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sakkiichi · 9 months

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YOU’RE A CRISIS OF MY FAITH.

You meet him under the brightness of ballroom lights and the vibrant colors of his mask. However, is it a good idea to let yourself be lead by infatuation?

feat. Childe, Kaeya, Kaedehara Kazuha, Lyney, Albedo x gn! reader.

cw/genre: romance, fluff, slight angst in kazuha’s and lyney’s, royal masquerade au. reader wears a dress, mildly suggestive allusions on childe’s (very soft).

i would like to dedicate childe, kaeya and albedo’s part to my dearest @bunny-rambles <3 albedo’s part is dedicated to the sweetest @ssilversiren too !

if you enjoy this, reblogs and comments help more than likes !

✧ CHILDE

Crossed arms over his chest and a sharp edged smile peeking from underneath his mask. The prince is certainly amused, and not precisely by this gathering he himself hosted.

It’s this feeling. Being unknown; just another face amidst the ebb and flow of a sea of profiles.

What would it be like, to converse with others, with them being none the wiser about his royal status?

Running a hand through his ruddy locks, Childe leans off the wall, something, or rather, someone having caught his attention.

The person is standing on the opposite corner of the room, their skirts as if weaved out of seafoam and tides, cascading to the floor in silky waves of sky. They’re alone, the ornamented wall behind them making them look as an extension of it, a painting without frame; for they stare longingly at the swaying crowd, their frame still, anchored, yet without a harbor.

“Fancy a dance?” A voice you swear you have heard somewhere before asks, causing you to turn around.

Striking sapphire eyes lock with yours, the cheeky smile he sports weakening your knees for a second. He’s dressed finely, in white and red, silver accents decorating the lapels and shoulders of his jacket, matching with the scarlet mask partially concealing the constellations of freckles dusting his handsome face.

You swear you know him. But you don’t at the same time; a crystalline pond at night, argent starlight swallowed by the depths of its abyss.

“Quite the bold request, considering you haven’t even introduced yourself, don’t you think?” You prompt, the stranger’s magnetizing grin drawing one of your own from your painted lips.

“Oh, come on, humor me?” He pouts, drops of cobalt glinting in the previously dull ocean patches of his gaze.

“Hm,” you ponder, bringing a finger to your chin. “How about you give me your name first?” You suggest, tone taking on a playful lilt. He watches the light quality of your dress, sweeping around you, tendrils of a spring wrapped around the delicate curves of your figure.

“A name, huh?” He smirks, and no matter how much you know it’s a bad idea, you find yourself hoping to call his name often in the future.

He knows what he’s about to reveal is an equally bad idea as you swimming in the currents of his pull, and still, he finds himself uttering the appellative he hasn’t heard in ages.

“Ajax. My name.” He whispers, those lips that only promise trouble brushing the shell of your ear.

You smile, your stare glinting not unlike the azurite shimmer that decorates your disguise.

“Very well, Ajax,” you draw out the last word, your voice directing the incognito royal’s heart wildly against his ribcage. “Come and find me.” Is the lingering echo of your words, a seashell’s melody, as Childe watches shades of aquamarine mingling with the crowd.

Perhaps this was not a good choice; but maybe you like the rush that comes with wishing he asks your name, with wishing his hand catches yours.

From the corner of your eye, you spot a wisp of red as you turn a corner down the busy corridors of the palace. You certainly wouldn’t mind if you happened to take Ajax’s half cape off later tonight.

✧ KAEYA

Rows upon rows of glinting masks and flashy clothing fill the luxurious room, the space practically painted in molten gold.

If anyone were to ask you, however, you’d reply this place is hell. The palace’s corridors are labyrinthine as it is, twisting endlessly, the frozen images hanging on their walls unchanging to your widened eyes.

And certainly, the shoves and pushes of a too excited crowd are not helping your mood at all. Exasperated, you grunt for the thousandth time, bunching up the skirts of your lacy white dress, determined to elbow and step your way to the damned ballroom.

Alas, the distant stars had other plans for you tonight.

Just as you were going to decidedly advance a particularly rowdy crowd, a force collides with you from behind, sending you and your unstable high heels against the polished tiled floor.

Except when the impact comes, it is not hard at all.

“My, a beauty like you should be more careful to watch where they’re going.”

You rise your gaze to meet the owner of that smooth teasing voice.

Hair weaved of icicles at midnight, braided to one side, falling over the spotless bronze skin of the stranger’s pretty face. His eyes, or rather, his visible eye, is chilly blue, the biting touch of a sunny morning after a snowstorm. And, unlike the rest of the guests, he’s not wearing a mask. He doesn’t need one either, his mystery-exuding aura, paired with the eyepatch on his right eye, somehow disguise enough.

You clear your throat, trying to act as if you hadn’t been blatantly staring at the man in front of you.

“Why, thanks.” You let out, tone crisp. “I was watching, but apparently someone with no manners wasn’t.” You add, with disdain, glaring at the advancing multitude.

“I don’t disagree.” The enigmatic stranger smiles, a sliver of moon, icy eyes following over your figure as you straighten your skirt.

Then he hums, the crescent of his sultry lips morphing into a smirk.

“Why don’t I accompany you for a while?” He offers his arm to you. “I was just leaving, but seems I’ve found a reason to stay, at least for a while…”

You match his smirk, conflicted at how attracted you don’t want to admit you are to this man.

“Oh? Does it outweigh the reason you were planning on leaving for?”

“I’ll take the risk to find out.” He grins, looping his arm with yours.

In silence interrupted by the joyous multitude, you make your way to the ballroom. It’s odd, the way you feel comfortable next to him, despite secrets and starry nights concealing the truth of his nature. You don’t even know his name…

“Call me Kaeya, by the way.” He murmurs, as if reading your thoughts, his tan hand, adorned in gold and midnight, lacing with one of yours, his other around your waist.

“Pleased to meet you, Kaeya.” You find yourself whispering back, entranced by the mysteries frozen in that shady stare of his.

Perhaps this is wrong, to let your heart out in the falling snowflakes around the flickering spark of this igniting infatuation, and yet, maybe just this once, you feel like you can fly with wings made of ice under a blazing sun.

You don’t regret it. Not when you know you’ll dream of Kaeya’s voice for nights on end. Not when he twirls you around the room, a flurry of snowy clouds outlined by gilded twilight. Not when he pulls you aside, hiding both of you into an alcove, his smooth hand pressed against your mouth, as some guards pass asking for “the prince”.

He definitely looks like one, you think. You don’t have time to dwell on iit as you both run off, hands still laced, into a narrow torch-lit corridor, the night air beckoning you towards the exit.

Danger had never felt so right.

✧ KAEDEHARA KAZUHA

You should have known better.

Better than to trust that bastard.

The nobleman that was supposed to be your date tonight.

It’s not like he didn’t show up, oh, he did alright.

You wish he hadn’t.

Seeing that asshole arm in arm with someone else makes your blood boil, a cold, cruel anger seeping into your bones, its chill enough to burn white-hot.

And yes, perhaps stomping out to the too pretty rose garden was a childish decision, but maybe it was you just exercising self control.

Best to brood than let your tempestuous wrath strike the whole place down.

Storms were only beautiful from a distance, after all.

You heavily sigh, removing the bejeweled mask covering the upper half of your face.

No point in keeping it now, you observe, running a thumb over the faux diamonds embedded over the indigo surface.

How ironic, you laugh, humorless, for your mask to look like a bright starry sky, when all you see the moment you rise your gaze heavenward are dark clouds gathering.

“Pardon my intrusion,” a pleasingly gentle voice begins, just as you were plucking the fading petals of a dying rose, “but are you not feeling up to joining the ball?”

Suddenly, the gloomy night dyes moonlit and crimson: twin pools of sunset regard you, a soft flame, soothingly warm in the chill of the inauspicious night; threads of starlight seem to constitute the man’s hair, almost angel-like in the way it frames his candid face, in the tender way the locks fall over his shoulder, tied in a bright red ribbon, akin to a bouquet of lily of the valleys. Like you, it seems he has discarded his mask, a splash of vermillion held in between svelte fingers wrapped in pale silk.

You greet him with a smile, the previous gales of fury receding, replaced little by little by the nurturing caress of an early autumn wind through maple leaves.

“I could ask you the same question.” You offer, turning your body in his direction, the faint touch of moonlit clouds brushing against your skin.

He shakes his head, tendrils of silver swaying with his movement.

“Let’s just say I prefer the peaceful nature of the outdoors.” He chuckles, sincere, the sound almost transparent in its quality, tiny ripples by a dawn breeze over a mirror-like stream. Then, he tilts his head to the side, silken strands caressing the smoothness of his cheek in ways you know you shouldn’t be dreaming of so soon. “However, I do believe it could prove romantically irresponsible of me to deny someone else this dance, no?” He asks, extending a hand to you.

And you know you shouldn’t feel your face heating up at the protruding tendons over the callous softness of his skin.

“My name is Kaedehara Kazuha,” he finally introduces himself.

Kazuha. You can’t quite tell just yet why you somehow wish that to be forever the name on your lips, nor do you know yet why you find your eyes naturally drifting off to every lash and diminutive freckle so temptingly touching his cheeks.

You don’t know if it’s right either, to take this leap of faith. What if the jump ends in you downfall? Again.

But what if you could swim in a pool of starlight instead? Is the voice whispering in verse into your ear, when you find one of your hands entwined with Kazuha’s, the other resting over the shoulder of his black and red suit jacket.

“It is my pleasure to meet you, Kazuha.” You find yourself smiling back, before introducing yourself.

