juliaboudewijn

[juliaboudewijn]

So, I've personally made quite a few playlists inspired by the Empyrean books, but also some inspired by the characters. And I've also seen quite a few posts regarding which songs represent which characters, or which karaoke song they would sing. But... would Dain and Sloane sing 'Red (Taylor's Version)' by Taylor Swift? You know, because they both have red dragons? Because I know the song is about a previous relationship, but, free interpretation and all that (plus, I have a bit of a habit of misinterpreting songs anyway, so). Plus, their relationship did start with some hatred, so it does fit the tumultuous vibe of the song. And you know, "loving him was (is) red".

But now I can just imagine them performing this song in the courtyard on the dais. Meanwhile, Cath and Thoirt are also there, doing an entire choreography behind them as background dancers. It's honestly beautiful.

[juliaboudewijn]

Ridoc's love for patches is kinda ironic considering how much he hates sewing. Like, honey, how do you think you attach them to your uniform?

I can just imagine him cheering because he got a new patch, only for the realization to hit him later like: "FUCK! I have to fucking SEW it on now! *punches a wall*"

[juliaboudewijn]

If Dain is already saying things like "You're life" to Sloane when he's merely helping her with her signet, then what the fuck is his love confession going to be?

[juliaboudewijn]

I'm wondering, will we ever be able to think about Liam and not turn into an absolute train wreck? Like, will we ever just be like:

"I was thinking of Liam today, so I reminisced on all the fond memories of him and then I smiled?"

[juliaboudewijn]

In 'Flirting with Death (and Possibly Brennan)' by wedonotsharekills on AO3 (also highly, highly recommend!!), Ridoc at some point notices that Dain has been getting better at runes and wonders if Sloane has been teaching him. And I could totally see that happening in the books as well. He helps her with her signet, she helps him with runes (although I totally believe she will help him with his signet as well).

But when she does that, will she like, idk, hold his hands to guide him... or something like that? Because, I mean... *tucks hair behind her ear* I wouldn't mind that...

[juliaboudewijn]

One of my favorite things in Iron Flame is still Brennan being the resident sheep farmer. Love that for him.

[juliaboudewijn]

Guys, everyone; we've all interpreted the 'But Daddy I Love Him' wrong when Rebecca used it to describe the beginning of book 4. It's not "him" it's "her"! Obviously, it's Dain's pov of Sloane: "But daddy, I love her!"

Not that I think Dain would give a shit about what his father thinks at this point.

[juliaboudewijn]

Are Dain and Bodhi friends? Because I'm getting the vibe that they're actually pretty close. And I have proof for that! They are seen standing next to each other, or talking to each other MULTIPLE times!! Yeah, I know, you're impressed, I can tell. This is the greatest proof you've ever heard. I mean, I know that they are both part of Fourth Wing leadership and therefore will have to discuss things with each other, but it's just the vibe I'm getting from them. And sure, at the end of Onyx Storm when Dain follows Sloane, Bodhi asks Xaden how much they are trusting Aetos these days, which could be anti-proof. On the other hand, maybe it's not that Bodhi doesn't trust Dain, maybe he's just testing whether Xaden would support the amount of trust he puts in Dain (without telling him how much trust that is). Like, Bodhi telling Dain about some things, but then later finding out that Xaden believes Dain can't be trusted with that information, and then Bodhi thinking to himself: oh... shit. Welp, too bad, he already knows. Kinda like that.

Anyone else get this vibe? (Or anyone with actual proof?) Or am I now just imagining things?

On the other, other hand, this doesn't align with the fact that Dain doesn't have any friends, so...

[juliaboudewijn]

Don't you just love rereading a book? I mean, the first time you read a book, there are certain passages that you don't think much of, right? But then you reread those passages, and all of a sudden, they become the most devastating and heart-shattering SUFFERING.

Let me just walk you through what happened last night before going to bed. So, the last couple of days I had been wondering what kind of shoes Violet wore with her dress uniform in Fourth Wing. It wasn't mentioned in the description of her outfit, but last night I had the brilliant epiphany that it may be mentioned when she walks the parapet to find Xaden. And lo and behold; she kicks off some leather slippers before she steps unto it. But then, naturally, I needed to know whether she retrieved them afterwards, so I continued reading when I came across this conversation between Xaden (blue) and Violet (black) as they're walking off of the parapet:

"Don't ever put your life at risk over something as trivial as talking to me again."

"Next year is going to be so much fun."

"Liam will be here next year to make sure you're not doing asinine things."

"You're going to love getting his letters."

WHY?!!!!!! REBECCA!!!!!!!!

