Chapter Text
There were certain things in the Heartslabyul dorm that could act as indicators for how the day (or even week) could go for its occupants. If the flamingos were in a particularly friendly mood, and the hedgehogs weren’t acting brattish during the weekly croquet game, then its members could expect the rest of the week to go smoothly. If a rose bloomed a specific shade of red and someone was to happen upon it, then that person could expect a day full of good luck.
There was, however, one omen of bad luck that everyone tried to prevent or wished to avoid. And for a very good reason. The anger of a queen spelled disaster for everyone. When the queen wasn’t happy, no one was allowed to be happy either.
Despite their dorm leader’s newfound leniency and attempts to cool down his temper, there was still the problem of accidentally triggering it. But, there was no reason for Ace or Deuce to think of that problem as they raced down the winding hallways of the dorm, more concerned with being the first into the common room than whatever emotion the demon dorm leader was feeling. Just as they made it through the doorway and ready to argue about who got there first, a voice piped up from in front of them.
“Rule five hundred and nine, you should not make loud noises before ten am. Rule seven hundred and ten, if two people enter through a door together, the person on the right must walk in step with the person on the left,”
The two first years instantly felt dread fill them at the icy tone. Sitting at one of the sofas was Riddle. He hadn’t bothered to look at them, sitting rod straight and glaring at the wall, not a single thing on him out of place. Despite him not looking directly at them, the rattling of rules instantly told them that they should consider their next moves very, very carefully.
“You’ll have to excuse him, he hasn’t been in a good mood since the dorm leader meeting yesterday,”
Trey gave them an apologetic smile as he walked into the room, a tray of tea and cookies in hand. He placed them on the table, passing a cup over to the sitting redhead, who only muttered a hasty thank you before continuing to glare at the wall.
“What was so bad about a meeting that Riddle looks like he wants to murder someone?” Ace asked.
“Every year NRC and RSA have a day where some members of the different dorms will visit the other school. The host school changes each year, swapping between Night Raven and Royal Swords. It’s a show of camaraderie and friendship,” the green-haired third-year explained.
“Uh, but don’t we hate Royal Sword?”
“Oh, we do. To be honest with you, it’s mainly performative. It’s just a way to make both RSA and NRC look good for their sponsors, something to downplay the rivalry as nothing more than ‘friendly competition between the schools,”
“Friendly competition my ass,” Ace grumbled, munching on the neglected treats. Riddle really must have been out of it if he wasn’t yelling at him for taking almost all of the snacks or getting crumbs on his shirt.
“We just have to play nice for a couple of hours. Since last year’s visit took place at RSA, it’s our turn,”
“So that's it? You don’t want to deal with them? That’s a pretty childish reason to be in a bad mood,”
“Oh that has less to do with the event and more with one of their dorm leaders,” Cater piped up, appearing out of nowhere and taking the last cookie from Ace, “our little Riddle isn’t particularly fond of the Eccentryul dorm leader,"
The sentence finally got a reaction out of the despondent boy. He smacked his fists down on the table with a red face, making everyone jump. The sudden movement caused the table to rattle, nearly spilling tea.
“He’s annoying and has no respect for boundaries! Chasing me all over the grounds until it is time to go! Trying to catch me as if it is some kind of game instead of clear harassment! ‘Curious’! ‘Curious’! Curious it is not! Next time he tries it will be off with his head!”
“Can’t you just…ignore him? Not go?”
“As leader of this dorm, I am required to attend, even then-it is impolite to simply not go, no matter how much I want to avoid this,” the boy said, sitting back down.
“Why don’t you just get something to distract him and then leave? If he’s not paying attention to you then it means you don’t have to deal with him right?”
“Of course not- Wait, you might be on to something. Deuce you’re a genius,”
“I am?”
“He is?”
“Yes, if he’s distracted, then it means I don’t have to talk to him. And you all are going to help me,”
“Alright, and what do you want us to do?”
“If you can keep Alfred away from me for the duration of the event, I will do one favour for you. No matter what it is, within the best of my abilities.”
“A favour? You can totally count me in!” Cater said.
“Eh? That easy Cater?” Trey huffed in amusement also giving him consent to helping.
“Of Course! This might be the only time I get to have Riddle do a magicam stream with me! I’m so not giving up this chance,”
“And you two?” Riddle asked, finally taking a sip of his tea. The Aduece duo grinned.
“Sure why not. Messing with an RSA student will be fun!”
“You can count on us Dorm Leader!”
The light blue and whites of the visiting students stood out against the backdrop of the rose bushes. The students had spent the whole week setting up the party area near the maze, making sure it was big enough for all of them, with tables, food, and decorations all set up to the high standards that Riddle upheld in maintaining the image of the dorm. The red-haired boy looked over the crowd with a critical eye, Trey and Cater flanking his sides with Ace and Deuce remaining nearby.
“Riddle! Riddle-iddle-iddle! Oh, it's so lovely to see you again!” A blur of white and blue zoomed towards the dorm leader, ignoring the shocked and scandalized faces of the other students. With the grace of someone very used to dodging such actions, the red-haired boy moved out of the way before they could collide, sending the other to fall to the ground.
The Heartslabyul dorm members held their breath, waiting for the worst to happen.
“Rule nineteen of the Queen of Hearts, one must always introduce themself properly with a curtesy and wide mouth,” He stated with a clipped tone, glaring down at the other, not offering to lend a hand up.
The coldness of the other didn’t seem to bother the Royal Sword student, who seemed more than happy to get back up on his feet and crowd into the other’s space. “Aw but Riddle! We already know each other! Can’t I greet a friend?”
The ginger-haired first-year had to hand it to the other. Riddle really did seem to be trying to keep his cool even despite looking like he wanted to be anywhere else at the moment. He could only assume that this was the guy that Trey and Cater had been talking about. From the corner of his eye, he could see a skittish white-haired rabbit beastman watching on wearily, as if ready to hop in and drag his classmate out of danger if the smaller boy decided he wanted heads to roll. Within the crowd as well, Ace made out a head of purple hair and cat ears before it vanished, meaning that Che’nya was now loose and free to do as he pleased on dorm grounds.
“We are not friends. And I wasn’t talking about myself I was talking about introducing yourself to my dorm as you should have done before attempting to assault me,”
The blond-haired boy pouted a bit before turning around to the group of students. He was only a head taller than Riddle, an emblem of pins scattered on his vest alongside a sky-blue magestone he was surprisingly well put together despite the lopsided black band that was keeping his hair from falling in his face.
“Greetings and Salutations of all kinds, newest and oldest members of Heartslabyul! I am Alfred Fernsby, dorm leader of Eccentryul!”
“And I am Oliver Bellsfoot, vice dorm leader!” the rabbit beast man from earlier piped up. Stepping beside the other.
Riddle and Trey stepped forwards as well to give their introductions.
When Alfred was distracted, Oliver turned and gave Riddle a small nod. “Apologizes about Alfred, he’s been up the walls with excitement about the trip. I’m sorry for not keeping a better eye on him,”
“At least there’s one person in your dorm with a bit of courtesy. It’s good to see you again Bellsfoot,”
“R-right! It’s good to see you too… Sorry we were almost late, Alfred calibrated his alarm and the time on it was moving diagonally…”
“I see…”
When Riddle stepped away to the side, he flicked his cape once, giving a signal to his dorm to disperse and “socialize”.
Ace shared a look with Trey, Cater, and Deuce. It was time to put their plan into action.
Operation: The Red Queen’s Getaway was a go!