Death and his lovely fawn

Occasional thoughts on books and comics. 23. pro Elriel. pro Elain.

[hyacinthoideshispanica]

If Elain can't ever be with Lucien because he's connected to her trauma, doesn't that mean she also can't ever be with Azriel?

I mean, he was also there when she went into the Cauldron.

Hell, he was in her home, sitting at the same table as her. He, along with Feyre, Cassian, and Rhys, all played a role in her getting unwillingly dragged into the fae world and being Made.

So, by the logic of some Elriels, she can’t ever have feelings for or forgive Azriel either, right?

[hyacinthoideshispanica]

The reasons I listed for why Azriel is connected to Elain's trauma is doesn't make much sense, correct?

That's the point. This is why I included #except neither Azriel nor Lucien actually caused her trauma... in the tags of this original post.

It makes no sense for me to argue that Elriel can't possibly happen because Azriel had a role in Elain's trauma because, in reality, he didn't do anything. Just like, in reality, Lucien didn't do anything either.

The only difference is that, when it comes to Lucien, Elain thinks he had something to do with it. But we, as readers, should know that he didn't know what Ianthe had planned and did not support it. This misunderstanding is most likely something that will be cleared up when we get Elain's book and could possibly play a role in her eventual decision to accept or reject the bond.

However, at the present time, it really makes no sense to claim Elucien can't possibly happen because of this.

[doe-eyed-seer]

How are you even arguing Lucien WASN’T involved in her trauma when SJM *literally* acknowledges this in her most recent interview? There’s no other way around it. Please stop pretending like you give a shit about Elain.

Whether Elucien is endgame or not is besides the point.

[greenleaf777]

🎨 natalienardozza on insta is doing the azriel bonus chapter and i am absolutely obsessed with it. Its is absolutely gorgeous! Love the way they draw elain and azriel especially portraying azriels angst.

Go like, share, follow, and comment! Link at bottom

Sharing with permission from artist

🦇 🌸 LINK ⬇️

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[ranyadraws]

💫!

[remotetrash]

I drew Robert as a woman so my lesbian friend could understand the hype

Started out as a joke. Accidentally locked in. Enjoy!

Stupid ref imagine under the cut

Lmfao

[gabbiecasso]

I choose, and will always choose, Blonde Blazer ✨

Also, posted my journal x analysis about Blazer and her relationship with Robert here.

[pennytf]

boom shakalaka?

A lil' late for this trend but honestly this was a good excuse to draw Nol's bicep.

[cassandraclare]

By Charlie Bowater — Ty, ghost!Livvy and Irene the lynx at the Scholomance.

[ad-1812]

MY HEART JUMPED OUT OF MY CHEST

MADE A DOUBLE FLIP

AND CAME BACK

ISTG I WON'T SHUT UP ABOUT THIS EPISODE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

[daisymylove]

I sincerely don’t know if Im alone on this one, so I want to know what yall think. Again, I may get some heat for this, but it’s my honest opinion.

Something I noticed in my reread is that I grew a slight dislike for lucie in chot, and as someone who had always previously rooted for her, I’m currently annoyed at myself.The thing is, Lucie IS a very privileged and sheltered girl.She was born into a wealthy, loving family and, because of her apparent “normalcy”, never suffered the brunt of the shadowhunter prejudice like Tessa and James.

None of this is a problem in itself, but my point here is that there were always other people protecting, thinking and worrying for her, so I think not only she never realized how precarious her family’s position actually was, but also has no true understanding of consequences and how the “real world” works.She knew in some level that what she was doing regarding jesse was dangerous, but was never truly afraid of repercussions, bc unconsciously she knows there will be someone to catch her . And while I do like to see a character become aware of its own privileges along the narrative, there’s no growing here.She finished the book without ever realizing it, because everything was just SO easy and convenient, and that bothers me greatly.

In all fairness, how could she? she does whatever she wants with no consequences.

I feel so conflicted bc while I actually cheered when she brought jesse back in choi, and always shipped them, I find the outcome of her actions to be low-key infuriating.Lucie wasn’t willing to give Jesse up, but also never seriously considered giving up her comfortable life to start over with him somewhere.That ludicrous and set to fail jeremy blackthorn plan wasn’t even her idea, it was the people around her finding a way to fix her “mistakes” to save all of their asses from jail.

