#ernesto foulworth x oc

[midnightmah07]

Ermmmmm mellow angst? (What should their twsten ship name be.......... Ernesto.... Mesto........ Idk......... What am I yapping about........)

[revivemyreverie]

rev lucefellow bomb part 3

[mikaellsaac]

I forgot to post these before lmao, poor Artemisia is seeing a dragon beefing with a fox (and she might be the reason)

and this one too! I got back into twst rather recently and this was one of the first things i drew because i decided to watch Playful Land. and then though "oh fellow and artemisia are opposites, this is gonna be fun"

[mahs-dumpster]

Lady and The Tramp

a/n: do not let the title fool you this is just angst lmao

tw: oc x canon (Maisie Bows x Fellow Honest), uhhhh idk does ghosting counts as a tw?

words: around 1k

Tagging @4necdote bc I told you I'd post this

It had been another wonderful night, Maisie once again did another performance at a local bar, showcasing her new song, and if the applause was anything to go by, she did a good job, and the song was well received. 

Still, there was something odd. Maisie could hear steps behind her as she kept walking back home, she was getting more and more worried as time went on and as the streets became less crowded. Maybe she should’ve accepted when her manager offered to walk with her… 

She needed to do something before whoever it was got to her.

“Excuse m—”

It was then she turned around and kicked the person without any hesitation, making the body of the man who was following her fall on the ground. 

“Wait…” Maisie stared at his groaning figure struggling to get up, until she recognized the locks of ginger hair, fox ears and tail, and she became even angrier, kicking him again, but this time, right there. 

“I can see you're still as feisty as ever–” Fellow groaned, holding in between his legs, incapable of getting up because of the pain he was feeling. 

“I thought you were a creep, and now, after I looked at you I confirmed that you are, in fact, a creep.” She said, while Fellow simply looked at her displeased — and in pain. Maisie turned around without a care, wanting to end this exchange right then and there, but Fellow forced himself to get up and walk up to her, grabbing her wrist so she’d stay. 

“Listen, I just want to talk, ok?”

“Talk about what? There's nothing to talk about.” Maisie laughed sarcastically, getting closer to the man as she glared daggers at him. “You left me, not only that you disappeared. No note, no warning, no nothing. And as if that wasn't enough, I had to find out you've been getting yourself into that disgusting, shady business—”

“I thought you liked my shady side?”

“That's criminal. I should've filed a report to the police.” Maisie turned around, freeing her wrist from his grasp, wanting to go home. Fellow however, didn't give up, and stood in front of her, preventing her from leaving. “I advise you to get lost before I kick you in the balls again.”

“Please.” Fellow tried one more time, suddenly serious, his playful facade gone. “Listen to me for a minute, just one minute.”

Maisie looked to the side and loudly groaned. She appeared to be thinking for a moment, until she looked at him again, still angry, but trying to calm down. 

“What do you want, Fellow Honest?”

Fellow smiled. “I want another chance.”

Maisie laughed, very loudly in fact, she couldn't believe the audacity he had to come to her after all this time and ask for another chance. What does he think she is? Some lovesick lady just waiting for her prince charming to come back?

“Listen, I'm not a fool, Fellow.” She began, walking closer to the man, her eyebrows furrowed as her anger became harder to contain. “I may be a romantic, yes, I dream of love and family and a knight in shining armor but I am not a fool. I can recognize a scoundrel, and after what you did to me you've made it clear that you're one.” 

Fellow sighed, frowning at the woman. He was doing his best to be sincere, to open his heart to her, and yet…

Maybe if he explained himself?

“I didn't have a choice, Maisie, I had to make money to sur–”

“That's bullcrap and you know it! You and Gidel weren't doing the best but I was always by your side, I was willing to do what it takes to help you, yet you were always too prideful to ask for help!” 

“Prid– you yourself were having trouble with your family, how the heck would you of all people help?” Fellow finally had lost his cool. He was doing his best to stay calm, collected and polite, especially because he knew he screwed things up, he didn't have any right to get angry… but still, she wasn't even listening to him! “Maisie, I love you, but I was desperate. I had to think about what the best course of action was, I needed a well paying job for–”

“Have you considered that maybe I would’ve wanted to struggle with you?” Fellow’s ears twitched at that.

