Back with an original piece!! It's been a while since I've actually uploaded anything of my own. I've recently become obsessed with my current D&D character, and got hit with the idea to draw this piece of him a couple weeks ago. It was a fun challenge to try some new brushes and methods of rendering lighting and fabrics/textures, but I'm proud of the results!! If I draw more of him, I might post them here as well - I wanna get better at actually sharing my stuff online
Do you have what it takes to take on the CULINARY CRUCIBLE?! Test your mettle with this beautiful cookbook- featuring work and recipes from over 50 talented students!
[SHOP LINK]
Check below for a look at our bundles and stretch goals!
✨PREP CHEF - $25✨
Whet your appetite with our DIGITAL BUNDLE!
This bundle includes:
A Digital PDF of Culinary Crucible vol.2
Our Digital Merch Bundle, which includes: emotes, phone wallpapers, printable recipe cards, and more!
The PDF of vol. 1, along with the recipe-only PDF
✨SOUS CHEF - $35✨
Enjoy the appetizer that is our BOOK BUNDLE!
This bundle includes:
The full PREP CHEF bundle
A Physical Copy of Culinary Crucible
Please note that this bundle is NOT eligible for stretch goals!
✨HEAD CHEF - $50✨
Hungry for more? Try our BOOK + PAPER MERCH BUNDLE!
This bundle includes:
The full SOUS CHEF bundle
x4 Die Cut Stickers
x2 Sticker Sheets
x5 Recipe Cards
Magnetic Bookmark
Please note that this bundle is NOT eligible for stretch goals!
✨CULINARY CONQUEROR - $75✨
For those with the most discerning appetites, sample from our FULL BUNDLE!
This includes:
The HEAD CHEF bundle
x2 Charms
x1 Keychain
x1 Menu Planner
x2 Coasters
This bundle IS eligible for stretch goals, and they will be added as we unlock them!
Check out this zine, everybody did PHENOMENAL on this one! The artwork is stunning, the stories are fun, and the recipes are absolutely delicious! Everyone worked super hard to make the second course of the Culinary Crucible zine a five star creation, and they knocked it out of the park! I'm honored to have been included in such a wonderful project, and I hope that, if you purchase it, you enjoy creating the dishes we've all recreated while enjoying the art and stories while eating!
(And if you order, it'll unlock some super fun goodies if we meet the stretch goals!)
unfortunately this is not any sort of a suggestion, however it is something silly if you will
every few months I remember you exist because of a really old Mario fanfic I read when I was younger, I remember the last update to it and screaming at my friend over the fact it had been updated after what felt like a century!
I found your twitter and tumblr not long after that, and heard of TWST for what was probably the 2nd time ever.
Now I've gotten into TWST pretty much YEARS after that, and it's very humorous to me that I find you once again after getting into TWST!
So while not directly, you were definitely a factor in me getting into the series, so thank you!
I'm so sorry for the late reply!!!!! I forget I have this account a lotta times tbh,,, I always feel surprised whenever people recognize me in the wild and know me for that fanfiction - it's bewildering to hear that people still enjoy it after all this time (in a positive way)!! And the fact that you're now into TWST and I played a factor into it is WILD - it's definitely a series that lives in my head rent free, and it's always fun meeting others that are into it!
I still write, and I have the finale for the Mario fic in the works - I've just been super duper busy! I have a part time job, and I've been participating in multiple TWST zines over the past few years alongside other projects. I hope you will see this response, Anon, and I'm happy to hear that you still think of my stuff from time to time! Wishing you well, and I hope you'll keep an eye out in the future for more stuff from me (if you so choose, no pressure lol)
Here's my drawing for the Valley of Dreams zine!! I spent 100+ hours on this and had it crash like 5 or 6 times, but it was worth it 😭 It was an honor to draw this piece, and I hope y'all check out the official zine!! Everyone's art is so stunning, and I'm honored to be among such amazing artists
The zine can be found here:
A TWST fanzine revolving around the dorm of Diasomnia, with 150 pages of art and fanfic :)
And the main Tumblr for the zine is here: @sorus-zine-bazaar
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Hello hello!! With the release of the Valley of Dreams zine, I'm now able to share the pieces that I've done for it!! This here is only the fic that I wrote for it - please check it out, as well as the other wonderful works that were made!! (If you download the zine, there may be a second edition - which means even MORE Diasom angst and fluff!) Everyone worked really hard, so please shower them all with your love!!
