Epel x Asper (Esper? Aspel? Something clever about the biblical snake and apple?)
Epel is insecure about his looks, Asper doesn't give a shit about people's looks
they're classmates, Epel invites him to the VDC in book 5
Epel thinks Asper is cool af, especially his music and snakes and idgaf attitude. Asper does like his fluffy hair and country accent
Asper doesn't really like Vil or Rook, and Epel lowkey likes to piss them off, Asper is his bad boy phase lol
Hook x Raine (Rainhook? Umbrella?)
Hook is the Flynn Rider to Raine's Rapunzel
Raine wants to try new things, chase thrills, and see the world. Hook is an adventerous pirate who travels the world. Their personalities mesh really well and they love to have chaotic fun together
Hook tells Raine epic stories of his travels and the places he's seen. Raine loves to hear all about it and wants that life, Hook loves that someone likes his stories and feeds into his desire to be respected
I like Sebek and enjoy ships like Sebace and Silbek, but hear me out. Sebek x Hook and Sebek x Asper (separately, because Sebek could never land two baddies at once tbh)
Sebhook is all about the angst/drama of the childhood frienemies with a miscommunicated rivalry. Sebek thinks they're enemies because fae vs human, which tbf Hook is cautious of the fae. But Hook thinks they're enemies because Sebek (indirectly) caused him to lose his hand before Hook left for good (and Sebek doesn't know). Sebek assumes Hook was a coward and ran after he lost a friendly duel, and lost his hand during his time at sea.
When Hook reunites with Sebek at NRC, he immediately professes his loathing for him and vows to win back his honor, challenging Sebek to a swordfighting duel. Sebek, who has trained as a knight for years now, always wins unless they end in a draw. He lowkey thinks Hook is being overly theatrical but is not one to back down from a challenge, happy to entertain him and prove his superiority as (half) fae. Hook has learned to fight dirty and be more flexible in his form, which makes the match so much more interesting for Sebek.
I haven't worked out the exact details as to why Hook lost his hand. But while Hook blames Sebek, it's not really gonna be either of their faults. It's a dangerous third party, likely fae, that Hook made an unsavory deal with. And he could have completed the deal and made the deadline if Sebek hadn't gotten in the way (maybe? not concrete)
Over the school year, the duels become less intense and more routine. Hook still has something to prove but chills out a little when they become part of the same friend group, even if there's still that underlying tension.
Sebek starts to be less fired up for these matches as he becomes less anti-human, claiming its more of friendly practice and isn't that deep. This only serves to aggrevate Hook and get him more fired up, becoming more erratic and aggressive with intent to harm. Hook thinks they're sworn enemies for life so it pisses him off that Sebek thinks it's a casual frenemy rivalry and doesn't take it seriously.
I think the turning point would be in Book 7 when Sebek visits Hook's tsundere-ass dream and learns why Hook challenges him. He dreams of a world where he never lost his band and him and Sebek could've been friends long-term, sending him postcards during his travels etc. They do still duel but it's more of a friendly match with homoerotic energy.
Also IMAGINE if Hook got jealous of Silver and Sebek's friendly rivalry when they train together. Hook's like um wtf I thought I was your childhood friend-to-rival??? I think it'd be soooo funny if Hook started one-sided beef with Silver of all people. Even funnier if it's after they start dating. They would have such a weird dynamic from the outside
Hook: I heard you threatened to kill Silver during your duel with him yesterday
Sebek: babe my rival, it's not what it looks like!
Hook, pouty: just say you don't loathe me
Sebek: ... I could lift your chin with the tip of my blade and force you to look me in the eyes?
Asbek is about the fluff of meeting someone who genuinely loves the one thing everyone (seems to) hate about you.
Most people find Sebek's volume problem super annoying, scolding him for his loudness. Not only does it not bother Asper, he quite likes it. Being mostly blind, he often wants to be aware of who else is in the room with him and is easily able to identify/find Sebek. He likes Sebek's passion with the way he talks about Malleus or describes his latest book with such zeal. Plus Asper isn't very talkative so he could listen to Sebek talk for hours.
Meanwhile, Asper has always been seen as creepy or weird for his snakes, since it's part of the curse. He loves his snakes but he can be self conscious about it. As a fellow reptilian fae, Sebek wouldn't mind at all and be delighted to ask about his snake fae heritage, helping Asper open up more. They could have a lot in common! Especially since Asper didn't grow up in Briar Valley, Sebek would be more than happy to talk about it and introduce Asper to other fae like them.
