Riddle Etiquette

When introducing the Equestien Club to new students Ruggie says that Riddle will “give you plenty of lessons on horseback riding AND proper manners,” and Riddle seems to value etiquette and refinement: during the first NBC event he guesses that Skully comes across as older than Epel and Sebek despite being the same age as “He’s much more refined” than they are.

Riddle says, “Skully’s quite the gentleman. I’ll have to make certain I keep up.” After accusing Leona of not being “very gentlemanly” he might then change his mind, saying, “Leona’s offering Miss Sally his arm…Incredible. What a flawless way of escorting a lady.”

When saying farewell to Jack Skellington Riddle says, “You’ve taught me much about proper gentlemanly conduct.”

When Epel apologizes to Riddle after expressing his enjoyment of Halloween at NRC (“I didn’t mean to make such a scene”) Riddle assures him, “It’s fine, so long as you avoid breaching norms of acceptable conduct.”

After entering a house they’d believed to be abandoned and getting into a battle with the ghost inside, Riddle reflects, “I’ll grant that entering someone’s abode without knocking IS a breach of etiquette.”

Riddle says that Heartslabyul dressed as pirates for Halloween in his first year: “I’d never acted so uncouth before. It was most distressing.”

He says he knows how to behave in formal situations and, during the drama of the Lantern event, says that even despite the extenuating situations and permission from the faculty, “I still find it hard to do things that violate library etiquette.”

Riddle has an Eternity Float voiceline worrying about committing a faux pas as he has not traveled much, says that Sebek should learn proper manners, and has a voice line cautioning against running in the hallways: “Putting the Queen’s laws aside, it is simply bad manners.”

After learning that his wardrobe is considered too formal by his fellow students Riddle “deemed it necessary to remedy the issue at once,” as “it would be a breach of etiquette to make the rest of the group uncomfortable.” 

During opening ceremonies for new students Riddle reflects, “Would it truly aggrieve these freshmen to observe some decorum? I can only hope that the more poised among them will find their way into Heartslabyul.”

At the suggestion of preparing a gift for Noble Bell College in exchange for their hosting of a school social Riddle agrees, saying, “It’s good manners to bring something when you’re enjoying someone else’s hospitality.”

Riddle scolds Grim for when they eat during the Eternity Float event as “it’s poor manners to reach in front of someone else.”

Riddle becomes upset at visitors during Halloween at NRC as “Treading upon the flowerbeds is a violation of common courtesy, never mind the rules of the dorm,” and when he discovers Silver sleeping at the Halloween party he declares, “That’s a breach of etiquette worse than anything in the rules!”

When Trein tells the students prior to leaving to Fleur City that they “must mind (their) manners at all times and never get distracted,” Riddle responds, “I couldn’t agree more, sir.”

We see Riddle and Trey at a book fair to “pick out some essential reading material” for Heartslabyul’s first-year students. Riddle explains, “I’m looking for an illustrated etiquette manual. Something I could read to our newest hand of card soldiers, to show them what true class should look like.”

When Sebek comments, “The students of Heartslabyul are still in need of such books? Deplorable,” Riddle responds, “You’re invited to my book reading. And acceptance is mandatory.”

When Malleus appears in Idia’s dream towards the end of Book 7 Riddle tells him, “It’s bad manners to eavesdrop.”

Happening upon the first-year students helping Ace practice his newly-manifested unique magic, Riddle cautions them for their etiquette-breaching choice of location.

After Kalim falls into the library through a window Riddle manages to catch him with magic. Kalim’s reaction is to laugh as he apologizes and Riddle responds, “This is nothing to laugh about! Everything you just did was a glaring breach of etiquette!”

Riddle is often apologizing: he apologizes to Azul for answering a test so perfectly that points were deducted from the rest of their class, apologies to Georgina for not notifying her in advance that Jade would be bringing their group with him, and apologizes to Jade for questioning his directions during boating practice.

During Halloween Riddle apologizes to the members of Heartslabyul for becoming upset at campus visitors, when Sebek gets starts chasing a goat in Fleur City he apologizes to Rollo for Sebek’s “appalling lack of manners,” and when Deuce is unable to follow Azul’s chess analogy later on in the event, Riddle apologizes on his behalf.

During the first NBC event Riddle, at first, argues against Lock, Shock and Barrel insisting that their bathtub qualifies as a vehicle. After it is explained to him, however, he apologizes for “operating under a misapprehension regarding bathtubs,” saying, “I correct my statement. Riding one is acceptable.”

After hearing of Epel’s actions and reuniting with him at the end of the event Rook starts to cry (“I shall regale Vil with tales of your exploits. I’m sure his handkerchief will be soaked with tears….”), Riddle apologies to Deuce: “I wish I could display such emotion, but I’m afraid Rook has me beat.”

Riddle apologizes to Sebek after falling asleep at their campfire during Vargas Camp, apologizes for his behavior during New Year’s, apologizes for interrupting Kalim and Jamil’s meal during Book 2 and apologizes for worrying Trey and Cater at the end of Book 6.