#twst scarabia

[kirimachi]

Minajael Tealrajah & Jamil Viper🔥

[moul1510]

🐍🆚🕷

[calcifiedunderland]

Promises in Henna

— Jamil and Kalim see your henna/mehendi that Minajael did for you. And Jamil has… thoughts.

(continuation of this)

wc: 1.8k

Minajael squeezed your hand, “it’s getting late.”

You stirred on his shoulder. You squinted at the orange sunset, the earthy scent of the paste wafting in the air. “Guess this is goodbye, huh?” He didn’t answer, still gazing at your hand interlocked with his, idly rubbing the dried henna. 

You’d meant it to be lighthearted, but Minajael’s eyes looked wistful. He seemed reluctant to let go, fingers laced with yours, and refusing to meet your gaze. Finally, he said “No. Bye for now, maybe. But we’ll see each other again.”

✨ Even though NRC and RSA were on opposite ends of Sage’s Isle, Minajael insisted on walking you back at least part of the way. Once NRC was in sight, Minajael squeezed your hand, “Text me when you get back, yeah?” You nodded, and did just that when you got back to Ramshackle. Then, you picked off the remaining henna paste clinging to your skin. You brought your hands up to your nose, smelling the residual scent. Earthy and warm. A reminder of the one who’d made the design for you, you smiled. 

✨You admired the floral design and the pretty mandala, open like a blooming flower on your palm. Minajael told you it would darken overnight. True to his word, your henna had stained even deeper the next morning. It was even more vibrant today, you grinned. Still, maybe Minajael sort of messed it up. It sort of looked like some of the little petals got smudged, because it didn’t match the rest of them…

✨You just shrugged. Honestly, it didn’t really matter. You had your henna done! You practically skipped through the day, all but proudly shoving your decorated hands in everyone’s faces and watching their reactions. Your friends were impressed - even Grim wanted his own henna done too. You just smiled and nodded, eyeing his fur. Maybe instead you could have Minajael decorate a handkerchief and tie it around Grim’s neck…?

✨As you were lost in thought, a loud voice calling your name drew your attention. You looked up. Waving at you from the end of the hall with his drumsticks, was Kalim grinning at you. Behind him, you could spot Jamil shouldering his gym bag. They must’ve just finished up their club activities. Perfect timing!

“Hey guys!” You grinned at Kalim, watching him rush over to you. “Kalim, slow down-!” Jamil tried, but Kalim stopped just in front of you. “So you did get your mehendi done! Cater told us during practice!” You nodded, proudly holding your arms up, “mm-hmm!~”

Kalim’s ruby eyes sparkled, “Oh wow! Can I see?” He took your hand in his, pulling it up to see the henna. “Your mehendi is so pretty! It’s so detailed!” His hands were warm, gently running his fingers over your skin. You chuckled as Kalim twisted your hands around to admire them, ruby eyes sparkling. You must’ve been like this with Minajael too, you mused. 

Jamil finally made it to you both, looking tired. “Hey Jamil,” you said with a small smile, ignoring Kalim scrutinizing your arms, “how was basketball practice?” He huffed, shaking his head with a tired look. “Floyd.” “Ah.” You nodded, deciding not to ask. 

Kalim looked up, “Look! (Name) has their mehendi done!” That’s when Jamil finally noticed it. Silently, he admired the stain. It was nice, he thought. Even at a passing glance, anyone could tell your henna was painstakingly done. Flowering blossoms spiraled on your arms, finally reaching your hands. Even your palms had a design, a mandala stained darker than the rest of your skin. Jamil nodded with a smile, “It’s very nice, (Name).” 

While Kalim gushed, Jamil studied the pattern. The design looked somewhat familiar. Jamil couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but there was something about the flower design. He just shook his head. Perhaps it was just a design you’d gotten inspiration from. Still, how did you even get henna out here in Sage’s Island? It was the off-season for when people typically got their henna done. Even Kalim didn’t have any with him. 

