#oc: kore hightower

[starryeyes2000]

Recommendation: Mirror Marchen

Check out this Twisted-Wonderland story by @azusawrites.

Status: In-progress

Rating: Teen

Read on AO3

I’m not familiar with this world, but it doesn’t matter!! I’m hooked. Love how you blend modern life with hints of the Rapunzel fairy-tale in a world where the magical appear to be the norm rather than the exception. As you introduced us to Kore and her surroundings, I felt Kore’s loneliness, her anxiety, her desire for seclusion, her curiosity about the woman, and her affection for Theo. The pacing of the plot is spot on and the prose flows nicely.

This passage is a favorite of mine - [Long-limbed and with brown eyes, she moved with the grace of a fairy, feet barely touching the ground. It was because she used to take ballet, that was what the woman said, but the girl was certain she had in fact come alive from a tale of magic.] Coming alive from a tale of magic feels like a good metaphor for where this story may take the reader.

Thank you for creating this story. Though Kore feels both innocent and grown-up for her age, I look forward to seeing how she will grow.

[starryeyes2000]

Dear @azusawrites

Kudos for creating this interesting character and thanks for sharing her stories.

Read about Kore: @girl-in-the-tower

Please share five things about your OC Kore Hightower.

Hello! Thank you so much for the ask!

FIVE FACTS ABOUT KORE

1. She has a strange immunity to cold which she can't explain. Basically, she is fine even in very cold environments but tends to overheat quite easily in return. She thinks it might have to do with living in the mountains all her life but she's still quite unsure about it.

2. She is really fond of cats and horses, mostly because there aren't that many of those back home so she tends to quite openly fawn over them as a result.

3. She's very good at indoor reparations and fixing things around the house so she took over all that work once she grew older since her parental figure tended to utterly fail whenever he tried to fix anything around their house.

4. She's a bit of a meathead, loving sports and anything that requires one to move their body and tends to outperform the boys in general because she's always taken great care of her body and has built up some muscle.

5. She's pretty bad at tabletop games, only preferring Rummikub and cards games, where she can show a very cunning side that she doesn't really flaunt all that often. Moreover, because people often fail to take her seriously she feels like it's her duty to teach them a lesson.

[girl-in-the-tower]

SSR KORE HIGHTOWER BROOMQUET BIRTHDAY PERSONAL STORY

[RAMSHACKLE DORM - BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE]

KORE: There's another interview this year. I prepared Ramshackle and all but I wonder who will show up today.

They're already a little late...

CROWLEY: Miss Hightower!

KORE: Huh?! That voice...

CROWLEY: Apologies for the time! I had been so busy catching up on Magift gam- I mean! Doing important school paperwork! Yes, I was so caught up in doing that that it simply slipped my mind!

But fret not, for I am here now!

KORE: ...

CROWLEY: Hm? Are you so taken aback by my presence that you are speechless, Miss Hightower?

KORE: ... Is there really no one available today?

CROWLEY: How rude! To think that you would say something like this towards your kind Uncle-

KORE: You're not my uncle.

CROWLEY: It simply heart-shattering! After everything that I have done for you!

KORE: ... What would that be exactly?

CROWLEY: MISS HIGHTOWER! ARE YOU TRYING TO WOUND ME ON PURPOSE?!

KORE: He's so loud... Ah, but since you're here then that means the "magic pendulum" picked you to interview me?

CROWLEY: ... Yes.

KORE: THAT SOUNDED WAY TOO SUSPICIOUS!

CROWLEY: How fortunate that we would get paired up like this! A marvellous coincidence!

KORE: ...

CROWLEY: Well, then shall we start with the first question?

Oh, now this is quite exciting! "If you could fly anywhere, where would you like to go?"

KORE: Fly anywhere... I think that would be my answer.

CROWLEY: Hm? My apologies, I don't quite understand what you mean.

KORE: Well, that's exactly the answer, I mean. If I could fly anywhere, I would fly anywhere. No restrictions. I would like to cover the entirety of the world without pause and see all that there is to see.

CROWLEY: How ambitious! The youth today is rather spirited I see!

KORE: Spirited... ? No, it's just that I've never really been anywhere except my hometown and this school, so I have no clue what's beyond it all, you know?

I mean, I've seen the movies and the shows, but... The real thing has to be different, hasn't it? Otherwise, people would just stay inside their houses and never dare to brave the unknown.

I don't want to be that kind of person. The sort that always stays in line and never risks anything, just letting life pass by... I want to see the world and everything it has to offer.

CROWLEY: HOW TOUCHING, MISS HIGHTOWER! WHAT YOUTHFUL DREAM YOU HAVE!

KORE: He's really loud...

CROWLEY: In that case, as your kind Uncle I shall make sure to invite you to my next trip to a foreign land! For I am kind!

Where would you like us to fly to, then? The Sunset Savanah? The Queendom of Roses? Hm, perhaps the illusory Briar Valley? Or even the Scalding Sands!

KORE: Hey! Wait a moment! I never said I would like to go anywhere with you! If I'm to bring anyone then it would have to be Grim and the others! Travelling with friends is always something I wanted to try since I never got to do that back home...

There was only me and Bae, after all...

Ace and Deuce are sure to tag along, and I think Epel and Jack would be easy to convince, but Sebek might be...

CROWLEY: SO I WOULDN'T BE INCLUDED AT ALL?!

KORE: WHY ARE YOU SO SHOCKED BY THIS?! WOULDN'T IT BE OBVIOUS?!

CROWLEY: Aaah, to think that my own niece would desert me like this...

KORE: I'm not your niece.

CROWLEY: WHAT A CRUEL FATE! BUT I WILL NOT HOLD A GRUDGE! NO! I AM FAR TOO KIND FOR THAT!

