#lbc clarence

[kaedekolya]

clarence and his counterparts: man or monster?

So we were talking about Clarence’s new android SSR (Faint Night Light) in the LBC discord server, and it got me thinking about the monster allusions that seem to be a common thread across Clarence’s main stories. Then we discussed the diary entries from his White Day event, and it occurred to me that this monster imagery also ties into his modern-day counterpart – and with that, this post was born.

In other words: is Clarence a man, a monster, or somewhere in between?

[ SPOILERS: Clarence’s main stories and Chrono Theatre diaries. This meta post is structured as story-specific sections, namely Godheim, Eden, and the modern world, so you can skip over the world(s) you haven't read yet. No Awakening spoilers, don't worry! ]

- ☽ -

Godheim: Archmage Clarence

First, let’s talk about Godheim Clarence. As the Archmage, he bears a heavy responsibility upon his shoulders – to oversee the Magi Tower, to fight the Glacial Butterflies, and, ultimately, to protect the country and its people.

In order to fulfil this duty that he has chosen to undertake, Clarence seals his heart and shuts others out. He denies his emotions, and resents himself for having these emotions, to the point that he disparages MC for “[acting] impetuously” and belittles her capabilities when she shows concern for Amelia’s wellbeing. Archmage Clarence’s impassivity is his shield against the emotions he views as a hindrance.

Yet he was not always this way. Clarence is a casualty of cruel circumstances, a tender soul torn apart by trauma. When MC is confronted with the truth of the mages’ magic, having witnessed a mage die before her very eyes, she notes that “[there] is no pain or compassion on Clarence’s face,” because “[this] is a sight he has seen all too many times before.” Decades of watching his fellow mages succumb to the Glacial Butterflies that nest inside them, and decades of having to end the lives of mutating mages under his purview, have conditioned Clarence into numbing his heart to such pain. How else could he have stayed sane, after a century of bearing witness to suffering wrought by his own hands?

Archmage Clarence’s disposition is initially described by MC as an “[icy] presence,” but this is the facade that he projects as a defence mechanism, not his genuine self. Clarence is so accustomed to the chill of the Glacial Butterflies within him that he has taken on the frost as a personality trait, believing that his frigidity defines him. He does not view himself as a human capable of warmth; instead, he thinks of himself as a mutant, as an icy monster.

Even so, Clarence cannot deny his innate inclination towards kindness. When he notices that Amelia isn’t feeling well, he tells her to sit in the carriage. When Amelia’s temperature drops, he casts a spell to warm the shivering child up, even as he grumbles that he’s wasting his time and magic. When Amelia’s death is imminent, he tries to send her off in the gentlest way possible, then grants her final wish by conjuring a connection to the water mirror. Clarence may insist that he does not care, but his actions reflect his compassion.

It is this very kindness that steers him towards a path of selfless sacrifice, for the sake of his country and its people. The life of a mage may have been forced upon him, by the man that gave a gravely injured child no other option but the potion that would transform him, yet Clarence learns to harness his power for good. He spends his youth eliminating Glacial Butterflies and protecting the village of the snow plains, and despite the harsh conditions of the path he now treads, he does not hold a grudge against the family that sold him off and thrived in the resulting profit. Instead, he returns to check on them from afar, and when an onslaught of Glacial Butterflies attack, he protects them with every last bit of energy within him.

Still, his family’s betrayal left an indelible mark on his psyche. Back when he’d been given the potion, he’d resolved to succumb to his injuries rather than drink it. Despite his instinctive desire to live, MC notes that his “will to live [had been] virtually non-existent,” because there is “[no] despair greater than being betrayed by your own family.” The young Clarence had not seen a reason to live, when his family had forsaken him. It is only when MC saves him, urging him to live on, that he resolves to survive and repay this debt. Each time MC encounters him in her voyage through time, he is on the verge of death, and each time, his dwindling will to live stems from his despair over those he could not save. What ultimately keeps him alive is the vow he swore to his saviour.

This characterisation is one that carries through his immortal lifespan. Clarence does not live for himself; he lives for others. Whether that means risking his life to defend a village, or sacrificing himself in a ritual to save the country’s inhabitants, the underlying premise is the same – Clarence lives for the person who saved him, and for the promise he made to them. He allows others to form negative opinions of him based on the assumptions they’ve made, in order to keep the secret of the ritual and the Glacial Butterflies from them, because their scorn towards him matters less than their safety. He closes himself off from others, never permitting them to reach out to him, because he cannot allow companionship and compassion to distract him from his purpose. He “[cannot] afford to be sentimental,” because he cannot have anyone or anything clouding his judgement. Better to be the enemy of the state that saves it, than the friend of the state that cannot do anything as it crumbles. 

It is ironic, then, that Clarence’s devotion to his promise leads him from striving to live and fulfil it, to voluntarily dying for that same promise. His life, his existence itself, is secondary to the promise he has made. He will live to protect the world for his saviour, but if the only way to protect it is to die, then die he shall. Perhaps he views it as a penance of sorts, an atonement for the sins he’s committed. Perhaps he believes the new world would be better off without a monster like him.

For all his calculative callousness and stoic solitude, Clarence is deeply self-aware. Not only is he conscious of the suffering he inflicts and the ramifications of his actions, but he also ruminates upon his sins until they turn to guilt in his gut and self-loathing in the deepest recesses of his soul. He does not turn a blind eye to the pain he witnesses; instead, he looks it straight in the eye, internalises it, and forces himself to feel nothing at all.

Clarence may appear to have no qualms about exploiting people and reducing them to cogs in a plan greater than its constituent parts, but his interactions with Amelia prove otherwise. Right before he sends her off on what is meant to be a suicide mission, his carefully-crafted defenses slip, and he asks whether she hates him. Clarence believes that he has failed to live up to the Archmage’s title, that he has fallen short of being a “guiding force for all the mages” and a “protector.” He condemns himself for his callous strategies and merciless manipulation, since he has been treating people like chess pieces and “using them as [he sees] fit.” He disparages himself for “[standing] by on the sidelines, safe and sound.” He believes others hate him because he’s given them all the reasons to, because he deserves to be hated, because he, too, hates himself. All this while, he fails to recognise that he has taken on the greatest sacrifice of all – the burden of leadership, of decision-making, of being responsible for all the blood on his hands.

