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i am their biological daughter it’s true

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one of the most interesting things about this re-read is damen’s total blind spot when it comes to his own culture. akielos is depraved, just like vere. we can see that its institutions violate human rights, despite damen’s biased perspective. he doesn’t actually have a moral high ground to stand on, as a representative of his culture, despite having moral integrity himself. i like how two things can be true: damen is a good and kind person who means well, and he endorses and partakes in harmful societal practices. this is partially due to a lack of awareness and information, and belief in a twisted logic he’s accepted his whole life, but the narrative very carefully does not absolve him of his moral responsibility. we as the reader know he is better than this, and it’s fitting that when he becomes king, he immediately begins reforming the institutions he previously saw as acceptable. it’s masterful work in terms of characterization, and pretty brave given the specific topics these books deal with

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i’ve made a ridiculous amount of notes during this re-read of book one, and many of them are long serious paragraphs of craft & plot analysis. a lot of the notes involve attempts to dissect laurent’s plans at every possible moment, because i want to understand the pepe silvia conspiracy board of this fictional man’s mind. this often humanizes him. however,

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jokaste !!!!! rendoesbackgrounds era

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theyre thinking about the inequality women face in the workplace

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happy mother’s day auguste #singlemomawareness

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ancel and erasmus!!!! <3

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the beautiful lady jokaste🤍🤍🤍

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Damen, showing Nik a picture of his crush (Laurent): thoughts?

Nik: and prayers.

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LAURENT HOLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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baby damen is a chonky boi

damini and little kastor❤️💔

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damen love fest 2023 / day 5: relationships

rare pairs: damen & lykaios

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new rendoeslesbians just dropped !

NEW FEMME LAMEN🗣️‼️

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The Parallel Betrayals of Damen and Erasmus

This short essay explores Erasmus and Damen's parallel paths into slavery.

Initial Attraction

From the start, both Erasmus and Damen are captivated by the physical beauty of their respective betrayers, Kallias and Jokaste. This initial emphasis on appearances sets the stage for their subsequent betrayals, highlighting how they were initially drawn in by their allure, only to be deceived by those they held in high regard.

Sudden Disorientation and Self-Recrimination

Their sudden and unexpected enslavement leaves Erasmus and Damen feeling disoriented. Erasmus turns to Kallias for guidance but quickly recalls Kallias's betrayal, making him feel foolish for wanting to ask Kallias what was happening. Similarly, Damen, usually a clear thinker, struggles to make sense of his bewildering new reality. He, too, blames himself for not seeing the betrayal coming, realizing his own naivety in the process.

Struggle for Understanding and Loss of Identity

Erasmus and Damen both struggle to understand the betrayals, even when presented with evidence. Their initial innocence and naivety make it challenging for them to discern the true intentions of their trusted companions. This struggle not only highlights their vulnerability to deception but also the profound loss of agency and erasure of their former identities accompanying their transition into slavery.

Strong Emotional Responses to Change

Their abrupt changes in surroundings evoke powerful emotional responses, underscoring their powerlessness. Erasmus shakes with fear upon entering an unknown part of the palace, while Damen's struggle intensifies as he realizes his fate.

Profound Emotional Impact

The betrayals suffered at the hands of Kallias and Jokaste deeply affect Erasmus and Damen. Erasmus grapples with a sense of loss at the hands of someone he loved, and Damen is shocked and anguished by Jokaste's betrayal. The distress in their voices only highlight the depth of their connections and the trauma of their betrayals.

Induction into Slavery

The ritualistic aspects of their induction into slavery, such as collars and paint for Damen, and the absence of traditional ceremonies for Erasmus, showcase the drastic shift in their identities and further emphasize their disempowerment.

Protective Facades

Kallias's choice to wear a plain gold pin aligns him with Kastor and hides his true motives to protect Erasmus from Kastor's wrath.

Similarly, Jokaste's response, 'Nothing, but choose between brothers,' downplays the choice between Damen and Kastor. Her cold demeanor shields her true affections and the sacrifice she made by choosing Kastor for Damen's safety.

Longing for Connection

Damen and Erasmus long for understanding and connection from Jokaste and Kallias, but recieve emotional detachment or cruelty due to societal norms and power dynamics. This is because Jokaste and Kallias must maintain the appearance of allegiance to Kastor while secretly working to save Damen and Erasmus' lives, preventing them from openly expressing their true feelings.

Hidden Affection

In moments of vulnerability, Kallias wishes Erasmus could be his first, while Jokaste's letter to Damen hints at lingering feelings and missed opportunities for intimacy. These instances reveal that Kallias and Jokaste concealed their love from Erasmus and Damen, adopting a cold facade to protect them from Kastor's reign of terror. While Erasmus remains unaware throughout the series, Damen later discovers Jokaste's enduring affection, and ultimately lets her go in recognition of her sacrifices to save his life.

In conclusion, the parallel experiences of Erasmus and Damen during their inductions into slavery reveal not only the harrowing challenges they face but also deepen our understanding of Kallias and Jokaste's complex characters and the sacrifices they make to protect their loved ones.

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self indulgent hennike and egeria moodboard

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damen love fest 2023 / day 7: foils and parallels

antagonists: damen & kastor