~~

"Woohoo! At last! Released from the shackles of student life!"

....

"Hey Koebi-Chan, azarashi-chan...you two staying? Then come to

Octavinelle! You can be with us!"

......

I couldn't help but smile as I walked out of the room. "There's never a dull moment with any of them." I spoke as I put the paper back in my pocket for later.

—————————

"Charlie! Look at all the snow! It's A winter wonderland!" Grim shook her shoulder, his voice sounding like a little kid's: full of excitement. Charlie moaned at the sudden outburst that woke her from her sleep. She lifted up her head to look out the window, and true to his word, the entire grounds were fluffy white.

"Whoa...feels just like that group retreat in the mountains back in sophomore year..." she remembered, a smile on her lips.

"The fire fae are likely starting to get cold! Let's go get em some firewood! And let's snag some food from the kitchen while at it!" Grim skipped to the door.

I nodded and threw off the blankets to get ready for the day.

—————————

Holy fucking hell. I had never felt so cold in my life. The mountains were nothing compared to what I had gone through just now!

"I-it's so f-f-freezing out there! I thought my p-paws would freeze and s/s-s-snap off!L-Let's get that wood in the fireplace!" Grim chattered.

"I'm on it!" As fast as she could, Charlie kneeled by the fireplace and threw in a few logs.

Suddenly, something caught her eye.

A small fairy with flames for a dress, yellow skin and matching eyes. Wings that looked as fragile as glass and orange flames that rose up like a soft-serve cone. The fire fae.

One flew up to the duo and looked at them in curiosity.

"Ah, so you're the fire fae. Just being right next to you makes me feel comfortable already!" Grim smiled.

One of them seemed to understand him as it giggled and flew off. She smiled as she felt the warmth overtake her.

"Huh? Sounds of a knife hitting a cutting board..." Grim's ears picked up and he sniffed the air. "And juicy meat being grilled under a crackling fire?! And spicy smells of far off Lands give it more of a kick!" He eyed the door. "It's coming from the kitchen! Let's check it out!" He slipped off. Charlie watched him go with a sigh.

"I hope that enough fuel for them today..." she double-checked before grabbing her jacket, and tails after.

————————

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"Once the vegetables have finished, add the meat and bring to a boil. Don't forget to add the nuts once the oils heated up!" Someone instructed.

"I got it." A student nods.

"Hey, vice lead, about the amount of spice is a tablespoon enough?" Another asked.

Jamil Viper looked over the dish that was currently being made.

"The lead prefers something with a bit more heat. Another teaspoon should suffice." He nods.

Grim and Charlie have peeled through the door to see several students moving about. They slipped in quietly as the observed the atmosphere.

"Huh? Why's there so many students here even if it's vacation?" Grim asked.

"Not sure..." Charlie mumbled.

Jamil looked up to see the newcomers and approached them.

"Hmm? You're..." he looked at Charlie, whom looked back.

'Where have I seen him..? Oh yeah!' She thought. "We've met when it was the Magift season. I think?" She answered.

"Yes. You came to speak with me when I was injured before the games." Jamil smiled and nods. "You're...Charlotte and Grim from the Ramshackle Dorm."

"That's right! And you must be...erm...." Grim was tongue tied.

"Jamil. Jamil Viper. The vice lead of Scarabia." He bowed. "I've always been good at remembering faces and names. And your entrance ceremony had left quite the impression." He chuckled.

Charlie cringes at the memory, her face flushing red.

"I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't know your names at this point."

"Wait, seriously?! Nyahaha! Yours Truly has finally become popular!" Grim cheers.

"Also, why are you two here during the break?" The vice asked.

"Oh...well, that's the thing. Neither of us have. A place to go back home to. That and the fact that the headmaster has left us a vital task in taking care of the fires here at school." Charlie our short.

"And thanks to our awesomely reliable and serious dedication, the headmaster trusted us with it!" Grim added.

"Is that so?" Jamil was impressed.

"The headmaster...these two may be of use...." He whispered to himself.

"Hmm? Ya say something?" Grim looked at him.

He recovered, "Only that the two of you must so awespiring for the headmaster to task you."

"S-sorry for interrupting! Vice lead, we haven't finished preparing the vegetables." A student butted in.

Jamil looked over his shoulder and nodded. "I'm on my way." He waves a hand for the two to follow and they do.

