New World, New Scars (pt 3)

TWST Story Idea (17)

Yuu's Misadventure in Twisted Wonderland

-

A lonely coffin lay in the middle of nowhere. It was glazed in a black hue, and elegant golden patterns decorated the lid. Along the designs, a keyhole rested in the middle, while a mirror was positioned where the face would be.

Despite being called a mirror, it strangely emitted a dull white light, flickering like a dying firefly amidst the darkness. Then, without warning, the lid rattled loudly.

Thud, thud, thud!

Someone was trying to open the lid of the coffin to no avail. The lid was too tightly shut, barely a crack could be seen, even though the person inside had been kicking and slamming it with all their strength.

That person screamed for help, crying and begging to be saved and let out of this endless darkness. There was even panting inside as anxiety set in, knowing that the oxygen was limited.

And then—

Bam!

The lid finally slammed open, and a figure sat up with a gasp, taking in big breaths like someone who had nearly drowned.

Their hair was in disarray, their face messy from crying and sweating. Blood smeared their swollen hands, used to try to slam the door open.

Yuu was finally free.

However, they did not know where they were. There were only trees as far as the eye could see, and what seemed to be a track made by a carriage near the coffin.

Why were they in a coffin? Why was there even a carriage in this place and time? Did they fall off? But then why didn’t anyone come to retrieve them? Wait, isn't this human trafficking?

Though baffled and confused by the state they were in, Yuu ultimately decided to seek help and began following the path.

If only they had picked the right way, they would have ended up at NRC, and their new life—though chaotic—would have been better than the other path. But they were slowly heading somewhere else.

Everything went wrong from there.

Yuu learned that this was not the place they were familiar with. The buildings were colorful, each following a certain theme. The people were handsome and pretty, and their hair had various shades as though dyed, but it wasn’t. Somehow, Yuu could sense that it looked natural.

Ironically, Yuu, who looked the plainest, stood out the most among them. The people were alarmed to see a foreign child with dried blood on their hands and a shabby appearance, like a fugitive.

Yuu ran the moment they felt a sense of dread bubbling in their belly. Any attempts at communication failed, not because the people didn’t want to listen or understand, but because they couldn’t understand each other’s language.

This was where Yuu learned about magic. In the midst of running away, they were taken off guard by magic that obstructed their movement and, therefore, were taken to the court of the Queen of Hearts.

(Insert drama here. Will it go like Alice in Wonderland or take a different plot? How will Yuu be treated? No thoughts about Yuu being from a different world since they don’t understand each other’s language.)

Yuu somehow escaped. Finally nourished by the food provided by the jailers, they wandered without direction, only stopping to sleep in the wild with no shelter. The fear of waking up in the Queendom of Roses terrified Yuu.

And then, they entered a new place…

-----

Yuu’s situation involved going to new areas like the Shaftlands, the Scalding Sands, and other regions, encountering all sorts of dangers and predicaments. Some people were kind to Yuu, while others were not.

(Extra points if higher-ranking people, like Leona’s family or Malleus’s grandmother, take a liking to Yuu. Bonus points if Yuu becomes a therapist or friend to the family members of NRC students.)

Yuu took on different roles each time, often the most difficult ones, like a prisoner, a lab rat, a servant, and more.

Yuu’s luck was atrocious, leading them to some of the hardest places to get into on Twst, like the Briar Valley, the Coral Sea, and the Isle of Woe.

There was even a time when Yuu nearly got taken by the Playful Land and almost converted into one of their puppets. But their luck was also unusually good, as they managed to escape each situation—though not without suffering.

Due to their time in the wild and the language barrier, Yuu became a bit feral.

Their final destination would be NRC, where Yuu showed pure animosity toward Dire Crowley. They also met Grim in the wilderness before attending NRC. Because of Yuu's personality, Grim reluctantly became their pet therapy companion and was allowed to attend alongside them.

TWST Story Idea (6)

Inspired by a post from a long time ago, but I don't remember their name.

Twisted Wonderland with Yuu, who is not scared of meeting beastmen, ghosts, or fairies, not because they're brave but because they've already seen horrors that Twisted Wonderland never saw before.

Yuu was at first amazed and wary of the existence of magic and those who are not human. They were rather dismayed at living in a ramshackle dorm and were reluctant to accept Grim, though Yuu eventually accepted that it was better than being alone.

However, days of staying with Yuu made Grim learn something about Yuu, and that Yuu had rules. It's not just normal rules like "don't make noise after 10" or something, nor were they stupid rules like Heartslabyul.

No, it's so much different than that.

