hotproblems | peacock inbox

peacock inbox

@ L🌹RENZ

▶ TEXT

▶ AUDIO

▶ VIDEO

▶ ACTION

CLICK HERE TO EXPAND DATING PROFILE

OPEN SEASON

@L🌹RENZ
25 / male / any / 5♥︎

About Photos Questions Personality Compatibility

Details

My Self-Summary

My name is Lorenz Hellman Gloucester, heir to House Gloucester and its associated territories in the Leicester Alliance of Fódlan. Please call me Lorenz.

I enjoy tea, roses, and art. Good conversation is implied.

My Future Plans

Inherit my expected titles and vastly improve the quality of life in my family's territories.

Edited 10 minutes after posting
I have been informed this is meant to refer to this place. Please make a private inquiry.

My Talents

There is much that I excel at, but would it not be much more informative to spend time together and experience it firsthand?

Favorite Books, Movies, Music, and Food

I do not know what a movie is. I enjoy historical accounts, novels of great import, and reading poetry. I prefer light music inspired by nature, or a nice hymn. I do not like spicy food or red meat, I prefer fish and lighter flavors.

My Ideal Partner

Someone who will

A strong-willed individual who can

All else being equal, then

Please make a private inquiry.

Height 6'2" without heels Body Type thin Smokes no Drinks responsibly Drugs no Sign ??? Education Garreg Mach Officers Academy Occupation noble Income noble Children none Pets none Hobbies tea, horseback riding, poetry

art credit: one. two. three. four. five.

01. WINE OR BEER

WINE

.02 CLOWNS OR MIMES

???

.03 SHOWER OR BATH

BATH

.04 PIRATES OR NINJAS

???

.05 TITS OR ASS

Please make a private inquiry.

.06 COFFEE OR TEA

TEA

.07 SPICY OR SWEET

SWEET

.08 SUMMER OR WINTER

SUMMER

.09 LEATHER OR LACE

LACE

10. ROUGH SEX OR GENTLE SEX

Please make a private inquiry.

Executive
ESTJ-A

ENERGY74%
extraverted
MIND54%
observant
NATURE51%
thinking
TACTICS81%
judging
IDENTITY51%
assertive

personality test. art credit.

hover for rating.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

hey

( yeah. that's it. that's his stellar opener )

[lorenz learns how to respond to text messages for This...]

Hello.

( how thoughtful 🥺 )

you talk a lot right?
just a lot of

( . . . )

unnecessary words

[hey, what the hell]

That is not how I would describe myself, no. I take very particular care to express myself fully and accurately. As one should.

But comparatively, in this case, not untrue. Why?

( yeah, see? proving his point. )

yeah ok
how do you do that

How do I... speak?

[...]

Are you asking for advice regarding proper self-expression? If so, you have come to the right person! And you do need it, your approach was utterly dismal.

( yeah that's what he's asking but. as one can see... he's not great at asking things. )

what do you mean?
my approach was fine

[oh honey]

While there is value in brevity, your opener failed to address your key points. Then you told me something about my personal habits is "unnecessary."

Do you really think either of those are "fine"?

yes

I am beginning to see why you need assistance. Assistance that, again, you approached by insulting me.

And then I was the one who asked! Honestly.

how's it insulting? it's true.

( he does not, unfortunately, see this as an insult. it's just who this guy is. )

Do you really not see how one might not be inclined to help you present yourself more appealingly if you open with how "unnecessary" their habits are?

Why are you seeking my advice if you evidently have no interest in changing your ways?

but i'm asking you how to do that
i don't see the problem

[Goddess give him strength.]

Perhaps we ought to start from the beginning.

You would like help expressing yourself. For what purpose, if I may ask?

( yeah. lorenz is gonna need it... )

well, seems like some people take issue with the way i talk

And you value the opinion of these people?

[Don't answer that, he can tell.]

Honestly, I would advise against changing your truest self to suit the preferences of others. You could attempt to be less terse, though.

what the hell is terse

You, mostly. Using as few words as humanly possible,
and coming across as perhaps more negative than you intend.

how is being straightforward negative

You are too straightforward. You needn't voice every one of your thoughts.

why not?
feels like lying otherwise

You can be honest without being overly harsh. I am not suggesting you lie, heavens no! But one must be aware of one's audience and their own preferred style of conversation in order to proceed effectively. Some people may enjoy your straightforwardness. Some may not.

