#Rhian and Sophie

[liketwoswansinbalance]

If Rhian were a villain as his own character, in character, I feel like he'd be the kind of villain to explain his whole Evil plan, giving it away completely instead of keeping it to himself because he's incapable of keeping it to himself. He would be hyped up with excitement for his vision coming to fruition, and most importantly, he would want to do it for the showmanship as he's theatrical like that. Then again, he may be too smart to reveal it all.

If you recall his thematically-appropriate outfit during the Circus of Talents, he seems to love causing a scene, and while Rafal does share this tendency towards the dramatic, I don't believe it's to the same effect or as extreme as Rhian's.

And this brings me to the point that it's just flat-out unusual for Rhian to wear essentially the same outfit for 200 years.

I mean, that seems unlike him and extreme. For evidence, it's implied by TLEA, by the image of his midnight blue robes hanging on a hook in the tower like a relic at the beginning of the book, that he's worn that selfsame outfit all that time. Sure, he must've not had an occasion to dress up for, but when did that ever stop him? Did imitating Rafal mean he had almost given up on his fashion sense? It's not like anyone had seen him. He didn't have anyone to perform in front of after all. Maybe that's the reason: no one would see him, so it wouldn't matter? He'd probably become depressed, and perhaps, the loneliness drove him insane and away from old behaviors.

Yet, how could Rhian, the man who was a fashion icon in his better days, be reduced to wearing the same midnight blue robes for 200 years, as the first trilogy implies? Even villainous Fall Rhian with his pure spun gold cloak did better than this version of him.

Wearing the same clothes like a uniform is Rafal behavior, and while taking that trait completes his disguise, which I'm sure Rhian had down by SGE's present, if no one had the faintest memory of what the real Rafal was like, what was keeping Rhian from caring about his appearance like he once did? He only seemed to fall back into fashion and indulge in it in order to appeal to Sophie and that's it. Did he never regain the right state of mind for fashion to be of any importance by himself? Did Sophie revive that lost part of him?

In conclusion, that is the most implausible thing about the Fall twist: Rhian's lack of fashion sense. /j

[the-royal-rot]

Anyone notice that in the EverNever Handbook, Sophie named one of her Nail Polish colors "Rafal Red"?

[writtenbycassandra]

why i don't like the netflix adaption of sge

i've watched the movie this weekend, and i have some thoughts to share:

the people in the village actually know about the school and the fairy tales. it's important because in the books it is one of the things that characterizes sophie the way she is. most kids have developed a fear of being selected for the school for good and evil, while sophie is anticipated to be kidnapped by the school master. she even bakes goods for him, feigns "good" demeanor, and discards all the protective mechanisms her father had constructed to keep her safe.

her father and to-be stepmother are portrayed inaccurately as well. they are simple, sane people. in the books, they never treat sophie really horrible. perhaps her father wanted a son instead of a daughter (we don't really find out if that is true or a part of sophie's broken worldview), but he still cares for her—he provides her with enough resources to do her strange make up routine every morning, he eats her gruesome food (yes, he complains, but not with an abusive tone at all, he just sounds tired of having to consume the vegan food he clearly hates), and he tries to prevent her from getting captured. and her stepmother is also a vaguely decent human being, and not a merciless, evil person.

the way sophie talks to people is very different. in the books, everything she did was to make her appear more "good", so she'd be taken to the school for good. she never actually had any motivation apart from her own wants. most people who watched the movie love sophie, but not because they think she is evil, but because they think that she is simply misunderstood. and in the book it's made extremely clear how false this is. sophie is jealous, cheats, manipulates, lies, finds joy in hurting others, kills, judges easily, only cares for her looks, feels no empathy or guilt, and rejects people who are trying to help her. and she doesn't do it because she is misunderstood and wants to find revenge/was taught to be that way/lived through a traumatic event. honestly, i find her pretty scary. book sophie would've killed movie sophie instantly.

