shallan and kaladin are like two sides of the same coin
> both take responsibility for things that were outside of their control in order to create the illusion that they had some measure of influence over horrific things that happened to them (because the alternative is too unbearable)
> both have hardcore main character syndrome - which is just reaffirmed by the narrative again and again lol (like, it is true that they do happen to be main characters in a book series. but even if they weren't they would still feel like that imo)
> both feel the need to take care of others and hate being the one that is taken care of (but despite how uncomfortable it is for them they still somewhat crave it)
> both have a very strong sense of justice (even if their ideas of what is right and wrong don't exactly align)
> both have put a lot of time and effort into one specific skill that they then use to define their entire sense of self-worth
> both try to view who they are on bad days and who they are normally as two separate people (i just say "the wretch")
> on that note: so much mental illness lol
> both absolutely abhorr failure
> connected to the above: both are willing to do slightly insane things in order for things to go according to their will
the main difference is that everyone views Kaladin as somewhat above them ("Stormblessed") even though he genuinely just wants to be one of the guys. He is just like everyone else! By the Almighty please stop worshipping him or seeing him as somehow better than the average soldier !! 😭
while Shallan is viewed as meek and somewhat weak and all around not something all too special (cue kaladin's absolute shock when she tells him her backstory) even though she really really really needs to be seen as something special. she knows in the end effect it benefits her if she doesn't stand out too much or if people underestimate her (their looks of wonder when she surprises them is always great) but damn it she went through hell and pulled through - pulled her brothers through, that are older than her - and still people can never properly appreciate her 😔
