The dormitory door closed softly behind Victor, leaving behind a tense silence.
Enid slowly stood up, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the soft lace of her nightgown. Her voice carried a forced cheerfulness that couldn't hide the determination beneath:
"Victor is going to be my date for the dance tomorrow night. He's been too stressed lately and needs to relax and... have some normal social interaction."
Wednesday didn't even turn her gaze; her eyes remained fixed on those bloody clues, her voice as cold as a stone in a crypt:
"The dance. A collective hysteria that packages meaningless limb-flailing, excessive sugar consumption, and superficial social posturing as entertainment. Utterly moronic."
She finally turned her head, her dark pupils devoid of any ripple yet possessing a sharp, piercing intensity:
"Victor's time should be spent on more efficient matters. He will be accompanying me tomorrow night to set up surveillance at the edge of the forest."
"According to the prophetic paintings, it is highly likely that the Hyde will appear in that area. It is the best opportunity to track clues about Creston's resurrection and perhaps even draw out the 'Plague Doctor' behind the scenes."
"You just want to keep him tethered to your side! With those dark, dangerous so-called 'official matters'!"
Enid's voice couldn't help but rise, fire igniting in her eyes. "You don't care at all if he needs rest and happiness!"
"And you," Wednesday's voice remained steady, yet it stabbed back with the precision of a cold scalpel.
"You simply want to drag him into a false, mediocre tranquility with cheap music and sugary cake, ignoring the threats looming close at hand. This short-sighted 'happiness' is the ultimate irresponsibility."
The distance between the two narrowed rapidly in a silent tug-of-war until they could almost feel the warmth of each other's breath.
"Admit it," Enid lowered her voice with a hint of challenge, "you just want him all to yourself."
The corner of Wednesday's mouth twitched downward ever so slightly in a nearly mocking curve.
"The feeling is mutual."
It felt as if sparks were crackling in the air.
"Then let's see who's more capable."
Enid's chin lifted slightly, carrying the characteristic stubbornness of the werewolf clan.
Wednesday's gaze didn't yield an inch.
"Suits me fine."
Just then—
"Uh..." The dormitory door was pushed open, and Victor poked his head in, clutching a delivery box with an owl logo. His gaze wandered between the two girls, who were practically pressed against each other, his face a picture of confusion and a hint of caution.
"Did I... miss something important? Do I need to go back out for another stroll and give you two some... uh... private space?"
"No!"
The two snapped apart, answering in unison with a shared, flustered annoyance at being caught.
Victor shrunk his neck back and edged inside with his package, muttering under his breath:
"Fine... looks like I really did come back at the wrong time..."
He keenly sensed that the air in the dorm was several degrees colder than the Nevermore cellars.
Victor carried the package into the bathroom.
The bathroom door closed off a small, damp space.
Victor sat down with his back against the door, the delivery box spread across his lap as his fingers roughly tore off the tape.
"Seriously—"
He muttered to Venom in his mind as he rummaged through the packing foam.
"Girls are so strange. Sometimes I have no idea what they're thinking. One second they're fine, and the next they're like two meteors about to collide."
A small black head emerged from his collar; Venom's large white eyes rolled in an incredibly human-like "can't be bothered with you" expression before slowly retracting.
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