#But because of the exile and forced isolation

[titaniaqueenoffairie]

the Inner Circle’s Treatment of Nesta: Hypocrisy and Double Standards

I can never understand how readers still worship the Inner Circle after ACOSF (I’ve never really gotten it throughout the whole series, but let’s leave that aside for now). Before I got into the ACOTAR series, I always heard how the IC was hailed as the pinnacle of love, friendship, and understanding. But after reading it, especially in ACOSF, I couldn’t stand them and their behavior toward Nesta. I mean, their actions toward Nesta tell a much darker story—one of hypocrisy, double standards, and selective compassion. These are just a few points I can write about.

Nesta vs. Rhysand’s Trauma Rhysand went through unimaginable horrors Under the Mountain, and rightly so, the IC (and the fandom) shower him with empathy. But when it comes to Nesta? Suddenly, compassion has a limit. Nesta endured severe trauma during the war, was forced into a transformation against her will, and carried the guilt of her father’s death on her shoulders. Instead of receiving support, she was ostracized, judged, and treated as a burden. Why does Rhys get to grieve on his terms while Nesta is vilified for doing the same?

Weaponizing Morality The IC consistently acted like Nesta’s choices were morally reprehensible. Yes, she coped in unhealthy ways—drinking and isolating herself—but let’s not forget Feyre and Rhys’s questionable behavior (cough hiding Feyre’s pregnancy risks cough). The IC’s constant moral superiority over Nesta is exhausting when they’ve made their own fair share of dubious choices.

Cassian’s Enabling Behavior Cassian claimed to love Nesta but often enabled the IC’s mistreatment of her. He watched as Rhys exiled her to the House of Wind and stripped her of autonomy. If he truly cared, why didn’t he stand up for her? Love isn’t just about attraction—it’s about advocacy, and Cassian repeatedly failed to advocate for Nesta when she needed it most. (that, and won't talk about his behavior in CC3 because i didn't read it yet but i heard a lot of awful things)

“Tough Love” or Just Cruelty? Rhysand and Feyre framing their treatment of Nesta as “tough love” is laughable. Exiling her to a location where she had no escape and forcing her into training wasn’t love—it was control. The IC claimed to want Nesta to heal, but healing doesn’t come from stripping someone of agency. It comes from offering support, compassion, and the choice to heal at their own pace.

The Double Standards Around Amren Amren....... aaaaah Amren who’s often just as cold and abrasive as Nesta. But unlike Nesta, Amren is respected for her attitude. She’s seen as a “badass” who doesn’t take nonsense, while Nesta is labeled as cruel and ungrateful. Why is Amren allowed to be harsh without judgment, but Nesta is demonized for the same behavior?

[sunset-peril]

Opinions from the Crowd?

Give justification/propaganda for your preference if you want, I can't make up my mind about how exactly Rinkū's rampage over Sonia's assassination (TotK) took place.

A) Rinkū had somehow pack/loyalty bonded to her (not mate-bond because he's got a mate and he knows Sonia is Rauru's) and her demise triggered a vigilante reaction in him (he was at/near the site where Ganondorf killed her). This instinct is what the breeding program of the Divine Beast era aimed to exploit, and is why the belief is that Wolfbred's only purpose in life is to serve the Queen to the death.

B) Rinkū had somehow pack/loyalty bonded to her (not mate-bond because he's got a mate and he knows Sonia is Rauru's) and her demise triggered a rescue reaction in him (he was not at/near the site where Ganondorf killed her, and somehow was lead to believe she was merely kidnapped) This instinct is what the breeding program of the Divine Beast era aimed to exploit, and was morphed into a "follow the Queen's orders at all cost" instinct in them that created the belief that Wolfbred's only purpose in life is to serve the Queen to the death.

C) Rinkū was not pack-bonded in any way to Sonia or Rauru (he was only bonded to his mate and pups). However, while trying to protect Rauru and Zelda from Ganondorf, bit (or otherwise came into contact with) either Ganondorf or Puppet Zelda and was infected with Gloom. Because Rinkū's pups were not infected with Gloom, they didn't express the violent warhound behaviors that Rinkū did during his rampage, which meant the breeding program artificially added that trait in when they modified the Wolfbred in an attempt to recreate that "perfect" loyalty to the Queen that Rinkū appeared to display.

[moonagedaydreamsofrhiannon]

Perhaps the wilderness in Yellowjackets is not just a symbol of death. Perhaps it is also—in its own way—freedom.

In the wilderness, Lottie didn’t have to hide her visions for fear of being called crazy. She was exalted as a leader and a prophet. But when she returned, they called her crazy and locked her up.

In the wilderness, Misty didn’t have to be ashamed of her intensity and eccentricity. She was helpful, she was needed, she was important. But when she returned, they called her a freak and exiled her once again.

In the wilderness, Tai didn’t have to pretend to be something she’s not. Her other self was not a weakness but a strength, it gave her power, and kept her alive. But when she returned she had to suppress her urges and hide her other self, or lose everything.

In the wilderness, Shauna didn’t have to be small, and hide the fire inside her. She was angry, and violent, and powerful. But when she returned, she was forced back into a supporting role, forced to contain her darkness and her drive in order to fit a role she never wanted to play.

In the wilderness, Travis didn’t have to put on an act to fit the societal expectations of masculinity. He was feminine, and emotional, and soft—not the man of the group, but just another Yellowjacket in the hive. But when he returned, he was forced back into the cage—back into the closet—isolated, hardened, closed off and separated from the girls once more.

In the wilderness, Natalie didn’t have to feel guilty for surviving. She was the hunter, the provider, and the gun in her hands made her a savior, and a leader, not a killer. But when she returned, she was a killer once again, haunted by guilt, and outcast by society for the things she did to stay alive.

The wilderness gave them the freedom to be their truest and most authentic selves, but the cost was the blood spilled. The cost was their old selves. The cost was a place in the world upon their return.

Maybe the wilderness did not destroy them; it simply changed them into something new, something irrevocably different, something that would never—could never—fit back inside the narrow box of their old lives, and because they could no longer fit, society called them broken.

The wilderness freed them, but it never let them go. Because once you’ve tasted flesh and blood, once you’ve stared death in the face and overcame, once you’ve been to the very brink and seen the true depth of your own capacity for violence, once all the former markers of morality and success have become meaningless, in a world where survival at all costs is the only law, how can you ever go back to a world ruled by pointless, hollow, conventions? Once you’ve shed every remnant of your humanity, once you’ve run with the wolves, and howled at the moon, and become one with the ancient wild gods, how can you ever be a human again? Once you’ve had a taste of complete freedom, how can you ever be satisfied with a fake, insignificant, half-life, made up entirely of half-truths and haunting?

