#Structural analysis

[raayllum]

To this day I still think arc 2 is one of the best deconstructions of a traditional fantasy's "happily ever after" I've ever seen.

By the end of the arc, the queen you spent all of arc 1 travelling to is dead and leaves her beloved son an orphan; the main couple who exchanged heartfelt "I love you"s has to rebuild their relationship back stronger after major cultural/interpersonal clashes; the different groups who came together to win the day likewise have cultural differences and integration can be a bitter, beautiful, bloody process, culminating in a civil war; the father dubbed a villain by his son saved his life and hundreds of others, and the sister he clung to / tried to save and excuse is now someone he believes he has to kill / the certainty he'd found is now in shambles; the mysterious big bad is still mysterious but shattered, and will return to haunt you again and again; the child king cracks and crumbles under the weight of his crown and his losses and, like everyone else, just manages to come back from the brink; no amount of love can save someone who doesn't want to change, and sometimes you can't save people precisely because they have; you cannot save everyone, and sometimes you won't even try to.

[cursemyexistences]

structural analysis notes *ﾟ+.*.｡

[valsedelesruines]

[simutechgroup]

Understanding Structural Analysis: Ensuring Safety and Stability in Engineering

Structural analysis is a critical component of engineering, assessing how forces, loads, and environmental factors impact structures such as buildings, bridges, vehicles, and even aircraft. It allows engineers to predict how a structure will respond under various conditions and identify any potential weak points. This analysis is essential to design structures that are not only functional and efficient but also safe and resilient. This blog explores the fundamentals of structural analysis, its importance, methods, and key applications in modern engineering.

What is Structural Analysis?

At its core, structural analysis involves evaluating how structures will respond to various stresses, including loads, forces, and environmental impacts such as wind or temperature changes. The goal is to ensure that structures can safely withstand these stresses without failing or collapsing. Engineers use mathematical models, material science principles, and physics to analyze structural performance, ultimately guiding them in designing safe, efficient structures.

There are two main types of structural analysis: static and dynamic. Static analysis examines forces that remain constant over time, such as the weight of materials or permanent fixtures, while dynamic analysis considers time-varying forces, such as wind gusts or seismic activity. By applying these methods, engineers can accurately predict how a structure will behave under both regular and extreme conditions.

Importance of Structural Analysis

Structural analysis is crucial because it helps prevent catastrophic failures that could lead to property damage, injuries, or even loss of life. Inadequate structural integrity has led to numerous structural failures in history, underscoring the importance of careful analysis in engineering. Through rigorous structural analysis, engineers can identify weaknesses in the design phase and make necessary adjustments to reinforce stability and strength, ultimately reducing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of the structure.

Moreover, structural analysis is key to meeting regulatory standards. Many countries have strict building codes that require structures to meet specific safety standards. Structural analysis helps ensure compliance with these regulations, avoiding legal issues and potential liabilities.

Methods of Structural Analysis

Several methods are used in structural analysis, each with distinct approaches to calculating stresses, deformations, and potential failure points:

Finite Element Analysis (FEA): FEA analysis is one of the most popular and precise methods used in modern structural analysis. By breaking down a complex structure into smaller, manageable sections (finite elements), FEA enables detailed simulation of how each part responds to loads and stresses. FEA is especially useful for analyzing complex shapes and materials, such as those used in aerospace and automotive industries.

Analytical Methods: These are traditional approaches involving mathematical equations and formulas to calculate stresses, loads, and deflections. Though useful for simpler structures, analytical methods can be limited in complexity and accuracy compared to FEA.

Matrix Methods: Matrix methods are computational techniques that allow for efficient analysis of multi-component structures, such as trusses or frameworks. These methods are highly useful for large structures with repetitive elements, providing a balance of accuracy and efficiency.

Computer-Aided Structural Analysis: With advancements in technology, computer software has become an essential tool in structural analysis. Programs such as ANSYS, SAP2000, and Abaqus offer engineers robust simulation environments where they can test structural responses under various load conditions quickly and accurately.

Applications of Structural Analysis

Structural analysis finds applications across numerous fields, from civil and mechanical engineering to aerospace and automotive design:

Buildings and Bridges: Engineers use structural analysis to ensure the safety and durability of buildings and bridges. It helps determine the correct materials and designs to withstand expected loads, such as the weight of occupants and environmental forces like earthquakes or heavy winds.

Aerospace and Automotive Industries: In aerospace and automotive engineering, structural analysis is used to create lightweight, strong materials and designs that can withstand high-speed impacts, pressure changes, and extreme temperatures.

Energy Sector: Offshore oil rigs, wind turbines, and solar panel installations rely on structural analysis to withstand harsh weather, wave forces, and fluctuating loads, ensuring reliable operation in challenging environments.

Conclusion: The Foundation of Safe Design

Structural analysis plays a vital role in modern engineering, providing the insights needed to design safe, reliable, and efficient structures. By applying rigorous analysis methods, engineers can foresee potential issues and optimize designs to prevent failure. As technology continues to advance, structural analysis will become even more precise, further enhancing safety and innovation across various industries.

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

"it's not that deep" not yet but I've got a shovel and fan theories and digging makes great exercise!

[321arka]

Structural engineering is a field dedicated to the design and analysis of safe and efficient structures capable of withstanding various types of loads. Among the critical considerations in structural design is the ability to resist lateral loads, such as wind, seismic forces, and other horizontal pressures.

Understanding Moment Resisting Frames

Moment Resisting Frames (MRFs) are structural systems designed to resist lateral loads by utilizing the moment resistance developed in their frame members. These frames are commonly employed in high-rise buildings, bridges, industrial facilities, and other structures where stability against lateral forces is paramount.

The primary mechanism by which MRFs resist lateral loads is through the development of bending moments in the frame elements, typically beams and columns. By providing sufficient stiffness and strength in these members, MRFs can effectively transfer lateral loads as bending moments throughout the structure, thereby mitigating the effects of lateral forces.

Read more

[ajayexplore]

TEFUGEN: Redefining Engineering Excellence through Finite Element Analysis

WHY USE FEA IN YOUR ENGINEERING PROJECTS?

At the forefront of engineering excellence, TEFUGEN offers exceptional Finite Element Analysis (FEA) services in India. Utilizing FEA yields unparalleled benefits, offering profound insights into your project's performance prior to physical model construction. It aids in pinpointing stress points, identifying potential weaknesses, and assessing material durability under diverse conditions, effectively mitigating the risk of failure and associated costs. With its ability to conduct precise simulations, FEA empowers informed decision-making in design modifications, guaranteeing optimal performance and safety.

Structural Integrity Assessment:

In engineering, FEA, an indispensable method, meticulously assesses structural integrity by simulating material responses to diverse conditions. This predictive analysis is pivotal for guaranteeing the safety and reliability of designs. TEFUGEN, as a FEA consulting service in India, provides expert assistance, enabling engineers to identify potential weaknesses and optimize for durability.

Thermal stress analysis:

FEA analysis services play a key role in assessing heat distribution within structures or components. Engineers leverage this analysis to model and analyze thermal behavior meticulously. By doing so, they optimize designs for efficient heat dissipation or retention, ensuring the performance and reliability of the system. This detailed analysis enables engineers to make informed decisions regarding material selection, insulation, or heat management strategies, ultimately enhancing overall system efficiency and longevity.

Mechanical Component Design:

FE Analysis plays a crucial role in optimizing mechanical component design by accurately predicting stress, strain, and deformation. This ensures components can effectively withstand operational loads while minimizing material usage, thereby enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Fatigue Analysis:

Engineers use FEA for fatigue analysis, predicting the lifespan of components subjected to cyclic loading. This is crucial in industries like aerospace and automotive, where understanding material fatigue is paramount.

