#❝ＴＨＩＳ ＷＩＬＬ ＳＥＣＵＲＥ ＭＹ ＰＬＡＣＥ ＩＮ ＨＩＳＴＯＲＹ．❞ 【ｈｅａｄｃａｎｏｎｓ．】

[thyrosus]

marigold :   is your muse prone to jealousy ?how might they handle envious feelings ?

                                      BOTANICAL ASKS / NOT ACCEPTING. 🌹

ON THE SURFACE: no. One aspect of Lorenz I think is genuinely one of my favorite parts of his character is that his confidence isn't an act. He truly believes himself to be the pinnacle of nobility, and a paragon of everything he proclaims to stand for. There's an earnestness to his proclamations that borders on humorous, and an instinct to cringe at the lack of self-awareness he sometimes shows to the way he's perceived, especially by characters that aren't nobility.

But that earnestness means that he rarely covets the talents or possessions of others. If anything, others should feel jealous of him, for they have not been born as the heir to House Gloucester!

BELOW THE SURFACE: Lorenz is only human. While I do think that his rare streak of self-assurance shields him from a lot of jealous thoughts, I don't think he's immune. There are two places in particular where I think jealousy is most likely to take root:

Leadership skills. I don't think it's controversial to say Lorenz's heavy hand, rigid beliefs, and lack of self-awareness means that his leadership skills need work. He's young, and even if he can navigate social situations with ease, he doesn't yet have the life experience and skills of self-reflection to inspire a lot of confidence in others that aren't predisposed to liking him. I do think there's a certain jealous streak to some of his dialogue with Claude, even if I don't think he'd ever admit it, least of all to himself, without a bit of growth. As it pertains to The Officers Academy, I think this is especially pronounced, as working alongside monarchs and war heroes from all corners of the globe means that he has a perfect mirror to see exactly where he lacks. It's become a sore spot, even, in his near-two years here. I think he's getting better! But he's not there yet.

Romantic relationships. This is one that's definitely more of a TOA-exclusive pain point for him, albeit one I really haven't had the chance to explore. It also takes a bit of a different form than I think would suggest from his general attempts at wooing the ladies. I do think, given proper chance to observe couples that have years of history behind them, it would strike a nerve. Lorenz's conception of relationships is both shallow and not. He desires an equal, and clearly wants to put in the work to search for them, but the disconnect between his own failed attempts at flattery (that absolutely baffle him when they backfire; again, that lack of self-awareness comes back to bite him!) and the ever-present need to continue his family legacy gnaws at him. TOA has given him... a lot more present and pressing concerns, so that aspect of his character has largely been put on hold, but it's definitely present, and something I'd like to explore more. I think he craves the intimacy of a long-term relationship more than most, having that unshakeable trust in each other, and that desire sometimes conflicts with what he sees as the more pragmatic and responsible reasons for having a relationship. As of right now, this is an undeveloped sort of thought I've had in the back of my mind, but I do think it could bloom into a pain point, given time!

[thyrosus]

【０２．　ＯＮ　ＴＨＥ　ＭＡＴＴＥＲ　ＯＦ　Ａ　ＮＯＢＬＥ　ＳＴＥＥＤ．】

PRESENTING; a short list of facts about Lorenz’s dearest steed, whose presence in Garreg Mach is a welcome comfort few are privy to the true depths of.

NAME:  begonia. AGE:  four years. BREED:  “adrestian quarter horse.” (appearance and stature based off the lusitano breed.)

a gelding of impeccable breeding, and a gift lorenz received upon his arrival back in gloucester after the rather... unfortunate departure from the fhirdiad school of sorcery due to unrest in western faerghus.

while he responds well to lorenz as a rider, he is known to be rather unconcerned with most others, and their comings and goings. while he will allow others to ride him, it will not be without some resistance, despite the tempering of temperament associated with gelding a stallion.

a wonderful sprinter, and enjoys being out in the open, although by lorenz’s own admittance, took some time acclimating to the mountains of garreg mach.

mane and tail are well-maintained; lorenz takes great pride in the appearance of begonia, believing it directly reflects back on him.

owner of a variety of blankets, decorations, ribbons, and the like. you could say he’s rather spoiled...

plays nice enough with other horses, but notably somewhat miffed around wyverns and pegasi.

*artwork drawn by me, but heavily referenced from several sources, notably here for pose.

