Next up is the dorm based on The Lion King and on the King of Beasts' Spirit of Persistence. While it does appear to be the athletic dorm, compared to the others, there are plenty of althetic characters in other dorms. Yes Leona can certainly meet a physical challenge, but he doesn't seem to want to unless it is absolutely necessary. So there has to be more to why people get sorted into this dorm than simply being more physically active and sporty.
"Life's not fair Is it?" That famous line sums up these students and how they feel about their lives. They are not satified with where they are and they want to change it. However they don't like when others try to decide their life for them, in any way. These are the sorts who want to achieve the life and goals they want by their own actions. It certainly seems that if any student of this dorm gets told they can't do something, they'll give some sort of "watch me" response. (Might be violently.)
How much they actually believe they can reach that goal and change their lives varies between the students, but overall it's low. There seems to be something personal holding them back from achieving the life they want. Some likely don't even realize they're hindering themselves.
Leona has a lot of pride. He is confident in his skills, on a basic level. He is very smart and has a lot of strong magic. However, he does not have a lot of emotional self confidence in himself as a person. Certainly didn't help that others kept comparing him, a child, to his much older brother all the way into his 20s. He struggles to get passed the feeling of being compared, of being viewed as lesser than anyone. If only he would actually believe those around him when they say possitive things about him.
Ruggie can work multiple jobs to help his grandma and the kids in his neighborhood, but often falls back on schemes and street tactics. He's lived a large portion of his life just trying to stay alive. He knows what it's like to go hungry. Now he's in a place where he has access to better food, shelter, and has the chance to find a more... honest living (for lack of a better phrase). Yet he is still constantly behaves like he's back in the slums. Yes there petty crimes meant he stayed alive, but it also means a poor reputation and view from others. It also seems to have lead to habits and mindsets that Ruggie has a hard time breaking out of. All that can hold him back from getting out of the life he's in.
Jack wants to better his own athleticism and face challenges head-on (even outside a sports environment) on equal footing against others. He just has a hard time allowing others to work with him as teammated rather than having them simply be rivals. Receiving or giving help to others does not come easily to him. It can even be a literal fight with him to do so.
So someone that might end up in Savanaclaw would be unhappy with their life, but have a personal trait that causes them to stuggles to change it on their own. Even though they would much rather do it that way. What are you're thoughts on why someone might be placed in this dorm?
There has to be a time, right? Everyone is stuck in the planning stage of a trap when suddenly their phone rings. It's Yuu. They sound a little worn down and before they can ask what's wrong they say, "Can I come over? I need to talk to someone." Naturally, they freeze and before they can come up with some excuse everyone finds themselves agreeing to having Yuu come over.
Please tell me:
What were they in the middle of planning?
How do they hide/cover it up? How much chaos erupts?
How long does it take Yuu to come over?
Hello friend! Thank you for this ask, I am definitely looking forward to answering!!! I love adding to our Saw AU. I will be grouping the answers by dorm for ease.
There's nothing really gory or gruesome in the responses, but I'm putting it under a cut because of length!
Heartlslaybul:
What were they in the middle of planning?
They were working on some mechanical aspect of the trap; probably a prototype for something like restraining a trap victim or a new type of locking mechanism or something. Deuce is doing most of the mechanical work (I love how he's good with working with his hands) while Riddle supervises; Cater is on supplies run and Ace is watching from the couch as he eats some new dessert Trey made or something...lol. There's screws, nuts, bolts, and all manner of metal scraps all over the floor, and a large box of tools. Blueprints are spread on the table and Riddle also has web pages pulled up for trouble-shooting.
How do they hide/cover it up? How much chaos erupts?
The instant Riddle agrees for Yuu to come over, he turns around and orders Ace and Deuce to help clean up. Unfortunately, knowing those two, at least one of them knocks something over (probably the toolbox) and all the little pieces go flying everywhere. This adds at least twenty minutes to their clean up time as they scramble to find every last piece. They don't have much time, so everything is grabbed and - much to Riddle's inner dismay - shoved in a closet. Let's be real, as much as Riddle tries to pretend otherwise, Heartslaybul is Chaos Central. (it's definitely because of Ace and Deuce)
How long does it take Yuu to come over?