KORE: Seriously, he's so... But maybe seeing the Scalding Sands wouldn't be so bad... It would be warm and nice and the food would be tasty

And there would also... be... Kal-

CROWLEY: Miss Hightower! You're completely flustered! Are you coming down with a fever?!

KORE: No!! I just... Um...

Aaaaah! Never mind that! Just get on with the next question!

[RAMSHACKLE DORM - BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE]

CROWLEY: Well, then, onto our next question!

Hm, it says here- "What is something that made you glad you could use magic?"

KORE: ...

CROWLEY: ...

KORE: .....

CROWLEY: A-Ah, well, perhaps we should move on to the next question-

KORE: Magic would make it easier to repair things, wouldn't it? I mean, at least this building could be easily taken care of if only somebody would wave their wand and clean the debris and litter, and maybe install a new door.

CROWLEY: ...

KORE: And the ceiling could use work too. Of course, I could easily repair most of it if I had the materials but it's not like I can ask my father to foot the bill for the entire place. When it's not even our home anyway. That would be preposterous. Right?

CROWLEY: ... A-Ahaha, well, you see, Miss Hightower, that is quite... well...

KORE: Well what?

CROWLEY: Oh! Look at the time! Let's move onto our next question and-

KORE: But I would really like to use magic to do lots of things to tell you the truth... Stuff like cleaning and repairing is nice but more than anything... I would like to use magic for gardening and for growing fruits and vegetables. Like they do in the Glacier Mountains...

CROWLEY: Aaah, the miracle that is the Glacier Mountains' farming. It's rather unique in the world! To think that one could grow whole hectares of grains and apple trees relying entirely on magic! I would truly love to witness it for myself.

Perhaps for my next holiday, hm...

KORE: It's nice only if you have magic to use. Otherwise, it's not all that interesting... To possess magic in the Mountains is a necessity. Otherwise, you're not even considered a human being. During the harsh winters, it was only those who could survive that were accepted by society. And that always required magic because it was used to grow food.

Without that, they might as well have been leeches...

CROWLEY: Ah, well, perhaps that sort of thinking is-

KORE: If I had magic, I would only really be grateful for allowing me to be like others, to tell you the truth. So nobody could judge me and treat me like I'm nothing back home.

I wouldn't take magic for granted either, because it's really a precious gift. Isn't that so, Headmaster?

CROWLEY: ... Ahahaha, well, that is...

KORE: Also, it would probably help with giving Grim baths. He keeps fighting me on those and it's getting tiresome already. If only he could become a properly behaved cat.

I wonder if magic could do that...

CROWLEY: What a cruel idea that is, Miss Hightower!

I cannot believe I didn't think of it myself...

KORE: ... Actually, never mind.

[RAMSHACKLE DORM - BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE]

CROWLEY: And it looks like we're on the final question!

KORE: ...

CROWLEY: Don't worry, Miss Hightower! The question will not include anything related to magic! ... This time!

Now, then-

“What would you like to do in the coming year?”

KORE: ... What an ordinary question.

CROWLEY: MISS HIGHTOWER!

KORE: Well, it's not like there's anything in particular that I would really like to do. It's just going to be pretty much the same as usual, I guess...

Looking after Grim, taking care of Ramshackle, hanging out with Ace and Deuce, and... ah!

CROWLEY: Hm? Did you perhaps come up with something?

KORE: I did... but I'm not sure it's feasible...

CROWLEY: Why! Is that a call for help! Are you asking me, your gracious and kind Uncle, to lend you a hand? I WOULD BE INDEED HONOURED-

KORE: No, if you get involved something will do wrong.

CROWLEY: That was unnecessarily cruel!

KORE: Actually, the thing I would like to do-

CROWLEY: MISS HIGHTOWER, DO NOT IGNORE ME LIKE THAT-

KORE: I would like to visit Ace and Deuce's homes.

CROWLEY: Hm? A home visit? What an ordinary answer.

KORE: Ugh!!! I knew that having you here would be-

Never mind that. Yeah, I would like to visit Ace and Deuce at their homes in the following year. I think it would be fun.

Ace always tells me about his dad and older brother, so it made me curious to see what sort of person he is. His dad is magicless, like me, but he still loves performing magic tricks even if they're fake. Both his sons are mages and they speak really fondly of him... I've never seen something like that.

Back home, children who were found to lack magic became the black sheep of the family. To have one in the family was seen as a great shame...

CROWLEY: A-Ah, is that so...

KORE: And Deuce's mom... I've never had a mother, as far as I can remember anyway, so I'm curious to see what exactly a mother is like...

She sends Deuce letters from time to time. Me too. Ever since I sent her a box of produce, she's asked to keep in touch. So when Deuce sends his letters, he lets me also add a page or two of stuff I've written, so it's like both of us are talking to her.

It feels nice...

CROWLEY: ... MISS HIGHTOWER!

KORE: HUH?! What are you doing?! Suddenly throwing your arms around me- Let go!!

CROWLEY: IT'S ALRIGHT, MISS HIGHTOWER! YOU DON'T NEED TO BE STRONG ANYMORE! YOUR UNCLE IS HERE FOR YOU IF YOU FEEL LIKE CRYING!

KORE: I DON'T NEED TO CRY! LET GO OF ME ALREADY BEFORE I HIT YOU! GRIM! GRIM, HELP!

KORE: Ugh, I can't believe you...

CROWLEY: Now, now, Miss Hightower, no need to thank me for all my help! I am glad to do it, since I'm your beloved Uncle and all!

Well, now that the interview is over... Here you go! I've especially prepared this broom for you! For I am kind!

KORE: ... Are these flowers from my garden?

CROWLEY: WH-WHAT A PREPOSTEROUS IDEA! FLOWERS GROW EVERYWHERE, I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW, MISS HIGHTOWER!