The full zine can be found here:
A TWST fanzine revolving around the dorm of Diasomnia, with 150 pages of art and fanfic :)
And the main Tumblr for the zine and associated links can be found at @sorus-zine-bazaar !!
the valley of dreams has officially come to a close!! with around 40 contributors for this spectacular first volume, we hope that you enjoy every piece of art and every story written about these four angsty people (except sebek. somehow he is always an exception and we love that for him i could never hate you sebek)!!!
find the zine on souriru.itch.io or click the link below!!! we truly hope you enjoy every page of art, and stick around to see the merch 👀👀🫶🫶
A TWST fanzine revolving around the dorm of Diasomnia, with 150 pages of art and fanfic :)
meet vione, one of our amazing artists! though she typically lurks around, she is an avid fan of many amazing and curious things :) find her at @time-slime!
Recently listened to Ghost's "Lachryma" for the first time and I got hit with a vision tying into my recent fixation with Guilty Gear - figured I'd actually post something for once that isn't zine related
When Deuce has suddenly gone missing, Ace begins to investigate his mysterious disappearance. With the help of Riddle and Epel, he seeks the answer to what happened to his friend.
However, those that are connected to the case begin to vanish one by one with similar letters and reasonings - "family emergencies" that lead to them having to abruptly leave campus grounds.
Will they figure out what's happening, or will the trio get in too far over their heads?
Author's Note:
This was my entry for the recently released TWST Night Terrors zine - a follow up to 2023's Nightmares! Everyone did wonderfully, so check out everyone else's works and show them some love!!
CW: Death, dismemberment, stalking, gore, suspense, dread, mentions of cannibalism
It's unlike Deuce to miss class. In his attempts to be a proper honor student, he may occasionally be late due to late night cram sessions - but he never skipped a whole day of class. Especially without Ace skipping alongside him. So, when lunchtime finally came around and Deuce still hadn't shown up or even replied to the multiple texts sent to his phone, it was obvious that something was wrong.
Sitting at their usual spot in the cafeteria, Ace quietly picks at his untouched food, watching as Grim quickly chows down on his meal and Yuu nibbles on their own. The Ramshackle prefect knows Ace and Deuce are usually tied at the hip, and while they don't know all of the details, it’s obvious that Ace is concerned about Deuce's absence. As Grim snatches Ace's food without a reaction from their red-headed friend, they decide to finally address the elephant in the room, clearing their throat to catch his attention.
“...so, um, any idea of what's going on with Deuce?” Blinking as he processes the question, Ace slowly shakes his head, a frown forming on his lips.
“Not a damn clue. He said he had to go talk to one of his clubmates last night, and never came back. No texts, no nothing. This isn't like him at all!”
“....do you want me to try and look for him?” Yuu asks, a look of concern on their face and worry in their voice.
“No. You already have a lot on your plate with classes and trying to get home - along with Crowley constantly having you do his dirty work,” Ace immediately states, his voice firm. “I'll look for him. And when I find him, I'm gonna kick his ass.” Standing up, he goes to exit the cafeteria - however, before he can storm out of the room, a hand plants itself on his shoulder. Whipping around to glare at the person, his gaze fades as he sees Riddle standing behind him, a firm yet concerned look on his face. “...Oh, hey Riddle. Is there something you need?”
“Actually, there is. Do you mind if I speak with you outside of the cafeteria?” Knowing better than to refuse, Ace quickly nods, internally sweating buckets. The two move out of the crowded room and once the doors shut behind them, the quietness of the corridor hangs around them.
“...uh, listen, if I broke another rule I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-”
“This isn't about you,” Riddle interjects as he reaches into his blazer pocket. Withdrawing a crisp white envelope, he hands it to Ace before speaking once more. “Rather, this is about Deuce and his sudden disappearance.” Slowly taking the envelope, Ace opens it up and pulls out the paper folded inside, and as he unfolds it he begins to read.
“To whom it may concern:
I'm sorry for having to leave a letter behind instead of telling you directly, but I had to make an emergency trip back home. I got a call last night that my mom had gotten into a bad accident, and I knew I had to go home to make sure she was okay. I'm not sure when I'll be back. Sorry again, and thanks for your understanding.