'Don't step outside after dark', 'don't go to the woods alone and make noise', 'don't answer anything until you feel certain it's a person', 'don't jinx', and so on.

Well, it is stupid like Heartslabyul, but the way Yuu looked at Grim just makes it sound ominous, and it doesn't help that Yuu followed these rules to a T.

One day, not long after Grim settled in that house, he almost broke a rule.

It started late at night where he heard knockings on the door. Grim woke up, blearily and upset for ruining his good sleep. He thought that a certain three ghosts was playing tricks on him.

They were always trying to prank him, and this was the last straw. He shouted at the ghost to stop, and the knockings ceased.

It was quiet indeed, just like Grim wanted, but Grim couldn't get rid of the horrible feeling creeping up on him.

The knocks continued, this time followed by a voice.

"Can I come in?"

Grim jolted awake, fur bristling. It sounded like Yuu, but it couldn't be Yuu. It sounded so weird and scratchy, like it's his first time talking, and Yuu is right here in this room with him, so who is behind that door?

"Grim, can you let me in?"

It knows his name.

The door knob budged repeatedly, growing aggressive as time goes by. Yuu had locked every door and window that leads inside dutifully, and this room is no exception, but Grim feared that it's going to break from how loud it's turning.

Grim tried to wake Yuu up, but Yuu didn't show any slightest hint of stirring awake, too deep asleep. Grim hit Yuu again and again to no avail.

Grim is alone, and the monster won't leave him alone.

The door creaked, and something peeked through the cracks. Grim cried to leave him alone, and the monster merely responded by getting closer, inch by inch, red eyes locked on Grim's shivering body.

And then, Grim woke up. Sweats covered his paws, and Yuu hovered above him with concern. Grim sniffled, the bed sheet, and some part of his fur wet with tears. He was glad to know it's only a nightmare until Yuu said,

"Which rule did you break?"

It was on that same day that Grim followed the rules with devotion, fearing the same thing to happen. These rules don't limit to Grim and Yuu only but to the guests as well.

Ace was first; he knocked on the door of the ramshackle dorm somewhere late at night, wanting to sleep here instead.

He knocked and knocked, but no one answered. He decided to loudly yell for them instead. This proved to be the right choice since he could hear woods creaking and shuffling from the inside.

The door opened in a matter of seconds, and Ace would greet casually like he just didn't come here late at night with a collar but stopped at the panicked look on Yuu and Grim's faces.

"Stop screaming!" Yuu hissed.

He didn't have to say anything since Yuu grabbed him by the tie and dragged him in. He found himself in their bedroom, awkwardly standing as Yuu explained the rules they have on the house.

Ace huffed wearily, saying how he got tired of the rules courtesy of Riddle, but Grim's reaction was very out of character, to say the least.

Ace would ask why, and they said to wait till morning. In the end, they all went on the same bed. Ace doesn't even bring up about sleeping in their bed; it was Yuu who wanted him to, so who was he to deny opportunity?

Ace tried to sleep, but the collar is just so cold and it's digging on his neck. He tossed and turned, and his eyes laid on a curtained window.

Weird, he thought. Almost everyone he met slept with opened windows and parted curtains to let moonlight and the coldness of the night in. The curtain in this room was closed tightly, and sleeping on the bed with another two is already hot enough since the fan is slow.

Ace made up his mind to open both the curtain and the window. However, tonight moonlight is bright enough that there's a distinct shadow behind the curtains in the shape of a person.

'But this is on the second floor,' Ace will gradually realize. He will reason that it's someone using the broom to fly, but the shadow is completely still.

At this point, Ace remembered some of the rules that barely got into his brain.

'Do not look outside at night.'

'Do not acknowledge or respond to it.'

'Do not make noise.'

'Pretend you didn't see it.'

Ace quietly got into the bed, closed his eyes, and went under the sheet as he tried to make sense of what he saw. He had to wait until tomorrow; there's only a few hours before morning, but his will is tested with the scratches on the windows.

Ace couldn't tell when he got to sleep, but he woke up with a gasp as sunlight shone in his face, and Yuu staring at him.

"You'll get used to it."

Deuce was the next victim. Despite what happened that night, Ace is still willing to sleep in the ramshackle dorm or maybe he doesn't have a choice because something is following him and yuu knows how to deal with it. Deuce, however, didn't know any better until Yuu explained the rules.

Deuce, being dumb, will then say, "Huh? You mean ghosts? We see them all the time, don't we?"

A look of horror crossed their expression, and then there's laughter in the hallways that most definitely don't belong to them.

