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Alice is growing to be a beautiful woman, though Professor Mozus Trein.
So much has happened since in the short amount of time she has been apart of Night Raven College. It felt like it was yesterday that fateful night of the Ceremony. To use an overdone cliché. Mozus will use it anyway. He earned the right at his age. When Alice arrived, she was an experimental creature she addressed herself as Experiment #630. She spoke so matter-of-factly. At the same time, there was an eager undertone to express her. To chose what she wanted. Her first demand to continue her enrollment and included a fellow monster. Grim was an absolute stranger yet she felt inclined to help him get what he wanted.
Overtime the staff and students learned more about Alice’s past. Every little bit of information about her was astounding. At times, heartbreaking. Her true precious young age and how her creator artificially matured her. Her guardian treated Alice as nothing but a living tool. She was denied a childhood for mission proficiency. What terrible missions they were. It pained Mozus when he would have to correct Alice when she would have an immature moment in class. So childish. A child-like innocence that was repressed. Her sheepish smile and apology, recognized she was being inappropriate. How quickly she had grown.
Mozus was very happy in Alice’s pursuit of an education. It was more than just earning academic credit. She was learning what would aid her in her future as she further becomes apart of Twisted Wonderland society. Alice could complete her studies within a year. Discovering her genius was stunning. She was smarter than Idia Shroud’s robot brother, Ortho Shroud. Alice’s attendance was for social experience. Her previous social interactions were for the sake of the mission. So much so, that Alice couldn’t remember the people she encountered unless she searched her memory banks. She was never allowed to truly bond. She wasn’t allowed to take in and appreciate the many, many worlds she had visited. Truly tragic! Night Raven gave her the opportunity to really dig her fingers into the sandbox.
Alice was learning about their world and exploring herself. She was developing into her own unique, very unique, personality. She was carving herself a place into Twisted Wonderland’s structure while leaving plenty of wiggle room to not completely conform to society standards. Alice had seen the social injustice that has affected every person she has come to known and care for. Lately, she has growing concerns for monsters like herself and Grim. They were a hated minority. Alice had been hurt by this hate despite how powerful she is. The wound didn’t infect her. She recovered swiftly with a fire for change. Alice and Grim had made friends with other monsters. In turn, the monsters became friends of Night Raven students. At first, their interactions concerned Crowley, but slowly there was benefit. A sign of a future, a better future for beings, people like Alice, Grim, and her monstrous friends. Alice began to focus on the history between monsters and the people of Twisted Wonderland. She had written papers, articles, analyzing and question the treatment of monsters and their future. Mozus admired her dedication and encouraged her. It was going to be hard journey, yet it will be possible because it’s Alice. She wanted other monsters to have the same opportunities as she and Grim. To be apart of the surface world and there are humans of there generation that would help her make it possible.
The Dark Mirror chose Alice, a monster, recognizing her the potential of her soul and her incredible power. Alice was going to make history. Mozus Trein was so very proud to be her teacher and be her guide.
Now, while Divus was creating her robe, Mozus had the pleasure of arranging her broom-quet. She loves pink. There is an extensive flower language for pink flowers, with a bit of blue to represent her markings:
Pink carnations – Loyalty and devotion. To her friends and her many lovers.
Pink roses – Affection, youth, sweetness. Alice had hugs and kisses to go around to all she care for which created her sweetness. Her youth, the childhood she lost and regained.
Pink peonies – Love and good fortune. Much love had been bottled up. Now it overflowed and swept of many. Good fortune from being chosen by the Dark Mirror, her acceptance by peers, and her success with her relationships. Hopefully, her good fortune will remain with her.
Pink hibiscus – Glory and power. Alice was a competitive menace when given the opportunity. At most times, she holds back, but give her the opportunity, the right opponent, her power was incredible force to rival even Malleus and perhaps greater mages! Power, her magic was the likes none had seen before on Twisted Wonderland. Someday the world will know and it will leave them shaking!
Blue hydrangeas – Honest intent. Alice makes her desires known without shame or hesitation. NRC was coming to slightly appreciate her forwardness. Sometimes.
Blue morning glories – A strong heart. Strength in her heart having to endure lonliness and isolation. Strength in her heart to face her fears. Strength in her heart to love fearlessly.
