The candle set up by the headmage and whose stewarding had been tasked to the rest of the student body had actually been indicative of something. That had been the first surprise, though calling it such was perhaps a reach. Anyone with a shred of awareness could have known that something strange was on the horizon, and Jade had watched with interest. Then the havoc wreaked by the ghosts the candle was supposed to keep at bay forced everyone to relocate, and the abandoned (well, half-abandoned) Ramshackle dorm on the edge of campus was large enough to accommodate all of Night Raven’s refugees. That had been the second and much larger surprise.

Inconveniences aside, Jade was delighted. Glancing between cracks in half-shut doors and listening to voices that the old walls could do little to hold back from mingling together in the hallway, he bore witness to a number of frayed nerves as he traveled from one end of the dwelling to the other. Individuals whose very existences seemed to be at odds with one another had been forced into 10-by-10 feet spaces for the indeterminable future. Like aquariums, Jade found himself thinking dimly as he passed one open door. This room had three students in it, each crammed into a corner, backs to each other as they tried to ignore their circumstances. The corner of his mouth twitched with the start of a smile as he glided past with resolute, even steps.

It was in situations like these that people tended to show their true colors, and Jade, who often had to work twice as hard to force others to put their guards down around him, was looking forward to the ease of navigating this new, rare candor.

He came to a stop just outside of his own room assignment, stepping lightly so as not to alert his roommate. Deuce Spade, a freshman from the Heartslabyul house, had been hard at work tidying up their new space since before Jade himself had arrived with the same intent, so naturally the eel did what eels did best and settled in to wait and watch. When Deuce appeared to be halfway finished, Jade had left before he could be detected to check on Floyd and Azul. He returned now with clean linens in Octavinelle’s subdued colors draped over his arms.

“My, I would almost call this the work of a professional.” Jade announced his presence with an awed gasp, eyes grazing over the newly-refreshed walls and floor as he entered. “I should have arrived sooner; it appears that there’s little left for me to clean.” He smiled easily, hardly apologetic at all, and approached one of the cots to set down his stack of sheets and take stock of what he already knew he had gathered to bring.

“I have an extra set of linens that I will gladly lend you to make up for my tardiness-- ah,” he glimpsed the third cot which had been tucked out of view of the doorway, hiding behind the open door, “but it seems we have a third roommate.”

Next: @fel-mi-er

re: emergency relocation (newsletter)

“Did the Headmage move us all here for free labor?” Deuce mutters under his breath, sleeves rolled up to the elbow and hands moving diligently as he wipes down the temporary room he had been assigned. He does this part alone; damp rag moving from dusty furniture to soapy water and back again until the water in the bucket turns a murky grey and Deuce has to make a trip to the washroom to change it out.

Rinse and repeat, until the last change of water runs clear.

By the time Deuce is finished cleaning, there’s a clean, citrus-y scent in the air that wasn’t there an hour ago that’s beginning to travel beyond the open door and windows left open to air out the room. The wood furniture even looks three shades brighter now that there wasn’t a heavy layer of dust and dirt to mottle the color. It’s a significant enough difference that Deuce can’t help but feel good about a job well done—his mom would be so proud of him, if she was here.

All that was left to do now, aside from finding a fresh change of linens, was actually move his things in. All of Deuce’s necessities had been left back at the Heartslabyul dorm for now, since he had managed to avoid being a part of the group in charge of covering up the roses with tarps and linens to help protect them from the sudden frost that had begun to settle over the dorm.

Deuce would have to go back soon to swap out with one of his dorm members so that they could come down to Ramshackle and do the same, of course, but it was nice to be able to get a head start on it now while most people were likely still gathering their things.

Plus, he still needed to figure out if they were supposed to bring bedding from their respective dorms or if there was some secret stash of clean bedding that they were to use. The last thing Deuce wanted to do was spend the foreseeable future lying on a bed of moth-eaten sheets. Ew.

For now though, Deuce would just have to settle for an early lunch before returning to Heartslabyul to help with the maze’s emergency preparations.

