Cater brought the group into a mirror decorated with a large peacock and an emblem of an apple skull with a sword pierced into it with bat wings. A crown rests onto op the emblem and a peacock heard hover over it. Purple light candles hung from the sides in place of the lanterns and a bunch of crystals sat on the side of the walkway. Lotus followed the group into the room curiously.
On the other side of the dark mirror was a large castle the size of a grand church with pointed roofs, purple tiles, and white stone walls. the gates were decorated elegantly with black steel and gold as they entered through one of them. Though Grim and Yuu was surprised and in awe, Lotus was busy examining the number of apple trees around them and the best escape route from there. were was patio from a few spots of the building.
Lotus frowned and continued looking around from the corner of her view.
Seeing her this curious, Riddle raised a brow and elbowed her as the others moved forward, "Are you feeling okay?"
Lotus thought for a bit before shaking her head, "Yeah..."
Despite the scowl, she pushed forward.
When she went forward, she was brought towards a beautiful lounge decorated with white peacock, purple velvet cusion seats and sofas, purple carpet, and beautiful white candle chandeliers. Beautiful flower arrangements of white and faint color flowers decorated the corners of the room bringing a sense of discomfort as she examined the flowers. The walls were decorated in purple, white and gold. The purple and white mat was beautiful to which she remained quiet.
Finally, she folded her arms and moved past the students of that dorm staring at them in confusion as they tried to blend in with some of the students in school uniform. However, the further they entered, the more uncomfortable they felt. Lotus thought for a bit before she could feel a cold energy in her heart. She scowled and took out a purple pill into her mouth quickly. Finally, she understood the severity of it as she delved into the group center with Deuce.
"First up." Cater said gesturing to the group with a smile, "Pomefiore Dorm. I've marked third year Rook Hunt in my 'Cater Check' His trademarks are his blond bob and hat."
Riddle frowned and folded his arms as he explained matter of fact, "Last year, Rook was a stand out player. But, there's something off about him..."
"Ah." Deuce pointed over in surprise, 'Isn't that him sitting over there?"
Sure enough, there was three people sitting elegantly on the sofa around a coffee table. All of them in their uniform as they studied. One of them sitting next to the target was a short, fragile-looking boy with shoulder-length lavender hair and blue eyes. Like Riddle, he wore his tie as if it was a ribbon. The other across from them is a tall, handsome man with shoulder-length blonde hair and violet eyes. The other man they were speaking of looked a little weird with the white feather brown hat, however, he could still fit the idea of beauty in the dorm with his looks.
As Lotus thought, this place is a little annoying to her taste.
"Wow." Ace sucked in a breath of cold air with wide eyes of disbelief, "They look almost shiny..."
The younger reached out for a sip of tea casually when the target spoke up with a smile, "Non non, Little Epel. It is not elegant to put your fingers through the handle when you drink tea."
"Eh..." The small one looked up in surprise and disappointment before nodding his head, "Ah, alright. I'm so sorry."
The one on the other side sighed shaking his head as he looked upon the piece of paper, "I am still undecided about the makeup for the tournament. I'm very curious about the new foundation from Felicite Cosmetics."
Rook laughed a loud, "Hahah! My lovely Vil, our Rois de Poisson! Your light is not so fleeting that it needs cosmetics to compensate."
"I am aware, my dear." Vil said firmly, "But if I want to aim one rank higher, I can't hold back."
"Wonderful!" Rook commented dramatically, "That spirit of yours. It is truly marvelous!"
"Hummm." Grim frowned skeptically, "That guy doesn't seem strong at all. If I was the culprit, I wouldn't go after him."
Lotus frowned and didn't say a word as she could feel a strange feeling from the target. She wouldn't say that he was that bad, but he certainly wasn't weak. Especially not the way, his eyes didn't leave the table or how easily he moved about. She observed the person carefully feeling his confidence and his ease was there for a reason. She may have to be wary of him in the future.
Little did Lotus know, her every movement were observed carefully from the sidelines as Riddle spoke up, "That's all?"
Having heard his words, Cater looked to Riddle with a smile, "Yup! Let's go check the next."
They turned around to leave as Lotus felt as though the guy really wasn't that bad, but he can't say the same for the other tall guy. She really doesn't like the guy for multiple reasons. They soon left the dorm and headed out the mirror before Cater heading towards the courtyard where the usual apple tree sat with a water well in the vicinity.
.....
Having left the place, Lotus felt a little calmer as she quietly reached out Ying Hui and Xiao Li confirming the situation back in the ring.
"Next is Octavinelle Dorm." Cater spoke up snapping her attention back to the present, "For my 'Cater Check', I marked the brothers Jade and Floyd Leech as high probability. According to my info, they're known for their combo attacks and using them to wipe the floor with any opponent."
"Wah!" Grim cried out just as Cater was talking, "There's two dudes with the same face."
Lotus turned and saw Jade and Floyd with a slight look of surprise. Their twins all right. Their features were almost identical but the appearance and energy around them were as similar. One had a more calm energy with a neater look while the other was more energetic and had a disheveled appearance.
"And..." Ace pointed out uncomfortably once again, "Those two, they're so tall they make all the other students around them look tiny."
"They're tall and lanky but they look like they aren't ones to mess with." Grim noted in awe.
"Then you want to mark those two?" Deuce looked to Yuu curiously.
Riddle hummed with a look of displeasure and glared at the two with a frown, "Hmm. If I was the culprit, I'd save those two for last."
Feeling the tense atmosphere, Riddle continued with a glare in the two's direction, "Those guys... Especially Floyd, Aren't people I want to get anywhere near to."
