#kifaji

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

savanaclaw light novel: the importance of introspection

I’ve previously discussed how TWST benefits from telling us the same story across different mediums. Different mediums provide different benefits over others, and some can “patch up” rougher bits of story or add more detail to them. The game is interactive and serves as a baseline for most new content. The manga is able to have far more freedom of movement and expression due to being visual-heavy. And last, but not least, a light novel, which is mostly text, has the boon of letting us see more of each character’s thoughts and feelings. We can elaborate on what the game already established and understand the characters on a deeper level.

I would say that the light novel’s format will most benefit the OB boys, as they are the ones who will go through the biggest character arcs in the main story. Because the game’s story is told via mostly dialogue and some sound effects, we rarely, if ever, get a clear understanding of what the OB boys are truly thinking and feeling outside of their brief post-OB flashbacks. The same goes for the manga, which has limited pages to tell its story, so it has to keep a certain pace. But a light novel? Well, you can go ham there with an omniscient narrator.

Today, I want to talk about Leona’s expanded post-OB introspection in the second volume of the light novel as an example of this. Then I will combine it with the information we have from the game and see how the light novel complements what already we know of his character thanks to hindsight. (I’ll be referencing this fan translation if you want to read and follow along!)

First thing’s first! From the game, we know that Leona enrolled in Night Raven College one year late (and then got held back a year, which makes sense considering he is 20 in the main story present). He didn't find a use in attending school since he, by royal birth, was able to afford all the best tutors in the world and didn't think NRC had anything left to teach him. In Leona's Birthday Boy vignettes, he further specifies that he decided to enroll at NRC after Cheka was born. As Leona says in his post-OB flashback in-game, Cheka's birth means "the despised second son loses what little claim he had to the throne forever", essentially putting an end to his hopes. This would imply that this specific change in circumstance was the push that made Leona want to physically distance himself from home. Furthermore, it's supported by Leona's other behaviors: he does not take calls or read letters from home if he can help it (implied by Cheka asking why Leona doesn't answer his letters and Cheka calling on Halloween night to catch up with him; Leona lies and quickly hangs up), he makes excuses to avoid going home (as Kifaji states), etc. If we want to extrapolate even more, how is it that Leona, second born prince, initially crossed paths with Ruggie, who was born and raised in the slums (which, I imagine, must be quite some distance away from the royal palace)? This makes me think that even before Leona enrolled at NRC he would leave his housing and roam around, finding alternative places to stay because home just felt too uncomfortable and suffocating for him. There's also the implication that Leona often brooded over his circumstances, as he confesses to thinking about it and going to NRC to get his mind away from the tired cycle--although he also acknowledges that he's running away from "the pain" of having lost the throne.

The distancing would prove itself to be beneficial to his mental health, as Leona cites that his heart started feeling lighter, his restlessness dulled, and his pain numbed. With the throne out of sight, so, too, was it out of mind, and his longing softened. But that same haunting despair returns when another group starts to place expectations on him. This time, it's no longer the palace servants, but his own dorm members. Instead of fear and derision, his new pack looks at him, their "king", with desperateness--and, more importantly, hope. Speaking about the future with sparkling eyes. That, in turn, made Leona hopeful too. He can't let these people who look up to him and rely on him down, so he must do anything to win. That's all he ever wanted: to win, just this once. No matter what, he wants to win.

But when Leona's plans crumble, that crushing sense of despair rears its ugly head. He fails. And he suddenly understands that all his efforts will always amount to nothing, that they will always be meaningless, that there is no future for him. Leona's hopes have been dashed. He has been struck down by the world once again, just as he had started to climb up, fighting tooth and nail, to prove himself. Yet when defeat came, he also claims it doesn't bother him as much as he thought he would--perhaps because he's so accustomed to not winning, because maybe this is the outcome he had expected all along in the deepest recesses of his heart. That familiar disappointment begins to hurt him once more, and Leona wants to forget it all, to retreat to the shadows and to lick his wounds, to be far away from that pain.

One interesting new detail we glean from the light novel is that Leona is terrified by his dorm mates staring at him with hopeful eyes. It's not their expectations he's inherently scared of, but what those expectations can do to him. Leona is scared of himself, of being motivated by others to act, to never give up hope, when he still anticipates being beat down again and again by a world that rejects him and denies him. He even goes so far as to say he would be pathetic if he let his dorm mates' words inspire him and keep his waning hope alive. Ruggie, who had wanted to turn the world upside down together. Jack, who was inspired by his play three years back. All the mobs putting faith in their futures on him, their one and only leader. With so many people looking to him, how can he not be swayed by that positivity that had once been so elusive to him? How could that not ignite what little spark of hope is left in him? And that's exactly what Leona finds so dangerous about it. He's lived almost his entire life being put in his place, hurt every time he tried to demonstrate what he could do, how he could contribute--yet time and time again, here comes life, tempting him to try again, just to inevitably be compared to his brother and kicked down, delivering another blow to his pride and his self-image. Leona truly seems to hate himself for not being able to let go of that small fragment of hope he has left. He wants so badly to give up and not have to worry anymore about something he can never obtain. He's so tired of struggling and suffering for nothing. If he just caved, then he would never be hurt again. He can't be hurt if he doesn't care about anything. Yet no matter how much he wishes or tries, he can't run far enough away to detach himself from those expectations of grandeur, of being something more.