[marmett]

the trend of ppl dismissing "good" characters as boring is so annoying. and like, i know the primary reason ppl dismiss wyll for it is the racism. but theyre also missing out on the complexities of how and why wyll is good.

protecting the weak is a classic trait of hero characters. wyll does this. but theres also this element of isolation to it. wyll is the protector, but hes also an outsider to the people he protects. w/ mizora hanging over him, the potential that hes turned into a devil, theres this sense that hes been socially isolated for some time. before joining ur group, he probably hadnt had stable relationships in years. other than mizora, his abuser who intentionally isolates him.

and this isolation is a direct result of him choosing to protect other people. he was exiled because he made his pact to save baldur's gate. he was turned into a devil because he chose to defy mizora to save karlach. actions that did material good for other people, but doomed him.

theres also this element where wyll is both less than his image as the blade of frontiers, and more than the legend. wyll is a warlock who made a deal with a devil, he is occasionally forced to kill targets at the behest of a devil. he potentially kills an innocent, and theres no guarantee he hasnt been mislead before. but wyll is also just as selfless and heroic as the stories say. he can easily choose to spare karlach, and face his punishment despite the fear and the cost. he willingly sacrificed his soul for baldur's gate, and possibly for a father who rejected him.

wyll primarily hunts monsters, but he also expresses empathy for them, and is willing to give anyone a chance to prove that they can be good. he isnt hostile to astarion for being a vampire spawn, he only asks that astarion not harm innocents. he gives a dark urge character another chance if they express any kind of regret after killing alfira. he even argues against astarion wanting to kill 7000 vampire spawn. he knows the dangers, but he cant see the justice in killing 7000 people who were victimized and transformed against their will.

wyll offers grace, mercy, and forgiveness to almost anyone who shows even a hint that they could be better. but not himself. he holds himself to impossible standards, and denies himself any sort of grace. when astarion compares what cazador did to him to what mizora did to wyll, wyll rejects it outright. astarion was a victim, but wyll does not view himself as a victim. the pact was his choice, and the consequences are his to bear.

ANYWAY. being good is far more complex than just being a "goody two shoes". theres so much depth and contradiction in how wyll is a good aligned character. and i wish ppl would stop seeing being good as boring and lacking complexity. insert ursula k le guin quote here.

[stonewall-if]

Stonewall Military Academy: the most brutal, merciless, and unforgiving boarding school in the country. Most recruits either desert or die by the end of their first year. It is where the fiercest and deadliest killers are trained and molded to be the military's steel fist. And it is not for the faint of heart.

Your late mother was once the most respected Commander in the military...until she turned against her country and was killed. Her betrayal killed important figures, left thousands dead, and almost made your people lose a war against a monstrous opposition that threatens the livelihood of your people every day.

Your family has gone into hiding since then, exiled and branded as traitors. But when you're forced to defend your sibling, you're given two options: death or become Stonewall's newest recruit, which is a death sentence in and of itself.

You choose Stonewall.

Your mother's betrayal has tainted your family, has made anyone with your last name hated and has exiled them in circles your family once commanded. You will be bullied, ostracized, even almost killed by your fellow recruits who believe you lower than dirt.

But that won't stop you. You won't be part of the 99% of recruits who die or desert. You will get out of here. You will learn about your mother. And you will live to see graduation.

Will you?

Stonewall is an 18+ dark interactive fiction with minimal fantasy elements that follows MC to a ruthless military academy. Things such as explicit violence, death, bullying, and dark themes are prevalent.

Choose your gender identity and shape your recruit's personality.

Were you a bloodthirsty fighter--everything your parents wanted you be--or what people can consider a 'weakling'?

Fight violence with violence or confront your fellow student's violence with your words, or do nothing at all.

Rebel or become a loyal soldier. Fight for the High Commander's respect or be a thorn at their side.

Romance, befriend or become an enemy to a cast of characters.

Try to survive in the deadliest school in the country.

The High Commander: the leader of Stonewall. She is ruthless, bloodthirsty, and the source of nightmares for many. She doesn't expect you to make it here. Best to prove her wrong.

Your sibling: who is the closest person to you. Your actions saved them from a life of misery and you will continue to do everything in your power to protect them.

Roman [m] or Raven [f][RO]: your new mentor and trainer. R has long graduated as a student and is a full-fledged warrior working at Stonewall. They are cold, brutally honest, detached and unforgiving. They will push you to your limits, and they don't care how you feel about it. Really, they expected you to desert the moment you stepped foot into this place.

At least they're not unnecessarily cruel...which is the most you can hope for here.

Ivan [m] or Iris [f] [RO]: coming from the most powerful military family, I's bloodline has made them the most sought-after student in the school. Your mother also killed their father, so it is no surprise they hate your guts. They are at the top of the rankings, which means they are a bully, but a dangerous one. And they will not make your time here easy.

Marshall [m] or Maureen [f] [RO]: the bumbling, happy-go-lucky recruit that came in the same day as you. No one knows how the shy and easily scared M got into Stonewall...must be because they're from a line of powerful commanders. Still, they are nothing like their family, and you feel bad knowing the students are going to eat them alive. Stonewall will likely kill them before this year ends. Not your problem, right?

Enzo [m] or Eris [f][RO]: the child of the High Commander. No one wants to cross them, so no one talks to them. They are isolated like you but in a different way: they are fawned over while simultaneously being avoided. It seems like you may just be E's only ally in here (or not).

+more!

[queenvhagar]

While I really do love the early idea of Rhaenicent as in a young Rhaenyra and young Alicent have a very close, quasi-romantic, deeply meaningful bond in their early years, at a certain point it just becomes one-sided, and at a further point in the story, it becomes unrealistic and unreasonable.

Once Viserys announces his intent to marry Alicent, and she of course has to accept because her father and the king tell her she must, and she's a young daughter of a second son in a feudalist monarchy, it's like a switch has flipped for Rhaenyra in that past this moment no amount of effort on Alicent's part can do anything. From that moment, the relationship is just Alicent giving, giving, and giving to Rhaenyra until ultimately she has nothing left to give.

Alicent tries for years to mend the relationship between them and foster a positive relationship between herself, Rhaenyra, and her children. As her father is pushing for Aegon as heir, Alicent instead praises Rhaenyra and defends her to her own father, her husband and king, and the ladies at court. She proclaims that Rhaenyra would be a great ruler and goes out of her way to support her. She convinces the king to let Rhaenyra embark on a kingdoms-wide tour to personally select her own match among hundreds of suitors, something literally no other noble woman has ever had the opportunity to do before. She comforts Rhaenyra about the prospect of getting married and having children. She takes Rhaenyra's word and defends her against allegations that could have her disinherited and exiled, as it did Saera Targaryen, defying her own father and standing up to the king, even at the expense of her own father being sent away from court and her isolation in the Red Keep. Time after time over literal years Alicent gives to Rhaenyra and tries to mend the relationship, despite having done very little herself to merit any huge attempt at reconciliation with her.

