#cassandra delphinne

[walpurga-nacht-academy]

(Yuuki belongs to the lovely @anunluckyrabbit! Please check out her blog for additional info!)

Overblot: The Cherry Blossom Harlequin

“Everybody~ It’s time! The one you all have been waiting for is finally here - the one, the only, your bestest friend in the whole wide world: CHERRY!”

Overblot Theme Song

Special Mechanic

Ultra Fan: This witch’s special skill charms attacking units for one turn when activated. Affected units will no longer attack the witch, but rather turn against their comrades. It seems that they were charmed by her song and have decided to ally themselves with her.

Voice Lines

Battle Start: “Cherry doesn’t want to fight, but you’re all bad children so Cherry has to discipline you! Don’t worry! Cherry will make sure you’re all her nice, cute puppets!”

Hit: “Remember everybody! Cherry only does this because she loves, loves, loves you~!”

Miss: “No, no, no! All children need to stand still when Cherry is performing!”

Taking Damage: “Ugh! How could you hurt your precious friend Cherry like that?! That’s not what good kids do!”

Skill Activated: “Everybody~ Please cheer for Cherry! Cherry loves you all so much!”

Win: “Yay~ It’s Cherry’s win! Cherry’s so, so, so, so, so happy!”

Loss: “Why… why do you all hate Cherry…? Even though Cherry always tries her best… it’s never… enough…”

Special Interactions

Blanche Dion

Blanche: Rosalia! This is enough! Cease this immediately!

Cherry: ‘Rosalia��? Who’s ‘Rosalia’? Silly rabbit, there’s only Cherry!

Agatha Voisin

Agatha: It’s… time… to… prune… the... roses… heheheheheheh…

Cherry: Ugh! Gross, gross, gross, gross, gross! Cherry doesn’t like ugly children like you!

Cassandra Delphinne

Cass: Mi-Mi-Miss Morgainne! Please co-co-come to your senses!

Cherry: Huh? What’s this? There’s no one! There’s no one! Only Cherry! Always Cherry!

Special Interactions #2

Vil Schoenheit

Vil: Good grief. This has gone too far, Rosalia. It’s unsightly.

Cherry: If you’re gonna be mean to Cherry, Cherry won’t be your friend! Cherry doesn’t like bullies like you!

Jack Howl

Jack: Grrr! My head is spinning… Drop the act, Rosalia-senpai! What’s gotten into you?

Cherry: What, what, what? Cherry’s Cherry because she’s Cherry! Stop messing with Cherry’s head, you mean mutt!

Rook Hunt

Rook: Aaaah! Reine de la Passion! This light does not become you at all!

Cherry: None of you understands Cherry’s appeal! No one! No one! No one!

Description

The lovely witch invites you to her concerto! The stage is set. Black curtains are pulled to reveal the beautiful arrangement prepared for you. There shall be singing. There shall be dancing. The witch will make sure to capture your heart - entirely.

Please do not leave your seat!

Please do not fight us!

We are merely trying to help.

Now, sit back, relax and enjoy our production of “The Cherry Blossom Harlequin”!

Witch Trial

In the judgement room, tall, large with walls made of white marble, Yuuki is sitting at the ornate bench made of heavy mahogany. It is dark - she can barely see the ground, shrouded by shadows as it is. All she knows is that the room is cold and desolate and frightening. How did she get here? Just moments ago she was on the beach in Rosenhex - the Prefect there, Rosalia, Overblotted. Black ink surrounded her, engulfed her entirely until she wasn’t herself anymore, but a grotesque parody of a Harlequin pulled by its strings. They battled - Yuuki can remember that much. And Alkin was there, some of the dorm members too. In the end, she lost - or so it seemed. She can’t be sure anymore. All she remembers is the mask of the Harlequin breaking and then-

Kit: Hey, hey! Ya better not fall asleep on yer feet! We’re here to judge a crime after all!

The voice - small, high-pitched, and inexplicably cruel startles her. In the darkness, she can’t see anything, until a spotlight suddenly turns on. What it illuminates is the small figure of a familiar face - it’s the creature that has been following her around since the start of the year!

Kit: Yes, yes! I can see ya’re delighted to cross paths with me again, but I’m gonna ask ya to keep yer enthusiasm to a minimum! There is time for ya to sing my praises later!

Johann: Now, now, Kit. You mustn’t be so harsh with our esteemed judge.

The other voice Yuuki recognises as belonging to the other one that has been tagging along as well. He sits there in his large coat, dabbing at his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief.

Kit: Bah! There ya go again, kissing up to others, Johann! Ya have no spine!

Johann: And you are too impertinent, my dear.

Kit: Better that than a coward!

Option 1: Stop! Right now!

Option 2: If you’re gonna keep fighting, can I leave?

→ Option 1

Kit: Hmph! Now ya’ve found yer voice!

→ Option 2

Johann: Please wait but a moment, our dear judge!

Kit: In any case, we don’t have time for this nonsense! We have a sentence to give! So, without further ado, let’s declare the witch gu-

Johann: Wait, dear Kit! We cannot give a sentence without a trial!

Kit: Says who?

Johann: The law.

Kit: Bah! We make the law, Johann! If we say she’s guilty, she’s guilty! I say we prepare the guillotine!

Johann: Not without a trial!

Kit: We’ll have a special, 5-second trial!

Johann: Those are inhumane.

Kit: You’d know.

Option 1: Wait, what’s going on?

Option 2: I’m so lost right now…

→ Kit: What? Ya still haven’t figured out? This is the trial! And ya are the judge! So judge!

Yuuki watches as the lights turn on. A sea of shadows disperses only for another to take its place. In the rows before her, there are countless shadow people of all heights and designs standing there in silence, expressions vacant, except for the eyes - the eyes who watch and follow every movement. Kit and Johann bow deeply before them and then with jolly expressions turn towards the bench again.

Kit: So! Let’s get the show on the road! Whatcha say, human?

Option: What am I supposed to do?

Kit: Funny ya should ask that! Well, ya see, ya just gotta up that large hammer next to ya and yell, as loudly as ya can. “GUILT-”

Johann: Objection!

Kit: Bleh! What now?

Johann: You are influencing the judge, my dear Kit! That is unbecoming!

Kit: Shut up! I don’t want to hear that for a suck-up like ya!

Johann lets out a yell as Kit begins pulling on his tail. Yuuki isn’t sure if she should intervene or not. The whole situation is strange. Looking around her she notices that the shadow people have not moved an inch, simply continuing to gaze at her with terrible, sharp eyes. They don’t care at all for the abuse Kit rains down on Johann, or, she suspects, anything else at all. She wishes they would stop.

Picking up her hammer she raps it once, then twice and finally, Johann is spared. Kit scoffs as he returns to his bench, discontent, and Johann starts dabbing at his forehead again.

Option: Please explain what’s going on here!

Kit: Ya sure are slow today, aren’t ya? Well, that doesn’t matter. Since I’m such a nice guy, I’ll make sure to catch ya up!

Yuuki nods, apprehensive, for it doesn’t seem that Kit has any intention of being wholly truthful. Though she wouldn’t be surprised by that either. Ever since the start of the school year, when she found that old bottle in her room, hidden behind the bookshelf, and released the two by accident, they’ve been nothing but nuisances. No, worse. Pests. They refused to leave her alone - which truly, wouldn’t have been that bad if they weren’t so utterly intolerable most of the time. Kit more than Johann since he was the ringleader.

He’d taunt and mock the rest of the students, quietly, so only she could hear, tell her lies about magic and the world, and sometimes even truths. He’d try to play his pranks, but every time Head Prefect Alkin was near, he’d simply disappear. He was afraid of him, but why that was, Yuuki didn’t know. She stuck close to the nekomata after, and she’d seen less of them, but only until she got back to her room where she’d find Kit rummaging through her belongings like he had any right to do so.

Yes - now that she thought it better, “pest” really fit him well.

Kit: Ya see, ya’re here ‘cause we gotta figure out what to do with the witch that went berserk. “Overblot”? I think that’s what ya humans call it. To us, magic creatures, it’s all the same really! Whether ya die or live - it ain’t our business!

He starts laughing, and Yuuki can’t help but bemoan how grating it is. Luckily, Johann decides to chime in.

Johann: Ahem! Your… status might not be our concern, but this “Overblot” situation is-

Kit: Yeah! Yeah! We get it! Ya wanna feel superior!

Johann: I-

Kit: What? Ya want me to come over and pull yer tail again, huh?!

Johann jumps in his seat, tucking his tail under, but otherwise keeps quiet.

Kit: Anyway, like I was saying! We don’t care about your petty troubles, but this “Overblot” thing is something else.

Option 1: Is it really that serious?

→ Kit: Ya think I waste my breath for any old thing? Huh?!

Option 2: Why do you care about it so much?

→ Kit: Cause we gotta! Otherwise the big boss-

Johann: Ahem!

Kit: Whoops! Said too much there! Anyway, ya heard nothing, got it?

Biting her lip, Yuuki glances over at Johann who seemed to have doubled his efforts in whipping his forehead.

Kit: This “Overblot” thingy that ya humans do is really annoying, ya know? Can’t be having ya all running around and going out of sorts like that! Ain’t good for the magic around here, after all! So when one of ya goes crazy - like that little friend of yours back in Rosenhex did - we gotta step up and fix this shit! Got it?

Johann: What an uncouth way of putting it… But he is correct, Your Honour! This transgression must indeed be discussed and judged! It is simply unacceptable for it to pass as such. However!

It startles her to hear the confidence in Johann’s voice all of a sudden. He’d always been a meek fellow, hiding in her shadow, always helpless before Kit’s mocking or violent outbursts. She couldn’t count the number of times Johann has decided to hide behind her, whenever trouble arose. At the first sign of danger he would immediately be gone, only emerging again when it had passed, and it would frustrate her to have such a troublesome imp wax self-important speeches on bravery when even sparrows could send him in a frenzy of fear.

Johann: Your Honour! I simply don’t believe that sentencing the witch to her death as such is the right answer! Humanity’s beauty lies in your altruism after all! Allowing even the smallest bud time to flower and enjoying the richness of its beauty, even as it-

A book flies by, soars through the air and hits him right in the head. Kit’s cackling is so loud it fills the room completely.

Johann: You brute!

Kit: Serves ya right! Nobody wants to hear yer dumb speeches! Not when we have a witch to execute!

Johann: Spare!

Kit: Execute!

Johann: Spare!

Kit: Execute! Chop her head off and mount it on the walls! Bwahahahahaha!

Johann: Th-That! Your Honour, you cannot allow that!

Kit: Huh? Why not? It’s what she deserves, ain’t it?

He turns to Yuuki. The distance between them seems much shorter now all of a sudden. His eyes make her think of fire, and witches burning on pyres.

Kit: Think about all the grief she put ya through? Ever since ya got in this place, these witches have been nothing but trouble, haven’t they? Being snide and rude and jeering at you - how long are ya gonna keep turning the other cheek, huh? It’s time ya give them a taste of their own medicine!

She thinks back on her first day here. The confusion as she got off The Endor Express, the sight of witches flying on broomsticks up in the air, the journey up the mountain and being told how unless she had magic she couldn’t attend this school. She remembers her first night in the green room after a talking, two-tailed cat told her she’d be his assistant for the time being until they figured out a way to get her back home.

She remembers her first day on the job - having to look after a group of witches from a dorm called “Rosenhex”. Tall, pretty, vain girls who simply scoffed at her and turned away, ignoring her completely as they went about their day. She’d have wanted to tell them off, tell them how rude and ugly their behaviour was, but somebody else beat her to it. She was about Yuuki’s age, with long, wavy pink hair and brown eyes, and cuter than any doll she’d ever seen. She yelled at them and told them to apologize, that they were besmirching the reputation of their door, but all she got in return was a sneer and then she was waved off, left behind to clench her fists and grit her teeth. Yuuki thought she had seen her eyes tear up, almost on the verge of crying but when she asked her if she was alright, the girl just snapped at her and then walked off.

And it wouldn’t be the first time that would happen. She wasn’t sure how it would happen, but every time she met one of the girls from that dorm, she’d received a mean remark, and before she could respond the girl with the pink hair - who she learned was called Rosalia and was supposed to be the Prefect of that dorm - would jump in to scold them, only to be ignored. Yuuki would try to talk to her, only to see her dart off, leaving her more confused than ever.

