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RSA thoughts

So I've just finished chapter 5 and seeing the RSA headmaster made me think, does RSA actually know about Yuu? I know that Neige is aware of us but I doubt he knows that we aren't from Twisted Wonderland and I don't think Ambrose even knows of us unless Crowley told him which I can't see.

So a follow up question what will happen when they find out? It's interesting to me because they're a school of topically good guys so I can see them trying to 'help us' and potentially taking us from NRC which I don't think will be received well by our friends. I don't think they will be nice to Grim either seeing as he's a monster.

Another thought I had and saw some other people discussing was, what if we were originally meant to be summoned to RSA? It doesn't make much sense but I like it for the drama potential :)

Anyway those were my thoughts and I want to hear what you all think as well ✧⁠◝⁠(⁠⁰⁠▿⁠⁰⁠)⁠◜✧

P.S. JP server how do we feel about the next story update coming soon cuz I'm very excited

*Spoilers for chapter 7*

Here are more of my thoughts on chapter 7 and the whole dream thing, I've seen people talk about it and I want in.

Regarding Yuu's dreams some people are saying that Malleus didn't give them a dream on purpose but there's something that's been bothering me about his UM and dreams in general.

Going off of Lillia's dream about his past, a past which we know Malleus knew little to nothing about but his magic was able to recreate perfectly.

So we know that Malleus himself doesn't need to know anything about the person sleeping, they're forming the dream themselves, just like he says he's watching over them not creating them.

I admit the way his magic works is not entirely clear, at least to me. But since it's meant to bring people happiness and he does it for everyone on Sage's Island even the people he doesn't necessarily care about or likes for example Leona. Then why wouldn't he do it for someone who he really cares about like Yuu.

From a game development standpoint it makes sense why the player character wouldn't have a dream like everyone else but from a story standpoint it makes me think there's some sort of a block or someone or something put them in the dream room with Mickey on purpose.

Anyway this post is just for me to talk about Malleus' UM so don't take it too seriously, but thank you for reading and I love you <3

Edit bc I forgot I credit Otome Ayui for the transition

And apologies for bad grammar

TWST - Dorm Analysis: Morals and Values

What gets a person sorted into one dorm or another? What dorm might you end up in if you were to attend the illustrious Night Raven College? Well look no further than here for the answers to your struggles and questions!

Truth be told I saw somebody try and do this once, but their analysis felt rather biased and left me unsatisfied, so here’s a little something I like to call: “Soul’s Deep-Dive Analysis into the Morals and Values of the Seven Dorms of Night Raven College”!

Keep reading

Hey Raven, do you think that Rook is a toxic friend to Vil? My friend was saying stuff like that earlier but idk.

***CONTENT WARNING: this post will refer to and/or make mention of gaslighting, fat shaming, and toxic friendships, as they are relevant topics for this discussion and analysis.***

Well firstly, we need to be aware that there is no single set definition of what makes a person a “toxic” friend. “Toxic” friendships can manifest in many different ways, such as manipulating the other person for personal gain, outright verbally attacking them, excluding them from group activities, gossiping or talking about them behind their back in a way that damages their reputation, etc. Saying someone is “toxic” doesn’t tell the whole story. It tells us that someone is being a bad friend, but it doesn’t elaborate on how or why exactly they are being a bad friend. What words have they said and what actions have they done to earn that title? How do these words and actions make others feel? That’s what we need to focus on when analyzing a character, not just the assigned label in isolation.

Now with that being said, I completely disagree with the sentiment expressed by your friend.

Rook has always been a person that’s extremely supportive of Vil, even when they were in entirely different dorms (in fact, he transferred so he could be closer to, and better support, Vil in his pursuit of beauty). The methods to communicate his thoughts aren’t always the best (like, in the past, Rook just walked up to Vil, rattled off a bunch of unwarranted feedback of his performances), but he speaks passionately and from the heart, and he doesn’t do so with malicious intent. Rook just gets overexcited sometimes and can’t always contain himself well.

Having difficulty expressing oneself is not necessarily a mark that Rook is a “bad” friend. If it was, then why would someone as no-nonsense as Vil want to keep talking to him for hours and hours despite the weird initial impression that Rook gave off? Why would Vil trust Rook as his vice dorm leader (a position which is implied to be hand-picked by the dorm leader)? Why would Vil follow Rook’s advice when selecting members for the VDC team? Vil is a relatively good judge of character (he can sniff out even Jade’s shadiness; see Jade’s Dorm Uniform vignettes), and he normally wouldn’t put up with anyone else’s bullshit. It’s clear that Vil puts a lot of faith in his huntsman’s judgment, and Rook demonstrates the same amount of faith in Vil. He even thought that Vil’s OB was beautiful (albeit in a twisted way) and was willing to drink poison because he wanted to believe that Vil wouldn’t stoop so low as to try and poison Neige.

