January Answer Post (SFW)

Your regular reminder that this post may contain SPOILERS, so please click away if that's not what  you're here for!

Would any of the CdlC ROs feel enamored at the MC having a favor them?  Like a small portrait, a piece of clothing/handkerchief, or a possibly a  small bottle of their favorite perfume/cologne?

Hartmann would be a bit bashful about it. They'd keep it somewhere really safe, making sure no one could get at it.

Max  would show it off whenever they could... perhaps to a degree where they  might lose it or get it damaged. If they did, though they'd be  genuinely apologetic and would get the MC something nice as a gift in  return.

Freddie would be a little embarrassed and might say they  don't need presents, but if the MC made it clear that it wasn't a pity  gift and more a token of affection, they'd thank them and be pleased.

Delacroix would enjoy it, and would store it away somewhere - maybe using it as the focus of a good luck ritual or similar.

Blaise  might be a little spiky about it - saying "I've got what I need, I  don't need things like this" or similar, but would keep it somewhere  safe nevertheless.

Karson would be very touched. They wouldn't  make a big deal out of it, but would keep it in a pocket as a habit, and  if the MC wanted, they'd give them something as an exchange.

Auguste  would be polite and thank them, but would be a little confused about  what they're expected to do with it; they'd put it away somewhere safely  but might forget about it in the long run. Still, when they found it  again it would make them smile.

Florin would love it and would  show it off to anyone interested (or indeed, not interested). They might  tease the MC a little bit for being soft-hearted.

Rosario would  be very enthusiastically grateful and would make sure to give the MC  something equally meaningful (and possibly expensive) in return.




What  would be the best type of self-care for Karson and Hartmann. I know my  MC would love to spoil them both for the amount of hard work they do  with a meal and possibly a bit of a spa day (bath, shampoo their hair,  massage, etc.)

Karson finds it hard to sit still and do something  relaxing, but they really like to chill out outdoors, so maybe a trip  to some hot springs or an outdoor hot tub would be nice for them. They'd  also be very into a petting zoo!

Hartmann takes a while to unbend enough to be spoiled but secretly really likes it. They would totally enjoy a full on spa day with a ton of pampering time, once they settled into it - it would be a bit of a challenge to get them to do it (more on that below) but when they're more comfortable to admit that they'd be into it, they'd love it.


I  know that the MC can have food allergies and restrictions, but is there  any other ROs that have any? I feel like Gonzalez would be lactose  intolerant for some reason haha

I don't think I want to  retroactively say either way especially since I don't want to contradict  myself but If Gonzalez was lactose intolerant they would definitely be  someone who's like "sure I'm intolerant but I can't resist the delicious  cheese". (Shoutout to several friends who do just that.)


Slightly romantic, but how would Javi  respond to receiving a poem from the MC detailing their love and  admiration before they step out together or officially become engaged?

Javi  would be extremely conflicted! They might well pretend they didn't get  it, or if they can't do that, they might be a bit sniffy about the MC's  poetic technique. Eventually, later on, they might admit that they found  it flattering, but it would take a bit of time and comfort to do so.  MUCH later on, they would admit that they kept it for safekeeping. It  would end up being a precious keepsake for them.



With  Dominique and Beaumont rooming together, which of the two is more neat?  Are they both kind of lax about the dorm, assuming that there isn't a  daily check, or does Beaumont have to constantly remind Dominique to  pick up after themselves?

The usual dynamic is that Dominique is  really messy and Beaumont tells them off about it... a lot. Dominique is  someone who has "a system" for finding stuff and they're terribly  disorganised, often getting late for things because they're trying to  track down something they need.

But sometimes when Beaumont is  right in the middle of something important, they get extremely focused  on it and very much not on their surroundings. So they'll end up with  half-drunk cups of coffee lying around with a load of mould in them,  ends of sandwiches that are clearly liable to get up and walk around...  etc etc. Beaumont swears Dominique to secrecy about such a thing,  though.



Which CdlC ROs would be most excited to have an MC surprise them with a picnic? This can be either during or after Gallatin

Karson, Max, and Rosario love being in the outdoors and would be very appreciative!

Auguste might be a little surprised about doing something so rustic but actually would really like being outside and getting to have alone time with the MC.