- Deuce Spade”
Staring at the note, Ace’s frown deepens with each reread, disbelief visibly on his features. He slowly shakes his head before looking up at Riddle, his blood beginning to boil.
“...respectfully, Riddle, I think this letter is complete bullshit.”
“While I wouldn't use that exact word, I agree. There's certainly something off about this situation. It’s unlike Deuce to leave without informing anyone in person or through a phone call,” Riddle states, his own face scrunched up in confusion and irritation.
“Not just that, but the note doesn't sound like him…! He'd never start a letter with ‘to whom it may concern’. He's an idiot!” Letting out a sharp exhale, Ace squints as he looks at the letter again before speaking once more. “Not only that, but the handwriting is a bit off. It's a little too…”
“Clean?”
Ace nods at the upperclassman's statement, glancing back at him. “I thought the same - but I figured I would seek you out about this situation. It's not just Deuce, either.”
“...not just Deuce? Don't tell me that…” A look of unease forms on Riddle's face as he gives a solemn nod.
“Unfortunately, I've noticed a few people have gone missing. Nobody from our dorm had…until now. If this is some sort of large-scale prank, I intend to get to the bottom of it. Deuce must be found, so he can answer to me about this - this is completely against the rules…!”
“Where do we even begin? He said he had to go visit some of his Track Club members yesterday. Something about an upcoming meet, I think. But, I’m not really close with anyone that's in the club other than Deuce…”
“...Um, sorry to interrupt - but I think I can help.” The two freeze at the new voice before quickly turning to see who had interrupted their conversation, only to see that it's Epel, looking a bit nervous. “I don't mean to butt in, but I saw y'all - er, I saw you two leaving the cafeteria and hadn't returned… I heard what you guys were talking about, and I think that maybe I could help…”
“...ah, you're Epel, a freshman - correct?” The lavender haired boy nods at Riddle's question, his nervous expression easing up. “Do you know someone that's in the Track Club?”
“I do.”
—————
Once classes let out, Ace and Riddle meet Epel near the stands of the sports field, giving him a nod of acknowledgement before watching the ongoing practice. After a few minutes, they hear Coach Vargas calling for a water break and spot one of the members striding over, holding a water bottle in his hand. As he draws closer the two Heartslabyul students recognize that it's none other than Jack, and Ace relaxes a little upon knowing who they'd be speaking to. Reaching the shorter trio, the muscular beastman takes a swig of his water before he glances at Epel.
“So, Epel, is this everyone that wants to see me?” Epel nods, and Jack gives a nod in acknowledgement as he turns back to look at the redheads. “Ace, Riddle - I heard you guys had a question about the club meets, right?” Riddle nods in response before speaking.
“That is correct, Jack. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to speak to us. I heard there was a track meet soon.”
“...yeah, in a few days. Are you asking since some of your dorm members are part of the club?”
“Indeed. I wanted to make sure - I would ask Deuce, but I haven't seen him. You didn't see him last night by any chance, did you?” Jack shakes his head, a perplexed look on his face.
“We weren't too sure. He apparently had to take an emergency leave off campus after he came to see some of you guys last night. Just wanted to see if you knew anything,” Ace interjects, doing his best to seem nonchalant.
“No, sorry. To be honest, the rest of us were talking about him before practice started. Nobody's seen him since yesterday.” Ace and Riddle both turn a little pale, but Ace manages to smile and nod at Jack’s answer.
“Appreciate the info, pal…! Hopefully he'll be back in time for the meet, right?”
“Yeah…I'm sure he will, though. He's hard headed - no way he'll miss a chance to show off.” Before any of them can speak up, the sound of a whistle pierces the air, causing Jack to visibly wince.
“There's the whistle. Gotta head back to practice,” he states, grimacing slightly.
“Oh, alright…I'll see you later then, Jack!” Epel replies, giving him a soft smile.
“See y'all...oh, and uh…if you guys see Deuce before me, kick his a- butt for me.”
“Believe me, we certainly will. Now get back to practice - it's unwise to be late.” Nodding at Riddle's response, Jack turns and quickly returns to where the rest of his club is gathering, and the trio watch before sighing almost simultaneously.
