Summary: This is a slight prologue for the Un-birthday interview for my Yuusona who is Twisted from the Mad Doctor.
Notes:
*Mild language
“So what do you think our resident mad scientist is up to doing today?”
Two first years students of Heartslabyul followed the autumn trail of NRC. The two were excited to visit their unique and interesting friends on that day, especially as they had a special surprise for the two.
His dormmate closed his teal-colored eyes in thought and worry.
“Knowing Yuu, it could be anything.” And he meant that literally. Ace hummed in agreement, bouncing the package in one hand.
“You’re right.” They faltered in step for a moment.
Yuu R. Hoo (a name Ace was pretty sure was fake) was quite famous around Night Raven.
To begin with he had come to Twisted Wonderland from another dimension all together, one very different than theirs if Yuu was to be believed. Coming from another world, or other worlds even existing, was unheard. Yet, looking at Yuu, it was impossible not to believe it. At first glance he looked like everyone else, however, the longer one looked, the easier it was to see he wasn’t like the people of Twisted Wonderland. The shape of him, the odd gleam of his eyes, the odd accent, way he moved—it was hard to explain but one look and everyone instantly knew the boy was alien to this world. And it was this peculiar other-worldliness that convinced Crowley to allow Yuu to enter the college as the first magicless student.
That was main point of interest for others.
Night Raven College was a prestige magic academy built to educate mages of the future. Therefore, when someone without magic enrolled, it caused a huge stir, for better or worse. However, with his cunning intellect Yuu managed to navigate most troubles that befell him.
That was another curiosity about Yuu—his intellect and his very unique demeanor.
Ah, how to describe the young man? The polite way was to say that Yuu was that he was—eccentric. The accurate way, however, was to call him “madder than a hare and hatter drinking coffee at tea time.”
Yuu was a person who tore away the line between genius and stupidity. He did things that not only defied logic and common sense but also raised a rebellion and took the two to the guillotine.
If there was something he wanted the mad man would get it. The path there would be jagged, twisted into a knot, and so cracked he would have to hop-scotch across with a dead body here or there, but he would get there. The question—usually asked by the frightened masses—was how.
As they pondered their weird pal, Aduce came to the gates of the Ramshackle Dorm.
Ramshackle could be described in the name; the place was falling apart, only held together by rust, moss, and the spiders who worked over time in their webs. In the yard there were grave stones, though none knew why. Perhaps to entertain the residents within.
The teens stepped onto the porch, which creaked and groaned under their weight.
“You think the doorbell’s fixed?”
“Let’s see.” Deuce reached out a hand when--
“Uwahh~”
“Whoa!”
“What the--?!” Ace and Deuce fell back as three ghosts flew past them, giggling in ghoulish delight. They were quickly followed by the door being tossed open by seven skeletons. They all seemed to be missing something as they ran past, clattering like angry chipmunks. Adeuce then noticed that the ghosts were playing keep away with various bone parts.
The brunet let out a breath, his palm over his beating heart.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to those guys,” he muttered. Ace shivered next to him.
“Right? Ghosts are one thing, but animated skeletons…” He couldn’t accept that. He wouldn’t accept that. If he did, he’d be as mad as a dodo—no, he’d be mad as Yuu. A line he prayed never to cross.
He coughed and forced himself to look away from the sight.
“Anyway, let’s get going! We gotta hurry if we’re going to get ready for the unbirthday party!”
They entered the old Ramshackle abode and casually strolled down the halls, leaving foot prints in the dust.
They stopped when they came to an old portrait of Yzma, the famed advisor of a spoiled Emperor and the mother of theme parks. (Honestly, the picture was the second scariest thing here.)
Ace moved it like a sliding door to the left, revealing two iron levers. Ace grinned playfully.
“Okay, Deuce! Pull the lever!” he ordered, excited for the ride they were about to have. Deuce mimicked the expression, just as excited.
“Yes!” Deuce pulled the left lever.
"Wait, not that one--” The floor opened, and Ace fell. “Wrong lever~!!” Deuce winced as the trap door closed.
Ace eventually returned, soaked with murky water. Gnawing on the coat of his uniform and the package he had been carrying was Brutus the alligator.