This downplaying of his own suffering, alongside his disregard of his own well-being, is what drives Clarence to self-sacrifice time and time again. When a theory about the Glacial Butterflies begins to take shape in his mind, he does not test it out on one of his mages, because he does not view them as expendable despite what he claims. Instead, he uses himself for his experiment, slicing his chest open and bearing the agonising pain in order to ascertain the truth of the magic within him.

On the verge of being overcome by the Glacial Butterflies, despite having prepared for this eventuality by shackling his limbs, he makes one last selfless request. “My Lord, you must kill me before I turn,” he entreats, willing to relinquish his own life for the safety of others. Even when Philip protects him from the Glacial Butterflies, refusing to kill him, Clarence believes that there is no place for him in the future that his Lord envisions.

Decades later, he still echoes this same sentiment. “There is no future without sacrifice,” he tells Lars, and he does not see himself as part of that future, does not see himself as deserving of that future. Archmage Clarence thinks of himself as a monster, not a man, and a monster is better off dead than alive.

It is a revelation, to him, that Amelia does not hate him. MC does not hate him. Lars, Alkaid, the mages that carry on the legacy of the Magi Tower, none of them hate him. They do not view him as a monster; they view him as a martyr, a protector, a saviour. Someone who did his best, and gave his all. Archmage Clarence leaves behind a legacy through his sacrifice, spurred by the human heart he still harbours deep within.

- ☽ -

Eden: Falcon Clarence

Next, we have the Falcon Clarence of Eden. The lone ranger of the desert, the mercenary that eliminates Sandswimmers with impeccable precision and works with no one else.

“A bait that only knows how to cry is a burden,” his mentor tells him, and Clarence internalises that into his cognitive framework and guiding compass. It is “the first lesson Liore taught [him];” that he must prove his worth in order to live. His scent lures the Sandswimmers to him, and so he must make himself useful by seeking out danger.

Valued only for his utility as bait, Clarence learns that his worth is determined by his fighting skills. With no other way to survive, he becomes a NEOS by fusing Sandswimmer gems into his body. Clarence pays the price of this acquired power through the gradual erosion of his memories, but that is far from the only thing he has lost. His decision to accept the integration of these foreign, beastly objects into his body has changed him irrevocably. He thinks of himself not as a human, but as a mutant being only one step away from becoming a monstrous Lost. Still, he endeavours to “remember [his] humanity,” because he refuses to become a “mere weapon [that knows] nothing but destruction.” Falcon Clarence understands that he is, by definition, a monster, but he refuses to relinquish the last shreds of his humanity.

In his first encounter with MC, he is rational and pragmatic as always, scrutinising her motives and seeing no reason to work together. Years of solitude, with no one else to depend on, have honed Clarence’s reflexes into an “instinct for self-defence.” Yet his reaction to MC’s request reveals that his solitude has been shaped by circumstance, not entirely by choice. When MC explains her reason for seeking out Eden, even though it does not sound particularly convincing, Clarence accepts it as sufficient and agrees to lead the way. Despite the potential risk of allowing a stranger close, he offers MC a ride on his motorcycle. Subsequently, he continues to help her out, defending the children’s shelter and giving her the gems he’d collected, even as he refuses to follow her any further.

Falcon Clarence claims that he works alone, but everything he does is for the sake of protecting others. He fights in the desert to protect the shelters from Sandswimmers, and he fights in Eden to protect Lin and the other NEOS from the Lost. He brings MC to the NEOS Association, so that she can rest for a night and learn essential skills from Lin. He knows that the night is dangerous, so despite his own preference for working alone, he ensures that MC has a community of protection around her.

Even as he dismisses everything and everyone else as burdens, his actions speak otherwise. Despite having met MC for only a single day, he offers his assistance to her time and time again, from rides on his motorcycle to filling water bottles with her. He could easily leave her to fend for herself, but he chooses not to leave her behind even when that would be the easier way out.

Perhaps the reason Clarence refuses to work with other people is that he’s afraid. Afraid of dragging them down, afraid of becoming their burden. He fears that history will repeat itself. He cannot bear to lose someone he cares for again, so he refrains from caring about anyone at all. Each time Clarence chastises others for being a hindrance, he is reproaching his past self for his inadequacy. Each time he risks his life to protect others, he is atoning for his failure to save his mentor.

MC says that she understands how Clarence feels, because “acting alone means nobody will be hurt because of [him].” In a way, acting alone also protects himself from being hurt. It is a defence mechanism born from his past, when he had to “learn to accept [his] losses” from a young age. He couldn’t afford to grieve Liore for long, not with the constant threat of the Sandswimmers, and so he could do nothing else but “live on with what memories [he] had left.” He’d forced himself to harden his heart to his emotions, but he could not suppress them entirely.

Clarence blames his moment of weakness, of emotional folly, for causing Liore’s death. It was her humanity, even in her final moments as a Lost, that held her back from killing him and caused her to die. He regrets his choice to this day, and perhaps it is this survivor’s guilt that pushes him to fight harder until he reaches the brink.

It is this same guilt, alongside his resolve to not lose anyone else he cares for, that drives him towards self-sacrifice. When he realises that MC needs a soul stone – his soul stone – to open the door within Central Control, he unflinchingly raises his gun to his head, as if it were the natural and logical decision to make. He is ready to offer his life without a moment’s hesitation, because that is the utility he can offer in this moment, in order to keep MC safe and help her achieve her goal. She has given him a reason to fight, and he will die trying to fulfil it.

