#doc chalothon

[conscbgb]

In episode 5 :

[lutawolf]

The Sign Commentary Review Ep 3

I'm saying fuck it and doing this commentary anyways, even though it's way late. (my kid got into a car accident. Fuck this year.) Anyways I think I'm hilarious so here we go.

Home dude really just let Tharn get kidnapped and looks so lost about it. Hahah! The friend group drinking at the idea of Phaya and Tharn having sex. So dead.

The way these coconuts are stirring up Phaya. And why did his brain go straight to shower. He is so obvious and doesn't even care. Then races out to call the man. Like, are you just now realizing what is going on. This is real life drunkenness, I swear. When Chalothon shows up in the camera feed, it's a total audacity of this bitch moment.

Good news, Chalothon is not having any luck controlling Tharn either. The faces Phaya makes at his phone.

HAHAHA! Phaya's face when he gets back to the table and sees all the guys. He went from being on top of the world to a no good, shitty day real fast. Poor baby, lol.

Phaya's book collection has me jealous. The music playing while he is visualizing the girl. Especially with those subs (mysterious music playing). 🤣🤣🤣 The whole scene with the sister, omg. (mysterious music) (footstep sounds) (footstep sounds) (mysterious music) Phaya's eyes shifting as if in panic. All very dramatic.

Grandma is so pretty!!! She's hilarious too.

Somebody got romance on the brain! I mean, I'm only guessing, between the closeness and the subtitles telling me that romantic music is playing. Then dreams of cuddling Tharn. Cute! I like how the lighting makes them look like they are underwater.

Boy woke up so confused. "I must have thought about him too much." Ya think?!?

Phaya is a talented artist. He has a lot of art of a boy also a side profile of a female. The one we can't see clearly makes me think of the dragon from the water. Is the cat a Cha Kla? Cha Kla is a mythological cat from Thailand.  Legend says that the Ch Kla are terrified of humans and will hide from them, but if they are seen or touched, that person will eventually die. However, they are usually black, where this is white with black surrounding it.

Grandma, "Are they twins?" Then Phaya goes on to fill her in on everything. These two have a very close relationship.

"Did I do anything weird last night?" Boy, that is a loaded question. Ya'll Yai is adorable. He is for sure one of my favorite side characters.

Doc... I'm having doubts that I'm gonna like you. You've barely talked, but you have slime ball written all over you. And what is up with Tharn saying that him and Phaya aren't that close??? Clearly he isn't that close to the Doc if he is hiding stuff.

Nong Khai!!! Nong (low area like a swamp) Khai (lost) is situated on the banks of the majestic Mekong River, one of the world’s longest and most iconic rivers. It's also a very important pilgrimage for Buddhist because of a revered Buddhist stupa that dates back to the 16th century and is believed to contain relics of the Lord Buddha. You know what else it's known for?? Nagas. These mythical creatures are semidivine beings that are serpent shape-shifters. Whether it is a human form, full serpent, or half serpent, half-human form, the Nagas can take up whatever shape they prefer. They are a strong and attractive species, who are regarded as guardians of treasure which resides in the underwater kingdom of Patala-Loka or Naga-Loka, a stunning place decorated in gems.

Now I'm really excited!

💜💜💜 I'm dying. "She's gorgeous." "I know that, but she's also very scary. I'm afraid of her." This honestly makes me like him even more. NGL. They are pretty close with the Abbott. Aww, poor Yai getting ganged up on. *Snickers*

Clues! "While you’re staying here. Let me warn you about something. Make sure you often meditate and dedicate the merits to those whom you have wronged in the past. So that it would help lighten the consequences of your karma. Got it?"

"Is he still not free from them? They’ve been after him since when he was born. That’s why he had to live at the temple. What do they want from him? Why are they so vengeful?"

Shot to sad Abbott and sad Tharn.

Phaya asking the Abbott if he remembers him. Give me answers! Give me! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, Finally!!! It's come out that he is the boy that was saved by him!

And we crash again. That's so fucking sad, is this why he thinks the people he loves dies??? "Everything has already been destined. His life is written by the karma he did in his past life." This is so fucking sad. But wait! There is hope! "His destiny has been entwined with someone since his past life. That person will lead him to experience bad things. But it is also that person who would be able to free him from his karma."

