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based off of this post from @holyhaeresis !

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mermom for mermay!

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Next time, the three of us will put on a puppet show for you, so please do come to the Mostro Lounge.

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this was a neat exercise to do :) i had alot of fun doing this dtiys @dailyazjmdoodles !! was def a bit of a challenge bc i don’t draw these guys often😭

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day 53 - real

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Azul is done! I had a lot of fun with this, and learned a lot about rendering textures :]

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started reading on the seafloor afterword and i’m not finished but i jusy have to say i really appreciated the fic!! i migrated from ao3 to tumblr for twst mainly because i hated how everyone was written and characterized, especially floyd and jade. it felt wrong and threw me off to the point where i could not continue reading. although i haven’t fully escaped that problem, it was truly unbearable on ao3—but i never felt that way with ur fic!! i could tell you really understood the characters and didn’t come up with some stereotypical, surface-level archetype that takes no effort to write. it seemed like you truly took the time to think “what would so and so do? how would they react?”, which was really refreshing ^^.

i only read because of floyd but i loved the romance and chemistry between yuu and the other boys (i also completely agree with floyd arospec !!) sorry if this was strange or too much or anything but i feel like it’s rare to see someone put genuine thought into writing twst character’s since many underestimate their complexities ^^ (especially floyd holy crap)

Thank you! I'm glad you feel they're in character. It was really important to me that the plot and actions of each character made sense. I really do like the trio a lot, so I understand the frustration when their personalities get watered down or reduced to singular points. I'm very picky when it comes to fics I like, so I'm picky with how I write too lol.

And if it seemed like I took the time to think 'what would they do?' it's because I did, LOL. I would have open like 10 tabs at once while writing. I went over a lot of the scenes in book 4 again, not just the script but a playthrough of it on youtube, and then looked at official versus fan translations to see if there were any major differences. I'd also talk a lot with my betas to get their opinion about certain scenes.

Hopefully in the future I can give you more Floyd content! I really like him, even if I don't write it as romancy/ romantic as the other two haha.

Thanks for reading!

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o-oh my god

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Book 4 re-write afterword 2/2

“So… you and Jade or you n’ Azul?” You turn around, blinking blearily at him. His gaze remains fixed on his screen. Maybe you misheard him. “Pardon?” Floyd giggles. “ Come on , I see the way you look at them. The way you act around them. It’s so lovey-dovey, it makes me cringe.”

Containing from this post.

Continuing from the last point: Azul's got such low self esteem that he doesn't believe he's attractive, nor does he believe that the twins would stick around him if he was anything other than his best.

(The twins do say this. Floyd mentions how if it's not fun, they'd dump Azul and go for the housewarden position, but when Azul overblotted, they didn't abandon him (as MC points out). They stayed and fought to bring him back. They care for eachother in their own way, even if they don't want to call eachother friends.)

By this point, Jade already knows he's going to use his unique magic to pry information out of Kalim. Azul's apprehension is because he's saying 'Really? Are you sure you want them to be there while you use your UM?'

The 'it' Jade refers to is Azul's perception of himself/ weight. Also his willingness to let others help him. The small sparks of romantic interest between him and the prefect is what allows him to give just a bit (as opposed to Jade, who he is close with but it's complicated).

This scene is inspired by the manga!

Another, brief comment about Jade's UM is that I changed it's ability from only being able to be used once per person > looses effectiveness the more he uses it on a person until it becomes unable to be used at all. Not story important I just decided to change it for funsies. Also Floyd's UM is wayyy too overpowered for Jade's not to match. Like wdym you can direct any magic away??? That's so powerful. Yes I know Floyd is very wishy washy generally but when it matters, he steps up.

In the game, Kalim refuses to tell Jade the name of the student who's controlling him. In my fic, Jade uses this to his advantage to force Kalim to reveal that it's Jamil (by refusing to say he wasn't the one responsible, he's basically confirming that it is Jamil).

Jamil knows about Jade's UM, hence his apprehension about him using it on Kalim.

No comments just ooohhh romantic fluff ahh

Aroace floyd my beloved. As someone who's ace (maybe? probably? Idk i'm not in a relationship rn and it's kinda been a huge question mark for two years) i wanted to portray a relationship in a non 'traditional' romantic sense (that is still, kinda, hopefully romantic and will become more in the future).

And that's it for the second part. It has a few moments I like but ultimately don't think it's my favorite. Now for the drama.

The Final Score - July 2024 to December 2024

In the middle of this, I started an internship at a dream company. I think you can tell by how long the time is between the chapters lol. I struggled a lot with finishing the last chapter tbh, I don't know why. I was so close to the finish line it was like my brain gave up.

But I persevered and finished, thankfully.

For anyone that's played Honkai Star Rail, this part was inspired by Rondo Across Countless Kalpas.

