#topsy turvy days

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Topsy Turvy Days in Diasomnia

Yes, I intentionally added the thorns in the background for… reasons :)) If you know, then you know—

SORRY FOR GETTING THIS OUT LATE I’VE BEEN TRYING TO WRITE SEBEK’S BROOMQUET FIC ON TOP OF SCREAMING ABOUT THE YEAR III ANNI STREAM 🤡 But with this, my blog event for TWST’s third anniversary comes to a close! Thank you for following me on this week-long writing prompt~

The Thorn Witch, and her Spirit of Nobility.

Riddle Rosehearts…

… stakes his claim in Diasomnia right from the get-go. Word quickly spreads, making Riddle out as the “fuck with me and find out” guy. For the students of Diasomnia, who take great pride in their magical prowess, to set Riddle off and be beheaded revokes the source of that pride. “Have you reflected on your actions? Only then will I remove that collar.”

Though he’s removed from his usual dorm, he takes care to still observe the rules of the Queen of Hearts! This earns Riddle no shortage of strange looks from Diasomnia, some of whom (mostly the strictest of Draconians) criticize his loyalty to Heartslabyul. He doesn’t relent though–Riddle tunes out the naysayers and stays true to his own ideals. His fellow queen, Vil, approves.

He’s a(n unwilling) bat magnet. Apparently, a cauldron (group) of them hangs out in Diasomnia—Riddle made the discovery when he was first strolling down a particularly dark hallway. Screeching had filled the air, and he was immediately swarmed by bats!! “I don’t understand why they’re so attached to me…!” Riddle protested, shooing one off of his shoulder. (E-Eh, isn’t it because he’s the closest in height to Lilia-shi? Idia wonders.)

The students of Diasomnia (and even Jack, a first year), he notices, are much more disciplined than those of Riddle’s own dorm. They stay in line and do their work, though with perhaps more arrogance than one would like. If only his own students were just as diligent!! Riddle gets a headache thinking about what Ace and Deuce must be getting up to unsupervised (and no, Azul is no role model for them!!)… but even so, he doesn’t wish for them to be carbon copies of the Diasomnia kids. Heartslabyul may be full of fools, but they’re Riddle’s fools and no one else’s!

He beelines to Diasomnia’s bookshelves every evening to stack texts up high before stumbling off with them to read until he knocks out. Riddle is on a quest to take in as much knowledge as he can, from new spells to tips and tricks to simplify the current spells in his repertoire–his ambition is apparent! Then, perhaps, he will be wise enough and strong enough to overcome the Malleus Draconia in combat.

Though Riddle’s specialty is practical magic, the level at which the Diasomnia students perform it is astonishing to him. He burns out so quickly, while they can change the color of a dress multiple times without batting an eye, and orchestrate many cleaning implements at once! It’s frustrating, but it’s from this feeling that Riddle is able to drive himself to work even harder to achieve his goals.

It’s so odd for him to see bramble bereft of any flowers. The sight is so depressing to Riddle, but he can’t put words as to why exactly. He’ll politely avert his eyes when he sees those ashen, creeping thorns, or make a passing comment about how the atmosphere feels dreadfully gloomy. It’s like being trapped in a cage, he thinks. Memories of his past prick him, but he is quick to dismiss them before they overwhelm him. Like a rose, he shall grow and rise above the thorns.

He develops a fondness for floral teas during his time at Diasomnia. Maybe it’s the absence of flowers that makes him feel nostalgic for the gardens in Heartslabyul. When he sips a cup of rosehip, he dreams of the red and white of the maze, of strawberries and porcelain, and the card suits that decorate his vision. Ah, he realizes, the warmth enveloping his chest. That was it—that was where his home, his hearth, is.