Lucie could’ve had her marks stripped, her father could’ve lost the institute, it could’ve costed Tessa’s life.Those guys had been waiting 25 years for the slightest opportunity to pounce on her, does anyone seriously believe they wouldn’t all automatically think the warlock mother was involved? How come there was some major necromancy going on under her roof and she had no idea?  we know she didnt, but still   All of this was severely downplayed and there was little to no conflict regarding it, and anyone can correct me if im wrong, but none of that ever dawned on lucie.She never fully thought about how her family would be implicated, and nobody brought that up to her.Zero confict just chill, I guess this is our life now .Dont get me wrong, I dont want that shitstorm to actually happen,I just wanted her to become AWARE of it

 she literally brought home this complete stranger to them all (we know jesse, the characters dont) that was 8 years her senior (it doesnt matter his body was frozen for 7 years, mentally jesse is 24), Tatiana’s son, and had been dead up until last tuesday, but nobody save perhaps jessamine, and god it pains me to agree with jessamine had a problem with that.Instant acceptance, no resistance, no objections at all.All it would take for that lie to crumble would be ONE trial by the sword at any point of their lives and everybody was as chill as chicken joe from surfs up

Her fight with Cordelia pissed me off too. Lucie meddled on something she had no right and no knowledge of,and demanded things of Cordelia without even being willing to hear her out. ”oh the poor thing is suffering so much bc of you, why can’t you just take him back?” GIRL, FOR ALL SHE KNOWS, UNTIL A WEEK AGO, HOME BOY WAS SWEARING UNDYING LOVE AND BURNING DOWN MANORS FOR GRACE BLACKTHORN. 

WE know poor james was ensorcelled and fighting it, but what was cordelia supposed to think of it? How dare she assume that Cordelia “took advantage of James going to Cornwal to run away with matthew”? 

The demon of secrets in edom scene was plain ridiculous.”yo I had a childhood crush on your brother, sorry for never telling you, I was embarrassed” is not a big deal.The fact that they needed demonic intervention for THAT so late in the book baffles me

While I do think most characters were severely nerfed on this book and behaved ooc on several occasions (swear to god I have some mild ptsd from all the times cordelia ran and did unhinged things) , my conclusion about Lucie’s arc is that she took her good life for granted, endangered her entire family, didnt grow from the experience, but still got everything she wanted with no consequences or sacrifices.She lost a cousin along the way, but who cares about that guy? what was his name again? Its my understanding that Lucie never even faced a trial.Thats unrealistic and bad writing, if you ask me.When I think it over, the word that comes to me is…spoiled.

And dont get me started on the fact that she found out Malcom was planning on doing full blown necromancy and didnt do anything about it.How that had no repercussions AT ALL still blows my mind.

 The worst part for me is that I genuinely believe Lucie deserved better you know? 

If lucie and cordelia hadnt been allowed to become parabatai, and jesse had received some other minor yet life changing punishment, and we had seen a trial scene I would’ve been satisfied, because at least it wouldn’t have been nothing.

[daisymylove]

@spacehero-23 I totally agree with you that cc had no idea what to do with Cordelia in this last book, and everything about her behaviour was very odd, BUT i kinda get grace being a sore Spot.Its not about lucie not having other friends, its the fact that Cordelia feels she’s losing yet another person for grace.Its immature of her? Hell yeah, but that makes sense when it comes to a lovesick 17yo

But sure their fight was ridiculous, they should’ve discussed their relationship, not James and grace

[artpaiper-deactivated20240721]

“Ah yes. Me. My girlfriend. And her cat who hates me.”

“Sometimes a family can be just a boy, his gf, and their cat who actually secretly loves him.”

an aegi version of my current fave meme/drawing trend on twitter

[queenhelenblackthorn]

[doe-eyed-seer]

Still Upset: Chain of Gold Spoilers **

Over 24 hrs later and I'm still upset over how poorly Christopher's death was handled. In the end it was just.. SO unnecessary because of how little it actually contributes to the story and it felt like it was done out of shock factor more than anything. I don't think I'm ever going to get over this 😭

[helenofblackthorns]

starting to feel like a broken record bc I did enjoy cot & I do have thoughts on other aspects of the book but I can't get over how Kit's death was treated in the narrative. he was paid fucking dust and for a series so heavily about friendship, none of his friends actually seemed to grieve him that much. and this isn't something I hold against the characters, it is very much cc who didn't fucking include scenes (like his funeral!! where the fuck is that!!). like I can't get over how mad I am about it, that once his usefulness of being "the inventor" wore off he simply disappeared from the story all together. like there wasn't even a scene with just the Merry Thieves, now without him, dealing with his loss. like they didn't go back to the devil tavern or anything like that. there was no fucking closure, none at all.

[doe-eyed-seer]

Chain of Gold Spoilers;

I just finished COT and I... dont think anybody is upset as me that *********** died.

I cant be the only one that feels like this wasn't originally intended and it was meant to be either Matthew (more likely) or Thomas but CC couldn't bring herself to do it. Setting up Grace and Christopher as a potential romance just feels so pointless now.

