Riddle and Jade

In a flashback we see Riddle mistake Jade for Floyd in his first year, and Jade teaching him how to tell them apart based on how his hair “forms a ‘J’ from the viewer’s perspective. Just remember: a highlight on your right makes a J for Jade.”

In Book 2 Riddle says he “wouldn’t want to get anywhere near (the twins)—especially Floyd,” but also says that both of them have baffled him since their first year. Riddle calls Jade “the more reasonable of the two,” saying that Jade has never once pulled any “silly pranks,” but when Grim suggests that Jade might “dig up crazy stuff…and bury even crazier stuff” as a part of his club activities Riddle responds, “I wouldn’t put it past Jade,” and, “there’s no telling what sort of mischief he may be up to.”

In a vignette where Trey says he feels bad for Jade, Riddle responds, “I am in the same class as Jade, and to be honest, I am as wary of him as I am Floyd. He and Azul are always plotting something. And at times, Jade is the one at the wheel!”

During the Eternity Float event Jade mentions an “interesting shop” and Riddle responds, “I’m somewhat-no, quite a bit concerned about what fits your definition of ‘interesting,’” and and when Jade volunteers to practice escorting with Epel, Riddle cautions, “Epel, don’t. There’s no telling what sort of trouble you’ll get dragged into if you link arms with Jade.”

In his Platinum Jacket vignette Jade invites Riddle to ride in a swan boat with him and Riddle responds, “And why would I do something like that?”

In a vignette Riddle seeks Jade out to ask him to “Please do something about Floyd,” and in Book 5 he tells Jade to keep his brother in line.

In another vignette he goes to Jade for assistance only to realize Floyd is with him and say, “I wouldn’t have said anything if I’d known you were with Floyd.”

Upon meeting the twins’ mother for the first time she tells Riddle that Jade has told her “so much about (him),” and Riddle whispers to Jade, “What did you tell her?!” 

Jade responds, “Oh, simply the unvarnished truth” and when Riddle asks, “Have you ever told the truth in your life?,” Georgina says, “He’s lucky to have someone like you in his life.”

Riddle scolds Jade later on in the event, saying, “Even in alchemy class the other day, you were about to mix a banned combination of ingredients before the teacher stopped you. It boggles my mind that despite having a perfect understanding of what not to do, you still want to do it anyway.”

Jade responds, “It’s in people’s nature to want to do things they’re told not to do, don’t you think?,” and Riddle says, “Spare me your flimsy justifications! Honestly, the things you do…”

Watching the two interact, Georgina says, “I’m simply happy to see that Jade has a friend willing to openly hold him to account for his words and actions.”

When asked whom at NRC he would choose to have as a sibling, Riddle chooses Jade. (Azul: “Wait… I’m sorry, what? Are you serious?!”)

Riddle responds, “Look, I couldn’t think of anyone else who fit my criteria. He shows up to class reliably, he’s unfailingly polite, and he’s never given the teachers trouble as far as I can tell. There’s much more I could say about him personally, but I’d choose Jade as my hypothetical younger brother.”

Riddle is canonically younger than Jade, and when Azul asks why Riddle would prefer Jade as a younger brother Riddle responds, It’s a long-standing societal rule that elders are respected. An older brother would occupy a higher standing than a younger one. So if Jade committed some grievous misdeed, I would be entitled as his elder brother to correct his actions, right?” (Azul: “Oh, that’s a whole stratum beyond reckless…”)

Riddle has a Halloween voiceline of, “Jade has a keen interest in Halloween traditions on land. It was a bit awkward when he started coming to me with questions every break period. And in September, no less…”

In a vignette Jade escorts a sick Riddle to the nurse’s office, and he introduces the Eternity Float group—including Riddle—to his mother as his “best friends at Night Raven College.” (Riddle: “Best friends…?”)

When Jade is kept busy during the Halloween party at NRC Riddle approaches him to say, “You’ve worked nonstop all through Halloween, right? I agree that you deserve to enjoy the last party. I imagine you haven’t eaten anything all night. Why don’t you take a seat over here and have some dinner?”

Jade responds, “My, my. How fortunate l am to have such considerate classmates.”

Riddle is assigned as Jade’s partner during a gym class in a vignette where Rook is discovered hiding in bushes to observe Jade. After the two begin laughing together Riddle excuses himself from the vignette: “I’m going to find someone else to stretch with. You two feel free to carry on doing, erm… whatever it is you”re doing.”

In a vignette Grim talks about Riddle stepping in to deal with both twins during preparations for Founding Day.

When Jade talks about admiring the view of a city “while drifting among the waves” when they were younger Riddle responds, “I have a very hard time believing you two would spend time in such a peaceful manner.”

