Twisted Salt is just a safe space for me to allow my TWST brain rot to flow freely. Of course for now, I'm keeping all content PG-13. If you are 18+ and would like to take a walk on the spicy side, check out my NSFW page {COMING SOON}
Tag Navigation:
#🧂Salted Headcanons- You guessed it.
#🧂Salt Works- Fics, drabbles, AO3 links of my own
Request Status: OPEN - 4/10 slots taken.
Below you'll find a quick about me, including the rules for requests and my do's & don'ts.
₊꒷꒦˚‧✿ — — General Info — — ഒ : ⊹˚₊
⿻✧﹒Hobbies: Writing, tumbler/drinkware designs
⿻✧﹒Other fandoms: MHA, BSD, Sailor Moon, Haikyuu, Obey Me
⿻✧﹒Meet my TWST OCs!- Sakura, Shinju, and Damien
⿻✧﹒Favorite Dorm: Octavinelle (couldn't you tell?)
⿻✧﹒Taurus Sun, Virgo Moon, Cancer Rising
⿻✧﹒INTP-A
⿻✧﹒Night Raven College (NOW OPEN!)- a discord server for all things Twisted Wonderland. Hang out, share gameplay, economy (aka buying those pesky birthday cards you maybe couldn't pull), roleplay, and so much more!
₊꒷꒦˚‧✿ — — Writing — — ഒ : ⊹˚₊
⿻✎・Do's
─✓✦ Romantic Scenarios (except for Ortho, I'm sorry I just can't)
─✓✦ Headcanons, scenarios, short stories/drabbles, & imagines
─✓✦ Any gender MC/Yuu/Reader
─✓✦ Age appropriate ships between characters
─✓✦ Character Letters
⿻✎﹒Don'ts
─𝘹 ✦ NSFW (on this blog, eventually I will open a second for 18+)
─𝘹 ✦ Darker themes that may be triggering (if you don't know, feel free to ask. I will allow them on the aforementioned NSFW/18+ Blog when I get around to making it)
─𝘹 ✦ Student ships with Professor ships
₊꒷꒦˚‧✿ — — Interested in request? — — ഒ : ⊹˚₊
₊˚✎﹕Include which character(s)-- up to 3 per request.
₊˚✎﹕Give me the prompt/scenario/headcanon/etc
₊˚✎﹕Feel free to add the details you want mentioned (i.e. gender, species of reader, dorm, etc-- however this is not necessarily required)
₊˚✎﹕Have patience. I am not always the fastest at answering/writing (working full time + family things takes a lot out of me some days), however, I will keep my currently writing section (↓) of this post updated frequently.
Azul tries to be smooth and suave about it. And fails miserably. As much as he tries to hide it, there’s no denying that Azul is a huge dork. He’s frazzled and flustered and doesn’t know what to do with his arms. Ends up awkwardly wrapping them around your shoulders, and giving you a little back pat. Final rating 5/10. He’s embarrassed of his lame hug.
Jade gives you that sly grin, wordlessly teasing you. It’s honestly incredible that he can make you so nervous with just a look, a reminder of how dangerous he can truly be. But he has no intention to harm you now, and simply ushers you into his arms. The hug is very comfortable, and he’s very gentle with you. He smells nice as well, like clean linen and freshly tilled soil. Final rating 8/10. He’s only a little scary…
Floyd has been waiting for this moment. Immediately snatches you up, laughing and spinning you around. Its rare for someone to WANT to be squeezed by him! Now that he’s got you he doesn’t want to put you down. Carts you around with him until Jade comes to drag him off to work. He pouts and whines until he can hug you again. Final rating 9/10. All that squeezing made your ribs sore.
In which Azul coerces you into fine-dining at the Mostro Lounge for their third anniversary. One major problem? You’re tight on Thaumarks for the month, and only couples get a discount.
“And then he clawed me in the face,” you exclaim, motioning wildly with your hands. “Like, what the hell! I carry that furball everywhere, and he decides to pull this shit just because he’s hungry? I slept in for fifteen minutes!”
Jade carries your books at his side, nodding every-so often in careful attentiveness. “If I may, why not let Grim loose at Mostro Lounge? I’ve grown quite fond of him.”
It starts off genuine, until he lets loose a smirk, sharp teeth rising above his bottom lip. “In fact, I was about to suggest another test-run of Azul’s parasitical anemones.” He laughs, shrouding his reaction beneath his hand in polite courtesy. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re a sadist.” Looking around, you tug on Jade’s sleeve, lowering your voice. “But speaking of Mostro Lounge … what’s your stance on favors?”
“I’m not particularly fond of them.” He side-glances you, curiously. “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight? If you’re unaware, it’s our third-anniversary. We’ll be providing an unforgettable dining experience, along with a special discount for couples celebrating their own relationship milestones.”
“Jade,” you groan, frustrated. “wrong answer. Try again.”
“Hm?” The smile tugging at his lips feels too innocent. In fact, the gleam within his eyes makes you think he knows exactly what you want. “Use your words.”
Jade raises his brow, clearly amused at the textbook-indentation pressed neatly into your forehead.
“Oh my.” He chuckles, candle-light warmly flickering against his skin. The fluorescence slips beneath his irises, illuminating eddies of gold and amber normally kept at bay. “It appears you’ve fallen asleep, once again.”
“So tired,” you mumble, unconsciously shifting closer to the textbook. “Fifteen more minutes.”
A/N- Hi my brain needed this so bad. It literally started out as "oh I'll do a quick drabble" and then turned into 11 pages on Google Docs. So please enjoy or don't, I don't care. Self indulgence is the name of the game this week. Reblogs are always welcomed and motivate me to post/write more.
TW: Tweels committing violence, ever so slight blood depiction, mild hints of vile acts of men.
Overview: Graduation from Night Raven College was over 3 years ago and business has never been better. Shady deals? Her? No... though there may be an exception made-- if you have something she wants that is.
Heels clicked against the black marbled flooring where the dimming lights of her establishment reflected like the night sky outside of the building. Her mind buzzed, estimating the profit and loss based on the number of heads she counted at the doors. Not that she was worried. Once again, this establishment had been bustling with business just as it had been since the opening of its doors three short years ago. The Club’s esteemed guests flocked to the hangout from the early afternoon to the wee hours of the morning for the atmosphere, the exquisite bar and menu, and one of the best dancefloors in the city. Those that came nightly were like addicts, craving more of the chance to drown the outside world in music and good company.
Azul Ashengrotto, alumni of Night Raven College, was the owner of the Leviathan Club– her second successful business since she was nothing more than a freshman in high school. She was a proud business owner, even if some said she made shady back alley deals with her competitors and suppliers alike. The mermaid had learned to ignore the rumors that fools may spread out of jealousy. It seemed to be their only explanation for how a woman such as herself could run circles around the other local lounges and bars in the area.
Some of those rumors were true, of course. But no one else needed to know that.
What some of these nitwits didn’t understand was that to avoid having a rough first year– as places similar to her establishment usually did– certain deals had to be made. Just because she knew how to spin a contract her way didn’t mean that she was taking advantage of anyone necessarily. Azul was a kind businesswoman. A fair one. These vendors came to her to gain her business. She needed to ensure the Club was successful enough to continue giving them that. Surely anyone could understand. It was simple economics.
Sure there were a few bargains struck in between and those that may not have fallen into the category of competitor or supplier. These additional contracts on the side were still used to further secure her own power. Poor, sad souls came into the Leviathan Club to have a good time, wash away their troubles, forget about the outside world– if she saw someone she could help, how could Azul just stand by and watch them struggle? She was a kind person after all. As benevolent as the Sea Witch herself.
The unfortunate thing? Three years after these initial bargains had been arranged, a few that had the gall to attempt to cross her– to take advantage of her– leaving debts unpaid or attempting to find a loophole. How incredibly foolish. The corner of her red painted lips quirked upright as the club owner’s figure ascended the stairs to her office. Perhaps she should be more offended. But those who underestimated the Leviathan Club’s owner would only put the odds in her favor.
Gloved fingers swiped the card to enter her office space. An elevated area located above the kitchen where she could see everything going on in the club. The floor below her feet, the walls around her secluded space acted like a one way mirror. Reflecting the club life from the outside, but inside it acted as a glass box. Nothing slipped past those sky-blue eyes.
Though, there was a door on the north side of her office that normally remained open during business hours. When shut– the club, the kitchen, her office– were all dark. It was a room of… confinement. Private. To conduct the most sensitive of business meetings. Parties inside of the “meeting space” could not see beyond its walls while those in her office (or any security cameras) could see what happened in the room unless she pressed a button hidden under the desk. A switch allowed her to see and hear everything inside, but those in company would not be able to see out.
