Like wildflowers; You must allow yourself to grow

[silky_bearing]

🧙 WHO: Lorenz Hellman Gloucester & ???
⚔️️ WHAT: Getting settled, figuring out this quest thing, and indulging at the castle.
🕒 WHEN: August
🗺️ WHERE: Farm areas and the castle, mainly
⚠️ WARNINGS: in subject lines as needed


Don't Treep, Man

[Lorenz has a lot on his mind and a lot of it is something he cannot really do anything about. Which, of course, is the worst sort of thing to have on one's mind. He's doing his best to focus on his magic, on learning how to work with the green magic he's been becoming more familiar with over the last weeks. So when he learns there's farmland suffering he is all too eager to help out. The trouble with that, of course, is they seem to expect people to get down in the dirt and handling fertilizer and other such things.

He has no intention of getting filthy but he has brought Darby with him, guiding the now pony sized warhorse towards the plants it's safe for her to eat. Which is plenty of assisstance with mundane things like fertilizer so far as he's concerned. So far he has not managed to create so much as just encourage the growth that's already there so he might be trailing along after some of the more skilled mages. Eventually he will settle beside one particular field, an area of flowering herbs that he can focus on.

Someone might want to tell him that letting certain herbs get large enough to flower means they will no longer be viable as herbs. There's... definitely a few basil plants that have already bolted.]

Royal Baths

[Normally the idea of a public bath would be horrifying but perhaps... just this once... Everyone keeps insisting that he needs to loosen up, to have "fun". It will take him far too long to finally decide to allow himself to indulge at least a little bit. He can be seen near the entrance pacing before storming off only to return some fifteen minutes later, gradually getting huffier and huffier until he's so frustrated with himself that he finally just marches into the baths and, at that point, he cannot leave without losing face or seeming like a coward.

Given enough time to work his way into the baths properly one might find him perched far too stiffly on the seat of one of the jacuzzi baths. His usual layers of suit and corset and jacket and armor traded for a positively scandalous replacement. The shorts that accompany his dancer outfit, small and soft and a dusky purple..... and that is all. Though there is a large towel draped over his shoulders while he lets his feet dangle into the warm swirling water. He hasn't quite managed to brave setting the towel aside and sliding into the water. Being so exposed is absolutely unacceptable.

Isn't it?]

Garden of Dreams

[Lorenz, unsurprisingly, finds himself out in the gardens as evening begins to fall. The play of rich orange light from the sinking sun plays over the vibrant blooms beautifully, tracing everything in lines of gilt sunlight. He smiles as he weaves through the garden, humming softly to himself, fingers trailing along flowers. Darby trots along behind him, long full tail swishing against the evening insects that begin to slip out to bother them.]

Come along, Darby, there's nothing here you're meant to eat. [Warm and amused, just a hint of scolding in his tone. Darby huffs a breath but continues to follow along in his steps.] I know, my dear, it's been quite the long day for us both.

[As he finishes musing he coaxes her over to a stone bench so that he can sit down, long fingers sliding into the former warhorse's mane. There's something mindless and oddly theraputic about the continuous motions, fingers threading through the beast mane. Long elegant hands working in loose braids. He might just continue idly talking to his horse as he works. Hopefully he doesn't disturb anyone.

Once her mane is completed, though, one might find him seated on the bench, a supple leather journal in his lap, an elegant glass dip pen in hand.]

((OOC: Feel free to hit me up if you're interested in something else. I'm very much here for the Healing Circle stuff too with cast mates if anyone wants to do that. draconicseraphim Cuyler#7666 @ Discord ))

Comments

garden of dreams

[troubadamsel]

[ What an unusual, but welcome sight! Perhaps he is a poet? A scholar? She knows it's proper etiquette to leave a man alone with his thoughts, but curiosity is difficult to control.

She'll at least, gently, clear her throat to announce her arrival. ]

I do apologize for the interruption, but... may I be permitted to ask what you're writing?

[silky_bearing]

[He's so caught up in what he's doing, and expecting his darling steed to warn him, that he startles slightly when she approaches him, violet eyes widening for a moment.]

Ah... [He stands abruptly, offering her a little bow.] Good Evening, Miss. It's no trouble at all. I was... merely jotting down some thoughts. I've only just recently arrived you see and I am still trying to sort out my thoughts on the situation.

