Part 2:

Part 2:

See the reblog for the second poll.

Headcanon (with minor evidence?): Rhian's nervous energy translates into physical movements such as pacing when he's anxious while Rafal does the opposite. He goes still and shuts down, utterly paralyzed, like how he was sort of immobilized without his sorcery under the sea in Rise, more vulnerable than usual—enough so, that it could've been a form of analysis paralysis?

This one's only vaguely thematically relevant.

I hope no one minds the frequently posting; I'm cleaning out some drafts.

Read both polls before voting to distinguish between what the questions are asking. The second poll is in the reblog.

It’s THEM.

THEY'RE ALL HERE.

For clarification, I view Adela Sader as the "witch" and the Storian as the "parent," the authoritarian "household" structure, or the magic "life token," even if it has a will of its own and functions differently than a passive object or sign would.

If anyone would like to interpret any of this themselves, have me interpret anything further, or ask a question, you can comment, reblog, or send me an ask, and I'll respond or add more commentary if I have any!

Book: The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales by Bruno Bettelheim.

After Fall, if Rafal had lived:

Rhian: [sets a plate in front of his brother.]

Rafal: [with scrutiny] Watercress and egg. These are the wrong sandwiches. Again.

Rhian: Oh, don’t be like that.

Rafal: I need a vacation.

Rhian: From what? You haven’t been working. And you’ve been on leave for months!

Rafal: [cradling his head, rubbing his temples] From you. I need a vacation from you. I deserve one. And, wait, you think raising an army of a hundred traitorous students isn’t work?

Rhian: You only work when it’s to win and spite me.

Rafal: Exactly. Has it really taken you this long to realize it?

Rhian: [grumbling under his breath] Memento vivere.

Rafal: What was that, loser of mine?