But that is not important! It's time for you to fly on the Birthday Road with this broom! Come now, I've imbued it with a special kind of magic that will make this very easy!

In the meantime, I'll help myself to these cakes and-

[whack]

CROWLEY: MISS HIGHTOWER! IT'S VERY IMPOLITE TO HIT YOUR UNCLE WITH A BROOM LIKE THAT!

KORE: You say that but you're still reaching for the cakes! Those are for my friends!

CROWLEY: AREN'T WE FRIENDS?!

KORE: AS IF!

KORE: Ah, but flying high above the ground like this... Hehe, it really feels like freedom~

[jhoudiey]

Title: Boar meat is boar meat, even if it started as Kore meat.

Rating: G

Words: 1067

Characters: Deuce Spade, Ace Trappola, Floyd Leech, Yoru Crowley (OC), Boar Kore Hightower (@/azusawrites OC), Theo Yule (@/azusawrites OC)

Synopsis: Ace and Deuce are idiots and turn Kore into a boar. Yoru is hungry and wants to eat her.

“Ne, Yoru. What are you doing, you look reaaaally~ creepy right now.”

Yoru turned to look at Floyd with a grin, a maniacal glint in her eye as she weighed the heft of the kitchen knives from the block in front of her. “Meat.”

“Meat.” He said flatly, “What about it?”

“There’s a boar on campus that’s been running around biting people, I’m gonna eat it.”

“Eeehhhhhh? Shouldn’t you leave that up to the staff or something?”

She shrugged, gripping her chosen knives in her hands. “If I catch it first they can’t take it away cause it’s mine.”

“Do you really think they’d let you keep it?”

“Not like they’d take it back. You coming or what?”

“Where is it?”

“Running around outside the coliseum right now, looks like those two idiot first years are chasing after it but they’re too slow.”

“Aha! Naaah, I’m gonna take a nap here I guess. See ya.” Floyd waved her off and stomped up the stairs to her bedroom. Yoru raced out the front door and took off. The first years were slow but she wasn’t. She’d have the boar in no time, then it would be time for a feast. 

**

She spied the boar squealing and running as fast as its stubby legs would take it, a cloud of dust growing in its wake. The first years still trailed behind, the gap between them growing as the race wore on. Yoru dropped from the sky, knives ready and fell upon the boar catching it around the shoulders with her talons, forcing it to the ground. 

“WAIT STOP!” The red headed one yelled. 

“I caught it, I get to eat it. Back off.” Yoru replied, holding the boar down with one of her feet, lining her knives up to make the kill. 

“YOU CAN’T, THAT’S KORE!” The blue haired one shouted, waving his arms as the pair of idiots caught up to her. 

“Theo’s kid?”

“YES! SO YOU CAN’T EAT HER” they shouted in unison. 

Yoru shifted her weight, still pinning the boar Kore to the ground. “Why not?”

“CAUSE SHE’S NOT A REAL BOAR, ARE YOU INSANE!? WHY WOULD YOU STILL WANT TO EAT HER?” the red boy frowned, the red heart on his eye crinkling. 

“Boar meat is delicious?”

“THAT’S OUR FRIEND YOU’RE TRYING TO EAT!”  The boy with the black spade on his face shouted. Yoru sighed. It was always the fucking Heartslabuyl students with their stupid rules and morality and telling her what she couldn’t do. 

“Well why’s she even a boar in the first place?”

“Well….” Spade sputtered

“We just…” Heart rubbed the back of his neck , desperate for an excuse that wasn’t “we’re idiots that can’t even make a basic potion that even babies could handle.”

“Yoru,” A cold voice broke from behind the kerphumphering of the two idiots blabbering in front of her, still without an excuse. “You can’t eat Kore.”

Theo rubbed his eyes with an exaggerated sigh. Why was it always the Crowleys?. And why was he cursed with two of them?

“Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine” She groaned, taking her foot off the squealing boar that was apparently the girl that lived in Ramshackle dorm. “But you owe me dinner.”

“No I don’t.”

“Yeah you do. You just deprived me of this one.”

“Dude, what the HELL?” Heart gagged as Yoru rolled her eyes. “You know that’s really a person and you STILL wanna eat her?”

Yoru shrugged. 

“Boar meat is boar meat. And boar meat is good.”

“Are… are you a cannibal or something? I think we read about those in class the other day…” Spade trailed off itching his forehead as if the movement would help jog his memory. 

Theo chuckled, helping boar Kore to her stubby little feet. “You’re not completely wrong, I suppose…”

“Wait a minute, wait. A. min-ute!” Hearts said, looking from Theo to Yoru for clarification, none of which was given. “ARE YOU SAYING SHE’S A CANNIBAL?”

“Whoa whoa whoa! You can’t be! Not for real!” Spade cowered away from Yoru before regaining his composure and resuming his upright posture. 

“Hey, all I wanted was some boar. And like I said, boar meat is boar meat, even if it starts as Kore meat.”

Boar Kore snorted and stamped her feet at Yoru, indignant that the bird girl was insistent on eating here even if she wasn’t really a boar. Not forever, at least.

“Whatever. This is a waste of time if I can’t even get a meal out of it. Theo you owe me.”

“Yea yea,” he waved lazily as she flew away, back to the cabin tucked neatly in the woods behind campus. 

**

“Wait so the boar was Koebi-chan?”

“Yup.”

“And Okoze-sensei wouldn’t let you eat her?”

“Nope.”

“Boooooooooooooring.”

“That’s what I thought too. Now I’m really craving boar and we don’t even have any.” She crossed her arms and wriggled into the bed next to Floyd.

“What if I turned into a boar, would you eat me?”

“Right now? Yes. I just told you I'm hungry.”