And what does Rhaenyra do with all of this? From the moment her father announces his intent to marry Alicent, the relationship is dead to her. Her first reaction, despite recognizing Alicent's powerlessness in the situation, is to call her a whore. She spends years ignoring Alicent's attempts to mend the relationship, only interacting with her to passive aggressively reference Alicent's new position as queen. She refuses to interact with her half-brother, a literal baby, insisting he is just "Alicent's son" and therefore only a threat to her. She insults everyone at Aegon's birthday party, yells at the king in front of the court about how she thinks she's above duty and tradition, and storms off into the woods overnight, only to return covered in blood giving Alicent and her toddler a death glare. After being given an extended tour to choose a match thanks to Alicent's influence with the king, she returns and almost immediately makes fun of how romantic Alicent's situation is of being forced to be a broodmare locked away in a castle. She throws away her chance at picking her marriage by being seen in a brothel with her uncle. She lies on her mother's grave to take advantage of Alicent's support for her and cover her own ass which results in Alicent being left all alone in the Red Keep (and after this conversation she goes back to acting like Alicent means nothing to her).

Alicent gives, and Rhaenyra takes. Until Alicent just cannot keep giving. Then, once the giving stops, the narrative wants her to be seen as this ultimate villain. She's evil for not giving to Rhaenyra again and instead refusing to marry Helaena to Rhaenyra's bastard son (a desperate proposal to try to cover her own ass that would've made Helaena a political hostage when the bastard issue would eventual boil over). She's evil for not giving to Rhaenyra and instead showing anger when Rhaenyra's sons attack Aemond and cut out his eye and Rhaenyra demands that Aemond be punished. She's evil for not giving to Rhaenyra and instead supporting a Velaryon who is rightfully upset that Rhaenyra's bastard son is usurping his throne. And she's evil for ruling the kingdoms with the Hand of the King while Viserys is dying and Rhaenyra is off living unbothered on Dragonstone (and not "giving" Rhaenyra the responsibilities as heir she already should have been doing on her own).

I understand the young love was once there, and for even longer, Alicent alone seems to have been trying to restore that relationship, despite her relative powerlessness as a non-Targaryen in the Red Keep. But at a certain point, when someone has repeatedly treated you like you were nothing to them, when someone has repeatedly used you for their own benefit and then tossed you aside, when someone takes advantage of you and takes you for granted so many times, when someone shows you they will throw you and yours under the bus so easily to save their own skin and shows you they cannot be trusted to show any concern about your well-being...

At some point that affection is realistically and justifiably lost. It would certainly be gone after Driftmark. There is no world where Alicent could consider the relationship mendable past then (and thus no world where she actually means what she says at the dinner). And it is appalling to see that somehow despite it all the writers seem to want us to believe that after Blood and Cheese - Helaena's sanity destroyed, Alicent's young grandson slain in cold blood, all in Rhaenyra's name - that somehow Alicent holds out hope of rekindling lost love with Rhaenyra. Not when Rhaenyra has only ever taken from her. Not when Rhaenyra has never supported Alicent or her family in any meaningful way.

Alicent is not so desperately sabotaging to herself and her family that she would yearn to rekindle a situationship she had briefly literal decades ago and that she tried for years to fix to no avail. It's over. As it should be. Anything else is character assassination and some poor attempt at depicting the Alicent of the show as some peaceful martyr to a "feminist" queen who should be revered because *checks notes* a prophecy and white stag shows that she is pure, righteous, and has divine right to rule so she can do no wrong and anyway apparently *checks other notes* Alicent's son is a drunken r*pist who assaulted an original character created by the writers to make him look worse than Rhaenyra.

[dailyadventureprompts]

Villain: Cult of the Earth in Arms

Camped out in remote mines and fortified wilderness compounds, these zealots toil and train and stockpile for a war that may never come, dreaming of the day they will march to glorious victory over their hated foe.. whoever that happens to be week to week.

The cult has many names and supposed patrons: deposed human kings, exiled gnomish geniuses, scornful aspects of dwarven gods. All of these are mere proxies for the cult’s true master Kurtulmak, a bitter god of warfare and mining who takes the form of a kobold who’s ire manifests as poison that dribbles from both his jaw and tailbarbs. 

Like many gods of wicked war, Kutulmak cares nothing for whatever cause his unwitting cultists call him to, feeding instead off of their resentment, suppressed fear, and ever mounting bloodlust. It doesn’t matter whether they are a paranoid militia prepping for a conflict they will never see, or bitter partisans waging guerrilla war against a populace long since seeking peace, they all feed Kurtulmak’s desire for intractable conflict and indelible resentments. 

The cult of the Earth in Arms tends to operate in isolation, pertaining to self sufficiency while raiding, extorting, or fleecing others for what they need. They entrench themselves in an area, filling it with traps and hidden fortifications, while sinking tunnels deep into the earth in search of resources that can help to fill their arsenals. Iron for blades and armour is obviously prized, but copper and tin for cannons and saltpetre for blasting powder are likewise prime targets. Often they will use captives to work these claims and the foundries they feed, as the cultists often consider drugework below the dignity of born warriors such as themselves. 

Adventure Hooks

An uptick in disappearances puts the party on the trail of a slaving operation, funneling bodies into a band of backwoods cultists working a hidden gem mine. After they’ve cleared the bastards out, the party might have the opportunity to make the operation legitimate if they put in the elbow grease and promise the authorities their due. 

The local lord thought he was very clever, operating a hidden foundry out of the old dwarven ruins to produce weapons and artillery in preparation for a campaign against his liege. As it turns out the reason the ruins were abandoned in the first place was because they sat on top of a magical layline, and all the smelting and quenching has attracted the attention of several rogue elementals.  Now there’s a scattering of earth-hulks marauding through the countryside and a team of mephits who’re flitting about with a cannon in tow. 

After suffering a crushing defeat, the general of the imperial army fell back into the mountains, her forces becoming little more than bandits in ensuing years until her scouts came back with news of drakes nesting in the region. Nearly a generation of arduous training and rearing since her defeat, she’s returned to retake the lands she lost with a flight of lesser dragons at her back.. Lands the party just happens to occupy. 

