#rise of skywaler

[ohmeadows]

I was reading all the lore books of the Xianzhou for fic research and one volume in particular, Glimpses into the beyond, has my brain running circles, so why not share my notes

It's a manuscript written by Fu Xuan, touching on divination and Aeons

I loved this quote: "Humans walk the Paths, while stars cross the sky: Observing these situations can produce future predictions. All of this is based on the diviner's ascertainment of the present situation (or the past, because the present is constantly becoming the past)."

Implied that diviners must stay constantly in tune with the present lest they loose their footings

Mentions the founder of the Divination Commission, a master Xuan Yao, who said "Only the universe and the Aeons cannot be foretold."

Fu Xuan writes that the universe birthed the Aeons, not vice versa.

She further writes that omniscience is unattainable

While writing about the Yaoshi, she brings up the fact that any attempt to divine the Abundance's future is an unforgiveable felony onboard the Xianzhou. Any attempt to do so can be lethal for the diviner, and if they survive, they will face the full wrath of the Ten Lords Commission. (The other Aeons are kind of forbidden to divine, but the punishment is less severe and may even be suspended.)

She mentions that hubris often strikes diviners during their first 100 years on the job; likely implication being that she has been doing it for at the barest of minimums that time, and more probable way longer?

The rest of Fu Xuan's observations are musings on the nature of Aeons and relate a lot to the future of the Xianzhou:

Sorting of the Aeons into three categories, which the Xianzhou still uses:

"Arbiters: Determining mortal births and deaths, which are highly connected to the rise and fall of civilizations." Lan, Qlipoth.

"The Sacrosancts: Difficult to predict as good or evil; often unable to even know where they head for." Nous, Akivili, Aha, Idrila.

"The Authors of Calamity: The main culprit behind all disasters. Avoid, or be annihilated." Yaoshi, Nanook, Tayzzyronth.

Lan appeared in Year 3400 Star Calendar, and ever since the Divination Commission monitors and interprets what Lan's arrows mean.

Fu Xuan muses that while Qlipoth themselves strives for isolation between worlds with no contact, IPC, their foremost faction, facilitates contact and trade between worlds seemingly without drawing the ire of Qlipoth at all.

When the Xianzhou fleet set sail they witnessed Qlipoth's Echidna Skywall that seperates the worlds from the void.

Fu Xuan herself has seen Nous, the machine-like Aeon. "Contrary to standard thinking, Nous is not a god that provides solutions. On the contrary, all they offer is an infinite number of questions." Overall she speaks very highly of Nous and encourages diviners to take after them.

Akivili is shrouded in legends, but Fu Xuan mentions that both the IPC and Xianzhou fleet navigate space by the star rail ("chromatic echelons").

Deems Aha to be the Aeon closest to mortals, mentioning how Aha's followers instigated a riot that ended with a troll virus being spread in the local robot army.

While Idrila is fallen, it's implied that through gathering and using the relics left behind, they might come back.

This quote is just fascinating in the implications of Idrila: "According to ancient myth, Idrila once attributed the beauty of all the starzones to themselves, showing heroes, villains, and mortals the meaning and aesthetics contained within the cosmic landscape, and driving them to complete astonishing (but often devastating) achievements for Idrila's own pleasure. This myth may reveal the true meaning behind the Path of Beauty: The integration of consciousness, insight, and values."

There is some strange and remote connection between the Yaoshi and the Xianzhou people, apparently, one that physics cannot yet explain.

Nanook is the most recently ascended Aeon. Fu Xuan muses that the followers of Nanook are becoming an increasing problem, the fleet has lost contact with many worlds ravaged by the Antimatter Legion, and that in the near future it's likely they will have to face Nanook's forces.

Tayzzyronth, while dead, still has seeded worlds which in turn become hellscapes if not destroyed. Also their scions are still alive, and there are scholar theories that they can come back at any time.

Fu Xuan once inspected a piece of amber that was a piece from the "Imperator Insectorum's Prison Cell." The omniscia implanted in my forehead could not see the future of this item, which only serves to corroborate the scholar's claims. All I can do is pray in silence to the Reignbow that such a day will not come soon.

