#faroff monday

[codthefishgod]

Read the new episode. The rage inside me is rising. THE BOX THEORY DID NOT HAPPEN. BUT I... I say the paper will fall out of his pocket. We have to have hope, Faroff Nation. WE HAVE TO HAVE HOPE!

(In the meantime... Huzzah, NEW RADIO)

[sunlikesdrawing]

I've been doubting whether I should do some sort of introduction for myself or just start posting, but tbh if I keep overthinking it I'll never do shit, so here's Faroff art cause new ep dropped last monday and I'm not normal about it

Tbh drawing Fenn is always so fun cause his expressions are priceless. Unfortunately I'm so used to drawing twinks all the time that drawing buff men is kinda out of my league lmao

This next one I drew using inspiration from the fashion of the 1920s.

Since Faroff is set in a fictional world based around WW1 and a bit on WW2 I decided to go for something in between, closer to the WW1 era. Thank pinterest for providing me with the references for the clothes lmao

[webtoonenjoyer]

I don’t shout out canvas comics nearly as much as I should but y’all should check out Faroff by @lennonrook , it’s so darn cute 😳😳

[travelinlibrarian]

Mashup Monday: MC Hammer vs Eurythmics vs New Order vs Talking Heads vs Donna Summer - Mashup by FAROFF

[leowyattv]