Also Asper has an unsavory Medusa-related incident in his childhood, which affects the way he treats relationships and is wary of people. Thankfully, Sebek is very blunt/straightforward with his intentions and was raised to be chivalrous (like a knight). Plus neither of them would be big on physical affection initially anyway. Asper would hold onto his arm and try to act all nonchalant but they both get nervous and it's all cute
Asper likes loud techno or rave music and tries to get Sebek to listen with him. I think I read somewhere that Sebek does like concerts so that could be a cute date thing for them. Asper's not big on crowds but reallyyyy wants to attend this one concert and Sebek promises to go with him. Even among the loud music, Asper is still able to pick out Sebek's voice and feels more comfortable having someone he trusts accompany him.
One time Sebek brings Asper to Diasomnia and Lilia would pop out of nowhere, startling Asper severely and causing his snakes to hiss. Lilia apologizes but can't help and notice how Asper leaned into Sebek when startled. Not that Asper is weak or needs protection, but I could see Lilia noticing and try to set them up
mostly blind (after an unsavory incident from his childhood), claims to keep snakes in his long hair as both emotional support and seeing-eye pets (it's actually a curse)
best the snakes can do is warn him of people approaching or threats and guide him gently to not bump into stuff, but otherwise can't help read or write (not omniscient but does adapt well)
snake fae but not from briar valley
has two protective older sisters based on Stheno and Euryale
first year, sorted into Ignihyde
Appearance
transmasc, gender neutral presentation, fairly attractive androgynous features
snake fae (or just fae with snake familiars)
has long, thick, dark hair with turqoise stripes, half the strands being snakes
main inspo is gonna be the blue-striped garter snake (nonvenomous but pretends to be if asked)
wears a blindfold instead of glasses, mostly for the aesthetic. his UM lets him petrify anyone who looks him in the eyes, although he can't turn it off (like an x-men cyclops situation)
has a wide smile but doesn't show it often, gets self conscious
wears a choker bc I said so
dresses modestly, doesn't show much skin, otherwise doesn't care much for looks. doesn't keep mirrors in his room
Personality
cautious, shy, doesn't care for other people much or trust easily, keeps to himself
pretty cool and collected but defensive, can and will bite if provoked
can come off as apathetic/bored with a mysterious vibe, but if you manage to befriend him he'll be very attached and want to spend a lot of time together
creative and very bright. likes to compose music electronically, especially techno and rave music, not a big party person though. really into underground bands too
academic, enjoys a good riddle or brain-teaser, uses his magic in subtle but clever ways, doesn't care for flashy battle magic
inactive and tires easily, does not like sports, likes to curl in on himself at night, gets cold easy (cold-blooded)
has a dumb sense of humor, gets self conscious about his laugh (shows off his wide snake jaw) and hides it by trying to hold in his laughter all the time
strong sense of hearing, like beastmen levels of hearing
very flexible, maybe double-jointed
Likes/Dislikes
loves music and his snakes, they each have a different name. he likes to feed them little treats and softly pet their heads, humming little songs to them
likes soft/fluffy things, like cozy blankets or small woodland animals (cuteness aggression) but not large ones (ex horses)
favorite food is fried eggs and rice, often eats pretty fast and even without chewing. also likes hot drinks, always has some sort of thermos or bottle on him
dislikes sports and sudden touch, snakes will hiss at people who get too close
hates the ocean, swimming, or just being wet in general. also hates people commenting about his looks/body
Interactions with the school
he'd probably join the music or science club, probably the science club because the music club members can be a bit too excitable for his liking. might not get along with Rook either though...
finds an unexpected friend in Sebek. likes his loud presence. enjoys listening to him reas/talk about his favorite books. both are reptilian-ish fae too
unlikely friend number 2 (and 3) is his own housewarden, Idia (and by extension, Ortho). him and Idia are both greek myths with cursed hair and unsociable personalities. plus, no risk of petrification when Idia's speaking through his tablet. Idia gets him into PreMo and vocaloid, while Ortho likes his little snake friends
he slowly befriends Malleus and isn't offput by him despite Malleus being his prince. when he mentions a appreciation of gargoyles, Gorgon casually mentions he dated a gargoyle once and does not elaborate much to Malleus' curiosity
wouldn't get along much with Octavinelle or extroverts like Kalim and Cater
has beef with Jamil post-overblot. not because of the imprisonment or scheme or whatever, but because his overblot form had snake hair but now it's gone. are they okay, where did the snakes go Jamil?!?!
