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Lightbringer
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Zephen's head jerked back as Hollis suddenly stopped and therefore forced him to stop as well. Ugh, he couldn't get a handle on this guy. What was he supposed to do? As Hollis started his rant, all Zephen could do at first was stare. He didn't know how to react to being yelled at, especially by someone he believed was beneath him. He just stood stalk still, his brain struggling to process any of what the other boy had said mainly because of his tone. But more than that, a boy liking a boy or a girl liking a girl was outrageous. He didn't know whether to be curious or appalled. But as Hollis continued, Zephen's expression hardened, rage filling his entire being. If they were in his country right now, he would make sure to have the boy hanged. Like seriously, they didn't even know eachother's names and he was going to make presumptions about him? . As Hollis got to the part where he commented on Zephen's outfit, Zephen was seriously considering calling his father and demanding to go to war with Norway until they shipped the boy to be his personal servant at Luminara. Zephen watched in pure anger as the other boy frolicked away like they hadn't just been arguing a second ago. "You're going to pay for this!!" He called as he once again started walking. Zephen was so angry you could practically see steam coming out of his ears. But beneath all that rage, a small sting of hurt settled in his heart. Not being special was exactly what he was afraid of. Because he had learned the moment you aren't considered special by others is the moment you get thrown to the side. When his parents saw how good the other kids here were.. would they abandon him again? In favor of these random kids? He honestly wouldn't put it past them. . As they got to the front doors, Zephen couldn't help but stare. His eyes widened and his heart pounded uneasily in his chest. He was used to seeing crowds, but being apart of them was a different story. Was he really expected to navigate this? Especially with his heavy luggage weighing him down? There was no time to rest, however, because Hollis was already knee deep into the mess. With a resigned sigh, Zephen made his way through the crowd, doing his best to follow the other boy. He had never been so thankful for his combat training. It allowed him to dodge the flailing hands of the freshmen and sidestep anything in his path without getting tripped up. Still, he was nothing compared to Hollis's graceful movements through the mess of people. . As the two finally reached the top of the staircase, Zephen was a bit shaken up. He felt dirtier than ever, which only made him more Irritable. "That's not the correct terminology." Zephen snapped without thinking. ""Your majesty" is what you call the king and queen. My correct title is "Your highness", which is what you call the prince and princess. Or you can also call me and my siblings "Your royal highness", if that is what you perfer-" Seeing the look on the other boy's face, Zephen froze, finally realizing what he had said. He looked away, knowing he had disobeyed his parents's order not to tell anyone his real role and feeling ashamed of himself. This was the one time he hoped Hollis would just think his words were nonsense and he was just crazy. . "My room number is 209." Unbeknownst to him, that was the exact room Hollis's friend was staying in. But in order to hopefully distract the other boy from his earlier slip up, he started forward, not caring he didn't know where he was going. "In response to your previous words, I suggest you only judge me when you see what I'm capable of. I will be at the top of this school's classes by the end of next month. If I'm not, then I will give you anything your heart desires. If you don't believe me, we can even write up a contract if that will make you feel better. If I don't succeed, anything money can buy will be yours." He said, determination already burning brightly in his eyes. |
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Darkseeker
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Hollis blinked once, his expression perfectly blank save for the slow, deliberate flutter of his mascara-coated lashes. The boy beside him might’ve been royalty, a literal prince, or some forgotten heir to a diamond fortune—it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he was an insufferable little bitch, and Hollis had no intention of letting him think otherwise. “Have you ever done drag?” Hollis asked suddenly, his voice sugary sweet but laced with unmistakable venom. He tilted his head, studying the boy like he was an abstract painting in desperate need of interpretation. “It’s *so* much fun. You should try it sometime. I mean, I’m always a queen, obviously, so I suppose that means you can call me *Your Majesty* instead.” The sharp edge in his tone softened the moment the subject shifted, the boy rattling off his room number like it wasn’t going to set Hollis off. “Whoa, wait. 209?” Hollis’s brows shot up, his tone incredulous as he stopped in his tracks. “*No way.* That’s Mag’s room. He’s been sharing with Isak *forever.