Winter had arrived early there, after all.

hyaina​:

Periwinkle eyes catch upon Azul’s business card. Ruggie’s gaze lingers, then a mirthless chuckle escapes him. He snaps his attention away, tongue tracing the grooves of his teeth. ‘Course Azul and his boys can just magic away their wounds, Ruggie thinks as his nose crinkles. Just like they can just magic away their legs, hop in a pond and go turn mermaid again. It must be nice to be prodigious in magic, to be born in a family with an abundance of it. 

(Not that Ruggie’s envious per say– All that magic packed in Azul and he doubts the merman can survive a single day out alone in the wild, nevertheless the slums. Granny’s always said there are some gifts one’s better without. ) 

“Woah, woah–!! Y’know that I can’t afford any of that stuff. You guys already got my labor!” Jade’s attention towards his legs makes Ruggie instinctively twist away, further trying to move his injury away from the merman’s vision. “And, even if I said yes, I know you and Azul are gonna make me work under some shady business.” One of his ears flicks, “‘Cause I know Azul’ll definitely start havin’ me test whatever strange concoction he’s brewin’ out in the labs, rather than have to test ‘em out himself.”  

Still, his gaze is drawn back to the business cards, if only momentarily. Granny taught him better than to entangle himself with carnivorous rich folk. 

Jade laughs, warm, knowing, and almost impressed - a facade of unguardedness to distract from the way predatory eyes have not blinked away from Ruggie. He watches the beastman’s body language with an iron focus, from the hiding of his leg - a physical weakness - to the flicker of his eyes to the conch shell - a seed, perhaps. One that he would have to cultivate before it would take root, a skill with which Jade had plenty of experience. He withdraws his hand from the business cards with a number in mind now.

“Now, now, Azul could never force a bargain, and certainly someone as sharp as you would know a bad deal if you saw one. Besides--” Jade flicks his wrist toward the rest of the restaurant, his other arm settling across his middle. “Getting you well again would benefit you both when the dinner rush picks up. There’s hardly a reason for you to be here otherwise.” Azul’s generosity fills the space between words. “Floyd and I have handled more than this alone before.”

He smiles to himself, watching a table begin to set silverware on their empty plates as a sign that they’re ready for the bill.

“Something to think about, perhaps.” He steals a sidelong glance toward Ruggie, then smooths out the front of his already-pristine coat and straightens his already-straight posture, and approaches the table to finalize their visit to the Lounge.

A Terra sized remodel?

rove-bogge​:

rygfinne​:

Pinching the bridge of his nose he wondered why Jade was still following him. “The trip is not the thing putting me in a bad mood.” He snapped back. Glowering at the other student he briefly eyed the other basket making a small mental note of its contents. Snorting slightly at the other saying he was being courteous. “Courteous?!?” He barked at the other. “We all know you’re just fishing for Azul Jade.” Sneering slightly he stopped suddenly on his tracks spinning on his heels to meet Jade’s eyes with his own…though it did require some looking up and looking down on Jade’s side. “I’m pretty sure your ‘vip treatment’ is a real riot. Bet it will cost me an arm and a leg on top of that too. Let me guess you and Azul had a right laugh at my lack of swimming skill.” He glowered slightly trying to read Jade to see if the other had a tell. “A right giggle I can only imagine huh?” His grip on his shopping basket tightened slightly as he awaited for Jade to answer him. A few supportive tongue flicks grazed his cheek as Snake-eyes poked his head through his hair.

Jade smiled despite of, and quite literally in the face of Rove’s ire, as polite as ever. He would feign ignorance for as long as it took, and his expression said that he couldn’t possibly be what had soured the other student’s mood so. Much to his pleasure though, Rove stopped to confront him directly. Finally, a proper conversation.

“No, no, certainly not,” Jade insisted with a voice polished smooth from his daily dealings with customers. “It would hardly be an apology if we forced you to pay for it. Simply consider the invitation my way of making up for whatever courtesy you believe me to be lacking.”

His eyes widened then, nearly imperceptibly but noticeable to one watching carefully. His smile, too, faltered slightly when Rove brought up his aquatic deficiency all on his own. So that was what this was all about, Jade found himself realizing suddenly, and pivoted his approach. Amused though he was by the fury with which Rove now faced him, and the intensity of the glare in his eyes, he hid it behind a look of sympathy.

