Are you still thinking of doing a caitvi touch analysis? Cause the way I would DEVOUR that. Love ur work!! 💖💖
it all started from a post i saw somewhere, that expressed surprise that the same girls we saw in this scene
are the ones we see in this scene
'how can Vi be so meek and skittish, while Caitlyn is the confident one? it was the opposite before!"
and like, of course characters can change (like people do), but it i think this is a misreading of whats going on here. or at least, a surface level understanding. and the more i thought about it, the more i realized how much body language matters in Caitvi's scenes, and how the way they touch is extremely consistent and relevant to their relationship and identities.
to explain what i mean, let's start with Vi. Vi's touch is brash and confident. in the beginning of their relationship, Vi was the one pushing herself into Caitlyn's space, like we've seen in the brother scene, but also in small moments like shoulder checking Caitlyn after her very sensitive remark about The Last Drop, or her grabbing Caitlyn while they were escaping Silco.
i don't think Vi is intentionally being rougher with Caitlyn, as she touches other people (Jinx, Ekko) in a very similar manner. but to Caitlyn, this is a big deal- the fact Vi doesn't coddle her, and doesn't give her "special treatment"- is something Caitlyn has been craving her whole life.
Vi shows no hesitation before reaching out. its very unapologetic. You'd think they're already dating by the confidence Vi exudes when she's touching Cait.,
Vi tends to almost maneuver Caitlyn around. it's not an aggressive thing, it's gentle- but her touch is more assertive. i don't want to call it possessive, but something about it shows she feels like she has access to Caitlyn from a surprisingly early stage in their relationship.
now, look at how Caitlyn touches Vi. it's almost the complete opposite. her touch is feather light and careful, almost like she's unsure whether she's even allowed.
Caitlyn's touch is less assertive and more guiding. even in positions where you'd think she should be using some force, she finds the most gentle, non-intrusive way to go about it.
where Vi's touch is claiming, Caitlyn's touch is asking. you can see it every single time Caitlyn reaches out to Vi. she's slow in her approach, a little hesitant before she commits, incredibly delicate and soft.
as to why this is, i suspect their upbringing is at play. Vi is used to taking whatever she can get her hands on, because she never had enough growing up. Caitlyn is extremely aware of her privilege and is concerned with "taking too much". This approach is what makes Caitlyn come across as humble.
now, back to the kiss.
looking at it from this lens, are we sure that "Caitlyn is the confident party while Vi is meek" is the correct reading here? cause the way i see it,
Caitlyn takes her usual 5 million years to approach, because she's essentially non-verbally asking Vi for consent the entire way through. very on brand. Vi, however, seems to lack her usual confidence, and i've seen people attribute it to shock. i think it's somewhat related, but not because she's surprised Caitlyn is making a move on her, or that it's finally happening- come on, Vi knows Caitlyn is down bad for her. all the points i brought up, about the way Vi touched her up until this point- it's clear Vi knows that her touch is wanted. that's why she's so confident basically from that brothel scene. i suspect that if her sister hadn't murdered her mom, Vi would be making this exact move on Caitlyn in episode 1 of this season. the only thing holding her back is guilt.
no, the reason Vi is shocked is because Caitlyn is back. right after she begged her to not change, the girl she loves, and thought she was losing, came back. what do i mean she came back? in the scene before this one, this is the Caitlyn we see
Vi is clearly distraught by this aggressive, dominating version of Caitlyn. she doesn't recognize her. That's not who Caitlyn is. there's a reason they keep showing us this specific memory through Vi's eyes
this Caitlyn, attentive, gentle, asking, is the girl she fell for, in all her dorky glory. Vi asked Caitlyn to not change, and in this kiss, with that soft touch, Caitlyn proves Vi that she hadn't- not entirely, at least- that her girl is still in there. Vi is almost stunned in relief to see her again, especially after we saw how desperately she was clinging onto the memory of her.
and it's when she recognizes her, that non-apologetic grabby Vi is back.
