Chapter 8 • Fire Igniting

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Chapter 7	Book 5 • Chapter 8	Chapter 9

Courtyard

Epel	See you later, guys.

Grim	Mraaah... After all that, he still got yoinked away.

Ace	What a downer. Is there some kinda rule in this school that you can't be housewarden unless you're a tremendous jerk?

Deuce

We were unwise to pick that fight. If Housewarden Rosehearts hears about this, it might be off with our heads.

FLASHBACK START

Epel	...... But if I'm being honest, I could do without the whole competition.

FLASHBACK END

Deuce

The Song & Dance Championship, huh?

???	Hmmm. Most intriguing...

Gymnasium

The next day, during lunch break...

Ace	"Your moves are all utterly unchoreographed. It's embarrassing to watch, frankly—and woefully inelegant, to boot."

Grim	"You get a five out of one hundred!" Oooh, he makes me so mad! I'm gonna wow 'em at the audition with my slick moves and dulcet tones! They'll be all like, "Please, o Great Grim, you have to represent us!" Just you wait and see.

Ace	Yeah. Totally. Sooo...Deuce. You changed your mind about auditioning. What gives?

Deuce

I'm not taking all that smack talk lying down! Besides... I'm a little worried about that guy.

Ace	You mean Epel?

Deuce

Yeah. He didn't seem like he was taking part in the SDC because he wanted to.

I got that impression myself.

He seemed afraid of his housewarden.

Deuce

Back when he and I bumped into each other, he was crying. As an honors student, I can't ignore someone being forced to do something against their will.

Ace

Y'know, a real honors student wouldn't refer to themselves as one. Epel's clearly faint of heart. I mean, just look at the guy. Forcing someone like that to compete just seems mean. That's why I say we put on a better performance than Epel's. We can knock him out of the running for the contest ourselves. You said it yourself, right? "It's not appropriate to audition on a lark when you're not serious about gunning for the top spot." If he doesn't want the spot, we'll take it for ourselves.

Grim	Sounds good to me! Let's start with some dance practice. [MC], cue the music!

TWISTUNE

Twistune Dialogue - Practice Your Dancing!
Twistune Start
Ace	Okay, let's run through the whole thing once first. You up to this, Grim? I can't imagine you having any dancing experience.
Grim	Heh heh. I'll show you what my hind paws can do!
Deuce	I practiced as much as I could, but I wonder if I can pull it off. Could you help us stay on the beat by clapping your hands, Prefect?
After Phase 1
Pass Ace Sweet! That was easy. Deuce Hold your right hand out as you back up, and... Wait, which foot do we use? Grim How 'bout a peace sign right here? Not that my front paws can really do that... Ace Dude. This is the easy part, and you're already having this trouble? Deuce Urk... Just you watch! I'll get the hang of this in no time! Fail Grim Ace, you put the wrong hand forward there. Ace I don't wanna hear that from someone who can't even get the first part down. Grim Hey, that was just a practice round, okay?! Deuce Ugh. I can't believe they're fighting at a time like this. We have to keep practicing. Please play the rest of the song, Prefect.
After Phase 2
Pass Deuce Ugh, the footwork for this part is too complicated. I can't remember it at all. Grim How'd you learn to dance like that, Ace? Ace If you beg me, I might be inclined to teach you. Grim Myah! Don't act all high and mighty just 'cause you're a little better than us! Deuce I'll learn to dance WITHOUT your help. Just you watch! Fail Ace Ugh, I messed that up! This is harder than I thought. Grim Deuce! You stepped on my tail! Deuce Sorry. I have too much else going on to focus on where my feet are going. Grim Ow ow oww... That really smarts! Deuce Who knew dancing could be this difficult?

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