“I do feel as though I’ve gained knowledge in Diasomnia that I could not have anywhere else. However, the same can be said of Heartslabyul. There were many things I could only learn because I was in Heartslabyul. That is not to say that my dorm members did not get under my skin every now and again, but I will always be grateful for the lessons they have imparted in me. This, too, is an experience for which I am grateful for–but, if you would allow me to say… there is no place like home. Fufu. Perhaps I’m simply becoming too sentimental.”

Jack Howl…

… keeps to himself and doesn’t trouble anyone—not unless they start trouble with him first. Most face-offs with Diasomnia students involve them staring each other down until they get scared off by Jack’s menacing face. In a weird way, that makes him the conflict resolver of the group—because people tend to run away rather than face him!!

Jack feels as though he’s witnessing a lot of things that he shouldn’t. For example, Riddle and Vil have made it their personal mission to whip underperforming students into shape… starting with their temporary dorm mate, Idia!! They confront him together, taking turns knocking at his door and then physically dragging him out when Idia inevitably pretends that no one is home. (Jack stares after them, wondering if Ruggie ever had to do the same to Leona to get him to attend class.)

When in doubt, Jack tends to defer to seniority. Like the good boy that he is, he’ll follow his upperclassman’s orders with barely a second thought!! … But trouble arises when Idia is the upperclassman that’s giving the order 😅 Jack takes his hyperbole seriously, so when Idia says something outrageous like, “C-Could you please not get within aggro range of me? Lmao, I could be at a single hit point and I’d still not want to deal with face-to-face interaction. Kk, thnx,” Jack just shrugs and lets Idia flounder when the Diasomnia mobs are assaulting the dorm leader with Malleus facts.

His poor nose just can’t stop sneezing!! It’s not that Diasomnia is filthy, but his sensitive nose can pick up on all the dust and the secrets littering the castle. From the ancient tomes to the artifacts and relics of the past that line the walls, there’s no place where he isn’t met with an enigmatic history that tickles his nose.

Jack’s used to doing everything himself, by hand. It catches him off-guard when he sees the Diasomnia students so casually use magic for everything. He shouldn’t expect anything less from a dorm that is full of all-rounders, but the last thing he expected to see was silverware flying across a table and serving up breakfast by itself! And… is that a clock and a candelabra fighting?! Who’s ever heard of living furniture…

He tries to incorporate some older techniques (recommended by Sebek) into his exercise routine. (”Our dormitory is well-equipped with everything you’ll need!!” Sebek had reassured him. “See to it that you use them well!”) Jack didn’t realize that it would involve hauling around weighted weapons!! He thought they were just fancy-looking wall decorations, not actual morning stars, axes, swords, and javelins! “Is… Is this really how they train in Diasomnia?!”

By happenstance, Jack discovers a single red rose blooming amid prickly thorns in Diasomnia’s west wing. He becomes strangely protective of it–maybe because it reminds him of the flowers that sometimes grow on the (just as prickly) cacti he raises in his dorm room. One might say he’s the beast that defends a beauty.

The night is especially beautiful over Diasomnia. When the moon is full, Jack watches it through his window, drinking in the stillness of the night, the shapes of the shadows and the thorns that run contradictory to the bright, silvery orb above them. In these moments, he sits back and contemplates where he is, and where he’d like to be.

“I’ve never noticed it before, but the sky looks different depending on where you look at it from. What does it look like where Leona-senpai and Ruggie-senpai are, I wonder… Maybe they’re so busy that they haven’t even had a chance to notice the moon. If that’s the case, then I’ll have to catch up to where they are! When I get back, I’ll show them just how strong I’ve become!”

Vil Schoenheit…

… looks perfect laid out against the backdrop that is Diasomnia. His austere looks and overwhelming aura make him the perfect evil queen of the castle. Every picture he takes of himself inevitably involves his face being illuminated by sinister green flames or an imposing dragon glaring down at him. Fitted in his own Diasomnia uniform, he gives off stronger villain vibes than ever “… This is hardly the sort of thing I need for my image,” Vil sighs.