“What if I was aaaaaaa...” He paused for a moment to think, “an ostrich?”

“Like a full grown one or just an egg?”

“I dunno, either one.”

“Yes.”

“Eeeeehhhhh if it was both why’d you even ask?”

“Thought I should clarify how I’d eat you I guess.”

“You wouldn’t really eat me though, riiiiiiight~?”

“Probably not.”

“Only probably?”

“Yea. What if we get trapped somewhere and there’s no food? I’d have to eat something and you have more meat on you.”

“Not that much more.” Now he was the one pouting.

“Just turn back into an eel. Then there’s plenty of meat for the both of us.”

“Geeeeeeh”

“Wanna do that right now? I could go for some fish.”

Floyd groaned and stretched, setting his feet on Yoru’s ribs and hips. “Let’s go get dinner you’re being stupid.” He whined, pushing his legs forward so she’d fall out of her own bed to the floor. 

“Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.” She moaned, dramatically flapping her arms in the air above her while Floyd crawled out of her bed over her flailing hands. He helped her up from the floor and they walked towards the mirror chamber discussing which of the students at Night Raven would provide the best meal. Remora-chan? Too bony. Epel? Too scrawny. Azul? Azul would be perfect, they both agreed, and entered Mostro Lounge with an appetite whet for takoyaki.

[walpurga-nacht-academy]

WNA HALLOWEEN - THE GREAT HIDE & SEEK HUNT!

HALLOWEEN INTERVIEW - AGATHA VOISIN

SCENE I

[footsteps]

ALKIN: Hm? The kitchen door seems stuck... How odd. Even without a key, I should be able to pass through... And yet...

Voisin? Can you hear me?

AGATHA: ........................ Go... away... you... dumb... chowder...

ALKIN: So she is here, after all. But why is the door...

Voisin, open this door.

AGATHA: ..... No....

ALKIN: ... Voisin, open this door or I shall break it down.

AGATHA: ...... I... would... like... to... see... you... try... ehehehehehehehe...

ALKIN: ... Very well. Then-

[door opens]

AGATHA: ...... You... were... really... going... to... break... it... open... huh... Land... animals... sure... are... scary...

ALKIN: Hmph, you say this even though you always take delight in scaring your own classmates. All these props must come in handy today, especially, I suppose.

AGATHA: They're... not... props... ehehehehehhe...

ALKIN: ... Pardon?

AGATHA: They're... all... stuff... I... got... from... our... dorm... Potions... elixirs... poisons... and... the... bones... are... from... Big... Sis... along... with... the... heads... and... arms...

They're... nice... right... ehehehehehe...

ALKIN: ... Human limbs aside, is it not dangerous to take out such things from the Eliksia dorm, given their high potency and danger? What if somebody stole one of the vials?

AGATHA: It's... alright... since... they... are... all... explosives... or... fast... acting... poisons... ehehehehhehehe...

ALKIN: ?! That! That is too dangerous, Voisin!

AGATHA: ................................................................... That's... what... that... dumb... long-haired... chowder... said... too... Ugh... that's... just... annoying...

ALKIN: Long-haired... ? Is this another child of Night Raven?

AGATHA: He... came... by... with... those... other... two... chowders... and... threw... a... fuss... about... the... poisons... too... and... told... the... shiny... chowder... it... was... too... dangerous... in... here...

ALKIN: That is a natural reaction after all.

AGATHA: .................. Only... because... they're... dumb... chowders...

The... sunny... one... especially... He... just... laughed... the... entire... time... like... it... was... funny... He... wasn't... scared... at... all... I... can't... stand... him...

ALKIN: He must have not realized the danger he was in. Perhaps that is for the best. There surely would have been a scandal if something had happened.

AGATHA: ................................. Those... chowders... I... hate... how... they... gather... around... all... the... time... in... schools... They're... so... annoying...

That... dumb... cat... that's... always... with... the... shrimpy... chowder... started... bawling... ehehehehehe... That... was... funny... but... the... shrimpy... chowder... got... mad... at... me... for... laughing... and... then... went... to... comfort... the... dumb... cat...

The... sunny... chowder... joined... in... too... and... nobody... was... scared... anymore... They... were... all... smiling... thoughtlessly... like... I... wasn't... even... there... They're... all... so... annoying... showing... off... like... that...

Dumb... happy... people... should... be... banned... ehehehehehehe...

ALKIN: .......... There's much envy in our heart, is there not, child?

AGATHA: .................. ehehehehhehe... are... you... dumb... ?... As... long... as... I... have... Big... Sis... and... Big... Bro... then... I... don't... need... anyone... else... They're... all... just... dumb... chowders... anyway... ehehehehehhe...

ALKIN: ...

AGATHA: Big... Sis... was... right... when... she... said... cats... are... dumb... ehehehhehe........

ALKIN: ......... No, talking right now will accomplish nothing. Giving in to the taunts of children would not make me any better than them, after all.

AGATHA: Ehehehehehehehehe...

SCENE II

ALKIN: In any case... Your approach to the story was rather... wrathful.

AGATHA: We... were... told... to... tell... the... story... as... it... happened... so... that's... what... I... did...

ALKIN: ... It was to tell the sort of story that you thought might have happened.

AGATHA: Obviously... I... got... the... right... answer...

ALKIN: Such stubbornness. Very well, then I'll listen to your explanation. Then, what do you think of the story?

AGATHA: The... bride... was... very... dumb... and... so... was... the... lover... I... didn't... like... either... of... them... at... all... so... I'm... glad... they... both... died... ehehehehehhe...

ALKIN: ...

AGATHA: Did... you... expect... something... nicer... just... because... I'm... cute... ?....

ALKIN: Rather than that - I had always believed you to be a fan of fantastical romances. That's all you read when you're at the library.

