I Don't Eliza Has Ever Heard Of Consensual Marriage Before. I Honestly Never Liked Her. First, She And

Leona Kingscholar x Reader: Love Letters (3)

The 3rd part is here! For the sake of this fic, we'll pretend Episode/Book 2 either never happened or happens later lol

Hope you enjoy! No spoilers or warnings for now but this might change in future installments :)

PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 [!] | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | END

SUMMARY: To get Ace and Deuce to complete the favor, you must engage in cafeteria warfare to secure deluxe menchi katsu sandwiches! You also meet a mischievous beastman.

Would you really do this much just to get Ace and Deuce to watch Grim? Well, you admit your ulterior motive to agreeing to this was to try out the deluxe menchi katsu sandwich. 

You really doubt you'll get the chance to try out some new foods ever again. Not until the far, far future in which you finally earn some madol. You'd been living off of Crowley's free lunch pass this whole time. You really have to bring up pay at some point with him.

"Go!" You shout as you race forward, holding a tray above your head. Ace and Deuce had gone around throwing a few pieces of food or messing with people's trays and had already incited this chaos. 

Of course, nobody knew it was them specifically with so many people around. They had started an all-out food fight. 

Grim incinerates any food that comes near you with a small puff of blue flames. You catch him also swallowing the incoming food sometimes. He balances precariously on your shoulders. You slip through the disrupted line and finally, you make your way to the front of the queue while everyone is distracted.

There, you secure a few deluxe menchi katsu sandwiches with the money Ace and Deuce loaned together. You also get an egg salad sandwich.

You hold them close to your chest, hiding them in your blazer. You're sure if you get caught with these, you were going to get jumped by several people. 

You carefully slip through the crowd until you're near the exit. There you spot familiar green hair and glasses. "Trey! Thanks for the chocolates! Happy Valentines!" You wave at him. Trey notices you for sure and waves back. 

"[Name], are you alright?" He asks, looking a bit concerned. "Yep, Grim's been protecting me." You nodded. "Nyahahaha, I'll eat everything they throw at me dazo!" Grim smirks. 

"Oh? And where's Ace and Deuce? Did they start this?" Trey smiles, looking amused. "What? No, I was with them when it started. But then I lost them in the crowd after everything uh, happened." You lie casually. 

You can feel him scrutinizing you briefly but he relents in the end. You let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Do be careful. Have a happy Valentines day, [Name]." Trey nods with a smile. "You too!" You yell, "Grim!"

"Nyahaha! Leave this to me dazo!" He hops onto the top of the tray you're holding, now above the crowd, he begins blasting fire to stop the incoming food from hitting you. You open the door and quickly flee the chaos. That should've been the signal for Ace and Deuce to leave as well. 

You get out of there and lean against a wall, taking a break. "Uwah, I can smell it from here dazo! Gimme!" Grim grins, he paws at your blazer where the sandwiches are. "Here you go." You pass him the packaged sandwich. 

"Ah crap. I completely missed the lunch time free-for-all. The deluxe menchi katsu sandwich Leona wanted is already sold out." A beastman with dark blonde hair and large animal ears walks out the cafeteria with a sigh. You squint at him, he looked…had you met him before?

There was no way, you really don't remember meeting any guy with adorable, fluffy ears! Plus, his face was cute. Okay, sue you for liking guys with cute animal ears and maybe a tail. You don't spot  a tail on this guy though. If you think about it, they were just like catboys. 

You stop that thought before it can go further. If you want to survive, you can't just approach danger like this! The above average guys here were the worst.

Your friends were definitely attractive in your world's standards. However, in Twisted Wonderland, this seemed to be the norm. Your friends also happen to all be troublemakers, even though some are less obvious.

Therefore, it was best you steered clear of this guy completely. You get up and begin walking away. Grim is too busy munching on the sandwich to question you, he only follows after you, sandwich in hand, "Nyahaha! The taste of victory, I'll take my time savoring it!"

"Hey, you. Is that a deluxe menchi katsu sandwich?" The boy approaches, spotting you two. Grim, why! You panic. "No, what's that?" You turn around with a curious expression. If you ran, you'd end up looking suspicious and you doubt you could outrun a beastman. 

He sniffs the air. Oh god, he could smell them on you. The beastman stares at your chest. "Hey, my eyes are up here." You glare at him. He raises an eyebrow. "Shishi, I didn't mean to! Not that there's anything to see here." He smiles at you with a mock cheerfulness. 

You deadpan at him as he laughs. You watch as his gaze turns to Grim. "The deluxe menchi katsu sandwich is the sandwich your familiar is holding right now." He gestures toward him, staring at you with an amused look. "Hey! Who are you calling their familiar dazo?!" Grim snarls. You don't like this.

"That's pretty great, y'know? You got your hands on a deluxe menchi katsu sandwich, huh." He grins at Grim. "Huh? What's it to you?" He shot him a wary look. 

"I have to get that sandwich no matter what, but they sold out right in front of me. So, I have a proposition." The beastman pouts, his ears tilting downwards, "Could you trade me that deluxe menchi katsu sandwich for my mini bean paste bread?" 

You clench your fists, you must stay strong and resist. "Huh!? No way in hell dazo!" Grim scowls, "We fought for those!" 

You've never been so thankful for this stupid cat. "Now, now, don't say that." He smiles, "...Here you are."

It's as if some will comes over you, your hand reaches into your blazer and you pull out a deluxe menchi katsu sandwich as he does the same, pulling out a mini bean paste bread. 