“Dammit! Why does he even have that lever?” He back-kicked Brutus in the jaw and snatched the item back. The gator “harrumphed” before turning and crawling away to chase two white mice that ran by.
The student then stomped forward, puddles forming with each step.
“Get outta the way!” He pulled the RIGHT lever, and the floor flipped them into a wall and into a rollercoaster.
They giggled with anticipation, even Ace, as the safety bar closed over them. They then screamed with joy as the coaster shot down the half-hazard mining-like rails.
They went up, down, left, right, southwest, north-west, sky-high, down under, looped one, two, three! Shot around an “o” through a “z” down to the double D and over the CC, till finally they reached the end.
There, the boys were flipped onto a safety mat, wearing safety gear. Yuu valued safety, after all—for others, that is. He himself “wasn’t a pansy.”
“Awesome!” Aduce shared a high-five with one another, grinning broadly. The dangers that awaited them in the lab were always worth the cool roller coaster ride that came before it.
The pair could hear the fizzle-dizzle and see glops popping as they searched for their friends in the basement lab. Experiments and weird inventions littered every nook and cranny, looking like something out of a horror movie. Potions that were stored in glass jars, plastic bottles, paper cups, soda cans, and whatever else he could get out of the trash. Technically, he was forbidden from making potions outside the potions class under Crewel’s strict orders. However, Yuu figured that it was fine as long as Crewel—or the law—never found out. Speaking of potion making;
“WHOA!” A burst of wind threw Ace and Deuce across the room and into the rubber walls, where they bounced to the floor in a heap.
“Burst of wind’s been added, Yuu!” A short teen ran a black rubber hand through his messy choral hair to move it back from his forehead, reveling a stitched scar as he did so. His grin was broad with excitement.
“Excellent! We’re almost there, Grim! Once we succeed in this, nothing will be able to keep me from my darling treasure. Not even Batman!” His skin, pale as and gray as death, was layered with sweat due to the heat of the large cauldron Deuce had procured for him a while back. The concoction glowed, reflecting in dark eyes that had as much life as a dead fish. The teen hummed and began to count on his fingers.
“Let’s see~! Scream of fright, sun stalk, magnesium, blast of wind, thunderbolt—thunderbolt! Grim, where’s the bottled storm we made last week?”
“Here it is!” A black Dire Cat floated over with a tall coffee pot and shook it. Green lightning poured out and zapped potion—and Grim, who made the mistake of holding it at the base rather than the rubber handle.
“Meyaah!!” Grim cried as his form lit up. Yuu laughed as Grim fell from the air.
“Glad you managed to get your jolt of energy this morning.” He caught the pot with the base of his hand, which sent electricity throughout his form, illuminating his bones. Unlike Grim though, he didn’t cry out and casually returned it to a random place on the shelf. As he twirled back around, he grabbed a green apple from the basket and bounced it in his hand.
“Okay, last one!” He announced. “Get ready to see an angel!”
“I’m already seeing them.” Grim Groaned. Yuu pecked the apple with a kiss and then shot it like a basket ball into the pot. It landed with a splash and sank with a plop. The liquid began to glow and sizzle.
“Meow… This better be worth it,” Grim complained, climbing onto Yuu’s shoulder. His fur was extra fluffy as it stood on its ends, static circuiting through it.
“Oh, it will! It will!” Yuu promised, face lit with desire. From the sidelines, Ace and Deuce had a premonition of disaster. Quickly, they made their way to the “anti-death” shields. Neither Grim nor Yuu had this foresight.
“Is it okay to fizzle like that?” Grim asked, slightly nervous.
“Only if it’s not blue—oh, shit.”
KA-BOOM!
There was a large blast of color, and everything in the lab jumped as the foundation shook like a tambourine. Ace and Deuce, who had been pushed back, peaked over the shields.
“Yuu?! Grim?!” They called. “You okay—who’s that?”
Standing in the middle of the room appeared to be a man dressed in traditional prince clothing. He looked around, confused.
“Hello? How did I get here...?”
“That’s the question,” Ace said. Everyone in the room turned to Yuu for the answer.
The mad scientist had been tossed into a pile of junk parts he used for his inventions and was now digging himself out like a parry dog. When he poked his head out, he seemed excited. It faded instantly.