It was a hostile place. She missed her home, her family, her world. And this all just made it worse.

She gulps as Kit gives her a smirk, the corners of his mouth pulling so high, all his teeth are barred. Then he screams in pain and is suddenly gone from before her, having turned around to start pelting Johann with his little fists. The latter releases his tail and raises his arms above his head to protect it from the onslaught.

Kit: Ya cheeky shit! Ya think ya’re funny or something, huh? Ya ass-kisser! I’ll show ya what hypocrites like ya get!

Option: ENOUGH!

They both jump, separating from one another and glancing at her apprehensively. Johann starts to dust of his coat, dab at his forehead, while Kit takes off his hat and wrings it in his tiny, sharp hands. He grumbles under his breath before he starts to talk again.

Kit: Well? Aren’t ya cheeky too? Don’t tell me ya got swept in Johann’s shitty speech!

Johann: How vulgar! It is not so! It is not so at all, dear Kit!

Kit: Hmph! Ya don’t say - then!

Johann: Then?

Kit: If ya’re so stubborn how about ya tell your dear judge, why that is?

Johann gulps. His tail starts to tremble, thumping against the hardwood.

Kit: BWAHAHAHAHA! YA CHICKEN SHIT! CAN’T DO IT, HUH?!

Very well, guess I hafta do it then-

Johann: N-No, th-that-

But he’s silenced almost immediately, having his coat pulled over his head and kicked in the knees. He topples over the edge, and Yuuki hears a thump, but in the darkness can’t see the body or the floor at all. Kit laughs again and puts his hat back on his head.

Kit: He rolled over like a log, that ass! BWAHAHAHA! Serves him right for being a pretentious shit! Talking about sparing witches like that. Ya know why he did it? ‘Course ya don’t, ‘cause yer stupid, so let me explain it to ya!

That old shit wants to save the witch just ‘cause she’s cute! Can ya believe that crap? Only a shithead like him could fall for that kind of stuff, hahahahahaha!

He prods at her, tries to make her join in his rambunctious laughter, but gets nothing in return. Yuuki simply sits and ponders over the situation. Is this the truth? Is all that Johann cares about beauty? She could believe it somewhat. Unlike Kit, Johann had always been a little more concerned with the abstract. He liked poetry, he liked literature, to the point he would ‘reward’ Yuuki with long lectures on books and novels she has never heard about - a particularly favourite series of his being “The Azure Witch.” So the appreciation for the arts was there. But she doubted it extended to humans. Not once has she heard him compliment any of the girls or creatures on campus. Not in the way the domovoy tended to do with fierce glares and loud voices, each defending the girls that lived in their dorms.

No, Johann was merely content to watch the birds, and flowers and trees all around them, writing away in his little notebook until his ink ran out or Kit snatched it away.

Kit: Hmph, ya look like ya don’t believe. That’s fine and dandy, I guess. Ya’re just a dumb human after all. So I’ll tell ya another thing!

What that guy understands by ‘cute’ is really messed up.

Option 1: Messed up?

Option 2: Are you saying it’s different from the usual?

Kit: Yep, yep. It’s- Well, it’s creepy is what I’m telling ya. So ya better not be listening to any of his crap. Ya’re just bound to end up in a shitty position after all! Bwahahahahaha!

Anyway, about all this Overblot stuff-

She watches him inch closer to her, smirking as usual, and signals for her to bend down. When she does, hesitantly, he leans over and starts to recount to her the events prior to the Overblot.

It had been a week or so of being insulted by the Rosenhex witches, ‘rescued’ by their Prefect and left to wonder if there really was any hope of going home after all. The Headmistress, steady and firm, assured her that they were doing everything in their power to do this, but that such sensitive matters required precision and knowledge. It couldn’t be done so quickly. So she had little choice but to resign herself to waiting. Except she couldn’t do that because it was simply silly. So that was why she found herself in the big library, scouring through the archives, and books and parchments trying to find anything, any little clue that could help in her predicament.

It was easier said than done. The library was vast and huge and difficult to navigate and she often found herself lost among the shelves trying to reach one section but winding up in another by mistake. It was troublesome. Especially because neither Kit nor Johann - who of course had to accompany her every time she went there - had any inclination of helping her at all. And she couldn’t rely on Alkin either since he was busy walking the grounds of the school to ensure there was no issue or incident about to happen.

Left to her own devices, Yuuki tried her best to make the most of it each day. It did not yield many results. But on her fourth day of doing this, it did lead to an interesting meeting as she passed by one of the lower windows and heard, almost by mistake, the sound of somebody sobbing. She paused. The crying was unmistakably coming from her right, and though she knew she had no obligation to do anything about it, she still went and poked her head out, wondering just who it could be.

It was the Rosenhex Prefect, laying on the ground, hugging her knees and crying her heart out. Her shoulders were shaking, and occasionally she would wipe away her eyes, though it would not do her much good since the tears would just keep coming. She was hiccuping in between sobs, her voice strained, but even so, she still sounded quite endearing.

Yuuki only had time to let out a soft breath, before she jumped to her feet and turn with tear-filled eyes to glare at the black-haired girl.

Option: Are you ok?

Rosalia: Huh? Wh-What’s it to you?! I’m fine! can’t you see I’m fine?

Option: Uh, you’re crying…

Rosalia: !!!

She furiously wiped her tears away with the white sleeve of her cardigan, making Yuuki back away slightly.

Rosalia: I’m not!! See? No tears! So don’t make stuff up!! I’m not a child! I don’t need to cry just because-

She gulped, her eyes filling up again, then with a flustered face she looked back at Yuuki and yelled.

Rosalia: Nobody asked you to get involved! So stop butting into other people’s business! Just leave me alone!

And just like that she was gone, running away in the small woods outside the library until Yuuki couldn’t see her anymore.

Back in the present, she feels Kit’s small, cold claw pat her cheek affectionately. He grins so widely, she’s surprised his mouth doesn’t split open.

Kit: See what I mean, huh? That ain’t how good kids show their gratitude, ya know? Yelling at somebody for showing concern! Ya agree, dontcha?

Option: …

Kit: So why show her any mercy at all? She’s just a pest! She’s annoying! They all are! Treating ya like crap just ‘cause ya don’t have magic! I say we cut off all their heads! Bring out a guillotine! Or better yet! Let’s all go to a tavern - BWAHAHAHAHA!

Option: …

Kit: Ya get it? Ain’t no need for sparing anybody here! They’re all just filthy witches who deserve the pyre! So let’s just get to it! It’s gonna be fun! Trust me! We’re gonna-

Johann: OBJECTION!

She startles. The one who shouted right then was none other than the same Johann who is now trying to climb over the edge, and onto the desk. He’s grunting and sweating more than she had ever seen him before and it almost makes her worried for him. She’s the only one showing such altruism.

With quick steps, Kit closes the distance and with a certain glee begins to kick Johann’s head and hands, making his climb so much harder.

Kit: Huh? So ya climbed up all the way here? Not bad for a kid like ya! Let’s see how far that determination will take ya!

Johann: Ah! Ple-Please cease this immediately! If you don’t, I will - ack! - I will fall into the abyss again! Ack!

Kit: Maybe this time ya’ll get stuck there, ya-

Option: ENOUGH!

Yuuki uses the hammer to emphasize her point, and it seems to work as Kit backs away until Johann is able to eventually climb up again. He doesn’t seem worse for the wear at all, though he’s shaking like a leaf and trying to fix his little bow, that almost got undone.

Johann: Your Honour! I don’t know what foul words my associate might have used to trick you, but please be kind and show mercy to these witches! To simply execute them like that- It’s a crime beyond any words!

Just think back on the confrontation at the beach, please! That should bring at least a tear to your eyes!

And she does. She remembers the scent of seawater, the sand being stirred gently by the breeze, the look of utter despair on Rosalia’s face. Her eyes have gone blank. She sits rigidly there until the third year old that was addressing her starts to speak again, haughty voice carried by the wind.

Rosenhex Girl A: Well?

Rosalia: Huh? Well?

Rosenhex Girl A: Tch. You’re always so- Are you ready for the Witch Duel or not?

Rosalia: Witch Duel? What?

There’s a scoff and the girl’s glare becomes harsher. Around her Yuuki can hear the rest of the Rosenhex dorm whispering under their breath - the comments are less than friendly. Next to her, Soulis Dergos sighs and pulls his cap lower on his eyes. Up on the cliff, the heads of the domovoy can be seen peeking out. The commotion has caught their attention as well.

Rosenhex Girl A: What do you mean “what”? Are you telling me you had no idea that this was coming? You’ve been a nuisance ever since you came here. Getting special treatment just because you have been on TV, while you keep acting like a brat.

Rosalia: … A nuisance? Is that… Is that what everybody thinks… ?

The look that she gives the crowd makes Yuuki avert her eyes to the side. Alkin told her that she was merely to observe, not intervene. The witches govern themselves. It is not their place to act. But even though she knows this, she can’t help but feel sorry for Rosalia. The day when she caught her crying outside the library building flashes through her mind.

Rosenhex Girl A: Of course. Nobody here can stand you, but it’s not surprising with the way you’re acting. Look at the petition. It’s almost full.

The piece of paper that she produces is filled with names and signatures all the way to the bottom. Rosalia simply stares at it with no discernable expression. The wind seems to pick up in intensity.

Rosalia: Aaah… That’s a lot of signatures…

Rosenhex Girl A: Of course. You would have figured it out too if you weren’t such an idiot and actually paid attention to things around you.

Soulis grunts and the girl shuts her mouth, though Yuuki can see that she had a lot more to say. Rosalia continues to stay quiet, her gaze never wavering from the piece of paper before her.

Rosalia: Aaah… So everybody is mad at me…

Rosenhex Girl A: That should be obvious, given-

Rosalia: Why?

Rosenhex Girl A: Huh?

Rosalia: Why... is everybody... like this?

Rosenhex Girl A: What? Are you even listening to me? Don’t you dare ignore me!

Rosalia: Aaaah… I don’t get it… I don’t get it at all… Why? Why? WHY?

The earth shook. Yuuki could feel it. The tremble travelled through her entire body, the aftershock nearly throwing her off her feet. The girls behind her screamed, huddling together as the scene around them turned black and grey. The sea was raging on, the waves erratic and reaching higher and higher every time they smashed against the cliffs.

Rosalia clutched the fabric around her chest, gripping her magic gem in her hands. Ink as black as night began to coat them, staining the ground beneath her as they dripped slowly. The girl who was previously so confident and haughty had begun to back away too. Her ears twitched and the hair on her tail stood up.

Rosalia: EVEN THOUGH I TRY MY BEST- EVEN THOUGH ROSALIA TRIES- EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY-

I HATE IT!! I HATE THIS!! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT SHOULDN’T HURT!

Rosenhex Girl A: He-Hey, ju-just calm down… You’re… You’re going be-berserk…

Rosalia: SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! ROSALIA ISN’T LISTENING! ROSALIA DOESN’T WANT TO HEAR THIS! IF YOU’RE NOT ROSALIA’S FRIEND, THEN SHUT UP!!

The earth was shaking. She could feel it properly now. Her body fought to stand upright, but it wasn’t long before she sought shelter on the ground. Next to her, Soulis Dergos swore as he tried to get up and walk over to the witch who was now on her knees, still clutching her gem, as ink continued to coat her body.

Rosalia: Aaaaaaaah… But there’s nobody here who is Rosalia’s friend is there? No, no, there isn’t. Even though Rosalia tried her best to get along with everybody… She still was hated…

Aaaah… Ahhhh... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA- THAT’S FUNNY! SUCH A FUNNY JOKE! ROSALIA IS LAUGHING! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Soulis: Shit! This is Overblot! Morgainne! Snap out of it! If you keep going down this path, it’s gonna end up badly for you!

Rosalia: AHAHAHAHAHA! WHAT A FUNNY THING TO SAY! AAAAAAAAAH!

Everybody looks so concerned for Rosalia! How sweet! How nice! But you don’t have to worry, because Rosalia is fine! She’s gonna make everybody happy again! Yup, yup! Just wait and see!

