102: Slightly Further Along
Intriguing how long this soundless phase lasts! But yes, it is indeed mildly weird. I am surprised that more people haven’t asked.
Honestly, I’d be one to think that this clone-like existence would be all the more reason to not name her the same thing, so that she doesn’t have the pressure of trying to mold her life after that of the original, or live up to her legacy, or whathaveyou. In human natural life cycles wherein the parent may name the child after themselves, this is slightly more understandable, given the child will likely (though obviously not always) have the parent or grandparent actually in their life, and there will be factors such as the Junior/Senior/Greater/Lesser distinctions to emphasize the differences between each of the parties involved; however, with a clone that does not have the actual memories of the original, this is a bit more difficult to justify. It is also worth noting that not everyone actually finds the “Name your child after yourself or your father/mother” tradition to be a good/acceptable one, even as is. Regardless, there’s not much more point discussing this, honestly. It is what it is.
Hooray, we have reached the point where my accidental spoilering of myself is no longer an issue!~ That is to say, when I actually read it being confirmed in the story! More pertinently, it is a shame that the child’s name being said here suggests that John and Roxy are having a bit in the way of communication issues. I suppose it also points to John’s immaturity: as is the case with many new parents, he is nervous about whether he’s doing things right and is actually ready for the prospect of being a parent, I think--- and especially the fact that this sort of ties him into his place as an adult, in John’s case, though it would seem that he’s become more in-tune with adulthood recently than he was at the start of the epilogues.
Awww. This friendly psychoanalytic behavior is so nostalgic. <3 I do wonder whether Roxy initially wondered why John was interested in some crazy Private Investigator that Jane had fancied some sort of role model in her youth, before John explained the differences in the Alpha/Beta versions of the person. It would have been so very interesting to read John reacting to his other self’s place on Night Court in the Alpha Timeline, too. What a waste~ That said: I very much do agree with Rose. That torch-bearing is good.
Oh ho ho! How very intriguing. Clearly, John is somewhat in-tune with his Ultimate Self (or rather, the collective actions of all his other versions, specifically), if he’s making this statement. Additionally: what an interesting reflection of Void that Rose is making this statement, herself--- though to be fair, she could mean that Vriska was instrumental in the defeat of said villain. The “No One Says Anything” line is quite striking, here. (I do think that it is honestly both admirable and proper, in general, to honor Vriska for her heroics, all things considered, even if it is somewhat iffy to name this particular child after her, by the way.)
The, “Why else would we be here?” line is particularly weird. Rose should know that the consequences of actions detached from the same temporal points of reference take a long time to play out, sometimes, and should not be saying that, as such.
I am not certain if I read him as being entirely upset, so much as passionate, but at the same time, I can see why he would be, all things considered. It’s something very, very important to his wider self, and the sacrifice that he made likely echoes through his entire being. Rose’s sickness at the time and her seemingly miraculous recovery on this side of the split certainly do realistically make for a good set of circumstances to see her discount her past feelings of the importance of said events and/or choice, though, if I am being honest. I don’t entirely blame this Rose for discounting things in this way. It’s just weird for her to just assume that Vriska must have beaten LE, regardless.