You must judge the situation.

that sounds like too much trouble

[bro.]

I hope for your sake that your friends and intimate companions find your attitude charming, then.

✔

I can appreciate a good cup of tea myself. What's your favourite kind?

[ He might have ulterior motives here, but at least he's polite with his opener. ]

Ah, an individual of taste. I prefer a bergamot blend or a more floral flavor palate, emphasizing an infusion of rose petals.

And yourself?

That's a lot fancier than anything I've had!

I like jasmine tea quite a bit but I've also found oolong to be pretty nice. I don't think I've ever had bergamot anything before, come to think of it.

Is it? It is favored among the nobility in my home, but readily available to those who enjoy it. I have been trying to locate some, if you happen to be interested.

Bergamot is a light citrus flavor. I find it bolder than the rose, but not overpowering. And you are the second to mention oolong, which I have never tried... How is it?

I have money but I don't know too much about nobility and all that.

[ This is a little misleading; he knows plenty of things about nobility or the equivalent in various nations. No personal experience, though, that's true. ]

Oh, the second, huh? I was introduced to it in the past couple years when I travelled around. Oolong is a little sweeter than some other teas, kind of. I don't know. Woody almost? It's not like straight up black or straight up green tea at least. I should find some and we can trade.

Not to worry, as it is unimportant here in this place, regardless.

[Does he still think about it all the time? Does this place being a gaudy hotel and not his family's territory keep him awake at night? For sure. But he can still admit no part of this place happens to care.

Anyway. Beside the point. Tea.]

I believe it was previously described to me as having a hint of apricot flavor? Either way, a trade would be nice.

Yeah, seems like they just gave us arbitrary amounts of privilege based on who even knows what!

Apricot? Hm. Maybe it does.

[ His palate isn't this advanced, sweats! ]

Speaking of trades, you wouldn't happen to have marked off the jack of spades on your game card yet, would you?

[ Shameless segue, if not completely seamless. ]

[Somewhere, Lorenz gives the whole resort a withering stare, because ugh, that's true-!]

Indeed they did.

We can see about the tea together. Apricot is not my favorite, but it may be interesting.

[And oh! He's been spending so much time not using this app properly and trying to plan a dinner party, he honestly didn't expect the Approach--]

And no, I have not. What do you propose?

Don't knock it til you try it! A tea connoisseur like you will surely form a better opinion than anything I could write down.

[ It also happens that Childe's rank makes it a little easier to get some things. He can't find weapons so far, but food and drink doesn't seem to be a problem. Though with the way this place is, half the food is probably laced with aphrodisiacs.

Childe has it in his head he's going to "win" the 52 game, so he knows where he means to go with conversations like this. ]

Whatever you're comfortable with, really! If we gotta play this game, might as well have fun with it. You know, before some sentient rope ties us all up until we get the point.

[ Not that he has first-hand experience with that or anything. ]

I mean, I'm not against the rope thing, don't get me wrong. I'd just rather choose it for myself.

Yes, yes, of course. I will keep an open mind!

[For the tea's sake... at least.]

Sentient third parties are not my favorite, either, rest assured. Shall we meet to discuss further? I find these devices so impersonal.

Sure, we can meet somewhere. The bar is nice enough, if you like to drink things other than tea.

[ Childe doesn't drink a lot except on certain occasions ~~or apparently when he's cooking, whatever~~ but it seems like an easy enough place to start a hook up. ]

[Lorenz isn't much for drinking, himself, but he supposes a drink would be nice.]

The bar it is. Presently? I can be there in a mere fifteen minutes.

Sure thing! I'll meet you there.

[ He sends a picture for good measure, to make sure Lorenz knows who he's looking for. ]

[Oh, a picture, that does help. Could he have gone through to see the whole profile... yes, but honestly, that only occurs to him after being sent a picture for this precise purpose.

Good one, Lorenz.

Either way, he'll make his way to the bar. He's overdressed the same way he always is, in a very purple shirt with fitted slacks in a darker purple, and a light lavender waistcoat. There is a fresh rose tucked into his breast pocket to tie it all together. Very casual and fun, he thinks.