Freddie, Blaise and Hartmann would be pleased to spend time with the MC, but aren't so outdoorsy so it wouldn't be their first choice.

Delacroix would very much enjoy it - they like being away from prying eyes and again, getting time alone with the MC.

Florin is very not outdoorsy and would be a little bit snobby about the idea (they like showing off in front of other people!), but would throw themselves into it nevertheless.

If  Beaumont and Delacroix ever met, and we're close enough, how would a  conversation about families go? Would Delacroix try to help Beaumont  reach out to their parents via a seance or Ouija board?

I think  it would be unlikely that they'd get close enough to talk about  emotional things - not unless it was several years later, and if they  were both more level headed. Certainly if Delacroix started talking  about ghosts, Beaumont would be furious. Beaumont doesn't have any  spiritual beliefs and would find it really objectionable - they'd likely  storm off and be as distant from Delacroix as they could.

I  think they could possibly be friendly if they met when they were a  bit older, as they're both pretty intellectual - but having said that,  Delacroix enjoys intellectual things for their own sake whereas Beaumont  enjoys them for the use that they can be. So they would likely end up  at loggerheads either way. As above, I'm not sure Delacroix would really  want to open up to them as they'd be quite intimidated by them.


With  Florin now being moved into the military, would they still be a flirty  menace to those in the service, or have they started calming down a bit  to just a few interests?

Florin has, I think, been fairly wild at  least at the start of their military service, but with a bit less joy  and complacency than they were at school. They're realising that they  now have obligations for pretty much the first time, and they do not  like it. I think they likely threw themselves into some unwise  attachments, partly to act out, and may have calmed down a little -  perhaps because of experiencing a lot of drama.

I have considered  having Florin appear in something in the future; I've also considered  enabling a future MC to have a fling with them. But that isn't set in  stone by any means! I know some people are really fond of Florin in  Crème and might find it sad if a fling with a different  character becomes available. So it's a balancing act!


How would Hartmann  and Beaumont respond to a very doting MC? One that isn't smothering, per  se, but makes sure that they're taking breaks, keeping a realistic  expectation of themselves and their worth, eating and sleeping  regularly, etc? I know we get a small peak of it in CdlC and a little in  ch. 4 of RA, but in the longtime romance, how would that work out?

So, both of their instinctive reactions to such a dynamic is prickly and a bit defensive, but with different undertones!

Hartmann  is concerned that if they look like they need help, or do need help,  they're failing. They hold themselves to very high standards and the way  they see it is that their job is to be effortlessly competent and  anything less puts their reputation on the line, and challenges their  perception of themselves. They will find it easier to relax in private  with someone they trust than to do so in public but when it is in  private, they would learn to enjoy being looked after once it becomes  more of a habit. It would take a bit of work because they've had a lot  of practice at being in their particular mindset, but they would be able  to use that as a stepping-stone for learning to look after themselves  too.

Beaumont is desperately afraid of being vulnerable - they  care about how they appear too, and how people see them, because they  really want to put up a front of being extremely resilient. They're  scared of seeming, or being, what they consider weak. So with an MC who  wants to dote on them, they find that very challenging indeed because  part of them likes the idea and would like to let that wall down, but a  major part of them wants to reject that entirely and be their own  independent, self-reliant person. This is something that will be  explored later in the relationship, and the MC will be able to engage  with it - Beaumont just doesn't like to admit that they need anything or  anyone.



What is one way that Beaumont and Trevelyan each like to show affection to their partners when in the poly relationship?

You'll  get to have plenty of makeouts and affection with Beaumont and  Trevelyan if you like once you're with them! There will be some  negotiation - the MC can set boundaries about what intimacy they're  comfortable being around, etc. So the below is assuming that the MC has  said they're comfy with it!

Trevelyan really likes messing around  with their partners' hair, and would enjoy taking time to comb, brush  or style their partners' hair, whether the partner is chilling out or  doing something else. I could see them doing that while the MC and  Beaumont were reading or studying!

Beaumont doesn't lean towards  affection in general and finds it quite strange and unsettling being the  centre of attention in terms of physical affection (see above about  wanting to avoid vulnerability and such!), but having said that! They do  enjoy giving shoulder massages - fairly firm ones - and might well do  things like testing a partner on exam questions while doing it. They're  also likely to do things like telling a partner off about not bringing a  coat, and might give them theirs.