Lorenz "I'm an 11" Hellman Gloucester (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bergamotrose) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
middaeg2020-02-10 09:51 pm
bergamotrose) wrote in middaeg2020-02-10 09:51 pm
[Open] February Catch-All | Pegasus Moon
Who: Lorenz Hellman Gloucester + Open (with potential closed starters as needed)
When: Full Moon and after
Where: Throughout Aefenglom
What: Lorenz finds himself facing the consequences of not having his priorities straight.
Warnings: Possible body horror. Will update as needed.
A
[It was a miscalculation.
That was what he would tell himself later, after the dust had settled. It was a miscalculation of a variety of factors that he had neither predicted nor given the appropriate weight in his planning. The first was finding others from his land with yet a different set of memories than the ones he had already encountered, and navigating the particular frustration of not being able to determine who among them was friend or foe. The second, Lapis Lazuli. The ferocity of the rage that boiled within her was far more intense than he had realized, and it was a disruption in the plans he was trying to pursue with her. As much as he wanted to trust her as an equal, for the moment that was impossible. The third...
Marianne.
In an ideal setting, they would have been of similar age and had met with the same trials. She would have faced the darkness inside her heart and made peace with it, and they could have moved forward. But she had arrived in this realm as she was five years prior-- seemingly fragile, certainly untempered, and as liable to shy away as she was to explode in her fear. That alone would have been enough to still Lorenz's own plans, but then she had been taken. Taken, and forced to endure an untold number of disrespects that she was still reluctant to speak of. She, among all of those in this realm from Fodlan, had faced the most trauma in Aefenglom.
And yet, she was the least able to accept the final verdict delivered by the judge.
Knowing all of this in his heart, Lorenz was faced with a singular certainty that she needed his protection. But, that certainty was coupled with the fact that he felt he could not interfere.
He itched to write something-- a poem. Anything. 'Amid time’s flow I mourn bonds I’m not sure I can ever rend...' It left an unsettled feeling in his fingers that crept up his arms and firmly clenched his swiftly beating heart in it's fist, binding him to it's will.
At least he had the foresight to lock the bedroom door. Stocked in his personal quarters were sundry items that he suspected he would need until dawn--
But, it wasn't enough.
The wave of pain that met his body as he caught a glimpse of the full moon slowly dawning over the horizon had him biting his tongue in shock. Hands clenched tightly upon the rails of his bed in a white knucked bid for support as his knees buckled beneath him, changing configuration into something wholly unfamiliar. His ears burned, his vision blurred--
Amid the disjointed thoughts that rolled in a tangle in his mind was one recurring thread: Marianne. He couldn't let Marianne see him like this.
He knew he shouldn't be alone. Yet, unbonded as he was, he had no choice.
Finding his footing, Lorenz took the only course he could think of: Flee. Throwing the window to his bedroom wide open, Lorenz leapt for the freedom of the night. The late winter chill of the wind helped him have a grip on his intention, kept his awareness sharp.
Thus, with an inhuman stillness he crept through the shadows of the city, intent on making it to his destination unimpeded: The Harbor.
The salty air at the docks, the frigid bite of the sea, would surely help.]
B
[It was a miscalculation, yet here he was.
Lorenz sat on the edge of the dock, wrapped in a blanket he had procured from parts unknown while his unfamiliar feet dangled in the empty space wrought by low tide. His silken hair hung in his face and clung to the ears that now twitched in the cold breeze, tangled with muck and dirt that Lorenz was too hesitant to attempt to define. Uncomfortable and exhausted, Lorenz squinted out over the crisp horizon while he attempted to ignore the hollow feeling in his chest and the distinct knowledge that he was certain his flight from Haven had not been as clean as he had wished.
People had seen him. They had to. If they hadn't, they surely would in the near future.
Huffing irritably, Lorenz idly picked at the delicate swatches of velvet that were now hanging from his antlers.]