Steep Grade Fadeaway

Day is a Monday, lease On life’s right side of the low- Lying greens, order’d by law, Creases, offering a hand to hench- Men handy for odd-jobs re- Pression & phobia with wolf spider Ire stocking its stuffing, venom Plenum spokes from eight- legged gait, unipolar police Police who didst to citizen do South bayway sword maneuver —dune ballooning din—kill them :: moths from mothta spread— I’m a member of.— online soap seas cap’n gown loan shark says-he’s—sore lark admin the sole soul food restaurant— vessels contain company that’s it—company THE THING IS IS VANDAL SURE-FOOT’D SHOE YOU’LL DISAPPOINT ME —Dianne of diagnostics Prism blend’d light, you mean honestly ~ i ~, ere Administration's penchant for pens & Cagey humors, pent up & alloted limited stock On pinterest’s pinner plot Would extraction begin, even Helices interr, interject Baby Christ’s liverwurst extrusion, Redux of suede luxe ever does thine slow- f[x] fool on a lark's wing in folly err; But general, the nut sacks, please, topp'd Sweetener glaze (never for gays) Sweat frosting from ecclesiast's evac- Uation jizzum, eat- ery just a- Round the bend over good That IndyCar 500 cock. So: so-so soho block where— Erstwhile free- thinking myth- ology passes heavy limbs Creaking in wind [was thinking we’d] Flower fourteen curls Back & forth, Codify desert sublation, Cue gay porn infinity loop on eternity's Cloud backup-drop forever projected, For your children, Mike, your kids. & this — this (my) ((his)) cursive slick mercurium thick, pen flood in- flux counter-sunk & dumb- Bows, ties, sells quill at marketplace With expertise’s durable advisory, reed Screeching in its rubber friction drift, which quells not squad disruption, squall, Abuts up with a spade to fabled proprietary lines; Umpire enraptured, raptor Pack kinetics study anonymous groups, For scrimmage near miss Miss, the MRSA Merck's Near-fatal tithe. < h o w t i g h t b i r c h b a r k f l a k e s o f f t o g e t h e r ash :: coils :: winch :: draw- in-the-dark rhythms inn-like, quiet, keeping with Queen Mariah Carey's Kierkegaardian wish :: Of lactic acid & Jehoshaphat Edicts, alliances spat at by Jehu So cordage tension its elastics tests :: Hell moans red Waves a porcupine pelt let through Spires sharp with bone, in- Scriptions of pass’d down teaching King-toppling :: hull groan gore, little system submarine ultrasonics, Realty a reality drive, divisions Splints tack’d on ulterior Versions, separation goods Another marketplace subsumption, a- Ah ah, Monarch’s ampersand Armory & orphanage growth paradigm. Mama, in the maw Of a monster it appears When spat to mangrove’s entanglements In whose rootless cloak Womb-like repair’d did I float On Tidal pressure’s pat turns Of wave phrase & coastal sound. Grammy’s telegram Faroff drawing graph’d out In double bass clef, whitebread from the top of Wonderbread ridge, Omi? [[[ hives, hexagon life-rafts Ashkanazi Jews descendents in whose Nameless lineage bow’d heads lean past stalk & branch ]]] Holocaust a hologram to fool’s corner; Survived, devised lives, could I Then, they this disbelief hold After the fact hush, scattering creed, Belief like layers of sound same Overlaid, distortion via copying; this Terrain vague makes us Hungry for disbelief & away,— Shame at sensation’s predicate, we’re not we’re not were not them—then. Characters glynne & surrowe, iyse foes may say will not into world will For will’s sake. Gardner rescinds Offer for cylinder Heads, standing wave pressurized In tubular body, met with lip Aperture shifts & valve Select valve depressions trumpet Walls down, & Solomon’s temple’s walls Shake each brick laid If coded into video- game; mechanics of Megafauna’s jaws dent don’t puncture, dental spread of broom’s Bristles or concrete finishing screed. The lady grabs the keys & allows generations a soul’s Movement to buoy faith :: Clay takes on new shapes for Good, naked bracing Against surface, thrust short Rink’s fire firefly-stud’d, freight’d glows The fright force against density Darkness offers, suspension Cradle, safe durational rock shock’d By freight trains penetrative Expansion, gaseous fits in confines small; Cobbler’s shop a shack, canister Tremolo goes to tumble-wash, Eviction of nuns at Juniper Monastery, things object through Inaction, plants guard fruit from gulls’ gullets, Gourd raft or instrument & species disembark :: Parnassus lamb on spits, spurn Wager’d against poignant Stellation of spur’s star’d points, stud’d. It is rather lonely. Welter Weights waste excess swells In waist’s weight-gain, Spotted once then trimmed, deemed High hinderance if loot’s to be tuned up, then taken; Blood from thin laceration Above the right eye releases threads Of blood; hand held, yes Triads, amps per kilojoule of One grain of sand, which Between toes react, duststorm Shakes clapboards & window-garments, The fornification of conceivable indivisible parts :: Things poole gryn, Graham to you This, saturate, this saturnalia. Wherever sea rummages earth’s crust Sage’s city wisdom, said to overturn off- Compass underpass or Souls inhabitance Herenow splatoon ever in unum Pluribus, A well. If it gets to, it’s off in bramble patch again; Cavernous sediment down- Loads by way of remaining in stasis, Adaptation & change proceed With gradients of such nuance one is Sure as one can be Organisms are a constancy unmoved. English ivy, spry & welcoming Enough to juncos & finch-song, Strangles any individual offering A vertical support, a tall host, From whose apex, were One to climb douglas fir In that Spanaway house’s lot, one would note Yellow blazes from Scotch broom, an infantry Under which camas flower & prairie grass Die off; ecologists hear & provisions provide public. Nova scorch Canopy, What’s happened to it all Primates of later eon ask? Sand shook; mud slid, loosed from Roots once anchoring mass, Hook enters the base Of the bait, loop line Doubles & knots, casting out guesswork When fisheries bring ghostnets to Foreground & shore. Rasas. & family still Standing :: Burgess brothers Twin lute & nylon-string, Summerfield Tectosilicate feldspar recovers & with Katy & makes musical games to train good weapons, voice leading & harmony Accompaniment, just.— It promised. no ~ i ~, quotient, quarrel Quest-kill objective, quarantine, Can inquiry proceed experimental Without explorational? INgenuine (this venue, come now) To even ask, but to Figure this out buy redrawing What was that, Those shapes making layers first, Maybe dimensions, second? Sinkholes clog eventually. Can yonder’s crayon-wax Out rear windshield Make out landscape’s Attendees & absentees alike? The tipoff bid for children’s hospital Sutures lawmaker to industry Profit-centers, pediatric morbidity rallies, Shipping vessels on glass beds spit Beads of bleach, sleet freeze Hardening to barnacles, sharkfin decor, Trim efficiencies, sin, sign, nature, what Remains in speech decoder’s translation? Mama’s got through villanelle Format, perforated loss, refrains Rebounding sound given shape By lack surrounding it, cradling it, even. Shedding it, scalar skin or bark; Magnitude without direction; A temper vestibule in- Vests, jackets a body in Truncated coat, technics fold, inter- Ruptions :: hundreds die as baseline Nuclear arsenal refill Fun, a planting pot fresh with Manure, fertilizer funds, & dirt With paradox, halving lives A speculative endurance, Populating a futurity with Untraceable elegance, Like mycological spore, or mycelial Masses; like cryptocurrency Exchanges in blockchain Relationship & exchange verifiable With uncompromising math With extraneous dialogue In the wind; like let them be naked Physicists sporting labcoats Only, as a group Sure of dark matter’s Not being there, its criminality A subversion, defying Paradigm parameters, & the glottal Stop at this epistemological Dissolution, erotic even, A flush heating bodies up At the limits, the proximity Of other bodies, the desire For physical embrace & exchange enough, nearly, To assume such kingmaker species a half-life well off Into future, plutonium megawatt power-station Giving life to groups finding Each other, once again, beneath Night’s luminous bodies, Beneath moon’s thievery, Held by shadows, deep black density In whose unmappable infinitude a species Approaches a release from print, rose Compass, gold arrow, landscape & waterway Florescent with spectra of blue & volcanic reds, shorn from it, then, Held in what is after all, unnamable, Of near-absolute incompatibility With kingmaker species & yet, That which gave any of it The possibility of accidental beginning.

