Lorenz Hellman Gloucester (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nobiliteased) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sranks2019-11-10 10:54 pm
nobiliteased) wrote in sranks2019-11-10 10:54 pm
and if there's love in this life, there's no obstacle
[Everyone knows the story about soulmates. They say that when two people who are destined to be together meet, they exchange words that are marked on one another. Those words when spoken by your soulmate will cause the marks to tingle and you'll know. The stories have never explained how one would know, but it's the sort of fairy tale that everyone in Fódlan buys into. In fact, it's practically a requirement to spend a great deal of time talking about your soulmate and daydreaming about what they look like, act like, sound like.
Even Lorenz wasn't immune to that, though he was very young when his father started insisting he cover up the words on the inside of his left arm. He was still an idealistic child when he was told to stop dreaming about a soulmate. A noble's duty is to their house and their lands; one cannot get caught up in wild daydreams when securing an heir is far more important. What if his soulmate were to be a man, or perhaps worse, a commoner?
So Lorenz stopped dreaming. He stopped thinking about what color his soulmate's eyes would be, or what their laugh would sound like, or even the words marked on his arm.
Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle.
In truth, it was a bit hard to ignore just how strange the words were. Such a thing would be unthinkable to come from the lips of a noble at all, which is perhaps why his father was so insistent that he forget all about his soulmate. Fódlan is a very large place; the odds of Lorenz actually hearing those words from his soulmate are incredibly low.
And yet.
It happened out of the blue, after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. It was a mock battle, but one that pit the three houses against one another; one that his father had been so proud of winning and one Lorenz had done his best to succeed in. Unfortunately, the Golden Deer house wasn't the victor this time. It was not an entirely crushing defeat, but the Black Eagles house had several students still standing at the end, which was a bit embarrassing as far as Lorenz was concerned. It felt like they hadn't done enough.
But everyone had gathered together for a grand feast anyway, hosted by the house leaders. Claude didn't even cause any trouble, surprisingly, though he did insist on trying to chat with everyone and had even dragged the Imperial princess Edelgard over for a bit. Their conversation had been amicable, but ultimately nothing particularly noteworthy.
At least until those damning words left her mouth.
"Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle."
He'd said something about nobility and how it tied into his desire to succeed, or something along those lines, and she'd responded immediately, with a tight expression that he couldn't quite place. He would have dismissed the conversation entirely had he not felt the sudden tingle running up his arm, as though those words were being carved into his skin anew. It wasn't painful, but his arm did twitch a bit and Claude looked at him strangely, and he had tried to hide the fact that he knew.
As it turns out, it isn't really something that can be described. You just know when you've found your soulmate. It's almost like stating a fact you've known all along; the sky is blue, water is wet, a noble's duty is to guide the commoners.
Lorenz had retired early, mostly to give himself time to think. Edelgard is his soulmate, and it seemed likely that she would recognize this as well. So where do they go from here? If he were to write his father about this, he has no doubts that his father would insist he pursue this. Marrying a commoner is out of the question, but marrying the Imperial princess? That would propel House Gloucester to heights unimaginable. Merging House Gloucester with the Empire and House Hresvelg certainly might have some downsides, but who could be more noble than a princess?
Logistically speaking, House Gloucester can only benefit. And yet he hesitated, and hadn't started writing a letter to his father about it.
He still hasn't, even though it's been a week.
In truth, Lorenz isn't entirely sure what he's been waiting for. Perhaps he's expecting Edelgard to make the first move, to seek him out and confront the inherent awkwardness that finding a new soulmate seems to bring. Does everyone find it this awkward? He can only imagine they do, especially given how little he actually knows of Edelgard as a person. But shying away from it is unbecoming of a noble, so Lorenz has decided enough is enough.
He catches Edelgard outside of the Black Eagles classroom after their lessons are over, offering her a smile.]
Edelgard, a moment, if you would?
[...And because he knows a certain shadow is always at the princess' elbow:] Alone, perhaps?
Even Lorenz wasn't immune to that, though he was very young when his father started insisting he cover up the words on the inside of his left arm. He was still an idealistic child when he was told to stop dreaming about a soulmate. A noble's duty is to their house and their lands; one cannot get caught up in wild daydreams when securing an heir is far more important. What if his soulmate were to be a man, or perhaps worse, a commoner?
So Lorenz stopped dreaming. He stopped thinking about what color his soulmate's eyes would be, or what their laugh would sound like, or even the words marked on his arm.
Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle.
In truth, it was a bit hard to ignore just how strange the words were. Such a thing would be unthinkable to come from the lips of a noble at all, which is perhaps why his father was so insistent that he forget all about his soulmate. Fódlan is a very large place; the odds of Lorenz actually hearing those words from his soulmate are incredibly low.
And yet.
