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Lucky… I want to hurry and grow up…

Mémoire 12: Pause

Introduction

Lucius Oriflamme (ルキウス・オリフラム, Rukiusu Orifuramu), usually called by the pet name "Luca" (ルカ, Ruka) is a supporting character from Jun Mochizuki's The Case Study of Vanitas. Despite his young age, Luca is one of the most powerful and influential Vampires in the species' society, standing as the heir apparent of the Oriflammes and serving as the Grand Duke (大公殿下 (たいこうでんか) , Taikou-denka) to the Vampire Queen herself. Because of his high status and young age, Luca's duties are for the most part handled by his guardian and adoptive uncle August Ruthven, while former Bourreau Jeanne is assigned as his Chevalier to protect him from any danger.

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SPOILER WARNING!
This article contains plot and/or ending details for The Case Study of Vanitas.
Read at your own risk.
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Appearance[]

Luca is a very young boy, most likely barely adolescent. As such, he is far shorter than any adult and had not yet undergone physical development associated with puberty. His face is round and childlike, with very thin eyebrows, large, upturned green eyes, and long eyelashes. He has short, red-brown hair with two defined cowlicks on either side. Short bangs fall onto his face, cut close to his hairline.

Luca wears multiple outfits. In his initial confrontation with Noé and Vanitas, Luca wears a green, silver detailed button-up mantle that somewhat resembled a houppelande, which has a high, loose collar, and falls to just above his knees. Under this he wears short black pants that go about halfway down his shins, a white shirt with loose sleeves, white socks, and black shoes. As accessories, he wears a green hat with details (in the anime, such details are in gold instead).

Personality[]

Luca is calm, responsible, and mature. He is naïve at times and can be shy around people he likes, but the adult vampires surrounding Luca on the whole underestimate his powers and will. Luca is extremely fond of Jeanne, and would do anything to protect the people he loves.

Luca also has a very aggressive side, which he usually displays when someone endangers, harms, or harasses Jeanne. He is easily upset and easily flustered. Luca often tries to keep his childish side hidden and has a habit of clutching his clothes, bag, or hands when nervous.

Plot[]

Parisian Excursion Arc[]

Luca and Jeanne approach Vanitas and Noé on the streets of Paris. Luca introduces himself and Jeanne to the pair and promptly demands the book of Vanitas so that he can destroy it, freeing his older brother from his status as a curse-bearer. Vanitas denies this request, stating that the Book isn’t a toy for children like Luca. After giving Vanitas one last chance to hand over the book, Luca asks Jeanne to attack the pair and retrieve the Book of Vanitas.

Vanitas and Noé manage to run away from Jeanne, who is becoming increasingly agitated and aggressive. Luca reminds her that she mustn’t kill them, and that she isn’t a Bourreau anymore— she’s his chevalier. Jeanne manages to get the upper hand against Vanitas, but looks up to see Luca captured and restrained by Noé. Jeanne surrenders to Vanitas, believing that Noé will kill Luca if she did not.

After a short conversation, Vanitas kisses Jeanne, quite obviously without her consent. Luca flies into a rage after seeing this, instantly escaping from Noé's hold and rewriting world formulas to produce flames. Jeanne hastily retreats with an enraged Luca in tow.

Bal Masqué Arc[]

Luca attends the Bal Masqué along with Jeanne. Near the start of the event, he runs into a very lost Noé. Luca, calling Noé his friend, pulls him away to speak in private. The pair then watches in shock as Vanitas announces his identity as Kin of the Blue Moon, and his plan to cure the vampires in attendance of their malnomen.

Vanitas is whisked away by Jeanne. Luca explains to Noé that he wants to apologize for his actions during their first meeting, stating that he was immature and unable to see past his emotions. Noé accepts this apology, telling Luca to call him "Noé" as opposed to "Monsieur Noé." Right after this, the two hear music and multiple curse-bearers appear in the hall at once.

