#aaron stowe

[helloitsdusk]

it's just not my year

(american teenager - ethel cain)

[danaris112]

What is the best trope in fiction and why is it tragic siblings

[4pplec0re]

lotsa colors make my brain go wrrr

back on my unwanteds bullshit again sry

[wiretism]

@4pplec0re's aaron design hiiii i love her btw

[theoakleafpancake]

“Fifer is like Alex because she’s also the leader of Artimé” I raise you to “Fifer wants to be like Alex but she’s actually more like Aaron”

[anxiousasalex]

Alex, Samheed, and Aaron??? Is that you???

[m4ya55]

this fandom is actually so dead and starved for content

we need more fan art and fan fiction in the fandom please guys i'm begging

[dandelionsaremyfriends]

Little shitty sketch of sillies. I hope I can fix it online cuz there’s no way im doin anymore erasing and re-drawing on this paper or I’ll go insane. Also why did I spend an hour on this when I literally have an art project due tomorrow that I don’t even have halfway done? I don’t know. I don’t really care either because now I have my silly sillies in my book and now I can keep drawing silly sillies from dr.stone for my art project and stay up allllll night but hey hahah what does that matter if im staying up all night drawing sillies hahahahahhahshshshfhdhhshahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahah ah hah hahah. Ha. Sighs. Also this is inspired by this fanfic by helloitsdusk :3 because they’re awesome and it’s awesome and I am forever happy because of it.

[artimeanatheart]

Aaron Character Analysis- Book Three Part One

Aaron's not actually in this book very much. I think this is mostly because: a) he's not doing a lot, b) the readers are supposed to be really mad at him and don't want to read about him, and c) Alex needs to be the focus of this book so that he can develop as a leader.

But that doesn't mean I don't have anything to say about him!

Descent into Paranoia

"It was something Aaron would have laughed off in the past. But now there was more than just a niggling of fear in his heart. Maybe he was paranoid, maybe not."

The main thing that happens with Aaron in this book is that he gets paranoid.  We didn't really see him being paranoid in book two.  He was collected and on top of things and calm, at least externally.  In this book he's an anxious mess.  He's indecisive, mistrusting of everyone, and holing himself up in his palace.  Why?  What changed?

"The new high priest was fond of making his things sound important, especially when they weren't."

Well, in book two Aaron had nothing to lose.  Now, he has everything to lose.  This is what he wanted.  This is what he spent the last two years of his life trying to achieve.  But good things have a bad habit of not lasting for him.  To him, if something's going well today that means it will probably go wrong tomorrow.  It's a pattern that he's lived out, and he sees no reason for it to change.

"Aaron turned slightly toward her, acknowledging her presence but not taking his eyes off the sea. 'Who are my enemies?' he asked. Eva's eyes widened. She hesitated, not sure of what Aaron wanted to hear. 'Artime, of course,' she said. Aaron scowled. 'Here in Quill, I mean.' 'You have none that I know of,' Eva said smoothly. 'Of course I do. Every leader has enemies.'"

This is something that's really shown when he asks Eva who his enemies are within Quill. Eva seems confused by this question, but it makes perfect sense to Aaron. Of course he has enemies within Quill.  It's just a fact of his life that no one likes him.  Everyone is out to get him, from Quillens to Artimeans to the outside enemies Justine was afraid of.  He can't trust anyone.  In fact, the one person he even somewhat trusts (Eva) is actually working for Artime, not him.

"The man nodded solidly, but his voice quavered. 'All right. I haven't slowed by pace, Son, and you know it. I've always worked my hardest and taught my children to do that too.' He hesitated, then blindly barreled onward, his voice cracking. 'I don't care who you are now. You'll show your father some respect.'"

