#nrc summoning professor

[wafflefries13]

Dream a Little Dream of Me (Twisted Wonderland Cast X Reader)

Summary: A look into the future with the Twisted Wonderland cast, guest staring our favorite magicless prefect.

AN: Can you tell which of these were really hard for me to come up with? Overall I'm pretty happy with them. A few of these I feel like I could come up with full-length fics later. But, man, did I not realize exactly how big the cast was until I started writing it all. I thought I would keep them all to around 500 words but I quickly abandoned that.

Warnings: None that I can think of. AFAB reader with she/her pronouns.

“You can see the future?” 

(Y/N) stood with Ace and Deuce, Grim clinging on to the side of the cauldron, watching the swirling purples, blues, and greens of their latest alchemy assignment come together. 

“Sort of?” Deuce said, looking into his own cauldron, one he hadn’t summoned out of thin air this time. “It’s more like what might happen in the future. Like, if you continue doing what you’re doing you’re more likely to get this result sort of thing.” 

“It's not really specific either,” Ace added. “This is kind of a standard potion for midterms. I think every year is doing it.” 

“The oracleum mycoculous mushroom,” Professor Crewel said, giving a stern eye to the chatting group. “Is said to give premonitions, depending on how it is treated. The method we are using today should give vivid dreams on future outcomes. I recommend when you go to bed tonight, focus on a certain aspect of the future you want more information about. Health, career, wealth, marriage. Something nebulous will work better with this specific concoction. It’s important to note that you will be aware that you’re dreaming, but unable to have any agency or action. Remember you’re not controlling the vision, just let it happen and see what information you can gather.”   

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this magic stuff,” (Y/N) said, ladling their potion into a thick mug. She screwed her face up. “Or the smell.” 

“More for me then!” Grim cheered, snatching the mug out of her hands and downing the entire thing before (Y/N) could protest. As soon as he had drained the last drop, he turned a strange shade of green, despite his gray fur. 

(Y/N) pet his head sympathetically as Grim made gagging noises. “That’s what you get for being impatient.” 

As soon as the rest of the class had drunk their potion, with similar reactions to Grim, they were dismissed. The rest of the day went on as normal, or as normal as it could be at Night Raven College. 

As the sun set and students settled into their beds, some eagerly awaited the possible visions that they hoped would come to them as they slept. Others dreaded the uncertain future. Still others ignored the possibilities all together, not putting stock into an uncertain chance of a glimpse of the future, determined to make their fortune themselves. 

And so, NRC slept and dreamed. 

Ace

Ace vaulted over the overturned trash can, dashing after the culprit. His feet pounded the pavement, heart thundering in his ears with every step. The culprit looked over his shoulder to see Ace still in hot pursuit and he dashing out into the street. Cars swerved and braked hard, trying to avoid hitting him, one overcorrecting and swiping into another car. Ace ignored the angry shouts, sliding across the hood of a crashed car with single determination. 

“Ace!” Deuce’s voice crackled from the walky-talky fixed to his tactical vest. “Where are you?” 

Ace quickly flicked his eyes up to check the street signs. “Heading south down Dodgson street!” South? Was that right? It sounded like the right thing to say, and it’s not like he had time to check the position of the sun. 

“On it!” Deuce called back. 

Ace’s muscles burned, but he refused to break stride. The culprit cut through an open air market, shoving and throwing people behind him to try and slow Ace down. Ace tried to catch them while still keeping the culprit in his line of sight. Just when he felt like his lungs were about to give out, an arm shot out from the corner, clotheslining the culprit. The culprit fell back hard, his own momentum bringing him down. Deuce stepped out from the corner, cracking his knuckles. Ace slid to a stop next to them, quickly kneeling down to flip the culprit on his stomach, handcuffing his hands behind him. Stolen mage stones spilled from the culprit’s pockets. 

Later, back at the Arcane Special Defense Unit headquarters in the Queendom of Roses, everyone was celebrating. Senior officers gave hearty congratulations to the two rookies for their final take down of a mage stone thief ring that had been a thorn in their side for almost a decade. Deuce took the praise with a little more grace, demurely waving off attention, while Ace preened and basked in it. 

“Hey, Trappola!” One of the senior officers called over the din. “You got a visitor!” 

(Y/N) poked her head out from behind the officer, giving a little wave. Several of the other officers whistled and whooped, Deuce elbowing him with a smile. Ace flipped them off and jogged over to (Y/N) pulling her out of the main room to a slightly quieter hallway. 

“Hey, hero,” (Y/N) said, kissing his cheek. 

“Hero, huh?” Ace said with a crooked smile. “I like the sound of that.” 

“Don’t get a big head, now.” 

“Hey, you’re talking to a soon to be detective. That deserves some respect, right?” 

“Sure, sure.” (Y/N) flicked his chest. “You’ve always had a big head anyway.” 

“Alright, that’s it!” Smirking, Ace leaned down, slinging his arms around (Y/N)’s midsection and sweeping her up to toss over his shoulder. (Y/N) shrieked in delight as he spun around. Getting dizzy, Ace tripped over his feet, causing them both to tumble down. Ace pivoted at the last second so he landed first, softening the blow, (Y/N) landing on top of him. They both looked at each other for a moment before bursting out in a fit of giggles. 

Catching her breath, (Y/N) rested her chin on Ace’s chest, gazing up at him. He held her close, brushing a hand through her hair. 

“Marry me,” He mumbled. They both seemed shocked that he had said it, Ace immediately blushing with wide eyes. “I - I mean,” He stuttered. “I didn’t mean - I mean, I did, but I didn’t mean to say it now - Not that I wouldn’t want to or anything but -” 

(Y/N) silenced him with a kiss. “It’s okay,” She said when she pulled away, leaving Ace dazed. “I’ll wait for you.” 

Ace pulled her close, burying his face in her shoulder, purposefully ignoring the cheers from the officers who had stuck their heads out the door. He started thinking about jewelry stores nearby. 

Deuce

Deuce fiddled with the clasp on his cape. He looked in the full-length mirror in his room. His private room - some of the perks of being Heartslabyul’s House Warden. He’d been fitted for the uniform at the end of last school year, when Riddle had announced Deuce as his successor. And now, here he was, finally wearing it. It felt awkward. He looked awkward. Not for the first time, he couldn’t believe he was here, wearing it. It didn’t look right. Or, rather, he didn’t look right in it. 

There was a soft knock at his door. Deuce flinched away from fiddling with the uniform like it had burned him. “Come in!” He called. Why did his voice sound so weird? Was that what a House Warden should sound like? 

(Y/N) popped her head in, wearing the formal entrance ceremony robes. “Just me. Whoa.” She stepped inside, staring at Deuce. She looked at him in awe, a smile spreading across her face. She clasped her hands together. “Deuce! You look amazing!” 

He spread his arms wide, trying to find whatever (Y/N) saw in him. “You think so? I don’t look, I don’t know, out of place or anything?” 

She hummed, walking forward and straightening Deuce’s cape. “I think you look like a fine and respectable House Warden, one that all the new first-years are going to love. Although,” She winked at him and Deuce felt himself blush vigorously. “You’re a pretty easy guy to love.” 

“Yeah?” He said, hoping she would ignore the way his voice cracked. 

“Yeah.” She gripped his lapels and pulled him down for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her. Couldn’t they just stay like this? Did he really have what it took to go out there and give a welcome speech to all those new students?  Not to mention all the returning students who already knew him, all his mess ups and faults and imperfections. 

“Hey.” (Y/N)’s voice snapped him out of it. “You’re getting in your own head again. Everyone’s going to be able to see you just like I do.” She brushed a lock of hair away from his face. “Strong, kind, brave, the world’s best boyfriend. That part is just for me, though.” 

He sighed, dropping his head so their foreheads touched. “I’m glad you’re with me.” 

“I always will be.” 

“Maybe I can get one more kiss?” Deuce said shyly, feeling himself blush again. “For good luck.” 

She smiled up at him. “Sure, for luck.” 

Just as their lips were about to brush, the door slammed open. “What’s the hold up, Juice?” Ace said, storming in. “The first-years are getting antsy out there and - oh, I see.” He grinned wickedly and cocked an eyebrow. “Nevermind, this is much more important.” 

Deuce grabbed the scepter that came with the House Warden uniform. He pointed it at Ace, shouting, “Off with your head!” 

Ace cringed back, arms coming up to shield himself. When nothing happened, he looked up, annoyed.“Hey, that’s not your spell!” 

“No,” Deuce said, grinning. “But I can still whack you with this thing!” 

Deuce chased Ace out of the room, waving the scepter. As Ace dashed down the hall, Deuce felt (Y/N) slip her hand into his. She kissed his cheek. “Come on, House Warden,” She said. “There’s a whole school year waiting for us.” 

Cater

“We on in three, Cater,” The producer said. Cater gave a thumbs up, occupied by the makeup team readjusting his cover so his face didn’t shine under the lights on camera. Behind them, the Shaftland’s Glass Slipper Gala was starting up, celebrities of all ilk stepping out of limos to walk the red carpet and show off the cutting edge of fashion. 

Cater took one more swig of water, brushing invisible dust from his blazer jacket, and fixed his most dazzling smile. “Alright, ready when you are!” 

“Okay, get ready everyone!” The producer said, readjusting her earpiece. “We’re a go in 5, 4, 3…” She mouthed the last two numbers, pointing to Cater as a blinking red light turned on on the camera. 

“Welcome, Shaftlands!” Cater said into his handheld microphone, winking to the camera. “It’s your favorite pop culture and social media consultant, Cater! We’re here at the Glass Slipper Gala, the annual exhibition for all things gorgeous, over the top, and innovative! Let’s see who we can find on the red carpet.” 

Cater waved over a few celebrities, getting quotes that, the next day, would be plastered on the front cover of numerous magazines and social websites. People found it hard not to match his energy, smiling and laughing along. 

Cater had just waved off a rising movie star when he saw someone familiar from the corner of his eye. Weaving their way through the throngs of media, cameras, and various fans hoping to get a glimpse of their bias, (Y/N) gave Cater a little wave. She held up a tray with three cardboard to-go cups, the symbol of his favorite coffee shop emblazoned on the front. Cater cried with delight and beelined it for her. The producer started waving frantically as the cameraman followed his movement with a questioning look. 

“We have a super special treat for you, viewers!” Cater said. (Y/N) blinked in surprise as Cater slung an arm around her shoulder, pulling into a sideways hug. “My wonderful, adorable girlfriend is here! Say hi, sweetie!” 

“Umm, hi?” She held up the tray. “I thought you guys might need a break so I brought you a pick-me-up. A blond roast with three shots of vanilla and milk, green tea with half-and-half, and,” She picked up the last cup and handed it to Cater. “An iced chai latte, size medium but put into a large size so there’s room to mix in extra cinnamon, using oat milk instead of dairy, two pumps brown sugar syrup, one pump mocha syrup, two pumps cinnamon dolce syrup, three shots espresso, cinnamon dusting, and vanilla sweet cream foam.” 

“She even knows my order!” Cater swooned, putting the back of his hand to his forehead. “Viewers, have you ever seen a more perfect person in the whole wide world?”  

“Uh, Cater?” 

“Pretty, smart, and super sweet. What more could you ask for? Well, you all know I like things a little more spicy than sweet, but my girl has that in spades, too, just between us.”

“Should you really be saying this on air?” 

Cater shrugged. “They can edit it all out in post.” “Cater,” The producer said, deadpan. “We’re live right now.” 

(Y/N) gasped as Cater blinked, staring into the single black eye of the camera. The cameraman smiled and shrugged. 

“Oh, well then,” Cater said. In a second, his sparkling smile returned. “Then we should give them a show, right?” 

“Cater, wha-” 

Before she could say anything else, Cater plucked the coffee from (Y/N)’s hands, setting it gently on the ground with his microphone. He jumped back up, taking her into his arms in a low dip, kissing her amid a flurry of flashing lights. 

Trey

The bell above the door had been ringing constantly all day. The small storefront was full to bursting, children pressing their faces against the glass display case to point at every confection they wanted their parents to buy. Shop assistants in crisp mint green and white uniforms handed white boxes over the counter to eager hands. Two others maneuvered extra seating outside under an awning to help combat the surplus customers. 

A teen with emerald green hair escaped into the attached kitchen, taking a deep breath of relief. “Well, big brother,” He said. “I think it’s safe to say the grand re-opening is a success.” 

Trey chuckled from the counter, squeezing buttercream to swirl atop enough cupcakes to feed an army. After a fire halfway destroyed this family’s bakery several months ago, there had been talks of shutting down the business entirely and joining up with some of the bigger corporate shops in town. Trey had scrimped and saved and planned to recreate the shop to his own specifics, making sure to blend years upon years of Clover secret family recipes with his new creations. They were still constructing a new upper level for a specialty dining experience. Patrons would pay a flat sum for a pre-arranged dessert tasting menu set up like a full 6-course dinner, using cutting edge technology, foams and gelatin beads and liquid nitrogen ice cream and all the works. There was already a waiting list for reservations. 

“Uh, Chef?” Another worker poked their head through the door. “You have some people out here asking for you.” 

Trey smiled, whipping his hands on his apron. He quickly directed the other pastry chefs in the kitchen then headed out. The group of Heartslabyul graduates, plus Chenya, Grim, and (Y/N), had taken over one of the outside tables. Ace, Deuce, and Grim were competing to see who could fit more cupcakes into their mouth at once while Riddle chided them. Cater was rearranging his plate of mini-tarts, eclairs, and macarons to take the best pictures. Chenya was sneaking  treats off everyone’s plate while they were preoccupied. (Y/N) noticed Trey first, smiling wide and standing to meet him. 

“There’s the man of the hour,” She said, meeting him in a hug. 

“So, Trey,” Ace asked with a sly look. “How many free samples are we getting today?” 

“Didn’t you get enough when Trey was practicing his new recipes?” Riddle scoffed. 

“You can never get enough of Trey’s baking!” Grim cheered, taking a large bite of another cream puff as creme anglaise bursted all over his furry face. 

Riddle huffed at the display of bad manners before turning to Trey with a smile. “Congratulations are definitely in order. Everything is looking even better than you described.” 

“It was a lot of hard work,” Trey said. “I didn’t think we were going to make it a few times.” 

(Y/N) shoved him. “Oh, stop. You had perfect control the whole time. No one ever doubted you. Especially me.” She pulled him down for a kiss. 

“Bleh!” Grim stuck out his tongue. “Not when I’m eating!” 

(Y/N) smiled wickedly and pulled Trey down to pepper kisses all over his face. Grim, Ace, and Deuce made mocking sounds of disgust before bursting into laughter. 

As everyone refocused on their pastries, (Y/N) leaned over to whisper to Trey. “Should we tell them?” (Y/N) asked.  

“Not yet,” Trey said, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “I want to keep you to myself for a little while longer.” 

Behind their backs, the held hands, matching rings glinting in the light. 

Riddle

Riddle jerked awake at the feeling of hands on his shoulders. He heard an “Oh!” of surprise. A blanket slipped off his shoulders, pooling on the floor. He was sitting at a desk illuminated by a single lamp, the rest of the lights in the small bedroom turned off. Through the window blinds, he could see it was dark outside. He turned to the person behind him who had tried to drape the blanket over him. 

“Sorry,” (Y/N) said. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” Riddle rubbed at his tired eyes, peeling off a loose leaf of notebook paper that was stuck to his cheek. He looked down at the mess of notes and textbooks littering his desk. “No, it’s a good thing,” He said. “I don’t have time for sleep right now. I need to study.” 

(Y/N) frowned at him. “You need sleep, Riddle. You won’t do yourself any good if you fall asleep in the middle of the bar exam.” 

Riddle turned back to his desk, rearranging various documents on magical law and court cases. “A good lawyer needs to be prepared for whatever is thrown at him.” “A good lawyer needs to be able to balance work and rest.” 

“I-” Riddle sighed. 

“At least let me make you some tea and take a break,” (Y/N) said, picking up the blanket and folding it over her arm.

Riddle yawned, blushing at how loud it was. “That’s… a good idea. Thank you.”  

(Y/N) smiled at him, leaning down to kiss his forehead before walking over to the tiny kitchen.

Riddle looked around. They were in a small studio apartment. Riddle’s desk was shoved to one side of the room, a bed on the opposite side, blankets thrown open as if someone had just gotten out. He saw his shoes next to the doorway, neatly arranged, next to (Y/N)’s. A slightly ajar closet door showed it was split between his formal attire and (Y/N)’s clothes. They had been living together for a while, it seemed. 

The bar exam was only a few days away. Five years of grueling school was all leading up to this moment. He’d heard too many stories about how it usually took two or three tries for most people to pass. He was determined to pass on the first try, to prove to himself, and maybe his mother, that he had made the right choice. In his career, in his life, in his partner… 

Riddle looked back at (Y/N) in the small connected kitchen, making sure she was busy with the tea. He opened the top drawer of his desk, just enough to peak inside. The box was still there, small black velvet, holding the ring inside. It was plain, just a simple silver band, polished to a shine by his own hand, but it was all he could afford. Originally, he had wanted to use his mother’s ring, the ring that had been passed down his family for generations, supposedly back to the time of the Queen of Hearts herself. But Riddle’s mother hardly approved of his chosen profession over going into the medical field, much less his partner. He remembered the screaming match they had had, how she was absolutely appalled Riddle would want to be associated with someone with no magic, no future as she put it, not to mention no family lineage to speak of. Riddle hadn’t spoken to her in quite some time. 

Riddle sighed, closing the drawer. (Y/N) had worked hard these past few years, supporting the two of them while Riddle focused on school. She’d always said it was no problem, that she was happy to work whatever odd job she could so Riddle could focus all his energy on his studies. The least he could do was make a name for himself as a lawyer, provide her with the life she deserved. 

She set a tea cup down in front of him. “Here,” She said. “With honey, not sugar.” Taking her own cup, she sat on the bed facing him. “And you’re not going to look at those notes again until you finish drinking it and talk to me.” 

Riddle picked up the cup, letting the warmth of the tea soak into his hands. He cast a glance at the drawer with its loaded secret within. 

“Actually,” He said. “There is something I’ve been wanting to ask you.” 

Leona

Leona ducked, sliding across the field as a Spelldrive disk hurdled over his head. Immediately, he was back on his feet, throwing up a magical shield as the disk crashed back towards him. 

The crowded stadium roared around him, stands packed to bursting. Fans wore team colors, red and gold for his Sunset Savannah team, the Lion Guard, and icy blue and white for the Shaftland’s team they were playing against, the Draugrs. 

“Captain!” A voice called behind him. Leona turned to see one of his teammates fly next to him on a broom. “You okay?” 

Leona brushed off the grass stain on his uniform. “I’m fine. We’re starting the new play, the one we practiced yesterday.”  

His teammate balked. “Are we ready for that? We’ve only practiced it a few times, and never in a game. There’s only a minute left on the clock!” 

“Then we’re running out of time!” Leona snarled. “We’re tied. This is our chance to take the game.”

The flying teammate saluted. “Sir, yes, sir!” He flew up, whistling a code to let the other players know to get in position. A few of them cast worried glances Leona’s way, but their trust in their team captain was obvious as they quickly fell into position. 

Leona fell back as the ground members of his team made an arrow shape ahead of the opposing player who currently held the disk. Suddenly, as the flier crossed the 20-yard line, they inverted. The two flanking the point of the arrow knelt in front of the player at the tip. He jumped to their waiting hands, being launched into the air. The player with the disk reared his broom back, not expecting a ground assault. The player who had been thrown in the air took the opportunistic distraction to claim the disk, hurdling it to a flier on the Sunset Savanna team. The flier took the disk, hovering it a foot from him with magic, and shot back to the opposing team’s goal. As the Draugr broom flying players closed in on him, he dropped the disk without warning, to the waiting hands of a ground player. The ground player dashed forward, dodging tackles from the opposing team. As they closed in on him, he tossed the disk back to a flier. This repeated twice more until the opposing team got used to the play. When another ground player got the disk, sprinting to the goal, all Shaftlands players were focused on the flier hovering above him. The ground player faked throwing the disk up and the opposing team jerked their focus upward. Instead, the ground player flung the disk to Leona’s waiting hands. In the seconds it took for the other team to recognize the play, Leona was already steps away from the goal. He flung the disk, boosted with his own magical energy, and it sailed cleanly through the opposing team’s hoop.

The crowd thundered around him as the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game. Leona took a deep breath, throwing his head back in a victorious roar. The rest of his team joined in, supporting their captain, whooping and cheering to their heart's content. 

The team gathered together, slapping each other on the back and jumping in congratulatory victory. A few of them cast sly looks Leona’s way, and before he could question it, he was soaked with an overturned cooler of bright green sports drink. They all laughed as he flung excess droplets at them. 

As the championship cup was brought out, Leona’s ears twitched as a sound. He turned and heard them repeat themselves. “Leona!” (Y/N) ran onto the field, smiling wide. She was wearing an old jersey of his, the one he had when he first joined the pro Spelldrive leagues. She waved her hand high over her head, the light catching on a topaz and diamond ring on her finger. 

He surged forward to meet her, wrapping her in a tight embrace and lifting her up. Without either of them noticing, a camera focused on their reunion, projecting their image on the jumbotron as they embraced and shared a victory kiss.

Jack

Jack held up a hand, stopping the rest of the search and rescue team following behind him. They were trekking up the North Mountain, a popular peak in the backlands in a Shaftlands national park. The snow was more than seven feet deep, and even with their specialized snow shoes they were starting to sink down. They were on the far side of the mountain, bright sunlight blazing across the snow that had been churned up from a recent avalanche. 

“What’s up, chief?” One of the rescue workers asked, readjusting his EMT pack on his shoulders. 

Jack’s ears twitched, trying to pick up the sound he was sure he had just heard. He turned back to his team. “This is the last place the skiers were seen. Everybody fan out to your lanes and start searching.” 

The group spread out, each taking a 40 meter lane as they walked downhill. Each member of the search and rescue team held a thermal meter reader, strong enough to pierce through the snow cover up to 15 meters down. They also inspected the snow for any other sign of disturbance, trying to see if anyone was moving underneath. 

