The sillies
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Delicious and dragons
some shigaraki practice
itâs always been her
Herrscher of Finality Kiana! But I add back the golden accents because I miss them(this is not a redesign btw)
This is pretty old
Toon beasts...
Problems with wishes
In which you have to choose a club and it looks like everyone wants a piece of you.
Part 2 (Choosing a club)
You were minding your own business, dodging Grim's increasingly creative ways to get you to buy premium tuna, when Crowley swept in with his usual dramatic flair.
âAh, my dear pupil!â he exclaimed, arms wide like a bad community theater actor. âTo better immerse yourself in school life, you must join a club. Itâs mandatory!â
Before you could protest or ask any clarifying questions, he disappeared in a swirl of his cape, leaving you standing there with nothing but Grimâs unsympathetic shrug.
Naturally, this information traveled faster than you could process it, because the next thing you knew, Ace was practically dragging you by the arm across campus.
âAlright, listen,â Ace began, spinning a basketball on one finger and grinning like he just invented the sport. âYouâre obviously joining the basketball club. Itâs the best. Iâm here, Floydâs here, and even Jamilâs here, so really, itâs a no-brainer.â
âIs that supposed to sell it?â you asked, crossing your arms.
âUh, yeah!â he said, tossing the ball toward you. It immediately bounced off your hands and hit the floor. Ace, undeterred, caught it mid-bounce and gave you a wink. âDonât worry, Iâll teach you. Iâm, like, super good at this. Just ask him!â
From across the gym, some poor guyâbless his heartâtried to nod in support, but you caught the nervous look he shot Ace instead.
âOkay, sure,â you said, âbut isnât this just an excuse for you to show off?â
âMaybe,â Ace said with zero shame, dribbling the ball dramatically before attempting a layup. The ball bounced off the rim and into Floydâs waiting hands.
âShrimpy!â Floyd called, tossing the ball behind his head without looking (and still somehow making the shot). âJoin the club. Itâll be fuuuuun.â
You hesitated, because with Floyd, âfunâ could mean literally anything. âDefine fun,â you said cautiously.
âSimple! You, me, and Ace crushing people in games!â Floyd grinned, leaning closer to you. âAnd if anyone tries to mess with you, Iâll squish âem.â
Ace groaned. âFloyd, you canât just threaten people into joining.â
âWhy not?â Floyd asked, genuinely puzzled.
âBecause itâs weird!â
âNo, itâs effective,â Floyd countered, shooting you another toothy grin. âCâmon, Shrimpy, youâre already here. Iâll even let you call the plays. Or, you know, not. Whatever.â
â...Youâre just bored, arenât you?â
âObviously,â Floyd admitted, leaning lazily against the wall. âBut hey, if you join, I wonât let Ace hog the ball. Win-win, right?â
And then there was Jamil, who had been sitting silently on the sidelines, observing the chaos with his usual exasperated expression.
âAre they done?â he asked, finally standing and walking over to you.
âI donât think so,â you replied, watching as Floyd tried to steal the ball from Ace mid-dribble.
Jamil sighed. âTypical.â He glanced at you, his tone cool and measured. âIgnore them. Theyâre just trying to drag you into their antics.â
âAntics?â Floyd repeated, offended.
âYeah, Jamil,â Ace added, narrowing his eyes. âWhatâre you implying?â
âIâm implying youâre both terrible at convincing people,â Jamil said smoothly. He turned back to you. âIf youâre interested in joining the club, youâll actually get something out of it. Physical exercise, teamwork, strategy. And if you stick around, Iâll make sure youâre not stuck with them during practice.â
âHey!â Ace protested.
Floyd just laughed. âJamilâs still salty about the last scrimmage.â
âHardly,â Jamil said, arching an eyebrow. âIâm just pointing out that if you want to learn how to actually play, youâd be better off with me.â
You blinked. âAre you⊠offering to train me?â
He shrugged, but there was a faint smirk on his face. âIf it means saving you from their nonsense, yes.â
All you can do is sigh and say "I'll think about it"
You barely made it out of the basketball clubâs gym alive when Deuce grabbed your wrist like his life depended on it. His expression was that unique combination of earnest and panickedâclassic Deuce.
âWait, donât decide yet!â he said, already dragging you down the corridor. âYou havenât even seen the track and field club! You might like it better!â
âDeuce,â you began, trying to keep up without tripping. âI havenât evenââ
âJust come on!â
Before you knew it, you were standing on the edge of the outdoor track, blinking in the sunlight as Deuce shoved you forward like he was presenting a prize to a panel of judges. Jack, in the middle of sprint drills, stopped mid-stride to look over at you. His tail flicked once, and he jogged over with that intimidating mix of focus and curiosity he always had.