“Oh? It was my understanding that most land dwellers are rarely proficient swimmers.” He examined Rove thoughtfully for a moment. “Are you embarrassed by this?”

blue ocean.

hyaina​:

Well, the cat’s out of the bag. He can’t be the one blamed if Octavinelle goes burrowing their nose in Savanaclaw’s business now; everyone knows that they’re the first to flock upon the initial whiff of blood. Ruggie’s nose scrunches. The fishbone quill taps the stand at a quicker pace.

“It wasn’t the entire campus,” Ruggie mumbles and his words are drowned in the ambience of clinking glass and indistinct conversation. “It was just Savanaclaw.” 

A cough perks the beastman’s attention up from the logbook. He gazes down towards one of the booths, at a pack of Heartslabyul students chattering among each other. There’s a noticeable lack of beastmen patrons. (Even more than before, should one dare to surmise; the meager portions of the Lounge’s ‘fine dining’ could never satiate the appetite of a hunter.) 

Ruggie’s shoulders relax.  Then, he looks back at Jade. 

“A sprain ain’t nothin butta scratch,” He speaks again, louder. An impish look resumes upon his features, though he makes sure to his tongue. There’s no rhyme nor reason to the idiosyncrasies of a Leech. A heedless sentence could snare one’s curiosity; the last thing he needs is for Jade to make his ankle worse. “‘s comin’ to your second year on land, riiight? Bet’cha never even got an ouchie on ya little land-dwellin’ legs before.” A snicker leaves Ruggie’s lips, a questioning brow raised. “And if ya did, Azul’s probably got some crazy potion to just… magic it away, yeah? You guys don’t seem t’be the type to suffer.” 

“Hm?” Jade perks and leans in when Ruggie’s expression shifts, trying to catch snatches of the words that somehow find places to hide even in the lounge’s afternoon quiet. “It was just Savanaclaw, you say?” His eyes widen with surprise, but sympathy comes shortly to soften his features. Not wishing to seem too eager to drag the story out of Ruggie who seems either ashamed of the fact, or secretive, Jade instead waits for a beat for Ruggie to supply the rest on his own.

He doesn’t, and the topic instead circles back to his injury. A bookmark to return to later then, Jade decides, and an easy smile takes its place again even as Ruggie makes his teasing remarks about “ouchies” and “little land-dwellin’ legs.” He chuckles along with him and reaches out to the porcelain conch holding Azul’s business cards sitting at the front of the host stand, idly re-aligning it with the edge of the shelf.

“Learning to coordinate two fins instead of one came with its fair share of injury. But I suppose gravity is mostly to blame for that.” And stairs, he thinks and nearly grimaces. His thumb glides over the tops of the cards, making a quick estimate of how many remain, then stops abruptly at mention of Azul’s name. His brows raise and knit together, eyes snapping back to Ruggie. Scenting blood in the water, teeth flash behind his smile.

“Indeed, we rarely have to suffer. Azul’s potions are quite potent, but that is to be expected from how rigorously he has tested them himself.” Jade glances down at Ruggie’s leg again. “Why, I’m sure he would be more than happy to sell a bottle to one of his favorite employees.”

A Terra sized remodel?

rove-bogge​:

A smooth polite yet edged with danger voice tickled over his ear causing him to jump turning to glare at the voice's owner. Brisling slightly as he was now facing Jade. He huffed quickly turning his back to Jade as he continued to browse the shelf angrily grabbing a bag and throwing it into his shopping basket with far more aggression than the mulch ever had deserved in its life.

Snake-eyes pick up its head flicking its tongue out inquisitively shifting and peeking its head through Rove's coarse hair to look at Jade with bored red eyes for a few moments flicking its tongue out a few times before returning to its snoozing spot.

"Snake-eyes is a well behaved Ball python who wouldn't hurt a being so of course i am comfortable with him compared to being in water with you." He hissed angrily, throwing his next purchase in the basket. "And yes I need to update the terrarium Snake-eyes lives in..." He glowered over his shoulder briefly. "I might as well stock up while I am here."

As soon as their eyes met, the atmosphere in the shop changed drastically. If Rove’s huffs and glares hadn’t sent the message, the way the air turned nearly electric around the two of them certainly did, and Jade couldn’t help but chuckle once the initial surprise waned. Rarely was he ever met with so violent a reaction, but he supposed his free swim lesson had made quite the impression.

