#(Spoiler: he will not make the right decision)

[luinmiria]

I agree that Fitz's decisions make sense given his situation (especially when you think about how young he is) and that he gets called an idiot far more than he actually deserves, both in the narrative and in the fandom. But part of that comes with reading rote from his perspective - we're inside his mind, so we understand his thought process. We don't get the same advantage with the Fool. So while I agree with most of what you're saying, I do want to say a bit on that front.

I do think the Fool cares deeply about Fitz, but he's at an odd place in his life.

He's got a vision of the world and a significant role to play in its creation that he's very passionate about. He's got a pretty cushy position at the King's side, right where he needs to be to carry out that mission. He's also got a small crush on his catalyst, who happens to be his best friend and one of the best people he knows. All good things, right?

Except his role is pretty insignificant if the person he's supposed to make change with is too busy, too distracted, and too stubborn to listen to anything he has to say.

He might live in a castle, but very few people in that castle see him as anything other than an odd pet of the King's, and those people (a sick king and a very overwhelmed bastard) happen to be pretty unavailable most of the time. Not to mention that his security is entirely dependent on the King's goodwill (the same one currently being poisoned), and his very capable best friend, trained exactly for situations like this, can't be spared from comparatively unimportant tasks or let go of his grudges long enough to dedicate real energy to the problem.*

And that crush is all well and good, except the Fool's pretty sure Fitz only hangs out with him out of pity, the same way he would take in a beaten puppy, and that Fitz was halfway in love with someone else before they were ever friends. He's also pretty understandably frustrated with Fitz, given everything mentioned above. All of which makes for a pretty complicated emotional situation.

(And that's without mentioning the fact that he's simultaneously older and younger than everyone in that castle, so there aren't many people to relate to)

I also think it's also worth noting just how much the Fool's behavior towards Fitz changes in AQ. After mourning him for months he's far more sincere in his affection for Fitz, and more open with him about his own life. He's also more understanding of Fitz's family situation and his feelings of being used after hearing his account of Regal's dungeons and observing his conversation with Chade and Kettricken. That shows, to me, that it was never about his feelings for Fitz, but about his own decisions over how to deal with those feelings and his understanding of Fitz as a person.

In short: the Fool's going through it, the same way Fitz is, and they're both teenagers trying to figure out how to manage it all. That's why I think the Fool's care for Fitz comes across as inconsistent.

(Also, not sure how far you've read, but the Fitz who's writing Farseer isn't exactly in a good place either, and that might affect how clearly we're able to read the Fool's feelings)

*: I say unimportant from the Fool's perspective, since he has an idea where they're all headed. I get why Fitz is pulled in different directions though

It's difficult for me to understand how much Fitz gets thrown under the bus--especially in Royal Assassin--while the Fool is just presumed wiser and more benevolent. The Fool may have a crush on Fitz by then, but he loves King Shrewd wayyyy more and it shows. The Fool is like, why ever don't you personally see to it that Shrewd is taken care of and wait on his many needs even though you've raised this issue with Chade multiple times and you have extremely little power over the situation? As if King Shrewd is a benevolent figure in Fitz' life. Considering that Shrewd probably gave Fitz away to Regal so that Fitz could *die,* and considering that Shrewd very nearly had Fitz killed as a young child, and considering that Shrewd is singlehandedly responsible for taking every kind of agency away from Fitz (making him become an assassin, making him court Celerity, dictating his many assignments) I think Fitz loves Shrewd a damned lot. And yet the Fool has the gall to repeatedly guilt trip Fitz about King Shrewd, EVEN IN THE VERY CONVSERATION where Shrewd pointedly reminds Fitz that if he was "dismissed," he might have made sure Fitz never grew up at all. wtf man. The Fool looks up at Fitz with tears brimming his eyes in this look of huge betrayal because Fitz has been avoiding Shrewd, who has decided that Fitz--who does not get any of the deference of being royal--has to wed Celerity (a fourteen year old girl he had to politely interact with on an assassination mission for Shrewd). The Fool is hardly there for Fitz during hard times (like? Almost never besides the time Galen tries to kill him, and then just to lead Burrish there?) and ALSO the Fool basically told Fitz to consummate his relationship with Molly in his song (something like "you hold back your passions when you should be consummating them instead?), and then his big personal reveal is "hey! The whole Fate of the World rests on your shoulders and I'm going to use you to fix everything!" which actually *is* a wild thing to say in fact. Actually. And would terrify anyone. Honestly I just don't read the Fool as *actually caring* about Fitz very deeply on an emotional level during first era Buckkeep. Like he cares as the prophet, and he cares as a friend-ish, and he's probably developed some Feelings, but he doesn't really look out for Fitz beyond a tactical capacity. (Fitz, I think, looks out for the Fool rather more in that respect, and takes great care with what the Fool might be feeling and why. And he actually apologizes a few times). I guess half of what I'm feeling is that Fitz cares so much about people--even those he shouldn't care about (cough cough Shrewd, Chade after taking Nettle), and so many of his decisions come from trying to do the right thing while facing impossible choices. And he gives up so much in the way of personal justice (ie any reparations or safety or revenge concerning Regal). I just love Fitz. I really love Fitz. I think his choices make sense, given the experiences he's had and the information he's given and the options before him. And when the Fool loves Fitz, I love him too, but when the Fool sides with Fitz' oppressors and abusers (Shrewd, Chade in AQ) it hurts all the more because the Fool should be in Fitz's corner. When, at least in the first trilogy, the Fool just isn't. His first loyalty is always to something else (the Farseer throne and line, dragons etc) and in the first trilogy especially, he hasn't learned to try to balance that first loyalty with Fitz' needs and lived experiences. In fact in the first trilogy (or at least up through RA), he doesn't even seem aware that such a thing should matter much in the first place.