Jack’s ears twitched again, picking up on the minute noise underneath him. He checked his reader, seeing an orange mass that was quickly turning blue. 

“Spotted, 35 meters!” He called out. He unfurled a long thin pole from his pack, carefully jabbing down into the snow. When he met resistance, he slung his pack off and put together his collapsible shovel. He started scooping snow away, flakes swirling up to stick against his eyelashes. Finally about three feet down, he saw a splash of a red coat. He widened his digging circle. “Victim found!” 

The most important thing at the moment was getting the buried person an airway. Jack heaved snow away, using his hands now so he wouldn’t accidentally injure the victim. He heard another one of the rescuers repeat his cry further down, “Victim found!” 

Jack could see the victim breathing, their breath melting a small indent around their nose and mouth. Jack ripped off his glove with his teeth, feeling for a pulse on their neck. It was faint, but it was there. He couldn’t see any visible wounds. The next most important part was getting them out of the snow while moving them as little as possible in case there were any internal or spine related injuries. 

Another rescuer came over to him. “My lane’s clear, sir. Can I help?” 

Jack nodded. “Go get the sled and stabilizing bands.” He saluted, making his way back up. Their team worked with dogsleds for evacuation in these parts, since it was generally less heavy than a snowmobile, and much quieter to avoid any other disruptions. 

Soon, the three missing skiers were loaded up in the sleds. Jack ran through his paramedic training in his head, making sure he and his team weren’t missing anything before they would head back to their base at the foot of the mountain. 

Arriving down, the team moved the victims, two of whom were coming back to consciousness, into a more comfortable and much warmer infirmary. The hospital in the nearby town had already been notified and was sending an ambulance to bring them back for further care. 

After making sure everyone was stable and the victims were being treated for any signs of hypothermia, Jack stepped into the mudroom attached to their rescue station, shaking his head and stomping his boots free from snow. 

“The ambulance will be here in about half an hour,” He heard behind him. He turned, seeing (Y/N) in the doorway, holding a steaming mug of pear tea. She wore a uniform similar to his, indicating they were part park ranger, part emergency rescue team. She smiled softly and handed it to him. “They said they had to take a different route around due to the avalanche. I guess it went farther than we thought.” 

Jack sipped the tea, letting the warmth infuse into his muscles. “Once we get these guys taken care of we’ll have to head back out, then. Try to take stock of any damage.” 

“The other teams have reported back already. Everyone’s been accounted for. Looks like your lot was in the worst shape. It’s a good thing they have you looking out for them, huh?” 

Jack looked away, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, we have a big team. Everyone’s doing their part.” 

“And you're the one who trained them. You’re the one who set up this whole search and rescue station. All those people there,” she waved in the direction of the treatment beds, the people pulled out of the snow, slowly warming themselves by the fireplace and with warm drinks. “Owe it all to you. You’re allowed to brag about it sometimes, you know.” 

Jack felt his face growing hot, tail starting to wag despite himself under her praise. “Well, maybe I just have a really good team.” 

(Y/N) hummed, standing on her tiptoes and reaching a hand up, threading through his short hair to pull his face down to her level. “And I wouldn’t want to be on any one else’s,” She murmured against his lips as they kissed. 

Ruggie

Politics were messy. Ruggie always knew that, but being here in the middle of it all showed him the full web of underhandedness, plotting, and secrets. But, as the Sunset Savannah’s royal family’s, or more directly Leona’s, personal spy master, that’s exactly what he was there for. 

Now, during his days at NRC, when Ruggie first started working as Leona’s unofficial personal assistant, lurking around, being a little more than underhanded in his dealings, did he ever expect he would one day be sneaking around an embassy in the middle of a grand party, planning on swiping some important documents that could reveal plots against the crown? No, of course not. But, man, was it still fun. 

As he slunk along the corridors, Ruggie eyed the attendance, each dripping with enough jewelry and finery to feed a family of four for a year. He inwardly sneered, hand shooting out to discreetly pocket a diamond bracelet some ambassador's wife, or more likely his mistress, was wearing.  But ill gotten treasure wasn’t what he was here for, at least, not today. 

Ruggie cut through a servant’s entrance, turning his coat inside out, turning it from red velvet of party goers to the matte black of the help. He thought it was too easy sometimes. People always saw what they wanted to see. Heading up to the upper floors of the embassy, he spied some hired goons waltzing around the room he needed to enter. Ruggie stayed as far back in the shadows as he could while tracking the one guard who stood a little too close to the stairs. 

“Laugh with me,” Ruggie murmured, casting his signature spell. He jerked his body to the side, causing the goon to stumble and crash down the stairs. To anyone else, it would have looked like he had too much to drink on the job, or had simply slipped. As the other guards were busy checking with their companion, Ruggie darted behind them, slipping into the room unseen. He made quick work, sniffing out the hidden safe, and picked the lock so easily he was almost afraid he was being set up. Securing the documents in the hidden pocket inside his jacket, Ruggie effortlessly slipped out the window, down the drive, and off into the night. 

Later that night, Ruggie shook off the rain as he stepped inside the lobby of Granny Bucchi’s Memorial Home for Lost Children. It was dark, everyone fast asleep upstairs. In the morning, all the children the Home housed would wake up, eat a hearty breakfast, one Ruggie could have only ever dreamed about at their age, and go to school in the attached building. Ruggie didn’t know exactly what strings Leona pulled to get such high class teachers for the Home, but he had learned long ago not to look a gift horse in the mouth. 

As Ruggie was about to head up the stairs to the caretaker's quarters, he noticed the lamp light coming from the side sitting room. Ruggie carefully stalked over to the other room, careful to avoid the floor boards that squeaked. He peered in, the warm light of a floor lamp illuminating (Y/N) on a rocking chair, a toddler hyena beastman fast asleep on her chest. Ruggie leaned against the doorframe, smiling gently at the domestic scene. 

(Y/N) stirred, af if sensing being watched. She blinked sleepily, smiling up at him. “Welcome home,” She whispered. “Everything go well?” 

(Y/N) knew just enough about Ruggie’s work, but never pried. They both knew well enough that Ruggie would immediately spill any secrets if she fluttered her eyelashes and gave him one of those sweet smiles. “Flawless, as usual.” He stepped forward, taking the small boy from her arms. His ears twitched as he was passed between them but stayed asleep. 

“He’s finally been sleeping through the night,” (Y/N) said. “But he had a nightmare earlier. He wanted to wait for you to get home.” 

“Aww, A for effort.” 

They walked upstairs to the children’s dormitory rooms, settling the small boy in his bed and tucking the blankets over him. 

“They’re having their field day tomorrow,” (Y/N) said as they entered their shared room. She sat on the bed as Ruggie kicked off his shoes. “Will you be here? The kids always love to see you.” 

He flopped down on the bed next to her with a sigh, arms behind his head.  “Wouldn’t miss it! It’s amazing how much energy those kiddos have. You think we were ever like that?” 

“Me? No, probably not. I can see you zipping around everywhere, though.” 

“Oh, yeah, I was fleet footed. You gotta be quick to pick pockets, you know.” She halfheartedly punched him as he snickered. 

“Do you ever think-?” She stared before cutting herself off. 

“Only sometimes,” He joked. “I hear it’s a dangerous habit.” He waited for a moment then asked, “Think about what?” 

(Y/N) looked back in the direction of the children’s dormitory, each level for a set of age groups from the babies all the way to the teenagers. “You know, about having our own.” 

Azul

Azul flitted around the room, jumping from conversation to conversion, getting just enough of a word in to be memorable, to make a good impression. So far, this, the grand opening of the Mostro Lounge, was a success. More than a success, it had drawn all ilk of upper crust society. Politicians, celebrities, heirs and heiresses with nothing better to do but try and get their picture in the next tabloid. Horderves were being passed, champagne was being popped, and, subtly, between it all, waiters were gathering secrets and snips of conversations from their patrons. 

The Monstro Lounge worked on two fronts, both carefully cultivated and maintained. The first was the face, the elegant restaurant and tea room that welcomed guests to treat them with all the luxury of the world. The second was more nefarious, the dagger hidden behind the back. Important clientele meant important discussions, important secrets, and important dealings. Whether or not these things were entirely legal didn’t much matter to Azul, just so long as he was in on them. 

It was important that at least most of their patrons didn’t notice the dagger. It was better for them to let their guard down, enjoy their night of revelry and relaxation. And Azul, with his charming smile, silver tongue, and perfectly business-like attitude, acted as the perfect cover. 

Azul was mingling with a group of bankers when he felt a gentle hand clasp his arm. “Excuse me,” (Y/N) said. “I’m afraid I need to steal my fiance for a moment.” The bankers held up their glasses in a cheers as she led him away. She glittered in a black sequin dress, pearls at her throat. On her hand was a delicate pearl and pink coral ring, the coral arranged like flower petals around the pearl. 

“Is anything wrong, angelfish?” Azul asked as they strolled through the lobby. 

(Y/N) hummed. “Maybe I just wanted some time with you. I’m allowed to be selfish like that every once and a while, aren't I?” 

“Of course. I think I like when you’re selfish.” 

An ignorant observer might have commented that (Y/N) made quite the trophy on Azul’s arm, but those in the know were quick to correct any misconceptions. (Y/N) was just in touch with both sides of the Monstro Lounge as Azul, just as involved. If any of Azul’s more unscrupulous dealings or shady past came up, it was easy for one to dismiss pressing concerns. After all, look at his soon-to-be wife! (Y/N) was more than capable of smoothing over any worries or uneasy feelings. And, possibly more importantly, keeping some of Azul’s more underhanded ambitions  in check. 

“Zuzu!” Azul nearly jumped out of his skin as he heard his mother’s voice. (Y/N) took a skilled step back to allow room for Mrs. Ashengrotto to envelope Azul in the kind of hug only a proud mother could give. Of course, the hug was missing a few limbs since Mrs. Ashengrotto was currently in human form, but it was still just as tight. She kissed both his cheeks and, while Azul was always happy to see his mother and show off his accomplishments, he couldn’t help but cringe at how the act tainted the elegant and stern reputation he was building for himself. Releasing him, she turned to her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. (Y/N) accepted her hug with a little more grace, the benefit of seeing an affectionate attack coming. 

Azul readjusted his glasses, greeting his mother and step-father. “I’m glad you both were able to make it.” 

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” His step-father said, giving him a firm handshake and warm pat on the back. 

His mother had started to tear up, (Y/N) patting her hand sympathetically. “Oh, my. My little Azul, all grown up. I remember when you were just a little fry, darting in your octopot at anything. Look how big my boy has gotten! Have you been eating well, Zuzu? You look so thin!” 

“Why don’t we grab a table?” (Y/N) neatly interjected. Azul cast her a grateful look and quickly waved a waiter over who brought the small group to a VIP section. An aquarium that took up the entire back wall cast elegant blue light over the private section. 

After the waiter took their drink order, Mrs. Ashengrotto laid her hands flat on the table, looking seriously at Azul and (Y/N). “Now,” She said. “When can I expect grandchildren?” 

Jade

“Anglerfish,” (Y/N) said. 

Jade grinned, turning back to her as he held his lantern high. “What was that?” 

“Nothing, nothing at all.” 

Jade smiled, looked down at (Y/N) as she zipped their tent closed. The cool spring night air swirled around them, moon bright and sky clear. 

While Jade mostly lived in the Coral Sea, studying with his parents to prepare to take over the family business, part of his heart would always remain up in the mountains. He’d published a book last year, Roots of the Earth: Flora, Fauna, and Folklore of the Bald Mountains, which had become a bestseller almost overnight. In depth discussions and depictions of dry land environments were apparently pretty popular underwater. His publisher had been eager for a follow up. Which led him here, camping in the Mount Moln mountain range, ready to set off on an overnight exploration. 

He didn’t, however, expect certain company. Not that he minded (Y/N)’s presence. Quite the opposite in fact. 

While she hadn’t been an official member of the Mountain Lovers club back at NRC, she had participated in a few hiking trips, whenever her schedule, or Crowley, would allow. They hadn’t seen much of each other in person since Jade graduated, but they did exchange correspondence regularly. Jade knew that (Y/N) kept up with everyone from NRC in a similar fashion, but couldn’t help hoping that his particular letters were a little special. At least, the ones he sent back to her were. 

When Jade had arrived in Harveston the day before his expedition, he was surprised to see her with the lilac haired Felmier family. (Y/N) had cried in delight and thrown her arms around him, making his heart speed up in a not unpleasant way. Over tea, (Y/N) had told him that she had mostly been jumping around Twisted Wonderland, still trying to find a more permanent place in a land she wasn't native to. With the apple planting season coming up, Epel’s family had offered a position, one she had eagerly accepted. And, when he slyly implied that he would need assistance traversing the mountain and keeping track of his gear and research, she had enthusiastically agreed. They both decided to ignore the knowing glances from Grandma Felmier. 

They had risen before the sun that next morning, beginning their trek up Mount Moln. While the weather was defiantly warming, small clumps of snow still stubbornly clung on the higher they climbed. They’d made camp early, with the sun still up, digging into warm soup the Felmier’s had prepared for them, before turning in. They knew they would be getting up in the middle of the night, so they tried to get as much sleep as possible beforehand. 

Which brought them back to the present, Jade sweeping his lantern across the trail with (Y/N) staying close behind. 

“So,” (Y/N) said. “Remind me what we’re looking for?” 

“Panellus pusillus,” Jade said. “Otherwise known as the little ping-pong bat mushroom.” 

(Y/N) snorted a laugh. “That’s pretty cute.” 

“They are bioluminescent. During the day they look like normal white fan-like mushrooms. But at night they glow beautifully. They wrap around tree branches so they often look like string lights. I’ve been wanting to take back a few samples for my project back in the Coral Sea.” 

“For your next book?” 

“That, and something else. I’ve been working on an underwater biome meant to replicate various ecosystems from the mountains I’ve traversed here on land. It would allow sea-dwellers a chance to experience environments they normally wouldn’t be exposed to. I’m still gathering funds, but I think it will be a fascinating experiment when completed.” 

“Sounds like a big undertaking.” 

“Definitely.” Jade cast a glance over his shoulder, meeting (Y/N)’s eyes. He quickly looked away again, holding the lantern out a little farther so (Y/N) wouldn’t notice the red tint to his cheeks. He only ever had to worry about that in human form. “I’ve actually been gathering a team to help me set everything up. Having someone native to land would provide a unique perspective. If you would be interested, after your work in the orchards here. I wouldn’t want to impose on any previous commitments.” 

“I don’t think you could impose on me even if you wanted to.” Jade stopped, turning around to fully face her. He watched (Y/N) gulp, readying herself, before she took a step forward. They were just a breath apart from each other now. Her hand reached out, stopping between them. “I - I’ve really missed you. I didn’t expect to this much, but then you showed back up and it kind of punched me in the gut all at once. Sorry, I feel like I’m not saying this the right way. But… I really missed you.” 

Jade let the silence sink in as his thoughts turned in his head. Crickets, owls, and other night creatures filled the air with their songs. (Y/N) looked down, shuffling her feet. Jade transferred his lantern to his other hand, reaching forward and taking hers. 

“My,” He said with a teasing grin. “This is certainly unexpected. Not unwelcome, of course. What would you do if I said I harbored similar feelings?” 

Underneath the soft glow of mushrooms overhead, (Y/N) stood on her toes and kissed him. 

Floyd

Suffice to say, most people were pretty surprised when Floyd decided to take an engineering course for the first leg of his NRC 4th year internship. With his happy-go-lucky and action-first personality, it was easy to forget that he was surprisingly good with technical skills. Even still, most people assumed he would get bored soon, skipping off to a more physically exciting internship for the next quarter. However, he stayed for the entire year. It definitely helped that the particular engineers he had partnered with specialized in roller coasters. 

And now, here he was, standing in the middle of a brand new theme park just a few weeks away from opening. When he had first approached Kalim for funding for his dream project he hadn’t expected much resistance. After all, both boys could appreciate a good time, whether from an over-the-top party or an exhilarating thrill ride. 

Floyd’s specific idea was for a theme park both land dwellers and merpeople could enjoy simultaneously. This led to the unique structure of Marine Canyon. The theme park was nestled perfectly in a natural canyon carved out thousands of years ago by glaciers. A slim river still ran through the canyon. Half the park was located in the canyon while the second half descended underneath the water of the sea the river emptied in. Guests would be able to easily traverse either side, either by assistance of underwater breathing potions, temporary form transformation potions, or a clever half-scuba half-submersible vehicle Floyd had designed when (Y/N) first met his parents.  

He stood with his hands on his hips, watching the cars roll along the track of one of the premier coasters in a test run. Everything was going perfectly. In a few days, Kalim would be coming out for the last run-through of testing and they would launch for a media day before officially opening the park. 

“Papa!” 

Floyd turned, wide smile getting even bigger. He crouched down, opening his arms, as one of his sons rushed to meet him. He swept Argonaut up in his arms, spinning him around as the boy cackled. He threw his arms around Floyd’s neck, waving at the two others approaching. (Y/N) waved back, walking over with their other son, Caspian. 

“Do we get to ride it now, Papa? Can we, can we?” Argo asked giddy, bouncing up and down. 

Cas cast a wary look up at the empty car plunging down the coaster track. “Can we go in the dark ride first? The pirate one?” 

Floyd ruffled his hair as (Y/N) answered, “We still have to wait for the safety checks to make sure everything is working properly.” 

“But,” Floyd told the twins. “The water park part is ready! And we need testers to make sure it’s fun for humans and mers. Do you know anyone who could help me with that?” 

“Me, me, me!” 

“We can do that! We’re human and mer!” 

The boys wiggled their ways out of their parents arms and dashed off, already kicking off their shoes in anticipation for changing from their dry land form to their eel-mer hybrid form. 

“Be careful running!” (Y/N) called after them. She sighed as Floyd came over, wrapping her in a backwards hug and resting his chin on the top of her head. “They really do like going between the land and sea. Do you think they have a favorite form?” 

Floyd hummed. “Don’t know. I like both of them. It’s just all different, you know? But they can use both their forms here. They can be with all their family and friends at the same time.” 

“Is that why you wanted to build it like this? You’re really kind, aren’t you?” 

Floyd grinned. “Only for Shrimpy and the guppies. Don’t let anyone else know, okay? I still have a reputation, you know.” 

(Y/N) poked his side. “Ooh, scary Floyd Leech, big bad family man. Don’t think I don’t remember you crying on the boys’ first day of school.” 

Floyd sniffed. “My guppies aren’t going to be guppies any more! What am I going to do when they get too big to carry, or when they go to NRC and we can’t see them everyday?” 

(Y/N) took his hand and started pulling him in the direction the boys had darted off in. “Then I guess we just need to make the most of the time we have with them now, right?” 

Floyd tightened his grip on her hand, smiling wickedly. “Or we could just make more guppies.”  

Kalim

“Mr. Al–Asim, I need your signature here, please.” 

“Mr. Al-Asim, when would you like to schedule our shareholder meeting?” 

“Mr. Al-Asim, I have those reports and next quarter’s budget for you to review.” 

Kalim was drained. While he was more than proud that he had managed to expand his family’s business to not only the sea but also the Briar Valley, he didn’t quite anticipate all the paperwork that would come with it. Now that Jamil was off leading his own life outside of the Asim influence, Kalim had taken on more responsibilities. Not that he wasn’t happy for Jamil, of course. He was thrilled when his friend told him of his plans after graduating NRC, even if those plans didn’t directly involve Kalim. Kalim was mostly just happy that Jamil seemed happy. But he did still miss Jamil’s presence, his guidance, how he always knew what to say. 

Kalim groaned, falling face first on his bed, not bothering to change clothes. Warm evening sun streamed in from the balcony windows, casting golden rays across the room. (Y/N) blinked at him from her side of the bed, sliding a bookmark in her book. She leaned over to him, gently petting his hair. 

“Rough day?” She asked. 

Kalim groaned again, twisting to catch (Y/N) in his arms so they crashed down together in a tangled hug. “There’s so much paperwork!” He lamented. “Why do we still even have so much paper? Isn’t it better for the environment if we use digital or something?” He sniffed, eyes watery. “Just think of all those birds whose trees we cut down.” 

“With great accomplishment comes great busy work,” (Y/N) nodded sagely. “It just shows how much so many people are relying on you.” 

“I guess,” Kamil muttered into her hair. He suddenly perked up. “Oh! I own the company, so maybe I can just tell everyone they have the day off tomorrow!” 

“Maybe, but then you and everyone else would just have a backlog of work when they come back.” 

Kalim face planted back onto the bed. (Y/N) regarded him for a moment before sliding out of bed. “Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Kalim gave a half-hearted thumbs up. 

As (Y/N) padded out of the room, Kalim kicked his shoes off, curling up on the bed. He grabbed her plush pillow, holding it to his chest. Hints of her fragrant shampoo still clung to it. 

Kalim didn’t think he could ever really express how grateful he was to have (Y/N) with him. Not only had she worked hard to repair his and Jamil’s relationship at NRC, but she gave him the in that helped him bring the Asim name to the Briar Valley in the first place. The land of night fairies was notoriously difficult to expand foreign trade to. But (Y/N) with her easy way of making friends and stubborn determination had given him the connections he needed to do something no other Asim had. He signed again, happily this time. It was just another reason he was so glad that she was going to marry him. 

(Y/N) nudged the door open with her hip. She carried a large silver tray holding a pot of spiced hot chocolate and several small plates with cake slices. “We still need to choose a wedding cake flavor,” She said. “Your mom has been asking me about finalizing details. We’re going to look at takchitas this weekend.” 

Kalim popped back up, a wave of fresh energy zipping through him. A party! This he could do. Not just any party, but possibly the most important party of his life! He and (Y/N) spent the next hour discussing wedding plans, colors and flowers and music. In between, they would eat bites of cake, chocolate, champagne strawberry, vanilla with raspberry filling, orange olive oil. At one point, Kalim smeared some frosting on his nose. At  her laughing, Kalim took a forkful of fluffy buttercream and painted it across her nose. They collapsed together in a giggling fit. 