Ultimately, it is his encounter with MC – and the companionship which blooms from it – that saves him. Without demanding anything in return, she cries for his pain, fights by his side, and shoulders his burdens with him. Clarence doubts his humanity, even as he holds fast to it, since he is all too cognisant of the monstrous traits within. In turn, MC’s unwavering trust reaffirms the humanity within him, reminding him that he is worthy of living.

Falcon Clarence may not be fully human on a biological level, and he may still succumb to the effects of the monsters within him from time to time, but he has managed to preserve his heart and his humanity. His tale is one of healing, of opening up, and of learning to value himself for who he is and not what he can do.

- ☽ -

Modern World: Clarence

Finally, let’s circle back to modern-day Clarence. At first glance, he’s the calm, collected, and capable Student Council president, who always seems to have affairs in order and circumstances under control.

Then, in his Chrono Theatre diary entries, we learn that he had a psychiatrist observing him from a young age, due to his gifted aptitude and exceptional intelligence beyond that of his peers. This revelation sparked a discussion in the LBC discord server, which spurred this message of mine that then became the basis for this meta post:

Clarence is well-versed in decorum, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it comes naturally to him. It’s likely that he learned social etiquette by picking it up from observing how other people behave, so he knows the appropriate responses to give and the socially-acceptable ways to carry himself. However, because this social understanding is not an innate trait but a learned one, there are often times when he doesn’t recognise the need for social niceties, and instead his instinctual response – founded on his internal logic – comes through.

One example of this can be found as early as his second interaction with MC, after she paints an artwork of him:

The polite thing to do would be to express interest in or appreciation of the finished product, regardless of one’s actual feelings towards it. However, Clarence “doesn’t show the slightest interest” in MC’s painting. Does this mean that he doesn’t care for it, and doesn’t see the need to put on a pretence? Quite the contrary. Instead, it’s because he thinks he doesn’t have anything useful to offer in response, and thus he stays silent.

Here, we see a disconnect between how Clarence understands the world, and how other people tend to view it. While most people would appreciate receiving praise or validation, Clarence doesn’t particularly see the need to receive either, and thus doesn’t immediately think of giving them to others. Rather, he takes a more pragmatic approach, focusing on utility; a piece of work deserves feedback for the effort poured into it. However, as a law major, he does not have sufficient knowledge or expertise regarding art. As such, he believes that his feedback would not be useful, and thus it is better not to say anything at all.

This ties into how Clarence views himself as his roles, and the functions he can serve. He understands that he has worth, but he evaluates this worth through his services as the Student Council president, or his contributions as a law intern. When he assists others, he doesn’t think of it as going out of his way to help them; instead, he views it as part of his rightful duty.

As a result, Clarence doesn’t view himself as simply “Clarence.” Rather, he thinks of himself as Clarence, the Student Council president; Clarence, an upperclassman; Clarence, a friend. If he can fulfil someone’s needs through a role that he holds, he will do it, even at the expense of himself.

We see this most prominently in Clarence’s “Break Time” R card story:

When the senior who’s supposed to interpret for an academic speaker falls ill and fails to attend, Clarence steps up to fill their shoes last-minute. William notes that Clarence can be counted on to show up whenever and wherever he’s needed, and MC agrees that he’s “the only one who’s up to the task.”

However, what most people don’t recognise are the sheer lengths Clarence will go to in order to fulfil his duties. On top of his regular responsibilities, filling in for the interpreter caused Clarence to “[burn] the midnight oil” preparing for the speech, and taking care of the sick speaker meant that Clarence could not sleep for two days. He doesn’t recognise that he’s constantly going above and beyond, because to him it’s a given, but he is in fact pushing himself past his limits, and past the line that most people would draw.

It’s interesting to examine MC’s thoughts here, because she interprets Clarence’s willingness to take a nap as a rational understanding that he needs to rest in order to keep functioning. However, this only happens after MC coaxes him into taking a break. If she hadn’t intervened, Clarence would have continued pushing himself until he completed his task – he was already at “the brink of collapse,” and he “only agreed to sleep after [MC] practically begged him to.” Clarence prioritises his responsibilities to the point that he does not recognise his own needs, and thus neglects to take care of himself.

Although modern Clarence doesn’t think of himself as different, or as anything less than a person, it’s evident that he views himself as the roles he fulfils rather than simply as who he is. In turn, this mindset is reflected in his behaviour, which then shapes other people’s perceptions of him. This is how Clarence becomes characterised as the aloof and intimidating Student Council president in the students’ eyes, even though he cares so deeply and helps out so much; most people are unable to look deeper and see Clarence as the person that he is, because he perceives and presents himself through the lens of his roles.

As such, other people often view Clarence as different from themselves – as if he’s operating on a different wavelength, or existing on a separate plane entirely. Modern Clarence’s genius sets him apart from his peers, but more than that, his perspective of himself winds up alienating himself from other people. Clarence views himself as like others, but others view him as unlike them. He blends in well enough, but he doesn’t quite fit in; he has a place in society, but he doesn’t quite belong.

- ☽ -

Clarence, across time and space

Out of all the Clarences thus far, modern Clarence is perhaps the most well-adjusted, and this reflects the importance of having a support system. Godheim Clarence and Eden Clarence were isolated from a young age and survived alone throughout most of their lives, whereas modern Clarence had family and friends around him. He may not have had the most conventional childhood, but he grew up with his older sister Jaclyn and his close friend Luca, and he also had his psychiatrist Ford observing and monitoring his development. Subsequently, after he enters St Shelter Academia, he gains a circle of friends he can rely on, such as William, O’Connor, and, of course, MC.

Expanding upon Clarence’s St Shelter Academia bonds, we see that Clarence has people around him who genuinely like him for who he is, and are willing to support him unconditionally. O’Connor affectionately refers to Clarence with a nickname – “Shi-kun” in the Japanese voiceover, or “Little Si Lan” in the Chinese one – and for all his devious teasing, it’s clear he looks out for his Student Council successor. As for William, he may whine about Clarence’s by-the-book discipline, but his clumsiness and complaints do not preclude him from helping out when needed. For all that Clarence often chastises William, he still relies on him to assist with Student Council matters, and he knows William is someone he can trust.