agatha is also a point for me. first of all, her looks. and i'm not talking about the race of the actress (acting skills are what matters and she is a good actress), but about the way how they depicted her. agatha was supposed to look "hideous"—oily hair, watery eyes, grim face. people literally flinched before her in the books because of the way she looked (and treated herself accordingly.) but her movie version looks so pretty, and i mean that not in the objective way, but in the way that they didn't include the things that made her appear ugly in the books. they never let her grow and find out that she was always pretty, but nobody recognized it because she couldn't embrace her beauty. also, the thing about her being good is a thing. in the books we are thaught that regardless of her gruff, quiet, lonesome, and sorrowful personality, agatha still can be a good person. but in the movie she's just your average, nice teenage girl. there is no character depth. where is the mean, broken girl who seemed to hated everything, yet wanted to be good? where is the girl that wouldn't give up on sophie? where is the girl that always prioritized others? well, we never really got to see her in the movie.

agatha and tedros' relationship is an insta-love story instead of a slow burn. remember, in the books he hated her at first and literally wanted to kill her until like over 300 pages into the book. just saying. and in the movie, they are all nice to each other, like no? sophie was the one tedros had a crush on at first because he though that she was his would-be princess. (there was also no character depth on his side. he never overcomes his prejudices.)

they revealed stuff way too early and made the two female teachers enemies instead of friends. (also, why is jesper playing the evil gremlin?) that disappointed me because i loved their dynamic in the books.

all the little yet extremely important things were missing... the lessons yuba, professor sader's whole existence, the test about "being good" that agatha aces, so many scenes with the never girls, the ever girls being more evil than some nevers, all the lore.

it was not a bad movie (it's okay, i guess?), but it's a horryfing adaptation of the books.

[iamverynormalaboutsge]

I want to cry when I think of the old gen in SGE.

You're telling me it's canon that Lady Lesso was Callis' Dean (With Callis being the not-so-ugly uglification teacher).

It's cannon that Lady Lesso absolutely despised Evelyn and Rafal because hello, Evelyn ratted her out and Rafal forced her to make a choice, BUT THEN Evelyn and Rafal's son (Japeth) is obsessed with Lady Lesso's son (Aric).

It's cannon that 2 generations, no, THREE generations of evil were obsessed with Sophie? Rafal(love interest), Rhian(Love interest)/Japeth(Interest) and Evelyn(Interest). Although truth be told Evelyn was probably a bit irritated after she read the Story of Agatha and Sophie and saw Sophie kissing Rafal. Maybe she pushed it to the side with 'Oh it's fine, he's just using her'. Ok Miss Clown and you think he ain't using you? She probably realized he is when he turned her to dust.

Do you guys ever think that Sophie thinks that she practically dated a father and his son(s)? As we know her probably not.

Here's my question, I can't exactly recall if in book 5 when we are shown how Rhian and Japeth's existence came about if Rafal was young and beautiful or not(aka if he was old).

But if he WASN'T old and ugly then what happened in the meantime? How did he turn wrinkled and ugly as hell?

Was he also ugly or not when he tried to propose with Calissa? Cuz I can't remember for the life of me.

Are we also just gonna ignore that Evelyn was practically on the streets and that the Green Knight, the OG Japeth took care of her? Talk about being a deadbeat dad Rafal (cough RHIAN cough).

How does he keep seducing all these women?! I mean with Calissa it was a fail, Sophie was easily manipulated, and hell only knows what Evelyn's thinking process was given how easily she dismissed her each time she tried to be 'useful' to him.

Do you guys think Rafal knew that Japeth liked Aric? And if so is that why he made Aric the Dean of New evil(besides his own...evilness and the fact that he is Lady Lesso's son and inherited her magic).

We don't forget that 'Rafal' literally laughed when he was told he'd have to marry a woman for evil, right? Right? And then he became the Number 1 playboy. But the apple doesn't fall far from the tree because his true name sake(Rhian) took Sophie for the same reason (power) as his father while liking Kei and Japeth, the son that took after him, took Sophie with the intent of reviving Aric.