“...looks like we're back at square one,” Ace mutters, frowning, before he suddenly perks up as a question comes to mind. “Say, Riddle, how did you get that letter?”
“Trey was the one to find it and give it to me. He said it was on the kitchen counter when he woke up this morning.” Swearing softly under his breath, Ace rubs at his face as he thinks quietly.
“Alright. And you said there's…others, yeah?” Riddle nods, before glancing at Epel.
“Any thoughts on the situation…? I'm unsure on how we could proceed.” Mulling it over for a moment, the lavender haired male gives a small, hesitant nod.
“We should maybe keep an eye out for anyone that's acting weird close to us - out of normal for them. Maybe that'll give us some sorta lead?”
“Wow, that's a good idea…! For me and Riddle it’ll be easier for us in our dorm and clubs. You got your own club and dorm on lock?” Letting out a haughty huff at Ace's inquiry, Epel smirks at his fellow freshman.
“Of course. I'm sure I’ll be the first to find something out, guaranteed!”
“Alright, while I appreciate the enthusiasm, remember our objective. We shall meet up at lunch each day to discuss any new leads. Do I make myself clear?” The two younger men both reply with a “yes, sir”, to which Riddle nods and continues to speak. “Very well then. Now, let's get to our own clubs. If we hang around here for much longer, we may draw unwanted attention…although, I’m worried we may have already done so. Act normal, but keep your eyes and ears alert.” Feeling their skin crawl a little at the idea of possibly being watched, they all split up to head to their respective clubs. As they each continue on their usual days, the heavy feeling of dread settles into their guts as they begin to wonder if they've perhaps gotten involved into something bigger than they first thought.
—————
On their first free day after their initial meeting, the trio enter the Mostro Lounge so that they can fully discuss any potential updates. As they get seated and are handed menus, Epel draws their attention to a small slip of paper in the middle of the laminated pages.
“Hey, guys, apparently they got some sorta limited item. Should we get that while we chat?” The other two, finding the paper in their respective menus, both nod - and when their waiter returns, they each place their orders. Once they're alone again, the trio lean in closer to each other to speak with Epel beginning the discussion.
“So, Ace… have you received any texts from Deuce?” Shaking his head, Ace scowls as he sighs, opening his mouth to speak. However, a notification suddenly chimes from his phone, and his eyes widen at the sound. Riddle's own expression becomes one of hopeful shock as he watches the younger redhead withdraw the device from his pocket with a trembling hand. Unlocking it, he opens the notification and scans the message he had received - once, then twice, before his brows furrow.
“Is it him?”
“It’s from his phone, but it doesn’t…sound like him. Here, look,” Ace mutters, his mouth feeling dry as he hands over his phone so Epel and Riddle can read the message as well.
“...sorry to have taken so long to respond, Ace. Hope I didn't worry you. Everything is okay back home so far - mom is recovering well. I don't think I'll be back any time soon though. I'm going to be quite busy taking care of her, so I won't be answering for a while. Don't get into too much trouble.” Riddle pauses after reading the message aloud, his expression matching Ace's. “...you're right. The language is much too flowery. And his punctuation and grammar are too perfect.”
“That means that someone's gotta have his phone, right?” Epel responds, glancing between the two. “Maybe if we find out who's got it, then we find the culprit. If they're here on campus.”
“Perhaps I can try to ask someone from Ignihyde, or Cater for assistance in tracking down his phone,” Riddle murmurs, placing a hand to his chin in thought. He's snapped out of his thoughts, however, as their waiter comes over and places their orders onto the table. The group thanks him, and he nods with a tight-lipped smile and shimmering green eyes that cause a shiver to run down Epel's spine. Once the waiter's headed off, they each take a sip of their drinks before examining the limited menu item they had ordered.
“...is this…jerky?” Riddle muses, taking a piece of it from his plate and inspecting the dried meat. Epel nods, his eyes shining with excitement as he eagerly reaches for his plate. Ace does the same, picking up a strip and glancing at it before biting into it without a second thought. Ace grimaces slightly at the initial texture - it's tougher than most jerky he's had before, and the taste is salty and gamey. He chews, slowly becoming accustomed to it, and as he swallows he pauses, noticing a subtly sweet aftertaste that pairs well with the saltiness. Slowly taking another mouthful, he finds himself finding it surprisingly enjoyable, and glances at his two companions to see their reactions to the meat. Riddle seems to still be chewing on his first bite, while Epel is already done with his first piece and biting into a second strip. He swallows before clearing his throat, catching the attention of the others at the table.