Fluid Structure Interaction:

Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) is a crucial aspect of FE Analysis, examining the dynamic interaction between fluids and structures. By simulating how fluids affect nearby structures and vice versa, FSI enables engineers to optimize designs for enhanced performance and durability across various industries.

Modal analysis Modal analysis using FEA techniques enables the simulation of eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes, revealing the vibrational characteristics of a structure. Meanwhile, harmonic analysis facilitates the emulation of peak responses to specific loads, offering insights into system behavior. These analyses are indispensable tools for understanding structural dynamics and optimizing performance.

Motion study Unlocking insights into structural behavior through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) motion studies. Discover the intricate dynamics of systems, optimize designs, and ensure structural resilience with FEA motion analysis.

[little-p-eng-engineering]

Comprehensive Seismic Engineering Design Services Offered by Little P.Eng. and its Importance in Piping Stress Analysis

In the world of engineering and construction, seismic engineering is a specialized field crucial for ensuring the safety and resilience of structures in earthquake-prone regions. Little P.Eng. is a renowned seismic engineering firm that provides a wide range of services to address the unique challenges posed by seismic activity. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the multitude of services offered by Little P.Eng., highlighting their expertise, innovation, and dedication to creating structures that can withstand the forces of nature.

Seismic Risk Assessment

One of the foundational services offered by Little P.Eng. is seismic risk assessment. Before embarking on any seismic engineering project, it's essential to understand the level of risk posed by potential earthquakes in a specific area. Little P.Eng. utilizes advanced methodologies and data analysis to assess seismic hazards accurately. This assessment helps clients make informed decisions about construction and retrofitting, ensuring the safety of occupants and the protection of valuable assets.

Structural Analysis and Design

Seismic engineering begins with the structural analysis and design of buildings and infrastructure. Little P.Eng.'s team of experienced engineers specializes in developing seismic-resistant structural systems. They work closely with architects, builders, and developers to create designs that can withstand seismic forces, ensuring structural integrity and occupant safety during earthquakes.

Retrofitting Existing Structures

In regions with older buildings, retrofitting is often necessary to bring them up to current seismic safety standards. Little P.Eng. offers retrofitting services that involve the modification and strengthening of existing structures. Their engineers assess the specific needs of each building, considering factors such as its age, construction materials, and seismic vulnerabilities. They then implement retrofitting strategies that enhance the building's earthquake resistance, preserving its historical value while ensuring safety.

Foundation Design and Soil Analysis

The foundation is the bedrock of any structure's stability during an earthquake. Little P.Eng. conducts in-depth soil analysis to understand the geotechnical characteristics of the site. Based on this analysis, they design and recommend appropriate foundation systems tailored to the specific needs of the project. Their expertise in foundation design ensures that structures can effectively dissipate seismic forces into the ground, preventing catastrophic failure.

Compliance with Seismic Codes

Adherence to seismic codes and standards is paramount in seismic engineering. Little P.Eng. has an in-depth understanding of local, national, and international building codes related to earthquake-resistant construction. They ensure that all their designs and retrofitting projects comply with these regulations, providing clients with peace of mind that their structures meet the highest safety standards.

Advanced Computer Modeling and Simulation

Little P.Eng. leverages cutting-edge computer modeling and simulation tools to analyze and predict how structures will respond to seismic forces. These simulations allow for precise refinement of designs and provide valuable insights into structural performance during earthquakes. By simulating a wide range of seismic scenarios, engineers can optimize designs for maximum safety and efficiency.

Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation

The commitment of Little P.Eng. extends beyond the design and construction phase. They recommend and implement structural health monitoring systems that allow for real-time assessment of a building's integrity. Continuous monitoring enables early detection of potential issues, ensuring prompt maintenance or repairs to preserve structural stability.

Research and Innovation

Innovation is at the heart of Little P.Eng.'s approach to seismic engineering. Their team actively engages in research and development to push the boundaries of seismic-resistant technologies and construction practices. They explore innovative materials, construction techniques, and design methodologies to advance the field and provide clients with the latest and most effective solutions.

Emergency Response Planning

In addition to structural engineering services, Little P.Eng. assists communities, businesses, and organizations in developing emergency response plans for seismic events. They collaborate with stakeholders to create comprehensive strategies for minimizing risks, protecting lives, and reducing damage during earthquakes.

Public Education and Outreach

Little P.Eng. recognizes the importance of public awareness and education regarding seismic risks and safety. They engage in outreach programs to educate communities on earthquake preparedness, emergency response, and the importance of seismic-resistant construction.

Conclusion

Seismic engineering design plays a crucial role in piping stress analysis within industrial facilities, especially in regions prone to earthquakes. Piping stress analysis involves evaluating the forces and stresses that piping systems experience during various operational conditions, including seismic events.

Here's how seismic engineering design is important for piping stress analysis:

Safety and Structural Integrity: Seismic engineering design ensures that the entire facility, including piping systems, is built to withstand the forces generated by earthquakes. The structural integrity of piping systems is paramount for preventing leaks, ruptures, or catastrophic failures during seismic events. Piping stress analysis assesses the impact of seismic forces on the pipes, supports, and attachments to verify that they can withstand the dynamic loads and deformations caused by earthquakes.

Compliance with Building Codes: Piping systems within industrial facilities must adhere to building codes and standards related to earthquake-resistant design. Seismic engineering design ensures that piping systems are compliant with these codes. Non-compliance can lead to costly retrofitting efforts or, in the worst-case scenario, dangerous failures during an earthquake.

Identifying Vulnerabilities: Seismic engineering design involves conducting a seismic risk assessment for the facility. This assessment helps identify vulnerabilities in the piping systems, such as weak points in support structures or connections that may be prone to failure during seismic events. Piping stress analysis considers these vulnerabilities and recommends improvements to enhance seismic resilience.

Optimal Pipe Routing and Support: Piping stress analysis incorporates considerations for seismic forces when determining the routing of pipes and the design of pipe supports. Proper pipe routing and support are essential to prevent excessive stresses, vibrations, and displacements during an earthquake. Seismic engineering design helps optimize these factors to minimize potential damage to the piping systems.

Dynamic Load Analysis: Seismic events introduce dynamic loads on piping systems, which are significantly different from static loads. Piping stress analysis uses dynamic load analysis techniques to simulate the effects of seismic forces on pipes, fittings, and supports. This analysis ensures that the piping systems can handle the dynamic loads without exceeding their stress limits.

Retrofitting and Modifications: In existing facilities, seismic engineering design may involve retrofitting or modifying piping systems to meet current seismic standards. Piping stress analysis helps identify areas that require reinforcement, redesign, or additional support. Retrofitting ensures that older facilities can withstand seismic events and meet modern safety requirements.

Mitigation Strategies: Seismic engineering design doesn't only focus on evaluating existing conditions but also includes the development of mitigation strategies. These strategies may involve the use of seismic expansion joints, dampers, or flexible connectors to absorb seismic energy and reduce stress on the piping systems.

Emergency Response Planning: In the event of a seismic event, having a well-designed piping system is crucial for quick recovery and minimizing damage. Seismic engineering design contributes to emergency response planning by ensuring that piping systems are less likely to rupture or leak during an earthquake, reducing potential hazards and environmental damage.

In summary, seismic engineering design is vital for piping stress analysis because it ensures the safety, compliance, and resilience of piping systems in the face of seismic events. It helps identify vulnerabilities, optimize designs, and implement mitigation measures, ultimately safeguarding industrial facilities and the surrounding environment during earthquakes.