(I still refuse to believe Japeth was conscious of how Aric would act towards him when he came back. Japeth x Aric feels like it has a weird symmetry to Evelyn x Rafal due to the possible toxicity between the two given Aric was low-key homophobic. Well... More than low-key but that's beside the point)

[wisteriaum]

AIQPQMWXJXHAOAOQHZN

this audio reminded me of them if rafal was like a ghost and randomly appeared during tlea lol

also the proportions are like NOT the best but i think it's too late to fix😔

[luannie]

I just realized I'm much more active now. School holiday is starting! And my artbl0ock is gone 🤍

Art dump

I'm sick right now pls pray for me

The first two pictures is heavily based on images I found on Pinterest ❕

[abloomingperishment]

Rhian Mistral - Narcissism & People Pleasing

Today I watched a video about social anxiety and it reminded me of Rhian a little.

This post may go off-topic since I go a little too much when I'm talking about something! So consider it as a brief character analysation of Rhian! At least to how I understand him for this moment.

Rhian ended up being the Evil do make a lot of sense. He is selfish, definitely arrogant, even Rafal accused him of narcissism. A reminder that narcissism isn't just an embodiment of itself, but rather a something that literally shapes narcissism. Its more than that.

I sometimes reconsider whether Rhian is a people pleaser or not, because his actions are selfish and mostly based off his false beliefs, rather than doing it for others. Like you know, how some people rather do something because that 'something' is good to them, even though they're not supposed to do that.

Rhian is a whole complex being consisting of "being good for others" and also "its what I do".

He seems to chase a certain motto that doesn't suit or make perfect sense to him, because that's not who he is, hence him being the evil one in the end. In most arguments, Rafal lets him win most of the time, letting Rhian live up to that "Goodness" motto. (A factor why Rafal is also wrong here in the story!)

But when Rhian fails to do that and feels guilty, he rushes to make things better, quickly trying to hide in shame because he's supposed to NOT feel guilty, at least that's what he thought of. It'll make him look bad and people would think wrongly of him, because he's the Schoolmaster of Good.

Rhian is like a person who does things for others, but only at expense for himself. Its like he doesn't really mean it. He's the parallel of Sophie.

In Fall, his character slowly begin to break down that motto, without him even realizing it. It made him a little scary. He became angry and greedy, coming up excuses and ways that would justify him for doing what he did, because he's the Good Schoolmaster.

He doesn't like to be perceived as lower than others, especially being compared to his own twin. That's why Rhian thought he would be the 'Loser', the 'Fallen', and the 'Failed'. Because Good, well, isn't 'supposed' to fail, that's what he thought before realizing he was evil, at least.

Now that I think of it, does Rhian have a form of social anxiety? Some narcissists do have social anxiety. He's desperate and determined when it comes to other's opinion. Especially when trying to keep his 'Good' Image.

I'm sorry if this post doesn't make any sense, I really need to churn this out of my mind..

[clockthingalt]

Art dump

TW: Blood, Violence and ig flashing images???

Dumping my recent animatic and drawings for sge here because academics is academicking too hard

Have the art I did while in my free time, from goth-princess Sophie to all Rhians. Why is Rhian in a veil? Well its for a Heretic Au which I will probably never elaborate on aside from the fact Storian is an morally questionable god. On second note, who knew academics got some hands-

[sarascamander]

SGE CHARACTER x TAYLOR SWIFT

[atropinenightshade]

What is your favorite Edgar Allan Poe story?

And if you’ve read any of the ones with murderous doubles or twins in them, what do you make of them in relation to the prequels?

Hmm that is a difficult one, but I'd say it's a tie with "The Masque of Red Death," "The Cask of Amontillado," or "Morella."

With the double ("William Wilson") I suppose it could reflect the twins and themes of insanity, or being each other's half, in a vague way? I think Poe's poetry fits SGE's universe better as a whole though, rather than many of his short stories, because I think Poe's stories touch a lot more on vice, evil, and just plain grotesque situations without a moralistic, dualistic part to them. Maybe they could serve well as Never stories, but I don't know. Maybe if Soman did SGE more Gothic, hehe.