(it was too good to be true, sadly. i think you can see a level of hesitancy in vi's body language here, like she can sense something is a little off.)
so, what about that sex scene, you probably wonder. why i havent mentioned it so far, seeing as this is the most intimate scene they have together. well, it's because if you've been following along what i said, nothing in it should surprise you.
so we have-
brash, grabby, assertive Vi
who tends to maneuver Caitlyn around
Caitlyn is being slow and soft in her approach
with feather light touches,
(like seriously every time caitlyn touches vi its almost floaty, so gentle its barely there. You can see there's no force behind it whatsoever. She licherally doesn't want to use her power on Vi.)
and of course, most importantly, we have Vi recognizing Caitlyn, the girl she fell for, 3 times in this scene. every time she does, she reacts with a surge of passion and joy.
first time is what kickstarted this whole scene
Caitlyn was making a grand gesture of selfless trust, just like she had all the way back when they first met and she chose to release Vi from prison based on trust alone.
second time is here
Caitlyn putting honesty above all else, choosing to not keep Vi in the dark, and looking like a nervous mess while doing it- very s1 Caitlyn of her.
third time is here
again, the soft, slow touch, asking for permission (and forgiveness).
Now, why does any of it matters? well, for Vi, i think that failing to recognize the body language just leaves out a layer of her character that adds to her personality. that brash, confident way she touches really lacks in some fan interpretations of her.
for Caitlyn, however... if you can't read her body language you can come out with a completely different reading of her character, one i'd consider a misinterpretation. Caitlyn's words are much more calculated and closed off than her touch. She uses her Big Scary Sheriff tone to make herself seem respectable, but her true self, the gentle, sweet side of her, only comes through her touch and actions. Like, if you only take Caitlyn at face value, based on what she says alone... let's just say, the amount of people who think Caitlyn is an evil manipulator who abuses her power starts to make sense now, doesn't it?
Tl;dr: Caitlyn's touch is like "can i touch you?" And Vi's touch is like "i am touching you". Failing to recognize this usually results in misinterpreting the characters' dynamics and even the messages and themes of show itself.
all the references in dr. ratio’s character that i could find.
if i missed something, or got something wrong, yell at me in the comments. there are a few other analysis on my page, if you wanna check them out :3 hope u enjoy!!
“ratio” can be traced back to the ancient greek logos. early translators rendered this into Latin as ratio (“reason;” as in the word "rational"). a more modern interpretation of Euclid's meaning is more akin to computation or reckoning.
in Latin, ratio has several meanings, including "reason, ration, calculation," etc
in Roman mythology, Veritas, meaning "truth," is the Goddess of Truth.
there's a lot of owl symbols on ratio, and owls symbolize wisdom, mystery, intelligence and protection.
there's a lot of greek symbolism, esp in his outfit and the way the fabric is tied and the laurel leaves in his hair (in Ancient Rome, it was worn on the head as a symbol of triumph) and the owl motif, the symbol of Athena goddess of wisdom.
dr. ratio's plaster head besides being an obvious reference to ancient greek's herma (symbol of protection, warding off unwanted intrusion or evil spirits), but it is also a reference to, euler, who famously went blind towards the end of his life. his productivity only increased after his blindness, and he was reported to having said, "now I will have fewer distractions," after going blind in both eyes.
dr ratio's eidolons are all based off multiple philosophical concepts and proverbs;
eidolon one: "pride comes before fall" comes from the 'book of proverbs' in the bible.
eidolon two: "the divine is in the detail" explores the relationships in aisha khalid (a visual artist)'s work amongst geometry and precision with respect to the spiritual. the exhibition title is a play on the commonly heard phrase ‘the devil is in the detail’, in other words, the difficulties or problematics of specificity.
eidolon three: "know thyself" is a philosophical maxim which was inscribed upon the Temple of Apollo in the ancient Greek precinct of Delphi. initially, it meant "know your limits," then it was re-interpreted by Plato who understood it to mean "know your soul." then it was re-interpreted again by christian, jewish and muslim scholars used "know thyself" as a command to study the physical properties of the human body.
eidolon four: "ignorance is blight." i couldn't find much for it, but ignorance (lack of knowledge) is blight (a thing that spoils or damages something), which could be the opposite of a quote by poet Thomas Gray "ignorance is bliss."
eidolon five: "sic itur ad astra" literally means 'thus, one goes to the stars'. the phrase is most famously attributed to the Roman poet Virgil in the Aeneid. the phrase can be interpreted as a motivational statement. it suggests that greatness and high achievements are attainable if one follows the right path or method. it also implies that the journey to greatness involves effort and perseverance. it's not just about the destination (the stars) but also about the path one takes to get there.
eidolon six: "vincit omnia veritas" means "truth conquers all things." similar to the Latin phrase "amor vincit omnia," meaning "love conquers all things." this phrase emphasizes the idea that truth is powerful and ultimately prevails over falsehood or deceit.
combat skills:
"mind is might:" the idea behind this phrase is that through the power of the mind, individuals can solve complex problems, innovate, lead effectively, and make decisions that have far-reaching positive impacts. it underscores the value of mental prowess in various aspects of life, from personal development to societal progress.
