yourgildedcage

[yourgildedcage]

Happy Halloween, Happy Villains!

Years after the Recruiters finished their jobs here in the Land of Dreams, it excites me that they are still so loved.

I went digging into my old folders and found some photos I hadn't uploaded- I've had to sharpen them to the beyond and back so pardon the quality, I hope you enjoy them!

[yourgildedcage]

Cater: History is a snorefest.

Me: my good sir if you go to sleep....

Malleus: It's early and I'm already bored.

Me: bruh

Malleus: Trein gave me a look

Me: Guess he heard you

Idia : oh absolutely

My Kofi

[yourgildedcage]

Like I dislike grim but come on guys

Don't everybody fire at once

Malleus: "How do you read this? It's a word I do not know."

Not Malleus wondering how in the world he doesn't know a word but it turns out Grim is just bad at spelling. 😭

Actually Malleus is nice enough to think the fault is with HIM not knowing the word, meanwhile the other boys:

Leona: You're so fucking slow

Azul: Such ugly handwriting. Are these even letters?

Vil: So messy, there are ink blots everywhere. This is the ugliest handwriting I've seen in my life.

Jade: If you're finding it hard to write, why don't we just strap the pen on your arms haha

[yourgildedcage]

Skully really went from "I'm not locked in here with you,"

To

"You're locked in here with me" in the span of a few scenes with the facial expressions he making. Worried for everyone else now.

~ he's a bit not right in the head

Leona says that Skully has terrible tastes and asks for Jack's opinion. Jack, bless his soul if he has one, says that he finds both ideas interesting because there should be all kinds of Halloween. But this year, he really wants to try something new. Put up music that gets people dancing, show off colors to liven things up, and try their hands at baking things they never knew existed!

Jack: "I think we should do a lively, spectacular, and extravagant Halloween!"

Skully: "Eh."

Skully: "No..."

Skully: "Jack-sama, saying things like that..."

Skully: "That's... not... how it's supposed to be..."

Jack: "What's the matter, Skully-kun?"

Skully: "....................... No."

Skully: "It's nothing. I will do as Jack-sama wishes."

Skully: "......... Right?"

Skully: "Anything you think of, is wonderful, isn't it......? Jack-sama........."

[yourgildedcage]

Malleus keeps emphasizing (3x up to where I'm currently at) how Jack Skellington is a fellow ruler so suddenly it clicked... Oh my god the Jack, Sally, Skully, Zero quadrio is reskinned Malleus, Yuu, Sebek, Grim in the context of this Halloween event. 🤣🙏

Jack and Malleus: charismatic leaders who patiently listen to their people. Has a cult.

Sally and Yuu: sweet and agreeable

Skully and Sebek: ultima fanboys

Zero and Grim: pet

[yourgildedcage]

Leona and Azul would apparently die before agreeing with Malleus with no follow up or starter insults.

So the floor opens to suggestions for Halloween. Skully, being the eager beaver he is, presents "their" idea of what Halloween means. (Their because he ain't reading the others' worthless opinions of course)

"Silent. Simple. Modest. THIS IS HALLOWEEN!"

So of course, everyone is shocked. What is this nutjob even saying?

Jack is surprised, but being the gentleman he is, encourages Skully that that is interesting and if he could explain further. So he does.

First of all, silent. True silence and desolation, where you could hear every beat of your heart, is where true fear lies.

But Jade disagrees.

Jade: "So as to properly convey the spirit of Halloween, the fright and fun of it both, you simply can't do without music."

Jade: "Music stirs up the fear that makes you tremble and the excitement that makes you want to dance."

Jack agrees but Skully finds it ridiculous.

Skully: "I beg to disagree! Dancing is naught but tomfoolery-- I hardly think that is appropriate for Halloween! Such noises are against the spirit of Halloween!"

Jack thinks to himself, then encourages Skully to proceed to his next point.

So he discusses Halloween is "simple." Decorations can be gaudy and Vil agrees that there is beauty in simplicity. Skully then proposes that decorations should be removed completely and that rooms should be painted in all black to simulate the night. Then you will feel the creeping fear when there is NOTHING but darkness around you...

