#jade dumpling

[cruella-devegan]

D’life Signature 蔬品軒 / Singapore

Jade dumpling 翠绿素饺 🥟

[radnewworld]

Another star to add to the 16th Striker Cluster of Clan Jade Falcon's Omega Galaxy. Brings the total to 25 JF mechs, so about half a cluster. I don't have a problem.

[songofsaraneth]

pool partyin

21+ events are fun bc you can drink on a dragon shaped floatie and no one asks why you have knees or a zipper in the tail

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

aw, look at him 🥺

Finally, FINALLY Jamil can actually relax for once (especially after his own hometown event got him saddled with even more work than he was originally anticipating) 😭 God knows he deserves a break... It's so refreshing to see Jamil not stressing and enjoying himself! The cozy sweater and a genuine smile and squishy cheeks suit him well. A nice touch is that you can see a lot of Harveston cuisine also featured in the artwork: fresh picked apples, a stew cooked in the fireplace, mini apple pies, what seems to be dumplings (I don't remember these being mentioned in the event, so it's possible that these are something else entirely), and, of course, the sandwich cake. jhabdktaveie7teagvyiqt If the Jamil groovy has no vignettes to explain it, I have to wonder how and why this was taken BUT IT'S OKAY, AS LONG AS HE'S HAVING FUN

The plushie he uses in combat seems to be a deer...? Which I guess suits his skill and grace as a dancer. The innocence of a deer though, I don't know if I would equate that to Jamil 😅

Side note: omg, I'm a seer/j I predicted that Jamil would get his outfit from Jade and that's confirmed in his new card's voice lines.

[traumxrei-archive]

【 the perfect debutante 】

summary: yuu, the young heir to Night Raven Duchy, has their debutante coming up ! with the help of their maids, will they be able to plan the perfect debutante ? (or the 2nd years are yuu’s maids, what shenanigans will they be up to ?)

note: here’s my piece from “Maid in Wonderland”, the maid zine i was in. it features some beautiful spot arts from the wonderful dumple (check her art out on insta !) and has a chapter dedicated to each of the 2nd years ^^ i hope you guys enjoy :D

[ or read it on ao3 (coming soon) ]

↳ prologue. rumor has it

↳ i. guest list dilemma; azul

↳ ii. rose-petal wounds; riddle

↳ iii. picture-perfect shopping; floyd

↳ iv. the taste of flowers; ruggie

↳ v. plated perfection; kalim

↳ vi. sun-soaked laundry; silver

↳ vii. beholder of beauty; jamil

↳ viii. accidental midnight rendezvous; jade

↳ epilogue. promises shared along the way

thank you for reading ! if you’d like to read more of my works, head over to my masterlist or my ao3 ^^

[cloudcountry]

auburn's 3k followers bake sale!! (lasts from july 24st to august 6th)

order a baked good, get a complementary drink & fic! menu below!

(thank you all so much for 3k!! ever since getting back into the twst fandom after a six month break, ive been reflecting on my time here a lot. i feel like the twst fandom is one of the few fandoms that i'll actually be able to look back on fondly and feel comfortable doing so. i've been connected to all of these character for about 3 years now and now 2 years with you guys. i know some of you may think i'm scary but i encourage you to take part in this event ^^ it wouldn't the same without you <3 and while im at it, thanks for 3,100 followers too!!)

MENU!

complimentary drinks

romantic content - your choice of bubble tea

platonic content - your choice of coffee

familial content - your choice of water, milk, or juice.

after making your selection, please pick a cup for your drink!!

fluff - mostro lounge™ sponsored collaboration cup

angst - special 3k event cup with cat cap

heartslabyul

riddle rosehearts - strawberry macarons (set of two)

trey clover - mini lavendar cream cake

cater diamond - chewy ginger cookies (set of two)

deuce spade - chocolate chip cookies (set of two)

ace trappola - apple muffin with streusel

savanaclaw

leona kingscholar - chocolate swirl bread slices (set of two)

ruggie bucchi - lemon poppyseed muffin

jack howl - peanut butter cookies (set of two)

octavinelle

azul ashengrotto - lavender honey galette

jade leech - almond mushroom cookies (set of four)

floyd leech - stained glass cookies (set of two)

scarabia

kalim al-asim - sweet bread slice with icing (set of two)

jamil viper - slice of baklava

pomfiore

vil schoenheit - bowl of blackberry crisp (optional vanilla ice cream)

rook hunt - plum macarons (set of two)

epel felmier - apple slice rose puff pastry

ignihyde

idia shroud - pudding filled dirt cupcake

ortho shroud - dirt cookies (set of two)

bubble tea not available with ortho set!!

diasomnia

malleus draconia - slice of dark chocolate truffle cake

lilia vanrouge - slice of tomato soup cake

silver - mixed berry crisp (optional vanilla ice cream)

sebek zigvolt - slice of dark chocolate swirl pound cake

staff

crowley - fudgy dark chocolate cookies w/ edible gold shine (set of two)

crewel - slice of dark chocolate & white chocolate pound cake

trein - raspberry hand pies (set of two)

vargas - high-protein blueberry oat muffin

sam - spicy chocolate truffles (set of four)

secret menu

neige leblanche - apple dumplings (set of two)

chenya - colorful "eat me" cookies (set of three)

rollo flamme - croissants (set of two)

fellow honest - quilt cookies (set of two)

please note any other personalization requests you would like to add to your order, such as tropes (i.e. enemies to lovers), genderbent characters (i.e. fem!riddle), and any other requests you may have!

[fandomwriterlover]

Hey can i please dating hsc for po (kung-fu panda)

Female reader

Dating Po

Dating Po can be great. But also tiresome. He's a giant ball of energy by himself, so when he's in boyfriend mode he's 10 times more energetic and joyfully. His goal in everytime You guys are on a date is to give you the BEST date EVER.