[thyrosus]

【０１．ＯＮ　ＴＨＥ　ＭＡＴＴＥＲ　ＯＦ　Ａ　ＧＬＯＵＣＥＳＴＥＲ　ＷＥＤＤＩＮＧ．】

OR; a compilation of headcanons about love, marriage, sexuality, weddings, children, and excess.

FIRST AND FOREMOST:  Three Houses is a massive text that, like all Fire Emblem games, leaves a fair amount to interpretation. Especially in regards to Lorenz’s sexuality, this is merely one well-meaning lesbian’s personal read of the in-game text, performance, the content of his endings, and my own personal life experience.

𝕊𝔼𝕏𝕌𝔸𝕃𝕀𝕋𝕐.

I personally headcanon Lorenz as a gay man, albeit one that goes from uncritically considering his own wants and desires as deeply as he should (aligning himself more with the demands of his family and House Gloucester) as well as what he believes is expected of him as a noble son, to slowly coming to terms with that fact, and then to owning it.

During his time as a student of the Officers Academy, he has not yet reached a place where he is actively reflecting upon the true nature of his own desires. He is not entirely oblivious to the draw of men, but he has not yet reached the point in his development where he is challenging the assumptions he grew up as a noble son of House Gloucester.

That being said, the expression of his sexuality looks different depending on the timeline, with Verdant Wind being the most favorable for eventually fully upending the “status quo” of his house to truly express and act on his true wants.

Even after fully coming to terms with his sexuality, there are definitely circumstances that would lead him to a lavender marriage in routes outside of Verdant Wind.

I have a lot more thoughts on this subject in particular, but I will probably save them for a lengthier meditation later on down the road!

𝕎𝔼𝔻𝔻𝕀ℕ𝔾.

A genuinely lavish affair, perhaps excessively so. By his very nature, Lorenz likes having the reins on everything he does. While he does genuinely value the input of his partner, and is open to... some compromise, he has partially had a vision of what the day looks like for several years.

The wedding would be a Verdant Rain Moon affair. While not immune to the dream of a Garland Moon wedding, this date was chosen with a purpose: it is at the hind end of summer, and the social season, poised to be the final event and the talk of the social scene for years to come. It would not conflict with a holiday, and therefore not be overshadowed by a founding day or religious holiday. And the weather would, hopefully, be a lot more favorable for a celebration after the ceremony in the expansive manor gardens, nights long enough that the guests need not be shrouded in shadow... although the garden will no less be lit up to spectacular effect.

Lorenz is not typically prone to large, public displays of excessive emotion, and most of the time remains composed. A wedding is no different; he will not waver or shed a tear during the ceremony and exchanging of vows. None to be seen! Although he will no doubt feel the threatening prick of tears at the corner of his eyes.

Because, make no mistake: this man wants to marry an equal. While his qualifications for a future spouse remain very strict during the Academy Phase (and you will know about them, as he will espouse them if asked), come War Phase and beyond, he truly believes there is a match out there that is his equal, of noble character, of a shrewd mind, and of a kind heart.

There are, however, several circumstances that would lead to a far more politically-minded marriage, not that you would know as he brings the same care and preparation he would a love match.

ℂℍ𝕀𝕃𝔻ℝ𝔼ℕ.

An inevitability, albeit one he has a vested interest in. Lorenz, especially as he grows older with more time to reflect upon his upbringing and especially his relationship to his own father, knows that he has a responsibility to the next generation to lead with grace and to polish the Gloucester name to something worthy of (eventually, hopefully!) helming the Alliance’s Roundtable.

While he grew up merely assuming his heir would be his own child by blood, especially in a more favorable route ending, he is open to the possibility of adopting an heir.

He is likely to take more of a disciplinarian role with his spouse, albeit with a more measured approach than he grew up with. Being a little more flexible as a father is something to work on, slowly but surely.

(He may never quite bend on matters of appearance, being a rather fussy sort, and prone to fixing his child’s flyaway hairs.)

[thyrosus]

muse survey: battle edition.

bold what consistently applies; italicize situational, not always.

