#ghost of Crowley

[emilyscastlevania]

Aleister Crowley (born October 12, 1875, Royal Leamington Spa, England—died December 1, 1947, Hastings) was a British occultist, writer, and mountaineer, who was a practitioner of “magick” (as he spelled it) and called himself the Beast 666, drawing on the number of the beast mentioned in the Book of Revelation. He was denounced in his own time for his decadent lifestyle and had few followers, but he became a cult figure after his death.

[un-fwuit-un-fwog]

The Rain is Especially Loud Tonight

Synopsis: The Prefect gets hurt due to Crowley's negligence.

TW: Injury, Stitches, Medical Stuff, Prefect gets caught under a collapsed Ramshackle

Part 1 (here), Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9 (coming soon), . . .

Tick Tick Tick Tick

The room would be completely silent were it not for the ticking of the clock on the wall.

The environment was more comfortable than your usual medical setting, but it still felt cold in a way.

The door creaked open and in stepped professor Crewel. "Hey, Pup." His voice lacked its usual stern tone one would hear in the classroom; instead, his voice was gentle and almost hoarse.

The hoarseness was no doubt a result of him screaming at the headmage in a roar you shiver even recalling. He had spent hours tearing into the man for his gross negligence and irresponsibility.

"Pup?" His voice became more worried when you failed to answer.

"Sorry." A meek, rasped voice leaves you throat. Your throat burns with dryness despite the 6 glasses of water you already drank, and it feels like every syllable echoes through your head and causes an intense, throbbing pain. You don't recognize the voice that claws its way out of your throat as your own.

You hear the soft scrape of a chair on the floor next to your bed. "No. Don't apologize, Pup." Rocking your gaze slowly over to him its clear to you, with the way his jaw clenches and unclenches while his eyes search the blanket covering you, that he wants to say something, but isn't sure what.

You slowly rock your head to look forward again. "Everyone's been in such a panic. . .and it's my fault, I-"

The man cuts you off as you choke on your words: "Pup. This is not your fault."

"But-" Your throat feels like its been given a massage with a thousand razor blades. The coughing your attempts to speak cause only make the pain worse.

Crewel quickly grabs another glass of water and holds it up to your lips for you to drink. "But nothing, Pup- Keep those arms down or you'll re-open the wounds. That old building was bound to collapse at some point. We all knew it. If the fault is on anyone it's on us staff. Crowley made you stay there, and we didn't stop him." The glass cup clinks slightly too harshly onto the nightstand as he sets it down.

Silence falls between the two of you.

Tick Tick Tick Tick

The ticking of the clock numbs your thoughts. You force your mind to stop focusing on the pain radiating from every inch of your body and instead listen to the steady ticking of the clock. The only other sound that can be herd is the occasional hurried footsteps outside the door as the other staff do their best to take care of the situation.

Your injuries have already been treated by a specialty team sent from STYX the moment the news got to them. They were the only ones aside from Grim, Leona, and the staff that had seen your mangled form before you were wrapped up like a mummy. You didn't have to ask how bad it was. Seeing Crowley throw up at the sight of you was enough to tell you it was bad.

The STYX team had spent nearly a whole 24 hours stitching you back together like some ragdoll and rearranging the many pieces of you that had been ripped and jostled out of place. If not for them. . .well, you don't want to think about it. If you looked like a mummy on the outside, you were sure that under the bandages you looked like Frankenstein's monster. There really wasn't a single bit of you that got out of that death trap unscathed.

You were kept in the school infirmary instead of being carted off to some high-tech STYX facility only because they needed to operate on you as soon as possible and didn't want to move you too much after the initial procedures. They made do by shipping a ton (literally speaking, more like 3 tons) of medical equipment to the school, most of which was now littered around the infirmary in a rushed yet professional way.

Despite your closeness to your friends, the only people who had come to see you were the staff. It's not that none of your friends wanted to see you, but that they weren't allowed to. The doctor's worried having them in so soon, when they were still full of hysteria from the news, wouldn't be the best idea. They weren't able to text you either as your phone had been crushed in the collapse.

