additional thoughts on shaoxi hollow master caleb’s “coldness” and reactions (or lack of) to mc’s flirting/advances
lots of people are saying the way shaoxi hollow master caleb reacted to mc’s flirting was not like him, and some even saying it was ooc. it was cold and he hardly reciprocated, even if in that subtle caleb way we so often see. which i totally agree. he did come off this way.
i see that it’s different but i didn’t actually think anything of it when i read it because what it felt like to me was caleb had BIGGER things to worry about re: her survival.
it reminded me of when a parent playfully ruffles a kids hair and wordlessly smiles because they said something so stupid or asked a question so dumb. it’s that patience that comes with being a caretaker and appeasing a child when there’s larger issues at play, but of course they shouldn’t have to worry about that. the parent doesn’t WANT to give the child a reason to be scared.
to me, it felt like caleb was focussed on one thing and one thing only: curing mc. whether it’s because her illness was getting worse/she was running out of time OR, i felt like he knew mc was growing out of herself.
she wanted to see the world, and go with him, and he saw that. and im sure he wanted it too, he WANTED to see her be like “all the other kids.” he probably wanted her by his side on his adventures and journeys.
but i think he also knew it was becoming increasingly dangerous because mc had grown to the point where she would not listen to him and would sneak out, and almost be murdered and sold for her skin, blood, eyes, w/e. and she was the last sick “child” in the hollow. he was running out of time to save her.
and so that “coldness” to me made so much sense because of HOW laser focussed he was. he is a master, likely a prodigy too, the amount of discipline he needed to BECOME the hollow master was immense.
he never rejected her but he did not encourage her or directly reciprocate because he couldn’t afford to. he couldn’t afford to distract himself, or encourage mc to dare further—which would probably lead to him unable to restrain himself anymore.
but of course there are the small things. him devouring a nasty meal for her. indulging in almost child-like play in the forest to make her happy. the pillow fight.
and then, as soon as he DOES get the soulbloom for her, he starts reciprocating. telling her his heart has ALWAYS been open for her. telling her he hopes wants his brand of poison, forever.
it’s another instance where the AU itself causes us to see a different side of caleb because in this AU, mc is in IMMEDIATE danger. main timeline mc is in danger, but not so immediate. empress mc and tainted cuts mc weren’t as much (except in TC when perses endangered mc—and that’s when he chooses to walk away, or be cold, like shaoxi hollow master).
annaxmalina
titsay