“How about I come with you tomorrow?” (Y/N) asked. “I should start learning everything anyway. I want to be helpful to you.”

“You’re always helpful! Look, I'm feeling way better already!” 

“I think that might be the sugar rush.” 

As the sun set, the two of them lay together, crumbs of cake and the empty chocolate pot soon forgotten. As (Y/N) fell asleep in Kalim’s arms, he quietly said, “I can’t wait to be married to you, azizati.” 

Jamil

The air conditioning in the dance studio had gone out a few days ago and it quickly became sweltering with the aerobic activity. (Y/N) had drug in a large swiveling electric fan at some point that was working overtime to try and cool the room. Jamil whipped sweat off his forehead, watching the soon to debut idol group run through their routine again. Jamil had been working as the lead choreographer for Corona Talent for about a year now. While the agency was still relatively small, they were picking up preeminence, especially with their stylized music videos. 

“Figaro,” Jamil said to a cat beastman with black and white hair. “You need to work on controlling your tail. Having it flick around like that makes you look nervous. Sebastian, I know you’re still getting used to your land legs but remember to not lock up your knees, it makes you jerk and you’re more likely to fall. Let’s go back to just before the switch line and take it again.” 

While Jamil’s teaching style could easily be described as strict, no one could deny his results and the quick time in which he produced them. 

A little while later, and combating fears of overheating, Jamil called a water break. The group of boys formed a semicircle around the fan waiting for it to oscillate over their faces. Jamil watched them chat in benign amusement. They were about as old as he had been during the Song and Dance Championship at NRC. Jamil would never admit it, but he had recycled some of Vil’s methods during their training in the Ramshackle dorm. 

And speaking of NRC, his phone pinged. Jamil knew who it was before he even looked at the screen. 

Kalim: Jamil! I had an idea for the wedding! What if we have a grand entrance with you riding an elephant? 

Jamil: You know (Y/N) and I aren’t even engaged yet. 

Kalim: I’m planning ahead! It’s good to be ready. 

Jamil: No elephants. 

Kalim: What about peacocks? Or birds that warble on key? Or a tiger! 

Jamil: Do I even want to know where you’re getting these animals? 

Kalim: ~Secret~ 

Jamil laughed under his breath. Ever since he and (Y/N) had started dating during her last year at NRC, Kalim had basically been planning their wedding. When he had given Jamil two tickets on a week-long river cruise for his birthday last year he had called it a pre-honeymoon. 

And speaking of…

Jamil’s phone pinged again with a video attachment from (Y/N). The video showed (Y/N) next to a perch with a red and green macaw parrot. “Come on, Alfie,” (Y/N) prompted. “Show Dad your new trick.” 

The parrot tilted his head to think for a moment before tilting to the side and raising a claw in a wave. “Love Dad!” It croaked. He then started vocalizing to the tune of one of the first songs Jamil choreographed for, bobbing his head and side stepping. (Y/N) hummed along, nodding encouragingly. The macaw stretched his wings wide and gave a victorious cry. 

“Good job, Alfie!” (Y/N) praised, giving him a treat. Alfie shuffled onto her shoulder, nibbling the treat. “See you soon, Jamil. Love you.” (Y/N) blew a kiss to the screen, Alfie mimicking the sound. The video ended on a still frame of (Y/N)’s smiling face. Jamile smiled, content. Warmth, having nothing to do with the heat of the studio, filling his chest. 

“Ooh,” One of the idol’s said, wiggling his eyebrows in Jamil’s direction. “Was that your girlfriend, Coach?” The other boys cooed and whooping in good natured teasing. 

“Alright, Sven,” Jamil said, standing back up. “You just earned everyone another round of drills. Come on, on your marks.” 

The boys groaned, taking their places. As they began stretching and doing calf raises, Jamil texted Kalim. 

Jamil: Do you still have that jeweler’s number? 

Kalim: :D

Vil

Vil double checked his lipstick in a compact mirror from the backseat of the limo. His eyes cut across the back cab to (Y/N) fiddling with the hem of her dress. “Stop fidgeting,” He said. “You’ll wrinkle your dress.” 

(Y/N) jumped, smoothing her dress. “Sorry, just nervous, I guess.” 

“Nerves cause wrinkles, too. Besides, there’s nothing to fret over. Star Crossed is destined to be a hit.” 

Star Crossed was to be Vil’s first directorial debut, with (Y/N) taking a lead writing role for the script. The idea had come when the two had been discussing media back from (Y/N)’s world during one of Vil’s photoshoots. (Y/N) had been acting as somewhat of an unofficial assistant then. Although, and Vil would never admit this, he more just wanted an excuse to have her around. As they talked, (Y/N) made references to classic story ideas shared between both worlds, focusing on ideas of forbidden love. She gave a lyrical and poetic soliloquy, one that Vil immediately latched on to. She explained it was from a play called Romeo and Juliet, one of the most famous plays in her world and a story that had been retold countless times. She said it was standard school curriculum in her world and had memorized several passages for homework. Canceling the very hard to get dinner reservations the two had, they instead worked deep into the night, reworking the romantic tragedy between their two world’s cultural differences, writing the first draft of what would end up becoming Star Crossed. 

“What if they don’t like the ending?” (Y/N) worried. 

“Then they’re fools with no sense of depth.” 

“But won’t that look bad for you? I don’t want a box office bomb to affect your career.” 

“I assure you, nothing I’m associated with could bomb.” Although Vil wasn’t in the starring role for this film, instead preferring to focus on directing, he did keep a cameo as the rewritten Prince of Veronia, now the Prince of Fleur City. 

“We kept a lot of the traditional language,” (Y/N) continued as if she hadn’t heard Vil. She looked out the window, the tall buildings and bustling crowds as they got closer to the theater. “Not word for word of the monologue, but still. You don’t think it was too old-fashioned or metaphorical?”

“Sweet potato, we’re going to the premier, you know. It’s a little late to be thinking about rewrites.” 

(Y/N) sighed again, flattening her hands against her lap. “Yeah, you're right. The costumes were amazing, though.” 

“That’s thanks to you as well, you know. Professor Crewel wouldn’t be willing to design for just anyone.” 

(Y/N) smiled weakly. She fidgeted in her seat. She switched sides to sit next to Vil instead of across from him. He raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow but didn’t say anything. 

“Vil,” She said, choosing her words carefully. “I really liked working with you on this.” 

“Well, you’re not the worst person to collaborate with either, (Y/N).” 

“Would you want to, I mean, maybe later if you don’t have other projects already lined up, do you want to work together again? I mean, there’s a ton of Shakespeare plays. I don’t know all of them by heart or anything, but I know a good couple. Hamlet is dramatic with political intrigue, Much Ado About Nothing is a romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is another romantic comedy with magic and everyone falling in love with the wrong person, well, that one has fairies so I don’t want to offend anyone or anything, oh, and Macbeth is all dark about going mad with power - people said it was cursed back in my world even if we didn’t have real curses, it was just something people said, you know, but I was also thinking maybe we could do others like Pride and Prejudice or if you want to do something completely different there’s this series called Star Wars that-” 

Vil abruptly cut off (Y/N)’s ramblings with a kiss. There, in the back of the limo, it was just the two of them, alone in the world. No fans, no expectations, no competitions. Just them, and a warm growing feeling between them. 

Vil pulled back, taking a moment to appreciate (Y/N)’s dazed face and bewildered smile. “I would love to work with you again, (Y/N). I’m not sure I would ever want to work with anyone else. Come, we’re here.” 

An attendant opened the door of their limo, the roar of fans and flashing lights breaking the stillness on the cab. Vil stepped out in one graceful movement, lifting a hand in greeting. A red carpet stretched out before them, littered with other actors from the movie or celebrities there to give support. Vil leaned back, offering (Y/N) his hand. She stepped out of the cab, blinking at the sudden lights.

Vil tucked her arm through his, whispering, “Stick with me. I’m certain we can get through anything together.” 

Rook

Rook flicked on his flashlight, illuminating the cavernous chamber. His team of archaeologists and researchers followed behind him, sliding down a rope through a ventilation shaft into the long buried and forgotten temple underneath an old gnarled tree. 

“Is it what you thought it was, Hunt?” A fellow archaeologist asked him, shining her own light around the foreboding space. 

“I’m not sure yet,” He replied. “But I think… Ah ha!” Rook cheered, bounding over to the far wall. He took out his magical pen, casting a fire spell into a trough of dark liquid that ran the perimeter of the chamber. It caught alight, flooding the room to showcase the detailed carvings and relief work decorated on the walls. The team gasped, immediately taking detailed notes of the pictographs and images. Carvings of mermaids in a grotto, a pirate ship looming off the coast of a tropical island, and what appeared to be a flying boy with his arms outstretched were just a few of the designs that had been painted and carved on the walls millennium ago. 

“Magnifique!” Rook breathed in awe. “The Temple of the Second Star! Just as we thought!” 

“Just as you thought, sir,” A stoat beast-man researched said. “Your instincts were spot on again.” 

Rook preened but brushed off the comment. “Non, non, we’ve all put so much work into this discovery. You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished, n’est-ce pas? But, we’ve only begun our exploration. There’s something very important here I need to find.” 

“Is that safe, sir?” The archaeologist asked him. “We haven’t mapped anything out yet, who knows what it’s like down there?” She nodded her head to a dark doorway leading further into the temple. 

“Ah, but what is our profession without the allure of danger? Allons-y!” Leaving the others to their detail oriented inspection, Rook bound down the adjoining hall into the depths of the temple. 

Rook traveled down the halls, stopping only briefly to poke his head in adjoining rooms, none of which held what he was looking for. He paused every so often, checking a trap or pitfall that had been left how many hundreds of years ago. Finally, he came to a split in the corridors. 

“Hmm,” He muttered to himself. “I believe it was… Second star to the right.” He chose the right passage. 

The passage led him to a large stone door, once more inlaid with gem studded pictographs. “Ah,” he said. “A clever lock. Let’s see if I’m more clever.” He looked closely at the depictions. A group of four children flying over a cityscape, a towering clock with a large round face, a sun and moon arranged on either side, and, of course, the signature stars. He noticed several of the gem motifs could be moved. He suspected the right one would unlock the door, while the others might lead to disaster. And, as thrilled as he was to see what kind of disaster it could be, he was on a mission. “Second star to the right,” He said to himself again. “And straight on till morning!” He adjusted the hour hand on the clock face, changing it from pointing at the moon to the sun. A mechanism groaned and the door slowly fell open. 

He swished his flashlights around the chamber. It was littered with jars upon jars on a sparkling yellow dust. He tapped the glass on one of the jars, feeling lighter, his hair floating around him. And, while this was a fascinating discovery, and he would definitely have to report back to the Roi de Dragons that their study of ancient fairy lore had been a success, there was something more valuable than pixie dust he was after. There, in the center of the room, was exactly what he was looking for. An acorn and thimble dangling off a delicate chain - the ancient symbols of a pure kiss. 

As Rook turned to confront the mechanical crocodile that had emerged from its hiding place, a clock ticking in its chest, he tucked the treasure into his pocket. He shrugged his bow from his shoulder, knocking an arrow, thinking about how beautiful the necklace would look on (Y/N) when he proposed to her. 

Epel

Epel undid his tie for the third time. Nothing was looking right. Should he keep his hair up like this, in a high ponytail that cascaded down his back? Was his suit not fitting right, stretching over muscles he had worked so hard for so long for? 

That was one thing directors loved about him, how he could flip from appearing sweet and docile to ablaze with righteous fury in a second. It helped boost his popularity at the box office, his latest action movie breaking records. But that limelight also came with its drawbacks. Like how today, possibly one of the most important days of his entire life, Epel had been distracted with checking with security at every odd occurrence. They had already kicked out a couple of unscrupulous paparazzi the other day. Epel was glad he was back in Harveston for something so monumental, surrounded by his family, but he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty at the strain he was putting them all through. But they would always wave him off with smiles, saying that it was the least they could do for all the publicity he had brought to their farms. And besides, what was family for, if not to lend a hand on your wedding day? 

There was a knock and the door opened before Epel could reply. Vil stepped in, checking a clipboard with a meticulously maintained schedule. “The cake finally got here, thank the Seven,” he said. “Everyone’s taking their seat. I knew people would be late - that’s why you put the ceremony time on the invitation a half hour before you actually want it to start. Now we just need to-” He stopped, looking up, and glared at the cloth around Epel’s neck like he had glared at Epel himself so many times during their NRC days. Vil sighed, setting the clipboard down and pulling at Epel’s tie. “Honestly, have none of my lessons stuck with you?” 

Epel felt a momentary sense of pride against the scolding as Vil had to look up to speak with him. “Nothing looked right,” He said. “I wanted it to, you know, look right.” 

Vil hummed. “Are you sure that’s what this is about?” Epel didn’t reply. “You’re not getting cold feet, are you? I’ve never known you to be one who runs away from problems.” 

“No, never!” 

Vil gave a final tug on the eldredge knot. “Well, that’s the only thing that matters, isn’t  it?” He gave one of his rare sincere smiles. “And she chose you, Epel. Remember that.” 

Epel shrugged. “It’s a lot to live up to.” 

“And you’ll rush to meet those expectations with flying colors. Now hurry up, we have a schedule to keep.” 

They had set the ceremony space in the middle of the apple orchard. Soft pink apple blossom petals swirled around the air, beautiful organic confetti cascading over each guest as they took their seat in the circular audience. Epel looked around, smiling back at friends and family beaming at him. His mother hadn’t stopped crying happy tears since before breakfast that morning. His grandmother reached out and squeezed his hand as he walked past. 

A group of local boys had been recruited to play music for the wedding. As Epel took his spot under the flowery arch up front, they began playing. Epel felt his heart thundering in his chest, jumping like a jackrabbit. He felt more nervous now than he did at his first premier. 

Everyone stood, looking towards the back of the aisle as the bride started to walk down, billowing white dress, cascading flower bouquet, lace veil covering her face. It felt like forever, Epel transfixed. She stepped up to the alter and Epel gently lifted the veil away from her face. (Y/N) smiled up at him. 

“Dearly beloved,” The officiant started. Before he could get another word in, Epel surged forward, kissing his bride. (Y/N) started laughing, wrapping her arms around him to return the kiss. 

“Hey!” Vil called jovially from the crowd. “You’re ahead of schedule!”  

Idia

Idia was curled  up on the couch, the room dark, light from the three computer screens in front of him illuminating the space and searing his eyes. He chewed on his bottom lip, writing code only to immediately delete it. 

He sighed, rubbing his eyes. Blinking away dark spots in his vision, he glanced over at the left computer screen where he had taped a photo of Ortho and their parents. Ortho was wearing a director’s coat, showing off for the camera. Idia smiled, straightening the photo. At the time, when Ortho had volunteered for the position of S.T.Y.X. junior director in Idia’s place, Idia didn’t expect the rush of relief that swept through him. It had been about a year so far and the two brothers talked almost every night, Ortho regaling him with stories of new advancements and studies they had made, his enthusiasm peaked in every word. 

But what Idia hadn’t expected was the sudden sense of helplessness, like he’d been cut free of some invisible tether. He’d just hang around for a while, working in this tech company, that cyber security industry, before he got bored. He was able to improve every company by leaps and bounds before deciding to drop it and head somewhere else whenever the mood took him. A few military weapons companies had tried to recruit him, but he’d swiftly rejected their offers. 

Eventually, a small group of eager indie video game developers had reached out in an email he had almost deleted without reading. He knew a few of the names from discussion boards on Star Rogue fan sites. They asked if he had wanted to join them for a new project and, having nothing else pressingly important going on, he’d agreed. Soon, however, he’d found himself absolutely engrossed with the game, bringing in more money and resources than any of the other teams members had ever seen for a similar project. 

And now, here he was. Stuck. The team couldn’t figure out their next steps, couldn’t solve problems with the set up and coding. They had hit a wall. Idia had hit a wall. 

He heard movement from the bed behind him, a sigh of someone waking up. “Idia?” A sleep addled voice called. He didn’t move, fingers clacking on the keyboard. He heard movement behind him, getting out of bed and dragging the blankets with them. 

(Y/N) tumbled onto the couch next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. “You said you were going to come to bed like,” She squinted at the clock. “Four hours ago. Idia! You need sleep!” 

“Want to get this done,” He mumbled back. 

“It’ll still be there in the morning.” 

“I have to work on it now or I’ll lose momentum.” 

“You’ll lose your eyes if you keep working in the dark like this. And I like your eyes. And your hair. And your smile. And your-” 

“This code is a total mess. It’s full of redundancies. There’s an explote here that would basically make you able to walk through any wall no problem. And they’re focused too much on feature creep, it’s like they want to add a cool new gimmick every day. Like, yeah, connecting to the microphone during the stealth section so if the player is loud the enemies can find them easier is cool, but it’s only in that one part of the game and it’s making a whole bunch of unnecessary complications. Or there’s this part with the poisoning spell basically breaks the game if you unlock it too early. Or this part with the character modeling where-” 

“Idia!” Idia startled, blinking at (Y/N). “Your girlfriend is asking you to come to bed with her.” 

Idia’s hair immediately burned bright pink. “Oh, yeah, okay.” 

Silver

Silver rolled his shoulders, adjusting the weight of his heavy armor. He was in a tent, getting ready for his bout of jousting for an annual tournament in the Briar Valley. This wasn’t the first tournament he’d participated in, of course, but there was always a nervousness that built up in his stomach, an eagerness to prove himself as worthy of being Malleus’s retainer, Lillia’s son, a loyal knight of the fae kingdom. 

“Knock, knock.” He turned to the front flaps of the tent. (Y/N) pulled aside one of the flaps, sticking her head inside. “Sorry, there’s not really a place to actually knock or ring a bell or anything…” She cleared her throat, stepping inside. She wore a traditional Briar Valley dress. “Wow,” She breathed, taking in Silver in his armor. “You look like a real knight! Not that you aren’t, usually, I mean. It’s just really formal now I guess. I’ve been able to see everything from up in the royal viewing box with Hornton and Lillia. It’s great watching you and Sebek, competing and everything. It’s like a whole Renaissance fair out there.” 

Silver set down his helmet. “Is that something from your world?”

She nodded. “I’ll have to tell you about it some time. They were always fun.” She looked away nervously, trying to find the right words to say. “There was this kind of tradition, at the Renaissance fairs, for knights. I think it went back to medieval history in my world. I was hoping you could help me with it.” 

“Of course,” Silver said. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them, gently reaching out to take her elbow and turn her back to him. They were so close their bodies nearly brushed each other. “Whatever you need.” 

She hesitated for another second before reaching up and pulling a ribbon out of her hair. He noticed it was (favorite color) instead of a matching shade to her outfit. “When knights would go for tournaments, they would wear a token or flag from their partner. It’s for good luck or something.” She twisted the ribbon around her fingers, not meeting his eyes. “I was hoping…” 

Silver untangled the ribbon from her hands, tying it around his forearm. He felt a swell of pride at how it stood out from his armor, gently waving in the breeze. “I’d be honored,” He said. “To wear your token.” 

(Y/N)’s eyes lit up, a smile blossoming on her face. “Okay, yeah, sure, of course! I’m glad you like it.” She pressed her lips together, considering something, before adding. “Would it be okay if I gave you another token? For good luck. Not that you need it or anything, you’re going to be great.” 

Silver smiled at her nervous deflection. “I’d love anything from you.” 

(Y/N) looked around nervously again, fiddling with her fingers. Just as Silver was about to speak, she reached up, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and pulled him down for a kiss. 

Lilia

Lilia leaned against the railing of the barge, watching the glowing red lanterns float gently above the river, their reflections casting ruby ghosts against the dark water below. The Floating Lantern Festival in the Land of Red Dragons never failed to excite, but this year was especially memorable. 

“It’s even more beautiful that you describe it,” (Y/N) breathed in awe next to him, stretching out over the barge railing to take in every sight and sound around them. Her eyes trailed the parade along the banks of the river, party goers dressed in red hanfu carrying more lanterns and a long red paper dragon on tall sticks. 

“The best stories are the ones you experience in person,” He said. 

They’d been traveling together for a while now, by boat, by train, on foot, exploring the whole world. (Y/N) had always been bothered that she had no frame of reference for the world of Twisted Wonderland, no practical understanding of its cultures and countries. Lilia tried to alleviate some of her frustrations with stories about his numerous travels before finally deciding a more hands-on presentation would be a better fit. 

Lilia snuck up behind her as she marveled at the lanterns drifting into the night sky. He suddenly grabbed her shoulders, as if to push her off. She gasped and turned to give him a halfhearted glare as he laughed. 

“Well?” Lilia asked. “Do you feel more prepared to conquer the world now?” 

(Y/N) frowned. The Land of Red Dragons was meant to be the last stop on their tour. (Y/N) had said she had no real plan for after the journey. While the multitude of friends she had made during her years in school were more than happy to lend her a place to stay during their travels, (Y/N) had confided in Lilia that she felt like she was taking advantage of their good nature if she lingered to long, without finding work or direction in this strange world. Maybe she would return to NRC to see if Crowley had any work for her? (He always did.) 

“I mean, I suppose?” She said. “Everything has been so wonderful. It’s almost a shame to be stuck in one place after all this.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “I can see why you like moving around so much.” 

Lilia hummed, leaning back against the railing. He turned, considering (Y/N)’s profile, lit against the red glow of the lanterns. He felt himself pause, lost in the marvel of her eyes, full of delight and wonder at everything around them. There was a strange stirring in his chest, one he had experienced multiple times over their journey together, a feeling he hadn’t had in almost 500 years. 

Lilia shook his head, trying to reign his focus back in. “You know,” He said, casually. “I’ll be heading back out again soon. Malleus came up with the idea of sending out ambassadors from the Briar Valley, trying to strengthen relationships between fairies and the rest of the world.” 

(Y/N) nodded. “That seems like something he would do. You’re going to be the first one, then? It seems like a good job for you.” 