It's very possible that, being the most purple person alive, he'll be spotted before he can spot Childe, but he looks around... ah, the handsome redhead, yes.]

Good evening. I hope you have not been waiting long.

[He's, like, exactly 15 minutes on the dot on time, but it's the said thing. Probably.]

[ Lorenz really is the most purple person. Childe knows a lot of people who are very colourful, of course, but wow! Not that he minds. His eye is drawn to Lorenz as soon as he walks in.

He's low key (largely because he hasn't bothered acquiring more layers in a place where he has to take them off as often as put them on), wearing just a shirt (no harness this time, alas) and black slacks. Is his shirt properly buttoned? Of course not! He's got that window of skin showing on his torso, the hint of the spades tattoo peeking out there. Weird, though. He has an unmistakable red diamond on his cheek. What's that about!

He's a lot more casual than Lorenz, lounging in a booth on one side of the bar. At least he's also punctual; he looks like he could have been here for an hour but he really only just got here.

He slides his gaze up Lorenz's form and offers his normal grin, pushing himself to sit all the way up. In the dim light, his eyes are even darker than usual, the strange flat blue at odds with the smile on his face. ]

Lorenz! Nope, only got here a few minutes ago. Please, have a seat. You got a drink of choice?

[Thanks, he does his best to be the most purple person alive. It's a calling. Lorenz takes his seat, considering Childe; handsome, like his picture, although there is definitely something a little... off, about his gaze. Perhaps he's simply guarded, like it makes perfect sense to be in a place like this - that would make sense.

The two differently shaped markings, on the other hand, are much, much stranger immediately; he's not going to ask, though, good gracious. He's not rude. He sticks on his best Meeting New People smile, pleasantly. His posture and whole bearing, really, are way too prim and proper for sitting at a booth in a bar, but that's just what he's like. This is casual.

Now, drinks.]

Wine, I suppose. I admit I have not heard of a great many drinks they serve here, the... [word that he thinks is ridiculous, sigh,] "cocktails"? Are you familiar with them?

[ Lorenz cares a lot more about things like propriety and manners than Childe does. He does have manners, of course, he's just pretty casual as a person much of the time. Formality gets boring and stiff. ]

Cocktails. Yeah, I'm familiar with some of them! They have weird names sometimes so you don't know what's in 'em. A lot of them are sweet or fruity. Some of them are harder so they burn more. I could go either way, I guess. Depends on my mood.

[ He grins again. ]

But I'm sure we could just get a bottle of wine and call it a day! You're gonna have to pick that one, though. I'm not too well versed on wines. If you asked me about vodka, I could get into the nuances of that, but wine? Not so much.

[Ah, drinks with weird names, just like food with weird names in some of these restaurants; Lorenz felt silly having to ask about creative names for sandwiches, so he feels silly in advance eyeing a list of cocktail names above the bar and wondering what msyteries they contain...

Yes, wine would be safer, definitely.]

I am not well-versed in the stronger liquors, either...

[He shrugs, gesturing as if to say no, go ahead, talk about vodka for ten minutes, that would be fine.]

Let us request a full-bodied red wine, then, and I will ask you about vodka.

[A beat.] Now, the staff at a few establishments have, ah, ignored me, so you may have to do the speaking.

Not much of a drinker, huh? Me either, really. Unless I'm cooking! That's the best time to drink.

[ IS IT?? ]

Ah, right. Arbitrary privilege based on random chance. At least, that's what it seems like to me.

[ He calls the waiter over and asks for a full-bodied red wine. The waiter doesn't even look at Lorenz. He assures Childe that the bottle will be right out. Good enough. ]

Wow, talk about rude, huh? Anyway!

[ The waiter might not have looked at Lorenz, but he's all Childe is looking at for the moment. It wasn't like it was some kind of secret that they came here to make a trade, after all. ]

Having met me face to face, you still wanna mark my card off on your game roster?

[ He asks this with the full confidence of a man who already (thinks he) knows the answer. ]

Is it...?

