"She's an old soul with young eyes and a vintage heart."
My name is Nemesis and welcome to my main blog!
This blog is for original character posting purposes, as well as a dump. Most contents have its respective side blogs. Please check them out :>
I'm mostly active in the TWST and DoL fandom. Other fandoms I'm in includes Enstars, Obey Me, MILGRAM, and a bunch more I'm too lazy to mention.
Important note: I'm a nonsharing Rollo Flamme and Adam (Hazbin Hotel) yumejin. I'm also nonsharing when it comes to Bailey (DoL) even though I don't yume him.
»»——— Side Blogs ———««
➸┊@hayley-adams: Yume content
➸┊@nemugram: MILGRAM content (indefinite hiatus)
➸┊@prefect-nemesis: TWST content
➸┊@pc-nemesis: DoL content (under construction)
➸┊@the-anonymous-four: Original story content (under construction)
"A kiss... under a mistletoe? What bizarre winter tradition is that?"
It didn't matter if the cold evening air bit against the skin of Rollo's cheek. His hand held warmth; slender digits intertwined with his. It was the most pleasant feeling.
Hayley walked beside him. The touch of snow at the tip of her nose distracted her, knocking the chatter off her tongue. A gesture so ordinary it did wonders to put a quiet smile on Rollo's face.
"Would that be a mistletoe?"
Indeed a distinct patch of leaves hung low from a tree in the distance. A common parasitic plant, yet Hayley treated the discovery like she found gold.
Rollo would've asked, but his feet carried him to where she was pulling him. "We should kiss!" the girl chimed.
Heat might've thawed the frost from the tips of his ears. For a brief moment, Rollo had forgotten how to speak.
"In public?" he uttered, eyes incredulous.
"Unless you're willing to bring the mistletoe back to Noble Bell." Hayley propped up to reach for the plant but to no avail. "We should be kissing underneath it this specific winter evening!"
"A kiss... under a mistletoe?" Eyes held visible confusion. "What bizarre winter tradition is that?" Possibly something otherworldly—literally, for it might be of origin from the world she came from.
"It symbolizes love!" Hayley held a finger. "Or peace"—a second—"and fertility!"—and a third. "Honestly, I don't know what it really means. People treat it like a trend, but I just thought a kiss would be nice."
Her words were running miles. Rollo took note of that as his fingers brushed her cheek by instinct. Soft and full of life, how he wished to feel her warmth in his palms.
"Senpai?"
Hands cupped Hayley's face. "Allow me..." A gentle request for permission, but underneath Rollo's tongue hid an edge. A desperate need for a sign.
A warm kiss against a cold winter night. Its meaning still foreign to the male's old soul. The girl held wonders of her world. What else does she carry?
Perhaps more than just the idea of a kiss beneath a mistletoe.
"You chose me. Despite everything. How foolish of you, Miss Adams. But then again, I've admittedly been a fool myself."
Nine days. Nine days where damages have been done. Irreversible. Moments where Rollo once held himself under a righteous light. Believed that his cause would pave the way to fruitful outcomes.
Yet they turned out to be blind ambitions that eventually led to grave consequences. How foolish.
Miss Adams he brought back on the tenth day. To the infernal wasteland where the very monsters he swore to protect her from ran rampant. A place where her heart truly belongs.
The thought twists his core. Magic users. Banes of existence. He had to watch Hayley walk back inside the dragon's den to dance with the predators who preyed on her.
He could be wrong, and to admit his mistake would left an ashy taste on his tongue.
"I deeply apologize, Headmaster Crowley, for the inhumane actions I have committed. The fault is completely mine as Noble Bell has nothing to do with it."
Night Raven College's headmaster, a suspicious character whose forgiveness came easy despite the first few minutes of angry chatter—boundless benevolence indeed. And Hayley, bless her soft heart, found not an ounce of loathing against him.
It might be too late for apologies. Forgiveness is a privilege Rollo could only grant himself with. And so asking for a piece of her heart came off as an absurd notion.
Heaven above, how he yearned for it whole.
"Miss Adams."
