Empty Your Cup

Okay Julian… let’s practice our neighs and the magic of friendship

His ass was NOT listening

Day 2 of drawing queer characters for pride month:

Julian Devorak - The Arcana (Canon)

Thanks 2 @/bumbuldees (on insta) 4 suggesting him!

[ID in ALT text]

Hiiya! Sorry this took so long to get to! As I chug through these asks, I hope all y'all are still here for your answers. Again, thanks for the patience! :))

The Arcana Headcanons 「Wealthy but Modest MC」

Asra

Asra surmised that you had some form of wealth. You’ve inherited and successfully managed a shop in the middle of a metropolitan city. 

“The rent can’t be cheap.”

However, he never anticipated you sharing that wealth with him.

Asra struggles with ‘receiving without giving’. He knows you don’t mind, but he minds because in some way, Asra feels like he has to earn it. A lot of it boils down to insecurity. It’s strange to think of Asra as being insecure. It’s not that he’s unsure of his identity, in fact, he’s quite confident about that. He’s less confident about who he is to someone else. Throughout life, Asra has dealt with this by being relatively transient in relationships. Those cat-like tendencies always kept the magician just a jump-skip away from safety

However, they know you and your love better than that. They won’t hold your gift against you, nor will they reject it. At the end of the day, this is how you want to show you love them, and they won’t spit on that. However, you may notice a bit of sweat on their brow and a rouge atop their nose whenever you spoil them something. 

Julian

As a pirate, Julian learned how to estimate the weight of a coin pouch by sight alone, and given his intelligence, he’s rather good at it. 

“And your’s is looking rather hefty…”

Julian is in no way trying to get a piece of it. If anything, he’s steering clear. If Asra struggles with ‘receiving without giving’, then Julian is abysmal at it. He quite literally fist fights the notion that he’s intrinsically worth it. He will pish-posh your insistence, and if that doesn’t work, then expect little surprises littered throughout your day. He is physically compelled to give back as if possessed. 

If it bothers you, then he’ll do his best to sit on his hands and zip his lips. Julian knows he’s the king of pushing people away, and the docks were enough of a hard lesson learned. Still, at the end of the day, I don’t think anyone or anything could stop Julian from giving. It’s within his nature, and it’s how he shows his affection, too. He very much is like a raven retrieving shiny buttons for his beloved. 

Nadia

Has the Countess met her match? Now, she understands why some have balked about her gift giving.

“It is rather… overwhelming.”

Nadia’s discomfort has nothing to do with the inability to accept a gift, rather it’s simply new. Nadia’s always been the ‘rich friend’, and while certainly there are those who treat her genuinely, there are also those who haven’t. Many assume that she already has what she wants, and if she doesn’t, then she can get it herself. While the statement isn’t entirely false, it’s nice to have someone do it anyway. 

It’s refreshing to be with someone who understands that wealth has advantages and disadvantages, as well as someone who doesn’t abuse their wealth. It levels out the relationship in more instances than the tax bracket. 

Muriel 

Muriel never thought to ask about your finances because he genuinely didn’t care. This issue is completely out of left field for him.

“Thank… you…”

If it sounds stiff, it’s because he is stiff. 

For Muriel, everything always had a price tag. Whether it was for food, shelter, safety, or survival, Muriel always had to cough up some form of payment. Sometimes that payment even came in the form of another’s life, such as in the Colosseum. Now, Muriel has built himself a life where he owes no one anything.

“Not even a memory.”

Muriel knows you’re not like the others, nor does he want to treat you like them. He just needs to get his head and heart in the same place. It will take time, but truly, he cherishes and uses everything you give him. He’s hardly in town, so your gifts are quite literally like nothing he’s ever seen. While he’s a bit shy on the receiving end, you can catch him gawking at it with Inanna by the fire before bed. 

Portia

Portia is a serial penny-pincher, price-expert. She knows this gift is expensive without even looking at the tag. 

“This must have put you out quite a bit…”

“Not really.” You shrug. She is actually aghast. “You’re worth every penny and more.”

Now, she’s floored. Bright eyes big, bottom lip puckered…

“Thank you!” 

While Portia grew up plentiful, she was by no means spoiled. A lot of her clothes were hand-me-downs, and most of her toys were shared with the neighboring kids. She never had a problem with it, and she also never altered her lifestyle as an adult. Even now, many of her wares are pre-loved and patched over the years. 

While she’s very grateful, she just wants you to know that she doesn’t love you for your money. She’s very straight-forward about clearing the air.

