I asked Gemini about the scene of Suletta and Norette in AASB, chapter 5.
> "Does the scene where Suletta meets Norette in the cave have any connection to mythology?"
āļøGemini Detailed Analysis:
"Your question highlights that the scene where Suletta meets Norette in the cave is a sophisticated blend of three major mythological tropes: The Witch and the Meeting Place, Plant Symbolism, and The Guidance of Fate."
1. š The Queen of Elphame and the Cave Trope
* The Queen of Elphame: This is the most potent title Norette uses. In Scottish folklore and witch trial records, the Queen of Elphame (or Queen of Elfland) is the ruler of Faerie and the magical patron of witches.
* Meeting in an Occult Location: Tales involving the Queen of Elphame, such as the legend of Thomas the Rhymer or witch confessions, frequently occur in isolated, boundary locations like mounds, caves, or magical borders (crossroads).
* Drawing in Mortals: The Queen often draws mortals into her domain through invitation or curiosity. She grants occult knowledge (like prophecy to Thomas) but often demands a price or warns of misfortune.
* Connection to the Fanfic: Suletta being drawn by a glimmer of light that "called to her profoundly" into the cavern perfectly mimics the Queen of Elphame encounter. Norette bestows magical knowledge (Names hold power) and a physical item (the pouch), but demands a prohibitive condition in return ("You mustn't breathe a word of me.").
2. š± Milkweed Symbolism
* Location: The encounter takes place at a ledge crowned with milkweed.
* Mythological Significance:
* Asclepius (God of Medicine): The genus name for milkweed is Asclepias, named after Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine (son of the Sun God, Apollo). This directly links the scene to Suletta's quest for solace and healing for Miorine.
* Transformation & Hope: Milkweed is essential for the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly, symbolizing Transformation and Resilience.
* Faerie Magic: In folklore, sleeping on a pillow stuffed with milkweed fluff was said to help one dream of the fae.
* Connection to the Fanfic: The presence of milkweed emphasizes that this meeting is about healing (Miorine), transformation (from sorrow to happiness), and acts as a magical threshold into the Queen of Elphame's realm.
3. š Tycho the Goat and Guidance
* Role: The goat Tycho (the canny beast) is the pretense that draws Suletta into the "witchwood" and to Norette.
* Mythological Significance: In European folklore and mythology, goats carry complex meanings, from symbolizing wildness and sexuality (like Pan/Faunus) to sometimes serving as a witch's familiar or a guide into other worlds.
* Connection to the Fanfic: Tycho is not just a runaway animal; it is a magical vehicle used by Norette to guide Suletta, the messenger of the gods, to the necessary point of intersection between the mundane and the magical worlds.
In summary, Suletta's meeting with Norette in the cave is a perfectly staged magical setup, employing ancient tropes to establish the mythological legitimacy of Norette's power and Suletta's fated role as the Messenger.
So... please tell me what's we discussed above is your intention, Adra-sama...
I haven't checked tumblr in a long while, but I enjoyed reading this breakdown. I hid many things in both AASB and CaN that seem like innocuous details, but reward the reader when they look deeper. My plant choices for instance are all indeed deliberate, especially when it comes to Notrette