"Fgyaa!? Henchman, don't give it to him dazo!" Grim gapes, looking betrayed. "My arms and legs are moving on their own! I'm not doing this!" You shout, trying to stop your limbs as you walk closer to him. 

You switch items with him, horrified to see the mini bean paste bread in your traitorous hands. 

"[Name]! What are you doing!?" You can't even turn your head but you can see Ace and Deuce racing toward you in your peripheral. "Negotiations complete. Shishishi! Thanks for being kind enough to trade me! That mini bean paste bread is just as good." He begins backing away as you test your fingers. 

"It being tiny is a defect. Thanks and bye-bye!" He waves and runs off with a smirk. "No!" You cry after him, chasing him. He's too fast as you expected though you chase him down a few hallways before he jumps out a literal open window. 

You bitterly hope he broke his legs or something down there. "Wh-Why in the great sevens would you give away the sandwich?!" Ace pants, running after you. You're all in a random classroom now. You slump against the wall, defeated. 

"I didn't! He must have some sort of magic that takes over your body or something!" You yell, frustratedly waving your hands around. "F-F-Fgyaaa! My deluxe menchi katsu sandwich!" Grim whines. "It could be his unique magic but still…ugh!" Deuce growls, he looks like he's about to punch the wall and you can't say you don't feel the same. 

"Oh I see, you just kinda went along with it. That happens sometimes." Ace hums in understanding. "No, that's not it all! I can't explain your stupid magic stuff!" You glare at him. "Geez, no need to get mad at me. I'm not the one who gave away the sandwich." He rolls his eyes. 

You rip a bite from the mini bean paste bread with a scowl, "It should be totally illegal to have magic that overrides free will!"

"I don't think there's any rule against that."

"Seriously?!"

You completely forget about the letter and card as you all sulk in the empty classroom.

-

"Leona, I'm back with lunch." Ruggie calls out, dangling the packaged sandwich in one hand and holding an ice tea in the other. He nudges aside branches and leaves as he makes his way through the botanical garden.

"Hnh, already afternoon?" In a small clearing lies a handsome beastman with brown locks and braids. His tail with a tassel at the end sways lazily as his animal ears twitch under the warm sun. 

"Were you by chance sleeping here all morning? You're gonna fail another class." Ruggie sighs, handing off the sandwich and ice tea to Leona. He peeks inside the package and shakes it around a little. 

"Seems like you got what I…" Leona pauses suddenly with a frown as he sniffs again, "Where did you get this?"

"Ughh, Leona, you always want the stuff that's the most competitive. It was already sold out when I got there so I 'negotiated' with a random student." Ruggie explains, exasperated. 

"Which student? What dorm did they belong to?"

He raises an eyebrow. He really wasn't sure why the usually apathetic Leona cared so much. Still, he racks his brain to recall.

"Oh, it's the student you kept getting me to secretly deliver stuff to and to find out where they sat, I think!" Ruggie snaps in realization. He suddenly stares at Leona, a look of surprise and confusion painted clearly.

"Ah, wait…it's because you have a…um, on them, right?"

Ao3: HERE

If you see it posted anywhere or by anyone else, it's not me.

poor Sebek

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS MASTERCHEF!! I love this match up so much!!

Bonus meme:

Leona Kingscholar x Reader: Love Letters (2)

I think I might just start posting stuff on Ao3 before Tumblr? Just because Ao3 is easier to access and post stuff on the go. Also, I’m just more familiar with Ao3 :)

Anyways, here’s the 2nd part!

Hope you enjoy!

No spoilers or warnings for now but this might change in future installments :)

PART 1 | PART 2 [!] | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | END

SUMMARY: You think about the identity of your possible...admirer. Or is this all a cruel prank? You best keep your guard up at NRC after all!

"Food dazo!" Grim cheerfully leapt forward. He hops onto your desk, tail swaying as he picks up a pouch. 

"Uh…" You could only mumble. You weren't quite sure what to do with this information. Was somebody threatening you by sending you these ominous letters or…? Nope, it was a good idea to just shut down that idea completely. Falling for any of the pretty boys here was going to be a bad idea. One that you'd regret so badly. 

You really couldn't help yourself though. 

"Open it, open it!" Ace urges him excitedly. Grim pulls open the pouch. "Hearts…?" Deuce looks from above, confused. "Haha, somebody's got a secret crush on you!" The red head begins laughing even harder. 

"Candy! Don't mind if I do dazo!" Grim pops one in his mouth. "What if it was poisoned, Grim? You can't just put random stuff in your mouth!" You scold him, taking the pouch from him. "Fygaa! You think it's poisoned?! Ack-" Grim's eyes widened in disgust as he tries to cough it out. You try to help to no avail and he simply swallows it. 

"Tastes pretty good dazo!" 

"Candy hearts for the prefect? I think someone has a little crush on them!" Ace teasingly comments. "Shut up, do we really need everyone to know?" You huff, a blush slightly creeps up your face. It's embarrassing! What did the gifter think they were doing? 

You look around the class to stare down any eavesdroppers. As soon as they realized you were looking at them, they quickly looked away. Huh. Usually, they'd snicker in response. They didn't have the decency to even pretend they weren't listening because they knew. What could you even do against them? 

Either they finally realized your might or it was the person behind the letter and candy. You don't know if the thought relieved you or just made you more wary of the gifter.

"Hey, you. Did you see who put this here?" You decide to ask a classmate. He's a Savanaclaw member and it's obvious even without the arm band. 

He looks like a deer caught in the light for a while before his expression snaps into a glare. "No, I don't have to say anything!" He growls at you. You blink and just turn around. 