“What the hell?! You’re not my sweet Moonshine!” Prince Charming raised a brow.
“Er, no. What’s going on? I was searching for my true love using this mysterious slipper when I ended up here.” Yuu’s brow furrowed into a pout, upset his experiment failed. He grumbled to himself as he flipped to his feet.
“Here’s some advice,” Yuu said, snatching the glass slipper away to look at it. “Don’t base your future wife on her footwear.” He paused as he took a closer look. “Hmm, even though it is fabulous—no, no, never mind! Be gone!” The scientist tossed the shoe back to the prince, who scrambled to catch it before it shattered on the floor.
He then went to one of the many potion cans along the wall, peeking in them for the one he wanted. (He didn’t bother with labels.)
He found a banishment potion and tossed it at the prince, who vanished in a puff of smoke. (Everyone was pretty sure he went back to where he belonged.
“So, what was that about?” Ace inquired as he and Deuce approached the cauldron. It was empty now, but they kept their distance just in case.
“Hm? Oh, I was working on a summoning potion.” Yuu dug in his coat for needles and thread. He had gotten a long gash from his hand to his forearm when he landed in the junk pile. Still, he didn’t miss a beat or slow as answered Aduce’s question, even as he started to repair himself. “That way, if something were to happen—like I was stranded on a beach somewhere—I could summon Silver to me and we could still be together.” Every other person in the room groaned.
“Of course it’s something like that,” Ace muttered.
“Honestly…” Deuce sighed, dropping his chin to his chest.
“You told me it was something cool!” Grim complained, shaking his paw like a fist. “If I knew it was something stupid, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
Grim was a magical beast who had a desire to enter the school as a student. He was determined to prove himself become the greatest sorcerer in the world. However, because he was a dire beast he had always been rejected. It wasn’t until Yuu came along that Grim was able to get his chance to prove what he could do.
“What’s stupid about being able to conjure your true love wherever you are?” Yuu argued. He knotted the stitch and bit the string off. “Especially in a world where curses are a thing and true love’s kiss is the cure-all remedy?”
Ace ran an exasperated hand through his hair as he stated, “That’s just in stories, you loon!” Yuu rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, well, this entire world is made up of fairy tales. Fuck, it has actual fairies!” he scoffed. “And even without that, why wouldn’t I want the ability to call my sweet moonshine to wherever I am? Be here here at school, or in a distant galaxy faraway? To lift a curse or simply be cuddled during a storm, don’t we all want to be able to instantly bring the one we love to our side? To hold under the sweet caress of twilight?” The others, who didn’t have a romantic bone in their body, all turned and felt their stomachs turn.
“Oh, brother!” they all said at once, slumping forward.
For reasons that no one in NRC could understand, Yuu was OBSESSED with Silver, who was a 2nd from Diasomnia and a retainer to Malleus, the Dorm head and Prince of Briar Valley. Yuu’s affection for the ever-drowsy teen teetered on creepy and pathetic.
To Yuu, Silver was the beauty and light of the world. A presence that could only be described in purple prose and a Shakespearean play. Quite simply, Yuu was moonstruck by the knight in training.
During one of their earlier meetings, Yuu was so captivated by Silver’s charm that he proposed in the lunchroom in front of everyone. The sad thing was that Yuu believed that Silver was thinking it over, not realizing the silver-haired beauty had been asleep at the time.
Yuu continued his rather odd methods of courting Silver to this day. And while his actions were shameless, the rest of the student body took solace in the fact he wasn’t a yandere (though Idia had doubts). Rather, they all agreed Yuu was “a pathetic, love-struck puppy” and that the wild actions he took seemed to be a mixture of ignorance and passion.
“Well, moving on from that nonsense--” Ace said loudly, waving his hand as if to brush the topic aside. “You free today?” Yuu raised an inquiring brow as he wound a gauze around his arm.
“I don’t plan on letting myself be arrested,” Yuu answered as Grim hopped on a shoulder. “Why?” Ace and Deuce held up the bundles in their arms with a large grin.
“Happy Un-birthday!” They cheered. Yuu and Grim blinked in surprise.
“Huh?”
~end~
A/n:
*The potion is a reference to Villain’s Revenge, an old Disney PC game.