The listing below indicates a few of Meena Development’s most commonly served industries.

Steel and Metals Industry 

Energy and Power Generation Industry 

Water and Wastewater Industry 

Oil & Gas Industry 

Chemicals and Plastics Industry 

Pulp & Paper Industry 

Facility Services 

Residential Buildings Sector 

Hospitality and Hotel Sector 

Commercial Buildings Sectors 

Sports and Stadia Buildings Sector 

Education Buildings Sector 

Government Buildings Sector 

Hospitals Engineering Services 

Biotech / Pharmaceutical – Engineering Services 

Food & Beverage – Engineering Services 

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Meena Rezkallah

Little P.Eng.

piping stress analysis

Piping stress analysis

Structural analysis

Seismic engineering

Seismic risk assessment

Retrofitting

Foundation design

Compliance with seismic codes

Computer modeling

Advanced simulation

Optimal pipe routing

Support systems

Pipe design

Seismic forces

Seismic expansion joints

Flexible connectors

Engineering Services

Pipe Stress Analysis Services

Seismic Bracing Experts

Located in Calgary, Alberta; Vancouver, BC; Toronto, Ontario; Edmonton, Alberta; Houston Texas; Torrance, California; El Segundo, CA; Manhattan Beach, CA; Concord, CA; We offer our engineering consultancy services across Canada and United States. Meena Rezkallah.

[westbendhomeinspectors]

West Bend Home Inspectors

Welcome to West Bend Home Inspectors specializing in home, new construction and commercial inspections.

When purchasing or selling a home or any type of business property, it is preferable to be safe and certain. Trusted by West Bend’s homeowners for house inspection, we cover every aspect of a home inspection needed by financial institutions for loan approval. For your next house, apartment, or structure, choose a licensed and experienced home inspector from West Bend Home Inspectors.

The decision to buy or sell a home is significant, and in order to prevent future annoyance, you should feel completely at ease with your dealings. Hire “West Bend Home Inspectors” to inspect any residential or commercial property in Wisconsin to make sure of this.

Why Choose “West Bend Home Inspectors” A licensed and certified inspector conducts each inspection. Tests for Radon or mold may be scheduled concurrently with the home inspection. We will provide you with the peace of mind you require as a new homeowner with the utmost professionalism. West Bend-wide residential and commercial inspections are performed by West Bend Home Inspectors, one of the city’s top providers of property inspection services. We are aware of the pressure and time limits associated with choosing wisely when purchasing real estate.

Within 24 Hours.. Within 24 hours, we transmit the home inspection results, and we are ready to talk about any property problems. Our reports are comprehensive, objective, and simple to comprehend. Please refer to our “Home Inspection Report Sample” for more information and to learn what is covered in a home inspection.

Home & Commercial Inspector

[nnctales]

Introduction to Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

Introduction: Geotechnical earthquake engineering is a critical field that plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and stability of structures in seismic regions. With the ever-present threat of earthquakes, understanding how geotechnical engineering can protect lives and property is paramount. What is Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering? Geotechnical earthquake engineering is a specialized…

[raayllum]

Was thinking about 7x02 again because it seems that's the episode hyperfixation of the day, specifically that it's the first time we've seen Soren and Rayla fight since 2x07... and then it hit just how much 7x02 is just a more matured, complicated version of 2x07 in a lot of ways.

Rayla is following her heart, even when the consequences could be severe and there is good reason to be angry at the Xadian opponent who is trapped/chained down. This leads to her fighting a losing battle against Soren and other human soldiers. Callum shows up to magically bail her out, and the two escape together after successfully freeing the 'monster'/murderer. But Ezran takes Claudia's place of being stubborn and perpetuating the cycle: the dragon / Runaan being taken down by an arrow, "how are we going to move it?" "in pieces" / "my family has been broken for too long". And it leads to another split, as when Soren is injured for his hubris Claudia runs to him, versus Callum who takes a stand against his brother, and subsequently leaves.

[businesssinfo]

Structural Analysis of RADAR Container/Enclosure as per US-MIL Standards

Introduction:

This Container is a carrier of complex electronic equipments used for Military purposes and also houses an integrated generator assembly for an autonomous power source. The base frame of the container is designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, road vibrations, wind load, snow load and also has to have lifting and transportation capabilities.

Following Analyses were performed to investigate load bearing capacity of Container –

Lifting Analysis was performed for the critical scenario of lifting the structure with payloads utilizing lifting diagonally opposite lugs to determine the effect of it on the frame and the payloads.

Wind Loading Analyses was coupled analyses, performed in ±X, Y, Z directions with the input from the results of CFD with reference to the wind data sheet. This is the worst case environmental condition performed to check Side walls and structural frame stresses and deformation to Wind load.

Snow Loading Analyses was performed with the snow load data and performed in all 3 axes. This was performed to determine the possibility of buckling of columns due to Snow load and FOS.

Modal Analysis was performed to determine the natural frequency of the integrated structure self-excited with its self-weight and to find the possibility of resonance with the vibration of generator assy.

Harmonic vibration analyses were preformed along ±(X, Y, and Z) axes as par MIL standards to determine the behavioural response to the forced vibration.

Shock analyses were performed with half sine curve to get the effect of sudden impact loading over the frame.

Approach towards Analysis:

Preparation of Finite Element Model abiding quality criteria by averting Warpage, Jacobian skewness issues etc.

Applying Specific material Properties and payloads for the Structure with point masses.

For modal analyses, the payload and gravity are applied and for other analyses the respective load and conditions are taken into account.

Bottom Line

Graphler Technology Solution provides CFD Analysis services, 3D to 2D Conversion Services, CAD Conversion Services and Pressure Vessel Analysis Services. They have well expertise team with 10 yrs of industrial knowledge.  For further information, please get in touch with us. We are always here to help you out.

[mayasaura]

It kind of confuses me when I see people talking about cavaliers as if the Nine Houses have established and normalised some radical social role of human sacrifice. It really doesn't seem to me like the role of a cavalier is that simple. The only members of their society we've seen who weren't horrified by the idea were the Tridentarii.

The career soldier, who was born into the military class and trained for that role since birth, believes no necromancer should ever have to see their cavalier die. The other child soldier was killed while putting himself between his cavalier and danger. The heirophant of the Emperor's law who draws on his cavalier like a battery—a level of exploitation the other Houses condemn—turns against the will of his God when he witnesses the sacrifice expected for lyctorhood.

The deliberate sacrifice of a cavalier is not normalised. Not even in the front lines of their military. The role of a cavalier is exploitative, of course, and that's where the interesting part begins. Is it any more exploitative than a king whose knights are trained to die in battle? Than employees who are forced to work or starve? Than the existence of a noble class, or capitalism?

Human suffering exists in any society, and in most societies I know of, much of that suffering we inflict on one another through exploitation. The Nine Houses are not unique in this respect. I am very much in awe of the worldbuilding in this series, tho, that it has managed to defamiliarise human suffering and class dynamics as to show us their grotesquerie plainly without ever tipping over into anything as straight forward as direct allegory.

[vaguely-concerned]

rookanis really is like... first base is you walking through the haunted ruins of my mind to find me in an act of breathtaking psychological intimacy with added tam lin undertones. second base is baked goods (cautious erotic connotations). third base is deicide. THEN we kiss. also second deicide of course once you pop it's hard to stop

[fumifooms]

Falin who cares too much and too little - analysis

Been stewing on Falin thoughts for a while, I know I have an interpetation on her that differs from many but I’m jumping into the fray. I think there’s a lot to be said about what we do see of Falin. This shorter Falin analysis I made is heavily encouraged prior reading. This analysis mainly explores her complex relationship with caring and so it’s sort of structured in two halves, with Faligon at the crux of it all.

