splitmemory | vice swap gone wrong

Upon a 'throne', the Queen sits. His eyes sharp, focused as he lifts a teacup slowly to his lips, taking a slow, careful sip. One leg rests over the other, his boot swaying lightly as he waits, eyes stuck on the door. He knows, for a fact, that any minute that strange Vice from Pomefiore would walk through, enter his dorm, and be here for...

Well, a few days at the least. Does it really count as 'being here' if they had several tasks to undertake outside of the dorm, too?

No matter. He's going to stare down the door until his arrival-- and, his attitude about the whole thing is making all of the card soldiers stand on edge, a few whispering and murmuring nearby. He's used to it, ignoring their murmurs as he carefully sets his teacup back down onto the saucer it belongs to.

"He's late." Riddle murmurs, mostly to himself, as he checks the time. Only three seconds past the allotted time... surely, he'll be here by the time the clock strikes a minute past. Pomefiore isn't exactly known for being fashionably late, as fashionable as they appear to be on the regular.

Astrologically picking the trades to be made was the fairest way to do it, the Headmage had insisted. It ensured that nobody would be able to rig the results, and that the most harmonious pairs could be selected, in order to best foster the inter-dorm cooperation that Night Raven College so desperately needed. Azul had effusively agreed during the briefing meeting, of course--but then again, why wouldn't he? He had obviously been pleased with both of Octavinelle's arrangements. How many of the other dorms could say they had so few misgivings about the arrangements, or the itinerary once the changes had been made?

Trey had been uncertain about the idea of leaving Riddle's side, at least, even for such a short exchange. And yet, Rook had seemed positively delighted by the prospect, enthusiasm undimmed even by Vil's stern reminder to be on his best behavior once the time came.

Rook has visited Heartslabyul a few times, over the course of his friendship with Trey. He can't say he's ever navigated the halls alone, though--is the entire building so..... well, whimsically laid out? Lovely though it may be, it's a far cry from Pomefiore's orderly elegance. He'll need to take the time to thoroughly explore later, (who knows? Maybe there are even secret passages!) if he wants to make sure he can get where he needs to go. Until then, though? Rook beams at Riddle and his card soldiers alike as he makes his way into the lounge, a box cradled carefully in one arm as he approaches the 'throne' with a theatrical bow and flourish of his hat.

"Bonjour, Roi des Roses! Thank you very much for your hospitality."

The enthusiasm of some was not shared by Riddle Rosehearts. No, he was not exactly concerned for the safety of his dorm - there could have been much worse candidates for the trade. Just imagining having to keep Ortho or Jade in check sends shivers down the small housewarden's spine.

But... the warnings Trey laid out were not exactly turned a blind eye to. Riddle knew not to treat this as something with no less grace than he would treat any other situation. In fact, by what Trey had said.... Rook was possibly even worse than dealing with one of the Leech brothers or Ortho's downright destructive nature.

Perhaps he should just count his blessings, that he wasn't stuck with Ruggie?

Riddle watches Rook as he makes his way into the lounge. He does not yet stand, instead indicating with his hand for Rook to come closer, his eyes narrowed as he looks at the box in his arm.

"You may approach." Riddle states, resting an elbow down against the arm of the chair, propping his cheek up against his gloved hand.

"... What have you brought?"

Goodness, how authoritative. How regal! Riddle looks every inch the queen upon her throne, looking down upon her subjects-turned-petitioners. Unlike Riddle's card soldiers, Rook doesn't (yet?) fear such a coldly formal greeting; he crosses the lounge to join Riddle, proudly holding up his offering.

"I thought you might appreciate a taste of the finest Pomefiore has to offer! This pie is made with apples and apple blossom honey from Harveston; I'm given to understand that no others in all the Shaftlands can possibly compare."

Oh, just look at how Riddle preens at the very thought that Rook had come prepared with a gift - a gift, that, was of the sweet variety. He has to keep himself from losing his air of authority so soon, as he very clearly sits up just slightly more, letting the leg that was crossed over top fall down to rest beside the opposite.

He leans forward.