It's because he loves you so much that he plans every meeting forehead. Taking you to your favorite places, the Jade Palace, fixing your favorite meals... There's an event you are interesting: he'll arrange it

The quietest date will always be picnics or dinners. He likes to cook for you and that you praises him. It's quiet because not only because he also eats, it's because he founds you adorable how you eats and enjoy the food he made for you...

... But when if his dad's cooking... "Everything good? Want seconds?" "Dad..." Yeah, Mr Ping would try to prove your relationship. He's super excited that his son is dating someone as special as you. And the other dad is as intrusive as the goose. "We also have dumplings. Po says are you favorites." "DAAAaad!"

The only issue about dating the Dragon Warrior/Master Dragon it's the fighting. When there's an issue, thiefery, assault, yadda yadda ... He has to intervene. You might think that you would be in danger of being kidnapped or harmed, but when somebody suggest it... "WoW, are you insane? Even touching her would be suicide!! It's not worth it." "I'm not sure how should I take it..."

[mysterycitrus]

I really enjoy rereading the snippets you post from next part of Persephone and the companion stories you’re planning to release! There was one from a few weeks ago where Lian and Roy were making dumplings(?) and it made me want to ask how you envisioned Lian’s childhood and how her relationship with her parents would have developed if she hadn’t died and the timeline hadn’t been rebooted.

i really really enjoy speculating about what lians life would’ve been like because she would honestly slot in perfectly with the dynamic dc had built around damian wayne and chris kent pre-flashpoint — children with complicated pasts who fundamentally want to do good.

i think lian growing up to fully understand what her mother is capable of would be super engaging storytelling, especially since jade nguyen objectively loves her daughter and wants the best for her, regardless of her own personal choices. i envision a roy and jade relationship where there will always be love there, deep down, but they both love their child more and know that their relationship will never ever be safe for her. for my own personal enjoyment i also like a dick grayson who is dating roy and tolerates jade from a distance, and cares about her by proxy.

wrt lian as a character…. i see someone super righteous and emotionally mature. she’s always been super aware of others feelings — we see that in outsiders and titans99 — so id love her to just be able to deliver cutting emotional analysis to the people she cares about (not above using it for gentle manipulation either teehee). id love to see her get into super marine biology (r:outsiders again) and we see that she has a collection of sea themed stuffies at dicks apartment in persephone.

i think roy is very on the train of “i can’t believe i managed to create someone like this” but honestly they’re very similar people. very loyal, very caring, extroverted and passionate, etc. but lian would lack that buried fear of being abandoned, or left behind i think. her dad would’ve told her over and over that no matter what, he’d always come back for her

[ironclark]

To see even more Keyblades, check out @KeybladeForge and the discord! https://discord.gg/JV6NFtTA4c

SWAMP GAS -

A Keyblade modeled after the world of DreamWork's Shrek! This keyblade makes your Fire spells a higher tear! The handle and hilt of the Keyblade is designed after Shrek's swamp home, with it's green aesthetic. The shaft of the blade is designed after Fiona's tower where she was held, with the very top having the top of Duloc's castle. The teeth of the blade is formed by Dragon. The token is the iconic Shrek "S".

The World Logo is designed after Shrek's home, his favorite place in the world. The name comes from the plot centering around Shrek's swamp, as well as his gassy nature. 

QUANTONIUM-

This Keyblade is designed after the sci-fi nature of DreamWorks' Monsters vs Aliens. This keyblade is designed to increase the damage of combo finishers! The hilt guard of this blade is designed after the containment cells of the government facility housing the monsters. The shaft and teeth of the Keyblade is designed after the meteor contianing the Quantonium flying through space, with a bit of the comet tail forming Insectosaurous' wing. The keychain is designed after BOB, with the token being Insectosaurous. 

The World Logo is that of Susan's home town of Modesto. The name comes from the energy that provides Susan her giant form. 

FURY OF THE NIGHT-

A Keyblade designed after the viking style of DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon. This Keyblade is designed to give protection against any lightning and fire attacks. The entire Keyblade is inspired by a Vikings' ship with Toothless designs. The top of the Keyblade has the helmet given to Hiccup from his father. The teeth of the Keyblade is designed after Toothless' tail fin. The token is the symbol of that of the Vikings of Berk. 

The World logo is the central isles of Berk. The name comes from Toothless' species name: Nightfury. 

COLD CENTER-

A simple keyblade designed afte the dreams and iciness of DreamWorks' Rise of the Guardians. This keyblade is designed to have high blizzard damage. The shaft and handle of the Keyblade is designed after Jack Frost's staff. The hilt and keychain is designed after Sandman's magical sand. The teeth of the blade is designed after Jack's ice abilities. The token is that of Baby Tooth. 

The world logo is that of Burgess, where Jack Frost is from. The name comes from North urging Jack to find his center, as well as Jack being a spirit of Winter. 

PANDA WARRIOR-

A Keyblade designed after the Jade Palace of DreamWorks' Kung Fu Panda. This keyblade is designed to have high combos and greater effects from food. The hiltguard of the blade is designed after the Jade Palace, with the handle being inspired by Oogway's staff. The shaft of the blade is designed to have the Furious Five designs through it. The teeth is a stylized version of a panda fist. The token is that of a dumpling, Po's motivation. 

The World Logo is that of where the Furious Five train and call home. The name is a combination of Dragon Warrior and Po being a Panda.

BLACK MAMBA-

A Keyblade designed after the mechanical mind of DreamWorks' Megamind! This keyblade is designed to have high thunder damage. The bottom half of the hilt and teeth of the blade is designed after Megamind's Brainbots, his self-made minions. The top half of the hilt is designed after Megamind's Black Mamba's suit. The shaft is designed after the robot suit of the Black Mamba. The token is that of Megamind's logo.

The World Logo is that of Metro City (or Metrocity), the central city of the movie. The name comes from the special suit that Minion had designed. 