There's been many fan theories about Leona's mental health in circulation well before the release of this light novel, many of which mention self-loathing in spite of how proud and confident he typically presents as. You'd have to read in-between the lines of dialogue from the game to draw these clues out, whereas the light novel lays it more bare to you. It hits very differently reading hateful statements made by the character to himself. Leona calls himself all sorts of things: a fool, pathetic, insignificant, boring. That he isn't strong, that he isn't wise, that he's not loved. (In the in-game flashback, Leona also talks in a self-deprecating way, but to a far lesser extent than in the light novel; we also see that Falena does his best to discourage Leona from this kind of behavior.) That this is who he is, that it's the one thing he's afraid to admit and accept--but he also says he lacks the "strength" to give up. That's why Leona would rather run away than confront that potential truth. The option to embrace complete nihilism just isn't possible for him, because he can't just quash that pesky little thing called hope. This is much more complex than what's explained in the games and demonstrates a maturity and degree of self-reflection from Leona that we've never seen before. What's more, this gives us brand new context with which to view many of his other seemingly mundane actions mentioned in the game. At face value, Leona often acts very callously and doesn't care to help others unless he gets some kind of benefit from it (like agreeing to poof the contracts in book 3 just because he has his own deal he wants to get rid of). We see this time and time again when he instructs others reliant on him or less knowledgeable than he is in various matters where he is well-read and experienced with. For example, he takes note of his club members' strengths and weaknesses and offers tailored advice to help them improve their play. He tells others how to mine magestones of an adequate size in Vargas Camp. Maybe he's just doing these things to make the circumstances easier for himself (so he can put forth less effort to leading them in a game, or so he can nap heartily). But from what we've just learned from the light novel, now I'm suspecting a different secondary motive.

What if... Leona is, in part, encouraging and helping others to hone their own skills to subconsciously compensate for what he doesn't believe he himself is capable of? Because there's still so much hope for his dorm mates, for his underclassmen... (and, let's not forget, it was those in Savanaclaw that first motivated Leona to "try" again for the first time in forever) but he doesn't have that same amount of hope for himself. I get these vibes as late as book 6, when Leona and Jamil have a talk. In their conversation, Leona directs many pointed, blunt words at Jamil--words that could very easily also be thrown back at Leona's face and be applicable to his book 2 self. He accuses Jamil of making excuses so he won't have to actually act, just as Leona has continuously run away from uncomfortable situations to put himself at ease. At one point, I believe Leona event states that Jamil “*isn’t like [me]”, Here, again, it can be argued that we're seeing Leona's self-awareness on display, as well as a willingness to warn others to not follow down the same path he once treaded, to lose all hope in the future. Again, it's done with a double purpose: the other one being to get Jamil out of his way while they're exploring. And (of course) Leona's way of expressing his message is gruff and not very warm, not to Jamil and certainly not to himself. He's become prickly and defensive himself after all of his experiences--but that just adds to the complexity of his character when we synthesize what we know of him from TWST multimedia.

I really wish a lot of what was in the light novel post-Leona OB was also in the game. It would have helped to flesh out Leona's motivations and fears, which book 2 was sorely needing. As he is presented now, he appears shallow and selfish in his goals, and we don't fully understand the emotions spurring him on, a lot of which is genuine self-loathing and the sinking despair that comes with thinking you're not enough and you'll never be enough. That would have been so much more relatable than the in-game Leona having himself a pity party with a great amount of emphasis on the throne--a throne which, in actuality, just symbolizes a desire for recognition, love, and acceptance. It was never about explicitly being king. It was about being seen as his own person and appreciated for it instead of being admonished and compared to his exalted older brother.

Now, as an adult, Leona has become someone who pushes away those who try to give him that which he craves. He sees a lot of people--his own family and his dorm mates, the closest thing he has to friends--as dangers to his own mental wellbeing. He's scared to let them in, so he's built up these emotional, arrogant walls around himself. Think at how often he rejects advice from Falena and refuses Cheka's affection for him. Look at how this behavior extends beyond those who are keeping him from a literal throne and to his classmates. They instill hope in him, hope which scares Leona. The things he has wanted all his life are now poison that chips away at him. Considering all of that together, it makes Leona's story far more tragic than how it was initially shown to us in the game alone. But guess what? That can also become his strength, fuel for his character arc. Leona isn't running anymore. He's actually returning home for winter break in book 4. He's determined to not get held back again. He's committing to an internship in a field (an energy lab) which will immensely help his country (which is rich in natural resources). All of this, coming from a young man who once acted bitter when his older brother suggested that there were many things Leona could do with his intelligence to benefit their homeland. Leona is making slow strides and steady progress toward a future he used to think was unattainable for him. From that darkness, he's rising anew--like the sun upon the savanna.

[queen-shiba]

The Sassy Lost Child from another World and the Usurper from the Wilds

Author's note: Decided to use the name "Shiba" in this story. Self inserts for the win!