As your dance partner twirls you around, the warmth of his hand lingering on the small of your back, the overcast skies seem to part. Like a wrinkle in the mundanity of human life, endless sparkling stars cast their gaze over you two, even their moon coming out to take a peek into the couple’s hearts yearning for the fated romance to be.

Splashes of cotton candy pink and cherry crimson sweetly bloom under the argent lights of the enchanted night, even the wilting rose you had been tampering with earlier dyeing in shades of life anew.

Though, to you, in this moment, the only life that matters is the one held in Kazuha’s autumn stare, his tenderness tethering you to the gentle comfort of your head resting against his heart.

Maybe it had already started beating for you, much like yours.

Perhaps some charms begun at midnight.

✧ LYNEY

Throngs of people gather around the Opera Epiclese building and yet, you had never felt so alone.

A sinking feeling settles in your heavy heart, as you pat your now lackluster gown, check your purse, only to come up empty handed.

Your ticket for today’s masquerade ball, seemingly vanished.

Defeated, you sigh, turning on your heel.

What use will be lingering around, with no way to get into the opera house anyway? Things couldn’t have turned out worse.

Or so you thought.

For, seconds later, you would find yourself tripping over the hem of your long dress, ripping it in the process, one of your delicate high heeled shoes slipping off, clattering to the concrete ground, a few feet away from you.

The ruby tear embedded on your mask seems like a mockery right now, salty crystalline tracks streaming down your cheeks.

Luckily, no one will pay you any mind and you’ll save yourself the embarrassment, you try to console yourself.

Alas, the fates didn’t even want to concede you that small salvation.

“Are you alright?” a pleasant voice questions, causing for you to turn around.

And when you do, the man standing right before you is not unlike a spell himself. Violet eyes concealing the secrets of a lifetime spent on the edge of light and shadows regard you through his cat mask, the disguise leaving a maroon tear-shaped mark visible on his cheek, similar to the one on your own mask; his top hat is decorated in shades of rose and night, a purple ribbon around it, its hue almost in tune with the magic of his gaze. Silvery strands sweep over the stranger’s pale visage, slightly ruffled in the ebb and flow of the night’s balmy breeze. And in his hand, he’s holding the fine shoe that caused your fall.

With your face burning in shame, you look to one side, mumbling an affirmative response. You can only be grateful for the crowds starting to dissipate, leaving you and this boy mostly alone.

Kneeling, he carefully slips the shoe on your bare foot.

“Are you sure about that?” He prompts further, helping you up. “You look dressed for today’s ball, however, you were heading in the opposite direction…”

Rubbing at your face, you hang your head low.

“About that… I’m not going anymore…”

“Is that so?” He tilts his head to the side, gaze of iris settling on the torn skirts of your attire.

“I just… it’s embarrassing…” You admit. “I somehow lost my ticket to enter… and well, then I fell, and now besides not having the means to get in, there is no way I look presentable for the occasion anyway…” You chuckle, humorless.

He hums. Then:

“If I may be so bold, I do believe you look lovely.” The mysterious man compliments you, snapping his fingers.

You follow his gaze to your outfit. And when you take it in, your eyes widen. Where there used to be a tear on the fabric, now it’s seamlessly weaved together, sweeping over the nightlit cobblestones. And not only that, but its shade is an even more vibrant shade of carmine now, small sparkly flecks catching the silvery ripples of Fountain of Lucine.

“Wha- Thank you…” You breathe, awestruck, admiring the revived color of your clothes.

“My pleasure.” The magician chirps, with a wink. “Now, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the ball? It’s starting soon, and I would be very happy if you said yes.”

“I mean… I would love to, but my pass is gone…” You answer, regret lacing your tone.

“Hmm…” He muses, holding his chin in between two fingers. “Can I ask you to look closely now?” He pulls out his ticket, and right there, in the blink of an eye, he slides a second pass from behind the first one.

You gasp, eliciting a soft laugh from him.

“How about now? May I, Lyney, have the pleasure to join you for the night?” He proposes, bowing.

Smiling gratefully, you take his arm, wonderstruck still.

Together, you make your way towards the Opera Epliclese, the tickets safely held in Lyney’s free hand.

When you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the clear surface of the fountain’s waters, a Rainbow Rose adorns your hair.

The magician’s doing, no doubt.

You silently thank Lyney with a smile, and he believes no beam of moon could ever hold a candle to the sight of you.

✧ ALBEDO

Above the hall’s music, an acute faraway sound pulls you out of the forest of masked faces.

The spacious room is lit in gold, luxurious lamps and chandeliers focused on a crowd disguised in velvets and lace.

But, that melody. You can’t quite get it out of your head. You’ve been hearing it all evening, every now and then.

Akin to a gelid river, cutting through blocks of stone-hard ice, making your every hair stand on end when its notes tantalize you with the promise of the gilded reflections of northern lights over the stream’s surface.

You can’t ignore it any further, the flames dancing from ornate candles against the walls seem to murmur.

And even though the impending rushed beat of your heart may be painting danger red all over this possibility, you decide to ignore it, listening to the unknown song’s voice, beckoning you out of the ballroom.

Flecks of gold seem to hang in the air as you make your way through twisting ample corridors, the otherworldly sound welcoming you through a set of double doors, their wood snow white, their handles, crystal.

When you push them open, frozen air appears to settle all around you. It is not unpleasant, though.

In the same way, even though the music has just stopped, the sight before you is not unpleasant either in the slightest.

Amidst the room, a blonde man stands. His gaze, resembling underwater lights at dawn, is set on you. A white shirt with blue and golden accents falls perfectly against his frame.

You don’t miss the way his sleeves are rolled up, nor the tiny multicolored splashes in them.

Which brings you to take in the space around you.

A multitude of paintings line every wall: landscapes of somewhere you can only dream of stepping into; portraits of people you have never met, or have you, in the distance of sweet sleep?; abstract brushstrokes, constituting colors you had never seen before, that you know you won’t see anywhere else.

“Hello,” a soft voice that can only belong to the man in the room utters. “I am Albedo, the court’s alchemist, how may I be of assistance?”

You clear your throat, stammering an apology. He smiles, that sunny sky gaze never leaving you.

“I-I uh… I just heard music and… it seemed to come from here… I apologize for barging in so rudely.”

He gives you a sweet smile. You wonder whether he’s a prince, instead of an alchemist.

“Not at all. Music, you say?” He asks, bringing close to his lips the flute he had been holding. “Did it sound anything like this, perhaps?” Albedo starts to play, notes filling the chamber, colorful blossoms flourishing along snow-covered plains.

You get lost in the sound. In the ethereal aura the prince-like alchemist exudes. He’s as magnetic and entrancing as the melody he plays. Unconsciously, you’ve started to sway, and perhaps a part of you wishes this song was a gift for your ears alone.

At some point, the symphony stops, notes of it, still lingering in the crispness of the atmosphere, despite the closed windows.

“Beautiful.” He utters, tender, the fall of snowflakes atop your open palms.

Warmth creeps up your neck when he steps closer to you, his elegant hands hovering close to your face, to your silver mask.

“May I?” His lips say, rose-colored in the careful lilt of his tone.

Nodding is all the answer you can manage, Albedo’s cool fingertips grazing the side of your cheek.

“Yes, lovely.” He repeats, studying the lines of your mask-free face, the wave of your hair, the sparkles in your wide eyed gaze.

You wonder if he’s ever looked into a mirror, because if he’s presenting you these compliments, no words could describe how utterly breathtaking you think he is.

“Would you allow me to paint you?” Is the question you find yourself nodding to as well.

Beneath the golden lighting of fabricated starlight and with the paradoxically warm caress of Albedo’s cool touch when his hands position you for his portrait, you enter a labyrinth of emotions you only want to brave deeper.

What lies beneath the sunlit layer of snow clinging to Albedo’s every movement?

Perhaps tonight, as he renders you in watercolors, you have already imprinted yourself in his golden encased heart.

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thebadgerclan · 1 year

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Reunited

Pairing: Kaz Brekker x sister!reader, Nikolai Lantsov x reader

Summary: After 15 years, you are reunited with your brother...

Part 2 to “Sister”

A/N: I appreciate all the love that “Sister” got, but I will be capping this at 2 parts. School is, unfortunately, more important than fanfiction 😂❤

Also yes I made Wesper married, I fucked with canon enough, enjoy

The King of Ravka watched as you shrugged off your silk dressing gown and joined him in bed, opening his arms to you. “Oh, I forgot to tell you,” you said, extinguishing the lamp on your bedside table. “My brother’s coming to town.” Nikolai raised a brow. “He is? Why?” “Apparently he and his friends have been hired for a job. A job they need my assistance for.” The King cocked his head as you snuggled into his chest. “What kind of job?” “All I know is that they need to get into the Religious Archives alone. Beyond that, I have no idea.”

You’d told your husband about your brothers, about Hertzoon, how you’d come to Ravka shortly after your wedding. It was only thanks to Nikolai, well, thanks to Sturmhond, that you’d been able to locate your brother and contact him. Over the span of several months, you and Kaz had caught up on the 15 years of lost time, learned everything you’d missed on. You’d discovered that your eldest brother, Jordie, had not survived, that Kaz had risen to prominence in the Barrel and was set on bringing Rollins, the man who had masqueraded as Jakob Hertzoon, to his knees.

And Kaz had learned that you were Queen of Ravka. Part of him seethed with jealousy: you’d been brought up in the lap of luxury while he’d had to fight for every scrap, every penny, but he supposed he couldn’t be angry at you for that. And your position had turned out to be a boon to he and his Crows; giving him a way into the Religious Archives. As soon as Kaz had received the letter confirming you’d help, he��d gathered his flock and set off for Ravka.