[lair-of-platonic-yanderes]

Platonic Yandere Lighter Alphabet

With Baby!/Child!/Teen! Reader

Feat. Sons of Calydon and Billy Kid.

Warnings: OOC. English is my second language. Mentions of human trafficking (thugs were offering to buy Lighter's adoptee). Spoilers for Lighter's past.

A - Adopt (How long will it take for them to start planning “to adopt”?)

Adoption, in a literal meaning of the word, happened before “adoption”.

Your brother was one of the newbie mercenaries from Lighter's group. He kept your and his past a secret while remaining friendly with Lighter and other mercenaries. But, you all knew, how the story ended.

Lighter was racked with guilt and regret. Not only his friends' families lost fathers/brothers/mothers/sisters... You lost your only family.

Lighter felt lost. While he did know what to do for families, he had no idea what to do with you. Your brother was the only family you had (at least to Lighter's knowledge). You were distraught and couldn't answer questions about your relatives. You were just shaking, hugging yourself or Lighter. Lighter had no one to return you to.

He couldn't just leave you in one of the Outer Ring's districts or somewhere in New Eridu. He has to make sure that you have someone to take care of you. That's also why Lighter was against the orphanages. He can't be sure that you will be adopted. In his eyes, orphanage was only slightly better than leaving you on the streets.

Lighter was also against asking one of the families of his late friends to take you in. They already had a hard time because of his poor decision. He can't burden them even more.

It took a lot of reassurance from families for Lighter to make a decision. For now, you will stay with him. When he had time, he asked around about your brother. Families will do the same in New Eridu. Maybe you have another relative you can stay with. Or, perhaps, they will meet someone, who are willing to adopt.

Time passed. Lighter fought on the underground fighting ring, returning after fights to his small room where you waited for him. He took care of you as best as he could.

Then Big Daddy paid off Lighter's debt. This time not only because he was a “high-profile fighter”, but also because he was a responsible man, taking care of a child.

You two joined Sons of Calydon.

Life became better. And Lighter received a message about your possible relative. You can finally be with your family, right?

No. Why should he give you away? He took care of you for months. He protected you from people who tried to kidnap you. He made a bloody mess (he did it with closed eyes) from the thug, who offered Lighter to sell you for a large sum of dennies (enough to pay off Lighter's debt) in return.

Where were your family during all that? What did they do to deserve you?

Lighter will never let them have you. You are his little sidekick/companion/sibling.

B - Baby (Is the age of their “adoptee” important to them? Will they reconsider “adoption” because of the age?)

He won't. Even if raising a baby as an indebted underground fighter is extremely difficult. Lighter will never abandon you.

C - Cage (How free their “adoptee” will be?)

Before Sons of Calydon - not free. Lighter is against you leaving living quarters or wandering far away from him. He has a good reason, there are very unpleasant public on the underground ring.

After joining Sons of Calydon - you are quite free. Lighter won't let you leave the district, where Sons of Calydon are staying, on your own. But you are free to travel with another member of Sons of Calydon. Lighter is fine with Lucy taking you to New Eridu to go shopping or with Piper taking you on a ride in Steeltusk. Big Daddy is literally your “babysitter” when Sons of Calydon have business in Hollows or with gangs (old Thiren volunteered to do this) . When you are old enough and trained enough, Lighter will let you do some easy commissions.

A certain former member is also welcomed to spend time with you. Billy is free to drop by and take you to New Eridu to play arcade games. Lighter himself would take you with him, when he has business in New Eridu (but not when he is meeting with families, he didn't want to answer questions about why you are still with him).

D - [Character's specific letter] Death (Has your presence convinced Lighter not to seek death?)

Yes. You might have a big family now. Neither Sons of Calydon nor Cunning Hares (thanks, Billy) will abandon you. But it doesn't change Lighter's fondness and determination to protect you. You will never lose another member of your family ever again.

E - Enthusiasm (How enthusiastic they are about the whole “adoption” ordeal?)

Not even for the tiniest bit. You were left alone in this dangerous world because of him. He has no right to be happy to have you by his side.

At the end, Lighter learned to like it. He still isn't happy that he has to adopt you. But he is happy that you are here.

F - Family (Will they insist on being called father/mother/brother/sister etc.?)

No. Lighter is fine with you calling him by his name. Besides, he will feel guilty if you start calling him "big brother".

However, if it makes you happy, Lighter will tolerate that.

G - Guilty (Do they feel guilty for taking their “adoptee” from their previous life?)

Yes and no. He feels guilty for being the reason for your situation, but not for “adopting” and raising you.

H - How (How exactly will the “adoption process” will go?)