@killersweetie @vtoriacore @vtoriacore-rbs @maythearo @seraphni @h3apm3ch4n151m @b0nkers-papaya @soru-ya @soru-spam

Leona has formed a big brother/little sister relationship with the prefect, and decided it'd be a good idea to bring the child home over break, seeing as she is not a fan of being by herself for so long.

But it seems, she wasn't lying when she said she'd mouth off to the nobles and servants if they dared speak ill of him...

There was a banquet being held by the king of the Sunset Savannah.

Many come to enjoy it from far and wide!

Especially nobles who wish to be in the king's favor.

Leona hated special events like this with a burning passion.

Usually, he'd avoid going, and completely skip out on it, but his darling older brother insisted he went, and the prefect, whom he'd brought along with him, was eager as well, but would only go if he went.

Now they were stuck in some party the lion wanted no part in.

Shiba was hardly mingling with anyone, sticking to his side as if everyone else in the room was a monster.

Socializing wasn't her specialty.

Shiba had never really been to special events like this... Not often anyway..

She didn't know how to mingle.

The thought of talking to someone was... Scary..

Or someone wishing to talk to her...

By now, she was used to Falena and his wife, having gotten comfortable with them, as well as Kifaji.

Leona didn't mind the prefect staying with him.

He could tell she wanted to go off to a corner and be by herself. She'd most certainly need a recharge after this, just as much as he needed one.

The banquet lasted hours, going until late.

But even with all the laughter and reminiscing, Shiba did not miss the lours and dirty looks that some of the guests wore on their faces when Leona spoke, or walked by.

Their hushed whispers that no one else seemed to notice...

Shiba could hear them, and she'd tune into their conversations.

Leona could see how... Focused his not so little friend was.

"That's the second prince.." One of the nobles muttered.

"I hear he turns anything he touches to sand.." Another whispered.

Shiba eyed them, and decided to wait until the banquet was over to confront them.

They'd learn...

.

.

.

.

Just as the banquet ended, and everyone took their leave, Shiba found the two nobles who'd spoken out of turn and let it reach her ears.

They were alone in the hall, and quickly, she strayed away from Leona with a determined expression.

"So I hear you guys like to talk shit behind people's backs?" Shiba called.

Leona's eyes widened slightly when she wandered off just to say that, "Herbivore..!" He tried to call her back, but she did not listen.

What the hell was wrong with that girl!?

The two nobles she'd spoken to turned with a glare, meeting her gaze, "Oh? And who might you be?" One of them asked.

"Who I am is absolutely none of your business. I wanna know who the hell you think you are, talking about Leona as if he were lesser or some sort of monster," Shiba spoke firmly, "and under your breath no less."

The two puff up with annoyance at her words, "You must be the child he brought in... You ought to learn some manners."

"And bitch, so what if I am? My parents taught me plenty of manners, but I was also taught to defend others from shit bags like you who don't have anything else to do with themselves but count money in their bed and wait to be robbed."

"Just who do you think you are!?"

"Ahhhh don't hit me with that shit! I heard everything you said about him, and you are no better than he is!" Shiba unleashed her sharp tongue.

She was so far in, Leona couldn't stop her, only being able to snicker at how she spoke to them so freely. The Noble's baffled faces made it even better to watch!

"You couldn't even say it to his face! Maybe if you weren't so focused on him, you'd notice the stick up your ass!" Shiba tore them apart, "Maybe go get that removed instead of throwing shade where you can't throw hands!"

By the end of it, the nobles were too stunned to speak, storming off with their tails between their legs.

"You said she was sixteen?" Falena's voice sounded off next to Leona, to which he nodded, "She is."

The king could only sigh, "She certainly has a sharp tongue for her age..."

"That she does." Leona smirked, as Shiba returned to him, huffing, "I can't believe those jerks! Who do they think they are!?"

Leona's hand pat the head of the prefect, "Calm down Herbivore. You already got them."

She was so much like a gremlin...

It was good to know that she'd do that for him though...

No one had ever come to his defense like that....

It felt.. endearing.

The End

[theonemarvelousness]

Scar of King's Roar [TW]

Leona's eye hurts.

A lot of stuff hurts. His eyes are dry.

It's rare he sees his father.

Talking to the doctor in the other room.

His ears ache; but he catches some words.

"--Unique Magic..."

"--sand? Everything?"

"--blot--"

"--blind?"

He can't see out of his patched-up eye.

Things are weird.

He wants a bath.

A nap.

"And STAY here. No one wants to look after a cursed prince!" The servant scolds, hauling him in the--well. He's not sure where he is, really. It's dark. And small. And there's no one here.

If he wasn't a lion, he wouldn't be able to make out this small, box-like space. He has to sit to fit.

Jiggling the handle does nothing. He can hear the clatter of a lock.

Maybe if he just naps?

---

The door's still locked when he wakes up. He's thirsty, and his stomach growls. Hungry, too.

Pressing his ear against the door...

"Hello?!" He calls, maybe he can't hear them?

"HELLO?!"

Nothing.

He takes another nap.

---

Sleep is nice, but when he's awake he's remembering how hungry and thirst he is.

Why are there no servants? That's... how it's supposed to be, right?

Why did the nanny leave him in here?

---

His tummy hurts.

His throat hurts.

