Jamil leads you and the Scarabia students down the hallway leading to the Hall of Mirrors. Jamil still holds your hand.
"So, why're you guys stayin' on campus over winter break?" Grim asks.
"Well..." Jamil glances over his shoulder at his dormates. They all grow quite. "It's a bit of a long story."
"Oh," You tilt your head in concern. "Is everything okay?"
"It was the housewarden's orders." A student whispers. "Everybody in Scarabia has to stay..."
"We can't go home even if we want to."
Jamil shushes them. "Don't go into it. We brought this on ourselves as it is." Jamil smiles to the students. "Now, let's get this food back to the dorm before it gets cold. Scarabia's got the warmth of summer year-round." Jamil looks to you. "I think you'll enjoy a taste of the tropics there."
Grim fist pumps the air. "Woo-hoo! Now that's what I call paradise! C'mon, Y/N!" Grim runs down the hallway.
"Whoa, Grim." You laugh. "Slow down!"
"I'm sure the housewarden will be delighted to have you as visitors." Jamil gently tilts your head to meet his gaze. "Would you care to come over?"
You feel your cheeks redden as you stare into his charcoal eyes. "I'd love to."
Jamil smiles. "What a pleasure it is to know you'll be coming to see us, Y/N. Now then, Scarabia awaits."
Once you step out of the mirror, the heat immediately hits you. You start to heat up in your jacket. You take it off and tie it around your waist. The dorm looked like a palace with tall columns that rise into the air with large domed roofs. In front of the castle was a large fountain filled with crystal blue water.
"So this is Scarabia Dorm." Grim wipes his brow. "It really is sweltering like it's summer over here!"
"This place is beautiful." You say in awe.
Jamil smiles appreciatively. "I'm glad you like it."
Jamil leads you inside the dorm. The inside was just as extravagant. The lounge filled with textile prints and gold accents. There's a large rug with soft cushions to sit or lay on. The room has large arches opening out to the balcony. Thin, red curtains sway in the gentle breeze as natural light from the balcony flows into the room.
Jamil claps. "Boys, we have guests! Play some music to make them feel at home."
The Scarabia students all cheer as they lay out all the dishes they've made into a long table. A couple students pick up instruments and start playing.
Grim twirls around in excitement. "When you get as famous as us, I guess people fall all over themselves to get in your good graces."
"I don't know about that..." You try to say to Grim.
Jamil places a hand to your back. "Please, go on. Eat while it's still hot."
Grim immediately rushes to the table. "Don't mind if I do!" Grim starts wolfing down various dishes. "Mmm, this's good stuff! It's got a rich flavor, with a powerful kick of heat... This veggie stir-fry with crunchy nuts is great. Oh, and so are these fried dough ball things!"
You cringe at the glutinous cat. "At least try to slow down, Grim."
Jamil laughs. "We have meat dishes and soup as well. Please, help yourselves. There's more where that came from."
Grim lets out a satisfied sigh. "Y'know, with a veritable buffet like this in front of us, this really IS paradise!"
The doors leading further into the dorm burst open. "What is all this commotion?"
You flinch, backing into Jamil. He holds onto your shoulders protectively as very student stands at attention.
Jamil nods. "Ah, Kalim."
Kalim is wearing a similar uniform to Jamil but with a few differences. The uniform consists of a black and red sleeveless jacket, an undershirt, a yellow belt, black parachute pants. Kalim's jacket is longer than Jamil's and has a red underlining, wavy gold stripes on the sides, gold trim, and a red sailor-like collar with a black, wavy stripe along the sides. Kalim wears a long, maroon scarf over his shoulders. The uniform includes a few golden accessories, including a collar necklace, a bracelet, and an arm cuff shaped like a snake. Along with these, Kalim also wears his spiral earrings, several more bracelets, and an anklet. Kalim's headband is maroon with a gold trim with two feathers on it that are dark-red and blue. A matching scarf wraps around his neck, and falls behind his shoulders.
Kalim walks until he's in front of you and Jamil. He folds his arms. "What's going on, Jamil? Nobody told me to expect company!"
"Kalim, there's a good reason for this, I assure you." Jamil tries to reason.
Kalim shakes his head. "How many times must I tell you to always inform me ahead of time when inviting guests?" Kalim smiles brightly. "If you had, I would have arranged for an even finer banquet and a whole band!"
Kalim tears you out of Jamil's grip and eagerly shakes your hand. "Hiya! Welcome to our dorm. Sorry for not throwing you a welcoming parade! I'm Kalim Al-Asim, housewarden of Scarabia."
Jamil folds his arms. "They know that already. Grim burned your posterior at orientation, and you spoke with them before the Spelldrive tournament as well."
Kalim only grins wider. "I know, I just couldn't help introducing myself again!"
You laugh. "It's nice to meet you again."
Kalim looks at the food display. "All the food looks incredible, as always. How did everything turn out, Jamil?"
"Splendidly as ever." Jamil answers. "There are no dangerous substances in any of these dishes, so eat whatever you like. They've also been poison-tested already."
Grim stops himself before taking another bite of food. "Wh-why is THAT relevant?"
"Kalim is the heir to a very wealthy family." Jamil tilts his head. "The unfortunate dangers related to that mean that everything he eats must be vetted."
Kalim shakes his head. "You just love blowing these things out of proportion, Jamil. Really, who would do that? Nobody's tried poisoning me since that time four years ago when I went comatose for two weeks. It's a thing of the past now."