Nkulu's (Extremely Late) Birthday Boy Interview Pt 2
Yuu: What do you like to do in your free time?
Nkulu: Oh, lots of things! I've really gotten into pottery recently, though the clay is a pain to clean off. I even started doing requests on my livestreams. I've made bowls, pots, vases, cups and all kinds of other things. My most recent one is a square mouth pot. I even painted it! Here, I'll show you a picture. I think it turned out well.
Yuu: Oh wow! Those patterns are pretty. It's quite colourful too.
Nkulu: Thanks! Patterns and bright colours are a big part of my dad's culture. It's in our art, our clothes, and even the walls of our homes. I've been trying to get more in touch with that culture lately.
Yuu: Oh that's wonderful!
Nkulu: Mmhmm
Yuu: What are your plans for the future?
Nkulu: Honestly? I have absolutely no idea. I'll probably keep making videos and stuff, maybe start a patreon.
Yuu: Could you tell me something you're talented at?
Nkulu: I'm quite good at conjuration! It's my best subject. I even tried working ahead.
Yuu: Oh? How'd that go?
Nkulu: Badly. I'm good, but not that good.
Yuu: I see. Well, I hope you manage to improve further. Once again, happy birthday.
-End
For context, Nkulu's dad is Xhosa and his mother is Brazilian
Happy Birthday Yume Ume: Personal Story (Part 2/3)
Part: 1 / 2 / 3
Yume *skimming the book* Oh this passage is interesting too! Hm? Are these notes in the margins…?
Leona: Are you gonna read the whole book in front of me? That’s pretty rude, runt.
Yume: *sarcastically* Hm? *holds hand up to their ear* Did someone over the age of 18 just try and speak to me?
Leona: Yume, I don’t have to be here, y’know.
Yume: *Laughs* Okay okay, sorry, let's start the interview.
Leona: If you could bring one person with you on a deserted island, who would you choose? However; the catch is you cannot bring someone from your dorm.
Yume: Ah that sucks…I guess in this case I’ll count both the Ramshackle and Ignihyde as my dorms. Hmm… well no offense to my brothers and Grim but I'm not sure how useful they would be.
Leona: Fair enough.
Yume: Ortho would be ideal, so long as he has a full battery charge. And Idia…*speaking wearily* Would provide me with motivation to escape as soon as possible before he withers.
Leona: Ha! *smirk* What a kind way of saying he would be useless.
Yume: *trying not to laugh* Excuse me, sir!
Yume: *in nasally voice, pushing up glasses* Moral support is crucial to the team comp! Anyway-! *clears throat* I guess in this case the “how” we got to the island doesn’t matter. On a deserted island; food is possibly sparse, with no guarantee of fresh water. I assume communication is impossible through normal means and that we are without magic devices.
Leona: *agreeing* One could assume.
Yume: *muttering to self; holding hand to face in thought* Survival is definitely the main goal; but there are other outside factors you have to consider. Such as how to escape, who is looking for you, and if rescue is an option.
Leona:...* crosses arms impatiently*
Yume: *still rambling* Food, while important, falls secondary to fresh water; if provided with enough; escape doesn’t need to be immediate.
Leona: *slightly fed up* Hurry up and pick someone, runt!
Yume: *pouting* Don’t rush me! HMmm
Yume: Rook comes to mind first; I’ve seen first hand his survival and camping skills and I have no doubt he could help keep us both alive for a good duration of time…though I’m not sure how well rescue or escaping would go.
Leona: Yeah, but would you be able to deal with that creep?
Yume: That’s funny coming from you, lol. But he can be a bit much…then again *Closes eyes in thought* taking either of the twin’s could be advantageous…
Leona: *surprised* You mean the ones who skulk around with the Octo-punk?
Yume: It’s not my first choice, but Jade and Floyd are merfolk. Theoretically they could swim fast and travel out into the ocean for rescue. But…
Leona: *urging them to hurry and continue* But…
Yume: *sighs* I’d be left to fend for myself and probably wouldn't last long…and there's no real guarantee they would come back unless promised something…they're both too unpredictable.
Leona: *makes noise of agreement*
Yume: *talking to self* Someone from Diasomnia…well I don’t know all of them too well…
Leona: *slightly annoyed* You're taking too long; don’t be indecisive, you’d die on this island just thinking about what to do.
