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lorenz hellman gloucester ⬤ fire emblem: three houses
residential district ⬤ text
moonblessing ⬤ cordis

[Ah... Part of him is relieved, actually, that this is about nobility and legacy and so on, and not, say, actual romantic strategies. Or at least it's mostly not about that, because honestly— he has a very poor track record, no one needs to hear about that, let's just talk about Family Values.]

Assuming that Hilda... instructed you based on her own unique talents, I would wager the root of the problem is, well- that.

[Hilda is lovely, best girl, can't get enough of that lazy lady, etc, but she is also the complete opposite of both of them without any contest and so - obviously Hilda's flirting lessons aren't going to synchronize well!! What nonsense!]

You know that I understand the importance of maintaining one's house, of course. But I, ah... [sigh. alright. for Constance,] Well, I too went about trying to secure my family's future in... the wrong way, years ago. It served no purpose and benefited no one, in the end, and so—

[Hmm! Tea break, such a perfect blend, delicious--]

Constance, you are a remarkable lady in your own right. Whoever is going to earn your honest affection and support your house will see that. I'm certain you needn't worry about whose methods you borrow.

[The tea is exceptionally good, isn't it - almost to the point where Constance is quite sure a discussion of its merits would be far more comfortable for the both of them, but...! They've come this far, haven't they?]

...that's so very kind of you to say, Lorenz.

[...no, really, it is. Genuine compliments like that are few and far between, as hard as she works to promote herself. Might as well do the complimenting yourself, if no one else will! But it does feel so much better coming from another, particularly someone she respects...]

Perhaps I have been a tad misguided. I don't know, it's all...

[...right, now is a perfect time to take a sip of tea so she can gather her thoughts in a way that doesn't make her want to scream-]

...being here, where there's such an unsavoury focus on...engaging in relations with others, I feel it's clouding my judgement. I've been so dedicated to reviving my house, I never thought I'd have time for....well, a relationship that isn't arranged for a purpose. You know, a...romantic one. But I feel myself wanting to at least try such a thing, while the stakes are so low, but....well, there's the crux of the problem. I don't know how to talk to men in that way, and frankly I'm...

[...okay, this is getting a little too personal, why doesn't she just. try to gently steer the topic away from that-]

I should ask; what are your thoughts on it? You know...enjoying ones self, here in Lunatia.

[Lorenz purses his lips, brow furrowed, because it's so... unfortunately familiar, the struggle she's describing. Perhaps the core reasons differ; the restoration of the Alliance-or-whatever-it-is-now rather than his own house, etc etc, but he knows all too well the feeling of not knowing what to do with oneself here, so far removed from the thing all others have revolved around for so long.

That said: oh boy, now that's a personal question.]

I... do admit, I did think about the ramifications of the behavior this city encourages quite a lot, especially at first. Throwing aside every ounce of propriety still doesn't sit well with me, but luckily I've found it much less necessary than so many claim.

[The absolutely bizarre way some people respond to their moonblessings, for example? He's been scandalized by too many network posts to be the same.

Anyway. Hmm. He's thought about the "low stakes" and "for a purpose" things, too... He takes a thoughtful sip, then, slowly:]

Thinking of this world as a place of no consequence is difficult at best. We two truly are sitting here having tea, are we not? The things we do in this world are significant.

[Emotionally, anyway? Therefore:] I believe you should trust your judgment.

[...that's so true, isn't it? If she hadn't had the fortune to be summoned to Lunatia, she would have never developed such a close relationship with Lorenz, or Hilda, or, frankly, anyone outside of the Black Eagles. It's a sobering thought; particularly when she considers just what the future has in store. Is this some kind of sign?]

You're right. The relationships I've developed here mean a great deal to me.

[Let her take another sip of that tea while she gathers her thoughts, once more.]

I suppose that's part of what makes it all so complicated. I have to operate on the assumption that I'll eventually return to Fódlan, or I fear I'll lose my mind.

[The idea that she might never go back, never see her dream reach fruition...perish the thought! The mere possibility does not exist. It's draining to even entertain the miserable concept.]

So what happens, then, if I were to...'get out there', as they say, and fall in love with someone here? I could never choose them over my legacy. But I've never been in love, so I don't feel qualified to speak on it. What if it is as overpowering as the poets make it sound?

[...ugh, how about she just...sighs, and slumps slightly in her chair.]