***

“You’re fussing.” “I am not fussing.” “Yes, you are, my love.” Nikolai took your hands, pulling them from where you’d been fidgeting with your hair, drawing your attention to him. “I haven’t seen my brother in 15 years,” you said, letting your nerves bubble over. “I don’t even know what he looks like now, let alone what he’s like. Saints, I don’t even know wha-” “Hey, hey,” your husband soothed, kissing your forehead. “Take a breath, lovely.

“I know that you’re nervous, and I know that you’re a little bit scared, but I promise you that everything will be alright. He’s your brother, and even though it’s been a long time, that hasn’t changed. Just be yourself, Y/N, he’ll love you.” Before you could respond, before your thoughts could spiral, the doors to the receiving chambers opened.

“Presenting Mister Kaz Brekker, Miss Inej Ghafa, Mister Jesper Fahey, Mister Wylan Fahey, Miss Nina Zenik, and Mister Matthias Helvar.” Your brother and his companions entered, and the guard bowed to you. “His Most Royal Majesty, Nikolai Lantsov, and Her Most Royal Majesty, Queen Y/N Lantsov.” With another bow, the guard departed, leaving the eight of you alone.

“It’s really you,” Kaz said, both to you and himself. Gone was the little girl from Lij, afraid of the bustle of Ketterdam. In her place stood a woman; a regal, beautiful woman, clothed in sky blue silk and diamonds, a Queen. “It is,” you said, a tearful smile on your face. When you stepped forward, arms extended, hoping for an embrace, your brother stepped back, drawing a sharp breath. At once, you recalled one of his letters: Since that night on the Barge, I can’t bear to touch anyone. Every time I brush against someone, I’m right back there with Jordie.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, quickly composing yourself. “These must be your friends you’ve told me all about.” Kaz cleared his throat. “Yes. Inej, Jesper, Wylan, Nina, and Matthias.” Nina was the only one who dipped into a curtsey; as she was the only one who recognized you as her Queen. “Please, sit. I gather we have much to discuss.” Nikolai seated himself with you on a loveseat, and your brother and his Crows gathered around. Your husband and Jesper fell into easy conversation, and you smiled when he took your hand.

“So Kaz,” you said, clearing your throat. “Tell me about this job in the archives.” “A Shu priest claims that the remains of one of Sankt Kho’s clockwork soldiers resided in the archives,” he said. “We’ve been tasked with returning it.” You nodded, rising to pour yourself tea. “There are indeed remains here, but whether they’re authentic is unclear. Only a highly skilled Durast could tell, and even then it’s not certain.”

Kaz nodded, slowly spinning his cane between his hands. “The priest said as much. We’ve been guaranteed payment even if the remains aren’t genuine.” “That’s all well and good, but how do you plan to conceal the fact that you’re taking the remains? Those Archives are open to the public, people will notice their absence.” Your brother rolled his eyes. “If only I’d thought of that. Jesper.”

The lanky Zemini stood and opened the satchel as his side, showing you what lay within. “I happen to have Durast on my team,” Kaz said. “One who has become rather proficient in replication. It’s not perfect, but to a casual viewer, even a monk, it’s identical. If the clockwork soldier’s remains are real, then you have a nearly perfect replica. If they’re a fake, then you’ve got yourself a new fake.”

You nodded. This wasn’t the first heist your brother and his team had pulled off, you knew, but it was fascinating to watch his mind at work. “Very well. I can get you in at 10 bells tonight, but you have to be out by 1 bell.” Kaz nodded. “Done.” You rose and called for a servant, who entered an instant later. “Please show Miss Ghafa, Miss Zenik, Mister Helvar, and the Misters Fahey to rooms where they can rest. I wish to speak to Mister Brekker.” “Of course, moya tsaritsa.”

When it was just you, Kaz, and Nikolai, you resumed your seat. Your husband sensed your nervousness and took your hand, kissing it softly. “Did you ever think about me?” you asked, your gaze in your lap. “After I left?” “Of course I did,” your brother replied. “Every single day, Y/N. You and Jordie. I swore that I’d get revenge for you, and maybe with this job, I’ll be one step closer.” You lifted you face to find Kaz looking at you, and for a moment, it was like you were back in Ketterdam.

“I’m so sorry,” you whispered. “You have suffered so much, and I…” You took a deep breath, trying to compose yourself. “I grew up with every privilege, anything and everything I could ever want. But I never forgot about you, Kaz. Or Jordie. Even when I didn’t know if you’d survived, I prayed for you. To the Saints, to Ghezen, to anyone who’d listen. And I am so, so sorry for everything you’ve gone through, and if I’d known, I’d ha-”

“Y/N,” Kaz said, leaning across the space between you and taking your hand. You froze, knowing how much effort this was likely taking him. “Y/N, you don’t have to apologize to me. What happened to us, to me, no one could have stopped it. Yes, I’ve suffered, but I’ve also fought for what I have. And I’m so damn grateful that you didn’t have to suffer, that you didn’t have to fight. Look at you; happy and healthy, a husband who loves you, you’re a Queen. And if an ounce of my suffering bought you this happiness, then I am glad to have done it.”

Cautiously, you took his hand in both of yours, and while he squeezed his eyes shut, he did not pull away. “Kaz, I–” “You’re still my baby sister, Y/N,” he interrupted. “Queen or not. And I will do whatever I can to protect my baby sister.” “By 1 year!” you said, and your brother laughed. You and Kaz rose at once, and to your great surprise, he pulled you into his arms. “I love you,” he said. “Sister, I love you.” “I love you too, Kaz,” you replied, tears spilling over.

When you broke the embrace, Nikolai extended a hand, which Kaz took, clasping it for a bare second. “You know,” your husband said. “If you ever want to get rid of this ‘Pekka Rollins’, I might be able to help with that.” Kaz cocked his head. “How so?” “Well, he is indirectly responsible for your brother’s death, am I right?” A nod. “In that case, he’s responsible for the death of the Queen of Ravka’s brother, which is punishable by life imprisonment.”

Kaz nodded. “I appreciate the offer,” he said, adjusting his hold in his cane. “But when Pekka Rollins is brought down, I want it to be at my hand. For Jordie.” He looked at you, smiling softly. “And for Y/N.” Nikolai nodded. “Very well. But should you change your mind, the offer still stands.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” Your brother and husband exchanged a few more words before the former departed, leaving you and Nikolai in the receiving chamber. “Do you think they’ll pull it off?” he asked, draping an arm over your shoulder. “He’s Kaz Brekker,” you responded. “Of course he will.”

#kaz brekker x reader #platonic ship #kaz brekker x you #shadow and bone fanfiction #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov x you #shadow and bone reader insert

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prince-kallisto · 6 months

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Crowley Levan is Meleanor’s “eyes, limbs, and husband”…wouldn’t it be cool if the one who married into the Draconia family had a crown/headpiece that resembled horns, worn for ceremonies, public appearances and the like?!

We haven’t seen Levan yet but I know in my heart he’s just a silly little guy as long as you ignore The Killings 💞

I talk more about concept art and costume details below the cut!

Levan’s headpiece is designed to have more of a live-action Maleficent feel, where she wrapped her horns in…fabric? Snakeskin? Whatever it was, it looked really shiny, oily, and really cool, so I tried to depict that texture to show how his horns are fake.

And sort of elaborating on the Draconia crown idea, perhaps each crown from every ruler who married into the family has its own unique shape? Levan’s halo-like shape is unique to him, so ones before him perhaps had more “traditional” dragon-like horns, and others had twisting ones like a sheep, etc etc. Since I’m OBSESSED with TWSTs religious symbolism- the Dawn Knight popped off with that winged helmet- I also wanted a halo shape to make Levan look slightly angelic.

The beads on his horns were slightly inspired by the mianguan, a formal headdress worn in ancient China. He also wears nail guards covered in shiny jewels… Let him be extra ✨

Levan having wings over his eyes like the Dawn Knight would be a fun parallel, and as a reference to him being Meleanor’s “eyes, limbs, and husband.” Like I mentioned in the comic, he covers his eyes and disguises his body under bulky clothing to be publicly dramatic af 😭 he takes his title way too seriously haha. The idea is that when he isn’t around Meleanor, he sheds his mask so he can report what he sees to Meleanor. But when he is with her, he “blinds” himself as a demonstration of trust. I’m sure he can actually detect his surroundings very well despite the mask- he just likes to play around and act dumb to make Lilia and Meleanor laugh haha. I haven’t thought much about the clothes under his cape, but I imagine it’s very like Malleus’ masquerade outfit. Something very streamlined and agile in case he has to enter a sudden battle or fly into the air.

And with my concept art, he was meant to have the shoulder feathers like Crowley and Malleus! They were like pauldrons covered in feathers. But when I was working on the final piece, I spontaneously changed it to fit the sketch for something more flowing and bulky haha. In my head, this bigger cape has a more “General” vibe to it? Something that draws your attention when Levan walks into a war room! Speaking of, I really love the fantasy-vibe of the costumes in Book 7- I feel like I can really go all out with Levan’s costume if the Dawn Knight is allowed to have a helmet like that!

This was super last minute in the painting process, but I’d like the inside of his cape to have constellations and stars all over it! I tried to draw the Corvus, Crater, and Hydra on the visible parts of his cape.

I prefer painting with ink far better than acrylic or even watercolor…so doing this in mostly black and white inspired me to give Levan porcelain-like skin, shading his skin almost like he was a doll and not a person. I think about how Diablo in Sleeping Beauty was turned into stone, so it’s meant to be a bit like marble too

I imagine Levan to have long, wispy hair that resembles briars and a bit like live action Aurora from Maleficent. Its very striking how he’s repeatedly described as “beautiful,” and although short hair is very beautiful in its own right, something about his mysteriousness and beauty gives me Aurora vibes specifically. Speaking of, Book 7 seems to be more obvious with combining elements from the original Sleeping Beauty and the live action Maleficent. Perhaps Silver could be the OG Aurora, but I can still give Levan live-action Aurora’s pretty hair haha.