Your other classmates look jittery and nervous as they try to look anywhere but you. 

"Is it just me or is the class acting strange?" Deuce whispers. "I bet they know something about this but we're threatened to keep hush. Ooh, what if your admirer is someone powerful?" Ace theorizes with a grin. "As long as they give me food, they can have [Name] dazo." Grim nodded. 

"Grim! I can't believe you'd sell me out like that! If someone gave me stable living conditions and some love, I'd leave you too!" You gasp, pretending to be offended. 

You are sweating bullets. You hope Ace isn't right. He's usually not right anyway, right? You reassure yourself.

"Puppies, settle down! Class is starting." With professor Crewel's entrance, everyone quickly takes a seat and the room falls silent. During his lesson, you play with the strings of the pouch in your pocket.

You try to imagine who this admirer could be. Was it somebody you knew? If it wasn't, was this some cruel prank? And if it isn't a prank…there's a certain charm to a random stranger falling in love with you. 

Would he be as bold as Ace? As compassionate as Deuce? As cheerful as Cater? Maybe perhaps as strict as Riddle or even as caring as Trey? 

You just hoped this admirer didn't have the worst traits of them all. Knowing your luck, they really might. You racked your head, trying to think of more possibilities as to who this could be. You didn't really think it was in line with what you knew them to be to do this. 

By the time you start focusing on the lesson again, it's already over. You blink and shake your head. Oh no, you hope you didn't miss anything important. You'd just ask Ace or Deuce later. 

You head to your next period after that. It isn't until lunch that you finally get the chance to read that card. It's simplistic but you get the feeling it's quite expensive. You're so confused.

You pass Grim the pouch of candy hearts after you check if it's poisoned or cursed. He munches on them while you all walk to the cafeteria. The halls are weirdly devoid of students, only a few students still loitering around. It made sense since it was lunch time but there tended to be more people outside. 

"Ugh, I'm going to get mugged or something while walking home today." You groan. "Don't worry, the Great Grim will protect his henchman dazo!" Grim proclaims proudly with a grin. You smile. "Do you need me to walk you home, [Name]?" Deuce asks, cracking his knuckles with a dark look. "You triggered his bad boy switch." Ace accuses you with a frown. 

"Knock it off, you jerk-"

"It's okay, I'll be studying in the library after school anyway. You guys can watch Grim for me, right?" 

"Oh, su-" Ace claps a hand over his mouth, leaning forward. Upon seeing his eager face, you sigh and roll your eyes. 

"What do you want?"

"So, I heard today there's this super popular bakery in town that comes to promote themselves once every month." Somehow you already have a bad feeling of where this was going.

"Ah, I remember Cater mentioning that! They sell our real quick, right? I saw the picture of the egg salad sandwich he posted." Deuce adds excitedly, pulling Ace's hand away from him.

"So?" 

"Get us the deluxe menchi katsu sandwich!"

Ao3: HERE

If you see it posted anywhere or by anyone else, it's not me.

This completely changed my view on Sebek and now I really just wanna give him a hug D:

Also, his dad seems like a cool person

Idk why but seeing Sebek so high on your tier list made me inexplicably happy. He kind of annoyed me when I first started playing, but that was before I read his personal stories. Man I was a fool because he’s now one of my favorites (I’m a first year squad stan and he’s one of my faves of the group). Like he’s so serious as a person but a lot of his moments are actually pretty funny. Anyway this has been Appreciate Sebek Hours and I shall raise a carton of coffee milk to him

[Referencing this post!]

Like coffee, Sebek is kind of a strong and acquired taste.

I totally get why a lot of people are initially turned off by him when he’s so brazen, loud, and obsessive. I know that I personally started TWST not expecting a lot out of Sebek; I couldn’t really take his pastel green Phoenix Wright design that seriously, and I didn’t like his personality since a lot of the early promotional materials marketed Sebek as being defined predominantly by his devotion and worship of Malleus. I’m relieved to see Sebek having character outside of his reverence for his dorm leader and prince.

I feel that since Sebek takes himself so seriously despite basically being a dumb and childish kid himself, it plays off well with other characters that clearly don’t have the same intense viewpoints as he does. That contrast creates a lot of ridiculous and comedic moments like the time Sebek cried because a cookie Malleus gave him got crushed, or the time Sebek threw a tantrum because he didn’t end up on the same team as his lord. He tries so hard to be cool and mature, but it just comes off as either really smug/condescending (ie shouting about how no one can be as majestic as Silver) or weirdly pathetic (ie stumbling over his words when Malleus tells him to be off to his next class instead of standing around and shouting at Ace and Grim) 😹 Sebek really embodies the cringey way real teenagers act sometimes... too much in a rush to grow up and prove himself to those he looks up to, not realizing how his words and actions can come off to others as hurtful or as just plain silly.

I think Sebek’s biggest deterrent is probably his... discrimination against humans (or basically anyone that isn’t fae). I can see why that would make people uncomfortable when they consider his character. Racism is just plain wrong, end of story. However, I believe that Sebek is purposefully written as such so the main story can correct his behavior and show him the error of his ways (similar to how chapter 5 has Vil teaching Epel that his traditional views on masculinity and femininity are outdated).