Compared to these two, MC is a relatively newer connection, but her bond with Clarence runs deep. Right off the bat, she’s able to meet him on his level and banter with him, and he lets down his guard enough to subtly tease her for trying to trick him. As their relationship develops, Clarence grows to trust her, sharing his inner thoughts and admitting his vulnerabilities. MC is a safe haven for him, and she understands him on a level deeper than most. While the other students may fear Clarence for his aloof disposition, or hesitate to approach him due to his detached rationality, MC sees the earnest sincerity woven into his actions and the warmth laced through his words. Others may think of him as an unfeeling robot or a terrifying monster, but MC loves him for the human that he is.

There’s a subtle but interesting juxtaposition here, in which Godheim Clarence and Eden Clarence – both possessing monstrous mutations within them – view themselves as monsters while most others do not, whereas modern Clarence – wholly human – views himself as human while most others do not. All three Clarences are keenly aware of what constitutes them, allowing this biological understanding to shape their perception of themselves, but they do not recognise that their actions paint a different picture to others.

Regardless of the world he inhabits, Clarence constantly straddles the line between man and monster. His selfless nature and dutiful diligence often lead him to self-sacrifice and superhuman feats, creating the illusion of a monster – but beneath this facade lies, always, the heart of a human.

- ☽ -

thank you for reading!♡

if you have any thoughts about this meta post, i'd love to hear them! responses are always welcome, and my ask box is open~

up next: android clarence, and the inevitability of tragedy. where is the line between human and machine? stay tuned for my thoughts on clarence's awakening main story!

[dangopango00]

FAT Boys Differences Colorized

Someone in the For all time/Lovebrush Chronicles facebook group said they look like the same guy in different fonts lol its not that srs but its just so fun analyzing characger design

Transcript if u don’t wanna erm. Look at all. That. Its basically the same stuff as in pic tho more utc

ALKAID AND LARS

Hair

- Hair is blatantly different colors although based in a similar color (Alkaids slightly closer to strawberry blonde)

- Lars hair is upturned and fairly wavy/curly; although messy its clearly intentional

- Alkaid hair goes straight down and is just messy (not curly/wavy) though fairly thick

- Lars hair only goes down 3/4 his neck and Alkaid hair goes down to around his collarbones

- Although Lars has a similar bang style to Clarence his is shorter, fuller and more curled

- Although Alkaid has a similar bang style to Ayn his is more full and messier

Eyes

- Alkaid has a softer curved eye shape and his eyes seem to be a bit larger

- Lars has a more dramatic curve with smaller eyes though it’s difficult to tell considering he is smiling

Nose

- Alkaid has a flatter and the smallest nose

- Lars appears to have a more curved nose (he has that bump nose shape idgaf what anyone say its so prety)

Face

- Lars has higher cheekbones than Alkaid

Lips (Note: Its hard to tell from the image alone but you can see the contours of their lips in the high quality sprite images which ill include below not sure if it will be visible thou)

- Alkaid has plumpest roundest lips

- Lars has a more defined cupid’s bow and lips are not as round as Alkaid’s

CLARENCE AND AYN

Hair

- Very similar upon first glance but based in completely different colors (blue and red respectively)

- Clarence hair flows downward like Ayn but is fluffy messy and thin

- Ayn hair flows down but is neater and obviously thicker

- Ayn has more downturned eyebrows (angry brows)

- Clarence eyebrows are softer although a bit downturned

- Clarence hair goes down 2/4 his neck

- Ayn hair goes down only 1/4 his neck

Eyes

- Ayn has short round eyes with shorter and fullest eyelashes as well as a more dramatic shift in eye curve

- Clarence has long slim eyes with sharper neater eyelashes and a pretty soft curve in eye shape

Nose

- Clarence has a more pointy/curved nose

- Ayn’s nose goes pretty much straight down

Face

- Clarence has a less dramatic shift from cheekbone to chin

- Ayn has a more dramatic shift from cheekbone to chin

- Clarence has a sharper stronger jawline

- Ayn has a softer curved jawline

Lips

- Clarence has the most defined cupids bow

- Ayn has almost no cupid’s bow (May be more visible on another sprite like smiling or sth??)

- Clarence has slightly fuller lips than Ayn

- Ayn has the thinnest lips

CLARENCE AND LARS

- Although they have similar bang styles, Lars bangs are shorter and more curled

AYN AND ALKAID

- Although similar bang styles, Alkaid’s appears more full and is messier

CAEL

One of these things is not like the others (its him) (he thinks hes on the team)

Just stating the obvious

- Clarence has a mole and glasses

- Lars has ear piercings

- They have very different fashion senses

- Their personalities and, in turn, their expressions/behavior are very different

- All have different eye colors or at least different shades (It doesn’t look it but Alkaid’s eyes are green and Lars eyes are more teal than Clarence’s who dons a pure blue)

[mello-bee]

"PHEW! THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE, MISTER PRESIDENT!!"

[yoonrambles]

Neverending Dreams

Lovebrush Chronicles AU story !

Summary:

Clarence pondered about the mystery behind Professor Heinrich's disappearance. Every time he came to a logical point, it seemed futile a while later – with no evidence left behind, the authorities closed the case. But, Clarence was stubborn; he was adamant to find out about the truth. That night, a strange dream brought him to a land surrounded by snow.

Word count: 1780 words !

Ao3 link: here !

Thank you KaiyoAzuma for collaborating ! <3

Chapter 1: Dream of a

Bygone Past.

Clarence sighed at the investigation report in front of him. Despite hoping for a definitive conclusion to what had happened in the cave with MC and Headmaster Heinrich, the investigation came up with nothing new.

