#ask scorchie

[scorchieart]

Hi Scorchie! Random question, but I love the detailed analyses you make about the screenshots you post. I have to ask, what's your favorite single screenshot in IkePri?

Hi! 👋 Very late in answering this because I couldn't pick just one, but this morning as I was scrolling through the gallery it made itself known. Guaranteed to turn any frown upside down. Even Chev's.

Get ready, you guys...

Analysis: Nokto is the most eloquent character in the game. He has such a way with words.

[scorchieart]

Hello! I want to know about I bet, I haven't seen anybody to a fanfic with Emidio that I can remember so I'm intrigued. Have a great day/night!

Thank you @eventinelysplayground & @moonstruck-writing for the asks! 💖💖 I didn't expect that wip to get eyes on it because I know Emidio isn't a fan favorite, haha.

For Rio route spoilers, I'm going to briefly explain under the cut:

This story is meant to take place before Rio loses his memory, so in the days when Valerio had to deal with Silvio and Emidio's rotten-ness. King Ricci has just returned home from a sea voyage and his sons got dressed in their best ready to welcome him back, but each has a different priority for the meeting. Silvio wants to learn what the king learned overseas. Emidio wants to show the king how much he's improved as a prince in comparison to his brothers. Valerio just wants to see his father home safely and hear the stories of his adventures.

That's basically the background I've got for the story, and the fic is supposed to be the three of them in a room talking (squabbling) while they wait for the king to arrive.

[scorchieart]

So is Yves your favorite prince now? 👀

Come again? Sorry, Anon, you're going to have to speak up.

Edit for @altairring (clavis won't let me reblog with video evidence)

[scorchieart]

Who do you think Clavis's favorite brother is?

Hello Anon, you'll have to forgive me for taking a few days to get back to you on this. You see, it is a question I never considered before, and now that I've toiled ruminated over it for far too many hours I believe it does not have a clear answer.

I may be mistaken, but I seem to recall some promotional materials for the game's release that were set up as interviews with the princes, and one of the questions that was asked was "Who is your favorite brother?" Obviously, I can't recall what Clavis said because I don't know if it even existed (if one of you peoples reading this has any idea of what I'm talking about, do let me know!!)

BUT you specifically asked who I think his favorite brother is, so I take that as permission to go free reign with some more superfluous soul searching. So zip up your jackets, friends!

While I do believe Clavis loves each of the princes (love may be a strong word, but this game gives us plenty of interpretations) I think he is closest to his older brothers. At the very least, we're told he interacts with them the most (before the events of the game and during) and it is with them he reveals his truest self/intentions... to a degree.

I'll go more into my lots for each below the cut because we'll have to dive into some pretty spoilery territory for Jin, Chevalier, Clavis, and Luke's routes. But if you want the tldr: My mind says Jin, but my heart says Chevalier.

Jin

Clavis seems to hang out with Jin by choice the most outside of work. They hit up the town as drinking buddies and... discuss their preferred topics freely. They share a penchant for doting on their yonger brothers. Clavis also admits early on in Jin's route that he's his "partner in crime" and that's pretty telling coming from the palace prankster. Clavis is never usually one to hold back on sharing his opinion, but when Jin is in the room they get to back each other up (or start a heated debate, it depends on the tides).

Looking further into Jin's route, Clavis not-so-subtly hints at Jin's association with Obsidian and his knowledge of it, claiming that makes them both not to be trusted. But even if he brands themselves as villains, he still makes a point to get involved with Jin's activities and (once again) back him up when he needs it. Jin has a tendency to be self sacrificing because he knows his value as the first prince and believes he cannot right the sins of his and his father's pasts otherwise, but Clavis is usually around to help steer his head back when he goes too far. Another example of this is in Luke's route for a similar reasoning.

At the end of Jin's romantic route, Belle deduces the reason Clavis interfered was because he was afraid of losing Jin, and even though Clavis denies it, we know what's up. (I haven't played the dramatic end, but considering Clavis was basically the crossroad at Chapter 20, I'm betting he's pretty important there, too).