[codthefishgod]

Analysis post for episode 79 of Faroff, AKA Secrets: Part 1

Split below for spoilers!

Sorry for the late post guys! Hope y'all enjoyed the photobooth drawings, I made sure they were done in time so you guys could have something to look at in the meantime 👀

Anyway.... HOLY SHIT THIS EPISODE WAS GREAT. Let's start with the elephant in the room, which is, quite obviously, the radio announcement. There is, of course, the question of why the Supreme Lord is stepping back, but there's not too much to go off of at this point, and currently we have no reason to think it isn't health issues, like the radio says. Time will tell.

We also finally have all the pillar family names! Olvindar, Denworth, Volden, and Hawkfordt.

What's more important though is, as we all know, Edward fucking Hawkfordt being elected as a candidate. With how the radio announcer went on about him specifically and not the other candidates mentioned, it seems he's very popular in Vaylin, and most likely has a higher probability of being elected.

I have my own theories on Edward's motivations, and part of me still thinks he may turn out to be a better person than has been shown so far, but this is still quite horrific on Tobias' part. Hearing that one of your abusers is being put up to lead the entire goddamned country has got to be up there with the worst things someone can be told. Tobias is already in a situation where he's pretty much trapped with no way out, and his brother becoming the Supreme Lord and having the entire country at his beck and call would certainly make that worse. I mean, considering the punishment for FAILING A TEST was shown to be being handcuffed to a radiator, I can't imagine how bad the punishment for running away might be. (I actually have a bit of a theory that Tobias has tried to run away before, but it's based on information that Lennon released outside of the comic, so I won't be going over it here.)

I think Tobias has more or less tried to convince himself that if he does what they want and fulfills his service at the wall, they might let him finally have some say in his own future. I think somewhere in his mind he probably knows that isn't true, but considering it's been implied that he's been trying to get out of a military future for most of his life, this is pretty much the last bit of hope he has left. Hearing about Edward being a candidate for the Supreme Lord's position maybe shook that. He's already held to strict expectations, and when his family is given even more power and status, that will get worse. Whatever slight possibility there maybe was will be gone, because they can't take the risk of Tobias possibly "tarnishing" their reputation.

Anyhow, onto the next Highly Concerning Thing™ of this episode... Which is how very quickly Tobias covered how much the announcement scared him. It actually surprised me a little bit when he just turned around and his expression had just completely switched, as if nothing was wrong. I imagine he probably picked this up from his years living with his family, considering that I very sincerely doubt crying or being afraid were met kindly back in Vaylin. Aside from maybe Alice, I doubt Tobias has ever met anyone ever who wouldn't put him down for feeling that way. Which is why I am DESPERATELY hoping Fenn will pull through.

Speaking of Fenn, well... I have hope. I have been a longtime believer that Tobias' character development couldn't happen until Fenn's did, and I think I'm being proven right here. Obviously he still has a ways to go, but Fenn is in a much better place to be someone of support to Tobias. He takes what Tobias says and thinks at face value now, instead of trying to find some "evil meaning" behind it. He's become more comfortable with him and feels safe sharing his own personal experiences. He no longer tries to push Tobias away when he touches him, and he DEFINITELY seems to be coming into the idea of being closer with him. Not to mention how worried he was for Tobias' wellbeing in this episode.

Why am I bringing this up again? What do I have hope for? Well, it's because Fenn will almost definitely be finding out that Tobias is from a pillar family soon. Because Tobias DROPPED THE SLIP OF PAPER‼️🎉🎉

I waited for forever hoping the box theory would come true, and when it didn't I was CLINGING to the paper theory with every atom of strength in my body, and I am absolutely ECSTATIC that it actually happened! The mini arc being named "Secrets" was a huge red herring as well, I was already starting to catch on even before I actually saw him drop it...

Anywho, back to Fenn. What I "have hope for" is his reaction to this discovery. For most of the time I've held the Box & Paper theories, my stance has been that Fenn would take it harshly. That he would take it as proof that Tobias has been "lying" to him the entire time, and everything he's done has been an attempt to trick him. In a nutshell, an affirmation of everything he's been taught to believe his entire life.

