Thoughts on Soleil and Fool (of which there are many. in my brain. constantly.)
Alright so this isn't the most elegant or pretty way to get these thoughts out but I decided to make it its own post.
!!! Heads up rn that this will reference multiple chapters and instances from the GITM au fic, so if you are not caught up, I don't advise reading this !!!
@venomous-qwille 's response to the ask on which characters would fall hardest and fastest for the narrator were they to all meet at once reinvigorated some feelings about Sol and Fool, specifically relating to the way they act as foils for each other.
I was a bit surprised, and honestly, I'm a bit surprised that I was surprised, that Fool is actually only one placement up from Sol in this thought experiment of readiness to fall, and honestly? I love it. It works. To me, Sol and Fool have acted throughout the work so far as foils for each other. They do not enjoy each other's company, though Sol doesn't enjoy company in general....or perhaps...doesn't feel worthy of it....and projects his own guilt and self loathing onto everyone around him-
I digress. One of the biggest clues to the dynamic set up by Sol and Fool, but also the others, is through their language. Obviously, Sol, Misuta, and Spot have tight language restrictions given their line of work previous to the story, while Fool was in a roll that encourages, but also demands, an elegant, expansive knowledge and usage of language as means to entertain.
Sol specifically, is an entity of few words, and when he does speak, he is always noted to be careful, selective, guarded with his words. Any time his carefulness of speech is pointed out it reminds me of the very beginning of The Giver, by Lois Lowry, where Jonas corrects his fear for the word 'apprehensive' instead. "No, wrong word, he thought," and "precision of language please," come to mind. Silly comparison I know, but it's all so deliberate with him.
Fool seems to be able to, and to actively say, whatever the hell he wants, constantly quipping and suggesting and making innuendos (always make me laugh, especially when directed at Clip). But what seems so effortlessly sincere for Fool is also just his design, perhaps even what he relies on, especially given that he does act very flirtatiously towards Clip during his impromptu interrogation.
Furthermore, the fact that Fool is able to say so much and yet convey so little about how he is feeling is so stunning, especially when Sol's silence is so damn telling. It seems that even Spot and Misuta are a bit jealous, even if disapproving, of the way Fool is able to speak, knowing full well that were they ever to feel the way Fool implies that he does through his...*ahem* rather scandalous phrasing, they couldn't, physically, ever voice that in a way they'd like. But too, given that he says things like that all the time, when he has something serious to say, it seems to be written off by the others as yet another joke or trick. Even Cricket is confused by Fools lack of punchline at times.
It hurts all the more seeing how deeply Fool wants to connect with his found family through game nights or finally getting company in his garage, even the way he helps Misuta have fun with DDR and gives him genuine competition...there's such palpable love there.
Sol, without saying almost anything at all though, conveys all the hurt and isolation and self loathing in the world. His silence and control say everything. He does care, I think, and that's exactly why he tries so hard to stay quiet and unseen and helpful for everyone else's sake, even if he is a raging ass, while Fool can barely seem to convey anything he means with it being received properly even with his fanciful words.
I know thats a lot lol, but for anyone who wants, hit me up with some discourse yeah? I've been dying to hear from other people about all this!
edit: thought it'd be funny to share that I'm typing this instead of studying buffers and titrations lmao, wish me luck on my chem midterm ig :,3