The pheromone patterns in Desire have brought me great joy over the last several weeks. I've loved mulling them over and considering all of the implications. What do these patterns really tell us about our characters?
Today's topic: Sheng Shaoyou
Standard caveat: Cultural differences are pretty much guaranteed anytime you talk about flowers or fruit. I also do not know the authors' original intentions. This is just the interpretation that I'm running with in my head.
Depending on the translations I've found, Shaoyou's pheromones are either orange or orange blossom AND rum. Oranges often represent prosperity, wealth and a host of other positive traits. However, since in the series it's clearly a flower on his hand, I'm going with orange blossom and rum.
(Orange Blossom: CC BY-SA 4.0)
In the show, Shaoyou's signature smell has been turned into a fragrance that is very popular.
Shaoyou blames Wenlang, but he should really thank Hua Yong for that. My theory is that he wanted to smell it everywhere so he made sure Shen Wenlang's company produced it.
After all, who wouldn't want to smell like Mr. Sheng? Mr. Sheng is incredible.
But it's a problem in Shaoyou's book. Because who would want their "special scent" to be worn by everyone in omegaverse land? No one. With Shaoyou's pride in his special status, it just makes the insult worse.
Hmm...maybe there's a secondary reason for Hua Yong marketing the scent. We know he's pretty much breaking down Shaoyou piece by piece.
Regardless, it makes Wenlang's insults (about his scent) all the more annoying for Shaoyou and delightful to me.
Whether his pheromones smell like toilet cleaner or not, there is no denying that they are powerful.
But beyond the in-universe lore about Shaoyou's pheromones is where the real treasure lies.
Orange blossoms have a lot of delicious symbolism that works perfectly for our S-class alpha.
In historical terms, the orange blossom was bridal wear. They are often associated with weddings and new beginnings. We know there's an enigma that's making sure Shaoyou becomes his "bride". His pheromones are wishing him happiness and everlasting love.
They are also a symbol of fertility. Orange trees can produce and bear both fruit and flowers at the same time. They can be and do two things at once...like be a powerful S-class alpha while becoming pregnant and bearing a child.
The fragrant scent of orange blossoms are considered to have a "calming effect". Novel readers have attested that Hua Yong is really only "good" at all because he doesn't want Shaoyou angry. And we've seen signs of that in the series. In many ways, Shaoyou's presence calms Hua Yong. Yes, he could be WORSE.
But even more fun? The scent of orange blossoms is considered an aphrodisiac. Surely I don't need to explain how that relates to our enigma going crazy over his scent.
Ok, so we understand our flower. But...why the rum? Well, the show hasn't mentioned the rum (that I recall). That's came from novel readers....although the name of the perfume is "Drunken Branch".
But my guess would be that alphas have an additional layer to their scent that shows their power and "alpha" nature. It's really common in omegaverse stories for those to be more "masculine" scents. Rum is an alcohol that works well with orange (juice)...so I'm told. My knowledge of liquor is abysmal.
The main thing I know? Rum is associated with (and stolen by) pirates.
Which means I really need a fic writer to give me an AU story featuring Pirate Hua Yong trying to steal rum but getting Shaoyou instead - the ultimate pirate's booty. Please and thank you.
Hua Yong is an orchid (mantis)
Shen Wenlang: Destined to Be Confused
Gao Tu: Even his Pheromones Have Identity Issues
janainaart
prguitarman
snowghoul
vaporwave
blakekathryn
kianamaiart
titsay
germansingergirl
pixelskylines