“Not necessarily the first.” (Y/N) turned to look at him and Lilia felt himself squirm under her direct gaze. Goodness, he would have thought he was a lovestruck teen of 200 years by the way he was acting. “I proposed that you should join me as an ambassador. I thought it might make things easier, having a fellow human to represent dual interests. And, I must admit,” He purposely looked away. “I’ve grown fond of our time together.” 

When (Y/N) didn’t reply he looked back at her. She was smiling up at him and he felt his heart stutter. “I’d like that a lot,” She finally said. Which part she didn’t specify. He didn’t need her to. 

As they watched the lantern festival continue around them, their hands slid together on the railing, fingers entwining.  

Sebek

Sebek’s heart was beating a mile a minute. He knelt in front of Malleus, in the grand throne room, crowds of nobles eagerly watching his knighting ceremony.  

Malleus, regal sword in hand, stood over him. “Sebek Zigvolt,” He said, voice echoing around the chamber. “Do you so solemnly swear to uphold the code of knightly honor, to defend the Briar Valley with all your might, your will, and your faithfulness?” “I do,” Sebek replied, trying to keep his voice to a reasonable volume, not letting his giddiness shine through. 

“Do you so solemnly swear to serve your king and country and never waver from your duty?” 

“I do.” 

“And do you so solemnly swear to be truthful to yourself, loyal to your loved ones, and show bravery in the face of doubt and fear?”

“I do!” 

Malleus smiled down at his friend, pride for his retainer crinkling the corners of his eyes.  “Then, as rightful king and ruler of the land of night fae and the Briar Valley, I hereby dub thee, Sebek Zigvolt, high knight and warrior to the crown.” Malleus lowered his sword against Sebek’s shoulders and the crown of his head. “Stand and receive your blessing.” 

Sebek stood, fist thumbing against his chest. Cheers started up from the assembly. Happy tears pricked the corners of Sebek’s eyes, his smile wide as he tried to keep a serious face for the occasion. 

After the ceremony, everyone congregated in one of the grand ballrooms of the palace. Sebek stood with his mother, father, and grandfather. His mother was flitting over him, brushing away an invisible speck of dust every other second. 

“My darling boy!” She cried. “Look how big you’ve gotten! Oh, you’re so official now! Dear, what happened to our little Sebek?” 

“You’ve done a lot of hard work, Sebek,” He father said, nodding proudly. “You should be proud of everything you’ve accomplished.” 

“Of course he’s proud,” His grandfather scoffed. “He’s a Zigvolt! Greatness and duty is embedded in our history!” 

His mother rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, Papa, so you’ve said many times.” Her eyes cut behind Sebek, smiling and taking hold of either of the two men’s arms. “Well, we wouldn’t want to monopolize your time, Sebek. There are many people who want to congratulate you, after all. Come along, dear, Papa!” Ignoring their protests, his mother dragged them away. 

As Sebek waved in a confused good-bye, he felt a thump on his back. “Look at you!” He heard a familiar voice say. “So do I have to call you Sir Zigvolt now or something?” Sebek turned to see (Y/N) beaming up at him. It was surprising enough to see her here, but Sebek’s breath caught in his throat as he saw her dress. Zigvolt colors. She was wearing Zigvolt house colors. 

“H-hum- Er, (Y/N)? What are you doing here?” 

“Horton invited me! Or, I guess I should say King Malleus here, shouldn’t I? Well, either way, he told me you were having your official knighting ceremony. And I got a letter from your mom, too! She thought it would be a fun surprise to have your friends from school show up to support you.” She indicated one of the banquet tables across the room. Sebek saw Grim, Ace, Deuce, Jack, Ortho, and Epel milling around, all dressed in their own formal wear, catching questioning glances from the various fae knights and nobles. 

But they weren’t wearing his house colors. So why was she? And why did it make his heart thrum like that? 

A band started up, couples taking their places along the dance floor. “Ah, would  you…?” Sebek felt like he could’t find the right words. He couldn’t understand why he was suddenly falling all over himself like this. 

(Y/N) clasped his hands in hers. “I’d love to dance! I might not know all the steps, since this seems pretty fancy and formal, but you’ll just have to show me, okay?” Sebek nodded stiffly as she pulled him to the dance floor. 

Sebek took one of her hands in his, his other settling on her waist. He felt it burn with the contact. As he swept her along the floor, he finally said, “Your dress…” But couldn’t manage to finish, his thoughts tumbling around. Had it really been so long since graduation? Since he had last seen her? Sure, they had written multiple times, he kept up correspondence with many NRC alumni, but how had she changed this much since then? Had her eyes always shined that way? Was her hair that beautiful? Was her smile that dazzling? 

“Oh, your mom lent it to me,” She said. “I didn’t have anything that would fit, so she lent me one of her old ones. Although with all the adjustments I think it might just be mine now. Do you like it?” 

“You look like a Zigvolt,” He said. 

“Oh.” She seemed surprised at that, heat rising to her face. They turned around the floor a few more times. “You know, you’ll be seeing a lot more of me soon.”

Sebek felt his heart flip. “I’ll have to put up with you more, you mean.” 

(Y/N) stifled a laugh and gently hit his chest. “Rude. I mean Horton offered me a position here. Ambassador for human and fairy relations. I’m not totally sure what it will be like next, but he’s given me a townhouse just next door. It’s near your parents, I think. So, you know, I’ll be around. If you ever want to see me or anything. Or I guess if I want to see you, I’ll know where to come to bug you.” She laughed awkwardly. 

Sebek unconsciously tightened his grip on her hand. “I think I wouldn’t mind that. It’s a knight’s duty to look after those he cares about, after all.” 

Malleus 

Malleus turned over in his bed, hands crumpling the sheets next to him. He was in his chambers back in the palace in the Briar Valley. The bed next to him was cold. Cool dawn light was just beginning to spill through his window behind the heavy velvet curtains. 

The dreaming Malleus, the one all too aware this was a premonition of a possible future, sighed. He had completed this potion many times, both at NRC and in his private education in the Briar Valley. And, no matter how many times he drunk the noctious concoction, his future always remained the same. A lonely bedchamber, government work, fawning lords and ladies vying for his favor. If he was lucky, he would get to interact with Lilia, Silver, or Sebek. Although he dreaded the times when he could clearly see age lining their faces while he remained the same. 

The door to his chamber creaked ever so slightly. Someone was entering. The dream Malleus, the one projected in this future vision, tensed in his bed. The dreaming Malleus, forced to watch everything unfurl, was confused. Was this some sort of half-baked assassination attempt? Had relations between the country of fae and the rest of the world degraded to such an extent under his reign? Was he destanted to watch his own death? 

The dream Malleus closed his eyes. There was a sound of soft padding feet, a giggle, then a sharp hush. The intruders were right next to him now. 

“Ready?” A voice whispered, familiar but changed with time. “One, two, three…” 

“Happy birthday, Papa!” 

The dream Malleus opened his eyes, a slow and easy smile crossing his face. The curtains were thrown open, revealing the three young boys standing at his bedside, rosy cheeked, green eyed, and horns curling up from their ebony locks. One of them held a plate stacked high with pancakes, dripping with strawberry syrup. Another held a party popper, which he pulled releasing a torrent of confetti and ribbons. The third held a paper card tightly in his hands, his grip causing it to crumple at the edges. 

“Did we wake you up, Papa?” The boy with the card asked in a concerned voice, pouting. 

Malleus smiled, sitting up in bed as the young boys climbed up to sit around him. “Not at all, Grimwald. What’s that you have there?” 

Grimwald shyly held the card out. Malleus gently pried it from his fingers. It was obviously homemade, colored pencil drawings of a family of five holding hands across the cover, four with Darconia horns crowning their heads. He opened the card. There was a large birthday cake drawing inside, with the words ‘Happy Birthday!’ in large blocky lettering above it. Around the cake, the artists had scribbled their names: Grimwald, Lilianos, and Malachite. 

“They wanted to surprise you,” A soft voice said. Malleus, both in and out of the dream, felt his heart skip a beat as (Y/N) came around the bed. She sat down at the edge, catching the plate of pancakes from Malachite so they wouldn’t splatter on the floor. She turned to him, carding her fingers through his hair, and leaned forward to kiss his forehead. “Good morning, Horton. Happy birthday.” 

“We made them ourselves!” Malachite proudly proclaimed. “Grandpa Lilia showed me how!” 

“Don’t worry,” (Y/N) whispered to him. “I supervised.” 

“Do you have to work today, Papa?” Lilianos asked. “You can’t ‘cause it’s your birthday, right? You have to stay and play with us today.” 

Malleus gathered his boys together so they all fit on the bed. “Birthdays are family days. I’d love nothing more than to spend the entire day hearing about  how you’ve been terrorizing the palace.” 

“Oh, oh!” Malachite called, hand shooting up. “I breathed fire and it burned up the curtains in the grand dining room!” 

(Y/N) looked at him sideways. “On accident, right?” 

Malachite blushed. “Yes, Mama.” 

“Can we go watch the knights train?” Lilianos asked. “Uncle Sebek and Uncle Silver said they would teach us to ride a horse!” 

“Why would you want to ride a horse when you can fly?” Malachite said, spreading his arms wide. 

“I want to go to the menagerie,” Grimwald added. They began to talk over each other, making plans for their father’s birthday without his input. 

Malleus smiled, watching his family. He turned back to (Y/N). She smiled at him, as glorious and warm as the sun after a year of frozen nights. He reached up, cupping her face, and brought her close. 

“I always knew my future would bring me to you.” 

[estcaligo]

Nobody: Me at 3 AM: Glorious Masquerade represents the confrontation between polytheistic and monotheistic worldviews

Or "The Big Three of Olympus vs One Christian God" in the Glorious Masquerade event

Content Warning: Greek Mythology, religion, Christianity, Glorious Masquerade event spoilers

Note: I talk about things in this post from a researcher's point of view, in a descriptive and comparative manner mostly. Just some observations.

I've already discussed a similar concept before - Idia, Jade, and Sebek representing Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus, the "Big Three" in Greek mythology, the most powerful and important gods of Olympus - during the Harveston event. See the post here.

However, in the Glorious Masquerade, the situation becomes even more peculiar because the SSR characters are dorm leaders - those who are in charge. And then there's Rollo, who is twisted from Frollo.

Note: I will consider all sources of inspiration for Rollo, including the book and the musical, which were confirmed by Yana herself to be inspirations for Rollo.

What? Why? Who?

3 vs 1. The Big Three of Greek Pantheon vs The One God, who embodies 3 in 1 - the Father, the Son and the Spirit.

The Big Three are the three most powerful gods among the Olympians - Zeus, Poseidon and Hades.

Zeus commands the sky, lightning, kingship and summon any weather conditions.

Poseidon manipulates water, storms and earthquakes.

Hades has dominion over the dead and undead, darkness, earth-related disasters, and metals and jewels.

*By the way, lightning was considered just Zeus throwing a temper tantrum, and what happened when Malleus got angry? Right, he started throwing  lightnings left and right.

And now we have Rollo. Twisted from Frollo, who, as we know was a religious man (especially in the book where he is a priest, not a minister).

And despite there being other characters, such as vice-president and the assistant, they aren't "real" or “important” characters like Rollo.

So we can say there is only one (1) main character in this event.

2. 7 Dorm Leaders vs 1 Head of the Council

As is well known, Ancient Greek mythology features many major gods, each controlling different aspects of life (or representing them, or serving as patrons). This makes Ancient Greek religion a polytheistic system - meaning it has multiple gods - akin to the Great Seven and the dorm system at NRC.

The Dorm Leader Council functions much like a small pantheon. Not to mention NRC is located on upper hills, which resembles a mountain (Olympus) if we look at the landscape of the Sage Island.

On the other hand, Christianity only has one God, making it monotheistic religion. There are multiple saints in Christianity, who are patrons of different aspects of life, however it is important to note that these saints do not control - they are more like the intercessors between man and God.

Even the NBC itself is focused on one Villain and has one statue in the yard, not the 7 (the "pantheon" of NRC). And NBC itself doesn't have Dorm system like NRC.

3. Oral vs Written

Greek religious tradition is primarily oral, with legends and stories passed down through generations by word of mouth.

In contrast, Christianity is predominantly a written religion, where the written canon holds great importance.

How is it important here?

Well, in this event specifically the NRC guys spend their time walking around and commenting on things. We learn some of their lore and thoughts on various topics through dialogue. Even Professor Trein reveals his past verbally telling about it. Naturally, it’s a game mechanism. But since we’re talking about such details….

On the other hand, the most important part of Rollo lore is found by the Big Three in written form - Rollo’s diary.  It's also noted how Rollo prefers writing above all else. He writes in his diary, sends letters, and drafts invitations. While this may not apply to the NBC in general, since we're focusing on Rollo, this detail is worth considering as well.

4. Our guys vs That One

Another difference between the two religions is that the Greek gods had flaws that made them more similar to humans. They had tempers and they often held grudges. This made the followers of the religion not want to be like them but, instead learn from them and their shortcomings, frequently through fear. 

In contrast to the flawed gods of Greek mythology, Jesus is portrayed as a man who is to be aspired to, more so than the Greek portrayal of a god; who the audience learns from (imitating in a way), rather than obeys.

Our NRC boys are someone we know and who we’re familiar with. We know their struggles and fears, their dark past. Even the guys in charge of each dorm - the Dorm Leaders - are not so distant from the regular students. Well, more of less.

Whereas Rollo is described by all the characters we’ve met at NBC (and even from his vignette) as someone who is amazing, excellent, wonderful and so…exemplementry. Rollo, at the same time, distances himself from everyone.

5. Vertical vs Horizontal

A small but interesting observation is that many monotheistic religions, including Christianity, often have a “vertical mindset” - symbolizing a relationship between the human and God.

In Christian cosmology, we often imagine a vertical world structure: Hell at the bottom, the human realm in the middle, and Heaven above.

In this event, we also experience vertical movement when things get serious. Initially, when it's peaceful and fun, we mostly walk around the town (mostly horizontal, not including the lower parts).

However, when the action begins, Rollo first sends us downward into the sewers. From there, we start moving upward. The ascent of the tower is highly symbolic, as we are literally ascending towards the sky where Rollo awaits us (with his “judgment”)

 6. Masks

The whole masquerade theme is, of course, a nod to the cartoon and part of the game feature to get the characters to dress up.

But let’s remember that in Ancient Greece, masks played a significant role in theater, particularly in tragedies and comedies (twst features elements of both). In general, it is known that masks represent hidden nature, transformation, and more. 

Interestingly, only our NRC squad wears masks and costumes. We even encountered some Royal Sword Academy students, but they were not given costumes (again, a game feature, but still noteworthy).

On the other hand, there's Rollo, who isn't wearing a mask or even a costume. He doesn’t need to. He is who he is, with no need to transform into something else, as he represents the One, in our comparison here. 

What's even more interesting is that, despite not wearing a physical mask, Rollo is the one with ulterior motives in this event, and we only learn his true face later on. He metaphorically takes the mask off, even though he never wore one in the literal sense.

7. Catholic Guilt

The last but not least - Rollo's punishment, which, perhaps is the most fitting and cruel outcome for him. Rollo, after being defeated, expects harsh punishment because he is ruthless with himself and assumes others will treat him the same way. He failed and he expects to be punished. However our Big Three surprise him by concealing the truth and allowing others (the NBC mobs were the first to thank him for his bravery at the tower) to believe that Rollo was a hero. This situation forces Rollo into a state of internal torment, where he must live with the guilt of his actions while being praised for something he didn't truly do.

Rollo's punishment is psychological, forcing him to confront his guilt and shame in isolation. They choose leave him one on one with his Sin.

On the contrast, in Ancient Greek mythology punishments were often cruel and involved physical pain. One of the most popular example would be of course the myth about Prometheus, which, by the way involved Zeus.

And the way Big Three dealt with Rollo was truly cruel in its own way.

(from an interesting article about Greek Gods and punishment - here)

Fin

I left out some obvious notes like Malleus having horns, Rollo hating on magic etc.

Naturally, there may be other details I haven’t mentioned, so feel free to add any additional insights!

[rendy-a]

Meant to Be

Someone liked this old post I reblogged from @writingforatwistedworld today and it brought this writing prompt back to my attention.  This was such a cool idea, and since Veil has chosen not to write it, I thought I’d visit the idea with my own spin.

Confusion was the only thought you were able to summon in your head.  You remembered lights and sounds.  Honking maybe?  And now you were just barely conscious of lying on the ground with your head spinning.  What exactly happened?

Your head feels like it is splitting but somehow voices are beginning to come though.  “Coach, I think they are waking up!” a black-haired boy says as he kneels beside you, hovering over you protectively.  Were you at school?  You can’t remember.  Nor can you immediately place the boy who is so concerned about you.  He is speaking to you but it’s too hard to focus.  All you can do is notice the guilty look in his eyes and wonder what he did.  Suddenly, he stops speaking and looks across your body towards the field beside you.  You turn your head curiously and follow his gaze to see a red-haired boy running towards you at top speed.  Something about this tickles your memory.  You look again at the black-haired boy and notice a strange marking you hadn’t been able to bring into focus before.  It looked like a spade from a playing card.  Then you looked back at the boy coming closer and closer to your location.  Suddenly, you had it.  It was impossible, yet you couldn’t shake the feeling that you’d miraculously transported yourself into one of your favorite phone games; Twisted Wonderland. 

As sort of a test, you hesitantly spoke, “Deuce?”  The black-haired boy, Deuce, looks at you and you think him on the edge of tears.  “Thank Sevens!” he whispers as rubs your arm comfortingly.  The red-haired boy slides the last distance to reach your side in an anxious kneel.  “Ace?” you confirm groggily.  Ace looks at you with what you feel is fear in his eyes, and when he speaks, it is towards Deuce.  “Just what were you thinking?  You know the Prefect doesn’t have magic!”  Deuce looks away, it is certainly guilt on his face.  “I didn’t mean to throw it that hard.”  Ace scowls at Deuce and shouts, “Well you did and see what a mess you’ve made!”  You force yourself to a sitting position and wave Ace down.  “I’m fine, I’m fine.”  Then, still feeling a bit woozy, you amend, “Well, I think I’m GOING to be fine.”

Ace looks at you with concern and says, “I’m taking you to the nurse’s office.  Right now.”  Deuce intervenes, “I’ll do it.  It was my fault for throwing that disk so hard.”  Ace appears ready to retort angrily, so you wave them both away.  “I’ll go myself.  Or you can both come with.  We’re all buddies here, right?”  You watch them cautiously to confirm that this is the case.  After all, you weren’t pulled into a game every day.  Who knows what might be different.  Deuce answers you right away in a relieved affirmative while Ace only frowns mildly.  “Ok, but if you feel bad at all, I’m carrying you.  No complaints.”  You give him a shaky smile and let them guide you to the nurse’s office. 

It’s a little embarrassing, but there is so much that you don’t know about Night Raven College, that you end up claiming selective amnesia from the impact.  Your professors appear suspicious, but no one can offer an alternative reason for why you’ve forgotten so many simple things, like the layout of the school, while retaining such vivid memories of other experiences, like Riddle’s overbot incident.  So ultimately, they accept this odd explanation from you and assign your friends Ace and Deuce to once again play your guide at NRC.  The cast slowly re-introduce themselves to you.  Some find it remarkable and others unbelievable.  Idia finds it amusing, “Khee he he.  This is just like the plot of the manga Ramen Shop Summer where the protagonist gets in an accident in gym and forgets their crush!  But then they end up working together over the summer in a ramen shop, and Boom Badda Bing, romance!”  Then he shyly adds, “Maybe you’ll have your own summertime romance.  All the tropes are right for it.”  You chuckle with him but privately think, ‘If only you knew.’

A few days later at lunch, you were sitting at a table and rubbing your bandaged head softly while eating the sad sandwich you’d been able to cobble together with the junk in the fridge back at Ramshackle when your friends slam a plate down on either side of you, “Here Prefect, eat this,” and “I got something special for you,” come out of their mouths at the same time.  You look up at them surprised.  Deuce looks at your hand on your head and adds in a soft voice, “I feel bad for what I did so I thought this would help make up for it.”  Ace scoffs and interjects, “I know what the Prefect likes best.  Don’t worry about it and let them eat mine.”  You look at Ace’s plate and somehow, he is right, he has gathered one of your favorites to eat.  “Actually, this looks pretty good.”  Then you turn and reassure Deuce, “I appreciate the offer too, but you don’t have to feel bad.  I know it was an accident.”  They both seem happy at the outcome, and you enjoy a nice lunch.

As you are leaving the lunchroom, you pass a floating tablet (Idia you know), and it surprisingly speaks to you. “It’s just like my manga,” Idia comments.  You turn and look at the tablet quizzically and it prompts him to continue, “If this was a story, that would be a flag event between the Male Lead and Second Male Lead for your affection.”  You stumble over your reply, “But..but it isn’t a manga.”  The unsettling, “Kwee he he,” that emerges follows you all the way to your next special lesson. 

You were used to thinking of special lessons as when Crowley randomly shows up to class and everyone suddenly finds the motivation to pay attention, but apparently, this was a Very Special Lesson that they wouldn’t give the students any prior details on.  The older students seemed to know what it was about as the first year’s had gotten several secretive smiles and leading comments.  Rook passes you right before you enter and remarks with an expression both sly and amused, “It is a fine day for fate, is it not Prefect?”  You look at him puzzled as he continues past you to class, and you shrug as you enter the room and sit beside your friends.  Ace scowls and remarks, “They’ve been doing that all day and it’s getting on my nerves.”  Deuce is fidgeting more than usual, and you raise an eyebrow as thought to ask what’s up.  “What if it’s a test?” he asks nervously before flipping open a notebook.  “A little late to study then,” Ace scoffs before looking at you out of the corner of his eye.  “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.  I’m sure it won’t be a test.”  You smile at his gesture.  Tests haven’t been easy for you these past weeks as you’ve not actually studied any of the curriculum for the classes. 