Headmaster Heinrich was dead, MC was involved somehow (the investigators didn’t know that and his mind kept needling him with the consequences of “obstructing the law” and “withholding evidence”), Headmaster Heinrich had been dealing with some sort of astronomy-related contraption, and after all of this, Professor Anselm decided to take an “extended business trip” for “overseas research”.

All in all, it was a headache for the Student Council President.

Regardless, nothing could be done about it. The investigators called it a cold case, and a new Headmaster, named Liore, was being called in to replace Heinrich. Rumors ran rampant among the students, but without a definitive statement from the administration beyond “We are sorry for the unfortunate passing of our Headmaster…”, they remained just rumors. With any luck, they would die down and the students would chalk it up to some health complication and move on with their normal lives.

Clarence packed up the files and moved to turn off the lights in the Student Council room. It was late, going early morning, and once the room plunged into darkness, the moon and the stars shone brilliantly through the window. The work of the Student Council couldn’t be put off, but the classes of St. Shelter never stopped either. He needed to go to sleep now if he didn’t want to rely on caffeine to get through the next day.

The walk back to his dorm was quiet. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves in the wind and the click of Clarence’s shoes on the stone pavement. The wind brought a slight chill as it ruffled Clarence’s hair, but it wasn’t unbearable.

Soon enough, Clarence arrived back at his dorm. He went through the motions of preparing for bed - showering, brushing teeth, winding down - the fatigue of the day finally wearing down on him. He took off his glasses and set them down gently on the nightstand, settling in under the blankets. In the wake of everything that had happened over the past few days, sleep took him quickly.

***

The dream he had that night was rather peculiar. Clarence remembered dreaming of a snowy landscape; snowflakes drifting down as he stared into the horizon. He subconsciously moved forward, towards the small village between the mountains. The snow beneath his boots crunched with every footstep he took, the freezing wind made him shiver slightly. As he advanced towards the village, the residents greeted him cordially; both men and women, children and elders were delighted to see him. They began to gather around to see the magnificent man who had arrived at their village. Their bright smiles and sweet praises had taken him aback.

“I heard he saved a bunch of hunters stuck in a cave,” an excited boy from the crowd said with glee.

“Archmage Clayden is a wonderful man! He saved my husband and cured him with his magic,” a woman, presumably a hunter’s wife, commented.

Archmage Clayden… That must be who Clarence was dreaming of.

“What brings you here, Archmage Clayden?” A voice interrupted Clarence’s thoughts, he turned around to see a man smiling at him, extending a hand for him to shake.

Instinctively, Clarence refused the handshake and asked in an urgent tone, “Mayor, is there an Iris Village to the north of here? There's a farmer by the name of Oliver there.”

Clarence’s breathing became labored, giving away his nervousness.

“The Olivers? Everyone in Iris Village knows them. They've got a sprawling estate and huge tracts of farmland. They often come down here in autumn to sell grain,” a farmer lady politely replied. “Now that you mention it, you look a bit like their son… Are you a distant relative?”

“No, I'm visiting on behalf of a friend…” The Archmage replied, almost impulsively. Clarence could tell that he was lying. And without uttering anything further about the topic, the Archmage bid the villagers farewell and continued northward.

The next scene Clarence remembered was him standing on the edge, looking over at a village in the distance. The Archmage stood completely still for a moment, taking in the view. A villa stood in the middle of the snowy plains, with a distinct windmill and vast acres of fields surrounding the house. In the front yard of the villa, there sat an old woman in a wheelchair, and behind her was a young woman who whispered into her ear. Not far away, two men, one older and the other younger, stood in the doorway, looking out over their vast fields with contentment.

Clarence could tell they were related to the Archmage; the blue hair and eyes were undoubtedly similar – but, in an uncanny way, they were awfully similar to Clarence himself as well.

The Archmage stood on the hill, sighing softly. Clarence could understand that he felt conflicted. Any person would be excited to reunite with their family, but why wasn't he happy? Perhaps something disastrous happened between him and his family which created a rift in their relationship. Clarence didn't have much information in his hands, but in rural areas, and in such ancient times, it was common for impoverished families to sell off their children to earn money. After all, there was no despair greater than being betrayed by your own family.

The wind began to pick up, blowing from the north. Dark clouds appeared in the sky, and the freezing wind made the Archmage’s long, blue hair billow in the wind. The old woman and the young man went inside the house, and the Archmage turned around as well, leaving as he silently bid his family farewell.

Clarence, however, mumbled to himself and judged the Archmage’s decisions. He should've kept a proper plan with himself if he wished to visit his family, and he even left without a proper goodbye! The Archmage must be terrible at maintaining a proper timetable and etiquette.

Suddenly, the wizard stopped in his tracks, then he looked back – swarms of what seemed like butterflies were heading straight towards Iris Village. The butterflies had crystalline, almost transparent wings, they radiated a cold aura as they flapped their wings forward, advancing towards the villa at an impressive pace.

Without hesitation, the Archmage began to rush down the hill, over to the butterflies. Clarence noticed as the Archmage dispelled the butterflies with ease; a faint, blue-ish glow emitted from his gloved palm – and Clarence assumed it to be a heat spell, which eradicated the butterflies. The sorcerer was fast, but the butterflies were faster; within a few seconds, they made it to the villa, destroying it as they went on.

Clarence could hear screams reverberating through the air, piercing the deafening silence. Pleas of help echoed against the billowing wind as the residents rushed out into the cold. But, that didn't help; within a second, they were frozen and demolished by the glacial butterflies thereafter. Wherever the butterflies went, destruction followed – and they proceeded to destroy both the sorcerer’s family, and his emotional stability.

Clarence could only watch quietly – how the helpless people suffered the wrath of the unknown calamity, creating a vast expanse of cold blizzard, leaving nothing behind as they rampaged throughout the land.

The Archmage stood amidst the snow, still as stone; his knuckles clenched as his breathing labored once again. Fighting back tears, he knelt down on the snow, an immense pain coursing through his body.

