Twisted Wonderland Book 5: A Beauitful Tyrant

Epel asks, startled, "Who's there?!" and turns to see Briar and the others.

"Sorry to interrupt. We heard singing, and..." Deuce apologizes, but recognizes the boy, "Wait a minute."

Flashback:

"Grim, stop trotting around underfoot!" Deuce sternly says.

Suddenly, someone bumps into him from behind

A boy yelps, "Ah..."

Deuce and the others turn to see another first year. Briar remembers seeing him before. If she remembers, the boy's name is Epel.

Deuce turns to the boy and says, "Whoops, sorry about that! You okay?"

Suddenly, Epel begins to sniffle and shows signs that he's been crying or upset.

"Wh-whoa! Y-you're...crying?!" Deuce asks, shocked.

Just then, Ace shouts, "Profeeessooor! Deuce is bullying a kid from another class and making him cry!"

"That's not funny, Ace!" Deuce angrily says.

Then turns to Epel and asks in concern, "Did I hurt you that badly? I am SO sorry. Here, lean on my shoulder. I'll get you to the nurse's office."

Epel suddenly says, "Rgh... Dagnabbit..."

"Huh? Dag-what...?" Deuce says, confused.

Epel realizes his slip up, "Ngh!" and runs off.

Flashback Ends:

"Aren't you the guy I ran into on the first day of the semester?" Deuce asks.

Epel recognizes Deuce and the others, "Ah... Yes, I'm sorry about that."

"Hey, I'm the one who should be sorry," Deuce says, and asks, "Your name was...Epel, right?"

"Huh? How did you know?" Epel asks, surprised.

"Jack told me. He's in your class, yeah?" Deuce replies.

"Yes," Epel says.

Then asks, "And I believe you two are...Deuce and Ace? And you're Grim Sereia, and Briar, Tanzanite, Jasper, and Trinket, I take it?

"Ooh, you know our names? I guess we really ARE campus celebrities," Grim happily replies.

And Epel says, "Your exhibition match at the interdorm Spelldrive tournament was pretty amusing. Heh heh." as he lets out a giggle.

Aee feels somewhat embarrassed, "That's not exactly something we want to be known for."

"So, Epel. What are you doing here?" Briar asks.

"And why are you singing into the well?" Deuce asks.

"The well has an echo, so it's a good way to hear the sound of your own voice," Epel answers.

"Sounds cool," Briar says.

Then Epel says, "Housewarden Vil instructed me to practice my singing here."

"Does Pomefiore have some rule that you have to be a good singer?" Deuce asks.

Then Ace says, "This isn't our dorm. Only Heartslabyul has rules that crazy."

"Correct," Epel answers, "It's not a rule of the dorm, per se. But I will be auditioning for the Song & Dance Championship."

"Nice. Good for you!" Deuce says.

"Vil instructed me to work on making my singing sound more charming and sweet..." Epel says.

He remains silent for a little and says under breath, "But if I'm being honest, I could do without the whole competition."

"Huh?" Deuce and Briar reply confused.

Suddenly, someone speaks up, "What's this, Epel? Are you shirking your vocal practice to parley with the pigeons?"

"Ah!" Epel yelps in surprise.