Indeed, Diasomnia can be quite archaic in its ways–but in coming from Pomefiore, Vil brings with him a certain sense of respect for the old. He recognizes the past as not superior nor inferior, but as a basis for which the future is forged from. To him, it’s crucial to understand and to be aware of what came before so he can build himself up from that. This philosophy is what guides him as he learns to adapt to the lack of modern amenities in Diasomnia.

Like Riddle, he is keen on doing his own thing, regardless of the comments that others make. (Since when has a queen like him let the thoughts of his subjects dictate his behavior?) That means rising bright and early to train with Jack, engaging in a thorough self-care routine, and maintaining a healthy diet and sleep schedule. Unlike Riddle though, Vil’s anger is more icy than fiery. If someone offends him, they’re met with a cold shoulder and perhaps a cool tongue lashing.

For the most part, Vil acts courteous to his other dorm members–for it is easier to attract bees with honey than with poison. His natural charisma and charm get him in the good graces of some students, who pass on their knowledge of certain potions and curses. One sleeping curse he hears of is so powerful that it could only be broken by true love’s kiss! Vil shivers, praying that such a thing would never come to be weaponized.

He continues to work on crafting his own homemade cosmetics. Vil has to change up the ingredients in them, since he no longer has access to the same things he’d have back in Pomefiore. Thanks to his new connections, he’s able to obtain rare plants from the Briar Valley to use in his lotions and liquids. Vil also experiments with repurposing the creeping bramble around Diasomnia in various forms—dehydrated to brew a tea, powdered as a setting product, pounded into a paste for a wash-off mask…

He changes up his style to feel more “at home” in his new territory, adopting more vintage clothing and accessories to suit the era which the castle comes from. At any given point, Vil will look like he has just walked out of filming for a historical drama or a period piece.

Vil had always thought that Epel would be his biggest problem child… but hey, Idia is a close second. While Riddle harps on his in-person attendance, Vil focuses on how Idia chooses to present himself in both appearance and behavior. “For Sevens’ sake, you’re the son of the distinguished Shroud family. It’s high time you started acting like it,” he chides his peer. “You’re wasting your good looks with that gloomy expression and hopeless slouch!!”

After witnessing how well-trained the students of Diasomnia are, Vil has a newfound respect for his fellow dorm leader, Malleus. It’s not like he’d ever share the compliment out loud, but for him to have a positive opinion of the man who constantly misses dorm meetings is still a step up. It seems that they do have some things in common.

“It is said that the Thorn Witch boasted great grace and decorum. If Diasomnia is a reflection of her character, then I can say with confidence that my expectations have been met. Beyond the superficial aspects–although I do find them to be in good taste–there is a noble spirit that runs throughout the dormitory. As much as it pains me to say this, not even Pomefiore would be able to replicate such elegance. Hmph, we’ll just have to polish our own unique traits such that our sparkle rivals Diasomnia’s.”

Idia Shroud…

… couldn’t be more unenthused. Not only has he been forced out of his room and deprived of his vast collection of tech, anime, manga, and games–but now he’s trapped in the same living space with all kinds of super strong personalities! It sounds like a plot straight out of a meta harem manga where the main character wants no part in any of it, he grumbles. S-Save me from this living hell, Ortho!!

He tries to minimize his presence as much as possible, but it’s difficult to do when his flaming hair makes him easy to spot in every dark corner or amid the sconces lit with green flames. (Everyone’s so quick to hone in on him, it gives him near heart-stopping fright!!) Because of this, Idia has chosen to wear his hood up most of the time (in hopes of diminishing any light he’d be giving off). 