"..." There's a brief pause, a silence that he allowed to linger, before he nods. "This is... acceptable." And, then, he moves to stand, finally, his chin still upturned in a way that shows he's clearly looking down upon Rook, as he would any of his subjects. No time for weakness, to show anything more than the regal, the prominent.

"I shall have the first taste - then, we shall cut it into small squares to ensure each person in the dorm may have a taste. Come along. I will lead the way to the kitchen, first, then show you around."

He has been accepted. For now.

Edited 2025-04-12 07:12 (UTC)

Hah, just look at how satisfied Riddle looks. It had been an obvious move to make, both from a position of basic courtesy, and from the information he's gleaned from Trey over months of being clubmates. Riddle's sweet tooth, his taste for the finer things..... It all dovetails neatly with his hopes to encourage and support Epel, doesn't it? Get off on the right foot with a gesture of generosity, and stay there by ensuring he doesn't make any faux pas, using the rulebook he's been studying to prepare for his visit.

"Oui! As you wish." Being looked down upon or not, Rook's smile only brightens, seeing that he's being welcomed in. He's ready to come to heel and follow where he's led, as bidden--and to set the box down where he's asked to, once they make it to the kitchen. The sweet-tart fragrance is obvious from the moment it's opened, revealing a tarte tatin topped with delicately caramelized apple slices arranged to form a large rose. Better enjoy the artistic presentation while you can, Riddle; it's going to be ruined in short order, once you start carving it up into enough pieces for the whole dorm. At least it's large enough that everyone should get a few bites each?

All the better, to help ensure that the rest of Heartslabyul is as enamored as Riddle, hmmm? A little generosity is sure to be repaid in spades later.

Ulterior motives or not (he sees you, Rook, and your promotional ways--), Riddle was excited to get a taste of this delectable little treat. His eyes focus closely upon the shaping of the pie, the delicate apples that form the rose. If he were Cater - or, if Cater was allowed in the room currently - he's sure that the magicam obsessed boy would be taking so many different pictures, with different angles and lighting.

Riddle was different- had different priorities. He carefully moves over to grab a knife from nearby, bringing it to the spot where it's been set. Usually, it's Trey who deals with cutting the treats, with getting them prepared for consumption until the final moment, where Riddle's hands would grasp onto a plate and a fork, sinking into the delicacy and consuming each piece with as much excitement as the last.

So, Riddle turns the knife, offers the handle to Rook.

"Do not expect to be treated with more ease because of this." He warns, keeping his tone even. A threat? Possibly. Maybe. A little.

It's fortunate indeed that he and Cater are photography buddies, isn't it? Those pictures were taken for Cater before he even left Pomefiore, treat accented with a whole apple for a pop of bright color. What a shame Trey won't be here to sample the fruits of his labour along with the rest of the dorm..... Maybe he can make a smaller one for Trey once they both return to their rightful places, beside their rightful queens?

"Not to worry! I'll serve you just as diligently as I would Roi du Poison, of course. How big would you like your piece to be? How many students are in Heartslabyul?" Rook accepts the knife graciously--only to flip it into the air with a flick of his wrist, plucking it out of the air mid-spin. Given how strict Vil is, how brutally high his standards are..... (If anything, hasn't he been even harsher on Rook than most of Pomefiore, knowing both how much potential he has and how hard he's ready to fight to realize it?) How could such a subtle threat give him even the least bit of pause?

Just leave the carving to him, Riddle; he would be ashamed of himself if his knifework was anything less than immaculate.

Strange. He's used to at least a grimace from someone he was speaking to this way. From someone who he was treating as nothing more than a pawn. His act was being taken seriously as it should be - and that was strange. There is not a single ounce of fear or trepidation from Rook, not that he can gauge.

Riddle masks his thoughts easily, by keeping his expression clear and his gaze on the knife and pie. He demonstrates the size he would like, then the number of students. With that in order, he turns away from Rook, moving towards a nearby cabinet to pull out a small plate and fork for himself.

"Your first order of business will be to find each and every student and offer them their piece. This will help you learn the layout of the dorm and begin to memorize common faces," Riddle explains, bringing the plate and fork over. "I will go with you, lead you if you need. Act as a guide. Then, we will go over our schedule for the time you're here. Any questions?"