"Wait, someone tried to poison you?" You say with wide eyes.
Kalim laughs and waves off your concern. "Oh, it was no big deal. Nothing bad happened to me."
"Yes," Jamil rolls his eyes. "because you've had someone to specifically prevent that from happening for the past four years. I ensure that anything hazardous is identified and disposed of before it crosses your plate."
"Wait a minute." Grim's eyes widen, dropping the food that was in his paws. "When you were feedin' me all those different dishes, was that to test 'em for poison?"
"There's no real danger for you, don't worry." Kalim laughs. "All the food Jamil makes is safe. Jamil would never poison my food."
Jamil chuckles. "Must you state the obvious?"
Grim folds his arms. "Y'know, I'm startin' to think these guys were only pretendin' to be nice."
Kalim's eyes light up and rushes to the cat. "Ooh, Grim! Have you tried the goat's milk blue cheese yet? Nothing beats a smear of it on a cracker!"
"Why would I eat somethin' with mold all over-"
Kalim shoves a cracker into Grim's mouth. The cat sputters. "Don't go shovin' food in my- mmph!"
"Oh, good, you like it! By all means, have some more!" Kalim proceeds to shove more crackers into Grim's mouth.
Grim shoots daggers with his eyes at the boy. Kalim doesn't seem to notice as he stands up with his arms in the air. "Bring out more food and drinks. And kick the music up a notch or three! Today, we party!"
The Scarabia students cheer and continue playing music. Bringing out more food and drinks and placing them on the table.
Grim flops onto his back. "I can't eat another bite... My tummy's gonna burst. Where does that Kalim guy get off, crammin' crackers with moldy cheese in my mouth? I make it a personal policy to eat any food I get, but that was just too much!"
You laugh. "Oh, you poor Grim."
You gently pick him up and sit at one of the spots on the rug. Kalim sits next to you with a plate full of food. "Hey, care for dessert? We've got ice cream. Or would you prefer a selection of fruits? We've also got baked sweets with pistachios and almonds. I could have Jamil bring you some."
Grim hides behind you. "Mrah! N-nope, I'm square! Can't eat another bite!"
"Aww." Kalim turns to you. "They're all so good, I would've loved to share some with you."
You smile. "I would love to try some."
Kalim perks up. "Than you've got to try this!"
Kalim scoops up some of the ice cream with a spoon and holds it out to you. You raise a curious eyebrow but Kalim only smiles widely. You feel your checks blush as you eat the ice cream from the spoon Kalim is holding. Your hit with delicious creamy flavors. It's like nothing you've ever tasted before.
"This is probably the best ice cream I've ever had!"
Kalim's smile only grows wider. "I'm glad you like it!" Kalim picks up another dessert. "Try the gray stuff. It's delicious!"
You giggle and take a bite. "Wow, this is amazing! What even is it?"
Kalim shrugs. "Who knows? We'll be here over the whole winter break. You're welcome to drop by for a meal whenever you like. Right, Jamil?"
Jamil takes a seat next to you. "Absolutely. Anytime."
You tilt your head. "Oh, why aren't you guys going home?"
Kalim's smile drops and he rubs the back of his neck. "Oh... Well, you know how we recently had that Spelldrive tournament, followed by our exams? Well, our dorm placed at the bottom in both."
You look to Jamil who only looks at the floor. Kalim continues. "So I decided to do something about it. Our whole dorm is doing voluntary special training."
Grim curls up in your lap, his head resting on his paws. "I woulda taken last place over what Ramshackle Dorm got in the Spelldrive tournament brackets: a fat lotta nothin'."
"Oh, right." Kalim nods. "Yes, that's a real shame."
"On our winter break," Jamil explains. "we'll be spending six hours a day on studies and practical magic training."
Grim bolts up, looking at the two in shock. "Six hours a day? That ain't any different from regular school hours! 'Holidays are for resting. Homework can wait until after break.' That's what Leona says."
Jamil rolls his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure he does."
"When you put it that way, you do have a point." Kalim puts a hand to his chin in thought. "My dad DID always drill the whole work hard, play hard, and know when to do which thing into my head. Maybe Leona's right, and we should focus more on striking the right balance between the two."
Kalim smiles brightly again, standing up. "All right! I've decided, Jamil. We should take our breaks when we can get them. I'll let our students go home tomorrow."
Jamil jumps to his feet. "What?"
"I'll tell them over dinner tonight." Kalim continues. "Do me a favor and make sure everybody shows up, okay?"
Jamil lowers his head. "Right. Of course."
Kalim looks to you. "Say, Y/N. I should give you two the grand Scarabia tour." Kalim takes both of your hands in his and helps you stand up. "I'd love to show you a few things."
Jamil places his hands on your shoulders and pulls you out of Kalim's grasp. "Kalim, please! You'll be setting a bad example if you task the students with studying and then goof off yourself."
Kalim holds your hands again and pulls you back to him. "But it's not every day we get guests. Surely one day of slacking can't hurt."
"But-"
"Come on!" Kalim tugs you down the hall. "I know you'll love it here, Y/N!"
Grim chases after you as Kalim leads you down the hall.
"Wait!"
Jamil sighs, knowing it was no use. He folds his arms and narrows his eyes as he watches your form fade from view. "I think it's time to say goodbye to our prince."