"intellectual midwifery:" intellectual midwifery is a metaphorical concept that describes the role of a person or a process in helping someone else develop their ideas and thoughts. it's like how a midwife helps in childbirth by supporting and assisting, but instead of a baby, it's about helping ideas or intellectual creations come into being. this can involve guiding someone through the process of thinking critically, asking questions, and providing support so they can articulate and develop their ideas effectively.
"syllogistic paradox" is a situation where a series of logical steps leads to a conclusion that seems contradictory or unexpected. in simple terms, it's like following a set of rules or ideas that seem logical individually, but when put together, they create confusion or a surprising result. these paradoxes often highlight flaws in reasoning or assumptions that we might not initially notice.
"cogito, ergo sum" is a Latin phrase that means "i think, therefore i am." it was famously stated by the philosopher René Descartes. it expresses the idea that the act of thinking proves that a person exists. Descartes used this statement to assert that even if everything else could be doubted or uncertain, the fact that he was thinking was undeniable proof of his own existence as a thinking being.
"mold of idolatry" refers to the different shapes and forms that idol worship or excessive devotion can take. it includes worshiping statues or images as gods, being overly focused on material possessions, or putting anything above the rightful place of worshiping the true divine or ultimate reality. essentially, it describes the various ways people might stray from focusing on what truly matters spiritually.
all the symbolism of sunday i gathered before his release as a playable character.
while reading this, keep in mind that this may not be the same as his new character design. thank you for reading and enjoy!! point out mistakes, or anything i missed in the comments!! ♡♡ i'll probably make a separate post for his new design as well someday.
the thorny vine patterns on his clothes: Jesus is called "the true vine" of God, but he was also given a crown of thorns when he was crucified.
thorns (we can see them on sunday's design) were created as a punishment for the first sin.
there are eyes placed throughout his design, which are associated with the ophanim, an angel made up of wheels and eyes throughout its surface.
sunday has 3 pairs of wings in his concept art, and one pair is covering his eyes. this could be associated with seraphim—a creature close to god who also has 6 wings.
sunday's concept design also seems to have a seraph design near his collar.
the word serpah literally means destruction by fire in hebrew. upon hearing isiah's confession, one of the serpahim removed a coal from the altar of god and touches isiah's lips with it, saying "see, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
seraphim cover their eyes to avoid looking at god and be blinded by His light, and also feeling ashamed to be in His presence, demonstrating their humility. seraphim are the closest angels to god. They focus on praising and worshiping god for who He is and what He does—which could also be said for sunday and the 'odes of harmony'. (the odes of harmony are based off of the bible.)
sunday's halo is a buddhist wheel. i can not stress this enough, because it represents all of sunday's views: right (or wise) view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. all of these views can be observed whenever sunday speaks.
the cross on sunday's hand (starting from wrist) could be representing jesus' wrist when his hand was nailed to the cross. this may be a bit of a stretch but i'll put it here anyways.
sunday is also wearing rings on his index finger and thumb. these fingers are usually used to cross oneself. they also represent people of a specific family who have a high authority.
sunday's name can be derived from dies solis (in old english), meaning the day of the sun.
the sunday boss name is dominicus, comes from dies dominicus, which also means the Lord's day (sunday).
when sunday calls upon Ena, it's called "im Anfang war die Tat." it is a German phrase that translates to "In the beginning was the deed." this means that action or deeds came before words, thoughts, or anything else. it emphasizes the importance of actions over other elements like ideas or speech. the phrase originates from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's play "Faust." specifically, it appears where Faust is translating the Bible and changes the opening line of the Gospel of John ("In the beginning was the Word") to emphasize action over mere words.
an aventurine analysis—(most of) the references in his character.
i thought i'd compile this information on here in case someone else might be interested in this!! enjoy!! if i missed anything, do let me know in the comments. ♡♡
aventurine's light cone is called "inherently unjust destiny". an "inherently unjust destiny" refers to a situation or outcome that is fundamentally unfair or biased from the start. it implies that the factors determining one's fate are intrinsically unequal, leading to inevitable injustice. this phrase is often used in discussions about societal structures, where certain groups might face systemic disadvantages that predetermine their outcomes, regardless of their actions or efforts.