Ramshackle Dorm. What a pitiful structure. But it's home to none other than the magicless girl Rollo once thought he could control. More than Noble Bell's hospitality had ever offered her.
At the main entrance she stood. With her wide curious eyes and raven hair cascading behind her figure. A perfect fit—she belongs to Night Raven College and never with him.
"I treated you poorly," he began, "as I told myself it was to protect you."
Retract while it's early. To ask for her heart so pure, what shame for a sinful man. Unworthy. Inappropriate.
"I do not expect forgiveness, and I understand if you never wish to see me again." The breath hitched in Hayley's throat. Rollo knew he should draw back. But the words refused to cease. "But suppose there is a part of you that still believes I am worthy of your affection..."
His head bowed, eyes lidded and vulnerable. With his heart in his throat, he uttered such selfish words.
"Please allow me the honor of courting you properly."
November 10th | Friday
"I'm undeserving of such a right. Nonetheless, I'm eternally grateful."
It made no difference. The very notion of binding her soul with his makes a gilded cage. Was it a means of atonement? The guilt clawed beneath his skin. The memory of her smile, warm as it was scorching.
A sinner begging for redemption, how he wished his god would refuse to hear his prayers.
November 11th | Saturday
"Should you find the time to spare, would you grant me the honor of your presence on a Sunday evening?"
How ironic. To think she found no hint of resentment towards him, could she have lost her mind? The thought of his name left her heart aflutter, not out of fear or hatred, but of a specific moment once shared.
Past mistakes could never be erased by a single kiss.
November 12th | Sunday
"A time well spent. I pray that you return the same viewpoint."
Foolish girl. He who could've potentially set another trap, and she who waltzed back into his waiting palm. Unguarded and ingenuous. How could he merit such deep faith?
That night was particularly bright. He watched the stars caught in her raven hair.
November 13th | Monday
"Suppose you grew tired of receiving letters, please do not hesitate to inform me."
Words weaved into parchment. Ink with which he bled into, his soul laid bare. She read them more than once. His intent was crystal clear, but the script held no malice. Just as he was when she was held in that room.
Point out the mistakes. Let him learn from them. She held on to that belief.
November 14th | Tuesday
"I passed by the bell tower this morning. I found it quite emptied in your absence."
A fleeting memory, the Bell bore witness to a moment shared beneath the stars. Her tongue knew sharpness where her lips held intimacy. He let his guard down through temptation and sin. The fault was his to bear.
The kiss be damned. His original sin rooted from a past he couldn't escape.
November 15th | Wednesday
"There was never a passing moment where I wasn't plagued by thoughts of you."
Could he have proven his worth? She could only grant him the answer. A man who once caged her from the world now offered it in his hands. Saints above, only she had the power to bring him to his knees.
How pitiful to see such a lowly man yearn for his god's grace.
November 16th | Thursday
"My beloved..."
Her arrival unannounced, Hayley stood before Noble Bell College's lecture hall. The same hall where she once stood among the rest of the student guests. That fateful night of the masquerade.
What ever could her sudden appearance mean? Rollo held on to his handkerchief, his knuckles turning white lest they tremble if he were to loosen his grip.
"Senpai..."
Hayley's voice, like a melody fluttering in the air. Sure steps closed the distance between them. Rollo's head felt light, his gaze held by the depths of her eyes. A hand reached up to touch his cheek. Her lips open to utter words...
A kiss spoke more volumes.
"You chose me. Despite everything. How foolish of you, Miss Adams."
Rollo held on to her. His sole lifeline. His salvation. "But then again, I've admittedly been a fool myself." A fool indeed. Perhaps it's the only way he could believe the worth he has. And that belief he would desperately grasp.
"My beloved..." A kiss filled with longing. Of deep yearning. Her grace he was finally granted with. Blessed.
Please don’t repost! I did this style study a while ago and just updated it for some friends. I hope it can help fellow artists trying to learn the twst style :)
I’ll put a full page version in the reblogs for those that want it (link here)
"The sound of your voice sanctifies my waking hours. Not even physical distance has proven to be of any hindrance to you. Even to this day, it's hard to see myself getting used to such privilege..."
