#and his personality is moooooshroooooms

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Jade - The Cult of Jade

Prompt: Just In Time

Ramshackle’s prefect had impeccable timing when it came to any crisis that befell the Night Raven College campus. Drama barely had time to brew before she was there with her judgmental stare and snippy comments. It was almost as if she had some type of sixth sense for these things. 

Or, Jade concluded as he grinned where he sat on the floor of Ramshackle Dorm’s basement, she was just a natural busybody who couldn’t mind her own business. 

She blinked down at him from the top of the staircase. Her judgmental stare was critical, but it only made his grin widen. When she didn’t breach the lengthy silence that fell over them, Jade decided it would be his duty to slice through the sudden tension. “Why, good morning, prefect! I wasn’t expecting you to be such an early riser. When Grim expressed his desire to sleep well past noon, I imagined you would be of like mind.” 

An inquisitive squeak from one of the dust bunnies surrounding him caused the rest of the colony to voice their curious squeaks. Yuu’s eyes drastically narrowed. She slowly lowered the foot that hovered above the step when she froze upon seeing him. “Jade.” 

“Yes, prefect?” 

“Why are you sitting on the floor of my basement at this time of night looking like a cult leader corrupting my dust bunnies?” 

Jade’s grin widened. “Because I am.” 

“Excuse me?” 

“I am indeed...” Jade paused long enough to make the prefect carefully step back up one stair, “...very curious about these fae creatures! Were you aware that there is very little research done on the origins of dust bunnies? Researchers are aware they are a type of fae, but beyond that, they simply deduce these small fae collect dust to mimic small woodland creatures. Hence their name. It’s very fascinating. I highly recommend checking out a book from the library debating their existence as mere pests or a viable part of a home’s ecosystem.” 

“I already have,” Yuu slowly replied. She stepped down again but with a hesitance that told Jade she greatly questioned her decision. “That doesn't answer the question of why you’re here. At midnight. In my basement.” 

Jade pretended to be surprised. “Why, where else could I find such a large colony to observe? You, dear prefect, are the only one on campus who doesn’t immediately exterminate them.” 

The dust bunnies surrounding him protested at the mention of extermination. The way the prefect’s nose wrinkled carried the same sentiment. “Doesn’t Azul need you in Octavinelle?” 

“As you said, it is midnight.” Jade paused with a smile. Yuu’s delightful scowl prompted him to finish with, “So no. I imagine Azul is tucked snuggly in bed.” 

“I swear, if you’re here to farm more of your damn mushrooms in my basement, I’m gonna set the whole foundation on fire.” 

“I don’t believe the school’s insurance covers arson.” 

“Get out of my dorm, Jade.” 

Jade emitted a woeful sigh but stood at the prefect’s continued insistence. The dust bunnies squeaked and chattered but only a few hopped along behind him when he climbed up the staircase. Yuu hurried up before him and stood judgmentally glaring at him from the door. 

Jade paused a step below her and turned to address the dust bunny colony. He swept his arm out towards them. Their squeaking silenced. “Fear not, my children, for I shall return bright and early in the morning to bring you the good news of our benevolent Sea Witch.” 

“Stop that before I seriously start thinking you’re converting my bunnies into the Cult of Jade.” 

Jade’s chuckle was drowned out by the cheerful chatter of the dust bunnies.