[Mystic Tsukinami, Kazuha Tsukinami, DJ, Elle Laurent]
(Translations/transcripts and comments under the cut ↓)
ᴍʏsᴛɪᴄ (Cuts from Banana Fish. Character: Ash Lynx)
Oh my, oh my. Is somebody getting a little horny? (Cut 1)
Hi〜 (Cut 2)
Not in front of them. Take me somewhere we can be alone. (Cut 3)
ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴄʜᴜʀᴄʜ (ᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ʙʏ ᴀʟᴇxᴀɴᴅᴇʀ sᴛᴇᴡᴀʀᴛ)
ᴋᴀᴢᴜʜᴀ (Interview with Rebecca Ferguson. Movie: The Greatest Showman. Character: Jenny Lind.)
—Rich detail of authenticity, and—and colors, and the original prints, and it’s just… you’re in it. I’m in the world. I’m sitting in the train cart, I’m drinking from the specific glasses, I’m reading the magazines. It’s… it’s incredible.
ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ (ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇsᴛ sʜᴏᴡᴍᴀɴ ᴄᴀsᴛ)
ᴅᴊ (Clip from Code: Realize. Character: Cardia Beckford)
Why does everyone want these jewels? I don’t know anything about my father, or even about myself. I have no memories prior to two years ago. Please tell me. Why did my father put this thing in me?
ɪ’ᴍ sᴛɪʟʟ sᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ (ᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ʙʏ ᴀɴɴᴀᴘᴀɴᴛsᴜ)
ᴇʟʟᴇ (Cuts from Future Diary. Character: Minene Uryuu)
Here, go somewhere else. (Cut 1)
No reason, really. There’s no need to follow someone who’s going to die. (Cut 2)
You go away too. Huh? You have a baby! Ha! (Cut 3)
ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ
[Admin!Danny: So, yeah… there is a lot of everything amongst the characters (e.g. Kazuha wasn’t given a Japanese VA), and that is because I didn’t want to put anything down unless I was sure! So instead, I just left them without whatever it was. Either way, I hope y’all enjoy this reference to their voices.]
[Also, Mys’s clips: Always reminded me of him during one of his bounty hunts, hahaha! So I just thought: ✨ Perfect ✨]
The old carriage quaked as the wheels rattled against the uneven ground up to the Banmaden’s central gate. The gorgeous and enormous white horses at the very head of everything neighed with excitement, running freely up the hill.
A woman sat the driver’s couch, gripping the reins in one hand and slashing a whip with the other, as she whooped and laughed to herself.
The guards at the gate hurried to block her path, quickly realizing she wouldn’t slow down to not run them over.
“Outta the way, ratbags!”
The woman rushed right past on the carriage, yanking at the reins as she approached the castle’s grand entrance. She swiftly parked the carriage, perfectly leaving space between the front steps and the wheels. It tilted slightly, before dropping back to a balanced stance.
She immediately burst into belly laughter, brushing back the mess her hair was.
The group of guards reached her at last. “Stop right there!”
The woman dropped the reins on her hand, then placed her hand on her hip. “And you call yourself the Lord’s undefeated subjects,” she chuckled. “Y’all couldn’t even stop me at the gate! I would consider changing that title if I were you, dears.”
The soldier—about to retort—froze right on his tracks. He took a step back, aiming the blade of his bayonet up at her; the others behind him followed.
“Laurent!”
| Elle Laurent | 「Only child of the Laurent Family: one of the biggest influences within the First Blood race. Of course, whatever power they may have had was of no use when it came to building connections with other families, due to their witchcraft tendencies, that had become a legacy after thousands of years.」
Elle lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers, waving playfully. “Good evening, gentlemen.” She said, “Now, it’s been nice chatting with you all, but would you mind telling Lord Giesbach there’s visits waiting for him at the door?”
“And just who the hell does a witch think she is to ask for the king’s presence so casually!?” One the soldiers snapped, before one of his comrades could rush up to his side and cover his mouth.
Elle crossed her arms, still smirking. “Is that so?”
The guard holding the other’s mouth shut hissed at him, “Do not provoke a witch,” he scowled-glanced at Elle, “no matter how unmannerly one might be.”
Elle clapped for him with a smile, “Bravo! Glad to see someone here knows something more than their own pride. Damned Tsukinami’s have been smearing that all over the place, even on his own forsaken servants.”
The soldier let go to his comrade’s mouth and straightened his posture, settling the heel of his rifle on the ground. “Very well, Madam Laurent,” he said, “allow me escort you to His Majesty.”
With the loud boom of a newcomer arriving through the main entrance, servants around hurried to make space for whomever it was.
