Theory time for those who refuse to accept the epilogues
A little long, but this is how Iāve rationalized what the hell Iāve read in a way that leaves me somewhat satisfied. Even to the point where Iād say I begrudgingly respect the epilogues and consider them outstandingly clever despite being frustrating for fans. I have to acknowledge the cleverness with a nod, bc aaaah you little bastard hussie you, you got me again goddammit. I was not r e a d y for all these damn LEVELS but I guess thatās just what ya get.
We begin with: Everything in homestuck has significance.
The story is so complex, and we should know by now that whenever something seems strange and insignificant, it is DEFINITELY significant. If thinking youāre crazy for seeing strange patterns was ever welcome anywhere, itās in homestuck. This is the place crazy theories come true. (Oil spots? Betty Crocker???) Which brings me to meat or candy. Iāve tried overthinking it and analyzing the fanfic format and the meanings of two different versions and Iāve come to this conclusion:
Meat and Candy were written by the two Calliopes
More specifically, Candy was written by the Calliope we know and Meat by the super powerful dead space Calliope who dominated their session. Just look at the actual pictures for meat and candy.
Candy is a swirl of green and red, like Calliopeās cheek markings, who never dominated. Meat is pure red, like the Calliope who dominated and āstoleā Calibornās blood color. Also, donāt the concepts of meat and candy line up with their two personalities? Our Calliope is rather sweet Iād say, and the other Calliope is far bloodier and holds more weight. (btw Iām using colors for understanding)
Iāve considered the possibility of Caliborn writing them, but honestly he is not capable of the language and vocabulary used. Plus, we already know Calliope likes writing fan fiction starring themself and their friends. When writing a fanfic about your friends, you may know them well, but since you are not them and are not all knowing, your perspective of them may be a bit off. And thatās what the epilogue feels like, off. For example, we know Calliope cannot(or at least does not fully understand) romantic relationships. Perhaps this is why all the romantic parts of Candy are strange. Jade is over sexualized, and everything romantic is confusing. As if the one writing does not understand how it works. The plot point of the reproductive issues seems like something Calliope would be interested in since it is foreign to them. Plots of democracy, not understanding incest or human and troll interactions. It all lines up with Calliopeās thinking. Also, whenever Calliope is described, they are mysterious and knowledgeable, with no insight or inner thoughts. When you write for yourself you tend to reveal no flaws. The Calliope described in candy is exactly that. Simply sweet. Isnāt that how they described their trollsona? (Also, didnāt the tags say something about a self insert?) The story that developes could very well be their work, which may perhaps be based on reality but is still a story, not facts, and not canon. But in a way it is canon since a canon character wrote it, so it does exist in canon, and we as readers cannot distinguish what is true, what is exaggerated, and what is completely made up.
Wooh, ok, time for the next part. Meat and the other Calliope
We know from canon that this Calliope is less emotional, straightforward and unempathetic. This one does not care for relationships or accurate depictions of emotions, their story moves faster and is much more plot heavy, leaving characters under Dirkās control. We donāt know much about Calliope and donāt quite understand their purpose other than that they are powerful and important. If this is indeed their work, we can trust that meat is closer to the truth than candy simply based on the two Calliopeās personalities as writers. But again, we donāt know this Calliope as well, and cannot determine with 100% accuracy what is true from their story. This Calliope may have left out āunimportantā emotional parts and character interactions (this may even be disgusting to them). They could make the story as dark as they want and feel no remorse, because they believe that this is the necessary way to tell the story. There must be learning from consequences so they are not repeated, and so every dark part written is necessary. Meanwhile, our Calliope would likely rather spend their story writing about their friends and observing interesting human behavior, because isnāt it so exciting to see how they bicker and talk to each other and set up their cute little society!? This Calliope would rather avoid the subject of their brother as it brings up bad memories. However it cannot go unignored, and perhaps the true story is subconsciously told told through a coat of sugar.
The epilogues were written by the Calliopes
Neither are truly canon, but rather they tell the authorās story loosely based off of the events following canon homestuck
Meat is too dark and bloody, Candy is too sweet and artificial
The true story is unwritten, a balanced combination of both Meat and Candy, and it is nearly impossible to recognize even when looking right at it, because understanding the truth requires understanding two other minds, one of which we hardly know at all
Calibornās story has ended, he had enough time in the spotlight. An equal to him determines what happens now, and suddenly the reigns are passed to Calliope, who does their best to share them with you, the reader. Giving you a taste of control, YOU determine the truth of the aftermath. You are the ultimate self. Calliope(hussie?) has written this in a way that you can justify just about anything you want as long as it is viewed through this lense. Maybe there is a right answer, but itās just as likely that any answer is right! Like a frustratingly riddled sprite, this is your given guide! Hoo hoo hoo! What a gift, this power youāve been given! Have fun dear! The game is over! Now you tell me, what happened?