Okay, so the Rocket Festival they are talking about and why the date is significant. The Rocket Festival is usually celebrated on the weekends in the middle of May, just before the start of the crop plantation period (the rainy season). This ancient festival is a merit-making ceremony which involves firing home-made rockets towards the heavens to captivate the rain gods and hope for a good monsoon season before the crop plantations take place.

"Whether you’d be free from those whom you have wronged in the past... depends on whether you’d be able to find the owner of this amulet tonight." Damn, that's not ominous. Poor fucking kid.

Ahhhhh, this is when his visions started! No thoughts, he just dives in. This boy does not deserve to have to pay for his past life! I absolve him! You live by a river, and you're just shaking him? Fucking turn him over and smack his back!

Past, Phaya is so puppy dog.

Wait! You forgot to give him the amulet!!! Dumbass kids. Always forget the important part. I mean... Well, I guess saving a person from drowning is the important part, but you know what I mean! Oh good, Phaya found him.

"So, he would probably live for a very long time. But you have to be careful though. If both of your destiny are entwined like what I think... You would eventually find each other again."

And clearly, Yai has always been the way he has been since forever.

Naga! He dreams of Nagas! Usually the festival associated with Naga is the Naga Fireball Festival. Which is celebrated in the fall or Buddhist Lent period. In this festival, people gather along a certain stretch of the Mekong River, to witness glowing red 'fireballs' shoot up into the sky. The number of fireballs sighted can range from hundreds to thousands. The local people attribute this phenomenon to the mythical 'Phaya Nak', a giant serpent that they believe resides within the river.

Okay, I'll shut up now and get back to the show.

"He doesn’t know how to swim. But he still wants to go and play near the riverbank."

"Grandma, I really heard someone calling me there last night."

That's just a great kid. We almost saw the Darwin Theory in action. The stupid shall not inherit the earth. Gee wiz, I hear disembodied voices, let's go investigate near water where I can not swim. This is like me hearing a gun shot and going to check it out. No, I don't want to die, I'm not that noisy. The unknown can stay unknown. Phaya as a kid was so soft and shy. Boy has he changed!

WTF is not wanting to take the amulet. Don't be an ungrateful asshole, kid. Tharn takes no shit, even as a kid.

"What you saw wasn’t a dream. It was your karma." "Are you saying that... they are those whom I have wronged in my past life?"

We're getting closer to answers! Ahhh, we're talking more about the Naga!!! So Tharn was a Naga in a past life??

"You both are destined to help each other Trust each other. Only then, you would be able to free yourself from your karma. Your kind hearts are your best weapon. And remember to always trust each other. Help each other. And you both would live a happy life, like you’ve always dreamt of." Sounds simple enough... (dumdumdum aka thunder sounds)

Oh snap! We got some bad weather! Okay, so Naga have different classes. From the general Nagas who have large bodies like great serpents with a crest on the head and strong poison to the celestial ones who have several heads with lethal poison and supernatural power such as disguising themselves more than just as a human being. Furthermore, certain ones can effect rain. The power to bring rain or cause drought by stop giving it. Some beliefs say they can disguise themselves as rain clouds and/or rainbows. That is why the quote for the Rocket Festival is "How much water will the Naga give this year."

Ohhh, who could this be? The king of Naga? There are a few options, so I won't hazard a guess just yet.

Can I just say that I'm loving that Phaya is chasing after scared Tharn. Yai and Phaya hugging like they didn't just get drunk together the night before. 🤣🤣🤣

"It was quite dark, so I didn't know he actually looks like this." OMG, I'm Dead. Hahaha Yai... I can see why you and your gf fit together.

Ahhhh I'm loving this so much!! You see the Naga decorations on the bridge?? This is in association with their connection to rainbows. The rainbow signifies the bridge between earth and the underworld. Sorry if this shit is boring, you guys! Like I said earlier, I'm way late, and so I'm just writing about what I find interesting. Because I refuse to force beliefs on my children, I give them books on world religions and beliefs. I read it so that I can help them as they read what they are interested in. I find all this stuff so captivating.

The way Yai looks at his girl. So sweet.

Okay, I see what they are doing here with the dream, but I'm dead. That hair and his facial expression. Like he is seconds away from laughing at himself. I would love to see BTS of this part right here.

Look at Phaya just calling Tharn out. Like Bitch, try and run from me. "Why didn't you want to tag along with us."

Isn't that where he was sitting when he had the vision? Phaya, you wish he was hitting on you, lol.