Sleep never came easy. Proven by the constant dark circles plaguing Rollo's under eyes. It had become a regular part of his routine. A good night's sleep would be considered foreign. Either his own body refused to grant him a much needed rest, or thoughts relentlessly galloped inside his head—highly likely the latter.
His head was particularly pounding that day, enough to elicit a frustrated sigh from his lungs. He might've done a number on himself, seated at his desk the entire night. Not even a few minutes of rest was spared for his exhaustion.
At least an hour was left before his next class. For once, he could allow himself a momentary respite in the stillness of the student council room. The student papers be damned; they already took much of his time.
It hadn't been a full minute beyond his lids sealing close. His smartphone went off. An incoming call.
Such devices were needless to someone like Rollo. Mere sources of distraction—and interruption. He wanted nothing more than to hurl the earsplitting source of cacophony across the room. Until the caller's name finally registered in his semiconscious senses, that is.
A thumb slid across the screen. "Miss Ad-"
"Senpai! Good morning!~"
An arrow burrowed itself within Rollo's chest—there was indeed a flicker of pain shooting him awake. Warmth blossomed from the center. That greeting, harmless as it may be, made the perfect ambush to topple him to the ground.
He straightened himself, a cough to stabilize his upcoming voice. "Mhm. A pleasant morning to you as well, Miss Adams." His pulse, however, was far from steady.
"It is unusual of you to dial my number. I know you for the type to send a message rather than initiate a phone call," Rollo noted. "I pray there's no matter of grave importance."
"Would it be a matter of grave importance to say I just wanted to hear your voice?"
That girl knew how to wield her tongue like a dagger. Rollo had to run a hand across his face. Perhaps his palm could disperse the heat gathering on his cheeks.
"I could provide consideration," he said. A deep breath followed after. It might've sounded different coming from the opposite line of its receiver.
"Did I call at a bad time, senpai?" Hayley asked. "I'm deeply sorry for–"
"Miss Adams, please." The reaction was expected. Rollo knew that much. "If I will be honest, a call from you, albeit unannounced, is something I didn't know I would need this morning."
A pause. Let the gears turn and click in place. "That's not a bluff?" Hayley's voice was meek from the other line. "When has it ever occurred that my words are mere bluffs?" Rollo said, a valid response.
"Should I confess..."—like a prayer—"...that the sound of your voice sanctifies my waking hours." Rollo heard her stifle a gasp from the other line, hence he continued, "Not even physical distance has proven to be of any hindrance to you. Even to this day, it's hard to see myself getting used to such privilege..."
To bare his soul before her. The closest form of intimacy without the need of physical contact. Perhaps a thousandfold more.
"I, uh... Well... I guess you've proven your point..."
Hayley's response subconsciously brought a smile to Rollo's lips. A sign of victory, one he wouldn't mind achieving time and time again.
Nemesis is a first-year student in Ramshackle, and the prefect of Night Raven College. She's the only female student, and possibly the youngest. While her lack for magic talent caused her to be left out, she's more than willing to fulfill the "mission" entrusted to her by a certain Ramshackle student.
Technical Information
Japanese: ネメシス・レイブンスクロフト・クロウリー
Romaji: Nemeshisu Reibunsukurofuto Kurorī
Nickname: Herbivore (Leona), Little Shrimp (Floyd), Mademoiselle (Rook), Child of Man (Malleus)
Voiced By: Satō Satomi
Voice Claim: Wendy Marvell (Fairy Tail)
Biographical Information
Gender: Female
Age: 12
Birthday: May 12
Zodiac: Taurus
Height: 145 cm
Eyes (Color): Heterochromatic, white (right) and black (left)
Hair (Color, Style): Raven black, twin tails
Homeland: England
Family: Unnamed older brother, Dire Crowley (foster father, Earth counterpart)
Professional Status
Dorm: Ramshackle
School Year: First
Class: 1-A, Student No. 9
Occupation: Student, prefect
Club: Light music club
Best Subject: Alchemy
Preferences
Dominant Hand: Right
Favorite Food: Pastries
Least Favorite Food: Liver
Dislikes: Rude behavior
Hobbies: Reading and writing
Talents: Singing
Appearance
Nemesis has a child-like physique. She has waist-length, raven black hair that she keeps in twin tails. Her eye colors are different from one another: her right eye is white, while her left eye is black.