This must make quite a sight,
[He mused darkly, bitterly. After spending so much time keeping his appearances in a perfectly coiffed illusion of grandeur, Lorenz knew there was no coming back from this.]
When: Full Moon and after
Where: Throughout Aefenglom
What: Lorenz finds himself facing the consequences of not having his priorities straight.
Warnings: Possible body horror. Will update as needed.
A
[It was a miscalculation.
That was what he would tell himself later, after the dust had settled. It was a miscalculation of a variety of factors that he had neither predicted nor given the appropriate weight in his planning. The first was finding others from his land with yet a different set of memories than the ones he had already encountered, and navigating the particular frustration of not being able to determine who among them was friend or foe. The second, Lapis Lazuli. The ferocity of the rage that boiled within her was far more intense than he had realized, and it was a disruption in the plans he was trying to pursue with her. As much as he wanted to trust her as an equal, for the moment that was impossible. The third...
Marianne.
In an ideal setting, they would have been of similar age and had met with the same trials. She would have faced the darkness inside her heart and made peace with it, and they could have moved forward. But she had arrived in this realm as she was five years prior-- seemingly fragile, certainly untempered, and as liable to shy away as she was to explode in her fear. That alone would have been enough to still Lorenz's own plans, but then she had been taken. Taken, and forced to endure an untold number of disrespects that she was still reluctant to speak of. She, among all of those in this realm from Fodlan, had faced the most trauma in Aefenglom.
And yet, she was the least able to accept the final verdict delivered by the judge.
Knowing all of this in his heart, Lorenz was faced with a singular certainty that she needed his protection. But, that certainty was coupled with the fact that he felt he could not interfere.
He itched to write something-- a poem. Anything. 'Amid time’s flow I mourn bonds I’m not sure I can ever rend...' It left an unsettled feeling in his fingers that crept up his arms and firmly clenched his swiftly beating heart in it's fist, binding him to it's will.
At least he had the foresight to lock the bedroom door. Stocked in his personal quarters were sundry items that he suspected he would need until dawn--
But, it wasn't enough.
The wave of pain that met his body as he caught a glimpse of the full moon slowly dawning over the horizon had him biting his tongue in shock. Hands clenched tightly upon the rails of his bed in a white knucked bid for support as his knees buckled beneath him, changing configuration into something wholly unfamiliar. His ears burned, his vision blurred--
Amid the disjointed thoughts that rolled in a tangle in his mind was one recurring thread: Marianne. He couldn't let Marianne see him like this.
He knew he shouldn't be alone. Yet, unbonded as he was, he had no choice.
Finding his footing, Lorenz took the only course he could think of: Flee. Throwing the window to his bedroom wide open, Lorenz leapt for the freedom of the night. The late winter chill of the wind helped him have a grip on his intention, kept his awareness sharp.
Thus, with an inhuman stillness he crept through the shadows of the city, intent on making it to his destination unimpeded: The Harbor.
The salty air at the docks, the frigid bite of the sea, would surely help.]
B
[It was a miscalculation, yet here he was.
Lorenz sat on the edge of the dock, wrapped in a blanket he had procured from parts unknown while his unfamiliar feet dangled in the empty space wrought by low tide. His silken hair hung in his face and clung to the ears that now twitched in the cold breeze, tangled with muck and dirt that Lorenz was too hesitant to attempt to define. Uncomfortable and exhausted, Lorenz squinted out over the crisp horizon while he attempted to ignore the hollow feeling in his chest and the distinct knowledge that he was certain his flight from Haven had not been as clean as he had wished.
People had seen him. They had to. If they hadn't, they surely would in the near future.
Huffing irritably, Lorenz idly picked at the delicate swatches of velvet that were now hanging from his antlers.]
This must make quite a sight,
[He mused darkly, bitterly. After spending so much time keeping his appearances in a perfectly coiffed illusion of grandeur, Lorenz knew there was no coming back from this.]
no subject
Already smitten, Lore?