Falin cares too little :

A lot of people assign Falin a people pleasing mindset and I… Don’t agree. We never see her care at all about people in her town or at the academy not liking her.

We do see her worrying about what people think of her… ONCE. And Laios comforted her, told her they didn’t matter and she should be proud of herself. She latched onto that hard. That’s why this scene was so important to be included during the dragon fight, relationship-defining; it’s always been them against the world. She grew to not care what others thought, to only focus on her close loved ones. No one else matters.

Laios’ words were her world. Her older brother who taught her how to feel comfortable with herself, who told her, you’re great, others are the ones in the wrong to not see that, I’ll always be with you, always be there for you. Older brother who always made great plans, who always knew more, who was better at wrestling to name the dogs, who she has always idolized. Laios who always spoke of traveling the world, to which she always said she wanted to follow. And she would, she’d follow him even if it meant leaving the academy and all she knew behind, she’d follow him to the ends of the world, and that’s what she did.

She didn’t care about showing to her classes or keeping up such appearances, she doesn’t even think of toning down her jumping into bushes when Marcille recoils, etc. She acts like an obedient pawn often, to her parent’s directives and then following Laios around no matter what he decides to do, but I don’t think the motivation is people pleasing, rather it’s being with & caring for her loved ones, and her go-with-the-flow attitude enhances the impression. Not that it’s as simple as that, mind you, but let’s talk about this for now.

Falin is perceived as selfless because we, the audience, have our perspectives revolving around the main people in her life (Laios, Marcille). They’re the ones she’s devoted to and people who care about her back a lot too, but to people like her classmates or the towspeople she probably must have seemed like someone who didn’t care about the people around her or her surroundings a lot, who just went on alone and did her own thing.

What matters to Falin? From what place does her kindness come from? Is a part of her keeping up appearances? And I think that’s the point, the horror of Faligon as well, that we can’t tell just how in control Falin the person is as the chimera (because we are shown that she’s in there, we just don’t know at what degree), that we don’t know her enough to be able to tell when she’s at her most genuine, her most raw. That even if you do settle on none of her being present as Faligon, we have to at least consider it, consider that she may be able to do something like this and have a part in it, brutal and uncaring. That even the lenses we see her through, the people who love her, may be unreliable.

And this is what’s very interesting about her too, she truly is so idealized by people around her as a saint. She’s so good and kind and caring to everyone etc etc etc. Laios, Toshiro and Marcille all see her as the paragon of goodness in the world. More cynical characters like Namari and Chilchuck have more layered opinions on her, the latter finding her somewhat unnerving because he can’t read her well. But then with that one flashback scene we see that… Her priorities are intensely focused on Laios and Marcille, she doesn’t care all that deeply about anyone other than them (+ maybe her parents). The rest of the party is in the same danger here but only Laios and Marcille who she’s speaking to get the special ,ention, and if they don’t cross her mind then of course she’d be ready to sacrifice strangers through a risky teleportation. That doesn’t make her not kind or caring!! Just that greater good isn’t exactly her priority. Any means is alright if the end result is her loved ones safe, it usually takes the form of healing and caring, but we see she’s ready to fight and make dangerous calls too. To me there’s this aspect to her that she isn’t as pure and magnanimous as everyone thinks she is, both in-world and interestingly enough meta wise as well, and there’s something interesting to that.

People pleasing implies a need to be liked, needs for the motivation to be that. A yes-man, etc. But if we analyze Falin, her general kind, smiling demeanor is more a matter of passivity I yhonk. Conflict avoidance is easier, so she’s friendly and hopefully things’ll be smooth sailing. It’s easy to be kind to classmates even if they act wary and rude if you don’t care about what they think either way. Of course she prefers good things happening to people over bad things, she is genuinely kind, but I think people tend to assign her a very grand altruistic way of life when to her the motivation is pretty self-centered. She doesn’t do what she does because she loves them, but because she loves them.

One situation that’s interesting to dig into for her way of thinking, and what I’m trying to get at, is Shuro’s proposal to her. I’ve seen people saying she hesitated because she didn’t feel comfortable saying no even though she wanted to, "I can’t say no, I don’t want to hurt him", something that sounds sensible and familiar, but it’s actually canon in the Adventurer’s Bible that the reverse was the case, that she didn’t feel comfortable saying yes. Because the offer was tempting, but it’d have been a loveless agreement on her end. And it makes sense she’d want to say yes too, like we see with the Toudens, marriage is very much a political strategical economical thing in their village, there’s even a bit on it on Laios’ Adventurer’s Bible profile about dowries, and both siblings were engaged very early. They lived poorly for a long time, it’s an enticing idea to marry rich, to have not only yours but your brother’s needs met forevermore easily, which at one point in their careers was their main worry and goal. Why shouldn’t she accept a life of leisure and wealth handed to her by a lovely friend?

So her hesitance was "yeah that’s convenient for me, but where it’s everything to him and heartfelt I’m able to be detached because I don’t care about it that much… Can I do that? I’m not reciprocating, not saying yes in the way that matters. Can I do that to him?" Very caring even though it’s not what you’d expect, isn’t it?

And central to my analysis, where I’m going with this is, I feel like that’s the thing with her character, that she doesn’t feel as strongly as she "should" sometimes, or feels a different way than she "should", or at least that she feels that way and others say she does. She didn’t mind suddenly leaving the academy, leaving Marcille behind and not seeing her for 4 years. She acted like it was no big deal that she sacrificed herself after getting resurrected after the red dragon fight. And in both those cases it upset the people around her greatly that she didn’t seem to get why it was such a big deal, didn’t seem to care about how they’d experienced her choices.

So it’s a tendency… And it’s not that she doesn’t care, it’s just that the way she measures what’s good for the ones she loves isn’t the same as what they themselves think it is (like Laios and Marcille not wanting to be apart from her). It’s an overt but quiet kind of care, it’s doing things like following them around and making sure they bathe and have a meal, even if that means she has to be dragged into misery too.

So yes she probably would know "not caring enough/the right way" is one of her perceived flaws, and that informs how she tries to handle her response to Shuro’s proposal. Her not wanting to accept like her first gut instinct, is because she’s thinking about reciprocity, about if it’d be right to go into this knowing that they have different priorities and she might not be able to keep up with the type and amount of emotions he wants/expects from her. And that’s a big part of her character isn’t it, having expectations pushed onto her. Her trying her best, but in her own way that may seem odd or even unfeeling. Not unlike when she exorcised the ghost as a kid too, unblinking and matter-of-factly, and not seeming to understand why people stared the way they did.

Even though she answered his proposal only post-canon, she’d been pondering it for a while even pre-canon and the Adventurer’s Bible explanation was released midstory, so I’m hesitant to assign her much growth about her hesitation and what I went on above, since she still didn’t react "right" with Laios after the red dragon fight (even if she apparently doesn’t remember sacrificing herself) and put herself in that situation in the first place. She hasn’t finished her arc on that flaw of hers is what I’m saying, she for sure still has it, but I certainly think her thoughts on Shuro’s proposal shows awareness, both of herself and social.

And awareness is a big analysis key word with Falin, especially here it can be hard not to conflate not caring with not knowing. How socially aware is she? It’s rather layered, because canonically she wasn’t aware of her ostracization in her hometown at all, and we’re not sure if she knew Shuro was interested in her before he proposed, but she generally seems more socially aware than Laios. She tags along on his caravan job to make sure he isn’t being mistreated (though doesn’t ask he get a salary), she catches social faux-pas more easily like in the genderbend magic mirror omake with Shuro, and interestingly enough she’s very good at empathizing with her parents and understanding their perspective. We see when she’s worried about Marcille coming that she does know about propriety and how appearances shape impressions. Being a chief’s daughter must at least have taught her a thing or two on that front.