He’s so disappointed that he didn’t at least get lumped into a dorm with a cute cat (Idia had been praying for Grim, but even Leona would have been acceptable). But nooo, instead he gets stuck with a muscly dog man. Why’s my gacha luck so bad IRL?! Cats are obviously far superior to dogs, NO QUESTION!! (Jack wonders why Idia stares so intensely at him, but maybe it’s best he doesn’t ask…)

Diasomnia has wifi, but it’s not nearly as fast as Idia would like for it to be. He constantly complains about missing the high speed internet of Ignihyde, though he supposes it’s sufficient for gaming. Idia laments to his online gaming buddy, Crimson Muscle, who reassures him that all will be well; Gloomy Samurai will surely get over this rough patch!!

This man can’t be left alone to just be a nerd in peace!! Idia could be playing a fantasy game, watching an anime, or reading a manga, and out of nowhere a Diasomnia kid will pop up and lecture him about how actually the depiction of dragons in that game/anime/manga is inaccurate, or how it spits upon Malleus’s image to indulge in such materials. Idia often doesn’t have the energy or the confidence to fire back, so he’ll pack up his stuff and rush away. In his mind though, he’s cursing out the killjoys! (Idia gatekeeps on a regular basis, but he can’t take it when others do the same to him.)

He doesn’t get the hype around all the Draconians who stan Malleus or claim him as their oshi. Idia’s just smart enough to know when to zip his lip so as to not incite an angry mob. (What’s so great about that guy anyway? It takes more than being an OP character to get Idia’s attention!) Unfortunately for him, a Diasomnia mob mistakes Idia waving green glow sticks for an online concert as a sign that he, too, is a massive Malleus fan. This leads to Idia being introduced to other Draconians (he was too timid to correct them) and thus getting locked into a miserable cycle of being force fed boundless praise for their dorm leader and expecting Idia to echo their sentiments.

He takes solace in knowing that the biggest Draconian of them (Sebek) all isn’t around to shout in his ear about WAKASAMA this, and HUMAN that… but it’s honestly just as bad to have Riddle nagging him in one ear and Vil nagging him in the other! Idia feels like he’s playing a stealth level every time he has to exit his room—cuz once either of them catch wind of him, it’s Game Over!! It’s safest for him to just hole up forever…

Because Ortho begged him to try and make new friends, Idia attempts to try and start a D&D (or whatever the Twisted Wonderland equivalent of it is) campaign up. Something simple that allows for socializing! … The problem is, the Diasomnia students are WAY too competitive and take the game super seriously. They even have the gall to defy HIM, the DM! (“Womp, womp, womp. Your character died! Sure sucks to be you, hihihi!” “I roll to stab the DM and claim his position as god of this world!!” “LOL, you can’t do that, dude…” “… I roll to stab the DM.” “I LITERALLY JUST SAID THAT’S A NO-GO!!”) They get nowhere, so Idia has to shut it down.

“D-Did all the elements of the world come together one day and decide to dunk on me or what?! E-Every time I leave the safety and comfort of my bedroom, th-there’s some kind of world-ending event thrust in my face... I-I’ve been kidnapped by a ghost, pulled out of school to run tests on my classmates, possessed... B-But even worse than all of that is... being forced into social situations I didn’t ask for!! Seriously, not a single soul wanted that birthday interview ‘oh, if you had to pick a different dorm to join’ hypothetical to come true!! If this is some kind of cruel and unusual joke, you can pop out and point and laugh at the geek already! J-Just get it over with so I can go back to my uneventful otaku life already!!”

[koifsssh]

*slowly slides a fruity crab to you* :3

i honestly did feel my heartstrings pull a little, it was a very nice surprise! admittedly i've been having a rather rough week so far, so this honestly cheered me up...

im not sure what else to say other than thank you, i truly do not deserve such a nice crab....

[finleyforevermore]

HAPPY TOPSY TURVY DAY!!!

Tagging my very few Hunchback moots 😂: @i-am-befuddled @lisimcpisi @theoptimistictabby @real-artemis @satanic-witchcraft

[funguslesbian]

Woe,reference sheet be upon ye

(misc design details under the cut)

[fictionadventurer]

Fortnight of Books: Day 6

Favorite cover of the year award goes to:

I guess it'd have to be this.