* Don’t tell me they’ve gone and messed with the roommate assignments this year. One new kid, and suddenly it’s all gone to pot. Fantastic.” He threw his free hand into the air for dramatic emphasis, muttering darkly as he resumed his march down the hall. Hollis adjusted the boy’s backpack yet again, teetering precariously on the edge of just dumping it on the floor and leaving him to fend for himself. The weight was unbearable, and frankly, his patience was thinner than the cropped hem of his sweater. But he was determined to make his exit as dramatic as possible, and that required delivering the bag to its destination like a true diva. As they passed his own dorm room, Hollis couldn’t help but puff up a little, casting a smug glance toward the half-open door. His sanctuary was a masterpiece of chaotic perfection—posters meticulously arranged across the walls, a bed covered in vibrant, mismatched throws, and candles burning in every corner, filling the air with rich, luxurious scents. It was *his,* and he adored it, even if the judgmental silence radiating from the boy beside him suggested it was beneath his standards. Not that Hollis cared. If Mr. Fancy Pants thought Forelsket was about caviar and filet mignon, he was in for a shock. Hollis grinned to himself, already relishing the inevitable horror when dinner rolled around—a steaming bowl of thick, hearty pea soup and a slice of bread. Hollis loved it, the way it warmed you from the inside out, leaving you sleepy and satisfied. But *this* kid? He was clearly the type to demand truffle oil and complain about the plating. Hollis couldn’t wait. By the time they reached room 209, Hollis was practically vibrating with anticipation. He kicked the half-open door the rest of the way with dramatic flair, sending it swinging against the wall. Without so much as a glance at the boy trailing behind him, he dropped the backpack unceremoniously onto the floor and flung himself onto the bed opposite a familiar blond figure. “*Mag!*” he yelled, his voice echoing through the room as he launched into a rapid-fire mix of Norwegian and English. “You will *not* believe the morning I’ve had. Your new roommate? *Absolute wanker.* Total nightmare. Good luck with that.” He waved dismissively toward the door, already dismissing the other boy’s presence entirely. “But I missed you!” Hollis continued, throwing his arms around Magnus in a theatrical hug, his dark curls falling into the blond’s face. “How was your summer? How’s Otis? That little devil better not have forgotten me. And your mom—oh my God, Magnus, *no one* makes meatballs like your mom. I’m starving just thinking about it.” He pulled back, flopping onto the bed with a dramatic sigh, one arm thrown across his forehead like a starlet in distress. “Please tell me you brought something edible. Or at least something alcoholic. I deserve it after carrying *his* stuff all the way up here.” He flicked his eyes toward the door, where the boy still hovered awkwardly, before turning back to Magnus with a conspiratorial smirk. “Seriously, though,” he whispered loudly, his voice dripping with faux concern. “Do you think he knows what pea soup is? Or is he gonna need a tutorial?” |
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Lightbringer
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Zephen just stared at Hollis for a moment, his mouth slightly open in confusion. What... what was this "drag" he was talking about? Moreover, how dare he try to make himself out to be royalty, let alone something he was clearly not? . Zephen just got even more confused as Hollis reacted so strongly to his room number. Like, what was wrong with 209? "Yeah, why?" He then proceeded to listen to the other boy's explanation, pausing as he waited for him to take the lead. As he started walking again, Zephen followed. He wasn't completely sure what he was talking about, but he was too mentally exhausted to really care. All he wanted to do was take a nice warm bath and then go to bed. His body was achy and sore, and lingering anger, disgust and hurt still swirled in his heart. Not to mention the stress of being away from his country. He just wanted to be done with it all at this point. Dealing with this crazy boy was also enough to bring Zephen to his knees. In his eyes, Hollis was completely unreasonable. . All of a sudden, Zephen smelled heavy, rich scents. He couldn't help but scrunch his nose up, not used to something so potent. He glanced at the room the smells were coming from, eyes widening when he caught a hint of the interior. It was the most chaotic room he had ever seen. He didn't know whether to hate it or find it interesting. . When they finally reached what he presumed would be his new room for a while, Zephen was horrified when the boy just kicked the door open. Where was his manners?! If he had been in the room, he would've been scared out of his skin. "Be careful." He hissed as he watched his backpack be dropped to the floor. He quickly brought the rest of his stuff in before grabbing his backpack and inspecting it to see if it was okay. After he was sure no damage had been done, he gently layed it on the empty bed before going to scooch the rest of his stuff to the bed. Then, and only then, did he look around the room. Luckily it was nothing like the room he had seen earlier, but he did notice how painfully small it was compared to his old room. He groaned internally as his focus then fell onto the boy and his new roommate. . Zephen was just in time to hear the indirect insult that spilled from the other boy's mouth. He glared at