#elias ainswoth

[kopykunoichi]

This whole chapter, man...

Oberon is shipping these two so hard, the randy deviant. Elias and Chise's mutual shock is telling. Elias had clearly not considered this yet. Obviously, we now know from later chapters that his idea of marriage was vastly different than a human's; or rather, it was lacking in some key details. Sexual intimacy and procreation were not even factors for him.

But, at this point in the story, Chise is still uncertain about Elias' intentions. He has proven he's not an actual pervert, but now she realizes that the fae are expecting them to have a marriage in full. Does that mean that he really does intend to marry her and make children with her?

She had been clinging to him this whole time, and then when she thought about him in *that* way, she lets go, embarrassed. This is definitely the first time she's imagined being with him intimately, even with all his talk about "honeymooning".

His reaction to seeing her looking at him like that and blushing, is his non-existent heart thudding against his chest. He's not fully aware of everything that's happening in Chise's head, but he's having a reaction to seeing her thinking about him like that. Then Titania acknowledges that Oberon could be useful. He got them both thinking about kids, or rather the getting of them. Even if Elias still seems clueless about it, Chise is not.

It seems Oberon even got Titania herself shipping them. To her, a wager on whether or not Elias and Chise will eventually be married in full is silly, it's a given. It's wiser to bet on how prolific they'll end up being once they get to that point.

This chapter deals with the topic of sexual intimacy more so than any others, albeit in a way that is safe for teenage viewers to watch. As we see later, the story goes on to focus much more on their emotional bonds rather than their physical relationship, which is both necessary and wise. Neither one are ready for sex, they're still too immature and broken for that. But I don't think that this chapter was the result of a publisher forcing the author's hand, either. I think the idea of this being eventual endgame was presented early in the story for foreshadowing.

Interestingly enough, this is also a chapter that gives a lot of hints as to what Elias actually *is*. Titania refers to him as her own child, but Spriggan calls him a Liath anam - "grey soul".

He is a half-baked thing. Spriggan seems to be implying that many fae souls were lost to make him, giving credence to the idea that he's a chimera. Oberon says that was the result of human sin. This makes me think he may have been created as one of Cartaphilus/Joseph's experiments. Perhaps Titania gave him life.

In any case, I think that these two topics are inextricably linked in the story. Chise and Elias are already married. There are parent/child (or master/apprentice) aspects of their relationship that apply to both of them. At different times, they parent and teach one other. But their bond has grown beyond just those roles. There relationship has become romantic, but not yet sexual. They love each other as husband and wife, and Chise will develop a stronger sex drive as she matures.

I'm not sure if Elias will, but he definitely seeks out physical intimacy with her. I think once he's aware of the possibilities, he'll crave it. He's not totally uneducated on the topic. He knew what Chise meant when she asked if he and Angie were lovers, and he also thought that Renfred might want Alice to further his lineage. He's got at least some rudimentary knowledge, but he doesn't see to want it for himself.

Of course, all that depends on *what* he is. He has no organs, but he has physiological reactions as if he does. His non-existent stomach is in knots when he's worried for safety. His non-existent solar plexus is pained when Angie punches him there. His non-existent heart thuds against his chest when Chise blushes at the thought of making love to him. His non-existant blood runs cold when he's lonely. Might his non-existent...er...man parts experience sensations as he unlocks "new" feelings associated with her?

Could unlocking those feelings be the key to him discovering his true form?

The primary point of Elias finding Chise was a journey of self-discovery. Oberon refers to his flesh as something he wears for her sake and wonders how long it will hold. Perhaps he was simply referring to Elias hiding his more inhuman looking form from her. But I don't think we've ever seen Elias' true self. He shifts forms based on mood and convenience. I think that when he discovers who and what he really is, he'll be able to settle on that form, and that it will be compatible with Chise in all sense of the word "husband". Chise will be able to be completely vulnerable and fulfilled with him, and he will delight in the fact that there are looks she has for him that she gives to no other person.

In the meantime, it is a pure delight to watch them grow as individuals and as a couple. There relationship is so pure and so sweet exactly as is. I do think there will be more for them one day, but they are also content with the way things are now, and that's beautiful to me.

[totallycorrect-mahoutsukai]

Chise: elias i just tried to take the cap off my water bottle. its already off.

Elias: ...

Elias: do you need help

Elias: mental, emotional, anything

Chise: n-no i think im okay