Remi/Season 2 pt 2

## Plot

### Discord

One day in the Safe House, Remi was busy finalizing the details of the big field trip. It was hard work, but she was fortunate enough to have other club members assisting her as much as she had helped them. She was approached by Seraphina, who wondered if maybe they could replan the whole thing. Remi explained that everything was arranged, and asked why Seraphina wanted to know. She claimed to be worried about bad weather, to which Remi happily responded that a sunny weekend awaited them in Rowden. Seraphina advised her not to work herself to death on what was supposed to be her vacation as well. A thankful Remi replied that she had support from Isen, and that Blyke would be back to help out as well. At that moment, the intercom summoned the two of them and Arlo to see Vaughn.

When they arrived at his office, Remi saw that John was also there, which put an end to her cheery disposition. After the headmaster gave a brief introduction about the purpose of this gathering, John made a big announcement. He no longer wanted to be King of Wellston. Attention turned to Arlo, but he said that a soon-to-be graduate had no business keeping the throne warm. When he expressed the belief that their evolving school would benefit from having a more adaptable leader, an inspired Remi put forth a candidate. She felt that Blyke was the perfect fit under the circumstances, and he was going to inherit the title next year anyway. With a little help from Seraphina, both ex-kings agreed to the proposal.

As the students walked out of the office, Remi glared at John silently. When he noticed her, she quickly excused herself and headed back to Safe House to get back to work.

That workload now included planning a surprise inauguration party for her friend's promotion to King. Safe House waited in Room 224 until Blyke walked in. The gang let out a big shout of "SURPRISE!" and set off all their party favors. Remi informed the confused Blyke the meaning of the celebration, and was the first of many to congratulate him. They all enjoyed the delicious cake Roland baked for the occasion.

That evening, they walked with Blyke back to his old dorm in order to go over the details of the field trip. There was a vote on what the group activity in Rowden should be, and the outcome was a surprising tie between hiking and a tour of the city. Blyke suggested that the two of them should each take charge of a group so that everybody could be appeased. The brainstorming was interrupted when they bumped into John, who would be sharing the room with Blyke again. The trio hoped that they could avoid an unpleasant encounter, and turned away. Remi was offering to help Blyke unpack when John called out to them. He asked if there was some way he could go on the field trip too. Blyke was about to tell him off for his audacity, but Remi wanted any refusals to be fair. She asked John why he wanted in, and heard that he felt it would be an enlightening experience for someone in the dark. Remi informed him that they could not abide the presence of someone who frightened everybody. John grumbled that it felt like she was leaving him out on purpose. Remi gave John the only possible choice: if club activities were his heart's desire, then he'd have to become a full-fledged member of Safe House. (Her two friends thought she was being *way* too generous.) John did not say anything after that. He walked away, and the matter was suspended for the time being.

The next morning, the trio were walking to school when Blyke brought up the matter of the traditional Jack appointment he and the Queen still needed to see to. Remi barely managed to finish asking Isen to support them when he instead proposed that they go by rank and ask Cecile first. The King and Queen conceded to the idea, with the caveat that Isen accepts the position if she refused. At the Press Room, Cecile did not even bother to disguise her disdain at the prospect of joining forces with Remi and Blyke. Isen's pleading got increasingly uncomfortable to watch, so Remi brought up the matter of their prior arrangement. Cecile thought the role might do Isen some good, and approved of the nomination despite the latter's protests. Remi and Blyke dragged their unwilling friend out of the room, which effectively sealed the deal.

The next day, Remi watched as other members of Safe House tried (and failed) to convince Isen that his promotion was a *good* thing. She averted her attention from the pathetic display in order to address the need for sunscreen for the trip with a member planning a supply run. But **everything** went on the back-burner with the arrival of an old threat. Remi asked John why he had come. He answered that he came to check things out, and courteously asked if he could take a seat. Over the protests of everybody else in the room, Remi allowed it for the sake of the club's most prominent ideal. But she also warned John that he would be removed if he stirred up trouble again. John responded by calmly sitting down.

