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That’s a Trade Secret (Part One)

Octavinelle Dorm - Lounge

My speacial toner keeps skin moist for ten hours after application---much longer than any commercially available product. And you say you can get me a BETTER toner by the week before orientation?

Naturally. You need to only sign this contract, and your desire to attend orientation with preternaturally beautiful skin shall be realized.
I can grant any with, no matter how far-fetched. Isn’t that what the rumors say, and why you came here to me?

You sound remarkably confident. Men who make rash promises are ill-deserving of trust.

If you do not believe me, you are free to leave.
But I sincerely doubt anyone save myself would be able to meet such a challenging demand.

That smirk on your face speaks volumes. So? What is it you want in return?

A good question...
I would like ten of the Shaftland flowers you are presently growing in the garden.

To call them “flowers” is...misleading.
You know full well that those are rare poisonous plants, don’t you? You certainly have a keen eye.

Ha ha... They make an appropriate payment for fulfilling your onerous request, don’t you think? Do we have a deal?

Fine. I agree to the exchange. I knew there would be a price to pay.

And so the contract is sealed! I look forward to receiving those flowers.
Ha ha! A mutually beneficial arrangement, if I do say so myself. Jade, Floyd. Please guide Vil out.

That won’t be necessary. I would rather you get to work than waste time escorting me.

Hmph. Now that’s a hard customer to please.
You heard the man. Our task is to create the world’s most moisturizing toner.

Lil’ Betta’s skin is plenty supple already, though.

It is in Vil’s nature to eternally pursue self-improvement. He is an ambitious man.

He is an expert in Potionology. I imagine he has already experimented with every herb out there.
We’ll have to create this toner with ingredients only available to us.

So why not use you alchemy skill, Azul?
The metals and ores you use are not frequently employed in potionology.

True. There are some metals and jewels that have medicinal effects when ground into a powder. It is worth a try.

Yeah, but that sounds super boring.

How so?

That kinda stuff is so cliché. He’ll totally see it coming.
It’s gotta be something that’ll have Lil’ Betta all agog, going “I never thought of that!”

You make a good point. Retaining the element of surprise is important. Shock tends to beget satisfaction.
Then let us gather materials that are high in moisture but not normally used in beauty products.

Somethin’ goopy, huh? Like what?

In other words, jelly-like substances, yes?

Exactly. I’ll let you two handle the gathering. I will prepare the necessary tools for our experiment.

As you wish.
A few days later...

Ugh, I’m so done. Can we stop now?

Attempt number one hundred and ninety-eight is yet another failure.

No matter what we do, the results fall short of moisturizing on the level of Vil’s special toner!

We only got one day ‘til we’re supposed to deliver to Lil’ Betta. We’re sunk.

What is it that we’re lacking? Permeation? Or perhaps viscosity?

No---we were focusing on unpredictability with the ingredients, so perhaps we need to take a revolutionary approach to composition as well.

In which case, we need more... Or maybe this should be...

No, but that’s... Conversely... But even if...

Jelly, pudding, slime, gumballs, raw meat, blisters...
Ugh, I’m sick and tired of looking at squishy stuff.

Floyd, please do not sully the test materials.

We don’t need this junk. You’re load more squishy in your octopus form, Azul.

I...suppose I am? Why are we talking about me? Please try to focus.

In the sea, you’re as spongy as they come. Even if you got squeezed, you’d just bounce back.

True. When Azul is in the water, he’s gelatinous and rather... Pfft. Ha ha ha.

Don’t agree with him, Jade. Stop laughing at me!
Might I add that you yourself are quite slimy in the sea, Floyd?

I am? Then Jade’s gotta be the same way, right?

Hm?
Now that I think of it, Jade’s skin has a certain sheen, even when in human form.

I can’t say I ever noticed.

Which means we all are naturally moist. And speaking of our commonalities...
Jade, please come here.
The sea... Skin... Mucus...

Gelatin... And collagen... Take those, and...

Water... Mineral-rich...

What’s all this whispering about? I don’t like it.

Floyd, could I ask you to do something? Please return to your eel form.