“Maisie. There was nothing you–”

“I just wanted you to be with me.”

It was quiet after that. Fellow was left unable to reply as his eyes widened, and Maisie's eyes began to sting, a tear falling without warning, and she hurriedly went to dry her face. She breathed in and out, then, she continued.

“I could’ve tried job hunting with you, we could’ve looked for opportunities together, I don't know, just– anything, I would’ve done anything if it meant you’d be by my side. I just wanted you.” she cleared her throat and regained her composure, her angry facade coming back. “But I can see you never even thought of that. To be honest, you probably never even loved me.”

“Wh– No, of course I did.” Fellow tried to reach out to her, to touch her in any way, to get her in his arms and comfort her like he did years ago, but this time, Maisie walked out of his reach, holding herself as to try and not fall for his supposed tricks. “Ribbons…”

“It's miss Bows to you, mister Fellow.” the cat beast woman spoke, her eyes cold as she looked at Fellow one last time. “I hope this is the last time we speak. Good night.”

And with that, she was gone, walking back to her house as she tried to contain the tears that kept falling from her eyes. Seeing Fellow again was the last thing she wanted, she thought she’d be angry, enraged at him, but she was mostly just… sad. He never loved her, not the same way she loved him.

After all, he was a tramp. A mere scoundrel, and she’d just been one of his preys.

Fellow loudly sighed and crouched down, grabbing a cigarette and lighting it up. He inhaled and exhaled and looked to the sky, his eyes looking at the stars for guidance. He was a fool, he knew that, who in their right mind would let Maisie slip through their fingers? A beautiful, kind, charming and strong woman, with a captivating voice who managed to make Fellow go crazy just by speaking his name. 

He never deserved her, but this time, it was like it was confirmed. She was a lady, after all, and she deserved a well meaning gentleman. Not a money hungry and selfish fox like him.

It was painfully clear now, that a lady like her would never be with a tramp like him.

•••

[Train station, a while after the events of Playful Land, before Fellow and Maisie met]

"Goodness, I'm beat. Those kids did a number on us, eh, Gidel?" Fellow stretched his arms as he said that, the feeling of the new clothes on his body felt great, it was as if he could finally relax after having to suck up to such an annoying boss. Gidel nodded, his clothes still oversized as ever, but at this point, Fellow was convinced he simply liked the feeling of them. "Now, I wonder where we should go..." He said that mostly to himself, grabbing a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it up, but Gidel seemed to take that as an actual question.

The kid got up from his seat and immediately began searching in Fellow's belongings, in the few bags they were able to bring from Playful Land. Fellow complained at him for looking through his stuff without asking, but once the smaller one showed up what he wanted, the ginger immediately shut up.

"Stop, leave that alone." Fellow said, immediately grabbing the small photo he so adored. "What did you want with that anyway?"

Gidel grabbed the hand he was using to hold the photo, and the cat beastman pointed towards the one in the picture, trying to convey what he wanted through his actions. Fellow stayed a moment in quiet, not because he didn't understand, but rather, because he was unsure.

"You know she doesn't want to see me, not even if I was covered in gold." He stared at the picture, a photo he took of Maisie when they first started dating. Even after they broke up he was unable to get rid of it, holding onto her smile for dear life. "As much as she likes you, I'm pretty sure it's going to be hatred by association because you walk with me, Gidel."

Gidel pleaded, his hands locked together as his eyes were closed. It wasn't just Fellow who missed her, Maisie had become an important figure in Gidel's life, and he hated the idea of not seeing her ever again, but now, they were free, they could see each other, so why not give it a try?

Fellow was quiet for a moment, before he sighed.

"Fine. But don't tell me I didn't warn ya later, you ninny."

[avionvadion]

Okay, so! I think the way adding the Coachman into Playful Land can work is if the Boss/Coachman is a Chort faerie.