John was given a very wide berth by everybody in the room. Of all the onlookers watching him from one side of the room, Remi alone observed him with bravery rather than fear. Eventually, Seraphina came by and took John outside the room, but he told everybody that he'd return.

And when he did, Remi was supervising once again. The condition she set the other day still stood, and she was all set to enforce it when John banged on his desk and shot an aggressive look towards a club member named Terrence. Thankfully, John decided that he'd rather not start anything and sat back down.

During a subsequent shift two days later, Remi dozed off. When she woke up, she saw that John was involved in an intense game of poker that was underway. Nobody could beat him! Remi stood up and watched the final showdown between John and Dylan. From behind, Remi noticed that Dylan's hand wasn't that strong. John was set to win, if he would just call his opponent's bluff. But to everybody's surprise, he folded, leaving Dylan the winner. While everybody congratulated Dylan for administering John's first real defeat, Remi silently realized that John threw the match in an effort to endear himself to the others. There was one day left before the club voted on whether or not to welcome him on the trip.

All of Safe House gathered on that day in order to make a final decision. Remi told everybody that whether or not John's request to come with them to Rowden would be granted was something they should decide together. And so, she asked for a show of hands from those in favor of allowing their old foe to come along for the ride. To her slight dismay, not many were willing to let go of their fear of John despite his attempts to make peace. But Arlo, of all people, raised his hand. Everybody was surprised, especially Remi. Alas, the majority voted that John stay behind.

Remi looked around for John in order to relay the verdict, and eventually found him on the roof. John was inquisitive about their new system of decision, having believed that she and Blyke just mandated all group activities. She broke the news to him as gently as she could. He was clearly disappointed, but not in an argumentative sort of way. In light of his reaction, Remi informed him that there was indeed a minority that would have liked his company. She made sure to tell him that it was not Seraphina, but Arlo who voted for him to join them. John was more surprised by this than she was, though she had no idea how to explain something so improbable. Before taking her leave, Remi commended him for trying his hardest and told John that he had at least earned the right to spend as much time as he wanted in Room 224 from thereon-out.

The next day, the club gathered around the bus that would take them to their destination. Remi checked off everybody's belongings as they were loaded onto the vehicle, making sure nothing was left behind. She was momentarily distracted by the piercing gaze of Royal-fanatic Evie. But Remi kept right on schedule, and soon enough she called for everybody to board the bus. Most of them responded with great enthusiasm.

### Infiltration

It was late evening when the group arrived at Rowden Resort, but Remi didn't let that slow her down. Bubbly as can be, she led Safe House into the hotel where they could check in and eat before settling down for the night. It was pretty exhausting, but she and Blyke later agreed that it was worth the effort. And there was no doubt in her mind that the next day would be even better!

That is, no doubt until they encountered John wandering around in the lobby. Blyke was overcome with anger, and marched right over to demand answers. Remi couldn't imagine where he found the energy to be confrontational. Upon hearing John's stomach rumbling, she stepped in and suggested he eat something. Then they could all sleep and deal with the situation in the morning. Seraphina came to take John to the cafeteria while Remi went to the front desk to get John a key card. (Blyke had sportingly offered to take him to room with Arlo, Isen, and himself.) She took the key to John so he could make sure it worked properly.

The next morning Remi had everyone assemble in front of the resort after breakfast. After telling one and all to be ready for their first real outing, stragglers Seraphina and Arlo showed up. Remi turned aside and privately asked her fellow leaders about the John issue. Seraphina assured her that he left for Wellston after a stern word. Satisfied, Remi gave the go ahead for everybody to move out.

Upon arriving at Rowden Park, Remi reminded all to contact her or Blyke should they run into trouble. With plans to regroup at 5:30, she and her close friends began discussing how they would spend their personal down time. Before they could settle on something, Seraphina and Arlo asked to accompany them. Remi was delighted to have them along, but Seraphina split off not long after they got in line for the Obelisk. Still, they had fun as a quartet. Or trio, given that Arlo didn't seem interested in any amusements.