Hollis, his hands balling into fists as it his side. He was getting very tired of the other boy's attitude. Although... Hollis was right in the sense that the prince had never tried pea soup before. He had heard of it once from one of the servants, but whatever the case, he really didn't know what it was. "Atleast I don't go around half naked." Zephen muttered to himself in German, wanting to show Hollis that he wasn't as dumb as the other thought. He knew other languages, and he wouldn't rest until Hollis knew that. "Maybe you should spend more of your time studying instead of insulting others." He added in Korean as he started unpacking. "Maybe then they wouldn't have such an easy time insulting you back." He murmured in Russian. . (Note: Zephen knows English, Norwegian, German, Korean, Russian, French and Spanish. He isn't fluent in every one.) |
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Darkseeker
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Hollis had completely abandoned his earlier irritation now that he was nestled in the warm bubble of Magnus’s company. The room filled with the comfortable buzz of their chatter, their laughter ricocheting off the walls as they swapped summer stories. Hollis, ever the nosy diva, busied himself rummaging through Magnus’s belongings while the blond animatedly described the chaos of losing his little sister Vilde at the amusement park. “She hid in the photo booth for, like, an hour,” Magnus said, shaking his head in exasperation. “And you *didn’t* take a picture of her looking like a little gremlin?” Hollis teased, pausing mid-rummage to toss an incredulous look over his shoulder. “Missed opportunity, babe.” His digging finally yielded a small treasure: a pack of cheap beer, wedged beneath a pile of neatly folded clothes. Hollis grinned, triumphant, and plucked the pack free like he’d unearthed buried gold. “Ah-ha! Mag, you beautiful, irresponsible man.” He tossed a can to Magnus with a dramatic flourish before turning his attention to the boy who still hovered awkwardly on the other side of the room. Narrowing his eyes in mock scrutiny, Hollis lobbed a can in his direction with far less finesse. “Catch, princess,” he called, his tone both commanding and teasing. The next hour passed in easy camaraderie—at least between Hollis and Magnus. They sprawled across the bed like a couple of contented cats, beer cans littered around them as they relived their favorite memories and roasted anyone unlucky enough to come up in conversation. At one point, Hollis ended up draped across Magnus’s lap, his curls spilling like ink against the blond’s shirt as he half-heartedly argued about something trivial. But as time wore on, Hollis’s stomach began to growl, a persistent reminder that alcohol and hunger were a dangerous combination. He sat up abruptly, his good-natured tipsiness beginning to fray at the edges. “Mag,” he said, voice low and serious, as if about to reveal a terrible truth. “I’m starving. Like, *actually starving.* If I don’t eat something in the next five minutes, I’m going to lose it. And you *know* what happens when I get hangry.” Magnus groaned in exaggerated dread. “Don’t remind me. The last time you got hangry, you scared off half the first-years during orientation week.” “Exactly,” Hollis said, nodding solemnly. “So, unless you want to witness a second Great Scare, we’re going to the dining hall. *Now.*” He rolled off the bed with dramatic flair, grabbing Magnus’s hand and pulling him to his feet. Then, he turned to the boy still sulking in the corner, fixing him with a pointed look. “You too, Princess Pea Soup. Let’s see how you survive your first Forelsket dinner.” |
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Lightbringer
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Zephen hauled one of his suitcases onto the bed, unzipping it with a tired yawn. Dang, the jet lag was finally kicking in. Feeling overwhelmed by the two chatterboxes on the other side of the room, the prince pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. I got this. I can do anything. I don't need to be by my parents's sides 24/7. I'm seventeen, almost eighteen. I can handle obnoxious people and being away for a few months. I got this. I can handle anything that comes my way. I'm prince Zephen Ezekiel Lytton, afterall. Zephen thought to himself as he grabbed some of his clothes to put them away. He put his neatly folded clothes into the dresser, making sure everything was perfectly neat and smooth. . As he went to get some more of his clothes, Hollis picked that moment to throw the can of beer at him. Although he was sleepy, he caught the can easily without missing a beat. "Don't call me that." Zephen huffed as he glanced at the thing in his hand. His eyes widened to the size of watermelons when he realized he was holding a beer can. He almost dropped it out of shock. He quickly looked up at Hollis, desperately hoping the other boy was joking. But no, it became increasingly clear he wasn't joking and instead was dead serious. Zephen watched in horror as both of the boys began drinking without a hint of hesitation. He tried to get their attention multiple times but they either ignored him or were too busy chatting to notice the horrified look on his face. So with a sigh, Zephen set the can on his nightstand before getting back to work putting his clothes away. . Once all of his