Truly Twisted (Floyd Leech x OC)

Jamil didn't notice Ophelia as he looked down at Grim. "Hm? You're..."

Grim blinked, "Have we met?"

"Yes, we had a brief chat back when I got injured before the Spelldrive tournament. Your name was...Grim, yes?"

"Dang, you got a good memory, uhhh...What was your name again?"

"It's Jamil. Jamil Viper, vice housewarden of Scarabia Dorm. I make it a point to memorize people's names and faces. Not to mention, you have made quite the name for yourself since you enrolled. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone at this school who doesn't know who you are."

That made Grim happy, "Whoa...Really?" He laughed arrogantly, "Y'hear that, Ophelia?! I'm famous!"

Jamil looked from the cat to the girl leaning against the doorway, "Ah, I wasn't aware you were here."

"It's good to see you, Jamil," she greeted with a pleasant smile.

"At any rate...Why are you here on campus when it's winter break?"

"We ain't got anywhere to go home to for the holidays," Grim explained. "Not to mention, the Headmage personally gave us a super-special job. We're tendin' the fireplace. I'm as diligent and competent as they come! Only makes sense that the Headmage would turn to me when he needs help!"

"Oh, is that a fact? The Headmage personally asked you, you say..." Jamil had a dark smile and muttered something under his breath.

"Hm? Didn't catch that."

"I said that if the Headmage is relying on you, you must be a tremendous talent indeed," Jamil lied with a smile.

Ophelia didn't feel like dealing with more lies. As soon as Grim was finished talking, they were going back to Ramshackle.

"Sorry to interrupt, Vice Housewarden, but I'm done prepping the vegetables," a student spoke up.

"Okay, I'll be right over," Jamil told him.

"That soup you're makin' looks pretty good. I ain't ever smelled anything like it before," Grim commented.

"It's a traditional Scalding Sands recipe, you see-Wait. An idea occurs to me. I'm sure something brought us together. Would you care to join us for our meal?"

"Really?! You mean it?"

"Wait a sec-" Ophelia tried to interrupt.

Jamil spoke over her, "Absolutely. It won't take much longer to finish. Why don't you two lend a hand?"

"Cmon, Ophelia! Let's help 'em out! And you could some lessons."

"Allow me to teach you," Jamil said with a kind smile.

Ophelia had no excuses to get her out of the situation, so she let Jamil teach her some cooking basics while he instructed Grim on when to drop spices and seasonings into the soup.

He placed his hand on hers, "Don't hold the knife like that or you'll cut yourself. And hold the onion like this while you cut it."

She didn't like how close he was. He was shorter than Floyd. Jamil's chin rested just on Ophelia's shoulder as he kept on hand on the one holding the knife and another hand on the onion.

He was too close.

"It took some time, but this is actually a perfectly diced onion," Jamil said as he dumped them into the soup. "With some practice, you'll be much faster."

Grim smirked, "Teach her everything you can!"

Ophelia didn't smile as Jamil smiled at her then looked to the others, "That should do it. Alright, boys, get this to the dorm!"