Artsource

[ashleymilesphil]

WHERE IS JUSTICE / WHERE IF HUMANITY ????‼️

A Cry for Help: The Reality of Being LGBTIQ in Exile🌈

This video speaks for itself. A young, innocent gay man, beaten brutally by a hostile local community—this is the harsh reality we face as LGBTIQ refugees in East Africa. When I say that we endure persecution, I mean *this*. This is the daily battle we fight for our right to exist, love, and live like any other person.

This young man, just like countless others, deserves to live his life freely, without fear of violence or hatred. Yet, because of who we are, we are treated like outcasts, subjected to brutal attacks, and silenced. The ongoing civil war in South Sudan only makes it worse, leaving us isolated, without protection, and exposed to more violence and hardship.

To the world watching this video, I ask: *Where is our justice?* Why are we forced to live in fear, hiding who we are, and fighting to survive every single day? We are human too, and our lives matter. Please, this is not just a cry for attention but a cry for help, for support, for action.

If you’re reading this, I urge you to *do something*. Share this video, spread our story, and help us find a way to escape this endless persecution. Your support could make the difference between life and death for people like this young man and the rest of us living in exile.

We cannot survive this alone. Please, stand with us.

https://gofund.me/4d80b32c

[jewish-vents]

anon who pointed out the ways leftists refuse to recognize israeli jews as refugees and dehumanize them here -

a commenter replied “undocumented immigrants to the US aren't stealing ppls houses and genociding them and supporting those who do” and all i can think about this is, why are you able to offer grace to all refugees and immigrants to america when certain people commit crimes, but not the same to israelis?

the majority of israelis have not and are not actively stealing houses or killing palestinians. and yet online leftists generalize them as thieves and killers, subhuman settlers, people who are deemed evil and deserve to suffer exile to countries they have no roots in, bombings, social isolation outside of israel, and death.

the majority of undocumented immigrants and other refugees to america are not violent criminals or gang members, yet right wing politicians and republicans generalize them as thieves and killers, rapists, people who are deemed evil and deserve to suffer deportation, to be locked in cages at the border, jail time, or death.

how are these different? everyone involved is human. why should all immigrants, documented or undocumented, suffer because of the actions of gangs or drug cartels or terrorists? why should all israelis suffer because of the crimes of individuals in their government and military?

when the surrounding mena countries forcibly kicked jews out at the threat of death, with raids of jewish communities that had been there for over 1000 years, stealing their belongings and taking their homes and synagogues, what else are these people called if not refugees?

america had refused to take more than 40k jewish refugees from germany, and these people fleeing persecution did not have the money or time or availability to relocate to the other side of the planet. where were they supposed to go, if not israel? what about poor holocaust survivors, who tried returning to their homes only to be driven out by their neighbors? what are they, if not refugees?

im tired of people treating jews without an ounce of understanding. people fleeing will go wherever they can to be safe, and at the time, it was israel. that does not make them colonists. it doesn’t make them evil, especially when many people were forced to leave behind their homes against their will.

if you wouldn’t blame refugees of war torn countries, or immigrants trying to make money and a better life for their families, why are you blaming jews, who have suffered multiple mass displacements and killings in the past century?

tired of the hypocrisy.

.

[yanderes-galore]

A romantic concept of Darth Maul (Star Wars) if you will?

Sure! I think he's a neat (and tragic) character within the universe he's in. Although at the same time... his motivations are rather simple.

Yandere! Darth Maul Concept

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Manipulation, Possessive behavior, Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Isolation, Biting, Marking, Forced relationship.

Maul, like Vader, is another apprentice manipulated by the Sith.

Except his manipulation came first.

From a young age he was fed the seeds of being a Sith due to his fighting prowess.

Nowadays all he really knows is hate.

There's just... so much to hate.

Especially after Kenobi sent him into exile.

Maul, despite having his mind put back together, probably never recovered from his thirteen years of isolation on a trash planet.

Maul is described as obsessive already in canon.

He's this way towards power, revenge, hatred, and rage.

He embodies so many negative emotions due to the Sith who manipulated him.

Using his training, Maul survived death through hate and became ruthless and manipulative.

He's not afraid to use fear to make others obey him.

Although... He is not devoid of care.

Maul is shown to care for his mother and brother(s).

So if he found interest in someone to be his partner, that care is shown even if he's mostly intimidating.

Although, his behavior isn't going to change much just because he cares about you.

Maul is the type of person to murder innocents to lure Jedi out to kill.

Naturally Maul will also want to isolate his obsession.

He feels you're all he needs and you're one of his obsessions.

I can see Maul breaking a Jedi in to corrupt them if he likes them romantically.

It would drive him insane at first as he's supposed to kill Jedi.

But the idea of breaking this specific one in, of corrupting them, making them his...

He'll let that slide.

Other alternatives include you not being Jedi or Sith, probably still Force Sensitive but you haven't chosen a path.

That or you're an adult Sith he found a way to manipulate into listening to him. (Like an apprentice or something after your own master was slain....)

Regardless, as expected of a Sith like him, people will die.

Maul has been shown he's capable of kidnapping if it aids him, and obviously murder is instinct.

That alone makes him terrifying.

But when he takes over Mandalore?

Even worse.

Maul does anything for power... and with that power he plans to make you obey him too.

Maul seems like he'd break you down just to build you back up.

He enjoys obedience, be that willingly or through fear.

The love of a Sith is twisted, especially with Maul.

While Vader has loved once and would seem more "caring" to the one he adores.

Maul has always known being a killing machine.

His love for you would be more rough, maybe primal in a way.

He's possessive, I can see Maul nibbling on his obsession's neck or shoulder to vent that.

Maul doesn't plan to attack you or hurt you physically (much).

It's those around you who are in the most trouble.

Normally, in Maul's culture, the female chooses the male.

However, it's obvious he's playing the rules differently here (especially if you aren't even female or a different race)

You can't choose any other partner if they're dead, right?

Even then I imagine Maul still tries courting you, it's just you... don't have much of a choice but to accept him?

You can barely even speak to others without hearing that signature noise of a saber being activated.

You and his family are what he cares for other than revenge and power.

Although, in Maul's life, he loses his family eventually.

When left with nothing else, Maul becomes even more suffocating.

He hides you away, and as much as he'd rather not, restrains you.

You're the only person he has now, the only one he needs.

To him, you should feel the same way.

He's your partner, your mate, you'll need him as much as he needs you if he isolates you

Maul is a yandere who would force you to need him.

He'll force you to be addicted to him, to give into desire and have him as yours.

Why fight him when he can give you all you want?

He can read you, he can give everything...

Just give in to him...

You're his to corrupt, his to have, his love... and ultimately, his to own.