[sadboi-in-a-sweater]

Sadboi's Incredibly Strange Multifandom Adventure - Chapter 9: The One Where Sadboi can Barely Contain Her Excitement

Sadboi plotted out their next world, the one that had originally brought them together. The world of Kamen Rider Build. Despite her knowledge of the potential language barrier, she continued forth anyways.

They stepped out into an alleyway of a bustling city, Sadboi looking up at the skywall that physically divided this world's Japan into thirds, using it as a reference for where they were. Her eyeholes narrowed as she focused before speaking, "We're in Touto. This is the home third of Sento Kiryu, or Kamen Rider Build. Be on alert, I've caught the vibe that there have been several Smash attacks in the area."

The French Narrator nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Ah, yes, the land of the rising sun, and of masked heroes. Let us tread carefully."

As they moved through the city, they couldn't help but draw attention with their varied forms. The French Narrator's diving gear looked out of place among the high-tech buildings, while the Bikini Bottom natives looked like a trio of walking, talking cartoons. They quickly found themselves in the midst of a Smash attack, with the monstrous creature tearing through buildings and causing chaos.

"We must act swiftly!" exclaimed the French Narrator. "The citizens are in danger!"

Sadboi nodded, her eyes flashing with a mix of determination and excitement. "Let's do this!"

The group split up, with SpongeBob and Patrick using their unique abilities to distract the Smash while Sadboi searched for Sento. They found him in the middle of battle, his Build Driver already in hand and ready to transform. The sight of them took him aback, but the urgency of the situation quickly overrode his astonishment.

"You are not of this world," he said, eyeing them warily.

Sadboi held out her hand. "We come in peace. We're looking to return balance to your world and help you!" She tried to keep her cool despite her overwhelming excitement.

Sento's gaze flitted between her and the chaos around them. "Very well," he said, his voice tight with tension. "But we must hurry."

Together, they approached the Smash, which had paused in its rampage to observe the new arrivals. Sento transformed into Kamen Rider Build, the blue-and-red armor encasing him in a heartbeat. The creature roared, sensing a powerful new presence. Meanwhile, Sadboi transformed into her own combat form.

Her eyes grew sharp, and the air around her crackled with energy. The vibes of the city grew clearer, and she could feel the pain and fear of the trapped inhabitants. She took a deep breath, her body pulsing with a neon pink glow that matched her eyes.

"We're with you, Sento!" she shouted, charging forward with newfound strength.

The battle was intense, a whirlwind of fists, lasers, and digital might. Kamen Rider Build's punches shook the ground, while Sadboi's vibesense allowed her to predict the Smash's every move. Patrick and SpongeBob, though not fighters, used their wits and friendship to distract and disorient the creature, buying their new ally time to strike.

The French Narrator hovered above, offering strategic advice and words of encouragement. "Trust your instincts, Sadboi," he called out. "You can feel the world's pain. Use it to guide your actions!"

With a fierce roar, the Smash lunged at them. Sadboi dodged at the last moment, her movements a blur. She saw an opening and took it, her fist connecting with the creature's core. There was a brilliant flash of light, and the Smash stumbled back, its digital form flickering.

Kamen Rider Build took advantage of the momentary reprieve, delivering a final blow that sent the monster crashing to the ground. The alley grew silent, save for the distant wails of sirens and the sighs of relief from the onlookers.

The French Narrator floated down, his diving gear retracting into a sleek, high-tech suit. "Magnificent," he said, a smile playing on his lips. "Truly, you are a force to be reckoned with."

Sento transformed back into his civilian form, panting heavily. "Thank you," he said, extending a hand to Sadboi. "Your power… it's like nothing I've ever seen."

Sadboi took his hand, her own trembling slightly. "It's all thanks to you, Sento," she said. "Your show, Kamen Rider Build, gave me the strength to keep going when things got tough. It's an honor to fight alongside you."

Sento chuckled, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "The honor is mine," he said. "Welcome to our world, Sadboi. I'm Sento Kiryu, and I'm in your debt."