Actually! What I find really interesting about Sebek is that his situation seems to be poised to address an issue that isn’t often mentioned in popular media, and I think it’s important to discuss it. Soooo, without further ado--

***Content warning: discussion of racism (more specifically, internalized racism) and mentions of war below the cut.*** ***Please note that I am in NO way condoning racism or war; I am speaking on these topics in an analytical manner. My only intentions in writing this post are to theorize and to educate. I am NOT defending Sebek or his actions, but rather critically commenting on how his circumstances may have played into his current characterization.***

We learn that Sebek is half human and half fae from Silver in chapter 5. While Sebek is busy chiding others and (once again) referring to them as “humans” (derogatory), Silver points out that Sebek himself is half human. Then, through Sebek’s Birthday Boy vignettes, we indeed learn that his mother is a nocturnal fairy while his father is a human.

So if Sebek is half human, then it begs the following questions: why does he seem to hate humans so much? Why does he never make mention of his own heritage, and instead chooses to exclusively extol fae?

Two words: internalized racism.

“Hold on!” I hear you saying. “What is internalized racism, and how does it differ from the regular definition of racism?”

Well, according to the Oxford dictionary, racism is “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized”. Internalized racism is when those minorities or marginalized groups turn the oppression inward, which results in hating their own group. In Sebek’s case, this hatred is directed at humans--the side of himself that he seems to resent and be ashamed of.

It’s completely believable that Sebek would end up the way that he is. From what little we know of the Briar Valley and of fae in Twisted Wonderland, we can make many inferences and come to this conclusion. The population of Sebek’s home country is said to be predominantly fae, and they often use magic rather than technology to complete everyday tasks. (For example, if they want to go somewhere, the preferred “mode of transportation” is flight instead of cars.) The Briar Valley appears to be a very traditional, old-fashioned nation that is set in its ways.

Furthermore, it seems that most fae, as diverse as they are, seem to be exclusionary to other races (though we learn in Fairy Gala and FG: What If that, even among fae, there can be conflicts and discrimination; for example, nocturnal and diurnal fae do not get along). We somewhat observe this in Malleus, as he casually talks about the feats he is able to perform, whether magical or physical. At the same time, the tone he takes when addressing his peers, even fellow third years and peers, is somewhat haughty (referring to humans as “child”/”children” of man as if to imply they are juvenile and inexperienced, outright saying that everyone is “like a baby” compared to him, and brushing off their magic as though it is nothing to him). These can be perceived as microaggressions, or “commonplace daily verbal, behavioral or environmental slights, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes towards others of a particular group”. The fairies we see in Fairy Gala and even Vargas CAMP! also reflect this, as they chase out humans from their event and/or territory. In Fairy Gala in particular, it’s implied that the fairies will reject or be hostile towards those not perceived as fairies at their gatherings, which is why the boys have to cover themselves with Fairy Dust to “blend in” and pass as fairies. It wouldn’t be too strange to assume that similar exclusion occurs in the Briar Valley, especially considering that fae are the majority and humans are the minority.

I want to take a brief moment to note that the behavior discussed in the previous paragraph is exclusive to fae. Beastmen and merpeople, two other races, engage with humans in a far less antagonistic ways.

We do sometimes see beastmen talk down to humans, typically on account of believing that humans are weak, but the beastmen we’ve observed so far have never attacked others simply due to not being of the same race as them. It seems that beastmen discriminate based mostly on whether or not they believe another person can hold themselves in a fight--it’s a very “survival of the fittest” viewpoint. Interestingly, Ruggie is said to be lacking in physical strength, but commands respect due to his reputation of being Leona’s (someone who is significantly stronger, and considered the “leader of the pack) right hand man. I wonder if hyenas (who appear to be on the lower social rungs of the Sunset Savanna) are also seen as somehow “weaker” than other beastmen, which may explain their place in the hierarchy (as the beastment we’ve seen so far seem to value physical strength).

Meanwhile, merpeople have arguably been the most amicable with humans and by far the most open to the idea of integrating with human society. This goes back to their history, which tells the tale of a curious Mermaid Princess that made a deal with the Sea Witch to obtain legs and explore the world above. That same Mermaid Princess would go on to establish a program for young merfolk to come to the surface to study and learn about land culture. There’s even a special bureau that hands out free potions that give merpeople human forms (1 potion lasts anywhere from 7 to 10 days), so long as those merpeople wish to migrate and/or establish careers in the world above. However, I do want to point out that merfolk DO seem to discriminate within themselves based on traits such as how fast they can swim (as Azul cites being bullied because he had bulky limbs which made him a slow swimmer). Again, this is a very “survival of the fittest” mindset, which I believe makes sense for both merfolk and beastmen, who are “wild animal” based races subject to the whims of Mother Nature.

It is only fae that appear to discriminate against non-fae (specifically humans) so intensely, and on a basis that extends beyond the “survival of the fittest” belief. They live in their own closed-off circles and believe that their own kind are “better than” those outside of those circles. Living longer, fae have more wisdom. Using magic all the time, fae have more skill. No human could hope to compare.

This part is pure speculation, but there have been mentions of a human-fae war in Twisted Wonderland’s history, and I wonder if the Briar Valley played a significant role in that (seeing as Lilia is described to be a decorated war veteran). If so, this may also be more evidence toward the internalized racism Sebek has developed. Regardless of who won or lost this war, if the Briar Valley took part in it, then its fae residents would definitely hold prejudice toward humans, who were on the opposing side. There might have been intense fear that developed concerning humans who have lived in the valley for generations, simply due to being of the same race as the enemies the fae were fighting. Such paranoia could very well have led into racist legal measures being implemented against humans, or fae turning on their human neighbors and reporting them under suspicion of being spies or traitors. This can go right down to what is taught to children in school: view the enemy and those similar to the enemy as outsiders, even hate them, while building up your own country and your countrymen as shining beacons. As horrible and as scary as all of this is, these are all real things that have happened and are happening during wars in real life--and children, being as pliable as they are, can easily buy into wartime propaganda.