[not-that-n]

I think Kotor 2 is a really funny game when it comes to the average analysis of it's themes, because it managed to create such a compelling antagonist that most people just kinda get lost into trying to analyze her words and actions through her apparent philosophical stand when she is just written to be a great hypocrite, something that they almost always fail to mention in the average analysis of Kreya's character.

Like she makes some points, that sometimes helping others without thinking about your actions can hurt them more than you could imagine and says some other things that are almost true but she frames them as a philosophy of might, you shouldn't help others because you are depriving them of their strength, because through suffering there's growth, through struggle you reach enlightenment, through individual freedom you reach apotheosis. She then reaches the conclusion that God, aka the Force, is the biggest chain of all and to be truly free is to kill the force, to reject fate completely.

She acts like she has some sort of moral high ground over the sith and the Jedi when in reality she is not much different. In a way, she does have some beliefs she follows without question, she still uses the force and if you ask her about it she admits the hypocritical nature of her argument, first comparing to a poison and then saying that that's just an argument of an old woman trying to justify it. She always talks about how there are no chains, how you must be completely free of fate because there's no determinate outcome, whatever happens being a result of your strength, yet she still betrays you by the end because there must always be a Darth Treya, there must always be someone that directly betrays the order in it's moment of need. That's fate, that should, and will, always happen.

I always read her admiration for the player originating from our achievement of her goals without becoming hypocrites like she is, something I'm sure she is aware of as hinted by her dialogue in her last fight. The player rejected the force, reject fate, through strenght of will alone, using it more alike a weapon than a dogma, but the player, in a way, still uses the force mostly as a way of unknowingly influence others, their strength is not in self isolation in pursue of the strength of an individual through the death of morals and complete freedom, but instead in connection with others.

In the dark side ending the player becomes Kreya, a hypocrite that acts on their own desires, on their own impulses, because they can, afterall they had the strength to reject the force once so they are strong enough to do whatever. On the light side ending the exile takes the correct path, not following Kreya but transcending her, becoming better than her, understanding that you can overcome the chains of fate not through individual freedom but through connection, in the light side ending you archive what Kreya never could.

I always read Kotor 2 as a story of abuse and trying to grow out of it, in this case Kreya being the abuser, breaking both Scion and Nihilus causing them to become what she hated the most, and the player character being her new target, the exile being able to either follow the narrative's themes and be able to grow despite the abuse or fail and become the abuser themselves, perpetuating the cycle, the chain, that I always read as what the force is supposed to symbolize in this story.

Kreya is a spiteful person that believes that she can not grow, that she can not change and become better, she accepts herself in her own hypocrite nature because of this belief, she understands that through her own argument, one of complete freedom and transcending any chains that bind us, she is a failure like the rest of her students because she follows her own chain, she believes she most perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

That's the reason why I always disagree witht he concept that Kreya steals the show from both Scion and Nihilus because both of them are different outcomes that the exile could have become, both are victims of abuse that thought they couldn't change.

There's this one study I always think about, how kids that came from abusive households were more reluctant to let go of their parents, and Scion reminds me of this, rejecting Kreya at every opportunity but being unable to let go of her, she defined who he became as a person, a failure in both of their eyes. That's why he is so mad when you are going to confront Kreya, he thinks of you as her favorite, as the one that didn't become a failure, as someone who could reject and grow from their abuse when he couldn't. And I always found so interesting that the way you beat him os through words because, well, because you try convincing him that he can change, that he can grow, you beat him not through a fight, through a show of strength, but through showing, arguing, that the abuse he went through is not an unmoving chain, that he has the capabilities of change. And he doesn't believe you, never does, he would rather die than think about that, that admit you are right, he reacts the same way Kreya does, dying rather than admit they were wrong. It feels incredibly tragic that this happens because you know it could end up in another way, you are that other possible outcome.

And Nihilus is a simpler character because most of the content related to him was cut, but I always read him as the complete rejection of Kreya, as doing the exact opposite of whatever she said even when it still ends up hurting him, becoming a shell of what he was once. That said, most of that is just me guessing something that would fit with my reading of the themes and is never actually said in the game, it's kinda hinted but I admit there's not enough information to confidently say that.

Anyways, my point is that I find kotor 2 quite a compelling story and, while I understand why most people only ever discuss Kreya, I feel slightly disappointed that most discussions of the game never really talk about anything else the game presents

[canonkiller]

thinking about king lindworm again from the perspective of the lindworm. to be born something different from your family, to know it deeply, innately; to be cast out or hidden away from the people you were meant to know because of it, because of the shame that you were born something monstrous, a blame that will rest on your shoulders; to demand what you would have been given if you were like them and to have your efforts fail because you are monstrous; having to make yourself vulnerable - equally vulnerable, from an outside perspective, but to open yourself to such great potential for harm, being more fragile than others because of how much it takes to reach vulnerability of the same intimacy - to be seen as something worth loving. the lindworm desires his birthright as the eldest prince, not as a monster; him being the eldest prince does not keep others from only seeing him as something inhuman, something cruel and terrifying.

and I do think in the lindworm tale that there is an expression of this kind of violent grief of self acceptance, a literal shedding of the protective layers of the self until you are presenting your innermost being, raw and bloody, and saying, this is what I have to protect. this is what others do not believe i am. many versions have the shedding and subsequent night with his wife as being painful and visceral; shedding skins too deep, lashed with cloth and the wounds cleaned with milk before they can be held gently. the lindworm rarely expresses a desire to remain vulnerable, wanting instead to keep his shed skin, to return to it when the night is over and they are no longer alone. to be loved as he is in the daylight requires a sacrifice of dignity that he has never been granted the safety, the luxury of; the love does not come for the public self without exposing the private self, and that is something he has been kept from expressing because he is a monster, forced into isolation where none who see him are willing to meet on that intimate and vulnerable ground, because he is not human like they are, does not look human like they do.

with the lindworm specifically, as the story goes, this exposure is a mutual vulnerability. the maiden on her wedding night, instructed to wear extra clothing to coax the lindworm into shed, is baring herself as well, to the extent she would a human lover; there is an angle to be taken here, with her extra layers being an order from others, that these are layers of reservation that have been taught, and in shedding them she is opening her own self to the lindworm rather than believing those teachings, rather than believing the lindworm is a dangerous monster. there is also the angle that this is a risk she would choose to take with others like her, that the lindworm is specific in being something she is requested to be vulnerable with, that the action would not occur otherwise. is there pity in this love? maybe. I think there has to be, somewhere, that or sorrow, a quiet mourning for how much had to be hurt to reach this, how much had to be lost.

king lindworm is not beauty and the beast, where the monster was a human cursed to a different form. the lindworm was born a lindworm, and has never known anything else; when he returns for his birthright as thd eldest son, the privilege of being we'd is given to him, though the human brides he takes see only a monster. I do not think the lindworm is a tale meant to empower the maiden: it is not a story about revenge, or about the cruelty of kings, or about justice. in king lindworm, two people are vulnerable with each other. the maiden does not re-dress herself in false layers; the lindworm does not desire being human, only to be king - as he is, as he has always been, in isolation or in exile for being born the way he was. i think the lindworm is grieving himself.