Nemesis came out as a male student with a feminine physique at first. She did this to lessen the awkward air as a female individual in an all-boys school. After she was discovered to be female, she continued wearing the male school uniform even if the headmaster offered to tailor a set of skirts for her.
Dorm Uniform
Her dorm uniform is tailored similarly to the outfits of the Ramshackle Dorm ghosts, which includes the signature top hat and gray cape. Additionally, it is comprised of a white, long-sleeved button ups, blue-gray vest with a black tie, tan pants, and brown boots.
Personality
Nemesis first displayed a fidgety and aloof personality. She doubted her capabilities and is always relying on Yuuta's memories to get through experienced circumstances. Over time as she solved difficult situations outside of Yuuta's memories, she finally gained the confidence to stand on her own feet.
She is very responsible with any work assigned to her. Her dedication to her occupation as the school's prefect (which is more of her form of gratitude for sheltering her) helped her to be recognized as one of the most decent students on campus. She is also remarked to be doing well in written works and practical activities that doesn't involve magic.
Background
Nemesis is an orphaned girl adopted by a rich yet lonely man named Dire Crowley. She has vague memories of her past life, but her family was said to have perished in a house fire.
Nemesis' first exposure to Twisted Wonderland was when Yuuta Himura approached her through an antique mirror inside one of the many rooms of Crowley's mansion, which she initially assumed to be a dream. She learned about the situation of Night Raven College slowly leading to its mass destruction as a result of a berserk Grim, and the reason why Yuuta came to ask for her help.
In order to save everyone, Nemesis was transported to the time when Yuuta first appeared in the school. She gained ownership of his memories in order to retrace his steps and prevent the upcoming future of destruction. However, unfamiliar faces and situations proved that she was sent to the wrong timeline.
Powers and Abilities
Mind Walking: Nemesis has an unexplainable ability to enter the minds of mages who are under the influence of overblot, albeit beyond her control. It allows her to see the memory that influences the individual's negative energy the most. It is characterized by the complete loss of consciousness, which renders her vulnerable during its activation.
Facts and Trivia
Nemesis temporarily omitted her foster father's family name upon entering Night Raven College to avoid unwarranted questions about her relationship with the headmaster, who happens to be her foster father's Twisted Wonderland counterpart.
Nemesis' Twisted Wonderland counterpart is Rameses van Reenen.
I've said I don't mind requests for older content that I've not yet covered. This will absolutely remain true as I understand that it's useful to have everything you want to find in one place.
Having said that, requests that ask for entire series do take a lot of time and effort, and while I want to keep doing those, I want to ask you guys for two things:
Please check out Alchemivich's archive first. They have this masterlist up that may already include what you're looking for. They were active until somewhere before Lilia's platinum jacket birthday
You can absolutely ask for supplementary assets on anything that's in their archive if you feel like you're missing something!
You can check for audio rips on this blog: Link
If you do ask for whole series, try to specify what level of detail would be enough for you. It would help me shave off time if I know what poses of expressions you need.
If you don't specify these I will probably not do as many pose/expression combination out there like I sometimes do for new content.
I will also be moving all base game requested assets to a different drive somewhere in the future, to make more space for new content when I have the time~
Thank you!!!
Feat. Kylar the Loner x Nemesis the Innocent (Degrees of Lewdity)
“I found you!”
Kylar’s squeals echoed through the empty alleyway, complemented by hurried steps rushing towards the center. “My beloved!”
The male was brimming with emotions: delight, relief, perhaps even with a bit of anger. How could his beloved put him in such a state of distress? Was she meaning to stand him up? She’s not in any position to do just that! It’s simply unacceptable!
“My sweet, sweet Nemesis…” Kylar was clinging on to the girl’s body like she was the very oxygen he breathes—she might be. “I thought you left me. I thought you stood me up for real.”