Deuce's instinct was to fight in the adrenaline moment. Just as he stood up, he immediately fell down and got dragged out of the living room down the hallways right before their eyes.

The lights flickered, showing them a horrifying shadowy figure holding Deuce by the ankle. Deuce screamed as he was dragged into one of the rooms, and the door slammed shut.

Deuce yelled as he banged on the door repeatedly. The others tried to open it to no avail until Deuce kicked it off its hinges, face pale and full of sweats while his eyes kept darting back to the empty room.

Deuce wished to go back, but Yuu didn't allow him to do so.

"If you leave, it will follow you. Stay here; I'll protect you."

They weren't the last. Those who became friends of Yuu were now well aware of these rules but not before experiencing the horrors.

Trey is concerned about the rules, but he always obeys them anyway, so there shouldn't be any problem until he borrows the kitchen and witnesses dishes pushed off the table and breaks them. He also hears an indescribable noise that's a mix between moaning and growling from one of the rooms in the ramshackle dorm when Trey is passing by, as though something is trying to attract his attention.

There was also a rule that said to avoid using a camera in the dorm. Cater didn't like that much, seeing that a haunted ramshackle dorm sounded like a good way to attract more likes on Magicam. Cater didn't give any thought when he tried to take a picture of himself when suddenly, the square thingy used to identify a face is multiplied and scattered all over the screen.

Riddle once came unannounced, and the entrance door opened, so Riddle invited himself, though he found it suspicious that no one is inside. He thought it was Ace and Deuce who tried to prank him and shouted to stop it at once. There was silence until Ace's voice said, "You got us, Riddle."

Riddle instinctively tried to reply, "It's Housewarden Riddle for you," before shutting his mouth when he realized that the voice sounded weird, and Ace still hadn't popped out yet.

"I'm right here," Deuce said this time, slightly echoey and out of tune.

He tried to come closer, trying to discern where the voice was coming from, only to be pulled back.

"I was looking for you." Yuu's voice was calm, but there's a sense of urgency on his face, which Riddle finds out later when he meets with Ace and Deuce.

Similar things happened to the rest, with Vil seeing his reflection move, Epel hearing something following right behind him, and Rook feeling watched but unable to find who.

Kalim saw his doppelganger and attempted to follow him into the woods alone, or that time he was talking to someone, but there isn't someone there at all. Jamil had bruises in the shape of hands and whispers in his ears as he lay in bed.

Idia saw his dead brother, and he almost jumped to his death. Ortho, who is in full battery, would just drain in a matter of seconds. Any attempt to scan would be glitched and met with errors.

As for a certain merfolk and beastman, they are suddenly sensitive to the ramshackle dorm and attempt to avoid it. Jack, however, despite his reluctance to sleep in the ramshackle dorm, proved to be a great asset. Since he's a wolf beastman, closer to dogs, naturally, ghost attacks lowered down to almost nothing. This means beastmen are rarely bothered, mostly just being watched.

For certain Diasomnia members, these types of ghosts are rare and dangerous and cannot be destroyed. They didn't even knoe they exist amyway and magic cannot destroy spirits, no matter how strong they are. Though, just like Jack, ghost attacks will drop down with Lilia and Malleus around, though not to zero. They both will get harassed as well as the other two.

-

Yuu has a third eye, so they see things. Yuu's spiritual power is so great it affected the ramshackle dorm, waking up/attracting ghosts. Those who get closer to Yuu will inevitably have Yuu's power lingered on them so they can see as well.

So basically, they got 'cursed' unintentionally by getting close to Yuu. Those who can't see ghosts won't get bothered with serious stuff; they only get to deal with ransacked rooms or broken dishes.

Random drawing urge 1(?)

I never intended to post any drawings here but then I saw Lilia and he is shaped like a father and is a husband material. The urge to spread my affection for this man leads me here and also, dont mind his missing legs. I got tired and lazy.

Here's another but just pencil and a bit incomplete.

I mispelled Meleanor's name cuz I keep thinking about Malleus, the big eyed dumb baby lizard. I wish I could squeeze him like a stress ball tho.

You guys ever seen anime/mangas/novels where some people got cursed not to tell anyone or else they died or something, and they still did it?

Why did no one ever came up with a riddle or better yet, a simple question? You're not telling them, you're asking them. There's a difference and one of them is that you get to live and tell.

Yuu = gn, They/Them.

I heard Rollo Flamm has a card and I thought that he had attend NRC as punishment or like, exchange student stuff or etc and then I just had an idea.

What if RSA is in this?