Undeterred though, he followed Rove down the aisle, idly adding a couple of objects to his own basket as he did.

“Goodness. I had heard that Ignihyde students were infamously reclusive, but never would I have guessed that a mere shopping trip would put one in such a sour mood,” he teased lightly, then his eyes widened with feigned, and perhaps over-exaggerated surprise. “You aren’t implying that I have been anything less than courteous to you, are you? If that is the case, then please allow me to give you the VIP treatment on your next visit to Mostro Lounge.”

His gaze fell to the snake when it peeked its head out. “Unfortunately, Snake-eyes must stay at home, well-behaved or not.”

An Eggs-perimental Variable

thecoachman​:

Luciano almost starts opening his mouth to speak to the chickens once again when he hears a honeyed voice. He freezes up and not a moment before he turns around that he sees a quickly approaching Jade Leech.

…Luciano doesn’t know if this was for the best or for the worst. Though he does know Jade spends enough time in the Science Club to make him a somewhat honorary member (like the conversations with him and Trey/Rook are usually interesting, but he usually pays no mind since he doesn’t need to face more annoyances as is), he heard that Jade is the hardest to read out of Octavinelle, even more than the Octavinelle housewarden himself.

Is he cautious? Yes. Is he scared of them? Not really, to be frank. He’s seen more crooked. And there’s no need to rock the boat if the person isn’t even rocking it. So, he settles for respective casual.

“Hello, Mr. Leech,” he says with a small head nod. He looks to the chickens, who are now clucking more softer now that Jade is present. “I usually keep them here for science club meetings. As of now, I am researching the best type of feed for growing hens in order to see which would be most effective in laying eggs.”

A simple enough explanation, yet effective enough to inform Jade without revealing too much.

There will be no risks… Just don’t double cross me!

Jade raises one gloved hand to wave away Luciano’s formality with a polite smile. “Please, just call me Jade,” he insists. Such guardedness wouldn’t do when he simply wanted to get to know his classmate better.

He turns his attention back to the the trays of feed inside the pens as the experiment is described to him. His interest in the mountains had indeed expanded his interest to the flora and fauna found on land, but chickens were still beyond his area of expertise. They were not generally found in the mountains, after all. He clasps his hands behind his back as he leans forward to observe the different pens for a moment, noting the colors and textures of the food but little else with an untrained eye. The hens peck away at their portions, unbothered by the eel’s stare.

“Have you made any discoveries?” he asks after a moment, glancing toward Luciano. Beyond differences in size and color of feathers, Jade could not see any significant changes between the groups Luciano had separated. He laughs innocently. “To be frank, I’m unfamiliar with a chicken’s regular diet, much less what might affect egg production.” 

“Nothing happens much out there, huh?” Fishbone quill points idly towards the depths of an oceanic trench, the view of Mostro Lounge’s window wall. Sea whip and finger coral bloom from basalt rock, softly aglow by the establishment’s blue ambience. Ruggie gazes at the sea, then drifts his attention back towards the log book. “Ya don’t gotta fret about… I 'unno, underwater tornados or whatever.” 

Crinkling his nose, the hyena idly strums his fingers against the hostess stand. Typically, Azul would run him as a server. However, with a bad leg and an adamant refusal to take a leave, working as a host was the next best thing. “‘S’all cozy in here, like an aquarium.”

"Indeed," Jade answers with humor in his voice. "It's quite peaceful here."

Though most days it was hard to notice the tranquility beyond the glass walls. The nights spent in Mostro Lounge were often hectic, crowded, and noisy, especially as they rolled out the Halloween menu items. Exhilarating, Jade would even call the work. There was hardly ever any time to spend admiring the tranquil reef and all of its colors. Even the host's counter was busy greeting guests and scheduling reservations.

But there were always lulls. The middle of the week, and the early afternoon in particular. However, the Lounge today had been staffed for Halloween business, but the half-dozen students who murmured quietly amongst themselves across a scattering of scalloped booths meant half the staff went underutilized. Jade glances at his watch. Another hour and he'd have to start making cuts.

"When it comes to disasters, the land certainly has the sea beat. In fact, I had heard that just the other day, a lightning storm rolled in over the university suddenly." Eyes flicker downward toward Ruggie's leg, then back up to meet his eyes with a smile that is nothing but courteous.