When Crewel stomps into class and sets a crate of potions on the desk, it startles you out of your thoughts.  You hear gasps from around the class and realize that most students seem to understand what is happening.  It is only you in the dark.  Then the Professor smiles slyly and declares, “It’s Matching Day.”  An eruption of conversation spreads across the room and Professor Crewel, appearing as excited as the students, surprisingly allows it.  ‘I can’t believe its today!’ and ‘I wonder if I’ll meet my pair!’ reach your ears.  You turn to Ace and find him looking at you with an expression you just can’t place.  You nod towards the Professor and ask, “You know what this is about?”  He looks at you startled, “You don’t know?  Its Matching day?”  When you shrug and continue to look at him with questions in your eyes he goes on.  “You know, the day you can take the potion to manifest your red string and try to find your Soulmate.  Matching Day!” 

It hits you suddenly like a blow.  ‘My god,’ you think, ‘This isn’t TWST at all.  Idia was right, there are too many tropes in this story.  I’m in someone’s Fanfic!  This is a damn Soulmate AU story!’  You weren’t sure what to say, but luckily, Professor Crewel had decided he’s allowed the pups to misbehave enough and cracked his whip over his gloved hand, “Settle down you mutts.  Good pups need to know how to behave properly if they are going to impress their mate!”  Silence is quickly restored as the excited students obediently wait for the Professor to continue.  “Come up when I call your name.  I don’t think I should have to explain, but just in case, let me remind you what you can expect.  When you drink the potion, you’ll feel a tug on your heart as your soul manifests your bond to your Soulmate.  After that, you’ll be able to see your red string in the general area of your pinky finger.”  A groan comes from an over-excited student, “We know, we know.” 

Crewel doesn’t take the interruption well this time and cracks his whip again, “STAY!  Pups need to learn to take instruction before receiving a treat!”  The student bashfully looks away and Crewel continues, “Remember to not get your hopes up.  It is very rare to find your Soulmate the first day you take your potion.”  This sobering comment seems to bring down the mood of the students.  Crewel smiles more gently at the students he’s fondly guided, “But be happy you are proud students of Night Raven College.  Many mages find they have Soulmates who are also proficient in magic, so your chances of meeting your Soulmate while in school here are raised.”  You turn to see how your friends are taking this news.  Deuce is looking intently at his hands, as though he will find his courage in the focus.  Ace is only looking at you, again with a look you just can’t read.

“Now, come to the front of the room as I call your name,” Crewel instructs.  It appears the students are being called alphabetically.  You wonder when you might be called as you don’t recall “Yuu” having a last name.  You focus a long time, making sure you don’t miss it but before your turn, your friend gets called.  “Deuce Spade!” Crewel summons loudly.  Deuce gulps beside you and stands suddenly.  Then he holds his hand up as though trying to fire himself up and marches determinedly to claim his potion.  He drinks it down and you wait with interest to see how Deuce would react.  You’d seen several others take the potion at this point, but this wasn’t just some NPC, it was your friend.  He concentrates nervously for several seconds before gasping and grabbing his chest.  Then he looks down at his hand and makes a sound between a sigh and a laugh.  “There it is!” he says and looks out the door where the string must lead.  Then he laughs again and looks toward where you and Ace sit with a smile and makes his ‘honor student’ pose.  You give him a thumbs up and pat his back as he rejoins you.

You want to ask him what it was like but the next name, “Ace Trappola!” breaks your concentration.  You hadn’t realized your other friend would get his turn so soon after.  You turn to Ace and give him an encouraging smile.  Ace looks deep into your eyes for a long moment before giving you a mischievous grin, “Wish me luck, Prefect!”  You give him an excited smile and some jazz hands to cheer him on and he goes happily to the front of the class.  You watch as he takes the potion and waits in a quiet meditation before he makes a gasp and grasps at something that only he can see.  Then he looks up and smiles over in your direction happily, “I knew it!” he laughs happily.  He returns to his seat with a bounce in his step and you look at him eagerly.  “Was it cool?” you ask.  He smiles at you, “It was the coolest thing ever.”  You have a million questions that come to mind, but you ask none of them as Deuce taps you on the shoulder.  You turn to look at him and he nervously tells you, “Prefect, it’s your turn.”

You look up at Professor Crewel who seems none too pleased to have you ignore his summons.  Great.  Somehow, you’d missed your turn being called and garnered his ire.  You gulp and stand to answer his summons.  When you grasp the potion, a question occurs to you and you ask, “Will this work for me?”  Professor Crewel smiles at your worry, “Not to worry, Prefect, even people without magic have Soulmates.”  It was more that you wondered if people from other worlds had Soulmates but you figured that wasn’t a conversation to have right now.  So, you smile at him as though satisfied with his response and drink the potion down.

At first it was nothing but bubbly in your stomach and then you felt giddy.  Like a drunkenness that had nothing to do with alcohol which rose from your stomach to take hold of your whole body.  Your heart beat faster and faster until you feel as alert as though you were running for your life.  Then, it was gone.  Mostly gone.  A tiny tingle remained, and you followed the sensation down to see the bright red string wound around your pinky.  It really worked. 

You looked toward your friends, wanting to share the moment with them and felt the weight of Ace’s gaze.  He was looking at you so intently it was startling.  You couldn’t break eye contact for a moment.  Then you felt a small tug and looked down at your finger.  The red string was tugging slightly, as though wanting you to follow it.  You didn’t have far to go.  You raised your eyes and found Ace holding his red string in his hand and you knew it connected to your own.  Well, that did make sense in a way.  If this was a TWST fanfic, your Soulmate had to be a member of the main case.  And now you knew, it was Ace.  You looked at Ace clutching the red string and thought that he held it like it was a lifeline, something he couldn’t live with if he let go.  Well, that was silly.  You were right here.  Perhaps it was due to the plot of the story, but you suddenly felt like you couldn’t bear to see him worried like that.

You went to him and stood in front of him, “So, you and me, huh?”  He looked up at you and said in a chocked voice, “Yeah, you and me.”  A clapping sound comes from behind you and then all around.  You are embarrassed to find that all your classmates are celebrating your union with Ace.  “What a fine surprise,” Professor Crewel says with a smile.  You don’t know what to do but Ace has no such qualms.  He grabs onto you and pulls you into a side hug with one arm will giving a V with his other hand.  You bashfully wind your arm around him and repeat the gesture yourself.  It seems like you’ve really fallen into the perfect romance fantasy.

The transition from friend to significant other was jarring but anytime you felt unsure about your new ties to Ace, you had only to look at him to feel reassured.  He was always holding the red string.  It was cute in a way, as though he thought about you so often, he had to hold onto the string to remind himself you were there with him in spirit.  You still felt safe seeing the string in his hand back then.

Why is Crowley always at the start of all your problems?  On a late spring day, the headmaster summoned you to his office.  You found it was never good news when he did this, and this time would prove no exception.  “Ah Prefect, how lovely to see you today,” he began carefully, as though sizing up how big a fuss you would kick up this time.  You hummed at him in a noncommittal way.  “Indeed,” he acknowledges your evasion and gets right into his secret business.  “I was wondering what you planned to do over Summer Break.”  You look at him deadpan, “Not do chores for you.”  He huffs at you in pretend amusement, “Ah HA ha.  Uh-hem.  That is to say, where do you plan to go while the campus is closed?”  Now this was actually news to you.  “What do you mean closed?  I’ll just stay here like I did over Winter Break.”  Crowley turns, unable to meet your eye, “Ah-HA hem, its just that we do the annual fumigation over summer so we need all living residents to be off-campus.”  Then much quieter, “The insurance wouldn’t allow it…I checked.”

You left the office not certain which was worse, that the headmaster actually considered leaving you in a poisoned campus over break or the fact that you suddenly had no where to go.  You walked lost in thought, mechanically headed to lunch when you hit something solid, and a hush fell over the room.  You felt a moment of worry until you looked up and into the quizzical face of Malleus and smiled.  This might seem like a dangerous occurrence to the random students around you, but it was nothing alarming to you.  “Hi there Hornton,” you warmly greet your fae friend.  He puts a finger to his chin and ponders to himself, “You seem quite distracted today, Prefect.  Is anything the matter?”  Happy to have someone to discuss it with, you give him a run-down on your situation.  “And so, I just have no idea where I’m going to go!” you finish in a flurry.  “Hmm,” Malleus hums in consideration, “That is a quandary.  I’d invite you to join me in Briar Valley but unfortunately Lilia has decided we are to take a, how do you call it, road trip this break.”  You can practically hear the air quotes in his voice as he says, ‘road trip.’

You give your friend a small understanding smile, “I get it.  I’m fine.  I just need to figure this out.  I’ll find what I’m looking for, I’m sure.”  This seems to perk your friend up, “Why yes, that might work.”  Then he saunters to a nearby table and picks up a vile of liquid.  You weren’t sure if this was part of someone’s lunch or classwork.  Sometimes it was like that at magic school.  As Malleus holds the vile, a green magic seeps from his fingers to engulf it and the liquid inside boils ominously.  Then the magic fades and the boiling stops.  He hands you the vile and instructs, “I will bestow a boon upon you.  Pour this tincture upon a mirror and the knowledge you need will be summoned forth.”  Great.  This was even better than posting an ad online.  You thank Malleus and give him a grateful smile. 

That is when you feel an arm slip over your shoulder and Ace appears at your side, “Say Prefect, what is going on here?”  You merely gesture as thought to say, ‘I’m talking to Malleus.’  Ace gives your friend a look that is downright insolent and you mentally scoff that only your Ace would be so bold as to have such an attitude with Malleus Draconia.  “Thanks for your help,” you offer your friend to give him an easy way to end the conversation.  Regardless of Malleus’s wishes, Ace jumps in and distracts you easily, “Hey Prefect, I heard you can’t stay over break this year.”  It’s a relief to talk it out with another person and you turn to tell your beau all about the chat in Crowley’s office.  By the time you pause to take a breath, Malleus has departed unnoticed.  You grip the flask, resolving to thank him more earnestly later, and slip it in your pocket.  Then you let Ace lead you away to your next class.  He obliges you by listening to all your complaints and agreeing in all the right places.  Not that it solved the issue at all, but it did make you feel better to have someone fully on your side to complain to.

After class, you automatically hold out your hand to walk with Ace to the alchemy lab, but he asks you to go on ahead instead.  It’s an unusual request but the mystery is cleared up before Professor Crewel arrives to begin your lesson.  “Hey Prefect, great news!” Ace shouts as he slips into the seat next to you, “I called my mom, and she says I can bring you home with me over break!”  At first, all you feel is the pressure being lifted.  Then comes the guilt.  “Are you sure I wouldn’t be intruding?” you ask nervously.  “Nah,” Ace assures you, “Mom already knows about this.”  Then he holds up his hand where he is gripping the red string, “So it was easy to convince her.”  Then he gives you a mischievous smile, “Plus my bro has been away since he graduated, and I think Mom is getting lonely.  Won’t you come cheer up a poor lonely old woman, Prefect?” Ace says in mock sadness.  You swat him, smiling and chide, “Don’t talk about my future mother-in-law that way.”  Then you both laugh. 

Things seemed to finally be going smoothly, but of course, that couldn’t last.  The alchemy lesson had barely started when Headmaster Crowley arrives by bursting in through the skylight.  He was just as extra in-person as he was in game.  You chuckle to yourself as the rest of the class appears to become hyper-focused on the lesson.  Then, right before leaving, Crowley stops in front of your caldron and remarks, “Ah Prefect, will you stop by my office after your lesson?”  Ace leans in as Crowley retreats and whispers, “What is that about?”  You can only shake your head, “I have no idea.  Want to come with and find out?”  Ace gives the thread a stroke with his thumb, “Of course.  I can’t let a troublemaker like you out of my sight.”  You laugh at his joke and pat his arm, thankful for his backup.  You are sure you will need it.

When you and Ace arrive in the headmaster’s office, he looks up from his desk and lets out a squawk of surprise, “Ah!  Trappola, uh, I was not expecting you to be here as well.”  You feel like you’ve made the right choice in bringing him along.  “So, Headmaster, what’s this business you have with me?”  He looks away, avoiding your eye.  “Well, that.  So, you see…it turns out that our contract for the fumigation this summer does not include covering important school property with protective sheets.  Can you believe that!  Ah-hem, anyway, I’m going to have to ask you to stay until after the rest of the students have departed and cover the furniture in the classrooms before you go.”  The response from your boyfriend is immediate, “No.”  You pull back a smile you feel forming on your lips, “Well, there you have it.  I also have made plans for break, since you have so cruelly abandoned me.”  You can see the gears in his head turning as he thinks over the situation.

“Well,” you comment over your shoulder as you shake out a sheet over a cauldron, “At least he is paying us both to do this.  Thanks for keeping me company.”  Ace grins at you, “I can’t abandon my darling Prefect to be all by their lonesome right before a family trip!”  Then he sheepishly adds, “Plus I can use some extra pocket money to buy you a treat when we are back home.”  A family trip.  It had a nice sound to it.  You hum as you continue covering cauldrons with the large tablecloths Crowely had supplied.  “There,” you say and clap your hands once for emphasis, “That is the last one.  And…I think that is all the alchemy rooms.”  Ace gets a thinking expression, “Ah…so that leaves the elective rooms in the Senior’s tower and the botanical gardens.”  You shrug, “Wanna split them?”  Ace nods and you agree to cover the worktables in the botanical gardens while Ace climbs the tower to handle the senior’s classrooms. 

There are far fewer tables in the botanical gardens, so while it was a hike to get there, you finished fairly quickly.  When you add that to the fact that the mirror chamber was nearby, it didn’t surprise you that you arrived ahead of Ace.  Your small bag of clothes sat in the corner, ready to be taken through the mirror to the Queendom of Roses with Ace.  Until then, you had nothing to do here.  You circle the room, looking into the various mysterious mirrors.  Make a few faces and poses to pass time.  It was so boring.  You turn out your pockets, just looking for something to occupy your time and find two items inside.  One is the vial Malleus had given you to help you find a place for Summer Break.  The other was a candy wrapper.  You frown as you look at it.  This wrapper was left over from a candy you had on you when you arrived in Twisted Wonderland; one of the last ties to your old world that remained.  You haven’t thought about the old world for a while now.  Not since before you’d found your Soulmate.  Now, a feeling of melancholy washes over you.  Why had you stopped looking for a way home?  You didn’t even remember consciously giving up on that dream.

You hold the vial and consider it carefully.  What exactly had Malleus said this did?  Something about helping you find what you needed when you poured it on a mirror?  Well, there were plenty of mirrors available and you had time to kill.  Maybe, if you poured the potion, it would give you a clue on how you could return home someday.  You walked to the nearest mirror and uncorked the bottle.  The liquid flowed slowly out of the container as though it was molasses.  When it touched the mirror, it seemed to slip inside until a glossy shimmer coated the surface.  It rippled and you were aware that there were words to be seen inside.  You leaned closer and read the message.  Then you read it again.  And again.  By the fourth time, you were shaking so badly you could no longer read it.  It wasn’t a way to get home.  It was the summary of the fanfiction you were in. 

---

The Chain That Binds

When the Prefect of Ramshackle dorm is invited home with their Soulmate to visit the family, they never suspect the plan Ace has in store for them.  Sometimes the chain that binds you to a partner also binds you to a darker fate. 

TW Yandere, TW Imprisonment, TW Kidnapping

---

Just what kind of sick story was this? 

A click sounds behind you as the door closes.  Never had you heard a sound so ominous.  “Something wrong, Prefect?” Ace says carefully.  You notice he is gripping the string of fate tightly.  It no longer felt comforting but more like the hold a master would have on a dog’s leash.  “You seem kind of agitated.”  You try to downplay it, “Oh no, its nothing.”  He tilts his head, attempting to see past you and into the mirror.  You sidestep to make sure the view was blocked.  He gives you a cold smile, “Are you sure because I can feel your fear through the bond.”  You meet his eye for a moment and then bolt.  Ace is so much faster than you that you never had a real chance.  You scream out for help and Ace laughs and shouts with you, “Help! Help!”  You look at him in horror.  “Who do you think is left here to hear you, Prefect?  Its only us now.”  Then he pulls out his magic pen and casts a binding spell on you. 

You can only lay limply as Ace steps over to the mirror and reads what is inside.  “Hmm,” He finally says, “I don’t know where you get these ideas from, but I don’t think they are healthy for you.  You should stop consorting with people who put these things into your mind.  I’ll talk to my mom when we get home.  I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you stayed there instead of coming back to school.  That will take care of all these intrusive thoughts you have.”  His grip on the red string was so tight that you were beginning to feel it like a phantom pain in your heart.  “Don’t worry about a thing, Prefect.  I’m going to take care of you.  I know what you need,” then he turns and looks coldly into your eyes, “you were made just for me after all.  You’re supposed to be mine alone.”

Then as you struggle against your bonds, he lifts you up over his shoulder and drags you and your belongings to the central mirror.  He gives the mirror the destination as you take one final look at the place you’d considered your second home.  Then Ace carries you over the threshold of the mirror into the beyond. Unfortunately for you, this wasn’t the ending.  Your story was just beginning. 

[robin-evry]

What about a saiki kusuo! Yuu going to NRC? :D

It's been so long since I watched the anime. And it's by far one of my favorite anime

Ask and you shall receive

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐊𝐈!𝐘𝐔𝐔 🕹️🟩

Kusuo Saiki (Japanese: 斉さい木き　楠くす雄お , Hepburn: Saiki Kusuo) is the main protagonist of Saiki Kusuo no Ψ Nan who has all kinds of psychic related abilities. He usually tries to avoid getting involved in problematic or attention-grabbing situations, but his attempts always end up going wrong or having unusual ends to his displeasure.

Imagine, saiki!yuu was enjoying a cup of coffee jelly as a reward for themselves, until they woke up in the coffin with a bunch of people wearing robes.

Originally before the coffin was open saiki!yuu use their psychic ability to travel around the world in a mere second, after enough evidence is concluded they were indeed in a fantasy setting world.

The first time Saiki!Yuu was summoned by the Dark Mirror, it couldn’t gauge their power correctly, as Saiki!Yuu’s psychic abilities and magical skills threw off the system. The mirror tried to intimidate them, but they just stared blankly at it until the mirror eventually gave up and sorted them into a dorm, mumbling something about “too unpredictable in any of the dorms.”

as Always saiki!yuu would try to stay low and go unnoticed in NRC, they will immediately leave the scene before it's happening afraid of gaining some unwanted attention and of course it goes the other way and it leads them being dragged into the messed.

Since this world takes place in a fantasy setting with magic, I think saiki!yuu will not need to worry about suppressing or hiding their powers away since they can always excuse it as magic but their main concern is just to not gain attention, Still they will not use their powers unless it's necessary

In class, Saiki!Yuu is always half-asleep because they already know everything due to them using their psychometric ability as well as telepathy. They’re notorious for completing assignments in seconds with telekinesis or by reading the professor’s mind to predict what the next topic will be. Despite their abilities, they never volunteer for demonstrations, preferring to stay unnoticed at the back of the class.

The Library or the ignihyde dorm has become saiki!yuu new hide out, every time when chaos happens or they need a place to get away, you can find them teleporting to this location out of nowhere. S ome ignihyde students including idia have jump scares of them suddenly teleporting Infront of them but they already get used to it. Saiki!yuu pretty much prefer the ignihyde dorm due to the residents or students being full of introverts and their lack of need to interact with.

Idia and Saiki!Yuu bond over their shared desire to avoid social interaction. The two spend hours in comfortable silence, with Saiki!Yuu quietly reading while Idia plays games. Occasionally, Idia will ramble about his gaming strategies, and they will respond with a simple “Hm,” but that’s enough for them to consider each other close friends.

Azul frequently tries to get them to sign contracts, but Saiki!Yuu sees through his tricks immediately. They’ll telepathically skim the contract, find the loophole, and casually hand it back to Azul without saying a word or add a loophole text in the contract and pretend it's been there so they don't need to sign it.

Despite trying to keep a low profile, Yuu ends up unintentionally becoming one of the most popular students. Because they rarely speak, Saiki!Yuu has gained a mysterious reputation at Night Raven College. Some students believe in Saiki!Yuu has access to ancient magic, while others think they’re an undercover agent for the school. Saiki!Yuu is aware of the rumors but finds them too much effort to correct.

Saiki!Yuu has developed a sixth sense for whenever Headmaster Crowley is approaching. Since Crowley tends to rope Saiki!Yuu into solving school-wide crises, they uses their teleportation or invisibility powers to avoid him at all costs. They’re often found hiding in obscure parts of the campus, much to Crowley’s frustration. Crowley would always try to ask them to use their powers but it always backfired on him.

Gives zero shit, every time riddle or sebek talk their ears off about something like rules of queen of hearts or great malleus sama, saiki!yuu would look at them with a blank face and say "are you done"

Saiki!Yuu is infamous for their unbeatable poker face. Whether during intense situations or dramatic arguments, their expression never changes. This drives people like Riddle and sebek crazy, as they can’t figure out if they are mocking them or genuinely uninterested. In truth, Saiki!Yuu’s just too bored to react.

During Crowley introduced them to the ramshackle dorm, and the next day he came back the dorm was spotless, fix and proper. This gives Crowley an idea of making saiki!yuu NRC handyman but that failure has already failed before it can escalate.

Here's a situation, there was a group of trouble makers who managed to lose some of their memory and their personalities have become a reverse to what they were back, the cause of this was saiki!yuu erasing their memory due to them planning on targeting saiki!yuu. If necessary saiki!yuu would use their psychic powers to overwrite a person to avoid any chaos from them.

Anytime Ace, Deuce, or Grim try to rope Saiki!Yuu into their schemes, Saiki!Yuu uses teleportation to instantly leave the scene before they can even ask for help. Their most common line is probably something like, "I'm not dealing with this," before disappearing.

[ventique18]

Warning: Cringe Sebek moment (we go to the Malleus church every weekend to sing him praises)

Although I, and a lot of people in the fandom really, like exaggerating Malleus as this lovable idiot who fucks up basically everything he does because of his lack of common sense, I looked through NRC's courses and am 90% sure he's their batch valedictorian. And that probability is being modest because his GloMas vignette shows us he's very strict at making sure he does everything perfectly.