âYouâre trying to recruit them?â Jack asked, crossing his arms.
Deuce nodded, puffing out his chest like he was making the ultimate sales pitch. âYeah! Track and fieldâs way better than basketball. No offense to those guys.â
âI take offense,â you muttered, but neither of them heard.
âPlus,â Deuce continued, âweâve got variety. Running, jumping, throwingâyou can do anything. Itâs not just bouncing a ball around, you know?â
Jack nodded in agreement. âItâs good for discipline. Builds strength, endurance, and focus. If you want to improve yourself, this is the place to do it.â
âUh-huh,â you said, glancing at the track. âAnd what if I⊠donât exactly have focus?â
âThatâs fine!â Deuce said, grinning brightly. âWeâll help you! Right, Jack?â
Jack nodded. âOf course. Weâll start with basic drills.â He gave you a once-over, sizing you up. âHowâs your stamina?â
âDefine⊠stamina,â you said cautiously, because you had a feeling your answer wasnât going to impress him.
Jackâs ears twitched, and he leaned slightly closer. âHow far can you run without stopping?â
âUh,â you began, nervously shifting your weight. âTo the fridge?â
Jack blinked. â...Youâre joking, right?â
Deuce coughed loudly, clapping a hand on Jackâs shoulder. âDonât worry about that! Everyone starts somewhere, right? Besides, theyâre here because they want to try something new.â
You stared at Deuce. âI donât remember saying that.â
âExactly!â he continued, ignoring you entirely. âThink of how awesome itâd be to have us training you! Weâll get you in the best shape of your life. Right, Jack?â
Jack, who was still mildly horrified by your fridge comment, hesitated. â...Sure.â
Deuce, now fully in salesman mode, gestured to the track like it was some sort of holy land. âAnd you donât have to worry about teamwork stuff! You can focus on your personal goals andââ
âUnless youâre in a relay,â Jack interjected.
âRight, but relays are cool!â Deuce added quickly. âLike⊠team spirit, you know?â
You glanced between the two of them, taking in Jackâs intensity and Deuceâs enthusiasm. They were both staring at you with a mix of hope and determination, and honestly, it was kind of endearing.
âOkay,â you said slowly. âIf I join, do I get to skip the first practice?â
âNo,â Jack said immediately.
Deuce grinned sheepishly. âBut weâll go easy on you!â
âJack doesnât look like he believes that.â
Jack tilted his head, his tail swishing once. âYouâll thank me later.â
âIâm not sure Iâll survive later,â you muttered.
Deuce ignored that, clapping his hands together. âGreat! I knew youâd love it here! Câmon, letâs give them a quick demo, Jack!â
Before you could protest, the two of them took off around the track, moving at speeds that made you feel dizzy just watching. Deuce kept glancing back to grin at you, while Jack stayed focused, every stride perfect.
You stood there, bewildered and vaguely impressed, wondering if joining any club was a good idea at all. Still, as Deuce stumbled back toward you, sweaty but grinning like a puppy who just fetched a stick, you couldnât help but laugh.
âThink about it, okay?â he said, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. âWeâd love to have you here.â
Jack jogged up beside him, barely winded. âYouâll fit in if you put in the effort.â
âYeah,â Deuce agreed, nodding earnestly. âSo⊠what do you think?â
You hesitated, glancing at the track, then at them. ââŠIâll get back to you.â
Deuce grinned like that was a victory, and Jack just nodded approvingly. As they walked back to their drills, you realized you had yet another club to considerâand these two werenât going to make it any easier.
Before you could make your escapeâor even fully process the events of the dayâyour wrist was suddenly seized by Ortho, who zoomed in out of nowhere like a missile with a purpose.
âThere you are!â Ortho exclaimed with unsettling cheer. His grip was surprisingly firm for someone who probably didnât even need to touch you to move you. âBig Brotherâs been waiting! Come on!â
âWaitâwhat? Ortho, where are weââ
âNo time for questions!â And just like that, he lifted you into the air like you were a deranged package and he was some kind of express courier. You barely had time to flail before he rocketed off, delivering you with precision to the board game club's headquarters.
You landed with an unceremonious thud, right in front of Idia, who nearly fell out of his chair.
âOrtho!â Idia hissed, his flaming hair flaring. âYou canât just abduct people like that!â
âBut you said you wanted them to join!â Ortho chirped. âMission accomplished!â
Azul, seated calmly at the head of the table, adjusted his glasses and smirked. âWell, well. A delivery serviceâhow efficient. Welcome to the board game club.â
You were still processing the fact that youâd been airmailed when Idia slouched lower in his seat, muttering, âUgh, so embarrassing. Ortho, seriouslyâŠâ
âUh,â you began, brushing yourself off. âHi?â
Azul gestured grandly to the table in front of him, where an array of meticulously organized board games was displayed like they were ancient treasures. âHere, we focus on strategy, intellect, and the fine art of outwitting your opponent. Unlike other clubs,â he said with a pointed glance at the door, âthis one doesnât require you to break a sweat.â
âThatâs actually kind of appealing,â you admitted, still wary.
