i was gonna add probably too much commentary in the tags on that last rb. just musings and stuff...
but that moment sticks with me a LOT from episode prompto. especially when the ova shows us that prompto does well with positive reinforcement. there are a lot of moments where prompto shies away from conflict and making things worse -- mostly because we learn that he wants to keep the people he cares about the most in his life.
i do think that moment with aranea is the equivalent of the double negative interaction indication in the sims. sdkjfsdf
but...i keep that moment in the game with me, especially as a point of juxtaposition between aranea's tough love shtick that prompto probably DOES need to hear! versus primam's tender concern and reassurance of him only ever needing to be who he was to have earned everyone's trust and friendship.
i've been rotating gladio in my head more than i typically like rotating him, but it's mostly just me mentally yelling about how much i hate episode gladio as a character 'growth' story, because, imo, there's not really a lot of growth. (i feel the same about episode ignis, but that's a different session i'll have to yell about.)
mostly, i'm just thinking that gladio's always been kind of the weakest character out of the main four boys. the dlc wasn't particularly interesting when it comes to character development, either.
based on the ova and gladio's really aggro way of handling things in chapter 11, i've been thinking about just kind of reworking the entirety of confronting gilgamesh. like, yeah, it's supposed to be a trial to prove yourself worthy, there'll still be that element. but i kind of really want to chip away at this idea that gladio still harbors doubts and misgivings about noctis and having to act as his shield.
the ova of 'sword and shield' is kind of what really makes me take gladio and kind of keep this seed of doubt planted within him. like, sure, noctis has proven himself a good person for what he did for iris to prevent her from getting into too much trouble, but, honestly, that's not really a big thing. ultimately.
he's clearly idolized regis -- which is likely based on stories shared from clarus (that probably embellished a bit to make them all look good for the sake of storytelling), but also maybe interactions with regis himself. he wanted to be shield of the king when regis was king. not shield of a child.
there are plenty of things that noctis does that paints him childish or even sometimes petulant. because he hasn't really fully grown up yet in the events of the game -- you could probably make an argument that he's still not really grown up by the time that he's out of the crystal to restore order to the world. but, again, that's a different can of worms for a different time.
i just think that in a game that's supposed to be about brotherhood, gladio is kind of one of the worst ones to show off this portrayal and/or embodiment (and this 'brotherhood' theme of the game is...well, i also have a lot of thoughts about it and how it's not executed well).
personally, i've been thinking that the meeting with gilgamesh isn't just a test of strength, it's a dance of self reflection. especially on the precipice of either walking away a stronger person, or falling never to be seen again. while i'm fine with gilgamesh's grievances on how modern times has made people soft (because sure, it would have if people get to live more in comfort), i've been thinking about how gilgamesh should pick up on this shade of resentment that gladio still has hung onto in regards to noctis.
i want gladio to deny this, because he's too proud to admit he still has this point of view. i want him to get his shit kicked in. i want him to have the self reflection that, maybe, just maybe, he's really only looking out for noctis as a favor to regis more than he wants to be a shield for noctis in and of himself. because, again, gladio wants to be shield for an established king who embodies his idea of who or what a king is. and, well...noctis isn't that, and still has a long way to go to be to that.
"you don't believe in your king, do you? look at you, your eyes still yet ember with resentment. you would rather serve a king who has already earned his worth rather than guide one to greatness. you're not a shield, you are a dog."