Crowley didn't offer such invitation but he cant exactly said no to RSA's wanting to visit NRC so said student can have experience what's it's like in another school. Afterall, his whole reputation is on the line!

And no, it's definitely not because the other headmaster praised him for being such a thoughtful person to his students that the students flourish under his guidance and kindness like flowers or something. Definitely not.

But the problem is, NRC students absolutely despise RSA that upon seeing one popping up in the school, a manhunt immediately got issued and all dorms alike would chase after RSA like a bloodhound.

So it goes without a doubt that RSA student cannot stay with any of the dorms or else they got mauled.

Crowley thought hard and long enough (not really.) and he finally came to a conclusion!

Why, there is one person who is capable of reigning those bloodhound and making them behave with each other.

Yes, Crowley can only thought of a single person who can babysit–ahem, take care of RSA and so on. There is no one, no one that is more capable than that person.

Introducing Yuu, barely hanging on for dear life as they got assaulted by this thing called misfortune and chaos, that is also the very thing that they are holding on, which is life.

And also, trauma.

Yuu can feel their sanity and patience slipping away when Crowley just dumped someone from RSA (can be Neige, or Chenya or etc) and expect them to take care of him.

Yuu is poor and theyre living in a ramshackle dorm while being accompanied by a bottomles pit for a stomach of a cat and they have to take care of this guy that Yuu was pretty sure have more money than them.

But Yuu being Yuu have no other choice, Yuu have to take care of him until that program finish and the guy can finally go back. They just have to be patient and—

— "no, Vil. stop poisoning him. I'm not blind.", "Riddle, please refrain from using your unique magic on him just because I decline the invitation.", "Ortho, please stop. You cannot use your beam on him. did Idia tell you to do this?", "Azul, you cannot swindle him into your contract, goddammit!"

…Right. It's going to be better once everything over. Yuu also had lost count how many times they got into a fight with other students or their friends just because Yuu accompanied RSA dude. It doesn't make Yuu feel any better when the guy look at them like Yuu was a knight in shining armour.

On the side note, the RSA dude is being real helpful and nice and kind as well. Ramshackle dorm is looking a bit less mess than before. Grim is fine with him and maybe that's because he feed him or something.

Actually, Yuu got feed as well. They forgotten how to go the bed with a full belly. How nice of him even though Yuu is the host. Oh well, Yuu can rest early now.

And then life pick Yuu from the dangerous flowing river and throw them into a stormy sea and said "swim".

Yuu hadn't noticed the guy is pretty much obsess with them and just assumed every thing he had done as the RSA's typical good students.

How are they supposed to know he's that kind of guy anyway? He keeps proposing and do that kind and helpful stuffs that decent people should do, as a proof of a husband material. What should they do?

It also escaped Yuu's notice that their NRC friends aren't actually friends but rather suitors that are equally obsess with them which explained why they want to smite RSA for taking Yuu's attention.

(deciduous) tree leaves change color in the fall because they are tiny little factories being shutdown and scraped for parts. the tree has made an evolutionary bet that the amount of energy required to maintain its food factories (leaves) through the (freezing, increasingly dark) winter is just not worth the investment--better to shut it down and hibernate instead.

but before a tree can shed its leaves, it needs to break down and reabsorb that valuable valuable chlorophyll, to reuse in the spring. this removes the green pigmentation, allowing the yellow/orange pigments (carotenoids) that are usually hidden to shine through!

so next time you see a majestic sight like this:

please know these trees are cannibalizing their own extremities ♥

“Is it okay if I draw fanart of your fanfic?👉🏼👈🏼”

My brother in Christ we shall have a spring wedding

New World, New Scars (pt 2)

I made this on a whim actually so apologies for this half-attempted story. I just wanted to see pathetic Yuu.

A short explanation for those who are confused, think of it as though Grim of the future recalled the past memories that are most memorable or any other way you guys prefered and that's why the scene are short and there's a lot of jumping.

Also, its very vague because Grim focused on the wrong (right?) thing. I might edit or change it though. Maybe.

Most memories focused on Yuu of course because Grim is always stuck with Yuu. Grim is selfish, tsundere and a bit oblivious. Its hard to write it ngl. Probably some wrong grammar too.

Yuu=He/him (edit)

-

Yuu is a very timid person. Grim knew that. Everyone does. He seen how easily his henchman got spooked by a sudden noise or movement.

Grim knew Ace like that part of Yuu, he would never fail to scare him with loud noise or barelling toward Yuu from out of nowhere and so on.