At present, her dear friends were meeting with an individual who had harassed her barkeep this evening behind the closed doors of the private room. Azul tugged at white gloves as she slid behind the desk to reveal the goings on. Once the space was revealed, she could hear the conversation inside. Her spectacle framed gaze watched the young man shaking in a chair as two tall figures loomed over him.
"C'mon m-man," a shaking voice pleaded. "I told you– I wasn’t tryin’ any funny business with the lady– I swear!” Sweat matted his hair against his face, his hands bound behind the back of the chair he had been forced to sit in while these lanky... creatures hovered over him. Their forms shadowed by the too bright white light that shone behind them obstructing their prisoner's ability to see too many of their features. The twins’ sharp pointy teeth and mismatched gazes seemed to be the only thing he could truly make out through the panic and darkness.
“Neh Jade~ How much longer do we have to wait before I get to play with this little puffer fish?” The droopy-eyed one asked his twin. “I bet he swells up real good when he gets hit, don’t you wanna’ see?”
“Fu fu~ Patience, Floyd,” his brother warned. “The boss will be here soon.”
“B-Boss?” The man looked like he was going to have a stroke. “Listen, guys– I was trying to have a good time. That little bartender was laughing at first– how was I supposed to know when she got offended? There’s no–no need to bring your boss into this.”
Disgusting. Azul stepped closer to the room, folding her arms over her chest as she continued to watch the questioning. It was obvious that the man in the chair was scared. Rightfully so. Her boys knew how to squeeze anything out of anyone. Her gaze flitted to the Twins briefly with a softer look than she would give most before returning to their prey. His face looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her thumb on it. One might dismiss him as just a regular Joe– drunk and stupid– but something was pushing Azul to dig more into him.
“Oya? That’s all?” Jade’s smile was sick, twisted. “I seem to remember an almost entirely different occurrence happening. I believe Floyd and I could see it from across the building.”
Azul had seen it from her office too. The man had made a few grabs at one of her female bartenders that had told him more than once to buzz off. Floyd and Jade had removed him once he started getting too loud. Perhaps Azul would have just thrown him out if her employee hadn’t confessed that this was nearly a regular occurrence. This man had been harassing her and a few of her coworkers each night– he made them nervous with his ill minded tongue.
“The things he says are–” the girl hesitated, a shamed red hue spread across her face “––gross. He talks about taking us home and what he would do…” her sullen face had fallen to the tissue in her lap when Azul pulled her aside to talk. “He says he’ll wait for us after work– that-that he’s got a better job for us… I think the only reason he hasn’t done anything yet is because he’s too drunk to find the employee lot by the end of the night.” Bangs hid her face, the club owner knew the bartender was ready to start crying again. “It’s scary.”
Azul’s jaw clenched at the way the girl’s voice sounded so small. “You should have come to me,” she whispered, pressing a handkerchief to the girl’s face. “I will take care of him. Please take the rest of the evening off to go home and rest. Do not worry about leaving tonight, I have cameras watching the lot and that bothersome trash is locked up.”
“The cops can’t keep him forever, Miss. Ashengrotto–” the girl sniffled, voice strained with stress She could have told her employee that the man wasn’t with the cops, they would indeed let him loose in 24 hours– but this poor soul was already in distress at the mere mention of this man. Best to let her think he wasn’t anywhere near the Club.
“Thank you so much for the evening off though. I appreciate the gesture… but–” hesitation came from the bartender. Azul’s mind whirled briefly like a rolodex remembering the background of the employee before speaking up.
“I will pay you compensation for any tips you will miss out on,” Azul said, holding her hand up to stop the girl from speaking. “Please, go home and rest, child. We will see you tomorrow night.”
Her index finger tapped impatiently against her arm at the memory. There was a weight of heaviness in Azul’s chest at the gratitude her employee had given. After hiring each and every body that worked in her establishment, she felt they were under her care. Look after your own, her mother would have said. That’s right. These were her people and no one touched her things.
No one.
“L…Listen man, maybe we can come to some sort of an agreement, yeah?” The dark-haired prisoner stumbled. “My dad, he’s got this safe– lots of money– you guys can split it right? Hell, if you want I’ll give some to your boss and the lady as goodwill! We–we’d be even right?”
Floyd hummed, “Oh? You think this is a game, little Pufferfish?” He invaded the man’s personal space with serpentine movements. Sapphire hues slid to Jade’s face. She swore he could see through the glass and was staring back at her in an attempt to read her mind. He usually could. Jade had a knack for seeing right through her– guessing what was on Azul’s mind was practically a mini-game for the ‘older’ of the two Twins.
A soft burning sensation kissed her ears before returning her sights back on the target at hand. She needed to figure out what to do with this imbecile anyway. There were ways of disposing garbage but Azul found it to be tedious and messy– even with the boys’ help. Roughing him up would teach him a lesson, or start a war depending on a few factors. Lips pressed together into a thin line as she glanced back at Jade.
She needed more information.
Jade’s head nodded slightly before acknowledging the man in the chair that his brother had practically climbed on top of. “I am curious– what is there stopping us from finding out who your father is and taking the money ourselves after we dispose of you?”
Floyd maneuvered behind the man in the chair, placing his hand on two shaking shoulders. “You’re right, Jade! Then we wouldn’t have to worry about Pufferfish ‘ere flakin’ out on us. He seems like the shady type– the type that’d leave us high and dry after we let ‘im loose.”
“No!” The man shot forward, trying to escape the squeezing hand of the Twin behind him. Azul felt some satisfaction in the way he squirmed. “No! I would never– we’re cool right, guys?” His dark eyes bounced between the two towering figures smirking at each other. “B-Besides! My dad, he’s uh–” Azul heard it, so did the Twins.
Hesitation.
Her shoulders rolled back in anticipation as Jade spoke. “What’s the matter… friend? Cat got your tongue?” She could see the man thinking, wheels spun in his head. Either his father was powerful, or he was full of shit.
“He’s–he is important. I promise you– you wouldn’t be able to get past his security.” Just who did this kid think he was? Azul still needed more– as much as the Twins were doing a bang up job, she was growing impatient. Not only that but she knew Floyd would soon grow bored and begin his own fun– they need answers.
“Oya? Your father is so important but you won’t even tell us who he is or what he does?” Jade mused. “It sounds like there is no trust to be had in this room.”
Azul could see Floyd’s hands tighten again. “No wait–” his words were cut off by a pop followed by a screech in pain, wincing away from the merman behind him. Floyd had dug his finger tips deeply under the joints of the man’s shoulders. One of them had obviously been dislocated from the way the Twin’s hand squeezed down to inflict more pain. The other remained intact. For now.
Jade’s attention briefly shifted to the wall where Azul stood on the other side. She frowned, to show her dissatisfaction even though she knew they could not see her. He let out a sigh and Azul swore she heard him mutter “well it can’t be helped,” before lowering himself to eye level with the man in the chair. “Do you want us to trust you?”
The man was now gasping, Floyd’s fingers tensed again on his injured shoulder making him whine while nodding. Jade’s smile was slow, spreading across his face but not reaching that mismatched stare. “Excellent, we’re only here to help~” the merman’s voice was deceitfully soothing. “I need you to prove you’re trustworthy, or else our dear friend Floyd will gain a new plaything. He’s never been very gentle, I’m afraid.” Another whine and nod as Floyd giggled behind him.
“I swear–”
“No need for that,” Jade stopped him. “Just look at me and tell me the truth or it may be the last time you sit here with your arms attached.” Azul didn’t miss the sweat flowing down the prisoner’s temple. “– Shock the Heart.”
Sporadic breathing became calm, pupils widened as the man in the chair met Jade’s gaze. “There we go. Now, I have a few questions for you and you must tell the truth, understand?”
A nod came.
“Good. What is your name?”
“B-Bram Koning.”
“Thank you Bram. And your father’s name?”
“Governor Koning of the Southern Isles.” Jade and Floyd shared a deadly look and Azul released a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “I am the youngest of my brothers.”
“Interesting,” Jade hummed. “Tell us, Bram, how do you enjoy your nights here at the Leviathan Club?”
“I like coming here to meet pretty women,” he said almost robotically. “There’s always so many– so pretty– we like to… recruit them to work at my brother’s spot down the street.”
“And what’s your brother’s place like?”
Again, a pause came. Azul’s silver hair brushed against her shoulder when her head tilted to the side. “His place– the Iced Pub… it has pretty women– like the bartender– who dance and give our customers a trip to remember.”