Idia perked up slightly, his hair flickering a little brighter. âSee? I told you itâs cool. I mean, if you like, uh, not running around like some NPC.â
Ortho leaned over, nodding enthusiastically. âAnd Big Brotherâs really good at this stuff! Heâs undefeated in our club tournaments!â
âThatâs because youâre the only other member whoâs not a liability!â Idia blurted, before realizing what heâd just said. âUhâI meanâyouâd totally, like, be an asset. Probably.â
Azul cleared his throat, clearly annoyed at being excluded from the compliment. âAllow me to demonstrate. Why donât we have a quick match? You against Idia.â
âWhat?â Idia sat up straight, his hair sparking nervously. âNo way! Thatâs not fairâI canât justââ
Azul gave him a smile sharp enough to cut glass. âDonât tell me youâre afraid of losing, Idia.â
Idiaâs face turned pink. âFine,â he grumbled, setting up the board. âBut donât blame me if I crush them.â
You sat down reluctantly, realizing too late that this was probably a trap. Idiaâs fingers moved at lightning speed as he set up his pieces, muttering calculations under his breath. Ortho leaned over your shoulder, giving you completely useless advice like, âJust believe in yourself!â
To your surprise, you managed to hold your own for the first few turns. Idia glanced up at you, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he were reevaluating your existence.
âHuh,â he murmured. âNot bad. For a newbie.â
âIs that a compliment?â you asked, moving your piece cautiously.
âDonât let it go to your head,â he said quickly, his face turning red again.
Azul chuckled from his spot at the table. âSee? A game of wits and strategy. Isnât this far superior to running laps or throwing balls into hoops?â
âHey!â you said, pointing your game piece at him. âDonât diss the other clubs. Theyâre passionate too!â
Azul raised an eyebrow. âPassion doesnât win battles. Strategy does.â
The game dragged on, and by the end of it, you were completely out of your depth. Idia, on the other hand, looked like heâd just stepped out of an anime boss fight, his hair flaring dramatically as he made his final move.
âCheckmate,â he said, grinning slightly.
âWrong game, Big Brother,â Ortho corrected.
âWhatever!â Idia snapped, but he didnât look too upset. âItâs over, okay?â
Azul leaned forward, smirking again. âSo, what do you think? Ready to join?â
You leaned back in your chair, your brain fried from trying to keep up. âI⊠I need to think about it.â
Ortho beamed. âThat means theyâre considering it! Success!â
Idia muttered something under his breath about âtoo much pressureâ and âwhy is this so stressful,â but you caught a tiny flicker of a smile as he fiddled with one of the game pieces.
Azul, ever the businessman, handed you a brochure as you left. âTake your time. But rememberâintellect always wins.â
You left the board game club feeling like youâd just survived a high-stakes negotiation. And as Ortho cheerfully waved goodbye, you couldnât help but wonder if all the clubs were this intense.
You were rounding a corner, still recovering from your latest club recruitment ambush, when a perfectly manicured hand shot out and grabbed your wrist.
Before you could even yelp, you found yourself being gracefully pulled into the Film Studies Clubroom by none other than Vil Schoenheit. His strides were purposeful, his posture impeccable, and his expressionâŠwell, letâs just say it was the definition of Iâm doing you a favor, peasant.
âVil?â you sputtered, barely managing to keep up. âWhat are youââ
âI need to vet you,â Vil said simply, his voice calm but leaving no room for argument. âThe Film Studies Club could use some fresh blood, and you look⊠adequate.â
âAdequate?â you echoed, mildly offended but too intrigued to argue further.
He led you to the center of the room, gesturing for you to stand under a perfectly angled spotlight. âDonât misunderstand,â Vil continued, crossing his arms and regarding you with a critical eye. âIâm merely evaluating your potential. Our club requires both talent and diligenceâqualities that, if Iâm being honest, are rare in this school.â
âUh, thanks?â
Vil ignored you, pulling out a script and flipping through it like he was deciding your fate. âIf you canât pass the audition, you can still join as a backstage hand,â he said airily. âWeâre short on those too.â
âWow, what an inspiring pitch,â you muttered, but Vilâs sharp gaze silenced you immediately.
âRead this,â he instructed, handing you the script and gesturing for you to begin.
You hesitated, glancing at the lines. âYouâre serious? Right now?â
âDo I look like someone who jokes about art?â Vil asked, raising a perfectly sculpted brow.