But they don’t have to, because the ink overwhelmed her completely, moving and swirling around her until all that left was a strange figure of red and black patterns, red strings pulling at her joints. She moved in spasms as if she had no control over her body as if it had been left in somebody else’s care. Grinning she stood before them as the world was dyed into darkness.

Cherry: See? what did I tell you? Isn’t it all better now that the one and only, your bestest friend in the whole world, Cherry, is here?

There was a fight then, but after she can’t remember much.

Inside the quiet judgement room, the shadow people begin to squirm in their seats. The air feels so much colder all of a sudden. Yuuki shivers, and Kit takes this as his opportunity to talk.

Kit: Guess ya remembered, huh? So whatcha think? Pretty gruesome, right? Ending things like that just because of a dispute. What kind of a solution is that? I’m telling ya these witches are just no good! It’s best that we do away with them right now! Before any have a chance to go berserk!

Johann: OBJECTION!

Kit: Ugh.

Johann: My dear Kit! How can you be so cruel, when it is clear that the child was merely hurting?! That’s why she reacted as such! We should strive to understand her-

Kit: There ya go again with yer speeches! Can’t ya see nobody cares for that, huh? I’m telling ya, these witches should be executed! I should know!

Johann: Why is that?

Kit: ‘Cause I’m older, ya idiot!

Johann: A-Ah! But then oughtn’t you be wise enough to see-

Kit: HUH?! ARE YA TRYING TO CALL ME STUPID, YA LITTLE SHIT?!

Johann: ACK! NO! NO!

Yuuki had seen Kit fuming before, but not like this. He looked ready to scorch the earth in his wake. She raps the wood with the hammer to attract their attention and that seems to help calm him down somewhat. Though she might have spoken too soon as she notices the wide grin that passes over Kit’s face. When he speaks his voice is chipper and benevolent, and it makes her certain that he is up to no good.

Kit: Ya know, now that I think about it - ya might just be right there, Johann, old boy.

Johann: Oh? I-I beg your pardon?

Kit: Yeah, yeah. I think I got all carried away there for a moment and acted uncouthly.

Johann: O-Oh? I-Is that so? My, that truly shows how wisdom does come with age after-

Kit: Yeah, yeah, yeah - age and all that. But ya know. I’ve been thinking here, with my wise brain, that we forgot one important thing. Don’t ya think so?

Johann: An important matter? Just what on earth-

Kit: Well! Ya been talking about making things fair, and thinking about the other’s feelings and all that cra- I mean, all those good points. And it just occurred to me that we’ve forgotten to speak to one person. The most important person I’d say!

Johann: The most important?

Kit: Exactly! The star of the trial itself - The Harlequin!

Johann: You cannot possibly-

Kit: BRING OUT THE WITCH! LET’S SEE WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY ABOUT ALL THIS!

Johann: Ack! Kit, my dear, just-

But it is too late. The ground begins to shake and tremble, and Yuuki has to hold onto the desk in order to make sure she isn’t thrown off her chair. Johann isn’t as lucky, and soon enough he falls to the ground on his belly, his arms raised above his head. Kit shows no signs of distress, no fear or even apprehension. Nimbly he begins to dance, joyously laughing, as a platform descends from the abyss. On it the Harlequin, a grotesque vision of black ink and colourful patterns, sways from side to side, the chains she is bound in clinking away as they bump against one another.

Yuuki inhales sharply, clutching the handle of the hammer in her grasp. The Harlequin is staring right at her, and when the platform finally stops moving, so that they are on the same level, though at a reasonable distance she throws up her arms and starts giggling.

Cherry: Hellooooooooooooo~ Long time no seeeeeeeeeeee~

Option 1: Ye-Yeah…

→ Cherry: Awwwww~ Are you shy? You don’t have to be! Cherry loves you no matter what~

Option 2: You’re in a good mood.

→ Cherry: Of course Cherry is in a good mood! Cherry’s seeing her bestest friend ever, isn’t she? It’s so nice it makes Cherry tingle with excitement~

Kit: Ya’ll be tingling with terror soon enough, BWAHAHAHAHA!

Johann: Kit, my dear! What is the meaning of-

Kit: Shut it! Ya wanted a fair trial, I’m giving ya a fair, trial. Ain’t I?

It’s gonna be so fair, it’ll end in a bang! BWAHAHAHA!

Johann: Aaaah! I think this is not-

Kit: Witch! Yeah! I’m talking about ya! Look over here, would ya!

Cherry: Hmmm~? Yuck! What are you supposed to be? Cherry doesn’t like ugly things, you know?

Kit: Grrrrr, ya little- Ahem! Forget about that and just answer us all some questions, will ya? Yer life kinda depends on it, ehehehehe! Though even if ya keep quiet, I guess I can spin it to my advantage- Ooops! Guess I said too much there!

So, witch, tell us!

Cherry: Tell you? Tell you what?

Kit: Why ya Overblotted! Of course!

Cherry: Overblot? Who did? Oh no! That sounds bad! Hm? But what’s Overblot again?

Kit: Trying to lie won’t help ya!

Cherry: What? Are you calling Cherry a liar?! Cherry would never lie! Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever and ever! Only bad kids lie! And Cherry has never been a bad kid!

Kit: Oho? Those are bold words there, given what ya had done on that beach! Ain’t that right, human?

Option: You put everybody in danger…

Cherry: Huh? Danger? Danger how? Cherry was just playing with her friends! Cherry loves doing that more than anything in the world! Being friends with all the children is Cherry’s greatest wish! How could that be wrong?

Johann: E-Exactly!

Kit: Huh? So ya found yer voice at last?

Johann: Ack! We-Well, it is not about me, but rather about our accused, so I must intervene…

Be-Because as you can see, my dear Kit, there was nothing cruel about her actions at all! They were done out of love-

Kit: Misguided!

Johann: Um, well, th-that’s true- But it’s still love and thus-

Kit: Geh! If were to hit ya in the back of yer head just cause I feel like it, would ya still considered it love, huh? Hm~ Then again knowing ya- BWAHAHAHAHA!

Johann: AAAAAH! KIT! PLEASE DO NOT GIVE OUR DEAR JUDGE AND WITCH ANY ODD IDEAS ABOUT ME! I AM A DECENT IMP OF GOOD UPBRINGING!

Cherry: Oooh~ How cute! You two seem like good friends~

Kit: Blegh, hardly.

Johann: Um, I am afraid things are more complicated than that, my dear…

Cherry: Hm? Are they? You joke around and laugh together, don’t you? That’s what friends do! Cherry knows because she has seen it on TV all the time! It’s really, really, really cute!

Option: Seen it on TV? Don’t you mean you’ve experienced it yourself?

Cherry: Eh? Experienced myself? Hahahahahaha, you really are cute! Cherry loves you a lot for that! Thinking that things like friends exist in real life is really, really cute!

Yuuki pauses. The Harlequin is smiling, with no sign of mockery or viciousness present, and yet she can’t help but feel like there’s something wrong underneath.

Kit: See! What did I tell ya? Her head’s really screwed on wrong. Who would ever think of saying this but demented witches? So we should just-

Cherry: Huh? Cherry isn’t a witch! Cherry is really cute, and witches are all ugly! They say mean things about you, and treat you like trash! Cherry has never done anything like that! No, no! Cherry hates bullies more than anything!

Option: Is that why you always intervened on my behalf?

Cherry: Huh? Oh, oh, you mean that? Hm~ Well Cherry felt bad for you because you were treated like Cherry used to be before she became the one in charge! Everybody always made jabs and mean remarks at Cherry, even though she always did her best to make friends with everybody!

Johann: Yes! Indeed! We can see clearly that she did not mean-

Cherry: That’s why Cherry got really angry at the beach. All those bullies ganging up on Cherry to tell her how much they all hated her. Hmph! How mean! How rude! Cherry is a good girl! How dare they treat her like this? I had to punish them! I had no other choice!

The room breaks in a murmur. The shadow people all band together to exchange what she presumes are their impressions of the case so far, though she can’t be sure. The distance is too great for her to make out anything, and even if she would try to strain her ears it would be useless. Kit already began to speak.

Kit: Aha! So we see the real reason!

Johann: The re-real reason?

Kit: Are ya stupid? Or just acting? BWAHAHAHA! Not like there’s a difference in the first place! But ya heard her loud and clear! She didn’t care about friends or any of that crap! She just wanted revenge! Like a witch would!

The shadow people begin to speak louder, and now Yuuki can catch fragments of their conversations. The words “evil”, “unnatural”, “pathetic”, “dangerous” seem to echo over and over again. She swallows as the intensity with which they are uttered seems to increase.

Johann: No! There must be another explanation too! We should-

Kit: Ya should shut up! The witch herself admitted it already! Did ya not, huh? Witch?

Cherry: Hm? Did I?

Kit: Didn’t ya just say you wanted revenge on those witches, huh?

Cherry: Oh? I did!

Kit: So ya wanted to hurt them!

Cherry: I did!

Kit: Make them pay, right? Skewer them alive? Drown them in water? Burn them on a pyre?

Cherry: I did~ I did~

Kit: AND THERE YA HAVE IT! THE BARE AND NAKED TRUTH! ALL THE WITCH EVER WANTED - ALL THAT WITCHES EVER WANT - IS TO KILL AND MAIM YA! ‘CAUSE THAT’S THEIR EVIL NATURE!

The court erupts in screams. They all seem to agree with Kit, their passion translated into wild euphoria that sends a shiver down her spine. Suddenly, the shadow people seem more human - she sees more defined traits, more details and she looks away before their faces come into focus. She’d rather not find out if any of them look familiar.

Next to run Johann is panicking, breaking out in a sweat and wringing his handkerchief in his hands.

Cherry: Huh?! Everybody is angry at Cherry? But why? What did Cherry do?

Option 1: You admitted to your faults, remember?

→ Cherry: Faults? Cherry did?

Option 2: You said some awful things…

→ Cherry: Awful? Cherry would never do that! She’s a good, good, good girl!

Kit: KEEP QUIET, WILL YA?

Yer sentence is about to be passed!

Cherry: Sentence?

Kit: Yep, yep! Our esteemed judge over here is about to pronounce yer punishment: EXECUTION! BWAHAHAHAHA!

Cherry: Hehehehe~

Kit: Oho? Ya’re laughing? Sure ya get what’s about to happen, witch?

Cherry: Hm? What is that?

Kit: Ya’re about to be guillotined!

Cherry: That won’t happen, ehehehehe!

Kit: What?

Cherry: That won’t happen because Yuuki is a good kid!

Option 1: Huh?

Option 2: What do you mean?

Cherry: Hehehehe, it’s just like I said! Yuuki is a good kid who wouldn’t hurt others! Cherry has known this since that time you cheered her up back then outside the library!

Option: You remember that?

Cherry: Of course! Cherry was soooooooo moved! Nobody had been that nice to Cherry ever since she came to this school! They all sneered and laughed at her… Cherry thought you would do the same when you saw her crying, so Cherry felt really mad that you saw her like that!

But you didn’t, and that made her really, really, really happy!

Cherry wants to be loved by everybody, so Cherry won’t be hurt again! If Cherry has love, Cherry feels like everything would work out! That’s why all the children should love Cherry and be Cherry’s friend!

Kit: AHA! THERE YA HAVE IT!

Cherry: Hm?

Kit: Making demands from people like a spoiled brat! Is that what a good kid would do? No! Not at all! Good kids keep quiet and don’t lash out at others! Only witches do evil things like that!

Yuuki keeps quiet as Kit turns to her, his grin reaching from horn to horn as his tail swishes back and forth menacingly. Behind him the court has erupted into a cacophony of screams and yells of outrage, everybody calling out for blood. The word “Execute” is repeated consecutively, until she can’t recognize it anymore. But the anger, the fury - those are pouring from every direction and leave her dizzy.

Kit: Well, ya heard the people! It’s time to give the witch her just deserts! Time to execute!

Johann: Wait just one more minute-

Kit: We’ve waited enough! It’s time to make the choice! There’s only one right answer, so make sure ya pick the right one! BWAHAHAHAHA!

In the chaos, Yuuki grips her hammer tightly and glances all around: Kit continues to smile at her, assured of her victory; Johann has covered his eyes with his palms, trembling; the crowd continues to yell for blood, figures distorted; and the witch - she seems not to care or even be aware, merely staring at her with a serene expression.