I think, in an attempt to buy time, Riddle would ask Cater or Trey to pick Yuu up. This doubles their time for cleaning, since they will have to travel twice the distance, but Yuu is still there in less than an hour.
Savanaclaw:
What were they in the middle of planning?
They were in the middle of designing and drawing up ideas for the trap. There's scattered pages of notes and quickly sketched diagrams all over the table and about half of the floor. A manilla folder has photos of the target spilling out of it. John gave them a couple three-dimensional models of different tools/trap items they could use, and those are all scattered about the place.
How do they hide/cover it up? How much chaos erupts?
Ruggie answers the phone, but Leona probably takes it over. Just grabs it right out of Ruggie's hands. He agrees to his herbivore coming over, and Ruggie immediately starts scrambling to cover shit up. Jack is helping him. Leona is still on the phone and every few seconds he chucks a model or crumpled up note at Ruggie to dispose of/hide. Moderately Severe level of chaos.
How long does it take Yuu to come over?
Leona wants Yuu over as soon as possible. They arrive in about twenty minutes. Ruggie is huffing and out of breath, so he mutters some excuse about having just tried going for a run with Jack and drags Jack upstairs to "shower".
Octavinelle:
What were they in the middle of planning?
Azul is also in the planning and gathering info stages. He has an entire journal filled with notes on the target. There are different blueprints for various traps scattered in front of him, as he hasn't decided what would be most relevant to the individual yet. He has up photos pinned on the walls of the different possible locations they could use. He has a list of criteria from John regarding the trap and victim. Jade and Floyd were tailing the target and they come back with a folder full of more notes and photos. The computer has up several different webpages for various mechanical parts Azul may need to purchase (using a fake identity and a bank account set up specifically for this purpose). He's also checking their supply of cleaning supplies (he's set it up like an inventory list because that's how his brain works).
How do they hide/cover it up? How much chaos erupts?
The instant Floyd hears Shrimpy is coming over, he is ecstatic. He throws the folder in the air in celebration, and all the carefully sorted notes and photos Jade and he took are now scattered and floating to the ground. There's definitely a scuffle as Floyd tries to run out to see his Shrimpy right away, and Jade is NOT about to let that fly, so he grabs him by the collar to drag him back to work. Azul is shouting. Pages are still raining down from the air. Floyd would like to just shove everything together and dump it in a closet. Jade wants to organize it so they don't have even more work later. Azul is shouting at them to PICK A METHOD AND JUST DO IT THEY ARE GOING TO BE HERE RIGHT AWAY. Floyd-level chaos.
How long does it take Yuu to come over?
Yuu's there within an hour. (if it took any longer, Floyd would probably run out to get them himself) Azul has managed to get all his things for planning scooped up and into a private office room in their home, where he can quickly sort things while the twins distract Yuu. Jade is making food, probably some sort of mushroom dish, so that he can ask Yuu's opinion and keep them distracted from looking to say hello to Azul until everything is sorted and cleanly put away. Floyd sees a few slips of paper that escaped and landed under the couch. He just kicks them further under the couch.
Scarabia:
What were they in the middle of planning?
Jamil is in the middle of persuading John over the phone that he and Kalim should have access to a specific abandoned warehouse, rather than Azul. He's very persuasive. Kalim is the one who takes Yuu's call and immediately agrees to Yuu coming over.
How do they hide/cover it up? How much chaos erupts?
Not much to cover up this time! Jamil finishes the conversation and jots a quick note about the location and details in a planner, which gets tucked away in a drawer. He knows Yuu would never snoop. Kalim is busy arranging the place to receive guests (he has taken on more of that role since Jamil's overblot and he likes helping). No chaos at all!
How long does it take Yuu to come over?
Yuu is over within half an hour, and Jamil is already working away on some delicious food to eat together. Kalim keeps Yuu's attention entirely for the duration of the cooking, and Yuu is none the wiser.
Pomefiore:
What were they in the middle of planning?