Cold, sharp metal pressed against Nemesis’ back. “You didn’t, right? Please tell me you didn’t plan to ditch me, love,” he whispered, his voice shaky and almost cracking.
Kylar pressed the knife deeper—any deeper and it would break through Nemesis’ skin. “Please say something!” he desperately cried.
“Kylar…”
“Yes, love?” The male pulled away and gripped the girl’s shoulder, both actions happening in only a single second. His eyes met with bloodshot ones.
“W… Why are you crying…?”
He caught sight of the knife he was holding. Like a bug crawling up his arm, he tossed it away with a startled wince. “I… I didn't mean to scare you. I was just…”
Kylar’s manic expression instantly collapsed. The state his precious girlfriend was in slowly—sickeningly—registered in his eyes, having adjusted to the dark.
Dry tears stained Nemesis’ cheeks, her face smudged with grime and alleyway dirt. Her raven hair was in a state of disarray. Some areas were soiled with suspicious fluid. Red marks around her wrists and arms were evident.
Kylar prayed his assumptions were wrong, but the picture was as clear as day.
“H-Hey…” He reached out a shaking hand, hesitant. “Nemesis…?”
His fingers touched her skin—it never failed to send electrical impulses through him every time—until both hands were cupping her face.
“Tell me who did this…,” he whispered. “P-Please, love… I need a name.”
Kylar’s eyes were wide with bloodlust. He struggled to keep his teeth from gritting against each other, instead looking like a madman with a tight grin.
Fresh tears fell from Nemesis’ eyes. Kylar wiped away each drop.
A reminder of the need to spill someone's blood. Simply because wiping them away wasn’t enough to undo the damage.
“I failed to protect you…” Guilt and shame overwhelmed the barbarity clouding Kylar’s mind. His arms encased her in a bruising embrace. He cried on her shoulder.
“I failed to do what a lover is supposed to do,” he breathed through sobs. “I’m sorry, love…”
Feat. Jade Leech x Zenon Macabre x Floyd Leech (Disney: Twisted Wonderland)
“You’re dangerous to have around.”
Zenon’s shoulders tensed as a hand wrapped around his throat. He was eventually slammed against a nearby wall, hard enough to knock the air out of his lungs.
Having the blood of two renowned individuals was never easy. Most especially if the fame is rooted from the underground industry. From crime.
“It won’t be long before this school will get its first murder case,” the student strangling him growled. “Before that happens, you have-”
A foot knocked the words off of the bully’s tongue, sending him toppling to the ground.
“You slippery little…”
The student stood up, but Zenon’s not about to let another hand lay on him. With a calculated swing of his forearm and another arc of his leg, his tormentor laid completely still on the ground.
He crouched down to pick up his stolen notepad before exiting the scene. Just a normal day in Night Raven College as the son of the late Black Cat.
“Little Seaweed!~”
Of course. The day wouldn't end without getting into a sticky situation with Octavinelle’s infamous twins.
Fighting back was proven futile—they’re not as no brainers as most students coming after him. Not even a fluid step out of their reach could save him.
“Don’t rough him up, Floyd,” Jade said. Apparently, his twin had tackled the other male to the ground.
“Oh?” Floyd pressed a finger to the underside of Zenon’s jaw. “Where’d you get that mark, Little Seaweed?”
Zenon instinctively pried the merman’s finger away. He placed a hand above the bruise as he sat up. So much for factitious concern.
“Hey, Jade. I think someone roughed him up first.”
Zenon narrowed his eyes. First? He didn’t appreciate how Floyd worded it out.
“May I?” Jade stepped forward and crouched down to the male’s level. He reached out to place a curled finger beneath his chin to examine the swollen area.
“Care to tell whose fist did this?”
Zenon couldn’t ignore the chills shooting up his spine at the way Jade’s heterochromatic eyes stared straight into his. He turned his head away.
“No?” Jade took note of the way the Pomefiore student made no movement to pull out his notepad and respond.
“But Little Seaweed!” Floyd wailed behind his twin. “How are we supposed to punish the bad guys if you won’t tell us?”