When he wears his headdress and cape, he has his hair pinned up in the back. I’d like to draw my interpretation of Levan more in the future so you can see how his hair would look when it’s all down or in a ponytail. Perhaps Raven-Fae do more elaborate hairstyles that incorporates jewels/shiny things into their hair? Also, this inspiration is VERY specific haha, but if you ever read or watched Cardcaptor Sakura, Nadeshiko’s hair is very close to how I imagine his hair to be- very full and flowing! (Cardcaptor Sakura’s aesthetic snatched me up many years ago and has never let go since haha)

I don’t know, I just think it’s really cool yet ironic that Meleanor and Lilia talk about Levan as someone whose a crybaby, kind, beautiful, airheaded, but then Lilia casually drops that Levan is one of the top generals, an extremely skilled diplomat, and battled the DAWN KNIGHT and survived, when even Lilia hasn’t at that point. So I thought it would be fun if he had angelic themes in his outfit, while still making it clear that he’s dangerous.

Whoops this got pretty long! ∑(ﾟДﾟ) Haha, I think I like sharing my designs- not for the art it self but just to ramble about my entire thought process/inspiration/details! Although I try to get better at depicted all these ideas through the art itself, I can’t help but want to talk about it haha

#cant wait to be horribly wrong with his design #no seriously. I CANT WAIT SHOW ME LEVAN ALREADY. SHOW ME THE BOYYYYY ARGHHHHHH #twisted wonderland #twst #twst fanart #Twst levan #twst revan #twst papa draconia #twst meleanor draconia #Twst General Lilia #KallistoPost #my art

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sakurapika · 3 months

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What are your all-time favorite outfits from Twisted Wonderland?

Hello @letterstoear, thank you for ask! I've had a lot of fun making this post, and I'm so sorry that it took forever to answer!

Every time I was certain I had my list narrowed down, I remembered another outfit I really liked. (Also, I'm a little bit biased, as you will see...haha). This time, I focused on event outfits to make it easier for myself. Maybe in the future I'll post my "reviews" on dorm uniforms or Halloween costumes.

I am always blown away by the the little details that Yana Toboso and the rest of the design team have added to each of characters' outfits, because they give some interesting insight to their personalities and backgrounds.

Without further ado, let's discuss some outfits! (Please note that there are spoilers for upcoming events from the JP server, as well as some groovy arts!)

My Favorite Twisted Wonderland Outfits

10. Floyd's Outdoor Wear (Vargas Camp)

Most of the outfits on my list are on the extravagant side. I recently bought a volume of Black Butler, where there was a note about how Yana Toboso loves to draw clothing, and it truly shows.

But in contrast to seeing our beloved characters in over-the-top costumes, it's refreshing to see them wearing casual outfits once in a while as well and see their individual, everyday styles.

I'll admit that I haven't played any of the Vargas Camp events, and have a grand total of zero (0) cards from this series. I'm not sure why; I always miss the event's runtime for some reason.

Still, I've always loved Floyd's little sling bag with the eel keychain, as well as the teal visor. The bright colors stand out and are appealing.

The whole outfit looks like something you could get from a store like Uniqlo, and sometimes it is nice to have that sort of realism in a magical game. He looks like an ordinary teenager I could find on the street. Except...if I did find Floyd on the street, I'd be running in the other direction. But that's not the main idea here.

9. Azul's Glorious Masquerade Outfit

At first, I sort of forgot that this SSR existed. When the PV for Glorious Masquerade came out, I was more focused on Malleus.

However, eventually, many people began to cosplay as GloMas Azul, and they all looked so amazing. I began to appreciate the outfit more after seeing people pose and dance in it. Azul also tends to have some of the best fanart, and fans have spared no expense when drawing him wearing this.

My favorite part of the outfit is his coat. I like the silhouette it creates with a high-waist belt, and the long coattails that resemble tentacles. The ruffles on his trousers are cute, too. I would buy a pair if I could. Unfortunately, it's hard to see these details on his in-game sprite.

As for his accessories, the pearls are so dramatic (and so very Azul). His round glasses are also cute, I hope he wears them again!

8. Idia's Suitor Suit

One look at Idia's Ghost Marriage outfit, and you can really tell that it was designed by Yana Toboso. His gloves, coat, and cravat make him look like he's in the Victorian Era. Also, doesn't he look sort of like Grelle from Black Butler?

Speaking of Grelle, Idia's outfit is meant to look more like funeral attire, between the long, black coat and the lilies pinned to his shoulder. There are also skulls hidden throughout his outfit, such as on his jacket chain and cufflinks. I was still new to TWST at the time, so I just thought that Idia liked gothic clothing. I didn't realize he was (at least in his mind) attending his own funeral!

Let's not forget his new hairstyle! This is one of Idia's first SSRs if I remember correctly, so it was exciting to see him with a ponytail.

My love for this outfit also comes from my love for the story associated with it. Fans have pointed out that Idia's "arranged marriage" with Eliza parallels the myth of Hades and Persephone. The design team and Yana were so clever for this.

I don't have this card, either, but I hope to pick him up one day!

7. Ortho's Fairy Gear

The Shroud brothers are luckyーthey are probably two of the characters with the most SSRs in the game.

That being said, we all have to agree that Ortho's fairy gear is one of the most unique and avant-garde cards in the game.

I really enjoy the white and gold color scheme in this event. His color-changing wings are stunning, and the piece covering his eyes makes him look very mysterious.

I thought this card was cool when I first saw it, but then I learned that Ortho's outfit and hair can turn pink, which is even better.

Every time I see his "pointe shoes," it makes me imagine Ortho and Idia trying to learn how to dance together in Idia's room, and Idia obsessively studying ballet costumes for his younger brother.

Yet again, I don't have this card, but my best friend does! At least I can admire him from her phone...

6. Silver's Rabbit Wear

There is no way that this outfit is just an R card! When this card was first advertised in one of the JR rail train stations, the pictures showed this card with Deuce's hometown in the background instead of the standard Diasomnia R background, so I thought that this card would at least be an SR. (Although I can't complain so much, because that means it's free!)

Silver is so princely. I am convinced that he can look good in anything. I am fond of pastel colors, and the pink/blue color scheme suits him, as the TWST version of Aurora. The bows may be silly, but I find them adorable.

Compared to the other boys in this event, Silver's outfit looks a little more like a soldier's (albeit a toy soldier's or a nutcracker's), which is a cool touch.

5. Deuce's Rabbit Wear

Deuce's hometown event was truly one of my favorite events that came out in the JP sever last year. Not only were some of my most favorite characters there, but they were dressed up in the most whimsical outfits possible. (And we got to meet Deuce's motherーshe's the coolest!)

Since Deuce is the main character of this event, his outfit bears the most resemblance to the white rabbit's in most classic illustrations, complete with a bow tie, top hat, and, of course, his pocket watch. His outfit has a blue color scheme. Like Azul in GloMas, Deuce also wears round glasses in his groovy art. Overall, it looks like the sweet ouji style, although I'm not very familiar with this sub-fashion. If anyone who is reading this has studied/worn this style of fashion, please let me know!

I used to play Love Nikki and Shining Nikki (two fashion-themed gacha games), which also featured lolita dresses inspired by Alice in Wonderland characters. For this reason, Deuce's outfit in particular feels very nostalgic to me.

4. Lilia's Right General Armor

Here's another departure from the cute pastel outfits...

Sleeping Beauty was one of my favorite Disney movies as a child. I always remembered Maleficent's "goons" as short, silly little creatures wearing simple green tunics.

So how on earth did we get to Right General Lilia Vanrouge?!

Seriously, I'm just stunned by how the artists looked at the source material and created something so radically, yet wonderfully, different.

I'm curious about the green stones (jades?) on his outfit--around his waist, there are several pieces attached to tassels, and he has two strapped to his right leg. The material matches the stone used for his weapon. Maybe it represents his status in Briar Valley. If you check his (unposed) sprite, you can also see that he is wearing something around his waist that looks like folded bat wings.

Like everyone else, I'm obsessed with his long hairーit makes him look so formidable, especially with that hood. My friends and I like to joke that his ponytail makes him look like a character in a Chinese martial arts drama.

Again, the story associated with this card made me love it even more. Few books have made me cry as much as Book 7 of TWST.

3. Malleus' Glorious Masquerade Outfit

While Sleeping Beauty was my favorite movie as a young child, when I got older, I began to love The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It was only natural for this outfit to be among my favorites for this reason.

There are so many details here. The feathered hat. The sheer sleeves. The golden embroidery. The split cape. It's honestly overwhelming to take in at once.

I can say that my favorite detail is his green earrings. They really bring out his eye color, and the PV made them so sparkly.

In addition, everyone I've ever seen who has cosplayed as GloMas Malleus or has drawn fanart of him has increased my appreciation of this outfit.

[Now for some very spoiler-y stuff] The fact that this event came just before the release of Chapter 7 is worth noting. Doesn't it feel a bit tragic that just before Malleus' overblot, we have a chance to see him wearing an outfit that makes him look especially like his mother, having fun and being the star at the masquerade? And what about the feathers on his shouldersーdo they hint at another side of his family? There's so much foreshadowing and mystery going on, and nothing is more suitable for the occasion than masquerade attire.