"How's Grim?"

Professor Crewel hums: "Physically, he's pretty unscathed. He just has a few scrapes and bruises. Mentally, he's a bit traumatized."

You supposed that made sense. You didn't remember much, but what you did remember was Grim's voice. He had been returning to the dorm from after school detention when he found the building in shambles on the ground. He called out to you but your lungs were filled with debris and your torso was being crushed by layers of rubble. The dorm ghosts met Grim at the edge of the junk pile that used to be a dorm and confirmed that you were inside and that you needed help. The ghosts talked to you as you laid there, not being able to physically move anything off you themselves. They kept you awake and assured you that Grim was getting help.

Not long later you heard shouting. Two of the ghosts stayed with you while the third went out to meet the staff and fill them in. You were told after the fact that that's about the time they called up Leona to use his unique magic so they could get you out as soon as possible (that was the first time many saw the lion run).

You were blanking in and out of consciousness when they found you, but you remember them finding you. The feeling of the weight of the rubble lessening as it was methodically turned to sand and removed (in order to not end up crushing you with sand instead), the small grains dripping on your face, and eventually, the full force of the pouring rain battering your face as the last of the rubble was removed from above you. You remember Leona's manic eyes turning horrified, Crowley puking, and worst of all, Grim's face.

"STYX sent over a few trauma counselors. There are ones assigned specifically to Leona and Grim as well since they saw some of the worst of it." Crewel finally broke the silence again.

"And you? You and. . .the other teachers were there too. . .and Sam."

"Calm down, Pup. We've all had evaluations done to assess how we're handling it. We'll be fine.

"What about. . ." Your voice trails off, but from the look in your eyes, Crewel can tell what you were about to ask.

"What about the headmage?"

You nod, wincing slightly when the motion disturbs an injury on your neck.

"He's under investigation." Crewel responds after a brief pause. He knew that you surely couldn't be all that fond of the crow, but as you saw it, he was probably also your only ticket home. Crewel looked up to gauge your response, but your face remained neutral.

"And you, Pup? I obviously know you aren't doing particularly well physically right now, but what about mentally?"

"Hm?"

Crewel hesitated, not wanting to dig around in a mental wound and make it worse, "You were. . .under there for a while. I'm sure it must've been. . .scary."

You think for a moment before responding: "Was I really under there that long? It didn't feel like it. . .I think I passed out a few times." Your mumbled words put Crewel at ease in a way. He's not happy that you had been passing out, but he was at least glad that you weren't stuck under there fully conscious and feeling every second tick by as if it were an hour.

"Hmm. I see." Crewel nods. "I ought to let you rest now. A counselor will stop by tomorrow to talk to you about what happened." He stands up as he says this, his knuckles still white from how tightly he'd been gripping the fabric of his pants. "Rest well, Pup."

You simply nod, this time more carefully as to not disturb your wounds, and watch him walk out. When the door closes you swear you hear a choked sob.

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[cuntiel]

Castiel kinda looks like marlin from finding Nemo

[idliketobeatree]

btw when you're being mean to aziraphale this is who you're being mean to. hope this helps

[asudogi]

Here's my zine contribution for nusantara TWST, it's the staffs vising Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

[masteroffearshusband49020]

The need for that fictional character to be real and in your bed

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I really want to know why Idia doesn’t think he looks good. I understand thinking you’re not exactly a model, but he’s at least cool looking. He’s mostly grown up with other scientists(they so far haven’t shown other kids in the isles of woe) so I don’t think the adults in his life would say something. The only thing I can think of is when his family would have to go to family gatherings with his extended family in the Olympus Corp and he was picked on by his cousins. Would love more backstories on that!

[Referencing this post!]