He's hit the door, and tried to use some magic. But he's not strong enough to get out. His claws aren't as long or as sharp as Farenah's, either. He can't just slash through things like his big brother.

Farenah's at school, far away, too.

---

Why can't the door disappear?

Words--strange words bubble in his throat. "I am your hunger, I am your thirst. I am what steals your tomorrows. Kneel before me! King’s Roar!" He doesn't know where it comes from. This strong magic takes nothing, but--but the door!

The door he was pushing against... it's sand?

"What is THAT?" A servant yells, looking at him in horror.

"What did he do!?" Another.

Coming toward them, he grasps their pant leg. "I--"

The cloth turns to sand.

The servant screams. And shoves at him--hard. Their claws pierce and cut his skin, as he's shoved away by his face. It hurts.

It hurts so much.

Stumbling, he falls into a cabinet.

It turns to sand, slowly, as he uses it to get up.

It's.

There's a lot of shouts.

He sees guards.

He...

---

Waking up here...

King's Roar.

That was the magic he used. His Unique Magic.

He isn't sure anymore.

Did kids get their Unique Magics?

He's so tired.

"PRINCE LEONA!" The shout of Kifaji startles him. Ears back.

Leona doesn't want...

"Oh no--what did they do to you? My little prince..." The bird flutters and all that.

But he doesn't want to talk. "Thirsty." He gets out, stomach grumbling. Suddenly, all of it's back. The hunger and thirst.

"Yes, yes!" And off the bird goes, coming back with a fresh glass of water. "Slow sips, Leona."

Taking it, he downs it gratefully. It soothes a lot. But he listens. Slow sips.

"I want a nap, Kifaji." He wants his room.

"The doctor hasn't finished--but what happened, Leona?" The soft tone of the adult. The old bird bends to look him in the eyes. Eye.

"...The nanny put me somewhere..." He mumbles, looking away. "And I got out with sand."

The King and the doctor return then.

His father looks just like Farenah.

Sunset hair. Gold eyes. Large. Proud.

He looks like his mother, the late queen. Dirt hair. Green eyes.

But he's only seen her in paintings. Farenah's photos.

Leona bows to the king, as he should, and keeps his gaze to the ground.

The doctor pulls up his chin. "His Blot levels are high, he's severely dehydrated. He needs water. Several good meals. That is an impressive amount of magic for a five-year-old..." He doesn't like looking at the old doctor. But he doesn't pull away like he wants to. "My King, you should be quite proud. You have two powerful princes in magic!"

"He summons sand." The king cuts back.

Leona's ears press flat to his skull.

The doctor is older than even Kifaji. "My, yes, we... are unsure if he'll keep his sight. Kifaji, make sure he's here after dinner. We'll do twice-a-day looks until it's healed."

"Yes, of course."

"He can go now." The doctor releases Leona.

"Come, my Prince." Kifaji gestures for him to come along.

Leona slides off the table, and bows to his father quietly before he leaves.

He doesn't stumble until he's out of the older lion's sight.

---

The servants are scared now.

They were just mean before... cursed is thrown around a lot, more.

They say, in their whispers they think he can't hear, that he killed the queen when he was born.

He took too much.

Of course he did, look at that magic.

Sand.

---

It left a scar over his eye, but he can see out it.

His fingers trace over it again and again.

"It does make you look like the King of Beasts, Leona." Kifaji points out.

"Really?" He turns back, looking at the old bird, curious.

The bird gives a big smile. "Yes, and I think you'll follow a path of greatness too, one day."

Kifaji's just saying that.

[mewsplainer]

"leona used to cry when he lost to kifaji at chess"

[twistedtummies2]

Pouncing Practice

(This is inspired by stuff revealed in the Tamashina-Mina Event for Twisted Wonderland.)

Kifaji: (is walking down the hall of the Palace...then stops short when he feels something pounce onto his leg; he looks down with some alarm)

Baby Leona: (blinks up with big, innocent green eyes; swishes his tail as he hugs Kifaji's leg and noms on his pant leg with tiny little teefs)

Kifaji: ...Pouncing Practice, Your Majesty?

Baby Leona: (rawrs and growls playfully and holds tighter)

Kifaji: (smirks and shakes his head with amused affection) Oh, dear, this is so humiliating...

MANY YEARS LATER...

Cheka: (does the exact same thing to Kifaji)

Kifaji: Ugh...I'm getting too old for this...

Adult Leona: (smirks and snickers in the shadows, watching this happen)

[mimichux]

Rematch🦁🐦

[shibainu2006]

Memes I made

[egophiliac]

Please elaborate on your twst Pokémon headcannons I’m very interested

I had planned on drawing everyone for this (I made a LIST!) but it. hasn't been going well. 💀 soooo here's what I have so far!

Riddle - Roserade (I was going with 'no legendaries', otherwise I would've given him a Shaymin) (and I don't think Togedemaru is actually a hedgehog or I would've given him one of those too) (...they kind of do fit though. hmm.)

Trey - Alcremie (clover/mint cream + strawberry/ruby cream)

Cater - DITTO SQUAD! DITTO SQUAD! DITTO SQUAD!