"Speaking of disasters, that injury must be torment for one as active as yourself."

“Of all the venues, must we be stuck with the mirror chamber?” A theatric sigh leaves Azul as stops at the chamber’s interest, his hands thrown upwards in a disappointed shrug. The dark woods had been one estimate, given its questionable location. That, at the very least, was something they could work with. The mirror chamber, however… 

A blue gaze flickers inside the jet black room, illuminated only by the soft glow of coffins. Azul’s eye twitches. “HOW are we supposed to animate the skeleton here?! No— Never mind even that, how are we even going to FIT it here?!” A single foul tap against the dark mirror and they’d be sent straight back to the sea! Azul already feels himself beginning to pale at the unimaginable horror of a stain upon his perfect records. 

"Now, Azul," Jade chides despite the unbothered smile on his lips. While circumstances might not be to his housewarden's liking, he himself certainly had no qualms with the outcome. A seventy-foot skeleton, and the school's most hallowed hall? What an amusing turn of events.

"Was it not you who said that we would leave the venue out of our budget this year? Though, leaving things to chance like that was quite out of character."

And Jade can't imagine luck granting Octavinelle a location beyond even their worst case scenarios would be changing that aspect of Azul's personality any time soon. Still, he chuckles under his breath as he steps away to examine the globe lamps lining the walls.

The room looks only marginally larger without the ceremonial crowds standing around its perimeter, and while it might not be particularly difficult to avoid the dark mirror at the center, the many coffins suspended throughout the air were as important to the school's identity as the mirror itself. Working with a prop that hardly fit in an ordinary room was a challenge on its own, but this was another level entirely. It makes Jade think of an odd game he and Floyd had once found jettisoned from a boat - a board with a human painted onto it, its body full of holes. Touching the edges while trying to poke around inside would elicit a startling shock... until the electronics succumbed to the salt water, anyway. Nevertheless, it had been a fun little game while it lasted.

"Shrinking it down would be a waste, now wouldn't it?" he muses as he turns to look back at Azul from the other side of the room. One arm folded across his middle, the other hand at his chin, he raises his eyes to search the vaulted ceiling for an answer.

"Breaking it apart, perhaps..."

twistedxspinachpuffs​:

KALEN CLEARS HIS THROAT. Was it hot in here? It was definitely hot in here. Being scolded for such negligence was definitely something he was used to, but he wasn't ready for it to come indirectly from Azul. He had been working so hard to get everything right, that the sting of defeat really went deep. Below sea level types of deep.

" To be fair, I didn't exactly break a rule. " Casually sitting in the booth, Kalen's brows furrow, looking up at sky. Feign ignorance, hide your shame. " They were rules I set for myself, right? Mr. Ashengrotto just agreed to my terms. I am prepared to face the consequences layed out for me, but I'm sure Mr. Ashengrotto is happy with his end of the bargain. As much as I'm gonna miss flying, at least he'll enjoy my— or, uh, his new skills, right? "

If Jade was going to give him this "counter offer", he sure was taking a long time to do it. He wonders, for a moment, if this is all an elaborate stunt to make him squirm. To show him, that even though he was casual and cool with his boss, that he needed to know Ashengrotto was a force to be reckoned with.

" So, uh. " Kalen fights back with his natural instinct to mess with his hair. Jade would know Kalen was nervous then... if he already wasn't painfully aware of that fact now. " Did'ja need somethin'? You know I love to sit and chat, Jade. I really do. But these tables won't clean 'emselves! "

“That is correct. No rules have been broken,” Jade affirms with the same, unwavering smile. “Yet. I wished to speak with you to ensure that they won’t be.”

He watches Kalen sink down into the faux leather cushions of the booth and contemplates, for a moment, joining him on the other side of the table. If this were Floyd, he might have, and they would have called it in early for the night while Azul still counted the money in the back. But this was still technically business. Jade folds his arms and sighs, brows raising in a look of half-pity, half-amusement.

“I never took you for such a defeatist, Kalen. Azul may have your ability to fly at the moment, but only until you uphold your end of the deal. Whether or not he keeps it permanently is up to you.” Jade looks his upperclassman over again, studying his face for a moment. He thinks he can see sweat bead along his forehead, but in the ever-shifting light from the aquarium at the center of the room, it’s hard to tell. A little huff slips out as if he had just remembered some forgotten joke.