Not much to comment on this chapter to be honest. This part of Jamil using Azul to attack the MC was something I thought of early on, but reflecting on it, it might be a little too ooc. Oh well.

This entire argument with Azul was really tricky for me to write. I struggled with it for a long time before finding something that I liked. Its a build up from the start of the series.

Azul feels bad that he frightened the MC but it's a necessary evil in his mind. Something he has to do. Even though he shrugs and says 'well it had to be done' MC can still be upset with that.

Azul thinks caring for others is weak. He mocks ariel in his birthday vignette about how love made her act. He's started to care for the MC and that frightens him. So obviously, he doesn't want to be honest with how he's feeling and be upfront. So he tries to play it off, but when that pisses off the MC more he folds and gives into how he really feels.

It was a hard balance trying to make it obvious to the readers how he may be feeling without making it too much. I'm satisfied with what I finally came up with.

without spoiling anything, this takes inspiration from something that happens in book 7, LOL.

In the actual game, the twins change into their eel forms in a flash of light but I'm like...where do the clothes go...lol. A magic pocket dimension maybe...? lol

I wrote this scene when the twins eel cards came out on the JP server. It definitely inspired this scene. Love the eels.

This is Jade's last major important scene. They're ahead of Azul in the fact that he knows what he wants and MC is on better terms with him than Azul. and Jade's not talking about romance necessarily, just wanting to spend more time with MC. Like how all good natured people who might have a romantic interest in each other act (minus the drama those two have been in during book 3). He's definitely leaning more towards flirty in their interactions.

Creative liberties taken: These vision things MC sees in the game are also seen by MC in the story, except they pass out while doing so. They share thoughts/ memories with the overblotter.

...Another difference I added. MC doesn't forgive Jamil as easily in the game (same with the octotrio) it'll take time before they come around to them.

ooh cliffhanger ooh mystery oooh future setup for future works if I ever get around to writing that oooh

Also also,

Tried to do my best to make it make sense why the dorm would be so willing to just party with Jamil after everything he's done. I feel like the games have a habit of just being like 'oop well that's that, and it all worked out in the end'! and I don't think it's bad It's just not for me. Which is why I wanted to re-write the book, lol.

This was one of the scenes I had in my head from the beginning. I knew I wanted this to happen. It's an important moment because Azul says 'the deal is over' but also they can move on past this points as somewhat equals and not having to really worry about being 'even'.

It's a step! And one that's necessary for them to grow closer into whatever their relationship is.

Last thing:

I had this also in mind from the start. I love Ace Deuce Yuu trio and wanted to make it clear that they care about eachother a lot.

And with that... I think that's it. I wrote this at a point in my life where everything suddenly drastically changed. I thought I was going to be in a completely different position, I knew what I was going to do and my life was on a path ahead of me, and then the floor gave out from under me and said actually it's time for something completely different. Good luck!

I look back on some things and wish I had done it differently, but getting over my perfectionism and just allowing myself to create is something I'm trying to overcome. I've been much happier as a creative by just allowing myself to do whatever without worrying about it being perfect.

Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way. Friends and loved ones, people who commented, and those who would listen to me rant about a specific scene that I would be stuck on. I hope to make more in the future (I'm working on something now, but no promises for when that will get done, lol. My life is getting busier each day but honestly, it's been the best year I've had in a while). Thanks for reading,

Rose

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Book 4 re-write afterword 1/2

Summary:

Azul stops, which makes you stop. Jamil is a few paces behind both of you, arms folded, unmoving. “Hm?” Jamil looks up. His gaze is dark and cold. Your stomach churns as you gulp. “I’m sorry,” he says, not sounding sorry at all. “I can’t let you both stay here. It’s time you go back to the sea.”

A while back, I finished my book 4 re-write. Where essentially yuu (you) breaks their arm mid-book and things progress from there. It was a time-consuming and fulfilling project that started as a small oneshot but snowballed into a nearly 60K long series. If you would like to check it out, you can do so here.

I have a lot of thoughts about it, reflecting back. And some things I wanted to discuss in more detail. I thought it might be interesting for others to read so I made a post about it. (more under the cut)

Part 2

On the Seafloor - April 2024

This was written as a oneshot, meant to stand alone with no continuing parts to it. It was mostly because I missed writing and hadn't written anything for over a year, and wanted to dip my toes into it. I had recently read a series on AO3 that really inspired me. I loved the way the author wrote and wanted to make something of my own, with the characters I so dearly loved. Thus, this was born, towards the end of exam season. It was close to midnight. I remember thinking how loud the sound effect for the crash noise was when Grim and MC land in the Mostro Lounge. (Look it up yourself if you're interested. It happens in Book 4, chapter 20 to be exact. The chapter title is, in ENG server 'On the Seafloor' Can you tell where I got the name for this chapter from?) Anyway, I wrote most of it around midnight, shivering in my office as I typed. I knew what I wanted to write in fragments, the beats between Azul & Yuu and Jade & Yuu, but nothing much after the twins pushed back the Scarabia students. The first draft was a mess (it always is) but in my mind, I had one concrete line of dialogue.