[fatty-food]

Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Deep Fried Dumplings, Misi Jade (via Instagram)

[spoiled-milk]

dan heng as your roommate (modern au)

a/n: in compliance with dan heng’s five star release being yesterday here’s brainrot for my beloved also praying that those who pull for dan heng win their 50/50 or get him early (it took me 80 pity with guaranteed 😭😭). will be mia so i can farm more stellar jades for his weapon since he wanted to come home on hard pity

content warning: mentions of alcohol consumption, other than that none that i can think of. no mention of reader's gender

word count: ~1k words

you share a small apartment with dan heng. you used to share it with one of your friends, but a sudden job opportunity for them turns into you frantically finding a roommate to fill so that you’re not paying the full price of the rent next month

you find dan heng through one of your friend’s friend. March (your friend) knew someone with grey hair who then gave dan heng your details since he was looking for a place to live

you two officially meet at a coffee shop where you discuss rent, house rules, and the lease and you did not expect him to be hella attractive

rules are as follows: there’s a chore list on the fridge in the form of dry erase board, if bringing over friends you must let the other know before you bring them over, no going into the other person’s room without their knowledge, and keep hooking up to a minimum if possible or keep it quiet

at first he seemed like a quiet guy who wanted nothing to do with you which like didn’t hurt your feelings too much yk you just needed someone to pay half of the rent, but slowly he starts to open up to you and you have no problems opening up

usually you take turns cooking, but he’s come to realize you only know how to make is boxed food and breakfast foods, so after eating waffles for the 12th time that week he decides he’ll cook dinner for the most part

dan heng without fail will always give you the last piece of anything he makes. dumplings? you can have the last one. 12 pack of juice in the fridge? he won’t even go get more unless you drink the last one. you make brownies as a token of appreciation for him and insist you don’t want any and all of it is for him? you find the last piece tucked away in the fridge with your name on it

he makes it a point to do the dishes together. at first he argued that he could do it but after much begging from you, he allows you to help him rinse the dishes

this has become a nearly every night thing. you eat whatever dan heng makes then y’all do the dishes. most of the time you’re doing the talking, but it’s not exhausting to talk to him like you talk to others

you don’t know much about his past but he sure does knows a lot about your past. you’re sure march probably unintentionally spilled about your past, but you don’t really mind knowing it’s just dan heng. march has told you to ask him but when you do, he softly shuts it down

it doesn’t hurt your feelings of course. you understand that everyone has their secrets and no one is entitled to his, but it does hurt a little that he doesn’t seem like he wants to tell you since you thought you were getting pretty close as friends

oftentimes at the end of a stressful week, you find some movie on some streaming service and crash on the couch with snacks littering the coffee table. sometimes dan heng will come join you on the couch to whatever movie you put on, regardless of genre. rom com? he’s got his eyes glued to the screen. some environmental documentary about the gas leaks that effect a underprivileged community? he’s sat next to you nodding his head to the tv like a middle aged dad

most of the time you fall asleep in the middle of these movies and most of the time when you wake up in the middle of the night you either find yourself covered with a fluffy blanket or you find yourself in your bed with no memory of how you got there. you suspect dan heng carried you there, but you’ve never had the courage to ask him

there was one time when you woke up from sleeping in the middle of the movie and the tv was left on to the end credit scene. you reach for the remote next to you and turn off the tv. you start to shift a little but then you notice a weight next to you, it’s your roommate. he’s got an arm around your waist and he’s pulling you closer to him

you’re too tired to properly comprehend the situation so you let it happen. you lean your head towards his chest and end up falling asleep listening to dan heng’s heartbeat. when dan heng woke up that morning realizing what had happened, he could not look you in the eye for a week without blushing

he also takes care of you whenever you come home shitfaced from an outing or get shitfaced by yourself with 3 bottles of soju. it doesn’t happen often and you try not to drink often, but when you decide to go out, dan heng somehow knows that you’ve been out drinking and will always be at home waiting for your return

your friends drop you off at your apartment and dan heng helps you into bed. he takes a baby wipe and wipes off any dirt on your face. he’s so gentle with it that it honestly feels like a dream. you lowkey cherish it every single time, it feels so intimate that you wish he meant it in that way and not as just a friend

just as you’re losing consciousness, dan heng gets close to you but your vision is slightly blurring so you’re not sure what he’s up to, but you trust dan heng 100% to not take advantage of you

as you scrunch your eyebrows you feel something soft press against your cheek and then once again on your forehead. they’re brief and short, but you can feel your body get hotter and hotter, not even sure if it’s the alcohol or dan heng (or both maybe)

you pray that your big crush on him isn’t obvious but march tells you otherwise. so now you only hope that dan heng can’t tell but honestly it’s really hard to read his feelings, but you’re not sure how long you can keep up this “he’s just my roommate” act to your friends and yourself

[imminent-danger-came]

I was rewatching s2 last night, and ohhh man mk looks over mei so much it's not even funny. times mei has been ignored:

maybe you need to really listen! (during the blindfold ep)

mk just? grabs stuff she's using out of her hands all the time? (video game ep)

maybe you shouldn't skip the tutorials? (video game ep again)

the way he addresses her in dumpling destruction and then immediately pushes her aside for tang

i honestly remember it lowkey kinda bothering me on first watch but now it's REALLY egregious on rewatch. are you scared? I'm so scared. do you WANT to end up like shadowpeach MK

2x03 is so rude because the whole fucking episode they're like "MK you don't listen" and it's so true. He doesn't. Pigsy literally points it out again at the end of 4x14 with the whole sun screen bit:

Pigsy: "Tch, don't bother, I've been telling him that for years but he LITERALLY never listens." Sun Wukong: "Yep! That's how we role."

-

THEY'RE SO FUCKING RUDE. "That's how we role." We. We????? Wukong and MK???? Like WHATEVER. FINE. (("I told you going against the Jade Emperor was a bad idea, but no. Wukong doesn't listen to ANYONE! He just does whatever he wants" Like shut up. Shut up!))

MK gets so stuck in his own head ("You're all stuck up in your own head! None of this is your fault!" +1 to the MK ignoring Mei counter from 4x08) and I think that really contributes to his s2 scramble to get more powerful.

