#i did want to rag on dimitri. just a little bit. just bc i have a very funny relationship w him as a chara/fanartist

[moe-broey]

@archer3-13 (a bit of a long response, so I hope it's alright if I tag you! + Clarification if anyone else was wondering/I really do think I worded this poorly LMFAO)

But basically!

"Any stray" -> entirely thinking of myself/the summoner in a jokey way, did not consider any implications lumping Bruno in there (also not blaming the reply for using my wording, that's on me 🫡 Just realized it felt weird having Dedue be referred to like that)

BUT. I WILL SAY. I do think you're right for pointing out that Dimitri Also took in Dedue. I just. Completely overlooked that because I felt Dedue's situation was vastly different/was really only thinking about the context of Bruno's situation (where he sought out Alfonse and Sharena as Zacharias for his own mission -- and, both Alfonse and Sharena befriended him. Presumably with little to no knowledge of his background/where he came from, only really knowing he was a Hero from "another world".)

And also really thinking about this now outside of just the context I was thinking in. It makes sense LMFAO he literally Did take Dedue in. And in the face of everyone who opposed it!

"Bestie" -> Said with a romantic connotation (on the aro/ace spectrums lmfao) -- This is acknowledging that Bruno and Alfonse aren't/likely never will be canonically romantic, it's just easy to see a homoerotic reading of it. And same goes with the summoner, just more ambiguity added on top (esp considering Kiran in general is an avatar character).

Both of these things (stray comment and bestie title) may not seem related but in my mind they combined to mean, "Alfonse wouldn't care where his potential partner came from." And a step further, he wouldn't care about status or reputation if it were his friend (at least! That's how I interpret him).

Broader Context! -> I wanted to express how uncomfortable certain things about Dimitri make me. REALLY wishing I had the line on hand LMFAO but, the line about how marrying a woman of unknown birth could affect his reputation poorly (@ Shez). The implications of him only having romantic endings with women who have Crests. And the fact that, he wants to uphold the status quo of Fodlan, which is Rhea's theocracy. Which! I guess that's just up however you feel about that, but at very least playing the first half of the game I feel like it's shown that Rhea herself is corrupt and the Church of Seiros has caused harm on a systematic level. Not to mention how Fodlan's society is so Crest-centric, and how the Church feeds into that -- causing a lot of suffering for everyone, Crest or no Crest. So like... all these things combined, do put me off to Dimitri. Like. A lot LMFAO

But also! And maybe the most important thing to acknowledge LMFAO -- I have never completed a single route in Three Houses I am talking out of my ass based PURELY on vibes 🧍 I'm sure Dimitri has his good sides! He's just not personally appealing to me -- and it's such a wild experience for me to go from generally neutral most of the time to the almost visceral reaction I have when I see screenshots/hear things about him like DAMN. YIKES!!!!!!!!! (Less of a "he murders people" issue and more of a misogyny/classism thing. For me LMFAO) (and also. That may also just be me and my vibes again 🫡)

You see the most important difference to highlight here about Alfonse and Dimitri is that, Alfonse would take in any stray. He doesn't give a shit. He was besties with Zacarias/Bruno without even knowing where he came from. He's besties with the summoner right now. Also it's been shown that Alfonse isn't afraid to dismantle systems that aren't working or are actively harming their people. And like obvs medieval fantasy setting, it is what it is/kind of a core point IS exploring a setting with royalty and nobles and whatnot (WHICH IS FUN!!!!), and also I know shit about fuck. But ALSO also I think you could radicalize Alfonse. As a treat.