clothes were put away, he plopped onto his bed, too tired to bother with the rest of his stuff. Instead he just flipped onto his side and took turns staring at Hollis and then at the beer can. He wasn't quite sure what to think anymore, wariness and anger mixing with a hint of curiosity. It didn't help his brain was muddled with exhaustion. Yet he knew he would never get to sleep with the two parrots squawking over in the corner. So he got out his phone and sent quick texts to all of his siblings besides Benjamin. His youngest brother didn't even have a phone, since their parents were very strict on how much exposure they got. . When Hollis finally spoke to him after hours of nonstop talking, Zephen reluctantly looked up, a small frown on his face. He was too tried to give the other boy a proper glare. He sighed upon hearing the nickname, although he still obeyed and got up. "Please don't call me that. My name is Zephen." He murmured as he followed them out the door. He had hours to think over their first meeting, and so after some review, he decided a more gentle approach was needed for them to, at the very least, get along. The prince had basically decided it would be best to treat Hollis similar to like he would a little kid. Maybe that way they wouldn't blow up at eachother all the time. But don't underestimate Zephen. He would never forget the things Hollis had said to him. He would never forgive him either unless the boy did some serious begging. |
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Darkseeker
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Hollis’s sharp eyes darted to the unopened can of beer sitting lonely on the bedside table, his lips twitching with the beginnings of a comment before he thought better of it. He flicked a dark curl from his forehead with practiced nonchalance and stretched languidly, his sweater riding up almost all the way, but Magnus had the decency to pull it back down. His gaze dropped briefly to the garment in question, a moment of indecision passing over his face. “Hmm,” he mused aloud, tugging the hem back into place, “the soup had better be thick tonight. No way am I spilling anything on this sweater. I don’t care that it was thrifted; it’s *priceless.*” He emphasized the word dramatically, turning to bump Magnus’s shoulder playfully. “Only five euros though! An absolute steal.” He laughed, the sound bright and unabashed. Turning his attention to the third member of their little group, he tilted his head, studying him for a beat. “What did you say your name was again?” he asked, his tone surprisingly genuine despite his dramatic flair. “Zayphen?” he tried, his accent making the name sound odd and foreign on his tongue. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he added, “Doesn’t matter. Let’s go.” The journey to the dining hall was as chaotic as one might expect on the first night back at Forelsket. The halls teemed with students, their voices rising in an overlapping cacophony of excitement, greetings, and the occasional complaint. Hollis navigated the crowd with the ease of someone used to commanding attention, his sharp elbows and quicker wit clearing the way. He scowled as a gaggle of fresh-faced first-years cut them off, his lips parting for a tirade that never came. Instead, with a loud huff, he sidestepped gracefully, his dark curls bouncing as he led the way through the throng. Twice, he lost Magnus and Zephen in the crush, but they always reappeared, trailing behind him like reluctant shadows. When they finally pushed through the double doors into the main dining hall, the sight of the steaming bowls at each place setting made Hollis light up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Ohhh,” he practically purred, sliding into his seat at the Sannhet Boy’s Dormitory table. “It looks good this year. Split pea—*delicious.*” He wasted no time pulling his bowl closer, inhaling the savory aroma with delight. But just as he dipped his spoon into the thick, velvety soup, Magnus pulled out his phone, a picture of Otis lighting up the screen. Hollis was immediately derailed, abandoning his soup for an impassioned commentary. “Oh my God, Mag, look at him! Look at that face! He’s so *handsome*! So *precious*! Ugh, I could just die—he’s the most darling dog in the world.” He gestured animatedly, nearly spilling his soup in the process but catching it at the last second. He sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. “Honestly, I don’t know how you survived a whole summer without me to tell him how fabulous he is. Otis deserves nothing but the best, and by the best, I mean constant praise from the whole world. Right, Zeyphen?” |
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Lightbringer