However, with this recent character development, I think he might take it better. I'm not saying it FOR SURE, one of the things I love about this comic is that character development isn't linear, so it is possible this discovery could cause a regression, but MAYBE. Especially since he just saw how torn up Tobias was hearing that his brother was to be elected candidate, he might peg on that he doesn't have the friendliest relationship with his family. Or, in the very least, he'll give Tobias a chance to explain why he kept it from him, instead of jumping to the worst conclusions. The last thing Tobias needs right now is for Fenn to interrogate him or accuse him of shit. He needs emotional support, and I hope that Fenn can be that for him.

Thanks for reading!

[codthefishgod]

I'm trying to imagine what Fenn sounds like trying to imitate Tobias- keeping in mind Fenn has a thick British accent and Tobias has an Irish one- I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE I FEEL LIKE IT'S COMEDY GOLD

[codthefishgod]

Haven't thrown an essay to the other Faroff fanatics recently and the new episode had a LOT of writing material SO I'M BACK TO BE THE FANDOM RANTER ✊

I apologise for my recent absence, I'll try to get back to doing my long ass Faroff posts more frequently again LMAO

(Split below for spoilers on episode 75 of Faroff)

I see you have opted in.

AHEM.

First off, MORE SONAN GOVERNMENT LORE!? Apparently things haven't always been this way... I sort of got that implication already from how Tobias talked about the Supreme Lord, particularly the way he said that he'd been making stupid rules "since he got chosen", but this confirms that the same thing applies to Sona as well. It was recent enough that Oskar remembers it, but still long enough ago that Fenn doesn't... Which is especially not good considering that many of the soldiers are likely around Fenn's age, so most of them also probably grew up in this time of being brainwashed to the absolute max, not knowing there was any other option. Awfully convenient for the king to have all those brainwashed soldiers though-

The fact that there used to be better, more just leaders on both sides also leads me to believe that maybe this war started after the current Sonan king and current Supreme Lord took power. They're both pieces of shit, must be made for each other, yes?

Anywho, touching on another detail during this flashback... THE PASSPORTS. THE MILLIONS OF PASSPORTS BEHIND OSKAR... I believe I smell rebel action, don't you? Not that surprising for Oskar, honestly. My friend ( @sunlikesdrawing ) suggested to me this theory, and I back it up in its entirety: Oskar may be using those passports to help people escape from Sona. Frankly, if I lived in Sona, I'd want the hell out of there too.

But this leads into another theory (again, credits to @sunlikesdrawing , I would not of thought of this on my own-), what if this is somehow connected to Fenn's eventual falling out with Oskar? What if, maybe, Oskar got caught? What if he's in prison right now? Of course Fenn would think him a traitor for defying the king...I also wonder if this happening made him even more extreme in his beliefs than he was. Time will tell, I suppose.

Alright, I believe that is all I have to point out about the flashback! Moving on to the rest of the episode.

There is one thing in particular that stood out to me. If you've been following my blog awhile and possess a strong memory, you might remember that I've done the math with all the dates + visual clues we've been provided thus far and came to the conclusion that it must be currently March of 1914. However, when the song ends, the radio states, "...their music first rising to fame after performing at a ball hosted by the Olvindar pillar family in 1914." Typically, when saying something like this, if it was still the same year, you'd say "earlier this year" or something else to that effect. Saying it happened "in 1914" implies that the year 1914 has already passed. Perhaps I need to recheck my math.

Alright, done with the serious stuff now. I love that Oskar is a constant reminder to Fenn that what he's doing with/for Tobias IS the right thing to do, no matter what the king says. It's very lovely. And the fact that Fenn remembered him saying "sometimes you need to do things that are good for your happiness" and immediately thought of Tobias... I wonder if this sentiment will at all help sway Fenn in pursuing Tobias in.... Forbidden relationships... He is good for Fenn's happiness, after all. We'll see. 👀

P.S. Fenn has the most appalling dance moves, I had to turn my phone off for a moment to process my second hand embarrassment when he started trying to dance- Tobias being super hyped to keep dancing with Fenn was ADORABLE, these fuckers are literally holding hands and dancing and it's WONDERFUL- also the sneak peeks for the next episodes!?!? I'M SO EXCITED FOR NEXT FAROFF MONDAY HOLY SHIT

[codthefishgod]

Analysis post for episode 78 of Faroff, AKA Stars: Part 3

Split below for spoilers!

Oh my god oh my god oh my god GUYS. THIS EPISODE WAS EVERYTHING.

Let's start from the beginning. First off, the way Fenn reacted to Tobias--to what Tobias said, and him placing his hand over his--is already huge for him. This is the first time he hasn't freaked out and gotten angry, or tried to run away. This is the first time that he's allowed himself to just...Enjoy Tobias being affectionate towards him.

Not only that, 𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦. He didn't pull his hand away from Tobias', and he agreed to another dance. So not only did he allow himself to accept the affection, he's also allowing himself to reciprocate it, to a degree. It's incredible for him.