When Sebek tells us about his parents, he mentions that “there were many among [my mother’s] peers who opposed her marriage to a human”. In other words, there was a distinct social push against the union of people from two different races (which isn’t that hard to believe, especially seeing how “old-fashioned” the Briar Valley is implied to be and how fae appear to discriminate against other races in general). As offspring resulting from that union, Sebek may have faced considerable hardships in his childhood. He’s not like the other children (most of which, I’d presume, are either fully fae or fully human), he’s an anomaly. I wouldn’t be shocked to learn that Sebek might have been ostracized because of who his parents were. On top of that, he grew up in a society that seems to heavily favor fae and those capable of using magic--traits that don’t apply to his father.

Of course he would develop great shame for the half that is looked down on by seemingly everyone outside of his immediate family. Of course he would embrace the “superior” side of his heritage, the culture and air of righteousness that pervades his country. Of course he would shun his “inferior” side, going so far as to make no mention of it to others (note that it was Silver, who is fully comfortable being a full-blooded human raised by a fae, who outed Sebek’s half bloodedness, rather than Sebek himself). Of course he would worship Malleus, the epitome of the power and might that fae can wield.

I propose that this is how Sebek has learned to cope with the struggles of growing up half human, half fae: by rejecting his humanity and aggressively embracing being fae. All his boisterousness and the acting out he gets up to is him denying a part of himself. He’s projecting it to the world to see and hear--because if he says it enough times, and says it loudly enough, then surely he can convince himself that he isn’t somehow “less than” his fellow countrymen, right? (Or so that’s probably what Sebek tells himself.) It might not be the best way to cope, but it was, perhaps, the only way Sebek knew how to cope. When most of your country looks at you like you’re the strange one, how is a child supposed to fight back? He can’t--so with little to no other options, his psyche turned that hatred inward as a defense mechanism to protect himself and his ego.

This internalized racism helps explain why Sebek’s relationship with his dad seem so... strange (well, at least from the kid’s end). Sebek’s grandfather (I believe from his mother’s side) is a retired captain of the royal guard. His mother is also said to be highly proficient with magic since a very young age, and boasts strong principles and unbending conviction. Sebek is very proud of these parts of his family while expressing confusion at and criticism of his father, who is, by comparison, unremarkable. He notes that his father buys him sweets and snacks unprovoked, and showers the kids with attention and praise. It’s strange; Sebek constantly shouts about humans and how weak and insignificant they are at school, then in the same breath Sebek can communicate that he doesn’t “understand” his father, but he never directly insults him.

I don’t believe that Sebek hates his dad, but that his odd behavior toward him is a result of cognitive dissonance. Sebek (theoretically) resents his human blood because of how it is looked down on in the Briar Valley, but he cannot find it within himself to resent his father for it. How can he, when his dad has been nothing but doting and supportive to his entire family? Yet Sebek’s pride won’t allow him to outright acknowledge his love for his father, won’t let him show weakness or bend a knee to a “mere” human.

There’s also another angle to Sebek’s cognitive dissonance. How can his father—magicless and utterly unremarkable—be so carefree and content when Sebek has been told his entire life that magicless creatures are second class citizens? How can his father be so genuinely supportive of his children, who are capable of magic without becoming jealous? How can his father be so comfortable with himself, despite not being fae, despite not being able to use magic? By all accounts, the way his father lives and is satisfied with what he already has flies in the face of everything Sebek has been taught by the Briar Valley, and this totally baffles him.

In Sebek’s Union Birthday vignettes, we see just how much he really cares for his dad. When asked who he would pick to be with him on a deserted island (and it can’t be anyone from his own dorm), Sebek replies with Trey. Why Trey, even though he doesn’t seem to have any skills for surviving in the wilderness? Because (as Sebek himself states), Trey reminds him of his father. “No matter what I say to him, he would always talk to me without being fazed whatsoever.” Jack, Sebek’s interviewer, points out that his dad must have a big heart, and that he must be someone Sebek can rely on. To this, Sebek reacts with embarrassment and insists that he does NOT rely on his father, then rushes to move on to the next question.

It’s probably very strange to Sebek that his dad loves him so much, as it is likely a strong contrast to how those outside of his immediate family perceive and treat him. Society has taught Sebek that humans are inferior to fae, and yet here is a human that doesn’t care what he or Sebek is or isn’t. He just loves his family, and loves Sebek, regardless of what everyone else says or thinks of them. Sebek doesn’t know how to react to that, and it’s so off-putting. His dad gives him such pure and unconditional love, and I think that Sebek recognizes that, but he feels too ashamed to express his gratitude and reciprocate that unyielding love (which, I suspect, is due in part to all that internalized racism). If you think about it like that, Sebek is not only hurting those around him, but he’s also (unintentionally) sabotaging himself and his relationships. It’s proof that racism is terrible for everyone involved, even the people perpetuating it.

So why did I spend several paragraphs detailing Sebek’s internalized racism to you? Because, as I’ve said earlier in this post, this is something that happens in the real world and it is not discussed enough in a lot of the media we consume.

I feel like Sebek’s dilemma can be very relatable, particularly to those struggling with an identity crisis of their own, be it those of mixed race, those hailing from unconventional family structures, or anything else which may make them “different”. Of course, this is NOT a blanket statement. Everyone does not go through the same struggles, and every person’s experiences are unique. I am only presenting my own speculation on how Sebek’s situation relates to the real world.