I went to bed and wrote the rest of it over the course of a few days. Then, I edited it a ton and then posted it. The entire process took a week total.

Okay, some dialogue thoughts, now.

Frequently in story, Azul says things he doesn't mean. For example, when he's complimenting someone (and doesn't mean it) or when he's trying to play off how he's really feeling (by trying to seem more in control/ calm/ nonchalant when he's really unsure or shaken.) He's a hard character to write because I (the author) have to make it so that the readers can pick up on when this dishonesty occurs without beating them over the head with it. At the same time, characters in the story might not pick up on Azul's dishonesty (in this case, yuu) because of their emotions or physical state.

So for this scene: Readers probably assume Azul isn't being completely serious when he says 'I don't want you making a mess of the carpet' but Yuu (MC, you, etc) can't understand that in the moment because of their emotions and physical state, etc. etc.

Every interaction with Azul is like tip-toeing on this line. It's really frustrating at times but I think I ended up doing it pretty well.

the last thing I wanted to touch on with this work is how MC is beginning to break down Azul's walls a bit. It's not much but it's a difference from the Azul in book 3, actually willing to compromise. Out From Desert's Door - May 2024 Released a month after the first installment, I remember writing most of this in 2 weeks before I went on vacation. I don't think its the most interesting out of the 3 parts but necessary. Also decided to stick with the rhyming convention. (Floor, Door, Score)

The overheating idea was something I had when I first read book 4. like...they're sea creatures...in the desert...in 3 piece suits...how did they not pass out? So I put it in the story. Plus plot. Plus drama. Etc.

I read the official and fan translations of book 4 while writing this story. In the official translations Floyd doesn't curse but in one of the fan translations he says (roughly) 'It's hot as shit here.' and I thought it was funny, so I added Floyd cursing here.

Originally I had a fight scene written in this part. Someone would try to stop MC from entering, and Floyd would end up pouncing on them with Jade having to step in to stop them. I ended up cutting it after review with one of my friends, because it was a bit too ooc for Floyd to be as aggressive over a 'not-yet-friend, friend'

Kalim thinks MC's disappearance from the dorm is because they got sick. This is not actually the case, obviously, but to tell him the truth wouldn't be great for Azul, who's still trying to figure out if Jamil is actually the person responsible for everything. I'll talk about this more later.

Azul has complicated feelings about his appearance. This scene is meant to hint at that. Even after the events in book 3, he has issues around his weight and how others perceive him. (Which...is why he wears so many layers to hide his silhouette, at least according to my HC's of him)

Jade knows why Azul's so hesitant to remove his jacket. Jade's also the only one to realize what Azul's motivation was for wanting the photograph in book 3.

Though, he never outright says any of this in either cases.

I tried to make the trio's fighting style reflect their characters. Azul doesn't fight the students directly but holds them far enough so Jade and Floyd can pick them off one-by-one. Jade is also more analytical in battle than Floyd, who throws himself into it.

I also wanted to show how analytical Jamil is, too. Azul's downfall in book 3 started with Floyd being careless with his unique magic and damaging the safe. Here, Jamil uses Floyd's own magic against him so that the spell hits Azul. I honestly think Jamil could outclass Azul if given the right resources and time to plan.

Azul's stubborn (lol) he insisted on helping out the MC when they were hurt in the previous part but now refuses when the situation is flipped. Another way to show how little Azul trusts, how he sees everything as a trade off.

Jamil's already thinking 'what's your game?'. He's adamantly against the Octavinelle trio arriving and staying because he knows they can ruin his plans, and MC was the one who got them involved.

The characters explain it in the fic but I'll do it again here anyways.

MC and Grim dug their way out of scarabia, fled using one of the carpets, crash landed in octavinelle where MC broke their arm.

Kalim is not told this, and was told (by Azul) they were sick with octavinelle taking care of them. The reason for this is that 1) they would have to tell Kalim the real reason they broke out of scarabia (because they were sick of the training camp and being forced to stay) which would cause Kalim to potentially ease off on the training camp or call it off altogether. Jamil wouldn't want that, because that interferes with his plans to turn the dorm against Kalim. So why wouldn't Azul want that? Well he does, but it would be too hasty from the get go. If the camp was called off, Jamil could either do something drastic to remove Kalim, or he could lick his wounds and lay low until he has another opportunity to scheme. Neither of these are ideal, as Azul really wants concrete proof that Jamil is behind it, and doesn't want any room for Jamil to be able to wiggle out of it. Thus, Azul lies to Kalim so things keep going on as normal and until they can gather enough evidence to confirm their suspicions and confront Jamil directly.