AGATHA: Are... you... spying... on... me... ?... That's... creepy...

But... that... and... this... are... different... things...

ALKIN: ... What do you mean?

AGATHA: I... like... stories... about... princesses... who... don't... look... pretty... but... then... they... find... a... prince... who... loves... them... anyway... It's... nice... because... those... stories... are... like... a... fantasy... I... don't... care... about... pretty... princesses... since... they're... all... dumb... like... that... stupid... amoeba...

If... I... was... a... princess... I'd... want... to... be... a... cute... one... who... gets... turned... into... a... frog... then... marries... a... prince... like... in... the... story... back... home... ehehehehehe...

ALKIN: ....... I see. Then-

AGATHA: There's... a... saying... back... home... 'look... for... the... woman...' It... means... that... when... there's... trouble... you... should... blame... a... woman... for... it... Back... in... the... day... I... believe... it... must... have... been... the... same... thing...

If... the... lover... had... disappeared... then... they'd... blame... her... But... why... should... she... be... the... one... at... fault... ?... She... should... just... take... her... revenge... against... all... of... them... instead... since... they're... all... dumb... chowders... who... keep... accusing... her... of... things... she... hasn't... done...

ALKIN: ...... The theme you've chosen seems rather... personal, thus I'd refrain from commenting. Though I suppose it is true that in the past men would be quick to accuse women of wrong-doings and deceit. Such were the times back then...

AGATHA: That's... because... humans... are... stupid...

SCENE III

ALKIN: Hm, that's an interesting notion - do the mermaids fair differently from us, land dwellers?

AGATHA: ................ Mermaids... are... stupid... too... I... hate... them... a ... lot... like... those... tall... chowders... at... Night... Raven...

They... always... make... fun... of... me... for... being... small... and... speaking... slowly...

ALKIN: ................................ Your list of dislikes seems to be all-encompassing. I wonder if there's anything you do like...

AGATHA: I... like... Big... Bro... and... Big... Sis... and... cute... things... too... ehehehehehehehehe...

ALKIN: Then I suppose Halloween is not to your taste?

AGATHA: Human... Halloween... is... fun... But... I... don't... like... the... one... that's... underwater... too... much...

ALKIN: Hm, I suppose it must be quite different?

AGATHA: The... mermaids... in... the... Coral... Sea... treat... it... like... a... death... memorial... but... us... in... the... Port... of... Jubilee... don't... really... care... too... much... about... it... except... for... those... crocodiles...

ALKIN: Crocodiles?

AGATHA: A... type... of... mermaid... that... lived... there... since... the... beginning... They... hold... a... party... every... year... with... songs... and... dancing... It's... loud... and... annoying... and... shiny...

Uncle... thinks... so... too... That's... why... we... never... went... there... when... I... was... young...

ALKIN: And yet you know so much about it? That's curious.

AGATHA: ................................................ I... used... to... sneak... out... when... Uncle... was... asleep... so... I... could... watch... them... They... all... looked... so... stupid... when... they... danced... and... sang... They... all... looked... like... humans...

ALKIN: Humans?

AGATHA: Yeah... I... saw... them... on... the... surface... too... when... Big... Bro... let... me... stay... at... his... place... They... all... gathered... around... and... had... dumb... parades... with... food... and... masks... and... every... is... happy... ugh...

............................................... Big... Bro... took... out... there... once... too... Even... though... I'm... not... a.... good... dancer... he... let... me... sit... on... his... shoes... and... spun... me... around... so... everything... was... swirling... The... whole... festival... was... dumb... but... I... liked... that...

ALKIN: Hm, he seems to be quite doting towards you.

AGATHA: Big... Bro... is... the... person... I... love... most... next... to... Big... Sis... They're... the... only... ones... who... understand... me... ehehehehehehe...

This... year... too... Big... Bro... said... he'll... give... me... a... Halloween... present... and... Big... Sis... is... buying... me... a.... lot... of... dresses... and... cute... things... too... I... can't... wait... ehehehehehehehehe

ALKIN: Hm.

AGATHA: Hey... don't... you... think... it's... time... you... left... I... need... to... set... the... stage... again... in... case... any... more... chowders... come... around... and... you're... in... the... way...

ALKIN: ........ I see. My apologies. Then I shall be on my way.

Though... do make sure none of these vials disappears from their place. Voisin.

AGATHA: I... can't... promise... anything... ehehehehehehe....

ALKIN: Good grief...

[door closes]

ALKIN: ..................... There's a sheen of derangement in her, that's true... But her heart is still so pure... What a mystery. I'm curious to see what may have provoked her into becoming like this.

Still... Her genuine affection towards those two seems to keep her centred.

It is again as you said, Astra - before the heart everything else falters.

[choose-your-own-ficventure]

An Impromptu Dinner Date

Story summary: Floyd asks Kore if she wants to grab dinner, he's bored and hungry.

AU summary: Mafia, coffee shop, tattoo shop, college, etc etc. All of the best AUs mashed into one AU dubbed the Coffia AU. Previously known as Voltron AU because they've all formed together to create one powerful AU, but I'm sick of explaining that it has nothing to do with actual Voltron.

Reblogs greatly appreciated, since with all the links this won't show in tags.

Character Summary:

Floyd Leech, 26, Ex- hit man with the Leech mafia, was injured on the job and bought a coffee shop while in recovery to pass the time. Found out he really enjoys making coffee. Now the shop is a front for money laundering, and a good ass cup of coffee.

Kore Hightower, 20, College Student. Accidentally found herself working for the strange tall guy in the coffee shop she asked for directions in when she got lost shortly after moving in. Doesn't know about the mafia connections of her boss. OC of @/girl-in-the-tower

Yoru Crowley (mentioned), 26, tattoo artist and general secretive person. Refuses to go on an official date with Floyd even though he's been asking for months. She has reasons.

