Chapter Text
Kalim happily slurped down the stew Ed made, enjoying it. “ Mmm yummy! But it could use some-”
Ling passed some chilli powder. “Here. Ed will often make amazing food, but for groups this big, it’s better to underseason than overseason.”
“Each person's perfect recipe will be different.” Ed pointed out.
Kalim nodded. “I see! That makes sense!”
Floyd motioned for the salt, with a determined look on his face.
Ed passed it over without looking and continued on. “Stew is one of the most perfect foods, but how one person wants it to taste will vary from another's.”
“Why is stew a perfect food?” Jamil asked.
Ed snorted. “It has most of the food groups in a convenient dish that tastes great and makes you feel like you had a warm hug. It’s perfect. ”
“I think your shepherd's pie is the most perfect dish Mama!” Nina cheered with Bao boofing along in agreement.
Ed smiled fondly before ruffling Nina’s hair. “You just want me to make you some. Alright, I’ll bite.”
“I will say, you’re a really good cook!” Kalim complimented. “It feels like I’m home.”
Ed smiled. “Thanks. I’m not the best cook, but I work well enough.”
****
After lunch, Azul led Kalim away. “Pausing after a meal to take a light walk stimulates the brain and improves your study efficiency in the afternoon.”
Kalim sighed. “Wow, you’re right this feels great! You know so much about this stuff! You're a sophomore housewarden just like me, but I'm woefully behind.”
Azul patted Kalim’s shoulder with a chuckle. “Everyone makes mistakes. Our vacation's only half over. There's still room to make up for lost time.”
Azul’s smile grew as he heard the students around him talking to themselves.
“With a training camp this helpful, staying at school doesn't sound so bad.”
“Yeah, agreed. The only chance we get to spend time with you guys is when we're at school.”
“Ever since Ramshackle and Octavinile showed up, things have been going a lot better.”
Azul looked over to Jamil who currently looked like he was about to explode. Things we’re going swimmingly then. “Well, it’s time for some more studying I’d say.” Azul clapped his hands together, signaling everyone.
Ed picked up her child, jogging to the mirror. “Hold on, let me drop off Nina and Bao!”
According to Azul’s calculations, that would take Ed… 3 minutes? Assuming she let Nina walk back by herself or had already sent someone to go pick her up.
“Shall I prepare some tea?” Jade asked. (Do you think now?)
Azul can work with three minutes. “No, I'll handle it. I'm the farthest along with my assignment, after all.” (Yes. Now.)
“Allow me to help.” Jamil offered.
Azul felt his grin stretch. “I'd appreciate that. Shall we be off, Jamil?”
****
Jamil slowly closed the door behind him as Azul prattled on. “The students' completion rate for these assignments is up fifteen percent from yesterday. Those are some statistically significant results. Ramshackle told me Kalim was going through drastic mood swings...But he's been acting pretty calm since we arrived. Isn't it nice that Kalim's regained the faith of Scarabia's students?”
Jamil felt his brow twitch. “...No. No it isn’t.”
Azul raised his brow. “It's not?”
Jamil scowled. “No offense, but I can't let you people stay in Scarabia any longer. It's time you went back under the sea.”
Azul frowned. “Pardon? Where did this come from, Jamil? Have I done something to offend you?”
Jamil growled. “You really don't get it? Does the sad look on my face mean nothing to you?”
Azul looked him in the eye. Checkmate. “What...?”
Jamil smirked. “...You made eye contact with me. Fool. The one you behold is your master. When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent. Snake Charmer.”
“What?! Gh... My head! Rgh…” Azul clutched his forehead.
Jamil felt giddy. “The pain will last as long as you resist. The sooner you give in and submit, the easier it will be for you. Go on, I'm waiting .”
Azul slowly went down to the floor making pained grunts before stopping.
“Azul, who is your master?” Jamil demanded.
“My master is…” Azul slowly stood up. “...you, O mighty Jamil. I await your command, Master.”
Jamil chuckled. Then he cackled. “ Heh... Ha ha... Ha ha ha ha ha! You thought I was a mediocre magician, but you were sorely mistaken- an embarrassing misjudgment for the housewarden of Octavinelle. But really... Because of you, all my carefully laid plans have gone up in smoke. All I needed was a little more nudging from the Ramshackle visitors, and the students would have kicked Kalim out.”
Jamil scowled. “But then Ramshackle screwed that plan over too. It was a perfect plan. If only those damn Ramshackle students followed along. It was my way of getting Kalim ejected from his position without getting my own hands dirty. Do you have any idea how much painstaking effort I put into laying the groundwork for that? First, you're going to take the twins and go home to the Coral Sea... Wait, hold on.”
Jamil turned to Azul. “You returned all your contractually stolen powers back to their original owners recently, right?”
Azul nodded slowly. “Yes master.”
Jamil scowled. “Tch. So much for using you as my own personal genie of the Lamp. Your signature spell is quite a valuable asset… But it would be hard to keep you controlled long- term.”
“Sir. I remember the contents of the contracts.” Azul mumbled.
Jamil froze. “ What? ”
Azul continued. “I remember all the secrets of the people I made contracts with. Their troubles. Their weaknesses. Their desires.”
Jamil smirked again. “What a twisted collection. I can see I made the right call not making friends with you. Does this intellectual cache of yours include Headmage Dire Crowley's secrets?”
Azul nodded. “Of course, Master. I know one thing he would never want others to learn.”