#lost-inthyme

1. How do they move and carry themselves? Pace, rhythm, gestures, energy?

Vittorio: He carries himself like, well, royalty. Very proper and controlled, but with a lot of emphasis behind each of his movements, like an undeniable presence of authority. Even with that though he’s good at passing it off, or sharing the authority, and very mindful of how he stands with others, knows when to step back, or angle so he’s facing who he wants everyone else to listen to. There’s usually not a quick pace to what he does, like things don’t seem rushed, but they’re not slow either. Overall, a very steady rhythm and energy. Gesture wise he is very brought up in doing bows, or making sweeping gestures - however, a lot of his time spent around soldiers has made it so a lot of casualness naturally found its way into how he moves.

Lusca: On the flipside, somewhat laid back - most of the time. If he feels he needs to be alert definitely can pick up the pace and move a lot quicker, but in a relaxed setting is naturally a pretty calm person. Coming from living in the ocean there’s also a more natural grace to the way he moves, even on land. So there’s always kind of a swimmer-like quality to things he does, very flowy. However he also is definitely one to have a lot of hand gestures when talking excitedly, and in general shows excitement most with gestures via perking up, bounces, etc. 

5. How do they dress? What styles, colors, accessories, and other possessions do they favor? Why?

Vittorio: Purple is his main color FOR SURE. But most colors he actually wears are blacks and golds, but purple is there since it is traditionally the color of royalty (and a little more literally with him given purple eyes, lol). But mostly dark colors simply because it looks good. Accessory wise actually not much, except when it’s required for royal ceremonies, etc. Also favors ribbon hair ties. Honestly prefers pragmatism over dressing too wild, though still wears things that look good/show some royal bearing. It’s just mostly in the way he was raised. (secret: incredibly rare to see but there have been a few times when his little sister has absolutely covered his hair in bows)

Lusca: Honestly like most merfolk is very attracted to shiny accessories, so would probably go crazy with jewelry like accessories if given the chance. Color-wise it’s all warm colors, simply because it reminds him of home, a fairly tropical environment. Other than that he’s pretty much happy wearing whatever he’s provided with since hey, he comes from the ocean and like merfolk are basically nude 24/7 :’D

9. How do they manifest energy, exhaustion, tension, or other strong emotions?

Vittorio: Energy is definitely a lot of just trying to get things done. Lots of talking if he’s with people, or giving directions. Exhaustion is something he tries not to show so it’s a lot of patient smiles and nods, and also getting things done but doing it so he can go rest or escape the situation. Tension is something he’d also try to hide, but would probably have a harder job at. Overall, is very much the type to try and keep extremes reigned in, but catching him in a particularly high energy/good mood type scenario where he can be free to express himself more is a lot more smiles and laughs. Whereas him being exhausted/stressed and in a place where he’s expressing it - that’s very very bad.

Lusca: Very much an open book! High energy he is basically like a puppy dog (which seems ... like a match for obvious reasons x3 ). Exhaustion shows too, though if he has a job to do he’ll be determined to pull through it. And it takes a lot to make him tense since he’s got such a naturally relaxed attitude. But basically, much more open, his strong emotions are clearly visible.

11. How are they vocally expressive? What kind of voice, accent, tones, inflections, volume, phrases and slang, and manner of speaking do they use? 

Vittorio: Has an accent for sure, and also very proper way of speaking. Has lost some of that again from time spent outside of royal court, and has definitely done impressions of “country” or I guess whatever equivalent/rural accents much to the amusement of his friends because of how weird it sounds coming from him. Also, is a master of passive aggressively saying things in the royal court and twisting things into “royal nice speak” so he can get away with insults that go unnoticed. Naturally he speaks with a calm tone, and again, if he gets angry and actually yells that is dangerous. 

Lusca: Is the one who probably has a rather weird accent without realizing it. Merfolk can mimic humans, but when actually going so far as to speak it will probably say phrases slightly strange, or get words mixed up. Also there’s a lot of things he just doesn’t have the word for since it’s not something that would’ve been around where he lived/something that humans around him would’ve been talking about. 

12. How are they bodily expressive? How do they use nonverbal cues such as their posture, stance, eyes, eyebrows, mouths, and hands?

Vittorio: Usually stands straight up, keeps hands to himself and if he makes gestures makes them count, or have authority. His eyes are probably the most expressive, but even then, he’s pretty good at controlling physical expression. He is one to typically also match the group of people he’s with in terms of physical cues/gestures though.

Lusca: Fairly expressive! Just basically does whatever feels right, or whatever comes most naturally so many hand waves, expressions are all easy to read on his face. 

16. Do they dream? What are those dreams like?

Vittorio: Yeah and they vary! A lot are probably related to magic or more just feelings of energy, but there’s also probably just dreams of palace life or things that have happened or related to things he’s read (or games his little sister has made him play). There are also probably nightmares of things happening to those he cares about :’D

Lusca: Most of his dreams are probably about the ocean!

23. How do they respond to difficult social moments? What makes them consider a social situation difficult?

Vittorio: Politely tear the other person apart via words. Or, if it’s a situation where he can, simply pull his authority as prince and make the situation go his way. For him to consider a situation actually difficult it takes a lot, but it commonly involves members of the royal court questioning his decisions or questioning things he believes in.