“You know it’s not your coin that shines about you, right?”

Lucio

He’s sort of just staring at it. 

Lucio never gave many gifts in his life because he never really received any. He grew up in a ‘finders keepers, losers weepers’ world. Any gift he received always has a meaning behind it, and the meaning wasn’t always sentimental. If anything, the meaning often entailed that he had to prove himself worthy to have it in the first place.

“What am I? A sugar baby?”

He’s waiting for the coin to drop. What is it that you want from him?

Oh, nothing? You want nothing?

“You’re doing this for the hell of it?”

It’s healed a part of his inner child that he never knew needed it. 

Still, he needs to know. 

[They're the giggle at a funeral]

[“We were born sick”, you heard them say it]

[…I'll tell you my sins, so you can sharpen your knife.

Offer me my deathless death.

Hiii! Thanks for being patient with this! You’re so sweet, and I hope you have a great happy life, too. 🍀🩵

The Arcana Headcanons 「MC who Struggles to Show Affection」

Asra

“Do you want a hug?”

If yes, then expect a hug and a smooch. Asra is more than willing to bridge the gap. You can always ask him, in fact, pleease don’t hesitate to ask.

However, it’s only with your explicit consent. Whether it’s nature or nurture, Asra knows there’s a reason behind your struggle. Their biggest concern is crossing a boundary. A moment of pleasure isn’t worth hurting you. If you say no, then expect a gentile nod and heartfelt smile.

Asra is the definition of non-physical intimacy. A lack of affection doesn’t equate to a lack of closeness or love.

Small notes with his morning tea… A flower tucked in his hair while napping…

The mundane tenderness of it all has more of an effect on him than a kiss.

Julian

Julian is forever questioning the big things in life. He’s more concerned with why you’re struggling than the frequency of cuddles.

“Is there any burden I can help you carry, my love?”

He’ll sit you down, holding your hand with an earnest, warm gaze. While being a highly physical person, Julian is also a highly emotional person. He’s willing to put aside his needs for yours.

If it’s truly just nerves or inexperience inhibiting you, well…

*eye waggle*

“I don’t mind showing you the ropes.”

Don’t let the gusto turn you away. At the end of the day, Julian is a tender soul. He’s able to have and hold the most feeble of beings and nurse them to life. You’re in good hands.

Nadia

Nadia somewhat understands where you're coming from, as she also struggles with affection. She’s always been the more stoic of her siblings. She prioritizes meeting physical needs, where emotional sentiments take the back burner.

That’s not to say that she doesn’t know how or doesn’t want to. You’re both facing a learning curve, so she finds it best to work together.

Nadia makes an effort to carve out time to have meaningful, purposeful moments with each other. She’s also not terribly offended if in the moment you decide you’re not ready or willing.

“I just feel bad making you come all the way here, just to shut down.”

“Don’t feel bad, darling. You are never a waste of time. Success is simply a myriad of attempts.”

Muriel

Ah. Muriel absolutely understands where you're coming from. He struggles, too, and he knows he’s not helping.

He’ll… try. Goodness, he’s stiff. A corpse has more bend to you, Muri.

If he’s learned a thing or two from Asra, it’s that love and affection comes in more forms than one. If you’re struggling with traditional romantics, why not try the nontraditional?

Some of his favorites include weaving flowers into your hair, resting his foot against yours, interlocking pinkies during a walk…

He loves when you peel oranges for him. If it blossoms into more, so be it. If not, that’s okay, too. As long as you're happy in the process.

Portia

Portia is a very hands-on partner. However, she is also a very attuned partner. She won’t push if you’re not ready.

“But if you want a little something and need a little help…” She’s more than content with being the one to reach out.

Portia doesn’t need reciprocation to know that you love her. She’s able to give without being given to. Your words are enough, your gaze is enough, hell, your presence is enough.

If you want space, she’s fine with that, too. She was never with you for the physicality. That was all just the sprinkles on the cake.

“I’m with you for more than that, you know? There’s plenty of other fun for us to have.”

Lucio

Wah! He wants smooches!

Hand on hip and everything… full on tantrum.

Lucio writes off undertones at an impressive rate. He sees your struggle and immediately equates it to rejection, and we all know how he handles rejection. He’s mildly concerned that he’s signed up for another round of his cold-hearted childhood.

“What’s the matter with you, huh? Or, is something the matter with me?”

Just give it to him straight and sweet. While Lucio can’t handle rejection, he can handle blunt honesty.

“Oh…”

Y/N: I would catch you and hug you.