Cloud

Riddle

- Riddle finds your genuine warmth refreshing, like a ray of sunshine after a cold, cloudy day. He strives to maintain an image of perfection around his peers, but when you enter the room, your sweet, warm smile radiating as you tell him about your day and crack a joke here and there, he just can’t help but let out a soft giggle, refined gaze cracking slightly.

- When you speak of your home back in your world, the various traditions and festivals you participated in, and the beautiful clothes you wore, he sees the genuine love you have for it, and the homesickness in your voice. He vows to you to one day experience it with you, the food and festivals you tell him about. In a place where he doesn’t have to be all proper for a day, and can laugh and dance around with you.

- The first time you lashed out at someone on his behalf, he was stunned. A couple students had been speaking ill of him behind his back, but you’d overheard them, your warm smile changing in an instant into an angry snarl, defending him with a vigour he’d never seen from you before. A part of him appreciated the defence, but he knew it could escalate, and couldn’t bear the thought of you getting hurt on his behalf. As such he stepped in as soon as he could, a hand on your shoulder to calm you down, as he scolded the other students.

- Later on he’ll chastise you for it, telling you not to go riding to his defence, but on the inside, a part of him enjoyed having someone stand up for him so firmly. He’ll bring you a cup of tea as your rage calms, that sweet, energetic warmth he’s come to know and love pouring off your lips once again.

Leona

- Leona finds your warm, summery smile annoying at first. It’s too bright, and he’s trying to sleep. He’s curt and irritable with you, despite your many attempts to break through his walls.

- Slowly, your presence in the greenhouse with him, his lazy afternoon naps as he dozes off under the sunlight to the sound of your voice talking about your hometown, the festivals and traditions you practiced, becomes a habit. He’ll start adding to your conversations, asking questions about food, or specific clothing, and even share some of the festivals he grew up participating in back home. As you grow closer, your cheery demeanor calming him like the warm sunlight he naps under, he starts to appreciate your presence, your jokes, the way you always make his day better no matter how bad it’s been.

- Leona’s used to being insulted. He’s failed classes and been held back enough that the comments simply bounce off him. He’s not affected by their words, at least not as much as he used to be, so he simply ignores the snide words his classmates whisper behind his back, or in the halls as he passes. But not you. One bad word about him from anyone and you’re there, yelling at them loud enough to cause a scene. Leona’s shocked, an unusual feeling for him to have these days, as he watches the warm sunlight he was so familiar with becoming a raging torrent of a storm within a blink of an eye, defending him so valiantly.

- He pulls you away from them with a “they’re not worth our time”, lightly amused as you yell at them even as you’re being dragged away. He’ll smile as he leads you away from them, a genuine smile, feeling unusually happy about it. You truly are a lioness within.

Azul

- Azul prides himself on his control, his ability to understand those around him, what they want, how badly they want it, and how he can manipulate them to his whims. And it was quite effective, garnering him many students under his command, to do as he wishes whenever he pleases. That was, until you came along.

- Your gentle smile, warm as the first ray of sunlight breaking through the icy winters of the Coral Sea. Your sweet laugh, a song of the sirens themselves. The excitement on your face as you spoke at length about your homeland, eyes glimmering with such pure happiness as you ecstatically told him about the many festivals and traditions you practiced, inquiring about some of his own back home.

- He was taken aback, unable to pinpoint anything under your genuine kindness to take advantage of, finding himself slowly growing soft, comfortable under your summery smile and the soft, lapping waves of your words. You wore him down with jokes, and a closeness very few ever dared to ask of him.

- The number of students at NRC who feel personally wronged by Azul, whether it be by a contract of their own choosing or in some other way, is quite large. And many of them make their dislike quite apparent, vocalizing their distrust in and hatred of the Octavinelle Housewarden, though not many have the gall to do so to his face. As such, they lie in wait, hushed whispers as he passes, glances behind his back. The twins tend to take notice, their mere glares enough to silence whomever dares to speak, but for those rare times they’re absent, he simply takes note of the individual and moves to ignore the comments.

- This time though, you stood by his side as he overheard them, a pair of students whispering in hushed tones around the corner, though their voices were not as quiet as they thought. You’d heard it too, it seemed, and your excited smile morphed into a more wrathful form, walking towards them without a second thought. Azul was intrigued by you, so warm and kind, yet dangerous and deadly when you saw fit. He mentally noted never to anger you, watching you affectionately with a gentle smile as you put the students in their place.