Not matching clothes!!! Tharn bitching all the time but damned if he didn't put on the matching clothes.

He left her cause she was naga! What!

Yes, he is telling you that you are the cause of his bad dreams. But he still wants you to stick around so nevermind.

I love these fools. I love grandma. Now everyone knows that Phaya is the boy that was saved.

I like Sand.

"If what you said is true, Yai and I both love you like our own brother... but we’re still safe and sound."

"Don’t let what the Abbot has predicted come true." Grandma come back! Explain this to me...

Hahah! Tharn is so sassy. "Did you use this kind of story to hit on the girls in France?"

See, no hiding for Phaya. He just straight up tells Tharn that he likes him. I think evil jellyfish is a new favorite nickname for me. I really want to read this book but it's like 15 bucks. Crazy!

AHHH! They finally kiss!!! "And this is called a goodnight kiss."

Tharn's face when Phaya says goodnight. Bless the poor boy. Well fuck, we getting stormy weather over a kiss? What the hell is gonna happen when they do more!?! I think I liked it better when the sex just woke up the evil twin, not cause destruction of humanity. Tharn is cute but I don't know that he is Noah Arc worth it kind of cute. Just saying.

Running scared! But that's okay cause Phaya is very willing to chase. Even tackle.

"Do you want to get hurt?" Phaya over here like, yes please. With a cherry on top. I love the cockiness of both of them. I adore when Phaya puts his tongue in his cheek. These two! Thank you Saint! You are a blessing amongst men. I really enjoy this kind of foreplay. No punches were pulled. Noticed Phaya is wearing the talisman.

Ahhh, it's the forcing him to submit and then telling him he is a good boy for me.

I’m Police Major Akkanee Assawawaisoon, your team leader. Yay! He is back!

I love these coconuts. Tharn going and sitting by your brother, Phaya is going to kick your ass again.

Ahhhhhh. I'm so excited for this saturday!

[yakdee]

I Have Questions

Was Narong (the suspect) possessed by the green-eyed serpent deity during his fight with Phaya?

If so, does the deity have the ability to spontaneously possess anyone who has intentions to harm Phaya and is in close enough proximity to do so?

That begs the question: Is Dr. Chalothon the green-eyed serpent deity (i.e. he can transform at will) or is he just the deity's human host?

If the amulet is supposed to protect Phaya, why was possessed!Narong able to fight Phaya and touch the amulet, but the doc ended up getting injured where Phaya touched his shoulder?

Was it because Phaya's hand was injured and his blood has powers? Edit: Nevermind, the possession happened after Phaya lost his amulet lol

Tharn's amulet (so that's what that clip was) is quite strong; will it's power increase as Tharn's feelings for Phaya grow?

Unrelated, but how could they end the show after revealing that flying eagle deity that was ominously foreshadowed by the statue in Phaya's room???

Sooooo many questions and an entire week of waiting ;;

[timotey]

Billy posted this in his X in celebration of 70k subscribers, saying that he couldn't wait to watch it with everyone because he still hasn't seen the end product, that he only did the sound stage.

Personally, I'm so looking forward to Phaya and Chalothon's fisticuffs! It's going to be a blast. I wonder if Phaya will somehow gain back his old Garuda powers because I can't see him stading a chance against Naga Doc as human.

[twozerozerone]

i was watching The Sign and after 2 episodes i thought the doc was kinda familiar then i spent 3 minutes in complete shock

yeah yeah i know bls by the same director tend to have the same actors but STILL !! it took me a while to recognize him and thats bc heng SO GOOD as chalothon its completely different from jao like even when the doc tries to look like a good guy you know in his eyes that he's just pretending heng is doing GREAT

[theflagscene]

I just had a wretched, horrible, no good thought while I was making a coffee and I just; I legit hate my brain for going there.

We know Saint is very big into social commentary, human rights and because of his experience as a teenager, believing the victims. So far The Sign has dealt with some very heavy topics whilst trying to evenly handle the idea of a non-corrupt police force, which is a fallacy but I figure Saint’s not looking to piss anybody (the government) off considering he funds these projects all himself.

But I digress, point is, the series has dealt with SA and the aftermath and the victims and their mindset, what it can lead to people to do, etc. In todays episode we see that Chalothon has started to get desperate enough to keep Phaya and Tharn apart that he’s willing to use his magic, he also is willing to kill Tharn to keep him from Phaya.

