<i>Tap.  T-tap. Tap. T-tap.</i>


    Aslow D. and Oswald sat waiting in the dining hall, and Aslow D.’s finger was absentmindedly rising and falling. Normally the unnecessary noise might have been annoying, but there was a more important focus right now.


    “I wonder where they went. They are already a bit late. Oh right, I didn’t ask beforehand, but suppose since it’s all over anyway, why were you so worried about that meeting?”


    The tapping paused, and Oswald could feel Aslow D.’s curiosity gleaming in his crow-like eyes. The boy didn’t offer a response, though. He was rather preoccupied, watching the doorway that only seemed to get more empty. After some minutes of silence and his roommate''s intense smile, Oswald finally sighed.


    <i>It won’t hurt to have a short conversation if it helps pass the time.</i>


    <i> </i>“I was only curious.”


    <i>Curious is a short way of saying I was trying to investigate what had captured my partner''s attention, not that he’d even understand.</i>


    “So you’re telling me that for curiosity alone, we disrupted a student council meeting <i>and</i>, practically trashed the room? I don’t know if I buy that…”


    “It’s not an idea for sale, it’s the truth so there''s no need to buy it. You should be more focused on reimbursing that secretary for the damage.”


    Aslow D. had his mouth agape and then retorted, “You aren’t going to help? I wouldn’t have resorted to that fish tank if you weren’t acting so down and anxious about the whole thing.”


    “I don’t remember any of my actions encouraging you to spill the remnants of a fish tank all over. I don’t wish to be involved when they discover that the science professor did not gift them anything of the sort.”


    Aslow D. grinned, putting a hand on Oswald''s shoulder. “You have to admit it was an entertaining sight huh?”


    Looking down at his roommate''s hand, he thought, <i>Where did the thought to ask him even arise? Besides the fact that I failed to discover anything, I’d wager this only makes me less reliable. </i>


    He turned to the boy next to him, their similar faces practically mirroring one another''s. Among the few differences was the expressions they currently bore with one stoic and serious the other intrigued and still amused by the trouble they’d caused. His gaze wasn’t directed at the boy though but rather at his hand arm which seemed to know no boundaries.


    “Woah there, are you about to whisper something hidden inside? Why’d you get so close all of a sudden?”


    <i>It appears he’s immune to these types of cues as well. While his file did say he was from the eastern lands, they are known for their manners so this lack of tact must be unique to him. </i>


    He removed the impolite hand from his shoulder and their facial proximity decreased once again.


    “You have more to reveal than I ever would.”


    <i>Technically it isn’t a lie, he''s  learned so many of other''s secrets that it would double the things I’ve hidden. I’m only filling in for an absentee. </i>


    Aslow D. looked surprised, his face flicking with what looked like fear, confusion, and then back to his amused grin. Ignoring the clear distance that had been created, the boy leaned closer and said in a quiet yet perplexed voice,


    “What would I have to hide, Oswald? If there was anything, would you be able to uncover it?”


    The questions felt unexpectedly serious compared to the reaction Oswald had expected. He had no time to gather his thoughts on such a response though because a certain someone had finally arrived.


    “How long have you two been waiting? Interesting to see that you would even get here on time. You see Constance, it’s a good thing we left when we did, if we’d stayed longer these fools might have turned to stone waiting.”


    He heard the two chairs in front of him <i>scraaape </i>against the floor as they were pulled out and <i>scooch </i>in a few seconds later.


    <i>Do they already know about the mess in the student council room? How should I explain? Well, it isn’t like she hasn’t done anything excessive before, what happened with Neil was… Whatever, no use avoiding the topic.</i>


    Truth be told, he couldn’t even bring himself to meet his partner’s gaze, so instead, he sat facing the table, his head resting on his fist.  He felt hesitant to see her reaction, similar to the way the nervousness had built up after she had discovered that he requested to be her partner.