Vil’s work drives Rook’s own passion, and, in turn, Rook’s passion drives Vil to work hard. That’s part of the reason why their friendship developed so early on and why their dynamic works so well to this very day.

However, let’s play devil’s advocate for a moment and consider the other side of the argument: what has Rook said and done that can be interpreted as toxic? Well, when people say that “Rook is a toxic friend to Vil”, there are usually two major examples that get referred to: the betrayal of episode 5, and a comment that Rook makes in Vil’s Labwear vignettes. Let’s dissect both of these points.

Firstly, the infamous ending of episode 5. When it initially came out (in JP), there was considerable uproar about Rook voting for RSA instead of for NRC. A lot of hatred and anger was directed at Rook for casting the vote that essentially sealed NRC’s loss and crushed Vil’s dream of proving himself worthy as a “hero” in the eyes of the public. From the outsider’s perspective, this is a jerk move on Rook’s part. What this is missing is proper context. Rook didn’t blindly vote for RSA because he’s Neige’s fanboy or to teach Vil a lesson in humility; it’s because he genuinely believed that RSA’s performance was more “beautiful”—not on a technical or a professional level, but in the purity of it, in how much love is behind the performance.

Neige and the Dwarves were singing and dancing their hearts out hoping to share their happiness and joy with everyone that watched them; Vil was singing and dancing to absolutely crush his foes and demonstrate that he is “the best” (ie his reason is comparatively very selfish compared to Neige’s). It just so happened that, in voting for RSA, Rook was also able to show Vil that he needs to learn to love himself first and foremost before he concerns himself with the public’s love. Again, Rook has zero malicious intent in voting for the other team. He was only being honest with himself, and even Vil would shortly come to recognize that. Yes, Vil is frustrated with the outcome, but even he doesn’t fault Rook for how the vote went.

There is no ill will between them; furthermore, considering that Vil wants to earn his beauty and achievements rather than be handed them, I don’t think he would be satisfied if there had been a tie (or if NRC won) knowing that Rook voted for NRC out of obligation or pity. As the song Absolutely Beautiful says, Vil wants to be able to prove his own skill and to win over people’s hearts such that there is “no chance to beat [him]”, so there is no doubt or question that he is the victor. Rook cannot lie to himself nor to his queen, and Vil wouldn’t be happy if Rook did lie. Vil trusts Rook to tell him the truth, and Rook did—that’s why Vil ultimately accepts what happened instead of being bitter about it and holding a grudge towards Rook.

Another angle to look at the events of episode 5 at is the “noninvolvement” lens. In other words, “Why did Rook do so little to help Vil prior to the Overblot? He’s a bad friend for not stepping in sooner and for not taking direct action.” Take their shared history into consideration, and it starts to make more sense. Rook does not directly intervene because he has known Vil for long enough to understand that direct confrontation won’t work. Vil is stubborn, and when he wants something, he will work his ass off to get it and won’t listen to reason (or even his own manager). That left Rook no choice but to play along and try to support Vil in his aspirations, but he did what he could to try and incorporate what he believed were positive influences (Adeuce, Grim, Yuu) on Vil. It was also Rook who stopped Vil from committing the ultimate sin (poisoning Neige) that would forever “dirty” his beauty. Could Rook have done more? Certainly. But still, he tried to help in his own way, and with regards to the circumstances, causing his hands to be tied.

Onto the second major example that gets brought up in discussions of Vil and Rook’s friendship: Vil’s Labwear vignettes, specifically the first part. In it, Rook comments that Vil has “put on a little weight”, which prompts an “excuse me?” from him. Clearly, Vil is not happy about it, and it can be argued that Rook’s response to that is… not tactful, and (I’m not going to sugarcoat this) can be interpreted as gaslighting. Basically, Rook asks when Vil is “planning to begin [his] diet” and then asks him whose opinion he believes when it comes to his appearance (specifically the weight): Rook’s, or everyone else’s? I can completely understand why people would take offense to this interaction, as it can come off as fat shaming. This phrasing was extremely bad, and Rook should not have let that come out of his mouth.

What I must stress here that Vil himself is not offended by the actual content of what Rook said, but rather by HOW he said it. In the second vignette, Vil expresses to Trey that what Rook said is true, but that Rook failed to express it in a more thoughtful way. He explicitly says that he finds Rook’s outside perspective useful, as Rook notices things that even Vil doesn’t. Vil actually takes very little issue with his looks being criticized or commented on—that is what his entire career is built on, so of course it makes sense for him to want to take care of his appearance and to meet the conventional beauty standards imposed by his industry. If anything, Rook’s feedback actually helps Vil improve himself and be the best that he can be for his gigs. Again, the issue is not that Rook is “toxic” to Vil, but that Rook fails to express himself in a way that is socially appropriate when he’s communicating some of his thoughts.