I think "cool looking" might be an opinion we have as onlookers completely removed from Twisted Wonderland. What looks like a nice design to the players is different than what looks nice to someone existing in the same world as that character. In-universe, Idia's particular set of physical traits don't seem to be perceived as "cool" at all. Several of his classmates are baffled that the Ghost Bride sees Idia as the perfect prince", and although some of this shock is definitely based on his character ("... [he] never leaves his room [...]"), it's also in part based on his looks. For example, Grim says, "He's all slouchy [...] he's got that apathetic look goin' on, not to mention his creepy smile..." Riddle also accuses Ace of giving "back-handed compliments" when Ace says Idia looks cool, which implies that Riddle and Ace's usual opinion of Idia's looks is that he looks... uncool. Eliza's retainers confess that they were "skeptical" when she brought Idia in and claimed he was her perfect partner; they didn't see his true handsomeness until after they dressed him up in a suit. Our own NRC boys don't even realize Idia's true beauty until the very end of Idia's Suitor Suit vignettes, praising him for how he wears his suit, his height, "bewitching" eyes, his mature and aloof vibe, and his "surprisingly decent" features. Just looking cool overall! "I was shocked when I say you," Riddle confesses. "It's so radically different from your usual look."

There's also the matter of framing to consider. The same stimuli can be perceived wildly differently by different individuals. What Eliza sees as "nonchalant" is Idia being apathetic. What Eliza sees as "healthy, lustrous skin" is the result of Idia's pale skin on account of never seeing the sun. What Eliza sees as "a charming smile" can also be perceived as "creepy" by others. What Eliza sees as "bright, shimmering hair" is true on a technicality, seeing as Idia's hair is literally aflame. What Eliza sees as "arresting lips" is Idia's natural but admittedly very odd lip color. Crowley describes this discrepancy as "an admittedly liberal interpretation". Our local weirdo Rook also reframes Idia's gloomy demeanor as "a certain lonesome beauty", which is "lovely in its own right".

I believe that a lot of Idia's lack of confidence in his appearance stems from the curse his family is burdened with. It's implied that many of Idia's physical traits (the flames for hair, the blue lips, the sharp teeth, etc.) are the result of said curse. These are all visual indicators branding the Shroud bloodline as traitors, even if the current Shrouds have nothing to do with the rebellion their ancestors incited. Thus, those physical traits are associated with shame, humiliation, and failure. Knowing his family's history and how that ties him to the Underworld and S.T.Y.X. forever, surely Idia must have felt self-conscious about it. He wouldn't want attention drawn to himself if he was ashamed of his looks--looks which are closely associated with the Shrouds' fall from grace. Indeed, there are several lines of dialogue in which Idia connects being anxious about how he physically presents himself with pessimism about his future or with relevant imaginary verbal jabs by his peers:

"Everyone's gonna auto-lock on me as soon as I go in! And then they'll switch to private whisper chat! They'll be all like: 'Who's that?' 'Is his hair on fire?' 'That's that cursed Shroud guy.' 'He's gonna pass on all his bad luck' Or maybe they'll say, 'Ewww! He's blue all over! Gross!' and start poking me with a stick! Nooo! Help meee!" (Idia's Ceremonial Robes vignettes)

"I know I'm not fit to stand in front of people in fancy places wearing fancy clothes! Never was! [...] No matter how hard I grind, I'm locked into the evil route with every bad ending ever and there's nothing I can do about it!" (Idia's Suitor Suit vignettes)

"If people see me in a tux like this... They'll have a field day! 'A wedding tux? More like a tokusatsu villain, ROFL.' 'What is this, a cosplay convention?' Only cool guys can pull off flashy vintage getups. Otherwise it's a fashion disaster waiting to happen. You know, like when you see a cool outfit online and buy it, only to realize it was just the model who looked swank." (Idia's Suitor Suit vignettes)

"Yeah, right. You're just saying that to be polite. Let's be real here. You're laughing at me on the inside. You're going, 'Who does this slouching, baggy-eyed loser think he is, dressing like royalty?' (Idia's Suitor Suit vignettes)