She never stands up for herself, but when it comes to defending others she worries, strategizes and explains.

And this sort of understanding is part of why I think she’d notice the expectations pushed onto her like I was saying earlier, notice how she makes people feel when she’s careless. But if she changes anything about herself in response to noticing is for her to choose, and generally I think it’s a sort of inbetween of yes and no: that she becomes more complacent but also more reserved, complying but by hiding more of herself passively. She’s not sure wether to accept or reject Shuro’s proposal, doesn’t want to lead him on? She’ll just be taking a while to silently consider it, try to keep things as they are for the time being. The third, less conflicting option. She doesn’t feel heard by Marcille who keeps infantilizing her? Just bear with it. Retract yourself emotionally. Settle for it.

We see that when she was young she had a tendency to not read a room, and I think that’s here too. She doesn’t get why her nonchalance upset others but that doesn’t change that she doesn’t want them upset or hurt, so she tries, albeit in maybe a roundabout way. She always had a hard time deeply connecting with people, often keeping herself some amount of emotionally distant: erasing herself from the equation, from the two-way trade that relationships are and making it a onesided thing instead, where all their needs and emotions are directed towards her but she only lets out a bit of her own show. She takes everything upon her and deals with it and tries not to give others this same burden, though not on a conscious level, it’s just that she’s learned growing up that she doesn’t have much agency.

Like I went into with my analysis linked at the beginning, I think Falin is used to just taking what she can get and not asking for more, when it comes to social bonds. She’ll take spending time with her mother no matter what it is they do, she’ll follow Laios to the graveyards and stick by him even when he’s pushing her away (because he doesn’t want her borrowing his book or "No copying!" or such). Her father was always distant, cold and uncommunicative, her mother was considered sick from anxiety and the exorcism attempts were the main way they spent time together, at dinner tables there were only her and Laios. The dogs picked on her too even if she loved them— And so did the townspeople, maybe that being normal to her at home is why she didn’t notice the ostracization she suffered.

She’s always been the last to be asked about decisions or what she wants, never asked to play with at recess, neither her father or Laios asked before sending her to the academy or leaving the village. At home, in the hierarchy she was considered to be below the dogs by the dogs themselves, as someone they can disrespect. Dogs learn from example and behavior, so this means Falin must have been pushed around a lot, and that the family didn’t try hard to rectify the dogs’ misconception, likely worsened by Laios regularly wrestling with her as a competition.

So for example when Falin showed Marcille food, it was her way to implicitly ask to have lunch with her without voicing that question, without daring to take up space. Someone’s presence isn’t something you ask for, it’s something that’s bestowed upon you, you can follow them around but you can’t ask them to stay or to come with.

She’s used to her needs and wants not being listened to, so she’s learned to have less wants. Caring less about herself, caring less about other people beyond her safe zone, was a defense mechanism in part. She has a sense of learned helplessness too, like how when Marcille came to take her away from Laios, even though she didn’t want to leave with Marcille it felt so determined and unshakable to her that whatever Marcille decided Falin would have to comply with.

And still, it’s the "marrying you would be awfully convenient if it wasn’t that I’d feel guilty for not loving you back, the way you wanted me to when you proposed to me" and the "I don’t regret leaving the academy and leaving you behind without goodbyes but I’m sorry that you’re so much more upset about it than me". It’s the guilt of not loving people back the way they want to be, with the same intensity or fervor.

It’s the autism it’s the aroace of it all, it’s the emotional stunting and confusion but the pit in your stomach telling you you did something wrong again. The no object permanence even for people you love even for 4 years, it’s the feeling like you’re somehow at fault for someone having fallen for you and not knowing what to do with any of it. I’m not joking btw it isn’t uncommon for autistic people to not see their close friends for a long while, not having missed them all that much and for that to be really hurtful for the other if they notice/ask about it. "Hiii bestie! Oh umm you’re uh more emotional about this than I expected, hopefully you won’t feel alienated by me not feeling as intensely about it…"

So… Yeah. I think she thinks of things and relationships in a different way than most people, and beyond "good things happening to people is good" I don’t think she actually cares about people all that much. I’d argue that Laios shows more desire to connect with others and make relationships. And just like with Laios and his own issues with humans, that doesn’t mean her kindness is a lie or ungenuine or worthless! It just means that like, well it’s pretty straightforward really, she’s not all that social and doesn’t see casual bonds as meaning all that much and whatnot. She does want to see people happy, but it’s not as much like… A conviction or goal. She’s too laser focused on a select few people. "It’s not that they’re bad people, they just aren’t interested in humans."

And sometimes it feels like people get defensive about Falin in a meta way too, like if you ever so much as imply Marcille isn’t her whole world or that she isn’t the kindest soul out there then you’re saying she doesn’t care at all or she’s evil. And that’s actualy exactly the sort of vibe I wanted to get through with my analysis above here actually haha, that she does care and she is kind but it’s not in a way that’s quantified or understood in a way that makes people feel comfortable. In a way, that makes people feel insecure because they don’t have the same logic as her, don’t show love the same. And I think this is another stellar depiction of autism, of parts of it that feels unpalatable to many, if I’m making sense. The fandom idealizes her as well, which isn’t uncommon or surprising for the character embodying the trope of the perfect beloved to rescue.

And disclaimer, as I said in the tags I feel like the details of Falin are pretty vibe based when it comes to analysis, there’s absolutely a valid angle where she does super care about everyone always, feel free to disagree with me on the overarching angle of my analysis. There’s enough supporting evidence to tip the balance either way I think, and the reason I’ve chosen this angle is I feel it’s more compelling for the themes in Dunmeshi of idealization and being different, of desires vs wants, and because I think it neatly ties up Falin’s character arc as I’ll go over throughout the next section…

So.

Not feeling as much as she should. And……. Is this not Faligon pushed to the max?

You can’t tie down a dragon. As the chimera, she gets to just not care about everyone else and be on her merry way.

Part of it I think is finding comfort and freedom in the mindlessness, in not having the burden of feelings and connections and a consciousness (despite still ending up seeking those in a stranger, Thistle). Like when she’s dead in the purgatory as well, she gets to just… Hang around and do whatever. Similarly to when she played in the forest instead of going to class in her academy days. That’s what freedom and peace of mind looks like to her. Why she decides to roam post-canon, if only now with the goal to find herself instead, with her mind in tow and somewhere to go back home to.

There’s excellent analytic framing out there about how of course, Dungeon Meshi has a big theme of grief and letting go, and… Falin was always a symbol narratively, idealized by characters and often underconsidered by them despite their love. It was Falin’s choice to sacrifice herself for Laios, she thought it was worth it, knowing that it would be her end. Her resurrection and the process of it intertwining her soul with a dragon’s wasn’t done with her consent, and the subsequent opening it gave her to become a chimera puppet. She’s stripped of her agency consistently, and so… It’s very noteworthy that the final choice, of wether to go back to life or to stay dead, in that purgatory scene, was up to her. And she chooses life, but I do think about her in those fields and how at home she seemed there. Peaceful, by herself in a vast calm expanse she could explore, free.

Personally, I think freedom is Falin’s own subconscious selfish desire. And though to us becoming the chimera is obviously a shackle, I think it felt like freedom to her somewhat, too.