2. Kalim's New Year Attire

I've already rambled about how sentimental this outfit is to me in a previous post, but in summary: New Year is my favorite holiday, and the New Year's Sale event was the first event I "seriously" participated in. Kalim looks excessively cute and festive in his kimono, and every time I see this card, I feel nostalgic and in the holiday mood.

1. (Tied) Epel's Applepom Outfit and Riddle's Beach Outfit

I'm really sorry, Epel and Riddle are my favorite characters, and in the end, I refuse to chose between them. They're like my younger brothers! I try to collect all of their cards, so I pay attention to their outfits the most, and picking only one outfit for each character was a challenge in itself.

My favorite part of Epel's Applepom outfit is his cloak. It looks so fluffy and warm. When you set him as your home screen character, you also have the option to "swap looks" and see his outfit without the cloak--the apple embroidery on the rest of his outfit is very detailed. Many fans have mentioned that the outfits people wear in Harveston resemble traditional Scandinavian clothing, which is really cool!

The little apple slices on his cap are everything.

And I'm always happy to see characters in different hairstyles, such as Epel's little ponytail.

One of my headcanons is that you're allowed to call Epel cute, but only when he wears this specific outfit, because he takes it as a complement to his culture.

As for Riddle, we're all so used to seeing him wearing formal suits. It's so nice to see him loosening up for once. He looks so happy, now that he has the chance to see the ocean for the first time!

I also happened to be on vacation at the beach around the time this event came out, so it felt like a gift.

I have to laugh a little, because there are so many flowers on his outfit. Even Jack pointed it out in the story. But he looks so cute!

I suppose we have to discuss the elephant in the room. My friend saw it before me, so she spammed me with messages along the lines of "RIDDLE IS WEARING A CROP TOP!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!" and I naturally thought she was pranking me. But lo and behold, it's the truth. I like to headcanon that among the rest of the cast in this event, everyone has made an unspoken mutual agreement not to mention it. This Victorian child has already been through enough, and not a word must reach Mrs. Rosehearts.

Thank you once again for the ask! For anyone who read all of this, what do you think about these outfits, and which ones in the game are your favorite?

#The words “short” and “brief” are not in my vocabulary apparently #But it's alright #I just really love the work and details that the artists have put into the game #As well as the fan content! I'm so happy I joined the TWST fandom at this time #disney twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland #floyd leech #azul ashengrotto #idia shroud #ortho shroud #twst silver #silver vanrouge #deuce spade #lilia vanrouge #malleus draconia #kalim al asim #epel felmier #riddle rosehearts

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 8 months

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Hey Raven! 👋🏻 I just went through your #my art, and i wanted to tell you that i really really really like your artworks of Miss Raven and Co. You truly put a lot of effort into your artwork, and it shows! With each new drawing, you seem to be getting better! ✏️💕

As i mentioned earlier, i really liked your Miss Raven drawings! they're so cute! especially when you drew Miss Raven in alternative clothing. I also like how much detail you put in your designs for Miss Raven, like the ones for the Fairy Gala or Masquerade Ball are so beautiful 🥺 and still fit her character!

The one you did with her wearing different dorm uniforms from each dorm was such a cool idea! it was interesting to see how she may have appeared if Miss Raven was transferred to said dorms! call me biased, but i liked the octavinelle design the most 😂 but poor Miss Raven. If she had to work part-time in Mostro lounge, she'll have to avoid two predatory Eels 😭 One wants to tease her while the other either wants to squeeze her or dump all his work on her cuz he isn't feeling it today, then there's Azul who takes advantaged of the fact that Miss Raven is close to headmaster Crowley and makes profit 📈 Run Miss Raven Run!!!

Anyway, I think i'm going to steal her away and fight off a certain dangerous and manipulate Eel, a Skilful Hunter, a Lazy Lion, and a dude with the power of christ (idk is Rollo x Raven even a thing?!).

I always look forward to seeing a new artwork of yours truly~

[Referencing this tag!]

Wehhh 😭 I’m glad you find enjoyment in my silly little doodles! Art is definitely an area I’m less comfortable with, but I do like dabbling in it when the mood strikes.

There’s something therapeutic in designing a new look for your OC! You take the time to consider their individual style, the overall theme, and how you can marry the two to create a cute outfit~ I’m really happy with how Raven’s Fairy Gala Couture came out; it’s definitely one of my favorite looks for her. The Masquerade outfit was also fun for me to assemble, but it seems a lot less cohesive in hindsight (probably because I didn’t line + color it, so it’s harder to distinguish individual elements??).

The NRC dorm uniforms (+ the sequel with RSA and NBC uniforms) was another cool project! I think my favorites from those are the Heartslabyul look (just because I’m a sucker for the Alice in Wonderland aesthetic + Raven is twisted from the raven in its infamous riddle), the Diasomnia look (it gives “fairy tale princess turned knight” energy), and the Noble Bell look (because the extra fabric is nice and flowy). You can see how the environment and the personality of each school/dorm influences her, right? ^^ It’s also interesting to think about how differently Raven might have turned out if each of these places had more of an influence on her life.

Bruh 💀 I think she’d die if she worked at the Mostro Lounge, dealing with customers and shady coworkers and employer… though that’s not to say that any of the other dorms would necessarily be better! Miss Raven would have gripes with or rivals in each of them somehow. It’s the Night Raven College way, I guess??

One of these things is not like the other… Looking back on it, 3 out of 4 of those are basically predatory-prey dynamics there there’s a type developing and I don’t know if I like it/j 😂 I’d say Jade’s the “main” love interest, while Rook’s the “oh, he’s cute” one… L*ona kind of started as a crack ship but now I think it’s more of a one-sided thing?? Like, Miss Raven still sees L*ona as sort of a rival, whereas he’s grown a little fond of her but knows he can’t do much to sway her… It’s the eternally “second place” syndrome… 😔

Rollo has the most complex relationship with her (sure, call it a ship if you want 😂), built primarily on a strange savior complex. He did some heinous stuff and dislikes her because she’s very pro-magic—but I think there’s a part of him that feels like she’s a lost lamb that’s been led astray by Draconia and therefore he needs to “save” and “correct” her. Problem is, he’s bad at Emotions so his anger gets redirected at Miss Raven herself. Meanwhile, Miss Raven realizes the similarities between herself and Rollo, so she wants to be a friend to him. She sort of forces him to be her pen pal (thinking that writing down how he feels will help him cope with what happened). So weirdly enough, Raven wants to “save” Rollo and Rollo wants to “save” Raven (but both suck at communicating well).

Who knows, we’ll see how things play out from here Nd when the whim to draw strikes next 📝

#twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #feedback for the writing raven #notes from the writing raven #Jade Leech #Raven Crowley #Rollo Flamme #Rook Hunt #Leona Kingscholar #Rollo Flamm #question #Floyd Leech #Tweels #Octavinelle #Azul Ashengrotto

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hopepaigeturner · 11 months

Text

An Offer From an Avid Reader: The Sofa Scene. Part 1.

This is part 1 of 2, for part 2 fits in more with #benophieweek 2023 prompt for the day.

✨The Context:✨

Benedict has found out about Sophie being the Lady in Silver.

As I detailed in my Benedict Bridgerton post, he is at first furious and takes this out on Genevieve. (“How could you not tell me” vibes). And rightly, Geniveve sets him straight, letting him know how heartbroken Sophie was and it was for ehr safety that she was tight-lipped.

This leads to a scene between Will and Benedict, where Benedict is given the final push he needs to follow his heart. He goes back to his studio to think but all he does is paint…

Concurrently we have Eloise.

Throughout the season Eloise has been writing a column, a little Whistledown–esque, but not as popular. (I shall expand on this in a later Eloise post).

Therefore Eloise has been spending the series running around London with her two trusty, albeit exasperated, servants–Sophie & John the footman.

Sophie and John are doing an errand for Eloise but their sneaky sneaky plan goes awry and they get separated. Unable to find John, Sophie decides to walk back to Bridgerton House.

And just as she is turning the corner on the edge of Mayfair she hears a voice like honey dripped over knives…Araminta.

Que book scene: Sophie is having a panic attack as she listens, frozen in her hiding place.

The scene flashes between a hyperventilating Sophie and flashes of moments from the morning Araminta found out Sophie had attended the ball.

How the scars on Sophie’s face are from Araminta’’s nail scratches; how the scar on her temple was caused by Araminta throwing a vase at her head; and how the scar running along her throat occurred when Araminta put a broken shard of vase against it till it bled red before throwing her out of the house by her hair. The flashbacks stop and the present returns–just as a figure spots Sophie. A woman who lifts her black veil to reveal a round face with a wine stain birthmark. “Sophie?” Sophie is frozen. Araminta calls for Posy back into the carriage. Posy nods and rushes back.

In the aftermath, Sophie is still gripped in a silent panic attack, dissociating and shaking uncontrollably. And even as the carriage rolls away she stays there.

And so, without further ado…

✨The Scene✨

Scene cuts to Benedict, striding along the street, muttering under his breath the apology he wishes to give to Sophie, and how he will broach the subject of her being the woman at the masquerade.

Then out of the corner of his eye he spots something–Sophie.She is still at the wall, still dissociating, still shaking.

Benedict rushes over and tries to rouse her, but Sophie barely responds. Benedict tried again then, with a snap, Sophie clutches his sleeve in a vice-like grip. Stricken, Benedict gently coaxes her to come and rest at his studio.

Benedict leads Sophie, into his studio sweeping disarrayed clothes and sketches off the chaise lounge so she can settle. All his motions are soft as, for a moment, all his yearning, swirling emotions fade away to leave only one desire—ensuring Sophie’s wellbeing.

He cups her face and whispers her name and when that does not work, he grabs a paintbrush, (slightly damp from the water), and draws patterns over her arms, allowing Sophie to use the pressure to ground herself.