So Clavis enjoys Jin's company and would rather it not end, right? Sounds like a favorite brother to me! Unfortunately, Jin ends up playing a very minimal role in Clavis's route (I was really surprised about this) which brings us to candidate number two...

Chevalier

"But Scorchie, you're all about textual evidence, and Clavis says multiple times that he hates Chevalier AND wants to kill him!"

You're not wrong, imaginary voice in my head, but I think it's safe to say that these princes aren't very good at being honest with themselves. And Clavis tells A LOT of lies, so in lieu of dissecting each and every time Clavis mentions Chevalier (which I would be more than happy to do, mind you it's getting close to dinnertime) let's start with his POV stories.

Clavis says before he met Chevalier he heard of the amazing feats he accomplished at a young age, so he was very excited to have such a brother. But, as we know Chevalier wasn't as... keen on returning his affection. But Clavis never gave up trying to get Chevalier to befriend him, because let's be honest who wouldn't want to be noticed by the genius born once every thousand years? Clavis's goal was to be a prince worthy enough to stand beside him. However, after their mothers' passings, Clavis felt he failed as a son and as a brother, so he shifted the blame onto the one person he felt deserved to be grieving as much as he. Thus, his hatred toward Chevalier was truly solidifed.

And you know the rest of the story, so I won't bother you with recounting it. Although, I will mention Chevalier's take on this. He mentions in Clavis's dramatic end that no matter what happens, no matter who comes and goes, that he will be there to catch his mistakes and rectify them. And we know Clavis knows this too, because he sent Cyran to deliver Belle to the border knowing Chevalier would be there waiting, and the encouragement Clavis displayed once Chevalier and Belle confronted Gilbert was just what he needed to get back on top.

And let's not forget Clavis's sideline cheerleader act through pretty much all of Chevalier's route. He says it was for his amusement to see Chevalier's happiness get ripped away, but we know what's up.

There is a ton more nuance going on deeper here, and I don't think Clavis would ever admit to anyone or himself that he likes Chevalier (he can't stand being in the same room as him sometimes), but at the very least I believe he would be very lost if Chevalier were to disappear. Can't get more ironic than that.

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Wow, you're still here? Well, I'm flattered by your interest in these fellas (or maybe you just wanted to see if I'd leave anything fun at the end, in which case you're right!)

Have a silly scene of number 1 and number 2 fighting to be giant Clavis's favorite bro. Or they're fighting him, it's sorta up to your interpretation I guess.

Maybe after I fill up the food tank I'll post some screenshots and more dooblee do's~~

[scorchieart]

Hi Scorchie! Remember me? 🐂 I read your headcanons for the princes as kids and thought they were the sweetest! If you take requests, could you do some for the new princes too since Silvio's route just got announced. Only if you want to tho.

*gasp* Ox-Anon, is that you?

Lol, I'm really really happy. It sounds like you enjoyed reading them as much as I did writing them, which is honestly all I need to feel satisfied 😌

I never officially set up any request system, I'll have to look into that more properly in the future... but for now I'm honored by your ask!

To be honest, I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to the new princes (been trying to limit looking at updates from jp to keep them a surprise), but for you I'll give it a shot! 💪

Thanks for the ask!!

Silly Headcanons About the Princes as Children - Part 2

Read Rhodolite's Princes - Part 1 here!

Gilbert von Obsidian

Started a game where he’d swipe the emperor’s walking cane and stash it in the strangest places. The hiding spots got more difficult to find and reach with each successive round, ranging from under the bed to over high wall sconces to dangling precariously off the highest turret spires. How on earth did he manage to get up there with those tiny limbs?

All the palace-goers got involved with the search, from the serfs to the dukes, each terrified of what the prince would do if he sensed they were getting bored with his little game. It reached a point where the cane didn’t turn up for three full months, so the emperor caved and bought a new one. Gilbert snatched that one up, too. And all the following ones. He now boasts an impressive collection.