After Lighter “realizes” that he is the only one suitable to be your guardian, he will investigate the supposed relatives his comrades' families found. He needs to back up his reasons for keeping you with him.

If there is no evidence, that you are related, Lighter will just shrug them off and, if being asked, tell that it was a mistake.

If there is evidence, Lighter will notice every little flaw they have. You deserve the best of the best.

I - Ill (What will they do if their “adoptee” became sick, and they can't treat them on their own?)

Before joining Sons of Calydon - Lighter already gives away part of his “prizes”, so you will be allowed to stay with him provided with a meal. If you became sick, he will give more money, so you can be treated. He will be constantly worried that you will be taken away from him.

After joining Sons of Calydon - he will let others help. Big Daddy knew some doctors from Outer Ring. Lucy can get you to doctors from New Eridu. Lighter, while worried, trusts others to keep you safe.

J - Joke (What kind of parent they are? Serious or Fun?)

Fun. Lighter jokes around you, and he is happy to join you when you are having fun.

K - Kill (Will they kill for their “adoptee”?)

It's a tricky one. It's unlikely that Champion of Sons of Calydon will kill. But an underground fighter?

Back then, Lighter didn't want to kill. But, after receiving multiple offers to sell you... He will be set on beating them half to death. If they are lucky, they will survive.

L - Liquid (Do they have any special drink they make for their “adoptee”?)

Any soft drink from New Eridu.

M - Meal (And what about meals?)

Lighter will try to get you something from Breaded Belief food truck every time he gas a chance.

N - No (What they will never do to their “adoptee”?)

Let you move to New Eridu. Outer Ring is very dangerous, but here Lighter can make sure that you are safe. In New Eridu you will be unprotected.

O - Obvious (Is it possible to catch on to their intention to “adopt”?)

Not really. Lighter will “adopt” the same moment he made a decision.

P - Place (Favorite place to take their “adoptee”)

Anywhere you can see the sunset.

Q - Quit (Is there anything that will make them reconsider “adopting”?)

If your relatives were found quickly. Maybe a month or two after Lighter takes you in. He won't have an “I am the only one who cared” mentality and will agree to part ways with you.

R - Rule (Do they have many rules for their “adoptee” to follow? Are there any strange rules?)

Not many. No strange.

Before joining Sons of Calydon - don't leave the room, be where Lighter can see you, and don't talk to strangers.

After joining Sons of Calydon - tell Lighter if you go for a walk; listen to Big Daddy when Lighter is on a mission; don't drink anything Burnice gives you.

S - Sharing (Do they “adopt” because they wanted to give love to someone, or do they want someone to give love to them?)

Lighter wanted to continue protecting you. He is the only one who could.

T - Thing (What is the first thing they get for their “adoptee”?)

Before joining Sons of Calydon - a soft blanket.

After joining Sons of Calydon - a matching scarf.

U - Unite (Will they welcome someone into the “family”?) Fraction's specific point - [How Sons of Calydon reacted to Lighter's adoptee?]

Sons of Calydon are welcomed to join your small family.

• Caesar King - a cool big sister. Likes to spend time with you, wants to teach you how to ride a bike (to Lighter's horror). You also adore her. Affectionately calls you Overlord's Most Important Fan.

• Luciana “Lucy” Auxesis Theodoro de Montefio - Lucy didn't show it, but she truly likes you. She tried to teach you more about living in New Eridu, leading to an unpleasant talk with Lighter. It was a misunderstanding. Lucy wasn't planning to take you away in New Eridu, but she wants you to visit the city. Lighter lets it slide, but he keeps an eye on her from now on. He still will let Lucy take you on trips.

With Baby, it might lead to a disastrous misunderstanding. Lucy's parents' workers, who were tasked with looking after her, might mistake you for her biological child. With Lighter being a father.

Workers will try to arrange a marriage ceremony (just signing certificates). Neither Lucy nor Lighter liked the idea.

Later that day, when the rest of Sons of Calydon finally found you three, you were peacefully playing with Grassy, Woody, and Bricky, while Lucy and Lighter were dealing with “matchmakers”.

• Grassy, Woody, and Bricky - when Lucy lets them, they are your playmates or helpers with commissions Lighter lets you do. You have a pretty friendly relationship.

• Piper Wheel - a mix between aunt and grandma. She likes you. When Sons of Calydon are traveling, you normally ride in Steeltusk with her. Sometimes she tells you about cars and how to repair them.

• Burnice White - she adores you. You are so cute, she can teach you so many things! She made a few cocktail recipes that don't include Nitro-Fuel, just for you.

• Pulchra Fellini - at first, she envies you. You were so lucky you weren't left alone after your brother's death. You didn't experience living in slums, fighting for your survival. Of course, she didn't blame you. She isn't close to you, but she thinks that you are cute. She will buy you something in New Eridu if you give her dennies.

• Big Daddy - unofficial grandpa. He admitted, that, even if Lighter wasn't a great fighter, but he had to look after you, he will pay off his debt do you will be safe. In charge of your education. You remind him of Little Caesar.

• Red Moccus - another of your commission helpers. You treat them nicely, so they like you in return.

• Billy Kid - another one who adores you. You are one of his most favorite Player 2. Tries to show you “Starlight Knight” in hopes you will enjoy it.