Yes, it's a self-published fantasy, with the hallmarks of that cover design. But the fairy tale imagery is still pretty, and I like the cool color scheme.

Most beautifully-written book you read in 2021?

Any year that includes an Elizabeth Goudge book kind of has to name her for this category. I'm giving this one to The Heart of the Family.

[b4kuch1n]

hi it's me. bulletpoints

job has concluded! barring sudden expansion on the project I think that's gonna be it for my work here. six character cards in total! this leads to

wrists are bit fucked. I'll be putting that thang (creen tablet) in da closet again for at least a month while trying to hold as few heavy objects as possible for the time being

why one month deadline? well it's bc I made an artfight account. I'm fucking doing it this year on god I'll kick anyone's ass I'll kick my own ass. I'll post a link to my acc a week or so before the event starts, meanwhile I'll keep updating my roster and cleaning up this cardboard box I arrived at their door in. do u guys have a spare pair of suspenders I have a really funny joke to make

will be doing it on the creen tablet, unless I make enough to get a new graphic tablet that works with SAI2 inbetween. on that note

ink comms should come back sometimes next week babeyy I need to get back into da groove! miss my G pen it feels like I was close to something last time. I wanna get back to it. but also

I'm writing a fic now. tis the season it seems this happened last year too. but I'll try my best to not disappear off the face of the earth for 3 months running again lol I'll do my best to pace myself, since this is gonna be one of the heftier writing things.

sk8 people and another very specific subset of people will be pleased to know it's a sk8 Real Steel AU. if this means nothing to u carry on. have a good day. to the five people still here I'll probably be brainposting abt writing this so don't be surprised if that comes up here and there

circling back a bit I'm currently 120 USD away from the graphic tablet I wanna get, so that'll be what the ink comms are going toward. otherwise if u enjoy my art and have a spare doller to buy the baku a coffee I'd absolutely appreciate ur support! not mandatory but I'll definitely be very thankful! especially bc

I'll probably phase out the redbubble store some time in the future. at the very least I'll probably stop uploading new things on there while looking for alternative. ohh baby they are doing some wild shit and I want off the ride please. please

but yeah. that's the current plan for things. I've accepted that comics happen when they want to, and I have faith they still want to see the sunlight some time this year. meanwhile we keep busy keep training keep recovering! thank u for ur patience. have a good night take this sharp object

[sashimiyas]

hey guys! i’ve officially (since i’m not walking) graduated. got my big girl job! and it’s purposely pissing isagi off 😇

[elijones94]

💃🏽🐐 Much like the character of Pocahontas, Esmeralda from Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is another Disney character I find challenging to draw. Yet, after having watched the movie and listened to its audio commentary by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise (the movie’s directors) and Don Hahn (the producer), I still think of how to put my interpretation of Esmeralda on paper. I based this particular pose on a similar pose from the finale of her dance routine during the Feast of Fools celebration. Esmeralda’s lead animator was Tony Fucile, the same animator who animated Mufasa in “The Lion King”. ✨🔥

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mKi5dOnfeOs

[barefootbaltimore]

New bird just dropped. His name is Topsy, for obvious reasons

[streetwisetemptress]

Where should you be kissed?

Your result:

Knuckles

It feels as though you have fought every day of your life. sometimes, you cannot even tell how much of the blood on your hands is your own... and how much comes from those who've tried to hurt those you defend. you deserve the gentleness of a kiss to your bruised knuckles and broken skin, a reminder that you are not only made of violence.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Topsy Turvy Days in Octavinelle

Sebek would make a decent butler and this is the hill I will die on 😤

The Sea Witch, and her Spirit of Benevolence.

Trey Clover...