(Leaning more towards Slavic faerie Mythology here)

One who is often trying to trick others into selling their souls in exchange for something, and who often has to be tricked in order for the gambler to win back their soul. A Chort is often a smallish hairy man with a tail, horns, and hooves, but he is a shapeshifter who likes to trick people with a prettier appearance before they figure out what he is. The transformation is impossible to perfect, so he can be figured out by small horns hiding in his hair or by having a hoof hiding in his shoes. (The Coachman in Pinnochio has the tips of his ears hidden, so that could be a sign too that the "Boss" isn't human as it's hiding the "points" of his ears. He also makes this obviously demonic face when he scared Honest John and Gideon.)

Anyways.

Fellow, Gidel, and the "Boss".

Fellow is already fed up with his boss, but in this version Fellow does not have the magic to reverse the puppet transformations. Thus, the "Boss" probably threatens Fellow that if he doesn't do a good enough job he will not only not get paid the massive amount of money that was promised, but the "Boss" will also turn Gidel, Fellow's little brother, into a puppet using his magic despite Gidel not breaking any rules. Unfortunately, Gidel ends up attacking the staff puppets in an effort to stop them from leaving- and because in this version Fellow does not have the power to stop the transformation- he's forced to watch as his little brother falls to the ground with a wooden mask appearing on his face.

He has no choice but to work with Ace, Ortho, and Kalim now.

But where is the "Boss" hiding? Fellow doesn't know. He was never given that information. Ortho most likely has to do a quick sweep and scan of the entire park scanning for signs of life before the NRC boys realize they're on top of a whale, the ship is a whale, the amusement park is on a freaking whale, and that there's someone hiding in the whale's mouth because Ortho probably did a scan focused solely on the whale, including an X-Ray, which revealed the person's presence. Fellow is stunned, because while he knew the ship was a whale he never imagined the "Boss" could be hiding in it.

Now, how the frick do they get inside the whale?

The only way to get inside a whale, since the blowhole isn't actually connected to the whale's mouth (they'd just end up in the poor beastie's lungs in they tried) of course, is to be eaten. They'll have to get the whale to open its mouth and let them in. Fellow probably comments that it's almost feeding time for the whale, since it eats like twice a day, so it'll be rising up soon. Everyone is startled, but Fellow reveals he was expecting all the students to be puppets by now so he didn't think much about it.

Ortho probably has to carry Fellow while everyone else finds a broom to fly themselves into the whale's mouth.

There they discover a young beastman boy, dressed in a sweater vest and tie, looking very much like a student from a private school. Dark hair, a cute face, and a little donkey tail with matching ears, acting so terribly frightened, claiming he was swallowed by the whale when he jumped off the "ship" trying to escape after all his friends were turned into puppets. He's just so relieved he's not the only one here anymore, and that maybe if they all work together they can escape the whale and avoid the curse.

Kalim buys into the act immediately, Ace and Fellow are suspicious, but Ortho is the one who calls him out on it. (Ortho really be the MVP here, huh. Sorry, Kalim. T_T)

They end up battling, Fellow using his magic to inspire everyone and keep their morale up, while the student transforms into a not-so-pretty older faerie, revealing himself to be a Chort and Fellow's "Boss", and shows expert skill in wood/plant magics. The curse can't reach them inside the whale, as the spell was casted on the amusement park itself, so they can be as violent as they wish, and while Ortho is blasting away all the wood Ace and Kalim manage to work together and take the "Boss" down.

Afterwards, Kalim uses fire magic while Ace spreads the fire with his wind magic to make the whale sneeze them out, and through some struggle (Fellow riding with Kalim while Ortho carries the bound "Boss" with him) they manage to get back to the amusement park where all their friends and the dying Eleanora are being held in cages.

The Chort removes the cursed masks from them via threat of obliteration in the sky by Ortho, who is all too willing to commit murder as we've seen from various story and vignette moments, and Fellow takes command of the park after reuniting with the now-saved Gidel and turns the ship back towards Sage's Island.

Everyone is pissed, Lilia and Ace are fussing over Eleanora who is unconscious because girl can not have a curse overlapping the curse she already has and is recovering from being on death's doorstep, and everyone goes off on Fellow before taking turns beating up the "Boss" because they're twisted from villains and are petty and have grudges and very much did not appreciate nearly becoming living puppets while watching someone they were friends with/classmates with DIE SLOWLY IN FRONT OF THEM, that shit is traumatizing yo.