[maingh0st]

the main reason I like Taryn/the Ghost (despite the fact we get microscopic crumbs in the text) is that it’s thematically compelling for them as characters.

the best romances aren't just about ~vibes~ and ~spice~ but about two unique, fully realized characters becoming part of one another's lives. each character carries their lifetime's worth of formative experiences, beliefs about the world, goals, strengths, habits, wounds, coping mechanisms, preferences, etc—so inevitably there's conflict and change and (ideally) growth. this is why we love Jude/Cardan so much!

like, for just one example: Jude always resented the Folk, even as she admired and envied them. she talks about wanting to be better, to be worse, to excel beyond them and rule over them, and ultimately to conquer her fear of them. part of why Jurdan is so great (aside from being The Power Couple) is because falling in love with Cardan forces Jude to accept that sometimes, the Folk can be good and safe and worthy of her trust. in my interpretation, this arc culminates when Cardan is turned into a snake and Jude has to rely on others (Fand, Grima Mog, the Court of Shadows, etc.) rather than just her romantic partner. she does conquer her fear of the Folk—partially through her cunning and tenacity, yes, but also partially through learning to trust her heart and find those with whom she is safe.

but that's not a lesson Taryn needs to learn. she wants to fit in with the fae; she craves their approval. in tcp, Locke's whole shitty test is based on Taryn's ability to prove that, even though she's human, she can live like the fae. and in twk, while Jude is isolated, exhausted, and (rightfully) paranoid about being betrayed, Taryn is constantly surrounded by the Folk. she seems to find belonging among them, yet she almost loses herself in the process. from a story perspective, Locke isn't that interesting of a romantic partner because he only confirms what she seems to already believe: that to belong in faerie, she will have to change and abandon certain parts of herself (represented most starkly by her betraying her sister). she will have to learn to love differently and live by different rules. and she's quite good at it, as we see—but it makes her miserable. so Locke's murder is narratively important (beyond just being Very Fun) because it represents her rejection of the life he insisted she live.

but the Ghost (for as little as we know about him) is half-human and spent part of his life in the human world. I think there is so much potential for the most delicious narrative tension to arise from their dynamic. they both, for their own reasons, straddle both the human and the faerie worlds, yet fully belong to neither. both of them make choices they regret (killing Liriope / betraying Jude) and both of them are harmed as a result (the Ghost's true name being used / Locke being straight-up emotionally abusive). there's a lot of common ground there, but also potential for great conflict considering the very different lives they live.

after the events of tqon, I get the sense that they're both kind of... recalibrating. of course, the Ghost is still part of the Court of Shadows, but the monarchs he serves are very different than Dain, and he's also been freed from the abuse of his true name. and Taryn is a widow, pregnant, the daughter of an exiled general, the sister of the new mortal queen, and seemingly a bit of a phenomenon in the social scene of Elfhame. who are they, and what is their place in this world that isn't built for them? how do they find belonging without losing themselves? what does living a good and fulfilling life even look like for each of them? how do they adapt to their environment without crossing into the territory of self-betrayal? truly just so many questions that are so fun to chew on

[slowcatsisland]

Your Thoughts on dating Zoro? Would he fall for women or men? Thinking about popular ships like Zoro x Sanji or Zoro x Robin/Tashigi/Hyiori? ❤️❤️❤️

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Roronoa Zoro Thoughts: Emotional Intelligence and Ability To Date

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Tw guys my opinion don’t hate me☝️

Okay so ima explain my understanding of Zoro’s character and his possibility of being romantically involved with another person and then my thoughts on Zoro’s popular ships.

To me, Zoro is a physical representation of a protector, a predator, and loyalty. He prioritizes the safety of the people important to him, burdens himself to evolve into a stronger swordsman for the people close to him, and sees more value in actions rather than words.

He used to be someone that was living for himself, until Kuina. Then he was living for his shared promise to become the greatest swordsman, until Luffy. Until Thriller Bark, Sabaody, and his exile in Muggy Kingdom. Now he lives for his crew, to ensure Luffy’s dream and through Luffy achieving his dream Zoro will achieve his own (plus him actually having another duel with Mihawk). Yk what I’m saying? He still has a goal, but it has changed to encompass the Strawhats as a whole with a special bond towards Luffy.

There’s this tiktok editing account called ._avxmvx_ and they have such good edits that I feel like speak for Zoro’s character- just a side note hehe

••

Okay guys, me personally, I don’t see Zoro being interested in dating. It’s not anywhere near the top of his list in canon.

Although I do like reading about/the dynamic of Zoro with a person that is either the representation of a higher being (ie, Luffy being the god Nika through his devil fruit yk smth like that) or of things associated with gods (example being person with relations/undertones of say wine, grapes, floral, earthy colors, with a personality summed up in a few words as indulgent, capricious, joyous, and fiendish because all of these things are alluded to the Greek god Dionysus.)

Zoro being paired with someone with religious and spiritual energy and ties is something I personally enjoy because Zoro is a character that is morally grey, has no belief in a higher being, has accepted damning himself for the sake of others, and actually has in canon relationships that have religious implications (guys Luffy and Zoro trust me bro)

I like dynamics like those paired with Zoro because I think it’s something that challenges his way of viewing the world when he’s surrounded by someone that encompasses a higher influence that’s not attainable by people but it’s not forcing him change yk??

••

Zoro is also a character with a stunted emotional understanding and capacity for empathy in my opinion.

I say this because of his parent’s death at an early age, a heavy training focused childhood, the death of his only close friend, and the isolation of his teenage years when he left Shimotsuki village up until he met Luffy.

This isn’t to say that he doesn’t feel emotion and can’t joke around (pre time skip funny Zoro come back to me pls) but overall I think it’s easier for Zoro to not engage with others on a highly emotional level and in emotional situations Zoro is most comfortable looking at things rationally as best he can without adding subjectiveness onto the situation (think Water 7, his opposition to Usopp rejoining the crew without properly apologizing and atoning.)

Zoro also actively tries to squash his feelings imo which is kinda sad. (Think how in drum island he tells himself to squash instincts and so now he’s not shown to be cold even in punk hazard and the beginning of egghead he was just toughening it out.)I think he does this because his mind associates the best swordsman with strength and not being influenced by your surrounding.