Lusca: Is not really used to human interaction enough to find things difficult/wouldn’t realize it was difficult until later. So he’d basically just honestly be saying how he felt/possibly getting himself into trouble. 

26. How do they view and feel about relationships, and how might this manifest in how they handle them, if it does?

Vittorio: Listen, everyone definitely tried to force into him the whole “marriages for convenience/position” because he’s a prince and has to do what’s “””proper””” ... which unfortunately (or maybe not hehe) could do nothing to stand against the influence of all the romantic fairy tales and love stories his little sister “forced” him to read to her. So he’s actually quite the romantic and 100% is the type to chase after true love and do whatever it takes - once he gets over the small part of him that is still trying to fulfill all his duties as prince, but once he lets that go, there will be romantic gestures galore and a lot of compliments/affection/everything.

Lusca: Romantic relationships are highly regarded in my merfolk lore. Like, it’s usually you find your person and that’s it. And marriage is something super serious. So for him it’s something that will be much more natural in, if he loves a person that’s that and it will be very easy for him to express it. Though also, physical affection isn’t something just shared between romantic partners for merfolk, so is just naturally a much more cuddly person. 

29. What kind of activities, interests, and hobbies do they have? What significance and impact do these have in their lives, both positive and negative?

Vittorio: Lots of reading! And also practice fighting/practicing magic since those usually go hand in hand for demons. Both things are really only positive, unless you count that part of why he goes sparring so much is that he does enjoy fighting. There just aren’t many chances for it (and very rare chances for him to use his full power - though he also wants to not have to use it, and advocates for peace not fighting but, that drive is still there). Reading is just his way of learning as much as possible and keeping himself “well-rounded”. 

Lusca: Reading - once he learns how to. x) But other than that does swimming count as a hobby for merfolk...I think probably not, Collecting things probably, since most merfolk are hoarders, albeit, he did it with more good intentions as the clan (BEST WORD I CAN USE TO DESCRIBE HOW IT WORKS IN MY LORE) is not the type to attack humans and take it from them then, but rather finding it more “little mermaid” style (haha). Treasure hunting I guess is the easy way of describing this?? and travel too probably counts as a hobby since that’s what he wanted to do and that’s what he did! :D

30. What is their preferred level of activity and stimulation? How do they cope if they get either too little or too much?

Vittorio: A decent amount. He’s usually pretty active and always has plenty to do. But when he doesn’t have as much activity/stimulation it can actually be a pretty good break and nice chance to relax and unwind a bit.

Lusca: Definitely the more energetic type who likes to do a lot, and if he is pent up for too long gets a little antsy. 

40. What do they wonder about? What sparks their curiosity and imagination, and why? How is this expressed, if it is?

Vittorio: Mainly interested in politics and magic studies, and mainly because both are so wrapped in everything about his life. A particular interest for him is healing magic because it’s one of the few branches of magic that doesn’t come naturally to him, and he wants to improve it. This is expressed through practicing it, of course, and both things through reading more about the subjects. 

Vittorio

1. What do they smell like?

Old books, mahogany, the way the air smells before a thunderstorm rolls through c:

9. Describe the way that they sleep.

i just go with demons needing less sleep because ~magic~ or physiology so not as much as people, but when he does decide to sleep it is, well, basically deciding to sleep and can basically do it on command. it’s not hard for him to fall asleep and it’s a pretty deep sleep (though not so deep that like, he wouldn’t wake up for danger etc) 

49. Do they like surprises?

from his little sister yes !! from the royal court or his mother, absolutely not. 

56. What Hogwarts House would they be in?

aaaaa i think ravenclaw ? :’D

64. Upon seeing a slice of chocolate cake, what is their first reaction?

LISTEN SORRY TO DISAPPOINT BUT LIKE 90% OF MY OCS DON’T LIKE CHOCOLATE BC I AM NOT A HUGE FAN SO *shrug* he’d probably eat a slice if it was appropriate but is like, of about average feeling in the matter :’D

Lusca

30. Sunrise or sunset?

sunset ! (i mean, it’s what his colors are ;3c )

51. How do they usually celebrate their birthday?

HM i had to think about this and ok spinning out some coral reef merfolk lore from my verse so ! i think it’d basically be a really big celebration?? but also i feel, my headcanon is that because of the stars merfolk definitely can track time and passage and know exact times for birthdates, but since coral reef merfolk live in bigger “clans” they kinda, group birthdays together because they throw such HUGE celebrations for them and it’d be exhausting to do it for every one, so it’s basically like, four huge celebrations that lump together the closest birthdays of merfolk to those celebrations. (like they got their own zodiac made of four signs LMAO) anyways they’re full of gifts and parties and good food :3c

70. Which TV Trope(s) best describes them?

Cuddlebug, Earthy Barefoot, Hair of Gold Heart of Gold, The Idealist 

84. What are some physical features that they find attractive on people?

*describes Calder*ok serious answer ! honestly i don’t think physical features are as important for Lusca. He is definitely the type who finds personality attractive, and I think especially like, coming from the ocean/being surrounded with merfolk he is a lot more open to what beauty is and more interested on how a person treats him/treats others than anything else :’D

91. What is their sense of humor like?