At this point I think it’s less about the ‘ownership’ of Tharn and more about making sure Phaya suffers heartbreak from not having his lover in his life, considering the Grauda ‘stole’ the Naga’s love from the other Nagas.

So today we’ve seen Phaya accidentally put another wedge between him and Tharn, we’ve seen Chalothon use magic to control Tharn, however small that may have been in the moment. Tharn is also being pushed by his brother and friends towards Phaya, which he is not appreciative of. So now he’s being actively, however underhandedly, pushed closer toward Chalothon. He refuses Phaya’s apology, he’s keeping space between them because he knows he likes Phaya and he thinks his cursed past life means his lovers are all doomed to die.

There’s been a NC scene teased since before the series started to air, that a couple will be together whilst covered in paint, it was teased last week and again this week and was also part of the series trailer. But this weeks teaser for the next episode also shows someone curled up in the shower covered in that same red paint, sobbing into their knees. You never see the faces of these people and the tattoo on Phaya’s back isn’t really seen either, so…

Chalothon is at the art gallery, Tharn is at the art gallery. The Doc is looking very smug and obviously pulling strings. Phaya is being distracted by his family and the fact that he cannot get Tharn to listen to him, you don’t think… That scene couldn’t possibly be between a mind controlled/under the influence Tharn and Chalothon, ya don’t think?

That the person sobbing in the shower naked and covered in paint is Tharn because Doc SA’d him at the art gallery? It’s just too terrible to think, but like, it’s possible. Especially with how Chalothon’s true colours are starting to show, and it would be a direct personal connection to their first case. Tharn’s trauma and Phaya’s need to vengeance, they’d be direct parallels to the SA victims and their captor seeking justice against their abusers.

That’s probably not it, I freaking pray to the QL gods that’s not it, but my mind just had a moment where it was like; what if this terrible thing happened?

So I just had to get it out because if I have to suffer then so do you lol.

[itsanidiom]

SHIPPER TAG GAME

LET'S GOOOOO~ tagged by @negrowhat

1. What ship were you completely obsessed with when you were a teenager, but now you don't care anymore?

Glorestor or Glorfindel / Erestor of Middle Earth Fanon Fame. Not that I don't CARE about it anymore, mind you. There's just not enough new content (for obvious reasons god it's old and there's like one conversation of original source material). I don't think about them as much anymore. Like I used to be reading fanfic EVERY NIGHT and we're talking like novel length fanfics (as you can imagine people in the LOTR fandom write lol). Anyway here's some super old fan art... (>u<)

2. Which ship would you consider your first one?

Oh god...something Dynasty Warriors related for sure...

Probably like Sun Ce / Zhao Yu or Gan Ning / Lu Xun. (GO WU! lol) I feel like there were other couples I'm totally forgetting right now...but yeah god I love Dynasty Warriors...

Also...daaamn Gan Ning looks good there I should go buy the latest game. (>w<)

3. Your first fanfic belonged to which couple?

Like the first one I wrote or read?? I went into my oldest of old "old writing" folders and found this list of docs that I haven't been touched in over ten years. SO I'm gonna saaaay it was a Dynasty Warriors fanfic...one of these pairings. (^ ^;)

Also kind of hilarious to see that I literally still organize my fanfic files in the same way for over half my fucking life ago...nice...

4. Do you remember the first couple you saw a fanart over?

I feel like it would have been something Inuyasha related. That or something Final Fantasy X. I do not remember, but it was probably some version of these scene.

5. Did you ever get into ship discourse?

Not that I can remember...do not need this in my life...lol but maybe I've reblogged some RPF like discourse? Like the "should or shouldn't you ship" type discussions. I'm on the side of "do whatever you want but don't send it to the famous people" [ex. like ATEEZ fanfic/fanart] or "if they are literally doing it as part of their promo go ahead, it's for fun/they literally requested it as part of their promo" [ex. BillyBabe]. (^ ^;)

6. Did you used to have any no-otp or have it currently?

It honestly always depends on the quality of the fanart or the fanfic because even a notp can turn into a OH!tp if it's good enough. [Exhibit a: my Phaya/Tharn/Chalothorn fanfic]

7. Who were the couple in the last fanfic you read?

Weirdly the one new Chalothon/Singh fic from The Sign. But I really need AO3 to fix the spelling of his name in the tag...

8. Currently, do you have any OTPs?

PhayaTharn are the current obsession~

Look at them...adorable...