Mozus smiled with pride as his selection of flowers. Alice was sure to love it and decipher their messages.
Alice felt spoiled by Prof. Crewel and she wasn’t guilty about it! It felt nice to treated extra special by him! During one of his visits to Ramshackle with sweet wine and dinner with dessert, they talked about her birthday flight. He learned what she wanted to do. He understood the assignment and designed her robe for her performance. Taking account of her style, movement, and form. Divus never missed and Alice had been practicing every day and in her dreams. Drusilla and Marie-Ann helped her research. It made her very happy that the devil and feline beastman got along so well. Proof that the world can be better for monsters and their generation and future generations can live in unity.
The broom-quet robe represented the wearer as a full-mage. The large brim-hat, the flowing robes, and later she will be gifted the broom-bouquet. Divus told her that Mozus volunteered to select the flowers for her. Like Divus, Mozus was very invested in her care. She smiled when she remembered him having bought her new underwear and showed her how to put on a bra. The boxes and boxes of clothes that belonged to his daughters. He must have used magic to preserve them for sentimental reasons. Mozus was a devoted father and Alice felt his love for her. Was it too much to think that this was it felt to have a father and grandfather? They both often tell her in private how proud of her they were of her growth. It startled even her how much time had gone by. With these robes, it was a sign of how close she was to graduating. It was almost time. Fear is a rare emotion Alice had learned in her time at Night Raven College. Fear of failure, pain, and loss. Negative fear. She learned of positive fear. Nervousness, excitement, and anticipation combined to create positive fear. Night Raven College was her first home, her first family, her first loves. She would leave this place behind one day. Her small world on Sage Island would be expanded. Her friends and lovers won’t be within arm’s reach. Alice wanted it. She wanted to dive into the freedom to explore her world untethered. More people to meet and befriend! Languages and cultures to indulge and so much more.
Alice was swept out of her thoughts and off her feet. The world spins and she shrieked and giggled within the long, strong arms wrapped around her waist. Her cheek was being rubbed by another cheek with cool skin.
“Heh, heh, heheeeee~! Happy birthday, Cuttlefishie~! Ehhhhhh, how lucky that I get to be your interviewer! Sooo, lucky~!”
“Hehehe, Floydie~!”
Aggressive cheek rubbing ensued between the eel and the alien. They rubbed their cheeks together until they were rosy and their jaws ached. Alice squealed when Floyd pecked her cheek and blew a raspberry against her neck. Floyd squeezed her tightly before he set her down on her feet. He looked her over and whistled in approval.
“You look so niiiiice~! Beakfish loves making you sooo good,” Floyd purred. The skirt was lifted to her thighs with a hand. “Black stockings… almost sheer and so fancy!” The fabric had embellishments of gold stars, beads, and moons. “Ehhhh, we’re going to love to see you flash those legs during your flight!” The skirt was dropped. “Ready?”
“Yep!” Alice chirped.
“First question!” He sings. “Are ya’ good or bad at flying?”
“I was flying or levitating for as long as I can remember. With my original form, using telekinesis, it was the fastest way to getting around. Flying using a broom was a interesting experience. To focus on the item and to move it instead of my own body wasn’t hard. It was hard… much later.”
“Which leads to the next question! What’s ya’ “I’m glad I have magic” moment?” He grinned.
“Rather, it was the moment when I first got magic! I couldn’t believe it!”
“None of us could! It was a miracle!” Floyd agreed. “Seeing everybody’s faces was hilarious.”
“Actually learning and doing magic was an enjoyable challenge. I love learning new things because I get to struggle for a little while at first. Grim is a surprisingly good teacher!”
“Hmmm, Fur Sealie got big-headed for his furry ass!” Floyd snorted, unamused.
“He really is a good teacher! He taught me and the other monsters.”
“Eh, yeah! That is pretty cool. Alright, last question, what do you want to do next year?”
“I want to see more of the world! But more than anything….. I want to take you and everyone into space.”
Floyd’s eyes widened. They softened as he stepped up to her. He leaned to touch his forehead to hers. He trilled and Alice trilled in reply.
“Promise, Alice?”