“....this stuff's pretty good, huh?” Riddle and Epel both nod, swallowing before they both speak.
“You bet it is! I reckon it's really high in protein,” Epel states, smiling widely. “Although, if it had a BBQ taste, I think it'd be a lot better.”
“I must agree - it is a bit odd, but it's not unpleasant. The sweet aftertaste compliments the initial taste. It certainly isn't my first choice, but it isn't as bad as I was expecting,” Riddle replies, a neutral expression on his face. Ace nods, glancing down at the tough piece of meat in his hand with a curious look.
“...did they say what kind of meat it was?” The two shake their heads, saying they didn't recall, and the redheaded freshman nods. Setting his piece of jerky down, his expression becomes a bit more stern and his voice drops to a hush as he leans in. “We should really get down to business. Other than the text, any new info?” Riddle shakes his head, while Epel's expression grows worrisome.
“...actually, I have something.” Ace and Riddle both look at Epel with equally grim expressions, not wanting to ask, but still wanting to know. “...Jack hasn't been to class since the day we talked to him.” Ace slumps in his seat, his face going pale as Riddle becomes stiff.
“You mean that Jack has, too….?” Epel nods again, grimacing.
“I ain't seen hair nor hide of him. I thought maybe he was sick or hurt himself during trainin’, but I know he ain't the type to miss class. He'd rather show up sick than skip altogether.” The two redheads solemnly nod, before Ace hesitantly speaks up.
“Any ideas on what or who could've caused it?” The two are caught off guard when Epel actually gives a small nod before answering.
“I have a few suspicions. I noticed that some of my club mates were actin’ a little screwy after Jack disappeared. I plan to talk to them about it today after we're done here.”
“Alright. But make sure you're careful. You know how to contact me or Ace if you need any help,” Riddle responds, folding his arms across his chest.
“I will be! Don't worry. If need be, I could…” Epel pauses for a moment, grimacing slightly, before continuing to speak. “I could always ask Vil or even Rook to come. I'm tough, but I think having one of them might be safer, y'know?”
“Smart thinking. Just text us later and let us know if ya find anything out,” Ace states, chomping down on another piece of his jerky. With a nod, Epel mimics his actions, hopeful that they may soon have some answers soon.
—————
Throughout the night and weekend, neither Ace nor Riddle hear anything from Epel. When they meet up at lunch during the next school day, their worst fears are all but confirmed when Epel doesn't join them. The two silently eat their food, grim expressions on their faces and a heavy air around them. As Riddle finishes eating, he cleans his mouth with a napkin before softly speaking, keeping his voice low.
“You haven't heard from him, have you?” Ace shakes his head at his elder's question, causing Riddle to let out a sigh as he rubs at his face. “I should have known something would've happened. I hope that whatever is going on didn't happen to him, too…”
“You and me both, Riddle. I didn't think they'd stoop so low,” Ace grumbles, his brows furrowing heavily as he stares at his empty tray. “Seriously, if Epel's gone now, too, then…” His words trail off, not daring to say the thought that was on both their minds. Hearing a set of footsteps approaching their table, Riddle glances up to look, trying his best to mask his troubled expression.
“Ah, Rook. I hope your day is well. What brings you over here today?” Ace looks over as well, not bothering to hide his grimace as he stares at the blonde male.
“Roi du Roses, Monsieur Heart - I was hoping to see you both with warm expressions, but alas, something is obviously troubling you both. Mes amis, what is the matter?” Riddle and Ace give each other a hesitant look, before the Heartslabyul Housewarden decides to speak.
“We've been spending time with Epel, and neither of us have seen nor heard from him recently.” Rook's own face falls a bit, his sharp green eyes showing a knowing sorrow as he solemnly nods.
“Ah, oui. I know he has not been here at all since Saturday. He had come to me to ask for a favor - to accompany him to Savanaclaw. However, as soon as we arrived, he received a most troubling call from his hometown.” Ace and Riddle both sit up at that, their suspicions rising.
“May I ask if you know what that call was about?”
“He said that it was his grandmother - she had fallen ill, and the family was unsure on how much longer she may have,” Rook lamented, shaking his head.
“So he left?” Ace inquires, raising his brows at Rook's words.
“Non. He stated that he would head home once he spoke with the Roi du Lions or Monsieur Dandelion. I had told him that I could speak with them on his behalf. He insisted and told me to let Vil know of his upcoming departure. We all know how determined and headstrong Monsieur Pommette is - it's one of his most beautiful traits.”
“...I see. Thank you for letting us know, Rook. It's appreciated. If you hear any updates from Epel, please pass them along,” Riddle states. Rook nods before flashing the duo a small smile and walking off, exiting the cafeteria. Once he's out of earshot, Riddle and Ace turn to each other, serious expressions on both of their faces.
“So, what's the plan?”
“I will go to Savanaclaw after class to speak with Leona. I shall be back before dinner. However, if something happens and I do not return, do NOT come to find me. I am sure Headmage Crowley is looking into the matter. Inform him of everything that's going on, but do not follow me. I cannot risk another one of my soldiers vanishing.”
“But, Riddle-”
“Do I make myself clear, Ace?”
“...yes, Housewarden.”
“Good. Remember, I'm a very capable mage. But if something happens, obey my final order. Understand?” Ace nods sullenly, and the bell to signal the end of lunch chimes. The two clear up their table before leaving, dread weighing upon them as they return to their classes.
—————
Pacing back and forth in the lounge of the dorm, Ace pauses to cast a glance at the clock once again. 5:07. It was seven minutes past the start of dinner, and most of the dorm was in disarray as they tried to find Riddle. For the Housewarden to be late…it was very out of character, and Trey was doing his best to wrangle the worried students while also looking for his friend. Pulling out his phone, Ace sent yet another text to Riddle, which remained unread - before attempting to call him. The phone rings once, twice, three times - before it's sent to his now full voicemail box. Letting out an irritated huff, Ace shoves his phone back into the pocket of his trousers, the bags under his eyes feeling heavy and his mind racing. However, he's pulled out of his thoughts by someone calling out his name, and he turns to see Trey coming over to him.
“Yo, Trey. Heard anything yet?” The freshman quips, forcing a smile onto his face.
“Actually, yeah. I just found this in the rose garden.” Seeing the pristine white envelope in Trey's hands, Ace feels his heart sink to his stomach in horrid realization.
“...does that say that Riddle had to go home because of an emergency?” Raising an eyebrow at the younger male's question, the green-haired man gives Ace a confused look as he speaks.
“Yes, actually - about his mother and father. How did you-”
“I'll explain later. For right now, we should just…let the others know, and get back to normal for the time being.” Slowly nodding, Trey turns and heads to the halls that lead to the dormitories so that he can inform the others of his discovery. Slumping onto the chaisse in the lounge, Ace's heart thuds loudly in his ears as he thinks about what to do. He knows he needs to report it to Crowley…but the headmage is incompetent. And if he's to get to the bottom of things, he knows that he has to figure it out himself. After pondering his choices, he comes to a decision - one that he feels he may soon come to regret.
After dinner, Ace returns to his shared dorm room and sits at his desk - right next to Deuce's, which has begun to collect dust. Casting a sullen yet determined look over to the books piled haphazardly on top, he reminds himself of what he’s doing this for before opening one of his notebooks and beginning to write. His pen flies across the page, and he writes for hours, up until nighttime curfew. Finishing up his notes as his other roommates turn off the lights, he paperclips the multiple pages together before sliding them into a spare folder. He leaves it on top of his desk for Trey in the morning, knowing that if he wants to execute his plan, then he has to head out before anyone is awake. Changing into his pajamas and settling into bed, Ace is barely able to sleep, tossing and turning as the weight of impending doom and the feeling of eyes on him haunt him throughout his restless slumber.
—————
Stepping through the mirror leading to Savanaclaw, Ace knows he has to move quickly - he doesn't want to risk getting caught by any of the students here…especially if one of them is the culprit. It's early in the morning - before breakfast has even been served - and he can see the Savanaclaw students participating in their morning practice in the distance. Running off from the dorm entrance, he goes behind the dorm building, his eyes surveying the landscape for anything that seems out of place. Once he feels he's a safe distance away from the main dorm he slows his pace to a walk, panting a little as he wipes the sweat forming on his brow. As he catches his breath he pauses, seeing a group of vultures pecking away at a pile on the ground about thirty feet away. His stomach begins to twist and churn, but he forces himself to approach.