LIKE:

MK: "Stop? Now? Never! I just have to try harder. It's just like the Monkey King said! *laughs manically* I just need to get stronger!"

(2x06 Game On)

VS

MK: "Why didn't he just stop, right here? He was already so much stronger than anyone ever needed to be!" Macaque: "Wukong didn't think so, he always felt he had to be stronger—more immortal."

(4x11 A Lifetime of Mistakes)

-

(Bonus thing between eps 2x03 and 2x06, look at 0:42 in this video for MK hearing Mei but not listening to her. Because of course that's what he would do. *head in my hands .png*)

The terrible s2 choices both Wukong and MK make in relation to their friends is just absolutely delicious after 4x11. Like, OH. This has been a lifelong pattern of Wukong's—paranoia is one of his fatal flaws (paired with his terrible communication and self-sacrificial nature), and while he had the power to stop LBD before he still feel's the need to go after the Samadhi Fire to stop her now, and to protect MK.

Hold on look at this parallel that I don't know what to do with:

MK: "Ugh, I can't do it!"

Mei: "It's alright MK—you did it before, you'll do it again!" Sandy: "Yeah! Maybe it's like Monkey King said: the power will come when you need it most!"

(3x04 The Winning Side)

-

MK: "What! But you said the Samadhi fire was the only thing that could stop her!" Sun Wukong: "I KNOW WHAT I SAID! But I've beaten her before I'll- I'll do it again! Mei was right—I need to stop dragging you into my fights, all of you."

(3x10 The Samadhi Fire)

-

Wukong and MK's reach for power inspires a lot of fear in me! It does! Because, well, MK's current reach for power is going to lead him to his Monkey Form, and uh:

Like I'm scared. I'm scared!

"All doomed to play a role in tearing this world apart!" ; "This is Azure's utopia, and this barren wasteland is the price he paid to build it." ; "I'd do anything for my friends! But at the cost of the world?" "I'm sorry pal, ain't NOTHIN' worth that price!"

[eoieopda]

(Re-sending bc your inbox exploded) Can you write about Taehyung being the BIGGEST simp for his reader girlfriend while she’s on her period? I’m in the fetal position and this is the only thing that will help at this point. 🙏🏻 Heal me, Jade unnie 🙏🏻

oh sweet bb, i’m sorry you’re in pain! i have endometriosis, so i am very familiar with curling myself into a ball :(

(also i damn near choked to death on my sandwich at HEAL ME JADE UNNIE ☠️😂)

cw: fluff, best boy tae, period mention, there is a text but this is not a SMAU!

There was an entire king-size bed at your disposal.

Despite this, you were sitting cross-legged in the dead center of the mattress with your body slumped in half over your knees. You were exactly as uncomfortable as you looked; but folded over like the world’s angriest crêpe, you could at least pretend that you were fighting back against your uterus.

Going tit for tat with your reproductive system like this might have been petty - you acknowledged this. In fact, it might have also been absurd. But at the end of the day, you never subscribed to this menstruation bullshit in the first place. Consequently, you didn’t give a fuck if you were waging a losing war.

Besides, with your back exposed the way it was, Taehyung had a canvas. He stretched out sideways behind you because your unyielding presence in the middle of the mattress limited his options to two: the well between you and the pillows, or the floor. From that trench, his fingertips sketched invisible doodles against the fabric of your t-shirt. Hangul you couldn’t quite make out, pictures you could only guess at.

As always, his little ministrations calmed you. At any other time of the month, you would be fast asleep by now. Maybe that’s another reason why he nestled in behind you: so you’d have a warm body to lean on if your insides ever gave it a rest.

“What more can I do for you, petal?”

His murmured words snapped you out of your hypnosis.

“I could grab take-out from that new place up the street,” He continued as he sat upright, scooted closer to you.

When you unfolded yourself, his chin dropped gently down to rest on your shoulder. Never one to miss an opportunity, he placed a peck on your cheek before bumping the tip of his nose against the very same spot. He got the reaction he wanted, which was the first smile he’d seen from you all day.

You hummed in consideration. On the one hand, you couldn’t take more ibuprofen without eating; but on the other hand, he’d be gone from you for twenty (20) entire minutes. Your growling stomach answered before you did. Taehyung’s head tilted to rest against yours as he chuckled quietly.

“So, yes to the dumplings, then?” He teased as one of his hands tugged at the back hem of your shirt. At the mention of food, Yeontan stretched out of the ball he’d made of himself near your bent knee. “Do you need anything else?”

You didn’t want to ask, but it wasn’t an errand you we’re currently capable of running yourself. To be fair, you weren’t uncomfortable about asking this of him; it was what it was. You just knew how confusing this pharmacy aisle could be for people with periods; Taehyung might not stand a chance.

He expertly translated your silence, kissed your cheek again, and scooted himself to the edge of the bed. Bright white teeth glimmered at you as he grinned. They sparkled nearly as much as his eyes did when he raised his hand to his forehead in salute and declared, “I’m on it, boss!”

Your mirth was exhaled through your nose. Your concern tilted your head slightly to the side as one side of your mouth hitched up, “You sure you’re up for this mission?”

His boxy smile widened while he blinked back at you. His eyes said nope and help, respectively, but his mouth said: “I will not leave that pharmacy until the objective is completed.”

You dropped your face into your palms with more muted laughter spilling out. “Please don’t die in there,” You mumbled through your fingers, “Tannie and I would never manage without you.”

He hopped back over to deliver two more kisses - one to the top of your hung head, and the other to Yeontan’s - before heading on his way.

There were nine (9) minutes between his departure and his text.

[xxspringmelodyxx]

Good morning, Spring. I am here with a Gaming request this morning Warning: Anti-Yun Jin, sort of. Please kindly consider this Gaming request: Basking in his newfound relationship with Yun Jin, Gaming completely forgets about his betrothal to you.