"AUGH, I'm like the monster in some tragic tale! A hidden boss just minding my own business, chilling in my cave, until I get driven out and flee into town, where all the people fear me... I'm just not cut out to be the center of attention. *sigh*" {Idia's Suitor Suit vignettes)

Notably, Idia remarks that he doesn't want to be compared to a "cool, sleek, sparkly" crew. He is constantly comparing himself to others, and especially in his Suitor Suit card. Idia laments that he's not gallant and heroic like his rescue squad (Ace, Riddle, Epel, and Rook), and he's not handsome like Vil, Leona, and Malleus. It seems that his idea of what is "cool" is defined by a combination of action and aura/presence, of which he believes he has neither. He prefers to stay cooped up in his room and is too meek to speak to people face-to-face; in his eyes, he's kind of pathetic and he's content with that. He's not willing to see himself as anything more due to his own underlying insecurities.

It's implied that Idia was primarily raised within S.T.Y.X. HQ or the Isle of Woe and rarely left (as he had to hack their security system to sneak out). It seems like they have their own community or city there, so it's possible that there are other children but we just don't see them due to lack of relevance. There's nothing to suggest there wouldn't be kids there. However, I doubt Idia really interacted with them if there were any kids his age; he'd be too busy being groomed to take over as the next director. Idia also harbors hopeless views on forming friendships, so I don't think he'd be reaching out to others to play. And when he's spending so much of his time studying and working with scientists primarily focused on their work, I doubt any of those adults care to comment on his looks. It's just not a thing that comes up in discussion. Alternatively, maybe the adults are used to it because they're all aware of the Shroud curse and they just dance around the topic so as to not make Idia feel uncomfortable.

Side note: I wonder if any shame Idia feels about his appearance is learned from his dad (and mom)??? Mr. Shroud is also super negative and literally wears a helmet to conceal his face (although we do not know the reason as to why he wears it). Mrs. Shroud also wears a helmet, even though she married into the Shroud family and technically lacks their cursed blood. Maybe young Idia saw his parents in those helmets and internalized it? Members of the Shroud family are cursed; you shouldn't look at them. That kind of thinking, perhaps.

I do think it’s possible that those in Idia’s extended family aren’t as kind about the Shrouds, be it for their looks or for their legacy. (They don’t exactly do glamorous work 💦) Unfortunately, we don’t know a lot about the Jupiters other than I guess they must still find the Shrouds’ abilities useful since they still extended an internship offer to him? I’d love to know more about the rest of Idia’s family though. Been really curious about how they’d feel about Idia literally playing God and reviving his dead brother too!

[scales-n-art]

If this world is wearing thin

And you're thinking of escape

I'll go anywhere with you

Just wrap me up in chains

But if you try to go alone

Don't think I'll understand

Stay with me

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[princeloww]

Did this but with david tennant characters

[spineless-lobster]

My three girlfriends (and yes, they have depression)

[waywardbabysis]

Just things Supernatural fans understand 😎🖤😅

[sentientsky]

a hastily thrown-together good omens shitpost made with my actual real life text message conversations

(here’s part 2)

[sovaghoul]

Resident Occult nerd has noticed things...

Skelorgy Grucifix. Also great drawing reference for all you Ghartists. But let's look just above and just below the G.

An inverted pentagram, very often associated with Satanism. A unicursal hexagram, a symbol in Thelema, which was founded by Alestair Crowley, who we already know has been a huge influence on Tobias. Neither are very surprising. But I have a bit more.

This particular Grucifix has a prominent eight-spoked wheel, which can represent the Wheel of the Year to some, or compass directions, or the Dharmachakrah in Buddhism. To make it a G though, the upper right (or Northeast if we place it on the compass) is open. In some Witchcraft traditions, one enters sacred space from the Northeast.

I have no conclusions, just pointing it out. Do with this information what you will

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Do you have any crack headcannons like you did with Ace with hitting on Jamil?

I have one of Grim knowing how to use a toilet like a person would but not how to open doors. So during book 5. Guys would see Grim using the toilet, in the dark, in the middle of the night if they have to. They see two bright circles in the bathroom until they turn on the light.