The blizzard brought by those pests has engulfed everything; his memories, his love and hate, his resentment – and everything he had left. All was engulfed under a blanket of cold snow.

“I didn't expect it… to end like this,” Clarence heard the Archmage mutter to himself. “How many nights did I spend thinking of what I'd say to them? How I hate them? Blame them? Or would I forgive them? Would I be happy to see them?”

Clarence felt a sharp pain in his chest as he heard further, and it gradually increased with every word the mage said.

“But that doesn't matter now,” the Archmage continued. “Death is the end of everything.”

***

Clarence woke up, drenched in sweat. He panted heavily as he fumbled to grab his glasses on the nightstand. Clarence sighed, rubbing his eyes before putting on his glasses.

Clarence wasn't the type to overthink dreams, he had much more important tasks to handle. But this one seemed different; the blizzard, the screams of the innocent civilians, and most importantly: the Archmage. They seemed to be familiar. His appearance, behavior – everything seemed familiar. Did this have to do something with the case?

“Of course, not.” Clarence shook his head. “That was a simple nightmare.”

Clarence took his phone to check the time. 2:24 AM. He had plenty of time until the scheduled time when he usually started his day: 5 AM. He could've slept some more, but he didn't. He got up, folded the blanket, and put the pillow – which he had kicked while fighting the butterflies in his sleep – back to its place.

Clarence wondered what he'd do, and out of his workaholic nature, decided to sit down and work on some pending documents regarding the Student Council. But as he sat down to type, he found himself constantly getting distracted by the dream he had. He couldn’t help but feel that it had something to do with the case, with MC; he got reminded of the time when the painter girl asked for his blood before she swiftly jumped into a portal, onto a butterfly's back… wait – butterfly?

The soft sounds of typing came to a stop. Clarence stared blankly at the screen, his brows furrowed. He saw destructive butterflies in his dream, and a wizard losing his roots in the process of exterminating them. It sounds bizarre, but Clarence felt like it must be an important key.

That feeling only grew as, over the next few days, Clarence continued to dream of that desolate, snow-covered land. The mystery kept growing with every dream he had, reaching a point where sometimes he woke up disoriented and unable to tell whether or not his dreams were reality. He couldn’t continue working with his dreams infiltrating his every waking thought, so he opened a new document and began typing down his ideas: his dreams and what he had witnessed in them. And gradually, he seemed to notice a coherent plot and story flowing with every dream that he encountered. Then, one day, he came to a decision that he should publish the story.

Taglist: @lovebrushed @xcerizex @food-lover9000 @godheimm @xbalayage @nehamerchant123

Guys, wake up, fanfic writer Clarence just dropped !

[cuddletime-blog]

Valentine's Day Letters from MC to LBC Male Leads

Dear Ayn,

“Donut” you want to be my Valentine? It doesn’t matter who brings the donuts today, let’s enjoy them together. Perhaps you would like to play some Mario Kart with me or play a demo for me at the secret base? I’d like to hear one of your new songs. Thanks for keeping me company so I never get bored when I’m with you and for bringing out my competitive side when it comes to video games.

            Sincerely,

MC

Dear Clarence,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for being so thoughtful and helpful with my everyday school life, Mr. Student Council President. You’re a good student, a student leader, and an athlete…an all-arounder. It’s Valentine’s Day so let’s meet. Maybe we can practice Dojang on the training mat and we’ll see if you can throw me down like one of your Dojang moves. Or I’m sure we’ll find something else to do.

            Sincerely,

            MC

Dear Lars,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to make time for me. Well today should be one of the days you could take some time to have a break after work and unwind. You always have the greatest ideas for how to have fun. Thanks for opening my eyes to new sights and experiences. You inspire me to grow up to be like someone just as ambitious, hard-working, and well-traveled. Last but not least, thank you for being a fan of my artworks and supporting me.

                        Sincerely,

                        MC

Dear Alkaid,

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you like chocolates. Thank you for remembering to bring me muffins or cakes so today, I’d like to show my appreciation for you in return. We can enjoy a quiet evening indoors or spend it wherever you like tonight. It can even be somewhere away from the city and the crowds. Life seems so much more relaxing or peaceful when I’m with you. I hope we can continue to enjoy many more times together just like that. Each day doesn’t have to be special, but it’s special to me because we can enjoy it together.

            Sincerely,

            MC

Dear Cael,

I’m not sure what you think of Valentine’s Day, but maybe you would like to celebrate it with me anyway. Take me to Greece, take me to Florence, take me to France, take me to Rome or take me home, (take me to see your underpants. Just kidding. I couldn’t help myself from rhyming France with underpants, but if there’s anyone that would tolerate my childishness or silliness sometimes, I hope that someone is you.) Just take me to…wherever you are. Even though we’re apart for now, I hope you are doing well and I hope you remember that I’m thinking of you too.

            Sincerely,

            MC

[damatically]

My experience in White day event in Lovebrush Chronicles (mild spoilers)

expectation: romantic date, many kisses and just plain tooth rotting fluff

reality: **drops a lore bomb after lore bomb after lore bomb**

Anyways love that it still acknowledge the events in godheim and eden as to follow the canon timeline of events of the story.

Apparently Clarence was still thinking abt the Chairman or smth related incident but he has no strenght to think mc as the culprit and he knows someone is covering up for mc's track after that. HE ALSO BELIEVES THAT MC IS THE REASON WHY THE EARTHQUAKE STOPS (Eden story) i wanna scream more abt modern clarence abt this omg

Its a good thing he's in love with mc lmaooo. My fave part of this event is his banter with his sister 🤣

Im also playing for Cael's white day event bc i missed his valentines one. I actually never finished Valentines event idk what to do in that event 🥲

My other fave moments that relates to mc

I like my coffee how i like my men: respects my dignity and my autonomy.