Ace - Impidimp (I feel like there's probably a better one for him, but I can't think of it)

Deuce - Scraggy (meanwhile I KNOW deep in my heart that this is true)

Leona - Pyroar (but like. a nasty Pyroar. just a grizzly old Pyroar with the shittiest attitude imaginable. they pretend to hate each other but secretly they are a bonded pair, do not separate)

[harunayuuka2060]

MC: ...

Leona: *has been "subtly" observing them*

MC: ...

Falena's wife: ...

Falena's wife: Back to our discussion.

MC: Yes. You're hoping that I would be of help to His Majesty now that his health is deteriorating.

Falena's wife: Yes. Would it be possible for you to extend his life?

MC: There are factors that we need to consider. Does he still want to rule this country?

Falena's wife: No. He wants to live longer so he would be able to witness Cheka and Liora grow up into fine princes, and your second child to be born.

MC: Hmm. I could strengthen his heart, however... He likes to eat things that aren't good for him.

Falena's wife: *chuckles* We could just instruct Kifaj to be strict on him.

MC: In that case, I will start on the treatment.

MC: How are you feeling, Your Majesty?

The king: I'm feeling great. *chuckles* I think I could yell better on Kifaj now.

Kifaj: And I will do better to ignore you if needed.

The king: Anyway, is it true there will be a second-born?

MC: It will not until two years, Your Majesty.

The king: Oh. It takes that long?

MC: Yes.

The king: Oh. I see. How come? Isn't pregnancy supposed to be nine months?

MC: It's different with transcendentals, Your Majesty.

The king: *sigh* Well then, I guess I have to wait that long.

The king: I wish it's a girl this time so the Kingscholar will have their little princess.

MC: ...

MC: A princess it is.

The king and Kifaj: ...

The king: That's wonderful! Kifaj! Buy everything that will suit our baby princess!

Kifaj: Yes, Your Majesty!

MC: Again, the baby will not be born until two years.

The king: That is fine! Knowing that it will be a princess is enough!

Leona: *staring sternly at them from behind*

MC: *carrying Liora*

Baby Liora: *seems curious why his father is staring*

MC: What is it, Leona?

Leona: *walks and moves in front of them* The request you've been trying to delay.

MC: ...

MC: Sharing your mana to me is out of the question.

Leona: Tch. But I want to help you and I don't want to see not waking up for days again.

MC: ...

MC: How long will you try to insist on this?

Leona: I don't know. Maybe until you give me an alternative?

MC: ...

MC: I could give you one, but it would cost you a great inconvenience.

Leona: What is it?

MC: Cater our daughter for me.

Leona: ...

Leona: How?

MC: Like how I catered Liora. I will transfer the seed in your heart.

MC: You must keep your emotions stable.

Leona: Alright. I can do that.

MC: ...

MC: Alright. Come closer.

Leona: Yes- Mmp!

MC: *pulls themselves away* Give her back to me after two years. The same way that I did just now.

Leona: *blushing* That's a kiss you-

MC: I wouldn't call it as such. Now leave and stop bothering me for today.

Baby Liora: *waves at his father*

Leona: ...

Ruggie: *almost got choked on his food*

Ruggie: *then laughs*

Leona: *frowns at him*

Ruggie: That's a lot of trust, man. To think that MC allowed you to take care of your daughter.

Leona: Yes. But in the end, they're still the one who's going to birth it.

Ruggie: Though, are you sure you're up for the job? Two years is quite a long time, you know?

Leona: Yes. What do you take me for?

Ruggie: Impatient, easily annoyed-

Leona: *glares at him*

Ruggie: That. That's what I'm talking about. MC has always been cool-headed that's why Prince Liora has no complications and they carried him for three and a half-years.

Ruggie: I wonder how you are going to manage that.

Leona: It's my future daughter we're talking about here, Ruggie. I will do everything for her.

Ruggie: Okay. Why don't we start first by you eating vegetables?

Leona: *scowls*

Ruggie: It's for the baby princess. *amused by his expression*

Falena: I'm glad you have entrusted the development process to Leona.

MC: He wanted to help so I let him.

Falena: *happy sigh* I could already imagine what my niece would be like. *chuckles* *is imagining a snobbish baby and will frown at the sight of anyone*

MC: *knows what he's thinking and couldn't agree more*

[bones4thecats]

Being Married and Your Lives Together

Type of Writing: Poll Result Characters: Fellow Honest, Baul Zigvolt, and Kifaji Name: Being Married and Your Lives Together Original Poll Link: Here

A/N: This is my first times writing for all of these characters, so they may end up being a bit out of character, just warning y'all! Anyways, I do hope you guys enjoy this. I'm just gonna write each part of the poll as it goes, since it's pointless waiting daily on the next part. Now, enjoy my bubbles🫧

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🦊 Fellow Honest and you grew up together with Gidel by your side, working together to provide a decent life for the younger beastman, despite the hardships

🦊 Gidel adores you to the point where you were basically another sibling to him, which led to Fellow beginning to see you as a co-raiser of the cat-man

🦊 You and Fellow eventually began to work at Playful Land together, with the assistance of your younger brother

🦊 When your relationship started, you guys just began working at the theme park with one another, only using the relationship as something to put the walls of the visitors down to nothing