Also, yes, Violet did put her slippers back on afterwards, thank gods. I always get very worried that characters don't just forget to retrieve their stuff. In Iron Flame, after the interrogation scene, I was very concerned about whether they would retrieve her weapons and not just leave them behind. Because why would you be worried about Violet's well-being, when you can be worried about the well-being of her daggers? 😅 Tbf, at that point Dain had already stabbed Varrish and freed her, and the wrath of Dunne had already showed up, so she was fine. So, imagine my relieve when Xaden sheathes all of her daggers back into place.

[juliaboudewijn]

I really enjoyed drawing those little goats, btw. Every time I finished one, I started laughing, because a lot of them looked like demon goats on the first attempt. And one of them looked really buff, but with a proportionally small head. 😂😂 I was also planning on making them overlap with each other to really make it look like a herd, but I fear I lack the talent for that. Overall though, I had the time of my life!

I've been reading 'The Fine Line Between Courtship and Homicide' by wedonotsharekills on AO3 (highly, highly recommend!!) and I was inspired to the point of drawing.

So, at some point, Dain roasts Sloane's handwriting and then Thoirt says: "Your g's do need work, Nettle. They look like they were trampled by a herd of confused goats." And, well:

And I know it was Thoirt who said it, but in my mind this is Dain's retaliation for the tiny red bow (IYKYK, and if you don't, go read it, it's awesome).

As for the drawing, I'm actually kinda proud of it. They actually look like goats. I was fully prepared to draw something and then have to write "(these are goats)" underneath it, but I was pleasantly surprised. Also, shoutout to my initial drawing:

I slightly misjudged the dimensions, so I only had room for one goat, but he turned out pretty good. Also, that 'g' is beautiful. It's sheer perfection. (Oh... maybe it really was Dain who drew this...)

[juliaboudewijn]

I've been reading 'The Fine Line Between Courtship and Homicide' by wedonotsharekills on AO3 (highly, highly recommend!!) and I was inspired to the point of drawing.

So, at some point, Dain roasts Sloane's handwriting and then Thoirt says: "Your g's do need work, Nettle. They look like they were trampled by a herd of confused goats." And, well:

And I know it was Thoirt who said it, but in my mind this is Dain's retaliation for the tiny red bow (IYKYK, and if you don't, go read it, it's awesome).

As for the drawing, I'm actually kinda proud of it. They actually look like goats. I was fully prepared to draw something and then have to write "(these are goats)" underneath it, but I was pleasantly surprised. Also, shoutout to my initial drawing:

I slightly misjudged the dimensions, so I only had room for one goat, but he turned out pretty good. Also, that 'g' is beautiful. It's sheer perfection. (Oh... maybe it really was Dain who drew this...)

[juliaboudewijn]

If you think about it, it's kinda ironic. Because, if Cat gets thrown off a cliff, she would die, right? She's a flier, but she can't fly.

Also, she is Cat, but she won't land on her feet. She would just go splat. Not very cat-like behavior there, Cat.

[juliaboudewijn]

Does Aaric ever use his signet to check what the weather will be like that day?

Like:

"Right, I'll have to wear to jacket. Ridoc is going to make it snow inside again."

Or:

"Oh for fucks sake, Riorson is returning today. Better stay indoors, I guess."

[juliaboudewijn]

This is your friendly reminder to eat an orange today, because you know what they say: an orange a day keeps the jack barlowe away.

[juliaboudewijn]

I also once thought Dain might become General at some point, and I then thought to myself that it would give the name 'General Aetos' a whole new and positive meaning. On the other hand though, I 100% believe Dain would not keep his last name, his father's last name, and instead would take Sloane's name.

Yall Dain is a rider, with the training of a scribe and personality of an infantry. If you don’t think he is the future general of Basgiath you are lying to yourself

[juliaboudewijn]

I don't know if anyone's already talked about this, but I was wondering about something. So, everyone now knows that Xaden is venin, right? And we know from the first book that Xaden was responsible for all the Marked Ones. Now, I don't quite remember if he still was to the same extent after the truth came out, but if he is, I'm worried about them. I can imagine that someone like general aetos would try to order an execution or some other punishment for all of them, because "their leader turned enemy, so all of them must be enemies" or some other bullshit. Am I the only one who's worried?

Now, if aetos does do that, I could see a certain Wingleader finally standing up to his father and defending the Marked Ones. It would also be a full circle moment for his character arc; from seeing them as the enemy himself, to standing up for them. It would be kinda poetic.

[juliaboudewijn]

And then Sgaeyl informing Aotrom she's found his rider.

Do we think btw that Ridoc moonwalked the parapet or something like that?