Price of Ambition

• I love NBC! Cloche so so much- Like this Cloche might be the most “heinous” of the possible Cloches. To clarify, Cloche isn’t inherently evil. She doesn’t have the intention to cause harm for others, but to protect herself whatever she perceives to be a threat, her actions have absolutely (and can) harm others.

• What makes NBC! Cloche so distinct from NRC! Cloche is that NBC! Cloche never felt the consequences for her actions in being a bystander and going along with rumours she knows that are false. NBC! Cloche is transported to Twisted Wonderland BEFORE the death of her friend. NBC! Cloche would have never known to the extent how much her actions and inactions have caused to others, thus enabling her to keep being sugary sweet while demolishing others if she deems fit. NBC! Cloche is more outspoken and expressive because she didn’t reach the pivot point that makes NRC! Cloche think her inherent emotions are wrong and harmful to others. Sure, NBC! Cloche still masks and pretends to be outgoing, but she doesn’t repress her own emotions as much. She’ll still bottle up her true anger but she’ll let little frustrations slip out in passive aggressive comments and bicker.

• NBC! Cloche does get her redemption arc in Glorious Masquerade, when she clues in NRC on Rollo’s crimson lotus scheme. At that point, she’s risking her own safety and comfortable reputation with Rollo, all to help strangers for the betterment of the community. This juxtaposes NRC! Cloche taking Rollo’s side, who has bottled up so much resentment for her curse, to the point she’ll grasp for straws and think “Maybe if all magic is gone, so will curses” (She may not actually believe this, but Rollo definitely manipulated her and implied crimson lotuses could be the solution to her obedience/beastman transformation curse).

• NBC! Cloche does not like NBC’s rigid rules and order, despite wanting to appear sophisticated and classy. It’s an ideal she aspires to and admires in others, but incompatible with her as a person.