… was tasked with overseeing the Mostro Lounge in Azul and the twins’ absence. He’s the only one with sufficient experience in customer service (no thanks to his family bakery) and dealing with logistics/planning (he’s a vice dorm leader, after all)! Trey wasn’t jazzed about the idea (he’d rather not deal with the lofty expectations if he can help it), but after being hit with the puppy dog eyes and fake tears from Octavinelle, he reluctantly accepted the responsibility.

His fellow vice dorm leader, Jade, is so kind as to give him some friendly pointers before his departure. Trey listens and takes notes as best he can, but he’s slightly unnerved when Jade leans in with a whisper and informs him that it is lounge policy to “kindly remove” the customers that disturb the peace of the eating establishment. “You mean asking problematic people to leave, right?” Trey asks—but all he receives in response is a mysterious smile.

There’s a strangely charged atmosphere in Octavinelle as soon as Trey steps into it. The students present as polite and well-meaning enough, but they’re sizing him up in their minds. They’re all angling to see if he screws up so they can swoop in and usurp that power to get ahead with the real boss when he returns. Trey’s not ignorant of those kinds of thoughts collecting—he’ll just have to prove to them how wrong they are.

He’s sort of a pushover in general (which is precisely why Azul didn’t ask Trey to handle contract negotiations in addition to the lounge); whenever a customer complains, Trey is inclined to offer something as compensation: a percentage off the check, a free dessert, whatever will ease their upset. He isn’t super strict with his workers either; Octavinelle students take breaks liberally, knowing they can cheat the system and take advantage of Trey while he’s here. (That’s the Octavinelle way: opportunism.) “Geez, Trey! You’re way too nice,” Cater groans—though he knows that’s just Trey’s way of resolving issues and keeping their patrons and his workers happy. The happy smiles on the customers are proof of that!

When the rush hours hit, Trey rolls up his sleeves and heads into the kitchen to lend a helping hand. He can follow recipes well enough, but it’s in dessert making where he truly shines. Trey had honed his pastries through years and years of practice, so he’s able to multitask and churn out sweets like it’s nobody’s business! It’s pretty convenient for the lounge too, cuz Trey’s sweets are flying off the menu! (It’s not uncommon to have the desserts sold out midday.)

The complimentary after-meal mints also come with single use floss pick. (Temporary) management’s orders. (“What?” Trey asks when people give him weird looks. “You can’t walk around after eating with food still stuck in your teeth.”) Some customers feel watched by a hawk as they pop the mint and leave the floss pick unused (though Trey never confronts them; he’s not the type of guy to pick a fight).

Push his buttons too much, and his serious side comes out!! Trey doesn’t give off the same “cunning mob boss” vibes as Azul; his energy is more like that of a dad that’s “not mad, just deeply disappointed”. (It’s okay though 😂 Even if Trey himself and a firm, “Sir, this is a McDonalds drive thru the Mostro Lounge,” doesn’t intimidate rude people, a fierce Sebek and a legion of Caters on standby sure will.)

Mild-mannered as Trey is, there are rare instances where his true devious nature shows. When his incredible patience is worn thin, a smirk comes along his face and customers vanish into the VIP room… and leave looking shaken, led out by Trey, looking as polite as he usually does. “Thanks for visiting the Mostro Lounge! We hope to see you again,” he calls after them. (“Eh, what do you think he said to that customer?” the Octavinelle mobs whisper among themselves. “I thought he was a totally nice guy…”)

“Ahahaha... I don’t think I’m at all suited for managing a restaurant. If it’s just grabbing and bagging a pastry or two at the counter, then I’m your guy. You’d be surprised at how much more happens at the lounge. Just the other day, we had a guest I had to seat down and have a one-on-one talk with to avoid a fight from breaking out. I guess this is a glimpse of the hardships Azul, Riddle, and the other dorm leaders have to deal with on a daily basis, huh? I don’t envy them one bit.”

Cater Diamond...