Of course, he could retreat back into his shell at any time, so I won't say this is definitely here to stay, but either way it's certainly promising. It shows that they're both truly becoming comfortable with one another. Fenn seems to be getting to that point where "he's the enemy" isn't the first thing he thinks of whenever Tobias tries to initiate something. It's insane how far he's come, when you look back.

Next up, I absolutely adore that Tobias immediately offered Fenn a way out the second he saw Fenn might be uncomfortable. Obviously that's the bare minimum, but unfortunately we live in a world where even the bare minimum is rare, so I feel the need to compliment it.

Tobias knows that Fenn is brainwashed. He knows he might think he doesn't want something that he does actually want. Tobias himself is lonely and pretty badly love starved. But still, even if Fenn only THINKS he doesn't want to dance with him, that's enough of a reason to stop. He wouldn't push it any further. He's flirty and always trying to make moves, but he never crosses boundaries. Again, bare minimum, but I just adore healthy communication.

In any case, it makes the fact that Fenn said 𝘯𝘰, it's okay, go on... All the better. He knows he doesn't have to. No one's making him. It's 100% voluntary. He WANTS to dance with Tobi. Again, it shows Fenn's character development, the fact that he's willing to make that active decision to let it continue, to keep being close with Tobias. He's only teaching you after all... Right? 👀

Following that... Ah, well back to the unserious stuff. The way Fenn stepped back at first is hilarious to me, he looks like a crab--still getting the hang of not losing his shit every time Tobias touches him, I suppose. And Miss Sofia Mittens is watching from afar... Probably thinking about how her mission is completed, yes?

Okay, if I can take this in a more genuine manner though, Tobias understood why Fenn was having trouble relaxing. Of course he did, that's why he told him to pretend as if they weren't from their respective countries, like they weren't on opposite sides. What I find interesting is Fenn's reaction. How willing he was to accept it, no rejections. Back in the day, Fenn would have NEVER entertained the idea of "forgetting" that Tobias is a Vaylinian, even less so the idea of "forgetting" that he himself is a Sonan. This is one of a handful of times where Fenn put Tobias above his duties, his patriotism. Where he decided he was more important. Which, considering Fenn's duties have been his main purpose in life for years, is huge.

Yet another Never Before Seen Thing™ from Fenn this episode was how close he was willing to go to Tobias' face to see the birthmarks under his eye. I don't have much to say about it, no special insights or anything, but it's still notable progress. I don't think Fenn has ever leaned up all close to Tobias like that before.

Tobias' attitude towards the birthmarks though... I'm not saying this particular brand of self loathing can't be natural, it absolutely can, but... I'm willing to bet some pretty hard cash that Tobias wasn't the one who hated them originally, it was his mom. Maybe I'm wrong, who knows, I AM rather biased, considering I hate Vivienne with every flaming bone in my body, but I'll have my suspicions.

Next up, is, of course...

Possibly my favourite line ever uttered in the history of Faroff...

NOTHING. ABOUT. YOU. IS. UGLY.

I should probably say something smart about how this shows Fenn being more open about his feelings with Tobias and all, but to be honest, this panel scrambles my brain in the best way possible. IT'S JUST SO GOOD.

Tobias looking so astounded at this could be, of course, just be him being surprised by Fenn complimenting him in such a way. I'm not going to say it's anything more than that for sure. However, I think it could also partially be the fact that I don't think he's ever heard anything like that from 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦, full stop. Something that said 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. I don't think he's ever known anyone who was willing to accept him in his entirety like that, besides maybe Alice...

Another thing about this scene is Fenn initiating contact by touching Tobias' face. Fenn very rarely ever initiates contact, even more rarely than he accepts it, I'd say. Just. I know I keep saying this but CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT‼️

Of course, it didn't last long, it must've been approximately five seconds before he lost his nerve... Which brings me to my next point. The way Fenn said "for a MAN" reminds me of how he said "for a VAYLINIAN" back in episode 44. In general, the way he said it reminds me of his usage of Vaylinian. It makes me wonder that if now that he's starting to see Tobias as his own person and not an enemy, his main obstacle will shift from their status as enemies to the fact that Tobias is another man. I think that them being from opposite sides will stay a major problem, don't get me wrong, I only wonder if this might become the more pressing problem for him when it comes to actually pursuing a relationship with Tobias. We'll have to wait and see.

GOD I want to gush about Tobias putting Fenn's hand back on his face too sjwjwjwkekek IT SHOULD BE BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS TO THEM THAT THEY LIKE EACH OTHER NOW, RIGHT? A pretty good part of me still thinks it's too early for them to be together, it's only been a month after all, but the other part of me wonders what type of mental gymnastics they'd have to do to ignore this night. Again, just wait and see...