I do think maybe Aric's father could potentially be a spin on "The Raven," where Lenore is Leonora and she left him, so he became insane, tortured by the Raven. Maybe even ghost Rafal had something to do with it, as this man may have been associated with Rhian or someone else Rafal doesn't trust.

Also, a lot of Poe's recurring plots involve the death of beautiful women, and that could include Sophie, Evelyn (permanently), and Callis, with the sadness, emptiness, or chaos it leaves behind. Never after vaguely reminds me of "Never more."

Maybe "The Masque of Red Death" fits Rafal trying to beat the prophecy of one brother dying for himself, when ultimately Death got to him in the end. Also, the colors of Rhian being blue reminds me of the symbolism in the story.

I would like to say Montresor is like Rafal, but I think Rafal would be dead if he even tried to stand a chance against Montresor. Rafal has a sadistic, twisted sense of fairness, but Montresor is just plain vengeful, and I think Rafal would resort to a more physical death than luring someone to it by pretending to be nice. Rafal would be nice to use people, but not kill them, per se. I don't think Rafal would kill black cats, like another short story, or his wife in the act of trying to do so, if he had one. BUT main series Rafal/ Rhian killed Sophie while trying to kill Agatha, who reminds me of a black cat. Also, the man was initially nice but he took to drinking and fell into vice, which reminds me of Rhian's downfall.

So I think Poe fits main series more, which had more instances of borderline dark dark darkness than prequels per se? I don't know. It just hits differently.

I think Agatha would love reading this stuff, too.

Thanks for the ask!

[evillious-trash]

only acceptable het trope is crime girl x "lawful good" guy whose also done some questionable stuff

[liketwoswansinbalance]

Okay so I've got this weird question (fun to ponder tho)

How do you think Rafal would react if Sophie slapped him?!

(Both the prequel Rafal and the TLEA Rafal.)

And perhaps the prequel Rhian too. Although I'm mainly curious about Rafal (since he has more of a connection with Sophie, I think.)

Ahaha! This is absolutely a fun one on this very fine day, Anon. Here goes—

Because prequel Rafal most likely wouldn't have a connection to, a care in the world about, or any feelings toward Sophie, she could just be another student to him. And if she slapped him, a blatant show of disrespect to her School Master, I think his first impulse would be to send her to the Doom Room, or to react explosively, retaliating with sorcery. Maybe, he'd slam her to the wall. We've seen that happen with the pirates and he has a short fuse.

If he stopped to think about why she'd slap him, if he were in a more tolerant state of mind, say, as Fala in his disguise, he might be able to reevaluate whatever he said to her to have earned that slap. (Probably, he would have said something about how she's worthless as an unconventional, Everish, and superficial Never, who only cares about appearances, who is a disgrace to her side because she wants to find True Love, and who'd never amount to anything, I'd imagine.)

And, maybe, just maybe, she'd actually break through the ice with the slap, or by following it with some critical yet truthful jab about him, thereby reaching his humanity and inspiring some self-reflection on his part.

Yet, I do not believe Sophie reaching him or succeeding in cuing him into recognizing his flaws would be the most likely outcome. I'm not sure what other fault-finding he'd do with her, and we know he just loves disproportionate retribution, which is why I'm most inclined to say: torture it is.

⸻

TLEA "Rafal" is the more uncertain answer.

He does have feelings for her and has exhibited sadistic and masochistic traits. (Remember the moment when they kissed after Sophie returned? He seemed to actually enjoy his bleeding lip for some reason.)

So, this may seem controversial, but he might redden and could potentially feel aroused and/or disoriented/dazed and be unable to react, frozen in place, considering that she opposed his authority, and that he hasn't been contradicted by anyone in about 200 years.

Besides, regardless of whichever of these would occur, I don't think he'd be able to keep a clear head in this particular instance.

If that aroused thought process happened, I think he would try not to lose his cool or get flustered, and would flee the scene abruptly, leaving Sophie to wonder how he took the slap (and unfortunately, worry for her life and what could possibly be in store for her, if he came back).