At a certain area, Grim was set down on the table and stared into the silver pot. "Wow...this soup looks pretty tasty but the smell throws me off a bit." His nose twitched as a response.

"It's a traditional dish from the Land of Hot Sands. It must've been a stroke of luck that you two were brought here. Care for a taste?" He offered.

"Aah! Really?!"

"Are you sure it's okay?" Charlie asked skeptically.

He nods. "Indeed. The foods almost done. So could you lend a hand?"

She rolls up her sleeves at those words. "Just tell us what to do!"

————————-

Grim sniffed, "Ah, wow, these spices are tangy!"

"All from the same place. We use them to create a specific taste in each dish. Just follow my lead."

"You got it!" Charlie smiles. 'Man, if uncle Mario could see me now...'

———

Charlie had just finished dicing when she heard, "Hey, should I add this yet?" Grim holds up a mound of brown powder in his two paws.

Jamil raises a hand. "Hold up. The Garam masala is added before the heat is removed or it'll ruin the dish."

"Wow. You've got a keen eye when it's culinary stuff. Almost like my aunt Sam." Charlie said aloud.

Jamil walks up to her, watching her. "Of course. I do manage cooking constantly. We're almost done. Don't lose focus just yet." He instructs.

———

Charlie scrapes the last few veggies in. "And....done!"

Grim drops in the powder. "Those spices add depth! I'm already drooling!"

"Let me check.....wow. Very well done. You've been such a great help. Thank you. We're eating back at the dorm so you can go with us."

"Oh yeah! I'm starving."

"Wait, what?!"

"We're finished. Let's all head back!" Jamil announced.

"Yessir!" The student start gathering the food.

"Wait, hold on. Why are you guys even here during the break anyways?" Charlie stops them.

"To be honest..." Jamil eyes a student who looks away, almost intimidated. "It's a long story." He looked back at her.

'And low key something up already. I feel it....' She thought, her powers simmering in her veins. "Try me." She crosses her arms.

"Well, all of us in Scarabia were ordered by our lead..." one student started.

"We can't leave even if we tried!" Another wailed.

Jamil shushed them. "Quiet! Spill anything more and we'll be the ones suffering." He turns back towards her and Grim. "The food will grow cold. Let us hurry! It's always summer in Scarabia. Taking a vacation in the far lands."

"Yay! Sounds like paradise! We're going for sure!" Grim answered.

"Yea, uh, thanks but no thanks!" Charlie declines, grabbing Grim. "We're fine the way we are! It's very generous, honestly, but we can't just intrude like that!"

Jamil walks up to her, taking one of her hands. "I'm sure the dorm lead would be gracious to have your presence, Charlotte." He stares at her.

Suddenly, Charlie felt woozy. Although her body stayed still, her mind wasn't. She felt like she was in a loopy state. Kinda like when you get drugged on knock-out gas at the dentists before they take out your wisdom teeth? Yes, like that.

"You will join us, right?" Jamil's voice echoed in her head.

Then, her mind felt separated from her body. Her lips moved before she could think. Her voice.....didn't sound like her own as she said,

"...of course."

Jamil smiles. "Happy to make your acquaintance, Charlotte Luchessi of the Ramshackle Dorm." He turns away and starts to lead the pack.

Then, as if time started moving again, Charlie snaps out of it. She blinked a few times, and put a hand on her forehead in confusion. "What the hell....was that...?" She muttered as she trailed behind.

Once the mirror hall was gone, the three were outside the fourth dorm house. A golden rectangle banner with a palace stood in the center, the oval lined by red, the snake head perched on top, and a black banner going diagonally across the front spelled out the Dorm name.

"So this is Scarabia? It feels so humid! Like a wall of fire right in summer!" Grim felt the heat warm him immediately.

"An immediate contrast towards the cold, no? Follow me." Jamil waved for them.

Charlie had noticed her outfit had changed again. A red spaghetti strap shoulder blouse, jean shorts and a fluffy braid draped over her shoulder. Her bandana was tied around her neck securely, and her rose-gold striped sneakers came back.

Jamil clapped twice. "Attention! Our guests have arrived. Strike up the music!" Suddenly, lively music filled the air as chatter and laughter spread around.

"Amazing...." Charlie murmured.

"We've gotten well known enough for an entire welcome party?!" Grim smiled.