“Ah, but you’re right. I shouldn’t keep you from your work.” He smiles just wide enough to show the angular edges of teeth. “An hour photocopying a classmate’s notes seems to me to be the better end of the deal. But then again, I would hate for Azul to take any of my hard earned skills for himself.”

He waves his hand and starts to turn away.

“I will let you get back to the tables, then.”

“Hello, Kalen. Might I have a word with you?”

KALEN WIPES A BEAD OF SWEAT from his brow, standing up at his full height having just been cleaning tables. His face contorts into a confused varient of his usual grin. He wasn't expecting this... maybe he neede to stay overtime? Or was his work today not as good as usual? No, that couldn't be right... after all, he never wanted to dissapoint Mr. Ashengrotto.

" Yeah, of course! " A hand is placed on his hip, flinging the rag over his broad shoulder. " What's up, Jade? "

Send A Number to Experience One of My Muse’s Memories

Memories are vignettes for one’s past, and often times, they are very telling.

1. Their First Memory 2. A memory of their father 3. A memory of their mother 4. A memory of a sibling 5. A memory of a pet 6. A turning point in their life 7. A memory they want to forget 8. A hazy memory 9. A photographic memory 10. A disappointing memory 11. A memory that may or may not have happened 12. A happy memory 13. A memory of a friend 14. A memory of a relationship 15. A heartbreaking memory 16. A memory that makes them angry 17. A memory of something they regret 18. A memory they’d love to change 19. A memory of someone they don’t see anymore 20. A memory of someone who is deceased 21. A memory of the first time they did an activity they love 22. A childhood memory 23. A school day memory 24. A holiday memory 25. A birthday memory 26. A memory they want to share 27. A memory of something they’re proud of 28. A memory that strains a relationship 29. A memory they can’t let themselves forget 30. Asker’s choice 31. Writer’s choice

Three Birds, One Stone [Jade & Azul]

Starter for @mostrum

“And there is the peculiar change in temperature our client mentioned.”

The botanical gardens weren’t exactly balmy this time of year, but it was far too early in the season for the frigid chill of winter. Especially not in the tropical biome, maintained year-round by a steady flow of magic.

“It could just as well be a malfunction in the garden system,” Jade offers, thinking out loud. A terrified student had sought Azul for a spectral extermination, but terrified people tended to see what they wanted to see. He scans the fronds of palms and the bright-red claws of heliconia, all still like a painting without a breeze to stir them. Ghosts weren’t out of the question, of course. Night Raven’s campus was rich with magic, and Halloween’s swift approach meant that spirits from the land of the departed would be flocking here in droves soon enough. Raising his eyes skyward now, he finds no birds singing from the tall plantain trees either and hums in thought.

“Scarabia must see something of value in this location,” lips stretch into a cheshire grin, “if one of its students would go to such lengths to hire an exterminator.”

People-watching was half the fun of shopping. Maybe more than half, on the right day. Jade never let himself linger for too long - he was, after all, the busy and efficient vice housewarden for Octavinelle - but efficiency also let him browse at his leisure. He knew what he needed, how much, and where it could be found, so he could feign his search while he let his eye wander over other baskets. Assessing trends, foods other students seemed to like, items he never knew existed, and, occasionally, an odd little treat he’d add to his own list later to bring back for Floyd’s enjoyment. Sam’s Shop in particular was stocked with learning experiences and sights of all kinds.

A snake around a student’s neck was certainly a new one, but Jade was delighted to find that it belonged to the very student he had offered swimming lessons to. What fun Rove had made for him that afternoon. His smile creeps a little wider despite himself.

“I must say, you appear much more at ease with a serpent around your neck than you did anywhere near water,” he says in lieu of a greeting. Eyes flicker briefly down at the other student’s shopping basket, widening suddenly with genuine surprise. “You wouldn’t happen to be building a terrarium for it, now would you?”

A Terra sized remodel?

Thread for @rygfinne

___

Today was a shopping day. He had decided over the week he would redo some of his older Terrariums that were looking a bit dull now. He had started relayering his active bio for his python Snake eyes only to realise he was out of active charcoal.

