#naturally your fellow housewarden riddle hears of this ridiculous bet and wants to protect you (and your lips!!!) from azul

[merakiui]

Ah! That was so good with sneaky Azul sabotaging Riddle's crossword confession! Ooh! But now, can we get the response? Surely, as time passes, Riddle will wonder why you've not answered his confession. And i feel like he'd somehow get the story from you without you suspecting. Azul ruined his romantic gesture, so it's only right that Riddle attempt to ruin his little date. Right?

>:) the rivalry saga continues!!! for those who wish to read what started it, here is that post.

What makes it worse is that you probably catch Riddle in the hall a day or so later and thank him for the fun crossword. Innocently oblivious as ever, you tell him it was an enjoyable way to pass time even if the end result was complete nonsense, to which Riddle becomes very confused. Did you not get the message? Are you trying to joke with him? Oh no... Did he accidentally send you one of the rough drafts instead of the actual final crossword?! You tell him that you had some difficulties with it, and he's about to suggest you visit Heartslabyul so that the two of you can complete some beginner's crosswords so you might be able to re-solve the crossword he mailed you. But then you tell him you enlisted help, and normally Riddle wouldn't mind it if the contents weren't the secrets of his heart! To make matters worse, you went to Azul of all people!

Now the picture looks clearer. Azul probably worked alongside you to solve the crossword, but knowing how he operates he probably caught onto the message way before you did and intentionally obscured the meaning so that it would prevent you from knowing the truth while making Riddle look foolish in the process. Riddle isn't normally a vindictive person hellbent on revenge. If someone breaks a rule, he administers punishment fairly and swiftly, nothing more and nothing less. But when it comes to Azul, he finds himself at his worst.

Azul really thinks he's going to have his "kiss the girl" moment with you on his date, but he is in for it once Riddle learns of it. Though knowing Azul, he's probably going to make the twins keep a close eye on the locations he takes you to just to ensure a certain strawberry-scented nuisance won't interfere. Riddle knows this, and so he decides that two can play at that game. Perhaps it's impolite to act so childishly, but Azul has thrown the dice first. This is war now.

Riddle asks Cater if he's ever wanted to crash a date. The first thing Cater says in response is: "Whoa. Since when are you so daring? Who poured bubbly in your tea?" The next thing he says (when Riddle's glare and stern posture indicate that he is, in fact, quite serious and not at all buzzed) is: "Sure. Why not? Whose heart are we breaking today?"

The plan is to trail you and Azul on your date into town so that he and Cater can conveniently run into you. Knowing the twins will likely be lurking somewhere out of sight, Riddle has resolved to use Cater as his excuse just in case they start asking questions. He would never stalk you and Azul; he's simply running some dorm-related errands with Cater! For a while, Riddle and Cater watch you and Azul as the two of you go in and out of shops. Nothing seems to be happening. It really just looks like two friends hanging out. Riddle thinks it might not be a date after all while he and Cater take refuge in a coffee shop, which is situated across from the store you and Azul are currently in. While Cater snaps photos of Riddle's pastry for his Magicam, Riddle verbalizes his ponderings.

"Do you truly think they're here as friends? It doesn't look like a romantic outing to me. But then... Well, I can't say for certain because dates are...unfamiliar territory for me."

"Why don't you go ask?" Riddle turns so swiftly to glare that Cater can't hold his snicker in. "Kidding, kidding." He peers out the window at the storefront, spying you and Azul at the register. He exhales deeply, as if this is all exhausting, or maybe he's just trying to think of a suitable answer to his question and is turning up blank. "I'm not really seeing any fireworks."

"Fireworks? Is there... Are fireworks meant to... Does that normally—" Riddle shakes his head with a huff. "What are you on about?"

"A connection, I mean. Like a spark. It just looks like they're chilling."

"Azul was certainly chilling when he ruined my crossword..." He crosses his arms over his chest with an offended scoff. "I'm sure he had the time of his life ruining my hard work."

"Why don't you just ask (Nickname) in person? Can't hurt to shoot your shot. If you wear your heels, you might even be tall enough to make the basket."

A biting retort rests on the tip of his tongue, but it never leaves his mouth because you and Azul are leaving the shop. Though Riddle is highly against sitting improperly, he slumps in his seat so that you won't spot him as you pass the coffee shop. He notices you and Azul aren't holding hands, but the both of you do have plenty of bags. He's spoiling you. Of course he would. Riddle corrects his posture once he knows the both of you are gone and drags Cater out just as he's finishing the last of his bitter coffee.

"For the record, my heels do not serve that kind of purpose. And shooting my shot—I will do no such thing."

Cater playfully rolls his eyes and allows himself to be tugged along. "I think you're just scared, so you wanted to confess in the most roundabout way possible. That right?"

He opens and closes his mouth speechlessly as he walks, unable to come up with a response. Of course he's scared! Who wouldn't be when trying to confess to their crush? But there's more to it than simple nerves and fear of rejection...

