Hello it is I, emma, coming to the dash with a v angsty emo boi ( yang yang ). his name is shurong ( viscount of the anle house ), he’s a twenty seven cis male who is the current head of the prestigious anle house and part of the ranger class ( plugging the music inspo here )
FOR MORE INFO. ┇click below ↓↓
HEADCANNON THOUGHTS
As the eldest child of the Anle House, Shurong was burdened with the duty of eventually carrying his family’s ancient legacy. Thus, his upbringing was one that followed protocol and decorum, the afforded luxuries of freedom were kept at an arms length. While traditionally the education of a child of the House would’ve been dictated by the current head, much of Shurong’s knowledge and training was under the suggestion of his father’s sibling.
Shurong is a fantastic athlete with high skill in horseback riding as well as falconeering and shooting. However in contrast, his academic aptitude does not come with as much grace and ease - often times a frustration for him. While the facade he presents to the world highlights a man of intellect, he has worked tirelessly through the nights just for the sake of maintaining appearances.
His first horse was a black steed named Hai who’s feet were so quick and loud that it mimicked the sound of the ocean waves. Sadly, the horse has since passed due to old age. While he continues to have many horses, he’ll never forget his first experiences.
Given his familial background, having meaningful relationships with others of the same social standing as Shurong has needlessly been somewhat of a challenge. While his father stands to be more lenient than others, he is well aware of the watchful eyes of the rest of society - his every move judged. While their House remains more open and keen to remove years of noble ideals, it is hard to say others are keen on sharing the same sentiments. While Shurong remains aloof publicly in his demeanor, there’s something within him that is fatigued and tired of the farce, desiring to see more and know more.
Long ago in his younger years Shurong had been a joyful child with a fondness for smiling. He was only sixteen when he had met his first love. It had been his first feeling of romance. Smitten, he had intended pursue the courtship but alas, it was then and there he learned of the weight of his position. They were too lowly for someone as noble and great as he. It was not written his destiny, despite his desires to do as he pleased. Needless to say, Shurong’s heart was broken.
The first time he had ever killed with his own had been forever imprinted in his mind. It had been an accident that he relives in his nightmares again and again. The unfortunate soul was none other than his first love. Shurong will never forget the look on his face, the last moments he shared with him - it was as if his own heart had collapsed. Despite the comfort of his beloved, nothing had changed, he lives with the guilt forever. From that moment on, he had buried himself in his duties to stifle the pain - anything to numb it all.
He has long enjoyed listening to the zither as the instrument had been the one that lulled him to sleep in his childhood. While he has made attempts to play himself, he lacks the precision to pluck the strings, the callouses of his fingers too coarse and impatient to play beautifully. This instrument remains the only thing that is able to help him sleep.
He can be found practicing early in the morning and late into the evening, his career being the sole focus of his existence. Despite the urge of the servants and family members around him, he has always preferred being reclusive. A big part of this being his fear of being hurt all over again.
PLOT POINTS
Shurong has long desired to develop meaningful relationships and friendships with other people that are not dictated by his social standings. But since his taste of rejection, he has become more wary and has since closed himself off. He also fears that if words were to get out of his lack of decorum, the rest of nobility would shun him as well as his house for such impropriety. But within the background, he hopes that eventually enough political maneuvers will be made that will change class prejudices, something which he quietly supports.
The future of the House of Anle will eventually be guided by Shurongs hand and his own father has been of no help, fleeing the moment he sees the sight of hefty work. And thus, it has become Shurong’s duty to complete unfinished business. However every person has its limits and the pressure that lies on his shoulders only become heavier by the day.
While Shurong seeks for justice and progression as his father does before him, he is also still riddled with the ghosts of his past. He lives with a lot of trauma which he stifles under the guise of coldness ( after all, with distance, nobody will approach him and no hurt shall ever be inflicted ). While time has passed, he has not learned to let go and is still struggling to cope. Depending on who lends him a shoulder will either gear him towards a more optimistic route or a darker path instead.
Given his birthright, he certainly has social connections to climb up the ladder but intends to be rewarded with merit honorably - something which befuddles outsiders who scoff at his foolish pride. But in truth, he had long sworn by his deceased lovers lips that together they would’ve reformed the military. And so, he has kept the promise until this very day.