9. Is there any couple that, to this day, you are extremely mad about not getting together?

Still wish John Wick / Santino fucked...also like James Bond / Q and The Protagonist / Neil and Arthur / Eames...bromance is SUCH a waste but considering the genres of these movies it is never gonna happen...I have to wait for the Thai BL versions lol (^ ^;)

10. Is there any ship you used to dislike but now you think they are kind of interesting?

OH I haven't been traumatized by watched it yet, but Dead Friends Forever has made me get onboard with Macau/Chay of KinnPorsche fame because OMG LOOK AT THESE CUTIES!!!!

11. Do you have any ship that, in the past, was considered normal but now you would be cancelled over?

GOD I remember there was a LOT of Sesshomaru x Inuyasha yaoi when I was a kid LMFAO like...straight up cancelled...I dunno if it was normal back then but no yaoi was normal back then so like it sadly all got lumped together or something...then again looking at some of the comics that are coming out these days...

12. What was your favorite crack ship?

All the McFassy ships from back in the day like OMG REMEMBER JUNGKOV?? STELIOS AND LETO??? ARCHIE AND ROBBIE? SO MANY CROSSOVERS!!

LOL Sorry that just brought me back LOL

13. Who is the couple you read more fanfics of?

Ahhhh I don't know...I usually either write a lot or read a lot...I literally have a fic rec list for Glorestor lol and then when I look in my AO3 bookmarks the top ship is Hannigram sooooo let's say Hannigram even though I haven't read one for a while.

14. What most of your ships usually have in common?

toll and smol...i like me a toll and a smoll...lol or big and small...i dunno something something contrast something something just crush him and/or be uncharacteristically gentle or somehow incapacitate the larger man with your wiles...that is all...

15. What do you absolutely hate in a ship?

Miscommunication < seconding @negrowhat's response. Cannot stand it. Such a boring trope. Very annoying for me (the audience).

[hughungrybear]

So I guess we have an early reveal of the villain with Doc Chalothon's green eyes (did not watch the teaser and the specials. Apparently, Heng spoiled his character's plot in the interviews lol).

I'm curious how did the Doc retained his Naga powers after all this time? It seems Tharn and Phaya have powers too (based on their fight with the possessed killer), but have only used it (unintentionally) when they are provoked whereas the Doc seems to have full control of his powers. Not only that, I have suspicions that he also have memories of their old life.

Is he immortal like Off Jumpol's character in Girl 2K? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[conscbgb]

Next episode we will go back in the past? When Tharn (Naga) meet Phaya (Garuda) for the first time and then they fall in love even if it's something unnatural and forbbiden? 🤔

Quick recap Thay mythological aspects in TS:

Nagas are celestial beings/guardians of water or vheicle of the God of rain/water

Garudas are symbols of fire, strenght and vigilance

Garuda and Naga are enemies : Garuda the "devourer" is supposed to eat Nagas

Here Tharn- Naga seems afraid of Phaya-Garuda 👇

The evil doctor is a Naga too imo 🔎and he hates Phaya for that reason...and obv because he wants Phaya far away from Tharn too 😑

[conscbgb]

The Garuda and Naga fight we are waiting for...

[conscbgb]

That "WE HAVE TO TALK" that had the only purpose to made him understand that "Tharn is MINE!!" 😎👏

[conscbgb]

Phaya would have jumped out of Tharn's phone screen if he could 🤣😂

[conscbgb]

He is good in playin' the evil one...soooo goood! 😎

The way he gaslighted Phaya insinuating the doubt in him that Tharn betrayed his trust 😈

I really doubt Tharn said anything to him about Phaya's dreams...and maybe mr.Evil Doctor here isn't refering just to Phaya's present life 🔎🕵‍♂️

[timotey]

You know who Doc Chalothon reminds me of? Xue Yang from The Untamed. Xue Yang also wanted Xiao Xingchen, at any cost, even if it meant torturing him and destroying all he loved. And it wasn't until Xiao Xingchen actually destroyed his own soul so that Xue Yang would never again get his hands on him, not even through resurrection, that Xue Yang learned the true meaning of despair.

It would be great to explore this in fic, Doc Chalothon thinking nothing of killing Tharn because he knows that Wansarut will be reincarnated again and he will get another chance until he realizes that Tharn found a way to break the reincarnation circle. And not by reaching Nirvana but by completely annihilating himself so that Phaya - or anyone else - would never again get hurt because of him. How would Chalothon react to that? Hm... Food for thought 🤔

[timotey]

Ficlet: To the One I Wronged

The Sign. Phaya/Tharn. Future Fic, What-If. Unbeta'd.