Ace would never get tired of Yuu who held his breath in and stood still like a statue when he approached from behind and grabbed their shoulder, as though Yuu tried so hard to erase his own existence.

Then, a crooked smile will plastered on his henchman's lips and he was just as wary as ever everytime Ace did this. His eyes will started to look for something in Ace's before looking away.

His henchman is a very strange guy with a strange stupid name. He's scared of silly things but he's not scared of ghosts.

-

There's a faint sobbing in one of the rooms on some nights and a familiar voice murmured assuring words.

"It's going to be alright. You're going to be alright."

Grim peeked through the cracks of the door. The ghosts hovered near his henchman whose back is trembling, one that Grim instantly recognized as crying. He knew that form, he seen Yuu done it so many time at night when Yuu thought Grim was asleep.

One of the ghosts pat lightly on his back and Grim unconciously shivered, the ghost had pat him once and all Grim felt was cold. Grim couldn't comprehend why his henchman like those better than Ace and Deuce or Grim himself who is warm and much better.

Yuu still avoided his touch.

-

Despite what everyone believed, Yuu was not really clumsy nor is he stupid and naive. Yuu is quick on his feet, faster reflex and sharp instinct. He's smarter than the ADeuce duo brain cell combined, Grim had to admit that even if Yuu struggle at first.

But those doesn't really stick out too much if the personality is a coward and being too… compliant.

Riddle, the Teapot tyrant who had loosened his controlling behavior and his devotion to rules must have spot something else that Grim is unaware of. He, accompanied by Trey, went to seek out Yuu who went rigid at their presences, a clear indication that Yuu is scared.

Riddle said he's apologizing for insulting his henchman's parents and their lack of education. He added that Yuu must have been in the same situation as him but with a different outcome.

Grim doesn't understands what he means but he understands what Yuu said.

His henchman looked startled as though he didn't expect that and couldn't understand why Riddle apologized. He stuttered, panicking.

"Oh, um, it's okay. It's just that, well, I'm an orphan, that wouldn't matter at all, right? I mean, I got adopted but um, uh, I don't have a parents anymore. I-I understand about the lack of education. I had–tried my best! I really, really am. I'm good at memorizing! I'm getting better. I won't let you do…wn…"

The words died down when Riddle and Trey's face went pale and morphed to horror.

His henchman snapped his mouth shut, a mixture of hurt and fear flittered across Yuu's face for a few seconds as if Yuu had said the wrong thing or maybe it's because of something else.

Yuu looked down, "I'm sorry. It won't happened again. I won't speak unnecessary things anymore, I promise."

Yuu ran before they could say anything and Grim casted a single glance of confusion before he followed Yuu.

-

"What's wrong with you?" Grim demanded, frustated at the silence. Sure it's always silent in this dorm but Grim just got aware of that and he's uncomfortable.

Like an instinct, Yuu replied with no hesitation. "I said too much. I'm sorry."

Yuu snapped his mouth shut and pretended nothing happened.

-

Trey confronted Yuu not long after that, bringing pastries with him like an appease gifts. Cater followed along, all smiles and laidback but both hides their intentions. It must be, after what happened yesterday, there's no way they'll come here for nothing but Grim is nice enough to keep his mouth shut with those treats presented before him.

Yuu seemed to know this. Trey and Cater began to question Yuu and Yuu will answered them short and simple. Too guarded and too composed though Yuu's meek personality still had traces on his expression.

Trey asked if he's okay. Yuu lied.

Cater asked where do he lived. Yuu told him and just like the mirror, no one knows where Yuu lived.

Yuu's bandaged hands had his fingers littered with band aids remained clean from the icing and crumbs while Grim's own paws and mouth are already covered by them. Yuu's eyes are strangely on him but Grim ignored it.

Trey asked with concern, "do you not like sweet things?"

"I'm not picky." Yuu replied.

"Then why havent you eaten them?" questioned Cater next, way too blunt.

It seemed to strike something in Yuu. His lips thinned, face went pale slightly.

"I'm sorry. I'll do it now."

No one missed how the hand tremored when it pick up the smallest slice of cake and how awfully relief Yuu looked like after he took a small bite and waiting for something to happen.

What is Yuu expecting for? It's not like these baked goods would kill him. It was the truth when Grim said Yuu is scared of such silly things.

Grim slowed down his munching when Trey and Cater looked at Yuu in a certain way. They seemed to found something worrying from that however.

-

There's something else that Grim found out about Yuu. There's something else that spook Yuu and that is magic.

He thought it was only his fire but Yuu recoiled harshly when magic is involved, especially when aimed at him. Those are just harmless tricks, Grim still doesn't understand why he is scared of this when he should be in awe.

