#syrio

[radioactiveoreoshake]

Arya Stark

Fear cuts deeper than swords.

These were taught to Arya by her 'dance master' Syrio Forel. During the darkest time of my life I used to chant these words to myself and somehow I survived.

We take a lot many things for granted but I have realised the role that literature plays in our lives. These lines were read by me as a girl of 17 and at 20 these very lines helped me carry on. Was I afraid? Yes. But isn't that the only time you can be brave?

[inwinterhell]

As a female athlete myself, I just want to quickly appreciate how George R.R Martin writes his women who fight. It’s never, “she wanted to be a warrior so she worked harder than everyone and eventually she could beat all the boys.” He actually gives his characters strengths and weaknesses—as well as cultural ties to fighting— and he makes these traits enhance the already existing plot lines these characters follow. The mental game is also always just as important, if not more, than the physical game, which I’ve found is true in sports and probably much more true in actual life-threatening situations.

Arya is a small child. She’s nine, she’s skinny; she would probably never excel at being a knight, so instead she learns a different type of fighting. She’ll never overpower anyone, but she can be quick and sneaky and use her left hand which most people don’t know how to fight against. Also, I would argue that Syrio’s teachings about “looking with your eyes” were far more important to her than the physical part of water dancing. Most of the time she isn’t using her skills to directly fight people, but to run away, to spy on people, to catch food and survive. Syrio is her friend, Needle is Jon Snow’s smile, etc. Arya learning how to use her stature to her advantage is part of a greater connection to her identity and the people who helped her.

Brienne is stronger than most men, but she faces constant misogyny because of that (which is all too realistic). She constantly faces internal battles with her own self-image and harassment wherever she goes. She gets taught to use men’s pride and anger to her advantage:

“Old Ser Goodwin was long in his grave, yet she could hear him whispering in her ear. Men will always underestimate you, he said, and their pride will make them want to vanquish you quickly, lest it be said that a woman tried them sorely. Let them spend their strength in furious attacks, whilst you conserve your own. Wait and watch, girl, wait and watch (AFFC Brienne 7)”

Finally, “no chance, and no choice” is her most memorable line for a reason. It’s not her martial prowess that makes her a great character; it’s her bravery and honor.

Cultural ties are also so important to the reasons many women in the series fight. Asha is Balon’s last remaining child when all her brothers are dead and gone. Of course she knows how to fight and sail. Her tension with Theon is less about her showing off and more about her proving how much she actually knows her people while he doesn’t (of course that isn’t Theon’s fault but that’s a whole other post). The Mormont women learned to fight because they historically had to fight off invaders; the Sand snakes’ skills show their connection to Oberyn, etc.

Anyway I just love how George uses fighting to enhance his characters’ personalities and not define them. None of them are physically or mentally infallible, and none are exempt from misogyny. They just learned to do something that empowers and protects them despite society’s expectations. George’s writing of women is definitely not perfect, but this is something I really appreciate.

[ministarfruit]

tsb forever 🫂🫂🫂

[fluorescencefuture]

HOLOctober 25 Genderbend

Regina - Dezdemona - Alice - Venessa

Betsy - Flan - Haruka - Shinobu

Juralyn - Goldiglock - Octavia - Rune

[medievalandfantasymelee]

THE HOT MEDIEVAL & FANTASY MEN MELEE

QUALIFYING ROUND: 143rd Tilt

Will Scarlett, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) VS. Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Propaganda

Will Scarlett, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) Portrayed by: Patrick Knowles

“Will Scarlett: red Gucci boots. a little lute that he likes to strum. does absolutely nothing relevant to the plot and I think punches a guy, MAYBE once? is otherwise functionally useless. nonviolent king of the twinks. clearly the best character in robin hood (1938)”

Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Portrayed by: Miltos Yerolemou

No Text Propaganda Submitted

Additional Propaganda Under the Cut

Additional Propaganda

For Will Scarlett:

“Will Scarlett, gorgeous, useless vision in red that you are. Truly the template for the useless vibing Merry Man who does nothing but chill and sing little songs.”

For Syrio Forel:

Photoset

[currypanini]

[h4kka]

holo texts

[sofaisu]

I love Holostars.

[tentokki]

Compilation of Holostars EN fanart I've drawn

[kabekoni]

spooky tempus 👻

[transmasc-makima]

[miiversian]

fake ass hater your true emotions are betrayed by your glove cloak's body language

[koisines]

stained glass [may 13, 2023]

[ministarfruit]

kiss the homies goodnight (or else)

bonus uno reverse edition:

[fluorescencefuture]

Did an art style study and drew Holostars EN in the style of Dislyte's chibis!

[stormborns]

GAME OF THRONES 1.06, A Golden Crown