    <i>She wasn’t too upset over that, so this won’t be much different, right?</i>


    “Oswald, are you feeling alright?” Her light voice felt like a jolt of electricity, and his face shot up while his hand fell in front of him, knocking into the glass in front of him. The water flowed out instantly and everyone but Constance moved swiftly. While he picked the glass upright to prevent the spill from expanding, Aslow D. lifted the two plates. Elodi threw her napkin on the spot and stood up,


    “I’ll retrieve additional napkins!” she said before rushing off.


    Aslow D. nudged him with an elbow and whispered, “I see you were encouraged by my actions this time.”


    Then in a louder voice, he let the two know he would be taking his and Oswald’s used plates away.


    Now it was just him and her, she stood up and began wiping up the sullied spot on the tablecloth. Pausing in his own attempts to sop up what had dribbled onto the floor he peeked over at her.  Her eyes moved to the side taking note of him and she sighed yet didn’t stop rubbing the napkins.


    “If you have something to say go ahead but make it quick.”


    “The student council meeting…” He looked away from her and continued mopping.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    “Is that what this was about? I won’t be attending again so don’t worry about it.”


    He was surprised in more ways than one. His gaze fell on her again and this time she met his eyes and grinned.


    “You said that Damien boy wasn’t all that special and I agree.”  Her hand moved toward the side of the table as if it were following the water trail. When she got to the edge she bent down closer and with a more stern expression, and a lower voice, she spoke,


    “Instead of worrying about me, I’d suggest you spend more time watching that roommate of yours.”


    <i>Why? Maybe she’s talking about the fish tank?</i>


    Before he could confirm this Elodi had returned with a mountain of napkins, practically swallowing her. He stood up just in time to see her throw them down on the table. Several even toppled off the table and she grabbed the now sopping napkin from Constance.


    “We still managed to meet you two although we could’ve just stayed out longer or picked up something on our own and yet here you are making a mess and having Constance clean it?!”


    <i>What are we supposed to do with all these napkins?</i>


    “It isn’t Oswald’s fault, I volunteered to do so. I was only trying to help out, I hope I didn’t cause any trouble.”


    <i>How does she manage to make such expressions so easily? It probably helps that the Bellowdi girl believes her every word with no doubts.</i>


    Soon after, Aslow D. returned and the two of them took away the extra cloth pieces. The ladies had gotten their meals prepared by that time and the rest of the supper went smoothly. This could mainly be attributed to Aslow D. dominating the conversation with his neverending academy students'' exploits.


    As they were finishing up Constance announced, “I’d love to hear more of the stories you have to share, but I’m feeling rather fatigued so it’d be best if I retire early.”


    Oswald muttered, “She does look rather tired today…”


    <i>Did she cry? Maybe she didn’t sleep because she felt guilty about scaring Neil.</i>


    The girls excused themselves and he headed back with Aslow D. His roommate shut the door behind them and sat on his bed tossing off his shoes and coat aside. After carefully removing his outerwear, Oswald was hoping to lay back and process the many details in his mind. Unfortunately, this was not in the cards with his noisy roommate around.


    “Weren’t you just worried about her going to that meeting? I thought you’d feel better after it but now you''re concerned about how she looked. Honestly speaking, she looked the same as usual so I don’t know what the big deal is.”


    <i>I guess that’s how everyone would see her with that disguise.</i>


    “Who said I was thinking about that?” He offered nonchalantly.


    “I assume she’s all you think about. It’s almost irritating that you never do anything else of note.”


    <i>While he isn’t far off, my position at the moment stipulates that I do the bare minimum and blend in. </i>


    Oswald retorted, “It’s tiresome how a considerable amount of your time is spent in attempts to cause me to create something for you to gossip about.”


    His roommate chuckled in response before replying “Fine. We’ll just leave it to me not understanding.”


    <i>I can’t say I do either. We’re supposed to work together and we haven’t been asked to do much but I still feel like I’m not doing enough. It isn’t like she’s been completely honest either, at least I know her interest had nothing to do with that boy. It would be trouble if there was another person to keep track of. </i>


    “It’s nothing complicated…”


    “Right, Right, let’s forget it for now. Did you hear about that charity event?


    <i>Of course, I haven’t, but I’m sure you’ll tell me everything.</i>


    “No.”