Grim forced him to do the flying lesson together so his henchman can feel how great it is. It's fun, isn't it? Even if they almost crash to the ground?

He would shoot his flame with this new tricks he learnt. It's bright and brilliant, doesn't it look like a firework? He worked so hard to make it happened.

And what about Ace's wind magic? Or Deuce's ability to summon cauldron out of nowhere? And maybe Cater and Trey who can makes clones and change characteristic of an item respectively?

It makes life easier and fun with magic, isn't it? Grim doesn't understand why Yuu should be scared of it after some Savanaclaw use it on them. It was stupid, Yuu was stupid. More of a crybaby than Riddle ever was even though Riddle bawled only once before them and that's something.

Ace, Deuce and the others won't hurt Yuu. That's not a reason to be scared of them.

-

They both get invited regularly to the Unbirthday party. They both stood out clearly but they were treated nice by the host. Especially Yuu.

Grim complained lots of thing but he does not point out when Riddle lowered his voice and speak softly with a gentle expression or when Trey ate a certain pastry under Yuu's gaze before giving him the same thing or the fact that Cater praised Yuu and suddenly initiating skin contact and taking lots of pictures of them both.

Even Ace's pranks toned down only making harmless fun and Deuce was careful enough not to show his violence side. They acted too careful, whispering at each other.

His henchman fidgeted in the seat for being the center of their attention. Yuu looked uncomfortable. A wary and quizzical look on his face at the bizzare change of behaviour.

His henchman looked completely lost but he didn't said it out loud, merely going along with their play.

-

Then there's a spelldrive tournament that he learnt of from the headmaster. Grim thought that the event was the best thing he had ever heard where he can get to show their magic and impressed the audience and get famous. That's another way to be the Great Grim if he got recruited.

Grim also recalled the headmaster said something weird as well. Words like a "Clue" and "Home" popped up in the conversation and most are mentioned to Yuu whose hopeful expression went dismayed.

Grim can't remember what happened next since he didn't care about that but he recalled the brief looks of confusion aiming at Yuu from Ace and Deuce.

-

There was a bunch of accidents happening after that. People kept tripping down the stairs and then injuring their hands in a kitchen and alchemy class. The headmaster asked for Yuu's help and as usual, Yuu agreed even if his eyebag is more pronounced now.

He saw that Yuu's left hand crossed over his belly to cradled his right side like he's hungry but Grim remembered what happened when Riddle overblotted.

Grim declined the headmaster's needs for their help vehemently, well, until the headmaster said he will give him something he wanted. How could he say no? Grim did say he is very good at negotiating. Helping the headmaster solve this and then get to join the tournament sounds good enough. 

-

Cater had a bunch of infos on everyone and Riddle want to find the culprit that caused Trey to fall down the stairs in his place so they tagged along with their group. Group because Ace and Deuce was there too for whatever reason that is.

Grim was supposed to lead but he didn't like the responsiblity so he gave it to Yuu though Yuu did nothing as well since Cater took over.

Yuu was in the group but at the same time Yuu was not. He was just there, not actively trying to be part of a conversation. In fact, Grim thought that his henchman prefered to be that way where nobody seen him.

This proved his point when the others put their attention on Yuu again and Yuu flinched in return.

-

Everyone knows Yuu doesn't react well with Savanaclaw students after what happened last time.

Yuu tried so hard to blend with the background but Savanaclaw is full of beastman, it's not that hard to single Yuu out.

Grim admitted that his henchman is weak but he was also unexpectedly tough. His henchman is all bruised and battered and he still managed to walk out of it alive. Grim was not worried at all. As a matter of fact, Grim is really upset and frustrated that Yuu still won't stand up for himself.

Grim and the others stood up for Yuu the moment Yuu got mocked openly.

-

Grim thought that he can't let this certain memory wipe away from his head. It had burned into his mind so deeply that he will probably remembered it forever.

They were playing spelldrive and Leona, the one they met in the botanical garden somewhere in the past before Riddle overblot, demanded that Yuu played along with them too.

Yuu agreed as expected and the moment the game started, they ganged up on Yuu, the magicless student. Yuu had to dodge or catch the metallic disk moving in high speed with bare hand.

His palm were red and raw. The fingers are crooked and trembled unwillingly. They began to swell and soon, they won't be able to move their hand lot.

And when Yuu failed to catch, the disk will bash onto his body, knocking air out of their lungs while the Savanaclaw students laughed. Ace and Deuce were full of rage as they tried whatever they can to help Yuu. Cater's smile dropped for the first time at the kneeling Yuu who looked at his swollen hands and the blood dripping from his nose.