Kalim Al Asim (mentioned), 22, heir to the Asim family conglomerate, insanely wealthy. Is a shrewd businessman, but still has a kind heart outside of business, has known Floyd for years despite their families being on shaky terms at best.

“Hey Kid, you hungry?” Floyd whined, stretching his arms over the counter with a groan. Kore frowned at her boss, slumped over the area she had been trying to wipe clean.

“Uhhhhmm, I’m fine, thank you” She stammered quietly, gently cleaning the area around his body. Floyd was a strange man and was always asking her odd questions so she wasn’t sure if he was asking because he wanted to eat or if he was just wanting to make conversation.

“Geeeehhhhh I’m bored and I wanna eat but don’t want to go alone. Come with me” He grinned at her from his place on the counter waiting for her to give in to his whining.

“I’m not hungry, you should go! I’ll stay and watch the shop!” She beamed at him, her stomach growled loudly, betraying her.

“Ha! That settles it. We’re going. Come on!” He jumped up excitedly from the counter, throwing his apron towards the pegs on the wall where they were normally stored after hours. It missed by several inches. He laughed and shrugged, digging the keys from the shop out of his pants pocket as the bell over the door rang with the first customer in half an hour. Kore looked towards the door as she hung up her and Floyds' aprons.

“We’re closed” Floyd grumbled at the customer

“It’s not even 5pm? How are you closed?” the woman snapped back, crossing her arms.

“Heh?! Sign says we’re open noon to whenever. It’s whenever. Piss off.” He herded her towards the door, waiting for Kore to catch up to them. The woman left grumbling about poor business practices as Floyd locked the door behind them all.

“What do you figure?”

“Huh?” Kore asked, confused as they strolled towards his car.

“What do you want to eat?”

CHOOSE:

“Let’s go for fried chicken!” She cheered.

“You said you like Takoyaki right? How about that?” She suggested.

“I’ve always wanted to try yakiniku if that’s not too expensive!” She mumbled, twiddling her thumbs. BBQ had been out of her budget, but she’d been saving to try out an all-you-can-eat menu.

[just-patchy]

Birthday present for @girl-in-the-tower!!! Happy birthday dear God of Lore 😌😌😌 may u and ur big wrinkly monkee brain come up with all the lore!!!

[fumikomiyasaki]

girl-in-the-tower: 🍼 for any of our ships?

I think I Made everything aside a Monstertower Kid.

- name: Jeanne Hightower

- likes: Drawing, Strolls, Stories

- dislikes: Dumbasses, Early Judgement, Dirty areas,

- first word: Fluffy

- which parent they look more like: Mellow

- which parent they like more: Kore

- height once fully grown: 154 cm

- job ambition: Novelist, Sketch artist

-personality: She usually hides behind a shy facade and goes gung ho once she feels Safe, tends to lean towards asking her mother for advices.

[ask-octavinelle]

"I would like to submit a complaint regarding Floyd's behaviour! I believe he should stop picking on students! Why can't he be more like Jade-senpai, who's always kind and helpful?" - Signed, Not Kore, but a random student

Haaaaaaaaah? Shrimpy wants to play more?! Okaaaaaaayy~! -Floyd

[signetxego]

Annalise and @girl-in-the-tower ‘s adorable Kore! Aha, i love their interactions sm! Consider this my tribute to their ongoing saga! Annalise is very exhausted with Kore’s endless enthusiasm but loves her very much and is perfectly content to be dragged around by her all day long!

edit: click for better quality!

[diana-wisteria]

🌸Diana & Tabitha/Rebecca's impression of @girl-in-the-tower 's Theo & Kore🌸

🌌[Diana Wisteria & Kore Hightower]🌌

"Ah! I know Kore! We're at the same dorm. Now that I'm think of it...we're having kinda much in common and to be honest I'm impressed of her gardening skills. She's really talented. (I'm sometimes jealous at her skills...) But I enjoy watching her!"

🌊[Tabitha Beryl/Rebecca Rosary & Kore Hightower]🌸

"I don't had much interaction with the girl yet. I see her sometimes passing by but we never really talked. I'm sure I could become friends with her as Rebecca. She seems nice and reliable too. I wonder if I get a chance to talk to her."

🌌[Diana Wisteria & Theo Yule]🌌

"Mr.Yule? He's nice I think? I don't really know him. He's one of my teachers but I kinda failed every task in his class. I'm not even sure why I am in his class when I can't use a single bit magic...I hope he isn't annoyed because of that..."

🌊[Tabitha Beryl/Rebecca Rosary & Theo Yule]🌸

"I'm not sure what to think of him. He seems kinda serious to me. I try to leave a good impression as Tabitha but I can't take him serious as Rebecca. Thats because my class mates and I created a game named 'Yule Bingo'. We're making a bingo sheet and then we would write 9 sentences he would say. When there's a row completed then we have to scream 'BINGO!'. I don't think Mr.Yule would find it funny if he finds out."

[Author Note: I got detention for playing this game with my friends during language lessons. Screaming Bingo during an listening task was worth it.]

[thetwstwildcard]

girl-in-the-tower: 📝 for Ice Skeleton and Celi-Kore?

@girl-in-the-tower

Ice Skeleton

Their first impression: Scary, intimidating, terrifying-

Their current impression: Beloved husband/love of her life

What they like the most about your muse: His kindness, personality, intellect- she can keep going

What they dislike the most about your muse: How he doesn’t see how truly amazing he is

What your muse is for them ( Friend, lover, rival etc.): Husband

A general opinion of their relationship: Domestic married couple (even when they weren’t married)

If applicable, something they wish to reveal: Catrina was so afraid of loving after Emiliano, but Theo has given her a happily ever after. He's everything she could ever ask for and more.