Goodness, that's a fair few students they'll--no, he'll--have to cater to. There are more people in Heartslabyul than there are in Pomefiore, aren't there? And it's such a big dorm..... He doesn't even want to think of how long it might take to find everyone, without Riddle showing him the way. Wouldn't it be more efficient for Riddle to simply call all his card soldiers to order in one place, so they could more easily be served?

But no, that's not the point of this whole exercise. He knows that well enough. It may not exactly be hazing, per se--but it's still a test being put to an outsider, for the sake of taking his measure. Or maybe more accurately, to search for flaws in his performance? For the moment at least, it's not his place to make suggestions, but to obey his new queen, absurd as the orders may be, no matter how much of Riddle's time he may end up wasting. "My, my..... what a sweet start to new friendships! I do hope they'll all find my service satisfactory."

Rook slides his knife under Riddle's piece, daintily putting it onto the offered plate. There now, he can get to work on dividing up the rest for the others while Riddle eats. "That's bound to be quite a lot of trips, even if we both carry trays. I don't suppose you have a serving cart I could borrow?"

There are more than one goal to this little challenge. The dorm was larger than Pomefiore in student size, and the twisting turning halls would be confusing for any outsider to come into, whether they've been here before on occasion or not. Rook would need to learn the layout, understand the people who he was going to be serving by being by his side.

Once the piece has been put onto his place, he moves the small fork to take a small bite off of the piece, bringing the fork up to his lips. Once it's in his mouth, his eyes widen a bit, before the tiniest smile can be seen, his expression lit up for the briefest of moments. He almost forgets Rook's question. A serving cart- they..

"We should, yes." He nods, using his fork to break another bite off. "I will retrieve it momentarily."

Maybe this week would go by quicker than he thought? Rook is behaving so far, has not made any comments or moves that are concerning.

"... Have you had a taste, already?" And, Rook may notice Riddle's gaze on him, sharp and sizing him up. Despite this... He takes one more bite onto his fork, lifting the utensil up towards Rook, in offering.

Ooh, it's a hit! Even such subtle, fleeting tells are enough to say everything Riddle refuses to loud and clear, when he's trying so hard to stay stern and unmoved. He may not be able to compare to Trey's level of skill, but it was still worth all the effort! How pleased he looks isn't concerning, right?

"I tried my test recipe to make sure it would be presentable, of course, but not this one. Merci!" One mustn't refuse a queen's generosity, after all--and besides, this is cuter than stealing Riddle's fork before he's done eating, even briefly. Rook bends a bit to meet him, graciously accepting the bite with a satisfied hum.

See, Riddle used to be used to a certain cat leaning over and stealing his snacks, whether directly from his utensils or from his hands, so this was... really not all that weird to him. Rook accepted it far easier than most of his soldiers would. Even Trey would be nervous to accept -- and, in a way, this was a good change of pace.

Rook wasn't scared of him yet.

"The final product is always different, isn't it?" Riddle asks, setting the plate down briefly to hold his gloved hand near the underside of the fork, to make sure none of the pie ends up falling to the ground. "At least, that's something Trey has mentioned before. The love and care put into the test versus the final is different, making the taste different. Unless he was messing around again...?" The idle comment is made, before he pulls the fork back once Rook is done.

It's nice, isn't it? Easy, simple. Vil would never deign to share a treat quite like that; they would both use their own utensils, on the rare occasions they wanted to split something. But the rules are a little different in Heartslabyul, aren't they? The Queen's rules override common sense and widely-held etiquette--and here and now? Riddle himself is the Queen, well-positioned to pass down decrees as he sees fit.

"Oui! I couldn't agree more; it's like the difference between a preliminary sketch and a fully-realized drawing. Are you an artistic sort?" Rook straightens back up, reaching for his knife again. It's an easy conversation piece while Riddle finishes his snack, hearing that Riddle and Trey have discussed such things before. (Even if Trey had probably hadn't meant that comment as sincerely as the two of them were taking it.) Just a few broad cuts, and he should be ready to start plating!

Once he finds the plates, that is. How had Trey organized his kitchen? Was it as oddly as the dorm itself was laid out?