Sent introductory pen pal letters to princes and princesses across the lands. He never received a response.

But he did once receive a lavish mink-fur coat from a far away nation for his birthday. The thought of wearing another animal’s hide troubled him since he wasn’t the one to end its life, but the ebony pelt felt so luscious in his hands he kept it anyway. He would only wear it in his room though, on days when he didn’t feel like lighting the fireplace. He’d curl up with a book by the massive snow-paned windows and read until the horizon consumed the short winter sun. Then he’d retire to bed, pull the fuzzy collar over his face, and let the warmth of his trapped breath lull him to sleep.

The coat still hangs in pristine condition in his closet (next to his assemblage of canes) even though he’s since outgrown it years ago. He’s holding onto it until the day he finds the right child who could take care of it as well as he had to pass it on to.

Keith Howell

Set the record for the highest number of outfits ruined beyond repair as a result of playing outdoors. 

Skid marks from tripping on uneven terrain when he helps clear the roads after a storm. Rips from vines and branches when he volunteers to climb and pick the highest fruit during the harvest. Indelible mud stains from when he assists with watering the seedlings at the start of the new growing season. The servants pleaded with the king to stop insisting he wear white pants so often.

Broke his arm one day helping a village farmer wrangle his herd of goats into their pen. He was observing the magnificent horns of an elderly billy when it got startled by the sudden appearance of the Other Keith and charged at him. Ever since then most of his activity outside the palace was restricted, so he’s led a pretty sheltered childhood.

Always dreamed of touring the places he’d only read about in his books. He wanted to play in the sandy sapphire shores of Benitoite, taste all the delicacies Rhodolite had to offer, and meet the friendly Obsidianite prince his parents wouldn’t let him write back to. Dare to dream, kid.

Finally mustered up the courage to ask his parents’ permission to travel outside Jade. After much back-and-forth, they agreed under the condition he’d first go a full year without sullying a single pair of pants. It was the most herculean trial he ever faced in his young life.

Silvio Ricci

Cried during his first swimming lesson. And his second. And the next three dozen. 

He refused to even look at the ocean for the first month. Instead, he’d latch onto a nearby palm tree like a koala with an iron grip and pout. It took a lot of convincing to warm him up to the idea of letting the waves pass over his feet, and he slowly worked his way up to actually entering the water (arms firmly wrapped around his instructor’s neck koala-style, of course).

Hated how people talked down to him like he was just some kid. He wanted to be treated like a grownup as soon as possible, so he had a habit of parading through the palace halls wearing his father’s ginormous fur coat and his mother’s heels. The first few attempts were full of embarrassing tripping-over-rugs and stumbling-down-stairs, but he persevered and now stalks the halls with the most confident gait west of the ocean.

One summer’s eve when he was strolling along the shore (he does that when he wants to get away from the stuck up grownups) he happened upon a washed up glass bottle. Inside was a battered bracelet made of broken seashells and misshapen pearl orbs and a note that read “Where have you gone?” 

Has no explanation for it, but every summer he boards a boat and tosses a new bottle beyond the waves containing his own handmade seashell-and-pearl bracelet and a paper saying “Come find me.”

(Check out my Ikemen Prince Writing Master list here! And if you want to send me a request, please check the details here!)

[scorchieart]

Do you think Clavis and Leon could beat Chevalier in a fight? 🧐

(P.S. they are the funniest as comic relief side characters heehee)

That's a valid question, Anon 🤔

Short answer in my opinion: yes.

Clavis trained his entire life to match Chevalier, and Chevalier acknowledges that he constantly improves. Coming from Chev, that's a mighty high complement.

And while Leon says he doesn't spar with Chevalier often, Chevalier still says he respects his skills enough to consider him his rival.

Put them together and yeah, formidable duo. Do not cross their paths.