Kalim

- Kalim sees a kindred spirit in you, someone who’s warm. sweet, who loves to tell jokes, and to talk about your home. He’ll spend hours with you, trading stories about his home, the many festivals, traditions, clothes, food, and listening to you talk about your own. He can sense the homesickness in your voice as you talk, and understands you deeply.

- Kalim tries as best he can to replicate many of the foods and clothes you tell him about, attempting to get Jamil to cook whichever foods you rave about to him. He loves seeing you happy, and wants to do whatever he can to keep that warm, cheery smile on your face forever.

- Kalim knew what it was like to be insulted behind his back, or even when those speaking thought he was out of earshot. Being from the upper echelons of society, it wasn’t uncommon for jealousy and backhanded kindness to make its way before him. He never let it affect him, a simple shrug of his shoulders and a repasting of his casual, cheery smile, and it was nothing for anybody to worry about. That was, until you were around when it happened.

- The second their words rang out, hushed whispers that weren’t quite so hushed, your head snapped back, the suddenness scaring him. He watched you walk over, your sweet, warm demeanor gone in an instant, and bring those students to their knees with just your words. It sent a shiver down his spine, your anger, but the fact that that anger was directed on his behalf, it made him forget the words they spoke in the first place. He smiled, laughing as he led you away from their cowering forms, eyes sparkling with a newfound respect and affection for you.

Vil

- Vil has met many different kinds of people during his time in the entertainment industry, and those of them with selfish intentions far outweighed those that didn’t. He was used to others’ attempts to use him, for either fame, or money, or whatever else they sought.

- Perhaps that was why your genuine kindness came as a bit of a shock to him. It wasn’t that he saw the worst in people, it was just that expecting the worst, especially at the height of your fame, makes it easier to quell disappointment when they turn out to be as you expect. But you weren’t like that at all. You carried a warmth, like the sun itself shone down on him, a goddess of beauty gazing down from within the rays. Your smile was a beacon in the dark, a lighthouse to guide him through the muddy waters.

- You ended up in conversations with him quite often, your enthusiasm for learning more about him, combined with your own yearning to share stories of your homeland, the culture, clothes, food, and everything in between with him, made for hours and hours of time spent together. He became enthralled with learning about the fashion and beauty tips of your homeland, sharing his own with you in return, growing closer to you with every passing day.

- Envy, jealousy, hatred, all emotions that come with being a star. Fame is a double-edged sword, for the brighter the spotlight that shines at you, the darker and longer the shadow it casts behind you. And in those shadows many lie in wait, their sharp maws snapping at the thought of any single misstep you could take. Even when you step perfectly, nimbly balanced upon your tightrope, they still snide and sneer, words that could cut deep if you’re not careful. Vil understood this, and had over the years, slowly grown to feel numb to the cruel words of others.

- But you were new to this, and determined to defend him. When you noticed others laughing at him behind his back, your first move was to turn to anger, making them cower. Vil sighed as he noticed you, not as shocked by your sudden change in demeanor, but more outwardly disappointed in your uncouth behaviour as he pulled you away. Even so, a smile tugs at his lips and his heart flutters at the defence, knowing there are still those who care enough to stand up for others.

Idia

- Idia’s used to the dark, blue-light filled confines of his room. He stays holed up in there, keeping away from polite society, from the horrors of social contact and friendships. So the last thing a man like that expected was for a giant ball of sunshine to make its way into his space.

- You’re too bright, too warm, for his cold dark life. He winces when you smile, squinting his eyes as if he’s gazed directly into the molten fires of the sun, blazing so close it could burn him alive. Your laugh is musical, like the idol bands he listens to, but so close he could reach out and touch you. He does, one finger lightly tapping your arm, just to see if the beautiful, summery sunshine gazing at him is real or if he’s finally gone insane.

- Your enthusiasm is far too extroverted for him, joking about and telling him stories about your homeland. He sits and listens, enthralled by your voice, by the fact that someone like you would even give someone like him the time of day. Slowly, as his initial skepticism of your intentions dies away, he starts telling you more about his life, about the games he plays, the animes he enjoys, and is pleasantly surprised when you nod and ask questions, genuinely interested in what he loves.