A what is a lovely young woman like yourself doing out in the gardens alone?

[troubadamsel]

[ She does a small little bow of her own, hand to chest. Good manners, good taste, and a writer? When did this place finally start bringing people of class? ]

I see. Welcome to Avalon, and all the oddness it contains, I suppose...

As for myself, I find contentment in solitude from time to time. Trying to collect my thoughts, decide my next actions... and you must admit, this area is a very lovely place to do so.

[silky_bearing]

Oddness, I feel, is a bit of an understatement but thank you all the same.

[There's a slight smile that tugs at his lips, a bit of amusement to easy any awkwardness that might linger from startling him.]

Of course, at times one needs to seek out solitude for such things. Given the festivities in the castle, however, I am surprised you managed to slip away without admirers.

[Sweet Sothis, finally someone that seems to understand polite etiquette! And a truly lovely woman as well. How charming. Still he doesn't want to press too much, make her feel uncomfortable. So while he does comment on her charm once more he is careful to follow with something more neutral she can respond to.]

I must admit I find solace in these gardens, they remind me a great deal of those of my home.

[troubadamsel]

[ Ohohohoho~! This man has a silver tongue! She should be wary of such a thing, but it's been so long since she's been appreciated in such a way! ​Have the gods finally taken mercy upon her?

A few girly titters behind a gloved hand. ]

My my! If you keep up such teasing, good sir, I'll become redder than these roses... May I?

[ She won't really wait for him to say yes or no before taking a seat on the bench with him. ]

But if it eases your heart, I would be more than happy to hear of your homeland.

Royal Baths

[lastexit]

[Maya wanders into the baths a little after Lorenz finally makes his way intonext to the tub. As it was more water park than bathhouse she was wearing a simple bikini, the top white and the bottoms black. With her towel draped over her left shoulder letting anyone see all of her. She doesn't care too much. Setting it aside as she sits and relaxes in the water.]

[The water is nice, but it isn't really relaxing her that much. Because she's not having a good relaxing time, and someone looks like he's about to die if he has to remove the stick.]

...the water is more relaxing if you get in.

[silky_bearing]

[As she comes in Lorenz glances up, thinks at first to acknowledge her.... and then actually sees what she's wearing and his eyes go wide. His face flushes even darker and he directs his gaze down to the roiling water, very careful not to actually look at her.

But she just climbs in like it's no concern at all and he does his best to loosen the hold he has on the towel around his shoulders, swirling one... surprisingly smooth leg through the water. He almost starts to relax again when she speaks and he jumps, making a tiny noise in his throat.]

Ah... y-yes, I'm sure it is... I'm afraid I am quite unaccustomed to such things, fascinating though it is.

[lastexit]

[Maya is looking at him, trying to gauge what his issues are. Modesty comes to mind, but modesty when dressed, meager the swimsuits are, doesn't feel needed with a physique like his. He's not unattractive, if pretty boys are your thing.]

Unaccustomed to baths?

[The playfulness she intended doesn't quite cut through the apathy in her voice. And she can't muster a smile or anything quite so strenuous.]

[silky_bearing]

One does not bathe in public, Miss.

[There's a slight edge to his voice, just a bit too fast and too high... he's not hysterical but he's clearly upset about the whole thing. Especially when she's so very blasé about it all. It almost reminds him of the Professor in a way.]

[lastexit]

...Except for the places that do that.

[Culturally there were places that public baths were stadard, but outside of that sometimes it was a simple practicality. After getting drenched in sweat from an effective workout you should probably wash that off before putting your normal clothes back on. Same with the pool, and the beach. Mixed was fairly new, at least for Maya. But a bikini was hardly the most scandalous thing she's been seen in.]

If this is a problem, I could leave?

[His freaking out was a good reason she, who was enjoying herself, should leave. At least, for Maya, this made sense. She would like to stay, but if it made him uncomfortable this was the easy solution.]

wildcard | somewhere in camelot | lmk if this works!

[gunmettle]

[ Despite her insisting that she’d be fine on her own, Juzo had insisted right back that he walk Marianne home – or at least to a safer part of the city – cat or not. Eventually she caved, which is how Juzo Inui ended up trekking through Camelot City with a gray-blue cat with a blue collar perched on his shoulder.