Which is why I think Mihawk is the reason for his stoicism post timeskip.

Now, this relates back to his ability to be with someone romantically because it probably wouldn’t be easy for him to. Especially not emotionally. It probably would be uncharted territory for him and if he wanted it his partner would have to work with him and teach him and build up his ability to understand others emotions and the ability to sympathize/empathize.

••

Now, gender wise, I actually can’t give you a clear answer on what I think Zoro’s preference would be. I feel like Zoro’s preference is more of a scale that looks at character traits and actions rather than identity and appearance.

In all honesty, I could see Zoro having an easier time becoming involved with a man rather than a woman. I don’t have much reasoning for it though, it’s just a feeling.

Perhaps his comfortability in his masculinity? Maybe because of how obviously dense he is when it comes to women? Maybe his past relationships of Saga and Kuina? Idk

••

So, in canon Zoro being in a relationship is a no go imo. (Edit: asexual man) Now let’s discuss my thoughts on Zoro’s popular ships.

I don’t ship Zoro with anyone, however I do appreciate the dynamics of some of his ships because I view them as something deeper than romance.

To me, a lot of Zoro’s ships are understood as a soulmate- you feel right in my life and I want to be around you type of way I’ll protect you no matter how bloody the future is- not a -I really like you I wanna kiss you and have sex with you and you can talk to me all about your feelings about the world- type of way

Not saying that the ladder can’t or isn’t presented in fandom media, it is just something that I don’t prioritize seeing in Zoro ships.

••

Zoro x Luffy: I appreciate Zoro x Luffy again in a more subservient dynamic.

(Omg I saw a post like a year ago saying smth about how Zoro is Luffy’s in a way none of the other strawhats are because he hasn’t ever betrayed or left the crew and out of the romance dawn crew he’s the only one that hasn’t done so ugh I wish I could find the creator I’d love to tag them)

I like exploration on how devoted Zoro is to Luffy and I do think that they have a bond that is deeper than just friends or captain and first mate.

But I wouldn’t call it romantic or sexual. It is natural, it is inherent and instinctual, it is almost religious imo

I also don’t think that Luffy is interested in dating.

Because of this, I do think that the ship works in certain ways. (u understand what I’m saying?)

••

Zoro x Sanji: I feel like this has potential as a ship but there’s things that need to happen before yk.

First, Sanji needs to acknowledge and heal through his trauma. Of his childhood, guilt, body, Germa, and especially his relationship/perspective of men, masculinity, and women.

I think Zoro could help him through it, if they ever talked about it. But I doubt they would. At least not explicitly. Maybe roundabout but something so minimal the implications could be lost easily on either of them.

But Zoro’s lack of emotional understanding is also called into play here. This is something that Sanji is very good at. He’s emotionally aware and attune to those around him. They are opposites in this way. But pairing them together isn’t good imo in a ship way. Yk?

I like the ship dynamic in how they complete each other in different ways. I read a post before about Zoro’s association with the number three and Sanji’s representation of the number three. Sanji’s humanity compared with Zoro’s brutalism or strength. They are strong in different ways. They are vital to the crew in different ways.

They work as a duo more than a ship to me though. I don’t see them romantic, I don’t see them sexual, but I do see them as sort of kindred flames or something of soulmates.

They belong in each other’s world and they do need each other but they won’t admit it. Yk?

••

Zoro x Robin: guys no.

I’m sorry but I just don’t support this ship at allllllll.

I do understand the evidence that Zorobin shippers bring up. They are alike, they do have a good dynamic, they respect each other, they are vital to the crew, but it’s just mid.

I feel like I don’t like it that much because regardless of Zoro’s loyalty to Robin as shown, Zoro doesn’t really interact with her fondly. Yk? Like I don’t remember seeing them just kinda chit chat for a second. There’s always something that is the catalyst for them to interact as far as I understand.

I also don’t think that Zoro is the best significant other for Robin. He isn’t what Robin would want nor need.

I say this due to his emotional intelligence, his aloof personality overall, and his dedication to training. I also say this because of Robin’s intellectualism, childhood experience, and personality. I feel like Franky is just so much better for her (sorry guys rip Frobin from my dead body.)

••

Zoro x Tashigi: I do not see this as a ship. I don’t like it particularly as a ship either.

I liked Tashigi and Zoro’s first dynamic when they first interacted with each other in Loguetown when Tashigi and Smoker were originally introduced.

The way that Tashigi was a female swordsman that looked just like Kuina, Zoro’s dead friend. The way that this made Zoro uncomfortable and he couldn’t handle it.

I loved it. I thought it was so interesting for Zoro’s character. I wish they kept it in post timeskip because it would’ve changed their behavior (or at least Zoro’s) towards each other in Punk Hazard.

I feel like this also ties into Zoro’s emotional capacity as well because he understands why he’s uncomfortable but he doesn’t try to change it- he only ever tries to run from her and increase their distance.

So, I don’t see nor support this as a ship, but I liked it a lot when Zoro was uncomfortable around Tashigi.

••

Zoro x Kuina: I do not view this as a ship either.

I think that Kuina was best as Zoro’s friend and the added complexity of romantic feelings at such a young age plus her death is just a lot. It’s a lot for Zoro.

I also don’t feel like it suits Zoro either. Loving her like that would better suit and origin story for Sanji ykwim?

Plus I like how Kuina was his goal and it intentionally wasn’t romantic. I liked the friendly deep connection between two swordsman.

I also don’t think that Kuina would have viewed Zoro like that even if she properly grew up.

••

Zoro x Hiyori: Hmmmmmmmm.

I kinda have mixed feelings about this one.

At first I didn’t like it. I didn’t understand why Hiyori liked Zoro and to be honest I still don’t.

The only reason I really see is because he wasn’t attracted to her and protected her physically. Plus he’s a strong swordsman like her father.

I actually really really like Hiyori’s character, but I feel like it might’ve been a mistake to add her feelings towards Zoro into Wano by Oda. But I do really like how she didn’t necessarily act on it. Sure, she had some damsel in distress moments and did flirt with him, but she kept her priorities straight and helped free Wano.

I really respect her for that. I wish that more female characters were done properly like her.

Zoro also clearly showed no interest towards her. The most he cared for in relation to her in my opinion was her father, Oden, her brother, Momonosuke, and the blade Enma.

Zoro also wouldn’t be willing to have feelings for her. She isn’t a part of the Strawhats and has no future with them. She isn’t hugely impactful towards the Strawhats as a whole. His loyalty wouldn’t ever be able to be in two places at once like it would be if he loved her yk??