Yuuki gulps. She clears her throat, raises her hammer high in the air and prays she has made the right choice.

Option 1: Execute the witch.

Option 2: Spare the witch.

Are you sure? There is no going back.

[azusawrites]

POCKY DAY

A/N: It's Pocky Day so I wanted to take advantage of it to write a little fluff for them! Of course, some of them ended up being more comedic than others, but that's just the way it is, hehe!

GOLDTOWER

WHO WINS: Kore

FLAVOUR: Strawberry

He's trying. He's really trying his absolute best here to follow the rules of the game. Kore knows this so when he breaks the stick again for the fifth time since they started playing, and goes straight for the kiss she doesn't even chide him anymore. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she just pulls him closer and lets herself melt in the kiss.

When they part, Kalim reaches out for the pack next to them and shakes it. He frowns when he hears nothing rattling inside.

"Did we run out of it?"

"Well," Kore says. "You did eat a bunch before we started."

Kalim laughs. "That was before I knew we were going to play this game!"

"It wasn't really a game. You just went straight for the kiss each time!"

He smiles at her and squeezes her waist slightly. With her legs on either side of him, she thinks that she would have a lot of explaining to do if anybody caught them like this, but Kalim seems entirely at ease. It calms her too.

"I really did, didn't I? But every time I thought I would do better, I saw your lips and couldn't hold back, hahaha! Hm? You've gone entirely red. Did I say something weird?"

She only heard his laughter resounding around the room, as she buried her face in his neck. He brings her closer as he trails kisses along the side of her neck and she struggles to keep from giggling. His honesty was going to kill her one day and she wouldn't even mind it. After all, nothing compared to the feeling of being loved so candidly by somebody else.

WOLFBEAUTY

WHO WINS: Jack

FLAVOUR: Peach

"Ugh! Why are you so good at this game!" Rosa complains, a pout already forming on her face. "Aren't younger guys supposed to be timider?"

Jack simply stars in return. "It's only a one year difference..."

He doesn't add that maybe it was just that she was quite easily flustered by these sorts of things which he never really understands the purpose of, but still does because it makes her happy. Except that it wasn't really working right now, what with her crossing her arms and pouting. There are still a few crumbs in the corner of her mouth. By instinct, he licks the same spot as he stares at her. Telling her how cute that looked would only just upset her, so he refrains for now.

"Hmph! That doesn't matter! One year is still one year! So yo-you should be more bashful!"

He nods. "I'll try to keep that in mind."

That seems to appease her somewhat. His traitorous tail is already twitching in delight. She must have leaned over to grab another packet (for some reason she brought six of them) when his arm wraps around her waist to pull her closer, so he could kiss the spot he had noticed earlier. He feels his face turn red and watches her own slowly start to match his.

"We-Well," she speaks loudly and fast, crushing the packet in her grasp. "I-I think that's enough sweets for today! I'm not a big fan of them anyway, you know? A star has to keep her figure and my intake of sugar is-"

Even her lips tasted like peaches now, and if anybody asked him he wouldn't have admitted he preferred it compared to the real thing.

ROSEDOLL

WHO WINS: ?

FLAVOUR: Dark Chocolate

"What a ridiculous game," he tells her as he turns the page. Blanche gives out a hum of acknowledgement as the tip of her pen moves swiftly across the paper. "I can't understand the purpose at all."

"I think it's merely another way of gauging out who's bolder," she says. Riddle frowns as he thinks about her words. It made sense, in its own way, but surely there would be less outrageous ways to achieve the same result. He pauses. No, no matter how he thinks about it it's still a waste of time.

"Cater seemed really eager to try it out," Blanche continues. His face starts to turn red in response, as he remembers the shameless way that Cater proposed the notion to the girls of Grimmaire when they first came to the dorm. They hadn't paid him attention, but Riddle was still aghast at the thought. Walpurga Nacht was their sister school. To display that sort of indecency would look bad on not only them but the dorm and school as a whole.

"I'll make sure to properly scold him later on," he promises her. "As his Prefect, it's my responsibility to whip him in shape. So incidents like this won't happen again."

He forces himself to keep a stern face as she laughs. It is soft and muted, but in the silence of the library, he can hear it clearly. "Don't be too harsh on him. I think the girls were just as amused. To tell you the truth, they're not as proper as they might seem. Also."

She pulls out a small box from her bag and puts it next to him on the table. The tip digs a bit in his hand, but his eyes are too busy trying to make out the words on the front. He's too busy fighting off the blush that threatens to completely overtake him when her hand rests over him.

"A little break wouldn't be so bad, I think. We can count this as research into youth culture."

"I heard it's important."

"Very much so."

HARVESTAPPLE

WHO WINS: Epel

FLAVOUR: Chocolate Banana

He's immediately shot down.

"'he fuck? 'hat sounds stupid," June tells him as she lifts up the prop and moves it to the left. Epel thinks he can hear Rook shouting in the distance, calling out for the 'Amazon' but if that's so, she pays it no mind. The rest of the Pomefiore students are keeping their distance from them, perhaps out of reverence (or fear) of her. Everybody except Vil, who's too busy chewing out another actor for forgetting his lines. Again.

"Ace told me about it," Epel explains. It does do much except make her grunt. The subject of Ace is not something she's interested in, after all. "Said he heard it from Cater, who saw it on MagiCam. Guess there's all sorts of trends nowadays..."

"City folk ain't got anythin' better to do," she spits out with a grimace. With narrowed eyes, she seems to survey him. The back of his neck is getting sweaty and the box in his pocket is suddenly a lot heavier. "And why'd ya bring it up, anyway? Huh? Whatcha want?"

"I- I mean, I received a box and-"

"No way." She immediately turns around, though he can see the tips of her ears turn red and her hands shaking. She really wasn't good at bluffing her way out of things. "I ain't doin' 'hat. Piss off."

He pauses. He thinks. Then after a brief moment gathers all his wits and hopes he plays it right. "If you're scared you'd lose, you can just admit it, you know?"

It works. She freezes, looks back and him with a snarl and snatches away the box he's holding now towards her. "Ya fuckin' pipsqueak - 'he fuck are ya so smug about? Huh? 'hen ya're basically the size of a fuckin' termite? I'll fuckin' teach ya what's 'hat-"

He smirks. "Sure, let's see you try. Though if you back down, it's my win. Remember that!"

She didn't seem to - or maybe it was just nerves. For such a tall girl she seemed to get flustered by the oddest things. But it suited him fine, he figured. It meant she took him seriously and didn't treat him like porcelain. He was a guy in her eyes.

WILDOCTO

WHO WINS: Azul (?)

FLAVOUR: Cookies and Cream

"Absolutely not," Azul says with the same tone of disgust that he might use if somebody had suggested he donate all his profits to charity. Fiddling with his glasses, he takes to wiping the lenses clean as Diana hoists herself up on his desk. He glares at her - weakly - but since it's just them in the VIP Lounge today, he doesn't voice any objections. Except those related to the packet she has in her hand. "I don't have time for this sort of frivolous things, Diana. Not to mention it would interfere with my calorie intake and just be a waste of food."

She nods, eyes trained on him as always. "I see. So you don't want to play."

"I think I made that perfectly clear."

"Mm. Then I'll go find somebody else."

He starts to smile, then pauses. "Excuse me?"

"My little sisters got me this because they said it would be fun. I don't want to waste their good wishes." She shrugs. "I wanted to do it with you, but since you don't want to, I'll look for somebody else-"

"Wait," Azul says. His face might be turning some shade of pink, but he would be loath to admit to such a thing any time soon. Besides Diana would have noticed by now. She had this annoying habit of being too observant for his liking. "I can't let you run around and scandalize the patrons of the Lounge like that."

"I can go outsid-"

"Or anybody else from Night Raven." Reaching over he grabs the packet and scowls at the flavour. He might as well just eat a bag of sugar instead. The effect would be the same. "If it keeps you from causing trouble, I'll play along with you. Just know that I won't go easy at all."

He swears he saw her smirks. But it's gone far too soon to be sure and he doesn't want to look like a fool by implying anything. Instead, he takes satisfaction in the knowledge that he already figured out her plan - she simply sought to fluster him a bit and edge him as well. Maybe even get him to kiss her. Well, she was sorely mistaken if she thought he would let her play out her little fantasy like that.

Their proximity is still something that leaves him rather flustered, but he manages to push past that and focus on the pace at which he's moving. He has to keep things steady, keep himself focused and only then can he-

The sound he makes when her lips capture his is something that must never leave this room. That's the only thing going through his head. That and the fact that the flavour isn't that bad. And that Diana has nice lips, even if they're a bit chapped. And that he got duped again, though he isn't that upset about it.

She licks her lips when they part and the sight almost leaves him breathless. "I lost. Can I have a rematch?"

"You-" he starts to say something but isn't sure what. When she moves to straddle him, he tries to remember if the door was locked or not. Then immediately forgets about it as the taste of artificial sugar and she becomes overwhelming.

SILVERFEY

WHO WINS: ?

FLAVOUR: Pizza

Silver has remarked that for all the complaining and whining Sebek does in regards to the other first years, he still hangs around with them. It seems almost strange how he himself hasn't noticed it but his father did advise not to bring it up. Apparently, Sebek was still young and had a lot to learn. Judging by the way he kept ranting for half an hour about this game that Ace told them about and then for another when he noticed Silver had fallen asleep halfway through his explanations, he figured his father was right.

"Um, wa-was the game a fun o-one?" He doesn't get worried about Cassandra's tendency to stutter whenever she talks. It used to bother him a bit at first, but now he hardly paid it any mind. Besides she does it far less now than back when they first met each other. Though it seems it's only like this with him. That he does find a little odd.

"Hm, I can't really remember," he says. Taking the Mazariner she offers, he makes sure the little blanket is properly covering her legs before he bites into it. "He made it sound like it was a game of deceit. Maybe a prank?"

"Oh," she replies as she fiddles with the thermos. Cassandra made good coffee, though she herself never drank it, so he always looked forward to these picnics that they had. "That doesn't sound ve-very nice. Making fun of pe-people isn't... very good, right?"

"I guess," he says. "Though Fa- I mean, Lilia-sempai does play them on us from time to time."

She's quiet for a moment. He can see the cogs spinning inside, then her mouth moves into a grimace and he feels bad. Maybe he shouldn't have said that. "Oh, um, I suppose that fa-fairies do tend to like that so-sort of thing. They might find it no-normal after all."

"Not all fairies," he quickly adds. "I don't think it's standard for them. Or the majority. You'll be fine. I think."

"Oh, re-really?" She gives a tentative smile. "I hope to learn a lo-lot from Mister Vanrouge and Lo-Lord Draconia about fairies. Um, I think then I-I would get along better with e-everybody..."

They don't say anything for a while. Then Silver shifts slightly and feels the tip of something jabbing his thigh. It's a box Lilia had left with him when he heard that he'll see Cassandra today. He isn't sure why, but Silver does remember seeing his father smile in a mysterious, incomprehensible way.

"Lilia-sempai gave me this," he says handing her the box. She takes it and reads the lettering carefully before glancing back at him. "I'm not sure what for, but you can have it if you want to. The flavour is strange so maybe you can use it to prank people. Like he does." Yes, that makes sense. That was why he received this odd box.

This time Cassandra smiles more genuinely and it sets his heart at ease. She cradles the box close to her chest and she begins to formulate with him pranks that would require the use of the box, though he doesn't get farther than four or five sentences before he falls asleep. She leans over to touch his shoulder every time it happens and he bolts awake, grateful for her patience.

It ends up being a nice picnic again.

BLACKFLAME

WHO WINS: Idia (?)

FLAVOUR: Whiskey

"I'm busy," Idia immediately replies. He doesn't even take his eyes off his console to look at her, though when she presses against him from behind he almost jumps out of his chair. Vita is grinning like a cat even when he turns back to scowl at her. "I'm close to clearing this level. Go play with somebody else."

He makes a shooing motion towards her, but quickly stops when she grabs his hand and intertwines their fingers. They're cold, like usual, and he can already tell the tips of his hair are turning pink.

"My love~ It would be most unnatural if I were to do that when you are already here. Do you not think so~?" she purrs out in the same tone she always does when she sets out to tease him. Though now that she's actually moving to sit in his lap, he figures she might actually be quite serious about it all. "After all, we are to share everything together. No?"