Sophie’s hand loosens slightly, indicating that she has returned.

“Benedict?” she whispers.

“You are safe—you are safe here,” he hushes. Sophie exhales shakily and leans into him. But after a moment she regains her senses and jerks away.

“I should leave.” She scrambles up.

“No—Sophie.” Benedict tries to follow but she whirls away.

“I should leave right now.”

“Sophie, I need to talk—”

“I think that would be a bad idea.” All too easily she can see his shocked expression at that nursery door when the truth finally revealed itself. An expression that could be nothing less than horror and anger. She starts towards the door but Benedict jumps in front of her,

“Sophie, please, at least allow me to walk you home.”

“It is merely across the square, I shall be fine.” She tries to brush past him but he stays one step ahead.

“And if that ‘old mistress’ of yours returns to petrify you? What will you do then?”

“Why would you care?”

Benedict looks visibly hurt.

“I care, you know I care—you are many things, Sophie, but you are not blind. I care for you, I have cared for you for years—”

“Oh really?” She cries, her own suppressed feelings over the months finally spilling out of her. Her usual self-control completely worn out. “That night was so special that it took you months to recognise me?”

“That is not fair. You are the one who should have told me. Why did you not? To spite me? To torture me with the dream of you? You were not fair!”

“No, Benedict Bridgerton you do not get to tell me what is fair,” Sophei steps up to him, fury and heartbreak mixing in her eyes, “not after the life I have led, not after the months I have spent nursing heartbreak that the man who saw my soul could not see past a maid’s uniform!” She cries. “Admit it, Benedict, I was a flighty fancy who was replaced the next evening by another pretty face. A memory that you banished to the recesses of your mind. That is who I was to you, Benedict. Another conquest, another muse—”

“You have no idea what you meant to me,” Benedict cries, his voice wretched. “ I knocked on Penwood’s door the very next morning to find you. I spent months attending balls and soirees and pointless parades desperately searching for you. I meant every word I said on that terrace, including my promise to you.You have haunted my every dream and echoed in my heart every day for the past two years. You stole my heart with a dance and a kiss and I have spent the last two years stumbling around this world trying to fill the void that you left behind. That is heartbreak. That is why you should have told me.”

“And what?” Sophie replies, “What difference would that have made? I am not a lady, I am a maid. Even if you had known back by that lake, you would have asked me to be your mistress regardless. Am I wrong?”

Benedict quietens, retrospection highlighting his troublesome behaviour. With a quieter voice he replies,

“You are not wrong, and for that I must apologise, for forcing your hand because I could not bear to let you go.”

“Thank you,” Sophie shakes herself, “but it does not change—”

“It would have been different.” Benedict continues. “I would not have tormented myself about betraying that memory for the reality in front of me. I would not have waited. I would not have hesitated to accept the undeniable truth that I belong with you, forever and a day.”

Sophie is stunned, then scoffs.

“Now, you are being fanciful. I am a maid”

“No, you are not.”

“Benedict—”

But Benedict continues unperturbed,

“You are not a maid. That night you spoke with the perfect airs and graces like any other debutante.”

Sophie’s stomach starts twisting around and round as she starts spiralling.

“You would be surprised how far learning an accent like this benefits employment—”

“You know French and latin.”

“The lady at the house—”

“Phaeton lessons? Pianoforte lessons? Long hours to read a surprising breadth of literature?”

“Oh I see. So it is only aristocrats who have the capability to enjoy literature then?” Sophie fights back, desperate to cling onto her fantasy, the nice fantasy of Sophie–not the ugly one. Benedict continues,

“No. But servants do not have time, access or means to enjoy such a variety of literature that you have read. I wager editions of Mallory’s Morte D’Arthur cannot be purchased on even the most generous of salaries.”

“Believe what you may.”

“I will and that is why I believe you to be an illegitimate child.”

The fantasy crumbles, leaving Sophie scrambling, falling, with nothing to cling onto.

“I do not—I do not…”

“It would explain your level of education and refinement, but also your current predicament. I assume the lady of the house did not look too kindly on another woman’s child?” Benedict’s eyes soften, “Even though that is no excuse for treating you so poorly in ways I can only fear.”

Araminta’s words start whispering as Benedict continues.

B—--d child. B—--d child….

“It would explain how you do not wish to talk about your family, but there is always a shadow lingering in your eyes when the topic arises. It would explain why you have so many secrets and why they burden you so…”

“You do not—”

“Was your father the deceased Earl of Penwood, Sophie? Is that why you wore the Penwood crest on your gloves that night?”

Sophe stays silent, eyes brimming with tears. Because she knows what will happen next. She knows that, like everyone else, Benedict will retreat from her shameful truth, try to hide his disdain before walking away.

“Are there any other dirty little secrets of mine you feel entitled to? Hmm?” she asks.

“Sophie, I—”

“What? You want more?” Her voice rises with her emotions. For if he is going to walk away he might as well know all of it. Every shameful, disdainful part,

“I just want the truth—”

“Fine, have it all!”

As she speaks, flashes of the past play on the screen of every person stepping away from her; the staff upon opening the door to find 3 year old Sophie; her father when he saw her natural smile and Araminta on their fateful first meeting.

“Yes, yes, you are right! I am the child of a nameless maid and the late Earl of Penwood, a scourge on its hallowed name, an abomination—a b—--d—as my stepmother would remind me every day of my childhood and every day that I scrubbed floors and pinned her daughters’ hair. That is who your precious Lady in Silver is. A fraud. An impostor. A girl in dress-up doing a friend a favour who stupidly allowed herself to imagine that for one moment, one tiny moment that she deserved such a life.”

“Sophie—”

“That is who I am, Benedict. I am the b—--d child of a—”

Benedict steps forward and pulls her into his arms and holds her tight.

And Sophie freezes, unable to comprehend the moment. A moment where someone embraces and comforts her even with all the terrible, barbed parts of her exposed. But ever so slowly Sophie softens, closes her eyes as the tears seep out, and rests in that embrace.

After a few moments, Benedict pulls back but keeps her close, so she can see the sincerity in his eyes and words.

“You are Sophie. You are a woman who is kind and compassionate even after a life of hardship that would bow or break even the strongest of men. You are a woman who stands by her convictions no matter how many people try and sway you, no matter how many lashes you endure or even if the other road is easier. You, Sophie Beckett, are brilliant, in mind, heart and soul. I am inspired by you; I am humbled by you, and I am honoured to be in your presence and awed by every facet of your being. That is who you are, Sophie.” His voice rasps slightly, as if he is on the edge of speechlessness. “That is who you are, Sophie.”

“I do not…I—”

Benedict tenderly wipes away her tears.

“There is no need to say anything. Just know that every word I have said to you past and present have been the truth. You have stolen my heart Sophie. You stole it on that moonlit night and you stole it once more over these last months.”

“Your heart?”

Benedict smiles slightly.

“Let me show you.”

And he moves her into the main studio. It is a cluttered room of artistic mess, piles of sketches on every surface and pinned on the walls–all of them sketches of her. And there on the easel is the painting Benedict has worked all night on.

It is her, Sophie, as the Lady in Silver, her skirt moving like liquid moonlight, her hair awry around her face. And like every one of Benedict’s paintings, he has captured the moment and emotion. So, she feels it all. Feels the awe in the way Benedict has painted the highlights. She can feel the beauty in the features—even her face with her scars present. She can feel the love in every brushstroke and every layer.

She turns to Benedict.

“I love you,” he states.

No fanciful words, no poetry. The undeniable truth.

“You love me,” Sophie replies, voice breathy, but not in disbelief, “as much as I love you.”

And then Benedict is kissing her, and she is kissing him back. The torrent of their love overflowing into their kisses.

They whisper those three important words as they stumble until they hit the wall. And when they finally break for breath Sophie whispers,

“That night from the moment I put on the dress to walking across the hall, my heart hammered against my ribcage. But as soon as I stepped into the room, even before I saw you, I felt you.” Her fingers gently trace his features. “Anticipation. Magic. And when I turned around and I saw you, my heart settled into a rhythm at once new but also familiar. Because it knew,” she takes his hand and places it on her heart. “It knew that it would only ever beat in this rhythm for you, it would only ever love you. Forever and always.”

Benedict opens his mouth, as if to say something, but no sound comes out.

The poet is speechless.

He kisses her again, slower, reverentially. The type of kiss that infuses in your bones and your blood. Sophie softens, so Benedict pulls her into him…

*~*~*~*~*

Now, I’m terrible at smut scenes and I don’t really want to do one due to professional and personal reasons. So…I’ll leave it up to your imagination.

HOWEVER a couple things:

1.NO penetrative SEGGSY.

This might be unpopular but I was really uncomfortable that Sophie had this very legitimate reason for not wishing to have sex, a boundary built on a significant amount of trauma, yet Benedict Bridgerton pops along and his smile bulldoes that barrier away. Today I know that this had to happen because of the very prescriptive publishing criteria of the romance genre, but still.

I don’t have a problem with Benophie becoming sexually intimate, just not penetrative sex. The show has already shown that you can have a steamy, romantic love scene without it. *cough* Kanthony *cough*.

Creativity people! Because we all know there are many ways to pleasure that do not risk an illegitimate child situation…

2. Sophie is in control.

Sophie has not had a lot of control over her life, in any arena particularly. However, sex is a completely new category, and I would love it if Sophie takes the opportunity to be in control. (Also, as I have pointed out in a prior post here, the show has shown that Benedict likes being bossed around in bed).

