” Crewel ironically looked like a cat with his fur on end. “Ideally, I would have some more charm…but I’m here, I’m willing, so what do you say, hmmm?”
“I think you misunderstand,” Corvina flushed and managed to mutter out. “I was asking for your help. I meant with the technicalities, like support. I never meant…I couldn’t possibly mean that I would actively try to court you!
“Oh great, seven!” Corvina flushed further and buried her face in her hands. Attempting to shrink away from the other three staff.
“I say it makes sense, and if anything, it works better for the two of you!” Sam laughed.
“I agree, this is easier and more efficient than looking for an unpredictable external player….” Trein couldn’t believe he had to play matchmaker again. He hated doing this for his two daughters. He thought it was over once he assured them of their stability and future happiness. Now he had somehow acquired another child…that was older than him, but that was irrelevant at this point.
“Well, Pet? What will it be?”
“I…”