Transforming must really take it out of her, because in no time at all, she’d fallen asleep, draped around his neck like some kind of fuzzy scarf. The peacefully napping feline really sits at odds with his whole look, a bit of fluff encircling the massive, shark-toothed weapon Juzo has for a head.

Some part of him had been wondering if her presence was enough to soften his edges, but apparently not. While most people in Camelot would stare at him or give him wary looks, the reaction he got was usually a far cry from the way he was received back home, now and again there would be someone he truly caught off-guard. Today’s victim is a poor woman, still engaged in the last bit conversation with a shopkeeper as she backs out of his doors – and runs smack into Juzo.

The woman turns, mouth open to apologize or scold – he’ll never get to learn which one because she takes one look at him and screams. It’s a sharp, sudden sound that makes even Juzo back up half a step, never mind the sleeping feline draped over his shoulder. Suddenly jolted awake and with no idea what’s going on, Marianne apparently falls back on the instincts of her cat form, giving a yowl of fright and trying madly to get off Juzo’s shoulder. She manages, but not before she shreds a few new holes in his coat, claws catching on the shirt and skin beneath. ]

Marianne! Wait—!

[ Too late, because the little gray cat has bolted, dodging across the street and into an alley, knocking over trashcans and debris as she goes. ]

Shit. Marianne!

perfect <3

[silky_bearing]

[Lorenz is, in fact, trying to find his way to a tea shop the lovely lady at the hotel desk had directed him to when he hears the commotion. The shriek has him cursing himself for not bringing his sword. It's the shouts that follow that have him racing toward the source of the noise.

He very nearly runs smack into Juzo as well, skidding to a halt just before he collides...... and... well....

Then it's Lorenz' turn to scream.

Quick and startled and he jumps back a little, one hand to his chest in a moment of panic. It only takes the span of a heartbeat for him to refocus on the more important task here.]

You were the one calling for Marianne?

[He's not even sure this.... man? golem? thing???? can speak or understand him but if she is in danger then he will do whatever is required to see her safely home.]

what a way to get acquainted

[gunmettle]

[ The woman who set this disaster in motion was quick to gather her shopping and flee, so the massive gun barrel that is Juzo’s head swings in Lorenz’s direction when he appears and, subsequently, also screams.

For a small blessing, Marianne has made sure to provide Juzo with descriptions of her friends from home in the event they should run into each other - not so for the opposite, it seems, given the reaction he just got.

Thankfully, he’s used to it. ]

I am. You’re a friend of hers, right?

She got spooked, took off like a shot down that way. [ He motions with his thumb towards the open mouth of the alley, now half-blocked by a trash can that she’d managed to topple on her way by. ] I’m goin’ after her before she gets too far. Could use an extra set of eyes.

[ Or any set of eyes, considering he has none. ]

isn't it just

[silky_bearing]

[In her defense she hadn't had a lot of time to inform him. Lorenz, on the other hand, was very recognizable between his height and vibrant hair color. But still nothing compared to this man, nearly as large as Dedue and.... some strange helm that reminds him far too much of the golems in Shambhala. ]

You're a friend of hers?

[He doesn't necessarily mean for it to come out so accusatory but- well there's no changing that. Still he shakes his head immediately, holding a hand up before he can answer either the question or his tone. No. Finding Marianne is more important and if this man(?!?!) is looking for her he's not about to leave him to search alone just in case he's not being truthful.]

Shouting her name is only going to draw attention which was rather the opposite of the goal. [But Lorenz immediately starts marching down the direction the other had indicated, doing his best not to show how anxious he is about being with this massive man. It would be one thing if he still had his magic, no matter how large or powerful the man was an Agnea's Arrow would end him quite efficiently.... it's a pity he cannot cast it anymore. Ugh.]

[gunmettle]

[ For better or worse, Juzo is also used to people looking at him like they think he’s going to eat their children. For a world so stuffed full of technology, much of it stuffed inside of people, there’s not a lot of trust to go around when it comes to someone who looks like him. ]

I am. [ Said evenly. He’s not here to defend or explain his relationship with anyone – and besides, finding Marianne takes priority.