Sadboi nodded, her cube head bobbing with excitement, "Thank you, Sento. I'm Sadboi, and these are my friends from Bikini Bottom, Sponge Bob and Patrick."

The French Narrator stepped forward, extending his hand with a flourish. "And I am the French Narrator, at your service!"

Sento looked at the peculiar trio before him, his curiosity piqued. "French Narrator, huh? And what is your role in all this?"

The French Narrator tipped his beret. "I guide and narrate, my dear Kamen Rider. I am the bridge between worlds, the one who brings heroes together." Sadboi nodded along in agreement.

Patrick, ever eager, interrupted, "And I'm the brawn! And Sponge Bob's the…uh…brainy brawn?" Sponge Bob chuckled, giving his starfish, Patrick, a pat on the back.

"So," Sadboi spoke up and looked at Sento, "Should we regroup at your place?"

Sento nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Sounds like a plan. We can discuss what brought you here and what you intend to do next."

The group walked towards Cafe Nascita, the spot that Sadboi knew Sento was talking about.

"Your show is a masterpiece," she said, her eyes lighting up. "I've watched every episode at least three times! And the movies and TV specials, at least once!" Sadboi's eyeholes sparkled with a reined-in excitement.

Sento's smile grew wider. "You're a fan of Kamen Rider Build? That's… unexpected."

The French Narrator nodded sagely. "Ah, the power of media. It unites us across dimensions."

The group made their way to Cafe Nascita, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the hum of conversation greeting them as they entered. The patrons looked at them with a mix of surprise and curiosity, but quickly returned to their business as the group sat down at a table in the back.

Sadboi knew that this wasn't just a pit stop, though. She knew about the secret room behind the fridge, the one that led to Sento's bedroom and lab, though she did not speak. But she knew that with the crowd around, they couldn't quite get to that just yet.

They sat down, and Sento nodded to the barista, who recognized him immediately and brought over a tray of drinks, placing them gently on the table. "On the house," he said with a wink, before bustling off to serve other customers.

"So," Sento began, "How did you all end up here?"

Sadboi stretched a bit, then spoke. "It's a long story, but we're basically travelers from other dimensions, trying to fix the messes in each world we land in." She took a sip from her drink, looking at Sento. "Your world is in trouble, right? Your work, the Smash…" Sadboi paused before lowering her voice to a whisper, "…the, 'other stuff'…" she murmured, before returning to her original tone, "it's all connected to a bigger problem, isn't it?" Sadboi had a contemplative look, despite her excitement. The part regarding 'the other stuff' probably referencing the hidden Faust organization, with Night Rogue and Blood Stalk at the head of it.

Sento nodded gravely, sipping his own drink. "Indeed, it's more than just Smash creatures causing havoc. There's a force behind them, manipulating the fabric of our world for its own ends." His gaze drifted to the bustling street outside the cafe, where people of all shapes and sizes went about their business, unaware of the shadowy threats lurking beneath the surface.

The French Narrator leaned in, his voice low and measured. "I have sensed a disturbance in the balance of your world, Sento. A powerful and malevolent energy that seeks to consume everything in its path." His words were soothing, yet held an underlying urgency that couldn't be ignored.

"The Great One," Sento murmured, his eyes darkening at the mention of the creature that had caused so much destruction in their world. "But how did you find us?"

"Ah," The French Narrator said with a knowing smile, "That is the beauty of the narrative, my dear Kamen Rider. It is my job to guide those who seek balance and harmony, and when the vibrations of your world grew too discordant, I knew I had to act."

Pearl spoke up, her voice filled with concern. "But what can we do to help?" She looked around the table at her newfound friends, her gaze lingering on Simon, who sat quietly, his eyes reflecting the weight of his past deeds.

"First," Sento said, setting his drink down, "We must understand the extent of the Great One's influence. Only then can we devise a plan to counter it." He turned to the French Narrator. "Do you have any insights?"

The French Narrator nodded thoughtfully. "I have encountered such forces before, though they may not be the same. But the pattern is clear: darkness feeds on fear and isolation. To combat it, we must shine light on its secrets and stand united."

