One thing I’ve been liking for the new main story chapters so far (where they’ve started releasing two non-limited sinners instead of one) is how both of the sinners are foils to each other in some way:
Parfait’s image represents the DisCity elite in Aureate Regale, the ones who still exhibit control over the Outlands and are in charge of running the Expo behind the scenes. Her role in the story is that of a “conductor”, the person pulling the strings along and influencing situations into her desired outcomes.
Jasmine, by contrast, represents the voice of the unheard — the victims of the Outlands who have been hurt under the system of DisCity, being presented as an “object” to be sold at the Expo as she tries to take back the autonomy and narrative that’s been stolen from her:
The promo art for Aureate Regale being a reference to Pablo Picasso's "Guernica" also reinforces the roles these two have in the story — Parfait being associated with the bull, which represents war (the eventual outcome from DisCity), and Jasmine being associated with the horse, which represents the people of Guernica but in this case, the people of the Outlands.
I think it's a cool introduction and forshadowing as to what's to come in the Outlands arc and the major conflict, where PTN plays with the two main themes of War and Famine, meant to be represented by DisCity and the Outlands.
I’ve already talked quite a bit about Margaret and Rust’s parallels, but to reiterate them again here (because I love Thorny Roads and will not shut up about it) Margaret’s whole symbolism consists of light and purity, a representation of the “peace” she so desires. She is bathed in lighter colors, surrounded by doves and roses, and acts kind, seeming to be someone you can trust at first glance.
Rust, meanwhile, is portrayed with a more darker color scheme and in the shadows, someone who is “shady” and not to be trusted. He is surrounded by thorny brambles, a clear indicator that becoming involved with him might hurt the other person as well. That the "road to dawn" is certainly not an easy venture:
In the key design notes for this art, PTN mentions how the clear divide between Rust and Margaret with Hypatia in the middle is very intentional with them representing their own paths because they are Hypatia’s two major mentor figures in the story. They leave Hypatia having to “choose” which path she will walk, with her eventually choosing her own path in the end.
But as we see in the story, Margaret and Rust’s light and dark dynamic actually indicates the exact opposite: Rust is designed to be as shady as he can be, and yet he is trusting, kind, and friendly, willing to help guide Hypatia and sacrifice his life for her towards the end of her journey. And while Margaret is depicted as an angelic and savior like figure, she is in reality a wolf in sheep’s clothing; she is manipulative and arrogant, and not above using Hypatia for her benefit towards her own goals.
As for Isomer and Celine, well we don’t know much yet story wise, but just based on initial info and appearances, their personalities appear to play off of each other. Celine seems gentle and patient, while Isomer is more ambitious and stoic. One deals with history, and the other dabbles in science. Even their blue and pink color palettes compliment each other well in their designs and in the promo art:
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