Azul’s lip curled in disgust. She had heard of the little hole in the wall filth opened down the street weeks after the Leviathan Club’s success was announced. It was well funded but shady by appearance, inside and out. Azul had heard the description from idle chatter in her own establishment and never planned to step foot in the place. Nothing of this caliber but there was a rumor–
A lightbulb went off inside her head. One that shone like a brand new contract written and signed with only her magic. She would have passed the rumors off as hearsay but something in the tranced confession Bram gave Jade made her think this could just be the tip of the iceberg. Her fingers searched the desk for quill and paper to scratch out a list of demands to be met as an arrangement.
From the looks of it though, the boys were done pushing for answers– which meant it was her turn to ask the questions– and she didn’t need Jade’s unique magic to do so. Next to the door rested a cane, the silver octopus handle gleamed against the dimmed lights of the Club. She took it up, allowing fingers to splay over the top of the mollusk’s head. Azul let out a long exhale to calm any unwanted anger before the mask of calm, confidence washed over her face. She pushed through the door to the room, tucking a newly drawn up contract into the pocket of her blazer.
Bram slumped in his chair, Floyd tapping his shoulders before strutting over to stand next to his brother. “So now what’re we gonna do with this guy, Jade?”
Jade’s finger curled over his mouth pensively. “Good question, Floyd. He seems like a rather unpleasant fellow. One that wouldn’t make for anything more than a bit of chum hung out by the docks. Fufu~”
Floyd let out a squeal of laughter, “can we, Jade? I bet he makes good shark bait– we wouldn’t have to tie him up too much more– I bet his little squirms would attract them like, well, blood in the water! What do you say, Puffer Fish?” He stepped closer to Bram, leaning his devilish features close to the wide-eyed prey. “Wanna go for a dip?”
“That’s quite enough, Floyd–” Azul’s soft, femine voice spoke up over Bram’s panicked wimpers. The slightly taller Twin removed his hat from his head and placed it over his chest.
“Sorry, boss,” Floyd apologized sheepishly as his brother mimicked his movements.
“Boss?!”
“Good evening, Azul–” Jade welcomed her, ignoring the man in the chair’s outburst. “This is our new friend, Bram Koning. We’ve been getting to know him very well.”
“My, my– Is that so?” She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, meeting the governor’s son’s shocked face. “Good evening, sir– Bram is it?” She tilted her head back to look down on him with a sickenly sweet smile she had perfected over the years. “My name is Azul Ashengrotto. I hope my boys didn’t rough you up too much~”
Beyond the confusion there was a deep rage building in the darkened eyes of her prisoner. “To say they only roughed me up would be an understatement. Look at my fucking shoulder!”
“I see…” Her gaze fell on his right arm that somehow slacked even while carefully shackled behind his back. “Floyd, please fix this gentleman up if you would.”
“Awww… but bosslady,” the final word slithered out as a whine. Azul was met with a puppy dog pout, practically begging her to let his fun continue. A slender, silver eyebrow cocked up in his direction in response. Floyd let out a heavy sigh, “uggh… fine.” He took a few steps towards the man who paled once Floyd’s hand touched the dislocated shoulder.
“W-Wait a sec–”
“Breathe, Pufferfishie,” Floyd pushed on the man’s shoulder and another pop was heard followed by a screech of pain from Bram.
“Much better. Now we can have a proper discussion.” As she spoke, she snapped her fingers and one of the Twins pushed a chair up behind her to sit comfortably at eye level with the man grumbling profanities over his pain.
“What’s there– t’even talk about,” he muttered through short breaths. “I already–I already told these psychos it was a– misunderstanding. We were going to come to– an agreement but they t-tried to kill me!”
“Oh don’t be so dramatic. I think if they really tried to kill you, you’d be dead.” One leg crossed over the other, her hand firmly rested on the cane at her side as she sat back to watch him. She was vaguely aware of the Leech brothers standing close behind her. Looming shadows, tamed for the time being– but still threatening. “They’ll behave for now, won’t you boys?”
“Certainly, Azul.”
“Yes, boss.”
“See?” She feigned a soft smile, motherly almost. “You’re in good hands now, Mr. Koning.”
Bram’s lips pressed together, he was skeptical. But Azul could see confidence growing in his facial features. She could practically watch the wheels spinning behind his eyes, concocting a lie that would wiggle his way out of this mess– off her hook. This man’s whole demeanor would change from the shriveling coward to something that left a bad taste in her mouth. At least arrogance was always so much fun to tear down.
“If I’m in such good hands, why are mine still tied up?” He grumbled.
“Because this is not an easy conversation, my dear. To have you free as a bird with us in the same room requires a bit of…” her head searched for the right word, “trust. I suppose.”
“What’s a’matter? Scared I’ll rip through these two and come for you? Pretty sure they could whip my ass if I tried.”
Azul brushed off imaginary lint from her pencil skirt, straightening it out nonchalantly. “Naturally. You misunderstand as to what I trust in should I let you go. Do I trust that you will be unreasonable enough to attempt to force your way out? Yes. Do I trust that these two won’t splatter you across my freshly cleaned walls? No.” The Twins let out a low chuckle between the two of them. “However, you’ll find that violence isn’t really my preference in these situations.”
“And what situation is this?”
“Think of it as a peace treaty,” Azul held out a hand. “I get answers and a small favor defined on paper for the future, and you can run back to your silly pub, unscathed– well, in no more pain than you are now, that is. Everyone wins, right?”
Bram’s jaw flexed. His feet were set wide in front of him as if he physically was attempting to hold firm. “It doesn’t sound like an even split to me.”
“Hmm,” Azul shrugged. “I think it is after you’ve been encroaching on my grounds poaching my people. That is something that I find is not easily forgotten Mr. Koning and for me to overlook this and turn the other cheek– well, something must be arranged. Don’t you think so?”
“Crazy bitch,” Bram muttered under his breath. Azul seethed but refused to show it– she could already feel her boys ready to pounce, teeth bared at this man’s insolence. Her finger twitched just above the octopus head in her palm as if to halt their movements. “Fine, what is this ‘answer’ you need?”
Azul let out a slow breath. “I will happily tell you–” her teeth were clenched as she spoke, gloved fingers reaching for her hidden contract. “Once this has been signed. Do I have your word that you won’t try anything irrational?”
Bram looked her up and down slowly, settling on the parchment in her hand, then nodded. “Very well– Jade, if you would, please.”
Jade moved to go untie the man. A knife appeared in his hand almost out of thin air to cut the ropes. Bram winced, glaring up at the land-bound merman with utter defiance. “Come now, the boss has asked us to behave and we will– do not fret, friend.”
Azul could have rolled her eyes at him. The Twin was obviously still in the mood to play. But soon Bram was free, rubbing his hands around where his wrists had been bound. “Excellent, now– feel free to read this over,” she grinned and handed him the contract, watching his face as he skimmed the words.
“A rumor?” He asked, cocking an eyebrow up in her direction. “What rumor?”
“You’ll have to find out, won’t you?”
The man’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “You’re not talkin’ about those drug rumors, are you? You think our place is some kind of– I don’t know– undercover drug ring? That shimmer junk may be hitting the street, lady, but it ain’t comin’ from my brother’s place. What’s next? People will start saying we’re doing all sorts of illegal, shady shit?”
Azul shrugged, “is that the question I’ll ask you? Who’s to say?” She was winning. Sevens bless Azul loved winning. Even without the contract signed she had enough to begin to take down these Koning brothers.
“How are you even s’posed to know if I’m tellin’ you the truth?”
“Ah! That is an excellent point,” she leaned in closer. “All my business arrangements are imbued with magic that I’ve perfected over the years. If you lie to me, I will know– and there will be consequences.” Sky blue eyes stared him down, challenging.
Bram swallowed, the confidence in his face was beginning to crack. “And if I refuse to play along?”
“Then I leave this room and my boys can do as they please.”
Bram leaned back in his chair. His gaze darted to the three bodies in the room. “You’re all fucking psychotic, you know that?”
“I prefer the word ‘inventive’, Mr. Koning,” Azul unfolded her legs and rose to her feet. She stood in front of the man with an arm outstretched. She had him. If he refused to confirm any of her suspicions, she would send a member of the staff to spy and confirm the details at the club. Bram was practically admitting guilt in that sense. It would only be a matter of time before the truth revealed itself. This was just a faster route to getting what she wanted. “What do you say? Do we have a deal?”
The Twins had backed away, allowing her proposal to take center stage. Azul was faintly aware of the lack of their presence near her. Bram, however, noticed almost too easily. His hand shot out, taking Azul’s and twisting it behind her back. He wrenched her knuckles up her spine, nearly causing a bone somewhere to crack under the pressure. She gasped in pain, teeth grit together only to have a blade manifest in front of her throat.