Before they have a chance to do anything, Noé and Luca are impeded by Monsieur Spider and a mysterious man in a plague doctor mask. The duo kills Luca’s guards and begin to fight Noé. Noé gets the upper hand in the ensuing battle, but is stopped by Naenia, who introduces herself as Charlatan. Luca is able to do nothing but watch as Noé is vividly reminded of his past and Naenia approaches.

Vanitas arrives on-scene, and is able to break Noé out of the haze Naenia had put him into. Monsieur Spider lunges at Luca, but is stopped by Jeanne. The Spider and Naenia state that they have to leave, as the Beastia will catch them if they stay any longer, and escape from a balcony. Luca and Jeanne run after them, but are unable to catch Charlatan and return to the ball.

Luca and Jeanne return to see Lord Ruthven introducing himself to Noé and Vanitas. Luca asks what Ruthven is going to do to the pair. Ruthven tells a relieved Luca that he’s taking them under his protection.

After the Bal Masqué, Luca invites Noé to go to a cafe with him, Jeanne, and Dominique as thanks for saving his life during the party. Luca specifically asked Dominique what sort of food Noé would like to eat, and is happy to see Noé's delighted reaction to the cafe’s tarte tatin. Both Luca and Jeanne thank Noé for his actions at the ball.

Noé states that Vanitas saved far more lives at the Bal Masqué than he did. Luca is extremely irked by this and replies that although Vanitas did save many lives, Vanitas needs to apologize for forcing himself on Jeanne before Luca can offer his thanks. Vanitas gives a flippant apology in response, and an angry Luca demands a proper one. Vanitas cheerfully explains that he and Jeanne are in love, omitting the need for an apology, revealing his mark of possession as proof. Luca listens in horror as Vanitas describes how Jeanne drank his blood at the Bal Masqué, and desperately asks Jeanne if Vanitas is the type of man she likes.

Vanitas seems amused by Luca’s response and states that he took his joke a little too far. He explains that Jeanne was probably influenced by the curse-bearer’s voices during the ball and marked him accidentally because of this. Luca, relieved, holds Jeanne’s hands and tells her that he’s glad she’s all right. Jeanne, Vanitas, and Noé promptly run out of the cafe through the window, leaving Luca exhausted and confused.

Later that evening, the group goes out dancing. Luca watches Jeanne dance with Dominique and wishes that he could grow up soon.

Some time after this outing, Vanitas and Noé visit Lord Ruthven in Carbunculus Castle. Luca and Jeanne also attend the meeting. Ruthven thanks Vanitas and Noé for their actions during the Bal Masqué, and suggests that the attackers during the ball were targeting Luca. Vanitas then introduces Luca to Noé using his official title— Grand Duke Oriflamme. Noé is amazed by someone so young holding such power and rank. Luca replies that it’s nothing special, and that his uncle handles all his duties at the moment.

Noé asks Luca if his older brother is alright, as Luca had wanted the Book of Vanitas to save him. Ruthven interrupts, stating that Loki did not need to be healed, advising Noé and Luca to forget about it.

Vanitas asks Ruthven for a favor— take him to the vampire queen. Vanitas asks Ruthven if he could examine the queen, checking to see if she is even alive in the first place. This enrages Ruthven and Jeanne, but Luca is distressed by the question and reacts with fear and hesitation. Ruthven unleashes his power, tossing Noé and Jeanne to the ground and grabbing Vanitas in a chokehold. An unharmed Luca begged Ruthven to stop.

After Ruthven banishes Vanitas from the castle, he reveals to Luca that Vanitas had been looking for a reaction from Luca. He had received one. In the aftermath, Luca gloomily sits by the queen’s bedside and asked her what to do.

The Beast of Gévaudan Arc[]

Luca is visiting Loki when Queen Faustina is awakened.

Luca attends the senate meeting where the events of Gévaudan are to be discussed. He spends the majority of the meeting as silent as always, but interrupts when Lord Bellator suggests that Jeanne should be executed. Luca angrily informs the senate that he will not allow them to dispose of his Chevalier. The senate is in pandemonium before Antoine de Sade suggests a brief recess, after which Bellator changes his mind. The senators resolve to let Jeanne live, just as Luca’s Borreau rather than Ruthven’s.