3. Potentially Benedict realising where Sophie’s scars come from.

In my opinion another way they could sell the whole ‘Benedict not recognising Sophie’ is if she has some scars that weren’t there. Even if this is not the case, I think Sophie in her lifetime has sadly accumulated scars. I want Benedict to realise what happened on that morning when he visited the Penwoods. I want him to kiss her scars, call them beautiful and when Sophie squirms he whispers…

“Your scars are beautiful because they are markings that you survived. Testaments to the strength you had to pull yourself through the burning trials of life and emerge with your heart blazing. That is why I call them beautiful.”

I just think that would be uber romantic.

4. Scene ends and fades out. Only to fade into the will reading of Grandma Alexandra…

*~*~*~*~*~*

END OF PART 1

Part 2 will come this evening and link in with Benophie week 2023.

As always I’d love to hear your ideas/corrections/opinions and always open to chat or requests.

So, check out the list here, for more of my ideas.

Or check out the general arcs of my prospective S4 here.

#an offer from an avid reader #an offer from a gentleman #benophie #THAT sofa scene #sophie beckett #benedict bridgerton #love declarations #s4 speculation #bridgerton #angst #sofa scene

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tickledpink31 · 1 year

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What would the nezumis masquerade get ups look like? And what about the masks?! I can’t believe an event based on the hunchback movie is coming!

This is super late. I'm so sorry. I was thinking about Glorious Masquerade outfit ideas then I got this in my inbox. So, why not combine what I've been making and use it to answer this ask.

God, I wish I could draw better. Yana's intricate design for clothes makes me lose my sanity. Btw I only had the energy to make Minako's outfits. I hope these suffice.

Character theming is everything. Minako's colour motifs are black and white and the character she's twisted from is Mickey Mouse. That's what I have to work with. Also, medieval silhouettes aren't my favourite thing in the world, and it was actually pretty hard for me to find information of French fashion during the 1480s. I had to take inspirations from Renaissance fashion instead.

Looking at various references, wide v-necks paired with squared-collar kirtles underneath were quite popular with women in the 15th century.

Then for headdresses, I was introduced to the good, the bad, and the ugly. I thought about using an escoffion, a double-horned headwear, but it just didn't sit well with my vision:

I also thought about giving Minako a tiara, but I found that it wasn't extravagant enough to go with the outfits

I drew this headwear called a beaded snood because the other headwears were not great at displaying Minako's space buns in particular. Unfortunately, I scrapped the snood because it was way too complicated to draw again. The effort was not worth it.

I ended up liking the padded roll headdress and the hennin in the end. We'll get back to that later.

I experimented with the black-and-white colour scheme at first with outfits 1 and 2. Furthermore, I decided that the dress would look better with gold accents because too much black would make it look like a funeral attire and too much white would make it look like she was the bride of a wedding.

#1 has a fur lining and I just used transparent pngs from google images to make the patterns

#2 and #3 have puffed sleeves and patterns that I drew myself. The patterns were actually moderately easy to draw despite how complex it looks. I think the silhouettes look much better because of the puffed sleeves.

Overall, I prefer #2 and #3 more over #1.

For #2 I've decided to pair it with the padded roll (I think that's what it's called)

#3 is pretty much #2 recoloured to look like Mickey's wizard robes from Fantasia. (Is it just me, or does the gown look a little like the American flag. Red and blue are hard to pair together).

Personally, I don't enjoy dabbling with Mickey's robes as inspirations for Minako's outfits. I just don't vibe with them, but the Masquerade event gave me the perfect opportunity to try!

I've decided to pair the gown with this cone-shaped headdress is called a hennin. You've probably seen them worn by princess characters in children's media. I wanted to give the hennin a galaxy theme. I hope the stars and moon are visible enough on the veil.

Finally, I only want one mask, and it's this:

It will be coloured soon, I swear.

I at first wanted to go for a straight animal motif mask, but that wasn't working me.

So, we're down to two, and I think they turned out pretty great. I got rid of the pearls on the v-neck not because I forgot it after through copying and pasting the same position. Ha ha ha...

Personally, I like the black and white colour scheme more, but I'd like other people's thoughts too. What do you all think?

#ask #my art #twst masquerade #twisted wonderland x harry potter #twisted wonderland #harry potter #twisted wonderland mc #harry potter oc #oc: minako nezumi

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zenixcazh · 1 year

Photo

The Mystery Bunny

HiMERU is a mystery to all who meet him. He is Arashi’s left hand, there to strike down any who oppose her without fail, and yet no one knows who he truly is. A person that appeared out of nowhere, only known by his connection to the monarchy. It’s as though he holds himself in full display to the world, knife shown brazenly to the world and his mask not full. Yet there is a side of him hidden from any to see. Many question if even the Queen knows who he is. Smile disarming, the cutesy display of bunny attributes, it seems to suggest that is he trustworthy and harmless. But behind him, well, there may be something that lies hidden even deeper within...

concept credited to @chocodaffodil (masquerade)

arashi and madara

himeru was the second one i worked on! i didn’t put as much effort into him as arashi, but also arashi is my fav out of the three and i was really running with the monarch butterfly idea. himeru was also fun to figure out, even if i didn’t know how much of the bunny to incorporate into him.

more rambles about the design down below

all the references/concepts that i stared at while drawing himeru

the mask was the rather easy part of his design. i knew, and daffodil had brainstormed, that himeru would have a sort of half-mask design. i decided to further the whole ‘split between hidden and revealed’ thing by making it black and white, design mirrored on both sides. i added arashi’s butterfly 3 dot design on the mask as well. the yellow parts are gold :)

for his normal clothes, i kinda just went with the color palette of the things in his new year bunny card and looked at the top clothes reference. the little diamond pendant on his neckline has the left half of a butterfly on it to signify his place as a part of arashi’s close circle and her left hand man...person. the bow is sort of like a bunny ears type thing lol. i added little bunny paws on his collar just to add some more bunny design into it. he has a pocketwatch both to keep time and because it was a funny little reference to the rabbit in alice in wonderland. he has a chain belt with a rose on it, where he keeps his knife at. there’s also a bunny tail attached to the back of it.

his half cape is also a reference to the split concept, and is a rather simple concept. it has lace at the bottom and a shoulder guard design, and when looked at from the side the part directly on the shoulder is a little bunny face :3. his half gloves are the same ones in the new year bunny card. he has earrings on, studded, one that’s a bunny and the other that’s a half butterfly that matches the one on his pendant.

the knife itself has the save handguard design as arashi’s, again to signify the connection he has to the monarch. the sheath has gold molded in the shape of bunny ears and a bunny paw design. his shoes are also supposed to have some bunny paws on them, but that’s up to interpretation.

and that’s himeru! i didn’t draw the back view of his clothes because it was a lot more work for little to see, even if there were differences for the back view. this one took me about an hour, so not as long as arashi, but there’s still one more to go!

#erycazh #art #artist #artwork #digital art #digital artist #digital artwork #enstars #ensemble stars #enstars himeru #ensemble stars himeru #himeru #enstars masquerade shuffle unit

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self-loving-vampire · 1 year

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Tell us another cute story about your everyday life that takes a dramatic tone shift at the end because it either ends up tying into your dramatic backstory or your hardcore kink lifestyle!

I imagine this is referencing the death kink thing from earlier today? My lifestyle is actually pretty tranquil other than being property that can be used at will and all. It's my fantasies that can be extremely perverse.

Anyway, it's a bit difficult to just remember those kinds of things on command. I'm usually reminded of them by something else.

I guess if we narrow it down further to "RPG experiences that got unexpectedly kinky and caused some kind of reaction" then... I managed to come up with several.

1- The wind goddess Lulwy from Elona has some surprising excellent lines if you choose to worship her. She calls you her kitty and talks about breaking you, generally treating you like her possession. If you gain enough favor with her she collars you.

2- The whole idea of blood bonds in Vampire: The Masquerade can be a huge problem from a worldbuilding perspective, but it is also extremely appealing to me since I am into mind control too.

3- Code Vein has a reputation for being horny simply because it has a couple of characters with large breasts and little clothing, but that's not particularly noteworthy to me at all. What I'm really into is all the vampire stuff, including the fact that you can unlock new powers by drinking the blood of your allies. Glad they didn't neglect the vampire factor they had there.

4- In general I just like it when games have decently fleshed out vampirism mechanics, even if they end up completely distracting me from the main quest.

5- Somewhat recently, I started playing Melty Blood with a friend of mine who has significantly more experience at fighting games than me. I joke that these are ryona sessions and really enjoy being beaten.

6- Lots of things about Blazblue qualify (it also has high ryona potential for one), but a particularly noteworthy one is Makoto being psychically tormented by Relius Clover.

7- I ended up unironically kinking on the concepts of mana transfer and synchronization (thanks Nasu). Sex or blood-drinking as a form of energy transfer or even healing. In hindsight this should not be a surprising development given that I'm already into vampirism.

8- This was most likely added by the fan translation I had to use, but is this the kind of dialogue you'd expect to see after defeating someone at a card game?

9- I was already a fan of the Total War series but I must admit that the biggest draw of the Warhammer games they have been putting out recently has just been the fact that you can play vampires and spread vampire corruption. I sexualized that, along with all the atrocities.

10- The Mary Skelter games deserve a mention based on the fact that they are dungeon crawlers in which blood splatters are a core mechanic. As your characters get covered in more and more blood they may enter massacre mode or go on a completely unhinged rampage. The protagonist's blood also has calming properties that can purify them and stop this. The girls can lick each other's blood splatters off to heal themselves or gain other benefits. It's a bit of a shame that the monster blood is pink but as a blood enthusiast I'm still a huge fan of the concepts here.

And I'm sure I can come up with more things if I thought about it more. My girlfriend has had some similar experiences as well (to be expected given how our kinks are highly in sync). You should ask her about her first meeting with the Butcher in Diablo sometime.

