#one more small thing... I actually headcanon Andrey as transmasc nb!!!

[al-norton]

thoughts on andrey stamatin ?

He’s one of my fave characters in the game and I don’t even know why… is it his ridiculous fashion sense? Is it the confidence with which he speaks utter nonsense (the town has the laws against cutting because holes do not like to be seen? Please…)? Is the fact that he’s good with a knife?

Here’s a thought: I think all the utopian characters take roots in romantic archetypes (as in romanticism, not romance). Out of those, Andrey firmly embodies the Knight: romantic hero, driven in equal measure by the desire to protect and to conquer. By his drive to break all the boundaries, he places himself squarely above the law, and he uses his skill in violence to legitimize that status. The interesting thing is, the narrative doesn’t show him as a hero. At best, he’s a charming bastard whose most redeeming qualities are ‘he cares about his brother and maybe women’ (I’m saying maybe because I’m sure I read somewhere that dancers in his bar are coming to him on his own volition to escape the Kin that well. Pretty much treat them like objects. But I’m not sure if that was a canon quote or someone’s fanon? I’d appreciate it if someone cleared it up). What is a heroic conquest to the knight is a violent invasion to those conquered. And the game doesn’t shy away from showing the fallout that Andrey causes among the Kin, how he’s profiting off selling pretty much sacred secrets of the steppe people, etc… he isn’t a good guy, you know?

There is another part of knighthood that is crucial to his character: servitude. You know, the way he literally places all of his talents as an architect, bootlegger, and a fighter into servicing Peters genius? Yeah! And this thing where he puts Peter on the pedestal as a genius and himself as just going his dirty work is very crucial to his character, I think that’s where the whole ‘breaking the boundaries’ shtick comes from. Kinda like, oh Peter has this amazing idea that is impossible? Well, I guess I’ll have to break the boundaries of what’s possible, then! The thing is, this relationship (whilst being arguably the most pleasant part of their lives) hurts both of them immensely. Peter has to constantly struggle with the fear of not living up to the hype, and Andrey is stuck with a deficient self-image… and a convenient ‘noble’ reason to do all the shit that he does. Yeah, without this codependency they wouldn’t do all the great things that they did. But… the desire to do Great Things can only grow from the belief that you are not good enough as you are, that you do not deserve to be loved in your mediocrity. That’s another theme that all utopians share, and it’s honestly heartbreaking to me.

Another thing that I think is done very well is how the ‘breaking boundaries’ thing is both his biggest asset and his biggest flaw.  First of all, it prevents him from actually taking care of the people he loves. Sure, he is all about protecting Peter and Eva from outward threats, but the problem is – their biggest problems are inside of their heads. It’s scarily poetic that both people that he cares about attempt suicide during the plague. It’s the problem he’s least equipped to deal with. Secondly, his drive to action renders him practically incapable of introspection. That’s why he comes off as pretty smart and incredibly dumb at the same time. That’s also why he is so full of bravado, while it’s obvious that he actually values himself much less than his brother. He HAS to see himself as a cool hero of progress and goodness; otherwise, he will have to confront being a villain. And if he goes that route he might just land in the same place as Peter and Eva. These bitches are fragile!!!

(also I think it’s fun how the willingness to confront their villainy is the main thing differentiating Andrey and Bad Grief, otherwise pretty much parallel characters. It’s a good illustration of the difference between utopian and humble worldviews: ‘humanity is capable of great things. I am an example of this’ versus ‘humanity is capable of horrible things. I am an example of this’)

Still, despite all of his shitty behavior… I really like him! I like how he treats Peter and Eva – not being overbearing in his protection, I think he actually has a lot of respect for things like personal space. He shows some genuine interest in the steppe culture. He seems to be egalitarian in his beliefs. I just, ya know, enjoy interacting with him a lot? He seems fun at parties, willing to drunk debate over the most ridiculous philosophical topics. that would be so fun! If he wasn’t so likely to get knives out for heated disagreements, that is

But you know what? I like knives too, actually :3c

Andrey if you’re reading this come debate me on the holes question