[He can't cook, he wouldn't know! He'll have to make further inquiries. But ah, yes, the arbitrary privilege; credit Lorenz this: he doesn't try to shy away from the fact that he's being blatantly ignored to save face, rather staring daggers at the waiter the entire time the man is talking to Childe. It's fine! This is fine. He's having a great time at this establishment that acknowledges his existence as a person, absolutely.

But he stops making the dagger face once the waiter has left, considering Childe again. Right, the cards--]

I am considering my options. [you know. "yes" and "no".] You are quite handsome, make no mistake, but I find a man more compelling with more than just an attractive face. So! Do tell me something interesting about vodka.

[He simply could not bone down with somebody he doesn't find intriguing... this is Part 2 of the interview process.]

Hm, let's see…

[ He taps a finger against his chin. ]

Vodka isn't just for drinking. You can also use it to clean things! Like…get dirt or grease off your countertops. Since it's alcohol, it evaporates pretty fast. Smells nicer than vinegar, too, if you ask me.

[ His grin, just a little sharp, returns to his face. ]

That's not really compelling, though, is it? What about…I can use pretty much any weapon you hand me. I haven't trained in everything, but I pick them up quick.

[ He always resorts to bragging about fighting. That's what matters to him, after all. ]

Hey good looking. A little bird told me that you said I was in your top five most handsome guys — and in public, no less!

I've gotta say, babe: I'm flattered ;)

Are you reading everything on that missive? Darling, you have too much free time.

[Unless someone did go out of their way to tell him, in which case, rude? Let him work for it.]

But of course, you should be flattered; I have highly discerning tastes.

Everything? Not at all - I’m only interested in the good stuff.

Discerning tastes … c’mon, you can’t say you’re picky while you’ve got five guys on the go. There’s nothing wrong with liking a lot of things!

And here you were moments ago reveling in your flattery. Five is not that many. Is it?

Hey, I’m still flattered! Who doesn’t like being noticed, huh?

Anyway, I’d say it’s relative. If you don’t think it’s that many, then hey I suppose it isn’t!

It is adorable that you would call it "noticed."

[Please, that is Lorenz levels of skipping over the lewd part.]

Do you not find five people here attractive?

We're not talking about me, babe.

Well it was already publicly established that I have a "top five." I do not know what else to say about that.

You could tell me about the criteria, for starters. I gotta know what I've gotta keep doing to keep my spot, after all.

So you would like more flattery? How bold. What do you think the criteria are?

Uhhhh ... a cute ass and a great sense of style?

And? That paints me as remarkably shallow.

( ???? Give him a minute to puzzle over wtf this means ... )

Maybe you like a guy ... with a good rank? My suite is pretty nice, right?

[babe.....]

It is. Unfortunately all five of you do not fit that specification, so I must disqualify it.

Is there some reason you are not taking your own personality into account?

My personality?

I mean, of course, who wouldn't want a piece of this sparkling wit and charm! That was definitely what I was gonna say next.

My personality.

( Hoooooooboy. )

Edited (SHHHSDALK;FJGH omg send help ) 2024-02-04 17:35 (UTC)

[What is going on. Is this an endearing vulnerability or a profound complex. Sampo???]

Is that a problem? That I could enjoy our conversations?

( Don't worry about it Lorenz!! )

Hey, it's not a problem for me if it's not a problem for you. It's just, uh ... historically, people are more interested in other things from me, if you catch my meaning.

[Too late, he's thinking about it.]

I see. That is [.....] interesting to note.

Well, I could hardly put a man I cannot have a conversation with on such an esteemed list, you understand.

I usually find it's around about the conversation when things go south. Maybe I just need to pick better people, huh?

You can be a lot to handle. But for someone such as myself, with a keen eye for worthwhile companions, it turns out quite well in the end.

Sometimes, I even think you are funny.

( Keen eye for worthwhile companiosn ... ugh well now maybe one day scamming you is going to make him FEEL BAD. )

Only sometimes? C'mon, Lorenz, what's a guy gotta do to get the recognition he deserves around here?

[Who would scam this face???]

Earnestly? Work on your timing.

( uhhhhhhhh )

My timing is impeccable!

[wow, dumped]

I assure you it is not.

Give me one example of it. One! I bet you can't!

Oh, you needn't be so childish. There is always room to improve, is there not? All of us must constantly strive to be better at our various skills.

