#because toby's queer allegory is always very subtle and very poignant

[whathappenedtodess]

previous reblog has me thinking about ralsei again (a year after the debacle that was tea theory) because it really is an understanding of a 'fixed' role and how you act when you are faced with the concept of it. like seam and the secret bosses, ralsei is aware that he's in a rpg to some degree (knowing how to save, awareness of light world layout, etc) and that he occupies the role of a party member, specifically one that is meant to provide guidance to the party leader. his adherence to this role to the point of making it his whole identity because there is scarcely anything otherwise is what makes him adamant in pigeonholing susie and kris to the roles of heroes in chapter 1. he reveres kris to a somewhat uncomfortable degree, and while i'm sure there's a part of him that genuinely thinks kris is a good friend, a good other part of it is also that he thinks admiring kris is the right thing to do. of course, all of the party members are in love with the party leader! it's only the natural thing to do! (nevermind that the person everyone is actually infatuated with is susie.)

there was a post that went into how ralsei only blushes specifically when he's in proximity of the SOUL instead of just anywhere near kris themself, and i think that's the gist of it. ralsei's whole identity is tied to his perceived duty, and he overcorrects for it. the lesson, of course, is learning that he is and will be loved regardless of his performance of his role.