Point taken.
Clearing your throat, you started reading, trying to put some effort into it. Vil watched you intently, his expression inscrutable. He occasionally tilted his head, as if mentally dissecting every word you spoke, every movement you made.
When you finished, you looked at him expectantly, waiting for his verdict.
Vil tapped his chin, his eyes narrowing. âYouâre not hopeless,â he said finally, in a tone that made it sound like a compliment. âRough around the edges, yes, but Iâve seen worse.â
âGee, thanks,â you said dryly.
âDonât be smug. Youâll need work,â Vil continued, ignoring your tone. âBut I suppose you have potential.â
âAnd if I didnât?â
Vil gave a delicate shrug, his expression cool. âThen youâd still be useful behind the scenes. But consider this your opportunity to elevate yourself. Being part of my club means striving for excellenceâno exceptions.â
You couldnât help but smirk. âIs this really about me, or are you just desperate for members?â
Vilâs eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of amusement there. âDesperation has nothing to do with it. Iâm simply ensuring that my club remains unparalleled. If you happen to benefit from my guidance, so be it.â
âWell, when you put it that way, how can I refuse? I'll think about it.â
Vilâs lips curved into the faintest of smiles. âSmart choice. Now, donât make me regret it.â
With that, he turned on his heel, leaving you standing there wondering what exactly youâd just signed up forâand if Vilâs idea of âelevating yourselfâ involved a complete personality overhaul.
You barely had time to process Vil's dramatic exit when a familiar voice whispered theatrically, âAh, my muse! Fate conspires to bring us together!â
Before you could react, Rook Hunt appearedâswooped, reallyâout of nowhere and expertly whisked you away from the Film Studies Clubroom. It was less like being led and more like being caught mid-flight by an overly enthusiastic bird of prey.
âRook?!â you yelped as he practically danced you down the hallway. âWhat is happening?â
âMon ami,â he declared, his eyes glittering with fervor, âyou must see the science club! A world of wonder awaits you!â
âWaitâscience?â you echoed, incredulous. âYouâre in the science club?â
âAh, oui! Science is but another stage upon which the beauty of nature and humanity performs its eternal dance! The experiments! The cultivation of life! The creation of culinary masterpieces! All expressions of art, no?â
You werenât sure if he was describing scientific principles or poetry, but before you could argue, Rook had dragged you into the science clubroom.
The room was a chaotic mix of activities. One corner housed a vibrant garden under grow lights, another had chemistry equipment bubbling away ominously, and a third corner smelled suspiciously like freshly baked bread. Trey Clover stood near a counter, pulling cookies out of an oven as if this were the most normal thing to happen in a science lab.
âAh, there you are,â Trey greeted, smiling warmly. âRook said heâd bring someone by. Iâm guessing youâre deciding on a club?â
You glanced between Rook, who was already gesturing dramatically at a rack of test tubes, and Trey, who held up a tray of cookies like a peace offering. âI⊠guess I am?â
âBien sĂ»r!â Rook exclaimed, sweeping an arm toward the greenery in the corner. âBehold! We grow life itself here! Tomatoes, basil, flowersâanything your heart desires!â
Trey added, âWe also bake and cook as part of our activities. Itâs a great way to learn about chemistry and make something useful at the same time.â
âAnd explosions!â Rook chimed in enthusiastically. âOccasionally, there are explosions.â
Trey shot him a look. âNot⊠intentionally.â
Rook turned back to you, his expression radiant. âThink of the possibilities, mon ami! With science, you can cultivate beauty, create masterpieces, and perhaps even unlock secrets of the universe! And, of course, I am here to guide youâto nurture the artistic soul that dwells within!â
âAlso,â Trey added, far more pragmatically, âweâre not picky about what activities you want to try. Itâs a flexible club, so you could do a little bit of everything.â
You considered this as Trey handed you a cookie. It was warm and delicious, which admittedly swayed your opinion a little.
âHmm,â you said thoughtfully, âso I could garden, bake, and blow things up all in one club?â
âExactly!â Trey said with a smile.
Rook leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a stage whisper. âAnd think, mon cherâif you hone your talents here, you could support Vil in creating the cinematic beauty he so envisions! Science and art, united in harmony!â
You blinked. âWait, are you trying to recruit me for this club and help Vil at the same time?â
Rook grinned. âNature does not limit itself to one purpose, mon ami, and neither do I.â
Trey sighed but didnât deny it.
âWell, this is definitely⊠something,â you said, nibbling on the cookie. âIâll think about it.â
âAh, a maybe!â Rook clasped his hands together like youâd just promised him your soul. âA victory in itself!â
Before you could say anything else, Rook twirled you toward the door, clearly ready to drag you to your next destinationâor possibly just keep talking about âthe poetry of chlorophyllâ until you gave in.