So, when he brings Yun Jin with him to Qiaoying Village to the Lantern Rite reunion festivities and to formally introduce her to the villagers as his girlfriend… absolute chaos: the village elders start screaming how dare he dishonor you. Yip Tak gives his son a stern look before asking if he had forgotten about his betrothal. In the midst of the chaos, you calmly cut into the increasingly loud argument by producing your family chop: a dragon seal carved from yellow jade. Silence instantly blankets over the venue as the village elders immediately recognize the jade chop and realize who you really are: the Family Head of the Gui Family. Ever since Liyue's founding, there had been Five First Families that laid Liyue's foundation with the Gui Family as the leader of the Five First Families. You tell Yip Tak that the Gui Family business contract with him will still go ahead and the betrothal contract can be easily transferred to Gaming's cousin who's working at Feiyun Commerce Guild as a bookkeeper. At this, Gaming panics. Throwing himself at your feet, he begs you to reconsider.

On the other hand, Yin Jin pales, remembering the Five First Families had been the Yun-Han Opera Troupe's main financial backing and now she's afraid that because of this insult, you'll pull all monetary support from the troupe. Please also kindly take as long as you need with this request; I have no qualms in waiting. Furthermore, by no means feel obligated to prioritize this request over your other requests.

Thank you for this request! I hope you enjoy it and that it meets your expectations🫶🏽🫶🏽

The Lantern Rite festival had always been a time of joy and celebration in Qiaoying Village, with its luminous lanterns casting a warm glow and festive atmosphere enveloping the village. Children ran through the streets with brightly colored paper lanterns, their laughter echoing through the night. The aroma of traditional foods—sweet lotus cakes, savory dumplings, and spicy noodles—filled the air, mingling with the scent of incense from the nearby temple. This year was no different, as villagers gathered to partake in the festivities, laughing and chatting, unaware of the storm that was about to unfold.

Gaming, basking in the glow of his new relationship with Yun Jin, felt a sense of excitement and anticipation bubbling within him. He was eager to introduce Yun Jin to the villagers, to share his happiness with the people he had grown up with. Her beauty and grace had captivated him, and he was confident that the villagers would share in his joy. Little did he know, his actions were about to set off a chain of events that would shake the very foundations of the village and challenge the bonds of family and honor.

As Gaming and Yun Jin made their way to the village square, the lanterns cast a soft, romantic glow around them, illuminating their path. Yun Jin, dressed in a flowing, elegant dress that shimmered in the lantern light, looked like a vision from a dream. Her delicate features and graceful movements drew the eyes of everyone they passed, and whispers of admiration followed in their wake. The villagers, initially smiling and welcoming, quickly turned their expressions to ones of shock and disapproval as they recognized the woman by Gaming's side. The village elders, in particular, were not pleased, their faces darkening with anger and disbelief.

"Gaming! How dare you dishonor your betrothal!" one of the elders shouted, his voice rising above the murmurs of the crowd. His eyes were wide with indignation, and the veins on his neck stood out as he pointed an accusatory finger at Gaming. The crowd fell silent for a moment, the weight of the elder's words sinking in.

Gaming looked taken aback, his eyes darting around the crowd in confusion. "Betrothal? What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice tinged with bewilderment. He glanced at Yun Jin, who looked equally confused and nervous, her grip tightening on his arm. The confusion on their faces only seemed to fuel the anger of the villagers.

Yip Tak, Gaming's father, stepped forward, his face stern and unyielding. His eyes bore into Gaming with a mixture of disappointment and anger. "Have you forgotten about your betrothal to her?" he said, pointing in your direction with a firm hand. His voice was steady, but the hurt was evident in his eyes.

You stood calmly amidst the growing chaos, your expression unreadable, but inside, your heart was breaking. The village square, once filled with laughter and celebration, was now a scene of confusion and anger. The villagers, torn between loyalty to their traditions and their affection for Gaming, began to argue among themselves, their voices rising in a cacophony of conflicting opinions. Some sided with Gaming, arguing that love should be free, while others insisted on the importance of honoring commitments and traditions.

Yun Jin, holding onto Gaming's arm, looked around nervously, her face pale. She had not anticipated such a reaction from the villagers. The whispers grew louder, and the elders' faces turned red with fury as they exchanged heated words with one another. The festive atmosphere had turned tense, the air heavy with the weight of the confrontation.

Yip Tak's voice cut through the chaos like a knife. "Gaming, this is not just about you. This is about our family's honor and the promises we have made," he said, his tone heavy with the weight of tradition and responsibility. His words carried the authority of generations, and the villagers fell silent, their eyes turning to Gaming for his response.

Gaming's mind raced, the weight of his father's words sinking in. He had been so wrapped up in his happiness with Yun Jin that he had completely forgotten about the betrothal arranged by his family. The realization hit him like a cold splash of water, and he felt a deep sense of guilt and dread settling in his chest.

You felt a sharp pain in your heart as you stood there, a witness to his obliviousness. You had always harbored feelings for Gaming, nurturing a quiet hope that someday he might see you as more than just a family obligation. But seeing him with Yun Jin was like a dagger to your heart. The reality of his love for someone else was more painful than you had ever imagined.

The argument was reaching a fever pitch, the villagers' voices blending into a single, tumultuous roar, when you stepped forward, your presence commanding immediate attention. In your hand, you held a yellow jade dragon seal, the symbol of the Gui Family's authority. As you raised it high, the villagers fell silent, their eyes wide with recognition and respect, the weight of centuries of tradition pressing down on them.

"This is the family chop of the Gui Family," you said calmly, your voice carrying across the square with a quiet authority that demanded attention. "As the Family Head, I have the authority to decide our family's engagements and business contracts."

The elders exchanged uneasy glances, their anger dissipating into uncertainty. They knew the significance of the Gui Family's seal and the power it represented, a power that had been respected and feared for generations. The jade dragon seal was a symbol of your family's influence, a reminder of the legacy that had shaped Liyue.