Uh, how about no. And why are you practicing wringing a cloth, Jade?!

Hnnngh... Rrrgh...

We must hold up our end of the bargain. You need only endure this for a short while.

Yes, I think I’ve grasped the idea now. I promise I won’t hurt you, dear brother.

No, wait... Stooop!

That’s a Trade Secret (Part Two)

Pomefiore Dorm - Hallway
Pomefiore Student A
Look! Schoenheit is really in top form today. Like a painting brought to life!
Pomefiore Student B
I swear he’s more beautiful by the day. That translucent skin of his almost seems to glow.
Pomefiore Student A
I wonder what he does to make it look like that. Us plebs probably can’t even imagine.

Did you hear that, Vil? You’ve been the talk of the school these past few days!
Everyone is captivated by your beauté, Roi du Poison. Myself included.

Naturally. I have attained the height of aesthetic perfection, flawless from every angle.

Yes, the way you preen yourself for orientation is magnifique! I look forward to seeing you shine like a beacon for our freshly minted peers.

Greetings to you, Vil. It’s been some time.

Ah, Azul. Fine job with the orientation rehearsal.

I must say, you are more handsome than ever today. What IS your secret?

Ha ha. Well... Perhaps I can thank a certain special toner I obtained a week ago.

Ah, yes---a cool gel that gently permeates the skin to heal damage wrought by the summertime sun. Perfectly moist and yet not sticky.
It moisturizes the skin magnificently, bringing out the full breadth of its latent beauty.
Truly, I’ve outdone myself this time.

Indeed. Never have I encountered a more effective beauty product.
The rumors about you granting any wish in exchange for suitable recompense were all true, I see.

I’m glad I was able to meet your needs.

When you first brought me that vile-looking, viscous blue-green gel, I had thought you to be a poor prankster indeed, but...

Ha ha ha! You never know how something will turn out until you try it.

Oho, so it is the Roi de Fort who holds the secret to Vil’s beauté?
Then please allow me to express my gratitude! You’ve made it possible for Vil to attain even higher heights.
You are a wish-granter par excellence. Quite Impressive, eh, Vil?

Congratulations are definitely in order.

Thank you very much. It is an honor to receive such candid compliments from my upperclassmen.

Oh, I’m not complimenting YOU. I am speaking of my own discerning eye.
I have always suspected that you might know of some unique beauty techniques.

What would cause you to think that? I have never once discussed bodily aesthetics with you.

I knew because your skin is quite glossy if one strains to look. and not just you, but also those twins who are always with you.
Now, perhaps I could convince you to tell me the secret behind this toner of yours.

That is a good question. How DID you manage to create something that Vil could not?
Did you find some new kind of medicinal herb? Or did you make use of your alchemy talents?

I’m afraid that’s a trade secret.

Is this where you’ve been, Azul? I have something to tell you regarding orientation, if you’d...

Oh, right. I must get back to rehearsal. If you would excuse me.

Leaving so soon? Our conversation was just becoming interesting, too.
Why are you in such a rush all of a sudden?

I apologize, but this is my first orientation as housewarden, so there is a lot I must attend to, as embarrassing as it is.
We can continue this discussion at a later time.

......
Ha! No, that is fine. Do let me know if you invent anything else. I would be all too happy to put your next product through its paces.

By all means!
Thank you very much for expressing your interest. I look forward to our next business arrangement.
Hall of Mirrors

Saved by the eel. Impeccable timing, Jade.

Not at all. Floyd has finally regained his ability to walk, so I thought I should notify you.
He can safely be exposed to air. Just in time for orientation, thank goodness.

Blegh, that was awful. Felt like all my scales got stripped off.

Not that eels technically have scales.

Floyd! Vil was most pleased.
We could not have created such an astonishing product without your steadfast dedication.

That’s not much consolation after you wrang me out like a dirty mop.
I’m telling you now, I’m never doing that again!

Yes, yes. When the next opportunity arises, we will choose our...donor...with a coin toss.

You even listening to me?

The sea is truly a wondrous place--- to think we’re blessed with such biodiversity!

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