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Zephen was relieved when his roommate had the sense to pull the other boy's sweater down. He didn't know either of their names and he hadn't even spoken to his roommate but he was already fond of him because of that simple act. Atleast some people around here knew the meaning of decency. But as Hollis addressed him, the prince turned to focus on him. He sighed internally at how awkwardly he had said his name, but he didn't push the issue, instead choosing to just stay silent and follow. As they walked, he did his best to keep to the other two's side. Everytime he accidentally brushed up against someone he could feel himself getting dirtier. Ugh, he had never touched so mang people before in his life. He wanted to get out of here. At the very least, though, he could maneuver better than he did with his luggage weighing him down. Although, he still managed to loose Hollis multiple times. . As Hollis found a table and sat down, Zephen sat on the opposite of him. He was glad he didn't have to go through a line and was just able to sit down to get his food. The food itself was the main problem. The prince's nose scrunched up as he stared down at his meal. This was all he got? Moreover, it looked like freaking pigs slop. How was he expected to eat this?! No, he wouldn't, he refused! . Zephen's disgust was interrupted by Hollis's impassioned words. Feeling curious, he glanced at Magnus. The other boy showed the prince the picture without hesitation as if he had read his mind. Slightly surprised, Zephen looked at the photo, and as soon as the picture registered in his mind, his eyes lit up. "He's absolutely *gorgeous*." He breathed before glancing at Hollis when he heard his name. He nodded eagerly, a small smile pulling at his lips. "Yes, of course. Every animal deserves love. But I would have to agree he's very special. He looks absolutely devine. So, his name is Otis? How old is he? His breed? And I presume you own him? You're a very lucky individual." He said, his tone more friendly than it had been since coming to Norway as he turned to look at Magnus. . So happy to have seen a dog, Zephen grabbed a spoonful of soup and ate it without thinking. When the warm liquid hit his tongue, he realized his mistake and his eyes widened in panic. He was about to spit it out when the flavor filled his mouth. His eyes sparkled as he slowly swallowed. Turns out, despite it's looks, it was absolutely delicious. "Oh. My. Gosh. It's amazing. W- what is this stuff? I just have to make the chefs back home make this for my siblings. Daniella will love it! What are the ingredients? How can it taste so good??" Zephen gasped as warmth spread throughout his body. "It somehow taste even better than anything the chefs have ever made! Is it sorcery?" The prince said as he shoved another spoonful into his mouth. |
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Darkseeker
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Hollis's jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the boy across from him practically glowing with excitement over Otis. For a moment, he genuinely couldn’t decide whether to be amused or offended that someone so insufferable could show such blatant enthusiasm for something so adorable. “Ah, *finally*, some taste,” Hollis said, tossing his curls dramatically over his shoulder and resting his chin in his hand as though preparing to deliver a TED Talk. “Otis is not just any dog. He is *the* dog. He’s three years old, a cockapoo—an iconic blend of fluff and fabulousness—and he has better manners than most of the boys I’ve dated. Not that the bar is high.” Magnus nodded, his usual deadpan cutting through Hollis’s theatrics. He casually reached for Hollis’s bread and managed to swipe it without so much as a glance. “Yep. Hollis found him at a park a couple of summers ago. His parents don’t like dogs, so my mum offered to keep him. Now he’s practically family.” Hollis raised a single, perfectly arched eyebrow at Magnus, the theft not lost on him. Instead of immediately reacting, he leaned back, stretched like a cat, and let Magnus dig his own grave. “Practically family?” Hollis scoffed. “He *is* family. He’s the child I would’ve had if I married rich, Magnus. Don’t undersell him.” With the grace of a Broadway star, Hollis reclaimed his bread with an exaggerated flourish, as though performing a magic trick. He took an overly indulgent bite, chewing slowly for maximum effect, his eyes locked on Zephen as the boy hesitantly tried the soup. Hollis watched with bated breath, his dark eyes gleaming as Zephen’s disdain melted into genuine enjoyment. He gasped theatrically, clasping his chest as if someone had just complimented his outfit. “Oh my God. He likes it. Magnus, write this down—January 2nd. Zeyphen, our reluctant roommate, learns *taste.* Miracles do happen.” “It’s split pea,” he continued, twirling his spoon like a conductor’s baton. “It’s our Sunday tradition. Every week, the chefs perform a culinary miracle, and every week, I ascend to a higher plane of existence because of it.” Then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, Hollis leaned forward, lowering his voice to a stage whisper. “And yes, you’re absolutely right. The secret ingredient is magical unicorn hair. It’s flown in weekly from the Alps.” He paused dramatically, his lips curling into a devilish smirk. “But beware. There’s a side effect.” He leaned in even closer, his honey-toned skin practically glowing under the dining hall lights. “It makes you like boys.” Magnus lost it, choking on his soup as Hollis sat back with the smug satisfaction of someone who’d just delivered a flawless monologue. He crossed one leg over the other, flicked an imaginary speck of dust from his sweater, and sipped his soup with the poise of royalty. |
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Lightbringer