V - Vacation (Will they take their “adoptee” on vacation?)

Not really... There is simply no place for vacations. If one day he could afford to travel somewhere else (not New Eridu or Outer Ring), he will take you.

W - Wish (How much they will do for their “adoptee”?)

Everything he can do, he will do. He wants you to have a happy, safe life.

X - [Wildcard. Anything you want to share about them?]

No one has problems with you during Settlement Days. Even if you made someone angry. Reasons? Lighter, who is walking behind you, glaring at everyone who dares to approach you.

Y - You (What makes them want to choose their “adoptee” specifically?)

He felt guilty because of your brother's death. He wanted to protect you. There is also one more reason. He gets used to having you in his life. You brighten up Lighter's life during underground ring days and still make him happy in Sons of Calydon.

Z - Zero [Back to the beginning. Can you tell, during their first meeting with an “adoptee”, that they will choose them?]

No. Back when his friends were alive, Lighter treated you and your brother the same way he treated families and his friends.

[imustbenuts]

eito aotsuki meta appreciation thoughts, ie why i like this character the most in THL. im like 50% done with the game maybe. spoilers spoilers spoilers etc

simply put hes actually how i feel when i see takumi doing things in a lot of routes, and his character often reflects that quite well

casting aside the possibility of certain routes just having weird or off-putting writing for whatever reasons, takumi has some major characteristics that makes him a very effective villain protag. hes like. mundanely evil. he can be heroic once in a while, but the road to the heroic routes involves a lot of "WHY WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING BUT X HERE"

to be clear takumi can be selfless as evident in route 0 but after the events of that first 100 days, he becomes dogmatic about surviving to the end at any cost with his friends, and will repeatedly convince himself he did the right thing despite... often not actually doing the right thing in whatever route he's ended up in.

his inability to basically break out of his circular reasoning mentality is his biggest flaw. seriously this kid would rather honkshoo than go "fuck it i ball". he does not plan. he's not curious. he cannot do abstract thinking. he's sometimes a massive fucking dick. things happen to him. its not exactly his fault but it so very often is his fault. (and i will stand by that he also triggers cute aggression so hard and still treasures his friends (+ eito) that takumi as a whole makes me want to clobber him with a steel pipe affectionately)

for example, the multiple eitos route. the reason why eito decides to fuck with takumi so hard here seems to be mostly out of anger at him. takumi doesnt want to find the truth to the war here, he doesnt try to think beyond sirei's orders to kill eito, and he, with the decision to kill eito, shows that he deeply does not care beyond whats infront of his nose.

in the killing game route, a similar anger seems to be present from eito wherein hes present to fuck with takumi because this timeline's version of him got killed. assuming hes aware of the greater scope of the war thats going on as with the other timelines where he consistently figures out a good chunk of whats going on, hes still understandably peeved at takumi here for taking the easy way out.

so far im seeing the most chill eitos in the truth and rebellion route where the choices to get to this route involves doing the most difficult thing and just rolling with the punches. this means sacrificing a willing kyoshika to banzai on vesh, and sparing eito bc eito has information and has technically not committed a crime in the eyes of humanity. these routes involves examining and tackling whats being fed to the group by Sirei, and then having the proverbial rug pulled from beneath them as a whole. the eito in these route chills out and is on even footing with takumi having learned that they're all cannon fodder monsters and the war is xenophobic genocidal rubbish.

the routes im not familiar with are the s.f, cult of takumi, coming of age so i cant comment on those yet. so this is an incomplete understanding of the game possibly. mengo.

eito gets as bad as takumi does and as good/heroic as takumi does narratively speaking.

theres also the whole naming shit going on.

eito addresses takumi as "takumi-kun", his given name plus friendly address, which feels like him breaking directly into takumi's bubble and breathing all over him for a pair who just met. in jp context anyway

takumi addresses eito as "aotsuki", his surname which feels very respectful with a distance, and appropriate for a pair who just met. but, he doesnt change this address AFAIK no matter how much eito behaves himself

its no wonder then they have this dynamic where takumi behaves like a skittish freaked out cat around eito. and eito just really wants to do ???? things to takumi.

theres also the fucking wordplay here

済野　sumino = empty/vast field. so 拓海takumi 済野sumino = crashing waves, empty field

衛人　eito = defender. so 衛人eito 蒼月aotsuki = defender, pale/blue moon

if you pair the dynamics of whats going on it gets fun too

Eito + Takumi addressing = fair standing as equals, and would be Defender + Crashing Waves. kinda... oxymoronic bc how do you defend the shore being eroded by crashing waves

Eito + Sumino = Defender + Empty Field. honkshoo.... youre defending nothing... nihilism mayhaps, or optimistic nihilism maybe if its gotta be interesting.

if its Sumino + Aotsuki = also fair standing as equals, and would be Empty Field + Pale/Blue Moon. fucking poetry chefs kiss

Takumi + Aotsuki = Crashing Waves + Pale Moon. actually kinda poetic since the ocean's tide is effected by the push and pull of the moon. its as strong or as weak depending. this is their dynamic of most part of the story. also the ocean also reflects the moon or whatever.

doomed toxic yaoiful poetry. its very neat.

