Post by nilam on Jun 5, 2015 1:57:20 GMT
I'm just one fan, but I can absolutely sympathize with Keti when it comes to declaring Iordun an "asshole". (Yes, I'm going to spell it "Iordun" because that's how I remember it best. I know it changes from time to time.)
Most of the core cast that's persistently around Keti is around her partly because she WANTS them around her: An, Jin, and Daniel are her first friends and have always been there for her. Steve is her best friend's boyfriend, so whether or not they get along, she will want to be at least somewhat supportive, and most of her anger at Steve over the last few panels seems to be directly related to his verbally attacking her after the practice session with Neb. Haiku is a classmate, but doesn't tend to appear outside of larger social gatherings. Neb is making his advances and reasons as clear as he can without being awkward. His behaviour clearly indicates a romantic interest, and an understanding that she may not want to reciprocate those feelings. This seems respectful, although I personally would consider Neb a little too forward with some of his behaviour.
Iordun is an outlier: She showed no active interest in him as anything other than a background character until one of the most awkward and forced moments in her life: The kiss/stab. Iordun kissed her, full-on-the-mouth, without asking, without any prior indication of interest on her part, and without apologies. Whether or not she (or Kaeti) enjoyed it is irrelevant: She, while under the influence of another self, was kissed without consent. That's a pretty serious violation that some people might not notice at first, partly because of the whole world-ending stakes involved and the faerie influences, but this is NOT cool. To make matters worse, in the process, she seriously wounded someone who is ostensibly on her side. While she's come to terms with most of her actions, the fact remains that she did something both her werewolf and human sides would find disgraceful: She violated loyalty.
So, not only was she violated, the same action is one of the persistent reminders that if she had held it together a little bit better, reacted just a little differently, some of the worst devastation the Emerald City has ever seen and some of the hardest times her friends have had to face would have been avoided. Yes, she has a mental disorder, but it's amazing how we treat mental health in this world. To her, even if it isn't her fault, it will always feel like a personal failure. Iordun, in the process of doing something cruel, also made it socially awkward to talk about. For her, there could be no outlet, no way to explain her feelings, because they would always be overshadowed by the crippling guilt she would have over the attack.
Now, let's also consider Iordun's reaction to the arm, and contrast it with some other characters:
If Jimmy had gotten the arm instead of Iordun: Jimmy would be psyched, legitimately! This would mean an extra thesis, some cutting-edge research work on both an AI from Faerie and the most advanced Plot Device ever created. He would have medical procedures, and would probably have some difficulty moving, but that's minor to someone who's completely obsessed with the technology that is now literally integrated into his body. Not only that, but Jimmy wouldn't have tried to kiss Kaeti during the final fight, so it would be easier for Keti to talk with him about it and get some real closure on the issue. He's a creepy stalker who puts Jin on a rose pedestal, but that doesn't change the fact that he would be forthcoming about what's happening, and offer Keti genuine consolation and closure.
If Daniel had gotten the arm: Dan would be sarcastic. He'd probably fight with M3h from time to time, and F3y would make jokes at his expense, but overall he'd just carry on being Dan. Seeing him in this condition would still be a constant reminder that she's harmed him, but his constant presence and genuine support would help her move forward. As a main character, he's well-positioned to carry on deep conversations (or partial conversations, as the script...) and has the full concern to really be there for her.
If Sparkle had gotten the arm: She'd use it to manipulate Keti. It would be a constant reminder, sure, but we expect this kind of emotional manipulation from her. She's a villain (or anti-hero, or damaged goods, depending on which comic you read, I think. I stopped reading Cherry a while back.), and thus we don't expect her to be caring or supportive. We expect her to be abusive.
Now, consider Iordun's behaviour: Does he seem like he's been genuinely supportive of Keti in the time since his injury? He deliberately deceives her in their initial reunion, tries to awkwardly hit on her throughout their interactions (but never to the point of being overt), and generally disregards the fact that she still suffers greatly every time she sees him. He not only stands as a persistent reminder of literally the WORST THING SHE'S EVER DONE, but is one that she can't confront because any conversation will inevitably steer towards HIS feelings. He acts like he's at his own personal pity party, and puts on a "brave face" that falls flat easily. He doesn't make it easy for her, he manipulates her. He is the protagonist of his own little story, and not one that Keti is interested in being a part of.
If we look only through Iordun's POV, it's easy to see Keti as flaky and avoidant. Take a look at it from the perspective of the greater narrative, though, and it becomes clear: He's no better than Sparkle. He's a "Good Guy" who doesn't understand why the girl he wants doesn't want him back. Keti's not interested, I can't think of a time when she's EXPRESSED interest in him, and he can't seem to pull his head out of his ass long enough to understand that.
This has all bothered be for a while, but it took Keti calling him out on it to really help me place why: It's natural in many societies to take the "male" perspective. Of Course Keti is strange and flighty! She's a GIRL and they're INSCRUTABLE. Never mind the trail of trauma related to their ONLY ROMANTIC AND NON-CONSENSUAL INTERACTION keeps her from properly clearing the water, never mind that she's clearly dealing with unresolved issues, no. She's just impossible to read.