Vil was in the middle of putting together a potion. An old recipe tome for poisons sits on the table, with notes scrawled in the margin. Ingredients, both dry and wet, are scattered about the table, and he is in full protective equipment for brewing potions.
How do they hide/cover it up? How much chaos erupts?
The instant Vil's phone rings, he would consider not answering; after all it would not exactly follow lab safety. But, when he sees Yuu's name on the screen, he can't resist. He answers with a "Hello, Yuu", with slight emphasis on their name. That's what triggers Rook to spring into action. Before Vil even starts the next sentence, his vice Housewarden is clearing the table and putting away all the ingredients. Epel can only watch in awe (and a little bit of fear). Chaos is minimal for this power couple.
How long does it take Yuu to come over?
Yuu is over within the hour. They don't suspect a single thing. There may be an herb or two that fell from the table as Rook was cleaning, but since Vil is so big on skin care and health, it wouldn't be surprising to Yuu if he was experimenting with some ingredients to create a new product to add to his collection.
Ignihyde:
What were they in the middle of planning?
Idia and Ortho are cyberstalking their target when Yuu calls. Social Security Number, all their social media, tracking their typing/writing patterns to different anonymous forums online, hacking their emails and work computer/cell phone; if it's online, they've got it. Ortho answers before Idia can, and of course he agrees for Yuu to come over.
How do they hide/cover it up? How much chaos erupts?
Idia luckily can download and/or screenshot the information he needs and then shut all the internet pages relatively quickly. You would think this means "no chaos", but the chaos comes less from hiding their efforts, and more from rushing to try and make their home tidy enough to host a guest. Idia also has to send Ortho on a food run because all he has are snacks and energy drinks. Ortho is pleased to have a chance to buy vegetables for Idia. Moderate level of chaos.
How long does it take Yuu to come over?
I think Ortho would take into account the time they'd need to prepare, and would suggest Yuu come over in about an hour for supper. Yuu is right on time.
Diasomnia:
What were they in the middle of planning?
Malleus had the trap drawn up and planned out, now they were assigning roles and testing different mechanical parts before putting it all together. I imagine it can be quite the discussion. As we've established, Fae are able to beat the traps more easily than humans...usually by breaking the trap. So, Silver has to do a lot of the work and testing things out to make sure they work - within reason; Malleus would never ask him to hurt himself. Even so, there's probably still a bit of risk involved. I imagine it makes Lilia's paternal instincts go a little haywire, so he is probably hiding up in his room until this part is over. Sebek also doesn't like that Silver has to take on so much danger, though he's more likely to frame it as "I'm stronger so why should the weak human do this?" I imagine this makes their testing and setting up stages take far longer than other groups (though overall they are still fast because the Fae powers let them speed through the other stages).
How do they hide/cover it up? How much chaos erupts?
So, how they cover up is determined by what exactly they are assigning and testing out. The thing is, Malleus wants Yuu over asap. So, it they're just testing out the mechanics of different trap parts, he snaps his fingers and teleports it all to the room he knows Yuu wouldn't end up in; Lilia's room. Minimal chaos for Malleus, Maximum chaos for Lilia as all the notes, blueprints, and trap parts are suddenly crashing down in his bedroom with no explanation.
How long does it take Yuu to come over?
Malleus teleports to get them and escort them over. They arrive instantly.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed these answers; I had so much fun answering the questions! Let me know what you think!!! 💜💜💜
[Twisted Wonderland Theory/Shitpost] NRC and RSA Staff Headcanons
(All images from the Twisted Wonderland Wiki fandom, please don't sue me)
Dire Crowley:
- Engaged with someone but they haven't officially married yet... and it's been five years since the proposal
- Loves glitter but refuses to admit it
- Suspected of cheating on the person he's engaged with while on vacations
- Legit counts how long it takes for him to do anything, and I mean anything.
Those 3 students in the corner look like monkeys. I'm sorry.
Divus Crewel:
- In the original 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, the reason why Cruella was obsessed with fur was because she was married to this famous furrier... so... does that mean Crewel is married and his SO is a furrier? I mean 32 years old seems like a pretty normal age to be/get married
Mozus Trien:
-Favorite composer? Mozart
- Probably was a judge before becoming a teacher at NRC. Like, look at him, he looks like a judge who would stare into your soul at court
- Only gets along with Crewel when reading/watching Frankenstein. It's a work of science fiction and classic literature.
