Brash n' Bolt

 Balmy sunshine beams down upon the coliseum, a bustling assemblage of students. Dr. Rhubarb, a research scientist specializing in protective magic, has generously hosted a seminar at Night Raven University.  There’s no shortage of participants on his list and certainly no drought of questions during the first-half of his demonstration, inquiries mainly piling from ambitious third-years hoping to land an internship at his institution. Miraculously, despite the onslaught of inquiries, the seminar stays on schedule. In a matter of two hours, Dr. Rhubarb concludes his presentation and the seminar moves to its main attraction: the duel workshop. 

Students break off into zealous pairs at the coliseum’s ground level. Azul wastes no haste to hunt down a predetermined target, a certain mint-haired half-fae belonging to Diasomnia: Sebek Zigvolt. His towering height and excessive arrogance makes the surrounding students weary of him; it doesn’t offput Azul. In a matter of minutes, the duo are at the outer-rings of the coliseum, grimoires in hand. Azul keeps his silence for a moment, leaning against the coliseum’s stone wall as crystalline eyes flicker between his book, then the seminar’s pamphlet. 

“I’ve heard that Briar Valley has their own advanced methodology of magic,” the merman says at last, slipping his pamphlet in the grimoire before closing it shut. He takes his magical pen from the sleeve of his gym uniform and continues, “I do hope that it means their first-years will be well-acquainted with spell slinging. I haven’t any plans to show any pity in our spar; it would pain my heart if our power imbalance becomes tantamount to abuse!”  

An imperious smirk flickers upon Azul’s lips, as if testing Sebek.  He circles around the younger boy once he places his grimoire down, allocating them more space away from the wall as he wields his pen in ready position. “Now, you wouldn’t mind if I explored some unconventional tactics, would you?” 

Sebek watches as pairs of students disperse throughout the coliseum. It’s clear to him that certain groups only aim to show off in front of the scientist, magical pens in hand as they put more flair than is necessary behind their spells. Some pairs practice earnestly however, and as he stands towards the outer edges—partnerless—he observes, fidgeting with his pen in his left hand while the gears in his head turn.

That is, until the head of Octavinelle wanders into his space and invites him to practice.

He tries not to let Azul’s remarks get the better of him, twirling his pen between his fingers as they ready themselves to duel. Sebek knows they just serve as an easy catalyst to rile him—either to spur on his competitive nature or make him flub up his spells—but such tactics won’t work so easily on him. He’s gotten better with magic, he’s assured himself of that fact, and he won’t be so easily outplayed by the scheming second-year.

“Explore all you want! All you’ll find from me is some honest spell casting and steadfast determination!”

Sebek Zigvolt, a Diasomnia student with a reputation for being a close ally of Malleus Draconia, is tied to Sam's left leg -- surely this was meant to be a bonding exercise conjured up by the disturbed little mind of Old Man Crowley.

"I swear," Sam huffs, leaning against one of the statues on Main Street in a attempt to stabilize himself, whilst helping the student up, "I am so sorry about the old man. Next meeting, i'll have to slip somethin' in his coffee to make up for all this."

He jokes, but has genuinely thought of doing this.

"Knowin' him, these ropes are probably bound by magic. But, not to fear, for I have...!" In a dramatic flair, he pats down his pockets in search for his keys. Something in his shop could help them! But, alas, it seems like the old man thought of everything. "... Damn it! He took those too?!"

He scans the floor. Maybe they fell out of his pocket?

Nope, the bastard really locked him out of his own house. It would only make sense that the other would be locked out too, so it would be no use traveling all the way down to Diasomnia.

"Looks like you and I are gonna have to put our thinkin' caps on, kid!" He rubs his hands together, eager to be done with all this, and take a well deserved rest. "Now -- if you were a senile, old headmage, where would you think to hide a bunch'a keys?"

THE HOOTENANNY FINALE: LOCKED OUT!

“If I were smart—which I do wonder sometimes if that applies to the headmaster—I’d hide the keys in various places to minimize the risk of all of them falling into the wrong hands.”

He’s shocked he can come with such logic so late into the night; maybe after everything that happened he was finally getting his second wind. Nothing catching his eye in their immediate area, no glimmer nor glinting metal detectable in the moonlight.

Sebek sighs, and points over towards the other side of campus. If nothing was jumping out at them here, it was unlikely any of the other pairs of trapped hootenanny attendees would either.

“Why don’t we check the chicken coop first? I doubt any of the others will be over there so if there’s a key, we’re likely to find it.”