That was bad...If he didn't want his poor striped snake to sit in a swamp, letting the snake sit round his neck while he headed to Sam's store he was currently filling his basket with some packs of activated charcoal and some drainage stones. It always was weird how Sam's store literally had anything you could want.

He was currently browsing some of the decorative items unaware he wasn't the only person in the store. As he mumbled to himself about what else he would need he was lost to the world and his surroundings. Like a lone bird on the water's surface vulnerable to a predator's sneak attack.

Jade doesn’t remember the greenhouse being so noisy the last time he was here. The occasional bird trapped inside would sing now and again, and the trees would shudder with the hissing rain that came at intervals, but little else. The staccato mumbling from the back is a sound he can’t quite place at first, so curiosity diverts his route. His own project could wait, if it meant finding some new and intriguing land novelty.

Mumbling soon becomes more distinct, and even Jade can recognize the clucking of chickens. Perhaps not a novelty by itself, but its presence in the greenhouse certainly is, so he searches harder for the source. Noisy hens they are indeed, and a student wearing Scarabia’s orange and red tends to their pens, unaware still of Jade’s presence. He stops to survey the scene in this rare candid moment, soft smile ever-present on his lips. There’s a bag of feed. Multiple feeders. Separate pens. An experiment of some sort, if he had to guess, but for what hypothesis, he can’t tell.

The best way to obtaining answers was to ask for them directly though. Jade paints his face with an expression of surprise first. “I did not realize animals could be raised here as well,” he says with no little awe in his voice. He is impressed, not scolding, and closes the distance between himself and the other student with three long strides. He peers over the pens. “Are you keeping them for some specific purpose?”

An Eggs-perimental Variable

Location: Greenhouse

Time: 3pm

Ah... The science club.

The place where it's thought all the other interests would gather around.

Honestly, Luciano has been looking forward to these meetings more after finding out that the students could pick their own projects. Sure, some of the people here are a little strange, but it's not like he's 'normal' himself.

Especially since the greenhouse is now being filled with clucking noises.

"Alright, Henrietta," Luciano says as he places a small chicken into a pen. Most of the chickens have their plumage, but aside of their combs indicating that they're all female, none of them look like adult chickens yet. "Eat up."

He pours out a bag of some chicken feed from the school store, though compared to the other feeders, Henrietta's feed seems to be more plainer than the others, as the others have something else mixed in them whether it be blue pellets, chunks of meat, or an interesting combination of both.

How would you like to get some real fun, @rygfinne?

“Indeed.” Jade nods along with Kalen’s assessment of his housewarden. “As his classmate, I often find myself in awe of his meticulousness. To memorize all of the Queen of Hearts’ rules as he has would require nothing less.” He sweeps his eyes back across the tables aglow in the lamplight, still smiling. Still polite. Circling and testing.

“The way he keeps the students of his house in line is also quite impressive. We have had a number of Heartslabyul students work for Mostro Lounge and they all seem to take naturally to our rules.” He hums thoughtfully. “I suppose that is the result of living in a world where breaking a rule has often dire repercussions.”

It was a preamble lengthier than Jade liked them to be, but if Azul could not hook this one, and Floyd could not be counted on to intimidate, he needed to set a stage himself. The last thing he wanted was to scare Kalen away.

“Which is why I was surprised to also hear from Azul that you wished to back out of the contract you signed with him,” he says, pulling the topic back to its target, cheeks rising to give his eyes a genial curve. Non-threatening. Polite. Careful. “Contracts are a set of rules, you know.”

“Hello, Kalen. Might I have a word with you?”

KALEN WIPES A BEAD OF SWEAT from his brow, standing up at his full height having just been cleaning tables. His face contorts into a confused varient of his usual grin. He wasn't expecting this... maybe he neede to stay overtime? Or was his work today not as good as usual? No, that couldn't be right... after all, he never wanted to dissapoint Mr. Ashengrotto.

" Yeah, of course! " A hand is placed on his hip, flinging the rag over his broad shoulder. " What's up, Jade? "

There aren’t many opportunities to talk to someone in private in the ever-bustling Mostro Lounge. Jade has chosen this moment carefully, taking advantage of Kalen’s desire to work hard for Azul’s approval and stay later than most of the other employees. Two-toned eyes discreetly assess the faint glisten of cleaning solution drying across the tabletop, but what opinion he holds of the upperclassman’s effort neither broadens nor erases the polite smile he wears. That was not why he was here this time.

