Curious what everyone's shipping opinions are for the main party 'cause I got some thoughts!
There are about four potential parings I'm especially fond of.
Obs the first is Mortibin, of which I am completely insane about.
It's textbook opposites attract with the eloquent lying scumbag and the rambling honest sweetheart. Sure, that might make it the "boring" option, but ever since their accidental psychic link, I have been incapable of imagining these two apart.
Mort's been out here locking away his true self for who knows how long and avoiding all vulnerability to keep from being hurt again. Then in comes Grindy, without a single malicious bone in their body, not understanding why someone would hide so much of themselves but willing to carry the burden of secrecy if it helps their friend feel safe and loved. And the idea of someone loving who he really is without expecting anything in return is so foreign to Mort that he assumes it's just another threat to the life he's trying to build. So he tries to push them away with his usual empty threats but they just brush them off because being close to Mort is worth the risk. It's been a slow burn but I think he's realizing that Grindy is worth the risk too. ❤️
Mort would never say it out loud, but you can tell he appreciates Grindy in his own way. They might not be the best speaker, but they are very intelligent when it comes to magic and planning their next move, so I think he likes having an equal he can scheme with. Now Mort is slowly learning to be more vulnerable, and Grindy is getting better at lying to protect their friends. God I love the combo of "I can fix him" and "I can make them worse." :)
Then there's Mortimer and Sigmar. (Mortimar?)
I like this one too! Can't resist the classic Angel X Devil parring, and they have big "love fueled by spite" energy. Like, you got two guys who are both incredibly fed up with the world's bs but coping in opposite ways. And they both think the other is a complete idiot for how they handle things, either through Mort being needlessly dickish or Sig's recklessness. Yet they provide enough of what the other lacks that they can find mutual respect and enjoy each other's company.
That said, I imagine their relationship would be more sexual than romantic. Between Sig's betrothal trauma and Mort's general distrust of love, it would take a long time for them to be comfortable romancing each other. They strike me more as a couple that would occasionally get a little drunk, spend the night sloppily making out, and then wake up the next day pretending that there's nothing between them. They're a mess and I love them. ❤️
And then there's the newly blossoming Sigmar and Dabarella. (Sigmarella? Dabamar?)
These two have always had such good chemistry, but this newest season especially highlights how similar they are. Both have been disowned for not being what they were supposed to be. Both like the thrill of fighting but hate hurting people who don't deserve it. Both think the other is the coolest, most badass person they've ever met!
And god I've loved watching Sig transition from just tolerating Dab's affection to be being so aggressively ride-or-die and protective. He found one of the only people who openly appreciates his skills, and now he will take the bullet for her without the slightest hesitation. I wanna watch these two work out together and see how much they hype each other up!
With Amy not returning for season 5 it's uncertain how Dabs will fit into the story. But no matter what happens, I hope these two will always get to be together, even if it's just off screen. ❤️
Finally, it's one of the ships I've never seen people discuss, but since the beginning of the series I've been very fond of Grinderbella.
The sweethearts! The darlings! The ingly binglies! From season 1 onward these two have constantly been so cozy with each other. The signs first appeared when Dabs chose to cuddle with Grindy in the inn. Then you get Grindy always talking about how Dabs is "one of the sweetest people [they] have ever met" and they always have this soft, adoring tone when they compliment her. Like in S3E8:
Dabs: "I feel like a little princess!"
Grindy: "Our princess!"
It's subtle, but it makes me go crazy every time. And as stressful as Sidequest 2 was, it was such a treat for Grinderbella shippers. They shared the burden of the curse™ and were able to comfort each other through all the mental anguish. These two are just so soft I can't take it! ❤️
That said, if they did end up getting together, I think it would be a mainly romantic relationship. Neither of them seem to have much sex drive, so without someone like Mort or Sig to pull them in that direction they would probably be content with just emotional intimacy. I like to imagine them doing the dishes after the nightclub closes and then going off to Dab's room to cuddle before bed. :3
Bonus Round!
If I could have my way, I'd say that the whole party would be involved in an elaborate polyamory situation.
Adventure is Poly!
I like to think of it as all four of my ships existing at once, with the added benefits of some non-conventional love in between. Like, I can't really see Grinderbin and Sigmar being romantically or sexually involved, but by this point the gang are all such good friends that there could easily be some qpr going on.
Something like this maybe? The lines could fluctuate of course, but regardless of what you label it this party has been built on love of all kinds. ❤️
Anyway, sorry for the essay no one asked for, but these four keep tumbling around my brain, and this was the only way I could get them out. :')