One step at a time—carefully, given their tied ankles—they make their way to their destination. The coop is quiet, chickens asleep and only the crunch of loose straw beneath their feat.

Thinking he sees something shine from the back of the coop, Sebek taps Sam’s shoulder and urges him to follow. Sebek leads, nearly halfway inside the building until his free foot steps on a creaky floorboard. All at once, it feels as though their are twenty eyes on him; twenty very angry, very irritable eyes.

“Run!” Sebek shouts, pushing Sam out of the coop and nearly tripping over their tied feet. He’s having flashbacks to early in the night as the flurry of BOCKS drown out all other sounds.

headcanon prompts with questions based on plants   &   what they represent in flower language .  happy roleplaying !!  ♡

abatina :   is there anything in life your muse has changed their mind about over time   (   due to becoming more educated on the topic ,   certain experiences  ,   etc .   ) ,    or that they   would   change their mind about under certain circumstances ?  

acanthus :   is your muse deceptive ,   or willing to lie or deceive to achieve certain means ?   why or why not ?   

aloe :   how does your muse handle grief ?

amaryllis :   what is something or someone that your muse takes pride in ?   how do they express that pride ?   

anemone :   how does your muse view the world ;   as a cruel   &   unforgiving place ,   a land full of wonders ,   or something in - between ?  where does that world view come from   (   what experiences ,   life lessons ,   etc .   ) ?  

angelica :   where does your muse draw inspiration in life ?   what motivates them ?

apple blossom :   how does your muse go about expressing or not expressing their sexuality ?  

bachelor’s button :   does your muse actively seek romantic companionship ,   or cherish the liberties of being single ? 

basil :   does your muse have a love - hate relationship with anyone or anything ?

bay tree :   does your muse seek glory   &   accolades ,   or do they favour a simpler ,   more personal life ?  

begonia :   how cautious is your muse ?   are they prone to noticing red flags ,   or paranoid to the point of untrusting most everyone ?   why or why not ?  

belladonna :   how does your muse respond to silence ?   do they take comfort in soundlessness ,   or seek to fill the void with noise ?   

bluebell :   does your muse learn from their past ,   or are they prone to repeating the same mistakes ?  

carnation :   what is your muse’s relationship with their gender ?   how do they express or not express this relationship ?  

chamomile :   what is your muse likely to take away from a painful experience ?   are they one to be haunted by adversity ,   or to use what they’ve gone through to become stronger ?  

chrysanthemum :   how does your muse express romantic love ?  how do they feel about love as a concept ?  

daffodil :   is your muse one to be loyal in relationships ,   or are they likely to quickly move from one bond to another ?

daisy :   did your muse ever feel as though their innocence had been lost ?   what moment in their life could be described as the end of their innocence ?  

edelweiss :   what was the bravest moment in your muse’s life ?  are they known to be courageous from then on ?  

fern :   does your muse believe in magic or cosmic forces ,   or are they more likely to think their life is ultimately a matter of their own control ?  

forget - me - not :   has your muse ever forgotten something that is or was important to them ?   are they afraid of forgetting things like that ?  

gardenia :   is your muse one to confess romantic feelings early on ,   or to conceal them for long periods of time ?  

gladiolus :   describe a moment from your muse’s life that they will never forget .

goldenrod :   does your muse believe in luck or fortune ?  why or why not ?   where do they believe these things come from ?  

heliotrope :   does your muse believe in soulmates ?

hibiscus :   how does your muse view the gentler ,   daintier things in life ?   as things worth preserving   &   caring for ,   or things only bound to wither   &   disappear ?  

holly :   how strong is your muse’s sense of intuition ?  are they aware of it ?   do they ever fear that it is only paranoia ?  

hollyhock :   how strong is your muse’s sense of ambition ?  what’s something they strive for in life ?  

hyacinth :   is your muse athletic ?   does it come naturally to them ,   or have they had to work for their physique and/or skill ?  

hydrangea :   how much does your muse value communication in their relationships with others ?  are they prone to being misunderstood ?

iris :   if your muse could convey one last message to someone they have lost or left behind ,   what would it be ?  

ivy :   what are your muse’s views on marriage ?   do they believe it is something strictly for love ,   or an institution rooted in business   &   social benefits ?   do they desire or have they desired to be married ?

lavender :   how easy is it to gain your muse’s trust ?  once their trust is broken ,   how might one go about mending it ?  

lilac :   what was your muse’s childhood like ?   how has their upbringing affected them as they’ve aged ? 

lily :   how does your muse view their mother ?  

lotus :   has your muse ever felt as though they’ve been reborn ?  have they ever desired the feeling of a fresh start ,   or a better understanding of themself and/or the world around them ?  