It happened out of the blue, after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. It was a mock battle, but one that pit the three houses against one another; one that his father had been so proud of winning and one Lorenz had done his best to succeed in. Unfortunately, the Golden Deer house wasn't the victor this time. It was not an entirely crushing defeat, but the Black Eagles house had several students still standing at the end, which was a bit embarrassing as far as Lorenz was concerned. It felt like they hadn't done enough.
But everyone had gathered together for a grand feast anyway, hosted by the house leaders. Claude didn't even cause any trouble, surprisingly, though he did insist on trying to chat with everyone and had even dragged the Imperial princess Edelgard over for a bit. Their conversation had been amicable, but ultimately nothing particularly noteworthy.
At least until those damning words left her mouth.
"Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle."
He'd said something about nobility and how it tied into his desire to succeed, or something along those lines, and she'd responded immediately, with a tight expression that he couldn't quite place. He would have dismissed the conversation entirely had he not felt the sudden tingle running up his arm, as though those words were being carved into his skin anew. It wasn't painful, but his arm did twitch a bit and Claude looked at him strangely, and he had tried to hide the fact that he knew.
As it turns out, it isn't really something that can be described. You just know when you've found your soulmate. It's almost like stating a fact you've known all along; the sky is blue, water is wet, a noble's duty is to guide the commoners.
Lorenz had retired early, mostly to give himself time to think. Edelgard is his soulmate, and it seemed likely that she would recognize this as well. So where do they go from here? If he were to write his father about this, he has no doubts that his father would insist he pursue this. Marrying a commoner is out of the question, but marrying the Imperial princess? That would propel House Gloucester to heights unimaginable. Merging House Gloucester with the Empire and House Hresvelg certainly might have some downsides, but who could be more noble than a princess?
Logistically speaking, House Gloucester can only benefit. And yet he hesitated, and hadn't started writing a letter to his father about it.
He still hasn't, even though it's been a week.
In truth, Lorenz isn't entirely sure what he's been waiting for. Perhaps he's expecting Edelgard to make the first move, to seek him out and confront the inherent awkwardness that finding a new soulmate seems to bring. Does everyone find it this awkward? He can only imagine they do, especially given how little he actually knows of Edelgard as a person. But shying away from it is unbecoming of a noble, so Lorenz has decided enough is enough.
He catches Edelgard outside of the Black Eagles classroom after their lessons are over, offering her a smile.]
Edelgard, a moment, if you would?
[...And because he knows a certain shadow is always at the princess' elbow:] Alone, perhaps?
no subject
I certainly agree. It would be better to allow everyone--including ourselves--the time needed to adjust.
[At least for the time being. Edelgard doesn't know if this is something that will last, after all, but the thought of pursuing this even for a little while is...nice. It's frivolity that Edelgard was certain she'd never indulge in.]
Thank you for agreeing to this. I'm certain that it will prove to be beneficial, no matter the result.
[...Of course, with this much done, it begs the question of what to do now. Certainly letting him go would likely give them more time to adjust, but it still doesn't seem...right, Edelgard's sure. Her look goes briefly contemplative before going back to something more firm.]
Tell me, am I keeping you from anything?
[...Edelgard that's. The most backwards way of trying to ask if he's free or if he wants to spend more time together...]
no subject
[It's good she's in agreement on that. They seem to be looking at it the same way, which is a bit of a relief. Not that he'd expect anything else from her, since this is the most practical way to view it. He's just glad she hasn't dismissed it outright.
It probably would be easy to pretend this never happened and to move on with their lives. He could still find a suitable wife to continue House Gloucester and she could reign as Empress. It's unlikely they'd have to see each other for very long - if at all - so perhaps it wouldn't be too bad. Still, Lorenz would be lying if he said that it sounded appealing. Knowing who his soulmate is would make it much harder to turn away from a life with her.
Not that he's blind to how many problems this could pose, of course. While it would be almost overwhelmingly beneficial for House Gloucester, the same cannot be said of House Hresvelg. She's undoubtedly considering all of that as well.
Ah, but he's getting ahead of himself. For now, they need to see if they're actually compatible as people not just as soulmates.
He figures that Edelgard will be busy, but before he can excuse himself, she asks him that and he finds his head tipping to the side just a bit as he tries to work out what she wants.]
No, you are not. I have the rest of the evening free.
[...Oh, is she asking to spend time with him...?]
If you'd like, we could take tea in the gardens. I would be pleased to share some of my favorite blend with you.
[...That isn't coming on too strong, is it...??]
no subject
Lorenz, I think for the time being we should stick to something more platonic. [...] Or at the very least, something less likely to start rumors around the monastery...
[that is so forward, what were you, raised in a barn??? or in the same place where the king of lacking tact ferdinand came from???]
Would the library suffice instead? We could read together; I do have some studying that I need to do for tonight's homework, and perhaps we could help one another be prepared.