So Vil FUMES because how DARE Skully suggest having just ONE color?!

Vil: "DON'T EVEN JOKE WITH ME!"

Epel chimes in and says colors make the spirit, so even better if they include ALL 7 COLORS IN NEON. Vil tells him his tastes are also shit.

Malleus: "It is Halloween, after all. As Schoenheit mentioned, some people might find it tasteless to clad everything in only one color."

Malleus: "For the past 100 years or so, Halloween has been popularly celebrated with incorporations of bright colors such as purple, orange, or bright green.

Malleus: "I, too, am of the opinion that the decorations should be spectacular. Merely using black is not enough."

Azul: "If even Malleus who lives in that dreary, prison-like dormitory agrees, then that must mean this is an important point indeed..!"

Leona: "What he says. That's just how special Halloween is."

Y'ALL BULLYING MALLEUS FOR NO REASON 😂

[yourgildedcage]

Ok, Riddle fans, I am starting to understand.

As I go through more of Riddle's Vignette's and the story, seeing him actually interacting with his house and people outside of it, I get it. He's intimidating and intense, absolutely, and he doesn't always understand why things like social media and trends or parties are important to say Cater or Ace.

But he tries. He learned how Cater memorized and learned and changed his studying style in order to help him. Downloaded a whole app, made posts that would make no sense to anyone else and weird tags, just to help him, spending even more additional time and energy after creating a 300 page study guide.

He continually steps in to encourage and guide Deuce and generally doesn't seem to know or care about his past delinquency, only what he does now as an NRC student. Even the conversations with Ace which tend to go sideways or chiding, seem like they are simply almost too much alike, just different values and priorities.

Yes, the other students are intimidated by Riddle. But as I dive in more, especially after his Overblot, it's because he holds others to the same standards as himself for better or for worse. Does he recognize the privilege of receiving so much education on magic and other subjects so early? I'm not sure. But he looks at his students and asks why not. Why can't they pass, why are the struggling, how do I get them there. Like, this fixation of nobody dropping out or flunking tells me that it happens a lot, maybe the most in Heartslabyul? But Riddle is making his legacy at NRC that he's graduating at the top and every one of his house is coming with him. He genuinely believes in his people and that they will be the best, most cohesive and talented dorm because they worked together, he just has a different approach to it after his holier than thou attitude was knocked out of him after his Overblot.

Malleus was right. King of Heartslabyul, absolutely.

[yourgildedcage]

SSR Leona Kingscholar - Nightmare Suit Voice Lines

Due to event restrictions, Groovy related lines are locked until the event has been cleared. I will update once these are unlocked. Login line has been captured.

A Halloween like never before, huh... I do hope it lives up to everyone's expectations. (Zero: Bark, bark!)

Summon: This is Halloween! We got a moving skeleton and a smiling doll, huh. Well, ain't this an amusin' little nightmare.

Groovification: --LOCKED--

Home: We should enjoy this night.

Swap Looks: Don't just howl over nothin', mutt. (Zero: Bark, bark!)

Home Transition 1: You know that bunch playin' music by the roadside? ...Next time I see 'em, maybe I'll request something. 'Cause you know I love hearin' bright and cheery ditties.

Home Transition 2: Ugh... Guess I wasn't just half-asleep and dreamin' it up. Those creepy brats really were playin' with some plucked-off heads.

Home Transition 3: Sally is kind? Where'd you get that idea...? No matter how you look at it, she's the craftiest one in the whole town.

Home Transition - Login: Interestin' how the moon's insanely bright. Sleepin' during the day here doesn't feel any different than sleeping at night.

Home Transition - Groovy: --LOCKED--

Home Tap 1: Skellington's completely engrossed in preparing for Halloween. Amazing how there's some kings out there that actually get stuff done.

Home Tap 2: Heheh, this eerie and dismal town's perfect for Mister Gloom-and-Doom. I bet once he gets used to the place, he'll fit right in.