#long post

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carouselcreature · 11 months

Text

Hyperfocus of the month is minecraft apparently, so have a drawing of a dragon oc (how original!). Wips because i realised i’d never post any art if i just limited it to what is finished because i am a perfectionist. Idk her name but she’s not the ender dragon, vaguely related? Maybe?

But unlike the enderdragon she is friendly, to the point that she tries to blend in with humans as to gain their friendship, unfortunately she wasn’t aware that the ancient builders died so she rarely sees humans (villagers don’t count imo, it’s a zebra and horse situation, same ancestor but definitively their own species). She made herself a vest of leather aswell as big ol boots to try and masquerade as a human, and ironically it does fool some creatures.

I have so much to say about my minecraft lore ideas in general but i’ll leave it till i finish the other thousand wips lol (and i might make a separate blog for mc stuff idk)

First pic is of her hiding from alex and steve (default player characters) after the introduction went horribly wrong and she got bonked on the head. Second is just a pic of her in her generic clothing, when she is intending to fool people she also wears leather gloves to hide her claws and a cape over her wings. (Yes, she fully believes this will trick other creatures and is surprised when it fails)

#minecraft #steve minecraft #alex minecraft #alex #steve #dragon #oc #wip #bonk

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unintentional-edgelord · 1 year

Text

A quick (not-so) little post to sort of show off, explain lore, and slightly contrast some designs for the Devil and Maiden story.

So we got the previously introduced minor antagonist, Jasper Rodriguez with the purple/brown hair - and the male protagonist, Markus Marken, with the wavy hair. These two were like brothers before they got split up to go into the human world ("The Corporeal Plane") and the experience served to change them and their friendship forevermore.

More story info under the cut!

These two are both Incubi, male-presenting demons who feed off strong emotions and are released into the Corporeal Plane to gather souls and sow the sin of lust, but (theoretically) are unable to feel love and compassion for themselves.

All Incubi have the ability to masquerade as human, though how good at it they are depends on their control of their own emotions. Pictured here, rough designs of their "real" selves (prior to me changing the designs of their horns):

As I've noted here, Jasper is actually taller and leaner than Markus. Their armour should be a deeper red but I don't quite have the pencil and that paper couldn't take that much punishment.

Masquerading as a human makes them slightly shorter, dulls down their eye and hair colour, plus hides their fangs, horns and other markings. Jasper prefers to wear bright greens and golds when in human form and has much better control over his emotions, so his eyes appear a more natural honey brown colour. Markus on the other hand is just passable; deep brown - borderline red - eyes, and warm reds and black clothes to match.

Plus a better comparison:

The thing is, when glamoured in human form, the younger Incubi still have some "tells" that aren't too noticeable unless you look for them. Feeling more strongly than they're supposed to can result in an Incubus slipping up and losing control of their glamour, resulting in teeth returning to fangs, glimpses of the tail and horns (and wings in worst cases). But the biggest tell is still their eyes. Not just because of the colour changes, but that dark, eyeliner-esque marking around the eyes of almost all glamoured Incubi is a trace of their true form impossible to get rid of, and staring into them for too long is likely to put you under a spell, make you pliable to suggestion, and have you thinking of things involving a bedroom (unless the Incubus is trying purposefully to cancel out the effect). Alcohol both helps and hinders the glamour; it makes people more susceptible to magic and suggestion thus luring you into the idea that nothing is wrong, but can also be enough of a relaxant that the brain is no longer consciously working to process the glamour and it can be seen through, instead.

Here is where I feel like Jasper and Markus are similar but contrast; whilst they've both got the "same" eyes as previously mentioned in that comic I put up (because everyone thinks they use a boatload of eyeliner), Jasper's eyes are not often his focal point due to their colour. He's a smooth talker, so the focus when I draw him is normally on his mouth and nailing that. In contrast, when I draw Markus, though I feel like if I don't get his smile right when I draw him the drawing isn't 100% correct, the focal point is always his eyes, because he's a lot more expressive and emotional than he thinks he is capable of.

And finally, what happens when Jasper realises the extent of how Markus has changed in the human world:

He doesn't take it well.

(wow, a LOT of faces in this post!)

#tdatm #the devil and the maiden #my art #ocs #markus marken #jasper rodriguez #markus #jasper #oc art

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senotsuri · 2 years

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how would you have written Masquerade’s darkus trial? The show had to keep the spoilers low but it would have interesting to bring up Alice’s past and Masquerade having to deal with that (and not get distracted during the battle)

This one is tricky to answer on account of Masquerade having no obvious flaws to draw from. Instead, I'm going to make the trial a little bit sideways, but it will come back to a flaw.

We're never shown Masquerade's mask in anyone's possession until his reveal, and the flashback of Alice hiding it to wear it, out of sight as possible.

So, hypothetically speaking, must he be worn by Alice?

(This will get stupid long, bear with me.)

A little bit of context before I continue, though. It's my own interpretation that Masquerade is a parasite, not a preexisting trait that got supercharged. This lends itself to the hypothetical trial better than the idea that Alice is cruel and self serving deep down, until Masquerade lets himself out of his Alice shaped hideout. Also it's straight up less interesting than the parasite idea.

Anyhow, the trial revolves around Masquerade's autonomy. Is he stuck to Alice, who he fundamentally disagrees with on her brawling stance, her kindness to his enemies, and how frail she is (though it's highly implied that his attempts to get out are causing her fainting spells). If it weren't for her knowledge on the game, he'd find someone else to latch onto.

He never says Alice by name, and Alice's face is blacked out with scribbles. Hair is blonde, like his, and for additional fogging on who Masquerade's host is, she's wearing her pyjamas, not her day to day clothes.

Regardless, Masquerade's mask is placed down, and picked up by someone else. We'll go in trial order here;

Now would be a good time to mention that I mix up the order between Marucho and Julie constantly when it comes to the trials,

Julie. He's leaning defensive in the sense of using a shield to charge enemies with, and... his strategic knowledge is drastically worse than before. He feels decently free from his shackles, sure, but his in battle performance isn’t up to his typical, strategic standards. He loses a test fight against Exedra, who simply comments that perhaps he should try something closer to what he prefers.

Marucho. His strategics are back in full swing, that’s excellent for him, but he’s not able to get the battle to go in his favour; it’s too slow and reliant on having teams, or, worse, an attribute changer. He doesn’t do these things when he’s on Alice’s face, and doesn’t have attribute changers!! He loses a test fight yet again, and Exedra comments on his lack of team versus his team-based strategy, or at least a strategy based on multiple elements on his side.

Shun. Masquerade feels spiteful joy here, since he failed to recruit Shun early on, around episode 13. He joined Dan to Masq’s face. Strategies aren’t a problem; he made the rules, and plays a high strategy attribute. If Masquerade wanted to be more hands-on intimidating, Shun’s knowledge from Grandpa Kazami’s teachings on how to restrain an enemy (should he encounter someone) can be put to use. It’s just... Shun’s so, so indirect with his brawling. Blow Away is likely a favourite card, and it is aggravating Masquerade, even though he’s still brawling darkus. He wants to be in his enemies’ face to intimidate them into hasty, anxiety driven decisions, and this indirect combat doesn’t let him do that. He wins the third test battle, but Exedra notes his frustrations. His trial isn’t over yet.

Runo. Runo is certainly in her enemies’ face, and while strategically she’s not the best, her more direct brawling is a good change to previous. Of course, Haos is not a trap-based attribute like Ventus and Aquos can be, and is instead a weak mix of Pyrus’ offense, and Subterra’s defense. The best attribute for a newbie. It doesn’t work, Masquerade can’t set traps like he usually would, Runo’s brain just won’t let him, and Exedra notices how his strategies are falling flat.

Dan. Masquerade feels itchy, in the sense that everything feels off. If he was on Dan’s face, then his greatest adversary would neither exist, nor be able to fight him off without having to take turns. Pyrus’ offense is a great thrill ride, but there’s little strategy to work with, pyrus cards aren’t aligned for that, and are mostly direct damage with some shields. Exedra notes that he can fight like that, but he looks... bored. His brain looks unstimulated.

His old posse he tries off screen. Chan, Billy, Julio, Klaus, Komba... The best he gets out of them is Klaus (only he and Chan were able to clear the test), who has his giant collection he can throw to the doom dimension in one go and super charge Naga’s silent core with all the entropy...

No, nothing feels right. He’s placed back on Alice’s face, and he wins the test battle yet again. Exedra asks why he’s so comfortable on that face in specific.

“They’re the weakest link in their group, and the weakest link in me.” he explains, “changing the link is too painful, it doesn’t work... for me.”

“You’ve been distracted by your weakest link being replaced by stronger ones?” Exedra asks. Masquerade bristles.

“They were not stronger. They were...” Masquerade doesn’t want to admit nothing felt right. He wants to be stronger, but he can’t just let go of his weakest link, even with better links who can give him everything his old one did, and more.

He doesn’t outright say what he’s figured out, keeping the spoiler up, but Exedra clearly understands what he thinks. Cut to the end of the fight with Druman and Centorrior. Alice receits it instead (paraphrasedly);

“I am only strong in battle. Outside of that, I am weak. I must strengthen myself outside of battle, or else I am unbalanced and could easily crumble.”

#Masquerade #Alice Gehabich #Bakugan #Ask the Seno #The context is very important to the trial written here #I think the lack of exploration into what happens if someone else wears the mask is. interesting but also. I wanna know canonically #regardless. this might not be very well written. my brain is swimming with thoughts and nothing is becoming understandable #upon being caught in the net of my keyboard. like really slippery fish that leap out of the net and back into the sea.

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