Waves of Destiny (Twisted Wonderland)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

"Myaaah!" Grim exclaimed as soon as we entered the Pomefiore Dorm lounge for the audition. "There's a ton of competition here!" Indeed, the place was packed.

"There's gotta be like fifty people," said Ace.

"O-oh no, I'm tensing up already," said Deuce, eyes wide. "I-I th-think I'm b-blanking out on the song lyrics!"

"It's alright," I said, patting his back.

"You'll be fine if you just chill," said Ace.

"Ooh, what's this?" said Cater, wandering over to us. "A2 and the Ramshackle duo? You guys are here for the SDC auditions too, huh?"

"Hey, Cater!" said Grim. "Yeah, how about you?"

"Got it in one. The event's happening at our school, and I hear Vil's gonna be in it this year. What could be cooler than competing on stage against a mega-celeb with five million Magicam followers?"

"Deuce took it way too seriously, but you're being way too shallow about it..." said Ace.

"Pfft. I'm pretty sure most people here are like me, actually. Check out Exhibit A over there." Cater nodded at Ruggie.

"Hm-hm-hmmm, hm-hmm! ♪ Hmm," Ruggie hummed. "I'm not much of a singer, but I'm sure I can make up for that with my dance moves. I'm taking my share of that fifty thousand thaumark prize!"

"Myah! Of course he wants the money," said Grim.

"Ah, hello, Cater," Lilia said, popping down from the ceiling. "Fancy seeing you here."

"WHOA!" we all shouted.

"Khee hee hee! A perfect reaction. Heartslabyul students are always so full of vim and vigor."

"C'mon, Lils, you're gonna give me a heart attack one of these days!" said Cater.

"Ah, you're the one who always pops in upside- down," I said.

"Khee hee hee... Indeed I am," said Lilia. "Lilia Vanrouge, surprise delivery boy, at your service."

"Oh yeah, Ona," said Grim. "You said we got a holiday greeting card from an unknown sender, right? Ain't this the guy right here?"

"Ah, but you'll find that the initials on the card differ from my own. Khee hee hee... You'll find out who sent it soon enough."

"I have an idea..." I said.

"So, Lils," said Cater. "Are you auditioning for SDC too?"

"Mhm," said Lilia. "I belong to the Pop Music Club, so I would be remiss to sit out on a musical presentation. I invited Malleus to join me, but he declined, claiming he had no desire to be put on display for humans. He's a surprisingly shy boy, you know."

"I'm... not sure your definition of 'shy' is the same as mine... Gotta give you props for bravery, though. It takes guts to prod a bigwig like Malleus into doing an audition."

"Events like these are part of campus life. I thought it would do him some good to give it a whirl, but so it goes. And yourself? I'm surprised you didn't invite your partner, Trey."

"Oh, I did. But alas, I got jilted! Riddle's the chairman of the Culture Fair Management Committee, and Trey's busy assisting him."

"Ah, of course."

"So! How's about we take an audition selfie as jilted buddies?"

"Certainly. Come, freshmen. Join us."