[ Congrats, that's your nickname now. Maybe he'll use Lori sometimes, if this isn't immediately nipped in the bud.
Look, it's a nice distraction while trying to get up. He'll be fine once standing, but his hand strength still isn't quite good enough for this. Which... He should've known. ]
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[Bucephalus neighs and shakes her head. Iskandar just laughs. He told you she's a smart horse.]
Oh-o? I think she likes you.
[Having dealt with the more urgent case Iskandar turns to Judar. If the faun thought Iskandar won't notice his attempts at standing up, he should have known better. He just reaches down and lifts Judar to his feet.]
Weren't you supposed to go easy on your hands,hm?
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[Lorenz ignored the nickname, stunned by such an... accusation. He held fast to Bucephalus as he watched Iskandar haul Judar upright, looking discreetly away both in respect and in his own shame. Numbly, he ran his fingers through the horse's mane-- and tried to ignore the embarrassed flush that graced his cheeks.]
...That would be my fault. It was exhausting watching him stand like that, but I didn't think further ahead.
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And uuuugh he hates having to get hauled up. It's necessary, but he still hates it. (But thanks for taking responsibility for their found circumstances, Lorenz.) At least he can still walk, and didn't need to be put onto the horse as well. ]
Yeah, yeah. It's probably a good idea to see how strong they've gotten once in a while. I need to work on the strength as much as I do the dexterity.
[ He's just been working on both daily, for as much as he can get away with. ]
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That's very kind of you.
[While, in the same time, he's actively ignoring any protests from Judar. At least he didn't haul him on a horse too. So that's a win, isn't it?]
It would take longer if you strained the muscles before they properly heal. That's why doctors told you to pace yourself. Have some patience.
[Said by the man with literally no patience. Yes, yes, he's aware of the irony.]
But enough of that idle chat! Let's go. Fortunately, it's not far.
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...Sir. You are aware that you're asking a deer to be patient?
[No sarcasm was intended; it was an honest question. In his experience, Deer were as liable to run as they were to get into trouble.]
Regardless, you've my thanks. This has been a... a night.
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Yeah, let's go.
[ See, he's not using it as a chance to start a fight! Probably because he knows he'd lose it, but that's a complete aside. Instead he focuses on the thing Lorenz said, before the thing about it being a night. ]
So it's a deer thing? What other kinds of things are deer things?
[ What other behaviors can he use and claim those instincts as an excuse? ]
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[Any night that ends with you almost feeding the fishes is A Night indeed. But it's the question that gets most of his attention. More even when Judar expresses his interest. That is going to be fun.]
Right? What are deer things? I must admit my familiarity with monster traits other than those belonging to turnskins is sadly limited at best. But the subject interests me greatly.
[What are other things he'll have to watch out for?]
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(tm)-- finely honed after years of trying and failing to gain advantage over the foreign born schemer who had become leader of his country by birthright alone-- warned Lorenz that this was the bare bones of a trap. For whom it was going to be laid, he could not yet tell. The moon had clouded his ordinarily clear thought processes.]Do neither of you have deer where you're from?
[It was a strange question, but the creature was so familiar to Lorenz that he couldn't conceive of not recognizing it.]
Deer are known to in general be a nuisance at times. If there aren't enough of their natural predators around, they have been known to enter homesteads and eat what they can find on the property. Leaves, twigs, tree bark, but also manicured gardens. The stags also have an unfortunate tendency to get their antlers hung up in everything, and it would ten require at least two people to subdue and free the creature.
[He sighed.]
They've also been spotted fishing by wilderness explorers, and even chasing down birds to catch and eat. They seem gentle on first sight, but that doesn't exempt them from being difficult.
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[ Judar also traveled with people that took care of housing and meal arrangements, while he could just also head out to markets for other things. He knew general things, like how deer made good hide for clothes, but not about their tendencies. That, and the wildlife he knew weren't... Really normal.