the name kakavasha means the cry of a young crow in sanskrit.
kakavasha was born on the kakava festival, held by romani people on may 5-6.
the name aventurine is based off the aventurine stone, which represents opportunity and luck.
aventurine's banner is called gilded imprisonment, which refers to a situation where an individual is trapped in a seemingly comfortable or privileged environment, but in reality, their freedom and autonomy are restricted. this term is often used to describe scenarios where the outward appearance of luxury or advantage masks the underlying lack of true liberty or choice. the concept can be applied to various contexts, such as relationships, employment, or societal roles, where the benefits or status conferred upon an individual come at the cost of their freedom or well-being.
aventurine's quest is called “all the sad tales,” which could refer to “All the sad Young Men” by F. Scott Fitzgerald—a collection of short stories. i've summarized all of them below:
The Rich Boy
an upper-class man, Anson Hunter, is emotionally distant and incapable of deep love. despite several relationships, including a significant one with Paula Legendre, his arrogance and fear of commitment leave him alone and regretful.
Winter Dreams
Dexter Green, a working-class young man, falls for the beautiful but fickle Judy Jones. he builds a successful life in pursuit of her, only to realize later that she has married and lost her charm. the story reflects themes of unattainable dreams and disillusionment.
The Baby Party
John and Edith Andros take their daughter to a children’s party, where a minor conflict between kids escalates into a physical fight between their fathers. the story highlights adult immaturity and the fragility of pride.
Absolution
a young boy named Rudolph Miller struggles with guilt and strict religious expectations. after confessing a minor sin, he receives harsh punishment from his father, leading him to question morality. the story serves as a thematic prelude to The Great Gatsby.
Rags Martin-Jones and the Prince of Wales
a wealthy woman, Rags, is pursued by a mysterious and seemingly noble man, who turns out to be an imposter. the story critiques social pretensions and the illusions of high society.
The Adjuster
a woman named Luella, who believes she deserves happiness without effort, is advised by a psychiatrist to embrace life’s hardships. the story explores self-delusion and personal growth.
Hot and Cold Blood
two men reflect on a failed business venture and how their differing personalities—one cold and calculating, the other passionate—led to their downfall. the story examines human nature and success.
The Sensible Thing
George O’Kelly, an ambitious but struggling man, is rejected by his love, Jonquil, due to financial instability. after achieving success, he returns to her, only to find their love has faded. the story mirrors themes of lost innocence and changing emotions.
Gretchen’s Forty Winks
a husband, Roger Halsey, feels neglected when his wife, Gretchen, prioritizes her beauty sleep. His jealousy and insecurity lead to comedic misunderstandings, revealing the absurdity of marital tensions.
in the cn dub, aventurine's quest is titled “dance in the slaughterhouse,” which refers to “Dance in the Slaughterhouse,” a novel by Ed McBain. [spoilers ahead] in this novel, detectives from the 87th Precinct investigate a snuff film, uncovering a dark network of violence and sexual exploitation. as they track the killers, they face corruption and danger, leading to a tense and gritty conclusion.
when we switch to aventurine's pov in the penacony quest, it's is called danse macabre. the "danse macabre," also known as the "dance of death," is an artistic and literary motif that emerged in the late Middle Ages. it depicts the universality of death, illustrating the idea that death comes for everyone, regardless of their social status or position in life. the motif typically features skeletons or personifications of death leading people from all walks of life—such as kings, popes, peasants, and children—in a dance toward their graves. the danse macabre serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death and the transient nature of earthly life. it was often portrayed in murals, prints, literature, and music. one of the most famous representations is the fresco in the Cemetery of the Holy Innocents in Paris, created around the early 15th century. this theme became particularly popular in times of plague and social upheaval, reflecting the widespread presence of death and the shared human experience of mortality.
