I really love these two.
I have some GITM thoughts below the break, spoiler warning if aren't caught up!
GITM au and characters belong to @venomous-qwille !
Fool has as per usual been occupying a lot of my ponderings, but honestly so has Clip, and I've really loved seeing more of who he is, how he thinks, what he values.
I've been wondering if after Clip saves Fool from the Scary Arcade Cabinet's clutches, that Clip is bound to Fool in a similar fashion to Cricket, if not a stronger and more lasting way? There also seemed to be little clues to Fool's newfound awareness of supernatural presence in Ch18 what with the 'not sure if he was talking to Cricket or the carousel itself, his general skittishness, seemingly talking to nothing or at nothing. Maybe I'm overthinking but there even seemed to be a shift in his eneral attitude towards the carousel since his possession by Clip, experiencing Sight because of him, and post Clip rescuing him. He seemed very proud of the carousel and the other contents of the shed, eagar to show and impress Cricket, maybe even to comfort them with elements of their past that they they seemed found of, while he is considerably more impatient with it in this one, and if the machines Harry kept really do 'just do that sometimes,' they would have been doing it since Fool's arrival, with what has changed being his understanding of why. Cricket repeatedly notes the miasma and the tastes and feelings surrounding it as well when Fool comments or reacts to it, shuts it off or on, etc. Idk, I just liked the idea that while Cricket didn't realize it, Fool was seeing the same stuff.
I wonder if it's due to Clip's continued residence in his body or if it's something Clip left him with as a result of whatever he did to rescue Fool but, idk. Either way, I really liked that and I have come to really adore their dynamic more than I could have predicted. I thought their spooky, flirty (amazingly written too oughhh) first meeting was so much fun and so interesting but the development of their friendship even if by necessity and shared care for Cricket...idk, I see you gentle ghost Clip..what a sweetheart.
I also wonder if Fool's cagey behavior surrounding his injuries were less unwillingness to be vulnerable with Cricket and more a hesitation in case seeing the damage or connecting it to the supernatural, even directly being told about it would evoke a similar reaction as the 'Don't Forget the Ghost in the Machine' inked on their arm, and resulting harm that strain on the 'veil' caused. IDK. I like the idea/wonder if Clip is even telling Fool to be careful not to stress Cricket's sight out, as if he really is hiding things for this reason, he likely wouldn't have known to be so careful without consultation from Clip.
I think another thing that continues to strike me and that I really adore dynamic wise with all the bots is Fool's striking maturity. His altruism, his integrity, his emotional maturity...when I first started reading his wit and charm was funny and refreshing and so so enjoyable, but every moment and every glance at what he's doing and thinking and feeling, the lengths he will go to consider the members of the house despite the forced nature of their relationships and the view of himself by the rest as the comic relief more than anything else...idk it breaks my heart, really really does. In a way, the bots so far almost opperate on a continuum of their own awareness of their situation and how well adjusted they are/how maturely they are handling things, with Fool in many ways at the top (not that all his mechanisms ((pun intended)) are healthy, but much more self aware and considerate), and Sol at the bottom, being the most complacent in his own lack of identity and peace, the most unable/willing to acknowledge his place in things, and Misuta and Spot toggling in between.
Anyhow! Sorry for the big old page stretcher but I had to verbalize my ponderings and I hope they're at least a bit enjoyable! :D