What are you striving to be better at then, huh?

Plenty. I have a long way to go before I am the ideal version of myself.

Specifically, let us see. I may learn to cook.

Why would you learn to cook here? There’s food all over the place!

Ha, why? Because I am not some indolent layabout content to be fed, literally and metaphorically, by "the house" like our glassy-eyed predecessors.

Also, I will be perilously devoid of things to do without a new hobby.

Would you let me use your kitchen?

Indolent layabout sounds just about my speed - I’ve gotta enjoy these little breaks while I can!

And that depends … do I get to try your cooking?

At least one of us will be enjoying himself.

I cannot promise my cooking will be very good, but... if you would like, yes.

Even if the cooking isn't great, the view will be perfect ;)

Flatterer. Next you will want me to wear an apron.

[Will he... maybe.]

Well, obviously! Gotta protect those fancy clothes of yours from any spills, right?

Naturally. You will have to provide the apron, though.

[The day following his latest disastrous encounter with Jin Guangyao, Nie Huaisang wants nothing more than to hear Lorenz's voice and be in his presence again. His issues with Jin Guangyao have all just been so much to deal with all on his own and he's in dire need of comfort, if not help. He doesn't want to dump too many of his troubles on Lorenz, though, at least not until he can better gauge for himself what his response will be. He doesn't have much experience with positive or long-lasting relationships to go off of here and he hasn't been truly intimate with anyone in many years.]

H-Hello? Lorenz? Are you busy?

[His voice comes out very small, tentative, and a little bit nervous. Lorenz is a bright spot in his otherwise dreary life and he really doesn't want to mess this up.]

Edited 2024-03-02 02:48 (UTC)

[Lorenz has had a relatively normal time in this place, as much as that's possible - there are hardly enough familiar faces around to send him spiraling into some kind of crisis, mostly because he's casually avoiding two of them... no matter. The point is that he's not busy at all, and perks up at the sight of Nie Huaisang's familiar "User Name" on the watch, only to shift abruptly into concern when he hears that tiny voice.]

Ah, hello— No, I am not particularly busy at all... are you alright? You sound troubled. Please, allow me to help.

[It's not an imposition at all, especially not for Nie Huaisang; he'd have put aside anything he was doing to make sure he's alright, even. Nie Huaisang is important enough to him already to merit that much, without question.]

[It's an relief, honestly, just to have someone notice when he's unwell and display genuine concern for his well-being. Nie Huaisang knows that it's partly a situation of his own making; he's the one who chose the cover he did back home and if he'd never made his presence known to Jin Guangyao, he wouldn't be in his current predicament at all but what's done is done. All he can do now is distance himself and try to maintain peace between them as much as he can.]

Thank you, Lorenz. I... Honestly, I've been better. I've been having a rough time lately and last night was particularly difficult to get through.

[The words come out a bit hesitant and awkward but he gets them out just the same. It's been such a long time since he's confided in someone honestly.]

I was just... Just wondering if I could see you again. I don't think I should be alone right now.

[Oh, and his heart aches for Nie Huaisang already, without knowing the cause of his distress. Instantly:]

Of course! I will come to you— where are you now?

[He is already getting up to walk and talk, and everything. Having a difficult time of it is one thing already, all on its own, but to admit that he shouldn't be alone... Lorenz knows the amount of stress he himself would have to be under to admit something like that; he guesses it must be something quite big, for Nie Huaisang to do so.

So there isn't any cause for consideration at all, simply yes-and-where? At the same time:]

Would you like me to talk to you until I arrive? I could regale you with my tales of trying to learn to cook.

[They're disastrous. But it will fill the air.]

In my room. It's-

[He quickly gives his room number and floor, unable in the moment if he remembered to put it down on the itinerary he gave Lorenz before ending their date. He's pretty sure he did but just in case... So far, Nie Huaisang has only told a precious few exactly where he's staying in the resort and Lorenz is definitely on that very short list.]

Yes, please. I'd love to hear more about what what you've been up to since we last saw one another.

[He's being honest and hearing Lorenz's voice has a recuperative effect in and of itself. It's much better than sitting alone in his room wallowing in his own inner darkness.]

I am on my way.