"The Gui Family's business contract with Yip Tak will still go ahead," you continued, your tone measured and deliberate, "and the betrothal contract can be transferred to Gaming's cousin, who works at the Feiyun Commerce Guild as a bookkeeper."

Gaming's face went pale as your words sank in. His mind raced, panic rising in his chest like a tidal wave. He rushed forward, throwing himself at your feet with a desperation that stunned the onlookers. "Please, reconsider! I beg you!" he cried, his voice breaking with emotion. The sight of Gaming, usually so confident and composed, now reduced to a pleading figure, sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.

Yun Jin, equally distressed, stepped back, her face ashen. She understood the gravity of the situation all too well. The Yun-Han Opera Troupe, which relied heavily on the financial support of the Five First Families, stood to lose everything if you withdrew your backing. The weight of her fear pressed down on her, and she felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. The future of the troupe, the dreams of so many performers, hung in the balance.

You looked at Gaming, his desperate plea echoing in your ears. The villagers watched in stunned silence, their faces a mixture of shock, curiosity, and sympathy. The air was thick with tension, every breath, every movement laden with significance. This moment, this decision, would shape the future of not just Gaming and Yun Jin, but the entire village.

The villagers watched in stunned silence as Gaming pleaded with you, his desperation palpable and raw. For a moment, it seemed as though the entire village held its breath, the only sound the distant crackling of the festival's fireworks.

"Gaming, this is not just about love," you said softly, but firmly, your eyes locking onto his with a steely resolve. "It is about honor and responsibility, values that have sustained our families for generations."

Yun Jin, tears welling in her eyes, approached you, her voice trembling. "Please, Lady Gui, do not punish the troupe for our mistake," she implored, her tone filled with genuine fear and regret. She bowed deeply, her shoulders shaking with the weight of her emotions.

You looked at her, seeing the genuine fear and regret in her eyes. The villagers, sensing the gravity of the situation, began to murmur among themselves, their anger slowly giving way to sympathy. The tension in the air was thick, every word and gesture laden with significance.

Yip Tak, his expression softened by the sight of his son's anguish, stepped forward. "Perhaps we can find a solution that honors all parties involved," he suggested, his voice conciliatory, his eyes searching yours for a sign of agreement.

You nodded slowly, though the pain in your heart remained. "Very well. The betrothal contract will be transferred, and the business agreement will remain intact. However, Gaming and Yun Jin must understand the importance of their actions and the consequences they carry," you said, your tone firm but fair.

Gaming, still on his knees, looked up at you with gratitude and relief etched across his face. "Thank you, Yn…" he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

Yun Jin, her face streaked with tears, bowed deeply once more. "We will not forget your kindness, Lady Gui," she said, her voice filled with a solemn promise.

——

As the Lantern Rite festivities continued, you stood quietly at the edge of the village square, reflecting on the night's events. The village had been shaken, but the foundations of honor and tradition had held firm.

With each flicker of the lanterns, a pang of sorrow struck your heart. Gaming and Yun Jin’s shared happiness was a stark contrast to your own sense of loss. You had loved Gaming silently. Seeing him so openly in love with someone else was a dagger to your heart, shattering the dreams you had nurtured in silence.

You watched as the villagers slowly returned to their celebrations, their faces lit by the warm glow of the lanterns. Yet, amidst the laughter and joy, you felt a profound sense of isolation. The burden of your family's legacy and the weight of unspoken feelings bore down on you, making the jade dragon seal in your hand feel heavier than ever.

With a final glance at the glowing lanterns, you walked away, knowing that the true strength of a family lies in its ability to adapt and grow, even in the face of adversity. The lanterns floated gently into the night sky, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of the villagers, a testament to the enduring spirit of Liyue.

The festive sounds faded into the background as you walked through the village, each step echoing with the ache of unfulfilled love. The path of duty and honor was a lonely one, but it was yours to walk. The lanterns' glow dimmed, yet their light remained in your heart, a reminder of your own resilience.

As the last of the lanterns disappeared into the starry sky, you took a deep breath, allowing the cool night air to fill your lungs. Though the night was filled with sorrow, it also carried a quiet strength, a determination to face the future with grace. With one last look at the village square, now a place of bittersweet memories, you turned away, stepping into the future with a heart full of both sorrow and resilience, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

A Cat in the Kitchen

Part 1 (ft. Riddle and Silver) I Part 2 (ft. Trey and Kalim) I Part 3 (ft. Jade and Lilia) I Part 4 (ft. Deuce and Jamil) I Part 5 (ft. Malleus and Ruggie) | Part 6 (ft. Cater and Rook) | Part 7 (ft. Sebek and Floyd) | Part 8 (ft. Ace and Idia) | Part 9 (ft. Leona and Epel) | Part 10 (ft. Jack and Vil)

In which Gordon Ramsay-kun is isekai’d into Twisted Wonderland. Part Food Wars, part Hell’s Kitchen, all Master Chef—Night Raven College isn’t ready to take on this Michelin Star celebrity!!

Ready for a short supplementary cooking class?🌟 A day in the life of Prefect Gordon and his familiar Grim, told in three parts: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After all, food is tastier when it's shared with friends and family~

Imagine this…

Gordon Ramsay stirred before the rats and the ghosts of Ramshackle dorm did. He was up by 5 am most days, first exercising and then rustling around in the kitchen fighting the gas stove to light (and stay that way!) and taking inventory of the dwindling ingredients in the pantry. At 7 am, the delicious smells would start up, rousing his housemates from their slumber.

This was the magic of a human incapable of spellcasting or sorcery.

"Mm... You're up super early again," Grim muttered from the doorway as he rubbed at his eyes. He yawned, still struggling to shake off the last remnants of sleep that clung to him. "I dunno how you do it."

"Not so hard once you've got the hang of it," he grunted in response. Gordon wiped his hands off on a dish towel before sliding a plate toward Grim. "Eat up now, we don't have much time before classes start."

"I dunno, I'm not too hungry."