The guard strutted past the watching butlers and maids, glancing around, as if he were searching for something.
Elle caught on to this and mimicked his movements, inspecting each and every single gentleman and lady the soldier had looked at. All froze at her gaze, quickly driving their eyes away.
At last, the guard paused. “You,” he called out.
A young maid—petite, pale, and of a black mane—perked up at his call. “Yes, sir!”
“Come along and help me escort Madam Laurent to His Majesty,” he ordered.
She glanced at Elle, quickly put down the bucket of water and dirtied rag over the desk behind her, and bowed, “As you wish!”
The trio paced the Banmaden’s hallways in a hurry but in complete silence. All the meanwhile, the young maid inspected the witch from top to bottom, intrigued.
Elle didn’t look like any other aristocrat she had ever met. She looked more like a very well-dressed professor, fitted with a white shirt of wide sleeves, gray pants tucked into tall black boots. Her curvy silver hair cascaded from her head, over her shoulders, back, and down to her hips. She was a very attractive creature—to put it mildly—with a body every other woman would dream of having.
The beauty of blue blooded Founders was… out of this world.
The witch glanced over her shoulder at the young maid, catching her red handed. The petite girl looked down as she continued walking, heart racing in trepidation. Elle smiled to herself, watching the flustered expression on the young maid’s face, but didn’t comment further, facing forward once again.
The guard stopped in front of an enormous pair of doors. He breathed in deeply, straightening his posture—and knocked. He waited for about three seconds, before walking inside, followed by Elle and the young maid.
The young woman remained by the door side, hands clasped in front of her lap and her head lowered. The soldier dropped to his knees, hands pressed on the ground, almost touching the floor with his forehead.
“If you allow me speak, your majesty,” he spoke loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, “I come to inform you of Elle Laurent’s presence in the castle!”
Of course, by then the Tsukinami had already seen her walk into the room. The indifferent and arrogant aura she emanated was already picking at the king’s annoyance.
“A witch,” Giesbach commented, “a disgrace to the First Blood race—shows up unannounced to my castle…”
Elle chortled, gently putting a hand over her chest. “My, what kind compliments, your majesty. You’re making me blush.” She crossed her arms and sided her hips. “I am here as per requested by my parents. Their passing wish, to be exact.”
“I heard of the Laurent’s passing,” Giesbach nodded. “I will admit, it is a shame to see you standing here instead of buried six feet underground with them.”
The young maid lifted her head slightly, a bit shocked.
Elle was unfazed. “Believe me when I tell I would’ve much rather kept them company with a few thousand maggots, than have to stand here and converse with a flapdoodle such as yourself, sir.”
The king’s youngest son immediately barked up, “How dare you speak to the king that way!?”
“Young Master Shin, good to see you’ve been doing well.” Elle’s smile slid off her lips for an instant, “Though, it seems like you’ve picked up your father’s lovely character, sadly.”
Shin gritted his teeth, balling up his hands. Before he can say anything further, a hand came to a rest in his shoulder. He looked back, meeting his brother’s disapproving head shake, which made him sulkily quiet down.
The young maid watched Elle, expecting her to make a comment to the oldest son. Surprisingly, she simply eyed him from top to bottom, smiled, then turned back to the king.
“With that being over,” she clasped her hands, “may I tell you the reason to my visit now?”
Giesbach exhaled through his nostrils, waving his hand at her, “Go on.”
Elle’s smile widened at his words. “As I have mentioned, my parents passed away—not exactly that long ago—just a few months, I believe.” Though the subject of her chatter was grim, her tone was awfully cheerful.
“Right,” Giesbach sighed.
“Well, at their deathbed, they made me make a promise”—she straightened her posture, bringing a hand behind her back and pressing her fist over her chest—“Approach Lord Giesbach after we are long gone, once you’ve finished your mournful woes for us, and ask to join their household. So, you are our only child, make the promise that you will try and better the relationship between us witchcraft humble ones and the royal family.”
Elle dropped her arms, now with a playful shrug, “Is what my father said.”
Giesbach stared at her with incredulity, before scoffing without giving it a second thought, “Absolutely not.”
The witch sighed, “I figured you’d say that.” She perked up. “But, hear what I have to say, what do you say about having me serve you?”
This made Giesbach entire expression change. “Serve me?”
Elle shrugged with feigned helplessness, “I supposed I wouldn’t simply be able to just join both families together like that after our differences have kept us apart for thousands of years.” She added, “I imagine there are many troublesome matters in which Your Majesty has to deal with, only fitted for the filthy hands of a witch.”
Giesbach was silent.