Just as you were beginning to suspect Rook was about to wax poetic about âthe lyrical mysteries of yeast fermentation,â a sudden voice interrupted.
âOh-ho, whatâs this?â
Before you could even react, Lilia Vanrouge materialized out of thin air, practically glowing with chaotic energy. âAh, my dear friend! Youâre far too bright a star to waste away on science experiments! Come with meâpop stardom awaits!â
You blinked. âWait, what?â
And just like that, you were swept up in Liliaâs whirlwind. He dragged you down the hallway with a skip in his step and a mischievous laugh, leaving Rook and Trey in his dust.
âLilia, I can walk, you know!â you said, stumbling to keep up.
âBut whereâs the drama in that?â Lilia replied, cackling as he pushed open the doors to the Pop Music Clubroom.
Inside, the room was a cacophony of sound and color. Disco lights spun, a half-finished banner reading âNext Big Thing!â hung lopsidedly on the wall, and Kalim was gleefully banging away on a drum like it owed him money. Cater sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through his phone and periodically snapping selfies with sparkly filters.
âOh, hey!â Kalim greeted you, waving so enthusiastically he almost hit himself with the drum stick. âYouâre here to join us, right? This club is the best! We have music, dancing, and itâs all just super fun!â
Cater glanced up from his phone, his grin wide and just a little too calculated. âYouâd fit right in! Think of all the magicam-worthy moments we could create together. Plus, the followers youâd get? Off the charts.â
âFollowers?â you echoed, glancing at Lilia.
âAh, but of course!â Lilia said, flinging his arms wide as if presenting you to an adoring crowd. âThe Pop Music Club isnât just about musicâitâs about presence! Charisma! The ability to captivate a room with a single note or a dazzling smile!â
âItâs also about having a good time!â Kalim added, spinning in a circle for no reason other than sheer joy.
Cater nodded, holding up his phone. âAnd donât forgetâevery moment is a potential viral video. You, me, Lilia, and Kalim as the dream team? Weâd own the algorithm.â
You hesitated. âUh, I donât even play an instrument.â
âNeither does he!â Lilia said brightly, pointing at some unfortunate bystander.
âHey!â he protested. âI play the Kalimba!â He promptly tried to play a note, missed the rhythm entirely, and Lilia laughed like it was the funniest thing ever.
âSee?â Lilia said, unfazed. âTalent is optional here. All we need is your spirit!â
Cater stood, brushing imaginary dust off his pants. âWe also dabble in choreography, so if youâve got two left feet, donât worryâweâll teach you how to make them look intentional.â
âCome on, join us!â Kalim said, grabbing your hands and bouncing up and down like an overexcited puppy. âWe could totally use your energy!â
âWhat energy?â you asked, deadpan. âIâve been dragged between clubs all dayâI barely have any left.â
âExactly!â Lilia said with a wink. âWeâll channel whatâs left into a glorious crescendo of pop music excellence!â
You werenât sure whether to laugh, cry, or just surrender entirely to the chaos. Liliaâs grin was practically infectious, Kalimâs enthusiasm radiated like the sun, and Cater was already adjusting the angle of his phone to catch you in the best light.
âWell,â you muttered, âat least it sounds⊠lively.â
âLively is an understatement,â Cater said, snapping a selfie with you and Lilia in the background. âHashtag PopStarsInTheMaking! Youâre gonna love it here.â
âLet me guess,â you said dryly. âYouâre already planning to upload that, arenât you?â
âOh, absolutely,â Cater said with a wink.
Lilia clapped his hands, his eyes sparkling with excitement. âSo, what do you say? Ready to unleash your inner star?â
âI⊠will think about it,â you replied, edging toward the door.
âThink fast!â Kalim called after you. âThe bass is calling your name!â
You bolted before anyone could shove an instrument into your hands.
As you hurried down the hallway, still reeling from the pop music chaos you'd just escaped, you nearly collided with a flash of red.
"Ah, there you are!"
You blinked up at none other than Riddle Rosehearts, who looked as though he'd been scouring the entire school for you. His eyes narrowed, and his voice carried a tone of stern authority mixed with subtle relief.
"I've been looking for you," Riddle said, crossing his arms. "Ace and Deuce mentioned that youâre considering which club to join. As housewarden, itâs my responsibility to ensure you make a proper choice."
You blinked, still processing. "Oh, uh⊠thanks?"
"Enough dilly-dallying," Riddle said briskly, taking your wrist with surprising firmness. "You're coming with me to the Equestrian Club."