"I do hope you enjoy painting roses, for that will be your designation if you continue to—one moment. They're going to the docks!"

"Ooh, a sailing date. That's super cute and super cammable! A win-win all around."

You cannot be serious, Riddle thinks. However, he is dedicated, and so he walks with more determination in his gait. You and Azul have rented a small sailboat to take out onto the water, and one might assume this is where Riddle draws the line. But he did not come all this way just to let you fall prey to a romance trope, so he hastily rents a sailboat with Cater, who is more than happy to split the fee so long as he can get lots of cute photos for Magicam.

And now Riddle finds himself in a sailboat, a safe distance from you and Azul, while Cater eagerly snaps selfies and photos of the landscape with mounting enthusiasm. At least one of them is having fun... Riddle realizes this would be the perfect spot for a confession, and when he sees Azul take your hands in his he's raising his magic pen and readying a spell to knock the boat sideways when—

"Heya, Goldfishie and Snapper! Fancy seein' you here." He whirls to find Floyd hanging onto the side of the boat, scaly arms glistening under the sunlight. "Whatcha doin' all the way out here?"

Cater startles, nearly dropping his phone, and exhales a laugh that's part amusement, part relief. "Floyd, hey! Geez... You came outta nowhere. Nearly gave me a heart attack."

Riddle feels his lips curling into a frown. "Floyd."

"Goldfishie."

Riddle lowers his pen. Of course Floyd would be here, and where Floyd is Jade should not be very far.

"Good afternoon, Riddle. Cater. It's a very fine day for sailing, wouldn't you agree?"

Right on cue.

Riddle turns to look at Jade, who smiles so amiably at him. "I don't suppose you're playing chaperone for Azul's little outing?" he snaps, folding his arms over his chest.

"Oh?" He raises a brow, submerging himself to hide his wicked smirk.

"Did you come out to chaperone?" Floyd asks, and now Riddle's looking at him again. Floyd giggles. "Azul thought you might get in the way, so that's why we're here! We saw you followin' 'em. It was a real funny sight."

Riddle reminds himself to stay calm. It's times like these where he has to keep a level head before someone loses theirs.

"Ah, you knew the whole time?" Cater deflates a little. "Guess nothing gets passed you guys."

"Not a thing," Jade concurs while Floyd circles the boat lazily. "Although I must admit my expectations for you were rather low. To think you'd act just as Azul had predicted..."

His hands curl into fists, his grip on his magic pen impossibly tight. Floyd's teasing does nothing to help, nor does Cater's casual surrender or Jade's irksome chuckles. Before he can stop himself, he's raised his pen and attempts to hit Floyd in the water. The fire never scorches Floyd, for he dives under with an echoing laugh, and that seems to be the imaginary whistle announcing the start of a fight. Floyd rocks the boat and Cater grabs onto the sides to steady himself as it tips, tips, tips—nearly upturning altogether—before it comes back down with a noisy splash. Riddle almost falls overboard, but instead he slips onto his rear in the belly of the boat.

Normally, he's not one to start fights. But this is a special situation; he can be a little rebellious for now, if only to focus on his main task: stopping Azul's confession. Luckily, the commotion seems to have drawn your attention, for Riddle sees you look over for a moment before his attention is stolen by Floyd and yours is graciously redirected by Azul.

He rises on unsteady legs, runs a hand through his windblown hair, and prepares for battle.

Somehow, with all of his shots and the twins' expert dodges, as well as the waves that are stirred up, which continue to tip the boat, and Cater's attempts at pacifying the situation before he drops his phone, the excitement has brought his sailboat closer to you and Azul. This leaves him with the perfect range. Just as Azul's looking at you sincerely—just as he cups your face to prevent you from looking elsewhere—Riddle raises his pen, ignoring all of the chaos around him, and makes his last spell count, hurling the enchantment directly at the side of the sailboat. He hears it hit its mark and the alarmed shouts from you and Azul as splashes follow suit, but he doesn't see it because next thing he knows Jade and Floyd have tired of this little game, bringing their tails down upon the water to create a strong wave that knocks the boat over, sending Riddle and a distressed Cater into the sea.

He breaks the surface with a gasp, treading water while Cater keeps one arm raised high to save his phone from the water's reach. The twins have slipped into the shadows below, and when Riddle clings onto the upturned sailboat to steady himself he notices you and Azul are in the same predicament. A smug smirk tugs at his lips, growing wider when Cater's holding onto the boat to survey the damage. You're currently in Floyd's arms, while Jade helps a very disgruntled Azul onto his back. Victory brightens Riddle's features. He'll deal with the repercussions after he basks in this win.

Cater rests his head onto the smooth surface of the boat, his phone still held high. "New Riddle, who dis?" he jokes through a tired chuckle. "I'd totally capture this moment with a selfie, but I can't risk it!"

Though he's soaked through to his very bone marrow and will most likely have to pay for damaging the rental sailboats, it is a good day to be Riddle Rosehearts.

Now the score is as follows:

Riddle - 1

Azul - 1