For now, he also doesn’t care to address the other man’s discomfort. He simply falls in-step with Lorenz as they cross the street and head for the alley. ]

Hopefully she hasn’t gone far.

royal baths

[leicesters]

[As luck would have it, Claude had decided to investigate the royal baths himself, but he can scarcely believe his eyes when he notices a familiar head of violet hair up ahead beside the jacuzzi. For his own part he's largely forgone modesty except for a pair of swimming trunks and a towel he's carrying, and unlike Lorenz, has no problem with this rather public state of undress.

He moves over to the jacuzzi, setting his towel aside with a cheerful,] Lorenz! Didn't expect to see you here.

[Climbing in, he sinks into the water and lets out a sigh of contentment.]

[silky_bearing]

[He's stopped glancing up when people come in, too embarrassed to actually look at anyone anyway. So he's even more startled when it's Claude he hears. For a moment his head snaps up and then just as quickly he's studiously looking back at the water's surface. His hand grab at the edges of his towel and pull it more tightly around him as if he can just burrow into it and vanish.]

Y-yes... well... If everyone's going to insist I- [He just shakes his head though, dismissive. He'd thought he could make an attempt at something that actually does sound appealing to him instead of all the "fun" others have recommended. Instead he's been trapped here, anxious but unwilling to just run away. It's absurd after everything that had happened on the road during the war for this to be the thing that scares him.]

[leicesters]

Come on, it's not that different from the Red Springs. [... Unless Lorenz has been avoiding those ever since he got here, too? He settles down, resting his arms on the edge and closing his eyes to relax.]

We have baths like this in Almyra, too. No fancy slides, unfortunately, but they're still nice.

[silky_bearing]

And I had nothing to do with them there, either!

[He has absolutely been avoiding all versions of public bathing, thank you. It's strange, though, seeing how relaxed Claude is with it all. Nice, in a way, that he's able to simply enjoy things instead of all the strain that had weighed on them all when the war was still looming over them all.

Hearing that this is a common thing in Almyra surprises him, though he couldn't say why. Well, no wonder he's relaxed then. He realizes he's staring about the same time he realizes he's been quiet a bit too long.]

I suppose it must be nice, then... having little things like this to remind you of home?

[It's half statement, half question and Lorenz makes a point of turning his gaze back to the water, seeming to be considering it more thoroughly now.]

[leicesters]

Yeah. [He opens his eyes again to look at Lorenz.] It's a little thing I took for granted growing up, so it was pretty crazy to me, how different Fódlan is in that regard. I suppose the closest we have is the sauna back at the monastery, right?

[Which isn't too scandalous... most of the time, especially when everyone is expected to dress modestly in there. No wonder poor Lorenz has no idea how to deal.]

When you come visit Almyra, you can use the palace baths as much as you like. So you'd better get used to them by then, lest you make a diplomatic embarrassment of yourself! [He grins. He knows full well bathing has literally nothing to do with diplomacy, he just can't help but prod at him a little.]

[noblestandard]

Oh, Lorenz. I did not think I would see you out here.

[Lorenz wasn't one to get dirty, so seeing him out helping in the fields wasn't something Ferdinand figured would happen. He's dressed in some junkier clothing, and had been out helping the farmers.

Sorry Lorenz, your friend is caked in dirt.]

[silky_bearing]

Ferdinand!

[Lorenz looks up from the area he's seated beside, mint if his nose is correct, smiling brightly at his friend....

Only to have his face drop immediately, nose wrinkling in distaste.]

You- [Don't be rude just because it's Ferdinand.] look as though you've been quite.... busy?

[Why must you be filthy, sir?]

[noblestandard]

I have been out here helping these people with their farming. Sometimes a set of extra hands is helpful, even if I am not the perfect farmer.

[He keeps his distance, he knows Lorenz's thing about being dirty.]

What are you doing out here?

[silky_bearing]

It seems some of the magic I have come to possess is particularly helpful for that self same endeavor.

[He looks positively thrilled, shifting his position and motioning for Ferdinand to come over to another bit of garden with him.]

You see, these are all herb plants... this is... I believe...? [He leans in to give the plant a sniff and nods.] Basil, yes. And with a bit of magic....~

[His fingers settle neatly over the plant's base, coaxing half wilted leaves to perk up and grow in size, soon arching up to spill over his arm.]

[noblestandard]

[Ferdinand watches Lorenz for a moment, fascinated.]

That is amazing Lorenz! I have not figured out too much about mine yet, but I believe it has to do with animals.