And then they wreck the amusement park and drag the "Boss" to the school because they don't really trust Hilltown's authorities to handle a faerie as dangerous as the "Boss" and thus get Crowley, Divus, Poma, Sam, Trein, Vargas, all of the staff, involved, as well as Malleus Draconia as he is the prince of the nocturnal fae and may have information on what all the "Boss" is capable of.

Of course, this does mean he finds out what happened with Eleanora, especially since girl is probably still unconscious and Lilia was likely carrying her, so drama (particularly of the political kind) will most likely ensue.

Basically, Malleus will have to make a decision.

Either deal with the Chort himself and make a formal complaint to the faerie kingdom the "Boss" is from to ensure this kind of thing never happens again to Eleanora, contacting his grandmother for help and letting his relationship with her be known to the public, thus risking getting the Senate involved and unleashing all sorts of danger and drama unto her far earlier than originally planned with little to no preparation against their cruel antics, leaving his grandmother to deal with the worst of the backlash from the Senate and try to buy them time, or let the teachers and authorities handle it and risk Eleanora getting cursed again- which may potentially end the Draconia line as dragons can only be born and hatched through true love, as without Eleanora, Malleus' true love, who he was planning to marry after graduation, there will be no more Draconias.

Either way, her life will be endangered.

By the foolish Senate who believe a human is unworthy and will only taint the noble Draconia line (Maleficent and Ellis, anyone?) and thus will try to get rid of her, which will just end the Draconia line anyway, because they'd rather risk extinction than let a human into the royal family, or by those as foolish as the Chort who would dare try to curse her and end her life. (Granted the "Boss" wasn't expecting her to start dying, he just thought she was going to be another living puppet until Fellow was like, "Erm, yeah, no, one of the puppets are dying, Boss" but anyways.) It's very much a "pick your poison" and which is the lesser evil.

Also all the dorm leaders and vices who weren't involved find out what happened, and Ace, Cater, and Trey end up sharing a four hour lecture from a very mad Riddle but they get away without any further punishment because they've pretty much already had their punishment. Idia has a near heart attack when he finds out what Ortho went through.

And, depending on Malleus' decision, the Chort is either handed over to the Valley of Thorns or to the authorities of the kingdom that the Chort faerie is from.

BOI THIS WAS A MOUTHFULL, HAAAAAAAH. HOPEFULLY IT MAKES SENSE.

[neoninky]

Following this post

To clear things up, I am not taking down Her Ivory Crown or Her Lost Voice from here or on my AO3 page. They are finished and I wouldn’t change a thing about them *gives them proud mama kisses*

I had a guest commenter on my AO3 comment section get a little frazzled because they thought I meant I was scraping everything so just in case someone else thought the same - no no fear not readers 😂

Everything I’ve written and completed up until now - Reine’s story, Elise’s story, the backstory vignettes I wrote about other OCs in the Sacred Crown Shorts collection, and the 2nd gen kiddo stories, all that - is staying put so y’all can read them whenever you want 👍

I was considering taking down Her Devoted Shield but I’ve decided to just leave it be until further notice.

On a lighter but still TWST related note

Ngl I’ve missed this rascal. The name change has grown on me. Especially because I now have an adorable Halloween Squishmallow named Ernest 😂

Look he’s orange too lol

So I’m looking forward to the other installments of the Playful Land event especially because-

Free SR Circus Floyd-o on November 13th?! You know what else is on November 13th??