I'm not sure if her slapping him (probably due to his daily proposal ritual, him telling her to address him as "Master," or something equally controlling and irritating to her) would change their power dynamic. But that possibility does exist.

If their dynamic changed, maybe he would yield to her more often than he already did in canon, or could involve her in more major wartime decisions because slapping him definitely would've exhibited even more of her force of will and agency to him.

If their dynamic went in the opposite direction, he might become paranoid that she lifted a hand against him at all, and try to monitor her more than he already did, exercising his authority over her more oppressively.

Another fairly realistic option would be their having a verbal argument or a shouting match. But, it could be one-sided, if Rafal just decided to endure some kind of berating from her.

He might just allow her to get away with yelling at him while he either defends himself, calmly, maintaining his composure without yelling. Or, he could take everything in stride, or at least silently, and listen to her, seemingly unperturbed or perhaps, wincing the whole time at her sharp tongue? Internally, he could be very pained by all the horrible, hurtful things she's saying, that he would probably deserve. Another route is that he could, strategically, agree with her and yield to her, to regain her favor, but that could be too transparent of him.

Eventually, Sophie would run out of fuel for her vituperative fire and halt her tirade against him, and she might be a little remorseful or blush, but he'd let it slide because it's her. And he needs her.

He'd probably accept any apology, half-apology, blame-shifting, or non-apology from her, just to stay on her good side. And if he were able to swallow his pride, he could give his own speech as he's wont to do, appear to understand and even empathize with her societally-oppressed, downtrodden Evil soul and heart, and apologize himself, like any good Evil "activist" would.

(Personally, I like to interpret TLEA Rafal as The Ultimate Evil Activist™. So, er, take that however you want.)

I think he'd hold himself back from violence against her if it crossed his mind because he probably has the self-control to know that aggression would only worsen his chances with her, no matter what satisfaction it could bring him in the short term.

Alternatively, he could seize her and initiate a kiss against the wall in the same forceful way Sophie did to him once.

If not that, shock is another option I can go back to. He knew, to an extent, that she viewed him as "all-powerful" even though he wasn't. Maybe, he'd be impressed by how brazen she was to slap him at all. He'd never admit that to her, I think, but he'd probably glow inside about the fact that he's (why not credit himself?!) influenced her enough (ahem, provoked her enough) to become more violent, even if it backfired against him. Plus, he could harness that violence of hers during the upcoming war and redirect, train, refine it, towards a more productive cause. Their victory. Because, that violence is also an indicator that his plan for her to embrace Evil wholeheartedly is succeeding, even if his parallel plan to court her is simultaneously failing. (Picture mental fist-pumping, like: yes, yes, yes, basically.)

So, there's a chance he'd remain expressionless. However, he could display shock on his face if he weren't able to control his emotions, or he could grin like a pathetic, love-sloshed idiot, much to her disdain or ire at not being taken seriously.

Whether or not he'd recognize and agree that he was in the wrong due to whatever he'd done to earn himself the slap, he could also try to make it up to her, whether his apology is sincere or not. I'm sure that in either case, he'd resort to personally bringing her (or materializing from afar) more and more opulent gifts—because, what more does he know about her that he could use to his advantage? Not a lot, to be fair.

Maybe, the gifts would appease her while he temporarily stays out of her sight, so she doesn't get mad at him again?

The least likely scenario, in my opinion, would occur if he truly didn't know whether slapping were a thing that "normal young people" did while "dating," and he took the slap as a sign of things going regularly, if not badly.

To be fair, he's watched Ever courtships for years (and he surely must've observed Agatha punch Tedros in the eye over the Gargoyle debacle), but this is Evil's Love—something unheard of, something never before seen. Should it be held to new standards? If so, what standards? What should he expect? What should he set, if the standards are up to him to determine? Should he really hope to imitate the Evers' love on every front? He's had zero successful past relationships, so how could he know?

If this happened, I bet he'd obsess over the meaning of Sophie's slap.

