O-KAY!!! A lot to talk about here, so buckle up!
My theory about Sloth's house sigil is wrong but I could not be happier about it!! There's clearly so much LORE (pun intended)! And I think this is the first demon prince official art that feels fully genuine. The others are definitely stunning to look at, but I can really feel Lo's character in this one. The still classically attractive face and body, but realistically contoured, the slight curiosity and concern in his eyes, the tentativeness in his hand as it touches his arm. It feels cohesive and very real. Definitely my favorite work by Morgana so far!
Lo's character certainly lends to this too, as he's never *trying* to look hot. He doesn't seem to always be posing for some hidden camera like his brothers. There's an almost heart-breaking amount of emotion in his eyes here. I definitely buy that he sneaks a book into every one of these grand parties. With every teaser, I'm also suspecting more and more that it's not out of apathy, either. Maybe because he gets overwhelmed.
Each of the princes' brains is definitely constantly running. But we've seen the similarities and differences between each, and Sloth is definitely one of the outliers. Primarily because he's the only one to openly resent his sin, which is especially interesting because it was to Camilla, essentially a stranger. The teaser that came with this picture also shows us physical vulnerability, which we've had in small doses with the other princes.
BUT I would like to point out that this isn't the only time we've seen this with Lo. There's also the fighting ring scene in the Walmart special addition of kingdom of the feared, where he's fighting with a sinner so that sinner may get his soul back. Yes, the bonus scenes, especially that one, are not meant to be taken as canon. However, I think it's insight into Miss Maniscalco's view of Sloth as an author that can't be ignored.
He's struggling in that fight. Yes, some of the other brothers have already lost by the time the scene starts, but are having a good time. Sloth was outright struggling. That hints that his physical vulnerability could be a longer thread. I have one main theory for this: and it is that because of his poor relationship with his sin, he struggles to draw from it as much, making him more physically vulnerable.
From what we have been told so far, he thrives when he's researching. Reading, organizing, likely experimenting. His sin seems to outwardly hold him down from what he wants. It slows him down. Doesn't stop him, but slows him down. For a prince that's entire standing and power is based on feeding on a sin, that can't be healthy.
I can also see this being an allegory for disability in a way? What helps other people like him, his brothers, hinders him. Like his very body is working against him. All of the comforts and means for relaxation in his House were portrayed as opportunities for residents and visitors to indulge in the sin of Sloth. But relaxation is hardly Sin, especially when the bulk of his House is practically begging you to get lost in a rabbit hole of knowledge. The library itself seems to taunt you, beckon you to explore. And you very much need rest after a lot of work whether that be physical or mental. If it takes him longer to physically recover than his brothers (again, disability allegory) then it makes complete sense for a good chunk of his House to be dedicated to such. The fact that Sloth's circle is so isolated from the rest of them aids this as well. Not the most attractive for the other brothers or other demons to visit either, and privacy is key in recovery.
And that's where the Phoenix comes in. All of the princes' of sin likely suffer from their sin more than they care to admit. But Sloth doesn't run from it. He faces that struggle head on. And it doesn't stop him. A lesser demon would have fallen to this struggle and lost their House long ago. Lo doesn't run from his struggle, nor does he let it define him. Yes, it is a cycle, but he rises none the less. And that is what makes his House uniquely dangerous. Even for all of his supposed weaknesses, he has that strength that his brothers don't have. And that is why nobody fucks with House Sloth. They are open to their struggles, and are slowed, but never stopped.
I can already see that his character has a unique kind of emotional nuance that I'm SO excited to read! And for a man enduring all of this, I think an "ordinary" librarian is a perfect match.