I know that I’ve personally gone through an identity struggle that looks a lot like how I theorized Sebek’s to be, so his character really hits close to home 💦 Without getting into too many specifics, I’m considered a minority in my country, and I’ve received a lot of ridicule because of it. I cannot count the number of times I’ve seriously been asked if I “eat dogs”, told that my native language sounds “weird”, been made fun of for my appearance (particularly my eye shape), stereotyped as smart just because of my race, or called insensitive nicknames. It got to the point where I started to resent my heritage (refusing to eat our foods, refusing to speak our language, refusing to learn about our history), which I saw as alienating me from my peers--but it seemed that no matter what I did, neither culture that I was a part of fully accepted me. The people I was trying to fit in with never considered me part of their group, and my extended family thought I was “different” from them since I was not born and raised in our home country. I was disconnected from my peers and my relatives. It felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. I can really understand what Sebek is probably going through, because I’ve lived it myself.

Now that I’m older and wiser, I look back at that period of my life and realize how toxic it really was. I’m reconnecting with my roots and coming to embrace and love the culture I grew up in, and the culture of the family that I was born into--both sides. But here’s the thing: people don’t always identify internalized racism and recognize it as something that is harmful (both to themselves and to the people around them). That’s why I’m hopeful for Sebek, what chapter 7 can do for him, and the important message it can send to the fandom.

It’s so, so easy to dismiss Sebek as a hypocrite (which, don’t get me wrong, he definitely is), but there is likely so much more nuance to it than just “he hates on humans even though he is half human himself” or just “he’s a racist and that’s all there is to him”.

Obviously, racism is wrong and should be condemned, but I don’t believe simply depicting a character as racist is necessarily promoting racism. As long as media is not outright glorifying it, racism can be used as a literary device to deliver an important message (which is, more often than not, an anti-racism one) the audience.

It’s made pretty clear that no one takes Sebek seriously when he shouts about humans or acts hateful toward them. Other characters consistently either make fun of Sebek for acting so outrageously, or they outright call him out for his discrimination.

To me, this all reads as very blatantly and purposefully setting Sebek’s racist beliefs up to be shattered and proven wrong later. He’s representative of a social problem, and I hope that TWST will use Sebek to promote a positive message when his time in the spotlight comes around.

What message might that be?

To learn to love and accept yourself, and where you come from, in its entirety.

idk if u got it but like deuce as sayaka miki from rebellion ace as homura and yuu as madoka... like

JGJHGHJGJGH PERCIEVE THEM 👁👁

forget the aceyuu tangled au this one gave me more brain damage than i could ever anticipate

Every adventure requires a first step.

Vil Schoenheit x Rook Hunt: Shrinking Potion

My first time writing a proper one shot! Writing this gave me second-hand embarrassment lol

Hope you enjoy!

Contains spoilers for Episode/Book 5. Might be OOC.

SUMMARY: Vil stumbled upon a shrinking potion in the snow. Rook comes to the rescue.

---

Vil was merely taking in the winter sights when his boots hit an object beneath the snow. He winced slightly but didn't make a noise. Hopefully, it hadn't ruined his boots. 

He was about to leave when Vil caught a glimpse of pink beneath the fresh white snow. Hm? He crouched down and pushed aside the snow gently with his gloves. 

There appeared to be a bottle of pink liquid. Probably a failed potion. Vil concluded upon not recognizing it. He scrunched up his nose, disposing of a failed potion like this was just distasteful.

With a sigh, Vil carefully handled it and walked toward the nearest trash can. What he didn't account for was the lid not being on properly. A single drop of it on his sleeve was all it took. 

The world suddenly began to spin as the world grew. 

"Oh, please!" He groaned. Thankfully, his voice did not become cartoonishly high. That wasn't one of his main concerns though. 

Vil took his magic pen from his coat pocket and cast a controlled fire shot. The snow melted only for the snow above it to replace the small hole he had made. He knew he wouldn't have enough magic to make his way back to the Hall of Mirrors.

With no other choice, he took his phone next. "Mira Mira, call Rook." Vil sighed. The phone sparked to life as it dialled his vice dorm head. He didn't have to wait long for him to pick up. 

"Vil! I was wondering where you'd gone." Rook gasped. "I was trying to dispose of someone's shrinking potion when it fell on my sleeve." He explained, the irritation slipping through his voice despite his attempts to keep calm. "I will find you immediately, don't worry! I See You!" Vil could hear him cast his unique magic.

Rook had given him a marked matching apple keychain a while back and Vil had taken to carrying it on him at all times. Sure, it was an incredible amount of trust to put in a person but Vil trusted Rook. Maybe sometimes too much. 

To his credit, Vil felt the ground trembling and heard Rook calling out for him quickly. "Roi de Poison! My beautiful Vil!" His frantic shouting rang out through the cold winter air. 

"Down here, by the trash can. Don't step on me." Vil said through the phone. He saw his brown boots before his golden locks and foxy emerald eyes came into view. Anyone seeing that would be terrified but it was Rook. Vil wasn't scared of Rook. 

Rook would only hurt him if it were for his own good, such as during VDC. He couldn't help but recall the way his heart sank as tears welled in his eyes upon the revelation that Rook had voted for Neige. Vil Schoenheit doesn't cry. 

"Let us return now, Roi de Poison!" Rook offered a gloved hand. Vil climbed on gracefully. "Rook, do I seem different?" Despite his obvious state, Rook only smiled in understanding. 

"My beautiful Vil, you retain your beauty no matter what form you take. I will always follow you." Rook lifted his palm up to his face, their eyes met. Suddenly, it all became so very clear to him.