And if you think I’m going wildly off the rails here I want to talk about Laios’ wish of becoming a monster. And to be clear before getting into it, being mentally a monster is absolutely a big part of the appeal for Laios, it’s something that’s consistently referred to, something especially pointed out in the werewolf monster tidbit with Lycion. Right panel is from that, but left panel is from the extra with Izutsumi where Lycion talks about suppressing souls in a beastkin body, the human or the beast soul.

Finding comfort and freedom in being mindless, less sentient, less aware? While being unaware in her hometown might have saved Falin a lot of heartache although perhaps stunted her emotional growth, it’s always been Laios’ curse.

Actively, through his choices, he seeks to grow closer to people, to form deeper bonds, to understand and be undertood, but… On a deep seated level, what he desires is to leave humanity and civilization behind. He has an irrational hatred for humans, born from the trauma of ostracization, being different, being beaten up and rejected consistently through his life. Running away from problems is easier. He wants to be free from being a social animal from a social species who has deemed him the black sheep, he thinks it’d be simpler to just leave it all behind, people and his own humanity. At its core, to Laios becoming a monster is a power fantasy, a coping daydream of "if only I could be strong enough to never be hurt again, the power to destroy anything I want, the power to go somewhere better, if only it was possible for me to never feel hurt again. If only I could be someone, something, that can never be hurt". "If there’s someone you don’t like, you can gobble ‘em up in one bite. If you could fly, you’d be able to leave this village right now." It’s a childhood fantasy, from a deep sense of being misplaced and a desire to be able to stand fearless, thinly covering up resentment that Laios represses.

But you’ll notice, when the Winged Lion is enticing him in the last page, even now with his lifelong wish of becoming a monster on a silver plate, he still cares about his friends. He still has that sense of responsibility to his friends, doesn’t want to leave knowing they’ll be in danger and alone. The offer that his friends may be left unharmed is already good, but Laios also visibly flinches when the Winged Lion offers to specifically care after Marcille and rid her of her biggest fear. Laios’ care runs that deep. Not unlike with the succubus, he resists temptation until he gets reassured that everyone will be okay. But see, what he desires isn’t to stand alongside Marcille until her last days, it isn’t to stay and see how well his friends will live, it’s to go. It’s to leave. It’s to fly away, a monster both in body and mind. He wants to be free from caring here, wants to not have to worry about his friends, wants to just go do his own thing, but for that he needs to feel safe in the belief that said friends will be safe even without him being there to see it, because despite everything else he cares, he does. It’s again that dichotomy about caring and wishing you didn’t, or not caring and wishing you did.

In the end, it’s Falin who achieves that wish. Both by becoming a chimera during canon, and by going traveling post-canon. In the latter, being both free of human relationships as something chaining you while still being uplifted by them, by the knowledge that there are people out there you love and that love you. It’s a theme that can also be connected with Marcille, because she gets anxious over people she loves getting out of her sight, worrying they’ll get themselves killed, that time is passing while they’re away from her. But before she can get to the point where she can both have her freedom and being uplifted by her social bonds, regaining both her individuality and her connections, she has to get a taste of just one at a time. Before they can find balance in her life, she has to see what it’s like to have what she’s never had on its own. Unapologetic freedom, and power.

No one can blame you for not caring enough or caring right if you’re a fricking dragon!!!! You make the rules when you’re a beast and you can just… Fly away. From anywhere, from anything. And if a dog bites you you can just crush it. Instead of being pushed around by the dogs because you’re at the bottom of the hierarchy, you’re now at the top, the one with the power to be heard and do what you want without consequences.

I think she’s on autopilot. I think she’s on autopilot a lot of the time, even before being a chimera, and it’s partly why her will is so weak compared to regular dragons. (Again, read my shorter analysis.) It’s familiar to slip back into the role of following someone around unquestioningly. And that’s what is weaponized when she’s a chimera, that instinct she’s been nursing all her life to unconditionally support, defend and follow someone. Only now, that someone doesn’t matter in itself, only the symbol of it. She doesn’t mind, either way is fine. Her will is weak after all, because she’s trained it to take as little place as it could.

Falin cares too much

She spends all her time caring for Laios and Marcille alternating that none of her care and emotional energy is left for others, including herself. So she had to get relieved of all of that for a bit, becoming the chimera so she could reset and recenter and remember that she, too, indeed, is there and an important part of her own life.

So you’re probably seeing the duality I’m talking about here, Falin is very self-sacrificial but for specific people in ways that they often don’t recognize or appreciate. She cares but selectively, both in people, putting all her eggs in the same baskets, and in the ways she cares after them. She doesn’t care a lot, but when she does she cares a lot. Falin doesn't have a lot of earthly attachments, but when she does, they're her world.

In canon her arc, especially post-canon, is to grow beyond Marcille and Laios. Her caring for her close loved ones held her back from looking after her own self-fulfillment needs. And this is what I mean when I say she cares too much; she could gain from caring more about the world besides Laios and Marcille, both lands wise and people wise. She cares too little, but her arc centers her flaw around caring too much instead. Her pitfalls that Kui highlight over the course of the story, while of course her selflessness is appreciated for how she saved Laios and everyone, on a personal level is shown to be self-effacing and damaging. She’s undermined by Marcille, without the courage to voice her thoughts and wants, she would dedicate her whole life to Laios. And I mean, it’s text, in the response to Shuro’s proposal extra no less. And she’s so laser focused on her most loved people that she’s fine with being callous and risking others’ lives, even.

Post-canon, she needs to leave to find herself, away from them.

Herself. What if she wants to just be with herself for a while.

And this is me reaching but I feel like, not unlike Izutsumi who learns to feel this sense of never being alone, always having someone on your side what with having two souls, the dragon in her would make her consider herself more. She finds it easier to care after other people after all, and in the purgatory fields sequence she takes care to bring the bit of dragon left with her… Not unlike with Izutsumi, having two souls forces you to think about your identity and figure yourself out. Besides being this sort of duo now, where if she wants to care after herself she can channel it to that other side of her too… In meta dragons are symbols of greed, and I think the bit of dragon would push her to want more and listen more to her desires, primal and self-serving as they might be. The dragon soul which warped her human body with feathers and draconic features, her image of perfection marred, her weirdness externalized in a way that’s not palatable. But she doesn’t care, about if her appearance is palatable for most people, she hasn’t for a while now, and that’s great.

Notes & nuance

I’m struggling with the structure of this post, making my points organized, concise and strong at once. It’s difficult to make any statement without going "things are generally like this, but there’s this time that this contradicting thing happened too" or "it’s ambiguous enough that you should just follow my interpretation for the time of this analysis" haha, so this is the pit where I put all the stuff that wouldn’t fit well in other places but are interesting for Falin’s character. This section is pretty separate from the main thesis of the post, it’s just more Falin observations. The post has reached the 30 pics limit so I can’t just pull it up whenever it’s relevant but I really encourage scrolling up to read the stuff I highlighted in her Adventurer’s Bible profile if you haven’t already.