(bit more spoiler-based evidence below the cut, for those who aren't convinced ^^)

In Clavis's romantic end he manages to land a blow on Chevalier, and they basically chalk the match up to Clavis's win. Sure it was played on Clavis's turf and he pulled some out-of-the-box plays, but they weren't really playing by the rules there. It was an epic battle 👏

And in Luke's romantic end, Leon interrupts Chevalier's hunt for Luke right when Chev was going for the kill. It's one of the few moments where Chevalier failed to hit his mark. And not only that, but Leon manages to hold Chevalier off for the next several chapters, so yeah don't mess with him 👌

(P.S. yes they are silly when they're in the background, aren't they?)

[scorchieart]

Hi Scorchie! I just wanted to check in if you're doing ok. I miss your family fics and I hope you'll be writing again soon. I'm worried the ikemen fandom is dying T.T

Hello! Thank you for checking in!

All is well, life-ing through life, as it were. Writing just hasn't been able to fit in much these months. I'm still on the first draft of that one young Chev and Clavis fic, but it's turning out quite long. In the meantime, I have something quick planned for the In a Flash ccc that'll hopefully be finished soon -- time permitting.

And I believe @lorei-writes & @leonscape & @atelier-the-atelier have recently been putting out some fun family content on their blogs. Please check them out and show them some love 💕

I haven't been around the tumblr scene as much lately, but every time I pop in the ikemen fandom seems as full as ever. Sure it may not look the same as it did last year, or even last month, but that's how fandoms work, right? As long as you keep showing respect and support for your fellow fans, I wouldn't worry 👍

[scorchieart]

Hello! I recently discovered your blog and I have to say your masterlist is to die for. I am absolutely impressed by the variety of stories you've written for the same cast of characters! And I'm really looking forward to your multichapter fics. Your talent is just amazing!

Before I get too lost in fangirling over your fics, my question to you is this. Do you tend to lean more towards fluff or angst when you plan your stories? And do you know any other ikemen multichapter fics (they seem few and far between)? Thank you and have a nice day lovely writer! ❤️

Hello lovely Anon ❤️ That's so super awesome of you to say, I wasn't expecting this at all. Thank you for making my morning!

To answer your (first?) question, I suppose when I come up with ideas for fics it starts with:

1) Selecting the character(s). 2) Deciding on the main character/perspective. 3) Thinking of a conflict that would arise between the character(s), internal and external.

I tend to enjoy writing/reading stories that center around a believable conflict, so I guess that means I tend to default to angst more often. But that isn't to say stories without conflict can't be interesting or stories with conflict must be angsty! It's a wide world, fanfic writing is.

And for your (second?) question, I'm so so happy you asked about this because I've been looking for an excuse to talk about multichapter fics! I see that longfics in general aren't as appreciated in the ikemen fandom, at least when compared to their short fic & headcanon cousins, so please allow me to gush for a moment about these talented writers and their wonderful works!

In the case of Ikemen Prince, @leonscape and her AU series. As of now she's written for Leon and Clavis, but I believe she has plans for the rest of the princes as well. The way she handles her insane cast of OCs is astounding on its own, but there are fabulous stories underneath the surface that really attach you to them. And @myonlyjknight has a very interesting AU herself with The Rhodolite Princess that I am just waiting for the perfect evening with a mug of hot chocolate to dive into.

And I am not too familiar with Ikemen Sengoku, but I have to highlight @the12thnightproject and @lorei-writes for their astoudning multi-chapter & longfic works. Their masterlists are goliaths of skill and dedication, and I admire them both greatly. Every time I see them post a chapter, I just want to fist bump them.

Lastly, I'm giving an honorable mention to @venulus and her new multichapter fic I'm the Hellhound, so I'm Taming the Hellcat. We're in a similar boat now, starting out on new series, and it's nice to have a buddy along for the ride 💪

Multichapter works and longfic searches late into the night were a staple of my high school years, so it's my hope that kind of love and appreciation is extended to the next generation of writers and readers. And my knowledge of the ikemen fandom is still very limited, so if anyone knows of any other works or writers that I missed please to add them to this list!