🦊 But, Fellow began to notice how when the visitors walked away with you guiding them around to show them the place so they were more at ease, he would glare at one of them if they tried something inappropriate

🦊 While you guys to eventually marry, not making it into any paperwork, obviously, you cannot allow your occupations to be let out, he still is protective over you, since fox-beastman have one partner for their lives

🦊 Your occupation working at Playful Land is very shady and if caught, can put you all in serious danger, which prompts Fellow to guard you and Gidel with his life, no matter the cost

🦊 Despite popular beliefs, Fellow does not want children unless he had a stable life with you and Gidel, he doesn't want his offspring to go through the same amount of pain he, Gidel, and you went through

🦊 If you and him had one unexpectedly, he would put everything into you, his brother, and his children, since you all were the most important things in his life, he could wait, you could not

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🐊 Baul never saw any point for a relationship, but, when he met you at a young age, he saw more potential with you than he did anyone else

🐊 He has a fiery personality, but, unlike many, you adored that part of him. And, due to his more aggressive tendencies, he is a very protective and possessive husband, pushing you behind him during any threat

🐊 During the war, he kept you away from it all, and sending you as many letters as he could in between battles

🐊 Once the war calmed down, he found out you were pregnant and was having a daughter, the only child you would ever have during your long lives together

🐊 He raised your daughter with such high-honors that it was a hint overwhelming for the young fae, but, what did you expect from an ex-military member?

🐊 You are by far the more approachable grandparent of the Zigvolt family, you were the one that Sebek would come for to get advice, and you would always tell him to embrace what his father gave him, his humanity

🐊 While Baul and you have some rough-patches that you cannot seem to fully sand down, he always tried his best to keep his composure, and he had tried his most when your daughter brought her future husband and father to her children home to meet you both

🐊 He was horrified of Baul Zigvolt, who told him to only call him Mr. Zigvolt, while he was far more at ease with you, as you just said he could call you 'Mom'

🐊 It's basically the 'Cool and Intimidating x An Absolute Sweetheart' dynamic, and it's hilarious for your family and friends to watch

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🕊️ You worked with Kifaji as a chamberlain for the Kingscholar family growing up, and he would just watch as you would help Farena take a small break from his homework to mess around

🕊️ Kifaji also would love watching you just try getting Leona to do something other than nap around growing up, it was quite amusing

🕊️ He and you were childhood friends, and eventual lovers who married and began to work alongside one another. Your husband then began to work for the Kingscholar family, with you joining him later on

🕊️ This guy gives me the vibe of a good father for some reason

🕊️ Due to this, he and you had two children, two boys to be specific, and oh boy does he adore his dearest boys to the end of the world

🕊️ He taught them everything they needed to know, and because of your ages, you had the first son around a year or so before Farena was born and then your second son when the oldest Kingscholar was a couple years old

🕊️ Kifaji tries to take some days off of work to be with you and his sons as they grew up, but as they aged and began their own lives, he tried spending as much time as he could with his grandchildren

🕊️ Leona loves to taunt you by being asleep in the most random places, prompting your husband to show, allowing the lion-beastman to get you flustered more

🕊️ Age comes with wisdom? Then he must have been 70 when he was really 28, and you would vouch for that, like I mentioned, this guy taught his children and the Kingscholar's children, what do you expect?

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Realized upon that hometown events' guest characters are those who are close with SSR card main characters. And I'm not saying because they are family or close friends.

Jamil - They could picked either of Jamil's parents yet decided upon Najma. Why? Because he and his parents' relationship are complicated and Najma is someone that he is close to the most and can be himself without worried about hierarchy. They even have typically sibling relationship where Najma mess with him but never outright cruel to him. (Love how she stole the shawarma)

Epel - Well Epel is a family man and he is close with each of the family relatives. I'm sure the reason it's Marja is because she is involved with the sled competition more than his family even looks like her the most (once he gets old). I mean it's hilarious how Idia fangirls Marja because she is inspiration of his favorite character.

Leona - they could have picked Farena since Cheka was already present but they picked Kifaji which is surprising given the last two are family members yet the guest character is the Twisted version of Zazu (but still interesting to have another twisted version of a Disney character). The reason is probably because he isn't close with Farena despite his brother caring about Leona that much but knowing his overblot backstory, he despise him since he is the heir and how people praise him while they badmouthed Leona. While Kifaji and Leona aren't really close, he is one of the few that Kifaji treated him well without discriminating him especially from the chess game. Kifaji is basically like a parent or an uncle to Leona and given Leona's family issues, he is close to someone than any of his family.

Deuce - knowing well about what he said about his mother, it's obvious that his mother is the guest character. Not to mentioned, the only person he is close to the most. Since he left the gang to leave a better life and how he treated everyone disrespectful and no known relatives except for his grandmother, his mother is closest person he has and how he'll do everything for his mother.

Vil - so far one of the two overblot boys (with Azul being the other one) are the ones without family problems (Idia seems to have caring parents but the family business is complicated for chapter 6 and 7 reasons). Obviously Vil will have his own father be the guest character because he is a great dad to Vil who doesn't abuse nor neglect him. Vil even talks proudly about his father.

So based on that, it's not just relationship towards the SSR but also how they are close to one another without ill-intentions nor trauma. So I have feeling the next hometown events will be similar to which the SSR closest to be the guest character.