[inhuman-obey-me]

Ah and I hope this isn't spam (I'm not too sure on how asks on tumblr usually go) but any thoughts on the Simeon seraph reveal?

Personally I wasn't a big fan of it bc it felt kind of cheap? And inconsistent with how the Celestial Realm was written, and I don't really think it makes sense. My personal takes are that the Celestial Realm comes off as a more strict/authoritarian place that values adherence to rules and compliance more than caring for the angels themselves. Simeon stood out among the angels (at least to me) because he's decently high ranking but is/was always willing to bend the rules. He doesn't (usually) bend the rules for himself, but more to help the people he cares about. His 2 major demotions always felt pretty significant to his character. I don't think it was ever specified why he was demoted to an archangel, but with Raphael taking his place, I always assumed it either had something to do with him bending the rules, or with him maybe taking a more neutral position in the War. For becoming human, he did it because he cared to save MC's life more than Celestial Realm rules. To me both instances feel like moments where he chose to do what he felt was right regardless of whatever punishment he got, and the Celestial Realm doesn't seem like a place that goes light on punishments. To just have him be reinstated with seemingly no issue,,, kinda feels like it's cancelling out whatever development or change in perspective he could've gotten. A return to the status quo for the sake of wrapping up the story.

But then again I haven't had the time to finish either game so most of my info is through spoilers </3 So my interpretation could be totally wrong lol (sorry for the ramble btw ^^;)

Not at all spam and we are so sorry we're so late to answering this! It gets us worked up when we think about it haha.......

But yes to all you've said!! Simeon's casual seraph reveal makes no damn sense given everything we know about the Celestial Realm and Simeon's previous demotions and why they happened.

His demotion to archangel was heavily implied to happen because Simeon seemed to cover for the brothers/stayed neutral in the Great Celestial War. He was essentially punished for not being fully loyal to God. He wasn't quite 'replaced' as far as we know -- Raphael was already a seraph before the war, though he likely did take on some of Simeon's seraph responsibilities after he was demoted. And then yes, was punished again for "stealing" Lucifer's Ring of Light from Michael to help stabilize MC's power. As you said, Simeon is always willing to bend the rules in order to protect those he cares about -- and the Celestial Realm is quick to punish anyone who steps out of line.

We've long yelled that the Celestial Realm sucks in that it is a very authoritarian place. The Celestial Realm has consistently shown that it is not enough to be "good" but that the angels need to be obedient -- and not only must they obey in their actions, but it is mandated that they can never even question Father, aka God.

This point is pushed up to the very end, demonstrated by the subsequent agony that Raphael experienced in the final NB season. He too started feeling torn between what he felt was just, and the absolutism of the Celestial Realm's judgment. Even to him, who had always been very loyal to the Celestial Realm and much more of a stickler for the rules, as we've seen contrasted with the brothers, it didn't seem right that Simeon could potentially fall forever to demonhood for literally saving the entire universe, and that the Celestial Realm was not stepping in to end his punishment to save him from that fate, when Father could have very easily made that decision. Starting to realize that contradiction caused him so much distress that it sent him into a whole magical spiral, because he couldn't bear the anxiety and denial of realizing that he was beginning to doubt God!

Now, the end of the final season seems to suggest that the combined efforts of the other angels, in trying to appeal to Michael and Father to end the punishment of becoming human, plus Simeon's own decision not to give up on being an angel (which we have some separate thoughts on...) left room for an implication that he would return to being an angel. However, this also comes after a lot of buildup that seemed to imply he actually felt pretty okay accepting that he might become a demon, as one of his greatest regrets is actually not being able to join the brothers in rebellion during the war! So to simply hand-wave it in a casual birthday video mention that he's not only an angel again, but has been restored all the way to seraph status, is not only cheap but kind of insane????

Ultimately, though, a lot of the abrupt wrap-up on Simeon seems to have come about from the equally abrupt end of content for the games. As far as we can tell, the OM team themselves were caught by surprise by this decision, considering they had just rolled out a whole new "date" feature with only the first two brothers to start! RIP literally all the other characters' fans...?? And there was a whole Instagram moment of the social media team implying they wished for the games to come back too.....so, haha. Fuck us players, we guess.

So, we're limited to only speculation, of course, but at a guess, it seems like they wanted to set up things in a way that neatly tied a bow on Simeon's whole huge arc, putting him back at angel status for any future projects so that there wouldn't be big status changes from game to game. And slipping in a mention of him being a seraph again in the middle of a birthday YouTube video is absolutely the dumbest, cheapest way for them to do that, deeply undercutting so much of the world and story they'd set up, but presumably it's just a way for them to confirm the outcome from after the ending, without actually diving into it with the care and depth that it deserves.

But hey -- to be honest, who knows how much control the devs even had about it at that point?

[blue-slates]

I think what's getting me about the ending, more than how bittersweet they are is just that (endgame spoilers lool)

There's just no trust. Whoever the player sides with (and you HAVE to side with one of the them, no way out for you) just illustrates that Verso and Maelle don't trust that the other will follow through if they decide to listen.

Maelle can't trust Verso to not destroy the painting while she's gone to recuperate (and she's right). Verso can't trust Maelle to actually leave the painting after ostensibly fixing things up. (and how long would that even take? A day? A week? A year? Real world time or canvas time?)