Alchemy, Ancient Magic, Animal Linguistics, Art, Astrology, Abbreviated Spellcasting in Ancient and Modern Magic, Chemistry, Culinary Crucible, Defensive Magic, Flight, History of Magic, Enigmics, Musicology, P.E., Poison Refining, Potionology, Practical Magic, and Summoning.

Most of the above are subjects the game doesn't forget to remind us that he's great at, which isn't surprising as he's both a genius and an extremely hard worker. Top it off with genuine curiosity and openness to criticism, and we have the perfect student. Even his random school lines are arrogant wherein he says he doesn't even need to look at textbooks to ace a subject. The only subjects I could see that others would be better than him at are: a) Chemistry because he doesn't seem to care much about science; b) Animal Linguistics as I've never seen him converse with animals? But maybe a dragon has a bit of affinity with talking to them?; c) Culinary Crucible, but this is an elective and one he performed decently at; and d) Flight, because he admits that Lilia is better than him at this. Maybe Art could be listed here as his tastes are rather... unconventional, but I think any competent Art professor could evaluate his particular hyperfixations as truly works of art and passion lol.

The only way he wouldn't be the top student is if his idiotic zero-common-sense flaw takes over his life and he doesn't show up to exams. Which isn't unlikely, tbh. Anyway that doesn't take from the fact that he's extremely, extremely capable, and I find the dichotomy of his raw intelligence versus absolute lack of wisdom to be very interesting.

[yuurei20]

Glorious Masquerade Dialogue Comparison

Originally Rollo refers to Trein as “Mozus-sensei,” using Trein’s first name, but this was changed in the English-language adaptation to “Professor Trein” instead.

Both Sebek and Malleus had the word “humans” removed from their dialogue in two different places, changed to “people” for Sebek and dropped from Malleus’ dialogue entirely.

The English-language adaptation has a history of removing the word “egg” from the game.

Rather than dropping it completely (as in the main story) it was changed to “fledgling" here, much like Spectral Soiree. (More here: The EN Server's Missing Eggs)

While EN has technically localized the in-game currency "madol" into “thaumarks,” with the Port Fest event EN received an all-new form of currency that doesn’t exist in the original game: sorcents!

They returned in Glorious Masquerade (More here: Port Fest Dialogue Comparison)

Malleus never refers to the prefect as a friend, which may be significant, as the word seems to be of some importance at NRC.

If you were curious if Idia really did refer to Riddle as “Tiny Titan” in the original game, he did!

He also used his nickname for Riddle, which EN will sometimes translate as “Instructor” and sometimes as “Taskmaster,” but this time it was dropped.

Rollo’s Unique Magic

Pronunciation: Dark Fire Meaning: Smoldering Desire EN: Darkfire

(More here: Unique Magic (Signature Spell) Compilation: Pronunciation vs. Meaning vs. EN Adaptation)

Idia generally talks with a stutter in the original game, which was removed from the English-language adaptation of Glorious Masquerade.

I thought this might just be a language limitation, but his stutter has been accurately recreated on EN in other places.

This resulted in lines like “Blue handkerchiefs…ah, ah, th-th-the glass movies seem to be less simple than these…” becoming “Plain blue handkerchiefs? Um, no offense, but these look way more basic than those glass mobiles…” and “B-b-b-but then…” becoming “Okay, but, like…,” making the EN adaptation of Idia maybe sound more assertive than the original?

I have recently seen theories that English-language translation for the game might be separated into multiple teams, which seems logical.

It is possible that the localization team assigned to events like Glorious Masquerade is different from the team that did Idia’s vignettes, which would explain the inconsistency in his speech patterns.

It would also explain what happened to Deuce’s unique magic:

In the original game Azul recites the exact same spell Deuce did in Book 5 in order to summon Deuce's magic, but the spell used by EN- Deuce is not the same as the one used by EN-Azul.

The meaning is the same—there is no big difference between “It’s payback time” and “It’s time to pay up!”—it is just different phrasing, which makes sense if the translation team assigned to Book 5 of the main story is different from the team who did Glorious Masquerade.

If the teams are separated by vignettes / events / main story it would also explain why the egg references are getting removed from the main story while being translated into “fledgling” in Halloween events.

But this is all just conjecture based on the curious continuity :>

An interesting language hurdle arose at the end of the game when Malleus addressed the gathered visitors at the ball by the “omae” form of “you”.

The audience responds with discomfort and Jamil explains, “Ordinary students don’t address peers they are meeting for the first time as ‘omae-tachi’…”

(Being sensitive to social situations is a part of Jamil’s character, explained in more depth in his third birthday vignette).

Since the English language doesn’t have varying forms of “you,” this comment was removed.

Much like how the lyrics to the song “Piece of My World” were removed from Book 5, the lyrics to Malleus’ song “Wish Resound” were also removed from the English-adaptation of the game.

But whereas Book 5 is voiced Glorious Masquerade is not, so removing the text box entirely would have resulted in Malleus simply standing and staring in silence.

To compensate, EN has put “*singing*” in the text box.

While likely a licensing issue and therefore inevitable, it is kind of unfortunate as, during the song, there are repeated cuts back to Rollo’s reactions (Lyric translation can be very complex, this is just one possible interpretation of what the lyrics might sound like in English!)

And Malleus makes a point of commenting on the importance of the lyrics (that EN cannot see) that seem to be resonating with Rollo.

[twstthing]

[A quick change of clothes(kin).]

Minecraft Single Player! Yuu AU

Summary: Yuu(rmom) has a really weird concept of clothing, Deuce and Professor Crewel figure that out the hard way and witness transmutation.

In NRC, every student gets uniforms. It’s only natural that they get enough from their ever so kind headmage.

Crowley, the said headmage, gets Crewel to tailor a uniform for Yuu as a thank you for doing unintended and unpaid repairs for the Ramshackle dorm. The event was bound to come up, having enrolled them as a half-student alongside Grim. 

Making a uniform for a student isn’t as intensive as creating fashion pieces, however both are pieces of art that require the utmost focus and precision. What kind of professor, let alone MAN, would Divus Crewel be if he let himself slack on providing basic needs for a pup? At the very minimum, he swears upon himself to never stoop down to a level of air-headedness that his boss, unfortunately, has. 

To be honest, Crewel has been itching to get Prefect Yuu a new set of clothing for a while now. Ever since that pup landed in NRC, they have been nothing but trouble with an outfit that gives him one of the strongest eye sores he’s ever felt. A plain, loose cyan blue t-shirt with an equally saturated pair of indigo trousers that have no pockets. Not only is it poorly colored, it lacks function.

Perhaps the lack of function could be explained away with how the pup has their own magic storage, pulling stacks of items in and out of thin air with no strain. But those colors? Crewel is a cunning, logical man, but not everything can be reasoned with nor justified.

Additionally, Yuu(rmom) is due for a good shaving and trim. He’s not sure how the teenaged pup has a fully grown (and very well-styled) goatee, but perhaps it’s just genetics. 

Naturally, there are procedural steps to making a set of clothing for someone, and the first and foremost is to gather measurements. It is one of the faster paced processes, but key to executing all other parts. 

Crewel really should have expected that anything dealing with the new prefect would never go normally.

“Yuu, you need that uniform! I promise it doesn’t hurt at all, it’s actually kind of fun!”

Deuce is on his tiptoes in the Alchemy Laboratory, shouting like he is cooing a cat to come down the tree it ran up. In a sense, he is doing exactly that but the cat is actually a person with extra-stiff limbs and reality-altering powers beyond magic.

Said person looks down from their oak wood block tower, doing several impossibly fast 120 degree hip bends while swinging their arm. Deuce knows this version of gestures, recalling Riddle’s presentation on Yuu’s mannerisms with the assistance of Rook and Iida. If Yuu individually does several hip bends first and arm swings second, it indicates “I am here.” and something along the lines of a declaration depending on the context. 

In this context, Yuu is currently on-guard and firmly standing their ground which means Yuu does not want to do measurements.

Inwardly, Deuce gives himself a pat on the back for remembering all of that and reaching a conclusion. But there’s a slightly more pressing matter at hand that he does not have a method or conclusion to, and that is how to convince Yuu to get down from their tower and get their measurements done.

He’s done everything he could, really! 

Deuce truly thought that his cauldron summoning spell would work in knocking Yuu down to ground level, but the moment the cauldron made contact with Yuu you wanna know what happened? The cauldron DID hit Yuu, eliciting a very manly, “OOF!” from them as their body flashed red, but it didn’t even knock them down. After making contact with Yuu, it shrank into one of the pixelated slabs that Yuu creates and fell to the ground with a light clack.

Magic coercion didn’t work, and his words don’t seem to reach the Prefect’s head either.. Sure;

Turning to Professor Crewel, Deuce bows a into a straight 90 degree angle and shouts, “Professor! I apologize in advance for the.. Un- Uh, seemingly display I am about to do!”

Casting aside his blazer and rolling up his dress shirt sleeves, Deuce takes a deep breath. The oak block tower was 5 blocks high, which means it wasn’t unreasonably tall. A lot of things can be overcome so long as you just try to do it, that’s how Deuce learned he was particularly skilled at hurdling during club practice. Just like how he warmed up at practice, Deuce gives two experimental hops, remembering the feeling of how to make himself spring up.

Professor Crewel is no stranger to the reckless activity of teenage boys having been one himself, so his eyes widen as he realizes what Deuce is about to do. 

Three steps backwards and an inhale is all he needs to sprint straight to the oak block tower, and when the moment is just right—not too close, but not too far from the wall—he leaps once. Deuce reaches to just about 3/5ths of the tower, but he closes the gap between him and the top as his left foot pushes off of the tower and launches himself higher. 

Being face-to-face with Yuu wasn’t necessary so long as he could just get them down, so in the moment that Deuce reached his highest point his arms would shoot out to grab onto Yuu’s legs. Deuce can only smirk in triumph as he shouts, “Gotcha!”

From that point on, gravity could do the rest of the work as it pulled him and Yuu downwards. Deuce is completely ready for the fall, but Yuu seems even more flustered than him as their arms flail around and make the fall much more uncertain.

Though, it was only in that moment that Deuce realized he couldn’t make a stable landing when there is another body of weight that he’s holding onto. He can already feel a sore backache or a rolled ankle coming into play as he falls, but the expected pain does not come even after he squeezes his eyes shut.

Instead, he feels a gentle gust of wind below him, lowering him and Yuu close enough to the ground before completely dissipating and letting him land on his butt. The relief of having no injuries sustained is completely overwritten when he feels the piercing gaze of a very furious Professor Crewel towering about him.

“Yuurmom and Deuce Spade.” Crewel practically seethes out, “Both of you pups. Reckless, unruly behavior that would have gotten you both a nice trip to the nurse’s office. Not only will this be reported to your Housewarden, but I also expect a two-pager reflecting on your actions. Deuce Spade, you will write about the dangers of acting before thinking. Yuu, you will be writing about why listening to authority and following instruction is necessary.”

With a heavy sigh, Professor Crewel settles himself down before declaring, “Now bark if you understand my instructions!”

Deuce spends no time in shouting back, “Yes Professor!”, but Yuu remains silent much to his panic. Yuu’s face is just about as neutral as ever, though the slight crease in their eyebrows is indicative of their immense dissatisfaction with the situation. While Deuce really does want to consider his friend’s feelings here, he would really rather not face any more paperwork and reprimanding from Housewarden Riddle, so he jabs Yuu(rmom) with his elbow. 

Two beats of silence afterwards, Yuu utters out, “Yes.” much to Deuce’s relief. 

Professor Crewel lightly massages the crease between his eyebrows, muttering something along the lines of “stressful pups”. Not too shortly, he turns to Yuu and gestures to them, “Now let’s get your measurements done. I don’t know why you have such an aversion to removing your current clothing, but rest assured that the process will not take long and you can put them back on right afterwards.”

To that, Yuu(rmom) launches out of their seated position to stand and rapidly shakes their head, body following behind their head movements. 

Deuce inwardly sighs, ‘Now we’re back at square one.’

“Pup, is there some kind of connection you have with your clothes? Start speaking, because I am not a mind reader.” 

Yuu takes a moment, eyes scanning Deuce and the professor. It’s a bit jarring to Deuce to see Yuu express this much discomfort at anything. Asides from their overall lack of expression, they typically march to their own beat regardless of the situation. If Yuu(rmom) was 100% human like he and Ace were, perhaps they would be breaking out into a sweat. 

“.. I can’t remove my skin.”

“I don’t think clothes are skin, Yuu.” Deuce states without missing a beat. 

Shaking their head, Yuu replies, “Everyone wears skins.” They wave an arm at Deuce, gesturing to his current outfit, “That’s your skin.” then look down and wave an arm, referring to themselves, “This is my skin.”

Professor Crewel is looking up at the ceiling, hoping to find an answer to why he must explain what clothing is. Pushing past the frustration, he thinks to himself. 

Every day, Yuu shows up with the same set of eye-straining blue clothes. Despite how much farming and tussling they do, their clothes do not appear tattered or even remotely affected by the things its been put through. Even when doused in water, Yuu appeared as dry as sand. 

It doesn’t seem like they have a whole closet of the same clothing either, because Ramshackle’s plumbing bill falls much further below average. While it would be possible that the Prefect could just do their laundry by hand or with one of their otherworldly gadgets, Crewel highly doubts that their arms have the.. articulation, to properly wash clothes by hand. 

If he’s on the right track, Yuu’s current clothing might actually be attached to them.

Looking back down, Professor Crewel gazes at Yuu, “Pup, if I give you a uniform—no, a skin—will you be able to put it on?”

Yuu stares back at him, many figurative cogs turning and churning in contrast to their ultra-still body. They slowly turn their head down and up, which seems to be the closest they can get to doing a hesitant nod, letting Deuce and Professor Crewel sigh in relief. 

Deuce leans into Yuu’s space and nudges them, “See? It wasn’t THAT bad.”

From his own spatial storage, Crewel spins out the reference uniform he would have used after acquiring Yuu’s measurements. It is a men’s size large uniform, based on the speculated height of Yuu(rmom) who appears to be around the same height as the especially loud aide of Draconia. The blazer, vest, tie, dress shirt, and pants are folded into a crisp, square-like shape much to the pleasure of Yuu who draws closer to the stack of clothing. 

Crewel hands the clothes to Yuu, who manages to hold it upright without using their fingers at all. He remains straight-faced for professionalism, but Crewel wonders to himself when his brain will stop trying to make sense of the illogic that is Yuu(rmom).

And for a moment, Yuu simply stares at the uniform. The next, Yuu’s silhouette dissolves into pure static along with the jarring din of buzzing noise emitting from them. Deuce lets out a shout of shock that is ultimately drowned out by the noise of static, and both he and Deuce plug their ears to block out the cacophony. 

Professor Crewel still subconsciously tries to make some sense of what he’s seeing, and he sees the shifting silhouette of Prefect Yuu. It goes from the average four-limbed human that he’s familiar with, then phasing into a two-dimensional figuration of various rectangular shapes, and then a three-dimensional cubic rendition of the human body. 

As suddenly as it began, the static ends, and Yuu has returned to a human figure. The uniform is perfectly fitted on them and worn correctly, however something more significant changed with the Prefect.

Deuce exclaims it first, “Yuu! Your hair! YOU SHRANK??!! What the heck just happened??”

While Deuce furiously pats Yuu down for changes while asking a barrage of questions, Professor Crewel notes the most obvious changes to Yuu’s appearance.

The awful clothes are gone in place of the NRC uniform, Yuu’s goatee is completely gone, and their short-cut brown hair has been replaced with longer, green shaggy strands. Not only that, they gained a pair of eyebrows and had their rectangular eye sockets replaced with ones that aligned more closely with a normal eyeball. Though, it appears that the square-ness didn’t completely disappear with their pupils still square-shaped.

What concerned Professor Crewel the most was the change in build and physical age. Yuu(rmom) was taller than the average student, but now they’ve been reduced to a height similar to Ruggie Bucchi. Their previous muscle mass has also been reduced to that of the average teenager's, and their face has regained the kind of residual baby fat that students would have.

It was already known that Yuu(rmom) was not human based on their behavior and supernatural abilities, but they have literally shape-shifted into a first year NRC student which brings into question just exactly how old they are. Were they actually a 16-17 year old masquerading as a more mature person or are they a mature person who can change their appearance at will?

Though, it seems like malicious intentions don’t seem to be on Yuu’s mind considering their previous behavior on demanding farmland and an extreme desire to build cubic buildings. Additionally, behind their unwavering behavior lies a familiar sense of immaturity that blends right into the NRC population. 

It might not be a worry for now, but Crewel decides to store this information for the upcoming staff meeting in two days. 

Crewel lets out a loud “Ahem!”, drawing the immediate attention of Deuce and the now more human-looking Prefect Yuu. 

“Continue your celebrations after you two finish writing your reflections. I expect them to be done by tomorrow afternoon and on my desk before I begin teaching the third year pups.”

The reminder visibly knocks into Deuce as he drops his head down in mild shame, and displeasure is now visible on Yuu’s face as their new eyebrows slightly furrow. 

[bun-lapin]

TWST OC Intro

Introduction for my NRC staff OCs:

Hui-Yan (twist of Shan Yu from Mulan) Iomhar Dubhghall (twist of Mor'du from Brave)

(Bios and extra details under the cut)

A/N: So I am very bad at drawing but I love making OCs! In particular, I've been spending a lot of time on my twst staff OCs. I finally got around to making some picrew images of them to get a rough idea of how they'd look visually. They turned out nicely but not exactly how I pictured them lol Maybe for my birthday in December I'll finally commission some art of them <3 I have two more staff OCs that I will post tomorrow.

Name: Hui-Yan (no family name) hui 慧: wise , yan 艳: beautiful Age: 30 Staff Position: Social Studies professor (History of Magical Battles, Philosophy, Summoning), House Advisor to Diasomnia, Club Advisor to Equestrian Club Personality: Hui-Yan is a disciplined and stoic professor. She doesn't like to participate in "idle chatter" and her personal background is shrouded in mystery. She has no family name and simply states that she has no family as an explanation. She is an accomplished fighter and will sometimes speak at length on different philosophies related to the way of a warrior. She is very observant and a master of strategy. She often sneaks up on students while they gossip about their teachers and then makes them do planks or push-ups as punishment. Unique Magic: Combat spell, turns her body into shadow to avoid detection, can also summon a powerful sword made of shadows that can cut through anything in this form. Preferences:

Hobbies: Falconry

Pet peeve: Snow

Likes: Soup Dumplings (xiaolongbao)

Dislikes: Sweets

Talent: Mounted Archery

Name: Iomhar Dubhghall Age: 34 Staff Position: Athletics Instructor (PE/Flight class, Defensive Magic, Martial Arts), House Advisor to Savanaclaw, Club Advisor to Spell Drive Club Personality: Iomhar Dubghall is a very quiet and reserved instructor. Although he doesn't speak much, he doesn't mind listening to people and will sometimes offer a few words of advice. Despite his intimidating appearance, he's actually very gentle and caring. If he sees a student genuinely struggling in his classes, he'll let them sit off to the side until they feel better. However, he is a fierce fighter and doesn't hold anything back in combat training. He's also an extremely capable outdoorsman and survivalist. Unique Magic: Combat spell, can summon small, sentient wisps of fire. In combat situations the wisps can join into the shape of a huge bear made of fire that he controls. Rarely uses this spell because of the risk of losing control if he gets too emotional and setting the forest on fire. Preferences:

Hobbies: Woodcarving

Pet peeve: Sharing his food

Likes: Smoked Salmon

Dislikes: Peppers

Talent: Axe Throwing

picrew source: one, two intro card source

[w4t3rgun2]

Cookie Run into TWST inspection

I'm bored, I have other things but I'ma do this instead

OWNER NOTES; Kinda wanna write some of these... BUT THIS TOOK ME 5 DAYS SO I APOLOGIZE IF ANYTHING IS WEIRD. Posted on 12/06/2022 at 1:13 AM

CW// Riddle's mother (mentioned), Spoilers, b0mbs (Caviar part), poison/venom (Scorpion), me cursing

WARNING; I'm not finished or near finished in either of the games, all from my POV of the games' lore and how I see dorm/characters, feel free to correct me. I'm also using fanwiki for this!

--Almond Cookie 1/7--

Almond's character can be described as a hard worker, enough so to ignore his own health for the sake of his job. The fandom sees him a s a caring father of Walnut, which is canon. He is a canon veteran detective who's skill is called "Almond Handcuffs" which as the wiki describes as "Uses magical handcuffs to apprehend the enemy with the lowest max HP (targets Cookies first) and apply the Damage Link debuff, which disperses a portion of damage the apprehended enemy receives between up to five linked enemies (cannot be applied to summoned creatures). Cannot be interrupted." (tldr; magic handcuffs to lower HP on target(s)) But the fandom counts him to be a strict yet overworked detective.

And that's why I'm sorting him into Heartslabyul, his strict work fits the dorm. As Heartslabyul is described to be "known for its long list of rules that its students are expected to abide by. Should they break even one, it will result in their beheading by the housewarden." But it also has a court, which fits Almond's theme of a detective.