Sadboi's eyes lit up with excitement, despite the gravity of the situation. "And that's where our vibesense comes in!" She exclaimed, pointing to herself. "We can feel the emotions of those around us, and if we're strong enough, we might be able to sense where the Great One is lurking."

Sento's eyes widened, a spark of hope igniting in his gaze. "Vibesense… that could be our key to finding the Great One's weakness!"

The group fell into a tense silence, the gravity of their mission pressing down upon them. They were a motley crew, hailing from different dimensions with their own sets of skills and experiences. Yet here they were, united by fate and a common enemy.

The French Narrator leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "The journey ahead will not be easy, mes amis. But together, we shall write a tale of courage and friendship that transcends the boundaries of our worlds."

The others nodded in agreement, the air in the cafe charged with a mix of anticipation and determination. As they sat, sipping their drinks and sharing stories of their battles and triumphs, the other patrons took their leave and moved on with their day.

Sadboi saw this as the moment to nonverbally signal that they should move to the secret room, knowing where it was and all.

Pearl looked at her with a tilt of the head, but understanding dawned on her face. "Ah, yes. Sento, could you show us your… collection?" She suggested with a knowing smile.

Sento nodded, his mind racing with the possibilities of what they could achieve together. He led them to the back of the cafe, to the fridge. "This way," he said, opening it up to reveal the hidden passage. They stepped into the surprisingly well-lit lab, the scent of oil and metal lingering in the air. The room was filled with gadgets and screens, displaying data and images from their battles, as well as the device responsible for creating Fullbottles at the back -- a strange device constructed from a microwave. Inside was Banjou Ryuga, Sento's partner in crime and former MMA fighter, and Misora, Sento's sister. The two were initially confused by the group of newcomers, but Sento quickly brought them up to speed.

Misora's eyes widened when she heard Sadboi's story. "Wow, that's… intense," she said, looking at the pastel cubehead with a mix of awe and pity. Banjou, ever the skeptic, took a step back. "What the heck is that?" he pointed at Sadboi. "And why is she here?"

Sento gave Banjou a firm look. "She's with us," he said, "And she's got the power to help us fight."

Banjou grunted, crossing his arms. "And what makes you think we need her?"

"Her vibesense can track emotions, and if the Great One is manipulating fear, she could be our best bet to find its weakness," Sento explained, gesturing to Sadboi.

The French Narrator stepped in, his suave voice smoothing the tension. "Indeed, Monsieur Banjou, she has proven her worth in multiple realms already. Her skills are quite… unique."

Banjou's skepticism didn't waver, but he conceded with a shrug. "Alright, but she better not mess up."

Misora, however, was more welcoming. She approached Sadboi with a gentle smile. "I'm sorry for his bluntness. Welcome to our world. I'm sure we can use all the help we can get."

Sadboi felt a warmth spread through her, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you," she murmured, "I'll do my best."

They spent hours discussing strategies and sharing their experiences. Sadboi listened intently, her vibesense tingling as she picked up on the unspoken emotions in the room. Despite their differences, she felt a kinship with them all, a bond forged through shared adversity and the desire to make things right.

As Sadboi thought up plans and drawing them up on her phone, the room grew alive with the sound of scribbling pens and the hum of eager voices. The French Narrator observed the group with a knowing smile, recognizing the beginnings of a formidable alliance.

As the days passed and the group came up with a plan to combat The Great One, Sadboi made sure to help Sento and Banjou with their duties where she could. Every time she would help them combat a Smash attack, she would get all giddy from the victory. It was a short burst of revitalizing emotional energy, but she never lost sight of her ultimate purpose.

One evening, as they were all preparing to rest, Simon pulled her aside. "Sadboi," he began, his voice solemn, "I know that you're still dealing with the pain of your past, but I believe that your vibesense could be crucial in this fight."

Sadboi nodded solemnly. "I know," she said, her eyes reflecting the weight of his words. "I just hope I'm not leading everyone into a trap."

Simon placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not. We're all in this together. And I know you're strong enough to face whatever comes our way."

Her eyes watered up slightly, but she nodded. "Thanks, Simon. That means a lot to me." She took a deep breath and composed herself, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater.