And it makes me think back to their final relationship conversation, where Verso can either lie or be truthful about whether he let Gustave die. I was bothered by how subdued Maelle's reaction was, and eventually chalked it up to her putting it behind them. For context I chose to tell her the truth.

But I think whatever you chose, Maelle had already made up her mind about what Verso was capable of, and what she was planning to do with her life. She had already figured out that she can't trust him - he had already left everyone Lumiere to die instead of giving her Alicia's letter, telling her that shes' Alicia. (Maybe at first she still wanted to trust him. She understood why he did what he did, but by that point she asks about Gustave, she's made up her mind) And she'd already proven that, when push comes to shove, she's not going to listen to what Verso has to say, even about him not wanting to be alive anymore. Killing Alicia was a kindness to her, but she didn't let Verso even say goodbye. Yeah, it was her (Alicia/Maelle) decision, but to Verso it must've felt like he didn't matter.

He was just another portrait of her brother she couldn't lose.

And it kills me that they couldn't trust each other enough to reach a compromise, but they'd already made their decision long before their fight.

[geothewriter]

Vermillion Seas Cardinal Skies: Chapter 31 - The Darkness

The comet arrives. The fate of the world is in their hands. Aang sees the light while Zuko and Katara arrive in the Fire Nation capital.

--

At last. Y’all, you’re in for it.

If I say much more in this A/N, I am liable to give away spoilers, so with that:

Thank you, @achillmango, for your fantastic editing again, as always. You are a flipping mad genius for all you do to help me out on these. 

Prepare yourself. Get ready. And enjoy Chapter 31 - The Darkness

The forest around him is alive with the drone of insects complaining in the midday heat. Birds above sing their songs, flitting from branch to branch. All around, nature is lush and full of life. This place is truly at peace. He’s the only one here aware of the danger that’s about to sweep across the world. In a clearing bathed in sunlight, Aang’s heart deafens his ears as foreign energy fills his veins. He adds to the cacophony of his surroundings with unfulfilling, constant, shallow breaths. He messed up. He did the one thing he told himself he would never do again. The comet is here. He’s too late. He’s run away again. And the world is going to suffer the consequences of his actions again. He’s going to lose everything again, all because of his inability to see things differently. “I’m weak, Momo.” He whispers to his friend, chittering in his lap. “I can’t do anything right. I don’t even know where I am.” It is time, Aang. We must move now. Roku’s voice quietly perturbs the chaos of his worried mind. “I haven’t figured out how to beat him without– Besides that, Roku, I don’t even know where I–” Enough of this nonsense. You are the Avatar. Act like it. Justice must be dealt swiftly and with a steady hand. Where Roku’s voice was kind and persuasive, Kyoshi’s is brash, insensitive, and determined. “I can’t.” Do not make the same mistakes as I, young one. Do not let the mortal world fend for itself. Act with decisive strategy. Kuruk’s voice is stern but pleading. We must all make sacrifices, Aang. We must do what is best for the world. It is our duty as the Avatar to maintain balance, no matter the cost. Yangchen’s words crash into him.  Momo flies into a nearby tree as he brings his knees to his chin and cradles himself. He could cry– Is crying. She should understand him the most, and yet here she is, resonating with Kyoshi’s heartless speech more than the teachings they both grew up with. He wishes he could tune his past lives’ advice out, put it away, and never listen to it again. Removing the block was a mistake. None of it helps. It’s just making everything so much worse. He’s letting his friends down. He’s the worst. He’s–  “Wan!” He screams at the top of his lungs, hoping the sound of his voice will somehow punch through the chaos in his head.  The first Avatar failed him, too. Wan’s promise is still fresh in his mind, even after all these weeks. So much for that. “Where’s the ally you promised to send me?!” He cries out and slams a fist on the ground. “You lied! I should have known better than to hope for a miracle!” 

Continue Reading on AO3.

[shadelorde]

Guys. Aaravos didn’t choose to sacrifice his child. What the fuck. Literally one of the first things he said was “take my life instead.” It was not him who sacrificed Leola. And choosing to live wasn’t an inherently evil act, and idk I find it a little weird that some of y’all are already saying that, as someone who has had a sibling die and watched the impact it had on my parents!!

[redgoldblue]

so assuming Avery is actually pregnant / doesn't early-trimester miscarry (which is not a given), there's two reasonable ways this can go, right. number one is she gets an abortion, the plotline is used to pull them all back together again, and they all have some collective hurt/comfort about it. number two, the one i would write - don't get me wrong, i'm all for women getting career-driven abortions, but hear me out - is the one where she does have the baby. under the cut bc it got long.

she goes to med school at first while pregnant - Max is right, it can be done, people in my cohort did it - and either gets lucky with the timing of the actual birth being during holidays, or just works her way to getting time off for a few weeks around it. And then... there's a baby. And you know what else there is? There's two dads (because we're 100% Mamma Mia-ing this bitch. they never find out who the bio dad is and they never seriously try. Baby comes out with Avery's exact skin tone so that's no clue.), and an entire cruise ship worth of backup babysitters. So Avery goes back to med school, and leaves the baby with Tristan and Max.