magnolia :   describe your muse’s relationship with nature   &   the natural world .  

marigold :   is your muse prone to jealousy ?  how might they handle envious feelings ?  

mint :   does your muse view themself as virtuous   &   moral ?  what do these words mean to them ?

nasturtium :   describe your muse’s relationship with their birthplace ,   or homeland .  

oak :   who would your muse consider the strongest person they know ?  

pansy :   does your muse often reflect on their own actions ?   do they ever think a lot about the past ,   and what they could have done differently ?

parsley :   describe a holiday your muse enjoys ,   and why they enjoy it .

peony :   what would a   ‘  happy life  ’   look like in your muse’s eyes ?

poppy :   what comforts your muse ?

rhododendron :   is your muse receptive to warnings   &   advice given by others ?

rose :   how much does your muse value other people ?   do they wish to have many friends ,   lovers ,   and/or associates ?   are they an easy person to love ?

sage :   what is your muse’s legacy ?   what do they want to be remembered for   &   what might they actually be remembered for ?  

salvia :   is your muse possessive over people or things that matter a lot to them ?  how do they express that possessiveness ,   or lack thereof ? 

snapdragon :   is your muse merciful ?  why or why not ?

southernwood :   how seriously does your muse take themself ?   do they prefer a solemn   &   intellectual atmosphere or do they delight in jokes   &   banter ?  

sunflower :   what brings your muse the most joy in life ?  

tulip :   how does your muse view people in general ?  

violet :   how does your muse respond to betrayal ?

willow :   how does your muse handle sadness   &   depression ?

 °˖✧ poyo ✧˖°

“It is weird, isn’t it?”

With the personalities at this party, it doesn’t shock Sebek to hear that some have dared to try the dish. Hell, Diasomnia’s contribution wasn’t much better! He watches from the corner of his eye as Azul offers an unfortunate cup of the brew to Kalen, apologizing in his head for whatever terrible effects it might bring to his stomach.

The cauldron of Diasomnia’s offering bubbles away, now somehow generating heat since he mixed the ingredients together. It looks even more menacing now, and surely tastes twice as fowl. Sebek looks down to the plate in his hands and back over to the roiling concoction on the other side of the dining hall, a curious thought running through his mind.

God, could the addition really make it all that worse?

“Excuse me for a second, Ember,” the half-fae excuses himself, weaving between the crowds as least suspiciously as possible. Everyone now was steering clear of the cauldron—thankfully—and he takes the opportunity to dump the meat into the pot, a few droplets of punch landing on his uniform.

“Hm,” He mumbled, “I can’t tell if that’s a good sign or not.”

Realistically, any sign relating to the concoction was bad. That’s what happens when each member of a dorm such as Diasomnia is asked to put an ingredient in. Most were normal- sugar, lemon juice, fruits- but some very much were not, namely the kale and what looked to be leftovers from the days potion classes. When Sebek stirred it all together and offered to take it in himself, Ember thought they had some sort of potion of instant harming on their hands.

But, the meat didn’t explode or cause any notable changes to the punch. Though…

The punch slowed down to a simmer by this point, small bubbles forming along the liquids surface. Sebek takes one of the ladles stationed beside the cauldron and starts to stir the concoction around so that he and Ember can have a better view of the experiment. The meat looks more cooked now, though it’s picked up a little bit of a green hue, perhaps from the potion or kale that was thrown in. It’s certainly not five star worthy, but it at least looks more edible now.

Sebek gulps. Would it taste like the punch though?

Carefully—very carefully—the first year scoops up the meat with the ladle and manoeuvers it back onto the plate from where it once sat. He looks around the dining hall, catching a few stares that seem curious as to what’s taking place over by Diasomnia’s cauldron.

GAME #1: LET’S GET HOOTIN’! 

For a school-sponsored party that most of the student body wanted no part of and absolutely zero warning, Night Raven University’s so-called 1st Annual Hootenanny is actually better put together than anyone could’ve thought. Balloons and streamers decorate nearly every orifice on campus, though there’s equally any number of posters marketing the celebration that have been defaced with crude sayings and even cruder illustrations letting Headmaster Crowley know just exactly what they thought of his ill-received warning.

