I have finally begun Book 7 in the main gameplay, and so I thought it appropriate to write out formally how Yuu and the other main Twst cast all feel about each other at this point. A note-taking and accountability/consistency update so to speak. When I read the gameplay, I like to map out the things that would change within my au, so this will be a good reference to come back to as I read.
I am also breaking these up for multiple reasons. 1) Yesterday when I posted part 1, it was 3 am and I had not walked into the experience expecting to write all 20+ characters in one sitting. 2) I like only having to do a handful at a time. I'm not a big chapter person, so this isn't overwhelming. 3) I have accidentally themed these past two posts and I think that's amazing.
Trigger Warnings: Nothing too graphic I don't think folks. There's a lot of predator/prey dynamics in this one. Mentions of Floyd scratching and biting Yuu, Jade starts to veer just a teensy bit sadistic. Everybody is possessive. Again, I think we're starting to lean into yandere tendencies, but not quite there. As always, let me know if I'm missing anything!
Now, on with the show!
Savanaclaw
Jack Howl, such a grounded young man. Honestly, he can't be blamed for the way his instincts fire on all cylinders when it involves the Ramshackle Prefect. The freshman is not delusional enough to compare the prefect to a prey animal, because they're not. He's all too aware of how they weaponize their kindness, far too cunning and willful to be the 'herbivore' Leona labels them as. Even still, a fox in a den of wolves is still cause for concern, no matter how willy the fox is. Yuu is still magicless, weaker than their peers in so many ways. And for their schemes to work, Yuu has to open themselves up to predators all too willing to devour them whole. So again, he can't be blamed. Please forgive him if he's a little... protective.
Now, Ruggie Bucchi can't help but see so much of himself in the Ramshackle Housewarden. Both of them are scrappy and resourceful, clever enough to learn how the world ticks and spin it to their own advantage. He's probably the only one who gets Yuu's machinations. He understands that letting so many people, so many powerful people, care just a little too much, is a high risk, high reward, long-term calculation. Truly, he's proud of the prefect! They're so clever for pulling this off, and even more clever for including their good pal Ruggie in on it! So let the bigger predators feast, let them think they're leaving only scraps for poor ole' Ruggie. He and the sleeve of ink dandelions on his arm know better.
Leona Kingscholar. A predator, lazy and therefore efficient, thrilled by the chase and immensely satisfied with outwitting his prey. A prince, handed everything on silver platters, but never the things he truly wanted. Nothing more than a disgrace back in his kingdom, but a king here amongst his chosen subjects. He's riding a high right now, basking in his Herbivore's attentions. He's clocked their manipulations, their soft smiles full of sharp teeth, their gentle hands leaving pinpricks from their claws. He has his eyes wide open, and it's because of this that he knows the kindness Yuu wields is a double-edged sword. So he'll happily play along, content in how the results will stack up. Sure, he might be theirs, but they are also irrevocably his. Just how he wants it.
Octavinelle
Shrimpy! Floyd Leech just can't help but perk up at the mention of his Shrimpy. He's aware of his mercurial nature, but his Shrimpy is so good about going with his flow. Whenever he hits a low, even if they don't pivot with him, they don't complain like everybody else. They don't whine about his lack of enthusiasm, they don't beg for him to continue doing whatever started to bore him, and they sure as hell don't start comparing him to his brother. No, his Shrimpy lets him cling and squeeze and claw and bite, and he only ever receives a light scolding and slaps on the wrists. Sometimes, he's even able to coax them into the pool with him, potion down their throat so he can chase them in their mer-form again. Don't get him wrong, he's not stupid. He knows that Yuu is attempting to play eel in angelfish clothing, but that's the best part! Shrimpy gets to pretend to be a predator, all while swimming into the jaws of an actual predator. Ah, silly, naive Shrimpy....
Jade Leech finds the prefect fascinating. Honestly, he has so many questions. By how much does their world differ from this one? Who were the kinds of people they kept close in their past life? Were they as surrounded back then as they are now? Is that why they act like they're anything more than the small 'Shrimpy' his brother sees them as? If it a front, or do they truly lack a sense of self-preservation? To endear themselves to so many predators? (And he knows they do it intentionally). So confident they are, wandering into the woods with him on his club excursions, as if he isn't one of the many with teeth waiting to sink into them. He wonders, he wonders... what exactly is going to be the thing to break them?
Azul Ashengrotto. A con artist. A business man. A man who built himself from less than nothing, built an empire that could make the Headmage at a prestigious magical college bow to his whims. A man who had it all ripped away from him, intentionally, viscerally, maliciously because he was fool enough to think that kindness made the Ramshackle Housewarden weak. A fool indeed. He's a business man, well versed in how powerful networking can be, singing his own praise on how benevolent he is. A pathetic fool, because it took feeling Yuu's true, genuine benevolence to realize just how wrong he'd been. But now he's gotten a taste, of that kindness, that benevolence, that need for him and what only he can provide. And nothing is too ambitious for a business man of his caliber.
Hugo with a human friend who scratches up their arms and neck when stressed and has some similar triggers to him like yelling and loud sounds (gender neutral human if u could <:3 ❤❤❤ luv this blog btw)
You didn't mean too really. You were usually in control and didn't often get scared but sometimes certain things caused you to panic. Really loud noises, too quick of a movement, yelling, something or someone looming over you.
Taking in quick breaths trying to steady your rapid heartbeat your begin scratching at your arms. Scarlemagne continues to talk but you ignore him as the scratching continues. It wasn't enough to bleed but enough that your skin becomes irritated. Soon your clawing at your neck too, you begin shaking as Scarlmegane remains unaware. Deep breath in, deep breath out. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.
"What are you doing?" You pause as Scarlemagne turns to look at you. Your hand is nervously twitching hovering over your skin before you blink and continue to itch. Trying to dig the bad feelings out of you. Trying to make the negative feelings go away. You don't answer, you can't. Closing your eyes you itch faster.
Scarlemagne grabs your hand and you whimper fingers flexing involuntarily as you want to keep itching. His grip is gentle as he takes your hands in his own. Humming softly he closes your hands in his and taking a deep breath you understand what hes doing.
Opening your eyes you take a deep breath mirroring him before you take another. Looking at Scarlemagne he looks back at you before gently pulling you into a hug. Rubbing his hands up and down your arms the urge to itch goes away as you calm down.
"... It's okay. Your okay..." He mumbles and you nod. You knew he understood, after all he often had epsiodes similar to yours. As he releases you from the hug your fists remain clenched so your not tempted to start scratching again.
"Thanks." Scarlemagne smiles and nods before he coughs continuing the conversation he was carrying before you began scratching.
i scratch my skin sometimes and idk if this will help you but i keep something on my wrist or hands that i can fidget with without hurting myself, like a hair tie, bracelet, rings, etc. finding something textured like a pillow or blanket to run your hands over or hold also helps. you’ll be okay ❤️
Thank you!! It's not too bad, like I'm managing okay it's just uncomfortable you know? ❤️
“Am I––––oh. Yeah.” He’s been distracted today. Too much free time, the book in his metal hand not quite managing to grab his attention. He’s been scratching again, nails methodically digging into the skin of his collarbone until, Bucky just realizes, it broke. Not a conscious decision, but that wouldn’t stop Steve from fussing around him like an idiot. “Just a scratch, it’ll be healed by tomorrow. Don’t worry about it.”