Beside you, Kalim tapped one of the henna flowers thoughtfully. “This looks kind of like royal mehndi designs,” he commented. Your eyes widened, “really?” Kalim nodded, “mm-hmm! That design is usually done by the royal family! The jasmine flowers are pretty unique designs, a lot of people in the Scalding Sands like ‘em. I know my cousin does!”

At that, Jamil eyed the floral design carefully. Hmm, Royal designs? His brow furrowed. Was that where he’d seen those flower motifs? He shook his head, no, you must’ve seen it at the Scalding Sands when he took you to the Yasamina Silk festival. He must be overthinking it. “Did you look the design up online?” Jamil asked, keeping his tone even. You chewed the inside of your mouth, not wanting to say. “Um, kind of?” you said, not noticing Kalim turn your hand over to see your palm. 

“Huh, that’s weird,” Kalim squinted, bringing your palm up close to his face. “Why’s Minajael’s name here?” You flinched as Jamil’s bag cluttered to the ground. Jamil couldn't stop the words coming out of him, “what?”

Minajaels name? Was in? Your HENNA design?! Jamil all but snatched your wrist out of Kalim’s grip. You yelped, but Jamil ignored it as he searched between the narrow mandala petals. “Mm-hmm!” Kalim chirped, leaning to point it out to Jamil. Kalim didn’t seem to notice the look on Jamil’s face, or that your eyes were blown wide, “Right here, on the palm!” Following Kalim’s finger, Jamil scanned through the mandala rows until he finally spotted it. In the looping script of the Scalding Sands language, was Minajael written among the layered petals.

You shook your head, “Oh, no, a part of it got smudged or something on my palm.” Poor Jamil just stared at your palm in shock, almost willing it to be a mere smudge instead of that spoiled prince’s name. Kalim shook his head, answering your question, “nope, that definitely says Minajael. Right, Jamil?”

At first, Jamil didn’t heard Kalim. His eyes were glued to your henna. The vine-like design climbing up your arms, the swirling patterns flicked perfectly outward, the mandala petals intricately and painstakingly drawn in - all of it was done patiently. Fit for a royal. That’s when Jamil realized - Your henna wasn’t just nice. It was done lovingly. 

Something boiled in Jamil’s gut before he finally snapped out of his thoughts. “Yes, that’s certainly the Prince’s name,” he ground out, forcing a neutral smile on his face and letting go of the iron grip on your wrist. Kalim ignored Jamil’s inner turmoil, instead bringing your hand closer to you to point it out.

“See, (Name)? It’s right here.” Your eyes widened. Sure enough, the same area you thought was just a smudge, or maybe where Minajael lost control of the henna, was actually writing. Surprise overtook you as you studied your palm. Suddenly, the looping script didn’t look like random scribbles anymore, but an actual alphabet. So that’s how it’s written. Minajael… you looked at it thoughtfully.

Jamil’s gaze was sharp and narrow as he studied your expression. He didn’t like the soft look on your face one bit. “(Name), you didn’t… ask the henna artist to put his name there,” his grey eyes bore into yours, “did you?” 

You just blinked, “no?” Kalim chimed in, “yeah, why is his name here? Usually having someone else’s name in your henna design means that you’re enga- mmph!” Jamil smacked his hand over Kalim’s mouth. Luckily, you were too caught up squinting at the mandala on your hand to register what happened. 

You shrugged, “I guess… maybe he left his name there as a signature?” At Jamil’s deadpan look, you stammered to explain, “y’know, like how an artist signs their artwork! Yeah!” 

Kalim nodded in understanding, while Jamil frowned. “So, he did this for you?” At your wide-eyed look, Jamil pressed, “you saw him yesterday?” You pursed your lips. Dang, looks like you were caught. You just nodded nonchalantly, playing it off, “yeah, he did my henna.” If you were lucky, you could maybe get out without a lecture. Unfortunately, you weren’t so lucky. You sighed inwardly as Jamil’s eyes grew wider than a Spelldrive disk, already freaking out. “What?!”

You just shrugged, “It’s fine, I just… had some free time, that’s all, and I went to Royal Sword Academy for a bit.” Really, it wasn’t that bad. You’d left NRC with permission before, so why did Jamil look so indignant?