Ashton Vargas:
- I don't know, I just think he would be Russian in our world
Official Manga Sam when?
Sam:
- Low-key Sassy
- A mood
- Worked at the Twisted Wonderland equivalent of Starbucks when he was a teen
Ambrose the 63rd:
- Saved his SO from suicide. Yeah, I bet he's happily married. Unlike Crowley who's suspected of cheating and has been laying off an official marriage for 5 years
- Takes great pride in his dwarf-like shoes
- Wonders every day why Crowley wears a damn crow mask all the time
As mentioned before in previous posts of this series, we are going to be getting into some bigger spoiler territory from here and into the following dorms. I'll try to keep the spoilers to the character disussions, so tread carely as you read. This one also took me so long to get together because of Rook. So you can all blame Rook.
Now let's take a look at the dorm based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Fair Queen's Spirit of Tenacity, Pomefiore.
"Tenacity" relates to a sort of determination of achieving a goal, regardless of whatever obstacles might appear. While it is true for Pomefiore students, it is also true for others too. Both Azul in Octavinelle and Sebek in Diasomnia come to mind as examples of tenacious characters. So what else is there about the members of this dorm that causes them to be placed in this one vs any other dorm? What was is that caused Rook to be able to change dorms?
These students seem to struggle with public perception regarding their physical looks in different ways. The reason can vary, but that awareness is always a factor. Even more than others. For example, Azul does care about his looks, but it seems more secondary compared to other goals he has. So it appears to be another level for Pomefiore students.
They're willing to try and change their physical looks to be more appealing, in whatever way that means for them. However they also struggle to change their actually habbits and personalities to make it easier to be accpeted and aproved by others. To be viewed the way they want to be. They can act the part, so to speak, but eventually their unapologetic true self comes out.
I'll go over my thoughts on how this fits Epel, Vil, and Rook but this is where the spoilers for Books for 5 and 7 will come in. So be aware of that as you continue. If you want, you can stop here and let me know your thoughts on this being why students are placed in the dorm Pomefiore.
Up next will be Ignihyde and some major Book 6 and 7 spoilers.
Epel naturally has big round eyes, soft skin, and a shorter height. All of it gives a certain... impression when people first see him. Many times he even gets mistaken for a girl, much to his frustration and annoyance. How often Epel gets mistaken for a girl due to his looks is a big part of his personal story and arch.
His actual personality is the literal opposite of what people assume when they first see him. This kid is not delicate or soft at all. He's a rough farmboy who loves his hometown and family. He's also more than willing to get into a fight if no one (say Vil) trys to stop him.
He wants people to stop underestimating him. To stop talking about and treating him like some dainty, fragile thing. He wants people to know he is strong, capable, and resilient when they look at him. That's why the idea of being bigger and more muscular like many of the Savanaclaw boys appeals so much to him.
Epel is slowly learning to accept himself, while still working to his goals. He has a long way to go still. Thankfully, he has some good support around him, even if he didn't realize it at first.
Vil is a famous model, actor, and entrepreneur. He hold himself and his dormmates to high, but reasonable standards. He puts in the work to maintain a healthy and strong physique, as well as hone his acting and modeling skills. As we see in his dorm uniform vignette, he also works hard to look after the other students in the dorm.
Yet despite all his hard work to be his version of beautiful, Vil keeps getting typecast into the villan roles. It got so bad he told his agent to just reject such roles right away. He knows he can do more roles, but feels trapped in this one even as he fights to break free.
Throughout Book 5, he was also constantly checks his phone to find out if he was what cames up when people search the word, "beautiful". Especially when it's used to describe someone. He wasn't that someone and that hurt him deep down. Then for a one moment he was that someone, and then just like that he felt he lost it again.
He focused so much on how others thought of him, how they viewed him, that it caused him so much mental strain. It all lead to a deadly situation and a harsh reality check for him. He still cares about his looks of course, but it does seem he's checking his phone a lot less now.