Jade cupped his face. “We’d burn the world for you, Zenon. We promised you that,” he hummed. “No one will ever hurt you again.”
“And we’re starting with whoever harmed you!” the other merman chimed in agreement.
Zenon didn’t recall such a promise though. But it didn't look like he had much of a choice.
Feat. Bailey the Caretaker x Hayley the Seductress (Degrees of Lewdity)
This ship isn't the healthiest of ships. The OC x Canon Week admins are free not to reblog this entry.
Bailey hated Saturdays. Initially, he didn’t care what the current day was. Lately however, he’d been increasingly agitated whenever the said weekend is fast approaching.
Just like that day.
The caretaker waited by the door of the orphanage, his face contorted impatiently. A particular orphan had left, having gone off to her daily endeavors during non-school days.
What she does was none of his concern. His wards could go missing for days and he wouldn’t care as long as they get to follow through his mandatory weekly payments.
He didn’t give a damn if it’s only ten in the morning. He wanted Hayley right in front of him at that very moment.
Familiar soles patted against the front steps—how could a common pair of shoes sound so distinguishably hers?
And there she was, standing between the open orphanage doors. Just like he wanted.
“Where have you been?” he asked, eyes narrowed.
“Work,” Hayley replied matter-of-factly. “Gotta earn enough before tomorrow, sir. Set a good example for the others.”
The answer was obvious. Painfully obvious that she’s lying. Bailey frowned even deeper.
“I know you’ve met with that businessman again. Another evening date, perhaps?”
“Is that a problem, sir?”
There was fire in Hayley’s eyes, provocative. She knew better than to challenge Bailey’s authority—she learned it the hard way after a visit to Remy’s farm.
However, something about getting under his skin tastes as sweet as nectar. Kind of like an addicting drug. She relished at the sight of his scowl.
“I highly disapprove of you associating yourself with someone such as him. I would expect you to keep your distance starting today.” Bailey’s words came out gruffly.
That smile; superficially innocent but full of defiance underneath. Bailey hated it with every fiber of his being, hated the effect she’s having on him.
He clenched his fists, had to secure them from grabbing the troublesome little shit and commit something he would regret later on—he’s not one to regret his actions.
“Mind your tongue. I have every capability to make today the last you could freely speak.”
The threat hung suffocatingly in the air. But from the looks of it, his demands were working against him instead of Hayley.
He who demanded control had been snared by the succubus. Resistance would only serve to push him further.
“I forbid you from setting foot outside this orphanage, at least for today.”
Hayley’s mouth fell open. “But sir-”
“You have an additional week. Do not fail me again.” Bailey’s words left no room for argument. He turned on his heel.
Feat. Mayoi Ayase x Nemu Himura (Ensemble Stars!!)
Mayoi couldn't believe his luck. ALKALOID was having a collaboration with ANONYMOUS. Kind of like a shuffle unit, but it’s all eight idols on the same stage at the same time.
Talk about overcrowding. But as per the choreography of the performance, he’s situated in close proximity with Nemu!
The guy was literally buzzing with excitement from the start until the last few hours before the performance.
“Ayase-senpai.”
Mayoi snapped out of his reverie, nearly jumping out of his skin. Before him stood none other than Nemu herself. His pretty little angel, dressed in shades of brown frills and leather, coming to save his pathetic soul.
Quite literally. She was there to remind him he’s not yet dressed for the show.
“Ahh, right. F… Forgive me. I must’ve been caught in a daydream…” Daydreaming about watching her dance inside a crumbling clocktower, that is. His clockwork angel.
“But… Nemu-chan.” He's melting, almost in the literal sense. His brain was short circuiting the more the younger idol watched him with child-like curiosity.
“You look… p-particularly… lovely today.”
Mayoi felt overly conscious. Did he come off as a creep? He believed so. He had one job to state a compliment, yet he blew it big time.
Nemu’s reaction stated otherwise. She visibly beamed. “I’m flattered, senpai. Thank you!” she said, halfway through a delighted squeal.
“Gah!” Mayoi covered his face like someone planted a flash bomb. “Please stop smiling at me like that. A lowlife such as me doesn't deserve to see something so pure.”
