more thoughts on this later but i think one of my strongest convictions abt NtN is that i deeply, deeply think that camilla and palamades are another set of victims of the empire and the like.... specific relationships/ways of being and interacting and loving that the empire perscribes. paul is alive and cam and pal are happy, because they would rather be dead together than alive seperate. and their relationship/this rebirth is fascinating and thought provoking and like, thematically important to the story etc etc and their entire everything (even before paul) is incredibly queer in ways i dont have the theory background to describe, but they fucking died. “perfect love” no. something something abt how like.... the context in which you are raised and the way you are taught how to love can haunt you long after you decide you reject it. etc.