After hearing a story from Jade’s childhood Riddle says, “Considering you broke curfew without a word to your parents and didn’t come home for three entire days, it would hardly be a wonder if you had received a harsh punishment,” but Georgina tells Riddle that he must have come from a strict family. Riddle observes, “What a liberal household…that would never happen in mine. Perhaps that’s why I have such trouble seeing eye-to-eye with you two.”

On the subject of Riddle, Jade says, “for all his extolling of strict etiquette and rules, is capable of absurdly drastic measures when he grows agitated. Even I often find myself stunned at (Riddle and Azul’s) behavior and remark to myself, ‘Something is very wrong with that individual.’ They don’t remotely fear making fools of themselves or failing. Or incurring grudges from others with their self-centered conduct.” 

In a voiceline Jade talks about “trying to get Riddle to jolt in fright after he peeked under the stairs,” while Riddle says, “During boating practice, Jade said I should engage in amicable conversation with my oars, but…that’s not necessary at all!”

When discussing the game “bobbing for apples,” Jade tells Riddle, “I myself would desperately love to see you flailing around trying to catch an apple in your mouth. Now that would be quite a spectacle indeed.” (Riddle: “What exactly are you trying to say?”)

When Ortho comments on Riddle being able to frighten away ghosts merely with the look on his face Jade tells Riddle, “Excellent work. Another fine display,” but Riddle responds, “Compliments from you mean nothing! You’re just mocking me again!”

When Riddle becomes trapped in the library during the Lantern Event Jade says, “Classes have been so terribly lonely without you there to pair up with me as always,” but Riddle retorts, “You’re ‘lonely’ without me? And since when do we ‘always pair up’? Cease making such blatantly false statements at once!”

Jade gathers a group together for the Eternity Float event after having told each member that there was not anyone else he could go to for help. Jade explains, “I was greatly relieved to find an unexpected number of individuals at school with an excess of time on their hands,” but Riddle counters with, “You interrupted my very busy schedule to plead with me to go! At this rate there will not be enough attendees as required by the rules, and the ceremony will be ruined…you kept lamenting endlessly right in front of me while I was trying to study, so I had no choice but to agree.”

Riddle tells Jade to stick to his original plan of taking only Floyd along with him and Jade says, “What I’m asking is whether or not you’re going and, by extension, whether Heartslabyul’s housewarden honors his commitments.” Riddle concedes. (Riddle: “I suppose it’s only right to honor my word once l’ve given it.” – Jade: “I knew I could count on you, Riddle.”)

When Riddle shares his disapproval of Floyd’s nickname for him of “Goldfish,” Georgina assures him, “The goldfish people keep in their homes are small, but when they’re left to grow in the wild, I hear some can grow into giants.” Riddle responds, “Giants?! So goldfish have room to grow…” and Jade represses a laugh. When asked why Jade says, “I was just reflecting on how unconstrained the human heart is, to be able to embrace all manner of wild dreams.”

Riddle reluctantly joins a dance in the city, during which he tells Jade not to push him, but afterwards he says, “After trying it, it wasn’t so bad after all.”

Before training Riddle and Malleus in how to row a boat Jade tells them, “You must always follow my instructions without question out on the water,” which Riddle promises to do. Jade then says nothing as they sit backwards and proceed to row backwards.

Riddle says, “You could have told us that when we sat down!,” but Jade retorts, “You must follow my instructions out on the water. Telling me I should have pointed something out sooner is subjective criticism. Could you please refrain from doing that?,” and Riddle apologizes.

Jade then tells Malleus and Riddle to yell as they row, and ensures that they are being recorded (Riddle: “I fail to see any point in recording training…” – Jade: “You must always follow my instructions without question out on the water”). Jade then has Malleus and Riddle sing a song.

As they approach open water Riddle and Malleus realize that Jade has only taught them how to row in a straight line, and as the waves grow choppier, they drop their oars. Riddle exclaims, “…Why did we ever listen to Jade?!”

During the main event Jade forcibly propels Riddle’s boat through the water with wind magic and Riddle says, “You’re just having fun at my expense!” When Jade responds, “I simply value your boating skills-greatly, as a matter of fact” Riddle asks if Jade thinks that he will be able to control his boat at the speed that Jade is pushing it and Jade replies, “No, I think you’ll lose control and ram right into the target.”

Riddle declares, “This is absurd! I refuse to let you have your way!,” stops his boat and beginnings “tossing attack spells at Jade.” (Rook: “He’s all but overcome with anger. But that impulsiveness is part of the Roi des Roses’ charm.”)

Jade fires magic back, and a large wave causes Riddle to lose his balance and fall into the water.