Book 4 - Schemer of the Scalding Sands: Chapter 3; Leaving for the Holidays

The screen turns on as the book title card plays "Book 4 - Schemer of the Scalding Sands" before the next chapter title card plays "Chapter - 3; Leaving for the Holidays".

Ruggie is seen carrying a large amount of luggage as he yells at the first-years "Hey, guys! You can stop standing in the middle of the hall and blocking traffic now!"

Deuce is shocked by how much luggage Ruggie has and asks him "Ruggie? Wait, what's with all that luggage?! A backpack, three duffel bags, and a giant cooler…"

Ruggie looks back over towards his luggage as he asks "Oh, this?"

Deuce nods as Ruggie looks back at them and does his signature laugh before explaining "I took all the food that was about to hit its sell-by date at the cafeteria and the school store. Since we're about to go one break, they gave 'em to me basically for free!"

Ace is both surprised and confused as he tells Ruggie "For real? There's no way you can eat all that." Ruggie puts his hands behind his head and shrugs as he tells Ace "You'd be surprised. The neighborhood kids devour this stuff like, well…a pack of hyenas! Besides, gotta make sure my grandma eats well over the holidays. Speakin' of which, this frozen food ain't stayin' frozen for long. Gotta run! Smell ya next year!" As he goes off to the mirror to head home.

Deuce says "There he goes…" before asking the others "What was that about "neighborhood kids," though?"

Just then Jack walks up with a plant in his hands as he explains to them "Ruggie comes from a place where food is a bit scarce. So whenever school lets out for a long break, he stocks up on all the food he can get and shares it with the local kids."

Ace then asks Jack "What about you, Jack? What's up with that planter you're hauling? You taking up gardening or something?" Jack tells them "It's a cactus I've been growin' in my free time. It'd wither up if I didn't keep it watered over break."

He then seems to get embarrassed by talking about that as he shouts "A-anyway, enough about me!"

Grim's been stuck thinking about Ruggie and his mind hasn't even thought about what Jack said as Grim comments "Ruggie's sharin' his food with a bunch of kids who ain't even family, huh? Never knew he had it in him." Jack shrugs as he states "Hyenas believe in sharing spoils equally. I'm sure that's how Ruggie was raised."

Just then footsteps are heard approaching them again.

They then see Leona as he snorts and says "The mere thought of a feeding frenzy like that gives me the willies. I can barely stand the noise one kid makes as it is."

This makes Jack ask him "Does that mean you're skipping out on visiting your family, Leona?" Leona rolls his eyes as he says "Man, I wish. Nah, they'd give me no end of grief if I did. I'm goin'. Ugh, talk about a holiday chore."

Jack then looks at what Leona brought with him, or rather the lack thereof as he asks "But you're not bringing anything?" Leona tells him "So? I got my wallet and smartphone. What else do I need? I've got clothes at home anyway."

Grim crosses his paws and shakes his head as he says "This's a whole different kind of extreme."

Ace rubs the back of his head as he asks Leona "You're not even bringing your homework, are you?"

Leona crosses his arms as he says "Homework can wait until after break. Holidays are for resting. Later, herbivores." as he too walks off to the mirror to head home.

Jack puts his hands on his hips as he complains "He's good enough to do anything when he applies himself, so why doesn't he?"

But Jack then shakes his head as he tells the others "Well, I know I'll be getting mine done. You guys had better do the same. Later." As Jack then starts to walk away.

Ace says his goodbye back as well "Whatever you say, tryhard. See you next year, huh?" Deuce shakes his head and crosses his arms as he states "Leona's commitment to his principles is actually impressive."

Just then two more people are heard walking up, and it's seen that they're Trey and Cater as the latter tells them "Okay, froshes! Don't let those bad boy upperclassmen give you any bad ideas, you hear?" Trey crosses his arms as well as he tells them "In our dorm, if you don't turn in your homework, Riddle makes sure it's off with your head."

Ace smiles as he greets them "Hey, Trey! Hey, Cater!"

Cater plays with a strand of his hair as he tells them "Ugh. Going home is kind of a drag for me, too. I just know my sisters are both coming home. They don't care if it's the holidays – they'll run me ragged anyway. I wish I could stay at your house instead, Trey!" This makes Trey chuckle as he pushes his glasses up and tells Cater "You'd be welcome to, but we'd be running you just as ragged. Winter is the patisserie's busiest time of the year." Cater says "Oh yeah. Your family runs one of those, huh? So much for any escape." as he puts his head down and rubs the back of his neck during the last sentence.

Just then someone else is heard walking up, it's soon seen to be Riddle with a bitter look on his face.

As soon as Deuce sees Riddle he greets him and moves out of the way telling him "Erk! Housewarden Rosehearts! Sorry for blocking the way!"

His face seems to change to one of much more calm happiness as he sees only the first-years, Cater, and Trey. Riddle states "Hm? Oh it's you boys. If you're going to stand around and congregate, at least stay near a wall." but the slight fondness in his voice betrays his much more serious demeanor.

Grim whispers to Ace "Huh, he's soundin' kinda defeated." Ace whispers back "Oh, right. The housewarden's got an extreme case of helicopter parenting waiting for him at home. No wonder he's not enthused about heading back."

Yuu also gifts Riddle a sympathetic smile, as she was able to literally see what he went through and some of his memories after his overblot.

Trey makes sure to tell Riddle as well "Riddle, I'm not allowed in your house, so I won't be able to bring by any cakes… But you're always welcome to visit me at the store. I'm sure Chenya will drop by to hang out, too." Riddle nods as he tells Trey "Yes, you're right. I think…I'm going to try talking with Mother some."

He then had a much more bitter face with narrowed eyes as he finished "I don't know if she'll listen, but even so." Trey stares at him for a good second before nodding and telling Riddle "...All right. Good luck."

Just then arms drape around Riddle, which are then shown to be Floyd Leech's arms as he tells Riddle "What'sa matter, Goldfishie? Don't wanna go home?"

The screen then fades to black as "To be continued" plays before fully turning off.