Amusement Park Arc[]

Luca cheerfully greets Jeanne after she returns from her trip to Gévaudan. He’s relieved to find her unharmed by the Senators, and the two discuss the events of Gévaudan over snacks and tea. Luca is furious when he hears about Jeanne’s night alone in a mountain lodge with Vanitas, but is relieved that Jeanne didn’t have to kill Chloé and asks Jeanne about her whereabouts. Jeanne replies that she doesn’t know, but says that she’s sure Vanitas will send her somewhere safe.

Luca tells Jeanne that her trust in Vanitas seems rather unnatural, and Jeanne describes a variety of odd feelings she’s had about the human lately— his face comes to mind often and her heart beats faster when she thinks of him. A terrified Luca tells Jeanne that it almost sounds like she likes Vanitas. Jeanne’s eyes go red and she blushes profusely. Luca, panicking, drags Jeanne to the de Sade estate and barges in on Dominique. Jeanne, still blushing, tells Dominique that she’s genuinely fallen for Vanitas.

Luca and Dominique interrogate Jeanne about her feelings towards Vanitas. Jeanne is cheerful and wholly confident in her love for Vanitas throughout the conversation, eventually causing Luca to flee reality and stare blankly up at the sky. After getting over the shock of learning about Vanitas and Jeanne’s date, Luca notices something strange about Dominique.

Three days later, Luca gets his measurements taken for a ceremony. He delightedly reports that he’s grown a little taller to Jeanne. An attendant tells Luca that Dominique has been missing for three days, and tells him about something going on in the humans’ Paris. Luca asks Jeanne for a favor.

Power and Abilities[]

  • Enhanced speed, strength and endurance.
  • Pyrokinesis - Luca can produce flames from his body in explosive bursts, though it appears as though he lacks full control over this ability.

Relationships[]

August Ruthven[]

Luca seems to have a close relationship with his adoptive uncle. He trusts Ruthven and listens to the man's advice. Ruthven seems to be the only parental figure in Luca's life.

Loki Oriflamme[]

Luca cares deeply about his older brother. The two are seen spending time together, and Luca is willing to attack two bystanders, Vanitas and Noé, in order to cure Loki of his status as a curse-bearer. Luca often clings to his clothes when he’s nervous, and is seen holding on to Loki in a similar manner when Faustina is awakened in Gévaudan.

Jeanne[]

Jeanne is the most precious person in the world to Luca and acts as his guard and protector. Luca has a crush on Jeanne and is extremely protective of her, flying into a rage when he saw Vanitas kiss her, and exuding a murderous aura when Vanitas suggested that he forced Jeanne into something she didn’t want to do. Luca knows that Jeanne does not reciprocate his feelings, and wants to grow up soon so that he might stand a chance with her. He was so shocked at the idea that Jeanne might be attracted to Vanitas that he began to dissociate. He would do anything to protect Jeanne and vice versa.

Noé Archiviste[]

Luca and Noé have a positive relationship. Luca invited him to come to town with him and Jeanne after the Bal Masqué, even going so far as to ask Dominique what type of food Noé would like to eat while in town.

Vanitas[]

Luca despises Vanitas. During their first interaction, Luca was enraged and lashed out after watching Vanitas kiss Jeanne, and this fury towards the human had persisted throughout their relationship. Luca flies into a murderous rage whenever he heard that Vanitas and Jeanne had done anything that could be construed as romantic, and seems to be terrified that Vanitas would steal Jeanne away from him or hurt her.