fight honorably  /  fight dirty  /  prefer close-quarters  /  prefer range  /  chat during /  go silent  /  low pain tolerance  /   high pain tolerance  /  attack in bursts  /  attack steadily  /  go for the kill /  aim to disarm  /  fight defensively  /  strike first  /  provoked easily  /  provoke their opponent  / tease  / get visibly frustrated  / shout while attacking  /  use strategy  /  focus on their battle  /  experience conflicting thoughts during battle  /  rush in recklessly   /  try to read their opponent before fighting  /  fight wildly  /  fight calmly and, or apathetically / fight with anger  /  fight with excitement  /  fight because they have to  /   fight because they want to  /   fight without regard to wounds  /  run away when wounded  /  hide wounds  /  take a blow to protect another  /  prefer a blade  /  prefer a gun  /  prefer to use their ability  /  prefer a bow  /  prefer a shield  /  prefer a pole arm  /  prefer a personalized weapon  /  prefer magic or spells  /  prefer brawling   /  their greatest weakness is physical  /  their greatest weakness is mental  / their greatest weakness is emotional /  transform for battle  /  fight as they appear  /  rely on strength /  rely on speed  / use everything they have /  hide their full potential  /  exhaust quickly  /  high stamina  /  doubt their strength /  proceed with caution  / behave arrogantly  /  brag after landing a hit  /  belittle their abilities /  use psychological tactics  /  use brute strength  /  avoid civilians  /  strike down civilians  /  damage surroundings  /  avoid damaging surroundings  /  signature fighting style  / making it up as they go  / mastered skillset /  learning their skillset  /  fancy footwork  /  sloppy footwork  /  messy fighter  /  elegant fighter  /  accept defeat /  refuse defeat   /  beg for mercy*  /  compliment their opponent /  insult their opponent  /  use unnecessary movements  ( flips,  twirls )  /  move efficiently  /  barely move  / prefer to dodge  /  prefer to block  /  defend their blindside  /  has no blindside  /  use all available advantages  ( ex :  use a gun but also throw punches,  kick out while blades clash,  etc. )  / strictly use one main method  /  play around  /  hold back / fight ruthlessly  /  show mercy  /  wait for opponent to be ready  /  strike when opponent isn’t ready  /  fear death /  fear pain  /  fear killing  /  has PTSD  /  avoid fighting /  has lost a fight  /  has won a fight  /  has killed  /  refuses to kill  / want to die standing  /  would succumb slowly.

[thyrosus]

❝what type of I love you are you?❞

it's commitment, it's devotion, it goes often without saying, but is felt nonetheless. it's accepting that you would travel to hell and back for them if they asked and knowing that they would do the same for you. it's an old ache, long after they've burrowed deep into your chest and settled there like a weight- grounding, an anchor point. even when you're apart, you can still feel the shape of them, it's like phantom pain. neither of you can help but succumb to the other's gravity, yet neither of you fear the collision. it means that you trust them, that they make you feel safe, that they feel like home.

stolen from; the dash!

tagging; you.

[thyrosus]

𝙏𝙔𝙋𝙀𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙋𝙀𝙊𝙋𝙇𝙀    ;     𝙁𝙇𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍𝙎.

ℝ𝕆𝕊𝔼𝕊;    true romantic, loving the classics, pricked fingers, perfect makeup done to impress, bruises easily, beloved but unknown, soul as old as time, overused and under-appreciated.

𝔻𝔸𝕀𝕊𝕀𝔼𝕊;    clean linens, youthful naivety, family, wide open spaces, running barefoot, moving towards instead of away, trying to forget about death, sun blindness.

𝕊𝕌ℕ𝔽𝕃𝕆𝕎𝔼ℝ𝕊;   standing tall, strong roots, a home to always return to, warm summer air, holding onto lost hope, belief in growth, painted overalls, split ends.

𝔹𝕃𝕌𝔼𝔹𝔼𝕃𝕃𝕊;    the end of spring, determination for the truth, cold and cautious, moonlight on windowsills, the taste of ice, unnecessary shyness, quiet belief in the extraordinary, complicated morals.

𝔻𝔸𝔽𝔽𝕆𝔻𝕀𝕃𝕊;    dad friend, sweets, the smell of baking, riverbanks, leaving behind a toxic situation, being happy with your reflection, believing in luck, moving in a pack.

𝕀ℝ𝕀𝕊𝔼𝕊;    sour candies, unappreciated elegance, valor, crystals projecting rainbows on white walls, unintended organization, old royalty, refusal to bow, learning a new language for the fun of it.

𝕃𝕀𝕃𝕃𝕀𝔼𝕊;    secret poison, perfect handwriting, crisp consonants, pressed and ironed sheets, open windows, infinite persistence, thick skin, colder hands.

𝕃𝕀𝕃𝔸ℂ;    fleeting and fair, strong but delicate, radiating good vibes, the beauty of falling apart, the joy in being scattered, soft fabrics, whirlwind romance, keeping the door open.

TAGGED    BY    :    dash. 🌹

TAGGING    :      you! 🌹

[thyrosus]

bold where applicable, italicize where situationally relevant.