[...edelgard you just turned your hypothetical friendship-date into a work-date, oh my god]
no subject
Ah, yes, of course! That would be suitable, yes.
[Except he's pretty sure this is just so Edelgard can work at the same time, but you know what, he won't argue. If she's turning down tea because it isn't platonic enough (how???) then it's best to stick with the very basics, then. Right.
...
Seriously, how is tea not platonic enough—]
no subject
Let us be off, then. We should have a couple hours of peace and quiet.
[In this house we do things quickly and efficiently, and that includes spending time with others. Edelgard sees little wrong with this; she's sure that Lorenz will appreciate the time for his own studying, and this certainly won't start rumors. It's a win win!!
The library is perhaps thankfully pretty empty, at any rate; Edelgard looks around, seeing...Linhardt asleep on a table, because of course he is, and Annette and Mercedes cleaning up. There are a few other students around reading too, but first...]
Why don't you go get a few books and pick out a table for us? [...It's said as if there's no arguing that much, but Edelgard's smile is confident enough.] I need to go procure my own books, and take care of a pressing problem. I shall meet with you shortly.
[...edelgard you are so bad at this]
no subject
Anyway, he follows along, not particularly bothered by this turn of events (outside of his reaction of "tea???"). The library is thankfully rather quiet today; not that it ever truly gets all that loud, but there have been occasions in the past where something stupid happens, so it's good to see that it's mostly empty today. He's not even remotely surprised to see Linhardt asleep here, and doesn't bat an eye at it.
Edelgard speaks up and he returns his attention to her, nodding.]
Of course. I'll see you when you return.
[What pressing problem...? Huh. He's curious about it, but he chooses not to ask. He sort of doubts she'd tell him, anyway.
Lorenz selects a table away from Linhardt and the few other students, where they'll have plenty of light and room to work. He's already finished his assignments, but a little extra studying never hurt anyone and he does have some books on reason magic he's been curious about... So when Edelgard returns, Lorenz is already buried in a book, with several others stacked neatly nearby.]
no subject
She's certainly not going to allow him to laze about, at any rate. Edelgard soon joins Lorenz, setting her books down and taking a seat across from him.]
Thank you for waiting for me-- [Edelgard's eyes wander over to his books, ever nosy, before they set upon the reason magic books. It gets a nod of approval from Edelgard.] It's good to see that you're taking your studying quite seriously.
[Edelgard has been curious about such things, actually...she's always focused on her axe training to the exclusion of much else, but having magic would be a boon...]
Do you mind too terribly if I borrow one for a moment?
no subject
But the less he thinks about Claude, the better. When Edelgard joins him, he glances up at her. Her words get a nod, and at the question he passes one over.]
I hadn't realized you were interested in reason magic. I'm still in the process of learning the basics, but it's simply fascinating.
[Honestly, it's a bit surprising Edelgard is interested in reason. She is already one of the strongest among them, it isn't as though she really needs magic when she can toss a handaxe with enough force to kill someone. But they are here to study and improve themselves, and if she wants to become deadly with both axes and magic, then who would dare stop her?]
no subject
It truly is. Quite a few of my house members have taken special interest in reason magic, and what they do on the battlefield with it is nothing short of spectacular. It's a sight to behold in battle.
[Having seen Dorothea Thoron a fool who thought they could get a hit on her is the most fascinating thing, and Hubert's dark magic in general is a terrifyingly exciting sight.]
I've simply never had the patience to learn it, at home. I'm starting to think that might have been a mistake; reason magic is an incredible field of study. What spells are you studying, currently?
no subject
It is. I've found Lysithea's magic to be particularly fascinating... But I imagine seeing other spells up close would inspire a desire to learn.
[Inquiring about her past seems like it might not be the best idea at the present, but he does make a mental note to learn more about her upbringing at some point. He imagines it was likely similar to his own in some ways, though being the daughter of the Emperor surely brought many different challenges and lessons.]
At present, I'm only capable of using Fire. Professor Hanneman has said that I may be able to learn some of the more potent fire spells in the future, and I'd like to see if that's the case. Bolganone seems like a fascinating spell...
[joke's on you, you don't learn that one!!!]
no subject
[Edelgard remembers her, in the battle--casting spells left and right. Lysithea has always been someone that Edelgard has some level of curiosity about, but with her work...well, she hasn't found the time to try and speak to the mage. Of course there's plenty of worry about her having faced the same circumstances...
Edelgard doesn't want to focus on that. Instead, she listens to what Lorenz has to say, nodding her head in agreement.]
I see. As long as you keep working towards learning those spells, you are certain to get better at using them; learning anything is all about practice, in order to ensure that you master what you set out to learn.
[...ironically enough, Edelgard actually learns Bolganone, that's going to be hilarious later on.]