"Kiss me."

A brief look of shock crossed those sharp green eyes of his. Vil closed his eyes, their lips gently touched. His world spun again and Vil found himself in Rook's arms. "True love's kiss, of course." Vil scoffed. Rook merely chuckled in response and Vil couldn't stop himself from joining him.

Ao3: HERE If you see it posted anywhere or by anyone else, it's not me.

Weak Words To Cut

Here are some weak words than you can often remove to strengthen your writing. I have made these changes as I edit my own novel, so I included examples from my writing to show you the difference.

When editing and cutting words, we are not talking about dialogue because everyone has a unique way of speaking, and it’s important to keep true to their voice.

Note: these are all general guidelines, and you don’t have to use all or any of them. Creative writing gives you a creative licence to choose how you write. Do what works best for you. Always.

Suddenly: technically speaking, everything happens suddenly, so use the word sparingly or it will lose its effect.

I don’t remember ever seeing a man in such little clothes before, and I suddenly despised the one piece left. I don’t remember ever seeing a man in such little clothes before, and I found myself despising the remaining piece.

Keep: When it disrupts your character’s life, and you want your reader to really take notice.

Cut: if removed and there is no change, then it’s not necessary

Then/Next: this is typically a filler word. All events happen in a sequential state, so it’s not always needed.

Then She was gone, her steps echoing through the halls.

Keep: You want to keep the word typically when something is changing in action, description, etc.

Cut: If removing the word does not change the meaning, then cut it. Typically if this word starts the sentence, it’s unnecessary.

Just: this is a filler word, and can almost always be removed.

I was just a game to him, nothing more.

Keep: if removing it makes your sentence confusing or changes the meaning, then keep it. Usually using the word words well as a limiter word. (Eg. it’s just me and my dogs tonight)

Cut: when it’s unnecessary and changes nothing.

Really/Very: these are weak qualifying/descriptive words, and you can absolutely find a better synonym

Your mother is really nice lovely.

Keep: typically these words are fine to keep when not used to enhance an adjective. (Eg. very next day, really think, very back of…)

Cut: if it’s being used to enhance a weak adjective, cut it and find a better word.

Is/Was: this is usually a passive voice, which isn’t usually the best for fiction novels, active voice is always preferred. Naturally this is a verb that you can’t cut from all places, so here are some tips.

Everyone was too busy focusing on their shopping to notice a human sliding between sales booths. Buyers and sellers occupied themselves with their shopping, too focused to notice a human sliding between sales booths.

Keep: when delivering information quickly its always best to just state the facts, so don’t worry about trying to find flowery words to describe everything.

Cut: If you can show what the person or object is doing instead of simply saying it, then change the sentence.

Started: every action has a start, so don’t write it unless you can tell me why it’s important now to know that’s it’s started.

The boy started to rant in his native tongue. The boy ranted in his native tongue.

Keep: if your scene is being interrupted or is still unfinished, then go ahead. This one is a little harder to see sometimes, so just see how you feel with it in vs removed.

Cut: it’s it’s unnecessary information, and nothing changes to the story or sentence when removed, axe it.

Seemed: again, this is more of a show don’t tell kind of thing

Time seemed to slow slowed as I held Vera tight against me.

Keep: if a character knows something intuitively

Cut: if you can show why the character is perceiving what’s happening

Definitely: this is typically just confirming facts that are already known to be true. Repetition is unnecessary without a purpose.

He definitely saw me, but I wasn’t mad about it. (This instance can for sure be removed, it’s unnecessary. However, I want this emphasis here, so I chose to keep it)

Keep: if it’s your character who is confirming facts as 100% accurate and ridding previous doubt

Cut: remove and nothing changes

Somewhat/Slightly: usually this is used when only trying to use a partial effect of a word, so the easiest fix is to change the word that it’s describing.

I looked away, slightly embarrassed.

Keep: if the words is truly the best way to describe what was happening in the sentence.

Cut: when you can use a better word to describe your action/emotion/whatever to be more accurate or it’s unnecessary.

Possibly/Likely/Probably/May/Might: much like some of the other weak words, these are just filler. Something either is or isn’t, and it’s best to describe here you can.

Probably Not with the way he was speaking to her.

Keep: if your character isn’t sure of something

Cut: if you can describe what’s happening, or it can be removed without changing the meaning

Somehow: this is usually an indicator of missing information

I thought I was an average girl in every way, and now I was somehow the first human to ever survive. (I don’t use somehow often. I am keeping it in this instance because none of the characters know how it happened yet.)

Keep: if your character is missing the information and doesn’t know how something became true or transpired

Cut: if you can explain how something came to be.

Adverbs: this is a great category of words to use in writing, but if used too often, it can distract from the story. A good rule is finding an even balance between adverbs and active verbs.

I squeezed her cold hand tightly in mine and made a promise to save her. Clenching her cold hand between mine, I promised to save her.

Keep: if it improves your writing by making it more clear and efficient.

Cut: if it makes more sense to use active verbs to describe what’s going on.

Totally/Completely/Absolutely: all filler words

He grinned at me, his plate almost completely full while mine was near empty. He grinned at me, his plate still full while mine sat devoid of even a crumb.

Keep: if it’s important to the story to know with 100% certainty, and this word gives the most accurate description

Cut: whenever it’s not needed

Thing/It: missing information/ lack of description

I was just accepting all the things they said as truth. I was just accepting all their fantastic explanations as truth.

Keep: if your character doesn’t know what it is

Cut: whenever you can find an actually description or name the object

Have any more words you think should be added to the list? If something does not make sense or you have questions, let me know down below.

