Deuce and Cater

Upon meeting Deuce for the first time one of the first things Cater says is, “You’re even less competent than I thought.”

Deuce says that he looked at the Pop Music Club before joining track and field but when Ace says, “I bet it was only ’cause Cater dragged you along,” Deuce responds, “…maybe.”

Cater invites Deuce to join his team during Beanfest and at their first supply crate he says, “The less experienced freshmen should get first dibs on the gear,” encouraging Deuce to help himself.

This is revealed to be a trap: Cater uses Deuce as bait to lead members of the opposing team (Ace and Sebek) away from the crate, taking the gear for himself.

(Grim: “So that’s why you told Deuce he could have first dibs. You were settin’ him up to take the fall.” – Cater: “Oh, cut me some slack, guys. It’s called strategy.”)

At the end of Spectral Soiree Deuce steps on Cater’s toes as he struggles to waltz but Cater encourages him with, “We’ll just keep it slow ’til you get the hang of it.”

Deuce wonders if Cater’s dream is a result of Cater having issues with Riddle, admitting that he, too, would have mixed feelings if he were in Cater’s position when Riddle took over Heartslabyul.

Leona and Idia suggest that Cater and Trey could have been intending to use Riddle for their own ends back at the start of the school year and Deuce responds, “They might say mean things sometimes, but they’re caring and sincere! At least…I think they are…”

When Deuce goes to Cater on the topic of his being unsatisfied with Riddle (after seeing Cater’s dream of Book 7) Cater denies it, saying he isn’t “totally happy” with Heartslabyul but he is not interested in unseating Riddle, and would lose even if he tried.

Idia describes Deuce as “Honest to a fault…or maybe just all fault.”

Cater insists that he and Trey “are cool, caring, dependable upperclassmen.”

When Leona asks if Deuce actually believes such “hot air” Deuce responds, “No! But then again… Cater looks out for me. I’ll believe what he says!,” and Deuce actively choosing to believe people even if it go against what he knows about them is possibly a theme:

When Idia points out that Ruggie might be unwilling to share food with him Deuce responds, “I’m sure if I put in the work, Ruggie would be willing to help me…at least, that’s what I choose to believe.”

When Azul assures him that he may sign his contracts indiscriminately Deuce responds, “Oh, really? Well, I guess you DID just give me back my spell without any fuss…” (Riddle: “Deuce! You’re letting Azul swindle you already!”)

When offered the option of going to Trey or Ace’s dream worlds in Book 7 Cater choose Ace for Deuce in order to reunite the first-year quartet.

Ortho observes, “Deuce seems to be in higher spirits already now that he’s got an upperclassman from his dorm here.”

When Cater shares his plan of trying get the darkness of Ace’s dream to wake him up on their behalf Deuce volunteers to help, saying it is too dangerous for Cater to try and do by himself (Cater refuses his help, ultimately going alone).