Home Tap 3: He doesn't even know what these people're like and he's unabashedly tryin' to drum up business opportunities. I gotta give it to him, that Octo-punk's got pluck.

Home Tap 4: You think Skully's a gentleman? You must be mistakin' that for bein' undisciplined. He just plants a kiss on the back of our hands without askin'... He's nowhere near proper.

Home Tap 5: Hey, now, don't be trying to scare me from behind. It's a damn shame, but I'm a real sensitive soul.

Home Tap - Groovy: --LOCKED--

Duo: [LEONA]: Show me how useful you can be, Trey. [TREY]: I'll do what I can, Leona.

[yourgildedcage]

SR Riddle Rosehearts - Nightmare Suit Voice Lines

Due to event restrictions, Groovy related lines are locked until the event has been cleared. I will update once these are unlocked. Login line has been captured.

Summon: This is Halloween! ...Ack, no, wait! I must hurry back to campus to continue my scholarly obligations!

Groovification: --LOCKED--

Home: I'm not really good at playing tricks on people.

Home Transition 1: Azul was approaching the citizens of Halloween Town, asking if they had any quandaries they needed solving... His tenacity leaves me floored.

Home Transition 2: Sir Skellington is a guiding beacon for his town, leading all those who live here by good example. He truly carries himself like a king.

Home Transition 3: It seems the town's alarm system sounds like the cries of a cat. Even if it may sound endearing, if you hear it, make sure to pay attention.

Home Transition - Login: This town may look rather dreary and yet it is full of vigor preparing for Halloween year-round. How fascinating.

Home Transition - Groovy: --LOCKED--

Home Tap 1: If Chenya were here, I'm sure he would feel right at home. He's just as much of a prankster as the people here.

Home Tap 2: Vil-senpai was speaking with Miss Sally on what sort of decorations to make. I'm sure whatever those two come up with will be very tasteful.

Home Tap 3: Jamil carries himself well, so he tends to look even more dignified in that sort of outfit. ...Although it also feels a tad intimidating.

Home Tap 4: The townsfolk had substituted a pumpkin for a ball and were hitting it with an umbrella. If this game is anything like croquet, I may want to try my hand at it.

Home Tap 5: This outfit may be monochrome, but the pattern and buttons give it a lovely appeal. This would be good party attire.

Home Tap - Groovy: --LOCKED--

Requested by @farfalla049.

[yourgildedcage]

It's so unnerving how calm Malleus is. Barring Jade who's obviously enjoying this because he's insane, everyone else including Leona is obviously panicking with sweat on their sprites. Malleus on the other hand looks like he's taking this as if he's numb to it all.

Malleus: "... Kingscholar's conclusion is most likely correct. I do not sense magic here; not from Skellington, not from this place."

Malleus: "Yet, things that should not move move, and things that shouldn't talk talk. The book has taken us to another world."

Yet another proof that Malleus represses negative emotions because he feels like he should remain a person his people can rely on when things go south. 😭

[yourgildedcage]

source

idk if this means something and if its intentional, but Vil overblot's markings has a similar format with Overblot Malleus, they droop on the center and has a net pattern covering their forehead, (Riddle has a similar design as these as well but his markings passes down his left eye rather than forehead), also interesting that both Vil and Malleus' overblot marks has an extreme reference to the motifs of their Disney Villain counterpart (Most of the these overblot marks are just "aesthetically designed" like with Overblot Azul and Leona unless im missing some interpretation here lol)

Obviously, Vil's markings depicts the poisoned apple, while Malleus', if I overthink about it really hard, looks like Dragon Maleficent's face being split apart in flames (if you join together the center part of his overblot flame, it kinda looks like dragon!Maleficents head silouhette) bad edit lol

Its also interesting that those vertical diamonds in the center kinda looks like they're a sword/dagger stabbing through the apple/the dragon's head.