Tharn finally finds out whom he wronged in his past life.

(Okay, fair warning: I'm playing loose with religion here to explore an idea. If you are one of the clutching them pearls people, shoo. If you cannot wrap your head around the concept explored here, think Zeus, think Loki. Wansarut is who Wansarut wants to be.)

*.*.*

They are celebrating. Chalothon is defeated and Tharn is back and safe and Phaya is happy, so happy, deliriously happy. And so they are celebrating, Tharn and Phaya and Tharn’s family and Phaya’s family and the guys from the unit, too, though they don’t know what exactly they are celebrating. But, hey, free booze!

At one point, though, Tharn sneaks out. He takes a seat on the top of the stairs leading down to the lower porch, hidden by darkness, away from all the festivities. It’s not that he isn’t happy - he is, he really is, to be back home, to be back with Phaya, to know that everyone is safe - but he has a lot to think about. So much…

“Hey,” says a quiet voice behind him. “You hiding?”

Phaya.

Tharn turns sideways, leaning back against the railing, and pulls his knees to his chest. He smiles up at Phaya. “Just taking a break. It’s been… a trying day.”

Phaya sits down next to him, so close that Tharn’s toes are stuck under his thigh. It’s like he’s pinning Tharn down, making sure he stays put, right there. But he’s so casual about it, leaning back and propping himself up on one hand, taking a swig from his bottle of beer with the other. Tharn finds it rather amusing.

“That it was,” Phaya agrees, staring up at the sky lit up with so many stars for a long while. Then he turns his head towards Tharn. “You alright?” And there’s genuine concern in his voice.

Tharn should’ve known that Phaya would sense his mood. He’s been watching Tharn like a hawk - or like a Garuda! - ever since Tharn came back. He’s definitely picked up on Tharn’s unease. Or maybe it is sadness. Grief?

Sighing, Tharn says, “There was something the Doc–” He frowns a little. “Lord Chal–” He presses his lips together for a second. Then he takes a deep breath. “Chalothon. There was something Chalothon said…” His voice trails off. He shakes his head.

Phaya glares. “Whatever that snake said, just forget about it. He was a lying bastard. And a creep. And he was crazy to boot!” He takes another brisk swig of his beer, his gesture very so there.

Well, Tharn really can’t deny that, but… “I know. Still. He told me something about how I-how... how Wansarut died. Back then, at the beginning of it all,” he says quietly, looking away from Phaya and into the darkness beyond the terrace. 

There must be something in his voice, or maybe it's the fact that he's avoiding Phaya's look, because Phaya asks guardedly, “What?”

Tharn doesn’t look back at Phaya. He doesn’t think he could actually say it if he did. Because it’s too much. It’s too big. “I asked him why he’d been doing it, all these centuries, why he pursued me, Wansarut, so adamantly, why… why the obsession with her, with-with me,” he corrects himself with a sigh. 

It’s so hard to keep the stories straight, the lives apart, separated, because they aren’t separate, they’re all interconnected and Tharn is Wansarut and Wansarut is Tharn but at the same time, he is not and she is not. And yet.

His arms are looped around his knees, hands clasped, and now his grip tightens so much that his knuckles turn white. Tharn knows that Phaya must’ve noticed. He couldn’t not to, sitting so close, paying such a close attention to Tharn…

“Wansarut,” Tharn says slowly, reluctantly. “Wansarut was pregnant when she died.”

Silence reigns. Then, “What?” There’s disbelief in Phaya’s voice.

This time Tharn can’t help himself, he simply has to look, he has to see Phaya. Who stares at him in utter shock. This story, this old story has nothing to do with them. And it has everything to do with them.

“Wansarut was with child when she died protecting Sakuna, when Chalothon killed them both,” Tharn says a little hoarsely. “It’s what drove Chalothon so mad. He found out later on, when they were preparing Wansarut for burial. It was early-stage, Wansarut herself probably didn’t know, didn’t even realize…” Tharn’s voice trails off again.

Phaya just stares at him, silent. Shaken by a tragedy that happened centuries ago. To them.

