Lacuna Rambles/Thoughts/Gif Reacts #4: Revealing Character Inspo! 😏

Hi Returning Visitors!

I hope you're doing well. 💐

This post somewhat ties into a TFS Patreon poll we had where you all voted on which character to learn more about in an ~aesthetic~ sense. Mr. Verner won! 🖤 I kept in mind the rankings of the other options to slowly but surely continue this series of posts. We'll be getting into my character reference document for C. Schade that's full of reference images, descriptions, and teasers. As always, it's up to you if you wish to use these to better visualize the characters alongside the text, prefer to wait for official portrait releases, or cling to what's in your own imagination.

This is how I view C. Schade, so let's go!

(I'll be quoting from Book Two throughout this post; however, C appears in a few writings on Patreon too. Writings like: 'Gimme More' (Charles Version) | (Charlene Version), 'Make a Splash' (Silas Version) | (Sofia Version), 'Not a White Christmas' (Reese Version) | (Ruby Version), and possibly other mentions!)

Objectively speaking, C. Schade's looks can be classified as attractive, possibly infuriatingly so for some Returning Visitors. There's a certain sex appeal and effortless hotness that they do in fact cultivate and work for that's less elegant and preppy (affectionate) than R's demeanor.

Primary Faceclaims for Charles and Charlene, respectively:

Greg Vaughan (in specific pics I selected! More so Charmed pics.)

Blake Lively (in specific pics I selected! More so Age of Adaline pics.)

Why? Because they're both pretty people who could easily dominate the halls of a sorority/fraternity before enjoying a sensational brunch at a high-end country club. I think this actually works with their filmographies; however, they both have a certain objective attractiveness to them that meshes well with some of C's behaviors and viewpoints. Very few people would question it, which is something they'll count on or use to their supreme advantage. They both have a more square jaw and strong jawline that would photograph well, the symmetry. (They each have a slight chin dimple that's cute, tbh.) They're great at smug grins and pretty smiles that could leave people enamored before they turn the other cheek and roll their eyes. 🙄The untouchable elegance that R wields differs from the fun, sex appeal that C leans into; it's also less deceptive. A 'head-turner' fits too, but it's a good idea to keep them in sight.

References for strength of features, face shape, and general vibe: 

Charles 

Here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Charlene 

Here, here, here, here, here, here and here (without Blake's beauty mark though, so she and Charles match.)

Charles

His short mane of golden brown hair ruffles from how haphazardly he spins back around, too keen on fixing you with a grin that only falters when R returns the look with one that's far cooler, an implicit warning.

Charlene

Her golden brown hair whips in its ponytail from how haphazardly she spins back around, too keen on fixing you with a grin that only falters when R returns the look with one that's far cooler, an implicit warning.

Hair color: They're technically a more brassy brunet/brunette, not quite a dirty blonde, so the 'golden' part heavily amplifies the brown in my mind! Their styles match the references pretty spot on. Charles rocks that mane where it's short and perfect for finger-combing with the side swoops (maybe those are almost-bangs?) and then longer in the back. Charlene's hair is left long, often flowing or in soft waves that nicely frame her face. She'll sometimes put it up or braid it too.

Reference for hue: here

References for hair Charles: here, and here. (His Charmed hair is perfect, but good image quality can be hard to find, so please focus on the shape/how it lays! His general references work too.)

References for hair Charlene: here and here.

Eye color: Dark blue, a steel blue color that brings to mind ground down cobalt. Secretly, C thinks R's eyes are their best feature, while also having opinions on their worst, but they also like the matching aspect. (Which, yes, we can agree this is weird, but I'm giving you character insight!) They tend to regard others rather critically or jokingly, but their eye rolls might be too well-timed to spot or met with R's own stare right back that quells some of the mockery if it's too far out of line. (Or too obvious.) Their skin's hue helps the darker blue to pop more, just as they intended. In their uniquely skewed opinion, R has it naturally easier.

References for eye color: Pictures of steel blue: here and here.

Skin: C has a sun-kissed quality to their skin from time spent working on their tan because they're innately fairer. Some of it comes about from swimming rigorous laps in their pool along with a natural golden undertone. Their skin is kept flawless and well-moisturized, etc.

References for skin: here and in the other pictures!

Charles

Charles gives an exaggerated eye roll that you only partially get to see before he's complying with R's request. His sun-kissed skin is poorly hidden beneath a muscle shirt that still doesn't leave much to the imagination regarding his physique.

Charlene

Her sun-kissed skin is poorly hidden by revealing athleticwear that doesn't leave much to the imagination regarding her physique.

Stature and build: C is more selective about putting their cotillion training to use. They're not inclined to operate with the same grace and poise at all times; why keep up that standard? It's unnecessary, exhausting, and boring. Besides, only certain venues (and people) warrant that—we see this in their arrival at Turn the Page where they barge inside. Some MCs will have seen a lot more of C than others depending on what they're wearing during their character introduction; however, they have a good physique. Charles is muscular (not as well-built/strong as James, and Charles is also less cut with definition than Reese, yet a bit bigger), while Charlene has a toned build. They don't mind flaunting this fact in their clothes and how they move in a space. They're both tall!

Charles: 6' 1''

Charlene: 5' 8''

(They're both taller than the Verner heir (when their genders match), which they highkey get off on. Go for their knees, R.)

(They're also both shorter than J (when their genders match), which can lowkey come up for JR-mancers. It depends. 👀💜)

Style: Some of our writings have hinted at C's style, including their introduction to the Returning Visitor in Book Two, so I'll keep this brief. (I like describing them in our content.) Their style is mostly comprised of luxury brands, although without the preppy (affectionate) and formal vibe that R prefers. Instead, we'll have them in a $300 frayed white T-Shirt with jean shorts that show off their legs. I could see some 90s vibes from their style too! They will show skin: crop tops, muscle shirts, low-rise jeans. However, what they wear while out around town can change into being more in line with black tie or formal with a glitzy gleam.

I hope you enjoyed this character inspiration post along with my sprinkled insight throughout it. 🥰