“Okay…?” The girl watched him in confusion. “I’ll leave you to get ready, senpai.”
That was it. That was the real deal. He did push her away. Mayoi wanted nothing more than to strangle himself as he watched her walking off.
He readied himself, willing to keep his focus sharp on the performance instead of elsewhere. He clipped layers upon layers of straps and leather on his cream shirt. It was comfortable, his steampunk outfit.
He wondered though. Does Nemu find hers comfortable?
He found her trying to fix the ties of her corset. Mayoi had to admit, she looked very much like a damsel in distress. He had to mentally smack himself.
“Ehrm… Let me help you, Nemu-chan.”
He struggled to play it cool the more he felt her body heat against his fingers, but it was a small victory for him that Nemu didn’t scoot away. The girl had no intentions of doing so though.
“Thank you for the help, Ayase-senpai.”
If only she would stop speaking. Mayoi would appreciate that before he could pass out on the spot.
Feat. Vincent Charbonneau x Harlequin Archibald (Dead Plate)
“Chef, there’s something I wanted to say.”
The bistro just closed for the night, but Harlequin decided it was the best time to visit the head chef inside his office.
The waiter wished to get at least compensation for his efforts. Perhaps an addition to his salary, even for just that day when Rody called in sick.
He had no choice but to take over the other waiter’s shift, effectively working for two. The bistro is severely understaffed, but the man in front of him claimed otherwise.
“Compensation, you say?” Vincent blinked. From someone such as Harlequin, such demands were least expected.
“Well, that's something I’m willing to consider,” the head chef finally said. “I could deduct a day’s wage from Rody’s salary and add it to yours. It’s a fair request given the circumstance.”
He took note of the way Harlequin’s tension visibly relaxed.
“I reviewed your resume and you’re quite the workaholic. I would like to suggest you refrain from overworking yourself for the sole purpose of an increase in your weekly pay.”
“You don’t understand my intentions, chef. I need the money for college.”
Tension rose. Silence descended upon the dim office. Vincent was the first to speak, saying, “You never told me that.”
“You wouldn’t hire me if I did,” Harlequin said matter-of-factly.
Vincent narrowed his eyes. “I see you everyday at the bistro. When do you take your classes?”
“I get supplemental notes and lessons I read during the night. It’s a special consideration not to attend classroom lessons for working students like me.”
“And sleep?”
“Two hours is enough for me.”
Vincent stood up, stalking closer to where his employee stood. He had observed the way the male moved around the bistro. Swift. With a little bit of grace.
He subconsciously reached a hand, brushing away a stray lock of his long hair out of his face. He studied his exhausted and nearly disheveled state, the bags under his eyes.
There’s something darkly somber simmering beneath those black eyes. Quite the enigmatic fellow. Curiosity danced on the head chef’s tongue.
“You’re bland,” Vincent said, his voice low. “But there's something about you that I can’t quite name.”
“Huh?”
The man seemed to have snapped back to himself. He retracted his hand like he’d touched an open stove.
Harlequin, despite being equally surprised, didn’t move a single muscle.
“I said you look awful.” The head chef took a deep breath as he took a step back. “You should head home.”
Harlequin didn’t press further on the matter. His concerns were heard, and that's all the news he needed.
Feat. Mandrake Lazaret x Idia Shroud (Disney: Twisted Wonderland)
“Oooh. You’re so in love with me!”
Given a different circumstance, Mandrake would very much like to smack away the stupid grin plastered across Idia’s face. That moment however, he merely fixed him with a cold stare.
The message came across. Idia stiffened on the bed, accented by a startled noise. “I-I’m just joking, Mandrake-shi! You don’t have to be so uptight all the time!”
How could Mandrake not be feeling uptight? The idiot in front of him decided running through the rain was a good idea and came back with a fever high enough to cook his instant noodles.
He didn’t mind having to nurse him back to health—Idia would definitely mind—but he would appreciate cooperation from the stubborn male.
Ignoring him, Mandrake settled down at the edge of his bed. He idly stirred the contents of the vegetable soup he prepared. “Was it really that obvious?” he mumbled.