… is stoked to have landed this chance~ Octavinelle, being completely underwater, has so many cool sights for him to post in Magicam!! Just walking in the hallways opens up a vast, colorful expanse of the ocean to him—not to mention the beautiful, glittering jellyfish lights suspended over the lounge, and their classy uniforms! He’ll have to bring a portable charger with him to keep his phone alive for all the exciting pics ✨

He loves trying out his new fit. You’ll find several (and I do mean several) pics on his Magicam account of Cater posing in his Octavinelle suit in various states of put-togetherness and hairstyles. Here’s him in a low ponytail and the suspenders and dress shirt, and this one is with his hair down and his jacket fully buttoned… The scarf is looped around the wait and knotted like a belt here, then slung like a boa in the next. There’s a surprising amount of ways it can be worn, and Cater’s been experimenting with them all?

His unique magic is perfect for working at the lounge, especially when they’re short staffed! With Split Card, a handful of Caters can be running around taking and delivering orders, cleaning up tables, and/or booting out troublemakers. Usually Cater isn’t up for being the party pooper, but between Trey (who’s too forgiving) and Sebek (who’s too unforgiving), Cay-kun’s gotta be the moderator here!!

Cater’s general amicable nature makes him a hit with customers at the front of house and his peers in the break room. He’s observant and approachable, able to start and keep a conversation with most anyone. He has firsthand access to the latest gossip and information because of this direct contact with chatty customers and coworkers—which makes him formidable competition for Jade, Octavinelle’s usual information broker. Good thing Cater’s not too concerned with rivalries~

He’s also good at making recommendations based on individual preferences! Cater practically has the menu memorized front to back (on account of having visited the lounge so often himself to try their seasonal specialties), so he might as well utilize his knowledge to help customers decide what they want.

He’s chock-full of ideas for deals, themed menus, promotions, and limited time events to draw in customers! (If they want a music night, he could always call his Pop Music Club buddies in to do a gig!) Truthfully, Cater pitches these concepts because he personally knows what’s popular and this what will net him the most likes, but he frames it as “I think the customer base would like this 🎵” Some would call it clever manipulation and redirection, but Cater prefers to think of it as “mutually beneficial” for everyone, himself included!

Cater ups the Mostro Lounge’s social media game! Whenever Trey creates a new dessert, in swoops Cater to take an aesthetically pleasing, expertly shot photo to upload onto their Magicam page! Within an hour, thousands of likes have accumulated and there’s another influx of people clamoring for a taste of that beautiful item. (“Azul should hire you as his social media manager,” Trey jokes, handing over another batch of macarons to be served.)

Sometimes when Cater’s alone in the restroom washing up before service, he glimpses his reflection in the mirror and contemplates his circumstances. Here he is, helping the business be successful and mingling with so many people… and yet some small, fragmented part of him still fears it could all vanish in the blink of an eye. Cater sighs, replaces his hat, assumes a smile, and returns his nose to the grindstone—and the eternal song and dance he puts on for the public eye. “Showtime.”

“You know what? Working part-time at the Mostro Lounge isn’t half bad! Well… not with Trey in charge, anyway! Azul’d probably run Cay-kun ragged! But all that stuff aside, Octavinelle’s peak photogenic! It’s a whole new world down here, full of stuff and treasures you’d never find on land. Maybe it’s true what I’ve heard: that life is just better under the sea!”

Sebek Zigvolt...

… had a hard time detaching from Diasomnia without making a fuss. He knows that Octavinelle will help him improve his skills as an attendant to better serve the young master, but it doesn’t make him any less emotional for his departure!! In the typical Sebek fashion though, he deflects!! No, Sebek insists, he’s just mad that Silver gets to spend time with Lilia, and that Malleus will be unsupervised in their absence! (They all gathered to see him off at the Mirror Chamber like parents helping an anxious kid to his first day of school.)