Practically speaking...it is always good to have multiple ways to defend yourself. You never know what sort of enemy you could be facing on the battlefield, and one must be expected to improvise in order to survive.
[Edelgard's eyes seem to stop on the page of a basic fire spell, pouring over just what to do and how to do it...it seems simple enough, at any rate.]
Perhaps I may have to join you in those lessons, then. This does not seem to be too hard to grasp.
no subject
[He sort of wonders if Lysithea and Hubert are hoarding them all. He wouldn't be surprised if either of them were.
Anyway, he nods at Edelgard's words.]
Agreed. From our battles alone, it has become apparent that relying solely on one method to defend oneself could prove extremely detrimental. And that's to say nothing of the tactics we've been studying... Really, reason magic should be something everyone strives to study for at least a bit; having magic as a backup can never be a bad thing.
[Unless you're terrible at it. Or have no magic stat to speak of. Okay, maybe we won't make Raphael train in reason, but everyone else...]
I would be delighted if you'd join me. I suspect that it will get much more difficult after the initial lessons, but Fire is not particularly hard to cast. I'm sure you'll grasp it quickly.
[It isn't false flattery, although it would be easy to take it as such. Even though he doesn't know Edelgard very well, Lorenz does know that Edelgard isn't the sort to give up. Even if she doesn't get it right away, she will study until she does. Thus, quickly. Well, quickly compared to most non-mages, at the very least.]
no subject
None the less, Edelgard does agree with Lorenz easily.]
Unless one is completely devoid of magical potential, of course. But you won't find me disagreeing with you in the slightest. In battle, one should always have more than one skill up their sleeve.
[...Like we're not having Caspar learn magic, a. he'd be terrible at using it and b. if he were good at using it, he'd find some way to blow himself up...
Edelgard's brow does quirk a but at the notion that he'd like for her to join him--and that she'd grasp it quickly, at that.]
Whether I will grasp it quickly or not remains to be seen...I wouldn't place so much faith in something that has yet to be proven.
[...Despite the slight admonishing, there is a twitch at the corner of Edelgard's lips. The idea of it isn't so bad; she's not sure if this is due to the soulmate bond or something but hearing that is nice, even if she can't accept the compliment so easily.]
However...I would like to join you. I would like to see if I am capable of learning and utilizing reason magic. With enough work, perhaps I will be able to catch up to you, and then we may learn together.
no subject
I would like that. It is usually much easier to master a subject with someone to share in it, yes?
[Well, sometimes. He and Ferdinand are bonding over cavalier training, but Sylvain is also there and Lorenz would prefer to push Sylvain into the pond than to spend another minute in a lesson with him, so ehhh. Still, it's beneficial, and not something he can see Edelgard taking any issue with, so maybe magic training will be more appropriate than taking tea.
(No, he is still not over the insult to teatime.)]
no subject
I agree, yes. I am certain that we shall both be able to learn from one another well.
[It's not like she has too many training partners as is...there's definitely Caspar, and that boy could keep going all day and she's not sure if he would be tired. Anyone else is incompatible with her training method, or insufferable to be around. (ferdinand)]
That...and I'm certain that if you push yourself far enough, you'll find that the strength you gain from experience is far better than relying simply on your own bearing to get you by.
I would certainly like to see that.
no subject
As he considers his actions and words, he finds that he doesn't really want to pursue this line of thought, which may be answer enough.
Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle.]
...I would like to get stronger. Not for personal gain, mind you, but to better protect and serve Gloucester, at the very least.
[It's a start, he thinks. He isn't ready to seriously consider Edelgard's stance on nobility and why she's so adamant about not relying on it. He's not ready to seriously consider his own (over-)reliance on nobility either. But he thinks this is something he needs to make clear, both to Edelgard and to himself.]
Regardless of where life may take me, I know the strength I gain here will serve to protect more than just myself and my loved ones.
[If he marries into House Hresvelg, then he will serve the Empire, and balance Gloucester territory. If he does not, then Gloucester will be in his hands and his sole priority. If Claude dies in a freak accident and he takes his rightful place as the head of the Alliance, then he will protect everyone. Physical and magical might alone will not be all he needs, and that's why he's here, to keep learning how best to serve the people.
Nobility isn't just about lineage and appearance and tea, after all.
(But tea is very important.)]
no subject
Well, it gets something of a genuine smile out of Edelgard, at any rate.]
...If your desire is to protect the people, then you are certainly better than some of the nobility that I have met.
[Edelgard's eyes dart back into her book; she's not willing to admit that maybe she was wrong about him. It's one thing to say such things, but it's another entirely to put that into practice, after all.]
Keep seeking that strength, then. And never lose sight of what you're fighting for.
no subject
I will, most certainly. I will never forget who and what it is I work for.
[It's a promise, at the very least to himself.]