— on a similar note, when we switch to aventurine's pov, we see a question right under danse macabre. the translation is “Quo Fata Ferunt?” which literally means, “Whither the Fates Carry (Us)?” the motto appears on Gibraltar’s coat of arms, granted by Spain’s Catholic Monarchs in 1502, before the British took control of the territory in 1704.
eidolons:
eidolon one; prisoner's dilemma: it is a game that demonstrates why two people might not cooperate, even if it's in their best interest. in the game, two players are arrested and interrogated separately. each has two choices: to cooperate with their partner by staying silent or to betray their partner by confessing. the outcomes are:
if both stay silent, they get a light sentence.
if one betrays and the other stays silent, the betrayer goes free and the silent one gets a heavy sentence.
if both betray, they both get moderate sentences.
the dilemma arises because while mutual cooperation yields a better overall outcome, individual incentives lead both to betray, resulting in a worse outcome for both.
eidolon two; bounded rationality: it is a card game that simulates the decision-making process under constraints. in this game, players must make choices based on limited information, time, and cognitive resources. the aim is to replicate real-world scenarios where individuals cannot consider all possible options or outcomes. the game involves making trade-offs and prioritizing certain actions, reflecting the concept that people use "bounded" rationality rather than perfect rationality when making decisions.
eidolon three; droprate maxing: droprate maxing is a strategy used in games, particularly in those involving loot or collectible items, where players aim to maximize their chances of obtaining rare items. this involves optimizing various factors that affect drop rates, such as choosing the best locations to farm, using specific equipment or bonuses that increase drop chances, and repeating actions that yield the best rewards. the goal is to make the most efficient use of time and resources to get the desired items as quickly as possible.
eidolon four; unexpected hanging paradox: it is a logic puzzle involving a surprise event. for example:
a judge tells a condemned prisoner that they will be hanged at noon on one weekday (monday to friday), but the hanging will be a surprise. the prisoner won't know the day until the morning of the hanging. the prisoner reasons:
- if the hanging is on friday, they would know by thursday night, so it can't be friday.
- if it's thursday, they would know by wednesday night, since friday is ruled out, so it can't be thursday.
- by this logic, they rule out each day, concluding the hanging can't happen at all.
despite this reasoning, the prisoner is hanged on a day they don't expect, making the hanging both surprising and logical.
the paradox arises because the prisoner's logical deduction leads to a conclusion that contradicts the judge's initial statement.
eidolon five; ambiguity aversion: it is when people prefer known risks over unknown risks. in simple terms, if given a choice between a bet where they know the exact odds of winning and a bet where the odds are unclear, most people choose the one with known odds, even if both bets might have the same potential payoff. this happens because people feel more comfortable and secure when they know what to expect.
eidolon six; the stag hunt game: it is a game that illustrates a situation where cooperation and trust between individuals lead to better outcomes, but there's a risk involved. for example:
two hunters can either hunt a stag (deer) together or hunt rabbits alone.
hunting a stag requires both hunters to cooperate; if they succeed, they both get a large reward.
hunting rabbits can be done alone, and each hunter gets a smaller, but guaranteed reward.
if one hunter goes for the stag and the other hunts rabbits, the stag hunter gets nothing, while the rabbit hunter gets a small reward.
the game shows the dilemma between choosing a safe, smaller reward (hunting rabbits) or risking cooperation for a larger reward (hunting a stag). it highlights the importance of trust and cooperation in achieving the best outcomes.
achievements related to aventurine:
when we witness kakavasha's story, we get the achievement "Sibyl, what do you want?" the phrase "Sibyl, what do you want?" originates from T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land," specifically in the epigraph at the beginning. the full epigraph, translated from Latin, is:
"For I myself saw with my own eyes the Sibyl at Cumae hanging in a jar, and when the boys said to her, 'Sibyl, what do you want?' she replied, 'I want to die.'"
this passage references the Sibyl of Cumae, a prophetic figure in Roman mythology who was granted immortality by the god Apollo but not eternal youth. as a result, she grew older and more withered over time, longing for death as a release from her endless, decrepit existence.
the epigraph serves to set the tone for "The Waste Land," a poem that explores themes of decay, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a fragmented, modern world. the Sibyl's desire for death reflects a sense of despair and futility, which resonates with the broader themes of the poem.
how is this related to aventurine? well, for one, kakavasha's life revolves around death. it would surprise nobody if all he knew at this point would be death. he has been granted a life that could be described as a 'dream' by many, but for him, quite like the Sibyl of Cumae, it could only be a curse. his loss of innocence is also expressed in this line.
upon defeating aventurine's boss, we get the achievement "she replied, ‘i want to die,’" which is a continuation of the previous achievement ("sibyl, what do you want?"), and the sibyl's response, and in this case, also aventurine's.
combat abilities/traces:
(technique) the red and the black: “The Red and The Black” is a novel by Stendhal. [the paragraph summarizes the red and the black, so spoiler warning.] it follows Julien Sorel, a poor but ambitious young man in 19th-century France. he becomes a tutor and has an affair with Madame de Rênal, which forces him to flee to a seminary. later, he gains favor with the aristocratic Marquis de la Mole and begins a passionate affair with the marquis’s daughter, Mathilde. when his past is exposed, he attempts to kill Madame de Rênal, is arrested, and sentenced to death. in prison, he rejects his past ambitions and accepts his fate. Mathilde mourns him, while Madame de Rênal dies of grief.