My bdaaaay 🎉 Born in Scorpio-eel season hell yeah 😂 It’s always a good birthday when at least one of the twins is gifted to me. This event gives me both for free so clearly this is the superior Halloween event yes and

I’m kidding Glorious Masquerade is still my favorite Halloween event but totally open to the Nightmare Before Christmas changing my mind

[dorkus-mcdingus]

Played Like a Puppet

Tags: TWST Fem!OC x Platonic!Canon, Stage in Playful Land, Platonic!Rosalie x Gidel Honest/Gino Foulworth

AN: I mainly use the EN localization for some of the dialogue but I use Fellow and Gidel's JP names (I mainly see Ernesto Foulworth and Gino Foulworth being the names they've chosen once Playful Land sank so it's why I don't use it and why Rosalie and the other characters refer to them with their JP names). Also, Gidel admittedly was an interesting character to write since I've never written a mute character before so I really hope I did him justice. 😅

‘If only that talk worked!’ 

Was the resounding thought that rang through everyone's heads as they continued to sit like lifeless, stringless puppets in their cage. While the minutes ticked by, everything seemed hopeless as one by one, a fellow schoolmate got locked up behind the dimly lit stage with them to be sold off for a hefty profit. Or at least that's what their kidnappers were thinking.

‘The money we get from handing you over is gonna put food on our table. You better thank ‘em while you can, Gidel. Y’know, for filling our bellies!’ 

Those words for Rosalie rang an all too familiar tune, annoying enough to make someone's ears start bleeding. Despite the rage, the urge to grab Fellow's cane and beat them senseless with it, deep in the pit of her stomach along with his little exposé on why they're getting kidnapped, her grimace turned to a deep sigh and a frown. 

They were nothing short of desperate with their situation, and heaven only knew how long those two were suffering out on the road. It wasn't smart to have sympathy for a couple of con men, but with them having no home, Fellow's immense jealousy for those lucky enough to get a proper education, and them having to constantly worry about when their next meal will be, that they stopped so low to commit heinous deeds. It's a tale all too familiar with the girl. 

From Grim's frown, to her fluffy tutu, to the dingy wooden floorboards she and her schoolmates were forced to sit on behind the main stage, her eyes couldn't stop wandering around the room even as she tuned out the noise the others were making. 

Although, the sight of the tiny cat beastman caught her eye as he stood close to the cage as if he were guarding it with his life. With the giant mallet clenched tightly in his tiny fists, he would occasionally cast a glare at the prisoners, warning them to keep quiet.

As for the captured boys, some would kill their boredom by talking with each other but just to annoy Fellow while he was taking a long call, Lilia called,

“Marco!” 

They all looked at each other with confusion completely etched on their faces.

“Marco!” 

The call was met by a few minutes of silence until a voice called back,

“Polo!” 

“Ah, kufufu! If I can guess, is that Cater I hear?”

“Ah, you got me Lils!” 

“Hey wait a minute, don't you usually play this game when you're swimming?” Jack asked. 

Jade couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

“Is that so? What an odd game.” 

“Yeah, you usually play this when you go swimming.” Cater explained. “Although one thing I should mention, you play this with your eyes closed.”

Amidst the annoyed groans and the calls, Rosalie kept her mouth shut as she kept glancing at the little boy playing the role of a prison guard.

“Mrah? Why are ya lookin’ at Gidel, Ro?” Grim whispered. 

Rosalie shot the tubby direbeast a look as she whispered, 

“Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, Grim.” 

“Hehe, you got a plan or somethin’? That's my henchman!”

“No. In fact I lost all faith that we’ll get out of this alive.” 

“EEEEEEH?! THEN WHY DID YOU TELL ME TO KEEP MY EYES OPEN AND MY MOUTH SHUT?! Geez, Crowley really slammed me with one downer of a henchman!” 

Without a second thought, Gidel was quick to hit the cage in order for him to quiet down.

“I wouldn't go swinging that around all willy nilly little kitty cat.” Leona remarked with his usual smug tone. “You don't wanna damage the goods and get in trouble, do you?” 

Alas for him, the arrogant lion had a point. It was bad enough that the property was getting damaged, but if he were to damage the goods?! Not only would that get Fellow in trouble, he knew he would be upset with him.

There was no doubt that the Night Raven students were unbearably annoying, but much to their dismay, they wereprecious cargo. They're the top of the line puppets complete with powerful magic. In both Rosalie and Grim’s case, she was supposed to be the beast tamer to the gluttonous direbeast and the set couldn't be broken or damaged whatsoever!