"Wait, whatâ"
Before you could finish, Riddle had already begun marching you toward the stables. You were half-dragged, half-guided, catching snippets of his lecture along the way about the merits of horseback riding, discipline, and poise.
When you arrived, the warm scent of hay filled the air, and the sound of soft nickering greeted you. The stables were pristine, the horses sleek and well-groomed. Standing nearby were Silver and Sebek, both tending to the horses.
"Riddle, you found them" Silver greeted you with his usual calm demeanor. He gave you a faint smile as he gently brushed a dappled gray mare. "Perfect timingâwe were just about to go for a ride."
Sebek, on the other hand, straightened like a soldier at attention, his voice booming. "THEY WILL JOIN US, OF COURSE! IT IS ONLY FITTING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OF WORTH TO EMBRACE SUCH A NOBLE ART!"
"Sebek, indoor voice," Riddle said sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I AM OUTDOORS!" Sebek retorted, though he did lower his volume slightly.
You glanced nervously at the horses. "Uh, I donât know if Iâm⊠horse material."
"Nonsense," Riddle said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Riding teaches discipline, focus, and responsibility. Itâs the perfect club for fostering growthâand for avoiding unnecessary distractions like some less dignified clubs."
"Pop Music Club?" you guessed.
Riddle sniffed, his expression sour. "Among others."
Silver walked over, still holding the brush, and gave you a reassuring nod. "Donât worry. The horses are gentle, and we can teach you everything. Itâs a peaceful activity once you get used to it."
"Peaceful!" Sebek exclaimed, throwing his arms wide. "It is a pursuit befitting the greatest warriors! EVEN LORD MALLEUSâ"
"Sebek," Riddle interrupted, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Focus on the matter at hand."
"Apologies!" Sebek barked, saluting.
Riddle turned back to you, his expression softening just a fraction. "The Equestrian Club isnât just about riding horses. Itâs about elegance, partnership, and understanding. You could benefit greatly from it."
"And the horses are great listeners," Silver added.
"Unlike some humans," Sebek muttered under his breath.
You bit back a laugh as Riddle gave Sebek another glare.
"What do you say?" Riddle asked, stepping aside to let you see one of the horsesâa chestnut with a kind, inquisitive gaze. "This is Vorpal. Perhaps a ride would convince you?"
The horse whinnied softly, and for a moment, you considered it. There was something appealing about the tranquility of the stables, the camaraderie of the club members, and the undeniable charm of working with such majestic creatures.
But then you remembered the drum chaos, the science experiments, and Vilâs dramatic vetting process.
"Let me, uh⊠think about it?" you said, taking a step back.
Riddle sighed, though he looked more exasperated than disappointed. "Very well. But donât wait too longâindecision is unbecoming."
"Yeah," you mumbled. "Got it."
As you made your escape, you could hear Sebek booming, "RIDING A HORSE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!"
You werenât sure about that, but you were certain that escaping club recruitment was starting to feel like an Olympic sport.
As you staggered away from the stables, thoroughly frazzled by Sebekâs enthusiastic yelling and Riddleâs intense lecture on discipline, you barely had time to catch your breath beforeâ
âYo, gotcha!â
A pair of hands grabbed your shoulders from behind, and you let out a very undignified yelp. You turned to find Ruggie grinning up at you like a mischievous hyena that had just found its next meal.
âRuggie! Whatâ?â
âNo time for questions, boss,â he said, practically dragging you down the path. âLeonaâs orders. He told me to bring ya to the Magift Club.â
âThe Magift Club?â you repeated, already sensing disaster.
Ruggie nodded, smirking. âYup. Letâs go, letâs go!â
âButâwaitâI donât even have magic!â you protested as he hauled you toward the field.
âDetails, details,â Ruggie waved off, his grip on your arm firm.
Soon enough, you were dumped unceremoniously on the sidelines of the Magift field. Leona was lounging on the grass under the shade of a tree, looking entirely too comfortable for someone allegedly trying to recruit you. Epel was nearby, aggressively practicing his throws while muttering something that sounded suspiciously like âIâll show âem.â
Leona cracked one eye open lazily as Ruggie dropped you off. ââBout time,â he drawled.
âLeona,â you said flatly, âwhy would you want me in the Magift Club? I don't even have magic.â
He yawned, looking entirely unbothered. âYeah, I know that. Youâre still better than the other herbivores running around. You can be the manager.â
âManager?â
âYup,â Ruggie chimed in, plopping down next to Leona. âYouâd handle all the boring stuffâpaperwork, schedules, snacks, makinâ sure Epel doesnât throw a fit when he gets tackled.â
âI donât throw fits!â Epel yelled, narrowly missing a hoop with his throw.