His henchman's eyes are glassy but Yuu does not cry.

-

That night however, Grim smelt a stronge scent of salt and the faint sound of tears dropping unto the wooden floor.

A quiet stuttered breath filled in the room that gradually became even and inaudible to the ears.

The tears still kept going.

-

Leona had overblotted. The sand is everywhere. It's on his fur and inside his mouth. His eyes are dry and he is so unbearably thirsty.

Leona's poisonous green eyes is fixed on Yuu once he lose interest with Ruggie, the bastard that stole his sandwhich. Ruggie dropped on the ground with cracks visible on his skin, deprived of moisture. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of the water.

He looked halfway to death and that's what about to happen to Yuu when he get close to him. Yuu who stood still like a fool and face stricken with fear as the hand that possessed unique magic that can turned to dust once in contact, reached out towards him.

A strange thought had passed Grim at that time. His henchman looked like he was prepared. Like he expected it and his choice was to stand still and bear it.

The magic spell the others casted quickly reached Yuu just in time and stopped Leona from his track.

-

The monster died after a while of struggling and Grim gobbled up the black magestone before turning his attention to Yuu.

Yuu's heads bowed down with his battered fingers grabbing the hems of his tattered uniform as Ace's loud voice scolded him again. Deuce and Riddle sported an upset look much like Ace, probably unhappy with what Yuu had shown them before.

"You have a death wish or something!?" Yelled Ace and he shook Yuu like Yuu was an unruly child.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again I swear. Please forgive me…" Replied Yuu frantically, eyes dilated with fear and borderline crying.

Grim thought that Yuu's behavior is too much. The apologizing–beggings are just exagerating. The three's expression changed to unsettle and a mix of something else in a matter of second so they must have agreed with his thought.

-

Grim forgot how it happened but they were playing spelldrive again since that is what the headmaster promised him and Yuu got knocked out cold from the disk bashing on his head.

He was a bit annoyed that the fun had to put to a stop just because of Yuu though the feelings evaporated because Yuu who was tough enough that they can still walk with a limp and bruises won't show any signs of waking up.

There was chaos as their friends and the ghosts hovered over Yuu's tiny unconcious form, blood streaming down from the head continuously.

Someone carried Yuu. Grim can't remember if it's Ace or if it's Deuce, but all that mattered is that he looked horrified when he carried Yuu.

"Why is he so… thin?" The mumble carried unto the air to his flaming ears.

-

Yuu was still unconcious when Leona joined the infirmary, taking one of the bed to rest in with a grumble underneath his breath. There was also Ruggie and Jack who is surprisingly nice despite his hard exteriors.

And then there's Leona's nephew by the name of Cheka, crashing into the infirmary which only lasted for a few minutes. All of them joked around but their friends doesn't trust those certain Savanaclaw students.

It's why they keep checking up on Yuu as many times as they could. They did not visit at night but Grim was here so there's nothing to be worry about.

Yuu still hasn't wake up yet so Grim took the opportunity to climb on the bed and sleep near the end of the bed.

He used to smell tears every night when he slept, but now, for the first time, the scent is gone, replaced by the scent of disinfectant and faint scent of blood.

It was kinda sad that Yuu have to be like this to stop the tears from flowing.

TWST Story Idea (16)

It happened in an instant.

Yuu woke up in a coffin, gasping in desperation and fear. The darkness swallowed him whole, rendering him unable to see.

Escaping that coffin when it was set ablaze by a cat-like monster marked the first adventure for Yuu.

Yuu's first reaction to this new world was like a child setting his gaze upon a brightly lit Christmas tree, eyes sparkling with bright lights and stars.

It was wonderful, colorful, and out of this world. It was like a dream.

His limbs trembled when he stepped into the new world, hands lifted before his eyes as though to question if everything was real.

And it was real. What Yuu felt and experienced was enough to tell that it's all real, and that was enough for him for wanting to stay even though it was just an abandoned ramshackle dorm, far from the luxury he had ever known.

He felt alive as magic burst like fireworks and danced to a rhythm his new friends orchestrated. Even if Yuu was magicless, he was happy all the same.

While it's true that his new life was sometimes faced with foes, obstacles, and antics caused by his friends, he didn't mind it at all. This is what he thought normal life should be like.

The pain that was inflicted on him, he cherished those as well. Perhaps it's strange to keep them as a reminder for most people, but for Yuu, it's not.

