Was reading your OC fic and I was just wondering what drew you to Clemmie and Lyssie as a pairing?
I just think they just play off of each other really well (the versions of them that live in my head)! I think it was a spur of the moment decision to ship them in the Festus chapter, but I thought that they would have good chemistry! Then, as I worked out the finer details, they became really compelling to me!
I know that I said that I didn't have time to get into my Lyssie characterization, but I suppose that I can get into it a little bit since Lu actively wants me to (she's whispering in my ear). So anyway, what drew me to Clemensia/Lysistrata (vickercote? I've seen it called)
Clemensia, I think is someone who starts questioning the Capitol for not the most altruistic reasons (her encounter with Gaul inspires it. her bitterness over what happened motivates her, but I think once she sees enough outside of her Capitol perspective, she'll be motivated more by doing what's right).
Lysistrata, to me, is someone who I described in an author's note with "so much righteousness and nowhere for it to go." I just loved the idea that her tragedy was she understood right from wrong better than most Capitolites, but no one would listen to her. Then, I realized that given the Vickers' position as doctors there was a way for them to interact post-snake bite at a time when Clemmie would love to be listened to and of course listen to Lysistrata in turn.
In Close Your Eyes, the main conflict in their relationship (which exists mostly in the final chapter/epilogue) is that Lysistrata does not fully commit to active rebellion. I imagine that she helps out in small ways, but I imagine that Clemensia has much more opportunities and initiative in this regard. (I have Lyssie becoming a doctor like her parents who are described as out of the spotlight and are Pres. Ravinstill's personal physician. I imagine that this forces them to be a fly on the wall for confidential conversations and that they are very discreet. Due to that, I think Lyssie would once her initial outrage of the 10th Games die down be talked to by her parents/be more aware of the dangers of going against the Capitol. They'd probably convince her that staying alive and doing good as a doctor is the best way forward.)
I just like the dynamic that comes with Lyssie struggling with occasionally helping when she can and being a doctor but the being a Capitolite inherently makes you complicit in the Games even if you have the best intentions. I also juxtapose that with Clemmie knowing that Lyssie has the empathy and desire to do more but isn't because Lyssie is hedging her bets on the good she can do as a doctor/by living over the risk of getting killed senselessly.
Meanwhile, parallel that to Clemmie, who I think does get involved with the rebels (strong motivation if she extrapolates that the Capitol is culpable for the snake incident for enabling Gaul. Also perhaps, not even knowing it, but also being in a better position to get away with treason so as she is popular, potentially from a more affluent family (than Lyssie who are only doctors not politicians), and (once Snow is in power) close with Coriolanus in their school years).
The Clemensia/Lysistrata dynamic that exists in my brain in tbosas post-canon is filled with frustration for each other, but also understanding as there are so few people who could understand their views but each other. Then, as more of their classmates drop like flies, there's the clinging to one another, because whatever their grievances, they don't want to lose each other. In my head, in most worlds, Lysistrata outlives all her classmates, and she has to live with the unanswerable question of whether she did enough.
Anyway, Lysistrata was my favorite character before Felix hit me over the head with a shovel, and I think it shows.
Thanks for the ask, anon! I hope this made sense! I rambled a lot and now I have to go, haha!
(this turned into a how I characterize Lysistrata Vickers post basically lol)