FINALLY, THAT GOD DAMNED RADIO INTERRUPTING THEM. Before we take it out back and blow it up for crimes against the fandom, let's talk. I think this news could be very important. I don't know if it'll be "removed from the wall" important, considering I still think we have some unfinished business at the wall that should be closed up before beginning the next arc, but important. It's very possible that it'll bring Fenn back to his Sonan™ mindset... I wonder if typical battles are enough to make "Breaking News" on the radio anymore. It has been several decades, after all... Ah, well. I don't know. I'd tell you my theories for what the news might be, but I really don't have any. Or, I do, but all of them sound either too extreme or not extreme enough. I'm losing my touch, lmao.

Thanks for reading!

[codthefishgod]

Analysis post for episode 77 of Faroff, AKA Stars: Part 2

Split below for spoilers!

Ok several of my theories got confirmed this episode so I felt POWERFUL lmao-

First off, THE WAR HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS! I always theorised that the war must've been going on for at LEAST twenty years, considering that neither Fenn nor Tobias seem to remember a time before the war, and it has been shown being talked about when they were very small (it was also outright said in the first or second episode I believe, so not much of a theory lmao). It's great to finally have a canonical length now though!

Secondly, we also got some other details about the war. Battles started being scheduled four years in, and it's been a stalemate since... I'll talk more about that later, but for now I want to focus on one particular thing. Which is, that, apparently, unlike what I and I think a lot of other fans thought, Tobias doesn't actually KNOW the truth behind the war, he's just suspicious of it.

While I was kind of expecting him to know something solid, considering how the way he spoke about the war possibly not being like what they think beforehand was very matter-of-fact, like he absolutely, 100% knew it to be true, I don't mind this. It makes the plot more interesting if both the protagonists are semi-clueless about the truth behind the war. And, looking back, I suppose I should've expected this--in episode 29, Game: Part 6, Tobias does make it pretty explicitly clear that he doesn't really know what the fuck is going on with the battle plans--but even as one of ✨the most avid fans✨ (self awarded title, I'm so special /j) I suppose I can't catch everything.

Moving on... Oh dear, Fenn's response. PLEASE don't tell me they've been fighting the same battles for some twenty five years, that's absolutely batshit insane, and the excuses they come up for it are even more so. Although it is definitely extremely characteristic of corrupt politicians to act like the measures they take for their own gain are REALLY for the benefit of the people, when in reality it's more harmful than anything, so... A+ on realism, at least.

The idea that they've been so "evenly matched" for somewhere around 25+ years that the line hasn't moved at all is definitely fishy business though. What, for all those years neither side ever developed any superior technology? Never a severe economic depression, or a famine, or a drought, or anything that would've led to a side being outnumbered or unable to fund their military as well or... Anything? For twenty five years? That sounds extraordinarily unlikely. The idea that any two militaries would be so absolutely equal that neither could ever best the other, especially over this many years, is impossible, I'd go so far as to say. I think there must definitely be something else afoot here.

On a positive note, the fact that Fenn heard out Tobias' suspicions about the war without flipping his shit and yelling at him or saying he's trying to "trick" him is character development! He genuinely believes that Tobias is simply sharing his ideas with him, not trying to "plant something in his mind" like early day Fenn would've thought. It's certainly beneficial to the advancement of their relationship that Fenn is starting to accept that Tobias isn't trying to make him think or do anything, he just wants to share his side of it all. Plus, he even took a second to consider the possibility of what he said being true in earnest...he's learning! It's a little silly, but I'm proud of him.

Next up, the way that Fenn replied to Tobias asking about how Oskar feels about him being a soldier-- "His opinion is IRRELEVANT" --well, it kind of makes me think he wasn't the most approving, which is what I kind of thought in the first place. I'm not sure if the falling out was caused by a disagreement over Fenn joining the war, or the passports, or some combination of both, but I'm convinced it's one of those three things. Hopefully it'll be cleared up as the story goes on.

Another thing about that... The way that Tobi responded after hearing that Fenn no longer talks to his uncle is also significant. Tobias immediately jumping to the idea that Oskar must've been abusive, to me, speaks volumes about his childhood. I think for a moment there, he must've been thinking about his own family, and trying to relate his experience with Fenn's. Of course, Fenn's experience was quite different--him shouting "NEVER" into his ear showed that (that panel literally made me flinch irl btw, the intensity was insane)--but it just shows how much Tobias really was affected by his childhood.

I also find the progression from Fenn looking very sad, almost at the edge of tears almost, to looking very angry interesting as well. Like he might be suppressing the grief he's experiencing over losing his relationship with his uncle with what he might consider to be "righteous" anger. Fenn's got a lot of emotions he doesn't like to face, it seems.