APHRODITE. ( 5.5 ) laughter-loving, sweet smiles, dressed in silk and satin, flower in their hair, thrives on attention, sees the world as a runway, unapologetically sexual, the sea washing their ankles, in love with love, stirrer of passion, cunning concealed by painted lips, secret daggers, doves, revolution in their kiss, delighting in the waves, flirtatious winks, strolling along the beach, staring wistfully from a balcony, this is how to be a heartbreaker, your girlfriend thinks they’re attractive, wants to be adored, turned on by danger.

APOLLO. ( 5.5 ) glitz and glamour, art galleries, turning the volume up, being made of gold, neatly-organized music sheets, notebooks filled with poetry, bathing in the sunlight, the powerful urge to create, collecting vinyl records, beautiful cover of wonderwall, playing multiple instruments, tasting like sunshine, healing touch, speaking in prophecies, smile mingled wrath, shunning lies, sporting shades, hanging out at music festivals with their friends, sleeping naked, arrow to the heart, paint brushes.

ARES. ( 1.5 ) armed for battle, wants to raise a dog with their significant other, soft spot for children, gives piggyback rides, scarred body, blood on their hands and face, willing to fight the world for the ones they love, fights against injustice, warm hugs, well-worn combat boots, boxing gloves, bandages wrapped around bruised knuckles, fist raised in protest, ignites revolutions, fear is a prison, more sensitive than what their tough shell will make you think, exhausted, damaged goods, force to be reckoned with, red roses, curses under their breath.

ARTEMIS. ( 2.5 ) keen sense of a hunter, freckles like constellations on their skin, piercing eyes, disheveled braid, moonlight peeking through the shadows, the calm of the forest at night, lying on the grass and staring at the stars, mother doe and her fawn, protecting their kin, the moon shimmering on a still lake, quiver full of arrows resting against the bark of a tree, running with wolves, bonding while circled around a campfire, not being much of a people person, arrow hitting a target, popping egos, patience on 3%, touches heaven and returns howling.

ATHENA. ( 10.5 ) discerning gaze, unreadable face, the patience of a lifelong teacher, quiet museums, owl perched on their finger, armor that intimidates, eye for architecture, studied the blade while everyone else was busy getting laid, big fan of logic, loves brain teasers, go-getter, balls of wool displayed on shelves, ancient buildings, sweaters in neutrals and cool colors, hair done up, can kill you with their brain, heads to the library often to research, sharpened pencils, abs that can cut steel, stoic statues, pottery classes.

DEMETER. ( 1.5 ) soil-covered hands, smile that can bloom flowers, skin loved by the sun, being the mom-friend, flowers kept in the pockets of overalls, takes pride in their beautiful garden, speaks to their plants (elementals), leaves rustling in the wind, stalks of wheat, picking fruit, greenhouses, heart as strong as a mountain, values simplicity, daisies dotted across a collarbone, curls crowned with flowers, folded pile of sweaters in warm hues, pulling out fresh-baked bread out of the oven and the smell wafting through the air.

DIONYSUS. ( 3.5 ) drunk shitposter, on their sixth glass of wine before you’ve even finished your second, seductive smirks, untamed curls, rich fabrics on dark skin, sleek-furred panthers, theater masks, stage productions, receiving a standing ovation, rose caught between their teeth, being the baby of the bunch, wild parties that last from sundown to sunup, creeping vines, inspiring loyalty, grand opera houses, masquerade balls, rolls of film, shattered chandeliers with broken glass scattered across the floor, pouring champagne into flutes, lives for the applause.

HEPHAESTUS. ( 0 ) the calloused hands of someone who knows labor, sweaty brow, flame burning in their eyes, inventive mind, broad shoulders, steampunk goggles, nuts and bolts stored away in little boxes, ashes, striking a match, blueprints for future projects, fixing up a busted up car and giving it cool upgrades, wrestles with bitterness, work boots have seen better years, wrinkled plaid shirts, iron melted in blazing fire, huge jackets, crafting masterpieces, greased-stained overalls, fascination with robotics, pain is fuel, stack of weaponry.

HERA. ( 2 ) resting bitch face, dressed to the nines, cows grazing on a pasture, cool rain, loving and hating fiercely, hand clutching a string of pearls, large chandelier with glittering crystals, plays the sims for the sole purpose of killing off their sims, romance to realism, pictures of the sky while flying on a plane, downs glasses of wine as they relax with a scented bubble bath, like their selfie or you’re grounded, knows 57 convenient ways to murder a man, dark eyes that penetrate your soul, marble and gold.

