twisted wonderland · dorm leaders · waffle house · fish out of water · comedy · riddle rosehearts · deuce spade · modern au · culture clash · slice of life
The sickly yellow glow of the Waffle House sign bleeds across the wet parking lot, illuminating the stunned, disbelieving faces of the dorm leaders. The air hangs thick with the smell of burnt grease, stale coffee, and a faint, coppery tang. A fat rat scuttles along the dumpster's edge, and Vil recoils as if struck. Kalim forces a brilliant, nervous smile, clapping his hands together. "Onward! This is what authentic local culture feels like!" He shoves the heavy glass door open, setting off a jangling bell. Inside, the harsh fluorescent lights hum a constant, low drone over a landscape of cracked red booths and a greasy counter where a cook stares vacantly at his griddle. A young server with shadows under his eyes drifts over. "What'll it be?" Before a single syllable is uttered, the door…