"You? Not hungry?" Gordon's brows raised. "That's new. You feeling under the weather?"

Grim leapt, looking as though he had been caught with his entire body stuffed into a cookie jar. "N-No, I'm not! Yup, there's my hunger comin' back to me!"

He hurriedly yoinked a tuna sandwich and chowed down.

"See?! Ah'm jus' fine," Grim insisted, cheeks stuffed.

"Hmm, alright." Gordon tucked into a small bowl of oatmeal--prepared with baked bananas, almond milk, and dried cranberries.

"You got class today too or what?"

"Yup. Ashengrotto and the smaller Shroud this time."

“Think they’ll drive ya mad like the rest of them did?”

“I’ll hold my tongue until I’ve seen how they are in the kitchen for myself.”

“Keh, you’re no fun.”

The beast’s ears flattened. The blue fire that burned so brightly seemed to dim. Something weighed on his mind—of that, Gordon was certain.

“That means you'll abandon me before lunchtime again..." Between chews, Grim complained, "How come I gotta be just a student and you get to be a teacher too? The great Grim-sama oughta be showin' these newbies a thing or two!"

"I only teach what I know. I'm still a student in some ways, learning new things about food every day." Gordon shrugged, giving his friend a rough ruffle on the head. "You can be a teacher when you've mastered everything there is to master--neither of us is quite there yet."

"Why can't it be? I wanna fast forward to the part where I become an archmage already!!"

"Don't be impatient about making progress. I’ve made hundreds of dumplings in a day and still came nowhere near the level of perfection of a dim sum master.“

“Tsk, that sucks. Didja at least get to eat the bad dumplings?”

“It was all I had that day. They weren’t fit to serve to customers.” Gordon shook his head. “My point is, you’ll get there one day. Nose to the grindstone, Grim. You've got to work hard to earn it."

He spooned up the remainder of his oatmeal, then deposited his dirty bowl and spoon in the sink. Gordon plucked up Grim, who still had a mouth full of tuna, and tucked him under one arm.

“M-Myah?!“

“Right then, let’s head out. Brisk morning jog to wake up the senses—it’s a brand new day!”

“Lemme finish my breakfast first, sheesh!!”

Three classes before lunch, and they all went about as well as Gordon had expected them to. (That was to say, not well at all.)

During first period Alchemy, Grim had earned the ire of Crewel by disregarding the potion recipe. In spite of Gordon's reminders and warnings, Grim had taken one too many missteps. The wrong ingredient, the incorrect amount, the temperature too low or too high, the stirring too much or not enough.

He was then caught catnapping during Magic History and extensively told off by both Trein and Lucius. (The meowing had gotten very intense.) Gordon had apologized profusely in Grim's place.

Flying had not fared any better--Grim struggled to concentrate, his unsteady magic causing his broom to wildly buck, attempting to chuck him off. Gordon had to stop his rep of 100 push-ups to fetch his friend out from a shrub. Twigs poked at him, leaves caught in his fur.

By the time they were dismissed back to the locker rooms, Grim had melted into a furry puddle on Gordon's shoulder. "Maaan, I'm beat!! That was rough!"

"Rougher than usual." Gordon crunched on an apple. He had taken to the habit of eating small platters or snacks throughout the day over whole meals—it was more efficient for his lifestyle. “Something you want to tell me, or…?”

“N-Nothing’s up!” Grim snapped. "Quit worryin' about me. It's the boss's job to do that for their minion."

The chef rolled his eyes as he set Grim down on the floor beside him. He handed off a boxed lunch wrapped in a checkered cloth. "I'm off to teach. You'll be fine on your own, right? Find Trappola and Spade, settle down with your food, and don't cause trouble."

"I got it already!" Grim huffed. "Catch ya after...?"

"Always." His smile was strained, a bit tired but true. "Maybe I'll bring back some disastrous stories to share with you over dinner."

One last pat on the head, and then he was gone. Hustling down the hall, the white of his pristine chef’s jacket vanishing behind a corner.

Grim managed the rest of the hike to the cafeteria, balancing his lunch in his paws. He squeezed past the legs of various mob students, emerging safely on the other side. They rushed to line up for trays of food.

Suckers, Grim thought, paying in cash for food. Luckily for me, I’ve got something way better than whatever they’re serving.

“Oiiii, Grim! Over here!!” someone called to him. He looked—and there they were, the duo of troublemakers, marked by a heart and a spade upon their faces.

“Ace! Deuce!”

He scampered over to the two Heartslabyul freshmen. They had already secured their lunches, as well as an open seat for him.

“Hard night? Looks like you didn't get much sleep," Deuce commented. A fluffy omelet wobbled atop a mountain of ketchup fried rice on his plate.

“He's right, you really do look awful," Ace added cheerily--blunt as ever. He had opted for a slice of some savory pie, vegetables and meat oozing out from a buttery crust.

"Sh-Shuddap! The great Grim-sama was up all night cookin' up something big!" He slammed a paw down on the table. "Just look at your sorry lunches. They can't compare to what I have!"

"Did Prefect make your meal again? You should try to not trouble him too much.”

"’S not like I tell’m to! He does it on his own!” Grim snickered to himself. "He takes all these cheap ingredients and throws'm together to make these tasty dishes."

"Well, don't keep us waiting in suspense," Ace groaned. "Show us what you have already."

“Let’s see, let’s see!”

Grim undid the fabric knot that held his lunch in a swathe. The checkered pattern peeled back and the lid, once removed, yielded a creamy, cheesy bed of tuna bake.

Gordon had taken his beloved canned tuna and fried it down into flakes. It was then combined with a special mixture of seasonings, pasta shells, melted cheeses, onions and broccoli, and topped with bread crumbs. After a generous bake in their ancient oven, the dish had come out golden brown and bubbling.

“Whoooa, smells delish!!” all three of them drooled.