“That is where I come in, don’t you see?” Elle opened her hands, like a a vendor on the street showing off their product. “I’m sure it’s an absolute pain trying to get a trustworthy witch anywhere here in the Demon Realm, let alone up there with the humans. It’d be much easier if you could just call me up.”
The king was thoughtful—or at least, pretended to be.
He gave her a doubtful smile, “Unmannerly, immature, young… what good could you bring to my kingdom? You are nowhere near as powerful as your parents, either.”
Elle’s smile dropped. Seriously?
“Guards,” Giesbach lifted his hand, “get her out of my sight.”
The soldiers around the room—including the one that had escorted her in—immediately turned to her with ill intent.
Elle remained still as they circled around her like a pack of savage wolves, eyes closed, with the calmest expression in the world. She suddenly perked up, slowly kneeling. She reached down and gently pressed a hand over the red carpet.
An explosion of violet burst from the ground, blowing away the soldiers. Giesbach jumped out of his throne, while his sons immediately tensed up as the candles of the room where blown out. The young maid lost her calm composure, enchanted by the sudden explosion of magic.
The purple lights and glows turned and twisted like underwater turbines, slowly shifting into actual shapes. A wolf—as tall as the room itself—sprinted around the room; its howl echoed around them. As it playfully jumped over Elle, it transformed into an eagle that flew right over their heads, actually creating a blast of breeze with the beating of its wings. It turned down and crashed on the ground, coming back as a cobra that slithered out of the ground, standing on its wriggly body and it hissed down at the Tsukinami. The reptile dropped on its side, shattering into a flock of thousands of bats.
Elle lifted her hand and grasped it tightly. The spectacle of magic was rapidly sucked back into her palm. The blown out candled sparked back to life, casting light on the bewildered looks of everyone in the room.
“Very well then,” she smiled, clearly proud of herself as she clasped her hands together. “I’ll let you sleep on it, you majesty. Perhaps you would like to reconsider.”
Elle turned around on the heels of her boots and grinned at the young maid, who instantly shut her agape mouth and straightened up. “Would you be a dear and escort me to one of you guest rooms?”
The maid turned to look at the king, who wordlessly waved at her, turning his eyes away. The girl bowed quickly and approached the witch’s side.
“Follow me, madam.”
As the young maid rushed out of the room, Elle glanced back over her shoulder. She directly met the oldest son’s eyes, Carla. She held his gaze for a while, then smiled, “Have a good night.”
She pressed the palm of her hand against her lips and blew off a kiss, releasing a small butterfly with it.
The butterfly beat its wings as it crossed the room silently, landing on Carla’s nose and dispersing with a glittery effect, making him jolt in surprise.
send 👪 for a moodboard of my muses family dynamic.
The Tsukinami are a very close family. Reasonably stable, but what family is completely alright, really?
Parties and dances! They don’t really do it often, but when they get together, it’s quite the night.
Mystic and Kazuha love having drinking competitions. And of course, Kazuha always wins.
The entire family goes off to go watch plays, operas and concerts. It’s something they all enjoy. They will also go to the movies. The elders have become infatuated with them, so these are frequent trips.
Elle and DJ enjoy continuing with some of the hobbies they had as young ladies, such as horse riding.
Shin and DJ love sparring. It’s something they’ve done since they met years ago, and Mystic enjoys watching them have fun. He always takes notes for himself and sometimes joins in!
The few bonding moments between Shin and Mystic consist of going out for runs with their Familiars in their wolf form. They cause havoc each time, but it’s always a good experience.
Elle laid across the couch, faced down, kicking her legs back at the rhythm of the quiet tune she hummed. She moved her hands in a circular motion, brewing a violet glow from her skin, let it sink into the stem and petals of a wilting lily standing alone on a thin glass base.
As the dark splotches on the pale petals faded away and the stem straightened right up, the witch casted a glance across the room at the petite, motionless figure standing by the window.
DJ held a white rag close to her chest, not noticing the water soaking into the bust of her dress. She gazed out the window, completely enthralled.
Curious, Elle rose from her place, which caused the young maid to shudder. She spun around, a bit startled, then looked down at herself, realizing the large stain of water on her dress.
“Ah—”
Elle approached the window and peered outside, “What are you staring at out there?”
The youngest prince sparred against various guards at once, swinging and slashing the blade of his sword around, like the utter show-off of a brat that he was.
Elle paused, thought about the circumstances, and her lips broke into a bemused smirk. “Oh,” she purred. “I see what is going on here.”
DJ looked away, unable to hide behind her calm facade with a bright red face.