But my favourite part is Vil's markings... the design motif there are akin to Meleanor's laces to her clothes 😭✨

This design with the curved dark lines and hollow vertical strokes inside it, is on Riddle's as well (like on the borders of his overblot heart marking), but this is a special mention bcs Meleanor and overblot!Vil is awfully similar already based on design 😭✨

additionally, "that diamond on the center" thing kind of looks like an imitation to Meleanor's crown

But now, this is making me wonder... Was Meleanor's design created with overblot motifs in mind???😭💔 I remember being surprised she overblotted when that update came out, most of the assumptions about Malleus' mother's death pre-Book 7 is that she was mostly outpowered by the enemy, but rarely does it include that she overblotted too bcs pre book 7, they always emphasized that Draconia's are too powerful and based on Malleus' scenes before book 7 extremely in control of that power that they can just wield it nonchalantly (so it didnt gave off the vibe that they would overblot bcs that means they can be reckless with it (but nowadays i think this makes sense lol))

So with that said, does this mean that even from the start, like with her design, she was always meant to overblot, just like how most of the dorm leaders are the overbloters of each book?? 😭

edit.

random realization too lol but Vil and Malleus' share the same design on their skirt and their legs and maybe arms (but I feel like that design applies to all overblotters), They literally parallel with each other too 😭✨ Queens sharing fashion tips lolol

[yourgildedcage]

Oh what a strange tree with a pumpkin shaped hole I wonder what will happen if I stick my fucking head in it -- Skully J. Graves

Skully: "I--I'm falling! Somebody help!"

Grim: "Mrah?! Don't grab onto my tail like that!"

*GRABS ONTO SEBEK*

*GRABS ONTO LEONA*

*GRABS ONTO JAMIL*

JAMIL: "WA-WAIT, WHA--?!"

Vil: "What do we do? Forget about them?"

Riddle: "With this many housewardens here, we can't just leave people to go missing."

Malleus: "Indeed. Let us all go through the pumpkin door."

VIL LITERALLY WAS JUST CONSIDERING LEAVING THE OTHERS FOR DEAD I CAN'T BREATHE

[yourgildedcage]

The one time they get along is to murder someone

Yeah. Sounds right

They've detained Skully quickly and are talking about what to do with him.

Vil: "Why don't we just force it out of his mouth? I like to keep it short and simple."

Jamil: "Vil-senpai really is brutish despite his appearance. I personally think it's too early to resort to violence."

😭😭😭 Look at Jade's fucking face, he's really just enjoying this.

Leona: "Well... Whether or not he has a hidden agenda, it should be easy to dispose of a guy like that."

Malleus: "Indeed. It would be quite simple with this many people."

Leona: "Then... We good?"

AND THEN EVERYBODY GULPS?! Leona and Malleus look like a fucking mobster and his one hell of a demon butler out to "take care" of a pest 😭

[yourgildedcage]

Oh--

Lost in the Book: Nightmare Before Christmas

SSR: Leona, Sebek, Jamil

SR: Riddle, Trey, Jade, Idia

R: Azul, Vil, Epel, Malleus

[yourgildedcage]

doylist explanation for why Gidel is only in Fellow's non-idle lesson animations: probably something about space constraints and making sure two sprites in one seat aren't covering anyone else when they're not in focus

watsonian explanation for why Gidel is only in Fellow's non-idle lesson animations: he snuck in and is hiding from the teachers, don't give him away 🤫

(I've reached my limit of unsuccessful attempts at pulling them before I need to save keys for Halloween, so I've been living vicariously through youtube videos...but the fact that Gidel just pops up from under the desk to wave his arms around happily is really testing my resolve. D: I'm gonna die when they finally get to do alchemy...)

[yourgildedcage]

I wanted to try doing something with a super limited palette! it was supposed to be, like, a triptych kinda thing with Mal in the center, but tumblr made the arrangement look terrible, so here you go. :U

("お前を失わずに済む" / "I won't have to lose you")

[yourgildedcage]

you know, I've been thinking about it, and there is actually one single scenario in which I would be okay with not getting a big ol' "Silver Vanrouge" out of Lilia.

(just kidding, I still need some "call me Silver, Mr. Vanrouge is my father" in my life, please don't let me down on this one Twst)