It is the context of the situation, and Vil himself, which defines whether their relationship is “toxic” or not. I want to point out that sometimes in toxic friendships, the victim does not realize their friend is being toxic in the first place, so the argument can be made that just because Vil doesn’t see Rook as toxic doesn’t automatically mean that he isn’t. It’s possible that others in the friend circle and in their immediate environment can see the toxicity and must inform the victim of what is happening to them, to make them self-aware. However, this is not the case for the other TWST characters. In fact, it’s often the case that others express their disbelief at how close Vil and Rook are, despite Rook’s eccentricities. All of the other characters pretty much acknowledge and think of Vil and Rook’s friendship as a healthy (if not odd) dynamic. They see Rook as someone who unconditionally loves and supports Vil, but does so and communicates it in unconventional ways. Sometimes it’s not overt enough, and other times it’s TOO overt, but that’s just how Rook is: unpredictable.

Something I commonly see in interpretations of Rook and Vil’s friendship is this expectation of “unquestioning devotion and loyalty”. People have this notion that a “good” friendship is one in which friends always show support and tell each other positive things to uplift and encourage each other. Applying this to Rook and Vil, people expect and want Rook to vote for NRC, to not make comments on how Vil looks.

I don’t think that notion should be true; I think a “good” friendship is dependent on what the involved parties desire from the other. In Vil’s case, he does NOT want a yes man that blindly follows him. A yes man will not help Vil improve himself. He wants someone that has the guts to him the truth—no matter how ugly it is, and that person is Rook (he just needs to learn how to filter himself better).

Epel/Ruggie rambling

I already made a small drabble on this, but I associate Epel's guardedness towards Vil/Ruggie's hesitance towards Leona as the a specific phrase.

"I'll bite the hand that feeds."

Typically used in medias for familial bonds or animals, I admire the concept of someone of less "power" or "status" being more aggressive or passive towards another in the opposing position.

Typically in animals, namely dogs, they aren't aggressive by choice necessarily. Not towards those they value in some form or another. Unless they find it as needed, they try to stay in good graces to ensure they're kept well-fed or stable.

But, how does that change when it's weighed over their head, or used as a tactic of what FEELS like manipulation? The answer is defense. Fight or flight, with their freedom seeming to be the necessity at that very point.

"Maybe I'm afraid of you

I'll bite the hand that feeds me"

Neither are in a dangerous situation, but when it comes to their freedom or rather debts, they feel trapped. People and animals alike do irrational things when they feel afraid.

Even as Vil or Leona try to insist that they live free as they'd like, that underlying belief that it's all fake leaves the younger two feeling like they need to be on guard.

Just a small drabble while I'm half asleep

"Place your bets

with Overblotees"

“I bet on losing dogs”

Perceived as laying all your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Even without confidence of your chosen competitor winning, you want to believe hopelessly that they will not fail you.

Of course you’re typically well aware of their failure before the race begins. You’d hear others make remarks about how naive it is to place your bets on such a pathetic excuse of a runner, all in hushed voices.

But it’s hope, or maybe delusion that pushes you to cheer on the sidelines.

But a losing dog is only that, a loser. It will always fail you. So stop convincing yourself otherwise.

Malleus is 178, and if the story of Twisted Wonderland is set in 2020, he was born in 1842, you know, the very middle of the 19th century. In the human history of the west, we associate those times with progress and revolutions in art (impressionism in france), science (darwin), geopolitics (japan opening its borders)… these are the first hundred years of the mass society, modernity, in constant expansion. There was a conscious shift in paradigms. Everything started happening so fast.

Malleus’ birth must have symbolized those same values for the fey of the night. It was probably a miracle to the people, seeing as it was confirmed a dragon egg hatches with the help of its parent’s love. Because of reasons that haven’t been confirmed yet (many speculate Lilia drained his magic for a few hundred years), the little prince is born and he will bring a new era when the time comes. It seems the pressure is on for Malleus to act older than he is. As such, it’s no surprise that Malleus will prematurely refer to himself as a king, as evidenced in one of his magic3 lines as well as one of his dorm card homescreen lines. Lilia also refers to him as a king in the Savanaclaw localization.

