My Chance and Parker Relationship Analysis
Hello!! I've wanted to do a little analysis about Chance and Parker's relationship based on their one (unfortunately) very short interaction in game for a while now. Half because I think that what we're given in canon between these two is very interesting and half because SO many people love this ship and I really just can't get into it, so this is my attempt to get into it and I'm done putting it off!
To begin, I'd like to first identify some similarities I see between these two. How are they similar? Let me count the ways:
1. They are both games
2. Dice are important to them
3. They both determine their relationships in part due to their games
4. They both have trouble getting people to play with them
5. They are intensely interested in their games, it's the main thing they like to think and talk about
6. They both have firm ideas on how their relationships should be decided that differ from the norm
7. I hc them to be autistic (important)
These observations may seem very surface level, but that's partially the point. I think that they both see these similarities in themselves but have VERY different feelings about this.
How does Parker feel? Well, that kind of depends on how you read him, so this analysis is based v much on how I understand him. I think he's the kind of person who, when they tell jokes, tells them in the exact same cadence and tone of voice they say everything else with. I also think he doesn't really tend to lie and exaggerates things for comedic effect. So, all that in mind, I think that when he calls Chance his “good friend” he's exaggerating for dramatic and comedic effect. Dramatic, because he's introducing someone with a key role in the rolling ceremony, and comedic because he's not actually officially friends with Chance and he probably knows it annoys Chance when he says that. But he does feel friendly about him and would probably like to have at least a real friendly relationship with him.
As for why he feels that way, aside from Chance just being a very nice person, Parker sees how similar they are! They're practically made to be friends, at the very least. Plus, it's probably a little funny to annoy him, and he has such a long fuse he never gets mad with him, which is pretty validating when you know you’re an annoying person. Honestly I could write a whole separate post about Parker's character, apart from the relationship rules one. And I might!
But anyways, it probably just makes sense to Parker that they'd be friends, but Chance won't roll for a relationship. I think Parker did go through a period of pestering Chance to roll, but since he didn't bring it up during his roll with the homeowner until after he was gone, I think he stopped. Maybe because Chance told Parker how he thought relationships should be decided, which is incompatible with Parker's method (or is it??). Parker is generally a polite and friendly person when competition isn't involved and he's not trying to be entertaining or make a joke. If Chance genuinely told him to stop asking and explained why I think he would, or would at least only bring it up very occasionally. I don't think Parker would keep begging if it wasn't funny or if it actually made Chance mad at him.
How does Chance feel? I think he sees the similarities between him and Parker and is very uncomfortable with that, especially when Parker seems so intent on being his friend. Chance is someone who is very insecure about how he and his interests are perceived by others. Just compare their intros, Parker is boisterous, agrees when you call him weird or annoying, and never backs down when faced with negativity. He doesn't even ask you to play his games, he tells you that you have to. On the other hand, Chance immediately backs down when you question his greeting. He gets nervous and asks you to play with him like he's trying to convince you. He still gets just as excited about playing, honestly he even seems more excited, but he just doesn't have the immediate confidence Parker has.
Chance cares way more about how he's perceived, and I think that's the main obstacle in their potential relationship. He doesn't want to be seen as weird or annoying, he doesn't want people to think of him like they think of Parker. It's the age old struggle between a masking autistic person struggling to fit in (and still failing) and an unmasked autistic person determined to be themselves no matter what anyone else thinks. I think Chance's discomfort comes from a mix of jealousy and secondhand embarrassment that Parker can be himself and not feel any anxiety doing so.
Chance's dislike of Parker doesn't really come from disliking Parker himself, but of what he represents. He subconsciously thinks that not being associated with Parker will make other people think he's less weird or socially awkward than he actually is. Which is why I think that after being realized and going to college he would be much more inclined to try being friends with Parker. He might feel guilty or hesitant at first, but I do think he would reach out eventually.
But I think that's all I have for this one atm. If anyone has any thoughts about this I'd love to talk, even if you completely disagree! I think that Chance and Parker have a lot of interesting character conflicts that make them fun to talk about. I think I still personally like them better platonically rather than romantically, but I feel like I can appreciate the ship a bit more now. Thanks for reading!! :)