The best relations with Almond would be Riddle Rosehearts, Professor Mozus Trein and Ortho Shroud. Riddle is a strict dorm leader but Almond would be help in court, especially when someone would break a rules. Of course, this is before Book 1's overblot. But considering the aftermath, Almond would be a parental figure for Riddle that his mother wasn't best at. But he'd still help on rulebreakers. But on the other hand, Professor Trein. No, I don't mean that they're both called old by the fandom but because while Trein is also strict, so is Almond. They could bond over both history and cats. Trein has probably stated for him to stop being so overworking, Trein knows better than Almond does. (Of course he does, the dude's 58- BY CANON) While Almond would see Ortho as like Walnut, curious and ready to help! Almond would feel at home with the little robot child around him.. :)

--Carol Cookie 2/7--

Now this is an interesting cookie... Her description states that he is a gentle yet a hopeful cookie who loves songs and lives her life by said songs. She seems to be a friendly cookie who is technically called 'Bard cookie' in the original Korea game. Her skill is "Magic Songs" which is described as "Sings the Song of Joy to restore the team's HP and increase their CRIT% and CRIT DMG. When only two or fewer Cookies are left, including Carol Cookie, switches to the Song of Change instead, having her Cooldown immediately reset and decreased for the remainder of the battle. The Song of Change damages the enemies, increases the team's CRIT% and CRIT DMG, and reduces the Cooldown for the remaining team members. With each regular attack, Carol Cookie sings the Song of Energy and restores the entire team's HP. However, the fewer team members she needs to heal, the more healing each individual member will receive. While Carol Cookie is using her skill, she will briefly become resistant to interrupting effects." (tldr; healing and attacks (It's 8pm I cant read *sob*))

Now, normally NRC doesn't allow girls but I'm a fanfic writer, you think I listen to the devs for this? Ha! Nahh! :) But it's hard to put her into a specific dorm... But I believe she fits Scarabia the most! The dorm is known for it's resourcefulness, and incantations. I would personally say it's one of the most positive dorms due to their dorm leader, Kalim! But the downside is it's motto of "plan with deep anticipation", which Carol doesn't fully do. She goes with the flow of the song, but that could be used as a positive thing, especially in certain books/chapters!

Her friends would be the Light Music Club members! Especially Kalim but also Ortho! Ortho would see Carol as a parental/teacher figure! She shows how to use her instrument (music people are gonna come after me) and also give lessons on how to properly take care of it to the whole club! Of course, poor Jamil having to deal with 2 hopeful yet chaotic good people! But Carol would have Kalim when Jamil needed a break ^^

--Sorbet Shark Cookie 3/7--

Well we all know them, and we love them. They're a curious and silly shark cookie! It is noted that they're not a fast cookie but who cares! They're a little mischievous shark sneaking onto pirate ships! Their skill is called "Shark Splash" and it basically ambushes the enemies in shark form! (I'm not copy and pasting this time. Too lazy.) Unfortunaly, they can't speak on land (they do talk in bubbles instead) but they can in water! But all they want is some company, poor kid was practically alone their whole life! (Before Black Pearl.) They're managed the cleanliness and hygiene of the while on a Stink-Eye Tortuca's ship!

Now here's the problem; they're a kid. But again, I'm a fanfic writer. And also Ortho is technically still 5 (....) soo! I think they fit best in Octavinelle! Of course, not because of the business or intelligence but instead because of the Lounge and socialization! They're one of Azul's favorite student workers in the Lounge, and he gets paid in jellies!

Sorbet's friends include Floyd, Ortho, and Azul! Ortho helps translate whenever out of water, while Floyd hears them rant outside of water like "I agree with Sharkey!" or when they're being silly ^^ While with Azul, he relates with the small shark and actually enjoy their company! They usually stay in the VIP room whenever they gotta do schoolwork and I guess you can say kinda like a Parent-Child relationship!

--Frost Queen Cookie 4/7 --

Oh boy.. Elsa Cookie... Honestly, best way I can explain her is cold (haha) and like the Snow Queen from that one fairytale. But while the others were Epic rank cookies, this one is a Legendary! And honestly, she pissy when she picked up. Her skill is called "Freezing Squall" and I'm just gonna explain it in my own words, by that, I mean she summons like ice from the ground like Avatar. She's kinda like a God of Snow and winter tbh... Friends with Snow White??? Nah.

Anyways- Again, NRC is an all boy school so she wouldn't be able to but I'MA IGNORE. And I claim she goes to Pomefiore! The dorm is known for their poison and curses, and guess which *THE* Frost Queen can do? Curses! We've seen what she's done to Sherbet-

Her relations would probably be just Vil, I don't know but I see them having a Mother-Son relationship where Frost is like "MY DEAREST SON, PLEASE HELP ME WITH THE MAGIC DEVICE MIRROR PLEASE SEND THIS TO VIL, THANK YOU" and Vil texts back like "You used voice to text. Unfortunately, I'm busy but Rook will be right there."

--Captain Caviar Cookie 5/7 --

I just got him... Perfect timing! ^^ But anyways- From his description, he is an elder and a respected hero by the Republic! (Me remembering who the republic is: ...) But by his name, you can guess that he's a respected captain who sails everywhere! He's a pretty important guy in the Cookie Run Lore! And I love Roe which isn't exactly Caviar but close! Not really... But I'm too lazy to type all of this out, but let's get to his skill! His skill is called "Black Shark Torpedo" and basically, bombs. I'm genuine about it as I type this. I can't express how surprised I was when I read it.

Now... Dorm... *laughs nervously...* SAVANACLAW! C'mon, what'cha expect? Yeah, it's dry af but HEAR ME OUT. Savanaclaw's wiki literally says "Savanaclaw is a dorm located in a deserted area alongside a Spelldrive stadium. Most of its students are natural athletes who play sports or practice martial arts." NOW LOOK AT CAVIAR- YOU THINK HE DIDN'T TRAIN TO BE WHO IS TODAY?!! WRONGGG

ANyways- Um- Besties with Vargas, Deuce, Epel and Jack. No questions. Enemies with Idia. I said what I said. Good day. Vargas and him race a lot while the other two out of breath and dying in the background (except for Jack, Jack still going ^^) while he dislikes Idia and meanwhile Idia; "😰"

--Scorpion Cookie 6/7 --

OH I LOVE HER, OMG, YESSS- Anyways- Pretty sure she's the only one on this list that's only from Ovenbreak! Congrats to her!! Back to your scheduled stuff- Scorpion Cookie. Class Epic with title of "Poison & Venom"! Her description focuses mainly on her being a poisonous and dangerous with a Scorpion tail! But she returns to Yogurt Caravan to meet with a friend... While venom dripping, totally not suspicious! She isn't fazed when tough cookies try to fight her, why would she tbh? Her skill doesn't have a name! But it's ability is spray venom and dissolve obstacles in the path! She has magic candy but I'm not in the mood to type that too... She seems to see people positively while they see her as negative. Let's take Scorpion and Lilac- S about L; "You used to be so different! What happened, I wonder... (Trust)" and L about S; " ... Leave now, and never come back. (Tension)"

Now, she's a hard case for this... While she is great in poison, which could fit Pomefiore, she's also fitting for Octavinelle for her deals. But she could also fit for Savanaclaw for her athletic knowledge, but then again.... But Savanaclaw is off the list. Perhaps Octavinelle... Hmm.... I've made my mind! Scarabia! Be mad at me, sure, but let's be honest, she fits. The aesthetic of the dorm matching Yogurt Caravan! Not only that, listen to this quote; "In addition to that, the students in Scarabia live under the motto "plan with deep anticipation"." And adding that the dorm is full of highly resourceful students! She wouldn't fit right in with Jamil (due to obvious reasons) but she would fit in the dorm for magic/personal reasons!

But relationships... Her relationship with Jamil would be the worst. But her best would definitely be with the Octotrio and Rook! You may me questioning why I said Rook (or not, idc) but Rook would help her 'talk' to some people by telling her where a person is, or if they're alone! Perfect plan for a assa- meet up! ^^

--Wizard Cookie 7/7 --

What? You thought I would say someone Epic? Or Rare? Nope! I love Wizard deeply! (C'MON PEOPLE, GIVE ME WIZARD ANGST OR GIVE ME DEATH) But at this point, what needs to be introduced with him? He's Wizard cookie, the canon only Ice cream cookie! (I do not count Ice Juggler, that is an ice baby) But his skill is lighting!! He's pretty good if done correctly, but he absolutely loves magic! But despises potions. (Seriously, what did potions do to you???) But I have nothing much to say about him honestly. Love him, but wish there was more lore... But he does want to be the very best wizard there is, looking up to older wizards and able to study history enough to figure out stuff in at least a character.

But here's the thing, he's the easiest to put into a category, let's be honest. He doesn't go to Heartslybul, nor Pomefiore, but I say, he goes to Diasomnia! Why? Cuz magic bitch B) But in all seriousness, Diasomnia is known for their magic! Especially accelerating in all types! And what do ya know? That's his goal! He fits and I say he do.

His relationships.. Probably Lilia, Malleus and Riddle. Lilia is teaching him while the smoke detectors go off. Malleus just needs a friend who interested in Gargoyles (I headcanon Wizard to have interest in Gargoyles, shut up) and Riddle is way too obvious, they study together.

I'M DONE, AFTER 5 DAYS I'M DONE:DDD

[regalfairytaleacademy]

Leader Renewal Ceremony

It is the most important ceremony for seven dorms for years to change the new dorm leader after the third years were graduated.

Traditionally, each student conducts a voting contest to determine who is the best future dorm leader. However, it all came to an end as the outcome turned out to be worst.

Currently, they make different test for different dormitories to easily find a perfect and suitable one.

Dragonroyal - The test of the Fire Vortex.

To pass the test, they have to use all their strength and courage to defeat the Fire Hyra and Fire Eaters the leader summoned.

A student must be the powerful among than else who able to pass the test of all their peers.

During the test, students have to make sure didn't get injured by the dragon or fire.

Voguefleur - Mirror test.

To quality of the position of Voguefleur dorm leader, a students must be most patience and self-confidence out of their peers.

Each rooms have a magic mirror which has ability to charm them by adoring them and telling them that their beauty is the greatest among everyone. If one of them was darken her heart and bewitched by touch on the mirror, will causes troublesome with others.

The way to pass the test was not reveal as kept in secret, it actually is still alike to ordinary mirrors and very fragile. So they only way to do this to break it directly. Once it is broken, all of its curses will be broken.

Sezonatura - Potion Making Test

Similarities with Pomefiore from NRC, one of them must be able to make the beneficial potion.

There's no any tips or advices give to them during the test. They must focus on making potion, no matter they creates potions with some plants they pick from the dorm's botanical garden.

The potions they finished must be a benefit to let a sprout grow naturally with flowers after dip a drop on. And it shouldn't cause some happens; like a plant turn in a monster, thorn vines covered around the dorm and more.

Melodiamour - Music Test

It's sound easy to students.

But it actually has professors as judges during the test, so students have to focus on it with their skills. Some of them have the talent to sing and dance, and the rest have the talent to play musical instruments.

But other people without any experience should enter the room and fill out the test paper. Its questions contain all about the history of musicians, conductors and others, as well as names and information about instruments.

After the test is over, one will be selected by the dorm leader and professors.

Techneige - Multi-tasks Exams

A student must to be able to all the tasks given by the leader. Each test for students are different so they have to do by themselves without discussing.

Moreover, during the test, they not only to finish the tasks from the computer, also have to battling with a wooden spoon.

After that, the leader shall choose the one of them who passes all tasks with full results.

Aquadormancy - Sports Test

Like Dragonroyal, to test students their independent actions to every missions. One from the peers must be able to complete all the sports tasks the leader prepared.

But if there are tasks left unfinished or failed. Or rely on the help of the other party instead of yourself. She won't be able to be a leader.

Paw Pflege - Test with Animals

Students will be scattered into forests, mountains and oceans to find some stuffed animals arranged by the dorm leader before the test begins.

There were also animals injured or in danger when the students went around where they walked. And it is another test for them before find a plushie. One of them will be able to protect the animals and take care of them.

Last, they shall pass to speak with the animals and knowing their languages, to qualify for the position of dorm leader.

Ceremonial Crown

The crowns for future dorm leaders representing to their spirits to the Seven Fairies, and take charge for all dorm tasks they get in future. Interestingly, the stones set on each crowns owns their magic energy for restore if the leaders lost their powers.

Note: The crowns for all dorm leaders are made by realistic flowers with gemstones.

Dragonroyal - Amaryllis + Carnelian

Voguefleur - Asters + Citrine

Sezonatura - Roses + Pink Rose Quartz

Melodiamour - Peonies + Blue Topaz

Techneige - Clematises + Amethyst

Aquadormancy - Freesias + Aquamarine

Paw Pflege - Chrysanthemums + Tourmaline

In fact, they allow other accessories to be worn instead. And place the tiara in a jewel box provided by the gnomes.

[princesslocket]

I am here to ask for the Locket lore so I may have some art THOTS for the besties lol 👀 

Hehehehe alrighty here ya go!

For starters, Locket is kind of a burntout "gifted kid"

Or you could say she's just good at following instructions... Like she'll give the professors her attention but she'll be daydreaming throughout the entire lecture after gaining the basic understanding of what they're learning.

She likes to get all her homework done during class (that way she can have absolute free time after school) but on the off chances that she has to do homework after school, she'll sit somewhere quiet in the library to get it done.

One of Locket's favorite things to do when she's not at club practice, is (re)reading her favorite manga!

Like she's just a casual fan of everything but if someone were to ask her about the manga, she'd start jumping in place and fangirling. ((She also jokes about about going into heavy detail about her favorite arcs and such but really, the most she does is make noises like "bwah" and "blam" when trying to voice her excitement. Think of the way Hinata talks from Haikyuu and that's how Locket talks skjahgrhjng))

Locket is friendly to everyone she meets even if they don't deserve it. Mainly because she brought up to treat others she wants to be treated but also because she believes that everyone deserves at least a little kindness in their lives.

She and Kalim are good friends but she'd admittedly a little wary of him (or more so of Jamil)

It doesn't matter if she's from another world or not. Locket WILL NOT give anyone any info about her home life unless if it's in secret with Headmage Crowley. If someone somehow overhears... Well Locket would probably start avoiding them out of fear.

Locket also dislikes taking naps! Like she'll get real upset at herself if she accidently falls asleep for any reason. Which is funny considering how she's a big advocator on making sure her friends are taking breaks when they need it.

Like Grim, Locket REALLY likes tuna (sandwiches) especially when it's served with black olives! Sometimes she'll buy him some just because but most of the time she'll just split half of her own tuna with him so they can enjoy it together

Locket can't exactly use magic like everyone else.

Her pendant originally served as her magical outlet in her homeland but after being summoned to NRC it lost just about all traces of her old magic. The most her pendant can do now is act as a link of sorts, binding her to Grim and allowing her to pull small amounts of magic from him to use at her disposal. ((It works best after he's eaten))

Locket's also in NO rush to get back home. She gladly accepts being stuck in NRC/Twisted Wonderland with everyone. It beats being constantly reprimanded by her parents.

And lastly (for now at least) Locket is saving up for a blastcycle! Like she really wants to know if it's the same as flying on a broom and riding on horseback.

[cursedcrest-a2]

FEATURING, twisted wonderland.

IN GAME ALBUM.

"a quiet and withdrawn, reclusive, and animal loving, the draconic first year from diasomina, marianne adairevna maurijenia, prefers the company of animals to other students. outside of a handful of dorm-mates, few students have ever heard them speak louder than a mumble, and even fewer students have been able to hold a meaningful conversation with them."

STATS.

Night Raven College [DIASOMNIA DORM.]

Full Name: marianne adairevna maurijenia.

Other Names: seahorsie, mademoiselle dragonne, mari, mars.

Grade/Class: 1st Year/Class B(No.10)

Birthday: November 23rd (Sagittarius)

Age: 16

Height: 163cm

Dominant Hand: ambidextrous, but favors right hand.

Homeland: briar valley.

Club: equestrianism.

Best Subject: astrology.

Hobbies: dance.

Pet Peeves: themself, sebek's attitude about humans, people bothering them.

Favorite Food: peach sorbet, food with fish in it.

Least Favorite Food: smoked meats.

Talent: swordsmanship.

Magic: star magic, ice magic, healing magic, pocket dimension creation, shapeshifting between human and dragon form.

Likes: small animals, horses.

Dislikes: themself, tidying up, intrusive questions.

BACKGROUND.

a teenage half human-half dragon from briar valley, who's ancient and draconic mother is a long time friend and semi-retired advisor of the current regent and quite a few past rulers. marianne is the withdrawn and depressed only child of professor astra maurijenia, marianne struggles to make friends or even speak to any other students outside of what is necessary, and prefers solitude.

despite their mother's ancient age, marianne is only a first year in their mid teens, and due to their draconic heritage, they have the potential to be one of the most powerful sorceresses in briar valley, outshining even malleus and the queen regent- but is hampered by their rejection of said heritage, and by their abysmal mental health.

SIGNATURE SPELL.

Name: Phantasm Fimbulvetr

Effect: summons and blankets a 20meter radius around marianne with a magical winter storm. while in this winter storm, visibility to those who are not marianne drops to only a foot, and summons powerful blasts thorns of ice, frost, and snow, to be directed at enemies.

Incantation: my blood compels me! phantasm fimbulvetr!

TRIVA

astra, marianne's mom, is old enough to have both cared for lilia and malleus's mother as small children, and refers to any nrc student as 'child'- it becomes a running joke whenever astra shows up, increasingly older charcters will refer to her as auntie.

marianne's mother is a dragon (not a fae), and marianne's late father was a human.

sebek and marianne once got along as children, but as they grew up, they began butting heads over their opinions on humans and humanity.

astra teaches an elective around magical combat and an elective on politics, and is one of the main reasons marianne attends nrc to begin with.

marianne can do traditional briar valley swordancing.

marianne's tail is constantly out, and they struggle not to let it get stepped on in between classes.

marianne's cosmic magic is light themed, like kalim, silver and rook.

they still have the urge to rampage, but have carefully taken steps to repress and manage those feelings- mainly by "sneaking off campus" and flying around the island to burn off steam.

📚 * dragonchild of briar valley. ‣ tome / twst.

[thetwstwildcard]

"Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow."

New Elysia art~

Changed up some of her symbols

[sanctum-of-ramshackle]

“Replaced MC/Yuu? I don’t think so…”

[Synopsis]: Miyeon isn’t having it with this AU shit.

[(A/N)]: I have to apologize in advance to anyone who is named Heather as I’m gonna use the name as this “antagonist” since I need a placement holder.

[TW]: Cursing, mentions of violence and injuries.

[Ramshackle Sanctum, 2:15 p.m.]

Heather: Face it. Nobody will believe a weird magicless student who wears ugly layers.

Miyeon: *Rolls their eyes* First of all, I’m not a student, I’m a professor. Second, nobody will side with you thanks to Shroud’s surveillance around NRC capturing your suspicious activities and Diamond’s social media skills leaking info about your whereabouts. Third, these “ugly layers” are to honor my culture back home while you came to Twisted Wonderland with nothing but a sweatshirt and sweat pants covered in stains. Disgusting, really. Fourth, I have magic as I’m titled as The Master of Eldritch Magic, so you’re the magicless one here, you powerless bitch. Fifth, you’re nothing but an immature teen brat who never experienced the real-life world and refuse to leave that fucking Barbie world of yours.

Heather: *Scoffs* You just saying those things because you’re scared.

Miyeon: No. *Summons her Eldritch Whips*

Miyeon: *Whips Heather across the lounge area*

Heather: *Slams against a wall and falls to the floor* Ow…

Miyeon: Sixth, I’m extremely furious with you. I heard you can take me down easily, yeah? Prove it. *Stands in a fighting position* I won’t hold back.

[Outside of the sanctum]

[Everyone is listening to the fight.]

Jack: This is a bad idea. We already know Heather’s true personality. We need to stop the fight before someone gets hurt-

Leona: Don’t bother. Herbivore requested this.

Jack: Leona-senpai-

Ruggie: Listen to Leona.

Jack: Ruggie-senpai.

Epel: Jack, let her be. It ain’t ours to interfere.

[Then one of the front windows was smushed with Heather’s face against the glass.]

Heather: *Mouthing out* H-Help…me…

Miyeon: I’m not done with you yet. *Yanks Heather back*

[More crash noises erupt from the inside.]

Ace: Kick her ass! I can’t believe I almost fell into her lies.

Deuce: Almost? You didn’t listen to Miyeon until the evidence showed up.

Ace: Well…You also fell into her lies!

Deuce: I felt suspicious of Heather, that’s why I was with her.

Ace: Wow. Honorary student using big words to defend his innocence.

Riddle: Stop it, you two! We’re all accountable for falling into Heather’s tricks.

[Then the commotion inside the building was seize into a halt.]

Jamil: It’s quiet. That’s not a good sign.

Kalim: Oh no, Miyeon!

[The entrance door swings open by itself and a body was thrown out. That being Heather with visible signs of losing. Miyeon comes with minor scratches and bloodied knuckles.]

Floyd: Shrimpy!

Azul: Great Seven, you’re alive.

Jade: *Pulls out a shovel* I would assist burying the body for you.

Miyeon: Jade, she’s unconscious, not dead. When she wakes up, tell her I’m sending her entitled manipulative ass back to Hell myself.

Malleus: *Appears in front of Miyeon with a concerned expression* Child of Man…Your knuckles…

Miyeon: Oh. *Wipes the blood off* It’s not mine. I’m okay, Tsunotarou. I just need to relax.

[Ignihyde, 5:45 p.m.]

[Ignihyde Dorm Leader’s room]

Ortho: *Places the last bandage on Miyeon’s cheek* There! All minor scratches are disinfected and bandaged.

Miyeon: *Smiles at him* Thanks, Ortho.

Idia: Are you sure you’re okay?

Miyeon: I’m certain, Idia. She barely damaged anything. I’m thankful you exposed Heather to everyone before the whole situation worsens. You’re the best partner in the world and universe.

Idia: *Blushes profusely and his hair changes to a deep pink* M-Miyeon-shi! You know how your words affect me. That’s critical damage to my health.

Miyeon: *Laughs a little* 미안해 [Mianhae] (Sorry), Idia. I couldn’t resist your reactions.

Idia: *Groans* You’re so mean with your charisma points.

Miyeon: But you forgive me, right?

Idia: Mm…Yeah…

Miyeon: *Smiles warmly at him* You couldn’t resist me. 사랑해 [Saranghae] (I love you), my Universe.

✨[Reblogs helps creators and creates for more content]💫

[wolken-himmel]

In which (Y/n), after she turned into a child, escapes Crowley's sight and wanders around campus before Crewel can pick her up again.

Students from all dorms find the girl and decide to spoil her in their unique way.

[This is Part (2/2); Part (1/2) can be found here.]

"Crowley, classes for today are over. Now hand me back my daughter, you kidnapper!"