“Back up!” Bram shouted at the Twins. They had already begun to step in but stopped at the crazed look in the man’s eye. “Stay right where you are! If you move, I’ll slit her throat.” As confirmation to his words he pressed the knife deeper into her skin. Azul could feel the crimson liquid beginning to rise to the surface of where it broke through flesh. “Gotta’ admit, sweetheart– you had me for a second there–”
Sweetheart?
“Really thought whoever was in charge of these two would have to be some all powerful gang leader– but instead it's just you.” He laughed in her ear as he continued. “You’re a pretty little thing too– bet you’d make lots of money where that soft mouth of yours could talk a man’s ear off all night. You had me ready to sign away my brother’s personal affairs to save my own skin? And yet you couldn’t even keep yours safe. What a joke.”
“So the rumors are true then?” Her words were soft, breathy from the sudden jolt he’d given her. Light blue eyes met two pairs of heterochromia gazes that mirrored her own anger and frustration but with more savagery.
“Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t– it doesn’t matter anymore. If I cut this pretty neck of yours, ain’t nobody going to hear about it– no hard feelings though right?” His full attention turned back to the Leeches. “Let me out this door I swear to God I’ll do it!” The Twins let him shuffle along the back wall towards the door.
There was a moment of silence where no one spoke, Bram continued his careful movements. His gaze trained on the boys. “Bram, I must thank you for sparing my efforts to sign a deal with the likes of you,” she told the dark haired man. “And I want to thank you for proving to me how incompitent you are by underestimating me.”
Her magestone shone on her broach as the old, memorized incantation was muttered. Power surged through her like a sea breeze and a large pillar of water shot up from underneath them, knocking Bram backwards. Azul’s hand shot out towards her cane where it had fallen, silently summoning it to her will. Her palm pressed against the shaft, fingers enclosing it in her grasp in an instant. Bram sputtered on his knees in front of her. Two hands gripped the cane tightly and Azul swung for the fences, knocking the heavy, ornate octopus into his head hard enough to send the man in reverse.
“Stubborn fool,” she practically growled, stepping towards him– Johnny Chu’s refused to falter in step despite the now wet tile where her magic had pooled. “Insolent little thing you are!” Azul stood over the man now trying to raise himself up on his forearms. “You really thought you could threaten me?”
“Fuck you!” He shouted at her.
Azul’s heel drove into his shoulder hard, pushing him back down to the ground. Her anger slowly teetered over the edge. “Not in a million years, you disgusting sack of shit. And my barkeeps feel the same way.” Her fingers raised again, allowing another waterspell to rush over his face, winding through his airways until he choked. “I hold your life in my palm– I offer you freedom from the mousetrap that had sprung and instead you chose to be stupid.”
Her anger was leaking out now, in a way that she hadn’t felt in a long time. There was a familiar barrier being pushed, blackness teased at her vision. Her magic would need to be limited while she was in this state.
The spell ceased and Bram sputtered. Fear set heavy on his features. “I–I’m–I–”
The end of Azul’s cane pointed at his face. “You, what? You’re sorry? After the chance I gave you?No you’re not– you will be soon, pet. Don’t you worry about that.” She removed her foot from his shoulder. “Boys! Get him out of here, do whatever you want– string him up, put him down– whatever tickles your fancy tonight.”
“Yes, Azul.”
“You got it, boss.”
The Twins flanked Bram, picking him up on either arm. “W-Wait!” He cried, shaking from the cold after being drenched. “P-Please, I thought you didn’t like violence?”
“Is that what I said?” She spun on her heels one last time to face Bram Koning. “I believe I said that I would prefer not to resort to violence when handling business affairs– we have no business, Mr. Koning. Surely you can understand.”
Bram looked like he had been just clubbed in the face again. His jaw slacked, eyes filled with terror as he realized there was no way to talk himself out of this.
“Goodbye, Bram– no hard feelings, right?”
His cries could be heard all the way out of her office as Floyd and Jade carried him off to do whatever ‘fun’ they had planned for the unfortunate soul. Azul picked up the contract off the ground, dusting it off before moving back to her desk. There was no need for it anymore. It was simply a piece sacrificed in play. Now she needed to figure out her next move.
Sleep would be the last thing in mind for the Leviathan Club owner. There was work to be done. Soon she’d have a governor under her thumb and possibly another business location.
That's right Requests are opened for a limited time. Let's start off a little gentle because I haven't done requests in a long, long time. I will be taking 10 requests! Use the prompt list below with a character or characters you want!
Please read my guidelines under my master list post here! (Cuties give my masterpost a like 😘).
4/10 slots taken!
↓ Prompts below ↓
Setting: Pick a number 1-10.
Event: Pick a letter A-M.
Opening Line: Pick a letter N-Z.
Setting
1. Under the boardwalk
2. In the backseat of the car
3. By the poolside
4. At an amusement park
5. Hotel/Motel
6. At a souvenir shop
7. By a quiet lake
8. On a campsite in the woods/at a summer camp
9. At a backyard barbecue
10. At a gas station
Event
A. The power went out
B. Lost a precious item
C. The fridge is empty
D. Found a lost wallet
E. Made eye contact with an enemy
F. Confessed/uncovered a secret
G. Put an ice cube down the back of someone’s shirt
H. Caved to peer pressure
I. Heard a strange noise and went to investigate
J. Received a mysterious message
K. Slipped on spilled ice cream
L. Ran from law enforcement
M. Won a competition
Opening Line
N. “It’s so hot, I think I’m actually melting.”
O. “I’m hungry but I’m not eating that.”
P. “How bad is this sunburn?”
Q. “I swear, something touched my leg in the water.”
R. “Do you have change for the vending machine?”
S. “Can I get a ride with you?”
T. “Move over, you’re hogging all the air.”
U. “You can have mine.”
V. “Tell me you have a plan.”
W. “I don’t have much time.”
X. “It turns out ‘the great outdoors’ is .. not so great.”
Y. “Did you steal that?”
Z. “I really didn’t think you knew who I was before today.”
Octo-brain rot is just constant. I literally love all three of them but Azul's piano playing has been on the brain as of late.
~
Prompt: Just random headcanons after I reread Floyd's SR Ceremonial Robes Vignette where he talks a bit about his and Jade and Azul's performance from middle school.
Characters: Azul Ashengrotto🐙
Azul Ashengrotto🐙
✦꒷It was his mother that taught Azul how to play piano. He was inspired when he watched her play.. A small round fry with tentacles instead of a tailfin sitting next to his mother on a piano bench. Her fingers would dance over the top of the keys, worn by the hard work of the restaurant business and yet so nimble in the way they hit every note without missing time.
✦꒷Azul’s oyster colored eyes would be wide, anxiously waiting for her to miss a note somewhere. He was familiar with these melodies, she had played them since before he could remember. But any time he thought she’d miss, a careful tentacle would reach up to save her fingers the stretch.
✦꒷See what we can do with our ‘fins’ my little calamari~” she told him one day when crying over some bullies at school. Azul’s mother guided his chubby fingers along the keys carefully every time, hoping to provide him a skill that would intentionally make him proud of his looks rather than shy away from them.
✦꒷This actually was what inspired his grimoire reading frenzies.
✦꒷Azul still plays piano actually. No he doesn’t always use his merform to do so as his playing can be heard echoing through the Mostro Lounge when he feels it appropriate.
✦꒷Sometimes he uses the piano as a means to think or process a conundrum that’s been wrecking his mind. And he would say the best thinking music is one that is similar to a piece written in our world called “Le Onde”.
✦꒷If he’s in a higher mood and playing for the Mostro Lounge’s guests, he tries for a more jazz/blues feel– which is his favorite to play.
✦꒷Depending on the genre/style he bops his head or sways back and forth to keep time.
✦꒷Don’t ask him to play chopsticks. Yes that tune exists in Twisted Wonderland and he hates it.
Inspired by this Tweet. Please go follow the artist. I absolutely adored the Kingsmen movies (rip the 3rd one that was kinda meh) and have always wanted to do an AU for different fandoms. So here's just a small little blurb for these 3 because I think it would be perf for them.
✦꒷ A master martial artist, a gentleman, and a secret service agent
✦꒷ Coming from a military family, he was trained from a young age in different styles of fighting by his father and soon followed in his footsteps to provide service to his country.
✦꒷ Before this, however, his parents divorced and Azul was introduced to his soon to be step-father– a true gentleman.
✦꒷ Azul’s childhood was full of fights and scraps at school. Bullies made fun of him for being different causing the boy to lash out.
✦꒷ His step-father pulled him aside one night after being suspended for breaking another teen’s nose.
✦꒷ “A gentleman doesn’t get hooked by the words of another, rather, he should hook others by his own.”