When Tharn speaks again, his voice is a little choked, a little cracked. “It was so early-stage they couldn’t tell if the child was Chalothon’s or–” Or Sakuna’s. If the child that died together with Wansarut was… theirs. Wansarut and Sakuna’s. Tharn and Phaya’s.

“I guess it drove Chalothon a little crazy, that he might have, that he-that he might've inadvertently killed his own child,” Tharn says. “Or… that Wansarut, his companion, his concubine, had gone so far in her betrayal, in her infidelity, that she ended up pregnant with his enemy’s child.”

Phaya sets aside his beer and stares straight ahead, into the night. Tharn knows how he feels. It’s… a lot. All this happened lifetimes ago but ripples of that tragedy reached them too.

But that’s not all of it.

Yes, it was a shock when Chalothon told Tharn about Wansarut’s pregnancy. It’s one thing to know you were a woman in one of your past lives, it’s another thing entirely to find out you died pregnant, that you carried another life inside you, very likely the child of your beloved, both past and current one. What has truly haunted Tharn, though, ever since he found out, were the consequences of that revelation. Because suddenly it all made sense. This… yes, this explained everything.

Tharn lowers his eyes and says in a voice that's barely a whisper, “It was the child. The one I wronged in my past life, the cause of all my bad karma. It was-it was the child.”

Phaya turns towards him sharply. “What? Tharn, no. No, you can’t think that, you can’t believe that,” he says, his voice insistent and firm.

Tharn doesn’t answer, though. He doesn’t look up.

Phaya reaches out, and touching Tharn’s chin, he lifts his head, forcing Tharn to look at him. There’s so much feeling in Phaya’s face, so many emotions. “None of it was your-was Wansarut’s fault. None of it, you hear me?” 

He’s holding Tharn’s chin in his fingers, not letting him look away. “If Wansarut knew about her child, I promise you that she would’ve done everything in her power to keep it safe. And you know how I know? Because you would do the same thing. You would fight for it till your last breath.”

Tharn’s staring at Phaya and blinking hard because his eyes burn a little. Because he is grieving, he can now admit it at least to himself, he's grieving for a child that never got to be born lifetimes ago. 

Phaya rests his hand on Tharn’s neck, stroking Tharn’s jaw with his thumb. “I don’t know how children of gods are conceived and born - heck, human pregnancy sounds complicated enough, now add magic to that! - but if that child held any grievance then it was misplaced if directed against you. You were just as much a victim in this.”

“But if I-if Wansarut–”

Now Phaya turns towards him fully, kneeling down on the deck, and takes Tharn's face in both of his hands. “Tharn. Stop it. Stop. Just… stop.” He leans closer, imploring. “I don’t really remember Wansarut, not everything about her, just glimpses, just the things that Wanwisa brought back. But I remember enough to know that she was kind and brave and she carried so much love inside her - just like you. She would never intentionally hurt anyone, not an enemy soldier and definitely not her own child. And if she caused pain inadvertently… then she would apologize and make amends.”

Tharn closes his burning eyes and covers one of Phaya’s hands with his. “Apologize,” he whispers. “Yes, I should. I should apologize.”

“We should,” Phaya corrects him gently. “What happened was not our fault but there’s no one else left. And someone should finally do it. Someone should finally say they’re sorry and break the karmic cycle.”

Tharn nods and leans forward and Phaya pulls him into his arms, hugging him tight. “Tomorrow,” Tharn whispers into Phaya’s shoulder. “Tomorrow we will go to the temple and make merit and ask for forgiveness. Maybe that will allow the little one to move on.”

“Alright,” Phaya agrees quietly, stroking Tharn’s back. “We will do that. Together.”

“Yes,” Tharn says, hugging Phaya back. “Together.”

[timotey]

Okay.... So bear with me. Yai and the unit were close enough to hear the firefight between PhayaTharn and the bad guys right. Am I the only one who wanted Yai to bust in on Dr. Slowmotion and Tharn having their little discussion? Can you imagine him overhearing Doc and giving Tharn a reason to fight back instead of accepting his fate?

Yai bursts in and tries to convince Tharn to fight back, to not give in...

Chalothon listens to this for while, then he says, "I see that my words haven't really sunk in. So, lesson number one."

And he grabs Yai with his magic and throws him off the cliff.

Then, turning to a screaming Tharn, Chalothon says, his voice a little exasperated, a little annoyed, "How many loved ones do you need to lose before you give in to the inevitable?"

Tharn gives in.