— peaceful calm: refers to a state of deep tranquility and serenity, where there is an absence of stress, agitation, or disturbance. It's a feeling of inner stillness and relaxation, where both the mind and body are at ease. In this state, one may feel grounded, clear-headed, and free from worry or tension.
— still water runs deep: the latin "still waters run deep" is a proverb with latin origins that suggests that a calm and placid exterior often conceals deep thoughts, emotions, or complexities beneath the surface. it implies that individuals who appear quiet or reserved may possess significant depth, wisdom, or intensity that is not immediately apparent.
— pouring rain: i am still a bit confused about this, but there are two possibilities. it could refer to “In Red Earth and Pouring Rain” by Vikram Chandra, a wounded monkey avoids death by telling an epic tale. His story follows Sanjay, a poet in colonial India, as he navigates love, war, and rebellion. Meanwhile, modern-day characters in California explore identity and belonging.
the other possibility is that it refers to the rain that fell on Sigonia-IV on aventurine's birthday.
(thank you @roxirinart for pointing out this possibility!!) for the 'pouring rain' reference, if it's not referring to anything deeper, it could refer to the act of 'making it rain'—a phrase that means throwing out cash in the air, usually at strip clubs, but it's sort of a slang nowadays for indulgently spending large amounts of money in a lavish or extravagant way, which fits the way his skill is a slot machine hitting the jackpot and how he 'makes it rain' in his ult as well. the pouring part could simply be to emphasize how much money it is (instead of 'drizzling' rain it's 'pouring' rain, which just means it is constantly raining, so a lot of money), or could be a reference to 'when it rains, it pours'—when one bad thing happens, other bad things tend to follow/come with it—which certainly fits how aventurine went through a massacre (in the rain) and proceeded to live a whole life of horrifying 'misfortunes' afterwards.
(shield) fortified wager: a "fortified wager" generally refers to a bet or gamble that has been strengthened or supported in some way. the term isn't widely used, but in this context, 'fortified' suggests that the wager has been enhanced or protected—perhaps through additional safeguards, resources, or strategies. for instance, in gambling or sports betting, a "fortified wager" could mean a bet that has been bolstered by better odds, insider knowledge, or some form of assurance, making it a stronger or less risky bet than it would have been otherwise. it might also involve combining bets or using betting strategies that minimize risk.
blind bet: it refers to a forced bet in poker (and some other card games) that players must place before they see their cards. it’s typically used to ensure there’s money in the pot right from the start of a hand. there are usually two types of blinds in poker:
small blind: a smaller bet placed by the player to the immediate left of the dealer.
big blind: a larger bet placed by the player two seats to the left of the dealer.
these blinds rotate around the table, ensuring everyone contributes over time. the players who place the blind bets are at a slight disadvantage since they must bet without seeing their cards first, thus the term 'blind.'
leverage: it is the ability to influence situations or people so that you can control what happens.
hot hand: it is a phenomenon, previously considered a cognitive social bias, that a person who experiences a successful outcome has a greater chance of success in further attempts.
bingo: it is a game of chance using cards on which there is a grid of numbers, a row of which constitute a win when they have been chosen at random. bingo is one of the most popular forms of low-priced gambling in the world.
feng xin and mu qing who spent their teenage years together, in constant proximity, because they were both close to someone else
feng xin and mu qing watching their nation collapse, their home ruined, their kingdom dissapear
feng xin and mu qing losing their friend, first losing him emotionally by not being able to understand what's going on and then literally losing him as he vanished for 800 years
feng xin and mu qing both ascending to godhood, constantly seeing each other as they co-ruled(?) the same area
feng xin who never wanted to become a god, who didn't know what he was if he isn't a bodyguard to the royal family, who was abandoned by the woman he loved, never forgiving himself for leaving and losing xie lian
mu qing who always wanted to ascend, who knew he had the potential to but was constantly overshadowed and wanted to desperately to prove he was not a servant to be discarded, who still never forgave himself for leaving when his friends needed him. for coming back too late
and so they take it out on each other. 800 years of pent up frustration, guilt and misery and they take it out on each other because really, who else can they take it out on? who else knows xie lian? who else rememberes xianle and its' days of glory?
