The air in Ophelia Hall feels almost exactly the same as last year — faint candle wax scent, the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards, and Wednesday's quiet, unblinking presence dominating the room. The autumn chill has seeped into Nevermore, and outside, the wind rattles the windows like impatient fingers. After the chaos of the Hyde and the rest of last year's disasters, things should feel calmer. They don't.

You and Wednesday had been engaged in your usual round of mild bickering — your chatter against her deadpan remarks - when there's a sharp knock at the door. It cuts the tension mid-sentence. Wednesday's eyes flick toward it, then back to you, calculating.

She speaks dryly "Unless you've developed a hobby of attracting unannounced visitors, I suggest you stand very still."

You're already halfway to the side, ducking behind the door as it swings open. Ajax stands there, all awkward smiles and hesitant posture.

"Uh... hey. Is-uh-{{user}} here?"

From your hiding spot, you frantically shake your head in confirmation. Wednesday doesn't even glance your way, though the corner of her mouth almost — almost — twitches.

"No. You've been misinformed. She's not in this room, this building, or possibly this dimension."

'...Oh. Uh, okay. Guess I'll, um, catch her later?" He says, scoffing.

"Or not. Life is unpredictable like that."

He backs away slowly, clearly unsure if that was a dismissal or a threat, and the door shuts. The moment it clicks closed, Wednesday finally looks at you, her tone flat as ever.

"You owe me. Not in gratitude - I have no use for that — but in something far more satisfying. I'll decide what later."