There may be different rules, different styles of Queens ruling over their respective kingdoms, but there are still so many ways that Riddle and Vil are similar, rules following similar patterns. That is, until Riddle's veer off into the strange, the unusual, or the odd. There are enough cases of the Queen of Heart's rules, too, that suggest precedent for some of them.

Anyways, he's being asked a question. The artistic sort...
"Not quite." Riddle replies with a tiny shake of his head. "I can respect art, the beauty of histories behind any form of art, but I hardly could produce anything artistic myself. Unlike an artistic type, I find I lean more towards logic rather than whimsy." A little bite, thoughtful; Riddle is taking the question seriously, as seriously as he would any question.

Does he even need to ask if a Pomefiore student was the artistic type in return? Instead, he just watches Rook, unsure where to move the conversation to. He is not quite the natural extrovert, after all.

"Why, you speak of it as though there's a difference! Logic and art are two sides of the same coin, Roi des Roses; there's no separating one from the other."

Don't worry, Riddle! He can chatter enough to carry a conversation for both of them. Rook just laughs, rummaging through the cabinets. Let's see, these tea saucers should be fine, right? They're small enough to fit plenty on a cart, once Riddle fetches one. Maybe if they're able to stack a few trays with legs on top of each other, they'll be able to get it all in one trip?

Riddle finishes up his piece, moving to the sink and carefully setting his dishes aside; he'll deal with them once they come back from their little journey around the dorm.

"I'm not sure I agree." Riddle states, as if he'd already made up his mind. He moves towards a nearby storage closet, peeking inside to see if that's where-- ah, yes, yep! He finds the cart inside, taking a few steps in to be able to bring it out properly. It should work - it's not a serving cart, but they do use it to transport boxes of supplies for Unbirthday Parties.

"... Will this do?"

"Oh, perfectly! Merci, Roi des Roses." That should do nicely. Not as elegant as a serving cart meant for a dining room, perhaps, but suitable nevertheless. It's certainly large enough for their purposes, if nothing else.

Rook sets to work plating the pieces, smiling perhaps a little too knowingly at Riddle's protest. "That's because you've only looked at it from the one perspective, haven't you?"

"Perhaps?"

Did it matter? Rook was going to go off on a tangent before he knows it, isn't he? How does he stop it before it starts? Riddle's brows furrow, knitting together, and he rests his hands on his hips, staring over at Rook.

"Any other perspective hardly matters, once you know the right perspective... is what I'd say to you a few months ago. What do you mean?" Might as well let it happen....

"Don't you ever think about how incredible it is that even a tiny seed somehow has everything it needs inside of it to grow into a beautiful rosebush? Or that a caterpillar knows how to become a butterfly, without ever being told? There are only a few fixed pieces that make up DNA, and yet it can express itself in such infinitely complex variety!"

Fear the tangent, Riddle. Fear it! Your crankiness has no power here. "How about the fact that there are elegant equations that help explain and govern why we find certain sights and sounds aesthetically pleasing? You can make equally beautiful music mathematically as you can composing by raw inspiration. You can know the science behind why you see a rainbow after the rain, or how far starlight has to travel to reach you, and it still doesn't steal the wonder you feel when you see them--if anything, understanding it only makes them more marvelous still!"

"Or consider the fact that this moment has brought us together at all! Here, we're inheriting the knowledge that countless people have spent thousands upon thousands of years searching for and refining before us. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the technology we use--all of it connects us to the people who strove so passionately for it with all their hearts. Even if we never got the chance to know them, we still touch each other's lives through their legacy. Just by living and learning, we become a part of something far greater than any one of us alone could ever be. Isn't mortal ingenuity beautiful?"

.... That was far more than he ever expected to hear Rook say, on this topic. He regrets asking, his nose wrinkled in a slight annoyance as he stares blankly at Rook, clearly in shock that he would go on and on and on without any end in sight. Finally, he stops. Finally, he finishes his statement, coming to a question that Riddle's unsure if he should even attempt to answer....

He sighs.

"Has anyone ever told you you talk far too much?" Is how he answers, stepping over to a drawer to grab a set of forms to settle on the cart. "That's all so complicated and convoluted."

