#it might be like Addy's the MC in book 1 Dray in book 2 and Camille in book 3

[merigreenleaf]

hello hello happy STS!! I would like to request a ramble about your current favourite character arc in your WIP!! or a character arc you're particularly excited about or proud of :D (if this is not too spoilery a question!)

Thanks for the ask! Sorry I'm a few days behind! Oh gosh, I want to ramble so much about Dray but so much of that is a spoiler! I’ll ramble a bunch anyway lol. They definitely have the most growth in their character arc-- Dray matures so much between the start of book 1 and the time the trilogy is over. Dray starts off so impulsive, so ready to turn any slight insult into revenge, and their moral compass is just flailing wildly. But Plot happens in book 1 that makes Dray have to chill and listen rather than just act out of emotion, and they start taking over the carnival troupe from Sapphire and they realize they actually like being in charge of something? In a way where they're not mind controlling anyone and people actually seek out their advice? And trust them? Dray has a hard time believing it.

The other dorks and adopting Ametrine are definitely a huge help, too, because they love Dray and Dray hasn't had a lot of love in their life. Dray so often thinks they're not worthy of it, or that the people who love them are going to decide that they don't anymore, but Dray learns to trust in return. Trust that the others won't leave. Trust that they won't lie to Dray. Trust that they have their back so that Dray can let their guard down.

Part of the reason for Dray getting so much development in book 2 is a huge spoiler, but it's also a big part of the plot of that book, so I might end up talking about it later anyway so here we go. Basically, there's a reality split and this means that there are two different realities happening simultaneously. 4 of the dorks are only in one because of events unfolding at the end of book 1, but Dray is in both realities. This gives Dray the opportunity to experience two different sets of events, and when they merge with themself, they recall the memories of both sides.