November thought and thought about it for most of the day. Was it bad that he was entranced by his book, and didn't feel any particular need to actually join the Reading Club? Perhaps so.
And thus he somehow found himself in the Black Hall Wing of the build. It was an obscure annex that could only be accessed by going to the fourth floor of the West Eagle Wing, walking down towards the Arctic Ring and then taking a set of stairs to left at the end of that hall. The left stairs. Not the right set found only two doors down, because that would lead you to the Arctic Ring and not the Black Hall Wing.
Basically, it was an annoying place to find. Most of the classrooms were dedicated to art classes but there was also a little library that was separate from the main one found at the end of the Lionheart Wing. It was a strange hall, and the most fitting for the a club as odd as the Reading Club.
But November was still staring at the door unmoved. The door was coated with a teal paint peeling at the edges. The little window that would have allowed him to peek inside was covered with notes. A gaudy welcome sign that had letters of different colors overlapped the pamphlet he had received earlier, the one with the snake and the crescent moon.
He frowned at it because he still couldn't understand. November uttered quietly under his breath, "Just who the world is Marilyn?"
"I've been wondering that as well."
The voice made his heart stutter and November flinched. The Princess smiled at him, her red hair fell over her shoulder when she leaned to her left. So pretty! Why couldn't he stop thinking about how pretty she was? He banished the invasive thought from his mind.
"O-oh. Hello, Your Highness." His normally smooth voice came out with a bit of a stutter. November frowned at himself and tried again, "I was not expecting to see you here."
The princess clasped her hands behind her back and tapped her feet against her heel. She was smiling. Was she always smiling? "I may not look it but I also like to read from time to time." She winked and November blinked like an idiot. "Shall we go in?"
He really needed to get his bearings. "Alright," he nodded and took the door handle in his palm. The room inside was surprisingly cozy and not too odd. There were couches that lined three of the four walls with a low coffee table placed at the center. A chalkboard was at the head on the room, where some strange doodles and words were still scribbled. Along the walls were a myriad of post-its detailing events and notes about various books and titles that November never heard about before.
It was quiet, and for a moment November thought they were alone until he noticed a young woman who was slumped over the couch, face tucked away into the corner of the armrest, and only had a head of shoulder-length hair visible to them.
November cleared his throat and called, "Hello? Pardon?"
But there was no response. Princess Ceci followed inside with slow and cautious steps, "I think she's asleep," she hummed, "Best wake her up."
November frowned but nodded in agreement. He crept up to the sleeping woman and shook her by the shoulder. It was enough to make her jolt up with a sudden gasp. Narrow eyes widened at her with a stupefied o-shaped mouth. "Oh, hello."
November ran a hand through his hair. "Hi."
The woman blinked and it took a moment for her stunned face to bloom into a welcoming smile, "Hello! Are you joining the Reading Club!?" Her voice lifted into a high squeal that was almost painful to listen to.
"Uh, well, about that…" November began, but he wasn't given the time to finish. The Reading Club girl jumped up from the couch and for the first time noticed the Princess that stood behind November.
"Princess Ceci!" She screeched and flailed her arms like a baby bird, "Oh my, welcome and hello! You're even more beautiful in person. Are you joining us as well? Are you two together?" Her dark eyes darted between them and made November's brow furrow while the princess only chuckled lightly.
"Oh no, we're just friends," she said. Since when did they become friends!? November felt his heart accelerate but he really didn't know if it was a good or bad thing.
The mysterious Reading Club girl smirked and wiggled her eyebrow as if she hadn't listened at all. She took to the front of the room and bowed, "My name is Treize and I'm the president of the Reading Club! And thus I shall welcome you to the fabulous, the glorious, and the wondrous Reading Club!"
…Eccentric was one way to describe her, but November wasn't the kind of person who berated others oddities or held any prejudices. Even the princess giggled and clapped her hands at the extravagant person before them.
Encouraged, Treize smirked and continued, "Here at Arcadia Academy's Reading Club we will delve into many literary works both old and new! We even learn how to read people as well! And don't worry, Princess mine, we're not some sort of shady criminal group and are active participants in the Festival of Remembrance. And plus! The more books we read, the more we get to burn!"
November couldn't help but feel that there were some very strange words thrown in there.
The princess pressed a finger to her lips and tilted her head, "Oh, there's one thing I'm dying to ask!"
"Yes, Highness! Ask away!"
"Who's Marilyn?"
Right! November wanted to know as well! He watched the strange Reading Club president. She was smirking and there was mischief dancing in her eyes. "Fufu, Marilyn you ask? Well, I can definitely take you to meet Marilyn…but only after I've accepted the two of you tried and true members of the Reading Club!" A finger pointed in the way, both accusing and challenging.
November really had to get used to this strange person's personality… "And what does that entail?" He asked with as calm a voice as possible.
Treize was snickering in a way that made him feel just slightly uncomfortable. She looked from the Princess to November and then back to the Princess, "What I ask of you shall be simple! You two must read…each other!"
November and the Princess shared a look and then looked back at Treize.
"What does that mean?" The princess asked.
"How does one read a person?"
Treize continued to snicker. It was then the door creaked open, "I got some snacks…Oh, hey."
Huit slid in through the door and put a paper bag on the table. He looked between November and the Princess with a pointed question in his eyes.
November cleared his throat, "Huit, you're really here."
"Why are you surprised?" Huit smirked and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Hello Princess," he bowed respectably before turning his attention towards Treize, "Why are you bullying the new recruits? Can't you greet people in a more normal way?"
Treize clicked her tongue and wiggled her finger at Huit, "Normality is only a construct of society!"
"Is that so…?" Huit didn't appear entirely convinced.
The Princess, however, giggled, "You guys are really funny."
Huit shook his head, "Please don't get the wrong idea, Your Highness. The funny one is Treize and Treize alone! I'm normal."
"Hm." November crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm normal," Huit repeated, sharper this time with eyes narrowing towards November as though saying 'don't you dare'.
November dared, "He used to peek into down everyone's pants back in middle school so he could keep track of the color of their underwear. I think he used to keep a daily journal."
"..."
"..."
The Princess slapped her palm with her fist, "Oh! I see!" She chimed, "So you're a pervert!"