Most of the core cast that's persistently around Keti is around her partly because she WANTS them around her: An, Jin, and Daniel are her first friends and have always been there for her. Steve is her best friend's boyfriend, so whether or not they get along, she will want to be at least somewhat supportive, and most of her anger at Steve over the last few panels seems to be directly related to his verbally attacking her after the practice session with Neb. Haiku is a classmate, but doesn't tend to appear outside of larger social gatherings. Neb is making his advances and reasons as clear as he can without being awkward. His behaviour clearly indicates a romantic interest, and an understanding that she may not want to reciprocate those feelings. This seems respectful, although I personally would consider Neb a little too forward with some of his behaviour.
Iordun is an outlier: She showed no active interest in him as anything other than a background character until one of the most awkward and forced moments in her life: The kiss/stab. Iordun kissed her, full-on-the-mouth, without asking, without any prior indication of interest on her part, and without apologies. Whether or not she (or Kaeti) enjoyed it is irrelevant: She, while under the influence of another self, was kissed without consent. That's a pretty serious violation that some people might not notice at first, partly because of the whole world-ending stakes involved and the faerie influences, but this is NOT cool. To make matters worse, in the process, she seriously wounded someone who is ostensibly on her side. While she's come to terms with most of her actions, the fact remains that she did something both her werewolf and human sides would find disgraceful: She violated loyalty.
So, not only was she violated, the same action is one of the persistent reminders that if she had held it together a little bit better, reacted just a little differently, some of the worst devastation the Emerald City has ever seen and some of the hardest times her friends have had to face would have been avoided. Yes, she has a mental disorder, but it's amazing how we treat mental health in this world. To her, even if it isn't her fault, it will always feel like a personal failure. Iordun, in the process of doing something cruel, also made it socially awkward to talk about. For her, there could be no outlet, no way to explain her feelings, because they would always be overshadowed by the crippling guilt she would have over the attack.
Now, let's also consider Iordun's reaction to the arm, and contrast it with some other characters:
If Jimmy had gotten the arm instead of Iordun: Jimmy would be psyched, legitimately! This would mean an extra thesis, some cutting-edge research work on both an AI from Faerie and the most advanced Plot Device ever created. He would have medical procedures, and would probably have some difficulty moving, but that's minor to someone who's completely obsessed with the technology that is now literally integrated into his body. Not only that, but Jimmy wouldn't have tried to kiss Kaeti during the final fight, so it would be easier for Keti to talk with him about it and get some real closure on the issue. He's a creepy stalker who puts Jin on a rose pedestal, but that doesn't change the fact that he would be forthcoming about what's happening, and offer Keti genuine consolation and closure.
If Daniel had gotten the arm: Dan would be sarcastic. He'd probably fight with M3h from time to time, and F3y would make jokes at his expense, but overall he'd just carry on being Dan. Seeing him in this condition would still be a constant reminder that she's harmed him, but his constant presence and genuine support would help her move forward. As a main character, he's well-positioned to carry on deep conversations (or partial conversations, as the script...) and has the full concern to really be there for her.
If Sparkle had gotten the arm: She'd use it to manipulate Keti. It would be a constant reminder, sure, but we expect this kind of emotional manipulation from her. She's a villain (or anti-hero, or damaged goods, depending on which comic you read, I think. I stopped reading Cherry a while back.), and thus we don't expect her to be caring or supportive. We expect her to be abusive.
Now, consider Iordun's behaviour: Does he seem like he's been genuinely supportive of Keti in the time since his injury? He deliberately deceives her in their initial reunion, tries to awkwardly hit on her throughout their interactions (but never to the point of being overt), and generally disregards the fact that she still suffers greatly every time she sees him. He not only stands as a persistent reminder of literally the WORST THING SHE'S EVER DONE, but is one that she can't confront because any conversation will inevitably steer towards HIS feelings. He acts like he's at his own personal pity party, and puts on a "brave face" that falls flat easily. He doesn't make it easy for her, he manipulates her. He is the protagonist of his own little story, and not one that Keti is interested in being a part of.
If we look only through Iordun's POV, it's easy to see Keti as flaky and avoidant. Take a look at it from the perspective of the greater narrative, though, and it becomes clear: He's no better than Sparkle. He's a "Good Guy" who doesn't understand why the girl he wants doesn't want him back. Keti's not interested, I can't think of a time when she's EXPRESSED interest in him, and he can't seem to pull his head out of his ass long enough to understand that.
This has all bothered be for a while, but it took Keti calling him out on it to really help me place why: It's natural in many societies to take the "male" perspective. Of Course Keti is strange and flighty! She's a GIRL and they're INSCRUTABLE. Never mind the trail of trauma related to their ONLY ROMANTIC AND NON-CONSENSUAL INTERACTION keeps her from properly clearing the water, never mind that she's clearly dealing with unresolved issues, no. She's just impossible to read.