Mirror Checks: Runaan and Aaravos
I’ve posted before about how Runaan somehow knows to check Aaravos’s mirror for a reversed reflection.
He knows that the reversing effect exists.
Knows that it means someone is watching from the far side of the mirror.
Keeps it cool enough, even under Viren’s watchful gaze, that a quick side-to-side check does the job.
Right
then left
and right again
Runaan knows he’s being watched.
He refuses to admit it. And he refuses to play along.
I finally got around to watching Aaravos’s eyes (I mean, where do you leave your gaze when you’re watching him onscreen?) as he does that cloak-adjusting fake-out on Viren, and I realized.
Aaravos does the same thing Runaan does.
He knows that the reversing effect exists. (It’s his mirror, so obviously)
Knows that it means someone is watching from the far side of the mirror. (and can deduce that it ain’t Runaan, since he watched the assassin get stuck in that coin)
Keeps it cool enough, even under Viren’s watchful gaze, that a quick side-to-side check does the job.
Right
then left
then right again
What’s he looking for, though? Runaan’s tattoos are asymmetrical, and one of his horns is broken. It’s easy for him to tell that the mirror’s reflection is backward. But what does Aaravos have on him that he can look for, in order to prove whether his reflection is reversed or not?
Well, the spiky rays on his hood aren’t symmetrical, but that’s not where Aaravos’s eyes are looking. He’s looking down and to his left, which means that whatever is down and to his right is what he’s actually seeing.
I’d easily buy that Aaravos put that hole there himself specifically for a moment like this. Or simply didn’t repair it if it occurred naturally.
But this bit here, where Aaravos seems to be staring right at Viren
is no guess, nor is it special sight. Aaravos is just one canny bastard. He knows the mirror’s on, knows Viren’s the one who possesses it. Knows how tall the dark mage is, because he was watching him earlier. Knows exactly where to aim his eyes.
Aaravos knows he’s being watched.
He refuses to admit it. And he refuses to play along.
Viren just can’t win with these hot elves. But he doesn’t deserve to.