Sure enough, the glare led the disheveled one turn to their direction as a wide smirk appeared on his face as he called out, "Ah~! It's Goldish~!"
"Ggh!" Riddle jolted up with a wide eyes of shock, "He found me!"
"Goldfish, what're you doing?" Floyd asked innocently as he hopped over happily while his brother followed calmly, "Hide and seek? It looks fun."
"F-Floyd." Riddle scolded nervously, "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that weird nickname?"
"But, you're small and red, just like a goldfish." Floyd said as his excuse.
"This guy's a weirdo." Grim noted quietly with a frown to which Lotus tapped on top of his head with a sigh of exasperation.
However, his voice caught the guy's attention as he looked down to find Grim with a smile of awe, "Wow, a talking cat! So funny. Hey, hey, can I give you a tight squeeze?"
It was then that Lotus noticed the sharp teeth to which she raised a brow but didn't say anything. Instead, she watched as Grim back away, "S-squeeze?! No way!"
"What's this, Heartslabyul is all together." Jade noted as he gave a slight nod and smile in greeting, "Are you perhaps doing reconnaissance for the magical shift tournament?"
"Uummm, it's actually a rather long story..." Cater responded with a wide nervous smile.
"We cannot simply overlook your attempts at spying, can we." Jade said with an evil smirk, "Could I trouble you to go into detail about your reasons for coming to spy on us?"
Lotus looked at the older twin in suspicion as she watched on curiously. He wants to chase her out?
"This guy's demeanor says calm and collected but his eyes aren't smiling at all..." Ace noted agitatedly.
"They were going to practice?" Lotus questioned curiously.
Her words shocked Cater as he called out hurriedly, "Anyway, pardon the intrusion~!"
Lotus wasn't given much of a warning when she felt a hand grab her arm pulling her away much to her surprise. She turned around as she was dragged away when she saw that it was Yuu much to her confusion, "R-Run!"
Lotus was very confused as she followed them. She wondered what they're planning to do now?
"They're coming after us!" Deuce cried out in horror.
Lotus raised a brow and looked back to find Floyd chasing after them with an easy smile on his face.
"Hey hey, wait up~!" Floyd called out.
Amused by the chaser, Lotus smirked when she saw that she was being chased and wondered if she could watch from the sidelines instead.
"Who in their right mind would wait?" Riddle called out and pulled Lotus up with a scowl, "Everyone, retreat!"
Seeing them sped away, Floyd finally stopped with a look of disappointment, "Aah. There they go."
Jade chuckled, "Hehehe, it was an enjoyable game of tag."
It was then that he looked down on his watch and said in surprise, "My my, Floyd. It is almost time to get ready at Monstro Lounge. We'll have to save playing with them for another time."
"Fine..." Floyd called out obediently before turning back.
As they began to walk away, Jade froze with a look of confusion before turning around for a quick glance and smirked, "That guy with the ponytail..."
"Jade..." Floyd called out, "Let's go!"
"Yes yes." Jade shook his head before turning around and following after his brother.
.....
After running for a while, they finally came to a step on the Main Street where the statues were. Grim and the other tried to catch their breath as Lotus watched them curiously.
"Huff, huff..." Grim managed teary eyed, 'That was scary. What's their deal?"
"Don't ask me." Riddle scowled as he folded his arms in irritation, "They've been that way since last year and I just can't handle them."
"I'd be afraid of them revenge if I went after them." Cater commented nervously.
"I wouldn't even try." Ace grumbled in agreement.
"The sun's gonna start going down soon so let's get to our last 'Cater Check' for today!" Cater suggested confidently.
"Jack Howl from Savanaclaw Dorm." Cater said, "First year. He's super good at anything involving physical activity, and I heard a rumor that he got a flood of invitations from every sports club."
Deuce checked the time on his watch and nodded, "It's late enough. He might already be back at his dorm."
Riddle looked up and reminded the freshmen, "Ahh, it's already 5:00. Laws of the Queen of Hearts, Number 346: 'One must not play croquet in the garden after 5 pm'. I'm going back to the dorm. There are those who break the rules if I take my eyes off of them."
"I thought you'd loosened up a bit but you're the same as ever." Grim responded with exasperation, "
"Guhh..." Riddle pouted in confusion and annoyance, "I thought I had loosened the rules up a lot, like a lot."
"Hmmhmm." Cater nodded in agreement, "You are much more lenient than before. Your seriousness is one of your good points, Riddle."
Lotus sighed and lightly tapped Grim on the head with her knuckles as she said to Riddle, "Grim, he's already able to be this lenient. What more do you want from him?"
"Guh..." Grim groaned, "Got it..."
Riddle looked to Lotus in confusion as Ace snickered, "Grim is getting scolded again."
Yuu wore a wry smile and patted Grim's head as Lotus turned to Riddle, "Watch out for spiders. It's that season where they're rather active, after all."
Hearing her words, Riddle nodded firmly, "I know. I'll text to Cater when I make it back to the dorm."
"Um," Cater nodded with a smile, "Also, good luck, Riddle."
"We should get over to Savanaclaw." Ace spoke up as they watched Riddle leave for the Hall of Mirrors in a fast pace as if their previous run had been nothing.
As they began walking on the same path that Riddle rushed on, Cater turned to Lotus, "Do you think he'll be all right?"
Lotus thought for a bit, "He should be fine. As long as no one is stupid enough to harm kids, then all is well. Though there is one or two fools amongst a group. The Hall of Mirrors is really close too. Whatever critters gets to the dorm shouldn't be too much trouble since they fall right off."
Cater breathed a small sigh of relief as they reached closer to the entrance of the hall of mirrors.