Like for example, Azul's guest character could be his mother because he proudly talks about his mother and how he is happy that he married her divorce lawyer. I can picture tweels' guest character to be either their parents.

Now the only issues on who is closest to are the Lilia, Silver, Riddle's, Shroud brothers', and Malleus'.

Lilia and Silver are eachother's relatives and doesn't seem to have anyone they talk to outside of the family (Baul and Zigvolt don't really count especially when Baul ready debuted and felt they would be Sebek's guest characters). We already seen through the Shroud's parents and I doubt that Idia has someone close and Ortho is extroverted but I'm not sure what their hometown is like besides Styx. Do they have other children or anyone close to?

Malleus's family is complicated and we know about Senate. So he would likely have his grandmother.

Riddle for obvious reasons...

So this is just my speculation.

I believe it has been stated that the manga intentionally blacks out the face of Mrs. Rosehearts because she is viewed as the source of Riddle’s trauma. It keeps her in this shadowy, untouchable status and maintains the idea that the darkness of the past still impacts us in present day. I anticipate that this will hold and become the pattern for each OB boy’s flashback sequences. (We’ll soon see!)

If that’s the case for the manga, then it makes sense for the game to do something similar by purposefully keeping the faces of figures who play a significant role in each OB boy’s trauma a secret. That means likely no Mrs. Rosehearts, similar to how we did not meet the Viper parents in A Firelit Sky nor Farena/Falena in Tamashina Mina. However, some parents are clearly still fair game since they do have a good relationship with their son (Mrs. Ashengrotto and Azul, for example.). We see an example of this with Eric Venue showing up in Tapis Rouge.

It makes sense to meet family members whom the SSR boy has a good relationship with; running into a family member that stresses them out would kill the fun and easygoing vibes of the hometown event and would instead present an interpersonal issue that runs too deep to be resolved in a satisfying way before the event’s conclusion. Imagine a hometown event in which we have to stay over in Riddle’s home and we witness his parents fighting?? 😔 I don’t think that’s something that could be “fixed” in like 5 parts… Of course, not every family is perfect and that’s valid. It’s just not the scope or the perspective that TWST hometown events want or are equipped to deal with.

I feel like any of the Ocatrio’s family are pretty fair game? Despite how sketchy they are, Azul, Floyd, and Jade seem to be on good terms with all of their family members (well, maybe excluding Azul’s biological father) and learned many important things from them. I am, once again, asking TWST for a Coral Sea hometown event… 🤚 ✋ *holds out hands*

I’m sure that the characters who don’t have obvious family members to meet/yet to be revealed will have some other substitution? Probably a new character that’s twisted from another Disney character (similar to Kifaji). Maybe we’ll see a new noble fae that Lilia knows, Silver’s guardian fae that blessed him at birth, or prominent STYX staff (like maybe twisted Pain or Panic?).

For Malleus, his only living relative is his grandmother, sooo… I guess he’ll introduce us to the reigning monarch if he’s the SSR of a Briar Valley hometown event 😂 Malleus does what Leona won’t…

[queen-shiba]

Twst incorrect quotes

@killersweetie @vtoriacore @vtoriacore-rbs @sakkakuu-squared @seraphni @maythearo @captain-liminal @fizzydreamz @feliciadraws @b0nkers-papaya @h3apm3ch4n151m @soru-spam @soru-ya

Who ate the king's brother's ass?

Chuki: Who ate my leftovers!?

Falena reading documents: Who ate my brother's ass?

Leona: *chokes*

*Kifaji snickering in the background*

Chuki: .... Okay...

[theonemarvelousness]

Homecoming [Sequel to Scar of King's Roar [TW]]

[Summary: Farenah comes home from RSA to find Leona... changed.]

What a whirlwind! He can't believe that a whole semester is over, and the winter break is already here! It seems like yesterday he went off with his little brother waving goodbye. Now, he has all these photos and adventures to share! He's going to love coming here when he gets older.

Farenah Kingscholar, heir apparent and first born of the current reigning King of the Sunset Savannah might be a bit unprincely as he rushes up, dragging his suitcase behind him. The transport back was quick, and as he's just a moment from saying goodbye to his new friends he's rushing to the palace gates with a grin.

Kifaji's there, scoffing. "We were to FETCH you, Prince Farenah!" The familiar, scolding tone brings a smile to his face.

"I missed you too, Kiji~" A laugh at the childish nickname. Though--"Where's Leona? I thought he'd be waiting here..."

There's something off about the frown on Kifaji's face. Not that the old bird's a happy guy, he's very serious and proper--but this is... sad. "Is he... okay?" Cautious. Feeling his own ears lower.

"The King has determined due to his amazing magical abilities presenting in... the recent discovery of his Unique Magic... that he would start intensive magic lessons. He is currently in those magic lessons." The bird continues, cautious of who overhears.

"Well, let's go see him! He must be bored out of his skull in lessons!" Bright--he has the bird lead the way.

---

The curious six-year-old he left now sits surrounded by a pile of books, writing down a lot of old spells for memorization--and with a patch over his eye.

What HAPPENED?

The big breath he took in to say hi is gone.