His physicality doesn’t help; I don’t need to remind you that Malleus already is regarded as one of the most powerful mages ever. In a voiceline, Malleus says that to be a leader, all you need to do is show your power. He and many others seem to associate power with maturity… but I see Malleus’ as modernity, constant change, which, in the wake of the mass society during the 17th century, is young. He still has many many years to live and his strength will only be greater. This is not yet his prime. But that sheer power is inherited from a family tree which is ancient and whose roots are his very veins. The wrath of Maleficent when she cursed Aurora is Malleus’ heartbeat. If historiography can’t convey myths and legends and tales accurately, Malleus’ hands, his wings, his eyes will remind all of the Thorn Fairy’s former glory.

But if the constant fandom jokes about Malleus being a manchild are anything to go by, we all know he is mentally a boy. He is young, you know, he is a paradox and an anachronism; his psychology evokes the constant anxiety and fear of judgement of the middle ages, the misery, the catacombs, the plague, it seems like we are at the very start of the concept of civilization, entire peoples are decimated by illness, and this goes on for a thousand years. Malleus is jaded, bored, he is far too powerful and everything is so dull, the days blend together and he insists he is a grown man and he needs no patronizing, he sees those around him as babies, but the middle ages are decay and artistically stunted, much like Malleus’ mind, because he doesn’t want to lose, he’s afraid, and when you are a child everything you feel is so vivid and intense and you feel like everyday is the end of the world.

So to answer the question; is Malleus young or old? The lines are blurred. He doesn’t know anymore.

Melleus🥲

reposting this texty picture since i lost the older post. it's a summary of how most of the tropes i like coincidentally fit into malleus perfectly, and the ones not being included in canons are his common headcanons.

i'm going mental rn

@/raven-at-the-writing-desk made a post about Rook in EN calling Jamil a literal pyramid, and I didn’t know about this so Miss Raven, it’s okay, I’m a decade late-

Anyways, I did a little bit of researching and came up with an unorganised blurb of analysis:

**Take note, that these are just thoughts. Don’t take them seriously-

The building of pyramids. Pyramids usually require tons of limestones (or whatever the bricks are made of) to build a pyramid, and thus requires a lot of people (servants more specifically) to build this pyramid. In a way, the pyramid was built as a burial for kings and queens or a resurrection machine for royalty, but in any case, it was built for royalty. You could say that maybe Rook understood the desires of Jamil wanting people to serve him, to feel like he’s the one with power, just like the building of the pyramid and how many servants to build it for one pharaoh.

The pyramid itself is a symbol of power and luxury of the pharaohs, which is again, something that Jamil has /had yearned for. Perhaps it is something similar?

The building of the pyramid (the interior mostly) is a very smart design. One example is that because of the material used, and the fact Egyptians have built an ancient form of air conditioning that has the pyramid interior be at a constant 20 degrees no matter how hot it is outside. The pyramid outside looks plain and almost unethical (I think?? BECAUSE GOD HOW DO YOU MAXIMISE SPACE FOR BURIAL WITH A SHAPE THAT DESCENDS UPWARDS AT FIRST GLANCE RIGHT???? I DON’T KNOW BUT I STILL THINK THE PYRAMID IS COOL-) but inside is where you start to realise how amazing it is. For Jamil, he’s seen as an average student who gets average grades, but in reality, Jamil is a very intelligent and talented person. Perhaps that practical analysis of the pyramid is similar to the portrayal of Jamil.

There are anomaly heat spots found within the pyramid. While most of the temperature in other chambers is around 20 degrees, surprisingly the king’s chamber temperature is 68 degrees, as the room is made of a different material compared to the rest of the pyramid interior. This could also be a reference to Jamil’s “hidden side” but I like to take this comparison a step further to say it can also mean the residing jealousy of Jamil towards Kalim. Kalim’s basically like a king, the “pharaoh” of the “pyramid”. Red, hot anger is related with jealousy, just like the temperature of the king’s chamber which is heated. In a way, it could also refer to Jamil’s true feelings of being a servant.

Then there’s just the surface layer analysis that a pyramid consists of many layers, like many talents Jamil has, but this one is honestly the weakest-

Or not- idk-

I like how twst is a “game about villains”

Because it implies that everyone has the potential to be a villain or could be seen as one.

Even the prefect (essentially “you”)

I also like how it’s a matter of perspective too.

Everyone could be or is a villain.

Briar Valleys saw the humans as villains for invading them. The humans saw the fae as evil due to the rumors they heard and the magic they fear.

NRC sees RSA negatively because of the win streak and their goody act, and you could say some of the RSA students might feel the same way.

We have seen Rollo and his hatred of magic, but at the same time, it was magic that his brother loved.

All of this to say, it’s always about perspective.

Someone’s hero could be another person’s villain.

And we kind of see how that plays out right now, especially in book 7.

In the future, we might see the reverse as well. How RSA, the heroes, are villains too.

I just find this play on perspective interesting.

Two mirrors and two images, the same and yet different.

Like Mickey and the Prefect.