Leona smirked. âSure you donât.â
You crossed your arms, unconvinced. âWhy me, though? Youâre telling me Iâm the best candidate for this?â
Leona sat up slightly, his sharp eyes locking on yours. âIâm sayinâ youâre the least annoying option. I donât need some herbivore manager whoâs gonna cry every time I take a nap instead of practicing. Youâre not useless, so quit whining.â
Ruggie leaned in conspiratorially. âBasically, youâre the only one Leona doesnât feel like chasing off the field after two days.â
You raised an eyebrow. âSounds like a ringing endorsement.â
Leona shrugged. âTake it or leave it. Makes no difference to me.â
At that moment, Epel ran up, panting slightly from his practice. âCâmon, you should join us!â he urged. âYou donât need magic to be part of the team. And if you ever wanna learn some tricks, I can teach ya!â
Leona gave him a lazy side-eye. âDonât scare them off.â
âIâm not scarinâ âem! Iâm convincinâ âem!â Epel shot back, glaring at Leona before turning back to you. âSeriously, we could use someone like you. The clubâs fun, I promise!â
Ruggie snickered. âFunâs a stretch. Itâs more like⊠survival of the fittest with a ball involved.â
âAnd napping,â Leona added with a smirk.
Epel crossed his arms. âWell, maybe if someone practiced instead of nappinâ, weâd win more games!â
Leona waved him off with a scoff.
You sighed, rubbing your temples. âI donât know, guys. This sounds like a lot of chaos.â
âChaos is half the fun,â Ruggie said with a grin. âCâmon, boss, think of all the free food we get during games. And youâd get to boss Leona around as the manager. Ainât that worth it?â
Leona snorted. âGood luck with that.â
You glanced at the trioâEpel brimming with determination, Ruggie radiating mischief, and Leona looking like he didnât care but also somehow cared just enough to try. It was⊠weirdly tempting, in its own way.
âIâll⊠think about it,â you said finally.
âFair enough,â Leona said, already reclining again. âDonât take too long, though. Weâve got a game next week, and Iâm not filling out paperwork.â
Ruggie winked. âDonât worry, youâll come around. Everyone does.â
As you left the field, you couldnât shake the feeling that youâd just been almost recruited into something much more taxing than a simple club.
Before you could escape the Magift field and all its potential paperwork, you took a sharp turnâonly to smack right into what felt like a wall of polite menace. A soft, knowing chuckle sounded above you.
âOh dear, do be careful,â came Jade Leechâs unmistakably smooth voice.
You took a step back, already dreading the conversation. âJade,â you said warily, âwhat are you doing here?â
His sharp smile grew ever so slightly. âWaiting for you, of course. Word travels fast, and Iâve heard youâre in the market for a club.â
âOh no,â you muttered. âYouâre not here toââ
Before you could finish, he was already guiding you away, his hand light on your arm but unyielding, like a vice hidden under a silk glove.
âCome now,â he said, his tone as polite as ever, âI simply must show you the Mountain Lovers Club.â
âThe what now?â you asked, bewildered.
âThe Mountain Lovers Club,â he repeated, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
âAnd⊠who else is in this club?â
âWhy, just me.â
You stopped in your tracks. âItâs just you?â
âYes.â Jade smiled serenely, as if this were not a glaring red flag. âI am the founder, leader, and sole member. But with your arrival, that could very well change.â
You blinked at him, unsure if youâd misheard. âWait, so youâve been running a one-person club this whole time?â
âIndeed.â His expression didnât falter in the slightest. âThe Mountain Lovers Club is dedicated to the appreciation of all things mountainous. Hiking through beautiful terrain, foraging for wild plants, observing unique ecosystems, andâon occasionâbefriending the local fauna.â
âBefriending?â
âExamining, petting, observing closelyâŠâ His eyes gleamed. âPerhaps all three.â
You shook your head, trying to process. âSo⊠why me?â
Jade clasped his hands together, the picture of poised enthusiasm. âYou strike me as someone who appreciates unique experiences. The Mountain Lovers Club offers a chance to explore the great outdoors, expand your horizons, and develop a deeper appreciation for natureâs wonders.â
âAnd by âgreat outdoors,â you mean mountains?â
âPrecisely.â
âAnd itâs just you?â
âFor now,â he said, his tone warm but his gaze uncomfortably intense. âBut every great journey begins with a single step. Yours could be joining this club.â
You gave a nervous laugh. âUh⊠I donât think hiking through mountains is really my thing.â
âAh, but how do you know unless you try?â Jadeâs smile widened. âBesides, Iâll be there to guide you every step of the way. No need to worry about getting lost⊠or encountering anything unexpected.â
The way he said âunexpectedâ made you want to run for the hills (ironic, given the circumstances).