He might have to process it and puzzle over what exactly went wrong for days before he returned to set things right with Sophie. And if he did that, he'd potentially inadvertently abandon her in the tower for those several days, leaving her to wonder if she's going to starve there as her punishment, or die from "the plague," assuming he forgot about everything else and his obsession took hold of him.

(And leaving her alone could be a strategy itself, whether intentional or not, so she would begin to crave his presence again.)

This would also mean, he'd have deal with far more external complications because the assumption that he'd desert Sophie for a short period, the way he did to Rhian for six months in the prequels, would mean he'd also desert his war-training responsibilities, leaving the Old and New students to fend for themselves, and perhaps, to devolve into anarchy—if he's not quick enough to return, provided that his Deans failed to maintain order and discipline during his absence. In fact, I could see Aric actively undermining Lady Lesso's efforts, and encouraging vicious hallway brawls and overall barbarity with Rafal gone.

Also, his love was never "enough" for his brother in the past—that could easily spiral into self-doubt, even if his ego would protect against it. Then again, he's likely more sensitive to rejection if it's from her specifically since he actually values her opinions of him. I feel like he'd just brood in the no-longer-Blue Forest, sit there and do nothing but cycle that thought around and around, because, his plan, his plan that he's had for 200 years, his last hope, is currently falling through all around him, all due to one slap, and what if that means all hope is lost!? All that work for nothing. A terrifying prospect. What then? He'll have nothing if he doesn't have Sophie by his side.

I think he'd know better than to think that so quickly though. Dramatizing things just entertains me.

⸻

Now for Rhian.

Rise Rhian could easily say something about the inferiority of Evil, and that could've insulted Sophie indirectly because I don't believe he would, while still Good, stoop to insulting her directly.

He'd probably just assign her a benign punishment, like dishwashing duties, or confine her to her dorm, given that she is a student and technically one of his wards, even if she's a Never because in this case, she acted against him, not the Evil School Master. So, perhaps, it wouldn't turn out like it did in book 1 with Lady Lesso. If he had no jurisdiction over the Nevers though, the punishment could be the Doom Room, if the decision fell to Rafal. And Rafal would not give a student preferential treatment if they slapped his brother!

Now, if Rhian were sympathetic enough to Sophie and her ongoing suffering in Rafal's School, he could cover the incident up and spare her. Let's face it: while Good, he seems like the lenient, bleeding-heart sort. Maybe, to him, it'd be the right thing to do because she seems kind of fragile and vulnerable. And she's Everish, which could appeal to him emotionally.

Then again, Rise Rhian has poor judgment, so maybe he'd stall and overthink deciding on any course of action, and wouldn't know what to do with her. He might not even feel like he could bring himself to discipline her, and might just continually obsess over it, as the indecision eats away at him. And, in the moment, maybe, he'd just flush red and tear up a little because she's been so cruel to him!

Fall Rhian, on the other hand, would probably insult her and do it so scathingly well. If she slapped him... she'd probably be a dead girl walking at that point. Could he incinerate her? Very possibly.

Midway through Fall, Rhian might just assign her a demanding punishment or task, really, of the same nature (and severity?) as Midas'.

⸻

And that is all I have for now. If there are any outcomes I haven't thought of, feel free to tell me what you think!

[discjude]

otk spoilersish again uh

(said by Japeth, father in question is Rafal btw) this specific passage devastated japeth enthusiasts AND rafal enjoyers everywhere. "but it wasn't enough for my father, was it? And it wasn't for me" might be like my favourite quote in this chapter and its got a LOT of good ones

[secretly-a-catamount]

WIP for a fanfic, I guess

  Dinner was a tense affair. The meal itself was lovely, of course, Camelot’s chefs not knowing how to make any other kind. A lush, creamy, goat-milk, lemon, and mint soup with a side of pan-fried potatoes wedges. Six separate salads, three of which were composed entirely of fruit. Roasted nuts and seeds dipped in a salty black sauce. Cuts of nearly every kind of meat imaginable, waterfowl and poultry, white meat and black meat, livestock and game, all so tender they bled juice the moment a knife sliced through their crust.