It was a hassle getting him fitted in his new uniform! Not a single student in Octavinelle comes close to how buff Sebek is, so the largest size of their uniform was still super tight on him and struggled to contain him in its seams. (Think of that one meme where a character’s chest is so broad/big that it causes the buttons to pop off, that’s basically Sebek.) Once the clothes are on properly, they had a whole other issue of trying to clamp down the hat over his wild hair—but hey, they were eventually successful!

Sebek gets on everyone’s bad side right off the bat, referring to his fellow Octavinelle students by a slew of unflattering adjectives. He even managed to piss Cater off by calling him “shallow”… which earns Sebek a lot of passive aggressive glares from his coworkers throughout his shifts (well, not that he cares). “You’re not doing yourself any favors, Sebek. It’s no good to make enemies with the people you’re working with,” Trey gently chides him—but though he vehemently disagrees, Sebek can’t being himself to snap back like he typically would.

IT’S JUST SO WEIRD FOR HIM TO BE AROUND TREY AT ALL. Trey reminds Sebek sooo much of his father that he doesn’t know how exactly to act with him. (There’s a certain degree of respect that must be conferred to one’s elders, even if they are a human and kind of weak and inscrutable…) For the most part, Sebek feels compelled to follow Trey’s orders, even if he doesn’t fully back him as an individual. Every time he has to actually talk to Trey though, hems about 50% more tsundere than usual to get his points across.

Sebek’s honestly less like a waiter and more like a bouncer. Built like a semi-truck with a scowl that strikes fear into those faint of heart and a voice that booms like thunder, his mere presence usually wards off any potential signs of trouble. (When it’s his turn to be at the front of house, you can hear him greeting customers all the way in the consultation rooms. If you judge by volume alone, most aren’t sure if he’s angry or if he’s happy.)

Unfortunately, his proud and somewhat gruff manner of speaking doesn’t exactly make him a people person, especially not when he marches over to drop a check on the table or to demand what they want when they summon him over. Oh, and if they start getting rude? Sebek’s instinct is to fire back, which only adds more fuel to the fire of the argument.

Where he shines is in technical abilities, far removed from his personality or choice of words. (Sebek can brew a mean cup of tea, which pairs well with all the sweets they’re selling!) When he’s commended for doing a good job, his whole face brightens and he gets this huge, dorky smile on his face. If you’re lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of his fangs! (“… How can someone so abrasive also have this surprisingly cute side to him?” the mob students wonder.)

On his breaks, Sebek, thinking the others to be inferior humans, refuses to sit with everyone else. He huddles at a table by his lonesome, shoveling plate after plate of food into his mouth. (It’s convenient to get rid of leftovers by just handing the extra food to Sebek.) One might feel pity for this poor, unfortunate soul—but on the contrary, Sebek feels as though he has a lot of progress to report back to Lilia . _ .

“Hmph, no other dormitory could even hope to come close to the glory and the majesty of Diasomnia!! There was never a doubt in my mind that this is the unquestioning truth!! I will cede that Octavinelle has been useful in some ways. It has provided me with an environment in which I can hone my service skills for the young master. Indeed, THE SERVICE INDUSTRY IS A BATTLEFIELD UNLIKE ANY I’VE TREADED BEFORE…!! Lilia-sama and Malleus-sama will surely be pleased with the results of my training!”

[thebitchbehindtheslaughter]

It’s Topsy-Turvy day, my dudes

[greaterbeastxellas]

ʎɐp ʎʌɹn┴ ʎsdo┴ ʎddɐH

[celestialcomedy]

//: No one should be surprised that one of Jesters inspirations on creating his character is Clopin from Hunchback of Notredame

[retrogamelovers]

#OnThisDayInGaming! 🎂

Yoshi Topsy-Turvy for the GBA turns 17 today in North America!

[aquitainequeen]

Hunchback of Notre Dame Dance // Happy Topsy Turvy Day Dance | Dancing to Disney Songs !!