And, yes, raising a baby while also running an infirmary with a rotating cast of temporary substitute nurses filling Avery's role isn't the easiest thing they've ever done, but Robert loves fulfilling grandparent duties any time he's not on duty; Rosie gets one of those strap-on baby carriers and walks her (i don't know why i've decided the baby is a her but i have now) around the engine room pointing out parts and explaining concepts and hey, the baby never complains about her Michigan stories; Corey gets a cart and a bundle of clean sheets and pushes her down the corridors until the smell of laundry powder automatically makes her start laughing.

Max and Tristan make a pact to send Avery at least two photos a day - which ends up getting supplemented by everyone else who's with Baby - and FaceTime her most days, and whenever she gets a few days off she meets them in port. (The most expensive part of baby-raising ends up being her flights to wherever the Odyssey happens to be at the time, at least until Robert finds out and figures out a way to start paying her 'maternity leave', despite her insistence that the whole point of this is that she isn't maternity-leaving and he should probably be paying himself that and anyway, isn't she technically not an employee right now?)

And the thing is, during this time, Max and Tristan start... realising some things. Like how neither of them feel like they've lost their only partner, because they.. haven't. Like how the co-parenting's been working out better than either of them expected, because they fell instantly (minus a few minor bumps) into a shared rhythm. Like how sometimes they look at the other one holding Baby and feel like their heart's about to explode.

Also, they've both started sleeping in Max's bed. Because Baby's spent so much time sleeping in the corner of the infirmary that now if she wakes up at night and can't see both of them, she starts crying inconsolably. And obviously Max's suite is more suited to multiple inhabitants, and they're usually too damn exhausted to even remember the first time they were in this bed together.

(usually. most of the time. and when they're not, they don't make it the other's problem)

So at the end of the first year of this, the last two days of the year's last cruise have been packed with crisis after crisis after demanding patient after crisis, and as soon as they finally wave the last passenger off they hand Baby gratefully over to Robert and go crash out in Max's bed.

Avery was supposed to be meeting them on board tomorrow, but her last exam gets unexpectedly moved up by a day (believe me, med school loves to pull that kind of shit on you), so a couple hours after the passengers have gone, she shows up to surprise them. And finds Robert (a known ody3 shipper) first, who lets her take Baby with minimal captainly sulking about it, and while she rocks and kisses Baby, tells her (as a known ody3 shipper) that the two dads will be on the Pelican deck, but they're probably asleep.

Avery kinda frowns at him, but doesn't question it, and takes Baby up with her to Max's suite to find them. And they are both fast asleep, on either side of Max's bed with a space carefully preserved between them (because it's usually where Baby would be and they're both terrified of accidentally rolling onto her in the middle of the night). She's also exhausted after exams, so she crawls into it, lies on her back with Baby on top of her chest, and goes straight to sleep.

Tristan and Max wake up before her, and when they look across at each other, at Avery and Baby between them, they both simultaneously realise, oh. oh. oh, this - this three, two-and-half, four people, all together - this is it. this is the love, this is the children, this might even be the home - the second, third, fourth bucket list items to happen in this bed.

[royalich]

Lace, possessed and speaking directly to Rook: You took everything from us, and you thought you won. But we're still here. We will endure. In spite of you.

Lucanis: 😌🙂‍↕️😌🙂‍↕️

Spite, from behind Lucanis' eye: 😂😈👹

Rook: 😐🫥😶‍🌫️

Solas, from behind Rooks eye: ✌️🙂😔

[howtodrawyourdragon]

If you really think about it... Everyone in the show is a little bit of a Jinx.

[halcyon-autumn]

Trying so hard to decide what I think about Elayne’s conversation with Gaebril/Rahvin. He says he wants her to come home, but Elayne does the opposite of what he says. We know he’s a master of Compulsion, so presumably he could have easily made her come home if he wanted. Why didn’t he?

I think he wants her at the Tower. I wonder if the Gray Man who attacked Nynaeve and Elayne was there because Rahvin ASKED Moghedien to send one - we know Rahvin and Moghedien have some level of alliance. Maybe Rahvin is trying to further fracture Andor and the White Tower via Elayne’s death?

[theharellan]

there are a lot of things about the atone ending that i feel are more beholden to bioware maintaining the status quo than delivering on some of the themes of both the world/game they built and solas specifically

but i think a big one is that every time solas has picked up a cause and thought "this time it'll fix me/this time i'll be forgiven" it has not, in fact, fixed him.

[veilkeeper]

not to be durgetash brainpoisoned but Fel saying "you are wrong to consider another your equal" in the scene in act 2 when durge is going to kill their LI.... i wonder if thats the first time he's said that to them.