“I promise.”
“It’s a deal!”
They laughed. Alice’s face was grabbed and she was lifted off the ground. She received a noisy smack to her lips and quickly settled down.
“Okaaaay, here’s ya’ broom! It’s so pretty, just like you~!”
It was a pretty broom-bouquet! She had seen the bouquets of others and Alice adored how beautiful and thoughtful each bouquet was. She knew the language of the flowers and recognized what each flower meant across many languages of the world. Oh, she thanked Mozus for his consideration! She owed him a hug. The broom was hugged until she could see him again. A smirk came across her face. He may not want a hug after her flight! Her birthday road she chose to perform at dusk. With just a sliver of sunset, under the stars. Alice was born among the stars.
“I’m ready! Dru showed me some awesome moves! You’ve ever heard of broom-dancing?”
“Broom-dancing?” Floyd tilted his head.
“It’s like… pole-dancing crossed with trapeze. Except, I’m fully clothed, not naked. Well, I’ll will be removing some clothing. Just one piece…!”
Floyd’s mouth had fell open during her explanation. He clapped his large hand over her mouth.
“No spoilers! Heheheeheehhh! This is going to a sweet treat!”
“See ya’ on the flying road, Cuttlefishie!
Her friends and other spectators of students, professors, and other school faculty awaited her along the road. There were camera in placed for those off campus to spectate. The link was sent Alice’s friends off-campus and off-island. It was also for those to see the entire performance. Insisted upon by Divus and Vil who dragged poor Idia into it and set up.
Alice stood at the start of the road. She took a breath and smiled.
“Prof. Trein…. You’re a good man. A great… grandfather,” She blushed admitting her familiar attachment to the man. “I’m am NOT sorry, but please don’t kill me. It’s my birthday.”
The camera rolled.
She let her broom-bouquet levitate beside her. With a dramatic flourish, she twirled around, the skirt fluttered around her. She reached for belt-sash and unraveled her skirt. A fierce grinned flashed as she heard a dozen gasps and jaws hitting the ground. She revealed her bodysuit underneath the skirt. Hand was held out for her broom and it was called to her hand. She pointed a toe forward and held the broom out. The broom is twirled in her hands like a staff. Pink and blue blurred and petals floated around her. The staff was guided about her waist and spun with her body. She posed with the broom behind her. She raised her leg up and posed. Another set of twirling, with the broom-quet above her head.
The broom raised her off the ground and she performed a full bar swing and seated herself on her broom, posed with her leg out. The broom moved forward down the road. Like trapeze artist, Alice flew on her broom and made spinning dismounts. She’ll released her grip when she was under the broom and let herself fall, guided the broom to loop-the-loop back to her hands or underneath her seat or feet. She stood on her broom like a surfer, even did familiar pose of a Kingscholar. Leona smirked, he taught her that!
Half-way down the road, the broom was pointed vertical while Alice hooked a leg around the body. She started broom-dancing and the crowd below howled and cheered. Nothing risqué, of course! Just simple basic of bodily artful forms! A spinning knee spin, tucking her knees together as she spun. Leading to a carousel, holding her hip and knees away from the broom. While still flying vertical. Sitting elegantly in a chair pose, squeezing the broom between her thighs to hold herself, stretching down her legs and holding out her arms like wings into a swan pose. Her favorite pose was the (ice) skater. At the end of the road, she returned the broom to a horizontal position and rode the room sidesaddle like a lady. Alice held her head up high, as if she hadn’t done a wild show.
“ALICE! DIVUS CREWEL!”
Divus ignored Mozus and simply clapped with pride as Alice lowered to the grown in a lazy circle, sprinkling petals upon the landing point. Her lovers caught up to her. Most were flushed, eyes gleaming with pride. Vil and Kalim were excited and wanted her to teach them broom dancing. Even Jamil looked like he wanted learn! Lilia was cackling over Mozus’ fussing and fuming. Riddle looked like he wanted to say something, but didn’t know where to start. Too fluster like many of the others. Ace grabbed around her and laughed into her ear. Grim jumped up and down happily at her ankles. Deuce was blushing but smiling with that delinquent gleam in his eyes.
Best birthday ever!