While there’s just a small portion of what appears to be catered food (the rest having been carted off by the faculty), each house has managed to assemble something for the event whether it’s in ways of contributing to the potluck or by way of entertainment:

SEND MY MUSE SOMETHING TO EAT / DRINK:

[Pudding] Strawberry milk pudding molded into a cute white bunny; snapping a picture of this will definitely get you trending on Magicam! The bunnies are drizzled lightly in strawberry compote and topped with applemint leaves. Chocolate garnish decorated as a pocket watch finishes the aesthetic, this treat is enhanced by magic to stay chilled throughout the party; courtesy of Heartslabyul. 

[Meat] It’s just a slab of meat of unknown origin. Uncooked, but oddly warm.

[Biltong] An assortment of wild game meat that’s been dried, cured, and then sliced to savory perfection. Each bite is a flavorful experience of spice; a must-have dish for every meat lover on campus! The variety of meat showcases Sunset Savanna’s plentiful bounty; courtesy of Savanaclaw.

[Ocean Cider] A refreshing, crisp lemonade cider. Its vibrant, aquamarine hue softly gradients into a pale lavender from bottom to top, making its appearance reminiscent of the deep sea. Mango, starfish-shaped jelly rests at the bottom of the glass, which is garnished with a slice of lemon and one cherry. Students immediately recognize this as one of Mostro Lounge’s best-selling drinks; courtesy of Octavinelle.

[Basbousa] A sweet almond and coconut semolina cake cut into diamond shapes. Each slice is smothered in sweet sauce and dusted with toasted coconut shavings. A favored treat back in the Scalding Sands; courtesy of Scarabia.

[Mysterious Risotto] An oddly purple-colored risotto decorated with an array of mushrooms. If asked about the dish, none of the ghosts in the kitchen seem to know where it came from; only that it is there. While it seems mostly untouched and cold, it appears the students that dared to give it a try have come away with odd visions.

[Waffles with Apple Salad] A pair of heart-shaped savory waffles flavored, vegan and somehow inexplicably free-range. Accompanying that is an organic apple salad composed of red onion, celery, parsley, and honeycrisp apples; courtesy of Pomefiore.

[Saganaki] A dish of cheese … that is apparently on fire. Composed of a variety of Greek cheeses and a little bit of brandy, the fire appears to change its color as it burns the whole night through. It pairs well with a lightly toasted baguette, a twist of lemon and a little bit of parsley. It’s tradition to break a dish every time the flame abruptly burns brighter, though no one quite understands the tradition; courtesy of Ignihyde. 

[Spiked Punch] Sitting in a black cauldron is an entirely upturned bottle of artificial green apple syrup, apparently emptied into what appears to be a viscous green liquid that smells distinctly of sugar and … is that just an entire bundle of kale and pea sprouts floating in there? Mixed in are a handful of melting, but skull-shaped marshmallows. It appears this is an offering from Diasomnia. Students brave enough to give it a try report that the drink bites back.

INTERACT WITH MY MUSE: 

Send 🥧 to start a food fight with my muse.

Send 💀 to be caught by my muse sabotaging your house’s dish.

Send 📍 to play pin the tail on the Savanaclaws.

Send 🎤 to drag my muse into a karaoke duet.

Send 💃 to dance with my muse.

Send 🏓 to play a game of Root Beer Pong.

Send 👻 to play a game of Root Beer Pong to the death (with the Spiked Punch).

Send 🤜 to fight my muse.

Send ⛲ to play Seven Minutes in Hell (light waterboarding).

@brashnbolt

Kalen knew the shouting would only fall upon deaf hears, of you disregarded his own, but sat in silence was Sebek shouted anyways. They weren't exactly bountiful in terms of plan supply, and beggars can't be choosers. Exhaustion had suddenly hit Kalen like a truck, signaling his body to setting in for the night on this hard floor, shouting sounding further and further distant until everything went silent.

Suprisingly, the noise wasn't enough to keep Kalen out, but the sudden silence was.

"Mr. Zigvolt?" He peered over at his classmate, fully awakening at the sight of the other's teary eyes. He carefully wraps around his shoulders, in hope to comfort him. "We're not gonna die in here. I'm sure someone'll come in the morning, just you wait! You trust me, don't you?"

But for now, he’d continue to wallow in his sadness and uncertainty as Kalen attempted to comfort him.

And it works, the other’s body heat permeating through Sebek’s dorm uniform, helping to dispel his worry and calm his mind. Ever since he was young, he always had a terrible habit of becoming easily frustrated and channelling that emotion into tears. It all stemmed from his inability to master magic as fluidly as his siblings, and the teasing he received from classmates who called him less than a faerie.

“Yeah...” he lets out one final sniffle, releasing a heavy breath he had been holding for awhile as he wipes his cheeks dry. “You’re right, I overreacted too quickly there.”

