Mads

so all the other overblotters obviously had complex traumas (that’s part of the whole thing) but every one of them was driven by a cluster of complicated emotions all jumbled together. there was anger and bitterness and resentment and guilt and, yes sadness was present and accounted for, but there was so much else going on. with idia, it was just Sorrow

he didn’t want to make everyone pay for the things that happened to him. he didn’t need the suffering of others. he just wanted his brother alive and by his side again. he’s not angry at the world, he’s not bitter about his situation, he’s just… sad. he just misses his little brother

and even when he was in his overblot form (meaning Not In His Right Mind) his biggest concern was not that he was failing his mission to “reboot the world” but that his classmates were hurting ortho. there was such an intense and crushing devastation surrounding the entire situation. the loss, the hope of ortho’s return, the secondary loss when ortho is destroyed. like he was so close to getting his brother back and - boom - he’s gone again

and THEN the further emotional pain of being able to say to rebuilt ortho “you can go” and ortho sticking around ANYWAY. it’s not the same, it never will be, but they stick together ANYWAY. that’s so fucking sweet and also horrifically gut-punching in a way i can’t even explain. it’s like “i know you’re not really the ortho i knew but the ortho you are is good enough for me.” despite it all, they are still brothers and they’re gonna stay together

In Book 6 and his different personal stories, we can see is total aversion to talking with people. We are told very clearly that he has no friends. But, the biggest factor from him having no friends and not really trying to make them is the existence of the lathe river. Why would you make friends when you are fated to leave them behind? When they might forget you were even friend if they learn the wrong thing?

He is a deeply traumatized individual, but his feelings about friendships seem to be more of a Shroud (and STYX) thing than a grieving about Ortho. Also, his bloodline curse is probably the main cause for his negative attitude. He has to generate bolt if he doesn't want his own magical energy to be incinerated, and we know that bolt is made from strong negative emotions.

Another important aspect is that he is an introvert and really insecure. He is not insecure about his abilities, Idia knows his worth and how good he is. His insecurities take root in the things he thinks are bad about himself, like his flaming hair. He assumes that other people will stare at him or make fun of him behind his back.

So, Idia in Book 7 is all this things, and he doesn't even want to try making friends because they will forget anyway. And then This thing that was in a way preventing him to form friendships is out of the picture. Everyone remembers. They can't make them forget again.

I believe that changes everything for Idia, we can see that change clearly in Book 7 and the scene at the end of Book 6. His way of talking hasn't really changed, but he opens up more to people. He seems less "scared" and more open to talking with others.

Do you know how much that haunts me?? Seeing Ortho so desperately wanting Idia to have hope for a future out from the dark?? From the underworld?? To be able to hope and dream like others can???

WRONG! FEM!IDIA WITH SHIT CABLE MANAGEMENT!!