He didn't realize just how... Annoying deer were though, by this description. Sure, Lore started it all out with saying they were nuisances, but really...
Then the horrifying part was brought up. Horrifyingly gross, when imagining it. ]
Chasing birds... To eat...If something like that ever happens, I'd rather remove everything that's become 'faun' than let that continue.
no subject
[And tasty when roasted over a fire. But Iskandar is not stupid or cruel to make that last remark. Not in the current company, not anywhere in a city that's a house to so many that share the animal traits.]
Though I haven't heard about them being such pests as you describe. I did, however, get the impression that animals here are quite different than those of the same name I remember from my homeland.
[Drawing a goddess' chariot yes? Luring unsuspecting hunters into the swamps and quicksands, yes? But eating birds? Gross! For the love gods, deer having antlers was a new thing for him! The golden hinds of Artemis had nothing of that sort. Nor did those he hunted at home in his youth.
Though he does not concentrate on that last bit of information because something else catches his attention.]
What's a manicured garden?
[That's the first time he hears the term.]
no subject
Glancing between the two men, Lorenz lifted his shoulders in a dismissive gesture.]
Oh, they're no different from any other garden really. They are fairly large and filled with ornamental flowers and shrubs, usually with at least a person or small team tending to the trimming, pruning, weeding, and ensuring that the plants are properly nourished.
Sometimes larger estates allow their shrubbery to grow into complex mazes for the visitors, but that takes more time than people have patience for.
...Honestly, to the regular folks on the farms and in the towns, elaborate gardens are worse than useless. They're a burden; no one blames the ordinary farmer for not having the patience or time to grow one.
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Honestly... What was described as a manicured garden, aside from this maze thing, seemed like a thing done for royals and nobles in his world. Easier and faster to manage with the kinds of magic available in his world, but still requiring a kind of constant maintenance that most others don't bother with. ]
Given how we seem to have magic to make those gardens, I don't think we have to worry about causing too much chaos with that. Not unless someone had other motivations towards it to begin with.
[ Like straight-up not liking the person that it affected the most. Nice and simple. ]
no subject
[He furrows his brows.] A curious thing you say. I've never heard of mazes made with plants. The only one I know of was built in stone by Dedalus for the king Minos of Crete. Though that was long before my time and I haven't been there either so I cannot say if it's more than a legend.
[Of course, the gardens can be made by magic. They can even be maintained by the same magitech that heats the houses or power a lot of city's infrastructure. It's just, magic is the last thing that Iskandar ever thinks of.]
We do? Bah! Every time I think I know something about magic here it turns out there's more.
no subject
[Lord? Your Majesty? Your Highness? Sir?
At this point, Lorenz didn't know what title to use. He was winging it.]
Once you start exploring, the wonders never cease.
But-- a maze of stone? But, if someone were to get lost, how would they find their way out?
[It was little details like that-- the ones that were pointless and nonsensical in his experience-- that kept his awareness intact enough to stay upright upon the noble steed. For a horse as large as she was, Lorenz marvelled at the grace with which Bucephalus trotted. Even from foreign lands, in sizes he had never imagined, horses truly were a reliable denominator between many worlds.]
no subject
[ A little aside, and reminder, that Judar was able to boost-start their garden efforts. In fact, it was almost recommended, as it eased some of their instincts to be connected to nature in some ways. Which meant less fauns running out into forests, where it was more dangerous and risky.
But man, Lorenz really was one of those people who grew up in a stricter noble life. Lord Iskander... Maybe it was just because of his position and the people he grew up around people, but Judar never felt the need to put that much regard into positions. Well, those positions. ]
It'd be weird for something like that to be just 'a legend,' so there's probably something true about it all...
no subject
Way out? [The question surprises him.] There was no way out. That was the point. Dedalus laboured long and hard to make it so. To keep the one that resided there inside.