- Idia’s not a confrontational person. He knows, fears what others say about him behind his back, and tries to stay as far as he can from others on the rare occasion he’s forced to be out in public. When he does overhear a snide comment, or mocking laugh directed towards him, it makes him shrivel up, curling further into himself in the hopes he’ll disappear out of sight, a shameful sadness curdling in his stomach.

- One, rare occasion he’s out with you, it happens again. He feels embarrassed, not just because of the mockery but because you’re there to witness it, scared you’ll finally see him as the loser he is. But instead, you get up, make your way to the perpetrators and give them a piece of your mind. He sits there, shocked, scared slightly by your temperamental rage, but warm inside. You’re defending him? Him of all people? It makes him giddy, edges of his fiery hair tinted pink as he watches you, dazed, as you make the people who insulted him cower. Later on he’ll feel further embarrassed by the whole situation, but still, a soft smile will break through, your actions making him feel truly seen and cared for for the first time in a long time.

Malleus

- Malleus has met many different people during his time at NRC, many different personalities, ideals, and intentions. The one thing in common throughout these many people, is their fear and wariness of him. They see fae, and him, as those to be feared, as if he would be so cruel as to simply strike them down at his whim. He’s aware he’s far more powerful than any of them, but those in power do not simply toy with others, they use their power for good. And yet, they do not see that in him.

- You were different from them. You didn’t fear him in the slightest, even awarding him a nickname with that sweet, warm smile of yours. His curiosity overtakes him, wanting to know more about your strangely genuine heart, unfazed by his grand power or title.

- He’d wander with you for hours as you talked, telling him about the many festivals and traditions of your homeland, inquiring with a tilt of your head about fae customs, and how different they are. When asked why you held no fear for him, you’d smile, joking about how he’s such a sweetheart, and how nobody in their right mind would fear such a gentle soul.

- Malleus had no experience with being mocked, or insulted. People tended to treat him with the utmost respect, whether out of fear for their safety, or a genuine reverence of his power, it was unknown. But a true, outright portrayal of hatred, he had not experienced. And yet, they say there is a first time for everything. He was taking another walk with you, arms linked, wandering through the courtyard of NRC. A group of students, though he did not recognize them, seemed to laugh mockingly and sneer at him. Before Malleus could even react, you stood before them, your anger loud and direct, as they cowered and apologized.

If you had cried, perhaps I would have believed you were hurting as much as I was.

Instead, you smiled.

And now that smile follows me everywhere.

Do you know what frightens me the most?

It is not that I could not save you. It is that there was nothing to save you from.

You were meant to go home.

Everyone celebrated because you were finally returning to the life that had been stolen from you.

They were right to celebrate.

So why did it feel as though I was the only one attending a funeral?

I have spent my entire life believing that strength meant protecting the people I cared for.

Yet the person I loved most walked beyond my reach…

And all I could do was watch.

There was no spell to cast.

No dragon’s fire to clear the way.

No enemy to defeat.

No bargain to make.

Only a mirror.

Only goodbye.

What a pathetic thing to lose against.

I have caught myself becoming angry.

Not with you.

Never with you.

With fate. With the mirror. With every story that insists love is enough.

Because it was not.

I loved you with everything I had.

You loved me with everything you had.

And still…

You left.

No.

That is unfair.

You did not leave me.

You went home.

There is a difference.

I repeat those words to myself every day.

Some days they comfort me. Today they do not.

I visited the library this afternoon.

I searched through books older than some kingdoms.

Ancient magic. Dimensional theory. Forgotten rituals.

Anything that even hinted at crossing worlds.

I read until my vision blurred.

I found nothing.

Nothing.

Do you understand?

There are scholars who have spent lifetimes studying magic.

Kings who reshaped nations.

Sages whose names have survived for centuries.

None of them wrote the answer I needed.

For the first time since enrolling at Night Raven College…I hated magic.

How can something so limitless feel so useless?

I think that was the moment I broke.

Not dramatically.

No shattered windows.

No burst of power.

No roar that shook the school.

I simply sat there.

One hand resting on an open book.

The other covering my face.

And I realized…

No matter how long I searched…

I was searching for a miracle.

I remained there until the library closed.

I cannot tell you how much time passed.

Perhaps hours.

Perhaps only minutes.