"Best eat before it grows cold." Jamil ushered the two to the banquet table where mounds of food piled high above one another as far as the eye can see.

"Itadakimasu!" Grim starts gobbling.

Charlie was so in shock at the display. "There's so much to choose....I don't know where to start!" If Heartslabyul was known for the pastries that shined like jewels, then Scarabia was the one whose got the dishes as bright as the most precious of gold and silver!

Seeing all the food reminded her of the family dinner parties her relatives would host: cappelletti made by hand at Aunt Sam's before Christmas...and even Easter gatherings at Rita and Rob's....it gave such a sense of melancholy to our heroine.

"We've also got the dishes we've made when you arrived to try. There's lots, so don't hesitate to take more." Jamil offered. She hesitated and grabbed a steaming pork bun. Debating with herself if she should eat, despite the lingering dread in her heart that something felt wrong....

"If you eat like this all the time, then it's truly a paradise!" Grim's cheeks were puffed like a chipmunks.

"...What is all the fuss?" A stern voice sounded.

The area grew quiet, so quiet you could hear a needle drop.

"Shit..it's the lead!" A student whispered.

Jamil turned to face the person in question. "Kalim."

Kalim stares coldly at the vice. "Jamil, what is the meaning of this? I never heard anything about guests being invited!"

"Kalim, there's a perfect reason."

"Em....what's with this guy...?"

"It's Kalim! But...why does he seem so...stiff?" Charlie pondered.

"I told you to always let me know beforehand if we're having guests!" Now Kalim's eyes moved towards the two. Just as he looked about ready to lose it- "Therefore, we could've put together an even bigger feast with better music as well!" He smiled hugely.

"Eh?!"

"Uh...cos'è appena successo?"

The leader ran towards the two. "You two! Thanks for coming! Sorry for not having a parade to you welcome you! I'm the dorm leader of Scarabia, Kalim Al-Asim! Nice to meetcha!"

Jamil stood at his side. "Actually, you've met them." He motioned towards Grim. "Grim had set your butt on fire during the entrance ceremony-" then towards Charlie. "-and you've spoken with Charlotte before Magift."

Kalim's eyes lit up. "Oh, really?! Ah haha! My bad!" He chuckled awkwardly. "I'm not so good with faces or names. No offense or anything. In that case, nice to see you again!"

Charlie humored him. "None taken."

His eyes moved down to her attire, and he beamed as brightly as the sun. "Ah! Charlie! You looks so pretty! Did you just get this?! It suits you very well!" He grabbed her hands and spun her.

"Oh, this old thing? Nah, I don't look that good." She faked shyly.

"Boo, that's not true! You look splendid! Truly!" The ruby-eyed male told her and lifting her hand delicately, places a gentle kiss on the back.

Charlie's mouth formed an 'o' as she looked at Kalim in shock. 'Whoa....he's such a gentleman...'

"Oh! Everything looks divine! How'd it all turn out?" Kalim skipped over to the table.

"Perfect as always. Nothing dangerous thrown in. You may eat without any worry. Our poison testers have completed their task."

Charlie was just about to take a bite of the pork bun. But after the words 'poison testers' was spoken, she shut her mouth altogether. With fast reflexes, she threw the pork bun over her shoulder, turning to face the two leaders. Her mouth suddenly felt dry as she spoke, "C-care to repeat that?"

"Kalim is the sole heir to an extremely wealthy family from our homeland and there are those who try and take his life. Which makes poison testing vital." Jamil explained.

"You're always overreacting, Jamil!" Kalim waved away, and picked up with Charlie. "Last time there was attempt to Poison was over four years ago. I was stuck in a coma for two weeks. No issues ever since."

The girl could only stare like a statue at the two. 'And he's saying it like it's normal....what the fuck is with this dude?!' She freaked.

"Because you've had a poison tester with you for those past four years. Any food that's been laced with poison has been disposed of before it got to you."

"So... that's why you were trying to get me to eat so much stuff?!" Grim looked so heartbroken.

'Yea, I'm glad I didn't stuff myself sick as soon as we got here....' Charlie sighed in her mind.

Kalim laughs, "It's okay! You don't have to Worry! Jamil was in charge of food! He'd never try to poison me."

Jamil smiles lightly, "You don't have to state the obvious."