[Referencing this post!]

👆 This scene from Puss in Boots 2 except it’s Grim and Yuu—

I have a lot of silly personal headcanons (probably way too many to contain in a post)! Off the top of my head:

A frequent topic among the first years is romance. It's mostly because Ace instigates (usually to brag about how much experience + game he has and how everyone else is a LOSER). Deuce and Epel are flustered, Jack tries to be mature and call out Ace's childish behavior + views, Sebek loudly compares what Ace says to the things he has read in his romance novels + advice from Lilia, and Ortho--shockingly--is the most level-headed and logical of the group. (He'll take one look at Ace's vital signs and declare the guy is actually lying about having rizz.)

(PREFACING THIS ONE WITH THE CONTEXT THAT I WAS SUFFERING REALLY BADLY FROM MONTHLY CRAMPS AND CAME UP WITH THIS TO COMFORT MYSELF) Due to their heightened senses, fae and/or beastmen are able to sense very subtle changes, such as shifts in weather (ie a storm is rolling in) and changes in the body. For example, local feminist king L*ona can somehow sense when "that time" of month is coming and will show up on some poor woman's doorstep a few days before it starts with a plastic bag of [feminine hygiene products], snacks, pain relief medicine, and a heating pad in it. He gives NO explanation, just unceremoniously tosses it on the floor before he turns around and peaces tf out.

Mostro Lounge staff are granted paid lunch breaks, but if they choose to eat from the lounge then they still need to pay for 50% of it. They once tried to unionize, but Azul sent in the twins to shut it down real fast.

Jade and Trey love really bad puns and dad jokes.

The Magic Carpet is Scarabia's unofficial mascot. The mobs generally like it and act like it's the dorm's collective pet dog. Sometimes they drop scraps of food for it from banquets/parties (... D-Does it eat? If so, how...?).

Crewel and Vil heard about the time the Ramshackle Ghosts designed and made Yuu + Grim Halloween costumes. They decided to work with the ghosts to make a fashion line using repurposed old fabrics for a charity fashion show. Proceeds went to an environmental conversation organization.

Lilia hates milk substitutes. He finds them offensive and it breaks his heart to see others ask for the "fake stuff". Insists that those are not "true milk", "It's just nut or grain water!! NUT OR GRAIN WATER!!"

Lilia goes on dating apps just to see who he can bag, then he kicks down the door to the Diasomnia lounge to brag that he’s “still got it”.

Malleus learned about swear words from Leona. (He asked Lilia what a “flying fuck” was because Leona said it in front of him 😭)

Crowley has a 20-step beauty routine. Also sings (terribly) while he engages in self care.

Fellow goes on dates just to scam women of their valuables and/or to leech off their resources for a little while. His ideal targets are lonely wealthy widows and/or lonely wives whose spouses are often busy with work or traveling. Usually ends with him getting smacked by the woman, chased off by an angry spouse, or him pathetically groveling for mercy at their feet.

[dayjayishere]

If I had a nickel for every time I accidentally spoiled a whole show for myself because of an obsession I had with a gay couple that was doomed to fail, I'd have like five nickels. Which is a lot and proves this is a pattern, right?

[anatomic-girl]

To Catch a Ghost - A Paranormal Vlog AU

To Catch a Ghost: The show where two (not) supernatural entities are on a quest to prove (or disprove) the existence of the paranormal. Without letting their unspoken feelings for each other get in the way.

Enter: a mad (?) old lady, an unassuming (haunted?) country cottage, and a nice-and-accurate book of prophecies that definitely can’t know their secrets (right??). Will they catch a ghost? Or (even more unlikely) talk?

Enjoy the show! Or else.

***** To Catch a Ghost – Read the full fic (human au, rated T) on ao3 now!

Written for the Great Omens Big Bang. Incredible artwork done by @cakegnome, beta work by @ineffablerainstorm and @beerok23. Thank you all so, so much!