Kore and Araceli/Celi

Their first impression: “Another professor’s kid…?”, “She lives in the dorm with ghosties, does that mean she can see the ghosties I see?” “She’s really nice”

Their current impression: Big sister!!!

What they like the most about your muse: How she’ll go out of her way to play with her (and teach her how to garden)

What they dislike the most about your muse: N/A

What your muse is for them ( Friend, lover, rival etc.): Big sister

A general opinion of their relationship: 2 kids who always wanted the opposite parent and siblings

If applicable, something they wish to reveal: She loves having her as a big sister

[starryeyes2000]

Oh, I love coming of age narratives and fairy tales woven into modern stories. Your prologue is intriguing.

Hello. I’m @starryeyes2000; you are on my card for creator bingo.

If you could choose the OC/story of your work a new reader consumes first, which would that be? Do you have a favorite? Regardless of the fandom.

I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your OCs. 💙

Hello! Thank you so much for the question! It's wonderful to meet you!

And ooh, tbh, I think the work would have to be Mirror Märchen! It's my first attempt at a long fic and the most complex so far, working both as a novelization of the original game as well as having its own spin on it. A sort of myth punk mesh if I'm allowed to misquote my beloved Valente, haha! It lends itself to fandom blind reading, I think, and Kore, the OC, is one of my favourites!

I just love coming-of-age narratives with a passion and getting to draw from one of my favourite fairytales, Rapunzel, is really great too! And Kore is also the sort of female character I love seeing in media: flawed and contemplative but still trying her hardest. And I get to flex my muscles with a slightly dark fantasy type of story, making use of imagery, and some social commentary on mental illness and what it means to live with it.

And same! I really look forward to getting to know you and your OCs as well! ❤️

[girl-in-the-tower]

what's kores relationship with all the goths? it won't let me copy the emojis.

Kore-Diasomnia gang interactions, coming up~ Thank you for the ask! ❤️ 

MALLEUS DRACONIA: Dovregubben, as she calls him, is pretty much Kore's weird, cryptid buddy that shows up at her house randomly for no discernable reason and she just learned to accept that this is part of her life now, tbh. They have a rather odd relationship overall, in that while they know very little about one another, they manage to get along well, since they're both quite weird and socially awkward by default. They first met when he showed up in her garden and accidentally froze her roses only to revive them again, which just started a long line of unexpected visits to her house during nighttime so the two of them can talk about all sorts of oddities. Malleus becomes fond of her, by virtue of being a strange girl who just goes with the flow, and that develops eventually into a brother-sister relationship of sorts, where he is a bit protective of "his child of man" but unsure of how to properly act. Kore tends to take him by surprise quite often so he's always entertained by their interactions. And though she was initially suspicious of the large, horned boy showing up on her property at first, she's come to enjoy their nightly talks. In a way, Kore feels like she can open up to Malleus quite easily since he's pretty eccentric so he most likely wouldn't judge her too much either. Even when she does find out that he's a prince, her attitude doesn't change much since he's still just her weird cryptid friend by then anyway.

Malleus' soft spot for Kore manifests mostly in that he does try to make her happy in his own, small ways such as reviving her flowers or performing little tasks for her, which she often returns by providing him with snacks and tea during his visits and they chat for quite a bit. And they keep that up in their adult life too, as Kore would probably visit him in the Valley whenever she could and this time, he'd be the host instead.

LILIA VANROUGE: I think bat dad is very amused by her single-minded nature and that even though she's naturally suspicious of him, she still ends up falling for many of his tricks. He's overall fond of her though because she's getting along with Malleus quite nicely and helping him learn more about humans and their culture. He also thinks it's nice that she and Sebek are "friends" (in as much as Sebek constantly denies being friends with her, but Lilia just laughs it off) and that she doesn't let herself be bossed around like that despite her small size. I think he'd even be willing to teach her a few fighting moves, in much the same way he encouraged Epel since "us, the cute and small, need to stick together". Kore would be pretty sceptical of his suggestion though since he's tricked her before in the past and she holds a grudge quite well.

On the other hand, he'd also be concerned due to the strange magical element that he feels around Kore and which he can't actually explain, so while he does not interfere directly, he does make sure to keep an eye on her out of interest and worry. It works out quite well for him that Malleus and Sebek are friends with her then. Whereas Kore is quite certain that Lilia is a vampire and possibly dangerous so she's on high alert around him generally.

SILVER: They don't particularly interact much, but in general she bothers him during the Equestrian Club meetings since he's the only one who lets her in without asking too many questions so she can go and pet the horses as much as she wants. I think they'd relate to each other quite a bit, being both adopted children, raised by single fathers so that might eventually evolve into a friendship as well. It really depends on a variety of things, but overall I think it might lead to Silver being one of the few people who understands her relationship with Theo the best and advise her on it also. Which Kore truly appreciates since Silver is such a calm presence that she enjoys having around her. Hanging out with him and Kalim is very soothing for the boar girl overall tbh!

SEBEK ZIGVOLT: They're friends, despite Sebek denying it, who bicker a lot of the time. Almost all of the time, because Sebek is loud and Kore is stubborn and they just don't mix well for the most part. Sebek is especially jealous that Malleus is fond of her so he always interferes if he catches them together, while Kore misunderstands his jealousy as aggression towards him and responds in kind. All the while pointing out that if Sebek dislikes them all so much, he can just stop hanging out with the first years and do something else, which, of course, he doesn't do, haha.

In a way, it's a good thing they aren't that close because together they'd cause a lot of issues for the people around them.

But, it's worth mentioning that though they act like they don't get along, Sebek never missed a meeting of the first years at Ramshackle and has helped Kore with her self-defense training (at Lilia's request) with little complaint, while Kore always makes sure to also prepare stuff for him if she makes snacks for the first years old and does listen to his rants on Malleus. It's a sort of quiet, troublesome cohabitation in general, haha.