The following morning, Sento presented the group with their first mission. "We've received intel that a large-scale Smash creature is forming near the outskirts of the city. We need to get there before it fully materializes."

The group set out, with Sadboi's vibesense on high alert. As they approached the indicated area, the energy grew more intense, her skin tingling with the vibrations of fear and anger. The creature was close.

They found it: a towering monstrosity of metal and despair, tearing through buildings with ease. The citizens of the Kamen Rider world watched in horror, frozen by the creature's overwhelming aura.

Sento transformed into Kamen Rider Build, with Banjou at his side as Cross-Z. Pearl and the others looked on, ready to assist. "Now, Sadboi," Sento called out, his voice filled with resolve, "Use your vibesense to find its weakness!"

Sadboi took a deep breath and closed her eyes, focusing her vibesense on the creature. Her eyes snapped open as she pointed to a pulsing point on its back. "There!"

Without wasting a moment, Sento and Banjou charged the creature, their weapons gleaming in the early morning light. The battle was fierce, explosions lighting up the sky like a macabre fireworks display.

Sadboi's heart raced as she watched, her vibesense reaching out to each of her companions. She could feel their determination, their fear, and their belief in each other. It was a powerful cocktail of emotions that fueled her own resolve.

The creature roared in fury as the duo closed in on its weak spot. Sadboi clenched her fists, her vibesense pulsing in sync with their efforts. She felt a sudden surge of power and knew it was her time to act. She dashed forward, leaping into the air and releasing a burst of vibrant energy. It hit the creature squarely on the pulsing point, causing it to screech in agony and stumble backward.

With the weakness exposed, Sento and Banjou struck with all their might, their combined power shattering the Smash creature into a rain of sparks. The city held its breath as the monster fell, the air thick with tension and the echo of the explosion.

As the dust settled, the people of the Kamen Rider world looked to their newfound heroes with hope in their eyes. Sadboi looked at her friends, her heart swelling with pride. They had done it.

But she knew this was only the beginning. The Great One was still out there, orchestrating these horrors. And it was up to them to stop it.

The French Narrator, watching from afar, offered a knowing nod. "The story unfolds, as expected," he murmured to himself. "But the plot thickens."

Sadboi spoke quietly. "So… is it in a different world now?" Sadboi felt another twinge of sadness, but she was able to shrug it off easier this time. She knew that she had to move to another world eventually.

The French Narrator nodded, a hint of understanding in his gaze. "Indeed, it is. But fear not, young cubehead, for our adventure is far from over."

[thegreyreylo]

I would bet serious money

That JJ Abrams literally went, 

“Bring me all the coolest set locations, creatures, fight scene, whatever ideas you have. I don’t care about plot, I care about visuals. It needs to look cool.” 

Then picked from there and tried to spin a story around it. 

[adizzyninja]

Just watched Clone Wars finale. Barely related Rise of Skywalker rant below

I feel like the main way where Rise of Skywalker went wrong was just in taking the easiest, simplest way out of every story beat it and the previous films set up. 

They need a new villain... lets go with the villain of the last trilogy I guess, he was pretty cool 

They need a new threat.... lets go with a whole fleet of death stars!! 

They need a new way to kill Palpatine... Rey wields TWO lightsabers and makes him blow up!!! Yeah that'll do it. 

So many of the solutions they thought up show no signs of having anything more than the most surface level amount of thought put into it. They prioritized cool visuals and hollowly inspirational moments over any kind of actual thematic depth. Everything looks amazing and in the moment I remember really enjoying seeing it all for the first time, but once the credits roll there's next to nothing substantial to actually take away from it.

No messages of love conquering all, of hate never truly prevailing, of the empowerment of hope, of the bonds of family, of the tragedies people face and how they must learn to overcome them. None of the extra levels of thought and imagination that truly made the original trilogy a stand-out classic. 

All that remains is just.... yadda yadda "all the sith, all the jedi".

[rogue-jill]

every generation has a legend.

[gzntur]

Ben solo and Rey | Feel better

[thebitchofdathomir]

They really didn’t let her put her hair all the way down. For a franchise that basically invented hair symbolism wtf?