I won't touch on what Fenn said about his dad in detail, considering it's mostly stuff we already know, but I do feel like it'll be very difficult for Fenn to get past feeling guilty for "betraying" him in his eyes, when he starts to really understand the corruption of the war and move towards not wanting to fight in it.

ONTO THE NEXT THEORY OF MINE THAT GOT CONFIRMED, FENN'S MUM DID IN FACT DIE IN CHILDBIRTH! I know that's definitely not something I should be super ecstatic about, but I did predict it, the year on her gravestone aligned rather perfectly with the year I believed Fenn to be born after all--anyhow, Fenn opening up about this to Tobias is very good. They really are starting to get really, properly, closer. Maybe they'll even be actual ✨friends✨ soon... A good romance starts with a good friendship, as the meme goes.

Finally, and if I can sacrifice all illusions of professionalism here... HOLY SHIT THAT LINE TOBIAS DROPPED ON FENN!? Bro managed to sympathise with him AND call him beautiful, all in one fell swoop! And with the way Fenn looked at him, I'd say he's definitely won his heart, hook, line, and sinker. Tobias is really something else, man. God, it was so genuine and sweet too--I'm a strong believer in the power of slow burn and building up a relationship gradually instead of just jumping into it, and I still think it's too soon for them to have a romantic relationship, but sometimes when stuff like this happens I almost want to side with the people screaming "MAKE THEM KISS" at the top of their lungs... THIS WAS A FANTASTIC EPISODE I LOVE THIS MINI ARC!!!!

Thanks for reading!

[codthefishgod]

On my fourth reread lol

Wow, Fenn. I thought Sonans "never lie". You've changed 😒 /dra

[codthefishgod]

Analysis post for episode 76 of Faroff, AKA Stars: Part 1

Split below for spoilers!

So! We got a bit more elaboration on how exactly music is listened to in Sona!

Or, should I say, lack of listened to.

Beforehand, while yes it was made clear that music was generally seen as a waste of time in Sona, and that only music approved by the king could be listened to, I wasn't quite sure how extreme that idea was. Like, do some people still enjoy music on a daily basis, just specifically king-approved songs? Is it only played for special events, or can it be accessed outside of these? It seems we have our answer. The fact that music is allowed so infrequently in Sona that Fenn barely remembers it, is... Frightening, to be frank. It's yet another insight to the extremism of Sona's policies.

On a positive note, the way Fenn responded to being exposed to new types of music makes me very hopeful for his future character development. Yes, he didn't say it directly, but it almost seemed to me like he was questioning the existence of their laws surrounding music. It seems to me like he's finally asking why. WHY is it like this, WHY do we need these laws in place. What's wrong with this music? In the very least, he enjoyed it. And he might be, just might be, starting to see how just because something is said to be wrong or bad by the king, it doesn't necessarily mean it actually is. Hopefully this mindset will continue to expand.

Continuing on, I enjoyed Fenn and Tobi's conversation about their experiences with the loneliness of being stationed at the wall. It's good to see them opening up to each other more. Especially Tobi, actually. I think Tobi knows a lot more about Fenn's struggles and internal conflicts than Fenn knows about his. Which makes sense, I wouldn't be running to open up to the guy who thinks me and all my people are inherently evil and bad either (plus Fenn is a bit of an open book, he isn't nearly as good at hiding how he's feeling as Tobi is), but Tobi also has more to hide than Fenn does. This is a solid step towards them maybe actually seeing each other as a proper friend. I know a lot of people want them to be more than that already, but I'd be plenty excited for them to just form a proper friendship first. Patience will reward me, my friends, and we'll have a stronger plot to show for it.

Also, "Perhaps you are... Not quite as intolerable."?! For Fenn, that might as well be a love confession. He certainly didn't say he DOESN'T enjoy Tobi's company...

Okay, to finish off my non-lore-related comments on this episode, Tobias daydreaming about how things might have been different if they met in a different context, in a time without war, HAS MY HEART. Just in general, the fact that he would've wanted to meet him, would've wanted to be around him even without the war and without the forced proximity caused by the destroyed border wall, is SO GOOD. As in, "I'm not staying around you because you're the only company I have or because I have no other choice, I'm staying around because I genuinely like you."

And maybe I'm reading into it too much (I do that quite a lot with Faroff), but the fact that Fenn didn't say that he would've rather not met him, or that things would've been the same between them even if they met in a different context (as in, they'd still be enemies), kind of stands out to me. Sure, okay, it might have just been because he didn't want to talk about it at all, but I don't know. I think a part of him might be aware that his animosity towards Tobias doesn't actually have anything to do with him as a person, it has to do with what he thinks he's SUPPOSED to feel towards him. And maybe that part of him knows that even if there was no war, no reason for him to be around Tobias, he would still want to be around him anyway. Just maybe. Of course you can't admit that though, because if the Vaylinian isn't actually evil, who knows what else might not be true... However, I also think his discomfort was probably also partially caused by the fact that if there was no war, his father would not have died.