Cael's white day route is so bittersweet 🥺 i didnt know that they arent officially dating in valentine's event (ofc i wont i didnt finish shit there). Oh yeah since the new main story event will arrive, im not ready for clarence and im certainly not ready if cael also have ssr 💀

[dennavanhossen]

Clarence. Gorgeous, gorgeous Clarence

[smudgedvolt]

Sharing an Alkaid artwork as part of a video I'm working on!

...and I tacked on some older Ross content doodle thing I made when I was talking to @mello-bee (we have a Ross propaganda basement)

This marks the first time I've ever really rendered clothes in this art style, Lovebrush is doing things to me

[nataly-lanier]

[lovebrushed]

(teaser for future oneshot (im nearly done (i still need to edit and proofread)))

i love you most ardently but it’s clarence 🙏

[firephoenix2020]

Haha, suck it Asmoran. Your boss scored a Demon God Wife sooner than you. Never stood a chance.

[dangopango00]

After Last Night

Waking up with him after a hookup

Pt. 1 | Pt. 2 |

FAT/LBC men x gn reader (William Included for all my Aris out there)

CW: very suggestive, maybe dubcon?? (Mentioned that Lars and reader were both drunk in his)

A/N: waking up with cael is waking up behind bars thats croomf, groomf even 😭😭😭 im jp u dk him since ur childhood here ok this is a safe space

Edit: Alkaid rewrite 🥶🥶

more utc

LARS / LUO XIA (罗夏)

- SCENARIO: You’re in a similar or complementary industry to him and he’s had his eye on you a bit, admiring how you present yourself but you never really became too closely acquainted. One crazy night of drinking during a negotiations meeting later and two lonely busy old people get busy (30 isnt old sorry. Uncalled for)

- You wake up first; he is KNOCKED OUT

- He wakes up with the wildest bedhead normally and even moreso today. He’s drooling and sprawled out across the couch with a loose hold on your body (Just his arm slung around you as he sleeps)

- His grip on you tightens if you try to leave the couch but if you’re insistent he’ll just let you go; whine grumbles about it in his sleep

- He has work and he’s very busy so he’ll have to leave soon but he wants to make it up to you because he wasn’t being professional; he makes the effort to at least chat or have breakfast with you before leaving which you don’t mind since you’re busy as well

- He usually doesn’t do hookups since he’s busy, doesn’t want to lead anyone on and knows he’ll get attached too easily so he rlly dk what happened, he was lonely but ayayay this is a mess. He does his absolute best to make things less awkward for you

- This scenario would actually be so wild bc if you wanted to do it again while sober I don’t think he’d say no LOL as soon as you had breakfast/chatted he started to like you even more I think and remembers last night being really great so

- I don’t think he’d initiate it if you did do it again though because he feels really bad about being unprofessional but ever since that night if he ever sees you his eyes are glued to you, your body and all its curves and/or edges; he’s so distracted help him 😭😭

- It’s even worse if he’s pent up, he actually will just. Avoid you if you don’t assure him it’s alright he doesn’t want to be weird and he knows he wont be able to focus so he gets a little nervous around you from then on

ALKAID / LU CHEN (路辰）

- SCENARIO: You’re his classmate and more importantly, his film dealer. You’ve been selling him film and camera repairs for a pretty good price compared to how high the quality is from a small shop that doesn’t get too much traction because it’s more of an antique shop but you do offer more. He was usually standardly polite and short maybe with an extra question out of curiosity here and there before becoming a regular over time. You eventually started tacking on a few more comments and questions than necessary but not so many that it’s noticeable, chatting him up a bit im class as well until you started actively seeking him out, being curious about him and you two became friends. Since this is an edit I’m gonna say like Ayn, you’re probably already in a situationship by the time you hook up but unlike Ayn you haven’t kissed yet (he’d at least ask you out or vice versa before kissing i think) You were over at his apartment to study and help bathe Sparkle; just generally hang out and after a PAINFUL amount of tension building with playful comments and little touches so much so that you ended up kissing him and one thing lead to another !!

- You wake up first but likely go back to sleep and he wakes up during that time tbh. I feel like his home is cozy as hell not to mention Sparkle climbing up and cuddling with you

- He let you wear his clothes to bed since yours got messy and he noticed that you were shivering, freezing from wearing. Well. Nothing. So he let you borrow something and his entire face is red including his ears an neck, it’s quite a view— both you and him

- He ghosts his thumb over your features, his gentle touch almost unnoticeable as he notes each unique thing about you as if trying to identify different stars in the sky

- You had already cuddled up to him in your sleep and he lays in bed with you in his loose embrace for an absurd amount of time until he decides his heart has had enough and gets up to make you both breakfast, you stirring a bit in your sleep in the process

- He kept trying to find an opportunity to get up before but you clung to him so he couldn’t find it in himself to leave you gn but when he did eventually get up he just kissed the crown of your head and gently pulled your arms off of him, then laying you down

- His bed head is just his normal hair honestly and he doesn’t move too much, just snores a little bit and slightly drools

- He’s embarrassed the rest of the day, his usual charismatic persona failing on him when he needs it most and he’s a bit nervous not knowing if you’d felt the same as him or if it was just lust. Though all that is quickly nipped in the bud when you give him a kiss on the cheek and confess properly, holding his hands in yours

- Deciding he’s wasted enough time being a dork He offers to take you on your first date in a nearby cafe since it was pretty impromptu but he still says it with a helpless smile and slight blush. On this date he def took pictures and has them pinned on his wall; they’ll quickly become some of his most prized photos

CLARENCE / SI LAN (司岚）

- SCENARIO: You two went to the same high school all four years and maybe even the same middle school at some point but you never really interacted because he was busy with schoolwork and so were you so you really never felt the need to bother him. Little did you know Clarence had the biggest crush on you since you met and after being acquainted through the student council you became friends. Upon growing closer and some worrying about how little he relaxes later and you mayyy have accidentally made out with him a little in the council room after hours 🥺 then took it back to your apartment 🥺🥺 and ended up sleeping together 🥺🥺🥺