"I-I think we can pass on this one!" he stammers out with less confidence than he intended but doesn't move to push her off. Taking a lot at the box, his eyes narrow. "And how did you even bring this here? I never even knew they made this flavour..."

"'Tis a little secret~" she says. "But, if my beloved does not wish to engage, I shall not insist. I do not wish to scare you, after all."

He pauses. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing at all. Do ignore this slip of the tongue." She smirks and he feels himself getting heated. "I simply do not wish to cast you in an... unfavourable light."

"As a what?"

"A coward. I understand it must be quite unbearable to fear defeat to such a degree that you would not even attempt a 'children's game'."

Idia exhales softly through his nose. When he hoists her closer, she gives out a little squeak he knows she put on for show but doesn't care about it. Not now. Getting riled up like this is doing nothing but playing in her hands, but now that he's worked up, he can't really back down. "Give me that box. And get ready to be humbled!"

He proceeds carefully, keeping eye contact though his hands are digging in her sides, and just before he thinks he'll give up she suddenly breaks off.

"Oh, no~ It seems that my nerves have gotten the best of me this time. May I try again, my love?"

"Huh? I-I mean, sure." He isn't sure why she's putting on the show, but his ego is certainly being inflated right now. He doesn't even notice that each time their lips are getting close enough to touch she breaks off but has her arms slowly wrapping around his shoulders. He thinks he's going to win and is already thinking of what victory phrases he's going to use when he beats her, but suddenly, she's not backing away when she breaks off and he feels her lips and her body pressing against his own. The chair he's in almost topples over and he's holding onto her like a lifeline, while he's marvelling at how she makes the flavour taste like candy.

When she breaks off the kiss, he moves to follow after but stops. "Congratulations, my love~ It seems that you have once again won~"

"That's-That's obvious, heh," he mutters without much conviction. Licking his lips, he wonders how many boxes she might have brought with her.

[jhoudiey]

walpurga-nacht-academy: 👁‍🗨 for Amon and any of the WNA girls?

Lets play a game of how long Amon is allowed on WNA campus before the Nisse Tomte roll his ass down the hill in a barrel...

Rosalia: He had heard about her Witch's dance and thought she'd be much more... impressive than she is, finds her forgettable.

Blanche: An easy target, and will likely give him the exact reactions he'd be looking for. Hasn't been allowed to torment her as he would want because the noise is disturbing to others as well.

Marcia: He thinks she's hilarious and loves her dedication to the hustle. Offered her madol in exchange for taking part in some of his experiments, which she graciously declined.

June: Her finds her strength very exciting and very likely got kicked off of campus for pushing her buttons to see it at it's full potential. He finds her a bit unhinged and loves how easy she is to set off. If he were straight he'd have a huge crush on her.

Diana: He finds her very disconcerting but also very interesting. He likes the animalistic energy, but suspects she'd fight back too much to be of any fun.

Cassandra: Who? Not interested.

Agatha: Thinks she's hilarious, she has a lot of spunk for someone so small and would love to test her limits because he suspects she talks a bigger talk than her walk.

Vita: He would kill to get her hands on her magic, and loves her energy. Like, anyone else with a strong personality and an impressive magic he wants to completely destroy her and watch her squirm. He finds her incredibly intimidating in the most complimentary way, and loves to watch her command others.

[girl-in-the-tower]

Silver and Cass 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 21

Thank you for the ask!!

1. What was their first impression of each other?

It wasn’t a very good one, to be honest. Silver initially thought she was a strange and odd girl who was too meek and indecisive and found it difficult to really get a grasp on her behaviour. Though past that initial meeting he became much fonder of her than he expected when he realized that she is harmless and admires his liege as well. He began to be less wary around her, treating her more like a friend, feeling grateful for the care and attention she shows to him and the rest of the Diasomnia group.

Cass’ first impression of Silver wasn’t too positive either. He had surprised her while in the middle of practicing her speech to finally introduce herself to Malleus, and his stern and serious expression really scared her. She kept her distance for a while until she found him asleep on the school grounds, and worried he might catch a cold laid her cardigan over his chest while waiting for him to wake up. Afterward, she realized she was actually quite nice and pleasant and wasn’t scared or intimidated by him any longer.    

3. Describe their relationship dynamic.

I want to say that it’s quite ‘Lady and her Knight’, mostly due to Cass’ soft, gentle aesthetic and Silver’s training as a guard. They’re very soft with each other and encouraging of the other’s progress, always trying to make sure they’re doing well and taking care of themselves. It’s quiet, subtle, but very significant moments that make up their relationship for the most part. The realization that they can be with each other, in perfect harmony without really having to actually tell one another what they need or want since the other can pretty much tell beforehand just what exactly that is. 

Silver tends to be the more protective one, mostly due to how he was raised and trained to be a guard. It’s something that comes naturally to him. Whenever Cass is on campus he’ll do his best to accompany her and make sure she’s alright, even though she doesn’t really need to be showered with so much care. He does admit that it’s because he partially enjoys her company, and being with her is a nice experience, rather than just acting like a knight in shining armour. 

Cass tends to take a more maternal, caretaker role in the relationship. She worries about Silver quite a bit, especially regarding his narcolepsy, so she makes sure to always bring a blanket with her when she visits Night Raven or some coffee to help keep him awake. She always speaks very highly of him and seems very taken with his courteous behaviour even before they started dating, causing her grandmother to tease her about the obvious feelings she might have for the boy.

4. What was their relationship like before they got together?

Lilia often liked to say that they were like a lady and a knight in a courtly romance since they always sought each other out subconsciously during school campus visits. It wasn’t odd to see them sitting together under a tree talking, or walking the school campus during ‘patrol’ times, or even Silver teaching Cass how to swordfight so she can gain some self-confidence. Though they claimed there was nothing romantic going on between them, the moments they spend together were always oddly intimate to everybody who observed them.

Silver was surprisingly protective of her, despite being younger, mostly because Cass’ meekness troubled him quite a bit. There was nothing specifically for him to be worried about since she was in no immediate danger, but he still deemed it for the best that he would look after her while they were together. That mostly meant he would try to keep Azul and the twins away from her, scold Sebek whenever his shouting made Cass uncomfortable and encourage her to try and talk to Malleus since she respected him so much.   

Out of everybody, Cass seemed to be most at ease with Silver, acting less flustered around him and stuttering less than she normally would. She was somewhat embarrassed by how much he seemed to fuss over her and tried her best to lessen any burden she might place on him by accident. The fact that she felt so at ease with him meant that she tended to seek him out often, especially because she often felt overwhelmed by the attention she might receive while on campus.

During holidays they would often exchange letters with each other, talking about their lives and what they had been up to lately. They wanted to keep in contact, but because phones don’t work too well in the Valley they decided to pick another way of communicating. Cass would occasionally include some pictures she took during the day and write messages on the back for him, inquiring also about Lilia and the others. They’d both save those letters and keep them safe, treasuring them deeply. 

9. What made them realize they were in love?

It was actually a letter that brought about the revelation! Without realising it, letters had become part of their courting process. They would write to each other often and very amply, having letters that could reach up to five pages and eventually Lilia and Cass’ grandmother ended up commenting on it. They pointed out that they were infatuated with the other since they spend so much time and energy writing their letters, and it sort of clicked though they were reluctant to admit it at first. 

It made their correspondence awkward for a little while too since neither was sure how to breach the subject. So they kept trying to avoid it until it eventually resurfaced during one of their first meetings post-vacation. Talking through it they sort of both realized that their feelings might go beyond mere friendship, but weren’t sure how to approach it. So while they are now aware, it does take a while for them to properly admit it to each other since they’re dense and haven’t picked up on the fact that the other feels the same. 

10. What are their love languages?

For Cass, I would say that it’s Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, and Gifts! She likes to bring all sorts of presents for Silver when she visits, most of them handmade and personal so they’re usually very precious and charming. Silver always accepts them gratefully and then asks Lilia what he should get her in exchange as well. Lilia always suggests weird and unusual things, but Cass loves them regardless due to her own eccentricities. 

For Silver it’s mostly Acts of Service and Quality Time! It doesn’t matter what they are doing as long as they are together, though he gets somewhat frustrated that he always falls asleep so easily and she has to keep him company until he wakes up. It turns out that her presence is so comforting to him that he can’t help but feel relaxed when they’re together. He does make up for it by being a complete gentleman to her and making sure she’s not bothered by people who might want to keep asking her to tell them their future.

21. What’s a really significant moment in their relationship?

I would say that the Spring Debutante Ball marks a significant turning point in their relationship. Cass initially wanted to invite Malleus to the ball but was too flustered to even attempt it, so she thought that Silver might be a better choice after all. Except that she never got the chance to ask him since Sebek immediately intervened and asked to be invited instead, for the sake of “protecting their Master”. Flustered and unable to turn him down, he ended up as her date to the ball. Which did not make for an overly pleasant experience as he kept leaving her alone (her RSA date also wandering off since Sebek’s loudness was irritating) and overwhelmed by the crowds and the stress she decided to go outside for some fresh hair.

She ended up staying there for longer than she anticipated, having found some solace in the sound of nature and only realized that when Silver came looking for her. He said that he wasn’t able to spot her at all inside and he was worried about her, which made Cass flustered and start apologizing. She didn’t mean to cause him problems. Though inside she was also gladded at the idea that he came looking for her like this, which made her try to attempt to hide her flushed face from him. She didn’t want to be somebody that causes him problems, but rather someone who can stand at his side no matter what and support him. 

It’s the site of their first real “kiss” with Silver taking her by the hand and placing a kiss there like a knight would for a lady. It makes her speechless since it was something that she dreamed of since she was young - having grown up on fairy and romance tales her grandmother would read to her - but never thought she would experience in real life. The dance that followed after only added to the impression and it’s the one memory that Cass holds dear above all, even after they start dating. 

[fumikomiyasaki]

walpurga-nacht-academy:💐 for Cass with Emma and Peko? 🍲 for June and Aiden?

Giving Flowers 💐

To thank Cass for her Support, Peko and Emma decided to invite her V.I.P. for Their next Concert. After both finished their Acts on Stage, Cass visited them Backstage, holding a Yellow and a Purple Bouquet for them. Emma and Peko revealed to have a Bouquet of Roses for her as Well.

"Guess we both had the same Idea. " Emma chuckled.

"I-I wanted to thank you for this w-wonderfull Invitation to your Concert... You guys are Always so Cheerfull and encourage me... T-thank you."

Peko gave her a Hug and Emma joined in.

"No thank you, Thanks to fans like you we are motivated to continue our music even through hardships... So thanks a bunch."

They all started to kinda tear up. Emma found hope that there is still Fans that dont have Bad Intentions and that Peko does have a better Future one day...

🍲Cooking

"So June, how about we try out a new recipe to cook today?" Aiden approached her after classes because He found some interesting flowers and ingredients on his hunt.

"You mean Cooking or... 'our usual'?"

She smirked a bit at him while He blushed a Bit.

"Maybe a bit of both. But my main thing is today I found some herbs that are rare to find. And.... I kinda missed doing something with you If I am honest."

"Then what are we waiting for."

[azusawrites]

Thank you for the question!

Cass really loves nightingales, due to the fact that their song is really calming to her! The plain appearance of the bird, despite it being such a talented singer, makes her believe that she too can succeed in her endeavours despite being quite plain. Nightingales inspire confidence in her basically!

OC Creator Bingo 1/4

I wanted to do a little something else, so I’ve made some questions for people who are taking part in the OC Creator Bingo; I was lazy and did a post rather than sending to inboxes, I hope that’s alright. Hoping to post all questions over the next few days. 

Keep reading

[walpurga-nacht-academy]

ORALUNA DORM - BIRTHDAY VENUE

SCENE I

PUPPET: [Upon this blessed day, we bring to you an offering that seeks to satisfy your whims. On behalf of us, servants, we present to you the one-]

KALIM: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CASSANDRA!!

CASS: UM!!! THA-THANK YOU, MI-MISTER ASIM!

KALIM: Hm? 'Mister Asim?' Hahahahahaha! You don't have to be so formal, you know? Let's just both get along and have fun today!