“So you’re saying I shouldn’t fight?”
“I’m saying you shouldn’t throw the first punch. Be more cunning, boy.”
✦꒷ His step-father vowed to make a proper man of him before he graduated high school and made good on his promise.
✦꒷ Azul graduated with high marks, no more walking the line of expulsion for picking fights– rather, his bullies were expelled for starting them. Azul would finish them.
✦꒷ During his time in the military he met Floyd and Jade, and was scouted by the Lancelot and Galahad (prior to he and Floyd joining).
✦꒷ He and the Twins were as thick as thieves, despite not being able to tell Floyd about the Kingsmen training they were receiving.
✦꒷ Azul impressed the Kingsmen with his ability to quickly assess a situation and blend into any mission with ease.
✦꒷ Eventually the Galahad he had known perished in a rather nasty explosion which his mentor, Lancelot, had felt responsible for.
✦꒷ He entered the Kingsmen Secret Service as its Galahad and quickly became Arthur’s go to agent with his renowned work ethic.
✦꒷ Azul’s reflexes and stamina developed to peak performance overtime making him a very dangerous individual. Both a master of weaponry and a living one.
✦꒷ Jade eventually followed him into the Kingsmen once Merlin had released his title to the older twin and they became a rather terrifying, monstrous duo.
✦꒷ An accident occurred while on a mission with Jade and Azul’s mentor Lancelot resulting in Lancelot’s death. As the now deceased agent had requested, he and Jade are in the process of ensuring Floyd will take the mantle as Lancelot.
༻༺━━━━⁎∗.*.∗⁎━━━━༻༺
🐬 Merlin
✦꒷ A master manipulator and technician, Jade Leech is the Kingsmen’s Merlin.
✦꒷ As a youngster he was more interested in science and the reactions to lifeforms around him. He spent most of high school pent up in a lab or computer room studying when he wasn’t indulging in one of his brother’s antics.
✦꒷ Jade was known as the “calmer” of the two and became relied on as his brother’s handler at times.
✦꒷ This was a misconception as the older of the twins didn’t mind fighting or talking his way out of problems easily– saving them from explosion once when Floyd broke a classmate’s leg after Jade’s own silvertongue started the initial fight in the beginning.
✦꒷ His enlistment in the military was only due to his brother’s flighty need to constantly be moving and came as a surprise
✦꒷ He was a proficient marksman throughout his service and was soon scouted by his mentor at the same time Azul was scouted by Galahad and Lancelot.
✦꒷ During this time, Jade had second thoughts as his training would have to be kept a secret from Floyd, just as Azul’s had been.
✦꒷ He gave a silent vow to slowly attempt to convince Azul that Floyd should be nominated at an opening after they entered as the Kingsmen were hesitant to enlist the less stable of the twins.
✦꒷ His apprenticeship began in secret from both Azul and Floyd as Merlins are not necessarily full fledged Kingsmen agents but rather the specialists as well as the eyes and ears of their agents.
✦꒷ He would sit with the Merlin that taught him well behind computers that could get into every database in the world after taking many rigorous exams to ensure his problem solving skills were top notch (and that he wasn’t insane).
✦꒷ Despite not needing the full skillset, Jade made Azul train hand to hand combat with him in private and would spar with his brother for “fun” (Floyd’s words, not his).
✦꒷ Upon the death of Galahad and the mantle falling on Azul’s shoulder’s, Jade’s mentor handed him the keys as the Kingsmen’s newest Merlin.
✦꒷ Currently he is training new prospects to be Kingsmen agents, one of them being his brother Floyd.
✦꒷ Convincing Arthur to allow Azul to elect his twin brother had been a challenge but as promised, Jade doesn’t go easy on him.
༻༺━━━━⁎∗.*.∗⁎━━━━༻༺
🦈 Lancelot (Candidate, he'll eventually get it)
✦꒷ A problem child but we’ll make a gentleman of him yet.
✦꒷ Floyd is in the process of becoming the Kingsmen’s newest Lancelot after finding out that Azul and his brother have been members of the agency this entire time.
✦꒷ As a young man, Floyd wasn’t interested in sitting still. His school days were only manageable by sport clubs and the occasional scrap he’d get involved with due to his mood swings.
✦꒷ Floyd was a quick learner– similar to his brother with somewhat of a photographic memory should he actually find interest in the subject he was learning about.
✦꒷ His desire to enlist in the military had been on a whim after meeting a soldier that had traveled the world.
✦꒷ Floyd was exceptional in all of basic and throughout his service. He was a force to be reckoned with but still his mood swings became worse with age.
✦꒷ He was nearly kicked out of the military only to be saved by Jade smoothing things over repeatedly.
✦꒷ After his term had been served, Floyd found himself wandering aimlessly through life from part time job to part time job.
✦꒷ The younger of the Twins was told only that his brother and Azul worked for a tailoring company– but he wasn’t so absent minded that he didn’t notice the amount of “business trips” two tailors made.
✦꒷ When the cat was finally out of the bag, Floyd was peeved and had the proposition of joining a spy agency not sounded so cool, he might have walked out of the door immediately.
✦꒷ He’s currently aced all the exams and physical tests with flying colors despite Jade throwing harder challenges at him as opposed to the other prospects.
A/N- Hi my brain needed this so bad. It literally started out as "oh I'll do a quick drabble" and then turned into 11 pages on Google Docs. So please enjoy or don't, I don't care. Self indulgence is the name of the game this week. Reblogs are always welcomed and motivate me to post/write more.
TW: Tweels committing violence, ever so slight blood depiction, mild hints of vile acts of men.
Overview: Graduation from Night Raven College was over 3 years ago and business has never been better. Shady deals? Her? No... though there may be an exception made-- if you have something she wants that is.
Heels clicked against the black marbled flooring where the dimming lights of her establishment reflected like the night sky outside of the building. Her mind buzzed, estimating the profit and loss based on the number of heads she counted at the doors. Not that she was worried. Once again, this establishment had been bustling with business just as it had been since the opening of its doors three short years ago. The Club’s esteemed guests flocked to the hangout from the early afternoon to the wee hours of the morning for the atmosphere, the exquisite bar and menu, and one of the best dancefloors in the city. Those that came nightly were like addicts, craving more of the chance to drown the outside world in music and good company.
Azul Ashengrotto, alumni of Night Raven College, was the owner of the Leviathan Club– her second successful business since she was nothing more than a freshman in high school. She was a proud business owner, even if some said she made shady back alley deals with her competitors and suppliers alike. The mermaid had learned to ignore the rumors that fools may spread out of jealousy. It seemed to be their only explanation for how a woman such as herself could run circles around the other local lounges and bars in the area.
Some of those rumors were true, of course. But no one else needed to know that.
What some of these nitwits didn’t understand was that to avoid having a rough first year– as places similar to her establishment usually did– certain deals had to be made. Just because she knew how to spin a contract her way didn’t mean that she was taking advantage of anyone necessarily. Azul was a kind businesswoman. A fair one. These vendors came to her to gain her business. She needed to ensure the Club was successful enough to continue giving them that. Surely anyone could understand. It was simple economics.
Sure there were a few bargains struck in between and those that may not have fallen into the category of competitor or supplier. These additional contracts on the side were still used to further secure her own power. Poor, sad souls came into the Leviathan Club to have a good time, wash away their troubles, forget about the outside world– if she saw someone she could help, how could Azul just stand by and watch them struggle? She was a kind person after all. As benevolent as the Sea Witch herself.
The unfortunate thing? Three years after these initial bargains had been arranged, a few that had the gall to attempt to cross her– to take advantage of her– leaving debts unpaid or attempting to find a loophole. How incredibly foolish. The corner of her red painted lips quirked upright as the club owner’s figure ascended the stairs to her office. Perhaps she should be more offended. But those who underestimated the Leviathan Club’s owner would only put the odds in her favor.
Gloved fingers swiped the card to enter her office space. An elevated area located above the kitchen where she could see everything going on in the club. The floor below her feet, the walls around her secluded space acted like a one way mirror. Reflecting the club life from the outside, but inside it acted as a glass box. Nothing slipped past those sky-blue eyes.
Though, there was a door on the north side of her office that normally remained open during business hours. When shut– the club, the kitchen, her office– were all dark. It was a room of… confinement. Private. To conduct the most sensitive of business meetings. Parties inside of the “meeting space” could not see beyond its walls while those in her office (or any security cameras) could see what happened in the room unless she pressed a button hidden under the desk. A switch allowed her to see and hear everything inside, but those in company would not be able to see out.