“Oh, what a cliché plot for a romance with a tragic ending!” Elle dramatically pressed the back fo her hand against her forehead. “A mere servant, a nobody—in love with the pampered son of the hell-born king!”
DJ snapped her head up, frantically looking around in search of someone that could’ve overheard. “Madam Elle!”
The witch cackled, throwing her head back. “Dear me, no need to take it personally,” she said. “If there is something I am known for, is for obliterating the clichés and stereotypes these bastards have imposed on us since birth.”
DJ unconsciously eyed her from head to toe. Yes, that was obvious from the beginning…
“Have you heard of the amount of trouble Shin has been getting into lately?” Elle asked.
DJ nodded, “Naturally.”
“So, you must know the king will be holding a competition to seek for a knight to keep him in line.”
A bit puzzled, the young maid stared at her. “I have heard about it around the castle for a couple of weeks now.” She paused. “I don’t think follow. What makes you bring this up?”
Elle smirked. “Why not have a try at it?”
DJ’s eyes flew wide open, “I couldn’t!”
“And why not?”
“I—I am not worthy… or talented enough to even present myself in front of the royals!”
Elle let out a sudden cackle. “My dear, have you looked at yourself in the mirror? If you weren’t trapped in those awful rags and got fixed with some nice hair pins, you’d be much more astonishing than any other monarch in the all of the realms!”
By the end of her ramble, DJ’s face was beet red. She lifted a hand in an attempt to stop Elle from saying anything further. “Enough, madam!”
“Now,” Elle smiled, pleased with herself, and clasped her hands together. “I’d like to think you’re talented at the blade, yes?”
DJ gave herself a final check at the mirror on the hallways before turning to head for the grand hall.
The bell cuffs of the blouse Elle had leant her were similar to the ones her uniform’s undershirt had. Somehow, though, she felt much more elegant in the clothes of an aristocrat. It was an odd and inexplicably exciting feeling.
With one final glance at her reflection, DJ closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. She combed down the hair over her right eye, then turned on her heels and head off in the direction to the grand hall.
There was a crowd already gathered around the room, eagerly expecting to watch the competition starting in just a few minutes.
As DJ scanned the room, she spotted Elle standing at the front lines of the crowd, also searching through the sea of heads. Her eyes finally landed on DJ. Elle grinned, waving her over.
The young maid scurried through the crowd until she reached the witch’s side. To her surprise, Elle was dolled up in a beautiful flowered amethyst gown, complementing the shining violet of her eyes.
“Madam, you—”
“Look amazing?” Elle giggled, tossing a strand of silver hair behind her shoulder. “You don’t look so bad yourself, dear. You’re shorter than me, so I was worried my clothes wouldn’t fit you.” She rested her hands on her hips. “I can’t believe you didn’t have anything casual aside from a simple gown.” She clucked her tongue, shaking her head, “Not fitting to kick ass, at all.”
DJ gave her a grateful gaze. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay the kindness you’ve shown me, madam.”
Elle smiled, suddenly reaching out to brush back the lock of hair she’d used to hide her eye. “With such beautiful eyes, there’s no need to hide them.”
DJ immediately tried to brush her hair in front of her face once more, but Elle stopped her frantic hand with a gently hold.
“Let them see who you are. Let them remember exactly who they’ve been wrecked by.” The witch tucked the strands of obsidian locks behind the young maid’s hair. She softly touched her cheek, giving her a reassuring smile.
DJ straightened up, puffing out her chest.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” a voice at the front of the room spoke over the chattering of the crowd.
DJ and Elle turned to be met with the imposing figure of the First Blood ruler standing in front of his throne. Krone, queen of the Founders, stood to her husband’s left with her hands clasped in front of her lap. To the king’s right hand were his sons: Shin first, then Carla at the edge.
Seeing the youngest son standing up there with a grumbling expression and his arms crossed, DJ felt her heartbeat speed up. She slightly squirmed on her spot, feeling an anxious knot tighten on her stomach.
DJ suddenly felt like she couldn’t do it. Against all the line up of men, all taller, stronger and experienced than her… what chance did she have to win?
A hand laid on her shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze. DJ looked up to be met by Elle’s encouraging smile. The knot loosened slightly, but she still felt tense.
Giesbach continued, “Today I give those brave enough the chance to become the right hand of my youngest son, Shin, to lend him your strength and guide him through ill moments.”
Elle leaned down to whisper in DJ’s ear, “Which is just fancy speech for: ‘Someone to give my childish son advice and keep him out of trouble.’”
DJ kept her eyes on Shin, still unable to move a finger. She watched him grumble something under his breath. Probably something like, “Not like I need it, either way,” because he immediately received a scolding glare from his older brother.