- He wakes up first and just stares at the ceiling. how did this happen oh my god. Not in a bad way but oh my GOD. -Clarence

- He’s so embarrassed by last night especially with his own behavior. Just remembering the sounds he made and the words he said has him reeling; he must’ve told you he loved you 100,000 times

- he just stays completely still hoping you’re still asleep and once you wake up he shuts his eyes so fast kind of trying to pretend to be asleep but with how tightly his eyes and lips are shut you know he’s awake

- You give him a little kiss on his eyelids and lips and he knows he’s caught; he blushes but then kind of just lets a small exasperated smile wash over his face; he really doesn’t know what to do

- His bedhead is basically the same as his normal but more messy around the bangs also he snores a tiny bit but thats pretty much it

- He’s pretty happy and normal when he isn’t thinking about the specifics of last night’s events

- He even goes ahead and makes breakfast for you and him as well as his cats (they’re probably the ones who woke yall up lol)

- He doesn’t do hook ups and he’s liked you so long so he reaalllly realllllllllyyyyy hopes you’ll consider getting to know him more and let him take you out on a couple dates because even if his hands are clammy the whole time he’d be so happy

WILLIAM / CHEN ZIHAN (陈子涵）

- SCENARIO: You two have always been best friends with no question of whether or not your feelings were platonic. Well he had no question. You on the other hand had been crushing on him for a while now but didn’t want to ruin the friendship. That was until college. He started noticing you more and your qualities: how you’ve matured and how you’re there when no one else is, so his feelings have gotten a little bit more than just platonic. He justified it as appreciation and normal friend things all the way up until you two suddenly decided to “test out” what kissing and making out would be like. Platonically of course. Since neither of you had ever been in a serious relationship. The sex part was just testing too, trust 🙏

- You wake up first but that doesn’t stop him from having an existential crisis when he wakes up

- You’re excited although a bit nervous from anticipation honestly since you already knew your feelings were not platonic but you didn’t know what he’d think so instead of worrying you just poke his face and admire him sleeping

- His bedhead is crazy, some of his hair sticks up and he has a pool of drool under him. He snores too— finally getting to release his feelings has him K.Od it was tew good

- You go to make breakfast or shower or something and he’d probably wake up during that time bc he doesn’t feel your warmth anymore

- Like Clarence, Liam wakes up perplexed and embarrassed and he’s worried he may have crossed a line doing what he did last night since you were supposed to be just friends! He’s freaking out so bad! come back he needs reassurance 😭

- When you get back he’s so apologetic and is just so nervous around you until you broach the subject, reassuring him that you don’t mind what happened

- After you sort out your thoughts on what happened and have a loooong talk about it you’re pretty much back to being normal and you even hang out for a bit longer, watching some movies and baking together although he does still blush and fumble his words around you a little

- He’s scared to tell you he would rather be yours than be your fwb (friend with benefits) bc this is his first hookup but considering he’s been your best friend and crush for so long you feel the same way so you end up dating pretty soon after

[mello-bee]

studying with the TA (he's making us more suspicious than we should be)

[stardustbells]

Simple

Falcon x reader (GN)

Minors/Ageless blogs DNI - I am an 18+ blog!

Maybe it’s strange of me.

But being here… feels peaceful.

My eyes looked up at Falcon he’s lost in thought something he’s reading. If it wasn’t for everything going on—

I could feel my heart race. I would rest my hand on his arm and he would look at me. My lips part.

I can’t say what I want to say.

“Yes…?” Falcon’s voice brings me back to reality. “You have something on your mind, don’t you?”

His beautiful face, yet he’s been through so much, I don’t know how he does this. I can’t help but love him.

[cuddletime-blog]

How the LBC Male Leads Would Be Like if They Were Drunk

Drunk Alkaid:

Alkaid can be emotional so it would be best if he didn’t drink alcohol at all, but he would most likely be much more honest about his feelings for MC if he was drunk perhaps. He is not the type to drink alcohol and he might have low tolerance and get flushed in the face, speaking cutesy gibberish and exclaiming how beautiful MC is compared to all the of stars in the night sky. Maybe Alkaid would be on a drunken rant or accidentally try to drunk text his cat Sparkles instead of MC.

Drunk Clarence:

Clarence most likely wouldn’t drink at all, but there would be alcohol served at fancy dinner parties after work with other lawyers or businessmen. He would have to attend those work functions and make business connections. Clarence would perhaps drink the very minimum just to be polite, but he is the perfect example of self-control. In fact, he would be the designated driver at parties if needed or be the one most likely to send any drunken people safely home in taxi cabs or uber pickups.

Drunk Ayn:

It’s hard to imagine drunk Ayn, but Ayn and alcohol would most definitely make a deadly combination because it would increase his appeal even more.  He drinks cola and I’m not even sure if he drinks water often enough. However, Ayn might have good tolerance and actually handle his alcohol quite well.  9 out of 10 times, Ayn would not drink alcohol at all unless if it really is for special occasions like weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and such if he wants to celebrate with some champagne.

Drunk Lars:

He is known to enjoy the occasional celebratory glass of wine (He is a wine connoisseur.) or maybe even cognac at dinners with close friends or business associates. Lars knows how to enjoy wines within reason and he is aware of his tolerance level. He wouldn’t drink to get hungover and he would still remain professional in his behavior. Like Clarence, Lars would drink to be courteous or polite with others in social events. If Lars did get drunk, he would be even funnier if he tried drunk texting Clarence some emojis in some undecipherable gibberish message.

Drunk Cael:

No way that would happen. He is a teacher/professor and he cares about his professional image around others. Maybe drunk Cael would just be more affectionate with MC and perhaps more honest too. He would probably tease Beanie with new cat toys while being drunk and laughing or do something silly and forget about it the next day.

[damatically]

Not me getting chills abt revelation that clarence is aware he has another version of himself. ALSO CAEL SOLD THOSE MACHINES TO WILLIAM NANCSNMDMS WTF. Yeah this is white day event guys.