[From all the way down in the 5s, but he'll be there quickly enough. As long as he can find an elevator that isn't going to start shit with him, or maybe just take the stairs--

Regardless! He's serious about just staying on the line, so here goes:]

As for my cooking, it has been going... adequately! Mostly! I have produced many a fine fried egg after the first handful of disappointing attempts, and I am well on my way to perfecting the ideal pancake...

[It goes on like this, mostly breakfast foods because they're the easiest in his hasty estimation? He has to borrow someone else's kitchen, so he's been trying to make edible food and not utterly ruin the whole room... These are the kinds of details he fills in as he makes his way upstairs, eventually coming up to the correct room number and knocking twice.

...Which is definitely him, because it can be heard through the watch, too. Hey.]

[Lorenz's cooking anecdotes puts a genuine smile on his face. It's so mundane and domestic but Nie Huaisang loves things like that. Hearing about those little details no oe ever thinks of special or important hold deep meaning for him. The more he knows things like that, the more he feels like he's a part of someone's life. After a decade of only being fake caricature of himself in the lives of those around him, it's, well, nice, to feel included as an actual person instead of just a concept of one.]

I'm glad to hear your efforts are going so well. I can't say that I know a whole lot about cooking myself. I can throw together a stew or roast wild game or fish over a fire but that's about it.

[When he hears the knock, he adds a quick:]

Hold on, I'll get the door for you.

[And a moment later, a tired but already much happier Nie Huaisang appears to open the door. His appearance is much plainer than it usually is, lacking its typical accessories and fancy adornments since he's dressed for casual comfort rather than style tooday in a pair of yoga pants with a light green stripe along each leg and a matching green tank top. His long hair is worn simply loose today.

Definitely a side of Nie Huaisang that very few are ever in position intimate enough to see for themselves.]

Please come in. Are you fine with sitting on the bed? I don't really have anywhere else to sit at the moment, I'm afraid.

[Of all the very nice amenities Nie Huaisag has in his room including a jacuzzi, wide-screen television, minibar, and a bathroom that can only be described as glorious, somehow he was neglected to be given something as basic as a table and chairs. But at least, the bed is big and very comfortable with a large mirror placed curiously on the ceiling directly over it and directly across the room from the television.]

Edited 2024-03-02 06:46 (UTC)

Ah, then I am of course compelled to make you a fine breakfast, one of these days—

[Oh, and there he is, so Lorenz can finally hang up... this... call... Huh. That is a very casual Nie Huaisang, and he is actually so precious that Lorenz has to stop and boggle at him for a moment. It's been two months in this place and it is only now that Lorenz feels like he might be overdressed, in his usual ensemble, vest and silk ascot and everything but the jacket.

Honestly he thought this was casual...

But alright: focus. He glances around the suite for all of a few seconds - as always, the difference is stark, of course - before reaching for Nie Huaisang to cup his cheek.]

Yes yes, seating arrangements of any kind will do, not to worry. What concerns you so, my dove?

[Just sliding that one in there, ahem...]

Have you been unwell?

[How can one man be so perfect? Nie Huaisang continues to be amazed by this sudden turn in good fortune. Even with filial duties hanging over both their heads, he has no regrets for giving this a try. It's nice to feel genuinely happy around someone, especially in the aftermath of all the stress he's been dealing with lately.

Nie Huaisang leans his cheek into Lorenz's hand, closing his eyes to just savor his touch for a brief moment before continuing. He can't explain why but it feels like its soothing something deep and dark in his soul. Thankfully, it makes it a little easier for him to speak so he takes Lorenz by the hand and gently leads him over to his bed where he sits down on the edge.]

It's a very long story but remember that secret mission I was on for many years that I told you about? Well, I was hunting down a criminal, an dangerous enemy of my clan who was in a position of great power and influence in my world. I'd been gathering information and evidence against him for many years and was in the process of exposing him and bring him to justice when I found myself here.

[This is a lot. But Lorenz had asked. It's scary but he's going to have to trust him.]

Only a few days before I met you, he tried to kill me and my entire clan. All the other clans, too. ...And then I ran into him here. At first, we both played dumb but that first month, he forced me into pod against my will and began interrogating me about matters I knew nothing about. It escalated into a fight so I tried to put some distance between us by enlisting help from the locals but it didn't last very long. He was released again.