At present, her dear friends were meeting with an individual who had harassed her barkeep this evening behind the closed doors of the private room. Azul tugged at white gloves as she slid behind the desk to reveal the goings on. Once the space was revealed, she could hear the conversation inside. Her spectacle framed gaze watched the young man shaking in a chair as two tall figures loomed over him.
"C'mon m-man," a shaking voice pleaded. "I told you– I wasn’t tryin’ any funny business with the lady– I swear!” Sweat matted his hair against his face, his hands bound behind the back of the chair he had been forced to sit in while these lanky... creatures hovered over him. Their forms shadowed by the too bright white light that shone behind them obstructing their prisoner's ability to see too many of their features. The twins’ sharp pointy teeth and mismatched gazes seemed to be the only thing he could truly make out through the panic and darkness.
“Neh Jade~ How much longer do we have to wait before I get to play with this little puffer fish?” The droopy-eyed one asked his twin. “I bet he swells up real good when he gets hit, don’t you wanna’ see?”
“Fu fu~ Patience, Floyd,” his brother warned. “The boss will be here soon.”
“B-Boss?” The man looked like he was going to have a stroke. “Listen, guys– I was trying to have a good time. That little bartender was laughing at first– how was I supposed to know when she got offended? There’s no–no need to bring your boss into this.”
Disgusting. Azul stepped closer to the room, folding her arms over her chest as she continued to watch the questioning. It was obvious that the man in the chair was scared. Rightfully so. Her boys knew how to squeeze anything out of anyone. Her gaze flitted to the Twins briefly with a softer look than she would give most before returning to their prey. His face looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her thumb on it. One might dismiss him as just a regular Joe– drunk and stupid– but something was pushing Azul to dig more into him.
“Oya? That’s all?” Jade’s smile was sick, twisted. “I seem to remember an almost entirely different occurrence happening. I believe Floyd and I could see it from across the building.”
Azul had seen it from her office too. The man had made a few grabs at one of her female bartenders that had told him more than once to buzz off. Floyd and Jade had removed him once he started getting too loud. Perhaps Azul would have just thrown him out if her employee hadn’t confessed that this was nearly a regular occurrence. This man had been harassing her and a few of her coworkers each night– he made them nervous with his ill minded tongue.
“The things he says are–” the girl hesitated, a shamed red hue spread across her face “––gross. He talks about taking us home and what he would do…” her sullen face had fallen to the tissue in her lap when Azul pulled her aside to talk. “He says he’ll wait for us after work– that-that he’s got a better job for us… I think the only reason he hasn’t done anything yet is because he’s too drunk to find the employee lot by the end of the night.” Bangs hid her face, the club owner knew the bartender was ready to start crying again. “It’s scary.”
Azul’s jaw clenched at the way the girl’s voice sounded so small. “You should have come to me,” she whispered, pressing a handkerchief to the girl’s face. “I will take care of him. Please take the rest of the evening off to go home and rest. Do not worry about leaving tonight, I have cameras watching the lot and that bothersome trash is locked up.”
“The cops can’t keep him forever, Miss. Ashengrotto–” the girl sniffled, voice strained with stress She could have told her employee that the man wasn’t with the cops, they would indeed let him loose in 24 hours– but this poor soul was already in distress at the mere mention of this man. Best to let her think he wasn’t anywhere near the Club.
“Thank you so much for the evening off though. I appreciate the gesture… but–” hesitation came from the bartender. Azul’s mind whirled briefly like a rolodex remembering the background of the employee before speaking up.
“I will pay you compensation for any tips you will miss out on,” Azul said, holding her hand up to stop the girl from speaking. “Please, go home and rest, child. We will see you tomorrow night.”
Her index finger tapped impatiently against her arm at the memory. There was a weight of heaviness in Azul’s chest at the gratitude her employee had given. After hiring each and every body that worked in her establishment, she felt they were under her care. Look after your own, her mother would have said. That’s right. These were her people and no one touched her things.
No one.
“L…Listen man, maybe we can come to some sort of an agreement, yeah?” The dark-haired prisoner stumbled. “My dad, he’s got this safe– lots of money– you guys can split it right? Hell, if you want I’ll give some to your boss and the lady as goodwill! We–we’d be even right?”
Floyd hummed, “Oh? You think this is a game, little Pufferfish?” He invaded the man’s personal space with serpentine movements. Sapphire hues slid to Jade’s face. She swore he could see through the glass and was staring back at her in an attempt to read her mind. He usually could. Jade had a knack for seeing right through her– guessing what was on Azul’s mind was practically a mini-game for the ‘older’ of the two Twins.
A soft burning sensation kissed her ears before returning her sights back on the target at hand. She needed to figure out what to do with this imbecile anyway. There were ways of disposing garbage but Azul found it to be tedious and messy– even with the boys’ help. Roughing him up would teach him a lesson, or start a war depending on a few factors. Lips pressed together into a thin line as she glanced back at Jade.
She needed more information.
Jade’s head nodded slightly before acknowledging the man in the chair that his brother had practically climbed on top of. “I am curious– what is there stopping us from finding out who your father is and taking the money ourselves after we dispose of you?”
Floyd maneuvered behind the man in the chair, placing his hand on two shaking shoulders. “You’re right, Jade! Then we wouldn’t have to worry about Pufferfish ‘ere flakin’ out on us. He seems like the shady type– the type that’d leave us high and dry after we let ‘im loose.”
“No!” The man shot forward, trying to escape the squeezing hand of the Twin behind him. Azul felt some satisfaction in the way he squirmed. “No! I would never– we’re cool right, guys?” His dark eyes bounced between the two towering figures smirking at each other. “B-Besides! My dad, he’s uh–” Azul heard it, so did the Twins.
Hesitation.
Her shoulders rolled back in anticipation as Jade spoke. “What’s the matter… friend? Cat got your tongue?” She could see the man thinking, wheels spun in his head. Either his father was powerful, or he was full of shit.
“He’s–he is important. I promise you– you wouldn’t be able to get past his security.” Just who did this kid think he was? Azul still needed more– as much as the Twins were doing a bang up job, she was growing impatient. Not only that but she knew Floyd would soon grow bored and begin his own fun– they need answers.
“Oya? Your father is so important but you won’t even tell us who he is or what he does?” Jade mused. “It sounds like there is no trust to be had in this room.”
Azul could see Floyd’s hands tighten again. “No wait–” his words were cut off by a pop followed by a screech in pain, wincing away from the merman behind him. Floyd had dug his finger tips deeply under the joints of the man’s shoulders. One of them had obviously been dislocated from the way the Twin’s hand squeezed down to inflict more pain. The other remained intact. For now.
Jade’s attention briefly shifted to the wall where Azul stood on the other side. She frowned, to show her dissatisfaction even though she knew they could not see her. He let out a sigh and Azul swore she heard him mutter “well it can’t be helped,” before lowering himself to eye level with the man in the chair. “Do you want us to trust you?”
The man was now gasping, Floyd’s fingers tensed again on his injured shoulder making him whine while nodding. Jade’s smile was slow, spreading across his face but not reaching that mismatched stare. “Excellent, we’re only here to help~” the merman’s voice was deceitfully soothing. “I need you to prove you’re trustworthy, or else our dear friend Floyd will gain a new plaything. He’s never been very gentle, I’m afraid.” Another whine and nod as Floyd giggled behind him.
“I swear–”
“No need for that,” Jade stopped him. “Just look at me and tell me the truth or it may be the last time you sit here with your arms attached.” Azul didn’t miss the sweat flowing down the prisoner’s temple. “– Shock the Heart.”
Sporadic breathing became calm, pupils widened as the man in the chair met Jade’s gaze. “There we go. Now, I have a few questions for you and you must tell the truth, understand?”
A nod came.
“Good. What is your name?”
“B-Bram Koning.”
“Thank you Bram. And your father’s name?”
“Governor Koning of the Southern Isles.” Jade and Floyd shared a deadly look and Azul released a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “I am the youngest of my brothers.”
“Interesting,” Jade hummed. “Tell us, Bram, how do you enjoy your nights here at the Leviathan Club?”
“I like coming here to meet pretty women,” he said almost robotically. “There’s always so many– so pretty– we like to… recruit them to work at my brother’s spot down the street.”
“And what’s your brother’s place like?”
Again, a pause came. Azul’s silver hair brushed against her shoulder when her head tilted to the side. “His place– the Iced Pub… it has pretty women– like the bartender– who dance and give our customers a trip to remember.”
Azul’s lip curled in disgust. She had heard of the little hole in the wall filth opened down the street weeks after the Leviathan Club’s success was announced. It was well funded but shady by appearance, inside and out. Azul had heard the description from idle chatter in her own establishment and never planned to step foot in the place. Nothing of this caliber but there was a rumor–
A lightbulb went off inside her head. One that shone like a brand new contract written and signed with only her magic. She would have passed the rumors off as hearsay but something in the tranced confession Bram gave Jade made her think this could just be the tip of the iceberg. Her fingers searched the desk for quill and paper to scratch out a list of demands to be met as an arrangement.
From the looks of it though, the boys were done pushing for answers– which meant it was her turn to ask the questions– and she didn’t need Jade’s unique magic to do so. Next to the door rested a cane, the silver octopus handle gleamed against the dimmed lights of the Club. She took it up, allowing fingers to splay over the top of the mollusk’s head. Azul let out a long exhale to calm any unwanted anger before the mask of calm, confidence washed over her face. She pushed through the door to the room, tucking a newly drawn up contract into the pocket of her blazer.
Bram slumped in his chair, Floyd tapping his shoulders before strutting over to stand next to his brother. “So now what’re we gonna do with this guy, Jade?”
Jade’s finger curled over his mouth pensively. “Good question, Floyd. He seems like a rather unpleasant fellow. One that wouldn’t make for anything more than a bit of chum hung out by the docks. Fufu~”
Floyd let out a squeal of laughter, “can we, Jade? I bet he makes good shark bait– we wouldn’t have to tie him up too much more– I bet his little squirms would attract them like, well, blood in the water! What do you say, Puffer Fish?” He stepped closer to Bram, leaning his devilish features close to the wide-eyed prey. “Wanna go for a dip?”
“That’s quite enough, Floyd–” Azul’s soft, femine voice spoke up over Bram’s panicked wimpers. The slightly taller Twin removed his hat from his head and placed it over his chest.
“Sorry, boss,” Floyd apologized sheepishly as his brother mimicked his movements.
“Boss?!”
“Good evening, Azul–” Jade welcomed her, ignoring the man in the chair’s outburst. “This is our new friend, Bram Koning. We’ve been getting to know him very well.”
“My, my– Is that so?” She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, meeting the governor’s son’s shocked face. “Good evening, sir– Bram is it?” She tilted her head back to look down on him with a sickenly sweet smile she had perfected over the years. “My name is Azul Ashengrotto. I hope my boys didn’t rough you up too much~”
Beyond the confusion there was a deep rage building in the darkened eyes of her prisoner. “To say they only roughed me up would be an understatement. Look at my fucking shoulder!”
“I see…” Her gaze fell on his right arm that somehow slacked even while carefully shackled behind his back. “Floyd, please fix this gentleman up if you would.”
“Awww… but bosslady,” the final word slithered out as a whine. Azul was met with a puppy dog pout, practically begging her to let his fun continue. A slender, silver eyebrow cocked up in his direction in response. Floyd let out a heavy sigh, “uggh… fine.” He took a few steps towards the man who paled once Floyd’s hand touched the dislocated shoulder.
“W-Wait a sec–”
“Breathe, Pufferfishie,” Floyd pushed on the man’s shoulder and another pop was heard followed by a screech of pain from Bram.
“Much better. Now we can have a proper discussion.” As she spoke, she snapped her fingers and one of the Twins pushed a chair up behind her to sit comfortably at eye level with the man grumbling profanities over his pain.
“What’s there– t’even talk about,” he muttered through short breaths. “I already–I already told these psychos it was a– misunderstanding. We were going to come to– an agreement but they t-tried to kill me!”
“Oh don’t be so dramatic. I think if they really tried to kill you, you’d be dead.” One leg crossed over the other, her hand firmly rested on the cane at her side as she sat back to watch him. She was vaguely aware of the Leech brothers standing close behind her. Looming shadows, tamed for the time being– but still threatening. “They’ll behave for now, won’t you boys?”
“Certainly, Azul.”
“Yes, boss.”
“See?” She feigned a soft smile, motherly almost. “You’re in good hands now, Mr. Koning.”
Bram’s lips pressed together, he was skeptical. But Azul could see confidence growing in his facial features. She could practically watch the wheels spinning behind his eyes, concocting a lie that would wiggle his way out of this mess– off her hook. This man’s whole demeanor would change from the shriveling coward to something that left a bad taste in her mouth. At least arrogance was always so much fun to tear down.
“If I’m in such good hands, why are mine still tied up?” He grumbled.
“Because this is not an easy conversation, my dear. To have you free as a bird with us in the same room requires a bit of…” her head searched for the right word, “trust. I suppose.”
“What’s a’matter? Scared I’ll rip through these two and come for you? Pretty sure they could whip my ass if I tried.”
Azul brushed off imaginary lint from her pencil skirt, straightening it out nonchalantly. “Naturally. You misunderstand as to what I trust in should I let you go. Do I trust that you will be unreasonable enough to attempt to force your way out? Yes. Do I trust that these two won’t splatter you across my freshly cleaned walls? No.” The Twins let out a low chuckle between the two of them. “However, you’ll find that violence isn’t really my preference in these situations.”
“And what situation is this?”
“Think of it as a peace treaty,” Azul held out a hand. “I get answers and a small favor defined on paper for the future, and you can run back to your silly pub, unscathed– well, in no more pain than you are now, that is. Everyone wins, right?”
Bram’s jaw flexed. His feet were set wide in front of him as if he physically was attempting to hold firm. “It doesn’t sound like an even split to me.”
“Hmm,” Azul shrugged. “I think it is after you’ve been encroaching on my grounds poaching my people. That is something that I find is not easily forgotten Mr. Koning and for me to overlook this and turn the other cheek– well, something must be arranged. Don’t you think so?”
“Crazy bitch,” Bram muttered under his breath. Azul seethed but refused to show it– she could already feel her boys ready to pounce, teeth bared at this man’s insolence. Her finger twitched just above the octopus head in her palm as if to halt their movements. “Fine, what is this ‘answer’ you need?”
Azul let out a slow breath. “I will happily tell you–” her teeth were clenched as she spoke, gloved fingers reaching for her hidden contract. “Once this has been signed. Do I have your word that you won’t try anything irrational?”
Bram looked her up and down slowly, settling on the parchment in her hand, then nodded. “Very well– Jade, if you would, please.”
Jade moved to go untie the man. A knife appeared in his hand almost out of thin air to cut the ropes. Bram winced, glaring up at the land-bound merman with utter defiance. “Come now, the boss has asked us to behave and we will– do not fret, friend.”
Azul could have rolled her eyes at him. The Twin was obviously still in the mood to play. But soon Bram was free, rubbing his hands around where his wrists had been bound. “Excellent, now– feel free to read this over,” she grinned and handed him the contract, watching his face as he skimmed the words.
“A rumor?” He asked, cocking an eyebrow up in her direction. “What rumor?”
“You’ll have to find out, won’t you?”
The man’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “You’re not talkin’ about those drug rumors, are you? You think our place is some kind of– I don’t know– undercover drug ring? That shimmer junk may be hitting the street, lady, but it ain’t comin’ from my brother’s place. What’s next? People will start saying we’re doing all sorts of illegal, shady shit?”
Azul shrugged, “is that the question I’ll ask you? Who’s to say?” She was winning. Sevens bless Azul loved winning. Even without the contract signed she had enough to begin to take down these Koning brothers.
“How are you even s’posed to know if I’m tellin’ you the truth?”
“Ah! That is an excellent point,” she leaned in closer. “All my business arrangements are imbued with magic that I’ve perfected over the years. If you lie to me, I will know– and there will be consequences.” Sky blue eyes stared him down, challenging.
Bram swallowed, the confidence in his face was beginning to crack. “And if I refuse to play along?”
“Then I leave this room and my boys can do as they please.”
Bram leaned back in his chair. His gaze darted to the three bodies in the room. “You’re all fucking psychotic, you know that?”
“I prefer the word ‘inventive’, Mr. Koning,” Azul unfolded her legs and rose to her feet. She stood in front of the man with an arm outstretched. She had him. If he refused to confirm any of her suspicions, she would send a member of the staff to spy and confirm the details at the club. Bram was practically admitting guilt in that sense. It would only be a matter of time before the truth revealed itself. This was just a faster route to getting what she wanted. “What do you say? Do we have a deal?”
The Twins had backed away, allowing her proposal to take center stage. Azul was faintly aware of the lack of their presence near her. Bram, however, noticed almost too easily. His hand shot out, taking Azul’s and twisting it behind her back. He wrenched her knuckles up her spine, nearly causing a bone somewhere to crack under the pressure. She gasped in pain, teeth grit together only to have a blade manifest in front of her throat.