And so, the competition began.
The challenge consisted of a single round of traditional sparring. The challenger would be able to pick a blade of their choosing, then the king would summon merciless creatures created from Krone’s and his own magic—powerful beings that would really drive the challenger to their very limit. Once all competitors passed, Shin would decide who to choose.
The first, the second, the third… one challenger after the other entered the battle area and returned once it came to an end. Some returned with torn shoulders, broken wrists, while the rest were lucky enough to return with simple gashes on their bodies.
At last, the final challenger stepped back into the line of competitors leaning against the wall, covered in wounds and dripping in sweat, with the cheers of the crowd behind him.
The room was silent as Giesbach glanced at Shin, who remained grumpy and seemingly uninterested. The king turned back to the crowd and raised his voice, “Have we any other challengers amongst us?”
Silence. The crowd glance around the room, waiting for someone else to volunteer.
Taking the silence, DJ took a step out of the crowd with a gentle shove from Elle’s part; myriad of gazes fell on her. The royals laid eyes on her and the youngest prince straightened up.
DJ clasped her hands in front of her, inching her head forward. “I will take on the challenge, your majesty.”
Giesbach glanced at Krone, then at the princes. He looked back at DJ, smirking with amusement. “How unexpected. I wouldn’t have imagined I’d see the head servant here tonight.”
DJ stayed silent.
Giesbach lifted his arm, gesturing her to move closer. “If you so wish to take part of this, I’ll humor you.”
With the king’s permission, DJ approached the rack of weapons. She searched around for a few seconds, before reaching out for the hilt of a knight’s sword.
With a loud clatter, the rack slid back and out of her reach, leaving behind a lonely massive axe that stood as tall as her legs.
DJ looked up, startled, only to be met by a mocking grin on Shin’s face. His hand was lifted, making it obvious who’s been the one to take away her choices.
“A true knight should be capable of fighting with whatever weapon they have at hand,” Shin said.
“How fair is that to her, though?!” Elle barked up at him. “Why is she the only one you’re putting through this trial?!”
Giesbach turned to look at her. “Well, witch,” he sighed, “since when did you become so friendly with the head servant of my humble home?”
Before Elle could respond, DJ lifted her hand. “That is enough, madam. No need to speak up on my behalf.” She turned back to face the royals and calmly bowed to the prince. “If it is the prince’s wish, then I shall not refuse.”
DJ grabbed the handle of the axe and picked it up with a troubled grunt, before bringing it up with ease to her shoulder.
Giesbach slammed his hand on the arm of his throne without any warning; Krone jolted with a gasp.
Shadowy figures rose from the ground, twisting and squirming like corpses breaking out of their tombstones, immediately pouncing on her.
DJ gritted her teeth, eyes flashing with a sudden spark of adrenaline. She swung the axe forth, slicing the heads off the first three assailants in a single hit. Their bodies crumpled to dust. She huffed, brushing off a splatter of black dust off her face.
Irked, Giesbach slammed his hand down for a second time, summoning a second round of the creatures. DJ didn’t wait for them to approach, but rushed forward on her own.
The massive axe seemed difficult to maneuver, but in her hands looked as light as a feather. It was a graceful performance, which would’ve been accompanied by gruesome flashes of blood if her assailants were flesh and bone creatures.
DJ leapt off the ground and into the shoulders of one of the figures. She hooked the handle of the axe around their throat and violently yanked back. The head disconnected from the rest of the body before disintegrating in her arms.
Soon enough, the young maid began being cheered on by the previously quiet crowd. Elle whistled, shouting encouraging chants.
By then, DJ had wiped off all but one of the shadowy rivals. She screeched to a halt and clenched the handle of the axe before speeding forward. She brought the weapon behind her, spinning it once like a stick on fire over her back, then brought it forward with a final swing to finish the match.
Shin gawked.
That move… that was his move.
DJ knew it by simple muscle memory.
She had watched him do it too many times to even try to count. Everything she knew about combat, every way someone could handle a weapon—she had learned it by gazing at him through the windows as she cleaned around the castle.
She had always been so enthralled in watching him train, that she learned to handle the blade without ever having picked up a sword.
DJ huffed, dropping the axe to her side. She slowly let go of the handle, hands trembling, and turned to face the royals.
Shin gaped at her with wide round, golden eyes. They glimmered as he stared at her, as if he’d just seen something new and astonishing—maybe even beautiful on its own way.
For the first time since she stepped into the arena, she felt anxious. Like an animal in a cage being observed by thousands of eyes.
DJ looked back at Elle, who simply smiled at her. She mouthed, “Damn bitch, you’re a monster.”