    “It’s like you don’t listen! I’d bet it was because you were scanning that room up and down for one “friend” of ours, but that secretary boy was complaining about how the mess would wreck all the work they were doing to pick an orphanage.


    “An orphanage?” He asked half listening.


    “Yeah, apparently several classes will participate in providing clothes, food, entertainment, and book donations to the children. You can tell it’s all because the academy wants to improve its image.”


    He paused to lay back, clearly satisfied in gaining any reaction from Oswald on this topic.


    “Won’t change the fact that it’s rare for them to accept those from lower social stations or poor families. In the east everyone has to take a test to attend the esteemed college but here, only <i>specific</i> students are evaluated.”


    <i>Did he have to take it because he isn’t originally from here? </i>


    Whatever stipulations needed to enter the academy were irrelevant to Oswald and since he no longer cared for the topic of conversation he mindlessly responded,


    “Well, I’ll consider it lucky I didn’t have to take one. The perks of wealth.”


    <i>Or something like that.</i>


    Aslow D. sat up again with a more passionate look.


    “Hah! As if that kind of status doesn’t come with its own problems. If you get in based on who you are rather than your merits you’re practically stuck- never mind.”


    <i>That was ardent, but he’s probably just trying to sympathize. I don’t think he’s worth watching out for. Even if he caused issues today, he’s usually spending time on academics or eavesdropping. I’ll keep an eye out since she said so, but whatever his deal most likely has no impact on our act. </i>


    “I’m guessing you’ve already tuned me out. That’s a bad habit, you know. You’re always thinking to yourself like that so you never get to absorb your surroundings.”


    <i>Meaning I don’t care for drama like him.</i>


    “If I took the time to do so my mind would be occupied with things like your nonsense,” Oswald mumbled, grabbing a loose newspaper on the bed to read.


    “Don’t tell me we aren’t friends now, I’ve done you a favor and I know one of your secrets, I’d say we’re closer than acquaintances at the least.”


    Oswald perked up at the statement.


    <i>Considering my relationship with others must be something I''ve long failed to consider if I’m just now realizing he views me as more than a cordial companion. Wait, what does he mean by that first part?</i>


    “My secret?”


    “Right, the fact that you’re really…”


    <i>What does he know?</i> Oswald sat up, his eyes narrowing at the seemingly clueless boy across the room.


    “…Really, not as emotionless as you appear at first glance.”


    “Oh.” The boy settled back down, surprised by his relief at his roommate''s oblivious answer.


    “I told you thinking too much will cause you problems, you always worry for nothing. That reminds me, did you know there is a rumor about someone in your foreign language course planning to announce his courtship to a lady during that art lecture Lady Elodi and Constance are in?”


    That’s right, unlike those two who only share one course, our schedules just had to be the same except for two differences. That would make him feel a sense of familiarity with me that I hadn’t considered.


    “You’re speaking as if he has an obsession with you for goodness sake, it isn’t that complicated at all!” Even without her presence, he could still predict what she would say if he informed her of this development.


    However, it seemed he wouldn’t even get a glimpse of her reaction, let alone her presence, in the days following. Elodi had let them know that Constance had seemed to show improvement in her condition ever since Belladonna, Constance’s cousin, had entered the picture.


    His only reference point for the girl was her snake-like behavior from the hall and, as for how she would have met Constance… He doubted it was a coincidence. Whatever the case, they spent endless amounts of time together, so much so that as September announced its approach by the falling leaves across turrets, spires, and the grounds of the campus, he felt it more likely to taste a ripe summer melon than encounter her more than once every other day.


    While he held no interest in officially meeting this cousin, his accomplice also appeared to harbor little intention of complicating her cover by introducing him.


    Strangely, he’d also received about three communications with Neil asking how things were progressing. He wasn’t sure why the timid clerk would be eager to strike up a conversation with him or what response he was anticipating but, he’d responded nonetheless. He kept it brief and said things were fine, there weren''t additional things he felt necessary to convey. To him, it appeared that their second month would certainly, be more complex than the last.