Grief has made time difficult to measure.

When I finally returned to my room, I noticed something.

Your favorite teacup was still sitting on the shelf.

I had forgotten to put it away.

I picked it up.

I do not know why.

It is an ordinary cup.

There are dozens just like it.

Yet when I held it…

My hands began to shake.

I stared at it for what must have been several minutes before I asked myself a question I never thought I would.

“What if this is all I have left of us?”

I set it down immediately.

I could not bear the thought.

I have spent so much of these letters speaking about missing you.

Tonight, I shall tell you something different.

I am afraid.

Not of being alone.

I have been alone before.

I am afraid that one day I will run out of things to say to you.

That these pages will become shorter.

That your laugh will become harder to remember.

That I will wake one morning and realize I have survived another day without you.

Because surviving feels dangerously close to moving on.

And I do not know if I am ready for that.

Perhaps I never will be.

There is a quote I read many years ago.

I thought it was beautiful.

Tonight, I think it is devastating.

“The price of being deeply loved is that, one day, you must learn how to live without the person who loved you.”

I do not know how.

I have tried.

I attended classes.

I spoke with my friends.

I smiled when it was expected of me.

I even laughed.

Yet every version of tomorrow still feels like a future you were supposed to be part of.

I used to believe that love made a person stronger.

Perhaps it does.

But no one ever speaks of what happens afterward.

No one tells you that love also leaves you with enough memories to haunt every quiet moment.

I think…

No.

I know.

The cruelest thing about grief is that it does not ask you to let go. It asks you to keep living while refusing to loosen its own grip.

I understand that now.

I wonder if you are sleeping.

I hope you are.

I hope, wherever you are, you are dreaming of something beautiful.

Because someone should.

It has become difficult for me to remember what beautiful dreams feel like.

Goodnight, my love.

If there is another life after this one…

I hope I meet you sooner.

Forever yours,

A = Affection (How affectionate are they?)

Malleus is incredibly affectionate, but in an old-fashioned, grand way. He isn't used to casual physical touch, so he treats you like a rare, fragile treasure. He loves pressing his forehead against yours or shielding you with his heavy coat.

B = Baking (Do they like baking for you?)

He is fascinated by the process, though his magic tends to accidentally over-bake things. He prefers watching you bake. He will gladly act as your official taste-tester, looking thoroughly charmed by the simple joy of a homemade pastry.

C = Cuddles (How do they cuddle?)

His cuddles are enveloping and warm due to his dragon fae physiology. Malleus likes to wrap his large frame entirely around you, trapping you in a cozy cocoon. He often drapes his long, dark cape over both of you for extra privacy.

D = Dates (What are dates with them like?)

Dates are majestic, magical, and often spontaneous. He will take you on late-night walks through ruined castles, moonlit gargoyle tours, or summon a carpet of glowing fireflies in the botanical gardens just to see you smile.

E = Every day (What is a normal day like with them?)

A normal day involves Malleus popping up out of thin air to join you. Because he is usually isolated, any time spent with you is a holiday to him. He will walk you to class, proudly carrying your textbooks while ignoring the terrified stares of other students.

F = Favorites (What is their favorite thing about you?)

Your utter fearlessness around him. You invited him to hang out when everyone else ran away. He deeply treasures your casual warmth, your bright laughter, and the way you treat him as just "Malleus," not the terrifying Fae Prince.

G = Gentle (Are they gentle? Personalities/Physicality)

He is hyper-aware of his immense, destructive power and your human vulnerability. Malleus handles you with extreme caution. His large hands touch your face as gently as a falling leaf, terrified of accidentally hurting you.

H = Hands (How do they hold hands?)

His hands are large, cool to the touch, and feature sharp, dark nails. He prefers to let you take his hand first. Once you do, he gently clasps your hand, marveling at how perfectly your smaller fingers fit into his.

I = "I love you" (How do they say it?)

He uses grand, poetic language straight out of ancient courtly romances. He will call you his "guiding light," his "precious human," or his "heart's sanctuary." He says it with absolute, unwavering intensity that leaves no room for doubt.

J = Jealousy (Do they get jealous?)

Extremely jealous, though he expresses it like a true king. The air grows heavy, the temperature drops, and green lightning might crackle faintly around his horns. He will smoothly step between you and the offender, asserting his presence instantly.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like?)