CASS: U-Um, if that i-is so... Then, wo-would you li-like to, um... co-come inside our do-dorm and-

KALIM: Woah! You guys really decked out this place for today! The sparkling lights and the paper stars! Hm, is that a light show? The lights are bouncing all around!

CASS: Um!! Ye-Yes!! They're a-actually enchanted li-lights that are used in the I-Ilse of Phantasmagoria du-during festivals. The gi-girls here bo-borrowed them because they a-are said to re-resemble the fa-fairies who used to da-dance in this place so lo-long ago, um...

KALIM: Dancing fairies! I really would like to see something like that someday! It sounds like a lot of fun! Oh, maybe we can get some for our next banquet at Scarabia too! You should definitely come and have some fun!

CASS: Um!! Th-That is alright!! Um, lo-loud gathering li-like that are a bit, um...

KALIM: Hm? Did you say something, Cassandra? Your voice is so quiet I could barely hear you.

CASS: UM!! NO, IT'S RE-REALLY NO-NOTHING!! UM!! THA-THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INVITATION, UM!!

KALIM: Hahaha, no problem, no problem! Hm, but you know even though the venue is really pretty... it's still too small...

CASS: Um, small?

KALIM: A bird parade won't fit through here at all!

CASS: A BI-BIRD PARADE?! UM!!

KALIM: Wouldn't that be great? I was thinking that since you really like birds a gift like that would be great, or bringing in an exhibition for you to enjoy, but the space is...

CASS: UM!! MI-MISTER ASIM-

KALIM: Just Kalim is fine!

CASS: UM!! A bi-bird parade wo-would be... I wo-would rather that we didn't di-disturb the birds in their ha-habitat actually... Just lo-looking at them from a-afar is so-something that I re-really enjoy more, um...

KALIM: Huh? So you wouldn't have wanted one at all? Ah, then it's really a good thing Jamil talked me out of it, since I wouldn't want to upset you today of all days!

CASS: Um, Mi-Mister Viper did... ?

KALIM: Yeah! He said that it would cause a lot of panic at the dorm if I just let loose a few hundred birds all of a sudden and might frighten you instead. He said June would be angry too...

CASS: A FE-FEW HUNDRED?

KALIM: I was trying to scale it down but I guess even that was a lot, haha!

Oh, but don't worry, I brought you something else instead!

CASS: Um, it's a wa-water bowl for bi-birds?

KALIM: That's right! It's actually from my family's treasury and pretty old! See the markings on the side? Jamil said they used to be made during the time of the Sorcerer of Sands, actually, so it's a genuine artefact!

CASS: THA-THANK YOU BUT THAT I-IS E-ENTIRELY TOO O-OLD FOR ME TO HAVE, UM!!

KALIM: Oh? Should I have brought a new one?

CASS: Um!! No!! Tha-That is-!!

A-Actually the bowl we used ba-back home was re-really old too. My granny ma-made it when she wa-was still young, so, um, we cherish it a-a lot and wo-wouldn't replace it a-at all.

KALIM: Hahaha, your granny sounds like a really nice person! And talented too since she made that bowl!

CASS: Um, ye-yes she's ve-very kind and sprightly fo-for her a-age, um... She tried to te-teach me ho-how to ma-make one as we-well since she sa-saw how me a-admiring hers bu-but they a-always came out fa-faulty, um.

KALIM: Hm? Is that a problem? I think that since you put so much effort in, your granny was definitely happy with whatever result you got! Since she's already so kind!

CASS: Um, I think so too... I wi-will make sure to tha-thank her for a-all her pa-patience when we ta-talk later... Um, where should I-I put this bo-bowl? It's pretty he-heavy...

KALIM: Let me help! Jamil said I should be careful with it since it's a few million madol, haha!

CASS: A FE-FEW MILLION?!

[thump]

KALIM: Eh, wha- EH?! Cassandra!! Are you ok?! Wake up!! Cassandra!!

SCENE II

KALIM: CASSANDRA!!

CASS: I-I'm so-sorry for fainting a-all of the su-sudden!!

KALIM: It's alright, but it gave me such a scare... You should lie down for a bit! Until you feel better, you know?

CASS: Um, ve-very well... Then I-I will...

KALIM: I'm really glad you're ok! If something had happened... Hm? Oh, what's this? A piece of paper?

CASS: Oh! Um, I-I think it's pa-part of the i-interview ne-next, um...

KALIM: Oh! That's right! I was supposed to ask some questions!

PUPPET: [Then shall I proceed with the game?]

KALIM: Please!

PUPPET: [Understood. I shall now proceed to ask a question that Cassandra Delphinne will answer and which Kalim Al Asim will be tasked to interpret.]

KALIM: Ok! I think I'm ready for this!

PUPPET: [Question: An animal messenger has come to deliver wonderful news of your married life in the future. What animal do you image has brought you the letter?]

KALIM: Oh!! It's a really cute question, hahaha!

CASS: Um!! It's ve-very!!

KALIM: Hm? You suddenly turned all red, Cassandra! Are you alright?

CASS: UM!! Ye-Yes, it's ju-just, um... The question...

KALIM: Eh, is something wrong with it?

CASS: Um... I-I...

PUPPET: [Please proceed to answer the question.]

CASS: Um!! Then... I-I su-suppose that a to-tortoise wo-would be re-really u-unexpected as a me-messenger!

KALIM: A tortoise!! I wouldn't have thought of that but you're right! It would really be a sight, hahaha!

CASS: Um... My granny o-once to-told me the story of a to-tortoise who wa-was bullied by children a-and I've a-always te-tended to feel ba-bad for it... Um... That's why i-if it wa-was a to-tortoise I wo-would imagine that my fu-future partner was de-dependable and pa-patient, um...

KALIM: Oh! Like Silver!

CASS: UM!!

KALIM: He's the sort of guy who doesn't really stand out but he's super nice and dependable! I keep thinking that every time I see him trying his best, haha! I guess you must have noticed that too since you guys spend a lot of time together, right?

Hm, Cassandra? Are you alright? You're turning red again!

CASS: UM!! YE-YES!! I-I AM A-ALRIGHT!

KALIM: That's good... Oh, that reminds me! Silver said to send you his well wishes and that he'll try to call later tonight!

Hm? Cassandra? Cassandra?! Hey! Someone! Help!

SCENE II

KALIM: That was the second scare I got today! Hahhahahaha!

CASS: I-I'M SORRY!!

KALIM: That's ok! Don't worry about it! As long as you're alright, then it's no problem at all!

CASS: Um, Mi-Mister Asim is re-really kind...

KALIM: Hm? You think so?

PUPPET: [Please proceed to the last part of the interview.]

KALIM: Hm? Oh, there's another piece of paper here! Let's see...

"Is there anybody among the staff that you hold in great consideration?"

CASS: Um!! We-Well... All of o-our te-teachers are a-amazing in their o-own ways...

He-Headmistress Astoria is a re-really talented and po-powerful magician and s0 co-confident and ki-kind! I re-really wish I co-could be li-like her one da-day!

KALIM: She really does seem like a grandmotherly type, hahaha!

CASS: Ye-Yes! And so is He-Head Prefect Alkin who re-really acts like a grandfather to us all, hehehe...

Miss Ya-Yaga's knowledge of po-poisons and hi-history is unparalleled. So-Sometimes it feels li-like she li-lived through it all, um...

A-And Mi-Mister Dergos is strict but fa-fair! He te-tends to yell a lot, but is really ju-just because he ca-cares about us!

Bu-But...

KALIM: Hm? What's wrong?

CASS: I-If I had to choose ju-just one pe-person... Then... Professor Stryx...

KALIM: The owl? The one with the bowties?

CASS: UM!! He's ra-rather a fa-familiar actually, um...

Professor Stryx has a ve-very beautiful plumage and hi-his talons are always so sharp! Headmistress Astoria cle-clearly takes good ca-care of him! His be-beak always seems to be in pristine co-condition too and o-once I think I ca-caught him hooting du-during the day too!

It wa-was so beautiful that I-I re-recorded it and se-send it to my granny too, um!

KALIM: Hahahahaha, that's amazing! It really makes me want to give birdwatching a try too! You make it sound really fun!

CASS: Um, if yo-you want I-I can show you the spots a-around school that a-are great for bi-birdwatching! But we ha-have to be re-really quiet, um!

KALIM: Ok! I can definitely do that, I think! Hahhahahaha!

CASS: Um!! Mi-Mister Asim, you're la-laughing so lo-loud...

KALIM: Eh? Is that so? I didn't really realize. Sorry, hahaha!

[*]

PUPPET: [Congratulations. The interview portion has been completed. Please proceed to the last event of the celebrations. A bottle has already been prepared for you.]

KALIM: Oh! A champagne shower! Those are really fun at parties! I'll make sure to soak you from head to toe then!

CASS: Um!! Tha-That is-!!

[champagne pops]

KALIM: Woah! That looks so fun! I have to join in!

CASS: Um!! It's ve-very bitter-!!

KALIM: Hahahahhaa! Happy Birthday, Cassandra!

[azusawrites]

title. flowers

rating. T

characters. Silver/Cassandra Delphinne

taglist. @ITSOCXCANONWEEK

“Listen, Acton, when making a flower crown it’s important to watch for the petals so they don’t get smushed!”

In the little forest clearing where they’ve taken to laying down their pine tree and butterfly patterned blanket, Currer’s voice sounds as clear as a bell. It echoes in the space and is carried away by the rough roar of the river, and in the beak of birds until it might reach a place far, far away where neither light nor darkness truly exist. Silver watches as he holds the flowers in his pudgy arms the way only a six-year child could, and feels himself wanting to hold him and praise him for being a good brother. His children often made him feel as if he could finally understand the care and affection that his own father showed towards him. There’s something so delicate about their hearts that he can’t help but pray that the years are kind to him even when he’s older and picking up shields becomes much harder.

From Cassandra’s lap, where he is resting his head, he watches their fingers attempt and fail to link the chains together. Sticking their tongues out like that reminds him of his younger days when he and Sebek would be brothers under a different name and travel alongside his father to try and show him that they are not just children, but warriors too. He can’t believe the years that have passed since then. They drift like grains of sand, of which he did not think much, for nobody ever sits to count them, except that now there is a castle there in whose shadows he stands. It is large and strong and made with alabaster bricks that shine at noon and morning, and in their great tower, he thinks he spots a girl with fair hair, sleeping on a bed made of flowers. He wonders how long she’s been there for, and whether that sleep is lonesome, though perhaps not, for in one’s dreams nothing really feels that singular.

There’s usually an overwhelming current of sound and light, of warmth, of something kind wrapped around him, so when he sleeps he sees the scenes that make up his reality and is comforted. Everybody is there when he sleeps and sometimes it’s so easy to slip inside that dream that he often forgets about reality.

But Silver doesn’t want to spend his life away in a dream, no matter how warm and kind it can be. He wants to see the light of the sun and feel it wash over his body. He wants to hold his children’s hands when they cross the little stream that borders on their land and welcomes the forest into their garden. He wants to be comforted by his wife’s arms when he comes home from a hard day, where his back was strained with his own duties and all the responsibilities he has to carry. Sometimes living is hard. Sometimes it is overwhelming. But he is still grateful for the waking hours when he can see his children play outside in the garden, wooden swords swinging, clanking together in sonorous patterns, while his father watches over them with so much pride that it softens his own heart. He is grateful for his wife’s lips and the way she kisses him goodbye every morning and hello every evening when he comes back bearing bouquets of red carnations, hydrangeas, camellias and hollies.

He lays them down on the table, carefully putting them stem by stem so that their petals do not wither and tries his hardest to remember their meanings. His father told him that to love somebody means to learn the pieces of their heart that are most secret and to keep them as if they were your own.

Silver thinks that he does that as best as he can, and thus brings her red carnations to blend his love for her with the fascination that he carries in his heart. Cassandra is often like an unexplored wilderness for him, stretching endlessly and without limits, which makes him love her all the more because there’s always more to uncover until he gets to the seed that must be her heart.

He’s grateful for her patience, for the steadiness with which she loves him, for the endless hours that she spends by his side, kindness seeping into every corner of her being. He’s grateful for her small hands that brush away the sweat on his brow and help him put his shirts on in the morning, eyes made of galaxies staring straight at him until he feels like it’s safe to fall into that vast expanse, where he sees the hydrangeas blossoming.