Who hurt him!?

Coming over, he's very cautious. That small brow is furrowed in concentration. This work--sure, it's already advanced for a six-year-old because they're royals but... this is... a little ridiculous. Ancient magic circles of containment?

Then he sees the mark on his little brother's arm.

What happened?

"Leona?" His voice is very soft.

Leona looks up at him. The bright light in his eyes are... just gone. He's only been gone a couple months. How can a six-year-old change like that?

His brother stands, and bows. "Prince Farenah. Welcome home." It's.

It's just so proper.

"Woah--hey." He kneels down, gently tilting his chin up. "What happened there?"

"Nothing." Leona responds. It's... dull.

The mark is the containment from the book, and without a teacher here he actually thinks that maybe, just maybe, he's trying to break it. But, right now he leaves it alone. "Hey, c'mon, you can tell me."

"It's nothing. It comes off tomorrow."

"...Well okay." It's no good to press. He slowly stands up with a bright smile. "I've gotta unpack, so I'll be back to get you later!" And a wave, as his brother nods him off...

He turns to Kifaji down the hall. "What the Hell happened?!"

---

A glass of wine and three glasses of water in, he's still not calmed down. "What happened to the nanny, to the servant?" The one that locked Leona up, and the one that hurt him.

"I've discovered a plot of five people. The nanny was apprehended at the border. ...They were executed..." A sigh, the old bird rubs his temples, shaking his head.

"A six-year-old... They'd kidnap and try to starve to death a six-year-old. M--mother's death isn't his fault. She wasn't--she wasn't very strong." A hand runs through his sunset locks. "Has he been like this since then?"

"Yes. He... studies. He'll eat after someone taste tests it. And he sleeps. He sleeps... most of the time." Kifaji ventures softly. "I've suggested a visit to a psychologist but your father... is quite stubborn. He claims Leona is fine, and just matured with the truths of royal life." A sigh. "He's only six..."

"Well, I'm home for a few weeks. I'll see what I can do."

---

Kifaji was right. He eats, studies, and sleeps. Sure, some of that involves outside training to make sure he gets plenty of exercise but there's no... play.

A useless argument with their father...

"When you're King, Farenah, you can make these decisions." Rings in his ears.

---

The scar over his eye looks a lot like the King of Beasts. Scar. One of their ancestral bloodline, if the records are right.

But nothing he brings up to Leona gets a smile. He's thanked as Prince Farenah and...

He wouldn't have gone to school if he knew he'd lose his little brother like this.

---

Leona's sleeping in the gardens. It's the only time he's caught a smile on his face since he's been back. He takes a seat by his brother's curled-up form, seeing him at ease for the first time since he's been back.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect you, Leona. I'll do everything to keep this from happening again."

But that means... he needs to make sure he's king as soon as he can be.

It's clear no one else is going to be able to, or have the power to protect him. So he has to make sure he has all of it.

It also means he has to go back to school.

"I'll be King soon, Leona, then you won't have to worry about anyone ever again. I promise."

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Leona Kingscholar Beastly Garb Voice Lines

When Summoned: I got no interest in this old-fashioned tradition, but... I'll make everyone else give everything they got for me.

Summon Line: This is a pretty decked out fit they gave me. They must've really been looking forward to me coming home.

Groooovy!!: Doesn't matter who the opponent is. The only one deserving a win is me.

Home: Come, I'll take you on.

Swap Looks: This outfit's the only thing that's not lame about this.

Home Idle 1: The Sunrise City landscape that Lilia keeps mentioning is from a lifetime ago. He said he'd been here before, but when exactly was that...?

Home Idle 2: What kind of dishes do I recommend? Obviously, that'd be the meat. A hunk of meat roasted over an exquisite fire is especially tasty.

Home Idle 3: He's thoroughly enjoying himself here, as if he wasn't being a sourpuss at all in the beginning. I'll definitely make sure Vil does his fair share of the work after giving me all that trouble.

Home Idle - Login: This place's got nothing but wilderness for miles, as usual. So it ain't a shocker that all there is to do is nap around, don'tcha think?

Home Idle - Groovy: Kifaji's always been a noisy scold. I gotta admit, he's an excellent chess opponent, though.

Home Tap 1: I bet for you and Grim, this trip is the height of luxury. I doubt it'll be as satisfying for that little rich boy from the Asim family, though.

Home Tap 2:  Magic is strictly forbidden in Catch the Tail. Maybe I'll train you up for the next one... I kid, this ain't ever happening again.

Home Tap 3: If you want to head up to the royal palace, go ahead. But if you get caught by the guards, I'm gonna pretend I don't know you.

Home Tap 4: The textiles made in the Sunset Savanna are made of raw materials and dyes that're native here. There's no way to get them anywhere else.

Home Tap 5: Hey, hey, don't blame me if you end up accused of high treason, or anything. You're still dealing with a prince of this country here, after all.

Home Tap - Groovy: What, you want to sit in the passenger seat again? Yeah, no. You got some nerve trying to make me your driver.

Duo: [LEONA]: There's no time to fool around, Lilia. [LILIA]: Leona, you sure know how to use others.

Requested by @dorito9708.

[rakiah]

Royal Wedding 😌