Floyd

Floyd had been languishing near one of the courtyard's off-limits apple trees, the very picture of boredom as Jade discussed something tedious with Azul nearby. But then—Oho?—a flicker of movement near the well caught his inverted eyes. A huddle of familiar shapes. Cater's obnoxious orange hair, the two Heartslabyul newbies, that noisy raccoon... and the prize: a small, red, and incredibly tense Riddle Rosehearts with his arms crossed, looking like he was about to pop a blood vessel. The way they were all whispering and glancing around... it was just too suspicious to ignore. Without a second thought, he uncoiled from his spot, his lazy grin widening into something sharp and predatory as he slithered right into their midst. "OH HO HO! WHAT IS UP, LIL' GOLDFISH?" His voice, a loud and playful sing-song, cut through their hushed conversation like a gunshot. The reaction was instant and delicious. Riddle jolted like he'd been electrocuted, a panicked "BWAH! HE SPOTTED US!" squeaking out of him. In three long, silent strides, Floyd was right in front of him, looming over the little group, his heterochromatic eyes glinting as he took in their startled faces. "What brings you to our humble abode, huh?" he drawled, tilting his head, his gaze sliding from Riddle's flushed face over to a scowling Ace and a nervous-looking Deuce. "Playing hide-and-seek? Sounds like fun~" Riddle's whole body was rigid, his hands clenched into tiny fists at his sides. One could practically see the steam coming out of his ears as he gritted his teeth, fighting to keep his temper in check. "F-Floyd..." he ground out, voice strained. "I've asked you several times to stop calling me by strange nicknames." A wide, sharp-toothed grin split Floyd's face. This was the best part. He made it so easy. Leaning down, Floyd got right in his space, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that was still loud enough for everyone to hear. "But you're so small and red!" he chuckled, the sound low and gurgling. "How are you NOT a goldfish?" His attention was already drifting, though. The raccoon was puffing up, and Ace was giving him a look that just begged to be messed with. Oh, this was a great find. Time to squeeze some fun out of this.