#arcane character analysos

[inluvwcaitvi]

i love the way vi's entire demeanor switches up when she believes caitlyn has left the prison and that the warden is coming, most likely to beat her again, and the way it slightly changes again when she realizes it's not.

after caitlyn walks away after their conversation, she goes from her usually cocky, brash, aggressive, and self-assured self...

... to this.

the manipulative, cocky, and seemingly nonchalant woman who stood there just moments prior is basically gone in that moment. she seems to really be letting her true physical and emotional exhaustion show for a moment, seeming unsteady and dizzy/tired on her feet, like she could pass out or smth.

when she believes the warden is at her cell as it opens, you can see the way she makes herself stand still, no longer standing on unsteady feet and therefore hiding her weakness, also rolling her bad shoulder to prepare herself.

the way she turns when the cell opens is the face of someone cold, guarded, and ready to defend/fight once again.

as she watches/listens to caitlyn walk away, she seems to be truly processing that she's truly finally free, and that she isn't going to be beat again. her face, just slightly, begins to soften (you can see it in her eyes/eyebrows) and there’s a shift in her jaw.

her subtle character acting is literally just so so so good and so so so fascinating. i love this woman.