His kisses are reverent and slow. Malleus loves kissing your knuckles, your cheeks, and the crown of your head before moving to your lips. They feel deeply romantic, like a fairytale spell breaking in real-time.

L = Little things (What little things do they do for you?)

He leaves small, magical tokens of appreciation for you to find. You might open your bag to find a perfectly preserved, glowing rose, a beautifully polished gemstone, or a rare gargoyle trinket he found on his nightly walks.

M = Morning (What are mornings like with them?)

Malleus is not a morning creature; he prefers the night. If he stays with you, he will grumble softly and pull you back down into the pillows. He loves watching the early morning sunlight hit your face while tracing your features.

N = Nights (What are nights like with them?)

Nights are when he is most active and relaxed. You two will spend hours stargazing on the roof of Ramshackle Dorm. He knows the history of every constellation and will softly whisper ancient dragon folklore into your ear.

O = Open (How open are they with you?)

He is surprisingly open because he has spent centuries with no one to confide in. Malleus will eagerly tell you about his childhood in the Valley of Thorns, his loneliness, and his deep curiosity about the human world.

P = Patience (How patient are they?)

As an immortal fae, his concept of time is vastly different from yours. He has infinite patience for you. He will happily wait hours just to catch a glimpse of you between classes or listen to you ramble about minor human drama.

Q = Quizzes (Do they help you study?)

He possesses centuries of historical and magical knowledge, making him an overpowered tutor. However, his explanations often dive into ancient history that isn't on your test. He gets easily distracted just watching you concentrate.

R = Remember (What do they remember about you?)

He remembers every single human detail, as your short lifespan makes every moment precious to him. He remembers the exact day you met, your favorite human foods, and even how many sugars you prefer in your tea.

S = Security (How protective are they?)

His protectiveness is unmatched. To threaten you is to invite the wrath of the Valley of Thorns. Lilia and Sebek usually handle physical threats, but Malleus keeps a passive, invisible protective barrier charm on you at all times.

T = Trust (How much do they trust you?)

He trusts you implicitly. You are one of the very few people permitted to touch his horns, which is an incredibly intimate gesture for a dragon fae. He trusts you with his vulnerabilities, his heart, and his future.

U = Unwind (How do you help them relax?)

You help him unwind by introducing him to mundane human things. Playing simple hand-held games, introducing him to a tamagotchi, or just brushing through his long, dark hair helps him shed the heavy weight of his royal crown.

V = Value (How much do you mean to them?)

You are his entire world. To an immortal being who has watched the world change for centuries, you are the singular anchor that makes his long life truly exciting and meaningful.

W = Whole (Do they feel whole with you?)

Yes. Before meeting you, Malleus felt like an isolated statue trapped on a pedestal. With you, he finally feels like he belongs somewhere—not as a terrifying prince or a powerful mage, but simply as himself.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon)

He is completely mystified by modern human technology. If you send him a text message with emojis, he will spend hours analyzing the "hieroglyphics" and ask Lilia for a formal translation of what a sparkly heart means.

Y = Yearning (How do they cope with missing you?)

He does not cope well. Thunderstorms will randomly gather over Night Raven College when he is lonely. He will stand outside your dorm window in the rain, staring up at your lights like a melancholic, modern-day dragon.

Z = ZZzz (Sleeping habits)

He and Sebek retired for the night, bidding their Lord Malleus and Lilia to sleep when the realization struck.

"Silver! You better not fall asleep before we tell our Lords goodnight!"

"Sebek, I haven't slept all day." Silver sighs, "I'm not sleepy-"

It was at that moment Silver realized. Sebek's eyes widened as he realized it too.

Silver hadn't fallen asleep at all today.

"Silver? You…didn't…fall asleep today?"

They both turned to see Lilia and Malleus staring with identical expressions of shock.

"I didn't…" Tears fell as it finally hit him.

He didn't fall asleep.

"Silver! My son!" Lilia hugged him, his voice shaking; only then did Silver sob into his father's arms.

Malleus and Sebek joined them in the hug.

Malleus patted Silver on the head, "You've done well, Silver."

"Congratulation, Silver!"

Finally, Silver is free.

The curse broken.

I've been thinking of the first time Silver stays awake a full day and how Diasomnia would react. It hit me in the feels so much to think about this moment.