He offers her the camellias, their crimson easily mistaken for flames, burning and bristling as she touches them, but remains unharmed. On the first day that she stepped foot into this strange land that was and wasn’t hers, he promised her that no matter what, he would look after her always, that he would be the shield she could hide behind every time the world was blazing and she couldn’t stand the heat any longer. He promised her this much and would promise her more as well, between kisses shared in dark rooms during dark hours. He’ll make a weapon of his body if he had to.

And there is something holy about all of this, he realizes, as he watches Acton take over his brother’s work, small hands struggling with the knots that he ought to make, almost ripping them at their threads. He fumbles with the patterns and it doesn’t come out as they should, but he still smiles and it feels like the sun is shining, high up in the air, and he’s back in the shadows of that sandcastle. The breeze feels nice today, and Cassandra’s fingers are so light and delicate he can’t help but want to feel drowned in them. He thinks sleep comes easy next to her, but she makes him want to stay so he doesn’t miss out on the life that they made together and for each other.

A pudgy hand touches his cheek, patting it once then twice, and Ellis’ face appears at an odd angle. His white hair is fanning all around him, and eyes made of galaxies stare at Silver, with what he thinks is the concern that only a six-year-old can show in the circumstances.

“Vati, you’re not supposed to be asleep, right now!” He frowns, his lips set in a pout and Silver marvels at how much it makes him look like Cassandra. ��It’s still the afternoon! You can only sleep at night.”

“Sorry, we-were you asleep?” Cassandra’s clear voice asks when he stands up. Ellis falls into his arms, hands around his neck, pulling on the strands of white hair, that he still hasn’t cut because she said she loved how handsome it made him look. And he wanted her to think he was handsome. “I should have wo-woken you up, shouldn’t I? I’m sorry! I was me-meaning to but then the kids were laughing and they looked so cu-cute that I got distracted and… um…”

Silver nods, wrapping an arm around her until she is settled into his side, Ellis still holding onto his shoulders. When he notices his mother is there, he reaches over so she can sit him in her lap, where he rests snuggly, watching as his brothers continue to try their best to make the flower crowns they said were meant for their father and mother. In his own hands, he held onto a small bouquet of honeysuckle, that he kept twirling about and Silver soon notices that there were some on his shoulders as well.

“It’s alright,” he says, plucking one of the flowers. “I got distracted by the kids too so it’s my fault I almost drifted off like that.”

The pale yellow suits Casandra, he thinks, as he waves the flower in her hair, long locks pulled back so her ears are showing. She isn’t self-conscious about them anymore, and he likes to see the way they turn red when he leans over to briefly kiss her lips. She smells of camellias and hydrangeas and carnations and hollies, all blossoming together, under the sunlight where their children are playing and it reminds him how grateful he is that she’s never minded the passage of time in the same way that others have.

[jhoudiey]

Yoru vs the girls from WNA! Her relationship with them all is pretty weird. Would it be improved if she was able to attend classes? Probably not.

[girl-in-the-tower]

Ok, so I’ve been planning my next few months for the past week to take into account my writing schedule and I think I finally came up with something that might be feasible! In other words, this is an announcement of what my (hopefully achievable) goals will be!

The first section is fics that are in the process of being complete or in the editing process already, with only the third and fourth being in the planning stages! The word count is all over the place for these ones, lol, but hopefully I’ll be able to keep it somewhat consistent.

The second section was pretty much born out of a need to try out flash fiction after I’ve been binging it for a while. The themes and characters chosen were things or themes that just appealed to me! Titles are still undecided for this section, so instead I decided to include the sentence that made me think I should give this a try! I will try to keep to the proposed word limit simply because I was to challenge myself.

The last section is something I’ve been thinking of for a while now, simply because summer does inspire a theme of love in me, haha! It’s centered on the WNA girls and the various relationships (romantic and platonic) that they share with the canon characters. They’ll most likely going to be rather short, very descriptive and primarily fluff! 

Upcoming

❀ something in the way she knows - R18, ship fic, Azul Ashengrotto/Diana Arrow

❀ at the foot of this mountain, i only see clouds - T, gen fic, Malleus Draconia & Kore Hightower

❀ don’t go, don’t go so easy - T, (unrequited love) ship fic, Ace Trappola/Kore Hightower

❀ day to night to morning - R18, ship fic, multichapter, AU, Kalim Al-Asim/Kore Hightower

❀ you gave me a lily, but now it’s a field - T, gen fic, fluff, Kalim Al-Asim/Kore Hightower

Flash Fiction

✒ Cater: “He’s told that summer is best enjoyed together with others. Cater begs to differ.” - 50 words

✒ Lilia: “Lilia believes that love can be measured in heartbeats.” - 100 words

✒ Idia: “The Sun is falling.” - 750 words

✒ Jamil: “They find the snake’s skin, but not the tail.” - 1,000 words

Vignettes - Kisses

☀ Jack Howl/Rosalia Morgainne, theme: beach kiss

☀ Riddle Rosehearts/Blanche Dion, theme: first kiss

☀ Sebek Zigvolt & Marcia Pyroeis, theme: blowing kisses

☀ Epel Felmier/June Himalia, theme: frustrated kiss

☀ Azul Ashengrotto/Diana Arrow, theme: proposal kiss

☀ Silver/Cassandra Delphinne, theme: hand kiss

☀ Sam & Agatha Voisin, theme: head kiss

☀ Idia Shroud/Vita Dies, theme: victory kiss

[azusawrites]

title. our bodies and other tales of lust

rating. M, R18

characters. Silver/Cassandra Delphinne

summary. [R18] Waking up to Silver in the morning reminds Cassandra of how grateful she is for his presence in the Briar Valley.

MINORS DNI

There’s so little light in the Briar Valley that nights almost seem to merge into days. Cassandra never expected to feel the pull of the night even when the sun was, presumably, still shining brightly into the sky. It was hard to tell in this place. Whatever it was that she often spotted through the darkness was liable to play tricks on her. The light, the shadows, the space in between – they melded together until she couldn’t tell their margins apart anymore. And they blended into each other, as she was forced to learn a new rhythm and accept that her heritage was more than just pretty words on pretty papers, old, derelict mansions and the slight head turn that nobles did whenever she walked by.

She wasn’t their kind. Well, she was and wasn’t – because she was part fae, part of the old blood, part of the old magic. Nobody could deny her that right. Nobody would dare to do so. If House Callaina fell, she was here to raise it up again to its place of glory. And she was human. All too human and that seemed to matter more than anything else ever did. Because she wasn’t born and raised here, but still left her footprints on their ground when she stepped out of that carriage, hand holding Silver’s outstretched arm.

She was meant to inherit all this. Except that she didn’t truly feel like she had any right to do that at all. Life was strange like that.

AO3 LINK

[girl-in-the-tower]

It’s the Chaos Quintet lol!

Shipping Meme Template: Yuuki

Free to use! Sorry for the drawing, I was using my phone instead of my lapto.

[walpurga-nacht-academy]

WNA HALLOWEEN - THE GREAT HIDE & SEEK HUNT!

HALLOWEEN INTERVIEW - CASSANDRA DELPHINNE

SCENE I

[footsteps]

ALKIN: This sleeping chamber... According to Professor Stryx it is an exact replica of the bride's own room. Hm, only a student of Oraluna could be able to divine something like this. Well then-

[door opens]

ALKIN: It's an elegant decor. The furnishing itself seems quite well made, and the accents chosen, but-

Just where is the bride?

CASS: Uwahhhh...

ALKIN: ? Under the bed... Delphinne?

CASS: HE-HE-HEAD PREFECT?!

ALKIN: !! Not so loud!

CASS: I-I-I-I'M SORRY! I-I-I-I didn't mean to shout like that, um... Miss Dion ha-ha-has told me how sensitive beastmen a-are to sound and yet... Um...

ALKIN: It's fine. I was the one who startled you, after all. My apologies.

But, Delphinne-

CASS: Um?

ALKIN: Why are you hiding under the bed?

CASS: Um... I... um...

ALKIN: Did something happen? Did somebody try to harass you? Should I-

CASS: UM, NO!

ALKIN: !!

CASS: I-I'm sorry... Um, no, there has been no-no-nothing like that. It's ju-just... um... [mumble]...

ALKIN: Pardon? I did not catch that.

CASS: ............................. Pe-pe-people from Night Ra-Raven came to visit...

ALKIN: Those children again. Somehow they always seem to make an appearance.

Well, then, did they say anything?

CASS: Um... it was... um... it was a-a-a-actually more li-li-like...

It was Lo-Lo-Lord Draconia's party... um...

ALKIN: Ah.

CASS: I-I-I was trying to play my-my-my role as instructed and, um, sa-sa-saying my lines was ve-very embarrassing, but, um, I-I thought it would be a-alright since they weren't pe-pe-people I would meet a-again...

I was ha-having my eyes closed, a-a-as I should have... but when I-I-I opened them... Um!!

ALKIN: Yes?

CASS: I-I-I-I-It was Mister Si-Si-Si-Silver who stood be-be-before me!!

ALKIN: That child...

CASS: Yes, um... He had this o-odd look in hi-hi-his eyes... I think it wa-was because he he-heard my speech... A-A-And I was confused at first u-u-until I realized that i-i-it could be taken as a lo-lo-love confession!! Uwahhhhhh...

ALKIN: There's no need to cry.

CASS: Um, but they all must think I-I-I'm very odd no-no-now!!

ALKIN: They?

CASS: There wa-was Mister Zi-Zigvolt, and Mister Vanrouge and... um... Lo-Lo-Lord Draconia too! Mister Vanrouge was la-la-laughing too and he-he-he said, um, [It looks like she woke up without a kiss! How mysterious!]

ALKIN: ...

CASS: Then Mi-Mi-Mister Zigvolt started ye-ye-yelling at Mister Silver saying that, um, they should have let Lord Draconia ta-ta-take care of it instead si-since he's a proper prince...

And Mi-Mi-Mister Silver was red too... I think he-he-he was upset a-a-about it... um...

ALKIN: ... That one still likes to amuse himself on behalf of others...

CASS: Um?

ALKIN: Never mind. Then, am I right to assume you hid yourself under this bed out of embarrassment?

CASS: Um, ye-yes... I was so mo-mo-mortified by this si-since I practically looked li-li-like I was confessing to Mi-Mi-Mister Silver...

And it seemed to u-u-upset him too... So, um... I was re-re-really heartbroken, um...

ALKIN: ... [sighs]

CASS: I-I-I'm sorry! I really mu-mu-must have sounded so si-si-silly right now...

ALKIN: It is fine. You're still young, even for a fairy. You'll soon learn not to trust your elders so readily.

CASS: Um...

ALKIN: He really hasn't changed after all...

SCENE II

ALKIN: Your interpretation of the bride's story... It's very poetic.

CASS: Um! I-I-I wouldn't go so far, but, um... It's actually based on an old story I-I-I-I once read...

There wa-was a princess o-o-once who fell in lo-lo-love with a prince from another ki-ki-kingdom... It wa-wa-was love at first sight and they wa-wa-wanted to get wed... but, um, the older sister forbade their ma-ma-marriage... So the prince we-we-went to prove hi-himself up on the mo-mountain and defeat the evil queen who re-re-reigned over a land of snow... But he-he-he never made it back a-a-a-alive so she died o-o-of a broken he-heart...

ALKIN: Hm, that is a romantic opera they tell in the Glacier Mountains, isn't it?

CASS: Um, I-I-I'm not sure... I remember that my granny wo-would have this old book of ro-romantic legends... and there were many ta-tales like this...

Li-Like the story of a princess who fe-fell deep into slumber u-u-until her prince ca-came to wake her up with a kiss...

ALKIN: Hm, the tale from the Valley of Thorns. It was rather popular during our time... But your bride is not dead, is she?

CASS: Um, no! I-I-I was told that the ending where she di-dies of a broken he-heart would be more re-realistic... but... I fo-found it too sad...

ALKIN: Is that so?

CASS: Yes, um... to have wa-waited for so lo-long for her lo-lover to return... and to die from this before they were pro-pro-properly reunited... That is ju-just too sad. Isn't it, Head Prefect?

ALKIN: Perhaps... Then what do you think must have happened in the story?

