#benjamin shadow

[seaeclipse]

Nobility AU Countess Louise loves swords.

She had once run into one of the Grand Dukes tranining to become the kingdom's greatest swordsman, and she'd joined the traning under his tutelage.

Needless to say, Grand Duke Benjamin, was definitely the worlds greatest mentor for the sword.

And it wasn't like she was the only swordswoman in the kingdom either. She knew Marchioness Lydia prided herself on defeating several of the empire's swordsman at once singlehandedly. She'd even seen Lady Evelyn, yet another Marchioness, simply practicing in her garden in order to train her reflexes while she herself was out for a stroll and waved to her.

She also knew that the other Dukes of the kingdom had their own training grounds in their dukedoms for practicing. Though she wasn't quite sure if the youngest Duke was a swordsman, or if he was even aware he owned a training ground for swordsmanship, given how the rumours spoke of him...

She also heard that the only current Duchess of the kingdom, after Lady Barbara and Lady Susanna became Grand Duchesses, Duchess Sara, did not practice swordsmanship but frequently let others who she was on good terms with borrow her grounds. Perhaps she should have a tea party with her? Her attendant did seem to be on good terms with Lou, after all.

[sunnysunsins]

Beach episode

[specialcoffeedrinker]

It’s really interesting how Benjamin and Ben are seemingly never brought up in Barbara’s and Barbies backstory.

From what we see, Benjamin is one of the people closest to Barbara; not only is he her secretary but he also values her as someone he personally cares about. He comments on how the “star bearer medal suits her” and following her finding out about Christopher’s death he personally goes to Kates room to thank her for saving Barbara.

He even stands up against people (such as Maryrose) who mention Christopher because he knows that it will upset her. Yet he isn’t mentioned at all in her backstory except for the one panel where Barbie is leading a running class and Ben is shown in the background.

I personally look forward to seeing if we get Benjamins own backstory as some of the things he has said build intrigue around his character.

His lines: “if one is not strong, one cannot protect anything” and “once again, muscles are powerless” (or something along those lines) make me wonder what kind of person he is underneath his strong exterior and how his past has influenced his character now.

These are just my thoughts, I hope that we can see more glimpses into both of their characters as the manga progresses!

[incorrect-shadows-house]

edward: who broke the coffee jar?

barbara: not me.

benjamin: not me.

oliver: not me!

suzanna: not me.

edward: so the coffee jar broke itself?

suzanna, murmuring: i never did trust that coffee jar.

[specialcoffeedrinker]

The theme of strength is very prevalent in Shaodws House. Multiple characters mention how they want to be stronger or the strongest, the characters Benjamin and Louise especially revolve around this theme as individuals and in their found relationship through wanting to be strong.

Benjamin in the character page is labelled as a “physique conscious shadow” and Ben basically being the same with “physique conscious living doll”. While that could sound vain I don’t believe they wish to be strong for vanity purposes, I believe his reasoning is actually rather selfless. It is said by Benjamin that “if one is not strong one cannot protect anything” and he seems to want to protect the people around him (especially Barbara). While he used it against Maryrose when she mentioned Christopher, he didn’t hurt her and did so because he knew it distressed Barbara. (Overall, the dynamic between Barbara and Benjamin is so interesting and certainly needs to be explored more.)

Louise, however, also does not fully express why she wants to be strong but the image we’re given from her strength is rather vain. There’s a scene where some of the other girls are gushing over her appearance and in response to that she gloats about her “soft and supple skin” and “figure that requires no corset”. The only reason she even becomes interested in working out is because Benjamin mentions that it can help to improve one’s metabolism and overall appearance which piques her interest.

She doesn’t use her strength for anyone other than herself (perhaps except for when she flips John over her shoulder so others don’t see Shaun was carrying him but she still does that to show off and garner praise) whereas Benjamin used it to assist Barbara while she was in charge. Ben was also quick to jump in during both clinger attacks to encourage and shield the other Living Dolls.

(Sorry if this is kind of jumbled or doesn’t fully make sense, I wasn’t really sure on how to get it down fully but I wanted to mention it and hopefully open discussion)

[sunnysunsins]

~Day 20~

Sweetie no, put him down, you're gonna hurt yourself

[sunnysunsins]

The symbolism of flowers in Shadows House (part 15)

Master post with all the other topics

Tiny things part 3

Obligatory warning that these are even more of speculation than others, since it deals with random background flowers

~~~

A bouquet on the table where Kate's team tried to hang out with Benjamin

The primrose has many connections to myth and folklore across cultures. The ancient Celts believed that large patches of flowering primroses were gateways into the fairy realm. The flowers were believed to offer protection and safety. Placing primroses on a doorstep would encourage fairies to bless a house and its inhabitants.

It symbolizes youth, femininity as well as safety and protection (like Benji wants to achieve)

The orange pansy flower isn’t as common as some other colors, but usually, they are going to symbolize joy, happiness, and optimism. (All perfectly describing Louise)

And i have no idea what the pink ones are

~~~

It's hard to know for sure what flowers Kate brought, but yellow and orange flowers are usually tied to optimism, joy, happiness and positive things like that. A very fitting thing to give the bundle of energy like John.

~~~

Flowers in Barbara's room appear to be forget-me-nots, fitting for her arc with Christopher and the whole can of worms there

Forget-me-nots historically symbolize true love, respect, fidelity, and devotion. These dainty blooms became associated with remembrance and true love. (She has a lot of those meanings tied to her, huh)

In some contexts, forget-me-nots are associated with secrecy and a desire for loyalty. (With which the tiny shark has been struggling recently, with all the revolts and tries to overthrow her)

~~~

Master post with all the other topics

[sunnysunsins]

Thicc whale boi