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Zephen listened eagerly to all that Hollis had to say as he took spoonful after spoonful into his mouth. Although, he almost spit some of the soup out of his mouth when Hollis mentioned the boys he dated. Ah, he had forgotten about that. That's the reason they had started fighting in the first place, he remembered. For a moment, he had thought that maybe they could be friends. But that clearly wouldn't happen if Hollis continued to wear inappropriate clothes and date the wrong people. His expression dropped just an inch as the thought occurred to him. But then he quickly just shook it off, reminding himself that he had no reason to feel sad. It wasn't like Hollis was anywhere near the league the rest of his friends back home were at. Hollis was a nobody, plain and simple. He was lucky to even be sitting close to the prince, afterall. . Zephen barely restrained himself from glaring at Hollis as the boy reacted loudly and dramatically. The prince realized then that he would probably never understand the boy infront of him and he shouldn't try. His roommate, on the other hand, seemed like decent company. Once they were alone together, Zephen would definitely introduce himself properly. As for the news that he would be having this delicious meal every Sunday, it warmed him to the core. A genuine smile parted his lips as he imagined going to bed full, happy and warm every Sunday night. Ah, just thinking about it made the prince sigh in contentment. It was weird. Back at home, food never made him this happy. Back home it was just a necessary thing. But here at Forelsket, food almost seemed like... a vacation. Zephen glanced at all the people around him, at all the people who were laughing and talking. Suddenly, the crowds didn't seem so overwhelming. It almost felt as if the people here were just one big family. . Zephen's happy moment was interrupted by the ever loud and obnoxious Hollis. The prince opened his mouth to respond with something like, 'That's ludicrous. Unicorns aren't real. They are a childrens fairytale.' But then the other boy continued with a supposed "side effect". As he took in another spoonful, he couldn't help but pause. Zephen didn't dare swallow the bite of soup that was in his mouth, unsure whether to take the boy seriously or not. Surely that wasn't-? There was no way that was true, right? Right?! "You're lying. Such a thing isn't possible." Zephen said, trying to act confident even as he refused to swallow. "And anyways, Daniella is a girl so she would be fine to try it." Zephen added, more sure of that sentence than his previous one. . By this point it was getting hard not to swallow the deliciousness that was in his mouth, so he sent a worried and pleading look over to Magnus, hoping his roommate would be kind enough to confirm or deny the crazy words that had spilled from Hollis's mouth. |
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Darkseeker
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Hollis finished the last bite of his bread with the exaggerated grace of someone accepting an award. Each motion was precise, deliberate, and accompanied by a faintly self-satisfied smirk. His dark curls framed his face like a halo of defiance, catching the warm light of the dining hall as he tilted his head, inspecting Zephen with the predatory curiosity of a cat sizing up a mouse. “Mm,” he mused, his voice like spun sugar with a razor edge. “Your sister might be fine, but *you*, buddy boy? Hopeless. After this soup, you’re going to be positively *smitten* with boys. Don’t fight it—it’s inevitable.” Magnus, caught mid-bite, snorted so hard he nearly inhaled his soup. He descended into laughter, his shoulders shaking as he slapped the table for emphasis, like Hollis’s words were a comedic masterpiece. “Don’t traumatize our new friend,” Magnus scolded, tears glinting in the corners of his eyes. Hollis waved a hand dismissively, as though Magnus had just suggested he was capable of something so gauche. “Traumatize? Magnus, darling, I’m enlightening him. There’s a difference. Look it up.” The noise of the dining hall had finally dimmed from its earlier crescendo, much to Hollis’s satisfaction. Before, it had been akin to enduring a cacophony of tone-deaf auditions for a reality show he’d never auditioned for. Now, though, it was tolerable—an orchestra of white noise providing the perfect backdrop for Hollis’s next performance. Abandoning his soup with a theatrical sigh, he turned his full attention back to Zephen, fixing him with a look that was equal parts patronizing and predatory. “Don’t worry, hun,” Hollis purred, leaning forward conspiratorially. His lips curved into a knowing smile, the kind that promised both trouble and impeccable taste. “If the soup doesn’t work its magic, I’ll take it upon myself to help you. *Personalized guidance,* if you will.” He winked, the gesture exaggerated just enough to make it impossible to tell if he was serious or simply playing a part. The effect was dazzling. Magnus dissolved into laughter again, nearly knocking over his water glass in the process. Hollis reclined with an air of triumph, picking up his spoon like a scepter as he surveyed his audience. “What can I say? I’m a giver.” He took a dramatic sip of his soup, his expression one of serene self-congratulation, as if he’d just solved world hunger instead of poking fun at their new companion. |
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Fall 
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Hurricane