Another thing I want to talk about is that scene where he sends his father to the ancients sector.  This is pretty much the only time we get any characterization at all of Mr. Stowe. He doesn't even have a first name! But here, see him 'disrespecting' his son.  We see him claiming Alex as his son as well, telling Aaron that he raised his children (plural) to work hard. It's later confirmed that Fifer and Thisbe haven't been born yet, so he must be referring to Alex there. Throughout this scene, he's actually subtly disappointed in Aaron.  Now, Aaron, throughout this whole book, is pretty much as terrible as he ever is.  He's arrogant and cruel and doesn't care about anyone but himself.  He thinks about his future sisters in terms of how 'useful' to him they will be.  Sending his own father, or anyone at all, to a literal gas chamber, is horrible.  So this next part is not to excuse that action, or any of his actions, but to look at it from his perspective. Like I've been doing this whole time.

Aaron flinched and heat rose from his collar. His mind whirled. He couldn't allow a Necessary to speak to him like that-not even his father. Not in front of other Necessaries. If he didn't do something, word would spread that he was weak. If he didn't do something immediately. . . 'Guards!' Aaron shouted. Two of them came running to Aaron's side. 'Take this man to the Ancients Sector,' he said, his voice wavering the slightest bit. 'His time of service in Quill is done.'"

Aaron cannot handle his father's disappointment.  This is the person he thought would be in his corner, his dad, telling him that he is not worthy of his respect or love.  He is being abandoned by the person he thought valued him.  It makes him feel unwanted (hah-see what I did there).  So he sends his father to his death, much like his father did to Alex. 

"Mr. Stowe stared at Aaron. Aaron stared back, a feeling of horror growing inside his chest when he realized what he'd just done. But he didn't take it back. The guards grabbed Mr. Stowe by the arms and shoved him toward a Quillitary vehicle. the man's lips parted and a shocked look came over his face, then one of pain. 'Aaron, no,' he said. 'Your mother. . .' Aaron's face was stone. His mother-she was pregnant, he remembered from when he'd seen them in the crowd at his speech several weeks prior. Would she care that her husband was dead? She hadn't seemed to care about Alex when she thought he was dead. Mr. Stowe's shoes slipped in the gravel as he struggled to look back at Aaron, his eyes pleading. Aaron's gaze narrowed, and as the guards pushed his father into the vehicle, Aaron turned to the other workers. 'You may want to work harder,' he said in a sinister voice."

Of course, he then realizes that he went a step too far and tells Eva to free his dad.  With the condition of his family's complete loyalty to him. He knows almost immediately that what he did was wrong, but he can't admit it publicly without looking weak. And if he looks weak then he could lose everything he's worked so hard for. He also, interestingly, thinks of Alex after he does this. Could this be a way of him getting some sort of retribution for his parents sending Alex to his death? It would make sense, considering that Aaron was the only person in their family to actually grieve Alex when they thought that he was dead. We also know that Aaron still cares about Alex, considering he thinks about Alex quite a bit in this book (more often than Alex thinks of him, that's for sure). Just something interesting to think about.

"'Honestly, Alex, don't you think we should figure out this explosion thing? If the island is being attacked, maybe we ought to, you know. . .consider. . .' His mouth went dry, hardly believing that he'd almost proposed working together. But right now Aaron wasn't sure what kind of support he had, and he'd do anything to keep his place in the palace. Absolutely anything. Still. . .He jiggled his arms impatiently. 'Take these things off my wrists.' It was annoying."

Another thing I want to talk about with Aaron specifically in this book before getting into stuff more related to who he will be in the future is him deciding to go to Alex, and by extension Artime, for help.  Why did he do that?  Well, he was terrified, desperate, and willing to use any means necessary to keep his position, even if it meant going to his sworn enemies for help.  He still wants the Unwanteds dead.  In that moment, though, making sure that he's not going to be dead is more important.  He can always deal with them later.  As a side note, it's kind of funny to me that his first reaction upon encountering one of the people he wants to help him is to punch him (Alex to Aaron punch tally: 1 to 2).  He's such an idiot. 