I'm dreadfully sorry, Lorenz. This isn't the sort of talk one usually engages in when having tea with a dear friend.

Oh— no, no, it's quite alright! Of course I am always here to listen when a dear friend needs my advice!

[But oh, what does a person do when they stumble face first into a genuine feeling or twenty for someone met here, who is not not from home, who will not be spirited back to, hmm, say, the Alliance at the most opportune time by the city's whims, and one day a choice must be made, what would one do in that particular situation—

One would probably elect not to think about it until tea time requires it. Lorenz ducks down to pick up the impatient dog again, as he is very much making a face and it's about to get embarrassing.]

In that event, ah... The poets have at the very least had a point. About the heart, that is. You know, how the heart will want what it wants, and so on...

[He waves a hand, very casually. Then he must think; actually divulging anything about his real and accurate personal life was not the plan, but she is so downtrodden about all this, it seems... fair?

It seems a perfectly normal equitable return after her embarrassing flirting story, so: he clears his throat.]

In the interest of... not speaking from mere speculation: I have been seeing someone. I can assure you, these questions... [welllllll--] do not miraculously become solved, unfortunately. As we tend to agree, you will no doubt find it just as maddening as I do.

[Very reassuring! He's nailing this, or rather, it would be disingenuous to pretend he does not wonder.]

Still, there is... merit in pursuits for one's own happiness.

[Oh goodness, Lorenz is seeing someone? This information is...quite a lot to take in; Constance will work to keep her reaction to mild, polite suprise, but there are many questions to be asked...

(namely, is this person worthy...)]

I....well, I see! I must admit, that makes me feel a bit better.

[Because, you know, Lorenz is the yardstick by which she has started to measure her own nobility, so...surely if he finds potential partners worth pursuing here, she can do the same thing...and it would be okay. Yes! Definitely okay!

...oh goddess, she could. actually start flirting with intention, the thought is both terrifying and yet...strangely exhilarating? Such experiences, so unknown to the House Nuvelle of old...truly, she is paving a new path!]

I do hope things work out with this paramour of yours, by the way. I'm rather touched that you saw fit to share this with me.

[Does Hilda know? Has she Assessed this person....not that she would ever try to interfere (the assertion that she wouldn't trust Lorenz's judgement - appalling!), but! Only certain individuals are worthy. It's just fact.]

Can I assume this means I am free to come to you if I need similar advice again?

[Dearest Coco, if you ever meet his man please don't judge Lorenz too harshly for his taste in mean little gremlins who don't wear shoes...

Odd: it is actually surprisingly harrowing to, ah, tell a dear friend about his Relationship, so her polite surprise is a huge relief. Once again he is not shamed out of existence for not being married with children... wonders never cease.

Anyway, friendship is beautiful, he's so glad, what an excellent afternoon tea after all!!]

Oh, um— thank you. I... hope so as well.

[But before he gets too soft and sappy, ahem--]

You are of course more than welcome to come to me whenever you need something. Anything! It would embarrass the Gloucester name if I were unable to offer sound advice to a dear friend.

[Just "sound" because "expert" is too much of a stretch even for him. Halfway decent advice at no cost except, perhaps, social anxiety. It happens.]

[The best of afternoon teas indeed! It was certainly worth hoarding her tea leaves until this momentous occasion. Could this be what they call....growth? A change? Either way, regardless of how the rest of this conversation goes, she's been given plenty of food for thought.]

You've given me far more than I thought I wanted. Perhaps it wasn't that I wanted the advice, but that I needed it? If that makes sense. I...

[...ahaha. Allow her to take a dainty sip of her tea before she continues (pinky finger out, of course).]

...well, you might have noticed that I tend to have a one-track mind with some things...

[...most. things, really, but one does not point out one's flaws in such a manner, and she knows Lorenz is far too polite to do the same!]

...so I do think it is valuable, to be given another perspective. We can take meaning from the relationships we form here, even if they might not be meant to last. I think, in a way, that's true of many relationships, don't you think? There are people I knew in my youth that I no longer speak to, but I wouldn't say the time we spent together wasn't worth something.

[Hm! She's quicky becoming far more confident with this mindset. Not a problem at all! Naturally, had iy all worked out from the start, etc.]

Just promise me you won't tease me too much if I come back with more embarrassing stories.

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we won't talk about what time it is here rn

i pretend i do not see it

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