The doors to the headmaster's office were thrown open by an angry man dressed in his typical striped fur coat. Crewel marched inside, an angry scowl on his face, and only came to a stop in front of Crowley's desk to slam his hands flat onto the wooden surface.

All day long, the alchemy professor had anxiously waited for classes to end until he could pick you up from Crowley's care again.

Crowley, after having come down from his high of surprise and horror at the sudden intruder's appearance, clasped his hands together and placed his elbows on his desk. Crewel narrowed his eyes upon realising that his boss was pretty much shaking nervously.

"Kidnapper? Me?" Crowley cried out and threw his hands into the air. "You wound me, Divus!"

Crewel didn't let himself be convinced by Crowley's notoriously dramatic excuses; the headmaster was good at evading problems and the topic at hand, but no one could trick a worried father. Crewel bared his teeth at Crowley, who shrank into his seat, afraid and guilty — caught red-handed.

"Where. Is. She."

"Well," Crowley trailed off, "I'm afraid I do not know—"

Crewel jerked back and buried his grimacing face in his trembling palms — they were trembling out of anger and worry for his dear child. The thought of you running around and being subjected to the other students flaws and quirks left him worried sick.

Raising his gaze again, unflinching, and making Crowley wince in fear, Crewel barked, "Did you lose her?!" The crow raised his hands defensively and tried to sputter out excuses of his irresponsibility and inability to be a good father, no matter how much he wanted to be. Crewel saw right through him and merely pinched the bridge of his nose at Crowley's pathetic attempts of covering up his mistakes. "You're the worst babysitter ever, I swear..."

"No no!" Crowley yelled out vigorously as he jumped up from his chair, wildly gesturing around with his arms. "We're... only playing hide-and-seek! Yes! Very harmless and a very good reason why I don't know where she currently is."

"Dire, you will help me find her now." Crewel's gaze was unrelenting, so much that Crowley couldn't bring himself to shrink away when the alchemy professor shot forward and grabbed him by his wrist. Crowley was promptly pulled to the exit of his office. "I have created the cure that will turn her back into a teen."

"But she's so adorable as a child!" Crowley whined and finally managed to wrestle his hand out of Crewel's hand, who only snapped around to glare at his boss angrily. Crowley, rubbing his wrist in pain, put on his best pair of puppy eyes in order to sway the professor. "Let her stay like this for a few more days, alright?"

"No. If I don't get to spend time with my baby girl, none of you do."

•••

A child wandering around NRC grounds was very eye-catching — so much that all of the dorm leaders and their fellow members took it upon themselves to take care of the adorable child.

The gardens of Heartslabyul were quiet and peaceful, not yet echoing with the queen's angry screaming. The gazebo you and the other five Heartslabyul students sat in was made out of intricately shaped metal bars, but you could only focus on the delicious-looking treats that currently lay on the many plates on the table.

Your cup was still empty — but the thought of attending a tea party made you giggly and excited nonetheless.

"You must be very thirsty," Riddle said as he eyed you curiously, his voice softer than it usually was. You nodded eagerly, which drew a small chuckle from his lips. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his vice to his side and gestured over to you. "Trey, pour in some tea for our little lady."

Trey obliged without a sound and gracefully tipped the kettle to the point where a stream of steaming brown liquid ran into your porcelain cup. Enchanted, you watched as small fumes rose from the surface of the liquid and vanished into nothingness.

"Thank you!" you chirped and eagerly looped your finger around the handle to quickly bring the rim of the cup to your lips. Yet, your eyes widened in pain when the hot liquid touched your lips and ran over your tongue. Shaking, you set the cup down onto its saucer again before promptly beginning to cry and wail at the pain. "Ouch— it's so hot!"

Ace laughed but did not attempt to help you out in any way. "Oh no, did (Y/n) burn herself~?" You nodded with teary eyes, which drew a few swoons and squeals from your friends.

Deuce rolled his eyes and punched his friend's shoulder, scolding, "Shut up, Ace." Then, he reached over the table to grab the cup of water sitting on a tray and handed it to you carefully. "Here, drink this and your tongue should feel better in no time." A smile grew on his lips when you eagerly grabbed the cup and chugged the cold water down relentlessly.

Cater chuckled at the adorable sight: You hastily gulping down a cup of water while holding onto Deuce's hand for emotional support. A silly smile graced the blue-haired student's lips, and he could barely avert his eyes from you. It was only the lightning of a camera flashing that snapped him out of his trance.

"Deuce caring for his little chick is adorable, isn't it?" Cater cooed, the camera of his phone trained at the two of you. "Say cheese!"

Laughing, you set down the empty cup before wrapping your arms around Deuce and smiling into Cater's camera. "Cheese—!"

•

Leona's room was quite large and spacious enough for you to occupy your own corner, so why was it that you decided to occupy the only thing that you shouldn't have, which was his bed. Ruggie had found you near Heartslabyul earlier while running one of his errands and had decided to snatch you right up after you asked him for piggy-rides.

When Ruggie had brought you here, Leona was about to throw profanity after insult at Ruggie for daring to bring a wretched human child to disturb his slumber and pester him until he couldn't fall asleep again. Before you could have witnessed any words you shouldn't know, Jack had appeared out of nowhere to put his hands over your ears.

Yet, it seemed like you still found amusement in annoying the predator in his den. "Leona? Leona? Leona!" you whined and continued to poke the sleeping lion's cheek — or at least he was trying to sleep.

Leona groaned and rolled over, so that his back was facing you. A growl escaped his lips when you draped yourself over him, laughing innocently when he began growling. "Stop bothering me, pesky child..." Leona hissed while lazily attempting to swat you away, yet his half-hearted attempts did nothing to keep you away. "I hate children."

A gasp escaped your throat at his words. In less than a second, you managed to break down into tears, loud sobs and whines coming from your mouth. Leona groaned, even more annoyed by your sudden sobbing. "D-Does that mean—" you croaked out, stuttering and fumbling with voice breaks here and there. "Does that mean you hate me, too?"

Ruggie snickered and turned to Jack. "That's a smart child."

Jack didn't seem nearly as amused as Ruggie, only eyeing you with a concerned frown on his face. After all, poking a predator with a stick never ended well. A sigh escaped his lips, and he crossed his arms. "I worry for her safety if she keeps on bothering Leona like that—"

"Will you stop crying?!" Leona yelled out, which got you to finally quiet down and merely look up at him with wide eyes. No matter how much he wanted to deny it, the way your sniffles echoed through the room made him feel slightly guilty — but only slightly! So, rolling his eyes, he patted your head awkwardly. "Fine, I don't hate you— but only if you stop crying like this!"

Your tears immediately stopped flowing, and you lurched forward to wrap your short arms around his neck. "Thank you, Leona!" you exclaimed as if you hadn't cried in the first place.

•

Floyd's laughter rang throughout the Mostro Lounge as he skidded inside, proudly showing off the girl that he had stolen away from Ruggie while the hyena was busy running errands; turning his eye away from you for one moment had allowed Floyd to strike.

"Azul, look what I found!" Floyd cried out, his voice loud and booming in excitement. "An extra small Shrimpy!"

Azul hummed in satisfaction while finishing the last touches to the lighting he had set up for the upcoming photoshoot he had planned for you: What better way was there to advertise his establishment than have a cute child on the advertisement? None, correct.

"Good job retrieving her, Floyd. Jade, are the camera and the background drop ready?"

Floyd completely disregarded Azul's words and continued cradling you like a precious treasure, cooing sweet nothings that made you giggle in delight. His arms were wrapped around you so tightly that you could barely move, but he made sure to not bring up enough force to seriously harm you. His eyes peered down at you, filled with fondness and admiration for such an adorable human child.

He had always loved children in a strange sense, but people never trusted him enough to let him look after their children.

As Floyd pulled you back into his arms again, tickling you and cuddling you as if you were his own baby, Jade nodded and bowed. "Yes, Azul. Everything is prepared and ready."

"Alright." Azul, smiling in satisfaction, turned to Floyd and gestured to the spot that all limelights pointed to. He furrowed his eyebrows in exasperation when the eel wouldn't listen to him and instead continue to coddle you happily. Pushing his glasses up again, Azul muttered, "Go on, set her down in front of the lights."

Floyd slowly averted his gaze from you and turned to Azul, a large frown on his face as he whined, "But I don't want to let go of Shrimpy— She's so adorable!"

You giggled and wiggled your arms out in order to wrap them around his neck. "I love you, too, Floyd!" you chirped, nuzzling into his embrace in joy, oblivious to the fact that his teeth that became visible when he smiled down at you were even sharper than a the edge of a knife.

Floyd sighed dramatically and peppered your face with kisses. "Ugh, I swear I can't stop squeezing you~" he cooed when you tried to playfully push him away, a giant grin on your lips and giggles escaping your lips.

Azul exhaled in frustration, not wanting to deal with Floyd disobeying his orders right now when he was so close to getting what he wanted. "Jade, wrangle the girl out of your brother's arms," Azul said and clapped his hands, glaring at the eel that ignored his orders. Jade stepped forward and cracked his knuckles, which made Azul put a hand on his shoulder. "But be careful. She is just a child."

Floyd ran away when Jade came closer, the two of them circling around a table until Jade had enough and just flipped the table to the side. Floyd quickly ran out of the establishment, you safely tucked away in your arms. Giggles escaped your lips at this wild goose-chase of the century.

"I won't give Shrimpy up! Stay away!"

•

Jamil had just been minding his own business when he found a rectangular shadow looming over him, coupled with the sound of innocent yet loud laughter that made him wince in discomfort. The wooshing sound and the wind that zipped past him made him look up to find a flying carpet right above him.

He didn't give it too much thought since Kalim taking cruises on his carpet was not out of the ordinary, but when the carpet came down enough to allow Jamil to see the occupants of the carpet, his eyes grew in size. He definitely hadn't expected to find a young girl accompanying his dorm leader.

Kalim was beaming brightly and waved at Jamil, his other arm loosely slung over your shoulder. "Look, Jamil!" he cried out in utter excitement while tightening his arm around your torso. "So the rumours about (Y/n) becoming a child were true!"

Jamil ogled you up and down, biting his lip in worry. "Why— Why did you take her with you?" he asked, his voice shaking with his gaze trailing left in right as if he was a criminal about to be caught by the police. "Does this count as kidnapping?"

Kalim rolled his eyes and shook his head. "No! I gave her candy and asked her to jump on my carpet, and she obliged happily." Jamil's eyes trailed to you again, and indeed, he found the stick of a lollipop coming out from between your lips. Kalim let out a cheerful laugh and continued, "It can't be a kidnapping if she comes willingly, duh."

The vice dorm leader merely sighed and rubbed his temples in frustration. "Kalim, I swear you'll be the reason why we'll be in jail one day."

•

Rook laughed triumphantly as he strolled over to his dorm leader, you slung over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes. Of course, he had tried to handle you as carefully and gently as possible — but with how much he had chased you around the forest when Kalim had landed for a small break at a clearing, you now had grown a small dislike for your hunter.

"Finally! Roi du Poison!" Rook exclaimed and set you down in front of Vil, who eyed you with an unreadable expression on his flawless face. You crossed your arms in frustration when Rook patted your head. "I found our dear little bunny! She was quite hard to catch and gave me a good chase, but I got her in the end."

Vil chuckled and leaned down to readjust the hood of your slightly dirty onesie. His fingers carefully straightened the folded dog ears. "How very adorable," he cooed, smiling down at you in an amused way — especially when you dashed over to him and hid behind his long legs, only peeking out to glare at Rook whenever the eccentric hunter laughed at your frightened behaviour.

Epel let out a relieved sigh. "Finally! Someone more adorable than me..."

Vil hummed and finally pulled you out from behind his legs, gripping you by your shoulders to look you up and down. His lips straightened into a thin line when he realised how dirtied up you were: small green and brown stains on the white areas of your onesie and your face smudged with dirt. He sighed and shook his head. "Now, we should really clean you up," he muttered while he straightened his back again. "You have twigs and grass in your hair..."

You laughed at his words, nodding in amusement. "Those got stuck there when I got in the way of Riddle and Ace fighting one another because Ace said a swear-word!"

"Hopeless hooligans..."

•

"Idia, look!" Ortho chimed as he dragged you inside his brother's room, a large and excited smile on his face. "I have a new friend."

Aside from little snickers, you stayed silent after the robot-boy had told you to do so with the explanation that he wanted to surprise his brother with your appearance. His plan seemed to be working: Idia was busy staring at his many monitors that showed off various places at NRC, feverishly searching every flickering screen for something or someone.

His eyes still glued to the monitors, Idia flicked his wrist to wave his brother off. A sigh escaped his lips, and he rubbed his tired eyes in exhaustion. "Sorry, Ortho. I'm busy trying to find (Y/n)—" he explained, distracted and jumpy. "But she vanished from all my cameras a few minutes ago..."

"Big Brother, maybe that's because—"

"And I really need to find her!" Idia cut him off again, his tone desperate and frustrated. He covered his face with his hands while breathing in deeply before exhaling just as loudly. "Getting my hand on such a rare version of my favourite character— I would do anything!"

"Who's your favourite character?" you suddenly asked, which made Idia freeze in his chair. The dorm leader slowly removed his hands to raise his gaze, and when his eyes landed on you, they grew to the size of saucers before he fell back into his chair again. His eyes trained at the ceiling, incoherent sputtering and whispers escaped his lips — so much that you grew worried for him.

Ortho sighed, amused. "Oh, I think you broke him. But don't worry. It happens often."

•

Malleus', Silver's, and Sebek's gazes wandered to the entrance of the Diasomnia common room when they heard cheerful laughter and light footsteps coming from that direction. They grew suspicious upon hearing the innocent laughter of a girl paired with their vice dorm leader's deep chuckles.

Indeed, Lilia soon ventured into the lounge, a young girl in his arms that he proudly showed off to his fellow dorm members. "Boys! Look, I found this adorable human child walking around campus!" he announced, grinning from ear to ear and bringing you close to his chest again. The warm and welcoming aura he exuded made you wrap your arms around his neck and nuzzle into his embrace. He reacted by tightening his hold on you. "And you know me. I couldn't help myself but snatch her right up!"

Silver rubbed his eyes in exhaustion. "Old man, I thought we talked about your strange hobby of stealing children."

Lilia pouted and rolled his eyes playfully. "I couldn't resist this one!" he cried out, tickling you, which drew adorable giggles from you, to prove a point the three doubters. When he looked up again, he found Malleus, Sebek, and Silver still not wholly convinced by this whole ordeal. Lilia sighed and patted your head. "Look, isn't she adorable?"

"Wait, this is (Y/n), right?" Silver asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion when you turned to him and looked at him with big (E/c) eyes that seemed very familiar to him. He brought his hand up and rubbed his chin with his fingers, trying to recall the rumour he had overheard earlier. "I heard she turned into a child because of an alchemy accident."

Before any of the boys could reply to Silver's inquiry, you had already weasled your way out of Lilia's arms somehow and were now standing by Malleus' legs. The way you tugged at the hem of his coat made him peek down at you in surprise. "Malleus! Malleus!" you chimed once his undivided attention lay on you. A giant smile on your lips, you raised your arms into the air and kept them there. "Up!"

Malleus furrowed his eyebrows, a little bit overwhelmed by your sudden request. "What... does she want me to do?" he asked his vice dorm leader.

"She wants you to pick her up," Lilia explained between giggled and wheezes. "Go ahead!"

Malleus smiled down at you fondly, overjoyed that you didn't fear him like a lot of other children, nonetheless people, did. So, he bent forward and was about to pick you up when Sebek snatched you up into his arms instead. "No no. I insist that I carry the human child!" Sebek bellowed when Malleus shot him a questioning look. "Human children are hazards and I wouldn't want you to strain your back, young master."

Malleus looked disappointed and began, "No, Sebek, it really is no problem—"

"Sebek!" you exclaimed and shot up to press a grateful kiss to the knight's cheek. "Thank you!"

Sebek's face turned into a large grimace as he feigned to gag. He would have wiped his cheek if it weren't for his arms being busy with carrying you. "Ew— how disgusting..." he muttered under his breath with narrowed eyes. Yet, it wasn't before long that his gaze softened again at the way you laughed so innocently. Before he knew it, he was smiling, too. "Do it again, please."

[twstedstoryshop]

Rain, Rain, Please Come Again

For Valentwst 2022, Day 2! Yes I know I skipped Day 1, I’ll get to those prompts soon. Prompts were between Rain | “You look good in my colors.” Of course, I chose Rain.

A rainy day has come to NRC and what looks like a gloomy day doesn’t bring down Kalim’s spirits. As he enjoys the falling rain, he comes upon a rare sight with Ramshackle’s Prefect.

Content: Kalim x GN!Yuu, Fluff

Dark clouds gathered over the tall towers and spires that crowned Night Raven College. Curious glances would look out the windows to watch as the tell-tale signs of rain pattered against the glass. A few students would grumble and make small remarks about the bad weather. Things like not packing an umbrella or having to rush through the rain to get to another building. Kalim’s eyes lingered a bit longer on the window panes that were streaked with water droplets. Unlike most of the other students that huffed in Professor Trein’s history class, Kalim was delighted to the surprise of rain. If he could, he’d spend the rest of class watching the droplets race down along the glass, making mesmerizing shapes and paths, or even listening to how it drummed soothingly to his ears.

Rain was a blessing to the nation of Scalding Sands whenever it fell. Kalim could see it in the way people sighed in relief when rain appeared, the unrelenting heat escaped like a whisper, and the happiness his younger siblings experienced playing in the puddles. Sure, he could summon rain himself with the use of Oasis Maker but there was something more– exhilarating when rain came down from the heavens. No tricks, no magic, just pure coincidence that on a certain day, the skies would open up. Kalim was brought out of his daydreaming when a finger poked his side. He whirled around to see Jamil. His companion cleared his throat and threw a glance to Professor Trein, who was now staring down Kalim with slightly narrowed eyes.

“Mr. Al-Asim. Last I checked your textbook should be in front of you, not on the window. Please try to remain focused…”

Kalim sank a bit in his seat, sheepishly rubbed his neck and offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Professor!”

Eventually, history class would come to an end and a horde of school boys were ecstatic to leave the boring lecture. Of course, not without its handful of stragglers whom Trein called out to give a heaping of extra homework to. Jamil had to go his separate ways from Kalim as he had another class to attend to. Meanwhile it was pretty much the end of Kalim's schedule and he was free to head back to his dorm. As he was happily making his way to the Hall of Mirrors, something curious caught his garnet eyes. Stood out in a secluded corner in the grass was Ramshackle’s Prefect, Yuu. They seemed content standing in the midst of this drizzle. They had their head tilted back, eyes closed, and allowed the rain to drip along their face. For once, Kalim didn’t have the sudden urge to greet them with gusto like he usually did.

Instead he just watched, bedazzled. How the rain fell on them dampened their hair just enough for it to elegantly frame their face. Some of the droplets that clung to them looked like small jewels dressing them. Kalim could even see a slight smile curl on Yuu’s lips. Yuu didn’t hide or shy away from rainy clouds, no, they opened up to it like a lotus fanning its petals wide open to welcome the sky. At least that was what Kalim thought in his daze. Yuu did come out of their trance though as they felt eyes staring at them. They turned to Kalim and jerked back in surprise.

“Kalim!” They exclaimed and the boy snapped out of it.

“Ah? Oh, sorry Prefect! I didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that,” Kalim laughed.

Yuu chuckled likewise and tried to fix their damp appearance. “Sorry you had to see me like this. I probably look like a weirdo,” they said, starting to make their way over to join Kalim under dry cover. But Yuu was suddenly stopped when Kalim quickly joined them under the drizzling rain.

“Oh no, you didn’t look weird at all! I think you look really nice in the rain,” he beamed, “you look really happy.”

Yuu blinked owlishly at Kalim, surprised at his words and how willing he was to join them in the elements. That surprise was taken over by bashful giggles that made Kalim’s chest bloom with warmth. “Do I? Haha, looks like I can’t hide my love for rainy days,” they inhaled deeply and opened their arms out a little towards the sky. “I just love how it feels so cool and refreshing. It feels like my troubles could just wash away!”

“Right!?” Kalim agreed excitedly. “And it’s a lot of fun when puddles form. Liiiiike this!” Suddenly, the boy pounced on a nearby puddle forming on the sidewalk that splashed a little onto Yuu.

“Hey! No fair!” Yuu laughed and kicked water back onto Kalim, who yelled as he tried to deflect the counterattack. The two playful students jumped and splashed and ran through the rain without a care in the world. Even as the water soaked through their clothes and chilled their skin, their cheeks glowed from smiling so much and their hearts pounded with delight. Kalim, maybe more so, as he saw Yuu smile brightly back at him. He felt like their joy could put the rising sun to shame. Eventually their fun did come to an end as they could feel themselves shivering and growing heavy with their soaked clothes.

“Oh man, Jamil is gonna kill me for getting you all dirty,” Yuu sighed as they rested their hands on their knees, panting from their chase.

“What? No way, if anything, I’ll say I dragged you out to play,” Kalim responded with a wink. “Hey, since it’s still a walk back to your dorm, do you want to stop by Scarabia’s dorm? We can get you all dried up and I can loan you extra clothes.”

“Really? You’d do that for me?”

“Of course! We can even have you over for dinner too! Jamil makes the best food, it’ll warm us right back up!” Though Kalim offered these things, a secret selfish part of his heart didn’t want to let Yuu go so soon. He wanted to chase after this warmth that tugged at his heart whenever he spent time with the mysterious, but kind Prefect. His efforts were rewarded with another grin from Yuu followed by a happy nod.

“I’d love to come over for dinner.”

“Alright!” Kalim whooped and without reserve, his hand intertwined with Yuu’s and he led them excitedly towards the Hall of Mirrors. Yuu stumbled a bit at Kalim’s enthusiastic jogging but with the gentle heat that radiated between their clasped hands, Yuu soon kept pace as they held on tightly. Rain was a mysterious thing. It cooled the parched and dry earth but it also brought people closer to share warmth. It was just another thing on Kalim and Yuu’s list of why they loved the rain.