“What?”
“What?”
Idia scowled accusingly at the redhead. “Are you being serious or are you joking?” he snapped. “Because I do need an in real life tone indicator whenever I talk to you. And not-so-fun fact: Today is not even the first time I needed it!”
Mandrake held the bowl and spoon to the yapping male’s face. “Stop talking and eat,” he flatly said, his tone borderline commanding.
“Are you for real?” Idia stared at the spoonful of soup like it was the most unappetizing dish he had ever seen. The aroma was inviting though. “I can eat on my own, thank you very much.”
He snatched the bowl. Mandrake didn’t appear fazed. It could be the butterflies inside Idia’s stomach, or hunger. Either way, it resulted in his further discomfort.
“You should leave. The dorm needs you,” he muttered as he fished out a slice of carrot. “Everyone prefers the vice dorm leader more than their incompetent dorm leader anyway,” he added with a mocking sneer.
“I have more pressing matters to attend to,” Mandrake said. “Such as making sure you finish that soup.”
“I’m eating it, alright?!”
Idia begrudgingly ate a spoonful. “Is this the part where you admit to having put something in the food you’re feeding me so I’ll wake up hopelessly in love with you?”
“Spare me the accusations. You’re the reason my parents are rolling in their graves.”
It’s quite unfair that Mandrake has mastered the art of nonchalance. Try as he might, the slightest emotion is easily divulged by Idia’s hair. The sheer betrayal of his own flame!
With yet another scowl, Idia swallowed the soup with the threat to also eat the bowl and spoon.
Feat. Harlequin the Protector x Mickey the Hacker (Degrees of Lewdity)
Tension wafted inside the room. Harlequin sat in silence, the clicking sound of Mickey’s keyboard being the sole source of noise.
The lack of conversation wasn’t unusual, but the mood was definitely not right.
“Robin fixed that for you?” Mickey was the first to break the quietness. They didn’t bother to look up from their computer.
Harlequin picked at a loose bandage around his arm. “She did.”
“I figured.”
The wounded male glanced up at the other teen. No word was spoken, but the message was clear.
“You look like you have something to say,” Mickey said.
“I could say the same with you.”
The keyboard stopped clicking. The hacker’s fingers hovered above the keys, only continuing after a three-count.
“Do you like her, Harlequin?”
The male pressed his eyebrows together in confusion. “Of course,” he said. “Why would I not? She’s a good friend.”
“A friend, huh?” Mickey’s fingers slowed, subconsciously. They’re falling into deep thought. “What about me then?”
“I don’t,” Harlequin flatly said. Meeting Mickey’s accusing glare, he followed, “Not in a way you think I do.”
“Whatever does that mean?”
“The feeling is mutual.”
The keyboard clicks finally stopped. Mickey stared at him with wide eyes caught red-handed. “Pardon?”
Harlequin let out a knowing chuckle. “You’re so easy to read, you know that? I’ve known for quite a while.”
Mickey’s tongue resumed the noise with a defeated click. “Fuck…”
They resumed the remaining codes on the computer. “So,” they uttered. “Are we official then?”
Silence passed. Harlequin finally answered. “You’ll be a liability. I can’t have that.”
A loud bang shattered the intimate silence when Mickey slammed their hand on the computer desk. “Has it ever crossed your mind that you yourself are a liability to me?” they fumed.
Harlequin raised an eyebrow, but Mickey continued, “Waltzing into the pub to ask me to clear your name. One wrong move and the police—or worse, Bailey—is sure to follow you here.”
They clenched their fists. “I’m practically putting myself at risk just by associating myself with you! And did I fucking complain?”
Harlequin merely watched them with amusement in his eyes. It only served to frustrate Mickey further.
“So it’s official then,” the male chuckled. “We’re each other’s liability. I trust you can handle a bit of trouble, yeah?”
Words were caught under their tongue, but Mickey muttered, “Spare me the warning. I’ve known trouble before you came around.”
Seated on one of the tables behind the closed door, Landry downed a glass of liquor. “Kids these days,” he chuckled to himself.
