#sophie is coasting along rn holding tight

[bookwyrminspiration]

What do you think will happen to Sophie after the neverseen is defeated? When she’s an adult. Her entire life to this point has consistently been struggle and isolation, now, on top of that, her purpose, what she was built for, is done. What is there to be after that? What could one do?

I for one, think she’s going to have a midlife crisis, or whatever the equivalent is since infinity has no middle.

Well I'd argue that her purpose isn't focused on the Neverseen; sure, they've made a problem of themselves and she's part of a solution, but the reason the Black Swan and Sophie exist goes beyond contesting the Neverseen. She isn't done. Once they're dealt with, I think she'll still have purpose in addressing inequalities and injustices in the elven world--the treatment of the talentless, pyrokinetics, twins, etc.

There's also the whole matter of humanity, the human problem. Which is more personal for Sophie than anyone else, and her unique knowledge of them would be invaluable in any conversation and decision making going forward to solve the issues there. I highly doubt she's going to sit that one out. And whatever they come with is most likely going to be a very drawn out, long term thing that will always need involvement, so I think she'll always have something to do there.

However! A continued purpose does not negate the possibility of a crisis! Even helping improve their world and advocating for humans, she's still doing what others set up for her; she didn't have any control over any of who she is, so is she even her own person? Who is Sophie Foster? Who does she want to be? Can she be that person? Does she do what she does because she wants to or because it's what she was made for?

And can she ever fit in? Can she ever truly belong? There is no one else like her and there never will be. There will always be a gap between her and everyone else, and can she overcome that? is her one deepest wish--to be normal, to belong--achievable? or is it a fantasy she can only imagine and yearn for and grieve. will she ever be satisfied with the people around her or will that out of place feeling last forever?

There's a lot to break down over, she can take her pick. But I do think tying her purpose to specifically defeating the Neverseen misses a big chunk of Project Moonlark and the Black Swan's intentions, so any crises would also factor that in because there would be more for her to do :)