He had turned over a number of approaches in his head that evening. It didn’t take long to make his intent known when he had Floyd glowering over his shoulder, but he opted out of their standard intimidation tactic this time.

“You recall the conversation you had recently with Azul, don’t you?” Direct and to the point would be the way to go instead. Jade’s smile does not waver, and his voice remains as easy and matter-of-fact as it always is. He turns scrutinizing eyes up toward Kalen now.

“He told me that you greatly admire your housewarden.”

“Hello, Kalen. Might I have a word with you?”

KALEN WIPES A BEAD OF SWEAT from his brow, standing up at his full height having just been cleaning tables. His face contorts into a confused varient of his usual grin. He wasn't expecting this... maybe he neede to stay overtime? Or was his work today not as good as usual? No, that couldn't be right... after all, he never wanted to dissapoint Mr. Ashengrotto.

" Yeah, of course! " A hand is placed on his hip, flinging the rag over his broad shoulder. " What's up, Jade? "

Return From Hiatus & Housekeeping

Hello again, NRU o/ Apologies for the long absence. I have the time to dedicate to this blog again now and plan to return in full swing. However, because I’ve been away for so long, many of Jade’s threads feel stale now, so with the exception of the Last Obstacle with Azul and the dance thread with Vil, I will be wiping the slate clean.

I will likely reblog some sort of meme to get back into writing Jade’s voice and post a starter call in the next day or so, but if you have ideas for a thread, please feel free to hit me up in the server’s plotting channel!

From a character standpoint, I’d like to set the groundwork for Jade’s development. The following is mostly for my own reference, but if it jumpstarts an idea, by all means, contact me! Having goals for my muses keeps them going. This list is the absolute basics, since Jade is still a relatively new muse and these will develop over time.

Jade’s post-graduation goal is TBD currently. He has professional and financial security with the family business, if he chooses, so he’s more interested in just sampling everything land life has to offer at the moment. Something is bound to catch his eye for the long-term eventually.

Potionology is Jade’s best subject and I would like to further develop his relationship with it. He frequently makes comments about how it’s less reliant on one’s magical talents, which in general would be interesting to explore.

The emotional superficiality that allows Jade to so relentlessly bully others on a psychological level without remorse.

Jade just needs to be put in more situations.

vorpalswxrd​:

riddle sighed, and resisted the urge to run his hands through his hair. he did, admittedly, feel a bit bad now, pressing jade for his reasons. it was, of course, only prudent, riddle felt, to be cautious around the leech twins; he had been wary around the both of them - not just floyd - since their first week at night raven university, and riddle hadn’t found the wariness unfounded.

but, still. it wasn’t as if jade had ever really done anything to riddle. he had always been perfectly circumspect and polite - a consumate gentlemen, as opposed to his twin brother.

it wouldn’t be hard to just…let him draw for a bit, riddle reasoned with himself. after all…how disruptive could it be?

“…i apologize for pushing so hard for an answer,” riddle finally said, lifting his gaze from his textbook to meet jade’s. he thumbed the corner of the page he had been reading, in lieu of worrying his bottom lip as he wanted to, before continuing, “if you still find that you want to…draw me, i wouldn’t be opposed.”

“however,” riddle added, sternly, “that is entirely contingent on the condition that you do not interrupt me, or distract me from my studies. understood?”

Jade smiled a little at Riddle’s sigh. Polite, courteous, neutral - whatever anyone read in the expression was benign at best, disarming at worst. It didn’t take long for the housewarden to back off of his suspicion, but Jade knew Riddle, and knew that he would always keep one eye on him, if not both. Still, he had not shooed him away, and for now that was a small victory.

“Are you certain?” Jade asked, smile melting into surprise. “It’s the candor of being alone that intrigues me so, so simply pretend that I am not here and I promise not to disturb you.”

He picked up his notebook again to thumb through a few pages of notes until he could find one blank. Then with book held close, he shifted in his seat to get a better view of Riddle.

“Ah, but-- and this is the last I’ll bother you, you have my word -- might I ask what you’re studying?”