[Nie Huaisang slumps a bit, looking very tired and dejected, but continues speaking regardless.]

He put out misleading account of our history on the network. I suspect he was trying to provoke me into engaging with him and I was dumb enough to take the bait. It escalated into another fight with him challenging me to a duel after I told him in no uncertain terms to leave me alone. I admit I was probably more hostile and aggressive than I should have been but I just wanted him to leave me alone. I have no intention of fighting him but I ran into him again in the elevator again last night. We got stuck and the spirit within insisted that we confess our sins and that I punish him but... Well, it went poorly.

[He sighs heavily.]

This is already a lot and I've barely even scratched the surface. There's still so much I haven't even said yet.

Edited 2024-03-03 22:09 (UTC)

[Lorenz sits besides him on the bed and listens in respectful silence, taking it in. He remembers the secret mission; he knows all the complications and implications of having something like that hanging over one's head (although annoying a classmate in school is hardly on the same level, still--). It's a dark thing to hear about now, in this opulent room, the attempted murder of so many people--

And oh he's here, which is quite - well. News? Lorenz touches Nie Huaisang's shoulder gently before wrapping his arm around him entirely, a comfort; he can't and won't judge him for his ill-advised reactionary behavior. Honestly Lorenz would likely do the same if that kind of thing happened to him, if he didn't simply find something with the approximate heft and shape of a lance and go deal with it more soundly...

So, hmm. Alright. It's heavy.]

You are quite the resolute man, to carry such a burden on your own. I am sorry you have had to deal with this, for what little it may be worth. Were I in your place, I imagine I would have done much the same.

[Really; and there's no criticism in keeping it to himself either, Lorenz wholly understands that compulsion, too. He rubs his thumb in a little circle on Nie Huaisang's shoulder, processing all of this information still.]

If it pains you to continue, you needn't trouble yourself. I would be an ear, but not if it causes you even further distress.

[Nie Huaisang doesn't pull away from the embrace, instead he savors it. It's been a long time since anyone's offered him genuine comfort. All he's had for ten years has been Lan Xichen's meaningless platitudes and Jin Guangyao's handling which has been forever tainted by his betrayal. This is very new to him but it's not unwelcome, not at all.]

Thank you, Lorenz. It's... Well, the situation just got more complicated. I think it might help me to talk about it. I don't think keeping silent about it has done me any good.

[His situation is just so messy, especially now with his brother in the resort.]

One of the criminal's victims was my older brother. My predecessor. He never married or produced children so I was forced to inherit in his stead since there was no one else. Jin Guangyao murdered him right in front of me a decade ago, through a poison that drove him mad. My brother went berserk and turned on his own men that, even turned on me. He didn't recognize us. It wasn't until after Dage attacked me that he came to his senses. I could have died with the rest of them that day.

[It's not a pleasant story, one he's kept silent on for so many years. Yet somehow telling it to Lorenz is easier than he thought it'd be even if he feels a little bad about dumping this on him so early into their relationship.]

Recently, my brother arrived here, much like he'd been before the madness had taken a hold of him. This should have been a happy occasion. Our final days together were filled with arguments. I've longed to talk to him again and have him recognize me again and he does but.... I found out that he's become lovers with the man who'd killed him, the man I put my own life on hold for ten years so I could get my brother justice-

[At this point, Nie Huaisang's eyes fill with tears, his frustration and grief over the whole situation surfacing for once.]

Ten years. For ten years I sacrificed everything for my filial duty, told myself day after day I was doing the right thing, the honorable thing, the thing my brother and our ancestors would demand of me in my position. And now... it feels like it was all for nothing. I know it's not. I kept another war from breaking out and Dage apologized, told me he thought he'd never see me again, and I understand but... it still hurts. He did the same thing when our father was murdered and yet...

[This is so much and he doesn't want to burden Lorenz too much with his troubles but he'd offered an ear. And honestly, just speaking about it for once is proving cathartic. It feels a little like draining a wound that's festered for far too long.]

I'm sorry. I know this is a lot to take in.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

peacock inbox

Details

text; @ZORO

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

text; un:tartaglia

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

text 💰 un: sampokisski

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[1/2]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject