I can’t stop thinking about Suvi. She’s my favorite nepo baby. And reading everything Aabria has been saying made me look at her with a different lens. I think we look at her sideways because she’s an imperialist, but ignore her actions and how she shows up for her people. She’s snarky and can be rude and arrogant, but she’s always there. She cares deeply and is willing to be flexible in how she views the world, often with Steel’s guidance. Even after Ame pulled all that mess fleeing the citadel, Suvi still came. But now she’s hurt, and she’s different, she’s dark and guarded. But she still came, to keep Ame safe.
She’s such a good friend. And she doesn’t get back what she gives, and she gives and gives and gives, partially because the citadel gives her endless resources. But even if she didn’t have those, we know she’d give her friends everything she could. And they can’t seem to act with the same kind of care for her.
Idk I just think this whole aesthetic and vibe change stings. Would she have sapped away all of her color if her “true” friends hadn’t made her feels so devoid?
Aabria has played Suvi with such a nuance that feels too close to how I would react in real life. The faces I made during her interaction with Ame, to feel the walls that she's built up around her heart after watching her friends take advantage of the place that she loves, no matter how problematic or privileged that position might be, hits so close to home. We cannot choose the upbringings that we have, but to share your home, that part of your heart to your friends and watch them disrespect it is truly heartbreaking.
Yes, I am aware of how problematic the Citadel and wizards are supposed to be, but that doesn't discount the fact that the Citadel is Suvi's home. The only home she's known all her life and has only started to recently venture out into the greater world. And everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to see everyone immediately discredit Suvi's feelings because Citadel = bad just doesn't seem right to me. All of us carry marks from the place we were raised, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and Aabria just plays it all with such a brilliance that leaves my face looking like this during the tense interaction between them in the palace:
Anyways, this is all because I love Aabria and think she truly is such a genius in choosing this storyline to pursue for Suvi. As someone who once came from a position of privilege, who knows the power and journey of unlearning what you've known your entire life, I am so excited to see how Suvi's story unfolds.
‘I will not be touched by this world, or any other, without my permission again.’
Okay but that arc finale though?? 😱😭♥️ I have so much art I want to make but Aabria’s description there painted a word picture straight onto my mind’s eye - so Suvi first.