Things were starting to wind down, and the group was wondering if they should take a small break from the fun and games. Then they caught sight of an unmistakable teenager in a strange cap approaching them. John having taken his leave clearly wasn't the truth, and Remi questioned him on this matter. He said a three hour trip should be preceded with a bit of fun, so here he was. John suggested that he spend that bit of pre-travel with their group, but Blyke shot the idea down immediately. Remi tried to calm him down before things got out of hand, but failed. Blyke hated the thought of spending any downtime with the person who tried to undo their efforts, no matter how hard he tried to make amends. He stormed off, and John chased after him. Remi thought it prudent that boys as brash as those two should be monitored. Arlo, in his infinite wisdom, held her back and told her that they had to resolve their beef without outside help. Remi swore that he would take the full blame if his idea led to the park's destruction.

They walked around, with Remi concerned about where those two wound up. Suddenly, there came a great rush of frightened park=goers. Remi asked an employee named Ethan what was going on. He told her that the Rowden Royals had come to the park make trouble like they usually do, so everybody was doing their best to avoid them. Remi expressed her confusion as to why Royals were harassing others when they should be acting like responsible leaders. Ethan told her that it's perfectly normal for teenagers more powerful than anybody else to strut around and subjugate the public to their petty whims. Remi was upset that such behavior went unpunished.

Eventually, her group reached the place where the royals started making trouble. John had already subdued them, but it took a bit of convincing from Arlo to get him to let security guards take over the situation. Seeing as how Blyke and John participated in such a brutal fight, Remi turned to Arlo and reminded him that he was the one who claimed things wouldn't go that far with those two. Unabashedly, he ammended his prediction to state they wouldn't escalate things between *each other*. For their involvement in the brawl, John and Blyke were apprehended by security.

Soon, all of Safe House knew that John had come to Rowden. Another vote had to be held to decide whether he was allowed to stay. The majority remained against it, but this time the results were contested. To Remi's disbelief, Arlo and Seraphina actually teamed up to remind the reluctant students of their club's core values! Since John hadn't done anything to them since arriving, they should give him some leeway. The sight of them agreeing on something must have shocked the others too, as on the last vote swung in favor of not sending John away. With Isen staying behind to guide Blyke and John back afterwards, the rest of the group went back to the hotel. The three of them arrived just in time for dinner. Remi directed them to the buffet. It was still tense having John dine with them, but at least Dylan helped to paint him in a flattering light.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 236
2. ↑ Chapter 237
3. ↑ Chapter 238
4. ↑ Chapter 240
5. ↑ Chapter 241
6. ↑ Chapter 243
7. ↑ Chapter 244
8. ↑ Chapter 245
9. ↑ Chapter 247
10. ↑ Chapter 248
11. ↑ Chapter 249
12. ↑ Chapter 251
13. ↑ Chapter 252
14. ↑ Chapter 253
15. ↑ Chapter 254
16. ↑ Chapter 255
17. ↑ Chapter 256
18. ↑ Chapter 257
19. ↑ Chapter 258
20. ↑ Chapter 260
21. ↑ Chapter 261
22. ↑ Chapter 262
23. ↑ Chapter 264
24. ↑ Chapter 265
25. ↑ Chapter 269
26. ↑ Chapter 278
27. ↑ Chapter 279
28. ↑ Chapter 280
29. ↑ Chapter 281
30. ↑ Chapter 282
31. ↑ Chapter 284
32. ↑ Chapter 292
33. ↑ Chapter 293
34. ↑ Chapter 300
35. ↑ Chapter 301
36. ↑ Chapter 302
37. ↑ Chapter 303
38. ↑ Chapter 304
39. ↑ Chapter 305
40. ↑ Chapter 306
41. ↑ Chapter 308
42. ↑ Chapter 318
43. ↑ Chapter 320
44. ↑ Chapter 322
45. ↑ Chapter 325
46. ↑ Chapter 326