Yume: *puffs out cheeks* Don’t rush me! *huffs and closes their eyes. thinking* Someone I can get along with well, that could help me survive, and assist in escaping…its got to be…Aha! Kalim!
Leona:*raises an eyebrow. No disapproving.* Explain?
Yume: Kalim is easygoing by nature, it isn’t too hard for me to keep him focused on a task. Plus with his unique magic he could provide us both with fresh water daily. Making our only focus food/shelter. I’m used to roughing it at the Ramshackle and I know how to fish from camping!
Yume: *throwing hands up* Not to mention Kalim is crazy rich and important to his family. I’m certain they would have a means to locate and look for him; *whispers and leans over* if Jamil doesn’t already have him chipped *snickers*
Leona: *small noise of amusement*
Yume: Based on all that I can’t imagine we would be there for more than a few days tops. And with our combined co operation and his magic we should be relatively comfortable. *they nod to themselves; approving of their own answer*
Leona: Hm, I see.
Yume: *squinting* What’s with that look? You got a better answer?
Leona: No, in fact, that was my answer too.
Yume: *genuine surprise*...Oh! Great minds think alike then I guess. *they grin*
Leona: …Don’t get ahead of yourself. *rolls his eyes, but there is a hint of appreciation*.
Hana: I really like crepes! My stepmother would take me to this really nice cafe and she would order crepes for me! They are so good! Once I figure a way back home, I can take you there, Tsunotaro!! Or maybe we can do it somewhere around town?
Malleus; *Chuckles* I would like that. Do you have a least favorite kind of food?
Hana: Oh yes! I don’t like eating mint! I can have it as toothpaste, but no offense. Eating it would feel super gross to me! Especially when my friend Allen would have it as a mint shake! It would be like drinking mouthwash! The only time I actually wouldn’t mind having it, would be candy canes.
Malleus: Hm I see… Next question, do you have any talents?
Hana: Oh, I like ballet dancing! Ever since I was small, I have loved to watch the nutcracker! I was try to imitate the girl from the movie to try to dance along! I asked my mom to take me to ballet classes, so therefore ballet has been something I really love to do!
Malleus: Oh? Have you ever performed? I would love to see you perform when you have the chance.
Hana: Yes! At a middle school talent show I won 3rd place! It may have not been first place, but I was close! So, I was happy!! I hope Night Raven College is going to have a talent show soon!
Her Birthday Interview is under the cut! (Groovy to come within the next week or so!)
Credit to @/thoselethalarts for card background and broom image!
~Pomefiore (Birthday Venue)~
~NRC Newspaper Interview~
🎀 Mar Version 🎀
Yuu: Happy Birthday!
Mar: Ah, thank you!
You think I'd be used to large crowds, but my birthday always takes me by surprise, heh.
Do you not like being the center of attention?
Mar: It depends.
I love performing and playing piano at the Monstro Lounge, but it feels weird when people are focused on me instead of my music.
How long have you been playing the piano?
Mar: That's a tough one... Since I was 5, I think?
My sisters and I all had to take a bunch of different instrument lessons when we were younger, and piano was the one I really clicked with.
Your family sounds very musical!
Mar: Mhm.
My mom's side of the family has been musicians for generations, so it's expected that all five of us would be too.
What hobbies do you have besides the piano?
Mar: I collect seashells and things from the beach!
My shelves back home are FULL of all the things I've found.
I also really like flying. I can't wait to get a broom of my own!
What kinds of gifts have you received?
Mar: It's mostly been little trinkets and candy from the other dorm members, but I got a few that definitely stand out!
Vil-senpai found a set of really pretty ribbons for tying back my hair, Epel gave me some embroidery thread that was made in his hometown, and Jade dropped by earlier with a set of cufflinks shaped like music notes!
Those are some really fun gifts! Did you get anything from your family?
Mar: Not really, but I don't mind.
I'm sure they're busy with recitals and performances!
If anything, there's probably something in the mail for me that won't arrive for a few days.
I hope it arrives soon.
Mar: Me too.
My little sister always finds fun things for everyone's birthday.
Thank you for talking with me. Happy birthday again!