Seeing his down turned ears, she looked over to him quietly saying,

“Oi! Oi! Gidel?”

Turning to the girl, he shot her an icy stare and shook his head. He then pointed to the room where Fellow was, pointed to himself, and shook his head once more. 

“Fellow said to not talk to you? Is that what you're saying?”

He nodded. 

“Well why not? I'm just waiting out the time until I become mute and lifeless like a doll, so I thought speaking to you would take my mind off of this.” 

Gidel's ears stood up and his eyes went wide while cocked his head as he raised an eyebrow. Did this girl realize that he couldn't speak? Was she out of her mind?! Still, compared to Grim as well as the rest of these gremlins from Hell, and aside from her heckling his big brother, she was more mild mannered. 

As cautious as he was, he decided to listen to her and answer her questions as best as he could despite the barrier between them. Besides, they weren't going to be free anytime soon, so why not entertain her one last time? 

It started off simple with questions like

“Where are you from?”

“What's your favorite color?”

“How did you meet Fellow?” 

Little things to get to know him better, and in turn, she would answer the same questions about her. Only, she would detail how she met Grim for the first time, never forgetting the fact that he set Kalim's rear on fire along with the rest of the mirror chamber. 

As it turns out, Fellow had been looking after Gidel for as long as he could remember and was the only one that could understand him while others didn't bother trying. No matter what, even despite his difficulty with speaking, his big brother always made him feel included. Even with the kind of life he was dealt with, it was incredibly hard especially since he had trouble reading and writing. Not to mention, he's seen how much this had been affecting Fellow as he didn't have a great education himself so he had to teach him what he can. 

“I see.” Rosalie sighed. “Seems like you two only have each other in this cruel world. I feel a similar sentiment with myself and Grim, as he and I have witnessed all sorts of trouble. Still, much like yourself if anything happened to Fellow, I would be just as heartbroken if anything happened to Grim.” 

Gidel huffed as he stamped his foot hard. He paced the area near her side of the cage, grasping his short and shaggy hair with his sleeve-cloaked hands. He pretended he had a magic wand (or a magical pen) in his hand, waved it in the air and shot it as if he were casting a spell. 

“Wishing you had magic? I'm guessing you're thinking that if you had magic then you could help your brother suffer less.”

He nodded. 

Deep down something in him wished he was bigger and stronger so he could help him more. All he had for protection was the mallet he carried with him everywhere at any time.

“I get that.” Rosalie remarked with a sad smile. “Having power on par with my peers would be a great asset, but being magicless isn't all bad. Although, much like you, I don't know my parents either. Before my brothers left the foster home, we were as close as can be. It's been a long time since I've seen them so I’m a little jealous that you and Fellow have such a strong bond.”

In return, Gidel gave her a smile and a nod. 

“By the way Giddy, how much do you think Grim and I will be worth in your eyes?"

Once more, Gidel's ears perked up while his eyes went wide.

“I'm just curious because for the longest time I never thought I was worth anything. Hell, I just thought that I would be discarded like trash.”

The little boy closed his eyes, mimicking the same thoughtful pose Fellow would often do. He paced the floor before he raised his arms high above his head, then slowly lowered them back to his sides, nodding with a cheeky smirk.

“That much?” 

He smiled, giving another nod as he happily bounced on his toes. 

“You're quite the confident little con man, aren't you? Did you ever hear how much of the cut you two are going to get?”

Pausing for a minute, he took a step back. From what he could remember, their boss had plenty of Thaumarks to give and said it himself, but the way the girl phrased it made his stomach drop. 

‘What is she thinking? What does she know about him?!’

"How do you know your boss isn't lying to you? How do you know that he'll keep his word and make you rich?”

Seeing his eyebrows pinch together, he held his mallet tight, ready to hit the cage again.

How dare she say that! How dare she scare him like that! Last time they worked for him, they made so much money that they didn't have to worry about food for a long time! Why is she insinuating that they're getting screwed over! Fellow sacrificed everything for this! His pride, his blood, sweat, and tears, he would do anything if it meant that he and Gidel could be able to be comfortable and not worry about their next meal anymore! 