“You can’t just leave campus like that!” Jamil blustered, all exhaustion from the day gone as he scolded you. You tried not to roll your eyes as you began walking towards the Hall of Mirrors. “I’ve left campus before, Jamil. I’m a big Prefect, I can handle myself. And this was worth it!” You wiggled your henna-stained fingers, trying to lighten his mood. Jamil just groaned, “That’s besides the point!”

Kalim just grinned, slipping his hand into yours. “Hey, maybe we should get matching mehendi when this one fades!” You grinned, “definitely! What do you think, Jamil?” 

Jamil just exhaled. Typical of Kalim to make plans on a whim. You looked over, “Jamil?” You prompted. He willed his shoulders to relax, and nodded. “Sure. I’ve done Kalim’s mehendi in the past, and Najma’s too.” Kalim brightened, “we could all have matching mehendi’s!” he cheered. 

You grinned, nudging Jamil as the three of you began walking towards the Hall of Mirrors. “Hey, maybe I could try doing yours!” Kalim chimed in, “Yeah! You never have your mehendi done, Jamil!” Jamil hummed at that. It wasn’t often that he’d had his own henna done. Between handling Kalim and managing his own school and work affairs, it wasn’t something he really had time for. Still… He glared down at your hand with that prince’s name scrawled in your hand. 

As if his name being there wasn’t bad enough, it was also the placement. Something about Minajael’s name being scrawled in your palm made Jamil’s skin on edge. To have his name in your hand… Jamil scowled. As if that prince wasn’t spoiled enough, he even had to go and put his name on you. How presumptuous. Even if your name was in his own hand, the idea still frazzled him. He wouldn’t even want his own name being inside anyone’s hand. The mere idea made scowl. Did that pampered prince even ask you what you wanted? 

After you waved your goodbyes, he and Kalim walked through the Scarabia mirror. While Kalim chattered excitedly about your henna, Jamil was more pensive as he thought about the flowers encircling your arms. If he were to do your henna, what design would he make? Perhaps stars or animals? Maybe he could do arches inspired by the Scalding Sands architecture. You seemed to like it when you visited. What about faux-bracelets encircling your wrists? He shook his head, huffing. This was ridiculous. He’d simply ask you what you wanted, and he’d do it. 

Soon he was back in his dorm room. Even now, he was still stewing over your mehendi design an hour later. It was the sheer intimacy of having Minajael’s name in your palm…  He scowled. And the audacity. Minajael’s name in your palm was still on his mind, no matter how much he tried to push it out of his head. He unwound his hair from its braids, looking back at his reflection in the mirror. 

He wouldn’t dare inscribe his own name in your skin without you knowing. Jamil stared at himself in the mirror, eyes darkening at his reflection as he undid the last of his braids. Although… Some little part of him couldn’t deny the intimacy of having a name on someone’s skin. His thoughts drifted. Where would he put your name on himself? Certainly not in his palm. The implications of having you in his hands made his thoughts turn sour. Idly, he stretched his wrists, still tight from club practice. Then he stopped. 

Jamil looked down at his wrist. Idly, he brushed a thumb over his skin until he could feel his pulse beating underneath - dutiful, strong, and ever-constant. 

The rhythm of his heart, proof of life. 

A smile tugged the corner of his mouth. Maybe he didn’t know what designs he’d create, but he knew one thing he’d like. Your name written in henna stain over the pulse on his wrist. Yes. That would do nicely, ya hayati. 

I hope this was ok!! Personally I’ve always thought getting someone’s name in henna over the wrist pulse was super romantic so. I indulged myself. Also I had no idea what to title this lmao 😭

Anyway this was a lil late bc I didn’t know how to end it but lmk what you guys think :D Thanks for reading!! I’m glad so many people liked the Minajael part!!!!