âLook, I appreciate the offer, butââ
âI insist,â he cut in smoothly, his tone polite but with a note of finality. âAt least allow me to show you the clubâs activities. Perhaps a short hike this weekend? Iâve already prepared a route.â
You stared at him. âYouâve alreadyâŠ?â
âOf course.â His gaze was calm, calculating. âPreparation is key. Iâve even packed a lunch.â
You didnât know whether to laugh or cry. âJade, Iââ
He tilted his head, his smile remaining perfectly composed. âSurely you wouldnât refuse without at least giving it a chance? Iâve put so much thought into this.â
âWhy do I feel like I donât have a choice?â you muttered.
Jadeâs smile was razor-sharp and utterly unrepentant. âBecause you donât.â
You sighed in defeat. âFine. One hike.â
âExcellent,â he said, his tone soft and victorious. âIâll see you this Saturday at dawn.â
âDawn?!â
âOh yes,â he said, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. âThe mountains are at their most beautiful in the early morning light. Youâll love it.â
As he sauntered away, leaving you to process your fate, you couldnât shake the feeling that youâd just agreed to something far more treacherous than a simple hike.
The moment you finally reached Ramshackle Dorm, exhausted from the whirlwind of club-hopping and increasingly bizarre sales pitches, you let out a long sigh of relief. The day had been nothing short of chaotic, and all you wanted was to collapse onto your creaky old bed and forget the words âclub activitiesâ ever existed.
But just as your hand touched the doorknob, a familiar voice, deep and regal, called out from the shadows.
âChild of man.â
You jumped slightly, spinning around to see none other than Malleus Draconia emerging from beneath the pale light of the moon, his presence as imposing and enigmatic as always. He stood by one of Ramshackleâs crumbling stone walls, his expression calm but his eyes bright with an unreadable intensity.
âOh, Malleus,â you said, your voice tinged with weariness but also a touch of warmth. âDidnât see you there.â
He tilted his head ever so slightly, his gaze never leaving yours. âI was merely admiring the architecture of your dorm. It has a certain⊠wistful charm.â
You smiled faintly. âI guess thatâs one way to put it.â
Then, with the sort of graceful confidence only Malleus could manage, he stepped closer, his presence looming but never threatening. âI have heard,â he began, his tone soft and deliberate, âthat you have been seeking a club to join.â
You blinked at him, caught off guard. âHow did youââ
âThe winds carry whispers,â he said cryptically.
âRight,â you muttered, deciding not to question it.
Malleus folded his hands neatly in front of him, looking every bit the picture of regal sincerity. âIf you have not yet made your decision⊠I would like to invite you to join my club.â
Your brain, still reeling from Jadeâs mountain escapades and Leonaâs managerial demands, stalled for a moment. âYour⊠club?â
âYes,â he said, his voice brimming with quiet pride. âThe Gargoyle Research Society.â
âThe⊠what now?â
âThe Gargoyle Research Society,â he repeated, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. âI am both its founder and sole member.â
Of course, he was.
Malleus seemed oblivious to your stunned silence as he continued, his expression softening into something almost earnest. âThe society is dedicated to the appreciation and study of gargoyles. We explore the campus, observing their intricate designs and marveling at their history. There is so much beauty in their silent watch over us.â
You blinked. âSo⊠you just walk around and look at gargoyles?â
âPrecisely,â he said, his tone unironically enthusiastic.
âAnd⊠thatâs it?â
Malleus nodded solemnly. âIndeed. It is a noble pursuit, one that nurtures both the mind and the spirit.â
For a moment, you were at a loss for words. Of all the clubs youâd encountered today, this might just take the crown for most niche.
Malleus, however, seemed utterly earnest. His eyes bore into yours, his expression sincere and unguarded. âI understand if this does not align with your current interests,â he said, his voice softening. âBut should you ever feel the call of the gargoyles⊠know that you are always welcome.â
There was something so genuine in his tone, so quietly hopeful, that you felt a pang of guilt for even thinking about brushing him off. You sighed, offering him a tired but sincere smile. âYou know what? Iâll definitely consider it.â
Malleusâs eyes lit up, his calm demeanor giving way to a flicker of pure joy. âTruly?â
âTruly,â you said, nodding.
âThen I shall look forward to the day you join me,â he said, his voice as soft as a promise.
With that, he gave you a small, graceful bow before disappearing back into the night, leaving you to wonder how youâd managed to end the day not only agreeing to a potential club but also feeling oddly flattered by the idea of studying gargoyles.
You shook your head, a small smile tugging at your lips. âWhat a dayâŠâ
Part 2: Choosing a club
a/n: it completely slipped my mind that ortho is in film studies sorry :(
In fifth grade a boy tried to impress me by swallowing a whole tadpole live and I punched him so hard that he puked and the tadpole was fine.
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