[suffarustuffaru]

otto, doing something with good intentions: are you sure you want me in your life. i bring a lot of trouble you know. and i helped you just for my own benefit. this money isnt mine by the way. so like im gonna give it to you. just out of pity or whatever. no its not my money haha why would it be my money. also we didnt like Murder those people haha why would we do that? they fell off on accident <3 dont worry i lied to the authorities for your sake - i mean. they. um. i told them the truth about what happened hahah. also did i mention already that youre better off without me in your life. and im gonna leave the moment theres danger. just so you know. so like dont be surprised if i leave you. also im not gonna tell you why im doing any of this for you. the reason why is so boring anyway. its not like i care or anything. idiot. but also maaaaybe im kind of the worst person ever oopsies 🫢 and can you stop putting yourself in danger. its.................................. a lot of work for me and totally not concerning me at all. ugh why am i still stuck in this goddamn job. yeah i know i couldve left like a year ago, im staying here because. because. um. well im too USEFUL now the entire place would fall apart without me. who else is gonna do your paperwork huh?? i do it way better than all of you because all of you SUCK ASS at everything around here. no its not like i Care that much. like yeah youre my friends but i already warned you ages ago about the consequences of keeping me around so you deserve me complaining to you actually.

otto, doing something bad: i LITERALLY mean well okay :<<<< this is FOR YOUR OWN GOOD why arent you thanking me on the spot and listening to my advice already. ive never been wrong about anything EVER in my whole life. you should be bowing down to me and kissing my little forehead and telling me im right BECAUSE I AM. im the BEST PERSON EVER right now. i LITERALLY deserve so much better than this. im going to save all of your asses and then youre going to come fucking crawling back to me the moment you need me again, i guarantee it <3 im Extremely useful and youd miss me the moment im gone. right? right. right. im right, right? please notice me and listen to my extremely good advice 🥺 why are you saying its bad advice??? cmonnn stop ignoring me :((( just because im lying to you, keeping secrets from you, manipulating you, hoping everyone else dies for your sake, repeatedly trying to abandon millions of people, etc etc DOESNT MEAN that im wrong and ive Never been wrong. Ever. .......yeah a bunch of people are gonna die, so what? have they tried like, not standing in the way of my goals? 🥺

[onceuponaneverafter]

It's hard to get through Ouabh series when Jacks is focused on another girl. And the whole series is kinda about that. Also In Caraval, Jacks seems more caring and affectionate towards Tella than Evangeline. He's rude to Evangeline and yeah he may protect her but doesn’t he protect her because he needs her as a key to go back to Tella. And With the ending of Tbona, using the stones to save Evangeline, wasn't he already going to rewrite history by going back to Tella? I see people say that he went back in time to save Evangeline knowing the consequences but wasn’t he already going to do that for Tella?

hi anon! thank you for sending your thoughts! you make good points, and i agree, it does get frustrating to read about how focused he is on tella.

i personally look at his actions through the lens of his story, his feelings, and his beliefs - it isn’t a flawless perspective to the story and i’m not saying he’s always in the right, he certainly does make flawed decisions and downright terrible ones too, but i’ve found it interesting to try to understand what’s going on in his head even if it makes him do stupid things and clouds his reason.

basically since he kissed tella and she didn’t die, he’s been convinced that she’s the only chance he will ever have at love - he doesn’t genuinely love her at any point, but for the entirety of the series (except for the very very end) he thinks he could only ever be a danger to any other girl and it would be better to stay away from anyone else for their safety, no matter what. thanks to his curse, tella becomes his obsession.

after tella makes it clear she wants nothing to do with him (which she has every right to do), he believes he will never have another chance at love and is ready to go to unreasonable lengths - going back in time - to get one. i think that once he grows to care about evangeline, he still isn’t particularly nice to her and wants to only care about her as a key because he thinks that if he actually let her close, he would just be a danger to her, and he thinks she’s better off not knowing him, and he thinks he’s better off trying again with the one girl who didn’t die.

you make a good point of jacks being willing to go back in time for tella no matter the consequences! i think the difference is that he’d be originally going back in time for the idea of love instead of tella herself, to get something he wants instead of for her happiness, but he’s grown to value evangeline over all of his previous plans and something he desperately wants. this is why people (including me) talk about it! him having grown to really care for evangeline and put her first is highlighted a lot in ACFTL (though he doesn’t always go about it in the best way there, still making some stupid decisions, but that’s another conversation for another day haha).

sorry the post ended up so long! this is just my thoughts on the topic and some thoughts on why the fandom talks about him as we do - his thought process doesn’t necessarily justify how he acts sometimes, but this way it makes more sense to me, making the story about him growing to genuinely care for someone else and realizing the difference between obsession and love.

thank you again for your thoughts, i hope you have a good day! 💗

[cuteniaarts]

Me, six-ish hours ago: Yeah, I had the idea for an Avatar Suiren AU pretty much as long as Suiren herself existed, but idk if I'm ever gonna develop it, it's really hard to upkeep interest for it on my own...

Me, as soon as the concept of Suiren and Vaatu bullying Raava together popped into my head while I was typing out that long ass post: Fuck it, new strain of brain fungus acquired–

(Also yeah traditional art being posted for the first time since... 2020, probably. Don't have the spoons to transfer this to digital rn, maybe I will at some point and I'll do a fuckass Spirit World background or smth. We'll see)

First time drawing Vaatu so don't make fun of me, but honestly he's such a funky little guy and rather fun to draw. You just get that main shape down and then go nuts with the frills :) But also, credit where credit is due, scrolling through the Vaatu tag on @shadelorde’s blog really helped, so thank you for that 😊 And I really had no idea what to do with Suiren’s design here, I think I’ve used up all my character design juices on the nine previous iterations of her that exist, so for now she’s in a random dress with her hair down. I’ll probably alter it if I ever do a proper design for her in this verse