"Ahahaha! A number of times, I'm afraid. It's hard to resist sharing things you're passionate about, isn't it?" Rook smiles, apologetic yet clearly completely unrepentant all the same. Surely it's the same with Riddle, isn't it? He's shares the Queen's rules with his entire dorm because he cares so deeply about them learning to become fine, upstanding subjects!

Riddle should just count himself lucky he escaped Vil's fate of listening to Rook expound on his ideas for five hours straight. ~~You, sir, have had your sense of child-like wonder stolen from you. It's no surprise at all that means that you struggle to understand the concept of adult wonder as well, then, is it?~~ Even if he's less effusive in his explanations, though..... well, that doesn't mean he takes his desire to share his thoughts and feelings any less seriously! Or takes Riddle's protest any less literally. Knowing how dedicated Riddle is to his studies, it only stands to reason that Riddle must genuinely want to understand, but be having difficulty doing so, right?

It's okay, Riddle, he's happy to help with this too! "It all seems quite simple to me..... What about it are you having a hard time understanding, exactly? I'm sure you'll grasp it in no time!"

He wasn't getting the hint. He might never get the hint, if he doesn't explain it in blunt detail that he doesn't want to have any sort of lecture right now. Maybe his face says it all, with the slightly annoyed expression on his face, the way he turns his chin up at him, glares up at the taller boy.

"Now is not the time." Riddle states, his tone firm. He motions to the pie, "Focus on the task I've given you first. Only after we've got everything ready and have passed out the pieces can we talk. Got it?"

Maybe that would work???

Oh, poor Riddle. Just getting grumpy isn't nearly enough to stop him from rambling! Rook can be redirected, at least temporarily--but in time, he may come to regret admitting he doesn't understand how and why the world is beautiful. Not only that, but showing that it's a sore enough subject that he doesn't want to talk about it! Hitting a raw nerve with such a topic has implications, ones that Rook is filing away along with the rest of his observations about Riddle.

For now, though? There's some mercy; Rook starts filling and stacking trays with their tiny dessert plates, so they can make progress on making their rounds. Better gather up enough forks, too, and a bin so people can give back their dirty dishes! "Oui! I've always found work goes faster when you have something to talk about, myself--but I suppose you can't tell me where to go if you're distracted, can you? Shall we feed your subjects while it's still warm, then?"

Assuming they can find everyone before it finishes cooling, that is. But why go on a wild goose chase through the whole dorm, when he suspects it will be a fairly simple matter to rally the troops instead?

This was meant to be a simple task. Something that would get Rook to understand the layout of the dorm, the complexities of it all and where each student was staying. Surely one round would be enough-- if they ever completed it. Their journey came to a halt, after they'd passed through one of the winding halls, when a group started to form. Chattering was happening, boys sharing words and whispers, and... really, it was a little too much for Riddle. He hadn't meant to have them assemble in any sense of the word, and now, here they are.

He can't demand them to go back to their rooms. Not when they are dutifully greeting Rook and taking their slices in an orderly fashion. He makes a face, clearly frustrated and annoyed with the group that had formed, biting back a comment as he grips onto his staff, pressing it into the ground by his side. Can Rook feel the rage that's seeping from the small Housewarden, that he can truly say nothing about?

Riddle breathes out a huffy sigh, turning his gaze away. Should he let Rook find his own way to the room he'd be staying in? Or, should he stick here to let him finish up and THEN finish the tour-?

Either way....
This wouldn't have happened in this manner if Trey was here. Or, if Riddle were to yell at them, but he doesn't want to ... do something foolish, when they're not doing anything wrong.

It's really not hard to take advantage of the situation. All it takes is a little commotion, like a few enthusiastic greetings and the buzz of animated conversation--and like a swarm of busy bees gathering around a rosebush in full bloom, the card soldiers found their way to them one after another. Why wouldn't they, when those who were finished with their treats and didn't feel like chatting were bound to wander off and tell their friends?