[jhoudiey]

CHARACTER INTRODUCTION: FLOYD LEECH (COFFIA AU)

Hitman. Coffee Shop Owner. Adrenaline Junkie.

NICKNAMES. Boss (Kore), Green Devil (street thugs) , little brother (Diana)

AGE. 26

OCCUPATION. Coffee shop owner

ANNUAL INCOME. $400,000

CLOSE FRIENDS. Yoru Crowley | Diana Arrow | Jade Leech

AFFILIATION. Leech Mafia

HISTORY.

One of the heirs of the Leech family mafia. He started his physical training at 10, and at 14 had his first kill. Soon after got addicted to the high that came with the thrill of murder, and used his strength, name, and money to get whatever he wanted when he wanted it. Because of his fickle nature he ended up getting into a lot of trouble, so Lochlan partnered him with Diana to refine his violent tendencies. They became the most reliable and deadly team the Leech family has ever known. Two bullets to the chest at 23 slowed him down and he was gifted a coffee shop from his father as a means to keep him occupied until he recovered and could get back to work. Floyd found he had an affinity for making coffee and actually enjoyed it, so the adjustment wasn't as hard as he thought. Once his wounds heal he finds he no longer has the stamina to be an efficient hitman, and stays at the coffee shop.

RELATIONSHIPS.

-Yoru Crowley

Sometimes you think you're complete until the missing piece is standing in front of you ordering a gross coffee at midnight.

Drawn to her immediately after meeting, he was determined to get into her pants. Unlike everyone else he asked, she turned him down and refused to even entertain his whining. Thinking he was clever after learning that she was a tattoo artist, he booked in some time to finally get his own Leech family tattoos. Since she wouldn't be able to get away from him, he was sure that she'd cave and come back to his place with him. It still doesn't work, though he finds he actually enjoys her company as a person and actually wants to spend time getting to know her. He's never been interested in dating, and had only had flings prior so isn't sure how to approach the dating angle. Their start is rocky, but soon finds that his entire worldview and priorities are changing once he starts thinking about a person besides himself.

-Diana Arrow

Met as children when Lochlan took her in and was told she was his new sister.

He was furious when she was first brought home, he already had a sibling and didn't need another. Though they often sparred together as children and young teens he never would have considered them close until they became partners. Perhaps even closer than him and Jade, they developed their own unspoken language and Diana seems to be able to read Floyd's mind, as frustrating as it is for him. He's happy to call her his sister, and wonders why the hell he was such a little shit to her as a kid. She's the first person he turns to in a pinch, and the first person to kick his ass when he's wrong.

-Jade Leech

The other half of the terrible Leech heirs that used to terrorize their manor as children.

His twin, his other half, his partner in crime... until they slowly started drifting apart when it became clear that their interests lay in different areas. Jade is the cool and cunning brother, always ready to add in a snide remark whenever Floyd messed up (which was often when they were younger). Despite their differences they were still very close despite their disagreements on whether or not Diana was considered family, and the best ways to conduct business. Things between them became even more tense once Floyd and Yoru started dating, as Jade believes that she's dragging him farther away from who he was and who he could be.

-Kore Hightower

His naive part timer, offered $25/h to work for him as the thought of having to do everything himself was boring.

For some reason, she doesn't quite see past the nice facade of a rich kid in a coffee shop, and that's just the way he likes it. Curiously over-protective of her, he makes sure to teach her how to defend herself properly when any customers think to get too handsy. Despite what her roommates say, she likes her job and her boss because even though they think he's a bit creepy, no other coffee shop would pay her that much for the work that she does. Plus, he lets her drink all the coffee he wants so long as she teaches him how to bake the treats she keeps bringing in to eat.

PLAYLIST.

Jewels n' Drugs Lady Gaga Remorse is for the Dead Lamb of God U Make Ninja Wanna Fuk Die Antwood Young Lust Pink Floyd Long Hard Road Out of Hell Marilyn Manson

CREDITS.

Straight up stole this character introduction format from @azusawrites and don't even feel bad about it. Mason Hatterson belongs to @anunluckyrabbit

[walpurga-nacht-academy]

A little late for Valentines, but I just wanted to draw the girls in their boyfriends’/husband’s outfits, because why not? Special guest today is Kore!

June is very embarrassed by the Pomefiore dorm uniform, because it’s so overly fancy and she just feels weird and uncomfortable in it. It’s very impractical for gardening and the sleeves are annoying when trying to quit.

Diana has probably never worn as many clothes throughout her entire life as she did in that moment, and it feels unusual to her. She keeps losing the hat and coat because she can’t look after them, and the scarf is very bothersome too.

Kore has taken a shine to the Scarabia uniform surprisingly since she generally dislikes wearing a lot of clothes, but despite appearances it’s actually not that bothersome. She especially likes the earrings since she’s never worn any before but Kalim’s just look nice on her.

The Ignihyde dorm uniform is a bit too modern for Vita’s tastes, but she does admit to liking the extra pockets it offers. She just wishes it had more of a Gothic flair to it on the whole. 

Rosa loves the look because it scream wild and untamed while also being rather fashionable. Jack let her borrow the necklace too, and she was quite reticent to return it, so he had to promise her he’d buy her a matching one. 

Blanche is impressed by the sheer complexity of the Heartslaybyul uniform and admires Riddle a little more for being able to walk in it with such ease. She opted out of wearing the crown because it was difficult to adjust it with her ears. 

Cass is liking the Diasomnia uniform more than she thought she would. It’s very dignified and she can feel herself getting a bit more confident while wearing it. She insisted on getting the hat too, because the way it curves was cute.