HERMES. ( 0.5 ) devil-may-care smile, ink-stained hands, always up-to-date on the latest technology, does it for the vine, shitposter, puts googly eyes on everything, meme hoarder, long drives on the highway, ma and pop diners, spontaneous road trips, folded maps, fingers dancing across the keyboard of a laptop, shooting hoops on the basketball court, chatting up strangers as you all journey to your own destinations, goes jogging in the morning, mixes redbull with coffee, menace on april fool’s, hoodies and sneakers.

POSEIDON. ( 2 ) storm with skin, colorful coral reefs, waves crashing against the shore, the sea casting its spell, stroking the soft fur of a cat, their heart pounding as their horse’s gentle trot speeds into a gallop, tousled locks, clothes smeared with paint, owns several sketchbooks yet always yearns for more, leather jackets, fondness for diy projects, handwriting that flows across the page, nimble fingers playing the strings of a violin, velvety singing voice that haunts your dreams, mood as ever-changing as the sea, the roar of a motorcycle, compass with a spinning arrow.

ZEUS. ( 8.5 ) thunder in their heart, running on coffee, flash of lightning, natural charisma, eloquence, badass in a nice suit, aficionado of history, force of nature, pretends they don’t have feelings but they do, nightmare-filled nights, proud arm around their lover’s waist, high-rise buildings, planes soaring through a cloudless sky, technician on the piano, maintains order, strong handshake, juggling multiple events on their busy schedule with ease, most likely to be voted class president out of their peers, expensive watch.

[thyrosus]

ooc. tag dump!

[thyrosus]

🌹

True to form, the expectations of the last three years hold constant the moment Lorenz opens his eyes: he feels no different at the first shred of dawn through his window, fully cognizant it heralds the day of his birth.

If he’d had to venture a guess, the shift had started when the day had come and gone without fanfare when he’d woken up to the stone and heavy midnight curtains that compromised of his dormitory in Fhirdiad. He’d risen with the sun, as he’d done so every day his father had thought him worthy of shadowing him in his duties, and instead of house staff ensuring every wrinkle laid smooth, it was under his watchful direction he’d dressed to perfection—within constraints, of course, as the chilled city’s School of Sorcery had a uniform of its own, and his day of birth had fallen well within the middle of week, as classes began to truly fall into predictability.

No one, save for the Head Teacher of his year, had given him more than passing well-wishes. A few of his peers murmured their echoed sentiments in turn, but he was still the lone son of Leicester, and very few had been impressed with his prowess when he was among students of equal talent.

A realization, creeping as an awareness he was trapped in a waking dream: a solitude, partially self-imposed (he’d *begged* his father to let him enroll for his own pursuits—even if at the time, he’d felt mature and rational in his presentation) but partially by the hand of his peers. And, yes, there had been letters and a package from home—his mother had deigned to write, and he’d felt particularly grateful for the letter—but something never quite settled.

Gloucester’s ancestral home lies on the beautiful hills that overlook its biggest settlement. Beltanne erupts into celebration for the Garland Moon, the hills erupting into full wildflower bloom with it. His mother’s rose garden even opens to the public for a scant few days, for all their people to see its fragrant glory. Removed from celebration and the scent of roses—his birthday falling square in the middle, of course, and his chest always puffed and proud—he was little more than a faceless young man in a sea of his peers.

Disappointment breeds contempt and loathing in lesser men. For a noble son, it brings resolve.

A bold cut, first, standing in the floor-length mirror. To better accent the points his face came to before he’d yet grown a head above his peers. Lorenz doubled down in his studies, *devouring* book after book until he could recite formulas for spells with perfect recall. He would never again fade into the background, and if his name did not inspire the awe it should, he would wrest the mass’s attention to him by making himself impossible to ignore.

He feels no different, now, looking in the mirror. He’s yet to make peace, although he refuses to dwell. It is *his* day of celebration, and another year to strive for perfection in all he does.

While he wears but an ornament, most days, today the rose he fixes to his breast is very real, and fresh, and a distant echo of the celebration in his memory.

He’d found a rose in the marketplace that weekend, all those years ago—the Garland Moon tradition holds little weight when winter winds blow strong year-round, but the snow-white blooms for lovers’ garlands remained, imported, likely, from within the heart of his own home.

Lorenz did not reach for lovers’ white, but resolute, classic red. It burned against the gold and blue of his school’s colors, almost difficult to stare at in contrast.

He’d loved it immediately.