So. The ship is okay I guess. I don’t ship it and I don’t support it however. I also don’t ever see it happening in canon. I also think Hiyori wouldn’t like Zoro if she really got to know him and would be better with a different person.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Heheh this was nice to write about I enjoy Zoro’s character. Kinda long too

Thanks for reading

Mwah 😽

[goosygator]

Is anyone else just completely going crazy about the lack of proper resolution for the 3 Icewing siblings?!?

Like Hailstorm ends up still stuck in the Ice Kingdom with an identity disorder, probably made worse by the fact that everyone knows he didn’t actually kill Winter and therefore cheated and doesn’t actually deserve his rank. The sudden pressure of everyone’s high expectations of you suddenly dropping once you come back “different” is one hell of a POV book.

Icicle is still in freaking jail awaiting trial, whatever that may mean. Traumatized out of her mind because she not only failed in retrieving her brother, but was also just being manipulated by Scarlet into doing her bidding, telling her that if she failed she was just going to kill her brother and make her watch?! Plus she sorta killed someone innocent, and maybe coming to terms and accepting that guilt would be a nice ending if Tui absolutely had to keep her in jail.

And Winter is just…there i guess?! He was completely abandoned by both friends and family. Said friends don’t even trust him enough to tell him the truth about DS and in fact isolate him because he’s prone to outbursts which are in all honesty kinda justified. Snowfall sorta grants him his prince status but what does that even do? He is still just an outcast to his tribe and everybody probably hates him for breaking one of their longest standing traditions. I wished book 14 wasn’t strictly tied to Snowfall and maybe co-split between her and Winter’s perspective. And for fucks sake Tui, why was Snowfall the one that broke the rankings and not the dragon that was most affected by them?!

Like is this really the end of their story??

Think of the potential these siblings have!!!

Icicle jailbreak arc, Hailstorm identity acceptance arc, Winter self improvement arc when?

And not even just those simple ones! I am brimming with ideas on what next could be done with them.

Including a potential Winter v Hailstorm Public Diamond Trial Forced Rematch, where Winter wins (Hailstorm lives, but takes Winter’s exile) and takes Hailstorm spot as a “sacrifice”, using his power to free Icicle but ending up all alone in the Ice Kingdom as result. (Hey, at least this one is way cooler and in character)

But thats a longer post I’ll make later.

[bestworstcase]

Took a look at the image organizer you linked the other day, and MY OH MY is there so much to unpack there. While I think I understand most of it, there's still some stuff I'm unclear about. What are those quotations from? What's Jaune doing here (and I think I remember you mentioning him as the Oz stand-in for the Ever After)? What about those scattered extra panels in the Jaune column, like Bumbleby-Adam and the maple leaf? What're the entire bottom three rows doing, what is the truth, and who is the "she" who knows it? I really need to do a rewatch...

By all means, go as overboard as you want to (or not), I just love hearing what you have to say.

the quotations are all heraclitus (there’s a link to the fragments at the bottom – the Bn tag on each quote is the fragment number) – heraclitus being a pre-socratic philosopher who had a significant influence on plato, and rwby being a story that draws heavily from plato (see also: atlas/atlantis). the philosophical ideas articulated in v9 regarding balance and creation/destruction get at concepts like flux (everything rests by changing; equilibrium is a state of constant motion and transformation, like a top which stays upright only while it spins) and strife (not conflict, but the push-and-pull between opposite forces, like the tension on a string which creates music).

i get very exited about this because it is the basis for rwby’s destruction-is-not-bad thesis; true equilibrium cannot be found without destruction because creation must have its counterweight. conflict is antithetical to balance specifically because it is a rejection of strife—it’s, to continue the metaphors, creation smashing the top because it doesn’t like that destruction causes it to spin instead of standing perfectly upright, or destruction cutting the string to free itself from destruction.

the OP specifically is about my thesis that rwby’s narrative is fractal—reflected aspects of the ozlem story repeating over and over again as this shattered fairytale strives to get it right this time. jaune (like cinder, like ruby) is a mirror held up to salem—the girl in the tower refracted in the “lovable idiot stuck in the tree”—but he’s a funhouse mirror. he’s a salem without her faith in humanity; a salem who is fundamentally cynical (he cheats his way into beacon, he wanted to be the hero to prove himself worthy to his family, he is ultimately corrupted by his rejection of change—which twists him into a reflection of ozpin instead) and thus repeatedly puts himself in the tower. and the point of him with respect to the fractal narrative is that being Good and Kind did not save him from his cynicism, and that the essential difference between salem and ozma is that she truly believes in her cause (that the gods are unjust and humanity must live free) whereas his commitment is hollow and borne of fear.

(likewise cinder is a salem whose tower is her faith, because what cinder believes in is the innate cruelty and injustice of the world and her destiny to be crushed beneath it, and she is in want of something true to believe instead; and ruby is… more or less literally who salem was when she was young)

jaune is also specifically paralleled with cinder in this regard – his time in the ever after mirrors her exile after haven, and both reflect salem’s isolation after the moonfall; he gives into despair and stagnates (like oz), cinder angrily drags herself out of the pit and keeps clawing her way forward (like salem).

(yang and blake killing adam are just there because i didn’t have a better place to note the echoed framing when cinder kills rhodes – different camera angle, but there is a striking visual comparison drawn here. the narrative does not smile on rhodes)

and then the last three rows are my unhinged mumbling about salem having met the blacksmith before in picture form. Ma’am Why Is Your Illustration Of The Human Soul A Blacksmith. What Do You Know.

like the thing is. heraclitus again: fire is arche. it is the beginning. the transformations of fire, first into sea, and of the sea half becomes earth, half whirlwind. from the outside, the tree is earth and air (the holes in the ground, the leaves on the wind) – on the inside, it’s an ethereal cosmic ‘river’ of souls flowing to their next life; and in the center, it is a forge. and this rhymes also with ‘for it is death to souls to become water, and death to water to become earth, but water comes from earth, and from water, souls’ – like

???

before she’s drowned in the fountain, salem is engulfed in dark’s flame – the flame he once used to restore jabber to life. and then she drowns and returns, with aura, now immortal. salem leaps into the pool of grimm seeking change and is transformed – the faunus in the myth she quotes immerse themselves in magical waters and are transformed. and then we have this recurring motif of a character (or symbol thereof) engulfed by flame, trees, katabasis, drownings, spiritual or physical rebirth. and salem waving the blacksmith under our noses since 2014. maple leaf carved into the frame of her family portrait – maple leafs shed by the tree – the maple leaf guiding jaune to pyrrha’s statue. it’s very

it sure is pointing in a direction!