They really let Ben Solo die a virgin. He didn’t get to be with his literal soulmate.

Which means she’s not even pregnant with Ben Solo’s baby. Ok, yeah, she chose her family but what about the family she’s always wanted and deserved to have with her boi? Not to mention the fucking LONGING in her eyes when she was staring at those babies on Pasana. You know she wants one.

“But at least she’s back with her friends in the resistance despite how she’s felt out of place there the whole movie. And look! The trio is alive and well! Wow. Storytelling is so easy.”

Oh and she goes back to desert, LOL, kind of like how she was in the beginning because it’s where she belongs. Oh and she sees the force ghosts of the people who trained her...but not Ben because he’s extra dead and she’s good by herself despite how FUCKING LONELY SHE HAS ADMITTED TO FEELING...ESPECIALLY TO BEN FUCKING SOLO WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN STANDING THERE WITH HER.

Needless to say...I’m feeling a little upset.

[optimism-blooms]

Credit to and gifs by @gabriella0807

“Stand together, die together “

This is very painful 😣

[sharkmpx]

From Kylo Ren to Ben Solo

I am looking for the artist - It is beautiful, Thx!

[millicentthecat]

It seems like most of the criticisms about TROS are structural but like.  SW is not known for great structure.  None of the first six Star Wars movies had any kind of structure to them.  Last Jedi was probably the most structured, and the most like tv instead of a movie.  So it follows that a lot of people that really loved TLJ hate TROS, and vice versa.

I'm less interested in the structural lens and more interested in character arcs and emotional development and political analysis.  I know those takes are going to take time, for me and everyone else.  Basically I think this movie is going to feel really different after we all see it a few more times.  Like I will probably want to talk about War Crimes and the extermination of the Sith.  But that’s future me’s problem.

[ashtrieblog]

[recklessdarkness]

Please don’t get upset with me, but I’m really curious as to how someone could like both Reylo and Phasma. I see Phasma (at least in supplementary materials) as a unique feminist character, while Reylo is a ship often criticized as sexist. How do you see it?

Hey. Well, first about Reylo: as any fictional couple, much like fictional characters in general, it can be seen in many different ways. For me, this is the magic of fiction.

What drove me into loving Reylo, and connecting a lot with Ben Solo as a character (to the point of calling my cat Ben after him), was how deep and complex their relationship was, and Ben was. As a writer, and reader, and spectator, I personally enjoy complex characters and relationships. That’s one of the main reasons I love Phasma, in fact. I’ll talk about that later on.

Luckily, there’s an old post from a Tumblr user that says pretty much all of what I think about Reylo. I had to look for it for a lot to find it, but eventually I did, and I’ll link it here for you. Basically, this post says - and who writes it seems to have a lot of experience to be writing it - that Ben was a troubled child without an advocate, and that his advocate turned out to be Rey. It’s a long post and a complex analysis, but, as I said before, I enjoy complexity in fiction. It’s what drives me to it. And I encourage everyone who has the same doubt as you regarding Reylo to read this full post. It’s exactly what I think about the ship, and the two characters involved on it. I could write all of that down again, but it would be just a repetition of what that user already wrote.

But well, as I also said before, many people might not agree with that. And that’s totally okay. Seriously, I mean it. That’s also part of the “magic of fiction” that I mentioned. And, again, this is why I like it. Once more, it has to do with complexity.

About Phasma now: I definitely, completely, absolutely, more than anything else in my life as a reader/spectator (and even writer), LOVE HER. And I could talk for days on a row about why this is so true and I wouldn’t finish explaining. But I’ll say it here the simplest way I can find:

She’s goddamn COMPLEX.

She’s complex and deep to the point of many people seeing her as a pure abuser as well. This is how I see her? Not a chance. However, if we only see what she did, not along with why and how she did it, it’s the same as Kylo Ren: killed relatives, sacrificed people in order to rise, was the main figure (not main responsible, let’s emphasize that) in a program that brainwashed children to make them the perfect soldiers.

Now, is that how I see Phasma? Is that how you see Phasma? No. Because she’s not just that. Just like Kylo Ren/Ben Solo. They’re complex characters, and must be interpreted like complex characters.