I also agree with people that are upset with how much dust his death was paid. NOBODY but Anna and Thomas mourned him the way I thought they should, not even GRACE!! Where even is his furneral?? one thing I will say about CC is that she has consistently been lazy when writing him, never putting as much time or effort as the rest of the Merry Thieves - even in his death. It's so disappointing.

[pinkrasberryfish]

The dynamic of Elriel is valid.

Let me explain.

From book 1, we get to know Lucien’s personality. He was always kind of cold and sarcastic with Feyre in the mansion, and even left her to her own devices under the mountain. Later on we see him have a buddy-buddy dynamic with Vassa. It’s clear that he likes to interact with women in a sarcastic teasing way… which is why Elain seems so confusing to him.

She’s just too pure and endearing. She is proper, modest, reserved, sweet, and innocent. She embodies these qualities to such a degree that her gift to Azriel— earplugs to block out Nessian… it’s kind of shocking and hilarious! It’s not typical for her to be cheeky or make sexual jokes.

This is why Azriel’s way of interacting with Elain, and women in general, suits her personality and needs so much better than Lucien. He is a comforting presence and a nonjudgemental listening ear. He’s not looking for fast-paced teasing jabs all the time: he’s content to listen to her discuss gardening, or to sit in peaceful silence, enjoying one another’s presence. He takes the lead to bring her to the garden, and he swoops in to protect her and save her from Hybern. He is a strong leader, a protector, and a comfort to her: all qualities that she loved in Graysen.

Simply put, Elain is looking for someone to take care of her: to listen, to share a deep love, and to protect and appreciate her. Likewise, Azriel is looking for someone to take care of him too: someone who truly sees him and who is unafraid of his dark side. They are equals, like Feysand and Nessian, but not in the same way, like you’re a warrior I’m a warrior or your super magical and I’m super magical. They are equals in what they provide for each other: a home.

Their dynamic is valid, and it is one many of us can relate to. Not everyone is going to be in a teasing relationship like Nessian, or an egalitarian “outsmart a death goddess to find your own engagement ring” relationship like Feysand. I know a lot of people want gw*nriel to happen because they want a broken warrior with a broken warrior, but to me, it’s just a rinse and repeat of Nessian or Feysand.

Elriel would truly be different from the other love stories in the series, and that is why so many of us are dying on this fucking hill.

[doe-eyed-seer]

I completely agree but I would only add that I feel the three ships are set out to be equals as such:

Feysand: Rulers

Nessian: Warriors

Elriel: Spies

[doe-eyed-seer]

Azriel and Elain; mirrored journeys (?) and parallels

I don't know if anyone has a more in depth post of this (link me pls!) but there's definitely something to talk about the fact both Azriel and Elain have suffered their most traumatic experiences in a dark and confined space that ultimately results in them developing extremely rare abilities. "Gifts" that were given to them in terrible circumstances. Neither of them know/knew how to use these abilities and will probably receive little help. They will/had to exercise them on their own and learn for themselves.

I know people interpret most of Azriel's initial resolve to help Elain as evidence of his supposed romantic interest but I think it's something entirely more than that (?) Yes he was doing it for her but he was also doing it for himself. He wanted to be there for Elain because he needed someone there for him too when he was in her position. I don't doubt Az will be by her side when she starts utilising her seer abilities, but I hope we see him share his own insight in how he dealt with his shadows when helping her navigate her own gifts.

There's also alot to draw from the dinnertable scene in ACOFAS, where Amren confronts Elain about her wishing she could go back to her human form. Azriel watches her with pity - and I think this was also something he sympathises with because it's something else he and Elain have in common.

Throughout the series, we see Az seperate himself from his Illyrian ancestry and express feelings of contempt toward Illyrian culture as a result of the suffering he and his mother have had at the hands of it. Elain felt no different at the time. She was once human who feared fae . A human with a life back home. A life she was wrongly ripped from. I hope SJM explores this a bit more and I can't wait till we read Elain's POV on this. With that being said I'm glad she seems to have found a home and a role in The Night Court. I hope Azriel feels the same way beside Elain considering he has outright said once he doesn't know where he belongs.

These were some thoughts i've had for a couple of months now. I do think Az and Elain are mirrors of one another in more ways than people think. I'd like to cover more on what control means to them and how they both wear their own kind of masks. (How it seems almost impossible for other people to truly see them but they manage to read eachother like an open book...) but I don't have the literature knowledge or brain to expand on them as much as I'd like.

[obviouslyelriel-deactivated2023]

SJM mentioning Elain looking at the cottage with hope as a powerful moment for her…Just gonna leave these here…