#then had the audacity to complain she wasn't emotionally mature enough to deal with a lot of what happened during DNS?

[druidx]

thinking about how, in her early days in the Watch, Elo might have been being the sort to hide any injuries.

because, well, she's basically a nepo baby right? So she's got something to prove. She's not just the niece of the fabled Shot in the Dark or the Grand Magus. She's her own damned person who is, incidentally, really quite good at being a Watchman.

Her first partner, Sargent Taube, her instructional officer, was reasonable. But he retired after finishing her instruction, so about a year and a half. Then she went through at least 4 or 5 other partners before Farren, who were at best indifferent or at worst actively bullying her.

And she quickly realised there was no such thing as sympathy in the Watch. But also she has to prove she - female, non-human and 3ft fuckall - has what it takes to be as macho as the rest. So she has to suck it up, not let on she's hurt, and thus got really good at hiding her injuries.

She knows Farren is different, but it doesn't stop the habit of hiding injuries, even after they've been partners for a while. Until he finds out by accident and gives her an earful for it, followed up by the equivalent of 'who hurt you?' to which she's like, I have a list if you want a copy.

It all about the 'goes through hell then finally finds the one who cares' 🧡️

[aquadestinyswriting]

Yeah. Yeah... Elowyn really did have a lot to prove in her early career didn't she? There was so much that was going against her, and yet look at her post-campaign (I mean, she's still obviously a bit of a wreck, but you know what I mean).

This is why I love Farren so, so much. He helps to keep Elo grounded and keeps her in touch with the general citizenry of Toreguarde, which is probably what allowed her to stop Felix's constant praise from going to her head. To be honest, I think Merri is probably just a weeny bit jealous because I'm not sure if she has an equivalent of him in her life yet (maybe Yoruk counts?)

But the habit of hiding injuries is a terrible one, and I love it! So many opportunities for drama and angst <3.

#also - lol I might need to retcon her age at the start of DNS because I made her far too young for everything that has to fit 🙃️#she was *19*. can you believe that a group of age equivalent 30yos soft-elected her party leader?#then had the audacity to complain she wasn't emotionally mature enough to deal with a lot of what happened during DNS?#'you're mature for your age' 'thanks. it's all the fucking trauma'#also she's actually 3'2. which was hilarious when she tried to protect people#because only one other character was the same height - everyone else is taller

I think the group's average equivalent age range was in their early 20s, hen. I know for a fact that Merri's equivalent age was somewhere around 19-21 and I don't think the others (at least to start with) were too much older (and, IIRC, Darius was 16 for the time that he was a part of the group). So that age gap isn't nearly as big as you were thinking it is. Still, yes, it is really rather stupid that the older young adults basically elected the 19 year old to be party leader.

Yeah, the height thing is hilarious, if only because Dwarves are meant to be taller than gnomes (who are, in turn, taller than woodlings), and yet here's Meredith who's not that much taller than the woodling.

thinking about how, in her early days in the Watch, Elo might have been being the sort to hide any injuries.

because, well, she's basically a nepo baby right? So she's got something to prove. She's not just the niece of the fabled Shot in the Dark or the Grand Magus. She's her own damned person who is, incidentally, really quite good at being a Watchman.

Her first partner, Sargent Taube, her instructional officer, was reasonable. But he retired after finishing her instruction, so about a year and a half. Then she went through at least 4 or 5 other partners before Farren, who were at best indifferent or at worst actively bullying her.

And she quickly realised there was no such thing as sympathy in the Watch. But also she has to prove she - female, non-human and 3ft fuckall - has what it takes to be as macho as the rest. So she has to suck it up, not let on she's hurt, and thus got really good at hiding her injuries.

She knows Farren is different, but it doesn't stop the habit of hiding injuries, even after they've been partners for a while. Until he finds out by accident and gives her an earful for it, followed up by the equivalent of 'who hurt you?' to which she's like, I have a list if you want a copy.

It all about the 'goes through hell then finally finds the one who cares' 🧡️