“Back up!” Bram shouted at the Twins. They had already begun to step in but stopped at the crazed look in the man’s eye. “Stay right where you are! If you move, I’ll slit her throat.” As confirmation to his words he pressed the knife deeper into her skin. Azul could feel the crimson liquid beginning to rise to the surface of where it broke through flesh. “Gotta’ admit, sweetheart– you had me for a second there–”
Sweetheart?
“Really thought whoever was in charge of these two would have to be some all powerful gang leader– but instead it's just you.” He laughed in her ear as he continued. “You’re a pretty little thing too– bet you’d make lots of money where that soft mouth of yours could talk a man’s ear off all night. You had me ready to sign away my brother’s personal affairs to save my own skin? And yet you couldn’t even keep yours safe. What a joke.”
“So the rumors are true then?” Her words were soft, breathy from the sudden jolt he’d given her. Light blue eyes met two pairs of heterochromia gazes that mirrored her own anger and frustration but with more savagery.
“Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t– it doesn’t matter anymore. If I cut this pretty neck of yours, ain’t nobody going to hear about it– no hard feelings though right?” His full attention turned back to the Leeches. “Let me out this door I swear to God I’ll do it!” The Twins let him shuffle along the back wall towards the door.
There was a moment of silence where no one spoke, Bram continued his careful movements. His gaze trained on the boys. “Bram, I must thank you for sparing my efforts to sign a deal with the likes of you,” she told the dark haired man. “And I want to thank you for proving to me how incompitent you are by underestimating me.”
Her magestone shone on her broach as the old, memorized incantation was muttered. Power surged through her like a sea breeze and a large pillar of water shot up from underneath them, knocking Bram backwards. Azul’s hand shot out towards her cane where it had fallen, silently summoning it to her will. Her palm pressed against the shaft, fingers enclosing it in her grasp in an instant. Bram sputtered on his knees in front of her. Two hands gripped the cane tightly and Azul swung for the fences, knocking the heavy, ornate octopus into his head hard enough to send the man in reverse.
“Stubborn fool,” she practically growled, stepping towards him– Johnny Chu’s refused to falter in step despite the now wet tile where her magic had pooled. “Insolent little thing you are!” Azul stood over the man now trying to raise himself up on his forearms. “You really thought you could threaten me?”
“Fuck you!” He shouted at her.
Azul’s heel drove into his shoulder hard, pushing him back down to the ground. Her anger slowly teetered over the edge. “Not in a million years, you disgusting sack of shit. And my barkeeps feel the same way.” Her fingers raised again, allowing another waterspell to rush over his face, winding through his airways until he choked. “I hold your life in my palm– I offer you freedom from the mousetrap that had sprung and instead you chose to be stupid.”
Her anger was leaking out now, in a way that she hadn’t felt in a long time. There was a familiar barrier being pushed, blackness teased at her vision. Her magic would need to be limited while she was in this state.
The spell ceased and Bram sputtered. Fear set heavy on his features. “I–I’m–I–”
The end of Azul’s cane pointed at his face. “You, what? You’re sorry? After the chance I gave you?No you’re not– you will be soon, pet. Don’t you worry about that.” She removed her foot from his shoulder. “Boys! Get him out of here, do whatever you want– string him up, put him down– whatever tickles your fancy tonight.”
“Yes, Azul.”
“You got it, boss.”
The Twins flanked Bram, picking him up on either arm. “W-Wait!” He cried, shaking from the cold after being drenched. “P-Please, I thought you didn’t like violence?”
“Is that what I said?” She spun on her heels one last time to face Bram Koning. “I believe I said that I would prefer not to resort to violence when handling business affairs– we have no business, Mr. Koning. Surely you can understand.”
Bram looked like he had been just clubbed in the face again. His jaw slacked, eyes filled with terror as he realized there was no way to talk himself out of this.
“Goodbye, Bram– no hard feelings, right?”
His cries could be heard all the way out of her office as Floyd and Jade carried him off to do whatever ‘fun’ they had planned for the unfortunate soul. Azul picked up the contract off the ground, dusting it off before moving back to her desk. There was no need for it anymore. It was simply a piece sacrificed in play. Now she needed to figure out her next move.
Sleep would be the last thing in mind for the Leviathan Club owner. There was work to be done. Soon she’d have a governor under her thumb and possibly another business location.
˚.✧ Floyd actually doesn’t notice right off the bat that their hands are cold to the touch.
˚.✧ He himself naturally has a lower body temperature since he’s a merman.
˚.✧ The eel is completely oblivious when he goes to grab their hand, tugging them along excitedly after class to walk them back to their dorm.
˚.✧ It’s not until Shrimpy lets go of his hand to do their best to keep up next to his wide stride that he sees it.
˚.✧ They’re breathing into their palms cupped around their mouth and it makes him slow down his steps.
˚.✧ “Oh, Koebi-chan? You’re cold?” He says wrapping an arm around their shoulders. “Good thing I’m here to warm you up!”
˚.✧ He’ll insist on wrapping his entire 191cm tall body around them as they walk together.
˚.✧ How is it possible to walk like that?-- you may ask.
˚.✧ It’s not. It’s not possible.
˚.✧ But they manage it somehow until they’ve reached their destination and Floyd proceeds to make his Shrimpy turn to face him so they can put their hands under his shirt.
˚.✧ Hey, even with him being cool-blooded, it’s still warmer than their hands were.
༻༺━━━━⁎∗.*.∗⁎━━━━༻༺
˚.✧ Terrarium building is hard work but it seemed like the proper thing to do despite the fall breeze rolling through Twisted Wonderland.
˚.✧ Jade has been at it for hours and hasn’t hardly taken notice of the sun slowly starting to set or the way his S/O sitting next to him begins to curl up in their seat.
˚.✧ They’ve wrapped their arms around their legs and pulled the coat tightly around their body for warmth but this eel hasn’t even noticed yet.
˚.✧ He’s carefully placing pieces where they should go when he notices and tremor out of the corner of his eye.
˚.✧ “Is that a shiver?” He asks with a slick smile.
˚.✧ They may blush and say no, which will lead to him turning back to his handiwork with a “Oh well– I have nothing to worry about then I suppose. Perhaps I would have tried keeping you warm since you’ve kept me such good company.”
˚.✧ If Jade’s S/O admits they’re cold, however– oh wait, no there will still be teasing.
˚.✧ His focus will be on them though, making sure to get closer to at least share what little bodyheat he has. (Like his brother, Jade is cold blooded).
˚.✧ He’d be sure to wrap his own coat/blazer around his S/O as a way to bring them closer and to allow them time to look over the piece they’ve been working together on.
༻༺━━━━⁎∗.*.∗⁎━━━━༻༺
˚.✧ Standing around talking to the other first years in the middle of Main Street probably isn’t the warmest place to be.
˚.✧ He’s noticed his love shivering out of the corner of his eye. Ace isn’t the type to notice.
˚.✧ It’s like breathing for him to take care of his love and he tries to warm them up subtly at first.
˚.✧ Wrapping an arm around them and pulling them close while he continues on with his conversation.
˚.✧ His own hand idly rubbing their shoulder for friction.
˚.✧ It’s not until a big shudder against a sudden gust of winter air comes that he insists on taking them out of the cold air.
˚.✧ “Let’s get you somewhere warm, yeah?”
˚.✧ Ace rushes his love back to their dorm, an arm wrapped around them the whole way back.
˚.✧ Once inside the dorm’s lounge, he’ll drag them over to the fire and grab as many blankets as he can manage to find to wrap around his love’s body.
˚.✧ He has to join them too of course.
˚.✧ Holding their hands in his own, breathing warm air to thaw out icy fingers as the fire makes the shadows dance around the room.
˚.✧ “Don’t freeze on me yet, darling.”
༻༺━━━━⁎∗.*.∗⁎━━━━༻༺
˚.✧ Observant as ever on one of their walks admiring gargoyles Malleus will sense a slight chill in the air before his S/O does.
˚.✧ “Are you cold, darling?” He asks, pulling their arm through his as he leads them around NRC.
˚.✧ They say they’re fine but as some time passes he notices their cheeks looking a bit pinkish from the cold nipping at their skin.
˚.✧ Malleus doesn’t ask again, knowing his S/O will do something so humorously human and still insist they’re fine.
˚.✧ Instead, he points out a nearby gargoyle and while they’re not looking, slip out of his jacket/blazer to wrap the garment around their shoulders.
˚.✧ When they ask him (verbally or through that curious expression they often wear) he doesn’t answer, rather continues to phase them both back to their dorm room in a blink of an eye.
˚.✧ “It’s too cold to be looking at gargoyles tonight– we can stay in and read stories instead if you’d still like to spend time with me.”
˚.✧ Of course they do. And the Daismonia prefect is quick to pile on the blankets and cozy up to his S/O.