If you’ve found this helpful: comment, like, reblog & follow for more :)

Happy Writing!

Every adventure requires a first step.

Ace Trappola x Yuu: New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year’s Eve! Hope your resolutions came true this year and that your future resolutions also come true! 

Hope you enjoy!

SUMMARY: The Heartslabyul boys stay up past 12 to celebrate New Years. They discuss their success with their resolutions this year. Yuu wants Crocs. Ace seems to have something else in mind.

---

"My resolution was to get all over 80 percent!" Deuce proclaimed. Cater casually took the report card he left on the table. 

"Hehe, you only got two subjects over 80 though…" Cater grinned without pity. 

"Still, an improvement." Riddle nodded. He sounded almost proud. After all, he had been the one to tutor the two first years in his free time. "Thank you, dorm head!" Deuce beamed. "What about you, Ace?" He turned his gaze to the other first year lazing on the lounge. 

"Hm? What?" Ace discreetly shoved his report card under the couch cushion. Everyone definitely noticed. 

"Ace..." Trey chuckled. "Trey!" He hissed back. "Hand it over." Riddle's eyes narrowed as he put down his tea cup. 

"Uh! Calm down, everyone." Yuu spoke up quickly. "Yeah, he probably failed at everything dazo!" Grim cackled, gorging himself on more tarts. "Not the egg tarts!" Deuce rushed to protect all the egg tarts. "I didn't fail! You barely made it, thanks to Yuu!" Ace retorted. 

"Yeah, you're just jealous you don't have my henchman, who's so smart dazo!" Grim sneered. "I think I'll just take that as a compliment." He laughed. "Hmph, we'll see." Ace huffed, his eyes followed the unofficial 'Ramshackle' prefect as they negotiated for one of Deuce's egg tarts.

"What was your resolution, Ace?" Trey hummed. "Hmm…" Ace made a show of being deep in thought before snapping his fingers. "Not telling." He grinned. 

"Aw! I was so excited. My resolution was to post a hundred photos on Magicam!" Cater exclaimed. "I'm sure you've already achieved that with how much I've seen you snap photos…" Riddle raised an eyebrow. "But! I have to pick and choose a lot of those to get the best ones to post! It's way harder than you think!" He pouted. 

"My resolution was to get better at cooking." Trey explained. "I took the Masterchef course so, I'd say I've definitely accomplished it." 

"See, why don't you all take Trey as an example?" Riddle huffed. "Of course! Clover is a wonderful role model!" Deuce quickly agreed. 

"Oh, please. What was your resolution, dorm head?" Ace rolled his eyes. "...it was…ahem, to have more fun." Riddle said, embarrassed. "And did you?" Yuu asked curiously. "Of course, ever since…then, I've been having lots of fun with all of you." He replied earnestly. "Aw, how sweet! You're so cute!" Cater squealed. 

"Stop squeezing me." Riddle yawned, weakly pushing away Cater. "I'm so tired…but it's almost 12…" Deuce nearly leaned against Ace's shoulder before shaking his head, snapping out of his stupor. "It's way past all of your bedtimes, you need to brush your teeth and immediately get to bed after this, alright?" Trey instructed them. 

"You're not my dad." 

"Well, mine was to buy a pair of Crocs…but I don't know if those exist in Twisted Wonderland." Yuu sheepishly admitted, "Definitely haven't found any yet. So, I guess I failed mine." 

"Fuyga, I want to eat tons of food for my resolution dazo!"

"You already do that, Grim…" Yuu muttered. "The countdown is starting!" Cater exclaimed, his phone lighting up. "Ah, finally!" Deuce gasped, fully awakened. They rushed outside into the Heartslabyul garden. Outside, there were several other Heartslabyul students waiting and several more looking out their room windows. 

10, 9, 8…

"I'm so excited dazo!" Grim jittered and looped around their legs. "Ah!" Ace shouted. "Stop moving around so much!" Yuu scolded Grim as he caught Ace. The monster didn't respond, dashing between the other's legs. 

"Sorry 'bout that." He helped stabilize Ace. 

"Screw it."

"Huh?"

7, 6, 5…

Ace grabbed him by the shirt. "Ace?!" He gasped.

4, 3, 2…

He pushed forward, his lips meeting his. Yuu could taste the flavour of the cherry tart he had seen Ace eating earlier. Ace let go with a smirk, "Completed."

1.

Cheers erupted around them as midnight struck. Yuu's face was flushed in the firework's light. "I- Um. Ar-Are we dating now or something? Uh, oh wow." He spluttered. "If you want." Ace winked. He was trying to play cool but he was definitely freaking out on the inside. 

"Ah…is it too late to buy Crocs?"

"Stupid, I'll find you some Crocs. Kiss me back now." Ace groaned. Yuu complied as the others cheered around them. 

AO3: HERE If you see it posted anywhere or by anyone else, it's not me.

Ao3 series! ^^

Realized I should probably link this somewhere so, here’s my Ao3 series! I post anonymously on there because I already have a pre-existing account that I don’t want to associate with my Tumblr. 

https://archiveofourown.org/series/3254130

I tend to post there earlier than my Tumblr so if you’d like to see my fics a few hours earlier, then it’s better to check the series! 

LITERAL. LIVESAVER. TYSMMM

Obey Me VOL I

*intended for educational purposes with no intent of financial gain as is stipulated to be fair use by law*

This is to help everyone with their research for fan fictions, analyzing, and blogs. This link is for a personal file of the written version of the contents of volume one

I use this to help me find specific moments in the game and I hope it helps you too