[He didn't say the monster even if it was on the tip of his tongue. This word has a different meaning here. King Minos', or rather Queen Pasifae's son, was a formidable beast but in no way coherent, or even human, enough to be called a monster here.]
You will have to tell me more about that plant magic. [Iskandar pauses. That is incredibly useful information.] I may need to enlist your help with a certain project. [He breaks midthought as they finally arrive at the end of their journey.]
Aha! There it is! Our destination. It may not look like much but it is a very friendly place.
[For him, at least.]
no subject
He was about to speak when Iskandar announced their arrival. Looking up at the ediface and the signage from the back of the horse, Lorenz found himself smiling at the familiarity. One bar was as like any other in many ways.
But, this one looked like it had a certain kind of charm.]
...I don't believe I've ventured inside this one, sir.
[He said, still falling onto the comfortable formality. It would be lost with time-- but, for the moment, remembering his manners helped him be mindful of a great many other things.
Color me intrigued. These places that seem so modest are often the best.
no subject
[ Judar had visited very soon after arriving, getting whatever drinks he could, and trying to deal with the fact that he was nothing like he was, in so many different ways, without realizing what that 'was' had been. Since then, while the visits weren't frequent, they were fun and enough to be familiar with the charm of the place.
He'd gotten to know most of the bars, pubs and taverns in this place very quickly. It seemed to be a bit of a faun thing, so he'd almost expected something similar to be the case for Lor. ]
It boasts in the ways that matter, 'specially for them. Even if they've learned to put a drinking contest ban on fauns.
[ The fact that he acknowledged it was something that the establishment learned should successfully imply that it was the right decision, and Judar knew it. Fauns do have an unfair advantage and intolerance, which would just deplete their stores if it was two fauns against one another. ]
no subject
[Iskandar is less surprised than Judar by Lorentz unfamiliarity with the place. He personally likes it. It's cosy if a bit rowdy. Yet he's aware of the establishment's reputation. What he wasn't aware of though is that the faun ban is real.]
They really did?! It can't be! I heard rumours but I dismissed them as pure conjecture. I thought it can't possibly be true.
[The craziest and fiercest part of any competition like that is not the drinking but the betting! And for drinking contests, fauns are competitors hardest to predict. Hence making the gamble most fun. The owners of the establishment no doubt took their cut of all the bets.
Iskandar whistles.]
I can only imagine what must have happened to force them into such a decision!
no subject
[With as many fauns as there were in town, Lorenz could only imagine the pain some of the barkeeps had in keeping their coffers well stocked and the taps flowing. Lorenz nodded knowingly as he spoke-- years of watching merchants transport wine across his homelands had taught him quite a bit about how matters like these worked.]
....but if you want a good, old fashioned drinking contest, there are plenty of other ways to make that happen.
no subject
[ It's easy to see the multiple ways that this could've ended up happening. If just the mirrorbound fauns alone decided to crash a tavern for a while, to see how far they could go, it'd leave the place dry until more stock had come in again. Judar might've done the latter, which got him the drinking contest ban. ]
But as bambi's demonstrating already, sometimes fauns just can't help but toy with rules for a good time.
no subject
[They are already drawing curious looks but Iskandar seems not to notice or care that there are people openly staring at their small party. He pats Bucephalus on the head signaling her to kneel, so Lorentz can, with his help, get down.]
Maybe some other time. [He grins.] Usually, I won't say no to a competition but I have plans for later today. [Plans that actually require him to stay sober. How horrible...]
no subject
We'll need to take you up on that when there isn't a full moon, [Lorenz said, looking up at the man.] Unless you truly wish to deal with a pair of moonsick fauns trying to fully enjoy the effects of the drinks.
no subject
Really, they were probably getting the extra looks because it was more than one faun in the group. That, or because the three of them were eye catching in their own ways. Such a comment gets a curious hum, just barely bumping against the big guy. ]
I dunno... You've got quite some unique wishes, don't you big guy?
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