“Lucky bastard,” Ace muttered. He quickly put on a cheeky grin, his spoon prepared. “Ne, ne~ Lemme try some, Grim!“

“D-Don’t be cheeky, Ace! You can’t demand to mooch off of someone else’s lunch,” Deuce scolded his peer. “… Even if it does look really good.”

“Paws off!!” Grim shielded the box with his body. “My minion made this for me and me only!”

“Tch.” Ace’s expression dropped. “You get to eat like a king for free while the rest of us have to shell out and make do with whatever’s on the school’s menu.”

“It’s not that bad,” Deuce pointed out. “It’d be nice to be able to eat for free but I’m happy with the quality of food we get for the price.”

“This comin’ from the guy who was running low on pocket money for a snack the other day?” he smirked.

“H-Hey, I need to budget, okay?!”

While the duo bickered, Grim had started to shove his face into the box (silverware was too difficult to maneuver) and wolf down his meal. Cheese sauce painted his fur, bits of broccoli and tuna dotting his jaw.

It was heaven—or as close to heaven as he could get on the earth.

He licked his lips appreciatively, mopping up what was left on his face. Not even a little could go to waste. Grim was determined.

As he went back in for another mouthful, he felt a phantom hand cascade across his head, his back. Advice from that morning filled his mind.

“You’ll get there one day. Nose to the grindstone, Grim. You've got to work hard to earn it."

He shut his eyes, making a silent vow.

I’ll definitely… definitely pay ya back for all the hard work you’ve been puttin’ in too, partner.

Gordon bid farewell to the ghost chefs on his way out of the kitchen. The day’s leftovers and unused ingredients overflowed from his arms—a perk of the teaching gig, which helped to feed him and his feline roommate. He mentally parsed through what was available, dreaming up new dishes for the days to come.

There was a nice chunk of fresh tuna (Grim would love it) in his brown paper bag. Perhaps he’d sear it with a sesame crust, then drizzle the seafood in a yuzu-lime dressing to brighten it. He’s plate it with a microgreens salad. Chives, arugula, celery, radish, and ruby sorrel to encourage Grim to eat a variety of vegetables.

He made his way out of the school building and down the long, winding path to Ramshackle dorm. The sun was still out, warming the worn Prefect.

On the front porch, he rustled around in his pants for the keys. When he finally fished it out and inserted the teeth into the lock, Gordon swore he heard a series of suppressed giggles from beyond the door.

Odd.

The door swung open, and he was immediately accosted.

"Welcome baaack," the Ramshackle Ghosts chirped. One ushered him in from behind, another too his groceries off of his hands, and a third tugged him along by the arm.

"Come this way! Grimmy's got a treat for ya!"

"He's been working hard on it the second he got back from his last class."

"Oooh, you're gonna LOVE it!"

"What about dinner?" Gordon protested, watching his beloved ingredients sail off.

He was thrusted into their dingy kitchen--which doubled as the dining room, thanks to the table and chairs set up in one cobwebbed corner. The same old Ramshackle he woke up to every day. Rusty knobs and hinges, chipped cupboards, electricity and running water that blinked in and out.

But there, set on a table with uneven legs and splintered wood, was something extraordinary.

It was a stout cake, iced in light blue with a layer of dripping white and several lit candles stuck into the top. Black frosting formed the vague shape of a fish, TUNA piped over it in white. A single lollipop--pale blue, and in the shape of a paw--casually rested against the cake, as if it had been tossed on top for an extra flair.

A furry mass tackled and hugged Gordon's leg.

"Grim?!"

He was suited up in his own little chef's uniform. It was deep gray, verging on black, his apron tied with a striped-purple ribbon. A tiny toque--a chef's hat-- sat between his ears, a bandage over the bridge of his nose. A smear of white icing decorated his left cheek, and he carried with him a telltale piping bag squeezed thin.

Gordon blinked. "You did this?"

"Nyahahah! Were you surprised?"

"You told me you couldn't cook to save your life."

"He can't," a ghost piped up as he deposited the groceries onto a counter. "He's worse than I was when I was alive!"

"That's why Grimmy's been getting up in the dead of night lately. Been, what? Gotta be a few weeks now."

"He's been practicing his baking and then cleaning up the traces of his crime before you get up."

"What..."

"I wanted to pay ya back, yanno! For all the cookin' and cleanin' and whatever," Grim mumbled shyly, kicking at the ground. "So I figured I'd treat ya for once! I was thinking of a sticky toffee pudding at first since that's your favorite, but... it gets so sticky, it was hard to work with!"

He patted his stomach. "I couldn't put my stuff in the trash can or else you'd notice, so I had to eat up all my mistakes too! It was a lotta effort and way harder than it looked, so you'd better be grateful!!”

Grim looked away, rubbing at his bandage.

“… It helped me better understand and appreciate all the things you do on the daily.”

It clicked.

Everything suddenly made sense. Grim's tiredness, lack of focus, decreased appetite, defensiveness—it was all for this very moment.

"... I see." Gordon bent down, a smile taking shape on his mouth. A steady kindling in his chest. “This is your way of saying ‘thank you’.”

“M-Maybe! An archmage has gotta take good care of his minion,” Grim muttered.

The prefect laughed softly. “And you’re doing a great job at it. Hang tight, I'll get the stove going and whip us up some seared tuna to go with the cake."

“Myah?! Y-You’ve got tuna? Like, the real stuff?!” Grim’s eyes were wide and sparkling. A line of drool ran down his chin. "Fancy tuna...!!"

"Yeah. We can plate some for the ghosts too--so they can join us for a meal in spirit." Gordon nodded at their other roommates. Their pale faces brightened with excitement.

"Can we really?"

"It's been so long since I was last invited to a celebration like this!!"

"Oh, but we can't eat... Ghosts don't have digestive systems. The tune would pass right through us."

"... Grim, you have eat their shares. More importantly, it's being together for the occasion that matters, right?"

"Whoo-hoo!! You're the best minion an archmage could ask for!!" Grim cheered, leaping into the air, furry fist pumping.

“Let's get this dinner party started…!”