Cent, can you meta a bit about what Conch is like when he cares about something? I imagine he's a fiercely protective type, but I'm curious.
When it comes to matters that Conchobar cares about, he’s unrelentingly passionate. One good example is the fact that he had saved literature and preserved poetry by sheltering composers in his house in spite of the grave offense they’ve committed. He’s a lover of poetry and writing, so much that he actively supports talented composers. It didn’t matter if he had to go to war for it. It had been worth it for Conchobar mac Nessa.
He can become fiercely protective of people he genuinely cares for, I won’t even deny it. Even then, it all depends on circumstances. While how he protected Deirdre came off as undeniably toxic and disgusting, in the end it is because of him that she had been given a better fate. It’s because of Conchobar that Deirdre had come to learn and be knowledgeable in peace, and even live without her life being threatened, until she ran away of course.
Nothing can make how he treated Deirdre better. He had his reasons. He killed the sons of Usnech because they betrayed him. He lied to Fergus because killing the sons of Usnech was only proper. They were traitors to the crown after all. Conchobar was always pressured by Cathbad to follow the customs. The only time he made a decision for himself and argued with Cathbad is keeping Deirdre alive when Cathbad was so prepared to kill her.
Conchobar ‘loved’ Deirdre to the point wherein he waited for almost two decades for her to learn how to love him in return. That after she ran off with Naoise, had his kids and gave herself to someone who was once loyal to his name, he was more than willing to accept Deirdre still and forget what she had done.
Like... tbh. Conch is only ever this problematic at a few number of people. Because around his Knights and his family (outside of Nessa), he’s actually??? A good man to have around. He’s a good brother to Deichtine and Findchoem. There’s a reason why his approval is so important to Cu Chulainn and Conall Cernach. The Knights of the Red Branch loved him for his virtues and his refusal to not go the extra mile for the sake of Ulster.
He knows how to value something and someone in a way that’s normal. However, when circumstances are just so different he reverts back to his old shell and suddenly he’s the same monster you see under your bed, or the one starting at you from the ceiling.