(Also, when i read back the story of book 4, I realize that MC's escape attempt is never really brought up by anyone after the fact. Kalim is just like 'oh these octavinelle guys are here now, cool.' Makes me believe Jamil didn't tell Kalim to begin with).

I always got this sickly feeling from being trapped in Scarabia while playing the game, and that feeling never really went away even when the octotrio joined. I wanted to make it clear how much my version of Yuu hated that.

...this is something that I'll explore in a further series, whenever I get around to writing it. Hints at a previous or potential something between Jade and Azul.

Haha, I go through some of my old writing and forget how some sentences don't make any sense. I meant to say more like 'Those guys in octavnelle didn't break your arm, did they?' but I did a bad job at it, LOL. Maybe I'll go back and edit things in the future.

AKA: you should know because you witnessed his overblot and signed a contract with him

Kalim not realizing that others around him are suffering is a trend in book 4. He never realized Jamil wasn't happy in their childhood, and he doesn't realize how much Jamil sacrifices for him because of their difference in social status. He doesn't realize how much Jamil detests their relationship until it's too late. Likewise, he doesn't realize how 'bad' the training camp is until people are desperate enough -- like the MC -- to escape it. If Jamil didn't overblot and octavinelle didn't get involved, the training camp would have continued until the students despised him enough to overthrow him.

hinting that Jamil's using his unique magic in this scene, though not necessarily full force.

Azul and Jade both are concerned about the MC, as they're the two (traditional) love interests

The trio is so tightly knit that they can basically have conversations and assume what they want from each other without having to explicitly say it out loud.

It's not that he can't remove it physically, but that he can't because of his body issues, to be blunt.

'Crowley forcing you to make a contract' when I re-write book 3 (eventually...) I'll change up some things in it. I had this idea in mind when writing this series.

So, MC plays into Azul's little games. Makes a contract that he can 'fulfil' similar to the one in book 3. MC does something for Azul, Azul does something for MC after. (In book 3, it was: MC getting the photo, Azul releasing the students trapped in contracts) this time it's MC helping Azul, Azul takes them to the sea. It's a way to let MC help Azul without his whole...well, complex getting in the way of things.

The deal isn't 'official' (signed contract or handshake) but still Azul takes the ramshackle key as collateral. It's a way to show he's changed since book 3, just a little. But he still clings to his old habits.

Azul switches into octopus form, that's basically it. Could he have done this by himself? Yes. But he's embarrassed to do it around the twins and finds the presence of MC comforting enough to allow him to transform without freaking out. (Soooo romantic.)

Even when someone tells Azul he doesn't look ugly, he doesn't truly believe them.

...I would continue but there's a max photo count per post of 30! Who knew! See part 2 for the next section.

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masquerade 🎭

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Caved and drew fanart just for views smh

Late night ramen with Adeuce and Grim featuring my Twst oc, Yuna

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Somewhere deep under the sea...

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Sand time sand time!

Shout out to @fidenciocryptidcreechur for showing me that one picture of eels buried in the sand and inspired me :D

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Where we came from.

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"Fascinating."

You tried to ignore Malleus Draconia and his commentary, despite him towering behind you. On occasion he would lean forward, in such close proximity that strands of his hair fell forward and tickled your neck.

"What purpose does this tool serve? Why do you simply not use magic?" he inquired.

"There is no magic in my world," you reminded him. "I guess people in the past used regular fire, but nowadays this is way easier. And safer."

Malleus took a step back as you moved to retrieve a plate. He kept his focus on the strange machine atop your counter. It ticked with each passing second. His curious green eyes were reflected in its shiny metal shell. He put his hands behind his back and watched like an old man observing street construction.

With a loud ding, two slices of bread jumped out from the device. You put them on the plate and hurried to spread butter before they cooled off. Malleus smiled with glee.

"Heh. How amusing. You never cease to amaze me with new things."

You offered him the first buttered slice, which he eagerly accepted. You'd never seen a man so enraptured by a toaster before. He dug his fangs into the golden-brown bread with a satisfying crunch.

"Only takes a couple of minutes," you boasted. "Anyone can use it, no magic required, and it cooks all sorts of stuff. Bread, frozen waffles... frozen pancakes..."

You realized maybe the toaster was not as versatile as you thought, but cooking bread and frozen breakfast goods was still plenty impressive.

Malleus polished off his snack by licking the crumbs around his mouth. "Delicious. Do you have anything more we can use? I would like to try operating this... toaster."

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i’m genuinely surprised i managed to finish this wheeze

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