The birds soon take notice of Ace’s approach and quickly fly off with heavy flaps of their wings. With the vultures’ departure, the redhead is able to see - and smell - the large, dug up mess of rotting, grinded remains. Bile burns at the back of his throat but he forces himself to keep it down as he looks away. He then notices an opening in the sheer wall of one of the overhanging cliffs nearby - he had almost not noticed it due to how well it blended in with the rest of the surroundings. Taking a deep breath, Ace approaches the entrance and peers inside, his heart hammering in his chest, unaware of the eyes watching him from afar.
Slowly entering the dimly lit cave, the first thing that Ace notices are the scents lingering inside. The harsh smell of bleach, combined with something almost sickeningly sweet and the distinctly biting scent of death overwhelms him to the point he can feel nausea creeping up his throat. He squints as he steps further in, unable to see anything other than dark silhouettes, and pulls his magical pen out to create a temporary, magical light source. Blinking so that his eyes can adjust to the sudden light, he rubs his free hand at his face as he begins to look around…before freezing on the spot at the sights before him.
The cavern is much bigger than expected. Against the rocky wall in front of him is a wooden bookshelf with small toolkits and multiple labeled jars. There are several with eyes floating in a clear fluid, some with hearts, and others with what appear to be fingers or even tongues. One of the hearts is heavily stained black, and in a small jar beside it is a pink tongue, round and perfectly cut. To the left of the shelf is a tanning rack and a mannequin, donning an in-progress coat that appears to be made of white fur. Behind the mannequin is a small generator, attached to a deep freezer tucked away in the far left corner. On top of the deep freezer is what looks to be a makeshift smoker made of cardboard and aluminum foil, and on the ground beside it is a movable fire pit.
To his right, there's two tables. The larger one is stained red, and there are multiple nicks in the surface. Below the large table is a hand-cranked meat grinder and some buckets, one of which is filled with a fine white powder. Next to it is a smaller, cleaner table that has a pair of scissors, a thick book, some tanned gloves, and a few empty jars on top.
“...what the fuck…?” Slowly moving over to the small table, Ace first opens the book - and taped on the first page is a lock of brown hair, along with a note.
[Number One: First specimen was an easy target. Hair is a beautiful chocolate color, but skin was rough and uncared for. How I dearly wish he saw his own beauty.]
Ace begins to flip through the journal, his hands trembling - on each page was a new lock of hair, along with a note. About six or seven pages in, he freezes, seeing an all-too familiar shade of deep blue.
[Number Nine: This specimen put up a good fight - how marvelous! His hair and eyes are such beautiful blues, although his skin could've used more care. I hope to have another come to me that was as lively as him.]
The feeling of nausea and horror rises in Ace's throat as he slowly shakes his head, afraid of the terrifying truth that lays before him. He goes through the remaining pages, hands trembling, trying to wrap his head around what he's stumbled across.
[Number Ten: What a wondrous quarry! His ability to change his form with magic was something to behold. What strong, powerful muscles… disposing of him is a bit tougher due to his large, canid form. I have had wolf jerky before, but never made it - perhaps now is a perfect chance.] Hair as white as snow.
[Number Eleven: It was truly a pity I had to dispose of my dear Epel…he put up a good fight, but I must admit that I shed a few tears as he passed on. I hope he can forgive me. Beautiful, supple skin and a perfect tongue....his tongue will remain, and surely his skin will be perfect for the gloves.] A lavender curl, soft and gentle.
[Number Twelve: I feel guilty for disposing of Riddle, but when he discovered this space I couldn't allow him to let my secret spill. He attempted to collar me, but it vanished when his life faded away. His heart is unlike any I've seen yet - being stained with black. It is quite fascinating - and incredibly stunning to look at the dark blotches that compliment such a vibrant, red heart.] Cherry red hair, kept in perfect condition.