  Sophie ventured into the topic of conversation near the start of the sixth course. Her jade green eyes focused on the man seated across the table from her, taking note of the fact that his plate was a mirror of her own, treated more like a prop than something he was actually going to use.

  “Japeth, darling, do tell me about yourself. Your brother and I already get along so swimmingly”—sitting on her right, Rhian gave a wane smile, as if he was amused with her half-truth—“and since we’re going to be roommates I thought—“

  Japeth’s head snapped up. “What did you just say?”

  “There’s no need to throw a hissy-fit around it, I’m not any happier about this than you are,” Sophie sniffed, nibbling on the edge of a cucumber sandwich, “your brother’s the one who suggested it.”

  “Than he can un-suggest it.” Japeth snarled, tightened his grip on his knife, wearing the resigned expression of a dog who knew a beating was coming but was too tired to try and defend himself.

  Rhian didn’t look up. In the low light cast from the fireplace at the other end of the room the scar on his head looked like a thick, pink rat tail. Sophie had to fight the urge to reach over and brush it off.

  “Rhian—“

  “I’m not going to answer you while you’re emotional like this, Japeth, it’s unbecoming for our family.”

  “Rhian—“

  “Control your emotions, Japeth.” Rhian reprimanded, with the inflection of someone who was saying something so obvious it didn’t merit repeating.

  Like wiping a chalkboard clean, Japeth slowly managed to ‘control his emotions’, as Rhian had said, although not without some effort. Sophie was disappointed, she’d been hoping that they’d kill each other.

  “Better?” Japeth spat through clenched teeth.

  “Extremely.”

[iamverynormalaboutsge]

Imagine an AU where Rafal and Rhian are still immortal sorceresses however now they have to RAISE the children the Storian deems worthy of its story like- imagine them taking care of toddlers

Hester arguing with Sophie

Hester: Can I say a bad word?

Rafal: Uh-

Hester: Can I say a bad word?!

Rafal: Yeah-

Hester: YOU MOTHER F#*&ING B#TCH!

Rhian: That is 2 bad words. Time out for you missy

Rafal: *cracking up*

------

Rhian holding Sophie: she is beauty she is grace she can't punch you in the face because she just got her nails done and her creams are too expensive to risk for her to sweat

Rafal: You spoil that one too much

Rhian: NU-UH

-----

Rafal(Agatha confuses him): This one is so controversial *holding Agatha*

Tedros: *hits his leg repeatedly with a stick*

Rafal: Cease such foolish behaviour or I shall have you doomed

Tedros looking up at him: ... *Swings the stick again*

Rafal: that's it

Agatha and Tedros: *both in time out*

----

Rhian: Did you eat All the chocolate chip cookies?

Dot covered in chocolate: no...

Rhian: You're damn lucky your father gave me that cloak *mumbling*

-----

Rafal: Aaaaah. Augustus! Good to see you old friend-

Rhian: HISSSSSSS

Rafal: Bad Rhian. Bad. The seers are our friends

Rhian: I LIKE THE SADER FAMILY BUT HIM

---------

Rhian with Sophie: Yes yes yes you'll do a lot of murder by being fabulous✨!

Rafal contemplating to raise Sophie's mother from the grave

-------

Rhian: So... Here *throws the second twins and runs*

Rafal: *catches them with magic* . . . I'M AN UNCLE?!?!?!?!?

Evelyn: WHERE IS MY CHILD SUPPORT RAFAL?!

Rafal: what- 💀

-----

Rhian: For the last time Caliss we just follow orders we can't give you your daughter back-

Callis: I just came to give her, her toys.

Rafal: ...Callis that's a bunch of sticks rocks and a hay ragdoll-

Callis: And you hold the wand like this-

Rafal: STOP TRYING TO TEACH HER WITCHERY SHE'S A GOLDEN STAR KID!

Rhian: let her be. We'll need Sophie's prince to burn a witch on the rug later on

Rafal: I can't with you-

-----

[the-royal-rot]

If you think about it, Trial by Tale is kinda like the Hunger games but with magic instead of mutts.