It's a fun, lively occasion, after all! What's your name? What's your favorite treat? He's never tried making those before, but he promised Trey he'd do his best to keep everyone happy and well-fed. There isn't anything he can help with, is there? That's why he's here for the whole week, if they need anything! Oh, that book you're carrying--he lovesthat author! If you like them, he has a few other recommendations you'll probably enjoy, too. You watched a movie this weekend? Which one? Isn't that actor dreamy? Maybe they should have a watch party sometime! Did you see their latest interview? What do you think that new mystery release they were hinting at is? Did you know the movie they did a few years ago is actually based on a stage production?

They're certainly sticking to the letter of the law, if not the spirit; the line moves along, quick and orderly. Rook is busily flitting around, handing out plates and accepting dirty dishes in turn, eagerly chattering away with the group collecting along the edges of the gathering as he works. Riddle had wanted him to get to know the students he'd be serving, right? Their tour may be stalled out for the moment, but he's certainly going above and beyond in fulfilling that particular duty. Doesn't he look happy, making everyone smile while they all get acquainted?

Even Riddle's simmering anger isn't enough to dim his mood any, when he's having so much fun settling in. Careful, Riddle; you might just find yourself cozied up to, if he finds a moment to spare. Why don't you come enjoy mingling with your subjects? Don't you want to have fun with everyone?

It's too much.

Yes, Riddle is used to mingling with his subjects, on a mediated basis. Usually, Trey and Cater are by his sides, taking the brunt of the social interaction. Now? Now, Rook seems to almost be inviting the conversation, encouraging those around them to continue talking, to keep having a conversation that they were interested in. He's a people's person, that much is obvious.

So, Riddle does what he needs to. He shifts, and slips out when he can. Between a few different people, dipping away with the crowd and...

Well, Rook will come find him when he's done mingling, yes?

Hopefully he doesn't catch up to him and stop him, or... well, Trey did warn him about the jumpscares. But, surely he can't be worse than anyone else, right?

Sorry, Rook, you're on your own now~!

The conversation keeps flowing on and on, Rook keeps working faithfully--but perhaps Riddle feels the prickle of eyes on the back of his neck, as he flees? Rook's task may not be done yet, but his escape hasn't gone unnoticed--only unremarked on. For now.

He can go find Riddle again after this is all over, once he's proven that he can be trusted with a task independently, too. It'll even go faster than it otherwise would, in spite of the chatter; at least one or two students are bound to be engaged enough in their conversation to follow him into the kitchen, and help him wash up and put everything away. That's what teamwork is all about!

Now, to go find Riddle again..... It's not hard to guess where the boy might be, given his intention to show him around earlier. The tour was bound to end where he'd be staying. But he's visited Trey plenty of times, hasn't he? He already knows where his room is. It's not hard to find--nor is it hard to open the door and approach silently. Rook only speaks up once he's directly behind Riddle, smile bright as he peeks over his shoulder at what the boy is busying himself with. "Do you need any help with that?"

Thank Seven he was able to get away. The crowds, where he was used to controlling them, had become too much. Being on the same level as his subjects was usually no trouble, except in a case like this one: where he was not the host, not the one putting on the little show. He could control them if he decided to break it up, to be a cruel queen all over again... but he's trying to change, to be better.

So sneaking away it was.

He ends up in Trey's room, making himself... 'look' busy, for the most part. He first adjusts the sheets, making sure that the school-issued blankets were in order. Then he moved to the desk, grabbing a pen from the drawer and nabbing a piece of paper. Surely Trey wouldn't mind. If he did... that's his problem.

He just about starts to jot down a list when the voice comes from behind him, startling him to the point he drags the pen across the paper as he's writing, squeezing it tight. He turns his head to look at Rook.

Really, Trey did warn him, but.........

"Must you not announce your presence before getting so close?!"

"Ah, pardonne-moi! I thought you would be expecting me." After all, Riddle had left him to his own devices, hadn't he? Surely he had done so with the expectation that he would come find him again--at least to be told about his other duties and given another task, if not for a proper tour.

Oh, well! It's not like startling the poor thing is anything to worry about, now that he's apologized, right? The height difference between them is even more pronounced, now that Riddle is sitting down; Rook easily leans over him to take a closer look at the list-in-progress. "What are you working on?"

vice swap gone wrong

it begins...

You will never be saved. NEVER.

RIP!!!!

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