Pressing a hand to his mouth to try and keep himself from hurling, Ace stumbles over to the shelf, frantically looking at the different jars on display. Beginning with the last one, he picks it up - the stained heart he had seen earlier. Turning it over, he feels his blood run cold as he sees Riddle's name written on a simple label. He then examines the next jar - the perfectly removed tongue, and reading the label, tears begin to spill down his face at the sight of Epel's name. Gathering the jars in his arms, he then spots a sealed plastic bag filled with dried meat. Recognizing it as the jerky from the Lounge and realizing exactly where - or rather, who the meat had come from, Ace turns away from the shelf and ejects the contents of his stomach from his body onto the ground, barely turning his head in time to avoid getting it on the jars in his arms.
A few moments after, he shakily wipes at his mouth and turns back to the shelf, weak whimpers spilling from his lips. His gaze scans the shelf before he pauses, his eyes locking onto a pair he thought he'd never see again. Floating in one of the jars are his eyes - Deuce's, he knows it - the once vibrant aqua hue now dull and lifeless. Staring at them silently for a few moments, the reality of everything crashes down on him, and he stifles a sob as he shakily grabs the container that holds his former best friend's eyes.
“I…I'm getting you out of here, Deuce…” He then moves over to the tables, focused on the mission at hand - not hearing the soft sound of pebbles rolling across stone, or the creak of wood. Placing the jars down for a moment, he tucks his pen into his breast pocket before gathering the jars again - only for a sharp, searing pain to jolt through him as something pierces through his chest. The jars fall from his grip and shatter on the ground as he slowly looks down at his torso, to see that an arrow has pierced his torso. The scent of iron fills the air as his clothes begin to grow heavy and red from his blood, and before he could process what was happening he slumps against the table before collapsing on the floor.
“Tut tut, Monsieur Heart. Don't you know that it's rude to snoop?” Letting out pained gasps as he tries to stop the bleeding, Ace slowly forces himself to look at the source of approaching footsteps. His blurred vision trails up from the brown boots and black trousers to the pristine white lab coat, blonde hair, and piercing green eyes that peer down at him from under a brown hat.
“R…Rook…? What-”
“Shush…no need to speak, Monsieur Heart. I do not wish for you to overexert yourself - allow me to revel in your beauty for just a few moments longer,” he replies, holding his bow and an arrow in one hand as he reaches into his pocket. Pulling out a small instant camera, Ace is helpless to do anything but watch as Rook snaps a photo of the dying boy. “Beaute…! Merci, Monsieur Heart. And now…” Sliding the camera and picture into his pocket, he nocks the arrow into place before drawing it back.
“Rook, wait - wait, you don't gotta do this…! I won't tell, I-” Ace sputters and coughs horrendously, blood and spittle flying from his lips as he can feel his blood flooding his punctured lung. Wheezing, rattling gasps leave him as he grows weaker, but he reaches out - not to Rook, but to try and feebly hold the shattered jar that Deuce's eyes were in.
“...Your dedication to Monsieur Spade is a wondrous sight to behold. Thank you, truly.” Aiming at Ace's head, he watches as the Heartslabyul student manages to clutch the broken jar close to his chest with trembling hands, his movements becoming lethargic with each passing moment. “You have truly been l'un de mes jeux les plus magiques - one of my most magical games.” And with a smile of false pity on his face, Rook lets out a slow breath and releases the arrow.
With the Prefect's Pages zine being released, I'm officially sharing the artwork I did for it!! Featuring my Yuu, a force of chaos that somehow manages to fit right in with the main cast. I'll have to draw more of him sometime to properly show him off...
It was a blast getting to draw this piece! I hope everyone else enjoyed it along with the other wonderful works in the zine. It you haven't checked it out, here's a link to the Carrd! It's free to download, with a few goodies included (including a bingo card)
a twisted wonderland fanzine
Thank you to the wonderful mods for letting me join, and I hope y'all check it out!!
Finally, the long-awaited release of The Prefect's Pages is here! Thank you all so much for your interest and support, and most of all, your patience. We are so proud to present the work of all of our wonderful contributors, which you can support by downloading the free zine (+ the fun little digital extras!) at our Carrd link down below.
☆ https://theprefectspages.carrd.co/ ☆
P.S: This version's stylistic choices may not be compatible for screenreaders and other accessibility concerns. However, we are working on an accessible version with plaintext and alt text for images! Keep an eye out for that in the upcoming weeks!
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