Maybe it's borderline crazy or just some weird coping mechanism.

Even if at some points he was asked by his friends about it, Yuu, whose being had been exposed as an anomaly for being magicless and from another world, could only smile.

Let it be his only secret.

Call him a weirdo, call him any other unusual names so hurtful and all Yuu could do is laugh like it was the funniest thing in the world.

And Grim, beloved Grim. Naughty and spoiled, he truly cherished his furry companion. The warmth he emitted and the annoying yet endearing personality.

It can be said that he made Yuu's life even better than before.

What Yuu experienced here was something that he yearned for but could never say out loud. It's not that he didn't have the freedom to do so. It was just the weight of his words was so burdensome.

He let his same wish go out with a puff to every birthday candle snuffed, watched as his hope grew and perished and began anew. The small piece of cake in his mouth tasted bland every year he forced himself to eat.

It was only now that his wish had been heard and granted and he wanted to stay here for eternity where he could live without being scared and weak.

He wanted to have fun every day. He wanted to laugh and eat food that had never been so delicious in his whole life before. He wanted to wake up in his home with Grim snuggling by his side and greet his friends with smiles without worry.

He wanted to do what he couldn't do, to try everything even if he failed miserably, to run and to dance, to explore and feel and wear the most luxurious clothes without the Swords of Damocles dropping over his head at any moment.

He wanted to cry but he had already cried enough, he wanted to smile twice as much without faking it.

He stayed and stayed… . . . …and stayed.

Until what happened during Idia's overblot and Malleus's shook his peaceful life. The seed that was left behind without any water and light burst open from its coat. The plants branched out at the tragedies unfolding before his eyes, poking deep inside his head and heart where he kept the darkness sealed.

It touched the parts Yuu wanted to hide. The dream he lived in wavered and the truth bared its fangs, glinting threateningly.

Yuu began to miss home.

He missed his family who was always by his side, through sorrow and pain, without fail. Even if he knew that they were also a bit unwilling to see him some days.

But Yuu understood. He had no choice but to do so.

Yuu knew his wish was very selfish. Maybe that's why the Blue Fairy didn't grant it at all because Yuu was hesitant in his heart. Because granting that wish meant he had to let go, never to see them again.

It's true that he wished to be happy, never to worry about a thing.

But he also wished that they could be happy too. Together or without…

For the first time in his new life, nothing felt the same anymore. Every adventure had Yuu thinking of his family.

It was not fun anymore.

And Yuu, who wished for things to stay like this forever, finally grew up. A person who used to fit with his peers like puzzles or like a Mad Hatter to Wonderland became Alice who wanted to go home.

He was out of place and out of time.

His heart kept yearning for unreachable things but the first wish was granted so what's wrong with keeping hope that another will be granted as well?

That's what Yuu did and he was back to square one.

Truly, he was a very pitiable person from the beginning.

He kept wishing and wished and wished–

–until Yuu woke up with a gasp, eyes blown wide open only to shut tightly when bright lights penetrated his vision.

A familiar scent of sterilization invaded his nose followed by a numb sensation in all limbs.

People in white coats surrounded his bed while holding certain devices that must have aided in bringing him back to life if the heart monitor that began to stabilize was any indication.

Although muddle-headed, his gaze managed to spot Grim, his beloved doll that was sewn terribly and barely resembled a cat. He was slumped next to the books filled with fairytales set on the desk next to his hospital bed.

Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, and so on…

Yuu knew long ago what it meant to wake up in that coffin.

He was well aware that Twisted Wonderland is just another name for Neverland and Neverland is just another word for the afterlife, where the lost boys go and never grow up until the end of time.

He was ready to accept it but in the end…

He had made another wish and whispered it to the wishing star for the Blue Fairy to hear. A wish similar to Geppetto's yearning for a child, and in respond, Pinocchio, who was made of wood, was brought to life.

And he was indeed back to life. Back to the reality that he was reluctant to face every morning. Back to being a burden, stuck in the bed with white walls and limbs that couldn't move and senses that dulled over time as he festered in that place.

And it's all because Yuu didn't want to see his family cry over his coffin.

Yuu wanted to live even if it was painful. At least, until he's the only one left.

It was closest to a Happy Ending that Yuu could think of for a story like his, one that was truly fitting for a very selfish person.

Random Drawing Urge(7)

TCF x ELDEN RING

Petition to make Cale(KRS) suffer by throwing him in the most dangerous place and SURVIVE.

Also, ignore bad lighting and etc. All I see is crossover and my two favourite characters meeting each other.

Here is the one without shadow + texts: