A Keefe/ Sokeefe Discussion And Why Sokeefe Is Important.

A Keefe/ Sokeefe discussion— and why Sokeefe is important.

So, as many of you know I am reading through Keeper of the Lost Cities. I just finished Lodestar, and I have a lot of thoughts regarding Keefe, especially in relation to Sophie.

Despite them being apart, Lodestar proves just what great foils Keefe and Sophie are. Not only do they continue to have a deep and innate understanding of one another, but Sophie in particular is the only one to have full faith in Keefe and understand what he is doing. While arguably being the one with the most right to be upset with him.

She never lost faith in him. Even before she saw his worst memory, she saw his reasonings and the guilt he was harboring better than anyone.

Generally speaking, while understandable, the skepticism towards Keefe by characters throughout this book was so frustrating. This boy is risking his life, putting himself in the heart of enemy territory FOR THEM, overwhelmed with guilty for what his mother did to his loved ones, and so often his job is made harder with questioning of his loyalties.

Once it was confirmed Keefe was indeed a double agent and still good, which was pretty clear already given his parting comments and want to get Sophie to safety, couldn’t we maybe, I don’t know, not second guess his intentions constantly and potentially jeopardize his safety?

All it does is make Keefe’s plans run less smoothly, and higher the probability that he is going to get in trouble and into a situation where he has to do something bad just to stay alive.

I am so glad to see him back for ‘Nightfall’, and Fitz begin to underhand him more deeply. Yet it is so very telling how strong he and Sophie’s relationship stayed despite being apart, and how Sophie treated him in comparison to the others.

They have, as I stated before, a deep connection and innate understanding of one another. Unparalleled by any other relationship.

The fact Sophie was thinking for a moment they were fated to be opposites is interesting, because they very much are fated as foils and soulmates. Further, the very reason Keefe left is why Sokeefe works, especially in comparison to Sofitz.

You see, for a classic ESTP type character Keefe’s empath abilities, empathy for others (obviously connected to his abilities), disregard for his own well being, and constant putting others before himself is classic INFJ. It’s an incredibly interesting ability to put with his personality, and makes him a remarkably complex and unique character even outside of his history and traumas.

Keefe takes what his mother did personally. He owns it and puts it on his shoulders. He is riddled with guilt, and has very little regard for his own life. This is why he makes the sacrifice to join the Neverseen and put himself in danger. He could quite literally feel the pain and impact his mother caused on his friends. It would be next to impossible not to internalize that.

But you know who else has a relative who hurt people and joined the Neverseen? Fitz. Yet his reaction is entirely hard and logical, compatible with his telepathic mind abilities. He doesn’t take it personally like Keefe does, he doesn’t put that responsibility on his shoulders. 

He is the head, while Keefe is the heart.

And this is where we get into the heart of why I think Sokeefe works while Sofitz doesn’t. As a romantic partner and foil, Sophie needs a heart to contrast and support her head, not another head (if that makes sense). They balance each other. Keefe helps make sense of all of the feelings and thoughts in her head, while Sophie helps him make sense of and reason our all of his overwhelming emotions.

This is seen in their interactions all throughout the series. Each one is so tender, genuine and raw. There is that deep connection I’ve mentioned, that leads them to get one another in ways nobody else can.

Nobody else understands Keefe the way Sophie does, and vice versa. Nobody. In ways tied to both Keefe opening up to her, and them being on the same communicative emotional wavelength. It honestly reminds me of all the reasons I love Zutara and mourn it’s lost potential.

There is no way to do it justice when trying to describe characters who just have that bond, that perfect understanding and balance, that mutually supportive love. Those characters that are perfect foils.

Sofitz is cute, but more of a crush, and I truly think they are compatible better as besties and telepath battle partners. It’s not problematic and I don’t hate them as a pair, but it is simply not meant to be as Sokeefe, nor does it have the depth. I like the idea of their relationship being like Claire and Douxie in Tales of Arcadia. I know Sofitz tries things out for a little while in books 7-8 ish, and while I probably will be frustrated screaming for Keefe I actually don’t mind.

Because I want Sophie to try out that relationship, see why it’s not meant to be that kind of love, and move on to find a true, mature romantic love with Keefe. Fitz is a cute boy, and they share a lot in common. It’s perfectly natural for Sophie to have a crush on him and even try dating.

But a message of Sophie realizing what true love is/ what different kinds of love look like, and finding a mature relationship with Keefe while also being able to have a strong non romantic bond with Fitz? Is so important and would be so beautiful. Not to mention having this in the hindsight of Keefe being SO mature and supportive of Sophie and Fitz’s relationship.

It seems to be leaning that direction based on what I’ve heard about the end of book 8 (because yes I looked up the Sokeefe page on the wiki spoilers be damned because I am trash), and I am crossing my fingers that is the arc we get for the last books.

Keefe and Sophie’s love is so deep, unconditional, and pure. They understand and support each other in so many ways and bring out each other’s best selves. They help each other heal, and are connected in a way unparalleled by any other characters.

The head and the heart. The telepath and the empath.

Sokeefe forever.

PLZ I WAS JUST THINKING AND-

marjorie by taylor swift is like EXACTLY fitz pov at the end of the first kotlc book when Sophie was trying to transmit to him sjdgsjkfh

“And if I didn't know better

I'd think you were talking to me now

If I didn't know better

I'd think you were still around

What died didn't stay dead

What died didn't stay dead

You're alive, you're alive in my head”

isn’t it funny how i can go from absolute certainty that sokeefe will be endgame bc there’s just too much build up, to questioning/worrying if sophie’s inner feelings will ever even be acknowledged by herself and lead to anything at all because there’s no way keefe leaving for the forbidden cities won’t do serious damage to their relationship/dynamic 😕

day 3567438839123563743 (actually more like 40 since i only started reading this series a month ago) of not understanding why “fitz was the one to find her and bring her to the lost cities!” is a good argument for why sophitz should be together💀

like that could’ve been literally anyone else y’all. even the mf neverseen almost beat him to it😭

THEY ARE IN LOVE YOUR HONOR

im pretty sure it j disregarded my name since it’s so uncommon LMAO but very pretty

tags: @allybrumby @eabha @fintan-pyren

Starting a new post cuz it was too long so!! Thanks @fairyblue-alchemist for the tag!

Rules: google/search (your name) + (favorite color) + the word "aesthetic", save the first 4 photos that come up and you have a moodboard! Then tag friends and mutuals :)

Ok so there's actually this owl called "athene noctua" and... I think it's my new favorite animal djhfhfjsdjfb

I'm gonna tag @test-tube @unknown-hilichurl (sorry for tagging you guys so much 😅😅😅) @sevarix-writes and anyone else that wants to give it a try!!