Until next time, take care shrimpies~ Xoxo Calci!~

Crystal divider and color changing divider by @/cafekitsune. Banner made by me lmao, plus photos i got off pinterest

[otterkarimu]

・・・・・𝐘𝐔𝐔, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐀 .ᐟ ❞

✦ 𝐭𝐰/𝐜𝐰 : swearing/cuss words, protective scarabia duo, jamil telling someone to die, slight scarabia student b x reader

꒰ঌ ⋮ author note : made this bcs i love the scarabia duo <3 might do this with the other dorms!

sunday, august 16th '26 © otterkarimu on tumblr

[fizzydrinkuno]

rahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh horsie scarabia

[misteria247]

To the fumbler Jamil I'm imagining him going to Kalim in this rare moment and he asks Kalim's opinion on this pickup line he used on you. And Kalim immediately just has that strained smile of oh no and trying to be supportive he's like-

"Okay lay it on me!"

And he's met with the most cringe, terrible pickup line he's ever heard in his entire life. Like it's so bad and Kalim has heard these kinds of lines and fumbles all his life whenever Jamil occasionally tries. And he's trying so hard to think of a response and Jamil not liking his silence is like-

"That was bad wasn't it-"

Only for Kalim in a voice resembling that one video of that woman who went Where were you for senior photos goes-

"No! No it wasn't......bad it.....it was *let's out a hum* it was unique. Could use some work but-! But it's not bad...."

And you can tell he's trying so hard to be supportive and a good friend but it's so hard to defend a fumble like this. And Jamil he knows Kalim's lying through his teeth and he's like-

"No wonder the Prefect looked at me weird-"

Immediately cut off by-

"WAIT YOU USED THAT ON THEM??? I mean oh wow! How-how did that go-"

Que Jamil pulling up his hood dying and Kalim being like it's not that bad! It can be fixed just don't use that line again please-

Meanwhile you're in Ramshackle wondering what the fuck you see in this dorky loser. Completely down bad for said loser.

[si1v3rtr33s]

i'm a sucker for the sentient nrc dorms theory, so have a few situations (featuring inspirations from a conversation with @riddle-peakhearts)

heartslabyul tripping a student on the stairs while they're skipping chores and riddle is after them

savanaclaw blowing sand/dirt into someone's (read: lilia's) eyes

pomefiore using a gentle breeze to fix someone's hair or clothes

ignihyde fixing a game-breaking glitch in someone's game

diasomnia playing chess with its students

octavinelle subtly moving something that would've tripped a lounge waiter with a heavy tray

scarabia subtly pointing a student towards the right direction in the textbook they're using

but also more... uncanny things

the lights in ignihyde slowly pulsing, like a heartbeat, or breathing

random howls or roars in savanaclaw despite none of its students making such noises at the moment

the rose maze in heartslabyul rearranging itself, leading countless students to get lost despite swearing that they know the layout

mirrors in pomefiore sometimes reflecting movement that those beholding them never made, or momentarily reflecting people that aren't present at all

music echoing through the halls of scarabia with no true source

human, and only human, students of octavinelle swearing that they hear singing coming from outside

random alluring lights and humming in diasomnia, tempting students to the high spires of the dorm or the depths of the basement

ace and sebek's brothers always answer their confused calls with long stories of their own from their time at nrc. the teachers affirm the oddity of it all. but after a few months of adjusting, nobody really questions it. housewardens will warn their freshman of what and where to avoid, will teach their successor about the ins and outs of the dorm and its behavior, but it's never really properly addressed and barely ever acknowledged. some dorms (read: heartslabyul) are more obvious than others, but all of them have a degree of life that some students find incredibly discomforting.

[rizdoodles]

Kaleb Bassat🪲🌌

Kaleb is a third year student at Scarabia. He is laid back and very calm. He is a senpai everyone can rely on because he always helps his juniors when they need it.and he is always ready to listen

Jamil can always count on him to lighten his responsibilities and help him with his tasks.

Fun facts🪲🌌:

🪲He loves sleeping like a burrito wrapped in rugs.🌯

🪲No one has ever seen him angry or annoyed, it feels like it’s impossible for him.☁️

🪲His father is a carpet seller on Scalding Sands.

🪲Floyd’s nickname for him is beluga because he always has the same expression as a beluga.🐋

🪲He has henna tattoos that he did himself.🤚🏽💮

🪲He can read palm lines and has extensive knowledge of astrology.🌠🌠🌠

Kebab...🌯🌯🌯