Still, the threat didn't deter the girl that was stuck in a ballerina's costume. Instead, she looked him in his bright green eyes, much like how Fellow would calm him down whenever he had a nightmare, and gently said to him,

"I ask because I worry for you both." 

‘What?!’ 

Was all he could think. The sheer amount of confusion was completely plastered on his face as he tried to process what she said. She knew they put her and her schoolmates through this so why was she more worried about them than herself?! Did her head get dropped as a baby or something?!

Unable to make sense of this, he shrugged his shoulders as if he were asking her,

“Why?”

“Because I've been around men like your boss, or more accurately, I've been adopted by people like him. Believe me, it's hell. Either I get called a demon child, I get neglected, or I’m just primped to make them look good when really, they don't care about me at all. In the end when they get bored of me, or they don't feel like taking care of a girl that they adopted as their daughter, I get thrown out like some old toy no one wants to play with anymore.”

The way her eyes didn't waver as she told him her cold and brutal truth, Gidel's eyes grew wide. While she could acknowledge that despite her rough upbringing, she was far more privileged than them. However, that mutual understanding of being a puppet for the wealthy men who don't even give a smidgen of a damn about them, made his ears turn downward. 

At least there was that little bit of common ground between them.

Upon realizing this, Rosalie let out a dry laugh in spite of herself.

"Sounds familiar I suppose. The truth is, I know what it's like to be a puppet for wealthy jackarses like him. They promise you so many wonderful things only for them to play the wolf in sheep's clothing and lie to your face. If your boss truly cared about you, he would do anything if it meant you two are safe and sound. From the sound of how pissed off your brother is, seems like he's the puppet boy in this sort of business transaction. A corporate slave made to dance for the men who look down on you two.” 

As much as he hated to admit it... she had a point. She clocked them just like that. 

The realization made the boy’s heart race and his breathing grow heavy. She and Grim were just like them. A pair of lost souls trying to survive while only having each other in this cruel world. Knowing that she's from another world with no relations in Twisted Wonderland, if not for the headmaster taking her in despite NRC only enrolling men, they would've ended up just like them. Broke, homeless, scraping by so they could afford something to eat, and to add insult to injury, she was a layperson just like him. 

In truth, the thought was more terrifying than any run-in with the police. Someone meeting the same fate as theirs.

With a frown on his face, he looked over his shoulder making sure Fellow was still distracted by the boss ripping him a new one over the phone. Once he was in the clear, he reached inside the cage bars and gently touched her cheek with his eyes slowly blinking at her. 

“Thank you. You're a sweet kid, you know that? Just a shame the world spat you out like you're a piece of rubbish. Oh well, on the bright side, at least I’d be able to help feed you both.” 

The moment they both heard the phone slam and Fellow groaning, completely irritated, Gidel immediately took his hand away from the cage as the fox beastman’s steps drew closer. 

The gaudily dressed park manager fished a cigar and a lighter from his pocket, while the room immediately became cloaked with the smell of smoke the moment he walked in. 

“Mind letting me have a hit from that? I had a rough night.” Rosalie groaned. 

“Heavens, no!” Fellow retorted as he exhaled another puff of smoke. “Also, aren't you a little young to start smoking?”

“I used to steal some of my sister's cigarettes when I was fourteen. They tasted like arse if I’m being honest with you. However tonight, I feel like relapsing into my old habits again if I’m going to be a puppet for the wealthy again just like you are right now.”

As kind as she was, she was harsh with her cutting remarks from her sharp tongue as well as her never-ending sarcasm. It was easy to write her off as a privileged little schoolgirl but who could tell how much hurt she took until she became so jaded.

As far as the NRC scholars were concerned, the fact that she somewhat understood them made the scars hurt so much worse.

After all, it takes a special kind of pain to make such twisted individuals like these nasty little brats.

[midnightmah07]

I want to make up for the angst by showing early mellow where they were still together and happy and had absolutely no angst bc their relationship was perfect<3

Ermmmmm mellow angst? (What should their twsten ship name be.......... Ernesto.... Mesto........ Idk......... What am I yapping about........)