Being previously part of Savanaclaw before Pomefiore made Rook a unique subject to look at for this. Even more than he already is. There is something I noticed about him when taking his time in Savanaclaw into consideration, his actual appearance. He seems to make himself look like he belongs in whichever dorm he's in. I think that's on purpose, and not just because he's a hunter trying to blend in. Especially with how much he stands out personality wise.
I think Rook is trying to look like he is a part of a group, even if he doesn't feel others truely accept him as part of that group. That's why he looks more scruffy as a Savanaclaw student and much more polish as a Pomefiore student. He's practically dressing for the part.
It would be easy to be accepted for him, with how charismatic he is. However he has behaviors and habbits (stalking/hunting) that often make others very uncomfortable around hin. He knows he has that effect, and has even used that for his own gratification. His interactions with Ruggie and Floyd in different vignettes show this. Yet I think part of him does want that honest acceptance from others.
He could now be in Pomefiore because he felt Vil accepted him and that's why they have such a strong bond. Even so, he still dresses and presents himself in a way that "fit the group". So he might not have fully come to terms with even Vil's acceptance of him.
Let's start this off with Heartslabyul. Based on Alice in Wonderland. It is said in the story to be based on the Queen of Heart's Spirit of Stictness. The students of this dorm are expected to follow the rules of the Queen of Hearts. Although, how much they actually follow them depends on the current dormhead.
So does this mean Heartslabyul students are simply rule followers? I don't think so. From what I can tell they do understand the importance of the existance of rules and laws. How much they think a certain rule or law actually needs to be followed seems to be various between students. Trey and Ace both have ingame dialong during History lesson that express this outlook.
"I couldn't obey the Queen" / "We need proper laws." - Trey
"Laws're important." - Ace (Yes this is what he says. Shocker.)
They also seem to have a chaotic connection to an authorit figure in their lives. Riddle and Trey with Mrs. Rosehearts, Ace with Riddle himself, and Deuce with the officer he talks about in the Starsending event. Cater might also have a connection like this, though with who exactly is still up to speculation.
So someone who views laws and rules as important (even if just in theory) and has a unique connection to an authority figure in their personal life might get sorted into Heartslabyul. That's what I think, but what about you?
Now we have the dorm based on The Little Mermaid and the Sea Witch's spirit of Benevolence. At first it seems odd to call anyone like the Octotrio as "benevolent" but the choice of word is interesting. Benevolence is more of a mindset, an expression of being kind and showing goodwill. Generosity is more of an action sort of thing. Actually giving without expecting anything in return. While benevolence can lead into generosity, people in this dorm generally aren't. Few at NRC really even are. So what else is there that would cause students get put into this dorm?
Well it seems these students believe life is quid pro quo, to a fault. Literally everything has price. Time. Gifts. Everything. You can't ask someone from this dorm to do something for you, even something simple, and not be expected to repay them later on. The reverse is also true. You can't just give them anything as a gift or do anything nice for them. They will try and find a way to reapy you for it. We see that with Jade in Trey's labcoat vignette and with Azul in both the main story and in events like Glorious Masquerade: Let the Bell of Solace Ring. While other students in other dorms try not to "owe" each other, the ones in Octavinelle appear to try a bit more than others.
The catch however is that while these students have this life view, they also appear to have a strong selfish side. One that makes it hard for them to actually consider, or even care, if the exchange is actually fair or not. Azul has a lot of resourses he's willing to share with the others, but he'll want something that makes him feel more powerful than others in return. Jade is willing to listen and give advise to others, but he might also use what he learns to mess with them, hinder them, or actually keep it secret. Or all the above, which ever he feels like. Floyd is willing to learn and try new things, but only when and how he wants to. Often with little to no regard of another's imput, or even his or others' saftey. We saw that during the event A Twisted Halloween: Spectral Soiree with that damn button.
Someone living by the motto nothing in life is free, but also stuggles not to get caught up in their own self interests are likely to end up in Octavinelle. Do you think that's why people get put in this dorm over others? Feel free to share your thoughts.