Quotes[]

  • “That book… the Book of Vanitas… would you give it to me?”[1]
  • “Jeanne! You mustn’t kill!! You aren’t Bourreau anymore! You’re my chevalier, remember…!?”[1]
  • “I can’t… I really can’t. I can’t make her fight all by herself while I run away!”[2]
  • “I should have listened more carefully… to what you said. I grew angry, and I failed to make a calm decision. I couldn’t be more ashamed of my own immaturity!”[3]
  • “Jeanne is my chevalier. I will not allow you to dispose of her…!!”[4]
  • “Jeanne. Take care of Dominique. Compared to the rest of her family, she seems to lack confidence in herself. However… there is a fine, strong power inside her.”[5]
  • “It’s quite delicate… but powerful. Much like Dominique herself… it was exquisite.”[5]

Appearances[]

Manga Appearances
Anime Appearances

(*) - Denotes that the character did not appear physically, but as a part of another character's memories.

Trivia[]

  • "Lucius" is a Latin name deriving from the Latin word "lux" (light).[6]
  • The Oriflamme was a pointed, blood-red banner flown from a gilded lance serving as a war flag for the King of France in the Middle Ages. In French, the term "oriflamme" has come to mean any banner with pointed ends, by association with the form of the original. The term derives from Latin, aurea flamma, which translates to "golden flame" in English.[7]
    • The Oriflamme first originated from the epic poem The Song of Roland, which is the direct inspiration for major characters of the Chasseurs such as Roland and Olivier.[8]
  • Luca shares a character song with Jeanne, Hidamari ni Saku Hana~mon trésor~, sung by their Japanese voice actors and composed by CHI-MEY.

References[]

Navigation[]

v - e - t The Case Study of Vanitas
Characters

Main: Noé ArchivisteVanitas
Dhampirs: DanteJohannRiche
Galerie Valentine: ManetNoxParks Orlok
Hôtel Chouchou: Amelia RuthFlute
de Sade: Antoine de SadeChryslerDominique de SadeLouis de SadeMurrThe TeacherVeronica de Sade
Oriflamme: August RuthvenJeanneLoki OriflammeLuca Oriflamme
Chasseurs: Astolfo GranatumCharlesGanoGeorgesMarcoMariaMiraOgierOlivierRoland Fortis
d'Apchier: Chloé d'ApchierJean-Jacques Chastel
Blue Moon: MikhailVanitas of the Blue Moon
Archiviste: Noé ArchivisteLady Archiviste
Charlatan: ChèvreMonsieur SpiderMoreauNaeniaPlague Doctor
The Vampire Senate: FaustinaLord BellatorLord PaldenceMarquis Machina
Others: Beast of GévaudanCatherineÉricFannyFredGillesLouiseMinaNoé's GrandparentsParacelsusThomas Berneux

Nobility Archiviste ClanClan of the Blue MoonHouse d'ApchierHouse de SadeHouse of GranatumOriflamme DukedomThe SenateThe Vampire Queen
Terminology Species & Factions: BeastiaBourreauThe Catholic ChurchCharlatanChasseursDhampirsVampires

Objects: Astérisque FlowersAstermiteThe Book of VanitasMielWorld Formula Alteration Device
Weapons: Carpe DiemDurandalHauteclaireLouisette
Events: Babel IncidentThe War
Miscellaneous: MalnomenMark of PossessionTrue NameWorld Formula

Locations AltusAveroigneLa BaleineCarbunculus CastleLes Catacombes de ParisGalerie ValentineGévaudanHôtel ChouchouDoctor Moreau's LaboratoryParis
Volumes 1234567891011
Omake Romance is a✰LOVE MISSION
Episodes 123456789101112131415161718192021222324RecapSpecial
Blu-ray/DVD 12345678
Drama CDs Drama CD 1Drama CD 2Drama CD 3Drama CD 4
Soundtrack OSTSora to Utsuro0 (zero)Your NamesalvationCharacter Song Album 1Character Song Album 2
Character Songs Le Formidable!Hidamari ni Saku Hana~mon trésor~Na mo Naki MichiSekka
Other Media Stage Play
Extra Vanitashu no KaruteAuthor's NotesTimelineReal-World References
Author Jun Mochizuki
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