#butheythatsjustatheory

[hannahstarshade]

Stars Fading But I Linger

Auron has been referred to as a “dreamer of dreams.” He has a passion for writing and creating stories. However, the Auron we know now is jaded and unmoved (or at least that’s the impression he wants to give off.) “Life has not been fair to any. Fairness is a dream conjured up by those naïve enough to believe we live in a world where things don’t have to be taken if you want them.” He rose to his current position through ambition and holds high standards for himself and those he surrounds himself with. This height of hubris may give us clues to where this character came from and where he's going.

Auron is associated with tower imagery. The most obvious is the large painting of a tower behind his desk, as seen in the Holiday Party episode. However, there are other mentions and hints of towers as well. Auron’s office appears to be high above the city, mimicking the lofty space. His listener is referred to as “Rook,” short for rookie. The rook chess piece resembles a tower. After their argument, Faust muses “I wonder, brother, from your ivory tower can you see anything down here? You’re so out of touch.” 

Around the world, tower’s are symbols of hope and promise. They signify wealth and act as waypoints as well. However in media, towers can evoke a sense of isolation, loneliness, and foreboding. They may also represent the hubris and ego of a character or group of characters. The tower card in tarot holds the meaning of “sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening,” as well as “unforeseen catastrophe.” (Also of note: The tower card immediately follows the devil in the major arcana. The devil is associated with “shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction, sexuality,” in addition to “disruptive revelation.” This may tie into Faust’s “deal with the devil” that gets references a few times. Thought that was neat.)

Auron's entire operation is beginning to show cracks. His head of talent has been fired after several failed ventures, and both Derek and Jessie threaten the power he holds over his illegal activities. On top of that, Auron has closed himself off, an example of which is distancing himself from his coworkers during social gatherings. He is just now beginning to open up to Rook. Auron's cool veneer slips after a brief argument with his brother. He admits he has a habit of indulging in temptation behind closed doors, and during the ride home from dinner with Rook he states “I would choose me over everything else.”

These story beats parallel Source Finn’s struggles and current state of mind. Finn is overworked and under scrutiny by the highest power in his realm. He keeps himself busy with his duties as a steward, remaining isolated in his tower to continue his work. After he begins meddling with the Dreamers—an act which he reprimanded his partner for long ago—he can’t stop himself. Left to his own devices, Finn persists. Both are avoiding close relationships, and both became involved in the Bittersweet trio's unexpected Christmas roadtrip.

We can even take a step further into speculation territory. All of this can be used to make the argument that Auron has a strong connection to Finn and the magics he has been experimenting with; if not the Auron in the story at present, then a Source Auron prior to passing on to the world Bittersweet take’s place. He could have been responsible for creating or first discovering the garden of dreams that Finn continues to tend to. This would give greater gravity to him being a "dreamer of dreams" that created worlds with second chances. However, the responsibility or the effects of indulgence became too much, and eventually he became a dreamer himself. Maybe he was Finn’s predecessor, or maybe he was that fellow steward that worked alongside Finn, and all that remains now are unconscious memories of lost dreams and a tower that foreshadows inner and external turmoil.

Characters and scripts written by Yuurivoice

Artwork created by Jackie Eleanor

Sources (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)