yes, they're constantly at each others throats. yes, they dislike each other.
no, they don't hate each other. how can they? they're all each other has and it's been that way for 800 years
can you really hate someone when he's the only contsant thing in your long immortal life as the world shifts around you? happy and unpleasant memories, they're the only ones who know. the only ones who remember
The revised CN edition has a note about the name of Xie Lian’s Puqi shrine, saying that 菩荠 (pu2ji4/puqi/Chinese water chestnut) is also known as 荸荠 (biqi) and various other names.
This makes me think that MXTX chose water chestnut deliberately, and 菩荠 (puji) specifically, because it is a homonym to “普济” (pu3ji4), a term commonly associated with buddhism which emphasizes the aspiration and compassion to save or benefit all sentient beings. Very fitting for Xie Lian.
In at least three separate instances, MXTX used the word 珍重 (zhen1 zhong4) to describe the manner in which Hua Cheng speaks to/treats Xie Lian, as perceived by Xie Lian.
When Hua Cheng addressed him as Dianxia for the first time, Xie Lian felt that it was in a manner distinct from everyone else’s. The two characters were uttered in a manner that is exceedingly ‘zhenzhong’. （珍重已极）
When the soul of a young soldier told him, ‘redacted,’ (T_T) it was said in a manner that is ‘zhenzhong’ and with solemnity. （珍重且郑重）
In one of the extra chapters, when Xie Lian recalls a night spent with Hua Cheng, he remembered Hua Cheng being “exceedingly tender, exceedingly wicked, but also exceedingly ‘zhenzhong’.” (温柔至极，邪恶至极，却也珍重至极）
‘Zhenzhong’ has been variously translated as ‘sincere’ ‘special’ or ‘feeling cherished’ in these instance, which are not wrong. But there’s a subtle additional nuance that could be overlooked because it’s difficult to convey through translations.
So 珍重, the first character 珍 (zhen) means precious thing, treasure, to value highly, to cherish; the second character重 (zhong) conveys the notion of significance and weightiness. Combined the word can describe actions/manners/demeanors toward things/people you cherish deeply that are deliberate and reverent, approached very thoughtfully, with great care and deep respect. No half-assing anything.
And that is very Hua Cheng to Xie Lian omg
Minor case in point. That two second of him lingering in his palms up pose when Xie Lian has already withdrawn his hand is just so freaking 珍重 I can’t.
P.S. in chinese 请多珍重 (pls zhenzhong/please take care) is a nice parting phrase asking the other person to direct the same level of care and respect toward oneself
xie lian's bamboo hat really doesn't have a whole lot of practical use in the novel. very often he doesn't even wear it, he just carries it around on his back. it probably falls to the ground and he has to go back and pick it up more often than he wears it. but he would never go anywhere without it.
because it reminds him that there's good in the world and in humanity. it reminds him that even if everything else is terrible, even if he feels like dying, there's still something worth living for.
at the end of the day, the bamboo hat is what makes xie lian different from jun wu. because he was able to see that even if most of the world is cruel, there's also kindness and he chose to focus on that kindness while jun wu chose to focus on the cruelty.
it's probably one of the strongest symbols in this novel, but in a very literal way it also serves as a reminder for xie lian of why he keeps going after all those years and it's why he always goes back to retrieve it when he loses it somewhere along the way
i feel like initially, hua cheng would be scared of leaving love marks on xie lian's body. like, he would not feel worthy of it, believing he does not deserve to 'ruin' xie lian's body with marks.
also, kind of as a sort of devotion. he is so in love with xie lian and finds him so beautiful, that he just can't bring himself to leave any kind of mark.
it's so interesting to me how it's implied that mo ran isn't in touch with his feelings. even as taxian-jun, he never really understood why he did something. like, throughout the book, he just follows that what he impulsively observes will be correct.
in book two, he's forced to face how his thoughts when he sees himself in chu lan. he realizes how much he actually did wrong. a part of him regrets it, but then he goes back to ignoring his feelings. that time with chu lan was like a wake up call for him. he's literally my baby.