"Aaron narrowed his eyes and shifted uncomfortably. 'Well, then. Now that the intruders are dead and everything is fine and I find no reason to, ah, attack you, I'll just be going now,' he said. 'Can someone uncuff my wrists? I'll show myself out.' He flashed a patronizing smile as if he expected the Unwanteds to do what he asked. Everyone ignored him."

And honestly a bit gross and pathetic throughout this whole section.  Again, it really highlights the differences in maturity level and leadership style between Alex and Aaron.  Alex is able to calmly deal with not only the high priest of Quill in his office, but an interrupted celebration, a mysterious crashed vessel, and an impending invasion.  All without being offensive or demanding.  And then there's Aaron.  Who drives himself into a panic over the sight of a single ship, drives off all of his supporters, and arrogantly demands the respect of everyone he sees.  We also learn that Aaron can see the mostly secret hallway.  Which, especially for a first time reader, is a terrifying realization that he, straight out of Quill, is more magically powerful than Alex was at the same point. 

"'Who is rrresponsible forr this?' Alex's face paled. He gazed in the direction of the gate. 'The new high priest of Quill. Aaron Stowe.'"

Oh, and one more thing.  This is pretty much the only book in the series that can still make me angry at Aaron.  I used to hate the guy.  But now, the most I feel is a bit of mildly sad anger.  And the scene that gets me is the transition from Alex telling the rescued Lani and Samheed all that has happened to Aaron being terrified of their pirate ship as it goes by.  Alex was likely puking over the side of the boat while Aaron was watching him.  We see just how much pain Aaron caused, we see how devastated and traumatized the characters we love are because of what Aaron did.  And then we cut to a pathetic paranoid Aaron.  And there's just this feeling of disgust at him.  Fantastic writing.

[xxbrightshadowxx]

Say what you want about Aaron Stowe but compared to everyone else, Aaron is the best at magic.

*Obvious spoilers*

Aaron Stowe, who had no previous magically experience before that moment, was able to turn a vine into a tail for Panther in the jungle.

And while you could argue that, that spell was simple and anyone could do it. Not to mention Mr. Today left it in the book he intended to give Alex. What do you have to say about when he brought Simber back from the fricking dead?

While Alex has also made a statue, Spike Furious, he had to go through several steps with the guidance of the book Mr. Today left him. He also had to sculpt and create what Spike was supposed to look like. And while that is impressive,

Aaron did the exact same thing but with no instructions nor guidance.

Not to mention he was bringing back someone who had already died. Silver was dead, gone and while you could also argue that even if the statues could be return to their original form, they could be remade with objects that made them; Aaron knew none of this.

He saw the picture in his head of what he wants and let the magic do the rest. Thats what makes him and Mr. Today so alike. They aren’t artist, nor musicians, or writers, they are creators. Mr. Today and Aaron see the vision and go through with it with it, just by something only they see.

It almost makes me wonder what would happen if Aaron was an unwanted before the series begin. What type of magic would he learn? Would he prevail or would he go back to the dark place that stared all of this?

Mayormaynotwriteaficwiththatprompt?

[helloitsdusk]

i keep forgetting to post this but i spent 7 hours on it so...the evil awful family tree that consumes my every waking thought!

*note: marcus being nadia's father is only a theory, not explicitly canon; "owen" is the name i give to mr. stowe, also not canon; marcus, claire, and emma's eye colors are not canon; the white hair streaks and pure white hair are similarly headcanons

not entirely happy with how the stowe siblings came out but i draw them so often that it doesnt really matter. i was more focused on getting down the faces of the other family members to track similar facial features!

[danaris112]

If your babygirl doesn't commit felonies, are they truly your babygirl?

[4pplec0re]

aaron doodles featuring me

[wiretism]

aroace/trans/nonbinary awakening

[xbuggyxboyx]

That feeling when you discover that not one but TWO separate people know and enjoy a super niche book series that you love >>>

[couldtheycatchkira]