CASS: Um... I li-like to think they fo-found a way to re-reunite with each other... Maybe they ra-ran away together and started a new li-life... Wo-Wouldn't that be nice?

Love is a-a-a thing that should bring joy, after all, ri-ri-right?

ALKIN: ... I understand now why he seems so fond of the two of you.

A knight from a fairytale coming to rescue a damsel in distress...

CASS: Um?

ALKIN: Ah, I am lost in my daydreams. Forgive me.

SCENE III

ALKIN: But I do have a question?

CASS: Ye-Yes?!

ALKIN: That watch that you're holding... It holds rather old. Is it an antique?

CASS: U-Um... I-I-I'm not sure... It's something that my granny has se-se-send over when she heard about our play... She wa-wa-was so excited to hear about it. I think she wo-would have loved to come over as we-well... but her legs, um...

ALKIN: I see. In those situations, it can be quite difficult... I presume the two of you are quite close, then?

CASS: Yes! She's my granny who ra-raised me since I was a child so I-I-I love her dearly! Until I came to Wa-Walpurga Nacht we ha-have never been se-se-separated at all... So it was quite ha-ha-hard to adjust to life here... But granny e-encouraged me and said that I-I should do my best...

ALKIN: That is good. She seems like a kind-hearted woman.

CASS: Yes! She a-always made sure I-I-I would be looked after... That's why I a-always make sure to send her good wi-wishes during this ti-time...

Um, you see, we used to spend Ha-Ha-Halloween together! Granny was a-a-a bit too old to go to town du-during that time... So we mostly sa-sat at home carving pu-pu-pumpkins and ma-ma-making candy together!

ALKIN: Hm, so you didn't go trick or treating with the other children?

CASS: Um, there weren't ma-ma-many children ba-back in our village... And the ones who we-went trick or treating didn't li-li-like me that much... So I-I-I mostly stayed ho-home with granny instead! Which I-I-I always liked to do!

ALKIN: ... I see. Then you must have enjoyed those moments greatly, despite everything.

CASS: Ye-Yes! Hanging out with granny is a-always so much fun... She knows a lo-lo-lot of stories! And e-even scary ones! She is really good at ma-making up voices, so I grew up li-listening to her ta-tales!

ALKIN: Hm, a scary story on the night of Halloween... How wonderfully appropriate. I don't think I've ever had the fortune of such an experience.

CASS: Yes! Um...

ALKIN: Hm? Is something the matter?

CASS: Um, we-well... Head Prefect... if you'd like I co-could try and tell you a-a-a few of granny's stories... um...

ALKIN: That would be very kind of you... But are you sure that's a wise idea? Your stutter...

CASS: UM! I'M SORRY! YO-YOU'RE RIGHT! I-I-IT WOULD BE VERY TROUBLING IF YO-YOU HAD TO LI-LISTEN TO MY A-ATTEMPTS!

ALKIN: ... No, I meant that it might hurt your throat...

Ah, I hear footsteps. Looks like your next guests are here. Good luck, Delphinne.

CASS: Th-Thank you, Head Prefect!

[door closes]

ALKIN: ... It seems that I might have to run into you eventually, General. To think that we'd look after these children in our old age like that...

They say that fostering new ages starts with a child's education. A human raised by fairies... A child born from both sides... I wonder just what you truly think about your aides...

[walpurga-nacht-academy]

Real question: Which NRC boys can the prefects NOT STAND.

Oooh, thank you for the question, Nonnie! This was really fun to think of, tbh!

🍓 Rosalia Morgainne 🍓 

Cater Diamond: It’s very melodramatic, but she does insist that she loathes Cater more than anything else in the world. It mostly stems from the fact that he’s always eager to ask her to take selfies with him so he can boost his MagiCam presence. Rosa deeply dislikes being given attention thanks to her role as Cherry, and always turns Cater down and blows him off. If they’re to meet by accident, she’d quickly turn around to avoid him and snap at him whenever he addresses her. 

🐇 Blanche Dion 🐇

Leona Kingscholar: It’s not something personal, but rather the fact that Blanche senses that Leona is smarter than he lets on, but has absolutely no drive to better or improve himself. She sees it as a waste to have somebody as him refuse to do anything useful or for the betterment of others. She’s the nagging sort usually, but in this situation she won’t interfere at all. Leona is a prince after all, and it would be foolish to start criticising him so boldly. At most she’ll express her dissatisfaction whenever she and Diana are talking about him. 

🧹 Marcia Pyroeis 🧹

Sebek Zigvolt and Jamil Viper: It’s nothing personal. Just business. Her business. Which these two stand in the way of. Though she understands to a certain degree why they are like this, it still does not change the fact that their interference is causing her to lose opportunities on making more money. She tends to get into fights with them pretty often as she tries to go past them and reach her real targets. Under any other circumstances, she wouldn’t be bothered by all this at all, since she’s pretty outgoing and friendly, but when it comes to money, Marcia has no mercy. 

🐸 June Himalia 🐸

Vil Schoenheit: It’s a weird relationship they have, because for the most part Vil looks down on her for being such an uncouth person, but recognizes her hardworking personality. Whereas June just dismisses him as a fancy city boy who keeps criticizing her whenever they cross paths. She is impressed that he has no qualms telling her off, but that also is quickly overrun by the fury that overtakes her soon after. When he remarks on her failures and flaws he manages to hit a little too close to home, and it always makes her rather agitated. So she tries to avoid him as best she can while on school grounds.

🐊 Diana Arrow 🐊

Rook Hunt: Diana is usually a very easy-going person, who doesn’t really have problems with those around her. The only exception to this is Rook, who she absolutely despises for his stalking tendencies. It’s not the act in itself that bothers her, but rather that it reminds her too much of the poachers that used to bother her friends back home. Interactions with Rook are the only time people will see her be overtly aggressive as he’s particularly good at pushing her buttons. As a result, he’s universally despised by the girls of Monarchia as well.  

🦋 Cassandra Delphinne 🦋

Azul Ashengrotto: Hate is a strong word, as Cass feels mostly fear towards him. He’s very insistent on her using her UM in order to either help him out or make money, and though he’s always very ‘polite’ about it, she can’t deal with his businessman attitude at all. She always tries to avoid him whenever she’s on campus, along with the twins, and keeps close to either Silver or Sebek for that reason. The fact that he still hasn’t given up on trying to convince her to do as he asks cause her quite a bit of anxiety, actually.

🧪 Agatha Voisin 🧪

Kalim Al-Asim: Kalim is pretty much everything Agatha hates in human form, with him being very cheerful, shiny and popular with others. He reminds her a bit of Rosa’s TV persona “Cherry” which just further earns her ire for the poor boy. It exasperates her when he acts kind to her, having even paid for something she wanted to purchase but was short on money for once, and will usually follow him around to repay the debt she feels she owns him. She grows more and more exasperated every time she’s unable to do that, and eventually Jamil had to accept the money on Kalim’s behalf to avoid a catastrophe.  

🕷 Vita Dies 🕷

Floyd Leech: Hate is a strong word, as Vita does not really care all that much for other people outside her immediate family and people she holds dear. But Floyd does manage to cause her the most amount of trouble by being an insufferable genius that does not apply himself. She tends to look down on him and make all sorts of scathing remarks if pushed, but generally her attitude towards him is to simply ignore his existence. People who are able to pursue higher knowledge, but do not are the sort that she dislikes the most. 

[walpurga-nacht-academy]

I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a while, but can you make a playlist for vita that reflects her aesthetic and tastes? And could you include the other prefects as well, if you have time?

Oooh, this is a fun one Anon! Thank you for the ask! I'll try to stick to around three songs for each of the girls to make it balanced!

🕷 Vita Dies

you're so dark - arctic monkeys. thank god i'm pretty - emilie autumn. carmen - lana del rey.

Vita's playlist aesthetic could be summed up as "gothic revival of a degenerate beauty queen" with a heavy, sinking aesthetic to it and a very sultry and mature vibe. The major theme would be mourning the innocence one was forced to lose, melancholia and a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction. The highlight is perhaps the manner in which she lets others categorize her in a box from which she feels she cannot escape or evolve. Vita's goal is to live unencumbered by the expectations of others and be true to herself, no matter what, knowing that there are people who accept her for her.

🍓 Rosalia Morgainne

strawberry shortcake - melanie martinez. seventeen - ladytron. she - selena gomez.

If she had a playlist aesthetic it would be something along the lines of "baby, you're more than just a pretty face", with a sort of pop-rock feeling to it and a lot of modern sounds. The major theme would be insecurity, exploitation of women and the fear of losing one's agency. But it would be uplifted with a song of self-affirmation and self-love, as she finally decides to take charge of her own destiny and affirm her femininity on her own terms. The evolution towards a more sexy, mature image is not a downgrade, but a means of liberation.

🐇 Blanche Dion

prom dress - mxmtoon. toxic thoughts - faith marie. lost one's weeping - lizz robinett (cover).

If she had a playlist aesthetic it would be something along the lines of "the gifted kid who's the disappointment of the family", with a slow and almost melancholic feel to it. The major theme would be resentment, regret and the feeling of being trapped, culminating in a feeling of liberation when she finally lets go of others' expectations for her. She learns to value her own life and worth, even if others won't and then comes to the realization that despite her family's words there is love and acceptance in her future.

🧹 Marcia Pyroeis

the hand that feeds - the crane wives. i need a dollar - aloe blacc. i'm still standing - elton john.

Her playlist aesthetic would be described as "breaking your back and your code for just a dollar more", with a folk element to it that is tempered by an almost upbeat rhythm. The major theme would be optimism in the face of catastrophe, knowledge of the harshness that you need to endure and the condition of the human being. She focuses on survival against all odds and hopes to transform her tragedy into an opportunity for growth and success, no matter how low the odds might be.

🐸 June Himalia

blood in the cut - k.flay. brutal - olivia rodrigo. obey - bring me the horizon & yungblud.

If she had a playlist aesthetic it would be best summed up as "rage" with a lot of songs that have an aggressive tempo and also unpleasant energy to them. The major theme would be frustration accumulating and slowly coming to a head when she feels that she's reached a boiling point, and with no way out she manifests her sense of hopelessness in physical actions. It's not that she wants to be brutal but when she's backed into a corner as she always is, she sees no other solution but to attack in return.

🐊 Diana Arrow

oh raven - unlike pluto. don't forget to open your eyes - missio. saturn - sleeping at last.

Her playlist aesthetic would be best described as "the sky is full of stars tonight and it makes me whole" where the songs would be slow, almost hypnotic with a tinge of weight to them. The major theme would be balance and acceptance, one born not from blind optimism but from completely understanding the consequences of her actions and the harshness of reality. Diana's lightness comes from the fact that she is perfectly aware of the darkness in others and in the world around her, but she still chooses to completely and without reservation accept them as part of the natural.

🦋 Cassandra Delphinne

so small and so quiet - isabella fortuna. something to feel good about - will joseph cook. hate myself - dodie.

If she had a playlist aesthetic it would best be described as "i apologize for the wild thumping of my heart" where a lot of songs feel slow and dragging in order to capture that feeling of melancholia. The major themes would be trying to find oneself and feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of the world, fear that you will never find yourself be accepted by anybody and that you are never going to be good enough. Cass' anxiety is for the most part tightly connected with her low self-esteem and communication problems, and the knowledge that as a child who is part of two worlds, she'll never fully fit in either. Yet she keeps persevering, knowing that she must develop herself as a person.

🧪 Agatha Voisin

jealousy, jealousy - olivia rodrigo. hey kids - molina ft. late verlane. running away - vano 3000.

Her playlist aesthetic would be best described as "i'm making my self-loathing everybody else's problem" where a lot of the songs have this experimental vibe to them which makes them feel rather odd and out of place. The major themes would be this resurgence feeling of being unable to fit within the standards of society and the resentment that comes with that, as well as the frustration that often follows after. Agatha's problems are punctuated by a constant wave of negative backlash regarding her appearance and nature. She feels that no matter what she'll do or how she'll change herself, she'll be rejected and then asks herself if it's even worth the effort to do so.

[walpurga-nacht-academy]

In anticipation of part 2 of the Djinn’s Bride event, I’ve sketched out some dress designs for the four girls who get their cards!

You can start reading the first part of the event here!