But how do we interpret complex characters? Well, here’s what I think:

Phasma did all that I said above? Yes, she did. However, what drove her to do it? What was the intention, the reason behind all the horrible things she did? Emphasizing now that I said reason, not justification. Sometimes acts have no justifications at all, but every act has reasons.

Taking a minute to emphasize deeply, to make sure everyone understands this, that I’m talking about FICTIONAL CHARACTERS here. All I’m saying here is regarding FICTION. Let’s not confuse fiction with reality. To debate such topics regarding real life like I’m doing to fiction here, you have to be a mental health professional at least. That’s my opinion.

Now, do you see my point? There are a million reasons why Phasma did everything she did. Like that user did with Ben Solo in their post, I’ll briefly expose some of Phasma’s reasons for being the way she is:

- Rough childhood

- Neglective parents (briefly said on the book, but it was enough)

- Not being allowed, in pretty much any moment of her life, to show weaknesses/flaws/fears

- Anger and feeling of injustice

- Revenge wish for those who caused such injustices to her

- Physical abuse (her parents hit both Keldo and her)

- Mental abuse (Brendol blowing up Parnassos in front of her is more than enough, but there are other moments in the book)

- Sexual abuse

This last one is a theory of mine but I would definitely vouch for it - Brendol did force himself into Phasma, to show power over her, to keep her disciplined, to shape her into what he wanted her to be. I’m working on a dossier to explain to everyone why I think it happened, and I’ll definitely post it here as soon as I’m finished.

I think the right way to analyze anything in fiction is looking through all of it, not just the acts, not just the reasons for the acts. As that post I linked here said, Ben Solo has reasons for being the way he is, for actin the way he acts. Just like Rey has reasons for being the way she is and acting the way she acts, and this includes loving Ben.

And one last thing: that post was from before TRoS, so I have to add: Ben gave his life to save Rey. He indeed redeemed, for her, like that post said he would do. That doesn’t make Rey less than him, neither it makes her less powerful or less of a feminist icon (I usually say feminist icon because feminism as we know it in our society - the one that started with the suffragette and developed with all that came later on - does not exist in Star Wars’s society, so it’s kind of an add of ours to the characters). Rey defeated Palpatine. Rey gave her life to destroy the dark side of the Force. Having her life saved by Ben Solo after that doesn’t lessen anything she did. At least, not for me.

That’s basically what I think about this topic, I can say. The reason why I both ship Reylo and love Phasma is all about the complexity of the characters and/or the relation between them.

[maybeapizzatrophy]

Pretty much sums up my feelings.

[reylo-trash-4ever]

So I just watch TROS and I don’t know how to feel. Love ben’s redemption although I felt it happened too soon. I feel like they did good with Carrie. Lando was awesome. Gah I feel for the droids and Chewy like they spent so much time with these OT guys only for them to die. I respect why though (For Ben) Tbh though I really don’t know how to feel about it. I wasn’t much a Reylo shipper but I thought it was so cute I’m so in it now. Gah just feels I’m Whelmed. *Hides* sorry for the blown up.

Hello Nonny!

Yes, I agree with you! It is very hard to know how to feel when you first see it. It’s hard to take it all in and to wrap your head around it. It’ll take time and it’s okay to feel sad and overwhelmed and to also NOT KNOW how to feel. ‘Not knowing’ what you’re feeling is a valid feeling in and of itself.

Just know that we have a beautiful fandom and everyone is so kind and loving and gentle and will walk you through whatever you need. Surround yourself in love. Read fluffy fics, look at gorgeous fanart. Stay away from theories if you need to collect your own thoughts, but dive into them if they help you cope.

And know that I (as well as so many other amazing people and blogs I could recommend) are always willing to talk if you need! 💕 thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings

[chrissyglikesbooks]

Hey Disney,

Why the fuck did you have to kill off (Insert beloved character name from Avengers: Endgame or Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, here)?!?!

[thebitchofdathomir]

It’s been 11 months to the day since TROS hit.

It’s still burned in my eyeballs and I wish I could just unsee it.