OKAY, ONTO THE LORE SEGMENTS!!!

First off, let's address the elephant in the room, which is, of course, the "Great Incident." Tobias said that if this had not happened, the war wouldn't have happened (of course, he didn't explicitly say that, but him saying the laws wouldn't have become so restrictive more than implies it). This is most likely in reference to the "failed alliance" that's been mentioned before.

While, of course, all wars have an event that acts as a detonator, there's always other reasons that have been piling up that ultimately led to that event. That's why the hypothetical "killing baby Hitler" or "if the invasion of Poland never happened" are very short sighted, because they ignore a lot of the other factors that eventually led up to WWII. Even without the detonating incident, it would've begun some other way.

That, to me, makes the way Tobias phrased it, as if the war wouldn't have happened without this detonating incident, very interesting. If it was Fenn who had said it, I would have no issues believing he just didn't think it through and genuinely thinks taking that one event away would make the war not happen at all, but this is Tobias we're talking about. I think he's smarter than that.

Maybe I'm giving this story too much credit. I obviously can't see into Lennon's brain and know what she's planning or if she's taking all of this into account, but innocent until proven guilty. I'll give credit until I have reason to believe it isn't deserved.

Anyhow, that idea, that idea that the "Great Incident" really is the only reason the war began, leads into another theory I've held for awhile. Which is what I'll be discussing next.

Tobias saying the war "isn't about winning."

This is a callback to my absolute FAVOURITE one liner of the entire series, back in episode 34, "Is that what ya think? That they want someone ta win the war?"

I have waited. SO LONG. For that singular line to be elaborated on. AND IT'S FINALLY COMING BACK!

This is what I've largely based my theory that the war exists for the purpose of having an excuse to enforce perpetual martial law on their people with minimal resistance on. Not the only thing, mind you, I have other reasons as well, such as the fact that Sona and Vaylin schedule their battles ahead of time. Which is... Extremely fishy, because that's not how wars work. You don't tell your enemy "HEY, I'M GOING TO BE HERE, MAKE SURE YOU'RE WAITING", y'know.

Of course, I'm assuming that Tobias won't elaborate on other background causes that led up to the "Great Incident", which may be very not true. I'm also ignoring the fact that there are some pieces of the lore that make me less confident in this theory. To make a full trio of things I could be wrong about, I'm also assuming Tobias knows almost everything about the inner workings of the war. While he definitely knows more than Fenn, it's also very possible that there are things he doesn't know, whether it's because it was kept from him (he IS kind of the outcast in his family), because he was somewhat sheltered being in an elitist family, or because what he thinks he knows isn't the entire truth. Tobias doesn't, as far as we know, have a lot of experience outside of upper class society, and it would be very interesting to see if the things he knows are biased because of that.

I think it's possible the leaders of Sona and Vaylin made some sort of deal to start this war. The idea that the "Great Incident" really is the only thing/main thing that caused the war could possibly back that up. Maybe it was faked. Maybe the alliance never really failed, it was just nothing like anyone thought it would be.

(I also think Tobias possibly opening up about what he knows could be very good for Tobi. He's kept a lot of things secret for the duration of the story out of, to me, fear of Fenn's reaction. He doesn't want things to change if Fenn takes it in the worst way, and to be honest, if he had told him earlier, he probably would have. Even now there's a risk. Fenn had to get character development first, or he would've never listened to him. Hopefully this opens up more doors for Tobi to have his own character development!)

In reality, Lennon will probably blow me away with some revelation that I never thought of before, because that's what she does, and I love her for it. Don't ever take my word as complete, immovable truth, because I am wrong ALL THE TIME. This is only my interpretation of what things could POSSIBLY mean.

Thanks for reading!

[codthefishgod]

I love it when Tobias spells out the most basic of shit for Fenn like this, he knows it pisses him off and it's hilarious

[codthefishgod]

Tobias' face: there is no fucking way that just happened

[codthefishgod]

Out of all the things I thought might happen this episode, Fenn careening backwards off a ladder into a tree was NOT one of them

[codthefishgod]

I'm busy right now but DEAR GOD do I want to talk about the new Faroff episode, it was SO GOOD. And it took me completely off guard, I was not expecting it to go this route. Lennon showing us she can't be predicted 💀

Isn't it insane that Tobias said he would ask about Fenn maybe being attracted to guys and then he actually DID? So many lesser protags would've chickened out, Tobias is PULLING THROUGH I'm so proud

We need to talk about this more when I'm free, no one forget, I'LL BE BACK