Submitted by: @mysaldate (Submitter also created the above ship name)
Form used: In-Depth
Characters: Roy x Nakia/Torch Dragon/Miracle Guardian (Dislyte)
Snappy Ship Pitch: A servant to the gods and a human blessed with the gods' powers who showed her the beauty of humanity and they made a pact that she would kill him if he failed a divine trial so he wouldn't have to suffer but she went into hibernation before it happened.
Warning! This post contains content warning tags. Please read the content warnings carefully before deciding whether to go below the cut.
Content warnings: Major character death, torture, memory loss, human x non-human
Genders/Assigned Sexes at Birth: Roy is an Eidolon and therefore doesn't adhere to human gender norms, her current form is female so she tends to go by she/her but dislikes other gendered terms. Nakia is a man and he/him.
Sexual and Romantic Attractions: Neither have canon sexual or romantic orientations.
End-game?: Other (Nakia died)
Good for each other?: Yes
How much they have in common, on a scale of 1 to 9: 7
Inspiration behind the ship:
When Roy first mentioned the Star Pyramid, I was already thinking it must've been from a past lover because of how she worded it. Then later when it became clear it was Nakia who gave it to her, the ship came about naturally. Roy and Nakia's tender moment as he surrendered his life in her hands was very bittersweet too. And Roy then pushing the people attempting the trial to hurry and finish it as a way to honor Nakia's last wish even though she didn't care about anyone involved really sealed the deal.
Why it’s underrated and how it’s overlooked:
Most of the fandoms are furries or hate straight ships with a passion and this is technically a "straight" ship even though Roy is Roy.
In-Depth:
About Roy:
Roy is an Eidolon, a servant of the gods, sent to the human realm to be the guide through the divine trials. She met Nakia, by then already hailed a hero of his people, and through him learned to appreciate various aspects of humanity. Roy was gifted a puzzle box by Nakia imbued with his divine power. It was shaped like a pyramid and opened up into a star, hence the name Star Pyramid. Roy said she got it from someone who greatly cherished her. Nakia was going to undergo divine trials in order to gain more power and protect his people better. He and Roy made a deal that should Nakia fail, Roy would grant him a quick way out before whatever punishment laid out for him for failing the trial would hurt him too much. However, before Nakia's fourth trial, Roy went to sleep, sealed away in a tomb under the sand. When she was awakened (thanks to having the Star Pyramid placed on her tomb), the world had completely changed. Nakia's people had been gone for centuries and a brand new civilization had sprouted. Roy managed to get the Star Pyramid back and led a miracle exploration team to the trials. However, her real intention was to find Nakia and fulfill her promise to him.
What she wants in a relationship:
It's hard to get a read on Roy but it seems she enjoyed Nakia's love and the care he had for the people around him. His humanity was what made him so precious to her.
What she needs in a relationship:
Even harder to say. Being an Eidolon, Roy's needs are mostly obscured and unknown at this point in time. She seems confident and happy as she is. The only thing that comes to mind is needing someone who can match at least a fraction of her power so she doesn't need to treat her partner with kiddy gloves.
About Nakia:
Nakia obtained divine power and became a hero of his people by protecting them from giant monsters called Miramon. His compassion and deep care for his people extended to the Eidolon Roy as well and he was determined to show her all the beautiful sides of humanity. He successfully passed three trials, growing ever stronger to protect his people but during his fourth trial, he unfortunately failed. He was then approached by a god and offered the chance to ascend and become a kin of the gods, if only he would rescind his humanity, his memories, and his feelings. Nakia rejected the offer firmly, stating it would be no different if he died then if he couldn't even remember the people he wanted to protect. Offended at his refusal, the god cursed Nakia to slowly turn into a giant miramon himself, losing himself in blind rages and forgetting all of his good memories of the world outside, as well as everything about Roy. Nakia spent the next hundreds of years slowly transforming and forgetting his humanity. He ended up as a giant two-headed dragon and the overseer of the miracle trials that doomed him to that fate in the first place, all the while resenting his people for "using" him and letting his hatred and anger fester. When Roy entered the miracle and eventually encountered him, she was able to restore his memories thanks to the divine power in the Star Pyramid. Remembering the good times, and their promise, Nakia surrendered his life to Roy and asked her to guide the new civilization through the rest of the trial so that they may do what he'd always wanted to – protect the people they love and care about.
What he wants in a relationship:
Nakia was very selfless so there is likely little he would say he wants in a relationship.
What he needs in a relationship:
He needs support, someone who can be there for him after he's there for everyone else. Someone patient, someone who will understand his desire to protect everyone.
How they would be good for each other:
Nakia broadened Roy's horrizons and made her at least somewhat understand and appreciate humans and humanity. On the other hand, Roy was likely the only person Nakia could be himself instead of being a hero for everyone to admire.
How they would be bad for each other:
From Nakia's point of view, I think if he witnessed Roy's casual cruelty, it would likely put a dent in their relationship. Roy doesn't see an issue with sacrificing a bunch of people just because someone is trying to cheat the trial and Nakia cares about everyone a bit too much. For her part, I think Roy would leave if Nakia bored her, if he became colder or less caring as his humanity is what intrigued her.
Dealbreakers:
From Nakia's point of view, I think if he witnessed Roy's casual cruelty, it would likely put a dent in their relationship. Roy doesn't see an issue with sacrificing a bunch of people just because someone is trying to cheat the trial and Nakia cares about everyone a bit too much. For her part, I think Roy would leave if Nakia bored her, if he became colder or less caring as his humanity is what intrigued her.
How they met:
We don't have the details about how exactly they met but at some point, Roy was sent to guide Nakia's people through the miracle trials. This would likely be how they met as Nakia was the first – and for a long time only – one of his civilization to attempt the trials at all.
How it would play out:
I think a lot of it would follow the tried and true formula of the human (Nakia) explaining normal human things to the non-human (Roy). Except, the non-human in question really doesn't much care about the things themselves and much more about Nakia's reactions to everything and how he specifically presents his humanity. If we're talking inside the miracle, given that Roy can stop time in there, they could definitely have a whole lifetime's worth of experiences with each other in there. Separated by centuries of loss and pain, it would be interesting to see what kind of conversations they would have, how they might talk through everything that happened. I would love to see Nakia break down after everything and just sob in Roy's arms, for once letting her be the caring one and for once, letting him be vulnerable.
i think the thing im trying to wrap my head around re gender identity is that it feels like a futile effort to try and say im just one thing in a way thats going to define me for some stretch of time. like over the 5 months ive been on hrt my relationship to gender & sexuality has changed a lot as my body has changed and my self-perception has changed with it, and i want to get to a place where instead of trying to approach gender in a sense of "i am or want to be X specific thing, im going to sculpt myself towards that static ideal", i can just be content with how wildly fluid the whole thing is
She could feel a tightening in her breasts merely at his look and wondered if her hardened nipples showed through the gown. But she could not expect that detail to escape his experienced eyes—and she knew beyond a doubt that he was very experienced indeed. She did not mind. That was the past. This was the present and the future. She was his present. She did not doubt his love for her.
One really nice thing that came from “Orphan of War” (definitely not the FFLM; sorry) was this little moment I can’t let pass by unremarked. Loooook how sweet it iiiis! Their widdle faces!!! :”) …I’m okay. X”)
Netflix is like an insecure lover who needs constant reassurance that I’m still committed to this relationship, like babe you don’t need to ask me if you wanna hang out every day, or if I’m still interested in what we’re doing just because I’ve gone quiet for a bit. I love you and I’m in this with you forever.