I think with the shy-looking loner type autistic kid archetype, and knowing she didn’t seem to mind others ostracizing her, it’s easy to lose sight of how she was by no means an unemotional child. In all the bits we see of her as a kid she’s bursting with energy and emotions. Canon confirms Laios leaving the village did affect her and make her lonely and she cried a lot, too. She may not be social in the traditional sense, but she was clingy with her brother, and she also never was all that shy about who she was, wearing her heart on her sleeve.And okay. Okay okay okay. Speaking of appearances. About what I said of her not caring about what people think of her, even seeming defiant with the caravan leader… There’s one istanxe of her caring actually, and it’s about how her face blushes easily. I remembered it as being because Laios’ said it and as I rambled Laios’ words are her world, but actually it’s ambiguous. It’s only Marcille imagining up this scenario where Laios says Falin looks weird because of it, there’s no evidence Laios said or thought that at any point. And on the other hand…

Her Adventurer’s Bible says: "5, Lovely Skin. She isn't particularly careful with it, but Falin's skin is fair and beautiful. Possibly as a result, her cheeks seem to flush easily. Marcille's always saying she's cute, and she secretly has a sizable complex about it." The phrasing makes me think the complex she has over her blushing might have developed because of Marcille more than Laios. "Marcille's always saying she's cute, and she secretly has a sizable complex about it." It could be related to how Marcille gets swept away and infantilizes her, calling her cute wanting her to wear cute feminine outfits etc. Again this feels like it relates to Falin’s struggle to be seen for who she is and what she wants to be seen as, her struggle to be recognized, having ideals and perspectives pushed onto her. Here Falin is insecure over her blushing implicitly because she doesn’t like being called cute over it, but that’s not how she wants people to see her. She doesn’t want Marcille to always see her as her 10 years old adorable friend. Like if your friend said you had puppy energy, it can be flattering, but it can also make you insecure.

Here’s a link to what I mentioned about her being uncomfortable wearing feminine outfits. It does seem to be more about comfort than the aesthetic perse, to me. Interestingly the shirt & shorts don’t seem like they show much more skin than her beach outfit, so maybe it’s more about the shirt and shorts being tight-fitting. Like the skirts and heels they feel stifling. Again a bit with themes of freedom and not wanting an aesthetic pushed onto her. So yes just to reiterate, I think this is more about self-affirmation and how her identity and self-image gets shown to others, rather than wishing to hide parts of her body like her blushing etc for people pleasing reasons. Makeup was a way for her to appear how she wants to and feel more confident. It was a way to take control over her own image. She didn’t keep doing it, the narrator stating the process to be ‘troublesome’. Ultimately she still prioritizes her comfort, and it was a lot of recurring efforts to go through.

And on the topic of appearances… A friend once asked me: "Does she really hide herself or not? I keep thinking about "falin is herself first and foremost" (in her Adventurer’s Bible profile) it’s just so. Hmmmmmmmm... I just keep seeing people say she hides her real self from people when I feel like the issue is more about her charitable traits straying too far into becoming flaws but people around her dont realize that..."

Imo the thing is, I don’t think she hides her identity, but I do think she suppresses her individuality for others’ sakes if that makes sense. In the way that only post-canon does she allows herself to go see what the world is like, but that’s not personality wise it’s needs and wants wise. And I do feel like that’s the closest interpretation of canon, she says it herself she doesn’t know what she wants because everything she’s done was always about Laios or Marcille, but she doesn’t change her demeanor or personality for others. But she *will*, like, not ask for things she wants directly, like sharing lunches with Marcille at the academy, she suppresses her wants, doesn’t ask things from people and doesn’t hope for more, hope for better. I don’t think we ever see her actively repress her personality, except like what, being more laidback than enthusiastic but I do feel like unlike Laios with her it’s less ‘appearing stoic to fit in more’ and more ‘yeah i’ll just chill until I’m needed or something activates my enthusiasm’. To which said friend quoted: "to feel like you belong you need to be useful. when you can’t be useful the next best thing is being convenient."

And speaking of passivity… I want to speculate about Shuro’s proposal some more. Shuro and her got along well though we don’t know how much, or how often they hung out, she even saved him from a nightmare. Why did she take so long answering Shuro’s proposal? Was it an effort to preserve or was she really just that conflicted? Procrastination probably yes, but what is the core motivation of itl Considering she ended up saying no to travel the world instead, I don’t think it was as simple as ‘she wanted to say yes for convenience’. Logically it’s what would have been best, but it’s not what she wanted for herself, but it was and still is hard for her to even know what she wants. Probably, since like she states it was a great offer and she doesn’t think she’ll get proposed to again, it’s that self-effacing tendency that yes it’d be convenient and logical, and that makes her want to say yes even if her spirit isn’t in it, because if it’s convenient then that’s more important than her feelings on the matter. Man also… Obviously Marcille is very vocal about how she shouldn’t get with Shuro, but imagine how Falin’s whole perspective on marriage must have felt when her only friend ever is a Romantic with a capital R who gushes about idealized romances and grand gestures and True Love and doing things with fully pure feelings all the time.

AND speaking of passivity!!! How much Falin is "there" as the chimera, just how much she’s master of her actions, is left ambiguous and intentionally so imo, but she’s for sure there & influencing the dragon’s action to some degree. Having a dragon’s foot on her in purgatory that keeps her from moving for sure visualizes how it must have been like, but there’s Falin calling out to her brother Laios, there’s the kind attentions towards Thistle that are so Falin-like, and most explicitly there’s the Adventurer’s Bible stating "Even after becoming a chimera, she has a soul that's as kind as ever", which I honestly dislike, a fantranslation puts it as "Even as the chimera, her caring nature remains" and either way to me it feels like confirmation that it’s her giving those berries to Thistle. Now, wether or not she has the mental capacity of a chicken or something closer to human Falin, no clue, there has to at least be some kind of mind bond between monsters and the dungeon lord, compelling or forcing them to go along with orders, or calling her to him in distress like with the fight on the first floor. But yes, it’s interesting to wonder what it is that a Falin, with her kind soul but without her human mind, would willingly do. On her profile, she’s described as Thistle’s guardian and servant. The power dynamic between the two are very interesting, I already went into how it might have felt like freedom to her while being fake so I’ll reign myself in and just mention it again. She’s still at the heel of someone, only now it’s someone who doesn’t care about her back. Going from being cared for so strongly that it’s suffocating and they would defy death and the world for you, to being devoted to someone who has not one feeling about you besides your utility as a paw . She has all this care to give and to focus onto others and he has none to send back to her and I think that’s part of it. In a way, being left with only her own feelings and a void, without expectations or feelings or ideals pushed onto her, it might have been soothing in itself, and eye opening. But yes the way I think of it, her care for Thistle isn’t unlike the care she gives the ghosts.

Interestingly, the care she extends for the ghosts is sending their soul to a peaceful death, freeing them, of life and any earthly attachment. Take that as you will with the themes of freedom and burden of life and mind, immortality and becoming a warped version of who you were, and such and such.

But going back on the topic of connections and bonds for a bit, I think academy days Falin & Marcille is super interesting bc we’ve never really see Falin form a connection besides with Marcille and even that is kept pretty ambiguous. When was the point that Falin started seeing Marcille as a friend and seeking her out? When was the "I’ll lay down my life for you" point? I’m so fascinated by how she wanted to share lunches with Marcille but never truly asked, only made little "hey want this? I found it isn’t it cool?" gestures of showing things to her… It’s the only way she knows to ask, or maybe it’s the only way she feels comfortable to. In all the scenes of young Falin and Marcille Falin seems comfortable in her friendship with Marcille, but at the same time… I think we see Falin at her most insecure around Marcille, because she really does care about Marcille and what she thinks of her so much, and while Marcille is a bit of an unstoppable force tornado style (affectionate) Falin is something of a doormat. I’d usually say showing her berries was her earnest way to connect and be like "Hey bestie look at this! :]" , but there’s a real possibility that she was self-conscious and holding herself back.