He readjusts himself into a more comfortable position, staring up at the shelves of books and beakers and boxes that surround them. A tiny window in the corner allows a small amount of moonlight into the closet, it’s size not nearly big enough for either of them to fit through.

Kalen pat Sebek's back, fully understanding the pain of having a duty to protect someone, and to be forced away from said duty. Surely for both of them, this duty didn't feel like a chore, or a necessity -- it was done out of love and admiration for the other.

Kalen listens to Sebek's suggestion. That was a pretty good idea! He recalled the ingredient list Professor Crewel practically drilled into them: mushrooms, daisy root, sugar, spice...

He checked his pockets. He had mushrooms, left over from a Mountain Lovers Club outing, as well as sugar and spice from the snacks he carried on him.

“Any Zigvolt worth his salt knows how to summon enough fire magic to make a potion!” He bellows, and with a flick of his wrist he summons a small green flame on the palm of his hand for a brief moment.

With that requirement solved, Sebek begins to meticulously check his pockets, hoping that maybe he would strike luck. Unfortunately, his search turns up dry, with nothing more than a few pieces of pocket lint to show for his efforts.

@brashnbolt

Kalen knew the shouting would only fall upon deaf hears, of you disregarded his own, but sat in silence was Sebek shouted anyways. They weren't exactly bountiful in terms of plan supply, and beggars can't be choosers. Exhaustion had suddenly hit Kalen like a truck, signaling his body to setting in for the night on this hard floor, shouting sounding further and further distant until everything went silent.

Suprisingly, the noise wasn't enough to keep Kalen out, but the sudden silence was.

"Mr. Zigvolt?" He peered over at his classmate, fully awakening at the sight of the other's teary eyes. He carefully wraps around his shoulders, in hope to comfort him. "We're not gonna die in here. I'm sure someone'll come in the morning, just you wait! You trust me, don't you?"

But for now, he’d continue to wallow in his sadness and uncertainty as Kalen attempted to comfort him.

And it works, the other’s body heat permeating through Sebek’s dorm uniform, helping to dispel his worry and calm his mind. Ever since he was young, he always had a terrible habit of becoming easily frustrated and channelling that emotion into tears. It all stemmed from his inability to master magic as fluidly as his siblings, and the teasing he received from classmates who called him less than a faerie.

“Yeah...” he lets out one final sniffle, releasing a heavy breath he had been holding for awhile as he wipes his cheeks dry. “You’re right, I overreacted too quickly there.”

He readjusts himself into a more comfortable position, staring up at the shelves of books and beakers and boxes that surround them. A tiny window in the corner allows a small amount of moonlight into the closet, it’s size not nearly big enough for either of them to fit through.

The pair had been stuck in this supply closet for almost an hour now, the sun had already set... any plan was better than no plan, I guess.

The half-faerie's eyebrows furrowed deeper on his forehead, wearing a frown that matched his growing frustration. Some of the only sound to be heard in the supply closet was the increasingly loud tapping of his toe on the tiled floor. Sebek knew that the mess hall would be closing shortly and his empty rumbling stomach was very obviously not a fan of that. By the time they got out of this mess, he would either have to settle for the meagre options left in the cafeteria, or resort to eating his snack stash to tie him over until the morning.

Sebek inhales a deep breath, shoulders visibly rising and falling as he did his best to compose himself.

"And what, may I ask, is that?"

The smoke clears, revealing the fruits of his labor -- a slight dent in the door. "Aw, c'mon! I thought for sure that would work!"

Defeated, Kalen slumps against the wall. He rubs his aching muscles, as there's nothing he can do for his aching pride.

"Welp, i've done all I can do." Kalen pouts, flicking away a pebble on the floor. "Got anymore good ideas? I'm sure staff already left by now, but maybe you know how to pick a lock or... something?"

Like a rock dropping into the bottom of a pond, Sebek’s heart sinks into his stomach as he watches Kalen attempt to destroy the door with the spinach puff. It crumbles into dust before him as punches are thrown left and right, having little impact on the door. The half-faerie stands in shock and disbelief, uncertain of what makes him more frustrated: the fact there there was food in front of him, or the fact that they’re still trapped.

He reacts the only way he knows how in these sorts of situations.

“YOUNG MASTER!!! MASTER LILIA!!!! SILVER!!!!! IF ANYONE CAN HEAR THIS PLEASE HELP US!!!!!!”

The shouting and pounding of fists against the door goes on until his voice is hoarse, eventually admitting defeat and joining Kalen on the floor. Sebek draws his knees up to his chest, a sad teary-eyed expression cast over his face.