Friendship and Marcille! Involving Laios into this too but, again with the autism thing of not showing you care in ways that others understand, Marcille being very overtly affectionate and clingy was so so soo important… Marcille keeping on hanging out with Falin and caring after her, and being undeterred/unbothered by Falin not always seeming like she cares all that much back in the conventional way, as in Falin acts nonchalant and a bit like she didn’t mind wether she was there with her or not during her outings to the cave dungeon. Caring and being clingy and so affectionate despite that in such a classic Marcille way is soo needed, because so often people will get discouraged by say, their friend not keeping in contact regularly/well, seeming disaffected or as happy-go-lucky as ever even if you haven’t seen each other in a while or when they’re alone, and yes there’s potential for a strong friendship there but someone like Falin won’t be committed enough to reciprocating attention the same way… I hope I’m making sense but yes this angle in particular strongly correlates to autism. And the way Marcille always initiates physical affection, both Toudens being awkward about initiating touch because they don’t know if that’s allowed, if they’re going about the social interaction the right way, if they’re allowed to ask that out of someone…

Another fun observation to make is about the 4 years Falin and Marcille spent apart. Marcille despite being of a long-lived race treated these 4 years of separation with more gravity than Falin did. Falin brushed it off very dismissively to say the least. But then you remember that the amount of time Falin and Laios didn’t see each other after he left the village was 8 years. Double the years, double the time. And that reminder makes Falin’s actions so starkingly understandable. Of course she wouldn’t see 4 years of separation as a long time if 8 years of separation with her beloved brother is her point of comparison. Of course she’d see it as worth it to leave Marcille for 4 years if it meant ending those 8 years instead, especially if she was worried about him (the reason why she followed him into his caravan job).

A friend always says that while Falin is the center of Marcille’s world, Laios’ is at the center of Falin’s, and I tend to agree.

It’s fun to think of how her career dreams had always been shaped by Laios, even when they were kids. Of course there’s how traveling the world began as a dream they talked about and shared, but there’s how he reassures her by listing cool jobs she could do like traveling exorcist, etc. And then of course, she gave up on her magic academy and career path to follow him and do odd jobs, etc etc.

I should go into the violence of Faligon more tbh, because I think there’s an interesting parallel to how she has no problem wacking things with a mace, wether a ghost when she was a kid or a walking mushroom as an adult. Something that often surprises fans when they remember, I don’t really want to get into the whole " Falin hates violence and hates seeing people in pain to an intense degree. ‘If you die do it somewhere where I can’t see’ style’ interpretation, it has some weight but on the whole I don’t vibe with the theory she has a particular aversion to violence, she seems to be fine resorting to it as much as any other adventurer as long as it isn’t needlessly against ghosts. And Falin’s sudden mace hits are fun to me too because it’s not her becoming a berserker when the need arises as much as her becoming active because something she cares about is threatened, and that brings her out of her passivity from 99% of the rest of the time. Thistle included. Falin always could be violent, she just dislikes senseless carnage. The Shuro party vs chimera fight is a bit ambiguous on it, because you can argue she only attached after being provoked, presumably offscreen as well while the ninjas went off to fight the harpies. Falin becomes the most active when she needs to protect someone, she has no qualms doing whatever’s needed for that, wether it be leaving the academy & Marcille without notice no matter the consequences or what her parents think, or teleporting the party, etc.

I’m working on a post specifically pointing out all the differences between Falin and Laios, but yes I think both of them selfishly desire freedom in different yet similar ways. Falin’s dark secret is "Ethics and risks are optional if it means I can protect those I love" like the teleportation, and Laios’ is "Ethics and risks are optional if I can be free of all this bullshit" aka humanity aka his wish with the winged lion.

Conclusion

Flighted birds have hollow bones. With freedom and wings there comes risks and sacrifices.

Tldr: Falin doesn’t care all that much, she’s very go with the flow. For example if someone hates her she doesn’t really care because that’d require her caring about what they think of her in the first place, and she only cares about her loved ones. She smiles, but it’s more a state of being rather than out of active goodness: she’s canonically very genuinely kind, but it’s more out of a general want for pleasantness than active care itself. She’s passive, and softspoken because that’s just how she seems, but she has no problem hopping into bushes or getting heated if something calls to her enthusiasm or calls for action and a hit of the ol’ mace. Her loved ones needing tending or protective is what makes her go from passive to active. That familiar autopilot mode of making someone the center of her world and following their every move is what made her so easy to be controlled as the chimera, even ferociously defending him with her life. Faligon is most interesting to me with the theme of freedom. She’s shackled to Thistle and out of her mind, but there’s also a sense of empowerment and freedom from expectations and society. She spends all her time caring for Laios and Marcille alternating that none of her care and emotional energy is left for others, including herself. So she had to get relieved of all of that for a bit, becoming the chimera so she could reset and recenter and remember that she, too, indeed, is there and an important part of her own life. There’s a way of caring after others that can be selfish, not unlike Marcille being overly coddling and not listening to Falin. In Falin’s case, I think it was so selfless that it ended up looping back around to erasing her sense of self. In losing sight of herself, that devotion becoming neither quite selfish or selfless but a fact of life and a state of nature, muddled by its lack of direction.

She’s sooo used to never being able to ask things out of others, you get the crumbs of affection and approval that others offer to you unprompted and that’s it don’t hope for more don’t ask for more. (Also reflected in how she follows her loved ones around without complain or personal opinions and how she’s not willing to rock the boat and affirm herself in her relationships like with Marcille during canon)

Falin cares so much, so much and so laser focused on her few loved ones that it blinds her and she loses sight of everything else, she ends up neglecting herself and the rest of the world. As Kui puts it, Falin is herself first and foremost. She just had to remember the importance of that.

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I see her as an enneagram 9, which can be surprisingly accurate and fun to research through the lense of Falin. Excerpt below from this book, but like my god, good way to put it

That’s it, ty for reading. Even if it’s a bit of a mess, hopefully you’ll have gained a thing or two from it. Falin is a character hard to pin down, but it is very gratifying when you find the way that the puzzle pieces fit together right for your own understanding of the story. Fantranslation of the shuro proposal comic by @/thatsmimi here.

Here’s my spotify playlist for her if you’d like

Sometimes love is about letting go, a lesson a lot of the cast needed to learn. Self-love’s important too, and just like with diets we need a healthy balance.

[feelingthedisaster]

The King's Men's plot structure is genius.

TKM has been critized a lot for not following the conventional plot structure, because it doesnt end inmediatly at the resolution of the climax, like they taught us in class. But it actually has a reason behind it and it think that is what makes AFTG unique and Nora Sakavic an amazing writer. I'll explain.

So, we all know AFTG has a lot of chess metaphors, however i think it doesnt contain the metaphors, it is the metaphor. Each character represents a piece of the board (Riko king, Kevin queen, Neil pawn, Andrew knight, etc) and exy is the chess, but but but, a chess game not only involves the pieces, the game cannot exist without someone playing, the chess masters (which would be Kengo, Ichiriu, Nathan and all the mafia stuff).

So, AFTG is divided into two plots happening at the same time: what happens on the chess board (exy season) and what happens outside it (the mafia mess).

Of couse, the climax has to be about the outside out, because who cares which one of pieces move in which way if the players are pointing guns at eachother under the board? The guns are more more important. So who cares? The pieces on the board care, the ones that are being played with. And who is the narrator? The character that represents the pawn, the less important figure of the entire room.

Yeah, the 'outside of the board' plot is over half way into the book, but it doesnt matter because that happens outside the board, the chess game has not ended yet. The pawn cannot go back to rest in the box until the game is over, until the king dies. The book cannot be over until the chess game our protagonist is a piece of ends. The books have to end with the king's (Riko) death and that is exactly what happens.

If this isnt excellent writing and one of the best examples of know the rules so you can break them, i dont what is.